Not A Crush...Because Sugar Isn't Sweet

Thu-ump. Thu-ump. ThumpaThumpaThumpaThumpa!! Thu-ump. Thu-ump.

Toph raised an eyebrow as she felt the heartbeat of the newest member of their group take an unexpected spike as Katara walked past. Being a concerned, if not a bit curious soul always interested in the wellbeing of her companions, Toph decided that it was her duty to lovingly and tactfully find out what was going on.

"Hey, Sparky! Get your butt over here!"

Toph sensed his head jerk her way. Oh yes, he knew who she was talking to. Zuko walked over to the petite earthbender. When he got within an arm's reach of her she reached up, grabbed his wrist and yanked down. Zuko was unceremoniously plopped down next to her with a slight "He-mmph!" He stifled his wince of pain – he knew Toph wouldn't hesitate to laugh at him whenever she could. He was used to her friendly manhandling even after a week or so of really knowing her.

"Yeah, what is it?"

Toph flicked pebble she'd been rolling between her fingers away and leaned back casually on the ground.

"So what's up between you and Katara?"

"I – what?"

Toph grinned and sat up as she heard his bewilderment turn to obvious discomfort with the topic.

"Let's just say that whenever a certain little waterbender passes on by, a certain little firebender's heartbeat goes a little bit crazy, if you know what I mean," Toph said.

Zuko's mouth parted slightly, but then he just frowned, eyes overcast, and said,

"It's…nothing, really."

Toph definitely picked up on the regret in his voice, but decided that for the moment teasing the newest member of the group would be the most fun. At least for her, anyway.

"Ooh, does someone have a little crush on Sugarqueen?"

Zuko's eyes immediately widened and he started to splutter.

"A…What?!"

"Yup!"

"You're…you're kidding right?"

Toph let out a small snort of laughter, (that somehow suited her better than whenever Aang did it) a smirk growing on her face. Zuko, who had sprung up onto his knees in agitation, began to relax as he saw her roll her eyes at him. He rolled back onto his behind and ran a hand through his hair, sighing.

"You don't need to look so horrified, Hothands."

"Well, yeah, but it's just so ridicu-"

"You must have known I'd figure out your secret eventually!"

"Hey!"

Zuko had discovered early on that no amount of glaring could shut the girl up when she got going, but that certainly didn't stop him from trying.

She just giggled right on through his offended glower, and drew her features into a scandalized expression, clapping her hand to her cheek.

"But what are we going to tell Sokka?"

"Stop laughing!"

She finally acquiesced, stifling her smirk to a gentle smile.

"Okay Zuko, okay."

Zuko gave a slight "hmph", annoyed, and furrowed his brow.

"Besides, I know you don't have a crush on Sugarqueen."

"Why do you call her Sugarqueen anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she's not exactly sweet, is she?"

"Oh. Not to you then, I guess. But honestly, at first it was supposed to annoy her. When we met, we didn't exactly get along."

"…Then…how did you get to be friends?"

"We just sort of…spent time together. She tried to get to know me, and soon we understood each other, even if we sometimes clash."

Zuko sighed and fixed a resigned, pensive look into the distance, and Toph put her hand on his shoulder for a moment.

"Don't worry Zuko, I'm sure eventually she'll want to reach out to you too."

"At this point, I'd be happy if she just didn't want to murder me in my sleep."

"Ohh, is that why you've been so uptight? Yeah, it's definitely a step in the right direction if she doesn't want to whack you."

"Great."

"Aw, don't sound so gloomy. I know you want Katara to care about you, and she will."

"Yeah. But I did tell you, I don't have a crush on her."

"Hey, I didn't say that, did I? You want her to care about you like you're really a member of our group. I know because…well, at first I thought it was annoying, and I pretended like it didn't matter, but that's what I wanted. Because…it's nice to be cared about, isn't it?"

"…You're right. I guess for a long time that's what I really wanted. To have someone care about me – only I was sure it had to be my father."

"What about your uncle?"

"…He cared. I think he loved me, but I…I've never appreciated him like I should have."

A pained expression crossed Zuko's face, and he sadly lowered his head, his face casting dark, lengthy shadows onto itself.

"It's okay, Zuko. Besides, you told us he busted himself out of prison right? Damn. It sounds like I'm not the only metalbender in the world. And if he's as tough as I am, well, we know he's fine, don't we?"

She reached out and punched his arm playfully. Zuko grinned and glanced at Toph. She looked very sure of herself there, sitting there contentedly in the pale sunlight.

"But for now, we care about you. Heck, I do at least. I'm pretty sure Twinkletoes does. And Katara will too."

Zuko gave her a grateful smile, and impulsively wrapped his arm around the earthbender's small frame, her clothes rustling against the stone floor as he pulled her into a one armed hug.

Then a certain girl clad in blue walked by, chatting with Aang on their way to waterbending practice. Zuko swallowed, his thoughts racing. He hadn't done anything that would deserve being chucked headfirst off the air temple, had he?

She continued nonchalantly with the airbender, but Toph sensed her attention momentarily shift their way.

A fleetingly cold stare at the two of them, and Toph felt Zuko's heartbeat flare right up from his chest.

ThumpaThumpThump!!

"Man, Zuko, she's really bad for your health."

Chuckling, she reached up and ruffled his hair messily.

Sigh.

"Don't I know it…"