"Korra."
Said teen buried her head deeper in the pillow. Lin sighed and shook the girl again. "Korra."
She finally grumbled something that sounded like "What?"
"I have to go to work."
Korra cracked an eye open and noted the dim early morning sun light streaming through the window. She also noticed a showered and dressed Chief of police leaning over her. She shot her a sleepy smile.
"We need to talk but I work late tonight. What time do you have to go to school?"
The water bender still felt like she was asleep and barely registered what the older woman was saying. Somehow she managed to mutter an answer.
"Eight? Can you get here at seven? …Korra?" she shook her again.
"Yes, yes seven, I heard."
Lin shook her head and got up to leave but Korra grabbed her hand at the last second.
"Can I have a kiss?" she asked shyly, still droopy eyed. The older woman did her best not to find it utterly disarming but ultimately failed when she found herself pressing her lips to the younger ones. Korra sighed happily before falling back asleep.
"Yes, you can go back to sleep. Thanks for asking." She said sarcastically.
When Korra opened her eyes again the sun was fully up and the room was bright with its light. She sat up looking around; confused at first as to where she was and why she was stark naked. Then a wide grin stretched her lips as she remembered last night, but it suddenly dropped when she saw the clock on the bedside stand.
"Fuck." She hissed as she fumbled with the sheets around her. 'Why didn't she wake me up?!' Korra thought franticly, and then remembered earlier that morning. 'She should've woken me up….harder!' When she finally freed herself she started looking for her clothes. Korra quickly spotted her hoodie across the room, close to the door. With the black material in her hand she went about searching for the rest.
She tried to mentally calculate the time in her head. Did she have enough to make it back without being detected? It was Sunday and Tenzin didn't usually work but there have been times where he has. And when he did he left around this time. When she snuck out the night before, she hadn't planned on staying out all night. So there was nothing to stop anyone from walking into a very empty room. But even with the very real possibility that she was going to be in major trouble for being out all night, she couldn't help but feel elated. Last night really actually happened.
It actually happened. Her grin felt like it might split her face even as she dropped to her hands and knees to look under the bed. She snatched up her pants, how they got under there she would never know. She stood up and looked around for her underwear. They should have been easy to find. Lin's room was neat and everything was in place. But her other clothes were nowhere to be seen. She sighed as she continued looking and her mind wandered to that morning and frowned slightly 'what did she mean by talk?' if she had been more awake she would have asked her then and there but now she had to wait until tomorrow.
She groaned. 'A whole day? Seriously? I have to go a whole day before I see her again?' After a solid five minutes Korra was ready to give up. She threw her head back in annoyance and saw … her bra…hanging off the fan. She stared at it for a moment before she got on the bed and pulled it down. Shaking her head she continued her hunt. After ten minutes of looking around like an idiot she still hadn't found her boy shorts.
'What is this place? The Bermuda Triangle? Am I seriously going to go back to the air temple rocking commando?' After a couple more minutes of fruitless searching she decided that yes, she really was going to have to. She quickly dressed and made her way out of the room. She walked into the bathroom to quickly wash her face, the only thought in mind being that she had to get back to AirTemple Island asquickly as possible. She stopped short when she saw her reflection. It wasn't the completely disarray that her hair was in that had her staring. She didn't even entertain the idea of going back to look for her hair tie. No that's not what had her transfixed.
She leaned forward to inspect the series of purplish and red marks that ran up and down the side of her neck. And then there was the angry bite mark where her shoulder met her neck. She smirked as she pulled the collar of her top down to see all of it, remembering last night. She wasn't lying when she told Lin she liked it. Memories of how the older woman moved against and on top of her invaded her mind. She swallowed and quickly washed her face. She did what she could to her hair before she left the bath room thinking of how she was going to cover the hickeys by the time she got to the temple.
Out in the hall way she made a right…and then a left….and then a right and ended up in what had to be an office. She turned around and back tracked.
'Okay this place is obviously bigger than I thought.' But she found the front door moments later. Spinning on her heel she turned right around before reaching it and made her way back to the office. It wasn't as neat and tidy as the rest of the house but it was still orderly and well kept. She smiled when she spotted a pile of envelopes on one of the desk. She flipped through them quickly ignoring all of them until she had a thin one in her hand. Noting the return address she put it back down and continued rummaging until she found a familiar small thin rectangle piece of paper. It was one of those coupons for cabbage Corp. that they sent out to everyone. Smiling, she slipped it into her pocket.
On her way to the air temple, Korra couldn't help but think that the chances of Tenzin not noticing her missing were slim to none.
'I'm so fucked'
'I'm so fucked' Lin thought rubbing her brow with the tip of her fingers. She was in her office and one of her officers was talking to her. But she wasn't hearing a word he said. She looked down at the report on her desk not really seeing it.
"What?"
"umm… do you want me repeat… what I just said or…?"
"What you just said." She muttered impatiently.
"Ok. Yeah. So the commander wants more man power in these highlighted areas." He said pointing to the map Lin didn't even noticed until then. She pulled it towards her, but like the report, she didn't really see it. All she saw was blue eyes and tan skin. She pinched the bridge of her nose. 'I'm so fucked.'
"Tell him I'll think about it." Dismissal clear in her voice.
When the officer finally left she took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her nose. But it didn't really help. Her mind flashed to the morning when she woke up to a very naked and very underage teen wrapped around her. Ok, she's not that underage but still. It should not have felt that nice to wake up next to Korra, it really shouldn't have. But it did. And it was all she could think about. Well that and last night.
Lin groaned and dropped her head into her hands. You would have thought she never had sex before, the way she was acting. She sighed and dropped her hands. Ignoring whatever it was that the commander had wanted, she reached for the earlier report. There was yet another vandalism incident and the only reason why the report crossed her desk was due to the high amountit wouldcost in damages. She scowled as she signed the papers. This gang, the Equalist, was costing the city a lot of money. Not only were they annoying but Lin was pretty sure they were illiterate. They called themselves the Equalist but signed every act of crime with an A in a red circle.
As Lin skimmed over other reports flashes of a naked Korra continued to assault her concentration. She sighed knowing it was going to be a very long day.
Korra debated whether to take the ferry or swim. She opted to swim, she was still hopeful that she could get back to her room before any one saw her. Plus she was in desperate need of a shower anyway. When she arrived back on the island, she was in full-blown stealth mode again. She ducked behind trees and walls as staff and people walked by. All she had to do was make it back to her room and do damage control. She was inside and it looked like she was going to make it to the stairs when…
"Where on earth have you been?"
Korra grimaced. That was the exact deep voice she had been avoiding. She quickly finger combed her wet hair down to cover her neck before she turned around. It was like Tenzin had materialized out of nowhere, she was sure she was alone but there he stood glowering at her.
She gave a nervous smile and wave. "Hey."
"Hey?" he asked clearly irritated. "Where were you?"
"uuhhh….I went for swim."
Tenzin looked at her skeptically.
"….with my clothes on."
He glared at her and folder his arms over his chest.
"Gezz you get mad at me for skinny dipping and now you're mad that I have my clothes on. Make up your mind." she muttered.
"That!" he sputtered, his face going red. "That is very different young lady. I find it hard to believe you've been up since five swimming in a sweater, pants and boots."
"I didn't have my boots on… the entire time."
Tenzin rolled his eyes and turned to leave. "You're grounded."
"What? Why?" when he didn't respond she shouted at his retreating back, "For how long?" He disappeared around a corner. Grumbling, Korra made her way up to her room.
Once freshly showered and dressed, Korra threw herself onto her bed. She starred up at the ceiling thinking about last night and Lin. Not only did she have to wait until tomorrow to see Lin but she also had to wake up at the butt crack of dawn. It was worth it she knew, but she still was not a morning person. She rolled over and picked up the cabbage Corp coupon off of her bedside stand. She noticed asshe looked at the coupon that she did a pretty good job of keeping it dry.
"Something small but clearly belonging to Lin." She murmured remembering Asami's words. Just as the thought crossed her mind her phone vibrated somewhere on the bed. After a solid minute of fumbling she saw she had… forty-two missed calls? And almost as many text messages. And they were all either from Bolin, Mako or Asami. Shaking her head she skimmed through the more recent texts seeing they were all asking in one way or another about her being dead or in jail. Korra chuckled, sensing the genuine concern. The older ones were all asking if the mission was accomplished or if she had chickened out.
Tossing the phone back on the bed she decided to let them sweat.
"What are you wearing?"
Korra looked down at Ikki who was sitting beside her. "It's called a turtle neck."
The young girl rolled her eyes. "I know what it's called. Why are you wearing it?"
"I'm not allowed to wear a turtle neck?" Korra said, sounding as confused as she could to mess with her.
In response, she dramatically pursed her lips. "I guess you are." She frowned. "But it's weird." Korra laughed.
"I agree with Ikki. I don't think I've ever seen you wear one before." Pema said, passing the bowl of mash potatoes around.
"Oh. Well, I found it hidden in my closet so I thought I'd wear it. You know, try something new and all that." she said as casually as possible. It wasn't all a lie. She did find it in her closet… After she tore through her wardrobe looking for something that covered her neck.
"Well, it's a nice look on you." Pema approved.
"No, it's not." Meelo injected.
"And you'resmiling a lot." Jinora added suspiciously.
"Oh. So now I'm not allowed to smile either."
Even though it was summer time, the mornings ofRepublic City were always cold and Korra was actually happy that she was wearing a scarf. She shifted restlessly in front of Lin's door with a cup of steaming coffee in each hand. She didn't know why but she was suddenly nervous with butter flies fluttering in her stomach. Arranging the cups so she could use one hand, she knocked on the door. It was still aboutten minutes to seven but she figured being early was better than being late, especially when it came to the Chief of police.
A minute later the door opened to reveal a tank top clad Lin. Nerves forgotten, Korra ran her eyes over her noting the way the sweats hung low on her hips.
She smiled. "Hi."
"Hey."
Lin gestured for her to come in, ignoring the hungry look and closed the door behind her.
"Thanks for using the door this time." She said as she led them to the kitchen. "Are you hungry?"
Korra was kind of distracted by the sway of Lin's hips as she followed behind her when she answered "No, I already ate something."
Entering the kitchen she leaned over the counter/bar separating the kitchen from the living room.
"I brought coffee." She said. Then suddenly feeling foolish muttered, "You probably already have some here or don't even like coffee but I can't wake up without a cup and I was standing in line and thought of you and since it is the morning time I figured…"
Lin mercifully cut off her rambling by taking the cup of coffee that Korra hadn't opened and took a sip. She raised her eyebrow in surprise. "It's good." Swallowing she said "Stay right there." She disappeared before Korra could say anything. Frowning and sipping her coffee she waited for the older woman to return. After a few minutes Lin came back with a small white tube. But instead of going back to where she was in the kitchen she walked up to Korra and smirked.
"Nice scarf." She said before tugging the thin blue fabric off her neck, revealing hickeys and her still red bite mark. She uncapped the tube and said, "This might sting…"
Korra took a step back. "Wait. What?"
Rolling her eyes Lin took a step forward. "I was going to say at first, you big baby." She gingerly applied a small amount of the ointment over the semi circles of small cuts. The teen tensed but then relaxed, leaning into Lin as the sting subsided taking the initial pain with it.
"What's so funny?"
Korra didn't even realize she was smiling. "Nothing."
"Then what are you grinning at?" her gaze still focused on Korra's neck.
"You. Being all caring. Its surprisingly…cute."
In response Lin purposely dug a finger tip against one of the tiny lacerations.
"Ow!" she laughed pushing the others hand away.
"I thought I was being cute." She said teasingly, using the same arm that Korra tried to push away to pull her closer. Smiling and bodies flush against each other, their eyes locked. Blue eyes dropped to look at Lin's pale pink lips but the older woman pulled away. She dropped the tube into one of the kitchen drawers and grabbed her coffee. With her back leaning over the counter she regarded Korra over the lid of the cup.
"Okay." Korra huffed, crossing her arms over each other. "Lay it on me."
Lin raised an amused eye brow. "Lay what on you."
"All the reasons why we can't be together and how you're not attracted to me even though…"
Lin cut her off. "I am attracted to you."
"Well, then…good. That you're admitting that." she trailed off.
The older woman sighed. "What is it you actually want, Korra?"
She chewed her lip apprehensive and hating the space between them. She decided to be honest.
"You."
Lin studied her for a moment before saying, "Me? That's not much of an answer."
Korra shrugged and took a step towards her. "But that's my answer. You wanted to know what I wanted and that's you."
The metal bender was expecting something along the lines of girlfriend or lover or something she thought a teenager would say. She put her coffee down. "What if you can't have me?" she asked softly. Korra shrugged again looking at her hand as she put it on the counter and taking another step.
"Fight until I get you." She said finally, looking up into green eyes.
"Do you even know what that means? Truly means?"
Korra frowned, confused.
"Wanting me," she clarified, "you're asking for a secret relationship that no one will approve of."
"I know."
Lin stood up. "Do you? I don't think you really do. The other night was great I won't lie but if we got together you would have more lonely nights than ones like that." Sighing, she looked away. She hated saying the next words. "We wouldn't be able to tell anyone, or go out like other couples or hold hands in public or…"
Korra grabbed one of Lin's hands and brought it to her lips. "But I'd be able to hold your hand in here."
The older woman looked down into cerulean eyes. "I work all the time and if Tenzin…"
"Lin." She said cutting in. "If you're willing to put up with me and all those other things than I'm more than willing deal with it all, even a pissed off Tenzin."
She sighed as shegave into her need to touch the younger woman and cupped the side of Korra's face.
"Korra…why would you want an old fart like me? You could have a completely normal relationship with someone your age that you could bring home and go on double dates with or whatever kids do."
The teen bit her lip as hard as she could but couldn't stop the amused grin. "Did you just call yourself an old fart?" Lin shot her a dry look. "Okay. Where do I even start?" she took a moment. "Well, you're beautiful." Her left hand came up and lightly stroked the other woman's scares. "But you already know that. You're one of the strongest, smartest, caring people I know. You don't take shit from anyone; you put me in my place all the time. And I bet everything I own that underneath all this sexy bad ass-ness," she poked Lin's stomach with a smile. "There's a giant softy."
Lin's eye brows shot up. "Softy?" She wrapped an arm around the teen drawing her closer.
"And what happens when someone prettier comes along?" Lin looked apprehensively at Korra, never breaking eye contact as she waited for an answer.
"Then you just better make sure you keep those sexy hands to yourself." Korra said rather seriously. Lin chuckled causing both their bodies to shake.
"I was talking about you."
"Oh." She grinned up at her. "Well, you don't have to worry about that. I've been Linsexual for years now."
Lin shook her head as she laughed and pressed her forehead against the teens.
"Lin?" Korra started softly. "If you're willing… I'd be…I'd be too."
The older woman sighed and relaxed against the teen, tightening her hold. "…Okay."
Korra pulled back so she could look her fully in the eyes. "Okay?" She asked with a brilliant grin lighting up her face.
"Yeah." She responded, a smile tugging at her own lips. Korra leapt at her with a kiss that was mostly teeth because she couldn't stop smiling.
Thanks to Kethrom for Betaing :D
