#zutara 2020

[stardust948]

Me waiting for antis to get off the Zutara tag so I can resume my brainrot in peace.

[shrinkthisviolet]

Gotta love that the ATLA fandom collectively shifted from Zuko/Katara to Zuko/Sokka during the 2020 renaissance due to a growing appreciation for Kataang…

…but Maiko still gets paid absolute dust 🫠 what, y’all can finally appreciate Kataang (about mf time), but Mai has to either be abusive, cold, or the stereotypical “mean lesbian”? And the most she’s allowed to contribute now is to give birth to Izumi and then not even be her mom (on the rare occasions that Zuko/Sokka fic writers even let Mai be Izumi’s birth mom)? Very progressive…

[katy-89]

I said it again, nothing is more funny to see Zutara fanbase acting like oppressed people

The revisionism is extremely funny

[ponytailzuko]

youtube letting you filter by upload date but only sorting it from newest to oldest like NO. i need the 15 year old amvs NOW.

[mycomfortblanket]

No Title Yet, something will come to me

Nada

"You and Aang really slept together... like went all the way? As in sex?" Katara says, leaning forward.

Katara, Suki, and Toph are sitting around a small table in one of the many gardens enjoying some tea. After Suki and Toph had left Aang's room, Toph insisted on finding Katara so that she wouldn't have to recount the story twice.

"Yes, Sugar Queen. How has that not gotten through your head?" Toph says slightly annoyed. She leans back against one of the pillars that is next to the table before sipping her tea. Iroh must have made it because the herbs are mixed just right so that it's calming and soothing her stomach. Suki is insisting she tell every detail of the night, which, remembering the alcohol that had played such a major hand in the night, has made her want to vomit everywhere.

"I just really didn't expect you guys to become... intimate like that," Katara says, hesitating on the word 'intimate'.

"Really? Even Sokka saw that coming. He was actually the one to point it out to me, now that I think about it..." Suki trails off on that last thought. "The only thing I'm having trouble with is how rough he was. That doesn't sound like Aang at all."

"I know, that part surprised me, too. But, I actually really liked it," Toph says, muffling the last part of the sentence behind her cup.

"Was he like that with you?" Suki asks Katara.

Katara chokes a little on the tea she is sipping. She really hadn't thought that the subject would have ever found its way back to her and Aang's past relationship. It was such a forgotten event in the groups timeline that no one ever really brought it up.

"Uh, no. No. We weren't ever... like that... with each other," she says, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"Wait, did you guys not ever have sex?" Suki questions, her eyes wide and disbelieving.

"I didn't say that! We just weren't like that."

"Liar," Toph coughs out.

Katara sends a glare towards her, "Fine! We never did it. We never actually got around to it. I mean, sheesh, he was only 15 when we broke up."

"And you were 17," Suki unhelpfully points out.

"So?"

"Sooo. I'm just saying, a woman has her needs," Suki finishes with a shrug.

"Well, she did get with Zuko right after the break up, so you know they went at it," Toph says with a sly grin before a thought occurs to her. "Wait! If you and Twinkletoes never had sex... but there's no fucking way he was a virgin before last night. No one is just that good their first time."

All three girls remain silent as this new thought floats out in the open. Toph begins to slightly panic for an unknown reason. Her and Aang weren't ever a couple, he could have easily slept with someone in the years since him and Katara called the quits.

The thought of someone else seeing Aang intimate like that though makes her blood boil. The teacup in her hands shatter in her firm grip.

"Hey, calm down, Toph. You did say you guys went at it at least four times last night, right? That's a lot of chances to fix errors. Plus, you weren't exactly a virgin before last night either," Suki says in a matter of fact tone.

"What?" Katara asks, a wrinkle in her brow.

"Spirits, shut up, Suki," Toph grumbles.

"I'm just saying. You can't be upset with him for something you also did." She does have a point, but Toph is still fuming. She crosses her arms over her chest and huffs out a breath. "All I'm saying is don't get too upset when your hands aren't clean either," Suki mumbles.

"Wait, wait, wait. Back up. Toph, you slept with someone? And I'm just now finding out about this? How come Suki knew before me? Who was it? Was it any good? Oh my spirits, it wasn't Haru, was it?" A shudder is seen going through Katara's body.

"No, no. It was with Teo, like two years after everything," Toph says with a wave of her hand. She stands up, brushing the shattered teacup off of her shirt and pants, and earthbends a small reclining chair. She needs a little room from the girls, their questions are starting to feel suffocating.

"The kid in the wheelchair from the Western Air Temple? Not to be rude or anything... but was he even able to ... you know... preform?"

Both Suki and Toph send Katara dirty looks. "He's paralyzed, not dead. There's still blood flow down there. You think that being a healer, you would know that kind of thing," Toph says in a justifiably rude manner. Katara at least has the decency to look ashamed.

"Well, that still doesn't answer the question of why Suki knew before me and if it was any good," she says with a huff, crossing her arms over her chest.

Toph groans and stares up towards the sky. She really just wanted to announce that her and Aang were a thing and be done with it. Why they wanted the explicit details of the night and her previous encounter was beyond her.

"It was fine and Suki only knew because she walked in on it."

Katara whips her head in Suki's direction, eyes wide and a massive smile on her lips, "No way."

"You guys were in mine and Sokka's room! What were you expecting?" A burst of laughter comes from Katara. She holds her stomach as tears leak out of the corners of her eyes.

"Oh my fucking Spirits! Can we please change the subject? Like any other subject, please?" Toph yells, her hands encasing her ears, trying to block out Katara's laughter and Suki's snickers.

"Fine. Fine," Katara says, breathing heavily. Her face is beet red from laughing so hard and she is sure her stomach is going to be sore tomorrow. "Give us the dirty details on you and Aang from last night."

Groaning, Toph sinks lower on her chair.

---------

Once the girls were out of sight and Aang had put his shirt back on, Sokka laid himself on his stomach at the foot of the bed. His chin is cradled by the palms of his hands and his feet are kicking the air behind him.

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what the fuck happened last night. I mean, why the hell were you sneaking out of her room so early? You guys were practically fucking when I walked in just a moment ago."

Aang groans and lays back on the bed rubbing his face with his hands. How did they end up in this situation? He never liked his personal business being known by everyone, but here they were, half the palace knowing that him and Toph did the deed.

Letting his hands fall to his sides, he stares up at the ceiling, "I don't know, Sokka. What do you want me to say? We came back last night, both of us having way too much to drink, and it just kind of happened."

"So nothing led up to it?" Sokka says, a knowing smirk on his face.

Aang looks over at him and rolls his eyes, "Suki told you didn't she? You two really are worse than gossiping sisters. Fine. We kissed at the bar. We were dancing and then one of those slow songs came on and she suggested that we sat that one out, but... I don't know. I still wanted her close to me. And I knew that if we went and sat down, that we wouldn't get to that position again. I mean, this thing between us, it has been building since Katara and I split. That dance was just the tipping point.

Sokka rolls over onto his back so that his head is perpendicular to Aang's. "So, you're telling me that all this sexual tension has been accumulating for years and you guys just had sex the one time last night?" He continues mumbling but Aang isn't able to make out what is being said.

"Well, it wasn't just one time last night... it was more like... five times," he says sheepishly.

Sokka shoots off the bed, a bewildered look on his face, "Five fucking times, Aang?! How the holy hell did you manage to pull that off? How did you even get the energy to pull that off? I understand two times, three if you're lucky. But five?! Spirits fuck. If Suki hears that you managed to go that long, I'm never going to live that shit down!"

Aang pulls a pillow over his head, hoping to drown out Sokka's exasperated rant. After a few moments, he has calmed down and fallen back onto the bed. Both men are quiet as they stare up at the ceiling.

"Hey, where is Zuko? I haven't seen much of him this past weekend," Aang says. He does miss his old firebending teacher, but he is glad that he is absent from the current conversation. Zuko and Toph had gotten weirdly close and shared a weird sibling-type bond. Recalling details of how he took Toph last night to protective-older-brother-Zuko was not exactly something that was at the top of Aang's list.

"Eh, he's got some Firelord duties. Something about trade deals falling through because of a petty affair going on between Nobles," Sokka says with a wave of his hand.

Aang just grunts in response, glad that he at least doesn't have to face him just yet.

"Well, tell me about the weird, kinky shit you guys did," Sokka says, propping himself up on his elbow.

Taken by surprise, Aang jerks back hard enough to pop his neck, "Excuse me? What makes you think it was kinky?"

"Because it's Toph," he says as if that clears up everything.

[livsindelusion]

It's less about the ship itself and more about them hating Aang tbh

Do I hate Aang? Absolutely not, that’s my boy. Do I hate Aang as a genuine 100% endgame presented as they are love interest for Katara? …yeah sorry

[losermothman]

I think the development of:

Early ATLA (2005-2015?): no zukka in sight, dominant ships kataang + zutara

2020 COVID ATLA Rebirth: gay ppl are okay now, zukka is there but it’s crack!! and only crack!! it’s a crack ship!!

2024 Live Action ATLA Rebirth: get these bitches out of here!! zukka is NOT a fucking crack ship, it is fucking EVERYTHING (and is now one of the dominant ships but everyone is chill about it)

is really funny.

like in 2020 zukka was just starting and there were a few fics, yeah, but there were NONE of those 30 chapter, 200K+ words yet and NONE of them were finished. And now? Four years later? HOLY SHIT. Look at the sokka/zuko tag on AO3!! It’s booming!!

I just really love them and it makes me emotional and also I think more ppl need to know about their crack ship origins.

[ultfreakme]

look look I have a feeling at least 60% of this whole Dallas and Ian shipping Zukka thing is for promo. But. Truly unhinged for them to bet on Zukka because like, Kataang and Zutara are still in a war that might go as long as the 100 year war, Sokka x Suki shippers are there, Maiko, Yuekka, Kataang. Like all of them have had a lot more mainstream attention lbr. Zukka is like tumblr going unhinged in 2020 and that's it.

Who bet on this horse? Did Dallas and Ian read Zukka fanfics? Did all of the cast get notes like "okay during interviews, Zukka is our main ship, got it? Ian act like you are marrying this man, Dallas I need you to lock eyes with him for 20 seconds" If this is for promo this is a dumb move because the Zutara shippers are far more desperate for canonization and Kataang shippers are ready to slay anyone who dares tarnish the canon meanwhile every Zukka shipper I know is like "guys I think Zuko is lalalala actually though there's this generalization that Sokka is lalalalala but hear me out-"

[jujuberii]

zukka fics written pre 2020 are fucking wild man cuz they rllh had nothing to go off of. they were out there shipping rarepairs in a world dominated by zutara and kataang

Groundbreaking

[rifari2037]

I really love how Zutaran deal with Antis 😂😂

Btw, I also watched the episode where they held a wedding with water tribe cultural ceremony in South Pole. It was Sokka who married them. So pretty, I might cry 😭😭

Also the episode when Zuko gave a surprise for Katara, a fountain with big statue of her.

Oh, I still remember the episode when Zuko kissed pregnant Katara to say goodbye before he went hunting with his father-in-law, Hakoda and brother-in-law, Sokka.

Ngl, those are the best episodes 😭😭

[beealexageek]

Zutara Week 2023

Day 7

Prompt: Flow

(3/3)

“Tui and La... have always circled each other in an eternal dance.”

This is the little bastard of these two:

ZK Week 2020 Day 7: Rebirth ZK Mini Bang 2021: Never too late to fall in love (again) 

Aaaaand... that’s it.

That was my contribution to this year's Zutara Week. I feel like there were little things I improved on and I'm happy with that.

@zutaraweek

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[glassygate]

Returning to read AtlA fics after a long break be like

Then again... Internet does love to ship red and blue themed men

To those who are confused. If you filter Atla fics in Ao3 from 2020-present, the relationship tag looks like this

In default settings Zutara is still on the lead. By less than 400 fics

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Can you recommend fanfiction that you personally really like?

Yes! Love this ask. I’ve never made a Zutara fic rec list partially because I’ve read so many wonderful stories over time that I find the prospect daunting! 

But there are absolutely certain stories that I have a personal soft spot for, that I return to again and again. And that’s my criteria for what’s included below. This is a sampling of fics that I find myself coming back to, in no particular order. I may come back and add more, because this list is so far from exhaustive. A mix of ratings (marked), so keep that in mind.

Wish I Was the Moon by Like a Dove (T), post-canon: There’s so much that I love about the way this one-shot explores Katara’s character and what she faces post-canon, how she frees herself, strikes out in the world and finds her way home. Her feelings for Zuko, and her inner-conflict around them, are rendered tangibly, both through scene and subtext. A really good example of how an author can show a character’s lack of/journey to self-knowledge without breaking voice.

Refraction by caroes3725 (E), post-canon: When I started reading Zutara fanfic (for me this was in 2020), this was the fic I was looking for—a deep, realistic-to-canon, in-character exploration of how Zutara could unfold after the events of ATLA in a way that gives Katara in particular the arc she deserves. Really well-done development of the Fire Nation court world, well-developed characters, shining dialogue. An amazingly well-worth-it slow burn.

Wildfire by rainstormdragon (E), post-canon: To me this story is kind of a steamy Zutara thesis. The characters are so spot on and alive, their flaws are on full display in a way that feels realistic, and their chemistry is powered by their compatibility—matched in passion and stubbornness, and also in what they want from life. And I think it really gets Aang, too, which is something that can be hard to find in ZK fic. Also really hot, but that's only part of what makes it really shine.

Partners in Learning by evergreenonthehorizon (T), Modern AU: One of the things I love in modern AUs is watching an author weave that invisible string between these characters. Sometimes, it’s by writing narrative arcs that parallel the series, and sometimes it’s by drawing out the personality traits that make the characters both lovable to readers and such a compelling match and watching that spark bloom into flame. This beautifully written story does that so, so well in a really compelling Modern AU setting. Zuko and Katara here are so wonderfully lovable, and it’s a joy to watch them fall for one another, too.

Journeys by Smediterranea (E), Modern AU: In real life, I want to see my friends in relationships with people who can recognize why they’re so particularly amazing. That potential, I think, part of the appeal of ZK as a ship, and that’s part of the special magic of this fic. Watching these two characters get to know one another—really see one another—and fall in love deliciously sweeps the reader up. Plus, really fun, in character cameos from the rest of the Gaang along the way.

Spark, set fire by marijayne (T), Modern AU: literary fanfic, and I mean that in the best way. This story is beautiful and bittersweet, the latter is not often something I seek out in fanfic (where I hide from life), but here it’s gorgeous and worth it. The world building here is really cool—allows the author to explore some of a set of cultural issues/interactions that both echo the ATLA world and ours. The characters are so tenderly drawn (dadko especially)—and the connection between them builds beautifully and tangibly—and the longing is…chef’s kiss. 

Wrong when it's right by nire (T), Book 1 Canon Divergence: Before I read this, I couldn't imagine wanting to read a Book 1 Zutara. After, I wanted more. Bickering, bed-roll sharing, shared heat, tenderness and common ground. A delight from start to finish.

Anyway, thanks for asking and happy reading! <3 And if you want more recs, let me know.

[katerina-q]

Nothing is more funny that seeing Zutaras acting like an "oppressed fandom" because Kataang fans (and atla fans in general) are finally talking back after 20 years of harassment, characters bashing and misogynism (2020 was VERY bad)

I can't take you all seriously, sorry

[longing-for-rain]

I don’t even understand the character Sokka stans are stanning. It’s not even Sokka. It is like they are taking the big strong tough guy Sokka thinks he is and acting like that is his actual character when it isn’t. I know not all of them are z*kkas but it does seem like atla renaissance and z*kka popularity added to this trend of taking Katara traits and giving them to Sokka instead

Me neither? I honestly don’t dislike Sokka as a character. I never particularly related to him like I do with other characters, but what frustrates me is how the fandom treats him in relation to other characters, especially Katara.

I definitely agree with you that there was a noticeable shift with the ATLA renaissance in 2020. I was in the fandom long before then and the biggest shift I saw was character bashing taking a faux-progressive spin. For example, Mai bashing used to involve calling her ugly and abusive, but shifted into shoving her into sapphic side ships for the aesthetic instead (while still making jabs at her appearance and demeanor, of course, because people can’t be normal about lesbians). As for Katara, it’s even worse. I’ll get into that.

I remember that historically, Katara has been one of the most bashed and hated on characters in the fandom. People would call her bossy and self important, say she was too emotional, that she was too rude, that she didn’t care about other people’s problems, etc. It was blatant back then, but I honestly see the same trends now, just more covertly. People acting like Katara is not as mature as Sokka, not “mom friend,” or otherwise downplaying the responsibilities she had to take on, fundamentally, are operating on the same logic. They do it in a very jokey way a lot of the time or even act like they’re “letting her be a kid” but really it’s just erasing the nuance of her character in the same way overtly misogynistic fans once did.

Because here’s the thing. We can all recognize Katara was forced into a parental role at an early age and that wasn’t fair to her. But acting like that was something that randomly happened on its own is not addressing the problem. But these fans refuse to address the problem by answering the question of why Katara constantly has to take this role…because that would require them to hold Sokka and Aang accountable for their actions and these people will not do that.

I really do think this is tied in with zukka too. I will say that I’m not a zukka anti. I actually really enjoy some zukka content because it can give a refreshing perspective. But I do see a lot of characterizations that are deeply annoying because they really seem like they’re trying to replace Katara. They want the Zutara dynamic but want slash. And I know these characterizations are no longer unique to zukka, but I would agree they were popularized by it.

Just off the top of my head:

The character who is the first of the group to trust Zuko? That was Katara. Sokka was the one in favor of leaving him to die whereas Katara trusted him twice during Book 2.

The character who emotionally connects with Zuko? That’s Katara.

The character who Zuko feels safest letting his guard down around? That’s Katara.

The character who helps Zuko heal from his trauma? That’s Katara.

The character known for showing the most compassion to others? That’s Katara.

The character who primarily bears the burden of having to step up into a parental role? That’s Katara.

The character who represses their emotions to be strong for others? That’s Katara.

And yet, for some reason, there is this new wave of fans who take all of these traits central to Katara and give them to Sokka instead. It’s just frustrating. Sokka is his own character. He’s different. I really just think this is a new brand of misogyny where we take traits like these for granted in female characters but overemphasize them in male characters.

[calderacitylovers]

Zutara SlowBurn FanFiction: Personal Favs, part II

·        DESTINY IS A FUNNY THING by Megara Pike | Published: 2020-08-21 | 198K Words | 45 Chapters

ATLA Season 3 rewrite, fills in a lot of blanks between canon scenes. From the Southern Raiders to Sozin's Comet through coronation and aftermath. Growing friendships, bonding, being there for each other, a carnival & a cave, epic spirits' appearance on the Ember island, sparring, nightmares, assassination attempts, political ruses, and covert operations. Lovely, sweet. Exciting plot.

 ·        ATLA Book 4: Ashes by elayne_cypher | Published: 2018-10-27 | 306K words | 34 Chapters

This action-packed story picks up right after Ember Island Players and continues well after the war. Zuko is facing many challenges as a new Fire Lord. Romance, tough decisions, rebels, traitors, out-of-body experiences, secret headquarters, angst, teamwork, fire jets. The story has a bunch of OCs.

 ·        Refraction by caroes3725  | Published: 2020-09-09 | 215K Words | 37 Chapters

After breaking up with Aang, Katara needs to figure out her place and role in the patriarchal world. As determined Katara stubbornly bulldozes her way through Fire Nation political scene, her feelings for Zuko grow. Diplomatic visits, Gaang reunion, bonding with Kanna, insights into the life of Caldera city, stuffy politicians, cute correspondence, tropical storm, women supporting women, assassination attempts, personal boundaries. A sweet well-written coming-of-age story with a healthy measure of slow-burn and mutual pining. Katara and Zuko are both POVs, but the story mostly follows Katara. Bonus: Mai is NOT a clingy resentful idiot, but a smart person and a good friend. Some explicit language here and there, a bit of mild smut.

 ·        I Asked You First by halfhoursonearth | Published: 2020-10-03 | 142K words | 22/? Chapters

Ongoing, incomplete. Post Southern Raiders ATLAS3 rewrite. Mostly canon-compliant with blanks filled in between familiar scenes. Zuko and Katara develop a close friendship built on trust and sharing each other’s fears and hopes. Includes mentions of implied child abuse, Lu Ten’s diaries, exploring Avatar Roku’s legacy, sharing a balcony, heart-to-hearts, a hot spring under the stars, an actual date, and artbending. It’s incomplete, but what we have is bliss. Slowburn, mutual pining. Zutara-centric, but also explores the personalities of Team Avatar and their relationships.

 ·        Katara Alone by cablesscutie | Published: 2020-05-31 | 21K words

Katara is not an “unnecessary accessory to a more powerful man”. After the war, she is willing to forge her own path as she turns to people who need her the most on her journey of self-discovery. Features character exploration, correspondence, exploring outback villages of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom, sweet reunions, and new firebending skills.

 ·        THE PHOENIX AND THE DRAGON - THE COMPLETE SERIES by JasmineTeaLatte | Published: 2021-06-11 | 100K words | 31 Chapters

This story picks up after The Ember Island Players. Zuko and Katara get to know each other during a late-night conversation by the campfire. In this story, you will find healthy boundaries, protective Sokka, a dash of Taang, sparring, funny banter & lots of flirting.

·        HESITATE by tiffaniesblews | Published: 2020-07-11 | 22K Words | 12 Chapters

This story picks up right after Zuko's coronation and spans two years afterwards. Zuko & Katara talk, share a few beautiful moments, write to each other, and reunite for the 2nd anniversary of the war ending. Very sweet, fluffy story about two sweethearts figuring out their feelings for each other.

·        LIKE WE'RE MADE OF STARLIGHT by Naladot | Published: 2021-11-28 | 5K Words

Katara leaves her post as the ambassador to the Fire Nation to take up a new one as the ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe. Her absence makes Zuko realize that he's got an unfortunate crush, which he is determined to keep secret. Unfortunately for him, subtly has never been one of his strengths—especially when he arrives in the Northern Water Tribe and she keeps taking him on what seem to be dates.

·        FIGURE IT OUT by clearascountryair | Published: 2021-12-20 | 35K words | 13 Chapters

After choosing not to kill Yon Rha, Katara rethinks her sense of self and others' perceptions of her. Or,    In which Katara learns that there’s a really big difference between being kissed when you don’t want to be and being kissed when you do. Aged-up 3B/Ember Island AU.

-  I FOUND YOU by that_turtleduck | Published: 2020-11-01 Completed: 2024-02-24 Words: 157,541 Chapters: 28/28

After divorcing Aang, Katara uproots her family and travels to Caldera. There she finds comfort, kindness and support from an old friend. Katara tries to find her footing as an independent political figure. Great story & relationship dynamic of Momtara & Dadko in their early 30s (Ember island, diplomatic meeting, dancing, turtleduck pond, letters). Delicious slow burn with rewarding spicy resolution in the end (explicit open door). Titters on the side of Anti-Aang.

Here’s a link to Part I of my personal favorites.

Here’s a link to Wholesome Zutara Short Stories.