Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.

I usually do not write for Taang, but here it goes for this one. Thanks for reading and please review!

"One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own."–John O'Donohue

Aang opened his eyes as he finished meditating. An exquisite sun was rising before him. The mountains that surrounded the Southern Air Temple were dark and eclipsed with mist. The sun was rising above them, creating a golden light that touched everything. The sky above was a deep purple and the stars were starting to fade. It was as if he were looking out onto a soft, golden heaven he could not touch.

The small white candles it front of him he extinguished as easily as they had lived with a careless wave of his hand. He was very aware of the pitter-patter of small feet behind him. A petite frame threw himself onto his back and he rolled over with a laugh. Bright blue eyes shined down at him from a pale face. Already at four years old, little Gyatso showed all the promising signs of being a waterbender. Aang had wondered briefly if it would have been more fitting for his son to have a Water Tribe name, but then the youngster had shown all of the signs of being an innocent prankster like his namesake. Gyatso would be a great waterbender one day… just like his mother.

"Dad!" Gyatso pouted on his chest. Aang sat up and held his son on his lap. Gyatso squirmed. "Aunt Toph woke me up again!"

Aang chuckled, much to his son's annoyance. Toph had been practicing her earthbending every morning, much to his son's displeasure. The child enjoyed his sleep as much as Sokka did. "Dad, Aunt Toph told me I have my mom's eyes," Gyatso said suddenly. He looked up at Aang with innocent curiosity. "Is that true?"

The hurt that was always there expanded every time he asked an innocent question. It was getting worse now that Gyatso was getting older and in the process more curious. "Yeah, you do," Aang admitted with a forced smile. For every time he looked at his son's eyes, he had to avoid the stabbing pain that came with it. Had it already been four years ago?

Aang did not stay any place very long with his son, but if any place could be called home it was here. They came here when they needed to and stayed as long as they wanted. Toph had come to travel with them for awhile, saying that Gyatso needed a "womanly influence." Aang had almost laughed when she had said that. She was still the tough earthbender through and through.

"Why don't you go play with Momo for awhile?" Aang offered. Momo chitter-chattered as he swept down from a nearby tree and onto his son's arm. Gyatso only giggled and started to run off. "Not too far and be careful!" Aang yelled after his son with a worried gaze. That boy was the only thing he had left of her…

"You sound like a nagging mother, kind of like my own parents," Toph drawled as she walked onto the touching scene.

Aang turned around and smiled. "He's growing up to fast for me to handle at times," He said bemused.

Toph plopped down next to him onto the ground like an earthquake. "You know, this is the first time I've been here," She remarked absent-mindedly. Aang looked at the golden light touching her skin. She was beautiful, but it rarely showed when she had all of her armor up. He was surprised he had not noticed it before. But then the last four years had been….he had not been himself for the longest time. "Usually you're supposed to respond, you know, like "I'm glad you're here" or "Thanks for coming," Toph continued with open sarcasm.

"I don't bring people here," Aang responded with an abashed face that she could not see, "This place is my home."

"Not a good pick, twinkle toes, this place is not very lively."

Aang shrugged, as always he forgot she could not see him. She was so strong that he forgot it easily. "I grew up here."

Toph yawned while stretching her arms. "You hear about Zuko?"

Aang looked at her sharply. "What happened? Something bad?"

"No," She continued while punching him in the arm. "Zuko finally caught up. He's a dad now."

"Oh," Aang replied, proud for his friend but wondering… "How did you know before me?"

"Because I am able to receive letters. I'm not traveling around nonstop, air-head." Toph shook her head. "His daughter was born a few months ago."

Toph was the only one now. Everyone else was married and with kids. A thought crossed his mind if it bothered her at all. Then he remembered he was the only other one not married. Not now anyways. Aang pushed the thoughts of her away. "So, everyone pressuring you to get married?" Toph asked with an air of teasing. "I heard that a lot of girls have been pursuing you whenever you actually set your twinkle toes on the ground for once."

Aang grimaced. They had been, no thanks to Iroh. Zuko had not been any help either. The whole world thought it to be their personal affair! Who else would be there to teach the next Avatar after himself. He was the only one who could have an airbending child, or at least possibly. And Gyatso…Gyatso was a waterbender. Aang could see their reasoning but he did not like it. Not one bit. "Yeah, unfortunately," He grumbled.

"Aang, I'm shocked. Most men dream having tons of girls chase after them willing to…" Toph did not need to finish her sentence before Aang cut her off with a return punch in the arm. "Hey, you can't hit your teacher!"

"You're not my teacher anymore."

"Oh…right," Toph admitted with an annoyed face, "But you are messing with a powerful earthbender."

"I am the Avatar, that pretty much beats it."

"Yeah, it does," Toph replied grudgingly with respect. A silence filled the air between them as the sun continued to rise.

"What's Gyatso doing?" Aang asked idly.

"Still playing with Momo and Appa has joined in." Loud crashing sound could be heard from the distance.

Aang sighed and started to get up. "I should go check on him."

"Aang?"

He looked back at Toph and the way she had spoke…the way she sat now…she looked delicate. Breakable for one of the few times he had ever seen. "Yeah?"

"If you ever want someone to throw some rocks at the girls," Toph offered with a grin, losing that look he had just witnessed, "I'll do it for you for free."

"Thanks Toph. I'll keep that in mind." Aang walked off to find his troublesome son. He had only recently started to feel better over the last year…ever since….

He did not think he could love someone again. Not in the way he had with Katara. Now that she was gone part of him was missing. But then…why did Toph's amused grin float in his mind, even if only for a second?