Disclaimer: Do I really have to put this on every chapter? I don't own Avatar, Toph, Sokka, Aang, Katara, Suki, Mai, Zuko, or the river village that was seen in episode 303 The Painted Lady.
33. Rival.
"This once used to be polluted rundown fishing town?" Suki asked in disbelief as they looked at the now beautiful river city. For some reason, Katara had dragged them out of the Royal City and to the little old fishing village they had visited on their travels to see if the city had been improved since they had stopped by. And spirits, where the not disappointed.
What once was a rumble tumble of dingy and small shacks and huts that made even the abodes of the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se look like mansions was now a beautiful, sprawling city of actual buildings that looked sturdy and able to stand up against a storm. The narrow plank walkways that creaked as they walked over them, where now broad walkways that could hold multiple ostrich horse pulled carriages. And somehow, probably with the help of some Earthbenders, they had been able to build a park in the center of town. Sokka looked for his friends, finding Katara basking in the praise the citizens showered her with, and Aang standing next to her and smiling. And further down, walking down the new walkways towards a large pavilion, were Toph and Zuko … hand in hand.
"What?" Sokka screeched, as he marched over to the couple, scowling at the thought of his bestfriend Toph holding hands, with Zuko, who used to be his bestfriend, but now he'd been demoted to Fire Nation scum. Sokka reached them, and yanked Toph away from the Fire Nation scum.
"What are you doing?" Toph yelled, trying to break free from his grip.
"What are you doing?! You always hold onto me when you need to! Not… Zuko," He spit out like he was saying something detestable like rapist or Azula.
"I didn't think you'd want to," Toph answered simply.
"Of course I want to!" Sokka yelled. Zuko really didn't think he was needed in the conversation, and he fled to the safety of Mai, who was lethargically looking at knives in a store for weapons.
"Well, you're always with Suki so I just thought…" Toph muttered off.
"Well, you thought wrong. I love you!" Toph dropped his hand and slid away from him.
"I mean, I love you … like a friend… but like, more than my friends… well, I don't know Toph. I just… I want to hold your hand not stupid… Zuko." Sokka finished lamely, not exactly sure where he was going with this.
"I want to hold your hand not stupid… Suki." Toph mimicked.
"Oh shut up," He muttered and he grabbed her hand and they walked past the confused citizens who had watched the exchange.
"So… you like holding my hand?" Toph asked, for that's what they were doing. It wasn't like before, when she would clutch to his arm; no, they were, fingers laced, sweaty palms touching, tingly feelings, holding hands.
"Yes." He answered. And he waved to the passing by couple in a rickshaw who waved back and called them a "lovely couple".
"As much as you like holding Suki's hand?" Toph asked and they turned a corner and Toph stumbled, falling into Sokka.
"It's different than holding Suki's." He expected her to ask if that was a good thing, to which he have to admit that he had no idea what that meant, but she didn't. She was quiet for the remainder of the walk, even when they passed by the couple of boys by the produce market who wolf whistled at her.
"By the way, I like holding your hand too," Toph said softly. They had made they're way to Suki and she looked at the two of them, and Sokka felt Toph's hand start to pull away, when he tightened his hold and they took another walk around the city.
AN: I have nothing to say about this one, except that's its one of my favorites. Oh yeah, and reviews are greatly appreciated! I really want to know what you readers are thinking, even if you think it sucks.