the fourth kiss
Kya seldom was afraid. seriously, fear wasnt even in her vocabulary.
And yet, when her girlfriend came home battered and bruised after work, the only thing she did was be afraid.
Her mother had warned her, 'dating a cop is dangerous. you dont know which day they might be sucessful, and which day they'll be cut down by a triad.' Katara knew the pain. She knew what happens to people in that field, the fear, turning to things like cactus juice and alchohol, But it didnt stop Kya. "Lin is safe. shes smart, she wont get hurt."
She was wrong.
So, when Lin staggered into their apartment, with bruises adorning her skin and her hand clutched over her ribs, Kya was scared.
really, damn scared.
She wasnt used to it. Lin had always been safe, she'd been cautious, and she never got hurt. So, you can imagine Kyas suprise.
She rushed up from her spot on the couch and ushered Lin to lay down, and immediatly got to work.
It was a tactic she'd learned from her mother, when really necessary, extract water from the air. And right about then, she didnt have much time to get up and pour water, so her resorted to her mothers tips.
"what happened to you? i swear on the spirits, i'll kill whoever did this." She muttered while peeling Lins uniform off, since she didnt have the energy to metalbend it away.
"Triads." Lin attempted to sit up, but Kya nudged her back down.
"no moving."
XXX morning light spilled in through cheap blinds, casting a yellowed glow over Their silken sheets.
After Lins 'near death' scare Kya had laid her down in bed, leaving her in a somewhat groggy and pained state. Unlike most nights, where Kya would sleep like a baby, she lay awake. Every single thought raced through her head.
"will this be the last time this happens?"
"will she be okay?"
"what if i lose her."
So, it was a relief when she woke to Lin sleeping soundly next to her.
She scanned Lins body, looking for more blackened bruises or blood, and smiled when she found no signs of further damage.
Lins eyes fluttered open and Kyas smile widened,
"morning chief." Lin rolled her eyes, and Kya supressed a giggle.
They both laid there, with Kya grinning at her like an idiot. Everything about this was perfect. The way their bodies folded into eachother, Lins arm wrapped around her, their legs tangled in a knot, Lins hair across the pillow, brown with streaks of grey.
Lins thumb grazed over Kyas cheek, brushing over her lips, her jaw, and resting on her neck.
And spirits, Kya had never been in love with a person more.
"i love you." Kya whispered.
three words, alot of impact.
“i love you." a smile crept over Lins face, emphasizing the crinkles around her eyes when she smiled.
she slowly flipped ontop of Kya, dragging her lips along her neck and collarbone.
"i love everything about you," She whispered, kissing the nape of her neck softly.
"i love how smart you are," She kissed her forehead.
"i love your beauty," She kissed each of her cheeks.
"your strength" She brought Kyas knuckles to her lips.
"and that stupid smile you get when i do cheesy stuff," She kissed the tip of Kyas nose.
"just kiss me, dork." Kya murmured, fingers grazing Lins back, but being careful to avoid her bruises.
And she pressed a long, deep Kiss to Kyas lips.
Thats it, the fourth kiss with Lin beifong.
And it was everything Kya wanted. Lin barely ever said things like "i love you" or showed affection in that way, so this was special. Like a rainbow after the storm. Kisses after a death scare.