Chapter Seven: Falling Into Place
"Hey," said Toph as she sat on the patio next to Sokka. He was looking up at the moon, clearly deep in thought.
"You feeling better?" he turned to face her.
Toph looked down and nodded her head, "Yeah."
"Look," he scooted closer to her, "I'm really, really, sorry about what I did to you. Just because of what happened with-"
She shook her head, "No, I understand."
Sokka placed a hand on her shoulder, "But you shouldn't have to. I've always been there for you. I never gave you one reason not to trust me. Then I practically shattered that trust the second I let go of your hand for my own selfish reasons," he tried looking at her, but he found it hard.
"They weren't selfish reasons Sokka. She needed you just like you've always needed her."
"But you needed me more Toph," he looked back into her eyes.
"But you've always needed her more," she retorted gently.
The warrior looked down, "I-…I don't know," he removed his hand from her shoulder.
"What do you mean?" She began searching her feet vibrations for any lies or emotions.
"I've always cared for you," he trailed off, "But I've always cared for Suki too…a lot."
She could sense his honesty and waited for him to continue.
"But the second I let go of your hand, I regretted it," he sighed. "I knew the chances of me saving her would be close to none…and I knew saving you would have been a better guarantee…yet I still let go and I allowed myself to forget about what had happened the second I lost Suki."
Toph's heart sank as her stomach churned, "That's understandable."
Sokka shook his head again, "That doesn't mean it's acceptable. I should have realized what they had done the second you were taken away from us."
"You brought me back," she looked away from where she felt he was, "That's all that matters." Toph then pulled her legs to her chest, resting her head among them.
"But I still feel like I haven't done that," he closed his eyes trying to sort it all out.
She felt the honesty, but still had no idea what he meant. "What are you talking about Sokka?"
"It…I don't know. It still feels like you're out of reach or something."
"But I'm right here."
"I know that it's just…"UGH! He thought as he put his hands to his face.
"Just what?" she asked, desperately wanting an answer.
Without thinking, Sokka quickly pulled the Earthbender into a kiss she really had never expected would ever happen.
After pulling back, he immediately regretted it…and Toph felt it.
"Look, I'm sorry, I-"
She looked down, "No, its fine, really," she blushed stupidly like a girl would, which she hated doing.
He felt a splash of hope, relief, and confusion. "Why though?"
'Great' she thought. 'Time to spill my heart out...' Toph took a deep breath and told him about all the memories she held onto and how it led up to the way she felt today. She also told him about how the only thing that ever kept her away was Suki.
Surprisingly, instead of saying anything, he took Toph's hand and marched inside.
"You knew?" he accused his sister as the two walked over to the table. Toph became really, really nervous.
"What on earth are you talking about," she answered, amused.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He knew his sister understood exactly what he was talking about.
"Because it wasn't my secret to tell," she stated.
Toph's face turned pink, "Can I go now?"
"No," said the siblings in unison.
"Not until I get Sokka to stop using me as a distraction so he can get back to what really matters."
"Why can't you just-"
"Because I already told you," she said bluntly. "Now go," she shooed him back out as he still held the other girl's hand.
"What was all that about?" Toph asked.
"I just wanted to make sure it was true…" he answered sheepishly.
"What, you wouldn't have believed me?" she half laughed.
"Well I didn't want you to feel sorry for me and say you felt that way when you don't."
Toph tried to look away, but Sokka gently grabbed her chin, keeping her facing him.
"Don't you think it's too soon?"
He nodded his head even though she couldn't see it. Toph could still sense his answer though.
"But it's not too soon for me to realize my feelings for you," he tried smiling but still knew she wouldn't be able to see it, so instead he planted a small kiss on her cheek. "Is it?"
Toph removed his hand from under her chin and held onto it, "No," she smiled.
She hadn't felt this happy in a long time. Toph remembered seeing Aang do the same with Katara before they had all been attacked and now it was finally her turn to share that happiness.
As it turned out, both of the girls were right. They told one another to never give up on their crushes because they thought it would work out for one another in the end…and it did.
In the end, everything happens for a reason. The cause may not always be clear, but when it all comes down to it, what goes around comes around. Revenge is a give and take process. There is always a price to be paid.
Azula's payment was a lifetime served in solitude held in the top security Earth Kingdom prison.
Mai's betrayal towards Zuko was soon followed by karma. Angered at the defeat against the Avatar and her uncle, Azula turned on her the very first chance she got.
Ty Lee was held captive at the upmost unfortunate Fire Nation prison. The only reason Azula had not followed was because everyone suspected the other Firebenders would soon set her free as she was next in line for the throne.
The memories of Zuko and Suki would never be forgotten. The sadness over their losses never washed away for the gaang. However, the managed to move on with the help of Iroh's words of wisdom:
"Any change, any loss, does not make us victims. Others can shake you, surprise you, disappoint you, but they cannot prevent you from acting, from taking the situation you are presented with and moving on. Letting go does not make you fall weak. The courage to move will only make you stronger than before."
Take this as you will, but when all is said and done, everything eventually falls into place…if not always in the way you expect it to.
