Toph and Zuko just talk…. About whatever.
I do not own these characters.
"So, how did you learn to metalbend?"
Toph was never really sure how to answer that. It was always the same though, she would say it came natural or because she's just that good at earthbending, when in reality she just got lucky when she was trapped inside the box.
"Oh you know," She knew Zuko had asked the question, but he wasn't much different from the others. "Pounded on the metal till it sunk in. If that makes any sense."
"It does..." Zuko paused. Toph could hear the agitation in his voice. "But it's not every day someone invents a new way of bending. I'm just curious."
"Yeah, you and everyone else. Besides, it's not that easy. It's like you trying to learn had to bend lightning."
Toph knew that was a sore spot for Zuko, since his psycho sister Azula almost fried him to death. It was awhile till Zuko said anything again.
"I guess that makes sense. But your training other earthbenders how to metalbend, right?"
Toph grinned. She wasn't too fond of people, but she'd give a right hand to anyone who needed help with earthbending, even if metalbending wasn't their thing. It was the same with Aang, teaching them the basics, and off they go to defeat the Firelord.
"What about you?" Toph asked. "Are you still trying to figure out how to lightingbend?"
Pause. Had Toph crossed the line with this one?
"No." It was simple. A word uttered from Zuko threw a dark line. Toph knew she should've went on a life-changing filed trip with him when she had a chance.
Toph pluked out a blade of grass. "No? To busy being Firelord?"
"That, and the fact that my own sister tried to kill me."
Toph chuckled. "That's true, I'll give you that." She moved her head to the left, knowing that Zuko was standing right there. "But you don't need to learn to lightning bend. What's it good for anyway? Okay, you need to defend yourself, but you're a good enough firebender anyway-."
"I know that." Zuko cut her off. "I mean… thanks but that stuff isn't really on my mind right now."
A few seconds of silence. Toph wasn't sure she offended him or not-probably-but sometimes Zuko needed a good slap on the back. It must be hard having a deranged sister and a post-tyrant father, which she could relate to, but sometimes people needed a push in the right direction.
"It's purified earth." Toph said, finally finding her voice.
"What?" Zuko sounded startled.
"Metal. It's just purified earth. And to be honest, I'm not sure how I did it-just confidence I guess."
She could feel Zuko-sitting right down beside her at a lengthy distance. She hoped he was smiling. Not a big gracious smile-just a simple one. It would be a change from hearing him groaning all the time.
"Thanks, Toph."