#zukka nation probably

[bunthebreadboy]

redeemed!azula au where she and katara are absolutely fed up by their brothers when they’re all staying at the fire nation palace

zuko & sokka: *literally just holding hands*

katara: spirits, they’re disgusting

azula: absolutely vile

katara: so much pda

azula: they need to get a room

katara: you’re so right

azula: besides, we’d be cuter than them anyways and we could destroy the world

katara: i hope you mean that hypothetically

azula: us being cuter than them?

katara: no, destroying the world

azula: …oh, yeah, that was a joke

katara: good! so…wanna go prove we can be cuter than them

azula: don’t have to ask me twice

katara & azula: *making out somewhere*

toph, seeing them via earth vibrations despite being half way across the palace, looking straight into the camera like she’s on an episode of the office: yknow, i didn’t think it was possible to be more dramatic than zuko and sokka. i was WRONG.

[sokkas-therapist]

Breaking my silence: I think Zuko’s “I’m angry at myself” explosion in The Beach episode was queer coded

*runs away before I can be booed off the stage*

[adriancatrin]

soulmark au sketches. the idea of sokka in proven ‘soulmates are real’ universes consistently intrigues me—how would that impact his skepticism/interpretation of fate/destiny/free will? personally i think he’d be very angry for a very long time and probably not even understand why

[ambriel-angstwitch]

one aspect of avatar canon i feel like isn't talked about nearly enough is the fact that zuko canonically has prophetic dreams

[not-aurii]

We were robbed of a Zukka sword fighting scene

especially since they probably had the same master (considering Pian Dao isn't only the best swordsman/ sword master in the Fire Nation, but also a close friend of Uncle Iroh)

[a-little-lost-in-my-own-head]

Guys, I found the perfect Sokka creature.

So we all know the dragon Zuko au, where he turns into a dragon, right? And I thought "hey, what if other nations have that too?" So I started my research.

The first creature I thought of was Tangie, because it's perfect for a fanfic. It's a water horse beast, that can appear as either a horse or a handsome man. When someone mounts it in horse form it's pretty safe until Tangie smells water. Then the back becomes adhesive and human can't escape. Tangie takes human to water and eats it.

Zukka fanfic where Zuko wants to put himself in danger (again) with no consideration for his own safety (again) and self sacrifice for others (again), but Sokka in horse form turns on his adhesive trait and literally carries him to safety like "no you stay right here"? Yes please.

BUT!

I thought, why force our western mythology here? So I searched for Inuit creatures, since you know, water tribe is based on Inuit culture. There aren't a lot of them on Wikipedia, so it didn't take long to look through every single one and guys

Guys.

Akhlut.

Do you guys know what an akhlut is? You probably don't, so let me tell you. Akhlut is an orca that becomes a wolf once it steps on land. It also has a merge form.

Do you know what looks an awful lot like it was inspired by orca, or at least has orca colors?

THAT'S RIGHT!

Do you guys know what was definitely inspired by wolves?

EXACTLY!

He already is an orca wolf! What's more, most of ATLA animals are merged from two animals, so it even fits lore! Tangie is perfect for fanfics, but akhlut is perfect for Sokka.

Why isn't this common in fanfics? Why isn't it popular? Besides, look at this good boy.

Baby Sokka akhlut.

EDIT: okay so maybe Sokka's war paint doesn't look all that orca-ish, but not having it in front of my eyes I thought it fit so I kept it in the post even after I double checked it. It has the colors. That's enough for me.

Art source:

Tangie from Bailee on Deviantart

https://www.deviantart.com/tag/bailee?page=5

Big Akhlut from Scorching Kami on Deviantart

https://www.deviantart.com/scorchingkami

Baby Akhlut from Hburton on Deviantart

https://www.deviantart.com/hbruton/art/Akhlut-Pups-895973610

[dunnowho180125]

yes another Zukka AU

Ok so Zuko got put in charge of a boat and its crew at age 13 (not the brightest decision right Ozai) and Hakoda was on sea a year later right? So imagine Sokka, really wanting to go with his dad, deciding to snuck in their boat, so when his dad finally finds him, its too late to go back but still, they can’t let him stay on a WAR boat so they set a course for a port to contact someone from the tribe to pick him up but while they were there, you have 14 years old Zuko meeting 13 years old Sokka and both have 0 idea who the other is until someone, probably lieutenant Jee, comes up to Zu and is like “Your Highness, we are ready to depart” except that in the short time the boys were together, Zuko got told about the raids and a first hand story about the Fire Nation’s “GrEaTnEsS” so he’s like “wait a second my dad’s an asshole” and he’s just like “ok no we are going to help Sokka’s dad” and after a lengthy discussion of life choices, parenting styles and boats intricacies, Zuko comes out with a new dad, a boyfrie- best friend and a new life goal, which is to end the war. He also gives several people a new life goal too, which is to punch the Fire Lord in the face, or whack him in the head with a bat, they’re not picky

[andrea-lyn]

Avatar the Last Airbender - Master Fic Rec Post

See under the cut for forty-two total recs, predominantly Zukka.

Wooing the Water Tribe by lenaballena (ALL TIME FAVE RIGHT HERE)

Zuko is courting Katara, and with every passing day finds new and insane ways of showing that he would quite literally move the spirit world and earth to make her happy.

In hindsight, it probably would've been better if Sokka had realised he was in love with Zuko at literally any time before this. Or preferably, never fallen for his best friend in the first place.

exothermic reaction by blueconsequences

When Sokka is temporarily blinded by Fire Nation soldiers, the members of the Gaang take turns to care for him.

One pair of hands is warmer than the others.

Love's Such an Old-Fashioned Word by drvcos

When invited to the 100th anniversary of his father’s company, after 15 years of radio silence, Zuko decides to show how happy he is to all the people from his past. There’s only one (fatal) problem.

Or,

Zuko is a frazzled single dad, Sokka is an absolute flirt, and the “fake” that comes before their relationship doesn’t feel all that fake.

like real people do by verdanthoney for bleekay

Sokka knew he would be dealing with a raging case of baby fever during their annual vacation on Ember Island. What he didn’t expect was to discover that he was also hopelessly in love with Zuko, and had been for years without realizing.

Spirits Help Us, There's Two of Them by hopepunk

Sokka and Zuko are both weird guys. Fortunately, they're the same kind of weird as each other.

(do you take this jerk to be) your one and only by jatersade

Under the leadership of Fire Lord Iroh, the Fire Nation has made every attempt to restore peace and make amends for the harm they inflicted during the Seventy-Year War. Their newest proposal is a literal proposal: a marriage to unite the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes.

The Fire Nation offers Prince Zuko’s hand.

The Water Tribes offer Princess Yue’s.

Sokka is apparently the only person in the world who has a problem with any of this.

isn't this the vision that you wanted by nebulastucky

Firelord Zuko - ender of the Hundred Year War, ruler of the Fire Nation, payer of respects and reparations - takes advice and counsel from representatives of every nation, division, and specialty.

But teenage boy Zuko - friend of turtleducks, wielder of fun looking swords, stumbler over words and feet in the presence of cute boys - only listens to two people, and they are conspiring together to ruin him.

or: Iroh just wants what's best for his nephew, and Katara just wants to know everyone's business.

we had a moment, we had a summertime by nebulastucky

Sokka shrugs. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“You get captured and killed by the Fire Nation,” Toph provides.

“They won’t execute me in a tea shop,” Sokka says around a sudden lump in his throat. “That’d be bad for business.”

or: the one where sokka falls for a tea shop and a boy with too much charm for his own good.

Ignition Point by Yuu_chi

Most people know they're a bender since birth. Sokka just had to discover it at twenty when he accidentally burns his own house down.

Alchemy by mindbending

Sokka (a.k.a the Silent Knight, a.k.a. the sharpest detective in Caldera City) has three cases weighing on his mind.

1.) Zuko, son of the mob boss Ozai, has gone missing under sinister circumstances. 2.) Lee, a teahouse waiter with the face of an angel, wears a scar of mysterious origins. 3.) The Blue Spirit, a lithe and enigmatic cat burglar, keeps stealing into the Fire Nation’s storehouses (not to mention Sokka’s dreams).

Sokka sighs and takes a swig from his special bottle. It’s hard solving three completely unrelated mysteries at the same time...

i wanna be still with you by tristanyvaine

Handwritten letters sent back and forth do not a love story make. Or. Maybe they do, in the case of a certain Fire Lord and Water Tribe warrior who happen to fall in love over sending letters to each other at least.

keeps me up late at night by midnights

Fifteen years since the war had ended, and still Zuko remembered every step of the way as if it were yesterday. More than anything, he remembered Sokka. He'd been in love with him then, and he still was.

ft. ambassador sokka, fancy parties, pining zuko, and two oblivious fools

the brightest you've ever been by panthalassas

Azula folds herself into the lotus position and empties her mind. Then Yue places her hands on either side of Azula's face, and her mind fills back up again. Or: Yue notices Azula is lonely. Turns out, Azula's ready to feel some emotions.

real love baby by verdanthoney

Five times Zuko and Sokka pretend they aren't in love, and one time they don't.

OR,

Sokka initiates a friends with benefits relationship between them, and Zuko keeps coming back for more.

Seasons in the Sun by burkesl17

Ambassador Sokka's first year in the Fire Nation, a story for each of its seasons. With thunder, assassins, blossoms, poison, politics, volcanoes and a baby dragon. Also falling in love.

Or: four parties, four assassination attempts.

Please Return if Found by CSHfic, VSfic

When Sokka sees a “lost pet” poster near his apartment for an actual, literal dragon, he thinks it’s a joke.

Right up until he finds the dragon sitting on his couch.

Nobility by hikuni

Book 3. Sokka/Zuko. Set after The Boiling Rock Pt. 2, Sokka and Zuko explore the Western Air Temple, where Sokka tries to get Zuko to talk about girls, marriage, and maybe even a future for the two of them.

Worship the Ashes by meregalaxiesandgods, patentpending

All Azula wants is for things to go back to the way they were – her father on the precipice of conquering the world, her own position secure at his right hand. Now, the only secure thing is her, trapped in a gilded cage in her brother's new Fire Nation. Lonely and adrift, Azula would do anything to make it end, until an unexpected connection rekindles a light she long-thought had burned to ashes. But falling for Suki isn't something Azula can let herself do, especially with the world as they know it threatening to crumble around them.

Or: Azula goes to therapy, has an identity crisis, stops actively trying to kill her brother, makes a few friends, and falls in love along the way.

No Quiet Life by JustGettingBy

Zuko's not sure when it started. It would be easy to say it started with Boiling Rock, or with the Western Air Temple. But whenever it started, his crush isn’t about to go away anytime soon.

*

“It’s not too late, ‘Lee’. We could steal a boat. Sail across the high seas until we hit the horizon. Spend the rest of our days living off the land.” He brandishes his arm as if to show Zuko the untapped potential of their future as wild hunters.

“No, Sokka.”

Sokka shrugs. “Well, it was worth a shot. When you’re up to your eyeballs in expense reports, don’t say I didn’t ask.”

Zuko’s mouth feels very dry. “I won’t.”

virtues uncounted by bloobeary

fire lord zuko visits the southern water tribe eight years after the war ends

based on that text post

Will We Last the Night by CSHfic, VSfic (My absolute fave of the canon rewrites for its wildly IC enemies-to-lovers feel)!

Chief Arnook never assigns Sokka to protect Princess Yue, so he goes to fight the Fire Nation with the other men. When the moon dies, and the ocean spirit takes its revenge, Sokka is caught standing on the deck of a Fire Nation ship. Sokka should have drowned… and he would have drowned, if not for a certain Fire Nation raft fleeing the North Pole.

[An enemies-to-lovers season 2 rewrite, where Sokka is separated from the gaang during the Siege of the North, and travels the Earth Kingdom with Zuko instead].

Ashes Inside When You Finish Your Song by Muncaster

Sokka writes lyrics for his sister’s band. Zuko plays piano and is unnecessarily nice. Fellas, is it gay to write love songs about your friend and his golden eyes?

(AKA, a modern band AU featuring The Gaang, crappy software equipment, homoerotic lyrics, and the realization that maybe, if you think about a guy every night before you sleep, you just might be in love with him.)

Relief Next to Me by wilteddaisy (taotu)

Sokka thinks Ozai’s beach house is pretty awesome. Slightly less awesome is the couch he has to sleep on, as is accidentally getting into Zuko’s bed. At first, that is.

noble blood by lupus (khaleeseas)

The Southern Water Tribe was no place for a firebender...or even a Fire Prince for that matter. And yet here Zuko was, not only in the South Pole’s capital itself but in the Royal Palace, protecting the tribe’s Chief after a failed assassination attempt. Chief Sokka, his old friend and a man who was intelligent and witty, yet kind of a dumbass. A man who was brave and strong and kind. A man who Zuko was utterly failing not to develop...personal feelings for. __

aka: a kind of roleswap AU with Southern Water Tribe Chief Sokka and bodyguard/mercenary Zuko.

it's more about the things that you take with by winterfire22

it’s been a few years since zuko took the throne, and he's doing his best. but there are some things missing.

enter his new ambassador program, and an opportunity to reconnect with an old friend.

before we jump ship, let me teach you how to stay afloat by eurydicees

He doesn't remember when his feelings changed, just that, somewhere between the fires of his homeland and the ocean of Sokka's pirate ship, he fell in love.

In which Zuko learns to swim, Sokka falls in love, and the sun and ocean remain as steady as ever.

in silence; ripen, fall and cease by aiyah

Zuko reaches out with trembling hands and tucks it behind Sokka’s ear.

“A pretty flower for a pretty boy,” he whispers.

- - -

[or: this is the story of an ikebana artist and the man who visits him.]

zing by meteor-sword (vaenire)

“I’ll just put away the rest of the treats for them. Toph, hold this will you?” He hefts Zuko’s bag over to her before Toph can protest, and she has a mind to drop the bag at her feet before she feels something interesting inside the bag. As her seismic sense ran passively through the bag, she sensed something small; it was heavier than the parchment but lighter than the bag of coins-- giving a feedback of vibration somewhere between glass and limestone.

//

Like usual, Toph sees this coming when no one else does.

gold in the air of summer by leopardfringe

Sometimes, Toph likes to ask about colors. Not often—people generally aren't great at explaining them to her, but her newfound metalbending abilities have left her curious.

(This, of course, has nothing at all to do with how she doesn’t even need her feet to know who's crushing on who in this group. Nope, this is just purely for research, and definitely not because she's sick of them dragging their feet.)

the stars go waltzing out in blue and red by tristanyvaine

Zuko falls in love with Sokka in the Southern Water Tribe. Sokka falls in love with Zuko in the Fire Nation. It spirals from there.

or: (Zuko thinks a lot about blue, words, love, and Sokka // Sokka thinks a lot about red, touch, love, and Zuko)

To Be Named, To Be Known (To Be Loved) by Erisenyo

Zuko needs tomorrow to be perfect, but when one person is so many things to so many people--My Lord, Fire Lord, Nephew, Zuzu, Sifu Hotman--how is he going to find the time to make sure everything goes exactly right?

Or,

Five titles Zuko has earned himself + One more to add to the list. If he can just get through this Very Important International Celebration first...

this ultraviolet morning light by GallifreyanFairytale

“Sokka?” Zuko’s voice is quiet and raspy as he shifts just enough that Sokka lifts his head up from Zuko’s shoulder. The confession Sokka had ready to go dies on his lips at Zuko’s expression - at the red he can just barely make out in Zuko’s eyes. “Sokka, I… need to tell you something.”

Sokka swallows and nods silently, not trusting his own admission to not slip out if he dares to open his mouth. Zuko must be confessing the same thing Sokka wants to. Which, admittedly, Sokka hadn’t actually planned for, but it’s fine. He can adapt to this. He just needs to shift a few words around in his brain, and--

“You’re my best friend, you know that right?”

And why does Zuko’s tone make this sound like a break up?

OR

sokka and zuko break up, make up, go undercover, thwart a rebellion, watch the sunrise, and change the course of fire nation history. not necessarily in that order.

the stars sighed in unison by spellboundrose

For some reason, Zuko can't stop looking at Sokka out of the corner of his eye. It must be something about the way the moonlight reflects off his skin—or maybe how his eyes, such a vibrant shade of blue, glimmer like the stars above them—

Oh.

Oh, no.

(Or, five moments under the night sky and one beneath the sun.)

everything and nothing at once by tristanyvaine

See, everything would be fine if Sokka was here, because if Sokka was here then Zuko wouldn't be thinking about him over and over and over again while he misses him from the stupid ponytail to his weird Water Tribe shoes.

signs of light by beachytablecloth

And now, out of breath from running, Sokka can feel the anxiety beginning to overwhelm him, stitching his sides and pounding in his ears.

“It’s Zuko,” he finally gets out, panting. “He’s missing.”

or,

Zuko gets kidnapped; Sokka falls apart.

A Predictable Story by mindbending

"On this night, you shall share a kiss with a great love of your life!”

That lying, scummy Aunt Wu predicts a grand romance for Sokka. To disprove her "fortunetelling" once and for all, Sokka decides to spend the night with least romantic person he knows.

Zuko.

Boomerangs and Rainbows by mindbending

At Sokka’s behest, the Gaang skips rescuing Zuko during the Siege at the North Pole. Instead they leave him, unconscious, buried in the snow.

In completely unrelated news, Sokka’s haunted by a ghost now.

little taste of heaven by loserlesbian

"His mom had given him a diary.

No, not a diary–– a journal, she had specified. He knows it’s a diary. Zuko thinks she only called it a journal because she thought that Zuko wouldn’t use it if she said otherwise. A diary is for feelings and angst, but a journal was for working through your problems without all that mushy, gushy stuff. It was for writing out simply what was in your head, nothing more, nothing less."

or, zuko through the years, struggling with himself and his sexuality.

i'll tell you the truth (but never goodbye) by lesmiserablol

“I was ready to fight for us. I was ready to find a way, any way for us to work. And you were the one who ran away when it got too hard!” “That’s not what happened and you know it!” Sokka snaps. “It was never going to work, and it was stupid to keep pretending otherwise! I’m sorry Zuko, I am, but just because you are the Fire Lord, just because we– we were in love, everything wasn’t going to magically fall into place.” Zuko still has a stubborn expression on his face. There are angry tears in his eyes when he says, “We could’ve figured it out. We could’ve…been us. We could’ve had a good life together.” “Yeah, well, I guess we won’t ever know.” (or, the twenty years between Zuko and Sokka breaking up and finally getting together again, shown in 5 times they don’t say goodbye, +1 time they don’t have to)

boy problems by burnt_oranges

“I accidentally signed off on an arranged marriage to Sokka,” Zuko says faintly. He sits up so fast he almost falls out of his chair. “I signed off on an arranged marriage to Sokka, and he agreed." In which Zuko suffers in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: close and constant proximity to the object of his affections, assassination attempts, and irreparable injuries to his dignity.

Yesterday is Ashes by alivingfire

Sokka takes a strategic step back, but he also smiles: triumphant, like he baited Zuko into exactly what he wanted. Like it’s a challenge. It’s the same way he looked when they sized each other up at the prison, with Sokka in chains that left red marks around his wrist, in tattered prison garb, malnourished and angry. Back then, that was Sokka saying: I see your power. I see you. Now, see me. Zuko saw him then. And he sees him now; different, but the same. I see you. Zuko lights his daos in flame. Sokka grins, back to gravel and heat. “Come on, Fire Lord. Impress me.”Zuko burns. His vision flickers with fire. His heart races. His blood sings. His body is like a magnet, pulling ever onward to meet Sokka’s. He advances.He pins Sokka to the wall, blades against his throat. Or, Zuko found Aang first, Sokka and Katara were imprisoned in Boiling Rock for trying to rescue their dad, and all Sokka knows is he's pretty sure he's not supposed to think the Fire Lord is attractive but he's never let things like rules stop him before.

in flammam flammas【火上澆火】 by ranilla_bean

Zuko scoffed. “As always, I am the author of my own unhappiness.”Sokka hummed. “Years ago, when it was just us travelling together, we came across this fortune teller. I didn’t believe any of that mumbo-jumbo. But then she said that my life would be full of struggle and anguish, most of it self-inflicted.”It suited Zuko’s life extraordinarily well, he felt. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m the only person in the Fire Nation who has a vision of what it takes for this country to get better.”Sokka turned to face him, but Zuko looked resolutely forwards. “That can’t be true.”

Zuko turns twenty-five. In spite of his best efforts, the Fire Nation seems to lurch from crisis to crisis. The firebenders have lost their flame, and the situation with the former colonies is only worsening. All the while, he's ill, lonely, and consumed by work. And on the other side of the country, Sokka has just moved in with one Master Piandao.

[poussacha]

2024 AO3 Wrapped!

Hi everyone! It's been another year, can you believe it? Time for another of my AO3 wrappeds! I have a LOT of information this year so I'll be posting the overview and the mini guide first then the month-by-month break down in a different post!

Enjoy!

There is also a separate, CUTER version on my Instagram here.

Fanfiction Mini Guide!

The Santa Clause

Barlie (Charlie Calvin/Bernard the Arch Elf)

Your Lamps Will Call Me Home by Solarcat | Rated M | 8k

Charlie Calvin's life changed forever the night his father became Santa Claus, but even Charlie didn't know how much it would keep changing.

North Pole Squad by flewtooclosetothesun_inc | Rated G | 1k

Every fandom needs a chatfic and the Santa Clause didn't have one yet.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Zukka

where the stars do not take sides by WitchofEndor | Not Rated (Also Gen) | 60k

When Azula is nine, she becomes an only child. She hears the Fire Lord call for Zuko's life, and in the morning, her mother and brother are gone. Azula may be young, but she isn't naive. She knows what happened to them. Which makes it all the more surprising when Azula tracks the Avatar down and fights his group of peasant friends, only to find herself staring into an eerily familiar face.

Wooing the water tribe by lenaballena | Rated T | 60k

Zuko is courting Katara, and with every passing day finds new and insane ways of showing that he would quite literally move the spirit world and earth to make her happy.

In hindsight, it probably would've been better if Sokka had realised he was in love with Zuko at literally any time before this. Or preferably, never fallen for his best friend in the first place.

knowledge and peace by thecelerystalksatmidnight | Rated T | 29k

Sokka is a man of science. Of math. Of tangible proof. Sokka started this journey two years prior without knowing what he was marching towards. Yet quietly, a path was worn. In the silence between words, Sokka understood the fundamental truths of nature. How could he not, when his father raised him with kindness and love? Sokka is at peace, here.

/

Or, Sokka is fifteen and follows his master into the Spirit World. It doesn't go the way that he plans.

Heart's a Thousand Colors by OhMyFreddy | Rated E | 125k

Sokka regularly has great ideas, and he knows that intentionally falling behind on Fire Prince Zuko's ship to "throw him off Aang's trail" is not one of them.

He goes with it anyway, and finds himself to not be the trickster he thought he was. Instead, he’s immersed deeper into the daily routines aboard the vessel. While the pursuit of Aang and Katara continues, Sokka struggles to maintain his grip on his metaphorical shield and sword against the Fire Nation soldiers around him, as each day finds him more included.

Worst, is the Fire Prince himself, who easily bested him in his village, and who makes it clear immediately that he will hunt down the Avatar whether Sokka is aboard or not.

But the longer Zuko hosts him, the more Sokka stumbles, and stumbles against *him*, and the more he finds his closest convictions challenged.

Wasn't my body rescued, wasn't it safe by sulkybender | Rated M | 15k

“If you want to laugh you can laugh,” Zuko says bitterly.

“Nephew,” Iroh says gently.

“Go on,” he says. His face is twisted up with some emotion none of them can name. He looks almost eager for it.

“I think I need some time alone with my nephew,” Iroh says.

As they back away, Zuko buries his face in his hands.

Below the Sun by CSHFic, VSfic | Rated T | 24k

Sokka is washed overboard while working on the fisherman's boat during the storm. He wakes on a deserted island.

Or... mostly deserted.

Gen

Salvage by MuffinLance | Rated T | 127k

Mid-Season-One Zuko is held for ransom by Chief Hakoda. Ozai's replies to the Water Tribe's demands are A+ Parenting. Hakoda is… deeply concerned, for this son that isn't his, and who might be safer among enemies than with his own father.

Podfic and translations in German, Hungarian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian now available! See chapter one author notes for links.

I Wanna Be The Very Best by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 3k

[“Gym Leader Zuko?” He asks hopefully, and the grin the man sends him dashes his hopes into smoke.

“Afraid not,” the man says, “Zuko is my nephew and unfortunately, he’s not here right now.”

“Shit.” Sokka squirms a little. “Any idea when he may be back? I need his badge so I can—“ Go beat up Aang for being annoying and perfect at everything and making champion at thirteen goddamn years old while Sokka’s doing this whole thing late— “Better myself and reach true enlightenment. Uh. Sir.”

The man says nothing about Sokka’s age, just hmmms in consideration and rustles his bag.

“Call me Iroh,” the man says. “My nephew is like a spring wind, vivacious and—“

Flighty.]

Or,

The Pokémon AU that nobody asked for.

Keep Moving Forward to Stay Alive by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 3k

[“Watch the tail, child.”

Zuko watches the tail and cradles the baby Charmander carefully and close. It sleeps soundly like most infant pokémon and doesn’t stir even when he has to shift its position.

He knows at that very instant that he would rather die than see it harmed, and the potent spike of feeling burns his throat and the space behind his eyes.

Azula holds her Bagon with reluctance, uncomfortably, like she’d rather drop it to the floor.

Zuko never wants to put Charmander down.]

Or,

Zuko’s life has never been easy and somehow, it always manages to get harder.

The Deepest Water Haicrescendo | Rated G | 4k

[“You’re great,” Sokka says to Iroh, “But I’m going to murder your nephew. He’s dead to me.”

Despite Sokka’s forewarning that he would be coming and Zuko’s eventual confirmation via text that he would be there, Vulca’s gym leader is very decidedly not where he is supposed to be.

“You’re welcome to try,” Iroh replies, trying way too hard to sound serious and radiating amusement instead. “If you’d like, you’re welcome to battle me in Zuko’s stead.” He has that authority, Sokka knows, because Zuko’s told him so even though Vulca’s gym regent isn’t well advertised. Nevertheless, he shakes his head.

“No. It doesn’t count as a rematch if it’s you. Besides, I need to go find him and pound some manners into his damn head.”

“Again, you are very welcome to try.”]

Or,

Sokka gets blown off, helps rescue a pokémon, and maybe rescues Zuko a little bit too.

Have The Courage To Be Bold by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Zuko wants to cry. He drops his face to the floor and sniffles into the wood and a few tears slip out of him anyway.

“Yes, you’re very fierce, little one,” Piandao tells Druk, very gently, with his hands up. “I will not hurt him.”

Zuko stifles a quiet little sob into the floor.

“Come, now. Off the floor, boy. Up, up.” Large hands grip Zuko by his upper arms and peel him up off of the floor, lifting him bodily and setting him back into his generic blue bed with its generic blue comforter. “Who did that to your face?”]

Or,

Zuko finds rescue from an unexpected source, is definitely not accidentally kidnapped on purpose, and beats up his fellow kids.

The Extra Mile by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 2k

[“Let me remind you that I haven’t seen you in person in like, a month, Researcher Pakku gave me the week to hang out with you, and instead of giving your favorite sister your undivided attention, you’re texting some weirdo who sends you...memes?”

“They’re really good memes, though!” Sokka protests, and shows her. Katara is not impressed.

“...Sokka, it’s a picture of a dude and a Butterfree going ‘is this a Pidgey?’. I think you need better taste in memes. And maybe friends.”]

Or,

The one where Katara very seriously considers an intervention for her brother.

Don't Say Your Heart's In a Hurry by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Piandao rarely feels anger with this kind of intensity and the cold waves rocking through him are startling to the point that all he can do is mumble his address, throat tight, and hang up. He’s numb with fury as he heads straight to the house and barely manages to not slam the door open.

It startles Zuko anyway, perched on the sofa with Druk and Foxglove bundled up on either side of him.

“Are you...okay?” He asks after a moment of silence, because all Piandao finds that all he can do is stare at him. “Master Piandao?”

“I cannot believe you,” he finally manages to force out, “Two years. Two years here with me, and you let Iroh think you were dead.”]

Or,

The reunion chapter.

Catch Me If You Can by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 9k

[“Dude, it’s like seven am.”

“Uh huh.”

Zuko looks like he doesn’t quite understand why Sokka has a problem with this. He’s way too awake, and Sokka is not awake enough.

Sokka scrubs at his eyes.

“You know it doesn’t open til eleven?”

“Yeah, to the public. Sorry for thinking you’d want to skip out on the line that’s gonna snake through the whole city. Have fun with that—“ Zuko scowls and turns around to leave, and unthinkingly, Sokka nabs the back of his hoodie and tugs.

“No, please do not do that.”]

Or,

In which everyone’s a little nerdier than anticipated, Sokka is a public embarrassment, and Zuko gets honest.

You Found Me (made me into something new) by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 3k

[It’s born in a cage, in a lab that’s all stark white and generic blandness.

It’s alone, no mother or siblings present, just a face swimming in front of its shaky, infant vision. The face is considering and then ecstatic, and it feels a jerk of happiness, the first feeling it ever has.

It’s hungry but also tired, and wants to know about the world.]

Or,

The origin story of Zuko’s fire-breathing Pikachu.

Take a Pop Shot by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Zuko leans back hard against the bed frame and sighs heavily and tips his head back to look at Sokka.

“Have you ever jumped off a cliff with a bungee before? Or, like, a waterfall?”

“What? No,” Sokka snorts. “Why, have you?”

Zuko’s quiet and considering, and he doesn’t look away.

“It’s scary,” he says, “But when you’re falling, you never want to stop. The fall feels like it takes forever, and you could do it and be happy for the rest of your life. And then you hit water, or the end of your tether. And it hurts, it always hurts, but the fall feels so good that you keep doing it, over and over again.”

“Are you falling right now?” Sokka asks.

“No,” Zuko murmurs. “Fall’s over. I hit the water.”]

Or,

Zuko implodes and Sokka wants pancakes.

Not Until I'm Ready by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 5k

[Zuko has a traveling companion.

A people one and not a pokémon one, he tells Uncle one night when they’re on video chat.

His name is Jet, he’s a year older, and Zuko found him. Well, kind of. It was kind of like they found each other, because Jet was taking a nap in a bush, and Zuko tripped over him and fell on his head. Jet had yelled and hollered about it, and Zuko had yelled and hollered back until both of them were out of breath, and now they’re apparently traveling together because Jet won't go away.

Zuko knows three important things about Jet.]

Or,

Druk evolves, June is doing her best, and Zuko and Jet’s excellent adventure.

Field and a River by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 7k

[It’s barely seven in the morning when there’s a pounding on the door to Vulca’s gym.

Zuko waits a few minutes to see if Uncle gets it (he doesn’t), and eventually drags himself out of bed. It’s early enough that the junior trainers aren’t here and the gym is deserted. Zuko hopes that they go away.

They don’t, and the knocking continues.

Zuko slides open the door.

“Hi there,” Jet tells him with a grin.

Zuko slides the door shut without a word.]

Or,

An unpleasant reunion, a little more trauma for everyone, and someone gets hit with the feels stick.

What Good is Winning (if you lose your heart) by Haicrescendo | Rated T | 9k

[“Let it be known, nephew, that I think this idea is terrible.”

“Noted.”

“Let it be known, Sparky, that I’m normally very supportive of your bad ideas and I also think that this one is terrible on an entirely new level for you.”

“Noted,” Zuko says between gritted teeth. “If you didn’t want to help, you didn’t have to.”

Toph rolls grey, unseeing eyes and flips him the bird.

“If you think I wasn’t gonna come help the second you told me about this shitshow, you’re out of your mind. You’ll die without me.”]

Or,

In which Gym Leader Zuko learns to pick his battles and hates having feelings.

Free Up Your Mind by Haicrescendo | Rated G | 5k

[Zuko slams the magazine down on the table. He’s livid, red-faced and gritting his teeth so hard that his jaw’s going to hurt later. He slams it down so hard, in fact, that it rattles Uncle’s tea setting.

“What did the local news do to warrant such a massacre?” Uncle asks mildly, hands instinctively wrapping around a full teacup. “A good ginseng could never.”]

Or,

Gym Leader Zuko breaks the internet.

Doctor Who

13/Rose

Pertinacia by lumidaub | Rated T | Comic

Rose Tyler finally makes it back but her universe has moved on. Finding her Doctor may not be quite as easy as she imagined.

A manga style comic.

Let Wonder Seem Familiar by tsukara | Rated T | 35k

The Doctor wrecks the TARDIS (again) with his regeneration energy (AGAIN), so the TARDIS thinks 'well, why not? The Time Lords are back (for now) and can fix any cracks that might happen, let's go get Rose Tyler--the Doctor's going to need all the help she can get soon', though she can't hold on to her when the TARDIS gets caught in her rematerialization loop. With Torchwood and UNIT gone, Rose tries to find the Doctor however she can--which leads her to MI6. At the same time, strange aliens are attacking spies around the world, which is exactly the sort of thing that would draw the Doctor in.

Post-Journey's End Reunion fic set in Season 12.

All This Can I Qualify by tsukara | Rated T | 8k

At the end of the events of Spyfall, everyone--including Rose--has returned to the TARDIS. There are five planets between Gallifrey and when the Fam finally ask her about what is going on.

Or: Five Planets Where the Fam Didn't Ask Where the Doctor is From and the One They Did

Every Line is a Place on a Map by disasterism | Rated G | 1k

Time deceives, disguises itself; it is not a year, a minute, an era, but a map. This is your map from London, UK to Dårlig Ulv Stranden, Norway to the edge of time. The Doctor/Rose Tyler; Bad Wolf.

Ed, Edd N' Eddy

KevEdd (Edd "Double D"/Kevin Barr)

Pick up lines by WeepingWillow1928 | Rated T | 1k

Kevin wants Double Dee's attention, and he's just desperate enough to take Nat's advice.

An Extremely Goofy Movie

Maxley (Max Goof/Bradley Uppercrust III)

🌟🌟FRESHIE AND III BY EDDAMAEASTER | RATED T | 95K🌟🌟

It's a semester later - Bradley has been all but a ghost on campus. Until Max is wandering through the music school and happens to glance into one of the practice rooms.

(One of the best if not THE best fic in the tag, I swear to GOD)

🌟🌟FIFTH COLUMN BY MADAM_MUFFINS | RATED E | 90k🌟🌟

A single dad to a child just as head strong as he was, Max finds himself struggling with broken dreams and trying to find his path in life as he enters into his thirties.

Bradley has one last chance to prove himself to his family. His father. That chance comes in the form of a failing toy factory in a city too close to the biggest personal failure in his life.

When paths cross and egos once again collide, how can Spoonerville be big enough for the two of them?

(SCREAMING MY HEAD OFF PLEASE READ THIS FIC)

Twin-Sized Mattress by AndSheWasBeautiful | Rated E | 23k

“Now you’ve put me in a tight spot,” Max laments as he re-buckles his belt, the bulge in his pants still distractingly taught. “Give me two more minutes alone. Or, you know, if you’re willing to lend a hand, we could have this dealt with in one?”

Bradley snarls at that, wrenching himself off the door and into the bathroom.

“Don’t even joke about it, freshman. You had some girl in here a second ago - what you aren’t fussy about who gets you off? Figures,” Bradley sneers, levelling the most disgusted look he can muster at Max. The disgust comes with unsurprising ease - all it takes is one sideways glance in the mirror and Bradley can dredge it up.

“Projecting much?” Max replies coolly.

-

The Gammas host a toga party.

Consequences by plaided_koala | Rated M | 4k

Bradley knows:

If you mix the alcohol with medications, there will be consequences.

Max Goof's Guide to Getting Girls by kingofheadaches | Rated G | 14k

Bradley Uppercrust the III is a virgin to everything. Never been kissed, never dated, never fucked, never done anything with sexual intentions. But when his father demands a fiancée before his father’s big gala, he has to be willing to take some help from his archnemesis-roommate, Max Goof.

Or Whatever by criesmom | Rated E | 13k

Max disentangled himself to slide out of the booth, offering Roxanne a hand to get up. They exchanged farewells with Tank and Bradley before heading towards the stairs, but with a final glance over his shoulder, Max could see Bradley still watching them leave. His face seemed more relaxed, maybe a little hollow. The expression sat in Max’s stomach long after he’d turned around.

Or

With Roxanne by his side egging him on, Max embraces the experimental nature of college life and gives something new a go - Bradley Uppercrust III

Don't let me down by Midnightblue66 | Rated M | Comic

Max is celebrating his victory at the X-Games after party when he sees a familiar face. Has Bradley finally come around to make up for his horrible behaviour?

Victorious

Reck (Beck Oliver/Robbie Shapiro)

Love in 60 days or less by Kheta | Rated G | 9k

Beck loves Jade but hates hiding and Jade loves Beck, but she hates complicated and.

And Beck comes out of the proverbial closet and other snippets of his life.

Jori (Jade West/Tori Vega)

You be the Moon, I'll be the Earth by PrettyLittlePottyMouth | Rated M | 30k

After Tori asks Jade for a favor, Jade discovers there's more to Tori than she ever expected. Tori worries that her secret is the only thing Jade finds interesting about her. Lunacy ensues.

Sam & Cat

SamCat (Sam Puckett/Cat Valentine)

I Know it Seems Far, but Just Be Where You Are by PrettyLittlePottyMouth | Rated M | 140k

Sam's arrival in Los Angeles changes everything for Cat, including the dynamics of her friend group, especially when it comes to Tori and Jade. Meanwhile, Sam struggles to leave behind her past and start something new. Lunacy becomes their new normal.

Star Vs. the Forces of Evil

Stomco (Star Butterfly/Marco Diaz/Tom Lucitor)

The Silver Bell Ball by boredomsMuse | Not Rated | 3k

How I imagine the Silver Bell Ball would have gone if Star and Tom tricked Marco into going. (And they were totally tricking him, it wasn't like they were actually avoiding their dance or anything.)

Demoncism by boredomsMuse | Not Rated | 2k

On the day of Tom's demoncism, Marco goes out and buys all the jello he can find. Because jello is the best thing to eat after the demon-equivalent of an operation.

Sophomore Slump by boredomsMuse | Not Rated | 3k

It's been a week since Demoncism and things on Earth are getting more and more tense for Marco. Especially with Star too busy to talk to him.

Being Erica

EricaTom (Erica Strange/Tom Wexler)

Me. And Me Now by sakuracorr | Rated M | 17k

Post season two. Sometimes it's hard to let go, especially when you have the ability to really find the answers to your "What ifs?"

Jujutsu Kaisen

SatoSugu (Gojo Satoru/Geto Suguru)

all your sugar lovin', it belongs to me by Gyyuuttt | Rated G | 757 Words

just some thoughts about stsg in an idol au that i don't think i'd ever be able to write into a story partly bc of lack of skill, and partly bc of lack of motivation

Life With Derek

Gen

Ding Dong, the Prince is Dead by slipslapslop | Rated G | 500 Words

“Wake up. We’re going to a funeral.”

“Derek what are you talking about?”

[bisexuallsokka]

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

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

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

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

"Hey," he says.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[myguiltyartpleasure]

Hear me out: zukka x mulan (disney version). Sokka is pretending to be from fire nation colony, Zuko is their general. He isn’t hiding his gender, but his origins. Probably hiding swt tattoos or water tribe trinkets (imagine piercing with water tribe themed beads!)

Why? My brain stuck on this image as zukka and I want to make it zukka

[petricorah]

Easy (a tiny zukka fic)

Sokka was, without a doubt, the smartest person Zuko knew--and he was a complete fool.

Zuko wasn't really sure how he could be both.

He had seen Sokka create some of the greatest plans and inventions, things Zuko could never dream of thinking up in a thousand years, and yet--

He'd also chosen to be with him. Which was markedly the most foolish decision possible.

"Hey," Sokka said, knocking Zuko's shoulder with his own.

They were sitting on the roof of one of the buildings near the palace, overlooking the Fire Nation city. It was the only place his advisors couldn't interrupt them. The sun had set a while ago, but the sky was just bright enough to make out Sokka's concerned features.

"What are you thinking about?" Sokka asked. "You got that look on your face."

Zuko's nose scrunched up. "What look?"

Sokka waved his hand in the air like he was grasping something intangible. "Like you're waiting for lightning to strike."

"I'm not thinking about anything," he grumbled.

Sokka snorted a laugh. "Come on. You're going to have to do better than that."

Zuko's frown deepened and he looked back over the city. Of course Sokka could read him.

Smoke curled from his fingertips. It was easy to pretend with the others. He always wore a scowl, so when he was in a bad mood, no one was the wiser. Except for Sokka. Somehow, Sokka could always tell the difference. He was always there, trying to make things better. Trying to be there for him. Being good to him, and Zuko wasn't...

Zuko didn't deserve him.

"I think we should end this."

"Yeah, it is getting pretty late," Sokka said, stretching his sore arms casually.

Zuko knew the wrappings and the compression sleeve on his arms hid countless battle scars. Several of them he'd gotten because of Zuko. Either inflicted by him as a teenager or now, from Sokka protecting him as the firelord.

"I'm exhausted," Sokka continued. "Suki and I spent the whole day sparring. Every time I think I get the upper hand, I end up flat on my butt--"

"No." Zuko's mouth tasted like ash. "We should end this. Us."

Sokka stilled, then dissolved in a confused chuckle. "What?"

Zuko's jaw clenched. "It was a mistake to begin with."

"What are you talking about?" His smile was gone now.

Zuko forced his gaze away, not wanting to see the pain creeping up on Sokka's features.

"We're over."

Sokka was a messy crier. Right now, his face was probably pinched like a lemon, with tears welling in his eyes--

"Nope."

Zuko blinked and looked at him in shock, but Sokka's expression was almost breezy.

"I don't accept," Sokka said loftily, leaning back casually like they were talking about what food to eat for dinner. "You'll have to try again some other time."

"Wha--are you even listening to me?" Zuko scrambled up to stand over him. "I said it's over. We're breaking up!"

"And I'm saying you better try harder," Sokka shot back. "Otherwise you're stuck with me."

Zuko closed his trap in surprise.

Sokka crossed his arms in a definitive nature that Zuko had grown accustomed to. It meant he was standing his ground, and that not even Toph could budge him. It was quite helpful as an ambassador, but now...

"That's not how it works!" Sparks ignited in his palms, prickling his skin.

Sokka got up, facing him on the edge of the roof.

It was dark now, and the only light was from the lanterns dimly illuminating the streets, and the lights bounced off Sokka's features as he spoke. "What, you think I'm going to let someone as great as you slip from my fingers that easily?"

Zuko's expression broke, and any semblance that he had control over this conversation shattered with his face.

"Yeah," Sokka said softly, and his shoulders dropped. "That's what I thought this was about." He reached forward, slowly taking his hand. He smoothed over Zuko's palm, putting out the smoke that threatened to erupt, even though the heat singed his gloves. "I'm not easy to get rid of," he murmured, tracing over his fingertips, blackened from ash. He tore his gaze up, meeting Zuko's eyes. "But you're easy to love."

Love?

Zuko knew that any relationship with him, romantic or not, was anything but easy. Zuko's throat closed with bile, and the only thing he felt other than his heart pounding in his chest was Sokka's warm touch.

Sokka smiled, and leaned forward, his thumb brushing against his scarred cheek. "Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done," he said. "It's easy when I make you smile, and I think about how that's all I ever want to do. It's easy when I wake up in the morning, and I'm trapped under your heavy arm that's a thousand degrees."

In spite of everything, Zuko's face twitched into a hesitant smile.

"It's easy when I see you help your people. It's easy when you listen to me drone on and on about my inventions, and when you laugh at all my bad sarcastic jokes." He closed the space between them, and all Zuko could focus on was his voice.

"And it's easy to love you now. Even when you're trying to push me away because you don't see the person I see."

Zuko's eyes flicked back and forth. Agni, he was the one who was going to ugly cry, wasn't he.

He hugged him, and Sokka staggered back from the weight, parts of the roof crumbling off beneath their feet.

"Roof, roof! We're on the roof!" He said, laughing, and finally found his footing with his heel partially over the edge, but he was smiling. "I love you, Zuko."

"I love you, too," Zuko said, mumbling against his neck as he held him tightly, and he didn't let go.

[starboysbrainrot]

Since it’s jetko week, do you any hc about jetko ? Any hot takes about jetko ? Any specific thoughts ?

hey anon !

i think that my fav hc jetko would have to be either Jet becoming his personal bodyguard, first as an attempt to “keep the new Firelord in check” and then in an attempt to just protect Zuko when he sees how often Zuko’s life is threatened by him being the new Firelord.

or Jet & Zuko living together far from any big cities, with a big family, after abolishing the FN monarchy. it’s probably the least realistic one but it’s I think the one where both get that they deserve : a peaceful life, filled with love and happiness.

now if we’re speaking about hot takes, i posted this thread on x bc anon inspired me to put my thoughts on paper so I’m just gonna copy past it here

it’s not specifically jetko thoughts but I do think that the fandom tends to be too harsh on Jet & Zuko in one specific episode. and for me that’s City of Walls and Secret.

now don’t get me wrong. yes, Zuko was lying about his identity, yes Jet was stalking two people and started a fight, but that’s really, textually, not that bad. Jet is traumatised, paranoid and stressed so when he has the slightest hint that maybe Iroh might be a firbender he’s TERRIFIED literally and every single part of his brain that might think rationally just doesn’t work anymore. and that’s perfectly understandable given what happened to him.

that’s doesn’t make it 100% ok since, yeah they are so many EK citizens that might come from colonies, with mixed heritage, or with fn ancestry that might make them a firebender without being fire nation, and Jet had no way of being sure about this. but as I said his reaction is textually completely understandable.

now for Zuko, he would be in mortal danger if his identity was revealed (which people tend to forget) and he cannot afford to give up on his secret identity for a boy he barely knows. I know y’all like to make it big by saying he kind of betrayed jet’s trust, but jetko, as much as I love it spent max a few days together on the ferry, and that’s it. that’s literally it.

zuko even declines Jet’s offer because he cannot afford being close to someone when he is hiding his identity. cuz it would be risky, it would be even more lying, etc. it’s perfectly understandable and sincerely it funny that out of all the horrible things Zuko did it’s often that one that people will point out. I know that canon divergent jetko au might use that angst potential with Zuko lying to Jet but in canon it’s really not that deep. if he doesn’t lie = he dies/or gets imprisoned at BEST. if he does lie, he gets a chance at surviving both the EK and the FN. and that’s basically it.

as much as it is a popular trope to make Zuko or Jet guilty in jetko fics, I really don’t like it because canon jetko and fanon jetko are really two different things. canon jetko isn’t about betrayal. it’s more about how two severely flawed and traumatised teenagers start to form somehow a friendship because of how similar they are, but the instance of war, trauma and the sick need of survival get between them and tore them apart before they start to remotely form a meaningful relationship.

like in canon these two boys owe each other NOTHING. and I mean it. no Jet doesn’t owe Zuko his trust and no Zuko doesn’t owe Jet his honesty. not in that specific context. and that’s something that a lot of people don’t get about these two in canon

people even fail to realise that Jet’s lack of trust and hostility towards even the slightest hint of firebending & zuko trying to survive, burying his honesty to do so, are wonderful parallels that could be exploited in fics. not necessarily the “you lied/you attacked me” but just the “I had no other choice, I’m sorry” which is so much more tragic.

I would add that this specific trope of “Zuko earning Jet’s forgiveness” when it one sided doesn’t work for me. it works for ships like maiko or zukka, and especially zutara, but not really jetko. at least not if it isn’t reciprocated. like both guys did horrible things but none of these “horrible things” were directed towards eachother.

what happened in BSS is ultimately tragic because both didn’t had another choice. both were clinging on the idea of surviving. both were terrified by what could happen to them. DO YOU SEE HOW TRAGIC THAT IS 😔

[the-badger-mole]

How do you feel about the concept of Jet being a mutual ex of Katara and Zuko? Or about them all being poly together? Is that something you'd ever consider writing?

I feel like I get this question like once a year. I'm not sure why? Anyway, no. This isn't a headcanon I subscribe to. I know people can do whatever they want, but in canon, there's no romantic vibe between Zuko and Jet that I can see, and I think romance is probably the least interesting way to go with their dynamic. I'm not even sure how they got shipped together, but Zukka also exists with even less to build on, so what do I know? I don't ship them. I don't even really think they'd be friends like that for real. Like, in an AU, I see them as rivals, maybe frenemies at best. In universe, I don't think Jet would ever forgive the Fire Nation enough for it to not be on sight whenever he sees Zuko after finding out he's a firebender, the prince of the firebenders. And you know what? I don't fault him for that. I think that makes sense for him, and he's got every right to feel that way.

Sometimes, I like the idea of them fighting over Katara, or of Jet being Katara's problematic ex, but that doesn't feel quite right to me either. I prefer Jet as the guy that was almost right for Katara, but not quite. The guy that makes Katara give up on love because if she couldn't make it work with him, who can she make it work with? Right before she meets Zuko.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

I often hear about "zutara aesthetics" and I never got it. No offense to the ones who like it, it's just my personal opinion, subjective through and through. This blog is the only place I feel safe enough to confess, that's all.

I don't like how Katara and Zuko look together. They are good as part of the gaang, but when there are only two of them... Every zutara fanart seems kind of "off" to me. Their silhouettes, their colors, shapes (canonical ones), the overall vibe - not similar enough to look harmonic in my eyes (kataang and maiko are much more visually appealing), not different enough to give an interesting contrast (like jinko, for example). Again, this is only my taste.

And, my gosh, I can't stand literally any Fireladykatara design. They are all so wrong. Why she always has a crescent-shaped crown? Zuko's crown is flames, not sun - they don't even match! (same goes for similar cases with zukka, ugh) And the clothes? Total red - I can see all your respect for Katara and her love for her culture, great job, guys. Red and blue combination - you mean, like Freedom Fighters, pirate crew and the owner of the circus? Canonically these are the characters who dress like that. So every time I see this variant I can't help but wonder if the Fire Nation citizens will think their queen looks like a criminal, outcast, or like a performer who entertains the crowd. Total blue - good for Katara, as long as the cut is not obviously modern or Fire-Nation-like (very often cases), but I don't like how it looks next to Zuko's red.

If you post it - thanks for the opportunity to express my opinion. Hope it does not offend anybody. I've never seen posts like this, so I think noone shares this point of view anyway. If you don't post it, it's fine. This ask is probably petty; normal people are analyzing the characters and the narrative, and here I am, complaining about how zutara annoys me visually as well.

Hey, petty or not, it's your opinion. You're allowed to just look at something and say "This aesthetic choices are shit." It's crazy that Zutarians are so prone to harrassing people that you're afraid to share this opinion, yet they're constantly calling Aang ugly. If they get to be petty, so can we. At least we're doing that in our space, without trying to tell them what they can or cannot do in their fanarts/fics.

And yeah, now that you mention it... the way they make them look always felt a bit off for me. I never really got why, but I honestly felt like light-bulb went off in my head when you mentioned them just dressing Katara in Fire Nation style even when she's supposed to be wearing Water Tribe clothes.

[narrativelysignificantturtleduck]

ok i know the sex ed post was ages ago but I saw it in your most liked tab and it got me thinking, particularly with zukka, that even though they had sex ed they wouldn't have had gay sex ed. zuko grew up with sailors + the royal family in homophobic fire nation, and sokka got probably taught by gran gran about having babies. so all i can think is that if they decided to take that step when older, they are gonna have no clue what to do. queue sokka very very awkwardly shuffling up to bato who he knows is in a relationship with his dad and saying can I ask a question. promise not to laugh at me. except bato is less amused and more mildly horrified that sokka has chosen him to answer these questions

oh my god yeah. like, i'm not sure gran-gran's sex ed would've been heteronormative - depends on what you think the southern water tribe's attitudes are - but there's a very strong possibility that sokka, as a sexist teenage boy who thought he was straight, may have been like GRAN-GRAN EWWW STOP LALALA I'M NOT LISTENING

like the convo went: here's how babies happen -> sometimes grown-ups do this without the intent to make babies -> people can also do it with people of the same physical sex -> sokka running away screaming

he now regrets that.

for zuko, i think he might have. um. hands-on experience. y'know. on the ferry. with jet. does that prepare him for being in an actual relationship? probably not.

i'm not sure either of them would want to ask for guidance tbh. both of them canonically have experience with women (azula saying "mai seems to be in a good mood lately" had an undertone to it, sokka and suki in "the southern raiders") and zuko has some experience with men, so they'd probably just assume it's fine. figure it out as they go. it can't be that hard, right?

that said the image of sokka asking bato for advice on having gay sex is SO funny. bato knew he was signing up to be a dad when he started dating hakoda but he didn't think he'd have to give The Talk. also he has to be really careful about what examples he uses since his current gay sex partner is sokka's dad. (i imagine bato had some other relationships, but they all ended bc they realized he'd never value them above hakoda.) also sokka is asking specifically because he wants to have sex with the fire lord and like bato knew they were dating but he's never gonna get over how weird his life is now. "my stepson is asking me advice on gay sex so he can fuck the fire lord". truly wild.

meanwhile zuko has started spending time at piandao's bc he needs a father figure since iroh fucked off to ba sing se (plus piandao knows fire nation politics & can help him navigate being the fire lord) so he walks in one day and is like "yeah i have a question. not about politics but uhh. personal stuff" and piandao's like "oh what is it" and zuko tells him and piandao is like "i'm so honored you're asking me" and goes to his library and finds him a guide to gay sex that got banned in the fire nation but piandao managed to find a copy (he has a lot of illegal gay lit) and hands it to him like. go have fun kiddo. i'm rooting for you guys.

the other possibility is that suki (who is still dating sokka, they have an open relationship) finds out they want to have sex and knowing the state of their sex ed decides that they need a Lesson. it's a very good lesson because kyoshi island has very good queer positive sex ed but sokka has some interesting feelings about his girlfriend teaching him how to have sex with his boyfriend. not bad feelings. just interesting

ANYWAYS this is a fun topic and thank you for the mental image of sokka asking bato about gay sex