PLEASE DO SLIP UP AND WRITE A FIC
Couldn't stop my hands from slipping-
Toph woke with a start, her seismic sense reacting before her brain had even caught up to what was happening. She was out of bed in a flash, throwing back the covers to pad across the hallway to Lin's room.
Toph quietly slipped into bed with Lin, slipping below the thin covers and wrapping her arms around her daughter. She kept breathing level, focusing on Lin's heartbeat, ready to comfort her when-
Lin woke with a start, crying as she gasped for air. Toph hushed, her, already running circles up and down her back.
"Mama?" Toph's heart broke for how scared her daughter sounded.
"I'm hear, little one. I'm here."
Lin sniffled, burrowing her head against Toph's shoulder. "I had a nightmare," she whispered.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Toph kept up her circles. Lin shook her head. "Ok. We can talk in the morning then, hmmm?"
Lin sniffed and nodded. "Will you stay here?"
Toph gently kissed the top of LIn's head. "I'm not going anywhere."
It didn't take long for Lin to fall back asleep, but Toph stayed awake, humming some of the Water Tribe lullabies she picked up from Katara over the years. Toph fought her heavy eyelids, willing herself to stay awake for a few minutes longer.
She knew moments like this wouldn't last forever, and someday, probably too soon, her daughter wouldn't need her like this anymore. So for another minute or two, she simply enjoyed the feeling of her daughter in her arms, of knowing she was loved and wanted and needed.
All too soon she fell asleep, but the peace continued through the night, both mother and daughter sleeping in a dreamless state.