Kao's Kookie Nookie

“i’m not so sure about this, tophie..” you cling tighter to your girlfriend’s arm, both of you walking towards the fire palace’s gates. “isn’t fire lord azula.. y’know.. a little crazy?” you whisper the last bit to avoid a public execution in case anyone overheard you.

toph only laughs, hands in her pockets as she keeps walking, “don’t worry, sweetness. she is insane, but she’s still my friend. so you’ll be fine. come on, i visit her every year, what’s the big deal?”

you sigh, still concerned but you know your protests will fall on deaf ears. “i really, really don’t get how you’re friends with her. but i mean, won’t she mind my presence? she doesn’t know me.”

“mind your presence?” a smirk tugs at her lips, which makes you cock an eyebrow. you don’t know what thought just crossed her head, but she shakes it off with a chuckle. “oh trust me, she won’t mind at all. zula loves pretty things.”

you huff, lightly elbowing her. “i’m not a thing.”

she smiles at that, not bothering to answer you as you close in on the guards. toph pulls out her badge and they stand aside, bowing to you two as you go in.

toph’s a familiar face, but you aren’t. so all sorts of stares are being casted your way the further you walk in, and you can only hold on to your girlfriend tighter to calm your nerves.

toph, though, seems completely unbothered by your growing discomfort. if anything, she seems to relish it. “you trying to tear my arm off, baby?”

you swallow, marching through the hallways to the throne room. “i don’t have a good feeling about this..”

“now you’re just being annoying.” she sighs, metalbending the huge royal doors open with a swipe of her hand, without even a single knock, and you want to scream at the insolence.

she drags you with her, barging in like the fire lord herself wasn’t in that very room. “just relax. zula loves me.”

“do i?” the low voice cuts through the vast room, firm and crisp.

your gaze slowly travels up the high stairs to her huge throne, and your breath slightly hitches, making you squeeze toph’s arm even tighter in fear.

this was the first time you ever saw fire lord azula in person.

the portraits didn’t do her justice — even with how threatening she requested them to be, conveying the raw terror she enjoyed inspiring in people, they paled in comparison to the glare drilling holes into you right now.

her legs were crossed, elbows on the armrests as her head rested on her palm in a show of boredom, the upper half of her dark hair brushed back into the royal golden headpiece while the rest cascaded down her shoulders..

as beautiful as you’d admit she was, she looked anything but pleased.

see, you knew this was a bad idea. maybe you should leave now.

but instead, toph’s loud cackling fills the room and your head whips up to her in bewilderment. she walks even closer, ignoring your feeble attempts at holding her back, “you know you love me, zula.”

in only this past minute, you could count over six fire nation laws that toph just broke, and you didn’t know which one would send you to an early boiling death any second now.

two guards by her side lift their weapons, and azula doesn’t rip her stare off you as you’re forcefully pulled closer by toph to stand in front of the first steps, and you try not to squirm under her sheer intensity.

she doesn’t even blink, assessing you with her gaze alone. you feel heat creeping up your cheeks at the prolonged silence and you finally break eye contact, lowering your head in respect.

“that’s what i thought.” she lifts her hand up to her guards, “leave us.”

“yes, your majesty.”

and with that, their steady footsteps find their way outside, and you’re left in a suffocating silence, too scared to look up.

then you hear her scoff, entwining her fingers. “only you would make such a disrespectful entrance, beifong.”

toph croons, “you know me so well, zula.”

“maybe one day i should serve you as meat stew to my army,” she muses, and you can hear the grin in her voice. “you and the cute pup you brought with you today.”

at that, you finally look up, puzzled. azula’s eyes are still on you, her smirk plainly taunting, and when toph looks down at you, the uncanny resemblance in their smug grins sends a shiver up your spine.

toph chuckles, ruffling your hair. “aw, hear that? seems like you’re my pup now.”

you don’t know whether to stare at her in annoyance or pure shock.

was this seriously happening right now?

in the fire lord’s throne room?

maybe this was just a dream.

yup, must be an afternoon nap.

azula finally — after what seemed like an eternity — looks away from you to stare at toph instead, swapping her crossed legs to rest her right one on top of her left now. “where’s my gift, beifong?”

toph snorts, raising an eyebrow, “a gift? since when do you hold me to your laws, zula?”

“just because you’re not foe,” she gives her long nails a check, curling her fingers over her sleeve. “doesn’t mean you can simply show up empty-handed in front of your fire lord.”

“mhm.. well, that’s too bad.” toph holds out her hands and sighs dramatically. “i’ve brought nothing with me, your majesty.”

“but you have, beifong.” azula looks up from her hand, her gaze back on you this time. her forming smile makes you freeze into place, “a rather pretty gift, at that. and you know i don’t give empty praise.”

toph doesn’t need to see to feel the growing tension or know what she’s talking about, and at first she frowns, but then she hums.

“toph,” you hiss quietly, clinging to her arm tighter without breaking eye contact with azula. “what the hell?”

toph pulls her arm out of your grasp to wrap it around your shoulders and hold you tight against her side. “you want my girlfriend? that’s a bold request, even for you.”

azula sneers, looking down at you with a mockingly fond stare. “i won’t take her from you. well, not that i couldn’t, but i’m feeling merciful tonight. i just want to borrow her for a night. you can join, too. just like old times.”

borrow you? old times? what the fuck was going on?

you look up at your girlfriend, and the last thing you expected to see was a flustered blush tinting her cheeks.

“toph??” you’re torn between confusion and anger. “what the hell is this about? what old times?”

“oh please.” azula rolls her eyes, “beifong never told you we used to be an item? you think she visited me yearly for some cookies and tea?”

toph glares at her, “azula.”

woah, woah, woah.

you glare up at toph now, “what the fuck? you dated the fire lord??”

“no i didn’t.” she snaps, her face increasing in redness.

“yeah she didn’t,” azula smiles sweetly. “we just fucked. you know, as good friends. so don’t worry.”

as mad as you were, you couldn’t help where your mind wanderered, filthy images of them naked plaguing your imagination. who even topped? you could see them both do so interchangeably, and the thought only makes you flush almost as beet red as toph.

you forget how perceptive your blind girlfriend is, and you remember it when she abruptly looks down at you, having picked up on the hitch of your breath and the growing warmth of your body.

she tilts her head, puzzled and almost disgusted. “seriously? you’re horny?”

“what— no!” you quickly stammer, your voice unusually squeaky, and you watch her gaze darken in real time.

azula, on the other hand, is more than amused. she gets up, the clicking of her heels resounding through the room as she descends the stairs, arms behind her back, and you can do nothing but look at her, mouth agape.

the closer she got, the prettier she seemed to get.

sharp eyes, smooth dark hair similar to your girlfriend’s, subtle smirk, confident gait — everything about her screamed royalty, and your knees fought not to sink to the floor in submission already.

no wonder she ruled so well.

you gasp when she stops in front of you, reaching for your chin to swipe her thumb across your bottom lip. “i’ll be in my chambers tonight. upper floor, second door to your right. i’ll wait for your answer. well, you’d be pretty dumb to turn down a direct offer from the fire lord, pup.”

she doesn’t even wait for your reply nor does she seem interested in it, letting go of you and walking out of the throne room.

you blink incredulously as you watch her retreating figure, and when she’s out of sight, you let out a huge exhale you didn’t know you were holding.

but then you’re quickly yelping again when toph’s firm hand finds your hair, roughly pulling your head up to look at her.

“whore.” she spits, sightless eyes glaring daggers into you, “you’re actually considering it.”

you wince, whimpering and clutching your scalp. “n-no, i’m not! let go of me!”

she pulls harder, “you’re already a whore in my eyes, you’re gonna add liar to the list?”

“y—you can’t be calling me a whore. you literally slept with her.”

“and?” she asks, like you’d just stated the weather.

you huff defensively, trying to push her hand off you, “so you can’t be mad at me for thinking it.”

“mad?” she furrows her eyebrows before laughing loudly. “ohh. no no, you’re misunderstanding this, baby. i’m not mad at all. i’m quite happy, in fact.”

you frown, confused. “but you just— owww!!”

“sooo happy,” she drags you by the hair, ignoring your pained yelps as she leaves for azula’s chambers, a delighted smile on her lips. “you have no idea how happy i am.”

“t—toph, it hurts!” tears prick at your eyes, your scalp on fire.

“if you think this hurts,” she feels up the walls with her free hand while she walks, “you don’t know what sleeping with the fire lord is like.”

… what the hell did you just get yourself into?

₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚

toph barges into the chambers, dropping you right in front of where the fire lord was seated on the edge of the bed.

“beifong,” azula chuckles, looking down at your completely disheveled self on the floor, “i know you’re blind, but you’re ridiculously bad with gift packaging. what a mess.”

toph is already sliding her top off, grabbing azula by the collar of her fancy red robes, “ever the complainer.”

their lips smush together in a heated kiss, the wet pop!s of their entwined tongues reaching your ringing ears as you’re left a panting mess on the ground.

azula bites down on toph’s tongue, making the latter detach with a grunt. she kneads her breast in what would seem like an apologetic gesture, “get your girl up here, beifong.”

toph huffs out a small whimper, before reaching out to feel up the floor for you. you’re still massaging your poor scalp when toph finds your hair once again, pulling you up from it and you want to cry again already.

you finally get a good look at azula, her lipstick a little smudged from the earlier kiss, her headpiece ditched for thick black locks of hair to come undone and frame her face and slender neck, the robes half opened from toph’s aggression, one of her shoulders exposed.

you turn your head and your girlfriend’s already shirtless, but before you get to admire her properly, she grabs you and adjusts you into azula’s grip, your back against the fire lord’s chest, while she crawls over you to slot herself between your legs.

you blush at toph’s gaze on you, and azula snaps you out of your haze by tugging at your clothes. the message is clear and you obediently lift your arms, letting her undress you effortlessly.

“cute,” she nips at your ear, her hands travelling up your waist to your now bared tits, giving your nipples a mean pinch.

you squeal, squirming in her hold, but you’re quickly shut up by toph suddenly shoving two of her fingers in your mouth.

she presses down on your tongue, leaning closer until her face occupies your entire field of vision, “suck.”

her voice brooks no argument, and so you weakly coat her digits, moaning and gagging on them as azula presses wet, boiling hot kisses to your nape.

you feel her grin against your neck, and before you can process anything, your half-lidded eyes blow wide open in surprise, your screaming muffled by toph’s fingers when azula’s hands on your chest grow searingly hot.

the unbearable heat against your sensitive nipples has you thrashing wildly between both of them, and toph brings her free hand up to rest over one of azula’s. “won’t you burn her like this?”

“i’m not that evil.” she lies sweetly, pressing a mocking kiss to your sweaty temple and cooing when tears start streaming down your red face. “aw, too hot for you? stop gagging her, toph. i want to hear her scream.”

toph mulls it over, then agrees, but not before pushing deeper in one last time to drag a garbled choke out of your hoarse throat.

she grins, wiping the saliva off on your cheek, “well, aren’t you loud?”

with your frenzied writhing, you land an accidental kick to toph’s side, and that earns you a stinging smack to the thigh.

“stop moving, bitch.” she barks, face now twisted in anger, and lowers herself down to loop both her strong arms around your shaky thighs to hold you down.

“p—please— ah!” you cry out, arching up in pain when azula’s burning hands slowly slide off your chest and over your abdomen.

she chuckles against your ear, wisps of steam escaping her mouth, “so dramatic. the fire lord is giving you a personal sauna session, and you can’t even say thank you?”

angry red patches of skin fill the expanse of your tummy, and her fingers feel up the top of your panties, before the smell of smoke fills all your nostrils.

she was burning them off!

“a—azula! you’re gonna burn me!” you yell through tears, looking down at the fabric on fire in panic, but toph’s arms render any attempt at escaping useless. “s—stop it, please! this is crazy!”

at that, azula only sighs, bringing one hand up to cover your mouth. “unfortunately, you do sound better gagged. just shut up, i know what i’m doing. and who said you could call me by my first name? i should burn you, just for that.”

you can’t tear your eyes off the flames, sweat rolling off the sides of your head in waves, your entire body shaking with adrenaline under toph’s unrelenting grasp.

toph scrunches her nose, like you weren’t quite literally on fire, “reeks of burnt cotton.”

azula smiles, chin slotted against your shoulder to drink in the pure fear on your face. “so cute.”

she finally takes mercy, firebending the rest of the flames away with a swirl of her finger, your pussy exposed and glistening, and you’re just glad it’s somehow intact.

your head tips back against her shoulder, body going limp from the rollercoaster of emotions you just experienced, tears still streaming down your face.

“aww, stop it. you’re too adorable.” azula presses a condescending kiss to your cheek, tasting the saltiness of your tears. she smiles, “wow, you have such a pretty girlfriend, beifong. too bad you can’t see her.”

toph scoffs, “too bad you can’t have her.”

both their grips on you tighten.

you can barely manage to keep your eyes open, too out of it to do anything but pant erratically. you don’t know what’s going on, a long silence settling in, but you can only imagine them glaring at each other, the rising tension more than obvious.

azula takes her hand off your mouth to find your chest again, giving your right breast a sudden squeeze, a soft moan slipping out of your lips.

toph huffs, her nails digging into your thighs, and lowers herself down to press warm open-mouthed kisses to the irritated skin on your abdomen, licking them to soothe you further, coaxing a string of needy whimpers to leave your mouth.

you let your eyes flutter shut, basking in their delicious touch, the kneading of your tit and the hot kisses and nips littering your tummy making warmth bloom deep in your stomach.

“boring.” you hear azula whisper against your ear, but before it even registers in your brain, the hand she burnt your panties off with slides down over your folds, making you let out a startled yelp.

she grins, her breath warm against your neck as her fingers swipe over the dripping slick, smudging it across your aching pussy, “so wet already.”

with no prep or warning, she swiftly pushes two inside your drooling slit, and you arch off the bed with a loud squeal, flushing with embarrassment at how effortless that was.

she purrs, a sly smirk on her face. “so easy, too.”

you moan lewdly, her nimble fingers scissoring you open with filthy squelches.

toph scoffs, landing a harsh spank on the side of your thigh to jolt you back into attention. “you’re that easy for a stranger? aren’t you ashamed?”

you whimper, looking down at her through half-lidded eyes, “i—i’m sorry.”

“you’re not. but you will be.”

she pushes your thighs further apart, and you’re already mewling at the sight of her strong hands flexing around your inner thighs, her expression feral as damp strands of hair fall over her eyes.

she spits on your stuffed cunt, earning an annoyed tsk from azula, and before you even start squirming in anticipation, she’s already down on you, a scream ripping through your throat when her lips latch on your swollen clit.

“oh—oh my god!” you cry out, writhing against azula, who also picks up the pace of her finger-fucking to match toph’s aggressive slurping.

the sounds are so filthy it feels blasphemous to be doing this in the fire palace, but you can only moan and scream, drool dribbling down your lips from the feel of azula’s insanely precise fingers against your g-spot and toph’s punishing mouth on your clit.

your eyes roll to the back of your head when toph’s hands slide under your thighs, finding the fat of your ass to lift your hips up even higher — and the new angle has stars exploding behind your eyelids.

“gonna cum?” azula taunts sweetly, twisting your nipple.

you nod, unable to speak through sobs. her fingers curl up against your spongy spot while toph’s tongue swirls around your puffy bud, her saliva dripping down to azula’s knuckles, who decides to fuck it inside you too.

the thread in your lower stomach is about to snap, when toph suddenly lifts her head up and grabs azula’s wrist, quickly pulling her fingers out.

you cry out, uselessly bucking up into her mouth but her arms loop back around your legs to firmly hold you down.

“aw, that’s cruel.” azula coos, bringing her wet fingers to toph’s slick-sheen lips.

your girlfriend wastes no time in sucking on them greedily, making you watch her through tears, all while azula’s free hand offers your chest comforting rubs and squeezes in mock sympathy. “you poor thing.”

you hiccup a sob, “why? p—please. i’m so close—”

“i know,” toph tilts azula’s hand, licking on her wrist. “i don’t care.”

you watch her helplessly as she kisses and licks her way up azula’s arm to her shoulder. she pushes your face slightly away so her lips can find azula’s, and your clit uselessly throbs at the unfairly attractive sight.

“mhm,” azula hums, tasting you on toph’s mouth. “not bad.”

toph swallows her words in a deeper kiss, their hands tangling in each other’s sweat-damp hair, though azula somehow has the decency to leave one on your poor boob.

this was so unfair.

you were on the brink of an earth-shattering orgasm, and they just leave you pent-up to make out?

it didn’t help that their moans only made the knot in your abdomen painfully tighten.

toph finally pulls away, a string of saliva connecting their swollen lips, “where’s the strap, zula?”

azula steals another kiss. “where i always kept it.”

toph nods and gets off the bed.

right.

they used to fuck.

the reminder has your thighs squeezing together, heat creeping up your cheeks as your imagination goes wild again.

“somebody’s aroused,” azula muses into your ear, her hands finding the curve of your waist to adjust you back against her chest. “what’s running through your dirty little mind?”

your lips purse tightly, a sudden shyness taking over you.

she laughs, nipping at your neck, “dirty thoughts of me and toph, i bet.”

“mhh— i-i just…” you swallow, fidgeting. “i—i really wanted to cum.”

“oh don’t worry,” her palms grow warmer against your hips, and toph finally comes back to you, strap in hand. your eyes widen at the sheer size of it, your guts twisting with dread and reluctant excitement.

azula smiles, the bed dipping under toph’s weight, “you’re about to cum buckets.”

toph grins down at you, and it’s the last you will see of her face. she does a twirly motion with her fingers, and so azula turns you over, making you finally face her.

she chuckles, looking at your surprised expression. “hey there. missed me?”

toph’s hands hook under your hips, manhandling you into all fours, and you rest your palms over azula’s thighs for support. “what are you— ah..”

azula undoes the flimsy ribbon tying her robes, and the fabric gives way to her naked body, your gaze travelling down peaked breasts to her gorgeous cunt.

“my eyes are up here.” she pats your cheek mockingly, tutting at your stubborn staring. “pathetic.”

she spreads her legs wide enough, the stretch of her cunt an irresistible invitation.

her hand on your cheek slides up to your mussy hair, her grin still taunting. “take a deep breath, you’ll need it.”

with that, she pulls you down roughly, your face meeting the mattress with a startled gasp. she tugs on your hair, lifting you up to meet with her wet pussy in all its glory, and you swallow the lump in your throat.

she smiles down at you, her fingers brushing the hair off your nape to softly caress the damp skin.

“for your own sake, i better cum.” she swipes her index over the back of your neck, the motion gentle but the threat’s obvious. “after all, we wouldn’t want you to accidentally get shocked, right pup?”

your confusion is cleared when she generates just a bit of lightning at the tip of her finger, making your head jolt up with a pained yelp.

her smile widens, “so be good, yeah? you know i have a short temper.”

your bottom lip quivers under her gaze.

seriously, what were you thinking? sleeping with the fire lord?

you nod obediently, “yes your highness— augh!” you choke on your own words, feeling toph glide her tip over your soaked folds once before plunging into you so hard you hear your tailbone crack from your abrupt arch.

“t—toph!” you desperately scream, the girth stretching you out more than you could ever fathom.

you claw at azula’s thighs, crying again, and you hear toph curse behind you, her hands grabbing your ass cheeks to spread you wider. “shut her up, zula.”

“you don’t command me, beifong.” she snaps, but her grip finds your hair nonetheless, pushing your face into her warm slit.

you sob against her puffy lips, toph’s cock bullying its way inside your tight walls, but a swipe of azula’s fingers over your nape makes all the hairs there stand, the warning clear.

you sniffle, your tongue darting out to lick a big stripe up her folds to her clit, kissing and suckling it.

“finally,” toph groans when she finally bottoms out, readjusting her hands on your hips. “there we go.”

she doesn’t even give you a second to prepare for the ruthless pace she brutally fucks you with right off the bat, and you can only choke and sob, your sounds muffled as you’re fully smushed against azula’s pussy.

you wail, nails sinking into azula’s thighs, making her scoff. “what the fuck are you doing? let go of me, and eat me out properly.”

you feel electricity buzz beneath her fingertips and you immediately let go in fear, trying to put your mouth to better use than helplessly crying, but toph’s pounding — especially with whatever strap from hell this was — made this an almost impossible task.

the whole bed was creaking, the loud sounds of skin slapping filling the room as her hands tighten around your ass, appreciating its ripple against her hips at every thrust..

you couldn’t help but drool, your knees wobbly and position unsteady, but she didn’t need your legs for support.

her death grip on your hips was more than enough — you were basically useless; your only job was to lay there and take it.

well, not exactly.

azula reminds you of that by rubbing your neck in a deceptively gentle motion.

and that alone snaps you back to reality, lapping at her folds feverishly in whatever way you could.

small wonder that she was so good at fear-mongering.

“good girl,” she scratches your scalp, your head bobbing frenzily from the sheer force of toph ramming into you.

your eating was sloppy, you knew that, but you tried to make it up by giving extra attention to her sensitive clit, which happened to be the only thing that coaxed anything remotely akin to praise from her lips.

she was just like toph in that regard.

when a woman was this rude and mean with you, it always made the praise hit 100x harder.

fair trade, if you ask me.

“ugh, useless bitch.” azula roughly fists your hair, lifting your head up and locking you in place. you’re about to beg for forgiveness when she ruts up against you instead, deciding to take care of this herself.

you mewl and gasp at every roll of her hips, the lack of air making you even more light-headed, all the while toph’s tip deeply kisses your cervix.

incorrect choice of words — this was no “kiss”, she was destroying your womb from the inside.

you shiver at the feel of toph’s bare chest against your back, your face still stuffed full of azula’s cunt to properly see her.

toph lowers herself over you, her breath hot against your nape. “you’re close, aren’t you? gonna cum for me?”

you’d love to answer if you could, but you were too busy trying to get one puff of oxygen in your system before you completely shut off, though too scared to go against azula’s wishes.

death was a far more merciful consequence than her wrath.

toph somehow manages to pick up the pace even more, mumbling filth into your ear as her fingers slide down to your neglected clit, and you scream against azula.

the vibrations of your voice have her eyes rolling back; and it’s exactly what tips her over, having her gush all over your face.

she pulls your head up by your hair again and you suck in the sharpest inhale, desperate for air, and she just glares down at you, both of you panting, though in completely different rhythms.

“sloppy.” she grumbles, twisting your locks like you were some puppet. “could use some work.”

her words don’t even register into your addled brain because you’re the next to cum right after her; toph’s pounding, paired with her ever so phenomenal clit fiddling, sends you tumbling over the edge.

the now sopping wet toy produces even filthier sounds while she fucks you through your high, some of your slick dripping down from it down to either land on toph’s thighs or the sheets.

“perfect,” toph flips her thick hair back, satisfied with the outcome as she slowly pulls out of you. “could never get sick of fucking this sweet pussy.”

your body weakly squirms when she fingers some of your cum back into you, too exhausted to even protest anymore, falling totally limp against the mattress when they both finally let go of you.

“y’know, zula, i could get used to this gift thing.” toph smiles, sitting next to azula sweetly like she didn’t just fuck the living daylights out of you.

azula hums, “she’s really bad at multitasking, though. but since this is your first gift, i’ll let it slide this time.”

toph grabs her face, pulling her in for another hot kiss. she chuckles mockingly, “i’ll whip her into better shape for you next time, your highness.”

azula grins, returning the kiss. “you always know how to appease me, beifong. now, give me back my strap and roll over.”

₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚

* i feel like i got sloppy after this long break idk.. anyway, art creds are neozumi on X (toph art) & aakiwa on tumblr (azula art)

Sitting down and breaking the news to your very grown, very adult children that you were pregnant was not the easiest task. Lin was twenty-two, climbing the ranks at the police department in hopes of one day taking over for Toph. Su was seventeen, though she acted like she was the same age as Lin with the way she bossed you and Toph around the house.

You had just finished dinner, and now you were all sprawled across the living room. Some horror movie Suyin had insisted on was playing as she curled against her mama, who was already beginning to drift off to sleep beside her. Toph didn't see the point of grand reveals. After raising two kids, she'd simply told you to get it over with and just tell them.

But you were stressed, hormonal, and you had no idea how they were going to take the news.

You had talked yourself out of it several times that night. Even now, sitting on the opposite couch and watching your family piled together, it still didn't feel like the right time. But you were going to start showing soon, and they deserved to know.

Taking a quiet breath, you reached for the remote and paused the movie. Su was the first to react. Her head whipped toward you so fast it was almost comical, as though you'd just committed a crime she might never forgive.

“Mom!” She groaned dramatically, throwing her hands into the air. “It was just getting to the good part.”

Toph let out a sleepy grunt from the other end of the couch, one arm still draped around Su's shoulders. “Kid, if you wanted the good part, you picked the wrong movie. It sounds terrible.”

“How would you know?” Su countered, turning in her mother's hold. “You've literally been asleep for the last twenty minutes. I didn't even get to explain the plot to you yet.”

“I wasn't sleeping.” Toph lies easily. “I was resting my eyes.”

“You snored.” Su deadpans.

Toph titled her head, never one to accept defeat. “I was listening.”

Lin, seated in the armchair with a book balanced in her lap, lowered it just enough to glance between the three of you. “Can we settle the debate later? Mom paused it for a reason.”

The room quieted and three pairs of eyes settled on you. Your throat suddenly felt dry now that you were the center of attention. You opened your mouth once then closed it again.

Toph tilted her head in your direction, sensing the hesitation immediately. Even half asleep, she knew you better than anyone. “Baby?”

Your fingers tightened around the remote until your knuckles ached from clenching them so hard.

“There... um..” You swallowed. “There's actually something your mama and I wanted to tell you.”

Suyin straightened like she was bracing herself for something awful. Lin closed her book completely, setting it aside without taking her eyes off you. Neither of them spoke, and somehow the silence that settled over the room felt heavier than the horror movie ever had.

When you didn't answer fast enough, the guesses started.

“Are you sick?” Su asked, her voice wavering more with every passing second. “Because... you haven't really been eating, and the other day I heard you throwing up in the bathroom.”

Lin's head snapped toward her sister, her expression hardening. “Mom's been sick, and you didn't think to tell me?”

“I didn't know it was a big deal!” Su added defensively. “She told me she was fine, so I believed her.”

“You should've told me anyway.” Lin shot back angrily. “I have a right to know.”

“And make you panic over nothing?” Su argued, and she had a point out of the two of them Lin was more likely to freak out.

“It clearly wasn't nothing.” Lin pointed out with huff.

Their bickering washed over you, neither of them noticing the guilty look spreading across your face. They weren't angry with each other, you knew thaf more than anything. You could see both of their sides and that was the problem.

Toph sighed from beside Su, rubbing at her face before sitting up properly. “Hey.” Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried enough authority to stop both daughters mid-argument. “Knock it off.”

The room fell quiet again.

Lin's shoulders were rigid, every muscle in her body tense as she looked back at you. Su had gone pale, her foot bouncing anxiously against the floor.

“Mom,” Lin said more softly this time. “Are you okay?”

Your heart squeezed.

You hadn't expected this. You'd spent the entire day worrying they would think you were too old to have another baby, that they'd be embarrassed, annoyed, maybe even offended that their parents were starting all over again.

Instead, they'd skipped right past every possibility and landed on the one that terrified them most. Losing you to something awful.

You fiddled with your pant leg in an attempt to distract yourself from the anxiety rising in your belly. You coukd feel Toph's energy from the other side of the room, silently telling you to spit it out already before the girls really start to think somethings wrong.

“No,” You answered, your voice barely above a whisper. “I'm not sick.”

Neither of them relaxed after hearing your words. Su leaned forward on the couch. “Then what's going on?”

You let out a nervous laugh, though it came out shakier than you intended.

“I've been throwing up because…” You glanced at Toph, who simply shrugged as if to say See? Told you this would've been easier if you'd just said it. “I'm pregnant.”

The room got eerily silent as you waited for your daughter's honest reactions.

Lin was the first to speak, her brows slowly pulled together as if she'd heard the words perfectly but her brain had decided to reject them anyway. “What?”

“I'm pregnant,” You repeated, unable to stop the small, nervous smile tugging at your lips.

Your children stared at you as if you had suddent grown two heads and Toph folded her arms across her chest, looking far too pleased with herself.

“Took you long enough,” She muttered. “I've been waiting all day for you to spit it out and tell them already.”

Neither daughter acknowledged Toph's comment. They were too stunned to formulate words and you understood this was alot for then and gave them the necessary time they needed to work through it.

“You're serious?” Su whispered.

You nodded. “I went to the healer a few days ago. We wanted to be certain before telling you.”

“But-” Su opened her mouth and closed it again, pointing between you and Toph in disbelief. “You're-you're having a baby?”

Toph snorted from beside her. “Pretty sure that's what pregnant means, honey.”

Lin finally found her voice. “How?”

Toph turned toward the sound with the flattest expression imaginable. “When two women love each other very much-..”

“Oh, spirits, I know how babies are made,” Lin groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “That's not what I meant.”

A grin spread across Toph's face, she'd never tire of teasing her children. “Then ask a better question.”

For the first time since you'd paused the movie, a laugh escaped you. The tension eased, if only for a moment.

“What did you mean, sweetheart?” You asked gently.

Lin rubbed the back of her neck, suddenly looking far less composed than she had a minute ago.

“It's just,” Her eyes darted toward Su, silently pleading for help, but for perhaps the first time in her life, her younger sister had absolutely nothing to say. “You guys aren't exactly getting any younger.”

“Ouch.” You replied dramatically, placing a hand over your heart.

The joke landed, earning a snort from Toph and the ghost of a smile from Su, but beneath your playful tone you had to swallow the lump rising in your throat. You knew Lin hadn't meant to hurt your feelings. She never would. Still, hearing your daughter's first reaction boiled down to your age stung more than you cared to admit.

Lin noticed the shift almost as soon as it happened. “Mom,” She started quietly. “I didn't mean it like that.”

Your eyes stung with tears that you refused to let fall. “I know.”

“No, I don't think you do.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she searched for the right words. For someone who spent every day giving orders and handling impossible situations at work, this conversation had left her fumbling.

“It's not because I think you're too old to have another baby,” Lin said carefully. “It's because you're my mom.”

The room stayed silent, letting her continue.

“I grew up watching you take care of everyone else.” Her gaze flickered toward Toph before settling back on you. “You barely slept when Su was little. You worked yourself into the ground making sure we had everything we needed. You always put us first.”

She paused, drawing in a slow breath. “And now you've finally gotten to a point where things are easier.”

You listened without interrupting, your heart thundering in your chest as her words warshed over you.

“I'm twenty-two,” Lin continued. “Su's almost an adult. You don't have diapers anymore. No midnight feedings. No toddlers climbing all over the furniture. You and Mom were finally getting your lives back.”

Her voice softened.

“So when you said you were pregnant.” She shook her head with a quiet laugh. “My first thought wasn't 'that's weird.' It was..” She looked down at the floor for a second before meeting your eyes again. “Are they really starting over?”

Your eyes burned, Before you could answer, Su finally found her voice. “I kind of thought the same thing.”

Everyone looked toward her, She hugged one of the throw pillows against her chest, suddenly seeming much younger than seventeen.

“I wasn't thinking about your age.” She grimaced. “Well, maybe a little.”

“Thanks,” You deadpanned.

Suyin winced, “Sorry.”

A tiny smile tugged at your lips, encouraging her to continue.

“I just,” She sighed. “I guess I always imagined it'd just be us. Me, Lin, you, and Mama.” Her fingers tightened around the pillow. “Everything's gonna change now.”

There it was, not judgment or embarrassment. It was fear of the unknown, that the family she'd always known was about to become something unfamiliar.

You crossed the room before either of them could say another word. Kneeling in front of the couch, you reached out and took one of Su's hands before extending the other toward Lin.

“This baby isn't replacing either of you.” You tell them firmly, your voice conveying just how serious you were.

“You don't stop being our children because another one is coming.” Your thumb brushed over Su's knuckles. “There isn't a limit to how much your mama and I can love.”

Toph gave a quiet hum of agreement from the couch behind you. “If anything,” She added, “you're both getting promoted.”

Su blinked. “Promoted?’

“Yeah.” A grin spread across Toph's face. “Congratulations. You're a pair of big sisters.”

Lin let out a breath that sounded suspiciously close to a laugh. “I've been a big sister for seventeen years.”

“Now you're gonna be even bigger.” Toph says simply.

“Mama.” Lin started, shaking her head.

“What?” Toph shrugged innocently. “I thought it sounded inspirational.”

Su groaned, burying her face in the pillow. “That was so bad.”

“It was,” Lin agreed.

Toph looked thoroughly pleased with herself anyway. You shook your head, smiling despite the tears gathering in your eyes.

“They're both still in shock,” Toph said, tilting her head toward you. “Give 'em a minute. They haven't figured out they're happy yet.”

Neither Lin nor Su denied it and for now fhat was okay.

‧˚₊•┈┈┈┈୨୧┈┈┈┈•‧₊˚⊹

It was a quiet night at home. You sat at the kitchen table with what Toph had affectionately started calling your latest culinary crime—a steaming bowl of extra spicy ramen loaded with shredded chicken, a plate of green grapes on the side, and a cup of hot jasmine tea. Six months into the pregnancy, your cravings had only become stranger. Some days you wanted pickles dipped in honey. Other days it was smoked fish with sweet pastries. Tonight, for reasons neither of you could begin to understand, your stomach had decided scorching noodles, juicy grapes, and tea belonged together.

Toph sat across from you with her own much less offensive dinner, her nose wrinkling every time another wave of chili-laced steam drifted across the table.

“I don't know how you're eating that,” She muttered, leaning back in her chair. “My eyes are watering just sitting here.”

“It isn't that spicy.” You shrugged, holding the chopsticks up to her lips. “You want a taste?”

Toph scooted her chair further away from you creating more distance. “Hell no!”

You lifted another tangled bite of noodles with your chopsticks, blowing on them before taking a contented mouthful. “You're just dramatic.”

“Says the woman eating lava.” You only smiled around another bite, reaching for a grape afterward as though the combination made perfect sense.

Toph tilted her head in your direction, a grin slowly pulling at the corner of her mouth. “That's disgusting by the way.”

“Good thing it's not for you then.” You laughed, rubbing your hand absentmindedly over the curve of your stomach. The baby gave a small kick beneath your palm, earning another thoughtful tilt of Toph's head.

“I think this one's finally breaking the earthbender streak,” You said, smiling to yourself. “We're finally getting another firebender in this family.”

“Absolutely not.” Toph didn't even hesitate. She rested one elbow on the table, her bare foot lightly touching the floor beneath her chair. Though she couldn't see your belly, her seismic sense had become almost second nature throughout your pregnancy. Every tiny stretch, every roll, every energetic kick echoed through the vibrations she felt. “She feels like an earthbender.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Feels like an earthbender?”

Toph nodded, “Mhm.”

“And what exactly does an earthbender fetus feel like?” You asked honestly.

Toph pointed toward your stomach with complete confidence. “Stubborn.”

You laughed. “They're all stubborn.”

“Not like this one.” Toph folded her arms. “This kid plants herself in one spot for half the day, then decides she's gonna elbow every organ you've got because she doesn't feel like moving around them.”

“She's making room.” You defended playfully.

Toph didn't miss a beat. “She's declaring territory.”

You snorted, amusement shining in your eyes. “I think she's a firebender.”

Toph paused mid bite. “Oh?”

“Think about what she's done to me.” You gestured toward your dinner even though you knew she couldn't see you do it. “I've spent six months inhaling anything spicy enough to make normal people cry.”

“You've always liked spicy food.” Toph pointed out, not yet believing your argument.

“Not enough to put chili oil on noodles that already came with chili oil.” You tell her, swirling more noodles around your chopsticks.

Her shoulder dropped a fraction. “Fair point.”

You looked positively smug.

“And she runs hot.” You tugged lightly at the collar of your shirt. “Everyone else is cold while I'm opening windows in the middle of winter.”

Toph waved you off. “Pregnancy does that.”

“I also burned breakfast yesterday.” You responded, grasping at straws now as toph completely dissected each argument.

Toph laughed, the sound warm enough to fill the kitchen. “Now you're just saying stuff.”

You leaned back in your chair, rubbing your stomach again as another kick landed against your ribs.

“There,” You declared triumphantly. “Did you feel that? That was a firebender kick.”

Toph's expression didn't change. “Nope.”

“It was.” You insisted.

“Earthbender.”

You narrowed your eyes at her, you could do this all day. “Fire.”

She turned her head in your direction, her sightless eyas meeting you head on. “Earth.”

“She kicked because she agreed with me.”

Toph barked out a laugh. “She kicked because she heard you talking nonsense.”

“Oh, so now she understands conversations?” You huffed, a pout forming on your lips.

“I've been talking to her for months.” Toph's voice had dropped into something quieter, more intimate.

You still wouldn't let up even when the tone she was using made your heart skip a beat. “So have I.”

“Yeah,” Toph said with a grin. “And every time I tell her she's gonna be an earthbender, she settles down.”

You gasped. “That's because she's waiting for me to defend her.”

Toph pushed her chair back before walking around the table, stopping beside you. One hand rested gently over yours on your stomach, her smile softening despite the playful argument.

The baby shifted beneath both your palms, slowing down just enough for the ache in your lower back to ease.

“There,” Toph said, her voice nice and smug as her point was proven once again. “See? She's already calmed down just by my presence.”

You rolled your eyes. “I felt a little spark.”

“You imagined it.” Toph says, rubbing soothing circles across your belly.

Your eyes fluttered shut as you leaned back in your chair, enjoying the feel of her hand soothing both you and your child. “You refuse to admit I'm right.”

“Because you aren't and that's okay baby we all make mistakes.”

You leaned your forehead against her shoulder with a quiet laugh. “I can't wait until this baby's born.”

“Me neither.” Toph whispered, her voice full of affection.

“So I can prove you wrong.” You added, ruining the tender moment.

Toph smirked, brushing a kiss against the top of your head.

“Or,” She said, “You'll spend the next twenty years raising the most stubborn little earthbender this family's ever seen.”

“And if she's a firebender?” You asked, glancing up at her.

Toph's grin only widened. “Then I'll know she got her attitude from you.”

‧˚₊•┈┈┈┈୨୧┈┈┈┈•‧₊˚⊹

You were stretched out on one of the lounge chairs beneath the warm afternoon sun, content to let the breeze drift lazily through the gardens of Zaofu. It had been far too long since the entire family had gathered in one place without politics, police work, or world-ending disasters pulling everyone in different directions.

Suyin had insisted everyone visit for the week, and somehow she had even convinced Lin to step away from her responsibilities with the precinct and watching over the new Avatar.

The peace, however, didn't extend to the training courtyard.

Your youngest daughter, Rin, fourteen years old and stubborn enough to rival both of her mothers, was training alongside her older sisters while Toph paced the edge of the arena. Retirement had never suited her. She still carried herself with the same confidence that had once commanded an entire police force.

Time had left its mark in subtle, beautiful ways. Fine lines framed her mouth whenever she smiled, delicate crow's feet gathered at the corners of her pale green eyes, and her dark hair was now streaked generously with silver that hung in a long braid that rested against the middle of her back. Age hadn't diminished her in the slightest. If anything, it had made her more striking. There was a quiet strength to her now, earned through decades of protecting her family and helping shape an entire city.

“Again,” Toph called, planting her feet firmly into the ground. “Quit thinking so hard.”

“I am trying!” Rin growled, her legs faltering in the stance Toph had her in.

“I know you're trying. So stop and just do as I say.” Toph barked, her arms folded behind her back as she scrutinized her daughter's posture through the soles of her feet.

Rin groaned loud enough for everyone to hear. “That doesn't even make sense!”

“It does if you stop overthinking every little movement.” Toph snapped back just as fiercely. Out of all of her children, Toph and Rin collided the most. She had your fiery spirit down to a tea.

A loud clang echoed across the courtyard as another sheet of metal refused to respond.

From beside you came an exaggerated sigh. Suyin flopped into the empty lounge chair, wiping sweat from the back of her neck before reaching for the pitcher of iced tea sitting between you.

“Rin looks about five seconds away from crying because she still can't metalbend,” Su admitted quietly, all traces of her usual teasing gone. “I hate seeing her like this.”

You looked toward the training grounds. Rin stood rigidly in place, shoulders tight, jaw clenched so firmly you could see the muscles twitching from where you sat. Every failed attempt seemed to chip away at her confidence a little more.

“She's a late bloomer,” You said gently, though the reassurance felt painfully familiar.

The words carried a weight of guilt you couldn't hide. You knew exactly what it was like growing up surrounded by impossible expectations. Lin had become one of the greatest metalbenders in history. Su had mastered styles most people spent decades learning. Every lesson Rin attended came with comparisons she never asked for.

She wasn't trying to become better than her sisters. She was simply desperate not to fall behind them.

“I remember feeling like that,” Su confessed, watching Rin from across the courtyard. “Not with metalbending... but with Mom.”

You glanced toward her, your eyes softening.

“I spent years thinking I'd never be enough for her.” She added, the impossible standards that came with being a beifong will always be a burden your children will carry despite raising them not to care what others think.

You reached out for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You were.”

“I know that now.” Su smiled faintly, a distant look in her eyes. “Rin doesn't.”

Another metallic groan rang through the courtyard. Toph crouched beside Rin, saying something too quiet for either of you to hear.

Rin nodded and you watched as she took a breath. Your daughter planted her feet into the earth perfectly only for the metal panel not to move at all, not even a twitch.

Just when Toph was about to comment something that would definitely make things worse the teenager finally snapped.

“I'M TRYING!” Rin shouted, tears stinging her eyes as she slammed both fists toward the earth.

The courtyard trembled under her rage, At first it looked like an ordinary earthbending strike. Then the stone beneath Rin's feet cracked apart and orange light burst through the fractures.

“Mom?" Su whispered.

The cracks widened and split open like spider webs. Heat rolled across the courtyard in suffocating waves as glowing molten rock forced its way through the training floor, turning solid stone into rivers of brilliant orange.

For one impossible moment nobody moved. Lin stared wide eyed and Su's jaw dropped. Even you found yourself frozen in complete disbelief before your maternal instinct kicked in and you were on your feet and across the yard before you could blink.

“She's a Lava bender.” Lin breathed, fascinated.

The realization struck everyone at once. Rin hadn't failed to metalbend, She had just discovered an entirely different talent.

Unfortunately for all of you, She had no idea how to stop it and it terrified her.

“Mama!” Rin cried, stumbling backward as another stream of molten stone spread across the arena. “I-I can't control it!”

Panic flooded her face and your heart hammered in your chest. You couldn't reach them, not with the lava pooling. You were a fire bender yourself, but it seemed the more terrified she became the more it spread amd you couldn't cool it all.

Every frightened breath only made the lava surge farther, swallowing chunks of the training grounds. “I can't stop!”

“Rin.” Toph's voice cut cleanly through the chaos. The single word carried decades of authority. “You're okay, just focus on me.”

Rin's frantic breathing faltered, she listened to her mama, tears streaming down her cheeks freely now. “I'm scared..”

“I know.” Toph sighed, her voice low, still keeping the same calm.

Rin's eyes left her mother as the heat intensified around them. “It's spreading!”

“Lava does that.” She said plainly.

"I don't know what I'm doing!"

Toph stepped closer without a trace of hesitation, stopping only a few feet from the glowing river separating them.

“You don't,” She agreed calmly, another pulse of lava rippled outward. “But you know what?”

Rin shook her head desperately.

“Neither did I.” Toph rested one bare foot against the stone as she continued to calm Rin down.

“When I invented metalbending, you think I knew what I was doing?” Toph asked, a crooked smile tugging at her lips. “I made it up as I went.”

Rin let out a shaky laugh despite herself.

“You don't need to be your sisters.” Toph tells her gently, “Just be you Rin, that is all I have ever wanted.”

Lin stepped forward. “She's right.”

Su joined her, cupping her hands around her mouth. “You hear us, Rin? You're doing something none of us can!”

“You've already done the impossible,” Lin called out to her sister. “Now breathe.”

“You've got this!” Su added. “We're not going anywhere!”

Rin swallowed hard, the fear was still there, but so was her family.

Toph nodded once, feeling the tension leave her daughter's shoulders. “Feel the stone beneath the heat.”

Rin closed her eyes, her heart was hammering in her chest and she listened to the earth and focused on the things around her she could control, which was her breathing.

“The lava isn't your enemy,” Toph said steadily. “It's still earth. Slower. Heavier. Listen to it.”

Rin sucked in another breath, zeroing in to the sound of her mother's voice.

“The same way I taught you to feel every stone under your feet.”

The molten rock quivered ans the ground groaned beneath her feet as she followed her mother's careful instructions.

“Good.” Toph hummed, “Now guide it.”

The glowing current hesitated at first under her unsteady hands. Then, inch by inch, the lava began to retreat. The brilliant orange dulled as it cooled, hardening back into black volcanic stone that spread across the ruined courtyard in jagged patterns.

Nobody spoke until the final ribbon of molten earth solidified. Rin opened her twaeful eyes, her shoulders shaking as terror still flowed through her. “I did it?”

Toph's grin was impossible to hide. “No.” She walked across the newly formed stone and pulled her youngest daughter into a fierce hug. “You did something even better.”

Rin buried her face against her mother's shoulder, sobbing into her chest as her body shook with each wretched cry.

“You found your own path and I'm so proud of you.” Toph tells her affectionately.

Behind them, Su whooped loud enough for the entire city to hear while Lin, usually so composed, actually laughed before wrapping both of them in a crushing embrace.

You remained where you were for only a moment longer, your own eyes misting over as you watched your family gathered together in the center of the courtyard.

Rin had spent years believing she was falling behind her sisters. None of you had realized she had simply been walking toward a destiny that belonged to her alone.

‧˚₊•┈┈┈┈୨୧┈┈┈┈•‧₊˚⊹

Later that night, after the laughter from dinner had faded and the rest of the family had retired to their own rooms, you and Toph finally escaped to the quiet of your bedroom.

Moonlight spilled through the open balcony doors, painting silver streaks across the polished floor while the distant sounds of Zaofu settled into a peaceful hush. The air carried the scent of fresh rain and flowering vines from the gardens below.

Toph stepped out of the adjoining bathroom, a towel draped loosely around her shoulders. Damp strands of silver-streaked hair clung to the back of her neck as droplets traced lazy paths down her shoulders before disappearing beneath the collar of her sleep shirt.

Decades had softened some of the sharper edges of her face, leaving gentle lines thst were reminders of every laugh she'd shared, and battle she had survived against all odds. She was older now, but no less formidable and it was moments like this where you really got to appreciate her.

She paused in the doorway, feeling your gaze piercing through her from where she stood. “I can feel you giving me that look.”

You glanced up from your spot on the edge of the bed, trying and failing to suppress the grin spreading across your face. “What look?”

“The one that says you're about to become insufferable,” Toph said.

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“You do.” She crossed the room, stopping directly in front of you. “I can practically hear the smugness radiating off you.”

You tapped your chin, “I was just thinking.”

“Dangerous pastime.”

You laughed, leaning forward. “I was thinking,” You began, dropping your voice to a sweet, mocking tone, “that I was technically right.”

Toph folded her arms, her head tilting slightly. “About what exactly?”

You tipped your chin up, amusement warming your voice. “Rin's a firebender.”

Toph let out an exaggerated scoff, rolling her eyes. “No.”

You blinked innocently. “Pretty sure lava glows and burns things, last I checked.” You spread your hands wide, leaning into her space. “So..”

Toph reached out with practiced accuracy, flicking your forehead hard enough to snap your head back. “So, she's not a firebender.”

“Violence isn't an argument,” You grumbled, rubbing the sore spot while shooting your wife a glare she couldn't see.

“It is when you're wrong,” She shot back instantly, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

You snorted, shifting your weight on the mattress. “You've spent fourteen years insisting she'd end up just like you.”

“And she did.”

“Did she?” At your quiet question, Toph's posture shifted. The playful defiance softened, and her shoulders dropped. The fierce confidence that usually defined her gave way to a quiet, vulnerable stillness.

“She's an earthbender,” Toph said softly, her voice carrying a warmth reserved only for her family. “She just found a road neither of us expected.”

She stepped closer and sank onto the edge of the bed beside you, the mattress dipping under her weight. Her shoulder brushed yours, a steady, grounding presence.

“Lava isn't fire, and it isn't ordinary earth, either.” She stated, as if convincing herself as much as you.

“I know,” You replied gently, dropping the teasing act entirely.

Toph shifted further up the bed and leaned back against the metal headboard, staring blankly ahead with those unseeing pale eyes, though you knew she was processing every vibration in the room. “She's in a category of her own.”

The pride in her voice was impossible to miss. It was a tone she rarely used, reserved only for monumental moments and this certainly counted as one.

You shifted closer, resting your head lightly against her shoulder. “I've never heard you sound so impressed. And you've trained hundreds of earthbenders, baby.”

“Mhm,” She murmured, her hand finding yours on the blanket and squeezing it briefly.

“But today..”

“Today,” Toph finished for you, her voice dropping to a low, reverent whisper, “I experienced my daughter discovering something that can't be taught.”

Silence settled comfortably between you, the ambient sounds of Zaofu humming faintly outside the window.

“I thought she was going to panic herself into passing out.” You admitted with a quiet laugh, you could still feel some of the residual adrenaline in your chest as your daughters terrified face flashed in your mind.

“The only thing going through my mind was that if she didn't stop she was going to melt half the city,” Toph commented dryly, her grip on your hand tightening.

You lifted your head from her shoulder, looking at her profile in surprise. “You looked awfully calm out there.”

“I wasn't.” Toph shook her head, her jaw tightening as she stared blankly at the wall. “I was terrified.”

The confession was so unexpected that it left you momentarily speechless. Toph rarely admitted to being scared of anything.

“I couldn't let her hear that,” She continued, her voice dropping to a rare, gritty vulnerability. “If I'd panicked, she would've panicked harder.”

“Well, you fooled me,” You sighed. “You knew exactly what to say to ground her.”

“But I didn't through.” She muttered, a self-deprecating smirk flashing across her face before vanishing. “I guessed and surprisingly it worked.”

You smiled, leaning your temple against hers. “It was a very good guess, Toph.”

She squeezed your hand again, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she wrapped her arms securely around you. “I've learned a few things after raising three daughters. They don't need me to have every answer. They just need to believe I do.”

A soft knock interrupted the quiet of the room. Three hesitant, uneven taps vibrated through the wood.

Rin looked almost guilty for disturbing you, one hand was gripping the edge of the door while the other nervously twisted the sleeve of her nightshirt.

“Am I bothering you?” The uncertainty in her voice caught both of you off guard. Your youngest was many things- stubborn, determined, loud when she wanted to be, but hesitant was rarely one of them.

“Never.” You said warmly, softening your expression to let her know she was always welcome.

Toph patted the empty space on the mattress beside her. “Get in here, kid.”

Rin slipped into the room, letting the door click shut before padding softly across the floor. She climbed onto the bed with far less of her usual confident swagger, moving hesitantly before settling right between the two of you without a word. For a long moment, she simply stared down at her palms, turning them over as if expecting to see the glowing lava materialize out of thin air.

“I-.” She swallowed hard, her voice trembling. “I keep thinking about today.”

Toph stayed quiet, dropping her hand to the mattress to feel the subtle vibrations of Rin’s uneven breathing, giving her the space she needed to speak.

“What if I lose control again?” Rin asked softly, her shoulders hunching inward. “What if next time I hurt someone?”

You wrapped a reassuring arm around her shoulders, drawing her small frame close against your side. “You didn't hurt anyone today, sweetie.”

“But I could have,” Her bottom lip wobbled, the raw fear finally breaking through. You both knew she couldn't hurt a fly. But Rin was only fourteen and you understood how scary this must be for her especially given how she discovered it on accident.

Toph shifted, reaching over to rest a heavy, steady hand on her daughter's knee. “That's exactly why we train. Lavabending's no different from anything else. It's new, and it's scary. And until this morning, you didn't even know you could do it.”

Rin looked up, searching Toph's blind, pale eyes for any sign of deceit. “So... you don't think I'm dangerous?”

Toph gave a quiet, affectionate huff, a proud smirk breaking across her face. “Kid,” She said, reaching over to rough up Rin's hair until it stood on end. “I think you're a Beifong.”

For the first time since she'd poked her head through the door, a genuine laugh broke through Rin's anxiety. The nervous tension finally melted from her shoulders as she leaned heavily into both of you, letting herself just be a kid instead of carrying the weight of being extraordinary.