#zuko: i'm telling her

[evilkitten3]

azula and zuko came out to each other at the same time. when it came to telling their dad they were worried about what he would say bc being gay is still illegal but no one had ever made being trans illegal so they had no clue how he'd react

azula: ok. ok i know what to do

zuko: what

azula: we're going to have to gaslight him

zuko: ...what?

azula: look dad's very distracted if we can get everyone to act like i've always been a girl and you've always been a boy he'll probably fall for it

zuko: what about our names?

azula: we'll switch. i'll be azula and you can be zuko. if no one has to learn new names it'll be much easier.

zuko: ok let's do it

ozai: good morning zuko

zuko: good morning

ozai: ? i was talking to zuko

azula: what do you mean, father? that IS zuko. are you feeling alright?

ozai: ...something's not right.

azula & zuko: *nervous sweating*

ozai: ...azula didn't you used to be taller?

azula: zuko hit a growth spurt last night. and trapped me in the washing machine

zuko: wait what was that last part-

ozai: zuko how dare you do such a thing to your sister! you're grounded!

zuko: but-

azula: it must be difficult having such a problematic son

ozai: it really is. fortunately i have a wonderful daughter *wanders off*

azula: see? told you

zuko: did you have to get me grounded tho?

azula: ...yes

Trans Zuko is so funny to me. I’m not saying this to try and make fun of people who headcanon him as trans - trans headcanons are great and I support them. It’s just wild because it implies Ozai was out here like:

[Image description: a white woman with blonde hair is saying:

‘I can excuse burning a kid’s face, but I draw the line at misgendering’.

The words ‘burning a kid’s face’ and ‘misgendering’ have been edited in.

End description]

[pineapple-frenzy]

Book 2 au: sparring sessions and short hair katara

They like to have sparring sessions in order to keep their bending skills sharp. They allow themselves to go all out and not hold back at all cause they know if anyone got hurt, Katara could just heal them

But anyways, wouldn't it be kinda funny if Zuko accidentally burned Katara's hair tho? Aofkqldkkajfjd

The "I think we can save the hairloops" line is from @linnoya-writes thank you for that!! :>>

[demaparbat-hp]

Spitfire Au:

Ohmygoshifreakingloveit!!!!!

What is Azula and Lu Ten IIs relationship like?

Ah, thank you!

I'm still planning a lot of things regarding Azula in this AU, but she doesn't find out about Ten Ten until the coup of Ba Sing Se. And then she doesn't get a chance to ever meet him directly until the finale...or does she?

Azula struggles a lot with the idea that Ursa wasn't dead, and instead lived enough to at least have a child and leave it with Zuko. In Azula's eyes, Ursa left her children and replaced them with Lu Ten II. Sometimes she places her hatred for Ursa on the kid. Sometimes she places it on herself, and wonders instead why Zuko doesn't want the child to grow up as a Prince.

Who wouldn't want to live in the Palace? Who wouldn't want to grow up as they did, strong and ruthless and perfect?

(Azula doesn't want to look deeper. She doesn't want to stare past the pristine armor of her life and take a look at the cracks. Zuko had done it. Zuko had admitted that there was something wrong with their everything. And he had condemned it.)

(But Azula couldn't condemn Father. He loved her. Her. And he was the only one who did.)

Sometimes, Azula visits Zuko, when he's in prison. She asks him about the child and belittes him for being stupid and selfish and resentful enough to deny Lu Ten II the chance to grow up as he should.

Sometimes he answers.

Sometimes he doesn't.

Azula doesn't know what outcome she prefers.

[ofswordsandpens]

I rewatched Zuko and Azula's Agni Kai recently and it's left me wondering – when Zuko begins to goad Azula into striking him with lightning, was he making the decision to kill her?

Because had Azula shot lightning directly at him like he planned and not at Katara, the most forthright implication to me is that he was intending to strike Azula with her own lightning. And Azula, for all her mastery, would not have been able to counter that.

On the other hand, maybe he wasn't planning to kill her at all and was simply planning to redirect it elsewhere (similar to what he did with Ozai). But given the tone of tragedy throughout the Agni Kai, the fact that they both acknowledge that this fight will be "the end" to them, I don't think it's inaccurate to read Zuko's actions as him preparing to kill Azula, even though an Agni Kai doesn't have to end with death (and in canon it didn't). Also, why goad her into striking him with lightning if he wasn't planning on doing something intentional with it? If anything, it adds another layer to the tragedy to me, because I don't believe Zuko wants to kill her. And it stands in such contrast to the way that Azula desperately wants to kill him.

I also think that there would have even been something sadly poetic in that sort of demise for Azula should the Agni Kai had gone this direction: Azula, struck down by her preferred sub-skill. Azula, struck down by the very bolt of lightning that she intended to kill her brother with. Azula, struck down by her own power.

[hyacinths-in-a-storm]

I swear, at this point I might just end up shipping 75% of atla girls with each other.

[discordiansamba]

how do toph and merman zuko meet?

By chance!

I think they first meet in the period between Azula's defeat at Ba Sing Se, but before the eclipse. She might not have to deal with the Dai Li anymore, but the city is still stifling. She makes frequent escapes out into the countryside whenever she can, where she can get some earth between her toes.

Zuko follows the path of the river past Ba Sing Se's walls. He made the effort to come out all this way following the gossip he heard about his sister and the Avatar, but part of him is just bemused he got past the walls so easily. Turned out all the Fire Nation needed to infiltrate Ba Sing Se was someone who could breathe underwater.

Of course, his journey ends at the massive lake the river dumps out into. He can't get any further. He decides to hang out for a few days- mostly just trying to figure out what the fuck this massive structure under the lake is. It looks earthbent. Weird.

He and Toph just happen to be in the same place at the same time. Toph calls out to him- because it that someone swimming in fucking Lake Laogai? And they just... sort of hit it off from there, especially once Zuko realizes she's blind.

And then they just kind of keep running into each other. She tags along with Aang sometimes while he's trying to track this ocean spirit or whatever, but for the most part she just goes off on her own. She has no interest in going in the water. She does find it kind of weird that she keeps running into this same guy- but this sort of thing actually happens to them a lot.

[nero-neptune]

thinking about scars...

[shadowjinx626]

There's one thing that I feel that is often left out by Azula Stans in their defense posts regarding her behavior towards Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee. Saying that it's her way of showing affection and that she genuinely cares about them, and failing to acknowledge that doesn't make her any less abusive.

There's been cases where people who did genuinely love someone, they still become abusive to that other person. Granted, I may view them differently compare to abusive people who abused their victims because they hate them, but it should never be seen as an excuse for that type of behavior.

While I don't mind it being used to give Azula humanity, this viewing is often used to lessen the trauma her brother and friends experienced.

[littleweowmeow]

Azula was the only one who lost in Agni Kai. And we all know that, but not everyone can handle it. She can only win in the minds of her fans. Coped with it.

[justthatspiffy]

okay so actually upon rewatching atla for the fourth or fifth time i'm more confused than ever about zuko's mom where did she go and why

[peony-pearl]

after work I might start writing my ideas for an alternate Book 3. It won't be a fanfic oh I don't have the energy for that but I have so many ideas rattling in my brain of how I think some endgame things could have been presented differently

[ohheyshadow]

Me, a canonically blind character, absolutely destroying everyone in a battle to the death. Water bending, fire bending, earth bending, and air bending all power i held in the palm of my hand. I took that second crown with pride, waving my hand in front of my face like john cena after killing the last man standing. I, toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender. a canonically blind character, took out so many people, even sniping a few with my Assault Rife. Imagine getting cooked by a character that can't even see, you vision havers/silly

[surgepricing]

I think about Azula shooters often and their common refrain of "if Azula hadn't had a mental breakdown, she would've won" and I'm here to tell you that no, she wouldn't have.

There is no universe in which Azula was winning that fight with Zuko (or Katara, for that matter).

Azula spent so much of Book 2 being built up as this deadly terrifying force against whom the heroes are badly outmatched that it can be difficult to catch exactly how quickly Zuko is advancing.

Back up a bit to Book One. For the fearsome exiled crown prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko's not that impressive a firebender. He's not bad by any stretch, and he's able to lay the untrained Sokka and Katara flat pretty easily. Then he gets in the ring with Aang, who is an airbending master, and the difference between a regular bender and a master becomes apparent when Aang literally puts his ass to bed:

People have attributed this to the fact that no one's fought an airbender in 100 years, but I think it's also worth noting that Aang (a 12 year old from a pacifist nation) has probably never fought anyone before. Like, ever. And yet the second Aang thinks "okay, I'll attack back", the fight's over.

Zuko's got the same genetic predisposition for firebending talent that Azula does, yet it never seems to manifest because of his mental blocks. At the beginning of the series, he's already so beat down that all he really has is conviction, pride, and anger, so even with training from Iroh (the firebending master, thank you very much), he struggles. Yet throughout Book 2, when he has no time to train because he's on the run, he actually seems to advance faster. The fact that his bending is literally tied to his character arc (as his morals become tangled and he has to fight off aforementioned mental blocks) is pretty brilliant. Like, by the time of the Crossroads of Destiny, Zuko getting his ass handed to him by Aang is a pretty consistent feature of the show--he just can't match wits with him.

Hell, at the beginning of the series, he and Iroh (again: the actual firebending master) launch a combined power surface-to-air attack...which Aang casually swats away into a nearby ice wall. Come the Crossroads of Destiny, however, and Zuko by himself launches this bigass fireball that blows through Aang's defenses.

Zuko advances so quickly that it's scary. That prodigious talent is in him even if it doesn't come through as cleanly as with Azula. Who, by the way, was busy about to get flattened by Katara some few dozen feet away, until Zuko took over and then effectively stalemated her himself.

All of this in retrospect makes it abundantly clear why Zuko's firebending seemed to skyrocket so much when he learned true firebending from the Sun Warriors: it was really the only thing left. He's hard a hard road learning how to fight waterbenders, earthbenders, and airbenders, and even if unconsciously, he's applying the philosophy Iroh taught him about augmenting his bending style with aspects of other styles (see also, the waterbending-like fire whips he uses in the above gif). Once he actually understands fire and how it works, he's got it mastered. Hence why any gap between him and Azula effectively disappears as soon as their next fight--before her friends have betrayed her and her stability goes out the window. There's no real sense of urgency to their fight at the Boiling Rock prison. True, Sokka's presence with the sword helps, but Zuko doesn't look remotely worried and he counters Azula's every attack perfectly.

All her life, Azula only ever learned fire. She was taught by the best people the fire nation can employ, so she knows all the cool tricks, but she's still poisoned by the corrupted firebending practiced in the modern ATLA timeline. Unlike Zuko, who managed to get the basics if nothing else from Iroh (fire comes from the breath, and can be used to survive as much as to kill), Azula has always used fire as a weapon and a means to hurt others. She has no true knowledge of the craft, meaning she's got the same weaknesses as Zhao, she's just better disciplined to the point she can make up for it.

Zuko's victory was a given considering Azula's complete loss of control by the time of Sozin's comet, but even had she been in a perfect mental state, she'd have lost, because in many ways Zuko is simply the better firebender.

And that's the truth of it.

[floatyflowers]

The second wife| Dark! Ozai x Wife! Reader x Platonic Dark! Zuko and Azula

Ozai murdered your husband and your baby to take you as a second wife.

Of course, he has done it secretly so he doesn't appear like the villain in your eyes.

You were the handmaiden and younger sister of his first wife, and the one he wished to marry in the first place.

So, when Ursa runs away, he marries you against your will.

Even though the marriage was forced, right after your husband and child's death, yet you held no ill intention towards your nephew and niece.

Zuko is quick to accept you as you are his aunt whom he trusts.

While Azula didn't know how to act around you, thinking that you viewed her in the same way her mother did, a monster.

But you made sure to include her in everything along with Zuko.

The healthy relationship you had with Ursa is the same one you wish for Zuko and Azula to have, one full of love and respect.

But Azula always tried to push Zuko out of some activities, she claimed 'it is a girl's thing'

"Mother should only brush my hair because I'm a girl"

Meanwhile, Zuko clings to you, telling you everything he knows, or sought knowledge about it.

Meanwhile, you hate Ozai, he is just unlike...your first husband.

Ozai is beyond redemption in your eyes.

And many days, you avoid him.

However, one day, you and Ozai were fighting about political matters and Zuko intervened to defend you.

"Stop yelling at mother, she has done nothing wrong!"

You only placed your hands on Zuko's shoulders, fearing that Ozai might hurt him.

But the glaring competition between the son and the father only ended in Ozai leaving.

Unfortunately, Ozai did not let that slide when Zuko cut in one of the political meetings.

He challenged him to an agni kai.

Something that Azula was excited about.

You tried to plead for Zuko's case.

But that made Ozai more determined.

And on that day of Agni Kai, Zuko was left defeated with a scar as a reminder.

And then banished from the fire nation for not wanting to fight his father.

But you kept sending him letters from behind your husband's back.

At first, Zuko swore to capture the avatar so he can be accepted back as an heir and into the arms of his aunt, you.

But after joining the team avatar, he swore to defeat his father and save you.

[thefandomthings]

Zuko x reader

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Betrayal

Hurt prompt #11: "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Pairing: Zuko x F/Gn!reader

Warnings: Angst, No comfort, Established relationship, !!SPOILERS¡¡, Takes place in Book 2. Ep. 18

Notes: Oh boy, I have so many avatar requests, it's amazing. Thank you guys for participating in my event it makes me so happy! Tell me if y'all want a part 2.

Prompt Event Part 1 Part 2

All you felt was pain, deep inside your chest. Watching your boyfriend take sides against the avatar once again was brutal. What made it even worse was Iroh was to be imprisoned, you would hold the same fate if you were captured.

You stood next to Katara and Aang, Azula and Zuko on the opposite side of the cave. Azula held the same malicious grin on her face, watching the three of you with smugness.

"My, my Y/n. You seem so down, how sad." She mocks you with a slight chuckle. Zuko gives her a glare, his eyes wandering back to you. They are full of guilt, pleading for forgiveness from you. Practically begging you to understand why he did it, to come with him.

"Leave Y/n alone, Azula." Zuko grunts, getting in a fighting stance with his sister. Azula clicks her tongue and rolls her eyes at her brother.

"They're the enemy now, Zuzu. Can't protect them forever." Azula laughs, blue fire erupting from her fists.

The blue flurries of fire woosh past you fastly. Katara quickly blocks the fire with her water. Using her octopus arms she slashes and whips at Azula, both going back and forth. The ground beneath the five of you shakes and cracks.

Aang and Zuko are going at it hand to hand. You watch out of the corner of your eye as Zuko takes a hit by Aangs wind, sending him flying back into one of the crystal pillars. Your heart stops, skipping a beat as Zuko groans.

You curse under your breath and run towards him, Aang is calling your name frantically. You slid against the rock surface and get the few rocks that landed on Zuko off. He lets out a huff of air, the weight of the rock off of his chest allowing him to breath.

He's quick to sit up, using his hands, he does a walk over away from you. Your heart felt like it was stabbed, watching as he gets in a protective stance. He knows you'd never hurt him on purpose, and he'd never hurt you.

"Why are you doing this, Zuko? Why are you so desperate to gain your honor back?" Your voice is meek, tears gathering at your waterline, blurring his figure.

"You know why I have to, Y/n. This is my chance to prove to my father I am worthy."

Zukos heart physically aches, seeing your tears making him question everything. He never wanted to hurt you, never wanted to put strain on your relationship. You're his everything, you've been with him since the beginning along with Iroh. Loving him even when he didn't love himself.

"But Zuko, when you get home and see your father, will he even except you? What if he hurts you again, or what if he tries to kill you?" You plead, knowing this isn't him. He's just confused and fighting himself.

Zuko stays quiet, thinking over your words carefully. You have a point. His father could easily do all of those things, Azula to. Does he really want to go through with this? Having Uncle imprisoned, possibly you too?

He closes his eyes tightly, fists clenched at his side. He lets out a long breath, salty tears slide down his cheeks as he looks back up at you again.

"He won't. I'm sorry Y/n. You can't change my mind. I'm going home." He lifts his fists back into a defensive stance, hands trembling.

"Please...Please forgive me."

You let out a strangled sob at his words, heart clenching and shattering. Zuko grits his teeth, holding back his own cries.

"Get out of here, before Azula realizes I haven't killed you." Without realizing it, Zuko was beside you. Taking you into his arms, he holds you as close as he can. His lips pressing multiple kisses to your head. His nose buried in your hair, taking in your shampoo scent one last time.

"Does this mean you don't love me anymore? Since you're leaving?" You asked, face hidden in his neck, tears hitting his skin like rain. Zuko squeezes you softly, kissing the apples of your cheeks.

"That not what I meant, Y/n. And you know it." He pulls away from you, taking a few steps back to create distance.

Water then wraps around his waist sending him flying. You scream his name as Katara takes you in her arms. You sob holding onto Katara as she sees you down.

"It'll be alright, Y/n. I promise." She hugs you tightly, the sound of wind echos in the cave as Aang enters the avatar state. Suddenly lighting cracks, blue electricity shoots towards Aang. Shooting into his back like a spear.

"AANG!" You and Katara race towards him, watching as he falls, his body is lifeless. Katara catches him, tears falling from her eyes. You use your bending to keep the three of you protected as Katara holds Aang and bends up the waterfall.

Zuko watches as the love of his life disappears. He lets out a sob, his fist pounding the ground.

He's sorry. So, so sorry. He never wanted to hurt you, cause you this much pain. Yet he has, and he might never, ever be able to fix it.

He hopes you're safe, and he'll come and find you when the time is right before it's to late.

[muffinlance]

He requisitions Suki from the Boiling Rock to "question her" and just never sends her back.

Suki spends the entire arc up to the Day of Black Sun deeply, deeply disbelieving that Zuko is actually on their side but playing along until she can escape. She thinks he's playing some kind of 4D chess when really all those questions about the Gaang are because he's afraid they won't actually want him as a friend after all this, well obviously they're friends, or they were, but what if they change their minds, especially when they see his dad, oh Agni do they know that he looks exactly like his dad? Except for the dad-hand scar?--

Suki is straight up ready to club him in the back of the head and escape when she sees that sky bison coming down.

Sokka: Oh great, you and Zuko are already friends!

Suki: *quietly aborts murder attempt, and redirects it to Ozai*

AU where Zuko and Iroh join up with the gang in Book 2 while they're fugitives in the Earth Kingdom. Except when they get to Ba Sing Se, Azula doesn't realise this and still offers to take Zuko make to the Fire Palace

Zuko says yes and spends all of Book 3 acting as a spy in the Fire Palace