A/N: Sorry if strong language offends anyone, but I have a feeling that a year or two battling huge earthbenders in an underground arena would give anyone some salty vocabulary.
Acquaintances- Year 3755 Toph-13 Zuko- 17 Rated T for language
Zuko was very glad that Ozai and Azula were defeated, but part of him missed the freedom of roaming the world. Who'dve thought I'd get nostalgic for being banished? He mused. Being Fire Lord was certainly no piece of dumpling cake, not that he had expected it to be. It was just… really lonely.
At least when he was chasing Aang he had had Uncle to keep him company. But Uncle was running his world famous tea shop in Ba Sing Se. He couldn't begrudge him for being happy, no; Uncle deserved it after all he had done for Zuko.
Mai was around, of course, but he didn't get to see her that often with the meetings, paperwork, and grievances from various angry nations. When he did see her, she was caring, in her own detached way. He liked being around her, but the good mood never lasted the whole day.
He didn't see much of the others. They were busy skipping around the world, quelling rebellions and talking disgruntled parties out of revenge. Zuko was grateful for that; he hardly had the personality for diplomacy.
All he could think of was the how he was so left behind, a forgotten Fire Lord, as if there were anything more ridiculous. His mother, his cousin Lu-Ten, the others: all had left him behind, in one way or another. But still he couldn't blame them. He couldn't blame them for wanting to be happy. He couldn't acknowledge that selfish part of him that begged to know if it would kill them to stop by or send a messenger hawk to see how he was doing.
That's why he was so shocked when Toph (of all people) strode in one morning during a meeting. He was attempting to massage out the beginnings of headache when he heard the doors open and a few delegates begin to protest.
"Hey, I'm a representative of the Earth Kingdom and a friend of the Avatar, so I'd like you to shut up."
Zuko jolted his head up to see the feisty earthbender swagger her way to the chair next to him and plop down like she owned the whole place.
"Fire Lord Zuko, aren't you going to do something about this?" One of the faceless delegates demanded indignantly.
"Hardly. Miss Bei Fong happens to be an acquaintance of mine and a logical, straight-shooting thinker. She is welcome here whenever she wants." To be honest, he really didn't know Toph all that well, but he was completely desperate for a friendly face, anyone. "I am so glad you're here." He whispered to her.
"Great. Just no more of that 'Miss Bei Fong' shit or all I'll kick your ass all the way to the North Pole, Fire Lady."
He chuckled to himself, surprised at how much he'd missed the carefree conversations with his acquaintances.
Or rather, his friends.