A/N: Like 'Iroh's Day', I write these many, many years ago and and recently realized I never posted them here. They have posted on my Deviant Art page for years, but I love them and it's easier to read them here then on DA. Enjoy!

Toko Week 4

Day 1 Firework

"Come on, Zuko, come with us," Katara pleaded yet again as she hung onto her boyfriend and brother. Toph could feel Suki on the other side of her husband, holding the hands of their toddler twins, but the firebender in question just shrugged.

"I don't need the fan mob, and I don't feel like getting molested tonight." He replied simply.

"But you'll miss the fye-wurks," two year old Koda said with a whine in his voice. "It's bad nough Auntie Toph's not coming…"

The earthbender felt Zuko kneel down to the young man and mess his hair and she smiled at that. He was so good with kids now that he was older. "I know, but there are too many people for me to enjoy myself, Koda," the firebender said. Toph almost had to lean forward to catch what Zuko said next. "And I don't want to have Toph sit by herself while everyone is having fun," Zuko whispered to the toddler.

That seemed to make the little boy happy and he chirped a happy "Ok" as Zuko stood again and faced their friends. "Besides, I can see the fireworks just fine from here."

"Well, if you're sure…" Aang started, but Toph felt Zuko nod, cutting the Avatar off. "Ok, Shyanna, Koda. Ready for some fireworks?"

The toddlers squealed in delight and Toph smiled as the group headed down the path and into town. It wasn't that she didn't like the kids, she loved them, but sometimes she needed some time to herself. But her best friend wasn't allowing that at this precise moment. Perhaps she could persuade him to head down soon incognito.

She felt him sit down next to her on the steps that led up to Aang's house and sighed as the warmth that always surrounded him enveloped her as well. That was one of the many things she loved…no, she wasn't going to go down that road again, liked, yes liked, about him. Toph stuffed down her feelings for the millionth time and just enjoyed the heat her friend put out as she readied herself for the dreaded festival.

"You all right?" Zuko asked in a soft tone.

"Fine," Toph replied.

"Just fine?" Zuko asked and it sounded as if he was trying to hide a smile. The smile in his tone grew as well and the heat he emitted grew and became more comfortable in the winter chill. "Then why are you lifting as much skin off the ground as possible?"

Toph turned and stuck out her tongue at the firebender. Sure, it was childish, but it made her feel better. Zuko chuckled and scooted closer to her. He leaned towards her and Toph almost leaned away from him, though she quickly withdrew her tongue. She refused to back down, but he merely leaned towards her ear. "I know your secret," he whispered.

Toph felt her cheeks heat up, and quickly took a deep breath, trying to control herself as he withdrew and she knew he was smirking at her. She just smirked right back at him. "And what secret would that be? I do have many."

He laughed, actually laughed at that and Toph enjoyed the sound of it. It was a rare sound, and she was glad she could bring it out of him.

"You," he started, "don't," and paused between each word, "like," she hated it when he did this," fireworks!"

She drew back from him and wrinkled her face in disgust. "And what gave you that ridiculous idea?"

"You may be blind, but I'm not," Zuko stated and Toph almost stuck her tongue out at him again. Zuko chuckled again, obviously seeing her face scrunch up as she resisted her urges. "I've watched you for the past six years, Toph. Every big celebration in the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom and every New Years, you wince and twitch and eventually run away and actually stick your feet into water." Toph turned to her friend in surprise. "Yes, I've noticed."

Toph turned away from the firebender and crossed her arms over her chest. She had hoped she had been able to hide that better than she apparently had.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"Huh? What?"

"Why don't you like fireworks? You can't see them?"

Toph stopped before retorting. True, she couldn't see them. She didn't understand what the big deal was. Sokka had once told her they were beautiful explosions of light in the sky, but all she experienced were the big kabooms that startled her, no matter how she prepared for them.

"Toph? Seriously, are you all right?"

"I…I don't understand fireworks," she said softly and felt Zuko suddenly sit upright, tense. She knew she didn't open up like this often, but she also knew her best friend. Despite being the quiet, grumpy member of their group, she knew he would pester her in his own way until she did talk about it. And she was not willing to get into a tickle fight or a massive sparring match at the moment.

"So…I understand not being able to see them, but why don't you like them?"

Toph groaned. "I don't like the sound, ok? It comes out of nowhere and I can't feel it coming." She paused and Zuko seemed to be waiting for something else. "And I just don't get what the big deal is," she finally muttered.

They sat in silence for a while, and Toph just focused on the steady, comforting heat coming from her companion and the feel of his heartbeat. His heartbeat suddenly sped up for a moment, but she was distracted from it when he took her hand in his. She felt heat envelop her body, and she wasn't sure if it was just from him or if she was blushing again. He squeezed her hand just before a boom broke out and startled her.

"I'll let you know when they'll go off," he whispered. Toph was surprised, but was ready for the next one when he squeezed her hand again.

She scooted closer to him and set her head on his shoulder after yet another firework had gone off. "Thanks, but I still don't understand why everyone loves them so much."

A few more fireworks went off, and he warned her every time, but then he sat up straight again, causing Toph to sit up as well.

"Maybe this will help you understand," he said after giving her another squeeze. Toph was wondering what he was talking about when suddenly he was kissing her. She was surprised, but she couldn't think of how to respond since it was if there were explosions of happiness and joy going through her body. She didn't even hear the fireworks going off anymore, and when he eventually pulled away, she had to catch her breath.

"So," he said breathlessly. "That help?"

Toph just smiled. "A little. Can you show me some more?"

"Anytime," Zuko replied before kissing her again.