Tea!
“Zuko!” They all shout in excitement running towards to man engulfing him in a hug.
Except for Izumi who just sighs and leans back against the pool table. “Dad, how many times have I told you, you shouldn’t leave the palace without guards.”
“I’m my own guard!” Zuko says standing tall before his back strains and he leans on Kya for support who happily helps him sit down.
“Yeah zums your dad is the coolest, he’s scare them away with his fire bending!” Bumi says fake fire bending.
“Your dad fought Azula and beat her he can do anything!” Kya says helping the man sit down.
“He’s the only one of our parents who not only would fight my mom but probably win.” Lin says walking toward the man a look of profound respect on her face as she touches his shoulder in admiration.
“He truly is one of the best people to ever live!” Tenzin says looking down at Zuko.
“Maybe the stupidest! Dad just promise me you’ll be more careful.” Izumi says kneeling down in front of her father.
“I promise zums.” Zuko says feeling guilty and he reaches down and strokes his daughters face wiping a stay tear before it can fall down her face.
Just as Izumi stands up the air bender kids come running in.
“I’m fire lord Zuko” Meelo shouts bending air towards the ground with one hand so he is shot up into the air and holding the other over his eye.
“I must capture the avatar and regain my honour!” Jinora runs in after him had over her eye as well.
“My sister is a crazy lightning shooter and my dads the worst but I’ve got a cool scar so it’s ok!!!!” Ikki says riding in on her air scooter.
Just as the adults laughter subsides Opal and Bolin walk in the room.
“Tea! Tea, tea tea! Hmmm tea. Tea tea!! Ah yes tea! Tea prince Zuko, TEA!” They day as they stumble into the room erupting in fits of laughter.
“Hey, careful how you talk about Iroh’s tea I’ve heard he’s in the spirit world but I’m sure if there is anyone who could come back from the spirit world to shout at you for bad mouthing tea, it’s him!” Toph laughs as she joins them on the large couch.
They all settle into a comfortable conversation, talking and laughing amounts that selves. The children are all put to bed and once again Ikki requests Kya and Lin be there to tuck her in. Surprise still floods Lin’s face but less so this time and Kya once again smiles taking her hand towards the young airbenders room. Although this time to their surprise Meelo is waiting outside Ikki’s room for the two women.
“Can you tuck me in too?” He asks rubbing his eyes with his tiny hand.
Lin simply looks to Kya shrugging her shoulders and sighing.
“Sure thing little buddy!” Kya says motioning to pick him up.
But he steps back and reaches out for Lin instead. Kya and Lin share a look Kya’s of love and affection, Lin’s of fear and confusion. Kya simply nods her head towards her nephew silently telling Lin to pick the boy up.
“Thanks Aunt Lin.” He mumbles sleepily tucking his head into Lin’s shoulder as she lifts him and heads to his bed to place the young air bender down.
Lin goes to walk away but is stopped by Kya’s hand on her shoulder. She shoots the older woman and confused look before Kya pulls Lin close to her and hugs her. They’ve hugged before, a fact Lin would deny if ever asked but this time left different.
As they break apart Kya reaches for Lin’s hand dragging her out and through the halls. Once they are far away enough that their chatter would not wake anyone Lin stops and asks Kya where she is taking her. Instead of responding Kya smirks and pulls her further down the hallway and eventually up the stairs, hands remaining intertwined the entire way. Finally Kya reaches her destination at the deck of the air ship and she slowly lets her hand fall from Lin’s as she walks towards the railing. Lin is shocked by the sudden loss of contact mildly hurt until she sees Kya looking back at her expectantly.
She walks over towards the water bender and leans on the rail facing out, looking into the sky. Lin thinks it strange that she could feel so safe so war from any earth, under normal circumstances she would feel scared, unsafe like a kitten without its fur but up here with Kya she feels safe, free as if she could do anything. Anything but tell the woman her true feelings.
Kya slowly turns towards the earth bender noticing her floating off in deep though. “Stop thinking so loudly.” She giggles lightly pushing the other woman.
Lin looks like she’s been shocked awake, as if momentarily she forgot about the existence of the rest of the world.
“What cha thinkin bout?” Kya asks swaying back and forth in place.
Lin shrugs her question off but Kya is persistent as ever. She looks over at the younger woman with her blue eyes piercing into her once dark soul. Kya begins to bat her eyelids and inches closer to Lin until their faces are so close their foreheads touch.
Lin’s breath shudders at the contact and their close proximity. Kya slowly leans in closing the gab between them. Just as their lips are about to touch Kya whispers into Lin’s ear.
“What cha thinkin bout?”
The feeling of her warm breath against Lin cheek sends shock waves throughout her body. Kya giggles breaking Lin from her temporary paralysis like state.
“It’s fine if you don’t wanna tell me, I’m just gonna assume you’re pregnant or in love with me or something.” Kya laughs throughout her sentence.
Normally Lin would laugh a long with her but after what just happened she couldn’t. Kya’s face shifts from joking to worried as Lin doesn’t answer and her concern only grows each passing moment until Lin finally speaks.
“Yup you got me, I’m pregnant.” Lin looks down at her toned stomach laughing.
“Ooo who’s the lucky fella?” Kya laughs along with her. “And if you say one of my brothers I’m gonna flip!”
Lin stays quiet once more almost as if she forgot she’d dated the water benders two brothers.
“No! It’s Bumi’s isn’t it?” Kya chuckles playing along with the game they’ve made.
Just then the great city of Zofu comes into their line of sight, clouds parting to give them a perfect view of Suyin’s home.
“You ready?” Kya asks giving the metal bender a light squeeze on the hand.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Lin replies, dreading the eventual comments Su will make about Lin and her relationship with Kya.