Mangetsu was rudely awoken by the sudden sound of yelling and screaming, which resulted in him jumping to his feet and drawing his sword in a single motion. Then blinking, open-mouthed, at the chaos that met him.
Toph, crawling away from them while Zuko tried to help her up. She was also sort of screaming at him.
"Let me - help you!" Zuko half yelled, half pleaded, while dodging chunks of earth. "I'm sorry!"
"What kind of nightmare am I in now?" Mangetsu muttered.
"You're seriously just going to watch?"
"I like my ribs unbroken."
"Seconded."
Zuko managed to get a hand on Toph's shoulder.
"Get off me!" she turned over and pushed Zuko back. "Get off me!"
"He's... Toph, stop!" Mangetsu rushed forward as he saw a chunk of earth launch for Zuko's chest.
The small blond took it full force in the back, the prince and blond landing in a tangled heap away from Toph, who took the chance to crawl away faster.
"Hey! Are you okay!?"
Amaya floated over the two of them while Mangetsu coughed harshly. Zuko quickly sat up and tried to help Mangetsu but had no idea what to do as the blond coughed and wheezed as he tried to gasp for air.
"Amaya, do something!"
"Are you serious right now!?"
"Stop...*cough* stop bickering," Mangetsu eventually breathed. "What the hell happened?"
Zuko sheepishly explained how he had accidentally burned Toph when she surprised him while he was sleeping. Amaya threw in a snide comment about how he almost got her like that once before, and she and Iroh had both warned him to be more aware of his surroundings to avoid accidents like that happening.
Mangetsu shook his head at the situation.
"Why am I so bad at being good?" Zuko whined.
"Because deep down, you know bad boys are hot," Amaya threw out. "Which is why you and Mangetsu bonded so quickly. You're both the bad boy type."
"Excuse me?" Mangetsu scowled.
"See that? That right there is supposed to be hot," she pointed at his scowl. "But on you, it's just kinda adorable."
"Suck a toad," Mangetsu winced as he moved.
"Are you alright?" Zuko looked at him worriedly.
"It's just a bruise," Mangetsu waved him off. "I'll be fine... just a little tender."
"What are you going to do about Toph?" Amaya questioned. "And the assassin?"
"I dunno," Zuko sighed. "I'm gonna call the assassin off, but I dunno if that will help Toph forgive me for burning her feet."
"To be fair, she did that to herself," Mangetsu cut in as he gingerly tried to lie back down. "She had to know you were jumpy, considering your situation, and sneaking into your camp unannounced after her group basically told you to get lost... that was all kinds of stupid."
"...Thanks."
"Huh?"
"For trying to make me feel better," Zuko smiled softly at the blond. "It's nice having someone on my side again."
Mangetsu gave Zuko a long, contemplative look.
"Don't get used to it," Mangetsu said, turning away. "I tend to be an unwanted presence."
"Don't be such a downer, Mangetsu," Amaya chuckled. "I like having you around."
"For now," came the dark response.
Zuko and Amaya shared a sad look, then Zuko stared up at the sky.
"You'll always have a place as my friend," Zuko said softly.