Gyatso was amicable enough towards her, though she wasn't stupid. She could feel the slight tension of his earnest disapproval. Still, at least he was being kind to her. She hoped with time the tensions would ease.

He had led her to a guest room and apologized for all the drama, that such conflict was unbecoming of them and he didn't want it to taint her first impression of air nomads. She had assured him that she understood. Even a culture of freedom had some formalities and principles after all.

But even with the air somewhat cleared, and the decision of their marriage approved… she didn't sleep well. The beds were hard, mats and blankets thin. This place was unfamiliar to her, and worst of all, her husband was not with her.

Toph was now used to listening to his heartbeat under her ear while they slept.

So she had rested her foot on the ground, concentrating to find his particular heartbeat. It was only then that she could get a little sleep…


A knock jolted her awake. She groaned as she sat up, her back was sore. "Stupid bed."

"Sounds like someone didn't sleep well." Aang's amused voice came from the doorway.

Toph only answered him with a grunt as she rubbed her eyes. She heard the door close behind him as he chuckled and came to sit next to her. "So sorry the bed is not up to your standards, Lady Beifong."

"Do you always have to be so loud and awake in the mornings, Twinkletoes?" She complained, scooching to rest her head on his shoulder.

"Afraid so, my love."

When she didn't answer, he frowned. He wiggled his shoulder, "Hey, stop falling asleep on me. We've got things to do!"

She groaned again as he forced her to sit up. "Come on! Up, up, up!"

What a mean husband, waking her so early. And not even with a kiss or something to get her blood pumping…

He stood and placed her bag on the bed for her. "I'll leave so you can get dressed."

Toph smirked at him, leaning back on her hands. "Maybe I need help undressing. I'm just a poor blind girl."

"Ha, ha." He rolled his eyes, bending down to kiss her nose and dodging when she swooped for his lips. She pouted at him.

"You're not gonna distract me, T. We'd never leave the room."

She grinned, standing and stretching, making sure to curve her body just right to tempt him. "Doesn't that sound fun?"

Aang let his eyes wander over her for a moment before he shook his head. He muttered something about her being dangerous under his breath. He danced out of her reaching hands and retreated to the door.

"Your hair is a mess, by the way."

She sighed in disappointment. "Get out before I find something to throw at you."


As soon as Toph stepped out of her designated room, Aang sprang up from the ground and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Oh, now you'll kiss me?" She complained.

Aang laughed and threw his arm over her shoulder. "Can't drag me to bed now, T."

"Well, I could— " She began, smirking widely.

He interrupted her, "Nope, time for breakfast." Aang leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear, "But don't worry, I have something planned later for you."

Toph tried to hide the shiver that went through her body at his deep voice. "Can we skip to that?"

Aang only laughed and dragged her towards the community dining area.

There were several people already there, and Toph frowned a little. Why couldn't she sense any other women? Even the children were all males. She could practically feel the burning sensation of being stared at.

Aang called out to many people, waving and making small talk. He kept their hands linked together, but no one came to approach them and ask about her, thankfully. Toph didn't like the attention, she certainly didn't want a mass of people in her face asking who she was.

They went through a food line to fill their plates and then he sat them away from the others. "How ya feeling, T?"

"There's a lot of people here." She mumbled, biting into a peach. She jumped slightly when something landed on her shoulder.

"Momo, come here, leave Toph alone."

Toph smiled as the creature jumped over to Aang. She was glad he'd taken a liking to her. "I don't mind, he just surprised me. I'll get used to it."

Their conversation flowed as they ate. Aang slowly named off the people in the room to her, she only hoped she could eventually remember them all. They settled their plates in a bin, and Aang explained that people had scheduled chores so all the work was shared, they'd probably have cleaning duty soon.

As they left the dining hall, he gave her a brief tour, but Toph was impatient.

"So, you were saying earlier about a little surprise…" Toph hinted.

Aang laughed. "I said I had a plan, as in I've planned out our day. Patience, my Sappy Shrimp."

She elbowed him for that, but allowed him to continue his tour of the grounds. She was introduced to a few people along the way, but for the most part people left them alone.

"Now! I want to take you air gliding! And then a ride on Appa."

Toph felt herself go a little pale. "What's air gliding?"

"I'll show you!" Aang grinned mischievously. He grabbed something and pulled her to one of the cliff sides of the air temple. "So, this is my staff."

"Yes, Aang, I've felt that before." Toph smirked provocatively, leaning slightly into him.

Aang gripped her jaw, "You are a vixen today."

She lost her breath at that, feeling a thrill shoot through her and whining when he pulled away.

"Flying first." He declared. She heard a click and a whoosh. "Now, you'll have to hold on to me so I can have my hands free for air bending."

Toph lifted an eyebrow, "Okay…"

Aang arranged her so that she was basically piggyback, except on his frontside. She grinned and tightened her arms around his neck. "I like this already, Twinkles."

He laughed. "Pretty sure you won't here in a second."

And with that, Aang jumped off the cliff.


Toph didn't realize that that high-pitched noise was coming from her.

Honestly, she thinks she blacked out for a minute. The next thing she was aware of was Aang's arm wrapping around her waist as his chest shook with laughter.

She felt their drop even out, and then it wasn't quite as bad.

"I think you almost broke the sound barrier there, T."

She didn't give him an answer to his teasing, only burrowing her face deeper into his neck to wait for it to be over.

Soon enough— or rather not soon enough in her opinion— they landed.

"Alright, Toph. We're on the ground. We are no longer flying. You can let go of me now."

Toph stayed still on his hips, trying to unfreeze her muscles.

Aang rubbed his hands up and down her back. "Was it really that bad? We don't have to do it again."

Finally she unlocked her knees and clumsily landed on the ground. Aang held her shoulders steady. It was like when he jumped her around, except it had been a straight dive to sure death.

"I'm not… a fan of that."

He chuckled and tucked her bangs behind her ear before kissing her forehead. "Well thanks for trying it at least."

Toph stayed caged in his arms, resting her cheek on his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist. Aang rested his chin on top of her head.

"You're very touchy today, Sappy Shrimp."

She groaned at him and pinched his skin.

Aang heard her mumble something into his tunic. He raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"I said," She pulled away haughtily to pout up at him, "that I missed you."

His eyes softened and he cradled her face. "I missed you, too. I'm sorry they're making us sleep in separate rooms. I don't want you to feel alone here."

Toph leaned up in her tiptoes, closing her eyes and pursing her lips as she waited for him to bend down to her. He grinned— Toph didn't normally initiate kisses. He considered teasing her but… it wasn't the time.

So he leaned down and met her soft lips, tilting her face slightly. It was languid and peaceful…

Until he felt her lips tilt up in a smirk. Her hands slipped down and got a handful of his ass, squeezing playfully. Aang laughed into her mouth, allowing her to sneak her small tongue inside. It surprised him, drawing a soft moan from him.

He drew away before it got any more heated. "Toph! There's people around here—"

"Don't care."

Aang rolled his eyes. "Don't you want to know the rest of my plan?"

She kissed at his throat, making him flush. He sure hoped nobody could see them at the moment.

"New plan. My plan." Toph murmured. Her hands slowly dragged along his sides until she felt along his abdominal muscles.

He groaned. "You're killing me, T. Such a vixen."

Toph pulled away slightly to grin at him. "And I can feel how much you love it."

Aang flushed at that— so maybe he had a semi. His wife had that effect on him.

"The rest of my plan!" He grabbed her wrists and held them away from his body so he could think. "We're gonna take a ride on Appa to a clearing away from the temple, so we can be alone."

"Hmm." Toph hummed and linked their fingers together. "Well, Twinkletoes, that does sound like a good plan."


End Notes:

Fair warning, the next chapter is gonna have some SPICE. ( ͡ ͜ʖ ͡)