#hes no awkward turtleduck

[finn0cchio]

post war zuko realises he has feelings for aang. He doesn't like it one bit.

(signed posters are a limited edition. Only for the firelord. It's like a good luck charm. That zuko keeps over his bed. And blows a goodnight kiss every night. Don't question it. They're both straight.)

#atla #avatar the last airbender #atla zuko #atla aang #zukaang #katara and toph are so tired of zuko #who isn't tho #get your shit together you're embarrassing yourself zuko #firelord 'im so straight' zuko #this tag came in handy #firelord loser #zuko is a loser #hes no awkward turtleduck #hes a loser

[billsbae]

katara: are you flirting with me?

zuko: i'm trying

zuko: i don't know what i'm doing

#he's a bit awkward but he's trying his best!!! #zuko is an awkward turtleduck #zutara #zuko x katara #katara x zuko #zutara my babies #zutara incorrect quotes #atla incorrect quotes #atla #netflix avatar #avatar the last airbender #atla netflix #katara #zuko #prince zuko

[ambriel-angstwitch]

Sokka: Identify yourself!

Zuko panicked: Zuko, Fire Nation, 16, bi

Sokka: Wait your bi? That’s so valid.

#I imagine this being an alternative version of when he went to join the gaang #of course then sadly there would be no hello zuko here #and zuko would probably never do openly admit he’s bu #but I saw it with Percy and thought it was hilarious #zuko is an awkward turtleduck #zuko avatar #zuko #sokka avatar the last airbender #sokka of the water tribe #sokka #atla sokka #atla zuko #prince zuko #incorrect atla #atla incorrect quotes #incorrect avatar the last airbender quotes #incorrect zukka #zukka

[spacecasehobbit]

Y'know what I've realized I'd like to see more often? Zuko befriending the Gaang while still dealing with the fact that his instinctive response to insecurity or fear is to get defensively angry and snappy. Less of Zuko being a quiet mouse who flinches away from any hint of aggression from the others, and more of Zuko who does his best to reign in his temper and then flinches away from his own defensively snappy remarks or the instinct to firebend out his frustrations. More of Zuko who has let go of the bulk of his anger and is doing his best to lean in to his mother's and his uncle's lessons on compassion and empathy, but who is also still in the process of unlearning his years of reliance on anger as his go-to method of covering up any insecurity or "weak" spot around other people.

#atla #zuko #zuko and the gaang #he deserves to be a complicated person #with complex emotions and trauma responses #and also get friends who learn how to understand him #more of zuko and the gaang both learning how to communicate with each other #without triggering the other's fear/defensive instincts and causing unintentional harm on both sides #zuko is an awkward turtleduck #but even a turtleduck might snap at you if it feels threatened

[evadingreallife]

Ver 1, Ver 2

My gift for @amisti for the all's fair discord secret santa event!

#AFSS23 #AllsFairSecretSanta2023 #AllsFairSecretSanta23 #atla #zuko #turtleduck #zuko is an awkward turtleduck #i had to cmoooon #ponytail turtleduck zuko snuck on me out of nowhere hes so skshskjsjsskhslskl #animation #avatar the last airbender #firebending

[trashfactorysstuff]

I was bored and did old Zuko on my phone

#i miss drawing on my phone #old Zuko is so cute I wanna pet him #he always gonna be an awkward turtleduck

[aroace-hoe]

Unpopular ATLA opinion (not really) but, Zuko using the Blue Spirit mask to steal from people so him and, mainly, Iroh could eat good food and have good things? Iconic of him

It's the fact that he started doing that only after seeing how low his uncle was willing to go, while keeping a smile, for him. My boy started stealing from people to give his uncle an ounce of comfort and you cannot tell me that's a bad thing.

#i will defend him with my life #he is my child #zuko is an awkward turtleduck #his love language is acts of service #in this case #by stealing from rich folks #and thats always acceptable #eat the rich #atla edition #atla zuko #prince zuko #zuko #uncle iroh atla #uncle iroh #atla best show #atla #avatar the last airbender #avatar the last airbender best show #fire lord zuko #unpopular opinion #not really #it shouldn't be at least #eat the fucking rich

[ap-kinda-lit]

Zuko: I’m going to write Katara a letter, but I should keep it subtle and casual

Also Zuko: *writes on parchment in his best calligraphy* 𝑀𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒦𝒶𝓉𝒶𝓇𝒶…

#somehow every letter he writes her turns out as a love letter #I used this text quote for a previous post #but imma recycle it anyway #zutara #zk #awkward turtleduck #he’s so extra #zuko x katara #Zuko #Katara

[procrastinatingwriting]

Legacy of fire

Zuko breaks. Simple as that. After a few easily avoided assassination atempts and being left alone in the castle by his friends - the war won't stop itself - he just. Breaks. Starts banishing staff from the castle, or imprisoning them for the smallest things, claiming they were with Ozai and wanted to kill him. Mai gives up trying to reason with him, they break up. She writes for the gaang to tell hem what's happening, and sends a search for Iroh.

Azula is being treated in her room, and hears nothing of anyone for a long time. She is still shaky after the breakdown, but doing better. In one night, Zuko invades her room and looks in shock to see her calmly laying on her bed. He babbles about her having to stop going into his room to taunt him. She hadn't been doing that. Azula frowns, and deduces what's happening. She teases him saying if she wanted the throne back she would just challenge him again, but she didn't. Zuko calms down, but is still restless. They bond over being left behind with the crown by who they love.

Things start to get better in the palace, the staff being able to hold their jobs for longer than a week before being sent away for 'attempted treason'. Azula is seen outside often now, either training or spending time with the firelord (aka convincing him that no, those gardeners are not going to use the scissors to try and assassinate him). They feed the turtleducks and talk about mom and dad, and how it wasn't fair. Azula talks about how Iroh leaving Zuko must feel the same as father leaving her in the day of the black sun, and Zuko has a meltdown after finally breaking through denial. Azula admits she accepted that Ozai never loved her after that day, and had the same reaction. They joke that at least he wouldn't be challenged to an agni kai in his own meltdown, and he apologizes.

Azula never allows Mai to tag allong in their bonding moments, but sometimes allows Ty Lee. Mai is livid, but won't admit. Ty Lee is just glad to have her friend back.

It's in the middle of a meeting when Zuko truly breaks down. He panics and attacks his advisors, screaming, breathing and kicking fire. Azula takes him down and when Ty Lee chi blocks him, Zuko goes limp. Azula is crowned as temporary fire lord and follows through with the plan to end the war since she doesn't really minds it anyways. She isn't following orders anymore. She does keeps some of their colonies though, and there comes the issue.

Aang couldn't stop what he was doing to go back at the fire nation because, quote, 'Zuko wasn't feeling well' as per Mai's words, but when the colony issue arrived, he changed his schedule and went to grab his friends to solve the problem. What a surprise when they see it's Azula giving orders, not Zuko. Ty Lee explains the situation and is supported by the Kyoshi warriors, but Aang demands to see Zuko. Katara is tense. Azula too. She denies them claiming her brother being too tired to be visited. Aang finds it fishy and keeps guard at night to try and contact Zuko by breaking in through his window (maybe Azula is holding him prisioner right?). Zuko is not only crazy and terrified, but also hallucinating apparently, and fights Aang until his eventual collapse, and Azula comes out of nowhere to help.

Azula: Can't get him to eat anything. Three of the last 6 attempts involved food, he hasn't had much since.

Aang:

Aang: pardon?

Azula: My brother is weak, avatar, would you leave us alone so he can keep at least a piece of his dignity?

Aang becomes number one member of the "let's give azula a chance" club. They all realize that it was deffinetly NOT a good choice to leave Zuko alone in the palace, and that Azula shouldn't be burdened with it either (and maybe, just MAYBE, they were a little too rough in the judgement of her). He calls Bumi and Azula agrees to let him help keep things in order until they decide what to do, but declines to have her position revoked.

I remember I had a vision with this but it was too long ago and I am currently working on another AU. I might come back for this one latter, though.

#atla #avatar the last airbender #zuko #azula #fire siblings #aang #katara #sokka #mai #ty lee #iroh #iroh critical #iroh salt #princess azula #actual child soldier azula #zuko is not an awkward turtleduck #but he is autistic #fight me #legacy of fire au #atla legacy of fire au #atla au idea #atla lof au #fire lord zuko #fire lord azula

[hella1975]

can i say i love what you did with sokka like. so many hakoda adopts zuko fics just straight up ignore him or make his character all goofy but you rlly went into how he was feeling and it felt realistic. bc if i was him, i would be jealous of zuko too especially if i had it in my head that my dad abandoned me and then just picked up some other kid who I thought was better than me. he rlly was just a mess of emotions- did i know what he was gonna do ever?? no. couldn't tell whether he was gonna keep ignoring hakoda, cry, or just explode at him, and i think that unpredictableness rlly fits w him and the whole Teenage Boy Emotions he's got going on as well (bc im just saying he switched up from on zuko SO drastically like he went from hating him to crushing hard and if that just isn't teenage hormones and angst)

OMG THANK YOU FOR THIS I WANT TO KISS YOU like one of the few times ive had genuine rebuttal from taob by enough people that it's like A Thing (like literally only a handful but im a very insecure writer so it doesn't take much LMAO) is when hakoda sat sokka down and - god forbid - pointed out that the love he had for his actual son was different and incomparible to any love he might have grown for some stray FIRE NATION (<- feel like some people forgot the relevance that still has) kid. and like i had some people calling sokka 'annoying' or 'mean' or 'unfair' for his reactions but like?? im trying to write him as a real person here and i promise u most people in his scenario would've kicked off WAY more than he ever did lmao

#im very defensive of taob sokka he's my baby #AND taob hakoda actually like the 'zuko is an awkward turtleduck' nation are coming at me with spears at any given moment #also the comment at the end about sokka switching up the moment shit was resolved with zuko YES #like the way im writing taob zukka is that sokka - being the one most mentally uh... present of the two - is much more aware of shit #like he thought zuko was attractive in TBR and was SO quick to be like 'hey maybe we could be friends we work so well together!' #and when zuko threw that back in his face (as sokka saw it) it made him angry but he was even angrier BECAUSE hed liked zuko #so now that anger is gone we're just right back where we started except with the addition of sokka getting to know zuko #and observing him and realising he's actually a decent interesting guy #and zuko's over in the corner meanwhile being Tormented lmao. he'll get there eventually #but this is absolutely a 'sokka figures out he's crushing almost immediately and goes into crisis strategy mode #while zuko takes fucking FOREVER to realise until he's basically in love with the guy and it's right in front of him' kind of zukka fic #we love two pining idiots where only one realises that what he's feeling is pining <3 #ask #taob asks

[ionlylikemycat]

if they don’t hello, zuko here i don’t even know what the point of the show is

#lemon speaks #atla #atla live action #atla netflix #avatar netflix #zuko is an awkward turtleduck #i love him so much #he needs this line #it’s important #it’s incredibly important

[littleweowmeow]

Fanon Zuko killing me. Please boy stop crying I can't take it anymore. We all know you never been worse firebender, people so blind or likes more drama. I can't stand it.

#avatar the last airbender #atla zuko #atla #atla fandom #zuko is not an awkward turtleduck #Fanon zuko #Fuck fanon zuko #Please people what the hell he bad firebender #Anti zuko fandom #firebending

[zuko-always-lies]

It's strange how...oddly specific woobie/fanon Zuko is. He's a separate character, and he's portrayed consistently in a very specific way. All his nastiness is gone, his evilness is gone, all his flaws are gone, and he's a nice little kid who never did anything wrong. He's also very smart and avoids all the canon pitfalls the gaang fell into. I think that he's a reflection of the ideal character everyone loves and feels safe loving, and is a general example of how a 'likable' character is presented, or how a character is made 'likable' so people can enjoy him. And it's not actually an issue, but it is worth noting how characters are made nice and kind and all their flaws are removed in a very specific way so they're more enjoyable.

Yeah. People refuse to engage in that Zuko, an abuse victim, has a lot of very rough edges largely because of his abuse, so they turn him into the "perfect victim" they can actually like. It really says more about how people are only willing to recognize people as victims if they "behalf right" and "don't do anything unlikeable." I can't say this definitely, but it seems to me that the "Awkward Turtleduckfication" of Zuko only gradually happened and took a lot of time to develop.

#Zuko #Zuko is not an awkward turtleduck #seriously he's not soft in general at all

[iloveboysinred]

I won't say I'm in love [Prince Zuko]

pg. 13, fluff | Zuko x gn! reader

synopsis; Zuko had never been one to express himself in the right ways, anger had always been his primary emotion. But, when he meets you, a rouge fire bender helping the Avatar, it becomes hard for him to accept the growing warmth in his chest every time you look at him.

cw; emotionally constipated Zuko, fluff, pining, Clueless Zuko, Zuko doesn’t know how to deal with feelings, awkward turtleduck, light fluff.

Masterlist

Zuko never had time to really sit and think about relationships. After spending his early teenage years on a wild goose chase hunting the avatar, and now having joined the Gaang, with only a week to teach Aang how to firebend so he could face Ozai, he had a lot going on.

However, when he had started to fit in with the gaang better, you had definitely caught his attention.

You were a firebender yourself, highly skilled and light on your feet. You made a formidable opponent in battle, your elegance and lightweight movements almost resembling an air-bender. Zuko couldn’t help but stare as you practiced basic maneuvers, your muscles flexing with every movement, the thin sheen of sweat on your brow, and the fierce look of concentration on your beautiful face. To say Zuko was whipped was an understatement.

You were the last to accept him into the group, having always been a bit of a loner and standoffish, you didnt trust him. Especially with him being the crown prince of the very nation that has caused you nothing but pain. So Zuko worked extra hard to earn your friendship. Doing good deeds like helping Sokka clean up camp, going on water collecting trips with Kitara, helping Toph with her hair, and of course, befriending Aang and teaching him firebending alongside you.

While Zuko was still miles away from getting close to you, he was running out of ideas on how to gain your approval. So, naturally he went to Sokka for advice.

“Its like no matter what i do, y/n still hates me! I dont get it, you guys all like me, you know i’m good now. So whats their problem?” Sokka looked over Zuko’s exasperated face, putting two and two together. Not that it was hard, everyone caught him staring at you like a creep once or twice already. “I dont think y/n hates you, honestly. Thats just the way they are. It took like, 2 months for them to really open up to us.” Sokka shrugged, smoothing his hair down. “If i’m being honest, you’re trying too hard. Seems like you got a thing for them.” Zuko gaped, staring at Sokka like he had grown another head. “What are you talking about!? I dont like them. I just want them to trust me!” But despite his words, the flush on his face betrayed his denial. Sokka raised his eyebrows. “Right. Okay. Why don’t you just talk to them? I mean, obviously what youre doing isnt working. Maybe you should get them a gift or something.” Zuko nodded to himself. Why hadn’t he thought of that before? He quickly stood up, a new objective in mind.

“Thanks Sokka.”

“Anytime, bro. And a word of advice, if you’re trying to make it less obvious that you like them, try not staring so hard. It creeps everyone out.”

“I TOLD YOU I DONT!”

“Yeah, yeah whatever. Get out before you burn my tent down.”

Zuko rolled his eyes, storming off with a deep flush on his cheeks.

The next morning he set out to the village nearby, wearing a cloak to disguise his face. He looked around the market, stopping by a jeweler, who had a whole array of different bracelets, necklaces, and rings. A peculiar necklace stood out to him. It held a beautiful ruby, plated in gold and held on to a thin, gold chain. Before anybody could see, he snatched it up, quickly leaving and heading back to the air temple before anybody could confront him. On the way back he stopped by a patch of fire-Lillies, picking a few to make a messy bouquet. “Y/n will like these.” He muttered to himself, trying to tie them together with an old piece of twine.

When he made his way back to camp, the others stared at him with questioning glances, momo crawling up to sniff at the flowers. “Whats with the flowers? You into gardening or something?” Sokka asked, eyeing the bright fire-lillies in his grasp. “I got these for Y/n” Zuko blushed as he realized how this looked, averting his eyes from Sokka’s teasing gaze. “Aww thats sweet, Zuko. Who knew you were such a softie.” Kitara cooed, fluttering her lashes in a mock swoon. Zuko gritted his teeth, cheeks burning hotter than the sun. “Yeah, maybe you’ll man up and confess. We all know you like them” Toph chided, smirking. “I don’t!” Zuko protested. “You’re lyinggg” Toph hummed, and Zuko cursed her abilities to see with her feet.

“Whats going on?” Zuko froze when he heard your voice, quickly turning towards you, hiding the bouquet behind his back. “Oh nothing, just teasing Zuko about his undying lo-“ Sokka was abruptly cut off by Zuko slapping his hand over his mouth, glaring at him. “What Sokka was trying to say is, we were teasing Zuko’s undying and super obvious crush on you.” Toph stated nonchalantly. The others snickered at Zuko’s panicked expression, his cheeks couldn’t have gotten hotter, wide eyes turned to you. “I dont know what they’re talking about! I don’t have a crush on you! They’re just trying to be funny i swear-“ “uh, Zuko-“ “I just want you to trust me, so i got you these flowers-“ he pulled the bouquet from behind him, presenting it to you. But what he didn’t realize was, he had accidentally set the lilies on fire. He gasped and dropped the bouquet, stomping on the charred flowers to put the fire out. You just gave him a blank look, the others snickering behind you. Zuko had never felt so embarrassed in his life.

“Wow Zuko, that sure was a good way to confess!” Kitara teased, watching as you just threw your hands up, being completely done with… whatever that was, and walking away to your tent. “Yeah Zuko. Maybe try not almost burning the camp down. I think Y/n will like it better if you just told them how you feel!” Aang chirped, just irritating Zuko more with his upbeat attitude. “Whatever, you guys are impossible” he snapped, storming off in a random direction. “And I told you i don’t like them!” Once he was out of earshot, Toph snickered, laying on her back against Appa’s side. “He’s lying again.”

For the rest of the day, Zuko avoided you at all costs. Leaving you to teach Aang by yourself, even sitting a considerable distance away from you during lunch. It was confusing you, but you didn’t say anything. You guessed he was still embarrassed from the spectacle he had made of himself that morning. You couldn’t help but smile to yourself. Zuko was sweet, and if what the others are saying is true, you couldn’t deny that you could start feeling something for him too. You’d observed him ever since he joined the group, and his surprisingly gentle heart had impressed you. You’d watched him teach Aang during your training sessions. Appreciating the way his body moved flawlessly, his dark hair bringing out the gold in his eyes. You had to admit, you weren’t complaining when he would show up to your lessons shirtless. There was no denying he was cute.

So, you decided to approach him, surprising even yourself. You waited for everyone to settle into their tents, then you made your way to his. You stood outside for a second, thinking about how you were going to start this, what you would say. But your thoughts blanked when Zuko crawled out of his tent, now face to face with you. “O-oh hi- Zuko- i, um” you stuttered, lost for words. His eyes widened at the sight of you, sputtering like a nervous wreck. “I just wanted to u-um say, t-that i think the flowers were beautiful and u-um that was very sweet of you” “o-oh” you stood in awkward silence, the ground suddenly very interesting. “Anyways i think i’m gonna go-“ “wait, i-i um, i got you this too.” He quickly handed you the necklace, eyes averting yours and a deep blush on his cheeks. You looked the piece of jewelry over, smiling at him. “It’s beautiful Zuko. Um, thank you?” “You’re uh, you’re welcome..” you don’t know what took over you, but you leaned forward pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. You stared at each other in shock, now it was your turn to blush, face as red as a tomato. “Uh well, its getting late- i’m gonna go back to my tent. G-goodnight” the words came out quicker than you could think, racing off back to your tent. Leaving Zuko standing there, hand on his cheek, feeling how warm the skin was under his palm. His brain short circuited and his heart was beating 400 miles per minute, he swore he was gonna pass out.

Hope you enjoyed :> notes and reblogs are appreciated, comments, asks, and requests are welcomed! 💗

#prince zuko x reader #zuko fluff #zuko x reader #atla x reader #atla fluff #didnt really like this but oh well #❥iloveboysinred #zuko oneshot

[zutarabender]

I try not to engage with discourse, but I gotta say something about the discussion in Zutara circles on whether Zuko is "an awkward turtleduck" or confident and self-assured.

I'm sitting here like. Why not both. I love both. Both are good. And both are true.

He's awkward when he's feeling insecure and vulnerable, especially in the face of new or unexpected situations - which is why we see this attitude in Book 3 mostly (and notably, his date with Jin in Book 2). He's been humbled and he's been forced to question a lot of things; it makes sense he doesn't always find his footing. He also had an isolated upbringing so he will often be oblivious to social cues and won't always have the "right" reactions.

He's very self-assured and decisive when he knows what he's up to and knows what is right and what he's got to do. Book 3 Zuko also knows his own mind and is very determined in shaping his own fate. Final Agni Kai Zuko is not awkward. Southern Raiders Zuko is not awkward. The Zuko that confronted Ozai? Very much not awkward.

I think fan creators can take advantage of the possibilities for the same scenario (ie. a Zuko who's made up his mind to kiss Katara, vs. a Zuko who wants it but is unsure if she does) and every preference here is valid, but I'm a bit confused as to how the meta treats it as if it has to be one or the other.

#zuko #zutara #zuko meta #spring loves all zukos #all zukos are valid #so long as they love katara all the same

[ly0nstea]

When Zuko isn't able to have a normal conversation on a date in season 2 it's "cute" and he's "such an awkward turtleduck awh oh my god."

When Azula has the exact problem verbatim in The Beach she's "a psychopath" and "a monster"

What, because azula made reference to the military and ruling the world she's a psychopath? What was she meant to do? Huh? You expect Azula to be able to compare their relationship to literally anything else? It isn't like she has a good basis to go off with her own parents.

It's a disgusting double standard

#avatar the last airbender #azula #atla #avatar #zuko #azula deserved better