I love this story so far! Enjoy!
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Korra woke up and winced at the pounding going on in her head. Last night's hangover wasn't playing around. At least Iroh didn't let her do something stupid while she was drunk. She sat up in bed and groaned. She looked at her alarm clock and saw that it was a little after noon. Before she could get dressed, there was a knock on the door. "Korra?" Pema called out, "it's me. Can I come in?" Korra threw on a tank top and shorts, "Yeah,"
Pema walked in with some tea and two cups and locked the door behind her. "So, what's up?" Korra asked curiously as Pema closed all of the windows. Pema gave Korra some tea then said, "Well, I know why Tenzin is acting this way." Korra leaned forward, "Why?" Pema responded, "He's afraid that Lin and Bumi have something going on; he's worried about her." Korra waved a hand dismissively, "No one should worry about Lin! She isn't weak!"
Pema was silent for a few minutes before saying, "Have you been noticing a difference in Lin?" Korra crossed her arms and furrowed her eyebrows in concentration, "Well, that whole seaweed and banana split thing was crazy! And, I've seen her with Bumi a lot since the war ended." Korra sat back and continued, "Oh, and hasn't she been really moody since then? More than usual?"
Pema clapped her hands, "That's the point! The reason that she's been different is," Pema glanced around, "is that she's pregnant!" Korra was shocked, "SHE'S PREG-!" Pema clapped a hand over Korra's mouth, "Look, no one can know about this yet! They both made me swear not to say anything to Tenzin, but I knew I could trust you," she released Korra, "she's about three months pregnant."
"B-but the war ended three months ago! Bumi moved here three months ago!" Korra stammered. "Wait, Bumi's the father?" Korra questioned, panicking. Pema nodded slowly and Korra flopped back on her bed, "Damn," she groaned, "when Tenzin learns about this, shit's gonna hit the fan!"
Pema rose from the bed and walked to the door, "That's why I'm giving Bumi and Lin the chance to tell everyone themselves rather than me tell them." Korra sat back up, "I'll keep my mouth shut; mainly because I like my teeth where they are."
…
The sun light shined on Lin's face as she slept, waking her up from her sleep. She turned over on her back and stared at the ceiling. "Oh yeah," she thought, "Pema knows about the baby," she rubbed her eyes, "It's only a matter of time until baldy finds out."
Bumi burst open her bedroom door carrying a tray of food that had a lid over it. "Wakey, wakey Lin!" Bumi yelled happily. Lin winced, she was not at her best at all in the mornings, and Bumi certainly didn't help with that. "I made you fried pickles with hot sauce and chocolate syrup! And to top it off-" Bumi couldn't finish his sentence before a pillow hurtled towards him; he dodged the pillow and looked at Lin, who had tears streaming down her face.
"Y-you think I'm fat!" Lin wailed. She started throwing more pillows at Bumi. "You think I'm a fat cow!" Bumi frowned, "No no! I think you're beautiful! I knew you liked pickles so-" The ground under Bumi started to shake violently as Lin flailed around, "No! Shut up! I'm a fat cow and you're gonna leave me for a supermodel!" Lin started to bawl into her hands. Bumi quietly tiptoed next to her and hesitantly put an arm around her.
"Do you still want the pickles?" he asked as he handed the plate to her. She snatched it from him and took a bite. "Oh my God! These are delicious! I love you so much Bumi! I'll never let you go! You're my forever boy!" she threw her arms around him.
Bumi tried to smile, "Now I know how Dad felt when Mom was pregnant with Tenny-wenny. These mood swings are going to kill me!"
…
Tenzin sat in his office, reading some paperwork he had brought home from the office. There was going to be an election for new councilmen for Republic City. Since Tenzin hadn't been captured during the war, he already had a spot. He removed his reading glasses and stood up to look out the window. He saw a Water Tribe ship heading right towards Air Temple Island. Just as he was about to leave his office, an Air Acolyte opened it.
"Sir, your sister is arriving soon." The acolyte said.
Tenzin froze, "Great," he thought, "my hippie sister and my insane brother all under one roof."
By time Tenzin arrived outside his family and Korra were already there greeting Kya. Kya was tall and thin with dark grey hair that was put into intricate loopies. Kya walked up to Tenzin and put a hand on his cheek, "Tenzin," she said softly, "it's been so long! Tenzin smiled softly at his older sister, "It's good to see you too; and where are Sanlak and Randlok?" Kya frowned; "They're out and about, like any other young adult!" she throws up her hands in the air, "They stopped coming over for incense parties in my igloo!" Everyone laughed and Kya turned to Korra, "Wow, I can't believe how big you've grown!" Korra smiled proudly as Kya looked her over. Kya grasped Korra by the shoulders and continued, "Why, it feels like yesterday when I saw you running around your igloo with a diaper over your head!"
Korra blushed and before she could explain the diaper incident another ship rolled in from Republic City. Bumi steps out and waves and walks back into the ship. When he came back out again, he was holding Lin's hand; she looked very shaky and nervous. They walked slowly to meet everyone who was already outside. Bumi hugged his sister, "Kya! It's been too long!" Kya ruffled Bumi's hair and went to greet Lin. "Lin! It's been nearly 20 years!" she went in to hug Lin, but Lin backed up quickly. "I-uh-h-hello Kya," Lin stammered, "y-yes it's been way too long!"
Kya looked curiously into Lin's eyes, "Are you alright Lin? You look sick. Maybe some incense will do the trick!" Lin's eyes widened, "Uh yeah, I'm a little under the weather," Lin said, "but I'm alright." Tenzin watched the exchange between his sister and Lin closely. Kya was by far Lin's favorite of the three siblings, so seeing Lin act so distant wasn't normal at all.
Pema broke the awkwardness, "Well, let's all go inside! Dinner's almost ready!
Kya walked behind Lin and Bumi. They were discreetly holding hands. Kya's eyes widened, "So they're together now!" Kya stopped walking and crossed her arms in concentration, "We were best friends when we were young, so why wouldn't she hug me?" She looked up again and saw Lin holding her stomach. Suddenly all the pieces clicked together, "She's always with Bumi, she looked sick, she didn't let me hug her, she could be pregnant!" Kya realized that she had fallen too far behind the group and hurried forward. She was contemplating whether to tell Tenzin. She was just about to touch his shoulder before Pema turned around and looked at her. Pema mouthed the words so no one would hear.
"Meet me and Korra by the meditation pavilion at midnight."
…
I can't believe all of the positive attention 'Lin's Secret' is getting! I didn't realize that people would think it's that good! Thanks for reading!
