a/n: 814 words. Oh, Toph, you are such a cockblock. I adore you.
.four – age twenty.
Aang had fallen asleep at his desk (atop a very large stack of papers from various corners of the world, all reporting to the Avatar) and had just begun a very nice dream that involved he and Katara on a beach with very little clothing when suddenly, the front door was rocketed off its hinges, splintering into a million pieces.
He did not have to see her to know that Toph had come to pay a visit.
"Impressive," He commended, surveying the damage as he emerged from his office into the foyer, then added as an afterthought: "a little unnecessary, maybe."
"Stupid Zuko left me in charge of their kid," Toph said indignantly, ignoring the sorry state of the front door. "They claim they're here for a family vacation and what's the first thing they do? Dump this creature on me. Anyway, she won't stop crying. She won't tell me what's wrong. Hasn't this thing learned to talk yet?"
"Well, she is only a baby," Aang defended, careful as he lifted the screaming child from Toph's arms. She snorted loudly, indignant.
"Baby my ass! I was born talking." She paused, adjusting her footing. "Where's Katara? She lives for this baby stuff. I think she deafened the whole village when she found out Suki was pregnant."
"She's at the market," Aang replied, seating the child on the floor. "Maybe she wants to play a game!"
"Who, Katara?"
"No, Toph, the baby." He made a cooing sound, touching his finger to his nose and sticking his tongue out at her. She only cried harder.
"So," Toph asked casually, "remind me – why aren't you two hitched and bursting with babies of your own yet?" Aang's face burned, blushing to the tips of his ears and back.
"We – I – Katara – " He sputtered, then faltered; "…I don't know."
"I always pegged you two to be first, that's all," She shrugged.
"I want to," Aang assured her, as the baby screeched on, "it's just that – there hasn't been a good time, and –"
"Whatever, Twinkle-Toes," Toph covered her ears fitfully, "just handle the kid, will you?"
"Aang? Why is the front door –" Katara stopped short when she reached them, immediately setting down the groceries and scooping the child into her arms, "Hi, Toph."
"Hey Katara – sorry about the door," She replied brightly, the look on her face anything but apologetic.
"What's this little one doing here?" Katara asked, smiling down at the wailing baby, bouncing her gently in her arms.
"Toph brought her by," Aang explained, "she was babysitting for Mai and Zuko –"
"Against my will," Toph reminded.
"- and she started crying, and Toph didn't know what to do, so she brought her over here," He finished, then paused, shrugging guiltily, "although I guess I didn't really know what to do, either."
"I think somebody's just hungry," She cooed, rubbing her nose playfully against the baby's and whisking her away to the kitchen. She found a pitcher of milk, and poured some into a cup. She propped the baby up in her arms, and held the glass against her lips. The baby immediately began gulping it down, her cries quieting. "There, see? You were just a little thirsty. All better."
"Wow," Aang laughed, "guess I should have thought of that…"
"Well! I have to pee," Toph announced, punching Aang in the arm as she passed by (just for good measure). Katara held the baby against her, gently patting her back. Aang watched her for a moment, transfixed. Katara moved around the kitchen in slow, swaying circles; humming softly under her breath to the baby. Maybe there didn't need to be a 'perfect time' – maybe he should've asked her years ago.
"Katara?" He shifted nervously, starting towards her. She turned to face him, laughing as the child curled her small fingers around her own.
"Isn't she beautiful?" She sighed happily. Breaking away from her preoccupation, she lifted her head to meet Aang's gaze. "Did you want to ask me something, Aang?"
"Katara," He repeated, determined – this was it. He was going to do it. It was really happening. "Katara, will you –"
"Toilets clogged," Declared Toph (perhaps a little too proud) as she made her way back to the kitchen. Katara and Aang simply stared at her, dumbstruck. She marched forward, plucking the child from Katara's arms. "Thanks for taking care of Screamy-Pants over here, Katara. Aang – well, thanks for trying, anyway. Oh, and don't worry about the front door. Think of it as a breezeway. This summer is supposed to be the hottest one yet! You can thank me later."
Katara cleared her throat after a moment, when Toph had gone.
"Well." She managed.
"Yup," Aang agreed.
"What were you going to ask me?"
"Oh," Aang faltered – maybe it didn't have to be the perfect moment…but it certainly didn't have to be this moment, either. "You know, I don't remember."
