Alrighty, first prompt: Betrothal. Toph might be a tad OOC; I apologize if that's the case. My inner hopeless romantic ran away with me a bit on this one. Sorry if it's kinda depressing, Tokka shippers. Fun shenanigans to come...

oh, and I'm not endorsing living a life of unrequited devotion. Toph is better than that. The last line is intended to ring as a kind of hollow echo, a reflection on the futility of trying to supplant your own happiness with someone else's. yeah. so enjoy! :D

Toph stood, motionless and soundless, in the long and narrow hallway with her back to the wall. Through the doorway to her left stood Suki. Toph could feel her vibrations as she sashayed across the floor, no doubt admiring the engagement necklace Sokka had just given her.

Through the doorway to Toph's right, Sokka sat on his bed. He too neither moved nor spoke, and Toph felt the urge to join him in silence. They had always been there for each other like that, whether one of them needed to talk or just needed not to be alone. Now that Sokka was marrying Suki, Toph supposed he wouldn't need her much anymore, if at all. She pressed her back to the wall and slid down, landing on the floor with her knees tucked up under her chin. She supposed she wouldn't be seeing much more of Sokka at all.

For some reason, this made Toph exceedingly depressed. She tilted her head up and stared with unseeing eyes at the ceiling, pondering her situation. Sokka and Suki had invited her to join them in their Earth Kingdom apartments while they began preparations for the wedding. Toph herself was to have a role in the ceremony, though which role specifically she would take was yet to be decided. The past few days had been a torment of subtle touches and light laughter that the engaged did not realize Toph could sense and hear.

She heaved a sigh. She should be happy for them. Sokka was her best friend in the world, and Suki was a very nice girl, and they liked each other. Still, a part of her wanted to pout and be as petulant as her twelve-year-old self. She and Sokka worked so well together. They fit together. And now their companionship was being compromised by another girl. Toph had always felt threatened by Suki when it came to Sokka, and, as it turned out, she had good reason. Toph had so longed for his trust, his affection… things he readily handed to the sweet, loveable Suki.

Oh, to hell with it. Toph loved Sokka, had never loved anybody else. She vied for his attention daily, had clung to him in false terror, bought him gifts. And Suki… she had almost effortlessly invaded his heart. And now she was taking him away from Toph completely, and no messenger hawks or nice expensive atlases could stop it.

The door to Toph's right opened suddenly, and Toph started. She scrambled to her feet, trying not to trip on her robes.

"Toph?" Sokka sounded surprised to see her.

"Hi! I, um, I was just…" Toph struggled to find an explanation for her behavior, and failed miserably.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something if you have a minute," Sokka gestured into his room.

"I, uh, sure." Toph mentally cursed her apparent incapacity for coherent speech as she entered Sokka's quarters and plopped down on the bed. "What's up?" She asked nervously.

"Well, it's about the wedding," Sokka began, his voice trembling every so slightly on the last word. "I was wondering… well, that is, Suki and I…"

Toph grew cold, but shook off the feelings of dread. "Snoozles, what is it?" She prompted, using her pet name for him.

Sokka placed his large, steady hand on her shoulder, and electricity coursed through her body. "Would you be my best man?" He asked quietly.

Toph was sure if she had vision, it would be clouding over. So that was it, she thought. He saw her as one of the guys. He never even thought about her the way—

She interrupted her own train of thought by nearly shouting, "What?!"

Sokka jerked his hand back, startled.

"Best MAN?" She continued, unleashing all her hurt in this rant. "Do I LOOK like a man? Do you even see me—" She stopped short, fearing she said too much.

After a moment of deafening silence, Sokka's hand returned to her shoulder. "Toph," he began, his voice low and comforting, "Of course I see you. You're my best friend, how could I not?" Toph's eyes started watering at 'best friend,' and she hurriedly rubbed away the tears.

"I didn't mean to offend you," Sokka continued, scooting closer to her and wrapping his long arm around her shoulders. "Let's think of something more suitable." Toph sniffled in reply.

"Toph," Sokka began gingerly after a moment's pause, "Would you be my best girl?"

Toph nearly choked. If only he knew that's all she wanted to be, all she'd ever wanted. She nodded mutely in reply.

Sokka squeezed her once. "Thank you," He said, a smile in his voice, "That means a lot to me."

Toph took a shuddering breath, and finally voiced her worst fear. "Sokka, we won't really see each other once… once you're married, will we?"

Sokka sat up a little straighter, obviously taken aback. "What?" He sounded surprised once more. She sure did surprise him a lot, Toph thought briefly before Sokka continued with, "Of course we'll see each other. I'll make sure of it." He stood and drew her into a hug, his strong arms enveloping her small frame. She wished she could be sure of it. But still, it was very comforting to be wrapped in Sokka's arms, her face pressed to his chest, breathing in his scent. Maybe she could live as just his friend, and not suffer too much. Maybe she could survive seeing him marry another woman. Maybe she could endure an existence of unrequited love, as long as he was happy.

As long as he was happy.