Author's disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Nada!
Author's notes: Well, here we're trying something new. Keeping with the omegaverseness as in my prior Avatar stories, with shifts, omegas, heats, betas and alpha stuff. Idea came from CharlieBarrow. On with the show of awkward!
"Tumbling Boulder: The Toph Files"
Chapter one "Let down"
She was nearby. Damn.
Toph adjusted her tunic, arms crossed over her muscular forearms. She had shot up well over the past few years, and was tall, taller than Aang almost and he had sprouted as if overnight after the War.
Still, she didn't feel tall when Suki was near. For years, her near proximity confused Toph to no end. She got her own attention from gaggles of beta boys, and omega girls. Her strong stance and alpha status brought it whether she was looking or not.
But Suki had been with her as she grew up, through the War and hey, she'd been with Sokka for years. Everyone was all friends.
But Sokka was a beta. He was no alpha. Toph listened to her inner alpha roar silently when Suki was near, through visits, when the Gaang got together and meshed as usual.
But everyone had branched off over the years. Zuko of course had gotten married and gotten entangled with his sister's now mate. THAT had been a mess she'd had to help guard the palace over. Aang had of course married Katara. Even a blind person could see their connection, and Toph did.
Suki had taken the Kyoshi Warriors at Ty Lee's request to the Fire Nation to help Zuko's reign. And while that was all well and good, it did separate Sokka from her. And if Toph could swear she felt flickers of interest in Suki's chi whenever Zuko was nearby. Whether her friend would take her up on any offer was beyond her, but Suki was a grown woman.
Take this visit for example. Toph scuffed one foot on the stone floor of the palace and walked on, feeling her way aptly. Aang had sent her with a slew of scrolls from the White Lotus to discuss a new project with Zuko. She had been offered as a high official in the project, so apparently her family name still gave her a lot of pull.
Zuko had taken the scrolls and thanked her, but Toph had no patience for a boring meeting. She had taken his soldiers for a round or two and left rocks upended all over the courtyard of the palace. Sufficiently satisfied, she strolled with her thoughts.
Two Kyoshi Warriors approached, and Toph could sort them out on sense as well as smell. They all used a similar perfume. Close to Suki's…
"Toph! How was your match?"
Toph gave a mad grin in the woman's direction. "Soldiers zero, Toph one. As usual."
The women giggled and asked for news about Aang and his family.
"Oh, you know, Katara's popping out another kid. Seems like Aang's busy with all that."
"Oh cute! I wonder if it'll be an airbender."
His first child appeared not to be. Toph shrugged, suddenly contemplative for her friends. Aang had a heavy burden as it was to be taxed to not enjoy his family.
"So, where's Suki?" DAMMIT.
"Oh, she's with the Fire Lord. They take tea at night with the Fire Lady."
"Most often without her."
Toph tried not to clench her fingers into fists. She tapped one bare foot on the stones, contemplative.
"Well, call me when it's time for dinner… I'll want to eat with them."
"Oh, that'll be soon!"
"Yes, their tea time has been rather short lately…."
Toph heard a pair of doors opened and she entered the corridor of the palace. Her feet picked up vibrations of chi signatures nearby. She recognized Zuko's aura as well as Suki.
Suki. Toph stood taller, lifting her chin. Her bangs fell over her milk white eyes, but she never worried about her hair all that much. The past few years had been telling and confusing.
Starting up her own metalbending academy was one thing. Dating admirers another. But being near a woman whose chi made her weak in the knees was a hard task indeed. And it was worse if Suki was cycling near her heat. Toph couldn't be around her or be a slave to her nature. The last time she'd had to flee the scene, she noticed Sokka following Suki with a lustful gaze that made her sick to her stomach. But that was awhile ago…Sokka hadn't been around much lately.
"Toph!" Suki's voice was warm and happy as always. Toph allowed a smile to tug at her lips. "How was your trip? I'm so sorry you had to wait."
"Aw, don't worry about it, Suki," Toph said. She stiffened, her spine straight when the Kyoshi Warrior actually took the crook of her arm, leading her along. She wasn't helpless, far from it, but the touch was welcome. Even if she was sure she was blushing. Her face did feel hot.
"I'll send message to Aang. He really should help me with these plans," Zuko was saying. Toph blinked and tried to clear the ringing from her ears. Suki stepped away and she could breathe easier as she settled into a chair. Toph had to remind herself not to put her feet up on his table.
"Yeah you should. A new community, really? This will take the rest of our lives to establish such a city," Toph said idly.
"A utopia where all benders and nonbenders can live together. I don't see a problem with working for that," Zuko said. Toph heard liquid being poured and she reached forward for her cup. A fine wine had been poured and she hummed her approval.
"Still, you gotta keep the riffraff out. It's supposed to be an ideal place for everyone," Toph added. Suki moved beside her and Toph's knees spread as she leaned forward. She cursed herself inwardly to hold onto her cool.
"I agree. We'll have to establish our own militia. One for all kinds of fighters," Suki suggested.
"Some kind of law enforcement," Toph agreed. She liked the way Suki thought and couldn't help nodding in her direction. "That's good."
"Thanks," Suki said. Toph angled her face away so her bangs could cover her profile.
"We still have to get the community off the ground," Zuko said, a smile in his voice. Two others entered and Toph greeted Fire Lady Mai and Princess Izumi. The girl was about three or four and her high-pitched voice made Toph pay attention.
The meal went well and Toph had to remind herself not belch openly and remember her table manners. The woman WAS nearby. She dabbed her mouth with her napkin, hoping her muscular forearms looked taut and well-formed. She couldn't help tensing her biceps, hoping Suki noticed the shape of her arms.
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There was something to be said about any visits to Zuko's home, but the food was overly spicy.
Toph was taking a lap around the corridors surrounding the guest chambers, trying to work off indigestion. She'd already visited the, ahem, washroom, but her belly still felt like it was in knots. So a few laps to work off any bad feelings. And then do some pushups and try to get some sleep.
Anytime Toph passed any chi signatures she recognized as the Kyoshi Warriors, her heart sped up. She blew her bangs out of her face casually as if her heart wasn't going a mile a minute, not recognizing Suki among them. Was she still finishing up with Zuko? The dinner meal had been concluded over an hour ago as it were.
Toph really had to wonder what was going on there. She might have to rib Zuko and find out. Being a friend of the Fire Lord meant she could bust his balls in private all she wanted. Just as she was about to turn in, a certain perfume wafted to her nose and Toph felt the vibrations of another present.
Suki.
"Hey, Suki," Toph called. She couldn't help standing taller. Small sniffles and Toph stopped. Was she…crying? "You okay? I could come back later…"
"No… it's okay. Always good to have a friend around," Suki said. Toph's shoulders slouched at her words. Friends. Right. If only Suki knew what she thought of and imagined, she may think differently of her.
"Yeah….well, what's got you all weepy? Sokka being a moron?" Toph drawled. She smacked her fist into her palm and was relieved to hear Suki giggle.
"No, nothing like that! Well, sort of….." Suki touched her elbow and Toph moved with her down the corridor. It was small gestures like that that meant a lot to Toph. She managed well for her lack of sight, but not everyone remembered she actually couldn't see like they could. "I have to talk to him but well, I just….."
"You were chatting it up with Zuko, huh?" Toph filled in. She suddenly got the angle and her throat felt dry. She cleared her throat.
"Yeah… I was…"
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After dinner…
"She is bending well, my lady," Suki was saying to Fire Lady Mai. Mai laughed.
"Oh, come now, we're friends, Suki," she said. Izumi clutched her hands.
"But I have to keep her attention for some motions," Zuko sighed. He leaned and kissed his daughter. "Off with you."
"Night, Da!" Izumi crowed. Mai led her by the hand out and Suki's heart pounded as Zuko gallantly offered her a seat beside him on the sofa. She took it, knees pressed together.
"Things are going well, aren't they?" Suki asked happily. She was glad to see the small smile on Zuko's lips. He'd had a rough time of it in his marriage and with Ty Lee leaving years ago. She was just glad he had found some amount of peace.
"They are! I don't know if we'll get this community off the ground, but the Earth King has offered to help open up his bank to aide in resources. We can do our part as well. I can only imagine my nation's residents would want to be a part of this," Zuko said excitedly. Suki's heart panged as she alighted on the earnest expression on the Fire Lord's face. When he was this excited, he looked years younger.
"I'll go help, or stay if you need me," Suki commented. Zuko was nodding.
"Far be it for me to send off my captain. I hope you and the Kyoshi Warriors stay here for years to come," Zuko declared. Suki's heart pinged again. She edged closer, working up the courage.
"I….Zuko….you know how I feel…..could you?...""
Zuko's smile faded and he looked as trapped as a chicken-duck by an owl-cat. He coughed into his fist. "Suki…I'm sorry….I just can't return…. I am so sorry."
Suki tried to keep her face from falling to dismay but it was all over her features. She'd finally gotten up the courage to mention her heart again and hope he had developed the same feelings. She wanted Zuko and he considered her his friend. Damn fate! If fate had a face, Suki would want to strike it. She settled for covering her eyes with her gloved hand, trying to recapture her composure.
"No….I'm the one who's sorry. You've had so much to get through and you don't need this….."
"Suki…" Zuko reached out to her. "You don't have to go. We can still talk…"
"No, I've done enough talking today…." Suki forced herself away and to her feet, pausing to clench a fist against her heart and giving a bow. "Goodnight, Fire Lord."
Zuko looked largely unhappy as she left, and she had had to run to keep the stinging tears from betraying her pain.
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"So he won't fall into your arms. Gotta pick yourself up! And go back to Sokka," Toph said. Her heart dragged even as her words kept her usual pep. Suki laughed beside her.
"Come on, we need a drink." Suki moved around Toph's guest room, rattling cups by the sound of it. Toph sat back on the floor, leaning on her hands as her knees spread comfortably. She waited at the low table. "Is it bad of me to say now that I've been rethinking my relationship with Sokka?"
Toph almost felt onto her shoulder with surprise. "W-what? Really?"
"I've felt this way for a long time. And with Zuko and all…..I just can't be with him anymore."
Toph felt like she was floundering in water. She tried again to be supportive, but her inner alpha was roaring at her to pounce. Her fingers clenched into fists as one foot tapped on the stone floor.
"Poor Sokka," she found herself saying. Suki clicked her tongue and settled beside her. Her perfume grew stronger and Toph noticed the vibrations she gave off as she knelt down beside her.
"He'll be okay. He always is," Suki said. Her voice held an ironic edge. "How are things going for you while we're all here over in the Fire Nation?"
"Hey, you wanted to stay," Toph ribbed her. "My academy's going well. So many people petition to join that I finally started taking fees. I give half the money away as it is."
"You're so good, Toph! So selfless…"
Toph blushed but had to set Suki straight. "I dunno about THAT, Sukes. I use what I keep to spend on big-time dates. Gotta treat the admirers right sometimes."
Suki laughed and nudged her elbow. Toph's skin burned at her touch. "You're a player, huh? What does anyone need to do to tie you down?"
"Hey, they get my attention for abit! And no one can tie me down," Toph teased. She puffed her chest out, her strong shoulders flexing. She hoped Suki noticed the musculature of her arms rolling.
"You sure? No one?" Suki poured for them again and both drank of the strong sake eagerly. Toph couldn't help grinning at her. "'And Sukes? You haven't called me that in years."
"You know you miss it." Toph flashed her a mad grin.
"Obviously."
Suki's comment made Toph choke on her sake. She coughed and got herself under control.
"Hmmyuh?"
"Really. And you've gotten stronger. I mean just feel these…" Suki's bare hands settled over her forearms and up her arms, pushing up her tunic sleeves to trace over her biceps. Toph blushed as warmth pounded between her legs. She spread her knees and leaned back. No, don't shift…..don't….ah dammit….
"Suki?" she asked. Suki sighed beside her.
"All the strong alphas are taken. Or not…."
Toph sat up straighter. Before she could think of something witty to say, Suki finished up her glass.
"Well, I should get to my chambers. Leave you to rest."
"You know I don't need that much rest," Toph huffed. Suki giggled and nudged her arm again.
"You always tried to sleep in around the campfire. Would be cranky if anyone tried to wake you," Suki teased. Toph turned her face, her bangs covering her eyes.
"Well, you walking around in just a shift and riling up Sokka and maybe Zuko was one thing…."
"How did you know I was that undressed?" Suki wondered. Toph blushed.
"I could feel their vibrations and knew they were agitated….for some reason. Then Katara told me."
"My my."
"Indeed, Sukes. You're overdressed as it is now," Toph teased.
"Not many see me undressed lately," Suki lamented. She leaned in and hugged Toph suddenly. The air left the earthbender's lungs. "Don't drink so much. You're like a rock tumbling downhill when you do…
"How eloquent," Toph drawled. She stiffened under Suki's arms.
"Good night, Toph. I'm glad you're here. We should spar tomorrow."
"Yes!...Sure.." Toph sputtered. She heard Suki get up and felt her vibrations as she left her guest chambers. Toph felt around on the table for the bottle and drank directly from it.
How could she tell her? That she wanted to touch her, to learn her, and be close to her. That the first time Toph had taken someone, shifted cock in hand, that it was Suki she was imagining in her mind's eye? That everyone else annoyed her to some degree but only Suki had her hard-won respect?
Toph lay down on the floor, crossing one foot over her ankle as she exhaled up at the ceiling. There was an opportunity here, with Zuko turning Suki down. And she was on the fence about Sokka even. Well, after she talked to him, Toph would be there, strong presence near, and Suki's omega status would react to it. Even subconsciously, she would react.
Toph allowed a nervous smile to dart across her lips. Yes, she would be ready.
End for now
End notes: A new thing! I think you all know where this is going. Drop a review.
Sincerely, pen
11/24/2018