#is one of the proudest of Iroh's life

[muffinlance]

Does zuko have any hobbies where he makes stuff with his hands? Like embroidery/knitting/crochetting?

I think it would help with his fire-lord-y stress ❤️

AU where Zuko angrily stress-knits

And everyone on his crew shows up at the South Pole with the ugliest scrap-yarn scarfs worn over their armor

And their prince, red in the face, marching one step ahead of them so he can ignore them

[zuko-always-lies]

OK? You kind of acknowledged I was right on this point, as far as I can tell? That Ozai reaction's to finding out the Avatar wasn't dead wasn't to instantly go into "murder son" mode? Even threatening Zuko with it here is transparently an effort to control Zuko through fear, because that's how Ozai rules. Honestly I don't think Ozai actually decides he wants to kill Zuko into way, way later in the confrontation, but of course we can't know the precise moment. I will say I think everyone kind of misunderstands why Zuko got exiled in the context of Fire Nation culture...it wasn't really for speaking out of turn, it was for refusing to fight to back up his words when challenged.

Again, I think we mostly agree here. To some degree I think Zuko clings to his status as response to the abuse he faced. The only thing I'd say is that I think being a prince and being crown prince would still be absolutely central to Zuko's identity, even if he wasn't abused at all, due to Zuko being raised as royalty and due to his personality.

Nothing Zuko ever does is coldly rational. Every decision he makes, for good or ill, is highly tinged with emotions. In part, that makes people more sympathetic to him, but doing bad things because he is, say, in the middle of a tantrum doesn't make him any better of a person than if he did bad things because he was coldly calculating what would be most advantageous to him.

I don't think Ozai would be anyways as suspicion as you think. Fundamentally, early Book 3 Ozai has bought into the notion that Zuko is now someone worthy of pride. In any case, it merely a suggestion that there were other choices Zuko could make rather than try to murder someone who had saved his life multiple times.

Kind of as an aside, "killing the Avatar" was not the only reason Ozai accepted Zuko back:

Ozai: I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. I am proud because you and your sister conquered Ba Sing Se. I am proud because when your loyalty was tested by your treacherous uncle, you did the right thing and captured the traitor. And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment: you slayed the Avatar.

Azula also told Ozai that Zuko was integral to capturing Ba Sing Se and that Zuko captured Iroh. Those are half-truths, at best, but they served Azula's purpose of getting Zuko back in favor and making sure Ozai doesn't regard Zuko as a traitor.

Moving beyond that, I don't think you fundamentally understand what Azula wanted out of her relationship with Zuko at this point nor what her objectives are, but this is really not the ideal thread to discuss those topics.

Also:

She orders the violent occupation of Ba Sing Se. She weaponizes the Dai Li to suppress an entire city.

Those are not war crimes. I really hate doing war crime discussions of fictional works for a variety of reasons, but those acts specifically are not war crimes under any possible definition of the matter. There is no system of military ethics in which "occupying the enemy capital city during a war" is a criminal act. I do not think any sort of production discussion of this sort of matter is possible unless you gain a much better understanding of what "war crimes" are, conceptually. Which is fine, because no one in ATLA acts according to modern treaties on war crimes anyways.

Just thinking about how Zuko hired an assassin to kill the person who had saved Zuko's life, twice, just because Aang being dead was convenient to Zuko. I don't mean to hate on Zuko here, but if Azula had done it, people would talk endlessly about how it "proved" that she was a psychopath.

[southslates]

V :)

Thanks! Here's the beginning of a no-war AU :)

/

The first time Zuko and Katara get married, they’re seven and nine— Azula wants to preside over the wedding, and she and Sokka fight about which traditions their siblings should unite. Azula wants them to tie their wrists together with the red string of fate; Sokka wants them to drink arctic wine.

The four of them all end up conceding on certain points. Katara wears a betrothal necklace fashioned of icy ferns rather than the comb Azula had stolen from her mother. Zuko wears Fire Nation armor, but Sokka pulls a wolfskin robe over him. They tie their fists together using colorless twine, and they both choke down the watered down wine. Katara ends up spitting most of it out— Zuko, in order to maintain his dignity, gasps down the souls of the spirits, coughing violently at Sokka afterwards.

It’s Kya who finds all of them together, in the pantry, trying to put together an awkward feast out of assorted items in the ice cooler. Katara is the only one of the children who can cook, and her mother discovers her and Zuko learning over each other in the cold, attempting to fry fish on the firebender’s warm hands. Zuko has the burn mark of that night on his palm for the rest of his life. It is the scar he is proudest to display.

The children of the Fire Nation and the Southern Water Tribe spend assorted times together, throughout their foundling years. While Prince Iroh and Prince Lu Ten prepare to rule the Fire Nation, Ozai and his children are sent on ambassador’s journeys. It grates at Ozai, but he does what the Fire Lord says. His family of four sails the sees across the continents, and his children learn about the cultures of the world and their nation.

Katara and Sokka don’t have that experience— Sokka is almost certainly next in line in the Southern Water Tribe’s hereditary chiefdom, and though Katara is years younger, she follows him. Hakoda and Kya work together to keep the tribe intact and trade. Kya and Ursa become friends by letter, by diplomatic procedure, and when their children first meet they also befriend each other.

There is a certain pressure on their shoulders— the fate they have been handed, the next generation of the world’s peace— and therefore Zuko and Azula and Sokka and Katara understand each other best of all, more than the children they go to school with or meet in the halls.

Azula is the first of them to bend as a child. Katara and Zuko start soon after, to Katara’s surprise and Zuko’s relief. The two fire siblings start training together, and Sokka prays to the moon and ocean spirits in secret, asking to be able to manipulate the elements. It doesn’t work, and he feels alone sometimes. But then Katara hugs him, and it’s alright.

The four of them are always alright. They’re alright, together.

The first time Zuko and Katara get married, and their parents find out, witnessing the red stone on Katara’s neck and the twine around Zuko’s wrists, the world is calm. Peaceful. They are children, after all, and children like to play pretend.

Ursa makes note of the spark in Zuko’s eyes after the ceremony, and she holds it close to her heart. Azula and Sokka are teased too, about whether or not they’d perform a ceremony on themselves. They both lift up their noses and sniff at each other, and then look away.

It’s Zuko and Katara, everyone knows, that share that distinct, special bond, something deep and intrinsic. They bend together and share steps— Katara learns the dancing dragon, and she teaches Zuko how to keep his whips of fire together as they fight on the glacier. They meet twice a year while they grow into their own, and they write each other in the times in-between.

Zuko has scars on his fingers from his first wedding with Katara. Those are the only scars he has from her— in the years that follow she learns how to heal, and she fixes him, places every part of him together.

[zukoshotleafjuice]

Do you have any headcanons about gaang grandchildren and if they all lived how each one of them would be to them? We don't see much about them here

okay SO i love the gaang grandkids - and actually we see quite a bit of them in the legend of korra, probably just as much as we see the kids.

canonically, all the gaang members who had kids also have grandkids :)

so, for the headcanons:

- in canon, aang never met his grandchildren. however, canon is fake and these headcanons will assume he lived and they’re all best friends

- aang, ikki and meelo get into the wildest shenanigans. tenzin complains that aang brings out the worst in his kids but aang always insists it’s worth it - besides, tenzin was always too serious

- constant air scooter races. aang lets the kids win every single time and this always results in meelo running around, screeching that he defeated the avatar. tenzin rolls his eyes but doesn’t quite have the heart to burst his bubble

- he encourages jinora’s spiritual and serious side, teaching her the more obscure airbender myths that her hyper younger siblings aren’t as interested in. they meditate together and discuss the spirit world and the things aang has seen in his role as the bridge between the humans and spirits.

- we know literally nothing about rohan since he was a newborn in LOK, but I like the idea that he’s a bit of a dreamy, artistic free spirit. more like jinora than meelo, but even more prone to getting lost, wandering around with his head in the clouds. aang loves rohan’s imagination and creativity, and definitely introduces him to artists in republic city

- katara and jinora get along like a house on fire. they’re very similar people - jinora is an airbender, but as a kid she would watch katara waterbend and secretly practice her movements. katara passes on water tribe traditions to all her grandchildren, but they resonate the most with jinora. she loves listening to the stories and the mythology of the water tribe, learning about tui and la, about the moon spirit who was her grandmother’s friend and who promises to watch over jinora and her siblings as long as they live

- ikki loves it when katara braids her hair. she wears hair loopies all the time, even though they’ve long been out of style in the water tribes. her grandma likes them, so ikki knows they must be cool. ikki and katara go penguin sledding together every time they’re in the water tribe - it’s ikki’s favourite activity and she’s never quite sure why katara tears up slightly every time they do it. katara also teaches ikki SWT cooking - it’s very meat centric and tenzin isn’t thrilled with his airbending kids eating meat, but katara always reminds him with a glare that those kids are as water tribe as they are air nomad

- zuko has the best relationship ever with his grandson iroh. when he found out that izumi was planning to name her son after uncle iroh, he straight up sobbed

- zuko ends up being a very uncle-iroh like figure to his grandson iroh II. lots of sage advice, tea-making and pai sho sessions. zuko sees a lot of himself in his grandson - they have the same impulsivity, reckless streak, ruthless determination and voice. he recognises that iroh II needs that same guidance and voice of reason to help him channel his intensity, turn it into something productive. it’s too easy for people like them to turn to self-destruction when things don’t go their way, so zuko makes sure that iroh II knows how to develop healthy coping mechanisms so that he never ends up suffering the way zuko did

- zuko’s a little unsure when iroh chooses to go into the military, but he sees how well he takes to that life. he’s the proudest grandpa ever when iroh II gets the title of the youngest general in history

- toph has the most complicated relationship with her grandkids. it’s not strained, but it’s not too close either given that she retired to the forest and became a hermit when they were very young. but we see in korra that opal has only fond memories of her grandmother and clearly loves her a lot.

- toph shows affection brutally. she’s never brutal, exactly, but she can be stern in the best way possible. she always makes sure her grandkids know to never take shit from anybody, to always get back up and never to let anyone talk down to them. she’s insistent that opal, especially, learns this - opal is naturally shy and reserved, and toph is determined that nobody ever takes that as an excuse to talk down to her

- opal’s a little insecure about the fact that her mother and grandmother are such famous earthbenders while she is a non-bender. when toph hears about this, she ruffles opal’s hair and says “don’t be silly, kiddo. my best friend’s a non-bender, and he’s the strongest guy i know”

- she then threatens to end the life of anyone who gives her granddaughter shit for being a non-bender. nobody dares say anything to opal after that

- as toph feels herself growing older, she starts returning to zaofu and republic city more often. she spends more time with her grandkids, becoming their go-to advice person and resident eccentric old lady.

- bonus: i love the concept of bumi having an airbender daughter before he develops airbending himself. it would create a really interesting family dynamic since the child would have to spend a lot of time on air temple island with tenzin. also it would help bumi feel more connected to his airbender roots. this is the most out there headcanon but it’s my emotional support headcanon and i love it. it actually has nothing to do with your ask but i felt the need to share anyway

[gloves94]

Sunburn [Prince Zuko] 4

Warnings: None   Rating: PG-13   Pairings: Zuko/OC   Summary:  “You have everything you’ve ever wanted.” “No.” He said softly. “Not everything…”  His golden eyes looked at her with a melting intensity she had never witnessed before. “I guess not.” She responded with glassy eyes as tears welled up threatening to break the dam of her eyes.

My fanfiction: M A S T E R L I S T

'Dear Mom and Dad,' Her letter began.

'I truly wish there had been a moment to say goodbye, but alas, it is not a goodbye, but a see you later. I was persuaded by the spirit of adventure to embark on this journey with General Iroh and Prince Zuko. I promise you I will be home before you know it. I'll even send gifts home!

I hope you do not miss me as much as I do. What I meant to say is, I miss you already, terribly. Be strong.

Sending my love,

Your daughter Tsai.'

The girl sighed as she lowered her ink brush and sighed waiting for the scroll to dry. Little did she know that her mother would faint upon reading her message. Her father would have to lay down and have some wine brought to his chambers, and Mecha would be the proudest brother in the Fire Nation.

Xxx

Iroh had been delighted at Tsai's change of heart. He had embraced her like the daughter he never had and welcomed her aboard the ship with more than open arms. The entire cabin and crew had been instructed that she was here as an honored royal guest and because of that should be esteemed and treated as such. Prince Zuko on the other hand fumed at the sight of a woman on his ship- not only a woman, but this one in particular. He didn't know what it was about her that irritated him so much. He didn't know if it was her hair color, or the fact that she was now burdening him with her presence. As far as he knew she wasn't even a bender. She would only get in the way. But what bothered him the most-

He glared at his Uncle from across the deck of the ship. He had never looked happier on board. He sat on a small table with the girl. Both of them sipping tea and enjoying a heated game of Pai Sho. The prince seethed. He had watched his uncle play that stupid game hundreds of times and judging from the looks this one was probably the funniest most hilarious game he had ever played. He gritted his teeth.

"You're distracting my Uncle!" Zuko growled as he approached them. Both of his fists were clenched at his sides as he glowered at the girl. "Uncle, come watch me train!" He demanded like the spoiled prince he was.

"You're Uncle doesn't want to watch you practice ballet Zuko," she stuck her tongue out with an irked expression. What was it about her that just got under his skin? "You will address me as Your Highness or by my Royal title! Let me remind you that you are his guest. Not mine."

"If you insist, Your Highness." She said sarcastically. "Prince of being a pain in my ass," she grumbled under her breath. "What did you say?!" He shot back.

"There is a storm coming," Iroh suddenly interrupted inhaling a deep breath of air from the ocean. Tsai still wasn't used to the scent of the ocean surrounding them. It felt strange to be away from home for the first time. Specially one a ship in the middle of the vast ocean.

"A big one."

"You're out of your mind, Uncle," Zuko commented dryly. "The weather is perfect. Not a single cloud in sight," he raised his head looking at the endless blue sky above them. "Storm is approaching from the North," Iroh said firmly as he turned to look at his hard headed nephew. "I suggest we alter out course and head southwest."

"We know the Avatar is traveling northward," the other retorted pointing north. "So we'll do the same."

Tsai didn't know anything about navigation, or about climate conditions for a matter of fact. She had always been more a fan of tea, flora and fauna. Right now, the only thing she knew was that her purpose of being on board was persuade the prince that seeing the citizens of the Earth Kingdom as equals would be pivotal for the future of the Fire Nation empire.

"Such a lovely day," She said gazing at the sunny skies above. "You should listen to your Uncle. I'm sure with his experience as General he knows a thing or two about these types of circumstances," she said sipping her cup wisely not bothering to spare him a glance.

"Stay out of this! The only reason you're even here is for entertainment purposes," he spat harshly ignoring the unamused expression on her face. "What does it say about you when your Uncle would rather spend his afternoon with a perfect stranger than with his own nephew!" She challenged rising to her feet. "Please!" Iroh said loudly making both hot-headed teenagers turn to him.

'Perhaps this had not been the best of ideas...'

"Price Zuko, consider the safety of the crew, of our royal guest," he signaled to the red-head standing next to him. "The safety of the crew doesn't matter!" He snapped angrily. "Neither does hers. She should've known what she was getting into before deciding to stowaway on my ship!"

'Why you-' She wanted to strangle him. Just as Zuko said that a Lieutenant walked on the deck and raised an eyebrow at the prince with a frown on his features.

Zuko's expression hardened. "Finding the Avatar is more important than any individual's safety," he said before stalking off and slamming the door to the command tower behind him.

"He doesn't mean that," Iroh stated in an attempt to soothe the anger of Tsai and every other crew member that had heard him. She shook her head at Iroh's attempt to once again redeem his nephew. His words had not just been mean, they had been cruel. Tsai figured that maybe he really was just as cruel as she had heard his father.

Sometime later the ship's crew was gathered at the deck as they together observed a massive dark cloud that loomed over the horizon and was rapidly approaching. It was then that Zuko returned, the girl could sense the anger almost radiating off him.

"Huh, what do you know," she commented innocently. "Looks like Uncle Iroh was right about the storm after all," she crossed her arms over her chest and taunted the banished prince with a smirk on her face. "Lucky guess," Iroh responded in a pleasant tone.

"Listen here you colonial pest!" Zuko barked as he marked towards the girl. Her eyes shot wide at the insult. "You'd better learn some respect if you're going to be aboard my ship!" She looked at him smugly. Not breaking eye contact she rose to her feet and stood as tall as possible, she raised her neck as tall as possible in her best attempt to appear intimidating. "Oh, yeah?"

"Or I'll teach it you," he threatened before jabbing her chest hard. Her eyes were angry but the sneer on her lips was almost one of humor. Instinctively she reached for her arm ready to-

"You can't go around talking to your girlfriend like that!" One of the crew members shouted. "That's fucked up," one murmured under his breath.

"She's not my girlfriend!" "He wishes!"

Both retorted bitterly at the same time.

Iroh sighed and rubbed his temples. Nobody seemed to be noticing the way he was making silencing motions with his hands.

"What do you know about respect?" The Lieutenant demanded harshly. "The way you talk to everyone around, from your hard-working crew to your girlfriend and your esteemed uncle. It shows you know nothing about respect!"

"I'm not his-" She sighed and shook her head. "Never mind," she mumbled defeated.

This argument was pointless. It was obvious that Zuko didn't care about anybody but himself. Then again, what else was to be expected from a spoiled bratty prince. Beyond annoyed, Tsai decided to find something to do in the ship. She spent some time in the Commander's towers simply looking around. There were many maps and other important documents and placements on the walls which were pinned with Avatar sightings as well as his hot trail on a map of the world.

'Wow..', she let out a low whistle. It seemed like the prince had been searching for a while. He really was obsessed. She couldn't help but wonder just what they would do with the Avatar once they captured him. If they made off with him, he would just be reborn into his next life cycle. So would they just keep him around? Weaponize him for the benefit of the fire nation? It was a smart plan.

Some of the crew returned after a moment and growing bored she made a pit stop in the kitchen. The kitchen was unbearably hot and crowded which made her feel claustrophobic. She had never been allowed in the royal palace's back in You Dao. She took her time to find a snack and found some cherries to snack on. She stopped for a moment to listen to the booming thunder which signaled the arrival of the storm. Taking a bowl full of cherries she made her way back to her room, and figured she would attempting to read away the coming storm or maybe even nap.

She opened the door to her room mindlessly.

Her room was dimly lit with candles and in the center sat the prince in a meditating pose. Having been disturbed he snapped his eyes opened and scowled at her.

"What is your problem?!" She shouted angrily throwing the cherries at him.

She hated it when people were in her room, specially men. This was a complete invasion of privacy! What was so hard about just staying out? She knew she had this problem back at home with Mecha, but with him?

The fire behind him grew until it licked the ceiling.

"Come for your lesson, have you?" He rose to his feel, stomping on a discarded cherry as he approached her. Regardless, standing tall with her back erect Tsai stood her ground. She looked at his illuminated palm in which flames of fire only grew hotter. Her hand twitched slightly, ready to attack if provoked. He came close, very, close, much to close for comfort and stood inches away from her. The only sound in the room was the slight shaking of the ship and the angry rapping of the storm outside. It was then that he raised his hand and she involuntarily flinched away losing her proud ground, giving a step back her body meeting the metal wall behind. She expected to see a smug expression on his face, but instead there was hurting in his eyes. The bowl with fruit slipped from her fingers and crashed against the floor shattering.

"W-Were you going to hurt me?" She asked in a small voice.

He looked at her, like really looked at her. She had attempted to stand up to him, yet he could see the fear in her eyes. He felt horrible. He had just been meditating about that fateful day- the days before he was branded as the "Banished Prince", before his monstrous father had done the unthinkable to him and to think he was capable of such cruelty. His blood ran cold at the realization that the apple did not fall far from the tree.

He was silent. The flames in the room dyed as he lowered his head with shame and stepped away from her.

"Were you?" She repeated louder, her voice harsher.

"No," he responded quietly taking a seat on her bed. He sat in the dim darkness and lowered his head. Tsai had a feeling that Zuko wasn't the kind of person to apologize, yet he looked disturbed, his shoulder's bearing a loaded weight of regret.

Cautiously, as if dealing with an injured animal she moved in careful steps towards him. Stepping on some of the fruits that were in the ground, careful not to directly step on any shards from the broken bowl.

"Hey," She said in a soft tone as she sat next to him. He still hadn't looked up, yet could feel her weight sinking the mattress next to him. "Are-Are you O.K?" She placed a careful hand on his shoulder just like she would've done with her brother. He stiffened at the gesture. Taking note that she should avoid all physical contact with him she retreated. He remained mute. Feeling the air growing heavy with awkwardness around them she decided to be the one to break the ice.

"You know- I know you're going to find him," she began. "Nobody had even seen the Avatar in the past one hundred years until you came along. That's got to count for something right? Although I do think you might need some serious counseling aid with your obsession. Your rage too. And the way you treat others, specially your Uncle."

"You don't understand," he muttered sharply under his breath. "My honor depends on it," he finally turned to face her, a hard look on his eyes.

"A virtuous man is content with himself without doubt or lacking of self: be it honor, courage or strength." She said wisely.

"You sound like Uncle," He scoffed lightly. "I sound like my grandfather," she exhaled a long breath before laying back on the mattress. "Now, I'd really appreciate it if you could leave my room."

"Your room? This is mine."

Confused she slowly sat up. The room had been so dark she hadn't even seen the massive Fire Nation banner on the wall, or the dual twin swords hung on the other wall. "Oh," was all she could manage. She looked at the mess she had made, the smashed fruits on the floor, the broken bowl. She felt a little smaller having been consumed by her embarrassment at the realization that she had been the one intruding.

"I'll be on my way then," she peeped.

They both stood up and the loud sound of thunder suddenly resounded as the ship was struck. A sudden wave violently rocked the ship violently. The fire in the room died. What if the ship flipped?

"Holy catgators! We're going to die!" She panicked not realizing she had reached for his arm despite her mental note of not touching the prince. "I'm going to see what happened," he said walking away, shrugging her grip off. "Stay here," he ordered. "No way! I don't want to drown!"

Both rushed to the deck where the rest of the crew as well was Iroh stood. "Where were we hit?" The prince demanded. The ship rocked dangerously and water seemed to be coming from everywhere. Tsai kept her hands raised above her eyes to keep her sight clear from the prickling rain.

"I don't know!" The Lieutenant cried out as he attempted to keep his balance. "Look!" Tsai suddenly pointed out at the sight of dark cloud of smoke rising from the top of the command tower. "The helmsman!" Zuko shouted when he realized the man was hanging precariously by one hand from the ruined observation deck. Without any hesitation Zuko rushed towards the service ladder and began rapidly climbing, his Lieutenant tailing behind him. It was then that the helmsman dropped. Tsai brought a horrified hand to her face her mouth gaping as the man fell to his death. It was then that somehow Zuko managed to catch the man's wrist mid air saving the man's life.

"Tsai! Watch out!" The girl was pushed to the deck's ground before she could react. She turned to see Iroh standing where she had been and a bolt of lightning struck him. Her eyes widened as it hit him and redirected it to the ocean. His shoulders, hair and hands smoking. She starred in shock having never seen anything like it. "I am....fine," he practically squeaked. The ship was once again rocked violently.

The lieutenant and helmsman were not on deck. Tsai approached Iroh and helped him regain his composure.

"The Avatar!" Zuko suddenly shouted in surprise.

Tsai turned to see the most unbelievable things. A flying bison soaring through the storm. "B-But I thought all flying bisons were extinct." She said more to herself.

"What do you want to do, sir?" The Lieutenant asked with his back straight as he awaited for the prince's command. He hesitated for a moment. "Let him go. We need to get this ship to safety." "Then we must head directly into the eye of the storm," Iroh stated sagely.

Sometime later light shyly peeked in through gaps in the clouds as they reached the eye of the hurricane.

"So what did you think of your first day abroad Tsai?" Iroh asked as they both stood by the decks' railing gazing off into the now peaceful ocean. Light drizzling drain continued to pepper their at their skin. "It's certainly more exciting than anything that's happening back home," she grinned. Today had been scary, it had been a emotional rollercoaster, yet she was happy to be here. To have struggled through the day. Her mind had been taken off her grandfather's passing and she couldn't help but wonder what chaotic anecdote they would encounter tomorrow.

"I still can't believe you redirected that thunderbolt! And then we saw a flying bison! I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!" "Patience my dear, patience," Iroh laughed whole heartedly. "We should focus on what we are having for dinner tonight. All of this commotion has made me realized how hungry I am."

Zuko once again found himself glaring at his Uncle Iroh and the girl.

"Uncle," he interrupted. Approaching the two of them quietly. Both turned to look at him. "I'm sorry," he genuinely apologized and slightly bowed his head. Iroh smiled faintly and placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, "Your apology is accepted," he smiled. "Now I'm going to go get tonight's tea ready," he smiled at the two teenagers before leaving.

Zuko didn't leave, instead his gaze shifted to the calm ocean before him. She drank up his presence.

Perhaps Iroh was right and his nephew did possess some redeeming qualities. She hadn't even realized she had been genuinely smiling at him.

"What are you looking so smug about," He barked avoiding her gaze. Tsai wouldn't have bet on it but she could've sworn she noted the slightest of blushes dust his face.

Maybe, just maybe he wasn't all that bad.

xxx

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CHAPTER MASTERLIST

[kuviras-eyeliner]

Hey! I just found you and love your blog 💞 I was wondering if I could maybe get a matchup for ATLA and LOK? 🥺👉👈 I’m a scrawny little five-foot-nothing bi girl (I’m pretty feminine and more attracted to masculine types, regardless of gender) and I love hiking and being outside in general! I’m an INFP personality type, a Hufflepuff, and I’m a STEM major in school. I’m a coffee addict, I love fall, and I have an unhealthy obsession with buying holiday themed blankets and socks lol. I have a pretty even temper and I’m more likely to stand up for someone else than myself if another person is being mean, but I don’t really like confrontation. Bc of that, I end up being the person in the friend group that everyone else feels the need to protect, even tho I am 100% capable of handling myself! I’ve also been voted as best hugger of my friend group, which is my proudest achievement in life 😌 wow ok this got rly long I’m so sorry! Also my ATLA/LOK side blog is @jasmine-iroh but I can’t send an ask from there, I’d love to be your friend tho!! Your writing is so good and I love your positive vibes 💞

Ahhh sweetie I’m so sorry this took so long!! I’ll make sure that this is extra detailed to make up for the wait, I’m so so sorry!! 🥺🥺🥺 You seem like such a lovable and sweet person, and literally want to give you the biggest hug in the entire world, because even though I’ve only read one snippet of who you are you just seem so cute ajajajjajajaa

I match this lovely human marshmallow with...

Toph!

⁽ᵇᵘᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ʰᵒʷ ᶜᵘᵗᵉ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᵍⁱᶠ ⁱˢ ᵃˢᵈᶠᵍʰʲᵏˡ🥺⁾

When I saw that you sent this, I literally squealed because OH MY GOSH, you and Toph would be such a good duo that I literally can’t with myself-- you sound like such a caring, gentle, yet underestimated person (but wanna say for the record that I can tell you have a lot more potential than what people see!). I can tell that even though you might not be very book smart, you’re more street smart and you know a lot about life and what’s in store for you. You know so many life lessons and apply it to your life and take it to heart, then spread it to others. So, with Toph! We all know that Toph is one of the most aggressive yet absolute butt-kicking queen out there. She might be seen as this invincible, strong, powerful rock, but I think you’d be the first person to realize that Toph is human as well and that she can’t stay strong forever. Even though Toph isn’t big on physical contact/bonding, with your hugs, she might say she doesn’t like them, but of course, she really does. Toph also loves to show you just how much she really cares about you but through a lot of side-punches. She makes sure to be more gentle around you and tries to control her temper when she knows you’re there. Toph knows more than enough that you can protect yourself, because she usually doesn’t look past just how much potential someone can have. Toph might not be open about many things, but with you, she’ll let herself smile every now and then out of just how beautiful you are. On your worst days, even though Toph isn’t big on hugs and physical comfort, she might make an exception for you and hug you first. She’ll be really verbal about how you feel, and Toph does anything in her will (even though it might be awkward at times) to make you feel better. She’s also there to be with you, right beside you, even though she might not say it out loud. Toph makes sure that you feel comfortable around her, and you can always find her (this is a headcanon I made I’m so sorry if it sounds wack as heck but still) trying to cook, but unfortunately, things don’t go as planned. Overall, Toph is just there to stand with you as a best friend, and a lover. You two are inseparable, no matter how far physically you may be away from each other <333

Next up, we have:

Bolin!

I think we can all make it clear that Bo is one of the most precious characters in The Legend of Korra-- so yes, I ship you with Bolin! A lot of people (I KNOW I BRING THIS UP IN EVERY SINGLE MATCHUP, BUT PLEASE BARE WITH ME) overlook just how ripped Bolin actually is?? Like he was in a fricking movie film, and people think he’s not attractive?? No, no, absolutely not, he’s beautiful just the way he is ;U; <3 Bolin loves you to pieces!! He really likes how much you value your time with people, and how you’re a firm believer in giving people second chances. Bolin also makes sure that in moments you feel down, that he’ll literally give you the biggest and softest hugs ever, and he’ll pull you aside and cry with you. When you cry, he cries-- when you’re happy, he’s happy. When you laugh, he laughs: the only thing he wants is for you to be okay with yourself and then those around you. He loves getting hugs from you, and he’ll never look over how much potential you have! Bolin loves you to the point where playing Pai Sho with him every night has almost become a religion, and that he assures you nothing bad can happen in your life. He’ll laugh randomly whenever you do something that’s iconic, and when you ask, he’ll say, “I’m laughing because I can’t believe I fell in love with someone so perfect,” and he’ll make as much time for you as possible. Bolin makes sure that you feel loved and at peace with him-- -although, yes, he might be a biiit overprotective, Bolin also makes sure that you feel like you’re more than enough around him. In most situations, he’ll let you handle things on your own, but when things get really tough, Bolin makes sure that no one hurts you.

Thank you so so much, @jasmine-iroh!! I appreciate your ask, I had a great time writing this one. Stay safe, luv!! <hugs!>

And requests are always open for anything! I love y’all to pieces <333

<HUGS!!>

(and shoulder pats ;D)

[pepperidgefarmremembers]

I’m late with the Kataang Week prompt. Soz.

Day 5 Heritage/Responsibilities

The sharp bamboo point, held with a steady hand, dipped into the blue ink. Pressing firmly, the bamboo began to glide deeply and continuously on his skin. He imagined pools of cold, running water in a fountain by the temple. He saw his pain floating away in a boat on the sea. He breathed fully and slowly, focused only on his breath. His mind fixated on anything but the pain. Inhale. Exhale. His stomach extended on his exhale much like that of an infant. He knew this was only temporary. He knew what this meant to his race and what it meant to him. At the time, he was the proudest he had ever been in his life. Not only mastering airbending, but being the youngest airbending master ever, caused him to beam with pride. He tightly held onto that feeling as the bamboo needle continued to slowly press into his back.

When the long, excruciating process was over, he noticed the achy, soreness but swiftly cast the thought away. He thought of his ancestors enduring the same process as he had. He felt worthy. In that moment, tears flooded into his eyes from happiness. Now, sitting in his room as a fully realized Avatar, the tears  in his eyes stemmed from anger. Aang was hot with anger about his people being killed, ignored, and forgotten. He thought he could never be as mad as when he had to grow his hair out and cover his tattoos. That was nothing compared to the degradation of his land with factories and pollution. One of the few things he had left in the world from his people and it was ruined. Although the Avatar Yangchen statue and festival eventually was restored, he still felt responsible. That’s why he needed to rebuild as much as he could. He was happy to have the Air Acolytes to assist in the process, but he was most thankful for Katara.

“Sweetie, you know you can just wear your Water Tribe clothing for the ceremony. I don’t mind,” Aang reminded her softly. Katara was wearing traditional Air Nomad robes, a sarong and a sleeved blouse which draped her in orange, brown, and saffron yellow. “I know, but this wedding ceremony is just for us at the Southern Air Temple. I want it to be special, not only for me but for you. I will be a part of your culture and heritage. Rebuilding the Air Nomad way of life is my responsibility, too,” she countered.

His smile widened at this statement.  He knew she would never understand what it was like but she still wanted to share in his culture anyway. He didn’t think he could love her anymore than he did in the moment. Aang tightly wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist with his head resting on her shoulder. “You don’t know what this means to me. Every time I think about all that was lost, I’m then reminded of all that will be. I love you, Katara,” he whispered in her ear. Katara looked deeply into his eyes. “I love you so much, Aang. I know we can’t change what happened, but I’ll do everything I can to help restore what is gone. I never want you to feel alone in shouldering this responsibility.” Waiting patiently to not interrupt, Yee-Li, the first Air Acolyte, cleared her throat. “Everything is ready to start, Avatar Aang and Master Katara.”

The cheerful couple loosened their grip on each other. Aang and Katara interlaced their fingers as they walked in brimming silence to the altar near the cliff of the Temple. Marigolds, panda lilies, and lotus flowers were sprinkled from the hallway of the Temple to the altar. Even though they had their big wedding reception for Katara’s family, diplomatic officials, and many many friends at the South Pole a week ago, this ceremony was more intimate. A few Air Acolytes, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Suki, Bumi, and Uncle Iroh were present. Since there is no formal wedding traditions for Air Nomads, the ceremony would be short and sweet, much to the relief of Toph and Sokka. In a piercing silence, Aang and Katara looked into each other’s eyes and held their hands in a singular clasp. They were much more relaxed and in Aang’s case, much less sweaty, this time around. With his gaze upon his wife, he began,“Towards my wife, Katara, I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, and to be her equal every day. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you, through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy, whatever may come I will always be there.” Katara tried and failed to hold back tears while repeating the vows whilst looking into his deep, gray eyes. The couple kissed through wet tears and smiles. They took turns lighting sandalwood candles while their audience cheered and clapped. The sea of love on the faces of his friends and family while at an Air Nomad wedding is not something he had ever thought the world would see again. The guests took turns speaking to both of them individually, offering congratulations or advice. Shortly after the conversation was over, Aang abruptly picked up his wife, who emitted a loud shriek, and spun her around off the ground. “Let’s have some cake!”

[scar-and-boomerang]

My Daemons!Verse series master-post as of April 2020

I’ve noticed that Real Life, thanks to being a part of my Zukka Week submissions, have gained quite a lot of traction and as I’ve been planning on getting back to working on the series it’s a part of soon, I figured I’d update and link all of my fics from this series here if you’re up for some mini-binge-reading during social distancing :)

Bit of background for newcomers

The universe borrows the lore and element of daemons from Philip Pullman’s series His Dark Materials, where a person’s soul manifests outside their body as an animal with a name, capable of independent thought, speech, and intelligence. During youth the animal can shape-shift into different forms but as the child grows up it “settles” into a species representative of a part of the human’s character and personality.

The Main Series

This is strictly canon-compliant, it consists of character studies and backstories in relations to their relationship with their daemon, and rewrites of some specific episodes from the series in a way that is enhanced and expanded in the context of daemons (especially to reveal more nuanced layers about a character’s personality or relationship with others in the story) but does not disrupt the main plot arc, which remains intact and fully canonical.

Birds: Word count 10k, chapter count 5, complete. This both serves as a character study of Zuko from his infancy to the early days of his banishment (with an epilogue taking place in the comic sequel The Search) and as an introductory worldbuilding to the whole universe. Featured are Azula, Ozai, Ursa, and Iroh and the introduction of their daemons and the exploration of their characters through the lens of this AU.

Yesterday: Word count 3.7k, chapter count 1, complete. The companion piece to Birds that explores Sokka and his daemon’s childhood in a similar way through snippets, and featuring Katara, Hakoda, and Kya, Gran-Gran, and Bato as the side explorations. 

Ready, Aim, Fire: Word count 15k, chapter count 5, complete. Rewrite of 5 full episodes in the canon series’s first season, altering details to include and build on the element of daemons but in a way that leaves the main plot arc intact. Introduced are the daemons of Suki, the freedom fighters, Yue, and other minor characters. Borrows the lore of Raava from LOK - the shared daemon form of all avatars reincarnate, including Aang, who doesn’t have an external form.

Rise Up: Word count 7.3k/?, chapter count 3/5, in-progress. Written from Toph’s central point of view and as character focus, starts from her childhood in an exploration of coping with blindness in the context of the universe, and exploring her self-acceptance and independence through her relationship with her daemon, then shifts onto canonical rewrites of key Toph-central points throughout the canon series timeline. On-hold since November 2019, but I'm returning to finish it soon.

Upcoming fics I have planned after Rise Up is complete: Nothing Left to Say: Jet-centric character study in the style of Birds and Yesterday. On Top of the World: Canonical re-write of episodes from mid-season 2 through mid-season 3 in the canon series, in the style of Ready, Aim, Fire. Roots: Zuko-centric sequel to Birds, detailing a canon-compliant extension of Zuko’s return to the Fire nation in the first half of season 3. I do have a lot more fully mapped out but this is all I'm going to reveal without getting too far ahead of myself! But I plan on building a full universe and tackling all of the canon material with this new twist so rest assured a lot more is coming.

The Companion Series

This is more non-canon self-indulgent bullshit because I cannot live without writing about my OTP Zuko/Sokka. I took it out of the main series because I wanted that one to remain completely canon-compliant, but I wrote the companion pieces in a way that doesn’t explicitly contradict any events in that either. As a result, these are a lot less action and a lot more detailed scenery construction of character relationships and interactions.

Look How Far We’ve Come: Word count 2.8k, chapter count 1, complete. Exploiting that sweet timeline post-boiling rock and pre-saving the entire world where Zuko and Sokka definitely spent bonding, introducing Zuko to Sokka’s daemon, more worldbuilding, and an elaboration on idea that touching another human’s daemon consensually is an act of great intimacy, and touching them non-consensually is the worst violation you can commit on another person. 

Real Life: Word count 4.9k, chapter count 1, complete (for now). This is more explicitly Zukka, and mirrors the previous pic in a lot of interactions. This is directly post-canon and the main Gaang from the series feature briefly, as well as Mai and Ty Lee, and the resolution of Zuko and Mai’s canon relationship to make way for some unambiguous Zukka goodness. I said “for now” because I technically have another chapter planned as I do a lot of my Zukka Week entries but on my prioritised list of stuff to write it’s pretty low down at the moment.

Well here it is guys, the whole universe as of now and possibly my proudest creation so far! I do have lots of ideas on where to take it next and I know I've taken a break but I'm coming back to it very soon. I hope this has cleared up the order for some of you who’s read a couple of these fics, and intrigued those of you who haven’t already. If you decide to check it out, I guess my main requests would be to start with Birds, and leave some comments either here or on Ao3 to let me know how you find them!

[lessattitudemorealtitude]

I was tagged by @rebelsfromstars in a resurrection of a meme from LJ circa 2007. Thanks for the tag :)

Writer’s Meme: Sometimes it’s ok to pimp yourself out. Post a list of your top five(-ish) favorite fics you’ve written, regardless of fandom or the reason you love them. This isn’t about the BEST things you’ve written, but what you LOVE most. Then tag five other people to do the same: @theangeloffate, @roguelibrarian , @herasyndlla , @prepare4trouble , @bedlamsbard

I’m going to keep this to the rebel fandom since there’s really only one story outside it that I’m really proud of but don’t really want to pimp it here since it’s technically not finished... I only have 7 stories in Rebels but what the heck.

5) The Undeserving 

So this is my big piece in the Rebels fandom. Currently 24 chapters, will probably be close to 40 by the time it’s done. I can’t wait to start posting again. This story is so fun to write. I love writing about abused and hurt people, but only because I love the comfort that comes afterward by father/big-brother figures. 

This fic surprised me as I wrote it. I was planning on just focusing on Ezra’s recovery and development, but it also very much became about Kanan’s. And I’m incredibly proud of how I’ve written Kanan. I wasn’t sure how I would do writing a parental type. He is really difficult for me to write, but it’s been soooo satisfying. Especially since it has made me more... introspective of my own problems. 

4) These Bonds We Make

This was just incredibly fun to write. These scenes throughout season 1 were already headcanons in my head, so the gift exchange was just an excuse to put them on paper. The scene from Gathering Forces is probably my favorite. Just a sweet scene of Kanan helping Ezra, with just a bit of Kanan’s past with Depa dropped it. In my head, it conjured a really beautiful scene that really shows their relationship starting to develop.

3) It’s Over

This is just a small drabble, but it was my estimation of what might happen before the finale aired. As I said there, it was inspired by Iroh from Avatar The Last Airbender. It was cathartic for me to write. Like, telling myself that Kanan would always be honored and remembered by his family. By his son. 

2) Part 1 of Always Here 

I don’t like part 2. I wrote it because I felt like there should be a companion part to the first chapter. I shouldn’t have forced myself to write something just because I felt like it should have been a thing.

Part 1 on the other hand... I wrote it randomly one day. Just hit by some inspiration. I was surprised by the result because Hera is so hard for me to write. But I also felt that this scene was so needed. How was Hera doing in the months following Malachor? She didn’t just drop out of Ezra’s life like Kanan did so... what were her interactions with Ezra like? How did she try to help? How did it go?

I felt that my interpretation was realistic. The ending is pretty bitter because of the nature of it, but it still felt like a really solid oneshot. 

1) Silence Reigns

Honestly, this is my proudest piece of Rebels work. By far. Oneshot written a few weeks before Jedi Night aired. I was randomly listening to star wars music, pretty tipsy, when the music switched over to some sad instrumental stuff. I got inspired. While I desperately wanted Kanan to live, I knew at this point that there was more than an 75% chance of him dying. And dying in the next episode. 

So I guess I preemptively started coping with it by writing this. How would Hera and Ezra deal with his death, no matter how it happened?

This piece was probably the most atmospheric piece I’ve written, in a style different than what I usually use. I have no idea where the style came from or how to describe it. But I really like it... and don’t think I’ll ever be able to reproduce it. 

Something specific I was proud of, which I didn’t realize until I had written my first draft, is that I never use Kanan’s name. Not once. I didn’t need to. And it was vaguely symbolic. Kanan was gone. Even his name. All that was left was the absence, and that’s what was painful. It’s probably the most emotional and successfully empathetic piece I’ve ever written. 

[catflowerqueen]

#Zuko: STOP WEARING THOSE I KNIT SO MUCH BETTER NOW

#The Crew: *passive-aggressively wearing the lumpiest items in their collection on their prince's brattiest days*

#Uncle: *keeps trying to get his hands on something anything but no one will give theirs up*

#(none of those were good enough for Uncle Zuko must keep trying)

#the day in the Fire Nation palace when Fire Lord Zuko finally wraps a scarf around Iroh's neck

#with all its hand-made imperfections

#is one of the proudest of Iroh's life

Does zuko have any hobbies where he makes stuff with his hands? Like embroidery/knitting/crochetting?

I think it would help with his fire-lord-y stress ❤️

AU where Zuko angrily stress-knits

And everyone on his crew shows up at the South Pole with the ugliest scrap-yarn scarfs worn over their armor

And their prince, red in the face, marching one step ahead of them so he can ignore them

[mckinlily]

Zuko: STOP WEARING THOSE I KNIT SO MUCH BETTER NOW#The Crew: *passive-aggressively wearing the lumpiest items in their collection on their prince's brattiest days*#Uncle: *keeps trying to get his hands on something anything but no one will give theirs up*#(none of those were good enough for Uncle Zuko must keep trying)#the day in the Fire Nation palace when Fire Lord Zuko finally wraps a scarf around Iroh's neck#with all its hand-made imperfections#is one of the proudest of Iroh's life#avatar the last airbender#atla#Zuko#Uncle Iroh#iroh

tags by @muffinlance

Does zuko have any hobbies where he makes stuff with his hands? Like embroidery/knitting/crochetting?

I think it would help with his fire-lord-y stress ❤️

AU where Zuko angrily stress-knits

And everyone on his crew shows up at the South Pole with the ugliest scrap-yarn scarfs worn over their armor

And their prince, red in the face, marching one step ahead of them so he can ignore them

[esmeralda-anistasia]

#Zuko: STOP WEARING THOSE I KNIT SO MUCH BETTER NOW#The Crew: *passive-aggressively wearing the lumpiest items in their collection on their prince's brattiest days*#Uncle: *keeps trying to get his hands on something anything but no one will give theirs up*#(none of those were good enough for Uncle Zuko must keep trying)#the day in the Fire Nation palace when Fire Lord Zuko finally wraps a scarf around Iroh's neck#with all its hand-made imperfections#is one of the proudest of Iroh's life

Does zuko have any hobbies where he makes stuff with his hands? Like embroidery/knitting/crochetting?

I think it would help with his fire-lord-y stress ❤️

AU where Zuko angrily stress-knits

And everyone on his crew shows up at the South Pole with the ugliest scrap-yarn scarfs worn over their armor

And their prince, red in the face, marching one step ahead of them so he can ignore them

[bayofalgecirascranes]

#Zuko: STOP WEARING THOSE I KNIT SO MUCH BETTER NOW#The Crew: *passive-aggressively wearing the lumpiest items in their collection on their prince's brattiest days*#Uncle: *keeps trying to get his hands on something anything but no one will give theirs up*#(none of those were good enough for Uncle Zuko must keep trying)#the day in the Fire Nation palace when Fire Lord Zuko finally wraps a scarf around Iroh's neck#with all its hand-made imperfections#is one of the proudest of Iroh's life#avatar the last airbender#atla#Zuko#Uncle Iroh#iroh

Does zuko have any hobbies where he makes stuff with his hands? Like embroidery/knitting/crochetting?

I think it would help with his fire-lord-y stress ❤️

AU where Zuko angrily stress-knits

And everyone on his crew shows up at the South Pole with the ugliest scrap-yarn scarfs worn over their armor

And their prince, red in the face, marching one step ahead of them so he can ignore them