Zuko/Toph
Title: The Eyes Do Not See But By Reflection
Word Count: 198
Challenge #52: Mirrors
Zuko rarely looked into people's eyes. He never liked the reflection of how they saw him.
The metallic gaze of his father was stained with disdain and disappointment for the useless son he did not want.
The blistering glare of his sister sizzled with mockery and hatred for the unworthy sibling she yearned to crush.
The vacant stare of his crew echoed the loneliness and the knowledge that they could never understand him.
The scornful glare of Admiral Zhao irked Zuko like a thorn in his flesh, reminding him of how low he had fallen.
The bitter scowl of the Earth peasants, especially Li, reminded Zuko that he would always be the enemy to them.
The hopeful gape of the Avatar begged for an innocent and joyful friend that Zuko could never be.
The motherly gawking of the Waterbender probed for a way to heal wounds on Zuko's soul that were far deeper then she could ever know.
The sullen frown of the Water tribe boomerang yokel reminded Zuko that his background would always brand him an outsider.
Yet, in Toph's eyes, he could see nothing. In her blind eyes, he was a blank slate with nothing to prove but his pontential.
Zuko liked that.
Apologies to Zutara writers.