#older sister azula au

[waterfire1848]

This is so cute! How does the rest of the gaang like the 1 year old fire lord?

I love love love Older sister Azula AUs

Hello, @mylittleostrichhorse !!!

Thank you!! This is my first older sister Azula AU but I think it's pretty funny and cute!

Anyways, onto your question

Katara - Loves him. Loves him to pieces. If Azula wasn't already his primary caretaker, she would adopt him on the spot. When the Gaang arrives he's only a year old so Katara doesn't view him as any kind of threat or the enemy. To her, and the whole Gaang, he's just a little kid who absolutely can't be Fire Lord yet. But Katara will always take care of him whenever Azula needs to step out.

Toph - She's not all that comfortable with babies, but she does play games with Zuko. Her favorite game is giving him rocks to chew on and making rock sculptures of herself for him (yes, she also makes little versions of the rest of the Gaang and Azula). Azula once catches Toph and Aang shooting Zuko up into the air then lowering him down gently with airbending. Zuko is laughing his head off. Azula is about to commit murder.

Sokka - They have a rivalry. Sokka is around Azula a lot because the two become pretty close friends and work together to rebuild the Fire Nation and Zuko does not like someone taking Azula's attention so he 100% throws stuff at Sokka when Azula isn't looking and sticks his tongue out to provoke him. Of course, Azula never sees so Zuko never gets in trouble. Sokka is 97% certain that Zuko is an evil genius.

Suki - Also loves him. She really just finds him to be the cutest thing in the world and uses her break time to play games with him and help him practice walking. Zuko more so prefers biting on her fans but they're pretty close. Suki also gets him a mini Kyoshi Warrior dress and paints his face. (A couple old councilmen almost have a heart attack seeing the Fire Lord dressed as an Earth Kingdom Avatar).

[blorboazula]

random Azula-centric fic snippets #001

(aka short Azula-centric scenes that get stuck in my head)

Azula's genuinely trying to not be so annoyed by the extroverted, overexcited Airbender.

It's already hard enough that she's on a mission to capture Iroh – not that she cares that much about the old man, the issue comes with how Zuko is also a target. It's already hard enough to keep this little secret, she imagines soldiers around her might think she's insane with how often she does give Aang attention.

Look, it's his fault for being a twelve year-old, what she's supposed to do? Ignore the kid?

The dead kid, the kid only she can see because apparently that's on the Avatar's power set.

Nice, great, she sees dead kids.

And an annoying dead kid that pointed out the fact that she also does have "zu" in her name. Thank you, Aang, I never noticed the letters in my own name. She could firebend at him, if he wasn't a blue-ish spirit who has been trying to annoy her into a better person.

Yeah, sure, that's working.

(It is, she's pretty sure.)

It's Zuzu here, Zuzu there, Zuzu all the time, like she doesn't have at least another three different nicknames Aang could use. Or two. He's too annoying for her to allow the old nickname Zuko used to call her (when her name was way too long and complicated for him to say).

Aang does have too much "annoying little brother energy" and Azula isn't a fan of how there's a vacant spot in her life for him.

[therealmofamorus]

Alpha male au

Prompt

Slavery AU: Slave Catcher AU

For her actions in the 100 year war Azula is sentenced to be a slave. Some time go by and she escapes captivity. Later while she’s on the run she gets captured by Zuko. She doesn’t want to go back so she tells her brother that she’ll do anything to be free.

Aggressive 2-koma

"You have no idea how long I been dreaming of this moment since the Fire Sages sentences you to be my slave Lala."

Azula gulped as she look at the looming figure of her older brotehr who had a dark and evil smile on his face as he managed to cornered after she managed to escape from her binding and was trying to hide from her aggressive and dominating older brother who took the oppourinity to partake his dark lust and aggression onto her for her many years of abuse upon him

"Zuzu...Please have mercy on me for Agni sake," Azula pleaded in a strong desperate voice. "I do anything you want with me. Just let me go and you'll never see or heard of me ever again...."

Zuko looked at his sister who was on her knees looking at him with a pitiful look on her defiant mask of confidence...and he chuckles in a dastardly dark and sadistic manner.

--X-xx-X--

PWALP~! PWALP~! PWALP~! PWALP~! PWALP~! PWALP~!

"OH FUCKING AGNI SOUL!" Azula yelled as she was underneath the lean but bulky and brawny body of her big-dicked brother who was overhwlmed with the raw agression and anger as he thrust in and out of her deflowed, raw cunt. "IT FUCKING HURT!"

"Good." Zuko smiled a sadistic smile as he bitch-slapped his sister before he aggressively and forcefully kiss her lips, stealing her first kiss and increased the roughness and smashing of her womb with his burly cock that break and reshape her cunt.

[mozart-the-meerkitten]

Hmmm it's been a while since I posted one of my weird crossover ideas on tumblr. Let's fix that.

For the past few days I've been enjoying daydreaming about a Avatar the Last Airbender/Wingfeather Saga crossover. But it's. probably not what you would expect, haha. I'll probably never write it as more than ideas though, so I may was well post the concept here.

So this takes place in the Wingfeather world of Aerwiar, several years before the Fall of Anniera that jumpstarts the war/plot happening in the book series. One day, Artham Wingfeather is in one of Anniera's port towns and is called over by a concerned citizen, who leads him to a crowd watching a rowboat slowly drift to shore. The rowboat contains two small children, who Artham brings ashore and takes back to Castle Rysen.

The small children in question are Zuko (age 4) and Azula (age 2). In this version of events, the Fire Nation royal family is a bit darker than in canon and, after Ozai flies into a rage and burns Zuko (yes he still has his scar I know I'm mean, but there's a POINT I swear) Ursa decides she needs to get her kids the heck out of the Fire Nation. But Ozai is suspicious and possessive of her in general and has her under guard so she can't escape the palace, so she entrusts her kiddos to a few trusted servants, who pack them up in a rowboat with food and water and send them off, hoping they'll make it to a coastal village and be taken in by a kindly family.

Most of this is explained/implied in a note that Ursa sent along with the kids, that Artham reads and passes on to Esben (and Nia and Arundelle). They are properly horrified.

However, what no one realizes is that these kiddos have come through a portal between the two worlds. So Artham and Esben ASSUME that SOMEWHERE these kid's mom is being held captive by their cruel father and so they send out search parties/reconnaissance teams to try and rescue her, and because any father so cruel as to hurt his son the way Ozai hurt Zuko needs to be stopped. The brothers also wonder if, perhaps, this is somehow connected to the Tragic Accident that befell their parents and aunt Illiya a year before when their ship was lost and they were killed. And they start to wonder if, perhaps, that wasn't an accident, but that they stumbled upon whatever This was and tried to stop it and got in the way. (They don't suspect Bonifer... at first...)

Anyway, Artham finds himself caretaker for these two small children and develops a bond with them, especially Zuko (what, you thought I WASN'T going to use this as an excuse to make a connection between two of my favorite characters of all time?). Arundelle also becomes close with them, and- besides the cooks in the castle- she's the first person Artham tells about the kids. Because I thought it'd be fun to make Arundelle a healer (hey, why shouldn't she be good with healing plants and herbs? heh) and have her be the main person who treats Zuko's burn.

Azula recovers from the trauma of being separated from her mom and home pretty quickly since the new place she's in has kind, caring people, nice food, is still a palace, and she's two. She loves playing with Arundelle and listening to Artham's stories. She's very bright and friendly and talkative. She IS very attached to her brother tho, sleeping in the same bed as him the first few nights in this new place, even defending him/trying to explain his actions the way she's heard adults do. (when Artham finds the siblings they're clinging to each other in their little boat, terrified)

Zuko is more complicated. He's had the physical trauma of being burned paired with the emotional trauma of being hurt and abused by his father (the burning wasn't the first time, just the most severe). He understands a little more of what's going on than his sister. He love, love, loves being held, especially by Artham, because since Azula was born he's not been allowed to act like a "baby" and hasn't gotten much physical affection. He's very shy and has periods of mutism when meeting new people or encountering distressing/unfamiliar situations. Little guy has also had his senses severely rattled by losing both half his vision and half his hearing in one fell swoop. In short, he's a mess. The first time he's alone with Artham he has a panic attack because he thinks Artham will hurt him, but Artham being so kind and understanding and gentle with him helps him unlearn that. Zuko becomes very attached to Artham very quickly and... Artham becomes attached to him pretty fast too.

(Additionally, Zuko is terrified of Bonifer. The only explanation he can give for that is, "He looks at me like father did." which does plant a little seed of suspicion in Artham's mind specifically)

So, long term, this severely messes up Gnag/Bonifer's plans, since suddenly the Annierans are combing the Hollows/The Killridge Mts/even the Doonlands trying to find Zuko and Azula's family. This either forces the baddies to speed up their plans... or derails them altogether. I haven't decided yet, haha. The Annierans do find out something of what Gnag is doing (they don't connect Bonifer to it right away tho) and end up with some preparation for the attack that eventually comes. I think the attack on Anniera is still somewhat successful, but a lot less so than in canon. Like, I don't think the entire populace is captured/scattered and I haven't decided if I want Artham and Esben to still get captured or not. (if they do I have this great mental image of 7-year-old Zuko and 5-year-old Azula trying to rescue them from Throg. Just. just imagine the CHAOS even a pair of BABY firebenders could do in Aerwiar. Imagine.)

Oh yeah, to give you a better idea of WHEN this happens, Nia is pregnant with Janner when Artham finds Zuko and Azula. I just thought it'd be fun for Zuko to have the same age gap with Janner he has with Aang and it makes it close enough for things to come together plot wise.

So yeah, that's my thoughts on how Zuko and Azula could potentially have prevented the Fall of Anniera. xD

Other random things they cause:

Artham adopting them

Artham and Arundelle getting married a few years before Anniera falls after the closeness and bonding that comes from caring for a pair of traumatized children.

Absolute chaos with their firebending (the Annierans chalk this up to the old stories of Annieran/Anyaran kids having special powers to defend their home with and decide not to question it further)

So yeah, there's my late night thoughts on a WFS/ATLA AU. where Artham adopts Zuko and Azula. because why not. I hope it was a fun read. :D

[discordiansamba]

Mai visits him.

It's been a pretty terrible year for Zuko, but he's not sure he's had a good year since, well... since he stopped being alone in his body. He guesses it at least wasn't his worst- the year he spent as a prisoner in his own body as the dragon rampaged, driving away everyone he cared about is pretty high on the list.

But this past year? Going through puberty? It was a terrible time even under ideal circumstances, and his were... very much not that. So when Uncle came to tell him that Mai of all people had arrived at the villa, he felt his heart lighten- until he came crashing back down at reality. He stared at his hands, ugly and clawed, too large compared to the rest of him.

He asks his uncle if it's okay if he talks to Mai without having to see her. Without her having to see him. His uncle frowns at him, but he merely bows his head, and comes back in a few minutes with Mai. He peeks at her through the keyhole, then ducks his head in case she decides to do the same. They talk through the door for awhile, until one of her family's servants comes to take her home. She promises she'll write.

When she's gone, he just feels empty.

Then he feels angry.

He doesn't know what to do with himself, so he goes on a rampage. The dragon goads him on, fueling his anger further. He winds up smashing every reflective surface he can find. It's all Uncle can do to keep the servants out of the way, waiting until he burns himself out. When he finally does, Zuko collapses in the courtyard, sobbing.

Uncle is by his side. He holds him close. He doesn't know how he's never managed to chase him away too.

(He chased his mother away, his father says. It's why he's only ever visited him once. It's why Azula still looks at him as if he's some kind of monster, when she's not masking it with pity.)

He's tired. He's tired of being locked up here. He's tired of having this body. He can't even show his face to the girl he likes, after she came out all this way for him. He's tired of being angry all the time, of breaking things and spitting flame when people get too close. He's tired of the servants being afraid of him. He just wants things to go back to the way they were.

(They can never go back. He can never go back.)

Mai sends him letters like she promised. He tries really hard to write the first reply himself, but even he can't make heads or tails of his handwriting- and he knows what he wrote! Uncle smiles, and offers to write down his words for him. We all have things we are bad at, my nephew!

Azula learns about the letters. She mocks him for it. As if Mai would have any interest in an ugly creature like you, Zuzu. I'm sure her parents will arrange a marriage for her in due time, and she'll forget you ever existed. He growls at her, baring his fangs.

(The one good thing about this wretched state is that he can finally get Azula to shut up sometimes.)

Mai stops seeing Zuko around the palace.

She asks Azula about it. She turns pale and looks away, muttering something about Zuko being 'unwell' and needing to stay behind on Ember Island with mother to recover. No need to worry about him. It's a strange reaction, especially from someone who doesn't often let things slip.

But Mai is a child. There is nothing more she can do than ask questions.

Zuko never returns to the palace, and Azula is made the newly crowned Fire Lord Ozai's heir in his place. She asks Azula a few more times, but she always says he is ill. He lives at their Ember Island villa now, for his health. It's alright. Uncle is staying with him to keep him company.

When Mai is thirteen, she gets fed up of not getting straight answers. For the first time in life, she disobeys her parents and goes to Ember Island by herself. She makes it to the royal family's villa, and is greeted by Iroh. He is surprised to see her, but invites her inside. She asks to see Zuko. Iroh tells her he will fetch him.

One of the servants brings Mai tea while she waits. And waits. She frowns, but just when she's about ready to go look, Iroh returns. He is alone. He apologizes, but his nephew is feeling unwell. He can bring her to his room, but he does not know if Zuko will let her in.

He doesn't, but he also doesn't turn her away completely. He asks her why she's here, and she tells him that everyone at the palace says he's sick. She just wanted to come and see herself. Zuko tells her it's true, and repeats the line about being on Ember Island for his health. He apologizes for not being able to see her face to face.

A servant from Mai's family comes to collect her. She leaves, but not before promising to send him letters.

(She does not see the fit of anger Zuko descends into when she leaves. Iroh can only watch. He had hoped that Mai's visit would lift his spirits, but it would seem it had the opposite effect.

...his nephew still replies to Mai's letters.)

[waiitwotworkshop]

what if modern au where zuko takes care of azula or smth. (High schooler zuko and middle schooler azula) all azula needs is an older sister to put her in her place TRUST. Anyway since ursa didnt wanna mother azula now zuko has to do it :/

[zuko-always-lies]

List of Azula AU/fic ideas

Better parenting Ursa

Azula raises Katara AU (and continued) and more

Azula and Katara get friendly postwar and talk about their brothers.

Mai is significantly older than Azula and Ty Lee AU (Older "sister" Mai)

Jin works at Iroh's teashop but finds out about his past

Zuko tells Azula about the Spirit Water

Ursa and Ozai get along better, and it's not a good thing AU

Imperialist Lu Ten survives the war and tries to regain his throne afterwards

Zuko finds out more about his nation AU

Revolutionary Azula takes over Ba Sing Se AU

Three different AU ideas in one

Favoritism in the royal family is a little different

What if Zuko had a nonbending twin sister (who he doesn't get along with).

Zuko's daughter changes how he sees Azula

Zuko and Ursa try to isolate Azula ("for her own good")

Ozai gets exiled and the Gaang stupidly ally with him

Earth Kingdom ends up with custody of Azula postwar and support her bid for the Fire Nation throne when Zuko starts another war with them.

The Gaang tries to figure out why Zuko joined them.

Dangerous Ladies find Ursa in Book 2

Azula and Toph fake dating

Zuko/"world leaders" try to force Aang to take away Azula's bending and he's very much not OK with it.

Azula is thrown away to the NWT postwar as a trinket and Chief Arnook adopts her.

Comics! Ursa's letter about Zuko being a bastard gets out.

Zuko and Katara lie about what happened during the Agni Kai

An exiled Azula finds Fire Imperialist! Ursa postwar

Aang has to save Azula from being executed by Zuko

Zuko's defection during DoBS goes very badly for Mai

Zuko joins the Gaang at Ba Sing Se, but it ends poorly

Zuko killed Azula during the Agni Kai, and now he has to deal with the consequences.

AU idea where Zuko keeps Azula permanently imprisoned in bad and torturous conditions postwar, and Izumi finds out about when she’s relatively young, and draws exactly the sort of conclusions about her parents that you would expect. Not to mention being terrified that she might be treated the same way if she missteps…

Ozai never declares Zuko and Iroh traitors

Iroh-Azula roleswap au

Zuko asks Azula for help with his firebending

Zuko wants Azula to like him but doesn't get why she doesn't like him (postwar)

Katara has an arranged marriage with Zuko and Azula tries to get into the good graces of her sister in law

"Katara is supposed to have an arranged marriage with Zuko, but she falls in love with Azula instead."

Another take on Zvtara (arranged marriage) and Maizula.

Azula-Katara AU idea (or: Katara runs into an Azula who has changed a lot in some ways and not very much in others)

Zuko is actually Ikem's son

Firelord Azula ends her brother's exile

Azula raises Izumi (it's complicated)

"AU idea: Azula commits suicide out of despair, and just about everyone is convinced that Zuko had her murdered or at the very least “encouraged” her to do it."

Dangerous Ladies get banished/declared traitors and Azula basically gives up. Mai has to step up her place

I have to say, “Zuko has to deal with finding out that Ursa very much isn’t who he believed she was” remains excellent fanfic fodder.

"AU idea: Ursa is more aware of Ozai’s abuse and potential for abuse than in canon, so, right after her exile, she seeks out Iroh and charges him with protecting both of her children."

Firelord Iroh treats Azula in a really screwed up way.

"AU where Azula dies during the latter stages of the war or right after it, and Mai is the only person who ever morns her as a person, not as a politically convenient symbol (Ty Lee runs away from her complex feelings on Azula as much as she can)."

Dark idea

"Since so much of the fandom is convinced that Azula is Zuko’s older sister, I need an AU where this is true and Zuko is just as throne-obsessed as canon and spends all his time trying to usurp his older sister."

"AU where Ozai has a heart attack and dies right after the fire siblings return to the Fire Nation, and Zuko and Azula have to pick up the pieces. Meanwhile, the Gaang are plotting to overthrow them and bring the war to a close once and for all..."

King Kuai adopts Azula as his heir

Things get complicated, darkly (Azula exiled postwar AU)

What if Zuko tried to be a good brother

"I really need an AU where Lu Ten returns and is pissed over Ozai’s usurpation, so he kills Ozai, seizes the throne, and continues the war. Of course, Iroh ends up supporting his actual son in all of this, and the conflict in the Fire Nation ends up boiling down to Zuko and Azula vs. Lu Ten and Iroh as the situation spirals toward civil war, at the same time the 100 years war continues."

"Maizula AU where Mai married Zuko, but he died not long after Izumi was born, and Azula and Mai are secretly carrying out a relationship while raising Izumi and ruling the Fire Nation as her regents."

Azula joins the Gaang with a twist...

"The chaos which would result if Lu Ten showed up alive again in Book 1 and launched a rebellion against Ozai in pursuit of “his” throne."

Ursa opposes Firelord Zuko

Iroh tries to kill Azula during "The Chase"

Mai and Ty Lee on trial for "war crimes"" and Azula has to save them

This is very long list, and people are welcome to steal any ideas they want from it for their own use.

[sokkastyles]

What do you think about a redeemed Azula (who realized her mistakes, made amends, and apologized to everyone she hurt) becoming overprotective of Zuko because of the guilt she feels for having participated in the abuse of her brother and unconsciously developing an older sister complex where she felt it was her duty to protect Zuko from any threat that might be around and want to hurt him physically or emotionally, just as she and her father had done (Of course I'll add that in this scenario she's not condescending or manipulative, she just develops some kind of anxiety that genuinely Zuko could always be in danger and it's her who must protect him because she's the one who can recognize manipulative and evil people that can't be seen with the naked eye,)

Do you think that could be something consistent with her character or would it be too OCC?

And what do you think Zuko would think or how he would act about Azula's new behavior?

I think this It could lead to some very funny AUs, especially if Azula acts like a stressed and exasperated older sister, while Zuko is always running away from her across the city rooftops or the palace passageways

I don't see her feeling like she needs to protect him physically, but I do think she would feel like she has to protect him from emotional/psychological attacks, because that was always the way she was most dangerous to Zuko. She knows how to manipulate him and the ways he's vulnerable, so she'd be really good at recognizing the ways that other people are trying to manipulate him.

Like "you know that minister is lying to you, right?"

I think Zuko would find it hard to believe her at first, until Azula either tells him what to do to get proof or she goes on a secret mission to get the proof herself, because Zuzu is too stupid / soft-hearted to do anything about it.

I also think she'd be very protective over him when people try to get close to him romantically. She'd be immediately suspicious of any pretty young nobleman's daughter who comes along to try and court the fire lord, because she's always seeing people's ulterior motivations.

I can actually imagine this cynicism and possessiveness over Zuko (because I think that would also feed into it. Azula would still very much have this "us vs them" mindset in this scenario) backfiring on her hilariously. Like she believes that some poor young woman trying to court Zuko is secretly an assassin. It turns out not to be true, but Zuko (who doesn't have time to be courted and is in love with Katara) is grateful to get the woman and her family off his back, anyway.

[thegaybluejay]

Just for fun, here are my rapid fire rambling thoughts on the ATLA ships and platonic dynamics hehe (please don’t go full ship wars tho - these are just my opinions as a chill multishipper!)

My Favorite Ships:

• Zukka - My current brainrot and main ship!! I know they aren’t canon but I really love them and their potential okay😭I just feel like their personalities would work so well! Sokka would call Zuko on his shit and Zuko would be good at grounding Sokka when he needs it. Plus I have seen some absolutely breathtaking AUs with this ship! And fire-and-ice vibes except gay! Them <3

• Kataang - Cutiessss!! I love them! They may not be the ship I think about most often, but when I do think about them, they’re adorable! Aang is such a “my wife” guy and Katara absolutely adores him back! Also the last airbender x last southern waterbender dynamic goes HARD! I like that these two are canon!

• Yuetara - Listen I know they barely interacted but THEY’VE ACTUALLY GROWN ON ME SO MUCH LATELY AND I VERY HIGH KEY SHIP THEM! Something about like, Katara thinking about Yue when she bends is so😭Their story would be heartbreaking in the best way!! Sapphic noncanon blorbos <3

• Mailee - These two are SO cute and have so much potential rahhh!! Again, love some noncanon sapphics <3

• Batkoda - Super SUPER cute and silly and fun! The dads fr <3 Bato is either Katara and Sokka’s adopted uncle or their stepdad and I love it for them hehe! This usually pairs well with a “Hakoda adopts Zuko” AU lmao!

Other Canon/Relatively Popular Ships:

• Zutara - A good ship! I see the potential and tbh it’s very very fun to think about sometimes!!! However, some of y’all toxic Zutara stans need to leave my boy Aang alone lmao. Those who are chill tho, I rock with y’all!! Overall, I’m not opposed if it’s done well and I do sometimes seek out Zutara content! I personally do prefer writing them as found siblings tho, especially with the Azula and Katara parallels!!

• Sukka - Canon cuties!! I really like them! Suki my BELOVED <3 She’s so underrated!

• Yukka - Also canon cuties! They make me sad tho ahhhhh😭😭😭

• Maiko - Also ALSO canon cuties!! They have an interesting dynamic that I can really appreciate! And gotta love Mai <3

• Jinko - Jin my beloved! These two had a super cute dynamic during the one episode they had together lmaoooo, tho I don’t think about this ship too too often.

• Tokka - I don’t mind it if it’s them getting together as adults! But tbh I personally don’t prefer shipping them as teens and I think Toph’s crush was just a typical young girl crush on someone slightly older lol. Definitely not horrible and most Tokka shippers are relatively chill! I like to think Sokka sees Toph as a little sister tho.

Now For Some Of The Crackship-y/Less Popular Ships (based on ships I’ve actually seen):

• Zukki (Zuko/Sokka/Suki) - Power throuple fr and I love some polyamory!! While I mostly lean plain Zukka, this is extremely fun to think about and would be a great dynamic!

• Mai/Ty Lee/Suki - Saw this in a Zukka fic once and it was adorableeeeee! I may not have plans to actively write this or anything, but it’s cute! Another power throuple!

• Jetko - I don’t think they would be compatible long term, but by god they are very very fun to think about in a “Jet flirts with Zuko and Zuko is completely oblivious and they share one kiss before everything goes to shit” way lmao!

• Taang - I can respect it!! I will always love them as chaos siblings personally, but it’s a totally valid and chill ship!

• Katoph - Not a bad ship at all! I’ve only come across like one post tho lmao. Also I do think I heavily prefer them as found sisters, but that’s just me personally! Again, totally a valid and chill ship!

• Azutara - I’m very neutral on this lmao. I don’t despise it at all and it could be pretty interesting?? But tbh really not something I plan to seek out.

• Azulaang - I mean?? I’m also pretty neutral on this one. Aang would be kind to her if she was trying to get help but…idk lmao.

• Tyzula - I see the potential, but I personally think Mai and Ty Lee had a healthier and more interesting and more realistic dynamic. Just my preference tho!

(I think I just want Azula to be in therapy before I reallyyyyy ship her lmao, but NOT THE KIND OF “THERAPY” SHE WAS GIVEN IN THE COMICS)

• Zukaang - I don’t love this as a ship honestly. The canon age gap as teens is sketchy for my personal taste, tho I’ve seen people ship them in “Aang was 16 when he got frozen” AUs and that’s…better and I can get behind it a little! It would be interesting! But I think Roku being Zuko’s great-grandpa just still throws me off of this ship. I don’t have any beef with the shippers tho! I’m very “live and let live” and I have seen so much worse lol.

Can’t Forget My Fav Platonic Dynamics!

• Sokka and Aang - Two found brothers who share one idiot braincell when they interact LMAO! Love them always <3

• Sokka and Katara - The siblings ever!!

• Zuko and Aang - Enemies to found brothers!! Canon besties! I love their friendship and their parallels SO MUCH!!

• Toph and Katara - Absolutely ADORABLE as found sisters!!!! Love them!

• Zuko and Katara - I really like their development in a platonic sense and I think they’re very very fun and lovely found siblings by the end!!!! Zuko is 100% the brother that just “yeah my sister can and will whoop your ass” LMAO!

• Zuko and Toph - Also very found siblings in my head!! Only have a handful of solo interactions in canon but I DON’T CARE! I WILL FOUND FAMILY THEM ANYWAY! I’m a “Toph seeks out Zuko for sibling hugs/cuddles when she’s cold because he’s basically a space heater” truther.

• Uncle Iroh and the Gaang - Zuko needs to learn to share because that is ALL OF THEIR Uncle!!!

• Hakoda and Zuko - I thrive in this section of the fandom!! They have exactly one (1) frame together in canon, but I ADORE Dadkoda adopting Zuko! Something about it is just so wholesome and cute!!! My very very fav ATLA fics are this trope!!#LetHakodaBitchSlapOzaiAndAdoptZuko2024

• Uncle Iroh and Zuko - God they make me so ALSNDKSNXNCNSNSNXNX, y’know?

• The Gaang as a whole - Obvious I know, but I really do love them😭They all bonded sm and I adore their little family!! I eat up fanart of the Gaang cuddling like CANDY omg. And yes Suki is included in the Gaang because WHY WOULDN’T SHE BE!

Anyway, thanks for coming to my TedTalk. If you made it to the end, you get a big platonic kiss on the forehead MWAH!

[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!

[balanceoflightanddark]

Azula + Lin AU "Bad Dreams"

Azula: NOOOOO!!!!

[Azula wakes up in the middle of the night soaked in sweat. Almost immediately, Lin barges in.]

Lin: Kid! You alright?!

Azula: I...I'm fine, Lin.

[Skeptical, Lin sits on the side of Azula's bed]

Lin: You woke up screaming. How's that alright?

Azula: I said I'm fine!

[The two glare at each other, before Azula sighs.]

Azula: I had a bad dream, alright? It's nothing to worry about. Everyone has them.

Lin: Not everyone wakes up screaming though.

Azula: ...I had a dream that I was in chains. Locked away in some dark corner of that asylum. Then Zuko yanks me out, reveals that he had me replaced with a better sister, then tossed me off a cliff after setting me on fire. Lin: Holy shit. Azula: Hey. I practically put myself in that asylum in the first place. [To her surprise, Lin draws her into a tight hug.] Lin: Look kid. I’ve…had a lot of nightmares too. I know, I know, seems crazy. But some of the stuff I’ve seen, some of the prisons I’ve been to…I can’t get them out of my head. So you’re not alone in this. Azula: But…but I- Lin: Trust me. Not everyone I saw in those hellholes deserve to be in there. [Both sit in silence.] Lin: (sighs) You…uh…want to sleep with me tonight? Azula: You’re serious. Lin: Hey, it’s the first and last chance you get. Besides, I need to get up early in the morning. I don’t exactly want you waking me up all night long. Azula: …I’d like that. [Azula sleeps with Lin that night, clutching the older woman. She slept a lot better the rest of the night, with Lin’s strong arms and steady heartbeat making her feel safe.]

[waterfire1848]

Big sister Azula AU - Ursa’s idea of Azula being a monster also comes from the fact that Azula was born with a dragon half and Ursa made it seem like she was cursed. She just wasn’t expecting Kiyi to get the same ability or for her youngest daughter to run away when she thinks her mother now considers her a monster. Kiyi ends up passing out in front of the spirit temple Azula just so happens to be using and is taken in by her older sister.

[blorboazula]

I was, once again, thinking about the AU in which Azula is the older sibling and the one who gets banished. her plan to bring the Avatar would go great if she didn't have serious case of older-sister-in-need-of-a-baby-brother (because she's currently not allowed to have her own around).

[hello-nichya-here]

Hello Nichya, I hope that you are doing better health wise? I was recently inspired for a Zucest Au idea and wanted to run it by you. Below is an historical context for the idea. Feel free to skip it if you wish.

In Bronze Age History of the Eastern Mediterranean, the Hittite and Egyptian Empires had a titanic clash at the battle of Kadesh in 1274 B.C.E, taking place in Canaan. The battle resulted in the first recorded treaty between two polities in human history. Both sides claimed victory in their state Propaganda.

Older scholarship held to the view that the battle was an Egyptian victory. Though modern scholars believes the battle to either have ended in a stalemate or a potential Hittite victory. Due to the fact that the Hittite’s were able to retain control of Kadesh and regain overlordship of some nearby Canaanite cities. Expanding southward at the expense of the Egyptian Empire of the XIX dynasty. Though only moderately.

After the battle, the Hittes and Egyptians would enjoy cordial relations. With the two imperial states never again going to war. Though that’s more likely because the former polity became defunct during the Bronze Age collapse. Rather than out of genuine desire from either side to uphold the treaty of Kadesh.

After the wars conclusion; the royal families between the two sides became remarkably close. With the monarchs of the two empires (Pharaoh Ramesses II “the great” and king Ḫattušili III respectively) addressing each other as “brother”. Both men had fought against each other at Kadesh.

It was the custom for the time period at the Bronze Age, for monarchs of great states to each other as “brother” in personal correspondence. The Egyptian pharaohs would typically (though not always) adress other monarchs of lesser states as “son”. Which implied Egypts greater prestige and authority. The very fact that the Pharaohs would adress the Hittite kings as “brother”, shows a sense of being equals or at least a high degree of respect. Which is remarkable in and of itself.

In addition, the wife of Ḫattušili III known as Puduḫepa and Nefertari the principal wife of Ramesses the Great would also have personal correspondence with each other as well. The two queens Addressing one another as “sister”. With the two even sending eachother gifts back and forth. Both Puduḫepa and Nefertari were transformative figures in polities With Nefertari aiding her husband in bringing about an Egyptian golden Age. While Puduḫepa did likewise in Hatti. With modern scholars calling her (to paraphrase) as one of the most “authoritative and important figures in the anciet East Mediterranean”.

——

Apologies for the long winded near essay above, but I wanted to provide a bit of context for an Au that was inspired by this neat period of history. Now onto the Zucest questions!

Say in an alternate ATLA universe, the Fire Nation goes to war with say the earth kingdom.

The Fire Nation is led by its newly appointed Fire Lord Zuko. Who was installed after the mysterious death of his predecessor Ozai. He went to war with the Earth kingdom in order to check their advances. His main opponent was earth king kuei and his Dai Li. Though Zuko’s greatest asset was his younger sister Azula. A powerful if somewhat duplicitous advisor.

The battle itself ends inconclusively and the two heads of state and their advisors meet for a peace deal.

Over the course of these talks, Zuko and Kei become acquaintes and begin a correspondence. With the Zuko’s attraction to Azula being revealed accidentally. For her part, Azula begins writing to perhaps Jin in the earth kingdom court. Where like with before, her attraction to Zuko is accidentally revealed.

In this Au, do Azula and Zuko confess their attraction to one another randomly begin a romantic relationship? Or are they advised to ignore their feelings by their new “pen pals”. Essentially, how do you think the relationship would develop?

Anon... just write fic. You don't sound like you need my help at all, just do whatever feels right for the story you want to tell.

[discordiansamba]

thinking about the bad end variation of the lee from the tea shop au again. thinking about how iroh has long since resigned himself to the fact that his nephew is likely dead. he held out hope for as long as he could, but he is certain that if his nephew were alive, someone would have found him by now. azula likely knows what happened to him, but she refuses to talk.

then he receives a letter from sokka, telling him to come to ba sing se.

iroh makes the trek. he does not know what to expect when he gets there. what he gets is a grim-faced sokka, holding a pair of logbooks. he tells him he's found a lead on zuko, and that he needs to read this. he warns him that it's not going to be an easy read- and that he's sorry.

he's right. they are not an easy read.

iroh is an old man now. he was old when he took the throne, but he is older still now. but reading the logbook still stokes a fire in the old man's heart- a simmering rage that makes him want to return to his old ways as a general and burn this wretched city to the ground.

he does not do that, of course.

"the person who did this is dead," sokka says, "-if that's any comfort."

it is not. iroh would have liked to do it himself.

"...i know where to find him," sokka also tells him, "-if you... if you want to meet lee."

iroh does. very much so. sokka directs him to a tea shop called the lotus blossom, in the middle ring. lee runs it. iroh removes his crown headpiece and dons humble robes of earth kingdom brown, styling his hair in earth kingdom fashion. it is enough to disguise him. the tea shop is a modest one- not as fancy as the jasmine dragon had been, but certainly an improvement over pao's.

he is greeted by a young woman with braided hair and a sleeping infant swaddled on her back and is guided to a seat. he asks for the owner's favorite blend- and one of these scrumptious looking fruit tarts, if you do not mind. she returns with them, and iroh drinks deep the scent of jasmine tea.

he always hoped zuko would drink more of it.

there are two young girls sitting at an empty table near him. the eldest is reading a book. the younger is kicking her feet impatiently. iroh can see the fire nation in them, plain as day- as well as in the sleeping infant. he asks the young woman if he might have a chance to speak to the owner. the tea is delicious. he would like to pay his compliments.

she smiles, and tells him she'll fetch her husband right away.

iroh tries very hard not to stare when his nephew emerges from the kitchen. he wears his hair long and braided, concealing his scar with his bangs. he wears the green robes of an earth kingdom man of modest income, and a starched white apron over that. he is taller than he remembers, and carries himself in a different manner entirely.

"dad!" the youngest of the two girls rushes him. "i'm bored. can I go play with my friends?"

his nephew laughs and ruffles her hair. he tells her she can, and asks the eldest- izumi- if she doesn't mind walking her to her friend's place. izumi sighs, but she soon leaves with her younger sister, holding her hand. iroh would place them at around ten and six, if he had to guess.

his nephew greets him with a smile. there is no recognition in his eyes. iroh had anticipated it, but it still hits him like a hard blow. he shows none of this on his face, instead complimenting him on his tea. his nephew thanks him, but is soon pulled away by another customer. iroh watches him out of the corner of his eye.

...it's true. his nephew is a different person now.

but he is alive. he is alive, and he is happy. he has his own family. a successful tea shop. given how long he has resigned himself to zuko being dead, this seems a kinder outcome. iroh lingers in the lotus blossom until closing, simply watching his nephew. he contemplates his next step. sokka has told z- lee the truth, so he could reveal himself.

he could also leave without saying anything.

his nephew has a happy life here. does he really have the right to complicate it even further? and yet... iroh cannot help himself. he has mourned zuko many times over these past two decades. he must speak with lee, or he does not think he can ever let zuko rest.

he lingers past closing time. he knows it is rude behavior, but lee is patient in a way zuko never was. once he is the last person left in the store, iroh stands up and asks lee if he might speak with him again. he removes the five-pronged crown from where he has hidden it, and slides it into his top knot.

"i am told," iroh says, "-that this is where I might find the man who was once my nephew."

[hyacinths-in-a-storm]

Since it is my birthday instead of any meaningful post, you guys get a poll instead ◡̈

I probably have more AUs that I’m missing but here are some of the options.