And When We Danced

Vision through a pair of eyes is overrated.

Looks, reading…pfff, who needs ’em?

I do just fine without it. Because I’ve learned to take what I have and use it to make my own success.

This is my world. And in my world, everyone can dance.

I’m not talking tutus and frills and the delicate little hops and steps that I’m sure Sugar Queen enjoys so much. Nuh-uh. I’m talking the grueling, vicious, bloodthirsty movements of a good fight, whether it’s practice or it’s real.

Twinkletoes was never good competition when we were practicing, and neither was Sugar Queen. They were both too nice. But there was something about fighting Snoozles that I never got sick of.

I think it was because he never held back; I scared the crap out of him, and that made him think he needed to try harder. How he ever even got close to me when we practiced was beyond me. I always knew where he was; the earth never lied. And yet he always found a way to surprise me, he always did something other than what I thought he would do. I learned to deal with it. I became used to the unexpected, being able to fend him off from any direction he came from.

But when Snoozles told me he loved me…I didn’t expect that. So I did the only thing I could do.

I kneed him and said, I love you too, moron.

Zutara Week Day 3: Jealousy

“Don’t you ever wish for that, Toph?”

“Wish for what?”

Aang leaned back against the log, stirring the air around him into a miniature whirlwind absentmindedly. “Well…look at them.” Aang nodded in the direction of Zuko and Katara, who were laughing and having a ‘water fight’, which was Katara was clearly winning. But whenever she got close to completely soaking Zuko, he would unleash a controlled wave of fire to evaporate the water and dry himself off. “They’re completely in love.” Aang sighed loudly, still staring at the couple.

“I could ask you the same question, Twinkletoes,” Toph pointed out.

Aang just looked at her.

“Don’t give me that look. Just because I can’t see it, doesn’t mean I can’t see it.” Toph wriggled her toes triumphantly.

Aang sighed again, looking a little queasy. “Maybe. But seriously, Toph, aren’t you ever jealous?”

Zuko and Katara had stopped splashing water, and were bickering with each other now. Zuko wrapped his hand firmly around Katara’s, and continued bickering. Katara reached up and anchored Zuko’s head in place with her other hand, and pushed her forehead up against his. They were still bickering, but they were leaning closer together, closer…

“No,” Toph lied firmly, as Aang looked away from the couple.

He gave her a weird look. “Whatever you say, Toph, I’m going to go take a ride with Appa.” He stood up, brushing dust from his pants, trying very hard not to look at the couple. “But for what it’s worth…” Aang looked at Toph, then over at Sokka, who was watching them fixedly. “I’m not sure I believe you. And I think I can name someone else who’s a little bit jealous…” With a final glance at Sokka and a shrug, Aang picked up his glider from its place against the log and bounced away.

Sokka stood up, walking over to where Toph was and sitting down silently. Zuko and Katara went back to splashing each other, laughing. “They’re quite a pair, aren’t they?” Sokka asked.

Toph nodded, blushing at the proximity to Sokka. “Yeah, they are.”

Well…maybe Aang is right. Maybe I am jealous…but just a little bit.