As the days passed, Sokka seemed to forget (or repress) his experiences as a blind man, and Toph knew why. He felt as if he was finally awake after a long dream, and wanted to return to his normal everyday life as soon as he could.
They never talked about their one kiss in the forest. It was rare for them to be alone at all, between Aang's training, Azula's attacks, and the search for Appa after the bison was stolen. Toph could feel Sokka growing a little bit further away from her with every second.
As a blind man, Sokka had depended on her, appreciated her. That was the reason for their special bond, when it felt like the two of them against the world. And now the moment was gone. He'd gone back to being the confident, wisecracking warrior he'd been before, and she'd gone back to being the tough, blind kid she always had been.
Sokka never stared at her again, or told her she was pretty, a compliment that had made her blush and giggle. The bubble had burst.
On their way to Ba Sing Se, when she first heard Suki's melodic voice, and sensed that Sokka's heartbeats were much faster than usual, she knew it was lost for good. Suki was a strong and independent warrior, too. But she wasn't blind, and neither was Sokka anymore.
Toph never showed any of her emotions, never let her friends hear the cracking sound in her heart whenever she felt Sokka was standing too close to Suki. She remained just the same as ever on the outside, nodding carelessly as Katara told her about her feelings for Aang, and denying when the waterbender asked her if she'd ever felt the same for someone.
After all, she had an image to maintain. She was a rock, and rocks don't break.
end