Sadly, today is the last day of Tokka week, and it won't come again for a whole 'nother year! Anyway, have fun reading this last installment!

Day Seven: Moment of Truth

Sokka took a deep breath. He didn't want Toph to think he was uneasy; he didn't want her suspecting that this was more than their usual trip to the lake. He had her hand in his, pulling her along past the rocky trail. It was nearly sunset, and, although it wouldn't mean anything to Toph, Sokka enjoyed the beautiful melting of color in the heavens.

He dragged Toph to their usual spot, a rock that jutted out over the water. So many times they had sat on that outcrop, tossing pebbles into the lake. Sokka would lean over, trying to watch them as they made their progress to the bottom, but never was he able to see the small stones hit the silt.

Toph was following him willingly, and for once, she didn't say anything. Usually, she would complain to Sokka, telling him that she didn't see a point on going all that way just to sit and talk. But Sokka knew that, secretly, she loved the place. It was their place, their lake, their rock.

Sokka plopped himself down, pulling Toph to the ground with him. He still held her right hand in his left. With his free hand, Sokka grasped the object in his pocket. He had to do this tonight, or he wouldn't have the courage to.

"What's the matter with you?" Toph asked. The words were strong, but her tone was soft. Somehow, she knew how important this instant was to Sokka, and how important it might be to her.

Sokka coughed. I'm going to do it. Yes. Right now. Don't chicken out. "I…" He looked over at Toph. Her toes were barely skimming the water, creating tiny ripples that grew until they seemed to span the entire lake. Then, Sokka's eyes traveled to Toph's face. Anticipation sang in every muscle. Sokka realized that she knew what was coming. That, in itself, cost him the moment. Sokka bowed his head. "I, uh, my dinner didn't really agree with me."

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Toph deflate. "Oh," she stated. Was she disappointed?

Sokka was irritated at himself. That had been the perfect moment, the moment of truth. Why had he lost his nerve? Steeling himself again, Sokka reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace.

Before, Sokka had been very proud of his work. Into the necklace's circular pendant, he had etched a design combining the Earth Kingdom symbol with that of the Water Tribe. Now, looking at it in comparison with the brilliant sunset and the beautiful woman beside him, Sokka thought it was crude. Then again, he had never been much of a carver.

Sokka closed his fist around the stone, then brought Toph's hand up to it. "Here," he murmured, trying not to stutter, "In the Water Tribe, it's customary to whittle a necklace when you…" Sokka took a deep breath. He was wrong. He hadn't missed his moment of truth; it was right here. "When you ask someone to marry you."

Toph's hand, which had been searching the necklace, froze. "Are you serious?" she asked. Of course, she knew Sokka wouldn't joke about something like that, but both of them needed the reassurance.

"One hundred percent," Sokka replied. He gently pried the betrothal necklace from her hand. "Can I put this on you?"

Toph nodded. Tears were filling up her eyes. She brushed back the hair from her neck. Sokka wrapped his arms around her, bringing the piece of jewelry up to her neck.

"Wait!" cried Toph. Sokka didn't move. "Did you ask my parents? They'd be furious."

Sokka chuckled nervously. "Yes, of course I asked them."

Toph turned to face him. "Then why are you so edgy?"

"Well," Sokka started, "They didn't exactly say yes. In fact, they got one of their guards to throw me out of your house."

"And you're still doing this?" Toph asked. It was said that if consent was not given from both sets of parents, the pair couldn't get married. If they did, terrible fortune would fall on the house of the newlyweds.

Sokka pulled Toph into an embrace. "Yes. If you want, we don't have to get married legally. We'd both know in our hearts that we're engaged, even if your parents don't like it. This way, we could avoid bad luck."

Toph pushed back from Sokka. "No."

Dread coursed through the man's veins. No? She was really saying no?

Toph pulled her hair up again. "You're putting that necklace on me, and we're getting married. We've already had enough bad luck to last a lifetime; the spirits can't possibly give us any more. And besides, whatever they throw at us, we can handle. We're part of Team Avatar, right?"

Now it was Sokka's turn to have tears spring to his eyes. Tenderly, he placed the necklace around Toph's neck and tied the ribbon in the back. The woman let her hair fall and turned to Sokka. "So, should we invite the old gang? We could have a secret underground wedding with Twinkle Toes, and Sugar Queen, and Sparky, and Iroh, oh and your dad, that would be nice…maybe we could invite the Boulder? Are you still obsessed with him? We could make all the guests fight in a big arena! That would be hilarious to watch…"

Sokka let Toph ramble on. He looked out across the lake, watching the stars start to peek out from behind the dying sunbeams. Everything, to him, was perfect. They were in their place, talking about their future. And Toph? She was more than perfect. She was willing to go against her parents' commands to marry him. And she was strong enough to not care about any horrible luck that the legend said they would have. She loved him that much.

Sokka glanced over at her, still wondering about the future. Would he do the same for her?

It was a question that required no thought. Of course he would. He loved her.

Sokka wrapped his arms around Toph. He was wrong again. His proposal wasn't the moment of truth. The moment of truth came when both of them knew that they would rather live a troubled life together than contented lives apart.