A/N: Guys you are the best readers a writer could have, thank you so so much, I really appreciate all your kind words. So, I actually wrote most of this chapter during the holidays and then went to uni a few days ago so pretty much got it done. Proud achievement? I learnt how to take blood for the FIRST time and it was AWESOME!
Anyway, my writing isn't that great here which I apologise for! Some days words don't work. This is more of a filler chapter (which might explain the patchy writing) but hope you enjoy.
Katara's POV:
When I enter the canteen I instantly spot Yue with...my brother? I quirk an eyebrow in surprise before grabbing a sandwich, paying for it and moving to join them. As I get nearer, I notice Teo and Toph. I nearly grimace at seeing the blind girl, recalling how bumpy our last encounter was, but I pull my chin up and drag out a chair beside Yue. Both Teo and Toph look up at my arrival with varying looks of sympathy and interest.
"So, Sugarqueen has returned. I did wonder if I scared you off last time." The earthbender greets with a smirk. I snort at her and open my sandwich packet.
"I don't scare easily." I retort just as Teo clears his throat.
"So, how are you doing? Haven't seen you for a while." Teo queries gently. I furrow my eyebrows at him before glancing over to my brother.
"You told them?" I question in disbelief as Sokka shrugs.
"I live with them, remember? Would be pretty hard for them not to find out." The man answers, as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Besides, smashing the house down isn't typically normal behaviour, even for Snoozles." Toph jokes before digging into her food. I blink twice before returning my attention back to the engineering student.
"You did what?!" I express worriedly just as Sokka releases a loud groan.
"Toph, I told you to keep that on the low down." Sokka grits out, only for the girl to shrug in disinterest.
"I don't wish to interrupt, but I'm starting to feel a little out of the loop here." The feminine voice shifts my attention away from their exchange as my eyes flicker to the white head beside me. 'Shoot, I forgot Yue was here.' I gulp.
"O-oh it's nothing." I wave off casually, earning shocked stares from everyone. I bite the inside of my cheek as my mind races with something to say. "Anyway! I didn't realise you've been spending your lunches with my brother and his friends." I blurt out, surprising my friend as her features contorts into embarrassment.
"Actually, your brother invited me to join him last week. Although he was very tight lipped about you. But it's been nice getting to know Teo and Toph some more." Yue explains. I quirk my eyebrow just as Toph grins.
"See, I can be good company." The blind girl states with a smirk and I have to bite my tongue to hold back a taunt.
"I'm sure." I mutter just as Sokka points his spoon at the earthbender.
"Hey you never told me how'd your visit to your parents went last weekend." My brother questions. Immediately the girl's face sours.
"Because it doesn't matter." She utters, her tone taking a slight edge as she forks her sausage a little more roughly than needed. Sokka simply shrugs his shoulders and continues eating, but I furrow my eyebrows in confusion at her behaviour.
"It almost sounds like you don't like them." I note curiously, prompting the girl to smash the surface of the table with her fist, making me jump in surprise.
"I'd watch what you say Fussy-Britches." Toph growls. I feel my eyelid twitching at the nickname.
"Fussy-Britches?!" I repeat back, feeling offended, ignoring the way that Sokka mimes a slit throat with his hand. The earthbender pushes her chair back suddenly and leans forward.
"Got a problem with it?" The blind girl threatens. I scowl at her and get to my feet to meet her halfway, our faces are only inches apart.
"I've got a problem with you thinking you can boss everyone around. How you have friends is still a mystery to me." I retort sharply, ignoring Yue's tug at my sleeve.
"Guys..." Teo starts, but Toph cuts through his words as if they were never uttered.
"I'm out of here." She spits out before grabbing her water and stomping out of the room without a backward glance. I glare at her retreating back before dropping back into my seat in frustration.
"Remind me again why are you friends with that girl?" I demand, directing my fiery blue eyes to my brother who just gapes at me. Teo reaches over to poke the man, prompting him to finally snap his jaws shut.
"I told you, under that tough exterior is actually a great person. You should be more careful with what you say. Her parents are a sensitive topic." Sokka berates.
"I should be careful? What about her?! She's the one being all aggressive!" I argue as I glance to Yue for her support. Instead, she bites her lip and averts her gaze.
"She's not that bad Katara." The white head tries to convince me. My jaws slacken at her words and I shake my head, opening my mouth to retort, but Teo beats me to it.
"Plus, Toph only nicknames people she likes. Think of it as a term of endearment." The boy in the wheelchair adds. My lips part to release a soft 'oh', but I still find it hard to wrap my head around.
"You think I should go and talk to her?" I query, only for my brother to snort.
"Yeah no, you're probably the last person she wants to see. Just let her cool off and she'll be right as rain." Sokka advises before moving the conversation to his current project. Big complex physics words are thrown about, but my thoughts are still stuck on the earthbender. 'Maybe I should apologise.' I think to myself until a nudge at my side draws my attention away from my thoughts. I turn my head to find Yue looking at me carefully.
"What are you thinking about?" She murmurs. I bite my lip before releasing a soft sigh.
"I think I should go and apologise." I mumble, eliciting a bright beam from the girl.
"Feels like its apology day." The girl jokes, before widening her eyes slightly. "Oh! How did it go with Aang?" She asks excitedly. I give her a half smile.
"He said he needs some time, but I guess it could've gone worse." I regale as Yue's eyes shine.
"I'm sure he'll come around." She reassures, but my shoulders slump.
"I hope so, but I wouldn't blame him if he doesn't." I mumble, my heart aches at the prospect.
"Hey, he risked getting expelled for you. I'd say it takes more than just a few biting words to keep him away." The girl expresses determinedly. There's something about the way that she says it that nags at me, but I'm not sure what. The corner of my lips twitch.
"I suppose you're right. Thanks Yue." I utter gratefully as I pull her into a side hug. Her arm stretches up to interlock my forearm in return.
"Anytime. Now, off you go and find Toph." The white head reminds as I pull back.
"What would I do without you?" I murmur fondly as I get to my feet.
"Nah you'd manage just fine." Yue waves off with a wink before widening her eyes when she catches sight of my torn leggings "Spirits what happened to you?!" She exclaims.
"I ran after an airbender." I answer dryly with a faint smile, eliciting a chortle from the white head. My smile broadens slightly as I turn my head towards Sokka and Teo who are still locked into deep conversation.
"I'm going to go, but I'll see you later Sokka." I start, immediately earning the boy's attention as he gazes at me worriedly.
"Are you ok?" He asks anxiously and I already can tell what's on his mind. The reminder crashes back with an aching blow and I can't believe that I actually forgot about...I gulp.
"All good!" I squeak, before clearing my voice. "I just remembered I need to grab something for my lectures later. I'll see you tomorrow." I try to reassure. The ponytailed man eyes me for several moments before nodding his head.
"Alright, take care." He utters with a brotherly smile. I return it and waving goodbye to Teo and Yue, I make my way out of the canteen. It's only when I've walked several metres do I realise that I have no idea where Toph would be. I slap my forehead. 'Great and I don't even know anything about her to even try and figure out where she'd be.' I think to myself with a groan just as my pocket vibrates. I fish my phone out of my pocket to find a message from Yue.
Just realised you might not know where Toph went. Try the big boulder just outside campus.
Yue
I gape at my phone. 'How on earth did she know that?' I wonder, until I remember the multiple lunches she probably shared with the earthbender. Shaking my head, I type out a quick thank you before pocketing my phone and making my way off campus. Just as I pass the welcome sign for the university, I spot a huge boulder in the middle of the field. 'How did I miss that when I first arrived?' I marvel before moving closer to the rock. I'm still several metres away when I feel the earth vibrate under my feet.
"Sugarqueen, I came out here to get away from you." I freeze at the mutter, as my eyes dart for the girl, only to be greeted with more grass. I purse my lips and continue walking until I get to the other side of the boulder where I find Toph sitting on the ground with her knees drawn up as she takes a swing from her water bottle. I frown at her.
"How did you know it was me when I was still behind this rock?" I query in bewilderment. The girl waves her hand in disinterest.
"I sensed you with my earthbending." Toph answers offhandedly while I gawk at her.
"Earthbenders can do that?!" I exclaim in excitement, eliciting a smirk from the woman.
"Nah, only me. I'm awesome for a reason." The blind girl responds. I open my mouth to fire out a quip, but promptly close it when I remember that's not why I'm here. Instead, I clear my throat and kick at the earth.
"Listen, I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't mean to upset you." I apologise. The earthbender wrinkles her nose at me before waving her hand.
"You were being a jerk, but I forgive you." Toph voices in a taunting tone, making my temperature spike once more.
"Gah! Even when I'm apologising you're insufferable." I growl as the girl's face becomes smug.
"It's not my fault you get your knickers in a bunch so easily." The earthbender retorts and I feel my cheeks burning with mixed fury and humiliation.
"You know what? This was a waste of time." I grit out before stomping away.
"See you later Sweetness." Toph calls after me in that mocking tone of hers. Without thought, I command the water out of the air and send a water whip right at the girl. The sound of a slap reverberates the surrounding region. Slowly the girl lifts a hand to her quickly reddening cheek which breaks me out of my daze as my eyes widen when the realisation of what I've done hits me.
"Oh my gosh Toph, I-I don't know what came over me! I'm so sorry, let me..." I don't get the chance to finish as I find the ground shifting underneath me. I lose my balance and fall to the floor on my face.
The sound of quick pitter-patter feet forces me to look up to find the woman running straight at me. I roll to one side just as she reaches me and narrowly avoid my head being thrown off. I stare at the dent in the ground from where her fist collided and gulp. Toph turns her head to me and I quickly put my arms out in front of me in a placating manner.
"Toph, wait!" I urge, but soon I find myself tackled back onto the ground as the earthbender grabs my wrists and sits on top of me, her face snarling.
"I don't care if you're Sokka's sister or if you just lost your mum, no one hits Toph Beifong." The blind girl growls, but it's not her expression that hits me. No, it's her words. I don't know why, but suddenly the air around me feels tight as an overwhelming sense of being trapped washes over me.
With strength I didn't know I possessed, I shove the girl several paces away from me. I ignore the way she lands on her back with a thud as I wrap my shaking arms around myself. I hear her spitting grass from her mouth, but I'm too consumed by my pounding heart and rapid breathing to take heed of the earthbender.
"You've got some nerv...hey are you alright?" Toph suddenly asks. I clench my jaws together and tighten my grip on my biceps, but the sense of impending doom doesn't want to leave me alone. Instead, a sob escapes past my lips as I dip my head down. Feelings of loss slam into me hard as my shuddering picks up.
"Oh shoot. Hey, I wasn't really going to hurt you." The blind earthbender mutters lowly as she kneels beside me, her face a mixture of concern and regret, but I shake my head.
"It's not that. I..." A lump gets stuck in my throat, stopping me from continuing as tears sting my eyes. Toph stares at me for several moments before understanding dawns on her face.
"Spirits. Sorry, that was a low blow, even for me." The teaching student mumbles as guilt flashes across her face. When I don't respond, she hesitantly stretches out her arm to sling it around my shoulders in a half hug. "I'm sorry." She apologises and after several moments my breathing and heart rate slows down to normal. I swallow thickly and swipe at my eyes.
When the girl realises I'm no longer shaking, she withdraws her arm and leans back onto the ball of her feet with a thoughtful expression.
"I didn't know you get panic attacks." She utters after several seconds of silence. I stare at her before shaking my head vigorously.
"I don't. I...that has never happened before." I whisper with averted eyes. Toph scrutinises me for a moment before sighing.
"Right. Probably the stress then." She voices with a half-hearted shrug. Silence descends upon us once more as I clutch my elbow in discomfort.
My blue orbs glimpse back to the girl. From this close up I can make out the red imprint left by my water whip. I cringe at the sight of it and immediately summon some water. But when I stretch my hand out towards the girl, she immediately catches my wrist in her hand, holding it firmly.
"What are you doing?" Toph asks tightly. I swallow.
"I...was going to heal you from where my water whip..." I trail off as shame envelops me. Confliction arises in her milky green eyes before she finally releases my hand. My blue irises flicker to her taunt face, but all emotions have been expertly erased. Cautiously, I rest my hand on her cheek and the water begins to glow. Seconds later, the water falls and I pull back my hand, relieved to see pale skin greeting me once more.
"Huh, neat trick Sugarqueen." Toph voices, bordering on impressed as she crosses her arms. I'm taken back by the uncharacteristic praise.
"Ah thank you?" I reply unsurely, prompting the girl to roll her eyes.
"I'm not that much of a jerk." She retorts, but a second later her shoulders sag. "I am sorry about what I said earlier. My parents have been getting on my nerves so I took it out on you." The blind earthbender mutters. I knit my eyebrows and shift closer to her.
"How come?" I question which wipes off the annoyance on the earthbender's face as her eyes flicker in my general direction before jerking her head away.
"It doesn't matter." She says, repeating the same words from earlier, but I shake my head.
"You can tell me. I've been told that I'm pretty good listener." I urge, only for the student to snort.
"Who would've thought?" She mocks, but instead of the usual aggravation I expected to feel, I find myself just rolling my eyes.
"Toph." I emphasise, only for the bender to jerk her head up.
"Besides, you're the last person I'd say this to." The blind girl mutters as I purse my lips.
"Well, I know we haven't got along great, but..." I trail off when I see her shaking her head.
"It's not that. Although you probably should learn when to back off." Toph expresses bluntly, but I decide to simply focus on her first few words.
"Then what?" I ask with a tilted head. To my surprise, the earthbender dips her head until her fringe covers her eyes.
"The same reason why I haven't told Sokka. Because it isn't right complaining about my parents when you guys..." She breaks off, but I don't need to be genius to figure out the rest. The air escapes my lungs for a second time, forcing me to jerk my head away from her as a soft 'Oh' escapes me.
"Exactly." She mutters and starts getting to her feet, but I reach out and grasp her forearm.
"You hurting doesn't matter any less. Tell me." I utter stubbornly as a flash of strength runs through my veins, from where I do not know.
The blind earthbender stares at me with slack jaws, probably not expecting those words. I watch as she opens and closes her mouth several times as indecision plays on her face.
"Think of it as an apology for what you said earlier." I add, hoping to sway her and it seems to have done the trick as a faint smile appears on the girl's face.
"You sure are full of surprises Sugarqueen. Alright, I suppose if you insist." Toph utters as she sits back on the ground opposite me. A second later she flops onto her back and gazes up, as if staring at the sky, but if what Sokka told me is any indication, she probably can't see it from how far up it is. "My parents don't want me to be a teacher." She mutters. I blink twice before gawking at her.
"What? Why?!" I fire out.
"Because they still think I'm weak and that I shouldn't be getting a job when I can just inherit their fortune." The earthbender spits out. I stare at her for several moments, trying to figure out what to say.
"Maybe they're just worried about you. I'm sure if you just told them..." I suggest, but the earthbender cuts me off.
"There's no such thing as telling my parents anything. They don't listen. They only allowed me to get this degree because it's unbecoming of a Beifong to not go to uni. They don't want me to actually use it." Toph explains while blowing her fringe off her face.
"But..." I start, only for the girl to shake her head vigorously.
"My parents aren't like yours. They're overbearing, protective, strict and impossible. It's why I moved this far away." Toph mutters as I purse my lips.
"How did you know about my parents?" I query curiously.
"Snoozles talks a lot and they were a common topic that came up." The blind earthbender answers with a shrug, but a flash of longing crosses her eyes and I can tell that she's downplaying it a lot more than what she's saying. I bite my lip.
"I'm sorry, that must be terrible." I voice quietly, prompting the girl to snort.
"Yeah, no kidding." She fires back sarcastically before releasing a sigh. Her eyebrows furrow slightly as she continues to stare blankly up at the sky. "Sometimes I wish they would stop seeing me as this helpless little girl. I wish they would see me for who I am instead of their makeshift version of me." Toph mutters as her hands clench slightly. My lips part slightly at her words and after a moment of deliberation I lie beside her on the grass and gaze up at the white clouds.
"I'd do anything to hear Mum call me her little girl again." I whisper thickly. The earthbender turns her head towards me and despite the sensation of eyes bearing into me, I keep my blue orbs fixed up.
"I suppose you're right." The older student echoes back. After two beats of silence she re-opens her mouth. "You're not dealing with it very well, are you?" Her astute observation stuns me as I swallow slowly in an attempt to slow the thudding in my heart.
"What makes you say that?" I question, trying to make my voice sound light, but even I can pick up the way that my tone wavers.
"Your panic attack for one thing. Your heart rate for another. You know, Snoozles thinks you're getting better." Toph reveals. My stomach churns as if I was just punched.
"Don't tell him." I plead. She doesn't answer for several moments.
"I won't." The blind student replies, sending a rush of surprise and relief through my veins. That is, until she turns her head away from me. "But either you get better or you talk to him. I'd hate for him to unravel just because you're not dealing with it." The earthbender adds. I scrunch up my nose at her words.
"Gee thanks Toph." I voice sarcastically, already feeling a wave of anxiety washing over me at the possibility that Sokka discovers that I'm not dealing with this grief in a healthy way. Suddenly, I'm greeted with a sharp pain in my bicep and a yelp escapes past my lips.
"Ow! What was that for?!" I demand the smirking girl as I rub my arm.
"That's how I show affection. You might be a right pain, nosey, stubborn, obnoxious..." I cut the bender off before she can continue.
"Thanks Toph, I get the picture." I state blandly as the girl's grin broadens.
"But, you're starting to grow on me and I'd hate to see anything drag you down. No matter how valid the reason is." The earthbender mutters and I can't help but smile softly at the strangely sweet words.
"Thank you. You're not so bad yourself." I throw back with a smirk, earning me another punch to the arm.
"Good, wouldn't want to scare you off for a second time." Toph taunts, but her expression is easy-going and I can't help but feel surprisingly at ease in her company. I sink deeper into the soft grass in semi-contentment.
"Thanks Toph." I whisper gratefully, not wanting to break the delicate air that's settled between us.
"Don't mention it Sugarqueen." Toph replies casually as we continue to gaze up and bask in the warmth of the sun's heat.
A/N: Honestly I can't really imagine Katara hitting anyone, but then again she is very impulsive and we've seen how her temper can get the best of her sometimes. So, while this story mainly focusses on Katara, Aang, Sokka and Zuko to an extent, I didn't want to leave Toph out and thought it would be fun to have a chapter dedicated to her. I know it doesn't add much to the plot, but I wanted to build that friendship that we saw in the show between Katara & Toph.
This is likely the last chapter till July probably, which I'm REALLY sorry for, but I've already been terrible at replying to you guys (also really sorry about that btw and I'll reply as soon as time allows) and I'm exhausted. There's so much going on in this last term and I need to try and get through it and pass. I do have sessions at uni, so will likely be able to write on the bus, but no promises. Basically, expect the next update in July, if I update before then even better. Keep well guys until then. And thank you for all the support.
25/4/21