In this scene Lin and Tenzin are about sixteen and seventeen, and while I wouldn't "ship" them together in any way during or after the current season, I do like to imagine what it was like when they were together. Enjoy!

A Hasty Escape Via the Telephone Lines

Lin felt all warm and flustered inside; butterfly-birds flew in unending circles within her stomach as she leaned into the crook of his arm. For once in her life, she felt as if she were so happy she could be walking on air, which, considering who her date was, it was quite possible. Her heart jumped another beat as she peeked up at Tenzin, her cheeks turning a soft pink. She had never felt this way about anyone else before.

Her eyes are beautiful, he thought to himself, she should smile like this more often.

Her usually hardened features glowed with a soft warmth.

The two walked peacefully, arm in arm down the quiet path through Republic City's central park. Small red lanterns lit the way down to a little pond, shimmering with iridescent fish and guarded by a small family of turtle-ducks.

This is absolutely beautiful; she hummed inwardly, turning away in embarrassment as she caught his gaze. A wonderful walk to end a wonderful evening, though she knew they were pushing it on time as the nearly full moon rose higher into the night sky. Her mother would surely be angry if they didn't return home soon, and she knew even Tenzin, son of the Avatar wouldn't be able to escape if Toph had anything to say about their timing.

The moon glistened overhead; a bright patch of moon lilies opened up around their feet, revealing dozens of delicate, silvery petals. Lin looked down to her feet, they felt strange and open beneath the hem of her pale green skirt, she much preferred her metal boots and armor. She felt out of her element, and vulnerable, though the solid earth beneath the soles of her shoes helped to steady her a little. For a brief moment she vaguely considered kicking off her shoes and continuing the night barefoot, but silenced her mind again as she focused on the rippling water, they were almost to the water's edge, the pool brimming with light.

Lin's head felt as though she were slightly spinning, she bit down on her lip and pressed the toe of her right shoe into the earth, trying to focus on the grit of the dirt, instead of the way his shirt sleeve fell onto her arm, or their two sides, gently pressed together in the moon light.

Tenzin calculated the thoughts within his head and came to a cautious decision. He wasn't usually one for making a scene, but he talked himself into it, nervously lifting his hand to brush the edge of her rose colored cheek. His thumb traced her jaw, tilting her face to meet his as he leaned down and gently placed his lips upon hers.

Lin closed her eyes in a soothing terror, his lips sent tremors down her spine, his cool touch made her whole body quake. She leaned into him, kissing him back more intently, reaching up to his collar, gently brushing the edges of his warm neck.

He jerked back suddenly, a startled look in his eyes as he glaced around her face, taking ina new perspective of the sky and the ground, now almost thirty feet below.

Lin's cheeks exploded crimson as she saw the platform earth beneath them, an unintentional side effect of her earth bending skills. She thrust out her hands, propelling the block back into place and took off in a sprint, avoiding his gray eyes as she sped away.

Tezin just stood by the turtle-duck pond in slight shock and confusion as his date made a hasty escape via the telephone lines. He watched, unable to move himself from the spot as she darted out of sight, knowing she would certainly make it home in time at that pace.

Tell me what you thought of this piece, it was so much fun to write, and I hope to have some more soon! Review!