100 Years
A/N: This story will (hopefully) be100 drabbles, 1 per year over the lifespan of Zuko and Toph. Will not be posted in chronological order- on purpose. I'm making up the years, only to set a timeline for you readers so you can tell about what age, etc. the characters are. Will I actually get to 100? Who knows, but I'm gonna try. This is partially inspired by (500) Days of Summer, which is a really cute movie. I liked the idea of showing a relationship out of chronological order like they did, but I'm going with years instead of days. Italics means flashback.
Goodbye- Year 3836 Toph- 94 Zuko- 98 Rated T for character death
During the summer solstice, when spring (her season) slipped into summer (his season), she slipped away.
Of course, Zuko knew that it would have to happen sooner or later. They were both old, so old he didn't even bother keeping track anymore. They had grown content and complacent like they never thought they'd be in the headstrong years of their youth, when nothing could slow them down.
Not to say that he had lost the fire in his spirit, or she had lost that wicked grin that made him alternatively shake his head and smile or shiver.
He and the friends who were left decided on a private ceremony and a public memorial service. The memorial was attended by hundreds of people representing all the nations. Toph had touched each of them in her own special way- helping to rebuild the temples for the few Air Nomad descendents (despite her hatred of flying); restoring the pride of the Earth Kingdom while building trust in a former enemy; helping the Water Tribe root out any lasting sexism and finally humbling a Fire Nation distorted by years of propaganda. She showed how the other elements could be just as powerful and awe-inspiring as fire.
Despite her sickness, the age, and the support of friends, Zuko could not help but feel like he was missing a huge piece of himself. It reminded him of his hunt of the Avatar. He had thought that he could fill the hollow part of him by capturing Aang and restoring his honor. Frankly, that failed, and he had found another way to fill the hole: friends and family who really, truly cared about his wellbeing. But now, one of those most central was gone, and he didn't know how he would fill the gap now.
It wasn't like she was the first of the group to die- Uncle had long since passed, as had Mai and Sokka. And it certainly wasn't the first time he had been left behind or abandoned by those he loved- like his mother and father. But this was different.
"Hey, Fire Lady, don't go soft without me here. Don't do anything stupid."
"You mean, don't do anything you would do?"
"Yeah, something like that." She twisted her features painfully into a smile; the illness was really taking its toll. She reached for my face. "Just… I worry about you sometimes."
He placed his hand over hers. "Aren't we a little old for that?"
"I'm never too old to care about you. Stupid." her voice drifted softly away.
He started crying, because he could feel her failing, and he knew that even as she was dying, she was worrying about how he'd do without her.
He was going to start crying again, and he could feel it, because even though they had spent all those years together, he still wanted more and he wanted to be with her, selfish as it was to the poor kids. But don't worry, he thought, I won't do anything stupid, like you would.
He smiled.
A/N: Yeah, sorry about killing off Sokka. I used eenie miney moe and he lost. And if anyone has an idea for a drabble they'd like to see, I'd love to hear it. I have about 50 thought up but only 10 written. And another apology for publishing this story when I have unfinished stories. This just grabbed a hold of me and won't let go.