#i just think short hair zutara neat :>> | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

froghattoadsocks · 4 years

Text

extinguishing water, boiling fire: chapter 1

zutara fanfic

synopsis: A few years after the end of the war, each member of the Gaang live their lives at peace, and continue to stay in contact. Zuko remains Fire Lord, Aang travels the world in order to deal with Fire Nation rebels, Toph becomes an Earthbending teacher, Sokka gets married, and Katara is left feeling alone. When they all return to the Fire Nation, Katara rethinks her life.

Katara:

It was a warm June morning, with the kind of weather that leaves the silk spread of a bed sticking to skin, and clots the air with a thin layer of moisture. Katara, eyes closed but not sleeping, listens to the distant clomping of a dragon moose’s hooves on a stone street. She’s tepid to get out of bed, until she realizes what day it is. There were always a few times during the year that her friends would return to the Fire Nation, all at the same time. They’d always let her know of their arrival in advance, leaving her impatient for weeks. She recalls receiving a letter from Aang first this time, which read:

Katara!

Great news! I don’t know if you remember the Earthbender general I met with to drive out Fire Nation rebels from Cranefish town, Ro Lon, but we succeeded much earlier than we thought! Isn’t that great? I’m writing to you as I’m packing up my gear (Appa says hello), and I’m coming back home! I should be there for about a month, and the rebels will travel by eelhound with Ro Lon and others. I think Toph’s private students are almost graduates, so I’ll be picking her up from Omashu soon.

We’ll see you in two weeks!

~Aang (and Appa)

She remembers the immediate warmth that flooded throughout her. Oh, to embrace her friends in a loving hug after so long was something she always anticipated, and now it was happening again. Sokka was the next to write, explaining that he and Suki have been wanting a vacation for a while. The small island of Kyoshi made Sokka “..go actually insane Katara. I don’t know if I’m built for this. The same sand, the same couple houses, one market, the looming statue of Kyoshi. Future kids playing in a circle by the Unagi.” Katara chuckled at her brother’s anxiety. The commitment was something he seemed to have trouble with, until he sent her another letter, completely contradicting the first.

Katara this is going to be short. I love Suki. I love this woman. We will have baby, and I will play with baby by the Unagi. But not dangerously, it is a baby after all Katara. You have to visit again sometime. In the meantime, Suki and I are planning a vacation.. Fire nation time? Hehe, be ready.

-Sokka

She was relieved to see her brother, to have family around again. Both blood and chosen. And then there was Zuko. Busy with, oh y’know running the Fire nation. He rarely had time to spend with Katara, even if he lived a few blocks away. She didn’t mind though. On days she wasn’t exploring, Katara would visit the palace, eagerly invited in by Iroh (if he wasn’t at the Jasmine Dragon). She’d spend hours sifting through the vast collection of books in the library, or taste testing Iroh’s new teas. She’d occasionally stick around for dinner as well, which Zuko made attempts to attend. It was always a surprise when he’d show up, with his erratic schedule and all. His hair slicked back into the traditional Fire nation ponytail, his robes slicked down so the dark red trim brushed the floor, Katara was always taken aback that the angsty, awkward teenager was leading a nation. Although, that isn’t to say Zuko has changed much. The beginning of their dinners were always formal. Zuko had trouble immediately dropping his Fire Lord persona; the stiff, monotone voice, perfect posture, a tense expression on his face. and eyes that seemed too tired. Once he became comfortable, there appeared the Zuko that Katara knew.

“So..”, Zuko had said, during a dinner once, tapping his thumbs together, “you wanna hear something funny?”, his rough voice cracking at the end. Katara stifled a laugh, and held a fist up to her lips, making eye contact with Zuko. He narrowed his eyes. smiling, tilting his head as he asked “What’s so funny Katara? I haven’t said my joke yet”. She grinned, replying “Nothing. I just really appreciate that even being such a powerful, godlike firebender, and leader of the Fire nation,” She pauses, batting her eyelashes, “you still haven’t passed puberty.” She remembers Zuko’s cheeks turning from milky white to a warm rouge, and his iconic neck rub as he laughed into his elbow. “Fuck you Katara.”

The memory stunted Katara’s heartbeat. She inhaled sharply, repressing the crush she may or may not have formed for Zuko. After all, there was rarely anybody that interested her. Most potential suitors in the Capital were Fire Nation nobility, such as high ranking generals, and upper class citizens with nationwide business and influence. Others worked alongside Zuko as advisors or guards. The men her age were blinded by their families position, and left Katara bored or angry. Nobody was like Zuko. Her name slides easily off his tongue, and his damn smile is always paired along with it. His laugh is permanently etched into her brain, as she is one of the few people that can get him to relax anymore. She grabs the lacy pillow next to her, shoving it into her face until she chokes the memory away. Finally, she swings her legs over the bed and stretches, excited to meet Aang, Toph, Sokka and Suki at the Palace. Rubbing her face, Katara waterbends the cool water from the bowl on her bedside table onto her face, wiping the drops of sweat away. Once refreshed, she slips on a light blue summer dress, and ties the ribbon around her waist. She examines her outfit in the lengthy mirror, proud she can comfortably walk around the Fire Nation Capital representing her home. Zuko had made sure, immediately after the war, that no xenophobia be permitted. He had stressed that each element, each nation, work together to create one world. She smiles at the speech he had given following his coronation, and the various ones after when rumors of rebels spread throughout the Nation. Kicking away her silky pajamas, she tidies her bed and hurries out the bedroom door. Rushing to her kitchen, she grabs a few purple berries, aware of the colorful consequence, and washes them down with cold water. She wipes her mouth, making a mental note of what to buy at the market before the arrival of her friends. She finds a pair of gray flats, and nearly topples over a messenger as she exits her house.

Zuko:

With pale, slender fingertips pushing against the dark table, Zuko receives word that the avatar and Toph are a few miles from the Capital. He smiles, and signs off on a document, sent by Aang weeks ago, to confirm the withdrawal of rebels from an Earth kingdom town. He sighs, pushing away the papers, and organizes them into a neat pile. Setting down his quill, he stretches in his burgundy chair, and stands. He relaxes his shoulders, and rubs his neck with both hands to relieve himself of the muscle aches that were sure to follow after hours of being hunched over.

“Zuko,” A voice behind him says, “I recommend you get ready soon.”

He turns to see his Uncle leaning against the frame of the grand meeting room entrance. Iroh holds out a cup of tea, smiling tenderly at his nephew.

“I’ll drink later Uncle.” Zuko says dismissively, about to pass by without a second thought.

“Zuko. Have you eaten today?” Iroh eyes his nephew, and feels his bicep. “Have you eaten anything within the past week?” He says, emphasizing the word anything.

Zuko grunts, but appreciates his uncle’s concern.

“Yes Uncle. I just haven’t had time to practice my bending lately.” He admits.

“Maybe once your friends arrive, you’ll have plenty of opportunity. Remember Zuko, you may wear that crown on your head but your duties must not make you forget who you are, what you need.” A smile spreads on Zuko’s face, always happy to receive advice from Iroh.

Zuko grabs his cup from his Uncle, and sips it slowly, the warm liquid calming him from his hours of passing legislations, and writing letters to other cities within and out of the Nation concerning the rebels. It puts his mind at ease. He bows at his Uncle, and briskly walks away towards his bedroom, his robes billowing behind him. Passing by multiple guards along the way, one of his royal servants quickly catches up to him.

“Fire Lord?” The man says nervously. Still after two years, he and other servants are traumatized by the previous ruler.

Zuko looks down at the man, now much taller than he used to be, and smiles.

“Please Izem, you can say Zuko.”

Izem, pleasantly surprised that the Fire Lord still refers to him by name, shyly smiles back, and lets his guard down.

“Zuko.” He corrects. “I was informed you have guests arriving today. Will you be requiring a different set of robes? I’m sure we could fashion something within time.”

He begins rattling off different styles of dress, and how they could tailor Zuko’s desires in the matter of an hour, guaranteed. Zuko reaches a hand out, slowing his walk.

“It’s quite alright Izem. These are old friends. Good friends. I believe I will go casual today.”

Surprised, Izem nods. Zuko has rarely been out of the Palace without Royal garments. He leaves the Fire Lord be, and Zuko is left with his thoughts, but not before he asks something of the servant.

“Izem?”

The man turns around, ready for any request of the Fire Lord.

“Please write to Katara for me. Let her know of the whereabouts of our friends, and tell her to be at the gates within the hour.”

Izem nods, and once again gets ready to leave, scratching down Zuko’s words on his parchment. Zuko stops him again.

“Could you actually add a hello in the beginning. And a please at the end.”

His servant chuckles, and nods to Zuko. Already adding the polite greeting and request to his letter.

It was always exciting getting everybody back together. It has a certain nostalgia to it. Zuko reminisces about the old times, how last year they had decided to leave the Fire Nation for a weekend, and visit the Southern Water Tribe. Although Zuko hated being out of his element, especially remembering the vast empty ice sheets that surrounded him and cloudy days that blocked out the warmth of the sun, he enjoyed meeting Katara’s family. During his time there, he had wanted Katara’s grandmother, who insisted he call her Gran Gran, to like him. He had spent his free time knitting in her tent with her, asking her about water tribe stories and what Katara and Sokka were like as kids. He was especially curious about Katara, asking Gran Gran what her interests as a child were, when she discovered her waterbending abilities, how she took care of the children once her father left. He also took the time during his visit to profusely apologize to the village, as if he hasn’t done that a variety of times before.

The lamps on either side of the intricately carved doors of his bedroom light as he enters. Immediately, the tingly scent cinnamon and spice greet his nose. His room is one of the view places he feels truly himself. Dark oak furninture and deep red walls surround his space. With a small skylight and grand balcony his only source of natural light, he ignites the candelabras in his room, casting a shadowy orange glow through the space. He turns to the mirror that hangs next to an old portrait of him and Iroh, and studies his face. He realizes how much the weight of the title Fire Lord has changed him during the past couple years. His face became broader, yet remained angular. His cheekbones were higher than before, the skin around his jaw tighter. Purple eye bags hung lightly underneath his eyes, a deep purple painted beneath his waterline. He placed a hand lightly against his scar, that has somehow become rougher over time. Eyeing the golden crown that shimmered behind his bun, he grimaced, reminded that the nation has still not met his goal. He still hasn't restored complete honor. For the next few days, he didn’t want to wear the burden of the crown. After all, he had just turned 19, barely an adult. His pale fingers grab the tip of the crown, slowly pulling it out of his hair. Fiddling it between his hands, Zuko decides to keep it within his bedside drawer. He feels the relief already, as if his friends were there. He wanted a few days to be a person again, reminding himself of his Uncle’s words. Kicking off his boots with that hideous, golden point at the end, Zuko removes his robe. He looks forward to nothing more than when he gets to remove the clunky, hefty robe off of his shoulders. He rolls them in circles, enjoying the light feeling. After undoing the clasps around his wrists, he pulls his thick shirt over his head. He stands shirtless, placing a hand over a scar on his abdomen, a constant reminder of the cool, metal knife plunged into him by a rebel. He pushes the memory away and finds a tunic of light material, worn commonly among his citizens. To match, Zuko finds a pair of maroon trousers, a bit too oversized for him, and pulls them on. He stares wide eyed at his reflection once he’s dressed. The shirt he thought would be perfect, actually stretches thin over his chest. He rolls his eyes at his Uncle’s comments about Zuko not eating enough, as the fit of his shirt proves wrong. He also realizes his pants fit well around his hips now, but remain baggy over his legs. The usual leggings he wears underneath his royal garments highlight his muscles, but in this, he looks like a regular visitor in the Capital. Clothes that fit just about right, worn and wrinkled from being thrown in his drawers too many times. He still felt like something was wrong, his appearance still awkward.

“My hair.”

Rarely does he leave his hair down. Even to sleep, he ties his hair completely up. Zuko removes the elastic holding his bun together, and shakes his head quickly, his black hair now a mess. Adjusting a few strands to the middle of his forehead, he’s pleased. He bends to the floor, palms resting on cool stone, and reaches his arm underneath the bed, rustling around for a moment. He smiles once he finds what he’s looking for; his old, trusty boots. The brown shoes are familiar to Zuko, and still fit from his days of traveling with the avatar.

AUTHORS’S NOTE:

this is my first fic! i’m unsure if i’ll be making anymore chapters (but i definitely have lengthy drafts of them) and dont know if i should continue on tumblr or not! let me know what you think/any suggestions:-)

#atla #zutara #18+#fanfic #zuko #katara #the last airbender #avatar #zuko x katara #fanfiction #avatar the last airbender #zutara fic #atla au #avatar ship #katara x zuko #zuko x katara fic #fire nation #avatar: the last airbender

0 notes