Chapter Text
It was one of the busier days at the Republic City Police Department when the Chief of Police was drowning under paperwork while downing her fourth cup of coffee. She had specifically asked to be left alone, with no distractions and her officers knew better than to interrupt her when she was in that type of mood. She was biting her lower lip, hand trembling as she brought the cup closer to her mouth while the rest of her body was laser-focused on the chaos of papers in front of her. It had been quite the nerve-wracking case- one that made absolutely no sense, but the day was young and she was already irritable enough to make some sense of it.
So when Lin audibly growled at the phone that went off with its usual shrill ring beside her, she thought of the sequence of words she'd involve in the earful her assistant was going to receive as soon as she left her office. Lin was going to make her curse the day she took on this job.
With her general gruffness, Lin pulled the receiver against her ear, "This is not a good time."
The voice on the other end, however, seemingly managed to neutralize the Chief, "Oh dear," It wasn't the coffee to blame when her eyes blew open, pupils dilated until the green around them was barely a thin circumference and jaw dropped itself to open up her parched mouth. She placed her thumb on her lip, the nail anxiously digging into the pink skin, in utter disbelief that she barely whispered, "I'll be there."
After hanging up, Lin stared at the stupid scatter on her desk while she collected herself. Before another thought dared to cross her mind, she promptly got up, and head straight for the door. While putting her coat on, she heard her assistant nervously scramble up a few words, "Chief, I'm so sorry- I was told—"
Lin snapped her fingers to cut her off, "It's fine, Mena. Tell Mako to—"
"Take over while you're away?" She suggested softly.
"No, tell him to meet me at Air Temple Island. It's important."
"Yes, Chief!"
And just like that, Lin's day was cut short- that trying case quickly dissolving into insignificance. With her mind free of work, she began to ponder over other things as she walked briskly to get to the aforementioned Island.
She cursed her younger self for wishing unthinkable things on a certain resident there. It was Tenzin's fault though- he handled the breakup badly, all Pema did was speak her heart. And yet she bore such ill will for the woman- a woman young enough to have probably not known any better at the time. Lin shook her head at the thought and continued on. Instead of blaming Pema for catalyzing the long-overdue breakup, that neither party ever apologized for, she should've slapped herself for staying in an unhappy relationship with a man who was just as unhappy.
But it all worked out in the end.
She had thought that it made sense, in some twisted way- that it was poetic, or even romantic, that they'd be together forever, miserable, and suffer in their affection until the end of time. They did love each other immensely, after all. Eventually, the choice was between being unhappy together or happy apart. The conflict arose when Tenzin chose happiness and Lin chose him.
But it all worked out in the end.
Tenzin got married, he had his much younger wife, four airbending children, that Lin still couldn't say with certainty that she would've ever borne. He had the picture-perfect life he had always dreamed of, and sure, Lin wanted a part in it too, she wanted him and his happiness, but maybe Tenzin wanted his sole dream more, whether it was with or without her. It was almost as if Lin was this fun adventure he had, the rather intense high from their love for years on end until he had to get back to reality, become the dogmatic man he was born to be, and check off the items on a list that contained an amalgamation of only his duties and his dreams.
But it all worked out in the end.
What most people neglect though, was that Lin was happy too. Sure her happiness wasn't as outward or publicly known as most other peoples', but what Lin found to be hysterically futile was to have to explain her personal contentment to another person. No one dared to ask and she never cared enough to convey. She'd rather have everyone think of her as— what was the title her own sister gave her? Yes, the bitter lonely woman. As if she'd stay hung up on the man she had loved for almost forty years and had only been apart from him for about a decade. A ridiculous idea.
And it all worked out in the end, didn't it?
Lin sighed as the Island came in to view from her place on the ferry. This was going to be just like one other trip she had made some twenty or so years ago. She braced herself in preparation for what was to come next and reveled in the silence before the storm.
Unlike most other times, the Island looked deserted, no acolytes, no kids running about and charging towards her to jump up into her arms. Tenzin too, wasn't out by the docks to greet her on arrival like he normally did.
Figures, Lin sighed to herself again.
This was the longest distance she had walked on the Island without a soul in sight. It was only when she entered the main house that she set her eyes on two women. Of course, even with their backs facing the door, Lin recognized Katara sitting beside her only daughter, and Lin's older sister figure, Kya. When they noticed the metalbender enter the room, Kya got up to give her a welcoming hug inside.
"Tenzin hasn't stepped out yet. The kids are inside with him." The waterbender whispered close to her ear, moving her eyes to the room in question.
"Katara?" The earthbender said softly as she took her seat beside the old woman.
"Still nothing, Lin. Between the Avatar, Kya, and I, we've tried everything." A dejected Katara responded remorsefully and placed her hand in Lin's.
Lin sighed gloomily, squeezing the wrinkled hand while looking to the floor as she sat there in pin-drop silence.
"Lin?" Kya called out in a few minutes.
She looked up in response.
"I know it's a lot- but if you want to- I think she'd appreciate it." Kya gestured towards the door behind which goodbyes were being said.
"No, I think I'm good, Kya. Let them be together." Lin replied, not giving it any actual considerations.
As they sat there in silence for another few minutes to go by, Tenzin stepped out with Rohan in arms. His other three followed behind, each looking glummer than the other. Lin really felt for these kids that she had come to grow so fond of, but she had nothing aside from a sad smile to offer them.
"Mom if you could.." Tenzin trailed off after placing his youngest in his sister's arms.
When his eyes finally met Lin's, he quickly looked away. He didn't need to feel any more vulnerable than he already was, and Lin understood this, so she kindly focused her gaze elsewhere.
Katara stood up using Tenzin's forearm for support and led him back to the same room he had come out of without another word. Lin clasped her hands together on her lap, searching far and wide for what her role here was.
"Kids, let's get something to eat?" Kya asked gently, "Uncle Bumi should be arriving any moment now with your favorite food from the city." The waterbender got up with a clueless little Rohan in one arm and placed her other hand on Ikki's shoulder.
"This is it, then." Jinora shrugged with a feigned smile, dried tears marring the path between her reddened eyes and quivering lips.
The three kids politely greeted Lin with a nod, unspoken words relaying condolences, and then followed their aunt out to the kitchen. They had enough time to prepare for this day, and being the kind of kids they were, they each knew their part and more importantly, that they had to be strong for each other. Lin admired this quality in them, that albeit a little mischievous, they looked out for each other.
Once Lin was left there alone, her mind started running again. She did not what she was doing there anymore. She didn't belong. This was private. And yet here she was, unable to utter even one word of peace or offer a helping hand. She was stumped. She didn't know what to think or what to expect or what her own role here was.
The only reason she was here was that she knew her friend needed her. Her dear, old, childhood friend and his family were grieving. The man who was once the love of her life was soon to be the broken mess, he wouldn't quite have the opportunity to be. He had to maintain a strong front for his family, for his kids, for everything that he stood for.
Lin waited deep in thought for another couple of minutes, considering an inconspicuous exit, but just as she stood up, that same door flew open. Tenzin and Katara walked out together slowly, maintaining a gradual pace. Tenzin's eyes were red like his children's, but unlike them, he didn't look sad. He just looked numb, unfeeling, and inexpressive, and somehow, that was worse, Lin decided.
Katara nodded at Tenzin to go on out, unsaid words telling him to use this time to gather himself before his children needed him. The old woman headed for the door leading to the kitchen as both the current occupants of the room fixed their eyes on her, still afraid of meeting each others' gaze.
Tenzin knew he'd break down the second he looked into her all too familiar green eyes. He couldn't let her know how weak he was, despite being fully aware of just how well she knew how feeble he could be. He walked closer to her as if the sound of the door closing activated his movements.
She had to be one to break the silence. "Tenzin, I'm—"
He cut her off by pressing his entire body against hers, squeezing her tightly. Just as his head found its place by her neck, a new, fresh stream of tears started flowing down his cheeks. The man heaved, his breath and body weighing her down. Lin held him tightly and rubbed his back in an attempt to comfort him.
"Tenzin," She started, realizing there's no vernacular for a heartbroken man, "Oh, Tenzin." He squeezed her tighter, wetting her skin with his warm tears. She placed another hand on the back of his neck as he continued adjusting and readjusting his grip on her back so he could hold her at his tightest. Lin's mind was running wild, she was at a loss, she didn't belong, all her previous thoughts were playing on a loop in her head. Tenzin, on the other hand, was devoid of all thought, just raw emotions that in his entire life, he had only ever exposed to Lin.
After spending a few minutes like this, Tenzin's breathing finally evened out. He gradually loosened his grip on Lin and slowly moved away to finally look her in the eyes, "I never thought I.."
Lin shook her head and looked deep into his glassy eyes. She couldn't stand to see him crushed like this.
He exhaled heavily, "I can't even say it."
And how could he?
She was his soulmate and she was dead.
Pema was gone.