Title: The Verisimilitude between Tangled Sheets
Summary: Zuko and Toph are friends. Sometimes lovers, but only when it's convenient. No questions asked, no strings attached—but of course, that was inevitable.
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender is not mine. The characters are not mine. All I own so far is this plot…and this computer that I'm typing it with, but that's about it. It's a sad existence.
The Verisimilitude between Tangled Sheets
Chapter One – The Narrow Escapes that Lead to Blackmail
Toph wandered down the grandeur hallway, one hand pressed against its candle-lit walls to aid her navigate (her bending doesn't seem to be at its usual level right now), and the other clutching her throbbing head. It was barely before dawn when Toph woke to find herself on Zuko's bed naked, with their legs tangled with the sheets, and one of his arms draped loosely over her torso.
Last night's events came back to her. Or at least, the gist of it. She remembered the smile in his voice, the sudden boldness in his stance, and the effects of his ministrations. She remembered the scent of wine on his breath, and its taste in his mouth. She remembered how good he made her feel.
"Toph?" a surprised voice pierced into her thoughts.
The lady in question frowned, trying to arrange her composure so she looked less like the hangover mess that she was. She was so wrapped up within herself that she had failed to sense someone else in the hallway. "What do you want, Snoozles?"
"What're you doing up so early?" She felt him scan the hallway up and down. "Were you…were you just in…?" His tone held the distinct tone of suspicion and accusation. "Were you just in Zuko's room?" Nope, Toph didn't like his voice at all.
"It's none of your business, Snoozles," she strode past him, irritated. "Just like I'm not going to ask what you were doing at Ty Lee's room at four-thirty in the morning."
"I—it's not what you think," Sokka stammered. His heart rate quickened and she felt his body temperature raise by the slightest beat, indicating embarrassment.
"You can't lie to me. It is exactly what I think," Toph leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and with a victorious grin.
Flustered, Sokka hurriedly changed the subject. "That doesn't change the fact that you were just coming from Zuko's room!" His response was juvenile at best.
"I couldn't sleep, so I wandered around the palace for a while. And look what I found…" Toph drew out the last four words and locked her sightless eyes with Sokka's (or, as best as she can anyway). "Snoozles sleepin' around…wonder what Suki'll think of this," she pushed herself off the wall and continued to her quarters.
Sokka ran up to her, "It was nothing like that Toph," he said frantically. "I mean…it just…wasn't the same."
Toph remained silent, listening, as Sokka's voice took on a tone of pleading, begging. "You can't tell anyone. It'll kill Suki if she finds out, and then she'll kill me and…I love her. What happened with Ty Lee was a mistake. I know that. It wasn't the same as how it feels when I'm with Suki. Please, Toph, don't tell anyone."
The blind girl sighed, feeling the desperation emanating from the blue-eyed warrior. "I won't tell Suki, Sokka. But you'll have to come clean to her eventually."
She turned before Sokka could answer and entered her room. A particular phrase in his sentence resonated in her head. It was a mistake. Is that what it was? When Zuko awakens, is that what he'll think?
The dull throbbing in her head reminded her she was still under the mercy of the god of hangovers. Toph crawled into the previously untouched covers of her bed and slept it off.
-x-
Narrowed golden eyes scanned the circular meeting room. From his position on the elevated tables in front of the room, Zuko had a clear view of the delegates from the other nations and the two entrances. He had been looking for Toph since he woke up, to talk about last night. He had been debating whether to approach her about it or to wait until she said something about it. And if he went with the latter, until she did so, he would pretend nothing happened.
The Fire Lord glanced at the sundial. Less than one minute until the meeting officially started, and Toph was still nowhere to be seen. The politicians, for the most part, were very punctual. They believed in the old adage: "Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable." Tardiness could cause them a touchy issue.
The master of ceremonies, a Fire Nation elder, called everyone to order and declared that the meeting will formally begin. However, his announcement was cut short by the loud opening of the French doors indicating the last, and quite possibly most impulsive, delegate.
Zuko unconsciously stiffened. Toph of the Earth Kingdom had finally arrived. Some glared at her for her lateness, but that was useless because she couldn't see them as she strode past the aisles towards the front. She joined the rest of leaders at the elevated podium and shrugged to finally get the meeting underway.
The other nations presented their latest list of grievances against the Fire Nation, and their solutions to appease them. None of which were plausible of course, without completely driving the country into the worst case of bankruptcy in the history of all treasuries. The Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribe delegates eventually argued amongst themselves over which deserves more compensation money. Aang, being the sole member of the Air Nomads, stayed out of it. No material gifts can undo what the previous Fire Lords has done to his people, and the best he can do now was to help search for them.
Zuko tuned them out and though he knew it was useless, threw a quick side-glance towards Toph. He willed time to go faster, for this hearing to be over. Not soon enough, it was. They were all dismissed and some headed towards the podium to speak with their respective head delegates as the others slowly filed out of the room. Toph was among them, joining the Katara, Sokka, and Aang as they all headed to lunch.
Zuko cursed under his breath. He had wanted to walk with Toph to lunch alone, to test the waters. He tried to hastily end the conversation he was having with an enthusiastic, bright-eyed scholar who proposed a new method of bargaining with the other nations. He nodded slowly, dutifully at the man as he described his plans, "Noted, uh…"
"Chao," the man supplied helpfully. He couldn't be five years older than Zuko himself.
"Noted, Chao. Duly noted," Zuko excused himself and headed to the royal lunch table where he joined his friends.
The group greeted Zuko as he sat down at the head of the table and he nodded in response. The chatter continued, Katara asked her brother about the arrival of Suki.
Zuko couldn't be sure, but a brief look of panic crossed over Sokka as he shot Toph an anxious look. Whether the Earthbender felt a change in his mood or aura, she didn't give the slightest clue.
-x-
She could feel Zuko's gaze. She could feel his anxiety. She's been aware of it all morning, ever since her arrival at the meeting.
Toph continued to participate in the group's conversations, and kept a poker face when she felt a spike in Sokka's heart rate at the mention of Suki. Of course she wouldn't tell anyone. It was none of her business, and as far as she was concerned, all it was was a poor show of Sokka's character. It showed that even one of those whom she thought to be the most loyal and honest could fall to one of mankind's greatest faults.
The normally-decisive Earthbender had mixed feeling about this. She'd been having mixed feeling about lots of things lately. Among them was her latest tryst with the Fire Lord. But concerning her more at the moment, was the confrontation which she was sure he was restless to initiate. Toph gulped, pushing the food down her esophagus.
A part of her wanted to get the talk over with (Zuko's apprehension convinced her that he would like the talk, also), but another part wanted avoid Zuko as best as she could. Do not mistake her hesitation as a sign of weakness. Toph Bei Fong is a master of her element, and had even conquered metal and sand (to some extent), but emotional confrontations were not one of them.
Author's Note: Whew, five honkin' pages. I just wanted to take this chapter to introduce you fine readers to the other affairs happening under Chateau de Zuko, and to point out he wasn't the only one getting' lucky last night. Well, no, not really so much the latter. This chapter is also a lee way, an insight, and a transition to the potentially disastrous confrontation of Fire and Earth. We'll get a first-hand look on how Mt. Vesuvius erupts. Oh hey, haha, that can be the title for the next chapter: Mt. Vesuvius, get it? Fire and Earth, a volcano? Get it? Ha ha, well, it amused me. I'm still debating how I should handle the confrontation…tell me your ideas and maybe that'll sway the plot. And I don't want to give away too much, but…just to kick the drama up a notch, there'll be at least one more hook-up that will be revealed within the next few chapters. BAM!
And sorry about the review quota, for those of you who were offended. It was my own way of lighting a fire on my ass to get to writing the second chapter faster. That, and I really like hearing (…reading…?) what you guys think. I know there are a lot of people who think one way or another about the story but don't write a review and that just takes away from both the reader and the writer, I think. My reasons will take too long to type out, and I'm sleepyyy. :(
Review Responses:
Sparky-poo: First review, sweet! Ah, "that something." I'm flattered, thanks!
Kiki09: Well, there are many different types of relationships. Maybe Toph and Zuko will have a detached sexual relationship. Maybe they'll have a meaningful romance. Who's to tell? Not even I can.
Liooness: Ah, thanks for pointing out that it seemed as though she could see in the first couple of paragraphs. I tried to be more careful about that this chapter. Oh, and the awkwardness. Mmmm. I'm looking forward to writing that part. Oh, by the way, I saw the pictures of some of the animals you work with, sounds like such a fun job!
RueBroadway: Haha, I love those quotes you put on 'relationship,' because that's exactly how I see it. And thank you for the vote of confidence!
Party In The Afterlife: Gah, I never meant for her to seem like she could see. I just wasn't clear enough. I had forgotten to put the quotes on "looked." Sorry…please tell me if there are any more discrepancies like this.
Blz1990: Were you born in 1990? Because I was, too. :)
Sonzu and Kaamen-chan: Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Mlkoolc86: I guess I got lucky with getting more than what I minimally wanted!
FrostedCupcake: Do you like cupcakes? Try sprinkle some Oreo crumbs on top, right on top of the frosting so it sticks. Trust me, it's lovely. And yes, TOKO rules.
TooLazytoLogIn: YES! Someone is excited for my writing. This is exciting! I hope this chapter does not disappoint.
Chi The Turtle: Well, thank you for adding this story to your story alerts, despite it seeming like a third grader's work. It'll get better, I promise. :)
Nekokonneko: Ah, yeah, it's pretty new in the Toko world, I don't even remember how I came up with it. But for now, I guess I must draw more from personal experience and thoughts to keep the plot moving.
Lazyguy90: Promising, ooh. None of my writing has ever been described as such before. I hope I don't disappoint you!
Avatargirl92: Once again, sorry. I hadn't noticed it seemed like she could see. I kept it in mind this chapter so I hope I did better.
Goldylokz, Kouu Hissori: Thank you for adding this story to your story alerts! Don't be afraid to leave a review, I don't bite.
Anyway, guys, leave a review!
Tell me what you like, what I can improve on, what you'd like to see more of!