"I think it would be easier to wait until everybody is up and sober," Mako mumbled.
He was sorting papers absentmindedly. It looked like sheet music. He was respectful of his boss so that he wouldn't read it. He put it where it belonged when he was done. He kept his eyes peeled, knowing how nosey everyone was. Tenzin was covering a drunken Bumi.
It felt like a long time before Su stood up suddenly. Su was famished; it had been a long trip. Not time-wise, but emotionally, she had to take some sleeping pills. She had not eaten since her daughter called, distressed and aching over the situation in the city. This ordeal had been harrowing for the pair, especially after Kuvira.
After so many years away from her sister, she almost forgot how large a fortress Lin had built. The last time she saw her drink was at Sokkas's funeral. She had looked different, plumper, but her eyes were so intense with despair. Almost crying out for help like earlier when she was making a scene. At the same time, did she even know her sister, who she was beside the one making her meals, the person who sat with her through her first heartbreak and homework? Her guard protector from their mother's rage and coldness of the world. The one that Lin arrested her for a mistake. She always wondered who Lin wanted to be because as celebrated as Toph was her legacy, when you know her, there wasn't as much left to be desired, especially back in the day.
It scared her to know Lin had been a vulnerable child and their mother had been warming someone else bed. How badly had Lin wanted their blind mother to see her that she became Toph, and how lucky she got to be herself? Had Lin secretly given her the blessing of a lifetime? She sighed, looking at her sister's sleeping form; she was having a fitful sleep, her infection being overseen by some point she said they could dress her. She was sure Lin wouldn't be happy to stay in her undergarments for all to see, so Su sent Opal and the others to get some food; Mako seemed fired up. He wanted to get back to work but accepted when Tenzin pointed out they don't have much to go off of still no action could be taken. Korra mentioning a market nearby.
It was better that way, everyone wanted to snoop, herself included but young adults were a bit harder to to deter, she should have sent Bumi with them he had woken up. Kya had Tenzkm show her to the closet, He looked nostalgic it smelt like home but it also wasn't his home, not anymore. He wondered whatever happened to Dusty, their brown cat.
"Im surprised, she has more them just uniforms in here, we should dress her up Su." Kya let a soft giggle. Su had to see, she held out clothes that didn't look like Lin would ever wear, it was strange. Eventually, they settled on a pair of mint palazzo pants that were the least flashy they could find, it showed of her tiny waist and a wrap blouse that had a little bow.
"She is going to kill you two," Bumi looked over at them both commenting how cute she looked.
" Well we thought she was going to kill you but you managed," Tenzin had something in his voice, it may have been envy. How socially blessed Bumi always was
"Clearly you don't know how to talk to her, I was a leader after all normally the job attracts lone wolf types so you learn to get past that boundary. Besides she liked that I had fire whiskey and stories on how I got back at Yaoli for hazing me and abusing his position."
" You seem like the big bro that always knows what to say plus I think impossible not to like you even Lin," Bolin said, the kids were returning with the food, Tenzin led them to the most pitiful kitchen in Republic City and filled its cabinets.
" Lin, is difficult-" Kya was cut off.
" No, she's impossible, I truly knew how you managed." Ten in said, the kitchen and the living room were connected.
Asami noted Kya and Su's handy work and bravely decided to put a light blush on the Chiefs pale face, Mako dreaded her awakening he felt they passed overstepping. But they didn't stop. Food filled the apartment it's delectable perfume.
"I see Lin does have more then her uniform in her closet." Korra cheekily are he jumble
" She has stuff I never would imagine her buying or wearing." Su said thinking back to how pretentious some of the embroideries was.
Little did they know they where gifts, he loved clothes so much, he constantly pestered her to draw designs when they got serious. If only he wasn't so envious of Tenzin, her career. If he wasn't a blood bender, a fiend.
The food was ready in no time due to all the extra hands and Su had two plates. She savored the fusion of all four nations on a plate. It should be a meal they had to commemorate the 100-year war or something. The group's chatter was filling the room in a soft hum. The room was warm, it wasn't as elegant as other spots they hung out, but the chief home was pretty nice.
" I see Chief and Huan have more in common than we thought." There was some art and sculptures, not as much as a person with more free time
" Yeah, she used to do more stuff years ago. I remember when she took Su along with us to the museum."
" I don't remember Lin making art, but I remember that I tried to steal a bronze work after the man said I couldn't have it. Lin told me I would go to jail." Su pouted
Mako looked at her. It was odd for a kid Bolin stole pabu, but the piece she described didn't sound worth a risk. But then again, he hated contemporary art.
Lin woke startled; she had that dream again. She hugged a pillow. The air felt tight. She couldn't breathe. She felt awful and sick. She felt water running down her face, heavy breathing, and sobs she had held back for decades,
" Lin?" it was Mako, his voice was worried
Lin didn't understand, and she was home; when did he show up. She couldn't speak. There was no holding down this overdue breakdown. She felt so ridiculous as she hid her face.
Her hyperventilation made the room feel smaller and smaller. Would this be how she died? She knew it was dramatic, but she really couldn't heard voices but couldn't even make out any sounds anymore, and it was the thing she loved to do. She freaked out when she saw hands she would end her life if this didn't kill her because she was sure everyone was in her house, somehow watching her have a complete breakdown. Lin felt like she was drowning. It was just like her nightmares. She managed to get up and away from the hands into her bathroom. Beifong felt sick. She threw up. It felt like forever. She was feeling cold pain everywhere, and when she tried to stand, the room moved everything faded to black again.
