A/N: Since this is a shipping week, there is a different story to each theme. I'll be skipping around a lot, and there's even an AU. So, on with today! Everyone else when they get a week for their pairing does a story like this, so here's my addition. Have fun and don't forget to review!
Day 3: Tea
"Is it ready yet?" Toph asked.
"No, not yet," Zuko said, some frustration in his tone.
Toph sighed and tapped her fingers against the table. It was her birthday, and since she was now eighteen, her boyfriend, the great Fire Lord Zuko, had said he wanted to make something special for her. From the sounds coming from the kitchen, Toph knew he was having trouble, but he had refused help and had even kicked her out of the kitchen. They both knew he was a terrible cook, but he said he had something special planned and refused her help. Toph let her feet fall to the floor and felt Zuko rushing through the kitchen, hurrying towards one side, then stopping and hurrying back as if he'd forgotten something. She smelled something burning and winced as he dropped a large pot onto the floor.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Zuko said through clenched teeth. After a little more running around, he finally came out to her, holding a plate and a tea kettle along with two cups. This surprised her the most. Zuko hated tea.
"Happy Birthday," Zuko sighed as he set everything down and then poured the cups of tea.
"Thanks, Sunshine," Toph said sweetly before turning her head to 'look' at the food nervously. "Are you sure it's safe?"
He gasped in shock, but Toph knew he was playing as she was when he kissed her softly.
"I'll eat it first, and if I die, don't touch the food," he said with a small smile.
Toph laughed and punched his arm gently.
"But you have to try the tea first," Zuko said with a smile.
Toph studied him and moved to grab one of the cups. They were wood, but she had felt the ring in it from when he had placed it there before he brought everything out. But for Zuko's sake, she would act surprised. She blew on the tea to cool it and carefully took a sip, expecting bad tea like he always made. Thank the spirits that Iroh had banned his nephew from making tea and only let him serve it when they visited the retired general in Ba Sing Sae.
She was amazed at how good the tea was and took another sip, feeling Zuko get excited as she drank more and reached the bottom. She felt the ring bump against her lip and acted shocked as she set the tea cup down and picked the ring out, feeling it. It was just the way she wanted, a gold band with an emerald in the top. But she was surprised as Zuko kneeled and took her hand in his.
"Toph, I know this is asking a lot of you. I love you, but I don't want you to feel trapped. If you don't want to do this, we can find another way, but…will you marry me and become my Fire Lady?"
Toph felt tears come to her eyes at how well Zuko understood her. She nodded and kissed him soundly.
"Yes, I'll marry you," she said and he took the ring from her and slipped it onto her finger. "I just have one question," she said as a wry smile started tugging at her mouth.
She felt Zuko tense and nearly giggled. "Who really made the tea?"
He laughed and rose to kiss her again. "Uncle gave it to me, and told me twenty times exactly how long I was to let it steep. He told me if I messed up, I wouldn't be allowed into the Jasmine Dragon ever again."
"Good for Uncle," Toph said and kissed him again before pouring herself more tea and turning to 'look' at the plate again. "Now for those, are you sure they're safe?"
Zuko just laughed and Toph laughed when he told her the cook had made them, not letting him near the cooking supplies, though he had accidently left them a little too long in the oven.
