Arranged Love Story
Toph had met Aang only a handful of times, mostly at large galas or national balls. She'd barely spoken a few words to him, and only small talk that was acceptable at these types of events. She had politely curtsied, and shook his hand for introductions- and the only thing that stood out about him was that his hands were surprisingly soft.
She was very surprised one night at dinner when her father announced the Avatar wanted to court her.
"What!?"
"This is an honor to our family, Toph! You must make a good impression!"
And from then on her parents clamored over her to make sure she looked right, said the right things, behaved right...
Basically anything but being herself.
Aang was nice enough, Toph supposed. She imagined he must only be showing a very surfacey version of himself as well. Their 'dates' were monitored after all. But he had made her laugh a few times, and he was never too forward or rude in any way.
Even when they danced together at one of her parent's extravagant balls, he didn't touch her inappropriately or whisper lewd things in her ear, which she much appreciated. Aang was only ever a polite gentleman.
He seemed quite awkward, stumbling over his words a lot. Toph was a bit amused by this, and even more amused when his heartbeat would jump. She must be very pretty indeed.
Maybe he liked her looks, but he had no idea who she was. And likewise, she didn't truly know him either. She couldn't exactly speak with him so personally. Their courtship was too formal, too stiff for that.
Toph was stunned when her mother flounced into her room one afternoon. The Avatar had asked her father for her hand in marriage.
So soon?
"Oh this is perfect! You'll be wed to the Avatar himself! The Bei Fong name will forever be recognized for your union with him!"
Poppy had gone on and on, but Toph felt nothing but cold dread. Here it was, the moment her life was over.
Not that it was much of a life to begin with, sure, but she at least had some bit of freedom at her parents' estate. And now that freedom would be gone.
She'd heard horrible things about marriage from the other noble girls her age. About how their chosen husbands were cruel and hurtful, how they'd force themselves on the girls and impregnate them, how they'd hit them if they talked back or disagreed. Toph did not ever want to be married. (But it's not like she'd ever had much of a choice in what she wanted.)
And she had no idea what kind of man Aang truly was. Would he hit her for speaking out of turn? Force himself into her and make her bear his children?
This was her life now...
The wedding itself was a huge event. One that Toph certainly didn't care for. Her face hurt from the strained smile she had to wear all day.
She didn't even get to eat or drink much from all the talking and polite listening and nodding along she had to do. Spirits, she didn't even get to talk to Aang much at all- like maybe ask him why he wanted to marry her.
But now they were leaving, and she would be truly alone with him for the first time.
Toph hid her trembling hands in the folds of her skirts. She didn't want to show her fear.
"Well, that's over! Geesh, this is the first time today I can actually relax." Aang joked as they settled into the carriage, on their way to their honeymoon location.
She let her shoulders become a little less tense. Joking, she could handle joking.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. My face is stuck in a smile." Toph jested, hoping she wasn't overstepping. Maybe she was supposed to stay silent?
Aang chuckled lightly and answered her, "At least it's a nice smile."
She wasn't quite sure what to say to that, so she shrugged slightly and turned to 'stare' out the window.
They were in a very fancy carriage, riding to somewhere just outside Gaoling. Toph knew it wasn't the Avatar's home- his home was much too far to travel to even overnight. It would take days to get there, he had told her. They would stay at a private inn before making the journey.
The ride was short. Her heart hammered as the carriage stopped at their destination.
This was it.
Toph's bags were unpacked in the wardrobe, and now all she could do is wait for her new husband to retire to the bedroom. She took a deep breath, she could do this. She had to.
And Aang seemed nicer than most, he'd surely be more gentle with her, right?
Her hands shook as she discarded her robe and positioned herself on the bed- like a good wife. Like her mother told her to do.
Toph wasn't waiting long before she heard him approach. He knocked softly and then she heard the door open. "Toph do you want to-"
He gasped as he saw her naked in the large bed.
Toph squeezed her eyes shut, unable to hide her trembling now. "I know how this works. So just do it."
Silence.
"Toph... what... this..."
He seemed at a loss for words, which didn't make sense to her. What was he waiting for? She grit her teeth. "Look, I know you're just going to force yourself on me no matter what I say, so just get it over with."
"Toph! I'm not going to rape-"
She laid herself down, spreading her legs open and hearing him make a choking noise. She put her arms over her face, trying to at least hide the tears in her eyes. This was going to hurt.
"Just... do whatever." She whispered. Her whole body must be shaking now.
Suddenly, the feeling of fabric covered her bare body. Toph blinked in confusion, lowering her arms down slightly. It was a blanket.
"I will not touch you if you don't want to be touched." Aang spoke firmly.
"W-what?" She whimpered, perplexed. This… wasn't how she was told it would go.
His voice was farther away, as if he was retreating. "Toph, I am not a man that treats his wife badly. You'll see. I'm going to sleep in the other room, good night."
Toph sat up in confusion, even as she heard the door shut softly. She held the blanket to her chest and wondered just what kind of man she had married…
