duty
-pt 4 blossoming-

.-.-.

The face reflected in the mirror is no longer that of a boy. The lines are a bit too long, the angles a bit too sharp; there's several uneven patches of stubble he can no longer ignore. He sighs, a blossom of mist forming and evaporating on the glass surface as he lathers up his face after finishing with his head. The latter is a routine he no longer even has to think about, the symbolic shaving of the Air Nomads so deeply ingrained over the past decade of his life that it's long since become an inextricable part of who he is.

The rituals of manhood, however, are still new and unfamiliar. Such as it is, Tenzin nearly severs an artery on his neck at the resounding SLAM of someone throwing open the washroom door (how rude, how inconsiderate, what if he had been undressed?). His razor clatters into the stone basin below as he yelps and hastily clutches at his outer robes, glaring at his intruders in the mirror.

It's the usual culprits, of course: his older siblings.

He exhales, exasperated, pressing a finger to the shallow cut on his adam's apple. "Haven't you guys heard of knocking?" His gaze slides warily to his sister. "And aren't you in the wrong wing of the temple?"

Kya waves her hand dismissively. "You've got nothing I haven't already seen, baby brother. We have more important things to discuss."

An embarrassed flush colors his ears as if on cue. Bumi leans against the wooden door frame, smirking devilishly.

Tenzin knows that expression. Nothing good ever comes from that expression.

"Indeed we do," drawls the non-bender. "Now, dear sister, why don't we remind little Tenzin about the shindig that's taking place tomorrow night?"

"Why, the biannual commemoration ball? The biggest celebration in Republic City? That shindig?"

"I know what it is, guys," mutters Tenzin, trying not to twitch as he maneuvers his blade over the final cluster of stray hairs on his chin.

"Oh, perfect! Then you know you're old enough this year that your attendance is expected," Kya gushes.

He hums in the affirmative, splashing several palmfuls of water onto his face. "Yeah, dad told me." Blue eyes trace the path of sudsy bubbles trickling down the drain, washed away by the gentle flow of the running faucet. He wishes it were possible to drown out Kya and Bumi's voices instead. Informed by prior experience, Tenzin knows they can't be up to anything good.

Besides, he has a sneaking suspicion regarding their intent, and he's not quite sure how he feels about that particular subject yet.

Bumi breaks into his thoughts with that loud guffaw of his and Tenzin's fingers fly instinctively to the right side of his head. The older he gets, the crazier he becomes, he thinks, wincing as he massages his temple. Not a moment later a heavy arm thrown across his shoulders knocks his hand away, Bumi snickering all the while, Kya laughing silently behind her fingers. A weary sigh escapes Tenzin's lips. "Look, guys, I don't know what's so funny here—"

"Did dad tell you about bringing a date?" his brother interrupts. Bumi's doing something weird with his eyebrows and Tenzin mentally cringes. Honestly, is that ridiculous wiggle actually meant to be suggestive?

But then why is his stomach doing flips at Bumi's final syllable? He manages to stammer aloud, "I didn't—"

"It's only proper," Kya cuts in, wagging her finger, the very image of a scolding matron but for the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "A young man of your age simply cannot attend such a prestigious event alone," she chides, clicking her tongue twice. "And it's your duty as a child of the Avatar to reflect well upon this family."

They can't be serious, Tenzin moans internally. "But you never—"

"But nothin'!" Bumi bellows, thumping him enthusiastically on the back and causing him to pitch forward. He quickly regains his balance and tries to glare at his brother, but fails as Bumi barrels on, oblivious. "This isn't about Kya. This is about you, baby brother. And luck-i-ly for you I know just the young lady up to the task. I'd have taken her myself... but she rejected me flat out, can you even believe that?" The older boy emits a forlorn sigh, draping his free arm dramatically across his forehead while their sister makes appropriately sympathetic noises in the background.

"A little heartbreaker, isn't she," Kya coos in agreement, reaching up to tousle Bumi's shaggy mop of hair. Her gaze shifts to Tenzin and she blinks twice, looking much like an innocently inquisitive flying lemur, her head tilted to the side. "This lovely young lady told our brother she was already interested in going with someone else." Her hand flutters to her chest, her eyelashes batting similarly. "My, how we wonder who the lucky boy could be!"

Tenzin groans, stifling his irritation at his siblings' theatrics. There isn't a doubt in his mind now; he's quite acquainted with this 'young lady' to whom his siblings are referring. He practically grew up with her, after all. He thinks he knows her like he knows himself, two best friends without a secret to hide, a relationship built on solid rock, mutual trust, and friendly butt-kicking.

Which is why it's different and decidedly confounding when his heart begins to pound within his chest, the butterflies in his stomach taking up a newly choreographed acrobatic routine (now with double the somersaults). Because how could it be possible that she'd want to be his date at this party?

He can feel the force of their eyes boring into his skull, pinning him in place until he can give the response that will appease them.

And so what if he actually... come to think of it, kind of, maybe, just a little bit... wants to go with Lin? In a sort of date situation?

"I'll ask her," he mutters, and he can practically hear the sound of his siblings' triumphant grins.

"Good luck, baby brother!" the pair choruses, immediately shuffling out into the hall, their mission accomplished. Kya, however, quickly pokes her head back into the doorway, her long silvery dreads still swinging. "By the way, she's been waiting for you out here. Okay bye!" She's gone without another word leaving Tenzin to stare after her, slack-jawed and bug-eyed.

Lin's here.

Spirits, I'm not ready to do this yet! But it doesn't matter because there she is, stepping out of the darkness, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorjamb Bumi had been occupying just a few moments earlier.

It also doesn't matter because his next thought is, spirits, she's pretty... and now he's quite sure he has never thought that about her before.

Slowly he takes her in, and somehow everything seems new. In all of his fifteen years he's never noticed the richness of her ink-black hair, the smoothness of her porcelain skin, the inviting sweep of her dark lashes. No, he doesn't recall ever finding any of her appealing, by any means. And the blossoming curves at her hip and bosom? Those were certainly new.

He swallows thickly and opens his mouth to speak but she beats him to it, holding up a hand with a sigh, carefully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "How about I save us both some time and just say, yes, I'll go to this silly ball with you."

His heart soars inexplicably. "Ah, you sure?" he blurts out, fighting the urge to kick himself for not asking properly first. "I mean, uh, why, though? Kya and Bumi said you wanted—"

"Just shut up, open your eyes and wake up, Tenzin," she scoffs at him, jade eyes flashing like gems in the dimming candlelight. She turns and begins to walk, her feet pointed in the direction of the women's quarters; he follows her halfway down the corridor before realizing he shouldn't.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she finally says, her steady pace unfaltering as he gapes at her retreating back. "And if you stand me up I'll bury you so deep underground my mom and your dad combined won't be able to earthbend you out."

His cheeks flame in the twilight shadows; even her threats sound like something more now.

If he's not mistaken, it's something a little bit like love.

.

She feels so small here in this wide open ballroom, with its cathedral ceilings and tall arched windows and glittering chandeliers made of luminescent crystal, with its beautiful patrons in all their multihued finery, laughing and mingling in the falling dusk. She is used to playing it cool and nonchalant, but here, in the midst of such refined company, she feels about as comfortable as a polar bear-dog cub in a moose-lion's den.

With the wall at her back and the refreshment table to her right the green-eyed girl stands and fidgets, everything under her scrutiny; stately, elegant dancers making their way smoothly across the dance floor, clusters of distinguished guests maneuvering just as smoothly through their conversations. From the front of the massive room comes the pleasant music of stringed instruments; it blends with ambient chatter punctuated by polite exclamations and the clink of flute glasses filled with sparkling liquid. A small part of her wants to join in, to understand, to be grown up. Another part of her wants to leave, to strip off her cumbersome dress and pinching shoes and practice her earthbending under the full moon.

The largest part of her, however, just wants to figure out all these aggravating new feelings and somesuch nonsense growing between her and her oldest friend, this stupid, clueless, airheaded boy.

To his credit, said boy has been faithfully glued to her side all night. On the other hand, though, he's been doing a lot of uncomfortable staring; she doesn't appreciate that very much and self-consciously pats down her raven tresses for the tenth time that evening.

Several minutes pass and she remains happily unnoticed by the general public, munching contentedly on a plate of miniature moon cakes and egg custard tarts. Dessert food, Tenzin had pointed out, the reprimand obvious in his voice. Yeah, what are you, my dad? I eat what I want, she'd tossed back abrasively, sticking her tongue out at him, shoving an entire tart into her mouth for good measure.

...Thinking back, that had been a super awkward thing to say and do. Good job, Lin. She abandons the plate and begins brushing crumbs off the front of her dress, her face heating. Tenzin looks sufficiently abashed and folds his hands behind his back, only to bow hurriedly as yet another dignitary shows up to introduce himself to Avatar Aang's sole airbending progeny.

She turns slightly to the side and flips open her decorative fan, raising it to her cheekbones in an attempt to keep the attention away from herself. It's worked thus far. With her face partially hidden and her body encased in pale green silk Lin looks just like any nobleman's fair daughter, a perfectly harmless, demure Earth Kingdom maiden.

But it doesn't work this time. Pale gray eyes slide suddenly into her line of vision, bright with curiosity. It's accompanied by the intruder's deep, honeyed voice, and she resists the urge to back into the wall as he speaks.

"My, my, what have we here? Tenzin, child, I never knew you had a lady friend." He smirks knowingly. "Then again, you're at that age, aren't you."

Monkeyfeathers, she thinks, scowling. Is this creepy old guy for real?

"Lin is just a good friend," offers Tenzin, his tone firm and diplomatic. "We practically grew up together."

Oh.

Just a good friend, huh, Lin repeats silently. She mentally kicks herself in the rear. You idiot. You and your stupid girly hormones. Were you honestly thinking things had changed? She considers bailing at that very moment, poor manners be damned.

Until she realizes Tenzin has inched closer to her, their shoulders bumping, his hand at the small of her back, warm and steady through the silken fabric. She automatically leans into his touch while the man strokes the end of his salt-and-pepper goatee, an amused lilt to his voice. "That so?"

"Yes, sir," Tenzin replies. She marvels at his calm, stoic demeanor. Tenzin has always been the quiet, serious type, but she's never seen exactly this side of him. It hints at political finesse. He'll need that in the near future; he's poised to become a leader, after all. It's his duty, his irrevocable destiny. That's what happens when you're one of the members of a two-citizen nation.

The steely-eyed stranger hums thoughtfully. "Interesting. Very interesting. You know, I've always had a knack for predicting the future. Comes with the job, you see; figuring out trends in supply and demand are essential to successfully running a business for profit. But I wouldn't want to bore you, doll." He smiles again, leaning closer. "Please, I'd love to be the first to know—"

She clenches her hands into fists, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling.

"—when the two of you welcome the next airbending baby into the world."

What?

Tenzin freezes beside her, but it takes Lin an extra second to process the implication. And then she blushes furiously.

WHO DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS? This isn't right. It isn't fair. She hasn't even had a chance to sort out her own feelings and people are already jumping to... to conclusions like this! She's barely a teenager, for crying out loud! Her? And Tenzin? And babies?

Her arms begin to shake.

A crack forms along the floor under the man's feet and he looks down, alarmed.

Oh, she'll do it. No doubt she'll do it...

But then Tenzin is mumbling something that sounds like "excuse us," hastily pulling her by the arm into a rush of moving bodies. Her final glance of the man reveals honest confusion etched across his features, but she's too incensed to care. And Tenzin's arm is around her waist again, her hand gripped in his other as he leads them deftly across the dance floor, stepping and twirling in time with everyone else.

"What in Koh's name was that?" she seethes under her breath, shooting daggers at anyone who would dare meet her eyes from her vantage point at Tenzin's shoulder.

(And when did he start getting so tall?)

"I didn't like the way he was looking at you," mutters Tenzin, "and I know you didn't like what he was implying there, at the end. Sorry. I know dancing's not your thing, but he won't be able to bother us in this crowd."

He presses her infinitesimally closer to himself.

She thinks she probably just imagined it.

"It's not your duty to look after me," she hisses into his ear, but there's a lot less venom this time. "I could have handled him just fine on my own, you know."

"Yeah, of course. I know." He surprises her by lowering her into a graceful dip, which is only graceful on his part, though; Lin nearly loses her balance and scrambles frantically back upright, clutching onto his arms. And she may or may not have bent the floor in her panic. It's left looking a little uneven. It's all his fault, anyway; she doesn't dance.

"Stop trying to distract me while I scold you!" she fumes, flustered. She punches him in the stomach. She doesn't know what she's doing anymore.

Tenzin doubles over slightly and coughs once. "Ah, yeah, sorry," he apologizes, not looking very sorry at all. Instead he's staring at her, deep into her eyes, like he's looking at the most wonderful thing he's ever seen. They are mere inches apart. Her breath catches for a moment; she waits for him to say something, anything, before he can bore into her soul with that stare of his. But he ends up simply sighing and rests his chin on top of her head, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.

It's a bit uncomfortable. It's a lot nice.

Is this even okay? she thinks, her mind spinning as she instinctively rests her hands gently at his hips. We're supposed to be friends...

The music continues, people in motion all around them.

"Lin," he mumbles into her hair, "I guess this would be the right time to say it."

Oh, spirits, she's not ready. "Then spit it out," she advises him, hardly daring to breathe, her heart thundering in her chest.

"I think I like you." A heartbeat, then two, and Tenzin corrects himself. "I know I like you."

Her eyelids flutter closed. "Just so we're on the same page, Mr. Awkward Turtle Duck, you're talking about like-liking me, right? Like, more-than-friends like?"

"More-than-friends like," he confirms. She can feel the rumble in his chest. It's a pleasant sound that grounds her.

"Okay," she says. "I guess I like you too." She can feel a gust of air across the top of her head, tousling her hair. An exhale of relief, she realizes. A charcoal lock of hair comes loose from its pin, falling over one eye. She blows it impatiently out of her way.

"Don't mess it up," she warns, not talking about her hairstyle.

"We won't," he promises, pulling back to press a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Things can only change for the better."

Only for the better, then.

"Thanks, Tenzin," she whispers. "Maybe I'll keep you."

This had been a pretty good date, after all.


A/N: Wow, that wasn't cheezy or unbelievable at all. Review, please?

next: together