CHAPTER 25: Flowers and chocolate
"Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend."
Back at the Air temple, Toph and Sokka were oblivious to the sight that the rest of their friends were currently taking in. They had not had time to join the others, and they had waited for a while before they decided to keep working on the restoration of the temple.
If their friends needed their help, surely they would come back and get them.
Sokka was currently squinting his eyes while holding up his boomerang in front of him, measuring the precise angle of the next pillar for the balcony balusters that the pair were working on.
He was very focused.
It was a very warm day at the temple, and the sun hung high in the sky above. Even though there were no clouds in the sky, the air was humid and thick, leaving a seemingly thin layer of moisture over the skin that felt clingy.
As if the warm air wrapped itself around him like a thick blanket pressing over him, causing his breathing to be deep and slightly uncomfortable.
It was easier to concentrate in the cold.
Sweat had formed on his upper lip.
He tasted salt when he absentmindedly stuck his tongue out to the side of his mouth to focus even better. His focus was laser-sharp, his mind fully absorbed in the task at hand.
Sokka tilted his boomerang slightly, checking and double-checking the alignment of the pillars, ensuring everything was in perfect order.
Just a slight inch to the left and then a bit further down…
"You know," Toph said in a tedious voice behind him, as if she was bored. "There's really no need for that."
And with a quick stomp of her foot and a subtle motion of her hands, Toph effortlessly summoned a perfect pillar of rock to rise from the ground before it settled perfectly into place beneath the balcony.
Sokka let his arms fall down, and his usual confident posture gave way to a slump, his spine curving in defeat.
"Way to go, Toph," he said in a dry voice as he folded his arms over his chest. "You're ruining all the fun."
He saw a confident smirk on Toph's lips, before she turned her body slightly to summon another perfect pillar.
Sometimes it just felt like she enjoyed disappointing him.
"Show off!" he said.
She giggled.
As Toph continued her work on the balcony pillars, Sokka went back to their camp to get some water for them.
His mind wandered to Suki.
He really missed her.
Sokka felt a subtle ache in his heart. He missed the comfort of her presence, the warmth of her smile, her voice. He wondered how she was doing in Ba Sing Se. He hoped that her training and newly founded alliance between the Dai Li and the Kyoshi warriors was everything she had hoped it would be.
He could not wait to wrap his arms around her again.
On his way back to Toph, he took another look at the hot sun above. It blazed relentlessly in the pure azure sky, like a radiant orb casting a glaring light and a scorching heat over the landscape with unyielding intensity.
It was intense.
Just like Suki.
She was beautiful, radiant, warm and full of energy. Her presence brought light and vitality everywhere she went. Her strength, courage and unwavering support had always been a source of warmth and inspiration in his life.
As he made his way down the path leading to the hillside where Toph was still working on the southern balcony, he could not help but to think about the sun's opposite - the moon.
Yue's memory crept forth from the back of his mind.
She had been like the moon. Ethereal, mysterious and hauntingly beautiful. She was more like a gentle glow in the night sky, casting a soft, soothing light over everything she touched. Though their time together was brief, Yue had left an indelible mark on his heart, her memory shining as brightly as the moon on a clear night.
Although he felt bad comparing these two women in his life, who had marked him in ways so different yet still remarkable, he felt grateful for everything they had taught him.
Before he left the Southern Water Tribe years ago with Katara and Aang to go on the journey of his life, his view on women had been shaped by the traditional gender roles and stereotypes of their tribe.
Even though he did not care to admit it, he had in many ways underestimated women's abilities, seeing them primarily as caregivers or homemakers rather than equals in all aspects of life.
His deep connection with Suki and his love for Yue had taught him important lessons about equality, respect and the importance of mutual support in relationships. Not only had he learned to appreciate women for their strength, but also for their intellect, courage and emotional depth.
He knew now that gender does not determine a person's worth or potential. Both women and men deserved respect and recognition.
He could not help but smile as he rounded the hillside and saw Toph doing her magic on the balcony balusters.
He recalled the first time he had ever laid his eyes on her.
The Blind Bandit.
He chuckled to himself.
Toph was fearless, determined and independent. Despite her blindness, she had never limited her potential. Instead, she had always embraced her unique abilities and used them to carve out her own path in the world.
Her blunt honesty and sharp wit provided a refreshing contrast to his own sometimes over analytical tendencies, and he really appreciated the authenticity that she brought to their friendship.
She had taught him so much. About women. About friendship. About himself.
"Hey Bandit," he called at her. "Let's take a break!"
The pair found a secluded corner in the shade of a towering tree. They both sank down into the ground beneath the protective canopy of branches, and the air felt noticeably cooler under there.
With a contented sigh, they both leaned back against the trunk of the tree, closing their eyes and allowing themselves to fully relax on the cool and damp earth beneath them that was a welcome contrast to the searing heat of the sun-baked ground.
They had a moment of silence together there, the silence only broken by the occasional slurp of water.
"Hey Toph?" Sokka breathed after a while.
"Yeah?" she answered in a breathy voice.
It sounded as if she had almost fallen asleep next to him.
"Have you ever been in love?"
He saw her widen her eyes slightly, before narrowing them with a furrow of her brow.
"Love?" she said with nonchalance thick in her voice while waving a hand at him. "Ha! I've been too busy kicking butts and taking names to worry about that mushy stuff."
He frowned a little at her.
The closest thing he had seen that could remind him even the slightest of Toph being interested in a guy was when she had wanted to go on a 'life changing field trip' with Zuko.
He felt a slight pang near his heart.
He could see that Toph's demeanor shifted slightly, as if she felt exposed or out of her element.
Another moment of silence passed between them, before she sighed out.
"Well," she started, seemingly uncomfortable and shifting her weight a little in her seat. "I can't say I've had the whole flowers-and-chocolates deal, if that's what you're asking. What I do have are friends - real, solid connections. I've got your back, Sokka. And Katara's and Aang's, and even Zuko's too."
She paused for a short while before she continued.
"We've been through thick and thin together, faced down some of the toughest challenges I could've ever imagined. That kind of bond - that's what matters to me. It's not about romance. It's about having people you can count on, people who make you better just by being there. And in my book, that's with more than any cheesy love story."
Sokka felt a warmth spread from his heart as he took in her words.
Even though he knew that she was not used to talking about her emotions in this manner, he felt a deep sense of respect for her willingness to share her perspective openly with him.
He understood her viewpoint.
Within his heart he recognized the importance of deep connections with friends, having also experienced the power of those bonds throughout their shared journey with Team Avatar. He felt gratitude knowing that she considered him a trusted friend and ally.
"You're smiling like an idiot at me right now, aren't ya?" she asked.
"Yes," he chuckled.