"Hey guys!" Aang greeted as he and Katara emerged from the stairs leading to the upstairs lounge of the Jasmine Dragon. They found Sokka nestled comfortably on a couch browsing through the Gaang's Companion like he did rather often these days, while Toph was settled on another couch engaged in one of her favorite pastimes besides earthbending and coaching lily livers - picking toes.
"Hey Twinkletoes," Toph said, acknowledging her first earthbending student's presence. "Back from your lovers' walk with Sugar Queen?"
"What lovers' walk?" Aang asked in an attempt to look innocent, but his blush gave him away. Not that Toph could see it, but the quickening pace of his heartbeat told her all she needed to know.
"Where's Zuko?" Katara asked as she took a seat on the couch next to Sokka.
"Dunno," was her brother's simple reply.
"Well, that told us a lot." Katara peered over her brother's shoulder at the book. "So you haven't found anything good to read yet?"
Sokka shrugged. "They're pretty much all the same. Either a new character from what the authors call their world enters our universe and ends up meeting and falling in love with Zuko, or a new character who's usually either a firebender or waterbender or both - "
"Sounds familiar," Katara muttered, remembering her fictional elder sister Kara.
" - winds up meeting or falling in love with Zuko, or a new character who's actually an Air Nomad who either got frozen in an iceberg and escaped the comet or was a descendant of other Air Nomads who escaped the comet joins our group and ends up meeting and falling in love in Zuko."
Katara raised an eyebrow. "So all these authors write about new characters falling in love with Zuko?"
"No, they also write about you falling in love with Zuko. In fact, a lot of the stories in here tend to feature you with Zuko."
The waterbender sighed in exasperation. "Doesn't anyone remember that I'm actually dating Aang?"
"Well, some of them do, but they're not much compared to the Zutarians."
"What's a Zutarian?" Aang asked, for although he missed most of the conversation he did catch the last sentence.
"The people who like, or 'ship' as they call it, Katara and Zuko call themselves Zutarians, while people who ship Katara with you are Kataangers," Sokka explained.
"Oh." Aang paused and blinked. "So these authors only write about either Zuko or me with Katara?"
Sokka sighed. "Aang, haven't all the stories we've read before told you anything? These people write all sorts of stuff about us, not just romance! There's that time the Cabbage Merchant tried to kill you..."
"Oh, right." Aang didn't look too happy at the memory.
"And the time you and I went to rescue Katara and Toph from Momo the evil giant lemur..."
"Actually, it was Zuko and his evil giant lemur."
"Thanks for the correction, Aang. And speaking about Zuko, there's also the time he rescued you and two ended up - "
"Okay, okay, I get the idea!" Aang quickly grabbed the Companion from Sokka's lap as it was the only thing he could think of to distract his friend to blurt out the whole affair that he had tried so hard to forget. He turned the page and read the first title he saw. "Coming Out. What do you think that's about?"
"About people coming out, of course, though I can't tell what," Toph answered from her place on the other couch.
"You share my brother's talent for answering questions." Katara leaned across Aang to read the summary. "It's five years past the war, and Sokka has called a Gaang reunion. Toph and Katara have some news, and now is the perfect time to tell them." She paused. "Also, there's something about 'Katoph', but I don't know what that is."
Sokka scratched his chin thoughtfully. "'Katoph'... I think I'm supposed to be able to know what that means, but I got nothing yet."
"Add that to the list of things you 'should-know-but-don't-know' then." Toph sat up on her couch. "Since it's got me in it, I think we should go for it. Start reading, Twinkletoes."
"You ready Sugar Queen?" Toph called into the house. Aang was going to be there any minute and Katara was still packing.
"Yes!" She cried, dragging three suitcases behind her.
"Geez Sugar Queen, the reunion is just one weekend; you don't need to bring your whole wardrobe." Katara made a face before remembering that Toph couldn't see it.
"Well, at least she remembered," Toph smirked. "Luckily you didn't have much of a wardrobe to bring with you when we were traveling around the world, otherwise we'd definitely have wasted more time waiting for you to pack up."
"Oh no, we wouldn't. I for one would see to that." Sokka puffed up his chest importantly.
Toph sighed. "Right, I forgot you're the schedule master of finagling."
Katara was still leaning across Aang to see the book's content. "Apparently, Toph and I are living together in here. I suppose Aang was supposed to pick us up for Sokka's reunion as mentioned in the summary."
"Funny how you would decide to live with me instead of Twinkletoes," Toph remarked. "I know you're very fond of me," she grinned, "but it's rare to see you choose anyone over Aang."
"Maybe your apartment got so dirty, she had to live with you to keep it tidy," Sokka suggested.
Katara shot a look at her brother. "Do I look like a maid-for-hire to you?"
"Of course not, I don't even have to hire you to get you to do my laundry." Katara huffed indignantly at her brother's response and nudged Aang to get him to continue the story, not noticing the faint blush on his cheeks that arose from her being practically spread out across his lap.
"He's here!" Katara leaned over to give her girlfriend a peck on the cheek.
Toph blinked. "Woah, woah, woah - girlfriend?!"
"It's no big deal, Toph," Katara told her. "The story probably meant 'girlfriend' as in close female friend, not 'girlfriend' as in, uh, girlfriend."
"You mean like those chummy buddies we always see around Ba Sing Se gossiping together while doing their nails at a salon or something?" Toph nodded her head, beginning to see sense now.
"But why would Katara kiss Toph on the cheek?" Aang wondered.
"Because she's very fond of her, like Toph said before," Sokka replied. "It's just a way of showing affection."
"Yeah, like how I punch people in the arm. That's how I show affection," Toph piped up.
"Thanks Toph, I think I remember that part," Katara said, remembering what happened after their girls' day out back during their first visit to Ba Sing Se. "You can continue reading, Aang."
"Remember," warned Toph. "No PDA until we tell them. We don't need anyone guessing."
"Alright."
"What's PDA?" Sokka, who usually didn't voice his what-is-it questions aloud while reading stories, asked without holding back.
Surprisingly enough, it was Aang who answered. "Maybe it's a 'personal digital assistant'."
"Oh." Sokka blinked. "What's that?"
"I... I don't know." Aang stared down confusedly at the book. "It - it just - "
"Popped up in your mind, we know," Toph finished for him. "Maybe the book's cosmic energy is starting to infect your Avatar spirit thingy, Twinkletoes."
Sokka snorted. "This thing has cosmic energy?"
"More than you, at least."
"Gee, thanks for the comment."
"You're welcome."
Appa landed on the cliff just outside Toph's school. Aang disembarked by way of air scooter, landing just in front of the two girls.
"Hey guys!" The avatar exclaimed.
"Typical Twinkletoes greeting," Toph commented. "Wasn't that exactly what you said when you and Katara came back?"
"Yeah." Aang looked up from the book at his friends. "So this is another of those stories where our fictional selves are surprisingly identical to our real selves?"
"Looks like it," Katara said.
"'Sup Twinkletoes. It's been too long." The earthbender greeted him with a hug.
Aang winced slightly, remembering Toph's hugs and how he'd be gasping for air afterwards. Former Earth Rumble Six competitors do tend to have strong arms.
"Hi Aang." said Katara awkwardly. Things had been like that since their break-up two years ago.
Aang looked as if he had been struck with lightning all over again. "Katara and I broke up?!"
"Relax Aang, it's just a story," Sokka reassured him.
"And just two lines ago you were saying how this is one of those stories where our fictional selves are surprisingly identical to our real selves. Better hope that wasn't true, eh Twinkletoes?" Toph smirked.
"Hi Katara." An awkward silence began to settle, broken only when Toph spoke up.
"C'mon Twinkletoes, our luggage won't load itself."
"Yup, that's me." Toph shrugged casually. "Toph Beifong, master of breaking awkward atmospheres."
"Or creating them," Sokka added. "What about the time when Katara said she has a surprise for us and you went saying it was that she had a thing with Haru?"
The earthbender threw up her hands in an 'isn't-it-obvious?' gesture. "Oh come on! Don't tell me I'm the only one who noticed there was something going on between them!"
"The only thing going on would've been her initial surprise at Haru's addition of facial hair."
"Yeah, which is one of the things he has that you don't."
"Shut up, Toph."
The ride on Appa was sufficiently awkward, Aang drove and Katara and Toph sat in the saddle trying not to give anything away.
"Give what away?" Aang asked.
"I dunno. The Katara and Toph in the story must be really good at not giving things away, because we don't know what it is yet," Sokka answered.
"Maybe Sugar Queen and I prepared some seal jerky for you, Snoozles," Toph suggested.
"Aw, thanks, that's very sweet of yo - "
"Which I sneaked fire peppers into," Toph added with a smirk.
Sokka sent a glare at her which she couldn't see. "Remind me never to eat anything you give to me."
"So Katara," Aang took a stab at conversation. "You've been living with Toph for a while now."
"Yeah, I've been helping out with the school."
"It's been great having a healer around. The lily livers are so uncoordinated."
"So it isn't because of Toph's dirty apartment after all?"
"Snoozles, do you really think I can't handle living on my own?"
"Would you even bother with cleaning if you were living by yourself?"
"To be completely honest... no."
"Well, there you go."
Toph sent a (sightless) dirty look at Sokka. "Anyway, I suppose it would be a good idea to have Sugar Queen around at the school. I was right in the story: the lily livers really need a good healer full time."
"Is it because they're really that bad at metalbending or because of all the pushups you make them do every day."
The blind girl sent another sightless glare at the Water Tribe teen. "Sometimes I think the world would be a better place if you were born dumb."
"But then how could I read crazy stories to you guys?"
"For one, it's Aang reading this particular story, and I suggest he continues just to shut you up." Aang took the hint and returned to the book promptly.
"Here we are!" Aang pointed down as they flew over Ba Sing Se to the Jasmine Dragon. As Appa landed behind the tea shop, Sokka and Iroh came out.
"Is anyone else here yet?" Katara asked, hugging her brother.
"Nope, but Zuko and Mai should be here any minute."
Toph raised an eyebrow. "Mai? Since when has she been part of our group?"
"She was with us after the war at the Jasmine Dragon," Aang pointed out.
"Yeah, but when has she ever been really one of us? Almost every time we met she's been shooting knives at us."
"Actually, she did help Zuko and I escape from the Boiling Rock, along with Dad and Suki," Sokka piped up.
Toph shrugged. "Well, if you say so."
"Where's Suki?" Aang asked.
"On her way. She had to stay longer on Kyoshi, but she should be here within tomorrow."
"Is there a place to put down our stuff?" Toph asked Iroh.
"Sounds like Toph all right; always about the here and now," Sokka muttered to himself.
"Right this way." He led them to the guest house, a low building behind the shop. Toph and Katara took rooms next to one another, across from Aang and Sokka. After storing their things, they proceeded to the tea shop. They sat drinking tea and catching up until Zuko and Mai arrived.
"Zuko!" Iroh hugged his nephew.
"Hello Uncle, it's been too long."
"Hi," Was Mai's terse greeting.
"I see you're your usual cheery self today." Came Toph's sarcastic reply.
"I guess I don't really change much, even in crazy stories," Toph remarked.
"Nice to see you too." Oddly enough, Mai did seem happier than usual.
"What a miracle," Sokka explained. "Next thing you know Azula's turned vegetarian and Ozai's taken up yoga."
"Is it really that surprising for Mai to be happy?" came a voice from the stairs. The four looked up to see Zuko walking towards them. Toph immediately moved over and made way for Zuko to sit on the couch.
"Hey Sifu Hotman," Aang greeted, grinning as Zuko winced at the nickname. "Where'd you been?"
"I was running a few errands for Uncle. What story are you guys reading this time?"
"Snoozles will explain to you," Toph said, waving a hand at a surprised Sokka, "and in the meantime, Twinkletoes can continue reading."
"Hey, since when have I volunteered to explain things to Zuko?" Sokka protested.
"Since five seconds ago. Now start." Sokka groaned before turning to Zuko.
"Okay, so Katara and Toph are living together and Katara's helping out in Toph's school. Then..."
She and the Firelord went to the guest house and returned shortly, devoid of luggage. Pleasantries were exchanged and they all enjoyed their tea. Zuko and Mai seemed to be having a nonverbal discussion
"Wonder what that'll be like?" Katara glanced coyly at Zuko, who suddenly felt a little hot under his collar.
while Sokka entertained the group with an anecdote from his life on Kyoshi.
Sokka's eyes lightened up. "Does that mean I'm living with Suki?"
"No, because if you did she'd have come with you," Toph responded.
The Water Tribe teen shrugged. "The story did mention she had to stay behind for a while longer, so maybe she just had some important business and told me to go ahead without her first. Man, I'd love living with Suki," he said dreamily.
"Why, because then you'd have a chance to live in sanitary conditions without your sister around?" Toph smirked.
"Yeah, right. At least I know how to clean my room."
"Which unfortunately you don't do often enough," Katara added.
"Thanks for saying that. Geez, whose side are you on anyway?"
"Toph's."
"Sorry Snoozles," Toph grinned, looking not too sorry as Sokka groaned again.
After Sokka's tale, Zuko cleared his throat.
"Mai and I have some news. We were going to wait for Suki to be here to tell you, but I couldn't wait." He glanced at Mai, who smiled up at him. "We're getting married."
Katara gave out a little squeal. "That's wonderful!"
"Hey, it's just a story. Zuko and Mai aren't getting married yet in real life," Sokka reminded her.
"They will soon enough anyway," Toph said with a casual wave of the hand. "Just like how Aang and Katara are going to get hitched and have three kids."
"Unless they've broken up for two years, of course."
"Relax, that's not going to happen," Katara reassured a hesitating Aang. "Go ahead and continue the story."
There was a silent moment as Zuko's words sunk in. The table exploded with congratulations. Everyone got up and hugged the Firelord and Lady-to-be. Katara glanced at Toph and she could tell they were thinking the same thing. 'I hope our news gets this good of a reception.'
Sokka scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Now I'm getting suspicious about Katara and Toph's 'news'. I mean, what is it that they have to be so secretive about? And why are they so worried about how the rest of us will respond? It can't be anything bad, can it?"
"It looks like we'll have to read the next chapter to find out," Aang said as he reached the bottom of the page. "The first chapter ends here."
"Well then, straight on, I say," Toph urged him. "I also want to know what Sugar Queen and I are planning."
"Okay." Aang turned the page and began the next chapter.
The next morning Toph woke up. She rolled over onto her other side, panicking for a moment before remembering that Katara was in the next room. Then she remembered what she was going to do later, and her anxiety rose. She lay in bed for a few minutes, willing the sun to go back down so she could sleep for a few more hours. The she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day and climbed out of bed. She dressed and put up her hair before going to Katara's room.
"Morning." Katara greeted her love with a kiss on the cheek.
Toph's mouth fell wide open. "Did the story just call me Katara's love?! What in the name of Oma and Shu is going on?!"
"Maybe the author just confused you for Aang," Sokka suggested. "Anyone would know he's Katara's real love."
"Except for those who think I'm in love with Zuko," Katara interjected.
"So let me get this straight: Sugar Queen and I are in a relationship?" Toph looked baffled for a moment. "Wow. I just realized that now I can really say I've been put together with all of you at least once in this book," she said as she gestured to each of her four friends in turn.
Zuko nodded. "You must have it bad."
"You're telling me, Hothead. I don't even know whether I want to hear the rest of the story."
"Might as well go for it," Aang said before turning back to the book.
"Ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Toph gave Katara's hand one last squeeze before they went to the tea shop for breakfast. They sat down at the table between Mai and Aang. A sleepy silence hung over the group as they ate. Katara just poked at her food, her stomach curled in knots. Just as everyone was finishing, she stood. Everyone's heads turned to look at her trembling form.
"I have something to tell you all." She blurted out. She glanced down at Toph for support, and the young earthbender smiled up at her as if she could sense her gaze. "Toph and I are- are dating."
Katara sighed. "Well, the story's made it crystal clear now - Toph and I really are lovers."
"Which is why you've broken up with Aang in here," Sokka added. "I wonder whether your relationship with Toph had anything to do with that seperation."
"Who knows?" Katara shrugged before glancing at Toph, whose expression looked none too well. "Toph, are you alright?"
Toph shook her head to clear her mind a bit. "I think I'm fine. Actually, I think I just might be able to live through this."
"That's the spirit," Sokka encouraged her. "It's just a story after all. If things get really bad, just try and think of something silly to distract yourself."
"In that case, I'll just try and remember how you were once completely lovesick for Azula," Toph said, a grin slowly returning to her face.
Sokka simply scowled. "Even when I'm trying to help her she makes a fool out of me," he muttered to himself.
A stunned silence followed this announcement as the others at the table gaped at the two girls. All except Mai, who was smiling in a knowing way. Toph stood up as Katara continued. "We have been for a while now."
"How long is 'a while'" Aang was the first to respond.
"Naturally," Sokka remarked, glancing at Aang.
"About six months." Toph answered.
"Six months! Why didn't you tell us?" The avatar demanded.
"We were afraid of how you would react." Katara surveyed their friends, who were slowly regaining their composure.
"And how are we supposed to react anyway?" Sokka wondered. "Do they really think we're going to tear them apart just because they announced they're a couple?"
"Aang wouldn't, because he's just too nice and he's not in favor of tearing people apart anyway," Toph analyzed. "Zuko probably wouldn't be too judgmental, but he'd definitely be surprised at first."
"I would," Zuko agreed.
"So that leaves you," Katara finished for Toph while looking at her brother.
Sokka squirmed slightly under the gazes of everyone else in the room. "And so what if it's just me? Were you guys expecting me to start coming after them with my boomerang or something?"
"Think of it this way, Snoozles," Toph told him in all seriousness. "What if this wasn't all just a story; if one day Katara and I really met you face to face and told you we're dating. What would your first reaction be?"
"I... " Sokka hesitated as he pondered on the situation. "I'd be dumbfounded at first. I wouldn't know what to say, and I probably wouldn't believe all this is true."
"I thought as much," Toph said. "But then, once the whole thing really hit you, when you realized this wasn't just a joke and that it really was true, what would you do?"
"Well, I... " An image appeared in Sokka's mind; him yelling at his sister and his friend in fury. "I... I guess I wouldn't take the news too well."
"And so, we'll have to continue the story to see whether you'd really react like that." Toph nodded to Aang, who began reading again.
"Well, the monks always taught me to accept love in all of its forms. If you two are happy, I'm happy for you."
"Thanks Twinkletoes."
"Told you he was too nice," Toph said.
"It's kinda weird though," Sokka spoke up. "I mean, we all know Aang's been head over heels in love with my sister almost from the first time he met her. Would he really just respond this lightly? I was expecting more of a reaction."
"Don't forget, in here we're supposed to have broken up for two years already," Katara pointed out. "Aang and I should have already reached the stage where we've gotten over each other."
"Apparently you have at least, since you've already been with Toph for six months," Zuko said.
Aang shrugged. "I guess the author really isn't too bad. If this happened in real life, I would've said the same."
"Of course, there's no way it really would happen, since for now I'm happy just to have you." Katara stroked her boyfriend's cheek fondly and smiled warmly at him.
"Ugh, even when we're reading a story about her with someone else she's still so lovey-dovey with Aang. Talk about a serious influx of public displays of affection." Sokka groaned, but he then suddenly brightened up. "That's it! 'PDA' actually means public displays of affection!"
"Good for you, Snoozles," Toph replied. "Too bad your revelation came a little late."
Sokka shrugged. "Better late than never."
"I can't believe none of us knew." Zuko interjected.
"Yup, he's surprised," Toph said smugly. "I'm getting really good at guessing your reactions."
"I did." Mai smirked again.
Sokka glanced at Toph. "How about that? Did you see that coming?"
"Okay, so I didn't. Do I look like a fortuneteller to you, Snoozles?"
"Thankfully you don't, I think I've had enough fortunetelling for a lifetime," Sokka said, remembering Aunt Wu.
"How?" Katara asked.
"I figured it out yesterday. You look at her like Zuko looks at me. And I totally support you guys. Who am I to stand in the way of love?"
"Thank you, Mai. That was surprisingly poetical." Toph responded, twining her fingers with Katara's.
"She's right - I mean, I'm right," Toph said. "That was probably the most sentimental thing I've ever heard Mai say."
"Does this count as out of character for her?" Sokka asked as he glanced at Zuko.
The Fire Lord shrugged. "I've never seen her like this before, but I suppose it wouldn't be too out of character for her. She's really not as dull as you might think."
"That's because she's your girlfriend," Toph quipped.
"Sokka?" Katara's voice shook. "You haven't said anything."
"Well, I'm shocked." He answered.
"I get that-"
"She's a girl, Katara! What are you thinking?"
Toph frowned slightly. "Seriously, Sokka? Is that what you'd say? I'm a girl, so Katara is out of her mind to date me?"
"Well, you have to admit same-sex relationships aren't too common around here," Sokka shot back. "And I definitely wouldn't have expected it from my sister."
"But if I were a boy, you wouldn't mind in the slightest?"
"Well, no! I mean, maybe - or not really - I just - Ugh!" Sokak threw his hands up in exasperation. "Just promise me you'll just stick to Aang, Katara," he told his sister fervently.
"With pleasure, big brother."
"It's not about thinking."Toph replied as calmly as possible as tears welled in her love's eyes. "We're in love. You can't rationalize your way out of that. Believe me, we tried."
"I refuse to believe that."
Toph winced. "Ouch. Snoozles, do you really have to be so insensitive?"
"What? I was shocked, okay? Besides, this is all just a story, right?"
"Yeah well, as long as you know."
"Sokka-" Katara timidly spoke.
"What's Dad going to think? Or Gran-Gran?"
Sokka bliew out a puff of air. "Now that's going to be tough. I don't know what Dad or Gran Gran would think if Katara really started dating Toph."
"Well, they don't have to worry then, because currently I don't have plans to date Sugar Queen or anyone at all." Toph crossed her arms across her chest. "I just might stay single for the rest of my life."
"Yeah, except you apparently are going to have a daughter named Lin. She's featured in quite a few stories I've seen," Sokka said.
Toph shrugged. "Maybe I'll adopt. I don't mind having a kid though - if anything, all that training with the lily livers has well prepared me for it."
"Raising a child isn't like teaching metalbending, Toph," Katara reminded her.
"Whatever, I'll figure it out along the way. Besides, we're supposed to be reading a story, not speculating on what kind of mother I'll be like. On ahead, Twinkletoes."
"I don't know." Tears rolled freely down the waterbender's cheeks. Her girlfriend wrapped her in a hug, sightless eyes glaring daggers at Sokka.
Toph smirked. "Yup, I do that all the time. Too bad Snoozles' skin is too thick to feel anything though."
"Hey, I can hear you, you know," Sokka protested.
"Too bad."
Everyone else stared at the scene unfolding before them, wanting to speak up but not knowing what to say. On one side of the table was Sokka, livid, with his arms crossed, staring at the pair across from him. On the other side, Katara was sobbing onto Toph's shoulder, and Toph was holding her with her lips pressed into her hair. This was the scene Suki walked in on.
"Poor Suki," Toph sighed. "To say she would be puzzled is to say the least."
"What is going on here?" The Kyoshi warrior asked, bewildered. Mai stood up and walked over to explain. As she did so, Toph spoke.
"Sokka, you need to understand-"
"I will not let you destroy my family!" The water tribe warrior's words hit Toph like he had punched her in the chest. She opened her mouth, but could find no words. Luckily, Suki could.
"I think you're doing a pretty good job of that yourself." She glared daggers at her boyfriend.
"And that's two people shooting mental daggers at you," Toph told Sokka. "New achievement, eh?"
"Meh, who's counting?"
"You have a point there."
"You're on their side?" He was shocked.
"Yes." She stated. "Ya'know, I thought you had gotten past judging people on their gender."
"This isn't about gender! This is about Katara dating Toph!"
"And if Toph was a boy you wouldn't care. This is all about her gender."
"Gah! I'm not going to listen to this!" Sokka stormed off.
Aang blinked. "Wow. That was pretty close to what happened just now, wasn't it?"
"Except Sokka hasn't stormed off yet," Zuko pointed out.
Sokka shrugged. "Nah, I'm just too lazy to get off this couch."
"Typical," Katara muttered.
Both Toph and Suki made to follow him, but Katara cut them off.
"Wait guys, this is something I need to do." Steadying herself with a deep breath, she followed her brother out.
"Good luck, Sugar Queen," Toph told the book. "I have a feeling you're going to need it."
Those who remained sat in silence, Toph tracking Katara's footsteps out of the tea shop. Iroh left to make tea, followed by Zuko. Suki lay a hand on Toph's tensed shoulder.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Not really, but thanks for standing up to Sokka."
"No problem, he'll come around, I know he will."
"We're all here for you, Toph." Added Aang.
"Shock can render even the best of people insensible." Iroh had returned with the tea, and handed her a cup. "You just have to give him time."
"You always did give the best advice." She smiled as she accepted her cup of tea.
"Good old Iroh," Toph said fondly. "He's always going to be the wisest guy I ever met."
"Well, that's the end of the second chapter." Aang looked up at his friends. "Should we continue with this?"
"Nah, I think we've had enough angsty relationship issues already." Sokka took the book from Aang and started browsing through the pages. Suddenly he stopped at a certain page. "Hey guys, there's a new chapter for Avatar High!"
Fun fact: at the time of writing this author's note, there are 3,964 stories listing Aang and Katara as the main characters in the AtLA fanfiction archive, as opposed to 6,973 stories with Zuko and Katara as the leads. Figures.
Many thanks to Can'tTakeTheSky for introducing the Gaang to femslash, and also for continuous support for The Gaang's Companion. See you next time with the newest chapter of Avatar High!