Magma is Hot
Rating: Probably R
Pairing: Well duh Toko
Summary: 7 years after the war, people meet up and things happen. Things are starting to get interesting!!!
Credits for the Character Designs of older Toph and Zuko go to CrimsonPumpkin on deviantart.com
(This is what Toph and Zuko look like in the fic)
http://crimsonpumpkin.deviantart.com/gallery/11081779#/d3i8ztg
http://crimsonpumpkin.deviantart.com/gallery/11081779#/d2x425w
http://crimsonpumpkin.deviantart.com/gallery/11081779#/d2sry5m
http://crimsonpumpkin.deviantart.com/gallery/11081779#/d2qtksc
http://crimsonpumpkin.deviantart.com/gallery/11081779#/d2qhqlx
http://crimsonpumpkin.deviantart.com/gallery/11081779#/d2qf7v8
(Get the picture people?)
Chapter 2: No Way…
“Crazy Uncle Teapot comin’ in here, lecturing me, and making me blush. Who does he think he is?!?” Toph struggled to get the back of her work uniform tied. It was a simple light green robe, with a floral pattern printed up the left side of it that tied in the back. “I do NOT like him! Oh most certainly not, he’s just umm…dateable! That’s it dateable.” She reached up to touch her hair that bared much resemblance to her late friend Jet’s, only there was so much more of it. Just barely getting her hand free of the tangled mess, Toph reached out and grabbed her brush, beginning to attack her bed headed beast. “Ow! Geez if it were up to me I’d walk down there like this, but nooooo it doesn’t look professional. Ow!” Toph mentally cursed at herself for having this much hair, but much to her surprise this was the only time that it bothered her. Her hair slowly started to fall into strands that resembled fine silk. Her healthy coating of earth seemed to provide nutrients to her scalp, making her hair incredibly smooth and shiny. She reached up and began styling her hair; weird bun thing on the back of her head and random braid behind her left ear. “Now where’s that damn headband?” Toph had ditched her old childhood poof ball band and replaced it with a gift that was given to her by an old friend years ago. She ran her hand over her stone vanity, resting it when it reached the golden object. She took it in both hands and stared at it with her unseeing eyes.
*Flashback*
“Happy birthday Toph…” The young earthbender stared up at the teenage boy holding a box in his hands. Her hands slid across his as she accepted the gift.
“Thanks…but umm it’s not my birthday.” She could feel his heartbeat quicken, clearly he was embarrassed.
“Wha- but Sokka told me that it was! He told me he had this huge plan and everything!” Toph tried her very hardest to keep her laughter in, but she had no control. He actually believed Sokka. “What, why are you laughing?!?” Toph raised her hand to wipe a single tear away.
“Because you actually listened to Snoozles! I mean who does that?” She could sense the anger building up inside of him. He had been made a fool of and he was going to do something about it.
“Well sorry that I went through the trouble of getting you something! Now if you’ll excuse me there’s a certain watertribe warrior who’s going to get his ass kicked!” The teenage boy stomped away, thanking agni that the earthbender was blind and couldn’t see the very visible blush on his face. Toph smiled deviously to herself.
“He didn’t take the gift back~” She shook the box gently, not wanting to damage the goods inside. Toph stopped abruptly, she’d had gotten enough vibrations to ‘see’ what was inside the box. She let her head hang low as a warm feeling crept onto her face. Toph slowly made her way back to camp, ignoring the pleads and begging’s from Sokka to “stop the madness”. She walked past her teenage gift giver and punched him hard in the arm. After all it was her way of showing affection. She continued her walk past the two boys and ignored the questions from Katara and Aang about what was in the box. As she made her way to the far end of the camp, Toph bended an earth tent around her and sat down. Her hand traveled to the top of the box and pulled the ribbon. She wished she could see the ribbon’s color. Was it blue, green, red, or maybe purple? She’d never truly know. Her hand now traveled back up to the top of the box and opened it. Ever so gently, Toph took the headband into both her hands. She traced its golden triangular shape and down to the sides where the dark pink flowers rested. It was beautiful, simple but beautiful. She gently placed it back in the box along with the ribbon not wanting to damage it. Toph laid down next to her box and smiled.
“Thanks Sparky.”
Toph sighed and placed the band on top of her head.
“I better head downstairs now.” She rose up from her seat and made her way to the door, stopping when she reached it. Toph rested her forehead against the door and closed her eyes. “What I wouldn’t give just for things to be like they use to…” Toph opened the door and made her way down the stairs.
The Jasmine Dragon was buzzing with people; morning was always the worst part of the day. People trying to wake themselves up on their way to work, it was relentless. Toph mentally swore at herself, people were always the crabbiest in the morning and she herself wasn’t rainbows and butterflies like Ty Lee in the morning. She walked over to the cabinet and took out some jars and a bowl. Toph was in charge of making the few pastries that they sold at the Jasmine Dragon. Iroh had each ingredient assigned to a certain container. Each container was made from a different kind of stone, he wanted Toph to be able to tell what she put in the food, but didn’t want to make it too easy for her. She put the ingredients into a bowl and stirred until the dough become too thick to stir. She then began to knead the dough, then ripping it into even pieces. After putting a glaze over each bun, Toph popped them into the oven and began to ready the next batch.
“Ishiko I need you to deliver this tray to table 13.” Toph shifted her gaze over to Iroh and raised her eyebrow.
“Are those boys there again?” Iroh kicked his feet across the floor, a very innocent expression plastered across his face.
“Yeah…” Toph slammed her hands on top of the counter making dents where her hands made contact.
“Uncle you know how much I hate those guys! They’re always trying to take me out, I don’t need that!” She lifted her hands up off the counter, bending the dents back to normal as she did so.
“Yes, but they are paying customers, and I have to start brewing more batches of tea.” Toph took a deep breath and pointed an accusing finger at Iroh.
“You do this to me every time there are boys in the Jasmine Dragon! They’re all punks just looking for a good time!”
“But I need to start making more tea!” Toph rubbed her temples and mumbled under her breath. Seriously, couldn’t they take a hint?
“Fine, I’ll give them their tea! But if they never come back here again then it’s their own fault.” Toph walked over to Iroh and grabbed the tray of tea from him. She balanced the tray on one hand and made her way towards the door. “Those sweet buns need to come out of the oven, don’t forget.” Iroh grinned as she made her way out the door.
Toph approached the table, bargaining with the spirits to make her trip as quick and painless as possible. But come on this is Toph, is anything that simple? She could feel their gazes as she placed the tea before them. Toph would have shivered if she was any other girl, but she had dealt with these morons before.
“Just let them say what they have to say and leave, simple as that.” She set the last cup down, relieved that none of them had said anything. She began to walk away until there was an unexpected tug at her uniform.
“Where ya goin’, don’t ya wanna stay with us a little longer Ishiko?” Toph felt the urge to gag. Even if it wasn’t her real name it still sounded wrong coming from his lips.
“Please let go of my clothes.” She calmed herself before speaking. She had been warned by Iroh many times about snapping at the customers and starting the day off fighting meant an extremely stressful day for her.
“Oh come on don’t be like that. We like your company; it just feels right when you’re around. You can’t tell me that you don’t feel it.” This guy was making her stomach flip in ways that only Zuko’s cooking could do.
“Nothing feels right about these guys at all!” Toph turned to face them; she showed no expression they didn’t deserve it. “Look my job is to bring the tea to customers. I don’t need to stay and make small talk if I don’t want too.” All their bodies stiffened at her words. It made her feel slightly better knowing that her words affected them that much. She was about to walk away again until one of the teens spoke.
“Why don’t you ever look at us when we speak to you?” Toph could tell that they were getting aggravated, boosting her mood. A small smirk crept onto her lips as she spoke, “Because I don’t see anything when I look at you.” The boy closest to Toph stood at her reply, he had the shortest temper out of all of them.
“Listen Ishiko, you’re gonna sit here with us and enjoy it or else.” He was closing the little distance in between him and Toph. Things were getting heated; this is exactly the kind of situation that she wanted to avoid. Toph could ‘feel’ that the boy still had his glass cup in his hand. This was the perfect chance for her to try her new skill in action, glassbending. Toph shifted her left foot and gripped her right hand closed, shattering the glass cup. “What the fuck?!?” The glass cut the boy’s hand in 3 places, and blood started to drip down his arm. The noise caught the rest of the store’s attention; everybody was staring trying to figure out what was happening. Iroh emerged from the kitchen and made his way over to Toph.
“What happened here?” Toph took the opportunity to speak before the boys could.
“This man started getting angry because I wouldn’t stay, so he broke our glass Uncle.”
“What?!? No the glass just broke! I didn’t do anything!” Iroh looked at the boys and then at Toph. He sighed and turned to the group.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you and your friends to leave.”
“I didn’t fucking do anything! You saw it guys! It just broke!” Iroh’s furrowed his eyebrows and straightened his back, making him look slightly more intimidating.
“I said leave my shop now!” Their bodies tensed and they nearly tripped over each other as they scrambled to the door.
“I’m never going back there again!” They rushed down the steps and disappeared into the streets of Ba Sing Se. Iroh relaxed his body and exhaled his held in breath. He looked at the shattered glass down on the ground.
“I’ll go get the broom and clean this up.” Iroh turned to leave, but Toph put her hand on Iroh shoulder stopping him.
“No need.” She bent down and placed her hand over the glass pieces. Her hand open at first and then she bent her fingers as she raised her hand. The glass pieces came together and the cup reassembled. Toph took the cup and placed it in her sleeve, hiding it from the curious customers. Iroh gapped at her; he was in complete shock. “Keep your mouth open like that and the flies will make a home in it.”
“How did you do that?” Toph smiled at Iroh, it was trick she picked up one day practicing sandbending.
“Glass is just melted sand Uncle. Once you understand sandbending, glassbending comes naturally after that.
“So you shattered the glass?” She nodded her head. There was no denying it, might as well just tell him.
“They were getting too close to me. Things could have gotten way worse if I hadn’t of broken it.” Toph was right; more things in the Jasmine Dragon would have been broken, things that Toph can’t fix so easy. Iroh stroked his beard nodding his head.
“Very well, just don’t make a habit of it young one. Now could you please go retrieve our mail from the messenger hawk?” Toph turned and walked towards the entrance of the Jasmine Dragon where the hawk usually perched. It made a delightful screeching noise it saw her approaching. Toph always got the mail and made sure to give the hawk a little treat for his efforts.
“Hey there little guy, what’cha got for me today?” The hawk screeched again, bouncing up and down and flapping his wings happily. He hopped over to Toph’s shoulder and rubbed his head against hers. She laughed, “Alright, alright nice to see you too. Now let me get the mail!” The hawk made his way down to Toph’s wrist, his back facing her. She reached up and popped the top off the canister on the hawk’s back. A very heavy official feeling scroll fell out into Toph’s hand as she tilted it. “Well, well, well, I guess the Dragon of the West isn’t as well hidden as he thought he was.” Toph reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small piece of meat, tossing it to the hawk. “Thanks little buddy, I’ll see you later.” The hawk screeched one more time and took off into the skies.
“Uncle, we got a scroll!” Toph rushed through the tables and made her way to Iroh.
“Really, well let me have a looks see.” She handed the scroll over to him. Iroh took it in both of his hands inspecting the parchment. The paper was a deep red, with black ends and a black ribbon with golden tips. The Fire Nation seal was clasped to its bounds. “It’s from the Fire Nation.” Iroh pulled one of the ribbon’s ends and uncoiled the scroll. He began to read it slowly in his head (seemed like an eternity to Toph) before saying anything. He chuckled, “Well, this is a most unexpected turn of events.”
“What, what is it?” Toph’s heartbeat quickened waiting for his reply. He was taking too long to tell her! Couldn’t he see that? “Come on, out with it!” Iroh closed the scroll, and turned to Toph, a huge smile on his lips.
“It seems that we have been invited to Miss Ty Lee and Miss Mai’s wedding.” Toph’s eyes went wide and her jaw dropped to the floor.
“Wait, what?!? When did this happen? When did they happen?” Her mind was going a mile a minute. “Mai and Zuko were together! When did they break up? How do you even get little Miss Monotone to even fall for a girl like Bubbles? I guess opposites really do attract.” Her thoughts came to a complete stop when she realized one important detail. “So Princess never got married.” Toph smiled to herself keeping her head low. No need for Iroh to see it. “So how late was this message Uncle?”
“It seems to be about a week late and…oh this is troubling.”
“Great now what?” Iroh rubbed the back of his neck, feeling suddenly drained.
“Well it seems that there is going to be an airship picking us up.” Toph raised an eyebrow, “When?”
“Tonight.”
“Who’s going to watch the shop? We can’t just leave it here!” Iroh sighed there wasn’t really much he could do.
“I’ll just over brew batches of tea and have the owner of the Sweet Lotus run this place for a little bit.” It really was the only possible choice. If they closed the Jasmine Dragon there were sure to be some form of riot in their absence. People in Ba Sing Se really did enjoy their tea. “Go upstairs and start packing. I’ll close the shop as soon as the morning rush is over.” Toph handed Iroh the tea cup and headed towards the stairs. Her mind began to race again as she realized that they probably weren’t the only ones invited.
“Everybody is going to be there. It’s been so long. I’m not really sure what to do when I get there. Do they even know that I’ve been staying with Iroh? Ugh this is so bothersome!” Toph made her way to her room and began to change into her training clothes. She might as well be comfortable for the trip to the Fire Nation. Toph grabbed her bag and started to cram her stuff in it. She was never really a neat person and the stuff was just gonna end up on the floor anyways. She finished early and made her way to her window sill, sitting on it and looking out at Ba Sing Se. Toph could feel a calming breeze wash over her body. She rested her head against the wall and fell asleep listening to Iroh talk with the owner of the Sweet Lotus.
Zuko was rushing around the palace trying to get everything ready for his Uncle’s arrival. He hadn’t seen him in seven years! Zuko always meant to visit, but being the Fire Lord and all made him quite the busy person. He especially needed his Uncle the most when Mai revealed to him that she was in fact a lesbian and that Zuko helped her realize it. That one didn’t make him feel so hot. So Zuko never got the chance to visit which means he had no idea that Toph, his childhood friend was staying with him.
“Hey Aang, are the rooms all in check?” The rest of the Gaang arrived 3 days ahead of time to help with the wedding and anything that the Fire Lord needed help with. After all he is only 24.
“Yeah everything should be in check.”
“Are you sure? Beds are made, carpets cleaned, floor shined, furniture dusted?”
“Yes, yes, yes everything has been taken care of my friend.” Aang walked over to Zuko and placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s ok, I’m sure he’s very proud of you.” Zuko turned his head towards Aang and smiled.
“Thank you.” Aang nodded his head and walked down to the end of the hallway and then disappeared somewhere into the palace. Zuko made his way towards his throne room. There really wasn’t much to do except wait. He sat there on his fluffy pillow bored out of his mind. “Spirits, how did father do this all day? This is so freaking boring!” He began to play with the tassels at the end of his pillow when one of his Elite Guards walked in.
“My lord your Uncle has arrived, shall I bring him in?” Zuko jumped off his pillow motioning his hand to allow his Uncle to be brought in. The guard walked over to the door and allowed Iroh through. Zuko’s heart sped up rapidly as he saw his Uncle walking towards him. He missed him so much and couldn’t believe that he was going to finally spend time with him again.
“Uncle!” Zuko met Iroh halfway and embraced him in a giant bear hug. It felt so good to be around him again. “How was your trip? There wasn’t any trouble, was there?” Iroh let go of his nephew, “Everything was fine, but your guards need to learn how to play Pai Sho better.” Zuko chuckled, “Same old Uncle.” He stopped and looked at Iroh he was quite puzzled for a second. “Um Uncle, did you not bring any luggage?” Iroh smiled and crossed his arms.
“Of course I did! My lady friend is bringing them in.” Zuko smiled, his Uncle finally found somebody to love. It had been ages since his aunt passed away it was good that he finally got back out there. “She was right behind me though…”
Just then a young girl walked in arguing with one of the guards, “Yeah, yeah, yeah I’d like to see The Boulder try and take the Champion title in the next Earth Rumble! He hasn’t got a snowball’s chance in hell!” Zuko was taken back by her beauty. Her long flowing hair, toned muscles, and curves sent shivers down his spine and to somewhere else...
“Uncle this is your girlfriend?” Iroh looked at the young firebender and chuckled, “What, no she is my lady friend; not my girlfriend!” Zuko looked at her again and his heart rate increased rapidly. She approached the two men and stopped as soon as she felt a certain someone’s heart rate.
“Jeez take a breather there Zuko.” Zuko furrowed his eyebrows. He was completely confused.
“I’m sorry, but have we met before?” The young girl put her hands on her hips and shook her head.
“Come on Sparky it hasn’t been that long!” Zuko hadn’t heard that name in ages! He looked at the girl again. Her dark hair and clothing were so familiar to him, but he couldn’t place his finger on it. It wasn’t until his gazed wondered to her eyes and headband did it finally strike him.
“Toph?!?” She looked up and gave him a devious smirk.
“In the flesh.”