Chapter Text
The walk to the precinct was long and lonely for Kanto, and he hated it. What used to be filled with banter and stolen glances with his girlfriend was now a silent walk to and from work by himself. It was only temporary, sure, but a whole month without seeing Toph seriously took a toll on the man. He missed her more than anything, even if it was just the fact that they were on opposite schedules for the time being.
But then she had to visit Katara and Zuko in the Fire Nation, and that prolonged time away from each other even more. And after a month, thirty whole days without seeing Toph, Kanto was ready to burst.
Messages and radio calls only tempered his longing for her, and every time they would disconnect, the feeling returned without fail.
Kanto let out a tired sigh. He wasn’t sure when she was supposed to come back to the city, but he hoped to the Spirit World and back that it was soon.
The earthbender kept on going, though. He held down the fort at the office and kept the officers in line while Toph was away, made sure cases were closed swiftly, and in his spare time, he made a list of meals he wanted to make for Toph when she came home.
He was grateful the workday kept him occupied because even though he had no idea when Toph would be back, he knew that with each passing day meant he was one day closer to seeing her.
After hopping up the RCPD entrance steps, zigzagging through the officers and the bullpen, and a couple turns around hallway corners, Kanto walked into the Chief’s office to pick up the assignments for the day.
But as he entered the office, he stopped, then gasped.
Because there she was, Toph Beifong in all her badass and beauty, sitting in her desk with her ever present smirk.
“Hey, Hotshot.”
It took a second for him to register what was happening, as he was still in utter disbelief. Toph was home! How did he not know this already?? Did he miss her come home, or leave early for work??
Toph laughed (spirits, he missed her laugh), and stood up, walking to the front of her desk. “Croco-cat got your tongue, Hotshot?”
That had to remain a mystery for now. Because all he could do was take long, deliberate strides up to her desk and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He buried his face in her neck, breathing in her earthy scent and relishing the feel of her quiet chuckles vibrating through her chest.
Kanto released his embrace just enough to cradle her face in his hands, exclaiming, “You’re home! When—what—”
“Last night,” she laughed. “Or, this morning, I should say. It was right before you were about to get up for work, so I figured I’d come here and take a nap before you arrived. Miss me?”
“Spirits,” he sighed. “There is no better way to start my day than seeing your beautiful face.”
And there really was no better way. Because as he continued to soak in her laugh, Kanto kissed every inch of Toph’s beautiful face. As he did that, Toph wrapped her arms around him, tilting her head up. When her lips pressed against his for a soft kiss, Toph smiled. “I missed you, too.”