There was a tiny beam of sunlight that poked through the curtains in Tenzin's bedroom, and it wasn't going to let him sleep in any longer, something he hadn't done in...he wasn't sure how long.
It wasn't as if Air Temple Island would fall apart without his constant supervision, his father had put smart people in charge, but he still felt the need to supervise the day to day activity when he wasn't dealing with council matters, a step down from the obsession over the island and the other temples that Pema had pulled him away from.
Speaking of his wife, there was still a warm indent in the bed where she'd been sleeping, so Tenzin felt compelled to get up and join her. But after he changed out of his sleepwear and into a fresh set of robes, he thought of the boy he'd agreed to look after.
On the flight over, he was entranced by the view of Republic City at night, just as he'd been at that age. Though when they'd landed, he was completely silent while they walked toward the house, taking glances at his surroundings, as if he was nervous that someone would show up out of nowhere and attack.
Looking back on it, he probably should've said something comforting about him being safe here, but at the time Tenzin didn't feel that he could be reassured given what had just happened to him.
As far as he knew, the boy was still sleeping, but what would he be like when he woke up? A sobbing mess? Temperamental and defiant? It was a total mystery.
It was moments like this when he missed his father most. He'd know just what to do or say.
"Good morning, you", Pema greeted him as he walked into their kitchen, while passing him a steaming cup of coffee. "Thought you might prefer this instead of tea this morning."
Tenzin thanked his wife with a chaste kiss, but their hug wasn't as close as usual due to the extra weight between them. It wouldn't be much longer now, according to Mother. Another week, maybe two at most.
"Long night?"
"Yes", he confirmed to Pema. "Lin called last night."
She groaned. "What now? Am I the secret leader of the Agni Kais this time? Or responsible for a pentapox outbreak?"
The corner of Tenzin's mouth twitched upward for a moment. Lin's creativity would be much more amusing if she wasn't using it for such petty reasons. But the matter was actually serious this time.
"There was a murder last night. Two parents and their eight year old boy."
"No...that's...oh...no."
"Only survivor was their six year old son", he added.
"Oh, that poor baby."
"He's still resting now, but..."
"Resting?" Pema's expression changed from horrified to confused. "What do you mean, resting?"
Tenzin gulped. He knew he'd forgotten something. He'd been in the middle of a late night with paperwork in his office, ready to head for bed himself when he got the message from Lin. "I, uh, may have told Lin that the child could stay here with us?"
"And were you going to run that by me at some point?", his wife asked.
"I only meant he could stay on the island!", he nervously clarified. "It was late, and I didn't want to wake you."
"I'm already up at night all thanks to this fifty pound kicking melon you put in my stomach!", she reminded him, grabbing his beard and yanking his face down to eye level to emphasize her anger.
"Pema, please", he begged. "It's just temporary, but I can call Lin and get her to find someone else."
"I don't want that, I want-", she let go midsentence, and tried to calm herself with deep breathing techniques his mother had taught while Tenzin stroked his chin. She'd warned them both that Pema could be more susceptible to this kind of thing later in the pregnancy.
"I'm not going to punish him just because you forgot. You'll just have to make it up to me later."
"Of course, my love." It didn't matter what she had in mind, just agree with her.
"Is he staying in one of the guest rooms?"
"Yes." It was probably past time that he got up too.
When he slid open the door, the bedroom was still dark, the only light coming from the hallway, and the boy was still sleeping soundly until he'd heard Tenzin's voice. "Bolin?"
He stirred, then sat up in bed, but his face crumpled again like it had last night when he took in his surroundings. Tenzin wanted to tell him something different than whatever Lin had said before, but he just...looked so fragile.
"We didn't want you to spend the whole day sleeping", he explained. "And I wanted you to meet my wife, Pema."
"Hi, sweet pea", she greeted, before noticing his fire ferret. "Who's your little friend?"
"That's Pabu", he said with a tiny smile, while the creature chirruped, hopping from Bolin's shoulder to Pema's, sniffing her cheek as if he were assessing her.
"Well, 'Pabu' is just adorable! Would the two like to have some breakfast?"
"Okay. Do...you have komodo sausage?"
A bit of an odd choice for breakfast, but that was beside the point. "Bolin, we're actually vegetarians."
"Wassat mean?"
"It means we don't eat meat", he clarified.
"Oh. Wait, what is komodo sausage made from?"
"Komodo Rhino."
Bolin's eyes widened in horror. "Does that mean sky bison wings are made from sky bison?"
"No, they're actually made from pig roosters, but we don't eat those either," Tenzin explained, thinking back to how Bumi had pranked him based on his own confusion about where they came from, something he still hadn't completely forgiven him for.
"I can make you some sweet rice instead," Pema offered. "I promise it doesn't have any animals in it."
"Okay." Tenzin trailed behind both of them as they went back to the kitchen, but he noticed Bolin was still making those anxious looks while they walked, and he had to put a stop to it.
"Bolin, I understand why you're nervous...after what happened...but I want you to know you are safe here."
"Tenzin's right, sweetie. This whole island has White Lotus guards to protect you. We're not gonna let anything happen to you, okay?"
The child seemed to understand, but he didn't say anything. He just...walked past Tenzin and Pema's outstretched arms, while they exchanged worried looks.
In the kitchen, Bolin sat silently, watching Pema cook, while Tenzin struggled with ideas for small talk. Eventually he settled on "How did you meet your friend Pabu?"
"I found him going through our trash can a few weeks ago."
Finding out that the animal liked rummaging through garbage wasn't the answer he'd been hoping for. But only a few weeks? "You two must've bonded a lot in such a short time."
"Bonded?"
"It means you're close with each other, like good friends", Pema explained, as she placed the bowl of sweet rice in front of him."
"...Yeah, I guess we are friends."
"What does he eat?"
"Usually what I'm having." This was confirmed as his ferret hopped off his shoulder and started licking at the rice Pema had made.
To Tenzin, this was absolutely disgusting, and Bolin couldn't continue to share a meal with his pet in such a manner, regardless of their bond. But his wife had a...different idea than he'd had in mind, putting a teacup of rice in front of Pabu for him to have instead.
"So I guess this means you two like it?", Pema asked them.
"S'good. Thank you."
"It was no trouble at all."
So at least he could adapt to the food situation, but it would be better for everyone if he were able to participate in more of the air nomad traditions for however long he was here. "Have you heard of meditation?"
"Is that when you're sitting for a long time with your eyes closed not doing anything?"
"Well, it's...a little more complicated than that", Tenzin told him, noting Pema's teasing smile. "It's a way to free your mind and spirit, and be at one with the universe."
"That does sound complicated", Bolin said, amazed by what he'd been told.
"It's not too difficult, actually. If you like, after breakfast we can..." Tenzin remembered that many of the air acolytes had difficulty clearing their mind of thoughts during their first time meditating, and it probably wouldn't be the best thing for him to be in that situation right now. "Perhaps we have some books and scrolls in the library that would suit you better. Do you...know how to read?"
"A lil' bit,'' Bolin told them as he shrugged his shoulders. He was only six years old after all.
"But whatever you want to do next, I think you should take a bath first.", Pema suggested.
He crossed his arms and pouted, just like any child his age would. "I don't wanna."
"Well, you need one."
"It's a healthy layer of dirt!"
"You're filthy." She said it with a kind smile, but a stern voice. "It won't take long, and we'll have some nice clean clothes for you when you're done, okay?"
Bolin grumbled, but he already knew better than to argue with her, following Pema to the bathroom. He entered by himself, while she waited outside. They hadn't even met more than an hour ago, so she wanted to give him some privacy, sticking the air acolyte robes that had been brought for him on the sink without peering in.
"So far he seems...," Tenzin began, at a lower volume than normal so he couldn't be accidentally overheard, helped by the sound of running water coming from the bathroom
"Yeah, but..." Pema couldn't finish her sentence either. He knew what she wanted to talk about, though.
"We're still strangers to him. We can't push him to face what happened before he's ready."
"When...do you think he will be?"
Tenzin wasn't sure himself. It could be days, weeks, even years. He might never want to talk about it. All he and Pema...or whoever would be there for him could do, is be patient.
"Master Tenzin!"
They turned to see a White Lotus guard running up to them, frantic and almost out of breath.
"One of us spotted from the watchtower. Chief Beifong is arriving on the next ferry here."
"Lin?"
"Yes sir", the man confirmed. "We can evacuate most of the island before she gets here."
Tenzin wondered why he was suggesting such extreme measures, then he remembered how Lin's last visit had gone. Still, he doubted she'd come back just for a rematch with the temple.
"I don't think that'll be necessary. Just direct her here when she arrives."
"...Understood." Judging by his expression he felt more nervous than Tenzin did about a relaxed approach to Lin. "I'll still have a security detail escort her though."
Tenzin didn't want to deprive him of any peace of mind, so he just waited quietly with Pema. Mostly quietly.
"Get behind the ears", she told Bolin, loudly enough for him to hear through the door.
"I did!"
"Will it look like it when I check?"
He didn't say anything, but the splashing of water indicated he was doing as he was told.
"Thanks for the welcoming committee," Lin told them dryly as she came in through the open door across the hall. "I-"
She stopped midsentence when she saw Pema's stomach, much larger than it had been the last time they'd seen each other, and she looked away with a pained expression.
"Do you want to talk in my office?", Tenzin suggested.
"No." Lin was still looking at him instead of his wife. "You both should hear this. Just didn't realize you two didn't waste any time."
"Is that what you came here to discuss?", he asked, hoping to stop things from getting off track.
"I made some calls this morning. The apartment unit where the kid's family stayed is gonna be cleaned out, but if he can come by in the next few days he can pick up what he wants."
"Anything else?"
"The funeral arrangements of the family have been taken care of."
"By who?", Pema asked.
"Hiroshi Sato."
The Future Industries Ceo? "Did he know the family?"
"I don't think so", Lin told them. "I'm guessing he heard about what happened through the news. It was all over the radio this morning. He reached out through his secretary to tell us to send the bill to his office. He recommended a place that would have everything ready as soon as tomorrow evening. Just waiting on when to get started."
"We'll see what he wants to do." Again, they could advise Bolin, but it was ultimately his decision.
"You're here!" Bolin had opened the door behind Pema, and his now clean face lit up at the sight of Lin as he ran over and latched onto her leg.
"Hey kid", she told him with the faintest hint of a smile. "You're looking a lot cleaner."
"They made me take a bath", he grumbled, folding his now sleeved arms while Pema followed up on her warning that she'd check for dirt behind his ears.
"Sounds like they've been taking good care of you. Have you thanked them?"
"Yes." Then he turned around to Tenzin and Pema. "Thank you for not letting me go to an orphanage."
"You don't have to thank us for that."
"Pema's right." Tenzin knew what Lin had meant. "We're more than happy to have you here."
"Okay, but...I thought you couldn't come cause of paperwork?"
"I got that finished up last night", she explained. "And there's some things I wanted to talk to you about."
Bolin had been smiling at her, but he looked a little confused now. And Tenzin could tell Lin was dreading what came next.
"We have a key to your parents' apartment. We can go get things you want to keep back here to the island."
"...What can I take?"
"Whatever you want to bring." Tenzin knew the Air Acolytes would help transport whatever belongings Bolin wanted to keep, but he hoped he didn't have any furniture in mind.
"And...", Lin continued. "I wanted to talk to you about having a funeral for your parents and brother."
"What's a funeral?"
"Have you ever been to a cemetery?", Pema asked. Hopefully they didn't have to explain everything to him.
"My mom took me and Mako there once. I don't remember why we were there, though."
Tenzin rejoined the conversation. "A cemetery is where people come to see people that have died. A funeral is...a way of grieving. To remember the time we spent with them, and say goodbye while their bodies are laid to rest."
"Why...why do people do that?"
"It's..." He had his own beliefs about mortality and life after death, inherited from the air nomad philosophy, but he couldn't force that point of view on Bolin. "Did your parents ever tell you about what happens when people die?"
"No." His voice may have been neutral, but his face was scrunched up, facing the floor.
"Bolin-"
"I don't wanna do any of that stuff! I just wanna read, or medidate!"
"I understand", Tenzin told him as he dropped to one knee so they could be face to face. "And we won't force you to do any of this, but...I do think it will help."
"Why?" He was still upset, but he wasn't talking with a raised voice anymore.
"It helped me when my father died."
Bolin opened his eyes again, looking unsure of what to say in response.
"It was difficult..." Tenzin knew that was a major understatement. The arrangements had fortunately been made ahead of time before Dad passed, so they didn't have to deal with that in the grieving process. Still...seeing Mom like that, when she'd always been the rock of the family, the strong one they all relied on, falling apart was painful for him and his siblings to witness. Thank the spirits Kya stayed with her afterwards to keep an eye on her whenever Uncle Sokka couldn't be around. "And I still miss him. I always will. But I'm glad I took part in the funeral."
"Do you...do you really think it'll help?"
"I won't lie to you, Bolin. It will be sad, and it'll hurt, but I do think you'll be glad you did it when you're older."
"We can have the ceremony tomorrow if you want", Lin told him.
"Then let's get it over with." Tenzin couldn't really blame him for having that attitude towards things.
"Here's the address", Lin said as she passed him a note along with a key he assumed was to the apartment of Bolin's family.
"Can you come with us this time?", the child asked.
"I'll...meet you there", she told him.
"But his bison's so fast! And everything looks so tiny when you're up so high!"
"I know, kid. I've ridden Oogi before."
"And she can get around the city quickly too, with her metalbending,'' Tenzin explained.
"Oh."
"But...it might be nice to see that view again," Lin relented, causing Bolin's face to light up again.
Notes: Writing little Bolin is fun, even though things are sad for him right now. This chapter initially was gonna be longer, but it would've left chapter three way too short.
