In Sickness and in Health (Kyalin)

Tenzin, 8pm is Not Late

Two days later, after several healing sessions from her girlfriend, Lin returned to work. She begrudgingly brought her crutches along and promised to take it easy. Kya recommended that she stayed on them for at least a week, maybe two.

"We'll see," was her response.

After saying goodbye to Lin as she went off to work, Kya had errands of her own to run. Her younger brother, Tenzin, invited her to Air Temple Island for lunch that day. Seeing as she only had a few other things to do, Kya accepted.

She stood at the edge of the docks waiting for the ferry to arrive and breathed in the salty air. She loved Republic City, don't get her wrong, but sometimes all those earthen buildings felt like they weighed her down. It felt good to be back in her natural element.

The boat eventually came and brought her across the bay. As she crossed, she saw her nieces, nephews, and other airbenders gliding above the water. Tenzin was waiting in the temple courtyard to greet her.

"Kya, how are you?" he asked, long orange robes flowing behind him.

"Pretty good," she said casually. "How about you?"

"Oh, you know... same as always. I wanted to thank you for babysitting the kids a few days ago. I wasn't able to properly thank you then since Pema and I got home so late."

"Tenzin. 8pm is not late."

He brushed her off. "You'll understand when you have kids one day."

Kya snorted. "Yeah, right."

"So how's Lin?"

He asked the question easily. He had long since gotten over any awkwardness between him and his ex. When Kya and Lin revealed their relationship two years ago, he was initially shocked but eventually accepted it.

"She's been better."

"Oh." He saw the worried look on her face and gestured towards the temple. "Do you want to go inside to talk about it?"

Kya accepted and he led them into the dining room. Once they both got settled, the conversation resumed.

"Is Lin alright?" he asked genuinely.

"Well, Meelo was sick when I babysat and I guess I spread it to Lin. She tried to stop a robbery while she had a high fever and ended up in crutches," Kya explained.

"Oh my, that's terrible. Is she okay?"

"She's a bit stubborn with letting me heal her, but I think she'll pull through."

"I hope she does. Give her my regards when you get home tonight," Tenzin said solemnly, as if she was dying.

"Will do. Oh, and on a happier note: it's almost Lin and my three year anniversary." She rested her chin in one hand and grinned. "Can you believe it's been that long already?"

"It's hard to believe. Do the two of you have anything planned?"

"Nothing much. You know Lin. She's not into all that flashy relationship stuff."

"Well in that case, I insist you both come here. We can have a celebration dinner for you. No flashy-ness, just a little family gathering."

"Maybe. I'll run it by Lin. See what she thinks." Kya knew her initial answer would be no, but she also knew she could convince Lin.

At that moment, one of the air acolytes brought in a tray of food and set it down in front of them. They served themselves the vegetarian food and began to eat. Tenzin rigidly sat up while he ate while Kya rested both her elbows on the table, much to his chagrin, leaning forward over her plate.

They ate quietly for a minute until Kya broke the silence with her blunt question.

"So what did you want me over here for?" She leaned in his direction and pointed celery stick at him.

He froze mid bite. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Tenzin. I'm not naïve. You never invite me to Air Temple Island without a reason. All your kids have mysteriously been absent from this visit, and it feels more like a business meeting than a family get together. Just get it over with a tell me what you want." She took another bite of her celery stick and looked him in the eye.

"I don't know what you mean, Kya." His put his hands up to show his innocence.

She just continued to stare him down. She knew this trick would work, just as it always had when they were kids.

He sighed and put his hands down. "There's a new hospital opening in the southeast section of Republic City. President Raiko has been breathing down my neck since they don't have enough healers."

"So?"

Tenzin huffed and slouched back in his chair, arms crossed. "You're really going to draw this out, aren't you?"

Kya simply grinned in response.

"Would you please come work at this new hospital as a healer?"

"Was that so hard?" she teased. "I'll have to think about it, but you can tell Raiko I'm interested. Hopefully that'll get him off your back."

"Thank you, Kya."

"No problem. Any other pressing business matters we need to discuss?" she asked, pretending to be sophisticated.

"No, that was all."

Kya smiled and they returned to casual conversation. Once they finished their meal, Tenzin's kids came out and urged their aunt to play with them. She agreed and left about an hour later.

After taking the ferry back across the bay, she arrived on the streets of Republic City and made her way towards the produce stand she went to every week. A nice elderly woman in a green dress ran the stand and had a variety of brightly colored vegetables displayed.

"Hey, Soya. How's business been lately?" she smiled.

"Same old, same old. Just your usual order today, Kya?" The old woman got up from her stool behind the stand to greet her customer.

"Yes, thank you. How have your kids been doing?"

"Very well. My youngest, Belang, he just got engaged to a pretty girl from the Fire Nation. Her name's Hye-Su. I'm so happy for them. They're a beautiful couple." Soya's face softened into a smile as she thought about her family. As she spoke, she packed an assortment of vegetables into a brown paper bag and placed them on the counter.

Kya handed over a handful of copper pieces. "That's wonderful. Give them my congratulations."

Soya grinned mischievously. "How is Lin?"

"She got hurt at work, but she's getting better." Kya took the brown bag and rested it against her chest.

"You know that's not what I mean. I was thinking more along the lines of Belang and Hye-Su." Soya sat back down and raised an eyebrow at the waterbender.

"Marriage?" Kya's eyes widened. She thought back to the forgotten anniversary. "I don't even know if that's something Lin wants."

Soya closed her eyes and shrugged. "Mmm, okay. I'll stay out of your business." She eyed her coyly. "For now."

"Bye, Soya. Thanks for the vegetables. I'll see you next week."

Kya sighed as she walked away. That old woman was sweet but sometimes she was just so nosy. It's not like she and Lin could stop going to her vegetable stand. It was impossible to beat her prices. So what if they had to endure her spying in on their lives.

Whatever, she told herself in an attempt to forget their recent conversation. Soya is just wrapped up in wedding fever. She's just excited to help Belang and Hye-Su plan everything.

Kya tried to push away any more thoughts about marriage. Besides, she and Lin had talked about all that before. They agreed that when (or if) Lin was ready, she would tell Kya. Then they could figure out the next step together.

It had been over a year since that conversation, and Lin hadn't brought it up again.