Azula tied his tie. He glanced at Toph, on the bed, tying his shoes.
"Are you still hanging out with that boy?" Azula asked.
Toph looked up. He went back to his shoes. When he was done he stood, grabbing his shirt off the floor.
"You mean Katara?"
"Yes."
"Well, of course. He's my friend and all." His shoulders moved into a slow shrug.
"You know I love you, right? Do you love me?"
"Yes. Yes, I always have."
"I thought I told you to stop, then." Azula slowed his pace of his tie. He moved onto the cuffs of his collared shirt, getting them as neat as possible. "If you really loved me, you'd obey my wishes and not continue to see him."
"Azulon, come on. I'm not 'seeing' him. We've been friends forever. That's what he was, what he is, and what he will always be." Toph assured. He pressed his head through his shirt, as with his arms. "Besides, it's not like I can avoid him. We go to the same school, have the same friends, and-"
Azula suddenly pressed Toph against the wall of his room, hand over his neck.
"Do not call me Azulon. That was my grandfather's name. He was crazy. I am not crazy."
Toph managed a nod. His passage of air was closed, Azula's hand tightening. Toph couldn't feel the tips of his toes, as they dangled.
"I love you, Toph. Everything I do for you, I do because of that." Azula said. "If I find out you're doing anything with that boy, I will make it my place to put you in yours."
Azula let him drop to the floor. Toph put a hand to his throat softly. It hurt to touch it and to breathe. His breath was raspy.
"I want you gone by the time I get back." Azula said, grabbing his jacket. "You can go to you home, or anywhere else. Just not here. I'm going to have company."
"O-ok..."
Azula opened his door, stopping momentarily. He looked back at Toph. Specifically, his hair tied back into a ponytail.
"Cut you hair by the time I see you again, as well. It reminds me of one of the girls I slept with a few days ago."
Azula, too infested with his own wants while walking out of the room, didn't noticed the two tears that rolled down Toph's cheeks and stopped at his chin. When the two hit each other, they dropped to the floor.