Bumi gets his Air Master tattoos.
***I am hoping the next chapter is ready for Monday, but I want to make it perfect, so I am not promising it will be exactly on Monday.***
A/N: A slightly longer chapter to make up for the last couple being a little shorter. Bumi deserved a longer chapter, even if it is from Lin's POV
It was late into summer a couple months after their vow renewal. And it was hot. Very hot.
It was about 5 in the morning and Lin finally conceded that she would be cooler getting up than trying to get back to sleep. Bumi grunted awake as she stood.
"Where're you goin'?" He asked, still half-asleep.
Lin shucked her tank top and boy shorts she had worn to bed into the hamper. "I can't get back to sleep. I'm going to grab a cold shower and prep for breakfast." She leaned down and gave him a kiss. "Go back to sleep love, you aren't going to get much tonight."
He sleepily nodded his head and shut his eyes again, falling back to sleep quickly. She couldn't help the amused smirk grace her face. Then she turned and went into their bathroom.
She sighed as the cool water of the shower hit her heated skin. She could only thank spirits that last summer hadn't been this bad, or she would have felt like she was dying during her pregnancy with Airi.
After her shower, she dressed in a new tank top and a proper pair of pajama shorts. She left the room quietly, as Bumi let out a rather large snore. Line then headed across the hall and quickly checked on Airi first and then checked on Haru - thankful they both seemed to be sleeping well despite the heat.
She padded downstairs to the kitchen and poured herself a tall glass of cold lychee juice.
"Can't sleep?"
Lin started, and just managed to not spill or drop her juice. She turned and found her mother sitting at the dining table with her own glass of juice.
"Shit Mom! What are you doing?" Lin asked, her free hand clutching over her chest. She went and sat across from her mother, choosing to leave the lights off - her mom didn't need it, and she couldn't be bothered to turn them on.
"Obviously the same as you. Too fucking hot to get comfortable." The elder earthbender grouched. "I think you are losing your touch, you didn't feel me at all?"
Lin scowled into her glass as she took a sip of the refreshing juice, before setting it down. "Pardon me for being tired, hot, and my mind preoccupied to remember that my mother is staying with us." She groused back.
"I've been here for two weeks." Toph said, a teasing lilt in her voice.
Where Lin once would have taken the teasing to heart, she recognized now that her mother was just amused. "Yeah well, it's too early and hot to care right now." She replied, with a shrug of her shoulders.
They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, both sipping their cold drinks.
Toph broke the silence a while later. "So… I - uh - just wanted to say thanks for letting me stay for a bit. I admit it has been nice to see Haru, Airi, and Opal on a daily basis. I guess I never realized just how much I missed out on with Suyin's kids until now." Toph said awkwardly, but Lin could tell she was sincere. "I also admit it has been good having this time for us to get to know each other again too. I'm… it is a relief to see you so happy and get to be a part of that."
Lin's eyes widened for a moment, slightly in shock at what her mother just said. Yes, Toph had gotten much better in the last year and they had worked through many things. But Lin was unsure if she would ever get used to her mother admitting her feelings - ones that weren't her being angry or disgruntled about that is.
She reached across the table and placed her hand on her mothers. "I've enjoyed spending time with you too. The kids love you, and Bumi and I do too."
Her mother turned her hand so that she could return the squeeze. "I love you too badgermole." Toph said softly.
Lin blinked back tears that sprung to her eyes, again unused to the open display of affection from her mother. She squeezed their joined hands again, before clearing her throat. "There is something I'd like to bring up with you." She shifted a little in her seat, not sure how her mother would take this offer. "Well Su, Bumi, Baatar, and I have been talking… We know you are happy with your swamp…" She was glad her mother couldn't see the look of disgust she had on her face at the thought of living in the swamp. "But we would like to offer a room here and one in Zaofu whenever you want to stay. Bumi and I are even willing to build a little house on our property so that you have your own space if you don't want to be here in the house with us.
"I admit that I worry about you being alone in the swamp - not that I don't think you could handle yourself, as we both know you very much can. But you aren't young anymore… and I worry if you get sick, no one would know."
"Gee thanks for calling me old." Toph snarked.
Lin swallowed and went to pull her hand from her mothers. But Toph's grip tightened.
"I… I have been thinking about it myself a lot lately too… And Sugar Queen is moving back too…" Toph admitted with a little shrug. "So if you are serious… I'd like to take you up on your offer."
"Of course we are serious." Lin said, a small smile gracing her lips. "I'm sure Su will be thrilled too."
This time Toph rolled her eyes. "That girl has been trying to get me to move in since she created her damn city. I think she thought the statues of me littering the place would get me to accept…" She scoffed, but Lin could hear the amusement in her voice.
"You could always go around and change all the statues."
Toph cracked a mischievous grin. "You know, I like your thinking."
Lin for a moment debated whether she should have suggested that, but one thought about what her sister's reaction would be to see her beloved statues changed to something inappropriate… Well Lin really couldn't wait to hear about it. She just wished she could be there to see them in person.
With a final pat to her mom's hand, she got up to get breakfast started. Today would be an early start for them all. After preparing a hearty breakfast for Bumi, her mother, and herself, Lin tracked upstairs to wake her husband.
"Bumi, it's time to get up." She said, running her hands through his shaggy, sleep mussed hair as she sat on the edge of the bed.
He groaned. "Five more minutes, Linny," he mumbled.
"Sorry, love, but if you don't eat now, you will be starving later."
He wiped a tired hand over his face before grabbing her hand from his hair and pressing a kiss to her palm. "Morning, love." He said, finally peering up to her, through sleepy eyes.
She smiled softly at him, before bending over to give him a kiss. "Good morning."
He pulled her in for another kiss, before sitting up. He yawned and stretched, before running his own hands through his hair.
"It's going to be weird to see you with no hair." Lin said, raising her hand to finger a strand that fell into his face. "I can't even remember ever seeing you with short hair."
"I think I was 5 the last time it was cut like Dad's. It was about the time I realized I wasn't ever going to be like him." Bumi replied, taking her free hand in both of his, leaving her other to twirl his hair between her fingers.
"Well, hair or no hair, tattoos or no tattoos, you're still my Bumi." Lin said softly.
He smiled at her and pulled her hand that was still clasped in both of his up to his mouth to place a kiss on her palm. When he moved their hands down, he couldn't help the slight sparkle of mischief in his eyes. "I suppose that's good, cause I'm about to be as hairless as Tenny."
"The horror of looking like your brother. Actually scratch that, it is a horrifying thought to me." She said with a grimace, but then winked at him. "Just don't shave your beard and that should help." She teased.
"Don't worry, love. I don't plan on staying bald either. I wouldn't be the same Bumi without my luscious locks." He teased.
Lin rolled her eyes and tugged lightly on the piece of his hair still between her fingers. "Alright Mr. Luscious Locks, it's time to get up and eat. Go grab a quick shower first, I think I hear Airi waking."
After another kiss, Lin left and crossed the hall into the nursery. Inside, she found a wide awake Airi sitting up in the middle of her crib. Upon seeing her mother, she squealed excitedly and pulled herself to stand wobbly against the bars of the crib.
"Good morning, little badgermole. Did you have a good sleep?" Lin asked quietly, moving further into the room.
Airi babbled and pumped her legs, causing her to fall back on her bottom.
"Careful there." Lin said softly, an amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Shall we go downstairs and see Grandma?"
Airi held her arms up to Lin, who picked her up. After a quick change as Lin found Airi had sweated through her sleeper during the night, the two made their way downstairs.
Lin set Airi into her highchair and quickly went about placing some cut up tiny pieces of banana on her tray. Little fingers instantly grabbed a couple pieces and jammed them into her mouth, fingers and all, making happy grunting noises.
"I guess someone was hungry." Toph quipped in amusement. "On that note, so am I, how much longer do we have to wait to eat?"
Lin was taking out the dishes from the cupboard. "Not long, Bumi will be down momentarily. He was just grabbing a shower."
Toph sighed forlornly, and slouched further into her seat. "How's his nerves?"
"He seems to be doing okay, but he had just woken up. I imagine, much like Ikki, it won't hit until it is time to begin." Lin replied, beginning to set the table.
Not long after everything was on the table and Lin had made some warm rice cereal for Airi, Bumi came into the room.
"Look who's awake already! How's my girl this morning?" Bumi asked Airi as he squatted in front of her to be on her eye level.
She let out an excited grunt, holding her sticky banana covered hand out to touch his cheek.
He let out a chuckle, and pretended to nibble her fingers causing her to giggle. "Mmmm, you taste like banana's, I could just gobble you right up." He said, standing to place a raspberry kiss on her cheek. She let out a squeal and giggled again.
Lin handed him a damp napkin as he moved to his seat, which he gratefully took to wipe his face from the stickiness. He glanced at his mother-in-law and cheekily said, "morning Mom!"
Instantly he got the desired reaction as she scowled at him. "I'm not your mother!"
Lin rolled her eyes at their antics and attempted to get more of the cereal in Airi's mouth than on her clothes. It was a losing battle, despite the bib she had placed on her as Airi loved sticking her hands in her mouth as she was eating.
She gave up after a bit, conceding the girl had eaten enough and ate a small portion of breakfast for herself before taking the girl upstairs to clean her up and get them both ready for the day. Leaving Bumi and Toph to continue to bicker and tease each other over their own breakfast.
It was an hour later, so just after 7 in the morning that the five arrived on the Island. Pema and Tenzin were there to greet them.
Pema took Airi into her arms, and guided Haru off to eat breakfast with the rest of the airbenders. Toph followed lazily after the three.
Tenzin placed a hand on his older brother's shoulder. "Are you ready?"
Though he tried to hide it, both Lin and Tenzin noticed that Bumi was nervous. "Yup. Totally ready to get tattooed by you and my young nieces." He joked, only a slight twitch of his hand took that hand offering her silent support.
Tenzin just smiled gently and patted his shoulder. "Alright, we'll start with shaving, and the girls will join us when we're finished."
Bumi nodded and allowed Lin to guide him as they followed Tenzin into the temple. He was guided to a chair just as Ikki had been only a handful of months earlier; though this would take more time as they needed to shave not just his head, but his arms, back, and legs as well.
Tenzin had all of the supplies laid out, and surprisingly motioned for Lin to take the shears.
"I have to do the shaving portion, but if Bumi agrees, I thought you may want to cut his hair."
Lin looked to Bumi, and he gave her a nod, with a small smile. She gave him a reassuring smile and bent over to give him a chaste kiss. Then she went to the table to pick up the shears. She lent down, once behind him, and placed one more kiss to the top of his head. Lin gently began to cut away his longer hair, biting her lip to hold back her emotions. She felt honoured to be tasked with the beginning of his ceremony, and to be here witnessing a momentous occasion not just for her husband, but for the Air Nation as a whole. Bumi would be the first of the new Air Nation to become an Air Master and receive his tattoos.
When Lin finished, she stepped back to allow Tenzin to take over. She set down the shears, and pulled a chair to sit facing her husband. He met her gaze, and though both of their eyes were teary, they smiled at each other. Bumi held out his hand and she grasped it in both of hers, before beginning to speak softly with him. Bum-Ju flitted into the room and settled onto Bumi's lap, chittering softly as Bumi ran his free hand through the soft spirit fur.
Before long, Bumi's head was gleaming in the candlelight. He ran his free hand over his head. "This will take some getting used to."
Lin gave their joined hands a squeeze.
"It does, but you will get used to it." Tenzin said. "Alright you should probably strip now and we'll get your arms, back and legs shaven."
Bumi sighed, but stood and removed his clothes until he was left in his boxers. Tenzin was quick in shaving his brother's limbs and back.
Tenzin cleared his throat. "Would you prefer to begin with your lower back and upper legs before the girls are brought in to help?"
"Hmm… It's almost like it is a tough choice. Not! Of course I don't want my nieces to see me butt naked!" Bumi sassed.
Lin pursed her lips to try and hold back her amused smirk, as she looked up to see Tenzin's sheepish expression.
"Right, right. Okay. Are you ready to accept your tattoo's?"
Bumi closed his eyes for a moment and drew in a deep breath, straightening his shoulders. When he opened his eyes he nodded at his younger brother. "I am ready to accept my Air Master tattoos."
The official ceremony was almost bigger than Jinora's had been a few years ago. Bumi was not just Avatar Aang and Master Katara's eldest child, but he was a world renowned Commander from the United Forces. He knew people from all nations, thus there was a large attendance for the ceremony.
Lin, Katara, and Kya proudly stood to one side of the stage reserved for immediate family. Zuko and Toph were flanking Kya and Lin, respectively. Katara's hands were each clasping one of her girl's own, and Lin had Airi on her hip. The three women all had tears in their eyes as they watched Tenzin, Jinora, and Ikki step forward into the middle of the stage. Across from the three women, on the opposite side of the stage, stood the newer Team Avatar. They all wore proud and happy expressions on their faces as well.
"Bumi, step forward." He said. Bumi, with his ceremonial robe on and hood up, stepped forward from the line of airbenders along the back of the stage. He knelt on one knee between his brother and his nieces who flanked his other side.
"Today, we mark the first Airbending Master of the new Air Nation." Jinora started.
"Harmonic convergence blessed the world when it restored the long sought balance of the four nations." Ikki continued. "Thanks to Avatar Korra, we are able to bring forth a new era of airbenders."
"I couldn't be more proud to call this man my brother." Tenzin added, glancing down and briefly meeting Bumi's blue eyes. His eyes crinkled in a tender expression, before he turned to address the guests. "My brother was the first born child of our parents, Avatar Aang and Katara. When he failed to show signs of being a bender, he struck out to prove that he was just as capable as any bender. He became a Master of Swords by the time he was 14, becoming the youngest member of the Swordmaster Guild in generations. Through his work with the United Forces, an impressive 40 years of service, he promoted peace. He strived throughout his career to prove that words could be just as powerful as the sword."
Tenzin took a moment, before continuing. "After Harmonic Convergence, Bumi was one of the first to show signs of airbending, much to all of our astonishment. He has proven to be an excellent leader to his fellow airbenders, and has even shown me how to become a better leader. I have watched as he has become a devoted father and husband over the last few years, on top of his dedication to our Air Nation. I could not be more delighted to stand by his side as he proves to the world that anything is possible. I know our father and ancestors would be proud to welcome him as an Air Master."
He turned back to Bumi. "I now anoint Bumi as our newest Air Master." Tenzin reached out and pulled back the hood covering Bumi's head.
Bumi's arrow on his head was seen first, before he raised his head. Just as his niece's before him, he unclasped the robe as he stood. The sleeveless outfit showed off the blue lines ending in arrows on his hands. He stood proudly as his fellow airbenders were led by Jinora and Ikki into airbending the smoke of the incense around the room; Haru and Rohan joined in.
As the bent smoke hit the chimes above, Lin could almost imagine her uncle standing between his son's with a proud smile. A quick glance at Katara and Kya, told her that they were imagining the same.
After the ceremony, Lin met Bumi at the front of the stage and in a rare showing of PDA, pulled him into a kiss. After a moment, she pulled back and gave him a watery, but proud smile. "I am so proud of you, love." Airi decided she needed attention too, letting out a shriek and clapping her hands clumsily. "Sorry, we're proud of you." Lin revised, with an amused grin as a tear escaped her eye.
Bumi let out a chuckle and placed a kiss on Airi's little cherubic cheek. She gave him a wide grin, showing off her three teeth. "Thank you, my little flower." He said.
"Daddy!" Haru called out as he escaped from Meelo's hold and ran into Bumi's leg.
Bumi held back a hiss of pain as Haru touched his tender tattoo. But he bit back his discomfort and smiled down at his son. "Hey buddy. What do you think of my tattoos?"
Haru grinned up at him. "Look like Uncle Tenny!"
He chuckled and ruffled his son's curls. "I guess I do. But I look cooler though, right?"
The little boy shook his head and Bumi gasped in mock shock. "No?!" He then pouted, while Haru held his hands over his mouth and giggled.
"Jus' jokin' Daddy!" He said a moment later.
Bumi grinned and tickled the boy's neck before hollering to his brother. "Hear that Tenny, I look cooler! Haru agrees!"
Tenzin just rolled his eyes, but the amusement was clear on his face as he spoke with Senna and Tonraq.
"Oh look at you!" Katara said as she bustled over and pulled Bumi down so she could squish his face. "Your Dad would be so proud today! Not that he wasn't already proud of you. I wish he could have been here to see this moment." She said, tears filling her eyes.
Bumi pulled her into his arms, ignoring the twinge of his new tattoos. "I know, Mom." He said, voice getting a little rough with his own emotions.
Lin motioned for Haru to join her as she stepped away a little to give the mother and son a private moment. Haru joined her for a moment before taking off, luckily only over to his older siblings. Lin huffed at her son's actions, before going over to join her sister, Izumi, and their husbands.
"Oh Lin, that was such a beautiful ceremony!" Su said, still sniffling a little.
"Agreed, the tattoos certainly suit Bumi." Izumi agreed with a nod and a slight smile on her face.
"It was." Lin nodded. They all watched as Kya pulled Bumi from their mothers arms to wrap her arms around him herself. "I could almost feel Uncle Aang's spirit here today." Lin said softly.
Izumi nodded again. "I think everyone who knew him felt his presence today. Perhaps even those who hadn't as well."
Su sniffled again, before letting out a little snicker. "Though he does kinda look like a weird mash-up between Sokka and Aang, don't you think?"
Lin grimaced a little as she noticed her sister was right. "Thank you for that lovely image. Not exactly something I want to think of when looking at my husband." She said dryly.
Airi seemed to agree as she let out a series of grunts interspersed with baby babbling.
"I know, your Aunt Suyin is putting silly notions in Mama's head." Lin said, bouncing the girl a little on her hip.
"I'm surprised she didn't cry seeing him with no hair. I remember when I shaved once when Opal was a baby and she cried as if I was an evil spirit or something." Baatar remarked.
"Oh she sure did." Lin said, shifting the 9-month-old up higher on her hip; a small look of pain crossing her features as if her ears were still ringing. "But we purposefully brought her in during his tattooing and she saw him once it was finished as well, so that she wouldn't act like he was a stranger now."
"She has gotten so big since your wedding a couple months ago." Izumi cooed a little, causing Airi to toothily grin at her. Lin nodded and Izumi took the baby into her own arms. "I miss when they are so small and sweet." The Fire Lord lamented. "Honestly, I'm ready for Iroh to settle down and start a family." She admitted.
Raijin just placed his hand on the small of his wife's back. "He seems to follow in his Uncle Bumi's footsteps."
"Great, I will be old as dirt by the time he actually settles down." Izumi snarked, while the others pursed their lips to stop from laughing.
"I literally will be by the time Haru and Airi are ready for children." Lin said with a shudder, not wanting to picture her babies grown up yet.
"Well, maybe you should place your sights on Ursa and Mako to providing your future grandchildren." Suyin said with a smirk as she motioned to where Mako and Ursa were entertaining Haru together. "They seem to be getting on at every event we've had this last year."
Raijin snickered. "Technically, it would mean that Lin and Bumi would be grandparents to children from all sides of the original team Avatar."
"And the new team Avatar." Baatar added with a grin. "Can't forget Asami and Korra."
Izumi and Suyin turned amused grins on Lin.
Lin blushed, huffing at the four of them. "Can we stop talking about grandchildren right now? I am enjoying just being a mother right now, thank you very much." She snatched Airi back from the Fire Lord's arms, holding her close to her chest. Airi let out a giggle before shoving her hand in her mouth to gnaw on.
During the reception Lin and Bumi made the rounds, thanking people for coming.
The last group of people they were approaching were some of Bumi's old comrades from the Forces. They were pleasantly surprised to see Iroh amongst the group as they were unsure if he would be able to make it out.
"Iroh!" Bumi called out with a big grin. He had always been close with Izumi's son, especially as Iroh had decided to join him in the United Forces.
"Bumi!" Iroh said, pulling his uncle into a hug, mindful of his back tattoo. "Congratulations. It was a great ceremony." He said as he pulled away.
"Thanks for coming, General." Bumi said.
"I couldn't miss this, Commander." Iroh said, grinning. He turned to Lin. "Aunt Lin, you look beautiful." He pulled her into a hug as well, kissing her cheek. "I am sorry I couldn't make it to your wedding a couple months ago."
Lin patted his arm as he pulled back, giving him a fond smile. "That's okay, we of all people know how duty comes first."
He grinned, before looking to the little girl once again gnawing on her hand as she rested on her mother's hip. "And aren't you such a cutie." He said, giving her a little wave.
Airi pulled her drool covered hand from her mouth and opened and closed her hand in a grabby-like wave.
"So smart too!" He chuckled. "Well, don't let me hold you back from finishing greeting the crew." Iroh said, moving aside.
Next up were Commander Misumi in her uniform with a woman dressed in Fire Nation clothing.
"Misumi, you remember my wife, Lin." Bumi said in greeting. Making sure to not make a similar mistake as last time.
"Yes, of course." Misumi nodded and smiled to Lin, who returned the nod and smile with her own. "I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Rin." The younger woman in question was taller than Misumi, with black hair and striking gold eyes. She wore a friendly smile and greeted the couple.
"Nice to meet you, Lin. Congratulations to you Bumi, it was a lovely ceremony." Rin said, speaking in a kind voice. "And this must be your daughter, she is beautiful!"
Lin smiled back. "Yes, this is Airi." The baby let out a grunt at her name, but was otherwise more interested in the lights strung in the tree above.
"Thank you both for coming." Bumi said, giving them both smiles.
"You know this bald look reminds me of when you singed your hair off after we trained one day when you jumped too close to one of my fireballs." Misumi teased her old friend.
Bumi groaned. "I didn't jump in the way of it, you threw it at my head! I luckily got out of the way quick enough."
"Just not for your hair. I was there too." Iroh chimed in with a smirk.
Lin and Rin shared amused grins as the three bickered.
That night was thankfully much cooler than two nights previous. Lin was sitting up in bed as Bumi was laying on his stomach with his head resting on her lap.
"How are you feeling, love?" Lin asked softly, rubbing a healing balm into his tender tattoo on his head.
He sighed as the balm was cooling to his sensitive flesh. "The past two days have been a whirlwind… But I think I am happy with how things went." He paused, before continuing. "I feel much lighter tonight than I have in a while, about myself that is. It feels like I have finally become me. I have you, and the kids, and now I feel closer to my father than I ever have."
Lin smiled. "I am so proud to have stood by your side during this. You are a remarkable man, Bumi." She moved onto his upper back with the balm.
"It meant a lot that you were with me at every step yesterday and today." He melted as the balm soothed his irritated skin on his back. "Love you so much, Linny."
"I love you too, Bumi." She said. She smiled tenderly as she noticed he had drifted off to sleep. She closed the lid on the balm as she didn't want to wake him up, vowing to apply fully in the morning. Lin turned off the light and slid down so that his head now rested on her chest. She gently held him to her as she joined him in slumber.
A/N: So I am 99% sure that next chapter will be the final chapter. This makes me so emotional. This is the longest fic I have ever done and stuck with to completion. Thank you to everyone who has been here since day one (on AO3) and to those who have joined on the the journey, I love you all!
It is not fully in stone, so if there is something you want to see, let me know and I will see if it will fit for my plans.
Loose plans for next chapter are Opal and Bolin's wedding (Though I wont fully focus on that as we've had a lot of ceremonies back to back, but I couldn't not have it in here), Airi's first birthday, and then the ending. So there is definitely wiggle room too add some things.
***Again, I am hoping the next chapter is ready for Monday, but I want to make it perfect, so I am not promising it will be exactly on Monday.***
