iii
"Four hours!" Ursa yelled, steam curling from her ears.
Lin cleared her throat and tried again. "I'm sorry—"
Ursa continued ranting as she began to pace back and forth, much to the annoyance of the poor woman currently trying to hem her wedding dress. The room she occupied was in a less traversed part of the Air Temple family home that was made out for special guests. It was a little larger than the average bedroom on the island but Ursa had seemingly made it her job to take up every bit of space she could with all of her wedding-related things. Lin had to admit it was a rather impressive feat.
The rest of Air Temple Island was in chaos as the wedding preparations were underway. Bustling Air Acolytes ran back and forth carrying various decorations, Fire Lord Zuko was somewhere on the island proclaiming the need to maintain his honor by giving his daughter the best wedding he could possibly give, and the summer heat made everyone a little crankier than usual. Which meant that Ursa was at her crankiest.
"You could have fu—slept with Tenzin later," Ursa muttered darkly. The servants helping her all blushed on cue, which in turn made Lin fluster and consider earthbending the princess into the bay. She didn't, though, because it was her friend's wedding day, and she didn't want to have to explain to anyone let alone the Fire Lord why she had decided to almost-drown the stupid woman. "I'm trying to get married here."
Kya laughed, "Someone's cranky they didn't get lai—"
Her amber eyes flashed. "Don't," Ursa warned. "I will burn you to a crisp and I won't even feel guilty about it." She kicked at her dress, earning a scowl from the woman sewing at her feet.
Lin smirked. Kya went on, ignoring Ursa's threat, spouting marital wisdom and necessary honeymoon activities that would have made anyone else with some semblance of propriety blush to the very roots of their hair. The turn of conversation forced Ursa to halt and listen intently, allowing the woman fixing her dress a moment of reprieve from the chase, even if at the cost of looking quite like a tomato as the discussion became quite suggestive. While everyone else tripped over their feet from embarrassment, Kya, Ursa, and Lin remained impassive.
Not that Lin was particularly interested in the topic. She picked at her skirt, smoothing out non-existent wrinkles. Why she'd been forced to come so early was still a mystery to her, considering she had very little knowledge about makeup and hair. Katara had once tried instilling a love for vainer things when Lin had been younger, but she had whined about it until she could roll around in the mud, proving beyond all doubt she was her mother's daughter.
She gave the window a passing glance. Outside, the bay was surprisingly still.
"Lin," Ursa barked. Lin snapped her head up to take in the narrowed gaze directed at her. "You are not attending my wedding with that hair. If you were going to be four hours late, the least you could have done was comb your mane."
She growled. "I overslept, Ursa. I didn't purposely lay in bed for hours just to piss you off." Ursa was just lucky she happened to be an old family friend or she really would have wound up sputtering in the bay.
"Come on," Kya motioned to the room that lay on the other side of the paneled door.
Ursa nodded in approval and turned back to the rest of her servants, who went ahead and began brushing her long curtain of straight black hair. "Remember: she has to look flawless. For that thing. You know."
Lin turned to Kya with an eyebrow raised in question. Of course, Kya's response was a noncommittal shrug with a wide grin before ushering her into the unoccupied room. She couldn't even get a word in before she was pushed down into a plush beige cushion in front of a large vanity mirror she hadn't known was simply lying around unused on Air Temple Island.
"How about some hair loopies?" Kya joked.
Lin rolled her eyes and didn't even dignify the suggestion with a response. With that, Kya began to rearrange her hair, starting first with combing the tangles out of the long, black locks. She winced when the comb snagged.
There was silence for a few minutes as Kya worked efficiently, dark fingers deftly pulling locks of hair this way and that, twirling and pinning them into place. Quickly, Lin's hair was starting to resemble something close to acceptable with messy braids forming a crown at the top of her head.
The necklace Kya wore at her neck sparkled in the sunlight. She disrupted the comfortable silence, "Soon enough it'll be you and Tenzin."
At that, Lin stiffened and sat up a little straighter. Kya stopped working to look at her.
"Maybe."
There was a tiny frown pulling down the corner of her friend's lips. It was only natural for Kya to be concerned for the future prospects of her brother's relationship with a seemingly unyielding woman. Lin could understand that much, at least. "Tenzin won't give up asking you."
She nodded, unable to keep a small smile from forming. "He is persistent."
"Have you thought about when you'd want to get married?"
"No."
The hands holding her hair fell away, a few black locks escaping from the braids pinned to her scalp. Kya admired her handiwork for a moment, a satisfied grin erasing the worry etched on her face. "You look beautiful."
Lin peered closer into the mirror, taking in her reflection and being surprised by the woman who stared back. She'd never been one to completely obsess over things like her looks considering her mother had raised her to appreciate a healthy coating of dirt.
"Thanks," she said. Kya nodded and leaned over again, this time reaching for the makeup on the counter of the vanity. Dutifully, Lin closed her eyes and let Kya set to work, trying to keep from becoming uncomfortable as fingers dusted along her eyelids and across her cheeks.
"When I'm done, Tenzin won't know what to do with himself."
"Sounds like you haven't talked to your brother recently," Lin sighed. Thoughts of a failed attempt to keep him out of the shower came unbidden. She'd either have to learn how to reattach a door to its hinges or have an awkward time explaining it to the person who would do it for her.
"So if he asks you to marry him tonight, what will you say?"
At this, Lin opened her eyes and tilted her head. Kya's smile widened, eyes belaying her excitement. Lin suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Did he tell you he was going to do this?" Lin lowered her voice.
Kya rolled her eyes. "Of course he did, idiot. He could barely contain himself."
Lin leaned forward. "Who else knows?"
"He's really excited."
"Wonderful. No pressure." Lin pressed her fingers against her temple, willing the unease to leave her quickly, having little desire to deal with a friend's wedding and her nerves about a future she wasn't sure would ever really happen. "How do I know if I even want to get married?" her voice sounded soft and so unlike her own.
Kya coughed. "Well, when two people love each other—"
Lin narrowed her eyes. "I'm serious, Kya. I've never made plans for marriage." It was easy to picture her mother. "I don't want to get married."
Kya nodded slowly. "Tenzin knows. To some extent." A sigh ripped out of the waterbender. "When it comes to you, he doesn't really like to listen to reason."
There was nothing to say to that. Besides, she was left to think about how she was going to reject Tenzin—not for the first time—and how much it would break his heart.
She couldn't even begin to think about how much it would break hers.
Ursa was a vision of beauty as she stepped out of Air Temple with Bumi. They were both smiling so widely Bumi's eyes had turned into slits of unrestrained happiness. Lin noticed Kya looking away to keep her tears from falling and Tenzin stared up at his brother with awe and just a tiny hint of jealousy. Lin was surprised to find that a small part of her heart lurched at the sight of the happy couple just as thoughts of her own wedding began to play in her mind. She shook the thought away quickly though, just as Tenzin's hand found hers and squeezed.
"Congratulations to the happy couple!" Uncle Sokka yelled, clapping louder than anyone else in the crowd, cheeks stained red. Aunt Suki rolled her eyes at him in mock annoyance but smirked at him all the same. Beside them, Aunt Katara and Uncle Aang were smiling wistfully, both attempting to hide their tears, though Aang was more successful at this endeavor. Fire Lord Zuko and his wife looked on with great pride as the newlyweds took a stand and bowed deeply to the crowd. Lin spotted her mother a little further removed, unable to see, but smiling sadly all the same.
It was at times like these that she conceded to the very small part of her that wished marriage were actually a part of her future. But then she would look towards her mother and she would be reminded that not everything worked out for the best. Even as her mother knocked Aang's shoulder and nearly sent him toppling into Katara, Lin knew better than anyone else that Toph Beifong, the toughest, the greatest, the spectacular one-woman powerhouse of the Police Force, was not made of metal.
The couple began to thank their guests, bowing their heads in appreciation. Bumi's eyes crinkled in delight at every remark about his beautiful wife. Ursa smiled politely as she was trained to do but broke out into a full-out grin when people wished her luck with the wild man beside her. The crowd would occasionally demand a small kiss to which the groom would easily concede.
Tenzin leaned into Lin's shoulder to whisper, "They look so happy."
"They sure do."
She glanced at him to find him scrutinizing her. He looked away, embarrassed at being caught, and sighed, "But the wedding was far too extravagant. Count on Bumi to pull all the stops."
Lin laughed, squeezing Tenzin's hand affectionately. "I'm sure half of this was all your father's idea. You have to admit he gets a little carried away."
He frowned and she followed his gaze to see his father showing a few of the guests his most infamous airbending trick. The guests looked on with polite disinterest while Katara stood and nodded, impressed. "Mother lets him get away with nearly everything."
She snorted before flicking her gaze over to watch Ursa and Bumi, who were wincing at Toph's demonstration of affection. Ursa rubbed her shoulder and glared daggers at Toph, who was oblivious to the homicidal intent layered in the gaze. "Don't worry," she assured him, "I won't want any of this for our wedding."
The words were out before she had any time to think about them. Immediately, Tenzin froze in place. Her throat closed up and her heart pounded frantically in her chest; through her fingertips she felt Tenzin's do the same.
He recovered first. "I sure hope so. I think I would collapse in the middle of the ceremony."
The laugh that escaped her was nervous and too airy to be genuine. He untangled their hands to give her the moment she needed to get away from the situation, and she leaned away from him thankfully.
After a few minutes, he touched her elbow with a finger, glancing at the couple that was now waiting for them to go along and congratulate them. Lin followed behind him, careful to keep some distance between them. He stood rigid, his arrow disappearing under the back of his formal robes, and she found it disturbingly odd that it was not often that she was ever faced with his back. Upon reaching the couple, she moved to stand closer to Tenzin, but even the brush of his arm against hers set her on edge.
Lin forced herself to smile. "Congratulations, you two. I look forward to your spawn causing havoc to the rest of the world."
Bumi grinned. "He's gonna be a terror."
"Now I'm not so sure I want children," Ursa said frowning. Then, a little less angrily, she turned to Lin, "I'm supposed to throw my bouquet to see who the next bride will be but," and at this, she stuffed the fire lilies into Lin's empty hands, "I thought I'd save everyone the hassle."
Bumi laughed, slapping his knee. Ursa kissed his chin in delight. Lin glanced at Tenzin, who had withdrawn nearly a foot away. He shrugged unfazed though she was probably the only one who could see the faint blush that quickly dusted his cheeks.
"Right," Lin said, taking the flowers with little grace. The fire lilies were in full bloom, red and yellow petals sloping delicately over her hand. "Might as well."
"I can recommend a great wedding planner. She even recommended the best day to get married."
Lin swallowed, knees suddenly weak, hands clenching around the bouquet with unneeded strength. "Well, I don't know—"
"Always thinking of others, Ursa," Tenzin supplied quickly, saving her the embarrassment of coming up with something that didn't sound completely ungrateful. He bowed his head. "We'll let you know when to give us that favor."
He gripped her arm and led her away, ignoring the rambunctious outbursts that came from the gathered guests at the sight of her holding the flowers. Uncle Sokka came to them then, haggling his brows, eyes taking in the hand at Lin's elbow.
"Good job, nephew," he said, winking at Tenzin. "Don't ever let her go—one of a kind."
Tenzin nodded but made no move to correct the erroneous interpretation of the flowers. Lin smiled weakly, "Thank you, Uncle Sokka."
"I mean look at her," Sokka continued, gesturing wildly in her direction. "Even with eight arms she's beautiful!"
Tenzin sighed. "Lay off the cactus juice, Uncle," he reprimanded lightly before leading the way again. Lin thought about commenting that Tenzin was indeed part Water Tribe and definitely related to Sokka, but her voice couldn't find its way around the knot in her throat. She simply followed his lead and soon they were walking the familiar, empty halls of the main temple home. He let her go when she shivered even though she was far from cold.
They stood at the entrance, overlooking the stairs that led up to the building. The stone gate had just recently been scrubbed and painted over for the sake of the wedding. "Sorry," he said, breaking the stillness that had settled over them. "I didn't think it would be this bad."
She laughed without mirth. "Everyone expects us to get married," she noted, unsurprised that the words were easier now. "Everywhere I turn, someone is congratulating me about something that you've never asked me."
Tenzin smiled tenderly, ignoring the way her mouth turned downwards in a frown. He seemed to be searching for something in his pocket, but soon his hands were clasped behind his back, completely empty. "I know better than to ask you to marry me, Lin."
She couldn't help but think of the near future, when his requests for marriage would become more frequent, more desperate. Tenzin liked to do things the right way. The very idea of having children out of wedlock was probably upsetting the delicate ideals he'd dreamed up about romance. Not that she hadn't had her own part in destroying his false image of long walks along the beach and snuggles in front of a fireplace.
Guilt sprung up at the sight of his kind, defeated smile. She had to remind herself that marriage was never part of the discussion and that giving in over pathetic reasons like his smile was inconceivable.
She raised a hand to place against his chest. His heart thrummed under her fingertips. "I am happy like this," she admitted, choosing to stare at one of the silver clasps embroidered in golden thread. Her hand trailed downwards, catching on one.
A hand rose to hold hers in place. "And I am happy like this with you, too." It was meant to be reassuring but she could still hear the words he didn't say: Soon, this will not be enough; soon, I will need a family; soon, love will not be able to keep us together.
Lin nodded. "Good."
He brought her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles, then another on the inside of her wrist where a puckered scar marred her skin. "I bet our child will turn out to be an earthbender just like you." He leaned forward, tilting his head to look at her. "She'll have your eyes." He moved forward to close the distance between them.
She let herself be kissed, his lips gentle and barely a caress against her own. It was over far too soon, leaving her wanting.
Drawing away, he traced her jaw with a long finger. "Let's go," he whispered, trying not to dispel the magic that surrounded them, "we have a party to return to."