Tokka: 5 Years After the War (Avatar: TLAB-LoK WA 2017)

Sokka:10

"Uh... Toph? Can you maybe, you know, loosen your grip on my parka? You're choking me," Sokka's head was starting to hurt from lack of air. He smiled anyways, a little excited and embarrassed.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I was a little nervous," she giggled at herself.

He loved it when she giggled. Her voice was so gentle. He looked at her beautiful blind eyes, and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He leaned forward, cravings her lips on his, and-

Aang cleared his throat again, " Um... sorry to ruin the moment, but we need to talk."

He sounded distressed, almost anxious. Something was very wrong. Sokka ran through the seniors in his head, even creating some. Could their father be dead? No, Katara wasn't crying. She had a smug look upon her face. It must be something to do with the Firenation. Aang had told them about some rebels, Ozai's followers, creating problems in the colonies, but it had been resolved. What could it be then?

Toph slipped her hand into his free one. He squeezed it, a little nervous about what Aang was going to say. She squeezed back, reassuring, and his heart skipped a beat just thinking about her smooth skin against his. He shook his head, forcing his brain back on the right track.

"Well, I-" Aang's voice broke.

Katara stepped forward and placed her hand on his shoulder. She was always good at taking the lead.

"We have some bad news. You're not going to like this, but... We had to come back early because," she paused, trying to find the right words," well, because... Ozai escaped his prison. Aang just got word from the White Lotus."

She bowed her head. Sokka sat, stunned, letting the words sink in. How could this be possible? Ozai had been sentenced to life in the most rough prison in the four nations. It was virtually impossible to break out of, considering his state. No bender, nor non-bender had ever managed it. Really, only the Avatar had a decent shot.

"What! I thought that you... you..." Toph couldn't finish. He understood why. Aang had found a way to take away bending, and she was probably terrified that such a power existed.

"You took his bending away, didn't you?" he asked.

"I thought so, but now... I'm not so sure."

"How is this possible? You... you locked him up!" a look of horror crossed her beautiful features. He put his arm around her shoulders, and he looked up at the airbender, waiting for directions.

"Zuko wants us to meet him at the palace in the Firenation. We leave at midnight, so pack and meet out here."

Sokka was secretly excited to go back to the old days. He had missed their adventures, traveling around the world, together.

"Team Avatar is back!" he yelled.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

About an hour later, Toph, Sokka, Aang, and Katara were all packed and ready to load onto Appa. The airbison was grateful for the opportunity to stretch his six legs, and was anxious to take off for the long trip.

Sokka threw all the bags onto the saddle and climbed in next to Toph. She had changed into a modified version of her old fighting gear, green pants, a long shirt adorned with a wide brown belt and the Earth Kingdom emblem, no shoes, and her space bracelet. He had forgotten about that thing, for he had given it to her a long time ago. She had kept he silky hair down.

He looked at her again and realized that she was shivering. The tank-top-like shirt she was wearing definitely wasn't designed for severe cold. He scooted closer, not sure what to do. Should he give her his coat? No, then he would be cold. He looked at the pile of bags, getting an idea, and he pulled out a wool blanket. He plopped down next to her and rapped his arms around her. Then, he put the blanket on top of them, leaving their heads free.

Her body stiffened, but realizing who it was, she melted into his side. She turned her head so that her lips were barely touching his neck.

"Thanks Sokka," he could feel her smile against his skin, and his heart fluttered.

She snuggled in, her head on his shoulder and thin arms around his chest. She stretched out her legs before closing her blind eyes.

At first, he was surprised that she could fall asleep so quick, but he knew it was late. He could feel his body fighting sleep, trying to stay awake, because he had an exciting day. He leaned his head back on the pile of bags, turning them into a soft pillow, and sighed. He fell asleep with Toph in his arms as Appa took off from the snowy ground, leaving the Southern Water Tribe behind.

Hey guys! Thanks for being patient through all the waiting and my terrible writers bloke. Once again, I really appreciate all of the help and participation in my contest. I like it when my reader's give me ideas and feed back,so if you could comment on my story, that would be awesome. Hope you enjoyed my newest chapter in this Tokka fanfiction! :-) I know I had fun writing it.
Stargazer12647