Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.

82

"'Ba Sing Se's Most Eligible' has been renewed for a seventeenth season," Sokka announced idly as he flipped through his magazine, his morning coffee in one hand.

Suki sniffed. "And why should that interest me?"

"It shouldn't, you're right. But it does."

"That show is terrible."

Sokka nodded solemnly. "So terrible."

"I don't watch it," she insisted. "I've seen, like, ten episodes. That's it."

"Does the word 'episode' mean something different on Kyoshi Island? Is it code for 'entire season'?"

"Shut up, Sokka," she snapped, blushing.

Sokka raised his hands in an innocent gesture. "I'm trying to learn about cultural differences, Suki. You know me. I'm a worldly man."

"Quit making fun of me. It's seven in the morning."

"My love for you knows no time constraints," Sokka said. "It can't be contained."

"What does your 'love' for me have to do with it?"

Sokka laughed. "Picking on you is my love language."

"I thought you were a 'worldly man'. Learn a different language," Suki said loftily. "I have class. I have to go."

"Get that education, my love," Sokka called to her as she strode away. "So that you can become worldly, too."

Toph's phone emitted a shrill ring, piercing, the words 'Mom calling' echoing in an automated voice as it rattled across the coffee table. And the blind girl did not move, still sipping at the sweet tea Aang had brought her in the few minutes between the end of his café shift and the beginning of his gym shift.

And Toph was still fucking here thirty minutes after he left, drinking her sweet tea and ignoring her phone.

"Would you like me to get that for you?" Katara asked as politely as she could muster.

"No," Toph replied as the phone finally fell silent.

Katara gritted her teeth. "Okay, then." She turned back to the TV, able to enjoy mere moments of peace before the phone rang again, 'Mom calling' dominating the sound coming from the TV. "Toph," Katara complained, "for goodness sake, just answer the phone."

Toph snorted derisively. "Fuck, no. I know what she's calling for."

"I thought you were estranged from your parents," Katara muttered, exasperated.

"My mother and I have very recently returned to tentative speaking terms. My father is as silent as he was four months ago. It's been wonderful."

"What does your mom want?"

"She wants me to go to some weird fucking charity ball. One of her friend's benefits."

Katara blinked. "That sounds fun, actually."

"You're so right, Sugar Queen, what was I thinking? There's nothing I want to do more than spend an evening with my parents' narcissistic friends, all blowing each other over bowls of caviar and congratulating each other on being rich." Toph shook her head in disgust.

"I can see how that would be frustrating," Katara replied, proud of herself at how even her tone was.

Toph rolled her head towards Katara. "Don't patronize me."

"Why are you here, again, Toph? We've already discussed the one thing we both agree on; that Aang should take that job offer." Katara curled her lip. "Which, thanks, by the way, for inserting yourself into an intimate and serious situation going on between he and I. There's literally no reason for you to be here, so don't feel the need to stay."

"You and I are bonding."

Katara scoffed. "Yea, okay."

"Ha ha ha, it's so funny when you're a sarcastic bitch. It's so you."

"And ignoring your mom's attempt to reach out to you and invite you to a charity event is so you."

Toph shuddered. "You've never met those people, Katara. They're terrible."

"Well, then, I imagine you fit in quite well," Katara said primly.

"'Well, then, I imagine you fit in quite well'," Toph mocked.

Katara glared at her. "Shut the fuck up."

"You know what, Sugar Queen? I have a fucking idea. Why don't you come to the ball with me? Since you're so charitable and philanthropic."

"Fine. Maybe I will. I'll let Aang know we're going. When is it?"

Toph smiled a wicked little smile. "Aang's not invited. Just you and me."

Katara faltered. "Why?"

"I already fucking told you, Katara, don't you listen? We're bonding." Toph shook her head in exasperation. "Fuck."

"I'm going on break, Aang," Mai announced flatly.

Aang nodded, still jotting down an obnoxiously large order from a mustachioed man who very easily could have called ahead. "Can you bring in some more coffee lids before you break? We're getting low."

"Sure."

She glided into the break room, pausing when she found Zuko pinning the new month's schedule to the bulletin board. He blushed when he saw her, and she almost laughed.

Instead, she crossed the room in a few long strides, pressing herself against him to kiss him firmly, passionately, filled with smug satisfaction in the way his hands raised in surprise before settling on her waist and pulling her closer into him. His hands tightened around her as she swept her tongue across his lower lip, and he groaned with pleasure. Mai felt him shift his weight, as if he were going to pick her up, take her somewhere that they could finish this little interlude in private.

So, naturally, she pulled away, wiping at her lips with her sleeve, and walking to the supply closet in the corner of the room to grab coffee lids for Aang. She didn't spare Zuko a single glance, ignoring his open-mouthed expression, and left the break room to neatly deposit the coffee lids in their appropriate spots.

Mai allowed herself a private little grin. There, she thought to herself. That ought to keep Zuko sufficiently on his toes for today.

A/N: :)