Work Text:
Zuko didn’t mind the cold; as a firebender, the heat he could generate helped him handle it without much trouble, even in the harshest climates.
But for Toph, it was bothersome.
"Being the Fire Nation…" she murmured, arms crossed in the middle of the hall, "I’m freezing here."
The palace was huge, and those high ceilings, the cold stone, and the drafts that slipped in made it feel more like ice than warmth.
Toph stomped the floor, irritated.
"There are fireplaces and braziers," Zuko replied, without taking his eyes off some documents he was reviewing.
"I don’t want to stay next to them all the time, Sparky"
Before Zuko could respond, the wind blew through, moving the branches of the tree and rattling the windows, as if the cold was trying to sneak into the hall. Toph shivered, and Zuko, who had briefly looked up to watch her, noticed.
He stood and positioned himself in front of her. Toph was ready to shoot another sharp remark…
But she couldn’t. Because suddenly, Zuko wrapped his arms around her.
Toph froze.
"What… are you doing?" she asked, her voice losing some of its usual edge for once.
"You’re the one complaining about the cold," he replied, as if it were obvious. "I’m giving you heat."
"This is absurd," she said immediately, though she didn’t pull away. A slight shiver ran down her back, and unconsciously, she leaned a little closer to him.
"Seems like you don’t want to move away."
Zuko let out a breath that dangerously resembled a laugh.
"Don’t start."
Toph huffed, but didn’t move, even resting her head against his chest. And although she couldn’t see his expression, she was sure he was smiling. That irritated her.
"This is still a very poor solution!" she added, as if she didn’t enjoy it.
"It seems very practical to me," he murmured. "But… you should go to bed and warm up more."
Toph was surprised; a sly smile spread across her face.
"Who would have thought you’d make me an indecent proposal, Hothead," she said teasingly.
"I didn’t mean that!" Zuko exclaimed, his face red. "I still have work."
"Still?" Toph kept smiling.
"No… I…," he stammered, cheeks flushed.
She laughed, and instantly, Zuko pressed a hand against her forehead.
"I think you’re getting sick," he added, concerned.
"I’m fine," she replied, though he could see her cheeks were slightly flushed. Was it from being so close?
He tried to pull away just to look at her better, but Toph didn’t let him. She wasn’t about to give up that source of warmth, much more comforting than any fireplace. Instead, she hugged him tighter, holding on without intention to let go.
"You’re still shivering," Zuko murmured after a few moments.
"Shut up and keep being useful, Hothead."
Zuko let out a quiet laugh and rested his chin on top of her head.
Normally, Toph would already be teasing him or pushing him away. The fact that she kept holding onto him like that only convinced Zuko even more that she was getting sick.
Without saying a word, he held her a little tighter, letting the warmth of his body envelop her completely.