"Well, you're a little annoying at first." Toph furrowed her brows and regretted even asking. Just as when he described fire to her, she waited for him to collect his thoughts before she let him have it for calling her annoying. "But you're not. You're just... different. I needed to get used to you. And you're strong. Very strong," he said while rubbing his bruise. "You can definitely take care of yourself. You don't let things bring you down. I respect you." Toph smiled to this.
"Good."
"Did I pass the test?"
"Yes, you did," Toph laughed. "You had me a little worried at the beginning, though."
"You wanted the truth didn't you?"
"Yeah, okay, Fire Lady... I think you're pretty great too, Zuko."
"Thanks."
"Maybe I'll visit the palace every now and then."
"You sure?"
"Why not?" She chimed. "I think it needs more than a little sunshine. Palace, get ready to meet Toph," she said while cracking her knuckles. Zuko gulped and wondered if it was a good idea after all. It would be an interesting turn of events, though. "Plus, I don't think I've ever really... been inside the Fire Nation Palace."
"I'll give you a tour," he offered.
"That would be nice." They stayed in silence for a moment, trying to take the moment in. Toph knew she didn't want to say goodbye, not yet, but she couldn't go to the palace with him as well. She just wanted him to stay, just a little longer. "Hey, Zuko," she said while mustering up all her courage. "There's something I... Before you leave... I want to..."
"What is it?" He asked as he was growing impatient.
"Give me a minute!" Her cheeks started growing a little pink and she took a deep breath. Come on, Toph, don't be such a wuss. You're the Blind Bandit, how can you not do this? I can't do this. Yes, I can! I am Toph Bei Fong, I can bend metal, I can do this! "I just wanted to..." She took action before she chickened out some more, and did what she wanted to do. To his surprise, and without warning, she leaned in closer and kissed him. He responded by kissing her back, but soon enough drew her away.
"What...?" He asked, too surprised for words.
"I just wanted to do that... before you left." Now, more than ever, Toph was glad she could not see the expression on his face.
"...," Toph was growing nervous with his silence. "That was... a really good souvenir," he said while laughing nervously. She took a breath of relief and leaned in and kissed him once again. They stayed like that for awhile, embracing each other. Zuko's leave was gone from their minds for awhile.
They were walking back to Toph's home and, once they'd arrived, they sat in Toph's garden and talked while the moonlight peeked out at them. They talked about their families, this time without interruption, and what they're lives were like before and after the great Avatar journey. There was spouts of threats that one's bending was better than the other, but it was all in a teasing nature. Zuko told her about the turtle ducks he and his mother used to feed, how his sister used to torment him, and the long days he'd spent searching the Avatar before finally seeing the Avatar was only a child. Toph told him about the badgermoles she'd visit and how they'd teach her earthbending, sneaking out of her parents house and becoming The Blind Bandit, and how Aang had beaten her in an arena. They talked until their eyes grew too heavy, and that's when they stood and went back into the house. They reached the point where their paths branched off.
"Goodnight, Toph," Zuko said while standing in the direction of his room and Toph standing in the direction of hers.
"Goodnight." They stood there for another minute, then Zuko was on his way. But before he could walk 5 steps, Toph reached out to his arm and pulled him in the room with her. He was confused, but obliged. "We've already spent the night together," Toph tried to justify. Zuko had no argument. Together, they laid down comfortably on Toph's bed.
"Goodnight, Toph," Zuko repeated.
"Goodnight, Zuko," she said again, this time with a smile.