and you know what they did? they danced

“Listen, there was no need to lie to Toph because I didn't tell her anything. Even now, I only say things that are true when she's around—that you're recovering, that it's best if they give you space, stuff like that. The virus story? I waited until I could catch the guys alone and told them about it. They're the ones who spoke to Toph…”

“...and because they believed your excuse, she couldn't sense any lie,” Katara finishes his trail of thought. Eyes narrowed, she stares at Zuko as though discovering a new edge of him. “That's...strangely devious of you, Zuko.”

Pride flutters within his chest.

Zuko said, “When I saw the Dai Li attack you, I didn't think. I just helped.”

And I heard, “When I saw Azula attack you, I didn't think. I just jumped.”

Manifesting the Final Agni Kai in NATLA.

.

Sketches + full view of the lightning burn under the cut!