Letters: A Tokka Fanfic

4

Sokka's P.O.V:

I saw her running up to Katara to give her a hug and hesitated, suddenly realizing that she might not want to see me long enough for me to even be able to apologize. Gathering up my courage, I jumped down from Appa's saddle, and saw her smile drop quickly as she noticed. She quickly smiled again, but it was strained and empty.

"Hello Sokka." I was about to respond when Satoru came up beside her, bending over to catch his breath. "You two remember Satoru. We were on our way back from my parent's when I felt you land." Why were they with her parents... together? I glanced at the man standing beside her, his eyes practically shining as he listened to her talk. It made me sick.

"So then he's..."

"Mhm! Anyways why don't we go inside, I'm sure you both want to unpack and Appa must be tired from carrying you both so far. How'd you get twinkle-toes to lend you the bison anyways?" I looked between the two girls, who were apparently having a conversation I knew nothing about, and frowned slightly. He's what?

"I'm going to head out, I have some things to check on at the factory. It was nice to see you both again. See you soon Toph." Something about him rubbed me the wrong way. He was nice enough, but it didn't take more than a look at him to know he had never fought a day in his life. He was smart, that's for sure, but he wasn't someone who understood hard choices or what it feels like to put your life on the line. I wasn't sure how Toph could put up with it.

Toph led us inside and to a couple of spare rooms, grabbing some extra blankets and stuff for me since Katara's letter had only let her know one person would be coming. She didn't say much to me as she helped me get settled, and I was having trouble gathering up my courage. I kept opening my mouth to speak and then chickening out. She was just about to leave the room when I finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry." She stopped in the doorway, not bothering to turn around.

"For what? Disappearing without a word? Or ignoring my letters? Or maybe showing up at my house without any warning years later?" There was a coldness to her voice, and an edge of sarcasm that hit me harder than any words could. The sarcasm felt all too familiar and I would've loved to hear it, but the coldness hurt more than any amount of frostbite I'd ever encountered back home.

"For everything. I shouldn't have let my pride get in the way of our friendship. I was going through a hard time and didn't want you to think I was weak and eventually I just didn't feel like I could write to you anymore? Wow, that seems really silly now that I said it out loud. I know that's an awful excuse and you deserve to be pissed at me, but I'm here now and I want to make things right. I want my best friend back." I swallowed hard as I waited for her to respond, knowing that Toph's anger wasn't that easy to quell. She didn't say anything as she left the room, not once turning her head in my direction. I stayed rooted to my spot as she left, not really sure what to do. I'd been prepared for her anger, for the screaming, the rocks flying, probably a few punches or something, but I wasn't prepared for this. I wasn't prepared for her silence. It somehow hurt so much more to have her say nothing than to have her say all the cruel words in the world. Angry Toph cares. A silent Toph? It's like she just gave up on me. I used to piss her off all the time. It's nothing new, but this is the first time she's responded this way. I don't know what to do with this. And as usual, when I don't know what to do, I go to the one person who always does.

"Kataraaaaa!" I walked into the room she was staying in, throwing myself onto the bed while she unpacked her things.

"Did you really think it would be easy?" I groaned in response, rolling onto my stomach to face her.

"Of course not, but she won't even get angry! She's just silent and cold. It's not Toph-like at all!"

"And how would you know what Toph is like anymore? It's been years since you actually talked to her. Of course she's different. We're all different than we were when we were traveling together years ago. You can't just show up out of nowhere and expect her to be the same as she was when she was 13 Sokka." I stayed silent for a moment, knowing Katara was right but not liking it.

"I don't need her to be the same. I just need her. I miss my best friend Katara. Even if I have to get to know her all over again I will. But she won't give me a chance to do that." My voice cracked as I spoke, and I heard Katara sigh as I stared down at the blanket. I felt the bed dip next to me, but didn't bother turning to face her. I knew she was right. I fucked up big time. But I always screw things up, that's what I do. Toph has never shut me out like this no matter how stupid I am. Is it too late?

"Sokka... give her time. You just appeared randomly on her doorstep with no warning and apologized for something that happened years ago and you ignored until now. She's not going to get over that in a few hours. Maybe instead of telling me all this, you should just do it. Don't tell me you're willing to get to know her again; go do it Sokka." She stood again and left the room, leaving me laying on the bed alone trying to ignore the burning in my eyes from the tears I was holding back. I can't lose her for good. I already lost too much time. I got up hurriedly and ran to my guest room, rummaging through my bag and grabbing some paper and ink. Hesitantly, I grabbed another scroll and went over to the desk along the far wall of the room. Sitting, I unraveled the scroll, careful not to rip it seeing how fragile it was after so many years. I read through the familiar words, smiling softly before grabbing the blank page and beginning to write. I'll make this right.

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