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heartilywrites · 15 days

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could you write a fluff korra x fem reader fic? i loved give in to me!!

omg hi !! im so glad you loved it 🥺 this is my first request, hope you enjoyed it and love it as much as i loved writing it!!!

♡ — Ready? Take 3! ; Korra

resume: Korra had been wanting to tell you how she felt for quite some time now.

content warning: fluff and comfort ; fem and earthbender!reader ; for plotting reasons, Mako and Korra never had a relationship ; a long os 'cause I kinda got excited ; no use of y/n ; the only thing I described from physical looks are the eyes, but because the ppl from the Earth Kingdom have green eyes ;

word count: 2.5k

𝓘 made my mind long ago, but I still needed more time.

Love can be such a magical thing, can't it? Falling in love with someone you appreciate, feeling like you're floating when you are near to that person, butterflies in your stomach when you have them near, an electric touch when their hands are on you, your heart beating a hundred per second. . . Okay, sometimes it may be confused with anxiety, but Korra felt that way with you. In a good way! Korra thought love would be easy to handle for her. I mean, she's the avatar! she should be able to do everything, right?

But it was hard for her to understand how it worked. She knew you since her probending days with the team, between Bolin and you were helping her with her earthbending. She realize she was in love with you on one of the practices where Bolin was absent because he felt asleep.

That time alone with you made her realized how much she loved spending time with you, how she felt complete with you near, how her heart raced when she made you laugh and how she adored having your whole attention.

So she thought about talking about it to you.

Three tries. It took her three tries to say what she wanted. The first one was at the Glacier Spirits Festival.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Who are we staring at?” Asami said over her shoulder, scaring the brunette one, making her jump in her place.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “No one!” she was quick to exclaim, but the pale girl looked the way she was and smiled excited when she saw you scolding Bolin for shoving a whole bird in his mouth. “You know, staring at her won't do anything.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Do what? I don’t know what you're talking about, I don’t want to do anything.” the avatar mumbled, looking away. Asami laugh softly.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Sure you don't.” she smiled, one of her arms passed the brunette's shoulders. “Let's go, I'll take Bolin from her and you can stay and do nothing.” Asami tried to copy her friend's tone while she forced the avatar to walk your way.

When the pair arrived with you, your eyes lit up at the sight of Korra. She was too nervous to notice. “Hey, I need Bolin for a couple of minutes; I brought you another companion in exchange!” the inventor spoke.

Asami shoved Korra to you and was quick to take Bolin by the wrist to take him away with a 'but, my food!' complaint from him. The avatar was quick to straighten after bumping into you, her cheeks were light pink and her smile was nervous. “Hi. . . Uhm, do you want to play the booths?” she asked timidly pointing at one with mini Aangs in it.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I would love to!” you exclaimed and that gave Korra the courage to take you hand and walk to the booth.

The night was great, both of you were having the best time of your lives. Laughing, cheating in the most subtle way possible, eating a bunch of things until your stomach was full. She won a flying bison and a koalaotter plushies while you won a badgermole. At the end of the night, both of you were walking back to the tents where the whole group were staying at.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You should've seen your face when the ferris wheel stopped at the top!” she had been laughing at you for about five minutes now and you couldn't resist to join her.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I hate heights! Stop making fun of me!” you tried to defend yourself while holding your stomach. It didn't took long to get to the tents. “It was fun, Korra. I had a great night, thank you.”

The southerner smiled fondly at you before nodding. “I had a great night too. . .” both of you stayed quiet while arriving to the doorstep of the tents, but it was a comfortable silence. “Listen, I...”

The sight of your green eyes stopped her words. It was right there, that was the moment, she needed to do it.

Korra took a big breath in.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I want you to have the koalaotter.” she said, cowering at the last second. You smiled big and took the plushie when she extended it.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Thank you!” you exclaimed admiring the plushie while Korra admired you. A moment later you extended the badgermole back at her. “Let's exchange, I want you to have it. I have something from you and you have something from me.” you said blushing hard. She accepted more than grateful and smiled at you.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'll take good care of it.” she said, getting a small 'I know you will' from you before waving goodbye for the night.

Maybe she had a chance?

The second time was in Zaofu.

After helping prevent the kidnapping of Korra by the Red Lotus, you were the first one to come in once the girl got her mobility back.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “My spirits, Korra!” you exclaimed running to give her a hug which was pretty much reciprocated with a bit of strength from the Avatar. “I'm glad you're okay. I got so scared.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Me too.” she murmured close to your ear. Seconds that felt like hours, Korra spent in your arms, breathing in your scent while she could feel how fast your own breathing was. “I'm here, don't worry.”

You separated a little bit from the hug to look at her face and smiled fondly at her, she smiled back at you. A clear of throat busted the bubble you both were in. “Go get some rest, kids, we'll be making the questioning at first thing in the morning.” Lin said, both of you looked at her and then at each other.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'll take her to her bed.” you told them before helping the southern stand up, you made her rest one of her arms on your shoulders and one of yours wrapped around her waist so she could lean on you completely.

The walk to Korra's room was slow, you didn't pressure her to walk faster and she thanked that in silence.

Once at her room you helped her to get in and tuck her in, giving Naga a pet when she got closer to make sure her friend was fine.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'm going to stay here a little bit if you need anything.” you said, sitting by her side in the bed, she smiled.

She looked for your hand which you took without a problem into yours, leaving caresses on the back of her hand with your thumb. Both of you stayed quiet, your eyes looking at the union of hands and her eyes tracing your silhouette, making sure she got your image printed in her head.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I shouldn't ask you to come here with me. It's dangerous.” she broke the silence surrounding you both, you frowned looking up at her.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Don't be ridiculous, Korra. I know when to agree or decline to things.” you said, a bit annoyed at what you heard.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Yeah, but I put you in danger and–” you interrupted her.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'm here because I like being with you.” she blinked surprised. “If I can help you, I will. I appreciate you a lot, Korra, you're my friend.”

And at the noun used on her, her whole confession faded away. You looked at her as a friend, she thought. She sighed and nodded. “You need to rest, we have people to question in a couple of hours.” the avatar responded, smiling a little bit. You nodded, standing up and making the attempt to walk out. The hand she had intertwined with yours pulled you back, you looked at her surprise. “Let's do a sleepover, yeah?” she made space on the bed.

You thought about it for a second before smiling and accepting the offer, it took both of you a great amount of three minutes to fall asleep, facing each other, feeling at ease with the presence of the other.

The third time was three years after saying goodbye to her, she was going back to the Southern Water Tribe. She said she needed time to herself, you send her letters everyday, getting letter back every couple of weeks and one day it suddenly stopped.

You didn't thought much of it, maybe she was just preparing everything to come back to the city and you didn't had time either to think about it.

Once you were told Kuvira's plan to attack Zaofu, you went back to the city in a try to help Suyin. After all, she helped you learn how to metalbend and you felt like that was the least you could do.

You arrived a couple of hours before Korra, but didn't cross her way since after talking to Suyin you got to an emergency training taught by the twins to make sure your metalbend was sharp.

After that, you got to sleep since the twins got the best out of you in just hours, missing the reunion with the avatar and got woken up by Wing saying they needed help to take Kuvira from the camp outside Zaofu, and so you did. Then got captured.

On your suit you narrowed your eyes at the silhouettes facing Kuvira. They shot back open in surprise. “Korra!?”

The avatar's heart raced, the feelings she ignored all that time resurfaced when she saw you. Trapped. You were moving desperate to get out of the trap. “Dear spirits, no...” she murmured to herself, the girl stayed in line, she tried not to freak out and attack Kuvira at that moment, she needed to come to an agreement.

The southerner could feel your gaze on her, she was desolate trying to win the fight to get you out of there. To have you in her arms and hold you tight. To tell you how much she missed you.

But the luck wasn't on her side that day and she lost. You watched how the flying bison got away with tears in your eyes, wishing, hoping to get a chance with her.

The next days captured with the Beifongs were... An experience. You were so grateful when you saw Lin, Bolin and Toph appear, you were the second one to get out and helped as much as you could to get out of the factory safe.

You were behind Suyin, Bolin and Zhu Li when they interrupted the president's meeting. When Korra laid eyes on you she was quick to hug you, a strong grip between the both of you.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'm so glad to see you.” you said in a sigh, it almost felt like a weight fell off your shoulders.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I am too... You have no idea how much I missed you.” she said back, after a while you two took a step back. “I need to tell you something.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “It will have to wait, we have big problems.” even though you stopped her from talking and made her pay attention to Zhu Li, you took her hand. You needed to feel her touch to make sure it was her and not another dream.

Since the matter was life or death, both of you were able to put on hold the confessions to have your head in the game and survive whatever Kuvira threw at you. Plans were made, groups designated and goodbyes said from one group to another. It felt like the end of something, but everyone was so hopeful for a good ending.

And you were too, but you needed to do something before.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Hey, Korra, I need to talk to you.” you called the southerner, pulling the girl by the hand a little bit farther from the group. “Okay, listen, I've been trying to tell you this for years now, but I just couldn't–”

Your words got caught up in your mouth when you felt the lips of the girl infront of you press into yours. It was a sweet kiss, full of emotions coming from both sides and a bit desperate in the act.

Her lips knew their way around yours, it was almost like you two already knew how to exchange that gesture. Her hands found their way in your waist just as yours rest confidently in her shoulders, she pulled you as close to her as the anatomy would allow.

Once both yours and her lungs where burning in need of air, you pulled away. She rest her forehead in yours, her eyes were still closed for a bit before opening them and stumbling into your gaze. The one she had been loving since you arrived to her life, she smiled.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I love you.” she confessed finally, your cheeks were just as red as hers and you let a light giggle left your mouth. “I love you so much, since you first stomped in my feet at the probending gym.” your face got even more red at the memory. “I'm sorry for disappearing and for not writing you back enough, I just... I needed time to heal.”

You shook your head a bit, reassuring her with a little smile. “It doesn't matter, you are here, you are okay and I couldn't ask for more... I love you too, Korra, I always had.” the avatar could swear her heatbeats were loud enough for everyone on the place to hear them.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Once this is done I want to take you out. You and me alone.” she said before finally taking a step back from you, taking your hand into hers.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Sounds like a date.” you agreed before leaving a small peck in her lips.

And then, the final battle took place.

People were flying here and there. You learned to use the metal wires and took Bolin or Mako up and down when needed, so it was safe to say once the Colossus was defeated and Kuvira arrested you were tired to your bones. There you stood, with the whole group, taking a break.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Alright, excuse me.” Korra said walking to you and hugging you by the waist while giving you a kiss. You could hear gasps, both of surprise and excitement.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “WHAT!?” Bolin screamed with his jaw dropped, Mako had almost a same expression meanwhile Asami, Jinora and Ikki where smiling excited, Ikki was jumping in her place.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I heard we will be going to a wedding.” you said once you both ended the gesture, referring to Zhu Li and Varrick's wedding when Varrick showed off his fiancee's ring while looking for Korra after the portal opened. “Wanna be my plus one?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Ooh, I would love to.” she giggled before turning to everyone else. “. . .I think we should get out of here.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “AREN'T YOU GOING TO TELL US HOW DID THIS HAPPENED!?” Bolin continued to scream.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Oh, they will. They have to or I'm going to make them.” Asami said, Mako laughed.

Maybe it was worth it to wait all those years for one of you to take the step, all the yearning and adoration for one to another made the result of that waiting so sweet, just as both of you had been dreaming of.

#the legend of korra #korra x reader #the legend of korra x reader #korra x you #korra x fem!reader #one shot #avatar korra #korra fluff #korra fanfic #request

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oneatlatime · 7 months

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The Blind Bandit

I had honestly forgotten that the Gaang were trying to find an earthbending teacher, so the 'previously on' segment was actually useful instead of spoilery.

Nobody's face is having a good time.

Look at this sweetheart. You go ahead and treat yourself honey. You've single-handedly escorted a pair of earth-shatteringly overpowered tweens around the world for months; the least you deserve is a shopping trip.

"You kids like earthbending?" Has the same energy as "wanna buy a sun dial?" from that animated Hercules movie.

This guy is one of those strip mall karate types.

I take back everything I ever said about Zuko's season 1 haircut. This guy has a dust bunny poop on his head.

Momo's bag now.

My absolute favourite girl power: incredible violence!

The acoustics at this earth rumble place must be great. I don't see any microphones.

"That's what I paid for." Sokka is a simple creature at heart. Likes food and violence.

Something very strange about this guy's face. I think his mouth moves but his eyes don't.

So apparently earthbending gets you mad air.

Oh! I get it. This is a WWE parody. Somebody on the writing team did their homework too. Don't ask me how I know, but this is a very accurate parody.

Sokka thinks listening to big muscles is a very good idea actually.

And here's the heel. Complete with russian accent. And oddly homoerotic anthem. And cowardice when challenged! Yep, total heel.

I LOLed at the zamboni badgermoles and hockey organ.

She's like two feet tall!

I'm. in love.

I could watch little girls beat up grown men all day.

Earthbending sonar?

Omigod it predicts. She can see moves before they happen.

Well it's a good thing Bumi said to look for someone who Waited and Listened rather than Watched.

"I don't really want to fight you. I want to talk to you." Says the guy who just volunteered, in front of a full stadium, to FIGHT her. Time and place, Aang.

Get back on the ground you flighty airbender. She sees with that ground. No fair.

This is about the face I made when Aang pulled that move. Does this boy think at all? I love him, but what part of stealing her well-earned title is supposed to convince her to talk to him?

You messed up.

I love sartorially inclined Sokka. It's a tiny an innocuous little trait, but it rounds out his character so well.

I get to watch two different girls terrorise idiots this episode. I am blessed.

So I'm guessing the two idiots at the earthbending academy are doing that excercise where kung fu people stick their hands in sand (I've seen videos of it) but it really looked like they were in the 'beat back the dough' phase of making bread.

In this universe of plot-convenient clothing blindness, how do Dumb and Dumber recognise Aang as the one who beat the Blind Bandit?

I think the voice actor for the dumb kid with actual hair did a bunch of voices in season 1. The soldier who gives Aang Bato's map comes to mind.

Have I said recently how much I love Sokka and Katara?

These wrestling guys keep switching between first and third person. Too many rocks to the head.

This could be a board for a murder mystery board game. Or a map for a DND dungeon.

It's her hair. I thought the Blind Bandit had a cap type thing with a little brim for her costume, but it's just a pile of her hair? Like a beehive?

A lesson in character writing: if you want to make someone look super dumb, have them earnestly believe in the credentials and authenticity of a guy you have previously set up as a borderline con artist. Lookin at you, Blind Bandit's dad.

"Basic forms and breathing exercises only." That line is just so funny. And they're all so stupid. She snapped like half a dozen spines last night and this guy is preaching breathing exercises.

Wow! I hate her dad!

I hate him more!

Sokka going ham on some rice rather than listen to the idiots. Good priorities.

This passive aggressive fight between the girl and Aang at the dinner table is so fun.

Looking for somewhere to store your meal after you've face planted into it? Try the top of your head!

I need to get a hold of some of those magic napkins. Wiped up a whole multicourse meal in like 5 seconds.

That is indeed the appropriate reaction to this pint sized badass. Glad Aang is learning. (Also this episode needs more Appa. The last couple have been sadly bereft.)

Called it. Earthdending sonar. Or is it more like echolocation? No! Whiskers!

How does this pint sized badass - who if I am understanding correctly, is not known to exist outside the walls of her house - have more emotional intelligence than the entirety of the Gaang put together?

So much for the guards in the garden. They'd actually be useful now.

Sokka. Priorities. Although given how many times Aang has escaped custody/kidnapping he's probably ok to take a minute to fangirl over an autograph.

These idiot parents don't know their daughter at all. That chafes.

"I'm not smiling." I LOLed at that too. Perfect delivery.

Hippo man having a snack before he gets down to business. No wonder he's missing teeth.

All this blind and tiny and helpless and fragile talk is really making me hope someone smacks the crap out of the dad. What an awful thing to say, nevermind saying it where your daughter can hear.

SMACKDOWN INCOMING

This is gonna be good.

If this girl does join the Gaang the writers are going to have to nerf her in every major conflict. She's too powerful. I bet she could take on the firelord now.

And that's why you don't announce sneak attacks.

So remember how Sokka was absolutely losing his shit over the Boulder? That's me right now.

She waits. All these idiots are losing because they're getting impatient and attacking first. Which means that, to her senses, they're telegraphing their moves. That is so cool. And so is this visual.

Here's your chance Dad. Are you going to mess it up?

"I love fighting. I love being an Earthbender. And I'm really really good at it." me:

I don't have words for how much I LOVE when little girls STAND UP for THEMSELVES and THEIR INTERESTS. This would have had me HOLLERING if I'd seen it as a kid. It was a message I needed to hear too.

Wow I want to kill her parents.

OH FUCK OFF

COME ON

You made my girl cry.

Get wrecked belt stealer. I LOLed at this too.

Sokka just beaned a blind girl on the head. Not a good look. I laughed though.

Fun fact: everyone in this picture is a piece of shit.

I haven't been this steamed since Zuko's dad burned half his face off.

Final Thoughts

IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, this episode feels like it's movie quality. This show is usually excellent, but this feels like a cut above. I feel like I could sense the love the writers, animators, voice actors, everyone had for this episode. They had a good time making it and were enthusiastic about it. And there were lots of tiny background details in this episode too. I'm sure I missed quite a few. Oh No! I'll have to rewatch it!

New team member! That hasn't happened since Momo. Actually, no wonder the episode was so good. Introducing the first new team member in at least a season's worth of episodes is a delicate operation. I bet they were workshopping this episode since early in the first season.

And Toph! (thank you credits for how to spell that - I was really hoping it wasn't Toff). Be still my heart I love Toph. She may well take Sokka's spot as my favourite character. Strength of character, self-assurance, emotional intelligence, badassery, mastery of violence, what's not to love!!!

How did she get so emotionally intelligent and articulate if her parents have kept her caged her whole life? I don't know but I'm not complaining!

How did her parents get away with caging her for her whole life? I do know (money) and I am complaining. Very much so. And yet Toph can still find it within herself to have an honest conversation with them, including apologising for leaving said cage. I never would have had the maturity to do that in a similar situation. I would have gone the Katara explosive rage route.

A little girl who stands up for herself. Against HER PARENTS. I just. Do you know how amazing that is? Especially in a kids' show? I was ROBBED by not being able to see this show when I was Toph's age.

Does bending work like a muscle, in that you build up stamina? Because if so, then Toph is the strongest human earthbender in the world by default. If she's using it in place of seeing, then she's using it 100% of the time that she's awake, all day every day. By the time she was like 5 years old she'd probably used her bending more than the average earthbender does in their whole lifetime.

My one complaint is Toph's voice. Nothing wrong with it; this is a me thing. It fits her perfectly, but my ears do not play well with nasal voices, which hers is. I had to rewind quite a few times and resorted to subtitles by the end. Hopefully I'll get used to it like I did Zuko's.

Sokka! My soon to be demoted beloved! He shone in this episode. I love that he has fashion sense and is not afraid to show it. I'm thinking, what with how hung up he was on masculinity at the start of the show, that the water tribes have a different conception of masculinity: one that classes fashionability as a masculine or gender neutral trait. Even back in season one it didn't take much to get Sokka into the Kyoshi warrior uniform, and he's shockingly good at applying face paint symmetrically. Which I still cannot do with winged eyeliner.

Katara! Not headed for a career in diplomacy but so satisfying to watch. I would love to have a Katara in my pocket that I could unleash on people. And her and Sokka bouncing off each other this episode was great. Every one was at peak performance this episode, except Aang. Not at his brightest this episode.

Checking for typos before I post this and I realise I'd already forgotten that Toph is blind! Just like in the Northern Air Temple, this is how you do disability right: as just a part of who they are, rather than an entire personality. This show is so good.

In sum, Toph:

#atla #avatar: the last airbender #the blind bandit #avatar the last airbender

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nyamadermont · 13 days

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Phantom Pain

Angstpril 2024: Day 10

Rohan was the first to notice when Lin rubbed her forehead. Pema watched him toddle over to her, crawl up beside her on the cushion, and worm his way under her arm until she took her hand down to steady him in her lap. His mother thought she might just melt at the way Rohan lifted ShuShu up to give Lin a kiss on the forehead.

***

The volume of Jinora and Meelo’s argument crested as they chased each other along the breezeway leading to the family’s quarters. The game’s rules were important, after all. Air Nomad heritage was at stake in these things. Would they respect tradition, or strike out onto new paths?

But when Meelo’s scooter spun him far enough along to see Lin bent over the railing, looking off into the trees behind the house, rubbing her forehead, he froze and plopped to the ground. Jinora, caught completely off guard, slammed into his back, causing them to tumble over each other for several lengths.

The ruckus snapped her attention to them, but her face looked strange. The children looked at each other, and ran over to hug her.

Uncharacteristically, she knelt between them, and hugged them back.

***

Ikki did not want to clean her room. That was boring.

A quick glance outside told her that no one was walking around below, so she whipped out her glider, and jumped through the window.

The currents carried her around the main tower until she was looking out over the meditation courtyard. In the distance, she could see Lin’s black form stepping to the top of the Thousand Steps. She banked against the breezes to go say hello to the Chief.

The clomp of Lin’s boots rang out from the stone, loudly enough that Ikki could hear every step Lin took. Until she stopped cold.

Ikki noticed that she was facing the dormitories, a place Ikki knew that Lin knew as well as any of them did. Playing badgermole hunt with Lin was never any fun because she knew every place there was to hide. Even on the roof!

But then Lin seemed to get small, and Ikki got worried. She angled her glider to bring her close.

Lin was on her knees on the pavement, one hand limp in her lap. The other was rubbing at a spot in the middle of her forehead.

Ikki floated down in front of Lin, who looked almost shocked.

Ikki could feel all the questions she wanted to ask, but they all felt wrong. She knelt in front of Lin, and reached up to take the troublesome hand away from Lin’s face. Gently, she kissed the fingertips on that hand before pulling it down to touch the stone under their knees.

Lin gasped and sighed, and bowed her head. Beneath her knees, Ikki could feel little tremors in the stone, and she wondered if that was what Lin felt all the time.

She covered Lin’s hand with her own, stretched up, and placed a tiny kiss on Lin’s forehead.

***

The heavy thump woke Kya with a start.

She rolled over and reached to the other side of the bed. Not finding Lin, she sat up.

“I won’t tell you anything, you monster!” Lin roared from her knees, staring wildly up at…

Nothing that Kya could see.

And suddenly, Lin slumped bonelessly to the side.

Kya scrambled from the bed, flailing for whether to turn on the lights or try to shake her awake, or let her sleep or bring her back gently, or…

She knelt in front of Lin, close enough to touch, but holding back, just a moment longer.

Lin stirred, and slammed the heel of her hand against her forehead, pressing and groaning.

Kya leaned forward and tried to pull the hand away from Lin’s face. Lin resisted, seeming to press even harder.

“Lin, Lin, it’s Kya, honey. Please wake up. You’re having a nightmare. Can you talk to me? Please let me take your hand.”

Suddenly, Lin went limp, the hand dropping away from her face for a moment. She grimaced and curled into a tight ball, bringing her fingers back up to her forehead.

Kya reached down to try to tug her up by the shoulders.

Lin gasped. Her eyes snapped open, and Kya could see the confusion and fear in her face.

“Lin, it’s just me, just Kya. You’re at home. We’re together. Can you sit up? Do you want a light? Feel your pajamas.”

She helped Lin put her back to the side of the bed, then wriggled around on her knees to reach Lin’s nightstand. The familiar meteorite was heavy and cold in her hands, but she knew it would feel different to Lin.

She could tell the instant Lin felt the rock with her bending, not just her hands. Her eyes widened, but her shoulders slumped, and her head fell back against the bed.

Lin let her hands fall to her lap, cradling the meteorite in her two cupped hands.

Her voice was hoarse when she whispered, “It’s just a phantom pain.”

Kya brushed back her hair, reassuring her, “Pain is pain. Pain is real. Even if he isn’t here to hurt you, ever again.”

“Why does it still hurt? He’s dead. I know he’s dead,” she said, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Kya caressed her cheek. “I don’t know. Maybe think about what Korra’s touch felt like when she restored your bending.”

Lin inhaled and held her breath. She opened her mouth and released the breath without exhaling, exactly. Kya pulled back to let Lin lift her head from the mattress.

“Did I ever tell you that it felt like your dad gave me a kiss? He used to do that when I was very little, and that’s what Korra’s touch felt like.” Her watery eyes looked down to the rock in her hand. It shimmered and undulated, changing shapes in a steady rhythm.

Kya reached out her hand again to rub Lin’s elbow.

“Then let his phantom kiss wipe away the phantom’s pain.”

She leaned up on her knees, and placed a gentle kiss on her brow.

#angstpril2024 #angstpril 2024 #avatar the legend of korra #legend of korra #fanfiction #day10 #phantom pain #nyama's shorter stories #kyalin #lin beifong #kya ii #airkids

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muffinlance · 1 year

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Shaw reeeeally want to eat the earth kings bear. It’s so exotic and he’s never tried one before. Just a nibble, maybe a haunch, then he’ll know if it tastes like orca-bear or weasel-bear.

(Continued from parts one and two.)

Kuei is, in the understated words of one of his earliest tutors, feeling mildly out of his geological stratum.

There was a war. There was a war for his entire life, for his father’s and his grandfather’s. He is only learning of it now, because it is over, and his signature is required on the official documents.

(At least they didn’t just take his royal seal and stamp it themselves.)

The young king has many questions. Mostly about his own court, and which of his advisors are truly trustworthy.

(And which would find for him a less pleasant oubliette, if he tried to rattle his palace’s bars.)

“The Fire Lord will enter through the eastern doors,” an etiquette tutor he’s never seen before instructs him. “You will stand for him, but not bow. His dragons have been instructed to enter behind him, but in practice, will do as they please. Or as he has ordered them. They are an intimidation tactic; do not acknowledge them. The terms have already been agreed upon. Place your stamp where indicated. If he inclines his head, you may return the gesture…”

It would be a significant amount of information to remember, had it not sifted down to “your presence was not required before, and is only ceremonial now.”

Kuei stands when the Fire Lord enters. His fellow monarch is young, but so is Kuei. The boy comes flanked with his own cadre of old men. Perhaps this is just what it’s like, being a king.

And then the dragons enter, which rather puts into perspective why this meeting is occuring in the grand ballroom, rather than a more usual diplomatic location. They are… very impressive specimens. The old men behind Kuei stiffen at the sight of them. The ones near the Fire Lord have to actively dodge, with a rumpling of robes and dignity alike, as the great serpents claim their place at the boy’s sides.

And then they keep coming forward, coils of them thick around as particularly rotund badgermoles, and Kuei’s advisors follow the example set by their peers. Which is to say: Kuei is suddenly rather alone at the table, with two great heads crossing paths behind him. They pause like that, for a moment, before moving on. There is enough of them to wrap back around to their Fire Lord’s side, even as they remain looped behind Kuei.

Yes. Yes, he could see why this would be an effective intimidation tactic.

The Fire Lord looks at the chair he’s been provided. Then down the length of the great table, to where Kuei would sit. There would have been servants to carry the papers between them, but… well. They are probably not going to risk scaling the dragon’s sides. The Fire Lord huffs, and walks to the chair to the left of Kuei’s, before setting down a pile of scrolls.

They let him carry important documents himself. That must be nice.

“Have you had time to read the final draft?” the Fire Lord asks, his chair scraping against stone as he pulls it out. He sits, and looks to Kuei expectantly.

Do not speak to him, says the voice of the tutor in Kuei’s memory. He is the violent offspring of an upstart island; you are the rightful inheritor of a continent. You bow to him on paper only.

“I… have not,” Kuei admits, and takes his own seat.

“Neither have I,” says the boy. “We should probably make sure the copies match, too. My advisors kept telling me not to worry about it, which is probably a reason to worry about it.”

So they unroll two copies of the finest calligraphy, and push their chairs close, and get down to reading. It is not an exaggeration to say that Kuei has spent his whole life practicing for this.

“This map cannot be accurate,” Kuei says.

“It… looks okay to me?”

“This is nearly two-thirds of our western fishing ports, nevermind the river transport routes, whose ‘tax rates and availability to outside use shall be at the discretion of the Fire Lord’?”

“That’s where my people live.”

“Then where did my people go?”

“Uh,” says the Fire Lord. Who is actually quite significantly younger than Kuei.

“...Did your advisors hand you papers to sign, too?”

“They said you’d already agreed.”

Kuei’s own advisors had implied they’d all be eaten by dragons should he refuse to sign, so. That was certainly a form of agreement.

One of the Fire Lord’s very intimidating serpents has laid its great head down across most of their table, and appears to have fallen asleep. The other is… scenting the air? Well. That's mildly alarming. It coils its neck back, to the limit the high ceiling allows, and stares down at something outside its coils.

Which is the point Kuei hears the whuffing of his bear cub. Which his advisors had very firmly told him could not be at this meeting, so little Bosco had been left in a garden with servants for attendants, but so many people are as afraid of a simple bear cub as they are of these great beasts of dragons, so it was no surprise he’d escaped to find the one person who really cared—

“Spit it out!” shouts the Fire Lord. “Spit it out!”

Kuei is not entirely certain how he ends up with his arms inside a dragon’s maw, his formal hairpiece being dripped upon by hot saliva fresh from a fang. But at least he's not the only monarch to be in such a state.

The dragon’s great size is, in retrospect, a blessing: a little morsel like Bosco had not required chewing. The bear shakes in his arms, but Kuei’s combing through wet fur had not turned up a scratch upon him.

“That is,” says the Fire Lord, looking up. And up further. Until he finds Bosco’s trembling muzzle, pressed against the top of Kuei’s head, “a really big… bear-otter?”

“He’s just a bear,” sniffles Kuei, hugging his poor baby back, if not quite so heartily as Bosco is hugging him. “A little cub. How could your dragon do such a thing?”

“Uh,” says the Fire Lord. “Shaw… apologizes?”

The dragon does not look at all apologetic. It's nuzzling the Fire Lord’s back, in a way Kuei himself recognizes from a hundred objects pulled from a baby bear’s inquisitive mouth. But father, can’t I eat it? Please?

“We,” Kuei says, his chin lifted haughtily, “are going to refresh ourselves in the royal chambers. You are welcome to the guest baths. And then we are going to sit down with a real map.”

Not whatever fanciful one the Fire Lord’s advisors have concocted.

“Fine,” the boy snaps back.

When they meet again, an hour later, both are free of the sulfurous stench of dragon spit. And both have brought their own maps, of the Fire Nation’s current military occupation.

Kuei does not sign until his people have free access to their own resources again. If slightly less land than they began with. As he is not eaten by a dragon for his troubles, he sets his sights upon his advisors, next.

(Read more prompts || Longer ATLA fics || Original works)

#Bosco: vomits up a stomach full of half-digested fish in front of Shaw #Shaw: lightly toasts it and eats slightly more than half #Bosco: licks the rest off the charred floor #World Peace #So Beautiful #Avatar The Last Airbender #atla #Zuko #King Kuei #Ran and Shaw #Hello Dragons Here

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gemgirl28 · 2 months

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Zutara, 5 and/or 41 for the drabble ask game, please

Hello there! Thanks for the prompt! 💜

I am a sucker for trying to squeeze two prompts into one so let's gooooo.

5. “Wait a minute. Are you jealous?”

41. “You did all of this for me?”

"Just a little closer... one more step.. There!" Zuko said. Katara jolted to a stop. She breathed slowly, waiting for Zuko to take the blindfold off her eyes. There were few people she would allow to guide her blindly around the Fire Nation Palace.

Then again, she was slowly realizing there were few places she wouldn't let Zuko lead her, blindfolded or not.

"Just one more minute," he said. "Almost done."

Katara sighed, but it was mostly for show.

"Ready?" Zuko asked.

"Yes."

"Okay." He slipped the blindfold from her eyes. "Surprise."

Katara had to blink a few times, letting her eyes adjust to the light, but once she realized what she was looking at she gasped.

"Zuko... what... how?"

"Do you like it?"

"Like it?" Katara felt her eyes welling up. "I love it. You- you found moon cakes- and five flavor soup!" She squealed, taking in the feast of Southern Water Tribe food before her.

Just in time for the New Year celebration.

"Actually, I wrote to Kanna," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "She gave me the recipes."

"You... made all of this?"

"Most of it."

"Zuko." Katara swallowed the rising lump in her throat, eyes pricking with tears. "You did all of this... for me?"

He grinned, taking her hand and leading her to sit at the table, heave with food. Part of her wanted to look at the paper lanterns he'd strung around the courtyard, but she couldn't take her eyes off him.

"I'd do anything for you, Katara."

"Zuko-"

"Please, try the sea prunes. Of everything, they gave me the hardest time."

Katara raised her brow, not quite ready to let go of her badgermole-ing, but eager to try what Zuko had made for her. He handed her a plate, which she filled with a few bites of sea prunes and noodles. Still watching him, she took a bite of a prune, eyes falling shut at the perfectly salty, bitter taste registered.

"Oh spirits," she sighed after she swallowed. "Toruk is going to be so jealous! That was perfect!"

She glanced at Zuko to find him scowling, his fists clenched where they hovered over a basket of dumplings.

"Zuko?" She blinked, and in the next second understanding washed over her. "Wait a minute. Are you jealous of Toruk?"

"No," he bit out too quickly. Her brows inched higher. "Maybe." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Yes, fine! I'm jealous that he knows so much about you- and your culture- and you- I just-"

Katara reached over to take his hand, opening his fist to twine with hers. "I'm not here with Toruk, I'm here with you," she said.

"Because I asked," he said with just a touch of petulance.

"Because you did something incredibly thoughtful that he never would have done for me. Because I like spending time with you. Because-" Katara drew in a deep breath. "Because I like you."

"You-"

"Gosh, like sounds so juvenile, doesn't it?" She laughed. "I have feelings for you, Zuko. Romantic ones, just so we're clear."

"Oh. Well, I do too. Feel the same about you! I mean, I have feelings for you too," he stammered. Katara laughed and squeezed his hand.

"I was hoping so, but the romantic dinner really clued me in," she teased. He started to stammer again, but she put a finger to his lips. "You have nothing to be jealous of, okay? I... I'm excited to spend time with you."

He grinned against her finger, pulled it away, and gently kissed her palm. "Okay. Me too."

Send me a prompt and a pairing!

#zutara #zutara ficlet #can you tell I'm still on a “Katara confesses first” kick?#thanks for the prompt dear!#firelilymermaidjedi #my writing #send me a prompt!

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the-badger-mole · 7 months

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18. favorite pairing to write

But seriously, it's Zutara. And it's them because the writers decided not to make them canon and leave all that untapped potential on the ground. Most of my other ships are canon, so while I do love those ships, they don't have the same emotional baggage for me as Zutara. This is my pirate ship.

#ask game #ask the badgermole #atla #zutara #pirate ship #THE YEAR OF CONTENT!!!!

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tamras-shieldmaiden · 3 months

Text

The Kuvira childhood vibes just hit me with a cute headcanon that expands nicely what I already developed here.

So I've always believed that little Kuvira was a prodigy who just needed positive reinforcements and the right environment for her to thrive. She was a quick learner, and once something genuinely caught her attention, she would fully devote herself to it. That's how she became part of the Zaofu troupe, as their youngest member, no less. Her interest initially came from her efforts to emulate Suyin because she realized she felt very happy when Suyin paid her attention and lavished her with praise. So, being the troupe one of the matriarch's favorite pet projects, Kuvira decided she wanted to find out what was all about. She had also heard Huan talk in length about it at the dinner table with enthusiasm. Her curiosity piqued, she asked for an audition, and like the little infuriating gremlin that she could be, she ended up stealing the spotlight from the lead dancer with her raw talent. That didn't endear her with the troupe, instigated by the lead dancer who didn't take well that a kid could outstage them. Suyin, fearing the ostracizing would reverse the progress with Kuvira who was finally leaving her taciturn and moody attitude behind, was ready to take her out of the troupe when she realized that the girl was completely unaware of the silly drama. During breaks, while the other dancers got together to gossip, Kuvira would join Huan, who, along with the stage hands, were in charge of the metal props the troupe used as part of their performance. Kuvira would sit down, and while she shared her snacks with him, she would watch Huan work as she listened to the explanations to his work, because despite his age, he took his art very seriously. Half of the time, she wouldn’t understand what he meant, but it didn't matter because she enjoyed listening to him and he liked that someone in the family aside from his mom took interest in his work, and they would end up coming up with even more grander and weirder ideas together. After a prank that Su suspected had been orchestrated by the stage hands and her kids, the diva dancer quit the troupe, and after that, the practices became drama free. The kids continued to hang out together until Kuvira joined the Zaofu Guard, and so they ended up drifting apart. But unbeknownst to Huan, Kuvira always kept in her pocket a small metal badgermole that Huan had sculpted for her during the troupe practices as a good luck charm, as reminder of the good times they shared together.

#the legend of korra #legend of korra #tlok #lok #headcanons #childhood headcanons #kuvira #huan beifong #suyin beifong #zaofu #dance troupe

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kingwuko · 2 months

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I saw a Wu post you reblogged and it mentioned that on supplemental content it's revealed that Wu was in republic city for a degree and me being me couldn't shake the idea of that degree being in musical theater. Am I projecting my own wants amd desires on my favorite blorbo? Yes a little bit, but also look at him. Come on. So this idea is in the back of my mind for the past few days and then just now I'm listening to a song from that fan project of atla as a musical (I'm honestly not sure how many more songs they've made) and I'm like. Heh, what if Wu wrote that musical. Then i go no. No this is just as a silly thing, I'm not serious about it... but then I imagine him actually singing this, and singing it well, while playing it at a piano and.

Gods DAMN I want it so bad. I mean can you imagine him asking former fire lord zuko himself about what his sister was like so he can WRITE about it?

Insane.

Idk, I feel like it has the potential of being the anti Ember Island play, something genuinely good with all its sources thoroughly checked and vetted and every living person featured in the story consulted and given explicit permission to use their likeness.

I also just generally like the idea of Wu being a composer? I recall the joke about his singing being that its awful and I wish that weren't true but if it is then I think he should be a good composer at least. Just has a terrible singing voice lol.

Anyway that's all, let me know if I'm sending too many of these btw I just enjoy your responses a lot!

AAAAAH Wu being in a music theater program in RCU is actually a great idea. Being a composer or writer totally tracks for me. His lil rhymes he came up with while singing on the spot were actually delightful and clever!!! I love his silly badgermole songs and I don't think his singing voice is too shabby either!

Oh my god to that song though what a fun fan project. Wu is well versed in history (citation ruins of the empire) so yeah! He could make the anti-ember island musical retelling of Aangs adventures why not!

You are not sending me too many asks. I feel like I'm annoying begging people to interact with me lol but seriously please send me all your Wuko thoughts I love talking about these guys!!!

(for anyone wondering the supplemental content referenced is from the Avatar Legends TTRPG Republic City book idk if you guys have noticed but I'm kind of obsessed with Avatar Legends lol)

#prince wu #king wu #answered ask #lok

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aangarchy · 2 months

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Netflix atla live action review ep 4-6

So, they completely ruined Bumi. Spoiler warning.

The more episodes pass by the more confused i get with the choices that were made. I wrote down commentary for the episodes and the thing that i wrote down the most was "why does this happen?". The writing is incredibly confusing and messy, feels too rushed in some spaces and too slow in others. There's just... so much going on and so little at the same time. They brought in elements that in the OG don't get introduced until later in s1, s2, the comics, or even the legend of Korra. The reason these things get introduced so early here is not clear at all, because they don't serve any purpose other than to be an obstacle to Aang, Sokka and Katara on their way to the North.

Mai and Ty Lee are.. there. They get introduced earlier but they don't serve any purpose at the moment other than stand around, watch Azula train, ask questions so that Azula can give us the answers the viewer needs. My guess is they only got introduced for the audience who watched the OG to go "oh we know them!". We get the secret tunnel story earlier too, but it has absolutely nothing to do with love. Somehow "love is brightest in the dark" now correlates to the badgermoles being able to sense a human's emotion. It's a waste of a storyline, doesn't teach us anything about love, gives us Omashu lore which is useless bc neither Sokka nor Katara actually use love to escape the tunnels. Also Oma and Shu are lesbians now, but you only know that bc they changed Shu's pronouns. Wow, so progressive! We have lesbians in the story now! Boy do i feel represented as a sapphic!

We get Koh early on as well, but his entire gig got changed. Now suddenly he doesn't steal faces but he "feeds", and hunts using the fog of lost souls (which is tlok lore mind you) as a tool to trap humans. We introduce the mother of faces (comic book lore!), or rather pendant of her that Koh owns. There's no reason for her to exist in this story though other than to be an easter egg to everyone who read the search (Not even the majority of the fandom!) and to offer a solution to this problem we've created, which is Koh capturing our friends in order to eat them and us not being able to convince him into letting them go. There's no feeling of dread in the Koh scenes at all because the whole problem of not showing emotion is just not a thing now. No suspense, no fear, just a weird cgi clown face worm. The worm doesn't even menacingly circle around Aang to invoke a feeling of being surrounded, it just sits there. I also just don't understand why Koh is here already bc now who is going to give us information about Tui and La?

This decision also creates a problem that Hei Bai's story just isn't about Hei Bai anymore. We get fed a few lines from a talking fox about how the forest spirit got hurt, but there's really no solution? Aang buries a pinecone in front of the statue and tells him not to give up hope but he didn't even really need to do that, because Hei Bai wasn't the one kidnapping villagers! It was Koh. Why did we appease Hei Bai if Koh was the real villain? Hei Bai/Koh's story leads us to Roku, but Roku is completely useless. All he does is undermine Kyoshi's advice to Aang, tell Aang about the mother of faces pendant so he can appease Koh, and then we leave. I knew in advance Roku wasn't going to warn Aang about the comet here bc Albert Kim already told us working with a deadline like that with child actors is just impossible. But with Roku suddenly not being Aang's main Avatar guide he just gets nothing to do. There's no suspense in this part of the story either, bc the time limit of the winter solstice isn't a thing here at all. Aang also ends up flying over Fire Nation borders without issue, and gets led right into the sanctuary without the puzzle of figuring out how to open the door, and without the problem of Zhao's soldiers waiting for him when he comes out. It creates this issue of there not being any excitement, at least for me. I genuinely am getting a bit bored with the show, which was never an issue with the OG for me. There's a reason all of this extra material didn't get introduced until later on. There's too many characters and they all get too little time to really do anything useful, they're not fleshed out, the stories aren't thought through and it ends up getting very confusing and boring. I'm genuinely curious for the perspective of people who have never watched the OG cartoon, bc i wonder if they're even able to follow along without prior knowledge of this universe.

Bumi is just... not Bumi. They completely changed his character to be this bitter old senile man that resents Aang for abandoning the world. This doesn't make any sense because in this version of the story Bumi shouldn't know that Aang is the Avatar at all, because Aang was told right before he disappeared! So why does Bumi immediately know that Aang is the Avatar, and why does Aang immediately recognize him? Also the original point of Bumi's tests is to get Aang to approach fights and puzzles from a different angle, so he can learn versatility as the Avatar. But here the tests are just happening because Bumi is mad at Aang for leaving and wants to get back at him for being gone so long. He says some lines about Aang having to learn to make hard choices and you can't rely on your friends, but Aang ends up proving him wrong in the end! What is even the point of Bumi's part in the story now, except for him just being another obstacle on the way to the North Pole?

There's a lot of instances where I feel like the bond between characters gets completely lost. We barely spend any time with the side characters like the mechanist, Teo, Jet and the freedom fighters, and the people in the spirit village. It makes some scenes feel very out of place. These storylines all happen at once, and they don't get their individual moments to shine. We have no room to feel betrayed by Jet or Sai, because we barely got to know them to begin with. Jet and Sai only spend time with One member of the gaang each, but when their betrayals come to light the rest of the group acts devastated, as if it was their dear friend. Sokka also gets really mad about the Jet thing, but he only met Jet once when he smuggled them into Omashu, and Jet didn't even tell Sokka his name. He said it afterwards when Katara met him again. It makes absolutely no sense why Sokka is yelling at Katara for trusting Jet only bc she finds him attractive, when Sokka wasn't even there during all of that!

The sense of family between the gaang that we get from the original also just doesn't happen here. Especially because these characters so far have spent more time apart than together. Aang constantly gets separated from Sokka and Katara, leaving no room for them to bond. We get Katara and Sokka bonding, but they shouldn't need those types of scenes because they're already siblings (which isn't very clear in the show either btw!). I ended up forgetting that Sokka and Katara were trapped by Koh, bc we spend so much time away from them (a whole episode, which is now an hour!).

I have little to no criticism for the Blue Spirit story. Want to guess why that is? Bc they left it pretty much untouched. We even get a little bit of an extra scene, with Zuko and Aang talking while Zuko recovers after getting hurt during the escape. I liked this choice, especially bc it highlights how conflicted Zuko is.

This is where we get Zuko's backstory. I have one question here: why did they make Ozai more sensible and less ruthless? Was that a Daniel Dae Kim decision? Bc it feels like a Daniel Dae Kim thing to do. They're very on the nose with the way Ozai is abusing Zuko and Azula, but then they turn around and make this man visit Zuko after he burned him and praise Zuko about finding the Avatar. I understand that they did this to show how Ozai uses Zuko's accomplishments in order to push Azula, but even if it were to do that: the original Ozai would NEVER. The problem here as well is that they don't let the viewers draw any conclusions themselves anymore. They're holding the viewer's hand through the whole thing, leaving no room for nuance or doubt.

I just finished episode 7 and 8 and I have Things To Say. None of which are good. Writing it down is challenging so it might take a day or two.

#atla #avatar the last airbender #avatar #netflix atla #atla netflix #natla #netflix #atla live action #atla live action spoilers

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erisenyo · 6 months

Note

Please “Don’t listen to them. Don’t you EVER listen to them.” for Toko (Zuko and Toph)

For this prompt game! (And also this one!)

“Oh!” Poppy gasps, smacking her hand down onto the table and nearly catching the edge of her plate. “And our Tophie must have told you about the noodle incident?”

“Oh, the noodle incident,” Lao chortles, reaching for more sake.

“No,” Zuko says as Toph freezes, chopsticks halfway to her mouth, pressing his feet firmly to the floor to make sure she can feel the absolute delight he is suddenly feeling. “Tophie never told me about that. What was it again?” he asks, mock innocent and making a show of his interest as he evades her jab beneath the table. “The Noodle Episode?” It feels like it should have capitalization.

“We don’t need to hear about that,” Toph groans, flapping a dismissive hand in her parents’ direction. “You trot that dusty old story out every chance you get, how about sprucing it up with something different?”

“Oh, but the Noodle Incident is a classic!” Poppy says, her small features bright with enthusiasm and flushed with drink and laughter. “I can’t believe you never told him, dear!”

“I can’t believe you’re going to,” Toph mutters, pitching her voice to carry, “When we could be talking about anything else.”

Which is a truly uncharacteristic display of outwardly caring about someone else’s opinion, and Zuko is even more curious now. “Tell me about the noodles,” he says, smoothly pulling his foot out of the way of Toph’s stomping heel under the guise of pouring Poppy more sake.

“So kind, dear,” she says, patting his hand, her hairpiece listing to the side. “And so neat with your pour!”

“Quite the gentleman!” Lao adds with what Zuko can only describe as a guffaw as Toph lets out an aggrieved sound and pointedly holds out her own cup for more.

“So,” Zuko prompts, giving into the urge to rest his chin on his hand because he knows that Toph will be able to tell with her seismic sense that way she always can with him. “The noodles?”

“Well you see,” Poppy begins with a tipsy, tinkling laugh, “Our Tophling here—”

Zuko barely keeps from choking on his own spit as Toph lets out a long, dramatic groan.

“—was the cutest baby!”

“Every parent will say it,” Lao says, confiding and loud enough to be heard clear across the dining room, “But it was true, in our case.”

“Isn’t that right, Tophling?” Poppy says, practically cooing.

“Yeah, Tophling,” Zuko says, smiling slow and thrilled as months and months and months of teasing material suddenly unfolds in front of him. “Isn’t that right?”

“Nope, don’t listen to them, it’s all lies,” Toph says, reaching out to grab the nearest bowl of custard and thrusting it toward the rest of the table. “Soup? Anyone want soup?”

Lao smiles, fond, a genuine—a genuine tear in his eye. “Why, when she was born—”

“I was born from the earth,” Toph announces.

“—she just had the cutest little scrunchiest face!”

“A badgermole asexually reproduced to make me, actually.”

“So angry!” Poppy agrees, squishing up her face in imitation, Zuko nearly laughing out loud as she wiggles her nose. “It made us just want to boop her every time we saw her!”

“It formed me straight from the ground,” Toph says, nodding.

“And it turned out,” Lao continues, leaning in and face already red with restrained laughter, “That the only thing that would make her unscrunch—”

“La la la!” Toph suddenly sings, loud and obnoxious and out of tune.

“Was noodles!” Poppy finishes, tittering before visibly swallowing her laughter to continue. “And you see, one day—”

“Don’t listen to them,” Toph says, smacking Zuko in the shoulder and nearly knocking his headpiece out as she claps her hands firmly over his ears. “Don’t ever listen to them.”

“What?” Zuko says, his laughter finally breaking through to join the clamor of her tuneless singing and Poppy and Lao trying to tell their story over top of each other as they fall into giggles, all of it a bright cacophony behind her muffling hands.

“Exactly!” Toph shouts back over top of them. “And that’s what you’ll keep saying if you know what’s good for you!”

“Whatever you say—Tophie,” Zuko grins, knowing she’ll hear it even under the noise, will feel it against her hands, her glower relenting into an eye roll after a moment.

“Yeah,” she says, making a show of disinterest even as she keeps her hands firm against the side of his head. A pause, then, “You’re going to tell Sokka, aren’t you?”

“I am already mentally composing the letter,” Zuko confirms.

“…Shit,” Toph grumbles, fingers gentle stroking over the hair above his right ear. “I’m going to get called Noodles now.”

“Yeah,” Zuko says, serene, delighted, loving the twitch of her trying to hold back her smile. “Yeah, you are.” He waits long enough for her hands to drop and how him to get well out of elbowing distance before adding, “Good thing noodles are your favorite.”

#I brainstormed like. Four potential fills for this prompt. And they were all either people dishing on Toph to Zuko or about Zuko to Toph lol #fic writing #my writing #Toph #Zuko #Toko #Zutoph #asks and answers #ask game

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master-sass-blast · 2 years

Text

Happier to Be Wrong.

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five: Chapter One, Part Five: Chapter Two, Part Five: Chapter Three, Part Six: Chapter One, Part Six: Chapter Two, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen

Summary: "She knows the signs. Inconsistent affection in public or private, not initiating dates or outings, seeming lack of interest in progressing the relationship as a whole…

She’s learned. She’s wiser now. And she’s not going to get caught off guard –not going to get hurt–the same way again."

AKA talking about feelings and trauma is hard, part one.

Pairing(s): Lin Beifong x Reader.

Rating: T for arguing and some intense emotional stuff.

Word count: 6.8k.

She’s not too big to admit her faults. She can be uptight. She likes order and routine to the point of erring on the side of rigidity. She can be icy, which gets worse if she’s pissed. She’s got a short temper in certain areas; a poor tolerance for stupidity and bullshit, if you will.

Toph had called her a “grumpy little badgermole,” back when she was seven and cranky over other kids constantly cutting lines at school.

Tenzin had called her pessimistic. So had Kya and Bumi. So had Su, and Toph, and Aunt Katara, Uncle Sokka, Uncle Aang, Saikhan, Riyu–

“Pessimistic” was the one she refused to concede. It was hardly pessimistic to prepare for the worst –especially since it happened so often! Especially considering her line of work! It was hardly pessimistic to be cautious and prudent.

And it was hardly fucking pessimistic when she was usually right.

She knows the signs. Inconsistent affection in public or private, not initiating dates or outings, seeming lack of interest in progressing the relationship as a whole…

The first one had been easy to spot with Tenzin, back in the day. She hadn’t argued about it at the time, though. She’d put her blinders on, chalked it up to stress with Air Nomad stuff, and kept plowing through life and work alike. However, she’d missed the other two with him. She’d been so busy with work and trying to make her career that she’d just… let things go. They’d always pick things up back later –or so she thought. She thought they’d have the time.

She’s learned. She’s wiser now. And she’s not going to get caught off guard –not going to get hurt–the same way again.

...

She’d called you earlier and asked to talk; no sense in avoiding –delaying–the obvious. You’d said yes, she’d ended the call because she still had work to do, and… that’d been it.

It’s been a few months since the two of you started officially seeing each other. Summer is waning into autumn; it’s cold enough in the evening now that she needs a coat if she goes out.

She turns the collar of her peacoat up when a particularly icy breeze snakes around her. The wind’s been coming from the North lately, cooling the city as winter draws closer. Part of Lin –a part of her that she doesn’t acknowledge often–wonders if the cooling temperatures are a sign. Cooling seasons, cooling romance, bullshit like that. She scowls and walks faster. It doesn’t mean anything. Facts decide outcomes, not coincidental circumstances.

She regrets not driving over. She’d taken a tram part of the way, then opted to walk the rest of the way. She’d thought –hoped–that the walk would help take some of the edge off her mood. Instead, all it’s done is given her more time to overthink things. Maybe it’s better just to end things right now. Avoid something more drawn out and painful. She rounds the corner to the street your apartment complex is on and sighs. No, no. Talk to her first, then decide. The most facts make for the best decisions.

You’re waiting for her in the lobby –both unexpected and somewhat unwelcome; she was hoping to have the elevator ride to focus and try –probably fail–to calm her remaining nerves.

Lin stops short, surprised. “Oh, hi.”

“Hey.” You offer her a soft, if concerned smile. “What’s up? You sounded pretty serious on the phone.”

Can’t imagine why. Lin purses her lips, then nods towards the elevator; one thing she never wants to repeat again is a public break up. “Let’s head up.”

You hook your arm around hers once the elevator doors close. You lean against her, cushioning your head against her shoulder. “Did you have a good day at work?”

“Passable,” Lin grunts. She doesn’t want to be rude –she really, truly doesn’t–but the thought of making fucking small talk right now, with how things are, makes her want to puke. Don’t fucking act like you don’t know what’s going on. You’re smarter than that.

Patience. If there’s one thing nearly forty years on the force has taught her, it’s patience. She’s witnessed countless interrogations and stakeouts fizzle down the drain from getting too emotional or jumping in too soon; fights in relationships aren’t all that different, really.

“Well, you said you wanted to talk,” you declare once you close your apartment door behind both of you. You flip the lock, then shrug when she turns to look at you. Your expression’s tighter now, and you’re not moving into her personal space again; you’ve picked up that something’s wrong. “What’s up?”

Lin stares at you for a moment, both to collect her thoughts and study you. You’re shifting from foot to foot, and you’ve got your lower lip tucked between your teeth, but you’re not avoiding her gaze. You’re more on alert, but not guilty, per se.

She can’t decide whether to be angry or curious. She jams her hands into the pockets of her coat and ambles further into your apartment. “Have you been happy while we’ve been together?”

You sputter. Your eyes go wide. “What –what kind of question is that?”

“It’s the one I’m asking,” Lin replies, careful to keep her voice neutral and steady.

“I –yes. Of course I have!” You smile, but it quickly fades as you assess her with a look of dawning fear. “Have… have you not been happy?”

She has to bite the tip of her tongue to keep from automatically reassuring you. Focus. Eye on the target. “You’re happy with how things are? Between us?”

“...Yes,” you answer after a moment of bewildered silence. “I am.” Your brows draw together, and you angle away from her slightly. ��Why –why are you asking me any of this? What’s going on?”

She shrugs. “Just piecing things together.”

Your eyes narrow. You go quiet, still, as you watch her. Then, you sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose. You lean back against the lip of your kitchen counter. “Fuck’s sake, Lin.”

It’s her turn to narrow her eyes. “What?”

“Okay.” You purse your lips in an angry approximation of a smile, then lower your hand and level her with a hard stare. “What we’re not doing… what you’re not going to do to me is treat this like a damn interrogation.”

“I am not–”

“You’re asking leading questions out of nowhere, you aren’t answering my questions when I ask you anything, and you’re not telling me what’s actually going on, what you’re feeling, or what the hell even started all of this in your mind,” you interject, ticking off each item on your fingers. “That’s not a conversation, that’s a damn interrogation. And what I am not okay with is you treating me like you’re a cop!”

Lin scowls. “I am a cop.”

“Not in our relationship you’re not!” you snap, eyes flashing with frustration. “Not with me, you’re not!” You close your eyes, force yourself to take a deep breath, and when you speak again, it’s apparent you’re trying to force yourself to stay calm. “You’re not a cop here.” You open your eyes and fix her with a pleading, hurt look. “You’re just Lin.”

Her heart catches against her ribs at the way your voice breaks on her name. She has to look away to keep her resolve from crumbling. “If you’re not okay with how I am–”

“If this is ‘how you are,’ then you can walk out that door until you have your head back on straight and decide to treat me like a damn person!” you snap, pointing stiffly at the door to your apartment. “I don’t care that you’re the Chief of Police, I don’t care how long you’ve been on the force, and I don’t care that you’re my girlfriend in this context. None of that gives you the right to browbeat me, especially not in my own fucking apartment!”

“Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things.”

Right, Lin thinks, bitterly amused. Waterbenders flow with change –until they transform into a tidal wave and flatten you against the ground.

This isn’t how she wanted things to go (believe it or not). She really, truly didn’t want to hurt you or make you angry. All she wanted was some fucking clarity on just what was going on between the two of you –or, failing that, opening things up so you could take the out and let her try to move on. But you’re not taking the out –not even when you’re clearly angry with her. You’d told her that she could leave, but caveated it with “until you have your head back on straight.” Meaning, as far as Lin can tell, that you’re not interested in ending things.

Yet. Lin sighs and closes her eyes. I’m so fucking tired.

The instinct to run is there. She feels like a wild animal faced with a forest fire. The world is burning around her, there’s a clear path to safety, and every instinct she has is screaming to get the fuck out. However, she’s a Beifong. No, more than that, she’s Lin. And she has never approached anything in her life with the attitude of a coward.

Lin opens her eyes and looks over at you.

You’re watching her, arms crossed over your chest. Your expression’s stormy, lips pursed into a frown and eyebrows drawn together. But you’re not tapping your foot. Not checking the clock. And while she was processing, you weren’t huffing, or trying to get her attention. You’re waiting. Watching. Seeing what she’ll do next before you make a choice.

Probably more than I deserve. Lin grimaces, then does her best to gather her thoughts again. Okay, new plan. Just… try to figure this shit out.

She needs clarity. She needs to know why the fuck you act all distant around her in public but not in private. She needs to know if you’re aware of it, if there’s an explanation, or if you’re just fucking with her. She needs to know if you’re in or you’re out. Spirits, Lin’s never been good at gentle, or graceful –but all you seem to be asking for is straightforwardness, and she can do that.

She swallows hard, then undoes the buttons on her coat and takes it off. She drapes it over her arm, then walks stiffly over to your couch and sits. She leans forward, braces her forearms against her knees, then says it. “You act like you don’t want to be together.”

Your eyes widen. “I–”

“From where I’m standing –from what I can see–you do.” She stares at you, watches as the meaning of her words sink in and you go quiet, then continues. “You…” She sighs, then rubs the back of her neck. “You’re hot and cold. You’re all over the place. You never initiate dates –and when we do go out, you act like you’re scared to be seen with me. Like you don’t want me to touch you. But it’s not an affection thing, because when we’re in private, you’re all over me.” She pauses for a moment, waits to see if you’ll say anything.

You stay silent. Still. Your frown has dropped, and your expression looks braced. It looks like you have tears in your eyes.

Lin purses her lips, but continues. No sense in stopping now. “Maybe… maybe I should’ve been clearer from the start. I’m sorry that I wasn’t. I know I’m not… not the most open person, but…” She stops, mind stalling with resistance to the mere concept of opening up, of explaining any of this. Just fucking say it, Beifong. “I –I prefer actually… I want a certain level of public affection in a relationship.” She’s sweating. She doesn’t need a mirror to know her face is red. “If… if you were under the impression that I didn’t want you to be affectionate in public…”

You swallow hard, then shake your head. “No. That… no.”

Fuck. Lin does her best to keep her face neutral even as her heart shatters into billions of pieces in her chest. She nods slowly, realization numbing away the grief she knows she’ll feel later. She inhales slowly through her nose, then lets it out while counting to ten. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been clearer from the start.” Her heart clenches tight –ruined as it is–when a fat tear rolls down your cheek. “Maybe–” she clears her throat “–it would be best if–”

You clap one hand to your mouth and let out a choked sob.

She stops. Angi, this blows. She doesn’t want to hurt you –Spirits help her–but there’s no sense in letting things linger if the two of you aren’t compatible. Get it over with. Rip the bandaid off–

“Tui and La, this stupid fucking cycle.”

Lin blinks, startled. Then, she frowns when your words sink in. “What?”

“I mean, you’re not the first girlfriend I’ve had who’s told me this.” You let out a self-deprecating laugh, then snarl in frustration. “You think I’d fucking learn after how many times–”

She recoils, caught off guard by the intensity of your self-directed vitriol.

You’re ranting now, words rushing together so fast and mixed with sobs to the point that she can barely keep up. “–and maybe I should’ve been the one to be up front, and never let this happen so I didn’t hurt you–”

She says your name, then repeats it louder when you don’t stop. “Slow down, I can’t understand you–”

“–be so fucking naive, I should’ve been realistic about being defective–”

“Stop it!”

Her bark has you cutting yourself off with a gasp. You freeze for a minute. Then, your face and your knees crumple.

Lin’s off the couch and over to you in three long strides. She catches you before you hit the floor and holds you tight as you weep against her shoulder. “Easy. Just slow down and breathe, okay?”

“I’m sorry,” you gasp; you’re breathing so fast and hard that you’re bordering on hyperventilating. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry–”

“It’s okay,” Lin replies automatically. “Just breathe–”

“It’s not.” You let out a body wracking, shaking against her, then force out, “I –I hurt you, and I’m so sorry–”

“You didn’t–”

“I made you think that I didn’t want to be with you! That I wasn’t h-happy–”

“Stop interrupting me.” Lin winces at her tone, then tries to gentle her next sentence. “Just –calm down. Please. I don’t want you passing out, okay?” She strokes one hand over your hair, trying her best to soothe you. “Just breathe, sweetheart. Please.”

You listen for a few minutes; your body stabilizes and you shift your feet to hold more of your own weight. Your breathing slows and evens out. Then, you're shaking your head and pulling back so you can see her. “I’m so sorry, Lin–”

“You don’t–”

“But I do.” You look up at her, eyes red and watery and mournful. “I made you think that I didn’t want to be with you. That I didn’t care about you. And I am so sorry.”

“You–” Lin shakes her head. “I… I jumped to conclusions. And for that, I’m sorry.”

You grimace. “I still had to lay the pieces out.”

“We both played part in it, consciously or not.” Because she can’t fucking take you blaming yourself for everything that led up tonight. Granted, she still doesn’t have the clarity she came here to find, but she’s gathered enough to know that her initial conclusions were wrong. She lets out a shaky breath, then wracks her mind for what to say or do next. Fuck, how do I even begin to salvage this–

“I’ve got shit in my past, Lin.”

Her mind stalls, caught off guard by the sudden confession. Her hands flex against your shoulders as uncertainty rolls through her. Don’t we all?

You sniff, then offer her a pained, watery smile. “I mean –Tui and La, this is…” Your voice trails off, and then your expression shifts to something more pained, more tired. “Fuck.” You scrub your face with your hands, then sniff again. “I… I don’t know if I can explain this tonight.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to–”

“I want to,” you cut her off, voice firm. “I just…” You sigh. “I need some time to think.”

Lin purses her lips. Her stomach’s churning, and her chest feels like it’s on fire. “If –if you’d rather end things, just say so.”

“I won’t, because I don’t want to.” You shake your head –then freeze. You look up at her slowly, expression pinched. “But… but if you want to…”

She takes a deep breath, then shakes her head as well. “I don’t.” Because she doesn’t. Even with logic, years of experience, and all her instincts screaming to get away before she gets hurt, she doesn’t want to let go. Not if you’re just as determined to hold on as she is.

You let out a sigh, tension unwinding from your body. Your expression slackens, and your shoulders drop a bit. You lean against her, laying your head against her shoulder. “Okay.”

Lin winds her arms around your shoulders. She closes her eyes when you wrap your arms around her waist, and lets herself indulge in simply holding you for a few moments.

She’s exhausted, though. She feels like she’s been gutted, like everything inside her has been ripped out and that she’s barely keeping herself upright –almost like a hangover, but without the benefit of booze. She needs space, needs some precious quiet to put her mind back together… but she doesn’t want to leave you. Not when you’re so obviously wrecked like this. (Not after she came in, basically ready to rip your throat out, and caused this whole mess in the first place.) Lin kisses the top of your head. “Do you want me to stay?”

You let out a shaky exhale, then slowly shake your head. “No.” You pull back and offer her a small, weak smile. “Not that I want to kick you out, but… I just need some time and space to think. To find the right words.”

“Of course.” Lin nods, then starts putting on her coat. She gets her arms in the sleeves, gets the coat situated on her shoulders –then stops. You need to apologize, Beifong. She grimaces, but sets aside her pride all the same. “And –I’m sorry. For coming in so hot.”

“It’s okay.” You quirk your mouth to the side, then duck your head. “And I’m sorry, too. For scaring you. For making you think I don’t care.”

She stiffens. It’s instinctive, mostly; she hadn’t said anything about being scared, and she’s not fond of feeling like she’s been seen through like a pane of glass. Relax. She’s supposed to know you. Lin forces herself to untense, then leans forward and kisses the top of your head again. “Apology accepted.”

“Thank you.” You hug her, then tip your head up and kiss her non-scarred cheek. “I’ll try to have something tangible for you in a couple days so you don’t overthink things to death.”

“I do not–”

“Yes, you do.” You smile softly at her, then laugh a little when she huffs. “You’re like me. We both like having clarity.”

She really can’t argue with that.

She nods –then, she lifts one hand and cups your cheek. “Is it alright if I kiss you?”

You smile and nod. “Yes.”

She kisses you, short and sweet, then pulls back. “I’ll let you rest.”

“Thank you. And you get some rest, too,” you say as you escort her over to your apartment door. “Don’t stay up half the night burying yourself in paperwork.”

“What makes you think I’d do that?” Lin asks drily, feigning innocence. She smirks, then chuckles at the flat look you give her. “I’ll do my best.”

“I suppose that’s all I can ask.”

Lin smirks and arches one eyebrow, then turns to leave–

You catch her arm and draw her back in for one last kiss.

She doesn’t melt into the kiss; she’s too tired, too emotionally overwrought for that. But it’s still comforting, and she can feel some of the tension ebb from her body.

You’re the one to end the kiss this time. It lingers longer than before, but you eventually pull away. “Good night, Lin.” You offer her a tired smile. “We’ll talk soon. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

She nods, then manages a “Good night,” back. She waits until your door closes and she hears the deadbolt slide into place, then strides down the hall towards the elevator.

She’ll have to walk home; she didn’t even think to call for a cab before leaving. Lin scowls and jams her hands in her coat pockets. Should’ve fucking drove here.

…

She’s borderline boneless by the time she makes it back to her apartment. Emotional confrontation never did suit her well. She locks her apartment door behind her, then lets out a ragged sigh. She slumps against the wooden portal, allowing herself to rest for a moment before shoving herself upright once more.

She keeps a supply of liquor in her living room, tucked safely away in a dark stained wooden cabinet. She pulls a bottle of bourbon out, pours herself a couple of fingers, then sets the bottle on the coffee table before she lets herself drop down on the couch. She knocks back half the portion, wincing slightly when she swallows and the alcohol burns down her throat. She’s not looking to get drunk (not like she did after Tenzin, or Amon). But she’s numb, and raw, and right now the scrape of alcohol in her throat is both grounding and soothing.

She stays quiet while she finishes the glass. She doesn’t bother turning on the radio, or even turning on a light. The sun’s pretty well down by now, but there’s still enough ambient light filtering in from the city. The rumble of Satomobiles and chatter from people on the sidewalks is sufficient background noise. So she sits in the dark, drinks her bourbon, and tries to nurse what feels like a gaping wound in the center of her chest.

It’s not over, she tries to reason with herself. Everything is fine. All couples have rough spots. You’re just phasing out of the honeymoon period.

Not that it does much good. Not in any important sense at least.

Don’t be stupid. You know something’s wrong –that’s the whole reason you went over there tonight. You should’ve cut and run, called your losses before everything went to shit. Besides, if something wasn’t wrong before, it certainly is now, since you went and fucking stepped in it. Maybe, if you’d just kept your mouth shut in the first place and let it ride out– Lin squeezes her eyes shut and wills that line of thinking to stop. Enough.

Not doing anything wasn’t an option. She’d learned that the hard way with Tenzin. And while detaching might be objectively safer, might’ve hurt less in the long run…

She growls under her breath. She sets her empty glass on the coffee table, then rubs her temples with her fingertips. Why do this have to be so fucking complicated?

She doesn’t want to end things. Despite her worries and old, buried hurts, she knows it. She wants to stay with you, wants things to work, wants to be happy with you.

Lin scowls. If that’s even possible. She swallows hard, then closes her eyes and lowers her head into her hands. Okay. Facts, not feelings. What’s the actual situation at hand?

Fact: There is some sort of delineation between how you act around her in public and how you act around her in private.

Possible outcome: The two of you have diverting preferences for PDA, which may yield to incompatibility as long term partners.

Fact: There is some sort of unaddressed trauma you’re dealing with as it relates to romantic relationships, displays of affection, or both. This trauma has, apparently, created a cycle of dysfunction in your romantic life –so much so that she’s not the first partner to bring the difference in private versus public attention to your notice.

Possible outcome:...

Lin frowns into her hands. I don’t know. She could tell, back at your apartment, that this is a deeply seated issue for you. But beyond what you’ve told her, she has nothing to go on. She has to trust you and take you at your word.

What’s worse –or better, she honestly can’t tell at this point–is that she does trust you. You’ve been nothing but painfully, earnestly honest with her since the two of you met. You’re not one for calculating guile, manipulation, or cunning schemes. It’s part of what she likes so much about you. She trusts you to be honest with her. To be direct. You certainly were earlier tonight when you called her out on her bullshit.

She can’t help but smirk, just a little, at the memory. That’s my girl. Lin lets out a long, exhausted breath, then lifts her head from her hands. Nothing else to do for now.

She decides against a second glass of alcohol. She has work tomorrow; more than that, she needs to sleep. She puts the bottle of bourbon back in the cupboard, rinses the glass, sets it on the countertop to dry, then heads to her bedroom.

She coasts through her bedtime routine with mechanical detachment. The overthinking part of her mind is blissfully absent, silenced by bourbon and the comfort of facts. She washes up as much as she needs to, changes, then turns out the light in her bedroom and climbs into bed.

Mercifully, she doesn’t dream.

…

Work is good. Paperwork and meetings with city officials are a pain in the neck, as always, but it’s routine. It keeps her mind busy, keeps her grounded. After yesterday, she needs to keep busy.

She stays late, too. It’s a bad habit, born out of being a workaholic and using said work to avoid anything that made her uneasy. But it’s not like there’s a shortage of reports to review, policy changes to amend, or case details to go over.

It’s late when she leaves her office –past eight. The sun’s low in the sky as she strides out of the department headquarters and over to her Satomobile.

The drive back to her apartment is routine. Uneventful. She makes a couple mental plans to put away some laundry she left out earlier and make dinner, but otherwise her goal is to spend the evening working on the paperwork tucked in her briefcase.

That is, until she opens her mailbox and realizes she has a letter from you.

She’s halfway to the elevator when she sees the nonstandard envelope; it’d been wedged between a few pieces of junk mail and this month’s utility invoice. A quick inspection reveals your name and address on the front –and then it’s all she can do to keep from ripping it open in the elevator. Patience, Beifong. She certainly doesn’t want to open a personal letter from her girlfriend in public. Especially if it contains bad news. She’s never been fond of getting emotional –especially the emotions that lean towards crying–in public spaces.

The letter burns in her hand the entire ride up to her floor. She can’t take her eyes off the envelope, tracing the smooth lines of your name and address over and over. She has nice penmanship.

She holds out until she locks the deadbolt of her apartment door behind her. Then, she uses her metalbending to summon her keys and uses the toothed edge of one to cut the envelope open. She tosses the rest of her mail on the counter, drops her briefcase next to the small stack of letters, and finally –finally–withdraws your letter from the envelope and unfolds it.

Lin,

Before I get into this, I want to apologize again–

She has to close her eyes and physically stop herself from groaning in pained frustration. This –this isn’t what she wanted. She’s realizing, unfortunately, that her approach last night was deeply flawed. All she wanted was some fucking clarity, but now you’re apologizing for trivial bullshit, practically dragging yourself across the coals in genuine penance; she’d rather have teeth pulled than go through this. Breathe. If she took the time to send you a letter, then it’s important. Lin inhales through her nose, holds the breath briefly, then exhales through her mouth before opening her eyes and resuming reading.

–to apologize again for last night. That things got to this state. I know that you’ll probably say that I don’t need to apologize, but I can tell that I’ve hurt you, and I don’t think you minimizing your own feelings will do anything good, so please just let me have this.

She bites down on the inside of her lower lip. Discomfort curls through her body; she feels exposed –even with still wearing head to toe metal armor. She takes another deep breath, forces herself to relax her grip on the paper when she realizes she’s leaving indents, then continues.

I wish I could say that I have this all figured out and that I can give you a complete explanation, and that we can get this completely behind us and move forward… but I can’t. I’m starting to wonder if this “quirk” of mine is ingrained deeper than I realized. Everytime I try to explain it or think about it, I feel like my thoughts get lost in a sea of mud. But, I do have some semblance of an explanation, so I’ll put it to you now.

The paper’s warped in a few spots. There’s some smeared bits of ink, some areas more translucent than the others.

Tear marks, Lin realizes with sadness. They’re tear marks.

I guess the easiest way to put it is that I don’t think growing up in the Water Tribe was healthy for me, at least as it relates to my sexuality. Their attitudes, while better than other regions, certainly aren’t the most progressive. I always thought that, since coming to Republic City, I’d put all those ideologies behind me. However, now I’m starting to wonder if it lingered more than I thought.

I’m so scared of being seen as queer in public. Not because I think someone would hurt me, but it’s… just not what I’m supposed to do. I know this probably sounds insane, but I feel like I’m going to get caught with my hand in the proverbial cookie jar. It’s why I lean away from being affectionate in public or arranging dates. I’m so afraid of “getting caught” and… something happening. I’m sorry I can’t explain it better; like I said, it’s like my mind turns to mud whenever I try to think about this.

She has to brace against her kitchen counter to keep from sinking to the floor. She’s not entirely sure what she’s feeling; shock, to be certain. A deep, overwhelming sense of realization and clarity as all the moments of your aversion and seeming apathy come into context. But deeper, underneath all of it, there’s a growing sense of horror, one that makes her stomach clench and churn.

She was fortunate to grow up in Republic City, in the circle of family and friends that she had. Even back then, Republic City had a vibrant queer community and laws protecting queer rights. Toph, certainly, hadn’t been fussed when she came out as bisexual as a teenager. Uncle Aang had made a point to carry forward the Air Nomad’s open acceptance of all sexualities and gender identities, and Aunt Katara had followed his lead. Uncle Zuko had quashed Fire Lord Sozin’s laws against gay marriage in the Fire Nation–

Spirits, she could probably list the advantages she’d had –advantages she’d had over you–as a queer woman for hours, now that she thinks about it. No wonder. She purses her lips. No wonder she wasn’t comfortable being affectionate in public.

Again, I am so, so sorry this splashed all over you, Lin. I know that it doesn’t change the inconsistencies in how I act, but I hope you’ll believe me when I say that I never intended to hurt you, or to make you feel like I didn’t want to be seen with you. Believe me when I say that I am so utterly happy to be your girlfriend –even when it’s scary.

She’s crying. Or damn close to it. Her eyes are watering, stinging.

I know we need to talk about this more. I still need some time to think, but I think I can have more of an explanation ready for you by the end of this week. If you want to talk, I’d appreciate you calling me once you get this letter and feel ready to discuss things. However, if you don’t want to talk –if this isn’t something you feel comfortable working through–then I understand–

Lin can’t remember a time she’s walked to her phone and dialed your number faster.

You pick up after a couple rings. There’s a shaky inhale once the call connects, and then your voice –soft, painfully hesitant–filters through the speaker. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Lin swallows, then looks down at your letter. “I –uh–I got your letter.”

“Oh.” There’s a beat of silence, and the muffled sounds of you shuffling. “Okay.”

“You–” Get your shit together, Beifong. “You said you wanted me to call. To set a time to talk.”

“Yeah. I did.” There’s another pause, and then you let out a small laugh. “I guess I didn’t think you’d read it right away. Or that you’d want to talk so soon.”

“Of course, I did,” Lin says, indignant; like she’d let something like this go unaddressed for so long. “And of course, I do.”

“Okay.” Another shaky exhale. “I guess –I guess I wasn’t sure if you’d be mad.”

Oh, sweetheart. “I’m not mad,” she reassures you. “I think–” She has to swallow again and blink a few times; her throat’s gone unexpectedly tight with emotion. “I think your letter helped, actually. It puts a lot into context for me.”

“O-oh.” There’s a sniff, and when you speak again your voice sounds strained. “I –I’m glad. I’m glad it helped. But there’s… there’s still more I’d like to say. I just need time to… find the words and stuff.”

“Okay. It’s okay.” She braces against one hand on the wall next to the phone mount. “You said you wanted to talk later this week?”

“Yeah.” Your voice sounds clearer now. More certain. “I was thinking maybe Saturday? You could come to my place for dinner.” You let out a soft laugh. “I could make you some proper Sea Prune stew.”

“You don’t need to cook for me,” Lin argues, shaking her head. “Not for something like this. I can get us take out.”

“I want to,” you insist. “It’ll give me something to do with all my nervous energy.”

That, she can understand. “If you’re sure.” She purses her lips, loathing this feeling of awkward uncertainty running through her. “I… could bring something for dessert?”

“If you want to.”

“I do.” I need even things out somehow.

“Okay.”

Lin’s suddenly remembering why she went through a spell of not dating whatsoever; these awkward, nebulous post-fight conversations always make her feel like she has ants crawling underneath her skin. Easy. One thing at a time. She takes a deep breath, then lets it out. “Okay.” Agni’s sake, say something better than that!

“I’m really sorry, Lin,” you pipe up –and, Spirits, your voice is cracking like you’re going to cry, and that’s the last thing she can bear right now. “I really didn’t mean for you to get caught up in my bullshit.”

“I wouldn’t characterize having trauma around expressing your sexuality as ‘bullshit,’” Lin fires back.

“I’m –it’s not–”

“You wrote that you’re scared of being recognized as queer in public, to the point that it’s had a negative impact on every relationship you’ve had,” she interjects. “How is that not trauma?”

Your end of the line is quiet for a long time. Then, you sigh. “Well, I’m still sorry.”

“You don’t need to be–”

“Tui and La, Lin, just accept the apology,” you insist tiredly. “My actions, though caused by arguable trauma, hurt you. Just because there’s underlying reasons doesn’t change that you got hurt, and it doesn’t change that I’m still accountable for my choices.”

“But I’m not upset with you,” Lin argues. “Not with this. Not with it being a trauma issue.”

“Then just say you accept my apology! Quit telling me to not apologize to begin with!” You let out a tired laugh, then add, “Besides, when you could tell me what to do, anyway?”

She feels a smirk spread across her face at the clear impish challenge in your voice. She shifts to leaning against her shoulder, so that she’s sidled up next to the wall mount for the phone. “Oh, I seem to recall countless times where–”

“Focus, Lin.” Your smile is audible in your voice now. “You were going to accept my apology.”

She’s grinning, now. “Says who?”

“Says me, the girlfriend you adore and care about.”

Any other day, she’d argue with you to get a rise out of you, but she doesn’t want to push you too far right now. She lets out a soft chuckle, then concedes. “I appreciate and accept your apology. Thank you.”

“Yue above, it’s like pulling fucking teeth from you, isn’t it?” you mutter.

“The fuck else do you want from me, woman?” She smiles when you laugh –actually laugh, and it’s a relief to hear it–then sobers when she remembers that she owes you an apology, too. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry, too. You were right. I was handling things like an interrogation. That wasn’t fair to you.”

“Apology accepted,” you answer, like it’s the easiest thing in the world. “I really appreciate that. Thank you.”

“Of course.”

There’s a pause, but the silence is more comfortable than before. Then, you ask, “Are we good?”

And that –that is a question she fucking hates. It’s so open-ended. What does “good” mean? Is it relative to the situation, or is there some definition of “good” that applies to the relationship overall that she should use instead? And, moreover, how is she supposed to know? Just because things are being worked through doesn’t inherently mean everything is “good.” Sometimes, working things out just drags more issues into the open, and then everything goes to shit as a result–

You’re overthinking this. Think smaller.

Okay. She’s not upset with you. You’re not upset with her –as far as she can tell, anyway. You’ve both apologized, you’ve both accepted each other’s apologies, there’s plans to talk things out more so there’s better understanding of the situation and what you both need. That… that seems good.

“We’re good,” Lin decides. “Are –are things good on your end?”

“We’re good on my end,” you assure her, voice warm.

“Good. I’ll see you on Saturday for dinner?”

“Yeah.” The two of you take a moment to hash out exactly when she’ll stop by your apartment, and then you sigh. “Not to just hop off, but I’m gonna go. I’m scheduled for rehab at Yue General tomorrow, so I need to rest.”

“By all means. I hope everything goes well.”

“Thanks. I hope things go well tomorrow for you, too.”

“Thank you.” She smiles softly. “Good night.”

“Good night, Lin.”

She hangs up when she hears the line click on your end, then sighs. Lin rubs the back of her neck with her hand. She straightens up, then looks down at the letter in her hand. She finishes reading it; there’s not much left, just you giving her an option out of the relationship if she didn’t want to hash things out and you apologizing again before signing the letter–then lets her eyes trace back over the sheet of paper. She’s noticing more tear spots on the paper, especially as she gets towards the bottom of the page, and she feels like her heart’s breaking all over again. She traces the outline of one of the more pronounced stains, then closes her eyes. Okay. Enough. You need to move forward with your evening. She opens her eyes, forces herself to fold the letter shut, then strides into her bedroom to grab a change of clothes before she showers.

Before opening her wardrobe, though, she detours to her nightstand. She opens the top drawer, then tucks your letter inside –between the left side of the drawer and a couple of books, where no one’s likely to notice it if they go snooping. She closes the drawer, then plants one hand against the top of her nightstand and braces against it. I was wrong.

She stays there for a moment, simply processing. Then, she smiles to herself –small, but there–and resumes getting ready for the rest of her evening.

#sass writes #lin beifong x reader #emotional hurt/comfort #hey girlies we're processing our feelings about expressing our sexuality in public #and by we i mean me #i have feelings and everyone else gets to deal with it you're welcome #legend of korra #lin beifong #hands that heal

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