A Brother's Fire
Sleep
Rocks were the best. Toph thought as she moved them around her, creating a small tent to sleep in. However, sleeping in the Western Air Temple did have its draw backs. One, no matter what the earth bender tired she couldn't exactly keep the cold night air from seeping into the solid slabs and rightly freezing her toes solid. So this was exactly why when Toph woke up for the fifth time that night, did she quietly stomp towards Sparky's room and climb into his bed. Of course, she made sure to properly bang his door open—after all, Toph was pretty sure Katara would kill Zuko if he burnt her feet again (not that she wouldn't attack him as well, she'd just do it for payback, and fun) plus, it was worth it to see Sparky nearly jump out of his skin with one palm dangerously hot.
"Toph? What are you doing here?" Zuko whispered feverently, not quite over her barging into his room, but the smoke still dissipated instantly from his hand.
"I'm freezing, so move over Sparky." Toph demanded, she was determined to lie down next to Zuko, even if it killed him.
And Zuko watched with a growing panic as the young bender made her way across the room and onto his small bed. In reflection, Zuko wished it were moments like these that he'd inherited Azula's death glares. Instead, he found himself blushing tomato red, and stuttering incoherently until Toph was situated beside him. Her back facing the wall, which she'd walked into, and out of, after the small scuffle that broke out when Zuko desperately fought to keep her off of his bed—really, he should have known it was a losing battle.
Closing his eyes, Zuko breathed, and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Toph, if you're cold, why don't you just sleep closer to the fire?" He suggested in what sounded like exasperation.
The blind girl let out a snort.
"Have you heard Snoozles sleep? His snoring is so bad it even travels through the earth and besides, I'll never hear the end of it from Sugerqueen that she was right." Toph all but growled out at the end. So with that she pushed Zuko hard in chest, making the teen fall back onto his pillow, momentarily winded, he let out small grunt. Giving Toph the time to wiggle herself under his arm so she could rest her head on his stomach and sneak her cold toes under the covers with Zuko's. Toph let out a content sigh, feeling the warmth radiate off the teen, soaking into her skin and blankets. And soon, she felt the fogginess of sleep creep into her mind. With the earth bender asleep, Zuko tried to tame the embarrassing flush that was dusting his face. Holding back a sigh, Zuko shifted to the left, and felt Toph follow.
"Oh, come on…" He hissed out, realizing for the first time that he was shirtless, now, everything just turned awkward. The former prince mentally berated himself for not trying to use that in his earlier argument, not that it would have worked. But still, Zuko tried again, he felt one leg break free from the twisted covers and placing it onto the freezing cold stone, he held back a curse when the shiver shot up his spine. God, no wonder Toph wanted to use him as her furnace. But Zuko pushed those thoughts away and gathering the last shred of his dignity and praying Katara and the others never found out about this, Zuko made a bid for his freedom.
"If you move one more muscle, Katara and the gang will be the least of your worries." Toph growled out from her tired haze somehow knowing exactly what was going on in the teen's mind. After a long painfully silent minute, Toph waited, hopping her threat worked. She felt the prince give a small huff, and the tension left his body.
"Fine, but, can I at least put on a shirt? You're stealing all the blankets." Zuko said, Toph smiled in relief and didn't call him on the fact that his answer was only partially true, he was probably trying to save his honor, or whatever. But if it meant getting to stay…
"Sure thing, Sparky." She said allowing him to get up. Once properly clothed, Zuko rejoined her on the thin mattress and waited patiently as Toph shuffled around, getting comfortable, until her head was resting on his chest, her arms around his stomach and her tiny feet wrapped around one of his legs, desperately trying to leech all of the warmth that naturally radiated from the fire bender. Finally still, Zuko pulled the covers up and around them; one long arm protectively resting on hers, the other threading through her long hair making sure it wouldn't get tangled into a snarl during the night and cause the little girl discomfort. Toph let out a sigh, and smiled her misty green eyes slipped closed.
"Thanks Zuko, you know, not taking into account Azula's wonderful personality. You're great at being a big brother."
Zuko felt his heart swell in pride, but he settled with a soft snort, "please, you make it sound like Azula being crazy is from me missing out on the big brother courses in school." He said, taking no offense. Toph humed in her throat.
"Never, you're the best brother. Thanks, Zuko."
Toph felt a soft squeeze on her arm, and a murmured thank you before she fell asleep. The next morning of course, was an entirely different story when Katara stormed in. Which resulted in yelling, Toph laughing so hard she swore her ribs were cracked, and both Zuko and Katara inventing a new shade of red.