A/N: I'm baaaaaaaaaaack! Haha, I'm glad you guys like this so far. Hope you'll keep reading!


Once Upon a Time: Chapter Two

A kiss on the forehead represents protection, adoration, and friendship.

.

'Bring a nice boy home. I know you have good taste!' Toph scoffed to herself as she rode on Appa's back. She should have been conversing and reminiscing with Aang, but her mother's words distracted her. As if her mother wasn't strange enough. Although Toph was glad that her mother was on her side and rooting for her, she couldn't help but wonder. What made that woman so sure that she could get a guy, anyway? Forget trying to convince him to go along with her family's stupid traditions.

Toph hadn't even thought of anyone in a romantic way since her little crush on Sokka - and that was when she was 12. She never wanted to think of anyone romantically, anyway. Boys were distracting and they made you think stupid things. Now, she only saw them as sparring buddies and competition. She wasn't interested in relationships and she didn't want one.

She sighed.

Maybe she could just find a random guy, convince him to marry her just to make her parents happy (which wouldn't be hard because, who wouldn't want to marry an heiress?), and ignore him for the rest of their marriage. She would even be nice and let him live in the house with her. Then, she shook her head. But, that wouldn't be fair to him.

But, she had to "bring a nice boy home!" A good boy. So, she could have a happy marriage and be happily married for the rest of her life.

What kind of Cinderella/fairy tale crap was that?

She groaned.

Sitting on Appa's head, Aang heard Toph's groan. His eyebrow shot up. She had been doing that a lot since they left Iroh's shop - sighing and groaning, that is. He frowned. Spirits, what were her parents doing to her? He desperately wanted to ask, but he didn't want to invade her privacy or make her uncomfortable. "Hey, Toph," he called out.

"What?!"

Aang cringed at how miserable -coughangrycough- she sounded. "Listen, I don't know what's going on with you and your parents and you don't have to tell me. But, just know that I'm your friend and I'll do anything to help you."

Toph frowned at his words. She doubted that he would be able to help her out of this one. Unfortunately, not even the Avatar stood a chance against arrogant, Earth Kingdom noble traditions.

When she didn't speak, Aang frowned and tightened his grip on the reins. Toph was never this sad and pitiful - once again, angry - before. His resolve grew. "I'll get you out of whatever this is. Trust me."

Toph bit her bottom lip. She thought about telling him her situation and spilling her whole heart out for a moment, then her pride stopped her. She swallowed. "Promise?"

He nodded. "Promise."

Even though she didn't really believe it, she couldn't deny the conviction in his voice. The corners of her mouth lifted just a bit. "Thanks."

Aang smiled. "No problem."

.

Aang felt a tingling sensation on the back of his neck and he quickly turned around. They decided to stop at a local marketplace to pick some things up for the trip. But, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable there. He glared at a man and the poor merchant immediately looked down.

People were staring.

As the Avatar, Aang had to get used to people constantly pointing and staring at him. But, they weren't staring at him. They were staring at Toph.

At first, he thought nothing of it. Of course, people were going to look at her - she was attractive. But, as they made their way deeper into the marketplace, more and more people (more and more men) kept pointing and staring. He couldn't help but feel a bit protective. Toph didn't need anyone's protection, but since she was so off, he felt that it was his duty.

He pointedly glared at another staring man. The man's eyes widened and he blushed before he turned to walk in the other direction. Aang smiled to himself and placed a few fruits in the basket Toph held. "Toph, maybe we should hurry up. People are staring."

Toph snorted and rolled her eyes. "You're the Avatar. Of course, people are going to stare."

Aang narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger at a man before making a slicing motion with his hand at his neck. The man fainted. "They're staring at you."

Toph made a face. "I thought you were used to people staring at you."

With a scowl, Aang pat Momo's head and pointed to another man. Momo screeched and deftly attached his mouth to the poor man's face.

Toph jumped at the sound. "What's wrong with Momo?"

"He found food," Aang said with a smirk. "But, I'm telling you, T. They're staring at you for some reason," he insisted before a man came up to her.

The man gulped under the fierce intensity of Aang's glare and he knelt on the ground before Toph. "E-excuse me, miss!"

Toph raised a brow. Why was he bowing? "What?"

Aang stood beside her and pointed his staff at him. "Yeah. What?"

The man nearly fainted under Aang's glare, but he persevered. He continued shakily, "Miss Beifong, I have heard news that you're searching for a husband and-"

Wait, what? Toph nearly fainted at his words.

"-and I may not be the strongest or the best bender-"

Oh no, this guy was not proposing to her. Toph stomped her foot on the ground and everyone gasped at the tremor. "Who told you this?"

Aang, the ever attentive body guard, growled and grabbed the man's collar. He shook him up a bit. "Yeah, who told you that lie?"

"Actually, it's not a lie." An elderly woman stepped in before it got messy. "Lao Beifong has issued a decree stating that his daughter, Toph Beifong, is searching for a husband and that she is to choose."

Aang's grip on the man's shirt loosened and he looked to Toph. "Toph, you're getting married?" Why didn't she tell him? Was that what was bothering her so badly?

Toph didn't answer. She growled and took a letter out of her pocket, furiously unfurled it, and handed it to Aang. "What does this say," she demanded.

Aang dropped the man onto the ground and he took the paper. "My dearest Toph-"

"No, I know that part!" She was growing impatient. "Anything else?"

Aang frowned and shook his head as he looked the paper over. Then, he turned it over and found a note on the back. "Actually, yes."

P.S.S. Your father thought this would be the perfect time to exercise his sense of humor. He made an announcement of your search the morning after you left. You should be expecting some proposals. Haha!

Love, Mom

In other words: Toph was now fair game.

"What?!"

Aang ducked under her shriek. "Toph-"

"How dare he?!" The ground trembled beneath her. She didn't even notice everyone trying to escape her wrath. All that mattered was that she absolutely couldn't get away from it now. Now, she had to choose a husband and she had to get married. Could she not do one thing without her parent's interference?!

Aang fell to the ground and searched for something to grab on to. He sighed when Momo flew back onto his shoulder in the midst of all the chaos. Toph was getting married. Why didn't she tell him? He looked back to see Toph pacing and ranting. The only words he caught were "married", "Beifong", and "hate".

Aang cringed. He sure felt bad for her father, but he couldn't let her destroy the marketplace in her anger.

He stood up and lifted her up and off of the ground before he threw her over his shoulder. When the earthquake stopped, everyone audibly sighed. "Toph, I'm doing this for your own good."

To his surprise, she didn't even notice that he had lifted her up off the ground, but continued with her ranting. He looked around and found a temple. Maybe he could try to talk to her in a peaceful setting. He walked into the temple and set her down.

She immediately shut her mouth and stomped the floor. "Why the hell can't I see?" She stomped again for good measure. "And where's all the destruction?!"

"Wooden floors." He knocked on the floor. "You were destroying the marketplace."

Toph huffed and crossed her arms. "Oh." She hoped that he wouldn't ask any questions.

Aang furrowed his eyebrows as he looked up at her. "Why didn't you tell me that you were getting married?"

With a groan, she sat beside him and shook her head. That was it. She had to let it all out. "I don't want to get married, Aang. It feels like I just got my freedom. Why would I give that up just so I can get married and trapped all over again?"

He placed his arm over her shoulder and she leaned into him. He'd never seen her so hopeless before. He wished that he could help, but there was just no getting around noble traditions. Then, he sat up with a grin. "Hey, how about you marry me?"

Toph scoffed. "Yeah, no offense, Aang, but you're not exactly what I'm looking for."

He glared at her insult, but continued. "No, I mean, your parents are just looking for you to get married. Who would be better to marry than a friend? We don't even have to be romantic or anything. You'll get married, so your parents will be happy and you won't have to deal with someone you don't even like. Plus, we could just spar all day."

The more he thought about it, the more married life with Toph sounded good. They were both comfortable around each other, they could have conversations about literally anything under the sun, and it didn't hurt that she was good looking.

Toph thought his offer over. Actually, the idea of being married to Aang didn't sound so bad. He wasn't overbearing and he would let her do as she pleased. "It would be nice beating you up every day until we die."

"Toph."

Plus, he was easy to get riled up. Then, she smiled with a nod. "Okay, sounds good. I'll marry you. But."

Aang prepared himself. "But?"

She crossed her arms and turned her nose up to the ceiling. "I can't just give myself to you in marriage. I'm a lady. I have to be wooed." She grinned when Aang hugged her closer with a laugh.

Aang grinned. "Of course, my beloved." And he placed a short kiss to her forehead.