Toph stepped off of the metal train that connected Air Temple Island to Republic City. Her footsteps were heavy.

Aang practically flew down the hill to greet her. "Toph!"

She sighed sadly and bit her lip to stop it from quivering.

"Okay, so before you say anything, I ran into Katara earlier-"

Toph's eyes widened. Had Katara told him already?

Aang continued excitedly, "and she said you have news. And I know you wanted to check with a healer to see if you were pregnant. So? We're having a baby?"

Her chin trembled. She hated to deliver this news, again. "No, Aang. I'm not pregnant."

He seemed to deflate in front of her, and she could feel his heart practically drop out of his chest in disappointment.

"Oh. Oh okay, I thought… oh well. We can keep trying." He rubbed her arm comfortingly and smiled softly.

Toph swallowed. Now for the even worse news. "No, Aang. Katara told me…" she took a deep, steadying breath. "Katara told me I can't have kids. There's something wrong with me and I- I can't conceive."

Aang was silent for a moment. Toph felt tears run down her cheeks when she could no longer hold them back. She laughed without humor, "You know, I didn't even want kids until you. And it turns out I can't give you what you dream of. I can't make you a father, Twinkletoes."

His breath hitched and Toph realized he was crying too. He grabbed her waist and pulled her into a hug, resting his chin on top of her head. She inhaled his scent.

He stuttered, "That's okay, we just won't have kids."

"Aang, no." She pulled away from him.

"We can adopt!" He said desperately.

"Aang." Toph's bottom lip quivered. She had already thought this far ahead on her way back, but Aang still needed to process. "They have to be your kids. They can't be any kid."

Before he could open his mouth she leaned forward, "You are the last airbender. You have to have kids, Aang."

"Toph-"

"It just can't be with me." She finished strongly. She slipped off the ring he gave her and held it in front of him.

Aang stared at it.

"T, you can't be serious-"

She pressed the ring into his hand. "Aang, I love you. You know that. But I can't give you what you need. You… you'll have to find someone else."

With that, she turned sharply and got back onto the train, leaving Aang standing alone with a ring in his hand and a broken heart in his chest.

End Notes:

Ah fuck shit this whole taangst thing is hurting my feelings ow-