#zuko and azula adore toph

[beifong-brainrot]

Aang is great because almost every ship you can put him in instantly becomes top-tier.

Like:

Kataang- they literally make me cry every single time I think of them. Their love story is wonderful and genuinely heartwarming. It symbolises healing and peace for both of them and the literal world. He showed her the world and he's her biggest supporter and she always defends him and they find solace in each other because they understand what it's like to be the last of their respective kind. And they're each other's hope and just... ahhh. They're so much more than the vanilla hero gets the girl ship people paint it as. Haters stay mad or smth.

Zukaang- the symbolism? They're the actual Ying and Yang of the show! The Rozin parallels? Them standing in a vortex of rainbow fire as two dragons (the blue one like Aang's tatoos facing zuko and the other one, red like Zuko's general colour scheme facing Aang) forming a heart shape around them? Zuko was literally searching for Aang and found his redemption in Aang and Aang made him a better person and Aang is literally the only person who genuinely experienced Fire Nation culture before the war and he clearly values it and he's helping Zuko bring peace to the world and the nation...

Taang- The og tomboy x soft boy dynamic. He's literally the person that helped her free herself from her parents and Air is the element of freedom? And she teaches him when to stand firm like the Earth? And I love when they do synchronised earthbending it's so satisfying and they work so well together. Toph having lost her face in one of Aang's nightmares is also a nice parallel to Ummi and Kuruk. (One caveat though: i hate taang being used as a "get Aang out of the way" side ship to Zutara)

Sokaang- they kinda come out of left field for me but the more I think about them the more obsessed I become. It's all about a teenage boy who has been forced into a role that demanded way too much of him finally learning to trust and rely on others. It's about Sokka finally living out the childhood that he was forced to grow out of. Sokka also has such a cute bond with Momo and more importantly, Appa, Aang's animal soulmate. The fics write themselves.

Sukaang- ok, I know Suki and Aang barely interacted in the show but like Hear me out.Suki is so connected to one of Aang's past lives. And she saved Appa, which would totally bond her and Aang (genuinely distressed that this was never discussed in canon). And they both value a sense of community so much, and Aang was one of the people who inspired Suki to leave Kyoshi to help others. Plus, there could be some amazing Rangshi parallels if Suki became Aang's bodyguard instead of Zuko's, which could be very plausible.

Azulaang- I adore this ship because I genuinely think Aang could really help Azula find her redemption. Hell, he was so nice to her in The Search and she literally killed him. Plus I've already laughed about how it would absolutely kill Ozai. The mental crisis Azula would go through due to fallingin love with Aang would be hilarious, and also the guilt over everything she's done, as Aang's kindness makes her realsie she was on the wrong side this whole time. He's one of the only people who can beat her at her prime and he doesn't seem to fear her at all, which is rare for her. Aang could give her the unconditional love she so desperately craves and needs.

Maiaang- genuinely adorable to me. Other than the obvious grumpy x sunshine trope, Maiaang has a lot of potential. Mai seems to genuinely like Aang in the comics, which is really cute. I also think Aang would be able to help Mai express her more positive emotions, other than just anger. Also something about the girl who was forced to remain silent and passive her whole life learning to finally let go and allow herself to just live with the help of probably one of the most active and expressive characters of the show has me by the throat. Plus, he got along great with her lil bro!

Tyaang- They're so similar and cute and bubbly! They'd have tons of fun together and I just know Ty Lee would teach Aang some gymnastics and he really enjoy it! I think he can also find Ty Lee's chiblocking very cool, since it is essentially a great way to deal with a conflict without causing permanent damage. Very airbendery. Speaking of which, Ty Lee is also very airbendry herself. I can genuinely see her finding herself in Air Nomad culture and be excited to help revive it.

Onjaang- i just find this ship so funny because imagine being a random schoolgirl in the fire nation and not only rizzing up a demigod but rizzing that demigod up successfully. This ship can also go so many ways depending on On Ji's reaction to that random cute guy who threw a cool dance party is actually the Avatar, so it's certainly interesting.

Yuaang- the ultimate cinnamon roll x cinnamon roll ship. But more than that, there's of course the Yue becoming the Moon Spirit and Aang getting lowkey possessed by the grieving Ocean Spirit. There's Yue appearing when Aang needed her most, while he's stranded in the middle of the ocean and helping him. They both understand sacrifice and responsibility, and maybe they could comfort each other through it. Also Aang being the bridge between the spirit worlds and Yue being a Spirit could lead to a very interesting romance, depending on how much the Avatar could interact with the Moon Spirit.

Jetaang- ok, Aang was just as infatuated with Jet as Katara was, right? And I think Aang was heavily affected by Jet's actions and behaviour. Also Aang really not wanting to hurt Jet while fighting him (twice!) was really cute. And Aang helping Jet snap out of the Dai Li brainwashing could be a really cool ship moment the more you think anout it.

Teoaang- Honestly their little one sided rivalry at the beginning of the episode was really cute. And I think there could be some interesting symbolism between them. Aang symbolising the old and Teo symbolising the new. They compliment each other like that. Teo comforting Aang by showing him that the critters of the temple are still alive and well is also sweet. And Aang admitting that Teo has the spirit of an airbender is so sweet.

Kuzaang- they're adorable. I loved the comic about them. Aang calling Kuzon "Hotman" is really funny. Aang helping Kuzon make a bigger flame with airbending is also really sweet. I especially like this ship in combination with Zukaang. It's such tasty symbolism.

Aang may just be the most shippable charater of this franchise, argue with the wall. He's so filled with love I have no choice but to multiship.

[illycanary]

What Aang’s Relationship With His Kids Tells Us About His Relationship With Katara

Bumi: “Oh, boo-hoo. Must've been real hard for you, flying around the world with dad, riding elephant-koi all day.”

Tenzin: “Oh, so that's what this is all about.”

Kya: “That's what it's always been about. You think you're some savior who has to carry on dad's legacy.”

Tenzin: “Who else is going to do it?”

Kya: “How about all of us?”

Bumi: “Yeah, we're Aang's kids too.”

The whole problem with this family is, Aang didn’t believe that.

Aang has a long, undeviating track record of never questioning anything he believes about the Air Nomads. Who the hell has a perfect and complete understanding of their society, government, international relations, education system, religion, morality, genetics, and reproduction at age 12? According to Aang? He does. 

The entire lynchpin of Aang’s Book 3 arc is all about how Air Nomads are pacifists and cannot ever under any circumstances harm a life. (We’re going to ignore the body count Aang’s already wracked up over the first two seasons for the sake of preserving his feelings because those were soulless NPCs or something.) 

And yet Aang never questions this…

Monk Gyatso’s bones surrounded by a pile of Fire Nation soldier bones. The picture doesn’t fit Aang’s image of Air Nomad peace and harmony, so he ignores it entirely. It NEVER comes up despite its overwhelming relevance to Aang’s internal conflict and the sorts of advice he seeks from authority figures in the third season (despite Monk Gyatso being the penultimate authority figure in Aang’s life).

Another thing Aang never questions?

There’s no such thing as a non-airbending Air Nomad. They’re just all born that spiritual. And spirituality is the golden key that unlocks bending. (Because Bryke said so.)

Despite Guru Pathik not being a bender. Despite the fact that Zhao, literal spirit murderer, is one. Despite Toph—the most un-spiritual, cynical, feet-on-the-ground-head-nowhere-near-the-clouds member of Aang’s friend group—being the most powerful bender of the lot. Despite Hama being a waterbender equal to none but Katara while completely cut off from her culture and turning her back on everything we believe about water bending’s inherent ties to community, connectedness, and love (Iroh’s words). Despite Azula mastering the god-tier lightning technique BECAUSE she’s practically dead inside and values life least of all things. Despite the fact that Princess Yue has the literal MOON SPIRIT THAT IS THE SOURCE OF ALL WATERBENDING living inside her, and yet she still somehow manages to not be a bender.

Despite the fact that Air Nomads roam all over the world, sewing their wilds oats throughout every nation, yet no airbending toddlers ever crop up in Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom preschools. 

Despite the fact that non-monogamous societies where men have multiple partners father more children and boost the population faster than in societies that favor “attached” relationships, yet the all-airbending Air Nomads still somehow have the smallest population of any ethnic group in the world. 

Despite the fact that Aang’s twin, Ty Lee, is RIGHT. THERE. with her unparalleled aura-seeing, chakra blocking spirituality and her GRAY EYES in a world where color coding is ~totally~ not a thing… *sigh* 

But nope. Air Nomad parentage = airbending child. Always.

So when Katara births a child that is… not an airbender? Not any kind of bender at all, in fact. There’s only one logical conclusion (in Aang’s mind). 

That is not Aang’s child. 

Aang never had a problem traveling with non-airbenders before. He was non-exclusionary by nature. Katara and Toph and Zuko were welcome. Sokka and Suki were welcome. The more, the merrier, in fact. Because Aang loves nothing as much as he loves an adoring audience.

Yet Bumi never travelled with Aang.

Bumi’s as old in this picture as Aang was in the first series. He had an entire decade in which he should have been the most important thing in his parents’ lives. His personality was already more or less formed (not completed, but the groundwork was laid) by the time Tenzin came along. Bumi’s inferiority issues began long before there were any airbending children around to siphon Aang’s attention for training purposes. 

Aang and Katara didn’t have another child until Bumi was on the verge of adolescence because Aang was convinced that Katara cheated. And I’m guessing it took Mr. “Let Your Anger Out, And Then Let It Go” about ten years to forgive his wife and give her the chance to get it right. (Which is at least four years longer than he gave her to forgive her mother’s murderer, in case you forgot.)

Acolyte: “Sorry, I thought you were the servants.”

Bumi: “We’re Tenzin’s brother and sister!”

Acolyte: “Avatar Aang had other children? The world is filled with more airbenders?!”

Kya: “We’re not airbenders.”

Acolyte: “Oh… I’m so sorry.”

The Air Acolytes—whose whole identity, purpose, lifestyle, and religion center around every detail of this man's life and beliefs—didn't know Aang had more than one child.

The best case scenario here is that Aang simply pretended his older children didn’t exist because he was ashamed of them and made Katara keep them shut away at all times. 

And maybe that could have worked… If Aang and Katara had ever had any privacy in their relationship. But they didn’t.

The Air Acolytes have been following Aang and Katara since the comics. They’ve been there at every step of Aang and Katara’s life together. Observing. Fangirling. Emulating. Diefying. Looking for weaknesses in the relationship because Katara was only his “first girlfriend.” 

Yet, somehow, they didn’t know Aang had three children. 

I can’t imagine a way for them not to know unless Aang actively told people, “Those aren’t my kids,” and let Katara bear the shame and stigma of having the world believe she was unfaithful. 

All because Aang couldn't entertain the idea that he was wrong about some facet of a society he never understood clearly.

[aangarchy]

My little cousin (15) finished season 2 of atla, here are her opinions of the characters after the s2 finale

Aang: "adorable and he better not be fucking dead"

Katara: "i hope she gets vengeance in season 3." Me: "vengeance on who?" Her: "the world."

Sokka: "he needs a girlfriend, every girl he's met has either died or left him... are you sure he's not into guys at all?" Me: "the fandom thinks so." Her: "they're right."

Toph: "she reminds me of a feral little dog most of the time"

Zuko: "get that traitor out of my face"

Azula: "if i speak."

Uncle iroh: "if he needs to die for zuko to finally get some character development so fucking be it"

Mai: "knife wife"

Ty Lee: "she's so me coded"

Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors: *hums who run the world girls by Beyoncé*

Jet: "dead. at least i think."

The Earthking: "oh that loser"

Long Feng: "who?" *gets shown a picture* "imagine being half bald and losing your whole army to a teenage girl"

Joo Dee: "she's innocent"

[ilikepjo24]

Take a minute from your day to imagine Zuko and Azula with therapy cats that they each name after the other. It gets so confusing so fast because whenever the name Zuko or Azula is used people have to clarify if they’re referring to the cat or the prince/princess.

Human!Zuko: Azula, I don't know what to do about Azula.

Human!Azula: Are you asking me for advice on what to do about the cat that keeps ruining your furniture, or are you asking the cat for advice for our argument from earlier?

Cat!Azula: Meow.

[...]

Human!Azula: Ugh! I'm so pissed at Zuko!

Sokka: Did he forbid the kitchen chefs from making mochi again after you burnt that general's robes in the last meeting?

Human!Azula: ...What?

Cat!Zuko: *continues pushing objects off Azula's desk unbothered*

[...]

Aang: Where did you get that mark from?

Sokka: Oh that? Azula just bit me.

Aang: Ouch!

Katara: Some pet owners just don't know how to train their pets properly!

Sokka: ...

Sokka: Yeah. The cat. I meant the cat. The cat bit me.

[...]

Zuko, yelling from a distance: Azula no! Stop it! Stop! It! You're supposed to be helping me, why are you acting like that!? After everything we've been through! Stop it, I say! Azula!

Ty Lee: Which one do you think he's talking to?

Mai: It could honestly be any of them.

Cat!Azula: *walks in the room and lays on the carpet to take a nap*

Ty Lee: Well now we know.

[...]

Aang: Hey, Azula! How are you? You seemed upset earlier after your fight with you brother.

Azula: Oh, I'm fine. I spent some time with Zuko and now I've calmed down.

Aang: That's nice, I'm glad you could work it out.

Zuko: Hey, Azula, I was wondering if you could-

Azula: No, I couldn't. Go fuck yourself. *storms off*

Aang: ???

Cat!Zuko: *runs after her*

[...]

Zuko: Azula's just so adorable! And helpful too! We've been getting along so well, it's wonderful. She's really taken some stress off my back.

Toph: That's nice to hear, sparky. And here I thought you could never tolerate each other.

Zuko: Yeah, in the beginning I was hesitant too. All I could think of is how she'd leave hair everywhere, and she might bite, or break stuff. But after I got her, I found out just how well behaved she is. The only thing I still can't get behind is when she spits out hairballs and that at night, she likes to lay down and sleep on my face.

Toph: ...

Toph: What the fuck, actually.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

Bless you for creating this blog, because I need to VENT

(obligatory not all Zutarians who want to enjoy their fics and arts in peace. you guys are cool and chill.)

Isn't it so interesting transparent and sad that every Zutarian critical analysis about "making the show better" is just about making Aang suffer more, and Zuko look good?

Katara should have kept her burn scars, because Aang needed to understand the consequences of his actions!

Right. Because immediately apologising, and becoming so guilty he doesn't fire bend for 2 seasons doesn't show remorse.

Aang should have given up his attachment to Katara to become a fully realised Avatar, otherwise he doesn't sacrifice anything! That would have been narratively satisfying!

Right. Because LOSING HIS ENTIRE CULTURE AND EVERYONE HE EVER LOVED isn't a "sacrifice". Which he will never get back. He'll have to live with the tragedy of being the last Airbender forever.

It's SO interesting how Zuko literally gets everything he wanted- locking up Ozai forever, getting a new father figure in Iroh, becoming Firelord, being with the woman he loves, finding his mother, even finding a new sister who adores him. His ONE tragedy is Azula, and even then she's hopefully on a journey of redemption.

But somehow that's not the "perfect ending" for Zuko. Nope, the only narratively satisfying ending is if Katara falls over to suck Zuko's dick.

So Zuko doesn't sacrifice anything permanently, and he literally gets everything he ever wanted. Aang will never get back what he lost, but apparently he has to give up Katara too. Funny how that works. Can you make your seething resentment any more obvious?

It's also amazing to me that so called Katara stans NEVER think about how KATARA would feel if Aang lost his romantic attachment to her. Girl hugged him several times, kissed him on the cheek and lips, blushed around him, threatened to murder Zuko if he hurt Aang...she was not subtle. But apparently no one cares about Katara's feelings.

Also, how GUILTY would Katara feel if Aang had to sacrifice his romantic attachment to become the Avatar? Do you think she'd be happy he had to sacrifice love for duty? Which BEST FRIEND would be okay with this situation? Even Sokka and Toph would be outraged.

If my best friend and fellow genocide survivor had to sacrifice his romantic attachment for duty, I'd be so mad I would murder Ozai myself. Yes, even if I didn't love him back, because HE'S MY BEST FRIEND. Nobody would even be able to find the body.

Katara and Zuko should have gotten together, that would have fully represented the themes of balance and redemption in the show!

FFS THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP THAT REPRESENTS THESE THEMES! IT'S ZUKAANG! SORRY YOU WERE TOO STUPID TO UNDERSTAND THE SHOW!

Sorry, Sokka. Your relationship with Suki is toxic, because she's from the Earth Nation. You need to break up immediately. Better go find a nice firebender to have children with! Zukka anyone??

Did they miss the part when Uncle Iroh said, "Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole."

Or the Guru when he said, " Even the separation of the four elements is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one. Four parts of the same whole. "

AKA "balance" is when we learn from all 4 elements and grow as a person!!! It's got nothing to do with love!

BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN'T BE REDUCED TO THEIR ELEMENTS! THAT'S THE THEME OF THE SHOW!

Sorry, Katara. You represent water, and Zuko represents fire, so you have to marry each other for "balance". It's in the rules. How convenient.

Even though Aang is ALSO a fire bender, so marrying him would also represent "balance". But he doesn't count because he's not hot and sexy like Zuko with his anime hair.

sidenote - Aang is so hot. With his muscles , grey eyes, and his off-shoulder fit? Divine. Zutarians who think Aang isn't sexy have no taste.

sorry for the extremely long rant. I just couldn't take Zutarians and their "atla-critical" analysis anymore. It's the self-righteousness that gets me.

They can't just say, I love Zutara together because I like their dynamic. Instead they have to write long metas justifying why their ship is the "only one that strenghens the themes of the show" and Kataang / Maiko "weakens the narrative" and other bs.

thanks for this space, this was cathartic.

You're welcome, anon 💖

[ash-and-starlight]

Would you have any thoughts about the Gaang in a modern au (either with or without bending), especially jobs? I legit love how there’s never been a consensus of how they’d live, especially job wise, in the fandom — except for Katara, she is absolutely a doctor, surgeon, ER badass. Personally, I love the thought of Zuko as a child protective agent, and Sokka as a high school teacher, not just for the dramatic Zukka potential lol haha either way, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

aaa ok i love and adore to see how their roles get translated in modern au’s in such clever ways, i loveee your ideas for zukka workplace drama that’s so 🥺 ok i’ll list some of my faves but feel free to add

-doctor katara SO TRUE and activist katara also so true either way she’s helping people and giving all she’s got

-aang also activist monk-turned *insert job that has to do with flying?? or meteorology??* AND i love the silly little headcanon he and zuko are lion dance partners dkfjdj

-toph wwe champion. without question

- jet could also work with kids tbh as either a child protective agent too or teaching martial arts classes for kids as some sort of social program he zuko and toph have an underground fight club every tuesday he and iroh have a wholesome breaking bad situationship going on with banger edibles

- zuko the guy with 294737 job options tbh either as jasmine dragon clerk, firefighter, historian / khon expert and standing authority on the ramakien, parkour guy, sword guy, guy who goes to business school just to learn how to efficiently dismantle dad’s financial empire, and i am extremely partial on muai thay champion-instructor zuko who has like a post-injury gym program just for the zukka of it all of him helping sokka with his leg during rehab 😌

- sokka also guy that can do anything tbh wether working as inventor or in tech/mechanic fixing things, working at a science museum (hi robin), marine biologist (hi kath) working as an astronomer or at the planetarium bc he’s always been fascinated by the night sky and the moon, artist, poet, mythbuster, sword guy as well, all of these at once. most importantly he has an insanely popular food blog on the side

- suki kendo captain of an all-girl club

- florist mai. (specifically ikebana artist) which is comic canon and in context made little sense but i love it it’s beautiful bc it brings me to

- tattoo artist ty-lee 💕

- and azula uhhh nepobaby electrician

[waterfire1848]

Au where azula and zuko are turned into kids and the gaang finds them

Hello, anon!!!

During the Chase, the Gaang is fighting Azula in the abandoned town when she and Zuko are thrown into a nearby building by one of Toph’s earthbending moves. (Iroh decides to hang back and is not with them during this battle). The group waits for them to get back up and attack and to continue the fight but nothing happens. Curious, Aang goes over and finds a three and five year old in the abandoned building under the planks. He, of course, helps them and the Gaang realize that they can’t just leave them there so they decide to take the kids with them. (It’s a good kidnapping). Both Azula and Zuko don’t remember them so they’re just really scared and upset and they want to go home. Everyone is really just doing whatever they can to keep them calm because they’re freaking out a little too. Neither of them can really firebend yet so they just have to deal with the two trying to run away or kicking them. (Katara: We’ll take you both home later. We promise. Azula: Home! Now! I want dad! Katara: I know and you’ll go home soon but you can't run off the sky bison. Azula: *Pouts* Sokka: Aren’t you two tired? You could try sleeping? Zuko: Nope! Sokka: Of course you won't sleep.)

With no other plan in mind, the Gaang decide to keep them until Aang can find a way to turn them back or they can give them to someone more qualified. While they have them, Toph still trains Aang and Zuko follows Sokka on his adventure to get food. (Sokka: Zuko! Great! Go get Aang or Toph or Katara and tell them I’m stuck. Zuko: No. You wanted to eat Fluffy. Sokka: Fluffy? Zuko, pointing to the saber tooth moose lion cub: Fluffy is safe. Sokka: I promise not to eat Fluffy. Now will you please help me out. Zuko: No! Sokka: Wha-No??? Zuko: No! *Sits down in front of him* I’m gonna make sure you don’t hurt Fluffy. Sokka: Gonna be a long day for both of us, kid.) The two are also with them when they lose Appa. Since Sokka is a bit drunk on cactus juice, Katara is now responsible for the entire group and two little kids. Azula is young enough that Katara can carry her but Zuko quickly starts to grow tired too and can’t keep up with everyone. (Toph: I got him. Katara: Toph, you can’t carry- Toph, throwing Zuko on her back: Don't fall off, kid! Katara: I guess that works.). During this time, they also get to see a bit of what Azula and Zuko were like when they were young, before Ozai forced them to compete with one another. Granted, they didn't know much about the two before this but seeing them play tag, play with each other in the sand or talk about how this reminds them of trips to Ember Island is both incredibly adorable and weird.

Getting into Ba Sing Se is not as difficult this time around since, while the drill is there, Team Azula is not. Sokka remains behind on the wall to watch Azula and Zuko while the others go down and stop the drill. While they're on the wall, they get really excited and a little scared to know that the giant city in front of them is Ba Sing Se. They think that they'll definitely see their uncle since he's been talking about eventually launching an attack on it soon (Sokka is very quick to tell them that they probably shouldn't go around saying their uncle is the Dragon of the West). In Ba Sing Se, Azula and Zuko get to sneak off for a little bit and sneak into a play because they actually recognize the theater. Aang ends up finding them right before the last act. (Aang: Everyone is worried sick about you two. Zuko & Azula: We're sorry. Aang: Come on. Azula: No! Please! Zuko: It's almost over! We want to see the ending! Aang:.....Katara's gonna kill me.) (Curse adorable baby eyes). Again, this is really when the group sees Azula and Zuko as actual kids. Not soldiers, not firebenders, not the Fire Lord's children, just kids. Azula loves dragons, reading, messing around with rich people with Toph, and will sit and listen to Sokka talk about battle plans for hours. Zuko, shocking Katara, tries to help out when she's making dinner and will happily agree to go with Aang whenever he and Katara go into town for food. Aang still doesn't know how to turn them back but the Gaang isn't exactly hating that it's taking him longer than expected. (They do hate that the two flinch a lot when they think they've made someone mad and will cry because the lighting sounds like someone shouting).

Of course Long Feng is still around being himself so the Gaang has to deal with him as well. They make sure to keep the three and five year old close to them since they don't really trust Jet around them but they trust Long Feng and the Dai Li even less. During the fight in Lake Laogai, Sokka is hurt while protecting Zuko and Azula but they decide to continue going forward and telling the Earth King about Long Feng. However, after Long Feng is revealed and imprisoned, Sokka is sent to the palace healer and forced to rest there until Katara says he's all healed. Since Azula clearly isn't taking over Ba Sing Se at any point in the near future, the Gaang doesn't have to worry about that. Instead, Aang gets to go to the Eastern Air Temple to visit the guru, Toph gets to try and see her mom (emphasis on try) and Katara and Sokka remain behind in Ba Sing Se but send a letter to their dad telling him they're in the city. Despite being technically on bedrest, Sokka still tries to go to the war meetings to plan for the invasion. (Sokka, opens the door and sees Zuko and Azula standing outside: Hey, guys. I need to pass. Azula: Kat told us to keep you inside. Zuko: You can't leave. Sokka: This is adorable but I really do have to go and talk to- Zuko: NO! Back to bed! Sokka: Zuko, you need to move so that I can get- Azula: TARA! TARA! Sokka's trying to leave! Sokka: Okay, okay, okay. I'll go back to bed. Happy? Azula: Yup! 😁).

While at the Eastern Air Temple, Aang discovers a way to fix Zuko and Azula. Since he doesn't have to run off to save Katara this time around, Aang is able to finish the guru's teaching and then returns to Ba Sing Se. When he gets there, he tells Katara and Sokka about the cure he found and the three agree to turn Zuko and Azula back as soon as they can. (Sokka: I'm gonna miss them. Katara: Yeah. They're cute when they're not trying to actively capture and/or murder us.). However, before Aang can do this, Long Feng escapes from prison thanks to the Dai Li and captures both of the siblings, threatening to kill them unless the Gaang stand down which they agree to do and get themselves captured. Long Feng then captures the King but has him remain as a figurehead while he resumes doing all the work behind the scenes. Captured, the Gaang decide to break out of the city because they desperately need the Earth Kingdom's support for the invasion. However, when they do eventually escape (thanks to Toph and her gifts of metalbending and arriving when I say she is) they discover that Long Feng has been talking with Ozai and the Fire Nation army is on their way. This leaves the Gaang with a difficult decision. They know Ba Sing Se can stand against the Fire Nation but if Long Feng is working to help them get inside the city then the city doesn’t stand a chance. Their options are to either stay and fight and hope that they can defeat Long Feng and all the Dai Li in time to prevent the Fire Nation from coming or flee and avoid capture but let the Fire Nation take the city. (Katara: Aang- Aang: We’re not abandoning the city! We can’t! Sokka: Aang, they’re too close. We don’t have a choice. The Fire Nation will be here in less than a day and if we’re here we’ll be captured. You’ll be captured. Aang: We can stop the Dai Li and Long Feng before then. I know we can. Sokka: And what if we can’t. Remember Omashu? Living to fight another day is our best option.) With no other choice, the Gaang flee the city with the king and young kids and go to Hakoda’s ships with the promise to come back and defeat the Fire Nation during the solar eclipse.

[thegaybluejay]

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

My Favorite Ships:

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

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

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

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

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

Other Canon/Relatively Popular Ships:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can’t Forget My Fav Platonic Dynamics!

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

• Sokka and Katara - The siblings ever!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[thetreefairy]

Platonic!yandere!Aang using the prompt Hydrangea please? Remember to drink water❤️🌼🕯️

Warning: Aang convinces the gaang that Reader needs him, airbender Reader, the gaang is also kinda starting to become yandere

Since pronounced were not specified: they/them reader

Hydrangea - "Perhaps we adore you too much to be just friends, family might be a better word." also can I just say I am terrified to start school again, this isn't my best but I hope you like it!

Kofi - 700 rules - 700 masterlist

Aang couldn't believe it, he had heard from Zuko that there was an another airbender.

So the gaang couldn't help but agree that they needed to rescue the unknown airbender. They were kept at a remote island, surrounded by fire benders, they had to investigate the routine in place.

Reader hated their abilities, they hated that they could bend air. The firebenders around them often ridiculing their abilities, yet the fire princess treated them kindly.

Azula had just visited and had given them a book about airbending traditions, as she knew how desperate Reader was to reconnect to their roots. The reason for this gift? Reader had been a good pet.

Aang couldn't help but feel a pit grow in his gut, how dare they harm his sibling. How dare they ridicule our culture. But most of all, the audacity Azula has to treat you like a pet.

The gaang had to formulate a plan, and it didn't take long for Aang to start visiting them sneakily.

their first meeting went as expected. Strange.

Reader was reading the book on the air nation, scoffing at some parts that were obviously altered to suit the fire lord's point of view. "The book isn't trustworthy." A boy said, you looked up in shock, ready to scream until you saw what he was wearing. 'He has to be the avatar, or is there perhaps another airbender?' Reader thought, they couldn't speak, they didn't trust their voice.

"I'll get you out of here." He promised. "I'll teach you about our culture."

He was rambling. "Are you the avatar?" Reader interrupts, causing his eyes to widen with joy. "Yes, I am, my name is Aang." He introduced himself. "Zuko told me about you, you are Reader right?"

Reader nodded. "The fire prince?" They asked softly. "Did Zuko finally find himself?"

Aang chuckled at Reader's wording. "I'll tell you all about it when we get you out of here."

After that it didn't take long for Reader to be rescued, it went quietly and Reader sighed in relief when they were at a cave with the gaang. Shaking as they hugged Aang.

"I am Katara, this is my brother Sokka." Katara introduced herself and her brother. "I am Toph." The earthbender introduced himself.

"Hi Reader, it has been a while." Zuko started as he bowed slightly. "I apologize for my sister's behavior and my past insolence."

Reader then hugged Zuko and introduced themself to the gaang. "Thank you for rescuing me, I'll make sure to be out of your hair quickly." Reader added to their introduction, causing Aang's eyes to harden.

"You can stay with us for a while." Katara told Reader, Toph hummed in agreement and said; "Yeah, twinkle toes was so excited to find another twinkle toes, you can't just leave right away."

Alarm bells rang in their head, but they chose to ignore it.

How wrong that was of them.

During one of their stops at a village, Reader had made a lot of money with their story telling. Toph was always with them when they told their stories, and quite frankly she enjoyed them.

Aang wasn't allowed to stay with Reader during story telling because he would scare everyone off with a glare.

'At least he thought them about their culture' Reader thought whenever they saw unusual behavior from Aang.

When Reader saw that they had enough money to make it on their own for a while, they announced it to the gaang causing an uproar. "No." Aang said right away. "You can't.

"Twinkle junior, you need Aang." Toph would say. "You aren't as tough as me yet."

Reader had looked at Zuko for back up as the gaang gave them the reasons to stay and why they are too weak to live on their own, but he shook his head as well. So Reader decided to confront them.

"Why are you guys acting like this, this isn't how friends are supposed to act."

"Perhaps we adore you too much." Aang started. "To simply just be friends."

A nervous chuckle left Reader's mouth

"Family might be a better word."

[blorboazula]

I've been sorta exchanging ideas with @the-genius-az and that whole thing is fully to blame for the upcoming A/B/O fics :)

the context for this is: Maizula are "true mates", Mai still betrays Azula in the boiling rock and it basically breaks Azula. despite all the healing, Azula still can't form actual bonds with people and the closest she gets to do it (and to form a pack) is with her own pup and the Gaang's pups. cue to Mai watching Azula with babies in the garden (this is also the version they're a little bit aged up in canon). it's alpha!Azula x omega!Mai.

During the short years when Mai tried to give Zuko a chance, she thought she could love him when she watched him being soft. Soft and gentle with the turtleducks, sat on the grass and allowing the tiny creatures to climb on him.

She could fall in love with him, if he was the only option she had. She could fall in love with him, for showing genuine affection towards a pup that's isn't his.

Nowadays she still likes watching him, she thinks he looks great playing with the turtleducks and spending time with Izumi, still spending time with Ilah. Years later, she still loves it.

Nowadays, she has a better sight to enjoy.

It's not surprising at all, not really, to see Azula in the garden. All the rough, sharp edges have always hidden the softness inherent to the alpha. Searing heat to harm, soft warmth to make you feel safe and loved. Azula is soft when she's allowed to.

Her father never wanted her to, he wanted a weapon (and Azula needed a parent).

It's a heartwarming sight, it truly is. Azula, who grew to be a strong, handsome alpha. She healed enough to let her inherent protectiveness shine through. Mai can see it often, and can see how Azula now has good days more often than bad days. Can see it in the way Azula isn't that afraid of allowing herself to be an affectionate mother to their daughter.

(It's so, so beautiful, Azula playing with Ilah, showing how beautiful her firebending is.)

Sometimes Azula sits with the baby turtleducks, they climb her lap, seeking a human's soft warmth. She pets them, picks them up to give them soft kisses on their little head, allows them to nip her fingers and her toes. Gives them bread and fruit cut in tiny, neat cubes.

Destiny or not, Mai never had a chance of not loving Azula.

When their friends come around, the kids flock Azula the same way the baby turtleducks do. Ilah is always a little jealous, but Azula makes sure that her pup isn't left out in favor of the other kids. Nowadays she's too big to fit on Azula's lap when she has Bumi and Kya and Lin, but she glues herself to Azula's back. (Mai is infinitely happy that the early years separated didn't mean that Ilah's bond to Azula was permanently damaged). Izumi too, more often than not, it's adorable how the cub is close to her aunt.

Today Toph brought Suyin too, so Azula is really under a pile of cubs.

And she's glowing.

Really, Azula's giving off happy pheromones like there's no tomorrow. And the cubs respond to it by doing the same, so the whole garden is smelling like happy alpha and her cubs.

Mai loves it.

Mai loves that Azula gets to be happy, even if it's with pups that aren't hers. Azula gets to be happy, and it's all that she needs. All that she deserves.

Mai doesn't dare intruding, not when Azula is softly telling them a story. Probably a play, even if the alpha still won't admit that she loves those plays. That she likes theater as much as Zuko. That it comes from her grandmother, probably the one person of her family that never gave her so much trauma she can barely look at them.

The world feels right like this. Not perfect, but much better than Mai would have dreamed.

Better yet when Azula seems to find a moment to look back at her, and offers a small smile. Amber eyes shining with happiness that Mai feared would never be there.

Really, not loving Azula was never an option.

[flameohotwife]

So I always thought the canon pairings in AtLA had good writing/development but all the Aang and Mai bashing has made me decide to rewatch the series because shippers of a certain other ship called them "abusive" and Aang sexist. But honestly, I love how Mai calls Zuko out on his jealousy and possessive behavior in "The Beach" and Aang is always supportive of Katara's dreams, even refusing to be trained by Pakku because he's sexist to Katara. I like that Sukka teaches kids watching the show to treat women with respect but also Kataang and Maiko in the examples I mentioned above are also good examples of feminist moments in the show too.

YES! Anon, say it louder for the people in the back! There are so so SO many amazing feminist moments in this show and honestly I loved watching it with my kids (multiple times, haha) for that reason. I don't remember growing up with media that showed SO may instances of how girls/women could stand up for themselves in those types of situations. I love how Katara stood up to Pakku (with Aang's support! His little "Go, Katara!" makes me smile every time) and also how she CONSTANTLY takes boys on in fights, from pirates and Rough Rhinos to the taunting kids that subsequently get frozen where they stand ("oh, a girl has her ways") and anyone who insults Aang. How SHE is the one to defeat Azula in the end. How the WHOLE SHOW starts with her rant against Sokka's sexism. How Suki finally put's Sokka in his place. How Toph had to be played by "a really BUFF guy" in EIP because the Fire Nation couldn't admit to being bested by a tiny, 12-year-old girl. How Mai won't let Zuko treat her like a possession with no agency of her own. How she is the one to save HIM in the end at Boiling Rock (how's that for a damsel in distress?). How Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are trusted by the Fire Lord to perform tasks even the highest generals can't achieve. How the show is relentlessly turning sexist stereotypes on their heads and making viewers question what they think they know.

Beyond the feminism (which you all probably already know I adore so much), I love that each of the leading boys has learning experiences wrt less-than-ideal behaviors towards girls/women, because in real life boys (and girls, too!) are GOING to make mistakes as they're learning and it's important to show how they can move beyond those mistakes and not forever be defined by them. Zuko learns not to be a possessive asshat like he is in The Beach (at least, we don't see him act that way towards Mai again--he might as well have broken up with her via text and not given her the option to follow him to the "good side," but he never acts possessive again. Baby steps). Aang learns he can't just solve their relationship problems by kissing Katara when she's confused. He gives her space and she clearly thinks he's learned from it by the end (really, by the next episode). Sokka learns not to be sexist and that sometimes girls are going to be stronger/better fighters than he is AND THAT'S OKAY. Good, even! It doesn't make him "less of a man" or anything like that, and we don't hear those sexist ideas come out of his mouth again. ALL of these make great talking points for parents watching the show with their kids, too.

Kids make mistakes. They lean on stereotypes or prior experiences and sometimes that bites them in the butt. AtLA shows that we can teach kids hard lessons. Not only can we fight back against injustice but we can improve ourselves when we've been the ones to mess up. And I really think that's something special.

Thanks for sending in your thoughts, anon! You're so right.

[crowlion]

So I'm like, 95% sure you didn't intend this, but I just want you to know you've accidentally got me considering Toph/Yue. I saw your post with all the hands and the first three pairs were all ships I really vibe with (azutara, sukka, zukaang) and then it ended with mailee, which I also vibe with, which made me contextualise Toph's and Yue's hands being next to eachother as ship and now it's one of those things that keeps haunting my brain because it feels so crack but at the same time, like, it won't leave my head.

So, you know, thanks for that

Hahaha, I love this! The placement was actually very intentional!

I spent way too much time thinking about who was going to get paired with who. I was especially really stuck on prioritizing Azutara over the actual Gaang. I knew it wouldn't make much sense to have Azula come before the rest of the Gaang because of how the fandom typically groups the characters, but then I remembered it was my post and I could inject Azutara wherever I wanted. So, Azutara won out in the end and I kept them together.

Because of that, Toph just happened to get paired up with Yue, because I wanted to keep Suki and Sokka together, and Zuko and Aang together as well. Suki and Sokka because I adore them, and Zuko and Aang because I'm very fond of their parallel stories and how they converge throughout the show. And I always knew I wanted Mai and Ty Lee next to each other.

If Toph hadn't been placed with Yue, I would've bumped her up to Azula's spot and paired her with Katara (and I do know people like Katoph, so it would've been a win/win, I think). Azula would've switched out with Toph and been paired with Yue instead. Which, all things considered, wouldn't have been so bad, because I love the idea of Yuezula too— princess x princess arranged marriage AU to bridge the divide between the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes? Yes please.

I took a look on AO3 and it looks like there's only one Toph/Yue fic out there, which I was shocked by given the size of the fandom! It wasn't necessarily intentional to have the Toph and Yue pairing come across as shipping like most of the other pairs, but I think it's really cool that that's what you gathered from it. Perhaps you can fill some of the Toph/Yue void and contribute some more fics for them— you've got me thinking of the possibilities now too, so I'd definitely read them!

I'm also delighted to hear you vibed with all of those pairings. Most of them besides Sukka are on the rarer pair side so it's nice to see someone else out there who's into the exact same ones I gravitate towards.

[somewhereincairparavel]

Alright atla watch update part 7: watched episode 14-17 (and a lil bit of 18) and I'll say, it was great! I like how Zuko bonded with both Katara and sokka individually within just a few episodes, great writing. Katara and Zuko make an excellent team tbh. I love how Zuko took her to go avenge her mom so she could forgive him.

But my most favourite of all was the ember island play 💀 it was so funny i wheezed every second throughout the episode. We got toph x Zuko bonding aswell! I love these filler episodes that are filled with comedy lmao I sometimes enjoy it more than the plot itself.

Zuko just fits into the gaang so well. I like how he was seving tea to all of them and trying to attempt the jokes his uncle used :( it was so adorable. Ozai was right. His uncle had gotten to him.

Also, the writing for ozai is great?? They made him monstrous as fuck, no wonder Zuko betrayed him the very next day of the war meeting. The war meeting also gave an insight on how tragically similar azula has become to her father :(

Mai and ty lee betraying azula was unexpected aswell. Now azula has no one but herself and her dad (kinda ozai doesn't really care about her, he cares about her power) so I'm interested to see how azula is going to wind up. Something tells me it isn't going to end well for her.

I only have 3 more episodes till the entire season is done! I'm so sad :( but it's been an awesome time! I love making these updates on Tumblr to share my atla journey aswell (I hope it doesn't get annoying lol since I've made like 6 of these already)

[ao3feed-zukka]

awaken child of sun and flame (and take my willing hand and heart)

Read now on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/5koLblF by Cross_d_a Prince Zuko has been dead for two years. Lieutenant Jee could care less. The intricacies of the Court mean nothing to him when cruelty runs through every royal vein. It makes no difference who’s on the Dragon Throne when they’re all just as likely to kill their own children as swiftly as they’d send new recruits to their deaths. All Lieutenant Jee cares about is keeping his crew alive. Then he rescues a young soldier from drowning. A boy whose eyes are as bright and gold as Agni’s light: A dragon child. Words: 4925, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Multi Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Jee (Avatar), Zuko's Crew (Avatar), 41st Division Members (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Hakoda's Crew (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Yue (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar) Relationships: Jee & Zuko (Avatar), Zuko & Zuko's Crew (Avatar), 41st Division Members & Zuko (Avatar), Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Azula & Iroh & Zuko (Avatar), The Gaang & Zuko (Avatar), Yue & Zuko (Avatar), Hakoda/Jee, Toph Beifong & Zuko Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Implied/Referenced Torture, the horrors of war, Child Abuse, Bad Parent Ozai (Avatar), Protective Jee (Avatar), Jee adopts Zuko (Avatar), and everyone is really jealous bc they want their own adorable feral dragon child, Feral Behavior, Dragon Zuko (Avatar), Azula isn't good but she isn't bad either, Azula Redemption, Found Family, Yue Lives (Avatar), Zuko got half his face burnt off and something ancient and Other woke up from deep within, Protective Zuko (Avatar), Slow Burn, Spirits tend to love Zuko, the agni kai ends differently, Zuko Joins The Gaang Early (Avatar), Toph Joins the Gaang Early (Avatar), Iroh is a Good Uncle (Avatar), but he's also only human Read it on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/5koLblF

[broadwaybalogna]

Hey do you have any steambaby headcanons?

Ok I had to look up what steambaby was because I had no clue what it was when I saw this. So, I BELIEVE it’s Zuko and Katara’s kid??? If I’m wrong, please let me know. Without further ado, here are some headcanons I am coming up with on the spot and spitballing.

• their first child’s name is Kya. I’ve seen some versions of steambaby where her name is Izumi, but I believe because of the name Kya’s sentimental value, they would name their firstborn after her first, then Izumi if they had a second.

• Avatar bending physics are terrible because two nonbenders can have a bender, two benders can have a non-bender and etc. so, I now head canon that their child is actually an earth bender and Toph trains the hell out of her

• She has such a fiery personality (I’m thinking like Lily from modern family but with more emotion) to the point that by the time she reaches 11, she’s having rap battles with Toph and Azula (who has been redeemed)

• She’s Gay

• she has a perfect gaydar

• she figures out Sokka’s gay before he does

• Her temper knows no bounds and neither do her time-outs

• She once went an entire month where she got grounded each day.

• She hates pickles

• Azula loves being called Aunt Azula and adores little Kya but Sokka feels like being called uncle Sokka makes him feel old so he gave her a goofy asf nickname to call him so he could feel young. (This nickname is what made Kya realize he was gay)

[bellatrixobsessed1]

I Am Blackened Bones (Part 29)

The spirit, Azula finds, still speaks to her. Speaks not as a separate entity but as an extension of her own thoughts. Mostly it does so when she finds herself confused or reluctant. It is a small portion of her mind—the portion that acts on impulse and spontaneity. The portion that would probably be called an intrusive thought if the thought was something vicious. These thoughts, while still semi-intrusive, compel her to kiss Katara for no reason or to throw herself into a pile of snow just for the sake of experience. 

She ignores them mostly. 

She is, admittedly, somewhat afraid of them.

Or afraid of what people would think of her if she acted upon them. 

Katara doesn’t seem to mind. She seems to rather enjoy the surprise kisses and the random gifts. Even if the random gifts are just dumb doodles burned onto slabs of discarded firewood. “I didn’t realize that you were an artist.” She says of her newest gift. 

“I’m not.” Azula replies. “I’m mostly bored.” 

“Mostly bored?”

Azula nods. “I swear that it didn’t take this long to make this trip last time.”

“Last time you were in and out.” Katara reminds her. “Time tends to pass quicker when you aren’t there the whole time.”

“Right, yes.” Azula flushes slightly. That was a silly thing to have forgotten. Katara chuckles and Azula would like nothing more than to take a miniature retreat back into her own mind. Evidently she would very much like to sleep through the entirety of her homecoming. Not that she wishes that her spirit self could do it for her. The spirit would have made her look like a complete dolt. She feels as though she will accomplish looking like a fool well enough on her own. 

Katara squeezes her hand. “They’re going to love you Azula.”

“How do you know?”

“Well the Fire Nation seemed to adore you before you left.” 

“I believe that I have fallen out of favor with the general public since Zuzu has taken the throne. Traditional values and beliefs are on a decline.” 

“It’s a shame that you don’t have any way of showing that you don’t exactly subscribe to traditional beliefs anymore.” Katara kisses her ear. “If only you had a beautiful waterbender to date.”

“Yeah, I only have the moderately visually appealing if you squint hard enough waterbender.” 

From her corner of Appa’s saddle, Toph gives a snort and a laugh. 

She wishes that she could laugh too but the truth is that she is…intimidating. Her stomach has been tying itself in knots for the better part of the morning and each passing minute presents her with another opportunity to find something to fret over. 

She and Zuzu hadn’t parted on terrible terms with each other this time around. But they certainly hadn’t had any meaningful discussion while she was occupied with fighting to stay present in her own mind. She isn’t particularly keen on digging up old fights and picking at old wounds. But she is just as dissatisfied at the thought of not confronting her past. 

Franky she isn’t sure why she is so worried, so far her attempts to face herself have all been successful. And the stakes had been just as high, if not more so. And yet this is the thing that worries her more than any other.

She tries to remind herself that Zuko had been the one fighting for her, the real her to come back. 

But it creeps in that maybe he won’t be satisfied with the results of winning that fight. She wonders if it will be strange for him to see her on good terms with everyone else. It will certainly be jarring; he hadn’t been there to witness the full evolution. 

Azula, of course, had been there and it is still jarring when she reflects upon the changes within herself. Both the large and small changes. Somehow those subtle changes are more startling than the more overt ones. She sighs. 

It seems like it had only taken the duration of the one exhale for the Fire Nation to appear on the horizon. It was certainly longer, much longer. But not nearly long enough. Seeing the volcano jutting towards the clouds stirs the butterflies in her stomach into a frenzy.

It is almost instinctual at this point, to see the Fire Nation and feel dread. Even knowing that firebending no longer hurts her doesn’t prevent her from bracing herself for that pain. Her chest constricts. She wishes that she weren’t so accustomed to hurt that she is suspicious of its absence.

She feels Katara’s arms slip around her middle and her chin on her shoulder. Azula hates that she still stiffens at unexpected touches, even the loving caresses and embraces. She resents that she can’t love as effortlessly as the spirit had. Resents that she has to remind herself that she and the spirit are the same and always have been. That they were never opposites so much as twin flames that have come to combine into one brilliant blaze. Hates that she has to actively think about and remember how it feels to live unhurt. How it feels to have been so innocent and trusting. Loathes that she can’t just carry on that way. 

Carefree and open. 

Unguarded. 

So maybe she hasn’t changed all that much. 

Maybe she is the same person that they all hate. That…

Katara kisses her neck. “Don’t do that.”

“What?” 

“Do that thing where you overthink things and upset yourself.” She pauses. 

“If you expect things to go wrong then they probably will.” Sokka comments unhelpfully. “Like a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“What he’s trying to say…” Aang clarifies. “Things will go just fine if you let them happen naturally. If you try to plan every little detail, you’re more likely to get frustrated and upset when things don’t go your way. And then that frustration will make things worse. That’s what usually happens to Sokka. It happened with Zuko a lot too.”

“I guess.” Azula mumbles.  It isn’t just Zuzu that she is worried about. It is Mai and TyLee too. It has been so very long…

Katara moves to massage her shoulders. If it were TyLee doing the massaging she would surely be on the receiving end of another lecture about how much tension she consistently holds. “How do you think spirit Azula would handle this situation?”

“By completely ignoring Zuzu to marvel at how big and shiny the palace is.” Color blossoms back on her cheeks once more as she imagines some goofy, wide-eyed version of herself bouncing around the palace, inspecting its every nook and cranny. “I would look like a complete idiot if I followed that line of thinking.”

“Well you could ignore Zuko.” Toph shrugs. “And pretend to be very invested with the new furniture.”

“New furniture?”

“Oh yeah.” Sokka says. “He added some new decorative vases and got rid of one of them.”

“The one that he got stuck in as a child?”

Another snort sounds from Toph’s corner of the saddle. “He got stuck in a vase?”

Azula nods. “It was not a very good day.”

“Wait, are you implying that you were in the vase too?” Sokka quirks a brow.

“It was a very large vase and it was surprisingly easy to climb. I could probably fit myself into it without much effort.”

“Oh man, I know how we’re spending your homecoming day!” Toph shouts. 

“Except that he got rid of that vase.” Aang reminds her. 

“I’ll find it.” Toph declares.

“You probably won’t. It has probably been destroyed.” Azula replies, perfectly content to have something else to think about. Indeed, she decides, it is better to think about something else entirely lest she give herself an opportunity for some admittedly destructive overthinking. 

“I’m going to find it.” Toph promises. “And if I do, you’re going to get in that vase.”

“I mean, you won’t find it so I don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Great so, it’s a deal then. If I find the vase then you’ll climb into it.”

“And if you don’t find it?” 

“Then I’ll pick my favorite of the new vases and crawl into it.”

“I suppose that I will accept your terms. But only because, in the Fire Nation, we tend to repurpose things that we throw out. The vase is probably part of a tank or an air balloon now.”

“Spoken like someone who is about to get stuck in a vase again.” Sokka mutters to himself.

“I’m sure that, that will earn me the respect of my people and won’t give them grounds to think that the jungle has left me completely uncivil.”

“The people of Omashu love Bumi and all of his quirks.” Aang points out. 

“Caldera City is a bit more…proper. Rigid. Dancing is frowned upon…”

“Not anymore.” Aang says. “You’ve been so focused on how much you’ve changed that you forgot to consider that The Fire Nation might have changed too.”

“Has it?”

“Almost as much as you have.” Aang replies. 

She isn’t sure if that makes her more or less anxious. But she doesn’t have much time to decide. The palace is within eyesight and phantom tickles dance up and down her arms. She closes her eyes and takes a few deep breaths. She isn’t on fire. She isn’t burning. The prickles that she feels are all in her head. The product of anxiety more than anything else. 

Katara assures her that she is going to do just fine. 

A little voice in the back of her mind tells her that it will be just another adventure. That she should, maybe, be excited for it.

Excited for the chance to rise from the ashes that she had been burning to and blaze more brilliantly than ever.