Work Text:
If Lin Beifong were to look back at her life, she would think that some spirit was having a laugh at her expense – more than enough for her to wonder whether she had a past life that angered one of them.
---
The Dragon Flats Strangler had finally been caught and so the residents of the borough (and the police) could breathe a little easier now.
Chief Beifong tapped the report with her glasses, satisfied with the paperwork submitted. The sunlight was hitting her desk straight on, a signal that it was definitely later into the day and that she had not budged one bit since she sat down after lunch break.
She folded her glasses and placed it in its case. The pile of reports waiting on her desk signified that reviews and approvals were in her next hours. It was time to grab some coffee.
The police chief exited her room, seeing that everyone was working diligently on whatever assignments they had that week. None of that fake pencil pushing here in headquarters.
On her way to the pantry, she saw the Avatar nosily bothering Mako, who was, to his credit, shooing her away. Based on previous encounters with them, Lin supposed Korra was trying to wheedle the firebender into another double date with her and Asami, another blind date that the detective was adamantly against.
She decided to interrupt for the benefit of the firebender who was looking miserably at the pile of paperwork on his desk that the Avatar had been riffling through, likely looking for a piece of paper to write the details of the date on.
“Detective!” Chief Beifong approached the pair; Mako suddenly sitting up straight and Korra leaned back in her seat, waving weakly. “Good job on the paperwork on the Dragon Flats Strangler.” She frowned at Korra who was reaching over Mako’s desk to grab his pen. “I’d expect all of your files to be submitted with the same level of meticulousness and detail.”
Mako slapped away Korra’s hand. “Of course, Mom.” He answered distractedly.
Chief Beifong froze as did the Avatar – and everyone within hearing radius.
The detective managed to get his pen from the loose grip of Korra and proceeded to work on his next report.
Korra cleared her throat to get his attention, throwing a glance at Lin then placing an elbow on top of Mako’s paperwork.
“What?” Mako growled irritably.
“You called Chief Beifong Mom.”
Lin saw a brief look of panic on Mako’s face before it turned stoic again. “You must have misheard.”
“No, you did.” One of the other rookies from two desks to Mako’s right piped up.
Korra pointed at the man, nodding. “See, thank you!”
“No,” Mako emphasized but was quickly paling. “I said, of course Chief.”
“They’re right – you called me Mom.” Lin slowly enunciated then pursed her lips. “Detective Mako, do you see me as a mother figure?”
“I-I-I-.” The firebender could only stammer, a far cry from the capable detective who could easily spout off details of a report without even reading off a copy of it.
Normally, she would feel amused, but she took pity on the young man. “Don’t worry about it,” She attempted to downplay it. “We could have a mentoring session if you’d like, one of these days?”
Mako looked like a cat deer caught in the headlights of a satomobile so Lin quickly retracted. "Only if you’d want to of course, the offer stands but it’s not mandatory -.”
“Yes, I’d like that.” The detective managed to bite out.
She nodded and quickly went her way to the pantry.
Chief Beifong figured, having one more rookie to mentor is not so bad.
---
“Higher, Dad, higher!”
The moment the words left her lips, Lin knew she messed up. She did not want to face Aunt Katara, who would likely pity reflected on her eyes. The earthbender just knew the older lady would be uttering the words “oh, sweetie” within the next few minutes, gently letting her down explaining that the airbender playing with her was not her father.
Lin knew that. It’s just – why can’t he be?
To the Avatar’s credit, he did not even bat an eyelash nor did he lose the rhythm of bouncing Lin up and down using an airball.
Before the waterbender could even remark on it, young Lin hollered quickly before she landed gracefully. “I know Uncle Aang’s not my dad – I just slipped, okay? Doesn’t mean anything!”
“Well,” Aang bent down throwing an arm around her and his airbending son, who was waiting patiently for his turn. “I wouldn’t mind being your dad. And after all, I could very well be your dad when you marry Tenzin here!” The airbender tightened his hold on the two children and brought them closer together.
“Ewww no!”
“Yuuuck!”
It would be a cold day in Si Wong desert before that would happen, Lin glared at the lanky airbender beside her.
Tenzin stuck out his tongue at her.
She rolled her eyes at him, stomping.
“Ow! No fair, Lin!”
Marry him? Of course not.
---
Lin twisted the cap of one of the many soju bottles she had stocked in her house.
She smiled with satisfaction at the crack that the cap made and poured herself a shot. She quickly threw it back, enjoying the subtle burn of the alcohol and making that pleased throat clearing sound after.
The earthbender placed one of her feet on her chair while another one dangled as she sat at her dining area. A variety of fried, greasy and fermented food that she bought earlier was spread on the table.
This was the kind of me time that she could get behind. No one to judge her as she indulged on alcohol and unhealthy snacks. It was, after all, a difficult day for her.
At least, as she picked at the sliced fermented radish and chewed pensively, she did not have to attend the wedding of the century. She was invited, of course, but it was obviously a courtesy invite. No doubt, Tenzin’s bride would not welcome her presence. So she gladly sent her regrets and mailed the RSVP note immediately without even second-guessing her herself.
She skewered a piece of grilled picken and dipped it in a sweet sauce.
The ceremony should be about finished at this time, she surmised as she took a bite of the meat. This would be followed by luncheon at the island and maybe a short program.
The metalbender took another shot.
Then later that night, there will be the fireworks, of course, sending off the last airbender and his bride.
Well, good riddance.
Lin had finished most of her food and was at her third bottle of soju. She was also at the middle of the book that she had impulsively purchased yesterday (fiction – she did appreciate the occasional escapism reading brought her) when her phone began to ring incessantly.
She decided to ignore it. Her officers could handle themselves for one day; she was sure there was not anything that would not keep until she was back. Anyway, her deputy was bound to be hammering on her door if there was something that urgently needed her attention.
For a few moments, the phone stopped ringing.
Thank Agni!
Then proceeded to ring again.
Lin groaned, she spoke too soon. Stretching herself from her perch in the dining room, she went to the living room to finally bark at whoever was at the other line for disrupting her day off.
“Beifong here – I swear if this is a salesman or you Saikhan I will -!”
“Lin!” The shrill voice cut through her reprimand.
Lin moved the phone away from her ear to stare at it, stunned.
“Lin? I know you’re there!”
It was Kya.
There was no reason for the sister of Tenzin to be calling her at this time.
“What is it?” She tamped down the irritation that the waterbender did not deserve from her.
“Have you heard the news – on the radio?” Kya’s words rushed forth. “Just wanted to give you a heads up – there’s bound to be something in the evening papers. The media would be keen to get your side as well – they’re having a field day! And -!”
“Kya! Kya!” Lin raised her voice to get a word in. “What are you talking about? I’ve given them my official statement for Tenzin’s wedding weeks ago.” She twirled the cord of the phone.
“Lin,” The earthbender recognized the strain in Kya’s voice. “Yes, it’s about the wedding but not in the context that you think.”
Lin paused in fiddling with the phone cord, sensing there was more to the story. “What happened in the wedding?”
“It’s Tenzin – he -!”
Donk-donk-donk! Donk-donk-donk!
Lin raised her head, hearing the loud pounding on the door. “Kya – is this important right now? Is it a security or safety issue?” The pounding on the door could only mean an emergency from headquarters.
“Well, no, but -.”
“Then it could wait.” Lin bit out harshly; if there was a life and death situation at the other side of the door, she could care less about Tenzin and his tacky wedding. “I’ll give you a call later.” She ended the call abruptly.
Donk-donk-donk-donk-donk-donk!
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Lin hurried to her front door, taking care not to trip over her own feet. She definitely needed to sober up before going on field. Without even checking who was behind the door, she pulled it open. “Saikhan! What is the emergency?”
Her eyes widened.
Flying fishopotamus.
Tenzin was standing there in his formal wedding garb, dripping under the rain. He was breathing heavily as though he had rushed in getting to her Republic City house. Judging by his glider which was sitting pitifully in the mud, Lin thought he probably did.
“What the flameo are you doing here?”
Her voice pulled the airbender from his stupor. “Lin.”
Lin inwardly shivered. The way he whispered her name was almost reverently. She shook her head; she must be drunk.
The man took a step forward, a hand extending towards her.
She stepped back. “What are you doing here – you shouldn’t be here – you’re married.”
Tenzin shook his head slowly. “I don’t think I am.”
***
“Repeat after me – I, Tenzin –.”
“I, Tenzin - .”
“Take you, Pema to be my wife, my partner in life and my true love.”
“Take you, Lin to be my wife, my partner in life and my true love.”
***
“What the -!” Lin let loose a string of curse words that would have earned her soap in her mouth had she uttered them within earshot of her Beifong grandparents.
Tenzin stood back, letting the rain and the wind batter him down.
“What were you thinking!” Lin clenched and unclenched her fist, visibly restraining herself from punching the airbender. “Think about how humiliated Pema is! Your family, her family! Tenzin – go back there and grovel! Pema…” She caught her breath. “She doesn’t deserve this.” The light in her eyes dimmed and the fight seemed to seep out of her.
“And that’s why I’m here – why it’s still you!” Tenzin’s wild eyes sought hers. “Even after everything,” His tone softened. “You still think about others. That’s how selfless you are and how selfish I am.” He wiped back some of the rainwater from his forehead. He inched closer slowly and hesitantly. “Even after everything, it’s still you.”
---
Chief Beifong extremely disliked doing press conferences. Given the choice, as illogical as it would have been, she would have done away with the press (something has to be said of freedom of the press and freedom of expression though so obviously the press needed to stay).
After the wedding of the century devolved into the faux pas of the century years ago, Lin did not have fond words for the press. They skewered Tenzin’s reputation and dissected their interactions over the past months of that year.
It took a few more years and several scandals of prominent members of the nobility for their relationship (or lack thereof) to fade from public interest.
Ironically, it was during this period that they started to become closer (with a lot of work and effort from Tenzin, of course and Lin still vacillating between taking him back or not).
The media circus a rabbit hole she dare not get into again, so she better make sure that her speech is flawless.
She shuddered involuntarily as she reviewed her speech, head bent and hands rubbing her temples. She nodded at the staff who were silently hurrying around, making sure all of the microphones were set correctly and the chairs and tables were available for all attendees.
The press conference today was about the opening of the cultural center in Republic City. The council would be there to give their opening remarks and she would speak in her capacity as Chief of Police regarding how the area would be secured.
After all, the cultural center was situated in a reclaimed area which used to be lorded over by triads. It was up to the police force to ensure that no crime or act of terrorism befalls the center and its opening in order to encourage more investors into Republic City.
From her peripheral view, Tenzin’s robes swept close as he sat himself beside her at the conference table set up for them.
She paid him no mind as she ran her finger on the figures in the packet she was reviewing.
“Seems like a huge crowd will be joining the press conference today.” The airbender arranged his own set of papers as he commented on the people who was starting to gather in the venue.
The metalbender gave a soft grunt in reply.
“By the way, thanks for doing this Lin.” Tenzin shifted in his seat. “I know you could have easily sent a representative to speak for the Police Headquarters.” He murmured softly, inching his head closer to her. “And, personally, I appreciate your presence. You know how much this means to me, it’s a chance to show case my mother’s heritage.”
Lin inclined her head and responded vaguely. “Of course Tenzin, you know I love you so I’ll do what I can to support you fully.” She tapped her pen on her speech and encircled a split infinitive. She would need to proofread a little bit better next time.
She felt a warm hand grasp her wrist; she finally looked up at her seatmate. “What?”
Tenzin’s eyes were suspiciously watery.
Lin became conscious with how whispers were increasing in volume. She raised an eyebrow at the airbender in askance.
Tenzin bit his lip, swallowing before tentatively covering her hand with his.
What was he doing? Why was he doing this in public?
Her thoughts were running all over the place. It was not like Tenzin to be bold or even indiscreet.
“Tenzin.” She hissed.
“You just said you love me.”
“I…” Lin went back to what she did say, realizing belatedly that she did. “I guess I did.”
The whispers were definitely louder this time.
Tenzin gripped her hand tighter; his other hand gesturing forward.
Her heart skipped a beat.
A microphone had been placed on their table for sound check without her noticing it.
Her declaration had been heard in the entire hall.
---
Lin Beifong swirled the wine in her glass, silently observing the people weave in and out of the dance floor.
Say what you want of the damn convict, Varrick truly knew how to throw a party.
She reflected on her life so far.
As much as she had emphatically refused to have children, Lin woke up one day realizing that, without meaning to, she had inadvertently taken in several teenagers under her wing. Thank the Spirits that Mako, the one mostly with her, was someone after her own cranky taciturn disposition.
And, despite her steadfast refusal in her youth, in front of the man’s father, she looked at the ring that adorned her finger for decades, Lin found herself wed to Tenzin.
Something has to be said about slips of the tongue, of the unconscious. When you feel strongly about someone or something, it was bound to slip right out – the truth escaping the barriers that the mind has built.
If this was how the spirits feel like treating her after all those mortifying moments, Lin Beifong decided that she was not one to complain.
After all, Lin contemplated with wonder as she looked at the spirit portals across the island with her husband landing a soft kiss on her forehead, unplanned and spontaneous words come up with the best results.