She's not sure when it happened.

She had taken a moment to herself, sitting on the ground with her back propped up against a wall while the rest of the island bustled with people coming and going non-stop. It had been another long day of cleanup in the city. They were supposed to be having a group dinner together on Air Temple Island but there was so much that needed to be done that it seemed impossible for everyone to pause long enough to sit down together.

Lin had arrive with Mako nearly an hour later than the time that had been agreed upon and Tenzin was still surprised to see her.

"I'm sorry, Lin. The time got away from me. We've been using the island as a refuge for those displaced by the spirit vine weapon and-"

Lin held up a hand to stop.

"It's fine, Ten. I understand."

"There is food inside, if you're hungry. Bumi even made some non-vegetarian meals."

Lin raised her eyebrows. She had never known Bumi to be one for cooking. At least not cooking well. But her stomach growled and she figured whatever meal he concocted was better than nothing.

"Kid, why don't you go get us something while I try to find a somewhat quiet spot. I'll take whatever Bumi made."

Tenzin gave her a quick nod before practically sprinting inside to stop someone from touching one of the vases Aang had received as a gift from the Fire Nation many years ago. She walked around the outside of the house and found a shady spot against one of the walls. She sat and observed, closing her eyes every once in a while to feel the island with her bending.

After a few minutes she felt Mako approach. He carried two small plates, sitting down next to her and passing one over. The food actually didn't smell half bad. She wasn't sure what it was but didn't much care as she ate quietly.

"I didn't know Bumi was such a good cook."

Lin looked to the side in time to see Mako licking the plate clean.

"He wasn't always. He once managed to burn a batch of steamed buns."

"I didn't know that was even possible."

"Me either. But he managed it."

Lin finished the food and set the plate to the side, rolling her neck, she leaned her head back to rest against the wall. The tension in her shoulders was so bad that she planned to have Kya try and work some of it out the next time they both had enough free time to spend together. She closed her eyes against the slowly setting sun and thought to herself how easy it would be to just fall asleep.

She tuned out the rest of the world for several minutes, allowing her body just a moment to recharge. She opened her eyes abruptly when she felt pressure on her shoulder. Looking over she realized Mako had his head resting against her, eyes closed and heartrate slow enough to indicate he was sound asleep.

Lin looked around but no one else seemed to notice. She looked at him again. He looked so relaxed and spirits knew he needed the rest. The young officer had been working the same long hours she had been putting in for a couple weeks now. She couldn't wake him but she also wasn't keen on being a human pillow.

She was not a cuddler.

She had told Kya as much about a week prior. Kya was convinced Lin was repressed from the lack of physical affection her mother showed her as a child (she was honestly probably right) but Lin just told her that cuddling wasn't her thing.

Everyone had preferences and not cuddling was Lin's.

A splash of blue caught Lin's eye as she watched Kya's unmistakable form walk up the stairs to the house. She looked tired as she rubbed the back of her neck but her face immediately morphed from fatigue to amusement as she caught sight of Lin.

She stood in front of Lin and Mako, crossing her arms with a raised eyebrow. Lin rolled her eyes and started mouthing silently to her.

"I'm stuck."

"I see that."

"Kya, help!"

"Why don't you just move?"

"I can't."

"You don't want to wake him."

She shook her head, looking down in annoyance.

"Seems you're in a tough spot there, Lin."

Lin looked back to Kya with a glare.

"I'm going to go inside and get some food. Then I'll be back."

"Kya!"

Lin almost growled her name out loud, instead bending a cobblestone in the waterbender's path so she stumbled over it. Kya gave her an incredulous look but Lin just pretended to be very interested in a yellow butterfly floating above a tree in the opposite direction.

A few minutes later Kya returned and took up the spot on Lin's empty side with a bowl of noodles. Lin tilted her head towards Kya and whispered softly.

"You're insufferable, you know."

"Come on Lin, I know you secretly like it."

"I do not!"

She didn't mean to say it so loud and quickly covered a hand over her mouth. It was too late, though, as Mako jerked awake looking around wildly. His eyes got wide as he realized what had happened and his cheeks reddened.

"Chief, I-I I'm sorry. I-"

"Don't worry, kid. Lin secretly liked it."

Mako's face turned the same shade of red as the scarf he used to wear around his neck as he stood up quickly.

"Mako, it's fine. Really."

He nodded absentmindedly and Lin rolled her eyes again.

"How about we just never mention it again, okay?"

"Okay. Yes. Thanks Chief. I've got to—"

He motioned awkwardly in multiple directions before practically sprinting away from them. Lin felt something brush against her opposite shoulder, looking over to see Kya cozying up to her side with her eyes closed.

"Kya, what do you think you're doing?"

"He looked so comfy, I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about."

She wrapped her long arms around Lin's middle and snuggled closer.

"Kya…"

"Just for a minute, Lin."

"I told you before, I don't cuddle."

"Maybe you could learn to like it. You're very huggable."

Lin scoffed as Kya pulled away. She could feel her warmth linger and felt a small pang of regret at how short the embrace had lasted. Because, though she refused to admit it, even to herself, Lin did secretly like it. At least to an extent. She wasn't about the mushy gushy affection she so often saw Pema and Tenzin engage in. But having the comfort of someone she cared about so close…

That was something she might learn to like.