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Zuko knew he was still red in the face as he tried to put a great deal of distance between him and the lake. Yue shined the path ahead of him and he worried that one of his friends were also awake to see his visibly flustered appearance, quite unlike for a Fire Lord to act. Glad as he was to reunite with his friends and be able to be free of responsibilities for a few days, he knew of their natural tendency to be nosy and if there was someone else awake aside from him and her, he would be forced to tell what had gotten him agitated and unkept. He finally noticed the campfire that they long since abandoned when all decided to rest and he breathed a sigh of relief to see that no one was occupying the space.
Unbidden, his thoughts brought him back to what happened a few moments ago and to his horror the warmth that was receding before came back forth in full force. He was honestly checking left and right to see if she would be following him, ready to throw his face into the dirt and bury him so that he would never be able to see the light of day, but no one was there, and he was all alone. Zuko tried to calm his erratic heartbeat and tried to think logically, away from pale skin and toned body, and long, long, long, black hair but deep down he knew that it was futile and that the image was burned to his memory for life.
It was an accident, a welcomed accident on his part, but nonetheless it was something that he never planned on doing or seeing, as he held her in high regard and well, he really wasn’t the kind of person to watch someone while they wash themselves. It’s just that he was hypnotized and stood for far too long that she was able to sense his presence, and he couldn’t bring it to himself to admit that he wasn’t trying to be a pervert. Releasing a disgruntled sigh, he settled on a log and recalled the events that played out recently, blushing like a maiden being courted.
Zuko woke up to one of the rooms in the Western Air Temple, not knowing what it was that disturbed his sleep. Knowing his tendency to have a hard time falling asleep once he was awakened, he settled on sitting at the edge of his room and let the cold breeze bite into his skin as he marveled at the night sky. Contentment settled into his bones as he thought back on the years that passed after the war, there was still a lot of work to be done and reparations were still ongoing, but he was proud of the way his nation was flourishing and how his people welcomed the peace they so longed for. Of course, there were still pockets of resistance that he and his friends were trying to extinguish, but he knew that it would be a while before they were able to track it all down.
His thoughts drifting to his friends, he thought back on how they have grown and changed over the years. He was honored to have met such strong individuals, and while there was a part of him that mourn for their lost childhood, he was proud of how each people in their group took up a mantle in bringing back the balance among the four nations once the war ended. Unprompted, his thoughts brought him back to a predicament that he found himself in lately, or more particularly the feelings that bloomed in his chest each time he saw a particular member of his group. Toph, perhaps, had changed the most out of the group, gone was the brash and callous rebel who scammed her way into the Fire Nation and in its place was a warrior with a fierce disposition that often leaves him breathless. She was not made of soft curves and willow smiles that Katara has, her element was the most physical among the four, and strong, nimble limbs made sure to make its power known. If Zuko had to find a word to describe her appeal to him, it would be unique and strong and fearless.
She was ready to take on anyone who would dare to slight her, always leading them to fight and knowing when to defend them when enemies break their line. It wasn’t intentional, him developing feelings for her, it planted itself in his chest when he saw her when she was sixteen, sown and watered itself when they were reunited to crush the pockets of resistance that plague the lands, and grew and bloomed when she saved him from a fatal shot that someone had aimed towards him.
He was sure that everyone knew of his adoration for their resident earthbender, even herself. After all, he could never hide his heartbeat to her and lying was never his strong suit. Her cheeky attitude and bold countenance often leave him like a bumbling teenager that made the others laugh but inside it thrilled him of her passionate responses.
Sighing, he took himself out of his musings and decided to take a dip at the lake near the temple. Walking around the corridors and hearing his footsteps echo, he turned to where the entrance was and was greeted of the campfire they set up earlier. He went passed it and walked the path that would lead him to where he knew the lake was. Earlier in the afternoon the group had decided to goof around and sparred with one another, and he wanted to wash away the remnants of their sparring. Arriving at the place, and sure of himself that he was alone, he started stripping his shirt off and was well on his way of dropping his pants when he heard a splash that disturbed the quiet around him.
Turning to where he was sure he heard the sound, the breath was stolen from him and he felt himself freeze at the sight that greeted him. Yue was shining brightly behind her, and only bathe them in an ethereal glow that made him thought he was in the presence of a water spirit at first. Her long inky black hair was free of its confines and splayed in the water. Pale skin as if it hadn’t been able to experience the warmth of sun almost blinded him and his keen eyes could see the muscles that promise strength. Her body was angled in a way that showed enough for a feast but still teased him of a promise for more. He was mesmerized and bugs could enter his mouth should they want to for the way it was hanging open. Zuko was not sure how long he stared but it was enough for the object of his affection to sense that she was not alone. Turning her direction towards where he was, he was greeted with a vision that made his knees lose its strength and almost buckled under the heavy stare in which she gave him.
“I know someone’s there. Who are you?” Toph’s voice broke the silence and he almost felt small for the way she stood just a few ways from him, unabashed and confident of her body and so Toph that it made his heart ache for her more. Zuko must have let out a sound for her confused and guarded expression transformed to one of recognition and a teasing manner.
“Sparky? Are you watching me take a bath?” There was a hint of threat hidden beneath the mocking tone she held.
“N-no. I was just... it’s night, and water. And you know.” Inwardly he was cursing himself for the way his tongue refused to work.
“Right. I’m pretty sure even Appa or Momo wouldn’t be able to understand what you’re saying right now. Though Snoozles might be able to what with his eloquence and prowess in poetry.” She jested, still unashamed and showing most of herself to him. He really should look away from her so that maybe his brain would work for him and save him from an impending death. No words came forth from his mind and they were left in a silence once again.
“Are you just going to stand there and continue being a creep?” Toph finally said when no words came from him, and dare he say it he could detect laughter in her voice. He finally shook himself from the spell that bounded him and forced his eyes to look away. Mumbling, he apologized to her and hurriedly took his shirt from where he discarded it from the floor.
“I’m sorry. I was just going to take a bath but uh, I see that you uh, have the same idea. I’m just going to go now and leave you to it.” He kept his eyes down and made his feet turn around to run as far as he can. He couldn’t manage to bring himself far enough to not hear the laughter that echoed from her, turning him redder than cherry.
Letting out a grunt and almost pulling his hair out for embarrassing himself like that, Zuko almost wanted to light himself on fire for the way he acted earlier. Engrossed as he was to his self-loathing, he didn’t notice the footsteps behind him until a voice spoke.
“Oh you’re sill awake, Sparky.” He must have jumped in a way that almost resembled Aang one time when he sneezed, and the air took him a few feet away from the ground. He was almost afraid to turn around and face her but he gathered what was left of his courage and looked back.
“I uh, I couldn’t sleep.” He started, surprised that his voice was calm though his heart was anything but that.
“Is that why you were planning on going for a swim?” Her head titled in a way that was endearing and a soft smile graced his face.
“Yes, listen I’m sorry for disturbing you earlier. It was not my intention to uh you know.” Zuko wanted to smack himself again, he was doing well earlier but somehow, he resorted back to his bumbling self. He looked back at Toph to see her pondering in front of him before a smirk lit up her face.
“Hmm, not your intention to stay and watch?” She started and Zuko felt cold from the way she stood in front of him, unconsciously he made himself stand just to take a step back from her while he waited for her to continue.
“You could have joined me you know.” She finished cheekily and laughed for the way that Zuko took on a rigid stance before bolting for his room.
Zuko ran as if his life depended on it, heart pounding and redder than his nation’s color. This girl, he thought as a smile took up his face and he let out a laugh. This girl could take me apart with her words, he finally thought at last.