A/N: To Liz, my Valentine :) Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Sorry Aussies, I know it was yesterday for us XD Short and sweet, enjoy!

*I don't and never will own Avatar!*


Raining Red Love

Love. Love is a funny word, and frankly, it has lost all meaning. Iroh can't remember how many times he has heard someone use the word 'love' before. Whether it be his love for Lu Ten and Zuko, Ursa's undying love for Ozai (well that's how it used to be) or Sokka's love for food and Hawky. It never fails for someone to use the word 'love' in their lifetime, and that first time they do, they never really knows what it means.

Well today, Iroh knew he was going to hear a lot of the insignificant word being thrown around.

He had gone to a beautiful, quiet restaurant for a meal on his own. The room was filled with red: red hearts, red ribbons, red 'Valentine's Day' cut outs and even red napkins. He stared out the window and smiled as he watched to birds snuggle up against each other on the cold, rainy day, trying to shelter themselves from the pouring rain, droplets weaving their way through the green shades of leaves.

He doesn't remember the last time it had rained on Valentine's Day. He, and many others, had always thought of the day as spending the day with those close to you, and even for some the exchange of gifts…red roses as it may be. Or chocolate wrapped in red…Iroh liked the sound of that. And he always thought that the day metaphorically had to be nice and sunny for people to spend the day with each other. But nothing ever works out how you want it to.

"Are you finished with that, sir?" a kind waitress asks in a sweet voice.

He turns around nearly knocking the plate off the table and laughs softly. "So sorry my dear. Yes, I am thank you."

She smiles and nods and takes his plate away.

Now comes the good part, he searches the menu intently for dessert.

"What a terrible day this has turned out to be," a sun-kissed boy states gloomily.

"That's OK, as long as I'm with you it'll be a beautiful day." She kisses him softly on the cheek, and they find a table for two to sit at.

Iroh realises distinctively that he in fact knows the couple. But, since when did they get together? And since when did she have manners?

"Iroh?" the boy questions before he can open his mouth.

"Sokka my boy, it's great to see you," Iroh greets, already standing up and making his way over to the couple. "I'm surprised you didn't feel my vibrations when you were outside, Miss Toph."

"Oh, well actually, I'm wearing…shoes." At the word 'shoes' he sees a scowl cross her face but only for a moment. "And well, I can't see too well with them on."

"Understandable, understandable," he says nodding his head in understanding.

"See, me and Toph had a talk, and if she behaved herself today I would not eat like a pig or make any sarcastic remarks."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Well I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't love him that's for sure."

"Is that right?" Iroh questions.

"Yep. All I have to do now is get him to stop eating like a pig and complaining about food all the time, and no sarcastic remarks at all, then I'll love him even more."

"Well maybe I love you just enough to do that."

Iroh chuckled. "Well I'll leave you two to it."

Maybe there is love on Valentine's Day.

XxXxXxXxXx

"You're not really going to give up your food complaining ways and sarcasm are you?" Toph inquires, already knowing the answer.

"No, I just wanted him to leave the table so we could look at the menu and order some food. I'm starving!"