Rainy Day
It was still raining.
The fourth day in a row of non-stop rain and the citizens of Republic City were becoming tired of it. The one blessing for the residents was that the streets were quiet, even the criminals didn't want to venture out into the cold, wet weather. Quiet streets also meant idle cops.
Mako sat on the floor in the Chief's office, listening to the sound of her pen scratching on a notepad and drumming his fingers on the low table in front of the sofa. He was bored, nothing had happened for days and he was just itching for the opportunity to bust some ne'er-do-wells and stop their nefarious schemes. At this point he'd settle for a jaywalker or someone running a red light.
He felt her weight on his back and shoulder as she leaned forward, her fingers wrapping around his and squeezing them.
"Please stop."
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Sorry."
Mako stood, stretched, and moved to the sofa, sitting down and letting Lin stretch her bare lower legs and feet across his lap. She had shed her armor hours ago, opting for the comfort of a soft, knitted gray wrap over her white tank top and uniform pants.
"I'm so bored." He groaned. "I would -"
A clap of thunder interrupted him and the rain pounded harder against the large windows behind Lin's desk. The lights flickered for a brief moment.
"You could help me with this stupid speech I am being forced to give in Ba Sing Se."
"What is it for again?"
"Law Enforcement Conference. Representatives from the major police agencies sit for hours listening to each other ramble on with regards to their respective policing practices. Usually I send one of the deputies, but Kuon just retired and Li-shing is too new."
"But she's been your deputy for two years."
"I know, but she hasn't been in the job long enough to be tortured with boredom at one of these things. I want her to stay on the job." Lin smiled at him and Mako felt his heart skip a beat. "Besides, I don't need to her picking up any bad practices from other officers. Not everyone works the way I do..."
"Non-stop." He interrupted.
Lin rolled her eyes. "Ha ha. I swear Kuon retired when he did just so he wouldn't have to go to this conference. Ah well, he's earned it."
"Have you thought about it?" Mako ran his hands along her legs, feeling her soft skin.
"What? Retiring?" Lin shrugged, putting down the notepad and pen she was holding onto the table. "No. I don't feel it's time to and I'll know when it is time. I don't plan on dying at that desk."
They were silent for a few minutes and Lin's eyes fluttered closed as Mako gently massaged her feet. He noticed her clear polished toenails and soft skin, signs of a recent pedicure. He smiled, a definite difference between mother and daughter. Lin had once told him a story in which Toph had threatened to bend a woman into the ground for daring to suggest she get her feet exfoliated during a spa trip with Poppy Beifong. What was supposed to be a ladies' day ended in tears, a little girl laughing hysterically, foul language, and a potential lawsuit against Republic City's Chief of Police.
"Do you want to go with me?" Her question broke the silence.
"To the conference?" Mako turned towards her, tucking a lock of her silvery hair behind her ear before skimming his fingers along the edge of her cheekbone. The smile returned and she leaned into his touch. He moved from his seated position, climbing over her, and feeling her legs wrap around his hips.
"Yes. It can be an experience-" Lin paused, shivering at the contact of his hips pressing against hers. She waved her hand and Mako heard the click of the office door locking. "And I have gotten used to not sleeping alone."
"Are you saying you would miss me?" He was untying the belt of the knitted wrap and pressing soft kisses to the side of her neck and along the scarred skin of her jaw. She playfully swatted at him
"I am saying that I want you to come with me because yes, I would miss you." Lin grinned at him. "And I need someone to keep me warm at night and escort me to stupid dinners and parties and to keep me from saying things I shouldn't."
"That's a tall order, ma'am, but I suppose I am available providing my boss let's me take the time off." Mako kissed her, fingers threading through her hair, his body molding against hers.
"I'm sure she can be persuaded." She said softly against his lips as he started pulling up the hem of her tank top.
Outside the rain fell harder and the citizens continued to complain that it would never end, but at that moment neither Lin nor Mako cared.
