This is the first story I've ever written (except for the compos from school), so please review and help me improve! I won't kill you if you say this is horrible. I promise. Though I'll feel sad, but whatever…

Acceptance and renewed doubts

The kiss lasted longer than they intended, both of them not realising they were actually doing it finally.

But in the end, both pulled away at the same time, and enjoyed the sunset, also a signifying the end of Firelord Ozai's rule over the world.

Sokka put his brush down and walked over, saying, "I expect total maturity from both of you or this is going to end real badly. On a lighter note, I'm proud of you man. I thought you'd back out last min, and for a sec there, you gave me a pretty big scare when you didn't say or do anything and just walked out," he chuckled.

"Wait, you knew about this all along? I can't believe I was played again!" Katara fake-strutted off angrily.

Turns out that before the coronation of the new Firelord, the guys had a talk and drink, and the conversation inevitably turned to "their future" and Aang just couldn't help but ask THE question. After all, the war was over, and he didn't have to worry about the Firelord, anymore. So his mind turned to nothing but what would be worse than losing to the Firelord: losing Katara due to him being insensitive and too late. He wanted to accomplish the fact that he had her, before she got an arranged betrothal, just like Yue.

The guys came up with a simple plan: Sokka and Zuko create a diversion, while he tries to get the perfect chance to confess.

Of course, what better ways to do that than not use words, for actions speak louder?

Katara went back into the room, and saw again the hideous paint-on-paper thing which Sokka called a "painting".

Hmm... I can do a better job; she thought and sat down, grabbed a brush and started to paint on a fresh piece of paper.

Meanwhile, Sokka and Zuko were still busy fussing over Aang, while the girls stood there, pining for the same attention that Katara just received.

Only Toph stood quietly, and listened to the conversations.

Katara smiled to herself quietly as the brush started to capture the moment.

"Hey isn't someone missing?" all eyes turned towards Katara.

Sokka screamed," You think you can do a better job than me, I'll show you..." and soon, everyone was painting Toph, the only model available, as she was the only one not painting.

"Stop moving!" Suki moaned, echoing the screams, pleads and "oh-for-crying-out-loud"s of everyone else for the past few hours.

Only Katara and Aang seem to be enjoying the moment, saying nothing and concentrating on the painting alone.

"Done!" they both screamed at the same time.

All attempted to rush over to see the end products, but were held in place by something.

"Hey, I'm the Paintee, shouldn't I get to see it first hand?" Toph reasoned.

She slowly walked over, to the dismay of those dying to see what the two lovers were really capable of.

"Are you testing my patience?" Zuko was fuming.

"As a matter of fact, I am! Deal with it." she said harshly. As she approached the tables both of them laid the painting out pianfully slowly, playing along.

"Hmm... I got to say, I like..." she paused and studied them closely...

..."sculptures more," she finished mischievously, (everyone facepalm) and walked away, freeing everyone from their holders.

Immediately, everyone rushed over.

Aang had made an attempt to draw everyone else, but it didn't turn out much better than Sokka's previous one, only that Katara looked better, Zuko's hair was fluffy, Suki wasn't firebending (to her delight) and Iroh looking thinner but with very very long hair.

Katara's looked like a cartoon drawing, though not as good as the original cartoon itself :-)

Iroh finished his soon after, followed by the fire couple, and then Suki and Sokka.

They took a gallery walk and Iroh's won by a landslide. His was like a professional painting. They all sat down, very still, and asked Iroh to draw them with Toph.

"Oh no, I'm not sitting for another hour for you! Unless Snoozles sits on my left and hothead sits on my right," Toph demanded.

"Fine, fine..." they agreed reluctantly.

Suki expressed disagreement, but finally decided to stand behind Sokka.

Mai kept her jealousy to herself, and stood somewhere behind Zuko, but slightly to his left. So the final layout:

Suki Katara Aang Mai

Sokka Toph Zuko

After hours of modeling, everyone's legs were sore, but the end product was worth it. They took it down to a professional copier, who made copies of documents for a fee. The collection was set for 5 days later, as the painting was good and they wanted many copies (7 to be exact, no photocopiers there, too bad). As they all headed back to their rooms, Toph was stopped by Suki.

"Look, I don't know how you feel about Sokka or Zuko, but you have to choose. If you and Sokka choose each other over m... I mean, the other choices, I'll leave and respect your decisions, but that doesn't mean I'm backing out without putting up a fight."

Toph chuckled nervously, "I don't know what you're talking about. Those two are only like brothers to me, you know, me being an only child and all..." and she hurried away before the conversation turned sour. "I think…" she added quietly.

The dinner bell rang, and as usual, Sokka was the first out. He flung the door open, only to be met with Suki's no-nonsense face.

"Answer 1 question and I'll give you my share of dinner."

"Ok but make it quick, I hear food crying out to papa... What's that, fishy? Oh you want to be ea..."

"FOCUS!" Suki screamed, and took a deep breath before carrying on, "ok… Doyoulikemeortophmore?"

"What?! I can't answer that! I barely know you, and it's hard to forget Yu... Someone else. Toph is... admirable… this ends here." he ended awkwardly.

He never really saw Toph as...a girl, let alone a girlfriend. She didn't seem to be one of those who cared.

Oh, he dismissed that thought, and went in pursuit of the one thing that is not confusing- food. After all, he gets 2...

"Hey! You said I get your share!"

Suki shrugged," you didn't answer the question. You technically said, 'I can't answer that!' So here I am!"

Well that's the first chapter. I personally don't like cliffhangers so I'll try to avoid them as much as possible. School is starting soon so don't expect much updates. Merry Christmas!