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 Six – Fleeting Reunion
His bed had been empty when he woke up. For a moment, Zuko had been at a loss. In his hazy, post-sex mind, he couldn't fathom where Toph could possibly be. He had grown accustomed to waking up to her creamy complexion, ebony hair, and the bathos of the previous night.
It was a while until he realized that she had told him the night before that she was leaving in the morning.
Zuko distinctly remembered chuckling. Toph had never been a morning person.
But true to her word, she was gone the morning after their return from Nankuru Island. She hadn't even bothered to wake him up to kiss him goodbye—or to bid goodbye at all! She didn't even leave a note with a cute heart on it—not that he was expecting it, of course. But it would've been nice.
Zuko spent most of his days in his office, skimming over political reports and documents. It felt odd not having Toph around anymore. It felt odd knowing she left without as much as a goodbye, especially after their intimate affair.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. In a purely instinctual, partly naïve hopeful move, he stood up, ready to tease Toph for coming back so soon.
"Begging your pardon, my Lord," a very male voice said.
"What is it?" There was a certain edge of annoyance to his voice.
The door cracked open slightly. It was one of his aides, Chao, bowed deeply in respect. "I had just come to remind you that the meeting with the Treasury is next week. Their proposed plan for the fiscal year is already on your table."
With an irritated growl, he was dismissed and Zuko leaned back against his plush chair.
Chao was not the only one to have tested the patience (and the attention span) of the sour, sleep-divested, and sex-deprived Fire Lord. For a few weeks since, the entire royal household had to be on their toes whenever they would so much as pass him in the hallway. No one except him really knew the cause of his bad mood.
He should not be acting like some juvenile teenage boy. He was Fire Lord, and how could he expect to rule his nation effectively if he had foreseen the eventual end of his and Toph's…relationship?
Zuko tested it on his tongue. It felt funny. His and Toph's weren't what most people considered to be an orthodox relationship.
Back to the point. How could he expect to be a good leader when he knew what was going to happen and yet did nothing to stop it? Worse yet, sulked when nothing could've been done anyway?
Toph had made it perfectly clear that it was her intent to keep travelling, so why is he having difficulty accepting that she was gone?
It's not as though she'll be gone forever. She had promised to come back within the following year.
Weeks turned to months. Time and time again, Zuko found himself shifting his attention from the menial bureaucratic paperwork to thoughts of Toph.
-x-
The year seemed the slowest he had ever felt. Zuko had buried himself in his duties to keep himself from brooding too much. He dedicated hours to attend to the eternal litany of his nation's needs. And while he wasn't signing documents or attending council meetings, he was busy subduing potential coups.
So it struck him as a surprise, when on the week of Toph's arrival, Zuko found himself staring down a mountain of paperwork.
Fire Lord Zuko felt unproductive at best. Instead of attending to the documents that awaited either his approval or his veto, he fidgeted. Restlessly, he alternated between tapping his fingers against the cherry-stained oak desk and cracking his knuckles an unhealthy amount of times, all the while chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. A crease has made itself a tenant in the space between his eyebrows as his gaze shifted from the large glass windows to the tightly shut wooden door, and then back again.
Yes, Zuko was anxious. There, he admitted it. He wanted to see Toph and so here he was, cycling between anxious mannerisms.
Tap, tap, tap. Check outside the window.
Crack, crack, crack. Look at the door.
Tap, tap, tap. There really was no need to keep looking outside. Toph's presence would be known at least five miles away with the violent rumbling of the earth. But it gave him something to do. Now where was he?
Right. Tap, tap, tap. Check outside the window.
The ground shook aggressively underneath his feet. The chandelier swung wildly and the knick-knacks on his desk topped over before some fell to the ground. Zuko all but glued himself to the glass window, and was disappointed when moving mountains of earth didn't greet his eyes. Puzzled, Zuko headed for the door to check the situation outside.
In his disappointment, he didn't even entertain the idea that this could be a real earthquake. He could hear the panicked screams coming from the hall and just before he opened the door widely enough, there was a loud explosion and the earth had settled.
Zuko's hand froze on the door handle. The blast had been too nearby and the silence was only filled with a light…trickling sound. Zuko turned slightly, only too see a large gaping hole in the farthest corner of the room.
"Miss me, Sparky?"
Lo and behold, there was Toph, brushing the dirt off her clothes and nonchalantly striding over to his desk.
Zuko felt his body relax and he released a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
Footsteps were hurriedly approaching his room and he assured them he was unharmed before walking over to Toph. "Ever heard of a door?"
"Doors are overrated. Besides," his intruder shrugged from her spot on his table. "If I went through your palace's main entrance, I'd have to go through all the stupid formalities."
Zuko rolled his eyes, not minding its futility. "Oh, that totally justifies carving tunnels underground."
She stuck her tongue out at him and scoffed. "Good to see you too, you old grouch." She made a move to get off the desk but Zuko stopped her, placing himself between her knees and placing his arms around her waist.
Zuko pressed his forehead against hers and gazed into her milky green eyes. He noticed the edges of her lips curling up into a smirk and he erased it the best way he knew how.
He kissed her—fervently, with the passion he had built for the past year. It was a kiss she returned with similar urgency, wrapping his arms around his neck and entangling her hands with his hair.
-x-
Zuko's hands roamed her body, pausing briefly to squeeze her breasts through her clothes. Both Toph and Zuko moaned as she wrapped her legs around his back and pressed their bodies closer together. With a low growl against her lips, he started removing her hindering clothes.
"S—stop…" Toph struggled to say. The word seemed to have fallen on deaf ears for Zuko was relentless in his pursuit.
"Stop, Zuko…" Toph tried again, this time trying to shrug his hand away. Her attempt was in vain.
"Zuko!" She finally yelled, giving him a firm push on the chest.
Caught off guard, Zuko stumbled a few steps backward, both of their breathing shallow and ragged.
Toph felt Zuko regard her with undisguised surprise, as if he had just come out of a daze. A few incoherent syllables came from his mouth, which she summed up to: "But it was just getting good!"
Toph fixed her tunic and bit her lip as she reached to touch Zuko's face. "Let's go somewhere a bit more private," she whispered and walked past him, making sure to brush against the tent in his trousers.
"Oh, and have your maids prepare my room," she called and walked out of the room.
Toph padded over to Zuko's royal suite, knowing fairly well of his eternally-prepared bath. A servant girl just came out of one of the nearby linen closets and Toph flagged her over.
"Yes, Lady Toph?"
With a flippant wave, Toph told her to drop the formalities and asked her for some bath necessities. Toph mentioned she prefers pomegranate and vanilla, if they were available.
Toph had made herself comfortable in Zuko's hot bath when her requested toiletries arrived. After dropping the bath salts and bubble bath solution into the water, Ming, the maid, excused herself meekly when she heard the Fire Lord enter the bedroom.
"Took you long enough, Sparky," she quipped when she heard the doors open. "Either get in or get out, don't let the hot air go outside."
"I could fix that easily," Zuko replied, closing the door indignantly. "And you know it."
A small 'mhmm' was his only answer. Zuko slid into the water beside her and she emitted a relaxed sigh when she felt his hands on her shoulder. Somewhere between the door and the pool-sized tub, he got undressed.
"You're getting too accustomed to my suite, you know that?" Zuko murmured.
"Am I?"
"You just strode into my private bath like you owned the place," there was a hint of teasing in his voice.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Nope," despite their close proximity before, Zuko felt even closer, his breath tickling the nape of her neck. "Who knows, maybe some day you actually will."
Toph's eyes shot wide open. She didn't know exactly what Zuko meant or what he was suggesting and she didn't dare ask.
She didn't know what type of answer she'd want yet. There was something in his voice, she just couldn't place it.
So, as a defense mechanism to potentially awkward situation, she laughed.
"Very funny, Zuko," said Toph. "I'm sure your people would like having an Earthbender as their Fire Lady."
"The greatest Earthbender," Zuko pointed out. "Besides, you're well-liked."
"I can just see your council's elders throwing a hissy fit."
Toph felt Zuko shrug, his shoulders brushing against her back briefly. "Won't matter. In the end it'll be up to me. I'll marry whomever I please."
Whether he was kidding or not, this was not a conversation Toph wanted to have.
"Good for you, Sparky," said Toph, signaling the end of the topic.
They sat in the bath tub in relative silence, occasionally trading kisses and stealing touches.
"I'm starved, how quickly do you think they'll have dinner ready?" Toph lifted herself from the tub and wrung out the water in her hair. She could feel Zuko's eyes watching her as she made her way to where their towels and robes were hung.
"Enjoying the view?"
"You really need to ask?" Splashing sounds reached Toph's ear as Zuko jumped out of the water and headed towards her.
"I think you put the hangers so far away from the tub on purpose," Toph laughed as she dabbed the thick cotton towel against her skin and used another one to wrap her hair. "Think you can do something about the hair, Sparky?"
Toph felt warmth envelope her head and she smiled contentedly.
"Thanks, Zuko," she freed her hair of the towel, letting it cascade over her shoulders and her back. Toph stood on her toes and gave Zuko a kiss on the cheek before putting on a silken robe.
Gracefully, she moved past him into Zuko's bedroom.
Maybe she was getting too comfortable in his suite.
-x-
Zuko swallowed a lump in his throat. It had already been hard controlling himself while he was in the tub with Toph, and her brushing her bare chest against his did not make it any easier. He followed her into his bedroom, not at all minding that she did act like she owned his place.
"Your staff's great, Sparky," he heard her comment. "Food's already here."
Toph had claimed the couch for herself, resting on her side with one arm folded to prop her head up and another one bring a strawberry dipped in chocolate and topped with whipped cream to her lips. He didn't fail to notice the voluptuous curve peeking out from the low neckline of her red robe.
Zuko stifled a groan as he moved towards her, feeling a bit of pride swell up within him for his attentive staff.
"You should give them like, a winter bonus, or something," she shrugged, closing her eyes and slowly biting into another strawberry.
Shit, was she actually trying conversation? Why? He could think of much better ways she could use her lips.
"I'll think about it," he said shortly. Zuko bent down and initiated a kiss, darting his tongue out to taste the mixture of chocolate and strawberry on her mouth.
He felt her smile against his lips, repositioning herself so she was on her back, allowing him to climb on top of her.
Governmental regulation and council meetings evaporated from his mind.
Mmm, he missed this. He missed this so much. Zuko had been deprived for too long, and he fully intended to claim what he had missed plus interest.
A trail of fabric led from the plush couch to the lavish bed. Somewhere in between, Zuko and Toph had discarded them, and neither cared enough to figure out where exactly.
Zuko couldn't help but feel that despite the tumult his nation was undergoing, all was right with the world as he climaxed inside Toph.
-x-
Aang and Katara arrived two weeks later, and Suki and Sokka a few days after. Zuko was almost forlorn at having to be very discreet with Toph again.
There goes the naked pillow fights in the royal wing, he sighed dejectedly as he heard them getting settled in the wing opposite his.
Several nights later, during dinner, Katara spoke up.
"Where were you last night, Toph? Suki and I came looking for you."
Of course, Zuko knew the answer to that question and couldn't help the small smirk on his face.
"Oh, I was out training late last night. I just passed out in the nearest room."
Liar, liar, pants on fire! Zuko wanted to chant. But there was that distinct pang of hurt at Toph's denial. He was starting to forget why they had to keep their relationship a secret.
Because it's not really a relationship, he reminded himself.
"Your room looks like it hasn't been lived in for weeks!" Katara argued.
That would make sense, Zuko figured. Toph had been sleeping in his room and left what few belongings she brought with her there.
"You sure you were in the right room, then, Sugar Queen?" Toph teased and the table laughed at the Waterbender's expense.
Later that night, Zuko paced in his suite. Toph was supposed to arrive an hour ago.
Growing impatient, he marched to her room and didn't bother knocking when he reached the door.
Toph shot up straight on her bed and shot him an accusing glare with unbelievable accuracy.
For a moment, Zuko lost his resolve but quickly regained it. "Where were you?"
She rolled her eyes, "Here."
"Why?"
"Just in case Sugar Queen decides to check up on me again."
Zuko strode over to her bed and lied down. "Well thanks for telling me," he scoffed. He already detested waiting in the first place.
He saw Toph earthbend her lock shut.
"How ever did you survive that year without me?"
Zuko only chuckled at her rhetorical question and drew circles on her flat belly.
"We really should get you a room closer to mine," he mused.
"I leave in less than a week, Sparky, great timing."
It was Zuko's turn to be surprised. Had she been here for a month already? Her visit seemed hardly long enough.
A part of him wanted to ask her to stay, but even the Fire Lord knew when he would be asking for too much. And asking Toph to stay in his palace would be akin to asking her to be a caged bird, and that was something he couldn't let her submit herself to.
And so for the remainder of that week, he relished every moment they had together to hold him through her absence for the following year.
Author's Note: I was really trying to go for at least eighteen pages this time around, but I think sixteen will be enough…I felt that was a good spot to end this chapter. It seems Zuko's having some strange feelings, hmmm. Anyway, I just got a brand-spankin' new tablet! It's a Wacom Intuos 3, 5x6 and I love it so much! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I promise drama and conflict in the next one!
Review Replies:
Nhssocial: glad you enjoyed it. You sure your review last chapter didn't show, because…I see it. .
Blz1990: Here you go, I hope you like this one as well!
YumKiwiDelicious: YES! Oh my gosh, there is a shortage of Toko communities, I am enraged. I got your invite, and it took me a while to figure it out, but I did it!
Nuclearchimo: Thank you, I try to keep the integrity of Zuko and Toph's characters.
Brotherchimo: Are you and the guy above…related? Or better yet, the same person, haha.
Mighty bright: Haha, yeah, I imagine it would've been embarrassing to be Zuko right about then. I'm sure he proved Toph wrong.
Animefreak03: Mhmm, speaking from experience, guy talk is a lot more fun than girl talk. Because guys are less giggly when naughty bits are mentioned. So I'm glad you enjoy the dialogue! I've got years of friendship with the crude guys to thank for that.
Shirozero: I'll be holding you to that! :D
Lazyguy90: Aw, yes. Zuko the virgin with the battered ego. This'll be a long-winded story so the final destination won't be for a while xD
Mlkoolc86: Ugh, I was so mad at that too! I was like, helloooo! Toph needs love too, but I didn't see her as the type to be too crushed so I made her kind of non-committal with the way she talked about it. Instead, she turned the tables on Zuko, dun dun dunnn twist!
Avatargirl92: I assumed you were, and I kept that in mind when I made that comment. I'm saying there's nothing wrong with that. Oh, and belated happy birthdayyy!
Liooness: I can't say for sure how romantic he'll be…I mean, the most romantic line I've ever heard him say on the show was "You're so beautiful when you hate the world." I shit you not, fair lady, I gagged.
Miyiku: Haha, I don't have to try hard not to be graphic. Writing a supposed sex scene does not come easily to me, makes me wonder what got me to start this fic in the first place. I assume it was great on my mind, and then I had to put them into words…and that was a challenge.
Party in the Afterlife: Toph's a big fat tease. And as for the experience, well, I feel that sex is usually purely out of instinct. I just figured she'd be one of those people who would let her inhibitions go and just go crazy! Besides, it's really not that hard to please a guy.
Chi The Turtle: I listened to that song, and I quite enjoyed it. I love their song Speechless, though. :)
Adridere: I'm glad you like it so far! And as for the intensity of the emotions, well, can't really have sex with anyone for an extended period of time without feeling anything! And of course, the difference between love and lust is something I'm definitely looking forward to write about. Who will crush who? And blah, that review thing was only for the first chapter. I wanted to see whether this was a good idea or not. The way you wrote that was magnificently poetic.
BladeSummers: I think Toph's nature and situation allows her to be more mature than the show gives her the capacity to be. I just know in my gut that she could handle more mature situations, but of course, this is almost five years later, so she was bound to do some growing up, but I had her retain the basic spit fire foundations of her personality. I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters!
Forever: I really just prefer saying va-jay-jay…although I haven't had to say that in while. I like to think of it as a blessing. Haha.
ShikaruTo: YES! I was right! Oh, I was watching some old Naruto episodes yesterday, and I've been thinking of this for a while, but yesterday confirmed it. Shikamaru and Sokka are incredibly similar. Lazy geniuses. And what's up with the girls with fans they get paired up with? I've always loved Shikamaru and Naruto. And Sasuke and Itachi, despite their self-absorbed and cliché emo-ness. But Gaara was always my favorite. Yes, including the large love tattoo on his forehead. Maybe I have a thing for facially-disfigured men with tragic pasts?
If you've got extra spare time, go doodle some fan art and send them my way!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Don't forget to let me know what you think. :)