#Not very friendly to Iroh

[zuko-always-lies]

List of Azula AU/fic ideas

Better parenting Ursa

Azula raises Katara AU (and continued) and more

Azula and Katara get friendly postwar and talk about their brothers.

Mai is significantly older than Azula and Ty Lee AU (Older "sister" Mai)

Jin works at Iroh's teashop but finds out about his past

Zuko tells Azula about the Spirit Water

Ursa and Ozai get along better, and it's not a good thing AU

Imperialist Lu Ten survives the war and tries to regain his throne afterwards

Zuko finds out more about his nation AU

Revolutionary Azula takes over Ba Sing Se AU

Three different AU ideas in one

Favoritism in the royal family is a little different

What if Zuko had a nonbending twin sister (who he doesn't get along with).

Zuko's daughter changes how he sees Azula

Zuko and Ursa try to isolate Azula ("for her own good")

Ozai gets exiled and the Gaang stupidly ally with him

Earth Kingdom ends up with custody of Azula postwar and support her bid for the Fire Nation throne when Zuko starts another war with them.

The Gaang tries to figure out why Zuko joined them.

Dangerous Ladies find Ursa in Book 2

Azula and Toph fake dating

Zuko/"world leaders" try to force Aang to take away Azula's bending and he's very much not OK with it.

Azula is thrown away to the NWT postwar as a trinket and Chief Arnook adopts her.

Comics! Ursa's letter about Zuko being a bastard gets out.

Zuko and Katara lie about what happened during the Agni Kai

An exiled Azula finds Fire Imperialist! Ursa postwar

Aang has to save Azula from being executed by Zuko

Zuko's defection during DoBS goes very badly for Mai

Zuko joins the Gaang at Ba Sing Se, but it ends poorly

Zuko killed Azula during the Agni Kai, and now he has to deal with the consequences.

AU idea where Zuko keeps Azula permanently imprisoned in bad and torturous conditions postwar, and Izumi finds out about when she’s relatively young, and draws exactly the sort of conclusions about her parents that you would expect. Not to mention being terrified that she might be treated the same way if she missteps…

Ozai never declares Zuko and Iroh traitors

Iroh-Azula roleswap au

Zuko asks Azula for help with his firebending

Zuko wants Azula to like him but doesn't get why she doesn't like him (postwar)

Katara has an arranged marriage with Zuko and Azula tries to get into the good graces of her sister in law

"Katara is supposed to have an arranged marriage with Zuko, but she falls in love with Azula instead."

Another take on Zvtara (arranged marriage) and Maizula.

Azula-Katara AU idea (or: Katara runs into an Azula who has changed a lot in some ways and not very much in others)

Zuko is actually Ikem's son

Firelord Azula ends her brother's exile

Azula raises Izumi (it's complicated)

"AU idea: Azula commits suicide out of despair, and just about everyone is convinced that Zuko had her murdered or at the very least “encouraged” her to do it."

Dangerous Ladies get banished/declared traitors and Azula basically gives up. Mai has to step up her place

I have to say, “Zuko has to deal with finding out that Ursa very much isn’t who he believed she was” remains excellent fanfic fodder.

"AU idea: Ursa is more aware of Ozai’s abuse and potential for abuse than in canon, so, right after her exile, she seeks out Iroh and charges him with protecting both of her children."

Firelord Iroh treats Azula in a really screwed up way.

"AU where Azula dies during the latter stages of the war or right after it, and Mai is the only person who ever morns her as a person, not as a politically convenient symbol (Ty Lee runs away from her complex feelings on Azula as much as she can)."

Dark idea

"Since so much of the fandom is convinced that Azula is Zuko’s older sister, I need an AU where this is true and Zuko is just as throne-obsessed as canon and spends all his time trying to usurp his older sister."

"AU where Ozai has a heart attack and dies right after the fire siblings return to the Fire Nation, and Zuko and Azula have to pick up the pieces. Meanwhile, the Gaang are plotting to overthrow them and bring the war to a close once and for all..."

King Kuai adopts Azula as his heir

Things get complicated, darkly (Azula exiled postwar AU)

What if Zuko tried to be a good brother

"I really need an AU where Lu Ten returns and is pissed over Ozai’s usurpation, so he kills Ozai, seizes the throne, and continues the war. Of course, Iroh ends up supporting his actual son in all of this, and the conflict in the Fire Nation ends up boiling down to Zuko and Azula vs. Lu Ten and Iroh as the situation spirals toward civil war, at the same time the 100 years war continues."

"Maizula AU where Mai married Zuko, but he died not long after Izumi was born, and Azula and Mai are secretly carrying out a relationship while raising Izumi and ruling the Fire Nation as her regents."

Azula joins the Gaang with a twist...

"The chaos which would result if Lu Ten showed up alive again in Book 1 and launched a rebellion against Ozai in pursuit of “his” throne."

Ursa opposes Firelord Zuko

Iroh tries to kill Azula during "The Chase"

Mai and Ty Lee on trial for "war crimes"" and Azula has to save them

This is very long list, and people are welcome to steal any ideas they want from it for their own use.

[falderaletcetera]

listen. I don't just love father brown because I first saw it while ill with the flu or because it's consistently kind to the outcast in a way that has reviewers calling it Too Woke, obviously a vote in its favour. or because the recurring thief character is very pretty to watch. though those are significant parts of it.

I love it because after eight seasons father brown sits down with the village drunk (a munitions expert in the war, has a soft spot for the parish secretary, name of harold or blind harry) to find out why he gave a murder suspect a false alibi and harry explains to him, calm as you like, that seeing the life leave someone's eyes changes a person, that it's what he reckons brought father brown to his faith, that it's what drove him to drink, and he didn't see that shadow in the guy the police are chasing this time. and father brown, rather than justifying or correcting or dodging or doubting him, says he knows how unjust the situation is. that he got something good out of the horrors of the war. that harry really didn't.

it is not a perfect show and yes I have problems with it but gosh, this is a character who's largely used for comedic beats, albeit kindly, and a scene like this isn't out of place at all but it still takes my breath away. we could've been left with this as subtext, y'know? I hadn't even put together that his alcoholism must have been trauma. but instead harry tells us this directly, tells us it's about guilt, that that's something he shares with father brown, who is competent and so often cheerful and I can't even imagine when he was younger, and it's a moment of such unexpected humanity and respect. and it's such a strange thing to see these characters side by side like that.

the scene ends with father brown calling harry a good man, and harry denying it ("they was only young lads" "so were we, harold. so were we.") and the two them sharing a drink as father brown gets a bit watery-eyed and I'm crying too over my nice cosy 'this is a concerning number of murders for a sleepy english village' show and just. hi. what. ow.

I also haven't recovered from the episode that turned into a heist halfway through but frankly I'm only mentioning that because I don't know how to wrap up a post like this. (it was good though. there were two separate honeypots, three if you count the impromptu replacement, one character terrible at grifting and one unexpectedly great at it, and, somehow, a con within a con. it was really very fun. get a show that can do both, I guess?)

[hazashiovo]

G’day! Could I bother you for some Zuko hcs of him falling for a girl next door kind of girl during his time in ba sing se? If you still write for atla. Or with bolin if u don’t! (Can’t remember the name of his fav place rip)? Thank you so much!

I do write for everything that's on my list, especially Zuko ;)

Zuko x fem reader

When zuko first settled in Ba Sing Se with his uncle,he didn't expect an oddly friendly girl to take initiative in talking to him.

His cold demeanor didn't push you away from him,it really got him wondering, especially since he has a pretty bad image of himself.

Once he started leaving his guard down around you,that's when his feelings started to accumulate.

You would come to his uncle's tea shop almost daily, leaving a small present for Zuko. Maybe some rice cakes, or some cute little drawings. Just a way to show your affection for the boy.

You never asked about his scar,you didn't want to make him uncomfortable by bringing back unfortunate memories.

And he really appreciated that, he doesn't really like nosey people.

His uncle ships you two. Iroh also gives Zuko dating advice about how to talk to you,how to act and Zuko pretends he hates it,but secretly absorbs single thing Iroh says.

Each time you went out with Zuko was an amazing experience, learning new things about him.

Now let's say one day you didn't visit Zuko at all,which got him worried.

The next day same,wich is unusual,if you'd be busy the day before,you would visit and tell him,it's just something you do.

So he gets suspicious,and comes to your house to see if you're okay,only for your mother to tell him you've been attacked while making a delivery, everything you had was stolen.

Your parents would welcome Zuko inside to come see you.

He enters your room to see you lay in bed,hurt,but nothing very serious,just some cuts and bruises over your arms and so. He's bad at comforting,but he makes sure to tell you it's not your fault.3

And he is FERAL. After talking to you,Zuko asks your parents who did it,in which they say some raiders who have been bothering your family for a long time.

Safe to say,you never had problems with those people again.

He was close to you while you were recovering, bringing you your favorite tea,and claiming his uncle made him do it.(Which is bulshit).

Soon enough you got back to your usual routine,even spending more time with Zuko.

After you got better,he asked you out. Deciding that it's useless to waste more time on dwelling,and that he has to speak his heart.

After he confessed,you jumped on him, kissing him like there's no tomorrow.

And like that,he started dating you. He felt like never before,you gave him this warm feeling in his chest,and when you were not around he would be gloomy.

Iroh was so happy Zuko found himself a nice lady. And since then, it was unusual for you to be seen without Zuko,or him without you.

At one point in your relationship,Zuko spoke about the burn mark on his face,and what his father did you him.

Yes, he told you he's the prince of the fire nation,but he also told you he left that in the past. You trusted him with your life,and you made sure to let him know it.

He was so happy that you didn't judge him for what he did,and that made him trust you a lot.

.

.

My first Zuko request!

[discordiansamba]

had a very sleepless night last night due to hurricane helene (only a tropical storm when it reached us, thankfully) so of course what else was my brain to do but wander into semi-nonsense territory.

or: zuko dies when his ship blows up, but La takes mercy on him. local firebender wakes up as a merman. what the fuck.

everyone thinks he's dead. he can't leave the water because he has a whole entire fish tail where his legs used to be. he has no idea what to do with himself because suddenly his only goal in life has been taken away from him. he's stubborn as hell, but even he has to admit that he can't... really capture the Avatar in this state, and it's even more unlikely that if he somehow managed, his father would restore his honor. when he's half fish. what the fuck.

zuko cuts his hair, salvages his belongings from his ship and hides them in this underwater cave he found. spends a lot of time hanging out underneath docks and lapping up gossip. trying to figure out how this whole merman thing works. follows gossip and rumors about the Avatar anyways, because what else is he supposed to do with himself?

ends up in the north pole. he's still a firebender, which feels like a dumb joke but at least it keeps him warm. ends up befriending princess yue (iroh joined the avatar and saved the moon spirit). learns his sister was defeated at ba sing se. learned his father was defeated during the eclipse. his uncle became fire lord.

becomes a cryptid. keeps accidentally befriending small children. saves a few people? people think he's some kind of ocean spirit. he's offended but maybe they're right. gets used to subsisting on a diet of raw fish (except when yue sneaks him some smoked fish). and then, to add insult to injury...

...the Avatar starts looking for him.

(Aang has heard stories about a humanoid ocean spirit. They seem friendly! They've even saved a few sailors. Trying to track them down seems like a great way to not have to think about Ozai's impending execution. He spared his life, but it didn't even matter in the end.)

[firelordsfirelady]

XIII. Pinky Promises

Author: @firelordsfirelady

Imagine: When Y/N—a princess of one of the Water Tribes—is told she’s leaving her tribe, she never expects that she’s to be betrothed to the Fire Lord’s son, nor was she prepared to be exiled the very day she arrived at the Fire Nation. With her life in the hands of her new fiancée, how will life change for the princess? 

Pairing: Zuko x F!Reader

Trigger warnings: arranged marriage, feelings of fear, banishment, mentions of burns/abuse, frustration, violence, betrayal

Word Count: 3089

Destined to be Yin and Yang 

I own no rights to Avatar the Last Airbender or any of the characters/story. 

Author’s Notes

The characters as all aged up so Zuko’s banishment happens when he’s 16 

Keep in mind I am bringing a unique world with inspiration from ATLA in their characters, some of the events that happen, bending, etc. Not many things may align or occur with what happened in the show. It’s intended that way, so I hope you enjoy it regardless.

See Y/N’s inspiration here. 

Destined to be Yin and Yang Soundtrack (YouTube)

Thankfully, the crew and Zuko let me rest till very late in the afternoon the next day. As I sat at my desk brushing my hair, I stared at the firebender I had been drawing before the Fire Nation rudely drug me away yesterday. I had been busy adding a small amount of shading to the picture, and the small firebender I had drawn looked more alive now than it did when I started. A smile subconsciously found its way to my lips as I reminisced on my conversation with a certain firebender last night.

I will honor my agreement to marry you. Zuko’s words echoed in my head as I lightly touched my lips. He had kissed me last night, and, by the way the butterflies in my stomach fluttered, I may not ever recover from the kiss as my cheeks tinted a deep shade of pink.

Walking out of my room, I knocked on Zuko’s door, but there was no reply from within. I shrugged my shoulders as I walked down to Iroh’s door and knocked gently. Iroh’s friendly voice welcomed me inside the room, and I smiled as I walked in and greeted the older Firebender.

“Ah, Y/N, please have a seat. Would you like some tea?” He asked with a smile as he held up the tea pot. “I got some lovely ginsei tea from the last supply run we did.”

“Actually, I was wondering if you knew where Zuko was.” Iroh gave me a knowing smile as I asked my question.

“Ah, yes,” Iroh said as he poured three cups of tea. “He is in his prayer room.” Turning around, Iroh handed me two cups of tea. “He has specifically requested that no one disturb him until they have news of the Avatar.” The smile on Iroh’s lips had me furrow my eyebrows in confusion as I grabbed the cups, then I realized why Iroh was giving me two teacups.

“You want me to tell Zuko we have no news about the Avatar?” Iroh lightly laughed at my question and handed me a rolled map.

“What better way to receive unwanted news than with a beautiful woman bringing you tea?” I rolled my eyes as my cheeks turned a deep shade of red.

“If only the young prince saw it that way.” I laughed, careful not to spill the tea. Iroh smiled a knowing smile at me.

“Besides, perhaps, the two of you might be able to talk.” I rolled my eyes at Iroh’s attempt to set Zuko and I up on a date.

“I’m going to tell him you sent me there for a date.” I teased the older man who laughed at my statement. 

“I am not the one who called it a date.” Iroh teased back before he turned around to hold a small tea tray towards me. “Then take this tea tray.” I rolled my eyes and stuck out my tongue at the Firebender before setting the two cups on the tray and taking the offered tray from his hands. “Good luck on your date.” Iroh laughed as I rolled my eyes and left the room.

My heart thudded against the bones of my ribs as I walked towards the set of double doors that separated the hall from the prayer room. I felt nervous as I shifted the tray to rest against my right forearm as I raised my left hand and gently knocked on the door.

“I said to only come if there’s news of the Avatar.” Zuko’s calm voice came from the other side of the door. I took a deep breath before I answered.

“Even if I have tea?” My voice was light as I carefully opened the door. Zuko sat cross legged on a small stool in front of four lit candles that sat on a table. The candle flames grew then dimmed as Zuko sat with his back to me, but he turned to look at me as I gave him a warm smile.

“I was clear when I told Un—“

“And Iroh was the one who sent me to tell you the news.” Zuko’s eyebrow raised itself as I looked around the room to set the tray down. “But, you must remain calm with the news.”

“Uncle always said that a great leader keeps their cool.” Zuko calmly spoke as he turned his attention back to the candles in front of him.

We shall see how calm you remain. I stood there holding the tray of tea before I straightened my shoulders and smiled.

“We have no idea where the Avatar is.” The flames of the candles erupted into larger flames that reached the ceiling as he turned around with anger.

“What?” 

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.” I clicked my tongue and shook my head before I took some water from one of the cups and put out the candles. “You’re lucky to have me around with that temper.” I smirked as the Firebender struggled to calm down. Now that the candles were out, I carefully walked over to set the tray down on the table.

Zuko was dressed in a loose robe that stopped above his knees. I had yet to see him dressed so casually before, and it was sending my heart into a whirlwind as I tried my best not to stare at the handsome man as I turned back around. 

I shook my head as the thought crossed my mind, but I straightened up to give the prince a smile.

“Your uncle wanted me to deliver the news because,” I dropped my voice to imitate Iroh. “What better way to receive unwanted news than with tea delivered by a pretty lady.” I let out a light laugh before I turned around to find Zuko’s ears had reddened. “I told him that you might not see it as such.” A friendly smile was on my lips, but my heart hammered in my chest.

“Uncle has a way of exaggerating things.” Zuko said in a calm voice before he looked away. “He’s not wrong about the tea though.” My cheeks reddened as I looked away from the Prince. “Let me see the map.” Zuko took the rolled up map from my hand and unrolled it. I could see a black line drawn from several random points on the map as I looked over Zuko’s shoulder.

Had that been a compliment? I didn’t linger on the thought as I looked back up at Zuko.

“I couldn’t help but notice there’s two cups on the tray.” Zuko’s eyes brieflylooked towards the tea tray before he continued looking at the map. My ears reddened, but I tried to play it off with a laugh.

“Perhaps he thought you’d like some company while you drink your tea.” Zuko smirked at me as he rolled the map back up again. “It looks like the Avatar has been all over.” I said as I nodded my head towards the rolled up map, and Zuko sighed heavily.

“How are we supposed to find him if we don’t know where he is.” Frowning slightly, I walked up and squeezed his shoulder lightly.

“We will find him, Zuko.” I smiled at him. “I know it.” He stared at me briefly as if I had two heads. “Matter of fact, let me see the map.” He gave me the map as I had asked and I unrolled it. Scanning my eyes over the map, I was drawn to a small island in the earth kingdom. Pointing to it, I asked Zuko what the name of the island was.

“That’s Kyoshi’s Island.” Zuko said as he looked at it. “Nothing significant other than it was Avatar Kyoshi’s birth place.” I blinked at him.

“I have a feeling that we might find the Avatar there.” I casually shrugged as I rolled the map back up. “Giving his random path, he could be marking things off of a bucket list or something.” 

Zuko and I stood there awkwardly in silence before I cleared my throat.

“Well I’ll be go—“

“Do you want—“ Zuko and I started at the same time, and I let out a laugh.

“We need to stop doing that.” I laughed, and Zuko let out a small chuckle.

“Do you want to have some tea with me?” Zuko asked before I could finish my sentence, and his cheeks turned red as spoke.

“I thought you weren’t to be disturbed until there’s news of the Avatar?” I teased as I raised an eyebrow at the Firebender to cover the heart pounding in my chest. “I’d hate to disturb you with no news.” Zuko rolled his eyes at me, but the corners of his mouth raised a bit. 

“Who said you were disturbing me?”

Mentally his words have me screaming, but physically I tried to keep calm as I gave him a smile.

“As long as I’m not a bother,” I bowed my head slightly before I looked into the golden eyes that were looking at me. “I’d love to have some tea with you.”

A few hours later, Zuko had me in tears.

“It’s seriously not that funny.” Zuko said with irritation as his ears betrayed his embarrassment as I held my stomach with laughter. Wiping tears from my eyes, I took deep breaths to try and calm my fit of laughter.

“Oh, trust me, it is that funny.” A small laugh left my lips again before I smiled at the Prince. “I just can’t imagine you stuck in a tree dangling..” Another fit of laughter threatened to bubble out of me as I spoke. “It’s almost as funny as the time I got my tongue stuck to the ice cap back home.” Zuko and I looked at each other before we both started laughing at the same time.

“How did you get your tongue stuck to the ice cap?” Zuko asked as his laughter calmed down. An easy smile rested on his lips as he leaned against the wall of the prayer room with his hands behind his head. I laid on my back as I looked at him from my spot on the floor.

“Five year-old me thought it was a brilliant idea to lick the ice cap after Mayuh had done it and said it tastes like sushi.” I laughed at the stupidity of my younger self. Wiping tears from my eyes, I smiled at the fond memory. Zuko’s face scrunched up as he looked disgusted.

“You believed it would taste like sushi?” I laughed before reiterating that I was five years old at the time. A comfortable silence fell between us as I happily laid on the floor by the casually sitting Prince. I looked over to admire him as he stared blankly at the liquid in the cup between his hands. His eyes swam with such uncertainty that it broke my heart.

“Do you remember the dream I told you about the koi fish--the moon and ocean sprits?” My quiet words left my mouth as I looked at the Prince. Blinking slowly, Zuko slightly shifted his attention to me.

“Yes, and I remember the story about them coming to be mortal for a day.” Zuko’s eyebrow raised and I knew as he opened his mouth that he was going to ask me a question.

“I started having those dreams as far back as I could remember.” I looked up at the ceiling above me as I spoke. “I dreamt about one of the fish--the moon fish--dying during some dreams. Other dreams were me climbing into the pool to swim with the spirits with a young girl with snow white hair.” Zuko stayed quiet as I talked.

“When I was ten, my father said he had business to discuss with the Northern Water Tribe, and he would be gone for a few months. I begged Father to take me with him.” I let out a small chuckle at the memory. “And I mean I begged. I did all my schoolwork for that year and the next because he worried about my schooling.”

“Dad finally agreed, and I was ecstatic to arrive at the Northern Water Tribe. I met the King’s daughter, Princess Yue, and she looked just like the girl in my dreams.” Taking a small strand of hair between my fingers, I twisted the strand around my fingers as I sighed.

“I haven’t been completely honest with you, Zuko.” The firebender was as calm as ever as he patiently waited for me to continue. “Father and I stayed long enough for the day to come that the Moon and Ocean spirits would spend an evening as mortals among us.

“I followed Princess Yue to the sacred spring and was in absolute awe at the sight of the koi swimming in their water. I remember Yue put her hand in the water and the white koi playfully swam to her, so I did the same. The Ocean spirit came to greet me before the two koi playfully swam between our hands.” The memory made tears come to my eyes as I smiled fondly at the memory. “I could hardly believe something like that was possible.”

“We returned home shortly after, but I was never the same after that interaction.” My chest felt heavy as I prepared to let Zuko in on a secret I had been keeping from him. “Ever since I returned from that trip, I’ve had these dreams or visions that are so vivid and feel so real that I have to question if it happened or if I imagined it.” My words were slightly unsteady as I continued.

“When I was ten, I had a dream that began seeing Mayuh laying on a pile of wood with her hands folded neatly over her chest. She looked peaceful as I approached to tell her my final goodbye. I remember reaching out to her and touching the cold shoulder of my grandmother as she laid in bed. My touch caused her to fall back slightly and I screamed as I saw dried blood from her nose and lifeless eyes staring back at me.” I closed my eyes at the memory. “Mother had assured me that it was just a nightmare.” I let out a bitter laugh. “She heard my scream three weeks later as I found my grandmother dead.”

“My best friend died when I was fifteen after being chronically ill for years.” Turning to look at Zuko, I bit my lip as his golden eyes looked at me with sadness.

“What are you saying, Y/N?” Zuko asked quietly as I looked back to the hair between my fingers.

“Do not be upset about what I am about to say.”

“You’re not about to tell me I have died in your dreams, right?” I let out a small laugh at Zuko’s question.

“No. You didn’t die.” I sighed as I closed my eyes tightly. “I dreamt about the light we saw in the sky and I heard your voice say something about the Avatar before I saw the Airbender standing in your room.” I heard a sharp intake of breath from the surprisingly calm man near me. “I had a vision of Avatar Kyoshi’s Shrine happen that same night.”

“Are you asking me to believe your dreams are predicting the future?” Zuko’s words sounded dubious as he spoke, and I let out a bitter laugh.

“Absolutely not.” I said. “Life just has a strange way of making the visions happen.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I hope some of them are just dreams.” Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tried to give Zuko a smile, but he looked at me with concerned eyes.

“There’s more that you aren’t saying.” Zuko’s words were quiet, and I tried to keep my face stoic while he stared at me. 

“Hey,” Zuko’s soft words was accompanied by the soft caress of my face with a gentle hand. Forcing me to look at him, Zuko gave me the softest smile as he looked into my eyes. “You can talk to me.” My lungs ceased to work as I mulled over telling Zuko about my dream. “As long as you’re not about to tell me I died in your dream.” Zuko said in a slightly joking manner, but I didn’t find it funny as I replied. 

“I drowned.” My words were softly spoken in a volume barely audible to me as I blankly stared at something other than Zuko’s eyes as the flashbacks of the dream washed over me. “It ended with me drowning.” Silence greeted my heavily said words only briefly before a gentle hand moved the hair out of my face. My eyes focused back to the golden orbs looking back at me with so much emotion, but his facial expression held determination.

“You won’t drown while I’m around.” Zuko’s honest words made my heart jump in my chest.

“Pinky promise?” My voice sounded small as I held out my left pinky to him. “It is against the law to break a pinky promise.”

“A pinky promise?” Zuko’s ears reddened at my suggestion. “What are we? Children?”

“No. We are soon-to-be twenty year-olds who still believe in the binding magic of a pinky promise.” I tilted my head and slightly raised my eyebrow as I smiled at Zuko, offering my pinky again with a small bend of the finger at him.

“On one condition,” Zuko started, and I raised an eyebrow with curiosity. “You tell me about any visions or dreams you have.” I nodded in agreement. With cheeks tinted red, Zuko wrapped his right pinky tightly around my left one.

“I pinky promise that you won’t drown while I’m around.” A wide smile grew on my lips as I tightened my pinky around his too.

“I pinky promise to tell you about any dreams or visions I have.” I repeated then a yawn escaped my lips as I slowly moved to sit up.

“Thank you for having tea with me.” I said as I gathered the cups and the tray. “I enjoyed spending time with you.” Zuko’s face was red as the earnest words effortlessly left my lips.

“Are you free for another training session soon?” Zuko looked at me after he stood up and handed me the tray from the floor. “I feel well enough to train some more.” A smile rested on my face as I looked at the golden eyes staring at me.

“Do you think I’d miss the opportunity to beat you?” Zuko’s cocky smile greeted me. “Never.”

Tag List @chevysstuffs @puttyly @ginger24880 @night-fall-moon @junieshohoho @0kauy @coolgirl458 @hypnoticbeing @angelruinz @preeyansha @playboygeniusphilanthropist @ssonniiu  @chi-ara @hagridshaircare @stell404  @kyo-kyo1 @herondale-lightworm @simonsbluee @nadlx33333 @nerdisthenewcool @jewelsrules 

[orangepanic]

I know you usually mind your own business and avoid ship wars, but out of curiosity, have you ever gotten unprovoked hate for shipping Iroh and Asami? Also, what’s your advice on staying strong about it? I feel like such a coward because I don’t want to get attacked by the mob for it. I know it’s just a ship, but the idea of dealing with that negativity makes me hesitant to speak up about it. 😰

First off, big hug.

Second, oh boy have I ever. I've gotten it here in my askbox and in replies to my posts, I've gotten it on fics, I've gotten it in comments about me on twitter and private discords, both ones I'm in and ones I'm not. I once had someone hate me in a comment on nearly every chapter of a fic - why did they keep reading it? Seemingly just to yell at me about the ship. It got so bad I had to report them for harassment. And that's not counting all the ambient hate out there of the "ewwww omg who the fuck would ship that?" that's not directed at me specifically. So... yes.

In terms of advice, I can recommend a few strategies that have kept me safe and sane over the years:

Aggressively curate your online experience. Block anything you don't want to see, be that tags or individuals or authors. Know that shipping Korra or Asami with anyone who isn't Korra or Asami is extremely unpopular in mainstream fandom spaces and avoid those spaces - for example, public fandom discords, tumblr communities and most of Twitter. Don't start shit or comment on bad takes. Don't reply to negative comments - delete them. Don't like, don't read. Etc. This is both to protect your own mental health but also to be a good fandom citizen. I've found that if you're generally doing all the right things and minding your own business people who go out of their way to shit on you wind up looking that much more like assholes to everyone else, which can help avoid that mob mentality you mention. I've also found that, on balance, you get back the energy you put out there. If you're a positive person who is seen as a positive person, most people will interact with you positively.

Find cool people and hang out with them. In my experience, these tend to be people who are both a) emotionally mature, and b) also ship a small or non-canon pairing. They do not have to like your ship and often won't but they'll also understand the experience of having their preferred pairing disliked by a large number of fans and so are less likely to be bullies themselves. Definitely avoid absolutists - people who believe a certain kind of ship is intrinsically superior to others (e.g. canon ships, queer ships, same-age ships, whatever) - in favor of people able to say "it's just not for me" if they don't like something. Finding spaces to interact with these people like their blogs or ask boxes, or finding small-ship-friendly private discords, are great ways to build community in fandom while shipping something out of the mainstream. These people are also great to vent to and problem-solve with when you get unprovoked hate or see a terrible take so you don't feel in it alone. If you don't know where to start, find fics on AO3 that you like and be friendly in the comments. That's how I met my first fandom friends.

Recognize that you can't argue with unprovoked hate. The first nasty comment I got on a fic I agonized for a week about what I'd done wrong and how to respond. I wrote out a very thoughtful reply asking for feedback on how I could better represent Asami's bisexuality in my writing. I got back "you're a piece of shit." I've learned since that the kind of people who say that what you ship in fandom means they should run you over with their car are not the kind of people looking for a thoughtful discussion. They are looking for the moral high ground, or for a fight, or to be seen as doing something "right" online so that they can be reassured of the black and whiteness of the universe, or whatever, but the point is that it's about them and it's about them getting a reaction out of you. Engaging isn't going to change their mind. So don't. It also prevents escalation. If someone drops a turd in your ask box and you delete it, nothing happens. Publish it with a lengthy rebuttal and that continues the conversation. Instead, treat them like you would any other bully, that is, disengage if you can, and hit them really fucking hard if you can't and then disengage. Again, don't be afraid to delete, block, or report someone if they are violating any TOS.

There's also all the standard online safely stuff like never sharing your name, address, or any personally-identifying info online. Table stakes. You don't owe anyone anything.

Anyway, good luck, and I hope to see more of you, anon. I'd love to chat with more people who like Iroh and Asami together, and I firmly believe fandom can be wonderful no matter what you ship.

[stardust948]

To keep on theme with the recent Urzai week:

Do you have any headcanons for them? Either canon atla of your own au

I have some for both!

Canon:

It was always an arranged marriage whether Ursa was a noble's daughter or if we're following the comics and she grew up as a peasant. She and Ozai had a bit of an awkward start, but they learned to get along mainly out of survival. (The Fire Nation Courts are brutal especially when you're the Firelord's least favorite).

Ozai is lowkey a simp. Ursa said one genuine nice thing to him, and he nearly went into an angst coma.

Ursa reigned Ozai in a lot which is why things immediately went down the drain after she left.

PDA is frown upon for Fire Nation royalty, so Ozai would make up for it by buying a lot of gifts for Ursa.

Ozai always planned for Ursa to return and rule by his side which is why he never remarried. She eventually fell of radar and presumed dead.

Once Ursa returned after the war and sided with Zuko's anti-imperialism, Ozai saw it as a betrayal and personal rejection much like how Azula viewed Mai and Ty Lee after the Boiling Rock. (Yes, Ursa was previously an imperialist like the rest of the Fire Nation Royal family).

Brave is the heart that loves / Dragon AU:

Ozai and Ursa did shortly break up after they ran away together. Both were very stressed from trying to survive on the streets and got into a huge fight.

They spent a couple of days apart before tracking down each other. They both apologized and promised to support one another from then on.

Zuko was conceived that night.

Frenemies / High School AU:

They got together freshman year when Ozai filled as the Dragon King when the original actor Ikem got sick. It was Ozai's first real play in the Performing Arts high school he fought his father tooth and nail to enroll in, so of course he was nervous. But Ursa helped him through it.

They had an impromptu kiss on stage during opening night. The director liked it so much he added it to the script permanently. Ikem was highly pissed because he was going to use the play to confess to Ursa, but Ozai beat him to it.

They had an on again off again relationship throughout high school. It was either a lot of PDA or screaming matches. Sometimes both at the same time.

The relationship became toxic senior year, so Ursa broke up with Ozai for good. But by graduation, they were on friendly terms after some personal growth.

A few years later, they reunited at Hakoda and Kya's wedding and decided to give their relationship another chance. Since they're more mature this go round, it worked out and they get married sometime later.

Their friends, the rest of the Gaang's parents, NEVER let them live down their cringy high school years.

Apothecary AU:

Ozai set out to make Ursa his pawn, but he ended up becoming hers'.

He becomes legit depressed after Ursa was fired from her apothecary job to the point Iroh convinced Azulon to let her return.

Ursa loves it when Ozai drops his stern prince act and goofs around with her.

The whole palace knows they're courting before they do.

Ursa's a little unhinged in this AU and often experiments on herself to test the medicines. Ozai had learned the hard way not to eat her food or tea.

That said, Ursa was way too eager to help Ozai assassin Azulon. She had the poisons already picked out and ready to go. Ozai should be concern, but he's too far gone at this point.

Very match my freak energy.

Rivers in the desert AU:

Ozai and Ursa's relationship was really more of a partnership with benefits before they were forced to flee. After being separated, romantic feelings began to develop.

There is an inversion appearance wise. Ursa's darker skin tones, which made her stand out like a sore thumb in the royal courts, allowed her to pass for Earth Kingdom with the right clothes. Ozai is the exact opposite.

~Going into spoiler territory~

Ursa cannot, for the life of her, believe Ozai knows how to use a stove now. (Ursa: "Who are you and what have you've done with my husband???") Ozai took Ursa's airbending pretty well. (It was a long day and he's tired.)

Both had changed a lot once they reunite but Ozai a bit more self-conscious. He did not have access to his expensive beauty products for years and body type had changed. He's still fit but HIS abs are gone. (Nearly starving to death will do that). Ursa assures him it's alright and she likes that his body is softer now.

They both have gray hair strands (The Gaang is great, but we all know what they're like.)

Once the Fire Nation is defeated, they swear to not have any more kids. Kiyi was a pure accident.

@urzaiweekblog

[phoenix-king-ozai]

I don't think Ozai was like inherently evil but Iwhen imagine how he was as a child, I imagine he very competitive, very stubborn child and when he thinks he's gonna lose...well um..it doesn't go well. Even in a happier AU like the one listened below, this becomes a problem as Hakoda and Kya demonstrate.

I believe that when Ozai was young he was kind, caring, and compassionate like young Zuko was as well. I believe Ozai's ruthlessness, brutality, and cruelty were taught and instilled by the nature of imperialistic propaganda brainwashing along with child abuse and neglect by Fire Lord Azulon. My personal headcanon is that Fire Lady Ilah died in a disastrous childbirth accident and Fire Lord Azulon resented Ozai because of that. Making the poor boy more aloof, cold, ruthless, and cunning compared to his older brother Iroh who had the love, affection, and compassion of their father and especially their mother’s love. Ozai as a child probably was extremely sweet, kind, and well-mannered. However, became aloof, distant, cold, and vicious later into his teenage years. If the Hundred Year War, Fire Lady’s Ilah death, along with Fire Lord Azulon’s child abuse and neglect didn't happen. Ozai probably would be a happy and good child if these circumstances didn't happen. Child abuse & neglect along with fascistic imperialism is a horrible combo…

I personally don't believe that children can be born a naturally cruel and evil monster. Sure, Azula can be mean-spirited and tormenting in her teasing of Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee. However, she genuinely cares about and values her time with her friends and her brother. This is why she also brought him back to the Fire Nation as a hero as well albeit with Zuko taking the pressure of slaying the Avatar possibly being a failure and unknowing lie.

Regarding your comic. Ozai attitude towards Hakoda and Kya depends if the HYW happened or not. If HYW happen as in canon then Ozai would probably view Water Tribes as inferior savages and enemies of his father and nation. Ozai would not be friends and would despise Hakoda and Kya without even knowing them based on his imperialist brainwashing and fire supremacy superiority complex. If the HYW didn’t happen in an AU. Then Ozai would probably be pretty kind, charming, and friendly with Hakoda and Kya especially with Fire Lady Ilah being alive. If for some reason Fire Lord Azulon and Fire Lady Ilah brought Ozai to the Southern Water Tribe. Fire Prince Ozai would probably become fast friends with Hakoda and Kya despite the cultural differences.

However, honestly, I would ABSOLUTELY ADORE a Fire Nation Royal Family & Hundred Year War Prequel covering Sozin, Azulon, Ilah, Iroh, Ozai, and new characters complex and dark characters that serve as allies and foes to our two main "protagonists" Iroh and Ozai. Iroh as Grand General of the Fire Nation Army slowly becomes disillusioned and changed due to the cruelty, violence, and death surrounding the HYW whereas Ozai as Commander of the Southern Raiders and later Fleet Admiral of Fire Nation becomes consumed by the hatred, violence, suffering, and death surrounding him in his teenage years. Iroh is 30 and Ozai is 15 whereas Azulon is 55.

[starsfic]

Ask game(if still open)

Azulon "arranges" Ursa to marry his widowed heir Iroh instead of Ozai.

A few notes: I could not, for the life of me, find any mention of Iroh's wife. Lu Ten himself does not have a birth date- we do know he died in 95 AG, and he wasn't much older than 16-year-old Zuko at 99 AG. I'm going with the idea that he was about 20 when he died, meaning he was born about 75 AG, making him ten when Ursa and Ozai married in canon.

Ozai has begun to test the limits of his power and clearly expects to marry Roku's descendant. Azulon decides at the last minute to switch the arrangement to Iroh.

Considering that there's a nineteen-year age gap, the marriage is honestly awkward. Iroh and Ursa try their best to make it work, though. If a certain theater troupe is welcomed to visit Caldera City often and Ursa's parents visit often, well, that's part of making it work.

Ursa and Lu Ten are very awkward with each other. People expect Ursa to be a doting mother immediately. Thankfully, they ease into a friendship soon enough.

Zuko is literally Iroh's son. Azula is also born. They both still have issues, but thankfully less issues than with Ozai in the picture.

Ozai is a friendly uncle to the kids, although he clearly prefers Azula best. Iroh tries his best to keep the two apart.

[theerurishipper]

Another thing I dislike is how people still demonize katara for being angry at zuko - yeah maybe katara didn't need to spend as much time she did being harsh to zuko... but zuko also didn't need to burn down the innocent villagers'houses, yell at Iroh multiple times and call him fat over and over again and yell at his soldiers and the gaang when none if them did anything to deserve it and steal the ostrich horse + kidnap and blackmail katara and also indirectly get aang killed, traumatizing katara by proxy and betray both of them. Zuko was a sympathetic antagonist, but that doesn't change the fact that he wasn't a very nice person at the beginning - zuko himself understands that and he doesn't hold it against her.

And this is q blink and miss moment, but katara actually saved Zuko when he fell during the Bruning rock episode. She had a motivation to just let him fall and pretend it was an accident but she saved him even though she hated him because she's a good person who's not going to let somebody die over a grudge, regardless of how justified it is.

Obviously she didn't like him and made it clear several times but there's no proof she'd bodyshame and mock Zuko or abuse him. Katara hates wirh a passion and holds her foot down on her own, bur she's not cruel or a bad person.

Oh definitely. I personally haven't actually seen this happen, but I have no doubt that it does. Katara is not to blame for wanting to be wary of Zuko even after he joined them, and she isn't in the wrong for threatening him. Even in the episodes, even though she can be a little snappy with him, she usually is cordial enough to him, even if she isn't friendly. We see her accepting tea from him and all that, she isn't going out of her way to insult and demean him or anything of the sort. And like you said, she did save him in TSR. She isn't cruel or awful. Katara is a good person who has complicated feelings about Zuko because of what he did to her in the past, and she has every right to feel that way. Zuko doesn't begrudge her that, and ultimately they became close friends. Anyone who bashes on Katara for her valid feelings needs to reevaluate their opinion.

Thank you for your ask!

[ao3feed-zukka]

Lost on the Air

Read now on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/AC0okmU by Rion_in_2 “I know you’re there,” The prisoner said suddenly, and Sokka flinched. His voice was raspy, yet somewhat soft at the same time. It made him sound younger than Sokka imagined him to be. “What? You’re not being very subtle,” Sokka felt his throat bob nervously. “Umm… sorry?” The prisoner didn’t move, and Sokka chose his words carefully - he might as well try and make friendly with the dude, lower his chance of being murdered in his sleep. “I’m Sokka. I don’t suppose you have a name?” There was a silence, and Sokka imagined he too was choosing his best option. “Lee,” A nice, common Fire Nation name, if the scrolls he’d read were anything to go by. Also a lie, most likely, but Sokka wasn’t sure if he wanted to pry. -~- Six years after Firelord Iroh’s rise to power, Moon Prince Sokka of the Northern Water Tribe is kidnapped by rebels, threatening the fragile peace of the four nations. Katara vows to find her brother no matter who or what stands in her way. Meanwhile, trapped in the clutches of Fire Nation rebels, Sokka forges a tentative alliance with a fellow prisoner who might just be his key to escape…. But only if they can trust each other. Words: 2272, Chapters: 1/20, Language: English Series: Part 1 of The Blade that was Broken Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Sokka (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Zhao (Avatar), Original Characters, Azula (Avatar), Yue (Avatar) Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Katara & Sokka (Avatar), Aang & Sokka (Avatar), Aang & Katara (Avatar), Azula & Zuko (Avatar), Iroh & Zuko (Avatar), Sokka & Yue (Avatar) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Slow Burn, Moon Spirit Sokka (Avatar), Zhao sucks, ozai sucks, Iroh is a Good Uncle (Avatar), Firelord Iroh (Avatar), BAMF Katara, Badass Katara (Avatar), Protective Katara (Avatar), Katara is a Good Sister, Sokka is a good brother, sibling relationships, strangers to allies to friends, Emphasis On Slow Burn, Eventual Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Minor Original Character(s), Background Relationships, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Tags May Change, Tags Are Hard, Other Ships Not Mentioned in Tags, Author needs help, Zuko (Avatar) Needs a Hug, Everyone Needs A Hug, promoting my warrior Katara agenda Read it on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/AC0okmU

[zuko-always-lies]

Friendly reminder that Azula was not responsible for any of the major bad things that happened to Zuko...

1. She had nothing to do with Lu Ten’s death.

2. She had zero responsibility for Ursa’s exile.

3. She had nothing to do with Ozai deciding that Zuko was disobedient and burning and exiling him.

4. She had nothing to do with Ozai declaring Iroh and Zuko traitors and having them hunted down. Ozai did send her after them with orders to kill or capture them, but Iroh and Zuko would have been hunted anyways, by people like the Rough Rhinos and Fire Nation forces in general, even if she had literally disappeared from existence at the start of Book 2. Ironically, Azula goes on to spend most of Book 2 focused on either hunting down the Avatar or conquering Ba Sing Se, rather than on pursuing Zuko and Iroh.

Zuko had a lot of very terrible things happen to him, but Azula generally had very little to do with the most important ones.

[highfantasy-soul]

Moments I loved from NATLA Episode 4 - Into the Dark ❤️️❤️️

Aang and Iroh interacting more - love that they're not friendly to each other, per se, but it builds a foundation that makes their later respect make sense

The Earth Kingdom being harsh with their 'fallen foes' is nice to seed in here as in the animated version (season 1), most of the 'bad' stuff was relegated solely to the Fire Nation

The Earth Kingdom is no pushover and it's nice to see that early

Sokka defending his dad "My dad would have never done what you did" even after he commiserated with the Mechanist about his dad 'not valuing' what Sokka could bring to the table.

Though Sokka is frustrated that his dad doesn't see "him", he knows his dad is an honorable man doing his best and when Sai tries to use him as an example of 'doing the wrong thing just to survive', love that Sokka calls him on it

SECRET TUNNEEELLLL!!!

Like them introducing this now - all old buildings have secret passages - it's just a law

Teo's "its time to fight!" attitude - love it. He's so ready to stop cowering and wants to hit back

Flopsy statues!!!!!

Rolly ball throne? Nice touch

"Bumi? BUMI!!" :D

"You did 🤨" Love how Aang keeps his "I'm just gonna say the truth and I don't care if that's 'not allowed' I'm gonna do it anyways because your social rules are stupid" attitude

Katara's water pouch!!

Love the shake in Jet's voice as he tells Katara "I am nothing like the firebenders"

Katara's assessment is shallow on her part, but the core has a ring of truth - no, freedom fighters aren't the same as their oppressors, but when you start harming your own people to hurt the enemy, then you really have lost sight of what's right and wrong - why you're fighting.

FREEZE JET'S ASS!

I love Jet, especially this version of him, but yeah, no touchy

And Katara is absolutely right: Jet might have helped her through her block, but her power, that's all hers.

What are you going to do, Zuko?? What choice will you make!!??

Love that we're getting this choice of his here in Omashu

Bumi's puns 😭 kill me now - though very canon accurate

Like the vibe that everyone just has to laugh as to not anger him - there's less of a whimsical madness vibe to Bumi here and a more serious - yeah, this guy is our leader vibe that's quite unsettling

The tonal shift with Bumi did give me pause, but I like how the writers kept the jokes, the games, his eccentricities, but shifted the vibe to make them darker

In the cartoon, whimsy might work, but if you think about it realistically, that leadership style would NOT work during a war - a 100 year war, at that.

HIPPIIEESSSS!!!!

Sokka getting into that maraca - you let your little musical heart fly

"What are you doing here?" "We're doin' what we're doin'" :)

Oma and Shu lesbian supremacy!!!

Always get chills when this story is told

Lol Sokka's "There's no such thing as angry spirits." Right before the episode where they're kidnapped by an angry spirit XD

Love the switch up of the rocks not really being the path out - keeping us animated show fans on our toes as to what the lesson will be this time

Everything about the Earth Kingdom soldier's interaction with Iroh - all of it is just so good.

The cartoon glossed over Iroh's warmongering past - but he did do terrible things that hurt so many people. No, 'it was war, I was a soldier' is not an acceptable excuse (we didn’t accept it with Jet, so why the double standard for a ROYAL MILITARY GENERAL??)

The funeral scene

Leaves from the Vine

Zuko offering a soft and kind memory of Liu Ten instead of just talk about him being a soldier

Zuko sitting next to Iroh so he won't be alone!!!!!!!!!

The conversation between Katara and Sokka in the cave where she talks about how Jet helped her and Sokka how Sai helped him - then Katara reminding Sokka that when he was forced into a leadership position for the Southern Water Tribe, he didn't have anyone to help him through that

The concept of us all needing people to help us through our journeys is so important and really comes around at the end of the episode and just through the entire series

BADGERMOOOLLLEEE!!!!

Is it bad that all I could think about was how cute it was the entire time it was on screen?

Dallas Liu is so. Freaking. Good. At. His. Stunts!!!!

And the first mention of the theme Zuko struggles with of compassion being weakness!

Sokka's little 'thanks!' as Katara saves him from the badgermole XD

Seriously, all the little touches in Ian Ousley's performance are great

Idk why Sokka assumed the badgermole was a man, that's clearly a dignified lady

The power of sibling love guiding the badgermole was a great alteration from the OG - if they can be controlled through music, they can definitely respond to emotions

Bumi's whole speech here - and his willingness to get crushed - is what brought me around on this portrayal of him

He's right: it's a game where you have to make impossible choices - you have to fight even when you don't want to (a much more poignant message for Aang than 'look at things a different way')

The power of friendship saves the day!!!

"You CAN rely on your friends - and that's the only way I'm going to save the world: with my friends"

"You think like a child" (derogatory) "Is that really so bad?" (genuine)

Bumi made Appa's whistle!!! 😭😭😭😭

One last time Zuko chooses protecting his uncle over capturing the Avatar 🥲

"Everything I need is right here on this boat" 😭😭😭

[Masterlist of my NATLA thoughts]

[sokkastyles]

Friendly reminder that Ursa taught both children about how great fire imperialism was

She would be proud that her 2 kids and their friends conquered the earth kingdom capitol

Hello there! Happy black Friday weekend! I think we're up to six sock puppets now!

Anyway, did Ursa teach her kids how great imperialism was?

There's that one scene where she laughs at Iroh's joke about burning Ba Sing Se to the ground, and the children laugh with her because children tend to laugh when an adult thinks something's funny.

And I've written about this scene before. How it's an example of how even someone who considers themselves good can perpetuate oppression. The way Iroh frames it, he doesn't want to burn down the city, but those ignorant EK rebels who don't know what's good for them just might force him to. It's horrible, but that's the point.

We know that elsewhere, Ursa was a person who tried to teach her children to be kind and compassionate towards all living things, and that is a belief very counter to the imperialist violence they were being taught by their father.

And after Ursa is banished, do I really think she'd be proud of her children for conquering Ba Sing Se? Not only does she no longer have a reason to support FN imperialism, and every reason to see it for what it really is now that she's seen Ozai for what he really is, but even if she never unlearned imperialism, do you really think she would have wanted that for her children?

To see Azula turned into exactly what Ursa tried to prevent her from becoming? To see Zuko, with that scar on his face, hurting other people because he was hurt and desperate for a place to belong? To see Zuko make the decision to go back to the man who hurt him because the devil that you know is better than the one you don't?

I actually think it would have made her immensely sad, and in fact, in this AU it could have been the catalyst that pushes her to realize that the war needs to be stopped, if for nothing else than for the sake of her children.

There's a reason that Azula and Zuko conquering Ba Sing Se doesn't feel like a victory, even when we see it from the FN perspective.

[theamityelf]

Speaking of, what are the Kamukuras like in public

(Kamukuras AU Masterlist)

Izuru is very formal and straightforward. He's not making conversation with anyone; he's not talking any more than he has to in order to accomplish whatever task he left for, and he's not taking an interest in anything else that's going on. He seems essentially normal. Not friendly, but not doing anything out of the ordinary.

Byakuya honestly probably doesn't go in public at all. If he needs something from outside, he can arrange for it to be brought to him. If he for any reason had to be in public, he would be about as formal and straightforward as Izuru, except more defensive and touch-averse. Like, if Izuru walked under a tree and the leaves were falling, he would just let leaves fall on his head; if Byakuya walked under a tree and leaves were falling, he would dodge the leaves.

Makoto is very easily distracted. Him going out in public is like a combination of the series of events that led to him getting his Hope's Peak letter and (if I may make an Avatar reference) the Uncle Iroh section of the Tales of Ba Sing Se episode (where Uncle Iroh is just going through his day and keeps casually helping people and giving life-changing advice). Basically, if Makoto is sent to the store for groceries, he finds someone's lost dog, makes repairs to someone's mobility aids (with permission), gives a lot of street directions, waters some plants, moves some earthworms out of the sun, helps some kids with their homework, all before he gets to the store. And at the store he stops an armed robbery, has an insightful conversation with the robber, and buys several things that weren't on his list because (among other things) he noticed in passing that the hair salon down the street is low on deep conditioner and that could seriously cut into their profits.

Mahiru acts...normal? If you saw her in public, she would read as a normal person. Maybe too normal, in a way you wouldn't clock unless you had reason to focus right on her. She's unusually confident for someone her age. Kind of uncanny. She always looks like she knows she's in the right place and doing the right thing. She makes absolutely unwavering eye contact when she's talking to store cashiers or cops. She slips in and out of crowds effortlessly. (As I've mentioned, she's got her whole killer-of-killers thing, so a that's her main reason for trying to come across as normal and forgettable.) That said, she also makes no effort to hide her strength or grace. She'll be walking long distances with like twenty grocery bags and a backpack without even a hint of discomfort, and she would turn down anyone who offered to help.

Nagito is giving Doctor Who energy. He will pop in and change a stranger's whole day. Egging people on to have adventures, for his own entertainment. He sees a guy texting a girl, and Nagito goes, "You seem to like her. You should tell her! The nearest florist is just 0.2 miles away, and there's a candy store two doors down. Can you sing? Let me hear a basic scale. Here, I have a pitch pipe." Just pushing people to unreasonable highs, and yet it seems impossible to say no to him. He's really good at playing to their passions, gassing them up, and then watching the fallout and vanishing once it gets boring. He shoplifts very casually, but he also pays for things, seemingly at random. He'll steal something big that he could more easily have bought and buy something small that he could more easily have stolen, or vice versa.

And I think the Child Kamukuras can have a separate post later, because it depends on who they're with, whether they're together, etc.

[wamakai]

Zutara Week: Day 1 - Home

@zutaraweek (also posted on Fanfiction.net under "Shades of Tenderness")

An icy wind blew across the deck of the Fire Nation ship ferrying Zuko, his uncle and their entourage. He had very nearly paced a hole in the floor of his quarters, nerves plaguing him as he contemplated this trip and the reason for it. He was equal parts excited and anxious, more the latter considering his mission. Not even Uncle Iroh’s gentle prodding had gotten him to relax.

What if they rejected him?

He was the Fire Lord after all. His people, under his father, had committed great crimes against the world. He felt guilty by proxy considering some of the things he himself had done to help with the oppression. This tribe, specifically, had suffered much – as had his bride to be.

He wiped sweaty palms on his tunic and continued to pace. Before long, a guard came to inform him that the shores were in sight. They had arrived. The plan was to anchor the ship at a far enough distance so as not to agitate the Southern Water Tribe. Zuko and his delegation would arrive ferried by Sokka and his crew on their own boats. In this way, maybe there wouldn’t be so much tension.

It had been several years since the Avatar had sealed Ozai’s powers and peace was restored to the world, but it would be supremely naïve of him to assume that all was simply forgiven for that reason.

Standing on the deck, Zuko fidgeted, visibly anxious about what was happening. Iroh, understanding his plight, lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. The wait was fairly agonizing. But Sokka appeared with some of the Water Tribe men from behind an iceberg, waving goodnaturedly. That put Zuko somewhat at ease and he gave a friendly wave back.

There was no backing out now. Then again, he didn’t back out of things because they were difficult. And he loved Katara. And she loved him. As the daughter of the current chief, it couldn’t have been easy convincing her tribe that this match was a good one.

But the union was an auspicious one. At the very least, the Fire Nation making peace with the Water Tribes through marriage wasn’t too bad of a political move either. However, that was the last thing on his mind. He had trouble thinking of much else besides Katara.

Their heartachingly bittersweet goodbye, their plans for their future, their upcoming nuptials… and the fact that he hadn’t seen her in more than a month. They had sent messenger hawks often but it wasn’t the same. It could never be the same. And now, after all of that waiting, here they were, ready to complete one more step towards their forever. He steeled himself as Sokka led him to the door of Hakoda’s hut. Sokka chuckled at how woodenly his friend was walking, but he understood.

Giving him one last reassuring smile, he opened the door and Zuko walked in to meet his future father in law and the elders of the tribe.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Katara saw him before he saw her. She hadn’t been so nervous given how much work she’d put into buttering up her father, step-mother and the tribe’s elders.

There were dissenters to the union, of course. She was well aware of how much her people had suffered at the hands of the Fire Nation. She was also aware that members of the Fire Nation, having been fed so much propaganda over the years, also felt unsure of her own ability. The hurt on both sides was great, but hopefully this would be a good first step to reuniting the nations.

That said, she was sure that Zuko had received a warm welcome and had received the blessing he had come to seek. She’d read the clear worry in his letters, despite him trying to hide it.

But there was no need for letters any more. She would travel with her family to the Fire Nation at the end of the week and there, they would be wed. It was finally time. She would miss her old home and her people. She would come visit as often as she was able, but she would have a new home now.

Then a cheeky thought crossed her mind.

She bended some of the nearby snow and launched it at her fiancé, hiding cleverly behind a snowbank. She peeked around it to see him glaring confusedly in her direction. The realization dawned on him and a slow smile crept on his face.

The next time she peeked at him, she only barely dodged a face full of powder. She laughed and launched an attack of her own. The game was on.

Of course it wasn’t fair since here, surrounded by cold and ice, she had a clear advantage. But they were no longer at war. And this wasn’t a battle she’d begun with the deep desire to win. That didn’t mean that it wasn’t satisfying to get his call for surrender before she stopped her onslaught. He’d landed on his behind in some snow and was laughing joyfully despite his defeat, a familiar gleam in his amber eyes.

She was glad he was in good spirits. That meant that they had the okay to proceed with the wedding. Her tribe would support her decision. She went over to help him up but he pulled her down onto the snow trapping her in his warm embrace.

He did always run hot and once or twice since coming back, she’d missed having him nearby; a human heater of a sort.

This time it was she who yielded, and they lay in the snow for a moment, looking up at a mostly grey sky. Patches of blue appeared and were covered up here and there. It was going to be a cool day.

Zuko reached for her hand and she smiled sitting up. He sat up too and scooted closer enclosing her in his warmth.

“Welcome home,” she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He kissed her forehead in response.

“I missed you.”

They would have to be apart for a few days while she completed her family’s traditions before she joined him. For now, however, he held her tight knowing one clear truth.

It didn’t matter where he was, as long as they were together. Because she was his heart. She was his love. She was and would always be his home.