Chapter Text
Kya lay her pen down and brought the now finished letter up to her mouth, so that she could press a lipstick-marked kiss to the bottom of the page before she sealed it into an envelope bound for Republic City. Just that very morning she had decided over breakfast with her mom when they would be headed back to the city, and she was already having to tamp down her excitement at the thought of seeing Lin again in just a mere few days. Especially with the all too real threat of Kuvira’s attack, it would be a relief to have Lin in sight and to know for herself that she was safe. The stubborn Police chief had tried to keep her away, to insist that it was too dangerous, but Kya was resolute in her decision. Both herself and Katara wanted to be close to their family and no one could deny the benefits of having the world’s two best healers at their disposal.
She let out a wistful sigh as she leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms up above her head. It still amazed her that she and Lin had managed to keep their relationship a secret for so long — two and a half years, to be specific — considering that even thinking about the earthbender caused a dopey grin to spread across her face. But, by some miracle, no one had questioned why Kya suddenly visited Republic City more frequently, nor why she never once stayed at Air Temple Island when she did so. She had thought for sure that they would get caught in the aftermath of their fight against the Red Lotus, when Kya had been injured and Lin refused to move from her side, but everyone had been so preoccupied with concern for Korra that they never even gave them so much as a second glance.
It suited them both, to keep things private. Kya loved her family, she really did, but they were intense and nosey and it was a relief to have this one undisclosed thing just for themselves. Besides, between Kya still splitting her time between both cities and the nature of Lin’s job, they often struggled to make time for each other and were loath to share it with others. Only Katara suspected anything was going on between them, due to a time last year when Lin had travelled to the South in order to visit Kya for her birthday. The healer still swooned slightly when she thought about Lin’s stuttering suggestion:
“It seems only fair that I come to you for once,” she had said, feigning nonchalance. Kya remembered wishing she could reach through the phone and kiss her then and there. She had held onto Lin extra tightly when she stepped off of the ferry to make up for it.
Placing the letter down on top of the pile that she needed to send out in the morning, Kya stood from her chair and padded into her living room, where Katara was waiting for her with a fresh pot of tea as she poured over the latest crossword. It reminded Kya so much of quiet mornings over Lin’s breakfast table and her heart ached with longing. She and her mother had a rare day off in common and it was a comfort to spend it together when all of their loved ones were once again facing danger so far away, but Kya had snuck off to her study to pen her letter to Lin under the guise of important paperwork. If Katara’s knowing stare didn’t prove that she hadn’t believed the lie, her amused chuckle at Kya’s responding blush certainly would have sealed the deal. Neither of them addressed it.
The phone rang just as the sun was setting and the shrill sound immediately filled Kya with a sense of dread that she couldn’t quite put a name to.
“Kya? Is mom there?”
Kya rolled her eyes at the fact that even her younger brother’s voice was highly-strung, “Why do you sound so surprised that I would pick up the phone in my own house, Tenny? But yes, mom is here. Do you need her?”
“Sorry, yes, I apologise. Um, I need to speak to you both actually, could you fetch her?”
Kya’s jovial expression instantly switched into one of concern at the obvious tension in the airbender’s voice. She turned around to call for Katara, but the matriarch was already standing behind her, likely having heard Kya address her brother. They shared a look that spoke of their shared anxiety before Kya switched the phone to loudspeaker.
“We’re both here, Ten.”
Kya swore that she could almost hear the furrowing of Tenzin’s brow and she could easily picture his face, creased with concern and stress. It was the same expression that she and Bumi had often sought to elicit from him as the butt of their jokes, but it was never amusing when she shared his fears. After a few seconds of silence, Tenzin spoke again, deciding not to mince his words,
“We’ve learned that Kuvira’s attack is happening in two weeks. I’m sorry, but it’s not safe for you to travel.”
Both waterbenders immediately opened their mouths to protest, but Tenzin clearly knew them far too well because he cut them off immediately, “They’re locking down the city, no one’s able to get in even if you did travel. I promise, we’ll send word as soon as we have more information, but you need to stay put.”
Katara gritted her teeth, accepting that her son was right even if she didn’t like it, “Is everyone alright?”
“Pema and the children are refusing to leave the city,” the airbender grumbled, “but everyone is safe for now. We’re trying to prepare as best we can.”
Kya opened her mouth to ask after Lin, but the words died in her throat as soon as she thought of them. She would be revealing too much by asking after her specifically. A strangled noise of frustration escaped her lips instead of the question she was so desperate to ask and Katara turned to her, again with a knowing expression painfully evident on her face.
“And Lin? Suyin?" Katara placed a warm hand between Kya’s shoulder blades as she spoke, and the healer almost let out a sob of relief at her mother’s perceptiveness.
“They’re both fine. They’re here with everyone discussing our plans.” His answer left much to the imagination and Kya let out an exasperated huff of air which led to Katara rubbing her back in small soothing circles. Tenzin’s voice became muffled as he covered the receiver. They barely had time to try to decipher what he was saying before he reappeared, “I’m sorry mom, Kya, but I’ve got to go. I’ll call you again as soon as I can.”
“If Lin is there, can you put her on?” Katara asked before he could hang up. Kya turned to her with wide eyes and she only winked in response.
“I’ll send for her. Stay safe, I’ll speak to you both soon.”
They said their goodbyes and the line went quiet as Tenzin stepped away. Katara patted her on the back where her hand rested and mumbled something about making a start on dinner. Kya smiled appreciatively at her retreating figure and, no sooner had her mother left than she was replaced by a familiar gruff voice over the receiver,
“Aunt Katara?”
Kya spun back around in her chair and grasped at the phone so that she could take it off speaker, “It’s me, love.”
She heard Lin let out a sigh and allowed the sound to fill her chest as if she had breathed it in herself.
“Kya.” Lin spoke her name like a prayer, as if she was grateful to even be able to say it out loud. It had been a while since they had actually spoken to each other on the phone — different time zones and work schedules made it hard to find the time — and it was a relief to both of them to hear the other’s voice. ”How are you, are you okay?”
The healer smiled fondly, “That’s supposed to be my line.”
Lin felt a fraction of tension leave her shoulders at the sound of Kya’s voice; her gentle teasing humour always able to permeate through whatever sour mood was weighing the metalbender down. It was a relief, too, to know that she was far away and safe from the harm that the rest of their family was facing.
“I guess I’ve been learning from you then.”
A gentle huff of a laugh sounded through the line and Lin begged her mind to commit it to memory.
“Are you alright though, talk to me?”
The gentle prompt was all it really took for Lin to sink into the chair by the phone and fill her partner in on all of their current strategies. It was a complete mess and she had been unbelievably stressed about it, but speaking them out loud, especially to someone as perceptive and as good a listener as Kya, certainly helped. Eventually though, one of her officers rapped his knuckles against the door and informed her that she was needed. She straightened her posture, eradicating any signs that she had been any level of relaxed, before nodding at him.
“Kya, I have to go, I’m sorry.”
The healer sighed, “It’s okay, I’m glad we got to talk for as long as we did. I love you.” At Lin’s frustrated huff in response, she had to bite her lip to hold in a laugh, “You don’t have to say it back, I know there are people around. I’ll just say it twice for the both of us, hmm? I love you.”
Lin felt like her armour was the only thing preventing her from turning into a puddle. Spirits, when did she get so soft? She so desperately wanted to be able to tell Kya that she loved her, more than anything, but she had a job to do.
“I’ll talk to you soon,” She said instead, imploring Kya to hear the deeper, hidden meaning behind the words.
The line cut out and Kya sat still in the silence for a moment until she felt sure that she could stand up and go about the rest of her day without crying. Upon re-entering her living room, she found her mother rummaging through her kitchen cupboards, pulling things out and packing them into a bag.
“Mom?” She announced her presence, making the older woman jump. “What are you doing?”
Katara turned back to her task, “You didn’t think we were actually listening to Tenzin, did you?” Kya frowned slightly, before her mother’s words fully sunk in and she realised what she meant. Her face broke out into a relieved smile and she rushed to pack herself a bag.
The outskirts of Republic City were packed with anxious people who had been displaced from their homes. For the first day they were there, Katara and Kya couldn’t even get close to the city’s edge due to the sheer volume of people. It was only once things calmed down slightly that they were able to progress further towards the guards at the edge of the city, but it took them a further two days to find the right person to drop their names to before they were actually allowed to pass. The General stationed at the border almost seemed relieved to see someone with a reputation as stellar as Master Katara’s come to the city’s aid, and so she and Kya were allowed to pass through into the turmoil. It wasn’t difficult to find the epicentre of the battle, given the huge glowing light that was emanating from the area, and they arrived there just in time to see Kuvira being escorted away by Lin and Su.
Lin had her back to them and was far enough away not to hear the excited shouts of their family as they were spotted, but it was enough for Kya just to lay eyes on her. She let out a breath that she felt like she had been holding in for the past week of travelling, the relief of seeing her partner alive and in one piece was almost overwhelming, but she was soon swarmed by tiny airbenders and pulled into the fray of her family, who served as enough of a welcome distraction. Kya longed to rush to her, was sure that she wouldn’t be able to breathe properly until she was holding her in her arms, until she could run her hands over every inch of her skin to see for herself that she was uninjured and alive and solid and real. But she knew that Lin wouldn’t appreciate her space being invaded when she had a job to do, and Kya was surrounded by people who needed her help, so she threw herself into healing whoever she could.
It was late into the evening before she was able to sneak away from the island, anxious to get home to Lin. She had almost made it to the shore when a voice from the temple steps behind her made her freeze.
“You know the ferry isn’t running.”
She turned to face Bumi sheepishly with a nervous laugh, “That’s the magic of being a waterbender, you know. I don’t need one.”
Her brother merely quirked an eyebrow at her, “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you being around more often lately, young lady. Are you seeing someone in the city?”
“I-“ Kya faltered, panicking in the face of his direct question. After his eyebrow raised impossibly higher, she sighed and gave in, “If I say yes do you promise not to ask any further questions?”
“Fuck no! Have we met?” Bumi said with a laugh. At the rapidly spreading panic on Kya’s face, however, he softened, “It’s okay, sis. I know you’ll tell us when you’re ready. Need a ride, though? You must be tired, I’ll fly you across.”
Kya didn’t have the energy to decline the offer and truthfully was grateful for Bumi’s company. No sooner had she nodded than she found herself on the back of her brother’s sky bison; he climbed on in front of her and then they were on their way.
“Is it someone I know?” Bumi asked once Kya had shuffled closer to be nearer to him. They had always been close, had always looked out for each other, but after their experience with the Red Lotus they often felt that they needed to be near each other after one or the other was in danger. Kya still remembered how her brother had held her close as they slept in the hospital, the way he had often done when they were kids.
“I’m not telling you anything, Bum. Sorry.” He laughed again, the sound swirling around in the around them in the same way their dad’s used to when he had taken them out on Appa. She closed her eyes and leaned against Bumi’s broad back for the rest of the journey. Sleep claimed her quickly and she didn’t remember anything else from the flight until he was nudging her awake. Smiling appreciatively at him, she stretched and gracefully jumped down onto the tarmac below,
“Thanks for the ride, big brother.”
“Any time.” His smile turned devilish, “Say hello to Lin for me.”
Kya barely had time to gape at him before he was airborne once again, disappearing back across the bay with only the sound of his raucous laughter echoing behind him. She stood there for a few seconds, mouth agape as she tried to think of what might have possibly given her away, but eventually she came up empty and had to give up. He had always somehow seen right through her, perhaps this was just one of those times.
Lin’s apartment was empty when she arrived, much to her dismay. It wasn’t hard to deduce that the metalbender must still have been at the station and a quick glance at the clock told her that she likely had a few hours before her return, so Kya sought the comfort of a long hot shower. It felt like heaven after travelling for so long and she felt the hot water and steam seep into her very bones. Once the water started to run cold, she shut it off, dried herself off with her bending and padded into the bedroom in a towel, resolved to get into the comfiest set of pajamas that Lin always let her borrow before she cooked dinner in anticipation of the earthbender’s arrival.
Kya awoke to gentle fingers tracing her jawline and she immediately frowned in confusion, not remembering falling asleep again. A chill washed over her and she realised that she was wearing only a towel after her eyes had drifted shut and her head had hit the pillow as soon as she had sat down on the bed. The fingers on her jawline swept upwards to rub gentle circles at the spot just behind her ear and she opened her eyes to see Lin kneeling in front of her next to the bed; Kya smiled sleepily up at her, pulling her in for a long kiss and sighing into the welcome feeling of her partner finally in her arms, solid and warm and alive. The kiss was soft, unhurried and reassuring and they both smiled at each other as they pulled apart.
“I love you.” Lin uttered, happy to finally be able to say it out loud after the way their last conversation had ended. Kya rewarded her with another gentle sleepy kiss before she moved to sit up so that Lin was then kneeling between her legs. She couldn’t help but run her hands over the metalbender’s body, checking for injuries, and Lin tried to swat her hands away. The healer’s gaze was fierce and unwavering, however, so Lin resigned herself to her partner’s fussing. After healing the few scrapes and bruises that littered the surface of Lin’s skin, Kya was eventually satisfied and wrapped her arms around the police chief’s neck, pulling her in close so that she could bury her nose in her shoulder. Lin let out a yawn and so Kya scooted backwards on the bed, tugging her with her until they were both lying down, the waterbender on her back with Lin tucked neatly into her side. They had a lot to catch each other up on, but, for now, the comfort of falling asleep in each other’s arms was more than enough.
Lin told her of everything that had happened over breakfast the next morning, blushing ferociously under Kya’s proud gaze as she spoke of working alongside her sister.
“Oh, speaking of Su,” Kya started once she finished her mouthful, “mom wants everyone over for dinner on the island tonight.” They share a meaningful look, but neither of them addressed it. It was unspoken between them, the constant question of whether or not they should tell their family about their relationship. Kya never pushed and for that Lin was grateful, but she often couldn’t help but wonder if her understanding and patience had an expiration date. She didn’t want to find out, but the thought of telling everyone at once was overwhelming.
“I told her.” Lin blurted out. Kya cocked her head in confusion and Lin put down her mug, staring down at the coffee swirling around in it as she continued, “Suyin. About us. I didn’t mean to, but we were trapped and she was apologising and we were…bonding?” She said the last word as if it left a bad taste in her mouth and Kya laughed affectionately at her, heart swelling with joy,
“You were bonding? With your sister?”
“You’re not mad, are you? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, it just kinda…came out?”
Kya laughed again at Lin’s accidentally comical choice of words, “No my love, I’m not mad. I’m proud of you.” Her partner’s shoulders sagged in relief, but Kya was afraid her next words might shatter that fleeting moment. “Bumi knows too. I don’t know how, I didn’t tell him anything! He just always knows things.”
Lin stared at her for a tense second before her face spread into a rare full smile and she barked out a laugh, “I suppose we haven’t been the most subtle.” Kya laughed along with her as they continued their breakfast, both trying to work out how Bumi had discovered their secret.
They spent the rest of the day in the apartment, revelling in the comfort provided by each other’s company until it was time to get ready for dinner. After spending almost twenty four hours constantly touching in some kind of way, they both ached at having to put an acceptable distance between themselves as they stepped off of the ferry onto the shore of Kya’s childhood home. Soon, however, said space was filled by overeager nieces and nephews and they were swept along to the dining room where everyone else was already seated. Bumi and Su both shot them with a look that made them immediately avoid their siblings’ gazes lest they raise any suspicion. Nothing happened and no one said anything and they were thankfully allowed to simply sit down with no further comment.
It was strange to see everyone — save for Izumi, who promised to arrive imminently — back on the island all in one place again, now grown up. They had all grown up in that place and somehow, despite everything they had gone through, they were all still there, still friends and laughing almost as if no time had passed. An argument could be made, spoke a voice in Lin’s mind that sounded suspiciously like Kya’s, that the things they had gone through were actually the very reason they were all where they were. Their relationships had been tried and tested, forged in flame and emerging stronger than ever. Lin couldn’t help but glance up at Tenzin as the thought crossed her mind, shocked that after so much time spent in anger, she now considered him probably her closest friend.
Katara’s food was nostalgic and a comfort Lin hadn’t even known she needed. Even the raucous laughter of Korra and the rest of her friends was soothing in its own odd way; they had all been through so much, more than anyone should at their age, and for once in the few years since all of this had started it seemed as if they could truly relax. Kya’s knee regularly brushing against her own underneath the table was the cherry on top of it all and it sent a jolt throughout her every time.
Eventually Bolin announced that the teenagers were all going back to the Sato mansion for the night and Katara happily volunteered to put her grandchildren to bed, which left only a group of old childhood friends (plus Bataar and Pema) happily chatting amongst themselves, warm from the slight buzz of alcohol and the present company. Conversation steered towards the topic of Varrick’s upcoming nuptials,
“Well, unless someone invites me as their date, you’ll just have to tell me all about whatever I miss.” Kya proclaimed as the group headed outside to sit around the fire pit.
It was a completely innocuous comment that passed as just another part of casual conversation. Kya’s eyes flickered towards Lin for a brief moment as she spoke, however, and the metalbender recognised her comment for what it was. It was an invitation; Kya was letting her know that she was willing to share their little secret with the world, but that she wanted to do it on Lin’s terms, wanted to respect her boundaries. Tenzin prattled on about something or other, but all Lin heard was white noise as her heartbeat pounded in her throat as if Kya might be able to hear it and know that it was for her. But Kya wasn’t looking and so Lin’s heart shouted in silence.
Later, as she watched Kya moving so comfortably around her kitchen making tea, she spoke up, her voice wavering only slightly, “You know, I am allowed a plus one.”
Kya let out a breathy laugh, leaning around Lin to reach for two mugs, “Lin Beifong, is that how you plan on asking me out? I taught you better than that.”
She moved to pull away back to the stove, but Lin’s hands reached out to hold onto her hips and pull her flush against her. She was blatantly refusing Kya’s offer to keep the tone light and the waterbender felt herself get slightly dizzy at the realisation. Here in front of her was an emotionally mature Lin Beifong, who loved her and no longer shied away from serious conversations between the two of them.
“Come to the wedding with me. As my date.”
For once, Kya was at a loss for words as she stared at Lin with such open affection. She leaned in to press their lips together urgently, looping her arms around the shorter woman’s neck as the mugs in her hands swung wildly from her fingers. Lin’s hands moved from her hips to her lower back in order to pull her impossibly closer as she kissed back with an equal amount of passion. It felt like a promise.
They broke apart with a gentle gasp, both breathing heavily as they rested their foreheads together. Kya moved one of the mugs into her other hand so that her left one was free to move to Lin’s face and rest against her scarred cheek. Lin hummed contently and twisted her head slightly in order to press a gentle kiss against Kya’s palm before she spoke again, “Can I take that as a yes?”
Despite her gentle smirk and the loving glint in her eye, the slight falter in her voice gave Lin’s self-doubt away to someone who knew her as well as Kya did. The waterbender tilted her head down to kiss her again, softer and slower this time, as if she had all the time in the world. “I would love to, darling,” she whispered against Lin’s lips, delighting in the relieved sigh it elicited from her lover.
They discussed whether or not to tell people before they attended the wedding together, but eventually decided against it. Tenzin was realistically the only person who was still in the dark and neither of them could resist the opportunity to tease him with it. Even so, Lin was still nervous. She frowned at herself in the mirror, looking down at the dark green formal suit that had been hidden in the depths of her closet for so long. It always felt odd, to wear anything other than her uniform, but she supposed that was a feeling she would have to get used to now that she had someone to actually share her personal time with. All the same, she reached for a sturdy metal belt and relished in the small comfort provided by its weight around her waist.
“You ready to go?” Kya appeared behind her in the mirror and Lin felt her breath hitch at the sight of her. The flowing dress she was wearing was a rich blue that reminded Lin of the evening sky, its enticingly soft fabric clinging to her in exactly the right places. It was off the shoulder too, leaving the upper part of Kya’s chest invitingly exposed. The healer preened under the attention and spun around with a laugh to show off her outfit. Lin stepped towards her and pressed a kiss to her exposed clavicle,
“Are you sure we have to go? I can think of much more entertaining ways to celebrate without everyone else and that dress is only giving me more ideas.”
Kya bit back a laugh, rubbing soothing circles at the nape of Lin’s neck with her thumbs, “I’ll make it worth your time, I promise.” Lin muttered something in response about holding her to that before she reluctantly pulled away in search of her shoes. Kya merely sighed fondly and followed her out into the hallway and down to her satomobile.
The wedding was expectedly over the top and garish, the venue already packed with people when they arrived. People shamelessly gaped at them when Lin ascended the steps outside City Hall with Kya’s arm tucked tightly in the crook of her elbow and it almost made her want to bolt, but then she turned and saw her partner’s eyes glistening happily in the bright lights and forced herself to take a calming breath. Bumi was the first to spot them as they approached and his face spread into a wild infectious grin at the sight of them. The rest of the group turned around to see what he was looking at and similar expressions of delight echoed across their faces, although they were certainly tinged with shock. Tenzin’s jaw was practically on the floor and Kya had to turn her head into Lin’s shoulder to hide her laugh.
They made small talk with everyone as they waited for the ceremony to start, Kya fielding most of the questions that were directed at them both, much to Lin’s relief. She was content to allow the waterbender to do all of the talking for them so that she only had to focus on not getting overwhelmed by the crowd and the attention.
“How long have you been together?” Tenzin finally spoke, though Lin was relieved that there appeared to be no animosity in his tone. Kya’s mouth opened and shut and she glanced across at Lin, not sure how much they wanted to give away.
“Just over two years,” Lin answered, meeting his gaze levelly. His eyes flashed with surprise as he sputtered slightly and Lin at least had the sense to look somewhat sheepish. “We don’t get to see much of each other, so we wanted to be sure this was really permanent and feasible before we told anyone.” Her diplomatic answer seemed to appease everyone and the conversation shifted back towards City affairs. Lin let out a breath and Kya glanced around at the group, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against her cheek when she was content that the attention was no longer on the pair of them. The earthbender moved her arm so that it was wrapped around the taller woman’s waist, holding her close.
The ceremony passed without anything particularly of note and the reception was a whirlwind of small talk with various political figures and far too many people Lin wasn’t sure she could even name. Kya stayed by her side throughout the entire evening, a much needed and incredibly charming anchor, and Lin was struck by how easy it all felt with her next to her. She had anticipated feeling awkward and uncomfortable with so much of her personal life on show, but in reality it gave her a strength she hadn’t known she’d needed. The pace of the event lulled slightly and Kya seemed content just to sit at the side-lines with her, but Lin thought that she deserved better than that. She stood and offered her partner her outstretched hand,
“May I have this dance?”
Kya looked up at her as if she’d hung the moon in the sky and blinked back her surprise in order to reach for the proffered hand, “Of course you can.” Lin pulled her up gently and led her out on the floor, holding her close as they swayed to the slow melodic song that rang throughout the hall. The song then shifted into something more upbeat and Kya giggled happily as Lin twirled her around the dance floor, almost as if she were showing her off.
Once both of them agreed that their feet were beginning to ache, Lin led them through the halls of the building she knew all too well until they reached a balcony that she was sure no one else would know was there. Kya wasted no time and spun around to capture Lin’s lips as soon as they stopped walking, humming favourably when Lin wrapped strong arms around her waist. They pulled apart after a few minutes, but neither of them moved far out of each other’s personal space, content to solely gaze into each other’s eyes in the glowing light of the spirit portal.
The sound of giggling echoed from a courtyard below them and Kya shifted to peer over the railing to ascertain its source. Korra and Asami sat on the steps below, grinning at each other in a way that reminded her so much of the metalbender behind her, who was now resting her chin on her shoulder.
“They look happy,” Kya remarked and Lin nodded absently in agreement, though her thoughts were much further away. The waterbender twisted back around to stare out at the portal and Lin lowered her head to rest her forehead against her partner’s shoulder. She felt more than heard Kya’s contented sigh and revelled in the silent calm of the moment before she raised her head and broke it with a tone of voice so soft she was almost surprised it wasn’t simply lost to the breeze,
“I’d go with you, you know.” Kya’s brow furrowed in confusion and she craned her neck to the side to consider Lin carefully. “If you wanted to go to the Spirit World,” Lin clarified, “I would go with you.”
Kya was speechless for a moment, before she shook her head with a happy laugh and leaned in to press a firm, loving kiss against Lin’s scarred cheek.
“Lin Beifong, is that how you ask me to go travelling with you?”
Lin couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up in her throat at the phrase she had heard so many times before, “I know, I know.” She lowered her head to bury her face in the crook of Kya’s neck, her next words muffled by the thick hair, “You taught me better.”
The healer chuckled and covered Lin’s arms with her own as they lapsed into silence again. She could almost feel Lin thinking, but she said nothing, knowing all too well that she needed to process whatever was on her mind before saying it out loud. Her patience was rewarded in mere moments when Lin lifted her head back up.
“Maybe it would make a good honeymoon.”
Kya gasped and spun around in Lin’s arms, searching her face for any sign she was joking or that Kya may have misinterpreted. The metalbender looked suddenly bashful, the bravado she had carried herself with all evening melting away in an instant. But she couldn’t back down now.
“Kya,” She uttered softly, irreverently, as she stepped away and dug in her pocket for the pair of engagement rings she’d spent the past two months working on. She hadn’t had any sort of plan for when or even if she would present them to Kya, but she had caught sight of the box in her drawer as she got ready that evening and reached for it on a whim. By some miracle, her shaking hands managed to prise the box open without dropping it and the metal rings glinted in the light of the portal.
The bands were thin and simple, almost unassuming. The first of the two, the one she had made for Kya, was a bright shining silver, while the other was a deeper almost-black platinum. They were designed to interlock, to fit together like Tui and La, two parts of one whole. On the inside of the silver one she had engraved the flying boar of her family, hoping to cement Kya’s position as an official Beifong.
“I was going to make a necklace, but it felt wrong to replace the one you already have, I know how important it is to you. And I made two, so that you would know that I am completely committed to you. I won’t hide our relationship anymore, I’m proud to be yours.” She explained sheepishly as Kya’s fingers reached out to brush against the rings. Kya had explained her necklace to Lin many years prior, how it was an important link to her culture wherever she went and served as a reminder of her independence. Lin had decided that it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to try and replace that. “And I never want to keep you from travelling, or living your life as freely as you need to! I would never, ever ask you to change or resent you for being who you are. But I would like to be the person you always come back to. That is, if you’d let me, if you wanted to…” Lin trailed off, putting a stop to what she felt was rapidly becoming rambling panic.
“Lin Beifong,” Kya said teasingly, voice thick with tears, “Is that how you ask me to marry you?”
Lin let out a disbelieving laugh as she looked back up at Kya, who was openly crying now and staring at her with such blatant adoration that Lin felt bolstered by it. She could easily reply with a joke, with the usual response of “I know, you taught me better,” but suddenly the desperately important question she had agonised over for months felt like the easiest thing to ask in the world.
“Marry me.”
Kya barely managed to gasp out a “yes” before she launched herself at Lin, kissing her with more passion than she’d ever done anything in her life. She looped her arms around the shorter woman’s neck and felt strong arms wrapping around her waist, holding her as close as possible. She smiled into the kiss, her giddy happiness overflowing until it bubbled out of her as a loud laugh when Lin picked her up and spun her around. Once her feet were back on the ground she held her hand out so that Lin could slide the ring onto her finger. The earthbender did so with shaky yet nimble fingers, an action she could have easily performed with her bending, but doing it by hand felt more intimate and more personal. Kya shook her head in an attempt to banish the tears that were obscuring her vision, another laugh of almost disbelief slipping past her lips as she reached for the other ring and slid it into its new home on Lin’s left hand. The metalbender lifted Kya’s hand up to her face, kissed her knuckle just below where the ring now sat proudly, and sighed contently when Kya twisted her wrist to cup her cheek with her palm, using it to pull her now-fiancée into another tearful kiss.
“I love you.” She sighed into the earthbender’s lips, not wanting to pull away any further. Lin just smiled and leaned forward to kiss her again, wrapping her arms around Kya’s waist to eliminate any distance between them.