The Reason is Love (Zuko x Toph)
Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is owned by Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. This is simply fan work.
Author's note: Please note that this fanfic follows the events of the show, but it will not be completely faithful to the comics and may deviate in some areas. It also makes no reference to the Legend of Korra.
This is my first fanfiction. Constructive criticism would be much appreciated; I only ask that you remain respectful. God bless you all.
Chapter 15
“How about rocky?” “Come on! You can do better than that.”
“The boulder?” “Already taken.”
“By whom?”
“An old rival. Carry on.” “Green pants?”
“I don’t even know what green is…”
“This is hopeless!” “Don’t give up now, candlewax,” Toph pressed, tapping her foot impatiently. “You promised me a nickname.” “Technically, I didn’t promise anything,” Zuko retorted. “I don’t care. Just come up with something, Kindlespark!”
“Kindlespark?!”
“I see you two are having fun,” Ursa jested, having approached the two during their squabbling.
“Sure are, your highness,” Toph teased cheekily.
A soft smile grew on Zuko’s face. He wasn’t sure what had caused his friend and mother to bond so quickly, but he certainly wasn’t complaining.
Ursa then turned her attention to her son.
“I hate to interrupt, but I believe it’s your turn to give Kiyi her present, Zuko.”
Contrary to what anyone had expected, the outgoing princess insisted on a more private celebration for her sixteenth birthday.
Apparently, the idea of being presented to high society at an extravagant coming-of-age ceremony was far too daunting for the growing girl. Despite their disappointment, little complaint was recorded from the neighbouring nobility. Although Kiyi was still highly respected as royalty, her having been born as a commoner made her considerably less influential than her brother. As such, it mattered little that she preferred to celebrate with selective company.
Of course, Toph was part of said company. “Right, just a moment, Toph,” Zuko excused himself, his mother following close behind him.
Judging by the rhythmic vibrations from across the room, Kiyi was currently twirling in her new garments and jewellery, lovingly given to her by her parents. They were surely crafted by the most proficient artisans and weavers in the nation. A gift she could’ve only dreamed of before she became a royal.
‘Beating a gift like that will be a challenge’ Toph thought to herself, wondering what Zuko had gotten for his sister.
Her own surprise appeared to be taking its sweet time. Consequently, Toph made her way to the dining table and helped herself to the first dessert she could grab. Guessing the type of dish by how it tasted was a little game she liked to play. A perfect way to pass the time.
She couldn’t help but wish Iroh were there to entertain her with his pleasant conversation and corny jokes.
Unfortunately, having been occupied by his booming business, Iroh was unable to attend the party. However, a Messenger Hawk with a package and scroll that wished his ‘Wonderful Niece’ a happy birthday, proved Kiyi was still at the forefront of his mind. To the surprise of absolutely no one, the package contained a traditional fire nation tea set, ostentatiously decorated with golden illustrations of dragons.
Kiyi declared that from that day forward it would be the only tea set she’d ever drink from.
“Enjoying the food, Little Lady?” asked Noren, joining the young woman at the banquet.
The earthbender nearly choked on her snack, which considering the tangy flavour must have been a fruit tart.
Little Lady?
Not a bad nickname, as it light-heartedly mocked both her height and her lofty upbringing. Could it be that Zuko’s own stepfather was better at coming up with nicknames than himself? It took everything within Toph not to snicker, though she did allow a smile to show itself.
“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’,” said Noren.
After swallowing, Toph spoke up. “You bet. This is some of the best stuff I’ve had in years.” “Glad to hear it. Have you tried the Loco Moco? It’s my hometown’s signature dish. I asked the chef to prepare it, so Kiyi won’t forget her birthplace.”
“Even if I did try it, I wouldn’t know,” Toph replied, waving her hand in front her face.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine. Tell me about your hometown. It’s called Hira’a, right? Ursa mentioned it once but I hardly know a thing about it.”
“Honestly, there’s not much to say about it. It’s a very small village and almost everyone there are farmers. Me and Ursa grew up there. It’s where we fell in love.”
Toph paused briefly before asking, “I’m not saying she isn’t a catch, but what made you fall in love with her exactly?”
“Well, it sounds silly but when we were children, we would play together every day, and there was this one time… I don’t remember why exactly, but she kicked me in the stomach and shoved my face in the dirt.” “Ursa did that?”
Toph had never been more impressed. “She sure did. We were only six years old at the time, but in that moment, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.” “So she kicks you in the stomach and you decide you’re in love with her?”
A hearty laugh escaped Noren. “No, that’s not what I meant. I loved her way before then but that was the exact moment I realized she was the one. Surely you know what I’m talking about.”
Toph’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”
“Don’t you feel that way about Zuko?”
First Kiyi and now Noren?
Was everyone convinced Zuko and her were in love with each other? Either the rumours were becoming more exaggerated, or her and Zuko’s ruse had worked a little too well. Admirers will be much less likely to pursue Zuko if they believed he was truly infatuated, and not just casually dating an old friend of his.
How will he find a fiancé now?
Before Toph could object to the assumption, a joyous squeal came from across the room.
Kiyi, practically beaming with glee, hurtled toward the two. In her palm was an flute, so light it weighed almost nothing.
“Dad! Toph! Look at what Zuzu got me!”
“I don’t think that’s gonna be possible for me, Princess,” Toph said teasingly.
“My bad, Toph. It’s a Dizi.”
A Dizi.
Despite being confined to the Beifong estate in her youth, Toph was not deprived of an education. When she wasn’t in the middle of Yu’s mediocre earthbending lessons, she’d spend countless hours with her mother learning about etiquette, high society and the arts. This also included studies on instruments used in theatrical entertainment.
The Dizi had certainly made an appearance in those classes.
“You said you loved the music in ‘Love amongst the dragons’ back on Ember Island, so I thought you’d like one of the instruments.”,” Zuko chimed in, approaching the trio along with Ursa.
“Like it? I love it! Thank you, Zuzu," Kiyi exclaimed while embracing her brother warmly.
“Why don’t you try playing something, dearest?” prompted Ursa as she went to stand by her husband.
“Okay, Mom. Here goes..."
Bringing the Dizi to her mouth, Kiyi gave a sharp blow, causing a shrill, discordant note to ring throughout the room. Noticing her audience’s wince in discomfort, Kiyi stopped and awkwardly chuckled.
“Sorry, everyone.” “Looks like some music lessons will have to be arranged,” Noren remarked.
“I concur," a zany voice came from behind them.
The group turned to see Sokka, along with Aang, Katara and Momo at the entrance of the hall. Kiyi gasped in delight, while Zuko stood dumbfounded. Before he could ask any questions, a guard, whom Toph recognized as Yazhu, came forward.
“Your majesty, the Avatar has arrived to attend the princess’s birthday celebration, as well as his companions.”
“Hey! We have names, you know!” Katara badgered, as Momo chattered supportively on her shoulder.
“What are you all doing here?” Zuko finally asked, his smile radiating both shock and joy.
“I invited them,” Toph admitted, turning toward Kiyi. “Consider this my birthday present.”
“Toph made sure an invite would be sent to all of them as soon as she knew your birthday was coming up,” Ursa declared.
Katara went to hug the princess.
“Happy birthday Kiyi. It’s been too long.”
Eyes welling up with tears of happiness, Kiyi hugged her back with gusto.
“Thank you all so much for everything. You really made this the best birthday ever.”
“That was the plan,” said Aang jovially. “We came all this way just to celebrate with you.”
“And to congratulate Toph and Zuzu, right?”
Ursa, Toph and Zuko tensed abruptly, while the Gaang stared in confusion.
“Congratulate them on what?” asked Sokka.
“You don’t know? Toph and my brother are- “
“Kiyi!” Ursa interjected, turning all attention in the room to her. “Let’s not talk about that right now. Today is all about you sweetheart.”
Zuko sighed in relief.
Never had he been more grateful to have shared his secret with his mom. But as he turned toward Toph, he noticed she was still quite nervous. She could tell the group was still waiting for an explanation, and it seemed they all were due for a very awkward confession indeed.