Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. I don't own Toph or Zuko either. It's a shame really, if I owned Zuzu, I'd hand him over to the fangirls. Mwahaha...ehem

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"Toph, what's the matter?" Zuko asked, taking a seat by her side.

She turned away, "Nothing. I just want to be alone, that's all."

"I'm not leaving."

She sat in silence, listening to the water in the stream before her. Her toes curled around the dirt beneath them, digging in with an attempt to distract her mind from what she was going through. She could feel Zuko sitting by her side, and she knew he was concerned. Ignoring him, she focused her attention on a trail of ants off to her right. They crawled along in a straight line, one following the other. Each one held piece of food on it's back, and each one used it's antennae to sort through the array of smells. Toph sighed; her feet were like her own personal antennae; a way to see through the darkness. She wiggled her toes; it just wasn't enough.

When Zuko still didn't leave she spoke up, "Why are you still here?"

"Because," he placed a hand on her shoulder, "friends don't abandon friends in their time of need."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Toph asked, wiping a tear from her face. She was acutely conscious of his hand, of the warmth emanating from his fingertips and palm. It was soothing.

Zuko smiled slightly, "It means that I'm not going to leave until I know you're okay."

Toph sighed, "I'll be fine. I just need some time alone."

"Tell me what's bothering you."

She shook her head, "It's not any of your business."

Zuko took his hand off her shoulder and placed it by his side, "It is my business, Toph. Because I care about you."

Slowly she turned her face to his, and he wiped a few glistening tears away.

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"Aang!" Katara called, "you're doing fine! Just don't give up!"

"What are you talking about?" Sokka gaped at her, "he's doing horribly!"

Katara glared at her brother, "Will you just shut up? Aang does better if you give him positive input."

Sokka rolled his eyes. He had been watching Aang's pathetic attempts at firebending since his very first lesson. He figured he had a better chance to harness fire then Aang did.

"I can't firebend!" Aang complained from the distance, throwing his hands up in annoyance and frustration.

"Yes you can!" Katara called to him from the sidelines, "you've done it before!"

"But last time I hurt you!" He looked into her eyes, his own full of love.

Katara smiled slightly, "But I healed myself! So you have nothing to worry about!"

"What if I mess up again and hurt someone?"

Katara cupped her hands around her mouth, "Then I'll just heal them! But don't worry, you're not going to mess up. You'll do fine! Just try!"

Aang looked into Katara's twinkling eyes. If she believed in him, that's all that mattered.

Assuming a horse stance, he took a breath of air, and let it out as he punched forward.

Fire erupted from his fingertips and around his fist.

He smiled largely and turned to Katara, "I did it!"

She smiled in return, "You did it, Aang!"

Sokka gaped, "He...he did it..."

Katara turned to Sokka smugly, hands on hips, "You owe me three bronze pieces."

Sokka pouted.

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"What's wrong Toph?"

"I...You...," she sighed, afraid to admit her feelings, "remember how you told me that every cage has a key which unlocks it?"

Zuko paused, "Yes..."

"Well you were wrong," she dropped her head into her hands, "mine doesn't."

Not knowing what to say, Zuko waited for her to go on.

"I'm trapped in darkness, and there's no way to escape it. There's no key for my cage, Zuko. No way to escape the darkness and cold. And the worst part is, I'm trapped in here alone. Nobody shares my cage, and nobody can give me the key," she sniffled, "what is supposed to free me from these feelings, Zuko? What?"

He thought a moment, then turned away, blushing, "What about love?"

As he said it, Toph could feel his heartbeat increase.

"Love," she snorted, passing the feeling off as her own beating heart, "I'll never know love. I'll always be alone. It's my destiny."

Zuko looked at her, so fragile looking, yet he knew she was tough. His only real friend. Taking her in his arms, he whispered in her ear.

"No, it's not your destiny," he held her tighter, "you'll find love," he moved his lips closer to hers, "you won't be alone," he pressed his lips to hers for a split second, "let me be your key. Let me keep you warm," and he kissed her again.

She relaxed into his arms, feeling almost like she was in a dream.

Her head was spinning.

Tell him now...

She was unable to think straight.

Tell him...

She opened her mouth, unable to form words.

I love you, Zuko...

Butterflies rose up in her stomach, as well as another feeling. A nice one. A wonderful one...

I...

Happiness.

"I really like you, Zuko," she had spoken it aloud, "I think I could fall in love with you…"

He smiled, forehead against her cheek, "I feel the same way."

...I love you...

From then on, the darkness didn't seem so cold.