A Brother's Fire
Adjusting
Toph hadn't spoken to him in five days. And if anyone asked, she certainly wasn't pouting… or hiding in her room.
"Toph, come on, you've been in there for days." Katara said through the doorway.
"No!" Toph screamed, the earth giving a shake.
"Toph, Mai and I could really use your help."
Ah, and there was the word that started this whole ordeal; Mai.
It's not like Toph had anything against her personally, she'd hate any girl who decided to marry her brother. And Mai just happened to be that girl. Seeming to realize her mistake, Katara tried again.
"Toph, c'mon you can't let Zuko fend for himself. You're hurting him by sulking in here."
Curse the Sugarqueen, Toph thought for knowing her weaknesses.
"Fine," the earthbender said stomping towards the door and nearly wrenching it off the hinges. She glared up at the older teen.
"But only because Zuko can't handle those annoying wedding planners by himself." And with this they headed to the main courtyard; Toph pretending she couldn't hear the lilt in Katara's steps.
It was hard, knowing that in a couple of weeks Sparky would be married. Not that it made much of a difference, Toph thought bitterly. Zuko was practically married to Knives already so therefore he had little to no time with her. His little—powerful—earthbending sister. Katara looked down to her friend and frowned.
"Toph, it's not like Zuko is…"
"Shut it, Sugarqueen."
Katara, for once, was silent.
The girls stepped out into the courtyard and Tophs misty green eyes widened.
"What happened?"
"Like I said, we could really use your help."
"No, kidding." Toph breathed.
The main court yard was filled with tables, merchants from all around the world surrounding them, all the court workers trying to convince Zuko and Mai that this is what they needed for the wedding, the couple being dragged around by Ling and his ten different wedding planners. It also didn't help that Sokka was arguing and second guessing every piece of clothing, food and decoration they came by.
"Zuko, Mai! Look at these cloths! They'd be so pretty for the columns." Aang screamed flying up to them, holding a bundle of mix matched silks. And while Toph couldn't see, she could definitely feel Zuko's frustration; even Mai was beginning to tense.
Toph let out a sigh.
"Okay, move it people, powerful earthbender walking here!" She yelled stomping through the crowd and shoving Ling out of the way who was arguing with Aang about taking things without paying for them.
"But I was going to bring them back!" He squeaked.
"Toph," Zuko said practically sighing in relief. Toph felt her heart flutter.
"Okay, let's set some ground rules. I'm blind, I have very little patience, and I'm the world's greatest earthbender. So don't bore me." Toph said to Ling and his drones all of them breaking out in a nervous sweat.
"Very well, ambassador Toph." Ling stuttered.
Toph smirked, "then let's get started!"
Everything ran smoothly after that, Ling led them to each booth and showed Zuko and Mai what each merchant had to offer while Toph made sure Ling and his wedding planners didn't bombard the engaged pair with fifty-thousand questions, along with their own personal preferences. She also made sure to earthbend Sokka out of the court after his indecisive ramblings—he was such a woman.
But it was in this time, Toph was truly able to observe the couple. She watched whenever Zuko would get impatient, Mai would place a hand on his shoulder, and the Fire Lord would sigh and calmly wait. She watched when Ling began speaking to Mai about archaic traditions upheld by the Fire Lady and how to properly look; Zuko would interject and suggest a different option. He would look to Mai and she would meet his eyes,
"I guess that's fine," she would answer but Toph felt Mai's heart flutter, when they came to the catering table and Ling began droning, Toph paused momentarily.
And watched Mai lean over and whisper something in Zuko's ear. She heard him give a strangled laugh. And while Mai never changed; her hand gave Zuko's an affectionate squeeze.
The earthbender's eyes widened, she never realized how alike Zuko and Mai were. Both committed to everything they did. And for all their different faults both complimented the other.
"Toph?" Mai asked bringing the girl back to the present, to where Ling was yelling, Aang was flying around with the 'stolen goods', Katara and Suki were sighing, and Zuko looked ready to firebend everyone into oblivion.
"Okay, break it up!" The court yard violently shook.
As the evening passed Mai found herself sitting by the turtleduck pond, resting beneath the old oak. Toph wandered over and flopped down, Mai opened her almond shaped eyes and raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Fine, I give." Toph huffed not looking to the girl. When Mai didn't speak Toph continued,
"You can marry Zuko… and I won't try and spike your drink."
"That's very fortunate." Mai answered simply, her voice holding no emotion but the girl could sense her relief.
"Ah, don't be so emotional Knives, it just would've been harmless Cactus Juice."
After a moment a smirk crossed Mai's lips.
"Then I suggest you hold onto that for the after party."
While Toph stared, Mai gracefully rose from the ground and held out her hand. Toph took it and pulled Knives into a bone crushing hug.
"I'll take you up on that." Toph said before leaving and she knew it was as close to 'thank you she'd get from Knives. Which was fine, just another thing Zuko and Mai had in common. Still, the earthbender didn't call Mai out on the bright smile that spread across her face.
Zuko who had been watching on the marble steps walked up to his soon to be wife and wrapped his arms around her waist, back to chest, both looking to where Toph had disappeared too. Mai leaning in to his touch.
"What's got you so happy my love?" he asked to a now stoic Mai.
She turned to face him and leaned into his warmth.
"I just received the greatest blessing I could have asked for." She replied.
Zuko felt his heart leap in joy and a blush dust his cheeks, because man, Toph was very over protective…or possessive, Zuko wasn't really sure.
"I'm glad Toph approves." He answered.
Mai smiled and in the quiet moment that followed she added as an afterthought,
"Just stay away from the wedding punch."
Zuko suddenly wondered what Mai had unleashed.
AN: Just another oneshot, for some clarification about Mai. When Mai was with Azula, she only agreed to go because she had nothing to do and because well unlike Ty Lee, Mai knew she didn't have a choice. But if you really look at Mai, she stayed in love with Zuko, through it all: his childhood, his banishment, his reinstatement, even when he broke up with her. Mai is far more complex than we give her credit.