First Date, pt. 2

        "So," Lin asked, "did you have any place in particular?" Tenzin blushed slightly, worried that she wouldn't like where he had picked.
        "I have somewhere," he muttered, somewhat flustered. "I just hope you like it." Lin smiled and wrapped a gentle arm around his elbow.
        "I bet it's lovely," she whispered. The airbender blushed harder at the close contact.
        They had left Lin's house as the sun had just finished setting and had taken off down the street. Tenzin had wanted to hold the girls hand, but he was having a hard time trying to concentrate on just breathing to even try and reach his arm that far. He had led them down a few side streets, ready to fight anyone who jumped out at them. When they eventually arrived at the park, it was dark, and the young airbender was leading them down a soft lamp lit path. His heart was racing so fast he was surprised Lin couldn't feel it. Then he remembered she was an earthbender and could probably fe-
        "You know," she interrupted his thoughts," there's no reason to be nervous. My mother may be a bit vicious, but I promise I don't bite." She giggled and grinned up at him. All the while trying to control her own rapidly beating heart. Tenzin's eyes went wide. She was being so gentle, and soft. So…vulnerable. He'd never seen this of Lin. Around others, she was always tough, strong, dependable, kick butt Lin, but now…
        "I know… I-I just want everything to be perfect," he stumbled over his words. She giggled again and laid her head against his shoulder. He began to relax a little as he led them off the path the park had them on.
"Tenzin," she asked," where are we going?" The teenager looked down at her with a grin.
"You'll see," he said mischievously, "and don't ruin it with your earthbending." Lin sighed dramatically and laughed as she controlled her bending. He took her to the middle of the park where a dense patch of trees sat. There was no lamp light to lead them down here, so he was going on what little sight he had and remembrance of traveling the path a few times before. "Okay, take my hand," he told her softly, suddenly praying desperately to the spirits that his hand wasn't sweaty. He felt Lin's thin fingers slip in between his own.
        "Lead the way, captain," she murmured right in his ear, sending shivers down his spine. He led her down a thin path, through bushes, under branches, until they reached a wall of leaves.
        "Okay," Tenzin tried to keep from grinning as he turned to face his date. "Now, you have to trust me." Lin raised her eyebrows slightly but smiled.
        "Okay then," she said, extremely confused. The airbender whipped something out from inside his robes and covered the earthbender's eyes. "Ahh, Tenzin!" Lin cried, becoming somewhat frightened.
        "Shh," he whispered against her cheek, making her blush furiously, "I'm right here. Trust me." She calmed down as she felt him finish tying the blindfold behind her head.
        "And my mom worked so hard on my hair," she commented sarcastically. She felt her cheeks flame again when the airbender unexpectedly kissed her nose.
        "You're still beautiful to me." She heard him chuckle as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Now, bend down," Lin recoiled at the statement.
        "What?!" she asked incredulously. "Tenzin, if this some sort of joke…" she trailed off.
        "We have to crawl to where we're going." Tenzin said carefully. Lin crossed her arms over her chest. "I promise we're almost there," he grabbed her delicate hands in his. "Please," he pleaded. She smiled and rolled her eyes.
        "Fine," she answered, getting down on her hands and knees. She could practically see Tenzin grinning in excitement. She felt a piece of silky fabric being pressed into her hand.
        "Hold on to this and follow, alright?" he instructed. She nodded her head and he took off down a small, tunnel-shaped hole she hadn't noticed before. After a few minutes of crawling and tripping through the underbrush, Lin finally opened her mouth.
        "I'm not one to complain, but how much further?" she questioned quickly.
        "We're here." Tenzin replied. She sighed in relief and reached up to remove the blindfold. "Na uh," Tenzin said, snatching her hand before she could pull the cloth off. "Not yet."
        "Tenzin," she moaned, frustrated. Stealing his courage, the airbender leaned in quickly and barely touched his lips to hers. Lin's eyes widen under the dark fabric at the sudden contact. Tenzin pulled back, blushing fiercely and scared of being pummeled to death.
        "Just a few more seconds," he mumbled, taking one of her hands timidly. As he led her forward, she took her free hand and pressed it to her trembling lips. Her first kiss. Wow… "Now," Tenzin murmured, undoing the blindfold and letting her finally look around.
        It took a few moments for the girl's eyes to adjust, and when she saw everything clearly, she gasped quietly.
        "Tenzin," she breathed. The sneaky airbender had brought her to a small clearing within the patch of woods. All the trees condensed over, only letting a few beams of moonlight through. On the ground, he had very carefully placed candles around the edge, and in the center was a picnic. It wasn't much, a few sandwiches, some noodles, and a pot of tea, but Lin couldn't have imagined better. "Tenzin, it's beautiful," she whispered as she turned to face the boy. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Thank you." The airbender's eyes widened at the suddenness of her emotion, but he wrapped his strong arms around her waist and hugged her back.
        "You're welcome, Lin," he murmured, knowing it was the perfect spot of the perfect date.