#and by girlfriend i mean ty lee

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

Top 15 Maiko moments

Since I made a Kataang list, and I think it's only fair I do it for Maiko too.

#15 - Casually leaning against each other during a meal (03x05)

I'm starting off the list with the neverending trend that is "Maiko being unbelievably clingy."

I just can't deal witht he fact that these two both have demonstrated some difficulty/discomfort when other people get too touchy with them - yet you leave them in a room together and these motherfuckers suddenly think they're siamese twins.

They're not even trying to be romantic, they just... naturally gravitated towards each other and stayed in that position because it's what feels familiar and comfortable for them.

I remind you guys that The Beach is the episode in which they are at the most incompatible, yet even that episode is visually showing us "These dumbasses are so in love they just naturally act like a couple without even meaning to."

#14 - "It'll be nice to Zuko again. Won't it, Mai?" & Baby Mai's crush on Baby Zuko (02x03 & 02x07)

I know, I know, I'm cheating with this one because they are two separete moments from two different episodes, but SUE ME, I couldn't pick a favorite between them, and I also didn't want to remove the previous moment from the list, and "Top 16" just doesn't doesn't feel right.

I just love the way Mai is acting all shy whenever she so much as looks at Zuko in "Zuko Alone", how she clearly WANTS to hang out with him but doesn't really know how to start a conversation with him and feels all awkward.

And then years later, in the middle of a mission, she's just... happy that she might see him again, even if it's not in the most ideal situation. It's cute and I love it when Mai is happy and showing some of the emotions that hide behind her apathy for seemingly everything and everyone.

#13 - Grumpy dumbasses at the party (03x05)

On this one, those two just skipped several years ahead and went straight to "Bickering like a couple that has been married for fourty years, are clearly about to fight, yet refuse to get any space because WHY would they want to be away from each other? What a strange notion!"

Seriously, I lost count of how many times my grandparents had that exact same conversation when they're feeling the need to be difficult, and that scene made me have the same reaction I always have during these moments:

They're annoyed at each other, yet they just... refuse to not to be near each other. And Mai's first instinct when she wants something is to tell Zuko to go get it for her, and he does because, once again, they just have no freaking clue how NOT to be a couple (and it took what, fifteen minutes for her to go check on him after their fight because she just doesn't know what the fuck she has to stay for if he's not around? That's a marriage if I've ever seen one).

Also Zuko's line of "That food was for my cranky girlfriend!" makes me laugh every time and it's actually so cute that he wants to spoil his girl even when they're both in a terrible mood.

#12 - First date/kiss (The Lost Adventures Comic)

This moment is just SO. FREAKING. ADORABLE.

The way we see a bit more of Mai's prankester side (girl was friends with Azula and Ty Lee for a reason) and how Zuko can't help but find it endearing, the way they blush and act all unsure of themselves after he touched her shoulder, how Zuko can't even look at her when he admits that he likes seeing her happy and enjoying herself, Mai basically admiting that for a while she did the equivalent of "Little boy pulling at a girl's hair because he likes her and can't deal with it", and then, of course, the kiss. It's all just great.

And I gotta love how this date only happened because Azula set it up because Zuko was acting all angsty and saying he wouldn't go back to the Fire Nation - so she reminds him that something, or rather someone, he REALLY wants wasn't going to be around much longer, and that boy just doesn't hesitate to take the bait.

Also Azula and Ty Lee were HILARIOUS while spying on them, and the irony that Azula is basically playing 3D chess with her brother's love life for her own benefit, only to then accidentally shoot herself in the foot by the events she set in motion is just too good.

I really wish we could have seen this in a flashback during the actual show. It's just not fair that this little gem is hidden away in a comic.

#11 - Mai covering Zuko's eyes (03x05)

Yet another silly, very quick moment that I'm likely the only one obsessing over, but I can't help it, I live for stuff like that. Zuko is on full rage mode for being on the island at all and thus Mai is getting very grumpy and annoyed at him... yet the second they witness the gross sight of Li and Lo in bathing suits, she just covers her boyfriend's eyes to spare him of the horror that is old people who ran out of fucks to give (and that is totally not their own fate when they're Li and Lo's age).

The inherent cuteness of their relationship seeping into every scene, even when they are not on their best moment, is just one of the things I love the most about this ship. If they're not "meant for each other" like some dumbasses insist, then how come they're so married?

Plus it was really funny, and I like it when things are funny. The more it makes me giggle, the higher it goes on the list XD

#10 - First on-screen kiss (03x01)

This moment had me SHOCKED the first time I watched the show. I already thought Mai's crush on Zuko was cute, and I knew the series could make them a couple eventually - but I did not expect them to get together in between seasons. 7-year-old me was like "WAIT, THAT'S ALLOWED?"

Also, I've always loved how that moment started. Zuko is staring dramatically into the horizon, being angsty and walking right into an existential crisis - and Mai just goes "No, we're not doing that." It's just so fucking funny.

And it's also the first exemple of these two being completely unable to keep their hands to themselves. Mai just hugs him, touches his scar, and kisses him, and Zuko, who had trouble even hugging Iroh back, just... lets her. Because he doesn't mind it one bit when she does it.

I just really like how Mai's default way of comforting Zuko is by offering physical affection. It's freaking adorable. Also their "first" kiss happening in a gloomy day, with dark clouds everywhere, yet they're off in their own little world, just happy to be in each other's arms, is "Maiko in a nutshell." Add in some emo music and it becomes the most mid 2000s AMV ever.

#09 - "I'm sorry, Mai" (03x10)

This scene is one that just drives me up the wall with how much I love it. It's such a short little moment, but it's so significant to their relationship. Zuko wants to continue enjoying the life he has at the Fire Nation. He wants all the comfort that comes with being a prince, the approval of his father, the security of knowing he'll always have roof over his head and will one day be Fire Lord - and wants to stay and be with his girlfriend because he LOVES her.

But he can't. Because he knows innocent people will suffer and die if he doesn't stop his father. So he has to leave behind everything he holds dear, including Mai. He can't even say goodbye in person, both because it hurts and because what if something goes wrong and he ends up captured? He can't risk it.

So he leaves her a letter and says aloud an honest apology that he knows she can't hear, because he just HAS to say that he never wanted this.

More importantly though:

That boy heard Azula's mocking comment in "The Avatar And The Fire Lord" and decided "You know what, maybe I should go see the royal painter and bring Mai along so we can have a portrait of us as a couple."

I just love them so much.

#08 - Confrontation at the Boiling Rock (03x15)

This is a BIG one. Mai is obviously pissed at him because of the way he broke up with her, and she cannot understand why the hell ZUKO, someone who has always been so deeply patriotic and a very proud prince is suddenly leaving everything behind to go help out a bunch of traitors.

Zuko stands his ground, and tries to make her understand - and then out of nowhere he just HAS to brag about how awesome she is when a guard offers to protect her. He simply not hesitate to basically say "Oh yeah, she could totally give me a hard time during a fight, ain't that great?" (Also the fact that the show never gave us a moment of them throwing knives together even though Zuko has a knife too is a CRIME).

But, of course, real life has to "ruin" the moment. Zuko sees an oportunity to go help his friends, and escapes the cell, locks the door - and then they just stare into each other's eyes, for what they know might be the last time.

Mai's confusion and rage. Zuko's resolve to do what's right no matter the cost. Just that certainty that, whatever they both decide to do now, it will be final. There's no turning back from this. If their relationship ends that day, it ends FOREVER.

It literally lasts just a few seconds, but it's intense and does such an amazing job of allowing the characters to communicate with each other, and the audience, on what they're feeling.

And it's also the perfect set up for:

#07 - "I love Zuko more than I fear you" (03x15)

Literally NO ONE saw this coming, not even Mai herself, and if you tell me you did I'm gonna call you a liar, because OH MY FUCKING GOD!

Everything went wrong, the good guys are about to get captured, the situation is hopeless... and then in comes Mai, risking it all and taking a huge leap of faith.

She doesn't fully get why Zuko is so sure joining the Avatar will be good for their nation. She doesn't know if that will work out like he hopes. But she trusts him, and allows him to go for it, because she knows HIM, knows all the pain he went through trying to be Ozai's perfect son, and if he wants to throw his "perfect" life away just to be the one actually in charge of it, goddammit, she's on board and will do the same.

She knows there's no way she escapes that place with Zuko, it's too late for that. But she can allow HIM to leave "safely", while she stays behind and faces Azula's wrath - and she doesn't care, because she knows there's NOTHING Azula can do to her that would ever hurt as much as living with the knowledge that she just stood by and watched the downfall of the person she loved the most, that she chose to submit to Azula yet again instead of being her own damn self at long last.

It's the proof of Mai's devotion for Zuko, the moment in which her life became her own again, it's one hell of a plot-twist, and leads to yet ANOTHER epic moment of characters staring at each other with daggers in their eyes (and hands), and it's fucking beautiful!

#06 - Fight and reconciliation by the fire (03x05)

I can't lie, I'm a sucker for characters hitting their breaking point, confronting each other, letting all their rage and pain out - and then one puts everything aside to show some vulnerability and care for the other.

Zuko has not been feeling great about himself, and is taking it out on his girlfriend. Mai is not perfect either, and can't see that even Zuko's more "clueless" actions like giving her a sea-shell that she obviously wouldn't like is just him genuinely trying to be nice to her despite his impulse to act like a jerk, because he CARES.

Zuko is feeling insecure, wants reassurance, but Mai doesn't notice, and so he starts feeling threatened by a guy she full on says might as well not exist in her eyes. It's bad, but it's yet more proof that he CARES.

She goes after him after their fight, they open up a bit, Mai reminds Zuko that his sad life doesn't excuse the way he's been acting and when she stands up for herself against AZULA it just makes Zuko go instant simp mode and try to act all smooth and pull her close with that "I like it when you express yourself" (I can never get over that - boy, I know you're a teenager on vacation with your hot girlfriend that looks so cute when she's mad, you two are not alone yet, keep it in your pants!)

And then it happens. Zuko just loses it, can't deny that he is feeling like he is betraying himself because he no longer knows right from wrong and that is freaking him out because, even when he is firmly on the wrong side, he had ALWAYS been sure of his convictions and what he stands for, but now everything is messy and he doesn't know what he should care for.

Cue Mai deciding to forgive him for his angry outburts, for the unfair accusations, for the general unpleasant atitute, and just give him a bit of the support she now sees he had been needing and wasn't getting. A simple, straight-forward "I care about you", and a kiss - which Zuko eagerly accepts, and he IMMEDIATELY just keeps holding her close, all the fighting forgotten because he still has one source of stability in his life, one person he can rely on to be by his side when he doesn't know what he is doing.

05 - Cuddles and dessert (03x09)

This is the point where it became borderline impossible for me to pick my favorites, and I'll probably regret the order a million times, but I gotta post this already.

I love this scene. I just genuinely adore it with all my heart. Them looking at each other all cute, smiling and unable to keep their hands to themselves, and Zuko just once again showing that he like spoiling his girl by asking a servent to bring something FOR THE LADY. Name literally one other character that has Zuko acting like that - YOU CAN'T! NOT EVEN WHEN HE WENT ON A CUTE DATE WITH SOMEONE ELSE!

The whole vibe is just so domestic and cosy. Literally the only thing that is missing is a cat purring next to them and it'd be my idea of heaven.

#04 - Supportive Mai (03x09)

Nightmares and daydreams really is THE Maiko episode. The fact Zuko goes to Mai's house for comfort and distraction when the meeting he thinks he's been excluded from is happening says a lot about how much she means to him (and for once her parents not being around is a good thing 👀), and then later he opens up to her about what bothered him about being Ozai's perfect son because he trusts her to be there for him. They've truly done some amazing progress after The Beach.

Mai's concern for him is just genuinely touching. Even when she doesn't know exactly what to say or do, she's still trying so hard because she doesn't like seeing Zuko truly down, and that is what made her his safe-space this entire episode.

#03 - "That gloomy girl that sighs a lot?" (03x14)

Look at that boy. LOOK. AT. THAT. BOY.

He is just so smitten and clearly missing her. He LIKES the traits that the fandom insist makes her "unlikeable", that led to characters making fun of her in universe, the coping mechanism she used to protect herself from being hurt by people like her parents - can't get hurt if you don't care.

And Zuko doesn't see it as something she needs to change in herself, something undesirable, something he puts up with. He likes what everyone insists is a flaw of hers, and will so even when being teased about it because he can relate to being moody and angsty and cranky and wouldn't judge her for it because she's the person that consistently likes that about him too.

#02 - "You're so beautiful when you hate the world" (03x02)

This was the moment that made them one of my favorite Avatar ships. These two just not giving a fuck if that they're being embarrassing and cringy and just judging the whole world together and being disgusted by everything except each other. Not only is it a funny, wholesome moment, it is THE most accurate portrayal of a teen romance I've ever seen in my life. Just two dumbasses being in love and saying whatever nonsense they want, and kind of relating to each other for it.

Also them just basically telling Azula to fuck off because they wanna keeping making out was amazing.

01 - Reunited at the end (03x21)

Once again. Look at that boy. Just you LOOK. AT. THAT. BOY.

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

They're so cute. They're so happy. It's literally what their entire romantic arc in season three had been building up to and I'm forever greateful that the writers didn't rob us, and them, of it just because the fandom can't appreciate a good thing even as it stares them right in the face.

They're both finally on the same page, ready to support each other no matter what, with nothing and no one standing on their way, and allowing themselves to just enjoy their love. It's what they deserve.

[aangarchy]

My little cousin (15) finished atla yesterday, y'all know the drill by now but here's her opinion of the characters after the s3 finale

Aang: "that's MY Avatar. The GOAT."

Katara: "amazing stunning wonderful beautiful powerful badass gorgeous talented-" this went on for a bit

Sokka: "the creators can't hide that he's bisexual."

Toph: "i couldn't get over the feral chihuahua energy i'm sorry"

Zuko: "... fine he's hot now happy?"

Azula: "i mean if my brother came in to ruin my coronation i would try to kill him and his little girlfriend too so"

Suki: "i wish i could kill people with a fan but alas i can only kill them the non cool way" Me: "the non cool way?" Her: "just stabbing."

Mai: "she deserves so much better than Zuko"

Ty Lee: "she joined the Kyoshi warriors, a group comprised of only women.... interesting."

Uncle Iroh: "i was really expecting the old man to bite it ngl i'm happy he stuck around tho"

Firelord Ozai: "we waited two seasons for his reveal and he's just some guy." Me: "yea that's kinda the point, that he's just a normal man" Her: "i could run him over with my bike."

The Old Masters: "the Okra bus got lost in Ba Sing Se lol" (for context okra is a belgian seniors organisation, like for the elderly to go on trips and such)

[azurlily]

Hi, can I get what dating Azula would include? Please

Well hii!! Sure, I got you!

Dating Azula Would Include:

Azula isn't...the nicest. She's kind in the way that she loves you, but also wouldn't hesitate to laugh at your mistakes.

Azula, to say the least, is a good lover. As long as you get over being a massive bitch sometimes. She'll laugh or snicker at some servant or pedestrian doing something stupid.

Dating Azula means being friends with Mai and Ty lee. You have no choice. Once the two girls learn about you, it's all over, this is your life now. You have no choice.

Dating Azula means you get recognized a lot, meaning people see and know who you are. Just one glance at you, and you're recognized by everyone around you.

Dating Azula means you get kisses at the randomest times of the day. You two could be walking around and she'll pin you to a wall and pull you into a deep kiss. She then prances off, acting like she didn't just kiss your lips off.

Azula is only affectionate in private or around people she trusts. She allows Mai and Ty lee to see her kissing, touching, loving you.

Azula doesn't share. By no means are you allowed near ANYONE she would consider competition. Mai and Ty lee are on that list too. She has no issues keeping you away from anyone she doesn't like.

Azula has a hard time expressing her love, with the life she has lived it's understanding. She more than likely buys you things, things she deemes worthy of your touch. So you see a dress or a peice of jewelry you like? Just ask.

Azula tries her hardest not to be a bitch when your feeling down. Dating her means you see the vulnerable side of her, she knows you'll show that side of yourself too. In her eyes seeing the real you, it's a pleasure and a bit overwhelming.

Azula gets her red lipstick all over your face when she kisses you. Make out sessions are very evident to those who pass by you. All they see are red smudges and an even redder face. Too bad she enjoys seeing you all quiet and flustered.

As your girlfriend, Azula takes care of many things for you. She knows that being in a relationship with her is hard, so she takes the workload off you. This is one of the many ways she says 'I love you' without actually saying it.

She doesn't care if her father approves of you. It doesn't matter, I mean at first it did. Now though, now she'll do anything you say. If you say it nice enough.

Azula will take you everywhere with her. She's paranoid that you might get hurt without her. So, the obvious option is to bring you with. She's so smart.

As your girlfriend, she doesn't get a little control happy. She decides who gets to give you attention, she decides what you eat, everything. Although that's just her paranoia and control complex. Dont worry, after about 5 to 6 months of dating, that's stops.

While she hates people wanting you, she loves to show you off. Oh? There's a big important banquet coming up? You're coming with.

"You look amazing, it doesn't matter what they think so hurry up. I know what I said- shut up!"

You more than likely make fun of her. For what? For her getting embarrassed by the fact that you're holding hands in public. She might not seem it, but trust me, once you two are in private. That bright blush comes out of her cheeks.

Azula gets angry when you think bad about yourself. If you're good enough for her, you are 10 times better than anyone else. That is just a fact.(in her eyes)

"Am I supposed to care? I don't care that you think your fat, you're better than any man or woman. The fact that I love you, is more than enough proof."

Aggressively loving. She gives you everything aggressively. Her love, her anger, her joy and happiness, her lust. Everything is aggressive. Thata how it should be though.(wink wink)

If you two were to ever break up, it's more than likely because of her status or controlling nature. She feels the need to prove she loves you, even if it's a bit crazy sometimes.

She'd be mad about the breakup, she'd do anything to get you back. I mean anything, she'd give you the world. Azula is more than definitely scared of losing you, not like she'll admit it.

Azula will yell, scream, fight. She'll do anything except admit she's afraid of losing you.

If you two get back together, she's even worse. Not for long though, especially if you already had a very long term relationship. She'll feel weak for letting you almost leave. She's angry, but at the same time afraid. Azula takes measures to make sure you never leave her again.

She is loving person...just ask Ty lee and Mai.

Hoped yall likes this. I'm finally getting back into writing!! I'm going to be doing as many requests as possible. I more than likely wont finish any of the yandere month challenges on time. So I'll do them when I want to and I'm getting back on requests. Have a good day/night yall!!

[elitesheepi]

There's a very specific flavor of MaiZula that's both underutilized, but so good.

Post-canon Azula is imprisoned. Well not in a cell like Ozai, but in a mental health sanctuary near Ember Island. It's quiet, it's far away from the abyss of trauma and bad memories that's the the Fire Nation palace. If Zuko is asked why he sent her there and not sent rotting in a darkest corners like their father, Zuko will just reply, "she's still my sister. It's a complicated." The other unsaid answer, is that it was a favor from a close ex-friend. Or rather, ex-girlfriend.

Mai was right when she said she loved Zuko more than she feared Azula, but that didn't mean she didn't have any love for the former Princess. Despite it all, she did enjoy her time with her. Not running all of the world for some bald monk and his posse, but Azula plucking her from a life of boredom and discontent in Omashu was exactly the thing she needed the most. The rare moments when Azula dropped high and might perfectionist princess act (which were very few) and acted like the immature teen Mai knew her to truly be--it was nice. Made her remember why she stuck around for so long after they met in the Academy.

She didn't enjoy betraying Azula, but it had to be done.

Ty Lee was her friend, but Azula was something else. She's never said it out loud but she admired how driven and intense she was about this mission. Mai almost wished she could be as emotional in that way. Well almost. Then again if she was more emotional, perhaps her and Zuko would be together as opposed to him and the little waterbender girl...

Meh she doesn't care enough to think about that too much.

She does care though, to think about Azula. And she does, a lot. In Boiling Rock, she thought about how much she hated Azula. She thought about how Azula was losing that control, that perfect perfection. She was slipping, and everyone could see it in the way her jaw clicked, the subtle twitching of her eyes everytime someone spoke out of turn.

Then, she thought about how much she pitied Azula, and how much she hated seeing her former best friend rotting in a jail cell like she was the bottom echelon scum of society. Maybe she deserved, maybe her and Ty Lee deserve it too for being her accomplices for everything--chasing the avatar, her family's conquering of Omashu, the Fall of Ba Sing Se--but that's not what happened now is it?

Ty Lee is off playing dress up with the Kyoshi Warriors, and she's wandering the palace playing Upper Court nobility like she was born and bred to do.

And yet...Is it guilt? Is this hollow feeling in her chest guilt knowing she's returned to luxury even after everything she's done? Guilt for the people? Eh, debateable. Guilt towards Azula--Ah, yeah. That's it.

Mai doesn't like how guilt feels. She never thought she could feel it.

Still, pity and guilt are such ugly feelings to feel. Terrible emotions that ruin her day. How can Zuko stomach it? How could he have wanted her feel emotions like this. "I like when you're angry," ugh. (He better be happy with Ms. Uptight and Angry, it's what he asked for.)

"There's a place called the Chamomile. I want Azula sent there."

"It's for helping people," she continues before Zuko can say a word, "Apparently it's not far from Ember Island, so getting her there won't be too much of hassle."

His jaw clicks in the same way Azula's does. She wonders if they ever noticed that? "Why should I?"

Why should I forgive her? Why shouldn't I leave her imprisoned like our f--Like Ozai.

He doesn't neeed to say it. He's as easy to read since they day they met. (You couldn't read that he was unhappy. Nor could you read the note he left behind.)

Her tone is bored, her face is flat, and she's the steely nobleman her mother expected her to be. "Because, then she'll be my problem. And as far away from you as possible."

It takes 5 days before he tells her his decision. It takes 5 weeks to get accommodations in order for her transport. It takes 5 months before Azula is willing to see her.

It takes 5 years before Azula is willing to return her hug again like she used too.

Azula never thanks her. Mai would be a fool and a liar if she expected her too. But, she shows her "thanks" in small ways. She leaves a bowl of cherries behind with 3 left in it. Azula actually responds to her now, instead of glaring the whole time. How kind, the people's princess.

Mai's just happy to see the color return to her cheeks and the vicious-yet-dulled barbs return. Azula's bangs have finally grown again to a acceptable length after that awful cut job she did. Her golden eyes have become daggers matching her favorite one, but now fully sheathed. Well, most sheathed.

This is still Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. She's still dangerous, she still's a threat, but just apathetic to it all. Just like Mai. In this moment, as they sit close together in the bay window overlooking the ocean, they're truly one in the same. Two high-ranking ladies of the Fire Nation, dulled and snipped of who they once where. Ty Lee doesn't care--she got her ironic happy ending of blending in when she wanted to stand out in the first place--but the two of them. They're just two apathetic women in a world moving on without them.

Mai's good at playing a role of going along with it. And she'll drag Azula with her if she has too. She's not facing this world alone.

Plus, Azula owes her for making her care so much about someone. She'll never get a thanks, but she deserves some kind of compensation for having her apathetic streak ruined by Azula.

Guilt, pity, adoration, affection--Ugh.

Emotions suck. Azula sucks for making her feel like this.

And maybe she sucks for kissing her and not pulling away when Azula kisses back.

[drpoisonoaky]

Are they really your friends if they haven’t threatened your partner? Yes they are, but where’s the fun in that.

This is the Gaang threatening Azula for “Katara’s sake”.

— Sokka

Sokka: Katara out!

Katara, raising an eyebrow: Excuse me?

Sokka: Can you please get out so I can speak with Azula?

Katara: Whatever you want to say to her I’m sure I can be in here.

Sokka: No. And don’t ask.

Katara:

Sokka: Pretty please?

Azula: I’m honestly intrigued.

Katara: Ugh. Fine.

Sokka: Thanks sister. Luv ya.

*Katara out of the picture*

Sokka: Listen up snooty princess. *Put his boomerang on the table*. I’m here to talk about how I will punish you if you hurt my sister in any kind of way.

Azula: Sure, I’m all ears.

Sokka: Wait what?

Azula: But I must advise you I experienced a lot of forms of torture already. Father used to say “It’s war Azula, they will do this to you if you’re weak and they catch you. It’s for you own good”

Azula: So what do you have in mind? Father favored the traditional practices of the Earth Nation.

Sokka: I- Damn. Spirits.

Azula: Look I never would hurt your sister on purpose. Ever. You have my word and honor.

Sokka: I’m going to hug you. So be ready. Here I go.

Azula: This is certainly a technique that my father didn’t use.

Sokka: NOW.

— Suki

Suki: Let’s talk.

Azula: Last time I checked you weren’t my friend in the kyoshi warriors. Did something happen to Ty lee?

Suki: I want to talk to you as Katara’s friend.

Azula: Ugh.

Suki: Listen asshole If you consider for a fraction of sec-

Azula: I am not going to hurt her on purpose. I’m a bitch. I know. I’m mean. Believe I know. But-

Azula: Wait why am I explaining anything to you?

Suki: Because I’m going to kill you if you don’t treat her as she deserves?

Azula: She’d do it first, don’t you think?

Suki: ..Well yeah, but it’s mandatory. They give Sokka the warning talk when we started dating.

Azula: They give it to Sokka and not you?

Suki: In Katara’s words “You could do way better than him so we’re going to remind him that”

— Toph

Toph: Princess purple platypus.

Azula: Living creature who doesn’t know what a bath is.

Toph: I’m here to give you a talk captain firebitch.

Azula: About how you are going to murder me if I lost my mind again and hurt my girlfriend on purpose?

Toph: Yeah I guess.

Azula: Message received.

Toph: Good. Another thing.

Azula: What?

Toph: Is it true that you know several torture techniques from the Earth Kingdom?

Azula: *sighs* He cannot shut up. Yes.

Toph: Good so start to talk princess snooty-pants. I want details.

— Zuko

Azula: Is your turn in that madness that they’re doing?

Zuko: Has everyone talked to you?

Azula: I think the avatar didn’t but I’m not sure. But I don’t think he knows how to threat someone.

Zuko: Who knows. So can you help me to figure out how to distribute all of the income from-

Azula: Thank Agni. No talk from you?

Zuko: Of course not. If you hurt her she will beat the shit out of you. Well, maybe you will have an awesome battle like I would pick popcorn and watch. So no, I’ve started learning when I don’t need to talk.

Azula: Oh I wasn’t expecting that. Good job Zuzu.

Zuko: So can you help me?

Azula: Gladly.

— Aang

Aang: Hey Azula. Mind if I sit here?

Azula: Do as you please Avatar.

Aang: Oh thanks.

Aang: By the way I came here to say you something.

Azula: So I was right you were the one left-

Aang: Listen Azula I’m only going to say this once. *Avatar State on* Hurt Katara in any kind of way and I will forget everything I know about peace. I’ll bring Kyoshi and let her do whatever she wants. Your past will look like a fairy tale compared to what will happen to you. Understood?

Azula, pale as a piece of paper: Sure.

Aang: It was nice to see you. Let’s grab some tea someday. Bye!

Azula:

Azula: Who would have thought that the air monk which I already kill once would be the most sadistic. My respects Avatar.

— Katara

Katara: I assume they give you the talk, right?

Azula: You have assumed correctly.

Katara: Poor thing.

Azula: I know you don’t feel bad for me, quit the show.

Katara: Don’t be such a baby. Now I need to know, who was the weakest?

Azula: Your brother by far. He spent more time trying to hug me than threatening me.

Katara: No surprised. Who was the “scariest”?

Azula: The Avatar. But don’t you dare to tell a soul.

Katara: Aang? The pacifist monk? Aang who cries if he eats a piece of meat?

Azula: Yes sweetie, that one.

Katara: *barely holding her laughter*

Azula: One more laugh and I’m done with you.

Katara: No you don’t.

Azula: I hate you.

Katara: I hate you too babe.

Toph, from afar: WHIPPED.

— Ty lee & Mai

Azula: Did you give Katara the talk

Ty lee: What talk?

Mai: I don’t think we need to tell her where the babies come from.

Azula: The one of If Katara hurt me you will hurt her etc.

Mai: No?

Ty lee: Why would we ever do that? We like Katara. She’s way nicer than you.

Mai: Being honest she could do better than you.

Azula: And I’m betrayed once aga-

Azula: Oh no. I’m the Sokka. Somebody kill me.

Mai: I think she lost it. Again.

Ty lee: Suki could also do better than Sokka.

Azula: I’m a sinner in the eyes of the fire nation. SOMEBODY KILL ME.

Ty lee: NO YOU ARE NOT ANYMORE NOW IT’S LEGAL.

Mai: Ugh. She’s so dramatic.

[bluespiritshonour]

One thing about ATLA I love is... Things start making sense once you think about them...

Like, maybe I watched it when I was too young to catch on to a lot of nuances and my rewatches have been sparse and inconsistent but like...

While watching the show I didn't like Maiko—something seemed to be missing. At the same time I really wanted them to be endgame and resented the fact that they weren't better written. I still ship them to this day because—HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A COUPLE LIKE THAT ON SCREEN THOUGH?—I like every slightly unconventional thing and Maiko is unconventional and unique.

Last time I was thinking about how I didn't like that no big deal™ was made out of Mai sacrificing herself at Boiling Rock and I was just entertaining fix-it scenarios in the empty echo chamber called my head where it goes something like:

Zuko: Does that mean you don't hate me anymore?

And instead of Mai putting a full-stop after “I actually kinda like you” she continues to tell him that he'd have to win her back though. Like, in a friendly way—“I want to be in a relationship, sure, but I want to be wooed” way—because, well, she was in prison and now she has a better understanding of why he did what he did—

Oh wait! Is that why she forgives him so easily? Because she was in prison—probably with the Kyoshi Warriors because that's where Ty Lee was too (honestly I've begun to appreciate MaiLee more as time passes)—and while saving Zuko was a leap of faith and she didn't understand him then, but now she does? She knows what he did was right and she's glad to have been able to help him with it?

So...yeah. Her forgiving him makes total sense now. If Zuko had tried to explain it to her instead of breaking up in a letter I don't think she'd have understood (I understand why Zuko left her with a letter, I really do; but I'm still going to trash him for it: [cue exasperated tone] “Zuko!”)

But she does now...

What I don't like however is the “They let you out of prison?”

You're the fucking Fire Lord now, aren't you supposed to have pardoned all PoWs? Which includes Mai and Ty Lee. Who ended up their trying to save your arse?

[cue exasperated tone, second time] “Zuko!”

It could have been something like “Did you get out of prison alright? There wasn't any problem right? I'm sorry I couldn't come to get you personally—” or any variation of that!!!

How difficult could it have been?

But yeah. The point remains. I'm no longer bitter about Mai forgiving Zuko so quickly this time around.

Another thing I disliked is how in The Beach Zuko kept coming back to Mai expecting a warm welcome after every little friction. It was a classic man move where they upset you and try to act caring immediately afterwards and expect you to be responsive to it.

I loved Mai slapping his hand away when he tried to put his arm around her and yelling that she's still mad at him.

At least Zuko knows when to back off: he did everytime Mai told him to. And he didn't call her names for not being forgiving (which is what you expect men to do honestly).

Bar so low it's in hell, I know.

I hated that about him, that he thought he's owed forgiveness (with Mai here, never properly having apologised and trying to act as if nothing wrong happened) and later with Katara...

So... What I'm trying to say is... I love that in that last scene when Maiko is reunited... He isn't expecting her to forget everything and forgive him like a good little girlfriend. The fact that she does has a lot of reasons (she understands his motives now) but the fact that he goes, very timidly “You don't hate me anymore?” is actually very cute.

Add one more to the pile of “Zuko's character development.”

Like, yeah. What he did was necessary. But she also does have a right to be mad at him.

I'll just... Take it as a by-product of The Beach... He has bettered himself. Okay? I'll take it as that.

So. I've come from when I absolutely hated the Maiko post war reunion scene to a point where I only dislike the “they let you out of prison?” part. Also, it was cute the dopey way he smiles around her and she helped him dress, okay?

[sluttywonwoo]

instead of you [part nineteen] || l.mh

pairing: [best friend’s brother] lee minho x college!reader ft. han jisung

summary: you didn’t expect to spend your summer pretending to be your best friend’s girlfriend- then again, you didn’t expect to fall for your best friend’s brother, either. 

warnings: swearing, reader has emetophobia, mentions of sex (mdni)

word count: 4.7k

a/n: revamped my tom holland series from my main blog ( @wazzupmrstark ) to try and motivate myself to finish it!!

series masterlist | early access to the next chapter on ko-fi

“Why not?”

“You’re asking me why I can’t admit to wanting to kiss you?”

“Who said I wanted to kiss you?”

He was backtracking, trying to dig himself out of a hole that he’d already buried himself in. He cocked an eyebrow at you, somehow still arrogant in the midst of vulnerability. You called his bluff.

“I’m not stupid.”

He leaned away from you, a fraction of an inch. “I never said you were.”

You refrained from rolling your eyes. “Don’t act like you were testing me, like you had Jisung’s best interest in mind.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that for an actor you’re surprisingly transparent. No one leans that close to a person’s face for no reason. You were going to kiss me and now you’re trying to play it off like you were just testing me to see if I’d cheat on my boyfriend,” you paused for a beat, wondering if you could turn it around on him. “Because I was testing you, and you failed. Horribly.”

Minho blinked. “You’re fucking with me.”

“Does it look like I’m fucking with you?”

He narrowed his eyes at you. “I can’t tell.”

“Guess you’ll never know.”

“Guess so…” he trailed off, settling back into his own seat.

The moment was gone, dissipated along with the breath you’d been holding. It was like the tight line of tension running between you, inexplicably tying you to each other, had been given an inch of slack. It was still there, buried under layers and layers of repression and guilt, but subdued.

You couldn’t tell if you were relieved or disappointed. You didn’t want to admit to yourself that it was likely a bit of both.

Suddenly the bus lurched around a corner, sending you flying into Minho in an cruel, ironic twist of fate. Your head landed in his lap. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a speed bump caused your head to bounce up and come down back onto his thighs, face planting into his crotch again. You didn’t even want to think about what it looked like to the people across from you. This was not how you envisioned his dick pressing into your cheek would go.

Minho winced, helping you sit up. There was a tiny dark spot on his jeans, damp from where your open mouth had left an imprint on the fabric.

Mortified didn’t even begin to describe what you were feeling.

“Are you ok?” Minho asked, seeming totally unphased by the series of events that had just taken place. He was holding your shoulders like you’d run if he let go. He did a quick scan of your body, looking for marks as if you’d been hit by a car and not simply tossed into another human being.

“Fine, just absolutely humiliated,” you sighed, rubbing your cheek.

“Don’t be.”

“Well too late, I already am. And, uh, sorry about… that.”

Minho followed your gaze to the wet patch on his jeans. “Oh, don’t worry about it. It happens.”

“Does it though?”

He shrugged. “Seemed like the right thing to say.”

You slumped down in your seat, pinching the bridge of your nose. Minho brought his hands to his lap and turned to look out the window.

“Are you okay?” you heard yourself ask just moments later. “I mean,” your eyes flicked down to where his hands were resting on his lap. You thought he might have been holding himself in pain, but then you realized-

“Fine,” he answered through gritted teeth, and that was the end of the conversation.

The next stop was Mt. Fuji’s 5th station, another lookout- this time on the mountain, that provided an even better view. You felt a little dumb for taking all of those pictures at the first stop but then remembered what Jisung had said about sending him lots of photos and relaxed a little.

This stop also served as the lunch break. Meals were provided to guests that had added the option on their tickets. The Hans had elected not to spring for the included meal, leaving you and Minho to fend for yourselves. They invited you to join them at a noodle shop inside the station, but you declined, opting to use the time to explore and find something on your own.

More time alone, you thought to yourself. Great idea. The day wasn’t even half over and you’d already had a close call. Too close of a call. Was it really that hard to control yourself around your best friend’s brother? What was wrong with you? Maybe it’d be easier if he wasn’t such a fucking tease. Regardless, you needed to have a little more self-restraint.

The break period was only about an hour long and then you’d be driving to the next stop so you had to be quick.

You walked with Minho through the narrow passageways, nearly breaking into a jog to keep up with him. There were only three or four restaurants in the surrounding area, narrowing your selection down by a lot.

“Looks like our choices are kind of similar,” Minho said as he scanned the menu on the wall of the third restaurant you’d stopped in front of.

“Here seems as good of a place as any.”

It was relatively busy inside, but you and Minho were able to find a little corner table out of the way. You figured these places must make a fortune, seeing as there was so little competition and dozens of buses full of hungry tourists came through each day.

The exterior of the building was painted black, as were the walls inside to absorb heat. There were floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of the dining room, showing off the breathtaking view of the mountain range in the near distance.

“What sounds good to you?” Minho asked, leaning over the table to see your menu even though he had one right in front of him.

“Seems like everyone’s ordering soup,” you mumbled and nodded to the tables closest to you to prove your point. “I guess that does sound kind of good, especially because it’s so cold up here.”

“We could order a couple different kinds and share?” he suggested.

“Yeah, okay,” you agreed nervously.

You might as well share soup with your best friend’s brother that you almost kissed just an hour prior. Yeah, makes perfect sense.

Minho ordered for both of you when the server noticed you were ready. You watched him effortlessly make conversation with the waiter, cracking jokes like he’d known the man his entire life, and it made you think of Jisung. Jisung who always ordered for you, Jisung who counted the dishes he ordered on his fingers to keep track of them, Jisung who made friends in every situation he found himself in.

“What?” Minho asked, yanking you from your thoughts.

You hadn’t even realized you’d been staring.

“Nothing, sorry.”

“You okay? You didn’t hit your head earlier, did you?”

“I’m fine,” you insisted, rolling your eyes. “Thanks for ordering for me.”

“Oh, you’re welcome. I noticed Jisung always orders for you so I just assumed you might’ve had some anxiety when it comes to that.”

“I do, yeah.” you admitted. “But it’s just something he’s always done for me, even before we started dating.”

The word dating seemed to snap Minho back to reality and he leaned away from you, straightening his posture and seeming to take great interest in the napkin in front of him.

“That��s sweet,” he muttered, sounding completely unconvinced.

“He can be when he wants to be. Shocking, I know.”

After lunch you took a walk around the lookout together, pointing out different signs with Japanese characters and trying to guess what they meant. Minho had paid for both of your meals, unsurprisingly, and you hadn’t even put up a fight. You already knew he wouldn’t let you pay for your own if you tried, slapping his card down on top of the bill before the server had even left the table.

You were listening to Minho talk about why he thought a sign by the bus stop said ‘no baseballs’ when you felt your phone buzz in your back pocket. Minho had given it to you on the bus so you could listen to music on the ride up the mountain and you just hadn’t remembered to give it back to keep in his bag.

It was a text from Jisung. Minho stopped talking as soon as he noticed you weren’t paying attention to him anymore.

How is everything? Haven’t heard from you all morning! Send a pic of you and Minho when you can :)

“Ji wants us to send a picture.”

“Of what?”

“Of us.”

“Us? Like, both of us?” Minho asked, looking as confused as you felt.

You shrugged. “I guess he wants to make sure we haven’t killed each other yet.”

He nodded in understanding. “Proof of life photo, got it.”

“Where should we-” you paused, looking around for the best place to snap a selfie.

“Well we should get the mountains in the background, right?”

“Yeah, good idea. Let’s go over there.” You pointed in the direction of a cluster of benches gathered at the ledge of the mountain where people were taking pictures with their families.

The section was fenced off to prevent guests from falling off the face of the cliff, but that wasn’t stopping kids from climbing the railings or couples sitting on top of them. You settled for simply leaning against it, not trusting yourself enough to balance your weight on top of it.

“Here, you have longer arms,” you said, offering your phone to Minho.

He took it without argument and extended his arm so that both of you were in the frame. You’d forgotten that he was a practiced expert at taking selfies. You wondered how many phone cameras he knew how to use just from snapping pictures with fans at every event he attended.

You weren’t sure how close to stand to him, or what to do with your hands. You leaned towards him, not touching, and smiled awkwardly. You weren’t doing anything wrong at that very moment, so why did you feel so guilty? Minho snapped a couple photos and was about to hand the phone back when you were interrupted.

“Do you want me to take a photo of you?” a woman with a thick German accent asked. “You know, couple? I take photo for you, and you take photo of me with my family?”

You were about to politely decline, correct her, and just offer to take the picture of her family, but Minho was already handing the phone over. You were going to kill him.

Minho slung his arm around your shoulders like it was the most normal thing in the world and you forced yourself to wrap yours around his waist, resting your head on his chest as you bit the inside of your cheek. You could hear his heartbeat if you listened closely. It was steady, rhythmic. Not at all panicked or rushed like you were sure your own was. You faked a smile and waited until the camera stopped clicking before letting yourself breathe again.

Minho thanked the woman and traded places with her, taking a few pictures of her with her family while you paced anxiously in the background. You checked the time on your phone, wondering if it was time to go yet when you realized you still needed to text Jisung back.

You scrolled through your gallery, selecting all the pictures the nice lady had taken of you and Minho. Your finger hovered over the delete button, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to press it. You hit cancel, sighing in defeat.

You opened your messages again and stared at the blinking cursor. You flipped through the options on your camera roll, unsure of what to do. At the very least, you knew you couldn’t send one of the pictures the woman had taken to Jisung. He probably wouldn’t even question it, the pose was normal enough for friends, but then again what if he did? You couldn’t risk it.

You chose one of the selfies Minho had taken and hit send, promptly locking your phone as soon as you saw it was delivered.

“We have to get back on the bus.”

You looked at the time on your phone and then back at Minho, squinting in confusion. “We still have a couple minutes before we’re supposed to leave.”

“No, that woman’s son started talking about K-pop when I was taking their picture.” You glanced over your shoulder and saw the family huddled together, all indiscreetly staring at you and Minho.

“Don’t look!” he hissed. “Come on.”

He tugged you by the arm until your feet caught up with you and you were able to walk in step with him.

“They recognized you?”

“The little boy did. I don’t know if the others believed him.” You were tempted to look back, but you knew you’d probably be yelled at again. As if Minho could read your thoughts, he wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close. “Keep your head down.”

“I don’t get it, doesn’t this happen to you all the time?” you asked. “What’s the big deal?”

“It doesn’t happen to me all the time, and when it does it’s usually not a big deal,” he explained as he ushered you up the steps of the coach. You shuffled your way to your seats, nodding in acknowledgment at his parents as you passed them. You got to the row first so you took the window seat. It was easier than having to shuffle around. “I don’t mind taking pictures with fans or signing things for them most of the time. It can get annoying, but I try to remember that I’m incredibly lucky to be in the position I’m in in the first place. And I’m just like them when it comes to football players and golfers, anyway.” You chuckled. “I’m serious! I stumble over my words when I meet them, and my hands are shaky when I ask them for an autograph- I’m a fucking mess. But we already had one close call this week with someone seeing you alone with me. Twice is asking for it.”

“Asking for what?”

“Rumors, articles, blog posts- I don’t even want to think about it.”

“I don’t think that little boy is going to start any rumors about us,” you said.

“You don’t understand.” Minho was serious, something you weren’t used to seeing from him. “It’s not that simple. Someone from that family posts a picture on Instagram, they tag me and they see you standing next to me. My fans… can be really invested in my personal life. And they’ll want to know who you are because they think we might be dating. That’s why I told you to keep your head down so they wouldn’t be able to see your face.”

“But guys and girls can be friends,” you reasoned.

“It’s the internet, y/n. No one cares. I’m seen alone with a woman and suddenly everyone wants to know everything about her from her high school GPA to who her mother voted for in the last presidential election.”

Oh. Ok, maybe Minho was right and this was a bit serious. Your social media wasn’t the worst there was out there, but it certainly wasn’t the cleanest per se… you had a whole story highlight dedicated to you and Jisung competing to see who could down a shot the fastest. Yeah, you were those people at parties. And even though you lost most of the time, you could already imagine the things people would say about it.

“I didn’t realize you were so popular,” was all you could say.

Minho chuckled bitterly. “I try not to advertise it.”

“I can see why.”

“It’d be hell for you to be associated with me.”

“I kind of already am,” you pointed out. Minho gave you a blank look as if he didn’t know what you meant. “Through your brother.”

“Right, Jisung.” Minho sighed, leaning back in his seat. “I don’t know what he’d do to me if you got tangled up in all this bullshit.”

“You’re always saying shit like that. Jisung is pretty harmless, you know.”

Minho shook his head in disagreement. “You only think that because you’re wearing rose-colored glasses when it comes to him.”

“That’s not true!”

“Oh, come on, yes it is.”

“We were friends for years before we started dating! I haven’t always seen him romantically.”

“Still, you haven’t known him as long as I have.”

“Well you have on… whatever the opposite of rose-colored glasses when it comes to him because you’re related to him!” you argued. “He can barely hold me on top of him- don’t ask how I know that.” Minho pursed his lips, suppressing a smirk. He’d clearly been about to ask. “I’m just saying I think you could take him.”

“I’m flattered, but I think you’re forgetting how protective he can be,” he protested. “Has he never gotten jealous?” Minho pressed, his body rocking slightly as the bus began to move. He stabilized himself against the seat in front of him, looking at you expectantly. “He’s never been possessive of you?”

You bit your bottom lip, trying to decipher whether or not this was a test. Did Minho suspect anything? Was he just being nosy or did he think there was something you were lying about. Was he trying to get dirt on his brother, prove to you that he’s not a good boyfriend? You weren’t sure what to think. You scrambled for something, running through your memories as you tried to piece together a story with fragments of half-truths.

“There were a couple of times…” you admitted, trying to even your breathing to sound more natural. “Like this one time, we were at a bar and this guy was trying to buy me a drink while he was in the bathroom and when he came back he just kinda came up to us and wrapped an arm around my waist and the dude fucked off.”

What had actually happened, was a guy tried to buy you a drink while Jisung was in the bathroom and you agreed, asking him to buy one for your friend Ji too. You let the dude assume it was short for Jisoo or whatever and entertained him while the bartender mixed the cocktails. As soon as you saw Jisung emerge from the bathroom you took both the drinks and ditched the man the second his back was turned. You presented your best friend with one of the drinks and toasted the man who bought them for you, clinking your glasses together in celebration. After you downed them, Jisung pulled you onto the dance floor with him, telling you to follow his lead. He made sure the stranger was watching and then kissed you hard right in front of him. You took it a step further, slipping your tongue into your best friend’s mouth and cupping his face between your hands. When you came up for air the man was walking out the door with a scowl on his face.

“Another time before we started dating he dropped me off on a date with another person, and wouldn’t even let me walk into the restaurant when he saw the guy through the window.”

That was true, but the real reason he didn’t let you go into the restaurant was because he knew the guy from one of his classes and had overheard him talking about how bi girls are freakier in bed which is why he actively sought them out.

“So I guess you’re right, he’s always been protective of me, even when we were just friends. But I don’t think he’d hurt anyone. He might say something brutal, but he wouldn’t swing at you unless he’s defending himself.”

“Well, I don’t want to take any chances.”

You thought Minho would be satisfied with your answers, but you couldn’t tell from the expression on his face.

You sat in silence for the rest of the bus ride to the next stop. There was that tension again. You curled into yourself, bringing your knees to your chest and pressing yourself against the window as you pulled your phone out of your pocket to text Jisung back.

J: dorks ;) looks like you’re having fun. love you!

Y: it’s ok i guess… would be better if you were here

J: that’s because everything’s better when i’m there

Y: nvm i take it back

J: rude

Y: how are you feeling??

J: just ok :/ mum sent lix and i some soup, but i couldn’t keep it down

J: sorry, i shouldn’t have said that part

Y: it’s ok

J: no it’s not- i know how you feel about that stuff

Y: ji, i promise it’s fine.

J: if you say so…

Y: i do

Y: btw… minho was asking if you’re ever get jealous

J: why

Y: idk it was weird- i told him about that time at the club near campus

You hoped he remembered which time you were talking about. You flirted with a lot of people for free booze.

J: i remember that night

Oh, so he did remember. Or he was bluffing just in case Minho was reading over your shoulder. You checked discreetly, sneaking a glance over at his brother. But Minho was scrolling through Twitter, completely in his own world.

J: did you tell him about what i did to you when we left >:)

Y: he’s not reading these, dumbass. you don’t have to do all that

J: i was referring to spilling my slushie down the front of your dress idk what you’re talking about

Y: i can’t stand you

“Hey, y/n.” You jumped at the sound of Minho’s voice, clutching your phone to your chest protectively. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. It’s just, we’re here.”

You hadn’t even realized the bus had stopped, but passengers were already getting off, eager to see the mountain from yet another view. Minho slid out of the row and stepped back to let you off in front of him.

“Where are your parents?” you wondered aloud as you passed their empty row.

“Guess they ditched us again,” Minho sighed. “Really loving this family trip. Not that hanging out with you isn’t cool and all,” he amended.

“It’s fine, I get it,” you assured him. “Except I’m going to take it very personally and give you the silent treatment for the rest of the day.”

He shook his head but laughed. You followed the rest of the tourists in your group who were getting into a fast-moving line and joined them at the end. You and Minho had been the last two on the bus so there wasn’t anyone else behind you.

You weren’t even sure what you were in line for, hell, you didn’t even know where you were, but men in beige coveralls were ushering the queue forward impatiently. They gave directions mostly through hand signals, pointing, thumbs up, thumbs down, probably so guests from all around the world could easily understand them.

Before you could even understand what was happening you were enclosed in a cable car that was ascending God knows how high with Minho and one other couple. They looked to be in their seventies, and were speaking Vietnamese to each other, completely oblivious to the seven stages of grief you were going through on the other side of the car.

“Minho” you whispered.

“I know,” he murmured back. He looked quite pale himself, but you knew it likely had more to do with being concerned about you than anything else. He hurriedly glanced around the tiny cabin as if there might be something in there that could help you.

“Minho,” you repeated, this time with more urgency.

“I-I” he paused, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know this was part of the tour. I didn’t mean for- if I had known I would’ve suggested we stay back.”

“I feel sick,” you mumbled.

“Let’s sit down.”

Minho tried to cross the car over to you, but his movement caused the gondola to shake. You barely managed to muffle a scream of terror with your fist. The car swung violently on the wire and you suddenly wondered how up to code these cable cars were. When was the last time they had been inspected? How old were they in the first place?

If you looked closely you could see rust corroding some of the bolts and paint chipping from the benches. It took everything in you not to collapse to the floor and assume fetal position.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Minho apologized. “I’m going to move again, okay?”

“No, please don’t!” you begged.

“I have to! I have to move to get over to you. It’ll just be one more time, I promise.”

You nodded, even though you were dreading it and screwed your eyes shut, bracing yourself for the rocking. The jolt was bigger than you expected and for a moment you thought the cable had snapped and you were plummeting towards the ground, but when you opened your eyes you were still moving steadily upward and Minho was by your side.

“Why did you jump!” you cried. “We could’ve died!”

God bless him for his patience. He wasn’t even phased by your accusations, instead he just took you by the hands and eased you onto the bench behind you, sitting next to you a moment later.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry,” you groaned, wiping your sweaty palms on your hands.

“Nothing to be sorry for.”

“That’s not true, I yelled at you.”

“I’ve had worse, trust me.”

He was trying to make you laugh, but you were still terrified out of your mind. Your whole body was trembling and your stomach was twisting with nausea. You were trying not to look down, but the whole cabin was made of glass. It was impossible not to look, and closing your eyes only made you feel sicker.

“Want to hold my hand like last time?” Minho offered.

You were quick to accept, grabbing his hand as soon as it was outstretched.

“I’m sorry my palms are clammy.”

“Mine are too, it’s okay,” he assured you, even though they were completely dry.

You squeezed his hand hard, just like you had on the rollercoaster. But it wasn’t making you feel any better.

“Minho, I’m scared.”

“I know, y/n. It’s okay though. You’re safe with me. I’ve got you, I promise. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

“How can you say that?” you whined, eyes darting around to all of the windows. “You can’t control whether or not we fall out of the sky!”

You suddenly felt horribly guilty for the other couple trapped in the cable car with you. They were probably just trying to enjoy their vacation and there you were having a mental breakdown thousands of feet in the air with nowhere for them to escape to.

Minho laughed despite himself and used his free hand to grab your face, turning your attention to him.

“Hey, look at me, okay? Don’t look out the windows. Just focus on me.”

“Okay,” you gulped.

You focused on his face. On the way his soft features hardened around the edges. His sharp jawline and perfect nose, easing into the light blush of his cheeks and warm, brown eyes. The dichotomy was striking, and the late afternoon sun that was shining in through the dirty glass made him look angelic. The way the light cast a golden halo around his curls was enough to draw anyone and you found yourself leaning closer and closer to his face.

You were the one to kiss him this time, but he more than reciprocated. The moment your lips touched he was tangling a hand in your hair, groaning softly against your mouth. His lips were just as warm and soft as you remembered, but the kiss was a million times more damning. You were both completely sober, even if you’d been consumed by terror moments earlier. You knew what you were doing. You both did. And you had the first time, but now there was no excuse.

You pulled away a moment later. “I-I’m sorry. I just had to see…”

Minho brought a hand up to your face and you flinched, but all he did was run a thumb across your cheek, collecting a stray tear on his fingertip. You hadn’t even noticed you’d started crying, and whether it was from fear or guilt you couldn’t be sure.

lmk what you think i always appreciate feedback!!

iou tags: @sluttywoozi @gimmeurtmi @phobia0325 @fwess @hipsdofangirl @galaxleeknow @urmomma0324 @bangmechanpls @102598s @farfromsugafanfic @ritzy-roo @dimpledsatan @bvslines @wonderfulshinee @imwithurmother @smollquokka @rosexjimin @skizzel @endzii23 @lady-lena @kwanisms @ch4nniebang @lilramennoodle @babyphotos0325 @dearalice @sojohns @mistlitmoonlight @yoontaethings @babebatter @mal-lunar-28 @shy-kisu @zerefdragn33l @downbadreading @sana-within-you @saquso @bunnispaces @reianagarcia @hyunehans @imtooyoungforthisshit @i8rsie @honeslykindahorny @214racha @hgema @chillllllli @vixensss @smhlino @feiyaa @borahae-reads @bigbearenergy @hoodiesandicedcoffee @darkacademic2512 @y00nzin0 @i8yul @shinypieceofgarbage @woozarts @just-a-little-delulu @djeniryuu @hbzzzbork000 @mimzibee @sofiaslayed @kangyounghyunhands

add yourself to my taglist here!

[punkeropercyjackson]

Y'know what?Yes,actually,i DO think nobody should be allowed to ship Zutara.Not because 'You can only ship canon' purity bullshit but because it sanitizes the show in general but especially Katara.Katara is not just a teenage girl,she's a brownskin native one who's strongest and most prevelant trait's are hating oppressors with all her heart and taking action in it throught all of canon.This 100% includes Zuko pre-redemption and she is under no obligation to have a crush on him even post it because their friendship is good enough of a status for both of them-This is their canon feelings on the matter.Zuko in canon is too focused on Mai to pursue anyone else and the only other girl he showed potential interest in is Ty Lee and Sokka is an infinitely more in-character Gaang love interest option for him than she is and Katara fullstop never even considered Zuko a romantic option.And why should she have?He spent almost a year trying to kill her first ever friend and wasn't afraid to hurt her too to accomplish it,the first time she saw good in him and opened up to him about her trauma that HIS DIRECT ANCESTORS caused he betrayed her and his initial attempts to make it up to her directly were half assed as hell so he resorted to trying to get her to murder someone at 14.Zuko is a good person but that dosen't mean he's good enough for Katara and she's well-aware of that since she's full of self-worth and vocalizes it as she should

This wasn't just a relathionship dynamic choice-It was representation to show minorities how they should treat their oppressors and that is to not coddle them because they were raised to hate and hurt them for existing and to say none of them are entitled to forgiveness due to being raised into it since kids of color don't have the privilige of getting away with things for having the 'right' heritage.Zuko is a victim because his dad was abusive,not because his dad was an imperialist.Katara is a proud girl of color-not woc,she's a GIRL,a FEMALE CHILD-who's canonically an activist and instigator starting at the age of 14 while still behaving like an ordinary (feminine) teenage girl instead of an adult in a kid's body and her friends talk onscreen multiple times about how she deserves to act her age.By choosing Zuko over Aang,Katara would've given up her beliefs and wish to destroy gender roles and turned into what the racist patriarchy both in-universe and irl wants her to be

Katara is not 'every teenage girl ever'.Katara is Katara.Katara is a punk who grew up in her homeland that was being colonized.Katara is a role model.Katara is MY role model and she has been since i was realized the true messages of the series and the same goes for Aang and Zuko and Sokka and Toph and Mai and Ty Lee and yes,even Jet and the only reason Azula isn't included in this list is that i want to take care of her and give her the mother figure which leads to a redemption arc she deserved like Zuko because she was a victim and a kid too instead.I refuse to be nice to dudebros who falsely believe they're like Zuko and womanchildren that hate a 12 year old boy for being a type of asian they can't fetishize and use his best friend turned girlfriend and older brother figure who's also like a parent to him as mouthpieces.Zutara antis may be mean but Zutara shippers are racist and that's worse

[loopy777]

Why do people think Zuko is a simp for Mai? Well, apart from the believe me she doesn't [need protection] which felt like it came out of nowhere.

Came out of nowhere? Mai and Ty Lee won all their fights- except against Appa, the best single fighter in the entire Avatar saga. ;) Zuko's assessment was completely accurate, as I'd expect of a boyfriend. Everyone should know the combat capabilities of their significant other(s).

As for the 'simp' reputation, there's also this moment:

Look at that face! And that's in response to "The gloomy girl who sighs a lot?" Most people would consider those personal flaws. Zuko practically melts into a puddle at the thought.

I mean, I get it, Maiko doesn't have the greatest writing in the cartoon (and hoo boy, let's not get into the comics). I would have expected Zuko to show some sign that he's worried for this girlfriend after the whole Saving The Jerk Who Dumped Me incident. But I consider that a writing failure, not a sign that Zuko doesn't worship his girl.

Unless you object to the specific term "simp" because it's meaning has been twisted from something more one-sided to now basically meaning "big fan?" In which case, if we're going to fight that kind of war, I'd rather do it over a more worthy term, like "stan."

[pixiesfz]

Kyra Cooney-Cross x reader

plot: kyra, a midfielder decides to date a defender on her team, what happens when she takes a big fall on her debut.

warnings: swearing, injuries

It was your girlfriends second week at Arsenal and you had never been any prouder, she was working her ass off in training and everyone could tell her debut was coming soon.

Nobody was as excited as you when Jonas started hinting at her debut game, not even Kyra herself could reach your excitement.

"I wonder what your chant will be?" you asked yourself as you ate dinner the night before the game "babe, we don't even know if I will play" Kyra told her "it would be stupid not to" you shot back and reached out for her hand

"I just want to finally play a game where we are on the same team," you said as Kyra squeezed your hand "We will, I just don't want to get my hopes up" You nodded your head as you agreed with the girl.

"My hopes are already up"

"Oh I know" Kyra smiled before a waitress came up and asked for your drinks, both just getting a soft drink

"You're starting tomorrow" Kyra pointed out "I hope Jonas takes me off at least once, my head started to spin last time"

"I think that was because you skulled a full bottle of Powerade before hand" Kyra pointed her eyebrows at you.

"Katie threatened to drink it while I was gone it was only fair" Kyra watched you complain about your fellow Irish teammate with a smile

She loved your passion no matter whether it was about a pop artist, your love for dogs or in this matter football.

You loved the way you felt when you kicked the ball underneath an attacker's feet and saved a goal that could've been kicked.

Kyra loved that about you,

She loved you.

Squeezing your hand one more time, you both thanked the waitress when she came back with your drinks.

After dinner you both went back to your apartments and crashed into your beds to sleep before the game.

When you woke up in the cold English air, you checked your messages to see a message from Leah

Lee Lee: I think you'll be a happy girl today

You stared at your message, what could it mean

Y/N/N: Leah it is 7 in the morning I cant deal with mind games

Lee Lee: You'll find out (;

You rolled your eyes before grabbing your kit and tying your hair up into a slicked-back ponytail, grabbing your keys, and driving to your girlfriend's house to pick her and Caitlin who lived in the same building.

"You ready?" you asked the two as Caitlin nodded her head and yawned and Kyra held a smile which looked close to a smirk, you brushed it off before grabbing Katie.

"Where's your big smile?" Katie asked as she sat in the front seat which you furrowed your eyes at before Kyra sent a kick at her seat and Caitlin pulled a face at the Irish girl "what?" you asked

"It's just that usually your more cheery" she shrugged her shoulders "Haven't had me Powerade yet" you pointed out "don't skull it this time babe" Kyra laughed from the back.

The group of four made it to the ground before heading to the rooms, you laid on the floor trying to crack your back until you heard your girlfriend chuckle.

"What?" you turned to her as she had her hand over her mouth "you really haven't looked?" she said behind her hand "Y/N your a bit daft" Katie said, standing next to Kyra before pointing to the sheet of the starting line up that had some scribbles on it.

It was in the midfield so you knew you hadn't been put off but you still looked at the pair before walking towards it.

That's when you saw it.

Midfield: KCC

Opening your mouth you made a small squeal before running to the girl "You're debuting!?" you yelled which she nodded at and you brought her into the biggest hug "I'm so proud of you" you whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek.

"Surprise" Kyra smiled before turning to Katie "you are a terrible secret keeper "I forgot it was a secret" she defended herself before walking over to Beth who was laughing at her.

"This is going to be a good game" you promised your girlfriend before you all walked out.

You took in the cheers when you all walked out, leaving Kyra at the end so you could hear the cheers louden at the sight of her as news had gone out about her debut.

Playing Leicester City had been fine, you had stopped a couple of goals and hadn't played any dangerous tackles which was better than you could say about Katie "You McCard take it down a notch" you teased your bestfriend who glared at you.

You were Happy, your girlfriend was debuting and she was playing really good, making you and your teammates proud, It wasn't until the near end of the first 45 minutes that something had happened.

A player from Leister City came behind Kyra as she got the ball, kicking in front of her ankles making the girl lose her footing and fly in the air before her arm landed on the pitch.

A loud "Fowl" came out of your lips before you ran towards the player, pushing them forward "Are you dumb, literally dumb" you didn't give a chance to let the player replied before you verbally assaulted them again

"Of course you are dumb because obviously you don't know how to play football if you're throwing in tackles like that, stupid-"

"Y/N!"

You finally turned your head to Kyra who was still on the floor as she lifted her head to the ref who held a yellow to both you and the Leicester Player.

Your breath hitched as Katie patted you on the back "Nobody's blaming you" she whispered before you went off and met the eye of Jonas "I'm sorry" you whispered before you looked back to the ground of your girlfriend who was now walking off with her arm being held by one of the medics with tears in her eyes.

"I just wanted it to be perfect for her" you admitted to Jonas who just shook his head "She'll be fine, and how she's played she'll be on the ground again"

Kyra made her way to the side line and to the tunnel before mouthing "nerve" to you and you rolled your eyes before turning to Jonas "she popped her nerve!" you said and he shook his head again "don't make me regret putting you out there again"

You were let on again half way through the second 45 minutes before you were put on in defense, but it was different now.

The girl who tackled Kyra was now playing in forward and you were on her, she got the ball and you acted quick, getting the ball from her and kicking it away, before 'accidentally' misplacing your foot infront of hers, causing her to fall just like Kyra did, except she was lucky.

The refs blew the whistle before running up to you again, you plead your 'case' but they didn't care and pulled out another yellow. Your teammates and Fans called out in distaste and disagreement to the ref but you smiled when you realized you could go see Kyra.

You ran off past Jonas and into the tunnel to go see your girlfriend who quickly realized what had happed "you didn't" she started but you pecked her on the lips before sitting next to her

"worth it"

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

Your thoughts on this

"Zuko did not have a conversation with the person the was clearly there to kill him and his friends, thefore he did not care about his girlfriend" is certainly a take.

And I gotta love how they use Sokka and Suki as the exemple of "how an actual caring boring reacts" when Sokka ALSO never mentioned his girlfriend AFTER being told by Azula that Suki was in a miserable, sorry state, and the only reason he was at the boiling rock at all was because he wanted to save HAKODA. Suki was just lucky enough to be there and tag along.

Why is that not used as proof that Sokka doesn't care about Suki, but Zuko not asking questions to the person that is blasting fire balls at him means he never loved Mai? And if not talking about missing/being worried about someone every other scene means the character doesn't care, why do people not complain that Zuko asking about his mother in the finale came out of nowhere since she only ever came up in FOUR out of SIXTY ONE episodes?

Why is it that only Maiko needs to constantly be talked about to prove that the characters care about each other - and why are scenes like Zuko remembering Mai's childhood crush on him after not having seen her in years, or being visibly upset that he has to leave her, or bringing her up when talking to Sokka about THINGS HE'LL MISS ABOUT HIS OLD LIFE completely disregarded?

And why, why, WHY do zutarians act like, even if Zuko didn't care about Mai, that would somehow mean he HAS to care about Katara? During most of "The Southern Raiders" he's being super entitled and acting like he's OWED her forgiveness and friendship just because not having it is inconvenient. Zuko is not "pining" for her, he's basically saying this:

Also, it makes perfect sense that Azula would not bring up the Mai thing:

1 - Her feelings, and more importantly, her ego, are still VERY hurt by the fact that Mai chose Zuko over her. She literally tells the guards to put Mai and Ty Lee somewhere she'll never have to see their faces again. This could not be more different than the situation with Sokka and Suki - two people that meant literally nothing to her.

2 - She's already snapping a little bit. We see her using her entire hand to firebend instead of her signature two fingers-move that make her flames precise and basically cut through stuff like a blade. Zuko is even able to bend her flames away from him, and for the first time his strength is equal to hers, thanks not only to his new training with the dragons, but also Azula's imperfect fighting style. She's not gonna be thinking of how mess with Zuko's feelings to make him lower his guard, like she did on their first on-screen fight, because SHE is the one deep in the emotional turmoil this time and she isn't thinking clearly, even if she hasn't fully lost it yet.

3 - This fight is very clearly foreshadowing both for the Last Agni Kai AND Zuko's reaction to his victory coming at the cost of Azula's well-being. She's attacking him and his allies, and fully said she wants to kill him - yet when he sees her falling "to her death" he isn't happy like one would expect, even if he's kicking himself for giving a shit later when she inevitably saves herself. That scene was about Zuko's hostile, yet complex, relationship with AZULA. Bringing literally anyone else up would make no sense. It's THEIR moment, completely separate from his romance with Mai.

[waterfire1848]

AU where the girls are captured and the boys head out to save them. The girls manage to free themselves, but then the boys get captured.

Hello, @wingchunwaterbender !!!

1. One day, while the girls are out getting stuff that they need, they’re ambushed by a group of Ozai Loyalists. The girls, of course, didn’t go without a fight but tranquilizer darts to the legs will certainly do some damage. They’re taken to an abandoned prison in the Fire Nation and chained up (or in Toph’s case but in a wooden prison) and kept there until the loyalists get orders about what to do with them. Meanwhile, the guys realize that the girls haven’t come back and are starting to get really concerned. (Zuko: I think we should go look for them. Sokka: Did we forget who we’re talking about? I’ve seen Toph toss a guy 20 feet in the air by standing up, Katara was taking on master benders before she was a master, Suki’s a literal Kyoshi Warrior and you sister and her friends took down Ba Sing Se. Aang: That doesn’t mean they’re immune to being in trouble. Zuko’s right. We should go look for them. Sokka: Okay, but we’re gonna feel pretty stupid when we come back and they’re all there waiting for us to eat). They don’t find them.

2. Sokka, Zuko and Aang continue looking for the girls for as long as they can but come up with nothing. It isn’t until they hear from some people in town that weird guys with fire symbols were lurking around and realize that Ozai Loyalists were in the town and probably took them. They go back and get Appa so that they can search the area for their friends. Meanwhile, the girls are trying to think of a way to escape. Toph can’t metalbend so that idea is out the window and everyone else has cuffs on that either keep them from moving correctly or keep them from bending. (Katara: I have an idea. Suki: What is it? Katara: Here’s what I need you to do……Suki: GUARDS! GUARDS! Guard: What is the matter now? That time of the month? Azula: Katara isn’t breathing! Guard: What? Azula: Get in here before your boss finds out you let the Avatar’s girlfriend die! Guard: She’s not breathing. Damn it. Bo! Get in here! She needs to go to the healer! *Undoes Katara’s cuffs*. Katara: Hello. *Freezes him and Bo to the wall before stealing their keys and freeing everyone. The girls walk out with ease*).

3. The girls escape from prison and, thanks to Toph’s earthbending, are able to get a rough estimate of what’s around them. They run towards the nearest town to find some kind of directions since they don’t know exactly where they are. While they’re running through the forest, they don’t notice the massive sky bison flying over them or hear Aang, Sokka and Zuko screaming for them but the boys find the prison. Now, they don’t know if that’s where the girls are but it’s as good a place as any to look. They land and head inside. (Aang: They were here! But they escaped! *He’s pointing to the frozen guards* Sokka: Ha! Told you. The girls can handle themselves. Now let’s go back to the campsite and get some good fisssss…. Guard, behind them with a tranquilizer dart: You’re not going anywhere. Zuko: Oh, shiiiiiiii….)

4. The girls arrive at the town and take a moment to relax and gather themselves before they try to find a map and figure out where they are. However, while they're out there, Appa comes into the town, roaring in distress. Katara manages to calm him down and realizes that Appa wouldn't be this far unless Aang had brought him over here. The girls quickly put together that the boys must have left to go find them and then something happened to them. (Katara: Appa, where are they? Show us where they are). Of course, they're in the prison. The Ozai Loyalists have no intention of taking their eyes off of the Fire Lord or Avatar even for a second (sorry Sokka) so they're chained up in a separate room while Sokka is right where the girls were a few hours ago. Katara and Toph head down to get Sokka while Azula, Mai, Ty Lee and Suki leave to find Aang and Zuko. (Katara: Hi! Remember me? Guards: Waterbender! Katara: That's right, but I got a question for you. What do you call someone who can control metal? Guard: Oh, no. Katara: No- Toph: That's close enough. *Metalbends their legs and throws them to the side* Sokka: Those poor guards. Katara: Are you really feeling sympathy for them? Sokka: I can't help it! One of the poor guys was having problems with his girlfriend and the other guy wants to open a pastry shop after they take over the world. Katara:....Toph:.... Sokka: I'm allowed to care about things. Come on. Let's go get Aang and Zuko.)

5. Azula, Mai, Ty Lee and Suki slipped in through another part of the prison so that they could get the basement area which is where Aang and Zuko are being held while they wait for more loyalists to arrive. Zuko is chained up in a way to prevent firebending and Aang is chained up similar to how he was in the Blue Spirit with three people always having spears pointed at him (people learned from Azula about how to handle the Avatar in the Avatar State). The four agree to split up with Azula and Ty Lee going after Zuko (because spirits help her, Azula is never going to let Zuko live this down) and Suki and Mai going after Aang. Azula and Ty Lee slip into Zuko's cell by beating up the guards outside then setting him free. (Zuko: I'm never living this down am I? Azula: You really have to ask?). Suki and Mai are in the middle of trying to rescue Aang but it's a lot harder because there are more guards around him. The loyalists manage to take them down and say that they need the Avatar alive but not a Kyoshi Warrior and the Fire Lord's wife. They're about to kill them when Sokka intervenes and cuts the spears out of their hands. The two back up just as Katara and Toph join the fight (freeing Aang in the process) and Azula, Ty Lee and Zuko return. (Zuko: May we? Katara: Knock yourselves out, boys.) The Gaang walk out of the prison that day happy as can be while the Loyalists lay on the floor with a lot of broken bones.

[the-genius-az]

Azula needs friends outside of the Gaang and the dangerous ladies, I mean, I know she's great as a friend of the Gaang and girlfriend of Mai and Ty Lee, but in canon she wouldn't be so close to them because of everything they went through.

I mean, I really like Maizulee, but Azula really needs friends and maybe date a girl who wasn't people from her past who hurt her.

I got some experience and matured emotionally, she needs to fully explore herself, accept that it wasn't her fault that people abandoned her with her friends.

And being stuck in the same place would only make things worse, she needs to be free and know more things, meet more people.

[withgirl-sq]

🌍🤡♻️🦈

Thank you for the ask!

What tags or warnings will your / one of your wip(s) need if you intend to share it?

'Riches to rags' is one I've been mulling over for Azutara 🤔

For a SwanQueen one-shot, I've been thinking about 'Death curse' , 'Regina dies', 'Angst/grief' - this one would have a happy ending though lol

2. How many Wips are you currently working on?

11 published ones and I'm not sure how to count the unpublished ones, does it count if I only have dialogue for one scene? lol

3. A scrapped idea for your current WIP

This was how Azula coming out to her mom was supposed to go in my Avatar Azula Au but it ended up not fitting -

-----[While eating Mochi Azula admits that Katara is her girlfriend when she tells her the story of the North Pole]

‘There is something I should tell you...Katara she’s...well she’s...’ Azula [she isn’t sure why she cares whether her mother accepts this or not but she does know that having her mother’s approval means more to her than she would admit]

‘She’s what?’ - Ursa

‘She’s my girlfriend’ - Azula

‘That’s amazing, she seems like a great girl’ -Ursa

‘You’re not...mad?’ - Azula

‘You thought I would be?’ -Ursa

‘You never said anything when grandfather and dad talked about...it so I thought maybe you agreed...’ - Azula [not really prepared to bring up some of the words they would use]

‘There are a lot of things I wish I was brave enough to speak up about, Azula, and if I had known then that their words hurt you I would have. I’m sorry that you had to grow up hearing that’- Ursa

 ‘Well...father has said worse things to me since then, I doubt who I love would rank high on the reasons he wants me dead’ -Azula [The Avatar is not leaving alive- Azula closes her eyes but opens them when she feels Ursa’s hand on hers. She sees genuine pain in her mother’s eyes]

‘I should I have been there for you...I’m sorry’ -Ursa

‘You’re here now’- Azula

‘I am also sorry for lying to your friends about my name...’ - Ursa 

‘It’s okay, they thought my name was Ty Lee for almost an entire day’ -Azula----

4. Tell us the name of your / one of your WIP(s)

My fics don't really have names until I publish them, I kind of just go with whatever feels right when I'm on that screen

This is how I label my WIPs until they become something real lol

[sokkastyles]

Mai brings out the worst in Zuko. He's always more negative with her, it's like how he would try to get affection from his family by being mean to others. I feel like if Mai had a decent rendemption I could get behind the relationship because I would feel like she could understand what he went through in a way that Katara doesn't but that's not what happened. He had a better relationship with Ty Lee and they barely spoke to each other!

The Boiling Rock scene where she saves him could have been a redemption if she didn't then come back in the finale and act like he owed her for saving him...after she was part of the reason he almost died in the first place. "Saving the jerk who dumped me" could have led to a realization that Zuko's mission was more important than her relationship with him, but unfortunately we don't get that. There's no sense that she even realized she did anything wrong, she just comes back to yell at Zuko and tell him to never break up with her again and that she "kind of likes him," and Zuko accepts that because he's so worried that she hates him that he forgot why he broke up with her in the first place, just like he apparently forgot that she was in prison.

Saying that Mai brings out the worst in Zuko isn't even me insulting Mai, because she was meant to. That was what their relationship was built on when Zuko wanted to pretend that going back to the Fire Nation was what he wanted, and we were supposed to read it as a negative relationship. That's why Ty Lee is more understanding to Zuko in one line than Mai ever is. That's also why Mai had to have a redemption in the first place. It's just not a very believable one, and that would be okay if she was paired with another minor villain who had a minor redemption, but she's paired with Zuko, who is one of the most complex characters who has the most significant redemption arc in the series.

And not to make this about zutara but since you mentioned Katara, one can't help notice the way the narrative sets up Zuko almost turning coat because of Katara's compassion and understanding in the caves, and then the very next episode being clearly upset about going back to the Fire Nation while his new girlfriend Mai dismisses his feelings and ignores him while he continues to look unhappy. We are supposed to notice this! It's a very classic set up as part of Zuko's narrative of realizing the things he thought he wanted are not what he needed, and Mai is a part of that narrative. It bothers me so much that the show then acts like Zuko did something wrong by breaking up with her because he realized that saving the world was more important. "But he broke up with her by letter," you say? I don't care, he did what he needed to do to survive, and Mai's reaction when she does confront him also proves that to be the right choice.

Mai's redemption is like if Zuko joined the gaang and become firelord and then at the end was like "actually maybe I'll start another war" and Aang had this "Oh shit I'm in the doghouse" expression and then Zuko was like "good thing I kinda like you Aang" and then they hugged.

[drpoisonoaky]

This is what I think it would be like if Azula and Ty lee were telling people they were dating:

.

.

.

Aang: Oh that’s so nice I’m happy for both of you. Being in love it’s a wonderful experience.

Ty lee: Oh thank you Aang it’s-

Azula: Blah blah blah. Can you change with Kyoshi she’s the only avatar whose opinion matters to me.

————————————————

Katara: Whao, I didn’t know Azula can love somebody. Are you sure that she didn’t force you or something?

Ty lee: She still has her issues but she respects every boundarie and truly is a big softie.

Azula: Sorry water tribe peasant if you are jealous, which I understand, get your own girlfriend I’m taken.

Katara: I WASN’T…I’M NOT…YOU TRULY ARE…I CAN’T

————————————————

Zuko: …

Azula: I think that we broke Zuzu.

Ty lee: I would be a really hot fire lady.

Azula: No doubt about it.

Zuko: …

Zuko: WHEN?! HOW?! WHY?! OMG THAT’S WHY YOU BOTH HAD SO MANY SLEEPOVERS?!!

————————————————

Sokka: Makes sense.

Ty lee: Really?

Sokka: I mean, I was more afraid of her when you flirt with me than when we fought directly.

Ty lee: I don’t know why i didn’t realize sooner she almost melt like 12 boys who try to hit on me.

Azula: 14* boys and i would do it again.

Ty lee: She’s work it on it.

————————————————

Toph: So Princess fussy pants and you…?

Ty lee: Yeah.

Toph: Cool. You’re both hot, makes sense.

Ty lee: Thanks?

Azula: Finally somebody who knows what should be said.

————————————————

Suki: I don’t like her. I don’t respect her. She’s an awful person. And I probably murder her when she sleeps if-

Azula: As if you could fan girl.

Suki: Ty lee there’s plenty hot girls with parental and mental issues out there for your savior complex. You don’t hav-

Ty lee: Thank for worrying about me love ya but I madly in love with her since forever. And you don’t have to like her just be civil.

Azula: …

Azula: Wait. Do you think i’m hot?

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Mai:

Azula:

Mai:

Azula: She already knew, didn't she?

Ty lee: Since the first glance.

Mai: Are you two idiots or something?