An: I was thinking about airbender tattoos yesterday, and if you look at where they are placed, they had to freaking hurt. For one, right on your spine, and all the way up to your forehead? Ow, no. Too much pain.
So...I thought of this. More of ComfortyLin, because we all know she's awesome.
Enjoy fellow shippers!
(I threw a little headcanon in there at the end... :D)
The overwhelming feeling of peace that Tenzin felt while airbending settled deep in his stomach as he held up his hands, and prepared to fight. Across the arena, his father waited, standing still and straight; awaiting the perfect moment to begin his attacks. Breathing in deeply, the Avatar chuckled and blew fire from his mouth in his son's direction. Without loosing a single beat, Tenzin swept his arms through the air, and dispersed the fire; leaving no trace of the assault to be seen.
Nodding, Aang tightened his hands into fists, and slammed his foot into the ground. A large boulder flew up, and a solid punch sent the rock flying in Tenzin's direction. Quickly, Aang called forth more earth, and pelted it across the arena, standing back and watching as his son practically walked through his attacks, and emerged unscathed. Smirking, the Avatar circled water around his body, and launched it forward, before attacks of earth and fire followed closely behind.
Easily, Tenzin circled himself away from the shot of water, and jumped over the rock that was flying towards him. Bolts of fire escaped with every strong punch his father shot at him, and the airbender easily spun in the air and retaliated with a strong gust of wind. Landing solidly on the ground, Tenzin spun and launched a slice of air at his father, not surprised when the airbender leaped away from the attack and sent his heel, as well as an arc of fire, cutting through the air.
In response, Tenzin stepped to the side of the attack, and redirected the fire away from him, before he focused more of his attacks at his father.
The two continued to go back and forth, and from her vantage point at the side of the ring, Lin couldn't believe how much power was being exhibited by the man she liked to call hers. When she sparred with him, he was always so quick and flighty, like he never really wanted to dig his heels into the ground and strike back, but watching him fight against his father...that was an entirely different story.
Maybe it was the fact that this was one of the final tests Tenzin had to go through before being named an airbending master, and he couldn't just spend the entire fight stalling. Instead, he exhibited both sides of airbending; the quick and agile defense, as well as the powerful and awe-striking offense.
Leaning her chin into her hand, she couldn't help but silently think of how attractive airbending was. The way Tenzin's body seemed to be in constant motion; spinning and sidestepping anything that came in his way, as well as how poised and elegant his hands appeared while he unleashed a number of vicious attacks at the Avatar, painted the perfect definition of sexy. Sighing, Lin's eyes roved over Tenzin, and a large frown appeared on her lips when both of the airbenders suddenly stopped. "What, that's it?"
"We've been fighting for a good twenty minutes," Aang huffed, looking to his son who was equally winded. "Besides, I've seen all that I need to. Congratulations, Tenzin. I think it's only fitting that you be named an airbending master."
Even though Tenzin tried to be humble towards the news, Lin could see the excitement appear on his face as clear as day. Chuckling, she watched as the newly appointed master bowed before his teacher, only to be enveloped in a large hug. The two laughed, and Lin smiled softly as she stood and crossed her arms over her chest; watching the two intently.
Pulling back from his father, Tenzin stepped back and turned to his lover; smiling and extending his arms in her direction. "You get one too," he said, waiting until Lin rolled her eyes, and approached him. Stepping forward, he slipped his arms around her waist, and lived her off the ground; laughing as her arms wrapped around his neck and he felt her lips press against his pulse.
"Congratulations," she whispered, tightening her arms around him while he pulled away and joined their lips together. Beside them, Aang's eyebrow quirked, and he quietly cleared his throat as moments passed and the two refused to separate. Rubbing at the back of his neck, he pushed the awkward feeling aside and turned the subject back to Tenzin's ceremony.
"You're going to have to get your tattoos, preferably as soon as possible."
"I assume you'll be the one to do them," Tenzin said, keeping his arms locked tight around Lin once she was settled on the ground. When his father nodded, he did the same and sighed softly. "Then, I will get them when you say I must."
"I have everything prepared," the Avatar said. "How about tonight?"
"Okay," the teenager answered, a slight twinge of nervousness coloring his response. "Can Lin be with me?"
"I don't see why not," Aang answered, knowing all too well how painful the tattoos could be. "Just be prepared to stay awhile. The whole process takes some time."
"That's fine," Lin assured, smiling and nodding to the Avatar before he turned and walked towards the large temple on the center of the island. Turning back to Tenzin, she looked up at him, and frowned when a look of worry etched itself into his face. "Hey," she said softly, reaching up and brushing her fingertips against his cheek. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just...a little apprehensive about getting my airbender tattoos is all..."
"You don't want them?"
"No, I do, but...they're going to hurt," he muttered, waiting for Lin to claim he was being a coward. Instead, she tightened the hold she had around his torso, and settled her cheek against his chest. Looking down at her, one of his hands rose to play with the long black curls that fell down her back while the other remained against her lower back. A small smile touched his lips and he bent forward to kiss the top of her head; delighting in the soft sigh that left her lips.
"I know they're going to hurt," she said, pulling back enough to look up into his eyes. "And you'll most likely be in pain because of them for a good week-"
"How is this supposed to make me feel better?"
"But I'll be there with you," Lin stated, grasping his chin to keep him from interrupting her again. "You'll focus on me instead of the pain from your tattoos, and I'll tell my mom that I'm going to stay here with you while they heal. Alright? I promise, it won't be as bad as it could be."
"Thanks," Tenzin smiled, leaning forward and settling his forehead against her own. "I do have one question about the subject I wanna ask you..."
"What's that?"
"Will you like me more, or less with my tattoos?"
Laughing saucily, Lin's hands ran up Tenzin's chest until they circled around his neck, and she rose on her toes to keep their foreheads touching. "What do you think?" she asked, leaning up and kissing him; leaving no time for him to react before her tongue dove into his mouth and wrapped around his own.
The feeling of a needle constantly being poked into his skin wasn't bad at first, but when one prick became a thousand, he could feel his pain tolerance lowering. Sighing, he looked down at the top of the chair he sat in; the back against his chest, and the chair against a table. Across from him, Lin sat; her fingers laced tightly with his own, and her body leaning over the table so she could be closer to him. A particular stab of the needle near his spine shot pain through his veins and his grasp on her hand tightened; his lower back sore and throbbing.
Groaning softly, he leaned forward and rested his forehead against her arm; finding solace in the feeling of her cool skin against his heated cheek. Comfortingly, her fingers brushed across his head and slid down his neck; calming him enough to dull the constant waves of pain. Sighing, Lin rested her lips against his head, and looked over Tenzin's shoulder to see a sad smile on Aang's lips. The tattoos were tradition, and every airbending master had to get them, but the fact that they followed the lines of chi in the bender's body made the process torture.
His fingers tightened around her hand once more, and she knew the needle had hit bone. She cringed at the thought, and sighed; kissing his ear softly before whispering "I love you," so quietly that only Tenzin had the ability to hear it.
Smiling, he leaned up from his spot on her arm and let his free hand rise to settle on her cheek. Looking at her intently, his smile brightened before he pulled her forward and tenderly brushed his lips against her own. "I love you too," he returned while his fingers fell from her cheek to softly stroke her chin. "Thanks for being here."
"No problem," she muttered, her small smile falling to a frown as he cringed and released a shaky sigh before he settled his cheek against her arm again. Leaning forward, she leaned her head against his own and let her fingers dance across his shoulders; rubbing away the tension that was building from his agony.
"It'll be okay," Lin soothed, keeping her hold on him tight, and unwavering. "It'll all be over soon."
For the five hours that it took for Tenzin to get his airbender tattoos, Lin never left his side.
Nor did she let go of his hand.