#katara: I just forgave you YESTERDAY

[ellakomskaikru]

I think Aang had a point about forgiveness, he just went about the wrong way and doesn't seem to fully understand the nuanced concept of it.

Zuko thought forgiveness meant doing nothing, while Aang denied it, he didn't exactly correct him.

Forgiveness is one of the greatest and humble actions to commit and it can help you heal. The forgiver doesn't forgive the sinner for the sinner's sake but for the sake of the forgiver, especially so that the sinner doesn't take power, control or the satisfaction over the victim. One forgives for one's own sake.

Forgivers don't excuse, ignore and forget about the sinner's atrocities but to actively inspire the sinner and/or give them a choice to do/be better. The atrocities that happened in the past can't be changed but as long as one has life, there's always hope.

Iroh hoped Aang would inspire Zuko and in a way, he did. Katara could see the change in Zuko so he forgave him, she saw Yon Rah being selfish and cruel so she didn't see the point, but she didn't exactly provide him with a choice to earn it by bettering himself first.

Forgiveness is hard, it also doesn't happen instantly. Aang was nearly obsessed with a two dimensional angelic version of Katara's character, there for seeing her complex and darker side scared him. So I think Aang pressured Katara to instantly forgive for Aang's own sake rather than for hers. He didn't seem to get that Katara remembered that traumatic day like it was yesterday and, for all we know, could be hating and blaming herself for her mother's death.

If by chance Katara does forgive Yon Rah, it should be purely out of her own choice, that she did for herself, for her health. And did it after some mental healing and forgiving herself.

Any of this make any sense?

Hello anon!

I get what you’re saying, but I just don’t agree that forgiveness is the only way to be able to truly move forward and heal, which is what Aang was saying. I agree that forgiveness can absolutely help someone heal, but everyone is different, and I don’t think that Katara has to forgive Yon Rha to be able to truly heal. She spared his life but she didn’t forgive him, and she was still able to move forward and begin healing.

I agree that Aang was uncomfortable with the darker aspects of Katara’s personality, and therefore wanted her to desperately forgive Yon Rha more for his own sake rather than hers, because he wanted to maintain the idealized version of Katara that he had in his head. I agree that Aang also did not understand Katara’s pain the way Zuko’s did. And people say that “Aang literally lost all his people of course he understands” when that’s a different kind of pain.

Aang went through pain yes, but it is not the same type of pain as Katara. After Katara’s mother died, she was forced to take on the burden of being motherly. She had to grow up really fast. She also had to deal with likely feeling guilty that her mother died so she could live. That is something that Zuko can relate to, as his mother also seemingly sacrificed herself for him. And yes Ursa is actually alive, and that’s great, but that still doesn’t erase the years of pain that Zuko went through thinking that his mother was gone forever.

I agree that if Katara wants to forgive Yon Rha later, that would be great. Katara should do whatever she feels is best for herself. But I don’t agree with the idea that forgiveness is the only true way to heal.

Thanks for the ask!

#atla #katara #zuko #zutara #anti Kataang #ella’s original post

[comradekatara]

it’s a pity that we saw so little of zuko and katara’s actual friendship within the show because i think it would have been very amusing to watch her pointedly ask him deeply uncomfortable questions forcing him to fully confront the ugly truths of his own colonialist privilege, for her own cathartic amusement, until he snaps and maybe even cries, because i know for a fact that she would do this, and had atla had a slightly longer episode order we would have gotten to witness it. i mean the show is already excellent as is im just saying it’s kind of a shame we missed out on this one thing, yknow?

#she is the atla worlds very own ziwe #and zuko is miss calloway unfortunately! #katara #zuko #katara&zuko #zuko: of course I have water tribe friends. like. well. there’s YOU. obviously #katara: I just forgave you YESTERDAY

[radishaur]

May I request a female reader x zuko where both the reader and zuko have burn scars on their faces and the gaang asks about it? the reader has the scar because she tried to jump in front of zuko and protect him when he faced his father but he still got scarred anyways. Then ozai decides she should face the same fate so she ends up getting burned as well? (Also can the reader be a firebender and zuko and her have been dating since childhood??) sorry if it’s a lot I’ve had this idea for a while

For sure! I hope you like the concept. I know it’s probably very different than you were expecting but I hope you like it nonetheless.

- Zoe

•••

Scars of Love (Zuko x Reader)

Warnings: Burn imagery

Genre: Fluff

Part: 1/2

Summary: See request

•••

The temple was silent as we both stared as each side stared at each other. Y/N stood slightly behind me as I introduced myself. The tension in the air was thick as I spoke.

“Hello, Zuko here,” I said, giving a small wave to the group.

I began to explain why I was here as the group held their defensive positions. Y/N stood awkwardly by my side, but I could tell she was trying her best to keep her head up high. She had always been shy around new people. Now that she no longer had her black mask, which covered her burn scar, she was even more so.

The Gaang dropped their positions slightly upon hearing my intent, but then immediately got back into position again. They only spoke once or twice to argue against what I was saying. When I finally finished, I waited eagerly for a response.

They eyed me cautiously before turning their attention to Y/N. She shuffled slightly closer to me and gave a small wave. I realized I hadn’t actually introduced her before. I smiled reassuringly at her before turning to face the others.

“This is Y/N. She’s the girl you’ve probably seen by my side when...I was tracking you. And also my girlfriend,” I said sheepishly.

The Gaang was surprised to know I had a girlfriend, but they didn’t question it. Instead, they began to question why she hadn’t spoken yet.

“Why hasn’t she said anything? Isn’t she gonna try and convince us of your change of heart?” Katara asked, her voice filled with venom.

Y/N shuffled uncomfortably before looking at me. She began signing to me and I saw the Gaang watch in shock out of the corner of my eye.

“What’s happening?” Toph asked, not understanding what was going on.

I gave Y/N a small smile as she finished and began repeating what she said to them.

“Y/N is mute. She says she’s sorry for chasing you all and that she would also like to teach you firebending,” I translated, looking at them all as they stood still in shock.

“I always wondered why she never spoke,” Sokka mumbled quietly, mostly to himself.

The Gaang looked to Aang to see what to do. Y/N grabbed onto my sleeve out of nervousness. I watched Aang as he looked at me.

“You both want to be my firebending teachers?” he asked cautiously.

“Y/N and I are some of the best firebenders in the Fire Nation. We both want to help you defeat my father,” I explained.

I saw Aang look over at the group to see what they would say. Katara and Toph were too busy watching us to notice, but Sokka gave his a small shake of his head to say no. His gaze hardened when he turned back to us and told us to go.

We obeyed and only got to join the group once we saved them from the assassin. Both Y/N and I thanked them and we began to grow closer to them as time passed. Y/N accompanied me on all of the, as the Gaang called them, life changing field trips and they all warmed up to her much quicker than me.

Technically, most of the things they endured during our chase of them was from me. Y/N was usually not the one to actually capture them and was usually only there as my support. She wasn’t the one to instigate anything, so they forgave her quicker.

She, in turn, became more comfortable around them as well. She taught them some basic signs so that they could understand her and the Gaang tried their best to understand what she was saying. Most of the time, I ended up having to translate for her but when they did happen to understand, Y/N never looked happier.

I knew it weighed on her heavily that she couldn’t speak like everyone else did. Like she used to be able to. I bore a large amount of guilt for that fact. After all, it was my own mistake that caused her to get the scar on her face and loose her ability to talk.

We never discussed it, but I knew we would have to sooner than later. The Gaang always looked at our scars when they thought we weren’t looking, not out of disgust but curiousity. My scar was not as easily hidden as Y/N’s was, but her’s was much more intense. Her’s covered the entire bottom right side of her face, from her cheekbone to her neck. It went entirely over her right ear and the corner of her lips as well. It was much bigger and noticeable than my own, which was why she usually wore her mask.

I knew the Gaang was curious as to how we had both gotten scarred, so when we were all sitting around the campfire one night getting to know each other better at the Ember Island house, I wasn’t surprised when one of them finally asked.

“So,” Sokka began, clearly nervous about approaching the topic, “How did you guys get your scars?”

Y/N clutched my hand harder and looked at me confidently. She always hated having to hear the story again, but I could tell she didn’t want to lie to them. Usually, we just lied and said we had aquired them in a training exercise. But Y/N’s expression told me that she wanted them to know the truth.

I sighed, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before turning to the group. They were all waited patiently for me to explain. Y/N squeezed my hand reassuringly and I took a deep breath. I would have to start at the beginning.

“Y/N and I have known each other since we were kids. Her father was a high ranking General in my Father’s military and her family would be at the Palace almost every day. We grew to be friends fairly quickly and were even engaged when we were only 10,” I started, bracing myself for the harder parts of the story.

“You guys were engaged at 10?” Aang asked in shock.

“Fire Nation children usually get married as soon as they’re of age, but especially when you’re a part of the Royal Family. They want to ensure that the throne will be passed down, which usually means your significant other is chosen from a young age,” I explained, looking over at Y/N before adding softly, “Very few are lucky enough to be engaged to someone they actually love.”

Y/N smiled at me and pressed a small kiss to my shoulder before encouraging me to continue. Toph was making fake gagging noises while the rest of the Gaang watched with happy smiles. I blushed slightly before continuing.

“Y/N and I had been dating for a few years before my father aquired the throne. My grandfather passed away and my Uncle, who was supposed to inherit the throne, didn’t have any kids so my father got it instead. Learning I was going to be Fire Lord someday made me want to start learning everything as soon as possible,” I continued, the feeling of dread growing in my stomach as I explained, “I begged my Uncle to let me into a war meeting when I was 13. He warned me not to speak out, but I didn’t listen. I criticized an old general’s plan and in doing so, disrespected him.”

Y/N scooted closer to me and gave my hand another supportive squeeze. I could tell she was just as nervous as I was for me to continue, but she was being strong for me. It was something I always loved about her.

“I was challenged to an Agni Kai. It’s a firebending duel that ends when someone gets burned,” I spoke, noticing them beginning to connect the dots as I continued, “I thought I would be fighting the General, but...I turned to face my opponent and saw my father instead.”

The faces of the Gaang immediately filled with horror. Y/N had tears brimming her eyes as she remembered the fateful day. She and I both remembered what had happened like it was yesterday.

“I refused to fight him. I begged for his forgiveness instead. He insisted that I get up and fight, but I didn’t. He was just about to burn me when Y/N stopped him. She jumped into the ring and stood in front of me, screaming about how what he was doing was wrong and that he wouldn’t let him hurt me,” I said, my voice cracking slightly as I finished explaining, “My father burned her for her disobedience and then burned me for my dishonorable refusal to fight. He banished both of us, only allowing us to return when I captured the Avatar.”

The group was silent as they let my words sink in. I had a small stream of guilty tears threatening to fall from my eyes and pulled Y/N close to me. I still felt so guilty about everything that had happened. I felt Y/N wipe her tears away before encouraging me to continue. I took a shaky breath before explaining the last part of the story.

“Both of the burns scarred, but Y/N’s burn was worse as added punishment. In the Fire Nation, your country comes before everything else. Feelings are seen as weak, especially those of love. Since she had put her love for me above what was “best for the nation”, she got a worse burn. When she was screaming...,” I trailed off, not trusting my voice to actually produce any sounds if I continued.

Y/N hugged me closer and then pulled away from me to face the group. She began signing and waited expectantly for me to translate. She always knew it was easier for me to translate her own words than to speak my own, especially when I was emotional.

“The fire managed to make its way into her mouth and throat. It burned her vocal chords and caused her to loose her ability to talk. She went mute as soon as the fire hit her throat,” I managed to say, my voice wavering as I spoke.

The guilt of her injuries was enough to crush me from the inside out. If I hadn’t of spoken out at the meeting, none of this would have happened to her. She could have lived a normal life. One without a scar and a disability. I would never forgive myself for it.

Y/N must have seen what I was thinking because she smacked my arm and began signing furiously. I barely had time to read what she was saying.

“Don’t blame yourself. I chose to stand up for you. I don’t regret it, even for a second,” she signed, her caring gaze empty of any signs of hate.

I smiled weakly at her before kissing her forehead once more and pulling her in for a hug. She signed I love you onto my back and I couldn’t help but laugh slightly before signing it on her back as well.

I almost forgot the group was there until I heard Aang speak.

“I knew the Fire Lord was evil, but I never thought he could do something like that,” he said quietly.

“I’m gonna kick his ass next time I see him,” Toph exclaimed, punching her own palm.

“Seriously, Aang if you don’t kill him then I will,” Sokka added, wiping a stray tear of his own.

“I guess that explains why you were so set on capturing Aang,” Suki said softly.

Y/N began to sign once more and the Gaang did their best to translate it. I could see them struggling so I just decided to translate it for them.

“She says that the reason I wanted to capture the Avatar so bad was because I felt guilty about causing her so much pain,” I said, smiling at her as she nodded to me in thanks.

“You guys are lucky. I don’t know a lot of people who love each other like you guys do,” Katara said, a small smile on her face.

“Yea. I’m the luckiest man in the world,” I whispered, my attention returning to the beautiful woman beside me.

The rest of the group escaped my consciousness as I pulled Y/N into a kiss. Her lips were soft besides a small rough patch from her scar. I didn’t mind though. I would kiss her again and again and again for the rest of my life. She truly made me feel like the luckiest man in the world.

I would love her until the end of time.

#zuko #prince zuko fanfic #prince zuko fanfiction #prince zuko fic #zuko imagine #zuko x reader #prince zuko #prince zuko x reader #zuko x disabled reader

[sailorshadzter]

some zutara for my dear, dear friend @sun--and-stars

<3 i love u boo

They'd been here before, of course.

The scent of smoke, of singed clothes... The warmth of skin against skin, the beating of a heart into a palm. Somehow, no matter how hard they tried, they always ended up this way; one body atop another, eyes focused on one another's, chests rapidly rising with every breath that they took. Somehow, no matter how hard they tried, they always found themselves back in a position such as this.

Zuko supposed he was to blame- he asked her to spar with him, not just because of her skill, but in hopes this would happen. He couldn't help himself and in truth, he knew she couldn't either. Why else would she agree, when she knew this is where it always led? There on the ground with her beneath him (though mostly above him, she won more often than he did), everything seemed to make sense. When Katara's body was pressed tightly against his own, it was as if everything was right in the world. When her heartbeat was a tattoo against his palm, it was as if there was nothing but peace in his world. There was nothing better than those little moments.

And yet...

He wasn't with her nor she with him. In fact, they were both (happily) with other people... Weren't they? The rational part of his brain often told him that if he was as happy as he claimed to be, he'd never have let things get this far with Katara. But, nothing about life and love was ever rational, was it? No, he supposed not. "Zuko..." Her soft vocals brought him back to the present and he looked down at her there beneath him, with her dark hair spread out beneath her and once again he was drowning in her sapphire colored hues. "We can't..." She began, but was silenced at once when his lips found hers, his kiss passionate and strong. It took but a moment for her to yield to him, her own tongue sweeping across his lower lip as her hands tangled themselves into his hair.

"I can't be without you," he murmured, his lips pulling free from hers, instead moving to brush against the soft lobe of her ear. "I won't be without you." He clarified in a whisper, his teeth sinking into the flesh of her neck, the sound from her mouth sending waves of lust rushing through him. "Katara, I love you." He said the four words he'd been thinking for weeks, for months, maybe even for years. All this time, he'd be denying to himself what deep down he'd always truly known; he loved her. He loved her with all of his heart. He had never been able to give himself fully to Mai or to any other woman because she had always been there in the back of his mind, the back of his heart.  And that was why, five years into his reign as Fire Lord and he was still yet unmarried, single really since Mai had left him the year before. There was no one for him but the girl beneath him, with her sapphire colored eyes that still left him breathless; with her sweet but fiery temper that often surprised him, even to this day; with her features so beautiful, sometimes he had to remind himself she was real. There was no one but her, no one at all.

"But Zuko, I...." She what? She was with someone else? Her heart screamed with what to do, what to say, while her mind fought back with every other rational thought possible. "We can't keep doing this." She whispered, shaking her head beneath him, sapphire eyes meeting gold ones. Time after time they ended up like this, too close for comfort, and yet still not quite close enough. Katara never felt safer, never felt better than she did with Zuko. But Aang... She was supposed to be loyal to him. Though, her actions were anything but loyal and her thoughts were even worse.

"Tell me you don't want me," he spoke so softly she had to strain to hear him despite their close proximity. Zuko raised himself up higher above her so he could look down at her, his golden eyes so full of emotions that it brought tears to her eyes. "Tell me you don't want me and I'll never come to you again like this." Katara knew he was serious, knew that he would keep his word if she said that was what she wanted. But, there were no words she could find to say, no words other than those on the very tip of her tongue...

"I want you."

That was all Zuko needed to hear. He leaned back down, his lips gently finding hers, the warmth of her touch spreading through him like fire. He'd never felt passion such as this, never felt something as strong as the feelings he felt for her. They had come so far from those days years ago, days when they had been nothing but children fighting a war that they thought they'd never win. Once they'd been enemies and once, Zuko thought she'd never look at him without contempt. And now... As he looked into her eyes, he saw nothing but love. His mouth took hold of hers and he felt her hands back into his hair, slim digits tangling themselves into his messy raven locks. His own hands were on either side of her head, propping himself up enough to find the perfect angle above her, his mouth never once straying from hers. There was nothing better than kissing her, that much Zuko was certain of.

When Zuko broke free but a moment later, Katara found herself to be chuckling softly, her hand shifting from his hair to his scarred cheek. The marred flesh was soft beneath her palm and she felt him incline his head against her touch. "Do you remember when I told you I could heal this?" She asked, her words forcing his eyes back open, surprise arching one of his brows. "I'm glad I didn't..." She admitted, her fingers tracing along the curve of his cheek, roaming every inch of the scar as if she were committing it to her memory. Zuko sat back and caught her hand with one of his own, bringing it towards his lips to kiss, the gesture sending chills down her spine. "You wouldn't be you without it."

Zuko recalled that day as well as if it had only been yesterday; her touch had been the first touch from another human being he'd had in years, aside from his uncle of course. Her touch had been warm and gentle, her words had been soft and compassionate. And then, he'd betrayed her. Of course, she forgave him eventually, but it had taken more than just time to win back her trust. He would never forget the feel of her hand against his scar for the first time, not so long as he lived. "I'm glad you didn't either," he said softly, his lips curving with a smile as she looked up at him. Back then, his scar had been a symbol of everything he hated about himself, but now it was a symbol of the man he had become. "We should get back." He realized only then just how long they'd been gone, knowing it was only a matter of time before someone like Toph came looking for them. For someone who couldn't see, Toph sure seemed to see a whole lot more than anyone else did. Katara gave a single nod, shifting into a sitting position as Zuko stood, offering her his hand to help her onto her feet.

And then they were gone, down different halls to different lives, leaving both of them emptier than they'd been before.

[ x x x ]

It was late when the knock sounded.

Zuko, caught in a state of wakeful dreaming, opened his eyes and grunted. The knock came again and he cursed, wondering just who dared to bother him when he slept. Rising up from his bed, he crossed the room in nothing but the pants he'd been sleeping in, opening his door with every intention of telling the person off. But, when he opened the door, his mouth fell open but no words came out; Katara stood there, her blue eyes wide and seeking his, their gaze a little troubled, but her mouth was twisting with a smile. "Katara..." He breathed, the familiar syllables of her name falling freely from his lips. He stepped aside to allow her entrance and then closed the door behind them, turning around to face her just as she rushed into his arms. Her body was warm, pressed tightly against his so perfectly that he swore it must have been where she was always meant to be. "What are you doing here?" Not that he was upset, just surprised by her sudden arrival in the middle of the night, especially when Aang would be asleep in her own room.

"He's gone." Her voice came out muffled, as her face was still pressed against his shoulder, and for a moment time felt like it stood still. But then she was backing up, looking up at him with those piercing blue eyes and the world began to move again. "I broke things off with him and he left." She explained, her voice sounding sad, and suddenly Zuko was understanding the words she was speaking. She had ended her relationship with Aang and he had fled the palace, not that Zuko could really blame him for it. But that meant... That meant... "Zuko, say something, please." Katara's voice brought him back and he took her face between his palms, kissing her because in that moment there were no words for him to speak that could convey what he felt for her. When he drew back, she was smiling, and Zuko knew that this would be the start of something truly wonderful.

"Come to bed," he whispered, taking her by the hand and drawing her towards his bed, offering her the side he usually slept on. She did not say a word as she slid beneath the covers, still warm from him sleeping there just minutes before. And then Zuko climbed in beside her, slipping his arms around her and drawing her closer to his chest. It felt as normal as if this was their nightly routine and not the first time; Zuko brushed a kiss against her head and then closed his eyes, knowing sleep would consume him before he could stop it. It was as he drifted off that he heard her words, soft and sweet, the best words he'd ever heard in all of his life...

"I love you, Zuko."

And that night, he would not have to dream of her in his arms, because she was already there.

#zutara #avatar the last airbender #zuko #katara #sun--and-stars