The Earth under Toph's feet rumbled as she felt Zuko's footsteps. They'd just announced their engagement and it went exactly as they'd expected. National chaos. She was fine with it. The Earth Kingdom would simmer down once they realized how this worked in their favor.
Even if they didn't, she loved Zuko. She wasn't giving him up. She followed the feelings of vibration until she arrived at the yard. Like he always did when he was angry, Zuko was firebending. She took a few steps forward, locating his exact point.
Gently, she pushed a mound of Earth at him to alert him of her presence. Zuko stopped and looked towards her direction.
'Not now Toph. Not now.'
Toph frowned.
'You've been out here for hours. Haven't you blown enough steam?'
'I went to see my Father.'
Toph's eyes widened.
'Oh.'
Zuko nodded and made another firebending pose and shot a mild fire ball at her. Predicting his moves, Toph simply stepped out of the way before it hit her. 'I assume it didn't go well.' Two long fire streams directed at the sky answered her questions.
Toph sighed. 'Well, he was definitely a more powerful Fire Lord.' She said loud enough for Zuko to hear. Zuko paused his fire bending and turned to her. 'Come again?' He said his voice tight with anger. Toph looked up and stared at him pointedly.
'I said, he was definitely a more powerful Fire Lord.'
Toph could already feel the heat radiating of Zuko's body. 'Toph. I'm not in the mood for games.' Zuko growled. 'What makes you think I'm joking?' She said back.
Toph could see Zuko shaking and instinctively she made an Earth bending stance. Zuko directed a stronger fire ball at her and she levitated a boulder to block his advances. Zuko sent an intertwined fire stream at her and she rose up an earth wall.
Toph pulled an earth shield over her and let Zuko fire at will. She felt hit after hit and the earth began to crumble. She didn't want to fight him, she just wanted to give him a chance to blow off his frustration. Zuko gave a final blow and all the earth crumbled.
Zuko stood in front of her, sweat dripping down his body and his breath coming out in gasps. Little beads of sweat were beginning to trail down Toph's brow and she wiped them away.
'Are you done now?'
Toph stepped closer to her and grabbed her arm. 'Oh, I'm just getting started.' Toph made a move to pull out of his grasp but Zuko captured her lips in a kiss.
He kissed her until she was breathless and her knees were weak. She leaned into his body and he gripped her arms tighter. Zuko pulled away and Toph's breaths came out in little pants. Zuko's body was soo hot it stung but with him holding her arms she could do nothing but endure.
'Zu, please.' She gasped. 'Please what?' Zuko growled lowly in her ear. Toph's head swam. Slowly Zuko released her arms before wrapping his hands around her and carrying her to his chambers.
Zuko lightly rubbed Toph's back. 'I left a handprint.' He murmured as he looked at her. Toph eyes widened in surprise before she chuckled faintly.
'And they say your anger doesn't lead to anything productive.'
Zuko smiled faintly before turning her around. Toph snuggled into his chest and her finger traced his abs. 'I'll never be as powerful as him.' Zuko said softly. Toph frowned and looked up.
'I understand that and I'm honestly okay with it. I just wish he; everyone didn't throw it at me.'
Toph raised her head and looked in his direction. 'What did he say?' She asked softly. Zuko shrugged. 'It doesn't matter. I'm used to him. It's what the council said that annoyed me.'
Toph made a mental note to follow him to all his council meetings from then on. 'Yes?' She said expectantly. Zuko sighed. 'They didn't say anything out rightly but some of them commented that the Fire Nation was crumbling due to…bad leadership and promiscuity.'
A surge of anger welled up in Toph but she pushed it down for a moment. Toph sat up and took Zuko's face in her hands.
'Zu, your father was a tyrant. He made bad decisions and he hurt people. He was powerful but he wasn't strong.' Zuko frowned. 'What d'you mean?'
'I may be wrong but I don't think surviving an Agni Kai, tracking down the Avatar and in helping him defeat your own father is a sigh of weakness.' Toph said softly. 'As a matter of fact I think it's an incredible sign of strength. Give them time. They'll come around.'
Zuko cradled Toph's head. 'What would I do without you?' He said tenderly before giving her a kiss. Toph smiled. 'Not a lot, I'm sure.' Zuko chuckled. 'And if they don't come around, give me some time alone with them. I'd make them see sense.'
Zuko snickered. 'I'm sure you would.' Toph wrapped her arms tighter around Zuko and snuggled with him. A moment of silence passed before she spoke up again. 'How bad is the room?' She asked. Zuko shook his head.
'You don't even want to know. I didn't hurt you did I?'
Toph shook her head.
'Nope. I don't mind you being rough once in a while.'
'I left marks though. Handprints.'
Toph smirked.
'Well then that's all the better. I don't mind everyone knowing who I belong to.'
Toph felt Zuko twitch in response to her statement and her smirk grew.
'Well, in that case, I better leave as many marks as possible. We won't want anyone getting confused would we?'
'Never.'
Zuko rolled her over and Toph wrapped her body around his.
