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Sa rupture

There was something off about today. She could feel it in the air and more importantly, in the earth. Was he shaking? Maybe she was interpreting his motions wrong. No way. The Duke was most definitely shaking.

Toph raised an eyebrow. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, crossing her arms.

The Duke leant against the wall of their shared apartment and shook his head. "Not at all, Chief Bei Fong. Why would you ask that?" He laughed a nervous laugh. Now that was suspicious.

"Chief Bei Fong?" Now, Toph definitely knew there was something wrong. "You know you don't have to call me that after work. Come on. It's our leisure time. Call me Toph."

The Duke shrugged "I don't think it would be proper. You are my boss," he replied with a nervous smile.

The earthbender stared at him momentarily before getting up from her chair and walking over to him. She punched him in the arm and stated, "Yeah, but more importantly, I'm your girlfriend."

The Duke chuckled nervously, and rubbed his arm. He ran a hand through his thick dark hair, and he gazed at the floor unable to look into her milky blue eyes. A pang of guilt pierced him.

She sensed something off about the other. He was hiding something and it was starting to bother her. Usually, they told each other everything and for him to suddenly hide something from her made her want to scream. Instead, she clenched her fists and glared. "What are you hiding?" she hissed.

The Duke threw his hands up in defense. He knew Toph was sensing his anxiety and distress. He lowered his hands and once more ran one of them through his hair. He sighed deeply, and briefly closed his eyes remembering his private talk with Lao a week earlier.

"Duke? May I call you that? Quite frankly I think THE Duke is a bit improper don't you?" Lao asked as he sipped his tea. He set the china cup down, and looks at the boy in front of him. He raised an eyebrow as he analyzed his daughter's pathetic boyfriend. Indeed, he was well built and strong, but he looked like a low life peasant raised in a forest with a bunch of flying owl monkeys. He clears his throat, impatience for The Duke's answer.

The Duke looked up at Lao Bei Fong, his eyes partially glaring down on him. The Duke looked down on the table unable to keep his gaze. "I suppose so sir," he replied barely audible. Lao satisfied by his dominance took another sip of his tea. "Listen Duke. My daughter she...has big responsibilities. Her position as Chief has given her an opportunity to prosper and I believe that a proper man should aid her in her growth. You Duke, now don't get me wrong I have no doubt that you are a kind person, but you are a mere boy. And my daughter needs a man, someone who will help her, not hurt her."

The Duke kept his head down and nodded. "Yes sir...I think you're right."

The Duke opened his eyes. He knew that Lao was right. Toph has a bright future, a future which gave her the chance to prosper, start a family, and be happy. He knew that he could never be the person to give her that happiness. He had to do it.

"Toph...I can't do this anymore," he said regretfully.

She was silent, head bowed, and shoulders hunched ever so slightly. She had to keep herself this way or else she might actually lash out and hurt him. Swallowing her sadness, she spoke a soft, "Why?"

The Duke looked away. "Your father thinks I'm holding you back and honestly, I can't help but agree. A relationship is nothing but a distraction from your work. You could do so much more if I'm not here to distract you. So...we're done."

"You idiot!" she yelled, punching him in the arm again. "I'm the blind one, yet you're the one who can't see that I love you. I... I need you. You're not a distraction. You help me push through the obstacles and get what needs to be done, done."

This was hard for him, but he knew it was best for Toph. He took a deep breath, and stood up straight. "Maybe I should just go. I'll uh... See you at work tomorrow, Chief."

"Wait! Duke, please think about what I said. I really meant it." She looked like she might start crying so he turned away from her.

"Maybe." And then he was gone.

Toph was left alone. For the first time in years, she felt fragile and alone again. She just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. There went her one true love.


A/N

Mako and Maho here! So we wrote this piece late into the night...just a little something.

So how'd you guys like it? Shall we continue?