Alright…I know…It's been forever

Alright…I know…It's been forever. BUT I've been busy!! I just started my last semester of college, so I've had that, then I started a new job….and lost it. Unfortunately the job was temporary, (didn't know that until orientation). So I busted my butt for 2 weeks setting up the store, just to get laid off. So I've been on the job hunt. I've also been busy with play rehearsals (I'm stage manager of Rocky Horror Show). BUUUT….I'll really try to write more often. I'll try and have a new chapter for When Love Comes Softly up soon. Thanks for sticking by!! And remember…any shipping or scenarios you'd like to see…just tell me!

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"Sometimes the heart does what the mind can't understand."

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I realized I love you

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It had been nearly 5 years since the Aang had rendered the Fire Lord powerless and Katara and Zuko had defeated Azula. In the years that followed the Gaang worked on bringing peace and harmony back to the world. Zuko, unable to join them, stayed in the Fire Nation, building back the trust of his people and the other nations. The Gaang stuck together, often visiting Zuko. But slowly, they started to go their own ways.

Toph had moved to Ba Sing Se; now deemed Earth General she made it her duties to keep everything running smoothly, as well as teaching children earthbending. Sokka had finally proposed to Suki and the two were always between Kyoshi Island and the South Pole. As for Aang and Katara; sadly, as most relationships between young teens, theirs did not last long. Aang found himself constantly busy with peace missions. And Katara began to find herself distracted by another male. Zuko and Mai had broken up barely a year after he was named Fire Lord. She was too gloomy. He, she said, seemed to distracted by something, or someone, else. Every time the Gaang visited, it seemed Zuko and Katara would always go off somewhere and talk, always laughing and joking. Always seeming to be too close to one another. Many a time the two would wander off together to the duck pong.

Katara and Aang's relationship did not end as painfully as they had expected it to. Katara had begun to lose her feelings for Aang a while ago, and Aang, though he still loved Katara, was beginning to suspect her feelings for the Fire Lord, and, upon seeing how happy she was with him, knew that it would only bring the both of them pain and misery if he were to keep her away.

And so left Aang. While he kept in touch with his friends, he began to realize that over the years they slowly began to lose touch. Letters came less frequently, as did visits. Toph was probably the one he visited the most, and even that wasn't often. She would admit that the years had been good to him and that he had certainly learned much. But he was nowhere as good as she was. Aang smirked to himself remembering the time he had actually almost won a spar between the two. Then again, Toph did have a cold and the constant sneezing kept her distracted from the battle. His smirk quickly turned to frown when he realized that it had been 2 years since he had seen his friend, his sifu. Aang leaned down from his air bison's head to speak into his ear.

"How about we go and see Toph, Appa?" The behemoth groaned lightly, his head nodding. Aang laughed and turned the reins in the direction of Ba Sing Se, and Toph's house.

BA SING SE

Aang flew over Toph's house, seeing the girl in her backyard going over earthbending stances. He smiled before landing Appa down on the ground. She stopped, standing still as she felt the vibrations. She quickly turned as Aang hopped to the ground.

"I'd know those floaty steps anywhere. Twinkle Toes!" she ran up to the boy and his bison, crashing into Aang for a hug. It was more painful than a hug should be, as she had run into him full force, but Aang returned the sentiment before she stepped back.

"Hi Toph." Appa groaned loudly and Toph laughed, making her way to his head.

"Hi to you too Appa." She patted his head, receiving a large lick. Aang watched her as she laughed. It seemed that over the past years Toph had grown. She was definitely taller now, but then again, he was too. But something was different about her. She, actually sort of looked more like a girl. Her hair had grown longer, though it still was tied back. And she had certainly grown some…womanly effects. Aang felt almost stunned at the change in his friend and had to shake his head to come out of it.

"So what are you doing here anyway Twinkle Toes?" Aang shrugged lightly,

"It's been a while. I just wanted to come to visit."

"Well, you picked a good time. Things have been pretty boring around here for a while." Aang was about to respond when instead his stomach grumbled loudly. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as Toph laughed.

"What, is Sugar Queen not feeding you anymore?" Aang's face dropped and Toph felt the change in his pulse.

"Actually…Katara and I aren't together anymore."

"O-oh…" Toph shuffled her feet. "Sorry…"

"It's-okay actually. We both just realized that there was someone else for the both of us."

"So she's with Sparky I take it?" Aang nodded, even though Toph wouldn't see the gesture. "What about you?"

"I'm not exactly with anyone…" The two stayed silent a moment, until Aang broke the silence. "Why don't we go get something to eat in town? I haven't seen it in a while."

The weeks passed and Toph and Aang grew strangely, closer. There were some instances when a waiter would ask Aang if his "girlfriend" would like dessert. This always resulted in a swift kick to Aang's shin from Toph, and the two stating that she was not his girlfriend. But still, when the two were alone, in the privacy of Toph's backyard or in the empty streets after dark, Toph and Aang were always apt to act very couple-ish. They would often flirt, making jokes about one another. Even their arguments were no longer the harsh ones they had been years back. But still, they had failed to make any actual contact. The punches in Aang's arms were the closest they really got. And then came the day when Aang decided it was indeed time to do something.

Have you ever experienced a moment when you know you want something, but you just don't know how to get it? That is exactly what our friend was experiencing now. Aang had challenged Toph to a duel.

Aang waited out back, particularly early. He couldn't sleep. And so he waited until Toph woke up. When she finally did he couldn't help but notice the way the new clothes she had come to wear hugged her new body. The tunic was of a light green, hugging her curves. And the dark green shorts she wore, still ending at her knee, showed off her calves. Aang shook his head before standing.

"Good morning sifu." Toph responded to his sarcasm with a punch of a rock towards him. She smirked.

"Let's just get the butt kicking over with so you can cry."

"I don't think anyone will be crying today."

"Geeze, you sure did get confident Twinkle Toes." Without warning Toph shot her fists forward, sending a boulder toward Aang. He put his own hands out, splitting the boulder in two. Aang raised his hands, using a combination of airbending and earthbending to send Toph into the air. However, he did not calculate how she would land, and instead ended up with the young woman on top of him. They froze, not saying anything. Toph suddenly realized exactly where she was.

"Does he…are those really his muscles?" Instantly kicking herself for even having such thoughts she pushed herself off of him.

"W-watch what you're doing Twinkle Toes!" She stepped backwards, sending a pillar of rock at him. Aang ducked the attack.

"Sorry Toph."

"You don't always have to be so apologetic."

"Yes I do. I should apologize for not coming around sooner. CausethenIwould havelearnedsoonerhowmuchIreallylikeyou." He said it so fast that he doubted she even heard him. Toph paused for but a second, allowing Aang to slide a foot forward, sending a series of waves towards Toph. However the most surprising thing was that she stumbled, losing her footing. Her thoughts were other where.

"What did you just say?" Before she could think again, Aang mustered up the little courage he had left and slid his foot back again, causing another set of waves to bring Toph towards him. The two collided as Aang wrapped his arms around Toph's slender frame, pressing his lips to hers. Toph stood stock still for a few seconds before, to Aang's great relief, she softened, returning his kiss. After a few moments she pulled back from him.

"What took you so long?"

"I'm sorry. Somewhere over those past two years I started to realize how special you are. And then..well….these past few weeks I realized that I love you." He watched nervously, not knowing if she was going to punch him, or just bury him into the ground. His breath was still until he saw her smirk, a finger poking into his chest.

"Never make me wait that long again." Aang laughed, relieved, as Toph moved back in to hug him, his own arms wrapping around her. And for the first time in a while, Aang was no longer alone.

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Not my best work…I dunno…what do you all think about it?

And YIKES! I had some trouble with this one shot!! I mean, I knew what I wanted to happen (like how they got together) but I had a lot of trouble in the middle. And then, I randomly got a stomach bug today so I've been feeling pretty icky. But…I finished it! Lol I hope you all liked it! R&R please!