1.Adjustment

He tried his hardest to sit still, to not crack a joke or accidentally start laughing, this is serious... He thought. He tried his hardest to focus on the sensations of the air caressing his body, hear it whistle and sigh, like a contented spirit. "Let your own spirit be guided by the wind!" Tenzin had said to them all earlier, thought they had heard it all before, "Let it lift you from the physical world and to places you can scarcely imagine…" for the millionth time it circled his scruffy head.

He tried to take this aspect of his life seriously.

He really did, though he thought he would have adjusted after five years of being an airbender.

He would constantly and thoroughly promise himself that he was trying his hardest, knowing it was a lie.

Kai peeked carefully through his eyelashes, he was perched on the edge of the highest balcony in the Eastern Air Temple, their new place of residence for the next seven years, but this is not what had his attention. The landscape stretched out beautifully around him in every direction, as far has his eyes could see, but this could not keep his attention. Sky bison circled around the temple, groaning and soaring, airbenders chasing them, some using their gliders, some using their flying suits. But, this did not interest him.

The sun was setting, casting soft orange and crimson rays across the left side of the young woman sitting before him.

Her eyes closed, shoulders back, legs crossed, and tattoos radiant.

This is what had his attention.

The late afternoon breeze picked up a tiny purple spirit, it floated gently under her nose. Would she hit me if I shooed it away? He thought, leaning forward, he stopped and sat back, Nah… She likes them…

He sighed audibly and her eyes opened to the sound, he tried to shut his quickly, hoping she wouldn't catch him staring at her, but he knew she saw. He opened one slightly and smiled sheepishly at her, she smiled warmly back. Everything about her is warm, he thought, his eyes flickered to her mouth, still stretched into a kind smile, he felt himself blush. "I-err… Are you cold?" he asked quickly, she had cut her hair short for the coming summer season, and she was as beautiful as ever, but he thought that having short hair would make her cold.

She smiled again and let her eyes close, "No," she peaked at him with one eye, "An airbender can warm themselves with their breath, remember?"

"Ah, yes… Right… That lesson thing on the mountain. Same as the one last year… And three years before that." Kai mumbled awkwardly, twiddling his thumbs in his lap, she closed he eyes again. A few minutes later, "Are you hungry?"

She sighed lightly, leaving her eyes closed, "Asami made us afternoon tea just over an hour ago." A small smiled played on her lips, "You drank two peanut butter milkshakes and challenged Bolin and Meelo to a 'cookie-comp'… Which Meelo won."

"Yeah, because he cheated." Kai grumbled, relaxed his arms in his lap and scowled. Korra and her friends were visiting the temple for an unspecified period of time, Kai loved having them around, they were the first people to accept him, kind of...

Jinora shrugged lightly, "Eating competitions run in the family. Grand-uncle Sokka taught Bumi… Bumi taught Meelo, Ikki and I."

"Do you think you could beat me?" Kai smiled cheekily, relaxing his pose and placing his arms out behind him, leaning back.

"Most likely." She took another breath and continued to meditate, Kai scrunched up his nose, trying to think of a brilliant conversation topic.

"Who do you think would win out of-" Kai started but the look of disapproval Jinora cast at him silenced him.

"Shhhhhh." She hushed, a small, irritated smile on her lips.

He bit his lip and looked around himself again, he suddenly smiled as he created a tiny whirlwind in his hand and sent it towards her. She swatted the petite torrent of air away and glowered at him, "Kai, I am trying to meditate." Jinora said, while her tone was still somewhat light, her glare was not.

"But you are always meditating! Come on! Let's go have some fun! This is the first time we have been in the same place for more than two weeks, we could do anything!"

"That is because I am a master now." She huffed, choosing to ignore his guilt trip attempt, "I need to meditate!"

He pursed his lips, his eyes settled next to her, a handful of spirits were curled up around her legs, "Look! Even the spirits are bored!"

"They aren't bored!" Jinora said, looking down at them, she suddenly pouted when she realized they were all asleep, or at least in a sleep-like state. She looked up at Kai, he had a smug look on his face and his arms crossed cockily across his chest. Jinora scowled deeply at him, "Well! If you don't like it," Kai lost all expression of smugness, "Maybe you should just go away for a while."

"You know what, fine." Kai grumbled, standing and grabbing his staff, without looking away from her, "Meditating is stupid, anyway." he spun his staff and opened it, having his flying-suit being mended. Again. Something he had become extremely good at, he pursed his lips and scowled as he turned away from her as he leapt from the roof and sored down the side of the temple.

…

"Stupid meditation, and stupid consistent schedule." Kai grumbled, walking through the food court area of the Eastern Air Temple, she is already a master! How much better can she get?! He grumbled internally. He spun his staff around in his hand and sighed, suddenly his internal grumbles were cut off by loud laughter, he rounded a corner to see Korra, Bolin, Mako, Asami, Opal and Bumi sitting at the bar passing a bottle around and filling tiny cups.

Kai used to hang around outside bars when he was on the street, drunk people were easier to pick-pocket. He snuck closer to the group, but he didn't want to be seen. He quickly examined Korra, he had learned the hard way that being around her was like walking on eggshells, she could go from her usual, happy-sassy-self; to closed-off and unable to communicate in minutes. He felt sorry for her, wishing he could help with whatever she was going through, Asami was the best at handling her during those moments. He sighed lightly and glanced at the beautifully crafted bar.

He was incredibly surprised to find that all of the Air Temples had bars. Kai secretly wished he could have found the bar at the Northern Air Temple before it was destroyed, he wondered idly if it would have been stocked. He eased closer to the adults, trying to hear what they were talking about, "-And then…" Bumi broke to laugh, all of the others laughed with him, "… Gramp-Gramp Hakoda stumbled and fell on the release peg, shooting the mine into the air… The blizzard caught it, spilling the ignition fuel into the cyclonic wind currents…" He was laughing again.

Opal was giggling into her drink, Bolin had his head thrown back, braying loudly with his arm around her. Korra and Asami sat trying to control themselves, wanting to hear the end of the story, Asami had her hand on Korra's knee, trying to keep herself in her chair. While next to them, Mako tried to fill his cup, his body shaking with laughter. Kai watched them from a distance, wanting to know what the story was about. "At that moment, grand-uncle Bato went and held his lantern up, having not seen Gramp-Gramp Hakoda fall… And… And! They ignited the fuel that was caught in the winds from the blizzard!" He was roaring with laughter, slapping his knee and downing his drink. "And that is how, my Gramp-Gramp and grand-uncle Bato started an uncontrollable fire… In a blizzard."

The entire group laughed loudly, Korra clapped her hands together and wiped her eye. "I guess you have proven me wrong, Bumi!" the Avatar laughed, "Should have guessed that your family would have crazier stories than mine."

"What can I say?" Bumi smiled widely, "They are a crazy bunch. I will tell you though, I still think that story about Asami meeting Iroh in the spirit world was one of the bes-" His eyes slid across the people sitting in front of him, when Kai caught his vision, his head poking around the end of the bar, Kai tried to duck it back, but he knew Bumi saw him. "Kai! Come around here and join us!"

Kai bit his lip and was about to sneak away when a strong hand caught his shoulder, "Didn't anyone tell you it is rude to eavesdrop?" Lin said, she shoved him lightly out in front of the group, he rubbed his shoulder, that woman has an iron-grip!, "Pour me a glass, Commander." Lin ordered at Bumi.

Bumi smirked cheekily, "Anything for you, Chief." He slid the drink down the bar and she caught it. "What brings you across to my part of the world?" he continued with a genuine smile, sliding the whole bottle towards her after she shot her drink.

"I was told to take my 'vacation' leave. And here I am, nowhere else much interests me." Her eyes slid across to Bumi, "Not that it is any of your business."

"I love it when you are feisty." Bumi winked, everyone tried to hide their giggles, watching Lin scowl and try to fight a smile. Kai had his nose screwed up at the adult's flirtatious banter, he felt awkward, standing there and looking around at everyone hinting things they assumed were beyond his knowledge. He knew about love, sex and relationships, he knew who liked who, and he and some others had snuck away and read various raunchy scrolls that kept them crying until daylight. But, they were keeping the obviously sexual intent behind the jokes secret, but Kai knew they were there, he also knew what effect alcohol had on people.

"What brings you down here, little brother?" Bolin suddenly asked.

"Yeah, I thought you and Jinora would be meditating, or training." Opal smiled softly.

Kai shifted from one foot to the other, "I-I, um, decided to let her meditate on her own… So, she could… Concentrate." All of the adults exchanged a look.

"Ha! I know that expression!" Bumi suddenly yelled, he hooked his fingers under a bar stool and pulled it up next to him, "Take a seat, Kai, and tell the world, what you said to upset the woman of your dreams!" Kai looked horrified at the fact that Bumi had picked up on something, that Kai had hoped, he had kept hidden. It wasn't a second later that Kai found himself in the bar stool and Bolin was diluting a shot, at the orders of Bumi.

"Bumi, Tenzin said that no alcohol until they are at least eighteen." Mako said nervously.

"Only out by two years…" Kai shrugged, interested in the drink they all had.

"Ha! Do we need to bring up Tenzin's partying past? Just a few diluted shots! No harm done!" he chuckled. Mako looked nervously at Lin, she shrugged.

"I am not on duty. Besides, if it annoys Tenzin…" she took a sip from her own glass, smiling sneakily.

Bolin placed the cup in Kai's hand and urged him to drink, Kai raised an eyebrow as he brought the clear, swirling drink to his nose. "What is it?" he asked.

"Don't sniff. Just swallow it all in one go." Mako said, the whole group smiled in expectation, as Kai poured the entire contents into his mouth.

The taste of the liquid took over every part of his mouth, nose and throat. His pupils dilated and he spat the liquid all over Mako, Korra and Asami. Everyone laughed, Korra bended the liquid from their clothing and placed it gently back into the tiny cup in Kai's hand. "Eeerrrggh! That is terrible! Ahhh! My mouth is on fire!" Kai coughed, wiping his mouth and nose, which was now slightly runny.

"Toughen up, kid." Lin smirked, "You barely got any in your mouth."

"What is it?!" Kai managed to get out, the taste still burned.

"Fire-shot liquid." Mako and Bolin managed to get out in unison, still laughing. "There are earthly aspects that have been added though." Mako continued.

"Don't worry, Kai." Korra said, "Swallow it. It gets better." She smiled, but something behind the smile faltered. Kai kept his eyes on hers as he tried again, this time, it went down. His body shuddered involuntarily as the liquid warmed him all the way to his stomach.

"Now!" Bumi smiled, "What did you do to piss-off the beautiful, young, Master Jinora?"

"I told her," he paused as Bolin topped up his cup with more diluted liquid, "That meditating was boring…" Everyone mock gasped, Kai smirked lightly at them all, at least they aren't taking her side. "I mean, it is just that she always wants to do it now. That or training. And, it is the first time in four years that we have actually been in the same place for this long… I had big plans for us!"

"Oooooooh!" Bolin cooed, winking.

"Not like that!" Kai laughed, well, maybe a little like that…

"Well, Kai," Asami started, "You need to acknowledge that Jinora is a master. She needs to keep herself in top condition, physically, mentally and spiritually. Regardless of where she is, or who she is with…"

"Just think," Opal said, "We will be like that when we are masters."

Kai looked down at his, now full, drink, "I guess so… But she could still have fun, I bet we would." He brought the cup up to his mouth and tried again. Korra was right, the drink was tenfold easier the second time around, though it still terribly burned on the way down, if this diluted… How can they be drinking the full-strength stuff?

…

"Here's to Bolin! Please don't spew! He's a piss-pot, yes it's true! He's a master, so they said! He tried to beat Korra, but got his ass kicked instead! He went, down, down, down!"

As the word 'down' was yelled, Bolin would swallow a mouthful of the liquid, his eyes were watering from the burn, as everyone cheered. He finished the bottle and slammed it down on the bar, raising his hands to receive an applause.

The drinking song, which Bumi had edited from his days in the military, had become the anthem to the people gathered around the bar. Bolin had challenged Korra to an arm-wrestle, loser finishes the bottle of Fire-Shot liquid. Despite her fluctuating emotional state, her physical strength was peaking to her, and she was desperate to prove herself, though she didn't need to. They were all 'well and truly fucked', the words used by the quiet and seemingly innocent Opal. A quote that evoked ten minutes of laughter from the surprised friends that surrounded her, even her auntie laughed.

Kai tried to sit straight, his vision was slightly doubled, the diluted alcohol still having a great effect on his younger body. He found every word that left anyone's mouth hilarious and he was terrified to jump down from the chair, at risk he may fall flat on his face. He sang merrily with Bumi and the others as Korra beat everyone in arm-wrestling, those who were wise enough not to challenge cheered. Some part of Kai's brain told him not to say anything, especially not to Bumi. Not to ask the question he knew the adults who surrounded him would get a kick out of answering.

He knew he shouldn't.

But he wanted the advice, and then he couldn't stop the words from slipping out.

"Bumi, how do you know when you are in love?" Kai asked softly, grasping his almost empty cup in his hands.

He was expecting a loud, vulgar comment, or a joke, but instead, Bumi smiled. "You can't stop thinkin' about her! She is always on your mind. In your heart…" Kai tilted his head on an angle, surprised.

"You just want her to know that she is perfect, even when she thinks that she is pushing you away. You are just looking for a way to prove how you feel!" Kai was listening intently, as was everyone else. He took a deep sip from his cup, his eyes settled on the body of Lin, sitting at the bar across from them. His cheeky smile returned and his tone lightened partly to match. Lin cocked an eyebrow at him, wondering while he was looking at her and talking. "You just want to tell her… Show her, that if you had one wish! It would be to get under the layer of metal armour she coats herself in, to keep the world out..."

Kai rolled his eyes and smiled widely, I don't think this applies to me anymore. Bumi continued, "And make it crystal clear, that she is everything that is right in the world. Your world." There was a moment of silence, "I mean, come on! Her skin, her stare… And those legs!" Lin pursed her lips into a tight, indifferent smile, "Mmmm. Mmm!"

Secretly she was flattered, everyone was waiting for her reaction. She looked down at the glass in her hand and the bottle next to her arm, she downed the shot and lifted the bottle to her lips, chugging the final two gulps. She stood and straightened her tank top, she looked across at Bumi, lowering her eyebrows into a scowl, ignoring everyone else, who were still awaiting her response.

She grabbed a full bottle and turned and walked from the bar, swinging the bottle around in her fingers, and heading up to her room. Everyone in the bar watched until she was gone, suddenly Bumi jumped to his feet, "I… I think I might call it a night!" he walked quickly out the same direction.

A minute passed before someone spoke, the adults chuckled, Kai didn't catch-on to why at first, then he laughed. "Did that answer your question?" Mako smiled widely, standing up and walking across to take Bumi's seat.

"Ha, kind of." Kai laughed, finishing his cup, he grimaced slightly and smiled widely. It was then a voice tore through the skulls of everyone in the room.

"WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?!" a voice thundered, he looked around at the faces of everyone, frightened by the sudden noise. "WHY DOES KAI HAVE A DRINK IN HIS HAND?! That better not be alcohol or I swear to the spirits-"

"Tenzin!" Everyone said in unison, jumping to their feet. Kai miscalculated the distance to the floor and fell flat on his face, as he assumed he would. This caused everyone to start snickering, Bolin gripped the counter for support and Mako was doubled over. Opal and Asami had their hands over their mouths, while Korra was still trying to stand to attention, almost crying with laughter. Kai had a goofy smile on his face as he stood up and moved next to Korra, raising his hand to salute Tenzin, Korra copied, everyone laughed.

"Dad? What is wrong?" Jinora said, rushing into the room, having just returned from training alone. Kai looked at her and blushed, he couldn't believe how pretty she looked, her tattoos standing out beautifully against her smooth, barely-tanned skin. Kai felt himself blush harder when she took in his intoxicated state.

"Who decided it was okay to give someone, under the age of approval, alcohol?!" Tenzin yelled again, pointing at Kai. Everyone looked between themselves, still giggling, not wanting to turn Bumi in. This only cemented Tenzin's suspicions on who it was, "Where is Bumi?!"

"With L-", Bolin was about to say, Korra threw a small rock at him as Mako threw a cup, both hit him at the same time. "Er, I meeeeeaaaaaannnnn… Not sure!"

Tenzin let his eyes slide down to Kai, barely standing upright, "Jinora! Take responsibility for your student, and take him to bed, now!"

"Oooooooh!" Bolin and Mako chorused, Tenzin's furious scowl silenced them before they could continue. I will have words with those two about their behaviour tomorrow… Especially Mako… Tenzin had never known Mako to be irresponsible or inappropriate. While Tenzin's scowl silenced the brothers', it didn't stop Kai from laughing as Jinora pushed forward and grabbed him by the ear.

…

"Ow. Ow. Ow…" Kai grumbled, as Jinora lead him up the winding stairs to his room.

"You've embarrassed yourself tonight, Kai." Jinora said, trying to be stern.

"You've embarrassed yourself tonight, Jinora." Kai replied with slight mocking, trying to be funny.

"And drinking alcohol?! You know the rules!" Jinora ignored him, grumbling at the young man trailing behind her.

"You know the rules." he smiled, suddenly she released his ear and pushed him against the wall outside his room, his head hit the stone wall and his eyes were wide with shock.

"This isn't funny Kai!" she almost yelled, her forearm was pushed across his chest, keeping him there, her scowl was violent, teeth clenched in a fuming grimace, "You are sixteen years old and drinking?! You aren't doing a great job of winning over my parents!"

"W-why am I winning over your parents?" Kai asked, his head was spinning from the alcohol, he wished it wasn't, he wanted to remember being this close to her, not having it marred by blurriness. "And I don't know how old I am… Sixteen is just the age I give to people now." The last comment was off-handedly said, he could see the look on Jinora's face, but somehow knew it wasn't from his latter remark.

She looked surprised for a second, like something had slipped out that shouldn't have, or that she had just been offended, Kai couldn't tell. She blushed, "N-no, reas-nothing… Just go to bed, Kai!" she took a step back and pointed at his door, Kai sighed and slumped his shoulders, walking into his room.

As he was shutting his door, he glanced at Jinora, still standing in the empty hall. She had tears of embarrassment in her eyes and wiped her hands across them, stopping them, she turned and walked towards her room. Kai turned and rested his back against the door, letting himself slide down to the cold, stone, flooring. He wrapped his arms around his knees and rested his head against his door. What have I done? I am an idiot.

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Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or LOK, or the image used as the cover photo. But by God it is spectacular, kudos to you, artist.

The drinking song edited for Bumi is a classic Australian game, "True Blue Drinking Game", I recommend a look, it just radiates our Aussie class.