Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

The war was coming to an easy and peaceful end as Zuko pulled back his troops and Aang eased into his rightful place as Avatar. All was right and well with the world, well, almost right.

The Water and Earth nations were still skeptical of the Fire Nations intentions. After a hundred years of fighting, they were not convinced that a change in leader would completely correct the corrupt society. Which lead Zuko into a frenzy of anger and depression. Despite his best intentions, no one would ever seem to listen. Not even his soon to be wife, Mai.

Over the time he has taken over the position as 'Fire Lord' he has received nothing but hatred. Aang had told him on numerous occasions that it was nothing to be worried about, that they would come around. But Zuko was not so easily convinced, after hearing what some of the others nations had to say, he couldn't help but bring his work home. Stressing out not only himself, but Mai as well.

It had gotten to the point that Mai couldn't take it anymore. She had claimed that he was not the man she had fallen in love with and that being in the relationship was just not worth it anymore. So she left, leaving him in a sink hole of depression.

Nothing was getting him out of it, not even thinking about his Uncles wise sayings, which would always seem to pull him out of even the largest of complications. But not this one. This complication was far too much for even his Uncle to handle, he needed someone who was careless and always looking for a fight.

Which was where Toph came into play.

He knew that she was extremely carefree and was always looking for a fight, despite being blind and only a small fragile girl. She was even one of the very few people he not only bothered to remember, but also admired and respected. She was amazing in every way he was not, which was why he couldn't think of any other person to spend his time with.

The only problem was that he didn't know how to approach such a girl. Normally it would come very natural to him, you just stroll up to the girl, say hello and you were on your way. But Toph was not going to give into any requests that easily, she would have to either be baited or bribed into thinking it was worth her time.

"Toph," He started one day, approaching her slowly, towering over her as she was slumped down on some pillows.

Zuko had invited them all to a party the previous day, making them stay long enough that they would need to stay the night, knowing it would give him the perfect opportunity to approach her the next day.

"Whats up FlameFeat?" She asks, a large smile growing widely on her face. One that was just enough to make Zuko begin to regret trying to manipulate her into spending time with him. He didn't even know if she actually liked him or not, what if she had the same opinion of him as the others did?

The thought shivered him and Tophs smile faded.

"Whats wrong?" She asked, becoming surprisingly serious as she patted a spot on the ground next to her for him. Zuko smiled at the sight as he plopped down next to her, hunching over so he could see her face easier than what he would have. Mainly because he liked gazing at her eyes, he always felt that they were the part that completed her better than everything else could have.

"You would make fun of me if I told you." He mumbled regretfully, he was worried that she would just leave the conversation there. Leaving him with the fact that she didn't care about him enough to even ask what was wrong.

"Don't be like that Sunshine, come on, you can tell me anything. But I won't promise that I won't laugh." She claimed, nudging him slightly with her elbow. Leaving him with a light tint of red on his face, it was moments like these that he was glad she was blind.

"Well," He started, rubbing the back of his head. "Mai just left me, because of my stress with work. Everyone... everyone just seems to hate me." He said, his head hanging low as he looked down into his lap, as if there was something that could pop out if he didn't.

"And what does that have to do with me?" Toph asked, knowing why he had come to her, but enjoying the show too much to just stop it.

Zuko looked at the ground in front of him, his lips slightly parted as he tried to muster up the words to shot back at the life threatening comment. But he couldn't think of any, he was defeated.

"You know what, your right." He muttered, beginning to stand back up before feeling a light tug on his shirt, forcing him back down.

"Hold on there Sparky, I'm not done with you yet."

"How could you possibly not be done with me yet?" He asked, Toph could hear defeat in his voice.

"Whatever." She grunted, messing with a piece of her bangs, just to hide her already reddening face from Zuko. She was never one to express her feelings, and when she did, it always lead her to being embarrassed.

"Alright." Zuko confirmed, trying his best to sound cool and unexcited. When he was actually shouting like a kid on his birthday on the inside.