Ever since she joined the group, it seemed she was always there with some sarcastic comment, some rude remark, some practical joke or some harmful prank. She was always messy and obnoxious, uncaring and in the way… but somehow that was what made him notice her.
She was strong and independent, and once she'd let her guard down, and so had he. It had meant something special to him; did it mean something special to her as well?
He was always the butt of her jokes, it seemed, and today was no exception.
"What's your problem, anyway?" he'd confronted her, once they were alone.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, confused.
"You know what I'm talking about," he accused.
"Um, no, I don't," she frowned.
"Toph," he said, starting to get annoyed, "Why are you always picking on me? It's kind of…"
"Oh, I'm sorry, did I hurt your feelings, Snoozles?" Toph smirked.
"Why do I even bother talking to you?" he wondered aloud, his ego bruised slightly.
"Iunno," Toph shrugged, "besides, you're the most fun to pick on. You don't get all afflicted like Katara does."
Sokka stopped to ponder this for a moment.
"What about Aang?" he asked.
Toph shrugged.
"Picking on the avatar gets old, too."
"Hmmmmm," Sokka thought.
"What?" Toph frowned.
"I think you like picking on me the best because you like me the best!" Sokka accused.
Heat rose slightly to Toph cheeks.
"Oh, yeah, that's it," she said sarcastically.
"Really? Because I think it is."
"Whatever makes you sleep at night, Snoozles," she allowed.
"Aha! So you're not denying it!" he beamed.
Toph punched him hard on the arm after yelling at him to shut up.
"Ow!" he yelped. He rubbed his arm for a moment, in thought.
"Hey, Toph?" he called.
"What?" she asked bitterly.
"I, uh… I- I think that's okay, because, um…" he stammered. Toph's heart pounded so loudly it felt like Sokka could hear it as well. He gently grabbed her shoulder and pulled her closer to him, soon afterwards whispering in her ear…
"I think I like you too…"