Chapter 5: And I, For You

"Aang cleans up quite nicely, huh?" Sokka said teasingly to Katara.

They were in the palace of Ba Sing Se, at a party in Aang's honor. That was all they had been doing the past week ever since the war ended - going to parties, formal and casual, busy and selective. Occasionally, Zuko gave his Fire Lord duties the slip and came along, but Aang was, of course, always the guest of honor.

The young airbender looked very dignified in his formal wear - deep red robes that opened at the front to reveal the scarlet and gold dress shirt he wore underneath. He wore the same necklace he'd had at Zuko's coronation. Sokka had caught Katara sneaking a bashful glance at Aang, for about the millionth time now.

Katara and Sokka were both dressed in traditional formal Water Tribe wear - her in a flowing royal blue dress, him in a long periwinkle tunic and loose trousers. Sokka wasn't entirely enjoying himself - his shoes were way too small and squashing his toes.

Katara elbowed him. "Ha, ha," she muttered sarcastically at Sokka's earlier comment.

"Ah, come on little sis," jibed Sokka, flinging an arm around her neck. A moony slow song started playing as he spoke. "We all know that you and Aang are dating now. No need to be so so secretive!"

"I swear to the spirits, Sokka, I will -"

"Hey guys!" Aang had arrived. Katara trailed off.

The little monk scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Hey, Katara, I was wondering if you wanted to maybe dance?"

"I'd love to!" beamed Katara ecstatically. She turned to Sokka. "Don't drink my kalenutsco or I will kill you."

Sokka gazed mournfully at kale, walnut and coconut water drink, as Aang led Katara off. Suki was probably here with the other Kyoshi warriors, but even if he did see her, it was going to be more than a bit awkward. Their breakup could've been worse, he guessed, but it still sucked to be dumped. Also, Sokka got the feeling that Suki was trying to avoid him on purpose. But there was no point thinking about that now. You were meant to have fun at parties. But there wasn't anyone he would've liked to ask to dance, except maybe . . .

"'Scuse me?" Sokka asked, turning to the goateed man next to him. "Have you seen a girl anywhere, about -" He held his hand level with his armpit. "That high? Wait -" Sokka quickly rectified it to be slightly lower, "Actually that high."

The man raised his eyebrows and stalked off.

Sokka scuffed his feet grumpily. "Some people are just so -"

Just then, a voice behind him called out, "Looking for me, Snoozles?"

Nothing could have prepared Sokka for this.

Toph stood before him in a dress, which was a phenomenon in itself. Not that she looked bad! - she just looked so different. She wore a floor-length pale green dress that clung to her body, a narrow black belt secured around her waist. Her hair was done in its usual style, but a headband studded with white beads was in her dark hair. An emerald silk scarf was loose around her hips and arms. It occurred to Sokka that it was similar to the dress she'd worn when he first met her, except this dress sparkled under the dim lights and had a darker color, and altogether a more mature feel to it. Toph was nearly thirteen now - she was done with childish dresses.

"Toph!" Sokka searched frantically for words. "You, er -"

Toph's hard expression softened. "Good to see you too, moron."

Sokka tried to close his mouth, which had fallen open, but failed miserably. "Y-you, um, look great."

"Smooth," she laughed. Then Toph flushed and added, "You don't look too bad yourself."

Now they were both blushing beet red.

"Toph." Sokka said her name like it was a lifesaver. "I -"

"Just kiss already, you two!" called a girl about their age from across the room.

Sokka's cheeks darkened, impossibly.

"Toph? Sokka?" Aang appeared out of nowhere. "Why is that girl yelling at you?"

Katara was suddenly beside Sokka, a knowing smile on her lips. "Come on, Aang. Let's give them some privacy."

She grabbed Aang's hand and pulled him into the crowd, and they were gone as quickly as they had come.

"Um, you wanna . . ." All Sokka's flirting skills (terrible as they were) had flown straight out the window, "Go outside?" What were you supposed to say to the girl you sorta kinda maybe wanted to kiss, without completely ruining your relationship?

Now Toph was getting awkward, too. "Yeah, sure." She took his hand (which made Sokka blush all over again) and led him to the double doors.

The cool air was a huge relief to his hot cheeks. Sokka sucked in a breath. Now all he had to do was look Toph in the eye.

But Toph seemed to be having trouble making eye contact, too. "Hey. I got you something."

She proffered a long package from behind her back. Sokka took it, feeling hard, angular objects beneath his fingers. He unwrapped it . . . and his meteor sword and boomerang fell out. Up till now, Sokka'd thought he'd lost them forever when he was saving their lives, back when they were taking down the airships.

"Went back to Wulong Forest," explained Toph, as Sokka ecstatically cradled his beloved weapons in his arms. "Bit of earthbending, and some help from Sweetness, and I managed to get them back!" She preened herself.

"My babies!" Sokka kissed his boomerang and retched at the bad taste. Then he gave Toph a huge hug, so tight that he felt his ribs were breaking. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Toph smiled up at him, flushing carmine.

"Look, Sokka," she rambled, suddenly changing the subject. Sokka glanced up from his weapons. He got the feeling that Toph had been plucking up the courage to say this for awhile, and that he should listen. "I know you're probably still hung up over Suki, and you don't like me that way and whatever. But, I've liked you - for a really long time, and I think I've fallen for you."

Toph winced, probably unused to saying that sort of stuff. "Urgh. Sorry, that was so cheesy -"

She was cut off because Sokka had leaned down to kiss her.

A few people passing by gave them odd glances, but quickly dismissed them as random horny teenagers.

Even though Toph was standing on her tiptoes, Sokka still had to bend down to kiss her properly. Her hands were loose around his neck, and their kiss was so firm, so certain.

"Toph . . . Sokka?"

They broke apart to see Zuko, scarlet with embarrassment, staring at them.

"Oh, Zuko!"

"I'm just gonna be -" Zuko wordlessly indicated the doors and dashed away.

Sokka grinned down at Toph. "Now, where were we?"

"Stop being sappy and just kiss me, Meathead," she sighed, pressing her lips against his again.

And they both kiss, because this is a cliché love story and that is how cliché love stories are supposed to end.

The end (: I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it (I'm a major Tokka shipper). This was actually my first fic that wasn't a oneshot, so ... yeah! *awkwardly sidles away*