Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Sorry for the long wait. I was going to write a oneshot for Xmas, but then I had to go on holiday. This is going to be Taang, people, so I'm sorry if you don't like it, but I hope you'll change your mind when you finish reading this.

So, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chapter 21: The Definiton of Friend

Aang was swinging his legs over the edge of his bed absent-mindedly as he gave wistful sigh. A day had passed since Zuko had discovered Katara's disappearance, and he missed her already. On their journey here, he'd felt a growing attraction to Katara, and he knew it had to be true love.

Well, maybe not that classified, but it was his first crush. He sighed again.

"So what's up, twinkle toes?"

He looked at the door to find Sokka and Toph standing in his doorway. Toph, who could only navigate her way on solid earth, was having a hard time in the ice palace, which was why somebody had to accompany her everywhere.

He hastily pasted a fake smile onto his face. "Me? Oh, well, I'm just not too sure about Ka-coming here. You know, with the Fire Navy and all." He'd nearly slipped out the fact that he was concerned about Katara in front of Sokka! Of all people, he'd want Sokka to know about his crush the least.

"Oh. Well, anyway, it's time for another meeting. We were just coming to pick you up." Sokka told Aang.

The quick meeting ended in less than an hour, after which Aang was busily occupied with the hasty evacuation of the children and those who couldn't fight, supply receiving and arranging, and all manner of battle preparations.

Which is no surprise why, at the end of the day, Aang skipped dinner. He knew he missed Katara, and with most of his patience worn out, he was tired and easily angered. He felt like he'd been walking over too many soft clouds this time.

There was a knock from the outside. Aang sat up, realising he'd fallen asleep. He went to the doorway sleepily, to find Toph, breathing harder than usual and hanging onto his doorway for life.

"Toph! What are you doing here? What if you trip, or fall, then none of us could've helped you 'till morning! And - "

"Shut up."

He obliged, although he was still puzzling over why she had come to his room in the middle of the night. He gently but firmly helped her to a seat on his bed and arranged his blanket around her.

"So." He wanted an explanation.

"Well, I don't think anyone else has noticed, but you were really down today, weren't you?"

Aang gave a moments' thought to the matter and decided he didn't want anyone knowing about his crush just yet. "Me? Naw, I'm just tired, you know, with the Avatar thing and all. By the way - "

"Missing Katara much?"

Her blunt, deep voice cut through his speech so easily. And on so many matters, she just read his mind.

"I – yeah, of course, I mean, she's our friend, right?"

There was a pause, then Toph asked, "You like her a lot, don't you? As a woman."

How the hell did she know?

"For a girl born with incapabilities, you're way more capable and observant than the rest of us."

"That doesn't answer my question. But there's no need. Don't worry; I don't think anyone else knows besides me. About your – crush – , that is."

She said the word 'crush' mildly with the tone one used to describe a bug bite, like it itched. Now, why would she do that? I can't really see her face, so I guess I won't know.

Was he blushing? "Uh – what am I supposed to say to that? Ooh, actually could ya give me some advice?"

There was a pause. "Don't say anything then." He'd expected something just as blunt as that from her.

"Well, I usually like talking more than not talking. So. Is there anything going on between you…and Sokka?"

Toph turned her head around to face Aang, the left side of her face revealed in the moonlight. It was a little too late as Aang realised he'd hurt Toph's feelings…somehow.

"So you think that the relationship between a blind weakling and a simple friend has anything to do with attraction??"

"Ok, whoa, hold on, I'm sorry. It was just a little assumption that everyone's been making. I mean, he's always the one helping you get stuff done nowadays."

"That's only because he's got nothing else to do! I – I -"

He heard the seriously hurt tone in her voice, which he always seemed to be the only one able to tell apart from the hurt tone. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him gently.

How come he'd never noticed how warm and soft Toph's body seemed to be against his own? He felt a very new sensation, and he'd no idea what it was. But it made him – very strangely – happy. He was so glad to have her for a friend.

Friend. A friend, eh? Maybe I'd like her to be a little more…

WHOA. Where had that come from? Toph was just his earthbending teacher and a faithful – fellow - that was all.

He could feel Toph regain her composure, and breathed an inward sigh of relief. Having Toph angry at him didn't do at all, he decided.

"Aang…"

"Yeah?"

"…What do you think of me?"

Was she blushing? No, he was imagining things. "You're my earthbending teacher, and a great friend. Some people might think you're weak because of your lack of sight, but I think I know better. You've got a sight clearer than any of us, not just physically, but mentally too. Of, course, that doesn't mean you're invincible, 'cause like at times like these, you need your friends, like any normal human being."

"So…you don't think badly of me in any way?"

"Well, maybe when you're really stubborn, but that's all."

"Oh. That's good. I guess…I'm just scared of people treating me in a really weird way, I guess. You're a great – friend – Aang."

Mockingly, Aang let go of Toph and knelt in front of her. In a voice he presumed was manly, he said, "It is an honour for Toudai(Disciple) Aang to receive a compliment from the honourable Sifu Toph."

He could hear Toph grin. "Well now, my dear disciple. Come forth, and I have a thing of honour to bestow upon you."

A gift? Aang was surprised. He readily leaned forward, and waited.

His gift was the contact of Toph's soft, warm lips upon his own.