halfhoursonearth-writes

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

My brain is so broken I saw this and my first thought was, "it's giving Day of the Black Sun."

#avatar the last airbender #day of the black sun

[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.

#zutara #zutara fanfiction #zutara fanfic #zutara fic recs #zutara fanfic reccomendations

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Your latest story is so wonderful and soft I am not okay!! Please do keep updating it, it’s quickly become one of my favourites. I think you are incredibly talented and I just love how in character the whole thing feels. It is literally 3am where I live but I simply couldn’t stop reading it, thank you for writing it and sharing it with the world. Slowburn slightly spicy fics are my go to, but this one really is something special!! I really hope you keep updating but even if you don’t, I just wanted you to know how much your writing moved me. Wish I was as good with words as you are so I could make that clearer haha 😊

I don't know if there is a way to just respond to you, Anonymous, because I still don't really understand how Tumblr works, but I wanted to thank you so much for this note. It really touched me!!! And is so motivating!! I needed something soft and tender and I'm so glad it means something to you too. Seriously, thank you for taking the time to share these thoughts <3.

I'm a slow writer, at least lately, but I DO have the doc with the next chapter of the latest story open right now!! It's funny, I thought writing in vignettes would make the process go quicker, but it turns out it's only amplified the perfectionist impulse because now I feel like each little one has to be purposeful and self-contained. But all this to say, I want to get the next section of But Who's Counting? up this month.

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Peace by Taylor Swift is SO zutara post atla au coded where they’re adults getting together from Zuko’s POV like—- LOOK at this !!!

Art by the wonderful @beanaroony 🤌

#peace stans 🤝 zutara stans #but the rain is always gonna come if you're standing with me

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

But Who's Counting? 16-28

Someone in a fiction workshop once called me out on writing stories that mostly take place in bed when it's Seasonal Affective Disorder high season here in the real world. "There's no sex or sleeping here so why is the whole thing set in bed?" Well, old habits die hard, I guess.

Anyway, there's some sleeping and at least a bit of sexual tension in the second set of these post-Agni Kai Zutara healing and pining and bed-sharing vignettes.

#zutara #zuko x katara #zutara fanfic

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

I have a bad habit of crawling back to writing Zutara just before the new year. Life got lifey, but I've been lurking around. Anyway, hi :)

This time it's something new, the start of a fic told over the course of healing sessions after the final Agni Kai. Mutual pining, bed sharing, introspective. I have it pretty much mapped out. (I'm working on an update for I Asked You First, too.)

#zutara #zutara fanfiction #zuko x katara

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Day Six: Forge

The way the final Agni Kai ended in my heart

@zutaraweek

#zutara week 2023 #zutara #exactly how it happened

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

a little belated zutara week offering for solstice.

#zutara #zutara fanart #zutaraweek #zutaraweek2023

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

lately my little zutara comfort imagination space in a hard world is the time after the agni kai and before the return of the gang. quiet palace days. anxiety and healing and hope. sort of cozy us against world energy. may come back and clean up the lines and lighting and the missing necklace.

If I'm drawing now then maybe I'll be writing soon.

#zutara #zutara fanart

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Not me literally forgetting how to add tags. I miss it here.

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Zuko knew that he couldn't be selfish. The chaos in the fire court, the inevitable uprisings, and the other nations that will demand reparations; those were what awaited him when he sits on the throne. A constant battle to prove his capability to lead, to prove his worth. He couldn't pull her into it, no matter how much he wanted her. 

A quick sketch bc Peace by Taylor Swift is stuck in my head.

#oooooooh favorite t swift song and it's so them #peace stan forever #but I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm #if your cascade ocean wave blues come

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Happy Zutara Month 2023!!!

Here's my drawing for Day 7: Touch Starved!

I imagine Katara just came back from a long diplomatic trip and she's so tired, but they also missed each other too much, so catching up involves mostly snuggles. Mostly. :)

#zutara month 2023 #zutara #just gorgeous

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

TY for the tag @writemeoutofreality!

Sharing a snippet of the prologue from a Modern AU WIP that I hope may see the light of day someday????

---

"I am afraid there has been something of an incident, and my nephew has been injured rather badly.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Katara said quietly, shifting the phone to her other shoulder. “Is he there with you?” Like all of the wealthy Fire Nation kids at their school, she was relatively sure Zuko had headed back to his home country for the summer, probably to spend vacation luxuriating on a private beach.

“He’s just returned. I was hoping he might allow his friends to visit with him as he recuperates, but the only contact information he would give me was your brother’s.”

There was no doubt in Katara’s mind that Zuko knew her brother’s summer plans; Sokka wouldn’t shut up about his grand journey south to finally become a man in the eyes of their tribe. So Zuko had gotten his Uncle off his back by offering up the name of a friend who wouldn’t just be out of town, but totally unreachable. “I see.”

“As do I.” If she thought Iroh sounded defeated before, this was a new low. And Katara—queen of the mushballs, according to Toph—just couldn’t take it—neither the sorrow in this sweet-seeming older man’s voice nor the idea of proud, irritating Zuko in pain and alone, all summer long.

“Perhaps he would accept a substitute visitor?” she ventured, steeling herself.

Because if there was one thing Katara took pride in it was her refusal to turn her back on the people who needed her. 

Even if they were absolutely insufferable.

Six Sentence Sunday

Thank you for the tag @j-1173 !!

Rules: Share the six most recent, or semi-recent sentences of your WIP

From my recent update to Azula Always Lies (Ch. 7 Compassion)

“Wait! Be careful!” Zuko heard the soldier calling after him, but he was too focused on stepping mindfully while finding the quickest path to the attackers. He ended up making a wide arch around the main group of fluffy, hard shelled babies until he came up behind the gull-crabs. They squawked and snapped their claws at him as he tried to shoo them away. Then the group began to charge him, so he went to draw a flame, stepping back into a defensive stance - but his heel caught on shell and he fell back onto his butt. He hit the ground hard, groaning.

He had failed; the seal-turtles were about to become breakfast.

--

Who doesn't love Zuko and animals?

Tagging (with no pressure): @halfhoursonearth-writes, @poeticmoonspirit, @juniperhillpatient

If you don't want to be tagged I am sorry just lmk and I won't tag again.

If you do want to be tagged also lmk and I will do so next time! (I just tagged blogs I know enjoy ATLA)

#zutara #zutara fanfic

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

If anyone pokes around here looking for updates on I Asked You First (first, ty, ily), it may take some extra weeks this time! But I'm absolutely around and not hiatusing or anything like that. Doubt I'll get to write anything for Zutara Month, but maybe a sketch or two?

#imagine trying to explain “but my fanfic!” as the reason you're behind with wedding planning #no thank you #zutara fanfiction

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Testing the tablet I bought myself as a treat with a quick little ember island moment, apparently my default mode.

#zutara #zuko x katara #atla fanart #zutara fanart #ember island

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

Ooo fun ty for the tag @zorroami!

Five most listened to songs for the past week, according to my spotify, the only edit will be to remove duplicates by artists:

1 . light years, the national

2. hem of her dress, first aid kit

3. daylight, taylor swift

4. lullaby, grace ives

5. true romance, tove lo

v much a set of writing music, for me. embarrassingly get social anxiety at the prospect of tagging since I still kind of new and quiet around these parts, but if any of you feel compelled to play this game, too, I'd love to see what you've been listening to :)

when you get this you have to put 5 songs you actually listen to, publish. then, tag 10 of your favorite followers!! // (^gonna take this tag a step further - admit 5 most listened to last week, in any order… no cheating! ;)

sea legs, the ballroom thieves

don't think twice its alright, Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau

good morning coffee, seth avett

in the morning, the ballroom theives

your ex-lover is dead, stars

Thank you @lizanthium and @nanunanu22 and @love-n-purple for the tags! I really do miss these games

Tagging: @justanotherghostwriter @thereismusicinmysoul , @zorroami @mintchochipkookieand @jazzy-chan1

[halfhoursonearth-writes]

I re read your fic damn it is a fantastic fic

Thank you so much!! It makes me so, so happy to hear that you enjoyed enough to re-read.

And in case you were wondering where the next chapter is...I have this problem where it's grown to ~10,000 words and I'm not done yet.

But........soon!

#zutara fanfiction #zutara