... Heh. Yeah, I know Tokka Week is long over, but I really got busy halfway through the week. I am determined to finish this, though, and to do Kataang Week too (though I think those'll be different drabbles and oneshots).

Sorry for the wait. :D; I hope you liked it regardless.

Tokka Week: Day Three

Weather

It was just a breeze.

The leaves twirled over themselves in Toph's stomach as she curled her toes unconsciously underneath herself, clearing her throat lightly. She could do this. She could do this. With a deep breath, Toph opened her mouth to speak - only to find Sokka's hand dropping down on her head to ruffle her hair.

"You've really grown, short-stuff," he chuckled slightly, and Toph tried to ignore the way his hand carelessly dusted across her ear as he tucked away a strand of hair that had fallen out of her bun, "but you're still short. Don't think that'll ever change."

"And you're as blunt as always," Toph commented dryly, though she couldn't keep the smile from crossing over her face. "Spirits, I haven't seen you in forever."

"You've never seen me," Sokka chided her, pausing for just a second before he scooped her up against him in a hug, laughing at something (she wasn't quite sure whether it was at himself or at her) into the top of her head, "We really need to make visits more often."

Toph swallowed thickly, tentatively moving to grasp him around the waist and grateful beyond words that there was no way he could see the way her face was heating up. She felt her emotions start to rise, building into a tempest that only made her want to run and hide - and Toph Bei Fong never hid. "Next time I think you can visit me."

Sokka whined pitifully, unconsciously tightening his grip. "Your parents scare me."

Toph grinned into his chest, playfully patting his back, "Aw, Snoozles, that's just because they don't like you."

"Ha ha," Sokka snorted, "At least I would be coming in prepared with what to expect. Unlike you."

"Touché."

The air grew silent after that, though not in an uncomfortable way, and Toph let out a shaky sigh as she leaned into her best friend. Why did things always have to get complicated? Why couldn't things just be simple - for once? Why couldn't someone have told her when she met him that he would become her closest friend and to not develop a silly adolescent crush?

Toph's voice was quiet when she asked, "How's Suki?"

At first Sokka didn't say anything, only tightened his grip for a second before it relaxed again. "All right, I guess. We don't get to talk often since she wanted to stay on Kyoshi Island. She sent me a hawk about a week ago, and I sent one back to her. I haven't heard back yet."

Toph nodded slowly before pushing herself out of Sokka's grasp and pulling herself back as if to look at him. Her eyebrows furrowed for a moment in thought before she blurted, "You're taller."

Sokka blinked, studying her for a moment before his lips curled into a frown. "Okay, what gives?"

"What?"

Her tone was innocent and for a moment Sokka almost let it drop. Almost. "Come on, Toph. Don't play dumb with me, I know you better than anyone, remember? You're acting so... weird."

Toph snorted as her heart began to pound, faster and faster and harder and harder and, oh God, she was going to be swept away by the hurricane before she could even gather her thoughts.

"I-- I-" She stuttered lightly, backing away swiftly. "Sokka, I'm-"

"Toph!"

The sound of Aang's jubilant voice, still lilting with his carefree nature after all the years, broke through then as he ran into the room, enveloping the earthbender in a light hug. "Spirits, Toph! What took you so long?"

"Sorry, Twinkletoes," Toph snorted, sighing into her old friend's shoulder, "Didn't realize I was late."

"You could've written."

Toph raised an eyebrow as she pulled out of the hug, waving a hand carelessly in front of her face. "Uh, blind? Remember?"

Aang shrugged. "You could've had someone else write for you." He beamed slightly, grabbing her by the hand and tugging gently, "but you're here now. So come on, you two! The whole village is waiting."

A blank expression crossed over Toph's face as she stared in his direction. "Say what?" Aang's eyes sparkled as he grinned at her, a similar expression breaking out on Sokka's face as well.

"What? Did you think you could just show up and we wouldn't do anything?"

All Toph could do was groan.