The first crack of thunder barely gave any warning before the sky split open. The storm rolled in fast, wind whipping through the palms, sending the ocean into a frenzy. But if anything, that only made everyone more excited.

Aang was the first to bolt into the rain, laughing as the wind caught him mid-air. Zuko followed, arms folded, watching the clouds like they were an opponent to outmaneuver. When the next bolt of lightning cut through the sky, he was already moving, redirecting it with sharp, practiced control.

Katara and Sokka weren’t far behind. Katara twirled her arms, pulling sheets of rain into swirling ribbons, while Sokka sprinted past her, before slipping in the mud. Suki doubled over laughing.

The storm didn’t scare them. If anything, they were thriving in it.

Toph stayed on the balcony.

She sat just under the roof’s edge, arms draped over her knees, her bare feet planted firmly against the wooden floorboards. No rain touched her here. Just the vibrations, endless and unpredictable. The wind, the crashing waves, the shifting earth beneath the storm’s force—it was everywhere. Too much.

Another crack of thunder—loud, right on top of them. The air rumbled deep in her chest, and for a split second, her fingers curled against the wood.

No one noticed. No one was looking. They were too busy playing in the chaos.

Good. That was good.

She wasn’t scared. She wasn’t.

Another flash. Aang shouted something, joy spilling into his voice. Zuko caught another strike, the energy sparking across his fingers. Katara was twirling in the rain, laughing, and Sokka had somehow convinced Suki to tackle him into the mud again.

The storm raged on. And Toph sat still. A shadow moved beside her. You.

For a while, neither of you spoke. The storm filled the silence, thunder rolling through the sky. Then, finally, your voice—casual, but knowing.

“…You scared of thunder?”

Toph snorted. “No.”

The sky roared again. Her fingers twitched.

You sat down anyway.