#fire lord zuko and ambassador katara i love you

[nerdylizj]

There are times when Zuko misses the assassination attempts.  At least his adversaries were brave enough to stand behind the knife. There was a simplicity in looking into the eyes of the men and women who wanted to kill him. Their methods made sense. Strike, burn, poison. Their goal was clear. They wanted to kill him. The lack of nuance was almost reassuring. Fight or lose, live or die. He misses the clarity of it all.

read chapter two or start chapter one

[catiecriesalot]

My tl doesnt seem to get it so i guess I have to make a post. I dont ship zutara.

I SHIP ZUKKA.

ZUKO x SOKKA.

I LIKE THE FUNKY LITTLE GUYS TO KISS.

AU OR NOT I LIKE WHEN THEY GET TOGETHER AFTER HAVING A VERY ROMANTICALLY CHARGED REBUILDING OF THEIR NATIONS.

I LIKE THEM TO SEND LETTERS TO EACH OTHER AND I LIKE WHEN THEY MAKE DUMB JOKES THAT DONT QUITE LAND.

So so so so soo sososooooooo much.

[sproutingliliums]

What are some Zutara fanfics you like?

thank you for asking anon! rubbing my hands together and laughing diabolically rn. most of these fics are completed, but i have a few incomplete or ongoing ones listed at the bottom.

The Color of the Stars by bluenebulae this is my zutara bible... i have read this 3 times, and i think it's still my favorite zutara fic. it diverges from canon during the day of black sun. katara and zuko are both captured and thrown into prison and after breaking out together, they become reluctant allies and travel the world in search of the gaang while also trying to warn the other nations about ozai's plans.

they call you refugee by akaiiko

an arranged marriage alternate universe where when zuko is banished, he leaves the fire nation with—actually, the summary does a pretty good job of explaining it: "Zuko goes into exile with a scar, a mission, and a wife." i think i cried the first time i read this.

refraction by caroes3725

this one's my post-war zutara bible. it is maybe the post-war swt ambassador/politician katara slow burn of all time. it is 200k+ words and it's all worth it, i promise! i prommy!!! read it now!!!! <- this along with The Color of the Stars are maybe my favorite zutara longfics. period.

Mending Wounds by FictionIsSocialInquiry

canon divergent fic where katara sees visions of zuko in the foggy swamp. except in these visions he is older, the fire lord, her husband, and he is gentle and loving, and katara feels sick to her stomach! one of my favs!!!!

lost and found by Smediterranea

hakoda discovers a young zuko, injured, and takes him in. beautiful alternate universe fic where zuko grows up in the southern water tribe with sokka and katara.

The Things We Hide by Lykegenia

katara is held in the fire nation as a political prisoner following the southern water tribe's defeat after an assault launched by fire lord ozai during sozin's comet. the swt, however, will not go down with a fight. love, love, love this one! it has painted lady katara, blue spirit zuko, a sweet romance, political intrigue, and betrayal!!! it's a fun time. also i love hama's inclusion in this :)

The Blackfish and the Dragon by ama

during the day of black sun, iroh takes matters into his own hands and becomes fire lord. shortly after, a marriage is arranged between zuko and katara in order to secure the peace. it's a beautiful arranged marriage au where everyone is so perfectly in character. i really think this fic is one of the best zutara fics out there with a natural and rewarding slow burn romance. and azula is there and she's perfect.

Smoke & Mirrors by sansonnets

blutara bible!!!!!!! that's all i got... blutara go CRAZYYY

so i can die where i met you by irridescence

canon compliant. zuko and katara, eighty years later. the fic is centered around major character death(s), so don't read if you can't handle it but i was sobbing like a fucking baby by the end of it. such a beautiful gorgeous fic that will haunt me forever.

if you don't mind incomplete or ongoing fics:

But Who's Counting? by halfhoursonearth

katara thinks zuko's going to need at least 100 healing sessions after the agni kai. lovely prose and characterization and it's so tender and sweet. just read it!!!

so let us melt, and make no noise by LittleLostStar

zuko is sent on a mission to bring back the heart of the last waterbender so he can restore his honor and return home. but when he nearly dies while in the south pole, a healer named katara saves him and nurses him back to health. (the author describes this as a kinda-sorta frozen AU, and i think it's a pretty good description haha). it's an incredible AU with so much mystery and intrigue and tension!

forgetting is a kind of mercy by nerdylizj

"Five years after Katara and Zuko go missing in Ba Sing Se, Kya and Lee are found living peacefully in the Earth Kingdom countryside." finally, i gotta plug liz's silly n goofy dai li brainwashing fic. it's so good. so painfully angsty. it's about the pain of remembering and about making hard choices and identity and parenthood!!!

[marymary-diva17]

A marriage for peace and political

zuko x water tibe reader x male mai

This is story had been published on my wattpad, and I decide to bring it over here.

The war of the nations had been going on for 100 years and the fire nation kept on gaining ground and power, all over all the other nations. There had been a time of peace that came in the war and that peace was made through a political marriage or arrange marriage. That marriage was your marriage the second daughter of Hakoda of the southern watertribe you had been given away in marriage. As you were not just marrying the fire lord son, but also another Nobel man that is an ambassador. All the other nations and everyone thought this will be for the best as no wanted anymore war to happen. 

Y/n " dad" 

Hakoda " listen I know you must hate this idea but it need to be done" 

Y/n "......" 

Hakoda " I can't send your brother or sister they are to much of value and importance to all of us ... they are part of avater team we can't lose them" 

Y/n " i know that dad but have you heard about the stories of the fire lord he cruel and scary man ..." 

Hakoda " yes I have heard them y/n but sacrifices have to be made and this is one of them you are one of them" 

Y/n " please father o will do anything for my people but I'm scared" 

Hakoda " think about your people think about all the all other nations and all innocent lives that will be lost of you don't do this .... You can't be selfish" 

Y/n "  father ..." 

Hakoda " leave now I need to speak with my council and elders Wes most think for battle with three other nations, a war will come and war " you wish to say something else but your father had you escorted away from his office once words got to your siblings and their friends it didn't get better. 

Katara " please y/n we need this war to end we can't have aang go he not ready he hasn't master fire yet" 

Y/n " I'm just overwhelmed and scared that all this major decisions" 

Sokka " don't you think we all feel that you haven't been doing anything but stay here and healing, while the rest of us have been risking it all" 

Toph " I can sense many emotions right now" 

Sokka " if we don't have an answer by the end of week the war the fire lord wish for answers" 

Y/n " I ...." 

Aang " y/n I make a promises as an avatar and air bender if anything happen I will come help you, as you have my oath as avatar and all those that came before me" 

Y/n " I just need some time alone" 

Katara " fine go while we stay here and think about a back up plan" you could feel you were not welcome so you had soon taken your leave right away. As you were walking you had been getting cold shoulder from many people as they were all in fear. 

Gran gran " my dear" 

Y/n " hey gran gran" 

Gran " I came to see you I have heard the news" 

Y/n " I want to say yes for my people and everyone else but I'm scared" 

gran gran " it okay to be scared my dear whatever decision you make it will always love you and be with you in personal and spirt" you had hugged your grandmother as your cried, you had made your decision that night. 

Y/n " father I have made my decision" 

Hakoda " what have you decided my father" 

Y/n " I will take the marriage for safety for my family and everyone" everyone was happy about the news a hawk had been sent, and I'm days a fire nation ship had come with your future husbands. 

Iroh " lady y/n I will love to present my nephew prince Zuko and mister mao" 

Y/n " hello it good to meet you both and I hope our lives together will be good" 

Mao " hello it good to meet you"

Zuko " yes what you have done is honor and we hope to show you were are not that bad" this marriage will not be bad after all as you had thought, as the others around were either good and bad. Maybe you should give your future husband a chance and see their true selves. Celebrations had been held in your tribe you had tried to speak with your sibling and friends but they were with everyone else. You had been given the opportunity to get to know some of future family better. That next day you had left your home. 

Y/n " take care everyone I hope to see you soon" 

Katara " we will meet again" 

Y/n " yes and now we have peace life will need to be rebuild" 

Fire nation solider " lady y/n we are rests to leave" 

Y/n " coming goodbye everyone and please take care all of you" you soon got onto the fire nation ship, looking down to everyone and waving goodbye. You soon saw your home getting smaller and smaller as you head toward your new home. 

Iroh " I know you have heard bad stories about the fire nation and my family, and I don't blame you for being scared but we are all not that bad ... my nephew and mao might seem a bit scary but he a good young men and I have raised taught and many other well to be good and not to, follow their parents path"'

Y/n " thank you iroh I'm happy to know I will have friends there for me I, hope I can be a good addition to the royal household and ambassador household as well" 

Iroh " you will be amazing"

Zuko " uncle may I and Mao have some words with our wife" 

Iroh " yes" Iroh soon left the young couple to talk together, knowing it was going to be a long trip home.

Mao " we know you fear what life will be like in the fire nation but we will not be living there"

Y/n " huh why you are royalty and noble born"

Zuko " yes but I made a deal with my dad will be living on ember land it will be good for us all, and we get to know each other and live the lives we want if that fine with you"

Y/n " I'm fine with that if can keep bending and healing, and keep some cultures I have"

Mao " yes it will be good as we all should keep what we love most close to our hearts" this marriage was not going to be bad after all, you had been able to get to know your husbands better and their created famiky good as well. Life is going to be hard away from the water tribe but you know you will adapt to your new life and home.

[calderacitylovers]

Zutara SlowBurn FanFiction: Personal Favs, part II

·        DESTINY IS A FUNNY THING by Megara Pike | Published: 2020-08-21 | 198K Words | 45 Chapters

ATLA Season 3 rewrite, fills in a lot of blanks between canon scenes. From the Southern Raiders to Sozin's Comet through coronation and aftermath. Growing friendships, bonding, being there for each other, a carnival & a cave, epic spirits' appearance on the Ember island, sparring, nightmares, assassination attempts, political ruses, and covert operations. Lovely, sweet. Exciting plot.

 ·        ATLA Book 4: Ashes by elayne_cypher | Published: 2018-10-27 | 306K words | 34 Chapters

This action-packed story picks up right after Ember Island Players and continues well after the war. Zuko is facing many challenges as a new Fire Lord. Romance, tough decisions, rebels, traitors, out-of-body experiences, secret headquarters, angst, teamwork, fire jets. The story has a bunch of OCs.

 ·        Refraction by caroes3725  | Published: 2020-09-09 | 215K Words | 37 Chapters

After breaking up with Aang, Katara needs to figure out her place and role in the patriarchal world. As determined Katara stubbornly bulldozes her way through Fire Nation political scene, her feelings for Zuko grow. Diplomatic visits, Gaang reunion, bonding with Kanna, insights into the life of Caldera city, stuffy politicians, cute correspondence, tropical storm, women supporting women, assassination attempts, personal boundaries. A sweet well-written coming-of-age story with a healthy measure of slow-burn and mutual pining. Katara and Zuko are both POVs, but the story mostly follows Katara. Bonus: Mai is NOT a clingy resentful idiot, but a smart person and a good friend. Some explicit language here and there, a bit of mild smut.

 ·        I Asked You First by halfhoursonearth | Published: 2020-10-03 | 142K words | 22/? Chapters

Ongoing, incomplete. Post Southern Raiders ATLAS3 rewrite. Mostly canon-compliant with blanks filled in between familiar scenes. Zuko and Katara develop a close friendship built on trust and sharing each other’s fears and hopes. Includes mentions of implied child abuse, Lu Ten’s diaries, exploring Avatar Roku’s legacy, sharing a balcony, heart-to-hearts, a hot spring under the stars, an actual date, and artbending. It’s incomplete, but what we have is bliss. Slowburn, mutual pining. Zutara-centric, but also explores the personalities of Team Avatar and their relationships.

 ·        Katara Alone by cablesscutie | Published: 2020-05-31 | 21K words

Katara is not an “unnecessary accessory to a more powerful man”. After the war, she is willing to forge her own path as she turns to people who need her the most on her journey of self-discovery. Features character exploration, correspondence, exploring outback villages of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom, sweet reunions, and new firebending skills.

 ·        THE PHOENIX AND THE DRAGON - THE COMPLETE SERIES by JasmineTeaLatte | Published: 2021-06-11 | 100K words | 31 Chapters

This story picks up after The Ember Island Players. Zuko and Katara get to know each other during a late-night conversation by the campfire. In this story, you will find healthy boundaries, protective Sokka, a dash of Taang, sparring, funny banter & lots of flirting.

·        HESITATE by tiffaniesblews | Published: 2020-07-11 | 22K Words | 12 Chapters

This story picks up right after Zuko's coronation and spans two years afterwards. Zuko & Katara talk, share a few beautiful moments, write to each other, and reunite for the 2nd anniversary of the war ending. Very sweet, fluffy story about two sweethearts figuring out their feelings for each other.

·        LIKE WE'RE MADE OF STARLIGHT by Naladot | Published: 2021-11-28 | 5K Words

Katara leaves her post as the ambassador to the Fire Nation to take up a new one as the ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe. Her absence makes Zuko realize that he's got an unfortunate crush, which he is determined to keep secret. Unfortunately for him, subtly has never been one of his strengths—especially when he arrives in the Northern Water Tribe and she keeps taking him on what seem to be dates.

·        FIGURE IT OUT by clearascountryair | Published: 2021-12-20 | 35K words | 13 Chapters

After choosing not to kill Yon Rha, Katara rethinks her sense of self and others' perceptions of her. Or,    In which Katara learns that there’s a really big difference between being kissed when you don’t want to be and being kissed when you do. Aged-up 3B/Ember Island AU.

-  I FOUND YOU by that_turtleduck | Published: 2020-11-01 Completed: 2024-02-24 Words: 157,541 Chapters: 28/28

After divorcing Aang, Katara uproots her family and travels to Caldera. There she finds comfort, kindness and support from an old friend. Katara tries to find her footing as an independent political figure. Great story & relationship dynamic of Momtara & Dadko in their early 30s (Ember island, diplomatic meeting, dancing, turtleduck pond, letters). Delicious slow burn with rewarding spicy resolution in the end (explicit open door). Titters on the side of Anti-Aang.

Here’s a link to Part I of my personal favorites.

Here’s a link to Wholesome Zutara Short Stories.

[sokkastyles]

Zutara Month Day 9: "You're Married?!"

The council had been at a standstill for what felt like hours. As firm as Zuko stood on the issues of importance, he had ended up making several accommodations for the high-ranking officers and nobles who were slow to accept change, and even slower to accept it from Ozai's traitor son. One general, in particular, had been making snide comments all day about Zuko's interests being compromised, using the phrase, "in bed with the Avatar," in a way that made Katara's skin itch every time she heard it. She couldn't tell if Zuko didn't notice the implications of what the man was saying, or if he was merely trying to keep up the pretense of social norms. He had become almost scarily good at doing such, bowing and smiling in a way that made Katara almost suspect he had been possessed by some interloper from the spirit realm, it was so unlike Zuko, although he had learned from Iroh. But the other members of the council definitely noticed, and the man's comments were increasingly earning titters from several of the Earth Kingdom ambassadors, even though their reasons for disliking Zuko were on opposite ends of the political spectrum. It seemed that no matter who he tried to please, Zuko was making enemies in every corner. Even when Katara tried to turn the conversation back to what we are doing, reminding the officers that this plan was for a new world that would benefit the Fire Nation as much as the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes, they ignored her.

"The only thing I can't quite figure out," the general who had been making the rude comments all morning said, "is whether our Fire Lord here is the Avatar's pet, or whether the Avatar is his catamite."

That brought an equal amount of scandalized gasps as it had stifled laughter, but both were just as damaging. Katara couldn't take it anymore, and from the look of things, Zuko had finally reached the end of his patience as well, his face red and - was that steam coming out of his nose? Oh, no -

Katara hastily grabbed his hand in an exaggerated gesture, which had the effect of startling Zuko out of his fuming and forced them all to look at her. Good.

"How dare you," she began, "make such crass comments about my husband."

"You're married?!"

That certainly brought gasps from around the room, but no laughter this time. Zuko was standing very still next to her, his eyes wide.

Just go with it, she mouthed to him, squeezing his hand in reassurance in what she hoped looked to the rest of the council like a loving gesture.

[eponastory]

So you can read Katara's mind now?

Sorry about the big blue dot, but I had to fit all of this in one screen.

Let's start off with the fact that this person completely disregards the entire character arc of both Zuko and Katara to put this point across.

From what it looks like, Katara is actually okay with being in the Fire Nation. Otherwise, she wouldn't be very comfortable at the BEACH HOUSE at Ember Island, where OZAI laid his head, too. But yeah, let's just glance over that. She even goes to the same theater where the Royal Family frequented when Zuko was a small child and had no issues with it up until the last act of the play. I mean, she had problems with her portrayal, but that was the play. Not the place. She even has fun in the Fire Nation.

Why? Because the Fire Nation is not all bad people. There are a lot of innocent people in the Fire Nation. That's like condemning all Japanese for the bombing of Pearl Harbor... oh wait... that happened. Yeah, Japanese Americans were treated like traitors after Pearl Harbor, even after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Some were forced to live in 10x10 horse stalls. But I digress. You realize what I'm getting at here don't you?

Probably not because you are naive.

I agree that Fire Lady is an irrelevant title. She wouldn't take it anyway, but instead, because she is very good in politics and loves her culture, she'd likely take on a more political role. Ambassador Katara is overused. But I do know that she is a guiding voice for Zuko (this is in the show btw) so maybe his right-hand advisor who gets shit done could work. Remember, they work incredibly well as a team. Plus he's the damn Fire Lord. He'd find a position for her that she could do some good. (I know this is kinda my headcanon, but it's based on information gathered from various source material from the franchise) hell, even a health coordinator would be in the cards.

Anyway, it seems you don't really understand her arc given that she is very good at politics post-war and has the capacity to FORGIVE Zuko and put all of that behind her. I mean... the way you guys make it sound is that she hates everybody. And that isn't true.

[bisexuallsokka]

jo. bestie. hi. i’m holding your hands and asking u to please if u want deal us all permanent psychic damage with “you’re just as beautiful as the day i lost you” (the httyd divorced zukka agenda has to continue and nobody can do it as well as u <3)

Sokka had spent the entire journey to the Fire Nation imagining himself being so overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of Zuko that, decorum be damned, he would run into his arms as soon as they made eye contact.

The sting of disappointment he felt when he realized that Zuko wasn't even there to greet him and Katara was enough to extinguish most of the excitement he had felt and make him second-guess everything about this trip. It was odd enough that after over a decade of being broken up they had rekindled their relationship over letters, what would it be like when they saw each other in person for the first time in years? Did they only know how to be in love again in theory? Was Zuko truly ready to leave the throne and his home in a few months and start a life with Sokka?

He's hiding out on some balcony that the two of them frequented in his Ambassador days, and he jumps when he hears the door open behind him. It's probably Katara telling him to stop moping, and he's about to tell her that he just needs a minute when he sees Zuko there, giving him a tentative smile.

"Hey," he says.

"Hi," Sokka says, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement.

"Sorry about," Zuko gestures, and Sokka knows what he means.

"I get it. You're a busy guy," Sokka says.

That makes Zuko frown, and he walks over and takes a seat on the bench next to him. "Not too busy for you," he says. Which, historically, is kind of a lie, but Sokka appreciates the sentiment all the same. Especially since soon, they won't have to worry about the Fire Lord nonsense ever again.

Zuko seems to be thinking the same thing. "For what it's worth, it wasn't 'official business' keeping me away again," he clarifies. "Izumi was getting a little overwhelmed with everything going on to get ready for the party, and I spent longer in the garden with her than I realized. She's with Uncle, now."

Sokka softens at that, his doubts slowly starting to fade away. "That's understandable."

"Thanks for coming all the way here," Zuko says quickly. "It means a lot and it...it's really good to see you."

The sincerity in his tone is a little overwhelming. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," Sokka says, despite having missed the last ten or so of Zuko's birthday celebrations.

It makes Zuko smile, though, which Sokka relaxes at the sight of.

"You look good," Sokka says, smiling back.

"You look..." Zuko trails off, a strange expression on his face as he just keeps staring at Sokka.

"What?" Sokka asks suspiciously. "Is there something on my face?"

"You're just as beautiful as the day I lost you," Zuko says, so softly Sokka might have missed it had he not been hanging onto every word from those lips.

"I..." Sokka says, feeling speechless for once as heat rises in his cheeks. "That's...great, thank you."

As soon as the words leave his mouth he groans, putting his head in his hands as Zuko laughs loudly at him.

"You can't just say things like that," Sokka complains, even if he can't stop smiling.

"I can and I will, especially if that is the kind of reaction I can expect," Zuko teases. Sokka looks over at him and feels his cheeks flushing again at the soft look on Zuko's face.

Sokka takes a shaky breath, calling upon every ounce of bravery he's ever possessed to help him reach for Zuko's hand. "Twelve years?" he asks, giving it a squeeze.

"Twelve years," Zuko confirms, squeezing back. “It’s not that I haven’t seen you that whole time. I just…never let myself really look.”

Sokka nods. “You’re sure this is what you want?”

Zuko raises his eyebrow. "I've started packing."

Sokka rolls his eyes and shoves Zuko's shoulder with his own. "Oh, so romantic, run away with me just because you're already packing."

Zuko laughs again, and Sokka feels lightheaded. He's not going to get used to constantly hearing that sound anytime soon.

“I've had all this time to think about it, and my answer is still the same," Zuko tells him seriously. "This is best for the Fire Nation, best for us. Are you sure, though? Six year olds are pretty crazy.”

“Raising a kid with you?" Sokka asks. "That's all I've ever wanted. Craziness and all."

The way Zuko looks at Sokka erases any of the doubts, the questions, the worries Sokka had about this. About them. After the years of heartbreak and separation, Sokka knows that's behind them, and the future looks much brighter.

[forevermore05]

Let's say you're one of the writer's way back when Atla was first starting. Bryke has stepped back and let the writers do their thing. What are some things you would keep or remove completely? What are things you would have done differently? What would you have liked to explore more of with the story and the characters?

OOOH good question

I would definitely be giving South Asia, Hinduism, and Buddhism their honour back but making Desi main characters not caricatures. I will pay my respects to those religions by using them properly and not discarding them when you don't truly understand their meaning. And better representation will all the cultures.

Likewise, I would make a 4th (or maybe more) book, so we can see the healing of the 4 nations and flesh out the Gaang and other characters properly. I feel like ending it on book 3 was too sudden, and I hate the comic, so I don't even recognize those, since it is so OOC.

I would make Zuatara canon through some slow burn. I would not pair Aang up with anyone, since he is too young but keep him having a crush on Katara for the Chakra arc (which stays true and respect to Hinduism) but to provide a lesson on heartbreak and moving on. Same with Toph, such a cute little baby.

I will REMOVE those nonconsenual kisses entirely. Basically out with Kataang.

I want to see more of the evil politics of the Fire Nation before Aang defeats Ozai and how Zuko deals with it. In contrast, to how Zuko handles politics being Fire Lord.

I WANT more Suki and her backstory. I also want to see her and Ty Lee fight side by side. It would be so cool.

I would actually have Zuko and Katara speak to Azula after the Agni Kai.

I would keep Sokka's sexism arc.

Not only that, but I would love to explore Yue even more and her take on the NWT

I also want to go in depth with Mai, I want to give her some depth.

Have Aang's character understand the Mahabharat scripture before making a choice. (Maybe kill Ozai)

I want to see a healing arc for Azula

I also want Uncle Iroh to face some repercussion of being an activity member of war. I love Uncle Iroh, and I want to write the consequences and him accepting humbly due to his development.

Book 4 and (leading to adulthood) head canons for the Gaang

Katara: Helps the SWT and NWT, then goes on to become ambassador for the SWT in the Fire Nation

Zuko: Fire lord

Aang: Helping all the Nations to heal

Toph: I think she would totally be the creator of the pro-bender, you cannot change my mind, I think she would also become a teacher

Suki: Girlbossing as a Kyoshi Warriors and being known as one of the best

Sokka: Become Chief of SWT and a skilled engineer

I want Katara and Zuko to find his mother together (so we can get good development)

I feel like I have more, but I will add more if I think of any.

[the-badger-mole]

25 for zutara please!!! 🙏😣🙏

“I can’t believe you talked me into this.”

Katara rolled her eyes. She couldn’t believe that her best friend her secret love, THEEE Blue Spirit, was so nervous over a little breaking and entering.

“You’ve gone soft, Fire Lord,” she muttered.

“And you’ve gotten more reckless, Ambassador,” Zuko shot back. Katara shot a scowl at him.

“I can handle this alone,” she told him. “I’ll tell you what I find, and you can have your guards do what they need to.” Zuko glowered at her for a moment, then lowered his mask.

“I’m not letting you go in there alone.”

[broadwaybalogna]

@calderacitylovers : “Prompts, you say?

New Ambassador of the Northern Water Tribe to the Fire Nation is hitting on Ambassador Katara. Suddenly the Firelord can’t take it anymore and is spurred into action.”

I love this prompt sm I pray I do it justice

Please please please send prompts in my asks!! I love y’all’s prompts so much I NEED them. I eat them up. I gobble them. Nom nom nom.

-

Katara was seventeen when Sinjun was sent from the northern water tribe to act as the northern water tribe ambassador in the Fire Lord’s council.

Sinjun was a tall and burly man with an incredible presence. The moment he entered the council room for the first time, he had grasped everyone’s attention.

While Katara had taken notice of the man, she was far too concentrated on her own work to pay him much mind during his first meeting. Other members on the council found themselves helping him around anyway, so Katara pushed the thought of him to the back of her mind.

The thought was pushed back to the front of her mind when he approached her after the third meeting. She attempted to remember all she could about the man who stood almost a foot taller than her.

“Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, correct?” He asked as he approached the girl.

“Yes. And you are Sinjun, from the Northern Tribe? How may I assist you?” Katara always made sure to keep her work relationships professional, making sure everyone saw her as a colleague and equal. She learned early on that the easiest way to be previewed as such was to make no personal connections in regards to her job. Zuko was her only exception to this decision.

“Ah, well-“ the man who was no younger than his mid twenties seemed taken aback, “you helped aid the Avatar in his journey to overtake fire lord Ozai, right? Now, I’ve only heard rumors, but you couldn’t have been older than sixteen at the time, am I right?”

“Well, I was fourteen.” She clarified.

“I see, so that’d make you seventeen now?”

Katara nodded, suspicious of the man’s motives.

“Well, that is admirable. You are truly a woman of fine culture.”

“Ah, thank you Sinjun,” she smiled, still sensing that something was off.

Later that night, Katara brought up her hesitations regarding Sinjun to Zuko. Though it may have just been a ruse to get him to spend time with her.

“And then he said I was a lady of ‘fine culture’. What does that even mean?” She huffed as she crossed her arms and angrily sat in one of the various chairs in Zuko’s office. “Woah, is this new? It’s very soft,” her attitude immediately changed as she felt the cushion from under her.

Zuko laughed at her change in behavior and lifted his head from the note he was writing. “Yes actually, I had it made from the same material your parka’s were made of in the southern water tribe,” he said, smiling.

Katara blushed. “Wow,” she said, readjusting herself to feel more comfortable in the chair, if that was even possible.

“Perhaps Sinjun just meant you are a great representation of the women in the water tribes,” Zuko finally proposed, bringing Katara back on track with her thoughts.

“Hmm, maybe. Something was just weirdly off about him. Ugh, it’s probably nothing.” She rolled her eyes at herself.

“No, I’ll have a couple of my advisors keep an eye out on him. If you say something seems off, I’ll trust your gut.”

Katara smiled, “thanks Zuko.”

“Of course.”

She ended up sleeping in his office while he worked. And Zuko eventually dozed off on his own over his desk.

-

Katara was seventeen and a half when Sinjun approached her asking about her birthday.

“It’s in a few months,” she absentmindedly responded as she wrote a few notes from their past meeting down. Sinjun had made it a habit to approach her every so often. Not often enough to raise a large amount of suspicion, but still often.

“So you’ll finally be an adult?”

Katara paused her writing to look up at him, confusion clearly written on her face. “Yeah…” she finally said, offering the man an awkward smile.

“It’s hard to believe how long it’s been since Sozins Comet.”

“Hm,” she thought to herself. It had been a long while, a little over three years now. She felt much older when she thought about it. She felt the weight of her lost childhood. She especially felt the weight of the world. If she told her younger self that the hardest part of this endeavor would be the politics following their victory, she would have laughed in her own face.

By the time Katara was taken back out of her thoughts, Sinjun was gone. Katara sighed and returned to her work.

That night, she slept in Zuko’s office again, but not before relaying the past events to her friend.

“-But he got me thinking, y’know, about how long it’s been, and how old I feel now.”

Zuko laughed, “you’re not even an adult yet, Kat. how is time already catching up to you?.”

“I suppose it���s the weight of the world,” she half-joked, even though it was somewhat true. The future of the world was literally up to Zuko’s council. One wrong move and everything would go up in flames.

“Yes, but I see it’s made you strong,” he commented, “have you been working out?”

“Just the usual cardio. I go out on runs right out there,” she said as she flexed her biceps, bent her wrist, pointed out the window in Zuko’s office.

They both laughed as they continued to share stories about the past few days.

This had grown to be a common occurrence for each of them. Katara would step into Zuko’s office at some point in the evening and they’d pass out not long after sharing stories and talking with one another.

It was good for them both to have a constant in the ever changing world. It provides grounding for the both of them.

-

It was Katara’s eighteenth birthday when Sinjun tried to kiss her. Well, it was less of a kiss and more of a ‘he leaned in a little too close with his eyes closed and Katara punched him square in the face before she could even think’ type thing.

A few members of Zuko’s council had planned a surprise party for Katara’s birthday and invited the entire council, including Sinjun.

The night went about as expected. They all played games, ate food, forced Katara to not talk about foreign policy, and worked hard to make sure everyone had a good time.

Perhaps somewhere along the way, Katara had made more personal relationships with her coworkers than she originally thought. Or maybe her absentminded comments about her life she said to her council members as they tried to spark conversation while she worked became too personal.

Overall though, Katara decided she would work harder to create better relationships with the people she would be working with for the years to come.

After coming to that conclusion, she decided to get some fresh air outside near the palace gardens. Music from inside could still be heard but she paid it no mind. She took a seat on a bench nearby a fountain that was just an inch too small to keep all the water contained. She took a few deep breathes and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, not a minute later, Sinjun stood before her.

“Lady Katara,” he greeted.

“Hello Sinjun.”

“Why are you out here alone and not inside?” He pried.

“I just needed a breath of fresh air.”

There were a few moments of silence before Sinjun spoke again.

“May I sit with you?”

“Actually, I was just about to go back inside-“ Katara said as she stood up and began to dust herself off. When she looked back up, Sinjun was just a couple steps away.

“Just a moment,” he insisted as he stepped closer to her. Katara felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand as she moved closer.

“Katara..” he took her hands in his own. Katara felt her face contorted into something resembling disgust. But Sinjun couldn’t see her because his eyes were closed and he was leaning in and-

“WHAT THE HELL!”

Katara stepped back and let out a gasp at the older man’s outburst.

“I’m so sorry- you were just there and I was here and then you-“

“I tried to kiss you!? Yeah, that was the point!”

Katara paused her sputtering, “What?”

“Oh come on! I’ve been waiting since you were seventeen for this!”

“Waiting?”

“Yes! Agni, you women are so complicated!”

Before Katara could muster up something to say, Zuko came running out

“Is everything alright? I heard someone yell.” His voice slowed as she approached the scene in front of him. He carefully analyzed both Katara and Sinjun, who were both a mess in their own respects.

“This girl needs to learn how to properly respect men. Especially men who are willing to be patient for them.”

“Patient!? I- since when-“ Katara began sputtering again, now on the brink of tears, clearly unaware of Sinjun’s actual intentions. Even though she had suspected something off about him, she never would have considered that he liked her.

“What do you mean by that?” Zuko attempted to clarify. He started making his way toward Katara who was now sitting back on the bench.

“I mean that I’ve been waiting a year for some mutual appreciation and all I’ve gotten is a punch in the face!” Sinjun exclaimed, “Talk some sense into the southern peasant,” he said as he began walking away.

Katara hadn’t heard the word peasant in a long time. So much so that it had become a foreign fern to her. But hearing it again brought back memories of the war she would’ve preferred to forget. A time when Zuko wasn’t by her side was a time she didn’t want to remember all that often, not after all he had done for her.

“Can I-“ Zuko finally said after a few long moments, gesturing to the seat beside Katara. She nodded her head that was now in her hands as she tried to wipe tears from her face.

“God, I’m so stupid. How couldn’t I tell he wanted more than just friendship?” She internally criticized herself.

“No one could tell.” Zuko said as he placed his hand on her back, rubbing up and down. “One thing I can tell now, though, is that Sinjun’s an asshole who won’t be on this council from now on, so long as I’m the fire lord. Katara chuckled at Zuko’s behavior. “Hey, I’m serious!”

“Yeah, and I’m a turtleduck,” she joked, sniffling a little afterward. “Thanks for coming, by the way.”

“Of course, Katara! I was worried about you y’know?”

“Yeah, I really just wanted some fresh air.”

Katara took a deep breath and sighed.

“It’s a beautiful night. It shouldn’t be ruined by one man.”

The little music that could still be heard from inside was slow. Katara closed her eyes again and swayed to the tempo of the song. After opening her eyes, she turned to Zuko. “How about a dance?” She spoke.

“I- what?”

“You said the night shouldn’t be ruined. A dance under the stars would certainly help make it all the more beautiful.”

Zuko sighed and stood up, offering his hand to Katara. “Sure, whatever. But I should warn you, I missed the years in the palace where I was supposed to learn how to dance.” Zuko said, making a nod to his past exile.

“I’d say you spent a good amount of time dancing around the Avatar, though,” Katara said as she smirked.

Zuko laughed and led her through a (mostly) graceful dance.

Eighteen was certain to be an eventful year for the waterbender. But with Zuko awkwardly stepping on her feet during a dance every now and then, she was sure she would get through it quite nicely.

[zutaras-where-its-at]

one word prompt: success

okay someone with a pfp of iroh holding a lotus tile sent me this prompt, and i typed half of it and then accidentally DELETED IT FROM MY DRAFTS, so if that was you i’m so sorry! i’ll try my best to rewrite/answer it here!!!

——————

when zuko tries to propose to katara, he spends a whole month planning out the event.

we’re talking rows and rows of flowers, an imported water tribe chef to make her favorite dishes, a decorated barge to take them out at sunset for his proposal speech—fucking fireworks.

the day of, the palace is in the quietest uproar one can imagine, what with all the countless preparations that must be attended to while also avoiding alerting the water tribe ambassador to their movements. zuko himself is particularly harried, buzzing around putting out metaphorical fires that pop up every other minute.

and when he finally, finally is able to escort his lovely partner down the palace steps, into their private palanquin, and aboard their romantic sea-faring ride to the middle of the capital bay… zuko is mere seconds from kneeling before his future fiancé to pop the big question, hands fumbling around in his pockets for the gold and jade ring he had specially designed for her—only to find his pockets empty.

she’s looking at him with glittering, expectant blue eyes, hands folded demurely in front of her, tears of elation already beginning to crumble her beautiful face when zuko promptly curses, spins twice to frantically scan his surroundings, and then lets out a truly aggravated roar into the sky.

complete with flickering flames escaping his lips and all.

and because this is zuko—perpetually rotten luck, three left feet, complete antonym to the word ‘smooth,’ zuko—his frustration promptly sets fire to the drapes decorating their barge, which quickly erupt the tablecloth holding their water-tribe dinner, and subsequently sear the edges of their robes in the small space.

in her panic to put the flames out, katara accidentally bends just a tad too large of a wave that easily sweeps both them and their crispy dinner into the cold, salty bay.

as a nearby ship (containing the fire lord’s bodyguards who are never too far away from their liege) cruises at rapid pace towards them to offer help, the couple splutters water out of their mouths, sheds their outer robes to rid themselves of the water-logged deadweight, and immediately dissolve into hiccuping laughter that threatens to drown them all the same.

and as they cling to each other—his hair slumped wetly to the side of his head, and her makeup dripping quite messily down her face—zuko finally asks, “please, just say you’ll marry me.”

needless to say, the servants ship opts to wait a few yards away to respectfully give their fire lord and his fiancé some time to celebrate their successful engagement.

[biconickyoshi]

this is so cheesy but i couldn't stop thinking about it

Zukaang aladdin au!! look i just really really need them to sing a whole new world on a magic Appa carpet ride while staring lovingly into each other's eyes. the balcony scene is also peak zukaang. zuko's dragon druk (instead of jasmine's tiger) sniffing and growling at aang until he realizes he is Safe. Momo is Abu in this case. Hmmm who is prince zuko being married off to? (my vote is zhao=jafar lol)

Omgggg anon! I genuinely love this AU idea. It actually works so well, especially with Zuko as Jasmine and Aang as Aladdin. All of those iconic moments with Zukaang would just be aaaaaaa. So beautiful. You’re making me want to make fan art of this now lol.

I think you’re right that Zhao is the closest counterpart to Jafar, but also if I were to personally try and adapt this AU, I would probably just do away with the whole “marrying the love interest off to the villain” plot lol (it always made me uncomfortable in the original movie anyway). In my version, Iroh would probs take on the role of Jasmine’s dad (the Sultan), Zhao would be Jafar, of course Momo would be Abu and Appa would be the magic carpet, but idek who the genie would be… Sokka (fits the comedic aspect)? Avatar Roku (fits the mystical advice-giver aspect)?? lmao.

Though I guess technically it also doesn’t have to be a one-to-one direct adaptation of everything that happens in Aladdin - like it could just be about Zuko being the FN prince who wants to see the world and not be married off to a rando, while Iroh is his kindly father figure/Fire Lord, and Zhao is the advisor trying to take over the FN. Aang is of course the scrappy street orphan who manages to catch his eye, and maybe he’s also secretly the Avatar who went missing as a baby? Either way he would have hair in this AU lol.

Maybe Toph is one of Zuko’s close friends - she’s a rich girl from another country who lives in the FN bc her parents are like the ambassadors for the EK or something, but she and Zuko often sneak out so they can have “normal” days in the city (and so Toph can fight in underground bending tournaments). Maybe Katara and Sokka are some of Aang’s friends who are also peasants - I can’t really think of how else they’d fit into the story unfortunately lol.

Anywaysssss sorry for the long ass reply anon, you got me to start seriously brainstorming for a second there haha! Idk if I’ll ever write an actual fic, but I’m definitely seriously gonna consider making some fan art for this AU concept… :)

[geothewriter]

Zutara Week 2023 - Day 3: Union

Attending Sokka and Suki’s wedding on Kyoshi island was meant to be a joyous excursion from Zuko’s duties as Fire Lord. Indeed, he indulged himself in the fine wines unique to the island, and spoke at great length with his friends. A massive storm extended the five day excursion to seven, as the harbor was battered by wild waves and typhoon winds. Not even the Avatar’s efforts could quell the raging storm, and after fighting with nature for hours on the fifth day, he retired to a well protected home inland, along with the rest of the group who were visiting for the wedding. 

Luckily for them, the storm held out until after Sokka and Suki’s vows and subsequent reception on the fourth day. Witnessing the pair’s union added a cherry on top of the idea that Zuko had made the right choices in the war, and in life. If only he hadn’t felt so alone, he wouldn’t be in the predicament he currently found himself. 

Before the fledgling Fire Lord sat a young woman with beautiful flowing brown locks of hair. He sat behind her, attempting to braid the mane into a traditional Fire Nation style unsuccessfully for fifteen minutes. Distraction continually weaved its way into his mind, with thoughts of how nice the hair felt running through his fingers, or how it felt wrong to see the exposed nape of her neck when he pulled the hair into a different style. 

The thoughts weren’t necessarily new to him, but being trapped with her by a raging typhoon in a tiny home in a foreign land wasn’t helping. He needed to leave before he said something stupid. He wasn’t ready for his mind to speak words he may regret later, and besides, this was an event to honor Suki and Sokka’s union, not just any old get-together. 

The pair shared the one room house and talked, laughed, and played games of pai sho. They spoke of their adventures during the war, and the years following. Katara had expressed interest in becoming an ambassador to one of the other nations at one point, and Zuko jokingly offered a spot in the Fire Nation. She never responded to his offer, instead she chose to ponder it quietly for some time. 

Zuko gave brief notes of how frustrating it had become to deal with his advisors, council, and just about everyone else at the palace. He missed having just their old group around to solve problems. He mentioned that he even missed the stressful final days of the war, with how close everyone had grown. 

The sixth night, at the height of the storm, the pair found themselves huddled up as lightning crashed and thunder echoed outside. The winds howled as they attempted to find sleep. At some point in the long night, Zuko heard her voice near to him, seeming to be practicing some set of lines. He feigned sleep, not trusting his tongue to keep quiet.

"I’d love to be an ambassador to the Fire Nation. Would you really have me? No. Sure, Zuko being ambassador there sounds like fun. No.. If I became ambassador, would we be able to be together? I’ll wait for you, but it’s so hard to see you struggle by yourself when I can help. We could get through it all together."

A chill shot down his spine as he realized she felt the same as he had for only the spirits know how long. He’d officially ask her in the morning. To be his or to be the ambassador, he wasn’t sure; probably both. Either way, it would be a grand union between their two nations, a union of nations grown out of a union between friends.

If you like my writing, check out my other works over on AO3!

@zutaraweek

[ao3feed-zukka]

la parfum de fleurs

Read now on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/5M8e01R by buncly13 The news that Fire lord Zuko had been assassinated lands at Sokka's feet in a neatly-bow-tied scroll. A year passes. Sokka receives the next letter from Iroh's favorite messenger hawk, which he catches as it struggles to land in his balloon. The letter is short. His eyes skim the scribbled mess on the parchment. He reads the five words over and over and over until his brain catches up with his vision. Sokka, Zuko is alive. Iroh Or, Zuko is assassinated. For a year, Sokka grieves his best friend and everything he never said, until Zuko appears right back where he died. Words: 14365, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Iroh (Avatar), Fire Nation Royal Palace Staff (Avatar) Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Iroh & Zuko (Avatar), Aang & Zuko (Avatar), Katara & Zuko (Avatar) Additional Tags: Zuko-centric (Avatar), Sokka-centric (Avatar), Hurt Zuko (Avatar), Fire Nation Royal Family, Zuko is a Mess (Avatar), Protective Sokka (Avatar), Ambassador Sokka (Avatar), Bisexual Sokka (Avatar), Past Sokka/Suki (Avatar), Sokka is trying his best, Firelord Zuko (Avatar), It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better, Zuko gets assassinated, Well not really, but everyone thinks he did, for a year or so, And then he comes back, Firelord Iroh (Avatar), Supportive Iroh (Avatar), Iroh Loves Tea (Avatar), Pai Sho (Avatar), Sokka Learns How Zuko Got The Scar (Avatar), Not just the one scar on his face, all of them - Freeform, I've never known how to end a fic, I won't start now, First Kiss, Sokka & Zuko Friendship (Avatar), But they flirt all the time, Zuko Has PTSD (Avatar), Zuko Has a Bad Time (Avatar), Zuko Has Issues (Avatar), Sokka Has PTSD, Maybe - Freeform, I didn't think that far, Zuko Whump (Avatar), constantly switching between present and past tense, not for an artistic choice I'm just bad at writing, They Hug a Lot, Like A Lot A Lot, Past Torture, Past Abuse, Past Violence, Kidnapping, if that tells you anything, It's Not Paranoia If They're Really Out To Get You, No beta we die like Zuko supposedly did Read it on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/5M8e01R

[nalgasde-hao]

Okay so my headcanon on Taang (and a little bit of Zutara on the side)

- So I would much rather prefer if the ending of the show hadn't made any of the ships (except for Sokka and Suki) Canon, but even with the Kataang final kiss I feel like Taang would have been canon

- Because they were both too young and there relationship would've been completely platonic (I've always felt like Katara saw Aang as a little brother that she needed to protect, but even if it wasn't for that, Katara put Aang in a pedestal for being the avatar and created a lot of expectations over him, which I think it can be proved by how later on their marriage on Korra, besides the way Katara did everything for him like a mother), and Katara's desire to go back to help rebuild the south pole while Aang wanted to recreat the air nomads again would made their relationship be very complicated

- And that's how I feel like they would outgrow each other and realize they would work much better as friends

- Without Katara's imagine in his mind Aang would be able to notice other girls - like Toph, who he hadn't seen in a long time due to his traveling

- I feel like Toph already felt something for him, but couldn't quite understand what it was, but she would take the opportunity to travel with him again

- and then, they would have a slow burn, friends to lovers relationship, with a lot of teasing and mutual pining

- as for Katara, I feel like Zuko would be a better match for her - they always had a great chemistry - but not only that, before Zuko joined the Gaang, Katara was the only one who did the chores and made sure that everyone was okay, which was a lot of responsibility for a 14-year-old, and after Zuko showed up and started to help her out, it gave her time to actually enjoy travelling

- I feel like after a time the other nations would pressure the Fire Nation, for something to make them feel safe - since they replaced the Fire Lord, with his FIRST BORN SON, and Katara would volunteer to be the South Pole ambassador

- There relationship would grow up from that, and I feel like there love language would be acts of service, always making sure the other one has rested and is feeling okay (and I can't stop obsessing about how Zuko choose Katara to help him find his mother)

- I also think that Maiko wouldn't work - although I really like the ship - because Mai hated everything that had to do with the aristocracy, because it bored her, and she didn't want to be what her mother wanted her to be, so becoming the Fire Lady wouldn't be very fulfilling for her - I kinda feel like she would have a thing for Ty Lee, but Idk

- Also, I like to think that Aang would always visit Toph between his travels to the point her parents (who didn't like him for making their baby girl run away) question themselves when was he going to propose for Toph's hand (I feel like her mother would make a comment during dinner or something and they would die out of embarrassment)

- And I'm 100% sure that Suki and Sokka had a bet going on who of the two couple would confess first (I have a feeling it's Zutara) and after that they would just try to hold their laughs at Taang mutual pining

BITCH THIS IS THE EXACTLY WAY I THINK THAT TAANG HAPPENED (if it was canon ngh-) and the way you explain the zutara relationship it makes all the sense to me.

Besides, talking about kataang, I always saw as a problem that katara couldn't show her agry with aang bcs he would cry or something like that, and that is not the way it should be when you are with your partner, on the contrary, it should be a safe place where you can express yourself freely, and I thought that with zuko, she can do it.

Also, bitch, toph and aang are soulmates and nothing can change my mind. THEY WORK SO PERFECT TOGETHER WHEN THEY ARE KID, IMAGINE WHEN THEY GROWN UP. Unstopplebe, on fights and love lmao.