The ferry slowly came to a stop, rising and falling slightly in the swell as it sidled up to the dock. Sokka glanced over at Toph, whose face was calm but with a slight tension in the jaw. After two decades and hundreds – if not thousands – of trips, she still usually seemed to get a little seasick on the journey. At least she had stopped puking every time.

The sky rumbled a little, threatening more than the light drizzle that had started up as they'd boarded back on the mainland. Katara was probably fuming about it, he thought with a small smile.

"C'mon, Uncle Sokka!" Lin said, pulling his hand. The ramp was out and passengers were beginning to disembark. "I wanna have cake!"

"It doesn't matter how quickly we get up the hill, Lin. You know Aunt Katara won't bring out the cake until later."

"I wanna play with Tenzin, too."

"Alright, alright. Hold your ostrich-horses, there are people in the way." He allowed them to get swept up in the throng, keeping hold of her hand. "Careful on the dock. It's slippery." They were halfway to dry ground when there was a sudden commotion behind them, followed by a splash.

Sokka whipped around just in time to see a bare foot sticking up in the air before it slipped beneath the surface. "Stay right here, Lin!" he said quickly before diving in. The cold water shocked his system but he willed himself to ignore it. He couldn't see a thing; the water was so dark and murky, burning his eyes. All he could do was swim towards where he thought Toph might be.

The panic began to mount. Where was she?! His eyes strained, looking for movement. Was that a hand? He swam towards it, kicking furiously but weighed down by his boots. Abruptly she was right in front of him, eerily still, her eyes closed. He hooked his arm around her and swam straight up, immensely relieved to feel her latch on tightly.

They broke the surface to the sound of worried murmurs. Toph now had her arms around his neck, her breathing ragged. Soft lips brushed his cheek, so quickly he wondered if he'd imagined it. The chill that went up the back of his neck had nothing to do with the frigid water.

"Thanks for rescuing me," she murmured in his ear, teeth chattering. "Glad it was you this time."

A few men crouched down on the dock to help pull them out and Sokka caught a quick glimpse of a small tear-streaked face before it was buried in her mother's shirt.

"It's alright, Lin," Toph said, her whole body shaking. "I'm fine. Just a little chilly."

The water saturating their hair and clothes suddenly flew from their bodies in two careful streams, back into the bay. Sokka glanced over to see a kind stranger in a waterbending stance.

"Thank you."

"No problem, Councilman."

With the excitement over, everyone else was slowly moving away toward solid ground. Sokka helped Toph up, keenly aware of how slippery the dock was, on top of the fact that Lin was still clinging to her.

"I'm impressed you didn't swallow half the bay," he said, surreptitiously guiding her with a hand on her elbow. "What even happened? Did you slip?"

"Someone knocked into me. Next thing I knew, I was falling. Upside down. But I had time to take a big breath before I went under, and then I just…waited. I figured someone would get me out. Took you long enough."

It was clear to Sokka, from the edge in her voice and tension on her face, that she had been afraid. Very afraid. But she was playing it cool for Lin's benefit. And also, probably, her own sense of pride.

"You didn't even try to swim up?"

"I didn't know which way was up. Anyway, it's been a while since my last swimming lesson."

Sokka chuckled at the memory, though it was bittersweet. Her only swimming lesson had been nearly two decades ago. It was probably the last time she'd been in any water besides a bathtub.

"Lin, you need to walk now," Toph said once they reached dry ground. "I'm not carrying you up the hill." She stopped and crouched down, detaching Lin's arms from her neck. "Why are you so upset, huh? I just fell in the water. No big deal."

"You were in there a long time," Lin said in a halting voice, lip quivering.

"Yeah, well, I had to wait for Uncle Sokka so he could feel like a big hero on his birthday. Not my fault he took his time about it."

"You're welcome," he said dryly.

"Guess he must be getting old, huh?" Toph continued, ignoring him.

Lin cracked a smile. "Yeah, you're old, Uncle Sokka. You have gray hairs. Are you a grandpa?"

Toph let out a short cackle. "Grandpa Meathead. Hehe."

"Ha-ha, very funny. No, Lin. I'm not a grandpa. People have to have kids before they can have grandkids." He was a little put off that Toph had laughed despite knowing it was a bit of a sore spot for him. "Too bad I've already got my hands full with you, not to mention your crazy cousins."

When they made it to the house, Sokka was greeted with quite the surprise.

"Long time no see," Zuko said with a smile, holding out his hand.

Sokka took it but pulled him into a hug. "I thought you were too busy to come!"

"I lied. I wouldn't have missed it. Welcome to club forty."

"Thanks. I think. How's the family?"

"Good. Izumi is growing like a weed and living up to the designation of 'teenager'. She's decided to take after her mother and deal with any conflicts that crop up with either cold violence or brooding silence."

"I hate to break it to you, buddy, but I happen to remember a lot of violence and brooding from when you were a teenager."

"Well, at least I grew out of one of those things," Zuko joked. "I'm hoping she will, too."

"What about everyone else? How's Iroh doing? Still in Ba Sing Se?"

"Actually, he retired three months ago and moved back home. It was just getting to be to much for him, at his age. He's doing well, but I think he's bored. It's making him ornery. Kiyi has been pulling pranks ever since, and those two are thick as thieves. I can put two and two together."

"Sounds like she needs a husband to settle her down."

"Sokka!" Katara said with a deep frown, hands on her hips.

"I was kidding! Geez. Spirits know, a husband didn't 'settle you down'."

She smacked the side of his head with a small water whip and walked away.

"Hey! Ow! Way to treat a guy on his birthday…"

"Don't act like you didn't deserve that, Meathead."

Originally, the party was supposed to be outside, but Katara had apparently panicked and brought everything into the house as soon as the thunder started. It turned out to be a good choice, though, as a downpour began thirty minutes in.

"Excuse me, everyone," Zuko said when Katara brought out the cake, tapping his glass and waiting for the room to quiet. "I just wanted to offer a brief toast to my good friend on his fortieth birthday. Sokka, I know we haven't seen much of each other in the last few years, but I still consider you to be one of my closest friends and confidants. Here's to many more years of exchanging letters, and hopefully the occasional in-person visit so neither of us forgets what the other looks like." There was a soft ripple of laughter. "To Sokka," Zuko continued, lifting his glass. "Happy birthday."

Everyone clapped and there was a round of 'happy birthdays'. Sokka glanced away from Zuko just in time to see Toph wander outside and decided to follow her, curious at how quiet she'd been during the party so far.

"Hey, T. Everything ok?"

She set her mostly full drink on a small table and leaned against the wall, the eaves shielding them from the rain. "Yeah? Why do you ask?"

"I dunno. You just seem more reserved than usual."

"I'm fine," she said with a shrug. "I don't really know a lot of these people. I've been catching up with Zuko, mostly. And Lin keeps coming out and asking me stuff."

"Has she recovered?" he asked with a light laugh.

"Hey, I'm the one who nearly drowned."

"Mm, but she seemed much more upset about it than you did." All he could think about was the little peck on the cheek she'd given him. Was it purely relief-driven? Had that real kiss a year ago been purely alcohol-driven? Or was she beginning to acknowledge what he believed she was suppressing? Did she even remember that kiss?

"She's fine. She and Tenzin are playing some game in his room. I didn't really understand what she was going on about."

"You don't seem very 'thirsty' today."

"Eh. Just don't feel like it. I don't have as much of a stomach for booze as I used to."

"Oh? I happen to remember you getting quite drunk last spring."

Lightning flashed, followed almost instantly by a mighty crack of thunder, and Toph jumped, scowling fiercely.

"I kinda had a good reason," she snapped. "And it wasn't for fun."

Maybe she really doesn't remember. "True. Anyway, I guess it's probably best if we're sober. Us both being drunk has never been a responsible combo."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Hah. I mean, yeah, you're right. But fuck, I didn't expect you to go and say it out loud."

"Is that why you're not drinking?" he pressed recklessly.

"Keep dreaming," she said, rolling her eyes. "Like I already said, I'm just not in the mood for it. I don't want to be hungover tomorrow."

Sokka relented, hearing the edge in her voice. "Yeah, I tend to get pretty bad heartburn from it these days. I'm not going to overdo it tonight, either."

"Look at us, getting old," Toph said with her signature crooked smile. "Happy birthday, Meathead."

‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›

"No, not there!" Lin cried, shoving the doll out of the way. "Bamo will eat her!"

"Badgermoles don't eat people," Tenzin insisted.

"Yeah-huh!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Settle down kids," Aang said, suddenly standing in the doorway.

"Uncle Aang, badgermoles eat people, right?"

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I don't think so. I'm not sure what they eat, though. You should ask your mom. She'll be here soon. In the meantime, it's time for some training, Tenzin."

"Aw, do I have to? I wanna keep playing."

"Yes, you do. How else are you going to become a master?"

"Ok…" he sighed, getting up.

"Can I come?" Lin asked eagerly, not wanting to play by herself.

"Sure. We can throw in a little earthbending."

They went outside to the training yard, Lin squinting at the glaring sun. It was hot out, but quite nice with the salty breeze.

"Ok," Aang said. "Let's see your basic forms."

"I don't wanna do forms," Lin complained. "I wanna bend!"

"That's how you learn, Lin. Forms are the foundation."

"Tenzin bended already! He was a baby!"

"If you're a bender, you'll learn in your own time. You just have to keep trying and practicing. Now show me your stances."

Lin huffed and spread her feet out, bending her knees. She'd been learning forms since she could walk. At least that's what her mom said; she didn't remember. Next to her, Tenzin was doing something much different. Airbending forms weren't like earthbending forms at all. And besides that, he could actually airbend. It wasn't fair. She was already four and a half and hadn't even moved a pebble!

They went through several sequences, Aang alternating between the two of them. Lin didn't quite understand why her uncle could bend everything, but no one else could– not even his kids. And one of them couldn't bend anything!

That nagging fear pushed itself up again as she tried to copy a move he was showing her. What if I can't bend, like Bumi?

"Stop looking at what Tenzin is doing," Aang said gently. "You need to focus. Ground yourself. And remember: You must be the rock's master. Force it to your will."

"I can't do it!" she complained, stomping her foot. "Why?"

Aang was silent for a moment, tilting his head a little. "How about a little sparring match between you two?"

"No fair! He can bend and I can't!"

"Try." He turned to his son and nodded.

Tenzin looked a little hesitant, then shrugged at her apologetically. He took a stance and sent a strong breeze at her, making her hair fly around wildly. He did it again and again while Lin just stood there, getting more and more annoyed. She refused to try and fight back because what was the point? She couldn't do it.

Finally, she got so fed up that she lifted her foot up and stomped it way out in front of her, trying to look intimidating while she let loose a fierce growl and thrust her palm out threateningly. Much to her shock, there was a loud crack and a line of earth opened up between them. Tenzin yelped and jumped backward while Lin gaped at it, dumbfounded. Aang let out a loud WHOOP and clapped, grinning from ear to ear.

"I– I did that?" Lin stammered.

"You sure did! You're an earthbender!"

Her chest swelled with pride and excitement. I'm an earthbender! "I wanna tell everyone!" she said, dashing off to the house. "Aunt Katara! Aunt Katara!"

"Lin? What is it? What's wrong?"

"I bended! I bended! I'm an earthbender, like Mom!"

"Oh, that's great honey!" Katara said, giving her a hug. "I'm so proud of you!"

"When's she coming? I wanna tell her!"

"I don't know. Soon, probably."

Bumi came out from the hallway where the bedrooms were. "Great, another bender," he said in a bored voice. "Congrats." He didn't even stop walking, just went outside without saying anything else.

"He's mad at me?" Lin asked her aunt, feeling a little down. "'Cause I bended?"

"No. Don't worry about him." But she looked sad, too, staring at the door Bumi had left from.

For the next half hour, Lin kept training with Aang and Tenzin, trying to learn how to smash a rock. She lost count of how many times she tried and failed, but now that she knew she could do it, she wasn't giving up.

Finally, the boulder in front of her cracked and split into several pieces. "I did it!"

"Good job! Now see if you can lift a piece and throw it," Aang suggested. "Do you know the movement?"

"Yeah, like this!"

"That's it! Give it a shot."

A little while later, she spotted her mother approaching and started jumping up and down, waving. "Mom! Mom! Watch me!" Of course, she knew her mom was blind and couldn't 'watch', but she also knew that there were more kinds of seeing than just with eyes.

Lin focused really hard and tried to smash the rock up some more. Toph was almost there when she finally got it, grinning at her mother in triumph. "I did it!"

Toph just stood there, blinking, her mouth hanging open a little. It wasn't the reaction Lin had been hoping for.

"Goddamnit, Twinkle Toes! I was only gone for four hours! You had to take this away from me?"

Lin felt her eyes well up with tears, lip quivering with restrained emotion. Why wasn't her mom proud of her? She couldn't stand to look at the unhappiness on the face of her hero, the best earthbender in the whole world, so she did the only thing she could think to do: She ran away from it.

"Lin! Where are you going?"

But she was gone, desperate to hide and cry alone. Still, she knew her mother's abilities. Knew that she'd be able to find her almost anywhere on the Island. But I bet she can't find me in a tree! It was partly anger motivating her, or something deeper than anger that she didn't know the word for.

Fortunately, she was good at climbing and knew all the best trees. From the branches of one of her favorites, she settled in for a good cry. Usually, when she felt this way (which was often) she would immediately run to her mother- assuming she was available. The familiar, comforting scent and strong hugs were enough for her, even if she didn't get much in the way of gentle words. But right now, she wished Sora or Uncle Sokka were around.

"What are you blubbering about now?" a voice from below asked.

Lin gasped and nearly lost her balance. Bumi was standing at the base of the tree eating an apple.

"If I'd just learned how to bend," he continued, "I wouldn't be crying."

"M-my mom saw me bend and sh-she was mad." It was hard to get the words out, a fresh wave of tears spilling out.

"She's probably just mad that she missed it. Look, I know you're barely more than a baby—"

"I'm not a baby!"

"That's why I said 'barely more than'. You gotta toughen up and not cry about every little thing. Life's hard, but it won't be nearly as hard for you since you're a bender. You feel sorry for yourself because you didn't get the attention you wanted? Well, think of how I feel. My parents are benders, my brother and sister are benders. Just about everyone I know is a bender. You don't see me crying about it, do you?"

She didn't really understand everything he was saying, but it was hard to picture someone like him crying. Usually, he was pulling pranks and cracking jokes. She didn't have an answer to his question and just sat there in silence.

"Look, Aunt Toph has always been a grump. I thought you would've figured that out by now, since she's your mom. Of course she's happy that you can bend. She's been waiting for it since you were born." With that, he threw his apple core in the grass and walked away.

As soon as he was gone, Toph strode up to the tree. "I know you're up there, Lin. Why don't you come down?"

Lin stayed silent, still hurt but also a little embarrassed for running away.

"I was just surprised," her mother continued. "I wanted to be the one to teach you how to earthbend and I'm a little upset that someone else got to do it. But I'm not mad at you. Why don't you come down and show me again?"

With a sigh, Lin slowly began making her way to the ground. Suddenly her foot slipped and she lost her grip on the branch. "Ahh-!"

But the short scream was cut off by a metal cable that wrapped tightly around her chest. It made her feel a little sick, hanging in the air like that, but she wasn't sure why and didn't have long to think about it. Only a second or two passed and then she was in her mother's arms.

"Careful, Buttercup. I won't always be around to catch you."

Lin didn't find her words comforting in the slightest. It was the truth, she knew, and she couldn't stop the tears from coming again. But she remembered what Bumi had said and tried really hard to stop. I'm not a baby.

"I made a big crack in the ground," she said, wiping her face as Toph crouched to put her down.

"Uncle Aang told me. Why don't we go home and do some training, and you can show me?"

"And I can learn how to see with my feet?"

"Yep. Now that you can bend, you'll start being able to feel the rock."

"I think I felt it."

"Yeah?" She grinned and Lin beamed back proudly. "What did it feel like?"

"Like…" Her young mind didn't have the right words. "I dunno. I just felt it. You know."

"I do know."

‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›

BRRRZZZZTTTT

As she usually did when someone rang the buzzer at the front door, Toph jumped a little, but this time it wasn't unexpected. She went to the kitchen and opened the window, waving her hand to unlock the door. "It's open. Come on up."

"Who is it?" Lin asked when Toph went back into the living room to open the door to the foyer.

"You remember Satoru? From the refinery?"

"No."

"Well, you've met him before, when we went to the refinery when Grandad came to visit last year. Anyway, he's brought something for us."

"What?"

"I have no idea."

Satoru soon came up the stairs and into the living room, followed by a man carrying something. "Hey, Toph. Hello, Lin. Nice to see you again. You've gotten so tall!"

"Uncle Sokka says I'm gonna be taller than Mom soon."

Toph rolled her eyes while Satoru laughed.

"Yes, that's probably true," he agreed.

"Where should I put this, Boss?" the man asked.

"Oh, right, sorry. Just set it on the tea table, for now."

"So what is it?" Toph asked.

"We recently had a big order come in for several of our newest luxury radios. This one was damaged during transport and sent back. We can't sell it, even though it still works perfectly fine. I thought you two would enjoy it."

"Wow, really?" Toph said, a little taken aback. Those things were even more expensive than the gramophone Sokka had gotten her. "Uh, thanks. Are you sure you don't want anything for it? I mean, I obviously can't afford it, but you know I don't wanna be a charity case."

"Trust me, you've done enough work for us to make up for it. Anyway, the company already absorbed the cost. It's a normal part of business. I'd hate for it to gather dust in some storage room, or worse– be turned into scrap. It's a beautiful piece. Er, well, it was," he added with a laugh. "I figured you wouldn't care what it looks like."

"Mom, what is it?" Lin asked, leaning over the tea table to investigate.

"It's a radio. It plays music."

"Like the gramophone?"

"Kind of," Satoru said. "Except you don't choose the songs. Lots of different songs play – hundreds – plus there are other things to listen to besides music. Like the news, or pro-bending, or special programs that tell stories."

"What stories?"

"Well…all kinds of things. You, uh– You may be a little too young to enjoy them just yet."

"Ah, who cares?" Toph said, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm sure whatever it is, she's heard worse from me."

"I don't doubt that," Satoru said with a chuckle.

"You busy? You want a cup of tea or anything?"

"Ah…sure, why not."

"Mmk, I'll just put the kettle on and then you can show me how this thing works."

‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›

Lin accosted Toph the second she walked through the door. "Mom! Mom! Mommy! Mom!"

"Fuck's sake, Lin, gimme a second."

"You gotta tell me! How do people get new babies?"

Toph cocked an eyebrow and scratched her head as Sora entered the room, laughing softly.

"Apparently some of her classmates were discussing it during free time," Sora said. "I told her, but she doesn't believe me. I figured this was more of a mother-daughter talk, though, anyway."

"Gee, thanks."

"Tell me!" Lin begged. "I gotta know!"

"Why?"

"I telled Masuki that I know and she thought I was lying!"

"You were lying."

"Tell me!"

"Well, you have fun with that," Sora said cheerfully. "Bye, Lin. See you next week."

Lin followed Toph as she went into her room to take her armor off, continuing to pester her.

"If you don't calm down and give me a minute to get comfortable, I'm not gonna tell you jack shit."

Lin sighed dramatically but went quiet.

"Sora said she told you," Toph continued. "Why didn't you believe her?"

"She said babies come from the mom's belly. That's dumb!"

"I agree, but it's still true."

"What?" Lin said dubiously. "But...you're my mom. I didn't come from your belly!"

"Oh?" Toph challenged, sitting on her bed. "Are you sure about that?"

Lin climbed up and sat next to her. "Yeah! I'm too big." She poked Toph's stomach. "There's no room!"

"You grew, Buttercup. You were a tiny little thing when you were born." She held her hands out to demonstrate. "Everyone that's ever lived came out of their mother's belly."

"Are you sure…?"

"Yes," Toph laughed. "I'm sure."

"How?"

"With a lot of effort."

"What's that mean?"

"It means it's really hard. And painful."

"It hurts?"

"Sure does."

Lin was quiet for a second, though Toph could feel her shifting around on the mattress a little. "What if a baby comes out of me?!"

Toph snorted. "It won't. You have to be older."

"How old?"

"Well…it's different for everyone. But it doesn't just happen by itself. You have to do something first."

"What?"

"Ummm… You need a man to help you. Someone you know really well."

"Like…a boyfriend?"

"Yep. Or a husband."

"So…that means Sora and her girlfriend can't have their own baby?"

The comment took Toph by surprise and she was speechless for a few seconds. "...Sora's what now?"

"I saw her kissing someone. That's what boyfriends and girlfriends do, right?"

A deep frown spread across Toph's face. "Sora let a stranger in the house?"

"She made me stay upstairs when the door buzzed, but I sneaked down and spied on her," Lin said, giggling sheepishly. "And I saw them kiss. But then she made her leave and I ran back upstairs before she saw me."

"Oh," she said, relaxing a little. Then she considered it all for a moment and the lightbulb clicked on. "Ohhhhh."

"What?"

"Heh. Nothing." All Sora had told her was that she'd moved to a new apartment with a new roommate. It was all starting to make sense.

"How do two girlfriends get a baby if you need a man?" Lin asked again.

"I guess they could ask a friend for help."

"So…like Uncle Sokka? He's a man, and he's your friend. He helped you?"

The innocent question was too much for Toph and she fell back onto her pillow, laughing.

"Hey! What's so funny?"

"Oh, Spirits," she wheezed, trying to rein herself in. "Heh. I can see why you might think that, but the answer is no. If Uncle Sokka had... helped me"–She nearly lost it again–"then he would be your dad, not your uncle."

"My dad? I don't have a dad, you said."

That sobered Toph up pretty quickly. She'd been too distracted by her own amusement to realize where the conversation was heading. "There was a man," she said slowly. "But he's not important. You don't need to worry about it."

"He left?" Lin asked sadly.

Toph sighed, wishing she knew how to get her to move on and forget about this. She flopped over onto her stomach and propped her head up in her hand. "Why do you care so much, huh? You've got a big family. Even better– you've got Uncle Sokka. You know, I think you might be his favorite person in the whole world."

"I am? Can he come live here with us?"

"Heh. Sorry, but that's not going to happen."

"Why? Maybe you can get married to him, like Aunt Katara and Uncle Aang."

Toph blinked, stunned. "Wh– Wow, what a leap. Why do you think we would ever get married?"

"He's your bestest friend. He said that."

"Mm, well, yes, that's true. But that's not why people get married."

"Why?"

"People get married when they're in love." And don't have totally opposite life goals.

"Well, I love Uncle Sokka. That means we can get married?"

Toph snorted again. "Ah, no. Different kind of love. Only grownups get married."

"You gonna marry somebody one day? And he'll come live with us?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to, Your Royal Nosiness, Asker of a Million Questions."

"Ok. I don't want a man to live here with us. Except Uncle Sokka can if he wants, that's ok. But he's gotta sleep on the couch!"

Toph barked out a laugh, wondering where that comment had come from. "Well, he's not going to live here. Not him or anyone else. It's just gonna be you and me, Buttercup."