Protector
For #54:
"I can not save you; I can't even save myself." - Save Yourself by Stabbing Westward

--

Sokka had always seen himself as their leader. He was the ingenious inventor of the group who was far better at barking plans than fighting. Or maybe he was a great fighter; he just let Toph get to him.

Toph. She was the reason he was in his current predicament. She'd brought to his attention the one thing he'd tried to fight off: he wasn't his sister's protector anymore.

He'd always considered himself that. It was the job his father left him with when he departed. He was Katara's protector. He was the only one who takes care of her. But watching her take down Dai Li agents in Ba Sing Se—then a small gang of Fire Nation soldiers near the village they were staying in—he knew she didn't need that kind of protection from him anymore.

"It's all your fault," he complained to Toph after letting her observation sink in. She snorted at him, and threw at him the pit of the peach she was eating.

"How's it my fault that Sweetness can protect herself?" she snapped a little. He remained silent, still mulling it over in his mind. "Let me guess, it's also my fault that she has Aang to protect her too, isn't it."

Sokka sighed. "No, it's not. But it's your fault for bringing it up."

Toph laughed and gave him a playful punch. "You just can't live without someone to protect can you?" He shrugged. "Fine. Then you can protect me, okay."

Although her statement caught him off guard, he'd be lying to say a part of him wasn't happy to hear her say it. The other, more reasonable part of him told him to stay silent. He knew of her feelings for him, and he knew that part of him returned them. A much larger part, however, was in love with someone else.

"Suki needs me," he finally whispered.

Toph took the hint and a hollow, heartless laugh filled the tension between them. "I know," she said softly. A few moments passed before she spoke again. "Do you love me, Sokka?"

"No," he spoke with a tone of finality.

He didn't want to hurt her, but if that's what it took to make her find someone who'd return what she felt, he would do whatever he could. Sometimes, he thought, echoing the words his father told him years earlier as he walked away, being the protector means hurting those you love.

"You're lying, Sokka."

--

A teensy bit of Tokka angst there. I'm not exactly happy with the turn out, but it's not half bad. Was born from Piezo's request for a one-sided Tokka from Sokka's POV, though I twisted it a slight bit.

I may throw in another special treat later for a special reviewer. Won't say who though.

And for those that have asked for Azula, Mai and Ty Lee ficcies, I must plead with you to wait for the next set coming up. I already have them planned out and matched to proper prompts and stuff, they're just waiting to be written and put up. This will come after this set, lyrics is over.

Thanks for the reviews, suggestions, and giggles! Love to hear more from you!

-mcl