*~*Between Two Words*~*

Author: Metalbender-Lin

Description: After Lin's and Tenzin's breakup Bumi is injured on a United Forces mission. Being brought home to recover it is proven fast that living with his brother and new girlfriend is not a good option for any of them. The chaotic sailor Bumi ends up staying with Lin – how will that turn out?

Pairings: implied past Linzin; Pemzin; eventually Linumi

Rating: M – will go up in later chapters

Disclaimer: I do not own AtlA/LoK, I do not earn any money with this – it is merely fanfiction to share with other fans :)

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Part 1: An Autumn flying by – Chapter 1: Staying alive

The airship's steady rumbling lulled Bumi into grogginess while he waited to arrive home. He had not returned to Airtemple Island since his father, Avatar Aang, had passed away and his mother and sister left for the southern watertribe. Only his brother and his girlfriend had remained in Republic City, both bound to their duties. His relationship to Tenzin had always been a little bit strained due to his brother being the now only living airbender and therefore the only one to carry on their father's legacy. It had taken him a whole lot of time to come to terms with being the family's only non-bender, but uncle Sokka had made it a point to prove to Bumi that not being able to bend did not make you any less valuable.

Lin was an altogether different matter. Even though their age difference they had always got along great and he considered her one of his best friends. They shared the same humor and Lin managed to get the brothers to get along with each other. He had missed their conversations but his missions in the United Forces had kept him heavily occupied. He hoped she was not to angry that he had not kept his promise to write to her.

The anesthesia that made the heavy wound to his leg bearable began to wear off and Bumi groaned in pain. The latest mission had involved a combat with some pirates who were causing trouble near the fire nation's borders. Though he could not recall what exactly had happened he remembered waking up to the horrid pain and the waterbender trying to heal up his wound. Turned out his leg had been almost cut off by... something and he would need a long time to regain his walking abilities. All the healer could do for him was to make sure he survived at all and reattach all the muscles and nerves to give him the chance to keep the leg. Crutches would help him around until then but he was ordered to not use them more often than absolutely necessarily. Building his abilities back would be hard enough as it was and he would get cleared to start such by healers in Republic City.

A healer reloaded the anesthesia and when he awoke the next time it was to his arrival and a very nervous little brother of him. Slowly making his way over he questioningly stared his brother down. "What is it?", he roughly bellowed. "Nothing Bumi. You look horrible.", Tenzin stated, straightening himself. He led him into the house and his room – which seemed even duller than his little sleeping space on the ship. "Would you like to have your meals here or do you think you can manage to join us for them?", his brother asked somewhat coolly. "Depends on whether Lin is going to keep me company – eating alone is unhealthy, you know.", Bumi replied with his usual slightly flirtatious manner. Now Tenzin tensed visibly. "No, she won't – either way." Taken aback Bumi started to reply but his brother had shut the door close and was gone. As fast as his situation would let him he made to follow Tenzin though he soon realized that it was a task unmanageable. Back in his room he made his way to the bed and sunk down there. Bumi would find out soon enough – on lunch he would have his answer.

…

At the table he went to his usual spot and agonizingly slow sat down on the ground. An air acolyte was kind enough to help him getting settled on the floor. The rest of them came punctual as it was the way of air acolytes. When his brother sat down across from him – his displeasure visible on his face – they stared each other down while waiting for the other to give up. However it was broken when a very young air acolyte came in with some part of their food and slopped down next to Tenzin, giving him a short peck on the lips in welcome. "Pema, you surely remember my brother Bumi?", Tenzin asked in all formality. "Of course I do. I thought he was supposed to stay in bed for the time being?", Pema answered, smiling sweetly at him and turning to his brother. "Yes I am, but my brother obviously wants to keep me locked out. Say, what is Lin's opinion on you getting kisses from a child?", Bumi spit the last part. His brother of all people – way to serious for his own good – never struck him as a cheater. Now Pema's eyes widened in shock. Bumi thought she could not have been as oblivious to her surroundings to miss the fact that Tenzin was in a relationship. Tenzin had the decency to blush slightly when he answered: "Lin's opinion on who I'm dating is of no relevance since we broke up a few months ago. And I demand that you do not call my girlfriend a child." Bumi's jaw nearly hit the ground – hard – upon hearing this. "And why, might I ask, does no one know about the break up?" "Because it was impossible to get any letter through to your secret mission.", was the simple answer, yet Bumi knew his brother. He was a coward. If there was any sort of trouble Tenzin would find a way out.

"If anyone could help me back up – I do not feel like eating anymore." Bumi said to no one in particular, yet Pema got up and helped him. He left for his room.

Later that evening Pema visited him. "Hello Bumi.", she said shyly. "I didn't know you had no idea about my relationship to Tenzin and I'm sorry that you're not happy with it. But we are very happy and we want the same things in life. A family sooner rather than later." Examining her closely Bumi could see her shiver slightly. "So what about Lin? She is also willing to have a family." "Yes, but Lin is an earthbender...", Pema trailed off, leaving the main meaning hanging around. Nodding Bumi signalized for Pema to leave. His brother was too afraid of not continuing the airbender race that he was willing to give up a relationship that had lasted twenty-something years. That fit the bill.

The next few days were wearing out the brothers tempers gravely – Bumi's flirtatious ways did not sit well with Pema who did not know that it was all just for fun and Tenzin regularly boiled with anger at his brother's antics. Since the pain medication was finally leveled Bumi was relatively fine. And bored as hell. Neither air acolyte was good company and most of them seemed to be afraid of him. So instead Bumi planned a trip to Republic City which included Oogie. He was fairly convinced that at this point Tenzin would do nearly anything to get rid of him. And if everything went well he would not be staying the next few months at the Island. The stress could not do well for his recovery.

"Tenzin!", he cried out while he walked to the pavilion, still very slow by the crutches. Bumi could see the vain on the baldly shaved head beginning to throb. "I'm meditating. Don't bother me.", Tenzin gruffly replied without opening his eyes. "But I would like to go to Republic City and see if I find some place to stay there. Could I borrow Oogie?", Bumi said unaffected. Bumi could have sworn that he never saw his brother to agree to anything more quickly.

After his brother had put the reigns on the skybison he whispered instructions to Oogie and bend Bumi up on his head. "Yip yip!" - and off he was. Now came the far more risky part. Bumi wanted to visit Lin. By this time of the day either she or her mother Toph Bei Fong should be at the station so he would know where to go from there. After a rather short flight Oogie landed on the top of the stationbuilding. And only seconds after a pile of rocks came flying his way. "I've told you that you're not allowed to land your bison on the airship lot!", a very familiar voice angrily shouted. "I'm sorry, but I don't think you did.", Bumi called out. Just an inch before hitting him the rocks stopped, still hovering dangerously. Her steps could be heard as she rounded up on Oogie. Upon seeing Bumi instead of Tenzin she let the rocks drop in shock. "Bumi! What- how- why?", Lin uncharacteristically spluttered. "The great Lin Bei Fong at a loss for words. Who would have thought that I would live to see this.", he replied with a smile. "Would you help me down?"

Finally finding back to herself Lin provided some kind of ramp for him. Crutches firmly under his arms he went to the ground before leaning his head down and putting a kiss on her crown as hello. "Seems I'm a little indisposed by the time. I was brought home but you have not the slightest idea how utterly boring being there is. So I hoped you would make yourself some time to hang around?", Bumi asked with as much charm as he could muster. Her head to the side Lin thought about this for a moment. "I will see what I can do."

Together they went down to Toph's office where Lin would request the rest of the day off. "So Bumi, I thought you were on Tenzin's side considering Pema?", Toph asked harshly. "Why would you think that Chief?", the latter asked. "Not even one letter ever since Tenzin broke things up.", came the calm reply. "Mission made it impossible. I only just got filled in with those news when I arrived two days ago.", he answered rightfully. "Well then. Have fun.", the Chief said with one of her grins. "What about your leg?", Lin asked after they had left the office. "I shouldn't make long distance trips." Nodding silently Lin mimicked for him to follow. There were a few wheel chairs kept at the station and she would not be limited by where they would eat to walking distance. "Are you serious?", Bumi asked with a look of shame. "Sure I am. Sit down and let's get going.", she said encouragingly. Knowing that this was a fight he could not win Bumi complied. Controlling the metal in it Lin walked next to him rather than behind while pushing it.

"So you never knew that it was over between Tenzin and me?" Lin inquired on their way out. "Never dreamed of it. That one came as a real surprise. I'm really sorry by the way for not writing." Bumi said honestly. A single tear escaped the corner of her eyes, but she swept it away before it touched her chin. "Where would you like to eat?", she changed the topic. "I don't really care as long as they serve some meat – this vegetarian thing is not working for me!", he exclaimed.

They settled into a little diner serving fire nation dishes. After they had given their order they fell into a comfortable silence, content to examine each other. "Now Linny," - he delightfully noticed her cringe to the mention of her loathed nickname - "tell this old sailor something about your glorious career at the Police Force."

She snorted involuntarily: "Yes, glorious is just the very word to describe it. We're having kind of trouble with tirades. Some benders group up to force their criminal intends onto the city. A whole bloody lot of paperwork mostly." They laughed together; though Lin was a great officer and working well on practical things both knew that she had a knack for filing all sorts of things. Far too many jokes had been made on that topic. "Yes, I can imagine. But consider yourself lucky – I will have to stay at Tenzin's until I find a place where I can stay without assistance. Otherwise it might be months – that is if neither of us kills the other by accident.", Bumi answered with a dramatic sigh. "Then we probably should search for something after lunch. In your condition it is much more likely that Tenzin survives this battle.", Lin offered.

They spent the rest of their meal chatting away happily over old times and joking. Bumi gentlemanly paid the check and they started to the hotels of the city, trying to find any place that would make it possible for Bumi to live on his own. That task however proved more challenging than expected – no room could fit his needs and when the sun set they became slowly frustrated. "I'd say we close this for today and you can stay in my guest room. I'm off work 'til after tomorrow.", Lin offered. "You sure that's all right?", Bumi inquired. Lin nodded her head: "Considering that I'm hungry again and can't bear another try at any hotel – yes, I'm fine with it." He let out one of his wild booming laughs. Together they went to Lin's.

"You've moved.", Bumi stated. "Yes, I have. Couldn't stand staring at the walls anymore." When they entered the elevator he looked around – her new apartment was located much nearer to the city center and more fancy than the old. Though neither Toph nor Lin had ever cared much about showing off their wealth Lin was not blind to her surroundings like her mother – and obviously enjoyed a little bit luxury. "My grandmother was sure to have me settled 'properly' for the first time in my life. I'm getting used to it.", she said as if she had read his mind. "It sure looks nice.", he replied. Lin lived on the 14th floor and there were only two apartments per floor.

She unlocked her door and rolled him in before following suit and clicking on the light switch. The door opened to a small corridor from where all other rooms were adjourned. Lin motioned for him to take the second door to the right – where the living room and open kitchen were located. Behind the windows a beautiful view over the city and the Park enfolded. The furniture was very elegant and set in creams and dark wood, accented by all kinds of green decor. "That's one way to live!", Bumi exclaimed with a smile. "Tea?", she asked casually, already making her way over to the stove. "Yes, please."

She moved him over to the table and moved a chair aside from over there – 'Of course in a Bei Fong household everything is at least added with enough metal to make it moveable', Bumi thought to himself with a smile. While waiting for the water to boil Lin started setting the table. "My Lin, you would do an amazing job as a housewife!", Bumi joked only to see her face drop. "But obviously not as good as others.", she said bitterly. Her shoulders hanging she stared out of the window. Bumi wished to slap himself for etching on that topic. "I'm sorry. I didn't think.", he said softly. "Don't be. What's over is over, right?", she said, her eyes watering. "Come over here.", he pleaded, a hand stretching out to her. Her inner fight was only visible when you knew what to look for, but Bumi knew all the signs since their childhood. Finally she walked over around the table and let herself slop down into the chair next to him. He put his arm around her and almost immediately her facade fell as she started crying and dwindled herself into his hug awkwardly around the wheelchair.

Bumi rubbed her back and shushed softly until she had calmed down a little. "It's alright to be angry and upset about a breakup after over twenty years. And it's alright to mourn this loss. You don't need to keep this bottled up inside of you – only makes you sick.", he whispered into her ear. "B-but it's... it's so uh-unfair, Bumi! H-he's ha-happy with that... teenie. And I'm alone...", she sobbed. "Shhh. For now I'm here and you can stop feeling all lonely.", he hushed her. "I would offer you tea, but the water has probably cooled down twice in this time.", he said attempting humor once more. And this time she laughed heartedly. "You're incurable Bumi!"

Once more she turned on the kettle to boil and finally finished making tea. They had dinner almost without any conversation but constantly kept looking at each other and breaking into fits of laughter. Lin's tears had left the soldier in a more ragged up status than before and her face was a mess of puffiness and redness. It was just like it had ever been between them, against their mutual fear that the breakup of Lin and Tenzin could have changed their friendship.

To be continued...

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A/N: Yeay my first fanfiction! Please hit that review botton to let me know what you think, constructive critisism is always welcome :)