AN: Seriously guys every SINGLE one of you I thank from the bottom of my heart for the feedback! LOVE YOU! Don't worry this is not the end of the series an epilouge shall follow :) Oh! And I would really like some feedback about this chapter. I want to know how you feel about it's modesty. Was I too... I don't know, forward? You'll understand as you read. Thanks a million!
Even through my crazed stupor I heard those words loud and clear. "I love you." And without a doubt in my heart I answered. "I love you too." He wrapped me tighter in his embrace and held me together. He had always been there, ever since the beginning. Even when we first began traveling together he was always there to keep things smooth between me and the rest of the group. And now instead of a being like a soothing ointment on a burn, he was the glue that held me together. He had been for the past few months. He was the best part of me.
I heard and felt Jai Ling's lungs struggling to pass air through his blood-flooded windpipe. I wanted to hurt him. He deserved so much more than what I had already done. I kick and clawed pathetically as Sokka lifted me into his arms and stood. I pushed and pounded against his chest, starting to cry again, but he only held fast and carried me away from the building where my rapist lay. I was too compromised to tell if he was really dying or not. I didnt care if he did.
I fell limp in Sokka's arm, admitting defeat. I could already feel the stiffness in my muscles. I hadn't earthbent like that since before I as pregnant with Lin and my body was paying the price. Before I had registered what was going on, Sokka had slung me around to his back and hooked his arms underneath my knees. I felt like a child, riding piggyback, but I was too worn to care. He carried me through the snow-dusted streets. I was drifting between awareness and I barely remembered being sat down and the sound of a tarp being shaken out.
It was a tiny tent Sokka had made, even if we both scooted as far away from each other as possible we would still be brushing shoulders. But it was too cold to bother with such petty matters. He had only brought enough supplies for himself which meant only one sleeping bag and a tarp large enough for he only. And in my haste I had forgotten a sleeping bag, but it didn't matter, we still would have wound up squeezing into one. We laid with our chest touching, something we'd only done a few times before. It was more... intimate like this, something new to both of us.
A blush creeped onto my cheeks and ears when I found my arms pinned between us, his strong arms around my shoulders holding me flush against him. He was so close, and so warm. I wished I could see what he truly looked like, the color of his eyes, the tone of his skin. But, I could see his every move, every change in breath, every heartbeat. I got to see his inner workings, what truly made Sokka Sokka. I cozied into his chest and let out a content sigh. His arm shifted and the curl of his index finger was under my chin. He lifted my face to his, his warm breath floating over my face. A shiver ran down my spine, and not from the cold. "You're so beautiful, Toph." His lips touched mine tenderly and softly as though I was a delicate piece of bone china. Being treated this way from Sokka held different meaning than when I received like treatment from my parents... or anyone else for that matter. I would have hated it, but this was special, he was special and he made me feel special, loved. I pressed my lips against his demanding more than just a soft kiss. He obeyed my command with fervor and before I knew it my fingers had tugged his wolftail free and the rough heels of his hands were under my shirt on my waist.
I shivered at his touch. It was new it was different and it was addictive. I had to push him away when he pinned me on my back, kissing my neck passionately. "Slow down," I panted, voice quivering. He stopped immediately and laid back down beside me, our legs intertwined at the ankles.
"Sorry," he muttered pressing a sweet kiss below my ear.
"It's ok. I just need... more time." It was true in two aspects. I was still shifty about anyone touching me intimately and regardless that I was no longer a virgin, I was still going to wait to be married.
"I understand." And I knew he did, and not only did he just understand, he was ok with it. He was ok with waiting... well at least me waiting, I did really know about him... waiting... and besides it wasnt like we were potentially going to get married or was quiet while I worried my bottom lip with my teeth. Was it really ok for me to ask?
"Sokka, did you um... ever... you know..."
He understood right away. "Once. But after that... I decided I wanted to wait for my wife, and not a girlfriend or fiancée, but my wife. I don't know it just seems more special that way. You understand."
It wasn't a question. I understood. Understood more definitely than he would ever know because I had that choice ripped away from me and now... my first time, my real first time, would be even more important and more special. "Yeah," I murmured.
We arrived home to a very relived pair of master benders. "Oh, you're ok!" Katara cried jerking her brother into her arms. "Yeah-
"We're fine," I finished. Lin, who Aang held, immediately perked up at the sound of my voice and her chubby hands grabbed in my direction. I immediately burst into tears and snagged her from Aang. I held her close to my chest and ran my hands over her soft form, making sure she was unchanged from two days ago. "I'm sorry, Lin, I'm so sorry," I cried kissing her forehead and burying my nose in her wisps of hair. I heard Katara and sharply scolding Sokka. I didn't want to stick around for what lashing she would surely give me. I locked myself in my room and sat on my bed, trying to rein in my sobs. I missed my baby girl so much and I felt so guilty for leaving her like I did. I would never do it again. I promised her that. I cradled her to my chest and allowed her to suckle as I rocked her side to side. I hadn't realized I would miss the unique comfort of a mother with her child at her breast this much.
Katara allowed me nearly a whole day with Lin, but when evening came and Lin had been put to bed for the night, I walked into the living room and waited for the sting of her words. And they came- they came in an onslaught of sharp scolds and reprimands. I was already well aware of all the things I had done when she repeated them back to me. I felt so horrible. When Katara saw the tears rolling down my cheeks and the silent cries I forced back she came and hugged me tightly, saying she was sorry but that she was just so angry. I told her not to say such a thing. I deserved everything she said and more, I knew I had done wrong.
Aang and Katara said they would be leaving in a few days, whenever the next break in the weather came. The snow was finally starting to melt, but spring came with sharp, cold teeth and freezing rain. Not exactly prime flying weather to say the least.
A few days later and Aang announced he could feel a shift in the wind; warm weather. At that news Sokka suddenly became very nervous and secluded. He was acting strange again... not that strange was anything different than what he normally was, but this was different. He was acting like he was before he received that latter from Zuko.
On the day Aang and Katara were to leave, early in the morning, Sokka convinced me to let them have the last few hours with Lin and took me down to the creek. However, upon my arrival I found something to be a bit out of place. "Oh, Sokka! A picnic!?" I grinned. I hated to admit I was being a totally diz-brained girl but it was just so hard not to be with Sokka around. He really thought up some romantic stuff. Ever since we had come back from the confrontation with Jai Ling, Sokka had started treating me to official dates. Official and fancy dates.
Ok I lied. They weren't fancy but they were very well thought out and romantic. I loved it. I'm not going to lie.
He had taken the liberty to set out a soft blanket under a blooming Sakura tree. It smelled wonderful, not to mention the pleasant, clear gurgle of the creek. The spring birds had even begun to come back from their winter travels and sing. In the center of the blanket was a little vase of wild flowers. He must have searched forever to find some that were almost fully bloomed. It made my heart race. "I love you," I murmured into his ears, standing on my tiptoes. I could feel his face flush and I smiled.
And hour later found us both laughing hysterically at some joke Sokka had told. I wiped a tear from my eye and caught my breath. I reached over and grabbed one of the sweet-cakes he had packed for us. At the same time, he had reached for the same one and our fingers brushed. But when I tried to pull away, he wrapped his calloused fingers around my hand. He shuffled over on his knees and sat down behind me. His fingers found the little knots in my shoulders where they had kinked from me getting back into the swing of regular earthbending. "Mmm," I moaned, letting my head fall back on his chest. I could feel a smirk tug at the corner of his lips.
After a few minutes I noticed his heart rate speed up exceptionally. It had been a little fast all morning but now it was blatantly obvious he was nervous. He stopped rubbing my shoulders and his hands touched his thighs. "So they're been something I've wanted to ask you for a while."
I sighed, my muscles loose and relaxed now. "And what's that?" I asked rolling my shoulders.
His hand dipped into a pocket. "I wondered if you would marry me?"
My. Whole. World. Stopped.
Marry him? Marry my very best friend? The man who I had know for a decade? My glue? The best part of me?
"Yes," I whispered twisting around to face him. "Yes!" I threw my arms around his shoulders and he kissed me hard.
"I- love- you- so- much- Toph," he said between kisses.
"I love you too Sokka, Spirits I love you too," I cried joyfully. We pulled away and he rose to his knees and shuffled behind me. "Well, I guess you'll be needing this," he said as a cool stone touched the hollow of my throat. My fingers immediately reached up to touch it. How hadn't I noticed it before? It was made of stone for crying out loud! It was smooth, probably a rich, rich jade. I could feel and see the perfect partnership of an earth kingdom symbol within a water tribe symbol. "It's perfect," I smile as his hands left my neck.
"I love you."
