He had regained his ability to see. Both physically and emotionally.

The spirits were too kind. Yet Toph was not.

"They told me..." He sat in front of his seething wife with light amber eyes cast downwards. "...that if I accepted what I was... accepted my responsibilities..." he couldn't continue... The way his wife looked at him. He felt disgusted with himself.

"So—now what?" Toph said nonchalant. "You expect me to take you back? Please... That was a rather quick recovery, Zuko. But then again—when you're bored, you're bored. And you go crawling back to whatever is the closest warm body... right, Sparky?" She couldn't control her anger. Couldn't control her sudden hatred for a man who seemed two-faced and utterly disloyal in all aspects.

For a week now she was finally coming to grips that Mai had abandoned them to seek out a better ending to her own story. Finally she was accepting the fact she had to be patient with her husband; and that compassion and kindness were the keys to soften the ever obvious frown of his.

Yet... that one night. That one night... he had to ruin her once more. That one night he told her he hated her. Told her that he realized. It made the Earth bender seethe with a fire she thought had died down.

The way he was pressing himself against her, pressing sweet kisses to her face... "Accepting" his responsibilities... It was all too much... He was lonely. His bed warmer was gone—and he was left with her!

Toph wouldn't be second best anymore. Toph wouldn't take the small apologies and sad, teary eyes of a Fire Lord as compensation for her many months in turmoil.

"No—Toph! I spent my days in isolation for you and our children!" Zuko tried to defend himself.

Moron.

"Oh?" Toph gasped suddenly... as if she just now realized his hard work for the better good of their family. And the fool bought it too. The way his eyes lit up, that smile gracing his pale, handsome face... Heh, gullible kid.

"Boo-hoo, Sparky!" Toph suddenly stood, and her loud mouth went miles. "Imagine what I went through! Months with barely bending anything and if I did, I was instantly bedridden for two weeks! How do you think being pregnant with twins was like? Oh—well, sorry if I don't quite feel sympathy for you when you were on your knees praying! I spent a fair amount of time on my knees throwing up everything I ate!" Heaving air for almost a minute, the Fire Lady didn't miss the beat to yell at her husband once more.

"And don't even get me started on isolation, Sparky! Ever been kicked out from your own room only to be told that some tramp was sleeping with your husband because you were useless! Ever slept alone—pregnant? Ever had to rule a Nation BY YOURSELF? Heck—have you ever had to carry twins, raise a two-year-old daughter, breast feed said twins, and worry about the old crows breathing down your neck? Spirits strike you where you sit, Zuko! Have you even realized how scared your children are of you? Xiaolian has tried to understand you and there you go leading an example to be as depressing and lame as a nail!"

Ah, shoot. She was crying again. Such wonderful things hormones were.

"How dare you..." Zuko blinked at his wife... completely speechless... Her walls fell before him. "How dare you think I would easily take you back after... after all the things you've done to me... How dare you talk about responsibilities and isolation when I was dealt with a heavy dose of both! How dare you come to me at night... and spout stupid phrases of hating me when you're kissing me... only—only to want to ease the fire in your stupid pants!"

Zuko instantly went red... Oh... So she saw that, huh?

"No... I want you begging at my feet. I want you kissing the dirt I walk on... Because..."

And... surprisingly enough... Zuko finally spoke... "Because you deserve it." his voice was so solemn... so right.

"Well, well, well, Sparky... Looks like I was wrong about you. Ya really are smart, huh?"