Toph Beifong

Toph Beifong was a lot of things— a war hero, a master earthbender, the founder of the metalbending police force, a woman who could take down a rhino with one punch— but none of that prepared her for the absolute chaos of raising two children under the age of ten.

“Lin! Su! Stop throwing rocks in the house!” Toph shouted, catching a pebble mid‑air with a flick of her wrist. “I swear, if one more thing breaks, I’m gonna—” A vase shattered behind her. She groaned. “That wasn’t a challenge!” You knocked on the doorframe gently. “Hey, Toph. You okay?”

Toph turned toward your voice instantly, relief washing over her face so fast she didn’t bother hiding it. “Oh thank the spirits. Get in here. Help me before I turn into a boulder out of stress.” You stepped inside, and both girls immediately perked up.

“Auntie!” Su yelled, running straight into your legs. Lin followed, quieter but clinging to your sleeve. “Can you read to us?” Toph threw her hands up. “Oh, NOW you’re calm? Seriously?” You laughed and crouched down. “Alright, alright. One story. But only if you two clean up the mess you made.”

Both girls nodded vigorously and scrambled to pick up the scattered toys. Lin and Su finished cleaning up the mess surprisingly fast— mostly because they kept glancing at you like they were waiting for approval. When you gave them a thumbs‑up, they both beamed.

Toph groaned. “Unbelievable. I’ve been yelling at them for an hour and you walk in and suddenly they’re little angels.” Su tugged on your sleeve. “Auntie, can you braid my hair?” Lin chimed in immediately. “Me too!” Toph threw her hands up. “Hey! I exist!”

Su looked at her with a mischievous grin. “But Auntie’s nicer.” Lin nodded. “And prettier.” Toph choked. “EXCUSE me?” You tried not to laugh. “They’re just being sweet.” “No, they’re being traitors,” Toph muttered.

Su leaned in close to Lin and whispered— loudly enough for Toph to hear, of course— “Mom likes her.” Toph’s head snapped toward them. “I do NOT!” Lin giggled. “Yes you do— you get all red!” “I DO NOT GET RED,” Toph snapped, crossing her arms so hard the floorboards rattled. You raised an eyebrow. “Toph… you’re literally blushing right now.”

Toph slapped a hand over her face. “No I’m not. You’re imagining things. Everyone is imagining things.” Su tugged on your shirt again. “Auntie, do you like Mom too?” Toph nearly combusted. “SU! You can’t just— you can’t— STOP TALKING.” Lin gasped dramatically. “She didn’t say no!”

Toph stomped her foot. “I’m going to ground both of you until you’re thirty.” Su giggled. “Mom’s embarrassed.” Lin nodded. “She likes Auntie.” Toph groaned into her hands. “I swear, these kids are going to be the end of me.”

You gently nudged her shoulder. “Toph… relax. They’re just teasing.” “They’re evil,” she muttered. Su tugged on your sleeve again. “Auntie, can you stay for dinner?” Lin added, “Yeah! Mom’s nicer when you’re here.” Toph sputtered. “I— I am ALWAYS nice!”

You smiled softly. “I can stay.”

Toph froze. You felt her heartbeat jump— she knew you felt it too. “…Cool,” she said, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. “Whatever. Stay. Or don’t. I don’t care.” Lin whispered loudly, “She cares.” Toph groaned. “I’m moving out.” But she didn’t move away from you. If anything, she stood a little closer.

Toph let out a long, exhausted sigh and slumped against the wall. “I don’t get it. They listen to you like you’re some kind of… kid whisperer.” You smiled. “Maybe they just like me.” Toph snorted. “Everyone likes you. That’s the problem.” You blinked. “Problem?”

Toph froze. Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

“…I didn’t mean that,” she said quickly, cheeks warming. “I mean— I did, but not like— ugh.” You raised an eyebrow. “Toph Beifong is flustered?” “I am NOT flustered,” she snapped, crossing her arms. “I just— you’re—”

She stopped again, face turning pinker. You stepped closer, gently nudging her shoulder. “Toph. What were you trying to say?” She grumbled something under her breath. “What was that?”

She stomped her foot lightly. “I said you’re good with them, okay? You’re… really good. And I—” Her voice softened. “I really appreciate you.” You blinked, surprised by the sincerity. Toph felt your heartbeat shift and immediately panicked. “Don’t make it weird! I’m just saying you’re helpful. And nice. And—”

She stopped again, cheeks burning. “And I like having you around,” she muttered. You smiled softly. “I like being around you too.” Toph’s heart skipped— you felt it through the floorboards. She groaned dramatically. “Ugh, you’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?” “Being all… you.” You laughed. “Is that a bad thing?” Toph shoved your shoulder lightly. “No. It’s the worst.” But she didn’t move away.

She stayed close— closer than friends usually stood— her shoulder brushing yours, her voice quieter now. “…Thanks for helping me,” she said. “Really.” You nudged her gently. “Anytime.” Toph’s cheeks warmed again— and she didn’t hide it this time.