Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the Last Airbender". Bryke and Nick has it all.

Author's notes: Omega and alphaverse stuff. Suki's with Toph. Deal with it! :P

"Tumbling Boulder: the Toph files"

Chapter four "In Republic City"

The door rapped once, then twice more in hard succession.

Toph grinned to herself. She made her way to the door of her apartment and opened it. The woman on the other side pushed rapidly in, more as not to be seen, as to be closer to her. Her lips were taken in a hungry kiss and Toph barely had time to kick the door closed. Suki pressed her up against the opposite wall, grinding up against the length of her body.

"I take it Zuko gave you time off," Toph teased when their lips parted. Suki patted her cheek hard and let her go. She giggled when Toph ambled after her, wrapping her arms around her middle. "Get back here…."

"To oversee Aang's work with the council and the new city," Suki giggled. She laid her hands over Toph's strong arms and squeezed. "And to see you…. Congratulations, Chief."

"I didn't ask for this," Toph complained lightly. But Suki turned in her arms to move her hands over her unbuttoned uniform jacket, fingers tracing over her badge.

"But your metalbenders are the best team for keeping the peace. You keep everyone in line," Suki admitted. She leaned up and kissed her longingly. "And I'm proud of you."

Toph's heart did a funny stuttering as she coughed and tried to clear her throat. "Yeah well, someone has to keep the idiots in line."

"You do that." A harsh slap to her cheek had Toph growling. Suki moved away from her and removed her heavy cloak. She was wearing a green tunic and brown trousers, far from her usual Kyoshi Warrior garb. Toph knew, for the fabric was smoother under her fingers. "When do we get to see Aang and his family?"

"Sugar Queen's got 'im locked down. You can see him tomorrow," Toph said idly. Suki giggled as she was picked up into the earthbender's arms.

"You're insatiable."

"Your fault."

"Show me."

Toph was eager to take her to the back bedroom and do so.

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Toph woke in the middle of the night needing to pee and badly. She climbed out of the rumpled covers, a quick pass of her hand not finding her lover. Just what were they? Anytime they met up, there was a lot of physical affirmation. And that was fine with Toph's alpha ego. She hopped into the washroom and took care of things as quickly as possible.

A quick pass through her apartment located Suki on the kitchen counter, snacking on some dumplings. Toph gave a grin in the dim light. She could feel her fluttering chi and walked in, hand outstretched. She made contact with the firm hot flesh of her lover's thigh and worked her way up to her back.

"Here," Suki said, and part of a dumpling was put into her mouth. Toph laughed and chewed. Jam squished in her mouth. A pass of her hand over Suki's back found the fabric of a silky robe. Toph tried to unsubtly work it loose as she leaned against the counter. "Ah ah, I'm snacking! You burn a lot of calories."

Toph flexed her biceps, unperturbed at her own nudity. "Give me another dumpling, we have more to go."

Suki giggled and the sound was music to her ears. Toph accepted another treat from her lover's hand, nipping her fingertip teasingly as she did. It had been months since their first joining and each time Suki came to her was a joy in itself. Toph had no idea how Suki felt aside from the pure physical ecstasy they shared. She was sure she was in love with her and had been for years.

At least Sokka was keeping his distance from the Fire Nation and Suki. Whenever she came to the blossoming Republic City, they stayed away from any place Sokka might go. Let Twinkle Toes have all the fun of that side of bureaucracy. At least she still got to bust heads on the street.

But tomorrow may be damaging to their erstwhile relationship. Toph had to report to the city's council with Aang and Katara, and she knew Sokka would be there. With Suki visiting….well, it was going to be an annoying encounter, she was sure. Suki did not want to be with him, and her alpha's pride wanted to keep her at her side.

"What are you thinking?" Suki asked softly. She ran a hand through Toph's bangs. Toph coughed.

"Nothing much. Come here." A quick pass of her hands told Toph Suki had put the snacks down and she picked her up in her arms. Suki's giggles rang throughout the apartment as she walked back to the bedroom. Depositing Suki on the bed, Toph prowled after her, stripping her robe.

"Did you need something?" Suki giggled against her ear as her arms and legs wound around Toph. The earthbender growled.

"Always so coy. Stop playing," she smirked in the dim light. Suki's hand ran up the back of her neck and pulled her head down for a kiss. Toph melted against her.

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Toph tapped one bare foot on the floor. She could pick out the council member's chi signatures, and Sokka's was as roiling as ever. It was more whining than rapturous and with Suki nearby her, it made Toph cringe.

She touched Suki's hand and was relieved when the Kyoshi Warrior squeezed back. "Are you sure you want to go in? I can take you to Aang and Katara's after…."

"I'll be fine. I'm just here to watch for Zuko's sake," Suki said. Toph felt the old flare of unease regarding her old friend and resolved to stay strong. Omegas didn't like whiny bits in their mates, and she didn't want to scare her erstwhile bed partner off.

Bad enough Sokka was whiny as it was. Toph straightened her spine and stalked through the double doors. A line of metalbenders followed her in, their breastplates gleaming. Toph herself preferred not to wear the helmet as not many could hope to get the drop on her. Not when she could feel everyone around her through their vibrations as a true earthbender should. She allowed a small smirk when Aang chirped a greeting and Katara pulled a chair out for her. Toph took the chair and gestured to her metalbenders to line the room.

"Thanks," she drawled. "Suki came with to watch the proceedings."

Immediately, a flare of hope welled up from Sokka's chi so potent that it made Toph grind her back teeth together. She had to literally fight all her instincts to keep from slamming her own chi against his.

"We didn't know you'd be here today, Suki! We gotta have dinner," Katara promised. Suki laughed lightly and Toph tried not to strain to hear more of her lover's voice. She clenched her fists on her knees under the table.

"We will! I can't wait to see your children again," Suki called.

"Bumi's three and Kya's walking," Aang said excitedly. Pride at being a sire was in every word and Toph had to concede her friends were doing well.

"I can't wait!" Suki said. That put a new thought into Toph's mind. Was her lover wanting children of her own? A strange thought indeed but one that began to take root in her mind. It wasn't like Zuko was going to give her that want, despite Suki's feelings about him….

'But she's with me. Isn't she?' Fear was unbecoming of an earthbender and a metalbender yet it began to yawn within her chest. Toph exhaled. She blinked milky white eyes as a gavel sounded. Apparently one of the other council members, a delegate from the Earth Kingdom, had come prepared to take order.

"Order! Order, please! Can we please begin?" the old man wheezed. Aang acquiesced. The motions were trivial matters over crime reports through the growing districts of the small city. Toph made mental notes of which patrols to take, but an interesting report of a blood bender trying to garner acolytes in the Southern Water Tribe district held all of Katara's attention. Toph searched with her chi and found Suki patient and waiting.

The alpha pride in Toph approved. But she wanted to get out of this room and out of her clothes and back to comfortable moments in her bedroom. The small spike of interest in Suki's chi told her she'd captured the omega's attention. Toph allowed herself a small smile.

As the meeting wrapped up, Katara loudly proclaiming that blood bending would be banned, Toph pushed her chair back. Sokka hurried to waylay her and Toph grunted, shoving his arm off her.

"Get off me," she complained. More than irritability at being jostled was in her tone concerning her old friend. The beta didn't hear it.

"Suki's here! She didn't send letter….is it only cause of Zuko? Or is it something else?" he asked excitedly. Toph stomped one foot and made him jump back a few inches at least by the jolt of earth.

Toph crossed her arms. "Did it ever occur to her she came for business? And you shouldn't bother her with your break up. She wanted it, Sokka!"

Well, it was the truth. Hearing the sharp exhale of dismay from her friend made her feel alittle guilty. A little.

"I know! I won't bother her….I'll just say hi. I won't bother her, geez," Sokka breathed. Toph nodded and punched his shoulder. The hiss of pain was pleasing to her ears.

"Don't bother her," she warned. "I gotta get my men in line." As she headed to her metalbenders, Toph told herself to stay the course. She could feel Sokka tripping all over himself and she knew Suki was over it. She remembered that morning and how Suki had trembled as she slid between the cradle of her thighs. Her moans were soft and vulnerable and Toph had held her with strong hands. She needn't worry.

It still didn't mean that she wasn't looking for her. Toph signaled her men and women in uniform to pair off and patrol the city. They'd report back to their small headquarters that served as a center for their policing activity. So unlike her to settle in with he ways of the law as she got older. But Aang was right. It got results and she could get behind that.

As Toph patrolled the streets, accepting the odd call her way she kept her senses honed. Picking apart energy signatures, she found the one she was looking for.

"Hey." Toph propped against the wall, leaning above her lover. Suki laughed and a smile was in her tone. Toph was glad to hear it.

"Hey."

"Did he bother you?"

"No."

Toph trailed a hand down Suki's arm. Their fingers met and clasped.

"Want me to beat him up?"

"No, Toph, it's fine."

"Good." Toph coughed, looking away.

"If I asked you to go away with me….would you?"

"Huh?" Toph asked. Her mind spun. "That trip to Ember Island wasn't enough for you?"

"Not where you're concerned." Toph had to blush at the sultry tone in her lover's voice. She tapped one bare foot on the ground. "I wanted to see the Kyoshi shrine at home and show you around."

"I'll feel out the way," Toph offered. She wondered why her lover wanted her to go to Kyoshi Island. Was she….the feeling that her lover wanted her for more than mating made her chest puff out with pride.

"Good. I'll send word when. If you want to go." Here Suki sounded shy almost. Toph lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Gladly, Sukes."

"I love it when you call me that."

"So…see you at Aang and Katara's?"

"Sure. Be on time for dinner."

"Yes, dear," Toph teased. Her shoulder was smacked. She turned and leaned down to kiss Suki. The woman's lips parted against hers.

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Dinner at their friend's was fine. Toph found herself keeping their relationship a secret, and she didn't know why. More for Suki's sake. She was just following her example, really. And Katara's connection to her ex probably made them keep quiet. Toph sighed, blowing her bangs out of her eyes.

Aang's children, a toddler named Bumi and a baby named Kya, were good company. Even if Bumi kept trying to climb up on her shoulders. Suki's giggled as Toph juggled the giggling boy down and into her arms soothed her spirits.

"Son, come sit here by me," Aang said. He gusted the child across the table on a wave of air and Bumi giggled loudly.

"How are you doing, Suki? Is life at the Fire palace treating you right?" Katara asked. She cradled Kya against her shoulder. Suki smiled when the baby was placed in her arms.

"Everyone's fine. Zuko's daughter is getting big," Suki smiled. Toph heard the inflections in her tone. Was she still sad about his rebuffing her? She'd have to distract her later. In fact, she'd make a point of it.

"There was a thing about that, with Princess Izumi. I just hope Ty Lee is doing well with Azula," Aang sighed. Katara leaned to rub his knee under the table. Bumi leaned up, clutching both of his parents by the shoulder.

"With the Kyoshi Warriors there, Zuko can rest easy," Toph offered. The pulse of chi from her lover was reassuring.

"Thanks, Toph."

"Welcome."

"I hope you'll visit when the island is finished. We're having it built for my new temple," Aang said excitedly. The small house they were all residing in was on the edge of the growing city, but apparently more secure plans were in the works. Suki exclaimed about that and Toph found herself nodding.

"I can't protect you guys if all your corners are accessible. An island is best," she said. Aang sighed.

"I hoped peace would be absolute after the end of the War. But there will always be dissenters everywhere."

"Don't take it so hard, Aang," Katara urged. "It's just how people are. We did the best we could. The world IS at peace."

Suki was glad to see her friend brighten. With his wife and two children at his side, it was a good thing to see.

Toph straightened her shoulders. "And my teams will help keep crime at a minimum. We WILL make this place an example."

"Hear hear," Katara cheered. She reached to clink her glass against Toph's, who started at the sudden gesture. Aang leaned forward with his glass and Suki laughed, leaning also. The clink of glasses was a boost to the spirits.

End for now

End notes: Like it, do that review thing, let me know.

Pen 3/23/2019