Letters To Lin (Part 1)

Notes: I generally don't write to publish. So don't expect this to be remotely good. Also this is unbeta'd, I got impatient. This is also on my tumblr page so feel free to visit that, link is in my profile.

Pairings: Lin/Korra, Lin/Asami (later)

Rating: Sad. Probably K/T because there's death? It'll probably be upped to M eventually because of smut.

Word Count: 1499

Description: Korra is dead and Lin's trying to pick up the pieces.

Lin always assumed she would be the first to die. Being 33 years her lover's senior, it seemed to be a predictable, inevitable, definite reality that young Korra would have to face eventually. But there Lin Beifong stood, staring at the lifeless body of her lover. An accident. Lin ran over the words hundreds of times in her head, trying to make sense of it all. But that is what Tenzin had said, and Lin couldn't understand how Korra could be so careless.

After all they had been through the last 23 years, their time still seemed too short. They had been through hell and back together. Lin fought side by side with the Avatar until Korra forced her to retire after a near fatal run-in with rogue bloodbenders. She did end up retiring after some significant bitching; becoming a metal bending teacher at her mother's bending school. Korra was still stubborn as ever, but that's something Lin liked about her. Although she still had issues with acting before thinking, she had developed into a strong, beautiful woman as well as a highly decorated Avatar. But this time, her major flaw became her downfall.

After the crowds had dispersed, all who remained were Asami and Lin. Asami decided to give Lin space but stayed close; her best friend's lover was too distraught to be left alone. Lin started mumbling when she thought everyone had gone and sank to her knees at Korra's grave stone.

"Korra, why? Why this way… Why? I am over 70 years old… You were so young and had so much more life to live… Spirits, why didn't you take me… Why..."

Asami had never seen the former Chief so emotional, she hadn't even heard Korra mention any time Lin had cried. But she did cry with Korra. Korra was the only one that Lin allowed to see her weak side after the passing of her mother. Not even Tenzin had really seen Lin break down. She preferred to have a strong front with the public and with her peers, but her lover had seen through the strength and eventually, Lin's walls began to crumble with the Avatar. It had taken Korra many years to get through to the metal bender, but when she did, the only thing Lin made her promise was that she would tell no one. "Especially," she added, "Ms. Asami Sato, are we clear, Korra?"

After her mumbling had quieted down, Asami had thought Lin had fallen asleep. As she approached the former chief, she noticed Lin was just staring at the name on the headstone. She was in a trance, no one could know just how conflicted Lin was feeling. Asami thought that she was probably too distraught to sense her with her earth bending.

Suddenly, Asami was shaken from her reverie when Lin cried out, "You said you'd never leave me! You promised, you swore it! And I believed you… I beli-" She was cut off by her own sobs. She doubled over, heaving. All of her muscles hurt from crying so hard, she hadn't even been this upset when her mother died. No, this was far worse. Her mother had lived out her many years and died a content old woman. But Korra, no, Korra barely got the chance to even get out of the prime of her life. It isn't fair. It isn't fucking fair.

Korra had prepared though. No matter what, she was prepared with one final thing for Lin. Asami had initially suggested to a mere twenty two year old Korra that she write a "just in case" letter, at least to Lin. It took Korra weeks to finally get it exactly how she wanted. She had updated the letters every year, sometimes even more so. Asami kept every letter in a safe at Future Industries, just in case the day arrived where Korra would no longer be there to write them to Lin.

Tenzin had come back to gather Lin from the grave, putting a firm hand on Asami's shoulder, silently thanking her for watching after Lin as he escorted his children and grandchildren back to the temple. He looked on at Lin with sad eyes, almost at a loss for words; it was really the first time Tenzin had seen Lin like this as well. As he walked over to her, she was suddenly hyper aware of her surroundings. She tried to gather herself, but puffy red eyes gave her away… Not that she cared. She looked up at Tenzin, still standing there and whispered, "I never thought I'd have to face loss like this."

After the former police chief had made it safely onto Air Temple Island, Asami went back to the apartment Lin and Korra shared in Republic City. As she walked through the streets, she marveled at all the work the Avatar and the metal bender had done to improve the city. Public works projects, bending schools, chi blocking schools, non-bender refuge shelters… There was no doubt in her mind that Korra and Lin would have their own respective statues cast over Republic City in the coming years.

Asami slipped into the Beifong's apartment, carefully picking out some things for Lin to wear and keep at Air Temple Island for the next few weeks. She volunteered to go, Tenzin was far too old to keep going out and Lin was still a mess.

After she had gotten all she needed for Lin, she headed over to Future Industries to grab the box of letters Korra had left for her. It was sort of heavy, but nothing she couldn't handle.

Asami found Lin picking at dinner at the Temple. She really only had pushed the food around on her plate, not really in the mood to really eat anything. When Lin excused herself, Asami followed. Lin was only a few doors from her own when she whipped around and snapped, "What do you want Sato? You've been following me around all fucking day, and I'm really not that helpless. I may be old as the rock, but I don't need a babysitter!"

Asami didn't get defensive, she knew this was only the hurt distraught Lin talking. Wait, that means she knew I was there at the cemetery… Why didn't she-. Lin snorted and Asami broke from her thoughts: she would ponder this later. Without responding, Asami walked over to Lin and handed her the box of letters she had been keeping for her.

Lin looked up quizzically at her, but took the box with a nod of acknowledgement. Her features softened, and she looked like she just regretted lashing out at the non bender. Without another word, Lin turned on her heel and continued to her room.

Lin,

I guess if you're reading this, something bad has probably happened. And I'm probably not around to tell you this myself anymore, but first and foremost, I want to say I'm sorry. Whatever happened in the wake of my death, just know that I tried everything in my power to prevent this. I could never leave you like that. You became my world long ago, and I hope you realize how much I wanted to spend eternity with you.

Soon, we will be reunited in the spirit world. Remember that- we won't be apart long.

All of my love,

Korra Beifong

A light knock brought Lin back to reality and she used her metalbending to unlock the door. Asami took this as an invitation in, but what she saw shocked her. Lin was standing in the middle of the room, her arms slumped and defeated as she read the last and most recent letter in the box. After Lin finished, she carefully placed it back in its rightful place and walked to the window, staring out at the statue of Uncle Aang. Asami walked behind her and hugged her waist. Lin stiffened, but soon relaxed. She mumbled into Lin's back, "It looked like you needed this…" Lin only leaned into the embrace, trying desperately to control her tears in front of the younger woman. Asami finally spoke up again, "I kept every year's letter in this box for you. If you had died first though, Korra and I would have buried this with you so that you could perhaps try to read them in the spirit world…" this brought on a fresh wave of emotions in the weakened chief. Asami too was having a hard time keeping her own emotions in check, she heaved as she said, "Spirits Lin… I'm so sorry." Asami let the tears she had been holding back flow freely, and the older woman turned around in the hug and let her own tears slide down her face. Asami choked as she said, "I… I really loved her. No- not like you, but I loved her. She was the only family I had after- my father-". Lin just held her tighter.

TO BE CONTINUED.