Detecting the Detective

It had been a few months since Bumi retired from the United Forces, he had been bold and finally worked up the courage to ask Lin Beifong – yes, that Lin Beifong – out. And surprisingly, she said yes. It went off without a hitch, and after another four months of dating, they were doing well. The only problem was… nobody else knew. There had been suspicion about Lin being in a relationship for the past ten years, all of it just wild accusation. But the newspapermen were always after her if she was out, just in case. So far, they had all failed at getting that thousand yuan shot.

Bumi and her had talked about the idea of moving in together soon, but obviously that would make keeping things private even more difficult. For now, at least, they determined to continue their incognito meet ups and dates where nobody would recognize them. Nobody suspected when Lin came to Air Temple Island now and then that she wasn't there to check in on Korra or see how things were coming along like she said – that she was actually there to see Bumi. Now was one of those times, and again nobody had any ideas to support otherwise.

She snuck about after it got late, a small basket in her grip with things she had snagged from the kitchen. It was late, around 2 in the morning if the clock she had glanced earlier was correct. Making her way down the hall in the men's quarters a door opened in front of her suddenly and she froze. A half-asleep acolyte she hadn't seen before exited the room and thankfully turned away from her, none-the-wiser.

After he was out of sight she let out the breath she had been holding and continued walking. She approached the door that bore his name and knocked softly; not so much for him possibly being asleep, but so she didn't wake anyone else and get them caught. The door clicked and opened slowly, a smiling Bumi behind it. "Hey." he whispered.

She stepped in and kissed him softly, "Hey." Lin closed the door and clicked the lock as well. "I brought stuff…" she lifted the basket to emphasize. He sat back on his bed and patted next to him. She sat, setting the basket on her thigh and opening it. Since it was an Air Nation kitchen, it was all meatless. So to compensate, she had snuck in a dried sausage.

"Nice work!" he laughed, putting his arm around her in a half-hug. She slid her blade out of her gauntlet with a 'shunk' sound. Lin opened the package of meat and sliced it quickly. She was able to get some crackers and something that seemed to be cheese from the ice box and left all of it on the small towel that lined the inside of the basket. She picked up a piece of cheese and popped it into her mouth, smiling at Bumi.

Bumi went straight for the meat she had sliced, making little sandwiches with the cheese and crackers with it. He picked one of the little creations up, holding it for Lin to eat. They had a nice snack that lasted close to an hour before she suddenly turned his head to face her and kissed him with vigor. He didn't resist, his hand coming to her head and running into her hair. He settled his palm just behind her ear and held her as they kissed.

Then his heart nearly popped out of his chest when the door opened and a voice spoke, "Uncle Bumi? I can't slee-" Meelo began, stopping as soon as he saw what he had intruded on. "Chief? You know this is the men's quarters, right?! You're not supposed to be here!" he seemed to not understand what they were doing together, at least.

"Uh- whoops my mistake…?" Lin tried to play along, standing to leave. When she got to the door she turned with a smirk and shrugged at Bumi, who replied with a shrug of his own. Meelo led Lin down the hall and across the Island, or so it seemed, to the women's quarters before leaving without another word to go back to bed. She leaned against a wall and debated going back to Bumi's room but remembered what Meelo had entered for.

She leaned her head back against the wall, "Damn…" She sighed before turning to the guest room that she was told she could use if she needed to for some reason. Lin walked to it and knocked regardless of it being essentially reserved for her, opening the door to find it just as dull and empty as the last time she was there. She let her armor fall away onto the floor before bending it up and over to the mannequin which was there specifically for it.

Lin sighed and climbed into the bed, the firm mattress barely moving from her weight as she adjusted to be as comfortable as it was possible on such a bed. She wasn't picky, sleeping in a patrol car for a stake-out was much worse and she had managed that more times than she could remember.

The Next Morning

The gong rang at what was probably 6:30, no later than 7:00. There was no escaping it, so Lin sat up and fixed her hair in the mirror. Her armor flipped onto her quickly as she left the room and headed down the hall.

Meanwhile Bumi had a still sleeping Meelo in his bed while he dressed. He got out of the room, the door creaking causing Meelo to burst from the bed completely awake. Bumi paid him no attention as he left the room, Meelo rushing past him for breakfast. Bumi walked much more relaxed, his military jacket hanging loosely over an undershirt.

When he entered, the rest of his family, Korra, as well as a few acolytes were there. He sighed until he heard the clanking of signature metallic armor. A small smile adorned his face when he saw Lin enter from the opposite hallway, looking no different than usual. He nodded towards her and she looked at him softly. Everyone was seated as breakfast was served, Lin and Bumi sitting across from one another in an innocent enough way. Her foot kept tapping at his, the plate at the bottom retracted so her bare skin was against his.

It was relatively quiet until Pema asked what was going on with everyone. Bumi's eyes went wide when Meelo leaned forward and began, "Well last night I-" he started, Bumi and Lin both trying to avoid looking at anyone, "-couldn't sleep so Uncle Bumi let me sleep in his room." He nearly sighed in relief, until Meelo continued, "After I got that lady out of there!" he pointed at Lin and everyone's heads snapped to her and then to Bumi.

Bumi brought his palm to his forehead, and Lin looked straight ahead. "Good eggs…" she said as she took a bite, trying to play off the whole thing as the ramblings of a three year old. Nobody was that blind, not even Toph, and they started to put the pieces together at their own pace. Pema was the first one who seemed to finish the puzzle.

"Oh! You and Bumi!" she exclaimed, "Oh… you and Bumi…" she repeated with a much less excited tone, realizing that they were keeping it quiet. Lin stood up, looking at everyone.

"Thanks for breakfast see ya later." she tried to leave, but found that she couldn't bring herself to now that the secret was out. She slowly sat back down, "Yes… me and Bumi…" she folder her arms across her chest plate.

Korra was the one who seemed still as excited as Pema originally had been, still looking between the two of them. "How long?!" she asked, finally bringing up the question that was on everyone else's minds besides Meelo and maybe Ikki.

She glared at Korra before groaning and setting her face onto her forearms, which had moved onto the table. She mumbled "Four months…" against her bracers. There was an excited squeal from either Pema or Korra, both now so giddy over the whole thing that it was impossible to pin down who it was – maybe it was both.

The rest of the meal was awkward for both Bumi and Lin, them being asked rapid-fire questions about every detail suitable in front of the kids. Finally everyone was finished and they were able to excuse themselves as quickly as possible, although to the 'ooh's and 'aww's from the table as well as a few comments about how cute they were. Lin wasn't exactly happy about how they were found out, punching the wall as they walked.

Bumi looked at her with a small smile, finally placing his arm around her waist. She nearly pulled away from the contact, but had to admit she liked that they wouldn't have to hide it any longer. "So…" Bumi began, "Can I finally move in, then?"