Bumi struggled to open his eyes and then immediately shut them again as a massive headache assaulted him. He groaned and pulled the covers over his head, trying to escape the light coming in through the window that was magnifying his hangover. After a few minutes he realized that the bed didn't feel quite right.
The Commander opened his eyes and, shielding himself from the light, carefully sat up and looked around. Three facts hit him in rapid-fire succession: First, the bed didn't feel right because this wasn't his bed. Furthermore, this wasn't room. And last, and most troublesome, was that he was completely naked.
"Oh crap," he muttered as looked around the room. Who the hell had he gone home with? He hadn't had to ask himself that question in thirty years. He was only thankful that this time the situation didn't involve chains.
He looked around the room and observed his own clothes on the floor as well as some grey pants and a metal belt.
Wait...a metal belt?
Bumi balked at the sight. That was Lin's belt. Lin's belt was on the floor. How? Rubbing his eyes, he recalled being at the party with Lin. He remembered talking, laughing, dancing, stealing extra desserts when Tenzin wasn't looking and of course drinking. But he'd never had any expectations of it going anywhere. The veteran had given up such notions years ago. And yet…
He'd gone home with Lin Beifong.
He was startled out of his thoughts when Lin herself walked in dressed in a green robe and carrying a tray with two steaming cups on it. She paused upon noticing that he was up.
"Good morning," she said. Her normally strident voice was noticeably more tentative.
"Morning."
"I hope you slept well," she continued carefully as she walked over and set the tray on the night stand.
"I made us some tea," said Lin, handing him a steaming cup and taking a seat on the edge of the bed. Bumi accepted it and nodded at her in appreciation.
"Thank you."
The two sipped in silence for a moment and Bumi observed her body language. She sat near him on the bed, not looking him in the eye. He observed that her iron-gray hair was messed from what he remembered as a rather enjoyable time. After a minute he set his cup down and reached out to brush a strand away from her face. Lin jumped a bit but didn't stop him.
"So," he said, trying not to stare at the way her robe accentuated her figure, "about last night…" As he spoke he leaned forward a bit and the sheets shifted. He quickly pulled them back up and wrapped them tighter around his waist, blushing.
"Well," Lin said, laughing at him with her eyes, "first of all, you can relax. I think we're past that kind of formality."
Bumi shook his head and grinned, relaxing. Why had he been nervous? It was Lin! As awkward as this was, they could get through it.
"And as for last night," she continued raising her hands in submission " it can be whatever you want it to be. I don't care." She had resumed her normal blunt, commanding tone. "I mean, as long as you don't plan on turning it into some story you brag about to your Navy friends."
"Sounds like you do care," he pointed out.
Lin folded her arms and looked away. Bumi grinned to himself; he loved it when she tried to resist. He reached out and took her cup, causing her to look up again and meet his gaze. As he set her cup next to his on the table he said, "So… Whatever I want, huh?"
"Yes," she said carefully.
A little grin twitched in the corner of Bumi's mouth and he put his hands on her shoulders. "What if I want it to be this?"
Before she could question him, he pulled her in and caught her lips in a kiss. After a few seconds she relaxed in his arms and a sense of relief came over them both. Later they'd have to figure out how to handle this situation; but for now, they had this. And this was more than enough.
Didn't have much time, so I made it a quickie (no pun intended).