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“I’ve tried everything in my power, but, I cannot restore Korra’s bending” Katara muttered.
“But you’re the best healer in the world, you have to keep trying.” Lin pleaded.
“I’m sorry there’s nothing else I can do.” Katara responded apologetically.
Anything said after that Lin didn’t hear. Just the deafening silence of the earth underneath her feet that she was no longer connected to. She shivered, feeling the chill of her armour instead of the usually comforting warmth and familiarity.
Her whole life was gone. Everything she ever worked for was gone. All those years spent desperately trying to improve her bending to prove she was worthy enough for her mother were for absolutely nothing.
So she ran. Not even bothering to put a coat on, she walked out the open door and slammed it behind her. Trudging through thick snow with no plan of where to go or what to do, she was alone.
That’s when she finally let the tears she’d been trying so hard to keep in pour out of her eyes. Full on loud sobs that forced her to keel over in the snow. Lin hadn’t cried in years, she didn’t have time for it. Sobs so loud she didn’t even hear someone approaching.
“Lin?!” Kya questioned. Lin’s head snapped up and she quickly covered her tear stained face and puffy eyes with her hands, despite the fact she was sure Kya had heard her sobbing moments before.
“I’m fine.” She said defensively
“Like hell I believe that.” Kya huffed.
“Spirits Lin, put a coat on before you die of hyperthermia.” She removed her coat and handed it to Lin.
“Won’t you be cold now?” Lin questioned. “I’ll be alright.” Kya smiled.
“If you want to get away from everyone, my apartment is only a five minute walk away.”
Kya opened the door to her apartment, a three story high two bedroom flat with evidence of her travels littered all over every available surface in the room
“Drink?” Kya asked walking towards the kitchen. Lin shook her head.
“Sit.” Kya said, pointing at the sofa.
“How do you feel?” Kya questioned. Like shit. She felt like shit. Her tears started to fall again and all she could do was sit there and cry.
“Lin I-“ Kya started but quickly stopped herself and shuffled over on the couch to pull Lin into a warm hug.
After what felt like hours, Kya pulled away and looked her in the eyes. She finally got to take Kya in. Her silver hair was shining from the moonlight that filtered in through the partially open blinds covering the window. Her brow was furrowed with worry. Her lips were lightly coated with brown lipgloss. Fuck she looked at her lips. All she could think about now was how much she wanted to kiss her. How much she wanted to caress her cheeks and pull her in until their lips were locked, and on an absolute impulse decision, she did.
Kya gasped quietly, surprised by the sudden action from Lin, but quickly kissed her back. They sat there like that for several moments, lips dancing together until Kya pulled away.
“Lin, you don’t love me.” She whispered, barely audible. Lin just stared at her blankly, unable to provide a response.
“You just kissed me because you were upset. You used me.” Kya spoke angrily now, her eyes starting to brim with tears.
“It’s not- I didn’t mean to-“ Lin tried to reason.
“Stop.” Kya cut her off, voice almost at shouting level now. Kya took a deep breath, trying to muster up all the calm she could.
“You can sleep in the guest room for tonight. There should be some suitable sleeping clothes in the closet. I’ll call Tenzin and let him know you’re safe. Goodnight Lin.” She got up and walked into her bedroom, leaving Lin alone. Like she always was.
Lin sat unmoving for spirits knows how long. She hadn’t meant to upset Kya. Her feelings for Kya were… complicated to say the least. Lin was fully aware about the existence of lesbians and bisexual women etc. Lin however was not so aware of her sexuality.
She had always been straight publicly. While homosexuality was legal in Republic City it wasn’t exactly supported by the council or the citizens. If anyone other than her was aware of her confusion about her feelings for women she would certainly lose her job. The press would have a fucking field day. She decided the only thing she could do now was go to bed. So she did.
Lin awoke with the sun the next morning, assumably around six. After a moment of confusion concerning her surroundings, the memories of the previous night entered her mind. She could hear someone walking around outside the bedroom door. Great, no avoiding Kya now.
She gradually forced herself out of bed and slowly made her way to the door, hoping to delay what was about to happen by as many seconds as possible.
“Good morning.” Kya said, avoiding eye contact with Lin as she trudged into the living room and lowered herself down onto the sofa.
“We should talk about what happened.” Kya murmured, finally looking up from her newspaper to meet gazes with Lin. She moved to sit next to her on the sofa.
“Why did you kiss me?” Kya asked, a hint of sadness in her almost inaudible voice. Lin shrugged, unable to meet Kya’s glance.
“I’m sorry,” was all Lin could say. The silence was uncomfortable, almost as much as the conversation was.
“That was a very mean thing to do,” Kya whispered. Lin rested her head in her hands.
“I do like you Kya. It’s just complicated.” Lin said, staring at the floor.
“What?” Kya asked.
“Don’t make me talk about my feelings again.” Lin said with a hint of humour, hoping to lighten up the conversation after revealing something she had never told anyone. The corners of Kya’s mouth started to raise.
“I like you too.” Kya said proudly, her sudden burst of confidence obvious in her tone. Kya slowly brought her hands up to caress Lin’s cheeks and brought her in for a sweet kiss.