"So, I gotta tell you guys something," Toph said when the meal was winding down.
"Hm. You look serious," Katara noted. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's good. But I guess it is kind of a serious thing."
"What is it?" Aang said.
"Well, once you guys get back from your honeymoon, I'm going on a trip. I'll probably be gone for a couple months, at least until the beginning of winter."
"Where are you going?" Katara asked.
"I want to do some traveling, find some potential metalbenders that maybe haven't had the opportunity to come here. I just really need to get away from the city for a while, you know?"
"Yeah, I can understand that," Aang agreed with a sigh.
"Are you going by yourself?"
Toph hesitated. She didn't really want to tell them that she was planning to ask Sokka to come. She had a feeling Katara would read something into it and wasn't prepared for the interrogation. "Yeah. To be honest, I'm kind of looking forward to the solitude."
Neither of them spoke for a moment and Toph guessed they were probably doing that thing she knew seeing people did when they communicated silently with their faces.
"What's going to happen with the Academy while you're gone?" Aang asked finally. "I thought you relied on funding from the refinery?"
"I do, yes. I've actually been planning this for a while, and I've gotten most of it sorted out. Penga, Ho Tun, Leda, and Uzo are going to take over with classes and trips to the refinery while I'm gone. There are just a few loose ends to tie up with Ika."
"Are you sure you want to go alone?" Katara repeated, worry in her voice.
"I can take care of myself," Toph said stubbornly. "You should know that better than anyone."
"I know you can. But I still worry. Aang can take care of himself, too, but it still makes me nervous when he goes anywhere alone."
"I'll be fine." She waved her hand dismissively. "If it'll make you feel better, I'll send you the occasional postcard. I mean, they'll be blank, but…"
Aang and Katara laughed. "Do you think you'll visit your parents?" she asked suddenly.
Toph was reluctant to do so, but she had thought about it. "Hm. Maybe. I haven't decided."
"I'm sure your mother would love to see you. It's been a long time."
"Yeah. I know." Thanks for reminding me...
An uncomfortable silence settled around the table.
"So...dessert?" Aang said abruptly.
"You think I would come here for my birthday and not get dessert?" Katara drawled.
"I know you want dessert. I was asking Toph."
"Sure, Twinkle Toes." She leaned back and patted her full stomach. "I've always got room for a little more." Thirty minutes and two pieces of cake later, she dragged herself out of the restaurant feeling a moderate amount of regret. "Ugh. Why did I eat so much?"
"I don't know where you put it all," Aang chuckled. "You're so tiny."
"I am not tiny! I am a perfectly normal-sized person, thank you very much. Five foot, three and a half inches! And for your information, I plan to grow at least another inch!"
"You're tiny compared to me."
"Yeah, well, I remember when we were about the same size. And don't expect me to ever forget it." Appa land near them and she groaned. Flying did not seem appealing right now. "I think I'm gonna take the train home."
"Are you sure?" Katara asked. "You'll get there a lot quicker on Appa."
"I need to walk some of this off, otherwise it's gonna make a return appearance."
Her friends chuckled. "Alright, well, I guess I'll see you in a few days," Katara said. Toph groaned again—she'd conveniently forgotten about that—and Katara made an exasperated noise. "Well, you can't very well wear your normal clothes to my wedding, now can you?"
"You tell me."
"The answer is no, you can't."
"Oh. Yes," Katara said with enthusiasm. "This is the one."
Toph didn't even try to hide her annoyance, blowing the hair away from her face in a show of frustration. "You've said that four times!"
"I mean it this time!"
"You fucking better, because this is the last one I'm trying on. I have better things to do than spend all day shopping."
"Here. Go put it on." She thrust the silky fabric at Toph with the air of someone who did not expect to be ignored or challenged.
"I wasn't kidding, Sugar Queen," Toph said as she went into the dressing room. "This is it. You better like it." A few minutes later she emerged. "Well?"
"Oooh, I knew it! It's perfect!"
"Fucking finally."
"Oh, Toph, you look so pretty! I wish you'd dress up more often."
"What would be the point? This is so impractical. And uncomfortable. I could never do anything useful in this getup." Before Katara could say anything else silly and girlish, Toph swept back into the dressing room to get back into her normal, comfortable clothes.
"Hey, Toph?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you something?"
Oh, great... "You just did."
Katara made a little irritated noise and Toph laughed under her breath. It was so easy to wind up her high-strung friend.
"I was just wondering… I assume it's crossed your mind that Sokka will be coming up for the wedding."
Mention of her old friend made Toph's chest tighten painfully. "I figured he would be, yeah."
"Well, I'm not sure what he wants to do after that, but I was just wondering about the timing of your trip…"
Toph froze; had Katara guessed her plans? She should've known this would come up, and felt stupid for not thinking of it sooner.
"Aren't you worried he might think you're avoiding him or something?" Katara continued. "I mean...you're not, are you?"
"No, of course not. If he's planning on staying, we'll have a couple weeks to catch up before I go. And I won't be gone that long, anyway. I assume he'll still be here when I get back. To be honest, I started planning this trip before I knew your wedding date and I didn't really factor him coming back into it."
Every word of it was a bald-faced lie, and not even a very good one. She had absolutely factored him into it from the very beginning. Worried that Katara's next logical question would be to suggest that she ask Sokka to go with her, Toph quickly exited the dressing room and shoved the dress into her friend's hands.
"You'd better hold onto this for now."
"Hm. Yes," Katara mused. "I should have made you wash your hands and feet before trying it on."
"Oh, don't be so fussy. It's just a little dirt."
"And much of this gown is white."
"Right. That means sooo much to me."
"It means I'm going to have to have it washed before the wedding," Katara said with a deep sigh.
"Oh, for fuck's sake. I'm an earthbender." She reached her hand out, feeling for the dirt particles in the fabric, then clenched her fist to pull them out. "Happy?"
‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›
Toph bounced her leg nervously, reclining against the back of Appa's saddle. She was about to see Sokka. For the first time in a year and a half. She wondered—for at least the thousandth time in the last week - if she would recognize his voice, his footsteps, his form. Would he recognize her? Would he care? Had he even missed her at all?
She could feel Appa begin his descent and her heart thumped wildly. Get a grip, Toph! It's just Sokka. You've known him since you were twelve. It'll be fine. Finally, they touched down and she slid to the ground, following Aang up to the house as her nerves only got worse.
"Hey, Toph!" Katara called when they were close. "Sokka, look who's here!"
Toph had already picked him out, standing idly in the living room. Her chest felt like was about to burst as he came out to meet her. "Hey, Meathead," she said with a smile.
"Hey, T," he replied softly. There was a very brief awkward moment, then she plowed into him face first, taking in his familiar scent that she never quite had the words to describe, relishing the feel of his arms around her.
"Did you get taller?" she asked after they'd separated.
"I don't know, did I? I don't feel any taller." His voice was wrong. It wasn't that it had changed, exactly. More like it was lacking something that made him...him.
"I'm pretty sure you did."
He didn't respond, and they just stood there for another awkward second. Toph wanted to scream in frustration. What was wrong with her? It shouldn't be this hard to talk to him.
"Well. Come inside," Katara said briskly. "Have you had breakfast? We've got a whole spread set out, so help yourself."
Toph followed her into the house. She had been far too anxious to eat before coming, but now she was starving and grabbed the first thing her hand found. "You seem awfully calm, Sugar Queen," she commented with her mouth full, plopping down onto the couch. Sokka trailed in behind her, sitting in a nearby chair.
"What?" Katara asked.
Toph swallowed with some difficulty, the dry pastry getting stuck in her throat. "I said you seem awfully calm. I thought people were supposed to be a nervous wreck on their wedding day?"
"You should've seen her last night," Sokka said, though there was no trace of humor in his voice.
"Oh, hush," Katara said with mild exasperation. "I think I'm holding it together pretty well, thank you very much. If Toph thinks I'm calm, I must be."
"I got your letter, Toph," Sokka blurted.
"Oh…?" She had just taken a big bite and wasn't sure what to say, anyway.
"Sorry I didn't write back. There wasn't much of anything happening to write about."
"It's okay." It wasn't.
"So...things are good at the Academy?"
"Yeah, things are good." And super fucking awkward at the refinery...
Had Katara told him about her upcoming trip? It was a tricky situation. The last thing she wanted to do was extend her invitation in front of an audience. Bringing up the trip at all would be uncomfortable because he might think she was trying to get away from him. But...it wouldn't hurt to know what his plans were.
"Are you, uh, staying up here now?" she asked. "Or heading back south afterward?"
"I dunno."
I should've known it wouldn't be that easy.
"Hey, will you come help me get ready now?" Katara asked.
Toph resisted the urge to make a sarcastic comment about her not being much help; the truth was, this awkward small talk with Sokka was slowly killing her. "If I must." She got up and turned to Sokka. "I'm sure this will take hours. I guess I'll see you at the ceremony."
"Yeah. Have fun primping."
She escaped, shaking her head lightly. There were things he said that almost sounded like Sokka's old, sarcastic humor, but they were missing that vital Sokka-ness. It was weird and disturbing.
"Are you alright?" Katara said gently once Toph had followed her into her room and shut the door.
"Huh?"
"That was a little hard to watch. You two used to be so close."
The blunt observation annoyed her. It was bad enough that she was going through this; did it really need to be pointed at and poked? "It's just been a long time. And he's not giving me much to work with."
Katara sighed sadly. "Yeah, I know. Have you, um, told him about your trip?"
"When would I have done that? I just got here."
"Well, I thought maybe you told him in your letter."
"That was like, a whole year ago." Thanks for reminding me. "I'm surprised you didn't tell him about it, though."
"I figured you'd want to tell him yourself."
There was something odd in her voice but Toph couldn't put her finger on it. It didn't make any sense that Katara wouldn't have mentioned it. She was such a gossip.
"How is he doing, anyway?" Toph asked, wanting to change the subject. "He seems...alright. I guess."
Katara hesitated before answering. "...He's trying." She cleared her throat. "I, uh, had a bit of a go at him last night."
"Really? Why?"
"I didn't want him to be stumbling around drunk today. He got...a little offended."
"Oh."
"Actually, I was impressed with how he was when you got here," Katara said, her voice perking up a little. "He must've really been trying. I know he's hungover. He about took my head off when I woke him up this morning."
Toph wasn't sure how to feel about all of that. On the one hand, it was upsetting to know that he still wasn't coping very well. On the other hand...he had been trying. For her. A bit of the old ache twinged and she rolled her eyes. At this point, she would settle for a corny joke from him.
After that, Katara changed the subject to wedding stuff. Obviously, Toph wasn't much help with clothes, hair, and makeup, but really she was just there for moral support. And to avoid being alone in a room with Sokka.
"I'm just going to say once again what a great choice that dress was," Katara gushed after Toph changed.
"You're the one who picked it out."
"I know. And it was a great choice. It's so perfect for you. Conservative and demure-"
"Right. Those are two words that really describe me," Toph said sarcastically.
"I find it a little odd, to be honest. You obviously love getting attention but you've always dressed very simply. You never wear anything form-fitting."
"They're just clothes, Sugar Queen. I don't give a crap what they look like. I dress for comfort."
"So you've never had any desire to...oh, I don't know, attract the attention of young men?"
The comment brought Toph up short. The idea that tighter clothes would make her more appealing wasn't something she'd ever considered. She 'saw' everyone the same way, regardless of what they were wearing. It made sense, though, now that she was thinking about it. Loose clothes hid the shape of the body from people who had to rely on their eyes for such things.
"Well. I've managed alright so far," she said slyly.
"Really..." Katara replied with obvious curiosity. "Do tell."
"If you think for one second that I'm going to stand here and gossip with you about my sex life, y-"
"Actually, I take it back," she said quickly. "I don't want to know."
"Good. Because it's none of your business. And don't you act all innocent."
"What is that supposed to mean?" The words were indignant, but her elevated heart rate gave her away.
"Please," Toph laughed. "But never mind. It's not like I give a damn."
"Well." Katara cleared her throat softly. "Anyway. Let's talk about your hair."
"What about it…?" Toph asked, reluctantly allowing her friend to push her into the chair.
Katara released it from its bindings and it tumbled down in a thick, wavy mess. "Why don't you wear it down today? I'm sure I can tame it with a little bit of effort. We've got plenty of time."
"Why can't I just wear it like I normally do?"
"Because it's my wedding and I said so."
Toph took a deep breath and sighed dramatically. "Fiiine."
"It'll be great, I promise."
"I draw the line at makeup. I don't like how it feels on my skin."
Katara pushed the hair out of her face. "You don't need any. You're stunning without it. It's such a shame you always keep your face hidden."
Toph forced a laugh, the sincere compliment making her uncomfortable. "I'm not hiding. I literally just do not care."
An hour and a half later, she stepped outside into the crowd. Half of her hair was braided and tied up while the rest hung down freely, and Katara had pinned back the fringe that usually fell across her eyes. It felt strange being all done up and on display, almost like she was a little kid again, forced to be like a doll on a shelf whose only purpose was to be looked at. Such an existence was utterly meaningless to a blind person.
"Toph? Is that you?"
She smiled at the familiar voice. "Hey, Zuko."
"Wow. I didn't even recognize you there for a second. It's good to see you again."
"Yeah, you too. And for the record, I don't always look like this," she asserted with her hands on her hips. "I let Katara have her way with me."
Zuko laughed awkwardly and she grinned, sure she'd embarrassed him with the double-entendre. "Well, you look very nice," he managed. It was pure sincere politeness but she couldn't help but roll her eyes and punch him in the shoulder. "Hey! Ow!" he complained with a laugh. "That dress is a lie. You haven't changed a bit."
"I did try to tell you."
"Well, anyway. How have you been?"
"Not bad." She nodded amiably. "Keeping busy. You?"
"Oh, you know. Running a nation full of warmongering idiots has its ups and downs."
"Fair enough. Oh, I heard from Katara that you and Mai are getting hitched. You two broke up and got back together so many times, I was a little surprised to hear it."
"Er, yeah... We have a complicated past."
"I'm just giving you shit," Toph said, grinning at how easy it was to make him shuffle his feet uncomfortably. "Glad you worked things out."
"Thanks. She's around here somewhere. Probably hiding. She's not a fan of crowds and small talk."
She cocked an eyebrow, amused. "And you are?"
"No. But being the Fire Lord means I can't just hide in a corner. I guess I've gotten used to it."
"Well, I haven't," she said with a grimace. "Actually, I think I'm going to go find a seat so no one else tries to small-talk me."
"I'll join you once I track down Mai. Maybe the three of us sitting together in brooding silence will be enough to scare people off."
"If that doesn't work, I don't know what will."
Sokka drifted over to the bar automatically. Being sober around this many people was torture. There was no one serving drinks, of course—the ceremony would be starting soon and the bar wouldn't open up until afterward—but maybe he could sneak a quick drink, just enough to stave off the headache…
A flash of white, green, and gold snagged his attention and he looked over automatically to see an attractive young woman who had just stepped outside. She was short and lean, with long black hair half up in braids, gleaming ivory skin, and cloudy green… Wait…
Toph? He squinted, glimpsing a bare foot under the hem of her dress. Yep. That was definitely Toph. He could hardly believe it. A few hours ago, she had been nothing more than a slightly taller and less baby-faced version of the tough little earthbender he'd known for years. It made his heart ache to see her all grown up, realizing how much of her life he had missed. He probably didn't even know her anymore. And she didn't know him. The new him.
Zuko approached her. Something he said made her punch him in the arm. Well, that could have been anything, really. She loved punching people. Maybe she hasn't changed that much, Sokka thought. It made him feel a little better.
After a brief conversation with Zuko, Toph headed for the seating area alone. Sokka couldn't stop watching her. It was so hard for him to reconcile the person he was looking at with his perception of her. He wished he could go up to her and find that easy banter they used to have, but he didn't know how to do that anymore. Judging by their conversation that morning, she was struggling with it herself.
Had she really missed him as much as Katara said she had? He thought maybe her nonchalance earlier had been because she was mad he didn't return her letter, but the Toph he knew would have called him out on it rather than brushing it off. What if she didn't want to be his friend anymore?
He shook his head to dispel those depressing thoughts. I definitely need a drink.
"Whew!" Katara gasped, plopping down in a chair. "I'm exhausted!"
"And kinda drunk," Toph observed, amused.
"Oh, please. I had one drink. Is that not allowed?"
"I thought Madame Fussy Britches didn't approve of alcohol?"
"You know, I'm not as boring as you make me out to be."
"I'm just giving you shit, Katara. Nice dancing, by the way. You and Twinkle Toes have still got it."
"You going to have a go? Judging by the stares you've gotten tonight, I'm sure there are plenty of willing partners."
"Heh." Toph shook her head, uninterested. "I think I'll pass. I'm not much of a dancer. And yeah, I've already had to scare off a few."
"What did I tell you? Didn't I make you look fabulous?"
"I could do with a little less attention, actually," she said dryly, though it wasn't entirely true. She only wanted attention from one person, and she had a sneaking suspicion he was avoiding her. But he seemed to be avoiding everyone equally, so it didn't hurt as much as it could have.
"You? Want less attention? Are you having a stroke?"
"I like attention for being awesome, not for wearing a dress and having my hair done."
"Being awesome, looking awesome—what's the difference?" She had adopted a dramatic, lofty tone.
Aang sauntered over to them. "You gonna dance, Toph?"
"Like I already told Sugar Queen, I don't dance."
"Anyone can dance. C'mon, I'll show you. What do you say?"
"Oh, please, please, please!" Katara squealed. "It would be the best wedding gift you could ever give me!"
"I already got you something," Toph protested.
"Pleeeaassse!"
Aang grabbed Toph's hand and swiftly pulled her to her feet.
"Wh-! Hey! I have not said yes yet!"
"You don't have to do anything except relax and let me lead you. C'mon. It'll be fun."
Toph was beginning to regret having had a couple of drinks. No way would she have let Aang drag her out onto the dance floor sober. An upbeat song was just starting and he wasted no time. Suddenly she was whirling around, his hands guiding her expertly. It was hard to let him, to relinquish control, and she kept stepping on his feet.
"Relax, Toph," he laughed. "Just feel the music and let me do the work."
She rolled her eyes. "I don't think you realize what you're asking of me."
"Trust me." He did something suddenly. It was very subtle, but she knew instantly that it was him. Her body felt lighter, literally, feet just barely skimming across the ground. It was very disconcerting.
"Is this what it feels like to be you, Twinkle Toes?"
He just laughed and spun her around. A moment later, she realized she was actually enjoying herself and laughed, too. Aang really was a good dancer, and his little airbending trick was making her look like one, as well. She wondered if Sokka was watching.
The song finally ended and they returned to Katara, who was clapping happily. "Oh, Spirits, that was everything! Toph, you looked great out there!"
"Your husband used dirty, cheating airbending tricks."
"My husband! I like that!" She got up and gave Aang a kiss.
"Well, you guys have fun. I'm going to go find Sokka."
"Actually, I'd like to check on him, too," Katara said, pulling herself away.
Fuck, Toph thought, mentally kicking herself for saying anything. Now she was going to have to come up with some other reason for wanting to talk to him. No way was she going to do this with an audience.
"Oh, there he is. Sitting alone like a lump of coal, go figure." They crossed to the other side of the reception area. "How are you holding up, big brother?"
"I'm not drunk."
Katara made an exasperated noise. "I just asked how you were. Do you need anything? Have you eaten?"
"I'm fine."
Toph felt like she was listening to a mother with her sulking teenager.
"Alright," Katara said. "Well, anyway, I think I'm ready for some more dancing."
She left and Toph let out a relieved breath as she sat down, suddenly very grateful for having had those drinks. "Great party, huh?" What is wrong with me? Small talk? Seriously?
"Sure. I saw you dancing."
Her heart lurched a little. "Yeah?"
"I didn't think you danced."
"Neither did I. Aang wouldn't take no for an answer."
"You looked like you were having fun."
"I guess," she said, shrugging. Then she took a deep breath in preparation. "So, uh, listen... I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Yeah?" His voice perked up a little; that was a good sign. Right?
"I've been planning a trip across the Earth Kingdom."
"Really? When?"
"Right after Aang and Katara get back from their honeymoon."
"Oh. How long will you be gone?"
Could that be disappointment she heard in his voice? Or was it just her imagination? "It's an open-ended trip. Probably at least a couple months, though." She cleared her throat softly. "I was wondering if you'd like to come along. Frankly, you seem like you could use the distraction."
For several long moments, he didn't say anything. Maybe she shouldn't have said that last part; she hadn't meant to.
"Did Katara put you up to this?" he asked finally, a trace of bitterness in his voice.
"No, Snoozles. I thought of it all by myself," Toph said sardonically, some of her frustration escaping. She had been prepared to be very patient with him but he was making it difficult. "Actually, I haven't even mentioned this idea to her yet."
He went quiet again for a couple of seconds. "I'm not sure I would be very good company."
"Right, because I'm usually such a chatterbox." She heard a soft noise, a puff of air leaving his nose, that just might have been something close to a laugh. "Anyway, I could do with a navigator. You know, being blind and all. You were always Map Guy back in the day. "
"Well... I guess I'll think about it."
Better than nothing. "Fair enough. I'll, uh, leave you to whatever it was you were doing, I guess." She got up and started to leave, the conversation beginning to feel strained; he clearly didn't want to talk to anyone right now.
"Toph?"
"Yeah?" Please say yes.
"You look really nice tonight."
The unexpected and very sincere compliment made her freeze, and she turned her head quickly so he wouldn't see her blush. But what struck her the most was the sadness in his voice, as if her appearance were somehow painful for him, which made no sense.
"Thanks, Meathead."
"You look really nice tonight," Sokka said, not wanting her to leave. He didn't want to talk, either, but her wanted her company.
Oddly, Toph turned her face away. Was she embarrassed by the compliment? Or annoyed? Well, she probably didn't like having attention drawn to the fact that Katara had girl-ified her.
"Thanks, Meathead."
Again, he couldn't help but watch her walk away. How could she have suddenly turned into a fully adult person without him noticing earlier? It was disconcerting. And yet fascinating. He had thought she was stockier, more tomboyish. And while her athleticism was still obvious, the dress she was wearing did a pretty good job of making her look more feminine without being obscene about it.
Becoming aware of this train of thought, Sokka furrowed his brow in consternation. He wasn't used to making such shallow judgments about his friend. Though he had long since accepted that she wasn't a little kid anymore, she was still nowhere close to being in the eligible women category for him. She was simply Toph, an utterly unique creature in her own class.
He kept his distance for the rest of the evening, watching her surreptitiously in a vain attempt to figure out why she had suddenly become so inscrutable and hard to talk to. Once the party was over, though, he felt so bad for avoiding her that he found himself standing outside the bedroom she used whenever she stayed the night.
With one last deep breath, he knocked on her door. There was a brief pause and he wondered if maybe she hadn't fallen asleep already.
"Who is it?"
"Sokka."
"It's open."
He went in—lit oil lamp in hand—to find her reclining on her bed, one knee bent with the other propped up on it, arms folded behind her head. Her long hair was out of its braids and hanging freely, relatively tamed but still kind of all over the place. He had so rarely seen it down, even when they traveled together during the war.
"What?" she asked, brows furrowing in mild confusion.
He realized he'd just been standing there staring at her for several seconds. With a light shake of the head, he closed the door and approached her, setting the lamp on the bedside table.
"Did you need something?" she asked, moving to sit cross-legged, clearly starting to get uncomfortable with his silence.
"I really missed you a lot, Toph," he said finally, sitting at the foot of the bed.
Her face lit up—not like one of her little smirks, but a real smile. "I missed you too. Lots."
"Sorry it's been so awkward today. I always feel like everyone's watching me...listening to everything I say and over-analyzing it."
"And by everyone, you mean Katara."
Something vaguely resembling a laugh escaped his lungs. He was far from feeling real mirth, but her sharp wit was something he'd sorely missed. "Naturally." He studied her again; she was neither the Toph from this morning, nor the one from the wedding—something in the middle, he decided.
"She's just worried," she said softly, interrupting his thoughts. "I think...maybe she feels like it's her job to...you know...make you better. And she's worried she's not doing a good job."
Sokka's jaw tightened. It was painful having his brokenness pointed out. "She said that?"
"No. Just my theory."
"And what about you? Do you mean to 'fix' me, too?" It was impossible to keep the bitterness out of his voice.
Toph's eyebrows shot up; if he didn't know better he would've said she looked a little hurt. He didn't remember her being that sensitive. A second later those same eyebrows dropped into her characteristic scowl. "Is that what you think my invitation was? A cleverly disguised hustle to get you to stop drowning in self-pity?"
It was Sokka's turn to be taken aback. The surprise was brief, though, and he stood stiffly, on the verge of stalking out. Is that what she thought of him, then?
"Fuck," she swore, getting off the bed quickly. "Wait... I…" Regret was all over her face for a moment, then her brows furrowed in annoyance. "Would you mind your own goddamn business, Sugar Queen!"
Sokka looked toward the door, momentarily confused. Had Katara been listening? "How long has she been there?" he whispered.
"I don't know. I just noticed. She's gone now." Toph pressed her palm to her forehead for a second, looking pained. "I didn't mean what I said, alright? I think Katara's frustration has rubbed off on me a little."
When he didn't respond—what was he supposed to say to that?—she punched his shoulder and gave him that signature smirk. It was impossible to stay mad at her. Instead, he stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug. A brief moment of rigid surprise on her part dissolved into pliable reciprocity as she pressed her face into his chest and brought her arms up to encircle his ribs. She seemed so small—not delicate or fragile, but something he wanted to protect, nonetheless.
The hug didn't end until he heard her sniff softly, at which point he gently pushed her away. "Are you crying?"
"No. Shut up." She punched his arm again. "I just missed you, alright? I haven't seen my best friend in a year and a half. I think I'm allowed to show a tiny bit of emotion." She actually looked a little angry, which was more amusing than concerning. "And you could have written me back, asshole."
"I know... I'm sorry." But he couldn't help but smile as he pulled the worn, folded-up paper from his pocket: there was the Toph he knew. "I must've read it a hundred times. Maybe more. But every time I sat down to write something, nothing happened. My mind just went blank."
She shook her head slowly. "Forget it. It doesn't matter now. I'm just glad you're back." She paused and frowned suddenly. "Unless...you mean to go back to the South Pole?"
"No. I'm sick of ice and snow."
She somehow looked right at him with those big gray-green eyes, the sharp angle making the hair that usually obscured them fall away. Eye contact with Toph was nothing short of mythical: rare, fleeting, and not in the least bit real. But it caused a twinge, deep down in his gut, that utterly shocked him, though that shifted quickly to pain and he immediately shied away from it. No. He couldn't possibly look at her that way. Not Toph. No way. That wouldn't be fair to either of them.
A moment later he realized that she was waiting for a real answer—an answer to the question she'd asked earlier. He knew what he'd do, of course. He'd known since the moment she had asked, but fear that things would never go back to normal between them had held his tongue. They were past that now, and he desperately wanted to make up for lost time, all the things he'd missed out on in her life.
"I'd like to come with you, if the offer still stands."
"Would you mind your own goddamn business, Sugar Queen!" Toph shouted.
Katara jumped in surprise and scurried back to her room, smacking her forehead with her palm.
"What?" Aang asked from where he sat cross-legged on the bed.
"I just did something really stupid," she whispered, knowing her blind friend's excellent hearing.
"Oh?"
She climbed into the bed, feeling like an idiot. "I saw Sokka go into Toph's room and I just couldn't help myself."
Aang's eyebrows shot up. "Did Miss Manners get caught eavesdropping?"
"Keep your voice down! And yes, big time."
"Did you forget that she'd be able to tell you were there?"
"I absolutely forgot," she admitted, and Aang laughed. "Well…?" Katara said conspiratorially. "Don't you want to know what I heard?"
"I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway."
"You're not curious?"
"It's none of my business," he said, putting his hands up.
"Oh, get over yourself. I know you want to know."
"You couldn't have heard much. Surely Toph knew you were there the whole time."
"I don't know…" she said skeptically. "I don't think so. I think she might have been on her bed at first."
Aang's eyebrows climbed upwards again. "Sokka went into her room while she was in bed…?"
"Oh, now you're curious." She crossed her arms, cocking an eyebrow. He could pretend to be detached all he wanted, but she knew he was deeply curious.
"For Spirits' sake, just tell me."
Katara laughed triumphantly, though quietly. "Okay, well, I couldn't hear much until they started arguing-"
"That doesn't sound good."
"It is, though!" she insisted. "It means they're past that horrible polite awkwardness. And she mentioned something about her 'invitation'. I think I was right! I think she wants him to go with her on her trip!"
"I have to admit, I'm impressed you've resisted meddling so far, as invested as you are in this."
She scoffed at him and rolled her eyes. "I'm invested enough to know it needs to happen organically. I know them. If something does end up happening, and one of them realizes it was because of something I did, it could fall apart."
"But why are you so invested?"
"Because I want them to be happy. I just don't understand why they can't see that they're in love with each other. Spirits! It's so obvious! Didn't you see the way he was looking at her today?"
"I don't know," Aang said dubiously. "Even if you're right, I'm not sure he's ready for that."
"He's had plenty of time to process his grief alone. It's time for him to let her put him back together. You know how long she's been holding that candle for him."
"According to you."
"Please." She waved her hand dismissively. "You were at her sixteenth birthday party. Maybe neither of them remember, but I sure do, and I know you do too, even if you wish you didn't. And there's been plenty of other stuff, long before that. She doesn't seem to be aware of what her face is doing, sometimes."
"Look, I'm not saying you're wrong. I just don't want you to get your hopes up about them falling in love and living happily ever after. Sokka's the kind of guy who's going to want a wife and kids one day. I'm sorry, but I don't see Toph as the 'settling down' type."
"You never know. She could be."
"Are you sure you don't just want her to be?"
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A/N: As a little end-of-chapter bonus, here's what was going on in Toph's head during that sickenly adorable scene.
Reclining in her bed, Toph allowed herself to be consumed by a silly, girlish fantasy. And why not? Sokka was here. He was unattached—if not exactly emotionally available—and he'd said he would think about coming with her. There was a glimmer of hope.
She imagined him knocking on her door. He would come in wordlessly and she would stand to meet him. His strong arms would wrap her up and she would surprise him with a kiss. And he wouldn't stop her. And then...
A sudden noise jolted her back to reality before that train of thought had a chance to go too far. Was that...a knock on her door? "Who is it?"
"Sokka."
Her heart skipped a beat. Was this really happening? "Come in."
The door opened but he just stood there. This was way too similar to her fantasy.
"What?" she prodded. As the door closed and his footsteps crossed the room, she became unable to stand the tense silence. "Did you need something?" she asked, sitting up.
His weight appeared on the edge of the bed. "I really missed you a lot, Toph."
She grinned at him, relieved. "I missed you, too. Lots."
"Sorry it's been so awkward today. I always feel like everyone's watching me...listening to everything I say and over-analyzing it."
"And by everyone, you mean Katara," Toph said sarcastically.
Again, there was that light puff of air from him that might be a laugh. Surely that meant her friend was still in there somewhere.
"Naturally."
"She's just worried," Toph mused. "I think...maybe she feels like it's her job to, you know...make you better. And she's worried she's not doing a good job."
"She said that?"
"No. Just my theory."
"And what about you? Do you mean to 'fix' me, too?"
The sudden bitterness in his voice shocked her. He was really going to sit here and be annoyed at her because she wanted him to get better?
"Is that what you think my invitation was?" she shot back. "A cleverly disguised hustle to get you to stop drowning in self-pity?" She regretted her anger the second he stood up. What was she doing? Those were friendship-destroying words! "Fuck." She bounded to her feet desperately, unwilling to let him leave like this. "Wait... I…" But her feet hitting the floor had revealed an eavesdropper on the far side of the door; her lip curled in irritation. "Would you mind your own goddamn business, Sugar Queen!" Toph could feel Katara's heart lurch and her feet hurrying away down the hall.
"How long has she been there?" Sokka whispered.
"I don't know. I just noticed. She's gone now." She pressed her palm to her forehead for a second. What had Katara heard? No, it didn't matter. She needed to fix this. "I didn't mean what I said, alright? I think Katara's frustration has rubbed off on me a little."
When he didn't respond, she punched his shoulder and tried to smile at him. It was a last resort move, but it had worked before. She'd never been that great at apologies. A moment later his arms were around her, pressing her body tightly against his. She went rigid, startled; it was just too much like her fantasy, and yet...very different. The surprise quickly evaporated and she let herself melt into him. It was a real hug, the type that healed wounds and lasted as long as it needed to.
Fuck, she had missed him. Missed the way he smelled and the solid safety of his hugs. She hated how much of her life he had been absent for, how often she had wanted to tell him a funny story, or let him cheer her up in that really annoying way.
All those long months of grief and loneliness assaulted her and, to her great annoyance, several tears leaked from her eyes. Maybe if she stood there hugging him long enough, her face pressed into his shirt, they would dry and he wouldn't notice. Then she inhaled sharply, involuntarily, and the loose snot in her nose betrayed her. He put his hands on her biceps and pushed her to arm's length.
"Are you crying?"
"No. Shut up." Fuck, the least he could have done was ignore it! She punched his arm again. "I just missed you, alright? I haven't seen my best friend in a year and a half. I think I'm allowed to show a tiny bit of emotion." Suddenly she felt so free. They had broken through that awful awkwardness and she could finally really talk to him. "And you could have written me back, asshole."
"I know... I'm sorry." There was a soft rustling noise. Paper? Had he been carrying around her letter all this time? "I must've read it a hundred times. Maybe more. But every time I sat down to write something, nothing happened. My mind was just blank."
Toph shook her head, not wanting to feel bitter about this anymore. It was in the past. "Forget it. It doesn't matter now. I'm just glad you're back." A sudden worry gripped her. Was he back? He hadn't actually said he was yet. "Unless...you mean to go back to the South Pole?"
"No. I'm sick of ice and snow."
His words flipped a switch inside of her. He was staying, and she had a new mission. A new purpose. She would convince him to come with her, and she would find the old Sokka. And maybe, just maybe, she could get something else out of it all. Something she had craved for so long.
In an inspired gamble, she tilted her head up in the direction of his face and opened her eyes fully. There was really no telling what effect it might have on him, or if she had even judged the distance right, but she knew that eye contact was significant to people whose eyes worked. It was a move she had used only rarely, not being entirely confident in her ability, but she had never tried it on him before.
His long silence and a faint, brief stutter of his heart told her that she had made an impression. It was hard to keep her face straight, but she didn't want to overdo it. He definitely wasn't ready for the full force of her charm.
"I'd like to come with you, if the offer still stands."