Tenzin woke up later than usual to a splitting headache and his wife worrying over him. It isn't uncommon for people to get sick during this time of the year, afterall; it is flu season. However, it is inconvenient when the oldest of the only two airbending masters gets sick.
Tenzin let out a quiet groan and looked over at Pema who was wringing out a rag to dab at his forehead with.
He hesitated to speak, knowing that judging by the pain in his throat, his voice wouldn't sound very harmonious. He slowly spoke in a hoarse voice. "Pema? Dear? The time?"
Pema seemed to stiffen at his voice before she relaxed and looked at him, giving him a soft smile. "Don't worry, dear. It's noon, but Jinora is handling everything with the airbenders. You just relax and focus on getting better, ok?"
He gave a small sigh and nodded before closing his eyes and relaxing as the damp cloth was pressed against his forehead.
(Our first line break of the season)
All of the airbenders had just dispersed into their own groups after Jinora told them they could have an hour to themselves. She was getting a bit tired from teaching and having to deal with Ikki, who was more hyper than usual, and Meelo, who was actually acting a bit more sluggish than he usually is.
After wandering off to a more secluded area she sat down on the ground and crossed her legs, closing her eyes and relaxing a bit. She only got to meditate for a few minutes before her meditation was interrupted by somebody clearing their throat behind her. She sighed and opened her eyes, turning around and relaxing at the sight of Kai. Kai let out a small smile and spoke. "Hey, Jinora. Sorry for interrupting your totally important meditation."
Jinora rolled her eyes and smiled softly before speaking. "It's fine, Kai. Did you wanna go hang out or something? I can meditate later." She got up and dusted herself off before walking over to him.
He smiled wider and nodded. "Yeah. What do you wanna do?"
Jinora tilted her head and thought about it for a moment before speaking. "Well... I was going to read after meditation...but I guess you wouldn't want to do that, huh?."
Kai shook his head, "No thats fine! As long as I'm with you I'll be happy- I mean, um-," Kai's face turned bright red as he tried to fix what he said.
Jinora was about as red as he was but she fought the blush down after a few seconds and smiled, "Great! I was reading this really good story and I'm not that far in it so I guess I could start over for you." Kai nodded, blush slowly fading.
Jinora grabbed his hand and started leading him in the direction of the temple. "Alright. Come on."
Kai tilted his head. "Oh. Um. Where exactly are we going?"
She looked at him and kept walking as she answered him. "My room. Thats where the book's at and thats where I'm most comfortable reading. Wouldn't want Ikki to interrupt us or something, right?"
Kai's face flushed as he heard her answer. "I don't think Sifu Tenzin would be ok with me being in your room, Jinora." He bit his lower lip, speaking slowly and carefully.
Jinora looked forward and kept walking as she spoke. "My dad is sick and won't be out of his room for awhile...and my mother will be taking care of him. Anyways, he should trust me alone in my room with a boy. I'm an airbending master now I think i'm responsible enough to have you in my room. Besides, we're just reading a book."
Kai nodded. "I guess youre right. What's the harm in reading, right?"
She nodded as well and smiled at him. "Exactly. Why are you so worried anyways? I thought you were totally fine with not obeying rules, mister theif?" She looked at him as she teased.
He let out a small chuckle. "Hey I've changed! And I'd totally be down for disobeying your dads rules if it wasnt for the fact that in this instance I think he might actually kill me."
Jinora laughed a bit and rolled her eyes. "Oh come on. He's an airbender. He wouldn't kill you. Well...he probably wouldn't kill you."
Kai smiles before speaking, sarcasm laced in his voice. "Wow that was very reassuring"
Jinora grabbed his hand and looked at him. "Hey, Didn't you say as long as you were with me you'd be happy?" She raised an eyebrow and gave a soft smirk.
Kai looked down at their hands and then back up at her, his face heating up. His voice cracked as he spoke. "Y-yeah" He calmed a bit before speaking up again. "Yeah...because you make me super happy" He let out a small smile and squeezed her hand.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Once in her room she let go of his hand and grabbed her book before sitting on the bed. Kai looked around awkwardly before Jinora decided to speak up.
"You can come sit down with me. I won't bite." She opened the book and Kai slowly made his way over to her, sitting down next to her.
Jinora glanced at him and then looked back to the book, leaning against him and beginning to read. "A nice cool breeze washed over the earth kingdom village, refreshing the young earthbending girl who had been practicing all day in the sun." She kept reading about an earthbender girl who fell in love with a fire nation soldier during the hundred year war.
Kai wrapped an arm around her halfway through the first chapter.
She rested her head on his shoulder and continued to read.