the thief and the airbender

i need you

{for Angelic915}

[au of "day of the colossus"]

As the laser headed towards the building, Jinora looked at Kai as they ran side by side - they weren't going to make it to the exit in time -and in the split second their gazes locked, Jinora knew what he was thinking. "Kai, no!"

Then everything went dark.

Her eyes cracked open, her vision blurry. It took a few seconds to regain her bearings. There was rubble everywhere, and she could see her family and friends among the rubble. All of them seemed to be relatively unharmed, which was a relief... But why was she okay? She had been close to the window, standing next to Kai... Kai.

She turned her head to the side and saw her boyfriend lying right next to her, an arm still slung over her waist. He was half-lying on top of her, a trail of blood trickling down his forehead from a nasty looking gash. Her brain put the pieces together: he had used himself as a shield for her.

Eyes glistening, Jinora wormed out from under him and pulled him gently closer to her, her torso on her lap. She cradled his head in her arms, tears splashing into his hair. "Kai," she whispered, clutching him closer. Her shoulders shook as he showed no signs of having heard her. "Kai... please..." She wanted to check for a heartbeat, but couldn't find the strength - what if there wasn't one? What if...

What if he was dead?

Tears streamed down her cheeks. "KAI!" Her voice was hoarse and hollow. "KAI!" A hand was placed gently on her shoulder, warm and familar.

"Jinora, get up sweetheart," her father ushered, but still she didn't tear her eyes away from Kai's face. "Come on sweetheart, we need to check if he's okay, come on..." Tenzin's voice, usually steady and firm, wavered slightly.

Trembling, Jinora allowed her father to pull her to her feet. She slung one of Kai's arms over her shoulders; he was heavy, and she sagged under his weight for a few moments until Tenzin put the young teen's other arm around his shoulders too. They hobbled over and set Kai down away from the wreckage. He still hadn't shown any signs of life as everyone else began to make their way over.

Jinora took Kai's hand in her own, the warmth she had become accustomed to growing faint. She gave his hand a squeeze. "Please be okay Kai... I love you... I..." she swallowed hard. "I need you, I can't lose you again." Her voice broke.

Only Tenzin heard, and the airbending master's eyebrows shot upwards. He had always known that Jinora and Kai had a strong relationship, but he had never known the extent.

"What happened?" Ikki asked.

"He - he..." Jinora tried to speak, but dissolved into sobs.

"He shielded Jinora with himself," Tenzin said quietly, his brow furrowed. "Korra, get some water. See if you can heal him."

And then she heard his breathing coming in slow and ragged. But he was breathing. She sent up a prayer to every Spirit she could think of. "He's alive!" she announced. "You're alive," she breathed in his ear, wanting to fling herself at him and kiss him but controlling herself; she didn't want to hurt him anymore.

Kai's eyes fluttered open, and he cracked a feeble smile at her. "Dontcha know it takes more... more than a collapsing building, to get rid of me...?"

Jinora smiled tearfully at him. "You idiot," she said fondly. She stayed by his side when Korra arrived with the water. He gripped her hand tightly as Korra did a once-over on his injuries, his face tight with pain. All the while, other airbenders were leaving with Tenzin's orders, to try to protect and evacuate citizens who hadn't left the city yet.

"Don't leave me," Kai said, his eyes suddenly full of alarm.

Jinora wiped her hands and squeezed her hand again. The urge to kiss him was almost overwhelming, but she settled with planting a soft one on his forehead, well away from the cut (thanks to Korra, it was already healing). "I don't plan on it. Ever." Kai smiled despite the pain he was in.

"Good," he said softly. He leaned up and brushed his lips against hers; Jinora gently cupped his face, kissing him back passionately, trying to convey how much she loved him, deepening the kiss.

Korra cleared her throat and they broke apart, both looking sheepish. Kai's face reddened when he realized Tenzin was still standing there. Korra smirked. "You're a lucky guy, Kai, 'cause you're okay overall. If Jinora had taken it at the angle she was, she probably wouldn't have made it," Korra told him, and Jinora let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, while Kai inhaled sharply. "But Kai: no fighting."

"I can second that," Jinora muttered under her breath, and she quickly wiped her eyes. She tightened her grip on Kai's hand, and he in turn carefully laced his fingers through hers.

"And I think it would be a good idea for Jinora to stay with you," Korra shot Tenzin a warning look, "isn't that right?"

Tenzin rolled his eyes. "Erm, yes." His eyes softened as he looked at the pair of airbenders. "Keep him safe Jinora. And Kai, thank you." Kai gave him a nod, and he knew they had an understanding.

Jinora helped Kai to his feet, wrapping her arms around him as Tenzin took off, as did Korra. Jinora snuggled into him, burying her face in his neck. "I thought I lose you," she whispered.

Kai tightened his arms around her. "I'm sorry I scared you," he kissed the top of her head. "But I'm here now. I'm here."

"If you had... died," she whispered, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. "I wouldn't have been able to live with myself; I'm not worth it, Kai. I'm not."

"Yes you are," Kai said fiercely. "You - you are the best thing that's ever happened to me, Jinora. I love you more than anything. Being away from you has been the hardest thing I've ever done. I can't live without you, so you think for once second that you're not worth dying for."

"Then you understand how I can't lose you," Jinora said quietly, kissing him again. It was briefer this time, and she rested her head against his chest once she pulled away.

"Jinora..." Kai began, sounding suddenly nervous.

"Hmm?" She looked at him in concern.

Kai swallowed hard. "Three years from now, when we're eighteen... Marry me?"

Jinora blinked, taken aback, her expression going blank. "I know we've only been dating for a year," Kai added hastily, "and that we're young, but-"

She cut him off with another kiss. "Yes," she mumbled against his lips, sloppily kissing him and grinning widely. "Yes. If you survive long enough."

Kai smiled into the kiss, and pulled away, his breath warm against her lips. She laid her head on his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat. "Ah," Kai said tenderly, "now I have something to live for."

Well I never thought I would write an unintentional Kainora proposal, but it fit, somehow, with them both realizing just how much they mean to each other. Shh, don't tell Tenzin.

I recently put up a poll - 'which Kainora story of mine is your favourite?' You can vote for two options, and I'd love to hear the feedback. "20 Questions" is currently in the lead.

Love you guys. :) Let's get out the tissues out for the finale *ugly sobbing*