Toph can't see, but she can feel. To much, it seems sometimes. It gets overwhelming when there's so many people around, all of them with hearts and pulses and feelings and she can decipher them all. And she does. But she wishes she doesn't. So many emotions and feelings and thoughts morphing into one giant bubble that bulges and thrives in her mind. It's enough to drive anyone crazy, but she deals with it. Mainly because there are some perks. She'll never forget the day she told Katara she was pregnant with Bumi, the sheer joy that had vibrated off of her in waves.
It's a painful burden to carry, though, especially when it's at her best friend's wedding. Especially when, not even twenty four hours previously, she could say that the groom was hers.
But he's not. Not anymore. He used to be, though. For a long time, he was the only person she ever let herself spill onto, the only person she trusted with her entire being. But then he had poured this on her, and she had had no choice. Of course she hadn't.
She closes her eyes and tries to breathe. In and out. Back and forth. It helps, but only a little. She picks at her dress, which is green according to Katara, who has also done her hair up in a fancy bun. The dress feels gauzy and light, and it settles in her figure like a cloud. Not that she'll ever admit it, but she likes feeling pretty for a change. Really pretty.
Someone approaches her, and she gives a start when she realizes who it is. It's him.
"Toph?"
She sighs. She's been expecting him to come up to her, to try and talk to her, but what does it matter? They're getting married. Nothing he can say will changed that.
"What?"
"I..." he coughs. "Listen. Can - can we talk?"
"I thought we already talked. I thought we were done talking."
"I have more I want to say."
"Well, I don't. I've already said what I needed to say." She raises her hand in a universal 'I'm done' gesture.
Sokka huffs, and she smirks. She knows she can always get him with that.
"Please? Suki doesn't have to know. No one will notice if we slip out for a minute."
"No one will notice?" She laughs, but it's cruel and cold, so unlike her normal laugh. "You're going to stand here and try to convince me here, at your wedding, where you're getting married in half an hour, that no one will notice if you're gone?"
He says nothing, but she can sense his heartbeat racing. He's thinking, making a decision. She has to stop him before he makes the wrong one.
Grabbing his hand and ignoring his grunt of surprise, she drags him outside the building, which she knows is decorated with flowers and lace and probably looks beautiful. She hates it for that.
Once they've reached the cliffside, she stops and lets go of his hand and faces the horizon. At least, what she hopes is the horizon. It's harder to tell where things are when she's upset.
"You want to talk?" She says. "Let's talk."
He lets out a long sigh. She can sense him right behind her, as she has so, so, so many times. But this time is different. This time he doesn't belong to her.
"Why did you do it?" He finally asks, and the pain in his voice nearly breaks her. "Why did you end it?"
"You know why."
"No, I really don't. I've been trying to understand, I really have. But I just can't! Why, Toph?"
"You love her. Don't deny it, you know you do!"
