A/N Okay, I hope you liked yesterdays chapter. I apologize if Toph was unusually out of character. She is the last person I can think of that would break down into hysterics and sob around, asking to be held. I also don't expect her to roll around in the meadow, but I was thinking of Star Wars Attack of the clones (which I don't own) Anakin/ Padme scene. Besides, I think I have an excuse for her strange OOC behavior when day seven of taang week comes about, it might be able to explain. Any way, enjoy the chapter!

A/N I don't own avatar

Chapter 11

Aang marveled at the handiwork he and Toph worked on. They had decided that they needed to camp in the clearing they were in, but an actual camp site may not have been safe. Finally Aang had an idea to earthbend a camp. They worked to make a large earth tent, which to the untrained eye, looked like a large hill.

Since they were both earthbenders, they could enter and leave whenever they wanted. Aang took into account the lack of water, so he asked Toph if she could sense for running water. While she searched, he went into a nearby town to gather any supplies they might need. He got several baskets of fresh fruit, rice, with bowls, utensils and a pot along with a tea set. They also got a table and two pillows and a bed large enough for the both of them. Luckily since he was the avatar, most of the stuff was either discounted, or free.

When he had gotten back, Toph had found one underwater spring. With masterful displays of earthbending (and an actual compliment from Toph) he made two pools. Using waterbending (and scientific knowledge, that Sokka would be proud of) he made two reserves of constantly flowing water. One was used for bathing while the other was used for drinking.

Soon night came along and they decided to go to bed after a long days work. Aang pulled back the sheet and Toph climbed in and Aang got next to her, pulling the sheet over them. Instinctively Aang put an arm around Toph as she put her head on his shoulder and cuddled close to him. "Hey, Aang, remember, when we used to do this back at the western air temple?" she asked him.

"Yeah, the good old times." He said with a smile. It was true that on most nights, where at the temple, it would get rather cold. Toph wasn't used to such weather (with her lifestyle of a warm bed or a good pile of dirt, but not a Cliffside temple) and asked Aang if she could share his sleeping bag or his sleep mat with him. He always obliged and they cuddled (yeah… I will be using that word a lot… get used to it) together. It happened almost all the time on cold nights. Once they knew everyone was asleep, they would get together and cuddle. What was even stranger about their secret meetings at night was it wasn't awkward for either of them. It was simple and rather business like, but they enjoyed it nonetheless. They obviously had to wake up early to avoid suspicion and rumors from the rest of the group.

"So how's life as the avatar been?" she asked.

"Lonely, I guess. I missed all you guys." He answered. After a small pause he asked her, "Has life as the new queen been the same?"

She grimaced at the thought, "Yeah, basically. I mean, you wouldn't believe the nerve of those guys. They wanted me to pick a husband the other day!" she ranted.

"You didn't pick one, did you?"

She laughed, "What's the matter, Twinkles? You sound nervous."

He blushed and realized what he must have sounded like, "No, I mean, I… uh… just want to make sure you don't get married to some jerk." He said. "Besides, didn't you have a crush on Sokka once?"

"Ughh… don't remind me." She said, while they laughed. "Well what about you and miss sugar queen. Has she become Mrs. Twinkle Toes yet?"

He shook his head, "Nope, we kind of broke up." He said, almost nonchalantly.

"What, but you guys seemed fine at the last reunion." She questioned.

"Well at that very same reunion she said that we should end it and start looking for new people. I guess I'm fine with it though. Maybe it was because we really didn't love each other." He said, practically shrugging it off.

"Well I guess there are other fish in the sea." She said before nuzzling her head against his shoulder. He smiled as he heard her breathing become shallow.

"Good night, Toph." He said quietly, "Sweet dreams." He finished before yawning and dozing off himself. For the first time in months they went to bed with smiles. And what was even better, Aang didn't have any nightmares for the first time in years.

Aang and Toph had been spending quality time together in their time stuck in their little rock hut. Toph was reclining back on the bed with her hands behind her head while Aang sat on one of the chairs, rocking back and forth on the back legs. "I'm bored." Toph complained. "Is there anything to do in this rock hut other than sit around?"

Aang thought for a moment, and came up with an idea, "Wait here," he commanded, "I'll be right back." With that he left their little rock house and went into town.

Toph waited nearly two hours until the door opened and Aang walked in carrying two small sacks. Toph got off the bed and took one of the sacks the monk held out for her. She shook it a couple of times and heard the contents clack against each other. When she looked at him quizzically he said, "Pai Sho tiles."

"Um, Aang, I know this is hard to remember, but I'm blind! We don't even have a board!" she yelled.

"Take out the tiles and check them out." He said simply. She did as he asked. She took a tile out and felt the surface. Ordinary tile markings were painted on, but this one was engraved into the surface. She looked at him as he smiled broadly, "handicapped tiles! It took me a while to carve them in, but it was worth it! As for the board, well…" using an impressive display of controlled earthbending, he created a pai sho board in the ground so Toph could sense it.

"Not bad, twinkles. You are getting better." They smiled and laughed. It took about another hour for him to explain the rules to her and what each piece could do. Soon they began to play.

As he moved a piece, he broke the silence by saying, "So I heard you used pretty impressive displays of metalbending on that air ship years ago."

"Yeah, I guess I just have some talent." She said with a smirk. "Although that was one of the many other near death experiences I've had with you guys."

"Well I'm glad you're okay. I don't know what I would have done without you. I care about you, Toph." He said, very honestly and sincerely.

"Aww, that's pretty sweet of you, Twinkles." She said in her most sincere voice.

"So have you seen your parents at all?" he asked, changing the subject.

"I don't think I can go back, Aang." She said sadly, "I don't think they'll ever accept me as a daughter."

"I don't think that." He said, "They're your parents, no one else can love you like your parents do. If you give them a chance, they'll forgive you. You can all have a clean state." He explained wisely.

"It's not that easy."

"Well, think of it as you want, as long as you know that Katara, Sokka, Zuko, Suki and I will always be your family." He said with a smile.

"Thanks, that's always good to hear." She said. They sat in silence as the game continued for a little longer. Toph seemed to be winning. She had been catching him off guard through the game.

Finally he continued their small conversation with, "So, why don't you tell me more about your childhood."

"It's not a great story, Aang." She said bluntly. "But if you insist. You see, at first I thought every one perceived the world like I did, through your ears, nose, fingers, and even taste. I had no clue your eyes could do anything. I was about six when my parents told me I could never see the world with all its colors, and I would be blind until I die. Not in those exact words mind you." She took a moment to jump two of his pieces. "I was always sad and I wanted to just leave, and I did. That's when I was around seven and when I discovered how to 'see' with earthbending from the badger moles. It was a way for me to discover the world. I knew my parents would never understand what I could do. It made me run away again, but that's when I learned about the earth rumble tournaments. I could sneak out like I have done and practice my skills. I was really good at it too, but the thought that my parents couldn't see the real me and I had to keep my life a secret from them was unbearable."

"Wow, I never knew you went through that much." He said, astounded and sad for his friend that sat in front of him.

"That's not even the half of it." She said to him, "Don't forget, I never even had a life outside the house. I was only the rough and legendary blind bandit to the world. No one else knew that 'Toph Bei Fong' ever existed. You don't know what that's like, living twelve years in solitude. I had no friends, no one to talk or to play with. I was alone. Until you came along, Aang. You showed me freedom, what it was like to be part of a team. You were also my first best friend." She finished.

Ignoring the game, he got up and walked over to her and gave her a hug (which started to be rather normal to them now with their current situation) "I'm glad I found you, Toph." He said. "Not because you were a teacher, but because you were a friend and I'm glad I could free you from your prison. I only regret I didn't come sooner."

"I'm glad you found me too." She said returning the hug.

After they broke apart and finished their game (which Toph won) Aang then said, "Oh, I almost forgot. There is going to be a festival at the town I got the pai sho tiles from. If you want we could go."

She thought about it. Well festival food is yummy she thought and at least I got twinkle toes to be with. "Sure" she said.

A/N 2 Review! Oh yeah… I went a little overboard with the cuddling (which is far from Toph's character). But come on! They are the cutest cuddle buddies ever in history! (I can't believe I just said that). Anyway… hope you liked the chapter… and there will be A LOT more cuddle chapters (I can't believe I said that too.) And more apologies with the constant OOCness I'm putting in here (but ya gotta love it!)

A/N One more thing... I'm not sure if the Toph history is correct in the slightest, from what I could gather in the show, that is what I got... so yeah... uh... that's it, I guess.