Power to Destroy
For #25:
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." –Abraham Lincoln.
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She had been raised her whole life on how important it is to give. She knew that to give was to be selfless and kind. She understood the effect selfishness had on other people; on other nations. She had seen it first hand.
But that didn't mean Toph was going to be completely selfless. She'd already given up everything she had. She gave up her protection, her home, her family; her constant supply of the best cooking money could buy. She gave up her entire life. Or, her old life as she counted it.
To her, she'd done so much for them already. She wasn't going to do this. No way. It was the only thing she had left.
"That's it Aang! If that monkey steals one more morsel of delicious food from me I'm going to eat it!"
She never considered herself a love struck dreamer. She hated the thought of being one. But, she did listen in to the maids talking about love. Although she'd never admit it, she had hoped she'd feel the same about someone one day.
Through the maids she learned about all forms of love. Of selfish love, passionate love, selfless love, and just the love of friends.
They also taught her about heartbreak. She would hear one crying for days because their love had left them, or had chosen another. She then realized that the love she wanted to feel was nothing more than giving someone the power to destroy you, and being helpless if they decided to. That's when she decided to lock away her heart, so no one could destroy her.
That was tested, though, when she met him. It wasn't his looks—she couldn't see them anyway—and it wasn't his wit. It wasn't that he never treated her as anything less than an equal. It wasn't even his ample amount of sarcasm that matched hers. She wasn't even sure what it was that made her feel like she would gladly let herself be destroyed if he wanted it.
She just knew protecting her heart was out of the picture. He'd already taken it.
"Momo, you smell funny."
He was just too selfish to give her his own.
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For Coeus who asked for a one-sided, unrequited Toph/Sokka that wasn't set during The Serpent's Pass or had anything to do with swimming.
Didn't exactly follow prompt there, but I think it turned out okay. I didn't want it to be about Ozai or Sozin, those were the obvious choices. Even Azula was pushing it close. But Coeus was a lifesaver:P Although it may not be specifically unrequited Tokka, you can still get the feeling there. I hope.
-mcl