That right people, time for another Tokka drabble! This one is #78- Drunk. Now we may have mentioned something about the prompt Death, so for those of you wondering what happened to it, its on the backburner for now along with Moon, Traditions and Control. This means we know what to do with these prompts, theyre just not coming out very well. Sometimes too many ideas can be an even worse killer than writers block.

RubyT looking though binoculars, "Shit!"

Marla, "What is it?"

"Lawyers."

"Are they from Nickolodian (however its spelled...)"

Takes another look. "Yep. Unleash the DISCLAIMER!"

Marla dives under the ocean and opens a giant cage; unleashing the disclaimer monster. The monster rampages and attacks Nickolodian studios.

"That should keep us safe...for now." DUN DUN DUN!

...sorry...

Despite what anybody who had attended the Firelord and Lady's wedding reception might have told you, Sokka wasn't much of a drinker. That's why when he woke up first thing in the morning to find his sister and several other "concerned friends" all gathered around in his living room, 'irritated' didn't began to explain how annoyed he was with her.

"Its okay Sokka," Katara spoke as if coaxing a frightened animal, "we just want to talk to you."

"Can't I at least bathe first?" he grumbled, running a hand though his loose hair. The crowd studied him, taking note of his disheveled appearance. He still had on his street cloths from last night, now sticky from the dried alcohol, and his left eye was severally blackened from where he had obviously taken a heavy blow to the face. Both eyes were blood-shot and although they couldn't see it, he had a headache so bad he felt it would rip his face in two.

Katara shook her head firmly and patted the seat next to her on the couch. He sighed and reluctantly planted himself there between her and Suki; looking around to see who all had come. There was his sister and Suki, first of all, and then Aang seated on a chair close to Katara, followed by Iroh to Suki's left with Mai and Zuko sitting directly across from where he sat on the couch. The only absent face was Toph's, which, if Katara's meeting was for exactly what he suspected it was for, wasn't surprising in the least.

After all, it was her fault they were here. Like he said, Sokka didn't see himself as much of a drinker; Toph on the other hand…

"Sokka, we're here because we care about you, and we're worried you may have a drinking problem," she began, patting his hand sympathetically.

Sokka rolled his eyes. "I don't have a problem," he protested.

Across from them, Zuko crossed his arms as he spoke. "You ruined our wedding reception," he growled, both he and his wife glaring with a combined intensity that could melt glaciers.

"And my tea shop," Iroh added.

"And my sixteenth birthday party last week," Katara jumped in.

"Not to mention our relationship," Suki said softly, having the last word.

He couldn't help but give them all a bitter smirk. Of course he'd get all the blame; didn't he always? Why didn't anybody remember that it was just as much Toph's fault as it was his? Even more her fault if you'd ask him; if it wasn't for her, none of those things would've ever happened.

"And its not just alcohol," Aang chimed in nervously.

Katara instantly agreed. "He's right. I couldn't count how many nights I've seen you come home with spirits-knows what in your system…"

Sokka rubbed his aching head as she continued ranting. He didn't deserve this. He hated drinking; it dulled his senses and made him act like an idiot, not to mention Toph had somehow made it her mission in life to get him into a fight with the biggest guy around every single time they went out. Never was he more thankful for having found his space sword, then on nights out on the town with her.

As for the drugs, he hated them with an even stronger passion. The weed made him paranoid and the opium visibly ill; not to mention he still had nightmares about giant crab-lions (he didn't even know if there was such a thing) eating his face off after Toph made him try those damned mushrooms. How she managed to bounce back so quickly from all of these things was beyond him.

Still drowning out his sister's speech, his thoughts turned to the last time he had been out drinking with Toph; or what he could remember from it at least….

"Come on snoozles, just one more!" she slurred, shoving another drink in his face. The bartender gave them each a passing glance, but knew better than to say anything.

Sokka clumsily shook his head, shooting her a lopsided grin. "Nah, I-I've had enough. I can't get drunk tonight or Katara will kill me," he stuttered.

Toph hiccupped. "Well thanks anyway for coming out with me. You're a good friend Sokka."

"Come out? You literately dragged me here! I don't know why I let you talk me into this stuff all the time."

She suddenly flashed him a mischievous smile that he knew could never fit on a sober person. "Because –hic- you're an addict."

He slammed down the now empty glass he had already forgotten rejecting moments earlier and shot her a glare that, in his state, came out far more humorous then threatening. "I'm not an addict, why do people keep saying that? You're and addict; I'm not addicted to anything."

Still grinning ridiculously, she chuckled. "Yes you are," she replied in a sing-song voice. "You're addicted to me!"

They both burst out laughing. Suddenly a man sitting nearby interrupted their drunken banter with an irritated shout. "Hey, would you shut up already?" he snapped.

Toph wurled around to face him. "Why don't you –hic- make me, you ugly bastard?" she retorted, despite not actually being able to see what he looked like. Outside the conversation, Sokka choked on his drink, surprised by her sudden language.

The man looked away. Toph sneered and continued to antagonize him, much to Sokka's horror. "Come on you –hic- spineless son of a bitch, hit me right here! Take your best shot!" she said a little too loudly, pointing to her jaw. "I'll bet you've never –hic- hit a girl before!"

He looked up, a puzzled expression on his face as he met her blind gaze. "Look, I don't want any trouble, but if you don't shut your trap I might just have to give you some, 'Miss'" the man explained, emphasizing the last word in a mocking tone. Several eavesdroppers chuckled, as if he had just said something hilarious.

Toph scowled and shouted a number of curses at the poor man. Finally the stranger shot out his fist, which, somehow, she managed to duck just in time to avoid; however Sokka hadn't been so lucky and the man's hand connected with his face with a sickening thud.

Sokka laid there on the floor for a split second, too stunned to move. But when he had regained his senses, he quickly jumped up and unsheathed his sword. The man at the bar stood up in alert, but finding no source for a weapon as well, he quickly turned and made a mad dash for the door.

"Yeah you better run!" he shouted, waving the sword around for emphasis, and in doing so, forcing many nearby people to duck as it sliced the air above their heads.

Toph smiled. "-hic- Come on Sokka, the nights not over yet! Lets –hic- go have some fun!"

"Are you even listening to me?" he heard Katara say; fully marking his transition out of the flashback.

He blinked. "Huh?"

She sighed, rolling her eyes in frustration. On his left, Suki laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Sokka, can you just admit that, maybe, you have a problem?"

He thought for a moment. Sokka defiantly didn't see himself as an addict. The only reason he did those things was because Toph was out doing them anyway. Why weren't any of them at her house? All he ever wanted to do was accompany her to make sure she was safe; its not his fault the girl was persuasive.

"No," he answered finally. "I don't even like drinking."

"Then why do you go out every night?" Suki asked patiently.

"Because I can't just let her go on her own. I know she can take care of herself, but it's dangerous out there. Just look at my face!" he pointed to his blackened eye and swollen cheek. "If she'd been any slower, then Toph would be the one looking like this."

A strange look crossed over the crowd. "Sokka…what are you talking about?" Katara asked, all former annoyance draining from her expression.

"Toph. I only drink when I'm out with Toph. Ever since she came back from her parents' she's been extra rebellious. It started out with the scams, then stealing, and then she started going out to the bars. You all should be thanking me! Nobody else seems to even care what she does, so I'm the one out every night looking after her at my own expense."

The room was dead silent. Sokka glanced from face to face; every one with that same odd mixture of confusion and sympathy. Something wasn't right with they way they all stared at him. Where was Toph anyway? Was she in trouble? He tried to remember more of the night before, but couldn't recall anything past the bar fight.

"Sokka…" Katara finally broke the stillness; tears threatening to erupt from her familiar, blue eyes. "Don't talk like that Sokka, your scaring us."

"Talk like what? It's true; I was out with Toph last night. Go ask her yourself." Something pained him deep inside as he said this, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Suddenly and without warning, Katara rapped her arms around her brother, pulling him into a deep hug as tears streamed down her cheek. Suki also did the same, both girls embracing him tight. Zuko and Mai remained silent, while Aang reached out and patted Sokka's knee. Iroh, mysteriously unfazed by these events, simply gave him an understanding nod.

Then it hit him, much too hard for his liking. Sokka stiffened in his seat and his face dropped.

"Sokka," Suki pulled away from him, careful to look him in the eye. "It's okay. We're all taking it hard…"

It had happened after she had returned to live with her parents. He could remember it now - suddenly receiving that letter in the mail, gathering the troop back together, the short journey to Gaoling, the ceremony - everything suddenly rushing back at him like a speeding train. How could the worlds greatest earthbender fall to something as meager as an unnamed disease? Toph wasn't supposed to go like that; not at fifteen, not without her friends.

He remembered that girl in Toph's dress, lying in a wooden casket. No, she wouldn't have been buried in wood; she deserved to be in the earth, surrounded by her native element. Come to think of it, this stranger didn't even look like Toph. Her face was too pale, and her eyes were just a bit too dull. This imposter couldn't even get her hair right; it was loose around her shoulders rather than up, and her bangs weren't in her face; her bangs were always in her face. No, they had the wrong girl; that couldn't have been his friend in there.

"But…she was there last night. We got drunk together. She got me in a fight. She said…"

'You're addicted to me!' he heard her chuckle with that drunken glee.

He slumped, burying his face in his hands. Both girls patted his back. "But…" he mumbled, more to himself than the others. "She was there. She was always there…"

Thats right, things like Drunk and Games translate into angst... At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if Death ends up a sing-along. Its not, because that would be stupid (Marla- but you have to admit it would be pretty funny), but really we've been a little much on the angst lately. Not just in these drabbles but in every other story we've been writing as well. Weird...

We're not quite sure if we liked the way this turned out, but thats what reviews are for right? Oh that reminds me -throws out cookies for all- enjoy these tasty treats! And no this is not a bribe...I dont even know the meaning of the word!