#tenzin love

[glassy-eyed-poet]

"Yeah but when you're with her you're thinking of me aren't you?"

Korra, with all due respect, EVERYONE thinks of you an obsessive amount (including me ofc.)

[krekee]

[yukaro353]

I like to think that between their twenties and thirties Lin and Tenzin lived together... And they were quite affectionate in private

[moon-axolotl]

Credit: @moon-axolotl

[roseeycreates-blog]

Are linzin canonly in love? I ship them of course but i just don’t know if they’re confirmed in love with each other🫣

from @risingsoleil's ask box

Here’s my 2 cents: if you're not into Linzin, feel free to skip this. These 2 cents aren’t for you.

For me, I think Linzin is canonically still in love, still because they loved each other before, and that love is still present in the series. Whether it’s romantic, familiar, forbidden, or even just a deep friendship, one thing is certain: it's still love.

Here’s why. Let’s start with Tenzin.

Tenzin consistently shows and speaks his concern for Lin, openly and directly.

Look at that glare he gave Tarrlok, clearly sensing that he was plotting something against Lin.

He went on to warn her about Tarrlok, showing that he still cared about her despite their ���history.”

He could’ve just given her a simple warning, but instead, he said,

And rather than saying something casual like, “I’ll join you during the match” or “I’ll attend the match tonight,” he says,

…as if he wanted to be that close to her. Then there’s that moment he used Korra as an excuse, looking away like he’s scrambling for a reason, even though it’s obvious he just wants to be there with her.

When Korra brought up their “past,” he looks away again, offering excuses like “growing apart” and “different goals.” But notably, he never once says they fell out of love.

During the Sato mansion raid, we once again saw how worried Tenzin was about Lin. The way his expression softened (notice his eyes and brows) toward her spoke volumes.

If all of this isn’t a clear sign of love, then I don’t know what is.

And then there’s Lin.

Unlike Tenzin, who openly expresses his concern, Lin shows hers through her actions.

Who’s the first person to make her smile in the series? Tenzin. Despite their complicated past, she’s always worried about him—immediately checking on him after Amon’s attack.

Lin is willing to sacrifice herself to protect Tenzin’s family. Just as Tenzin understands how important her "job" is to her, Lin knows how much his family (and the future of the Air Nation) means to him.

And when she sacrifices herself for their safety, you can see in her expression that she wants to say something, but his family is present.

It’s the same expression she gave Suyin during their fight with P’Li. Remember what she said to Su?

In Book 3, once again, she immediately checked on Tenzin and offers him a hand.

And that look of relief on her face because he survived. AGAIN, if that’s not love, then what is?

📷©: @krekee

Of course, saving the best for last, the "Like old times" scene. Cue Mr. Loverman by Ricky Montgomery. The way they look at each other, their expressions, the whole vibe~ it says it all.

To end this, here’s a song for them, because they’re still into each other.

[desnaa]

realized that all of aang’s, korra’s, and kyoshi’s father figures and closest mentors were airbenders 😭🥺

it makes sense because i think airbenders are the more kind and gentler spirits whose selfless principles involve knowing how to take care of others and to give so much without expecting anything in return. i think that's why gyatso, tenzin, and kelsang were so effortlessly nurturing: despite these kids being strangers, they offered their love and support to them as if they were family. so it feels very natural that aang, korra, and kyoshi connected with and looked up to them, especially as avatars who strived to be as selfless as their mentors.

[ann-chovi]

I've said it before, I'll say it again:

If you aren't at least a LITTLE bit in love with your ocs, then what is even the point

[novaae]

fics where the gaang kids have emotional maturity is so fucking ew

like youre telling me that the senior citizens drama that carried the show (lin and tenzin, lin and suyin, bumi tenzin and kya) is all comprised of people who went "ah yes all of us suffer in our unique way and forms, and our issues with each other are a consequence of expectations and a weird childhood" ????

absolutely no sir

i need bumi at age 68 going like "wow tenzin youre so fucking lucky" while tenzin is still reeling with how his childhood being sacrificed was for nothing, and lin, suyin and tenzin being jealous of bumi and kya for stepping out of their family's shadow while bumi and kya literally have their dad's literal followers not know they existed (and they're tenzins ELDER siblings)

all of them are fucking idiots with 0 ounce of emotional maturity (yes, even lin and kya. they can have 0.1 emotional maturity as a treat) and dont understand each other

izumi can watch on with a smoothie in hand while she's like "goddammit iroh leave the UF already my son"

[beifong-brainrot]

Lin should've left the police force, I'm not even saying it to be anti cop or smth I just genuinely think it would be a good arc for her.

Like Lin tells us point blank in 'Old Wounds' that she became a cop in a misguided attempt to please her mother.

Lin: When I was younger, all I wanted to do was please my mother. I became a police chief because I thought it would make her happy ... but it didn't. You need to make your decisions based on what you want. Don't make the same mistakes as I did.

It's not a leap to say that trying to immitate her mother was Lin's attempt at trying to get her mother to pay attention to her, something Toph didn't do much with her daughters. This may also explain why Lin seemed so hellbent on scolding and putting down Su. But this didn't work, as Toph had been growing disillusioned with policework at the time, with Suyin's arrest probably being the wakeup call that Toph needed, as she quit the year after that.

However, it was probably difficult for Lin, who seemed to have idolised her mother to an extent to accept that Toph quit out of her own free will or any sense of displeasure with policework. It may also be a case of sunk cost fallacy. Lin would be about 23 when Toph quit, and probably well on her way into the police force's higher echelons. All in an attempt to garner her mother's approval.

Having her mother suddenly lose interest in policework means Lin aimed her life in a direction that she chose for a reason that is now null and void. It doesn't help that we have about 6 more years of Toph and Lin cokmunicating until it was radio silence between them, which I believe Toph may have spent trying to convince Lin to not be a cop lol.

So Lin may have found a convenient explanation for her mother's sudden heelturn in Suyin.

Lin: When we were in Mom's office that day, you could've taken responsibility for what you did. But instead, you stayed quiet and let Mom throw her whole career away. Suyin : Mom didn't throw her career away. She retired the next year. She was a hero. Lin: You think she wanted to retire? She was so guilt-ridden about what she did to protect you that she didn't feel worthy of her badge.

But this still leaves Lin in a situation where she is in a career she chose to cater to a mother who was no longer interested in said career. But we know Lin doesn't do particularly well with change, so it's very in character for her to just stay in policework. She still is able to reap some mental benefits from this role as well, probably vestiges of her idealisation of her mother.

We see Lin utilse her title as a moral highground several times, as well as use it against people who displease her, such as when she tried to arrest Pema. We should talk about that more in conversations both about tlok's weird stance on cops and its weird behaviour in female on male abuse because Lin only slapped Tenzin once but she engeged in bunnyboiler level behaviour and we just laugh it off

This leads to Lin trying to play the 'job' card even when she doesn't have the right to. Like in Zaofu, when she seems to be under the impression that she is doing her job by protecting Korra who is, mind you, not a citizen of Republic City, nowhere near Republic City, actually BANISHED from Republic City.

Korra: Stop trying to protect me! I'm the Avatar. This is my job! Lin: Don't lecture me about jobs!

Lin's inclusion in B3 always felt out of place because she is a police officer, not a white lotus member or anything of the like. Her jurisdiction begins and ends in Republic City. So why is she not only protecting the Avatar in a different country but also willingly commiting crimes against said country in a clearly marked Republic Citu Police Airship like I'm shocked the Earth Queen didn't declare war after the airbenders escaped.

And my obvious guess is that Lin heard about the Red Lotus and of course she cares for Korra in her own special little way and do she wanted to help Korra. But she's too emotionally constipated to actually admit it, so she somehow manages to bullshit her way into still acting as if she's doing her job.

Lin uses her job as police chief as a safety bubble that enables her stagnation. Because, as I've mentioned multiple times, that feels like the main theme with Lin. Stagnation. She managed to beef with the 16 year old version of her sister for almost 30 years. Jinora is around 11 in B1 yet Lin still acts like the breakup is fresh, even chanelling her anger at Tenzin onto Korra, an unrelated teenager. Lin acts immature and childish, and reverts to a seemingly much younger version if herself especially around Su.

Suyin : Oh, she's horrible. She thinks she can just do whatever she wants. Lin: Sounds familiar. Suyin: What? Lin: Nothing.

And I love that about Lin. I think it's a very good character flaw (even if the fandom tends to iron over Lin's less palatable traits). And I for one have a shocking amount of experience with women who act like Lin it's like a family tradition among the Polish women of my family.

Especially when tlok's whole theme is change and growth. But Lin's growth is... miniscule. Sure, she opens up more to Su, but her arc in B4 is essentially the same as in B3. Lin Estrangement 2; Mommy Issues Boogaloo!

And I find that extremely dissapointing. Because there clearly is some evolution there. Lin no longer idolises Toph and actually calls her out on her actions. Probably because once she started hanging out with Su, she demystified Su in her head and realised that Su was a literal kid at the time, and not responsible for Toph's actions.

And I really like that about Lin's storyline. I just wish her development had been leaned into more. Lin quitting the police force could've easily been a very good symbol of her not only cutting herself off from her attempts at pleasing her motger and choosing to live her life 'for herself' but also it would be a begining of an era where Lin has to start living life without the comfortable insulation that her job gave her. I think it would be a good arc for Lin, showing that it's never too late to change one's questionable coping mechanisms.

[risingsoleil]

what if linzin fight and lin decided to sleep in another room or with her kids (we all know tenzin can’t sleep without her lol)

"Oh, I don't spend enough time with you?!" Lin exclaimed.

"Yes! I feel like you don't prioritize me!" Tenzin shot back.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Fine." Lin picked up her pillow and grasped it beneath her arm. She attempted to walk past her husband, but he stood in her way with a firm and fiery gaze. "Move."

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm sleeping with the twins tonight."

Tenzin crossed his arms and scoffed. "Fine."

"Great."

"Go ahead. I have more space on the bed!"

"I WILL."

"DO IT."

"THEN MOVE."

"YOU MOVE."

Lin shoved him aside and slammed their bedroom door shut. She didn't turn her head back as she walked down the hall to the twins' room. They slept in their own beds on opposite sides of the room.

The twins were still small. They were still getting used to bending.

Lin looked which bed had more space.

Areum's limbs were sprawled like a spider.

Kang was curled up on his side, tightly clutching his sky bison plushie.

Lin settled on her son's bed, laying near the edge so that her body could protect Kang from rolling off. She wrapped an arm over Kang, pulling him close to her. Though he stirred, his body instinctively recognized her presence and he curled closer into Lin. Despite being a bit misaligned, their bodies fit perfectly together. A sign that all of her children were a piece of her.

She pressed a kiss to his cheek and nuzzled her face against his hair. Her eyes closed and she felt herself falling asleep....

Then the door opened.

Her anger seemed to reignite, especially when Tenzin's hand brushed against her. She heard him approach Areum's bed.

"You are not sleeping in her bed."

"Then where the hell am I supposed to sleep?" he hissed.

"On the floor like any dog." Lin didn't look back at him. "Or in our bedroom. I was here first."

...

"I'll sleep on the floor only if you slee in our room."

"no."

"Lin!"

"I'm already nice and comfortable with my baby boy. So either sleep on the floor or get out of here."

She hears some grumbles and then silence. The door didn't open, so Tenzin either disobeyed her and fell asleep in Areum's bed. Or he's on the floor.

Lin peered over her shoulder and Tenzin lay along the floor near her. But also right at the edge of Areum's bed.

Hmph, serves him right.

Lin falls asleep a bit irritated because Tenzin is invading her space. But at least he's not literally next to her.

When Lin wakes up to use the bathroom, it's almost morning. As she looks down at the floor, Areum is curled up beside Tenzin on the floor and her blanket covering them both. Tenzin's arm is wrapped around Areum protectively.

He pisses her off, but Lin can't deny that seeing him be such a loving father to their children makes her more in love with him.

She manages to get a photo somehow. And she crawls back to Kang's bed for more sleep and cuddles.

[danbeifong]

Linzin under the flames.🔥

In the light of the fireplace, the world melts into soft flames.

Under the warmth of the fire, two ancient hearts find refuge,

and between whispers and touches and moans, their bodies tell a story of rediscovered love, sealing this love for life.

Every spark that dances in the air seems to echo what their souls already knew:

in the glow of each other's eyes and bodies, they would always find their way back.

[ilovelin]

Linzin love confession

Inspired by this Aladdin scene. I flipped it to keep Lin’s pretty scars ofc

Close up

[freakurodani]

The parallel between Sokka and Tenzin as their fathers' sons.

Sokka, left at 13 as his father and all the other men head off to war. Hakoda tells him "being a man is knowing where he's needed the most" and he needs to protect his sister, his home.

Tenzin is the second airbender. He is also half water tribe, he's a man. When Aang dies, he will be the last airbender. He understands what he needs to do.

Untold amount of pressure and responsibility have been thrust upon them by their fathers. Though, I believe it is not all intentional, but the unfortunate circumstance of being the fathers of sons who take responsibility incredibly seriously.

In Sokka's case, "protect your sister" is a vague instruction. It was meant to give him purpose, to help him feel okay about being left behind, He is too young for war, his father does not want to bring his child to slaughter. But Sokka will die with purpose. He will train the children of his tribe so they will be protected, he will face a fire nation ship until his last breath. He cannot go to war, but Hakoda did not see that war was all around them. In trying to give Sokka purpose, Hakoda put their world on his shoulders.

We do not get to see Aang be a father (in the TV shows), but we know he had hopes for the future. All his children were air nomads, and the air acolytes brought his culture back, but Tenzin could bend. This part of their culture is one ONLY they share. I do not think Aang would hide this, he is joyous that he gets to share his culture. When he feels respected, he always is, he taught the air acolytes after all. Off handedly, he could say, "I'm hopeful for a future where there are lots more air benders," and that, which feels mostly innocuous to him, is the nail in the coffin of Tenzin's fate. He is Avatar Aang's son, and the future of the air benders. It would not matter that Aang meant a future in generations. Tenzin sees the responsibility and it's his. He is his father's only air bending child, he knows what he needs to do.

Being a parent is not understanding the way the things you say harm your children. Even those things that feel innocuous in the moment can be life altering. Especially the more the child respects the parent. Purpose and Hope for those with a broader perspective, can be death sentences to a life that could have been when expressed to those who idolize the former.

[yukaro353]

<< Your heart is so brave

Enclosed between metal sheets

I can feel it shaking

I want to free him

I want to devour it >>

🫀

I really like this Tenzin who can't let go of Lin, He insists that he has forgotten her, that she is part of his past, just a good friend, But when you hear her laughter in the distance, when you smell her scent in the air...Tenzin is sunk to the bone

[moon-axolotl]

Someone had to do it 🤘

[roseeycreates-blog]

✨Non-bender Lin✨

inspired by this ask to @risingsoleil 😊 The idea is so interesting plus I got to incorporate some of my faves in it so yeah~

So this is my take on non-bender Lin :3

Korra gets her bending back because she’s the Avatar, but she can’t restore anyone else’s bending. So, Lin stays a nonbender.

In Book 2, Lin leaves the police force and goes to the South Pole to recover from PTSD, she has nightmares of Amon taking her bending, and hallucinations. Katara takes care of her during this time.

Lin also gets closer to Tenzin's kids during this period.

Jinora and Ikki feel bad for their Aunt Lin losing her bending while saving them, and they start hanging out with her more often.

They visit her during therapy sessions, bringing flowers and spending time with her their Gran Gran.

Meelo, being Meelo, calls her “Lady Hero” every chance he gets.

Meanwhile, Pema, already dealing with postpartum depression, starts worrying that Lin isn’t just getting closer to Tenzin but also to her family. She’s feeling insecure and suspects Lin is trying to take her place.

Tenzin and the kids reassure Pema that this isn’t the case. But still, Pema occasionally accuses Tenzin of seeing Lin, but the kids would back him up, saying, “No, Mom, we were with Aunt Lin, and Dad was at work.”

In Book 3, Lin is back on her feet and joins Team Avatar on their search for the New Airbenders. Asami, being the genius she is, comes up with a new tool for Lin:

Asami designs a maneuver gear (like Attack on Titan's ODM Gear) that mimics how metalbenders use cables for mobility. It allows Lin to navigate the battlefield as before, despite no longer having her bending.

Since Lin is still, and always will be an incredible fighter, She creates retractable blades (like in Assassin’s Creed) that Lin can use as a weapon since she refuses to use the electric gloves

As time passes, Pema starts to feel better, but her suspicions about Lin never completely fade. Now that Lin is playing a major role in saving the Air Nation and working closely with Tenzin, the lingering doubts continue to plague her. Eventually, Pema reaches her breaking point. Despite Tenzin’s constant reassurance and honesty, she realizes she can’t keep living with these doubts or stay in a marriage without fully trusting him. With a heavy heart, Pema decides to divorce him.

During their mission, Lin and Tenzin are working together again, but this time, Tenzin is 10,000x more protective of Lin. Why? Because she can’t bend anymore, and he’s constantly worried about her safety. However, he tries to hide it, knowing how upset Lin would be if she noticed. She doesn’t want pity or anyone treating her differently.

When the Red Lotus jumped on him, Tenzin came close to death, and in that moment, his life flashed before his eyes. He realized how much Lin had always been there for him, through everything (despite their past). When he was miraculously saved, the first person he saw was Lin approaching him. Overwhelmed with relief, he couldn’t help but reach out, trying to hold onto her, grateful that she was safe and sound.

By Book 4, Lin is looking even more badass with her upgraded gear. Asami added new features like bombs and improved blades, making Lin even more formidable. 

As for Tenzin and Lin’s relationship, it takes time for Lin to accept his feelings. She initially thinks he’s acting out of pity, guilt, or even because she's a second choice after Pema divorced him. But Tenzin works hard to prove that’s not the case. He truly loves her and genuinely wants her back, and he’s determined to show her that his feelings are real. "Just like old times" :3

I’m also on Ko-fi~ Feel free to buy me a coffee if you’d like to support my work! Thank you~ Roseey💖