#there'd be a lot more but this show takes place on an island so in many regards it's timeless

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

This is my hcs regarding Calypso as a person. Like in the OG Odyssey, Calypso actively helps the DorfMisers however she can & will most likely entertain them (like, how a host would; ya know, hospitality) as well as engage him intellectually. Also, like in the Epic song "Love In Paradise," she often shows great concern for them. Like, yes, her affection & insistence on a romantic relationship can be A LOT & it can be overwhelming at times. Some might even call it love bombing. However, it also very obviously comes from a real & earnest place of desiring connection. A real place of wanting to know more about him & understand him. She is very cheerful (if a little bit overconfident at times, as shown in the Love In Paradise song when Ody indicates that he'd kill her).

At the same time, based on my personal analyses considering her own words in both songs that she's featured in, she is also inquisitive & shows boundless curiosity for not only him, his life, his thoughts, & his experiences, but also for seemingly anything & everything regarding the world beyond the island. *ominous chord plays in the distance*

Like in Percy Jackson, she is also kind & gentle, not to mention, very tender. She is also a bit playful & very caring/compassionate. However, like in her Homeric depiction, she can have a fierce temper.

Sometimes, she can come across as a bit childish, but she's also very, extremely intelligent & appears to know a lot of very, very old stories, myths, & legends (but no newer ones) of her world. And is also faultlessly self-sufficient.

And, once more based on my hc of her, she appears to be very skilled at a nearly endless amount of things. Things like the arts, crafting, cooking, even some fairly impressive feats of construction, considering that she only has access to island materials; those sorts of things. But it's all generally in a bit of an unorthodox organic style.

Delving deeper into the sorts of skills she has, for crafting:

She knows how to make charcoal from wood, which she then uses to draw or write.

She can make dyes & paints from the various plants & other resources (egg shell, seashells, ect) around the island.

She has managed to learn how to make simple tools & even instruments.

She is unusually skilled at building things like furniture, huts, & other useful things.

She paints & sketches & draws.

She sculpts & writes as well as weaves & sews. She knows a large amount about foraging from the island & knows much about gardening her favored fruits & veggies (will likely begin to cultivate whichever fruits & vegetables the DorfMisers seem to favor as well). Has managed to learn animal husbandry, too. And she is an amazing cook. Much of it being things that she invented or named herself.

Not to mention dancing, climbing, timekeeping via the position of the sun & stars, & a whole host of other talents. And, despite her lack of knowledge of fighting or the use of weapons, she seemed to pick it up rather quickly just from watching him practice. (Do the DorfMisers take time to teach her how to fight properly?)

And, she's likely to show much interest in the Gerudo & their culture. Or the Yaksha in Demise's case. As well as this Hyrule that the Dorfs are so captivated by. Or the Triforce for Demise.

She is also liable to attempt to recreate the things that he describes to her. Things like clothes, art, tools, jewelry, musical instruments, scenes from his stories. Though, of course, there'd be limitations in what she can make due to their location, but the effort would be obvious.

She would most likely request the Dorfs teach her Gerudo, but will back off if he refuses, though depending on how angrily or viciously he does so, she may somewhat resemble a wounded puppy.

Personally, I believe that OoT, TP, and TotK, as well as Demise, would refuse to teach her Gerudo, but thats because Oot is prideful, TP suspicious, Totk for military importance, and Demise cuz hes a dick.

******************************************************************

Calypso’s multifaceted personality—a vibrant blend of compassion, curiosity, boundless skill, and gentle insistence—would undoubtedly captivate each of the Ganondorfs and Demise in unique ways. Her deeply genuine interest in understanding them, alongside her impressive yet unorthodox skills, would likely disarm even the most hardened of their hearts, though each would respond differently based on their nature and history. Here’s how they might perceive and respond to her:

Wind Waker Ganondorf: At first, he would likely be both amused and skeptical of Calypso’s affectionate attention, sensing the intensity behind her words and gestures. Her attempts to recreate elements of his Gerudo culture would charm him, evoking a quiet, nostalgic pride. He’d find himself entertained by her endless questions and her curiosity about the world outside the island, appreciating her gentle spirit but wary of her insistence on a romantic connection. If she asked to learn the Gerudo language, he’d oblige at first, taking a secret pride in sharing his culture with someone who seems genuinely fascinated. Her lack of recent knowledge would likely trigger a wave of curiosity in him, wondering just how old her tales truly are. While he might tease her for her “island ways,” he’d be surprisingly touched by her efforts to build a little Gerudo world on her island for him.

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf: He’d initially view Calypso’s intensity with suspicion, unsure if her cheerfulness and insistence are sincere or simply another test. Her playful, slightly childish manner would clash with his more somber worldview, but her insistence on understanding him would strike a rare nerve of empathy in him. He might react to her passionate curiosity with dismissive scoffs, though he’d ultimately find her endless pursuit of knowledge and her craft endearing, especially as she creates things resembling his homeland with just the bare resources of her island. Her wounded expression at his colder moments might make him soften a little over time, begrudgingly answering her questions when her efforts reveal true passion. Her calm patience would win him over bit by bit, though he might never admit it openly.

Twilight Princess Ganondorf: Her gentleness and warmth would be unexpected to him, and he’d likely find her unyielding desire to learn both curious and amusing. Twilight Princess Ganondorf would be taken with her kindness, especially since he doesn’t often encounter such unwavering support. Her keen interest in the arts would intrigue him, especially if she crafted jewelry or ornaments reminiscent of Gerudo culture. He’d find her playful spirit refreshing, though he might struggle to balance his enjoyment of her attention with his need for distance. If she requested to learn Gerudo, he’d probably agree with a slight smirk, appreciating her genuine interest in his heritage. Over time, he might even grow accustomed to her doting, finding her childlike curiosity a grounding influence on his own darker ambitions.

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf: Used to commanding armies and inspiring fear, he’d be almost bemused by Calypso’s sunny disposition and her affectionate nature. Her consistent attempts to bond with him on an intellectual level would intrigue him, as he rarely encounters someone so wholeheartedly interested in him rather than his power. He might find her skilled crafts and self-sufficiency to be a mark of true strength, perhaps even considering her a kindred spirit. Her playful insistence would amuse him to no end, though he would draw boundaries and make them clear; any breach, and she’d get a fierce reprimand, though he’d secretly regret seeing her hurt. Her curiosity would draw him into unexpected conversations, and he’d answer her questions when it suited him, maybe teaching her combat basics as a lesson in self-reliance and resilience.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf: Her sincerity and boundless curiosity would strike him as charming and refreshing, given that most of his encounters revolve around ambition and intrigue. Her warm, hospitable nature would soothe him in a way he hasn’t felt for centuries, and her interest in the Gerudo would make him feel a sense of kinship with her. He’d show a reserved affection, though her cheerful insistence might bring him a quiet smile. Her boundless interest in the world outside the island would give him pause; he might respond cautiously, wary of opening too many doors to his past. If she were disappointed by any refusal to teach her Gerudo, he’d explain gently, finding himself unexpectedly touched by her genuine wish to connect with him. Her innate kindness would rekindle a dormant protectiveness within him, even as he works to conceal it.

Demise: Initially, he’d likely respond with a mix of annoyance and amusement to Calypso’s earnest attempts at connection, not used to being treated with genuine affection or curiosity. Her unbridled enthusiasm and affection might seem naive to him, though he’d find himself drawn in by her strength and self-sufficiency. Her fierce temper would make him grin, finding it oddly endearing when her otherwise-gentle demeanor cracks. Her curiosity about the outside world and her ability to craft wonders from nearly nothing would stir a spark of reluctant respect in him. Her innocent, puppy-like disappointment would feel surprisingly endearing to him. Her clear fascination with the Triforce would rouse his interest, and if she ever crafted pieces resembling the Triforce for him, he’d be deeply flattered. Over time, he might even teach her some basic combat, thinking her determination worthy of such knowledge.

For each of them, Calypso would be a mysterious, captivating figure, one who gently pries at their guarded hearts with her genuine curiosity, unwavering compassion, and unmatched self-sufficiency. She’d inspire unexpected fondness and respect, each of them finding that her kindness and affection—while overwhelming—stem from a truly admirable place.

[makiandcheese]

Notes in blue ink

Kaeya / Rosaria

tags: childhood friends to lovers, established relationship, domestic fluff, modern au, non-sexual physical touch

a/n: I made this on my phone, so sorry if the format is weird

☆︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵☆︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵☆

summary: Kaeya and Rosaria reminisce on the past that led to their matching rings.

☆︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵☆︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵☆

Once in a blue moon, Kaeya would ask a question that would leave Rosaria stunned. He once asked her about her dream home after her comments about the Ragnvindr household. At first, she thought about it and realized she had nothing to answer. She was particularly interested in interior decor but not so much in the structure itself.

After a few moments of silence, she expressed how she liked big windows that brought the natural light in. Much like the sliding doors in Varka’s home since it brought in warmth, she once took for granted in the orphanage. Rosaria preferred a house that was not too boxy or too geometrically structured, as she states. She expressed how the exterior could also affect her time there.

"I want a nice, warm, kinda gothic home. I don't want plain whites everywhere." She said, leaning on the school garden railing at lunch. "But… to be honest, I don't really care as much."

Kaeya’s eyes rolled. She said she didn't care but stated specifics down to how she wanted the knobs at the drawers would look like. "You literally said a lot of things. Are you worried I’ll judge you, is that it?." he asked. "Come on, lighten up. Plus take this as a… practice question to when you'd get to date someone."

"Sounds like you're trying to coax me to come to another blind date again." Rosaria grinned and traced the specks of sunlight hitting Kaeya's face from the tree above them. "I'm not interested in another one of those events."

"Then," words he kept deep in his veins and arteries slipped out his tongue. "Imagine I'd come to visit your home. What would it look like?"

She turned away from him and traced the same light from the trees from her hands to her fingertips. "Well…" She smiled and stuck her tongue inside her cheek to prevent herself from showing anymore. "You wouldn't be able to guess because you'd come at 10 pm on a Friday with three bottles of alcohol, that's for sure."

"Hey!"

"But… I'd take you to the kitchen, and there'd be some barstools by my kitchen island. We'd share several glasses like how we already do at your place. You'd complain about your family, and I'd complain about the severe consequences of capitalism on Mondstadt." Rosaria's mind was flooded with the thought of Kaeya by her side for years to come. "You'd hand me a glass of something Diluc taught you, and, for some reason, I'd still be more sober than you."

His hands traced the floor plan in the air. Making sure she doesn't turn, he said. "Oh please, there's not a chance in hell you'd have a higher alcohol tolerance than me."

"We'd spend what little time we have together, and I sober myself up before I drive you home." It agonized her to remind him that they were still friends. "Your partner would be angry at me for letting you drink so much on a weekend."

Kaeya’s lips bled internally, hearing her say those words. He would stay by her side on her soft carpet by the sofa if he had the chance. He visualized exactly what their typical day would look like. He'd lean on her shoulder, and like snow, she'd melt in his. "Do we really have to live that far? I want us to be neighbors, in maybe… 20 years?"

"Fine, we'd live right next to each other." Rosaria said, leaning forward so her face wouldn't show how her brows began to wrinkle her forehead. "We'd have those shared fruit trees in the back though. I'll take whatever sunsettias I can."

"It'll be sour. So sour on your side." Kaeya pushed her shoulder. "I'd still give you the sweet ones since you'd probably have the best house pet. I'd come and visit just to see it."

Rosaria turned to him, pointing to herself, raised eyebrow and all, "You're not even going to acknowledge the homeowner? man, fuck you." She pushed him back.

"Yeah because at least it won't be late to class." The bell rang just as he predicted it. "Last one to Mr. Yang's class doesn't wipe their ass when they take a shit!" Taunting her as they both ran back to their building, all the way at the opposite side of the campus.

"You ass!" Rosaria ran to him and was amused at how easily she caught up. "Last one has to pay for cornetto later." Noticing the passing volleyball and basketball joint varsity jog, she rushed through. Leaving Kaeya trying to move past them. She was then blocked by the construction worker's materials stacked by their path.

No matter the obstacle, they still arrived at their classroom seconds before the afternoon prayer. The same old prayer they memorized even if their ears were blocked with their heartbeats and breaths. The same old prayer neither of them cared to listen to.

As they discussed the relevance of historical events per Mr. Yang's guidance, Kaeya noted every architectural detail Rosaria said to his question. He did his best to hide the fact that the subject of his notetaking was taking a light nap from the history instructor. The breeze of a February afternoon filled the room and fluttered the curtains, perfectly hiding the sleeping girl at the farthest back of the class.

Years passed, and he still kept that same old notebook with the same old prayer engraved at the back. Historical notes filled the front, and several pages at the back were what she said. She, too, kept a similar notebook, except it was her personal journal. It told details about how Kaeya looked that day and what he asked. It was brief. A mere paragraph at least, but it was enough to fill her pages with emotions she felt.

Kaeya asked me what house I wanted to live in. To be honest, I really don't care. A roof, no roof, broken walls, tall fences, fancy windows, none of it matters. He just had to be there.

My home Our home.

He also told me that if we're still single by 30, we should get married for the benefits. It was a passing statement, but I really hoped he would stay a loser so I could be by his side when his back begins to crack when he turns 30.

Kaeya shouldn't have read the contents of his wife's journal from 15 years ago. Now, Rosaria has to explain to him that she's really into him since they were young. Enduring his constant teasing was the worst, especially since he has hard, undeniable, written evidence. That doesn't mean she doesn't retaliate. She often stayed by the kitchen and patio she dreamed of whenever he did peek. That night, he decided to corner her in their bedroom. Reminding him of how much he had loved her since they were 16.

"Looks like someone had a huge crush on me." He said, looming over her just before she slept, continuing to bully her under their blankets. "What's wrong? It's not too late to admit it."

"Oh fuck off! You bought our house with my interests in mind. If anything, you have a huge crush on me." The weight of Rosaria's covers grew as Kaeya rested his body on top of her. Feeling pokes and hearing his lips smack over the duvet, she was kissed on her shoulder, chest, and forehead. At least, that's what it felt like for her. "You have a terrible aim." she peeked over and saw him preparing for that moment.

There are times when Rosaria keeps her journal out in the open. If he can egosurf online, there's a high chance he could egosurf his name through her journals. She ensured it was the one where she told him how much she loved him. Rosaria's cheeks were soft and warm, much like her lips. Kaeya couldn't get enough of it. "Whose got a terrible aim now?" he said, wiping her trial lip stain she put on earlier in the morning. "Look at you, so pretty and red. I think this shade is nice on you."

Rosaria mustered all her strength and rolled Kaeya over. Allowing himself to be rolled in the duvet they always shared. "Hmm… I don't think I'd like it when something isn't transfer-proof, but…" She grabbed his cheeks and placed a new coat on her lips. "I guess I won't mind testing this a few more times on my beloved."

"Rosie?" Kaeya's heart began to race, "please, mercy!!" There was no mercy left for him.

Pinned down, receiving many kisses all over his face, ears, neck, and collarbones. It was quite an eventful evening for the two. Hopefully, they remembered to check their calendars. It was the eve of their first wedding anniversary, after all. It's good that Kaeya is oblivious to Rosaria’s intentional revelation of everything she loves about him. Else, she would’ve been drowning in countless words she couldn't have the strength to say out loud.

"Sit still. I can't kiss your lips if you keep laughing and turning your head away from me." Rosaria held onto his soft cheeks. "Now turn this way and let me make up for the 15 years I didn't say it."

"Oh my fucking god. Rosie, I love you, so please spare me." He pleaded through his dimple smile.

"Not a chance."

♡

[simptasia]

LOST’s early 2000s things, for better or for worse

video tapes (i notice by the end, ben has transferred the stuff on the dharma tapes to dvd, very good)

several pants types of that era: 1. loose jeans, ya know the kind where the bottoms of the legs are really baggy. 2. cargo pants. so many cargo pants. can we bring back cargo pants, they’re fucking impossible to find nowadays and i miss them. and 3. very low riding jeans, like if they got any lower i think michelle rodriquez would have had to shave 

shan with her baby pink hoodie and her shiny lip gloss, of all the girls on lost she’s the one who stands out in Early 2000s-ness

charlie’s look in general also belongs in the early 2000s, like you see him and you know exactly what time period this is

jack’s (and his actor’s) mess of “tribal” and “exotic” tattoos

sawyer calling jack and boone “metros”, homophobia may span centuries but that term is specifically an early 2000s thing, babey

sawyer immediately assuming sayid took town the plane. i know that, sadly, this is still a Thing, but the reason this moment is a thing in this paticular show is that it was 2004

flip phones and assorted chunky little phones

finding nemo being refered to as “that computer movie with the fish”, for two reasons, 1. finding nemo not being referred to by name, it’s a classic now, but it was new then and 2. cgi animated movies being so new and novel that shan calls it a “computer movie”. amazing

this show is an ensemble cast of over 20 main characters and not a single one is canonically LGBTPA+. with pretty much all of these characters being abuse victims and prone to tragedy too, so it’d fit thematically. this could happen today, yeah, but far less likely. i mean, the reason they didn’t do it was so they didn’t piss off the parts of america that would get pissed off by that and like, that’s waaay less of a concern nowadays

boone making fun of shan’s possible eating disorder isn’t presented in a Whoa Dude Not Funny way by the narrative

hurley playing music on like, a portable tape player. also i was trying to think if any early 2000s era style songs are in lost but as far as i remember, the music in lost tends to be like 50s to 70s kinda stuff

driveshaft being based on oasis

the show having nostalgia for the 70s but not for the 80s and 90s. seriously once you notice this, you’ll never stop: in terms of presentation, lighting, sound editing, etc, the show pretty much treats the 80s and 90s like the present day. meanwhile the 70s and before are basically Another World. the early 2000s gave zero fucks about the 90s and it shows. it’s just a neat thing to contrast that to now where the 80s and 90s are thought of fondly and have specific styles and sounds tied to them

sawyer being a star wars fan but not knowing the name anakin when hurley mentions it, because the prequels had only happened recently

[euryd-ce]

Hii! i love your blog! everything is so well written that i kept rereading them :3 i'm especially in love with your sway fic. So if your requests are open, could you do some headcanons of yandere sway? Please ignore this if not. Tysm!

❈ Yandere! Sway! Martha Behamfil Headcanons

CW: Forced Relationships, Gaslighting, Gun Use, Implied Murder, Manipulation, Stalking, Violence, Yandere

NOTE: (not proofread)

First of all, I'm so sorry for finishing this really late. There was a lot going on at the time, but I'd like to think that I'm doing significantly better now ^^

I'm not quite sure if I will still consistently write, but I'll probably come back occasionally to post something or respond to anons, if there are any.

Once again, thank you! Hearing that people actually like reading my works really makes me happy! :))

Something about having control over your life was just so entertaining to her. She'd pull on each and every string around you, so carefully yet recklessly – far enough to draw you to the brink of death yet just enough for her to arrive the at the last second, taking her place as the reverent knight in shining armor, when she'd been the very beast that held you captive.

It helped that she knew how important she'd become to you, not that you'd ever admit it out loud. From how you'd subconsciously look for her upon danger's approach, to the relief you'd breathe out at the sight of her; it told her enough, really. Only a dense buffoon couldn't see that.

She's well aware of the risk that her sick little hobby entails, that you'd eventually fall too far for her to reach for you, that she could one day slip up, and that you'd eventually sever all ties with her. But it didn't worry her, not even one bit. After all, it was the thrill of the game, and what fun would it be without a dash of danger to spice things up?

And if you did find out, there wasn't anything a little force couldn't solve, no? She practically knows your weaknesses like the back of her palm, and she's already carefully planned out every necessary move, even going as far as mastering every charade. Then again, it wasn't like you could fight back, because even if you did, Sway would always be one too many steps ahead of you, be it through physical prowess or wits.

She isn't very subtle about her following you. Not that she was terrible at hiding, she was just... bold as she'd like to put it. You weren't going to just accuse her of blatantly stalking you after she's rescued you so many times, no? It'd be careless of her to let you go off into this isolated island alone. And besides, she's just looking out for you, nothing more and absolutely nothing less. At least, that's what she'd hope you'd continue thinking.

When your inevitable resistance comes to show itself, her leniency fades away quicker than you could ever hope to react. One moment she could be your doting guardian angel, only for her to part your lips with the metallic taste of her gun in seconds.

She isn't the type to make empty threats when it comes to giving you a choice. Each word she'd utter carried nothing but her true intentions. So choose to deny the opportunity she has oh-so-mercifully offered to you, and she wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger just as she did with your strings.

Only this time, there'd be no valiant knight to save you. Only this time, you'd realize far too late that there'd never been a knight in the first place, and that you'd been mercilessly tormented by a lovesick beast in shining armor.

But you should know that she isn't as patient as you might think. If you fail to make up your mind on time, she'd simply take it upon her hands to choose for you.

The answer should've been simple, really. Surely, you wouldn't choose the cold hard ground over a life far more comfortable than your current one? She'd take care of you better than you ever did yourself, treat you as though you were a god, protect you like a priceless treasure too valuable to look away from even for the slightest moment. She'd be your picture-perfect lover, so as long as you'd be hers too.

It'd only be when you agree to her demands that she reverts into her more forgiving state. To any tourist or islander in Bélóstáin, you seemed like any other couple, but that was only because they didn't know any better. What they'd thought was a passionate woman who was madly in love with her meek and soft-spoken lover was, in reality, a domineering bird-keeper keeping her beloved nightingale in a cage.

She knows just as much as you do that your love isn't genuine, that every action done to gain her trust was merely out of the desire to escape. Your kisses were laced with enmity just as much as your trinkets or gifts were filled with loathing.

Try to report her to the authorities, that is, if you can even manage. You'd always be so close to sneaking away on your own, only for the woman to swoop you into her arms and apologize in your stead before you could possibly let out an ounce of the truth, more so step into the doors of your freedom.

Talking to other islanders or tourists wasn't on the table either as Sway would silence them one way or another. Perhaps it was the reason why Bélóstáin felt so empty, and why no one seemed to take you as seriously as they once did. They thought you weren't in the right state of mind, and those who thought otherwise would only wind up on the newspaper as, once again, another missing person.

After every attempted escape, she'd sweetly remind you of your place. That the cruise isn't arriving until five more weeks, that you're stuck with her on this island of flowers, whether you like it or not. But should you continue to be persistent despite her many warnings, she'd simply have to 'help' you change.

Even if it means breaking you apart. Even if it means making you less of yourself and more of her ideal lover.

[royaltealovingkookiness]

Looking back, I remember seeing the end of "The Southern Raiders" and feeling that Katara's forgiving Zuko came out of nowhere. During their mission, I never saw any sign of Katara warming up to him. Everything from Act 2 up until the end was focused on Katara's issues with her mom's death and never really about her distrust of Zuko. I mean, yes, much of the latter had to do with the former, but I'm sure that there'd be more to it than that. And we can make explanations about how it all led 1/2

2/2 to Zuko gaining her trust and forgiveness, but at the end of the day, that’s all nothing more than speculation. As much as I like the episode, I feel that it didn’t handle Zuko and Katara’s reconciliation very well and that the writers should have done something more explicit in regards to this turning point. (Not that I blame Elizabeth Ehasz. I’m pretty sure that Bryke kept her on a tight leash when she was developing the story, probably to keep it from being too Zutara.)

TSR was ultimately a Katara-episode - focusing on her arc, not Zuko’s. I think it was the perfect demonstration of good redemption arcs - that just because someone has become good, it doesn’t mean that the people he hurt owe him forgiveness. That’s totally up to them. 

By the time TSR takes place, Zuko has done a lot of things to try to make amends - among them helping Sokka free Hakoda and Suki. Still, Katara’s perception didn’t change of him - because it was not about what he did, it was about what she felt. 

In Katara’s arc, it becomes clear that abandonment is one of her greatest fears. In the beginning of Book 3, when she’s reunited with Hakoda, she can’t get past her anger, until she’s able to express it, and Hakoda validates her feelings. This is Katara’s “love language” - she doesn’t want people to protect her as much as she wants to be understood (case in point - her quick bonding with Haru and Jet after a heartfelt conversation). 

Zuko on the other hand is a “doer” - he expresses that he cares by doing things for people - fighting for them, protecting them, stealing for them, etc. He sucks at expressing his emotions verbally. So he tries to “earn” Katara’s goodwill by looking out for her, but it just visibly pisses her off. 

In the beginning of TSR we see Katara’s abandoment issues being triggered when Hakoda has to escape through the tunnel - “The Fire Nation dividing their family again.” She comes back to her black and white thinking where the entire Fire Nation is collectively responsible for Kya’s death, and who else a better “face of the enemy” than Zuko, “the Fire Lord’s son”.  This is basically the feelings she expressed to Zuko in Ba Sing Se (it’s not a coincidence that there are so many parallel framing between the two). 

She’s feeling angry again, and her unprocessed rage is hitting everyone, not only Zuko, but also Sokka and Aang.

This actually parallels how Zuko behaved in The Beach, where he lashed out at everyone, still unable to direct his anger where it truly belonged. So in that way it makes sense that Zuko would realize that Katara’s behaviour is not necessarily about Zuko’s betrayal (and let’s not forget - it’s something she feels based on a short moment of emotional bonding rather than any actual promises from Zuko’s part) but more about her own unprocessed rage. 

So that’s why the journey is important - it gives Katara the opportunity to sort through her own feelings of anger, shame, grief and really see the perpetrator -  it’s not the Fire Nation collectively, (and certainly not Zuko) who took her mother away, but this miserable, mean, little man, Yon Rha. He’s the real perp, and Katara finally has a way to put her anger and rage where it belongs - literally - directing it at him, rather than those standing close to her.

I think this is the turning point. Because by then, Zuko did more than enough to “earn” Katara’s trust and forgiveness. It wasn’t about him. It was about her. Whether she was ready to see him as anything else than the face of the enemy. 

But I think you are right about there being a missing scene there, that we can just infer. Because at the end of the episode, Katara is already on Ember Island when Zuko arrives with the others. Which means that the two of them went there, after the whole confrontation scene. They had to talk. Zuko had to tell her at least the basics of the place, and I think that at that point he did something he didn’t do since Ba Sing Se - he was emotionally open and honest with Katara (sharing something about his mother or his family), which is the currency Katara deals in. That would be the full emotional circle for Katara - someone trying to understand her, support her, trust her and reveal something about himself. Pure bonding.

I think they chose not to show this conversation (and I can certainly imagine that being already part of Ehasz’ narrative choice) because at the end of the day the episode, the journey was about Katara, not Zuko. The forgiveness was hers to give at her own pace. 

That’s why she says at the end “I’m ready to forgive you”. She knows that ultimately it was about her. Zuko’s done more than enough - it was Katara who had to get there emotionally. She had to sort out on her own the anger and trauma that she was holding onto, and which parts she was ready to let go of. So in the end, it makes sense that she’s finally able to see Zuko as an individual and not as the face of the Fire Nation. She’s able to see the part of the blame that rightfully belongs to him - and measure it against everything good he’s done and his sincerity and decide for herself what she wants to do with it. 

I love it in that scene that it comes so unexpectedly in a way - because Zuko doesn’t expect it. From his own perspective, he’s done nothing special other than rode along with Katara as a backup (which she clearly didn’t need) and even failed to give her a conclusive closure. But from her perspective it was the right time to forgive.