#and a healthy relationship with zuko and uncle iroh | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

avrelia · 6 months

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There was a lot of conversation suddenly about that scene in The Beach episode where Zuko brings stuff to Mai, and whether it means Mai is a bad girlfriend for not being more grateful.

And here is my opinion, which I personally consider the ultimate truth, but YMMV,as they say.

Mai is not a bag girlfriend

Zuko is not a bad boyfriend.

Their relationship is not toxic, abusive, or problematic, but it does have problems, since they are both troubled, traumatized teens who hasn’t seen how healthy relationship work, but they are both trying their best.

Let’s try to imagine ourselves inside Zuko’s head. He wants to do something nice, looks around, sees a shell, remembers that girls are supposed to like pretty things and uncle Iroh thought shells were pretty, picks it up and offers it to Mai.

Let’s move to Mai’s head now. She sees Zuko picking up some random trash from the sand and giving it to her, saying that all girls supposed to like it. She doesn’t like and her response is an eyeroll and a sarcastic remark. Zuko is angry, but is it Mai’s fault? No, it is not.

Zuko had good intentions, but good intention don’t necessarily translate into good action. Imagine, a more common scenario from our world: a girl is given cut roses, because girls are supposed to love flowers, and roses are the best flowers. Must a girl be happy and grateful? Roses are usually really beautiful, after all.

Yet she – might hate flowers

- might hate cut flowers

- might dislike roses

- might be allergic to roses

- might be looking forward to daisies instead

- something else entirely

Mai’s reaction might not have been perfect, but it is realistic and understandable.

now, Zuko realized his mistake, and went to get ice cream – something Mai actually loved and wanted to have.

He almost did it – and then didn’t. Imagine Mai’s disappointment, when a cool delicious icecream drops out of your hand and onto your clothes. What did she do? She thanked Zuko, in mildly sarcastic tone. It is a perfect reaction to the silly mishap, really. Zuko is even more disappointed – but not in Mai and her reaction, remember, all this time he is mad at himself, and everything he does and doesn’t do, feeds that anger.

#atla #atla mai #zuko #avatar the last airbender #atla maiko #the beach #atla book 3

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timur-pannonicus · 1 year

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Zuko and Azula had no reference for what a normal or healthy sibling relationship is like

To address the always present argument about whether their relationship was abusive and who abused who. People point out that being mean and competitive, sometimes to the point of being hurtful, is not unusual for siblings.

I agree. But my point here is that Zuko and Azula don't know that.

Neither is either of them in their early to mid adulthood where the majority of people who had siblings they never got along with start understanding and forgiving.

Azula and Zuko most likely think that their rivalry is NOT a common thing. They lack examples from others in their lives.

I know bringing up the comics is justifiably frowned upon but in the Search, Zuko is absolutely bewildered by Sokka's and Katara's behavior towards each other, which was nothing more than fun bickering. But let's look what can be concluded or assumed from the show.

Iroh and Ozai were both well into adulthood when Zuko and Azula were born and they sadly did not reconcile their differences. They most likely behaved very icy to one another but the demands of court probably required them to act in a very civil and respectful seeming way. In Zuko Alone we can conclude Ozai didn't say anything nice, warm or funny about Iroh to Azula as seen by her attitude to her uncle and Iroh likely didn't tell any fun anecdotes either due to either being away at war or because he didn't want to risk a fight with his brother.

Ursa might have had siblings and cousins but nothing in the show confirms that and the comics clearly say she did not.

Mai didn't get a brother until she was 14.

Ty Lee has six sisters but it's quite possible that each of them had a "pair" in their matched set and Ty Lee was the only one left out, made worse by the fact that her parents seemed to barely acknowledge her. It's possible that only her friendship with Azula made her stand out at all, which likely contributed to her desire for uniqueness and independence too. In any case she likely didn't have much interaction with her biological sisters.

There seems to have been no other kids in the palace with whom Azula and Zuko could interact, limiting their scope of experience and insight.

Zuko not realizing that little siblings tend to be annoying and mean and do pranks has been discussed in detail by others and I don't think I have to add anything.

But, AZULA did not realize some things about older siblings either. They can be entitled, patronizing, attention hogging, dismissive, rude and even cold. Countless older siblings have told the younger ones that they were adopted or found in the trash or said and done even worse things.

One way to simplify the rivalry between Zuko and Azula is to say each was jealous of the attention the other was receiving from a parent.

However, sadly for them their parent's relationship was strained either from the start or after a while, to put it lightly.

Add the fact that they were sheltered and secluded royalty and what they learned about what siblings should be like most likely comes from official ceremonies and rituals, state approved stories and plays, idealized versions that don't correspond with reality.

Plus due to the Fire Nation being a blend of East Asian cultures it's likely they have some form of Confucian ethics. According to those the younger sibling owes obedience to the older and the older is bound to protect the younger. I think it's not too much of a stretch to believe both Zuko and Azula felt wronged in that regard by the other but both were too stubborn to give.

I can't blame Zuko too much for not realizing Azula was trying to help him a few times. Boy was brought up to believe that little sisters SHOULD be very kind, nice and demure. Even if he had acknowledged her efforts he'd still be inwardly pushed to believe she was doing it wrong.

So yeah, both could use a very long life changing field trip with Katara and Sokka, who were both allowed to develop their relationship naturally.

I think I've said enough for now. This is how I see things AT THE TIME OF WRITING.

I tried, really tried to be as fair to Zuko as possible and not harp the poor Azula harp. But if anyone wants to scream at me and be rude over my obviously wrong opinion on either fire sibling, don't expect a response from me.

#azula #avatar the last airbender #zuko #atla #fire siblings meta #zuko meta #azula meta

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peony-pearl · 2 years

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rambly ideas

On the topic of older, healthier Azula, I definitely believe she’d be 100% invested in children’s welfare. That’s not to say she’s overly maternal or anything. I struggle to see her as such; but she’s definitely very active in orphanages (I’d had the idea just before being told she did some kind of caring for orphans bit in the comics but we won’t talk about that lol) and she’s just very much involved in making sure orphanages are getting care and young families are provided for, and that children have access to food and doctors and healthy play.

She goes to orphanages and all of the kids bombard her with a game of tag and she pretends to be reluctant to play but she absolutely gets lost in the game for hours.

By her mid-20′s, Azula has fully taken on the mantle of her status as princess after going around the world with her uncle so they can both ensure reconstruction and care for the kingdoms their families helped ravage. In the meantime, they gain a relationship that even Zuko doesn’t have with Iroh. It’s mischievous and fun, but that doesn’t negate their very serious talks about what their families put into their minds. How talks of strategies reminds them of their origins; yet it brings them comfort and nostalgia.

It doesn’t negate their uncomfortable discussions of how they once saw each other.

It ends up leading to an apology on both ends.

It’s talks of tea that end up bringing them a bit more together, of the leaves and types and flavors. Azula laughs in Iroh’s face when he mentions how he mistook a flower for tea, only to be poisoned.

Interestingly enough, when they return home, it grows into a shared love of their native agriculture, and the two speak with Zuko about ensuring the health of their land after Ozai’s manufacturing brought about pollution.

Azula is often seen around the castle grounds, ensuring flowers from around each of the nations are seen in full glory, as a way of symbolizing the tying of the nations once more.

When Azula and Zuko are together, they are the two leaders of a proud, rebuilding nation. Azula looks to her country and sees herself within it, growing again but still glowing and young and capable.

She and Zuko finally act like siblings. When cameras become a thing, she never hesitates to give Zuko bunny ears, no matter how many years pass by. The two also have their own very serious conversations. Recollecting and picking up pieces from their childhood and shared experiences that shaped them differently. They listen to each other and continue to grow.

But there are also the conversation when Iroh joins, and they surround a firepit as he ensures their roasted marshmallows are always perfect, because the siblings end up charring theirs.

‘The key is proper aging’ he smiles, handing Azula a perfect, golden brown marshmallow.’

‘Oh, is the proper aging what almost killed you when you drank a poisonous flower?’ she teases as Zuko snickers. Iroh remains serene.

‘In my defense, aging also brings about lapse of mental facilities’

‘Oh we’re WAY beyond that, Uncle,” Zuko teases as Iroh forcefully tosses soft, squishy marshmallows at his head as Azula laughs.

How Zuko and Azula wonder if, because of their upbringing... does that mean Ozai should have the same chance at what they were able to do?

Iroh tells the two ‘that is your decision alone. But it is a decision you should weigh against your own experiences and the safety of the Nation and the World. If he does not see the pain in the paths he wrought against it and against you two, I would advise to leave him be. But that will be your decision to make - but that does not mean I will leave you alone to pursue it if you need me.’

#atla meta #atla #Azula #Zuko #Iroh #things I would like to see but alas

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crispykodraws · 2 years

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Summary: [!Coregency AU] Iroh suggests the idea of regency, but gets an invitation to a tea party Instead.

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The smell of ginseng tea permeated most of the air, while the shuffling of parchment filled the rest.

Iroh couldn't help but feel alone at the moment even though Zuko sat across from him. His cup of tea had already cooled down judging from the lack of steam but his nephew continued working on his documents, heedless of the sad sight.

He sighed.

"Zuko, nephew," Iroh said, "I know you are busy but it doesn't hurt to take a break for a few minutes."

He only glanced apologetically at Iroh before going back to his work.

"I know, Uncle, but I just need to get these done today for Azula."

Iroh sipped his tea to refrain from sighing. It stung, but he understood why Zuko would be too busy to chat. Even if they had planned on meeting up today way ahead. His duties to the Fire Nation and the Fire Lord were of the utmost importance now. And Zuko was always a single-minded sort of person.

However, it just gave him more reason to go through with his proposal.

"Seeing both of you work together after all that has happened between you two is still a bit strange," he said. "But, er, it also makes me happy, of course."

Somehow, this was what finally made Zuko look up from the document he was scrawling on. He smiled.

"I'm glad that you feel that way, Uncle."

At least he had his attention now.

"But it also saddens me that you both have to work so tirelessly at such a young age."

Zuko's face turned serious. "Running a nation is hard."

He looked down at his work, searching where he'd left off. His brush started moving across the parchment again.

"It is," Iroh said before he completely lost Zuko's attention. "That's why I would like to propose appointing a regent until Azula comes of age.”

The brush stopped.

“It would give you two some time to discover more about yourselves and build an identity outside of your royal duties."

"We thought about that," Zuko said. "But who would even be willing and good enough not to plunge the Fire Nation into another war? Most of the ministers and noblemen have stakes in keeping the colonies and getting more of them."

Iroh coughed once to his fist."I could lend a hand."

His nephew stared blankly at him. Then, he turned sheepish.

"No offense, Uncle," he said, "but I don't think Azula would like that idea. She…"

Zuko scratched at his chin, hesitating.

"She?"

A sigh.

"She doesn't trust you enough for that. Or anyone really," he added quickly.

Iroh raised an eyebrow at this. He supposed it made sense considering his relationship with his niece. However, also not trusting her brother? The one who has been her ally since her coronation?

"Doesn't she trust you?"

"She tolerates me."

"That doesn't seem healthy."

"But it works."

"I see."

He didn't to be honest. They looked quite close now—closer than any other time they had been when he'd seen them as children. If he wasn't talking about his own work, Zuko would be talking about Azula's. If he couldn't be found in his own office, chances were he would be in the Fire Lord's.

To be constantly around and relying on each other but not trusting one another was a strange concept to him. In his years as a soldier, he had rivals and enemies within the ranks, but even then they trusted one another in the heat of battle.

He shook his head.

If it worked for them, then perhaps it was enough.

"I think I still remember all those royal lessons drilled into me," he said, cheerfully. "I'm not completely useless."

Zuko wilted at his words.

"It's not that, Uncle, you're not useless," he assured him. "But it's more like…"

He rubbed his neck, thinking. Iroh let him gather his thoughts while he tried to rein in his emotions. Between Azula and Zuko, they did a fine job at managing the nation, young as they were. Perhaps it was his age, but he did feel genuinely left out in the whirlwind of activity following the end of the war. He wasn't fishing for it nor was it the main reason for his proposal, nevertheless it was touching that Zuko didn't think he was useless.

“She cares a lot about the Fire Nation. I think she sees it as her responsibility,” Zuko said finally. He smoothed out the parchment on the table. “It’s all she has right now.”

Iroh’s eyebrows scrunched together. He wasn’t sure if he agreed considering how her brother was here now. She didn’t have just the Fire Nation.

“It's a personal mission for her. She wouldn’t want anyone to take that away from her. Even for just a few years.”

Iroh sighed.

“I have not... talked with your sister for a long time. Not in a way that matters,” he said, tracing the texture on his teacup with his thumbs. “I understand why this is the case.”

There was always a sense of foreboding in his heart whenever he looked at Azula. It was like looking at his grandfather and his father and his brother. It was like looking in a mirror. Constantly, he found himself turning away.

He’d lost a beautiful, precious treasure to the war and he tried to deny the ugly thing inside him that caused it. Ripped it out in the vain hope to sever himself from it. Azula’s piercing amber eyes were an eternal reminder that he cannot hack it off like a maimed, useless limb because it was him.

But no more.

If his young niece can come to terms with the ugliness they all shared, then he should be able to do the same. He should do the same.

"It's one of my deepest regrets," Iroh whispered.

Zuko looked taken aback by his confession. It felt like a blow to the chest, but it made sense with how he'd acted towards and spoke of Azula in the past. Regrettable indeed.

"By suggesting to take over both of your responsibilities for a while, I thought I could start to make peace and be someone you and she can rely on." He smiled ruefully. "Perhaps I am a bit too late with my actions."

Zuko put down his brush and clasped his hands together." I didn't know you felt that way, Uncle."

Iroh shrugged. "It's a recent development, I admit."

"I mean, I guess if it's for her, then she might approve of it," Zuko said. He smiled. "I'll ask her."

Iroh smiled back. "Thank you, nephew."

Perhaps they can turn their ugliness beautiful together.

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Azula cackled. She slapped her desk and there were tears in her eyes. This was the first time Zuko had seen her laugh this hard, and it would be endearing if she wasn't doing it at their uncle's expense. Maybe he shouldn't have included Iroh's heartfelt confession in their conversation.

Eventually, she let out a huge sigh and wiped the tears away.

"I'd have to decline, unfortunately."

"Not even going to think about it for a day or two?" Zuko asked.

"How about a second?" She paused. "Mm, yes still no, I think."

“Are you sure?”

“You don’t understand, Zuko. I’ll be laughing everyday if I think about it much longer.”

He really shouldn’t have included Iroh’s confession.

Zuko sighed. "Alright. I'll tell him."

"We can have some tea time together if he's open to that though."

He turned to her, hopeful. "Really?"

"I want to see him squirm in person."

"You're terrible."

She only cackled again.

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A/N: Hello, I am always nervous about posting fanfiction. But I said I would write/draw stuff for this AU and I guess it is a fun exercise, so here's one done. Most of them will be one-shots because they're originally written as scripts for short comic strips. And also because of that, they'll be out of order. When I post enough of them, I'll make a masterpost that arranges them (kind of) chronologically.

Oh, I also remembered that I had another AO3 account just lying around randomly, so this will be posted there eventually. And maybe fics will go there directly instead of being posted here. I dunno, let me know if you have strong opinions about it.

I'm official calling this AU "!Coregency AU" because that's basically what it is anyway. It isn't just Azula ruling the Fire Nation by herself. The exclamation point is important because, uhhh, something something programming reference.

Anyway, thanks for reading if you did lol. I'm kind of still embarrassed and nervous about my writing, but it's okay if you want to give some constructive criticism.

#atla (archive)#!Coregency AU #crispyKeyboardBashing

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ao3feed-zukka · 10 months

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Talk Too Much

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/p6oOWzS

by thehundrethpoet

“What’s this?” Zuko asks, arching a brow as he takes the napkin he’s offered, eyes flickering over the digits inked in smudged calligraphy but readable. “My number. So you can call me later.” The guy with blue eyes and hickeys along his collarbone says, smiling confidently for a moment. Truly, only a moment. Next thing he knows some insecurity passes by his face and he is crumbling into excuses, talking too fast and too much and this side of neurotic. “I mean, if you want to call me later. I don't want to assume, it's just last night was nice— not nice, hot— no, not hot, good. Last night was good and I like you so— not like you as in love you, like you as in you're nice— not nice, hot— no, not hot— fuck!” His face meets his hands and he lets out a quiet sound of gut-wrenching despair. “You're a rambler, aren't you?” He answers amusedly, good eye crinkling at the edges with a held back smile and bad eye hidden under a dark curtain of hair.

(Or the one where Zuko's one time flings talks like he expects not to be listened to and Zuko listens. Over and over again.)

Words: 35226, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of knit your soul to mine and i will turn you into a poem

Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: M/M

Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Aang (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Bato (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Ty Lee (Avatar), Mai (Avatar)

Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Sokka & Zuko (Avatar)

Additional Tags: god help me people actually liked my first one - freeform, and it’s been three whole ass years, but atla live action looks GOOD, and i finally made it, so here we go aGA I N-, I AM BACK, hide your feelings hide your children, hi terra, I'm sorry this was meant to be your Christmas gift and I am so majorly late, like... by three whole ass years, but it's still my gift to you, it’s just not Christmas, yay (?), pardon a girl her shortcomings, to all of you i hereby promise, no angst just softness..., fine there's ONE (1) piece of angst, but it's just the onE, i think, don't quote me on it, Dorks in Love, Fluff and Humor, Romantic Fluff, Happy Ending, zukka - Freeform, Zuko (Avatar)-centric, Sokka (Avatar)-centric, Bisexual Sokka (Avatar), Gay Zuko (Avatar), Zuko's Scar (Avatar), Minor Mai/Ty Lee (Avatar), minor Kataang, minor bakoda, Uncle Iroh And His Cup Of Tea, Azula (Avatar) is A Good Sister, Azula (Avatar) And Her Asexual Smolder, Poet Zuko (Avatar), Poet Zuko (Avatar) Supremacy, College Student Zuko (Avatar), College Student Sokka (Avatar), the title says everything you need to know, so does the summary, The Author Regrets Nothing, begone fics where these two insist on hurting each other through miscommunication, ( yes i am aware my previous Zukka fic is one such story what about it ), and let's have healthy and good communication!, here we fucking goooooooo

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/p6oOWzS

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #zukka #avatar: the last airbender #atla #zuko #sokka

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ao3feedzukka-blog · 10 months

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Talk Too Much

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47954218 by thehundrethpoet “What’s this?” Zuko asks, arching a brow as he takes the napkin he’s offered, eyes flickering over the digits inked in smudged calligraphy but readable. “My number. So you can call me later.” The guy with blue eyes and hickeys along his collarbone says, smiling confidently for a moment. Truly, only a moment. Next thing he knows some insecurity passes by his face and he is crumbling into excuses, talking too fast and too much and this side of neurotic. “I mean, if you want to call me later. I don't want to assume, it's just last night was nice— not nice, hot— no, not hot, good. Last night was good and I like you so— not like you as in love you, like you as in you're nice— not nice, hot— no, not hot— fuck!” His face meets his hands and he lets out a quiet sound of gut-wrenching despair. “You're a rambler, aren't you?” He answers amusedly, good eye crinkling at the edges with a held back smile and bad eye hidden under a dark curtain of hair. (Or the one where Zuko's one time flings talks like he expects not to be listened to and Zuko listens. Over and over again.) Words: 35226, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 2 of knit your soul to mine and i will turn you into a poem Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Aang (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Bato (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Ty Lee (Avatar), Mai (Avatar) Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Sokka & Zuko (Avatar) Additional Tags: god help me people actually liked my first one - freeform, and it’s been three whole ass years, but atla live action looks GOOD, and i finally made it, so here we go aGA I N-, I AM BACK, hide your feelings hide your children, hi terra, I'm sorry this was meant to be your Christmas gift and I am so majorly late, like... by three whole ass years, but it's still my gift to you, it’s just not Christmas, yay (?), pardon a girl her shortcomings, to all of you i hereby promise, no angst just softness..., fine there's ONE (1) piece of angst, but it's just the onE, i think, don't quote me on it, Dorks in Love, Fluff and Humor, Romantic Fluff, Happy Ending, zukka - Freeform, Zuko (Avatar)-centric, Sokka (Avatar)-centric, Bisexual Sokka (Avatar), Gay Zuko (Avatar), Zuko's Scar (Avatar), Minor Mai/Ty Lee (Avatar), minor Kataang, minor bakoda, Uncle Iroh And His Cup Of Tea, Azula (Avatar) is A Good Sister, Azula (Avatar) And Her Asexual Smolder, Poet Zuko (Avatar), Poet Zuko (Avatar) Supremacy, College Student Zuko (Avatar), College Student Sokka (Avatar), the title says everything you need to know, so does the summary, The Author Regrets Nothing, begone fics where these two insist on hurting each other through miscommunication, ( yes i am aware my previous Zukka fic is one such story what about it ), and let's have healthy and good communication!, here we fucking goooooooo June 17, 2023 at 10:54PM

#IFTTT #Zukka #AO3Feed Zukka #Sokka/Zuko

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ambriel-angstwitch · 8 months

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Fourth of July through the Lens of Zuko (and Azula)

It was the Fourth of July You and I were, you and I were fire, fire, fireworks That went off too soon

Fireworks that went off too soon - Fireworks are beautiful sights to behold due to careful planning. One going off early is an unfortunate accident that would ruin the show. Due to their upbringing of constantly being pressured to achieve the highest ironically Zuko and Azula couldn’t reach their full potential. Azula was excelling from a young age which put a spotlight on her. This made it so failure no longer was an option but failure is how we grow. When she feels as though she’s failing she completely breaks down. On the flip side we have Zuko who could never seem to be enough. He constantly was left chasing his fathers ideas of what’s right for firebending and actions that he didn’t do what was better for him. Then he was sent young and angry on a wild chase around the world. If they’d been allowed to grow on their own time and learn in their own ways they could have been well rounded and intelligent individuals who could have worked well together. But they’d been forced to grow up too soon. All this is similar to how if the firework had gone off at the right time it would have been a sight to behold but due to its timing it became a mess

And I miss you in the June gloom too

Pete uses “the June gloom” to describe the fairly uneventful month before July. Zuko probably missed his home the most in the uneventful times, in the years where Aang wasn’t out of the ice when his purpose wasn’t as easy to track.

I said I'd never miss you, but I guess you never know

Zuko never seemed to be miss Azula his goal was always to regain his fathers approval and to get back to his father. But in a lot of ways he did miss her even after he had her again because there was a time before they were pitted eachother that all they had for eachother was love when Zuzu wasn’t used to mock but rather because K sounds are hard for young children to use.

May the bridges I have burned light my way back home on the fourth of July

Zuko throughout the series consistently burns the bridges that will lead him home. For example when he wanted to go home to the Fire nation he did the actions of a traitor as the blue spirit. Though the interesting thing about this wording is that the bridges burning is what lights the way back home so you can’t see the way until you’ve created the destruction which is similar to how Zuko doesn’t realize that his destiny until after he betrays Iroh. Until he’s laid in the wreckage of his mistakes that he realizes that being in the Fire Nation won’t make him happy. That he needs to carve his own path. That his uncle has been the only person that’s been with him through all his struggles. The Gaang and Uncle become his home.

I'll be as honest as you'll let me

Zuko is willing to admit to all his wrongdoings and seek forgiveness. He’s changed. But the Gaang have a hard time believing him and worry it’s just a trick. After all Azula was great at lying, but Zuko unbeknownst to them lacks this skill.

I miss your early morning company If you get me

Zuko misses Iroh the person who was there for him when he woke up on the ship the first time and any other time he woke up from a nightmare.

You are my favorite what if You are my best I'll never know

After Zuko saw Katara and Sokka’s sibling dynamic there’s a part of him that’s jealous of what they have. Azula is his favorite what if, he wants to believe that under different circumstances they could have been best friends or at least had a less deadly sibling rivalry. He wishes they could have had a healthy relationship.

And I'm starting to forget Just what summer ever meant to you What did it ever mean to you?

To Zuko summer meant their family was happy. It meant watching plays with his mom. It meant playing on the beach with Azula and Lu Ten. Ember island is where he remembers his family whole and happy. Then most recently Ember island is the first place that we see Azula be vulnerable, they both reconnect. We don’t know exactly what Ember Island used to mean to Azula but we know now that they’re teens she also finds it depressing. Whether that’s because it also used to be a happy place to her or if it’s because she used to see Zuko connect with Ursa and not her we’re unaware.

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean any of it I just got too lonely, lonely, whoa. In between being young and being right You were my Versailles at night

Zuko didn’t truly want to betray his uncle, he just got desperate for his fathers love and his home. Zuko wanted to be right about everything because if he wasn’t none of it would have been worth it. But in reality Iroh was the one bright spot left in his family

My 9 to 5 is cutting open old scars again and again 'til I'm stuck in your head Had my doubts but I let them out

Becoming the firelord reopened old wounds. He looked to his father for approval, he misses his mother and he even ended up teaming up with Azula again, despite their past which says that’s a bad idea.

You are the drought And I'm the holy water you have been without

Azula causes destruction and conversely Zuko has learned that Fire can bring life. They could complete and compliment eachother but they haven’t had the chance to.

And all my thoughts of you They could heat or cool the room, and no

Zuko has conflicting feelings about Azula. He loves her but their on different sides and she tried to kill him.

Don't tell me you cried Oh, honey, you don't have to lie

Azula tends to play with people’s emotions. If it benifitted her she would have told Zuko she missed him during his banishment but Azula always lies.

I wish I'd known how much you loved me I wish I cared enough to know

Zuko wished he’d realized how much Iroh loved and cared for him and how little his father did. These are things that would have affected his path.

I'm sorry every song's about you. The torture of small talk with someone you used to love

When Zuko returned to the Fire Nation, his and Azula’s conversations were mostly stilted and blunt. They rarely can open up to each other since Azula sees as weakness, something she can’t have and something she can exploit in Zuko

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awanderingmuse-ficrec · 1 year

Text

Discovering Destiny Series

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: Megarapike (Majorwhovian)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Major Injury, Violence, Child Abuse

Word Count: 272,665

Pairings: Zutara, Sukka

Characters: Katara, Zuko, Aang, Toph Beifong, Sokka, Suki, Kanna, Hakoda, Bato, Pakku, Yugoda, Arnook, Leo Beifong, Poppy Beifong,Uncle Iroh, Appa, Guru Pathik, Momo

Tags: Romance, Family, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Healing, Action/Adventure, Blue Spirit Zuko, The Painted Lady, Gaang shenanigans, Toph is a boss, Suki is best girl, Zuko is a dork, Order of the White Lotus, Ozai Being a Terrible Parent, Azula needs therapy, Actually they all need therapy, Babies, My heart split between six characters, Aang is misunderstood, Zutara rules, fight me, Appa is MVP, How come all fanfics forget Momo?!?, Sokka is bf material, Katara and Zuko are basically mom and dad, Kissing under water is sexy as long as you can breath, This is not a mermaid au, fluffy day to day, sweet scenes, we stan healthy relationships, ice dodging, supper with the fam, Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck, but has grown up a lot, no assassination attempts, finally we get a break, Hakoda is daddy, on all counts, was that too far?, fr Hakoda is a good dad, They all need therapy, Zuko and Sokka are bros, Therapy, PTSD, survivor's guilt, Did I mention Zutara, Heavy Themes, Hurt/ComfortGrief, Circle of Abuse, Trauma, Guilt, That's it. that's the only tag we need, Poppy and Leo can join Ozai in the terrible parents club, I Try to Make You Cry, avatar aang, Gaang Angst, Angst, emotional connections, Supernatural Bonds

First come loves, then comes...a lot of complications that will repeatedly break your heart then make you laugh then cry then break your heart again before I hand you some glue so we can put back the pieces together. Also a bit of adventure, mystery, and a lot of mental healing.

Currently planned for 6 stories with an overarching plot and mystery through the whole series. Each story is designed to be read on its own as a standalone if you find the word count daunting.

Destiny is a Funny Thing

They thought they knew what their destinies were...save the world, become Fire Lord, maybe even fall in love along the way...But Destiny has a funny way of turning expectations into something you never dreamed possible. Maybe the story isn't your simple save the world and get the girl kind of tale. Maybe there's so much more to it than that. And maybe there can be more than one kind of happy ending...

Mark of the Trusted

This is part of a series, but each story is designed to be read as a standalone if you don't want to read everything.

In the two years after the war, the Gaang focuses on rebuilding their homes and spending time with family. Zuko struggles with guilt and worries about Azula's health, but for the first time in his life he has a large support system and a loving family around him at all times. A short story about love, healing, and learning to understand and support someone who is struggling with mental health.

Katara Alone

This is part of a series, but each story is designed to be read as a standalone if you don't want to read everything.

Three years after the war, Katara is studying healing in the North Pole when an incident abruptly makes her leave. Lost in a spiral of grief and guilt, she takes a detour into the Fire Nation alone, not willing to let her friends and family see her at her worst. When Zuko finds out she is missing he takes a trip to the North Pole to try and unravel the mystery Katara left behind.

Toph Alone

This is part of a series, but each story is designed to be read as a standalone if you don't want to read everything.

It's been years since Toph has seen her parents, but she always imagined reuniting with them under better circumstances. While her friends are either missing, preoccupied, or unavailable, a new law forces Toph back to Gaoling. Far away from the family she adopted, Toph must find a way to reconcile with her parents...or spend the next couple years of her life alone and on the run.

Aang Alone

Two years after the end of the war, Aang is plagued with constant headaches, sleepless nights, and an unexplainable hollow feeling in his chest. After two months of being unable to get into the Spirit World, a past avatar finally comes to him with a message: Go find Guru Pathik again and prepare himself for a future event that will change everything he knows about the world. In pain, desperate, and tired, Aang goes on a yearlong journey to find answers and healing and to answer the question: is he really the last airbender?

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erithel · 2 years

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Person who sent the lotor rant here, i feel like they always intended for him to be an antagonist without a goal of redemption. And given his current actions, the way he continued his parent’s imperialism (no matter how good his intentions started out or his backstory), he didn’t really seek one out or even worked towards it given he had about 10 thousand years to do so, imo lotor in s1-6 is not redemptive. I don’t want to use real examples bc that takes away the gravity of those situations, but if lotor had a real world analogue, I don’t think people would advocate for him much.

And yeah agree that he does get away with it bc he’s “attractive” to fans, if he was drawn any less “attractive” people wouldn’t be playing devil advocate for him. And would be more likely to condemn him for how he treated allura. The way he used her and manipulate her throws up so many red flags, that’s the kind of man people should look out for and get warned about.

I think the writers only started giving him a more sympathetic perspective in s7-8 bc of fan popularity. Which wouldn’t be the first time the writers lean more on marketing than organic story telling (shiro and toys…) to get a season out. It would explain why the portrayal came so late and people had such a mix reaction.

And I know people wanted him to be zuko but we should remember that zuko had a hard journey and actively seeked out the path for redemption that and it was long to get there. He was also a teenager who didn’t commit the kind of atrocities that grown adult Lotor had. I also get the impression the fandom doesn’t want Looe to put in the work to it and just want him to get the redemption free of charge, love and kisses all around for him. Which is basically the same as writing off his actions and excusing them. If Lotor had to have a redemption arc it would be something along the lines of Uncle Iroh. The messy kind where he is not entitled to forgiveness but he is still working to correct his mistakes and be more a man of the earth.

So there are a couple things I would like to address, here.

First and foremost, yes. You are absolutely right that it feels as though the showrunners/writers were swayed by influences that had nothing to do with the actual story/characters. I know I've addressed it in previous posts, but it still remains relevant that if there had been a solid plan from the get-go and they had stuck to that plan, the show would have been less…disjointed.

Character arcs would have made more sense. Storylines would not have been forgotten. Everything would have felt more cohesive instead of how rushed and frazzled it became in the last few seasons.

Secondly, we obviously view Lotor in a slightly different light.

I am not here to argue your opinion. Only to offer mine.

Because the most interesting thing I ever found about Lotor's character was that I think he actually did believe his feelings for Allura were genuine. Now, I do just want to be clear, here – I am not saying the way he treated her was good, or right. It was not. It was clearly manipulative, and she was 100% right in her anger towards him. But I do believe that because he had no frame of reference for a healthy relationship, he believed that his own feelings were true toward her.

Allura started out as a target for Lotor, but somewhere along the way she became more than that. Not in the sense of the power of true love won out, or she was able to change the monster or any of that BS. But she did become different.

Because on several occasions throughout the show, people said things like "you're just like your father" to Lotor – and as far as I can remember, he brushed it off every time.

Every time… except when Allura said it to him.

Allura said "You're more like Zarkon that I could have imagined" and Lotor…snapped. It was the only time he reacted to that phrase, because it was the only time it was spoken by someone who's opinion of him mattered.

Maybe that's just a reaching headcanon of mine, but I always found that moment interesting.

Thirdly, I am not gonna get too much into this because I am not having politics invade my nice little klance space here, but I have to disagree with you on one point. It has become abundantly clear that no matter what heinous acts real world people do commit, there are always others who will advocate for them.

And lastly, characters are often compared to Zuko because he had one of the most successfully portrayed redemption arcs in any show or movie.

I mentioned this in a comment on the previous Lotor post, but I'll say it here again – Zuko's redemption arc was successful because we got his backstory and his reason for acting the way he did in episode 12 of season 1.

They gave us just enough time to settle into "ok so he's the antagonist" before they flipped it on us and made us sympathize with him. And because they played Zuko's parts of that episode in almost a direct parallel to Aang's, it told us that this story wasn't just "good vs evil" black and white storytelling. It literally showcased that Zuko (the antagonist) tried to do the right thing for the good of his people and literally got burned and banished for it. While Aang (the protagonist) made a bad decision for selfish reasons and the world suffered for it. It was an excellent lesson in "everyone makes mistakes, and everyone handles things differently."

In my opinion, it's not fair to compare most characters to those of AtLA, because they were actually given the chance to grow and change, whereas many others were not.

Especially not those of VLD.

I feel as though maybe you are basing a lot of this on the members of the fandom who say "Lotor deserved better."

I do not believe those people are saying "Lotor did no wrong," but instead, it's more along the lines of "everyone deserves to be given a chance."

Did Lotor do horrible things? Yes. Does he deserve to be forgiven for doing those things? No.

But did he deserve a chance to a life where everything wasn't standing against him? Did he deserve a life where he could have learned the right thing and changed for the better?

Yes.

Everyone deserves a chance to better themselves. And it's up to them to make that chance count.

#asks #erithel's hot takes #lotor #avatar the last airbender #voltron legendary defender #series critique

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pencilscratchins · 3 years

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YOU HAVE A MINI STORY FOR AZULA AND HER WIFE????? MS REBECCA I AM NOT ASKING I AM BEGGING

YOU ARE ENABLERS ALL OF YOU THIS IS A NOVEL UNDER THIS CUT

- SO SCENE SET a few years after canon, in their mid twenties (post sokka & azula solo) sokka and zuko are newly engaged, katara just decided to run for chief when hakoda steps down-- everyones pretty set in their lives.

-- azula’s doing pretty good- she’s grown a lot and learned some coping mechanisms and she’s gotten to a pretty good place with most of the group. especially toph and sokka-- but she’s starting to feel out of place in the palace.

--- like her whole life she was raised to be the fire lord, and now-- not only is she not the fire lord, she doesn’t really think being a part of the government's healthy for her at all. but she cant do that to zuko, whos done so much for her, who is she abandon him

- they all take a summer off and spend a few weeks in toph’s family’s country home bc rich people always just have house places smh (well, aang mentions he and zuko technically always on the job and zukos like “speak for yourself, hotman, iroh’s covering my gig, i’m lee from the tea shop rn”)

- the beifong’s house is in the middle of this smaller village on the coast, where there’s a farmers market every morning of local vendors, which sokkas psyched about.

-- nobody wants to go with sokka bc shopping with sokka means getting up at 7am and spending a full hour at each booth, but azula gets roped into tagging along when sokka is like “none of you are STRONG enough to wake up early and get going huh?” and her pride cant let that hang

-- rookie mistake.

- so she goes and spots nasim’s booth almost immediately and realizes in that moment: she’s not just a lesbian in theory. It is in fact, in practice. she is very gay.

- NASIM is a local greens farmer, whos family runs a pretty good sized farm on the outskirts of the village. her uncle is the bad boy of the family, who split off from lettuce to travel with his cabbage business. (this is completely added when i saw the cabbage merchant responses on the other post and laughed so hard SKSK)

-- nasim has always been a very level headed, calm sort of person. not shy, but careful with her words and very considerate. she’s one of those good men in the storm, so to speak; she’s the person who will level out every solution to a problem with immense patience. but with that, she’s not great at making decisions for herself, and is in NO MEANS a risk taker.

- sokka notices azula flustered immediately and is like “well as your almost brother i need to tell you how to flirt with her” and shes like “excuse you i know how to flirt” and goes up and just… bombs it. like we’re talking “you’re outfits really sharp” pt 2

-- “these are incredible lettuces. were i an enemy leader, i would burn your fields down as to ensure the opposing forces could not gain their nutrition!” “.... well lettuce burns more calories to eat than it gives but… uh thanks,”

--- sokkas like i may be above my head here, i recognize that.

- he brings it up to zuko who, in a rare display of pure big brother energy, immediately tells the group who all decided they HAVE to make this happen. toph, because she thinks it ripe with hilarious opportunity; katara because she thinks a relationship might chill azula out a little; suki because she has nothing better to do; and aang because he just loves love :,)

- obviously, they are all inept idiots who can only date members of their immediate friend group, so they do not help. aang goes along with her and nasim is like “are you the avatar?” and he’s like “why yes! yes i am!!” and shes like “you have to leave immediately, my uncle warned me about you.” “that tracks, that does track”

- azula is kinda freaking out bc through all this misplaced attempts, she is spending time with and getting to know nasim and genuinely likes her- to the point where she could see herself starting a life in the village which is DISGUSTING and very unazula like!

-- like nasim and her keep running into each other, even outside of the groups intervention and they like... get along? nasims one of the first people who knows who she was and doesnt care; and nasim has never met anyone with so much passion and fire.

- azula & katara have a talk where katara’s like look. you were pretty fucked up and you did fucked up things, but those don’t have to define you for the rest of your life. if i have found a way to forgive you, you have to forgive yourself. And if forgiving yourself means moving away from the capital and marrying a woman-- do it.

-- azulas like why are you being nice to me and shes like well “my brothers marrying your brother so that makes us…” “nothing to each other” “oh thank tui and lu”

- anywayy this is already far too long BUT YOU GET THE GIST they fall in love and she moves to the village and run the farm together and my god, ive made yet another farm lesbian god DAMMIT

#ALL ROADS LEAD TO FARM LESBIANS #thank you for hearing me out through this lesbian fit im having IM SORRY SKSK #redemption azula #not art #long response #long post #under the cut #read more #head canon #i just really want azula to find herself and like terrorize a small town with her intense community engagement

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fire-lady-ilah · 3 years

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What if Ozai actually loved his family?

This could extend to Iroh and Lu Ten and Azulon, but what I mean by this is that he truly loves Ursa (as this is highly debated in canon), Zuko, and Azula. The no strings attached love that children deserve. Buckle up because this is gonna get long and need a cut.

Aang might not win in this universe.

It would start with Zuko’s birth. He has no spark but Ozai has never held something so small that had his eyes. His wife lays exhausted on her bed. Zuko does not almost die that night. He was lucky to be born, yes, but it is said with love rather than scorn.

Two years later, Azula is born and he finds himself loving her just as much as her brother, even if she has a spark he doesn’t. Ursa is severely weakened after the birth and he decides not to try for more children— he loves the ones he has and he wouldn’t want to lose his wife.

Outside the Fire Nation, his brother burns down swathes Earth Kingdom. This Ozai isn’t a good person, he proposes ruthless plans in the war room, just as he would in canon, he laughs as his brother dreams of the day he burns Ba Sing Se.

The only difference is that he loves his family. His son almost dies and he saves him. He thanks the spirits that he was a strong swimmer and makes the point to train his son in swimming for the rest of their time on Ember Island. The current is dangerous, and it is even more dangerous for a weak swimmer.

Azula is a prodigy in firebending. Zuko is not. He makes a point to show them the same amount of love (because he does love them both). He reinforces Ursa’s teaching of empathy, not counteracting it like he might’ve in another universe. Azula begins to tell her brother all her tricks, things that come so naturally to her that her brother doesn’t realize.

He is nowhere near a prodigy like her, but he’s only a few sets behind her at any given time, and he’s leagues better than he would be at the same point in canon. Ursa sits with him and they watch their children fondly— they have a bond no one could break now, able to share thoughts without words. One day, they will be an unbeatable team. Now they’re just children, practicing together, playing together.

The turtleducks in the pond hound both children when they walk by, knowing only soft hands and small pieces of bread.

Azula is a firebending prodigy, but Ozai watches his son carefully. He sees the light touch of his feet, the quick reflexes when he almost knocks a vase off a shelf, the way he watched with wide eyes as they happened upon two guards sparring while not on duty.

Ozai calls for the best swordsmaster he can, housing Master Piandao of Shu Jing in the palace. Piandao’s assignment is to teach two children, after all. It wouldn’t do to send both his children away for so long. (He would miss them, as would Ursa.)

Azula is a prodigy firebender, Zuko is a prodigy swordsman. He picks up any style Piandao tries to teach him with ease, eventually settling on the dual dao as his favourite. Azula picks twin daggers.

Their weapons are two halves of the same whole, just as Zuko and Azula are. Zuko tells his sister all his tricks, all the things about sword fighting that come naturally to him that she doesn’t realize.

The Seige of Ba Sing Se beings. The family write letters to Iroh and Lu Ten often. Iroh sends a doll for Azula and a dagger for Zuko.

(“It’s okay, Lala. Obviously he couldn’t find any twin daggers there. It wouldn’t be right for you to wield just one dagger.”)

The doll doesn’t burn, though it lays in a chest, collecting dust. Zuko’s dagger is used to open each subsequent letter, though it has little other use. He has his dao for fighting, and Azula has a collection of far better daggers that she would let him use if he asked.

(Mai tells Azula (who is a bit softer around the edges than she could’ve been, though her teeth remain sharp) of her slight crush on her brother. She just pushes them together like any other child would and laughs at their blushing cheeks.)

Ozai and Ursa watch their children, hand in hand as they walk together. Neither of them have a reason to be disappointed in their children or in each other.

Lu Ten dies. Azula’s voice is cold as she proclaims that her uncle should have burnt Ba Sing Se to the ground.

This time, everyone recognizes the words for what they are. Ursa holds her daughter and soothes her as Zuko collapses into his father’s arms.

(A doll is pulled from a dusty chest and held to a girl’s chest.)

Ozai kneels before his father and says he would make a better Fire Lord than his brother. He may love his family, but he still wants power and his words are logical.

This time, his punishment sounds like a punishment and not a boon.

(“Grandfather ordered dad to kill you.”

“Dad wouldn’t do that.”

“I know.”

The siblings spend the night huddled into the same bed anyway.)

Morning comes and Fire Lord Azulon is found dead in his bed. Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa are taking breakfast with their children when they find out. They are the picture of calm.

They are a family and they love each other. Ozai would not let Azulon break them apart, even if it meant committing parricide with his wife’s aid.

Prince Ozai becomes Fire Lord Ozai. Princess Ursa becomes Fire Lady Ursa. Prince Zuko becomes Crown Prince Zuko and Princess Azula is his closest confidant as she always is. Everyone knows the Fire Lord’s Chief Advisor is nearly as powerful as the Fire Lord themselves anyway.

The war in the Earth Kingdom continues. General Iroh returns as a changed man, yet finds solace in the fact that half of his family is healthy and whole.

Two years pass with Zuko as the Crown Prince. He is known as a formidable firebender (though still weaker than his sister. He was the first person she showed her new, blue flame to) and a master swordsman. He cannot lie to save his life, but he has a charisma that he clearly got from his father. His father looks at him and sees the greatest Fire Lord the Fire Nation will ever have, even if he still has a lot to learn. This is his son.

Two years pass with Azula as his best friend (as if the nine years before hadn’t been the exact same). She is known as a master firebender, though few know of her skill with a blade. Lies fall through her lips as easily as any other word. Her father looks at her and see’s the actress her mother once was (still is) and pride surges in his chest. This is his daughter.

Iroh brings Zuko into a war meeting. Zuko speaks up against a plan he finds despicable. He is more confident now, his words more eloquent, but he has the same conviction and tendency to speak without considering the consequences of his actions.

The Fire Lord hears not disrespect in his son’s words, but the voice of his people. Ozai is not an idiot, and loving his son is all it takes for him to listen a little deeper. He knew of his people’s growing discontent with the war, but he didn’t care until their words find their way through his son’s lips.

Ozai forbids the plan. His brother (for he was once the Dragon of the West, for he still is and Ozai should do well to remember as such) suggests a plan that would cost less lives and only a little more time. It is an acceptable exchange.

Zuko walks out of the war room, his head held high. His face remains unblemished.

His mother scolds him and punished him, for he was still disrespectful and the general would’ve been within his right to challenge him to an Agni Kai.

(“I could beat him.”

“Of course you could, I taught you. But mom’s right, it’s a stupid risk to take, Zuzu.”)

The forty-first finds themselves passing a letter between them that speaks of a prince speaking up to save them from a general. Loyalty to the royal family is cemented in this one group of soldiers, barely more than recruits.

Azula finds herself thankful for Piandao’s calligraphy lessons. The small glass vials, prepared with her mother’s careful tutelage remain hidden in her room.

Part of being the Fire Lord’s Chief Advisor is keeping him safe from his own stupidity.

Ozai takes the time to teach his son to hold his tongue. It is a lesson taught not with pain and fire, but that was a mode of teaching he would’ve never considered. He loves his son.

Years pass and the siblings flourish. Zuko begins to officially court Mai and deals with his sister’s incessant teasing. He knows he has her to thank for their relationship anyway.

He could’ve done without his father’s attempts to give him the Talk though. He sat in horrified silence for nearly ten minutes of pure awkwardness on both sides before he managed to squeak out that his mother already gave him that conversation.

Both father and son are quick to flee from each other.

Zuko is fifteen and Azula is thirteen as they begin their journey in learning lightning. Azula does not pick it up nearly as quickly as most firebending and finds it a thrilling challenge. Zuko finds himself pulled away by his uncle and taught to redirect lightning.

Why Iroh ever thought he wouldn’t share it with his sister, he didn’t know.

Zuko is sixteen when he manages his first bolt of lightning, his sister having almost perfected the art.

Zuko is sixteen when news comes from Commander Zhao that the Avatar has been spotted in the viscosity of Kyoshi Island, wearing the tattoos of an airbending monk.

Zuko is sixteen, face unblemished, head full of hair pulled carefully back into a top knot when he approaches the Fire Lord and Lady (his father, his mother) and requests to hunt down the Avatar.

His sister is only a half step behind him, for what is the future Fire Lord without his Chief Advisor?

(What is the Fire Lord without his heirs? Ozai thinks. What is a father without his children?)

Part: [2] [3] [4]

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zuko-always-lies · 3 years

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“Lake Laogi”:

Iroh: (excitedly) Did you hear nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city. Quon: That's right young man. Your life is about to change for the better. (Zuko continues to walk away towards the front door, setting down the tray of cups) Zuko: (gravely) I'll try to contain my joy. (steps outside)

Iroh: So, I was thinking about names for my new tea shop. How about the Jasmine Dragon? It's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it. Zuko: The Avatar's here in Ba Sing Se. (holds out the leaflet) And he's lost his bison. Iroh: (takes the leaflet) We have a chance for a new life here. (Zuko walks to stare out a window) If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us. Zuko: (spins around to face Iroh, clearly irate) Good things that are happening for you. Have you ever thought that I want more from life than a nice apartment and a job serving tea? Iroh: (earnestly) There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want for your life, and why. Zuko: (turning to look outside again) I want my destiny. Iroh: What that means is up to you. (Zuko walks away from the window) The Tea Weevil! (shakes his head in disgust) No, that's stupid.

“The Guru”:

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: (cheerfully) Congratulations Uncle.

Even as late as the fourth to last and second to last episodes in Book 2, Iroh was telling Zuko to accept living a quiet, peaceful, and inconsequential life. He very clearly was not pushing for Zuko to “redeem” himself and fight against the Fire Nation to save the world; Iroh only appears to have developed that idea in “The Crossroads of Destiny.”

In general, across the first two books, it is clear that Iroh is not pushing for Zuko to redeem himself and turn against the Fire Nation. Iroh wants Zuko to find peace, happiness, safety, and form healthy relationships, things that require Zuko to some degree reject the Fire Nation’s toxic norms, but there’s no signs that Iroh is pushing for Zuko to turn against the Fire Nation or to reject Fire imperialism.

Instead, Book 1 and 2 Iroh wants to turn Zuko into a copy of Iroh, wants to turn him into someone who, just like Iroh, can find joy in fiddling while the world burns.

#Iroh #Zuko #anti-Iroh #canon vs fanon

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addictofreading · 4 years

Text

@zutaraweek

Day 5: Hesitancy

(Part 3/4)

In the end no one needed to summon Toph, but only because Sokka took it upon himself to intervene first. He may deny it, but Katara knew he can’t stand to see her sad, especially when he can do something about it. It’s a trait he had even before their mother was killed and was only amplified after. She tries not to use it against him. Too much.

She didn’t know what he said to Aang, but that night the Avatar found her and they talked for a long time. Apparently before he had arrived at the Fire Nation he had planned to do his best to woo her one last time and if she still wasn’t interested, he would try to move on. He had hoped seeing him again would reignite their original spark and they could work something out. She didn’t think it necessary to tell him that spark had always just been wishful thinking on her part. He didn’t ask when she and Zuko first started liking each other. Actually, he seemed reluctant to talk about Zuko at all. So Katara talked with him about other things.

Aang was glad she was happy, but also still needed some time to work through his feelings. The meetings with the Earth Kingdom had only one more day left, so he was planning on leaving right after. He hadn’t yet asked Toph or Sokka if they wanted to cut their visit short to go with him.

Katara was sad to see him, and possibly Sokka and Toph, go so soon. But while it wasn’t the response she had been hoping for, it definitely was not the worst. In an attempt to cheer her up, Zuko wound up quoting everything he could remember Uncle Iroh saying about time being the best healer. And then for good measure he started making up his own quotes, which made sense only half the time, but succeeded in making her laugh.

And Aang stopped running from her. He attended meals with her and Zuko and the others and it almost felt normal, like old times. Only now she was very conscious of how much attention she gave Zuko when around Aang. She was used to not showing any special interest in her boyfriend when other people were around. Their relationship was kept private for now, though she doubted anything was actually a secret in the palace. Still, they didn’t want the Fire Nation nobles or the other diplomats to assume she was getting any special treatment just because they were dating. She knew at some point she’d have to give up her position as Water Tribe Ambassador, but she wasn’t ready to do that yet. She still had so much she wanted to do to help her tribe as well and the Fire Nation.

So acting impartial to her boyfriend was nothing new, but that was something she had to do in front of palace staff and old politicians. She shouldn’t have to do it in front of her friends. Aside from the fact that she wasn’t actually doing anything wrong by dating Zuko, there was also the fact that they were both still healthy teenagers and it was often very difficult and annoying to keep their hands to themselves. It wasn’t like she wanted to make out with him in front of their friends— like, at all — but casual touches would be wonderful. She liked leaning against him so he’d wrap his arms around her. Maybe idly play with her hair while they talked or read or whatever. She loved holding his hand because he’d give little squeezes in response to things she said or did or just when he wanted to. Because he could.

She knew showing any public displays of affection would just be cruel to Aang right now, but she wondered if there would ever be a time when she and Zuko wouldn’t have to hesitate to show their love. They both understood what they were getting into when they agreed to date and she was determined not to let anyone dictate what kind of relationship they were allowed, but sometimes the waiting felt like too much and she had to stop herself from kissing him in front of the Council of Elders just for their reaction.

Maybe Zuko could share some of Uncle Iroh’s advice on patience. Not that he ever used it.

#addictofreading #fanart #zutara #katara #zuko #avatar the last airbender #ficlet #atla #zutara week 2020 #hesitancy #otp

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peony-pearl · 2 years

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Godddddd I love both Zuko and Azula's stories. How they progressively mirror each others with Zuko starting off shamed and exiled, with no friends and only his uncle by his side while Azula is unshakable and confident, with their father's favor and two longtime friends joining her on her mission.

But Zuko, after experiencing the horrors of his nation firsthand while being on the run from his own sister and father and homeland, realizes a homecoming isn't what he'd hoped it would be after betraying Iroh so he could be back home; which he's wanted desperately for years; and he throws away what he thought would give him worth: his father's favor. He then leaves his kingdom of his own volition this time to try and fix what his forefathers have wrought upon the world.

But Azula remains, and her relationship with Ozai begins to sour. She remains in the role he gave to her, a loyal soldier and daughter; but while she remains, she stagnates and begins to falter. Her friends choose a different path, her father chooses to pursue a different glory - and she will be alone.

Meanwhile Zuko is cultivating relationships he's never had; brotherhoods and friendships and trust with those he once fought, but he is trying to fix his wrongdoings by learning with them, helping gain closure, and reuniting with loved ones. He was once shamed by his father and craved his love; but now he's understanding the different ways one can love that are more meaningful and healthy.

Azula clings to whatever tether to power she has left; no one has chosen to remain at her side; and if they haven't already made the choice, she makes it for them and banishes a greal deal of people. No one, not even her, realized how much damage being Ozai's perfect soldier was going to be when she would be discarded like an old piece of jewelry.

Azula is eventually bested by Katara after nearly killing Zuko, and the princess must watch her brother be cared about and tended to by some meager Water Tribe girl. How quickly and urgently Katara works; Azula sees someone in distress over her brother, who she is so much more superior than... so why is she so alone?

Zuko stands with a helping hand. No longer the angry, shamed prince stranded on the boat. He prepares to become the next leader of his nation so he can stop what his family has been doing to the world for 100 years and lead the world into a new era, and he is flanked by allies, old and new.

While Azula has nothing left; she is no longer the favored, confident sister; she is now a lost, angry princess, with no helping hand after she has isolated herself.

(It's time for her to find her own path and learn what her future could be once she detangles her identity from Ozai's grip)

#atla #atla meta #Zuko #Azula

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flameohotfamily · 3 years

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Ok so you and the other Maiko fans on tumblr are soo nice, been reading fics and gotten so soft on this ship. I'm super soft on the Fire Nation Royalty already, especially the fire siblings but my mind has exploded with Mai/Izumi/Zuko softness and potential. Sorry if this has been asked already but how do you feel about Azula? After everything?

Thank you so much!! <33

Yes, I agree that maiko fans on tumblr are very sweet, and maiko family (Mai＋Zuko＋Izumi) is my jam and I definitely should write more about them (I have these few fic ideas, but shh).

Sorry, I don't have a talent to write long metas, if shortly - I genuinely like Azula!!

Yes, she made horrible things, and yes I do not agree with her world-view. But I think we all should remember that Azula was 14, and despite all her extremely high talents, I think she was very lonely (there was no uncle Iroh or a good parental figure for her!!) and deeply wounded, as all fire nation squad as well. I think that the main villain in the show is Ozai and his forefathers, and their views ( *cough cough* Iroh wasn't saint at the beginning too).

I think Azula deserves at least a tiny chance for redemption, because I believe that she has a potential to make something good and deep inside she cares about Zuko, Ty Lee, Mai, and even Ursa. I hate that comics messed so much with Azula, Zuko and Ursa (and let's be honest, with Mai and Ty Lee too).

I cry every time when I watch the last Agni Kai, because there is nothing epic or great in that. It's a tragedy. I really want them with Zuko to have a healthy sibling relationship. Of course, they won't have that level of bonding as Katara and Sokka, but I'm sure despite everything Zuko and Azula love each other, and I hope they will figure something out and make up, and become a true family!! I really hope so!

(Maybe that's why in one of my fics I made Lu Ten alive, and he just was there for Azula, you know dkkdkdk).

Thanks for the ask!

#flameohotfamily answers #azula atla #azula #zuko and azula #fire nation siblings #fire nation royal family #atla #avatar the last airbender #flameohotfamily opinions

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