Ch. 3: Everything in a Name
With a delicate hand Lin nervously plucked at the hair on the Childs face. Body concealed in the blanket they all shared. The infant was nestled between its two mothers. Eyes closed. Breathing light an even. Finally, settling down after the scream-fest she had put her parents through. The strand of hair was gripped between thumb and pointer finger and mussed ever which way. Curled around the finger then released; bouncing back with youthful exuberance.
This softer side to the older women was something Korra had seen much before. Usually with her. Usually just the two of them. But with the way she was now. With a child. Something in Korra's chest exploded like fire. A yearning for more. To see Lin interact with their child. It was their child now. Korra had managed to quell that nagging in her heart that Lin would still try to take the child from her while she slept. The scene laid before her. Lin playing with her hair. That smile on her face. Maybe even a twinkle or spark of what Korra hoped was the beginning of love in those eye's.
"...Oma might be a good name for her, little penguin."
"After that silly story about the two lovers and the cave. Bleh." Sticking a wet tongue out. Only to have it pinched with lightning speed by the hand that had been on the infant.
"That story is about the very first human earthbenders. Who were taught by the Badgermole's. And nobody bad mouths a badgermole in front of me." Lin joked sardonically.
"Thorry Len" Korra garbled out.
"Don't talk with your tongue out." Lin joked. Releasing the wiggling appendage, but tracing her finger delicately down it. Slowly and painfully enjoyable for Korra. Who shivered when released. Lin brought the moist finger to her lips were she gave it a peck. And a devious smirk as her little penguin became flustered.
"Lin, not in front of the baby."
The women blew air at this. "Please. After all the things you do to me, in front of others I might add, don't act squeamish now."
"What things?" She scoffed
"You pinched my butt in front of Tenzin." Voice rising; only to lower when the baby gave a fuss. "Do you know how red both our faces were. I used to date the guy. And you were his student." Lin whispered.
"Yeah, ok. But this is different. Were in bed. Our bed where we...you know."
"Have sex."
"Shshshsh. Don't say it out loud." Korra hushed.
"Korra, she's one. She can't understand us yet." Lin said bluntly.
The soft backend of a pillow found its way with a gentle heave onto Lin's face in an attempt to silence the women. The noise triggered a low whine from the infant. But she soon settled back into slumber.
The two breathed again. While sending each other an accusatory stare. Lin gave the baby's body a nudge back into the center of the futon. Making sure she was covered with the blanket too.
Struck by inspiration Lin said. "What about Korri?"
Korra's loose hair shook with her head. Her eyes became crestfallen. Avoiding looking at Lin, or the baby. Instead she looked to the corner of the room were the crib sat; never touched since it was bought. "I don't think she's originally from the earth kingdom. Her house had a fire nation flag in it. Maybe they immigrated to republic city?"
"Well she's our kid. We can name her what we want."
"Lin!"
It started with another whimper then exploded into a full bout of crying. Korra went to scoop up the weeping infant only to be beaten to it.
Cooing the Childs woes away. Lin bit at Korra. "What did you shout for? Now you woke her up."
"How could you say that?"
"It's true isn't it? She's ours. I think we should name her what we want to. It's not like we can ask the kids parents what they called her." Lin fought back.
And the words cut to deep.
Korra turned away.
Lin cursed.
The baby wailed louder. The noise filling the room like toxic gas to their already lit flame. One thing needed to be sorted first. So Lin quelled the infant back to sleep. Leaving her with tiny hands gripping her shirt on the opposite side of Korra. With a free hand she reached out. It touched a trembling shoulder which flinched away.
"Korra."
"I couldn't save them."
"You can't save everyone, Korra. Now please...look at me."
Puffy dark cheeks with twin rivers of tears streaming down them looked to the older women for guidance. Words of wisdom Lin always seemed to posses. A thumb damned up one of the rivers as Lin's hand cupped her cheek.
"I'm sorry. This is how it is sometimes. Not everyone can be saved."
"How do you deal with it."
"For the longest time badly, very badly. Now I have you. Come here." Pulled to her free side. Korra cuddled up to Lin. A grown up image of the child she looked at over Lin's body.
Korra reached out and stroked the Childs cheek as Lin rubbed the back of Korra's head. The chest Korra rested on drew in a large breath and released a heavy sigh.
"What about Yee-Li. I knew one when I went to the fire nation to help with their police force. She was a fire bender, a really good one, so I'm guessing it's a traditional name there."
"Yee-li. Yee-LI! Yee...Li." Korra said as if she were calling a dog to her. Eliciting a dreamy giggle from the infant when her finger grazed under her chin. "Yee-Li-Bei-fong." Korra giggled too.
"Why my last name?"
"Your always the one in charge. Why shouldn't she have your last name?"
"But your name has more prestige than mine. That would open more doors for her."
"Are you already thinking about schools for her?" To which Lin became a deep crimson. This was a good sign to Korra. That Lin had actually put the thought into a future for the three of them. "Well-sigh-" Lin was forced onto her back. With the two other occupants of the bed snuggling her. Korra drew the blanket over all three of them. "I like your last name better. And...I wouldn't mind if I had it either."
Was this Korra's way of saying she wanted...that she was certain enough to want to take that step in their relationship. "Do you want my last name Korra?" Lin asked. Mind worrling at the possibilities.
"I do." Was said without hesitation.
The kiss was quick. Tame. Not the usual the bed was used to seeing. More of a conformation for the pair.