So this is a sort of Sozin's Comet AU. What if Suki hadn't come back right then? A.K.A., more Tokka shippy moments. I'm trying to keep them in character, but sorry if they're a little off. Enjoy! :)
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You'd think one's mind would become frantic and cluttered at the expectation of imminent death. In Sokka's case, it was almost the opposite: the rush of wind, roar of flames became a distant thrum, echoing his heartbeat, pulsing in his ears. It was all very simple. Fire Nation soldiers surrounded them. He was unarmed with an injured leg. Toph hung from his sweat-slickened fingertips, threatening to fall at any second. They were about to die.
"I don't think Boomerang's coming back, Toph," he called to her. He didn't dare look down at her for fear of shifting his already precarious grip and letting her fall. That and he couldn't bear to see the look on her face right now. The realization of one's own mortality often comes with an expression best kept private, and someone so solid and unbreakable as Toph wouldn't want him to see her like that. "It looks like this is the end."
There was a second of anticipation as both children-that's all they were, children-took that in. By flame or by fall, both would surely die here and now.
Then Toph's fingers slipped from his and Sokka knew he wouldn't let her die alone. He threw his entire weight over the protruding platform, reaching as far as his arms would stretch, and when his hands touched nothing but hot, dry air, he let himself fall. Down, down, the air whipped past his face and his stomach raised in his throat, but he set his sights on the green-clad figure flailing below him and angled his body in order to move closer. When she was within reach, he grabbed her by the sleeve and pulled her close to him.
"I've got you!" he yelled over the roar of wind to let her know it was him, they were going out together, she shouldn't be afraid. He shouldn't be afraid. He cupped her head in his hand and pulled her head into the nook of his chin, wrapping his other arm around her shoulders.
Toph almost relaxed for half a second, then to his surprise, began struggling. "Get behind me!" she shouted, wriggling until she faced the oncoming ground. Sokka began to argue, but she countered, "Shut up and do it!" He complied, unable to tell her that whatever she was doing, it wouldn't work. They were thousands of feet up and without a parachute or airbending abilities, and that situation rarely ended well.
She stuck her arms and legs straight out, as if bracing for the impending impact. "Slow us down as much as you can!" Her expression was angry, determined, but Sokka could still see the tear tracks from a moment ago. "Tell me when we're about to hit the ground!"
Oh. She had a plan. It was still unclear what strategy she was planning to use to keep them from splatting like turtle duck eggs when they landed, but if anyone was going to save them through sheer willpower and gut, it was Toph. He held out his legs and one of his arms, catching what little air he could and slowing their descent fractionally.
Suddenly the ground seemed much closer than it had a second ago. His mouth went dry. "Three!" he shouted. Goodbye, Suki, Zuko, Aang. All the friends he had made in this past year's journey. "Two!" Goodbye Dad, Katara. He hoped they got out of this all right. Someone had to look after the Southern Water Tribe. "One!" Goodbye, Toph. He brought the other arm down and gripped her tighter. Yue protect us.
Then the world exploded and it all went black.
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(a/n) oooOOOOOH SUSPENSE
Thanks for reading!