#the firelords favorite boy

[overtail]

hii can i request you weite zuko x chubby/plus sized reader? specifically just general dating headcanons (and possibly some smut hcs if you feel like writing that). id prefer a gender neutral reader but im not very picky about that type of thing. i love ur writing btw!!

ONG TY FOR THAT! Exposing myself here but I'm actually a chubby person (lore drop im not a girl) so this is very heartwarming for me :33

...

Zuko Headcannons - Dating a Chubby/Plus-Sized Reader

this is not meant to romanticize eating disorders

meeting you ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

-when you walked into the tea shop, he thought you were the most beautiful person hes ever seen

-'hey uncle, i can serve them'

-immediately wanted to talk to you

-he was extremely nervous, acting like a lost turtleduck

-'what? jas..jasmine tea! oh yeah.'

-gave you an extra cookie

-always waves to you when you come in

-was excited when iroh told him that you asked where Zuko was when he was sick at home

-you're his favorite customer

-'Lee. My name's Lee.'

knowing you ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

-after a while, Iroh hired you at the Jasmine Dragon when he got the shop

-you and zuko became very close

-you two had sleepovers at his and iroh's shared apartment

-iroh would make you guys sleep in the livingroom

-loved the way your waiter uniform hugged your curves

-would make you food all the time, even when you insisted you werent hungry

-protective whenever you served boys your age

-you came with him and iroh to serve tea at the palace to the king

-'zuko? you're the prince of the fire nation?'

-you werent as angry as he thought you would be

-you were locked up with him and katara in the catacombs

-came with him when he chose to fight alongside azula

dating him (royalty) ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

-when zuko started living in the palace again, he immediately offered for you to live with him

-a week later, he confessed

-he told you how you were the most gorgeous person he's ever seen

-how you looked like a painting from the renaissance

-held you close at night when you two slept

-assigned a special place in the palace for your special interests

-noticed when you stopped eating much

-tried to offer you as much food as possible

-was confused when he saw you throwing up after dinner

-'(y/n)? did you get food poisoning?'

-consoled you when you started crying about your body

-'it's the one i imagined in my dreams.'

-🔞kissed your arms, your neck, your stomach and your thighs

-he loved seeing your stretch marks

-🔞seeing you naked for the first time was a dream come true

dating him (redemption) ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

-you refused to let him go work with the avatar without you

-was there when he told ozai about wanting to be better

-comforted him when he learned the truth about his mom

-helped him create his introduction to the gaang

-'hello, zuko here!' *you laugh*

-fully defended him when nobody trusted him

-got angry when katara called you a traitor too

-cooked you lots of food while camping out

-always worshipping your body whenever alone

dating him (firelord) ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

-immediately proposed to you after his coronation

-🔞got busy as soon as you guys got in your room on your wedding night

-loved getting clothes that hugged your body

-you were always there with him

-'what do mean they shouldn't be in this meeting?

-did anything to make you happy

-got you an extra cookie whenever you wanted a meal to remind you of when you guys first met

-very possesive of you

-beat the shit out of a soldier that made a rude comment about your body

#avatar the last airbender #fandom #fanfic #fluff #sokka #katara #aang #smut #zuko x reader #prince zuko #atla zuko #zuko #chubby

[linnoya-writes]

Zutara “unexpected father-in-law” canon-compliant AU

It’s interesting how, in the ATLA finale, there’s no real indication that Katara actually got to see Ozai before he gets imprisoned for war crimes.  

In the finale, everyone, including Toph, gets to throw their own personal jab at Ozai.  Not Katara. And part of me likes to believe that she chooses not to see him intentionally.  Because it’s her rough spot.  Not just because this was a man who waged war and destruction for years... but also because she has a hard time processing that the young Fire Lord she finds herself falling in love with is the son of this horrible, cruel man.  

She doesn’t want that to be true. 

She doesn’t want to accept that Ozai and Zuko are the same blood. And it takes years…. decades… for Katara to finally come to terms with that hard truth, and she pays a visit to her now elderly father-in-law in his prison cell.  

His face is gaunt and hollow at first sight, but when he looks up to her, the flaming, brilliant golden eyes are very much Zuko... and she holds her breath.

Ozai is also speechless, and only manages a grin to mask that curiosity.

Over the years, he’d only been lucky to catch glimpses of his aging brother before his passing and been visited occasionally by Azula.  Zuko, however ironically, had been the one to visit the former FireLord the most frequently… promptly at the first of every month.  It became Ozai’s personal passage of time.  At first his son had come with tea, and as the months went by… he came with news: about reconstruction of their FireNation governments, the peaceful republic of Earth Kingdom colonies encouraged by Avatar Aang, the new alliances and trade agreements made with the Southern WaterTribe.  Zuko mentioned all of this to him not as an insecure boy seeking advice, but as a learned man -- one who’d risen from countless mistakes and had eventually found his own diplomatic resolve.    

It was a kind of confidence Ozai had no idea existed within his son, and it was in this way that Zuko announced in that cell that this young Fire Lord would finally be married. 

“Who is she?” 

“Her name is Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe.” 

“A Water Tribe peasant,” Ozai muttered, amused.  Appalled.  

“Oh, if you knew even half the things that woman has done for this world, you wouldn’t think the FireNation even deserved her.” Zuko glances down, a shy smile forming. “She is unbelievable.  You’d be lucky enough to meet her.  I hope she’ll come around.”  

And Zuko leaves before Ozai can say anything regarding a tainted mark or brittle branch that will result of this marriage within Fire Nation royal history.  

Over the years, Ozai hears about this marriage, the political alliance that formed from it, the mixed daughters birthed between a peasant and a prince.  When Ozai asks the guards if his granddaughters were borne firebenders, the prisoner doesn’t receive an answer.  Instead, he receives a visit from the children themselves in their royal garb, along with their father.  Ozai sees the familiar golden flame in the girls’ eyes, despite the tanned complexion of their WaterTribe mother.  

The girls take a fire-bending stance, and the old man gets hopeful.  

But it’s when ribbons of blue begin to dance around the girls alongside the fire-bending movements that Ozai’s smile disappears.  

The blue he sees is not Azula’s Fire.  It’s actually not fire at all.  

And when the girls end their routine and smile at their grandfather, Ozai turns his back away from them.  Confused and sad, the girls turn to Zuko and ask if they did anything wrong, and their father kneels down to their level, hugging them tightly… and assures them they did not.  

Zuko’s visits become less frequent after that, only coming in to disclose important decrees and updated policies to the former sovereign.  Ozai hears about his granddaughters through Zuko, year after year, learning about their favorite foods and colors… their interests beyond bending, their worldly education fueled by their parents’ influence as well as the youthful, progressive Avatar.  

When the girls become teenagers, they finally visit their grandfather again-- this time, on their own… and ask Ozai about the war… if their family was indeed responsible for it. 

They ask about it not in an accusatory way, but more an assertive way… wanting to understand for their own sake, their future, and how the world might see them as either a blessing or a threat. How delicate their position truly is.

Over time, Ozai grows accustomed to the water he sees and the stories about the WaterTribe he hears with each of his granddaughters’ later visits.  They become women before his eyes, esteemed princesses of two cultures… and when they leave the palace independently, Ozai hears through news of the guards how these girls- much like their parents before them- are making a difference, changing the world, falling in love outside of their borders.  

It brings the old man to tears.  

The days become quieter, shorter over time.  Nobody visits him anymore, and even Fire Lord Zuko has dedicated his time more to other important matters.  Time runs glacially, erratically.  Ozai combs his now silvery mane of hair with lanky fingers to pass the days, and the last thing he expects is a new visitor approaching his cell.  

Sandwiched between two palace guards is this petite, middle-aged woman he’d never seen before, wearing royal red and blue garb.  He recognizes her face instantly, from the ones of his granddaughters.  

An old grin passes his face.  “I’m impressed the heat of our country never compelled you to flee, highness.” 

Katara grins firmly, finding her breath.  Her eyes are glistening. 

“I can handle the sun, thank you.” 

Despite having spent most of her life adapting to royal Fire Nation courts, Ozai can still hear this woman’s humble origins.  

He looks away in his cell, straightening up in only the way a former Royal can. 

Katara nods to the guards, reassuring that she’s okay and they turn on their heels to give her some time alone with the prisoner.  

Slowly, she pours the old man some Ginger tea in the same delicate way Uncle Iroh had taught her.  She doesn’t hand him the cup, but rather places it down past the rails, which he takes, and watching her then pour a cup for herself. She’s just beginning to graze her fifties, he thinks, noticing the sternness to her brow, the overworked draping to her lids… and yet, it’s the blue of her eyes that makes this woman seem timeless.  

It’s a patient, firm, kind and tranquil blue that Ozai doesn’t understand, but the old man can already sense he will spend his last decade feeling both eased and haunted by it.  

It’s quiet for a long time, sipping their tea.  

Ozai shifts uncomfortably in his sitting. “To what do I owe this honor? Are you here for some kind of absolution?” 

“No. It’s pointless to do that now.” 

Ozai stares at her. “Hmm. Then I suppose you found the urge to gloat over the irony of all this, how the tables turned so beautifully for your people.  I can imagine the spirits of your ancestors are celebrating some kind of victory, is that right?”  

Katara looks at him. “I can see how you’d think that, but no.” 

Ozai stares again.  “Are you waiting for me to beg for forgiveness?” 

Katara shakes her head even before he finishes asking. 

Ozai can only look at her, then.  Katara waits a long moment and gives him a look that could’ve made any instinct of his prepare for battle forty years earlier.  

It’s in that moment where Ozai remembers the advanced, lethal Waterbending technique he’d heard talked about in the palace halls— how it had returned after so many years of outlaw and imprisonment of waterbenders, thanks to women like her sitting in front of him.  Ozai heard that this same woman had managed to master the technique for healing purposes… but looking at her face now, Ozai wondered if she wasn’t against making an exception.  

“Are you here to kill me?” 

He asks this not afraid, exactly, but rather…. tired, alone.

Defeated.  

Her look only lasts a moment, and he sees the woman take a long, deep breath from her center.  She sets down her tea and says “no” looking at him square in the eye, and in her softest voice. 

It leaves Ozai uncomfortably impatient.  “Then, why are you here?”  

Katara looks away, then shrugs, feeling the old skin of a naive, stubborn teenager stir beneath her as she looks back to him.

“Because I love your son.  And… that makes you my family.” 

Ozai hums incredulously, looking out past Katara’s presence for a long quiet moment, and laughs on the way an old man only can.  

She chuckles as well, because it’s funny.  It’s messed up.  But it’s funny.

The room becomes quiet again as they sip their tea.  Katara pours her father-in-law another cup, gently handing it to him through the cell bars.  Ozai receives it.

And that’s how their long-overdue conversations begin.

#zutara #katara #katara of the southern water tribe #prince zuko #fire lord zuko #avatar the last airbender #zutara fic #zutara ficlet #Zutara week 2023 #Zuko #Fire lady Katara

[fanficsiwillneverwrite]

On my umpteenth rewatch of lok, I had a sudden interest in old Zuko…. And let’s just say another wip is brewing in my brain now about Zuko and his involvement in book 3 :/

Zuko looks in the mirror and sees only a face he no longer recognizes: old, long past its prime. An old wound haunting him, even how many years later. It happened so long ago; only yesterday. Shaky hands rub the rough skin as the memory takes hold. It was for the better, he once told himself long ago. It led him on the path of good, toward the light. But the thought of giving such a punishment to Izumi… He admittedly was not perfect when it came to raising her, but he was no Ozai.

Through the reflection, he sees Akari, the Firelord’s senior aide, emerge from the golden doors. “Lord Zuko,” she says with a respectful and low bow. Her voice is distant, muffled, despite being so near. Just a reminder of his aging body. “The Firelord will see you now.”

He nods, acknowledging her, but his focus remains on the stranger–no, the old man–staring back at him, copying every move he makes. Akari backs away to give him space. And he touches a few wrinkles. Uncle always said they were a sign of living, far better than the alternative. His laughter still echoes in his mind; the steam of hot tea still lingers around him.

He moves away from his reflection and into the throne room where his daughter sits high above him in all her glory. Zuko smiles as he bows–and his old bones crack as he bends. Another reminder that the old man in the mirror and the boy who thought his destiny was to capture the Avatar were one in the same. “The Firelord has requested an audience with me. I would be interested in knowing what for.”

“Hello Dad,” greets Izumi gently as she stands. She approaches him, a familiar look of care mixed with concern permanently captures her face each time she looks at him. He knows it well. Old age brings on pity. No, Uncle would say, old age brings on care. They hug and, suddenly, he is drunk with the scent of familiarity. Once Mai’s favorite perfume worn now by a grieving daughter who wants only to keep her mother close. “How are you?”

“I am fine, daughter,” he assures, his hand squeezing her shoulder as if to emphasize the fact. Sadness lingers around them with Mai’s passing just over a year ago. “Though, perhaps it is I who should be asking you that very question. Avatar Korra has led us into a new age where spirits and mankind must now live together in harmony. As the Firelord, it is your duty to make her decision a reality. With some guidance from me, of course, if it doesn’t interfere with my nap time.”

She rolls her eyes as a smile forms. “I think sometimes I can make better sense of your snoring than your political babble,” she teases.

“Be careful what you say next, daughter,” he shoots back. “I still have claim to the throne, you know.”

“Like I’d give it back,” she tells him playfully. But her face turns serious. And like a stuck bandage, the news of why she has summoned him is ripped open quickly to ease the anticipation: “I’ve just received word from President Raiko in Republic City. It seems… Harmonic Convergence has brought back the Airbenders.”

His heart feels as if it has sunk. The Fire Nation’s greatest burden, their deepest regret—now, so suddenly, fixed? He would have to see it to believe it, especially if Raiko is the one reporting it. All the man cares about is the votes. “What?”

“I haven’t yet received word from Tenzin, but there has been at least one Airbender sighting in Caldera alone. Most, it seems, are in the Earth Kingdom.”

“That could mean trouble.”

The Earth Queen remains bitter over land now the United Republic of Nations and everything surrounding it, Air Temple Island included: Earth Kingdom territory, she makes false claims. While her father was timid, mostly oblivious as a leader, Hou-Ting is loud, demanding, and a complete tyrant.

Zuko turns, hurrying out the room. There is no time to waste. “I’ll head straight to Ba Sing Se—”

His daughter is quick to stop him. “The Fire Nation should not have any involvement there, dad. You know this.” His intent would be to liberate this new wave of Airbenders from the grasps of great tyrannical power, but the world might view it as another Firelord’s attempt to again dismantle the Air Nation. He blinks, seeing clearly now as his daughter faces him again. “Furthermore,” Izumi continues cautiously; they’re always dancing around his state of retirement. The nation is hers–it is her birthright–but he makes diplomatic trips around the world to assure peace, to continue what he and Avatar Aang started so long ago, yesterday. “A man your age should really be fretting over pai sho and gardening. Not the state of the world.”

The man she is describing is Uncle. Not him, never him. “I will not turn my back on the world when it still needs me,” Zuko insists. His reflection shows an achy old man with a story long ago completed, but as long as his heart still beats and the fire still burns, he can be useful.

“I know,” she says, “but… you can only do so much before it becomes too overwhelming for you.” She adjusts her glasses as a sigh escapes her. “Dad, I care only for your safety–”

“I am still capable–”

“–which is why I think it perfectly sensible for you to take in a ward.”

He stops, hurt–offended. “A-a ward?”

“One of Master Muromachi’s young pupils,” she continues. “Someone who can be your companion. Someone who will watch your back and defend you when you’re unable.”

Zuko huffs, rubbing his forehead in frustration. His daughter thinks him unable, an invalid of his craft now just because of a few wrinkles. Spirits! He is Lord Zuko, Leader of the Fire Nation and the Avatar’s Firebending Master. And she thinks he needs a sidekick? Some noble boy defending his honor? “No, absolutely not. I don’t need some child protecting me.”

Izumi rolls her eyes. “This isn’t a suggestion, dad. Master Muromachi is expecting you. We’ll go down there this afternoon.”

He stomps away stubbornly, like a child not getting his way. The roles were reversed long ago, just yesterday when he was still in charge, when he was still capable. “I can choose my own ward, can’t I?”

“Of course–”

“Then I’ll go on my own, if it pleases the Firelord.”

He exits before she can answer. Anger boils within him. He hates being the man who is old, the man who needs help. Most of his friends are gone now and this new generation is perfectly competent, his daughter being one of them, but the fire still burns inside him. The face in the mirror is the face he saw long ago–yesterday–when there was no scar.

The Fire Nation Academy for Gifted Boys is a secondary school for sons of nobles. It teaches Nonbenders how to fight through the art of swordsmanship. Only the best, or most wealthy, can attend. And the training is rigorous, not for the faint hearted. Tom-Tom became one of the academy’s pupils when he came of age, mastering sword fighting at the age of fourteen. Firelord Ozai always dismissed the school’s teachings, saying Nonbenders could never truly be masters without the ability of bending. In his final years, without his bending, his father learned the way of the sword, though he never tried to understand the relationship between a man and his blade, thus never becoming a full master of the craft.

These days the school is just as rigorous with Master Muromachi, a stern and, dare he say, cruel man, in charge of this new generation of fighters. The boys stand straight in a line when Lord Zuko arrives. Eyes forward, not one hair out of place, not a single crease in their suits. Their movements are in sync as they all bow low when Muromachi introduces him to them.

“You have honored this school with your presence, Lord Zuko,” Muromachi says with a bow of his own. He moves aside for Zuko to properly examine his students. “Please, choose anyone you think is worthy.” He gestures to the tallest of the group: tan skinned and golden eyed, Zuko sees a darkness in him that brings only suspicion. The way the boy eyes him; it’s not like the others. “Eigo here is our star pupil.”

“Is that so?”

Muromachi gestures again and Eigo assumes a fighting stance as he draws his sword. He dances with it around Zuko–impressive but, still, there is something about him that he doesn’t quite like–before returning to his spot in line.

“Very good,” Zuko tells him, “though I find your lack of moderation rather… unsettling.”

The boy’s expression darkens at the criticism. Not suitable for his company at all. Muromachi moves on without a visible reaction: “Pao,” he calls. And the next boy moves skillfully around the room with his blades. A mindless routine, practiced over and over again until perfection. He does what he is told and nothing more.

“Your moves, though highly skillful, lack originality,” Zuko notes. He will find something wrong for each of them. He does not need a protector, nor does he want one.

Muromachi becomes more tense as they move down the line, each boy weaker than the last. This Academy is a show and these so-called warriors are nothing more than performers this day in age, not like how they used to be, he will tell his daughter later over tea. That is why he did not choose a child today. That is why he should not have a ward.

Finally, they arrive at the last: the smallest of the group. A softness exists within him that the other boys do not have. Short hair above his ears cut in a wonky bowl shape and fierce blue eyes with a sparkle in them that shows he is ready, not to win but to fight for what is right—he knows those eyes. It hits him, suddenly. A girl, disguised as a young boy.

“Lee!” orders Muromachi, sweating profusely at this point. Zuko instantly understands the name is false, an alias to hide her true nature.

And the girl disguised as a boy begins her dance around Zuko. Her movements are hesitant. She nearly trips over her own two feet. Her two swords do not move together as one but rather as completely separate entities. An amateur compared to her peers. Muromachi is visibly appalled by her performance, but remains silent out of respect for his guest. Zuko, admittedly, is intrigued by the girl. Why would she openly go through such turmoil?

#zuko #prince zuko #lord Zuko #old zuko #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 fanfic #legend of korra #lok #lok fanfic #atla #avatar the last airbender #also like I’m sorry for all the wips I’m pumping out but life is just up and down right now so

[kawaiichibiart]

More of my favorite "Zuko Joins the Gaang Early" tropes:

There's always a chance he'll get second hand embarrassment when Katara pretends to be an earthbender so she can get arrested (okay this one isn't really a trope, it's more of a desire)

The 50/50 chance he's the one Jet carries up to the Freedom Fighters' hideout

Animals like him

Finds out Roku is his great grandfather earlier

He and Yue are besties (or in some cases, spiritual siblings)

He was probably kidnapped, ngl

Ranaway and got adopted by someone (usually by either Hakoda's family or by Bato)

Was banished but rather than be sent to find the avatar, he was thrown overboard (either literally or placed into a boat that got lowered into the water with nothing but him and maybe a note in it) and got rescued and adopted (again either Hakoda's family or Bato usually)

↓ Time travel bullshit

Spiritual bullshit

↑ Zuko can join the Gaang early but something has to happen to him (turned into a dragon, turned into a child, memory loss... take your pick) bullshit

A/B/O AU

Soulmates AU (I like the romantic ones but the platonic ones are my favorite)

The fight in the catacombs still happens the same, it was just planned that way so Zuko could be a spy on the inside (I think I saw this like once and I regret not remembering the name or where I read the fic, so this is also more of a desire)

Dragon boy (either literally, he is a dragon, or metaphorically (probably not using that correctly but whatever), he acts like a dragon (chances he got raised by one))

Fuck this, let's be pirates

Fuck this, let's sell tea

Fuck this, I'm going to be the Firelord, let's go back so I can fight my bastard of a father (again this was a one time thing, far as I can remember but it cracked me up, desire number 3 is to see more of this)

#zuko #zuko joins the gaang early #atla #avatar: the last airbender #atla zuko

[zukkaart]

Sokka thinks katara has a crush on zuko(which she does) so they both list pros and cons about why each of them would work better with Zuko and eventually Katara gives up because another boy catches her eye (ybonus if you make the boy jet ;) )

Your wish is my command

~~~~~~~~~~~~

War ends early AU

"Katara I have something to tell you," The young water tribe woman was minding her own slaving over a seal soup when her older brother came up behind her, causing her to startle.

"Ugh Sokka! Don't do that! I might not be a firebender but I could still throw this boiling soup over you," Her brother feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart.

"You'd never sacrifice your favorite soup"

"You're right, but my point stands. What do you want to tell me?"

"Uhh... okay," Sokka swallowed thickly, adjusting his leather gloves. "So, I have a crush on someone..."

"Oh my La Sokka, is that what you've been dramatising about all week? Your crush on Suki is not a world-shattering revelation, especially since you make out with her in front of me a few months ago" She went back to stirring her soup with a huff.

"Yeah, but uhm. Katara?" He grasped his sisters shoulders gently, turning her to face him. She gave him a confused, and slightly worried look. "It's not Suki,"

Now she was interested, her face broke in to a wide grin as she set the wooden spoon down beside the large pot.

"Well come on then!" She shoved him playfully in the chest, "Tell me who it is!"

"It's uh... well..."

"Spit it out already Sokka, you're killing me here,"

"Fine ugh! It's Zuko,"

Her smile immediately dropped, she turned on her heel and went directly back to tending her soup. Sokka's heart dropped to his stomach.

"Katara?" He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I mean... you had to know right? That I like guys too? I haven't been exactly subtle,"

It was true, he hadn't. As their tribe grew with more and more people from the north, he had taken his share of beautiful men. He of course kept it inconspicuous, but he never lied when asked directly.

Katara began laughing then, and Sokka felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Sokka, that's not what bothers me. I'm neither blind nor stupid," He shot her a playful glare

"What is it then?"

"It's that I like Zuko,"

"You...what?"

Katara laughed again, "I mean how could I not? He's gorgeous and tall and kind, I could go on." Sokka cracked a smile

"Well, it seems we have only one way to remedy this," He then wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively

"Sokka- please no" "I think you mean 'Sokka yes'!" "I'm making soup," "Then I'll bring the fun to you!"

Katara groaned loudly, but her brother had already gone to grab his favorite drawing board and was back in a flash.

"Sokkaaaaaa" Katara whined, stoking the fire "Kataraaaaaa, I don't care. It is time for yet another one of my world-renowned pro/con lists," "World renowned?" "Shut up, yes"

Sokka poked her playfully with his chalk, getting white powder on her tunic. Katara swatted him off

"Go on then," She rolled her eyes

"Okay then I'll state my case first," He began making a bulleted list as he rattled off points, "One- Zuko is the fire lord, I will become Chief, it's basically the perfect alliance between our nations. Two- I'm an engineer and Agni knows the Fire Nation needs my help in that respect, it would give me an excuse to see him constantly, and Three- I'm an ambassador, so we're already pretty close, he knows me."

Katara shot him an exasperated look but his shit-eating grin didn't falter.

"Your turn," He urged, she sighed heavily.

"Fine." She dusted her hands off on her apron, "One- We're both powerful benders, so our kids would be too which would also be very good for our alliance. Two- you two can't even have kids so-" "Hey! Take that back! You can only make points not counterpoints" "Ugh fine! Two-"

The next hour consisted of the siblings giving points and counterpoints to their ever growing who-should-date-the-firelord diagram. They ended up perfectly matched. Which incited argument about whose points were more valid. (which was of course entirely subjective)

"Hm..." Sokka tapped the chalk against his chin, leaving white powder in its wake. "Should we take a break and come back later?"

Katara couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Sure, but only because the soup is done." "Why'd you make so much anyway?" "It's a sort of gift for that group that just got here. Dad asked me to help make them feel welcome, and nothing says welcome like a hot meal,"

Sokka nodded his agreement and plopped down on the pelts with his own bowl of soup. He then chucked a pillow at her as she was laddling the others out.

"Go on then," He chided, she stuck her tongue out in response as she pulled on her parka and gloves. Katara then promptly left with her tray and made her way to the building next door where their guests were staying.

Hours later, she woke Sokka from his dreamless sleep right where she left him. Katara let him know that he won, that Firelord Zuko was all his.

He was going to question it, but his sister was always rather strange. So, if she fell in love with an aircraft then so be it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See what I did there? ;-)

#avatar the last airbender #sokka #atla #sokka avatar the last airbender #zuko #zukka nation #zuko x sokka #zukka au #adult zukka #zukka incorrect quotes #katara #jet atla #jetara #jet x katara

[chiarrara]

Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime/manga, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before.....Thanks...

Oh my gosh this is impossible, I like too much and I'm the most indecisive motherfucker. I actually agonized over this, like this is so broad I was trying to think of everything I've ever liked, and what do you mean by favorite, and do I like the story because of the characters or the narrative, and how much do I like them now vs. how much I used to like them. I was doing way too much.

Basically, this is a list (loosely ordered) of my favorite characters (probably) right NOW, either based in recency bias, or in their lasting ability to remain a favorite years later A.K.A. characters that altered my brain chemistry because I'm insane about them:

Yuri Plisetsky - Yuri!!! On Ice

Yuri Plisetsky is my favorite of all time. If the rest of the list isn't quite in order, he's still at the top every time. There are some characters that just click for you and he's one of them. You're gonna start seeing a pattern here with some of these characters so it might just be that I have a type, but either way I love him like he's me. I love to put him in situations. I love to explore his character. I love to imagine his future. And I love his lil face. He's just so determined, and so angry, and I adore him and all his flaws.

2. Otabek Altin - Yuri!!! On Ice

Now listen, he's not a major character, he doesn't have a lot of screen time, but he made a huge, huge impact. It's not a coincidence that I love Yuri P so much, Otabek is so high because of Yuri P. But ultimately, he's one of my all time favorites because of a version of him that exists in fanfiction and fanon. Specifically, I love Otabek because of "From Almaty, With Love", my favorite fic of all time. I love to inhabit his mind, but also I just love him. He's the type of guy who's nothing like me, but I wish I was more like him. Also, I'm just a sucker for the strong and silent type.

3. Megumi Fushiguro - Jujutsu Kaisen

Current biggest projection target. Oh my god how this lil guy has taken over my mind. I watched JJK for the first time in December, but I don't think I really got insane about Megumi until I read the manga and... just check out my tag #megumi fushiguro's gay little hands. He's just so compelling to me. I just love a grumpy teen. I love a troubled little guy. I love how out of touch with his emotions he is. I love that he's insane. I want to put him in every possible situation and see what he does. He's my favorite, I don't know what to say.

4. Ahsoka Tano - Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Ahsoka!!! I love her so much!!!!! It's been a while since I watched The Clone Wars, and I'm off the Star Wars hundred million franchise properties train right now, so I haven't watched the new show, and I probably won't because I like her just the way she is in Clone Wars and I don't need any more. She's the coolest girl, she pulls like crazy, she's some variety of lesbian, she's a skilled fighter, she has a great personality, and she's a brown girl for brown girls. Like, little boys get cool characters they can latch onto all the time, she's that for me. Love her forever.

5. Zuko - Avatar: The Last Airbender

Ahhhhh, Zuko. I'm gonna try to be normal about him. Best redemption arc ever written in any media ever. He's just so lovable. You get to know him even a little bit early on in the series (The Storm) and it's just...OH. You start to understand. And it just grows and grows from there. He's a sympathetic character (The Blue Spirit), but you don't pity him because you're with him every step of the way as he has to grow and fight through all the pain and conflict inside him (Bitter Work, The Avatar and The Firelord). And he makes the worst mistakes. He makes the wrong choices (Crossroads of Destiny). And he has to earn every little bit of his redemption. And he does. What an incredible character. One of the most iconic voices of all time (Dante Basco, I love you). Also, I just love him. "Hey, Zuko here!" He will always have my heart.

6. Yuuri Katsuki - Yuri!!! On Ice

It is actually impossible for me to pick only two pictures of Yuri Katsuki because he's just so precious in every single one in completely different ways. I wasn't sure at first if I was going to put him on this list because Yuri P dominates my thoughts around YOI so much. But I don't love Yuri On Ice because of Yuri P. When I'm actually in a rewatch, Yuri Katsuki reminds me how much I love and adore him and how much he really means to me. Discovering Yuri, and everything he doesn't show you through his unreliable narrator ass as the show goes on is so so special. And nothing in that show could make me fall in love with figure skating the way "Yuri on Ice" and "On Love: Eros" did. My 2017 Spotify Wrapped was 90% YOI music because I used to fall asleep to "Yuri on Ice" on repeat. I love him so much. He means so much to me. That's all I can say.

7. Rue Bennett - Euphoria

She is me. I am her. This is less about her character, and more about how she allows me to see myself and be seen. My weakest parts. My most painful parts. The worst experiences of my life. I don't think I've ever related to a character or what they have gone through more than I have with Rue. I don't think I've ever related to a character's flaws and worst moments more than I have with Rue. Say what you will about Euphoria, I don't care. It's so important to me because of Rue. At least....Season 1 is.

8. Effy Stonem - Skins (UK)

Are we starting to see the patterns here? Effy Stonem is THE original indie sleaze girl. I wanted to be her sooooo bad. I wanted to be her in Gen 1 (I loved Effy Stonem before Gen 2, I'm not like other girls. lmao, anyway...) Skins was a very formative piece of media for me. There is no world where I love Euphoria without having loved Skins first. Skins and Effy made me want to go to raves in Bristol, wear ripped tights, take MDMA, smoke spliffs and cigarettes 24/7... it was actually such a bad influence, but it means a lot to me. I loved Effy from her first appearance on screen, and I loved her until her last. Kaya Scodelario you will always be famous.

9. Ash Lynx - Banana Fish

Ash Lynx is one of the most complicated and compelling characters I have ever seen. I had a hard time deciding to include him because I don't feel like you can divorce Ash the character from Banana Fish the story, or from Eiji and their relationship. Do I love him as his own character, or do I love Banana Fish in its entirety? But I do love him. He's very special to me. Banana Fish is about him. It's a love letter to him, in a way. You can't love Banana Fish without loving Ash, everyone around Ash loves Ash, even the horrible people who want to claim him. His pain and trauma is so overwhelming, but you as the audience can see the person he is through all of that even if he can't, and you just want him to find happiness and see it for himself someday. And be safe for the first time in his life. A tragic hero who really shouldn't have been in a tragedy. An unfair tragedy. He deserves the world.

10. Kyo Sohma - Fruits Basket

At this point you have to be seeing the pattern. I love a well-written grumpy boy. And I love Kyo Sohma so, so much. I watched 2001 right before 2019 and let me tell you, the vidication... I was absolutely in love with 2001 Kyo, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. He was my little shojo crush, it was fine if he wasn't Tohru's. Then I popped on 2019, and he had the SAME VOICE ACTOR!?!?!? Bro, the way I melted. And then the show went on and I noticed he was being framed a little different than he was in 2001???? I mean, if you want my whole watch through check my #fruits basket 2019 tag. I had a whole journey. Let's be so honest, Kyo is on here because I'm in love with him. But also, he's an amazing character with so much deep turmoil from really really difficult circumstances, and he still manages to be caring and attentive and kind, along with a million other amazing character traits. Most character of all time. I love him so much.

BONUS (Characters I can't believe didn't make this list):

The Entire Skins Gen 1 Main Cast (who I love more than Effy, but I can't pick just one favorite), Suguru Geto (who's creeping up on me more and more as I dive deeper into his character), Eiji Okumura (the other half of AshEiji, and just the sweetest boy alive who's also the biggest ride-or-die I love him), and Victor Nikiforov (out of the YOI cast, he's my least most favorite, but I love him so much and his lil heart mouth. He's a star, he is the moment, give him his flowers).

#favorite characters #yuri plisetsky #otabek altin #megumi fushiguro #ahsoka tano #zuko #yuuri katsuki #rue bennett #effy stonem #ash lynx #kyo sohma #skins gen 1 #geto suguru #eiji okumura #victor nikiforov #i worked on this for like 3 days #it's not funny #i have other things to do

[little-dandelionn]

zuko has one of the best character developments in tv history

(this "essay" has been on hold for like 3 months but i've finally finished it, so enjoy!)

i will literally fight people on this, he's one of my favorite tv characters ever. now, i've rewatched avater the last airbender probably over 10 times in full, so i would say i have a pretty good idea of his character development. i want to preface this by saying, like everything else i post here, this is just my opinion. please feel free to add your own opinions and comments! now, into the world of avatar:

i think it's important to start from the very beginning, when zuko was just a kid. we don't see much of his childhood from before azula was born, but i think it's safe to assume he was loved and praised by both of his parents before she came around. if you've seen the show, then you know a lot of zuko's character in the first season and part of the second season is desperately trying to win his father's acceptance and approval.

we see zuko slowly becoming more and more jealous of azula in the flashbacks to his childhood, watching her become his father's favorite. a great example of this is the flashback where azula showcases her firebending abilities to firelord azulon, and she quietly taunts zuko when she is praised by her father and grandfather. zuko gets agitated and wants to show off his own skills to prove himself, but is unable to produce a powerful flame like azula. he's embarrassed, and feels inferior to azula (season 2, ep. 7: zuko alone). there are plenty more examples of this sort of thing but i'm not going to get into it.

another thing that really created the divide between zuko and azula and ozai, was zuko's relationship with his mother. while his mother loved both azula and zuko, she obviously favored zuko. i don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, but each child being favored by a different parents definitely creates a sort of rivalry. i know she favored zuko because of the way he was treated by his father, but i don't think it made things any easier for him because it just reminded him how much he disappointed his father.

obviously, a big turning point for zuko was when he was challenged to an agni kai by ozai, which really stuck the idea that the only thing he ever wanted to do was please his father, and in his attempt to do so he was banished instead. we see a flashback of this battle in season 1, episode 12: the storm. the thing is though, the cause of the agni kai was because zuko simply spoke out of turn at a war meeting, which really shows how ozai thought of zuko, though it was no secret to begin with.

moving onto season one, obviously we see the result of zuko's childhood trauma in the very first episode. the only thing he wants to do, or thinks he wants to do, is to earn his father's approval. he's desperate to find and capture the avatar, simply because he wants to be accepted. i think it's easy to see that deep down, zuko is not a bad person. he's angry and he feels rejected by the person who is supposed to love and support him. even in the first couple of episodes, you can tell he's not truly like that. take the middle of the first episode, for instance. he tells iroh that he needs to find the avatar, because his honor relies on it. you can see from his character design that he has bags under his eyes, and he just looks and sounds exhausted. i think he's just so tired of being angry all the time (season 1, episode 1: the boy in the iceberg).

throughout the entire first season, you can see more and more of zuko's past come out, like in the episode mentioned in the previous paragraph. it's not until the final episode of the first season that we start to see zuko's true self start to come out. when zuko and zhao are fighting and zhao slips, zuko's automatic response is to hold out a hand to him, forgetting about the fight. of course, zhao is stubborn and doesn't take it, and dies, but this tiny gesture kind of starts to show what sort of person zuko really is, even if it's for only a split second. another instance from this episode is when iroh tells zuko he is surprised he's not so focused on capturing aang at that moment, to which zuko simply replies that he is tired. it makes me think that he's starting to slowly realize he doesn't really want to capture the avatar, he's only doing it to, once again, please his father and earn back his honor.

as we move onto the second season, we can see zuko's development really start to pick up. in season 2, episode 1: the avatar state, azula visits iroh and zuko, telling them that ozai wants them to come home, only for them to find out later that they were going to be taken at prisoners. at the end of the episode, iroh and zuko cut off their top knots, seemingly signifying a sort of newfound freedom from the control that they've felt from ozai. what i mean by "control" is not necessarily real, physical control but moreso emotional control. even when he wasn't there, ozai still had somewhat of a hold over zuko, the "promise" of his honor back, the "promise" of his love and support. by zuko cutting off his top knot, it kind of shows that zuko is beginning to be less afraid of his father's power, and is starting to let go of the idea that he needs to earn his honor back. he's slowly starting to see his father for who he truly is, with less doubt in his mind that his father doesn't truly care about him.

another big step in zuko's journey of development and self discovery was in season two, episode five: avatar day, when zuko decides to travel alone "to find [his] way in life". i love that he's still at the beginnings of his development but it's becoming really clear as to where he's headed characterwise. after all he does for lee's family, which granted, isn't much but is still something, he's shunned away from them when it's revealed he is a firebender and prince of the firenation. these interactions are extremely important in aiding his development: it would be extremely unrealistic if everyone just accepted him as a firebender even though he helped the town. from a moral perspective, it feels as though the people of the town should be grateful for his help, but at the same time the townspeople have valid reasons to be angry and afraid of any firebender that might pass through, especially one from the royal family.

the next major event for zuko's development was in season two, episode seventeen: lake laogai. this is the episode in which zuko makes the bold decision to set appa free after finding him in the undergrounds of ba sing se, as well as finally giving up his guise as the blue spirit. starting with the obvious, setting appa free lets more of zuko's true self come out, and while he still holds a lot of anger, resentment, and trauma towards a lot of things, he ultimately decides to do the right thing to help team avatar. as for his blue spirit persona: this is the first time i'm mentioning it here, but it was a thing within the first two seasons, though moreso in the second season. the blue spirit is something that's like a persona, someone zuko can be when being himself just gets to be too much, something to hide behind. zuko throwing away the mask once and for all is a good representation of him not wanting to hide anymore.

this leads into quite possibly one of the most important moments of the series: when azula kills aang in the avatar state, and gives zuko credit for it. in season two, episode twenty: the crossroads of destiny, zuko finds azula in ba sing se, and when given the choice between azula and iroh, he chooses azula. he chooses an attempt to what he thinks is regaining his honor. this moment was an excellent way to show that no matter how much growth he may have had over the first two seasons, at the time, he ultimately still cared so much about satisfying his family that he threw away everything he had built up to in that moment just to please them.

moving onto season three, beginning with the first episode. zuko and azula have made it back to the fire nation, but zuko is still wary because he has a strong feeling that aang is alive. his instinct is right, of course. but i also think he feels wary about being home because even though his father has congratulated him and says he's proud of zuko, he still doesn't feel like he "deserves" to be there, 1) because he didn't really kill aang and 2) because i don't think being home with his family quite sits right with him after everything he's experienced on the road. he also deeply regrets betraying iroh in that split-second decision he made to side with azula.

one of the biggest turning points for zuko is in season 3, episode 11: the day of black sun, part 2: the eclipse. zuko confronts his father and tells him that the avatar is likely alive, and how he only ever wanted ozai to love him. it's at this point that zuko truly lets go of his desire to please his father, because he realizes ozai is truly a bad person. he vows to help aang learn firebending and to help team avatar defeat ozai. after this encounter, zuko has finally stopped trying to please his family, and begins his journey to find and help aang.

eventually he finds the gaang and joins them to teach aang firebending. katara is the least trustful of him, though she learns to trust him after he takes her to find the man that murdered her mother. zuko also gains the trust of toph, even after he accidentally burned her feet, the trust of sokka, by taking him to the boiling rock to save his father, and the trust of aang, by going with him to learn the true root of firebending. all of these events together really emphasize how desperate zuko was to prove that he no longer wanted to harm aang.

this is proved even more when aang suddenly goes missing before sozin's comet, and zuko leads the search to find aang. while they do not find him, june leads him and the rest of the gaang to the order of the white lotus, where he reconciles with iroh. he feels immense remorse for abandoning iroh, and of course iroh, being the amazing guy he is, says that he was never angry with zuko, he was only afraid that he had lost his way.

the final moment in the show that cements zuko's development is in the final two episodes: season 3, episode 20: sozin's comet, part 3: into the inferno and season 3, episode 21: sozin's comet, part 4: avatar aang. during this episode, zuko engages in a comet-enhanced agni kai against azula. he is able to use the skills he learned from when he learned of the true roots of firebending from the dragons, and that ultimately helped him win the agni kai. azula was fighting zuko with anger, while zuko was fighting with composure. this also showed how the recent events had changed the two characters: azula was known to be calm and calculated, while zuko was known to have a short temper.

however, without katara's intervention, zuko would not have won against azula. as azula was preparing to strike zuko with lightning, she notices katara behind zuko and attempts to strike her instead. she fails, as zuko jumps in front of katara to save her. as zuko struggles to recover from the strike, katara realizes that it is up to her to finish the battle. she freezes azula in a block of ice and chains her to a sewer grate, ultimately finishing azula off. she had finally gone insane and was just so exhausted of everything.

the reason this moment helped to cement zuko's development is because before, zuko was never one to accept help. he always felt that he needed to do everything on his own, and the fact that he was able to let katara finish the battle for him says a lot about his development. not only did he accept the help, he truly no longer cares about "getting credit" for winning the battle.

before i end this, i want to take a moment to talk about this idea of "honor" that zuko seems to have throughout the series. as we've already clearly established, he wants to please his father. but what does this honor really mean to him? to me, i think it changes throughout the series. throughout his childhood and the first season, his honor means making not only his father proud, but the fire nation. he had all this pressure of being prince of the fire nation, and i think he was terrified of disappointing the fire nation, because he's simply not like them. although he was raised with the idea that trying to take over the world and win the war was "good," i still don't think he ever really believed it like his father or sister did. i think that's likely the doing of his mother, who kept him grounded. she likely did not approve of the war and the fire nation's plans either.

during season one, i think his idea of honor mostly stays the same, although i think it shifts a little bit. while he still wants to please his father, it's more desperate, and i think he's starting to feel the exhaustion of trying to be perfect for ozai.

in season two, his perspective of what honor means to him begins to shift a bit more. he's on his own for the very first time and he gets to think about his childhood. as season two progresses, i think honor begins to mean that he should honor himself and his own values rather than whatever his father wants him to do.

finally, in season 3, his idea of honor is concrete. he has finally gotten to a place where he doesn't feel like he needs ozai's approval to gain his honor. he has finally realized that to gain his honor back, he needs to respect himself and his own values.

all in all, zuko is one of my favorite animated characters ever created and as you can probably tell, i think he has one of the best developments of a character in tv history. thank you for (hopefully) reading this, and i'll see y'all in a couple months probably!

#avatar #avatar the last airbender #the last airbender #atla #the gaang #avatar aang #katara #sokka #zuko #prince zuko #fire lord zuko #azula #aang

[dieauster-und-diegarnele]

Fire nation portraits

Portraits are important for citizens of the fire nation. Seriously, they're everywhere! First of all, the official images of the Firelord or the royal family:

There are also more personal portraits, images of loved ones, a girl with her boyfriend etc.

But either the portrais are official or not, they look quite the same - calm faces, neutral poses. And yet there is one painting that is completely different:

Someone ordered this: a smiling happy baby, playing in the sand. We saw little Zuko and Azula on their family portrait - children are usually depicted the same formal way as adults. So I wondered, who would want to have such an image of little Ozai?

Iroh? I am not sure. They have a big age difference, they are very distant. When Ozai was born, Iroh was either a boy or a teenager. Why would he need that?

Azulon? Most likely not. He is everything but sentimental. And Ozai is not his favorite son. One can guess that Azulon did not plan to have another child and Ozai's birth was sort of accidental.

Sozin? Hahaha, no.

So I guess it was painted for Ozai's mother, lady Ilah. It seems she did not die at childbirth, as many fans think, but maybe she was very weak after this and spent a lot of time recovering on Ember Island far away from her little son. And that portrait stayed here after her death, cause Azulon and Iroh did not need it.

Someone once loved Ozai with all her heart.

Screenshots source

P.S. Off-topic. How could I forget this amazing artwork? Still symmetrical, but obviously very personal. And flirty :)

#fire royal family #lady Ilah #firelord Ozai #atla

[azulas-lightning-bolt]

this post is to answer @perfectlove990’s question on my post about the fire hazard and bending brothers sibling swap. they asked:

“This is really interesting so far and I want more, but a few questions. Where is Iroh in all this and what is he relationship with the brothers. Also what parts of the gaang story are being affected by this change?”

replying in the comments was going to give me an aneurysm so I decided to just make a separate post.

I started answering in the comments, I’ll just past it all back here:

oh boy. you’ve just triggered the master yapper. I have. many thoughts. on this au so I’m so glad you asked!! first, about iroh. since neither of the brothers play into zuko’s role very obviously, iroh is actually more distant—he believes they are entirely corrupted by naoki and doesn’t have the opportunity of a banishment to insert himself as a guiding figure in their development. thus, he stays more reserved, working with the white lotus between rare trips to the palace.

however, mako is more the azula of this verse, so iroh connects with bolin over tea and pai sho when mako has naoki’s attention. I characterize iroh as much more conniving (if well-intentioned) than he portrays himself, so it’s by design that this increases the separation between the brothers—bolin further dehumanizes his mental image of his brother. through their search for the avatar, iroh keep’s correspondence solely with bolin. however, through bolin’s accounts of events, he does notice mako is throwing off their chances of capturing the avatar, though he doesn’t know why until he also notices the assassins. yk, casual family drama.

he’s not at ba sing se, preferring to take advantage of being at the heart of the fn for white lotus intel. I’m gonna continue this in a new post cause I have too much to say lmao 😭

so going off that (still about iroh’s place in the story), he’s literally just an estranged uncle who picked a favorite he calls sometimes. we’ve all got that one uncle, right? so as I mentioned, iroh in my mind is a lot more calculated. he sees people as a means to an end, even if he genuinely cares about them as well, and his end goal is the war’s end. iroh has given up on mako here the same way he gave up on azula, choosing to focus his attention on the more ‘compassionate’ sibling to hopefully shape into the next firelord her could pull the strings of.

however, he doesn’t get as involved because, for one, they’re both much tighter under naoki’s control than zuko was ozai’s in canon, and naoki’s paranoia led to ozai’s death, so he knows he has to be subtle. for two, he knows none of his options are good candidates. he classifies mako as psycho and unwilling to end the war, so obviously he won’t put him on the throne. bolin is far too ek in appearance and an earthbender, which will upset the already sore-backed fn (who will also have to pay war reparations). iroh can’t put himself on the throne, because that will only twist this as a complicated grab for it rather than an offer for actual peace. not to mention he is a war criminal and the ek will not want to negotiate with him.

so basically iroh’s whole plot line is his struggle to figure out who he needs to manipulate into a crown, or if he needs to try and collapse the monarchy altogether. not sure how it would turn out on iroh’s end, but I think mako would become firelord. bolin probably ends up traveling the world or reuniting with san or something, but the fn was never really his home and after the war ends he’s ready to book it. maybe they’ll have a brotherly bonding arc where they fix their relationship but idk.

and then how the brothers’ interference affects the gaang’ plot line. this one is a little difficult because the writers crammed SO DAMN MUCH into three seasons, but I’ll just hit the basic points—

the avatar isn’t officially known until the solstice, when they go to the fn temple. the statues glowed, so there were rumors, but no one was actively hunting the avatar so nothing was guaranteed. it might also affect the way they left the swt—without the push of aang’s capture, what would’ve forced sokka and katara to part with their homes? that’d be interesting to explore if I ever wrote more for this but wtv.

I think this story would also be a good way to explore avatarverse spirituality and maybe give the boys a little religious trauma. (they’re actually my self-inserts guys.) so mako and bolin are in the temple when the gaang gets there (praying for agni’s blessing of strength, for better bending. praying for Agni’s blessing of the ‘right’ bending) and they still do all the crap that happens in the og.

for the first bit, their journey goes like it would w/o zuko interruption bcs bending brothers are preoccupied trying to survive naoki’s assassins. zhao kind of takes their place, becoming the main antagonist as they travel. he’s not very good at his job. anyway, the brothers get to the nwt, zhao still enacts the seige. however, the seige goes really differently. mako and bolin approach the nwt around the time zuko got there, slowed down by assassination attempts. except mako approaches as an ‘ambassador’ of the fn, sent to negotiate. at this point, he’s caught on that the fl wants them dead and actually intends to negotiate a neutrality by talking zhao down.

so there’s no iroh. however, mako takes azula’s place here—he is a beast of a firebender. he also doesn’t have the same reservations iroh had as a ‘disgraced’ prince—he is the crown prince of the fn, and technically has the right to kill zhao for insubordination. because of the nice new religious trauma, mako understands what iroh did; killing the moon spirit fucks everyone over. also I think time w the sages+prayer would put the brothers closer to understanding the lies of fn propaganda and seeing the point of ending the war. not quite breaking out of the mindset yet, but beyond seeing the water tribes as savages and such.

so basically mako negotiates a treaty with the nwt chief to mako zhao back down in exchange for hospitality of the two princes for a short period, given fn assassins are unable to reach them within the walls of the nwt (he wants a break so bad). zhao’s fleet still attacks, and he makes it to the oasis. however, mako outranks him and calls off the forces, leaving bolin to round up the rest of them and get them out while mako leaves for the oasis.

at the oasis, zhao is giving his whole speech. mako interrupts, telling zhao killing the moon spirits hurts the fn too. zhao accuses him of wanting the fn to fail, mako pulls rank, zhao doesn’t listen. he grabs tui from the pond, and mako lashes out with lightning. the moon is only red for a moment before the fish drops back into the pond and zhao drops dead to the ground.

everyone is like 😦

but mako’s just like ‘oops! guess we both got a bit too silly! now help us hide from assassins.’ because it’s funny. aang comes out of his meditation screaming that they need to protect the fish, but he’s greeted with the enemy nation’s prince, a dead zhao, and two safe fish. yue lives! the exchange between the fn princes and the chief is really awkward because mako is just lugging around zhao’s fried corpse. however, their stay is arranged. the gaang stays longer as well, plotting to sneak yue along with them when they leave. bolin is made as unaware of this as possible, mostly contained to the blessedly warm bedroom they’re given.

mako arranges a meeting with the gaang under nwt warrior supervision under the condition that they could kill him should he try anything. eventually, all parties distrustfully agree, tempted by the offer of fn information in exchange.

during the meeting, mako proposes a treaty; he will avoid capturing them as long as they continue to act like they are at genuine risk of capture. they’re wary, but agree. why is that the condition. nunya LOLLLLL.

nah that’s not what happens. he gives some vague excuse that not everyone wants mixed princes to stay breathing, and not all rulers care for heirs. the nwt warriors are mildly disturbed by the implications, but the gaang doesn’t really understand. sokka stays up late trying to figure it out and then realizes. he has nightmares of hakoda and the swt warriors trying to kill him for his mom being fn instead.

sokka is named group tactician when asked, and mako warns him that he and bolin are a formidable team, before giving him evasion tactics not commonly taught or used in the fn so thei consistent escape isn’t suspicious.

that was. more than I meant to say. anyways. they’re better off because mako is actively working against bolin’s genuine attempts to capture them and they have an anonymous donor of tactics and supplies (mako).

I’m debating whether or not the blue spirit exists here. I think I want an alternate blue spirit to happen—veiti, from the spirit 100yr war mako au. I kinda want to try drawing him a little mask. and since he’s already set on the path of helping the avatar (though, granted, to save his own skin) veiti would be more proactive in helping the gaang.

uhhh I think naoki would be less of the Big Opp than ozai was, because both bolin and mako as well as iroh are in a position to incapacitate her. the evil is the war council (which I do think should’ve mattered more in atla canon) and the psychological ramifications of naoki’s treatment of bolin and mako being the only thing holding them back from taking her out of power.

I think such a huge part of naoki’s power is based on her intellect and manipulation, so just removing her bending wouldn’t be enough to end her reign. not to mention she lived in an ek town for years—she probably learned how to fight like a nonbender (kyoshi warrior era naoki??) so aang’s peaceful ending wouldn’t have worked; I think naoki would need to be killed.

however, having aang kill her would completely ruin his character, which is a whole other post, because his adherence to air nomad culture is such a huge part of him, and outright killing someone (with absolute knowledge that there is no chance of survival) of his own volition is just.. not aang.

so guess who’s gonna do it.

bolin.

HAHAHA I bet you weren’t expecting that one‼️‼️ it’s bolin who is killing her because I think he deserves that poetic symbolism, and because in this scenario the eclipse succeeds. his bending was always a less-than under naoki. he was always supposed to be a firebender. but now, when firebenders are powerless and vulnerable, she’s helpless to resist the crushing weight of the world he has always, effortlessly, commanded.

that kind of eliminates a LOT, but aang still hasn’t mastered firebending and the wl (specifically iroh) has been thrown for a total loop, the throne is empty, and the world is in uproarious confusion. did they win? should someone try and take over the fn while they’re vulnerable? are concessions, agreements being made with the fn accepting their loss? who will rise to the throne? will the fn accept one of their half-ek princes as fl?

so instead of being b3: fire, it’s b3: political intrigue and I thought the world was done burning what the fuck is happening. iroh is pulling his receding hairline farther back trying to figure out what to do, mako (still 15) ascends to the throne as crown prince and more fn-looking of the brothers. he’s immediately swamped with peace treaties and concession demands. and, naturally, this involves the gaang—the avatar is the bridge, and he will be the bridge alongside his national ambassadors (the rest of the gaang)

and because aang needs a firebending teacher, is on relatively good terms with mako (who is a very skilled firebender), and wants to show the world the fn and their new fl aren’t actually that evil, mako becomes a firebending master!! except this is bad because he is stressing the fuck out.

things actually do go easier for mako than zuko because he has ~connections~. he’s half ek (and understands/adopts some of the culture) and built a bridge with the nwt during zhao’s seige.

other than all that and how b3 would change I don’t really have much more specifics on how mako+bolin instead of zuko+azula would affect the gaang but. I just think this little au is neat, glad you were curious about it :)

#atla #avatar the last airbender #mako lok #bolin lok #bolin and mako #bending brothers #fire hazard siblings and bending brothers swap au #the gaang #iroh #lok #tlok #slug’s stuff

[prpfs]

Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra | Canon x OC plots

Please note that I only roleplay with people 21+. all characters are 18+.

"You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road, and you surrender to your lowest instincts."

-Uncle Iroh

The new ATLA remake has just reawakened my love of the original cartoon, and I can already feel the brainrot taking over. First things first: I’m looking for someone to play a canon character against my OC, who is a water spirit who gave up their immortality in order to stay in the mortal realm. Our setting and timeline is flexible since I can play with The Last Airbender or The Legend of Korra. There will be awesome natural phenomena, spooky spirit hijinks, and of course, epic bending. I have a craving for angst and drama sprinkled with fluff, and perhaps a potential for ERP. Kinks/limits will be discussed privately. Of course, story comes first. If our characters form that chemistry, I’d be happy to feed into it.

About my character; their name is Shio(潮 meaning ‘tide’). They can be either benevolent or malevolent depending on where we want to take our plot, but I have a whole arc sketched out in my head for them, which boils down to essentially a Noir storyline between two antagonists. I find this more interesting than the usual ‘protagonist vs. villain’ trope, but of course, I’m open to hearing your ideas as well. Now, onto my craved canon bois:

ATLA:

🌑 General/Admiral Zhao

🔥 Firelord Zuko

*i love firebenders, okay??*

TLOK:

🌪️ Zaheer

🎭 Amon(PLEASE HE IS MY FAVORITE and I would love you forever if you played him)

I’m an advanced-literate writer who ranges from multi-para to novella length. I like to match my partner. 3rd-person is preferred. I’m that type of roleplayer that loves continuous plotting, headcanons, making playlists and moodboards, and generally fawning over/memeing on our characters. Anyone interested may feel free to introduce themselves into my DMs.

like if you're interested and op will reach out

#tlok rp #atla rp #avatar the last airbender rp #avatar the last airbender roleplay #the legend of korra rp #fandom rp #fandom roleplay #1x1 rp #dead dove

[orangepanic]

Obviously Irosami is the chef's kiss of all rare pairs, but what other rare pairs do you enjoy? What's your favorite crack ship?

Hoo boy. Here we go.

The problem is, there are pairs I enjoy writing, pairs I enjoy reading, and pairs I enjoy specifically because there is someone I love reading who writes this pair phenomenally or just throws their whole heart into it. There are also different levels of enjoyment, from "will die for them" to "will read if I come across it" to "appreciate it exists" to "like it better than other pairs." So this is an inexact science at best. I'll do what I can.

Foaming at the mouth thinking of them, it's canon:

June x Colonel Mongke Lin Beifong x Lightning Bolt Zolt Toph Beifong x Satoru Tahno x Ginger

Favorite crack ships:

Ursa x The Boulder Wing Beifong x Hasook Hiroshi Sato x Firelord Izumi

Rare ships I love for the drama/asthetic/sheer comedic or tragic potential:

Korra x Amon Korra x Tarrlok Tahno x Korra Bolin x Korra (so basically all the Korra ships go here I see) Jet x Ty Lee Lin Beifong x Bumi Mako x Kuvira Tahno x Prince Wu Baatar Jr x Eska Iroh II x Kuvira

Rare ships I love because a talented creator made something amazing and now I can't help but ship it: Zhao x Ty Lee Zhao x Yue Jet x Yue Toph Beifong x Kanto Wan x Korra Mai x Piandao Mako x Iroh II Mako x Jinora Mako x Lin Beifong Korra x Kuvira Toph x Aang Sokka x Azula Ikki x Huan Beifong Lt. Jee x Ursa Lu Ten x Yue Smellerbee x Longshot Amon's Lieutenant x Daw

I'm sure I'm forgetting some ships here, too. There are so many wonderful rarepairs in the world, and so many amazing creators making me love them.

#tlok #atla #rarepairs #i love them #junkhe #linzolt #hiroshizumi #satoph #Tanger #Bursa #Wingsook #amorra #korrlok #Tahnorra #jetlee #linumi #Makuvira #Wuhno #eskataar #kuviroh #ty zhao #zhayu #jetyue #Kantoph #wanorra #pianmai #makroh #makonora #linko #korvira

[juniperhillpatient]

Winter Solstice: Part 2: Avatar Roku re-watch takeaways :)

This is far & away my favorite of the episodes I've watched so far, & I remember it was around this point in my initial watch with my family over quarantine that I went from "sure, I guess I'll watch this with you guys" to "this show is actually really good & I'm invested." This is where the bigger storyline takes off & Aang is given his mission from Roku & it does not disappoint.

Well - this couldn't possibly go wrong :) The gaang is heading for Fire Nation waters & it's appropriately anxiety-inducing. I like that Aang does attempt to get Sokka & Katara to stay behind just about as much as I love that they don't even consider it, even if they try to talk him out of this plan altogether. If there's one thing that is pretty much a must in "chosen one" type stories, it's the Chosen Saviour character trying to talk their friends out of helping & the friends insisting anyway. It makes everyone more sympathetic & it's just fun.

After a nice little adventure in being likable, Zuko is back on his bullshit. I gave Iroh a lot of shit for confusing & inconsistent motives in the last episode & this is a continued critique I have, but I'll give him this - his one consistent motivator is also his most likable trait: he wants to protect Zuko. Zuko is obviously being a major asshole to Iroh & his crew just pressing forward with a doomed mission & it also goes to show how much he still believes he can be accepted again by his father. Iroh meanwhile gives us some important information: Not only did Ozai banish his own son, but he's also unlikely to be very understanding about his son's valid reasons for re-entering the Fire Nation. Not a terrifying & merciless picture they're painting at all :)

Katara & Sokka's banter continues to be fun, & it's a lot more fun now that they're just annoying each other instead of sexism playing into the mix. I also enjoy Appa & Momo adding some levity. Also - if I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times - Appa is honestly the real hero of the show. Poor guy legit got shot at with fire, was forced to fly faster than usual to get to the Fire Nation in time, AND rescued the gaang from a collapsing temple in the end! Where is Appa's Nobel Peace Prize, just asking?

Shyu also deserves major props. I like how we're gradually learning more & more about the history of the war. The world-building in Avatar is just so consistently well done. And the history never feels like info dumping, because it comes up naturally in the story, like the fire sages having once been loyal to the Avatar but now being forced to work for the Firelord.

I think this is the first time we get to see Sokka's intelligence when it comes to engineering smart non-bending solutions, with his (admittedly failed) plan to get the doors to the secret Avatar room open. Also, Katara is a genius for thinking of the plan to trick the other sages into thinking Aang's already in the room.

And we finally get to meet this guy!

Aang's meeting with Roku did not disappoint. I'm a huge fan of the line "I know you can do it, Aang, because you've done it before." I feel like the first time I watched this episode really helped me understand how this whole "Avatar" thing worked & drilled in the importance of Aang connecting with his destiny & his past selves. Also - Aang now has a mission & the new big goal has been laid out, so that's very exciting. Our boy has to learn all 4 elements by the end of the summer....no pressure :)

Oh, & another thing that was fun about Aang's little Avatar spirit adventure to talk to Roku - we got our first tiny glimpse of Ozai & he's a scary DILF, so that's fun. One thing that I would change about the gaang visiting the Fire Nation & Zuko & Iroh talking about complicated family dynamics, is that I wish there had been a way to sneak in an Azula appearance. No? Maybe? Okay, look, I just wish there was more Azula content & that we'd seen her more earlier on.

Anyway, far & away this was the strongest & most exciting episode thus far in my opinion. For me, this is where things start getting exciting & I'm looking forward to pressing onward in this re-watch :)

#Winter Solstice: Part 2: Avatar Roku #atla re watch #atla #atla book 1 #ids in alt text

[comradekatara]

we only get snippets of what iroh was like “back when he was a different man.” we know that he joked about burning ba sing se to the ground in a goodnatured manner; that azula referred to him as “his royal tea-loving kookiness” before his change of heart; that he learned from the dragons and respected the sun warriors, but lied about it to protect them as well as his own image. we know that he was azulon’s uncontested favorite, that ozai resented him for it, that he was once a mighty general, but still a charming tea-enthusiast who kept a level head.

before the death of his son, he viewed war as a game to be won—like pai sho—rather than recognizing the brutal reality, the senseless violence and devastation war truly is. he had a reputation—as a mighty general, a fearsome firebender, the dragon of the west, next in line for the throne, a charming, affable, tea-loving ladies’ man.

we don’t see lu ten, but we can vaguely infer snippets of what he was like from the way iroh attempts to raise zuko as his surrogate son. he is endlessly supportive and yet he still makes assumptions about what zuko would want and would like, and perhaps this is based on both his own proclivities as well as those of his first son. lu ten was a soldier. he was the heroic older cousin of zuko and azula. he was raised by a loving father as a doted-on only child, destined to someday take the throne in a peaceful exchange of power and continue to promote the fire nation’s conquest, their greatness.

iroh, and by extension, lu ten, do not wholly align with the typical image of the fire nation disposition that we are shown as embodied by ozai. yes, iroh conforms perfectly to standards of fire nation masculinity. he is a powerful firebender. he is a confident chauvinist. but despite his imperialist outlook, he does not view his family as mere pawns in his game. he is so self-assured in his position that he could never be so insecure as to not love his family. he cares about his son, his nephew and niece (despite not actually being around enough to truly understand them), his father. azulon might be a powerful, intimidating figure, but he clearly cares for iroh, and iroh cheerfully conforms to his standards and expectations without breaking a sweat.

what must it have been like for the great dragon of the west to knock down your gates and raze your village to the ground with a calm yet mischievous twinkle in his eye, pouring himself a cup of ginseng tea while he oversees the abject destruction of your life, your family, your people? he laughs merrily as he summons lightning effortlessly. he is just doing his job. this is fun for him, just another game at which he excels.

ozai is heartless, power-hungry, and deeply insecure. he has something to prove, and he cares about nobody but himself. he is exceedingly easy to hate. but what about general iroh, the dragon of the west, who is completely confident in his position, who genuinely loves his family, who cultivates hobbies, who charms, who takes an interest in the arts, who approaches every conquest with a carefree cheer that chills you to the bone? what then?

#iroh #lu ten #ozai #iroh&luten #azulon #analysis #ish #no because #I lowkey wish we had gotten more flashbacks of iroh when he was EVILLL #like hes so affable yet so dangerous!!! it’s chilling #in its own way that no other FN antangojists really embody #*antagonists. wtf #reminds me of king andrias (frog show) #like he’s so goofy and lovable and charming despite being BRUTALLY evil #and that makes him all the more effective #as a villain #I would’ve liked to see iroh when he was at the height of his power #the firelords favorite boy #the dragon of the west #we only get iroh post-change of heart #and we see his journey towards redemption #only ever alluding to his former glory #but I think abt it a lot #his specific brand of charming competence . that is so terrifying in its own way

[morgynemberisagenderfluiddaddy]

Let it burn

#i feel like his first order as firelord would be to burn that fucker right down to ash #can you guys tell this is my favorite boy??? #🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 #atla zuko #prince zuko #zuko #avatar the last airbender #avatar zuko #simstagram #ts4 #sims 4 #the sims 4 #ts4 edit #sims #simblr #sims4 #simsart #sims edit #s4 edit #s4 #s4 simblr #the sims 4 edit #photo edit #zuko edit #atla #morgynemberisagenderfluiddaddy

[nothing-more-than-hot-leaf-juice]

Zuko is 100% Hakoda’s favorite of the gaang.

 Hakoda was a textbook Cool Parent and on top of that he was a single dad raising the only waterbender in the south pole and Sokka (who is wonderful, but you cannot convince me he would have been easy to raise). We know that Katara and Sokka love and respect him and everything, but we know that Katara has absolutely no qualms about talking back to him and we know Katara and Sokka fought constantly. Hakoda’s the type of parent that would let his kids call him by his first name in an argument. 

Enter the gaang. Aang is an absolute sweetheart and is, of course, super nice to Hakoda at all times. But he’s also been raised with the mentalities of ‘adults are your friends’ and ‘you’re the avatar and have more responsibility and importance than all adults combined.’ It’s kind of hard to be casual around the Avatar who is also dating your daughter no matter how sweet he is. Toph has absolutely no respect for authority and she likes Hakoda because he’s not overbearing or shitty like her parents, but she’s an independent child who doesn’t want a dad figure, thank you very much. 

Then we have Zuko: aside from the whole ‘helped bust him out of prison’ thing, let’s be real, this boy would be the favorite. Hakoda was a cool parent and subsequently ended up with two kids who love him but are also The Product Of Cool Parenting Wild Kids. Zuko on the other hand was raised in the ways of Respect Your Elder or Perish By Their Hand (which wasn’t good by any means) and as a result is Level 20 polite and respectful to deserving authority/dad figures. This kid would ‘yes sir’ and ‘thank you, sir’ all over the place and Hakoda would be like “a teenager with manners??? sign me the fuck up????”. Not to mention Zuko spent as much time on the sea as Hakoda did and has all that naval knowledge and of course there’s the whole Ending the War upon becoming Firelord thing. 

Like, Zuko would spend time with Hakoda and be his people-pleasing self and Hakoda would turn to his kids like “why is your friend more polite to me than you guys are?” (in a joking way) and they would be like “FUCK Zuko you gave him standards.” And at first Zuko would be super fucking anxious around the man for several obvious reasons, but eventually they’d all get to the point where Sokka’s getting messenger hawks that say ‘I’m at your house and if you’re not here in 10 minutes me and Hakoda are starting dinner without you -Firelord Zuko’ 

(meanwhile Hakoda tells Iroh that his nephew is just so gd respectful and polite and Iroh is like “are we talking about the same boy? you were not here for his banishment period.”) 

#zuko #hakoda #iroh #sokka #katara #aang #toph #atla #avatar headcanons #avatar the last airbender #avatar #dadkoda #once sokka said fuck around hakoda #hakoda: ? #sokka: I've been through war I'm allowed to say it #meanwhile zuko is just .__. how??? are you like this to your dad??? #hot leaf content

[captainkirkk]

✩ WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP ✩

All the fics I’ve read and really enjoyed in the past week-ish. Reminder: This list features any and all ratings and themes.

ATLA

isn't this the vision that you wanted by nebulastucky

Firelord Zuko - ender of the Hundred Year War, ruler of the Fire Nation, payer of respects and reparations - takes advice and counsel from representatives of every nation, division, and specialty.

But teenage boy Zuko - friend of turtleducks, wielder of fun looking swords, stumbler over words and feet in the presence of cute boys - only listens to two people, and they are conspiring together to ruin him.

or: Iroh just wants what's best for his nephew, and Katara just wants to know everyone's business.

Umbrella Academy

no greater pain (than loving someone who will never love you) by Ford_Ye_Fiji

Five has Hanahaki.

He pushes through anyway.

His siblings don’t notice (until they do).

DC

lies of omission by envysparkler

Ivy’s designed a new serum, and chooses Red Robin as her test subject.

SVSSS

Scum Villain's Accidental Romance System by BurnerAccount

Shen Qingqiu has accepted that yes, this is a novel. And yes, it is going to have stupid plot points that he can (probably) do nothing about. His inevitable, horrible fate is his most probable future - but hey, it's at least a ways off yet, right?

A Stallion novel has stupid tropes, but he's 100% - no, 1000% sure, that these aren't in the standard package.

A-Yuan has At Least Three Friends by wenqing (maniafic)

Xiao Jiu wakes up disoriented, surrounded by strangers, and he desperately misses the nice dream where his name was Shen Yuan.

who is this face I hide by technorat

When Shen Qingqiu is presented with an artifact that shows the happiest moment in a person's life, he reverts to the childish form of Xiao Jiu.

Or, the very bad, no good day of one tiny Peak Lord.

Clone Wars

you hit what you head for by notquiteaghost

Part 2 of love is like falling

Cody stares at the message for a long moment. He commed Fox because Obi-Wan's unconscious, Wolffe's shit at words, and Rex has his hands full with Tano. He commed Fox because he can say fucking anything to Fox, and he couldn't even collect their dead, and one of these days he is going to snap.

He's got no idea if voicing half the shit chasing itself round his head will help, but his alternative is punching a few more holes in the wall, and he has to work out if Obi-Wan'll feel that before he does it again.

Star Wars

Breaking in a New Normal by ShyOwl

In which Luke is Mandalorian bait and Din is thirsting.

And he is not the only one.

How To Design Your Own Prosthesis And Turn The Project Into A Bonding Experience by Jackdaw_Kraai

Part 3 of Civil Wars, Whistleblower Tactics, Schematic Drafting, And The Finer Points Of Sith Adoption: The Essential How-To Guide For The Engineering Jedi

We rejoin our favorite Engineer three days after our adventure on Imperial Center, caught up on the backlog of work and ready to continue his crusade to improve the tech aboard the Lady one piece at a time.

A dire accident puts a halt to that plan, and before the dust has even settled, Luke is rushed to medical under dire circumstances, Darth Vader is besides himself with worry, and Firmus Piett never asked for any of this. Unfortunately, the later two will have to make quick work of the investigation, as shadowy entities creep closer with dark designs, revealing that the accident may not have been that accidental.

#i wanted to have this up before the weekend #but i got my second covid jab and it knocked me on my ass for a while #sorry y'all #my posts #weekly fic round up #dc recs #atla recs #svsss recs #tua recs #sw recs #fic recs