Chapter Text
The palace was dead quiet.
No guards talking. No servants moving. Just the faint crackle of distant torches and the steady rhythm of the trees surrounding the palace walls.
And then—
“Zuko.”
A pause.
“Sparky.”
A little louder this time, followed by a firm shaking the person gripping her waist.
The Fire Lord groaned, barely opening one eye.
Being a fire lord is hard, they never told that beforehand. it’s not about the gold and the riches, servants and palaces. So far zuko only experienced headaches due to meeting with his hard-headed council and chancellors and snuggling his wife while sleeping is one of his guilty pleasures.
“Is the palace under attack?” The soldiers would have protected them already.
“No.” Toph continues
“…Is Aang here with another crisis?” Barley audible
“No.”
Zuko exhaled, already sinking back into the side of his wife. “Then it can wait until—”
“It’s the baby…”
He pauses, rising his head back and opening his eyes slowly.
“They want Earth Kingdom mochi.” Toph pleaded, rubbing her almost 6 months pregnant belly
That got both his eyes open.
“…What?” Not trying to sound rude, not wishing to meet his pregnant’s wife wrath
“An Earth kingdom mochi” Toph sat cross-legged beside him, completely serious. “Fresh. Not the palace kind. The real kind....please”
Zuko blinked at her. Then at the window. Then back at her.
“Toph… it’s the middle of the night.”
“It’s 3 a.m.,” she corrected.
“That doesn’t make it better.”
Toph crossed her arms, not budging. “I’ve been thinking about it for an hour.”
“…An hour? You’re up since 2 am? Toph you need to—“
“Don’t question the process, sir.” she cuts him short, now she's starting to get annoyed.
Zuko dragged a hand down his face, trying to wake himself up. “Can this not wait until morning, dear?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I want it now.” she pouted
There was a pause.
Zuko stared at her, searching for even the slightest hint of compromise.
for agni sake why is my wife so adorable.
There was none.
Toph tilted her head. “You’re the Fire Lord. Don’t you have people for this?”
“Yes,” he said slowly, “but I don’t think ‘urgent mochi mission’ is in their job description.”
Toph smirked. “Sounds like poor management.”
Zuko let out a tired breath… then sat up.
“…What kind?”
Toph’s grin widened. “Sweet rice. Soft. Slightly warm. Please my love” giving him a quick kiss.
That will seal the deal
⸻
A short while later, the Fire Lord of the entire nation was wrapped in a cloak, hair hastily tied back, walking through the quiet streets of his own capital at an hour no ruler had any business being awake.
A single guard trailed behind him, confused but wise enough not to ask questions.
“Your Majesty,” the guard ventured carefully, “should I… inform the kitchens?”
Zuko shook his head. “No. It has to be from the Earth Kingdom district.”
“…At this hour?”
Zuko sighed. “At this hour.”
It took longer than he expected.
The palace guard never thought he would see the Fire lord roaming the streets at 3 am in the morning for his wife's cravings, he's been working in the palace for a while and in the past there are a lot of rumors the the fire lord almost immediately rejects a noble's proposal for an engagement, what they didn't know is the boss has already fallen in love to his past teammate/friend now wife.
A lot of knocking. A lot of confused shop owners. One very long explanation that mostly boiled down to “please, it’s important. My wife is pregnant” Aka the fire lady.
But eventually a small confectionary shop that operates at a very early hour has already opened.
Success. The shop owner then given a small token of appreciation (a sack of gold) in return.
A small box, still warm. An Earth Kingdom mochi.
Zuko actually looked relieved.
⸻
When he returned, Toph was exactly where he left her—except now she looked slightly more impatient.
“You took forever,” she said soothing her belly.
“It’s been less than an hour.”
“Too long, i miss you already” receiving zuko in a hug.
Zuko sighed with contempt, cannot resist kissing her lips and handed over the box anyway. “Here you go you’re majesty”
Letting go, Toph opened it immediately, the tension in her shoulders easing the second she felt the warmth.
“…mhhh, yeah. Worth it.”
Zuko watched as she took the first bite, completely focused.
“…Good?” he asked.
Looking at his adorable wife with absolutely adoration, it was worth watching. Toph nodded, already reaching for another. “You did good, Fire Lord.”
He let out a quiet huff, somewhere between amused and exhausted. “I crossed the capital at 3 a.m. for mochi.”
“And?”
“…And I’d probably do it again for you dear”
Toph smirked, softer this time. “Yeah. You would.”
A few minutes passed in comfortable silence.
Then Toph nudged the box slightly toward him. “You want one?”
Zuko hesitated. “…I did go through all that trouble.”
“Exactly.”
He took one, still warm, and sat beside her.
The palace was quiet again.
But now, it felt a little less empty.
------
It was the daily council meeting, in the past it's only Zuko dealing with the dunderheads councilmen but now even at 27 weeks pregnant, his wife forced her way to the meeting room, seating beside the king. But by the third trimester, some changes were harder to ignore. Like the way Toph would suddenly go still mid-conversation, one hand resting lightly against her stomach.
Stopping at his track, letting the other councilmen argue with each other, Zuko noticed it the first time immediately.
“What is it?”
Toph didn’t answer right away.
Then, quietly—almost surprised: “They moved.”
Zuko froze. “…Moved?”
Bubbled in their own world. Toph grabbed his wrist without warning and pressed his hand gently against her stomach. “Wait.”
He went completely still, like even breathing might ruin it. For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—A small, unmistakable shift.
Zuko’s eyes widened. “That’s—”
“Yeah,” Toph said, a grin breaking through. “That’s them.”
He didn’t pull his hand away. He didn't say anything else either, scared to even startled the baby. He just stayed there, feeling it again—lighter this time, but real.
“…That’s incredible,” he murmured. He felt complete, he kind of wish he was there for Toph when she had Lin.
Toph laughed quietly. “Told you.”
When he finally looked up, there was something softer in his expression—something almost awed. Toph pretended not to notice.
"Thank you Toph" he said almost teary eyed.
⸻
Sleep became… complicated.
“Zuko.”
A groan. “Mmm”
“I can’t get comfortable.”
“I’m sorry honey but i moved away already ten minutes ago.”
“And I meant it now”
Zuko pushed himself up, half-asleep but already moving. “Okay—wait. Try this.”
He adjusted the pillows behind her, then another under her knees, then hesitated before carefully guiding her to lean back.
Toph shifted.
Paused.
“…Okay, that’s better.”
Zuko nodded, already sinking back down. “Good.”
A beat.
“…Zuko.”
He sighed. “Yes, dear?”
“My back.”
“…i got you”
But he moved again anyway, hands warm as he gently worked the tension out of her shoulders.
Toph let out a quiet breath. “You’re useful sometimes.”
“i love you too.” satisfied and finally returning to dream land.
⸻
The palace staff learned quickly.
If Toph wanted something, it was happening.
Immediately.
“Is it true,” one servant whispered, “that she asked for roasted chestnuts, then changed her mind halfway through and demanded mangoes instead?”
Another nodded solemnly. “And His Majesty personally made sure she got both.” The servants giggled from the thoughtfulness of a poor husband of a pregnant woman.
Zuko, overhearing this later, didn’t even bother correcting them. It was true, he did that.
⸻
The imperial couple is hanging out in the palace garden, Toph though unwillingly-- seated on a metal stool rather than flopping on the earth covered grass due to her situation. Lin, on the other hand, took it in stride.
“You’re getting bigger, mom” she said bluntly.
Toph snorted. “Wow. Thanks Lin. Aren't you suppose studying with your tutor right now?" She retorted.
Zuko choked slightly in the background, cracking some god forsaken chestnut. Toph looked back at him, even not seeing she gave him a slight frown showing her displeasure with the father-daughter combo.
"Teacher Wong said i already finished the syllabus, and gave me an early out as a reward" she said boasting her achievement. Walking towards his dad, Zuko gave her a kiss in the forehead and satisfied 'good job' praise.
Lin crouched slightly toward her mother, frowning in concentration as she pressed her hand lightly to herb mother's belly “They’re strong.”
Toph smirked. “Of course they are," rubbing her belly for comfort.
“Stronger than other kids,” Lin added and started to talk to it.
Zuko blinked. “You can tell that already?” He can't believe at the age of 6, her daughter is already well aware.
Lin nodded. “Yep.” Popping the 'p' at the end, and continued talking to her mother's belly acting like the baby can hear her.
Toph leaned back, satisfied. “See? Elite bending runs in the family.”
Zuko crossed his arms. “We’re not turning this into a competition, Toph”
Toph raised a brow. “Too late.”
⸻
Some nights, though, were quieter.
No cravings. No arguments. No movement.
Just stillness.
Zuko found Toph on the balcony again, one hand resting absentmindedly over her stomach.
“You’re quiet,” he said.
“Don’t get used to it.” He stepped behind her anyway, hugging her.
After a moment, she spoke—more thoughtful than usual. “We’re really doing this again.”
Zuko nodded. “Yeah.”
Toph huffed softly. “Didn’t think I’d end up here.”
“Here being…?”
“Fire Nation palace. Fire Lady. You. Another kid.” She shrugged. “Life’s weird.”
Zuko glanced down at her. “Do you regret it?”
Toph didn’t even hesitate. “No.”
Then, after a beat: “You?”
Zuko shook his head. “Not even a little.”
That earned a small smile.
Later that night, as they settled back in, Toph shifted closer than usual, resting her head lightly against him.
Zuko stilled for a second—then relaxed.
“…my husband is warm,” she muttered.
“I’ve been told.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“I won’t.”
"I love you Zuko" Toph said releasing a satisfied sigh.
A pause. Then, softer—half-asleep: “Stay.”
Zuko didn’t move. "I love you too, Toph"
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said quietly.
Toph didn’t respond.
She was already asleep.
3
It started at night again. Of course it did. Toph is already at her Last week of pregnancy, in the middle of Autumn. Zuko woke to silence first—then to a shift beside him that didn’t feel like anything else they’d experienced before.
“Zuko.” Toph grabbed his shoulder to wake him up
His eyes opened immediately. “What is it?” Almost standing.
A pause.
Then, steady—but different:
“…It’s time.”
Everything in him went still.
“…Time for what?” His mind still half asleep, having an internal turmoil.
Toph turned her head slightly toward him now gripping his arm--hard , expression unreadable in the dark. “Are you serious right now?” Mad
That was all the answer he needed. Zuko was out of bed in seconds.
Pulling his robe unto his body, hair dis-arrange. “Okay. Alright. I—” He stopped, already moving toward the door. “I’ll get Katara. I’ll get Aang. I’ll get—”
“Zuko.” Toph called. He froze.
Toph’s voice was calm. Too calm.
“Breathe.”
He turned back.
She was still lying there, one hand resting over her stomach, completely steady. Now seating on the bed.
“I am breathing,” he said quickly. Putting his hand on his face, trying to calm down.
“No, you’re not.”
He realized she was right. He forced himself to inhale. Exhale.
“…Right. Okay.” already awake and awfully aware now.
Toph smirked faintly. “Better.” Reaching for his husband's hand, and gripping it firmly.
⸻
The palace turned into controlled chaos within minutes.
Katara arrived first, immediately shifting into focus. Aang wasn’t far behind, already sending for healers. Sokka standing next to Zuko, getting ready to catch him if he faints. The guards didn’t even know where to stand.
Zuko, looked like he was trying to personally hold the entire palace together with willpower alone.
"You need to calm down man" Sukko said while yawning, meanwhile Zuko is already pacing back and fort in front of the birthing chamber.
“Your Majesty,” one guard started.
“Not now.” still pacing
“Should we evacuate—”
“No.”
“Is there a protocol—”
“Katara is the protocol.” He said in a very serious way, making sokka laugh at his expression.
⸻
Inside the room, things were quieter than Zuko expected. Too quiet. It been almost 5 hours since the labor started and Toph is still not showing signs, the sun is already up and the people in the palace is already ready to welcome their newest member of royalty. Meanwhile Toph was still centered—grounded, even now. She’d refused the bed entirely and insisted on sitting upright on the birthing chair, one hand braced against the floor.
“I can feel everything,” she muttered at one point. Zuko can hear she's in pain but bracing it.
Katara nodded rubbing her back for support. “That’s good. Stay with it.”
Zuko hovered near the edge of the room, clearly unsure whether he was allowed to exist or not.
Toph tilted her head slightly. “You’re doing that thing again, Zuko”
“What thing?”
“The panicking thing.”
“I’m not panicking.”
“You’re doing it internally.”
Zuko opened his mouth—then closed it again. “…I don’t know what to do, Toph. I feel like i need to do something, honestly you’re doing incredible and I’m so proud of you. but seeing you struggle makes me feel like I'm a useless husband.” He sighed.
That honesty made her pause. Then she said, softer than before: “Then just stay.” reaching for him
So he did, he walked towards her and held her hand firmly.
⸻
Time blurred after that. She was finally ready to push, now lying down on the bed, beside her is Zuko- whipping his wife's forehead from time to time and offering the support he can. And on her feet is katara and the palace midwife.
There were instructions. Voices. Moments where Katara’s tone sharpened into command and then softened again.
Aang and sokka stayed outside the birthing chamber, steadying the palace while the king does his husband duties.
Zuko never left Toph’s side. At one point, she reached out without looking. He took her hand immediately.
She squeezed once—firm, grounding. “Don’t you dare faint on me,” she muttered.
“I wouldn’t—”
“You’re thinking about it.”
“…Maybe briefly.” Kissing her forehead.
That earned a short, breathless laugh from her.
⸻
Then everything narrowed down to a single moment.
A pause.
A shift.
And then—
A sound broke through the room that wasn’t anything like before. Not chaos. Not struggle.
Something new.
Something small.
The room went quiet.
Katara exhaled softly. “It’s a girl.”
Zuko didn’t move at first.
Toph didn’t either.
Then—carefully, as if the world itself had changed texture—Katara placed the baby into Toph’s arms.
For once, Toph didn’t speak immediately.
She just… held.
Still. Focused. Completely present.
Zuko stepped closer, almost afraid to interrupt.
“…Is she okay?” he asked quietly.
Toph tilted her head slightly, sensing. Then her expression softened in a way he rarely saw.
“Yeah,” she said. “She’s strong.”
A pause.
Then, with a faint smirk: “Obviously.”
Zuko let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
He looked at his wife “…She’s here,” he said. Giving her a kiss,
Toph nodded once. “Yeah.”
He hesitated—then sat beside her carefully, looking down at the child.
“So…” he murmured. “What now?”
Toph leaned slightly toward him, still holding the baby.
“Now,” she said simply, “we figure it out.”
Later that night, when the palace finally quieted again, it was just the three of them.
The baby asleep after Toph recently feed her.
Zuko didn’t move for a long time. He was beside his wife, offering comfort by hugging her and giving her warmth. Then quietly spoke “I was scared.”
Toph snorted softly. “Yeah. I noticed.”
He glanced at her then continued. "I was afraid i was going to lose you, I know this is not your first time giving birth but this is my first time seeing you so vulnerable and hurt. I feel so useless and loss, how i wish i can share your burden and pains earlier."
Toph giggled "You're such a softie, but thank you. You didn't noticed but you gave me strength during my labor, not gonna lie this girl is much harder than Lin. But you were there for me Zuko, you held my hand when i need something to grip at, and you never left when i asked you to stay. You did everything to make me comfortable and that is enough"
Toph looked down at the baby.
Then back at him.
Then, softer: “You stayed.”
Zuko reached over carefully, brushing his fingers against hers.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
Toph leaned slightly into him.
“…Good.”
And for the first time that night, everything was still.
Not tense.
Not uncertain.
Just whole.
Fin.