Chapter Seventeen: Aang
Relief flooded my body when I felt Toph leave the house.
I was still so embarrassed by what had happened in the bathing chamber, and I was more than content not to see her for the rest of the day while I tried to figure out why I acted the way I did.
I went over it in my head so many times. For a while I just simply tried to deny it happened. Which was actually impossible. After a couple hours I told myself any guy would have looked at an attractive woman if she were dressed like that.
And that was the problem. I was labeling Toph as attractive. My cheeks flaming up as my mind recovered the images of Toph that were seared in my brain.
Green silk clinging to her curvaceous body.
I finally muscled up the decency to admit that I was attracted to her. Toph was, in fact, a very good looking woman and that was nothing to be ashamed of.
That paired with her headstrong attitude and unwavering loyalty to her friends, she was one of the most attractive females I had ever met.
Physically and spiritually, she was beautiful.
But just because all those things were true, doesn't mean I can just ogle her. I wanted nothing more than to apologize and maybe even explain to her what I was feeling.
But she never came home.
Or at least she hadn't yet. I had been pacing the kitchen while Iroh made tea when I felt her footsteps. And not just hers.
She had someone with her.
"Iroh, Toph is back. She brought someone."
We didn't speak as we moved closer to the door that would reveal her.
I set my foot down a little harder with each step trying to decipher the image of the man with her. The two appeared close to one another. I didn't think much of it as I opened the heavy oak door.
What I saw was the last thing I expected.
A man, and a very attractive one at that, was kissing her. Right on the lips. He noticed mine and Iroh's presence before Toph did.
He bowed instantly as my mind battled with my heart for control of this situation. "Avatar Aang, it's an honor."
"Who in the Spirits are you?" My tone surprised me just as much as everyone else but I only stared at this man as he straightened his back.
He was taller than me. Much taller. I'd say around Sokka's height but I kept my posture upright and my eyes on him.
"My name is Naoki and I-" He never finished his sentence because the door slammed shut in my face. Toph clearly did not want me to talk to him as she bent the metal hinges closed.
Iroh's hand came to rest on my shoulder. "Aang, take a deep breath. This isn't the end of the world." His voice calmed me down, my anger dissipating into embarrassment. 'I can't believe I said that'.
Iroh opened the door and only Toph stood there.
And she was furious.
As she stomped over to me her, steps so heavy I thought she'd fall right through the floor.
"Thanks for ruining my date, Aang. By some grace of the spirits he agreed to see me again."
I wanted to say something back, I wanted to defend my actions, I wanted to apologize. As I took in her form I couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. Her hair was down again and I fought the urge to push her bangs out of her unseeing eyes. But I didn't dare touch her.
She was wearing a gorgeous amethyst dress that fit her perfectly, I recognized it from the one Iroh gifted her.
All these things she did to impress this man. All these things she did for this, 'date' and I ruined it for her. The guilt started to chip away at me.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend."
It was the only sentence my mind could formulate. She seemed less agitated as she fumbled with the skirt of her gown but she didn't say anything.
We just stood there staring at each other. She was the first to move, as she always was. Her footsteps retreated to her bedroom.
I hung my head. "Why are you so upset, Aang. Toph is allowed to date, you can't protect her forever."
I turned to Iroh unsure of what to say.
"It's not that, I know she can protect herself, I guess it all just took me off guard. Like, when did she even meet this guy? How long has she been seeing him?" Iroh's sigh had my eyes drifting back towards the ground.
"What should I do? I don't trust him."
"I don't have the answer, Aang. I suggest you look inward and find what you really want. Or perhaps...who you really want."
"Who? But..I-I...I love Katara. Her and I are going to be together."
Iroh only smiled in all his infinite wisdom.
"There are many different types of love young Avatar."
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I might post 17 as well! :)
