officialzutaraminibang

[officialzutaraminibang]

Just a little note from the mod team

The end of 2021 is here and so is the end of the Zutara Mini Bang. It's crazy to think that something that started almost casually amongst a group of friends became this. At one point, we'd said, "Well, if it's just us, it's just us! We'll have fun no matter what!" But then a whole bunch of people turned out and amplified the fun ten-fold.

We've had a blast making new fandom friends and watching all of these incredible projects unfold. The amount of talent the Zutara corner of the ATLA fandom has is just staggering. So we'd just like to take this time to acknowledge all of the participants who gave their time and talents to this event:

Writers:

@siambre, @justanotherghostwriter, @clearascountryair, @stitch1830, @bulletproofteacup, @insane-ohwhyfandoms, @barelyaware, @thebansheeandherboy, @authorjoydragon, @marijayne-writing, @wary-cries, @le-temps-viendra36, @stand-on-the-horizon, @zukos-calming-tea, @spicyswordlady, @evergreenonthehorizon, @airiustide, @heavensenthearty, @kaoruhana08, @homeagainrose, @old-and-new-friends, @paintedbluerose, and @lphoenixspiritl

Artists:

@su-univeralai, @barelyaware, @beanaroony, @feeplings, @azehearts, @badlucksav, @lampurpleart, @wary-cries, @growingroses, @moneneki, @juldooz-atla, @leahlovely, @beealexageek, @risemaclay, and @pineapple-frenzy

Betas:

@phoenixqueen-azula, @badlucksav, @authorjoydragon, @evergreenonthehorizon, @moneneki, @justanotherghostwriter, @sultrynuns, @nanunanu22, @sun-celine, @ryu-slayer, @thebansheeandherboy, @marijayne-writing

Without all of these wonderful people, this event would not have been possible! A thousand thank yous to all of them and to everyone who has liked, reblogged, left kudos, commented, or otherwise interacted with the works that came from this event!

All the best,

The Zutara Mini Bang Mod Team

[officialzutaraminibang]

[id: a digital painting of katara and zuko, drawn from the chests up, with a starry night sky as the backdrop. zuko is leaning in close to katara, their eyes locked together and tension suspended in the few inches separating them. they are wearing clothing inspired by and closely resembling their book 3 designs. end id]

“A lump formed in his throat when he realized that he wanted to lose himself in those bright blue eyes every day. Time seemed to have stopped and he couldn’t focus on anything except the girl in front of him.”

created for the @officialzutaraminibang and inspired by “Stay By My Side” by @thebansheeandherboy! check out this fic and the others in the Official Zutara Mini Bang collection on AO3.

[officialzutaraminibang]

Another piece for @officialzutaraminibang

A Darker Blue - by supergirrl : “Katara was silent, letting the governor grovel at her feet so he could work himself into an even more terrified state. Zuko came to stand beside her, and though his swords were held loosely at his sides, she knew he could spring into motion faster than his sister could shoot lightning.”

[Image description: The drawing depicts Katara dressed in her Painted Lady disguise, covered in painted red markings on her shoulders, neck and face. She’s wearing a wide brimmed hat veiled with sheer fabric, dark red fabric hood over her hair and sleeves hanging off her shoulders and wrapped with rope around her neck and middle with a shell in the center. Some hair is framing her face and escaping from the hood. Her hair and robes are billowing around her and she’s surrounded by fog. Her hands are out in front of her in a blood bending form and she has a malevolent smirk on her face. End image description.]

[officialzutaraminibang]

We are posting on behalf of @su-univeralai this lovely art piece which she made for the @officialzutaraminibang inspired by I’ve Always Been Yours written by @barelyaware.

[ID: Katara and Zuko sitting together cuddling with Druk. Katara and Zuko are sitting in front of Druk with Katara side sitting to Zuko’s right with her body turned towards him. She is touching his right cheek with her left hand; her other hand is on her lap. She is wearing a blue hanfu style dress with the top part being a lighter blue and the bottom darker shade of blue. The collar and sash of the dress are of a light pink color. Katara’s hair is in half down, half up in a bun and has hair loopies framing her face. Zuko is sitting turned toward Katara with his left leg over Katara’s right leg. He has his right arm around Katara and the other hand on Druk’s posterior left leg. Zuko is wearing his red fire lord outfit. His hair is half up in a topknot. Druk is behind them. Druk is a red dragon with a yellow/gold anterior. Druk is facing the left side of the image.]

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal!

The Weight of a Title was written by @lphoenixspiritl. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

The Weight of a Title

Rating: M

Summary:  It’s been nine months since Katara renounced her title as the Avatar’s betrothed and reclaimed her name, Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. The eighth year peace summit has come to an end and it’s the night of the closing ball. Katara understands where her heart lies but the title of Fire Lord comes with its challenges.

**This fic contains eventual smut**

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

The Avatar's Tears was written by @insane-ohwhyfandoms. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

The Avatar’s Tears

Rating: T

Summary: Zuko arrives at a backwater village, his last chance of acquiring the Avatar's Tears and becoming Crown Prince. When he starts to fall in love with the fiery, beautiful daughter of the village's Chief, will he decide to give up his quest or betray the budding feelings in his heart?

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Your Wish Is My Command was written by @siambre. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Your Wish Is My Command

Rating: E

Summary: Ruling a war-torn nation is no easy task. Both Zuko and Katara had known this when they’d signed up for the roles of Fire Lord and Lady. Yet, even a decade later, they still struggle with balancing their private and professional lives. So one night, while Zuko is going over some documents in his study, Katara pays him a visit to make up for their lost weeks of intimacy.

**this fic contains smut**

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Echo's in the Silence was written by @airiustide. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Echo’s in the Silence

Rating: E

Chapters: 1/3

Summary: Taking place in Book One. A tale of love transpires during the hard times of war. Katara and Zuko find themselves caught between loyalty and lust, an unlikely development that could either sedate the pain the one hundred year war has inflicted on them, or it may break them even further.

***

The corner of his lips tighten, “Yes, hate me. That’s what you’re supposed to do. I’m your enemy, not your fucking boyfriend. Leave, and forget this,” he points between the both of them, “ever happened.”

Tears break out, Katara’s sobs turning into uncontrollable weeping, “Why are you doing this? Why are you being so mean?”

“It's better than loving me,” he spat and that breaks her. Somewhere during her tear shed does Zuko fall to his knees, “Please, don’t do this to me. Don’t cry like that. Don’t *feel* anything for me. It hurts-“ He chokes, clenched fist grasping at his chest, “Let me let you go.”

**this fic contains eventual smut**

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

The Threads We Bind was written by @kaoruhana08 . Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

The Threads We Bind

Rating: M

Summary: In the South pole it is common, expected even, for brides to sit in their familys’ huts, piles of wool spread out in their laps as they knit and crochet a large wide blanket for their wedding. It is meant to symbolize the tying of two lives, the threads interweaving and connecting, a metaphor for what a marriage means.

Gran Gran was the one who took her aside and sat her down, shortly after she and Zuko had announced the engagement, pulling a large wooden chest close to her and opening it. “Come now, Katara. Watch. I’ll show you how to get started.”

But, Over and over again, her hands continuously fumbled, needles dropping, threads unraveling.

Zuko walked over towards her, crouching down in front of the small, contained fire that she was using as light to knit in the darkness. “Let’s weave our blanket together.” He told her, chin coming to rest on her shoulder. “Now, are you ready?”

* * * * *

Or a story in which Katara and Zuko defy tradition, but create some important memories along the way.

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Nadir was written by @wary-cries. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Nadir

Rating: E

Chapters: 2/?

Summary: “I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore.”

~~~~~~~

Seven years since Zuko's banishment, four years since he turned his back on his homeland and any chance of regaining his honor. His life as a boozed up farmhand isn't really living, but he's too worn by his past to care. Until a chance encounter with an old friend introduces Zuko to a new path, one that won't be any easier, but might just be worth it. Maybe peace must be restored to the world, and maybe, with the help of the Gaang, and a certain Waterbender, Zuko can restore peace within himself.

**this fic contains smut**

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

I love you, love you, love you was written by @heavensenthearty. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

I love you, love you, love you

Rating: T

Chapters: 6/6

Summary: Zuko and Katara's relationship described through the different kinds of love: Philia, Philautia, Agape, Ludus, Eros, Pragma.

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Atlas: Rebuilding was written by @justanotherghostwriter. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Atlas: Rebuilding

Rating: T

Chapters: 1/15

Summary: Waiting in the courtyard after the messy, terrible Agni Kai against Azula, Katara and Zuko aren't sure what to expect next even as they wait for news from their friends and family and allies. When news does come, it's devastating: Aang has failed to stop Ozai. Run. Hide. We'll find you when it's safe.

They obey the order, fail to disobey the order, and find a little temporary space for a while, until they can rejoin what is left of the plan to stop the Phoenix Lord from destroying the world. And they wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And learn that life has a way of carrying on even in the midst of war and failure. And then, as it always must, their past finally finds them and meets their present, and Katara and Zuko need to once again define what makes them who they are, and the roles they are willing to play in destiny.

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Figure It Out was written by @clearascountryair. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Figure It Out

Rating: M

Chapters: 2/?

Summary: After choosing not to kill Yon Rha, Katara rethinks her sense of self and others' perceptions of her.

Or,

In which Katara learns that there’s a really big difference between being kissed when you don’t want to be and being kissed when you do.

**this fic contains eventual smut**

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Tea in Distress was written by @paintedbluerose. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Tea in Distress

Rating: T

Chapters: 1/3

Summary: Zuko runs the Jasmine Dragon along with his Uncle in Ba Sing Se. He loves having their own tea shop together, even if he dislikes some of the customers. He does not like the (pretty) student that comes in ordering coffee every day. (That may or may not be a lie.)

Katara is enjoying her semester in Ba Sing Se and the cute tea shop that has the best coffee around. She is not enjoying the young tea server who rolls his eyes and sighs every time she orders. Even if he is gorgeous.

Forced to work together, they now must find a way to be civil towards each other. And maybe find they kind of like each other.

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

I Saw You in the Moonlight was written by @spicyswordlady. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

I Saw You in the Moonlight

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: graphic depictions of violence

Chapters: 1/?

Summary: Katara faces some dark truths about the war after learning from a fascinating teacher, and Zuko wrestles with the guilt of what he did at Ba Sing Se.

Then, everything changes after Katara comes face-to-face with her latest target: a hopelessly drunk Prince Zuko who she somehow can't bring herself to harm.

**This fic contains eventual smut**

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Lost in the Depths was written by @homeagainrose. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Lost in the Depths

Rating: M

Chapters: 1/10

Summary: The war is over, there is much to make up for. Zuko finds absolution in the lost halls of the Dragonbone Catacombs. He never expected to find what he needed to help his friends understand more of their world.

[officialzutaraminibang]

It's author reveal day!

Hopeful Things was written by @evergreenonthehorizon. Don't be afraid to drop the author a line if you enjoyed their fic and check out their other works!

Hopeful Things

Rating: M

Chapters: 1/?

Summary: Katara grows up believing in a lot of things. She believes that the death of her grandmother does not mean the death of the last Southern waterbender. She believes the message that the red-armored soldiers bring to her doorstep: That the Fire Nation is evil.

There are other things she believes in, too. Happy things. Hopeful things. She believes that Aang will save the world and that Sokka has a braver heart than any other warrior in their tribe. She believes that she has the courage and spirit to fight and enact real change in the world. And, perhaps most flippantly, Katara believes in soulmates.

She also wholeheartedly believes that Zuko is not her soulmate––almost as wholeheartedly as he doesn’t believe in the concept at all.

**this fic contains eventual smut**