Author Notes: I'm trying to keep chapters at a 1,000 word minimum and a 2,000 word maximum. I feel like that's not too short and not too long? Let me know what you think. Make sure to review, fave, follow, whatever y'all feel like. I know my interpretations of these characters might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I hope you all keep an open mind. Honestly I have no idea where this story is going, but I'm having fun exploring Toph and Zuko's dynamic. I completely believe they were all severely depressed after the war lmao.
This chapter is named after Into Dust by Mazzy Star.
He wakes up before her, something he remembers doing when they were with the Gaang. He gets up as softly as he can and walks quietly to the bathroom. Drawing a bath is simple and he does it for himself all the time. He remembers Mai loving them at first, that was before things turned sour and she left. Mai claimed he had become distant, he thinks about how much indifference he felt when she gave him the ring back. They hadn't told anyone about the engagement. It was as if it never happened. Later on he sent her multiple gifts, tokens of appreciation for the amount of time Mai gave to him, the palace, and his nation. He courted a few women after Mai, no one quite fit.
He hears stirring in the bed and knows he has a few minutes before she'll actually get up, if she gets up. After adding flower petals, perfumes, and lighting candles he checks on her. She's wide awake in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I heard the water dripping off your hands into the bath. I don't want to move. I just want to rest here."
"You'll rest in the bath while you get cleaned up. I can send some people in to do it for you."
He's standing in front of her side of the bed, staring down. He waits.
"...I'd like that."
She mostly says it so she'll have a moment alone. She's sobered up from the night before and depression is hitting her hard now that she's awake. He puts on a robe and leaves the room to fetch someone. She sits up and places her feet on the ground. She was so young when left her own family, nation, and inheritance behind. She's well traveled and well trained. Now she wants to rest. She stands and fully undresses, dropping her clothes as she walks to the bathroom. She tests the water. It's too hot. She steps in anyway. She's been bathing in whatever was available the past 5 years, never having the luxury to ask for more.
The fragrance of the bath was too strong, too unfamiliar, and overbearing. The flower petals tickled her unpleasantly. After taking her braids out she dunks her head under the water, holding it there as long as her breath allowed. It was too long. She came up gasping for air, the water sloshing side to side as she slicked her hair back. She closes her eyes, rests her head against the tub, and takes a few breaths to calm down. Footsteps are coming from the hallway, she hears five pairs of feet.
The bedroom door opens. He notices she's not in bed.
"I guess she's already in the tub. You all can go ahead. Thank you."
"Of course, Fire Lord."
Four women shuffle into the bathroom. She completely misses the smiles they give her.
"You're going to have a haircut and someone will measure you for clothing. I hope this isn't too many people."
He stands there staring, leaning on the doorway. The visual he has of her is chaste, he can't see below the waterline. It's a deep tub, engulfing her almost completely. Her hair is out of her face and she still looks like she did when she was a kid, but she's sadder and worn down. Maybe that's what being an adult is though, a mournful child robbed of time. The tops of her breasts are slightly out of the water, he's not paying attention; too distracted by the emptiness in her face. He waits for her to reply.
"I don't want to get rid of my calluses."
"Of course not."
The women nod in agreement, another gesture lost on her.
"Two are firebenders. They'll keep the water warm, just ask."
He waits. Again.
"Thank you."
It's so soft that he almost missed it. He leaves.
She's left to be cleaned, pampered, and clothed. She's offered deep red linen pants, that stop mid-shin, and a matching linen v-neck, boxy. The fabric has a loose weave to make her comfortable in the heat. Her hair stops just above her shoulders now, a few wispy bangs frame her face. No shoes. Then she's being ushered into the dining hall. It's quiet, there's no sounds of silverware clinking or plates being moved around. He's been waiting for her. She wants to know where this practice came from, waiting for people. She wants to think she's special. She finds her way next to him and he starts filling her plate. She doesn't mind. The bath made her tired all over again. He fills up his own and they eat in silence.
Once finished he asks, "Do you want to know where your room is?"
"Sure."
She hadn't had a stable living situation during her travels and she's too desperate to land on her feet to think about any repercussions to accepting his help. She knows they all took on responsibilities she didn't have the heart for; diplomacy, nobility, peace, and unity. Avoiding responsibility was partly the reason she fled, just like she had fled from her parents. Another part was being surrounded by weddings and kids and work and accolades and it was becoming too much to handle. She didn't want to jump into adulthood so soon like everyone else, but she didn't want to stay and feel the pressure to grow up either. She wanted a carefree childhood and realizes now that running away and fighting in a war wasn't all it was cracked up to be. That time has passed and there's no point in complaining that you were the Avatar's earthbending teacher when you were 12.
He's guiding her to her room now. They're both wondering what their reunion would have been like if he was married or at least courting someone. She feels almost righteous in her selfishness, glad that she arrived when he was alone, too. A large part of her is relieved she doesn't have to engage in pleasantries, but maybe there's something else to the silence she shares with him. Something deeper. She brushes it off for now, focusing on the sounds his clothing and hair make as he walks. He smells nice, like tobacco, beeswax, parchment, and something medicinal she can't place.