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"You have to take a bath, Toph."
"Don't be a whiner, Sparky! I don't stink!" she protested.
"You're covered in dirt."
"Perfect."
"The water is hot, it's going to get cold."
"Don't be a crybaby, you can heat it up," she assured him, crossing her arms, firm in her refusal.
"Come on, Toph."
She huffed.
"You know I don't like being locked up without being able to see anything."
"You won't be alone. I'm going to bathe too. I'll wash your hair."
"You don't need to do that," she replied. "I can do it myself."
"I know," he admitted. "But I want to do it."
Toph smiled.
"I understand..." she expressed. "Well, I'll let you advance with your ulterior motives," she said, heading towards the bathroom.
"Hey, I don't have any ulterior motives," he said, following her.
Toph snorted, but didn't stop. The sound of her footsteps changed as she entered the bathroom.
"Hurry up, Sparky," she called. "Before I change my mind."
The steam was already filling the environment when he entered. Toph was standing next to the bathtub, clearly uncomfortable, with her arms crossed as if she was still considering fleeing.
"I'm here," he said, more softly.
She clicked her tongue, but finally gave in and started undressing. Zuko did the same.
Minutes later, the warm water was enveloping them both, and the initial tension had dissipated enough for Toph to settle against him.
So now they were together in the bathtub, with Toph leaning her back against his bare chest while Zuko massaged her scalp, covering it with foam.
"I've always wondered something... why do you let your hair grow if you always wear it tied up?" Zuko asked.
"Are you regretting offering to wash it?" Toph asked, a smile forming on her lips.
"That's not it," he denied. "Maybe it would be more comfortable shorter."
"What, do you have a fetish for girls with short hair?"
Zuko blushed instantly.
"Of course not!"
Toph let out a hearty laugh because she was clearly mocking him. Then she shrugged.
"It's never bothered me," she snapped, brushing it off. "And you? Your hair keeps getting longer. Fire Lord things?"
"I spent a lot of time trying to fit into what my father wanted," he replied seriously. "Cutting it was... necessary. But letting it grow means I'm no longer running away from who I am."
He remembered the moment he cut off his topknot: not as a prince, but as a fugitive. Renouncing his honor, his status... everything.
"I thought you were trying to look handsome."
His cheeks flushed red again.
"Do I look handsome?"
"It's not like I can see it," she said, turning her head slightly towards him and making a vague gesture towards her own eyes. "You could be bald like Twinkle Toes... and it would be the same for me."
"Is it?" Zuko murmured, his voice a little lower. "It didn't seem to bother you... you always found an excuse to touch my hair."
Toph smiled crookedly. As she turned her body and was now facing him, sitting astride.
"It's not my fault you like it," she said. "You like me touching you."
She paused briefly, leaning in just a little closer.
"Your body betrays you, Sparky," she added as her fingers moved slowly, caressing without haste.
Zuko remained rigid. The heat rose from his neck to his ears.
"Toph..."
Zuko held his breath.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?" she asked, with false innocence.
He clenched his jaw, unsure whether to move away or stay still.
"You know exactly what."
Toph let out a low laugh.
"Relax... you were the one who wanted to bathe with me."
Zuko exhaled slowly, defeated.
"I didn't think you were going to use it against me," he murmured as his fingers clung to Toph's waist.
"I always do," she said, brushing her nose against his, as her hands slid through his hair. "And you like it."
Zuko didn't respond. His breathing became heavier.
His fingers gripped Toph's waist more tightly... and before thinking too much, he shortened the distance.
He kissed her with the intensity of a contained fire that was finally unleashed.
Toph responded, entwining her fingers in his hair, and pulled slightly.
Then she pulled away just enough for their lips to barely touch.
"In the end, you did have ulterior motives, Sparky."
Zuko exhaled, still too close.
"I didn't..."
Toph placed a hand on his chest and smirked.
"You're lying."