The First Steps Taken
Lin got up about an hour later than she normally did. She had done so much work yesterday, she could afford a late start to her day. She brushed her hair, trying to tame the gray mess it had become in her sleep. As she was brushing her hair, she tried to ignore the dreams she had about Kya last night. Once she deemed her hair presentable, she walked out into the living room.
To Lin’s surprise, the waterbender was already awake. “Good morning,” Kya said with a yawn as she put the teapot on the stove. The police chief just nodded at her, unable to properly function before her tea. Kya bent the tea and handed the cup to Lin. “I noticed you had Uncle Iroh’s tea blend, I’m assuming it’s still your favorite,” the waterbender said.
The earthbender nodded. “Yeah, I’ve tried other teas but none have been as good as his blend,” she said taking a sip. The waterbender nodded, knowing Lin needed tea in her system before she could function. “Thank you for this Kya,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t betray her feelings.
Kya nodded. “Of course! You let me stay here after all,” she said, bumping Lin’s hip with her own as she headed towards the fridge. Lin was definitely not thinking about Kya’s body again, not at all. Especially after last night’s dreams, it was super easy to get distracted by the beautiful waterbender. Get it together Beifong. Stop acting like a lovestruck teenager and focus on work.
Kya decided to start making breakfast, seemingly oblivious to Lin’s internal struggle. “I’m going to Tenzin’s today,” she announced as she tossed the food on the skillet. “I haven’t seen him since I got back to Republic City.”
Lin nodded. “Have fun. I might be able to get back earlier tonight. I’ve been doing enough work that I can afford a shorter day today,” she said. Lin then walked back towards her bedroom, deciding to bend on her armor. Unbeknownst to her, the waterbender was admiring her back muscles as the police chief walked away.
“Spirits,” Kya said as the food began to smoke. “Pay attention to the food, not the hot woman wearing a tanktop that looks sinful on her,” she muttered to herself. She dished the food onto two plates and bent some more tea into Lin’s cup. Humming to herself, she put the food on the table and grabbed some silverware.
Lin came out of her bedroom fully dressed in her armor. “Thanks,” she said, sitting down to eat. Kya simply nodded and continued to eat. Each woman tried to squash their feelings down, making them oblivious to the other’s emotions. The two finished eating and Lin grabbed the dishes.
“I got the dishes,” Lin said, letting her hand brush against Kya’s as she grabbed the plates. Lin hoped that her thudding heart and flushed cheeks didn’t give away how much Kya’s touch lit her skin up. Lin turned away, focusing on doing the dishes instead of her feelings. She put the clean ceramics away and took her travel mug. “I’ll see you after work,” she said with a nod to Kya. The police chief quickly walked out the apartment and finally let herself smile like the giddy teenager she wanted to. She walked to work, a certain healer on her mind. As she walked down the streets she vowed to protect with her life, she began to wonder if it was a possibility that she may feel the same.
Kya’s heart started racing as Lin’s hand brushed against hers. She spent the next ten minutes fruitfully trying to stop her blushing and she kept replaying the moment over in her mind while Lin got ready to leave. Kya rationally knew that she shouldn’t be having feelings like this for her childhood best friend, but she ignored it. For now, she just wanted to live in a fantasy world where Lin wouldn’t hesitate to touch her. She sighed and decided to take a shower.
After her shower, she dried her hair and decided to pull her silver hair into a braid. She looked at herself in the mirror and didn’t recognize the person she saw. The person she saw wasn’t insecure about their feelings. She sighed and began to reflect on how she felt. She felt herself beginning to spiral down a hole of insecurities and had a moment of clarity. “I need Pema,” she said as she grabbed the keys off the counter. She locked up the apartment behind her and went to the ferry as fast as she could.
Kya purchased her ticket and mentally steeled herself for seeing her brother and sister in law. As the ferry made its way across Yue Bay, she kept fidgeting. The healer paused and did some meditation techniques her father taught her to try and calm down. In and out. She kept the calming mantra in her mind as she steadied her breathing. The ferry then docked on shore and she made her way up to the temple. She felt anxiety course through her that was quickly remedied by a familiar voice saying “Kya?”
The waterbender smiled at her brother. “Hey lil bro,” she said with a smile. Tenzin simply pulled Kya into a hug. The siblings just relaxed into each other’s arms. “How have you been Mister Airbender Man?” she asked, punching his arm.
Tenzin rolled his eyes. “I still can’t believe you insist on calling me that.” Kya stuck her tongue out at him and he sighed. “I’ve been good lately, but extremely busy,” he said as he led Kya towards their kitchen.
Kya nodded. “I bet,” she said, grabbing a glass of water. “You’ve been doing a good job from what I’ve seen in the city so far. You’re doing well Tenzin,” Kya said as she leaned against the counter.
The airbender smiled. “It’s nice to see you Kya. Unfortunately, I have a Council meeting in about half an hour. Feel free to come by anytime,” he said.
“Just remember to take some time for yourself you workaholic,” Kya said as she smiled at her brother, knowing his chaotic schedule. Tenzin wrapped her in another hug and left. The healer sighed. She heard shuffling and looked up, seeing her sister in law struggling to walk a little bit.
“Hello Kya,” Pema said as she walked into the kitchen.
“Pema!” she exclaimed, giving her a hug. She then looked her up and down, noticing something her brother forgot to mention. “I’m going to murder your husband, he didn’t tell me you were pregnant,” she said, helping Pema sit down.
Pema rolled her eyes. “He gets like that when he has a meeting. All he can focus on is the Council. It can be a pain when he gets hyper focused like that,” she said. Kya nodded in agreement, knowing her brother’s tendency to hyperfixate. “Oh how rude, I didn’t even offer you anything,” Pema said, moving to stand up.
Kya placed her hand on Pema’s. “It’s fine, Tenzin let me grab some water. It’s okay, we’re family, you don’t have to be like that with me.” The two had some casual conversation and then Kya decided to break the news. “Okay so, I will admit I did have an ulterior motive to visiting you.” The waterbender sighed. “I need some help getting my thoughts straight,” she said nervously.
Pema raised an eyebrow. “I hate to break it to you, but you like women; your thoughts will never be straight.” Kya laughed and punched her in the arm. “What’s wrong though?” Pema asked, noticing how Kya’s demeanor changed when asking for advice.
“Okay so you know how I moved in with a childhood friend?” Pema nodded. “Well, I’ve been really confused lately. We’ve always been close, but these past few days I just want her. Her hand brushed against mine today grabbing the dishes and I swear I thought I was going to die from how fast my heart was beating. I’ve never felt so much feeling from someone just simply brushing my hand. I’ve been dreaming about her and I’ve been fantasizing about her lips against mine. I’m too afraid to say anything though, what if I ruin what we have? What if-”
“Kya stop. You’re spiralling. Drink some water,” Pema said, handing her a glass. The waterbender drank some water and felt herself calm down a bit. “So is this friend of yours straight or not?”
“That’s the problem. She’s only dated one guy in the past, but I can’t help it. She’s just so kind, dedicated and smart. Her eyes are insanely beautiful and I’ve loved her, even before her scars,” Kya said, rambling about her crush.
“Wait...scars. Are you crushing on Lin?” Pema asked. Kya blushed and looked away, reddening cheeks confirming Pema’s suspicions. “Look, I don’t know if she’s straight or not honestly. I do know one thing: you have to make a move or move out. You’re torturing yourself,” Pema said.
Kya’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m scared,” she confessed.
Pema grabbed her and just held the upset waterbender. “I was the same way with Tenzin. I was so scared that I would lose him, I was content with staying silent if it meant I wouldn’t lose him. I realized that I was just torturing myself and I couldn’t bear to see him with Lin if I didn’t confess,” Pema said. “It’s scary, but you have to take that leap,” she said.
Kya just laid in Pema’s embrace, feeling the woman’s love for her. “Thank you,” Kya said, voice full of tears. Both women knew she wanted to say more, but words couldn’t explain how she felt.
Pema smiled at her. “Go get your girl,” she said. Kya nodded and stood up to leave. “Be careful. If this goes wrong and you need a place to stay, you’re always welcome here. Now go get her tigerdillo,” she said, hoping the best for Kya.
Kya got on the ferry back to Republic City. She looked out over the blue water in the bay and made a promise to herself under the midday sun. I will tell Lin how I feel. It may take me a while to find the words to say, but I will do it. I’ve waited since we were kids, I’m done. The waterbender felt calm wash over her as she finally made a decision to talk to Lin.