Chap 2- The Morning After

Aang took a deep breath. An unexpected, lovely mixture of plum blossoms and earth hit him, making him smile in his sleep. He snuggled closer into his pillow still unwilling to wake up to the new day.

It had been a long time since he slept so comfortably. No nightmares, no Spirits, nothing but peaceful slumber. He peered one eye to find a mass of something black in his face. When he opened both eyes, he realized exactly what it was and more importantly, who it belonged to. Worst still, his arms weren't wrapped around any pillow, but…

"Toph?" he whispered.

"…Go away…" she mumbled and turned over in his arms to face away from him and snuggle back into his body.

Aang swallowed and didn't bother trying to hide his brilliant blush. His arms were securely around Toph's waist, her back against his chest, and her hips against his…

"Earth, Twinkles!" she stretched in place, "What's wrong with you? You're heartbeat could wake up a hibernating platypus-bear!"

Aang was blushing furiously, but had yet to move. So many thoughts ran through his head, all making him more and more embarrassed and his limbs all but useless.

"You can let go now," Toph half-yawned, half-reprimanded.

"Oh, yeah. Heh, sorry. I…uh…was going to—am going to!" he quickly corrected himself and let go. She knew he was scratching the back of his head as he sat up. "Guess we fell asleep…" he gulped, "…together…"

She sat up, too. They had not moved much from the spot they were sitting in last night. She must have been pretty tired...

"So we slept together, it's no big deal."

She hoped he didn't catch a glimpse of the blush that spread across her face as she said the words.

"But—"

Why couldn't he ever just let things go?

"People have fallen asleep in stranger places with stranger things happening, Twinkletoes. Deal with it!"

"But we—"

"Ugh!" she growled and earthbended him out of the way sending him flying towards a wall. She stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

…

Toph stormed down the hallway.

What on earth was the matter with her? Falling asleep like that? And why didn't she earthbend him out of the room for falling asleep with his arms around her? She shook her head to herself. She probably just felt sorry for him because Sugar Queen broke up with him and all. Yeah, that was probably it.

Still… Twinklestoes was sure to get the wrong idea.

Then again, he was pretty oblivious to anything not relating to a certain waterbender, so it probably didn't matter. For some reason that just made Toph more angry and she stomped harder on the stone floor as she walked away.

"Good morning, Toph," Sokka greeted her in his usual cheery manner.

She punched his arm. "What's so good about it?!" she asked and kept walking.

"Hey!" Sokka rubbed the sore spot as he watched her disappear down the hall. "What was that for?"

…

Aang left his room shortly after Toph did. He wasn't going to follow her. Honest. Not in the mood she was in anyway. If anyone in the inn didn't know his earthbending teacher was angry, the rattling walls and tumbling furniture were sure to clue them in. And it was all his fault.

What was wrong with him? How could he fall asleep like that? His arms all over Toph! He was surprised she didn't kill him on the spot. The thought made him pause mid-step. Why hadn't she killed him? Before he could delve too deep into it, Aang thought he heard Katara's voice and ran the opposite way out of the building. He didn't want to face her just yet.

…

"Has anyone seen Aang or Toph?" Katara asked. Neither had showed up for breakfast and it was almost time for lunch.

"Sokka ran into Toph this morning," Suki replied after taking a sip of her tea. "He claims she hit him for no reason."

"She did!" Sokka yelled and rubbed his arm recalling the pain. "All I did was say good morning. How does that deserve a right-cross?"

Suki rolled her eyes. "Maybe you said something about her hair again."

"Why? What's wrong with my hair?"

All three turned to see Toph walk into The Jasmine Dragon.

"Nothing!" Sokka cried quickly. "It's nice all poofy like that!"

Katara ignored her brother's outburst and approached the young earthbender. "Hey, have you seen Aang?"

"Yes, I saw him last night," Toph grinned as she waved her hand in her face.

"You know what I mean," Katara replied.

"No, I haven't! I ain't his keeper, you know!" Toph snapped taking a seat next to the Kyoshi Warrior.

"Okay, okay. Well, I'm going to go look for him again. Maybe he'll talk to me now. I'll see you guys later. Oh, and Sokka, please start packing. We'll be leaving in two days."

"Why is she only telling me?" Sokka asked indignantly. "You two are going, too!"

"I'm already packed," Suki smiled. "I didn't bring quite as many things as other people."

"Well, excuse me for being prepared!"

Toph ignored the couple choosing to snatch one of their cups and drinking their tea. She burped as loud as she could and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Suki and Sokka only stared at her.

After a while, she turned to them.

"What? It's not like I haven't done that before! What's with everyone today?"

"Nothing, nothing. So, you hungry?" Sokka asked to keep her from hitting him again.

"Nah," Toph stood up "But maybe Twinkles is. I bet he's hiding in his room."

Sokka raised an eyebrow.

"Why didn't you tell Katara?"

Shrugging, the young earthbender walked out without making a reply.

Sokka turned to Suki, "What's up with her?"

…

After replaying the conversation with Katara over and over most of the morning as he walked through Ba Sing Se, Aang returned to his room still feeling dejected. After lying on the bed, soon he began dosing off. Even after the best night's sleep he'd had in a long time, he suddenly felt so tired and it had nothing to do with the long walk either. When he finally felt a calming sea of black begin to take over, there was a knock at the door. He sighed, but ignored it, turning his face towards the wall and closing his eyes again.

The knocking persisted.

"Go away!" he muttered into his pillow.

The door creaked open and someone stepped inside.

"Hey, buddy, I brought you some lunch."

Sokka.

For some reason Aang couldn't explain, the older boy's presence only irritated him more.

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry."

Sokka stepped closer and placed the tray of food at the foot of the bed.

"Ah, c'mon," he said. "You took off before dinner and didn't come to breakfast. You have to eat something. Look, I brought you an egg custard tart," he sang.

Aang's stomach growled. Perhaps he could eat a little. Without looking at the Water Tribe warrior, he sat up in bed and reached for the tray.

"So..." Sokka began, "...how you feeling today?"

The food turned to ash in his mouth, but Aang forced himself to finish chewing and swallowed. Maybe he wasn't hungry after all. He put the tart down and pushed the tray away.

"I'm fine," he replied, shoulders slumped, head hung low.

"'Cause you look good!" Sokka added smiling.

Aang looked up. The smile staring back at him was eerily large and so obviously fake.

"Did Katara send you to check up on me?"

"What? Noooo."

Aang made a face.

Sokka sighed, giving up the façade. "Toph kinda did."

"Oh."

Aang wasn't sure how he felt about that.

Sokka continued absently, "Katara would have if she were here. You know how she is. But she left—"

"Where is she?" Aang interrupted, concern lacing his words. She may not care about him, but he still cared about her. Okay, that wasn't entirely true. He knew she cared about him, but that's not how it felt at the moment.

"Oh, um, she went out to look for you, but then, um," Sokka looked around the room. He seemed to be trying to think of the right way to phrase it.

How do you tell a guy that pretty much just got dumped that the girl who dumped him was out looking for him with the help of another guy? Another guy who just happened to show up out of the blue and who just happened to have a mustache and who obviously liked the girl—your little sister!—as more than the friend the mustached guy claimed she was?

Sokka shook his head to clear the jumbled thoughts. He rubbed the back of his neck and opened his mouth to speak, "I, uh, well…I think that Suki's calling me—yeah, that's it!—See you later, Aang!"

And with that, he ran out of the room.

Aang took a deep breath and blew the door shut. He fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Eventually, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

…

It was dark all around and Aang was running. His legs burned from exhaustion, but he kept moving. He caught a glimpse of something white up ahead and he tried to airbend himself closer, but he couldn't. Then, his legs stopped responding altogether to his command and he was stuck in place. The flash of white appeared again and he heard himself scream.

"Wait!" he said.

He felt something slither around him. He couldn't see what it was.

A flying boar flew overhead and he heard someone giggle.

Another flash of white and then he saw her.

He knew her face.

He knew her beautiful white and green dress.

He knew her ebony hair done up in a perfect bun.

She looked lovely.

"Toph, wait!" he yelled, "Wait for me!"

But she only giggled again.

The slithering around his legs continued, slowing moving up to his waist, keeping him rooted to the spot. Still, he couldn't see what held him. When he looked up, Toph was standing right in front of him, smiling like the second time he saw her… with that mischievous grin belonging to the Blind Bandit.

The pleasant moment was all too brief and her smiled soon vanished. Aang knew why. It still hid from his view but whatever kept him in place now slithered surrounding Toph as well.

They were suffocating.

Aang reached for her hand and she took it. There was nothing they couldn't defeat together.

"Remember when I said, 'we'll meet again'?"

Aang froze, a cold chill shooting down his spine.

"It is time, Avatar."

He knew that voice. That eerie, horrible voice.

"Twinkletoes…?" Toph whispered, her hold on his hand tightened. Fear, like nothing he'd ever sensed from her, tangled with his own dread.

He looked around for a way out, but when he blinked, the landscape shifted and he realized they were in the swamp. He could see it clearly. Relief washed over him, they would be fine.

Sensing the change, Toph grinned at him again. He squeezed her hand. He would never let go, he promised, but his words didn't matter. Not here.

A shadow, a darkness he could not stop enveloped her. The slithering tightened its grip and she was ripped from his grasp.

"No!" Aang screamed, "No..."

But it was too late. Toph was gone.

…

Aang screamed and jumped out of bed.

"Hey, are you all right?" Zuko asked. It had been his turn to check on the Avatar. He stood near the doorway and ran over to the boy's side.

Aang almost hugged the Fire Lord he was so happy. But he didn't, he stayed in place thankful that it had only been a dream. Or rather a terrible nightmare.

"I lost her," Aang whispered, sliding over to the edge of the bed. When he closed his eyes, he could hear Toph calling him for help.

"I'm sorry," Zuko said sincerely. He wished he could be more helpful. "I know how much Katara means to you."

Aang looked up, confusion evident on his face. But, he remembered all too quickly.

Katara.

Heartbreak.

Excruciating pain.

"Right," he said shortly after. There was no need to bother anyone with his dreams and nightmares. That's all it had been and Toph was okay. Yet, he had the sudden urge to go check on her himself. It felt so real…

"Look," Zuko sat down next to him, "I know about being rejected." He winced when Aang cringed, but he continued, "It's not easy, but that doesn't mean you lie down and give up."

Aang turned his gaze on his one-time nemesis.

"Life goes on, Aang," Zuko placed his hand the boy's shoulder. It was something he imagined his uncle would do, then he continued, "You're young. Twelve is—"

"Thirteen," Aang corrected.

Zuko looked at him, growing irritated for a moment. He wasn't very good at this kind of thing. Being supportive and encouraging. Still, his friend needed him and he would give it a try. So, he took a deep breath and pressed on, "The point is you're young. You have more than enough time to find the right one for you."

Aang seemed to think about that for a while.

"Like you and Mai?"

Zuko looked wistful for a moment. "Maybe," he replied.

"You've known her a long time, right?"

"Since we were children."

Aang's expression changed and Zuko could have sworn the kid looked hopeful.

"So, you think I could've already met 'the one'?"

"Well, I didn't mean—"

"Are you two girls done in here? Or do I have to wait until after you braid each other's hair?"

Toph stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest. Aang found himself smiling. It was so good to see her standing there. His nightmare left him rattled. Zuko simply rolled his eyes at her.

"I'm bald," Aang reminded her, but she didn't seem to pay attention to him.

"It's past my naptime and even if I wanted to I couldn't sleep with you two yapping away like a pair of—"

"All right," Zuko cut her off. "We get it. Come on, Aang. Some tea might help," he added, hoping to get the boy to leave his room.

Aang stood up, "Sorry, Sifu Toph."

"You should be," she grinned as she threw herself on the bed. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

…

After a bath, Aang walked around until he ended up out in the balcony of The Jasmine Dragon again. He looked out into the city where some parts were in dire need of rebuilding. He sighed to himself. They did have a lot of work to do. And this was only Ba Sing Se. Who knew what shape every other city was in?

Just the day before, the life he had pictured once the war ended seemed possible. So close, he could reach out and touch it. Katara with him. He and his 'family' traveling the world just as they had since Katara and Sokka found him and Toph joined the group. Except now, they could have taken time to enjoy every locale they found themselves in. Try the local food, talk with its people…

All that…lost now. In an instant, it turned to nothing but a faint memory of something that would never be…a future that died before it had a chance to live. There was so much Aang had not planned for after the war. Sokka would undoubtedly go home with Suki. Zuko had to return to his nation — Mai in his arm — to continue his reign as the new Fire Lord. Katara wanted to leave him…

That feeling in his chest returned, but he pushed it away. Only Toph would be left. Would she want to go home, too?

"Hi."

Aang closed his eyes at the gentle voice.

"Hi," he replied without looking at her.

"How are you?" Katara asked.

He stayed quiet and didn't reply for a long time.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She really was.

Still he made no reply and she turned to leave. He obviously needed more time to himself and away from her. She took a step towards the entryway when he finally spoke.

"Don't be."

She paused and turned back to look at him.

The young monk took a deep breath. Might as well get it all out and over with. He glanced up at her. She wore the same green dress she had the day before.

Why did she have to look so pretty?

"I appreciate you telling me, Katara. I know it wasn't easy."

"It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do," she admitted, her voice was low, ashamed, full of pain.

He looked up at her more closely then. Aang didn't want her to be sad. He especially didn't want her to be sad because of him.

"Katara, I love you," he said. It hurt to say.

"Aang…"

"Please, let me finish." She nodded and he continued, "I do. I always will. But you're my friend before anything else. And, I don't want to see you like this. Looking so...so miserable. I know you don't feel like I do…and that's okay. Or, it will be. But, I don't want to lose you. Any of you." How could he go on all alone? "If you still want to leave? Appa and I will take you anywhere you want to go."

Katara studied his downcast expression.

"Do you really mean that?"

He looked up at her, a weak smile on his face. "You said it yourself, you're my family now. Right?"

"Of course, we are!" she lunged towards him and hugged him. "You mean so much to me, Aang. I just wish—"

"But you don't." He pulled away. "And that's something I have to deal with. Not you."

Katara smiled at him. He suddenly seemed so grown up and she was proud of him yet again.

"So... when did you want to leave?" he asked.

"What?"

"You said you were leaving. I'm just wondering when you wanted to take off? I'll need to get Appa ready."

"Well," she looked past him, "I'm...I'm not sure."

Aang cocked his head to the side.

"Katara?"

"Yeah?" she smiled and suddenly looked nervous.

"Did you not want to leave?"

She mumbled something and he didn't quite catch it all. It sounded like she said she didn't want to go anywhere, but thought it would be easier for him if she did.

"I don't want you to leave," he assured her.

Her gaze found his and he looked like his old self. His smile bright and warm.

"You don't?" she asked surprised. "Are you sure, Aang?"

Katara wasn't expecting him to be so mature about everything. Angry, hurtful words she anticipated, but not forgiveness so quickly. She shouldn't have been surprised though. This was Aang she was dealing with. It just wasn't in him not to forgive so readily.

He nodded. All he wanted was to keep them together for as long as possible.

She smiled at him. "It's settled then. No one's going anywhere just yet."

The thought made him happy.

"Come on," Katara said, feeling lighter, a weight off her shoulders. He would be okay and they would be okay, too. "Let's get you something to eat. You've gone a full day without anything."

"Are there any custard tarts left?" he asked, his grey eyes wide and hopeful, his stomach about ready to eat itself.

"We saved you a few. I just hope Sokka didn't find where we hid them."

"There you are!" Sokka ran out towards them. "I've been looking all over the place for you!" He was winded.

"Did you leave any egg custard tarts for Aang?" Katara asked her brother.

"What? 'Course not, but that's not important right now. There's a messenger waiting for Aang downstairs. He'll only talk to you. Says it's important. But…" Sokka looked from Aang to Katara and back, "There's something about the guy... I don't trust him."