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Can Fire melt? Ask the Earth	By : SSjJaden Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Toph/Zuko Views: 13993 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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„I don’t really think this is a good idea.” Toph said silently. Zuko hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

They were standing in their room, the sunlight pouring inside. A day has passed since Zuko woke up and the Fire Nation group was ready to leave. Toph said nothing about this plan because she knew that it was no use. He made up his mind and he was too stubborn, more stuborn than the Earth she bended.

Zuko wasn’t so comfortable with his plan either. Still, without better ideas they had to do it.

While he held Toph, he remembered their first kiss.

’Oh, Spirits.’ he thought. ’Was that only a week ago? It felt like years to me.’ Truly, it did. He knew Toph for only two weeks and they were together for a week and he felt like he knew her since... forever, really. She was his short Earthbender who had a nickname for all of them, loved tea and had really funny jokes. She was his life and as laughable the idea may have been before, he would really like to live the rest of his life with her.

Zuko once thought about his future after the war. Uncle Iroh would take his rightful place on the throne as Fire Lord. What about him? What would he do? Zuko had no idea. He wanted to meet Toph’s parents, and that was number one on his list. He heard her stories of them, how they loved her and how they suffocated her with it. At this, Zuko almost laughed. There he was, a child who grew up without love from his Father and here’s Toph who got too much of it. Funny, really.

Zuko almost smiled. He thought his whole situation was funny. If someone would have told him a mounth or two before that he would fell in love with an Earthbender girl while training the Avatar he would have laughed himself dead. After executing that someone of course.

And now he had this rare beauty in his arms. He kissed her forehead again and smiled at her.

„I want to talk to Uncle about things. I’ll go find him.” Zuko said and released her. Toph just sat down on the bed and stroke her loose hair.

„All right. You do that.” she smiled but it was not honest. Zuko just left the room with a heavy heart.

*

Toph watched the door close and sighed. She fell on the bed and watched the sky through the window. She had a lot on her mind.

Of course, everything on her mind had something to do with Zuko. Toph was honestly clueless of what she was doing. She never thought about love before. When she was younger, her parents never tought her what the word meant and what was behind it. What she must feel to be able to say that she is indeed in love.

It was so hard for her... the only child in the richest family in the Earth Kingdom. Noone knew about her existence, noone tried to be friends with her. She remembered that one time when she first escaped the stronghold she called her home. She ventured into the village and there was an old man who asked who she was and what she was doing. When Toph answered, the man laughed at her. ’The Bei Fongs?’ he asked ’They have no daughter.’

It was like a blade in her heart. Her parents just kep her a secret. Why? Was blindness a disgrace?

Soon, Toph got accustomed to her parents’ attitude. She learned to play the helpless daughter. She knew that the fiery tantrums she was so good at meant nothing. So she tried a silent rebellion: she learned Earthbending.

Her Master always laughed at her. A little blind girl trying to look tough. She was the laughing stock of the school. They made so much fun of her that her father decided to pay for a personal tutor.

One morning during breakfast her father mentioned that the city guard arrested some hooligans who tried to organise an Earthbender tournament. This was what Toph was waiting for.

She used her money to find out more about this tournament and where it was held. When she finally got a chance to step on the stage, she was ready. She became the Champion. The Blind Bandit, they called her.

Those were Toph’s happiest times. When she had no trouble, knew nothing of the war, just fight and bend all she wanted.

But than Aang came along.

The boy ruined her life but from the ashes of her past she saw the shining light of the future. Aang, Sokka, Katara... three kids out on a quest to save the world. As funny as it sounded then, Toph knew: she must help them.

For the first time in her life she felt what it’s like to be an adult. In the beginnings she fought against it, tried to keep the others at bay, not to come too close to her. She tried to retain her arrogance but it failed miserably. She felt at home with the little group, more at home than she ever felt. She knew that she can trust these weird kids because she was a weird kid herself. Plus, although she never admitted it, she was really proud to teach the Avatar.

What caused trouble to her were the feelings she saw and could not understand. Why Aang looked at Katara like that. Why did he gave those side glances when nobody watched him. Toph always felt his movements, the change in his breathing andheartbeat when he looked at the girl. In the end, it was Sokka who explained it to her, the stuff about men and women. The boy was the weirdest piece of work in the group. He was so clever and wise, yet funny and frivolous at the same time.

And then something happened to Toph. Like lightning, it struck her insides and turned her world upside down.

It was during the battle bethween Azula and Aang. The boy who tried to fight both of them at the same time.

That was the first time she saw Zuko. Well, she didn’t ’see’ him. She felt him. She felt his energy and the fluidity of his movements. She felt him for what he was. And she felt the internal struggle in his heart. Before the battle she spoke with the old man Iroh. She knew the boy was the one he was talking about.

When he was close to her, when they tried to strike Azula at the same time, after she shot Iroh... he was so close... she could feel the heat of both his body and his anger. It was so invigorating and so fulfilling. How right it felt...

After that battle Toph had little time to think about her feelings. Always running and hiding. Always doing something. Now she knew that back then she wanted only to do something, anything what could make her exausted. Whatever made her so tired than she could no longer think. She was afraid of what she would think about.

Toph could fight her emotions but could not control her dreams. Always with him... she never saw a thing in her life. Nothing, just complete blackness. So her dreams vere not visions or pivtures... but an orgy of so much more. Sound, scent, the touch of his skin. The feeling of his body on hers.

When he sent that potion she was just stunned. Not by what it meant. Oh no, she was fine without sight. But something more... the possibility of seeing him. To know how he looked like.

And then that kiss on the beach. Nothing ever could have prepare her for what she felt. Not even seeing him caused so much happiness. His arms around her... his lips on hers. Toph melted right there, in his arms. She knew she loved him. A fourteen years olf short Earthbender girl in love with the sixteen years old Prince of the Fire Nation. She really thought that she’s pathetic. How can she face him now? How can she looke into his eyes? Every one of her questions were answered when he came to her room. She asked him to stay with her that night.

Toph chuckled and smiled. Happy memories. A week of memories. They have a life ahead of them, a life of love and peace, after the war.

Suddenly, Toph sat up. Zuko’s going to go away today... back to the Fire Nation to the clutches of his Father. Back to face execution. He’s going back to die and everything they planned would just disappear. The realisation his her like lightning. He will leave.

This could very well be a good bye.

Unable to do anything, she just fell back to the bed and cried. She cried for her past and for her future. She cried for the future of Zuko and her.

A good bye.

*

Iroh heard a knock on his door and stood to open it. He found Zuko on the other side.

„Zuko! What can I help you with?” he asked. The boy looked a bit nervous and looked around the corridor.

„Can I come in?”

„Of course, of course!” Iroh stepped out of the way and let his Nephew in. They both sat at each end of a short table. Naturally enough, a pot of steaming tea was there to be served. Zuko poured for himself and his Uncle.

„So I take it, you needed to talk to me?” Iroh asked. Zuko just smiled. He was right, every time someone went to Iroh they needed guidance.

„Yes Uncle.” Iroh waited for more to come but Zuko just stared at the table, quietly sipping his tea.

„Is it about you leaving?” he inquired but the Prince just shook his head.

„No. I do not wish to speak about that. It’s hard enough I think. No, it’s about... the more brighter future.” his tone was light but serious. Iroh knew that Zuko was only hoping for a brighter future.

„Uncle, what do you know of the Fire Nation wedding customes?”

The tea what was in Iroh’s mouth shot out of it, all in Zuko’s face. He frowned and tried to clean himself with his sleeves.

„Wedding? What are you planning Nephew?”

„Well, our plan is as risky as it can be successful. There is a chance I will never come back... a chance that I will never see her again...” his voice died off but the old man knew what he was talking about. Zuko finally saw the flaws in his plan and lost the hope of survival. He was trying to fill his remaining time with things he would have done as an adult. He wants to live a full life. Poor boy.

„I know what you are trying to do Nephew and I will not help you in it.” Iroh shook his head while he was talking. Zuko stared at him but said nothing. His Uncle continued.

„However, I will show you the appropriate form of asking a girl’s hand in marriage.” the boy raised his brows in question but Iroh just held up his hand. „I do this because if you ask her, you will have something to fight for. In the darkest of times everyone searches for something which gives hope. You will not only find hope but an obligation, my Nephew. You must come back to her, alive and well so you can marry her.”

Zuko just smiled. His Uncle always knew what to say and when to say it. He made up his mind. He’s going to aske Toph’s hand and will come back to her. Iroh stood and motioned for Zuko to do so as well.

„Now, the first thing is the following...”

*

Toph woke up suddenly, her eyes popping open. She cried herself to deep sleep. Her eyes were red and puffy, her throat dry. She felt someone approaching. It was Zuko’s warm presence, and truly enough, he opened the door and walked inside the room. He raised his eyes to meet Toph’s. He saw the state she was in and knew instantly that she was crying. Toph never cry. Zuko knew that she did that because she fell into the same hole he did. Where he saw no hope.

But his Uncle showed him the new light, a new reason to fight. Not for a distant picture of the world, not for good. Fight for the one you love.

Toph jumped off the bed and flung herself at her love. Zuko felt her arms encircling his neck, her face buried in his chest. She wasn’t crying anymore but she clung to him desperately, afraid that he might disappear. Zuko softly but firmly pushed her away from him and knelt down. He raised his head to a puzzled Toph and opened his mouth. It was hard to find his voice but when he did, it came out full of strength.

“Toph. Please don’t interrupt me, because I might chicken out.” she just stared at him but nodded nonetheless.

“Toph, I love you. I love you more than I ever though I am capable of. You showed me feeling I never knew about. For that, I thank you. You are the sole reason for me to live... and things will stay this way.”

“I’m leaving today. I’ll go and face my Father and my own death. I don’t know for sure that I’ll return. So...” Zuko’s voice failed him again, all strength he had left him. He was unable to form the last words. He gulped loudly and took a deep breath. True to her word, Toph didn’t speak although she wanted to. She stared questioningly at Zuko but the boy just looked at the floor. Finally, his eyes met hears and he found his voice once again.

“Toph Bei Fong. You are the reason I live, our love is the power which fuels my heart to beat.” Zuko raised his open palms and formed small rings of fire on them. He placed them in front of her. Her emerald eyes mirrored the flames and the boy almost lost himself in them.

“You are the light in my life. You are the reason I will return after facing my death.”

For some odd reason Toph knew what he was about to say. She didn’t know why... she just did. She knew why the rings of fire were in front of her, knew why Zuko was kneeling. Why the formal speech, the praises... as the words left his lips, Toph’s heart crumbled from the overload of feelings.

“Toph... Will you became my Lady?”

It was done. He said it. It was hard, harder than anything he ever did but he did it. He saw the silent tears in Toph’s eyes, which formed without her noticing them. He saw her surprise but he also saw what he hoped he will... acceptance.

“Yes.”

It was nothing more than a whisper, nothing more than a faint breeze in the air. Toph extended her arms and tucked them through the rings of fire. As she did so, they turned into blue flames and then disappeared. Zuko stood and hugged her tightly. His fiancée. He was hers. She was his.

Forever.

*

The night was warm for Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. He was sitting in his tent and was cleaning his armour and weapon. He should be sleeping but he just simply couldn’t. The lemour Momo brought him a letter from his son Sokka who told him about a plan. An invasion plan. Hakoda didn’t know the details, only that he had to meet up with them as fast as he could.

The Water Navy was a couple of days far from the Western Air Temple. Unfortunately they had to take a detour because the river was encircling a large mountain right opposite of the valley where the Temple was. If they would just walk they could be there in a day but they just couldn’t leave the boats out in the open.

Hakoda was a bit nervous. He last saw his family on board of a Fire Nation battleship when Katara resurrected the Avatar. They didn’t depart on the best of terms, however. Hakoda was not satisfied with wath his children did and planned to do. They were only children... he knew how smart Sokka is and that Katara is a talented Waterbender but still... that was not enough to fight in a war.

But his words found deaf ears. They wanted to go with the Avatar no matter what. What was more infuriating was that they knew something he didn’t, something important but they decided not to share it with him.

Of course Hakoda was not angry with his children. He loved them and he knew (at least he hoped) that they loved him as well. They were too young to understand what it really meant to be at war.

Suddenly, Hakoda heard loud noises. Someone screamed, then a loud explosion and many more loud yells.

He swiftly jumped out of the tent but what he saw made him stop in his tracks. One ship was all blown up and many others were flaming. Blood stained the soil around the camp. Hakoda saw the red armoured figures running around the tents, setting them on fire and killing everyone they can find. Some of the crew fought against them but they were no match to the Firebenders.

A soldier ran to Hakoda. His face was bloody and his clothes were torn.

“Chief! It’s a surprise attack. they knew... everything!” he yelled “They knew our change of guard, they knew where we kept the food, everything! You must run!” at this, Hakoda just stared at the man. He? Run?

“I know what you are thinking but don’t! If you fight now you’ll get killed for sure! Go! Send word to the Avatar that we are attacked!” As much as he wanted to disagree, Hakoda knew the man was right. He would certainly die if he stayed and the others must know about this attack. They needed the fleet in their plans, they must get word that the fleet is no more.

“You are a good soldier.” Hakoda said and shook the man’s shoulder. Then he turned towards a narrow valley and ran. He didn’t look back, because he knew that his willpower he used to run would just die out if he saw his warriors fighting without him. He knew if he turn back now, he’ll probably jump into the fight. But now, the Avatar was important, maybe the most important of all.

He has to know...

*

Azula adjusted her Fire Nation clothes and looked at Zuko. He was working on making his looks and his clothes worn. Katara was busy making Azula’s hair and Ty Lee and Mai were already waiting for them near Appa. When Katara was ready, she stood in front of Azula and sighed. They said nothing. They didn’t need to say anything. They knew that they will be together again.

Aang stepped closer to the Princess and opened his arms. She didn’t wait and pulled the boy into a hug.

“And don’t try to escape your training. I want to see you fit, healthy and ready the next time we meet.” she said.

“I will be ready, I promise.” Aang said and broke the embrace.

Toph was sitting on a stone bench with Iroh, Sokka and Suki. Mai and Ty Lee were standing a little further from them. When she heard the others she turned to the exit of the temple. Zuko, Azula, Katara and Aang walked out to the terrace, fully in Fire Nation regalia. Toph stood before her love and stared into his eyes. Minutes passed like this, everyone eyeing the pair. Then finally Toph smiled and hit Zuko’s shoulder playfully.

“And don’t try to forget me.” she said “I’ll be waiting for you.” Zuko laughed a bit and kissed her lips.

“How could I forget my sadistic little Earthbender.”

“Yeah, I can hear the love in these statements.” Sokka exclaimed and earned a hit on the head from Suki.

Aang suddenly grabbed Azula’s arm and threw her on Zuko. The siblings fell on each-other and looked at Aang in surprise. Then the boy jumped on them and screamed: “Group hug the Firebenders!”

That was it. Everyone, including Iroh, Mai and Ty Lee jumped at Zuko and Azula, hugging them tightly. It started funny but it sure didn’t end funny. No one was laughing. No one was smiling. They knew: this could be their last group hug. This could be the last minute they spend together.

When they finally stood, Azula kissed Katara passionately and then silently jumped on the back of the bison. Mai and Ty Lee climbed Appa as well and took their seats in the saddle. Zuko was about to do the same when he felt someone tugging on his sleeve. He turned and saw Toph, her eyes watery but she was smiling. It was a happy, wide and childish grin, so accustomed to her features.

“This is not a good bye. This is just a see-you-soon.”

Zuko nodded and kissed her again. Then he jumped on the saddle too.

“Appa yip-yip!” yelled Azula and the bison ascended into the air. He turned towards the open sky and flew with speed. Neither Zuko nor Azula looked back at the people they loved the most. Toph and Katara. They felt if they looked back it would be final. Permanent. But it wasn’t.

It was not a good bye. Just a see-you-soon.

Hi. Another chapter. I hope it’s good enough for you to read and I surely hope it’s good enough to receive some reviews! Negative and positive reviews are welcome! Thank you.
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Can Fire melt? Ask the Earth