Icky Momma (part 2)
It was a restful slumber but not the deep kind were dreams dwell. There is clanging in the black void of her mind. Distant. Followed by the low hiss of a woman. Angry at herself maybe? For making the noise? Soon the commotion stops, at least for a little while, and Lin thinks nothing of it. She doesn't think at all. Just rest. Just nothingness. Till something else crashed. Loud enough to disrupt the void. Loud enough to bring Lin back.
To find the room much warmer than before. A fire crackled a healthy hello in the fireplace. There is something under the covers that is very squishy. Grabbing it Lin pulls till a stitched snout pops out and flicks her in the nose. Lin looks the stuffed badgermole in its tiny black eyes. With thin whiskers painted on the snout. Shu? I thought she lost you.
Something moves by the chair in the corner. Yee-Lis hair seems to glow in the light of the fire. Dances like it were alive like the flames. There is a book in her lap, one of her text books from school, but she is ignoring it at the moment. All her focus is on Lin. Who is still clinging to the stuffed badgermole.
"You woke her." Yee-Li huffs, but her head goes back to the book. She is writing something on a piece of paper pressed into the page. There are numbers on the book face so that must mean it was math. Which wasn't either mothers strongest subject. Not many of their daughters subjects were either's strongest. And unfortunately, with Jinora away, it meant a lot of nights with all three of them around the dining table trying to put their heads together to come up with an answer. A lot had changed since Lin was in school. The homework seemed far to advanced than what she had to learn at Yee-Lis age, and since it had been a long time it was like Lin were learning it all over again.
At the alarm that had been raised things were set aside in a clatter as Korra came into the living room. She fussed over Lin having pulled off her blanket and quickly pushed her back in and wrapped it tight around Lin; and the stuffed badgermole too.
"Do you need anything?" Korra asks combing her fingers through her wife's hair. It is soothing and feels wonderful. Especially now that Lin is awake again. Her nose is so stuffed that her brain feels like it was water logged. So the action helps to drain the tank.
"I-no-what are you two doing home?" It was still morning. Judging by the sun which hadn't moved much across the floor. The other fidgeted at the interrogative tonal shift in Lins voice. Something easy to slip back into even though Lin hadn't done it in a few years.
Korra rubbed her arm and said, "I'm making you some soup." Trying to stand only to find her hand grabbed as she was pulled close. Forced to brace herself on the couch as she went on her knees.
Lin had twisted herself. The cover fell off. And Korra could see the hairs on her arm were standing up. With her upper half now exposed Lin began to shiver but she held onto her wife. Softening her hold and massaging her wife's forearm. Lin had averted her gaze. Looking much a child. "You didn't have to do this for me." She said. In reality-Lin was very glad to have them there at the moment. To not be alone.
Something brushed lightly through Lins hair tickling it tenderly. It caused the woman to look up only to be met with a wet kiss on the nose. Lin's feverish cheeks darkened more. Korra attempted to go in for another kiss this time on the lips. But was pushed away quickly.
Unsettled by the upset face Lin got for her actions she said, "I don't want to get you sick little penguin. We don't need the both of us catching a cold. Otherwise the world might actually fall into chaos." A light joke to place her wife at ease. But Korra was having none of it. Oh, she laughed at the thought. If only to play along with Lin so she could get her guard down to sneak around the others hand.
More than unnecessary to go that far to show ones love. Especially with a child in the room. Yee-Li had quickly sighed to herself. Which was far more interesting. If only edging it by a little on a list of things more interesting than watching her mother's kiss. Bleugh!
Lin leaned her head against Korras rubbing their foreheads tenderly together. All the air had been sucked from her lungs. Furthermore, since her nose wasn't working she was panting like a dog to fill them again. Yet Korra was positively beaming with affection. Giving Lin time to regain herself, while rubbing her arm for comfort, before Korra got up to finish making the soup.
Lin followed. Swinging her legs off the side of the couch she sat for a minute hopping to lessen the dizziness when she stood. It did not. As Lin wobbled some on her feet.
Someone coughed to garner Lins attention. The woman looked to the chair by the warm and inviting fire. Lin would of loved to sit in front of it for the rest of her life at the moment. Yee-Li held the pencil quite threateningly in her hand. Pointing the tip at Lin. "Stay." She commanded. It was sweet if not rather comical to see the daughter of the once chief of the metal bending police put on a stern face to order the woman around. Quite frighteningly good too from what she must have picked up on. Though it make the other feel a bit of pride at how good she was able to do it.
Placing her hands on her hips Lin tighten her lip. "Who says you get to give the orders?" Lin questioned.
"Mommy said I'm in charge, and I have to keep you under those covers." Stabbing the pencil at the blanket half off the couch covering up the box of tissues.
This bossy answer of course would not fly. So Lin stuck her tongue out and walked to the kitchen and without bothering to look where she was going keeping eye contact with her daughter the whole journey. The girl copied her mother's look. Adding a more petulant tone to the gesture by wiggling her tongue.
Lin seats herself at the table. The pillow is comfortable under her rear and she leans over the table resting her head in her hand. As soon as she is comfortable Korra starts talking.
"You should listen when you daughter tells you to do something. She is right. I did put her in charge." Korra is moving about; from checking the pot on the stove to cutting things. Her body is elegant in its movements. Swift as air. It is quite beautiful, Lin thinks, as she watches. Tan arms move fluidly from one step to the next in her preparations.
A thick clunk sounds as a cleaver flashes in her wife's hand. It happens several more times before Korra picks something up, it is slippery and pale and diced into small chunks. She adds it to the pot.
"And you should stop wiggling in front of me." Lin growled playfully. Which sounded more like the dying wail of a sky bison.
Korra shook herself a little for show. Lin made a low whine like a begging animal. "Save it for when your better, badgermole." She threw a couple more things into the simmering pot and capped it with a lid. Korra sits across from Lin and crosses her arms as she leans over trying to encourage a kiss. Her lips are pursed and so moist. Very inviting indeed.
Lin recedes from the invitation. Capped with a stern lip of noncompliance. Firm and unyielding Lin refused to let her wife be reckless and catch her cold. One kiss was enough to at least appease her wife until she could properly pay her back when she were better. A meal, and the two most important people in her life taking care of her. Oh it would take a lifetime to repay such an kind act but Lin was willing to put in the effort. Touching one of the braids that framed Korras face tenderly Lin wove her fingers through the ends and touched a dark cheek. Which flexed with the smile.
"How are you feeling?" She asks and places her hand on Lins forehead. The flesh is warm and the brow softens at the cool fingers against it. "You still feel kind of warm. I should go pick up some herbs from Tenzin's. That should help take the edge off. Will you be alright if I leave to go get them?" Korra leans herself on the table.
Lin sucks in a breath watching her wife's chest spill in front of her. She still has on the apron that matches her skin and it looks like naked flesh were touching the wood. Beautifully smooth flesh that makes Lin feel like she could lose consciousness from the heat boiling in her body.
Lin swoons visibly, and Korra reacts. Catching the woman.
"I better go."
Lin objects as Korra helps her over to the couch. "Run down to the store and get me some medicine from there. It'll help, trust me, I have used it before."
"Lin I don't trust that stuff. Please, just let me go to air temple island."
"And what," Lin interjects throwing the cover off of herself in a flourish of hands, "take all day just to pick up a couple of herbs. No, I want you back quickly. Just go get the one in the green bottle; not the blue, that one will make me sleepy."
"Shouldn't you be getting some sleep?" Korra pulls the blankets back over. Swallowing the frustration at how stubborn her wife was. Korra didn't trust those new age medicines. Packed and shipped from places like Asami's warehouses. Mass produced supposed medicines. Yes, Korra was into what was beginning to be labeled as the old ways of doing things. It worked, and it worked well, and that's what she relied on for her family. Again, it worked.
But Lin was insistent which won out against Korras bias. So Korra settled for a peck to Lins head, as the woman would not allow her near her mouth, put Yee-Li in charge while she was gone then left the room.
Lin met little eyes alight by the fire and scowled. Yee-Li answered with an angelic smile that hid the dark spirits dwelled below as she went back to her homework.
Until Korra gave a shout as the door was opened. Then all grew quiet once more with the soft click of the lock being put into place. There was nothing except the sounds of the simmering pot in the kitchen and the crackle of the fire in the living room.
On the couch Lin was enjoying the fleeting warmth left by Korras touches. A heat different from that of sickness. Much-much-more enjoyable; better than beating up crooks. Lin's eyes drooped dopily as she snuggled into the blanket. Piling it around her neck. Creating a solid cocoon around the rest of her body. Lin watched the fire for a little while comparing the flames attitude to that of the child seated near it. Sometimes calm; other times harsh or sizzling like when a bad log were thrown in.
Soon the fire can't hold Lins interest. She feels herself getting a little drowsy as she rubs an eye. Sucking a huge breath to drown out the yawn that wants to come out. Hoping to push the sleepy sensation away. The covers shift atop her. Lin intends to shed them.
However, Yee-Li jumps out of her chair. "Nooo!" She shouts. Stilling Lin from pushing the covers off any further and pulling them back on. The little girl keeps her palms upon her momma. Fixes a firm look upon her face, "you have to stay under the covers."
A grey brow, which had never seen tweezers yet still maintained a perfect slenderness, rose. "Oh, well then how am I going to get my book?" Lin asked, showing the displeasure at being bossed around. So she tried to get up again. Only to have her daughters fingers push on the soft fur of the blanket. When Lin was ill even the strength of a child could make her secede.
There was a light pain when Yee-Li pushed off Lin. Going to the fireplace she said over her shoulder, "which book did you want momma?" There was a small step stool hidden behind the chair her daughter was sitting in. Which the little girl hefted out with some discomfort. It was wooden and bulky much too heavy for a child to hope to carry around.
Lin crosses her arms under the blanket. Huffs. The shelves around the fireplace had been built for the families growing collection. There were Yee-Lis old colorful children's books which as each year passed found themselves pushed further out of reach to make way for Yee-Lis new reading interests. The colors slowly turning into browns and reds. Marking the loss of innocence and her growth towards maturity. Of course many of them belonged to Lin. Her passion for reading tripling since she left the big chair. The themes did not range that widely. It did give Pema and her more to talk about since they had similar tastes. The choices were either history, bending, or romance. Pema wasn't an earth bender she also did not enjoy history. Spirits if it wasn't weird for Korra to hear the two talking over the phone discussing fictitious relationships. Or to hear the two of them share a laugh that echoed over the phone line.
The bending books were the most comprehensive guide to both earth and metal bending. Yet they were unpublished. The books were presently hundreds of loose pages all bound into what could be thought of as volumes. Separated into similar topics after the fact. As some pages of similar topics had been written years after others. Written in various inks yet all of them were in Lins handwriting. Although when Lin read them her mother's voice shown through in the choice of words used to brooch or describe the topics. The illustrations weren't anything that could be shown in a gallery; a step below Yee-Lis drawings which were quite good. Mother made me draw the melon lord to illustrate some of the movements. Lin did this even though it wasn't like her mother could tell whether she actually did draw the right thing or not.
The photo album is back on the shelf too. Beside them.
Lin sighed, pulling the covers down just enough to point a finger to the other side of the fireplace closer to the couch. Without much fuss Yee-Li picked up the stool and went over there. "The fifth shelf. The-uh the-one with the book mark in it. The red backed one. Yes that's it." Watching her daughter pull the volume off the shelf.
Her hair was held from falling into her face by a hairpin with a decorative bow, the exact color of the southern water tribes ocean. It was a gift from grandpa and grandma. Lin suspected it was more from grandma Senna rather than Tonraq. The man was probably just as confused as Korra about what to get as a gift for the girl who didn't share their enthusiasm for pro bending. Her wife still got trading cards for her birthday. "Isn't this book about uncle Bolin?" The title was in bold and the cursive suggested the salacious doings that would happen inside the pages. Had happened as of chapter three.
Oh Pema and I will have much to discuss. About the fictional escapades of Korras friend. Lin wrestled the book out of her kids grip. Having given the ill women a run for her money; Yee-Li tried to pester her momma to see if the story was as good as Bolins latest mover. Lin hoped Korra would return with her medicine soon.
Having sent her daughter back to her chair to finish her homework. Lin sat and read. The smell of burnt ash from the fire had a chicken flavor underneath. The pot on the stove did nothing but cook. Undisturbed and neither boiling over nor in need of being touched. Only allowed to simmer its contents to imbibe the flavor of everything mixed in.
Feeling a tickle in her throat Lin let it out as a small cough. With the gaping face of her daughter it might as well of been a terminal illness and Lin were on her death couch. Hoping up Yee-Li ran into the kitchen. Lin watched her go before shrugging and going back to her book. A few seconds later Yee-Li ran back in and grabbed her stool.
Lin ignored the scraps of the stools legs sliding across the wooden floor as it was pushed near the counter; even if she shuddered this time not from a chill. It got quiet real quick. "You ok squirt?" Lin gave a tentative call without taking a glance away from the page. There was no answer back. So Lin worked a foot out of the blanket and placed it on the ground. The rug made things fuzzy but she could still see the image of her daughter straining to reach something. Lin called out again.
This time Yee-Li answered with an I'm fine as Lin saw her grab something and pull it to her then work on opening it. The stool was left behind as Yee-Li ran holding something with two hands. When she reached Lin she was visibly upset. Setting whatever it was she had down and hefting Lins leg back under the covers. After the struggle the girl wiped invisible sweat from her forehead. Picked up whatever it was she had gotten and set it down on the edge of the couch.
The bookmark was slipped into place. Lin rested her novel on the back of the couch were it got some sun as she stared at the thing Yee-Li had brought. It was round with a healthy orange glow made prominent in the light of the fire. Lin picked up the citrus and turned it over in her hand like it were a piece of evidence at a crime scene. The way gray brows nit together and her eyes narrowed at the rough exterior dotted with almost imperceptible divots. As if the piece of fruit had been used as the weapon in a heinous murder from the scrutinizing look on her face. Testing the denseness of the skin by scrapping it with the nail of her thumb which broke through easily letting a little bit of juice dribble down her nail. The fragrance freed her nose enough to let itself in.
Lin felt her stomach rumble. She had not eaten since the day before. And the soup wouldn't be ready for a while more. Fingers fumble and picked at the spot they had opened up. More juice flowed but Lins hands were not doing what she wanted them to.
A small hand held itself out waiting for Lin to give it the orange. Lin did without a word and Yee-Li took it the same way. Her tiny fingers worked the peel and soon took chucks out that were thrown into the trashcan by the couch. Till nothing but the squishy center was left. A wedge was parted from the whole.
Yee-Li handed it over.
Lin took it with a silent nod. Then popped the piece into her mouth were it was barely chewed. The citrus burned making Lin grit her teeth and pat her chest. Which soon simmered down. It made her throat feel a bit more fresh, but Lin could still feel the bad breath swimming around in there. The rest of the orange soon follows. Yee-Li fetched a couple more. Juggling them in her arms. One drops and she rolls it to the couch with her foot. Each of them in turn vanishes to satiate Lins hunger. And enough strength comes back that Lin has no problem peeling the last orange. Which she gives a couple of pieces to Yee-Li in return for the gesture.
"My teacher says there great for colds." Yee-Li says wiping her sticky fingers off on a tissue.
Lin did feel better so maybe some teachers had useful information to teach. Having been handed a napkin by her daughter to clean her own hands she noticed a smudge of left over orange on Yee-Lis mouth. Lin reaches over to dab at it. The child's first instinct is to shoo the hand away. Which only makes Lin chuckle and try harder.
When she succeeded in cleaning it off. Lin threw the napkin away and picked up her book again. With a full stomach came the need to burn the energy off.
"No, now you have to sleep momma. It's the only way you'll get better." The child grabs for the book. And feeling more spry after the snack Lin uses the energy to keep it out of reach.
"I don't do naps squirt." A knee pierces her side as her daughter clamors on top of Lin to get the book. The blanket is pulled off. Lin begins to shiver. Which gives Yee-Li the opportunity.
"Tough!" She bellowed. Putting the blanket back in place and thus restoring some heat. Shu, the stuffed badgermole, was handed over. Lin looks to her daughter than the black eyes of the creature. She presses on the cheek of the toy.
"What do you want me to do with this?" Lin asked.
"He'll keep you company while you sleep momma. You always made sure I had him when I was sick." The girl answered. Making sure that the stuffed animal was under the blankets and in Lins arms. A safe comfort. Much the same way it did for Yee-Li; still does at times.
The badgermole's head stuck out of the blankets. The two of them watch as Yee-Li goes over to the chair.
Lin shuts her eyes and shifts until she is curled on her side keeping the badgermole toy tucked under her chin. The feeling familiar and the badgermole found itself replaced with a mental picture of Korra. This fictional Korra was one Lin could take out her frustrations on. Touching brown thighs, breasts, the way Lin would grab her neck from behind and tilt it upward so she could kiss it all over. But it was a poor substitute which reminded her so by the stale smell like unwashed clothes found in the back of the closet after a long while. It wasn't her wife's thighs she were touching but her own. Lin snapped herself back from the fantasy.
To see Yee-Li no more than a foot in front of her hunched over. Not paying a lick of attention to Lins thinking impure things under the covers about her other mother. Scribbling something down, she changed her mind, then erased it in favor of another answer. Yee-Li feels eyes on her. She looks to Lin. Who is hiding most of her red face behind the stuffed toy.
"Why not go do your homework in the chair?"
Yee-Li gives a firm shake of her head. "Mommy said I had to keep an eye on you. So that's what I'm doing." She explained.
"So if mommy hadn't told you then you wouldn't be doing this? How cruel. I thought you might of been worried about me." Lin faces the other way to hide her grin.
There is silence accompanying the accusation. Papers shuffle quietly. The book Yee-Li was working in closes and her pencil is set aside with it. Yee-Li climbs to her feet. Inches close to Lin who can feel her there but does nothing. Except roll closer into the couch. The nice give of the cushion felt relaxing against her forehead.
Yee-Li swallows something in her throat.
The words are having a hard time getting out behind the mental block in her head. Embarrassment will do that when one tries to talk around it. "I...momma-I-i." It's hard for the little girl to look at such a back. The weight behind it. The power it possessed. One word: incredible; big words for only a child to consider. What her momma could do was simply that. Her mommy had once told Yee-Li, while they were watching Lin practice, was that she thought her mommas bending was beautiful. Yee-Li couldn't see it as she watched Lin stomp on the ground. She was more interested in what came out of those movements. The way she could move the earth. Tweak its shape. Creating anything she wanted. Like the statues on her bedside table. Those were cool; not beautiful. They weren't like flowers, or Aunt Asami when she wore a dress.
Not hearing anything from her daughter Lin turned to look over her shoulder to see her daughters head down. Fumbling with things inside it and her chest felt a little tight. Nervous fingers gripping the sides of her skirt.
Lin hugged Shu to her chest and flipped back around. Wanting to say something. Maybe an apology if her words had done something to upset Yee-Li but the girl started to stutter something out again. And Lin wasn't about to interrupt her daughter if she needed to speak.
"I a-a-am worried about ch-ch-u. I don't like seeing you like this momma." Her eyes were big and wet but nothing came out, lip quivering when she finally finished talking.
Lin hid behind the badgermole toy and gave it a squeeze. She wrestled with herself about what was right versus what was right at that moment. She didn't want to risk Yee-Li getting sick but she didn't like her sad either. So she shoved one option aside and said whatever was in her head. The first words happening to be, "Would you sleep with me squirt. Your momma isn't so good at taking naps and I think I'll be able to if your with me."
Yee-Li wipes her nose which had gotten a little stuffy. She nods. Then smiles weakly. "Don't give me any of your germs."
Lifting the covers she allows the girl to climb in then shuts them creating a nice warm space with the two of them; and Shu. Yee-Li wraps her arms around the toy just bellow Lin's. There touching but her daughter doesn't make a big deal out of it looking at each other over the badgermoles head. Light green and the most beautiful shade of brown eyes Lin had ever seen. More earthy than all the rocks in the earth kingdom.
"Sleep momma." Her daughter yawns into the stuffed animal. Nuzzles it and sniffs the stale scent to help relax. To her Shu always smelled like her parents.
. . .
An itchy throat woke Lin this time. Groaning she reflexively curls into the warmth pressed to her face. A little confused by the shorthair she is snuggling into. Including the fact that it smells musty. Not like Korra's usual strong scent; that even though she has been away from the south for so long still had hints of ocean musk. Also why was her torso so furry? And Korra didn't seem to be as firm as she usually felt. Especially in that area her hands were grabbing.
A soft sigh not of her wife made Lin open her eyes. A black nose was being pushed into her own. Between its little pointed ears was that little face that each day its cheek bones seemed to lose more of their roundness. The badgermole was pulled closer to Yee-Li. Lin felt her daughters smooth skin rub against her own. So pretty unlike her own. Which was rough like a giant callous. Permanent bruises and cuts one that Yee-Li accidentally touched when she tried to wrap her arms tighter around the toy and instead wound them around Lins arms. She was unable to remember the story behind the short line across the back of her forearm. It happened so long ago.
There was sweat all down Lins back that chilled her as the blanket lifted. The stuffed badgermole was hugged tighter as the warmth left. Lin crawled over her daughter and covered her back up. A murmur of thanks from her dreams. Snuffling her sleeping buddy.
Lin picked at the dark spot running down the front of her shirt. The gray tank top stuck to her skin. She had been lazy and wore no bra since it wasn't like she were going to be leaving the house today. That was transparently...apparent. Nipples poking the fabric. Lin growled as she held the couch to fight the vertigo. Angry that after all that wasted time sleeping and yet she still wasn't feeling any better.
Something clinked. Lin looked into the kitchen and saw Korra looking at her. A little lower than her face.
Good, medicines here.
Wondering in Lin leaned on the counter. Korra was indeed staring a bit to obviously now. Patting her chin to get her to eye level Korras eyes had glazed somewhat which Lin corrected by tapping her between the brows. She shook herself then looked at Lin confusedly.
"where's," Lin spoke meekly then cleared her throat trying to restore some moisture, "Where's the medicine?" She looked to the open pot Korra had been stirring. The smell, though Lin had no doubt it was heavenly, could not penetrate her stuffy sinuses. Then she looked at korra herself. With the prospect of relief mere moments away Lin forwent her usual looks up and down. Even ignoring the apron. Lin just wanted her medicine.
There was a bag on the table. Small and brown that Korra went over to and took out a small green bottle with a noisy shuffling of paper. Lin reached out but Korra pulled back. Fishing out a spoon from the drawers she turned the bottle over to look at the back. Korra squinted. Shifting the bottle backwards and forewords in front of her face. The tip of her nose was near pressed up against the instructions. "Hold on." Korra said. Walking around the kitchen. Checking the corners and behind a knife block; having found them there once. Then pulling open a drawer full of papers, pens, pencils. She pulled everything out didn't find what she was looking for then shoved it all back in crudely.
Lin was still attached to the counter when she said, "I think you left them upstairs. Just give me the bottle and I'll tell you how much I need."
There was a shake of a head that sent the pigtails on either side of Korras face swirling about like a rattle drum. Each braid took a shot at slapping her across the nose. As if to try to correct her stubbornness. It didn't help because Korra left Lin in the kitchen taking the bottle with her too.
Lin whimpered as she saw the clothed backside of her wife disappear. Steadying herself with one hand she banged the other on the counter. A loud thud that made the ground beneath the house shake.
Droopy eyes that were being pawed at by small fists with mouth opening wide as it took in the fresh warm air from the fire. Yee-Li had pushed herself up on the couch. She looked over the back of it at Lin. Still rubbing out the sleep as the blanket feel off. Shu was being squished under her weight.
"There's no need to throw a fit, Lin." Korra came back down.
Lin's focus instantly went to the bottle.
Before the relief could come Korra wanted to help sit Lin down at the table and sat down next to her. Making sure to put the bottle out of reach before she put on a pair of glasses. The frame was simple grey metal. Cheap and none to flashy because Korra didn't want them to be noticed. Frustration mounting as the label was able to be read at a comfortable distance now.
"Why am I the one who has to wear glasses?" She asked, looking over the frames. They were half moon spectacles. Finally forced to get them a week after their return from vacation. After she misread the directions for a cake recipe and nearly gave them all sever sugar poisoning. Half a cup; not twelve. Even though Korra said later that it sounded odd; but hey, she liked sweet things so in her mind it must of made sense that the more sweeter the better. They were only for fine print; but Lin wished Korra would wear them more often.
If she hadn't been sick she would of been staring more at that sexy visage. Maybe she would of had Korra do her hair up in a bun, but keep the pigtails those always had to stay. Hmmm, maybe I could get her to be my librarian and bring me books.
Lin leaned on the table thinking about that as Korra unscrewed the cap on the bottle. "Hmm, I guess it's because of my extra sense. I don't need to see really."
"So you should be wearing glasses then?" Korra jumped at the chance to get her wife into a pair to humiliate her like she felt. She wasn't that old to be needing them.
"No, I didn't say that. I still have perfect vision. I just said that if I needed to I wouldn't have to. Besides there was a five year period were I couldn't see at all. When I was-let's see-Suyin was two. And I was eight. When I wasn't at school my mother had me wear a blindfold. It was to help me hone my extra sense to help with earthbending. We hadn't done much as far as training goes until that point. I knew simple stances and movements. Mother beat the basics into me at an early age. Someone you would of benefitted from." She gave a tired smile. Her head damp from the fever. Lin leaned a bit further forward. Which gave Korra a nicer view down her shirt.
Korra poured the medicine into the spoon; face frowning. "That's kinda harsh Badgermole." She pointed the end of the spoon at Lins mouth. Full of a brown liquid that made Korra want to cringe as Lin took it without a second thought nor recoil when the strong bitter taste reached her tongue.
"My mother was strict in training me. But I wouldn't be the bender that I am now without her lessons. Sure I hated her for it then," Lin gave Korra a knowing look which made the girl busy herself with putting the cap back on the bottle, "but we never appreciate our masters until later on anyway." The medicine took the edge off almost at once. She felt less feverish. Stronger. The hand squeezing Korras showed that.
They shared a smile.
"Feeling hungry?" Korra asked.
Lin grinned and gave a slight nod. "Famished little penguin." Brushing her hair. Much of its plump was gone. Instead it fell flat from sleep.
"Didn't really want to say this Lin," Korra was at the pot with a bowl and ladle with her face halfway over it. The steam rising and brought with it the most delectable combination of meat and vegetables; and a hint of sea salt. No one else in the family could pick up that subtle scent but the water tribe woman. "but you're looking a little...what's the word..."
"Unkempt." Lin said.
"I was going to say...greasy?" Setting the bowl down in front of Lin Korra reached out. Touching slick strands of hair. It was oily to the touch an rubbed off on her fingers. Korra wiped it on her apron.
"Are you comparing me to Asami?"
Korra went to the drawer to get a spoon. While up she said, "No, not really," she shrugged, "your usually just sweaty; and sexy." The spark was back in Lins belly if only a little.
But hunger was pushing the hormones down.
Lin slurped the soup in a distasteful way. It splattered and dribbled down her chin.
The urge to laugh was pushed away by the one to wipe that mess off. That is was only when the bowl was empty. Korra wiped her wife's mouth. Pressing her finger through the thin napkin as she ran it along her lip.
"More?" Korra asked.
Lin held out her bowl.
. . .
The receiver was softly placed into its cradle with a soft click. The thin pale fingers held it a moment longer. Pressing their weight onto the phones black glazed surface. Lips curled slightly. The hand on the phone lifted off to brush through gray hair. It bounced once then settled.
Lin looked into the back yard. Nothing but brown earth. A fence. And beyond that the whole of republic city rose around it. Tall buildings punctured the sky line to hang with the clouds. The air tickled the exposed flesh painfully but people were no doubt out and about. Things to do. Places to be. Or maybe just laze about and find something new. There was always something new happening in the city. Lin frowned. Sometimes it wasn't always the good kind of new that they found.
The sound of a cough drew her attention. Two coughs to be exact that seemed to play off each other. Fueling each of their own misery.
Lin crept silently towards the couch.
Korra and Yee-Li are asleep under what was probably every blanket in the house. They looked like a horrible bloated leech. Their noses red raw. Sweaty from forehead to toes. With booger stained sleeves. Korra had her arms wrapped around Yee-Li who was curled into her mother's chest.
When a snore came Lin wrinkled her nose. Yee-Lis hands fisted into the fabric of Korras clothes. Pulled and pushed like a kitten kneading. Not in happiness but to quiet the racket her mother was making even in her dreams.
Lin snuck back into the kitchen and takes a spot at the table. The usual comfort of the cushion was lessened by her thoughts. It felt as if she were sitting on a prickle patch.
A sheet of white paper lay there. Its surface untouched. There was a pen beside it. Words swam but failed to line up in any kind of coherent way. Lin reached for the pen, yet her hand stilled over it. A single finger touched its shiny surface. As soon as she made contact with the implement the feelings stilled. Lin picks up the pen and touches the tip to the page beginning to tarnish that pristine surface.
Dear Suyin...