Something I started writing forever ago but just got around to editing. I don't know why I'm so obsessed with Sokka teaching Toph to swim...

Cute Together

--

"Fine, but I'm not going out any further than the shallow water," Toph said, folding her arms stubbornly.

"Hey, at least I got you to go into the water," Sokka shrugged and starting to wade into the lake. He looked over his shoulder to see Toph still standing on the shore. "Come on, baby steps," he said encouragingly, holding out his hand.

Toph sighed and her whole body slumped. "Okay, baby steps," she said and grabbed his hand.

Panic rose in her throat as Sokka started pulling her into the lake. "On second thought, I think I'll just stay on the shore."

--

Katara and Aang stopped waterbending on the opposite shore to watch.

Aang raised his eyebrows. "I bet you my arrow he can't get her in," he said to Katara.

"I don't know, Sokka can be pretty convincing…"Katara said.

"And Toph can be pretty stubborn."

--

"Is the greatest earthbender in the world scared of a little water?" Sokka teased.

"Yes."

"Come on, one step," Sokka said and pulled her towards him. Toph leaned over the water, but her feet didn't move. Sokka frowned and tugged with all his might on her arm. Toph screamed and fell forword. The two collided and fell underwater with a loud splash.

--

Aang's eyes widened and Katara laughed.

"So when do I get my arrow?" she teased.

"That doesn't count! He pulled her in!"

"I still want my arrow,"

"I'd give it to you if I could. But it's kind of attached to my skin." Aang said and rubbed the blue tattoo on his forehead. Katara laughed.

--

Toph screamed and flailed in the water. "I'm drowning! I'm drowning!" Her foot caught Sokka across the face.

"Ow! Toph!" Sokka shouted and rubbed his cheek. "We're only in a few feet of water!"

Toph stopped. "Oh. That's a relief."

"See? It's not that bad,"

"Yes it is! It already tried to kill me!"

"C'mon, do you really think I'd let you drown?"

"Yes," she said bluntly, crossing her arms.

"Well…I wouldn't," Sokka said, slightly taken aback.

"You let me drown back in the Serpent's Pass!"

"Hey, I—well, I mean—you know, I..."Sokka stuttered. Toph raised her eyebrows. "That was only one time! Are you going to quit now that you've made so much progress?"

"Yes," Toph said.

"I know for a fact that Toph Bei Fong is not a quitter. If she was, she would still be living with her parents, getting treated like a fragile dove."

Toph sighed. "Fine, I'll go a few more feet. Just a few. But what if I can't touch the bottom?"

"Just kick your legs really hard," Sokka said as he stood and pulled her up.

"Kick? Like this?" she said and swung her foot at his bare shin.

Sokka yelped. "Not like that! That hurt," he whimpered and clutched his bruised leg.

"I don't know how to kick in the water. I don't even know to swim!" Toph said, her voice squeaking.

"It's not that hard to learn," Sokka hinted.

"It's not?" Toph cocked her head.

"Not at all. And it's a really useful thing to know how to do."

Toph thought for a moment. There was nothing better to do that day, so she shrugged. "Sure, I'll learn."

"Great. But you need to be willing to go a little further out than you are now."

"Fine. But you better not let me drown, Sokka," Toph said and poked him in the chest threateningly. Sokka grinned and grabbed her hands, pulling her out into the deep water.

--

Aang and Katara watched Sokka teaching Toph to swim. "They're kind of cute together," Aang said.