Tenzin walked into Li's Firebending Cuisine, hoping to order some flaming fire flakes. His Uncle Zuko had introduced them to him as a child and once he had accustomed himself to the spiciness, they became one of his favorite snacks. He stepped into the restaurant, examining his surroundings. The place was slightly run down, with a few cracks in the ceiling.
"How many today, sir?" a woman asked.
"Just one" he replied.
"Just one? Okay. You will be seated in just a moment."
"Thank you."
He took a seat in the waiting area in the ripping seats. He waved to Li, the restaurant's owner, as he passed by. He turned around to look out the window and his heart fluttered.
Lin.
She stepped into the restaurant, looking radiant as usual. She looked down at him.
"Tenzin?" she asked.
He stood as she walked over to hug him. He hugged her back, taking everything in, hoping she would notice.
"How are you?" he asked.
She sighed and looked down sadly. "I could go for a drink."
"Would you like to sit with me? I've already put my name down."
"Thanks, Tenzin" she said, her scowl turning into a soft, friendly smile.
He looked at her lips, wishing she would notice him as more than just a friend.
"Tenzin, party of one!" The waitress said over the intercom.
He and Lin walked down to where the waitress was standing.
"I actually had one person join me" he told the waitress.
"That's fine. Right this way." She led them down to a table set for two. Tenzin walked over to Lin's seat and pulled it out for her.
"Quite the gentleman, aren't you?" Lin teased.
He smiled as he went to his seat.
"Your server will be here shortly" the waitress said before dismissing herself.
"So, what's troubling you, Lin?" he asked.
She sighed. "It's nothing."
"We've been friends for years, you can tell me."
She put her elbow on the table, resting her head in her hand while she looked off into oblivion.
"Gommu and I broke up today."
Tenzin did everything in his power to be sympathetic for her.
"I'm sorry."
On the inside, his heart was soaring. Finally, he would be able to ask her on a date, if he didn't stutter and botch the whole question.
He never liked Gommu; he had a reputation for flirting with other women and was constantly off with the United Forces. Not to mention whenever he passed by certain plants, they would sparkle. This wasn't a bad thing necessarily, just strange.
"Why?"
She sighed. "I don't know. He was gone most of the time and we never saw each other."
"I'm sorry. I know you really loved him."
She looked up at him and smiled. "I wish everyone was as understanding as you."
He managed to suppression blushing while his heart nearly beat out of his chest. "Uh, thanks."
Just then, a waitress walked up to them.
"Hi, I'm Omakori and I will be your waitress this evening."
"I like your name. It's pretty" Lin complimented.
"Thanks. Do you want any drinks?"
"A sake would be nice" she said.
Omakori wrote her order on her paper. "And for you sir?"
"Just water please. Could you bring some fire flakes as well?"
"Of course. I'll be back in a few."
As soon as she was out of earshot Lin looked at Tenzin cheerily.
"Pretty girl, isn't she?"
Not as pretty as you. he thought.
He looked at her emerald eyes, admiring them. He looked down and saw the parallel scars on her right cheek. There were so many things he had left unsaid.
He exhaled. "Lin, there's something-"
"Here are your fire flakes and your drinks" Omakori said, setting them down on the table. "Are you ready to order?"
"Yes" he replied. "I will have the vegetable dumplings please."
"Okay." She wrote on her notepad. "And for you?"
"Nothing for me, thanks."
"That should be out in a few minutes. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you" they said in unison.
"So, what is it you wanted to tell me?" she asked, looking intently.
His gaze met hers and his heart jumped into his throat.
"I uh, nevermind."
She laughed. "You're funny."
He began to chuckle nervously along with her as he tried to avoid her eyes.
"How is work?"
"Nothing much. Same old, same old you know? How about you?"
"Interning is going fairly well. Father says I've done well so far."
"That's good."
The two began to sit and meander over their own thoughts, an unresolved air buzzing around them.
Omakori walked up to them with Tenzin's plate.
"Here you are, sir."
"Thank you."
She walked quickly away.
"Thank you" Lin said mischievously, grabbing her chopsticks and plopping a dumpling in her mouth.
"Hey!"
She smiled.
"You could have ordered some, you know."
"Why spoil the fun?"
He looked at her in playful disapproval as she grabbed another. He began to eat the remains of his food.
"Did your mother approve of Gommu?"
"I guess. She never really said anything."
"She should have given you some input."
"See! Someone gets it."
His heart fluttered. Feeling emboldened, he decided to reattempt his confession.
"Lin, I-"
She looked over across from them and saw Gommu walking into the restaurant, hand-in-hand with a woman about Lin's age with a bulging belly.
"Don't tell me-" she began as she hid her face. Unfortunately for her, Gommu caught sight of them and began to walk over to her.
"Get the check" she said through gritted teeth.
"Lin."
"Gommu."
"I see we have a boyfriend here."
"Tenzin is not my boyfriend. Unlike you, I stay faithful in my relationships." She looked over to the pregnant woman.
Tenzin sank into his chair. It was clear Lin wasn't interested in his advances.
"Look, Lin. I can explain-"
"Oh there's no need. I am no longer a part of your life. You've made that very clear."
"Come on-"
"Don't you have a pregnant lady to attend to?" she snapped.
With no counterargument, Gommu went off with the woman.
She sighed.
"It's alright, Lin."
"No, it's not. Look at him! He's got another girlfriend who's pregnant! You're a smart person Tenz, I think you can figure that out."
"Here's the check, sir" the waitress said.
"Thank you." He began to pull out his wallet.
Lin put her hand on his. "No, Tenzin. I got it."
He looked down at their hands and hoped that she couldn't sense his heart beating like a drum.
"No no, I can-"
She closed her hand over his with a chuckle. "I got this." She smiled halfheartedly and pulled out a few yuans.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" he asked.
"I suppose." She stood as they left the bills on the table.
He grabbed her by the crook of the arm. "I'm only trying to help."
"I know. Thanks Tenzin."
The two walked out of the restaurant together.
"I'll walk you home" he insisted.
"Thanks."
The walk was a short pleasant one, for Tenzin at least. Lin, on the other hand, was still feeling the pains of a lost relationship and misplaced trust.
"I trust you" she said, leaning her head against his arm for a brief moment.
He blushed. "It means a lot to me."
"I swear sometimes you're the only person who understands me! It's so frustrating!"
He nodded, knowing that she was oblivious to the fact that he thought this way about her.
They took the stairs up to her apartment. She waved her arm and opened the door.
"Would you like to stay for tea?" she asked hopefully.
"I don't see why not."
The two walked inside as he took a seat on the couch. As soon as she stepped in, she metalbent her uniform off, revealing a white tanktop and her grey uniform pants. Tenzin gulped as he examined her sculpted arms.
"Uh, aren't you going to pick up your uniform?"
"Maybe, maybe not. I haven't decided yet." She began to unpin her hair as it cascaded down her back like water on a windowpane.
He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He had never been so uncomfortable in his life. Too timid to make a move, yet too passionate not to. He was in a predicament.
Lin walked in with a tray of tea. She handed him a glass as soon as she placed the tray on the coffee table.
"Thanks, Lin."
"You seem nervous, is everything all right?"
"You shouldn't be worrying about me. You have more important things to think about."
She laughed. "You're one of the most important people in my life! I don't have anything more important to worry about."
He looked at her downcast, knowing that she was only talking as friends and nothing else.
"Are you sure there isn't anything wrong?" she asked, eyes full of concern.
He looked at her, debating whether or not to tell her.
"I'm fine. I just feel unhappy all of a sudden."
"I know the feeling" she said, thinking of Gommu and his other girlfriend. She looked down at the ground.
"You'll be alright."
She looked up at him. "It's because I have people like you in my life" she said with a small smile.
He looked at her and decided it was now or never. He moved closer to her timidly. He quickly closed the space between them before she could refuse, capturing her lips with his. He kissed her only for a moment before looking back at her for approval.
Lin looked shocked. "Uh Tenzin, what was that all about?"
"I like you, Lin. More than just a friend" he mustered before blushing.
She looked at him in surprise.
He turned himself away from her. "I knew it, I shouldn't have told you. I knew you wouldn't want to go out with someone like-"
She grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him to face her. "I want to go out with someone just like you." She smiled as she leaned in towards him. He reciprocated her actions as their lips met. He felt her smiling mid kiss.
"I thought you'd never ask."
He smiled as his fingers played with her hair and his other hand rested on her waist. Her hands were wrapped his head, cupping the side of his cheek. She broke the kiss.
"I like you too."
He smiled excitedly.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Baldy. You aren't getting this" She made a circle around her face. "Until out first date."
He pretended to look upset, but nothing could upset him now. "I will wait forever if I have to."
"Don't go melodramatic on me." She kissed him on the cheek. "It's getting late. Shouldn't you be home by now?"
"I was a little busy." He smiled as he stood and offered his hand to help her. She stood and meandered to the door with him. She opened the door.
"Thanks for everything Tenzin." She kissed his cheek. "You know where to find me." She said with a flirtatious smile.
He smiled. "You know where to find me."
"Goodnight." She said as she door. As soon as it was closed, she practically floated to her room and plopped on her bed with a cheerful sigh.
Finally.
Unbeknownst to her, Tenzin walked down the street, thinking the same thing.
Yup... I Linommu'd. I totally picture Tenzin getting friendzoned for the longest time then just saying "Screw it. I'll tell her." Did you guys catch the Omakori cameo? ;)
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-Mariska
