Disclaimer: I still own nothing, except my computer.
Rating upped due to blood, I'm not sure how that works so better safe than sorry.
Italics still thoughts.
As always,
Let me know what you think!
It had been three days since the play. Everyone in the group seemed to notice the change in the young Avatar. He was always off meditating, avoiding Katara and Zuko as much as he possibly could. He would remain absolutely silent during firebending training, bitterly noticing the fact that the waterbender would always watch. Afterwards he would bow and practically fly out of the small courtyard. He always found his way back to the roof. Nobody bothered looking up there for him, and he was pretty sure no one but Toph had even thought about why he was shunning everyone. An awkward shuffling alerted him to another presence. He quickly stood, ready to airbend the intruder away. A blue figure rolled onto the roof and offered him a dorky smile.
"What are you doing up here?" The water tribesman asked coming to sit next to the Avatar. The warrior watched curiously as the monk crossed his legs and took a few calming breaths. Whatever Aang was upset about was going to stay a secret.
"I'm meditating. I like being high off the ground." Sokka nodded, taking in the younger boy's tense posture.
"So there's nothing going on between you and anyone?" The monk's cheeks flared red, and his mouth gaped almost comically.
"No. Why would there be?" Brown eyebrows rose mockingly and Aang face palmed.
"Nothing between you and our Earthbender?" Wait… What? Aang looked over at the grinning face staring back at him and couldn't help but smile. "I saw her grab onto you at the play. What's going on with you two?" If his face was red before, he could only imagine what shade it was now.
"Nothing, she just really helped me out is all." Is that really all? Aang couldn't tell and he certainly wouldn't confide in Sokka. He once tried to get the teenagers help and ended up making a fool of himself.
"Well if you like her, I think you should just be you. I think she already likes you. She's the reason I'm up here!" Gray eyes narrowed at the oblivious teen smiling back at him. Of course Toph had sent someone to try and help him. With a small smile, the monk stood.
"Any idea where she is?"
"Last time we talked she was going to the beach." The airbender nodded and jumped off the roof, his feet propelling him towards the shore. "Yeah don't worry about me! I can't do that but, uhm, I'm an excellent climber!" A loud crash was the last thing Aang heard before the house was out of earshot. He skidded to a stop at the start of the sand. He spotted the small figure of Toph down by the water. He was surprised to see her standing in it. A small smile spread across his face as he approached her.
"How'd the talk with Snoozles go?" The Avatar snorted and rolled his eyes, looking out towards the endless blue expanse. The cool sea breeze was refreshing, the rich scent of salt in his nose made him relax.
"Well, he helped as best as he could." The earthbender chuckled, crossing her arms.
"That terrible, huh?" The monk nodded, not sure if the earthbender could sense it or not.
"Thank you. I know that it had to be awkward getting Sokka away from Suki." The Earthbender shrugged, apparently Aang wasn't the only one that didn't want to talk. Staring into the ocean a question rose in his mind. "Can I teach you how to swim?" The airbender looked as surprised as the girl next to him.
"Sure, Twinkletoes, it's not like I'm blind or anything." An awkward laugh was the only sound other than the crashing waves for a few moments. "I would like to know how to float. Ya know, so I don't almost drown again." He nodded forlornly, Suki told him the story of the time Toph almost sank. He couldn't help but remember how she kissed Suki thinking the Kyoshi Warrior was Sokka. Aang filled with an indescribable feeling as he imagined what would have happened if it had been the brown male to have saved her.
"Okay." Aang quickly worked out of his robe top and grabbed Toph's hand, leading the girl to the deeper part of the ocean. They were up to their chests before he stopped. "You feel the sand under you, right?" The girl nodded, her sightless eyes staring at the water she was immersed in. Slowly the water began to rise and Toph rose with it, standing on her tiptoes. "I won't let you drown." The monk stated, and she believed him. "Kick your feet, and move your arms." The kicking part was easy, but how does one move their arms while swimming?
"I can kick just fine, but unless you want me to die you'll have to show me how to move my arms." Light laughter came from the tattooed boy. She felt the water around her shift and was momentarily scared that he had left her. Reassuring hands came to rest on her forearms from behind. She jumped as a warm body made contact with hers. "No funny business Arrow boy." Laughing was becoming easier for him and she felt his chest rumble against her back. He was a lot stronger than he was when they first met. His arms seemed to have gained muscle and his stomach was toned. Her damp hair shook, trying to refocus, listening intently on his instructions and the movements. Her arms were sliding back and forth. The action was very fluid, almost like a waterbender. Perhaps swimming is a waterbending form?
"I'm going to let you go now, okay?" Without waiting for an answer he moved away, taking his warmth with him. The young monk surveyed the slightly struggling girl. Her bangs were damp and sticking to her cheeks, her eyes narrowed and determined. He smiled slightly as he took her in. She was pretty, how had he not noticed? He watched as the water rolled down her forehead and her lips began to stretch into a grin.
"I'm doing it!" She shouted, surprised she was actually able to swim. He cheered and waterbended the extra water away from them so they were once again at chest level. "But how will I get anywhere? I can only swim for so long." The monk thought for a bit but had no way of helping her with moving.
"Just call for me, and I'll come get you."
"Every time?" It was sarcastic and sassy but he knew want she wanted him to say.
"Every time." The boy gently put his arms around her. At first the earthbender was confused, but that confusion left the moment Aang's arm reared back then thrust straight forward, bending the water and making them fly backwards. They trekked out of the water, both of them smiling softly. The earthbender groaned and fell against the heated sand. It was coarse under her fingertips.
"I missed earth." Her toes sunk into the grainy substance and the boy planted himself down next to her. "You okay, Twinkles?" The boy nodded slightly then shrugged. The girl rolled her eyes. "Look just spill it and you'll feel better." She relaxed against the shifty ground, closing her eyes at the feel of the warm sun on her face.
"I just feel uncomfortable around them. I don't know how to act. How do you do it?" The girl in question shrugged, seemingly bored.
"I look at him as if he was a friend. I didn't want to push him away so I got over it. Now Snoozles and I are all good." A soft breeze rolled over them, helping to calm the agitated monk. Why couldn't he be as strong as Toph?
"I just thought we'd be together forever." He looked down, ashamed of his childish thoughts.
"Of course you did, she wasn't supposed to fall for the bad guy." Aang's face fell as she hit the nail right on the head. His shoulders slumped and he'd never felt as defeated as he did at that moment.
"No, she wasn't." His voice hitched and it was impossibly quiet, it was even difficult of Toph to hear. His face morphed into distress. His lips frowned, eyebrows knitted together. Gray eyes filled slightly with tears. "You are supposed to have your heart break when you're twelve. I just don't understand. Is it so weird to want to be with her?" The girl shrugged once more. Airbenders just love holding onto things, don't they?
"That's why I don't get attached, people will only let you down." Her strong voice washed over him, the words sinking into his skin. The boy huffed, no doubt upset by the implications her words had.
"But how do you know if you don't let them try?" Sightless eyes opened and one brow lowered. Are all airbenders so naive?
"Because I like my feet firmly planted on the ground. No stupid ninny is going to 'sweep me off my feet' forget that nonsense." The monk turned his head at his companion, frustration washing through him.
"You can't be alone forever! You need someone!" Needs someone or needs you? His mind growled at him.
"I don't NEED anyone. I only need me." She sat up quickly, sightless eyes meeting his chin in a glare.
"Why are you so afraid of attachment?" The girl blew at her bangs, a tell-tale sign that she is annoyed.
"I'm not afraid of anything airhead. I simply realize when something isn't worth my time." With an angry stomp she was on her feet, ready to walk away.
"Or you don't want it to be like your parents." He crossed his arms and glared at the straight figure. Did I take it too far? He watched as her face fell, a brief glimmer of hurt shining through before the angry mask slid back on. A small heel slammed into the loose grains, shooting Aang high into the air. He hit the far tree with a loud huff. "That could have gone better." The Avatar shuddered as he rubbed the back of his head. The small girl wandered away from the shore, Her mind racing. What happened to facing problems head on? Some earthbender she was turning out to be. She stopped dead in her tracks, she was the best earthbender ever. That has nothing to do with her family issues.
"Stupid dunderhead, he has no idea what I did to get here." She pushed away the memories of her escape. The cries of her mother, the angry shouts of her father as she dodged the guards attempts at capturing her. She shook the sounds away and refocused on her destination, which was uncertain at the moment. The girl shrugged, might as well look around the island. With precise steps she let her feet take her to a place where no one would bother finding her. After a few minutes of walking she felt the presence of another person. Whenever her steps would halt, the other person's would as well. She narrowed her eyes and shifted the ground under their feet. The figure hit the dirt with a thud.
"So it's true. Hello Miss Bei Fong." The girl's eyes widened. His heart beat evenly, he knew who she was without a doubt.
"How do you know who I am?" She questioned the man's prone form. His chuckles bounced off the stones around her.
"Well you are the most well-known earthbender in the world right now." She shifted, moving her ear closer to where the man lay. "That and your parents wanted me to come find you." She narrowed her eyes at the grass that lay in front of her.
"You're lying."
"So I am." The man quickly twirled, flames being released from his feet. The earthbender smirked, she needed the distraction. She was quick to erect a wall to protect from the hot fire licking at her legs. With a twist of her foot, a stone flew out from below her attacker, the rock smashing against his chin. He fell back, shaking off the injury. A slight smirk graced her features.
"You underestimate me." The man sneered, sparks danced along his fingertips as he unleashed his assault. The blind girl was surprised at his sudden ardor and created another barrier. More footsteps alerted her to a new presence. Without a second thought she launched a dual attack, rippling the ground around her.
"Whoa, easy Toph!" Twinkletoes? The girl turned towards the voice, not realizing that the man had jumped onto a broken tree to avoid her earthquake. An explosive attack alerted her of his presence. She turned towards the noise, the explosion destroying her shelter. She didn't pick up the stone in time and it collided with the side of her head. She wavered slightly, forming a wall behind her so she wouldn't fall.
"Leave Twinkles." The girl ground out, her anger skyrocketing. The man flipped off of his cover. Big mistake. With a few quick movements of her foot, the man was once again on his back.
"Argh, enough little girl!" His leg stretched, intent on unleashing a flurry of ember at her feet. With a simple gesture, her hand cut through the air, sinking the man's lower body into the earth. The form struggled, but couldn't break the bonds on his body.
"You're done chump. Next time, why don't you train before coming after me?" With a final glare she began walking away, the avatar hot on her trail.
"Toph, hold on! I'm sorry." The airbender quickly ran to her side. Gray eyes widened as he noticed blood running down her forehead and a rather nasty looking gash on her temple. "You're hurt, I'm sorry. Come on, we have to go back to Katara!" Milky green eyes glared at him, if looks could kill, the avatar spirit would need to find a waterbender. He flinched under her gaze, more apologies spewing from his mouth. "I shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't have distracted you. I should have helped you!" Finally the girl turned to face the monk.
"Cut it out. I'm not a baby. If you want me to see Katara then I will, just shut it Twinkles!" The rambling boy quickly snapped his jaw shut, not wanting to provoke her wrath. Dejectedly, he began walking back to the house, Toph following silently behind.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, his guilt washing over him. Lately it seemed as though he couldn't do anything right.
"I'm not letting you off the hook that easy." Her voice seemed weak, she lost the fire she normally had when planning payback. The monk chanced a glance at his companion, more than shocked to see her steps lost their precision and the steady girl was stumbling. Without worrying about her wrath, the nomad grabbed her back and under her knees, lifting the girl off the ground. "What's the big idea Twinkletoes?" Foggy eyes looked straight into his.
"I'm trying to make it up to you." He couldn't mention the fact he was worried about her, if he did the girl would most likely bend him to the other side of the island. She shrugged, her arms lifting to wrap around his neck. Her wound seemed worse up close and the avatar ran as fast as he could back to the beach house. Sometime during the run, her arms had gone limp and the girl lost consciousness. If this seriously injured her, he would never forgive himself.