#zutara fan fic

[fabdante]

i thought it would be fun to put all the little scenes i've animated from the circumnavigators of celestial bodies into one post, even if the fic for the last one isn't up yet

art only blog - insta - inprnt - redbubble (image description in alt)

[marijayne-writing]

Spark, Set Fire

Chapter 9 of Spark, If you touch me, I'll catch fire, is up! Wherein a blizzard forces both of their hands.

Or, Katara seeks out Zuko when she doesn't know where else to go, and some things get said

[demaparbat-hp]

The Painted Lady turned around slowly, deliberately, and stared right through each ghost present in the room. Then, she raised her hands in a graceful arc, pointed loosely at the ceiling, and chanted, “Well, off you go.” She made a shoo, go away gesture, the spirits disappeared, and—wait. The spirits disappeared.

Izumi comes back in For the Spirits Chapter VI: Dream of You. Zuko has a mild panic attack and her upbeat attitude does not help him (or does it?).

Just what is she up to? And what is the meaning behind the blue eyes from Zuko's dream?

[longing-for-rain]

For @zutaraweek Day 1: Home

I really love the idea of home being something you find in one another, and the beauty in the mundane, so I thought I’d make some art to go along with a fic I wrote, Learning To Love Again.

I shared this very personal piece a long time ago, and I still get the most heartwarming comments on it. I just wanted to thank everyone for that too, it really helped me gain confidence in sharing my stories and it makes me so happy that other people can find comfort in this as well ❤️❤️

[becasart]

HURRRRRAAAAAAYYYYY!!! My very first @zkbigbang project, let's gooo! It was great working with everyone else, please do check out Fixed From The Inside 💕 As well as the other artists and writers' works for this event. There are so many amazing works this year!

[roselynnthornwood]

Support me on Patreon!

Art by @mayskalih . Go give her a follow if you don’t already— her Zutara work is *incredible!*

[miss-sweetea-pie]

One thing I love about the zutara community is that when bryke said “zutara was too dark and intriguing” a lot of you all went “bet”

Love that for us 💕🌊🔥

[whatpistachio]

I wrote this fic after I saw the ✨spectacular✨ art of @mayskalih 💜 (check out her Blue spirit x Painted lady fan art!!)

My imagination jumped and… there it is:

🧵 Labyrinth of Night Secrets 🌌

Summary: After several assaults and fighting side by side for years, that night something will change the secret deal between the Painted Lady and the Blue Spirit, marking them in body and soul. That night will awaken something they had always kept silent.

So, let the moon rise and the spirits begin to live in the forest, until dawn.

Couple: zutara/ Blue spirit x Painted lady

Language: English

Words: 3,009

One Shot

Tag: Post-Canon, Post-War, Ambassador Katara, tension!!

They are in their 20s

Taylor Swift song: Labyrinth

Thanks to the zutara renaissance! 🥹 💜

Hope u enjoy it! ✨

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54428260

[the-badger-mole]

Did you see Zutara win that poll on Twitter with 175,904 votes? The kataangers are SEETHING 💀💀 But Zutara stays on top, as always 🌠

I saw the poll. It's hilarious to me how many ZK antis have their cheeks clenched and panties bunched over a poll that CLEARLY had bots involved (on both sides. I love this show and ship, but there is NO WAY these pairs got 200k+ votes all together. There's no way that many people cared). I am not surprised that ZK beat KA, though. I think they would win in any fair poll, and even most unfair ones (case and point). But what is even funnier to me are all the people who seemed to be surprised that even in a poll where bots were used, and even encouraged, ZK beat KA. By a lot. ZK is and has always been That Ship and will always be That Ship until people forget about ATLA.

[bluespiritshonour]

I can't believe I'm about to do this but I'm sick and I'm not the one who believes in taking the high road (although here I have to force myself not to take the high road because the alternative is just THAT reprehensible to me)

BUT IMMA DO IT.

Disclaimer: The Beach is a very well-written epsiode. It also makes me want to bury Zuko upto his neck in sand and stone him.

Now that we've got that out of the way, to the Zutara shippers who say they'd rather Jinko than Maiko (I've never seen an actual Jinko shipper dunking on Mai: probably because it's a rarepair, statistical probability what would you?)

I'll explain it to you in your language (you know, the language you understand): Zuko was possesive to the point of being vile when Mai was concerned. He beat up a dude for it even though his insecurities were unfounded. Now compare that to his date with Jin: “She’s not my girlfriend!”

And you say he wasn't heads over heel for Mai?

I hate that this is the only “example” of Zuko simping for Mai. As if jealousy isn't about the person's insecurities instead of a measure of love... But y'know what, the people I'm talking about don't see it that way so they don't get to point that out.

[asajjvxntress]

Rating: Teen and Up

Words: 584

Prompt: Shoulder to cry on

Summary: 

Zuko wakes up after the Agni Kai to Katara beside him.I will never stop writing this moment.

Notes: 

I usually don't participate in Zutara month because May is always busy (teacher life woohoo), but my mental health has been *fart noises* lately, so I decided to write a few prompts to distract myself. My goal is 1k words or less per prompt just to get me back into the flow and rhythm and writing.

Tags will be added as I write!

@zutaramonth

[fabdante]

When the Sun Hits

Tui does not remember what it was to be without La. They know there was once nothing. And then there was two. No in between. No wait. Just the two of them together in the water. And there was the dance.

Summery: It's 1994 and Zuko is at a party. He see's a girl and his soul remembers something. (based off this playlist from Zutara Week 2023, using art I made for the same year, written for @zutaraweek 2024, Echoes!)

Word Count: 3917

Rating: G (references to cheating)

Read Here!

[incorrectfanfics]

Zutara: Just Tell Him

Summary: The Fire Lord visits the Southern Water Tribe for the Glacier Spirits Festival. But his true objective is to find a way to tell the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe that he's in a relationship with the Southern Water Tribe Ambassador: his daughter, Katara.

CW: Some references to sex and alcohol.

I asked @the-badger-mole about Zuko/Hakoda interactions and then I remembered I'm not so bad at the whole keyboard typing thing myself so I'm pulling a Thanos and "do[ing] it myself."

Enjoy.

Black soot fell on the Southern Water Tribe. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for the Hakoda, Chief of the Southern Water Tribe to take notice. He called for his top advisors and and a squad of soldiers. They raced towards the docks and waited. They watched as the large metal ship sailed into their waters. The intimidating vessel towered over the horizon. It looked like a warship with a red palace on top. Hakoda knew it could only belong to one man, the Fire Lord.

The ship docked. The ramp came down. Soldiers in red spiked armor marched down and made way for the man himself. He stood tall with a scowl on his face. His long hair pulled back to show the scar that marked almost half his face. The two leaders stood face to face, looking each other in the eyes.

"Chief Hakoda," Zuko said, giving a quick little bow.

"Zuko, my boy! How are you?" Hakoda pulled Zuko in a big polar bear hug so tight he lifted him off the ground. Hakoda let go and let Zuko drop to his feet. Before the Fire Lord could regain his composer, Hakoda gave him a big slap on the back so hard that Zuko almost fell over.

"You look thin. What? Do they not have meat in the Fire Nation?" Hakoda laughed. Zuko could hear snickering coming from his royal guard, but he paid them no mind.

"No, no, we do. It's just...I've been busy," Zuko said, trying to reclaim some dignity. "As a sign of good will, I'm here to attend the Glacier Spirits Festival."

"Then you're early. The festival isn't until this weekend. Where's Aang? I thought the avatar was coming with you," Hakoda asked. Zuko fidgeted uncomfortablly.

"Avatar Aang will not be joining us. He's...on a spiritual retreat," Zuko said.

"Makes sense. He is the avatar. But hey, I've got work to do and I won't keep you long. I know who you're really here to see."

Zuko's head perked up with a blush.

"Really? I didn't-" Zuko was interrupted by a tackle hug from behind, that again almost knocked him off his feet.

"Zuko! Hey, buddy," said Sokka. Sokka wrapped his arms around Zuko's neck pulling him down into a headlock that Zuko playfully tried to get out of.

"Sokka?" Zuko said.

"Hey, it's been it a bit. Where's Aang? He didn't come with you?" Sokka asked.

"He's on a spiritual retreat," Hakoda answered.

"That makes sense. He is the avatar and all," Sokka nodded. "We should catch up. Who's up for lunch on the Fire Lord's tab?"

"Sounds great, son," said Hakoda. "But I've still got some business to take care off. I'll see you all for dinner at the palace. Sound good?"

"See you there, dad," cheered Sokka. He turned with Zuko still under his arm. "Come on, Zuko."

"Sokka, seriously, let me go. It's not funny."

--

Katara worked at her desk and sighed. After traveling the world and defeating the world's strongest benders, looking over legislation seemed really boring in comparison. Her head perked up when she heard a commotion outside her office. Only one person could be this loud in the palace. Sure enough, the door was kicked open without even a knock.

"And then my dad shot her," said Sokka.

"That story gets weirder every time you tell it," said Zuko.

"Hey, Katara, look who's here," said Sokka.

"Zuko!" Katara rushed out from behind her desk and pulled Zuko in for a tight hug. She pulled back as the two locked eyes.

"It's been so long," she said.

"Yes," Zuko nodded.

"No, it hasn't," Sokka interrupted. "She just got back three months ago. And weren't you in the Fire Nation for, like, a year?"

"It's been a long three months, Sokka," said Katara, shooting her brother a quick scowl.

"We were gonna catch up over lunch. Wanna come?" Sokka asked.

Katara cleared her throat and tilted her head at Sokka for a second. Luckily, Zuko got the signal that Sokka missed.

"Yes, I brought gifts actually," said Zuko, "They're still on my ship but I brought some spiced wine for the festival as well as some fire lilies."

"Great," Sokka sarcastically replied, "Because nothing says eternal peace like a flower that's probably gonna die in three days."

"Sokka!" Katara scolded. "That's very sweet, Zuko. Sokka, please make sure the gifts are unloaded safely."

"What? Me? Why do I have to do it?" Sokka asked.

"Because I don't want to and it's you're job," answered Katara, "Mister-in-charge-of-domestic-affairs."

"Well the gifts are from the Fire Nation," Sokka shot back, "Miss ambassador."

"On our shores," Katara said flatly.

"Fine. Whatever." Sokka hung his head in defeat. "Thanks for the booze. I'll meet you at the restaurant, Zuko."

"Sure," Zuko nodded.

Katara waited until she could no longer hear Sokka's grumbling or his footsteps. She locked the door and turned to meet her lover in a tight embrace. Their lips met. The couple kissing as they ran their fingers through each other's hair, reluctantly breaking off to catch their breaths.

"I missed you," whispered Zuko. A tear falling from his eye.

"I missed you too," Katara said. "But you're here earlier than I thought you'd be."

"Your last letter gave me...ideas," Zuko said, blushing.

"Did it now?" laughed Katara. The couple kissed a few more times before taking a seat in the small couch in her office.

"How are things in the Fire Nation?" Katara asked.

"Going well," Zuko answered. "Jee loved the retirement gift you sent him."

"I was his favorite captain after all," Katara boasted.

"So he keeps telling me. Repeatedly," said Zuko. "To be honest, a got a little nervous coming in. I thought your father had found out about us."

"He still doesn't know," Katara said.

"You haven't told him?" Zuko asked. "Why?"

"I don't know. Nerves, I guess," Katara explained. "After the way Aang reacted when he caught us together, I didn't know if anyone else would feel the same way. What did you tell Sokka about Aang?"

"I told him Aang was on a spiritual retreat," Zuko answered.

"That makes sense," Katara nodded. "He is the avatar."

"Katara, what happened with Aang was not your fault."

"I know," she replied. "It was yours."

"What!?"

"I told you to lock the door," she said.

"That's not what I meant," said Zuko.

"I know, but still," Katara sighed. "I don't want to be put in that kind of situation again. Maybe you could tell him. My dad likes you."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

Katara cupped Zuko's face in her hands and kissed him.

"Please," she said. "For me?"

"Okay," Zuko relented. Katara pinched Zuko cheeks and shook them a little.

"So pouty," she teased.

"Please stop." Katara let go and giggled.

"So, I hope Sokka takes his time unloading those gifts. What will we do until then?" Katara asked, leaning back against her couch. She raised her arms and put her hands behind her head. Zuko leaned forward over her.

"I remember your last letter. Something about it getting hot in the south pole."

Katara giggled as Zuko leaned in for a kiss. His arms propping himself up on the couch. Katara's hands finding their way down the to sash of his royal garb and then his belt, undoing them the way she had done a dozen times before.

--

The dinner table was a long, fancy layout fit for any palace. Still, the chief's family sat close together at one end of the table. Their food laid out between them with the Fire Lord sitting close by.

"So Zuko," Hakoda asked, "How do you like Water Tribe food?"

"It's different," he answered politely. "Good, but different."

"I'm glad you like it. I didn't know if our humble cuisine would be fit for his lordship," Hakoda chuckled.

"Dad, he's not like that," Katara said. "Here, Zuko, have some more noodles."

"Hey, those are my noodles!" Sokka whined.

"You already had three bowls!"

"Kids," Hakoda interjected. "Not in front of our guest."

Hakoda sighed and shook his head with a smile.

"Some things never change, heh? Sorry about that." Hakoda said to Zuko.

"No," Zuko replied. "It's nice. This is nice. My meals aren't usually this...lively."

"Speaking of meals, sorry I had to miss lunch. But I'm glad you two were able to catch up with the Fire Lord," Hakoda said.

"Actually, it was just me and Zuko," Sokka corrected. "I had to make sure Zuko's gifts for the festival were unloaded from his ship. When I went back to Katara's office she was asleep on her couch, so it was just me and Zuko at the restaurant."

"Really?" Hakoda arched a brow at Katara who blushed.

"I was tired from...work," Katara said.

Hakoda turned to Zuko who looked down at his food as soon as their eyes met.

"Huh," Hakoda mused. "Interesting."

"What? What's happening?" Sokka asked.

"Nothing." Hakoda cleared his throat. "You know, Lord Zuko, it is customary to bring a fresh kill for the village before the festival. Perhaps you'd like to join me tomorrow for a hunt."

"But dad, we already have enough food," Sokka said.

"I know, but it's tradition." Hakoda smiled at Zuko while Katara nervously looked on. "How about it? You'd get to experience a little bit our culture before the festival. As a sign of good will, of course."

Zuko looked around the room before looking for a sign from Katara. She gave a quick albeit nervous nod.

"Of course," Zuko stammered. "I'd be honored to, Chief Hakoda."

"Good man." The tension lifted from the room for a moment. "Now how about some of that spiced wine the Fire Lord brought?"

"Put some fire in your belly, as they say in the Fire Nation. Right, Zuko?" Sokka chuckled.

"Yup," Katara muttered. "That is what they say."

--

The next day, Zuko was tying the knots on his armguards. He'd never been hunting before. Or at least, not successfully. But he was earnest in the attempt. Katara approached him with a fur coat under her arms.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" she asked.

"I'll be fine. Unlike my father, your dad is an honorable man," he replied. "I'm sure he won't try to do anything to me while we're out hunting. Alone. In the middle of a frozen tundra while I try to tell him that I'm sleeping with his daughter."

"Well aren't we confident?" Katara threw the fur over Zuko's shoulders and patted it down, making sure it fit. "This should help keep you warm."

"Thank you," Zuko said. Zuko leaned in, letting his forehead rest on hers.

"No matter what happens," Katara started, "I love you."

"I know." Zuko kissed Katara's forehead. "I love you."

Katara watched as Zuko left the hut out into the bright day of the Southern Water Tribe. The heat from the indoors replace by a cold gust of wind. As his eyes adjusted, Zuko could see Sokka and Hakoda.

"Hey," Sokka greeted as they approached. "Isn't that Katara's hut?"

"Uh..." was all Zuko could say, trying to think of a good answer.

"Never mind that. We're burning daylight," said Hakoda. "Let's go, Lord Zuko."

"Him? What about me?" Sokka asked.

"Sorry, Sokka, but I'm gonna need you to watch over things while I'm gone." Hakoda put his hand on Sokka's shoulder. "It's just for today. A cultural experience for the Fire Lord."

"Fine. I guess," said Sokka. "But I'm going to the next one."

It was quite the walk for the two men. First reaching the limits of the city. Then going out far enough to find wild arctic caribou.

Hakoda taught Zuko the basics. How to track, how to stalk your prey without them noticing, and how to pick your target. Zuko attentively listened and absorbed all of Hakoda's instruction. After a few hours, the two men found a small cave.

"Let's take a break here," Hakoda suggested. The two sat inside the cave. Hakoda reached into his pack and pulled out some firewood and arranged it between them.

"Do you mind?" he asked, gesturing at the wood. Zuko nodded and with a quick punch set the wood on fire. Zuko watched the wood crackle and enjoyed its warmth. Hakoda pulled out a small piece of meat from his pack and offered a piece to Zuko who politely declined.

"We'll be able to see the caribou from here. When the come back around to graze, that's when we'll make our move." Hakoda looked out into the distance. Zuko simply nodded. It was a few more moments before either man said anything. Hakoda was the first, feeling it was the right time.

"Lord Zuko," he spoke up, "I wanted to start by saying thank you for taking care of my daughter while she was staying at the Fire Nation."

"Yes, I mean, yes sir. It was no problem at all," Zuko awkwardly stammered.

"I would hope not. You being the Fire Lord," Hakoda said. Zuko, not knowing how to answer, just coughed.

"So were you supposed to tell me or was Katara going to?" Hakoda asked.

"What?"

"About the two of you." Hakoda crossed his arms and looked right into Zuko's eyes. Zuko, after failing to find the right words, hung his head.

"How did you know?" he asked.

"It wasn't too hard to figure out," Hakoda answered. "Katara is my daughter, but she's also become a beautiful young woman. You're a young man. She lives in the Fire Nation for a year and her letters back home become less and less frequent. Then when she gets home, all she can talk about is you."

"Wow," was all Zuko can say.

"My question is, why did you all try to keep it a secret?" Hakoda asked.

"When Katara was in the Fire Nation," Zuko sighed in the middle of his sentence. "Aang saw us...together. He didn't react well."

"Which would explain why he's not coming to the Glacier Spirit Festival, even though he's the avatar."

Zuko nodded.

"Apparently, he had feelings for Katara but she didn't feel the same."

"I figured as much," Hakoda shook his head. "I thought it would have been better not to say anything at the time."

"Aang was one of our closest friends or at least that's what we thought. So I guess she...we were afraid that if he was so against us being together maybe everyone else would-"

"The Avatar has his own feelings that he has to work through. It has nothing to do with you two," Hakoda interrupted. "What matters is you make each other happy. You make my daughter happy. That's what's important."

"Thank you, sir," said Zuko.

"Besides if you hurt my daughter, you'll have me to deal with," Hakoda warned.

"If I hurt your daughter, I don't think you'll get the chance. Katara can probably take me out herself."

Hakoda laughed so hard he almost fell backwards.

"She does have her mother's temper."

"Yeah," Zuko agreed. "She's pretty amazing."

The two men sat in the cave watching the arctic caribou slowly return from the horizon.

"We should probably take something back," said Hakoda.

"Thank you for talking with me, sir," said Zuko.

"Don't worry about it, son. You've done more than enough right by me. Sokka, on the other hand, good luck."

--

Katara paced back and forth.

"They should have been back by now. I should go look for them."

"Relax," said Sokka. "See?"

Sokka pointed out to two small figures in the distance. It was Hakoda and Zuko, dragging a caribou behind them.

"Wow, I can't believe they actually did it," Sokka said. "I thought dad was gonna catch Zuko with his pants down or something. Ew, now there's a sight."

"I've already seen Zuko with his pants down," Katara smirked.

Sokka blinked.

"Wh-what?"

[goodnightmoonz]

Chapters: 11/? Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katara/Zuko (Avatar), Katara & Sokka (Avatar), Sokka/Yue (Avatar), Azula & Zuko (Avatar), Toph Beifong/Satoru Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Aang (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), Yue (Avatar), Satoru (Avatar) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Fire Lord Zuko, Future Fic, Politics, Flirting, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, idk really what this is, i just got the AU idea and was like, I have to write this, Rating May Change, Warnings May Change, Alternate Universe - Royalty, References to Jane Austen, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, but more like, Enemies to Lovers, Sibling Bonding, yay, Ballroom Dancing, Post-War, Aged-Up Character(s) Summary:

The Fire Nation, land of power and strength, is proud to announce the ascension of his Righteousness Prince Zuko to the seat of Fire Lord. At thirteen years old he is the youngest Fire Lord in our great nation’s history.

Let his reign be long and prosperous and may the March of Civilization continue and Agni blesses us all.

-Royal Decree from the desk of the Minister of the Press

 A Fire Lord Zuko AU full of political intrigue and fun?

[longing-for-rain]

A Safe Place — Chapter 1

Zutara, fix-it fic, rated M

After years away, Katara finally comes back to visit the Fire Nation, now married to Aang with two children and a third on the way. Zuko grapples with feelings for her that he was never quite able to bury. Little does he know, Katara feels much the same and her marriage isn’t as perfect as it seems at first glance.

Read on AO3

[lazyspeedy]