With Love, Snoozles

The United Republic Council...Plus Sokka

Songs in this chapter: 
Everybody Loves Somebody-Dean Martin

Fire Nation Councilwoman Jenn stood up, shuffling the papers she had on her side of the council's table. "Gentlemen, welcome to the first official cabinet meeting fo the council. We've gathered here today to discuss the financial instability of the rebuilding of the sacred Northern Air Temple, Councilman Li of the Earth Kindgom claims it would be best to just drop the project, while Councilman Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe defends the project, claiming all it needs is more funding and more hope in itself.  Councilman Li, you may go first."

Sokka grumbled and glared at him. Li stood up and straightened his tie, smirking. "Lady and gentlemen, it brings me great joy to see you all here today...but also great pain." The council looked confused. "Elaborate." Councilman Jenn said. 

"It's just that...All my life I've tasted and seen years of labor and hard work go to waste, just because somebody always thought 'hope' was our way out of this trepidation. I just don't want you all to end up wasting your time and energy for a dream that isn't yours!" While the rest of the council nodded, Sokka scowled, feeling his muscles tense up every time this man spoke. He is so lucky I don't have my space sword right now...

"Don't forget that we founded this city upon an effort we all put in and dreamed about, and not just upon one person depending on hope to break his fall. We are councilmen and women, not magicians. We do our job, go home to our families, and that's that. No more wasting our efforts on every need and want. It's just not...Civilized. Don't you agree, Sokah of the Southern Water Tribe?" 

Li smirked, while Sokka tried his best not to throw this guy halfway across the room. Councilwoman Jenn shared a small smile with the group. "Good point Li, you may take a seat. Councilman Sokka, you have the floor."  

Sokka stood up, taking a deep breath and made his way to the front of the table. "Good luck,  Sokah of the Southern Water Tribe." Li said sarcastically. Ignoring him, Sokka gestured towards the council. "I understand that you all are getting...impatient. Which is fair, yet projects like this don't just finish overnight. All of you have it made. Tight knit families, sheltered homes and pampering almost all of your life. You most likely wouldn't know what it's like to have your whole race, heritage and legacy wiped from existence, quite literally. Heck, I don't! So instead of assuming I'm doing this for me and any selfish desires, I'm here to remind you that I'm doing this for my friend, Avatar Aang. A project cannot thrive without the hope of a people. So I'm sorry if you all are tired of supporting anyone but yourselves, but this is important. I hope you all can understand." Sokka said, finishing his argument. Councilman Li sat with his eyes wide while the rest of the council smiled warmly. "Thank you, Councilman Sokka. That was a wonderful rebuttal, you've outdone yourself." Sokka smiled. 

"All in favor of Sokka?" All of the council except Li raised their hands. Councilman Arnold of the Northern Water Tribe smiled. "Then it is decided. Let's rebuild a generation!" He said, taking Sokka's hand and shaking it vigorously. Sokka beamed and turned to Li, beginning to mock his voice.  He pretended to twirl a mustache as he said, "I'm so sorry about this TRepIDitION, Li. And oh, my name's Sokka. It's pronounced with an 'Okka'."

Everyone heard a bang at the doors, making them turn their heads. It was Aang who had run into the doors, running into the council meeting eagerly. There was an awkward silence as he stumbled on his way over to the discussion table. "Hey, sorry I'm late. What'd I miss?" Sokka's laugh was booming as he pulled Aang into a hug. "Buddy, put your big boy pants on, cause we're building that Temple!" Aang fell silent and looked back at the council, a smile slowly widening on his face. "Do ya mean it?" He asked. Councilwoman Jenn nodded. "You deserve it Aang, your legacy will continue-" Aang cut her off by pumping his fist in the air and shouting, sending all of their papers flying with a gust of wind. "Yes! I owe you a million, Sokka! I gotta go tell Katara!"

"Well, I gotta go tell Toph! Oh, and Zuko!" Sokka replied. Jenn shook her head and sighed. "You are dismissed, just please stop making a mess in here."  Sokka nodded and waved goodbye, leading Aang out of the building. He patted Aang on the back, who was smiling with a single tear on his cheek. "You earned this, buddy. I'm proud of you." 

TIME SKIP---

Toph was in the kitchen, a cooking station blaring on the radio, trying to figure out how to cook. She knew how to boil water, but that wasn't exactly a dinner fit for her husband. Wait, did she just refer to Sokka as her husband? She breezed past the fact, trying to focus on the recipe for stewed sea prunes. She heard the door open and immediately knew it was Sokka from the way he walked. She turned around, ready to greet him and quite possibly ask him how to make the Water Tribe dish. "Hey, how was-" She was cut off by Sokka wrapping his arms around her and kissing her with passion. After breaking away from the kiss, Toph noticed that Sokka had a goofy smile on his face, while Toph was a blushing mess. "I finally convinced the council to continue funding for the project! So yeah, work was fantastic." Sokka said pulling her into a tight hug. She sighed and hugged him back. 

(A/N: Song starts here)

Out of the blue, the radio began playing music, getting Sokka's attention. He pulled away to look at Toph, who was still blushing. He took her hand in his, sliding his other hand down to her waist, and began to sway to the music. "What are you doing?" Toph asked, hesitantly swaying with him. He whispered in her ear, "I'm dancing with you." He said, twirling her around. 

She tried to hide her smile as Sokka kept her swaying to the beat of the song. He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck while she held her arms around his. "I love you." He mumbled. Toph blushed again, smiling softly. Just as she started to say it back, she felt a pain in her stomach. She winced as she doubled over in pain, holding onto Sokka. His eyes widened as he held onto her. "W-what's wrong? Are you okay?" All she could do was shake her head no as she gripped onto the kitchen counter behind them. Sokka led her to the couch and sat her down gently as she started breathing heavily. "A-are you having a contraction or something?" Toph nodded, holding onto Sokka's arm tightly. 

"I'm not going into labor, if that's what you're thinking. I still have three months left, idiot." Toph said breathlessly. Sokka chuckled and shook his head. "It's like you read my mind."

"I might as well have." She said, smiling. "Oh, and someone's here." There was a knock at the door. Sokka smiled, stood up and gave Toph a kiss on the top of her head. "Be right back." He said. He made his way over to the door, putting his hand on the knob. His smile fell as he opened the door. It was Suki. "What?" Sokka said harshly. Suki looked down and sighed. "It's about your sister. I came here to apologize but also because...there's something going on between her and Zuko." 

Sokka raised an eyebrow, looking back at Toph who was standing up, a confused look on her face as well. He stepped aside to let her through. "Tell me everything."

A/N: Hey guys, thanks so much for 1K reads! I'm so happy yall, writing this has been exciting! I hope that you all are safe and doing well, thanks again!