storypaint (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
storypaint) wrote2011-03-21 06:14 pm
storypaint) wrote2011-03-21 06:14 pm
Entry tags:
[Polychromatic/Avatar] what lies within us (Toph & Iroh gen)
Title: what lies within us
Fandom: Polychromatic/Avatar
Length: 524 words
Prompt:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
polybending fic battle: Toph and Iroh - When everything is said and done; Polyverse
Pairing: Toph & Iroh gen
Other: Set in Polyverse after Toph's canon update.
Excerpt: "You won't believe how it all turns out," she says to him, smiling just a little. "I know Sparky has told you everything, but seeing it in person -- that was worth going back for."
When everything is said and done, when the party is over and people have staggered upstairs or home, Toph helps Iroh clean up the Jasmine Dragon. He didn't ask and she didn't volunteer; she just begins to pick up cups and bowls, navigating easily around the mess that has accumulated, her feet sure. He watches her from the corner of his eye, little glances here and there. Finally she sighs.
"You won't believe how it all turns out," she says to him, smiling just a little. "I know Sparky has told you everything, but seeing it in person -- that was worth going back for."
"Mm," Iroh says, noncommittal, taking the dishes from her. She picks up the broom and reconsiders. Instead she sits down near the door and earthbends the dirt flat. Easy sweeping.
"Funny to think how much a guy can change over the course of a few months. Must be your good influence," she says, putting her feet up on the table. Although she received a bath in the fountain upon her re-arrival (apparently this is a common fate, as unamused as she is at the time), you can hardly tell from the dirt already rubbed into her soles. Iroh begins to wipe down the cleared tables, working his way over to her slowly.
"You think so?" he says, wipping his rag in wide circles, making sure everything is ready for him to open in the morning.
"I saw it happen. Sorta." She waves a hand.
He knows that she's trying to reassure him. It's been a rough month, with the teashop burning down and Zuko giving up his firebending without even mentioning it to Iroh first. And Mai showing up, angry about sins against her that Zuko hadn't technically committed yet. But he smiles a little. He doesn't really need the reassurance. He's always believed in his nephew's ability to do the right thing. Even though Zuko loses his way sometimes, he always makes it back to the right path.
"I look forward to seeing it too," Iroh says, because he does; he knows it will be infinitely satisfying. "One day the deities will send me back, too, and I will have the privilege of living it."
Toph nods, and then she yawns. He comes to her table and she puts her feet down so he can wipe it too.
"You've crammed a lot into just a weekend," he says, sounding amused. The way that time works in the City is still strange to him. How had she been gone for two days here that lasted months in their world? It must be like a dream, almost, to come back and find everything unchanged.
"I'm a busy girl," she says, yawning again. "I think I'll head home now. Thanks for the party."
She pats him on the arm -- just pats, not a full-out punch like he's seen the others receive, and he's a little glad for that. Old bones, you know.
"Good night, Toph," he says, watching her go, and he decides to sleep too, before the sun decides to rise.
After all, who knows what the new day may hold?
Fandom: Polychromatic/Avatar
Length: 524 words
Prompt:
polybending fic battle: Toph and Iroh - When everything is said and done; PolyversePairing: Toph & Iroh gen
Other: Set in Polyverse after Toph's canon update.
Excerpt: "You won't believe how it all turns out," she says to him, smiling just a little. "I know Sparky has told you everything, but seeing it in person -- that was worth going back for."
When everything is said and done, when the party is over and people have staggered upstairs or home, Toph helps Iroh clean up the Jasmine Dragon. He didn't ask and she didn't volunteer; she just begins to pick up cups and bowls, navigating easily around the mess that has accumulated, her feet sure. He watches her from the corner of his eye, little glances here and there. Finally she sighs.
"You won't believe how it all turns out," she says to him, smiling just a little. "I know Sparky has told you everything, but seeing it in person -- that was worth going back for."
"Mm," Iroh says, noncommittal, taking the dishes from her. She picks up the broom and reconsiders. Instead she sits down near the door and earthbends the dirt flat. Easy sweeping.
"Funny to think how much a guy can change over the course of a few months. Must be your good influence," she says, putting her feet up on the table. Although she received a bath in the fountain upon her re-arrival (apparently this is a common fate, as unamused as she is at the time), you can hardly tell from the dirt already rubbed into her soles. Iroh begins to wipe down the cleared tables, working his way over to her slowly.
"You think so?" he says, wipping his rag in wide circles, making sure everything is ready for him to open in the morning.
"I saw it happen. Sorta." She waves a hand.
He knows that she's trying to reassure him. It's been a rough month, with the teashop burning down and Zuko giving up his firebending without even mentioning it to Iroh first. And Mai showing up, angry about sins against her that Zuko hadn't technically committed yet. But he smiles a little. He doesn't really need the reassurance. He's always believed in his nephew's ability to do the right thing. Even though Zuko loses his way sometimes, he always makes it back to the right path.
"I look forward to seeing it too," Iroh says, because he does; he knows it will be infinitely satisfying. "One day the deities will send me back, too, and I will have the privilege of living it."
Toph nods, and then she yawns. He comes to her table and she puts her feet down so he can wipe it too.
"You've crammed a lot into just a weekend," he says, sounding amused. The way that time works in the City is still strange to him. How had she been gone for two days here that lasted months in their world? It must be like a dream, almost, to come back and find everything unchanged.
"I'm a busy girl," she says, yawning again. "I think I'll head home now. Thanks for the party."
She pats him on the arm -- just pats, not a full-out punch like he's seen the others receive, and he's a little glad for that. Old bones, you know.
"Good night, Toph," he says, watching her go, and he decides to sleep too, before the sun decides to rise.
After all, who knows what the new day may hold?