#one day I’ll go back to the ghost Zuko fic too | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

zoethespiritwolf · 3 years

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I love her, damn it!

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Part 2 (Part 1 here)

Ship: Sokka x f!firebender!reader

Warnings: swearing, injuries, captive abuse, a bit of angst, but it ends well

Genre: angst-to-comfort

Fic type: Scenario

A/n: This is part 2 of the "I love her, damn it!" miniseries. Sorry that it took so long and I apologize to those who have sent in their requests. I've seen them and am already working on them. You can expect them to be completed in about a week.

Other than that, I hope you enjoy and have a nice day!

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(Y/n) was sure she had lost the perception of time at this point. All the blood loss, torture, and generally not being able to see the sun in the freezing metal cell had made her head fuzzy and not being able to recall what day or time it was.

She didn't know if it was hours, days, maybe weeks, or even months since she had been captured, but it didn't really matter at this point. (Y/n)'s main goal was to survive and possibly get out of the base to safety.

Just then, (Y/n) heard footsteps outside of her cell. Rhythmic, meaning it was probably another Fire Nation soldier that had come to either 'beat the traitor' or deliver scraps of food. The firebender heard the footsteps stop near the door and the rhythmic tapping of the keypad of the side of the cell door.

When the captive heard the high-pitched beep of the keyboard, signaling that the correct combination had been entered, (Y/n) threw her head back and groaned, her bound hand tugging at the metal chains around her wrists immobilizing her.

The metal doors to her cell slid open and a cloud of mist rose from the doorway. The girl sighed and through her nose released a mist cloud similar to the doorway and swung her head back in front of her to see who had decided to come to visit her. (Y/n)'s eyes widened when she had set her gaze on the visitor, before quickly relaxing and raising her brows.

"Princess Azula," (Y/n) addressed her, "To what do I owe the pleasure that you personally come to visit a poor firebender like myself in these circumstances?"

"You and I know very well that you aren't just another poor firebender," the princess smirked in reply, crossing her arms behind her back, "You are far more important than those disposable soldiers in this base."

"I suppose so, your Highness," the captive sighed and furrowed her eyebrows when she felt her energy depleting, "However, I would be far too hopeful to think that you've just come here to talk to your old friend. What do you want?"

"Always to the point, as usual," Azula replied as her smirk widened and she turned to slowly walk around the cold cell, "But you are right. You would be far too hopeful to think I've just come to see you."

"And as to what I want," the princess continued "I want to give you a choice."

(Y/n) raised a brow in question as the corners of her mouth started to tug downwards into a grimace at Azula's speech.

"Swear absolute loyalty to me and join the Fire Nation again as a general," she proposed, "And you will walk out of this cell a free woman. I'll arrange it so that no trace of this incident ever exists, and everyone will forget that you were a traitor to your kind."

"And if I refuse?" (Y/n) asked, her eyes locking onto her former friend's own amber ones.

"You'll stay here before you will be brought out by the firing squad to your execution," Azula replied.

"So you're making me choose between two evils. Execution or you." the captive smirked tiredly as her head swayed from side to side, barely managing to keep it up.

"Precisely," the princess turned on her heel to face the captive.

(Y/n) bowed her head, making some of her stray hairs falling in front of her face as she slowly started to laugh. The girl's laughter became louder with each second and she once again tossed her head back before breathing in deeply to calm herself, a huge grin settling on her face.

"Do you really have to ask for my decision? You already know what it will be, Azula," (Y/n) leaned forward as much as her chain bound hands would let her so that she was face to face with the Fire Nation princess before whispering, "My death will at least be without much suffering."

"So execution it is," Azula growled as her grin disappeared from her face and a frown came instead. The princess looked at the triumphant grin on the captive's face before turning away and swiftly walking to the doors of the cell and walking past the guards at the entrance.

"Have the firing squad ready for her execution," Azula commanded one of the guards.

"Yes, your Highness!" the guard replied and closed the cell doors.

(Y/n) sighed as her grin started to fade away. She knew that she couldn't escape this, but in no way did the girl regret her decision. The former general was aware that Azula would exploit her and break her if she had agreed.

And then her thoughts shifted to her friends. Aang, Katara, Toph, Zuko and...Sokka.....

The memory of the water tribe boy's brilliantly blue eyes flashed in her mind, the hand he had reached out to try to help her into the escaping jeep despite their disdain for one another.

"I'll never see him again," (Y/n) sighed out as her hopes shattered, "they won't be able to come for me."

Just as her thoughts started to become deeper into the pit of memories, the firebender's ears picked up the faint sound of footsteps running and shouting outside of her cell.

"Have I really become insane now?" (Y/n) pondered as she felt faint and black spots started to appear in her vision from how tired she felt, "Am I hearing things now?"

The girl's consciousness started to flicker as she supposedly heard footsteps coming closer down the corridor. And for a brief second, (Y/n) thought she could hear Sokka shouting her name and the sliding metal door being busted open with force.

And there they were. Those same sea blue eyes she had gazed into before she had been shot at. And now those blue eyes were the last thing the firebender saw before she had blacked out.

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Sokka felt his heart stop the moment he saw (Y/n) passing out just as they had made it inside her cell. His widened eyes then zeroed on the countless bruises on the girl's body, all of them varying in different sizes, and Sokka felt his blood starting to boil.

"Toph, release her from the chains!" Zuko commanded the blind girl, making the water tribe boy snap out of his thoughts.

"On it!" the girl replied and used her metal bending to crumple the chains around the captive's wrists.

Just as (Y/n) started to fall to the floor, Sokka leaped forward and caught the passed out girl in his arms. Immediately the fingers of his right hand flew up to the left side of the girl's neck, right above an artery, and upon finding the steady beating of her heart sighed in relief.

"Sokka!" Zuko called out to his friend, "We have to go! Now!"

The Fire Nation prince had come closer to the pair and was about to grab (Y/n) out of Sokka's arms to carry, but the younger boy clutched her body closer to his.

"We don't have time for this!" the firebender insisted and reached out for the girl, "Give her to me so that we can get out!"

"No!" Sokka replied stubbornly, "I can handle this myself."

"For fuck's sake, why are you being stubborn about this!" Zuko questioned angrily, "If you give her to me, I can carry her out faster-"

"Because I love her, damn it!" Sokka yelled back at the firebender and hoisted (Y/n)'s limp body up in his arms.

Zuko's eyes widened at his friend's outburst before his brows furrowed in concentration and after a pause spoke.

"Alright," Zuko said calmly, "Get her to the Rendez-vous point. I'll cover for you. Toph, go in front of them and scour out any enemies in front of us!"

"I can feel none so far," the blind girl replied as she started running in front of the group, Sokka following shortly behind with (Y/n) in his arms.

"Hold on, (Y/n)," Sokka thought to himself as the group made it out of the building.

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A soft surface under her. That's the first thing (Y/n) noticed when she started to regain consciousness. The second thing the girl felt was a calloused hand clutching her own. A finger slowly and gently ghosted over the hand and she felt the hand tighten.

(Y/n) turned her head to the side where the hand was coming from and started to slowly blink her eyes open, squinting a bit when the hospital room's bright light burned her eyes. But nonetheless, the firebender noticed the dark skin of the hand holding her's and looked up.

The girl felt warmth spread through her chest when she realized that Sokka had come to visit her and fell asleep. (Y/n) slowly wiggled her hand out of his grasp and gently traced his face with the back of her hand, making the boy groan in his sleep and the hand clutching her's previously grabbing her wrist.

"Mmmm, what?" the water tribe boy blinked as he took in his surroundings and with sleep clouded eyes looked at (Y/n), still clutching her wrist gently.

After a brief pause, his eyes widened and a large grin appeared on his face when he had regained enough consciousness.

"You're awake!" Sokka exclaimed happily and dived in the bed to hug the girl, "Holy shit, you're awake!"

"Slow down, water boy!" (Y/n) wheezed out as she slightly pushed at Sokka's chest, "You're suffocating me!"

"Sorry!" the boy quickly apologized before looking the firebender over to see if he had hurt her accidentally.

"It's fine, I'm fine," the girl laughed and Sokka's cheeks gained a reddish tint to them.

After a brief pause, the boy shook his head, the warmth from his face disappearing before his brows furrowed and he stared angrily at the girl in front of him.

"Why the hell would you think it was a good idea to try to stop the Fire Nation soldiers on your own!" Sokka scolded the firebender, "It was absolutely reckless and stupid, and-"

"Well, what else was I supposed to do?" (Y/n) angrily replied, "Allow them to capture us all? "

"You were supposed to stay safe!" the water tribe boy pressed.

"Since when was saving the world from the Fire Nation ever safe?" the firebender questioned.

"What I meant was that you were supposed to not get hurt," Sokka explained himself, "You placed yourself in unnecessary danger and you got hurt because of it."

"Since when do you care that I get hurt?" (Y/n) tsked.

"Since I found out that I love you," the words slipped out of Sokka's mouth and the girl's eyes widened in shock.

"You.. love me?" She cautiously questioned.

"Yeah, I do," he sighed, bowing his head and waiting for rejection, "Look I know you don't feel the same way, but I wanted you to know so th-"

Sokka never managed to complete his sentence as (Y/n)'s lips locked on to her former rival's. The boy tensed before slowly relaxing and leaning into the kiss. The girl's lips started to pull back, but the water tribe boy dived back in for another kiss.

No way was he gonna let her go now.

#x reader #sokka x reader #sokka x you #sokka #sokka fanfic

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haitanirindo · 3 years

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zukka fics that live in my head rent free!

1. what did you bury before those hands pulled me from the earth (what were you digging) by draco_sollicitus status: complete (18k words) rating: mature pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: Sokka is immortal; it's been tested, he knows that he can't die. He's immortal, but he's not quite a god like his sister, Katara. He's immortal, but he's not quite powerful like his friends Aang and Toph. He's just sort of Sokka: good at fixing things, good at playing pranks, good at helping people. When a bet against Toph goes horribly wrong, and an attempt to save him goes even worse, Sokka finds himself the unwilling guest of the Lord of the Underworld. And, strangely enough, every story Sokka's heard about Lord Zuko seems to be ... completely wrong. (Also, he's really handsome. Why does he have to be handsome?)

mythology nerds come get y’all juice. a very good fic. 10/10

2. Where I Want to Be by through-the-stars-to-the-pavement status: WIP (83k words) rating: explicit pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: "'The fog was where I wanted to be.'" Everything is different. The pitch of his voice, his posture. The auditorium goes silent. No one can take their eyes off of him.… He's amazing. Zuko had to perfect the art of acting as a child to survive the horrors of his homelife. When he got older, it was only natural to take his talent to the stage for entertainment and escape. Enter Sokka, a craftsman and set designer with a giant heart who is haunted by plenty of ghosts of his own. A tale of trauma, disability, family, creativity, and love.

this is one of my all time favorite fics. it’s seriously so good and i think about it often

3. Teaching a Heart by @i-write-shakespeare-not-disney status: WIP (114k words) rating: teen and up pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: Sokka is asked to go to the Fire Nation to teach the crown prince how to sword fight. When he arrives, he's surprised to learn he has to pose as a companion before he can teach the stubborn prince because he rejects every teacher. Far from home and among new customs, Sokka struggles to gain the prince's trust and friendship despite the uncertainties of the customs and dynamics he sees. As he slowly finds answers to his questions, his bond with the prince grows until it becomes something far more ardent than friendship. Doomed as it may be with the prince's approaching wedding ceremony and coronation, Sokka and Zuko find themselves consumed by what they find in each other.

i have no words, i just love this fic and it makes me weep.

4. The Road Between Action and Inaction by @donvex status: complete (17k words) rating: teen and up pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: Sokka does a shitty k turn in the parking lot across from the bus station, pulls up to the curb where the boy is looking determinedly at his phone, and rolls down the passenger window. “Hey! Which way were you going?” He may die, but at least his conscience will be clear. The guy blinks at him. “Don’t.” Oh, he’s prickly. Or: the hitchhiker au, featuring Sokka and Zuko falling in love without even realizing it.

a classic. roadtrip fics own my ass.

5. purrfect for eachother by lesmiserablol status: complete (3k words) rating: general audiences pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: “Let me teach you how to be a cat person,” Zuko says. “Learning from the master himself,” Sokka grins. “Alright, this can’t be too hard. Show me what you got.” (because sometimes, it takes going to a cat café four times to realize you're in love with your best friend)

this whole series is adorable, reading it is self care

6. Ashes Inside When You Finish Your Song by @muncaster status: complete (47k words) rating: teen and up pairing(s): sokka/zuko, aang/katara, mai/ty lee summary: Sokka writes lyrics for his sister’s band. Zuko plays piano and is unnecessarily nice. Fellas, is it gay to write love songs about your friend and his golden eyes? (AKA, a modern band AU featuring The Gaang, crappy software equipment, homoerotic lyrics, and the realization that maybe, if you think about a guy every night before you sleep, you just might be in love with him.)

i think this is the longest one-shot i’ve ever read and it’s so worth it

7. a study in matchmaking by @verdanthoney status: complete (12k words) rating: general audiences pairing(s): sokka/zuko, aang/katara, bato/hakoda summary: Zuko and Sokka try to play matchmaker, but things don't go exactly as planned.

this fic makes me want to scream, in the best way. it’s so cute

8. A Predictable Story by mindbending status: complete (7k words) rating: general audiences pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: "On this night, you shall share a kiss with a great love of your life!” That lying, scummy Aunt Wu predicts a grand romance for Sokka. To disprove her "fortunetelling" once and for all, Sokka decides to spend the night with least romantic person he knows. Zuko.

again, i have no words. this fic is cute as hell

9. that’s murder, buddy by @bisexual-atla status: WIP (14k words) rating: teen and up pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: Throughout the streets, on quiet nights, it was rumored the screams of those missing could be heard. Some say the sounds were coming from underground. Where were the young girls? And what was happening to them? Was an evil spirit haunting Gaoling, or something more human? More sinister? My name is Zuko, and you’re tuning into another episode of ‘That’s Murder, Buddy’. Or: Sokka has no idea that his crush is the host of his favorite podcast. (But everyone else knows.)

i love the entire concept of this one, we love oblivious sokka

10. We’ll play hide and seek (to turn this around) by @crosspin status: complete (5k words) rating: general audiences pairing(s): sokka/zuko, bato/hakoda summary: Sokka gave him a sheepish smile. “It’s…well, you see, there’s this boy…” Hakoda sighed and set down the sports section. This was going to take a while. “He works at Barnes & Noble. At the big information desk in the middle. Every Saturday. And I really want to ask him for his number, but it’s super awkward because there’s always this other guy working the information desk at the same time. He’s old, like you. But I have a plan." Sokka’s eyes lit up deviously. “You come with me to Barnes & Noble today when they’re working and distract the old man. And while you have him distracted, I’ll swoop in and get the goods!” Sokka has a plan to ask out the cute boy at the bookstore. Hakoda is a begrudging participant until he meets the boy's beautiful older coworker.

this fic!! this fic! adorable, incredible, magnificent

11. feels like we only go backwards by @oldpotatoe status: WIP (88k words) rating: teen and up pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: [Time passes oddly. Between one second and the next, Sokka has the Fire Lord pinned to the wall with his hands around the bastard’s throat. Golden eyes (one gold eye, his mind whispers) widen in shock. “Sokka?” he chokes out. And then he smiles. What the fuck? “Sokka, I—” Sokka slams his head against the wall, once, twice, and the smile wipes off his face. Good. “What,” Sokka bites out, “have you done to my sister?”] Or: An injury leaves Sokka with amnesia. His last memory is of the failed invasion, of leaving his father behind in enemy territory on the Day of Black Sun. Of hopelessness. Rage. But then he wakes up, and the war is over. Suddenly, he must come to terms with the fact that years have passed, and that he's somehow the Southern Water Tribe Ambassador to the Fire Nation. He is also supposedly friends with banished-Prince-turned-Fire-Lord Zuko, of all people. Close friends. Yeah, nah.

if you’ve been following me for a while you know this fic fucks me up beyond belief

12. breakable heaven by @fruitysokka status: WIP (43k words) rating: teen and up pairing(s): sokka/zuko summary: With his twenty-first birthday looming just around the corner, the Southern Water Tribe Elders have decided that Sokka, next in line to be Chief, needs to get married. Sokka does not want that, but he does need to get them off his back until he can figure his way out of it. What better way to do that than to pretend to date his best friend (and newly minted Ambassador to the Southern Water Tribe) Zuko? Seriously, this is a foolproof plan. Maybe one of Sokka's best. Absolutely nothing can go wrong.

this just in: sokka and zuko being oblivious makes me want to yell

this turned out a bit longer than i expected but it also doesn’t even cover all my favorites. i had to stop somewhere, or i’d be here forever. maybe i’ll make a part two someday.

anyway, enjoy!

#cas recs things #fic rec #atla #zukka #cas speaks #text #zukka fics #zukka nation

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5lazarus · 3 years

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Cages: an post-canon ATLA fic

Mai visits Azula. It is not easy. Read on Archive of Our Own here.

They’ve left her in the care of chi-blockers less merciful than Ty Lee. Mai takes the palanquin to the barge and then another carriage to a small palace in the tea mountains. She is tired by the time she arrives, sick from the jostling of man and sea and horse, but determined to put a brave face on it all.

Katara said she’d come with her, since Ty Lee won’t; she doesn’t have to go alone. She didn’t have to go at all, in fact, and Mai worries leaving Izumi alone through the dizzying journey up the tea mountains, though she consoles herself knowing that Zuko is a more than capable parent. But in the long years since Zuko’s coronation, no one has been to seen Azula. Zuko is too busy, though he wants to go. Ursa, or whatever she calls herself, refuses. Mai goes, not out of mercy, but for her own need. She does not want Azula to remain a mystery, not for her, and certainly not for Izumi.

“Take me to my sister,” she tells the palace guard, a dead-faced burly woman with bandages wrapped tightly around her neck. That is what Azula is and has always been—her sister, more blood shared and shed than her own little brother. Izumi is her niece. They have the same dragon eyes. Azula is her sister.

The guard bows and says, “She’s been sedated for the high sun, my lady. The doctors advise we wait ’til night before rousing her.”

Mai says, “I’ve dealt with her in a temper during a comet. I can handle her at noon.”

The palace is not made of wood, that is the first thing Mai notices. Its walls protrude from the limestone cliffs almost like an Air Temple terrace. The household has been carved into the mountains themselves. The walls are richly painted, of course, and there is some charming animal sculpture, made of stone. Mai stops at a meditation garden made of sand and stares at the center, a piece of blasted obsidian.

The guard says, “My lady, be careful. It’s hot to the touch.”

Mai almost smiles, and follows the guard into the caves. In the anteroom of the princess’ personal rooms one of Ty Lee’s sisters stands guard, carrying a fire-proof robe. She bows. Mai inclines her head.

Ty Wu says, “It gets colder in here. For her own good. Wear this, just in case.” The guard shifts uneasily. Mai sniffs. She smells aloe vera, calendula, gotu kola. It’s familiar, Ty Lee’s own herbal remedy for Azula’s temper tantrums. She had always been careful not to leave scars; the ointment was always enough to make sure the burns didn’t fester.

Mai says, “Thank you,” and puts on the robe. She can still get her throwing knives, if need be.

Azula is kept in the dark in the brightest time of the day, away from the sun. The manmade cave is cool. Water beads through the limestone walls; Mai pauses and studies a dying fresco in the hall. A figure with long hair, profile partially obliterated, balances on a ball, hand in a teaching pose. With a start she realizes why this place looks like an Air Temple-style terrace: it was one. She reaches with her finger and touches where the master’s arrow should be. It seems appropriate that Sozen’s granddaughter should be kept in a prison of the Fire Nation’s own crimes. Doubtless Aang would disagree. She wonders who this is: Yangchen? Or another Air Temple sage, whose name has been burnt away?

Grimly she turns away from the wall. There is one more door, a heavy stone specially imported by the Earth Kingdom: cold granite, which could not be blasted as easily as the Fire Nation’s limestone. Ty Wu and Mai relax into a fighting posture. The guard, grunting, pushes the stone away.

At the center of the room, in the darkness, Azula drowses in her sedated sleep. They’ve dressed her in white—morbid, she looks like the corpse Katara should have left her. Mai wishes she had taken Karata up on her offer, to accompany her here, but she does has her pride, and Zuko would be upset that she brought her rather than him. But Zuko should not see his sister like this; what his mother did is bad enough. Mai can carry this for both of them.

Ty Wu says flatly, “I don’t recommend waking her. You should’ve waited ’til night. She’s safer then.”

Mai says, “Why did you dress her up like a corpse?”

Ty Wu shrugs.

Mai steps into the room. Azula opens one lazy dragon’s eye and says, “I’m not dead yet. And if I were, I’d have better taste than to haunt you.”

Involuntarily Mai smiles. Azula undulates, twisting herself into a sitting position. Mai fingers her knife. They’ve cut Azula’s hair short, but according to the reports that cross her desk before the Fire Lord’s, she asked for it to be done. She wants to look less like her mother. She cannot stop seeing Ursa in the mirror, and it was either that or a face tattoo.

Mai says, “It’s been a long time.”

“Oh yes,” Azula says. “Yes. So they tell me. You’ve settled in nicely as Fire Lady, I’ve heard. Newsletter from the capital.” She smiles sword-sharp. Ozai’s faction briefly attempted to rally around Azula’s legitimate claim, but they have been thoroughly discredited. Mai knows, she had the most stringent voice assassinated last week. They have not been in communication with the mad princess. No one is. Azula says, voice rising, “Well? Aren’t you going to sit?”

Mai waits for her eyes to adjust to the dark. A table hewn from stone sits before Azula’s bedroll. There are few decorations.

Azula says, “Oh, this is just where I sleep. Away from the light, like a badgermole. But I haven’t gone blind yet.”

Mai sighs. “How boring,” she says. She sits down and withdraws one of her knives. “You talk the same. Everything’s a threat, with you. Shame you can’t back it up.”

Azula says, “And you came here to gloat. How kind of you. Does my brother know? Tell little Zuzu I know his tricks. Sending you to…check on me isn’t going to work. I’m not like our mother. I’m not weak. I know who I am, and I’m never going to ask to take that away from me.”

Mai says, “I’ve heard Iroh came to visit. Did he make you tea?”

Azula scowls. “He brought his own. Chilled. I threw it in his face!”

Mai thinks, good for you. Drily she says, “He really does push those redemption narratives.”

“No,” Azula says. “He thinks I should be put down like a dog, and told me so. He’s stronger than Zuzu. He should’ve let that waterbender bitch do it, if he couldn’t do it himself. Or you.” She looks at Mai expectantly. “Have you finally come to put me out of my misery?”

“You don’t seem that miserable to me,” Mai says. “I’ll wait until you beg. And then, maybe.” She smiles as Azula begins to laugh. “Maybe, if you’re nice to me.”

Azula says peremptorily, “Where’s Ty Lee?”

“Far away from you,” Ty Wu says behind them. Mai shoots her a warning glance but she looks unrepentant, staring at Azula with an ugly look on her face. When Mai told Ty Lee she was visiting Azula, Ty Lee did not even respond. She just continued to chatter on about the tea Iron had sent the Kyoshi Warriors, which they had ceremoniously burned in front of the statue of the Avatar as a sign that they will never submit to Fire Nation flattery. Even though they had taken Ty Lee in.

Mai says, “I had a daughter. Your mother refused to see her, of course, and I won’t bring a baby to see you. But when she’s old enough to travel and think for herself, I’m going to bring her to look at you. To remember what the Fire Nation did to you. And I’m going to bring Katara too.”

Azula says, “Oh, now who’s talking threats? How good for you. What do I care about some mewling brat—I take it Zuko brought her to our father, too? I hope he spat on her! He was the runt of the litter and all he can produce is runts, he is leading our nation to ruin and you—“ She lunges at Mai, but Ty Wu darts in and stabs at her sixteen different chakra points. Azula’s face twists in anguish.

The guard says, “Ty Wu!” She rushes to catch Azula before she falls over the stone table, and places her back on the bedroll.

Mai has not even moved. Face stoney, she stares down at Azula, paralyzed in the dark.

Ty Wu says, “You should have waited ’til night to see her, my lady. She gets nasty in the afternoon.”

Mai says, “Oh, I know.” Pale she stares down at her. She says, “You don’t have any hold on me anymore, you get that? And your ghost isn’t going to haunt my daughter. What Ozai did—what Ursa did—it ends here. I won’t let this family fuck up my daughter the way they fucked up you.”

Azula’s eyes widen but she cannot move her mouth. Ty Wu grabs her roughly and leans her against the wall, and shoves a cloth into her mouth.

“So she won’t choke,” she says. “Or bite her own tongue. Not like she ever showed Ty Lee the same kindness.”

Mai snaps, “Be kind anyway.” She pivots, leaving Azula with that silent scream in her throat, and walks into the heavy sun.

#avatar: the last airbender #atla #atla fanfiction #atla fanfic #fanfic #mai #azula #mai & azula #post-canon #tw: prisons #tw: abusive friendships

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limit-list · 4 years

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ATLA AO3 Fic Recs!

idk about how y’all are handling the state of the world rn, but i have retreated into the “consume every available fanfic ever” phase!! for anyone else who wants to read lots of Avatar: The Last Airbender fanfiction, i’ve gathered a list of some of my favs so far!! i’ve split it into gen series, zukka series, gen fics, and zukka fics because those are the types of fics i thrive in. they’re not in any particular order other than that.

i will say that a funny trend i recognized was that Haicrescendo on AO3 (@sword-and-stars on here) made it on to every single list because everything they write is amazing hahaha, feel free to do as i did and just read all of their atla fics. anyway!! here goes, hopes this helps people, ill prolly add onto it at some point haha.

GEN SERIES:

What We’re Given by Haicrescendo

The premise of the story is that Zuko, Iroh, and the crew set out when Zuko was banished, found out that the Sky Bisons never died out, turn their ship into the Jasmine Dragon (a tea shop on a boat!!!), and never hunted the Avatar. This series is so good, it’s currently updating every Friday I think and I love it so much.

Dragon of the Yuyan by 00AwkwardPenguin00

Summary is: “In which Zuko is fostered/adopted/raised/recruited by the Yuyan Archers of Pouhai Stronghold, and destiny hiccups.” Y’all I adore this series so much, I receive so much serotonin every time this updates. The plot develops really really nicely, the OC’s are my fav people ever, and the way the author uses the signing is just perfection. It’s currently updating every Saturday I think.

kintsugi by discordiansamba

Summary is: “au in which a banished for good zuko ends up being hired by the beifongs to watch over their daughter- or, zuko and toph never took that field trip in canon so now she gets to hog him for three whole years”. If y’all know me, y’all know I love some Zuko and Toph friendship. This story is PEAK bonding, it makes me so happy.

ZUKKA SERIES:

Quarantine and Chill 2020 by Haicrescendo

Literally what it says on the tin haha. Series about roommates Sokka and Zuko as they’re stuck in quarantine, first two are explicit, there’s four total so far, and I love them all. The characterization is immaculate, the banter had me cackling, and all in all just a great series!

Carry On For You by Haicrescendo

Summary is: “Not the Pokémon AU you asked for but the one you’re getting anyway. Featuring: full time gym leader and local cryptid Zuko, badge challenger Sokka, and Katara who can only look at so many memes before she flips.” Yall I know nothing about Pokémon but this series!!! It brings me SO much serotonin. I adore this series so much, we get Zuko interacting with animals at the same time as Zukka develops and Iroh is there and I just love it.

the best laid intentions by alittleduck

Post-show fics for the most part. Summary is: “Centers around members of the Gaang coming out to their well meaning but woefully unprepared friends. Part one is centered around Zuko coming out as gay, the second one is centered around Toph coming out as a lesbian and the third one is centered around Sokka coming to terms with his bisexuality.” I love this series a lot, it’s super cute and I thrive on LGBTQ+ gaang fics. We got gay Zuko, lesbian Toph, and bi Sokka and they make me so happy.

GEN FICS:

Embers by Vathara

Ooo boy, this is a long fic, but it is my absolute favorite fanfic in possibly any fandom I’ve been in. The summary for this fic is: “Dragon's fire is not so easily extinguished; when Zuko rediscovers a lost firebending technique, shifting flames can shift the world...” I dunno how to put it any better than that without spoilers!! It rewrites canon from I think Zuko and Iroh getting into Ba Sing Se on. Expect politics, interpersonal tension, several plot lines overlapping and weaving their ways through the story, amazingly developed OC’s, and just incredible writing overall. Definitely a must read.

For Hearth and Home by Haicrescendo

Post-show fic in which Zuko hangs out with a baby all day while everyone falls in love with him. Summary is: “In which Fire Lord Zuko is a total mess and somehow people manage to love him for it anyway.” Honestly I think that sums up the plot, this is just such a pure story, it cheers me up like instantly haha! This is one of the cutest and most relaxing fics I’ve read.

The Family You Choose by TunaFishChris

Show rewrite soulmate fic with the Gaang as family! Summary is: “Some people are born with soulmarks. Zuko has them, but his grandfather burned them off because they ‘make you weak.’ Team Avatar has a few things to say about that.” No spoilers, but I love a good soulmate fic and I’ve never seen a concept quite like this one!! I think I’ve read this two or three times at this point. Amazing.

Unwanted Friends by FoiblePNoteworthy

This was inspired by The Family You Choose by TunaFishChris (see previous), and I love it so much. It’s the same concept, but minus Suki and told from the other’s perspective at an earlier place in the timeline! If y’all end up liking The Family You Choose, you’ll like this one too!!

Perfection is Overrated by Jagged Cliffs

Post-show fic. If you’re like me and have a soft spot for fics where Fire Lord Zuko is an absolute sweetheart to the palace staff, then you have to read this. One of my all time favorite fanfics. Everything about this story makes me happy.

Another Brother by AvocadoLove

Show rewrite. This is a WIP, I’m actually still reading it rn but it’s really good!! It’s about if Hakoda found Zuko as an 8 year old injured on a Fire Nation ship and brought him home to the Water Tribe. No spoilers here, but it’s a really good pure story and I love it so much so far.

Salvage by MuffinLance

Show AU WIP. Ooo goodness I love this story! Summary is: “Mid-Season-One Zuko is held ransom by Chief Hakoda. Ozai's replies to the Water Tribe's demands are A+ Parenting. Hakoda is… deeply concerned, for this son that isn't his, and who might be safer among enemies than with his own father.” Zuko is an angsts bby whomst I adore, Hakoda is my favorite ever, and the OC’s are legit the best. MuffinLance is another author where every fic is amazing! This fic in particular tore me to shreds and then makes up for it in absolute amazingness.

OUTLINE: Amnesia!Zuko Joins the Earth Army by MuffinLance

Show rewrite, I can’t remember from what point exactly, but it’s before Ba Sing Se. Summary is: “Zuko loses his memory and becomes an Earth Kingdom war hero. His father is going to LOVE this.” Written in outline/concept form, I adore this so so much. This fic is why I post concepts of stories I’ll never write, cause this story made me realize people enjoy reading them!! And this is sooo enjoyable, I fuckin love this fic.

ZUKKA FICS:

The Good Vanilla by Haicrescendo

Show AU-ish from the Western Air Temple I think. I think this is the fic that made me fall in love with Zukka actually omg. A beautiful fanfic that shows how Zuko and Sokka slowly fall in love, no spoilers here, there is lots of cooking.

Quit your life and come train Pokemon. (orphaned)

Modern Day AU. Another one of my starter Zukka fics!! Sokka kinda maybe falls in love with Aang’s roommate Zuko. There is nerdiness and awkward situations and ~emotions~. It makes me happy, definitely one of my favs.

by the stars above, i knew we were in love by theycallmesuperboy

Post-show fic. This one tore me to shreds!! It’s a fic about Zuko working his way up to proposing to Sokka. No spoilers, just saying that this story hurt me in all the best ways. Amazing story.

Unchained Melody by AvocadoLove

Show rewrite from Hei Bai’s Forest episode, WIP. Basic premise is that Sokka turns into a ghost, and Zuko is the only one who can see him. The dynamic between Zuko and Sokka is just explored so well here, and the banter is perfection. There are so many things I could say about different parts of the story, but I don’t wanna spoil a thing, so go read it!! Love this fic.

Sea Cranes by Druddigonite

Show AU. Summary is: “Between chasing the Avatar and dealing with his disgrace, Zuko begins to cough up flowers.” It’s a really interesting concept which I’d never heard of before, but I loved this fic! Just enough angst to tear my heart up and then mend it back together.

Hotman by callmecaramleh

Set during the Western Air Temple Arc. Summary is: “Toph decides she needs to know who in the gaang is hot. This leads to quite a bit of trouble for Sokka.” I love this fic so much. It’s so clear that they’re awkward teenagers here, and as an awkward teenager I love the dynamic!!! I just adore these boys so much.

Something Good Can Work by beersforqueers

Bookstore AU!!! I live for a good bookstore AU, as well as library and café AUs. Anyway, summary is: “Bookstore AU! In which Sokka tries to not-so-subtly pick up the cute boy working in the bookstore, and the cute boy is totally oblivious. Because the cute boy is Zuko.” They’re adorable and flustered. It’s precious, another fic that brings me outta a bad mood in like a minute flat. I love this!

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thewokewordsmith · 4 years

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Zuko and Katara are refugees and war orphans who have been trained by the White Lotus since childhood to hone their bending skills to assassinate the Fire Navy’s highest ranking members.

I originally made this gifset for Zutara month but a lot of people in the notes were asking for a fanfic and I finally got around to writing it. It’s a one shot for now but I might eventually turn it into a multi chapter fic. Anyway please enjoy.

If you summed up my life until this point it would be. Travel light. Move quick. Create distance. It’s a way of life when your an assassin. Nothing left behind. Nothing to tie you to the scene of the crime. Leave no trace of your ever having been there. Leave no trace of your existence. Make it quick. Make it clean. Flee the scene.

That’s what they used to sing to us when we were little. They made a game out of the killing. Turned it into a song. A nursery rhyme so that our young minds could grasp the concept of killing. I don’t feel bad for being an assassin. I’m doing what needs to be done to end the war. Some say it’s hopeless to still fight after the Avatar was killed by Fire Lord Ozai’s daughter Azula, but I say fighting is better than giving up. People always think things are impossible until someone does the impossible. When it comes to ending this war I don’t believe in can’t. There’s just can’t right now. We can’t defeat Ozai right now, but we will.

Working at night has always been to my advantage, but my partner Zuko has never let it be to his disadvantage. His firebending is as deadly at night as it is during the daytime, and if ever it wasn't his dao swords more than make up for the discrepancy. The White Lotus masters pick our partners by watching the way all of us played together as children. To us it seemed like a regular playtime innocent enough, but there's nothing innocent about being one of the White Lotus' orphans, and it was really a test; a compatibility test to see what assassin we paired best with. Not only did they see how well we played together but they also watched how we fought with each other.

Zuko and I have always had our share of fights but we always resolved them. We don't let things fester we knock down, drag out, and make up. I guess that's one of the reasons the masters put us together. I don't know all of the reasons why the two of us were paired and I've never felt the need to ask. Zuko and I just work. We are both opposites and equals an unmovable object and an unstoppable force.

“We should be reaching Whaletail island in about fifteen minutes.” Zuko calls out.

“Who’s the mark?” I ask.

“Lieutenant Shimizu.”

I don’t need to study the photo of Lieutenant Shimizu I’ve got his face memorized already. I always remember their face even if I don’t remember their names. I don’t like calling the marks by their name. The killing is easier if I only think of them as marks.

“Five more minutes.”

I flex the veins in my fingers and my arms preparing myself to bloodbend as Zuko slips his Blue Spirit mask over his face. Our sky bison, Appa, dips low over the water. The members of the white lotus told us that Appa once belonged to the Avatar and I don’t doubt it because who else beside an airbender would have a sky bison? Some people say the Avatar isn’t dead. I’ve heard rumors that he’s in hiding and just waiting for the right moment to come back and save the world. I can’t waste my time with rumors and what ifs. I want a life beyond killing, running, and hiding. The only way to do that is to end this war, and I will by any means necessary.

The lieutenant’s ship comes upon us quickly. Bile rises up in my throat forcing me to clamp my lips shut tight and fight against the hot sick feeling but I hold back the urge to wretch. I always get an intense sick feeling before a kill. For a moment my skin is clammy but I whisk the sweat away with my bending to prevent chills. I’ve got to be totally focused. Zuko and I have planned this down to every last detail, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the killing.

“We can't fly in directly to the outpost we'll have to find somewhere to land Appa and then make our way from there.”

“How many are stationed at the outpost?”

“Less than ten.” Zuko replies. “It's strictly no take downs unless anyone sees us then we have no choice but to take them out.”

“I know the drill besides they never see us coming. That's what makes us assassins.”

I remember my first kill and the shocked look on the mark's face as my ice crystal pierced his heart. It slipped into him so easily, and even though the mark didn't know me he looked so betrayed. His eyes stayed on me until he fell to the floor. There wasn't any blood it all seemed too neat to be a killing. Murder was supposed to be messy and hard but my first time had been neither of those things.

“Is he really dead, Zuko?”

“Come on Katara we don’t have time.”

“But he-.”

“Come on! Make it quick. Make it clean. Leave the scene.” Zuko reminded me as he pulled me out of the room by the sleeve of my cloak, but I couldn't take my eyes off of the man lying in the floor. He was dead. I really did it. I killed someone.

We were out of the building before anyone even noticed that the general was dead and I couldn't believe how easy it was. Surely they won’t be all easy I thought. They weren't. There has been more than one mark that's put up a good fight. I've got the scars to prove it but the outcome is always the same. They die and Zuko and I live on to kill again and again; enough to amass a body count. I've seen the look of death on so many people's faces but I never can forget my first. To this day that surprise look of betrayal haunts me.

“We can land over there.” Zuko points to a small island a few yards away and I guide Appa towards it. We leap off the back of Appa before he touches down to the ground.

“We're going to have to sail our way over.”

“I'm on it.” I bend out a piece of ice big enough and thick enough to carry Zuko and I over to the Fire Navy's communication outpost. The floating block of ice cuts through the water like a knife through flesh. When we get close enough to the out post I create a wave big enough to lift us up to the tower. For a moment it's like the two of us are flying, and how I wish that we could. I wish that the two of us could fly away from this all, but as it stands there is no running away there's only fighting and surviving in a world that's ruled by fire.

The outpost is made of metal that is old and rusted from years upon years of being left to bare the brunt of the assault from it's natural enemy the salty sea water, and surely it creeks and groans but as we climb the stairs to the top floor there is no sound. Zuko and I spent years mastering Gōsutomōshon. Ghost motion. The art of moving without being heard.

The guards are just starting up their rounds, and as we reach the top floor we stay out of their line of sight and they remain oblivious to our presence. We wait until they head in the opposite direction before making our way through the open door that will lead us to Lieutenant Shimizu. There is no one in the corridors no sounds save for the sea.

In the moments before a kill I become a different person. I wash away all traces of my off duty self and wholly become an assassin. Ice water pumps through my veins and I know longer know mercy or pity. You cannot bargain your way out of the fate at hand; not when my own hands are already stained with too much blood to turn back now.

“This is it. The lieutenant's room.” Zuko informs me.

“Not for long.”

I force the door open with a surge of water that pushes the solid metal door back on it's hinges. It alerts the lieutenant and before we can even step into his room he's bending at us. It doesn't do him any good. Zuko deflects his fire blast until I step into the room behind him to end things.

“Wh-who are you?” The lieutenant ask.

“The last thing you'll ever see.” Zuko answers.

I hate it when they talk. I don't want to know what they sound like I just want them dead. “Shatter!” I cry out and clap my hands together.

Zuko jumps on the spot. “Damn it, Katara you’re supposed to warn me before you do that!” Zuko snaps as the body lands directly in front of him with a loud thud of dead weight.

“Me saying shatter was your warning. Besides it's the quickest and most humane way I know to kill someone.”

“Humane? Freezing all of someone’s blood vessels and then shattering them into a million pieces is about a brutal death as you can get.”

“I’m sure they feel a lot less pain this way as opposed to boiling their blood.”

Zuko sucks on his teeth. “Whatever. Let’s get out of here.”

We leave the same way we came in. By the time the other soldiers discover their lieutenant's body we'll be long gone. As Appa flies us back to our camp we are silent. I've never asked Zuko what he's thinking about after a kill and he's never asked me. There is no need to; we are both thinking about the same thing. A life where we are not killers. We are thinking about a time when all of this bloody effort will pay off and we'll see the end of the war. It has to end someday. It has to. The hope that the war will one day end is the only thing that gives me the strength to keep killing. Above all else I believe that we will win; I just pray to Yue that we win this war before Zuko and I lose the war between good and evil that is being waged within us.

#Zutara #Zuko #Katara #avatar the last airbender #zutara month #assassins #fanfiction #the woke wordsmith

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astarlightmonbebe · 3 years

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2020 Creator Wrap

Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 5 (or so) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world in 2020. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works.

tagged by @eponinemylove (dkskss i kept forgetting about this whoops)

these dreams, like ashes float away - aka the modern mdzs retelling except not really, with a side of mystery and self indulgent characterization and canon bashing (i love to bash canon with a frying pan. any canon at all). okay technically i only finished posting this fic in early 2020, BUT it’s still the longest thing i’ve ever written and yes, maybe it is a mess of a fic/plot that really demonstrates my stress level when i planned it out and wrote it, with so much whump and bias (yes i was mad at some characters, but so what). anyways, so maybe it is a mess but whenever i actually reread it i think that it is pretty good, and yeah, i’m proud of it.

in the shadow of a flame - the atla retelling, except the main characters are the fire nation gang, with ty lee as the avatar, zuko and azula as her companions, featuring yue as a waterbender and mai as an earth/metalbender. perhaps i have not actually updated or written on this since the end of october (rip!) but i am actually pretty proud of it and i definitely plan to try and complete it eventually. also this fic has had a pretty good amount of growth (likely due to some popular fanart for it), which makes me happy to see.

this mai edit set - 2020 was the year i actually started learning how to use photopea, and granted i haven’t made that many edits, but this one is one of my faves, even if it isn’t my most popular.

this ty lee edit set - same as above, basically, except i really love these ones. like the aesthetic, the face claim? perfection!

a tie between your touch burns & falling peach blossoms - the one shots i published on ao3 this year! the first is something i literally wrote at midnight in one go; focusing on the inherent homoeroticism of rivals (and fighting with one another) for dance of the phoenix, and the second is a lan zhan centric reincarnation au mixed with some chinese mythology, which i wrote in a day (instead of doing online school work because, you know).

honorable mentions:

my entire star edits tag for 2020 (there’s like 17 i think? which isn’t a lot, but also they are all dear to me so)

i have some slytherin centric fics from where i fell back into harry potter over the summer, and most of them are extreme fanon, but hey, i like them.

bottom of the deep blue sea cql fmv on youtube. tbh i haven’t vidded since the summer, even though i have ideas again, and the ones i made this year are nowhere near as satisfying as the ones i did in 2019, but this one was pretty good (despite some mistakes that i noticed too late to fix lol i cry).

this meta on the end of cql (specifically when lxc stabs jgy and a look in on nhs) because i like how i worded it, even if it isn’t the longest cql meta i have, anyways i just have a lot of thoughts about nhs and the full circle, cycles in the cql, etc...my brain is getting distracted just thinking of it again. i had a lot of good thoughts about cql this year (half of which are still in my drafts or docs).

a qin su (+ wen qing) character study where she and wq are ghosts stuck in koi tower. this one i’m still writing, but ideally it will be posted as a one shot before the year is out. i just haven’t finished it yet, so it’s not on the list ahah.

cql canon divergence fic which is really only a set of ideas and scenes in my head, but i really do what to plan it out more fully and write it one day (ideally in the near future), but basically it’s canon divergence where wwx doesn’t rescue jiang cheng from lotus pier and the golden core transfer never happens.

i’ll tag @theserendipityofjimin @etherealjjong @emirablights @curlykytta & anyone else who wants to do this !! (sorry if any of you have done this already xoxo)

#tagged #my tag #tag #eponinemylove #lovely mutuals #2020 wrap #my fics #my writing #2020 was like. a low point in many ways #coughcough i binge watched some seasons of some not very good show for no reason ahh #BUT i also did create some pretty good things this year #and my thoughts were on POINT #so there's that #yes this is one giant promo for myself that's exactly right #i didn't link like any poems because this is not my writeblr BUT i did publish a poem collection if anyone is interested aha

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firenation-turtleducks · 5 years

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Day 2 - Hidden Identities

This is a continuation of my fic from Day 1. And...more of a “revealed identities” than “hidden identities,” to be honest.

Day 2 of @thirtydaysofzutara

Zuko could hardly believe his ears. He stared at the waterbender, feeling his heart speed up.

A sky bison. Here in the city.

That could only mean the Avatar was here too.

Could this waterbender be the one traveling with him? The one Zuko had fought at the North Pole? No, that wouldn’t make sense—what would she be doing alone, running around in the Lower Ring? Zuko hadn’t seen her with the Avatar or the Water Tribe boy any night she’d been here, and the three of them always traveled together.

(Of course he wouldn’t admit it, but above all, he didn’t want the vigilante waterbender to be the one traveling with the Avatar. She’d become something of a comforting presence to him, another person with a similar short-term goal. He’d taken up the Blue Spirit persona again because he couldn’t stand being nothing more than a tea server—he wanted to be a part of something bigger, doing something more important. And this city was filled with people like the Earth militia in that kid Lee’s village; Zuko couldn’t let them lord over the people here, the people who couldn’t so much as fight back. The waterbender had to feel the same way. They had something in common, and he held onto that.)

“No,” Zuko said eventually. “What have you heard?”

Maybe the Avatar was with the bison. Maybe he was looking for it. Either way, Zuko had to follow this lead. If he had another chance to find the Avatar—to go home…he had to take it.

The waterbender was silent for a beat. “Only that there’s one here,” she said. “I’m worried it might be sold on the black market, and it’s probably the only one left.”

Zuko nodded in acknowledgement. “I’ll help you find it.”

He had a chance. Even after being declared a criminal, he might still have a chance to go home.

“Thank you,” said the waterbender. “Could you meet me back here tomorrow night? We can share what we’ve found out.”

Zuko nodded again, and the waterbender left.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he muttered once she was out of earshot.

…

His uncle was going to be opening a tea house in the Upper Ring.

Zuko’s first reaction was a cold stab of concern. He slammed the door as he left the tea shop and slumped against the wall outside. Everything was going to be ruined—how would he get back to the Lower Ring and find the waterbending vigilante? He and his uncle probably wouldn’t move before tomorrow, but how much could either Zuko or the waterbender figure out in one day? Finding the bison could be his last chance at finding the Avatar. He needed more time.

A slip of paper drifted down from the sky and Zuko picked it up as it fell. His eyes widened as he recognized the drawings on it: the bison and the Avatar.

It’s not just a rumor, he thought. It’s here in this city, and—if flyers are being dropped, who could be dropping them but the Avatar on his glider?

He cast around for the tallest building he could see and climbed it as quickly as he could. His heart pounded. If he could so much as see where the Avatar landed…

The sky was empty. Nothing but clouds as far as the eye could see. A growl built up in Zuko’s throat. He was so close! The Avatar had been in the same city as him for Agni knew how long and he hadn’t even considered it until now!

He had to find that bison. He’d find what he could tonight, then meet up with the waterbender and see what she knew. He didn’t really see another option. Over everything, he needed to get home.

…

After knocking out the Dai Li agent he’d ambushed and interrogated, Zuko made his way to where he’d agreed to meet the waterbender. She was waiting for him when he arrived.

They both said at the same time, “Lake Laogai.”

“You found something on Lake Laogai too?” she asked in a hushed voice. “That’s got to be it. Thank you. Thank you so much. I know I don’t really know you, but this means a lot to me.”

He stomped out the pang of guilt he felt at the realization that he was essentially using her. Lying to her. It wasn’t as if he was going to hurt the stupid bison. He just—he just needed it to locate and capture the Avatar. After that it would be free and happy just like the waterbender apparently wanted.

“It’s nothing.” It wasn’t. “But I don’t think I can help you anymore. I don’t want to get caught up with the Dai Li.” It was a little too late for that, but the waterbender didn’t know that and he didn’t have another excuse. He wanted to get to Lake Laogai long before she did. He couldn’t tell her that he was—what? Stealing the bison? Using it as bait? Whatever he figured out when the time came—so he had to be long gone by the time she showed up. He tried not to feel bad for lying to her.

“Of course,” she whispered. “It’s...really a situation. I wouldn’t ask you to do that.” She paused. “I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be here. But if I don’t see you again...good luck in life.” He thought she gave a quick smile under her mask.

‘Here’? Where, Ba Sing Se? Where else would you go? Why would you leave when you’re doing so much good here?

But he didn’t know how to say that, so he said, “You too.”

She gave a tiny wave as she walked away.

The Dai Li are holding it under Lake Laogai, the Dai Li agent had told him. To the southeast. The entrance is hidden under a few inches of water at the south side of the lake. That’s all I know. Please, believe me, that’s all I know.

Zuko started walking.

…

His plan (if he could really call it a plan), of course, didn’t go as smoothly as he’d hoped. But he was far from surprised by that. Frankly, he’d be more surprised if things did go his way.

As he made his way through the cold, dripping underground corridors, he heard shouts and the rumble of earthbending. Warily, he followed the noise. The Avatar always seemed to attract trouble, and if his bison was here, that was a good enough reason for him to be.

Drawing his swords, he approached a gash in the stone wall torn by an earthbender and ducked through it after catching a glimpse of one of the Avatar’s friends.

Zuko found himself in a cavernous room filled with Dai Li agents, the Avatar’s two Water Tribe friends, an earthbender girl that he recognized from the fight with Azula at the ghost town, and Jet’s two cronies from the ferry. But no Avatar.

And the Dai Li, unfortunately but not unexpectedly, noticed Zuko.

He dodged a barrage of rocks bent at him by the nearest Dai Li agent, then spun and shattered another rock hurtling toward him with a blow from his swords. He leapt at the earthbender to put him on the defensive, slashing at him only to be blocked each time by stones the earthbender kept levitating. Eventually, he landed a blow with the pommel of one sword to the agent’s head and he crumpled.

Only a handful of Dai Li were left standing at this point, now outnumbered. Zuko brandished his swords at them and the Avatar’s friends drew closer to him, facing off the last of the Dai Li. It was strange to be fighting against the same people as the Avatar’s friends, even if he wasn’t fighting on their behalf.

“You’re here!” exclaimed the Water Tribe girl as she stood next to him, not taking her eyes off of the Dai Li. “I can’t believe it—after you said you wouldn’t come! Thank you!”

“What?” How did the…

Oh no.

His heart dropped. She was the waterbending vigilante. And…

“You’re the Avatar’s waterbender.” He’d been so stupid—the waterbender had said she’d go to Lake Laogai today, and what other waterbender would be wandering Ba Sing Se but the one traveling with the Avatar? He’d just been hoping that it wasn’t her, as if hoping could make any difference.

Her brow creased. “What?” She flung an ice dagger to meet a rock sent at her, both shattering on impact. “How do you know I’m traveling with Aang? And—my name’s Katara!”

“How do you know this guy, anyway?” the Water Tribe boy muttered to the waterbender—Katara—as he caught his returning boomerang.

“You’re the Avatar’s waterbender,” Zuko repeated quietly.

Katara warded off another earthbending attack and glared at him. “And? What does…” She trailed off as she gasped. “No...Zuko.”

He fought not to cringe at the amount of poison she put into his name. The one person he thought he might have something in common with and she was his enemy. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

He had to get out of here. His mind whirled. Find the bison—find the Avatar—get away from here and back to the Fire Nation.

Katara swiftly turned her attacks on him and he bolted across the rubble-strewn floor for the gap in the wall. Water slammed into the wall behind him as he ducked out of the way and sprinted down the empty corridor.

…

Two Dai Li agents blocked Katara’s path and sent chunks of stone flying towards her, forcing her to block and engage in another fight.

Aang had mentioned the Blue Spirit helping him escape from Pohuai Stronghold, only for it to turn out to be Zuko trying to capture Aang for himself. Katara had recognized the mask but didn’t think it was related at first. There was more than one Blue Spirit mask, after all.

But when he’d been so shocked that she was the Avatar’s friend, the pieces had started falling into place. How quickly he’d agreed to help her find Appa. How he lied that he wouldn’t be here, then showed up anyway, probably because he was after Aang again. The mask and dual swords.

She’d thought he was a decent person—more than that, a good person, for helping the defenseless people in the Lower Ring. And then he turned out to be the prince of the Fire Nation. Why would he be up to vigilante business in the Lower Ring anyway? She’d bet it was all part of some horrible trick to find Aang, running around interrogating people at swordpoint about him. He probably hadn’t even been helping people at first and just started doing that to get on her good side so that she’d give him information or something. And it had worked! She’d told him about Appa and Lake Laogai—he might’ve figured it out on his own anyway, but she felt so extraordinarily stupid for falling for whatever he was up to! She should’ve at least recognized his voice!

Finally she struck the Dai Li agent she was fighting with her mass of water and sent him sprawling. Around the room, the remaining Dai Li were unconscious or simply not willing or able to stand.

“That was Zuko?” Sokka demanded as the five of them regrouped and Toph opened the door on the far side of the room that Aang and Jet had disappeared through moments before Zuko had shown up. “I’d say I can’t believe he’s here except I can. Maniac’s chased us across the world already.” He looked sideways at her. “But you need to tell us how you knew him when he was Creepy Mask Guy.”

…

I want my honor, I want my throne, I want to go home, Zuko thought. But his uncle was right. This wouldn’t get him anywhere. He had no plan, no way to get the Avatar to the Fire Nation even if he managed to capture him. He didn’t know what he was doing—didn’t know if it was what he even wanted to be doing. But he had to. It was his destiny, his only way home, his only way for things to return to any semblance of normal.

He threw his swords to the ground and roared in frustration.

“Prince Zuko,” said his uncle from behind him, “you have the opportunity to choose between the destiny that has been laid out for you, and the one you can lay out for yourself. The choice is yours, and I hope you are happy with your decision.”

He thought about the destruction the Fire Nation had caused in the Earth Kingdom. He thought of Song’s burn scars, Lee’s missing brother, the refugees desperately flocking to Ba Sing Se. He didn’t want to be a part of what caused that. He didn’t want to be someone who deserved all the hate Katara spoke his name with.

And if he wanted to, all things considered, he didn’t really have the opportunity to return to the Fire Nation now. He was a wanted criminal, with no plan for capturing the Avatar and no way to travel back home.

He strode up to the sky bison and crouched beside one of its shackles, sending a concentrated stream of fire into the lock. It burst in a matter of seconds.

…

Katara couldn’t quite believe it, but there was only one person who could have freed Appa. She and her friends hadn’t gotten to him, and if he was free, Long Feng hadn’t either.

She wondered if, just maybe, not everything Zuko had said and done was a trick.

#zutaramonth #30daysofzutara #zuko #katara #my writing #anyway here take this unedited garbage i need to go to sleep

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bellatrixobsessed1 · 6 years

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To Capture The Dead (Part 1)

This was going to be a one shot but now I think it’s gonna be a three-parter (maybe more). An AU where Zuko dies in the Agni Kai with Ozai. Azula doesn’t want to believe. All of the adventures from Avatar State to Crossroads still happened, but Zuko is a figment of Azula’s imagination. Iroh takes it upon himself to try to help her recover.

Also kind of an impotent note; I have 6 fics I’m going back and forth between. To decided which to continue first I’m going to factor in reviews, comments, and likes. If this one does end up spanning over three parts it’s going to be placed in that pool of fics where likes are a factor.

She remembered seeing him the night after. She remembered taunting him about the ordeal. She remembered very clearly that he told her to leave him alone and she remembered well that he had thought that she was their father coming to check on him before he left. Azula was one of the first people to see the burn mark on his eye, in fact. And days later, she had made a secret journey into the shadier parts of the Capital to see how he was doing. She had told him to change the bandages lest he got an infection. She got a kick out of his misery but she didn’t want her brother to die. She knew that it would break her if he did. She knew because it felt awkward and lonely with his chair as empty as their mothers at mealtimes. Her father was often preoccupied with matters concerning their nation so mostly she ate alone. Mostly she studied alone. She did mostly everything alone. So she was left to wonder how Zuko’s quest for the avatar was going. Not very well she suspected, it would be a long time before she saw him again. Unless she sought him out anyways. She thought of doing so on many occasions but, recalled that Iroh had acquired them a ship. It was curious, but unsurprising all at once that her uncle was so will to leave his luxurious lifestyle to accompany Zuko.

So she was alone with her father until he called her to find Iroh...which meant she would be chasing Zuko. She thought it odd though that he only mentioned Iroh. Iroh the fugitive traitor who had tried to assassinate Ozai for some reason or another. No wonder he had taken off with Zu-Zu. Zu-Zu who wasn’t spoken of at all, even though he was with Iroh. It might have been a good thing that their father didn’t hate Zuko enough to have her hunt him down. But she would do it anyways, it had been far too long since she’d given him a good mocking and this would be the perfect opportunity.

She found them in a resort on the Su Oku River, a lovely place, she had to admit. She noted to herself that she would return one day if she ever got some down time. A few days of searching and interrogating lead her to a teeny rental house in the surrounding village. They of course, weren’t there when she arrived. She fretted that they may have vacated already, but she couldn’t see Uncle Iroh leaving behind the pearly shells he had collected. So she made herself cozy, reclining in the nearest chair and inspecting each shell. How drab, she thought, poor Zu-Zu must be going out of his mind. The little things like seashells and talks on the beach held as little appeal to him as they did to her, maybe even less appeal. She’d give him something to think about. From wide open windows came a fluttering breeze that took to lifting her hair. She supposed that it was pleasant enough to keep her company until the door fell ajar. “Hello, brother. Uncle.”

Azula didn’t expect any warmth from Iroh, he never seemed all that fond of her, most people weren’t. But Zuko, he was a display of clashing emotions. A sprinkle of anger, a touch of hope, and a whole lot of fear. The princess smirked. Without so much as a greeting he questioned her sudden re-appearance in his life. “In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions, have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?” She got to her feet, pacing leisurely towards him.

Iroh narrowed his eyes in confusion. He had a question for her, but whatever it was it when unvocalized. Instead he asked, “To what do we owe this honor?”

It was vexing really, how they had no desire for small talk. She accented her irritation by snapping one of Iroh’s shells, she could see his lip twitch in irritation, though he didn’t speak up. Even if he wanted to she was already weaving her lie together; a pretty tale about assassination plots and Ozai wanting to be with his family. To Zuko she added, “Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home.” He didn’t give her the joyous reaction she had hoped for, something that filled her with pangs of annoyance. “Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited, grateful, I just gave you great news.”

Again Iroh looks at her as though he want to tell her something. “Your brother is…” he starts.

But she isn’t talking to him. “Don't interrupt, Uncle!” She snapped. He always liked to cut in whenever she tried to talk to her brother. Her brother who still hadn’t acknowledged her offer, however false it was. “I still haven't heard my thank you, I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way...” she trailed off.

Zuko muttered something, such and such about how he couldn’t believe it. Iroh stood behind her, his face twisted in fear. It didn’t matter, she had said her piece and now all she had to do was wait. “I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening.”

But they never showed and they had cleared out by the time she had made her way back to the resort village. Scowling to herself, she chided herself on letting them evade her so swiftly. It was odd, Zu-Zu usually ate that kind of praise right up. Now she would have to address the village and put out a watch. Her father wouldn’t be pleased. After many days of tracking she let Lo and Li convince her that it would be well to get an extra hand or two and replace the royal procession. She wasn’t at all opposed to reuniting with Mai and TyLee, surly they would put some of her boredom at ease. Attaining TyLee’s hand was easy enough—the girl could take a hint. Mai though, was nearly more trouble than she was worth. But she had ended up leading Azula right to the Avatar, so that hostage situation had its pay off. She had a choice then, who she wanted to seek out more—her brother or the Avatar. The Avatar of course, was her brother’s goal. If she captured him, Zu-Zu may very well come crawling out to her. And so she pursued, finding out that—for an airbender—this Avatar wasn’t so stealthy. His bison was leaving her a fine trail, one that lead her to a ghost town. A fine place for a show down really, it was a shame that Zu-Zu couldn’t be there.

“All right, you've caught up with me. Now, who are you and what do you want?”

“You mean you haven't guessed? You don't see the family resemblance? Here's a hint.” She held her hand up to her eye, and in her best Zuko voice spoke, “I must find the Avatar to restore my honor!” The joke seemed completely lost on him. It was as if he hadn’t heard Zuko bellow something of the sort before. “It's okay, you can laugh. It's funny.”

He squinted at her, “maybe if I knew your brother.” He replied.

It was her turn to narrow her eyes. Zuko’s quest must be going worse than she thought if the Avatar didn’t even know of him yet. It was so typically embarrassing of little Zu-Zu.

“So now what?” The Avatar inquired.

“Now? Now, it's over, you're tired and you have no place to go. You can run, but I'll catch you.” She stated and she would. She would have him before the night was out. To her luck he declared that he wouldn’t be running. All the easier, she thought. “Do you really want to fight me?”

The timing was so perfect; Zuko swooping in and throwing his bamboo hat to the ground. How needlessly dramatic. And he was alone too. She wondered how long he’d been stalking her, waiting to emerge. She also pondered upon the whereabouts of her Uncle and why he wasn’t with Zu-Zu. She hadn’t much time to dwell on it, the fight was about to get that much more interesting. And yet the Avatar stood more impassively than even she. Had he even acknowledged Zu-Zu’s sudden appearance? “I was wondering when you'd show up, Zuzu.”

This time the Avatar did laugh. “Zu-Zu?” Somehow Azula felt that he was laughing at her. Not at her jib. No, at she herself. Already she was growing to dislike this boy. This boy who refused to laugh when he was supposed to and chuckled when it was out of place.

“Back off, Azula! He's mine.” Zuko scowled. His impulsive temperament had only seemed to grow since she’d last seen him.

Azula’s eyes wavered between he and the Avatar. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Clearly.” The Avatar muttered.

She held her ground waiting for either to attack. The Avatar seemed to be stuck in the sand, but Zu-Zu didn’t disappoint. In one graceless punch of orange flame, the fight was in motion. A blur of blue and orange of dodging and ducking. And the Avatar, he was just standing around like a dolt with his mouth agape.

“This is crazy.” He whispered to himself. Over her own fire, his foe, the same girl who’d nearly gotten him in Omashu, didn’t hear him. He had to admit, she was putting on an elegant show—he’d never seen flames of that color nor firebending so fast and elegant. Yet it was no show, the girl was truly fighting as if she had an opponent to get the better of. An opponent that wasn’t he, himself. He was thankful for it though, it took her attention from him. The girl, though completely out of sorts, was powerful, the sort he didn’t want to tangle with. He cursed his luck that she had happened upon him. It would seem that her attention was less divided than he anticipated, for the minute he tried to make his getaway, a jet of blue flames whizzed precariously close. She gave more chase, following him through a maze of crumbling buildings. He’d nearly lost her when dashing into one so deteriorated that it no longer had a roof. She’d almost fallen, but her balance was as frighteningly keen as her bending. It was bizarre, uncanny. How she was so cool and collected and yet she was fighting two people when there was only one person for her to fight.

Azula dropped to the floor. Zu-Zu had given her quite a show, quite literally falling without a scrap of dignity, into the Avatar’s trap. That would put him out of the fight for a while. How convenient. Equally so, the Avatar had sprung his own trap. That tiny building looked so very flammable. She decided to give her theory a test and set it ablaze. With a slice of fire she had the boy trapped beneath a heap of debris. With fingers poised to deliver the finishing blow, she gave him a smirk. A smirk that was swiftly cut off by a flow of water around her fingers. The Avatar’s companion, the waterbender, had finally made an appearance. The princess scowled, Mai and TyLee must have failed. For that she would be fighting The Avatar, three more of his friends, and Zu-Zu.

Azula pushed her way past the waterbender only to run into the boy, her brother, Azula assumed. And that stupid boomerang. She gave him a good bolt of lightning, enough to get around him. Her victory was short in nature as the ground shifted beneath her feet. The earthbender. And then Iroh. She was being outnumbered, overwhelmed, and cornered. If they caught her then, her mission would be a complete waste. She sighed to herself, twice in a row Iroh and Zu-Zu would be escaping her, a disappointing track record. Even so, she’d make a bigger disgrace of herself if she let them snatch her away. Her best option was to talk her way out of it, to deceive. A few slick words and a carefully placed blow was her best chance. “Well, look at this. Enemies and traitors all working together. I'm done.” She lifted her arms, to punctuate this. “I know when I'm beaten, you got me. A princess surrenders with honor.” She looked between her foes, sizing up each one with a quickness. Iroh, Iroh was the most opportune target. She lashed out in a lick of fire, relying very heavily on the shock value. When their attentions turned, she made her escape.

Zu-Zu was going to kill her for this one.

.oOo.

Iroh knew then that it had been a mistake to pursue his niece. The waterbender, was generous and seemed to have no qualms about helping a firebender. She might not have been so willing if she knew just who he was. But the earthbender he had talked to, that enduring stranger, had spoken kindly of him. He had offered her tea and advice that he had hoped was taken well. She had run away from home and then from her friends, it reminded him so very much of something Zuko would have done. It tore at his heart to mention him to the girl. As the waterbender worked to alleviate his pain he thought back on the conversation.

“People see me and think I'm weak. They want to take care of me, but I can take care of myself, by myself.” The blind girl had said after he offered to pour her a glass of tea.

“You sound like my nephew, always thinking you need to do things on your own, without anyone's support. There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you. Not that I love you, I just met you.”

“So where is your nephew?”

“He is dead.” He hadn’t said it out loud before then. “Killed by his own father.”

“So what are you doing out here then, old man?”

“It’s a long story.” He admitted. “I’m a fugitive to my own nation. I tried to take the life of the man who killed my nephew. And that man sent my niece to bring me to justice.”

“And you’re hiding from her then?” The girl asked.

“Actually, I’ve been tracking her.”

“Is she lost?”

“Yes, a little bit.” He looked up, gazing more at the skyline than at the girl he was conversing with. “Her life has recently changed and she's going through very difficult times. I’m sad to say that I didn’t think it would bother her, but it did. The death of my nephew is hurting her too. I don’t think that she wants to admit that he’s gone…”

The girl seemed confused, “so you’re following her?”

“I know she doesn't want me around her right now, or ever. We never got along, but if she needs me, I'll be there.”

“Your niece is very lucky, even if he doesn't know it. Thank you.”

It was one of the most compelling conversations he’d had with someone he’d met on the road. He was thankful to have her among those helping tend to his injury. He might stay with them for some time before returning to Azula.

Returning to Azula…

He had just told himself that going after her in the first place had been a mistake.

Yet, he wanted to be true to his words that he would be there if Azula managed to get herself into too much trouble.

Even so, the move felt terribly placed. He felt, for one, like it would be taking the healing the waterbender had just done for granted. For another, she was now seeking out the Avatar, by all means she was dangerous. By all means, she was to an extent, an enemy if she was so willing to give the world’s last hope over to her father. But Azula was not in a particularly stable place. She had been subjected to the same abuser as her brother. She needed help, a way to get out of the tangle, and he didn’t see anyone else reaching out.

So he would extend his hand, just as he would have done for Zuko.

#Azula #Zuko #Iroh #Avatar #Fanfiction

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cuddlysmii7y · 7 years

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All Dressed Up (Halloween Fic)(High School AU)

“Is it okay if I bring my exchange student with? My mom said I need to include him more.” Craig asked.

“Yeah sure, we can get a better discount at the fair with a larger group.” Brock said

“Which kid did you end up getting anyway?” Marcel asked.

“The Canadian.” Craig replied.

“Wait, you got that one?? I thought you had like Brian, seeing how you’re both Irish.” Tyler stated

“I’m not really Irish though.”

“You said you were from Northern Ireland!” Scotty jumped in.

“I am! But that’s British, not Irish!”

“Same fucking difference!” Marcel yelled.

“No its not!”

“Shut up, you idiots! We still need to plan this shit!” Evan yelled back.

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themomentofdavyprentiss · 7 years

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Not Your Average Zutara Fic Rec

So I’ve gone through a LOT of Zutara fanfiction, probably too much if I’m being honest, and finding good fics can be really hard. When looking up fic rec lists I’ve noticed that a lot of the lists are just the same select fanfictions recommended over and over (We get it, everyone and their mother loves ‘His Majesty Prefers Blue’ and ‘Stormbenders’ [I never finished HMPB, sue me]).

So this list is for all of you who are in my shoes and can’t seem to find anything besides the same ten or fifteen stories recommended and are desperate for something new. Everything listed is complete! (If I listed the incompletes/abandoned stories I’d have a lot more chaptered stories listed… RIP ‘The Confrontational Approach’…)

I have a lot of bookmarked stories that I have yet to read and am in the middle of (Almost caught up on @firelordandlady ‘s ‘Say Anything’!), so I’ll try to update this when I finish something I think deserves a recommendation.

Chaptered

In the Same Candlelight by Like a Dove

In a world where there is no war, Zuko and Katara spend their summers together. Growing up is messy, embarrassing, and at times sad, but they think it might be okay because they have each other. Edited summary.

I know. I KNOW. I LITERALLY JUST SAID I WASN’T GOING TO RECOMMEND FANFICS THAT ARE ON EVERYONE’S LIST. But I NEED to mention this one. I spent so long not interested in this fic. I don’t like drastic AU’s, or modern AU’s. My taste is strictly canon divergence, so I didn’t think I would like this. I WAS SO WRONG. Trust me, if you are like me and don’t like big AU’s, read this anyway. I promise, you won’t be disappointed. Characterization is still so spot on, even with such a different take. Aang is precious. There is nothing but fluff, fluff, and fluff. It will melt you. You will probably die and your spirit will rise up smiling and beaming out rainbows and sunshine. That’s what happened to me.

Lilacs and Lily Pads by sadladybug

A tale of clumsy courtship and calamitous court weddings, featuring awkward family encounters, floral mishaps, cultural complications, and good old fashioned fluff and conflict. Takes place in the five years following war’s end. For Zutara Week 2016. A prequel to Bones.

Clothe Me in Seasons, Dress Me in Snow is a very commonly recommended Zutara fic (And for good reason, I shed many tears reading it). But this two-shot (A companion to Bones, a smut one shot) by the same author is really underrated and beautifully written. It follows Zuko and Katara as they try to plan their wedding, as well as shows two scenes from before they got engaged that solidified the relationship to be one they knew would last. Just really well done overall and very very sweet.

EDIT: I talked with the author and apparently it isn’t finished?? But they are apparently working on the next chapters so yay!! And each chapter is independent so it doesn’t feel unfinished.

The Slow Path by Tazainian Devil

Eight years after the fall of Ozai, Aang returns to the friends he left behind - Taang, Zutara, Sukka

This is technically a Taang fic, and if I’m being honest I kind of just skimmed through the non-zutara chapters, but the Zutara storyline was good enough that I think it’s definitely worth the read. And the overall plot has a great premise. Be warned, it has a sequel that was never finished.

Another Word For Alchemy by FanPanda13

Five years have passed since the Avatar defeated Fire Lord Ozai, and the members of the Gaang have all gone in their own direction. But when Aang invites them all to a Peace Summit at the North Pole and tells them of his new project, for which he will need their support, the group comes together again for adventure, fun and romance. AU. Zutara. COMPLETE.

So this fic is crazy for me. At first, it started as just really good natured fluff. The writing wasn’t anything fantastic (Although I loved how it broke the 4th wall and didn’t take itself seriously), and there were some definite OOC moments. But I had so much FUN with it. The plot (while definitely not the focus as everyone is more concerned about when Zuko and Katara will get together) was interesting, and there were some really sweet moments. It was also HILARIOUS and I had multiple moments where I genuinely laughed out loud. But then about five chapters before the end, the quality SKY ROCKETED. As the plot and mystery come together, the characters all come together in a moment that truly feels like it came from the show. Even the writing quality increases by a lot and I was genuinely shocked and impressed. Definitely recommend.

Kyoshi Hold ‘Em by cupid-painted-blind

When a blizzard shuts down the fourth annual Peace Summit, the group has to find some way to pass the time. /Zutara, Taang, Jet/Mai, Jet/Everyone, Sukka

If you’re looking for a good crack fic, look no further. It’s post war and utter nonsense. Jet is alive for some reason??? No one questions it and he’s shipped with pretty much everyone. It’s funny, it’s decently written, there are drinking and sexy time shenanigans, and overall just lighthearted. Also, it does a great job of being a crack fic without crossing the line and becoming unfunny and just a trash fic. A lot struggle to find the balance and resort to going over the top and ridiculous, but this one does a really good job.

Come With Me by Steamboat Ghost

Coauthored by fuzzytomato. Troubled over his newly restored honor, Zuko finds solace in the familiar guise of the Blue Spirit. In a chance meeting with the Painted Lady, a friendship is forged as the two heroes seek to help the Fire Nation’s neglected.

I’ll admit it: I’ve never gotten into Blutara fanfictions. I only read the first couple chapters of HMPB and dropped it after the tree scene. I don’t know, it felt really OOC for me and I may go back and read it again just because EVERYONE raves about it, but IDK. I’ve never been a huge Blutara fan because while I love the concept, I’d much rather see the Painted Lady and the Blue Spirit come together as equals. Most fics present Zuko behind his mask to Katara, and it feels imbalanced. There aren’t a lot of stories where we see their alter persona’s come together even though that’s the entire point of the parallel between the two. Insert this fic. I only wish there was a sequel dealing with Zuko in the Gaang after these events. Hey, a girl can dream.

A Zutara Story Anastasia by LastSunset

Katara, the only suviving waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe, joins two con men, Zuko and Iroh, while a fearful admiral chases for her death. A Zutara Story. Based on the movie Anastasia.

So this isn’t so much a retelling of Anastasia but with Katara and Zuko as it is a fanfic version of the movie but with the characters names and world changed. It takes a lot of lines from the movie. But WHO CARES? It’s Anastasia and Zutara!!! What more do you need???

Oneshot

this burden you bear by cowlicklesschick

Word travels, and war stories will be told round campfires and on freighter ships until every person in the world knows what Master Katara did for the new Fire Lord. She fights the burning in her throat at the thought of people knowing why she had to heal him in the first place. Post-war Zutara.

This is an angst-with-a-happy-ending, which I say is the absolute BEST type of angst. Katara deals with the guilt of what Zuko did for her as the Fire Nation celebrates what she did to save his life during the Agni Kai. The two come together beautifully while struggling to see the feelings they both share. Really well written and like I said, it has a happy ending, which we all need.

The Best of Me by Laririn-Shadow

The night before his eighteenth birthday Zuko wraps a bandage around his left wrist. He has a country to run and no time for frivolous things. It will make everything easier if he waits. Zutara Soulmates AU

Soulmate AU’s usually aren’t my thing (With the glaring exception of one Until Dawn Soulmate AU, but that’s besides the point), but I really enjoyed this oneshot. It isn’t sweeping or insanely romantic and the reveal isn’t “OMG I’VE LOVED YOU THIS WHOLE TIME” But it’s a subtle love that grows, which I really like.

my salvation, he’s not anything by sarsaparillia

Let’s run away and start another war. — Zuko/Katara.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What can I say? I love the ‘Let’s run away together, consequences be damned’ trope. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Time is Ripe by Casa Circe

ZUTARA WEEK 2012 Day Seven: Seasons. There are many stages that a heart goes through before it can finally be ready for the love it was meant to have. The road is often a rocky one but eventually, it leads you home.

A oneshot for the Zutara Week 2012 prompt ‘Seasons’. Not too much to say about it. Short, sweet, and well written. What more do you need?

Serendipity by Boriqua-chan

Iroh goes hunting for tea leaves and finds something…interesting. /Zutara week, day 1/

Secret relationships! Fluff! Happiness! And all from Uncle Iroh’s perspective!! Everything I love in one great oneshot!

Too Close for Comfort also by Casa Circe

ZUTARA WEEK 2010 Day Three: Pain. After watching “The Ember Island Players”, no one is in the mood for teasing. But a little slip of the tongue leads to the painful realization that the play was more accurate than they were willing to admit.

There are two Zutara plots/tropes that I am a complete and utter SLUT for. The first is the ‘Let’s talk about that EIP show’ trope. This is one of my favorites.

The Color of Truth is Red by Mrs. Pettyfer

Written for Zutara Week prompt “awkward.” Zuko and Katara discuss the Ember Island Players.

Another post EIP oneshot

Enlightenment by Blade Quill

Choices are made on the day of Zuko’s coronation, and sometimes, enlightenment is just the simple truth at hand. Zutara. AU of the final moments of the Book 3 Finale

The OTHER plot/trope I’m a slut for is finale rewrites. LET ME SEE THEM COME TOGETHER AFTER HE TAKES LIGHTNING FOR HER. Ugh, I love it.

Framework by profoundlycan

What if in “Sozin’s Comet” Katara had come into the room instead of Mai? Zuko/Katara. Prequel to Schema.

Another finale rewrite! Let’s just get Mai out of the picture here…

Lightning Shocks the Heart by drunkzutarafeels

Why do our hearts remain dormant until a climactic moment makes time stand still?

And here’s yet another finale rewrite. There is a really popular Zutara gifset that someone animated of the Agni Kai ‘Thank you’ scene, but Katara kisses Zuko after she hugs him. This is the fanfiction equivalent of that gif set.

Sunrise by lewilder

The days go on and on, and even if she feels more comfort from the moon, Katara learns to cherish the promise of each new sunrise. Zutara AU, largely finale-centric. Oneshot.

LAST FINALE AU I PROMISE. Really sweet, starts right after The Southern Raiders and goes past canon.

all the ghosts we cannot kill (we learn to love) by raisindeatre

Zuko and Katara; the moments we didn’t see. Or: Maybe we are all somebody’s ghost. And maybe sometimes we can be more than that.

“…My quarrel has only ever been with you, Zuko,” she says, his name sharp on her tongue. “This has only ever been about me and you.”

“You’re wrong,” he rasps, his voice rough in the late afternoon sunlight that falls around them, tangles them in golden nets. “This has only ever been about me and the Avatar. Not you and me. What we hold between us has nothing to do with it.”

This is a really beautiful one-shot that follows a battered, war torn and hardened Zuko and Katara through the scenes we DIDN’T see throughout the entire show. A Zutara must-read.

Drabble Collection/Series

And Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Advocaat

A collection of humorous and crack-tastic oneshots corresponding to the days of Zutara Month

Really great Zutara Month themed drabbles, and it contains the only body swapping plot that I’ve read and really enjoyed. Also the chapters ‘Potential’ and ‘Festival’ are some of my all time favorites.

Zuko Was No Coward by hootowl

Zuko was many things, but a coward he was not. A collection of Zutara100 prompts. Title may change.

Definitely some heartbreakers and angsty drabbles in here, but all well written and thoroughly enjoyable. If you read ANYTHING from this list, read chapter two of this drabble collection. I MELTED when I read it. It’s perfection. Aunt Wu’s prediction has always been a plotline I’ve loved in Zutara fanfiction, and this one just does it PERFECTLY.

Zutara Week 2012 by ichilover3

A collection of oneshots inspired by the prompts for Zutara Week

Not much more to say. The first, third, and fourth prompts are my favorite from this series.

Zutara Week 2015 by bianca_anna

It started at a tea shop and ended with forever. My entries for Zutara Week 2015. I hope you enjoy them.

Oh my GOODNESS. So they’re Zutara Week prompts, but all set in the same universe. The Zutara!Family depicted in these drabbles has become my headcanon. I’ve seen many a Zutara family, but this one is by far my FAVORITE. This is now my official family for them. I want the very last chapter fully animated because it’s so good and epic and I want more of this families adventures.

#zutara #zutara fanfiction #zutara fanfic #zutara fanfic rec #zutara fanfiction recommendations #fanfiction masterpost #100 #200 #300 #400 #500 #600 #700 #800 #900 #1k #susannah recs things

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