SO sorry for the delay guys, I've been so unbelievably busy- I'm two months away from graduating high school and have so much to do beforehand! And I was working on another story.
Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA. Bryke and Nickolodeon do.
The morning sun was rising over the air temple and sunlight streamed in through the open window of the living room. The rays hit Sokka's eyes as he sturred out of his deep slumber on his sister's couch. He groaned as he covered his eyes, attempting to shield them from the light.
Sourness immediately shot through his muscles from the position he slept in. After a few minutes of trying to get back to sleep, the warrior realized he would get none, and so sat up on the comfy sofa. He yawned deeply and rubbed lingering thoughts of sleep from his eyes.
As he recalled the events of the day before, he felt his somewhat good mood deflat immediately. He sighed and ran a hand through his loose, unruly brown hair. Well, at least the news are taken in. But where do I go from here?
The tribesman heard a yawn and he craned his neck around to see a just awakening avatar pull on his meditation robes and enter the kitchen. "Good morning, Sokka. How did you sleep?" questioned the airbender as he poured himself some steaming jasmine tea that had been prepared by an early rising air acolyte.
The warrior rubbed his sore neck. "Been better," he grunted. "I didn't sleep more than a few hours."
Aang shrugged as he took a sip from his mug. "We offered you one of the guest rooms."
"I wasn't going to sleep much either way, so no point. " He twisted his neck around before getting up and pulling on his shirt.
Right then, Katara walked in, kissed her husband, and greeted Sokka. "Breakfast is almost ready. Lin is awake and getting dressed. Maybe you should take her to the station today to see Toph? I promised her I would, but it'd be better if you do. And you need to talk to Toph."
Sokka groaned. "Now's not the time. She's busy as hell with cleaning up the Triad mess, and I don't want to hurt her," he whispered.
Katara gently grasped his hand in hers. "Sokka, you won't hurt her. She might be a bit shocked, as we all are, but this isn't your fault. This happened before you two got together. She loves you, and I know she will support you."
The councilman sank back down into the cushions of the couch and sighed. "It's just still so much to take in. Now that my initial shock is over, it just got me thinking, you know? If I had known, I would've gone after Suki, or not allowed her to leave. We would've worked it out. I'd be raising my son, and I never would've been with Toph. I wouldn't be raising Lin the way I am. It just turns my life upside down."
The sister gingerly rubbed his back. "Everything happens for a reason, Sokka. Its cliché, but it's true. You and Toph were meant to find each other. You were meant to become a father to Lin. And now you're being given the chance to meet your biological child. Don't let that opportunity pass. I know you've always wanted a son, a warrior to train. And I'm sure that he wants to meet his father. Just take it easy. Let's eat, and then take Lin to see her mother. You'll know when it's the right time to tell her."
He obeyed his sister and they all sat down for a quiet and pleasant breakfast as the kids walked in. It was a lazy, quiet Saturday morning, just what Sokka needed to clear his head a bit.
As Sokka and his little girl walked to the police station later that morning, a whirlwind of unpleasant thoughts swirled in his mind.
What if she takes it the wrong way? What if she accuses me of cheating? What if she says she never wants me to come near her again? What do I tell Lin? Oh, Agni, help me.
The preteen girl noticed the conflicting emotions flickering across her father's face and grabbed his hand. The man abruptly stopped as they stood outside headquarters and he gulped nervously, knowing that if he didn't calm down, Toph would sense his erratic hearetbeat a mile away.
He took a deep breath and looked at Lin. "Sokka, you've been really quiet since last night. You were sitting in the dark, crying, and you've been really upset all morning. What's wrong? Are you worried about Mom? Or did something happen?" inquired the young Beifong.
The tribesman mentally chuckled. This kid is too smart for her own good sometimes.
He warmly patted her head and faked a smile. "I'm okay, Linny, honest. Just some things with the council I'm really stressed about. It's nothing you or your mom have to worry about. Come on, Toph has been working all night, and I know she wants to see you."
He hustled the girl inside and mentally chastised himself for lying to her. He was also tremendously grateful that Lin hasn't yet learned to properly sense a person's heartbeat and breathing when they lie. Toph had not covered that area of her training just yet.
Toph was exhausted and pissed. She'd been up practically since dawn corroborating with her superiors over the phone the best way to contain the Triad problem, keep the media under wraps, and still successfully pull off the staged meet up.
But things were complicating at an alarming rate, since apparently some rookie officer had let it slip to a reporter that more than one person started the riot. Now every reporter in the city was hounding her on patrol squads about who else besides the alleged rapist was involved.
"I know, Mayor," she barked into her office phone. "I don't know who let it slip, but I promise you, it won't happen again. We're searching for the lily liver right now. I know, if enough pressure is put on the newer officers they'll spill about Kauz. But listen- No! My metalbenders are the best trained officers in the damn country! There's no way any of them would give away that kind of information by being paid off! I personally trained them, I would know. How? I'm a human lie detector! Okay- okay." Familiar footsteps across the floor of the precinct pulled a smile to the exhausted chief's face.
She quickly smoothed out her bangs and casually sat down. As Sokka and Lin quietly entered her work space, the police chief finished her phone call, "I'll talk to you more after the press conference today, Mayor. I reassure you, that won't happen; my close officers can be trusted. Okay. Good day." She hung up and turned to her family.
Lin instantly threw herself into the mother's awaiting arms, earning a warm smile from the proud man of the family. Toph immediately felt relieved and her heart lifted. Having her baby girl hug her made all the stress amnd exhaustion of the past few hours vanish.
She pushed back the girl's bangs and kissed her forehead. "Hey kiddo. How've you been? Mama's missed you."
The girl let go and spoke. "I've been worried about you, Mom. You're always working so much and I'm worried something will happen to you. I know you're the best earthbender in the world, but still. And I miss you too much."
The metalbender's heart ached. She didn't want her daughter constantly worried about her well being.
"I know, badgermole," she comforted the child. "But it's almost over. After a few more days, my intense cases will be over for a while. We are still spending all afternoon together, remember? You'll stay here for lunch and we can spend time, just you and me."
"Yeah! Please Mom!"
Toph grinned. "That okay with you, Councilman Snoolzes? Or do you wanna accompany your ladies?"
Sokka shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat. "No, it's fine, really, you two go have some fun and catch up. I need to go see Zuko and uh, discuss some important matters. I'll see you tonight at home. Lin needs you for a while."
Noticing the strang tone in his normally carefree voice and his nervous heartbeat, Toph lifted an eye brow in suspicion. She really needed to talk to her lover about his behavior lately. But for now she was content with being with her daughter.
After about twenty of conversation between mother and child, Toph beckoned Lin to get with her secretary and get some komquats for all of them. The girl, who loves komquats, bolted out the door.
Once they were alone, Toph also realized she'd been not only absent from Lin's life these past days, but she'd also been neglecting her lover, simply expecting him to care for their daughter. She stood in front of him and knew that his touch was something that whisked away her worry and fatigue like no other.
He exhaled and began to speak. "Toph, I-" He was cut off, however, when the woman threw her arms around him and crashed her lips to his, moaning slightly at the contact.
Agni, she had missed those lips. Sokka's eyes widened and guilt coursed through his veins. He wanted so badly to give in, but his mind compelled him to tell her the truth first. While he fought his internal battle, Toph felt his hesitation and felt her own guilt; did he resent her somehow for neglecting him the past few days?
In order to get a response from him, she rubbed her body against his and kissed him more firmly. Although her armor was in between them, he could feel the heat radiating from her beautiful body.
He finally caved, not being able to resist her passion and his intense love for her, and threw his arms around her waist tightly, pulling her closer. He kissed her back feverently and felt her smile against his lips.
The kiss grew in heat and passion as Toph's tongue begged for entrance and he open his mouth while their tongues explored familiar territory and tasted each other.
Once oxygen became a major necessity, they pulled away, panting, still wound up in each other's embrace.
"I needed that," she breathed. "I'm sorry I've been so distant, Sokka. But this case needs my full attention. I just want this shit to be over."
As always, Sokka's heart melted for the woman before him. He didn't have the heart to tell her now. She was already so stressed it didn't seem fair. He would have to tell her tonight.
He kissed her temple. "I know you're busy. But Lin worries about you, and so do I. Don't run yourself into the ground. But whenever you have time, we need to talk about some things, baby."
"We need to talk," she agreed. "I just want to know something. You've been so quiet and distant this week, especially around me. Pretty hesitant. Do you feel like I'm neglecting you? I don't mean to make you feel that way. The little time I have I need to dedicate to Lin, but I wasn't trying to-"
"Toph," he interrupted, pulling her against his chest. "I don't feel neglected by you. I'm just worried about other things right now. It's okay I know you're busy, and Lin needs her mother. We'll make time for us later. I just don't want you to work yourself so hard."
The earthbender relaxed and rested her head against his chest, listening to his strong warrior's heartbeat. "Sokka, if you're going to see Sparky today, I need you guys to help me with the press. Those bitchy reporters can't know about the Triad we have here, or it'll give notice to the gang, the meet up won't happen, and months of investigating will go to shit. Remember that rapist you and the council recently convicted?"
She felt him nod. "Well we told the media he started the riot. But he's already in prison and I don't have the influence to really make a good cover story for it. But you do. I need you to work with Zuko and do that. We all need to make a statement at the press conference later this afternoon. The Triads can't catch wind of the real situation."
"We got it covered, don't worry," he reassured his love. "I'll talk with the council, too, and see what we can do. We don't want you or any of your officers in harm's way because of some news leakage."
She flashed him a smile of gratitude before kissing him again. As they began to kiss harder and grow in intensity, the office door swung open and Lin walked in with a bowl full of komquats, giggling at what she saw.
Toph's secretary, Ying, walked in as well, carrying a large stack of papers that obstructed her view.
As soon as they heard the door, the couple broke apart, flushed with evident embarrassment and mild arousal on Sokka's part.
He cleared his throat while Toph let Lin sit in her chair to eat.
"Chief, I got those documents City Hall requested we read over. I need you to-"as soon as she placed the stack of papers on the desk and noticed Sokka, her face morphed from surprise to a flirty grin.
Since Ying was relatively new to headquarters, she was obliviously unaware Toph's ground rules for whenever her lover and daughter came to visit. She tossed her chestnut hair back and puffed out her chest, smiling seductively.
Sokka was flustered and shifted uncomfortably while half mumbling a polite greeting. He hated when their fangirls did this, especially in front of Toph.
"Councilman Sokka, it's an honor to meet you in person. You're definitely the best of the council," she purred as she shook her hips, closing in on him. "You're the most handsome of the councilmen. And I loved you in the Quin Xi debate last month. Your voice on the radio was so demanding and masculine."
The police chief heard the flirty tone and the rapid, aroused heartbeat of her secretary. Anger immediately flared up in the bender. Really? She's going to hit on Sokka when I'm right here? And fucking in front of my daughter?
But Lin was far too preoccupied eating her fill of komquats and engrossed with interest in reading over the multitude of papers that were on the desk about present cases. She was completely oblivious to the rising tension in the room.
"T-thank you, Ying. But I really should be going-"he stammered, trying to get away.
But the persistent woman closed him against the desk and looked at him seductively. "You're far too handsome for your own good, Councilman. I have to admire your mind, and how well kept your training keeps you," as she eyed him up and down.
She reached out a finger to touch his well-defined torso hidden by his council attire. But before she could get even within an inch of touching him, her arm was roughly grasped and she was spun around to meet the menacing milky eyes of her boss.
Her eyes widened and she swallowed in fear. She had never seen Beifong this angry. She knew her chief was involved with the councilman, but she couldn't help it. She was fascinated by the fine eye candy Sokka was.
"You're still new here, so you don't know the full rules. But you do not come into my office and hit on my man. You're disrespectful, and you do not do that in front of me, nor when my daughter is here. Not now, not ever. I should report your ass to the board of conduct for misbehavior and sexual harassment," the earthbender snarled.
"I-I'm sorry, Chief, I didn't mean to-"
"To what? Try to seduce Sokka right in front of me? That's exactly what you did! A lot of you lose women try to get to him in this city. But guess what? It'll never happen. Want to know why?"
She released Ying and grabbed the baffled councilman by the collar of his shirt. She crashed their lips together and she kissed him deeply. After a minute she pulled away and grabbed his ass, earning her a yelp from the poor warrior. "Because all this is mine. He loves me, and he's my man. No little floozy is going to stroll in and try to think they have a chance. Got it?"
The frightened younger woman nodded before stammering out another apology and bolted out of their sight.
Satisfied, Toph grabbed a komquat and began eating with Lin.
When she sensed Sokka still rooted to his spot with his mouth wide, she looked puzzled.
"What?" She turned to Lin who simply shrugged as she continued to read a complex case.
"What the hell was that just now?!" He questioned.
The bender simply shrugged and continued to enjoy her snack. "Floozy was coming on to you. I was just reclaiming what's mine."
Sokka just stood there shocked, but then composed himself and shrugged, deciding he'd been emasculated enough and let it go, opting to eat too.
After the the awkward occurence at headquarters, Sokka left Lin with Toph so they could have some time together and he arrived at the Fire Embassy.
It was a large and beautiful structure, reminding him a bit of the noble homes back in the Fire Nation. The tall building was built as strong as a fortress, but had the elegance and reputation of a luxerious hotel. The blood red walls were supporting a large domed roof twenty stories high and had professionally made statues of golden dragons at the four corners of the top of the roof. The embassy was newly built, having been completely finsihed about a year ago.
Zuko did not feel safe with bringing his family to the exposure of a normal hotel with all of the assassins who have often tried to eliminate him at hotels whenever he was in town. He personally had funded the Embassy's construction with the accomodations of a Fire Nation nobility home, quick contact with the Capitol, and fire squads protection for nobles, councilmen, ambassadors, and the Royal family whenever they came to the city.
Only members of the Council, with clear credentials, or those with personal ties to guests of the embassy were allowed in. After Sokka voiced his name, profession and connection to the Fire Lord to one of the fire soldiers and showed his council identification, he was allowed in.
The Fire Lord's chambers were the penthouse on the top floor, due to his high rank in the society. Ordinarily Sokka would groan about having to climb twenty flighhts of stairs, but just a few years ago Teo invented something called an elevator. It would take a person up and down in a large building without much effort.
Once the inventor finished oogling at the mechanics of the elevator, he again showed the Royal Guards at the door his credentials.
Captain Shin, the head of Zuko's guards and his most trusted soldier looked over Sokka's identification. He knew the councilman was a close friend of the Fire Lord's. But as to keep decorum, he had to follow protocol.
"What is your business with his highness, Councilman?" he gruffly questioned as he handed the leather wallet back to the Water Tribe man.
"Business," stated the warrior. "We have important matters to discuss about the city. Also he is my close friend as you already now, Captain."
Shin nodded and beckoned the younger guard who was there to enter and inform their king. The young soldier was awe struck at coming in close contact with another hero of the Great War. He already had a hard time believing he was guarding the Fire Lord. He snapped out of it and quickly entered the penthouse. After a few minutes of awkward silence, the young man came out.
"My lord was in another room, but I asked and he called out yes. You can go in, Councilman, s-sir," the young guard stuttered.
Sokka fought the urge to roll his eyes at these ridiculous formalities, but nodded his thanks to the guards nonetheless and entered.
The penthouse was truly a beautiful apartment. It was large, much larger than the apartment Sokka and Toph lived in. It had a large den with expensive looking furniture and fine tea sets everywhere. The wall had a large Fire Nation insignia.
He looked around and spotted the royals exiting the master bedroom. He crossed his arms in amusement as he listened to the fire couple.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? With the media riled up about that riot, they're out for blood. They won't hesitate in hounding you or Ursa for information or what if an assassin gets to-"
"Zuko," Mai halted his worries. "We'll be fine. The press isn't even focused on us at the moment. Ursa and I need to finish buying the baby's things. Or do you not want your son to have nice things?" She took the firebender's hand and gently set it on her pregnant stomach. The baby kicked as if he recognized Zuko's radiating warmth.
He gave in and grinned. "Your mom uses you to get me to say yes to anything," he spoke tenderly to the unborn child. "But once you're here, my little prince, I know you'll be on my side. It's you and me against the women. I need backup, Son."
Mai chuckled and shook her head as Zuko kissed her abdomen. "Ursa is already at the Central Plaza with Katara and Kya. You know Kya practically dragged her out of here this morning so they could spend the day together. Ursa misses her best friend. We need a little normalcy, and shopping for our prince, in the city like normal people, is a good way."
Zuko nodded. "Just be careful. I love you."
The red clad Fire Lady smiled slightly. She was only ever this warm and tender with Zuko or their daughter. "I love you too, my lord," she mock bowed.
Mai grabbed the firebender by his front robe and captured his lips. They began to kiss deeply and passionately and Sokka was amused until the moment the fire master grabbed his wife's ass and gave it a good squeeze, earning a little moan from her. She ran her fingers down his torso and snuck a hand between his lower robs. Once Zuko groaned lowly and slightly bucked his hips into her hand did the councilman feel extremely uncomfortable by the scene.
"Uh, guys try not to do that without checking who's in the room first," the councilman admonished. "I doubt an assassin will want to watch you fuck on the floor before killing you. Jeez, you two get it on anywhere. No wonder Mai's pregnant again."
The monarchs immediately broke apart and were startled by the voice of the tribesman. Mai almost toppled over due to her large belly but her husband grabbed her from behind and maintained her balance. Once he was sure she was steady, he became flustered and outraged.
He glared at Sokka. "Sokka. What the fuck are you doing watching us?! You couldn't just say you were here when we came out of the room?"
Sokka raised his hands in a show of peace. "I told you I'd come by today. And your guard, the young guy, told me you said I could come in. When he came in to ask, he said he heard you yell "yes" and-" The councilman halted his explanations and realized what the young soldier must have accidentally mistook as being the monarch's permission to enter. The soldier had, in fact, mistaken his lord's moan of pleasure for an answer. A look of utter horror and disgust crossed Sokka's features as he finally noticed Zuko's disheveled robs and Mai's messy hair, which she was now trying to fix into a top knot.
"Ugh!" he groaned with disgust. "That kid practically walked in on you two fucking and he thought- and that explains why you were still in the bedroom at noon- oh Agni. How the fuck is that even possible?! You're huge!"
Mai gave her friend an annoyed look as she finished neatly tucking her hair into a top knot while Zuko was practically fuming at the politician. She placed an arm around Zuko's shoulders in an effort to calm him down and replied. "Easy. It's uncomfortable as hell to be this huge and I need some type of release. And once this kid is born we won't be having any for a while." She smirked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Zuko's passionate and needs a good fucking pretty often. My pregnancy hormones are out of control. So lately, we fuck every opportunity we get when we're alone."
At the councilman's dumbfounded expression, the Fire Lady smirked.
"Okay. Uh I'm gonna go get a drink from your kitchen- yeah have fun shopping. And thanks for the scarring mental image." The warrior shuddered as he turned on his heel and left the room in a hurry.
"Agni, Mai. That was amazing," Zuko stuttered with a dark look of passionate desire in his golden eyes. The Fire Lord's wife almost laughed. They'd just finished chopping the morning wood, and he was already becoming aroused by her clever quip.
She kissed him softly, turned her lips to his ear and whispered seductively as she again slid her hand through his open robes. Zuko hissed as she grabbed his manhood firmly and tugged softly.
"If you be a good Fire Lord today, and if we tire Ursa out enough during our shopping trip that she goes to sleep early, we can have another round tonight, your highness. This is just a little preview." She massaged his aroused length up and down, fondled his balls, and stroked him even harder.
"Fuck," Zuko moaned in pleasure as he lightly thrusted his hips into her hand.
She smirked and gave him one last rough tug before removing her hand altogether.
Mai laughed. "You have work to do, so go."
Mai voiced for the guards to accompany her and they walked down the hall towards the elevator with their queen.
Poor Zuko was left looking after her longingly. He looked down at his half hardened length.
What am I supposed to do now? He wondered. Okay think of something unattractive. Um, Azula flirting with Chan. Um, Uncle flirting with that old ticket lady when we entered Ba Sing Sei. The firebender shuddered at the memory and his arousal immediately faltered.
Once he took a moment to recompose himself, the monarch neatly organized his robes and walked to the kitchen as he witnessed his best friend down a shot of his strongest Fire whiskey.
Zuko poured himself a shot.
"Dude what the hell?" Questioned the politician as he poured himself another shot as well. "You two do it anywhere. Remember how when you were dating and first got married that we'd catch you guys getting freaky in every corner of the palace? We thought that died down once Ursa came along, but I guess not!" He laughed after taking another shot. "I'm acutally surprised you guys don't have a shitload more of little fire babies running around."
Zuko took his drink and cleared his throat. "Well you shouldn't have entered without knowing. And we always use protection so we don't have a lot of kids."
"Then how is she pregnant right now?" The amused swordsman challenged.
The bender blushed. "We uh, one night we came home late from a charity function. I'd been so incredibly busy with the fire council that we hadn't done it in months. Ursa went right to sleep as soon as we returned to the palace, and Mai had been quiet all evening. When I asked what was wrong, she pushed me against the wall and kissed me. She was so hot for me and- why am I even telling you this?! Point is she hadn't taken her preventative tea for a while since we hadn't been intimate, we forgot to find a condom, and-"
"And your little soldiers knocked her up," Sokka grinned as he finished the sentence and clanked their glasses together. "Way to go, Zuko."
The Fire Lord cursed under his breath and took another shot.
After a few minutes of silence, Sokka became serious and spoke up. "Zuko."
The bender nodded for him to continue.
The tribesman bit his lower lip and sighed. "How does it feel knowing you're going to have a son?"
Zuko looked surprised by the question but grinned. "It was a shock at first that she was even pregnant. But once we knew at the reunion that it was a boy I was ecstatic. Like I said I love my daughter and I'm proud of the strong heir I have. But I think every father deep down wants a son. And this is the chance I've always wanted; to correct Ozai's mistakes with my own children. I'll treat them equally, and I can be the father to my son that Ozai wasn't for me, and that my uncle was for me. A boy needs a father to help him become a man. Why do you ask?"
Sokka couldn't meet the fire master's gaze as he focused on his empty glass. He voiced lowly, "I just found out I have a son."
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise. "Is Toph pregnant? Because she was told it was too-"
"No," the councilman dismissed the theory. "Suki came back to the city. She came to my office yesterday to talk. We had a pretty bad fight, long time coming considering how she left me years ago, and told me she came here so I'd know about our son."
"Y-your son?"
The tribesman nodded sadly. "When she left, she was pregnant with my kid. She didn't find out until a few months after, and she never told me. She left in a blind rage after our fight and only told me he was mine and how old he is. I don't even know his name."
Sokka sighed and launched into the full tale of his revelation. Once he was done, the stunned monarch only starred at his friend for a moment.
Finally he spoke. "I'm sorry you have to go through it this way, my friend. But what Aang told you is true. Looking at this another way may help you. Don't you remember how upset you were when you and Suki couldn't conceive?"
Sokka looked at Zuko with crestfallen eyes. "I'll never forget. And it was before everything went to shit for us."
The waves of time seemed to sweep the warrior away from the table and to another time and place as another memory flooded his mind.
Sokka and Suki had just returned from another disappointing session with yet another healer. No matter how hard they tried, it seems the couple would never conceive a child of their own.
Suki walked into their downtown home and sat in a chair with tears leaking from her violet eyes. Sokka followed closely behind, tears of frustration evident in his azure gaze.
He wiped them and squatted down in front of his wife, taking her hands in his.
"Sweetheart," he spoke softly. "It's okay. We can't give up. It's been a hard process, but we will find a way to have our child. We can try-"
"It's not possible," she grieved. "Even your sister, the best healer in the goddamn world, can't give us a diagnosis of why I can't seem to get pregnant. I stopped taking my preventative herbal tea two years ago, and we make love often. You were tested at the clinic, there's nothing wrong with your reproductive system. So the problem lies in me. It's just, everyone is planning their families and having kids, and we're here with nothing. I'm sorry, Sokka," she lamented. "I know how badly you want a family. I'm sorry I can't seem to give you one."
The husband kissed her hands and wiped her tears away with his thumbs.
"Hey," he whispered as he gently lifted her chin so her watery gaze would meet his. "This is not your fault. Sometimes it's difficult for couples to conceive. But just because Katara and the other healers can't tell us the problem doesn't mean we should give up. To the contrary, if they can't detect anything wrong, it's a sign of hope. Now's just not our time. We'll keep trying until we get little Sokka Junior," he smiled when he saw his comment earn a giggle from the distraught woman.
"We'll have a child."
Suki relaxed and hugged her husband of eight years tightly. "I want a family. I want your children so badly," she muttered against his shoulder.
The warrior rubbed her back soothingly and kissed the top of her auburn head. "I promise I will give you a child. It will happen, one way or another."
"I love you, Sokka. Please don't leave me alone."
He tightened his grip on the Kyoshi warrior. "I never will. I love you, too. We will be a family one day."
As the memory evaporated into the past once more, Zuko looked worriedly at his companion.
The politician was sitting still, looking into the air, with a bittersweet expression on his face. "And it did happen. Right at the moment where it shouldn't have," voiced the still councilman.
Zuko snapped his fingers in front of the Water Tribe man's face. "You okay?"
He snapped his eyes back into focus and looked at the firebender. "What? I'm fine."
"What just happened?"
"I was just, remembering. Suki and I tried for over two years to conceive, and couldn't. I just remembered the last time we went to a healer and she came home in tears. I promised her I would give her a child of our own. I just," he sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Never expected it to happen like this. Why now? We tried while we were together and happy. What we'd both wanted for so long only happened when we divorced and split up."
"Fate is a strange thing," Zuko offered. "Perhaps this is fate's way of telling you something. Maybe this is an opportunity for you to make amends with Suki. If it weren't for the boy, she wouldn't be here in the first place. You probably wouldn't have ever seen her again."
"I don't know." The councilman deposited the shot glasses into the sink as he pulled out some files he had to go over with the ruler. "I just don't know what to do or how to feel. Part of me is still angry at her for not telling me until now. Another part is terrified of how Toph and Lin will react. But deep down I feel proud."
Zuko placed a supportive hand on the man's shoulder. "Being a father is a joyous thing, you know that. In my experience, it's an emotional and biological connection like no other. You already feel kinship with your son. But you need to tell Toph, Sokka, she has a right to know."
He retracted his hand and questioned. "So I'm assuming this is why you haven't proposed?"
Sokka nodded. "I can't right now. I need to sort things out. I want to so badly, but my ex-wife just showed up with my kid and I can't lay that on her, and then ask her to marry me. This whole situation is just really fucked up," he sighed exhaustively. "Anyway let's move on, the topic alone is draining. We need to discuss the media coverage. Toph told me you and I need to make up a good cover story about the serial rapist I just convicted."
Zuko was concerned, but let the matter slide for now. He sat back down and took a look at the documents Sokka brought. "I saw her the other night as well. She said we need to make sure nobody tries to reach the convicted. No one can try to get in to interview him, or look and see if the story is actually legit. I made a few calls and can help cover the real perpetrators, but you need to pull your resources with the council in order to have the rapist transferred and the Triad locked up."
Sokka listened intently as Zuko explained the tactic they were going to use, but his mind remained plagued with doubts and questions.
A few hours later Toph was finally done with the stack of paperwork with a frightened Ying. She took a few hours off until the press conference to be with her child. She changed out of her uniform into a comfortable civilian outfit, barked to her lieutenant to keep things running until she returned for the conference, and headed to Kuang's for some noodles.
After ordering their food, mother and daughter sat engaged in a long awaited conversation. The girl went on and on about things at school and with her friends and Toph couldn't help but smile. She loved knowing her baby girl was happy.
"History is so boring, Mom. All we're learning about is the great war. I mean I've heard that story like a thousand times already!" the girl threw her arms up in emphasis. "My mom and dad helped save the world."
Toph felt a swell of joy at the girl calling Sokka her dad. For the past few years, Lin had not called him by the title, only by his name. When Lin had been an infant, she had often been cared for by Sokka whenever her mother worked late. This was the time before Sokka and Toph began their relationship, but the baby saw him almost every day. One day when Sokka was helping Lin learns to walk, she'd almost fallen, but Sokka caught her in time. At that moment, the infant had giggled and called him daddy. The two had been stunned, to say the least. But when Sokka officially became Toph's partner, he allowed it. Lin called him Dad until she was seven, when they told her the truth and Sokka wasn't her biological father. The girl had been saddened, knowing her real father had abandoned them, but openly said Sokka was her true dad. But while not much had changed between Lin and Sokka since then, she'd started calling him by his name. It hurt, but he understood she still clung to the hope of a father she never knew. Regardless, the metalbender knew her daughter loved Sokka as a father.
"You know it, badgermole," she agreed. "Snoozles and I saved the Earth Kingdom from being burned down. What else has been going on?"
"Tenzin is acting so werid," she complained. "He's so nice one minute, and so quiet around me the next. When we do homework, he stares at me like a creep. When we go out to train, he goes soft on me! I don' t know what his deal is."
The police chief stifled her laughter by drinking her leechee juice. Oh boy, I saw this coming. Just friends my ass. I can't wait to rub this in Sugar Queen's face at the next reunion.
"Honey, boys are just weird," the mother offered. "They get moody and act like lily livers because they think they have to be gentle with girls. What they never learn is that a Beifong can kick their asses any day of the week." She crossed her arms over her chest and grinned at her true thoughts. But Lin was still too young to be told about those things.
"Like Sokka?" the girl giggled. While the councilman greatly respected the strength of the Beifong, he often tried to be exceedingly gentle with them and be the man of the house. It'd usually result in a fight between him and her mother, Lin and Toph laughing at him, or the poor warrior sleeping alone on the couch.
The proud mother laughed along. "Like Sokka," she agreed.
Their food was set on the table by the waiter and the hungry Beifongs immediately began devouring their noodles.
After several minutes of nothing but slurping and chewing, the girl spoke up. "Mom?"
Toph took a large, generous gulp of her beverage before responding once her thirst was quenched. "Yeah Lin?"
The girl looked down before voicing her thoughts. "About Sokka. There's something I think you should know."
This sudden shift in demeanor did not sit pleasantly with the police chief. "What about him, Linny? Did he do something wrong?"
"No!" the young earthbender immediately defended. "He didn't do anything wrong. I just think he's upset about something."
Toph swallowed the last of her noodles and her eye brows scrunched up in confusion. "I have noticed he's been quiet and distant, like worried about something, but he told me he'd spill later. Why do you think he's upset?" she pressed.
"Well, last night I went to the apartment with Aunt Katara to get my things to spend the night. I hadn't seen Sokka all day and I was worried. When we got there, he was sitting in the dark, and it looked like he was crying. I'm not sure why but he was really upset, and Aunt Katara was worried, too. I just want to help him but I don't know what's wrong. Do you think maybe he's upset and thinks something will happen to you?" questioned the girl. "I know I am."
Toph frowned at what her daughter just described. Why was Sokka crying? Had something happened? Or was he actually as worried for her safety since the attack? The chief reached out and held her daughter's hand.
"I don't know, Badgermole," her mother confessed. "But I promise you I will find out what's bothering your dad. I need to talk to him anyway. Don't worry so much, it'll work out. Now why don't you tell me more about what Twinkle Toes Junior is doing?"
Lin giggled at her mother's nickname for the airbenders and let her worries go for the moment as she finished filling Toph in in what she'd missed.
It was a very pleasant afternoon for the Beifong women.
Katara and Mai walked through the Central Plaza as their daughters walked ahead, chatting excitingly and bursting with energy. The two teen girls were practically joined at the hip, talking and laughing and making plans for the entire month they had to spend together. Katara couldn't help but smile at the scene. The two girls had always been the best of friends, despite their opposing elements and living far away from each other.
Seeing Kya so attached to Ursa reminded Katara so much about how close she and Aang are to Zuko. Perhaps it's true what Roku said, that some friendships are so strong, they can even transcend lifetimes.
The older waterbender looked over to the elegant Fire Lady. Mai was wearing fine red robes, but not as complex and exquisite as her traditional Fire Lady clothing. She had her hair up in a top knot and she would often rest a hand on her large belly to keep balance, and to feel her son's occasional kicks. She had a serene, pensive look on her lovely features and a small smile directed towards their daughters.
The waterbender almost laughed as she saw the grumbling expression of two of the imperial guards who were accompanying the Fire Lady and princess. They were carrying half a dozen shopping bags each, full of baby clothing, toys, blankets, and some women's clothing. Mai had even gotten the other guard to carry a few of Katara and Kya's bags.
As they passed through the busy park and shopping center, many people, as usual, stopped to stare at the group. A few citizens warmly greeted Katara and praised her for her well thought out waterbending combat classes. A few tried to come near the women, but the guards would snarl and threaten them to keep their distance. A few Fire Nation citizens even courteously bowed once they recognized the Fire Lord's wife and daughter.
But the princess was too engrossed in her conversation to notice, and the queen would simply nod politely to her fellow Fire Nation citizens.
"I swear I don't know where they get that kind of energy from," Katara commented, attempting to draw the pensive pregnant woman into conversation. "I can't go a mile a minute anymore. Even in my teenage years, I didn't have that much energy."
Mai shrugged. "I never really did either. We're not as young as we used to be. But Ursa gets it from Zuko. I don't know if it's because they're firebenders, or it's natural, but they're both so alive and passionate."
Katara nodded. "I'm enthusiastic when I want to be, but Kya has Aang's spirit. He's always been so lively, so loving of life. She definitely has an Air Nomad spirit."
Mai smiled as they walked out of the Plaza and towards some vendors for lunch. "Everyone says Ursa is so much like me. That she's beautiful like me, sharp like me. But in reality, I think she has more of Zuko in her."
"That's a relief! At least she has more than just his eyes," The healer quipped lamely.
Mai and even one of the guards sighed. Even after all these years, Katara can't tell a decent joke to save her life.
"Anyway," Mai continued, before her lips tugged upward slightly. "She's passionate, loving, and warm like her father. She has that same fiery spirit, that goes so much deeper than their bending. She has that same driving passion that dictates them to never give up on their goals. And she's just as temperamental and moody as him," the women chuckled softly. "Ursa looks like me, but she's just like Zuko. And this little guy will probably be like his daddy, too," she tenderly whispered to her unborn son.
"Kya is more like me," the Avatar's wife explained. "From looks, to heart, to bending. But her gentle spirit and her wanderlust come from Aang. Whenever I watch her bend slowly, or see her look out to the bay with a longing in her eyes, I see Aang. It's a wonderous thing, to see you and your partner in a child, isn't it?"
"It is," the raven haired woman agreed. "So what's the situation with this Triad group? I've heard things on and off, especially when Zuko had to come to the city a few years ago to help stop that blood bender."
Katara's smile faltered. "About two years ago, Yakone was put in prison. Aang took his bending after he'd terrorized Republic City for years and threatened to dismantle everything we've worked so hard to build," the waterbender waved her hand, gesturing to the buzzing metropolis surrounding them. "After that we thought it was over. But the past year and a half, new robberies, murders, and other crimes have escalated in the city. Word from Toph's informants was that someone new is taking control of Yakone's old group and forming a new Triad group. These people are smuggling narcotics, illegal cactus juice, and other things into the country. Extortion of importation companies is increasing rapidly. Toph and her squad have been investigating and seem to have a way to infiltrate the gang to work their way up to who the new head of the organization is. There have been a few attacks against Aang and Sokka, but nothing serious nor lethal, just attempted robberies and such that always failed. But since the riot at the police station, there seems to be some suspicion of a conspiracy. We're not sure of what just yet," she explained.
"That explains the precautions and extra security Zuko has whenever we come to visit," commented the Fire Lady. "We get enough threats as it is, but with Zuko being another founder of the United Republic, and this organization wanting control of the city, they send out more hits on us than usual. It's like that stressful time during the situation with the Harmony Restoration Movement in Yu Dao all over again. We need to keep an eye on everyone while we're here. They'll target our kids as easily as any of us."
Katara voiced her agreement and called out to the girls to slow down and wait for them.
"But Mom we're just going to the cowpig meat vendor!" Kya replied as she pointed to the vendor up ahead.
"Yeah!" added the Fire Priness. "We're gonna get some food and we'll wait there."
"Okay," voiced Mai. "But you two stay put once you're there, understood? Shin," she called to one of her guards. "Keep an eye on them, please."
The Captain bowed the best he could while carrying all the shopping items. "As you command, my lady," and walked ahead.
"Mom we're not five!" Ursa complained. "We don't need the guards to walk us everywhere! And we can take care of ourselves. Or else what's the point of Dad teaching me advanced firebending?"
"It's for your own protection. You know how many people here try to get to us. Your father is fine with us doing whatever we want here as long as he knows we're guarded. Let's not give him a heart attack if he found out you were wandering the city on your own. And it's for my peace of mind." The mother crossed her arms and lifted an eye brow as challenge.
The girl rolled her amber eyes and agreed reluctantly as she grabbed Kya's arm and sprinted with her friend, laughing as they raced.
The guard groaned as he called after the princess to slow down.
Katara motioned to Mai. "We've gotten a lot of baby items. How about we eat something and maybe take the girls to see a mover? I know one that just came out, and we could relax for a while."
Mai brightened at the idea. "Sounds good, my feet are swollen and I need to rest for a while. But let's feed Lu Ten and I first, he's restless," she motioned to the kicking unborn infant. "I swear he kicks every five minutes."
Katara laughed as they exited the main gate of the park. "Come on, let's just catch up to the girls."
The four women were content as they ate their hot meal. But none of them seemed to notice the looming figure from behind one of the trees in the park, watching their every movement. It lingered a moment longer before moving away from the large oak tree.
It was time for the leaders of city to make a final statement on the investigation of the prison riot. The reporters were all surrounding City Hall as they watched Avatar Aang land on the podium using his glider. The tall man was wearing his finest orange and yellow Air Nomad robes. He looked out to the citizens who were present as well as they cheered his name. Aang smiled timidly and waved to he crowd. While the airbender was irritated tremendously by the nosey press, being the main reason he and his family live out in the bay, Aang did feel honored by the adoration his people had for him.
A moment later, the cheers shifted to the Fire Lord as he took his place beside the Avtar with his royal guards close by. He stood firmly in all his regal glory, with fine crimson robes, the traditional shoulder padding of the fire monarch, his dual swords strapped to both sides of the sash around his waist, and the fire crown atop his neat top knot. He greeted his friend warmly and looked out to the audience. Many of the people shouted his name and a number of Fire Ntion citizens in the crowd bowed respectfully to the ruler of their homeland.
"Did you and Sokka work on what we talked about?" The avatar questioned discretely as he continued to wave to the people.
"Everything's in order," the ruler assured. "We worked all afternoon. Don't worry about it."
More cheers came as Cheif Beifong stepped onto the metallic podium (which she had requested so she could "see") dressed in her clean uniform and walked over to her friends, ignoring the cheers of her name.
"Let's get this shit over with," she mumbled annoyingly the the firebender and avatar.
Finally the Water Tribe siblings appeared, Sokka fully dressed in his councilman garb with space sword attached to his hip, and Karara in her finest tribal robes. They all greeted the audience before order was requested by the mayor of the city. He beckoned each of the war heroes to speak on the investigation they've been on.
Aang approached the microphone and adjusted it to his height. Finally he motioned for silence and spoke. Finally he motioned for silence and spoke.
"Good people of Republic City," began their avatar. "These past few days have been difficult for us. The riot that occurred at Republic City Police Headquarters was unpredictable, and unacceptable. A number of good officers were injured in the aftermath. But I promise you this. The problem has been contained and Chief Beifong, the council, and I are doing everything we can to prosecute and swiftly punish the perpetrators. We will not be lenient with this. And the precinct is back under police control."
A multitude of reporters swarmed the podium at once, flashing cameras at the airbender and shouting for his attention.
Aang sighed, but knew he best answer a few questions in order to not look like he's hiding something. He voiced for decorum and chose one of the hundreds of reporters begging for answers.
"Avatar Aang," addressed a man dressed in a tailored Earth Kingdom suit wearing thick rimmed glasses. "I'm Chan Li from the Republic Times. My sources have told me that only one culprit was responsible for the outburst. What can you tell us of this statement? Was there only one responsible? And was there a conspiracy behind the riot?"
He stuck his own microphone annoyingly into the monk's face. Aang mentally told himself to keep a neutral face and provided his answer.
"Yes that is correct, Mr. Li. There was one man responsible for starting the up rise. He encouraged violence and influenced the other prisoners. However, the others are also being held accountable for their actions. And as far as we have been informed, the sole purpose for the up rise was an attempt to escape. I'll take one more question."
A middle aged woman in a skimpy outfit shouted to the master of four elements.
"Avatar!" she shouted before he had a chance to choose another reporter. "There is talk of a chain type of gang being held in the police station lock up. There is also some talk about the authorities attempting to keep the media out of the loop of the investigation. Is this true?!" she demanded. "If so, the people have a right to know what goes on in their city! You said so yourself years ago when the city was first established!"
Everyone of Team Avatar sighed with annoyance. This woman was Reporter Akio. She was the rudest and by far most annoying reporter in the city. She was constantly trying to capture inappropriate photos of the team or get any dirt on their personal lives that she could. She'd been the one who reported the tragic divorce of Councilman Sokka and Commander Suki, with excruciating personal details that she fabricated in order to stain his flawless reputation with the people. Ever since then, Sokka had gotten a court order that Akio could not interview him or do any stories about him at all. If she violated the order, she would be fined and lose her job with the press permanently.
"We are not keeping anyone out of the loop," defended the avatar. "We simply made no statements until today, for this was a delicate investigation that was still underway. Authorities were far too busy trying to make sure nothing like this happens again, Reporter. Also, I am well aware of what I said about freedom of press, for I signed the documents myself. As far as your other statement, there is no chain gang in lock up that I am aware of. Now I will turn it over to Councilman Sokka, Chairman of the United Republic Council, to speak more on the matter."
Aang patted Sokka's shoulder and sent him sympathetic for making him go into the wolf's mouth. Sokka simply rolled his eyes and put on his best poker face.
"Good citizens, the council has worked relentlessly to rectify this error and punish the man responsible. I have signed a document this afternoon to have the accused transferred to a top security prison to await further sentencing for this travesty, on top of the charges he already faces. Now, seeing as we still have a few statements to be heard, I will address one question."
He glared daggers at Akio as she opened her mouth to say something, but backed away at the sight of the councilman's steely gaze. He quickly picked another female reporter near the front of the audience.
"Thank you. Chairman," She said politely as she prepared her notepad to write down the politician's response. "Councilman Sokka, I have heard that this man was a serial rapist who you and the other council members convicted recently. I must ask, what is his name? How atrocious were his crimes? And what did he hope to gain with the riot?"
"His name is Feng," replied the bored tribesman, annoyance coating every syllable. "He was indicted with multiple counts of sexual assault against non-bender women in the rural areas surrounding Republic City. We linked him to these crimes based on eye witness testimonies from the victims, an empty alibi, and a few other pieces of evidence that are confidential while the criminal is still in the incarceration process. He was brutal to his victims, and seeing as we sentenced him to life, he tried to flee the precinct. We know that he feared being left in maximum security with other criminals of his caliber. We all know rapists are not regarded well in prisons. He coerced the other suspects to revolt and flee the perimeter. This was to no avail. Now, if there was nothing else-"Sokka stopped in mid-sentence as he caught sight of a particular person in the crowd. His eyes widened as he spotted auburn hair, creamy skin, and two bright violet eyes glaring at him.
The councilman was stunned, but heard Zuko's voice from behind snap him out of his daze. He looked to the crowd once again and the spot where he'd seen her was now empty.
Is my mind playing tricks on me, or did she leave when I saw her? Was that even her? It had to be. What the fuck was that?
He awkwardly cleared his throat. "Um, excuse me. I will hand off the questioning to Fire Lord Zuko. Thank you."
Zuko and Katara spoke briefly as well. Zuko spoke about the things he'd seen and heard of, as well as the aid he was lending the council to clean up the police station and work things through with the Justice Hall. Katara told the crowd that the officers who were injured were going to be fine and she had personally gone to check up on them. She also touched upon the topic if she thought any blood benders were involved in the riot; she dismissed the absurd idea and reminded them that all of those involved were non-benders who'd never met each other before.
"Security measures are being taken so that nothing like this ever happens again," finished Chief Beifong as she crossed her arms over her chest in a confident stance. "We interrogated each of the men, and there is no further danger lurking. The other suspects are being held tightly and only my most experienced officers are to interact with them. I promise you all, there is no more present danger. With that, we end this press conference. Thank you all for your cooperation and patience during the investigation."
With that, the gaang quickly entered City Hall before the reporters could swamp them with even more questions.
"Thank Agni that's over," Zuko sighed. "Wasn't sure we'd pull this off but we did, nice job guys."
"Hell yeah Sparky," Toph agreed. "I'm exhausted as fuck and want to go home, I've been stuck in that shitty precinct all week. It's still early and I need some rest."
"Toph! Don't speak like that when we're out in public!" Katara reprimanded. "Imagine if the reporters hear you and your colorful language! It could end your career."
Sokka and Zuko glanced at each other before erupting into hysterical laughter along with Toph.
Aang tried to respectfully remain quiet for his wife's pride's sake, but a chuckle escaped his lips and he coughed to mask his evident amusement.
"Okay, Sweetness," the earthbender answered. "First off, colorful language? Really? And second, this is second nature to everyone in the city by now. I cuss enough for my own officers to pay it no mind! Do you not know me by now? Hearing me swear is an everyday thing for these fucking reporters," she snickered. Boy she needed a good laugh after such a stressful week.
The waterbender went red with embarrassment and slight anger. "I'm only trying to help you keep a good image; you are the role model for a lot of kids in this city! I Whatever, I have to go get ready to teach my healing class. Come on Aang, we should go home. I doubt the Air Acolytes can keep the kids preoccupied much longer and Kya is coming with me to demonstrate to the class."
Aang chuckled once more before waving at his friends and following his irritated wife.
Once the remaining three finished laughing, Zuko perked up as he remembered this afternoon seeing his daughter dozing off, signaling that she'd been worn out from her all day outing since dawn. A smirk crossed his features as he remembered Mai's promise and couldn't voice his farewell fast enough. He motioned for his guards to come and the Fire Lord left for the satomobile waiting for him outside in a hurry, eager to return to the Embassy and the night he anticipated with his lady.
Once only Sokka and Toph remained, he put his arms around her and kissed her lips softly. "Been a really long week. What do you say we head home? We have to talk, and Lin is probably getting bored being looked after by Old Lady Zelda."
"Yeah, good idea, Snoozles. Oh, and thanks for all the work you and Zuko did to protect the investigation," she lightly punched his arm and dragged him to the door.
As soon as the couple entered their home, Lin came up and greeted her parents.
While Toph and Lin conversed about the press conference, Sokka thanked Zelda, an old woman who lived next door who often watched Lin when they and Katara couldn't, and paid her as she walked out the door.
"How about I cook up some moose lion hind for dinner?" Sokka proposed when he heard Toph and Lin's stomachs growl in unison. "You two go listen to the radio for a while or something, and babe, why don't you change?"
Toph grinned. "Now that's what I call the royal treatment. I love the housewife I have."
Lin giggled at her mother's comment as she went to turn on the radio to her favorite station.
Sokka frowned. "Why do you find the need to emasculate me further? And in front of our child? I only offer to do nice things for you both and this is the thanks I get!" he mock pouted as he stuck out his lower lip and crossed his arms for emphasis.
The bender laughed again and pinched the councilman's ass. He yelped and rubbed his poor derriere.
"Don't be such a wuss, baby," she stressed the last word and smirked. "Your gestures touch me. Thank you. It's been a rough day."
She pecked him on the lips and went to change into her nightgown, and as usual, made sure to sway her hips from side to side. She never got tired of his reaction to her doing that.
Sokka's gaze was glued to her backside for several moments before he snapped out of it and went to work.
As the tribesman flared up the gas of the oven and prepared the condiments, his thoughts wandered once more.
What the hell? Am I seeing things now? Am I going insane?
His mind raced back to that agonizing moment in the park, her angry, red rimmed violet eyes. Eyes that had once held nothing but love for him. A love that he'd thought would last forever- Stop it! He yelled at his own thoughts. That's the past. I'm in love with Toph now. Suki made her own choices and I made mine. Even if she had my kid, I'm with Toph. But damn it I don't know what she'll say. Will she think I'm cheating on her? Will she-
A pair of arms wrapped around his waist and cut his mental dilemma short for the moment, which he was silently thankful for. He mixed in some spices to the pot he was cooking in and turned around to see his earthbender in her green nightgown and her lock raven locks draped over one shoulder.
"Hey beautiful," he whispered as he kissed her cheek. "Dinner's almost ready. Where's Lin?"
"Living room, listening to Republic Channel 3.1," she replied with a slight smirk on her beautiful face as she snaked her arms around his neck. "Her favorite program's on, she's pretty into it. And I've missed getting some this past week. How about I give you a reward for being a good little housewife, and being a good dad while I've been so busy with the Triad bullcrap?"
Sokka's eyes fell a bit at her words. I'm not a good dad.
But he simply let his worries evaporate, deciding he needed a moment of comfort in her arms. As soon as dinner was over and Lin went to sleep, he would sit Toph down and tell her everything.
The bender pressed her lips to his murmured something incoherent against his lips. Sokka kissed back and kissed her as if he were a man dying ofthirst and the moisture of her succulent lips were the cure. He was worried she would not lip him kiss her this way again after he told her about Suki. But for now he'd enjoy what he could get.
Lin walked in. "Sokka! Is dinner ready yet? I don't wanna miss the next broadcast-" she halted her shouting when she saw her parents in a full out make out session. "Mom, Sokka, please don't make out in the middle of the kitchen! Ew were about to eat!"
The parents broke the kiss and Toph signed. "Badgermole this is what couples do and like it or not Sokka and I are no exception. One day you'll be like this too."
Sokka groaned at the thought of having to threaten every boy his daughter would date in a couple of years.
Lin rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Mom. Is dinner almost ready? Well if I don't puke first."
The father laughed. "Don't throw up yet kiddo the meat's almost ready. Set the table while I serve would you?"
Lin agreed and Toph caressed Sokka's cheek for a moment, as a promise that they'd continue this later, and walked off to help her daughter.
Once dinner was ready, the little family ate and conversed about the day they'd had. Sokka kept his secret to himself, Lin didn't mention her worry for both her parents as to not ruin the somewhat normal family night, and Toph did no voice her suspicion of Sokka's behavior and what Lin had told her that afternoon. Instead Sokka cracked a few jokes, Toph made a few snarky and clever comments, and Lin laughed. This was a lighthearted family moment they all needed.
After dinner they listened to a late night radio program the ran into the late evening. Once eleven rolled around, Lin could barely keep her eyes open. Toph murmured to her that it was time for bed. She tried to protest that it was Saturday night, but once the girl yawned mid-sentence, she reluctantly agreed but whined for Sokka to carry her to bed.
Toph chucked and kissed her baby girl's head good night. "Put her to bed I'll wait for you in the room," the earthbender told her lover as she picked up the discarded tea cups and turned off the radio.
Sokka gently lifted the preteen girl into his strong arms, carefully letting her rest her head comfortably on his shoulder.
As the councilman walked downs the hall, he strained a bit under the girl's added weight.
"You're getting too heavy, Linny," he joked as he opened her bedroom. "You're not exactly four years old and easy to carry anymore."
"Too tired to walk," Lin defended. "Sokka, will you take me finishing tomorrow by the bay? You promised we'd do it once the weather got warmer."
Guilt once again consumed the man, for he'd forgotten completely. He winced at the thought of the vast amount of paperwork that awaited him tomorrow that needed to be completed for Monday's board meeting, and not to mention his personal affairs. But he'd have to push it aside, he owed his little girl that much.
He smiled warmly as he pulled the comforter over the girl. "Of course, Linny. We'll head to the island tomorrow so you can hang out with Tenzin, too. Good night, Lin." He kissed Lin's cheek as he quietly exited the snoozing girl's room.
Sokka sighed and mentally prepped himself for the discussion ahead. Toph, there's something I need to tell you, he rehearsed mentally as he walked to the master bedroom. Suki is in the city. I haven't spoken to her in fourteen years, but she came out of nowhere to tell me that- his train of thought ended as soon as he entered and saw Toph.
The warrior's jaw dropped and his eyes widened.
Toph was standing near the window, glowing in the moonlight. Her alabaster skin was glowing with an angelic, soft glow. She was wearing a crimson robe, her nightgown left forgotten on the floor. The robe was wide open, revealing her flat, toned stomach and her shapely breasts. Her nipples were pink and firm. She was wearing nothing but the open robe, giving Sokka a great view of her muscular, beautiful body. Her hair was unbound and slung over her right shoulder, her hands on her hips, and a small smirk on her pretty face.
The tribesman couldn't coordinate proper thoughts and felt all of the blood in his body rush south.
He stuttered. "T-Toph w-hat are you-"
Toph walked near him and put a finger to his lips.
"Shh. I know it's been hard for us to find time to be together, Snoozles," she whispered meaningfully. "I miss you. And I know you've been upset and worried. Maybe tonight's something I need. And something you need.
"She grabbed the front of his collar and kissed him hard. Sokka moans into the kiss as he felt her bre body press against his solid form. He wound his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. She melted into his his and they radishes each other's lips. They were both lightheaded and high from a pleasure they only ever found together. There was nothing more arousing than having someone want you as much as you want them.
Toph brought the tall man down and began to suck and nibble at the sensitive skin of his long, dark neck. She bit down slightly and heard him groan in both pain and pleasure. She ripped off his shirt and he shrugged out of it easily. Sokka then pushed the robe off of Toph's shoulders, watchinss it pooled at her feet.
Sokka's eyes became dark and glazed with he wanted this woman so badly.
The bender reached into his pants and grabbed his already half hard cock. Sokka moaned loudly as she started to massage his length up and down with her thumb. She smirked as she felt his warm member twitch in her hand.
She knelt down before him and in one swift motion, pulled down his pants and underwear. Sokka sighed as his hard cock was freed from the confinement of his pants.
Toph began to stroke him up and down rigorously, making him groan and thrust his hips a little. After a few minutes of this sweet torture, she licked his tip slightly, already tasting the pre cum.
"You're already so hard, my love," she purred. "But what do you say we get right down to business?"
Toph swayed gracefully over to the bed and laid down, makes and ready for him. Sokka came down from his sex filled high for a moment. He felt guilty and decided it was better to end this before it went too far. But another part of his mind told him Toph wanted him, and he wanted her. They needed this, and the other thing could wait.
The warrior kicked off his boots and pants and sat on the bed bedside his lover.
"Toph," he began. "There's something I need to tell you. It's-"
Toph embraced him and silenced him with a kiss."We need this, Sokka. Can't it wait?"
He watched her milky eyes cloud over with desire and longing. He couldn't ruin this moment. He just couldn't. He gave in once again.
"Yeah," he replied before crashing their mouths together.
The tribesman pushed himself on top of the woman, kissing her deeply and passionately.
He then moved on to kiss her jaw line, her throat, and made his way down to the valley between those breasts he loved so much all the way down to her toned stomach. He began to caress her tits, coping one in one hand while he suckled the other. Toph moaned and wrapped end legs and arms around him, trying to melt into him.
Once Sokka finished tending to each breast, he bent down and kissed his woman lovingly. He rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you, Toph Beifong. So much."
Toph captured his lips in another kiss and replied. "I love you, too, Sokka. Now come on let's fuck!"
He chuckled at her choice of words before spreading her legs a bit more. She hooked her legs round his ass, pulling him in.
Sokka's breath hitched as he sheathed himself fully inside her, feeling her walls tighten around him like a warm greeting. She was so hot, tight, and so wet, he couldn't stop the heavy moan that escaped his lips.
Toph moved her hips as a so for him to move. The councilman pulled back and pushed back in. He went a slow and steady pace, wanting to savor the moment and the night. He kissed everywhere he could; Toph's cheeks, her eye lids, her mouth, her throat. She grabbed his head and smashed their lips onto a fierce kiss of possessiveness and lust.
He groaned and pulled out almost all the way, slamming back in so hard she screamed in pleasure.
He began picking up the pace, fucking her deep and hard, just like she liked it.
"oh, yes, yes, harder, Snoozles!"
Sokka obliged and growled as he plunged deeply and rapidly into her, over and over and over. Toph moaned as wet friction and pleasure exploded in her core. She tightened her hold on the warrior's body and flipped him over, landing him on his back with a groan.
She made sure he was still locked inside her before thrusting up and down, taking him in balls deep strokes. Sokka moaned with every movement of her hips thruster upward.
"Toph. You feel so fucking tight. Ugh, Agni, that feels so good," he gasped.
The earthbender moaned as she felt his cock hit her in that exact spot. She screamed his and moved even faster up and down his cock, Sokka's hands guiding her hips.
After a few more strokes, Sokka felt he was getting close. And by the way her clit was clamping down on his length, he knew she was, too.
Sokka flipped them over, pulled out, and lunged back in with a smooth, sharp thrust.
"Oh Agni yes!" Toph called out as she grapped onto his shoulders and dug her nails into his skin, leaving moon shaped welts. "Fuck me hard. Fuck me!"
"With pleasure," he groaned as he snapped his hips into hers at an alarmingly rapid pace.
The bed creaked and sprang as they moved. Sokka's hips slammed into hers again and again until her walls were so painfully clenched around his penis that the warrior gave in.
With more one powerful thrust, Sokka moaned her name as he came hard. As his seed spread into the woman's hot body, a white light of stars exploded behind Toph's eyelids.
Her body shook from her orgasm as she grabbed onto Sokka, as though he were the only thing keeping her from falling into an endless, dark void.
Sokka pulled out of her quickly and collapsed beside her. The two lay still for several minutes, catching their breaths. The room was still and silent once more, and the sir was filled with sweat and the musky scent of sex.
Toph rested her head against Sokka's shoulder and kissed his bicep.
"That was pretty fucking great," she quipped as she pulled the blanket over them. Sokka laughed and agreed.
He kissed her lips gently as he felt her drift off to her dreams. Several minutes later, when Toph's breath was deep and even, he knew she was asleep.
The councilman starred up at the ceiling, that familiar guilt creeping up on him.
What the fuck is wrong with me? I was supposed to talk to her, not have mind blowing sex! God damn it. What am I doing?