A/N: I've gone with something a little closer to the Western Solar Calendar, rather than the Chinese Lunar Calendar, for the sake of readability. My timeline is based on the dating system that sets Year 0 as the year the Air Nomads were wiped out, with the year beginning sometime in the winter and Sozin's comet being in the eighth month, at the end of summer. Generally speaking, Republic City's seasons are northern hemisphere temperate, with four seasons each lasting around three months.
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Leaning against a stone balustrade overlooking a park in Ba Sing Se's upper ring, Sokka allowed himself to brood for a moment.
"What's the matter?" Suki asked, appearing behind him, her arms snaking around his chest.
"Just thinking."
"You've been doing that a lot, lately. Care to share what's on your mind?"
He sighed, not really knowing how to articulate what he was feeling. "When we were fighting in the war, I was...driven, you know? We had a goal, a purpose. Defeat the Fire Lord. End the war. But now…"
"Well, there's still a lot to do. You're not bored are you?"
"No, I'm not bored. But…"
"What?"
"Well, everyone's got something to do. Aang's the Avatar. Katara helps him, but also trains waterbenders and keeps busy as a healer. Zuko is the Fire Lord. Toph has her Academy and the refinery. You lead the Kyoshi Warriors and keep Republic City from tearing itself apart. Don't get me wrong, I like being your sidekick and all, but… I don't know. Sometimes I just feel a little useless."
"What?!" Suki exclaimed. "You're not useless! You're a very skilled warrior in your own right. And you have so many great ideas for strategy and tactics, not to mention all of your inventions."
"That's my point, though! I feel like I could be doing so much more, but instead, I'm just...drifting. I don't know where my place is in this new world."
She was quiet for a long moment. "If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?"
"I've asked myself that before. Honestly?" He shook his head slowly, feeling lost. "I don't know. I don't think my particular skill set lends itself to peacetime. I was born for war."
"Don't say that," she said gently. "No one is born for that. It's just something that happens to you."
"It made me who I am."
She sighed. "Yeah. Me too. I sometimes wonder who I would be if I hadn't left Kyoshi Island."
"You were already an elite warrior before you left."
"But I'd never experienced war until Zuko came there looking for Aang."
It seemed like such a distant memory. A lifetime ago. "It's kinda hard to believe he used to be our enemy."
"I know what you mean," she agreed. "He's such a…I don't know. Gentle soul. All that bluster and anger he had before was just a facade."
Sokka tried not to grimace, still a little insecure about how close the two of them had gotten during her time as his bodyguard. He didn't believe Suki would ever be overtly disloyal, but it was hard not to wonder if she hadn't developed feelings for Zuko. He turned to her and took her head in his hands, kissing her deeply, not even caring that they were in a public place.
As soon as his hands began to creep down her back, she pulled away with a throaty chuckle. "Don't get carried away."
He wanted to. "Hey, what do you say we blow off this lunch and head back to the guest house?"
"Sokka, you know I can't do that." Her words were gentle but firm. "We're here for a reason, remember?"
"It's just a lunch, not even a real meeting."
"I think you underestimate just how much political significance a meal can have," Suki said wryly.
"Ugh. Politics. So boring." It was the last thing he wanted to get tangled up in. With a regretful sigh, he released her and leaned back against the balustrade.
"You're the one who wanted to have something useful to do. This is what maintaining the peace looks like."
"Sometimes I envy Toph and how she found something to do that's not political," he mused. "She gets to teach metalbending and fight crime every day."
"We fight crime, too."
"Yeah, I guess so." He scratched his chin, his train of thought turning to Toph. "I hope she's not feeling too neglected. I feel really bad about getting stuck here for New Year's. She's already depressed enough during winter. I know Aang and Katara are supposed to be there for the ceremony, but sometimes they get pulled away without warning. Just like we were, here. I don't want her to be alone."
Suki didn't answer right away, but when he glanced up at her, there was a pensive look on her face. She leaned in and brushed her lips against his cheek. "If you leave in the morning, you could make it back in time."
Sokka's brows furrowed in confusion. "What? But we haven't met with King Kuei yet. Didn't you just say-"
"I know. I can't go back yet. But you can."
He cocked an eyebrow. "Are you trying to get rid of me?" he teased.
"No, of course not. It's nice having you here, even if you are..." She bit her lip mischievously. "...distracting."
"Ah, so the truth comes out!" He wrapped her up tightly and she put her head on his shoulder.
"Anyway," she continued. "I happen to agree with you. Toph tries hard to act all grown up and solitary, but I think she sometimes gets really lonely."
Sokka kissed the top of her head. "Have I ever told you that you're the best, nicest, kindest person in the world?"
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Toph stamped her feet in the dirt, both in an attempt to warm herself and to try to reclaim her bearings a bit. She hated winter. She hated cold and snow, and the need for these awful shoes. She could still function, of course, but everything was just a little bit more dulled than usual. It made her nervous. It made her feel like an imposter. How could she claim the title Greatest Earthbender in the World like this?
"Ladies and Gentleman," the Mayor of Yu Dao said to the gathered crowd. "First of all, a Happy New Year to you all! It is truly a great day to celebrate what will become, I am sure, a hugely beneficial accomplishment, pushing us further into the future. It is a new day, a new year, and a new era! And now, before we cut the ribbon, Councilman Ludo would like to say a few words in the stead of Avatar Aang, who unfortunately could not attend today's ceremony due to his many obligations."
Toph rolled her eyes and tuned out. Aang was too busy building his little island getaway, no doubt. A small, quiet part of her knew it wasn't fair for her to feel this way; he really was busy, just like she was. But lately, it seemed that he – and by extension, Katara – didn't have time for the 'little things', as Toph thought of them. Including her life. The opening of the new railroad between Yu Dao and Republic City wasn't really a 'little thing', exactly, but in the grand scheme of worldly affairs that Aang busied himself with, it probably seemed insignificant.
She wondered what her friends were doing right now. Katara sent the occasional letter to keep her updated on their goings-on, but they were usually brief. Toph hadn't seen Sokka and Suki in weeks, not since her birthday. According to a letter, their meeting with the Earth King in Ba Sing Se had been delayed and they wouldn't make it back in time for New Year's.
Whatever. She didn't care.
"...Toph Beifong and Kori Morishita!"
She snapped back to attention as she heard her name. Right. She had to go up there, now. The narrow platform was part of the station, and fortunately stone instead of wood. The last thing she wanted was to fall off and look like a damn fool.
"Thank you, Councilman Ludo," Kori began, then cleared her throat to address the crowd. "As the Councilman said, part of the purpose of extending the train service to Yu Dao is to facilitate the expansion the law enforcement system that has been so successful here. I know Republic City has had its fair share of struggles, and I, along with Toph Beifong, intend to do whatever we can to bring peace and order. Today, we will be meeting with the United Republic Council to formulate a plan of action." There was some lukewarm applause; Kori leaned over and whispered to her. "Did you want to say anything?"
"I think you pretty much summed it up."
The young woman offered a few more platitudes and words of encouragement to the crowd, and then the Mayor talked a bit more, the ribbon was cut, people cheered, and the crowd slowly dispersed aside from those who were there to travel to Republic City. All in all, Toph thought it had been a dry affair. It was a big deal, to be sure, that a lot of people were excited about. She understood that. But all she could think of was how it only added to her already very stressful life.
"Toph!" an unexpected voice called out from nearby.
"Sokka?" she replied in shock, her heart lurching into her throat. She barely had a chance to register his footsteps when she was lifted into the air in a big bear hug. With how much he'd grown in the last couple of years, she was probably a good foot off the ground. "Hey! Put me down! I'm supposed to be looking important and dignified here!"
"Heh. Sorry. I've just missed you! Your face was priceless!" he added, laughing. "I finally surprised you! And I wasn't even trying!"
Suddenly the cold didn't seem to matter so much. She warm inside. "What are you even doing here? I thought you and Suki were in Ba Sing Se?"
"I left early so I could be here for New Year's. Plus, I wanted to see the opening ceremony. Didn't seem right to miss it, considering how long we've all been waiting."
"You're such a sentimental idiot," Toph said, punching his arm. But she couldn't help but smile. Had he come back early just for her?
"What, you're not happy to see me?"
"Sure I am. But you're still a sentimental idiot."
He laughed and gave her another, more restrained hug. This time she hugged back, taking in his warm scent with a bittersweet smile. But she was so used to that familiar ache that it didn't dampen her mood too much.
"Oh, hey, Kori," he said. "How have you been?"
"Not bad. C'mon, I think the train's about to leave."
"Where are Aang and Katara?" Sokka asked Toph once they were aboard. "I thought they were going to be here?"
"So I did I," she muttered.
"What's with the look? Did you guys fight or something?"
"How can I fight with someone who's never here?"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I hardly ever see them, either. But Aang's the Avatar. It's probably always going to be this way. Honestly, I kinda figured he might not show."
"Yeah. So did I." So that's why he came back. The thought nearly made her sigh wistfully.
"Ah, well, forget it. Let's go have some fun!"
Toph shook her head. "Can't. Not yet, anyway. Weren't you listening to the speech?"
"Of course I wasn't listening to the speech," Sokka teased.
"Kori and I are meeting with the Council."
"Boo. That sounds boring. I left Ba Sing Se to get away from that crap. I want to eat and drink and watch you cheat at the festival games."
"You can go have fun in the city if you want. I'll catch up with you when I'm done."
"Don't be silly. I'll just wait outside then we can go together."
Once the train arrived, they hired a carriage to take them to what was currently functioning as a government headquarters. A proper City Hall building was in the works but was still months from completion.
"Hopefully this won't take too long," Toph said wearily when they arrived.
"Don't hold your breath," Kori replied.
"I'll do my best to entertain myself while you important ladies go busy yourselves with important political nonsense."
"Okay, okay, we get it," Toph interrupted, getting impatient. "There's lots of crime. That isn't news to anyone. Just tell us what you want."
"What we are proposing is a semi-permanent task force led by the two of you and Suki," Councilman Ludo began. "She is committed full-time to Republic City, and we know that both of you have responsibilities in Yu Dao, so naturally, you would split your time between the two locations. However, Yu Dao being much smaller and the crime under control, we hope that less time will need to be spent there."
Toph sat back and crossed her arms. She didn't like where this was going. On the other hand, she had to admit that it was nice to finally have some adults willing to take her seriously.
"Between the three of you, all the bases are covered for anyone who wants to join: you two manage the benders, while Suki manages the non-benders. Your responsibilities would include ongoing training, tactics, and general leadership. Ms. Morishita, you would focus on the administrative side of things, while you, Ms. Beifong would focus on the practical aspects and, of course, anything concerning metalbending."
"Understand, this is a very general explanation of our plan," Councilwoman Riala added. "We have it all laid out in great detail if you wish to know more. But first, we want to know if you're on board."
"You seem to be forgetting that most of my time is spent running my Academy," Toph said. "You know, teaching people to be able to metalbend in the first place. Otherwise, no metalbenders to recruit to your task force."
"Of course, that has been taken into consideration. We would propose that you move your Academy to Republic City–"
"What?!"
"Well, why not?"
She leaned forward in her chair threateningly. "Because the Beifong Metalbending Academy is not going to become a pet project of the Republic City government!"
"Ms. Beifong–" Ludo protested.
"The answer is no."
The four Councilmembers were silent for a moment. "You've been quiet, Ms. Morishita," Councilwoman Mauja said finally. "What are your thoughts?"
"It's true that things are well in hand in Yu Dao, at least for the moment," Kori said. "I would be willing to split my time between here and there, devoting a bit more to Republic City if necessary, but only for as long as things remain stable in Yu Dao."
"Would you agree to commit four days a week to Republic City?" Ludo asked.
There was a slight pause. "Yes, but with a contingency for any trouble that arises in Yu Dao."
"I think we can agree to that."
"And you, Ms. Beifong? Would you be willing to commit to three days, allowing the other four to continue your work with the Academy?"
Toph considered it, hating how much they were oversimplifying her current responsibilities, not to mention how patronizing their tone had become. So much for them taking her seriously. It didn't matter how much they appeared to value her abilities; she was just a tool to them, in the shape of an easily controlled child. "Two days. You can have two days a week. I am far busier than you seem to realize."
There was a brief silence in which she assumed they were exchanging glances with each other in silent communication. "Very well. If two days is what you can give us, we will accept it. Now, to hash out the details…"
It was another hour and a half of them droning on and organizing the breakdown of duties and responsibilities. Someone passed her a paper to read or sign no less than four separate times, the last of which she crumpled up and threw at the strangely silent man across from her. His pulse spiked for a couple of seconds, body tensing in his seat in what she interpreted as carefully restrained fury, and she offered a smug half-smile.
When it was all over, she left with a pounding headache and a grumbling stomach. "That was a nightmare," she muttered to Kori as they walked outside.
"I think you gave a couple of them some more gray hairs," Kori said with a chuckle. "I don't think Councilman Amaruq is your biggest fan."
"Ugh, finally," Sokka complained, hurrying over to them. "That took forever! I'm starving!"
"Why didn't you just eat something?" Toph asked.
"I said I'd wait for you. Besides, I don't want to have to sit and watch you eat."
"Please. Like you wouldn't have been perfectly happy to eat twice."
"C'mon, c'mon, I'm hungry! You gonna join us, Kori?"
"Thanks, but I need to get back to Yu Dao. Spending New Year's with my family. I guess we'll be in touch, Toph."
"Yeah. See ya."
Sokka grabbed Toph's elbow and started pulling her along.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" she complained. "Stop pulling me! I'm hungry too, you know."
"How did the meeting go?"
"Ugh. I'd rather talk about literally anything else."
"Alright. How's lavabending training going?"
Toph groaned loudly. "Okay, I take it back, anything but those two things."
"Not good, then?"
"I've agreed to do two days a week in Republic City with the task force."
"Really? That's great! We'll get to hang out more."
"Don't count on it," Toph said dismally. "Ugh. I've got so much to do to get ready for this. Going to have to completely restructure my courses. And tell my father that I won't be able to come to the refinery as much. Hopefully, that won't affect the Academy's income."
"Well, I demand that you have lunch with me at least once a week. No excuses! You gotta eat, don't you? And stop worrying so much. It's a holiday! Try to relax a little."
"I'm just going to say what we're all thinking," Ludo began gravely. "This task force does not have longevity. It depends too heavily on too many different factors that could change at any moment– most significantly, the youthfulness of its leadership. It doesn't sit right with me to rely so much on them, though I see no other option at the moment."
"I still think the most practical long-term solution is a formal police force, led by a single person," Mauja said.
"Well, obviously that is the goal we are working towards. It becomes a matter of 'how' and 'who'."
"The future is industry and technology," Riala said firmly. "In other words: metal. That is becoming increasingly clear. I think any police force must be centered around metalbending if it is to keep pace with progress."
Mauja nodded. "So...it stands to reason that Toph Beifong would lead it."
"What?" Amaruq exclaimed. "You can't be serious! She's a fourteen-year-old girl! And she's not the only metalbender anymore."
"Actually, I think she's fifteen now," Riala said.
"Fine then, fifteen. And, as we have all just witnessed, far too immature and temperamental for that kind of responsibility at this time. Besides, we now know that she wouldn't even be willing to do it. She made it quite clear that her priorities lie with her Academy. A formal police force would require full-time commitment. It is not something we can – or should – ask a child to do, however accomplished that child may be."
"While I agree that she might not be ready for this, I would not so cavalierly call Toph Beifong a child. She may be young, but she is also a hardened war hero. That sort of experience matures a person. Not to mention the many responsibilities she already shoulders."
"We also shouldn't forget that she is the same age as the Avatar," Mauja added. "Would you call him a child?"
"Well, no–"
"And while Toph Beifong is not the only metalbender," Riala continued, "she is, without any doubt, the leading expert, as well as one of the most powerful benders most of us will ever meet. Frankly, it would be insulting to ask anyone else to lead a metalbending police force."
"I do not deny her abilities, but it's simple biology. She lacks maturity. She's a volatile teenager."
"She won't always be. She has a strong personality and is not afraid to say what's on her mind. More importantly, she is well-known and well-respected, despite her...abrasive nature. I think she'll make an effective leader, one day. And I don't think I need to remind any of you how valuable her ability to detect lies is in a law enforcement setting."
"Alright, alright." Ludo knocked his gavel knocked on the table. "After hearing everyone's thoughts, I would like to propose a motion to draw up a tentative plan for a permanent metalbending police force, led by Toph Beifong, to be tabled for three years, at which time she will be eighteen and we can reassess. In the meantime, we will work to extend the longevity of the task force. Those in favor?"
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"Time, Sifu," Ho Tun said– his daily reminder that the light was fading.
"Right, thanks." She raised her voice. "Alright, everyone. That's it's for today. Luon, can I talk to you in my office for a minute?"
He trotted over, following her. "What's up?" he asked once the door shut.
"I wanted to ask you something. You've been doing pretty well here. You're a fast learner. Are you interested in doing some teaching? Just beginner classes, at first."
"Wow, really? Yeah, I'd like that. What's the pay like?" he joked.
"Hah. It's just a little less than what I get paid to teach. Which is nothing."
Luon chuckled and took a step closer. "So you really think I'm doing well?" His heart rate had picked up a little. Sheesh. Some people couldn't handle even the smallest compliment.
"Sure. You're not quite as useless as some of those lily livers out there. But don't get cocky. You've still got a lot to learn."
Her words were followed by a brief silence, then suddenly he leaned in and kissed her right on the lips. Toph's eyes went wide and she flinched backward in shock, then slapped his face as hard as she could.
"What the fuck was that!?" she screamed, furious.
"I– I'm sorry! I thought– It seemed like you– Oh, Spirits," he finished in a miserable whisper.
Toph was seething, face hot with mortification. "Get the fuck out of my school! And don't fucking come back!"
He ran out, heart thudding wildly, and she slammed the door. Her bracelet shuddered violently on her arm and she sunk into her chair. What the fuck had just happened? With two shaky fingers, she lightly touched her lips, a faint memory of the incident lingering. Kissing was supposed to be fun. Pleasurable. Right? Most people seemed to think so, from what she'd heard. But that hadn't been fun at all. It had been awful, a complete betrayal of her personal space.
Two days later, she was pacing through the courtyard, taking a few minutes to observe each cluster of students with their instructors. Occasionally she would send a little tremor through the ground to check their stances. Just at the point of coming back around to the beginning of her circuit, a familiar form appeared at the Academy's entrance. A hard lump formed in the pit of her stomach and she whipped around.
"I thought I told you to get lost!" she spat, stomping over.
"Please, Sifu," Luon begged. "Will you just let me talk for a second?"
Aware of listening ears, Toph retreated down the path a little, waving for him to follow. "Well?" she asked aggressively, coming to a stop with her arms crossed.
"I'm really really really really sorry! It was a mistake. I thought you were sending some...signals, and obviously, I was very very wrong. I'm just...not used to getting that kind of positive attention, okay? Please, I'm begging you." He fell to his knees, head down. "Let me stay. I don't want to go back on the streets. I want to keep learning. Please. I promise I won't ever do anything like that again."
His obsequiousness was starting to get on her nerves. "Get up. You're making a fool of yourself." After a long moment, he stood, his heart racing. What to do with him? He had a lot of potential, and if she sent him away he'd probably end up a criminal, right back on the streets where she'd found him, but with metalbending skills. "You have one more chance."
He let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you! You won't regret it!"
"I better not. Now get your ass in there and take half the beginners from Leda. She's drowning in them."
"Yes, Sifu!"
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There was nothing in the world but Sokka's sweaty hand.
"I don't think boomerang's coming back."
Her feet dangled uselessly. She could feel the heat, far below. Her hand was sliding from his grasp. He was the only thing that existed.
And then he was gone.
Toph sat bolt upright in bed, gasping for air, her whole body shaking. There was an enormous pressure on her chest. It was so hard to breathe. "Just a dream…" she murmured. "Just a dream…"
Slowly, the pressure faded, leaving behind an empty feeling. Something felt wrong about the bed until she remembered she was in Suki's room in Republic City. It wasn't what she wanted to think about, at the moment. It was just a reminder that Suki was in someone else's bed…
Wondering what time it was, she swung her feet to the stone floor. All was quiet and still. It must be the middle of the night, though she wasn't sure she'd be able to go back to sleep now. Instead, she got back under the covers and let her mind fill with practical things.
Gotta run that drill again today. They need more practice with contactless bending. Ah...how much time will I have? We're supposed to be downtown by noon to help with crowd control. Fuck, that's not enough time to get through it all. Ugh. Maybe next week... Fuck. Kori's going to kill me if I don't get back to her about those assignments. I'll have to have Ika go over them again. Completely forgot about it. Has she replied to Wei's parents yet? Keep forgetting to ask her. Hopefully, that bill for the roof repair got sorted out. Fucking idiots.
Hours passed. Every time she started to drift off again, something else popped into her head. Finally, a rapping on the door brought her back to full awareness.
"Toph? It's seven o'clock."
"I'm up," she called, rubbing her eyes. They felt raw and heavy.
"Spirits," Ming said, when she made it downstairs. "You look awful. Did you not sleep?"
"I did. A little..."
"You ready for today? Going to be super exciting." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Don't know why me and my metalbenders even need to be there," Toph grumbled while she scavenged for some breakfast. "I'd much rather be running drills with them, useless lot that they are."
"Take it up with Kori," Ming laughed.
"Aw, cheer up!" Ty Lee chirped. "It'll be fun! I just love parades!"
"Yeah, well a bunch of people walking really slowly down a road doesn't do exactly do it for me."
"It's not just walking. There's music, too. And dancing. And there'll be vendors with all kinds of different foods."
"Well, anyways, I gotta go," Toph said, mouth full of bread and cheese. "See you in a few hours, I guess."
"It's getting close to noon, Sifu," Chun Li cautioned.
As expected, Toph hadn't had time to get through all the drills planned for that morning. Her little troupe of metalbending graduates was doing well on the task force so far, but she always felt they could use more practice.
"Alright, lily livers. Time to suit up and do this shit," she said, heading over to the rack of leather armor they used when fighting crime in the city. She was, of course, the youngest and smallest among them, and had her own set at the very end. Only graduates sixteen and older were allowed to join the task force, and most of them were men.
"Sifu, are we ever going to not be lily livers?" Nato asked. "I mean, for fuck's sake, I'm twenty-five years old. I graduated six months ago."
"Think of it as a badge of honor. Only my students and former students get to be lily livers. You should be proud!"
"Just get over it, Nato," Yachi said. "It wouldn't matter if you were a hundred. Just like it wouldn't matter if you were ten feet tall. She'd still be five foot two inches of pure ass whooping for you."
The others burst out laughing.
"Finally, someone who gets me," Toph said, grinning.
"I don't get paid enough for this shit," Nato muttered.
"No one's forcing you to be here," she reminded him, sick of his shitty attitude. "You wanna go? There's the door."
He sighed dramatically. "I'm just complaining, Sifu, geez. I'm not going anywhere."
"Good." She tightened the straps on a bracer that held a number of narrow metal strips. "Now get your head in the game. I'm going to need everyone on their toes for this super dangerous assignment." There was a round of chuckles. "Let's go."
Near the center of the city, the crowds were just starting to gather for the upcoming parade, kicking off a weekend of spring festivities for the Lantern Festival.
"Alright," Toph said. "Pair up and spread out along the route. I've promised our presence as long as there are still crowds in the area. Once they start to concentrate on the beach, we're free to go."
"There's an odd number of us," Nato said.
"I guess you're with me, then."
He didn't say anything, so she really had no idea how he felt about that arrangement. He was probably disappointed that he wouldn't have the opportunity to slack off and shoot the shit with one of his peers. They meandered up and down the street in silence for a little while, Toph casually searching for Sokka. He would most likely be shadowing Suki, but so far there was no sign of either of them.
"Hey, sorry about earlier," Nato said suddenly. "I really am grateful for this job. Grateful to be a metalbender. Just been having some...domestic problems, you know?"
"Not really," Toph said dryly. "I'm fifteen."
"Right. Fifteen, going on forty," he said with a light laugh. "A word of advice? Don't get married too young."
"Wasn't planning on it." She wasn't particularly interested in hearing about his personal problems. He'd been so brooding lately that she didn't think she'd have to worry about having her ear chatted off. That was why she'd picked him in the first place.
"I've got a kid on the way, did you know?"
"My condolences."
He made a noise that was something like a laugh but with a distinct heaviness behind it. "Why do you say that?"
"Because it seems like you're not particularly happy about the situation."
"Heh, well... I guess I'm just apprehensive."
Toph made an effort not to groan, regretting the choice to engage. This was just getting way too personal. "I don't blame you."
"Very inspiring."
"Well? What do you want me to say? I'm agreeing with you. If you're looking for someone to tell you babies are great and everything's going to be hunky-dory, you obviously don't know me very well."
"Actually, I don't know you that well," Nato said with a light laugh. "I think this is the longest conversation we've ever had."
Well, he had a point. She'd known him a long time but they had never just...chatted. "I'm your boss."
"Yeah. True."
She couldn't quite decipher the emotion in his tone, but she thought he might be a little offended. Whatever. She just wanted him to stop talking about his personal problems. They were supposed to be working. "We should probably focus on the crowd," she said, though really it was just an excuse. This wasn't exactly a high-stress assignment.
"Right." He finally shut up after that, but she only had another twenty minutes of peace before Ty Lee found her.
"Hey, Toph. Having fun?"
"Loads."
"Who's your friend?"
Toph rolled her eyes; Ty Lee was an incorrigible flirt. "This is Nato. He's married, FYI."
The Kyoshi Warrior tsked, laughing. "Too bad."
Nato coughed awkwardly and Toph couldn't help but smile at his discomfort.
"Nato, this is Ty Lee, and yes, she's always been like that. At least since I've known her, but probably a lot longer."
"You always gotta ruin my fun, you little grouch," Ty Lee said good-naturedly.
Toph was about to shoot back with a snarky comment about her being on the wrong side of the war for a while, but something in the noise of the crowd shifted, drawing her attention.
"What's wrong?" Ty Lee asked.
"Something's up…" A little ways off, the crowd surged, as if a bunch of people had all clumped up together very quickly. Toph took off in that direction, hearing the shouts rise in pitch. She could tell there was a hole clearing in the center of the swell where several people were brawling. "Outta the way!" she yelled, pushing forward. One of the brawlers got knocked to the ground, a knife falling from his hand and hitting the dirt. Toph covered his ankles and wrists with rocks to immobilize him, then focused on the rest. There were three of them, all bunched together. "Alright, break it up!"
Metal strips shot from her arms onto two pairs of wrists and she forced their owners to the ground. The last person charged at her with a low growl, but she just stomped her foot and buried him up to the shoulders, clamping a metal strip around his eyes. At the exact same moment, she picked up vibrations behind her that turned her blood to ice. A knife had just slid between Nato's armor pieces into his ribs.
She whipped around as his body hit the ground with a thump. The first man had escaped his stone shackles while she was preoccupied. Fuck. He was an earthbender. How had she not noticed him bending? She wrapped a metal strip around each of his wrists and locked them together, then did the same to his ankles. It only took two heartbeats, then she was crouched down by Nato.
"What were you doing, you idiot?" she demanded, a lump forming in her throat. "Medic!" she screamed. "I need a medic!"
She pulled the sides of his armor apart and pressed her hands against his ribs as hard as she could, feeling the blood pulsing out beneath her fingers.
"Sifu… I'm sorry. I...didn't see him. He snuck up on me." His pulse was getting weaker with every passing second.
"You listen to me! Do not die! Alright? Remember, you got a kid coming. You gotta stick around, okay?" No response. "Where's that fucking medic?!"
"Right here," a breathless voice said, dropping to her knees. Water covered Toph's hands, slipping beneath them. A strange tingling sensation pulsed through them, matching Nato's fading heartbeat, which she could barely feel anymore.
"I need you to move your hands," the medic said.
Toph reluctantly pulled herself away, taking a moment to brush a rogue tear off her cheek. The minutes ticked by painfully. There were too many people around, too many racing pulses, for her to determine whether or not Nato's heart still beat, now that she had broken physical contact.
Ty Lee appeared behind her, trembling. "Is he…?"
"He's still alive," the waterbender said, water sloshing as she withdrew it. "Barely. I've stopped the bleeding at least, but we need to get him out here. He's going to need more healing. More than what I can do."
Toph exhaled slowly. For several long minutes, she just knelt there, numb, unaware of what was happening around her. The only clear form in her awareness was the half-dead man lying on the ground in front of her. She was suddenly able to zero in on his pulse. Weak, but still there. The trance was broken when a stretcher appeared next to him and two men lifted him onto it.
Returning to reality, she stood to assess the crowd. The parade was passing by now, though few appeared to be paying any attention to it. A cheery tune rose above the murmur of voices, clashing with the atmosphere. It was so bizarre that she started laughing.
"Toph?" Ty Lee said hesitantly. "You alright?"
With an effort, she suppressed her chuckles. "Fuck. What a stupid song."
"Huh?"
"That song. Why are they playing it? A man almost died here."
"I don't think the parade got the memo."
Frantic running footsteps appeared on her radar. "Toph!" Sokka stopped in front of her, panting heavily while he braced against his knees. "You're– You're bleeding. What...happened?"
"It's not mine."
"What happened?" he repeated.
"There was a brawl. Nato got stabbed."
"Is he okay?"
"He will be, I think. I hope." Her knees suddenly wobbled, making her stumble.
"Whoa!" Sokka said, reaching out to steady her, then pulling her into a tight hug. "Hey. It's okay. It's over."
Toph pushed him away. She didn't want to start crying, which was likely to happen if she let him comfort her like that. "I'm fine."
"C'mon, let's go get you cleaned up. You're covered in blood."
The next day, she went to visit Nato at the makeshift hospital that had been set up while the real hospital was being built. "Hey, lily liver. How are you feeling?"
"Like a special kind of idiot."
Toph smirked, pleased to find him in good spirits. "Well, the first step is admitting it."
Nato laughed, then groaned. "Ugh. Don't make me laugh."
"It's your own fault for getting stabbed."
"Spirits, I was useless out there, wasn't I?" he said despondently. "I rushed in to help but you'd already taken care of it. Then that guy just...he was just there all of a sudden. Right behind me."
"I should've cuffed him," Toph said in a tight voice. "I didn't realize he was an earthbender. So...I guess it was my fault."
"Well…" Nato began after a moment. "The first step is admitting it."
She let out a weary, hollow laugh. "Asshole."
‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›
Leaving her friends in deep conversation, Toph wandered out of the partially-constructed temple on Air Temple Island. Though she'd originally been looking forward to this little gathering – the first time they'd all gotten together in weeks – she found she just wasn't in the mood for it anymore. They didn't seem to notice her leave, which was a relief. Eventually, she ended up sitting against a low rock wall, digging her toes in the sandy dirt.
But she only had about five minutes of solitude before Sokka found her.
"Hey, there you are. I saw you wander off a few minutes ago. You alright?" When she didn't answer, he sat down next to her, his elbow nudging against her knee. "Hey. Talk to me."
Her response was to shove her elbow into his ribs, eliciting a sigh.
"Do you want me to leave?" he asked.
"...No."
They sat there together in silence for a few minutes. The feel of his steady heartbeat was soothing. It was moments like this – just easy companionship – that she missed from her old life. Things were actually simpler when they were fighting for their lives in a seemingly endless war. The thought struck her as funny and she chuckled.
"What?" Sokka asked.
"Nothing."
"You laughed about something."
Toph searched for a way to avoid talking about serious things. "Remember that time me and Katara were fighting and you sent an apology note to her, saying it was from me?"
"Hey, I was just excited about my new messenger hawk, alright?"
"And when that didn't work, you were going to send me one from her!"
"No, no, no, that was Aang's idea!" he said with a laugh. "So is that what's on your mind? Reminiscing about the good ol' days?"
"They were good, weren't they?"
"Not all of them."
"Enough of them," she murmured.
Sokka hummed thoughtfully. "I think you need a vacation. A long one. I know you've been having trouble with lavabending. Go...find a volcano or something. I'm happy to tag along. We could even visit Zuko."
She made a face and hid it in her crossed arms. He was doing that thing again. That thing where he, completely cluelessly, said exactly the thing she didn't want to hear, but that also really resonated with her troubles. And the thought of going on a trip with him, just the two of them... No. Stop it, Toph. There's nothing down that road but frustration. "I can't just leave. Too many responsibilities."
"So quit something."
"It's not that simple."
"Why not?"
"Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy can't very well exist without Toph Beifong. If I end my partnership with the refinery, I lose the sponsorship that pays the bills. I made a commitment to the Council to help with crime suppression, and if I stop, then my students have nowhere to go for extra practice, or continue training once they graduate. It's all tangled up together."
"That commitment wasn't binding. And you were doing just fine before they created the railroad, weren't you? As much as I enjoy you being around, it might be better if you just stayed at the Academy and sent your graduates to Kori and Suki, like you did before."
"Yeah, that didn't go as well as you might think," she said stubbornly, hating the idea of having fewer opportunities to hang out with him in the city. "Those lily livers need direction. They need someone telling them what to do."
"It doesn't have to be you."
She scowled, annoyed that he clearly thought she wasn't capable of handling her responsibilities. "If you really believe that, you don't understand me as well as you think you do."
"Well, that's just...not true." His tone was light, but Toph thought he sounded a little hurt underneath it. "Look, I get it. You're too proud to let someone else do something you know you can do better."
"Thanks, that makes me feel lots better," she snapped.
"Just a bit of tough love, T."
How could this blundering idiot not see that he was just making everything worse? "You're overreacting, you know. You act like I'm having some sort of mental breakdown! I'm fine. I'm just busy and a little tired. I came out here to get away from all that incessant chatter and clear my head. Did you think maybe I just wanted to be alone?" A small voice told her she was being harsh. Well, he provoked me. He should know better.
"I asked if you wanted me to leave, and you said no."
"Well, I've changed my mind."
Sokka was quiet for a long moment, then he moved to get up. "Alright," he said softly, the hurt less subtle this time. "Fine."
The second he was gone, Toph buried her face in her arms, angry tears dripping down her cheeks. At least she'd gotten rid of him before that happened. The wave of emotion had come out of nowhere, and she wasn't entirely sure what was really behind it. This wasn't like her. Crying like a little girl over nothing. Snapping at Sokka.
Once she calmed down and regained her composure, she returned to the temple and went to him, swallowing her pride with some difficulty. "Hey, can I talk to you?" she asked quietly.
"Oh? Now you wanna talk?"
She grabbed his elbow and pulled him away from the others. "I was just in a bad mood, okay?" she muttered.
"I noticed."
"So...we good?"
He suddenly wrapped his arm around her head and rubbed his knuckles in her hair.
"Hey!" she shrieked, shoving him away.
"Okay, now we're good!"
"You're lucky I didn't earthbend you across the room!"
"You wouldn't have. You were feeling too guilty. Anyway, it was well worth the risk."