the thief and the airbender
thankful
{requested by Guest}
[AU of "The Venom of the Red Lotus"]
Jinora gripped the back of his shirt tightly - dug her nails into his skin, desperately. She shook slightly in his arms, and Kai tried not to tremble. His throat was dry, and strangely so were his eyes. How could he tell her? How could he be the one to tell her? Spirits, Tenzin couldn't be gone. The man was an airbending master... but even that hadn't been enough against Zaheer and his two other cronies.
"Jinora," her name almost died in his throat, "I - I have something I need to tell you. And your family."
Jinora pulled away, taking in his solemn expression. "Kai?" she paused, as if wondering if she should press forward. "Is something wrong?"
He didn't say anything; he didn't trust himself to speak. Jinora didn't say anything else either, and simply collected her siblings and her mother. They all look at him, with eyes of grey and brown, full of worry, although Pema's seemed to be holding herself together, Kai could recognize the slight quiver of her chin, Rohan in her arms.
"After I fell, I woke up - and - and I went back to the Temple, to see if I could help..." A lump formed in his throat. "And I - I found Tenzin... dead." Images of the body - beaten, bloody, lifeless - flashed across his mind. He doubted they would ever fully go away. "I'm so sorry."
Apologies weren't something that came out of his mouth often, but he had no idea what else to say. What else was there to say? What else could he say? He stared down at the ground as Pema brought her children closer, little Rohan - a boy who would grow up never knowing his brave father - clutched to her chest. Pema's shoulders shook as Meelo and Ikki buried themselves into her.
Kai's eyes were stinging, and he had to blink away the blurriness when a small, warm hand latched around his own: Jinora's. Wordlessly, she tugged him downwards, onto his knees and beside her, and then curled into her mother. Jinora kept her shaking hand in his, Pema putting a hand on his back, rubbing soothing circles.
As Jinora felt a dam inside her burst, hot tears streaming down her cheeks, she squeezed Kai's hand. At the very least, she was just thankful she hadn't lost him too.
Angst is fun. And sad. Sorry for breaking your hearts guys. (Well no, not really sorry.)
Air-family friendship with Kai is so important to me guys you have no idea. Everyone's requests shall be up shortly! Thank you for all your patience, support, reviews, favourites and follows! They mean a lot and make me so happy. :)
Love you guys, I hope you all have a fantastic day!
PS: In case anyone was wondering, requests are still open so if you have one, feel free to leave it in the box below.