Chapter Text
Toph Beifong enjoyed her adult life to an extent. She led the new and continuously improving metal-bending academy and was notoriously known as the still ever-so-vicious blind bandit. But of course, like any girl, she missed her friends. Those sweet, effortless nights by the fire. Living together on the road for months, almost solidifying their friendships as unbreakable - literally living through life or death situations, war, and the long rebuild after. It was safe to say they were friends for life. Given so, Toph smirked as her advisor read a letter from her pile of mail: An invitation to Aang & Katara’s Wedding, travelling to the newly renewed air temples just next week.
She sighed softly as the advisor left her to sleep, leaving the invitation on her desk. Gently, she let down her jet black hair as she walked over to pick up the letter - raised engravings of what she could imagine to be delicate swirls and equally tacky floral designs that adorned the invitation. She set it down again and collapsed into her bed. Days like this always tired her out immensely. Tutoring her students all day, workshops on specific techniques, and yet, the fatigue was earned, and her mattress had never felt so rewarding.
She liked that... Burying herself in work and teaching. It gave her purpose and something to focus on, as, other than the academy, her life was awfully bland.
Since the events of A:TLA, Toph had taken on the mature decision to rejoin the royal Beifong family. On her own terms, she attended certain formal events to please her parents at the expense of a less authoritarian rule within the Earth Kingdom. She became even more of a pioneering figure than she already was, being deemed positively as a soldier who’d won the war, created a new type of sub-bending, and established a democracy in the nation. The fancy, uncomfy dresses and constant painful nostalgia of her coddled childhood were worth the eventual impact she made in her elemental kingdom. But still, her life was missing something.
The warm presence of Aang’s constant smile and laughter. Sokka’s laughable demeanour kept everyone’s spirits up. Katara’s soothing, annoying, but motherly presence. And Zuko…
God Zuko.
Everything about him gave her butterflies back when they were kids. As adult life blossomed, she respected his Fire Lord tendencies and let it go. She never knew if he felt the same, yet every time they and the gaang met up, they were the only ones without a significant other. Suki and Sokka snuggled beside the fire, often drunk after a day of work. Aang and Katara always leaned into each other sweetly. It sort of always left Toph and Zuko to their own devices, which in turn meant they got to know each other. Really know each other.
They always bonded about their trauma within royalty and their attempts to fix the system they were brought up in. They sharpened each other with advice in that sense, and found they were more alike than they thought.
—
The day of the airship journey began the next week. The planned route made a detour in the Fire Nation, where they would spend a day to refuel and pick up Zuko. Then, It was a day's trip to the air temples, which were going to be the venue for Katara & Aang’s wedding. The day of the Fire Nation detour in particular held an important formal event that Zuko had to attend before they could leave. Fire Nation business, and all that jazz. As her advisor was telling her the plan of the journey, another member of staff placed a letter in front of her on the table. She sat in the dining area of the airship.
Her advisor opened it. Almost as if he knew he was the topic of Toph’s mind in that given moment, the letter was from Zuko, inviting Toph to that fancy event he was attending that day. She scoffed as her advisor read it to her.
“Right.. And what am I to wear? I haven't exactly bought formal dresses. Only the one for the wedding, but I can't wear that twice, right?” Toph mumbled her thoughts out loud.
“He says he will provide you with an appropriate gown for the event.” Her advisor reassured.
Toph groaned. Mostly because she didn't know what that meant. It almost intrigued her, not knowing what Zuko would want her to wear. Would it be scandalous, would it be modest and ladylike, would she like it? All the thoughts spiralled in her head like thunder as she realised she was seeing Zuko again. In a formal setting where she’d have to be proper and polite. She’d have to be fancy and represent the Earth Kingdom. Looking formal and ‘beautiful’. She thought about it even as she fell asleep in her suite on the airship.
It was the day of the Fire Nation detour. Toph rushed out of the airship to grasp the ground and earth below her feet. As impressive as those metal things were, there was only a small amount of time before Toph inevitably needed to free her diminished sense. The air smelt of sweet spice and soy, and the vast stalls and decoration adorned her seismic sense with such excitement and warmth that reminded her why she was here.
Zuko.
Her advisor led her to the palace that was the Fire Lord’s to begin getting ready for the formal evening. She was immediately recognised upon arrival, and a small, old man welcomed her to her own suite. The architecture was distinct and sharp, undoubtedly a display of fire culture. She walked over to the huge bed and felt a heavy object sitting on top of it. It was soft, yet she felt raised textures of what she imagined to be sequins and appliqués. This was the dress. The small old man began to describe it:
“Fire lord Zuko picked it out especially for you, Princess Toph. It is an excellent display of your culture, combined with the respectful requirements of ours. Lord Zuko wishes to reassure you that it’ll suit you perfectly.”
“Thank you. I’ll be out shortly.” Toph replied. Her advisor closed the door and helped her into the dress. It was snug yet comfortable. She felt the slight train that flowed effortlessly behind her, and she felt beautiful, despite not knowing what she looked like.
Her advisor combed and put up her thick hair, and gently decorated her pale skin with suitable earrings and other provided jewellery.
“You look beautiful, Toph.” Her advisor straightened out the satin sleeves of the dress.
“Thank you.”
..
She turned and began to tidy up around the room as Toph fiddled with her newly placed bracelet.
“Mei?”
“Yes, dear?”
“I’m nervous.. I haven't been here in a few years, and I haven’t seen-”
“You’ll be fine, dear. He must be excited to see you. I think in this dress you’ll outshine everyone at that event. It must’ve been chosen for a reason.”
Toph smiled warmly, her posture instantly straightening into the self-assured girl she was.
“Thanks, Mei. I'm ready.”
-
Toph walked into the large city hall that was an extension of Zuko’s already luxuriously big temple. It was gorgeous; she could feel the rhythmic shuffles of dancing people, their fancy loafers and shoes. Again, the iconic sharp architecture seemed regal and made her realise that her dear friend Zuko really was in charge of all this.
She chuckled softly under her breath at how serious the thought was.
The music was calm and fiery, and the champagne handed to her upon arrival was sweet and bubbly. One smooth sip already sent a wave of adrenaline through her flowing bloodstream, now emphasised by the alcohol. She scanned the surrounding area, trying to find him.
She felt everyone's eyes in her direction according to their body language. She also felt the outfits they were wearing, seemingly heavy with bold and extravagant silhouettes. She just hoped the dress she was wearing fit into this crowd of seemingly admiring (or maybe judging) nobles.
Yet one set of footsteps stood out in particular. Calm, controlled and smooth - moving towards her.
A smooth voice like a flame spoke clearly behind.
“Princess Toph Beifong.”