#i love you forever azula.

[xpoolboy]

oh your angry, aggressive, calculating male character? yeah i made him a girl now. no she's happier like this trust me

[thefandomthings]

Zuko x reader

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Betrayal

Hurt prompt #11: "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Pairing: Zuko x F/Gn!reader

Warnings: Angst, No comfort, Established relationship, !!SPOILERS¡¡, Takes place in Book 2. Ep. 18

Notes: Oh boy, I have so many avatar requests, it's amazing. Thank you guys for participating in my event it makes me so happy! Tell me if y'all want a part 2.

Prompt Event Part 1 Part 2

All you felt was pain, deep inside your chest. Watching your boyfriend take sides against the avatar once again was brutal. What made it even worse was Iroh was to be imprisoned, you would hold the same fate if you were captured.

You stood next to Katara and Aang, Azula and Zuko on the opposite side of the cave. Azula held the same malicious grin on her face, watching the three of you with smugness.

"My, my Y/n. You seem so down, how sad." She mocks you with a slight chuckle. Zuko gives her a glare, his eyes wandering back to you. They are full of guilt, pleading for forgiveness from you. Practically begging you to understand why he did it, to come with him.

"Leave Y/n alone, Azula." Zuko grunts, getting in a fighting stance with his sister. Azula clicks her tongue and rolls her eyes at her brother.

"They're the enemy now, Zuzu. Can't protect them forever." Azula laughs, blue fire erupting from her fists.

The blue flurries of fire woosh past you fastly. Katara quickly blocks the fire with her water. Using her octopus arms she slashes and whips at Azula, both going back and forth. The ground beneath the five of you shakes and cracks.

Aang and Zuko are going at it hand to hand. You watch out of the corner of your eye as Zuko takes a hit by Aangs wind, sending him flying back into one of the crystal pillars. Your heart stops, skipping a beat as Zuko groans.

You curse under your breath and run towards him, Aang is calling your name frantically. You slid against the rock surface and get the few rocks that landed on Zuko off. He lets out a huff of air, the weight of the rock off of his chest allowing him to breath.

He's quick to sit up, using his hands, he does a walk over away from you. Your heart felt like it was stabbed, watching as he gets in a protective stance. He knows you'd never hurt him on purpose, and he'd never hurt you.

"Why are you doing this, Zuko? Why are you so desperate to gain your honor back?" Your voice is meek, tears gathering at your waterline, blurring his figure.

"You know why I have to, Y/n. This is my chance to prove to my father I am worthy."

Zukos heart physically aches, seeing your tears making him question everything. He never wanted to hurt you, never wanted to put strain on your relationship. You're his everything, you've been with him since the beginning along with Iroh. Loving him even when he didn't love himself.

"But Zuko, when you get home and see your father, will he even except you? What if he hurts you again, or what if he tries to kill you?" You plead, knowing this isn't him. He's just confused and fighting himself.

Zuko stays quiet, thinking over your words carefully. You have a point. His father could easily do all of those things, Azula to. Does he really want to go through with this? Having Uncle imprisoned, possibly you too?

He closes his eyes tightly, fists clenched at his side. He lets out a long breath, salty tears slide down his cheeks as he looks back up at you again.

"He won't. I'm sorry Y/n. You can't change my mind. I'm going home." He lifts his fists back into a defensive stance, hands trembling.

"Please...Please forgive me."

You let out a strangled sob at his words, heart clenching and shattering. Zuko grits his teeth, holding back his own cries.

"Get out of here, before Azula realizes I haven't killed you." Without realizing it, Zuko was beside you. Taking you into his arms, he holds you as close as he can. His lips pressing multiple kisses to your head. His nose buried in your hair, taking in your shampoo scent one last time.

"Does this mean you don't love me anymore? Since you're leaving?" You asked, face hidden in his neck, tears hitting his skin like rain. Zuko squeezes you softly, kissing the apples of your cheeks.

"That not what I meant, Y/n. And you know it." He pulls away from you, taking a few steps back to create distance.

Water then wraps around his waist sending him flying. You scream his name as Katara takes you in her arms. You sob holding onto Katara as she sees you down.

"It'll be alright, Y/n. I promise." She hugs you tightly, the sound of wind echos in the cave as Aang enters the avatar state. Suddenly lighting cracks, blue electricity shoots towards Aang. Shooting into his back like a spear.

"AANG!" You and Katara race towards him, watching as he falls, his body is lifeless. Katara catches him, tears falling from her eyes. You use your bending to keep the three of you protected as Katara holds Aang and bends up the waterfall.

Zuko watches as the love of his life disappears. He lets out a sob, his fist pounding the ground.

He's sorry. So, so sorry. He never wanted to hurt you, cause you this much pain. Yet he has, and he might never, ever be able to fix it.

He hopes you're safe, and he'll come and find you when the time is right before it's to late.

[theotherpacman]

some positives about the atla live action series bc as much as i am a hater it's not good for the soul or the critical thinking skills to only hate things forever

the costumes are phenomenal. I really love all the live action character designs, they look fantastic

a lot of these young characters LOOK really really young, which is important. aang is a kid and they cast a kid and he looks like a kid. azula looks very young - in the cartoon (esp when you're a kid) you don't really think about it but she is a child. it's important that they're kids

the actors are doing a great job and I don't want to hear SHIT against them

suki's mom!!!!! I LOVE suki's mom as the tough-as-nails leader of kyoshi village. a shining example of a GOOD deviation from the original. changes can be good suki's mom is wonderful 10/10 no notes

some of the cgi looks really good!!! the wide shots of omashu look cool as hell and I know some people hate how the bending looks but I think it looks great. it was always gonna be hard to translate to live action but I think the cgi bending looks about as perfect as it could

lesbian oma and shu... so good so important... lesbian oma and shu

the cabbage man. love him

I thought it was cool how kyoshi like possessed him while he was in the avatar state. an interesting take on what the avatar state entails, lots of potential, and kyoshi herself showing up to save her village was a great use of it

jet oh my god jet they did jet really well

LOVE the secret tunnel musicians

azula being a prodigy archer is fantastic. she should

looks like there are actually a lot of things I enjoy about the reboot :)

(update: I don't know what's up with ian ousley's heritage so I'm just removing the thing I said. it's a positivity post anyway)

[umeumeumee]

ahhhh azula x fem! reader who is a maid and azula’s secret gf and one day ty lee and mai are at the palace and while they are away azula calls reader into her room and they kinda make out and are all touchy because Azula hasn’t seen her all day, then reader has to go do her chores and when she opens the door mai & ty lee are there— reader bows; excusing herself and saying she was cleaning, but mai and ty lee notice the lipstick marks on her jawline and neck and are shockeddddd and it’s awkward around azula and idk maybe it gets out they are dating (js between the mai & ty lee tho) thank you!!

red lipstick stains

ᥫ᭡ gosh, i love this idea! azula forever! thank you for requesting for my atla/tlok event! hope you enjoy this as much as i enjoyed writing it!

princess azula x fem! servant! reader

ᥫ᭡ when the princesses friends come to visit, it leaves little time for her to bask herself in your presence. with their short absence, she replenishes herself with you— leading for something to leak from the cracks.

the boredness the princess felt was beyond horrific.

azula placed her head in her palm as she lazily held her eyes on ty lee, doing a contrast of many different athletic styles. Mai read a book beside the princess, and azula began to question why, exactly, it was that she was here.

Mai and Ty Lee had made a rather unexpected trip to the Palace, catching Azula off guard from their sudden visit and causing her to fall through with her secretive plans she held.

Today was supposed to be a rather calm day, her father was organizing a plan for something she frankly didn’t care for— which was one of the rarest occasions, but her attention was too occupied on you.

azula had planned on spending the day with you, alone in her room. but, her dreams were ultimately dashed with the presence of her sincerely unwanted friends.

the princess roll her eyes as she watched Ty lee do a handstand, walking around. her eyes trailed along the royal gardens— her heart pausing its pulse when the sight of you caught her eyes. She involuntarily and automatically straightened her back, removing her hands of its position in holding her head up. Her golden eyes glued to your body as you carried a tray of refreshments on your hands, keeping your eyes straight ahead of you as you approach Ty lee causiously.

Azula couldn’t quite make out your soft ofer to the circus member, but ty lee accepted your drink with a smile. Sweat embraces azula’s palms as you turned to her and Mai, approaching with your head down.

Azula felt silly— like.. a school girl, with a big, childish crush.

“refreshments?” you questioned with a low voice, clear like honey and soft like sugar. Mai declined, and azula saw you nod and bow, turning to her.

You always put on the perfect facade, acting like everything you two have done was for nothing.

“Princess?” your voice was different when you spoke to her, softer, kinder— more gentle, an offer for something more.

Azula forced down her smirk, nodding and accepting your offer by taking the drink from atop the tray. You didn’t dare make eye contact with her infront of her friends, only bowing and exiting the gardens.

azula watched you go from the corner of her eye, smirking into her cup as she took a sip from the fresh lychee juice you’d offered.

“Mm! This is delicious!” ty lee exclaimed, walking over normally to Azula and Mai, chugging her drink with no waste.

“yes, yes,” azula nodded, only replying to keep the girl at bay. Mai scoffed, “I hate lychee juice.”

Ty lee frown, putting her glass on small table by the chair azula sat on.

“But, it’s hot,” she expressed, waving her hand to cool herself down. “Aren’t you thirsty?”

“Not for lychee juice,” mai bit back, causing ty lee to huff. “Well, let’s get you a drink!” she grabbed mai’s arm, causing the girl to drop her book and loose her place. Azula sat up, fighting back excitement. “where are you two going?”

“To get mai some water,” said ty lee as mai fought her grip, groaning. Azula nodded, “very well.” she played casual, waving her hand to excuse them as she took another sip of the drink you’ve given her. Azula acted uninterested as the girls walked off, their bickering slowly fading away form her hearing as did their figures.

Azula stood from her chair, leaving her drink and set her destination to her room. She walked with quickened steps, hiding her smile with the facade of her furiously storming down the halls, keeping everyone else away from her. When she reached her dorms, she rang the servant bell— knowing you’d be the one she called for.

Azula crossed her arms when she closed her door, tapping her foot on the floor in impatience.

after waiting for what felt like hours, you finally arrived. As beautiful as always as you slowly entered azula’s room per her permission, only meeting her eyes when you realized she was alone.

Your mouth began to speak— but you were silenced by the slam of azula’s lips on yours. your voice muffled, fading out as you melted into her hungry kiss. Your hands instinctively wrapped around her neck, her own hands harshly gripping your waist.

Azula pushed you onto her bed, leaning over you as she bent down to continuously kiss you. Her chest met yours, her thick armor cold against your skin, feeling the roughness through the thin layer of your clothing.

You let azula devour your lips desperately, knowing how she becomes like this when you are away for long distances of time.

she pulled back only to allow you to catch your breath— thin, translucent trail of saliva the only remaining factor of your previous action, as azula waisted no time in training her kisses to your jawline.

You automatically shifted your head up, allowing easy access for her to retreat to the soft, bare skin of your neck. You caught your breath, your hands holding tightly to the bedsheets bellow you as azula moved down.

She kissed your jawline, trailing her way down to the skin of your neck, kissing a lightly sucking the sensitive area, basking in the sounds your mouth left for her to receive.

she began to unlace the band of your clothing— but was stopped by the guest bell that struck her door. She froze, and you instantly gasped— shooting up from underneath her and quickly re-tieing your maid-robes— fixing your messy hair.

Azula groaned, annoyed. “Why can’t mai and ty lee leave?” she asked aloud, causing you to lightly laugh. “They’re your friends, ‘zula. they want to spent time with you.” you replied, pulling few strands from your newly done bun, turning back to the princess, only to find her already looking at you.

“I don’t want to be with them,” she bit, reaching out to you. “i want you.” your cheeks heated up, preparing a response when the bell softly went off again. “I have to go,” you sigh, quickly bending down to leave a soft kiss on azula’s forehead, then her lips. You fixed your appearance one last time, with no mirror, and azula saw you smile at her before you left, closing the door behind you.

You turned a fast heal, hoping to not be seen leaving the princess room— alone.

Two approaching shadows halted your movements, your eyes flickering up timidly to see the two figures of azula’s friends. You bow, explaining the reasoning behind your actions all while missing the scan of their eyes and the pure shock embracing not only Ty lee’s features, but Mai’s.

The girls were only a few feet away from Azula’s room, hearing through the grape vine that once they’d left she’d “gotten bored” and made haste in her bedroom. But now they know why.

You stood before them, red lipstick stains trailing kiss marks from your jawline, to your neck and down to below your robes where they could not see, leaving their imagination to fill in the blanks.

You automatically took their shocked faces as one of disrespect for you looking at them without permission- so you bow, getting on your legs and allowing your head to touch the floor in respect and apology, getting up quickly to scramble from their way and rushing back to the maid’s quarters.

Mai and Ty Lee’s eyes trail after you, jaws dropped and eyes wide. They make eye connect, “what was that?!” ty lee squealed, in shock, covering her mouth at the remembrance of the event. Mai let out a bothered sigh, placing a hand to her forehead and massaging her aching head. “I don’t.. want to know,” she splutter out, the thought of her friend being intimate was purely a nasty thought. Ty lee seemed more interested than Mai, who was blatantly uninterested and, frankly, grossed out.

“Should we go see Azula? or…” Ty lee seemed to need guidance, brows furrowing in worry. Mai rolled her eyes, placing a hand to her hip. “Obviously. we can’t just leave.” she waved her fan, walking ahead of ty lee to the familiar door of Azula’s room.

For once, they knocked. Permission from the princess granted their entrance, and they avoided the usually piercing gaze of Azula, who seemed to notice their sudden.. lack of words.

The princess stood from the chair she sat in infront her Vanity, leaving Ty Lee wondering what exactly she was doing with her makeup out…

“Well?” she placed both hands to her hips, raising a brow. Mai knew they wouldn’t get away with the obvious tension the the room because of how painfully obvious Ty Lee was.

“what?” Mai asked, avoiding to sit on Azula’s bed as she covered her face with the fan in her hand. Ty lee stood beside her, itching the dry skin of her bare elbow.

Azula scoffed, moving her arms to cross over her chest. she decided it was best to ignore the company in her room, walking past them and out to the hall. Ty lee quickly chased after; hoping to leave the room. mai was close behind.

Azula led them back to the chairs they previous sat in, the trio walking rather fast.

Mai covered her mouth with her fan, leaning over to Ty lee. “Don’t mention it.” she demanded, earning a nervous squeak from the girl, causing azula to give them a strange side glance before they officially made it to their destination, azula placing herself under the shade of her umbrella, mai doing the same. Ty lee nervously began rubbing her hands together as she sat on the grass, under a tree.

The silence was so loud, louder than any sound. the air was thick with an intense kind of awkwardness, it was so horrendous even azula began to break a sweat under her many layers of armor.

Mai clearing her throat, which made azula shift her gaze to the black haired girl, who seemed to be shaking her head at the circus member. Azula squinted her eyes in suspicion, following Mai’s gaze to see ty lee, who was sweating and anxiously chewing down her nails.

azula made a face, “What?” she bit, catching both girls attention. “what is this? what are you two doing?” she questioned with demand, wanting an answer.

She caught once more the sly shake of mai’s head as she peer to ty lee; who shifted her gaze between the two girls.

Azula was now almost fuming, steam coming from her ears— as she was about to shout demand for an immediate answer— her prayers were answered.

“We saw the kiss marks!” Ty lee shouted out, sighing in temporary relief before instantly slamming her hands over her mouth with wide eyes. Mai growled under her breath, putting her hand over her face in disbelief.

Azula was confused, the expression she held was quite an obvious one on the always tense face of the princess, and mai noticed.

“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” she barked out, glaring a deep stare at ty lee before acting like nothing happened.

Azula wouldn’t accept that, as Ty lee was still chewing off her skin.

One fierce glance from azula’s now settled face caused a shiver from ty, “The maid… we saw her leave your room—”

Her words faided out, and suddenly the realization had slammed azula in the chest.

You.

You’d left her room with the lipstick trails she’d left on you, ones she’s so clumsily forgotten to mention to you. This was her fault.

Azula must have looked as bewildered as she felt, as ty lee covered her face. As quickly as azula lost her composure, she gained it back. Clearing her throat and waving her hand. “Must—” she cleared her throat again, a pitiful attempt at getting rid of any lingering chances the fact might really be true. “Must have been the wrong room.” she tried her best to play it off, which, usually, would have worked, but the pair already knew the truth.

Azula’s secret was out.

dread overcame her like a tsunami, and fear tickled her bones. what if her father found out? what would he do? what would happen to her?— what would happen to you? the love of her life? the thought horrified her beyond comprehension.

she felt her façade threaten to slip, and the gaping eyes of her friends had her sweating profusely, like a child being caught doing something naughty.

once more, the silence followed. It was, frankly, agonizing. By far the most painfully awkward and tedious moments of Azula’s life.

She switched her hard gaze from mai to ty lee multiple times, almost daring them to mention it again.

“are you guys.. you know..” Ty lee almost cried from the peircing eyes of the princess and mai, a whimper leaving her mouth.

Azula felt sick. not just from fear, but embarrassment as well. Of all people, mai and ty lee? really?

She didn’t want to admit it, but what better would lying do. She could see it in their eyes that they both already knew the truth of the princesses relationship with you, a maid.

Azula huffed a furiously agitated gruff and massaged her temple in irritation, covering up any signs of fear she would have.

Mai let out a kind sigh, removing her hands from her face.

“We won’t tell anyone, Azula.” somehow, the princess found her words oddly comforting. But she didn’t dare show it.

“I think it’s best you two... leave.” Her words didn’t have the ferocious bite that they usually do, but instead a warning, something to ‘let them off the hook.’ Mai nodded, and ty lee shot up, clearly the pair had overstayed their welcome, and azula watched with heavy eyes as they left the royal garden, obviously fighting around the subject of Princess Azula and Her Mistress.

Once out of sight, azula allowed herself to groan into the palms of her hand. How could she let this happen? how? what has she become? under your gaze, your touch— she was like a pie, hard on the inside but so soft once you come around. You’ve weakened her— but she can’t help herself from staying with you.

the princess stood up, making her way down the halls and to her room, now with the understanding why her friends were oh so stiff.

she sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling. she’d rang the maid bell, calling you.

with a gentle knock and a hushed whisper, you entered the door to the princesses chambers.

The look on your face made her realize that you’d realized the issue.

“Princess,” you whispered in a hushed tone, and she fully sat up.

she hates the tension when you fear to talk of certain subjects. she hates the look in your eyes when you think she is upset. she hates how much you care.

before you could speak again, two familiar hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you atop the princess on her bed. in a swift motion, she held you under her. Kissing you again.

Your were surprised, this was most definitely not what you were expecting.

“Azula!” you gasp when she bit you, ignoring the warm feeling of blood trickling down your neck.

you’d thought she’d want to talk about it, but you suppose not. either way, this was wonderful.

[sillybillylulu]

"Loving you forever can't be wrong even though you're not here, won't move on" - dark paradise, Lana Del Rey

I just HAD to remake that drawing last time I didn't really put that much thought into it so here's another hopefully better version where Azula after the boiling rock sees an old poster of ty lee when she was with the circus and she's sad ☹️ old version here

[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!!!

[sokkastyles]

I think a lot of people don't understand that Azula turning against everyone in her life who isn't Ozai is literally a symptom of Ozai's grooming. It is NOT a sign that "everyone failed her," especially when we do see people trying to reach out to her. But people who groom children work to be the only person in that child's life that they feel they can trust, because it's easier for them to then exploit that trust.

And do you know what? The grooming process does not stop with the child victim. It usually involves other adults in the child's life as well, as the abuser both gains the trust of their victim's trusted adults while also working to further that rift and isolate the victim.

Ursa is actually a really good example of this, because she was also being groomed by Ozai to the point where she was forced into a situation where the only way she could help her children would put her out of their lives forever, and by that time Ozai had already created enough of a rift between Ursa and Azula that Ursa's attempts to teach Azula kindness just increased that rift.

To look at this situation and say that Ursa, or Iroh, or Zuko, or anyone other than Ozai is at fault is to buy into Ozai's manipupativeness.

Btw, Ursa saying in the comics to both her children that she "didn't love them enough" and blaming herself for the things Ozai did to all three of them is also a symptom of being groomed by Ozai, not an objective admission of guilt, smh.

[animentality]

Sorry but I don't trust you if you think Azula was evil.

She was a fucking 14 year old girl and you lack literary comprehension if you think the narrative condemned her forever by the end. You're not supposed to be gloating over her crying and screaming desperately on the ground, knowing that no one loves her and she's lost everyone who might've even slightly cared about her.

I don't trust you if you spend your time arguing with people over whether or not she's a psychopath.

Yes she's a villain. Yes, she's done bad things. Really bad things.

But she was also a teenager who was warped by her father's abuse just as much as Zuko.

I once read a great comment about her that really summed up how I feel about the abuse of Ozai's children.

The only difference between them was that Azula had scars from their father that you cannot see.

Which is true, but you do see it by the end.

I don't know how anyone could watch Azula's breakdown and think this 14 year old is a bitch.

Not unless you're a misogynist and an idiot.

Also like wtf, look at Zuko and Katara's fucking faces.

They're our protagonists. They are OUR stand ins. They are looking on her with pity, not anger or pride or happiness. The music isn't triumphant. It's hollow and sad.

No.

I don't trust anyone who says Azula is just evil and was destined to be bad. I don't like people who say she was a psychopath from the start.

This isn't fucking bnha.

You don't have the right to enter my home!! You are rancid.

You are untrustworthy.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

Have you noted that no one from Azula's family was shown to express love and affection towards her?

That is mostly true. Ozai's affection is clearly conditional (and full on manipulation at worse, like we see in the finale), Ursa canonically favors Zuko to the point that we never see her spending any alone time with Azula like she did with Zuko, and while Iroh gave her a toy like he did to Zuko the toy in question was so OBVIOUSLY wrong for a kid like Azula that it's comical AND show's he did not really know his niece at all.

But there is a constant exception.

Zuko's relationship with Azula is complicated. He clearly admires her strength and power, but he hates how she uses it. She lied to him many times, was seen apparently cheering Ozai on during the Agni Kai, tried to have him imprisoned and even said she'd celebrate being an only child - and then allows him to come home as a hero after Ba Sing Se, even though SHE had the control of the Dai Li and was not yet aware Aang could have survived, meaning she had nothing to gain from it.

And when she lets him know that if he's caught talking to Iroh people might think he is a traitor too, and explicitly says "Believe it or not, I'm actually looking out for you" Zuko drops his innitial suspicion that she wanted something and that's why she was helping him.

On The Beach, he just follows her when she say their old family home is depressing and they shouldn't waste their time there. When she's asking him who she is angry at, she mentions herself and Zuko explicitly says that is not the case.

He doesn't trust her and know she has a tendency to mock or full on lie to him... yet when he wants to know about Fire Lord Sozin he asks her about it, and lets it slide when she mocks him by saying he should make sure the royal painter got his good side - for a character as quick to anger as Zuko, that is a big deal. In Nightmares and Daydreams he also goes to her to find out if he'll be allowed at the war meeting.

More importantly:

1 - Iroh's infamous "She's crazy and needs to go down" line was only said because ZUKO, without anyone putting that idea in his head before, suddenly went "I know what you're going to say. She's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her"

2 - Zuko only jumped into the fight in Ba Sing Se when Azula was being cornered by Aang and Katara.

3 - Zuko looked genuinely shocked and even distressed when she was falling off that cliff. He just sounded so shaken saying "She's... not gonna make it..."

4 - In the writer's own words, Zuko felt no hate but only pity when seeing her breakdown. Katara tried to comfort him because, canonically, even though Zuko and Azula are enemies, this was never what he wanted because he still sees her as family. That's why the Last Agni Kai's music is not the epic you'd expect from a battle, but a tragic one.

5 - Aaron Ehasz, the lead writter for the show, probably the person with the most influence after Bryke, has REPEATEDLY said that he always felt Azula should have gotten a redemption arc, Zuko being an Iroh figure to give her advice and be the only one still by her side when all else was seemingly lost to her forever.

Even the comics (most of which I HATE, mainly because Azula's storyline checks nearly every box for "the mentally ill are inherently evil/less human, so it's fine if literally every other person on the planet mistreats them") didn't fully abandon their complex dynamic.

Zuko is not a perfect sibling, and for a long chunk of the story he seemed too focused on his own issues for Azula to ever be a factor in his mind (aside from the moments in which she was a potential/explict threat), but he DOES still feel a sense of obligation towards her, to the point that it made him do something no one else in their family had done before or since - actually look at Azula. Not the prodigious daughter/perfect weapon, or the problem child that is difficult to handle, or the pontentially deadly enemy that was in the way, but Azula.

His 14-year-old sister that got on his nerves a lot, was far from the kindest person alive, and that he had a ton of issues with, but that he could never fully hate or even be indifferent to. Because she's family. Because he remembers a happier time in which the gap between them didn't seem so big. Because if things had been slightly different he could have been her. Because he went from wanting to be her to seeing just how miserable her life ended up being - especially compared to the one he now had - and feeling deeply sorry for her.

Now if you guys excuse me, I'm gonna go cry in the corner. Have some wholesome/bittersweet fanart if you wanna cry too.

[waterfire1848]

Zuko: I’ve got it! The ultimate wager: slap bet!

Azula: Oh! We haven’t done a good slap bet in forever.

Ty Lee: What’s a slap bet?

Azula: Whoever’s right gets to hit the other person has hard as you can across the face.

Ty Lee: Are you two seriously gonna do that? That’s so immature and childish and-

Azula: You can be slap bet commissioner.

Ty Lee: Oh! I love it! What are my powers?

Zuko: Basically whenever an issue comes up you’ll resolve it, but you need to be impartial above all else. This is an honor you’ll take with you to the grave. On your tombstone it’ll read Ty Lee: loving friend, sister, Kyoshi Warrior, slap bet commissioner.

Azula: And your tombstone will read: got slapped by his little sister so hard he died.

[rifari2037]

15. What do you think would have happened if Katara and Zuko hadn’t been interrupted in the Catacombs?

They would kiss!!!!! 😂😂

I'm kidding, guys!

Even though I love the idea of Zutara kissing since this scene had romantic atmosphere and setting, but I'm pretty aware that it would be so forced just like canon 😂

But, I love this 👆🏼 idea if Zuko and Katara hadn’t been interrupted in the Catacombs.

Zuko would change his mind and refused Katara's offer. He might say thank you to her, then told her that he wasn't that important to take the water spirit. He also had accepted to have that mark forever.

Then Katara would convinces him that he is important and valuable. Katara might tell him that she believe there's good in him. In the end, it wasn't the water spirit that gave Zuko a new hope, but Katara and her words. Then, Aang and Uncle Iroh came.

I like this idea because I think it wasn't a right choice if Katara succeed to heal Zuko's scar. That scar was part of Zuko, when it gone then I might feel like I was seeing a completely different character.

Actually, I also do have some thoughts why Zuko betrayed Katara.

Whether they were interrupted or not, Katara had give Zuko hope. At least he had hope for free from the scar that marked him as a banished prince.

Is it just me, or in this moment Katara is the one who disappointed/betrayed Zuko first by withdraw her own offer.

After that moment, Azula offered him glory and he might have been affected by Azula's manipulations, but I don't think it was the only reason of his betrayal, Aang was also the reason.

He didn't directly attack one of them which means he hadn't made a choice yet. He looked at Azula first, then he looked at Aang, and he made choice with anger at his face to Aang.

But, Zuko had started to accept himself in the previous episode. He happily helped his uncle serve tea at Jasmine Dragon. He had stopped chasing the Avatar since he freed Appa and feverish because he changed his drive.

When he saw Katara in the Crystal Catacomb, a very familiar person as Avatar's companion, he was just silent. Zuko didn't seem obsessed with chasing the Avatar anymore. So what was the reason Zuko suddenly mad at Aang?

In my headcanon, Zuko was mad at Aang because Katara was the first person Zuko could open up to, Katara was the first person who touch his scar, and he had never felt affection like Katara gave him. Then, she just left him without saying anything to him because of Aang.

The Earth Kingdom Chronicles: The Tale of Katara

Yes, he betrayed Katara and that was a terrible thing (also important for his redemption arc). But what happened in the Crystal Catacombs meant a lot to him, which is why Zuko didn't actually try to hurt Katara.

Azula noticed that. And if I pulled further towards Agni Kai, when Azula shot lightning at Katara, she knew Katara means something to Zuko and could be his weakness. She kinda right since Zuko literally jump into the lightning for her.

[discordiansamba]

lee loves his new job.

lee loved his job at the middle ring tea shop too, of course. he'd been happy there. he still missed his coworkers. missed the owner. missed his regular customers. he wonders if lin ever managed to attract the attention of that cute bookshop girl. he hopes yukio got into ba sing se university. he's a little sad that he won't get to see toshio's third child.

but serving princess azula is everything he could have hoped for- and more. there is a simple honor in his status as her personal tea server. she calls upon him twice a day- once in the afternoon, and once after the evening meal. sometimes lady mai will visit the kitchens in the morning, to have a cup of tea with him. lady ty lee is friendly, often congregating with the servants in a casual way.

(lee is never casual with her. it would be unbecoming of a commoner.)

if there's anything he's sad about, it is that he does not see father every day anymore. he misses the routine they had back home- misses cooking dinner for him each night. sometimes the kitchen staff will allow him to help with their daily meals. the first time princess azula eats his cooking, she is impressed. she is a kind employer- never hesitant with her praise.

when she returns to the fire nation, she plans to bring lee with her. you'll be the fire lord's personal tea server. won't that be wonderful? lee tells her that it is a greater honor than he deserves. the princess merely smiles and says that she cannot think of anyone more worthy than him for the position.

(he does not see the pitying look lady mai sends him.)

living and working together with jin almost makes up for not seeing father every day. when lady ty lee finds out that they haven't gone on a date in awhile, she insists to princess azula that she give him some time off every once in awhile. the princess smiles at his flustered face and apologizes. how silly of her not to notice. of course you can have some time off, lee. even the servants deserve time for romance.

they celebrate his eighteenth birthday together by visiting the theater. they each put on their best clothes- and lee cannot help but stare at himself in the mirror. he looks like himself. it's an odd thing to think. of course he looks like himself. who else would he be? he mentions it to his father, and the man smiles at him and lays a hand on his shoulder.

"you've grown into a fine young man, lee," he tells him, "-a proper man of earth. i'm so proud of you. your mother would be too, were she here."

his father embraces him. lee returns it, burying his head in his shoulder. all he has ever wanted was to make his father proud.

his date with jin is wonderful. the other servants tease them about it when they return. it makes him flustered, but it also makes him happy. in fact, lee can't think of a time he's been happier.

"i hope," he tells jin, "-i can stay like this forever."

[waiitwotworkshop]

*ahem* gaang headcanons? very specifically, transfem zuko headcanons?

YAYY

Zuko goes by Lin and everyone thinks that’s her new name so they try not to deadname her, so when anyone refers to her as zuko they all cringe and try to defend her. Only for her to be like ‘idk why you guys kept calling me Lin, we’re not in public”

Zuko is sm more sensitive abt her hair. She is crying inside when she cuts it off at the end of s1 when it starts growing back in she’s so happy. It grows back a little wavy and it’s such a cute cut that makes her look feminine even w short hair.

Somehow attracts guys while working at the tea shop. This includes jet (ugh) but ultimately they don’t go further than some weird flirting which is actually just insulting each other. Jin still has a crush on her but she doesn’t go on a date with her because iroh just assumes she’s straight(it’s debatable)

Sokka rlly likes girls who can beat him up so naturally he gets a crush. This hot girl is mean to him but sometimes laughs at his jokes he’s absolutely falling for her. And he loves to treat her delicately even though she can clearly handle herself. This is where we get into some divergence from canon (other than the obvious lmao) canon zuko would not want someone to treat him so fragile but Sokka does it so lovingly that she can’t help but love it. Like ‘omg a puddle let me carry you over it so you don’t get mud on your shoes :3’ just being such a gentleman and zuko is so in love with it because she’s never been treated so gently. Ugh just imagine him being so lovesick over zuko, like ‘yes darling, anything u say darling ^^’ this is basically canon do u see the way he treats suki lol. I just love the thought of this grumpy loser doing a complete switch when it comes to zuko.

She wouldn’t go back to the firenation with Azula because she /can’t/ her father would definitely not accept her like this so this is a hypothetical but she would hate being expected to be Mai’s bf again. And she tries to give her a seashell bc she thinks it’s nice and /she’s/ a girl and likes it so why the hell doesn’t Mai like it too. She’s definitely jealous of the girls getting attention so her and azula r just pissed together.

Zuko is 10x more nervous around katara bc she desperately wants them to be friends. She just thinks back to how Azula made friends so easily and how zuko was so bad at it/didn’t want to hang out with guys that she just tagged along like a loser. She’s so desperate to finally make her own friend that she also tags along to wherever katara is and cringes at herself every time they interact. When suki joins the gaang and three of them hang out she’s secretly ecstatic.

I will literally go on abt trans girl zuko forever I’m so happy to have an excuse to talk abt her someone please ask me more

[yandere-avatar]

Hello!, I hope your day/night is going well!, I thought of something to request and just wanted to shoot my shot lol!

- How about some headcanons of possessive yandere ty Lee?

- // oh and I just wanted to ask this in case your comfy with writing team up yandere scenario's if not I totally understand!-//

-Maybe a scenario where the fire nation squad/ zuko, Azula, mei and ty Lee are all yandere for the reader?

/ I totally understand if you don't vibe with these requests! No pressure to do them just wanted to stress that hgbgb, anyways have a lovely day/night :) /

I write Polygamous stuff, but I don't know if it's the best, but I can always try. This has been in the drafts since: July 14, 2022 [Almost a full year... I'm so sorry. You've probably forgot you requested this because it's been so long] (3rd oldest draft and oldest ask)

[Possessive] Ty Lee

She doesn't understand why you get so mad that she only wants you to pay attention to her

Granted multiple people flirt with her, but she always shuts them down

She watches you and uses her abilities to get to high places to see you

If you're a bender, she uses her Chi Block on you

She's very giddy and loves being with you

She loves partying w/ you and taking you places

She doesn't want you to meet her sisters, in fear of you comparing them to each other

She wants to be herself with you

She's ecstatic and always energized

She always defends you when someone tries to make you look dumb

Unlike Mai, she would trade the other nations if they kidnapped you, because she loves you more than anything else in the world

Though, she is like Mai in the sense she'll betray Azula, because she loves you more than she fears her

Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, and Zuko

You were at first with Ty Lee

Though, you two were never official

You two just bonded better than the rest of them

Zuko and Mai became protective over you, seeing you repeatedly get hurt

Azula just saw you as stupid and she liked humiliating you

Zuko saw himself in you and wanted to protect you from Azula

^Mai was jealous at first, but soon realized you weren't enemies, but friends. You deserved to be protected from the monster that is Azula

You love Azula, because you've realized that she's never really had love in her life [It's more out of pity]

You go with them everywhere, though this gets you a lot hurt

They always get you, but then Azula becomes a little more anxious about letting you come

Azula would never tell you, but she loves you more than anything in the world and that scares her

Ty Lee just thinks your fun, but she doesn't really form a complex feeling for you. She just likes that you're fun

Mai and Zuko see themselves as your protector, especially against Azula. They kind of act like your parents, but they're both distant emotionally, but you definitely open them up

The GAang [Katara, Sokka, Aang, and Toph]

Katara was the first to fall for you, but not the first to tell you her feelings

It's probably Sokka who tells you

But you don't take it seriously, because he's a flirter

Toph is mean to you and is kind of like a big bully

Aang is nice and treats you like he's known you forever

You both just click so well

When Toph and Katara fight, you are brought into their fights, because they want you to be on their side

"I think Sokka is calling me-"

You don't want to catch that smoke

You're probably the most scared of Katara, she reminds you of a scary mother, but don't tell her, because she wants you to see her as a lover not a mother

It took you the longest to get close to Toph, because she has walls up and it's hard to get them down

You bring up her being blind and she get super angry and you quickly blush in embarrassment

^ You do try and watch it and be more considerate of her, but she also doesn't want you to treat her different. Just treat her like the rest. Once you do, she'll let you in

Aang and Sokka make fools themselves in front of you, because they're not good with crushes, no matter how smooth Sokka is

Though you do all get along better than the relationship with the fire nation group [Ty Lee, Azula, Zuko, and Mai]

You're very close and it's hard to break you apart

[the-genius-az]

Azula with Tuberculosis Au.

After Agni Kai, Azula locked herself in her room, not wanting to come out, and the only people who entered her room were Zuko and Katara.

She didn't know why, couldn't they just leave her alone? She lost everything, she has nothing to offer or give.

Azula was trying to sleep, after vomiting blood again, Katara said to call her when that happened, but she didn't have the strength to do it, besides, how could she? She couldn't even walk two steps without falling because she was so weak.

She stopped her thoughts when she heard footsteps stopping behind her door and sighed irritably, because she knew who it was.

Slowly Zuko opened the door, peeked his head in, and noticed that Azula was collapsed on her bed, something that was normal nowadays.

"I brought you your food," he murmured, as he entered Azula's room.

Azula didn't know exactly why her brother became nice to her, did he feel sorry for her? She doesn't believe it, Zuko is an idiot, even more so with Azula- the sick.

Zuko waited for Azula to sit on the bed so he could eat, but she didn't. He looked at her as he waited, but she still didn't move, he let out a sigh and put the food on the nightstand.

"Katara says... Katara says you could die," Zuko waited for a response, but it never came.

Minutes passed, until she turned around and looked at her brother.

"Do you think they would miss me if I died?" she asked, staring at him.

Zuko knew who she was talking about, he knew of the strange and complex relationship his sister had with her former friends.

"I...I really don't know, Azula," he let out a sigh and looked away from her. "They're mad at you...and me too."

Azula looked down and slowly sat up on her bed.

"With you?" she asked, in a soft whisper that he couldn't have heard if there were no sound in the room.

"They're furious that I betrayed them, and the Nation... also because I'm the fire lord and not you," he murmured, completely uncomfortable with telling her that.

"Mad at you...even Mai is?" she asked, wanting to know if Mai was still with Zuko.

Zuko clenched his fists unconsciously, but he answered her.

"Yes, she doesn't want to be with me again until you recover," they both knew that won't happen now because of Karara's new diagnosis.

She couldn't help but smile slightly and lowered her head, until Zuko interrupted her thoughts.

"Leave them some letters before you die," he offered, though they both knew that wasn't what he really meant.

"For what? What do you want me to tell them?" She scoffed, wishing he would say it directly.

Zuko let out a very upset sigh, he didn't want to look like an idiot in front of his dying sister, but she could never give him what he wanted.

"I want you to write to Mai so she can date me when you die," he ordered involuntarily, then regretted his words.

"Mai deserves someone to spend her life with," he tried as he looked at the ground, embarrassed by his own words but not wanting to stop.

Azula grabbed the sheets with her hands.

She didn't want to be selfish, but when both siblings were in the same room they both always let out their worst sides.

"I don't want that... I don't want Mai to be with you or anyone else! I don't want Ty Lee with anyone else either!" she yelled angrily at him, as tears fell down her cheeks.

"I want to be with them forever! Even after my death, I want them to love me for at least ten more years!" she cried intensely, finally breaking down.

Zuko looked at her perplexed, and slowly began to cry as well.

Everything was so intense for both of them, Azula was going to die and Zuko was going to lose someone else.

But there was something on both of their minds, and it was that they had never looked alike in their entire lives until now.

[ecoterrorist-katara]

hello hello! can i just say, i love your takes so much. it feels like you’ve read my mind on how katara would actually react in certain situations. currently myself, im rewriting the structure of the show in a way that makes more sense (aka, getting rid of kataang altogether and focusing on actual growth for each character including aang!) and im struggling a bit on aang actually!

we know how brykke basically stunted aang’s growth because of their weirdness. but what if aang never had a crush on katara? what if he sees katara as the big sister he always wanted instead, making their relationship more wholesome than weird? i think he’s such a centralized character, but when i develop the others beyond the show, aang feels like he’s left behind.

maybe that’s part of it too! he is a boy out of time, and now more of a concept than a person as far as anyone else outside of his immediate group knows. in this au where i intend to age everyone up, i’m just curious to see what kind of man aang would grow up into if his motivations for katara was never there. i see him as trying to hold onto his lost childhood and then having to come to terms with the fact he can’t. but i’d love to hear your thoughts. who is aang outside of that? his journey has the opportunity to be so fascinating, but brykke kind of said hey! let’s not get into that! let’s make him a creepy god boy who gets whatever he wants!

(also to note, this version of aang is meant to be with azula and while i love the meta ive seen about taang i do personally hc her as a lesbian but i do like them but yeah!)

also sorry if this is too rambly i’m just very excited!

hi! This is such a nice message, and please never apologize for rambling! My blog is a safe space for all ramblers. Your fic sounds like a very exciting project!

I definitely agree with you that he’d try to hold onto his childhood & have a hard time with his grief; coming to terms with the depth of his loss would be an exceptionally interesting arc. His people were victims of genocide: his culture and his loved ones were brutally murdered. Nobody can replace that community, not even his chosen family of the Gaang, and certainly not a romantic partner.

But Aang certainly is somebody outside of all that tragedy too. I think his cheerfulness and optimism, his playfulness, his resilience, his reluctance to assume responsibility, and his prodigiousness are all important facets of his personality.

Here's my piping hot take: Aang is James Potter with a more tragic backstory and less of a cruel streak. Think about it: mischievous, funny, adventurous, brave, enjoys attention, popular, devoted to friends, prodigious, entitled when it comes to love interests, morally inflexible, dedicated to Good, can be too arrogant to recognize his own faults. We hear that James became a pretty decent guy, so there's plenty of potential for growth for Aang, especially if he doesn't get his forever girl at age twelve.

Aang has a big heart and stringent morals, but is still a bit of a trickster. Not in a malicious way, but in a “I have a zest for life way” that gives him a little bit of an edge beyond just being a sunshine boy. You can see this even in ep 1, when he sacrifices himself so that the village would be left alone, only to haul ass out of the Fire Nation ship as soon as they’re safe. You can also see it in The Great Divide, where he straight up just fabricates history lmao. Lying is not an issue for him at all, which indicates it’s not really part of his moral code.

On the other hand, he obviously feels very strongly about taking life, which indicates a black and white approach towards morality that is not uncommon in kids. I could see an older, more mature Aang being led to question his own approach to morality, particularly by someone like Zuko, who probably finds violence a lot more palatable than lying. I think there are very interesting cultural differences that can be explored here, which doesn’t necessarily mean that Aang will change his opinions, only that he’ll have greater respect for how other cultures see right and wrong, and that he can keep Air Nomad culture alive without taking on the burden of being the manifestation of that culture. He has the innate impulse to try to see the best in people, which is at odds with his black and white morals sometimes. Related to that, he really struggles with morally grey characteristics in his friends. I think that if he had a fleshed out opportunity to properly disagree with his friends, he may not necessarily change his own mind, but he might grow to value his friends' freedom of choice over imposing his own values on them, since one of the cornerstones of Air Nomad philosophy is apparently about freedom. I think his pacifist voice is an important contribution to their ragtag group of overpowered pre-teens and teens and I love it when that aspect is explored in fics.

I've seen some really good depictions of Aang-not-obsessed-with-Katara in fanfiction (Southern Lights has my favourite one; in fact it's my fave characterization of basically everyone except for Mai). I see most of his flaws as things he can grow out of, but only if he encounters difficult situations and learns to grow. Have fun with your fic, and please do share in any relevant tags once you start posting!