Chapter 24: I'll Be Seeing You

Toph remains carefully composed as she and her officers make their way through the small crowd that's formed outside of city hall, though her heart beats a bit faster than it normally would, still running off adrenaline. News spreads quickly, and reporters are already impatiently, yet unsurprisingly waiting for their next soundbite and hard-hitting headline. There's a mix of noise drawing from the crowd, from grateful citizens and overzealous felicitations to genuine journalism and a more invasive type.

"Chief Beifong, is it true that you asked Avatar Aang to be the one to make the arrest," a reporter eagerly asks. Toph refrains from rolling her eyes. No, she thinks to herself, spitefully.

"Are you worried about retaliation from Yakone's supporters!?" Maybe.

"Chief, how does it feel to finally have Yakone behind bars again!?" It feels unfinished.

"Are you and Councilman Sokka going to do anything special to celebrate," another voice asks, and Toph wants to smack the suggestive tone off their face. No comment.

But Toph simply ignores the reporters and dodges their questions as she continues up the steps towards the hall, her officers taking their unspoken cue to keep the reporters outside and the crowd contained.

"Chief Beifong will not be answering questions at this time," an officer announces, sternly, "You'll have to wait for the press conference, just like everyone else."

The cool, limestone interior and relative quiet as the doors shut is a welcome change of pace as Toph enters the building. She pauses for a moment, allowing herself a moment to breathe before starting her journey to Sokka's office.

Oh, Sokka, Toph secretly smiles to herself. She'd be lying if she said some of her adrenaline isn't in relation to finally sharing the good news with Sokka. The news they've been waiting for.

With Yakone's arrest, they'll have one less thing to worry about, and hopefully a bit less stress at home.

Home. Several months into living with Sokka and it still feels surreal. Living with him has been as magical and mundane as she could have imagined.

In terms of love confessions, theirs couldn't have been more dramatic. Falling off a dragon into a swamp, hallucinating, and then showing up at Sokka's door in the middle of the night followed by stripping off their clothes, having their way with each other, and professing their love for each other is not exactly the order of events Toph had expected. But for as turbulent and dramatic as the lead-up to the admission was, the aftermath and subsequent months have been far more ordinary.

Perhaps 'ordinary' isn't the right word, for that implies boring and boring it certainly hasn't been. It's been exciting, discovering each other's bodies again after the years have weathered them. It's been joyful, welcoming Sokka into her home and raising her two beautiful girls together, who both adore him. It's been healing, having a companion – her best friend – to talk to every morning and night without filtering who she is or what she wants.

It's been wonderful, but it also hasn't been easy. It's been challenging, trying to find time for one another amongst their hectic work schedules. It's been frustrating, dealing with rumors and opinions that they never asked for yet can never avoid, no matter how hard they try. It's been strange, having an equal in her life that she feels the need to consult before making decisions after years of being ultra-independent. It's been stressful, balancing being a parent with being a partner and being Chief of Police. It's been exhausting at times, navigating what it means to be in a relationship and holding herself accountable for things and actions and feelings she's never had to before.

And it's been frightening, facing that inevitable fear that comes when you love someone and knowing that you can only do so much to protect them. Especially when Yakone was, and in some ways, still is, a threat to their happiness.

It's a mixed bag of emotions, that's for sure, but amongst the complexity of being in a committed relationship comes the mundanity. The washing of dishes and the folding of the laundry, the inevitable mood shifts and trivial arguments, the peck on the lips that may not hold as much passion as it did once-upon-a-twenty-years-ago, but holds just as much love.

These thoughts accompany Toph all the way up to Sokka's office. She can sense him sitting at his desk on the other side, and she can also sense he's not doing anything in particular, which tells her he's probably just as wrapped up in his thoughts as she is.

Finally, she taps on his door, not bothering to wait for a response before opening it and stepping inside, the door closing unceremoniously behind her as she greets, "Councilman."

She senses Sokka's slightly startled jump at her arrival, then the tentative note in his voice as he asks, "Is it done?"

Toph bites away at a grin as she nods, "It's done. We got him."

"Oh, thank spirits." Sokka breathes a sigh of relief, and Toph can hear the scratch of his beard as he rubs the months of exhaustion away from his face.

"Of course, it's only the arrest," Toph adds, as she casually bends off her armor, taking a much-needed moment to crack her joints and stretch out her muscles, "So it's really only the beginning. We still have the trial to get through, so we're not completely out of the woods-oof!"

Toph's rambling is cut short when she feels herself being lifted off the ground. Her lungs wheeze out air as Sokka squeezes her torso, eliciting a strange grunt-laugh combo from her mouth as she returns the embrace, gladly taking in the comfort.

They stay like that, holding each other in silence and enjoying a moment of relief after months of being on edge. The relief may not last. It really is only the beginning, and the coming months are sure to be their own headache. But for now, they'll take a win where they can get one.

After another minute or two, Sokka finally puts Toph back down on her feet, holding her hands gently instead, "So how did the arrest go?"

Toph shrugs, "Aang showed up, after I told him not to, of course."

Sokka rolls his eyes, though will no real malice, "Of course."

"Yakone was being a little cocky, but I could tell he wasn't as sure of himself as he'd been on previous arrests." Toph squints, suspiciously, "Still, he was a bit more confident than he ought to be, if you ask me."

"Hmmm," Sokka makes his own face of suspicion, though he quickly shrugs it off, "Probably just protecting his own ego. Wouldn't expect anything less."

"I guess. Though I still feel a bit uneasy," Toph admits, releasing her hands from Sokka's and crossing her arms. "I think I won't stop feeling that way until Yakone is sentenced."

"Yeah, same." Sokka walks back toward his desk and takes his seat, "I just hate that I can't do anything until the trial."

"Well, you can't," Toph reminds him, adamantly, "The last thing we need is Yakone getting off on another technicality. You have to at least maintain the illusion of remaining impartial."

"I know, I know," Sokka laments, "You don't have to worry. I'll be good."

"Good boy," Toph responds, playfully.

Sokka pouts, "What am I now, a Polarbear-dog?"

Toph simply laughs off his comment as she follows Sokka's lead and moves toward his desk, plopping herself down on the surface. The desk is a bit overcrowded with papers and various writing implements, so Toph unsystematically pushes the items to the side, unconcerned with the mess it creates (much to Sokka's annoyance). In doing so, her finger stalls as it lands across the wax seal of an opened letter. She pauses, sensing Sokka's nervous inhale across from her as she lets her finger wander over the pattern in the seal, recognizing it as the symbol for the Water Tribe.

"What's this?" Toph asks, curiously.

"It's nothing," Sokka says, a bit too quickly, "Just a letter I got from my stepmom."

Ignoring the strangeness in his voice, Toph raises an amused brow, "You know, she has a name, Sokka."

"Says the woman who once called The Earth King, to his face I might add," Sokka makes a showy gesture with his hands, "His Royal Bearness."

"Touché." Toph laughs, leaning back on her arms, "Still, I thought you liked Malina."

"No, no, I do." Sokka says, cautiously, "You're right. I just… I don't like what she had to say very much."

Toph's face drops. "What happened?"

"My father. Apparently, he was pretty sick for a while, and I'm only finding out about it now."

Toph feels a pang in her chest, her breath falling short, "Is he…?"

"Oh, he's okay now," Sokka assures, "Thank spirits. Though I'm kind of pissed that Malina kept it from us."

Toph nods as she starts to chew on the inside of her lip. Something about this conversation is making her a bit uneasy, and selfishly, hearing that Hakoda is alive and well isn't doing much to calm her nerves. Don't get her wrong, that is a huge relief, though something in Sokka's voice tells her that there is more to the story.

"Why did she?" Toph finally asks, sitting up and adjusting herself an inch closer to Sokka.

"Eh," Sokka shrugs, the shake in his sigh giving his own nerves away, "she didn't want to worry us."

"Well, I'm glad he's okay," Toph says, hoping to shift the conversation, "That's good news, isn't it?"

Sokka pauses. "Yeah."

"What? What's wrong."

"It's just, reading Malina's letter. It kind of made me realize," Sokka pauses again, "I'll probably have to start visiting the Tribe more often."

Toph blinks, slightly caught off guard. "Oh."

A moment of stiff silence passes as Toph thinks of what to say next. The rational, independent, and healthy part of Toph's brain is saying no big deal, so what if he wants to visit home more often? Though shamefully, Toph can't ignore the other part of her brain, the part that's unhealthy, possessive, and overprotective. The deepest canyon of her mind, weathered down by rivers of grief and trauma. That part of her brain is sounding the alarms and wants nothing more than to cling to him and never let him go.

But Toph has done enough self-reflection over the years that she can thankfully tell that part of her brain to shut up, stop being selfish, and be the supportive partner that Sokka deserves. Besides, the last thing Toph wants is to be some clingy, controlling, and codependent girlfriend. As if.

"I get it." Toph offers what she hopes is a sympathetic smile, "You want to spend quality time with your dad while you can."

"Well, yeah… that's true," Sokka scratches the back of his neck, "But I also need to get in a bit more training."

"Training?" Toph furrows a brow, confused, "Training for what?"

"You know…" Sokka's voice pinches, sounding much younger than his age. "Training… to be, uh, chieftain someday."

Toph blinks. "Chieftain of what?"

He clears his throat. "Of the Southern Water Tribe."

The alarm bells in Toph's head sound louder. "What?"

"Well, it's my duty-"

"I thought chieftains were elected, Sokka."

"Well, you're right, they are," he says, carefully, "But… it's sort of more of a formality? It's tradition for the current chief's oldest son to run."

"But what if you win?" Toph's eyes bulge, unable to hide the panic from her voice. Of course, he would win.

"Well," Sokka breathes in, "Then I'd be Chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe."

Toph swallows, finding her throat suddenly tight as if stung by a buzzard wasp. A sharp pang of rejection hammers at her chest. Rationally, Toph knows it's not really about her, and truth be told, Toph always knew this conversation would happen eventually. Though on the other hand, she never expected it to be happening so soon, and even if it's not about her, it's certainly about them.

Toph dares to ask, "But what about us?"

"Well," Sokka starts, sensitively, "We would have to be apart sometimes."

Toph scoffs, suddenly enraged by how rehearsed he sounds. Screw being supportive. "You mean we'd be apart always."

A crack in Sokka's conviction reveals himself, his hand reaching out to touch Toph's thigh. Toph wants nothing more than to be petulant and shake the hand away, but she refrains, opting to cross her arms above her chest in an act of defiance instead.

"That doesn't have to be true, Toph," Sokka says, way too calmly for Toph's liking.

"Are you kidding me?" Toph rolls her eyes, "Sokka, it's not like the Southern Water tribe is just a hop, skip, and a carriage ride away. We're talking months, maybe more apart."

"I know, Toph," Sokka nods, and despite his best efforts to keep the conversation productive and matter-of-fact, Toph can hear the pain in his voice. "Trust me, I don't like it either, but what else can we do? I'll be needed there, and you're needed here."

"You're needed here, too," Toph retorts, stubbornly.

Sokka's head falls, heavily. "I know, and that's why we'll work something out okay? If I could have it my way, you and the girls would be coming with me, and we'd never be apart.

"But I know you better than that," there's a slight smile in Sokka's voice, "And I love you enough that I'd never force you to abandon Republic City or spend months living on a land of ice. We'll work something out, okay?"

Toph shakes her head, unmollified. "I don't understand. You don't have to be chieftain, Sokka."

A careful pause. "I do though," Sokka says, his voice strained.

"But why?"

"Toph, I thought you knew this about me."

And she does. She knows Sokka, and she knows that he would never neglect his obligation and duty. He's a true man of honor, always has been, and that's one of the things she loves and respects most about him. It just so happens that his duty is split in two ways, his duty to her and his duty to his country.

"I… I did," Toph admits, the anger in her voice replaced by grief, "I just didn't realize it would be happening so soon. We've been together for less than a year, Sokka, and we're already going long distance?"

"It's not happening right away, Toph," Sokka assures, grabbing onto her hands and rubbing at her knuckles, soothingly, "My father is not going anywhere any time soon. I wasn't even going to bring it up, but then you asked about the letter."

Toph takes a deep breath, suddenly exhausted from the conversation. A part of her wants to keep arguing and point out to Sokka that there is no way to know how soon (or not soon) his father will pass. It could be a year, or it could be twenty. What if he goes tomorrow? Does that mean Sokka would just drop everything and move to the South Pole? What would that mean for them?

As if reading her mind, "I know there's a lot we would need to figure out, but please don't think it would mean the end of us, Toph."

"Well, what does it mean?" Toph asks, pointedly.

"We'll work something out, okay?" Sokka says for the third time, "But can we table this conversation for now? It's not something we need to worry about just yet, okay?"

Toph huffs, giving in for now. "Fine."

"Good," Sokka breathes a sigh of relief, "Now, how do you want to celebrate?"

"Celebrate?" Toph asks, confused by the non sequitur and still a bit edgy from their conversation.

"Yakone?" Sokka says, "Shouldn't we celebrate the arrest? This is a big moment for us."

Another huff as Toph hops off his desk, heading towards the door as she bends her armor back on. Breaktime over. If she ever was in the mood to celebrate, that mood is now long gone.

"We can celebrate when Yakone is no longer a threat, how about that?" Toph says, dryly.

"You think he still is?" Sokka asks, already knowing the answer. There's no guarantee until Yakone is put away for good, and that can't happen until he passes the sentence.

Toph doesn't answer, obviously no longer in the best spirits following their conversation.

"What do we do till then?" Sokka adds, just as Toph opens the door to leave.

Smiling, but with no real humor in it, "We get back to work."

The City Hall-turned-courtroom echoes with hushed conversations, torn between the obligation of reverence in such a bureaucratic building and the undeniable excitement that coincides with the trial of a century. Gossip and speculation bounce off the coffered ceilings into muffled air, and despite the limestone interior and cool morning air outside, the courtroom itself has a humid, almost electric feel to it, as if expecting a storm.

Toph feels the humidity graze at her temples, and she imagines the rumbling of thunder in her head, slow and ominous. The phantom storm gets closer and closer as more people enter the courtroom and take their seats. The spectators range from serious reporters, tabloid fanatics, and curious onlookers to actual victims in the case, and it's not difficult for Toph to distinguish one from the other. There is a distinct difference in the breath of someone who is there to witness history and of someone who's actually lived it.

Officials enter the building making a show of shaking hands and congratulating each other on a job well done, despite their minimal (or nonexistent) involvement in the case. Toph wouldn't consider herself an overly suspicious person, but she makes an effort to avoid shaking her head at the outright display of arrogance. Sure, Yakone's guilty verdict may seem like a safe bet, but Toph knows better than to be too cocky too soon. She's been burned (quite literally) before, and this trial isn't over yet.

Toph swallows the invisible lump in her throat, careful not to let it show. The electricity in the air sparks directly at her nerves. Her heart is racing, and truth be told, she'd love to wipe the bead of sweat from her temple or bite at her nails, or tap her foot repeatedly on the ground. Anything to rid some of the anxiety she feels.

It's the final day of the trial, and after weeks of hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, along with dozens of witness testimonies, Toph is more than ready for Yakone to face his sentence. Still, despite all the evidence mounted against him, Toph can't help but feel uneasy about the whole thing. She thought she'd feel better after making the arrest, but if anything, it's only put her more on edge. At least before his arrest, she could focus her anxiety on doing something. Now, Yakone's fate is out of her hands and into the council's. And sure, she's more than glad that Sokka is there leading the charge, but will the rest of the council see eye to eye? She's not sure why they wouldn't, with the mountain of evidence against Yakone so high, but she just can't shake the feeling that something is not quite as it seems. Like there is still a piece missing from this terribly tedious puzzle.

But Toph is both a master earthbender and a master in the art of jing, so despite her pre-trial jitters, Toph remains as still as stone, a carefully crafted statue, a symbol of Republic City's strength and fortitude again its enemies. Perhaps it's a bit dramatic, though it feels necessary. Toph doesn't need to see or use her seismic sense to know that half of the eyes in this building are on her. The other half are on Aang, sitting in the front row and staying equally as calm in his expression, though Toph knows he feels just as nervous as she does, and just as responsible for what happens in this courtroom.

Toph had made a show of annoyance when Aang showed up for Yakone's arrest, but in truth, it's been somewhat of a relief to pawn off some of the attention (and consequentially, some of the burden) onto someone else. For better or for worse, whatever happens in this trial will be a direct reflection of their efforts, and Republic City won't let them forget it.

There are still a few minutes left until it's time to get the man of the hour from his cell, so Toph lets her thoughts wander to Sokka, and the goodbye they shared this morning. Simple, mundane even, but full of meaning.

"Are you ready for today?" Sokka had asked her, his voice perhaps more somber than he had intended.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Toph had replied, just as unsure.

The moment of silence that followed was equal parts heavy and hopeful, weighed down by the uncertainty ahead of them. Sokka had broken the silence with a lingering kiss, tender and fragile as if it could be their last.

Lately, Toph has been feeling like all their kisses could be their last. Perhaps that's a morbid, or maybe even bitter thought. But as hard as she tries not to, she can't stop thinking about the conversation she and Sokka had on the day Yakone was arrested, about him leaving someday. He hadn't phrased it that way, but Toph knew what he meant. If he truly plans to take over as chieftain someday, it would mean spending the majority of his time back in the South Pole, which would mean spending the majority of his time away from her. They haven't spoken about it since, and Toph knows their avoidance of the topic is a deliberate one. Yet the more they avoid talking about it, the more it lives in the back of Toph's mind like a stubborn earworm.

In her darkest, most bitter moments, Toph wonders if there's any point in being together at all if they both know he's just going to leave someday. But those are only her darkest moments, for as much anxiety, or sometimes even anger as the thought of their future gives her, she wouldn't even think of leaving him in the present. But it does make their romance seem fleeting. It took them so long to get to this point in their relationship, she hates to think this time together will be so short-lived.

She pushes those thoughts aside most days, unable to handle the potential heartbreak it would cause.

But kissing Sokka good luck, kissing him goodbye this morning reminded her, and she let herself sink into the dread for just a moment. Yakone's sentence is supposed to be the end of the trials and tribulations, a capstone on what had kept them from each other for so long. Is that why Toph feels so uneasy now? Because no matter what happens in this courtroom, there will always be something in their way? How many more goodbyes can she take?

The clank of metal footsteps breaks Toph from her reverie as Lieutenant Cheng approaches, signaling that it'll soon be time to start. Toph offers a curt nod in response, and only moments later, she feels Yakone's approach as he's escorted by Cheng and a rather large team of her officers.

"Beifong," Yakone sneers a greeting from behind her, a misplaced sense of giddiness in his tone.

Toph offers no sign of having heard him, not even a flinch. He doesn't seem too surprised or bothered by her silent treatment. In fact, he lets out another mocking laugh, and so help her all Toph wants to do is smack off whatever filthy, lowlife expression he has on his face.

"All rise!" A voice belonging to the council's assistant announces, and a sudden hush falls over the crowd. There's a light sound of footsteps as the council members enter the room and take their positions. Gone is the buzz of gossip and clamor, replaced by only the cumbersome, jangling sounds of shackles as Yakone and his council are escorted to their seats. Toph senses Sokka at the center of the council, and she feels the cocktail of nerves and determination in his breath.

"Councilman Sokka will now deliver the verdict," announces the assistant.

"In my years, I've encountered people born with rare and unique bending abilities," Sokka starts, quickly earning the attention of the courtroom, "I once bested a man with my trusty boomerang who was able to firebend with his mind.

"Why, even metalbending was considered impossible for all of history until our esteemed Chief of Police, Toph Beifong, singlehandedly developed the skill."

Toph keeps her expression schooled, though she secretly fights to hold back a blush and eye roll at the same time.

Sokka continues, "The overwhelming amount of testimony and evidence has convinced the council that Yakone is one of these unique benders, and he exploited his ability to commit these heinous crimes."

Toph inhales. This is it.

"We find Yakone guilty of all charges and sentence him to life in prison."

Exhale. The sharp sound of a gavel fills the room, followed by the hushed murmurs of mixed opinions. Toph remains statuesque, ever the professional, but she allows the relief to wash over her, cheering on the inside. Years of chasing down Yakone, years of stress, and years of injustice are finally at an end.

But then she hears the piercing squeak of a chair as she senses Yakone stand up. Odd, she thinks.

In what seems like a split second, the previously electric energy of the courtroom dissipates, and Toph feels the pressure in the air drop, her gut following suit as humidity turns to chill, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on their own accord. Before there's time to react or process or really do anything at all, Toph hears a painful cry strike out like lightning.

It only takes another second or two to realize who that cry belonged to. Sokka.

Sokka's cry is quickly followed by an eruption of similar sounds from the courtroom, and Toph quickly realizes what's happening as chills fall down her spine. Yakone is bloodbending Sokka. Yakone is bloodbending everyone.

On instinct, Toph steps forward, shooting out her metal cable in an attempt to disarm Yakone, though to her horror, she suddenly finds herself unable to move at all.

Her body is no longer her own, her veins and muscles contracting against her will. The pain is excruciating, but what's far worse is the terror of being controlled, strung around like an unwilling puppet. Toph feels her feet on the ground, though her seismic sense is rendered useless, and not only does she feel truly and utterly blind, but paralyzed too. A million thoughts steam through her consciousness, though she can't distinguish one from the other. The overwhelming thought, the overwhelming feeling is fear. Fear for her life. Fear for Sokka's. Fear for Aang and for everyone in this room. Fear of letting Republic City down. Fear for what will happen to her girls. Fear of losing the family that she fought so hard to gain.

The fear gets worse as her toes lose contact with the ground, Yakone's maniacal laughter piercing through the cries of suffering, and it pains both Toph's body and her pride as she feels her hand twisting and bending against her own volition, grabbing a set of keys from her lieutenant. Toph's body floats and contorts through the air, bending to Yakone's literal will as he forces her to unlock his chains.

Toph wants to cry. To scream, to fight, to do anything to stop him. They got so far, and now her hands – the same hands that fought so hard to bring justice to Yakone - will be the same ones to free him. Surely it can't end like this, can it? Is life that unfair? Her beautiful life with Sokka? With Lin and Suyin? To think she was so worried about her hypothetical future with Sokka, when there may not be a future at all. To think of how much time she wasted. No, it can't end here.

It can't end here.

The first thought Sokka has when he comes to is about how achy he feels. His muscles are sore, and his head is even more sore, pounding against his skull like a sharp hammer. He lets out a grunt of pain as his eyes slowly open, taking more than a moment to adjust to the brightness of the room and the slightly blurry figures of his fellow councilmen who look just as groggy and pained as he does.

The second thought Sokka has is the realization of what just happened, and at this, his eyes bolt open, no longer having to adjust as adrenaline brings him back to reality. He stands up as fast as his aching body will let him, his eyes quickly scanning the room, only half noticing that both Yakone and Aang are gone.

He'll deal with that later. For now, he focuses his gaze and attention on his first concern, Toph. His eyes finally find her amongst the confused and groggy crowd, only to discover that she's one of the few people who haven't woken up yet, her body lying motionless at the foot of the stairs. Panic quickly sets in.

Oh, Toph.

Ignoring the questioning and concerned comments of the other councilmen, Sokka runs (or more like stumbles) swiftly past the council's table and down the steps toward where Toph remains. He all but skids to his knees at her side, quickly checking for a pulse. He struggles to differentiate her pulse from his at first, as his heart thuds wildly and loudly in his throat, but to his sheer relief, he finds that she does indeed have one.

"Toph," Sokka gently lifts her limp head onto his lap, stroking her cheeks, "Toph, wake up."

It takes a few more strokes on the cheek and a short moment of panic on Sokka's part before Toph's brow finally twitches and her face comes back to life. Sokka lets out a sigh of relief, except it ends up being more of a snotty, tear-filled laugh than an actual sigh. He wipes at his nose, only to find that his cheeks are wet too.

"Wha..What happened?" Toph grimaces as she struggles to sit up, her hand moving to soothe her forehead, which surely must be throbbing. Sokka quickly puts together that Toph may have had it worse than the rest of them. She's the only one that Yakone ventriloquized to the extent that he did.

A shudder passes through Sokka's spine, and he finds himself choking back a sob as he comes to terms with what he just witnessed. The image replays in his mind over and over. He sees Toph floating and contorting against her will as he remains powerless to stop her suffering. He sees her neck twisting unnaturally, he hears the sharp snap of bones, and he remembers the split second before his own succumbing where he was certain he saw Toph die right before his eyes.

"Yakone," is all Sokka can manage, swallowing down the cry. Now's not the time. He offers his hand against her back for support, and she gladly leans into it.

"Sokka?" Toph asks, a bit more lucid now.

"You're okay, Toph," Sokka says, confirming his presence. Another stroke on the cheek. "You're okay."

"Sokka," Toph says his name like a hymn as she weakly closes the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself up into his chest. Sokka quickly returns the embrace, letting his tears fall silently into her hair and the skin on her neck.

They stay like that for several minutes, hugging each other tightly, not giving a damn about who sees or cares. Frankly, most people in the courtroom are too preoccupied with their own revelations to pay them any notice, but Sokka and Toph remain oblivious to the ones that do.

"Chief Beifong, Councilman Sokka," the voice of an officer finally interrupts their embrace, forcing them apart, though Toph merely falls back into his lap, either too tired to get up or too tired to care. "Do you require medical assistance?"

"What I require," Toph starts to respond, a hint of misdirected fury in her voice, "Is to find Yakone and make him pay for what he's done."

Before Sokka can tell her to take it easy and focus on seeking medical attention first, the officer responds, "He's already been found, Chief. Avatar Aang chased him down and took his bending away. Yakone is no longer a threat."

Both Toph and Sokka stall at that one, needing more than just a moment to process what the man is saying. The officer takes their silence as his cue to leave, quickly moving on to help others.

Sokka looks down at Toph's face, unsure what to make of her blank expression.

"Well," Sokka asks, dumbly, "Now what?"

Toph seems to think about this for a long moment. Technically, there is still a lot left to do. If what the guard said is true, which Sokka suspects it is, Toph still has to formally get Yakone processed and take care of all the logistical elements. But perhaps that's not what gives Toph pause. Sokka briefly wonders if she feels any slight, any anger that she wasn't there when Yakone's final justice was served.

But if this is true, Toph makes no effort to show it. Instead, a short laugh escapes suddenly from her lips. It's one of irony and disbelief, yet undeniably one of acceptance and relief as well. "Now, let's go celebrate."

The air on Air Temple Island is as fresh and tranquil as the name promises. It's slightly chilly for the time of year, but Sokka welcomes the kiss of the breeze on his skin, a slight reprieve against his aching joints and muscles. He closes his eyes and focuses on the prevailing sound of windchimes, gentle waves, and rustling leaves. Distantly, he can make out the muffled sounds of laughter and conversation. Its carefree nature is perhaps a bit out of place for the severity of the day, but welcomed, nonetheless. He tightens his already shut eyes, focusing hard enough to pick out whose voice belongs to whom. The nurturing, yet bossy commands of his sister. Aang's good-natured yet weighed-down performance. The subsequent sounds of his nieces and nephews, all laughing joyfully at whatever recital he offers. One by one, he can hear their laughter sing. Bumi, Kya, Tenzin. Lin and Suyin. There are days when hearing their laughter feels extra rewarding. Today is one of those days.

When he opens his eyes, he's greeted by the glistening skyline across the bay and the brilliant white of the moon hovering just above it. Sokka hasn't thought about Yue in a long time. Well, that's not entirely true. Truthfully, he sees flashes of Yue in his mind every time the moon is out, but he hasn't properly thought about her in a long time. It feels like a lifetime since he knew her, and even then, their time together was brief. Even so, the grief feels just as fresh as it did decades ago.

Just as fresh, but different, too. Where he once grieved for the loss of love, he now grieves for the loss of life. Not the life that she lived, but the life that she didn't have the chance to live. He stares up at the moon, luminous and silvery and ethereal in all its glory. He scans the face on its surface, imagining the craters and patterns as an aging Yue, a reflection of the years he wears on his own skin. He then imagines Yue as he knew her, young and innocent yet so brave. Lost before getting the chance to age, to fall truly in love, to make mistakes, to learn from them, to become more than just a beacon in the sky.

Sokka feels a pang in his chest as he's reminded of the loss. Life is short.

He continues to stare up at Yue, though it's flashes of Toph that come to mind. Flashes of her floating in the air, fully unseeing and with no control of her own body, her limbs twisting in the will of Yakone.

Sokka shakes the thoughts from his head, focusing back on the sounds of windchimes and waves, of leaves, and of laughter. The sounds do their due diligence to calm him, and he lets his thoughts carefully wander back to Toph, but this time, instead of her pain, he sees her smile. He sees her holding his hand. He sees her give birth to Suyin. He sees her teaching Lin how to bend. He sees them all laughing in the park, carefree and full of life, as it should be. He sees Toph, showing up at his door in the middle of the night, naked and bare and giving all she has to give.

As if conjuring her from his mind, Sokka hears what he knows are Toph's footsteps approaching from behind him. She takes quiet, peaceful steps forward until she's standing next to him, her arms folding across the balcony's rails next to his. Sokka touches her elbow with the tips of his fingers, acknowledging her presence, but neither one of them says anything in greeting. Instead, they stay quiet for a long time as they share a companionable, yet weighted silence. Sokka keeps his gaze directed at the moon while Toph stares into her familiar darkness, the two both contemplating the world as they know how.

"So, it's over," Toph says, breaking the silence with a meaningful sigh. "Yakone will never bloodbend again."

Sokka doesn't respond for a moment. He keeps his eyes directed at the moon for another while until his sight starts to blur. He blinks, giving Yue his silent thanks before turning his gaze down to look at Toph. She looks beautiful - as she always does – but even more so with the moonlight casting an otherworldly tint onto her skin. The breeze gently blows back her hair, revealing the porcelain of her face beneath it, the small crow's feet at her eyes, and the years of wisdom held between them.

"That's right. It is," Sokka says, simply. Another moment of silence passes.

In the quiet breeze, Toph admits, "I thought it would feel different."

"Different how?"

"I don't know," she shrugs, "More final, I guess?"

Sokka furrows a brow. "How so?"

Toph takes a second to gather the words. Then, "Lately I've been realizing that there will always be something. Even with Yakone gone, there will always be another criminal to catch."

Sokka turns to face her, concerned by her train of thought. "That's right, there will be."

"And the kids are going to grow up and become difficult teenagers."

Sokka sweeps a stray hair away from her face, unable to hide the laugh in his voice, "I'm sure they will."

"And," Toph hesitates, leaning into his touch, "You'll always have a duty to the Water Tribe. Someday you'll have to take over chieftain."

Sokka's hand drops, a sharp intake of breath. "Are you worried," he asks, a quiver in his own expression.

"No," Toph says, and Sokka is surprised by the courage in her voice. "Not anymore."

"Really?" Sokka says, a quick laugh of relief. Perhaps some of her courage will rub off on him.

"I was worried," Toph admits, biting her lip in that way that Sokka has always loved, "But there was a moment today that I thought would be our last, and all I could think about was how many stupid years I've wasted thinking about all that was working against us."

"Toph," Sokka says, a pang at his chest.

"And how if I had just stopped worrying all the time, then maybe we both could have spent less time suffering for love, and more time living for it."

"Toph," Sokka says again, struck by her vulnerability.

"All that to say, I don't want to waste whatever time we have left," Toph says through a deep, thoughtful breath. She grabs Sokka's hands, pulling them to her chest with a surprising level of intimacy. "We're here right now, together. That's enough."

"We'll take the rest as it comes," Sokka nods his assent, then releases one of his hands from Toph's, using it to stroke her lips with his thumb. "Deal?"

Decidedly, she promises him, "Deal."

Sokka leans forward, closing the short distance between them and pressing his lips against hers. He intends it to be a simple kiss. A tender, firm peck on the lips. He's sure there will be time for more later, but as he starts to pull away from the kiss, Toph wraps her arms around his neck, drawing him back in for another. She kisses him eagerly, and Sokka can't help but return the fervor, their lips trading embers and igniting a fire. Toph has always been more for action than words, and despite their best efforts, Sokka knows that their kiss conveys more than their words ever could, like a silent code that only lovers understand— a silent promise.

When they finally pull away from this kiss, a charged, electric silence dances between their lips. Their breaths are heavy, chests heaving as their desire promises to brew into something more. And it will, later. But, whether it's the day's deliria or it's just because of who they are, the tension breaks, and they find themselves in a fit of giggles. It's not long before their giggles turn into full-blown laughter, both clutching at their stomachs as they appreciate the drama of it all, and for a moment, twenty years of wisdom, of mistakes, and of pain are erased, leaving behind nothing but two teenagers ready to face the world ahead, and lots of love.

Then, when the laughter finally dies and reality finds its way back, Sokka sweeps back the hair from Toph's beguiling face. He looks into her eyes, and even though she's blind, there is something in her expression that makes him feel seen.

And as the moon shines its way onto Toph, Sokka sees her too. He sees her vulnerability; he sees her strength. He sees her pain and her fears. Her hopes and dreams, desires, and regrets. He sees her love, once so carefully tucked away, but now so open and free.

And when the night is new

I'll be looking at the moon

But I'll be seeing you

Fin.

Final Notes:

Well hello, my friends! It's been nearly two years since I posted an update, and if you're still reading, I'd like to say a huge thank you for making it this far. It's been a busy two years, and I could go into detail about why I haven't uploaded in so long, but instead, I'll just say that I'm so happy to share the final chapter with you and that I hope you enjoyed it. I know it's a bit shorter than the rest, but hopefully still a satisfying end to the saga.

I started writing this fic back in March 2020, when the quarantine began and when I just had the urge to express my Tokka feels. Little did I know what a feat this would turn into (and how long it would take me to finish lol), but it's honestly been so rewarding. Thank you to everyone who left encouraging (or even not-so-encouraging) comments. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, and thank you for the surplus of support. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

As for the ending poem/lyrics…I debated including them as they may seem a bit out of place, but this whole story was first inspired by the Billie Holiday song (written by Irving Kahal), called 'I'll be seeing You', and I wanted to include the lyrics as an ode to what started it all.

At the end of the day, I know this is just fanfiction, and I'd probably be embarrassed as hell if anyone I knew in real life read it lol…but writing this had a surprising impact on me, so thank you again.

Cheers, friends.