The Duke stayed with Pipsqueak for another week. Perhaps it was because Longshot and Smellerbee were there, or because he did not want to return to Gaoling to have the inevitable fight with Toph, but he was more than happy to stick around.
And it was nice to be with the few remaining Freedom Fighters, for them all to catch up and have a few laughs and drinks and remember all they'd been through. There had been a few tears from Pipsqueak with some stories, but mostly it was good, and fun.
But the time came for him to leave, as Longshot and Smellerbee readied for departure as well. They were in search of anyone else they could find, to tell of Jet's demise. The Duke wished he could go with them, and almost did, but he knew he had to go back to Gaoling.
Toph had kept something from him, something huge and important, and he couldn't believe he had never told her. She had practically witnessed Jet's death- Jet, his hero, a man who gave him more guidance than anyone else in his life, and she never found it necessary to tell him that he had passed.
In all honesty, The Duke didn't know how their rather new relationship would handle this.
It took him a month to reach the limits of Gaoling, and once there, he remained on a hill, overlooking the town. He could see the Bei Fong estate, and imagined somewhere in the gardens, Toph was sprawled out on the grass, feeling all the vibrations through the earth, or whatever it was she did.
He was so disgusted, he couldn't continue.
The next day, he finally ventured into the town, meandering through it. He didn't want to see Toph, but he had to know, he had to know why she deceived him, why she had lied. It had come up in conversation, more than once. He had spoken of Jet fairly often, and she never once brought it up.
Eventually, he found himself at the Bei Fong gates, and he stood there for several minutes, before approaching the guards.
Toph was in her room, ignoring her parents, as she usually did when she didn't feel like moseying about town. Gaoling was small and every so often, she became bored with it. There were mostly the same people every day, the same smells and sounds; the only occasional differences were the tourists, coming for the Earth Rumble tournaments, or to catch a glimpse of the famous Blind Bandit who had trained the Avatar.
She was restless and bored, and in need of entertainment. So when a maid knocked on the door, letting her know she had a gentleman caller, Toph nearly raced down out to the garden. There was only one person it could be, the only person she would be so excited to have visit-
"The Duke- err, Sheng Li!" she cried when she stepped out onto the earthen ground, feeling where he stood. "You're here-"
But he wasn't happy. She could feel it in him, in the vibrations of his bones and heart. He was…upset. Angry? Maybe. She didn't have all the emotions worked out to a science yet.
"Why are you so upset?" she asked, walking toward him. He hadn't spoken to her, hadn't moved or anything. It wasn't like him.
He let out a heavy sigh. "We need to talk-"
"This had better not be a break up."
The short, low laugh he uttered was alarming. The Duke's laugh didn't sound like that. This…this was forced, was almost due to a sick humor only he could interpret from what she had said.
"No," he said, and his voice was raspy. "We need to talk about Jet."
"What about him?"
Those words affected him, Toph could feel it. He had nearly winced at them.
"Why didn't you tell me he died?"
Shit. Shit. Toph found herself, for once, speechless. How had he found out? How did he know that she knew? Her mouth was agape, and she could only stand there, trying to figure out what to say.
"You knew he died," the Duke continued. "You- you were there. You saw it- or felt it- or however you do your feet seeing thing, but you have known!"
"How do you know this?" Toph snapped back, growing defensive, as she always did when an argument arose. It didn't matter if she was in the wrong- she would not admit to it so freely.
"I saw Longshot and Smellerbee. They told me everything, of your run in with the Dai Li. Damn it, Toph, why didn't you tell me? You have known all this time, you know I have wondered what happened to him, hoped I might see him again, and you never thought to tell me he was murdered?"
"I didn't want to!"
The Duke stood there, doing whatever people did when they faced Toph and said nothing; was this staring? Was this what it felt like? She didn't like it.
"You didn't want to? So you just, what, decided that someone else down the line would tell me what happened to Jet, the man who damn near raised me, who- who was my goddamn hero? You just didn't feel like it?"
"It's not like that!" Toph argued. "I didn't- I knew you'd be upset by the news and I didn't want you to be upset at me for telling you it-"
"Damn lot of good that did, 'cause I don't think I could be more furious than I am now!" the Duke shouted at her. "I'm- I'm not mad that I found out what happened to Jet, I'm mad because you hid it from me, knowing I've wanted to know what came of him! You lied to me, you lied, Toph! Over something big!"
This was all wrong. Toph let out a frustrated growl, pushing her hair out of her face. "Hey, I'm sorry; I didn't want you to get hurt or mad or anything and I'm sorry!"
The Duke didn't say anything, only shook his head. "That doesn't make it better. You knowingly did this to me, Toph. I can't- fuck, I just can't."
He started past her, to leave, and she grabbed his arm as he went by. "Stop," she insisted. "Don't leave angry."
The Duke jerked his arm out of her grip, swearing under his breath. "It's too late for that. I can't see you right now. I'm just- the last people who hurt me like this were the Fire Nation."
Her jaw fell open, as he left the gardens. She couldn't find the words to make him stay, even though she knew:
He might never come back.
I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I've been without a computer for some time. I cannot promise for any more regular posting, as there are many things going on for me right now, but I will do my best.
Thanks for reading, and please leave any constructive criticisms.