Lin held Xooang's hand tightly, her grip betraying the fragility of her body. With exertion, she attempted to sit up in bed, her face wrenched with pain.
"Let me help you. You're still recovering. Maybe you should lie down unless it hurts too much?" Xooang's voice shook with concern. He knew Lin's restless temperament and being restricted to the hospital must have been tormenting her.
Lin let out a strained grunt, pushing herself to communicate. Xooang understood her well enough to know she wanted to immediately be released from the hospital. She loathed the unyielding walls and the persistent reminder of her vulnerability.
After a moment, Lin let out a heavy sigh.
"I want to apologize for not being a safe person to talk to. I broke up with you instead of pressing for answers when you broke down. I should have been a better partner." Xooang's voice was filled with guilt as she gently positioned her pasty hands in Xooang's tanner ones, seeking consolation and giving unspoken forgiveness.
Tears welled up in Xooang's eyes as he looked into Lin's guilt-ridden gaze. "I love you, Lin. I really want to get married," he whispered, his voice filled with earnest and longing. Lin's eyes flickered away, unable to meet his stare.
"I know about what happened with your ex. I don't care about that at all. I just want it to be about us now, forever." Xooang's words were severe in the air, but Lin couldn't stop the guilt that gnawed at her core. Xooang reached out, gently caressing her cheek, a gesture that had always brought her reassurance.
"Can I hold you?" Xooang's voice was filled with openness and yearning. Lin attempted a nod, but the strain of the action caused her head to dip down before she blinked twice a silent declaration. Xooang carefully crawled into bed with her, disregarding Kya's repeated warnings. He held her close, whispering words of love and reassurance into her ear until exhaustion claimed them both, their bodies entwined in a fragile embrace.
Toph couldn't escape the endless ringing in her ear, a continuous reminder of the ache and uneasiness that enveloped her. She shook, her hands clutching onto the idea of that man she had loved since her youth. They had fought side by side in a war, once the heroes of their time. But now, Sokka's actions had shattered it all, and Toph's choices had devastated her firstborn child, Lin, and countless others. The consequence of guilt bore down on her, and she felt the burning glares of those around her as she made her way down the desolate hallway.
She felt Suyin's heart raced with anger and disappointment, her breath heavy with the consequence of betrayal.
"I can't believe I trusted you, Mother," she muttered, her voice laced with misery and disillusionment.
Suyin had hoped for a sincere reconciliation with Lin to mend the wounds that had festered far too long; she wished she wasn't out of time. But now, she realized that her attempts at reconciliation had been nothing more than a facade, a feeble attempt to mask her own envy of her older sister. She knew how alone Lin had always been in the shadows.
Toph's hands shook as she felt Lin's fragile heartbeat, a stark reminder of her daughter's vulnerability. The guilt consumed her, threatening to suffocate her very being. And amidst the darkness, she felt the presence of someone she hadn't sensed in a decade.
The heavy footsteps of The Boulder echoed in the depths of her soul, a haunting reminder of the past and the choices that had led them all to this point.
When I was her age, I kicked The Boulder's butt along with four others. If she wanted to get away from him, she could have.
When Lin heard her mother's words in the courtroom, humiliation filled her, and she couldn't help but stare at the floor, feeling small and defeated. Toph's vicious comments only added to the hurt that already devoured the teen.
Meanwhile, Toph wondered what The Boulder's intentions were at that moment. She could hear the sound of his cane and the scent of herbal medicine as she hurriedly entered Lin's room, determined to protect her daughter for once, realizing it was the last thing Lin needed to deal with.
"Get out of here," Xooang's voice cut through the air. Toph recognized his heartbeat too well. She failed to realize that Xooang had just calmed Lin down after overhearing Toph. Lin had been in tears, hurt by some of the things her mother had admitted.
"I-someone is here who hurt Lin," Toph said flatly, aware that she had no right to cry in front of her daughter. It pained her to know that her presence caused Lin's heart to race in terror, even though Lin still desired her mother's acceptance and adoration.
Toph was blind to the depth of her own mistakes.
"Then go tell someone else. You're only going to stress her out. Haven't you done enough to hurt her, hm?" Xooang's voice dripped with disdain, making the great Toph Beifong feel small and insignificant. His words struck a chord, as he was irate that Toph couldn't see how much Lin was hurting and how many overlooked her.
Just like now.
Lin desperately wanted to say something, but Xooang's touch on her cheek reminded her to stay calm and not let her emotions overwhelm her again. It hurt him to see her so broken, and he just wanted to shield her from the selfishness of others.
Toph stood there momentarily, feeling the weight of her actions. "I'm sorry. I-" she began, but Xooang's harsh voice cut her off.
"Get out," Xooang demanded, fully aware that Toph could easily harm him but refusing to let her presence inflict any more pain on the woman he loved. He could see Lin's breathing growing more rapid, her distress escalating.
Toph fled, feeling a deep sense of shame for causing Lin more pain. Lin watched her mother leave, torn, not wanting to hurt her feelings, wishing she could tell her fiance to leave her mom alone, still not wanting to hurt her feelings. She tried to relax in Xooang's arms, feeling unworthy of his devotion and adoration. Xooang gently stroked Lin's silky gray hair, his touch bringing a sense of calmness to her racing thoughts. He felt her breath slow in the hitch of his neck.
Lin didn't want anyone to go after those who had hurt her. She didn't want an investigation or anyone to acknowledge the mess she had made of her life. It didn't matter, just like how she felt she didn't matter in the grand scheme. She wished she hadn't been so foolish and weak to try committing suicide to get ahead of the photos and her past.
She didn't want her own worthlessness to tarnish their legacy.
"I did it, I can't hold on to this guilt any longer." The voice of a man turning himself in, apologizing loudly to Lin for his crimes.
As Xooang noticed Lin's glazed-over eyes and the numbness that seemed to wash over her, he grew alarmed. He knew she recognized the voice causing her distress, and he understood the signs of dissociation, thanks to Kya's earlier explanation. Getting up and closing the door behind him, he decided to inform the others they needed to leave, only to be met with a chaotic fight outside. He screamed at them to shut up or take their fight elsewhere, his rage directed at every person in that vicinity.
Meanwhile, Toph felt sickening in her stomach as she witnessed the old man on his knees before her eyes. Deciding to walk to clear her mind, she left Kya and Katara to check on Lin. Sighing, Xooang realized how easily sound carried in this place, and he hoped Lin hadn't heard the extent of the chaos that was now moving outside. Boulder confessed to all he had done to her. Tenzin hung back, looking at his ex's panicked, stricken face, not sure how to help but being wise enough to go fetch tea and not overwhelm her further as the machine beeped quickly.
"I'm sorry, Lin. You must have heard everything," Katara's voice trembled as tears streamed down her face. The memories of the cruel truth about her brother still haunted her, and she gently placed soothing blue water on Lin's head. A wave of painful recollection washed over the police chief, causing her to gag involuntarily as bile burned at her throat.
"We love you, Lin," Kya affirmed, trying to be strong despite the horror around them. "This isn't your fault; it really isn't." Katara nodded, understanding that they needed to focus on helping Lin despite the disarray surrounding them. Xooang returned to the room after demanding that Saikan and Mako send the others outside to continue their fight.
"She's been trying to talk. I hope she's okay," Xooang said, his gaze fixed on Lin. He hoped that her broken bones were healing and that they could bring her home soon for a more comfortable recovery. He wished he could do more for her.
Lin's mind was consumed by stormy thoughts, her desire to defend Sokka burning within her if only she could speak. She knew he had fought hard to rectify his sick mistakes before his death, taking a hit that would have killed her. She knew he never intended to harm her and that he had battled his dark urges for decades before they drove him to madness. She knew he had never harmed another girl again; she had checked. When Sokka saw his actions' impact on her life, he understood that it had taken a turn for the worse, and he had banished himself from everyone else in the South Pole out of self-loathing.
In the end, Lin still loved and forgave him for his mistakes. Her life felt insignificant compared to all the good Sokka and Toph had done.
—
Toph wandered through the city, unable to find consolation or rest.
She made her way to the police station, where a grand statue of herself stood, a symbol of the life Lin had dedicated to the force, a life that had been overshadowed by Tophs.
The police station Lin gave her life to with no thanks
Standing before the statue, tears streamed down Toph's face as she felt like a fraud and a disgrace.
Knowing it was impossible, she contemplated how to right such a monumental wrong. In her frustration and despair, she began bending the face of the statue, recalling the pride she had once felt when it was first erected, proving so many wrong.
But now, it all felt like nothing more than lies and deception, crumbling like ostrich-horse shit on the ground.
—
Kya sighed as she saw Xooang and Lin lying in bed together, cuddled up. She had warned him countless times not to stay past visiting hours or get into bed as she still wasn't out of hot water. Gently tapping him, Xooang woke up and sighed, realizing it was time to leave. He kissed Lin softly on her cheek and politely bid goodnight to Kya and Katara.
Shortly after Xooang left, Lin woke up, her expression carrying a hint of sadness. Kya reassured her that he would be there in the morning. Lin tried to nod, but the remainder of her broken bones caused her discomfort.
As Kya and Katara continued their work on her, Lin wished she could speak to them, but they talked to her, keeping her informed about her recovery progress and the city's state. They didn't mention that with Saikhan and Mako being busy, the person currently calling the shots was overwhelmed with their workload and struggling to keep up.
Or that someone was leaking information somehow, and they couldn't figure out how.
—
The outrage grew as more things leaked into the media. A mess unfolded; everyone was discussing and throwing in their options—the biggest scandal of the decade that didn't involve a global crisis.
The Firelord kissed her lover in the corner of the hospital, the weeks of worry easing as Lin recovered from her injuries. How they missed each other and how the world changed for them all. Kya looked into Izumi's ember eyes, searching for how she held up. The answer was hard to find. Izumi smiled at Kya.
"I'm okay, you know." Izumi tried to reassure the healer.
"Yeah, I'm okay too." Kya mimicked her lover; neither felt alright, but neither could admit their shock and crisis.
"Do you think she will talk to Uki?" The Firelord questioned
"I'm hoping so; I doubt Lin would want to jeopardize the idea that legislation would be enacted to ensure that people go to jail for crimes like that," the healer said, brushing the bangs out of her face. The past two months have taken their toll on her.
"Lin just isn't one for being vulnerable. She hasn't spoken much since she heard they were talking about her on the radio." Izumi groaned, remembering how Lin's hand trembled at the revelation and how shaky her voice got. They lied about how much they knew.
"Hasn't eaten much either and seems stir-crazy as well," Kya mentioned, knowing Lin's road to recovery wasn't over, wheelchair-bound being a lesser concern than her having to unpack the buried memories she has repressed and the trauma as well. She would have to face the things she didn't want anyone to know.
"I hate to think of how technology will keep being innovated, but the wrong people will use it for disgusting things." Izumi broke a long pause, deep in thought.
"Like the kuvira's spirit weapon or... movers." Kya shuttered.
"I think Lin will testify, and I'm not going to think about what may come out about the next generations and their heroes and inventors. I still can't believe this is happening so publicly." Izumi thought the same as Kya, not wanting to think of what could happen anymore.
"Su hasn't left Lin's side whenever she can; she might need to talk to someone sooner or later. This broke her and brought her back to bad times." Kya changed the subject, noticing Su heading for the lady's room.
"She confessed to me that she was the one that scarred Lin and was a terrible person. I tried to talk her down, but I'm guessing this simply reminds her how deep this situation was between them." Izumi revealed the truth about Lin's scar. Kya was shocked and angry once more.
"Su didn't know how harmful it was until it was too late, but she's trying her best to be there for Lin." Izumi tries to add, knowing Kya was angry about that information.
Kay nodded, holding her tongue. Quietly condemning the Beifong family.
They both knew they wanted to discuss Toph destroying her statue and accidentally slipping on Lin's father, who was right in front of toph, but they didn't know how they were leaking every conversation.
Mako eventually came looking for them; the public began sending flowers to the hospital in droves after a week, and Izumi couldn't help but wonder if things would have been different if Lin hadn't been criticized and under public scrutiny at all times for doing her job, sometimes poorly but always gave it her best go.
They struggled to figure out what to do with the flowers every day. But it seemed like Lin liked them. She had taken to doodling them as her fiance attempted to bring things from home to entertain her.
Deep in Kya's heart, she wanted to like Xooang. It would be a stretch to think he was the leaker, as he was always trying to be near Lin, but Kya simply didn't like him. Neither did Mako Izumi inform her, but they appreciated that he seemed solely concerned for Lin's well-being for the five years they apparently dated.
Lin was asleep when they had finished deciding what arrangement would go in her room. It seemed like she was having a nightmare. Izumi sat beside Lin, stroking her palms softly and whispering soft reassurance.
Lin's eyes flew open. She breathed heavily, and tears pricked her eyes.
"It's okay; you are safe," Kya murmured kindly.
Lin stared at her hands before attempting to metal-bend the metal casing of her pencil eraser. She took a deep breath.
Kya wondered if it had to do with Amon. She noted that Lin closed her journal and that Lin still did her journaling. Kya shook the idea of reading it; Lin wouldn't talk, but everyone was taking her privacy the more the case continued. It would be wrong to pry into the last bit of privacy she had, but she was frightened that Lin could be planning to hurt herself again.
Lin watched them with curious eyes.
"The lawyer should be in soon to speak to you, Lin; you remember Uki?" Izumi heated a wet rag and tried cleaning Lin's face a bit.
Lin shook her head. "I don't want to-the pictures."
"The testimony will only make the case for new legislation stronger," Kya tried to assure, hoping she didn't push too much. Wondering if this was going to be too much for Lin. How small she seemed so fragile.
Lin didn't want any of this—a lose-lose situation if she didn't or did speak. But she felt obligated to help if it meant it would help people. There wasn't much more that could be taken from her at this rate. She didn't want any of this to be revealed, but mistakes were made trying to end her life, and she was alive now. She supposed she would have to face the mess she created for herself.
"Fine. " Lin sighed heavily.
Izumi and Kya both looked at each other, surprised. They hadn't expected Lin to agree so quickly.
"Lin, are you sure about this?" Izumi asked, her voice soft but filled with concern.
"I have to do this, Izumi," Lin replied, her voice steady. "I can't let this happen to anyone else."
Kya reached out and squeezed Lin's hand, offering her silent support. "We're here for you, Lin. We'll get through this together."
Lin spent hours with Uki, going over every detail and every moment of those troubled years of her life. It wasn't as hard as she had worked with the lawyer a few times, but the day soured so quickly, talking about what she could recollect. That it wouldn't go away now, it all really happend.
She didn't want to give the details to be more vulnerable than she was comfortable with. That she would bring shame to her family. Everyone would judge her for the part she played when it came to her bad habits and decisions, including those she made as an adult.
Xooang came in after Uki left. She had been silent for hours, just wanting space. Lin was unable to respond to him or look at him. Xooang sighed, hoping it would pass and she would tell him what was wrong.
It never came.
—-
Lin trembled as she awoke to find her mother by her side. She couldn't help but wonder why her mother was there, as she wasn't in the mood for conversation. Ever since she learned that most of the men involved were pleading not guilty, meaning she would have to go through a trial, Lin had been feeling emotionally drained.
The chief wished she had passed more frequently, as she had stopped making an effort to recover. She no longer spoke and grew increasingly frustrated with her inability to walk or take care of herself as she once had. She felt violated by everyone's assumptions and overwhelmed by their sudden outpouring of care and pity. It felt like her privacy and personal struggles were being exposed for the world to scrutinize.
Toph's face tensed as she noticed Lin's heart rate and breathing quicken. "Lin, it's okay," Toph tried to sound gentle, but it came out awkward instead.
Lin looked at her mother momentarily, curiosity getting the better of her. She decided to try to talk to her. "I just didn't expect you to be here this late," Lin said, trying to keep her tone even. Speaking was exhausting, and her eyes welled up with tears that her mother wouldn't see.
Being alone with her mother made the younger earthbender extremely uncomfortable. Her mother had said she didn't want her, but she also didn't allow her to be with someone who did. Lin already knew this, but hearing the words directly from her mother's mouth and seeing how much of a burden she was to her mother and grandparents hurt her deeply.
The chief knew she had been an embarrassment and a source of shame for the Beifong name since her grandfather angrily told her one summer. Lao had decided that Lin needed to go on a diet and behave like a proper lady to be accepted. The troubled child threw a fit until they silenced her while her sister praised her. the child who was wanted, the child who wasn't a mistake.
But what hurt the most was the truth about her father. After all the lies, Lin discovered that Kanto was actually Lord Zuko's alias during his affair with Toph, which occurred while Mai was in the hospital for some psychological issues.
"They seem close. I wonder if Lin noticed," Zuko remarked, observing Kya and Izumi's intimacy. Happy for his sweet turtleneck.
"She's our daughter. I doubt it," Toph replied. The ensuing chaos was like something out of a play. The anger towards Toph exploded violently, and Lin's heart shattered. She could have had a father who would have loved her. It seemed her mother felt used and intentionally took out her anger on Lin.
Lin stared at the hospital's white walls, consumed by the pain of the news she had received. It had been kept from Lin, hidden in apathetic lies, but Toph held the truth in her hands the whole time. Xooang wanted Toph banned, but Lin couldn't bring herself to enjoy the same for some reason. Despite the stomach-turning mark her mother had left on her, she still longed for her presence, unable to let go.
It was all becoming too overwhelming. Lin yearned to feel something, even if it meant hurting herself. Xooang refused to give up, growing more frustrated with each passing day. Tenzin stood by her side, offering warm memories and gifts from the past, their bond growing more robust. Tenzin pulled her out of the fog of lost souls. She pushed Xooang away, unable to speak to him, and he refused to sleep with her in the state she was in. Choosing was trying to be her rock, but she was clearly incompetent with love.
Lin found herself in a dark place, feeling robbed of her life again. The leaks continued, the music she recorded when lost in the web of her abuse being played on the radio. People felt entitled to her struggles, individuals she hadn't thought of in decades, inserting themselves into things they couldn't possibly understand.
She wished she could talk to her mom, but Lin knew that if she expressed her feelings, her mother wouldn't care. She felt suffocated by her emotions and anger, knowing she would have to be the victim in a trial, reliving every abuse she did and didn't remember, listening to things and seeing things she couldn't handle. She would have to face those men and endure the consequences of her traumatic experiences.
"Lin," Toph tried to bring her daughter back into the present. Lin touched her mother's knee, struggling to find the words. She grunted to let her know she was listening.
"I snuck in to bring you some snacks that you were obsessed with when you were little," Toph attempted to connect with her oldest.
"I figured, but why?" Lin's voice was raspy as she tried to sit up, unable to reject her mother's gesture.
"Because I feel guilty, and I wanted to see how you were doing," Toph said, handing her daughter the treats she had collected. Lin wondered how her mother managed to bring them to Republic City intact. Toph hoped Lin understood that she never wanted any of this to happen, that she didn't know about Sokka and his friend abusing her. It had ended up being others and had spiraled into the mess they were in now.
Listening to the recordings and hearing her child's cries burned into Toph's mind. They were all being briefed on the trial, and from what she had heard, she considered herself fortunate to be blind.
"Thanks, Mom," Lin said softly, taking a bite of the snack despite not wanting to.
"That fiancé of yours, how did you meet him? It's pretty funny how you went from a jellybone airbender to a fiery waterbender," Toph chuckled, appreciating the guy's boldness.
"I was working security for an event featuring a big-shot musician. We talked all night, and I don't know why, but I felt comfortable with him. He told me he was a chief conductor, and we shared a few jokes about being 'chief.' Then he asked me out, and the rest is history," Lin said, grinning at the memory.
"He hates me, and I can't blame him. But he loves you so much. I approve of him because he stood up to me, knowing I could easily overpower him," Toph admitted.
"He may not have fully mastered his element, but he has a gift for healing. I didn't really get to learn much about his bending abilities," Lin added, not mentioning her feelings of unworthiness. Despite that, she couldn't help but feel that he might be the one for her.
Neither knew what to discuss after.