Zuko is

by AffinitiesOfMine

In a series of drabbles, Toph tries to find the words to describe Zuko and all the things he's grown to become through the years they've known each other. (As I had warned previously, the rating has gone up for vague mentions of depression and rarely occurring strong language.)

10. Chapter 10: Zuko is slow

Chapter 10. Zuko is slow.

Zuko doesn't like Toph.

He likes their meals together. When she visits him, breakfast feels a little less like a mandatory segment of his daily schedule, but rather a morning worth every minute spent.

He likes her sense of humor. When she jokes, his laughter always comes from the belly, and his cheekbones hurt of laughing so much.

He likes her strength of character. She would've controlled the element of earth even without being an earthbender. Her confidence and stamina would be enough to break rocks.

But Zuko doesn't like Toph. Not romantically.

So it's only natural that sighing has now become the most adequate response to every time that Uncle Iroh asks him about Toph's wellbeing. Because Zuko doesn't like Toph.

Her presence makes things easier, her wit makes life somewhat less gloomy, her strength is contagious enough to make him a bit tougher, her bending skills are motivational. But liking Toph is not something the Fire Lord would do. The Fire Lord is expected to do many things, but liking an Earthkingdom girl is not one of them.

It took him every single ounce of will power to hold back from getting in touch with her.

But it's only because she is a dear friend.

Because Zuko doesn't like Toph.

(Maybe just a little bit, and only when she is in his bedroom at night, shedding all her doubts and mistrust to a point where she is strong enough to be weak in his arms. And even then, it is most probably just a feeling of appreciation for her trust.)