Chapter 30: Aang

It took another four days of council meetings but finally-FINALLY, a decision was made for the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom. They would be permitted to stay peacefully under their own free will. But if any harm or ill will was made towards the Earth Kingdom or its people, they were to be extracted and sent back to the Fire Nation. Furthermore, no additional Fire Nation citizens were to move from the homeland to the colonies.

It wasn't a perfect solution. But, it would work for the time being until something more suitable could be arranged.

I tried my best to calmly slip out of sight from the diplomats and royalty strewn about and get back to Iroh's place to change clothing. No doubt Toph has already fled and was there now doing the very same.

I wished Suki were here to see me as I moved stealthy to a nearby balcony and hopped on my glider. As I made my way to Iroh's I marveled at what my night could unfold. I was finally going to take Toph out on a date. First we'd get tea and maybe some sweet mochi. I wondered if she'd hold my hand while we strolled down the streets.

I was nothing short of giddy as I landed on Iroh's doorstep, practically skipping through the house until I reached my room.

I shed my ceremonial monk ensemble for a cross shoulder orange robe and mustard colored pants. Just as I tied my robes in place a knock came to the door. Perplexed, I meandered over. Toph was supposed to meet me at the tea shop, so surely this wasn't her.

Pulling the door open, I came face to face with Zuko. "Uh..hey. I kinda wanted to talk to you about something really quick, if you can spare a few minutes?"

I can't remember the last time Zuko wanted to talk to me about anything, but I'd always have time for a friend. Stepping aside I watched him pass me by before closing the door behind him, I watched him shift uncomfortably in front of me before he began speaking.

"Aang...I-Katara doesn't know I'm here…" I raised an eyebrow at him. 'Why would that matter?'

He continued to stare at me, as if those few words made the reason for his visit obvious. Zuko must've read my bewildered expression. He exhaled loudly, eyebrows bunching with anxiety making him look much older than he was. Perhaps I could help him along.

"What's troubling you?" In all the years I've known Zuko I have never seen him distressed in this manner, not even when he was chasing me across the world. His behavior was odd indeed.

"I can't keep doing this without saying something to you. It just feels...wrong. Katara and I..we-ugh why's this so hard?...I'm seeing her, Aang!" He finally blurted. I cocked my head at him, utterly confused. 'This is what was troubling him?'

"I'm seeing her...like you're seeing Toph…" 'Oh, I see…' I thought it over a few times and although it piqued my interest, I didn't find myself to be devastated or even emotionally torn over this information. In fact, I could feel my bottom lip curling into a steady smile.

I moved to him then, tugging his shoulder to pull him into an embrace. I pulled back keeping him at an arm's length.

"I knew it must've been something-someone, I can't remember the last time I saw Katara smile the way she has been recently; like her entire being was gobbling up any light that touched her, she was truly glowing. I always felt like I wasn't quite enough for her, I've watched her searching my eyes for something I knew I didn't have for a long time. And while I'll always love her, it's time she found genuine happiness and companionship with her other half, and I'm glad it's you, Zuko. Who better can I trust than my best friend?"

The words slipped from my mouth easily, like the unwavering flow of my chakra. Zuko looked shocked, genuinely and completely stunned into silence. I wanted to chuckle, though Zuko was never one to be constantly talking, I expected to receive some type of reply.

"You'll take good care of her, right?" He shook his head up and down vigorously. "Good, if you want to talk some more we can later, but now I need to meet with someone." I clapped him on the shoulder and turned for the door again.

"Hey, Aang?" I glanced over my shoulder, just able to catch the red fridge of his robe from the corner of my eye, "I hope Toph brings you the joy you deserve."

I couldn't help the smile that stretched across my face, "all that and more." I replied back before making my way to the tea shop.

Toph looked absolutely radiant. Though she was dressed in clothing I'd seen her in countless times, I still found myself fighting for air as I approached her.

"Took you long enough, Twinkletoes! Don't you know it's rude to keep a la-" I couldn't stop the smirk against her lips as I kissed her, Toph was always all bark and no bite. She sighed, relaxing into my embrace.

I pulled away slowly. "Sorry, Zuko actually just told me something very interesting about Katara." Toph tensed in my arms at the mention of her name and I yearned to ask her why. "What did he tell you?" She questioned.

I shrugged, "Just that he's 'seeing' Katara and he felt like he needed to confront me before furthering their relationship. And it seems they're aware of us as well." Toph fully pulled herself out of my arms.

"They know? And they don't care?" I shook my head in affirmation. She looked stunned if nothing else. "You look lovely by the way, Toph." I watched as a blush traveled up her neck and into her cheeks before taking her hand in mine. We strolled down the streets of Ba Sing Se talking and laughing effortlessly until the sun disappeared and the moon was high in the sky.

"We should be getting back, Katara and Zuko are leaving in a few hours." I voiced to her before turning us in the direction of Iroh's home.

Toph and I arrived just after the royal palanquin came for the Fire Lord. Hugs were passed around before I watched them go. Iroh, surprisingly hopping in along with them followed by a garbled, 'I'll be back in a few hours.'

I waved goodbye before closing the door behind me. And there she was. My cheeks heating furiously upon realizing we were alone. "Thank you for taking me out tonight Aang, I had a great time."

I shrugged before realizing she couldn't actually see the action and responded, "Anytime." Rubbing the back of my neck in embarrassment.

She approached me, as though it were happening in slow motion. Both her palms splayed out across my chest as she moved to her tippy toes to kiss me.

Unlike her previous, tentative kisses, Toph pressed her lips firmly against my own. I kissed her back with as much passion and I nearly flew out of my skin at the moan that left her mouth and traveled into my own.

"You saved me…" Her words sounded so tiny it was hard to fathom they came from her mouth.

"They were going to keep me there the rest of my life. And I genuinely thought after my father saw me bend, saw the joy on my face, I would be granted the freedom I craved. But my parents never understood me or what I wanted. I may be blind, but I can take care of myself. Aang, you pulled me away from them and I never thanked you…"

Her voice faded away until it was a whisper in the wind. I gripped her to my chest tightly, trying my best to console her. Her fingers clasped around my own and she broke away leading me to sit with her on the plush couch resting in the living room.

"You don't have to thank me, Toph. My reasons were no less selfish than yours. You wanted to get away from your parents and I needed a teacher." I argued back, and it was partially true. I may have needed her, but I could have never ignored the insatiable pull that had me grasping at anything I could to just be in her presence. Like a sparrowmoth to a flame; only focusing on based desires that were as rudimentary as breathing.

"Whatever the case may be, whatever the circumstances, I'm forever grateful." Toph sighed, resting her head on my shoulder. We sat there for a long time, seconds sped into minutes, minutes turned into hours. Her body was a warm comfort that had me leaning into her as well. My eyes were sliding shut, my world giving into the dark solace of sleep.