Angstpril 2022 - Day 4: Facing a Fear
The master ceremony at Air Temple Island had been beautiful. The dinner that followed, with everyone crowded around the table together, had been just as lovely. If not a little tiring. Kya found herself yawning early in the night as the others continued to chatter on warmly. She excused herself easily, standing and fumbling with her crutch. A steady pair of hands found her quickly and she turned to see Lin holding her, helping her, a deep look of concern on her face.
“I’m fine, Lin.” Kya said to her quietly but accepted the assistance anyway.
Lin escorted her through the temple in silence. One of the loudest silences Kya had ever experienced. Every time she looked over at Lin, her stormy green eyes were swirling with all the things she longed to say. Once in her rooms, so familiar to Lin now since Kya had returned from the south, Lin helped her undress and get ready to sleep. She lit a candle for light and comfort. She opened the window to allow the fresh spring air to flow in. She eased Kya into her bed carefully and then undressed herself, borrowing something of Kya’s, like she normally did when she unexpectedly spent the night, before climbing between the cool sheets to join her. All of it, in silence.
At the feel of Lin’s warm, firm body so close to her in bed, nearly touching, Kya sighed contentedly and slid closer to her. Wrapping an arm around Lin, she pulled her to her, kissed her forehead, stroked her hair softly. Lin let out a shaky breath against Kya’s chest and when she felt a drop of moisture hit her skin she pulled her face back to look at her in surprise.
“Lin?” Kya asked, her voice full of concern.
“I was so afraid.” Lin breathed out, gritting her teeth against the tears.
“I’m here, Lin. I’m okay.” Kya soothed her, brining her in for a soft kiss.
Lin was barely listening, trying to get a hold of herself and failing miserably. The paralyzing, all-consuming feeling of dread was still with her. It hadn’t stopped gnawing at her since they had gotten the news in Zaofu about what had happened at the Northern Air Temple. It only grew during the entire journey to the others, not knowing if Kya was injured or dead…it had nearly destroyed her.
“When I saw you lying there…” Lin shut her eyes, leaning into Kya’s gentle touch. She took another deep breath and forced herself to let everything go. Ground herself. So she could be there to support Kya now. Lin knew Kya was capable, that she could take care of herself but… It pained her so much to think about what Kya had been through, how Lin hadn’t been there to keep her safe. “But you’re right. You’re here. And I’m here now.”
Kya settled into the feeling of Lin’s fingers brushing softly against her skin, lulling her. Her limbs quickly grew heavy with sleep, soothed easily by the incredibly gentle way Lin was touching her and the warmth of her body pressed against her in bed. Soon, Lin found herself drifting off as well, their breaths mingling together sweetly in the small space between them.
In the morning, Kya woke with an ache in her bones, her body stiff. The steady heat of Lin beside her was her only comfort in the moment. She winced when she stirred in bed, trying to sit up. Her struggles woke Lin easily and then the earthbender was on her feet beside her, helping Kya swing her feet over the edge of the bed to the floor. Kya gestured to the pitcher across the room and Lin went to it, pouring water into the large bowl it had been sitting in. She brought the bowl to Kya, setting it on the table beside her bed. Lin helped Kya lift the hem of her long night shirt, revealing a violent looking bruise that stretched from her side to her hip and down most of her thigh. There were so many colors to it, so many shapes and branches to the nasty thing. The look of it made Lin’s brow knot deeply, her stomach lurching, and she only relaxed once Kya had bent the water to it and began to heal, sighing in relief. Although, it didn’t look much different once she had finished.
“I always need a little bit in the morning.” Kya explained to Lin, panting a bit as her pain subsided. “This injury is persistent.”
“Have you seen any other healers?”
“Of course.” Kya said, letting Lin help her stand, wanting to dress. “But I’m the best around so what is the point in any repeat visits? I’ve got it from here. And I’ll have Katara take another look when I get back home.”
A look of surprise and then recognition crossed Lin’s face plainly. Kya couldn’t miss it.
“I have to go back, Lin. At least for a while. I need to check in with my mother. I need to go home. I…I miss my home.”
“Haven’t you missed me?” Lin asked selfishly, then immediately regretted it.
“Of course I have.” Kya sat on the bed, sighing and pulling Lin down with her. When she touched her fingers to Lin’s face to soothe her, Lin nearly flinched. “What is it?”
“Everything that happened.” Lin said after a while, her voice tight then flowing quickly, desperately. “Almost losing you. Feeling so helpless as I tried so hard to reach you. It made me realize…that I don’t want to be apart from you anymore. I don’t want to keep things as they are. Letters and so many years between our meetings. I’m in love with you, Kya. I am. And I want to be with you.”
“Lin.” Kya sighed, her breath shaky. She leaned in to kiss Lin deeply, swallowing her gasp in her mouth. She brought her forehead to Lin’s, breathing her in. “You know how long I’ve waited to hear that. And you know how much I love you…”
Lin wrapped her fingers around Kya’s wrist where her hand was cupping her face. She lowered it down into her lap, fidgeting with Kya’s fingers, knowing what was coming.
“But I have to go home.” Kya tried to make her voice firm but Lin could still hear the unsteadiness in it. “And I’m going to assume that you aren’t able to come with me.”
“I can’t leave the city.” Lin admitted quietly. Kya took her hands from Lin’s lap and stood. She walked across the room carefully to dress, her hip feeling better enough after the short healing session. “You know I can’t. With Korra leaving, the city is going to be much more vulnerable in this unstable time after the Red Lotus attacks. I need to stay. Can’t you? Just for a little while?”
“I’m tired, Lin.” Kya shook her head, her voice weighted. “The city, Air Temple Island, it’s all too much for me right now. I want to be back in my own house. I want some peace while I recover from this. Besides, you aren’t the only one who needs to handle things at home. Katara needs me. The tribe needs me. I have responsibilities too.”
“I understand, Kya.” Lin said, her voice quiet and quivering. “I’m just tired of missing you.”
Kya walked over to the bed to stand in front of Lin, brushing back her sleep messy hair. She bent down to kiss Lin softly, lingering. Lin pulled her gingerly into her arms to sit on her bare legs where they hung off the bed. She nuzzled her head into the skin of Kya’s chest, her neck. Kya clung to her tightly, burying her face in Lin’s hair.
“I know.” Kya muttered sadly into her. “I am too.”
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