#because no matter what just like zuko jet loves his family with everything inside him

[guest-1-2-3]

jet and zuko mirroring each other as being full of raw anger at the world and fueled by flawed ideas of justice but they both care so damn much and their motives are good even when their end goals are wrong. the way both of them see mistreatment and don’t hesitate to fight back and the way they’re willing to do anything to do so. the way they’re both so stubborn and take matters into their own hands without listening to their loved ones and end up self destructing as a result. the way zuko had the time to rework his worldview and heal but jet died fighting and angry inside

[azenkii]

 ATLA Fic Rec 

because I've been spending way too much time reading it. Btw, this is a rec for gen fics and zukka fics.

Note: an asterisk after the description means that the fic or series is incomplete. (Sadly, this is a lot of them, but I'm pretty sure most of these fics are still currently updating.)

GEN:

Anything by MuffinLance is a must-read. my personal favourites are Salvage (where Hakoda ends up with one (1) grumpy new prisoner/crewmate/adopted son) and Little Zuko v the World (where Zuko is 12, and it's adorable).

The Family You Choose by TunaFishChris is a god-tier platonic soulmate au about zuko and the gaang, so like...go read that right now

The kintsugi series by discordiansamba is an AU where Toph's parents hire Zuko-as-Lee to be a bodyguard for her, and I love it so much. It has some of the best Toph-and-Zuko sibling bonding I've ever seen. *

Dragon Moon by Satirrian is a Dragon! Zuko AU and it's incredible. It also features Bounty Hunter Zuko, so do with that what you will. *

The What We're Given series by Haicrescendo is *chef's kiss*. It's an AU where Zuko flipped his father off early on into his banishment and started living his best life with Iroh. Enter the Gaang. Shenanigans ensue. *

The Internment series by Hannahmayski is another Zuko breaks free from his dad early AU, and it's also really good. Basically, Zuko was never given the option to capture the Avatar, making his banishment indefinite. He sails around with his crew fighting the Fire Nation and it's great. *

The best way to solve your problems (is to help someone else) by hewwodarkness is an AU where kids start disappearing in Ba Sing Se during Book 2, and Zuko takes it upon himself to do a little vigilantism. It's fantastic. *

The Blue Spirit AU series by H_Faith_Marr is an AU starting from, surprise surprise, the Blue Spirit episode. The Gaang takes in Zuko without knowing who he is, and the Power of Friendship™ goes to work on Zuko. *

The the first rule of earth kingdom fight club... series by ohmygodwhy is an AU where Zuko, among other things, fights in underground cage matches, meets Toph early, and realises that his dad might be wrong. It’s pretty funny and really good. *

The The Non-Existent Twin series by FoiblePNoteworthy is hilarious. It's an AU where Zuko poses as his own twin, Li, and the Gaang buys it hook line and sinker. *

The Guilt (The Jet Adopts Zuko AU) series by FoiblePNoteworthy is also really good. Like the title says, it’s a Zuko joins the Freedom Fighters AU. *

The new ways series by blueseam is just a Zuko and the Gaang bonding fic, mostly set in the Western Air Temple, with a side of Zuko not taking care of himself and the Gaang stepping up to the job. If you’re like me and am an absolute sucker for Zuko and the Gaang, go read this.

The Family Matters series by WinterSky101 is a really good fic if you’re looking for Hakoda and Zuko. That’s all I have to say: Hakoda and Zuko.

a nation, held by snowdarkred is a GREAT Fire Nation & Zuko fic - set before and during canon, not after it. Go read it, right now.

Notable mentions: a lot of works by naggeluide are gen and pretty funny, though if you don't headcanon any of the characters as LGBT+ you might not like some of them.

ZUKKA:

anything by Haicrescendo and dickpuncher420. For Haicrescendo, my personal favourite is the Carry On For You series, and for dickpuncher420, it’s love language.

sirens & sleepless nights by Satirrian is a modern AU that just borders on dystopian. Ba Sing Se has been overtaken by the Fire Nation, Zuko is a soldier who broke away from the Fire Nation and got shot for it, and Sokka finds Zuko on the street and brings him inside. It’s amazing, go read it!

do you take this jerk to be (your one and only) by jatersade is a fic that I’m 90% sure is on every zukka fic rec list, and it deserves to be. It’s an arranged marriage AU where Zuko is engaged to Yue, and Sokka is his cultural guide. *

midnight runs and other things by isamagicdragon is a modern AU where Zuko keeps sleepwalking into Sokka’s apartment. Shenanigans ensue. Also, top-tier Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee interactions. *

Unchained Melody by avocadolove is another fic that I see a lot on rec lists, and it 100% deserves it. It’s a long fic (as of now, it’s at 63.8k) and is an AU where Sokka, after getting taken to the Spirit World by Heibai, ends up as a ghost that only Zuko can see. Ft. great enemies-to-friends-to-lovers and an incredible plot. *

Ozymandias, King of Kings by Think_of_a_Wonderful_Thought is SO good. It’s an AU where, instead of being banished, Zuko was sent to work in a coal mine/prison, which eventually becomes the target of a Water Tribe raid after Aang’s return. It can get pretty dark, so watch out for that, and it’s really long (as of now, 168.8k). But trust me, it’s worth it. *

Heart Beat Here by thefangirlingdead is an adorable Modern AU oneshot where Zuko, while shopping for engagement rings with Katara, freaks out when Sokka lies about where he is. It’s a happy ending, don’t worry. One of my favourite fics.

feels like we only go backwards by oldpotatoe and A Certain Slant of Light by JustGettingBy are both amnesia fics where Sokka loses his memory several years after the war. They’re both so, so good. A Certain Slant of Light is finished, but feels like we only go backwards is not.

reality strikes, so bring back the night by zukkababey is a time-travel oneshot where Western-Air-Temple Sokka wakes up in the future to find his older self married to one (1) Fire Lord Zuko. Fluffy and funny. 

maybe i just see you (in everything) by epicbubbles is a really cute Modern AU oneshot with love confessions and just fluff all around. 10/10 go read it!!

it’s the illusion of separation by argentoswan is a fic that has legendary status and it absolutely deserves it. God-tier Modern AU where Sokka ends up working at the Jasmine Dragon alongside his former high school bully, Zuko. (Kind of) enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, and it’s just...SO good. *

say you like your shirt soggy by crosspin is a reallyyy nice 5+1 fic. It’s Modern AU, and it’s pretty short (3.7k), but the amount of yearning that gets packed into that 3.7k,,,,*chef’s kiss*

and they were roommates by flydunes is another Modern AU where sokka puts up an ad for a roommate. Zuko moves in, and Sokka gets a crush. It’s just good vibes all around :) *

like blood from a stone by catalinacat is a Soulmate AU that took a completely different direction with the soulmate trope. The summary does a better job of explaining it than I can. *

absence of heat, excess of destiny by theycallmesuperboy is one of the best soulmate AUs out there. it’s not too long, only 4.3k words, but it covers the entire series and then some. Seriously, go read this.

it isn’t strange, but it’s true by theholyterror is a 5+1 post-canon fic with some of the best pining I’ve ever seen, ft. Ambassador Sokka and Fire Lord Zuko. The 5+1 is times Zuko went out of his way to touch Sokka.  *

like the sun inside of you by ofherlionheart is another post-canon fic, and it’s incredible so far. the first chapter alone is 23k, so it’s already a decently long read. *

the stemverse: earth science zuko au series by acezukos is a REALLY good Modern/University AU. So far, it only has one work (earth system history) but that work is already *chef’s kiss*. The series is incomplete, but earth system history is complete!

rebellion’s such a hushed affair by zeitgeistofnow is a fantastic Modern AU that, like sirens & sleepless nights, borders on dystopian. Actually, I think it is dystopian, but it hasn’t been tagged as such. Anyway, 10/10, go read it right now immediately

Mark Time by foil is a Modern AU where Sokka ghosted Zuko years ago, and they get brought back together by Aang and Katara’s wedding. It’s really good, but the fic has some pretty heavy content, so make sure you read the warnings. *

That birds would sing and think it were not night by HisMomoness is a Modern AU that has Zuko tutoring Sokka, with absolute top-tier pining. Like, seriously, the pining is insane. Superr good

this love burns so yellow (becoming orange and in its time, exploding) by meliebee is one of the best post-canon fics I’ve ever read. It features a civil war in the Fire Nation (that gets resolved about halfway through) and some great Toph and Zuko interactions, as well as some Grade A pining. 

boy problems by burnt_oranges is FANTASTIC post-canon and has sokka and zuko in an accidental arranged marriage, plus some attempted assassinations. It’s great.

zuko vs the homie sexual agenda by parmigiano has Zuko and Sokka pining for each other in Ikea. Do I need to say more?

Friendship Bracelets by peachcitt is a Modern AU best friends to lovers. Pretty short (4.9k), but the pining is immaculate.

isn’t this the vision that you wanted by nebulastucky is INCREDIBLE, I read it recently because it just got completed and it’s *chef’s kiss*. It’s post-canon ft. mutual pining and some reallyyy good ‘and there was only one bed’ scenes.

Real Slow and no one knows anything but us by surveycorpsjean and quidhitch respectively are two of my favourite post-canon Ambassador Sokka and Fire Lord Zuko fics. Go check them out!

The Duke’s a Hazard by naggeluide is a really nice AU starting from the Western Air Temple, where the Duke decides that Sokka and Zuko are now his new parents. They bond over coparenting, and the (kind of) enemies-to-friends-to-lovers is really good. Plus, it’s funny.

Those Who Favor Fire by CSHfic and VSfic is a really good fic of the Spymaster Sokka AU. If you don’t know what that is, it’s an AU where Sokka fakes his death and goes undercover in an organisation that wants to kill Zuko.

Fics I added after posting (so far, all Zukka):

The Road Between Action and Inaction by Donvex is a fic that I can't believe I left out the first time?? It's a modern hitchhiking AU and it's great.

Rituals of the Ocean Floor by Donvex is a nice one too. It's only around 2.2k words, but it's a Fox Spirit!Zuko and Sharkman!Sokka AU, and I just really like the writing style.

by the stars above, i knew we were in love by theycallmesuperboy and The Fate of Nations in Our Hands by sapphic_ambitions are both top-tier post-canon fics. Be warned: by the stars above is a liiiittle bit angsty.

blue's clues by parmigiano is a really good Modern AU where Sokka, a university student journalist, gets ahold of the phone number of the Blue Spirit, a new campus vigilante. He ends up talking to the Blue Spirit to get an interview out of him, and it's really cute!

Honourable mention: the Avatar Zuko series by the_cloud_whisperer is one of the best series I've ever read, and it's really long - it got completed about a month ago, with 493.6k words in total (415k if you ignore the extra work made up of author's notes). It develops all the characters really well, especially Lu Ten, but the main ship is Zukaang. Personally, my biggest problem with Zukaang is the age difference, and Aang is aged up to be Zuko's age (or older, I think? I don't really remember) in this. I kept reading it because the plot was too good to give up, and I do highly recommend it, but yeah.

I’ll add more fics if I remember them, but this is what I had bookmarked. Also, shameless self plug here because I also write ATLA fic @ azenki on ao3

[theotherace]

Fic Recs: Taang

I’ve made two or three rec lists over the past few months, but I thought I’d make a proper, comprehensive one that’s easy to add to in the future. Not all of these are exclusively Taang, but they all feature the ship to some degree. I will only recommend one or two stories per author, but some profiles are definitely worth checking out further. So! Here goes.

Multi-Chapter, Complete

Whisper Into the Sky by damagectrl – Toph has two choices: Go home and get married or have the family fortune and her inheritance given to a stranger. Her problem: She wants to keep her ties to her family, but is quite content traveling with Aang. Her solution: Fight her way through suitors for her freedom. Literally. | General 

The Slow Path by Tazmainian Devil – Eight years after the fall of Ozai, Aang returns to the friends he left behind. | T

A Matter of Honor by Adridere – Almost 4 years after the war. Aang is engaged to Katara and is up to Zuko to teach him the facts of life. Yep, the bees and the birds. Crazy kings, bananas and the ultimate contest for the hand of a reluctant maiden. | M

Roommates by breeeliss – An unlikely tale of two unlikely people being forced to live together under unlikely circumstances.| Modern AU | T

Fall of the White Lotus by Boo-82 – Three years after the war Zuko is living a life of duty while Katara reluctantly travels the world with Aang. So, when General Iroh orders them to find Zuko’s mother and save his Order they seize the opportunity with both hands. It’s the beginning of an adventurous journey of discovery, but as time runs out a rising threat puts their bond to the test. | T

Half Asleep by The Crushinator – Five years after the Hundred-Year War, Fire Lord Zuko is hit with an assassin’s dart, and falls into a coma from which he cannot wake. A week passes, and his prognosis is grim. But Katara could swear she hears him in her dreams… | T

Yaaburnee by aviatordame – Avatars aren't meant to belong – that's as much as Aang can fathom. | M

Getting Lucky by roca-dos – Crazy things happen in college every day. | Modern AU | T 

All Fall Down by DJNS  – Aang copes with a tragic loss and finds renewed hope in an unexpected place. | M | Warning for Major Character Death

The Princess & the Badger-Cat by panaili – In a land never torn apart by the Hundred Year War, the sixteen-year-old Avatar Aang is trying his best to keep the balance between the four nations, including the increasingly antagonistic Fire Nation, which, despite his friendship with the Crown Prince Zuko, refuses to acknowledge him. Elsewhere, Sokka and Katara have been separated on their quest to find their missing father, and Sokka, pursued by the same bandits who kidnapped his sister, finds himself on the balcony of some rich girl’s house in Gaoling. Oh, and a sorcerer has turned him into a badger-cat. It’s just one of those days. | Teen and Up

Reborn by Jakia – Life. Death. Rebirth. This is the cycle that all spirits must abide to, even the Avatar. Aang and Toph face death and the reincarnation cycle. | T

New Girl by tiffaniesblews – After coming home early from a business trip, all Katara wanted to do was surprise her boyfriend, Jet. Imagine her surprise when she got home and Jet was in bed with another woman. Not wanting to live with her ex, and unable to live with her best friend, Suki, Katara takes her brother Sokka's offer to move into his loft with his two roommates. Aang is perky and sweet, the owner of a st. Bernard and a cat, who's often confused about his direction in life. Zuko, on the other hand, is a closed-off bartender, who takes some time opening up to others.The four could not be more different, and yet? They work out perfectly. Even if Katara's feelings for Zuko get a bit more complicated as time goes on. | Modern AU | Mature 

The Ties That Bind series by LdyKirin – An exploration of the ties that bind for good and ill. Toph and Zuko are both shaped by the family they were born to and the family they choose. Lots of found family feels. | T

What Happens In Kyoshi by BlackVelvetBand – Prince Zuko, and the GAang take a vacation on Kyoshi Island. Flirting, fighting, and embarrasment ensue as Sokka takes it upon himself to defend Katara's virtue...in a dress? A short,chaptered fic featuring Zutara, Sokki, and Taang. | T

Under the Night Sky by mycomfortblanket – Aang hears the chattering of teeth during a cold night. Was an AU that I found on tumblr that I made fit into this story. Orginal prompt: "We have to go camping together and share a sleeping bag even though we are complete strangers | General

On The Precipice by JoyDragon – They’re just best friends. Or maybe they’re teetering on the edge of being something more. | General

Oneshots, Complete

Air and Stone by Wolvenfire86 – A few Taang stories munched together. My first submissions. I hope everyone likes them. Please review, it makes me feel special. | K+

Taang Week 2020 series by teabagginses | Teen and Up & Mature

Our Little Secret by IrisPlumeria – Toph and Aang, sat next to one another dressed in their finest under paper lanterns and surrounded by copious amounts of food and friends, cringed at the disgusting noises coming out of Sokka’s nostrils as he blew his nose into Suki’s handkerchief. “I can’t believe two of my best friends are finally married!” Sokka sobbed, earning a supportive pat on the back from Suki, who didn’t flinch at the snot coming out of his nose. “I’m so happy for you guys!” Toph and Aang's family are happy for their nuptials, but will they be able to survive their wedding party without letting slip a big secret?Written for Taang Week 2020 - Tradition. | General 

All Roads Lead To Ba Sing Se by irisbleufic – "I was thinking," [Mai] said, tucking her last remaining dagger into her belt as she strode to meet him, "that it's about time I let Fire Lord Zuko know that I quit." When Kuei smiled at her, she could see the sunshine at which she once cringed."Notice that's six years overdue is better than none at all." "Indeed," said the Earth Queen, and grinned at him. | Teen And Up

Lady Fu’s Fortune Telling by Lady Cleo – Katara and Toph visit the local fortuneteller to get their fortunes told. Added a part two with Zuko and Aang. | T

The Perfect Companion by Morna – Aang seeks comfort outside of the arms of his wife, Katara. Taang, slightly lemony. | T

Box by JoeMerl – Written for Taang Week, one-shot. Toph ticks off Bumi, but Aang is willing to fight his old friend tooth and nail to get her out of trouble. Humor, light romance. | K+

2 am by shmulia – Whoever set off the fire alarm at 2 in the morning is on Katara's shit list. Even if he is hot and shirtless. | Modern AU | K

And its sequel, 11:45 – House parties aren't Katara's thing. Sokka's drunk, Suki's on a mission to set her up, and Toph is... well, Toph. But for every cloud there's a silver lining, and for Katara it comes in the form of a second chance with her neighbour... | Modern AU | T 

Treat by PsychEmpress – She felt the corners of her own lips quirk as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “Consider this my treat,” he said and Toph allowed a smile to break out. OR In which Toph is a stressed architecture student who gets a free cup of coffee from the handsome waiter after she helps his friend. Taang. Mentions of Sukka. | Modern AU | T

Sawaru by metacognitive – This love is simple. Non-Korra compliant. | K+

Newlyweds (and basically everything else) by PandaCookie – Everyone’s a bit hopeless right after they’ve been married. | K+

Rhythms by xcgirl08– For now, though, her child’s heartbeat was hers to contemplate. | K 

Tenderness by Adridere – He wanted to keep her, even though he was not supposed to. He promised her freedom, and she promised him sanity in his own household. She kept her part of the bargain, but he found a way not to keep his. | M

Holy Matrimony by Loopy – After their marriage, Zuko and Katara deal with conflicting religious beliefs, and look to the friends for advice. Between the Zutara and the religious satire, every single person who reads this should feel offended. | General

Blind Maiden’s Grace by Adara_Rose – You can learn a lot of things from a flower… | Not Rated (I’d say General) 

Etched in the Earth by Dance_Elle_Dance – She knows the feel of Aang’s footprints better than her own, and that reality scares her. | Teen and Up

No One Asks About The Scars by voleuse – Write about how you learned to curse in order not to be cursed. | General

When in Rome by dtmars – She wasn’t stupid. She knew what she was doing and what she was getting herself into. They both did. | Modern AU. | Explicit

Like Real People Do by DerAndere – The moon is full and bright when he falls out of bed, awake, asleep, inside a dream, and starts walking, driven by the feeling he does not understand, tugging on him relentlessly, and he is Aang, and he is not, and the world is cold. | General | Full Disclosure: This is my story.

Meet Me Under The Table by avatarfan16 – A story of how Toph and Aang find love, in the most unusual of places. TAANG | K+

Aftermath by Zaram'delar – In any celebration, there's always one or two people with a habit of disappearing. Taang drabbleish series. | T

I Choose Dare by for_darkness_shows_the_stars – An ode to how Aang, under the power of a mighty temptress, was forced to grow a beard. Oh, and the birth of his first child, too, he supposes. | General Audiences

Multi-Chapter, In Progress

Heartbeat by AngelicBee – Avatar Aang's soulmate probably died 100 years before, but he can't help but feel she's closer than he thinks. | Teen and Up

a mighty ocean (or a gentle kiss) by poweradequeen – no, the title doesn’t make sense but i don’t care. i couldn’t think of one so now you’re stuck with a cheesy line from two by sleeping at last.it’s a taang fine arts university au. because i said so. | Teen and Up

Neither is Love a Cage by cali-chan – Love is the freedom of flying accompanied. It is letting be without possessing. PG-13 (possibly M later on), drama/romance/angst, Zuko/Katara + Aang/Toph, post-finale but diverges before LoK canon.

Operation: Zutara (REVAMPED) by dtmars – Everyone could see that those two were in love with each other. Everyone except for them. So Toph takes the initiative and fills in for Cupid to give them a little push, while Aang just tags along for the ride. | Teen and Up

Taang One Shots by stitch1830 – A collection of short stories about Toph and Aang that I've had saved in my notes for a few months. Stories are in the ATLA/LOK universe (not canon compliant), and typically revolve around their relationship and family. | Teen and Up

[stardust948]

Crashing Waves

Zutara Drabble December 2020 Day 19 

@zkdrabbledecember 

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28160901 

Summary:  Zuko can’t go onto the beach during the day anymore because of his burn. Katara notices. They go for a midnight swim instead. 

Inspired by @sokkastyles post  

Katara has always been an observant person. She could easily pick up on other's emotions and whether they were comfortable or not. It was simply a part of her empathic nature.

After the Last Agni Kai, she paid close attention to Zuko. Mainly because she was his healer and she owed him her life. Also, because he was more stubborn than a goat-donkey. It was infuriating to get a straight answer from him about his pain, so Katara had to play most of it by ear.

A couple of months after the war ended, the Gaang finally convinced Zuko to take a break and go to Ember Island with them. And by convince, they canceled all his Firelord meetings and practically kidnapped him. Nonetheless, Zuko loosen up and started enjoying himself. Or at least he seemed to be.

Katara noticed Zuko mostly stayed in the beach house watching them from the porch. When he did come down to the beach, it was at night or hunkered down under an umbrella. It was strange behavior for a firebender, especially one who's only good memories of his family were at the beach. Katara worried if being on Ember Island unsettled Zuko, now that he didn't have to spend all his time training Aang. Did they make a mistake to bring Zuko here in the first place? Early on the last day, Katara finally decided to confront him about the matter.

"Zuko, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Zuko paused from stirring tea and turned to face her, giving her his full attention. "What is it, Katara?"

"You've talked about how many good memories Ember Island holds for you but you've barely been to the beach all throughout this trip. I was wondering, well since this is the first time you're back after everything that's happened..." Katara paused for a moment, trying to figure out how to word it.

"What are you asking?"

Katara leaned over and grabbed his hand. "Are you alright?"

Zuko looked surprised, eyes shining with heavy emotion. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with a weary smile.

"I'm getting there. It was being here at first, but you and the others fill the place with so much light and life, it feels like home again."

Katara breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad it's getting better."

"Yeah. I just wish I could join you on the beach. I miss being out there."

"Don't push yourself. Wait until things are better."

"That's just it. This is the one thing that won't get better." Zuko said somberly as he touched his scar. Katara's heart dropped as she remembered her fleeting attempt to heal it in Ba Sing Se a lifetime ago. "The burn makes my skin sensitive to the sun. I can push through it during training, but its kind of makes it hard to relax." It was ironic on more than one level.

Katara threw her arms around Zuko and pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Zuko."

"It's okay." he whispered as he hugged her back.

"No, it's not! This is your vacation! You deserve to enjoy it. What do you miss most?"

Zuko was silent for a moment as his mind drifted back. One of his favorite memories was of Lu Ten teaching him how to him then him trying to teach Azula. They both accidently went out too far and Lu Ten had to drag them back on a piece of driftwood.

"Swimming."

"Then that settles it." Katara broke away from the hug and looked Zuko square in the face. "Tonight, we're going on a midnight swim."

~*~

Zuko did not know what he expected. He had snuck out in the dead of night more than he would care to admit, but this time felt different.

This time he was not searching for food to survive, or breaking into a fortress, or even trying to avoid anyone who would maim on sight.

This time was for the pure joy of it.

Zuko and Katara waited until the others were asleep then silently crept out. It was a starry night and the strong ocean breeze made the atmosphere feel electric. Katara suddenly broke out into a sprint, urging Zuko to follow her. He raced her to the water’s edge, neither slowing down as they crashed into the icy waters. Zuko and Katara swam until the beach house was just a distance speck. The stars reflected off the ocean, making it hard to tell where the sky ended and ocean began.

“This is incredible!” Katara beamed as she floated on her back.

Zuko watched her flourish in her element. Sometimes he finds it hard to believe it was the same girl who accidently froze her brother instead of the soldiers on his warship so long ago.

“Yeah, it is.”

Zuko inhaled deeply then exhaled a small jet of fire, warming his insides.

“What was that?”

“Breath of Fire, a trick Uncle taught me to keep my temperature up in the cold. It’s how I survived the Cooler on the Boiling Rock.”

“Huh. I thought Sokka made that up.” Katara said mostly to herself.

Zuko laughed and Katara splashed him.

“I’m serious! You know how he exaggerates when he tells stories!”

Zuko splashed her back playfully. He soon learned the hard way not to challenge waterbenders to a splash war at night.

“You just love fighting people in their natural elements, don’t you?”

“How was I suppose to know snow is made of water?!”

Katara bended a handful of water into snow then threw it at his face.

“I know that now ‘Tara!” Zuko laughed as he brushed the snow off.

“You seriously didn’t earlier?” she asked smiling.

Zuko simply shrugged as he swam in circles around her. He paused and looked at the horizon.

“It’ll be morning soon. We better start swimming back if we want to make it to the house before the others wake up.”

“Leave it to me!”

Katara bended a flat piece of ice and hopped on. Zuko got on in front of her and held on to the edges as Katara summoned a large wave to carry them back to shore.

“Hurry we’re gonna be late!” The sky was already starting to lighten up.

Zuko grabbed a still laughing Katara’s hand as they raced back to the beach house.

[smellerbeesting]

plot drop 2 - open town hall meeting

“everything said today will be taken into consideration when i begin to develop our plans for transformation.”

yeah, not likely.

oh the poor soldiers who had to burn down homes and watch children cry over dead parents. oh the poor fire nation villages that didn’t get to see their fire lord come and visit. the pitiful lives they had to lead as they stood by and let the world burn down feeling helpless. it was no surprise it was an earth kingdom boy-- one she didn’t recognize but she was going to have to remember-- teo found a stash of hidden information. if only she could have gotten into the palace walls to find out what other secrets were hidden there. her fingers twitched in her gloves and she wished she had her swords on her back.

obviously the guard wouldn’t let her in carrying three weapons. they didn’t know about the one hidden in her chest plate. for her own protection. it wouldn’t exactly take out a fire bender from across the room, but if she was attacked, she was going to go down with a weapon in her hand.

smellerbee desperately wished for the easy air with which jet carried himself through rooms. people turned to look at him, captured by the way he walked and talked and the stupid stalk he liked to keep between his teeth. when she put her hand down hard on the podium, people had to turn to look at her, startled someone was there at all.

“i represent the freedom fighters, a civilian militia group that defended lands from the fire nation, and protected innocent people during the war. i saw the exact kinds of crimes the fire lord’s council was hiding.” rage was bubbling up in her chest, the memories, the images, and she clenched her hands until the familiar fabric of her dingy gloves reminded her to exhale. if she started screaming now, they’d throw her out before she so much as got two words in.

“if the fire nation intends at all to make reparations to the people it has slaughtered, injured, used, and imprisoned then the entirety of the council needs to be eliminated.and that includes the fire lord.” eliminated was an intentional word. they leave the council one way or another. smellerbee’s eyes shot to zuko and she hoped that even through the black warpaint under them he could see that she hated him. “no person who has committed a crime against the earth kingdom, and for that matter the water tribes either, should be making decisions about how to somehow make it better. your words mean nothing to the people of the earth kingdom when they come from the mouths of conquerors and liars.”

“i met the fire lord before he became the fire lord. then he was just a prince, no, not even a prince. he told us his name was lee. he was sneaking into ba sing se as an earth kingdom refugee, taking advantage of the kindness offered for people who had lost homes to his people, his actions. prince zuko destroyed villages, destroyed incomes, he left people bleeding and dying. and he has the--” smellerbee paused, inhaling again. she didn’t realize she had been getting louder until her voice choked. she composed herself again and flexed her hands. “he came into ba sing se pretending to be someone he wasn’t. he took a job that could have gone to someone in need. he lied to the police force when questioned about his heritage. he let a man be sent to jail for standing up to him when he was right to be accused of being a fire bender. and despite all the kindness the city showed him and the general, his uncle iroh, who tried once to conquer it, he was nothing but a spy sent there to help his sister overthrow the king, take the city from the inside out, and kill the avatar. our so called last hope for peace.”

the sneer on her mouth was involuntary as she finally looked away from zuko and crossed her arms over her chest. “the only reason he sits on the throne is because he had the avatar beat his father, and he had his sister thrown into jail. his actions have not proven he has remorse for what he did to the other nations of the world. this change he claims to have gone through is at the expense of earth kingdom blood. he is covered in it. that doesn’t make him any different than ozai or azula. it doesn’t mean he won’t turn on the nations again as soon as the avatar turns his back. fire lord zuko will just keep kicking change down the road and claiming it’s because he’s young and he needs time. and before we know it, it’ll be another hundred years and the colonies will still be there and the fire nation will just keep expanding their land and pretending they deserve any place in the earth kingdom.” jet would have been proud of that. he loved theatrics. smellerbee was never much good at them. jet also would have finished by taking the knife out of its hiding place and throwing it across the table between lee’s zuko’s eyes and hoping it hit its mark before anyone noticed. but she wasn’t jet. she wasn’t trying to be jet. not right now, anyway. she was trying to be smellerbee and lead the freedom fighters her way. it just so happened that what she wanted now was for no member of the old royal family to be on the throne, and jet would have done the same thing.

“that’s my piece.” she threw the words over her shoulder as she left the podium with a flick of her wrist, feeling much more confident in her walk and the fact that people seemed to notice her now, even without the stupid grass between her lips.

[bahomogulok]

Your Life's Worth

by Katannaism

GENERAL POV

"No lightning today? What's the matter? Afraid I'll redirect it?"

"Oh-I'll show you lightning!"

Zuko watched as his insane sister started to execute lightning through the patterns with her arms. The electric blue of it danced wildly and dangerously at her fingertips as he stood his ground, readying himself to redirect it. He kept his breath steady, holding his arms out, keeping his eyes constantly fixated on Azula. Lightning arcs buzzed around her violently and dangerously with both its intensity and amount, but still obeyed each and every one of her movements. Sometimes he would be in awe at the way she could control it so easily... But then again...in her mental state...lightning generation probably would be a dire idea.

'I can do this…' he thought to himself, pushing away all signs of fear and doubt. 'Everything will be over…She won't win… She can't.' He'd redirect that bolt at lightning successfully. Either at the sky and finish Azula off through fire... Or use her power against her, and just end it on the spot.

But as Azula placed her hands close to herself with her lightning fully generated, flickering around her;ready to execute the lightning, her maniacal gaze caught sight of Katara. The waterbender. The peasant. She was standing way behind Zuko, slightly to the left-watching the Agni Kai. Her oceanic blue eyes wide with what appeared to be concern.

Why Zuzu had even bothered befriending a bender of their opposing element...why he had brought her along... Azula simply didn't understand. After all, the waterbender could merely act as collateral damage instead of support. Acid churned in her stomach when she thought about the peasant and her brother together... Why had he picked her...

Stupid boy...

An evil grin spread across Azula's face, knowing that destroying the little water peasant would damage her brother greatly. It would emotionally crush him and throw him completely off guard, giving her the upper hand. It was the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone...

Kill... Yes... That was the word...

Satisfied with her decision, Azula pointed her middle and index fingers at Katara; stretching out her right arm swiftly, allowing the lightning to run through, securing its target. The defiant fire bender could feel the intense rush of electrical energy surge out of her body as she let raw power take its course. Even though she'd generated lightning quite a number of times, it felt different this time. More thrilling. More powerful. The comet... The potency of it all...

Delicious.

Die...

Katara realized that Azula was directing the lightning at her, as the electric blue started to fly towards her. Even in her silent, almost frozen state of panic and shock, she knew she had to run. Or defend herself. Something. Anything.

But before she could respond or blink, she heard Zuko yell and saw as he started to jump in front of her, his left arm outstretched, placing him as Azula's new lightning's target. What was he doing!

Everything passed so quickly for Katara at that moment. Faster than light. It was as if she wasn't in control of her mind or actions anymore. Zuko's life was of more worth than hers. He had a responsibility as a prince and future Fire Lord to the Fire Nation. Unlike her, he had crucial duties to his people. She knew she couldn't let him take the fall for her...

With all of her courage and strength mustered inside of her, Katara quickly felt for the liquid blood that flowed through Zuko's veins as she held her hands out, concentrating as much as she could within the extremely short time. Relief washed her over as she felt the hot blood pumping and rushing within his body, but she also felt her energy slip away quickly since it wasn't exactly the most suitable time to bend blood. As she had done once with Hama, Katara quickly fisted her hands as if she was gripping Zuko like a doll and blood-bended the fire bender prince, taking total control of his body, feeling the water and fluids that coursed through his body. Instantly, she threw him aside to the right, away from the lightning's deathly blow.

Despite her sudden wave of exhaustion from the sudden blood bending, Katara looked up and saw the lightning coming at her at neck-breaking speed; she immediately made a run for it, while throwing up a thick ice barrier in front of her from her waterskin.

But it was all too late.

Zuko realized that Azula hadn't targeted her lightning towards him at all. Instead, she had redirected it towards Katara as he saw Azula shift her execution slightly to his right. The lightning travelled from her fingers at a deathly straight line...

"No! Not you!" he thought frantically. He knew that he couldn't just let Katara die because of him or his sister. He couldn't lose her. Especially to Azula. She had friends and family to go back to. Loved ones. She had everything to go back to... Katara had to live on. She just had to.

"NO!" he screamed, the word ripping from his throat as he threw himself in front of Katara, stretching out his left arm, preparing to attempt to redirect Azula's lightning-it was either try that or take the deadly hit… Either way... He wasn't going to lose Katara.

But then suddenly, Zuko felt something odd within his body. It was as if someone had halted the blood that flowed through his veins. It felt cold... Ice cold. The feeling was instantly followed by a kind of numbness, as if he couldn't control his limbs anymore despite his desperation. Every single muscle within him constricted, as if there were a pair of frozen iron hands gripping his body tightly with no means of escaping it. He couldn't even speak. His outstretched hand shook rigidly and his body froze in mid-air.

What...

Within a millisecond, Zuko felt himself being roughly thrown aside. His body crashed painfully against the ground as he grunted at the sudden impact. He tried to push himself up with his hands, ignoring the throbbing pain of his scratched up knees and arms, and saw Katara run while sweeping a large ice boulder in front of her with the water from her waterskin.

The scene in front of his eyes then unfolded too quickly. It was almost overwhelming... At that time Zuko could only register a few things in his mind clearly.

Azula's deadly lightning destroyed Katara's ice boulder effortlessly, shattering the crystal-like water. The tiny shards of ice rained all over the place, melting and evaporating with a harsh hiss when it hit the smouldering heat of the ground. He saw the lightning pierce through the air and slam into Katara, throwing her back in mid run. Horror and shock filled his body when he saw the water bender get flung back, her body hitting one of the pillars. Katara's then limp body crumpled onto the ground without response as if she was a mere rag doll. At that moment he instantly felt something shatter inside of him. His heart ached painfully at her unmoving form and all he felt was just pure agony. Both emotionally and physically.

"KATARA!" Zuko screamed, his voice filled with anguish as he immediately pushed himself up onto his feet. The stinging pain of his wounds no longer stopping him. He then ran towards the water bender, fear and worry churning inside of him. He even forgot that Azula was still there, laughing maniacally.

Please don't... Please don't... No, no, no, no, NO!

Azula felt satisfaction wash over her as she watched Zuko run towards the fallen waterbender. It worked... she thought as her body swayed slightly. The firebender quickly gathered her footing, her laugh echoing throughout the area. I did it... I did it... I did it... The three words rung in Azula's mind non-stop. It's over...Zuzu...

But before Zuko could reach Katara, a large wall of blue flames blocked his path, causing him to stumble back and fall. The vicious flames licked at his skin, burning him slightly.

"Oh no you don't!" Azula cackled gleefully, quickly moving into her next stance. "You can't possibly care for a water peasant now, Zuzu?"

"Shut up!" Zuko yelled at her, and quickly threw his fists forward, and a gust of bright, orange-red flames burst from his knuckles towards his sister. But Azula zipped away from it quickly, propelling herself with a jet of blue fire.

Ignoring Azula, Zuko attempted to run towards Katara again. He had to save her somehow. He just had to. He had to know if she was still alive. But Azula was like a flash of electric blue, zipping around, throwing streams of electric blue flames at him, and stopping his chances. Zuko answered her hits full-forced, immediately throwing her walls and slices of fire at Azula with quick sidekicks and leg sweeps.

Azula's crazed laughter continued to echo throughout the courtyard. Flashes of orange and blue flared around, clashing into each other violently...and the sounds of flames engulfing each other were deafening. The crackling and smoke from all the fire stained the air thickly like a fog. The flames nearly brought down the nearby buildings of the Palace.

"ENOUGH!" Zuko shouted, when Azula had stopped to catch her breath. Smoke and heat surrounded them. Zuko panted heavily, growing more and more tired by the second. But he couldn't keep his mind off Katara, who still remained unconscious and unmoving on the ground. He feared the very worst of the water bender.

"No. She's not dead. She's not dead." He told himself sharply, trying to be hopeful.

"What's wrong Zuzu?" Azula taunted at him, shifting into another fighting stance, her knees bent and her hands at the ready in front of her, her eyes flaring with anger and taunting. Her wide-lipped smile was evil and crazed. "Worried that the little water peasant's dead? Ha! You've grown soft for the little thing! That's hilarious! Whatever happened to your precious honor brother? Oh Mai would be so heartbroken! Father would be so disappointed! Not like he wasn't already to begin with... He was right to banish you, you worthless prick! You're nothing! Only extremely lucky to be born!"

Zuko felt his blood boil. His knuckles turned white and felt scorched while every fiber of his being felt as if it had been set aflame. The scar that marred the left side of his face felt as if it was burning hot. It felt as if it was the day he got it. Pain stabbed at his heart heatedly. A deep frown and an icy glare marked his face, all aimed at Azula...

How could Azula be so callous? So void of compassion? He then realized that he used to be just as bad… No. He had changed. He wanted peace. Azula… Ozai… They meant nothing to him by that time. Katara and her friends, even the Avatar had helped him. His Uncle Iroh had helped him. He had gotten more than closure. Katara had understood him. She'd been there for him... Trusted him... Believed in him... Showed him kindness and compassion he didn't deserve and that Mai never truly offered... Katara had forgiven him...

And she'd stupidly taken the lightning bolt for him.

At that moment, Zuko knew that Azula would always be Azula. Crazy. Power hungry. Callous. Deceiving. Murderous…

"Azula always lies..."

His hands then felt extremely hot. Hotter than he had ever felt before. Flames started to dance around his arms as he saw a grinning Azula perfectly poised, her stance ready to defend herself. And to strike.

"You know what Azula?" he snapped, walking slowly towards his so-called sister, glaring coldly at her. "I pity you. You never felt friendship. Or care. Or love. You don't know the meaning of any of them. Loyalty. Trust. They're all just words to you. Honor. You know nothing about it. Nothing. No wonder you got abandoned by your friends... If you were in his way, Ozai would've disposed of you as well as he did me. There are always dead weight..."

Azula frowned as her smile dropped into an ugly grimace. "Watch your tongue, brother," she spat. "You know what I am capable of."

But Zuko didn't stop. Instead he advanced on faster.

Azula then let out a raging scream, and started performing the patterns that would execute her deadly lightning again. But before she could strike, a tall and large wall of orange, vibrant fire surrounded her. Enclosing her.

Shocked, Azula quickly struck the walls with the prepared lightning. She tried to burn it off with her own blue flames. But nothing happened. The fire wall barely made a hole. Her fingers then grazed the fortification out of curiosity before quickly withdrawing her hand, screeching through her teeth. Blood dripped off her burnt fingers.

Slowly, she saw her brother emerge through the wall of flames easily unburned, as if the wall parted for him. His arms and hands were on fire. But they weren't burnt as well. The flames simply danced around his arms and collected at his hands. The expression on his face was cold and hard. The molten amber of his eyes were dark yet fiery at the same time with the light from the fire wall illuminating the gold there. Azula had never seen her brother like this before. A tiny part of her felt...scared.

"What're you doing?" she shouted harshly, throwing a ball of blue flame at him. But Zuko easily dodged it just by moving to the side. The blue flames then disintegrated into his wall of fire. As if it had been engulfed.

Azula growled and flung her right fist forward for a fiery punch to Zuko's face. But his flaming left hand quickly caught it by the wrist almost effortlessly. It was as if her punch held no impact whatsoever. She then punched with her other hand, and he caught that as well. The expression on his face frozen with rage.

Suddenly, Azula felt herself burn. Her wrists felt scalding hot as the flames on Zuko's hand bit into the skin there. She let out a painful scream as the wall of fire flared viciously. Whips of fire growing from the wall then grabbed her by the waist and ankles, pulling her down. Zuko let go of her wrists and stepped away, the fire wall vanishing instantly.

Azula's wrists were then bound by fire whips, as they 'chained' her to the ground. She struggled, trying to break herself free. Escape was the only thing on her mind, not the fact that her fiery chains were slowly eating her clothes, trying to burn into her skin. Tears of pain started forming in her eyes as her wrists continued to burn...slowly...

Zuko eyed his sister, and held out a flaming fist. The orange-red fire glowed against his scar, casting a dark shadow over the right side of his face.

"Good bye, Azula," he hissed at her sharply. Zuko then prepared to strike...

"Zuko! No!" he heard a familiar voice cry from behind him. Extinguishing his fire immediately, Zuko quickly turned around, and saw Katara by the pillar. She was still on the ground, with only her left arm supporting her as her right arm held her side. Her eyes were barely open...

Forgetting Azula instantly, who was still struggling at his fire whips, Zuko quickly ran over to Katara, immense relief washing over him the fact that Katara was still alive. He immediately fell to his knees at the water bender, not minding the scrapes.

"Katara! You have to heal yourself now!" he said to her quickly. Zuko held Katara gingerly by the shoulders, worried at her condition. Horror replaced his relief when he saw Katara's abdomen had been burnt and was bleeding badly. The singed tunic there stained with bright crimson. Her arms were scalded and scratched with her cloth arm braces falling off.

"I-I'm… Exhausted… Water… You... c-can't...be...a k-kill..." Katara whispered, her eyelids dropping heavily and her words trailing off. Zuko shook her slightly.

"Katara? Katara! Wake up! You can't!" he pleaded, worry and panic stabbing at him. He couldn't even say the word… Die… You can't die…

Katara then reopened her eyes and painfully reached for her waterskin, but then suddenly, a blue flame struck her hands and the waterskin. The skin was destroyed instantly, and the water was burnt away. Evaporated instantly. Katara let out a brief scream as her burned hands shook mercilessly, tears of pain streamed down her cheeks as she curled up into a ball, shivering. Her arms hugging her abdomen weakly.

Zuko whipped his head around and saw that Azula had broken free from his fire whips. Her clothes slightly burned off and her wrists exposed of burned flesh. She ran towards them, blue fire illuminating her speed and her hands. Her eyes set ablaze with fury and insanity.

With a scream of rage, Zuko slammed his fists as hard as he ever could against the ground. All of his pain, rage, sadness and strength poured out and nearly shook the ground as a large fire wave of tsunami proportions blazed off the ground, heading towards Azula.

Time passed faster than Azula's lightning at that as Zuko's fire wave immediately engulfed Azula. It wrapped around her like a fiery ribbon, swallowing her up instantly. The sounds of a roaring fire was then followed by Azula's glass-shattering scream as the blazing inferno closed in around her. The chaos of it lasted for a while, until the flames disappeared and Azula fell limply to the ground. Unmoving and unresponsive. Smoke wafted off of her body thickly.

When Zuko had confirmed to himself that Azula wouldn't be waking up anytime soon, he turned back to Katara, who had fallen unconscious again.

"Katara?" he called. Softly, at first. But when she didn't respond, Zuko quickly scooped her up into his arms. He could feel her weakened heartbeat and assured himself that she was still alive. As quickly as he could, he ran to the pond near the Fire Nation palace away from the 'battlefield'. But on the way he tripped over a crack, making him fall forward. Zuko then quickly turned around so that he would fall on his back instead of Katara. But by doing so, he had sprained his right ankle. Ignoring it with a loud groan, Zuko continued to run limply and painfully towards the pond, constantly stumbling over his feet. He then knelt down and settled Katara gently next to the water and tried to rouse her awake, keeping her on his lap.

"Katara! Wake up! There's water here! You can heal yourself here!" he said, all the while panicking. Zuko gingerly grabbed one of Katara's singed hands and held it close to his chest as he felt his eyes water. His chest felt constricted and his heart throbbed painfully with each passing second. Before he knew it, his tears spilled over and ran down his cheeks.

Why was he crying? For her? Of all people... They had hated each other so much in the beginning… But then they grew closer… Became friends. The hate slowly dissipated into the past... He even personally asked her to be at his side to face Azula instead of any of the others. But why was he getting so emotional about it? Sure, he had cared for her… Probably a little more than that ever since the Crystal Catacombs in Ba Sing Se...and when he'd helped her look for Yon Rha in hopes of gaining her forgiveness...

Zuko bit his quivering lower lip till he drew blood. Yes. He did care a lot for her. More than he actually should have.

Enough to throw himself in front of a lightning bolt to save her. To keep her heart beating…

He would've died saving her life. In fact, he should've. She had so much more to go back to...

"Katara…" Zuko whispered huskily, gazing at the water bender, his tears falling quicker as he stroked her hand gently with his thumbs. "Please… Wake up… You have to heal yourself… You-You can't leave me now…"

Zuko then looked around, trying to search for somebody. Anybody. He didn't want to leave her. He couldn't…

"SOMEBODY HELP ME!" he yelled out into the air desperately. "PLEASE! I NEED HELP! SOMEBODY! ANYBODY!"

Zuko's voice had gotten more and more hoarse the more he yelled. His throat felt scratchy and raw. He then turned to face Katara again, relieved that she was still breathing. But only light, shallow breaths… He assumed that since she was a water bender and had healing abilities, she wouldn't give up so easily… Heck, she shouldn't.

"Katara please…" he choked, swallowing a lump in his throat. He then bowed his head slightly as he pulled Katara close to his chest, mentally berating himself for being so helpless.

"It should've been me, Katara… Not you… Not you…"

p.s: i didn't own this i just posted this in here so that you guys not find it difficult.

[captain-azoren]

Zuren

Azula Week Day 5: Crossover (and post canon)

Summary: Azula gives birth to her and Soren’s first child a decade after the end of the war, and she finally accepts the truth of what she is.

I’m submitting another fanfic to make up for not participating in Azula Week much. May or may not make this one canon to my current fic either.

A shriek pierced the night as lightning scarred the dark sky above and thunder shook the air. Everyone in the second tower of Katolis Castle was on edge, servants hastily walking through the halls as they entered and exited a bed chamber in the highest level, fear in their eyes and speaking in hushed whispers. They could not decide if what was happening was a miracle or a nightmare.

             Within the bedchamber, a woman thrashed on the bed, eyes squeezed shut and tears streaming down her cheeks. Her dark brown hair was a mess, splayed out over her pillow. Her sharp nails dug into and ripped at her sheets. The servants and midwives did their best to calm and steady her as they tended to the woman. She was enduring the long struggle to give birth to her first child.

             The woman grit her teeth and sucked in her breath before letting out another shriek, a jet of blue fire erupting from her mouth and towards the ceiling. All the servants flinched, but knew they would regret it later if they fled now. Princess Azula, they had learned over the past few years, was not someone you turned your back on lightly.

             “Y-you’re doing well, Princess,” One midwife told her as she dabbed a wet cloth to her forehead. “Just keep breathing…” Azula glared at the older woman for a moment, but did as was instructed. The servants were already putting out a few small fires she had caused, and Azula preferred that her new baby not be born within a smoldering ruin. Azula breathed and tried to calm herself, despite how much pain she was in. The princess suddenly had a newfound respect for her mother, who had miraculously performed this feat three times. Perhaps Ursa had been stronger than Azula thought.

             The princess’s thoughts were disturbed when she heard the jangling of armor. She looked to the doorway just as it opened to see Soren enter the bedchamber, with his sister Claudia standing behind him. Soren and Azula locked eyes a moment, until a sharp pain ripped through Azula.

             “YOU DID THIS TO ME!” Azula snarled and shrieked at her husband, another blue flame flaring from her mouth. Soren flinched back, then let out a sigh as he frowned.

             “Because you asked me too…” Soren replied and walked up to his angry, pregnant wife. The servants gave Soren a chair and he sat next to the bed. Soren took Azula by the hand and squeezed it. Azula glared at him a moment, but just saw the love and concern in his eyes. The princess huffed as she turned away, focusing on her breathing and squeezing Soren’s hand back to silently let him know her appreciation of him being there.

             “Lady Claudia,” A servant approached the arch mage and whispered. “Was it wise for you both to leave your mission?”

             “I’m pretty sure Azula would have killed Soren if he missed this,” Claudia whispered back. “And there’s no way I’m missing my niece or nephew’s first birthday.”

             Azula continued to breath and deal with the pain, even if it felt like her body was being split in half down the middle. The princess wondered if all the pain was worth it. Nothing could have prepared her for this. None of the pain and hardships she had endured in her life even came close. None of the harsh training her father put her through or emotional pain her family had inflicted could compare to what this little parasite that had been growing inside her for nine months could do. Soren was right though, Azula had asked for this and now she was paying for it.

It had been three years since Soren and Azula had been married, to ensure an alliance between their two worlds, their two countries. Six years since Azula was declared the Fire Nation’s ambassador to Katolis. Eight years since Zuko had banished Azula to the other world as the last real threat to his title as Fire Lord. Not that her brother did not have good reason, considering what Azula had done after the war. Ten years since Sozin’s Comet, when Azula’s whole world came crumbling down, when she thought she lost everything, lost all hope…except for him.

Eighteen years since Azula ran through that mirror, and in all that time, Soren was the only one who stayed loyal. No matter how far she fell, he would always be there to catch her, to keep her from going past the point of no return. He had helped her adjust to her new life in Katolis, insisted she have a home with his family at the castle, tried to find a new purpose for her. Soren was a dense goof, but his devotion to Azula gave her hope for herself, and hope was what she needed. Azula hated the thought of owing anything to anyone, but Soren had earned her heart, and Azula did not want to be without him in her life.

It was only natural then that they had married. Soren was the son of a lord, even a disgraced one, and Azula was still a princess of the Fire Nation despite her past. Their worlds being separated by dimensions was just a trivial detail, considering all they had to learn from each other. It was also only natural that they produce an heir. Zuko was not the only one who had the right to continue his legacy, and a child born of two worlds would cement the alliance between Katolis and the Fire Nation.

That was what Azula told herself, and what she told Soren when she asked him to give her a child. Soren of course was much less logical about it, much less sure. He had questioned if Azula’s reasons for wanting a child were entirely political, or at least if they should be. Azula did not like being sentimental, not even about this. Azula would most certainly make sure her child grew up healthy, strong, well educated, and happy, but a child’s purpose was to carry on the family legacy. Their child would be a great leader, a warrior, and hopefully, a powerful firebender like her. Nothing to get emotional about. Azula would leave that to Soren, if he insisted, and their baby would have Aunt Claudia too. But their child would not need her, and Azula was fine with that…

Azula screamed as she felt a change, and gripped Soren’s hand tightly.

“The baby is coming,” A midwife said. “You need to keep pushing, Princess Azula.”

“I know what I have to do! RrrrrRRRGH!” Azula hissed and bared her teeth.

Now was the moment of truth. If her mother could do it, then she could too, and there was nothing the princess could not do. Soren knew that. It was one more reason he married her. When he had met Azula so long ago, he thought she was perfect, good at anything and everything, the ideal royal. Of course, Soren learned in time just how flawed the princess was, how truly imperfect she had always been. Soren saw how cold Azula could be, how her father had abused, twisted, and manipulated her, trying to turn her into a monster…but even then, Soren still loved her. Soren still saw the beauty in Azula and her blue fire, and he was determined to protect that beauty. He did not know how to redeem her, but he would always be there for her, now and forever.

After what felt like an agonizing eternity, Azula let out one last scream, one more jet of blue fire from her breath. Her nails dug into Soren’s hand and she nearly burned him, but Azula’s husband, her faithful knight, did not let go. No matter the pain, Soren stayed with her.

There was a brief moment of quiet before the sound of a new voice pierced the air, the wail of a crying, newborn baby. The midwives cleaned the wriggling little child and cut the umbilical cord. Claudia swaddled it in a cloth, smiling brightly with tears in her eyes.

“It’s a boy…” Claudia said as she held the bundle up to the new parents. Soren and Azula gazed at their new baby as the midwife passed him to the princess. He had the smallest tuft of light blond hair poking out. Azula cradled the baby, and whatever thoughts she had of continuing her legacy or strengthening alliances seemed to fade away. She did not know what to think. All Azula knew was that, somehow, she had created this living human being, with help from Soren.

Soren was in awe, and just as speechless as his wife. He had a son now. Being a father was not something he would have ever thought of for himself, but now, the gravity of the responsibility was finally weighing on him. This was a new member of the family, and Soren had to step up, to show his son more love and devotion that anyone. Soren reached out to gently stroke his wailing son’s cheek, and the baby opened his eyes. They were a glistening amber, just like his mother’s. The baby boy gazed back at his mother and father gazing back at him, stopped his wailing for a moment, then smiled and let out a happy little gurgle.

“He’s…perfect…” Azula finally spoke as her tears welled up. A choked sob escaped the princess’s throat. The way their baby’s eyes sparkled, how rosy his cheeks were, how sweet his innocent smile was…how could it be possible? How could a monster like her have created something so precious, so pure, and so perfect? How could it be true? The universe was cruel and ironic for playing these jokes on her. Azula closed her eyes, and as hard as she tried, she could not keep herself from crying.

The princess held her baby close and let out all her sobs, all her pent up doubts and frustation. Azula did not want to believe this was real. She did not want to be given false hope, but here it was, in her arms, as real as it could be. Azula had created something more beautiful, more perfect than herself. The result of her and Soren’s love, the fruit of her agonizing labor. The final, indisputable proof that she was not the monster that she had believed herself to be. No monster could have made a little angel like this. No monster would have felt such love or humility when she and her baby looked into each other’s eyes.

Soren wrapped his arms around his wife and son as Azula cried. The princess gave their son a kiss, her tears falling on the bundle of cloth, her long hair surrounding the baby’s round face.

“I love him so much…” Azula managed to say between sobs. She felt shame overcome her as she thought of her excuses for wanting to bear a child, how she might have seen her son as a tool of war or politics like her father before her had done to her. Azula was humbled by this tiny creature of love in a way that she had never been before. Then and there, Azula promised herself that no matter what, she would hold nothing back from her son. He would have all her unconditional love for all his life. Azula would not become her father or her mother, and even if she faltered, she now had a new family to support them.

“I love him too,” Soren whispered, giving Azula a kiss to her temple and nuzzling her. His wife’s sobs faded into sniffles, and Azula kissed his cheek. He let a few tears roll down his cheeks too. Despite it all, he could feel Azula’s happiness, the one thing he had tried to give her for so long. His princess, who had been used as a weapon, who had been betrayed by her friends and family, who had believed she was an unlovable monster and still doubted her humanity until now. Soren had struggled for nearly a decade trying to prove to Azula that she was not a monster, that she deserved to be loved, and this little baby boy had proven it in seconds. Soren was already so proud of his son, and he always would be, just for being the perfect gift to Azula.

“You did great Azula. I wish dad could have been here…what should we name him?”

Azula thought for a moment. She had been going over names during the course of her pregnancy, trying to come up with something that would fit and honor their child’s heritage.

“His name is…Zuren,” Azula answered. “Our son’s name is Zuren.”

“It suits him,” Claudia said as she watched her brother and Azula fawn over their baby, feeling so much joy for the both of them. “Dad would like it…”

Little Zuren gurgled happily at his new name, and Azula smiled down at him. All at once she felt so unworthy and yet so proud. It was no longer about her anymore though, or Soren. Despite how small and fragile he was now, Zuren was already greater than either of them. Raising him right, in a home surrounded by love, supporting him and teaching him, letting him live his life to the fullest, that was Azula and Soren’s purpose now. They would be better than their parents were and learn from those mistakes. They would be better people, make the world a better place, for him.

[airiustide]

Until the Quiet Comes

Summary: Zutara. A single night tore them apart, filled with reflections and regrets. Zuko tries to move on, he really does. Then a chance to start over presents itself. Is this truly a chance to start fresh? Or will something more tell the outcome? PWP, because shame on me for going on a dry spell for so long.

Continuation of Day 24: Wedding

Warning: Smut ahead

AO3: here

"We forget that it's so easy to love when everything is good. Don't compare, 'cause every sea sees rain. While I'm here, just know I'll hold your hand." -  RL Grimes ft. Julia Micheals and Miguel, Light Me UP 

 “Would you like utensils, sir?”

The question wasn’t heard the first time. People bustled in and out the facility, loud and rambunctious. It was only Zuko’s luck that his favorite restaurant was now overrun by numerous teenagers on their prom night.

Gold eyes swept over a group, obnoxious as the rest, walking in through the front door. Zuko quickly averted his eyes when they come across a girl with brown wavy hair and a white gown. He shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck and nodded his head when the host repeated the question.

“Yeah.”

“For one, sir?”

“Yes.” Zuko hissed, snatching the bag from the host’s hand.

It was uncalled for, Zuko knows this. The host didn’t mean anything bad by it. Zuko had a bad habit of getting defensive off the bat, a sorry excuse on his part.

Somberly walking out of the restaurant, he makes a left, just a short trip home a block away. The city was surprisingly calm for a Saturday night. Streetlights reflected in the puddles on the sidewalk from that afternoon’s rain, the soft scent reminding him of one person in particular. Zuko shakes the thoughts from his head, begging his heart not to ache when blue eyes flash in his mind.

He takes his time with no rush in his step. What was waiting for him in his luxurious apartment was an empty space, filled with furniture he barely used and silence. Entering his apartment building, Zuko gives a single nod to the doorman before hopping in the elevator to the ninth floor and stepping out just in time to be greeted by a familiar and unwelcome face. Lifting his gaze from his feet, an immediate frown pulls Zuko’s lips; displeased with the figure casually sitting on the floor, leaning against his apartment door, reading a fashion magazine.

“Why are you here, Mai?”

“Is that anyway to greet me, Zuko?” Mai folds the magazine, standing on her feet. Black pumps click against the marble, amber eyes locked on Zuko.

“We broke up.”

Mai doesn’t respond to that, instead she brushed imaginary dust off Zuko’s leather jacket. She stops momentarily, clearing her throat, and gently tugged the collar. “You broke up with me. I didn’t agree to that, therefore, it’s not official.”

“Quit being delusional.” Zuko scowls, nudging her aside.

“You’re the one being delusional, waiting on some chick to show up at your door after canceling her wedding.”

“Don’t…”

“At least let me make you feel better.”  Mai purrs close to his ear from behind, running pale fingers along the curve of his neck.

Lips pressed in a fine line, Zuko squeezes his eyes shut, clenching his hand around his take-out bag. He hates himself for this, for spiraling into temptation when he felt at his lowest, and with the one person he couldn’t stand to be around just as much as his family, no less. Mai liked to prod at his weaknesses. Inch by agonizing fucking inch, she’d plucked at it until he broke like a fragile string, and man, did he have the tendency to break.

He doesn’t feel any better in the morning. In fact, Zuko’s more irritated, more sickened with what he indulged in last night. The new light peeking into his bedroom felt surreal, like he was caught up in a faded dream. This body stirring next to him isn’t what he wanted; this isn’t who he wanted. And yet, every time, he fell into the same routine and he was just as much at fault for encouraging it.

Feeling lonely was worse than being alone.

Zuko wiped the sleep from his eyes, and sat up, shoving the blanket off his legs. “Mai?” He says groggily, shaking her awake. She only stirs, mumbling something harsh and tugs the blanket further around her naked chest.

Annoyed, Zuko jerked the blanket off her. She gasped, snapping her head over her shoulder at Zuko with narrowed eyes. “The fuck is your deal?!”

Zuko shook his head slowly. A migraine was starting to fester at the base of his skull. “Out.”

“Excuse me?” Mai snorts, as though she couldn’t believe what she just heard. Normally Zuko would be more affectionate. He would talk about getting back together until he eventually became distant, leading to a string of argument that resulted in Zuko and her breaking up only for them to get back together again like they did last night. It was a vicious cycle but one that Mai hoped would have diminished over time.

“Enough…” Zuko glared, “I can’t do this. Please, get out.”

Mai’s livid at this point, snatching her things off the floor and gathering them in her arms. “You’ll be calling me again, this same time next week.” She remarks before slamming the door, hard.

“Out!” He shouted but she was already gone.

Why was he so bad at doing things right? Even when he felt it was?

Just like that night when he kissed her. When he touched her. When she welcomed his embrace with both their hearts on the line.

From the dip of her waist to the brush of her lips, it ignited a fire his chest that burned with a desire he never came across before. It shook Zuko to his core- because, fuck, who kisses like that? Katara giggled, cupping his face and deepening the kiss. Hot breath met hot breath, whimpers and moans escaped eager lips. They moved like calm waves crashing against the shore; languid, powerful.

 Zuko couldn’t help but follow her. Blue eyes lured him in like an enchantment and he was all but keen to concede to their command. Katara smiled, amused yet pleased by the burning lust darkening his gold eyes. In the moonlight they glowed, fixated on her every movement, her every touch, and it awakened an appetite he never harbored before; ravenous and unsatisfied.

 “There something the matter?” She grinned, plucking at the buttons of his dress shirt one by one, unhurriedly, giving each and every one equal amount of attention as she admired every inch of his exposed pale chest. “I can always,” Katara started before dipping down to ghost her lips down Zuko’s sternum, trailing her tongue along the lines of his taut abs, “stop.”

 “Yes…I mean…No. Fuck…” His mind was running a mile a minute and Katara made it hard to think straight. Not that that was his aim in this glorious, heated moment.  

 She hums approvingly, running her hands up his chest until they meet his shoulders. Zuko grows shaky, trying to concentrate on keeping them both steady on the top of his car while Katara straddled him, having ripped her wedding dress down the middle.

 But that was the thing, this was her wedding day. One she canceled hours ago after catching his best friend cheating on her.

 God, what Zuko wouldn’t give to watch her ride him in that beautifully torn dress of hers. It was undeniably hard enough not to grind his erection against her still clothed sex just to relieve the ache in his pants because only minutes ago she had loosened the bodice of her dress, tugging down the top to give him a view of her perfect breasts.

 He would do it, he would easily give in if this wasn’t just about lust and her breaking it off with Jet. Katara meant more to him than that. Zuko grabs her arms before she reached for the zipper of his pants. Katara’s face contorted in confusion, slipping from his grasp and reaching for the zipper again.

 “No, Katara.” He grasped her wrist. “I can’t…I’m sorry. This is wrong.”

 Katara’s jaw drops, brows furrowed, and mouth gaped. “Excuse me? You can’t? Is there something wrong with me?”

 “No. No! Of course not. Nothing is wrong with you. You’re perfect! It’s just…”

 “Just what? Because last I checked, you didn’t protest when I asked you to touch me!” Katara hops of his lap with a huff, adjusting her dress, and gathered her messy hair into a ponytail. “I can’t believe this! I go two months, two fucking months, thinking if I put off sex, it would be amazing on my wedding night. Well, my fiancé couldn’t hold it in for that long and when you kissed me, I thought ‘hey, at least I’m still desirable’. But apparently not!”

 Zuko stunned, tried to gather the words to explain but he’s still processing her reaction. Zuko got up and started to button his shirt. “Kat, please.”

 “Take me home, Zuko.” She snapped, jumping in the passenger seat of his car.

 The car was quiet the whole way, the awkward silence thickening the lump in Zuko’s throat. He wanted to apologize. Tell her he finds her so damn attractive, it tore him up inside to tell her to stop. But he didn’t and once they reached her apartment building, she slammed his car door shut without so much as a goodbye. 

“Zuko?”

He recognizes that voice. It had to be impossible. Greeted by a smile and cerulean eyes, Zuko’s heart pounded rapidly. His memory didn’t do justice to the face that graced his presence. Katara was more beautiful than he remembered. Standing there in just a pair of active leggings and a light jacket, from what looks like a run, she moves her shopping cart aside to give him a hug.

Zuko’s cheeks colored, surprised to find her arms wrapped around his neck. A year of separation didn’t erase the familiarity. He still remembers the shape of her body and the scent of her hair.

Parting the hug, Katara asked, “How have you been?”

“Um,” Zuko grins goofily. “Good. I can’t say much has changed.” They really haven’t if you don’t count him severing his friendship with Jet when they got into a fist fight months after the wedding. Jet calling Zuko out on his feelings for Katara and Zuko knocking him out when Jet shouted that Katara was a no-good slut. That, he’ll keep to himself. “What about you?”

Katara shrugged, brushing back stray strands of hair from her face. “I’m…better.” She chuckled, nodding her head. “A lot better. I kicked Jet out of my apartment, if you hadn’t heard. I quit my job at the hospital and took a job as a nurse at a local elementary school. It was a big relief to take a step back and now things feel easier, you know?”

Zuko agreed, happy to hear she’s doing well. She seems well, like the weight of the world had fell off her shoulders and she could finally relax. That didn’t subside the awkwardness that settled between them, considering the fact that their last encounter ended bad terms.

“Look, Zuko, I know what happened last time-“

“No. None of that was your fault. You were having a tough time and I should’ve been there when you needed me-“

Katara hushed him, placing a finger on his lips. “Let me talk, Zuko. I was…vulnerable and it was unfair of me to expect you to sympathize with me. I used you. Not that I would’ve done that with just anybody.” It was her turn to blush. “Look, what I’m saying is, I like you, Zuko. You were trying to protect my feelings. You were considerate the whole time and I was being deflective. And if it’s not too weird, I wanted to ask if you’d like to have dinner with me. We can start off as friends if that makes you more comfortable.”

Zuko’s elated to hear this. He contained his burst of joy by clearing his throat and replying ‘yes’ to Katara’s question.

“Sooo, aren’t you going to need my number, Zuko?”

“Oh, y-yes. Of course.”

Katara digs through her purse for a pen, taking Zuko’s hand, and writes her number on his palm.

 “When you asked me out, Kat, I wasn’t expecting this?”

Katara cringes, slowing turning her head up to look at Zuko. “Yeah, I’m just as surprised as you. But it won’t hurt right? I mean, it’s probably something we could both enjoy.” She laughs, unsure.

“I somehow doubt it…”

They’re both standing in front of the restaurant Katara bragged about all week, faces contorted. “I’ve been to this place numerous times and they’ve never played live music.” Katara gently tugged on Zuko’s sleeve and jerks her head to the right. “There’s a pretty good hotdog stand around the corner. My treat?”

“Shouldn’t I be the one to pay?”

“1.50 for the best Bahama mama frankfurters in the city? I don’t mind splurging a bit.”

It all comes back; the reasons why he fell so hard for Katara. She was just as sweet and lighthearted as he remembers. She could be as brutal as a roaring wave, saying and doing what she felt was right.

They walk side by side around the corner from the restaurant, a short two-minute walk to the metal food truck where Katara buys them both a meal and a couple bottles of light beer. They’re both dressed for a nice evening but neither seemed to mind. Katara kicked off her mid-calf boots and threw them in her purse.

Zuko arched a brow. “Aren’t you cold?”

Katara pointed to herself with a smirk. “Alaska, remember? This kind of temperature is beach weather compared to home. So, wanna take a walk?” she asked, discarding their trash and empty beer bottles. She holds out her hand. “You don’t have to hold it. No rush.” He takes it, lacing their fingers together. Zuko kissed the back of her hand, bringing it to their sides and led her to the city park.

The sun was still setting. The sky still somber with the clash of orange and pink hues. It was strange how naturally they conversed; what took place a year ago may have temporarily severed their friendship but the difference now was the feelings they both harbored then never disappeared.

Katara gives Zuko side glances, cheeks colored at their proximity. Weather he was aware of it or not, the way his hand causally rubbed up and down her back as they walked made her hyperaware. Zuko was warm. That was one thing Katara always recalled since their first meeting. He was so unbelievably shy it made her heart soar and her lips break in a smile even Jet’s never witnessed. It made sense as to why she sought skipping the friendship stage.

Starting out that way wasn’t so bad. It meant they were two mature adults capable of taking things slow. This was good, this was calm, this was-

“Katara, I don’t think I can do this friend thing.” Zuko admits, turning to Katara with apologetic eyes.

“Oh, thank God!” Katara sighed aloud, resting her head on his chest.

She laughed in relief, looking up to observe Zuko’s soft gaze. Her fingers comb through his hair, testing to see how much he would allow her to touch them. Leaning into him, Katara crushed their lips together in a hard kiss. Zuko places a hand at the small of her back, flushing Katara to his chest, and she rewards him with a moan. She smiled against his lips, happy that he made some form of initiative because if she was the only one who wanted this, she didn’t know how to face him again.

Katara breaks the kiss, caressing Zuko’s scarred cheek. “My place or yours.?”

Zuko’s good eye widens before he dives in for another passionate kiss that leaves katara dizzy and breathless, biting her lips to accentuate his answer on the matter. “Mine.” He says in a low sultry tone.

Katara can’t remember how she ended up against the wall to an elevator with Zuko towered over her. Or how her hand ended up in his pants, cupping his balls and trailing a single finger up the underside of his cock. Zuko sucked air in between his teeth and his hips jerked forward. Amusement tugs at Katara lips. Out of all the men she’s shared her time with, Zuko happened to be the most intriguing. He responded so strongly, arousal pressing insistently into the palm of her hand.

Liquid fire pooled down Katara’s belly and between her thighs. Removing her hand, she hooked both legs around Zuko’s trim waist, skirt rising, their hips rocking. One hand kept steady beneath Katara’s bottom while the other sought out her breasts. The pad of Zuko’s thumb grazed her clothed nipple, pinching and flicking through thin material.

Zuko had some making up to do. This time, Katara would not be disappointed, and he would make sure she wouldn’t leave this building without being imprinted from head to toe from his embrace. His tongue darted out to trace Katara’s bottom lip, and she parted them to allow him entrance; tongues dancing in a heated frenzy. Katara hummed approvingly, startled by his rough actions at first, easily melting into him afterwards.

“How long are you going to make wait?” Katara hummed, licking her swollen lips and panting. Zuko growled, the vibrations rippled from his chest, lifting her top above her breasts and pulling down her bra to cup both mounds.

“Are you telling me that you can’t hold on for nine flights?” Zuko husked. He lifted Katara’s skirt and dipped a hand in the back of her stockings, between her ass cheeks, and brushed his index and middle finger teasingly at the edge of her sex. “There’s always a way we can improvise.” He cocks a grin.

“Well since you seem so sure of yourself, I’d like to know exactly what you have in mind.” It was like his eyes flashed with something mischievous. Zuko slammed the emergency button to the elevator. Katara clung to his shoulders. “W-what are you doing?”

“Tending to your needs.”

Katara gasped at the sound of her stockings ripping. Both delighted and aroused, she permits Zuko to tear them around the crotch, moving aside her panties to expose her. She whimpered a ‘yes’ once he inserted a finger, then a second, pumping her wet heat slowly while thrumming her clit. “Zuko.” She whines, writhing and shaken. “Faster.”

He pressed into her, forearm placed at the side of her head. He doesn’t say a word, continuing to go at a pace she visibly disagreed with. Zuko didn’t mind taking that fault; he thoroughly enjoyed drinking in her erotic expressions, contorted in both torture and arousal. Mouth latched to her dark nipple, Zuko suckles hungrily, flicking the hardened nub with the tip of his tongue.

She was close…so close. The blunt of her nails buried into the softness of Zuko’s shoulder. Back arched, head thrown back, legs quaking, and eyes shut tight, Katara sobbed broken moans; becoming enraptured by her strong orgasm.

Zuko grabbed her hips before Katara went limp, pants mid-thigh and member aligned at her entrance. His mouth gapes open, overcome by tight, wet heat. Zuko trembled, forcing himself to focus on attending to Katara rather than basking in the feel of her warmth. Pulling back with a low guttural groan, Zuko slams back into her, Katara biting her lip with a muffled cry.

He blushed furiously, worried that he might have hurt her. “I-I’m sorry, Kat.”

Katara shakes her head. “No. No, that was good…so good, keeping going…please.”

He does just that, tossing aside any unnecessary qualms, and begins rutting mercilessly. Zuko lifted Katara’s left leg back, giving him just the right angle to quicken his pace. They could’ve taken this slow; gentler. Atop a bed while they gradually kissed and caressed and learned each other’s bodies like carefully tracing a map.

Hunger outweighed patience. Exploding into a scatter of electricity that trickled goosebumps on Katara’s skin. Her head lulled, cerulean eyes fluttered open to catch gold gazing at her with lust, breath coming in as shallow pants. Then he kissed her; slow yet hard, desperate yet sensual. Zuko was entranced by every part of Katara, the sweet scent of her perfume as her lips slid erotically against his own, her broken sighs, her burning gaze. The air was thick with the scent of sex and smoldering with heat. And through it all, Zuko could only think of one thing: how utterly and deeply he was in love with this woman.

Katara searches his face, taken aback by his change in demeanor. There was no complaints on her end. The way he stared at her made her heart skip beat. Just like the first time they met. Just like the first time his eyes fell on hers and the world stood still.

And so, Zuko hugged her close, burying his nose in her neck, sending feather-like kisses and nibbles down the curve of her neck until they met her shoulder. Katara tilts her head just so, giving him easier access to her pulse and he obliged, suckling and biting before his mouth moves to her ear. “I want to do this again.” He whispers, a wave of heat licking up and down Katara’s back. “I want to do this again, in my bed, you on your back, open for me as I make you come over and over until you beg me to stop.” Zuko cupped both her cheeks, forehead to hers, he placed her arms around his neck. “But right now, I want to make you come on this elevator.”

Katara trembled, Zuko clinging to her tightly, thrusting once again. Her head rolled back, every inch of her body came alive. And when she comes for him, she comes so beautifully, her body humming as she dissolved in pleasure, unable to think anymore and all she could do was feel. Feel his persistence, his breath as it collided against her skin while he grunted and moaned her name. Zuko follows, orgasm pulsing inside her, hips sputtering.

They take a moment to gather themselves, using the opportunity to place chaste kisses along one another’s cheeks, lips and jawlines. Zuko wanted to tell her he loves her, that he’s always loved her, that this was more than sex- more than just a spark of lure. But the words hold back, stuck in his throat.

As though reading his thoughts, Katara brushes Zuko’s scarred cheek, a smile painting her lips from ear to ear, and she give him a nod. “Not now.” She pants kissing him hard this time, and whispers against his lips. “but I want you to tell me. Someday, I want to hear you tell me.”

[kristallioness]

"North and South: Part Two" - a review

My copy of "North and South: Part Two" arrived last week and I reread it. Now, I'm gonna write down my thoughts and opinion as a contrast to some of the critique I've already seen.

First off, I'd like to point out that I've already established how I feel about Sokka and Katara considering Malina as their stepmother dad's new girlfriend, Aang and Katara naming their daughter Kya, as well as Hakoda and Katara's heartfelt conversation over here (I'm forever glad I managed to see this before the rest because I loved it so much and could analyze it to pieces without focusing on the mess that goes down later). Plus, a few other things here and in the description of this mournful drawing.

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Let me start with the way Katara acts towards Malina. Since they met, Katara has felt offended by Malina and the way she (unintentionally) insults her culture. Katara comes from a culture that's always had a rather simple, freer, more gender-equal lifestyle, nothing fancy, strict or patriarchal like in the north. Because of this, she and the southerners as a whole are considered to be lower class, even less competent or intelligent, if you will. Hence the idea that they might not be ready to handle the extracting and shipping of the oil that rightfully belongs to them (as it's found under their land). Offering to build a fancy palace, saying the taste of their food is "off", that their tribe needs lifting up, leaving the impression that they're just stupid snow rats who can be easily manipulated or used - I for one can clearly see why Katara is offended and damn right she should be (I'm most likely gonna protect her a lot in this discussion, so be prepared).

After her conversation with her dad, Katara feels a bit more reassured that Malina truly is trying to help them. It's very important that it was her father who helped her come to this point. Hakoda has known Malina for a longer period of time, so it's logical that Katara eventually believes him when he comforts her that she's not up to anything nefarious. I mean.. it's Hakoda and Katara, father and daughter - she trusts her father, there's no doubt about that. And he certainly helped along by letting her see things from his point of view, plus making the connection with how she feels about Aang was lovely.

So Katara lightens up and sort of understands that Malina is still learning their ways, that maybe she shouldn't be so hostile towards her and instead give her a chance (or much rather, the benefit of a doubt - I'll come back to this soon). But just then, Malina reveals what their initial plans were. Here's something that's worth noting - Katara wouldn't have jumped up on that stage to protect Malina (and Maliq) if there hadn't been a tiny part of her that still believed she was telling the truth and didn't want any harm to the southerners. Yes, Aang did say that they didn't deserve to die and hoped that Katara would go protect them while he dealt with the soldiers, which definitely was the main reason she slid to the rescue. But at that moment, I believe her feelings about Malina were so mixed due to the betrayal that she didn't realize this yet (and I hope she will in the third part).

Finally, I reach the part that has the most parallels to certain scenes, even episodes from the original series. Where have we seen the same events play out? When was the last time Katara used to hate somebody because he was their biggest enemy, then let her guard down when he sympathized with her, which ended up with him turning his back on her, her loved one (almost) getting killed and her having to heal them back to health (not to mention the emotional pain she had to live through)? That's right - with Zuko. When they were trapped in the Crystal Catacombs.

In the end, Katara is acting towards Malina just like she acted towards Zuko, justifiably. Whenever she lets someone she doesn't completely trust too close, the people she loves almost get killed or hurt as a result because that person ends up betraying her. Katara is vicious and overprotective by claiming that Malina doesn't deserve to say goodbye to her dad. Don't tell me I'm the only one who doesn't blame her. I wouldn't want someone like that anywhere near my dad (or loved ones) either, especially after everything that's happened. This is an amazing parallel to the death threat she gave to Zuko after he'd joined their group. She's letting them know that she doesn't trust them and wants them nowhere near her family. This raises the question of how will Malina regain Katara's trust, which is one of the most intriguing aspects I hope to see getting a solution in the third part. Because Katara can hold a grudge.

While I was writing my opinion about Katara and Malina's relationship, I realized that Jet would actually be a rather good parallel besides Zuko, too. But since she didn't dislike him at first and everything else went pretty much in a similar pattern, I chose to leave him out for now. Plus, Zuko and Malina's betrayals sort of go deeper.

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Moving on, I'm gonna speak about another one of my favourite parts - Aang and Katara's reunion. Starting with the impression like Aang's arrival seems to be too well timed. I don't believe this to be the case (because then we could say that things are too well timed throughout the series), even though it does give such an impression. During the events of "Smoke and Shadow", it took them a couple of days to solve the mystery. We should add the hours or days Aang needed to travel from Ba Sing Se to the Fire Nation capital, then to the Southern Water Tribe. It's a long journey, so it's highly likely that Aang would've made a pit stop on some island or in a village along the way. Sokka and Katara had to walk to the train station, take it to the Outer Wall, then reach the shores of the Earth Kingdom (probably on foot), find a boat that'd take them to the Southern Water Tribe (maybe even switch boats if it wasn't heading home directly) - all of which would've taken a few days too, plus the two days they actually managed to spend at home. I find that Aang's arrival at the Southern Water Tribe isn't as random as we'd think, it seems to be quite realistic.

Enough of that, it was just something that someone pointed out and it kind of irked me, so I wanted to present my arguments. Onto the sweetest part where my favourite young lovers reunite and hug each other. Let me just say - it was beautiful! I loved that Aang asked for permission to kiss her first. I've recently learned that it's such a sweet and polite thing to do, especially if you're not sure whether your partner is okay with it (something I've put to the back of my mind when I eventually have a boyfriend/ develop a crush on someone and am not sure whether he's okay with it/ knows about my feelings). And what's most important - when Katara said that maybe not now, Aang respected her choice and didn't kiss her. Also, they were holding hands practically the entire time and that was so adorable! I love the way this heartwarming scene ends, with the loving way Katara looks at her dad - I had the most beautiful father-daughter feels.. I still do (with every moment the two share tbh).

Let's continue with some other small tidbits I found to be rather lovely, starting with Sokka. I remember how I burst out laughing when he began riding and eventually crashed that forklift at Satoru's factory - his enthusiasm about the machine is so funny. Besides that, Sokka claiming Malina is his dad's new girlfriend had me with such a Jinora-like vibe, where she told the Equalists to stay away from her dad's ex-girlfriend. And speaking of Malina, I have to admit that she really is a beautiful woman. Also, did you notice Momo blushing after he finds a plush version of himself in the pile of prizes Toph's carrying and hugs it? So cute!

There's also a mysterious matter, namely what is up with those two little southern waterbender girls? They're from Katara's tribe, right? Pakku said they were hiding deep in the mainland, in a village that wasn't visible from the shores, which is probably why they survived throughout those hundred years of war (the Fire Nation didn't search for waterbenders so far away). I know I've heard that the small village where Katara and Sokka lived at the beginning of the series wasn't the only one in the South Pole.. but this is intriguing. Katara has always been the last southern waterbender, but this would mean that she isn't anymore (plus, her daughter Kya wouldn't be the only southern waterbender besides her many years later), which is unbelievable, yet great news. What I don't seem to understand is the reason why those two don't wanna share their waterbending with anyone else but themselves. Does it have something to do with the war and having to hide their abilities in order to protect their village (like Haru was forbidden to earthbend)? I'd really like to see an explanation for this and I'm hoping this subplot in the third part will end with Katara and Pakku teaching the little girls together while Aang observes them proudly (or joins them to teach, too), just like Katara watched him teach the air acolytes at the end of "The Promise".

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Onto more serious matters from now on, like the way Katara's worried why it'd be a good thing to have so many machines in every part of their lives. To understand this better and be aware of what I'm talking about, I specifically reread "The Rift" (and shed tears since I didn't even remember half of the story, which had one of the most bittersweet as well as beautiful plots) to see how everybody reacted there. I can see why, she reacted the same way - what if there's an accident with the oil rigs inside the factory and the machinery fails? How will that affect their environment, her home? They saw what'd happened to the river near Satoru's factory, Katara even supported Aang that they shouldn't have built the refinery there. To add to this, after there were three major earthquakes, each stronger than the last one, they witnessed what happened - one of those machines broke, a secret mine collapsed, with them getting trapped underneath it, and a lot of people suffered from various injuries. Katara's afraid that something similar might happen, which explains why she's unsure about all of this, because she's seen the negative effects.

Which brings me to an argument that I've seen and really bothers me - Katara is out of character. I totally have to disagree with this (considering everything I talked about before as well). Katara wasn't really excited like Sokka when Satoru gave them a tour around the Earthern Fire Refinery either. She's acting rather similarly to Aang (hence her flashback in the end of the first part) - this is her home that's been rebuilt (her sacred place). Nothing seems familiar to the round igloos and uneven paths between them like it used to be (in her dream) - it's in orderly fashion, angular, straight, more like the buildings in the Northern Water Tribe. This unfamiliarity is what bothers her - she'd like the image of her tribe to reflect what it used to look like, not how their sister tribe looks like. This doesn't feel like home to her, which is hard to accept, and that's the problem. I just don't get it, why does this seem so weird for some people? It's completely natural to feel this way.

One more thing to continue with the idea like Katara isn't quite herself here. She's never thought of nonbenders as not equal - this is true. There are several examples from the series to back this up, which helps make sense. When Sokka was downhearted because he felt like the regular guy in their group, it was Katara who comforted him because she knew very well that he was an irreplaceable asset to their team and capable of so much more as a nonbender. Katara was completely defenceless against Mai and Ty Lee three times during their battles. The point is that she's seen what nonbenders can do using their own special skills.

And now I reach Maliq, the boasting arrogant northerner, who can't see beyond his own innovative plans. He blatantly believes that the citizens of the Southern Water Tribe are a bunch of morons who don't know anything, not to mention how to live in a civilized way. Simple country folk, like Toph once joked.. Being a nonbender, he sort of has this need to prove himself - because he's more educated (having gone to Ba Sing Se University after all), he thinks he's smarter and better than the southerners and has the right to decide what to do with their resources, how to organize their life. But these are his greatest faults, which ultimately turn against him.

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Now I can talk about Gilak and his extremist views. First off, he accuses the northerners for hiding behind their snowy barriers to stay safe while the southerners had to sacrifice blood just to survive. Gilak is playing with our emotions, but it won't work on me (nor Katara). I can easily counter his accusation with a simple question - what were they supposed to do? Take a long risky trip down to the south, to the other side of the world, abandon their homes and leave their tribe even more defenceless with no guarantee of returning safely, avoid dozens of Fire Navy ships and hopefully not get captured, or worse? No. This is where the Northern Water Tribe did the reasonable and right thing - deciding not to send their already small number of warriors into certain death. We could say that the south shares the blame for not sending anyone up north to help them (neither side knew what condition their sister tribe was in!), but I won't. Since the Southern Water Tribe was raided more often, after the last raid, they couldn't just sit by and do nothing anymore. Yes, I believe them leaving to fight in the war was influenced by Hakoda's personal loss as well.

So I've nullified one point Gilak's using to win us over. Secondly, he believes that the northerners living in the south have to be wiped out or driven out of there because they're not a part of their tribe (or culture) and have to pay for their actions. Because the Southern Water Tribe is in danger of losing its identity by being forced to become a colony of the Northern Tribe. Is this.. xenophobia? When I read the description in English and Estonian, it sure sounds like what I'm trying to say in one word. This is where Gilak's crossing the line again - it's immoral to kill someone just because of their ethnicity. These are the reasons why Katara doesn't support him either, remaining a neutral party (which gives him a reason to attempt to kill her, or Aang, since she was the one who stopped him, foiling his plans to take Malina and Maliq, even Hakoda out of the picture).

I'm gonna take a sudden leap to the end of the second part so I could provide a real-life example. The last things Sokka and Katara say to each other before leaving their Gran Gran's igloo actually show that they're both correct. It's a new era where the nations cannot remain separate anymore, a parallel to "The Promise" where the Fire Nation colonies elected governments of mixed nations, so they do need to get with the times. But.. without forgetting who they are, a parallel to Aang deciding to begin teaching the air acolytes about the ways of the air nomads instead of keeping that knowledge to himself. That's what the southerners should do - teach the northerners their culture and ways of life, if they want to become a part of their tribe and settle there.

All of this is very similar to what's happening in the real world, in my country, too, which is why I can relate. Estonia (along with many other countries) is facing a similar problem with the refugees (and other immigrants of foreign cultures). Our President talked about this in her speech on our Independence Day this Friday, urging us to be more tolerant without forgetting our identity (which I believe is the right thing to do). Populists (the EKRE party in our Parliament) are spreading hate and toying with our emotions to get us to support them by claiming that we shouldn't support the refugees (only a select few have terrorist ties or committed terrorist attacks) because they are the threat and we are superior, preserving our culture is the most important thing that matters. Honestly, this attitude drives me mad and makes me sick at the same time. And it's the exact same rhetoric of Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen and other populists here in Europe. They take their views too far, exactly like Gilak has, and become extremists. I just wanna scream some sense into them and their supporters (that refugees and foreigners are simple, normal people like us) and kick their pathetic butts out of politics. I was already so frustrated with this situation that I actually wrote my feelings down through Katara's eyes in a fanfic called "Seeking refuge" last year. I'm ashamed to see how such idiotic politicians keep winning people over, all over the world. But that only fuels my anger and passion to keep fighting against their nonsense and fake news with intelligence, awareness and traditional media that speaks the truth.

----------x----------

Okay, I wanted to show how I can connect these events with real-life events. Enough ranting, let's focus on some stuff that happens during the fighting. For instance, I'd been trying to figure out the meaning behind Thod's story by reading it several times, especially since I felt like it wasn't put in there randomly and it must've been foreshadowing something. But I didn't fully get it until I'd read the second part. Thod turning out to be a chi blocker made him seem even creepier and more terrifying - Katara's face says it all after she's attacked. I'm glad he underestimated her, which provided her with an opportunity to detain him in that ice by waterbending using only her feet. Proof that Katara is one of the best waterbenders in the world.

Plus, those two kids, who also turned out to be chi blockers in training, are really annoying and I hope they get what's coming to them (thank you for not letting them escape, Aang!). Some of Gilak's troops are actually kind of stupid - let's grab the Avatar's hands, then he can't bend (I think you might've forgotten his legs, dumbbells)! This sounds like I'm hinting that the southerners really do tend to be less intelligent than the northerners - no, this isn't my intention. I'm trying to point out that, other than being nonbenders, his army has weaknesses (or is weak, Sokka beat those two guys with his boomerang so easily). And speaking of revenge, I'd like to praise Toph for getting those three construction "artists" for beating up Katara. Those jerks totally deserved it, that blow to the back must've been pretty strong and dangerous for her. A few pages forward and there's another powerful parallel I'd like to bring up here - Hakoda saying he believes that people can change is exactly what Iroh said, not to mention they're both referring to Zuko.

Like I stated in the very beginning, I've summed up my feelings about Hakoda getting stabbed in the description of my drawing. What I didn't mention though is that every time I read Malina and Katara's screams, I can hear them so loud and clear in my head that it's heartbreaking. Seeing that blood on Hakoda's coat makes my stomach churn, even drawing that crimson in the midst of all those blue tones was a sharp contrast. And Katara's genuine reaction when he finally wakes up.. can I just cry forever together with her?

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My expectations for the third part? I haven't really thought about those, though some ideas did come up within my discussion, so I guess those are the ones. The Southern Water Tribe must remain a colony in some acceptable way, because that's what we see during Korra's time. We know Hakoda will remain chief (most likely, hopefully until he passes away) and Sokka will be his successor at some point. I'd like the third part to offer some clarity to some extent, and see in what conditions do the two tribes come to an agreement.

In conclusion, this discussion became way longer than I'd originally wanted.. I spent hours trying to figure out how to get my point across, that I didn't use the wrong words which might give the wrong idea and that I didn't forget anything important I wanted to mention. Well, I hope you've enjoyed reading my opinion! It's my first thorough review I've written for any of the Avatar comic trilogies, so I hope you liked it!

Btw, Caroline (@thecaroliner), to answer your question of where is Bato? With everything that's going on, I think he would've gotten in the way of the plot, so that might be the main reason why he was left out. Or who knows, maybe we'll see him in the third part?

[spirit-science-blog]

Hey there, welcome back! Today we’re going to talk about everyone’s favorite Saturday morning Grandpa...or I guess Uncle would be more accurate...that’s right..we’re finally going to dive into the Sagely Wisdom of Uncle Iroh and the immense spiritual knowledge that he teaches the main characters….and us in the process...so sit back, grab a Tsungi horn, heat some Jasmine Tea, and one more thing before we get started, on the subject of Wisdom - we do a live event every full moon, every month called the Wisdom Moons. The next one is coming up soon! Use the link below to see how you can join our live event. I hope to see you there!

For those of you who haven’t seen the show, Iroh is the oldest main character that we follow actively through the series.... and is pretty much your Lao Tzu or Mystical Buddha kind of guy. He was a general of the Fire Nation and one of its greatest warriors, having the title “The Dragon of the West,” laying siege to the Earth Capital, but retired after his son Lu Ten was killed in action, and he became disillusioned with the war effort. When we first meet him though, Iroh is introduced as the uncle of Zuko, and acts as a father figure to him, as well as a moral compass, giving him great advice -which Zuko often ignores…..and accompanies him on his hunt for the Avatar, slowly teaching him to accept his true nature and become more in balance with himself.

Despite his fire nation origin, though.. he’s not a bad guy...in fact, he’s probably one of the beating moral hearts of the show, who -in stark contrast to Zuko, is easygoing, friendly, and dryly good-humored….let’s face it, aside from Sokka, he’s probably at the top of the list for most peoples favorite characters growing up. Exceptionally… when I’m old and grey, I want to be just like Iroh… and Gandalf… and Dumbledoor anyways right from episode 1, we see Iroh’s greatest virtue and wisdom...patience. Iroh doesn’t have it easy on the show, for, in the beginning, Zuko treats him pretty poorly, ignoring his advice and shouting at him a fair bit. Yet Iroh is there for him, no matter what, as he understands the importance of family and being there for the people who matter, undoubtedly coming from his son's loss.

As the series progressed and he got more screen time, we started to see his actions' real wisdom, but season 1 set his groundwork up as embodying patience, serenity, and mindfulness. Unlike most of the fire nation, he’s a man who sees beauty in the most superficial aspects of life, treating his self-imposed exile almost like an extended vacation to see the world. As Colin Mchannan points out...Iroh is a great man, sure, but what makes him truly wise and believable is his journey. He didn’t start as a mystical Buddha with life all figured out. He was broken….having lost the thing that mattered most to him -his child, and it defined him. The best part, though, and the ultimate lesson, is that Iroh let it define him in the best way. He could have been bitter and angry, but he instead chose to live the remainder of his life to the fullest in an attempt to avoid the mistakes and regrets from his earlier life….

In fact, in "Tales of Ba Sing Se" (one of the best episodes ever…), it’s suggested in that section where he sings Little Soldier Boy that some of that great optimism and generosity that he’s known so well for are a form of post-traumatic growth coming from the loss of his son. Like the waterbenders, he embraces the concept of flow and learns to move with the tide of life rather than stay stagnant and bitter.

Speaking of Waterbenders, this brings us to some of his best attributes that countless people have learned from…..his quotes...of everything, he’s probably best known for his words of wisdom as he freely advises most of the characters throughout the series. One passage, in particular, is often brought up as one of his best. When teaching Zuko in season 2 about lightning bending, Iroh explains that “It’s important to draw wisdom from many places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale.” Adhering to this philosophy eventually led him to develop a lightning bending -a technique never before seen, by studying the push and pull of water bending. Equally, he tries to convince Zuko that understanding Earth bending is just as important when he's fire turning to develop a real understanding of the element...which amazingly, Zuko then carries on to Aang during his training later on..

One of the best parts of Season 3 is when we learn that Iroh lied about killing the last Dragon to protect the ancient Dragon Masters Ren and Shaw, and even be their student. Through his compassion, he drove his firebending powers from vitality, heart, and life force rather than from rage as most of his contemporary firebenders did, thereby gaining a power none of them had.

For us, wisdom is essentially the same when applied to any aspect of life. Suppose you learn about something from only one source. In that case, you’ll pick up all the biases and influences from that source and never form your own opinion...but if instead, you look in different places for the inherent wisdom, you’ll end up a much more whole and balanced individual. I think Iroh’s insight here stems from his understanding of the four nations as balancers of each other. See, his nature and the course of his life have brought him to a philosophy that embraces peacefulness, harmony, and mutual understanding rather than conflict….but what’s more, it seems like he would much rather see the four nations live in mutual peace as opposed to single fire nation rule, as each one brings something unique to the table

While people often compare him to a Budhha like figure, I think a much better comparison is Budhai, the Chinese monk who’s often depicted as the fat or laughing Buddha, rather than Sidhurtta himself. Ironically, despite his carefree and detached attitude, he is something of a hedonist in his old age. He likes subtle pleasures, fancy tea, and seems to focus his life much more on relaxation and fun than he does on helping Zuko find Aang or engage in his nation’s nationalistic war. He often flirts with loads of girls in the series and is called handsome a couple of times! And he loves it….maybe he watched our recent episode on materialism and took it to heart…. Or maybe it’s a natural result of his earlier years conquesting, his soul is liberated from war, and all he wants now is to be jolly.

Ironically though, despite his focus on pleasure and relaxation, he does remark in season 1 that “the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or a tin cup,” implying that it’s what’s nurtured inside that truly matters…..but he does accidentally poison himself with a flower in that episode too...sooo...you win some and lose some I guess.

The point is, like the kids of Avatar, he doesn’t take himself too seriously and takes the time to take “moments of quiet” in the face of a decision…..I was joking last time about him being a big kid. Still, the more I look at him, he kind of is…..and it’s excellent...while many of the series' notable characters were maturing throughout the show. Of course, there’s the 14-year-old warlord to boot, Iroh was already a "changed man" who already suffered tremendous loss and "matured" through that it…reminding us that “Failure is simply a chance to start over anew, this time only wiser.” Even when opening his tea shop, he points out that “There’s nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity,” advising Zuko to abandon his quest for honor….but even then, he never forces him because it has to be Zuko's decision to understand that on his own

Speaking of starting things, remember earlier how we explained that Iroh liked to draw wisdom from all the elements rather than just fire? A couple of fans have pointed out that his attitude towards tea is the perfect example of this. While Iroh’s love of tea is often played for laughs, there’s an underlying meaning and purpose -and to some extent, lesson, behind his passion for jasmine and ginseng tea that’s not often talked about.  

To make an outstanding cuppa tea, all four of the bending elements are required. You need clay for the teapots and cups or the leaves from the ground, the water for the substance, Fire to heat the Tea, and the air to blow on the hot tea to cool it so you can drink it (even if you leave it out to cool naturally, it would get cold and taste worse). If you take one element out, the tea is either impossible to make or worse without it.. Iroh knew this, just as he knew that the only way to defeat the Fire Nation was for all four elements to work together. When on the boat to Ba Sing Se, Iroh gets a cold cup of tea and heats it with fire breath to the perfect temperature -all the while accidentally revealing to Jet that he’s a fire bender…

Iroh learned several things by watching other bending tribes. He knew that understanding others was the only way to be whole. Tea, then, is a physical manifestation of these teachings. On the surface, Iroh’s love of tea could be viewed as nothing more than a simple character trait, but it also serves as a representation of his spirituality and calming nature. In the context of achieving harmony and balance among the four nations, it's a lesson on the value of tolerance, balance, and listening that Uncle Iroh passed on to Zuko. And while this theory is just Reddit headcanon, it's a deep and meaningful way to look at Iroh's love of tea in a new light….he didn’t enjoy any old cup, only one that was truly and fully balanced with all the elements working together in unison

But the beautiful thing about Iroh is that he also can stand for the intensity of the fiery element and knows precisely how and when to use it. He rarely exhibits such power; one example is when he yells at Zuko under Lake Laogai.

Play clip: It's time for you to look inward and start asking yourself the big question: who are you, and what do YOU want?!

And that’s when he’s delivering compassionate wisdom with intensity! He also liberates all of Ba Sing Se at the very end of the series, after a getting ripped in jail montage, and shows exactly why they called him the Dragon of the West. All in all, Iroh’s philosophy of flow is undoubtedly inspired by Taoist values and helps to bring profound spiritual wisdom to a younger audience. If you haven’t seen it yet, I would recommend wholeheartedly going and checking out the series...even just for him alone….I could have written this entire video made up of just his quotes, and it would be equally as great...so I think Iroh is a modern-day ascended master. Even his bending forms are influenced by Southern Shaolin, Dragon, and Form-intention styles of Kung-Fu, all of which match his personality pretty well.

Interestingly, Kaci Ferrell pointed out in reviews that after the season 2 episode of Legend of Korra where Iroh appeared to her in the spirit world, Korra became a much more likable character with the fans because she took Iroh’s wisdom on board…..even in death he’s bringing the fandom together! So with that, thanks so much for watching! We’ll leave a link to some of Iroh’s best quotes and snippets of wisdom below so you can check them out, but otherwise, totally go and watch ATLA cause there’s so much more wisdom hidden inside it...and always remember, above all else…….that being sick of tea is like being sick of breathing. Toodles!

Sources:

The Lost Scrolls: Fire, page 159 of The Lost Scrolls Collection.

Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz (April 7, 2006). "Return to Omashu." Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 3

Ferrell, Kaci (November 9, 2013). "The Legend of Korra season 2 episode 10 review: A New Spiritual Age". Den of Geek.

McMahon, Colin (March 28, 2014). "The Wisdom to Be Learned from Uncle Iroh." The Red Rings of Redemption.

Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2006-09-15). "The Drill." Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 13. Nickelodeon.

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