A/n: So this is officially the one place I will post my Tokka oneshots. I only have a few, but that's not to say I won't right others when I have the time. So here's another one shot, not as dramatic as the last one, but equally sweet. Enjoy!
Sokka sat down after a satisfying breakfast. Now he could relax and do as he felt, a rare occasion. Aang and Katara were off to practice water bending in a nearby pond, leaving him to enjoy himself.
That is until a thought ran through his head. Where was Toph? She hadn't been there that morning sharing the group's morning meal.
Sokka took a glance around the camp. There was her earth tent, undisturbed and just as sturdy as the previous night. Odd, usually it was gone by this time.
He got up from his comfortable sitting position, with much effort, and walked over to Toph's earth tent. He knocked carefully on one of its walls, not wanting to anger the young earthbender within.
"Toph?"
There was an audible groan and the sound of her shifting position. Sokka tried again, a bit louder.
"Toph?"
This time he got a more comprehendible response, "What is it?"
"It's just, well, we've already had breakfast, cleaned up camp, and you're still asleep."
The walls of the earth tent sank abruptly in the earth and Sokka was suddenly standing in front of a grumpy Toph, her tousled head turned in his direction. "Well I;m not asleep now, am I?"
But Sokka noticed something different. Her voice was more hoarse and rough, she was also a bit unsteady on her feet and her face was faintly flushed.
"Toph, are you feeling okay?"
"Never felt better," she replied gruffly.
Sokka didn't buy it. He placed his palm on her forehead under her long bangs. He recoiled instantly from the heat, "Toph, you have a fever. I think you should rest, take it easy."
"I'm fine Sokka, I can take care of myself." She growled.
"No, seriously Toph. You're sick."
"No, I'm not, I'm just a bit groggy, that's all." At that moment, Toph lost her balance and began to fall backward. Luckily, Sokka noticed and steadied her. "But, maybe you're right."
Even though his sleeping bag was already rolled up nice and neat, he spread it out on the ground next to where Appa was laying. "Here Toph."
"I don't need a sleeping bag, or your sympathy. I'll be fine on my own."
Sokka didn't want to argue with the belligerent earthbender. "Look Toph, I'm helping you because I care for you , not because I feel sorry for you. I know you're not feeling well, but I'm just trying to help you."
Toph had been convinced by this, he had broken through her harsh exterior, and now she listened. She settled into his sleeping bag and snuggled down into the fluffy blankets and furry trim. Her fever was getting worse. Her skin was sweaty and pale and her voice more raspy. Sokka sat next to where she was and looked down at her. Perhaps some water would help the situation.
Since the pond had more than enough water for both Katara and Aang to bend, the water bottle had been left at camp. Sokka reached over for it, uncorked it, and placed it into Toph's hands. She had enough strength to sit up and take a long draft from the water container. Then she plopped back into the warmth of the thick sleeping bag, and began to doze feverishly.
Sokka continued to sit by her, trying to provide some comfort to the ill Toph by gingerly stroking her head with his finger tips. Despite Toph's sweating, chills visibly ran up and down her spine. She continuously shifted position as Sokka watched over her, concern expressed through his facial features.
A while later, Toph opened her sightless eyes halfway, not making a difference in her visually acuity. She felt someone's hand on her forehead. It felt nice and cool to her overheated body. "Sokka? Is that you?"
He quickly withdrew his hand as his voice reassured Toph's guess at the hand's owner, "Yeah, it's me. Just go back to sleep and get some more rest before Katara comes back."
Toph merely nodded the best she could. There was silence, until she broke it once again. "Could you keep talking? I just like know I'm not here by myself. I can't 'see' in this sleeping bag of yours, you know."
Asking Sokka to talk was like asking a bird to sing. He was happy to do so, conversation came naturally to him. "Sure, Toph. What should I talk about?"
"I don't know," Toph muttered, "The South Pole. I've never been there, what's it like?"
Sokka paused momentarily before launching into the description, "The South Pole? It's cold, and it's covered in snow and ice everywhere, you have to wear many layers of thick clothing just to keep warm. And there are penguins always waddling around. Katara and mine's village isn't that big, just a small gathering of homey igloos. It's a simpler life than one you'd live in the Fire Nation, of the Earth Kingdom, but it's home to me."
Sokka stopped his recollection and noticed that Toph had closed her eyes, but he wasn't sure if she was sleeping. He watched her fondly; she finally looked peaceful. Quite a difference from the rough and tumble tomboy she usually was. She was curled up under the covers on her side, facing him. Sokka cautiously felt her forehead and began to stroke it again when he was sure she wouldn't jump at him for doing so. He smiled and began to hum and old lullaby from his native land. He couldn't remember the words, but the melody was unforgettable as he hummed it for Toph.
Unexpectedly, her right hand strayed to his that was on her forehead. She gripped it, and held it close. It was a strong grip, not that anything less could be expected from the greatest earthbender. Sokka was slightly taken aback by the action, but soon recovered, and caringly squeezed back, more gently than she had.
Sokka saw Toph smile. It wasn't her victory smirk, or a knowing sneer, but a content smile, one of pure pleasure and happiness.
His became equally happy and loving.
And that's how Aang and Katara found them when they returned from the pond. The midday sun beginning to descend from its peak.
A/n: D'aw, how sweet, hopefully not too fluffy for your taste, I try to keep it reasonable, in character, and believable. Please tell me what you though of it.