ATLA: Bonds Within Bending

Hustle and Bustle

Toph's POV

Alright today is the day, the day that I am so incredibly nervous about. I know how my parents work so it should be easy, dress nice, be polite and smile a lot.

I got out of bed and out of my room, I'll grab something to eat before getting ready. I hummed softly with my hands behind my head walking towards the kitchen.

"Good morning sweetheart!", oh crap, my parents are already here!?

"Oh!", I walked towards the voice and felt the vibrations of the floor through my feet, it was just my mom. "Good morning mother", I sat down beside her on the couch with my knees together and hands in my lap, making sure I am sat up straight.

"There she is, she's had trouble sleeping lately so my brother has been making her tea to help", it was Katara, thank god she's here.

"How thoughtful of him", my mother spoke, so far so good.

"Mother, where is Father?", I asked her, her body language changed quickly, I could feel her feet awkwardly tapping the floor.

"He's on a business meeting, you know what he's like, business first!", she laughed anxiously, she's a terrible liar, but I can't force it out of her, the Beifong women must sit..

And smile.

Suki's POV

It hurt to stay the night at Ty Lee's, to sleep in my childhood friends apartment without actually liking each other anymore. We had big dreams of living together and going out to have ice cream for breakfast every day because we'd be grown ups and so we can do whatever we want.

I know it's ridiculous, but it was our dream. But this is reality.

Her place was small, neat too, apart from her bedroom of course. I don't want to invade her privacy so I slept on the couch, found a couple of bra's behind almost every cushion, different sizes too, the thought made it quite uncomfortable to sleep there.

The noise of the city woke me, I went to make myself a coffee but Ty Lee only had tea, I sighed and got myself a cup, as I waited for the kettle to boil the door opened and slammed against the wall.

"Hello?", I raised a brow and stepped back so I could get a better look at who's at the door.

"Why are you still here?", Ty Lee groaned as she walked in, carrying her shoes.

"Good morning", I shook my head and got back to making my tea, "how did you get in I have your keys?".

She walked over putting her shoes on the counter and standing beside me, looking down at another set of keys in her hand, "I gave this set to a friend, I got them back because they don't need them anymore", she shrugged and put them down beside her shoes but kept her eyes on them.

"One of your lovers set I'm guessing?", I watched her as I got another cup deciding to make one for her as well because she's seemed to have a rough night.

"No.", she said bluntly. "They're just a friend, nothing more", she took her eyes of the keys and let them wander to the cup, "please, not for me", she smiled lightly.

I better drop the subject, I nodded and put the cup back. "I was wondering if I could stay for a couple more days, just to take my time and have space to think, then I'll get out of your hair".

"Sounds like a plan to me", she shrugged and opened the fridge, not seeing anything in it and rolling her eyes before she shuts it.

"I would also like to get to know you", I watched her look through all of her cupboards as I spoke, blowing on the surface of my tea to cool it down.