yeah, this is a tad depressing but, i did my best. anyway, read, review and enjoy. still doing Linumi and Linzin. also am doing stories like aang and Kya. Katara and Bumi like, parenting bonding jazz. so hit me up.

Item: Toy store

Pairing: Lin/Toph bonding

Prompt by: AddictedFangirl101

Toph stood outside of her daughter's school and waited patiently for her daughter to come to the school gate where she usually met her aunt Katara. Toph put on her usual smirk as she felt the young earthbender nearing her. "Hey badgermole, how was school?"

"Fine."

Toph found it odd that her usually cheerful daughter was dragging her feet, her voice had lost its usual attitude and her heart beat was slower, not full of its usual energy. "What's wrong Lin?"

"Nothing, I just want to go home. Please?"

Toph said no more and began to lead the way home, when a brilliant idea crossed her mind.

"Mum, where are we going?"

"Well, uncle Sokka's number one all time cure for when you're upset, is shopping." They rounded the corner and Lin's eyes lit up. "So I thought we could go toy shopping."

"I'm not upset"

"I can tell you're lying. But I'm going to ignore that. Just go pick out a toy that you will be happy with."

Lin wondered through the toy store in awe as her eyes brushed the shelves, trying to decide what toy would be best, when she spotted a stuffed teddy bear. She reached out and took the toy into her arms, running her fingertips through the soft fur. "Mum, can I get this one?"

"Sure thing badgermole."

With the toy paid for, Toph decided to top off the day by buying ice cream and eating it under a tree in the park. "So kid, why a teddy bear?"

"I dunno. I guess it's someone I can talk to." The little girl gave the bear a pat on the head. "Isn't that right Mister Teddy?"

"Someone to talk to?"

"Yeah. I have no one to talk to at school and no one to talk to at home."

Toph's heart grew heavy as it became apparent why her daughter was so unhappy.

"Mum," Lin's throat was dry as tears began to well up, "I have no friends."

Toph shoved the last bit of her ice cream in her mouth and pulled Lin into her lap. "You do have friends. Tenzin's your friend. I'm your friend. Sokka, Aang, Katara, they're all your friends."

"I know but I want to make friends of my own."

"Well, why don't the other kids want to play with you?"

"Because my bending is better than theirs. They say that because I'm a Beifong, it's unfair. And the non benders don't want to play with me because I can bend and they can't."

Toph suppressed the urge to laugh, instead choosing to hold Lin closer. "Well, I can't change your bending abilities because you're my kid and we are the best earthbenders in the world. But I can say that it will get better. As those kids learn the things you have, they will want to treat you as an equal. And who knows, you might find someone who likes you for you. It's all a matter of time."

It helped Lin a little bit, knowing that one day she will have friends. "Okay. But until then, Mister Teddy is my best friend."

Toph let out a small chuckle and ran a hand through her daughter's hair. "I thought I was your best friend. After all, you're mine."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay, then Mister Teddy is my second best friend."

"Sounds good badgermole, sounds good."