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The night had fallen cold and damp over the camp.
Those were the kind of nights that slipped under your clothes, stiffened your fingers, and sank into your bones.
Sokka had insisted it "wasn’t that cold." Bit five minutes later he was completely wrapped in his sleeping bag and blankets, glued to Appa’s furry side like a parasite.
Katara and Aang were sleeping near the fire.
Toph was a little farther away, having disappeared long ago under her blankets.
And Zuko, away from everyone, couldn’t sleep.
But not because of the cold.
He lay there staring at the sky from his sleeping bag, hands behind his head, jaw tense.
He closed his eyes, then opened them again thirty seconds later.
Great.
Then he felt something shift against him.
Zuko immediately tensed, one hand going straight to where he had left his swords.
Something small bumped into his side.
Then a hand, and then freezing feet.
He opened his eyes wide.
Toph was half asleep, completely wrapped in a blanket, crawling toward him as if it made perfect sense.
Zuko looked at her, confused.
Her eyes were still closed.
"What are you doing?"
"Cold," she murmured.
And, as if that explained absolutely everything, she settled against him.
Zuko stayed rigid. Wouldn’t it be better to be near Appa? Or the fire?
Toph rested her head on his arm and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Much better."
"Toph."
"Mm."
"Why are you here?"
"Because you’re hot."
Zuko’s cheeks turned red.
Zuko looked around the camp in case anyone was watching what was happening.
But everyone was asleep.
"Don’t move," Toph said when he tried to pull away slightly.
So Zuko stopped trying to reclaim the arm Toph was using as a pillow.
"Your arm is mine now."
Zuko exhaled slowly through his nose.
"You know, most people ask permission before invading personal space."
"Most people don’t generate heat."
Zuko didn’t know how to respond to that. And yet, something in his chest shifted.
Toph snuggled even closer until she was practically pressed against him.
Zuko looked down.
Still unable to believe Toph was using him as a blanket. She buried her face deeper against his shoulder.
Zuko listened to the campfire crackling while Toph’s light weight rested against his side.
Toph’s breathing began to slow against his shoulder.
Five minutes later she was deeply asleep, but Zuko stayed awake a while longer.
Just watching her rest beside him.
Listening to Toph’s calm breathing.
Feeling the steady warmth pressed against his side.
Since he had joined the group—the Gaang—for the first time in a long while he didn’t feel the need to stay alert, or watch the fire, or wonder if he truly belonged on that team.
On the contrary, he didn’t feel completely alone.
Because, beside him, someone was sleeping as if he were a safe place.