AN: I don't own ATLA. I wish I did, cause that'd make me a genius. Or at least incredibly rich.
Secondly, this is a TophxZuko story, set a few years in the future. I'm going to leave details about the end of the war kinda blurry, since I have other fanfics in the making describing my version of the war's end. So just sit back and enjoy.
Blind Are We Both
Iroh hummed softly as he cleaned his shop. He was thinking of extending the shop hours by an hour, since people seemed disappointed when he closed. Not to mention the surplus of customers that attended the Darjeeling Dragon. Zuko and he were not enough to run this shop. Perhaps if they took on another part time employee?
Iroh's thoughts were interrupted as he heard Zuko calling his name. He blinked. "Yes?"
"I'm going with Toph now, okay?" Zuko seemed eager to leave, and Iroh knew he was dying to go spar with Toph. He knew all about their little arraignment and felt that it was good for the both of them. They needed some sort of excitement now that the war was over.
"Alright, have fun." He smiled. Toph and Zuko had much more in common than he had originally thought. And he was glad. It was lonely when you had no kindred spirits in this cold world. He smiled and made himself a cup of jasmine tea.
Then it occurred to him… Toph would be a great part time employee. And it would help Zuko in his adjusting process to this new life they had. And Toph would certainly benefit as well.
Iroh smiled fondly at even the thought of the young Earthbender. She seemed to brighten up his and Zuko's life in a wonderful way. This new life in Gaoling was precisely what he and his young nephew needed. A normal life, with no war looming over their heads, was something amazing to behold. Toph had given them great opportunities, this was for sure.
Iroh took a sip of his jasmine tea and sighed with pleasure.
It had been two and a half months since everyone had parted ways, and the reunion was drawing closer. Neither Toph nor Zuko had mentioned as of yet, and neither was sure how the other would feel at the prospect of seeing their friends again. Both had their reasons for dreading the reunion.
Zuko figured he'd be the more mature one and bring it up first. "So…when do you think we should leave for Kyoshi Island?" he glanced at Toph curiously and paused mid-kata.
Toph shrugged and continued with her kata. "Whenever, I guess. We can always show up late." She seemingly was unconcerned.
Zuko blinked. He had not known that Toph would be so unenthusiastic about seeing the whole GAang. "But…Sokka and Suki's wedding…" he protested softly. Not that he cared all that much personally, but he had assumed that Toph would not have wanted to miss it. And he did kind of want to see Katara…and see if Aang had had the guts to make a move yet.
"It's just a mushy wedding." Toph insisted. She sent a huge, blast of earth to a poor defenseless tree. She was tense and it was apparent that she was extremely aggravated.
"I know you're a tomboy, but don't you think it'd mean a lot to Sokka and Suki if you showed…?"
Toph shrugged again and created another attack.
Zuko sighed softly. In the past two and a half months, he and Toph had become rather good friends. He confided a lot in her, relived memories of the Fire Nation with her, and even listened to what she had to say about things. He felt worried that Toph seemed so uncaring about what of the most important events in her friend's life. "What's wrong?"
Toph glowered at him. "Nothing." She hissed vehemently.
Zuko smirked softly. Along with getting closer to Toph, they had also had their fair share of arguments, battles, and mini wars. He wasn't afraid to offend her in the slightest. "Oh, really?"
"Yes, really." Toph crossed her arms.
"I don't know…"
"I'm fine!" and with that exclamation, she sent a boulder of earth flying at him.
Zuko expertly dodged and sent back a blast of fire. "C'mon Toph. Tell me!" He rushed to her, dodging more attacks, and tackled her.
She squirmed under him, trying her best to escape. "Zuko, let go of me right now! Or I swear I'll-"
"You'll what?" Zuko inquired teasingly.
Toph struggled more, and then to Zuko's surprise, she ceased to fight against him. She lay beneath him, her breath hitching, and a soft sob escaped her throat. Zuko softened, loosening his grip on Toph.
"Toph, what's the matter?" He studied her intently, and she rubbed at her eyes in embarrassment.
"Sokka's so in love with Suki and he never even noticed me!" she wailed softly. She hiccupped and the continued. "I'm too young and ugly and blind and-and…" she sobbed a little more. "Suki's so pretty, and so much older…"
Zuko blinked. So, Toph had had a crush on that goofy Water Tribe peasant the entire time. He briefly wondered why the hell she would, but then decided there was no accounting for taste. "Toph, he's just a dumb Water peasant. You deserve better than that."
Toph stilled for a moment, then wiped at her eyes. "What?"
Zuko moved his weight off of the smaller girl and lay beside her instead. He wiped away the stray tear trailing down Toph's cheek. "I mean it. He's just a dumb goof. And yeah, Suki is pretty, but you'll be a knock out yourself once you're older. Sokka'll be missing out."
Toph cracked a small smile. "You think so?"
Zuko nodded. "I know so."
Toph laughed softly. "Thanks…Zuko…" she leaned over, and much to Zuko's surprise, planted a sweet kiss on his cheek. On the edge of his scar, actually. His hand reached up to touch his cheek and a strange feeling passed through him. It calmed his inner storm and it felt…so right.
Toph either didn't recognize Zuko's confusion or chose to ignore it. She stood and pulled Zuko to his feet. He smiled softly. "That's enough for today. Let's go do something fun instead."
Toph nodded. "Let go have dinner in the market and then we can go see a play."
Zuko was feeling particularly cheerful as he came home that evening. "Hello Uncle." He closed the door behind himself and walked into the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea.
Iroh blinked and observed his nephew carefully. "How was your evening Zuko?"
Zuko thought back and grinned. "Toph and I stopped training early and went out for food." He thought back to how he almost tenderly read the menu out for Toph and how she had teasingly stole food off of his plate. "And we went to see a play." He smiled at the memory of asking Toph how she liked the play. Her reply had been: 'It was too mushy.'
Iroh's interested peaked. "What play?"
Zuko chuckled. "The tale of Oma and Shu."
Iroh nodded. "Ah, a romance."
"Neither one of us had a clue. But, it was nice anyway." Zuko smiled and patted his uncle on the shoulder. "Goodnight."
Iroh smiled, glad that his nephew was coming to enjoy his new life. At least somewhat.
The journey from Gaoling to Kyoshi Island was that of only a few days by ostrich-horse drawn carriages. The entire time Toph was quiet, withdrawn and seemed somewhat anxious. Zuko did his best to try to console her, but she only pushed him away. Iroh also tired his best, but did little to cheer Toph up.
Once they took the ferry to Kyoshi Island, Toph still hadn't seemed to snap out of it. They entered the town and were greeted warmly by the Kyoshi inhabitants and directed to the guest hut where Katara and Aang were staying.
Katara and Aang ran out eagerly to meet them. Toph received enthusiastic hugs and incessant chatter about the impending nuptial.
"Oh, Toph, you have to show me the dress you brought with you for the ceremony!" Katara exclaimed.
Toph slapped Katara on the shoulder. "Not so fast Sugar Queen; don't forget Zuko and Iroh." Toph reminded her friends, attempting to change the subject.
Katara smiled and bowed slightly to Iroh and Aang did the same. "It's nice to see you again." She glanced at Zuko and then nodded her head to him. "You too, Zuko."
Zuko blushed slightly and nodded to Katara.
Iroh smiled. "Aang, you must tell me how life is in the South Pole."
Aang grinned and followed Iroh into the guest hut, explaining the wild life and how he and Katara were attempting to help the struggling Water Tribe. The war's end had matured him greatly.
Katara smiled and beckoned Zuko and Toph. "Come inside and say hi to Sokka. He's obsessing over his kimono for the ceremony."
Toph grabbed Zuko's tunic in an almost panicked fashion and he patted her shoulder in reassurance. "You can do this." He murmured softly.
Toph sighed softly and nodded her head, following Zuko's lead.
Katara lead them to Sokka's chambers. She knocked on the doorframe. "You have some visitors."
Sokka was turning this way and that in the looking glass, studying himself in his kimono. It was in various colors of blue, to signify his heritage, but was the traditional marriage kimono for Kyoshi Island. "Oh…I look so dumb…Suki's not going to want to marry me." He sighed, exasperated, and turned to his guests. "Oh! Toph! Hey!" he walked over briskly and gave the shorter girl a hug.
Toph reluctantly returned it and then reluctantly released Sokka. "Hey Sokka…" She feigned a smile.
Sokka looked towards Zuko. "Nice to see you came." Sokka and Zuko had come to an understanding when they had worked together to end this war. They learned respected for one another as fellow warriors.
Zuko nodded. "I'm looking forward to the festivities."
Sokka grinned and threw an arm over Zuko's shoulder. "Like my bachelor party tonight? Eh? Eh?"
Zuko chuckled softly. "That especially."
Katara blinked in surprise at Zuko's response. He no longer seemed to be the surly, aggressive teen he once was. He was actually happy, seemed content, and actually eager to party with her brother. This could be interesting…
Toph snorted derisively. "Katara, is Suki doing a Bachelorette party?"
Katara grinned. "Yes. It's going to be interesting. Are you coming?"
Toph nodded. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Sokka's father Hakoda started the festivities with a minor speech wishing his son luck on his wedding night, causing Sokka to blush slightly and slap his father on the shoulder. The Water Tribe men then all proceeded to play music loudly, drink excessively, and tell rotten stories.
Zuko took a seat next to Aang as the female entertainers arrived. They were dressed ornately in kimono and seemed extremely friendly.
"…do you want this?" Aang inquired, tipping his sake glass towards Zuko.
Zuko took it and quickly downed its contents. "Thanks."
Aang nodded and watched Sokka shyly talk to a very lovely artisan. "He's very excited about the wedding." Aang began conversationally.
Zuko nodded in agreement. "I would be too."
Aang grinned. "When are you getting married?"
Zuko choked a bit. "I…I don't know!" He grabbed another glass of sake from a passing tray and turned back to Aang. "What about you?"
Aang sighed sadly. "I don't know…" he crossed his legs and rested his elbows on his knees. He held his head up by the palms of his hands and seemed rejected.
"…haven't you admitted your feelings for Katara yet?" Zuko inquired.
Aang blushed and sighed. "No…I feel like she only thinks of me as a friend…I mean, I'm only 13…"
Zuko took a long swig of his drink, and stared as his Uncle began to dance with one of the entertainers. "You should tell her. Before another man takes her."
Aang looked worried. "Like who?"
Zuko grinned. "Like me."
Aang scowled. "It's on." And he, too, took a glass of sake.
Meanwhile, at Suki's much calmer bachelorette party, Toph was bored out of her mind. All the women chattered about was the wedding, children, and other sorts of things. Suki even received gifts like a wedding night nightgown, a baby bassinet, and all sorts of odds and ends for her new home she was sharing with Sokka.
They all took a tour of the new home built for the young couple and Suki even showed off her wedding robe to all of the ladies.
Katara managed to pull herself away from all of the excitement and asked Toph what was wrong.
Toph sighed softly. "Nothing, I think I'll join the boys' party." And with that, she left.
