"Who loves his Uncle Sokka? Yeah, that's right, you do. What's that, Bumi? You don't want me to go back to the South Pole?"
Sitting on the couch with her legs crossed, head propped up on her hand, Toph blew out a puff of air, displacing the hair that hung over her face. There was no greater confirmation than these interactions that she had made the right choice with Sokka. He was Southern Water Tribe, after all, and they valued family and community above all else. Frankly, he seemed a little baby crazy.
"What's wrong?" Sokka asked.
"Hm?"
"You seem upset."
Toph pursed her lips. "What you are seeing is called 'boredom'."
"You want to hold him?"
"I'm good. I know you don't have that much time left before you have to leave. Go ahead and get your fill."
"You sure?" Sokka prodded. "I kinda want to go get a snack."
"Then why don't you?"
"Why did you come here if you were just going to be grumpy?" he asked, though there was a teasing note in his voice.
"I'm not grumpy." I came here because the alternative was sitting in my apartment alone. "I think I'm going to go outside and do some training."
"Well, can you wait a minute? Watch him while I get something to eat?"
"'Watch' him?"
"You know what I meant."
"What exactly is he going to do? He's not going anywhere."
"Pick him up if he cries."
"That's exactly when I don't want to have to hold him."
"Well, then come and get me," Sokka said with a frustrated sigh. "I'll be right back."
Toph kicked her legs out and leaned back into the couch. Maybe she should have just stayed home instead of coming here after work. But after months of having Katara annoy her with friendship, she'd really gotten accustomed to having someone around. At least Bumi couldn't talk her ear off. As long as he was quiet, his presence wasn't so bad.
Judging by his slow, shallow breaths, he was falling asleep. Not that he seemed to do much else, besides eat and shit and cry. Reaching her senses out a little further, she could feel Sokka pacing around the kitchen. Further still, Katara's breathing said she was still napping peacefully in her room.
Toph yawned, eyelids drooping, the tranquil atmosphere relaxing her. Her sleepy mind began to wander down a road she rarely allowed. How long had it been? How many years? Three? Even as drowsy as she was, she shied away from the images conjured up. The irony was that she and Sokka would probably still be together in that alternate reality, where things had happened differently.
Or...maybe not, considering how much they bickered even without a shared kid. Not that there was any force behind the arguing. The mutual attraction aside, they acted like siblings now. Siblings who cared about each other but weren't close enough to have real, honest conversations. They could be that close. It would be so easy. But Toph didn't trust herself, not yet. She needed more time.
Sandwich in hand, Sokka returned to the lounge to find Toph fast asleep, legs stretched straight out and arms crossed over her stomach. Her jaw was slack, lips parted slightly.
Some babysitter you are, he snickered to himself. Fortunately, Bumi seemed to be asleep, as well. Soft footsteps approaching from the hall told him that his sister had woken up from her nap. He turned to her with a finger over his lips. Katara smirked and lifted Bumi from the bassinet, then jerked her head back toward her room. Without a word, he followed her down the hall.
"I thought you were supposed to let sleeping babies lie," he teased once the door was closed. "Or whatever that expression is."
She sat on the bed, ankles crossed and back against the wall. "He's a heavy sleeper," she replied softly. "And he'll be ready to eat soon, anyway. I didn't think Toph would be pleased if he woke her up from her nap."
"How very...considerate of you," Sokka said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"You say that like I'm not a considerate person."
"You are, but that was an extra selfless act, considering that you're the one who recently had a baby. That you're the one not getting any sleep night after night. You must be feeling really guilty about something."
Her mouth twisted in annoyance. "I'm not guilty about anything. She's been a shockingly good friend, lately. Has she told you how much time she spent here while you were gone? Listening to me ramble on and on about baby stuff with surprising patience. It's good to see her actually relax. I know how tiring and stressful her job is. You know they still haven't figured out who killed that crime boss, or whatever, and took his place?"
It was yet another reminder of Toph's distance. She wouldn't even open up about her work troubles. Not to him, at least. It made him wonder if she was still close with Satoru... "I didn't know any of that, actually," he said tersely. "Guess you're her new best friend."
"Can I give you some advice?"
"Well, you're going to do it anyway, so might as well get it over with."
"Move on."
Sokka's head snapped to her. It was the last thing he'd expected to hear from her. "What?"
"I'm serious. You're just moping around and it's making things worse. Let yourself look at other possibilities. It doesn't have to be serious. Just...get out there and get your mind off the past."
"This, coming from the person who has been badgering me for years to 'talk things out' and 'communicate better' because she and I are 'meant to be together'? I should just get over it now, that's what you're saying?"
"Spirits, Sokka, I thought you could read between the lines. Let me be less subtle. If she really does still have some lingering feelings, a little outside motivation might just be enough to remind her."
"That seems...a little cruel."
"How? You can date people if you want to. And maybe she won't change her mind, and you'll actually find someone to settle down with. Would it be the worst thing? Don't get me wrong – I desperately want you and Toph to be together and happy, but if you don't see her ever coming around to the sort of life you want, what's the point of waiting?"
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Dear Toph,
I just got here and I'm already so done with the cold. I can't believe I used to live here all the time. Sometimes I really question taking this job. Maybe I could just be a professional boomeranger instead. That could be a thing, right? I'll have to look into it.
The city has really grown since I was last here. There was apparently an influx of northerners immigrating here and now there are a lot of waterbenders. As a result, there was a construction boom. Not just houses, but in the economic sector, too. Lots of new businesses.
There's been some strife with the oil. With all the new northerners, a lot of people think they're trying to take over again. Dad is trying to keep everyone calm, saying that the immigrants are just trying to make a home here. I hope he's right. He's always been optimistic, like Katara. It's good I'm here to offer a more cynical perspective.
Besides that, not much to report. Hope things are not too crazy in the city. But hopefully they're not too boring, either. Are you keeping busy in your free time? Working at the refinery? Has Satoru finally figured out that generator? Getting to know your nephew? I must know if Katara has managed to convince you to change a diaper.
I will eagerly await your reply with numb fingers and frozen toes.
Your Friend,
Sokka
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Dear Sokka,
Have you tried wearing extra socks? I hear that helps. I wouldn't know. It's so fucking hot here. I know you probably don't want to hear that, but if you get to complain about the cold, I get to complain about the heat.
Things have been relatively quiet, crime-wise. Aang's little city project that resulted in me having to tighten my belt has caused some staffing issues, which is always fun. I had been planning to set up some smaller stations in hot areas, but that's out the window now.
We had a small break in the Harin case. It didn't go as far as I hoped, but we're sure now that it is a 'he'. Whoever this guy is, he's intent on remaining in the shadows, but he definitely has direct control of the gangs that are loyal to him. He's very anti-bender, as far as well can tell, and I think that's a huge part of it.
Believe it or not, Satoru's generator finally does work now. I thought it would be a bigger deal, but apparently, he's having trouble convincing the Council to sponsor him to make it a viable power option for the city. I guess they don't think it's practical or necessary, or maybe they just don't have any money. So, for now, he's just using it for his own purposes. Spirits know why my father won't just fund the project.
I don't get out to the refinery much these days. Satoru's been bogged down in administrative stuff and doesn't have any projects on deck for me to work on. I spend most of my free time training at work or with Riju. Katara has definitely not convinced me to change any diapers (not for lack of trying). Don't expect that to change.
Don't freeze your toes off, Meathead. It would make you look weird to my feet.
Your Friend,
Toph
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Dear Toph,
Tried putting on more socks. Didn't work, still cold. No frostbite yet, though, so you can relax. I didn't realize my feet meant so much to you, but then I thought, 'well, it's the first part of people that she sees', so I guess it makes sense. You might not even recognize me if I lost some toes.
It's too bad that Katara hasn't inducted you into the poopy-diaper hall of fame. You're missing out. Hopefully you're at least bonding with Bumi, though. I know you're not a baby person, but he is your nephew. Maybe not by blood, but close enough.
How is Riju's metalbending coming along? Has he had another growth spurt and passed you yet? Before you know it he'll be one of your rookies. Well, if you have enough budget to hire him. Who knows what wacky ideas Aang will have down the road. Maybe the police force will be abolished and you can retire on a beach somewhere and build yourself a huge sandcastle to live in.
Glad to hear things are coming along with the Harin case. I know how much stress it's caused you. I'm sure if you keep plugging away the pieces will eventually come together. He can't hide forever, not in Toph Beifong's city.
Nothing new happening here, really. I spend my days helping my dad with boring political stuff and communicating with the Council up there on international matters. I have to write a lot of dull letters. Responding to yours is the highlight of whatever day they come in. I look forward to your next one.
Your Friend,
Sokka
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Dear Sokka,
I gotta say, the idea of living in a giant sandcastle on a secluded beach sounds GREAT, as long as I have some people to train and boss around every day. I may just keep that in mind for my retirement plan, though I doubt the police force is going anywhere anytime soon. I still haven't gotten my statue yet, like Aang promised! If I don't get one soon, I'll just make my own. Watch me.
Riju is not taller than me yet, thank you very much (he's nearly at my chin, though). And there's still plenty of time before he'll have an opportunity to become a cop. He's only ten, for fuck's sake. His training is going well. He finally mastered Gorilla Hogs in Quicksand. I think Aang doing some mixed training with him, using waterbending, helped a little.
Don't you worry about me 'bonding' with Bumi. I'm doing just fine. He's a pretty easy-going kid. I guess he takes after Aang (can't wait 'til he starts airbending and driving your sister crazy). I probably don't spend as much time on the Island as I should, but I'm trying. Things have gotten busy again with work, so I've had a lot of late nights. It's no one specific thing, just seems like there's been a surge in petty crime.
Honestly, the days are just starting to become a blur. It's weird not having you around during the summer, and to think that you won't be here until winter. I guess it must be hard for you to be away so long, with Bumi being here. I know you guys really clicked.
Sorry, I'm not trying to be depressing. Just can't talk about this stuff with Katara, you know? I know things were kind of weird between us before you left, but it's a little easier for me to talk about serious stuff in a letter because I have a chance to organize my thoughts. At the risk of sounding sentimental, I guess I'm just trying to say that I'm really glad we're friends.
Sorry the extra sock idea didn't work, I'll keep thinking.
Your Friend,
T
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Dear T,
Your last letter really warmed my frozen heart, you sentimental fool. I'm glad we're friends, too. Hopefully, when I come back, we won't have to write letters to each other just to have sincere conversations. But I guess I'll take what I can get.
Speaking of serious conversations...there's something I want to talk to you about. It's kind of awkward, and maybe I'm overthinking this, but here goes. It's been a year now since we split up, and the truth is I've met someone here that has expressed some...interest. Out of respect for you, I've kept to myself. And maybe there's also a small part of me that's holding onto the past a little.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is – would it bother you if I pursued someone? I know I don't have to ask your permission, so I hope this question doesn't offend you. That's not my intention. I just want to make sure everything is ok between us, whatever happens.
Hope you're keeping safe with your job, and say hi to Riju and Bumi for me. Man, he's going to be so big when I get back! It kills me! (Bumi, not Riju. It cracks me up that Riju is going to be taller than you soon.)
Your Friend,
Sokka
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Dear Sokka,
I'm not surprised you've got the ladies falling all over you down there; I happen to have some experience with your charm. Whoever she is, she better be good enough for you or we're going to have some words.
According to Katara, Bumi is hitting all the milestones of baby-hood. Rolling over and holding his head up, that sort of thing. He laughs so hard he pukes whenever Aang does his little marble trick. I'm looking forward to when I can start teaching him to swear so that I can drive Katara nuts.
Sorry this letter is short, I'm drowning in paperwork at the moment, and if I set this aside until I have some spare time, I'm going to forget and it'll be weeks before you hear from me. And meanwhile, I'll be wondering why you haven't responded.
Stay warm.
Your Friend,
T
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Though he'd been planning on going straight to Toph's office, Aang diverted when he spotted her secretary heading down a hallway. "Rinna!" he called, trotting to catch up.
"Avatar Aang! What can I do for you? Is everything alright?"
"Everything's fine. I'm looking for Chief Beifong. Is she here?"
"No, sorry," Rinna replied with a slight frown. "Actually, I haven't seen her in a little while. She might have left for the day."
"Really? It's kind of early."
"Yes, it's unusual for her. She has seemed kind of down lately, though."
"Well, she's not at home, and she's not on the Island." He sighed wearily. "I guess she could be anywhere, huh?"
"Sometimes she goes up to the roof if she's having a bad day. You should check there first before running all over the city."
Rather than hiking up the stairs, he went back outside and used his glider to get some altitude. There she was, sitting with her back to the wall. As he got closer, he realized she was drinking something. From a bottle. Oh, boy. In an attempt to not startle her, he called out before landing.
"Twinkle Toes? What are you doing here?"
He leaned his staff against the stone balustrade and sat across from her. "We haven't seen much of you lately. I was getting a little worried."
"Ah, Sugar Queen sent you. Figures."
"She didn't 'send me'. We mutually agreed that you could benefit from a check-in."
"I'm fine. Just needed a bit of alone time."
"You haven't been to the Island in a couple weeks."
"So? I just haven't had time."
She says, while sitting up here drinking instead of working. "Bumi misses you."
"Please. He's not old enough to miss me."
Aang sighed. So she was going to make this difficult, was she? He was better off being more direct. "Why are you up here drinking, Toph? Did something happen?"
"What's so strange about me drinking? I do it all the time."
"Not at work. And drinking alone is never a good thing."
"Would you get off your fucking high horse? Fuck's sake, I'm a grown woman. That wife of yours sure has you by the balls, considering how pushy you've become."
Pursing his lips into a thin line, Aang had to take a deep breath to dissolve the pang of irritation. She was unnaturally adept at getting under his skin. "Toph, I've known you for a long time. I can tell when something's not right. Please, just talk to me. I promise that our conversation will remain private, even from Katara."
A harsh laugh escaped her lips. "You seem to be under the impression that that makes a difference. Has it occurred to you that I like my problems to stay inside my head, and not be floating around someone else's?"
"So you're saying there is a problem?"
"I have lots of problems. Pick one."
"Well, I'm just going to make a leap and assume that you might be a little lonely."
Her expression was all he needed to know that he'd hit a nerve. It tensed in obvious pain, then a moment later went carefully blank. Clearly, the alcohol had dulled her response time, though it was possible she was unaware of it.
"Lonely…" she muttered. "I've got plenty of people around me. Rinna, all my officers, Riju, you and Katara, and your little gremlin. Got my whole, weird little family to keep me company, so if I come up here to be alone, that means I'm the opposite of lonely."
"Your whole family...except for one person."
"Oh, give it a rest. Sokka and I have been exchanging letters. Everything is A-ok."
"It's not the same as him being here. Katara and I miss him, too. You're allowed to admit that you do. I'm not going to read anything into it."
"Fiiine. I miss him. Happy?"
"Of course not. I don't like seeing you like this."
"Ugh. I'm not drunk, Aang. It's fucking sake. I could drink a whole bottle of this piss water and still be stone-cold sober."
"That's really not something to brag about," he replied dryly. "Just means you drink too much. Anyway, that's not what I meant. I don't like seeing you depressed."
Toph groaned and rolled her eyes. "You have really become a dad, haven't you?"
Aang couldn't help but grin. "I guess I have. I'm not sorry."
"What do you want from me?" she complained.
"Why don't you come on vacation with us in a couple weeks?"
"What, so you can keep an eye on me? Like I have time to be gone for a whole fucking week."
"Everyone needs to relax every now and then. Myself, included. Come on, can't you put Luon in charge for a few days?"
"And what if something bad happens and I'm not here?"
"Then Republic City will go up in flames and it won't be your problem anymore."
His words got the reaction he wanted. She stopped with the bottle halfway to her mouth and gave him a perplexed look, then dramatically twisted her finger in her ear like she was trying to clean it out. "Sorry, can you repeat that? It sounded for a second like you were being fatalistic. That's my bit."
"Now that I've got your attention, I really do want you to consider this. How many days off have you had since you started this job?"
"You mean since you forced this job on me?"
"I didn't force you."
"You persuaded me with promises of fame, glory, and adulation. Boils down to the same thing."
"Why don't you answer the question?"
"I don't know, Aang," she said forcefully with a deep sigh. "I don't keep track. A few here and there."
"Less than ten?"
"I dunno. Maybe."
"In three years. It's not healthy."
"Yeah, well, neither is eating takeout sans vegetables for every goddamn meal, but I do that, too."
"Will you at least think about coming with us?"
She gave him a weary, long-suffering sigh, then ran her hand down her face. Despite her earlier assurance, it looked a little flushed. But maybe that was in his favor here. "Fine. I'll think about it."
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"Telegram, Chief."
A few moments later, Toph felt Rinna's heart flutter just the tiniest bit, as if she were a little nervous. "What?" Toph asked.
Rinna cleared her throat softly. "It says 'Sokka just got in. Said he wanted to surprise us by coming early. He brought Kina.'"
Toph's fist clenched on her thigh and she relaxed it with an effort. "Well. I guess I should go say hi."
"I can finish up these reports while you're gone."
But Toph was frozen in her chair. She would much rather stay here for the rest of the day. It was only just after ten. Then again, she hadn't seen Sokka in five months. Ugh. It was going to be so awkward. Better to just get it over with.
"Alright," she said, taking a deep breath and standing slowly. She crossed the room to put her jacket on, one arm at a time, savoring the time it took to tie the belt around her waist. "I'll be back in a couple hours.
Toph walked sedately through the city, taking this last, fleeting span of time to reassure herself. She was fine with this. Everything was ok. It had been over a year since she and Sokka had ended…whatever it was they were doing, and any residual feelings were just nostalgia. She would always love him, but she wanted him to be happy. He'd moved on; it was a good thing.
It was a good thing.
Her stomach did not enjoy the ferry. It was like the first time all over again. Once on dry land, she had to sit down for ten minutes to compose herself. Pull yourself together, Toph. How many times have you ridden that fucking boat? Must have been a little extra choppy today.
An unfamiliar form was inside the house, Toph could tell as she approached. There was no called-out greeting, this time. They were all in the living room, unaware of her presence at the door. With a deep breath, she pushed through and went inside.
"Riju? That you?" Katara called.
"Try again."
"Toph!" That one was Sokka.
She shivered a little and pulled her jacket tighter. "Hey, Meathead."
Without hesitation, he rushed over to give her a big hug. She forced herself to squeeze back, determined to make it as platonic as possible.
"Spirits, T, you trying to break my ribs?"
"Just making up for lost time," she replied with a grin. The unfamiliar body in the room came a little closer.
"I'd like you to meet Kina," Sokka said. "Kina, this is Toph."
"It's so nice to meet you!" the woman said with real sincerity. "I've heard so much about you! Not just from Sokka, of course, but pretty much everyone. It's an honor, really."
"Sokka, you didn't tell me you were bringing the fan club!" She directed a slightly forced smile at Kina. "I'm kidding. Well, kinda. It's good to meet you." I'm doing well, right? I think I'm doing well. This isn't so bad.
"You want some tea?" Katara asked.
"Sure." Toph paused next to Aang to give Bumi a light pat on the head. "What's crackin', munchkin?" He babbled incoherently in response.
"Not too much going on at work today?" Aang asked as she fell gracelessly onto the couch next to Sokka, who scooted over to make room.
"There's always a lot going on. But I wanted to come say hi." The last word was accentuated with a sharp jab at Sokka's arm. "I can't stay long, though. Still trying to recover from my week of vacation that I was coerced into taking."
"That was six weeks ago," Aang reminded her.
"Yeah? So? It was a whole fucking week."
"Toph," Katara reprimanded as she returned, handing over a cup of tea.
"Oops, my bad." She wasn't sorry. It would honestly be the funniest thing ever if Bumi's first word was 'fuck'. Still, having Katara scold her for her language was new and unenjoyable, so she was conflicted.
"Toph," Kina began. "Er, is it alright if I call you Toph?"
"It is my name."
Kina laughed a little awkwardly. "Sokka tells me you have a piece of a meteorite that you wear on your arm as a bracelet. I was wondering if I could see it?"
"Oh, yeah, I heard you were a geologist. An unusual profession for a Water Tribe gal. But...um, it's actually at home, sorry."
"Oh, that's ok. Maybe another time."
"Sure." It had been many months since Toph had thought about her bracelet, still shoved in the back of a drawer in her bedroom. Maybe… Maybe it was time to get it back out again. She and Sokka were good. There was no reason to not wear it.
Several weeks passed. Her birthday came and went, with New Year's approaching. Rather than stay on the Island like he usually did to preserve his meager salary, Sokka had opted to get his own place in the city – a small apartment that Kina was discreetly sharing with him, which came as a bit of a surprise. They hadn't been together that long. Then again, she had followed him up here. That spoke volumes.
And Sokka seemed...so happy. As such, Toph couldn't understand why she had this nearly constant burning ache in her chest. It was good that Sokka was happy. She was over him. What was the problem? She and Kina got along pretty well. Of course they did – the woman's profession revolved around studying rocks!
Then a weird thing happened one day when the three of them were out in the city, Sokka having invited Toph to join them for lunch.
"Mm," Kina said. "I'll have to see if I can replicate this at home. I think I'm tasting some ginseng? Here, try a bite."
It was hard for Toph to not roll her eyes at the display of couple-y behavior. She and Sokka had never been that sickening.
"Yeah, that's good," he replied. "I bet you could make that."
"We'll make it together."
"She's got you cooking now?" Toph asked with a snort.
"Hey! I can cook!" Sokka protested. "At least, I can cook more than you."
"Yes, congratulations, you can cook better than the blind woman. Gold star for you."
Kina laughed. "He's not bad at breakfast stuff, actually."
"No, you're right, he does make a mean omelet. When he doesn't trip over his boots and dump it all over you in the bed, that is." She cocked her eyebrow and twisted the corner of her mouth up, expecting a laugh, but instead both Sokka and Kina's hearts stuttered a little. Then his started beating faster.
The silence stretched on.
"You two...were...a couple?" Kina asked finally.
Toph froze with the chopsticks halfway to her mouth, not sure how to respond.
"It– It was just casual," Sokka stammered in a weak voice.
"C–casual?" Toph blurted, shocked at how much the word hurt coming from him. Did he really mean that? His heart was so erratic that she couldn't tell. There was another long silence, then she cleared her throat and abandoned her food, fingers impulsively going to her wrist. "Oh, wow, is it that late already? I need to get back to work." She stood and dug some coins out, tossing them on the table. "I'll, uh, see you guys later."
Not waiting for a response, she hurried outside. It didn't take long for Sokka to catch up to her.
"Toph! Wait!"
Taking a deep, bracing breath of winter air, she stopped walking and let him come to her. Was she mad at him? Was he mad at her? She really didn't know the answer to either question.
"Look," he began. "I...um... I didn't mean to upset you. I just wasn't expecting you to say that. Was kind of inappropriate..."
"It wouldn't have been inappropriate if you'd bothered to mention our history to her. Why didn't you?"
"It– Well, it never came up, I guess. And, I mean, it's not like we were a real couple. You were pretty clear about that."
"I know," Toph said stiffly, the hurt rapidly turning to anger, mostly because she didn't understand it and that annoyed her. "It was just– The way you said it. Made me sound so…cheap."
"I didn't mean– I was trying to make it less awkward. I'll... I'll talk to her. I don't want things to be weird between you two."
"Bit late for that."
"I want–"
"I've got to go," she interrupted, not wanting to prolong the uncomfortable conversation.
That night, as Toph lay in bed, her eyes inexplicably full of tears, she made the decision to do some soul searching. Why had Sokka's comment hurt so much? She had been the one wanting to keep things casual. But hearing him say it was an entirely different thing. Hadn't he loved her?
Was it all gone now, for him? Even the memory of it? For Toph, it definitely wasn't, but she was making a real effort. Up until this point, her mantra had been. I'm ok with this. Sokka is happy. Everything is fine. We're friends, and things are good between us. I'm ok with this. And so on in an endless loop.
Sokka and Kina were just as sickening as Aang and Katara, not afraid to be affectionate in public. It was nothing over-the-top, but Toph could sense them pressed against each other. A gentle kiss, fingers entwined. A lover's hug. The picture was clear in her head, the feeling permanently imprinted on her mind from personal experience.
Maybe she wasn't as 'ok' with this as she kept telling herself. It felt like when she was a teenager and he was with Suki. But...also...a lot different than that. This was much harder, though she wasn't sure why just yet.
Extremely annoyed with herself, she fiercely scrubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand, rolled over, and willed herself to go to sleep. Soul searching was stupid and pointless. He was with Kina. They would probably get married. It wasn't like Toph wanted that from him, anyway. It was just an adjustment. Kina was going to be around for a long time; she just needed to get used to it.
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"Keep your knees high, Twinkle Toes!" Toph yelled, but she ruined it by laughing.
"Seriously?" Aang said.
"You've gotten soft! I blame the kid. Now, come on, we're not done! Not 'til one of us gets knocked down. And I can already tell you it's not going to be me!"
A little ways off, their modest audience had taken sides. Typically, everyone except Katara had their bets on Toph winning this little match, which was very restrained for the spectators' safety.
"Come on, sweetie!" Katara called. "You can do it!"
Toph felt a surge of concentrated air blow past her cheek. "Hey! No airbending! You know the rules!"
"If I'd wanted to hit you, I would have. Just wanted to remind you that I am, in fact, the Avatar."
"Boo! Cheater!" Sokka heckled.
Sensing an opportunity, Toph sunk into her stance and shifted her weight. To avoid tipping her opponent off, she kept her arms relaxed, only making subtle gestures with her fingers. The ground beneath Aang's feet erupted to swallow him, shards of rock exploding outward. He reacted in time - just barely - lifting himself onto a pillar while simultaneously splitting the rock between her feet.
Nice move, Twinkle Toes. A clenched fist sealed the gap and she thrust a hand forward to smash the pillar.
"Yeah, go, Sifu! Knock him down!"
But Aang wouldn't make it that easy. He recovered by leaping off, landing as lightly as ever. Without turning, Toph attacked again, softening the ground to make him sink and holding fast.
"Yeah, that's not gonna work this time," he said, counteracting the move easily. "I know your tricks now." Before he was done speaking, she shot a rock cylinder right into his backside. He reeled forward and fell to his knees. "Aw, monkey feathers."
"Next time try talking less and attacking more." The small crowd clapped and cheered; Toph took a bow. "Thank you, thank you!" While Katara went to comfort her poor loser of a husband, she went over to Kina and Sokka, the latter of which was currently on baby-holding duty. "Well, what did you think?" Toph asked.
"I wasn't disappointed," Kina replied with a light laugh, though it still sounded a little forced. Things had never quite gone back to the way they'd been before.
"You were toying with him," Sokka said.
"Heh. Maybe a little," Toph admitted, leaning closer to playfully elbow him in the ribs. A second later, a small hand entwined itself in her hair and pulled. "Ack!" Unable to anticipate the movement, she lurched forward into Sokka's chest, her hands bracing against his hips.
"What–!" he exclaimed. "Careful!"
"Oops, hehe," she chuckled, regaining her bearings. "Little gremlin grabbed my hair, the sneaky bastard. Can't really feel many vibrations with you holding him." She rubbed her sore scalp. "You been lifting weights or something, kid?"
"I can't believe my infant son was able to get closer to knocking you down than I was," Aang said, coming over. "And he's not even bending yet!"
"He didn't knock me down," Toph protested.
"He might have, if Sokka hadn't been there."
"It never would have happened in the first place if he hadn't been here." She gave Sokka's firm abs a little pat with the back of her hand. "You been working out, too, Meathead? Couldn't help but notice."
He didn't answer, though his heart rate did pick up a little. What was that about? Had she made him mad? It was just friendly banter.
"Your turn," he said, depositing Bumi in her arms before she had a chance to protest. "I gotta go to the bathroom."
"Wh- I don't take turns ! Hey, watch the hands, Bumi! That hair is still attached to my head! And I'd like it to stay that way!" Hands hooked under his armpits, she held him away from her body towards Aang. "Take your little gremlin before he does any more damage."
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Literally on the point of climbing into bed, Toph was halted by a furious pounding on her door. "What the…?" In the seconds it took to determine the identity of the interloper, she started to grow worried that something horrible had happened to one of her officers. But no...it was...Sokka? "What's wrong?" she asked, throwing the door open. Instead of answering, he shoved past her, his heart racing. "What the fuck, Sokka? Are you– Are you drunk?" She'd definitely caught a boozy whiff as he passed.
"You– You just couldn't leave it alone, could you?"
"Leave what alone?"
"Every time you were around us. Stumbling into me. Making sexual jokes. That stupid little smile you do. Taking advantage of our friendship, flaunting it, constantly. Almost every day. You had no right!"
What the fuck is he going on about? "Sokka, I don't–"
"You fucking ruined it. She's gone, ok? It's over."
"Kina? You're talking about Kina? Where did she go?"
"Home. Back to the South Pole. She couldn't handle it. Ever since you told her we'd been involved, she got so insecure." His speech was slurred, getting a little garbled. It sounded like he was struggling for words. "But I talked her down. But instead of backing off, you just. Fucking. Made it. Worse. And I don't get it! You said you were ok with this! Don't you want me to be happy?!"
"Of course I do! And I don't know what you're talking about! I wasn't trying to do anything. We're friends, Sokka! That's just how I am, how I act. If it was such a problem, then why didn't you say anything before?"
"I didn't think I had to! I thought it was obvious! Ugh. Fuck, I can't even think straight, I'm so mad."
"Not to mention wasted," Toph muttered under her breath.
"Yeah, well, excuse me for having a little bit to drink after being dumped. By a really great woman, by the way. I could have married her one day, but nooo, I can't be with you and I can't be with anyone else. You just want me to die alone."
"That's not true!" she shot back, furious at the tears that suddenly welled up. "I have been nothing but supportive, trying to be friends with her! From the beginning, I was supportive! You don't have any right to barge into my home and accuse me of destroying your relationship! It had nothing to do with me!"
"Yeah, you fucking keep telling yourself that." He made one last disgusted noise and stormed away, slamming the door behind him.