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Seconds.
It had all come down to a matter of seconds.

In the excitement and activity since their victory, it had been easier for Toph to push away that knowledge. But almost two months had gone by; and while there was still so much to do, at least the furious pace they had been moving at to cement their victory and lead their world into a new era had slowed enough for her to find a quiet moment to herself. For once, no admiring or disbelieving fans were trying to get her attention, no puffed-up diplomats were there to inveigle favor. No petitioners begging for the help of her wealthy family in restoring their estate, or young earthbenders begging for her to teach them, or older ones challenging her to fights. The former were a nuisance, and she was always happy to disabuse the latter of their self-confident boasts.

But in this quiet moment on the banks of one of the rivers that flowed through Ba Sing Se, things better left alone came to mind, and refused to let her push them away.

Warm air tugging at her hair and clothes and brushing her feet; the vast emptiness she could both sense and knew was beneath. Holding on to Sokka with fingers slick with sweat. Just barely holding on…

"Toph? You out here?"

She didn't answer. Not that it made any difference. She could feel him walking towards her.

"Not now, Sokka." His steps didn't even slow.

"Of course now. Katara's begging for some help. Seems she's been mobbed by more nobles wanting to hear our tale. Again." He snorted as he reached his friend and leaned against the tree she sat in front of. "I'll keep your seat warm while you go scare them off for her."

"No thanks. Just go back to the house- I'll be there in a while."

"And have them fawning all over me again? No thanks! Listen-"

"I said GO!" The earth shook with her command, but Sokka had become too used to that to pay it any attention. What he wasn't used to was the tremor in her voice.

"… Toph? Are you okay?" No response. He took two steps to stand at her side- just in time to see the first tear overflow and begin its journey down her face. His panicked "Toph!" caused her to smile even through the film of tears.

"I'm not hurt, Sokka. I'm fine."

A high-pitched "Fine?" summarized his lack of confidence in that claim.

"Okay, I will be fine. Can't I get a few minutes alone to deal with the fact that I almost died on that airship?"

He said nothing. Uncomfortable herself, she wasn't sure of what to expect. It definitely was not on her list of possibilities for him to fall to his knees, reach out and gather her to him, his head resting gently on top of hers. Anyone else would have found themselves underground or thrown ten feet for their audacity.

Anyone else, but this was Sokka.

The dam didn't break; she didn't give way to tears. But her small body trembled. Tears so long held back seeped out, as her best friend held her close and joined in her mourning for what almost was.

Description
Seconds.
It had all come down to a matter of seconds.

In the excitement and activity since their victory, it had been easier for Toph to push away that knowledge. But almost two months had gone by; and while there was still so much to do, at least the furious pace they had been moving at to cement their victory and lead their world into a new era had slowed enough for her to find a quiet moment to herself. For once, no admiring or disbelieving fans were trying to get her attention, no puffed-up diplomats were there to inveigle favor. No petitioners begging for the help of her wealthy family in restoring their estate, or young earthbenders begging for her to teach them, or older ones challenging her to fights. The former were a nuisance, and she was always happy to disabuse the latter of their self-confident boasts.

But in this quiet moment on the banks of one of the rivers that flowed through Ba Sing Se, things better left alone came to mind, and refused to let her push them away.

Warm air tugging at her hair and clothes and brushing her feet; the vast emptiness she could both sense and knew was beneath. Holding on to Sokka with fingers slick with sweat. Just barely holding on…

"Toph? You out here?"

She didn't answer. Not that it made any difference. She could feel him walking towards her.

"Not now, Sokka." His steps didn't even slow.

"Of course now. Katara's begging for some help. Seems she's been mobbed by more nobles wanting to hear our tale. Again." He snorted as he reached his friend and leaned against the tree she sat in front of. "I'll keep your seat warm while you go scare them off for her."

"No thanks. Just go back to the house- I'll be there in a while."

"And have them fawning all over me again? No thanks! Listen-"

"I said GO!" The earth shook with her command, but Sokka had become too used to that to pay it any attention. What he wasn't used to was the tremor in her voice.

"… Toph? Are you okay?" No response. He took two steps to stand at her side- just in time to see the first tear overflow and begin its journey down her face. His panicked "Toph!" caused her to smile even through the film of tears.

"I'm not hurt, Sokka. I'm fine."

A high-pitched "Fine?" summarized his lack of confidence in that claim.

"Okay, I will be fine. Can't I get a few minutes alone to deal with the fact that I almost died on that airship?"

He said nothing. Uncomfortable herself, she wasn't sure of what to expect. It definitely was not on her list of possibilities for him to fall to his knees, reach out and gather her to him, his head resting gently on top of hers. Anyone else would have found themselves underground or thrown ten feet for their audacity.

Anyone else, but this was Sokka.

The dam didn't break; she didn't give way to tears. But her small body trembled. Tears so long held back seeped out, as her best friend held her close and joined in her mourning for what almost was.