"I'm right here, Tenzin." The girl said, squeesing her boyfriend's hand tighter as he winced in pain. Her jade eyes were filled with a mixture of pride, love, and worry as she watched him recieve his airbending tattoos- he was the first to experience the ritual in over a hundred years. "Remember what he said, meditate if you need to."
A small smile showed on Tenzin's pained face as he heard her whisper softly to him. He closed his silver eyes and breathed deep, relaxing as he meditated. It had already been hours since his father had begun piercing his skin with the blue-inked needle, and it was finally almost over. He just had to get through the arrow on his forehead. His eyes screwed up in pain as the needle reached his bald scalp, leaving a trail of blue in it's wake.
Lin bit her lip, hating seeing him in this much pain. But she knew how happy he was, being able to help his father carry on the airbender tradition- the right of passage was all he'd talked about for weeks. She stroked her thumb over his hand gently, watching him hold back tears as Aang reached his forehead.
He wouldn't cry. He refused to allow himself to cry. After all, his father had endured the same experience at the age of twelve. He was seventeen and would not embarress himself like that in front of his father, the Avatar.
"Alright, little leaf- we're done." The older airbender said, stepping back and smiling proudly at his youngest son. The boy didn't even mind him using the old nickname, too busy staring at the light blue arrows that ended on the back of his hands, pride and happiness shining in the silver eyes he had inherited from his father.
Lin couldn't help embracing Tenzin in a tight, yet careful embrace. "Tenz, you did it! You're a master!" The young earthbender couldn't contain the large, proud smile on her face as she looked at her best friend.
"I'll go get your mother so she can help those tattoos start healing, alright son?"
"Sure, dad." He gave his father a small wave before turning to Lin.
"Thank you, for staying with me Linny."
"I wouldn't want to have been anywhere else, Airhead." She said affectionately before leaning in to kiss him.