Bittersweet

She feels humiliated when she first realizes it. Spirits forbid that she, Lin Beifong, was falling in love.

But Tenzin is different, she reminds herself. Calm, patient, refreshing. Compared to the rowdiness of many boys her age, he was soothing. A conversation could be kept, an altogether easiness that was hard to obtain.

But Lin wasn't stupid. Tenzin couldn't―he wouldn't―ever fall in love with her. Through all of her grit and tough attitude, who could possibly see the good inside of her?

"You're a good person, Lin. If other people don't see that, then they're dumb."

(Damn it, she thinks. But Lin still won't admit it.)

She's absolutely ecstatic when he appears on her doorstep before their first date. The usually calm Airbender was obviously flustered, scratching the back of his head and shifting his feet.

"Uh, hi, Lin," he finally manages to coax.

Lin chuckles. "Hey there, Tenzin."

He was obviously nervous, she saw it on his face and hears it in his words.

Tenzin almost forces himself to speak: "I was wondering if we could walk through the Republic City Park―or no! No, no, if you don't want to, it's alright. I mean, we could do whatever it is you like."

She steps down the stairs before linking her arm with his. "I think a walk sounds beautiful."

"I love you," he proclaims, smiling.

She freezes in her movement. Eyes wide, cheeks red, she turns her head and replies: "I love you too."

"Your Tenzin and my Lin." Toph smiles as she nudges Aang with her elbow.

"It was expected," Aang notions. "And besides, Tenzin could get any girl he wants. I mean, he takes after his good old man, if I do say so myself," he boasts.

Toph replied with a soft punch to the arm.

She hates him. The man she thought she could never fall out of love with fell out of love first. Lin knew deep down that Tenzin wasn't feeling the same anymore. It was only a matter of time, she decided.

"I'm sorry, Lin."

She nods. With a bitter taste in her mouth, Lin struts back to her room. Holding back the tears beneath her strong face was the only way to bear it.

(She should have known that this was coming. Tenzin's smile didn't seem to reach his eyes anymore.)

"You may now kiss the bride!"

She wonders what it would be like to be up there, tying the knot with someone she loved.

Still loves, Lin corrects herself.

"Congratulations," she mentions, a bittersweet smile on her face.

"Thank you, Lin."

When she sees Pema and Tenzin play with their kids, Lin knew that she couldn't offer that to him.

But whatever happened, Lin knew she had to protect that family, even if her life depended on it. The thought of something awful happening to those children was sour. A pregnant Pema was definitely something to watch over. And of course, there's Tenzin, who still holds a special place in her heart.

A duty was a duty, and fighting Amon was the only thing that was on her mind. Protecting the city is her job; protecting the citizens will always be her job.

And when Amon's fingers touch her forehead, she knows it has to be done.

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("You're a good person, Lin.")

A/N:I don't care if this is OOC or some stuff is wrong or whatever, I just really wanted to write about these two. And man, I haven't written for LoK in ages...

I hope you enjoyed the story, at least! Leave a review or two.

(I don't own LoK.)