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beifongsss · 4 years

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love amongst the dragons [zuko]

Pairing: Zuko x reader

Requested?: Yes! By an outstanding anon!: “hiya there I saw that you’re open for request and i’ve read all of your Zuko fics and they are incredible! I want to request a Zuko x reader too please in which it’s several years after his coronation and he’s back on vacation to Ember Island with the Gaang and Uncle Iroh, as it happens his favorite play “Love amongst the Dragons” is being performed and Zuko dragged them all to the theater, just for him to become mesmerized by the leading female performer which is the reader :) thanks xx”

i changed the request just a bit i’m sorry anon :(

Summary: When Iroh dragged everyone to the theatre while vacationing on Ember Island, Zuko did not expect to be so entranced by the lead play.

.masterlist.

Surprisingly, it hadn’t been Sokka’s idea this time.

Instead, it had been Iroh who had suggested that they go see “Love Amongst the Dragons” as soon as they got to Ember Island. It had been a few years since the Gaang had been on Ember Island but the stress of being Fire Lord was getting to Zuko so Iroh had written to all of his friends, inviting them to a week long retreat at the famed island. They had all accepted of course, especially when Iroh promised to bring them some of his favorite tea leaves.

Aang was undoubtedly the most excited, agreeing with Iroh’s idea almost immediately. Everyone else was a little hesitant, remembering the last time they had gone to see the Ember Island Players.

“C’mon Zuko,” Aang said, walking up to the older boy with a pleading look on his face. “Didn’t you say that it was your favorite play when you were a kid?”

“No,” Zuko snapped, looking away from Aang. “It was my mother’s favorite.”

The conversation had ended there, or so Zuko had thought. Halfway through the week, he had agreed to let Katara plan out a day’s schedule. He hadn’t expected her to give in to Aang’s request so easily although looking back on it now, he wondered how he expected her to deny her boyfriend anything. Especially when he had those big, sparkling eyes.

And so Fire Lord Zuko found himself being dragged into the theater by Toph, who was the only one he was scared of disobeying.

“C’mon Sparky Pants,” Toph said, tugging Zuko along as she made her way to the front row. “We got good seats this time so I can actually see what’s going on.”

Zuko huffed and rolled his eyes as he sat next to the small earthbender, Sokka sitting on his other side. Suki filled in the end of the row while Iroh, Aang, and Katara filled the second row. Toph turned to talk to Iroh, who was sitting directly behind Zuko, about the play and proceeded to ask him various questions. Zuko tried to ignore the girl, pouting as he realized that he was going to have to watch another butchered play.

After a few minutes, the lights dimmed and the theater’s manager stepped out on stage. His eyes quickly flickered to where the Gaang was sitting and Zuko sunk in his seat as he realized what was coming.

“Good evening everybody,” the man spoke, a wide smile now on his face “Thank you for joining us tonight for a very special showing of “Love Amongst the Dragons”. Tonight, we have our very own Fire Lord and the Avatar joining us. Please enjoy the show.”

The audience applauded as they all shifted their gazes to where Zuko was sitting. After receiving an encouraging kick from Iroh, he straightened up and forced a smile onto his face as he looked around and waved. Once the lights fully went out, he slumped in his seat, letting out a loud sigh as Toph snickered.

He elbowed her softly, the two of them bickering quietly before Sokka suddenly began to repeatedly slap Zuko’s arm.

“Shh! It’s starting. Look!” Sokka was already invested in the play even though there wasn’t anything remotely interesting happening. Zuko let out another angst-filled sigh as he focused on the play, barely paying attention as the Dragon Emperor took the stage and the play began. Zuko couldn’t deny that the play wasn’t as bad as he remembered it being, but that still didn’t mean he was enjoying it.

Zuko’s eyelids were drooping as the play continued, the young Fire Lord barely paying attention as the Dragon Emperor was bound to the mortal world by the Dark Water Spirit and forced to take the name Noren. In fact, Zuko was about to give in and sleep through the play when his attention was caught by a loud, clear voice. He jolted up, his eyes landing on the actress who had just appeared on stage.

The entire theater went silent as you emerged, speaking your lines so smoothly that it seemed as though you were merely having a conversation and not acting. You were wearing a gorgeous blue dress, the hem swaying as you walked forwards. Your steps were swift but gentle, making it seem as though you were gliding across the stage.

Zuko was so entranced by you acting that he didn’t look away from you once, not even when you subtly looked over to the area where they had told you that the Fire Lord and his friends were sitting in. Your eyes swept across the audience as you spoke, and you had to take a deep breath when you accidentally made eye contact with a pair of piercing golden eyes. You mentally thanked the makeup artist, glad that your blush wasn’t visible.

Back in the audience, Zuko’s jaw dropped slightly as his eyes met yours and he mentally thanked the spirits that Toph had gotten front row seats. You were gorgeous, ethereal. Your (H/C) hair was styled perfectly and your eyes were sparkling. Zuko felt a bit breathless.

“So,” Toph whispered, leaning in towards Zuko. “I take it the leading actress is hot?”

Zuko stayed silent, looking at Toph with a panicked expression as he wondered how she knew that if she was blind. Snorting, Toph explained. “Your heart rate shot up when she came out Sparky. You’re not the most subtle.”

A scowl formed on Zuko’s face but before he could reply, Sokka did it for him.

“Hey Zuko, buddy,” Sokka said, looking at the boy. “Maybe you should close your mouth before you catch any flies. Not that I blame you, she’s beautiful.”

“Who is?” Suki asked, leaning in close so that she wasn’t too loud. Zuko stuttered for a moment before Sokka once again spoke.

“The lead!”

“Oh yeah, she’s gorgeous,” Suki agreed, leaning back in her seat.

“If only I were single,” Sokka and Suki sighed in unison, giving each other slightly offended looks before dissolving into a fit of giggles. Zuko rolled his eyes at their antics before focusing on the play once again.

The rest of the play passed flawlessly, and Zuko found his attention captured by you every single second you were onstage. For once, he didn’t feel bored. It wasn’t only because you were attractive (he had given up denying that statement after Sokka had elbowed him for the fiftieth time), it was because after years he was finally seeing his mother’s favorite play being performed the way it was meant to be.

Even on stage you didn’t remain oblivious to the gaze that followed you around. Sure, you had whole audiences who watched you, but the stare that the Fire Lord was giving you was intense and you began to wonder if he wasn’t enjoying the play. Your fellow actors had noticed as well, and during the intermission you found yourself being teased about your new “admirer”.

It was also during the intermission that the manager slipped backstage and informed the cast that the Fire Lord and his friends would be coming backstage after the show. The cast all slipped into a panic as you tried to clean up the space as best as you could. The rest of the play passed by in a blur, everyone anxious for what was to come. Even with the nervousness, you never messed up once and Zuko’s eyes stayed on you the whole time.

On stage, Noren managed to defeat the Dark Water Spirit and reunite with your character, who ended up being the Dragon Empress. In Zuko’s opinion, the play ended way too quickly. He found himself clapping a little too loudly, causing Sokka to give him a sly glance as he stretched slightly and began to make his way out of the row. He didn’t get too far before Iroh gently grabbed his arm, causing him to stop and look at the older male in confusion.

“We are not leaving yet Zuko,” Iroh said, a suspicious glimmer in his eyes as he smiled at the boy. “The theater manager is an old Pai Sho buddy of mine and he agreed to give us a tour backstage.”

“You mean we’ll get to meet the actors?” Aang asked, exchanging excited glances with Sokka. Iroh nodded. The group began to walk towards the stage, Toph staying behind slightly as she noticed that Zuko hadn’t moved from his spot.

“Try not to embarrass yourself Sparky,” she teased, punching his arm as she walked past him. Grumbling, Zuko followed the small girl backstage and came to a stop next to Sokka.

“Ah, Sotar!” Iroh exclaimed, embracing the theater manager. The two men laughed and greeted each other before he turned and bowed to Zuko.

“Fire Lord Zuko,” Sotar said before turning and bowing to Aang. “Avatar Aang. It is an honor to have you here. I hope the play was to your liking.”

“It was awesome!” Aang replied, bringing a smile to Sotar’s face. He turned to Zuko but before he could answer, someone bumped into him. Zuko turned to face the person, coming face to face with the lead actor.

“Forgive me, Fire Lord Zuko,” the actor said, bowing deeply after regaining his balance. “I lost my balance.”

“It’s alright,” Zuko replied quietly, shifting closer to Sokka. “Your performance was great.”

“Jenor is the finest actor we have,” Sotar boasted, smiling proudly at the actor. “We are truly lucky to have him.”

The actor, Jenor, blushed lightly at the praise before speaking. “Thank you, but I’m afraid the real star of the show is (Y/N). I wonder where she is.”

“I’m right here.”

The group turned around as a quiet voice spoke. Zuko’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes landed on you. Spirits, you were prettier up close.

“Um, thanks,” you said, the blush dusting your cheeks visible now that you had taken off your makeup. You ignored Jenor’s gaze as you remembered the teasing from earlier.

Zuko’s eyes widened in embarrassment as he realized that he had spoken out loud. He immediately avoided your gaze, instead shooting a glare at Sokka as the boy tried not to choke on his laughter.

“Good going Sparky,” Toph whispered, a smirk playing at the edge of her lips. Zuko rolled his eyes at the younger girl before focusing on you as you walked up to him.

“Fire Lord Zuko,” you said, dropping into a dramatic bow. You proceeded to do the same thing to Aang before giving slightly smaller bows to everybody else. “I am (Y/N) (L/N), lead actress of “Love Amongst the Dragons”. It is truly an honor to be in your presence. I hope you enjoyed the show.”

Zuko didn’t trust himself to speak without embarrassing himself again and instead chose to stay silent, merely bowing his head in response.

“Zuko, where are your manners?!” Iroh spoke, coming up behind his nephew. “My apologies Miss (Y/N), my nephew greatly enjoyed the performance. He was so impressed by it that his eyes didn’t leave you for a single second!”

This time, Sokka couldn’t hold back his laughter, resulting in Suki grabbing his hand and pulling him away from the group. “We’re gonna go look at the ummm, at the costumes!”

Aang engaged in a conversation with Jenor, and the two of them began to walk away slowly, trying to escape the awkward situation created by Iroh. Zuko stood in Iroh’s grasp, trying his best not to shoot a glare at his uncle as Katara stared as him.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” you finally said, smiling softly at the retired general’s words. “We all put in a lot of work.”

“It was most impressive indeed,” Iroh said, straightening up and looking around. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have quite a bit of catching up to do with Sotar.”

You gave Iroh one last bow before he hurried off, trying to locate his old friend. It was silent for a few seconds before Toph finally spoke up. “Hey Katara? Where did Aang go? He promised me he was going to be my guide for the night!”

Katara smirked slightly at Toph’s words, knowing that the girl didn’t need a guide. She reached over and grabbed the girl’s hands before looking at you and Zuko apologetically. “I’m sorry, we really have to go find Aang. It was nice to meet you (Y/N), you are an amazing actress.”

You thanked the Water Tribe girl as she walked away before facing Zuko, who was currently struggling as he tried to figure out what to say.

“So,” he finally spoke, losing his train of thought as he noticed the small smile on your face. “You like acting?”

The smile on your face widened at his words. “Yes I do, Fire Lord Zuko.”

Zuko’s face scrunched up at the use of his title, not liking how formal you were being. “You don’t have to call me ‘Fire Lord’. Just Zuko is fine.”

You nodded silently before speaking again. “Alright Zuko. If you don’t mind me asking, why did you choose to come watch the play? I’m certain that as the Fire Lord, you have more exciting things to do.”

Zuko smiled at your teasing tone, relaxing slightly as he realized that you were treating him as normally as you could. “We’re on vacation. My uncle remembered that this was my mother’s favorite play and Aang insisted on watching it.”

“Oh?” you asked mildly surprised. You vaguely remembered Fire Lady Ursa and you felt your heart ache slightly for the Fire Lord. “It was?”

“Yeah,” Zuko nodded, still not meeting your eyes for fear of freezing up. “She would make us watch it every year when we came here on vacation. I always begged her to leave me at home.”

“Why?”

“Because the Ember Island Players always butchered the play,” Zuko said immediately, his eyes widening when he realized what he had said. He glanced up to meet your eyes, prepared to apologize for offending you.

Instead, he was met with eyes full of mirth and his panic subsided faintly as you began to chuckle.

“I-I’m sorry,” Zuko said, trying to take his words back. “I didn’t mean t-”

“No, no,” you cut him off, sending him an apologetic smile. “You’re absolutely right. Not to sound rude or anything, but I think that was partly due to the fact that the previous lead actress was so hard to work with. I think that the play has become somewhat better since then.”

“Definitely,” Zuko said, chuckling along with you. “They certainly made the right choice when casting the lead actress. You did an amazing job.”

It was your turn to blush as Zuko kept speaking.

“You’re very talented, (Y/N). You have such a powerful stage presence and the delivery of your lines is flawless. You truly stole the show. I think that the audience was more focused on you than they were on Jenor and you managed to keep everyone captivated.”

“Including you, my Lord?” you asked, a flirtatious lilt to your voice as you spoke. Zuko’s next words faltered as his eyes met yours and you felt yourself smirk lightly as a deep blush spread across his cheeks.

“Especially him!” Toph’s loud voice rang as she leaned against Zuko’s shoulder. You burst into laughter at the young girl’s words and Zuko found himself speechless at your laugh. Apparently everything about you was beautiful.

“I thought you were going to find Aang,” Zuko said through gritted teeth, pushing Toph off of him.

“I was but Iroh sent me to tell you it’s time to go,” Toph said, a wide grin on her face. “Oh, and he also told me to tell (Y/N) that he’d love it if you joined Zuko here for a cup of tea at the Jasmine Dragon next time you’re free.”

Zuko groaned at her words and shot a glare at his uncle, not wanting to meet your eyes for fear of rejection.

“I’d be honored to,” came your reply. Zuko’s head whipped around and he stared at you as you grinned at him. “That is, if it’s okay with the Fire Lord.”

A little starstruck, Zuko simply nodded. You stepped closer to him, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. “It’s a date then.”

Zuko grinned dazedly as he was pulled away by Toph, a teasing smile on her face as she led him to the rest of the group. You looked after them for a few seconds before walking away, only pausing to laugh at their conversation.

“I can’t believe your uncle has to set up your dates for you.”

“Shut up!”

taglist!

@musicalkeys, @mywigglybaby, @bubblebars, @iguessthefloorislava, @dekahg, @boxofteenageideas, @bottledcostcowater, @butterflycore, @coldlilheart, @the-firebender-girl

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jdteahour · 3 years

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Want to be in our next serial?

Have you ever wanted to join a band of wandering nomads, singing ditties through all days and all nights? Or more importantly, have you ever wanted to join the Ember Island players and truly destroy what would have otherwise been an oscar worthy role?

Search no more!

We’re looking for fangirls, fanboys, and fanspeople to fill roles for our production of Half Asleep by @seserakh (crushinator on Ao3 and FFnet)! So brush off your Mai impression or your best Appa groans for this dramatic rendition of one of the Zutara fandom’s all time classics. Specifically, we’re looking to fill the rolls of:

Iroh

Mai

Zuko

Momo & Appa

Aang

Sokka

Ty Lee

Avatar Kuruk

Guru Pathik

Azula

Suki

Koh the Face Stealer

Ummi

Extras

There are a lot of roles to fill and enough fun for three Earth Rumbles combined, so don’t be shy! This is your chance to join the Jasmine Dragon Tea Hour Podcast in our latest epic endeavor. Don’t miss out!

Submit your audition lines to our Behind the Voice Actors before April 9th.

🎧🍵

#jdteahour #atla #zutara #podcast #avatar the last airbender #casting call #auditions #serial #the jasmine dragon tea hour #zutara podcast

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toweroftickles · 3 years

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Suki’s Suffering (ATLA Tickle Fic)

A request for @atlatickles primarily focusing on some torment from Katara. Hope you guys like it!

“WOOHOO! Score one for Team Aang!”

The Avatar cheered and landed on the beach sand of Ember Island. A torrent of air from his palm had blown the kuai ball straight into the ground.

“That’s cheating! You’re not supposed to use your bending abilities during the game! It’s a disgrace to the honor of all noble kuai ball players who have bloodied these sands, blistered their knuckles, and gotten weird farmer’s tans in pursuit of true glory!!” Zuko cried out, getting increasingly dramatic. One could almost see an aura of fire rising behind him. He stood determined, fist pumped, righteous in his noble convictions.

“Ah, zip it, Zuzu!” Sokka retorted smugly. The prince’s face fell into a scowl.

Ducks honked placidly in the background.

“Sounds like someone’s being a sore loser!” Aang taunted, high-fiving his teammate.

“Rrrr! Aren’t you going to help me?! OUR DIGNITY IS AT STAKE!!!” Zuko roared behind him.

His partner Momo sat on a nearby rock and tried in vain to eat a snail. Momo just stared at Zuko for a moment, blinked slowly, and then returned to his important work.

Across the beach, Katara and Suki stretched out on a towel, in the shade of an umbrella. Like many beachgoing girls, they opted to put on swimwear despite having no apparent interest in swimming. Further away, Toph sat on Appa’s stomach and bounced on him like a trampoline.

“Ugh, all this macho posturing,” Katara laughed at the ball game.

“Heh. Yeah. Good thing us girls never have to prove how tough we are,” Suki replied.

As they sat by one another, the two were strangely close together. Suki was fully reclined, while Katara sat up with one knee bent. Her left foot absentmindedly caressed Suki’s right, her dark skin standing out against the Kyoshi girl’s paleness.

A thought entered Katara’s head. She wasn’t usually this kind of playful sort, but the idea was too tempting to resist. Twisting her foot to the side, she pressed her big toe into the arch of Suki’s sole and rubbed vigorously.

“NngAHH HA HA HA!!” A pained, wailing laugh forced its way out of Suki’s mouth, and she desperately, almost fearfully, pulled her feet away from Katara’s.

Ember Island stood still. In the distance, Aang and Sokka turned their heads in the direction of the mysterious noise. Confusion pulled the corners of Toph’s eyebrows into a crooked slant.

The teen Kyoshi warrior covered her mouth, half out of surprise and half out of a desire to stifle her laughter.

“No...please. Please don’t do that,” Suki begged. Her voice was a hiss, kept as low as possible.

The rest of Team Avatar had decided that this noise they heard was a distant horn, perhaps a bird or a seal, and gone back to their games.

“What? You can’t handle that?”

Suki’s toes curled and wiggled in the sands, something which didn’t go unnoticed by Katara. As soon as the balls of Suki’s feet were lifted, Katara’s fingertips darted in and skittered against them like spiders.

Through her hands, the noise that managed to squeeze out resembled someone blowing her nose into a tsungi horn, punctuated by an explosive giggle.

A shiver ran through Suki as she drew feet away, her knees into her chest. Panicked thoughts whipped the back of her neck as they raced around in her head - did anyone else notice? Why did she have to be so ticklish?! Not now! Not in front of her friends!

Only one second had passed. Suki’s trembling fingers lowered slowly to offer her a peak. And there kneeled Katara, much to Suki’s horror, smug and smirking.

“Huh...well isn’t that interesting...”

“Katara...no. I’m warning you.”

“Haha! You act so tough all the time, and that’s your weakness?”

Katara inched closer on all fours, step by step with wicked intent, sand clinging to her palms and soles.

Suki spun her torso around and made a mad scramble to back away, when a clod of wet sand struck her in the face, and she fell onto her back.

“Ah! Hey!” she yelped. Within moments Katara’s hand had pinned her wrists down above her head, and the two locked gazes.

Suki’s eye twitched. From its corner she saw water droplets rising from the muddy ground, condensing themselves into a liquid vine and leaving dry sand beneath. Katara’s free hand danced in circles as she conjured the water from the earth. For a moment she became a normal teenage girl, free of the burdens she carried, overcome with giggles of her own, eager to tease her friend.

The water tendril coiled itself into a rounded tip, no thicker than a minnow, and wriggled around in Suki’s belly button. “Heehee-Heehee Heheh-Heheh Heh! *gasp* HA Heheh-Heheh!” she giggled uncontrollably through clenched teeth.

“If you laugh any louder I’m gonna make you sorry,” Katara threatened playfully.

“D-don’t!! Heheh-HEH!!”

“Where else are you ticklish?”

The tentacle splayed apart like a hand, and its churning fingers poked and prodded all over Suki’s squirming torso. Her armpits, her sides, her hips, between her ribs...the tickle torture was impossible for her to stand, and Katara’s wicked giggles only made the torment worse.

“Haha-HAA! *gasp* Heheh-Heheh Heh! Heh...Heheh-Heh! *gasp* Gkkkkkkk, HNHN!! Stop it stop it stop it!!” Suki squealed. Her eyes clenched tight. The water tendrils were surprisingly firm, applying perfectly-concentrated pressure on all of Suki’s tickle spots. They felt cold against her skin.

Suddenly the water fell away. Small droplets splashed against her. Curiously, her eye opened...just in time to see Katara’s clawed hand squeeze her belly.

“GAH HAHA-HA! *gasp* Haha-Haha Ha!”

Suki’s whole body thrashed involuntarily...she was very weak to pinching and squeezing. Her Kyoshi sisters had often tried to play with her tummy during their gymnastic training, but the tickles were never this brutal.

“Uh-oh, now you’re gonna get it,” Katara giggled.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Hey guys! You’ve gotta check this out!” Katara called across the beach.

Almost in slow motion, the others turned.

POW! The kuai ball plowed right into the distracted Zuko’s intestines, and he froze with a pained wheeze. He stood squatting awkwardly, his silhouette indistinguishable from that of a heavily pregnant woman.

Suki blushed wildly, and her voice caught in her windpipe. All she could do was watch her friends draw closer and closer.

“What? What’s so interesting?” Toph asked.

“Check this out. Look how ticklish Suki is!”

Katara poked Suki’s belly button again, and a powerful giggle burst through her victim’s pursed lips.

“No, no, I-I’m not ticklish,” she bluffed desperately. “I just got a shock, that’s all.”

The rest of Team Avatar just stared.

————

“HA HA HA HA!!! *gasp* *cough* Haha-Haha Ha-Ha Ha-Ha! Nooooho!” Suki possessed a loud belly laugh that could be heard all around, one almost more like a sob than gleeful shriek. Tears welled up in her eyelashes. She truly couldn’t stand being tickled in any capacity; all the fingers probing her torso reached inside her and pulled out more misery than any Fire Nation dungeon could have mustered.

Her armpits twitched as Toph’s sandy toes wiggled in them. (Toph’s feet held the Kyoshi girl’s shoulders in place.)

Her ribs and belly quivered at Sokka’s drunken master-style tickling.

Her knees buckled as Aang squeezed them.

Her feet scrunched up, but they couldn’t escape Katara’s walking fingers.

Only Zuko stood off to the side, seemingly uncomfortable with the whole thing.

“Why are these people so weird?” he murmured, speaking English to the small lemur next to him with a snail up its nose.

“Heehee-HEE-Heehee! Heheh-Heheh Huhuh, Huh, Huhuh-Huh! *squeak* HA-HA HA-HA! S-sokk-ha-ha-ha!! Hehelp! AAHHHH!!!”

“I am helping! That’s totally what I’m doing!” Suki’s boyfriend insisted, with a slightly offended tone. Of course, with his fingers flailing like spastic octopuses all over her tummy, it was hard to see how.

The tickle-torture lasted until Suki was completely out of breath, her giggles gone silent and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“Huhhhh.......huhhhh...you guys.....you are so freaking dead...” Suki heaved, pulling air back into her lungs.

Everyone else was laughing. But deep inside, they couldn’t help wondering how far Suki would go for payback...and which one of them would be first.

#tickle blog #tickling #ticklish #tickle #tickling community #tickle fic #foot tickling #avatar tickling #avatar fanfiction #atla tickling #suki #suki atla #katara #aang #sokka

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thelucyaddams · 4 years

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You're very sweet, princess

Azula x fem reader

(Y/N) only wanted to spend some time on the beach and relax. That was only until she noticed a strange group of teenagers playing volleyball. One of the girls caught her eye and (Y/N) found herself enjoying the time they spend together.

It was a very hot but beautiful day on Ember Island. It was perfect for some relaxing time on the beach.

(Y/N) isn't the only one to think that since the whole beach was crowded.

The firebender sat on her towel sunbathing and watching the people around her. There were many families according to the children that were running around or building castles made of sand.

Some teenagers sat together in a group or played some games. Just like the ones that were playing a game of volleyball nearby.

(Y/N) watched them playing for a second and soon found herself quite interested in the match.

To be more specific it was the one team that caught her interest.

Three girls and a boy were playing like they were professionals. Really they were that skilled and totally crushed the other team.

Especially one of the girls seemed to be pretty strong. Her dark hair was styled into a top-knot that was decorated with some firenation headpiece. Only her bangs on either side of her face were free from the bun. The headpiece told (Y/N) that this girl like her companions must be noble or at least her family must be wealthy.

(Y/N) looked up and down her body and decided that she was very stunning. Even with that determined and kinda scary look on her face. Or especially because of that look. (Y/N) wasn't quite sure.

Suddenly the volleyball landed right in front of her and (Y/N) blinked a little confused for a second before she realized what happened.

She looked up only to see the beautiful girl coming her way. Out of all the players it was her who came after the ball!

(Y/N) swallowed before she stood up and picked up the ball to hand it back to the girl.

Her hands trembled a little which she hoped the girl wouldn't notice.

Golden eyes pierced their way right through her. It made (Y/N) nervous.

"Girl, would you hand me the ball now or are you looking for trouble?", the girl said in a serious and slightly annoyed voice.

(Y/N) blinked again only to realize she was standing right in front of the dark haired girl with the ball in her hands without moving any further. Embarrassing...

"Oh no, no, here...", (Y/N) stuttered and handed the ball to the other girl.

The girl only rolled her eyes pulled the ball out of (Y/N)'s hands and turned around to go back to the others without saying 'thank you' or anything else.

"Wait!", the nervous firebender managed to say.

The dark haired girl actually stopped walking and turned her head around a little to look back at (Y/N) over her shoulder.

"I watched you playing for a bit... You're really really good! I like your style... Crush them for me would ya?", (Y/N) managed to say.

The other girl raised an eyebrow but smirked kinda proud.

"Please, tell me something I don't know.", she replied and sighed with emphasis, "If you really want to see how I crush my enemies for my own interests you should come over and watch from the sides.", she added again putting emphasis on her words.

Especially when she said 'for my own interests'.

(Y/N) smiled about the quite unusual invitation which she accepted.

"Why not. Watching you up close will be much better."

The dark haired girl smirked even brighter before finally walking back to the other players followed by (Y/N).

The firebender watched in awe as the girl made her words come true and actually defeated her 'enemies'.

People might say her little speech at the end was a little... exaggerated and crazy. Not for (Y/N) though. She kinda liked it and admired the girls passion.

"Liked what you saw?", the dark haired girl asked out of the blue and gazed back at (Y/N).

"Definitely, I'm curious what you can do in a fight.", (Y/N) answered.

"Careful with those words when you're talking to Azula. It might be your last day on earth.", one of her teammates said.

It was a girl with black hair, dark eyes and a very gloomy expression.

"Don't listen to Mai! I appreciate your interest in my skills. I think I can show you one or two moves.", the girl named Azula said.

"It's so good to meet new people. What's your name? I'm Ty Lee!", the brunette among the group said.

Her expression was the complete opposite of Mai. She seemed to be very excited and happy but also energetic.

Then there still was the young boy. He had a scar around his left eye which was obviously caused by fire.

"The name's (Y/N). Nice to meet you all."

"Well, (Y/N) and you girls are very welcome at our party tonight.", two boys that walked up to them said all of the sudden.

"The place is just up the hill. You can't miss it. My name is Chan by the way and this is my friend Ruon-Jian."

"Oooh a party! We should totally go!", Ty Lee exclaimed excitedly.

"I go when (Y/N) 's going.", Azula said.

The firebender blushed slightly.

"I guess a party doesn't sound too bad.", she accepted the invitation sheepishly.

"Brilliant. It's decided then. We'll come.", Azula spoke for all of them.

"Hey, what about me?", Zuko protested.

His sister rolled her eyes.

"You're obviously with us, dum-dum.", she said.

"Yeah, alright. Meet us right after sunset.", was all Chan said before leaving them.

"So what was your name again?", (Y/N) asked the boy.

"Just call me Zuko."

"Or Zuzu.", Azula teased him earning a glare by her brother.

(Y/N) chuckled.

"Alright, guess I'll meet you later.", the firebender said waving them good bye.

"Yes, see you later, (Y/N)", Azula mumbled her possessive gaze never leaving the girl until she was out of sight.

The princess sighed.

"Come on, let's prepare for that party.", Azula said and started walking away followed by the others.

-------------------------🔥-----------------------

Slightly annoyed and even jealous Azula watched Ty Lee who was surrounded by all those boys while she was standing here alone without any attention.

That was only until a sweet voice spoke up next to her.

"Sorry, I'm late but I hope you're still up to enjoy this party."

Azula turned her head and got a very strange feeling in her guts when she saw (Y/N).

"That's why I'm here am I not?", Azula replied unusually nervous.

Her eyes went up and down (Y/N)'s body and took every bit of her skin that was visible. She looked truly stunning in that traditional firenation gown.

(Y/N) blushed when she took notice of Azulas gaze especially when it stayed on her trace of an abs.

"Well, you looked a little lost over here.", the firebender replied sheepishly only to earn a slight scoff by Azula.

"You don't really know me yet so I should tell you that I never get lost.", Azula answered arrogantly, "But I guess I could use the company and since you're here now... Tell me about yourself."

"Oh well, I'm a firebender I guess. My father is an admiral in the army. He is leading the fleet called 'The Dragon'. One of those elite spy units..."

"Admiral Huan, I see. Means you're from Fire Fountain City but as soon as your father got promoted you got a nice house in the capital."

(Y/N) was taken aback by how much Azula knew.

"How..."

"I guess I know a lot about the war especially about the men that fight for our nation. What about you? Did you join the army?"

"No, I really want to but father wouldn't let me. Not after what happened to my brother... Not after we lost him and mother... She never supported the war. It was a forced marriage so at some point when father wasn't home she left.. She just left us alone."

Azula didn't speak for a second. She was surprised by how easily (Y/N) opened up to her. Also she got this strange feeling in her stomach again when she realized their similarity. They both lost theirs mother's.

(Y/N) shock her head.

"But enough about it. We're at a party let's grab a drink and maybe we could dance for a bit?", the firebender tried to change the topic.

Azula only nodded.

So that's what they did. Trying some of the drinks. The fire cocktail definitely had something to like it. They also danced. Both of them had a hard time to relax and enjoy the music at first but after a while they both made fun of it and managed to move less stiff.

Zuko and Mai watched in surprise from afar when they saw Azula actually having fun and looking less scary for a bit.

Ty Lee on the other hand smiled. She was happy for her friend to enjoy herself instead of thinking about war and how to torture other people.

-------------------------🔥-----------------------

(Y/N) gazed up at the sky watching the stars while the little campfire in front of her warmed her body. But it wasn't just the fire that provided her warmth. It was the girl next to her as well.

Azula and (Y/N) were the last ones to enjoy the night. Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee already left.

After what happened at the party they just wanted to have some quiet moment.

Azula had opened up about her mom a little. (Y/N) felt nothing but sympathy for the girl. She knew to well how it was to lose your mother.

But when Azula confessed that her mom thought she was a monster (Y/N) felt nothing but anger. Even though they had just met this afternoon she felt like Azula was misjudged.

She couldn't see anything in her that would make her a monster. Even if she had some characteristics that made her... different it doesn't mean she was bad. No, she was just human just like anyone else.

"Would you still like to join the war?", Azula asked out of the blue.

(Y/N) shoot her a slightly confused look before answering.

"Yes, I guess. But father..."

"Oh believe me I have my ways to ensure you can join me in the fightings. In fact there's no one else that can make it happen. Your father won't have a choice but to let you go.", Azula explained.

"If that's so... then I'd love to join you."

"Brilliant. You and I we will rule the whole world and bring our nation to victory together!"

(Y/N) chuckled and leaned towards Azula a little to plant a sweet kiss on her cheek.

Azula looked completely taken aback and tried to hide the blush that appeared on her face.

"You're very sweet, princess.", the firebender whispered.

It took the princess aback even more.

"You know?"

"Well, a boy with that scar... His name's Zuko and his sister is called Azula. You know a lot about war and are utterly talented and you definitely aren't normal... Too many hints.", (Y/N) explained.

Azula smirked.

"Well, look at that she's not only beautiful but also clever... I like that.", the princess whispered getting her courage back.

"You know what I would like?"

Azula raised an eyebrow but closed her eyes when the firebender gave her another kiss. But this time on the lips.

Oh yes, they'd definitely rule the world together.

#azula x reader #azula x fem!reader #azula fanfic #avatar azula #i love azula #firelord azula #princess azula #azula is a lesbian #Azula is the best #ember island #avatar the last airbender

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unfried-mouth-wheat · 4 years

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A list of Avatar characters that are trans that range from "Subtext" to "I think it would be neat"

but first, some honorable mentions who didn't quite make the list in the sense that I don't think of them as Trans 24/7 but are 100% valid:

Jin, from Ba Sing Se!

Jet, the Freedom Fighter!

Princess Azula, of the Fire Nation!

Sokka, the Warrior of the Southern Water Tribe!

Teo, from the Northern Air Temple!

Toph Beifong, the Greatest Earth Bender of all time!

now, onto the list!

First up is our lovely Smellerbee! I lover her, you love her, anyone who doesn't love her will die by her blade.

The queen herself, Katara! I head cannon that she figured it out really soon and Kya helped her with the remaining traditions that women of the tribe were to execute. While very annoying and detestable, Sokka's sexism for the early part of their mission shows that he fully thinks of her as his sister. Still needed to get that sexist toxic masculinity beaten out of him tho, that crap was awful.

Fire Lord Zuko says Trans Rights! Having a son is better for some political reasons, mainly apperences, so Ozai allowed this. Iroh is fully supportive, and he will love his nephew no matter what! Zuko would feel some shame at first, mainly tied to his self image, but he grows to be proud of who he is!

Avatar Aang helps Fire Lord Zuko in setting up pride month! Aang was raised surrounded by unconditional love. He's proud of who he is, and he doesnt want to hide it! It still hurt when that play wrongly cast him, but the Ember Island Players have since apologized profusel and haven't done it since. A start, I suppose.

Our beautiful Princess Yue. After almost not making it past being a baby, the Chief was happy to let Yue be whoever she wanted to be. She is happy and proud to be the strong, kind, and loving figure she is today. She is looking out for Sokka, like a true queen.

The stunning Fire Lady Mai, in the flesh! I like to think that she wasn't really fought against so long as she was the silent perfect child. She is completely content with who she is. She and Zuko help each other through the harder days, and she wouldn't change a thing.

Our favorite badass, Suki! From a young age, she knew who she really was. She made the changes silently until the day she told the villagers her name. They were very accepting of her! She became the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors with hard work and confidence! We love our lady!

Last, but certainly not least, we have our phenomenal June! The very definition of a femme fatale, I haven't met anyone who hasn't been deeply effected by her presence in the show. She is strong, beautiful, and ready to win at the drop of a hat. Truly, an Icon.

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aangfanclub · 4 years

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s3 ep17: ember island players audio & thoughts!!

audio!! a Lot of ppl asked for our thoughts on this episode and honestly they’re right bc this ep gave us everything we could’ve ever wanted,, id like to apologize for all the key smashes but there was no other way to convey how we were dying of laughter the entire time. anyway iroh definitely wrote the play and full transcript under the cut jdfjks

[levi clearly has the braincell today. He has like 3 remotes in his hand and is maneuvering them to unmute and play the video in a way i dont understand bc i still can’t turn on a tv except he immediately chucks his braincell out the window and turns off the tv a moment after he unpauses it and i take back every nice thing i said about him ever.

Abby: where’d you get your braincell, the dollar store???]

Me: you’re not even paying attention to the theme song they’re explaining the premise of the show

Levi: oh DUDE i FORGOT

Are they gonna talk about the kiss??? Are we getting kataang content????? Omg

Oh the boys are FIREBENDING they’re doing the DANCE they’re so CUTE

Djksfjdsdkl there’s a PLAY about them??? That’s what this episode is about???

play Sokka looks like handsome squidward jdkjfj

“They butchered love amongst the dragons every year” DJSFLJKSD theater kid zuko returns

Omg baby wanted to sit next to katara ,,,, he wants this to be a date im gonna cry

FDHJKDSSDKH THIS IS SO FUNNY THEY REALLY DID THIS TO KATARA AND SOKKA NOOOOOO

“Who is the boy in the iceberg” aang said ive got a HUNCH

Is that a GIRL??? IS AANG PLAYED BY A GIRL FJJSKDKJSFDKJ IS THAT TY LEE?????

THEY DID THAT TO APPA IM GONNA SCREAM

Aang is so offended fjfkdsdsadjks and toph is having the best day of her life

Zuko sounds like bill/ted omg

THEY GOT THE SCAR ON THE WRONG EYE FJKDSDLASDD

Watching a play of your cringe past self..... Zuko im so sorry honey

This is a LONG play are they gonna do the whole series???? Pls do the whole series i will give anything

I like the zuko actor actually. Hes doing a great job

THE BLUE SPIRIT FJDKJKD they didn’t know it was him omgggg,, I feel bad for everyone watching this but zuko might have it the worst

Abby (sees jet): walmart peter pan....

YUE’S IN THIS????? (commence levi screaming)

Oh my GOSH sokka’s crying watching this,,, the yukka content just keeps on giving,,,,,

This is literally more accurate than the live action movie

Is the playwright iroh?? Did IROH WRITE THIS PLAY PLS TELL ME IROH WROTE IT

Aang’s glider is so small jfgdjdskldf

Where is toph?? Did they write her out??? OMG WAIT TOPH FDKHJGJKSDJKSDF SHES SO RIPPED

toph is so into it,,,,,, and aang is so MAD im living for this

[we’re all dying. we’ve passed away. this is so funny we can’t handle it]

HAIR DOWN SOKKA?????

‘ITS YOUR HONOR’ ‘WHERE?’ FGDJHKSFDJKLDSJKLADSIKJ

Iroh A MILLION PERCENT wrote this play. this is the only truth I know

All of these actresses are ty lee. We accept no criticism

That slit in katara’s dress,,,, aang is so mad at the zutara content fjgjskdfkjsd HONEY

Abby (after azula tells zuko he can choose between honor and treachery): cmon troy. Which is it

AVATAR STATE YIP YIP DFJSJSFKLKLJSDDL IM CRYIGN

Ohh aang honey,,, he’s really upset oh no :( zutara isnt canon babe!

Suki is SUCH cutie omg

Iroh definitely wrote this play. There is no way iroh didn’t write this play

Awwww toph and zuko bonding??? This is all i want omg toph is so sweet to him

YOUR SCAR’S ON THE WRONG SIDE KFJKFDKJLFSD IMAGINE

Wait sokka’s just giving him jokes??? Are you KIDDING oh my gosh

“Did you mean what you said in there” AANG FJDKSA WHATTTT

Woah snaps!!! Snaps for katara!! You ARE in the middle of a war now is not the time to start a relationship!! Snaps all around

Ohh yikes. Not the right move aang buddy :((

Abby: lets remember he’s 12 tho

Ohhhh aang honey,, he regrets it immediately he’s having such a bad day oh no :(

Fdgjjkdskjsfdl sokka dying laughing at his OWN joke,, and he’s right

me: these effects are kinda cool tho. Like they had a big budget

Levi: better than the MOVIE

Oh noooo they killed zuko?????? No babyy

This is horrible!! I dont want my kids to watch themselves lose no!!

Abby: they’re very impressive actors

Me: yeah honestly

Levi, solemnly: and he became..a fire...sushi.

“The effects were decent” fjdkskjf sokka that’s right

They didn’t tell us if iroh wrote the play???? Ok he definitely wrote the play in my heart. This episode was truly everything i couldve ever asked for I am reeling

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ameliatheamazing · 4 years

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The Ember Island Players

Oh my GOD okay that was so good. I knew this episode would be great and it did not disappoint! I love this show so much.

The play was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, it was just SO amazingly terrible and the gang's reactions made it so much better. There were so many good quotes from this episode too. Truly iconic all around.

I have no idea how the writer of that play knew the entire story, like yeah it said he had sources but there were a lot of parts in there that nobody knows about or witnessed except for our main characters. So the only explanation is that they watched the show. Or there were fire nation thespians spying on them the entire time and we just didn’t know.

The play was so ridiculous but the characters all had very real reactions to it, seeing their past mistakes on display and what could possibly happen to them in the future if things go wrong. I felt so bad for Aang, my boy is going through so much! Like not only does he have to face the fire lord very soon but now Katara’s confused about their relationship and everything’s hard.

I still think Kataang will be canon though, there’s no reason it wouldn’t be after it’s been developed the whole show. Except developed might not be the right word, because it’s been kinda one sided the whole time, and even now it doesn’t seem like Katara has feelings for Aang. Whatever happens, I hope it’s written well. And that Katara doesn’t actually like Zuko.

(I mean guess I see the appeal of zutara but I’m just not really a fan. It’s funny that they acknowledged it in the ep though.)

It also was interesting to see a play that was basically fire nation propaganda. They portray all of team avatar as idiots who don’t know what they’re doing, which was definitely a result of the terrible acting but also probably intentional. And Aang and Zuko both lose at the end, with the fire nation triumphant. Let’s not have that happen.

Uh what else do I have to say. I loved the character moments this episode, everyone got a chance to shine (Sokka and Suki stood out for sure. I love them) and I laughed a lot the entire episode. Overall it was probs one of my favorites. Congrats if you read this far. I’m gonna do a whole separate post for my predictions for the finale so I’ll see you guys then!

#avatar the last airbender #atla #atla liveblog #the ember island players #episode review

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madebycoffee · 4 years

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OH ALSO I finished watching Legend of Korra and here is non spoiler thoughts: I really enjoyed it and just like atla I cried at every single season finale. I really like that the main cast while still young, is older than the lITERAL children of atla. atla still holds up watching it as an adult, but I feel like korra is a bit more my jive. There is only one episode that I won’t watch again (season 4 remembrances, when you are binging the show it isn’t necessary as it’s a recap and not as fun as ember island players which serves the same purpose in atla. Also I looked on IMDB, that is the lowest rated episode. I agree. Honestly, if you are binging you can skip it) but I can def see myself watching the whole thing again. Season 1 is my overall favorite of the series.

Spoiler thoughts below the cut because WOW I HAVE THOUGHTS (it’s long)

hi spoiler time last chance to look away

Before going into LOK I had read a decent amount of spoilers beforehand since this aired back in 2012-2014. I don’t think I even knew about it after it was nearly done so the one thing I knew was that Korra & Asami get together lol. Anyway my point is I knew what was coming overall.

Season 1: My personal favorite, I think it’s a really strong stand alone season. I thought it was really smart to begin the series in the water tribe again, as well as with Katara as that’s how ATLA started. I also think its really clever that with Aang, he was very spiritual and a master airbender already, but needed to learn the other 3 element. Korra is the opposite. It helps it not be so repetitive. We already saw one avatar working to master fire, water, and earth. I also realized how used to the world of atla I was and was confused for a split second how Mako and Bolin were brothers but one was an earthbender and one was a firebender... Yeah I know I’m dumb and I forgot that its a different world lol. -Another strong point was that no matter how in danger Korra got in season 1 she never went into the avatar state, because as she says in what ep 1? that she has never been good at the spiritual side of being the avatar. Part of me kept expecting it to happen, but even the final showdown with Amon it didn’t so I was like oh damn. The finale when she does go into the avatar state with Aang giving her the bending she lost back.... I was a wreck. Sobbing my eyes out it just HIT ME. -Other moments that hit me hard: Hearing Dante Basco’s voice as General Iroh ow my soul, Hearing through Katara that Sokka is dead, The flashbacks to the trial of the bloodbender (forgot his name??) and seeing them get bloodbent HURTS MY HEART. And every time Aang’s statue was shown. ;-; Also, just like ATLA there isn’t a main character that I dislike. I genuinely like Korra, Asami, Mako, & Bolin as a team. Lin is my favorite which not hard being Toph’s daughter lol. Tenzin and fam are a delight (though Meelo can get on my nerves but eh) TL:DR SEASON 1 IS GREAT I CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH IT AGAIN!!

Season 2: Alright so. A lot of Spirit World dealings. Unalaq being a GASP evil brother??? LOK has a thing about brothers lol. First with Amon and whathisname, now with Korra’s dad and uncle. Anyway, season 2 I really like too. Yes even the finale. And it’s been a few weeks (maybe months??) since I watched season 2 so the finale is really all that stands out. Other than that I do really like seeing the story of the first avatar. OH MAN AND IROH IN THE SPIRIT WORLD HAD ME ALL SORTS OF LEVELS OF EMOTIONAL. -SO. This was the big spoiler I knew going in, that the past lives of the Avatar are severed from Korra. I know that A LOT of people really don’t like it either. And upon hearing that plot point I didn’t like it as well. But when I sat down and watched the whole series. I actually thought it was the right thing to do. And I didn’t mind it as much as I thought. Korra can no longer call upon the past lives which is sad, but those Avatars still existed. And with Tenzin being so prevalent in the show, it really feels like Aang is still there in spirit. The reason I thought it was the right thing to do with the story, is that it let’s the show as a whole exist on it’s own. IDK how to properly explain.. I get why people don’t like it, but it makes sense to me. -And I do commend the show runners for sticking to this. There is no getting contact back with the past lives. Which, personally I approve of. Whenever you do something world altering like that it annoys me when the show takes it back. My main gripe is people dying but wAIT NO THEY’RE ALIVE!!! It lessens the stakes. And I think a through line of Korra is that actions have consequences. TL;DR I LIKE SEASON 2 AS WELL. DOESN’T LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION SINCE THE FINALE IS SUCH A BIG DEAL.

Season 3: I THINK this would be my second favorite season. I REALLY like Zaheer as I guess the ~big bad~ and the squad he has. SO much so that I’m actually upset that they all are dead by the end. I think P’Li is done the dirtiest. You see and know very little about her until an ~exposition~ line a few scenes before she dies. (But damn if the scene of Su throwing her metal breastplate around her head isn’t hardcore cool. I haven’t said yet but the fight sequences in Korra??? Amazing.) Bolin finding out he can Lavabend??? oh hell yeah that’s the good shit, same with lavabending in GENERAL. seeing what people can REALLY do with their bending is probably my favorite part about Korra. I do think Zaheer looks a little silly when he starts flying around, but hey that part is cool too. Also easily the most horrified I’ve been watching this show was the pulling the aiR OUT OF SOMEONE. JESUS. Up until that point Airbending still seemed like the least dangerous form but HOLY SHIT. I will say that the way Kuvira is if not introduced/ we’re reminded about her in the finale is a little bit more like “uhhh is Korra’s dad going to have an affair???” to me than “she gonna be the big bad next season” Also on IMDB the finale of season 3 is the highest rated finale.

Season 4: Even thought this has the same number of episodes as season 3, it feels the most rushed to me. However I do appreciate the timejump and GODTDAMN I love me some old lady Toph. I also like that Toph says that she’s watching Su & Lin through the swamp, an episode or two later Su and Zaofu are attacked and captured, and when Lin, Opal, and Bolin go to Zaofu to try and rescue, Toph is there. It’s a nice payoff. As Su was getting captured I was thinking “hmmmm does Toph see this” And she does, which has her leave the swamp, so she’s not there when Kuvira’s army is cutting vines. Because cmon is Toph was there she woulda kicked their asses. -The huge mecha suit with the spirit weapon on it is HARROWING. I like that Baatar Jr. see’s that Kuvira was gonna kill him for thE gREatER gOOD and was instantly like “oh shit well i guess my loyalties were wrong then ok” Oh and out of order but I had a feeling that Zhu Li was telling Kuvira what she wanted to hear to be sneaky and I was v happy to be proven right by Toph. I ALSO like that things like Toph being able to tell if people are lying aren’t forgotten about. Also... Cried like a baby at Zhu Li and Varrick’s wedding. Haven’t mentioned Varrick yet but hot damn if he isn’t one of my favorite characters. What I wouldn’t GIVE to have Sokka and Varrick brainstorm some truly crazy shit. 10/10. TL;DR SEASON 3 IS REALLY GOOD AND SEASON 4 IS GOOD BUT FEELS LIKE IT’S TOO SHORT.

But yeah. Overall I really enjoyed it. I looked through the episodes on IMDB and nearly everything is above 8.5 except for some of the first episodes in season 2 which I get. I can tell that this is by the same team that did ATLA. It feels so much the same. And I think there was the right amount of the original peeps or their kids but still was focusing on our core four. Other little things:

- I like that the “villains” or ig the conflicts of people weren’t anyone from the Fire Nation. (Although do we know where Zaheer is from??? Family lineage?) Well regardless, what we have is Amon: Waterbender, Unalaq: Waterbender, Zaheer: Airbender, Kuvira: Earthbender. ATLA we were fighting the fire nation, LOK has the range lol. - I do wish we could have been in the Fire Nation tho. I wanna see what’s it like over there :( - Adored seeing all the changes to the world. In ATLA we see the blimps/airships more or less being invented and then 70 years later AIRSHIPS AND CARS GALORE. And having radios/phones VERY nice. Don’t have to rely on letters or talking in person. - I really like Korra. I feel like it needs to be said lol, but I thoroughly enjoyed her as the Avatar (maybe more than Aang??) - Zuko’s face after Korra says she talked to Iroh in the spirit world I’m not crying you are.

ANYWAY. I think that’s it. I just needed to get it all out somewhere. Not a perfect show (neither is atla) but damn if it isn’t some of the best TV out there. If you read all of that woW good job.

#madebycoffee speaks #not gonna tag this as the show lol #so #non sims #nonsims #also seester i think you would like it

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wwjacksparrowd · 4 years

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Sneak Peek for Ch. 18 of CtNT

Here it is, the 1k excerpt from Chapter 18 of Chase the Neon Throne that I promised... yesterday. Whoops. If it wasn’t at least a day late, though, could you even be sure that I was the one posting it? :P

Warning: Spoilers below if you’re not caught up with Ch. 17. Other than that, I don’t think it gives any real spoilers for Ch. 18.

Mai exited her tent, spotted Zuko, and made a beeline for him. “Hey, Zuko. Can we talk?”

Mai had never once in Zuko’s life actively sought conversation. “Sure,” Zuko agreed, intrigued.

The two of them meandered further down the beach from their camp in the opposite direction of Aang and the others. Mai considered him for a couple of moments, her gaze sharp, and finally said, “I didn’t know you’d been brainwashed.” The statement was such a non-sequitur that for a moment, Zuko wasn’t sure what she was talking about. Seeing this on his face, Mai added helpfully, “Before Azula took over the city and imprisoned you in the Fire Nation. I wasn’t part of the brainwashing in Lake Laogai. All Azula told me was where to go and what to do, and that when her plan was over, Ba Sing Se and the Avatar would have fallen. I mean, I didn’t ask, either. I didn’t care what she was doing.”

Zuko had never truly considered Mai’s role in everything beyond a vague assumption that she had been in on whatever Azula and Ty Lee had planned, so while the revelation did not specifically detract from that assumption, it still surprised him a little. “I see.”

“If I had known that Azula’s plan included capturing you and bringing you back to the Fire Nation where she could do what she liked,” Mai continued ruefully, “I would have done something about it. I don’t know if I could have succeeded without putting my life and my freedom on the line with yours, and I don’t think I would have taken that kind of risk, but I would have done something, for what it’s worth. I would have at least tried.”

“I wouldn’t have expected that,” Zuko replied honestly. “We didn’t see each other for years, after all, and it’s not like we were especially close before I was banished.”

Mai shrugged. “Maybe if I’d thought she would just throw you into a jail cell and be done with you, I wouldn’t have. Once you actively sided against her, though, I knew exactly what would happen if she ever caught you.”

Zuko hummed. “Well…, thanks.”

“Don’t thank me.” Mai snorted. “I didn’t do anything, after all. I just thought you should know that I wasn’t part of any of that.”

“Hey, guys!” Ty Lee shouted from just beyond their camp. “Lunch is ready!”

Zuko and Mai retreated to their friends’ company. Aang waved Zuko over to a seat around the campfire between Aang and Katara which had been saved for him.

“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Ty Lee asked the group at large.

“I felt some scam artists in the marketplace earlier,” Toph quickly announced.

“No,” Katara rejected just as quickly.

“I thought you were cool with that now! It worked out well enough back in that other city,” Toph complained. “Oh, man, I still wish I could have stuck around long enough for the guards to find out I’d busted out of that metal cell they put me in.”

“Yes, that was fun,” Katara conceded, “and maybe - maybe - we could do it again someday, but do you really think we should be drawing attention to ourselves right now? Here, in the Fire Lord’s old vacation spot?”

“…Okay, that’s fair,” Toph allowed. “What else is there to do in town?”

“I’m so glad you asked!” Sokka exclaimed, hastily withdrawing parchment from his satchel –

“If that’s another schedule, I’m breaking up with you,” Suki threatened.

“It’s not,” Sokka promised, but the sudden gleam in his eyes promised that there would soon be a schedule regardless of Suki’s warning. “Check it out!” He displayed a poster for a play called The Boy in the Iceberg, depicting clear parodies of Aang, Suki, Sokka, Katara, Toph, and Zuko.

“Hang on a second,” Ty Lee objected. “Where are Longshot and I in this poster? And Jet? And Smellerbee?”

“We didn’t really travel with any of you guys,” Sokka reasoned. “…The three of them are in the character list, though.”

Ty Lee huffed. “Rude.”

(She would soon come to appreciate her absence from the play.)

“No way.” Zuko wrinkled his nose in disgust as he registered the cast that had been credited with the play. “The Ember Island Players? My mother used to take me to see them. They butchered Love Amongst the Dragons every year. I never understood why they were so popular.”

“I can’t believe our options for entertainment are ‘become criminals’ and ‘attend a play about ourselves,’” Katara complained. “Have any of you ever considered subtlety?”

“Absolutely not,” Toph said pleasantly. “I vote for ‘become criminals.’”

“It’s not until tomorrow night,” Sokka pointed out. “We have time for both!”

“Didn’t we rule out ‘become criminals?’” Aang reminded everyone, glancing nervously at the steadily rising frustration on Katara’s face. “Like Katara said, this is a particularly dangerous place to draw attention to ourselves….” His face brightened. “I don’t think it’s too dangerous to go to the play, though! We’re all wearing disguises anyway.”

Sokka turned to Zuko. “Just because they butchered that one play doesn’t mean they butcher every play, right? Don’t you think it’d be fun to see a play about us?”

Zuko did not particularly see the appeal, but Sokka seemed intent on getting a ‘yes’ out of him. “I… I guess…?”

Immediately, Sokka turned back to Katara, eyes wide as he gestured dramatically at Zuko. “You can’t possibly say ‘no’ to Zuko! The poor guy’s never had fun in his life!”

“Wait a second,” Zuko interjected. He hadn’t realized he was enlisting as a weapon in Sokka’s arsenal of persuasion tactics.

Aang eagerly joined Sokka’s argument. “Zuko told me once that the only things he’s ever done for fun are make tea and plot his father’s demise!” he insisted, which was, while not exactly what Zuko had said at the time, true all the same.

“Zuko’s not going to be heartbroken if we don’t see a play by a cast that he doesn’t like,” Suki deadpanned. “That being said….” She tilted her head contemplatively at Katara. “If the Ember Island Players are popular, most of the people around here are probably going to see the play. It might end up being more suspicious if we haven’t seen the play.”

“I didn’t even think of that,” Katara admitted. “Well… if everyone wants to see it, I’m not going to stop us.”

“Great!” Aang exclaimed. He reached past Zuko and Katara to high-five Sokka.

#chase the neon throne #ctnt writing update #let the human in #lthi writing update #atla

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firenationember · 4 years

Text

Destruction, Everywhere (OC Fic)

9/?

Authors Note: I had to mention the ICONIC Ember Island Players rendition of the Gaang’s adventures, and even referenced my favorite part (you’ll know). I really love this chapter! It’s so soft and cute!!

Previous Chapters

The next morning, we set off for Ember Island, leaving no sign of our campsite behind. The flying bison ride wasn’t long, all of us bouncing jokes off of each other to make the ride go faster. When we got close enough to see the house, it was clear Zuko wasn’t kidding when he said nobody came out here anymore. There were patches of moss growing all over the roof, and once we landed, we saw that the moss extended to the inside.

Zuko insisted on doing some firebending training to make up for all the lost time as soon as we could, so now. Katara and Toph sat off to the side of the courtyard, relaxing as we trained. Once we were finally done, Zuko sat on the edge of the fountain that adorned the middle of the courtyard while I took a seat next to Katara, when Sokka and Suki walked in. Sokka was basically buzzing with excitement, holding a piece of paper in his hands. Apparently, there was a play written about our adventures, which Katara wasn’t sure was a good idea to go see. We all agreed that it could be fun, eventually convincing her. It had been awhile since we did something spontaneously fun.

Later that night, at the theater, we walked onto the balcony where our seats were. Toph and Katara sat down in the front row, Suki and Sokka in the row behind them. I sat down next to Katara, and as Aang was going to say something, Zuko sat next to me. Aang sat behind me and poked at the back of my head.

“Pst… Draya… PST!” I snapped my head back as he poked with a little too much pressure.

“What!?” I hissed, trying not to make a scene.

“Can… we maybe… can I sit…” Aang was motioning with his fingers, clearly wanting to sit next to Katara. Before I could say anything, the lights dimmed. I shrugged, mouthing the word “sorry” as I pointed up to the lights and turned around to face the stage. I heard Aang sigh and made a mental note to let him sit here at intermission. The play started when Katara and Sokka discovered Aang, and the last thing we saw before the break was when Aang helped save the Northern Water Tribe.

We all sat outside on some stairs, the others ranting about how much they hated the way they were portrayed. I just sat there, listening to their complaints, not knowing what to do or say. I wasn’t up their yet, they hadn’t met me. I wasn’t even sure I’d be in the play at all considering how late I joined the team. When we got back to the balcony for the next section of the show, I slid into the second row which made Zuko look at me with an eyebrow raised. I shrugged, lightly patting the spot next to me. He slid in as Aang walked onto the balcony, and he smiled when he saw where I was sitting. I gave him a small shrug as the lights went down for the next part of the play, Aang taking his seat next to Katara.

The second part started when the group met Toph, who was played by a huge burly man (which Toph loved). Her character “explained” how she sees, letting out a “sonic wave” towards on stage Team Avatar, and I laughed so hard that Zuko had to wrap his arms around me while saying “shhh don’t draw too much attention”. I swatted at his arms, telling him to let me enjoy the play. The second part ended when Azula thought she took Aang down, and we all made our way out to a hallway. Katara went to look for Aang, who had disappeared before the second part was over, while Sokka and Suki decided to try to get backstage to give Stage Sokka some Real Sokka jokes. Zuko, Toph and I sat against a wall, Toph saying how everyone was being dramatic about the show. I listened as Toph told Zuko about the time she met Iroh and seeing how Zuko’s face lit up when he heard how highly his uncle thought of him, when he thought his uncle would be disappointed in him, made my heart jump. I reached out and squeezed his hand. It dropped when he reached over to rub the part of his arm that Toph had hit, claiming it was her way of showing affection.

“You’re not officially part of the group until you get an affectionate bruise from Toph, you’re truly one of us now!” I say with a smile, earning a snicker from Toph. She stood up, yawning as she said she was going to go back into the theater and wait for the show there. Zuko and I sat in silence for a bit before he spoke.

“I’m sorry you have to see all of my past decisions like this. It’s not who I am anymore, really.” I could hear the sincerity in his voice, and I laughed lightly, shaking my head. He looked over with confusion. I turned my body towards him and gingerly grabbed his hands.

“As someone wise once told me, your past doesn’t define you. I know you’ve changed Zuko, you have nothing to apologize for. Besides that wasn’t you, not really. That was somebody you were trying to be, when you were trying to get something you thought you needed from other people. The Zuko I know now isn’t the same as the Zuko you were a year ago; the Zuko I know is kind, admirable, and when he cares, he cares deeply. That Zuko on stage doesn’t even have the scar on the right side!” He laughed, shaking his head at the comment a child dressed up as Aang had made earlier. He looked over at me, our faces closer than I realized, when we heard a throat clear. Our necks snapped over to see Sokka and Suki standing there, a smug look on Sokka’s face. I stood up and, without missing a beat, said “Not a word, Sokka.”. I walked onto the balcony and slipped onto the bench, Zuko sliding in next to me with a smile still on his face. When Sokka and Suki sat down, Sokka slowly leaned forward and stared at me.

“Boyyyyyfrieeeeend…” Sokka’s voice teased, causing me to cross my arms and sink in my seat to help hide the fact that I was blushing. Thank the spirits that the lights went down for the rest of the play to start. The play picked up at the invasion, and still I wasn’t in the play. Not that it bothered me, I've always tried to blend into the shadows anyway. Sokka was ready to get up and leave once the play caught up to the present, until Suki reminded him that the play wasn’t over. I realized that my hand had found its way into Zuko’s as we watched Stage Azula defeat Zuko, our gradually tightening grip bringing it to my attention. The play ended with Firelord Ozai defeating Aang and we all stared at the stage in horror, not knowing how to take what we just saw. Zuko was still holding onto my hand, the both of us looking down at them until the lights started to turn back on, making us scoot away from each other and drop our hands to our sides. As we walked back to Zuko’s house, we all unanimously agreed that the play was terrible.

We dispersed for the night once we got home, everyone tired from the day of training and watching awful theater. After taking my hair out of its daily bun and brushing it out in the bathroom, I walked to the room I was staying in. The sight of Zuko leaning against the wall next to the door of my temporary room came into sight as I got closer, illuminated by the dim lights that still somehow worked, and I smiled. He looked up at the sound of my footsteps, returning the smile as he pushed himself off the wall and walked towards me.

“Draya, hey… I had no idea your hair was so long; I don’t think I’ve ever seen it down.” He said, his eyes roaming the long, wavy black frizz that cascaded to my lower back. I chuckled, nervously tucking some hair behind my ear before I starting to pull it back up into a bun when Zuko lightly touched my arm, causing the grip I had on my hair to loosen. “You should wear it down more often, it looks nice.” I let my hair fall again, slightly shaking my head and looking down with a small laugh, not wanting to look at him for the fear that he’d see the blush covering my cheeks.

“I’m assuming you weren’t waiting there to talk to me about my hair. Is everything alright?” I asked, trying to stray the subject away from my appearance.

“I was going to ask if you’d like to go on a walk with me. The clouds may be covering the stars, but it’s still a nice night.” His once confident demeanor fizzled as he spoke, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. I motioned to the hall in front of us.

“Lead the way.” Zuko gave a soft nod, a small smile on his face once more, as we walked outside. He led me down a path to the beach that was near his house and we walked along the shore for a while, the only sound being the waves crashing onto the sand. Even though neither of us spoke for a long time, it was comfortable; being around Zuko just felt easy. We eventually found a flat rock to sit on, and almost as suddenly as we sat down, Zuko shot back up to his feet. He ran over to some bushes behind the rock we sat at, walking back with a hand behind him. He sat next to me again, turning to face me, before holding out a wildflower; it had the most peculiar petals that hung in sections, the white of the petals vibrant from the little bits of moonlight that shone through the clouds. I took it, staring at it hesitantly before looking up at Zuko, and he chuckled slightly at the confusion that was clear on my face.

“Back when we would come here as a family, my uncle showed me where to find these flowers on the island. It’s an iris. Uncle said there used to be an abundance of them on the island, but now they’re sparce. I always thought they were the prettiest flower when I was young so when I saw the glimpse of white, I knew I had to pick it for you.” My confusion melted into a feeling I couldn’t describe. I felt in spread from my stomach to my chest, its warmth radiating to my face until I was sure I was as red as the robes he wore.

“Zuko… thank you. That’s incredibly sweet of you.” I finally looked at him, only to see his brilliant eyes already looking at me, his smile melting into them. I put the flower down carefully behind to us before extending my arms, wrapping them around his neck. Zuko instantly wrapped his arms around my torso and buried his face into my neck, my hair making it impossible for our skin to touch.

“I’m so glad to hear you like it. I know it’s just a flower but…” I leaned away from the hug, letting my hands linger on his shoulders.

“Zuko you could give me a pebble you thought looked like Appa and I’d treasure it forever.” He let out breathy laugh, turning his head a little as he did. “It’s not the gift, but the thought.” We looked into each other’s eyes, wanting to savor every bit of this moment, and as soon as I realized how close we were, Zuko spoke.

“Draya… what are we doing? What’s this between us?” His choice of words prompted me to scoot back a bit more, dropping my hands to my lap. His arms dropped next to him as we shifted awkwardly at my sudden movement.

“I- I don’t know how to answer that.” I say, my voice flat. Even I winced at my unintentional cold tone. I was only being honest; I couldn’t answer that because even I don’t know what we were doing. There’s a war going on and I’m sitting here giggling with Zuko and admiring flowers and thinking about kissing his dumb, angry mouth… wait. Zuko let out a deep sigh which brought my attention back to him, and I looked up to see him running a hand through his hair, holding his neck. He let his hand drop into his lap and turned to me. I looked down at my lap, nervous for what he might say.

“I can’t do this anymore, whatever it is. I want to be with you, Draya. I know we haven’t known each other long; I know there’s a lot going on right now. I just… can’t stop thinking about you, even when you’re nowhere near. Even before I joined the group and we officially met, something about you always stuck with me. Something about you always seemed so familiar to me, even when we were just strangers passing each other by. We can help rebuild the Fire Nation together. With you by my side, anything would be possible.” One of his hands hesitantly reached out to grab one mine, and when I finally looked up at him, I saw with the most adoring expression I’ve ever seen on someone’s face. His hand left mine to cup my cheek lightly, the warmth of his hand comforting. Before I had time to think, I closed the distance between our mouths, moving as softly I could. The kiss was short, welcoming, sweet. There was an explosion in my stomach, and I swear it felt like a twinge of lightening sparked on our lips. I bit my bottom lip nervously, not sure how Zuko felt about the kiss, as I leaned away and looked at him. He opened his eyes slowly, smiling as he rubbed his thumb softly over my pink face.

“There are a lot of things going on right now, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that there will always be a lot of things going on. Zuko…” I sigh, never letting my gaze leave his. I lift my free hand to cradle the back of his neck, giving him a small sad smile. Before I could continue, Zuko cut me off.

“I want to be with someone who likes me for me and not someone I was pretending to be, someone who reminds me that I’m not that same person when I get lost in my guilty thoughts. Someone who feels like home, a feeling I forgot about years ago. It’s how I imagined I’d feel returning to the palace after being banished and instead, it’s how I feel with you, wherever ‘here’ is in that moment. An abandoned air temple, a makeshift cliff campsite, even in a place I never thought I’d want to visit again. I’ve never had a weakness for someone quite like I have one for you.” His last sentence made me hold my breath, shocked at the fact that Prince Zuko felt this way about me. I looked away, letting my hand drop from his neck to my lap. Zuko dropped his hand from my cheek to grab one of my hands, intertwining our fingers.

“I would never fit in at the palace, Zuko. We both know that. I’m nothing but an orphaned runaway, a wannabe soldier, who’s been living in the shadows for years now.” I stared at our hands as I spoke, fully realizing what it would mean to be with someone in the royal family. If Aang defeats Firelord Ozai, who did I think would take over for him? If not Azula, then who? Zuko laughed a little, bringing my attention back to him.

“Draya, you are so much more than that. You’re a warrior, a fighter, and a caring friend. Besides, who said anything about the palace? I’m sure my uncle will want to assume the position of Firelord, considering it was his birth right. We could live here! In this house, we could fix it up…” I raised my eyebrows in shock, causing Zuko to stop. “I mean… if you want to.” I dropped his hands and turned my body, so I was facing the ocean again. I looked out at the waves before grabbing the radiating white wildflower that still sat behind me, holding the thick stem with both hands. I focused on the petals that swayed in the wind, trying to find the right words.

“Zuko, you were my first crush. None of the boys in my village made my heart flutter the same way you did that day we ran into each other. We keep meeting at very strange times in my life… I never forgot about you, just how you made me feel.”

“And how do I make you feel now?” He asked, his voice was soft and quiet; I almost didn’t hear his words over the crashing current.

“You make me feel calm, comfortable. You make me feel like I’m not just a monster, not just someone who destroys everything in her path. Just like you said, you make me feel like I’m home. And that’s a feeling I never thought I’d know.” I finally tore my eyes away from the flower and looked over at him. He was also looking at the flower, a smile decorating his lips. “I want to be with you Zuko, just… not right now. With Sozin’s comet almost here, we have bigger things to focus on. Especially if we want a future to share.” His gaze finally met mine and his smile faded slightly as he nodded.

“But Draya, what if… what if my father wins?” I scoffed, bringing a hand up to Zuko’s cheek.

“We better make sure that doesn’t happen. And if it does, then at least we have tonight.” This made him smile, before he leaned in. His lips met mine, with intensity, this kiss lasting much longer than the first. His mouth was soft and warm, causing me to melt into his touch. My hand moved from his cheek to the back of his head, letting it get lost in his soft hair. His hand found my cheek, cradling it as he deepened the kiss. We shifted so our bodies were pressed against each other, I could feel his heart beating quickly in his chest. His free hand found the small of my back, mine finding his shoulder. When we finally broke apart, we were trying to catch our breaths while we laughed quietly. Zuko placed a small kiss on my forehead before embracing me.

“At least we have tonight.” He echoed my early statement as we sat there in each other’s arms, wishing this night would never end.

#avatar #avatar: the last airbender #avatar the last airbender #avatar: tla #a:tla #atla #atla fanfic #original character fic #zuko x oc #angst #slowburn

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swishandflickwit · 4 years

Text

my weary heart has come to rest in yours (i found my way home) — 1/1

Summary: "I don't get it," Katara purses her lips, befuddlement clear in the furrow of her brows as she turns to him. "You'd think the Fire Nation would know such an important detail about their own prince."

The Gaang wonders why the Fire Nation doesn't seem to know much about Zuko, like maybe where his scar should be? It opens up a lot of questions that they want answered. Zuko, on the other hand, just wants to sleep.

Rating: General Audiences

Words: 5.7k

Warnings: unbeta’d, zuko-centric, post-ember island players, pre-sozin's comet, zuko gets a hug (as he deserves), non-canon compliant (more like canon adjacent lol), ember island

AN: working title: obligatory the gaang finds out about zuko's scar fic // alt title: a pocket of happiness for my children

title from: Ride Home by Ben&Ben

Also on: ff.net | AO3

Other writing

The atmosphere amongst the occupants of the beach house is sullen and cross following their night out in the theater.

It isn’t lost on them that the edifice they have come to know as their solace belongs to the very monster man who brought upon their 'deaths'. The certainty that it had all been a fictionalized retelling was not enough to temper even the echo of the crowd’s rabid enthusiasm as they cheered the demise of the Avatar and his friends, nor erase the visceral image of the thespian Fire Lord standing before his adoring subjects—triumphant in his accomplishment of world domination.

They step through the threshold of the tyrant’s once home. The air grows thicker in acerbity.

Zuko wants to snark at them, I told you they’d butcher it. If he had been the person he was even a month ago perhaps he would have, but the words wither in his throat. The scene of him engulfed in Azula’s flames, however fake or fantasized, sears across his mind on relentless repeat so that it is more selfish entreaty than consideration that has him abstaining from permeating the burdensome silence with his signature brand of pessimism—realism.

Dinner is an equally stilted affair, the only sound to be heard is the clob of chopsticks against wooden bowls and the crackling of the campfire solemnly harmonizing with the occasional sigh of dejection.

This, however, does not last too long.

He supposes he should have seen it coming. This is the boy who offered his friendship at the slightest show of goodness from him. The Avatar is as buoyant in his movements as his element. Though Zuko has come to learn when it comes to his disposition, it is more alacrity than air that has him flitting from one emotion to another, ensuring he never dallies in his worries for too long.

So when Aang bellows, "That's it!" as he discards his bowl with a careless flick, the remains of his uneaten congee spilling carelessly across the cobblestones of the courtyard, Zuko doesn't so much as blink at his latest antics.

He is more surprised at Sokka's indignant huff seeing as it is the first sound he's made in the past two hours (which is subsequently also the quietest he's ever witnessed the other boy to be in all the time he's known him) since they've arrived.

"I would have eaten that," Sokka mutters irately.

(It is fitting however, that this should be the commentary to break his speechless strike.)

"I mean, what's the big deal? It was just a stupid play!” Aang exclaims emphatically, his voice cracking in his vehemence. “If anything, we should be laughing our butts off—that writer obviously didn't know what he was talking about!"

"Speak for yourself, Twinkletoes," Toph chuckles. "I happened to enjoy my portrayal. It was wrong, sure, but what did you expect from a patchwork of second-hand accounts combined with your regular sprinkling of Fire Nation propaganda? It was dumb, but that was the point. You all know the truth, don't you? Quit being such wet blankets about it already."

After having heard a similar iteration from Toph earlier, Zuko finds no offense from the jibe. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the rest of his companions, save Aang—though even his propensity for optimism appears ready to float away on the next gust of wind.

"At least you were in the play," Suki offers, good-naturedly, if not a bit feebly.

"I think I'd rather just not be in it altogether, if it means I'd have to be depicted like—" Katara shudders before grumbling, as if there truly are no words for that disaster of a parody, "...that."

Zuko wholeheartedly seconds her sentiments.

"Toph's right though!" Aang blusters on, and it all seems rather void but he admires the kid's pluck. "In fact, I think we should all take this opportunity to look back on our adventures—"

Zuko groans. Frankly, he doesn't want to think too much about what it said about him that the Avatar's evasion tactics had relied mostly on improvisation and sheer, dumb luck than calculated military strategy and cunning.

"Or maybe we should just not."

"But Zuko," Aang turns big, round, pleading eyes at him. "Aren't you at least a little curious about what really happened? Not even Toph's heard about half of what we were up to before she joined up with us!"

"You were idiots then, and you're only just a little bit now," Toph snarks. "What else is there to know?"

"Toph," warns Katara just as Sokka sputters, "Hey!"

"It might be good for morale," Suki suggests gently. "I know I could use a pick-me-up."

Zuko gets along with Suki—at least, as well as he is able to get along with anyone. Still, he can't help but shoot her a betrayed glance following her pronouncement. Zuko just wants to sleep, but he should have known better. The minute he starts wanting things is usually the moment they float out of reach.

Suki smiles back unrepentantly, so he sighs in resignation and straps himself down for a long night of reliving his failures (again) and listening to their tales.

"I am a pretty gifted storyteller," Sokka puffs his chest then starts stroking oddly at his face, particularly the area at the sides of his mouth.

Okay? he ponders with a large heaping of confusion.

"That's the spirit, Sokka!" Aang exclaims, but before Sokka can thank him much less get a word in, Aang launches into the story of how the Water Tribe siblings actually found him. Unsurprisingly, it involves less tears—"By which Sokka means no tears!"—and an infuriated Katara and that, he can believe.

Zuko doesn't anticipate being spoken to for the rest of the night. At best, he is a mere purveyor of their communal fire. At worst, an engaged and enthusiastic reaction to the boys' avid narration will be expected of him. And as socially inept as he may be, he has enough tact to refrain from volunteering his side of the events. Even with the amends he's made, he hardly thinks it would encourage rapport to rhapsodize about a time they had been on separate sides at all, no matter how early it had been in their acquaintance. Zuko would (very much) like to retire at some point in the evening without having to worry about suffocating in his sleep.

(He hasn't had that concern for two weeks now, it was practically a new record.)

So imagine his surprise when the focus shifts to him. Toph, much to his mortification, recounts his outburst at being told by a child decked out in derisory Avatar robes (that had to be illegal, right?) that the scar on his 'Prince Zuko costume' was on the wrong side.

"I don't get it," Katara purses her lips, befuddlement clear in the furrow of her brows as she turns to him. "You'd think the Fire Nation would know such an important detail about their own prince."

"Yeah, Sparky." Toph stomps over from the opposite side of their circle to plop down beside him with all the grace of a landslide. "I didn't even know you had a scar until tonight!" She pokes aimlessly at his right cheek. "What gives?"

He stares at her agog before realizing she has no way of deciphering his countenance. So, he responds by addressing Katara's comment instead.

"I don't see why they would," he shrugs. "I'm sure by the time they heard, if they heard about it at all, I had long been banished."

"I'm confused," Aang rubs his head contemplatively. "If you're banished, what's with all the wanted posters? I thought being banished meant you had to stay away, but then they also want to imprison you? You're their prince, it doesn't make sense!"

"Come to think of it," Suki muses, "Why were you banished in the first place?"

"Hold up," Sokka did that thing where he stroked the sides of his face again—seriously, what was up with that?—"I've always wondered, how come you were branded a traitor way before you even joined us? Reading your poster wasn't exactly at the top of our to-do list."

Katara interjects with, "And what were you doing so far out in the South Pole that day we found Aang, anyway?" while Toph reminds him, "Plus, that still doesn't explain why your people don't seem to know anything about you or your scar."

A headache begins forming at his temples from the barrage of questions. He sighs in vexation before regarding Katara.

"Isn't it obvious? What did you think I was doing? I wasn't exactly sailing around for a vacation destination." Then lowly, somberly, at Toph, "And they haven't been my people," he rubs subconsciously at his marred flesh—mind flitting to that war room—always, always there—and to a whole division of loyal soldiers that in the end, he arrogantly assumed he could defend yet ultimately failed to protect. "Not for a long time."

There is silence in the wake of his disclosure, punctuated by the crackle of the tinder as it is disturbed by the gale gusting in from the beach, and an unnameable terseness that fills the air.

"Why—" he's not sure why he whispers, but it feels appropriate given their stricken expressions. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Suki ultimately is the one to brave breaking the taut stillness, staring at him with purpose.

"Zuko, when—who—" she stutters with what he speculates is an uncharacteristic timidity. That is until she gathers herself with a deep breath, the query crystallizing on her exhalation.

"How did you get your scar?"

It occurs to him, belatedly, that he may have said too much.

"I don't see how it matters," he retorts, hoping the curtness in his delivery puts an end to this inquisition.

But Zuko never did have much luck getting what he wanted.

(No, he broods with a bitterness he wishes he didn't harbor so much, Azula made sure of that.)

"We don't want to upset you—"

"So don't."

Undeterred, Katara finishes in tonalities as soothing as the morning tide, "But it helps to talk about things that might have hurt you."

Around him, the pressure builds. A deadly gas awaiting a fuse.

"Oh, 'it helps,' does it?" he snarls, rage thrumming like wildfire in his veins—igniting his body, and detonating through his next words. "And who exactly does it help, huh? You sure it's my best interests you have at heart? Or—I know! You wanna know my weaknesses, keep the big, bad fire bender on a leash!" He throws his head back, some facsimile of a laugh escaping his lips. "Unless, of course, you're just saying that to satisfy your insatiable need to mother everyone."

Boom.

"Please, I haven't had a mother in years," and he hates it, he hates how it is his voice now that breaks and his body wilts as the violent cloud of his fury dissipates—all the rancorous contention leaking out of him. "I don't need your ridicule or your pity. I've been fine on my own."

And this is the moment he loses everything, he is convinced. Because this is what Zuko does, and what he is best at. His fingers are but sieves from which good things slip. All of him is a razor blade destined to pierce any that would dare come close. He is downfall personified, he is a plague.

This is how it should be, he reasons, cut him now as they would a festering infection.

(As his father, his sister, his mother, would.)

For broken things beget broken things, and they deserve better than to have him bring ruin upon them all.

But then a hand—hands—ground him, keep him rooted, keep him still.

"Well then," Sokka avers, with his special brand of genial but no less poignant solemnity. "It's a good thing we aren't in the business of dishing out pity. Isn't that right, gang?" He clasps his right shoulder, the gesture teeming with meaning though Zuko is the last person to decode it.

"Ridicule, on the other hand…" Toph snickers. Katara sends her an affronted glare before realizing the futility of such an action. She sighs her discontent instead, before returning her attention to him.

"And you're not anymore," Katara says with an earnestness that confounds Zuko to discover is directed at him. "On your own, that is."

"I don't understand," and truly he doesn't. He knows it is not their way to spill blood (barring Katara's commimation during his early days in the Western Air Temple, which was more than fair), but this is the first he's lost his temper in front of them for no valid reason. His choleric speech had their bonfire flaring with every harsh and erratic breath he expelled, sure signs of his waning control. "Aren't you going to kick me out? At least put me in chains!"

Katara's hand joins Sokka's on his opposite side as she approaches him from behind. He has to crane his neck to ascertain her aghast mien. "For what? For being angry? For talking out of turn?"

(It always boils down to this, doesn't it? Agni, why couldn't he ever just keep his mouth shut for once in his miserable life?)

"I'm sorry," he mumbles, because he is and he doesn't know what the right thing to do or say is.

"I know," Katara smiles, but there is something desolate in the curl of her lips. "You always are," she sighs. "I'm sorry, too."

Her thumb brushes back and forth across the nape of his neck and he would have started at the unfamiliar touch if her apology hadn't already caught him off guard. In truth, this entire night has been an anomaly with how quickly they all have made his head spin in the last few minutes alone.

"You're sorry?" he gapes, genuine bafflement coloring his articulation. "Why?"

"For pushing you to talk about what I should have known was a sensitive topic." It's her turn to squeeze his shoulder. "I really am sorry."

"There's nothing to forgive," he stammers, for there honestly isn't. He's still trying to get over the fact he received an apology, let alone that anyone sought a dispension of forgiveness. From him.

"Katara's maternal instincts and overbearing need to talk about one's feelings can be annoying. Believe me, I know."

"Gee. Thanks, Toph," Katara deadpans.

"But she's right," Toph's roughened hands encircle his left forearm. Compared to the siblings, her grip is near painful, as if to dig in her point. "Bottling it up, burying your emotions… it'll only hurt you more."

"But it doesn't hurt," he insists, stubbornly ignoring the waver in his importunity as his palm spans the breadth of his ragged scar. "It doesn't."

"We're not talking about the hurt there," Katara grazes cool fingers from his back to his front, before placing it prostrate and precise. "We're talking about the one here."

Right atop his heart.

"The monks have a saying," Aang has since nestled on his knees in front of Zuko. Without him noticing, their entire circle has gotten closer so that he is at the center—warm bodies surrounding him from all sides, little planets orbiting the sun.

"Holding onto anger is a lot like holding onto hot coals that you mean to throw at someone else. In the end, you're the one who gets burned."

"What do you want from me?" he questions wearily though he knows the answer.

"Nothing," Katara assuages. "Nothing you aren't willing to give."

"And we know you're a fire bender, buddy, but don't you think a fire shared is a village warmed?" Sokka grins encouragingly before sobering. "Maybe you don't want to, but I think you may need this. You've got all this—this—pent-up frustration inside you. I can't believe we never noticed it before, it's practically oozing out of you! Like pus from a boil!"

Zuko grimaces. "Thanks, Sokka."

Unfazed, he goes on. "Don't tell me you've had someone to talk about this with. I can't imagine you and Azula sitting round a campfire having a heart-to-heart."

You'd be surprised, Zuko thinks, if that night of confessions at the beachside counted at all.

"There's still so much we don't know about you," Aang adds. "We just want to understand."

"But, why?" he blurts, frustration mounting again like a forest fire. He is desperate to fathom their persistence, to decipher the motives behind their inexplicably lambent eyes, their magnanimous looks and their delicate tones.

"Because we're your friends, Zuko," Suki murmurs while everyone makes their approval known one way or another. "Sharing burdens is kinda what we do."

Oh, he thinks dumbly, Oh.

"It doesn't make for a pleasant bedtime story," he states with an almost believable clinical detachment, steadfastly ignoring the pounding of his heart at her proclamation of friendship. "And it's heavy. This is a load I wouldn't wish on anyone."

"All the better," Katara chirps, settling with her knees aside behind him, "that there's five of us then, right?"

Perhaps it is the security found amongst the shadows of the eventide that loosens his tongue. Perhaps it is that Zuko is just too exhausted, figuring that the fastest way to reach his bed is to simply not argue. It might even be the contentment that Aang and Sokka's adage brings him, the closest taste of home he's had since his separation from the person whom he now knows, without question, he loves most in this world. Or maybe it is simply time , here, on this island, the ghost of dual timbres wisened with age—and it can help you understand yourselves—ringing in his ears. And so beneath a collective scrutiny of ingrained amity and determined tolerance and encouragement and just… goodness.

He begins his tale.

He speaks until his already hoarse voice grows even hoarser, the words clumsy and stilted on his tongue, unused as he is to telling his story—along with the extensive range of sensations that come with it, and the illimitable memories it incites within him, some sentimental while others he would rather forget altogether.

He speaks of a mother's love lending him both strength and weakness, of how it should have been enough yet still could never outweigh his longing for the love of a father who scorns him, of a sister he adored until she, too, eventually saw him as nothing more than a hindrance, then an enemy. He speaks of an uncle whose favor brought him places he knew he ought to be but secretly did not think he deserved, of advice dispensed wisely and discarded carelessly, of a compassion that flamed so bright within him a King saw it as too untamable to remain, and so he snuffed it out with a fiery hand to his face. He spoke of lonely years with nothing but sky and sea and the musings of an old man over tea as his only company, of a path he knew deep down had been aimless yet it was all he could hold on to because it was a reminder that he was still real.

"Three years," Suki mouths, devastation written so plainly upon her profile Zuko couldn't bear to look at her. "He had you chasing a ghost for three years."

"So… so what you said… about losing your honor?" Katara mutters wetly, and if that isn't evidence enough of her sorrow then surely, the unceasingly dampening spots between his shoulder blades are.

He winces at the flashback her inquest incites, shaking his head in internal, forlorn reproach. His shame galvanizes him enough to want to explicate his reasonings out loud, for if there is absolution to be found in his ramblings then all the more reason to try.

"For so long, I fooled myself into believing that finding the Avatar meant regaining my honor. It never occurred to me until recently that honor wasn't something that could be taken away from you. It's something you earn for yourself," he sighs despondently. "Some days though, it wasn't even about honor—I just wanted to go home. But more than anything, my father led me to believe that if I captured you then I would finally, finally have his approval—his love," he shakes his head before releasing a hollow chuckle. "What a stupid thought."

"No, no it wasn't stupid!" Toph exclaims. "It's a parent's job to love their kid. And even then it's not supposed to be conditional!"

"I can't believe he would—that he'd bur—" Aang cuts himself off with a jerk, as if the word, burn, is a most foul curse that would be invoked at the slightest whisp. Zuko doesn't dissuade him. There was a time when he felt the same way, too.

"His own son," Aang finishes dazedly, his face a river of tears, a torrent with no signs of abating.

"I'm sorry," Zuko tries again, a little alarmed now at the frequency of watery displays before him. "I didn't mean to make you sad. Oh," in his panic, he thumbs impetuously at the stray droplets coursing down the arch of Toph's cheeks. In this light, she looks exactly her age, so young and slight, yet so contrary to what he knows of the mighty and unflappable earth bender. A pang goes through his chest that he could ever be cause for her melancholy, for any of theirs. "Please don't cry."

"You first," Toph replies, inconceivably subdued and gentle as she reaches up to frame his face. Zuko holds his breath when he assumes she will palm at his scar, which she does. But there is no judgement there, only indubitable acceptance, and comfort, as she brushes roughly at the tears he didn't even know he's shed.

"Oh," he repeats, not for the first, and certainly not for the last, time tonight.

Suki sniffs. "He doesn’t deserve you."

Sokka abruptly declares in hard intonations, "I'm gonna kill him—"

Before he can completely swear his intent, the water in the fountain behind them solidifies into menacingly pointy shards while the earth underneath them trembles dangerously.

"Get in line," Katara hisses darkly at the same time Toph grunts, "Not if I get to him first!"

Sokka's eyes are red-rimmed and gleaming. Still, he announces with a fair amount of acid in his inflection, "I know how you feel about this Aang, but you better hold me back when the time comes cause if I get my hands on that crazy, stupid, son-of-a—"

Zuko lurches forward to cover Aang's ears.

"Sokka!"

It seems the contact is all the incentive Aang needs to throw his arms around Zuko. The fire bender isn't expecting the extra ninety pounds and for all four, gangly limbs to wrap around him like a pentapus so he has no choice but to fall back to accommodate the extra weight, his head landing on Katara's lap as Aang does his utmost to actually meld himself onto his body.

"Slothdog pile?" Toph asks unnecessarily and with a gargantuan amount of glee that the shift in mood gives him whiplash. "No way I'm not getting in on this!"

Toph burrows her head onto his hip, knocking Aang's leg aside as she commandeers Zuko's own left leg like a body pillow. It appears to be all the permission everyone else has been seeking as well, for like dominoes they begin falling into place around him. Katara tucks his head a little more securely on her thigh before leaning her upper body against the lip of the fountain at her back while Suki lists against Sokka who leans his head onto Zuko's right shoulder.

"What—what's happening right now?" he doesn't want to appear too scandalized but he is at a loss for what to do with his limbs, outstretched as they are on either side of him. The Royal family didn't do touch, much less hug. The gesture became even more scarce when his mother… when she was gone, and though his uncle was a lot more free with his affections, it still hadn't warranted familiarity. His muscles contract at the overwhelming amount of contact.

"I wouldn't think too hard." Above him, there are traces of moisture on her visage but Katara chuckles, fond and ebullient now, much to his relief. "Just go with the flow."

"Says the water bender to the fire bender," he bites back weakly, which only fuels Katara's amusement.

Aang fastens his hold around the prince's torso, and he tenses even more.

"You know your dad's wrong, right, Zuko?"

"About what?" he quips sarcastically, but is surprised by the ardency in their antiphon.

"About everything," Aang counters fiercely. "Like, yeah, you chased us all over the world but you never aimed to kill!"

With his lineage it feels like a low bar but he nods his acknowledgement and his gratitude.

"You didn't save me from the pirates, but you kept them from… touching me," her tone is as algid as the glaciers of her homeland, but the rattle of Katara's bones is so prominent that he shakes along with her. "It could have gone a lot worse."

"I wouldn't do you that dishonor," he whispers brokenly, sick at the scenarios he can so acutely guess is conquering her imagination, it's own horrific play dancing along her features.

"I know," she reciprocates, just as gravely, "I know that now."

"You kept your promise. You could have come back, razed our village—"

"And mine," Suki joins Sokka.

"But you didn't."

He frowns. "Those days, my word was the only currency I had that was worth trading."

He doesn't like how they make it—him—sound. Every decent deed he had fulfilled in pursuit of the Avatar was done so as a courtesy mostly to himself. If he was to regain his honor, he had to act with as much honor as his, admittedly dastardly-to-begin-with, mission could provide. Now, Zuko isn't exactly an authority—even on his good days—on altruism but he could at least recognize that in those moments, any clemency administered had been the right thing to do.

"Anyone would have done the same," he defends faintly, then immediately wishes he could take it back when Katara growls.

"No, Zuko," she clenches quivering fingers around the ubiquitous pendant adorning her neck. "No, they wouldn't."

"It's more than that, though," Aang asserts imploringly. "It's just you. It's so obvious, how did we ever not see it before now? It's who you are," he takes a deep breath, the wisdom of a thousand others before him laying siege in his every movement, every syllable. "And who you are is the most honorable guy we know."

He does a double-take.

"You… you really think that?" He shakes his head in frantic incredulity, blood roaring like a storm through his veins. "All of you?"

He looks at each of them in bewilderment—lingers especially on Aang, at the roundness of his cheeks that should be testament to his naiveté yet so contrary to the maturity shadowing his bearing—as if he can divine their rationale through sight alone. He doubts them, and it makes him feel older than sixteen, his cynicism a pallium shackled to his shoulders. But there is a chorus of devout agreeance, Aang's hope a living, tangible thing that he gives to Zuko freely. He fumbles. He doesn't trust the fervor with which it sets him aglow (metaphorically and physically, it would seem, as Sokka comments mildly, "Wow, you're like a heated blanket with how warm you are. Hey, why didn't we think of doing this before?"), but Zuko—even with his infinite skepticism—cannot find it in his fractured heart to reject it.

"Zuko?" Aang prompts, raising his head so he can catch his eye, gray and gold colliding in an affable display of security. "You believe us, don't you?"

"Yeah," Zuko reassures, albeit timorously. He takes a bracing, meditative breath before releasing it, sinking into the downy cosset of their affections as he turns his head to Katara's stomach, lowers his arms to clutch Suki and Sokka closer, bundles Aang on his chest with his heated breath, and secures Toph to his side with a hand to her back. Then, stronger, "Yeah, I guess I do."

When he decided to share his tumultuous past, he thought that he might shatter and they would rejoice at the gravity of his turmoil. But he should have known better than to assume his friends—and how marvelous a notion, to think that he of all people would have a group he is honored to name as such his own—will let him. He knows Suki had called themselves so earlier, but he doesn't quite believe it. Not until now.

"We won't let him touch you again."

It is said through a yawn as one by one, they nod off, until only Zuko and Katara are left to drift close to the edge of lethargy. She strokes tenderly at his hair, so reminiscent of his mother that he feels a familiar burning in his eyes and a lump at the back of his throat once more, all from the simple motion—or so he tells himself.

"Sleep, Zuko," she sweeps away the strands at his forehead before impressing upon it a tender kiss. "No one will hurt you. Not anymore, not ever."

Zuko can take care of himself. The way he's brought up, he's had to. Beyond that, they are at the very front lines of a war—any day, any second, could mean the last for them and they would have no way of knowing until it is upon them, so Katara's asseveration should not have brought him the relief it did. If anything, he should have denied it with the same dose of pessimism realism he approaches most everything in his life.

But perhaps, just this once, he will allow himself the privilege of their refuge. He will allow himself to believe in the vehemency of their promise.

I just wanted to go home, he had said. And this is not a place he pictured himself ever being in, trivialized to a mere furnace, yet strangely he finds he does not mind it (not that he would ever divulge this forthright), not even a little bit. The struggle and strife of his history, of his present, are unchanged, but an effervescence envelops him in spite of the five bodies weighing him down.

Maybe even because of them.

He closes his eyes when Katara has another go at running her fingers through his hair. He can almost conjure the ghost of his mother's smile when she used to employ the same tactics to lull him to slumber. He thinks of his uncle, mistifying and genteel and terrifying and loving all at once, sitting vigil at his bedside when fever and delirium took him during those early days of recovery, and long after then, whether or not he admitted to his desire for him to stay. He compares this house and everything it represents—a relic to his family's happiness—to this strangely colorful and caring mismatch of a rugged group that someway, somehow, just manages to fit perfectly into his arms. He tightens his embrace, and it suddenly hits him.

He supposes home was something he could carry with him all along.

"Sleep," Katara hums.

And so he does.

-//////-

Later, much later, when the power from the comet has receded to the faintest of throbs, and his sister is sedated and heavily guarded while his father is in chains at the bottom of the most isolated prison in the Fire Nation, their fates to be decided in the coming weeks by a tribunal composed of the remaining leaders from all nations—when he retires to his room in lieu of that of the Fire Lord's (despite the mantle and all it entails, both the sordid and the noble, falling solely onto his shoulders), and he sports yet another scar, a burn, that he will bear just as proudly as the first and more fiercely than even his eminent title, for there was no higher honor than protecting a friend—when his uncle has resumed his seat, snoring soundly and deservedly on an armchair at the side of his vast four-poster, always at his side as if they had never parted for even one second, and he is sandwiched between his two most favorite twelve-year olds in the world, Toph as unmindful of his injury as one would expect her to be when she plants her sleep-dead body right atop his chest, and Aang entirely all too much, curled into a ball that hardly breaches his space, apart from his head as he dozes lightly on his shoulder—when Sokka and Suki are passed out at the foot of his bed, his leg a pillow for their weary heads and their bodies as tangled onto each other despite Sokka's own bandaged leg (like the kindred souls he knows them to be, like magnets helpless against each other's pull), and Katara has expelled the last of her curative waters on him, much to his insistence that he doesn't need it any longer, before she sinks into the only unoccupied space above him on his bed—when they lie there in the first quiet they've achieved since they all adjourned here, their heads touching and their breathing in sync—he opens his eyes.

"You did it, Zuko," Katara's voice is a susurrant trill tinged with exaltation and pride. "You're home."

As he does then, he does again now, and tightens his hold—a hand to steady Aang's lolling head, another at Toph's back to still her fitful body, his leg pushing to burrow the blanket further into Suki's side, and the fireplace flaring with his breath to heat the figures he cannot reach. The difference in this embrace, however, is in the absence of doubt and the lack of fear, replaced with all the affluence of his adoration—unhindered and abounding.

"Yeah."

It is his turn to press a kiss onto her forehead, lips moving tired but no less grateful and indulgent.

Cradled in the warmth of everyone he loves and cares about, he is quite inclined to agree.

"I am home."

-//////-

AN: "Holding on to anger is like grasping on hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets hurt." —Buddha

i feel like you aren't part of the atla fandom and the zuko nation until you crank out one of these lmao. listen, listen, the beach gets cold at night so i just always picture these kids a pile of tired, sleeping limbs at the end of every day and all huddling into the only free source of heat, no fire required. let me live in this world.

come say hi to me!

#atla #atla fanfiction #the gaang #zuko #zuko fanfiction #honestly this is v self-indulgent fluff #the gaang deserves all the love & downtime #cuz they are just chiLDREN #zuko gets a much deserved hug #zuko + the gaang #altho honestly i think my water tribe sibling bias is showing lol #also zuko has a lot of repressed big brother instincts #so let him be a big brother!!#let him hug it out!!#i will die on this hill #yes i will #swishandflickwit ff

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seyaryminamoto · 6 years

Note

Yeah why does Zuko treat his sister like that when his entire character and development revolves around him learning compassion and sympathy?

Because that’s what his entire character and development SHOULD revolve around, what most people think they revolve around… but it’s actually not the case.

There are many instances where the show tries to press on that Zuko has become a kind and compassionate man, and those instances are mainly dialogues and quotes. I’ll list several ones that the fandom seems to cry about back and forth, and then we’ll break everything down bit by bit, so I can explain why I think Zuko’s development isn’t about any of these things…

Examples: The Guru

“It’s a new day. We’ve got a new apartment, new furniture, and today’s the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up, Uncle.”_____________Iroh: “Who thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I’d end up owning my own tea shop? Follow your passion, Zuko, and life will reward you.”Zuko: “Congratulations, Uncle.”Iroh: “I am very thankful.”Zuko: “You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city.”Iroh: “No. I’m thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know.”Zuko: “Now let’s make these people some tea!” Iroh: “Yes, let’s make some tea!”

Day of Black Sun Part 2.

“No, I’ve learned everything! And I’ve had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the War was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don’t see our greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it! We’ve created an era of fear in the world. And if we don’t want the world to destroy itself, we need to replace it with an era of peace and kindness.”

Ember Island Players

Toph: “Geez, everyone’s getting so upset about their characters. Even you seem more down than usual, and that’s saying something!”Zuko: “You don’t get it, it’s different for you. You get a muscly version of yourself, taking down ten bad guys at once, and making sassy remarks.”Toph: “Yeah, that’s pretty great!”Zuko: “But for me, it takes all the mistakes I’ve made in my life, and shoves them back in my face. My uncle, he’s always been on my side, even when things were bad. He was there for me, he taught me so much, and how do I repay him? With a knife in his back. It’s my greatest regret, and I may never get to redeem myself.”Toph: “You have redeemed yourself to your uncle. You don’t realize it, but you already have.”Zuko: “How do you know?”Toph: “Because I once had a long conversation with the guy, and all he would talk about was you.”Zuko: “Really?”Toph: “Yeah, and it was kind of annoying.”Zuko: “Oh, sorry.”Toph: “But it was also very sweet. All your uncle wanted was for you to find your own path, and see the light. Now you’re here with us. He’d be proud.”

Sozin’s Comet: The Old Masters

Zuko: “Uncle, I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want you to know, I am so, so, sorry, Uncle. I am so sorry and ashamed of what I did. I don’t know how I can ever make it up to you. But I’ll-… How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me.”Iroh: “I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you lost your way.”Zuko: “I did lose my way.”Iroh: “But you found it again. And you did it by yourself. And I am so happy you found your way here.”

There’s even a hilarious thing going around in a popular post these days, about his “Father Lord” slip of tongue, interpreting that as Zuko being so aware of the fact that it’s his FATHER who has to be defeated/die… while of course, ignoring the rest of the context. Just the kind of posts I love, as you’ll imagine.

Anyways, with these quotes in mind… what is the main takeaway the general public gets? That Zuko learned kindness! That Zuko learned the Fire Nation was wrong!

And now I ask… if he learned it all, as apparently he did, where’s the proof of it in his actions? When does Zuko show genuine kindness and empathy towards other characters and people, post-redemption?

First of all, the Guru gives us the creepy Zuko who’s happy and chill after getting out of his emo coma. What bothers me about Zuko in these episodes is that his transformation doesn’t feel genuine to me AT ALL. Zuko made the right decision, he let Appa go, after Iroh encouraged him and told him to do that. But reasonably speaking, did he really understand what Iroh was telling him? Iroh scolds him for not thinking things through, and tells him that it’s time for him to think about what he wants, and who he wants to be, basically. Zuko’s answer to that is letting Appa go, and then fainting, and then coming back to life as a happy boy. Which… eh? He should have changed, no doubt, after this experience… but to this extreme? And this fast?

The reason it feels fake is because you can’t really see him pondering Iroh’s words properly. He had a bunch of nightmares and even then we have no idea if he learned anything from them. If there was any reflection on his part over what he was experiencing. Where he SHOULD HAVE asked Iroh for advice, where he should have taken his seat and sipped his tea while asking Iroh about his own experiences, hoping to unravel what his own path should be… Zuko just got happy. That’s that. That’s how he learned kindness and empathy and sympathy and all that. So he becomes a very supportive nephew, but Iroh doesn’t really understand where that came from, and from the looks of it, neither does Zuko because as soon as the stakes are high again, what did he do? Pick his old life over the new. And that, again, reinforces my interpretation that his “change” was him trying to behave the way Iroh would approve of, rather than him actually trying to understand ANYTHING from Iroh’s words in lake Laogai. Rather than him learning a single thing about kindness and peace and good will towards men.

Second, DOBS Part 2. Zuko gives Ozai a funny speech about how they’ve been indoctrinated in the Fire Nation to believe they’re great and spreading greatness through the war. What an amazing lie it was, he says. A lie he believed in and fought for, directly, during at least 3 years. Yet also a lie he set aside for his own benefit, whenever he so wished (see the Blue Spirit, for instance). A lie he apparently stopped believing in when Azula shows up to drag him home as a prisoner. He cuts his hair and discards his ties to his nation…

… And yet still tries to fight Aang in the Chase. Because he’s got to get the Avatar, despite he knows the Fire Nation has listed him as a wanted criminal.

And he still tries to use Appa to bring Aang to him in Lake Laogai, because this way he’s going to get the Avatar for real and still go back to the horrible nation that issued out a wanted poster for him.

When you look back, all the way to episode 3?

“If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool!”

Point and case being: Zuko, for one thing, wasn’t as blind to Ozai’s war at every point in the show as most people would have you believe. If he was aware of how Ozai wasn’t going to get the world to follow him, to the point of calling his terrifying father A FOOL??? Then clearly Zuko didn’t buy into the propaganda entirely. His actions during the war are NOT for the Fire Nation’s sake, or for his father’s sake, but for the sake of going home already and putting an end to his banishment once and for all. Nothing in the entire show has ever lead me to think otherwise, and I know for a fact that I’m not the only person who sees it this way. So Zuko didn’t really care about the lies and the greatness: it was NEVER what guided his actions, because what he truly wanted was to stop being banished.

So, now that the whole lie thing is out of the way, he tells Ozai that the rest of the world hates them! And yes, they do! He sees that for himself in Zuko Alone… you know, that episode that comes after he’s been out there, stealing from Earth Kingdom people, OUT OF A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT. So sorry, I will always bring this up because Zuko NEVER owned up to this and I have no reason to believe he even regretted it. So… ugh. Anyways, point being that Zuko is telling Ozai all about how the Fire Nation deserve the Earth Kingdom’s hatred… which of course, Ozai knows. He’s not THAT stupid, he just doesn’t give a crap about being despised xD But the thing is… Zuko talks about this like he’s seen the world, like he’s watched how Fire Nation people treat Earth Kingdom people horribly, like he’s learned how messed up his own people can be.

But… when did we see Zuko standing up to Fire Nation people who were oppressing Earth Kingdom ones?

The answer is a grand total of zero times. Zuko stands up to a group of Earth Kingdom bullies who are harassing other Earth Kingdom people, and then after revealing who he is, he discovers they hate him even more than they hate the bullies. Zuko also helps Jet steal food on their ferry ride to Ba Sing Se, but who’s he stealing it from? Earth Kingdom people who are oppressing Earth Kingdom people. Zuko didn’t actually see how the Earth Kingdom people hated the Fire Nation, he saw how the Earth Kingdom people hated HIM, all through Books 1 and 2.

Now, why did Zuko help the people he helped? The bullies bothering Lee’s town had bothered Zuko too, the people hoarding food bothered him as well because he was eating crap while the good stuff was kept elsewhere. Zuko NEVER acted the way Aang did, spontaneously deciding to help the oppressed and downtrodden who needed help out of the good will of his heart. Nope, Zuko worked with others when it was convenient, most of all. Lee only gets Zuko to stay after the bully soldiers steal Zuko’s food, convincing him when he offers to feed Zuko’s ostrich horse at his house. Without that offer, Zuko would have just left and done nothing for these people.

In short, Zuko apparently learned that the Fire Nation is despised… when, as I said, going by his experiences, the one he should have learned was despised was HIM. He’s holding the Fire Nation as a whole responsible for his actions, for his wrongdoings, for everything bad he ever did in the Earth Kingdom. I repeat, the only time Zuko saw Earth Kingdom vs. Fire Nation in the flesh was when it was Earth Kingdom people mad at him for whatever he was doing, be it setting their villages on fire, stealing their food or treating them like lesser than him. The only exception I can think of is when the Earth Kingdom soldiers captured Iroh, and what happened there? Zuko and Iroh fought them, didn’t even reflect on how rightful or not these people were to pick a fight with them, and moved on. That simple.

We never get to see Zuko reflecting on how the Fire Nation has harmed these people so badly. We don’t get him reflecting on his own faults and mistakes often, but he certainly never seems to give much thought to how messed up things are and how the Fire Nation has no right to destroy everyone else. His showdown with Ozai, so very awaited by so many people? It, again, feels forced and hard to believe. It comes after we’ve seen Zuko talking to Mai about how he was his father’s perfect son but then he wasn’t HIM… and aside from that? What else did we have throughout the first half of season 3 to show us why Zuko is seeing the world differently than how he saw it before? He heard a story about his ancestors and was told he had good and bad inside him? Well, gee, that didn’t stop him from displaying his entitled side again by boasting to Mai that he can make anything she wants happen because he’s a prince, only a couple of episodes later. It didn’t stop him from wanting to be part of a war meeting desperately, with the attitude of a tantrum-throwing child.

There are SO MANY CHANCES the third season could have taken to portray a Zuko who ponders things, who pays attention to the world around him and realizes that he’s part of the Fire Nation, that he wants to respect everyone different from him too, that he doesn’t care about nation division but about doing what’s right by the world. Instead, he’s out there sending murderous cyborgs to kill the Avatar, he’s yelling at his imprisoned uncle, he goes to the beach and just picks fights both with his friends and with complete strangers, and throws more temper tantrums than anyone ever should.

And that brings up the really essential question: where, in all three seasons, did Zuko learn that peace and kindness were the answer? He says as much to Ozai, no doubt. But HOW is this his conclusion? Why would Zuko think that everyone should be kind and get along when the first person who always jumps into violence/conflict mode is him?

His field trips do nothing to prove he actually changed in this way, if you think about it:

Aang’s field trip: Zuko is aggressive and angry over losing his bending. He’s not very kind and peaceful about it, as far as I can remember. When they reach the Sun Warriors’ place, he’s clever for 10 seconds and stupid right after again, and when told that they have to be deemed worthy by Ran and Shaw? His immediate response to Aang’s doubts and uncertainties is “Well, we’re the Fire Prince and the Avatar. I think we could take these guys in a fight, whoever they are”. Again, responding with violence to a situation that he didn’t even know understand fully. What’s Zuko’s instinctive response to everything? Violence!

Sokka’s field trip: Zuko may know a thing or two about political prisoners, who knows, I certainly don’t know because the show never touched this subject. Tyrants like Ozai can and will imprison people who don’t deserve to be in jail… but as far as we saw? That might not have been the case in the Boiling Rock. We learn no stories of any of the people in this prison. We don’t have any clue about who they are. We don’t know if they deserve to be in there or not. But Zuko not only agrees to help Sokka break out his dad and girlfriend… he also agrees to helping Chit Sang, a complete stranger, who may just be hella dangerous for all they know (the wikia claims he’s been accused for murder and he says it’s not true: if he’s lying that means Zuko helped release a murderer from prison!). While the Boiling Rock is Zuko’s best field trip by far, it still makes you wonder if he gives his actions proper thought. Does he really want to release Fire Nation prisoners without knowing who they are or what they did to end up in there? How does this count as “peace” and “kindness”? Granted, the kind part is letting the guy go, sure, and what about the part where, if he were a murderer indeed, he might just go out there and kill again? How is that still kind, still peaceful?

Katara’s field trip: I barely even need to talk about this because Zuko absolutely condones Katara killing Fire Nation soldiers, who are/were acting UNDER ORDERS OF THEIR SUPERIORS, all because he wants to be her friend. Zuko, Mr. I’m-going-to-be-the-Fire-Lord-of-peace-and-kindness, standing by and even encouraging a girl who’s mad with grief and who wants revenge for her mother’s death, regardless of the cost. Again… is this Zuko’s peaceful doctrine? What sort of kindness do these actions reflect? When Aang says they shouldn’t do this, Zuko SCOFFS, he MOCKS him… and yet six episodes ago he was rambling about peace and kindness to his father, who of course, LAUGHED IN HIS FACE THE SAME WAY ZUKO WAS LAUGHING IN AANG’S FACE NOW…?

My point… Zuko learned some very pretty words that he can’t seem to put into actions. Heck, who knows if he even understands their meaning. But maybe what he meant was that everyone else should be kind and everyone else should be peaceful, and only when they all are nice and peaceful will he become nice and peaceful too. Maybe.

Carrying on after his speech to Ozai, though: as usual, his conversation with Toph only strengthens my belief that his development was about becoming exactly what Iroh wanted him to be rather than growing on his own and genuinely learning to better himself for his own sake. He says that the play rubs his worst mistakes in his face: what did the play show him doing? Yelling at Iroh, sending Iroh away, and I suppose having a weird affair with Katara (is this somehow implying that having a moment with Katara was one of his worst mistakes? Well, okay then, Zuko… x’D)? I can’t remember the play portraying anything else. Oh, well, growing out his hair. I guess he didn’t like his hair much either. Ah, and breaking Aang out of prison, I’m guessing he’s really sorry for that now, for… some reason?

Point is… the play didn’t show a Zuko who was hurting strangers, the way he often did in Book 1. It didn’t show a Zuko who was treating Earth Kingdom people like they owed him stuff just because he was Fire Nation royal, as he did in Book 2. We were shown a Zuko who, above all else, was mean to Iroh: THAT is his biggest mistake. Or so he believes. His remorse, his guilt? It’s all about Iroh. And that he’s acting the way Iroh expects of him is what makes him a worthwhile person now, basically. Instead of Zuko questioning what deserves to be questioned, we get a Zuko who adopts Iroh’s beliefs blindly, and who doesn’t even act on them entirely. He just tries to talk the way Iroh would, but as I said above? His answer to every problem is STILL violence. He STILL doesn’t think things through, he may have set a murderer loose in the Fire Nation on his trip to get out of prison, he thinks murder is fine and dandy in general… but because he will recite Iroh’s creed he’s somehow all good now?

And when Iroh takes him back, everyone’s happy, everyone’s moved, that’s what he deserves! Well, no doubt Iroh was going to accept him as he did, why wouldn’t he? Zuko modeled himself after his uncle, entirely. He wants to be Iroh 2.0, and he’ll do whatever he has to do to earn his approval.

But being Iroh 2.0 doesn’t mean having mercy for everyone, it doesn’t mean believing in peace and kindness as the answers to every ordeal. No, it means stopping the war, at any cost, and by doing whatever needs to be done. And that would be fine, but it also means that BOTH Iroh and Zuko don’t care, ultimately, if their other relatives live or die. Iroh never suggested Aang could find another way to defeat Ozai other than killing him, meaning he probably didn’t think there was another one and, meaning, he didn’t care that his brother had to die. He must have seen it as a necessity. Likewise, Zuko sees his sister unhinged and broken, and his reaction is simply to take advantage of her loss of sanity, and after her defeat, to stand by watching her writhing on the ground. Iroh has already told him Azula needs to go down, and that he shouldn’t get along with her. So he doesn’t even try. He doesn’t really need to freak out about whatever his sister’s future will be, because as long as she’s not standing between himself and the throne, he can easily just discard her.

I brought up that I found that “Father Lord” interpretation ridiculous to no end, but I’ll expand on why now: Zuko isn’t “painfully aware” of the fact that it’s his father who has to die. He’s not shown hesitating, instead, he’s shown hoping Aang can get it done, basically. Zuko isn’t particularly worried about Ozai’s fate, and it shows not only an episode before, where he’s actively scolding Aang for trying to find a solution other than murder. And it shows, again, in the finale when he confronts Ozai in his prison cell by telling him:

“You should count yourself lucky that the Avatar spared your life.”

Does this SERIOUSLY sound to anyone like a guy who was conflicted and sad that his father had to die? I can’t see it. I really can’t. If he was worried about Ozai, if he felt bad about his potential death? That feeling was buried SO DEEP that Zuko wasn’t even conscious of it. And as a reminder.. he has accepted Iroh as his actual father. He outright tells Ozai that Iroh is the one who was a real father to him. So… I don’t know if he’s really that conflicted about Ozai dying. Not when the person who’s most eager in the show to get Aang to kill Ozai is Zuko.

… Anyways.

In short, Zuko’s story was not about kindness, despite what the show would want everyone to believe. Zuko has ALWAYS suffered from a severe disconnection between his actions and his words. It’s something many people have criticized about his character before, and this ask really just ended up turning into a criticism about that, too. Zuko can talk about goodness and honor and kindness and peace all he wants, but when he stands watching his broken sister, with a look on his face that suggests Katara is more affected by Azula’s broken display than he is? You get the feeling he’s really just all talk. That a guy who preaches peace and then goes out to help his new best friend on her vengeful killer spree actually doesn’t care about peace or kindness unless it’s convenient to bring it up. Sure, he poured tea for people once in a while. Sure, he has taken up Iroh’s example and he may become an even better person in the future.

But the Zuko we saw in the show? He’s not changed nearly as much as people want to think he has. His redemption was supposed to be about how he learned better, how he became a good person, and how he’s the ideal Fire Lord for a Fire Nation headed for peace: do excuse me for questioning that, considering that the comics got their start with a trilogy where Zuko was charging against the Earth Kingdom all over again, as if his speech to Ozai had been hollow because here we are again, Fire Nation vs. Earth Kingdom. Who learned anything from the 100 Year War? Not Zuko!

All talk about Zuko’s kindness and good heart isn’t completely unfounded, but the show never developed his best traits the way it was supposed to. And the thousands of times where he shows no kindness, no mercy, where he chooses violence over peace, speak much louder than the handful of times where he decided to do the right thing, for a change. Especially when the merciless, violent stuff happens after he’s supposed to be all redeemed. Zuko’s growth was nowhere near as brilliantly executed as so many people would like to believe. Switching sides while barely changing your behavior and responses to situations is merely switching sides. It’s not a full-blown redemption, let alone is it one based on how compassionate and nice he’s become.

#markhamillz #... I ranted again #I did not mean to #crap

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marper-didnt-die-for-blecho · 6 years

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22-33 for Avatar question time :)

Thanks so much for the ask!

22. How much do you like tea?

I like tea a lot, actually. I’m not really an expert, but I’m from southern USA, and we’re obsessed with our sweet tea. Also, my grandmother is a tea expert, and she’s always having me try different kinds of teas and they all taste pretty good tbh.

23: azula: psychopath or mentally ill?

Psychopathy is a mental illness, but I don’t have enough experience with it to say whether she is one or not. I do believe she suffers from other mental illnesses, some that she grew into because of her horrible ass parents, others that come with being royalty. I could analyze Azula’s psyche all day.

24: how much do you like the cabbage guy?

He himself is kind of an asshole (well deserved, but still), but he’s always good for a laugh. Those poor cabbages tho...

25: funniest scene

Too many!! I can’t choose between “Cactus water,” “lUnAR GOODNESS,” “You know what I like about Appa? His sense of humor,” the Ember Island Players’ version of Toph, “HoW CAn yOu saY tHAt???” The Cave of Two Lovers scene where Sokka keeps smacking his forehead anytime the nomads even think about breathing... The guy who’s always foaming at the mouth... look.. can anyone just choose one scene??

26: saddest scene

Azula crying and screaming after the final Agni Kai. There are a lot of sad moments in the series, but most of them are only shown to us through POV flashbacks or are off screen. That scene of Azula was shown to us in real time, without any kind of filter. It was arguably one of the best written character arc endings of the entire show. There was no other scene that gave us this raw, broken, gut wrenching emotion.

27: favorite episode

Oh boy. The Beach. I really need an AU where Zuko never leaves the Fire Nation, and the four of them do shit like that all day everyday like wtf these Fire Nation kids are my life.

28: which element is the strongest?

Well, by using the word strongest, earth would instantly win being that it’s the only element that’s actually solid enough to hold the weight of other objects (ice too, but it’s water, not ice). Now, for which element is strongest in the non literal way, I don’t have an answer because I think that one of the strong subplots of the show is that all of the elements are strong and weak equally yet uniquely. The show gives a lot of weight to Yin and Yang, the idea that everything has an opposite and an equal in every way. Fire both destroys and creates on it’s own, but so do water, earth, and air. And at the same time, they can help and harm one another. They needed to be able to wield and understand all four elements in order to truly be able to bring peace to the world. Teamwork makes the dream work, baby.

29: do you like the comics?

The comics were shit. Moving on.

30: least favorite episode

The Southern Raiders lmao. Not what you were expecting from me, right? Idk man... I feel weird everytime I watch it, like... I’m good on that, g.

31: outfits you loved the most!

Katara in her Fire Nation outfit. Spirit Yue. Azula in her Earth Kingdom outfit. Azula with her hair down. Zuko with the wind in his hair and no shirt. Toph in her pjs with bed hair. Sokka in his war paint. Sokka in his Kyoshi Warrior fit. Aang in his Fire Nation Uniform (i love his headband). Azula the day of the final Agni Kai. The Painted Lady... All of Katara and Azula’s looks were blessed by Yue herself.

32: your opinion on kataras development after The last Airbender to Legend of Korra (based on comics and Lok)

You mean the deterioration of her character? I’m pretty neutral to the whole thing, I think. Sometimes, things just go wrong, and all you can do is roll with the punches through the heartbreak tbh. (Lmao whomstever made these questions wanted discourse and I love it.)

33: how often have you watched it?

I watch a:tla all the way through about once every other month. Sometimes more if I’m really craving it.

#a:tla #avatar: the last airbender #oh man i feel like psychoanalyzing azula #i love her so much #let's talk about the rize of zuko vs. the fall of azula #Nonny #ask drew

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philthevaliant-stuff · 6 years

Text

Steven Universe So Far: One Sentence Summaries For Each Episode! [The Way I Saw It At Least] (Post-April and Pre-May Episodes Edition)

Thankfully, my Crohn’s flare-up hasn’t truly stopped me from updating the one-sentence summary episode guide to Steven Universe before next week! But it’s gotten so long that I’ve had to put a ‘Read More’ link to save your dashboard from overloading! :P

Gem Glow: His first episode. Laser Light Cannon: Amethyst loves being used as ammo. Cheeseburger Backpack: Now available to buy online! Together Breakfast: His first Memetic Mutation. Frybo: Steven defies Broadcast Standards and Practices. Cat Fingers: WOMP WOMP. Bubble Buddies: A ship sails. Serious Steven: Strawberry Fields Forever. Tiger Millionaire: Better than John Cena, that’s for sure. Steven’s Lion: A companionship is formed. Arcade Mania: Meat Beat Mania too much for the UK, apparently. Giant Woman: His first encounter with a fusion. So Many Birthdays: In which Rebecca Sugar reveals her diabolical plan to make everyone watching cry their eyes out for the first time. Lars and the Cool Kids: Whatever you do, DON’T insult Steven’s mum! Onion Trade: In which everyone begins making theories about Onion being the actual Big Bad of the franchise. Steven the Sword Fighter: “Where there’s life, there’s…..” Lion 2: The Movie: Lion is a well-behaved movie patron. Beach Party: Garnet fails at telling lies. Rose’s Room: Nightmare fuel comes as standard. Coach Steven: The song will never get out of your head. Joking Victim: His first work experience session. Steven and the Stevens: Steven makes the Time Lords cry. Monster Buddies: Sponsored by CHAAAAPS potato crisps. An Indirect Kiss: The ship travels at a fine lick. Mirror Gem: Where the franchise changes course and becomes a drama. Ocean Gem: His first close encounter with other Gems. House Guest: Healing spit, we hardly knew ye. Space Race: Ground control to Major Tom, your circuits’ dead, there’s something wrong. Secret Team: Sssh, Secret Team! Island Adventure: Makes the Steven/Connie ship look like a raft. Keep Beach City Weird: At least we got to talk with Ronaldo afterwards, even though he wasn’t prepared for it in hindsight. Fusion Cuisine: Steven gets into the biggest amount of trouble yet. Garnet’s Universe: Estelle works that microphone for ten minutes. Watermelon Steven: His first business deal. Lion 3: Straight to Video: Pass the tissues. Warp Tour: The Dorito debuts. Alone Together: The ship reaches maximum speed. The Test: Time to cry your eyes out again, fans! Future Vision: Wild Beedrill appeared! On the Run: Amethyst makes the Crystal Gems guilty and the fanbase cry. Horror Club: Or ‘Do You Want Fries With That Doughnut?’ Winter Forecast: The ship gains an icebreaker. Maximum Capacity: Amethyst unintentionally causes controversy. Marble Madness: The Dorito debates with Steven. Rose’s Scabbard: You can fit any piece of music with the final scene. Open Book: Cartoon Network buggers up continuity and Rose’s Room makes the situation worse. Shirt Club: Steven gets away with referencing the Kennedy assassination. Story for Steven: His origin story. The Message: Steven inspires a Youtube musician. Political Power: MAY-OR DEW-EY! Say Uncle: Uncle Grandpa tries to inject one last bout of comedy into the show before it all goes down, only to divide the fanbase in his attempt. The Return: “It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for…” Jail Break: His final stand.

Full Disclosure: The ship steers through jagged rocks. Joy Ride: The Dorito’s driving vehicle is discovered. Love Letters: A mailman wishes to become Garnet’s American Boy. Reformed: “Physician, heal thyself.” Sworn to the Sword: The ship gets equipped. Rising Tides, Crashing Skies: Or ‘Keep Beach City Weird: The Animated Series’. Keeping it Together: The Dorito disturbs Garnet. We Need to Talk: Pearl’s salty 90s period. Chille Tid: So disturbing a Hiatus had to be reinstated. We Are the Crystal Gems [1/6]: The National Anthem of Steven Universe Lovers. What Are Gems? [2/6]: In which Steven becomes even more cuter in chibi form. How Are Gems Made? [3/6]: Amethyst debunks dozens of fan theories in one lecture. Fusion [4/6]: "The Answer" in ballet form. Unboxing [5/6]: His first TubeTube video. Lion Loves to Fit in a Box [6/6]: Beach City gets hit by the cat video bug. Cry for Help: The Dorito distributes dissension in the ranks….or does she? Keystone Motel: A handy guide to understanding an autistic person’s mindset, so I discovered. Onion Friend: In which everyone begins making MORE theories about Onion being the actual Big Bad of the franchise. Historical Friction: Jamie provides the fanbase with ideas on how to make an “Ember Island Players” version of the show. Friend Ship: The Dorito dislikes dusty old Gem tech. Nightmare Hospital: The ship’s secrets are brought to light. Sadie’s Song: Steven becomes increasingly popular on Tumblr for a week, and makes Cartoon Network history at the same time. Catch and Release: The Dorito comes out of her chip-based shell. When it Rains: Peridot panics over precarious precipitation. Back to the Barn: Peridot and Pearl pettifog, pummel, and pacify. Too Far: Peridot practically plows predicaments into a Hiatus. The Answer: Ruby, Sapphire, and Garnet's origin stories. Steven's Birthday: The ship departs after refueling [OR: The reason Steven had his own week-long event]. It Could've Been Great: The Turning Point of Steven Quartz Universe. Message Received: Steven rocks the hoodie look. Log Date 7 15 2: Peridot's player gets pawned and perused.

Super Watermelon Island: In which Cartoon Network UK cocks up big time and completely spoils the episode for everyone else. Gem Drill: Our cinnamon roll journeys to the center of the Earth. Same Old World: Steven can show you the world...! Barn Mates: I always wear a leak on St. David's Day! Hit the Diamond: Romance in the Outfield. Steven Floats: It does exactly what it says on the tin. Drop Beat Dad: Such an important event, even the Crewniverse had to check it out! Mr. Greg: His first musical [OR: Pearl's salty-tearful reconciliation]. Too Short to Ride: If you know where to look, you can actually Cheep Peridot right now! The New Lars: Matthew Moy makes up for lost time. Beach City Drift: The ship gains the ability to run on land [OR: Ronaldo auditions for Top Gear]. Restaurant Wars: Ronaldo is finally accepted by (a vast majority of) the fanbase. Kiki's Pizza Delivery Service: Steven uses up his pun quota for the season. Monster Reunion: Leaked from the servers, still sponsored by CHAAAAPS potato crisps. Alone at Sea: No fish were harmed during the making of this episode. Greg the Babysitter: "Meh." Gem Hunt: The ship survives the wilderness. Crack the Whip: "Stop, you're making me giddy...!" Steven vs. Amethyst: Pearl makes good use of traditional seaside shops. Bismuth, Part 1: Rainbow is the new Gem. [OR: His 100th episode!] Bismuth, Part 2: Vengeance is an old vice. Beta: Bow ties are cool! Earthlings: Two heads are better than one, but all bets are off when you and your co-worker's jobs are to protect episodes from being leaked. Back to the Moon: On the moon, no one can hear a thousand Tumblr moms scream. Bubbled: In space, no one can hear a thousand Tumblr moms cry.

Kindergarten Kid: Corruptius Geminius vs. Doritus Clodius Know Your Fusion: Smoky Quartz and Sardonyx take over the Network from the Titans for 11 minutes. Buddy's Book: Jamie's fledgling theatrical career begins to pay off. Mindful Education: Two months' worth of summer adventures finally take their toll on the ship. Future Boy Zoltron: Featuring Neil Gaiman in a role you won't see coming! Last One Out of Beach City: Pearl attempts to roleplay a popular AU version of herself. [OR: Pearl's salty night out] Onion Gang: We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun, but the wine and the song, like the seasons, have all gone. Cooking With Lion [1/5]: "But, Your Honor, he stole my act!" - Francis Gem Karaoke [2/5]: All singing, no crying. Steven Reacts [3/5]: Even Steven can't stand Hiatuses! Video Chat [4/5]: Skype Chats Between Gems. Steven Song Time [5/5]: Or "Summer of Steven: Epilogue" Gem Harvest, Part 1: Steven ditches his Knife for a common or garden Trowel. Gem Harvest, Part 2: Steven and Lapis take to the air and some Steventhusiasts take to petitioning Mr. Enter for an Animated Atrocity entry. Three Gems & a Baby: Peace and goodwill to all Steventhusiasts, and love for the cinnamon roll... Steven's Dream: Three days into 2017 and the entire Stevenbomb gets leaked - that's gotta be a record! Adventures in Light Distortion: The Shorty Squad gets two new members. Gem Heist: Steven is obviously a Mysterious Cities of Gold fan. The Zoo: Ronaldo's not so stupid now, is he, Steventhusiasts!? That Will Be All: Blue and Yellow make Green melodies. The New Crystal Gems: Connie helps to promote the second wave of Funko Pop vinyl figures. Storm in the Room: "Why don't you ask her yourself?" Rocknaldo: In which it's beddy-bye-bo's time for (a vast majority of) Ronaldo's fanbase. Tiger Philanthropist: Tiger Millionaire raises his fists, Purple Puma raises the roof, and Lars raises up a stink! Room for Ruby: Lapis and Peridot regret not watching "The Wrong Trousers" the night before. Lion 4: Alternate Ending: This episode not being leaked in the first place is the actual alternate ending! Doug Out: In which the thoughts of a Super Mario/Steven Universe crossover game that never will be make this blogger cry to sleep. The Good Lars: Jenny plays a mean melodia. Are You My Dad?: We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all we love each other! I Am My Mom: There's nothing I could do, a total eclipse of the heart.

Stuck Together: Forever's gonna start tonight. The Trial: TEAR DOWN THE WALL!!! Off Colors: Every now and then Lars gets a little bit tired of listening to the sound of his tears. Lars' Head: Every now and then we get a little bit terrified of Hiatuses, and then we see the look in the show's eyes! Dewey Wins: As the ship sinks, Steven learns the definition of the word 'Repercussion'. [OR: Not actually a repeat of 'Off Colors' this time!] Raising the Barn: Onion sets his stakes high by cornering the agricultural market. Gemcation: Steven projects his angst, Pearl projects her hatred of reptiles, and Ronaldo projects his voice. Back to the Kindergarten: The Shorty Squad get their Ground Force on! Sadie Killer: Steven is a bad, bad boy, apparently. Kevin Party: Rebecca Sugar finds some inspiration for her next story meeting, but can the ship be salvaged in time? [OR: I don't care what you say, Steven doesn't look anything like that boy from Aberdale!] Steven's Secret Rap Career: His first official/unofficial fan video. [OR: The franchise transcends cultdom, thanks to MKatwood.] Lars of the Stars: In which the next Gem to debut has a little Chaos in her. [OR: As 2018 gets under way, the fans petition for a Captain Lars miniseries.] Jungle Moon: Stevonnie gets caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom. Your Mother and Mine: Garnet wipes out the canonicity of every Steventhusiast's theories and fan media in a matter of minutes. The Big Show: Pearl misses an opportunity to visit Empire City with Steven. Pool Hopping: Square Mom spends some quality time with her favourite cinnamon roll. Letters to Lars: It may be all change, but the next batch of episodes will still be released the good ol' fashioned Stevenbomb way!

#steven universe #all in good jest i assure you #look how far we've come

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