#zuko the lovebird

[whattheflockbirbs]

Hello there

#Zuko the lovebird #what the flock #birds #parrots #animals #lovebird #peachfaced lovebird

[sokkastyles]

Zutara Week 2023 Day One: Home

The night was stretching thin, and the popcorn bowl was down to kernels. Everyone was too tired to take the initiative to make another bag by the time the credits rolled across the screen in Sokka and Katara's living room. Aang finished off his soda bottle and stood up when Suki switched off the television.

"Well, I'd better get home," he said. "Gyatso is expecting me for temple in the morning."

"I'd better go, too," Suki said, disentangling herself from Sokka's goodbye kiss. He made a small whining sound as she left his arms, but Katara made a face at her brother to remind him of dad's rules in the house. She loved Suki, but sometimes she thought it would be a blessing when the lovebirds went to college.

"Hey," Toph said, pointing a little to the left of the couch where a lumpy shape was sprawled out beneath a blanket. "Zuko fell asleep!"

"He missed the part where the Emulsifier emulsified the soldiers who were trying to prevent him from going back to his home planet!" said Sokka, put out. "That was the coolest part!"

"Well, Toph said, standing up and stretching her arms above her head with a yawn. "I'm not waking him. Mr. Grouchy Pants can stay there."

Katara wondered if they should wake him. Zuko didn't usually stay this late, even on movie nights. But she also knew that Zuko didn't sleep much. He always seemed to be awake whenever she would text him in the middle of the night with whatever stray thought was keeping her awake. He spent a lot of his time sleeping in class, too, to the consternation of their teachers.

"Let him sleep," Hakoda said, coming into the room and helping Katara pick up the popcorn and soda bottles.

Katara bit her lip. "But his dad..."

"I'll talk to Ozai in the morning," her dad said gently. "Let the boy be for now. I might be wrong, but I don't think he gets much sleep at home."

Katara was the last to leave the living room, lighting a small nightlight so that Zuko could find his way in the dark if he woke during the night. She took one last look at his peaceful, sleeping form on the couch before heading up the stairs to her own bedroom. If she woke in the night, she wouldn't wake him, but it would be a comfort to know that he was there in the living room, home with her.

#zutara #zuko #katara #zutaraweek #zutaraweek2023 #my fic #just something i've had in my head for a while #with gaang bonding and dadkoda on the side

[riseswiththesun]

tell me what you really feel

mini drabble/ficlet based off this comic by @mayskalih! i saw her first hc about this and had wanted to write something but then she did the comic and i literally got up and wrote this sksks so thank you for the brainrot LOL

not sure when the canon time frame of this would be I kinda made it vague, so you can imagine it how you want tbh lol, I kinda imagine them a bit older, so like canon divergence/post canon

ao3 link

word count: 2.5k

title inspired by lyrics from the song like or like like by miniature tigers

He hates to admit how much the words sting when Sokka says them. 

Lovebirds.

Zuko feels like he did as a child; the way he feels is almost petulant, wanting something he knows he cannot have. The way feelings he can't quite discern—anger, jealousy, sadness, bitterness, perhaps, he isn't sure, and he doesn't even really want to know—pool at the bottom of his stomach, leaving him uneasy. But he knows all of this is so painfully trivial, pathetic even, how such a nonsensical word almost sends him into a downward spiral of emotions.

But Sokka only confirmed what he’s expected—what he’s known. 

He’s seen the way that the two of them smile at each other, the way she seems almost happier, lighter, brighter, around Aang—something he would be foolish to think she would ever be around him. And so even though he’s been clinging to their few brief moments of amicability, the few moments of vulnerability, and the few brief touches that he’s clung onto more than he likes to admit, he knows his place. He’s grateful for the forgiveness he’s been granted, and that, albeit unfortunately, will just have to be enough.

Zukko never wanted to come to terms with these feelings—if that’s what they even are. He’s tried to tuck them into the back of his mind, being content with where they currently remained—something he didn’t want to grapple with. But now, the painstaking realization has hit him that his feelings are large and grand, knowing that it’s more than just admiration or maybe even something as menial as a crush. He cares, feelings that feel large and grand in a way that he can’t quite comprehend. But he knows that he likes how he feels understood, and he likes how he feels that he’s not someone who’s broken, and he likes that he feels that he is someone who is capable of doing good things—of making a change, of becoming good again. And even aside from that, he likes that she is all things good, that she is hope, that she is someone who deserves better—which is something that he knows that he is not.

So because he cares, he allows for the upturn of his own lips as he watches the two of them, the sun casting down glowing rays—something almost out of a picture, and he thinks to himself: this is what she deserves, what she wants.

And because he cares, cares in a way that it aches in the deepest swells of his chest, he turns to Sokka, nodding in agreeance, the same smile on his face as he speaks.

“You’re right, Sokka,” he says almost breathily, forbidding any sort of indication of the affliction that hangs low in his throat to show in his voice. “We should help them.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆

Katara feels a shift—something is off. 

It feels harmless at first; she doesn’t think much of it. It starts with Sokka’s calculated glances towards her, almost as if he has some sort of intention behind his stares. He has the same look on his face when he talks about war plans or whenever he’s discussing something concerning logistics—he’s plotting, but she doesn’t know what. 

She sees the way he and Zuko share mutual looks, almost as if it’s something they’re in on together. It felt harmless at first, the way they’re insistent on certain things, guiding her to certain parts of the camp, directing her to do certain tasks that normally they wouldn’t have her do, but then it crosses into a certain territory where it raises flags, and she knows that something’s off, but she can’t quite figure out what.

It makes the energy within the camp feel strained—she can tell that Sokka is being sneaky, like he’s hiding something from her, or maybe even all of them, which only floods her with additional anxiety—something she already feels she has enough of, and doesn’t need more of at a time like this; Toph is indifferent as always; Suki constantly looks as if she’s worried, almost as if she knows what’s going on, but refuses to say much of anything; Aang tries to keep spirits up, acting as he always does, which that much she can appreciate, her one small semblance of normalcy; but then there’s Zuko, who she doesn’t know how to describe his behavior, but all she knows is his is the person’s behaviors whose bothers her the most. 

She hates that once she finally found herself comfortable with him, almost seeking him out, almost desiring to be near him, he’s decided he no longer wants to be near her, taking every opportunity to push her away. Every instance in which she attempted to even talk to him, whether it be for something small, or even when she tries to seek out his assistance, he’s quick to call someone in replacement of him.

Katara huffs to herself, feeling exasperated by everything that’s been going on the last few days. Part of her feels like she’s being dramatic, something everyone wouldn’t hesitate to tell her, but she knows that something is wrong, and she hates that it bothers her so much. 

She finds herself roaming aimlessly around their campsite, searching for some form of respite, anything at this to put her mind at her ease. She sees Aang and Zuko sitting and talking, prompting her to try and join them, hoping talking with them could jog her spirits even the smallest bit knowing the two of them are two people that as of lately, are the only ones who she feels like understand her most.

“Hey,” Katara calls out as she approaches them, a smile on her face, “Can I join you guys?” She takes a seat before they can even answer, assuming she’ll receive an eventual yes. She somewhat receives one in the form of Aang’s returned grin, but Zuko’s body stiffens at the sight of her. The smile she saw from afar has been replaced by a face she once deemed as cold—an expression she didn’t associate e 

“U-uh,” he hesitates, quickly standing up. “I-I gotta go…” Walking away before the two of them can question his reasonings for leaving.

Aang and Katara share confused glances, before both their eyes follow Zuko to the other side of their camp, joining Sokka in whatever it is he seems to be doing. Aang gives her a shrug before he continues the conversation, but Katara no longer has any interest in talking, her mood seemingly gone sour.

But most of all, she hates the feeling in her chest, something almost like a tear in her heart, that occurred the second that Zuko left, taking all the air in her lungs with him.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆

Zuko concludes that solitude is the best course of action. 

He knows that he’s doing the right thing, the honorable one even, but it doesn’t make it any more bearable. He almost wishes that he felt the petty rage and jealousy that he felt with Mai—anger, at least, is an easier concept to grapple with. 

But he finds that whatever this is, he can only take in strides, the gravity of his feelings being a harsh reality that he’s been forced to come to terms with. Each time Zuko aids in this plan of theirs, he knows it’s for a greater purpose, one that he would put above his own desires and feelings (something that the Zuko before would have never considered), so he continues, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. 

Though despite being someone who's changed, valuing those who he cares about, it’s in his innate being as a person to at times, wallow. So he concludes that solitude is in fact the best course of action. Because in isolation, there he can bask in his emotions without fear of being questioned; there is nobody to judge his seemingly childish tantrums, when all of it just feels so unfair, and why him; but most of all, there he can live in the bliss in  knowing he’s the only one who knows just how much his feelings have amounted to, and just how much he may have fucked up in allowing them to get to that point. 

So he keeps to himself in the moments that he can, doing whatever tasks he can alone, cherishing the few moments of privacy he gets to wrestle with his emotions. He clings to whatever noises around him, hoping they can somehow bring him back to earth, but it’s normally much to no avail—the crackle of the fire and the buzzing of insects in the night sky only provide cursory background noise to the never ending state of chaos of his mind. 

In Zuko's mind, he feels as though there’s a constant influx of emotions, so much so that he almost doesn’t feel smaller hands against his back, jolting him out of his thoughts, stopping him in his tracks. 

“Hey, Zuko,” a voice that could belong to nobody other than Katara calls out from behind him. He feels his body stiffen at her touch, no longer used to the close contact, even in the few instances it had occurred. Zuko turns to face her, her face showing clear signs of displeasure, but before Zuko can even question why, she keeps talking. “Why are you avoiding me?” She asks, anger, or maybe even hurt, Zuko thinks, hanging in her voice. 

His eyes go wide, but he quickly tries to regain his composure, not wanting to raise any sort of concern. He thinks to what he’s done for the entirety of the week whenever Katara’s had any sort of issue, knowing there’s a better solution than him to her problems. 

“Let me go get Aang…” He says gently, trying not to make matters worse. 

Her face scrunches at this, releasing out a huff—she’s upset. Zuko tries to think of what he could’ve done to upset her, all he’s done since they’ve made amends is try his hardest to do right by her, and he feels like he constantly keeps coming up short, only confirming what he’s known for so long—she deserves better. 

“You’re not going anywhere—you don’t need to get Aang, this has nothing to do with him,” she starts, closing the distance between them. Zuko can see the telltale signs of her anger, the face she makes when she’s fed up with all of them, when they’ve pushed her buttons too hard, or worn her patience too thin—the furrow between her brows, the narrow of her eyes, the rosiness in her cheeks, the exasperation in her voice. “What’s wrong, Zuko? Why are you avoiding me? Why is it that every time I try to talk to you or ask for your help, you suddenly call Aang or leave?” She asks angrily, before her voice gets quiet, as if she’s nervous to finish the rest of her sentence, “Did I… do something?” 

Zuko didn’t think there was a feeling that felt worse than how he already did, but the look on Katara’s face, one that had just been filled with anger, that now holds so much hurt, is enough to make him fess up to the whole ruse—he doesn’t want to leave any room for misinterpretation. 

“I-I wanted to help you and Aang!” He blurts out. “Sokka told me you liked each other, so we’ve… been trying to help you two. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea but… that’s why I’ve been doing that, for you two.”

Her face twists, this time not in anger, but what he thinks is annoyance. Katara lets out a pained huff, pinching her nose and closing her eyes, almost as if she had to take a moment to process his words. 

“You two are idiots,” she sighs. 

This time, it’s Zuko's turn for his face to scrunch up, but for him, rather than anger or annoyance, it’s in confusion. He raises his brows, leaning against the wall behind him, “What?”

Katara steps closer, cutting the distance between them from arm’s length to inches away in just a few seconds. She leans in, pressing her hands against the stone wall behind him for support. Their faces are so close he can feel her breath tickling his cheek, he feels his heart racing and his palms growing sweaty, the result of too many emotions and her presence alone. 

“Zuko, I don’t like Aang…” She says. “I like you.”

He blinks at her, feeling dumbfounded. The words hang in the air, almost as if they’re waiting for Zuko to take them and physically make himself process them, screaming at him to comprehend the gravity of what she means, but Katara, instead, does it for him, giving him no time for things like insecurity or misunderstanding. She closes the distance between them, pressing her lips onto his. 

At first, Zuko feels his body tense—one too many shocking proclamations have occurred, leaving him incapable of processing things at a normal rate. By the time his mind has finally processed her words, I like you, his body finally has caught up to reality, taking him out of the state of limbo he’s since been existing in—those few seconds between before and after her profession—he feels Katara pull away, just after he’d finally become accustomed to the way her lips felt against his. 

He feels his cheeks flush, seeing the way she looks at him, waiting for his response. Her eyes have a look in them, softness almost, something akin to hope, Zuko thinks. They stare at one another, at a loss for words, both too scared to break the silence between them, the only sound their bated breaths and the drumming of their heartbeats. 

Zuko has never been the best at emotions or words, he thinks the best course of action in this scenario is just doing. So this time, it’s Zuko who leans forward, cupping her cheek affectionately before pressing his lips onto hers with a confidence he didn’t know that he had in himself. 

And though Zuko isn’t perfect, and he still has so much to learn, so much growing to still do, maybe he is deserving of good things, and there are people who are capable of seeing the good in him too. He thinks that maybe later they can talk more about their feelings and specifics and whatever other misunderstandings may have occurred, but for now, he enjoys the way she feels underneath his touch, a feeling he wants to tattoo in his memory, a moment like this he will remember forever. 

All the feelings of self doubt and insecurity and the little voices that scream inside him, you aren’t enough, begin to dissipate with every little press of her mouth against his. It feels sweet and it feels new and it feels like the good in life that he’s been searching for. 

When he finally pulls away, he looks at her, admiring how the fire casts a glow on her face, her cheeks rosy, and her lips plush. Her eyes sparkle, and Zuko never realized, or at least he’s never allowed himself to admit just how beautiful she really is. 

He feels a warmth settle inside him, the corners of his lips upturning. And there’s more that he wants to say, but his mind, always an influx of emotions, albeit this time, positive ones, settles on: “I like you too, Katara.”

#zutara #atla #zutara fic #zuko x katara #zk #vi’s drabbles

[ao3feed-zukka]

I know they were gay

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/8kgJNru

by FindusTheCat

toph lisents to a littel cute convo from sokka and zuko

Words: 222, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Zuko (Avatar)

Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Aang/Katara (Avatar)

Additional Tags: lovebirds, toph knew they were gay, She knows everything, idk how to tag

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/8kgJNru

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

[ao3feedzukka-blog]

I know they were gay

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44738182 by FindusTheCat toph lisents to a littel cute convo from sokka and zuko Words: 222, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M, M/M Characters: Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Zuko (Avatar) Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Aang/Katara (Avatar) Additional Tags: lovebirds, toph knew they were gay, She knows everything, idk how to tag February 02, 2023 at 02:57PM

#IFTTT #Zukka #AO3Feed Zukka #Sokka/Zuko

[ap-kinda-lit]

She might not be able to see, but their heartbeats going crazy and being so close to each other tell her what’s going on

P.S: this isn’t the first time she’s caught them

#Toph: I am so done with you lovebirds #zutara #atla #avatar: the last airbender #zuko x katara #zk #Toph #Zuko #Katara

[im-goin-mad]

honestly if my relationship doesn't have whatever danny and kenickie had going on i will ✨leave✨

#relationship #grease #danny zuko #kenickie #these two are the real lovebirds #fuck sandy #cinephile

[incorrectzuki]

[texting]

Sokka: Zuko, where are u and Suki? Katara’s getting angry that ur late!

Zuko: We’re fucking

Zuko: *coming dw [not sent]

Zuko: *tell her to calm down [not sent]

Sokka: TMI, don’t u think? But hey, I get it. I’ll tell Toph, we’ll distract Aang and Katara to let u 2 lovebirds finish ;)

Zuko: NOOOOOOO [not sent]

#incorrect quotes #incorrect atla #avatar the last airbender #atla #zuko #suki #aang #sokka #katara #toph #zuki #incorrect zuki

[zutara-oneshot-contest]

SFW FIC LIST

(We will be updating these lists as we get any late submissions. Updated as of 2/18)

When Tensions Rise (Desire Floods)

Rating: M

Summary: ZK Modern AU - Zuko and Katara have recently started dating. While driving on a backroad in the pouring rain, some shrapnel busts the tire. They get out to investigate and put on the spare, except…there is no spare. Now they’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, soaking wet, with no cell service.

So now what will they do?

starry eyes sparkin' up my darkest night

Rating: E

Summary: It’s been three years since she last saw Zuko.

Three years have passed since Katara was struck by the epiphany that there might be something more between the two of them, only to hesitate until it was too late. Leave it to her to realize she had developed feelings for someone right before they reconnected with their ex.

So when her recently single friend the Fire Lord invites her back for a visit and offers to take her out for an afternoon flight with his dragon, how can she possibly say no?

She’s already missed out on her chance once before; there’s no way she’s making that same mistake twice. But Katara’s not the only one determined to settle things between them once and for all…

Breaking Tension

Rating: E

Summary: “You need a good fuck,” Katara tells him, confidently.

Zuko drops half the stack of papers in his hands onto his desk at her words, mouth open as he looks back at her with wide eyes. “Excuse me?”

All Worked Up

Rating: E

Summary: It's Valentine's Day, but Katara has to cancel her lunch date with her boyfriend Zuko due to a work call that goes overtime. Her boyfriend is more than understanding, and he instead decides to bring the lunch date to her.

A Secret in the Night

Rating: E

Summary: It's the Festival of the Dancing Lights in the Southern Water Tribe. Zuko surprises Katara as she's dancing around the bonfire with her tribe. Then they…

Room Service

Rating: E

Summary: "Are you on the menu?" Katara blurts out.

Zuko stops in his tracks.

(Or, Katara keeps encountering a very cute busboy during her business trip in the Fire Nation.)

You Set my Soul a Blaze

Rating: E

Summary: After finding her mother's murderer Katara has a lot to sort out emotionally. She and Zuko begin to bond after he reveals to her his life was not as glamorous as she believed. Katara learns Zuko is very warm to sleep next to. They spar, they kiss, and Katara wants him to be her first.

Or what could have happened between these two lovebirds had The Southern Raiders been a two-parter.

#zutara oneshot contest #atla #katara #zuko #zutara event #spicy

[brightjimini]

Sleepyhead

Anon: Zuko x reader with the classic: there’s only one bed???

Zuko x gn/f/m reader

Wordcount: 530

Genre: THERE IS ONE BED

Warnings: One swear word, Me just loving to put Toph as the matchmaker in these fics

A/N: Should I begrin writing the second part of Let go? Maybe.. Am I doing that... no.. Anyways I think I am just a heartless bitch bcs I find it easier to write angst than this fluffy shit. Anyway I hope yall like it. (If you see anything that relates to a gender say it and ill change it if I gree bcs I did not reread this.)

-

Zuko and I stood in the middle of the hallway. Sokka was already snoring behind the panel that seperated the few rooms. The rest of our friend group was also already sleeping in the house that we got offered by the earth king. We had kept it a secret that Zuko was also with us, he probably wouldn't like that the son of his enemy was in his city. Because of that there were enough beds for the five of us and yes we actually needed six.

Zuko and I got the task to buy food for tomorrow morning. I already knew this was Toph's idea. She knew I liked Zuko. I don't know how she could tell so much more about me without being able to see me but I was impressed. So that's how Zuko and I were now both staring at the one soft sleeping mat on the ground. The prince coughed. “You can have it, Ill just grab my sleeping bag.”

“What? No you and Aang need to practise tomorrow. Thats unfair.” I replied.

Zuko avoided my eyes. “Should.. We can share it? I mean there probably is enough room for the both of us and I promise not to do anything weird-“ He was rambling now. “Sure” I said and quickly grabbed an extra blanket in the corner of the room. I didn't want him to see my face.

A few moments later we laid next to each other. Zuko’s back was turned towards me and I was staring at the wooden ceiling. If I moved a little to the side I would roll onto the ground. I did not know if he was asleep yet but I couldn't. After what felt like hours I started to doze off.

-

The sound of a panel sliding open with a strong force suddenly woke me up. The first thing I saw was the red of Zuko’s sleeping shirt. I could feel one of his arms being wrapped around my waist. How did we even end up sleeping like this? I looked up to his face. His eyes were still closed. I tried to carefully sit up to escape this type of confrontation, but his arm pulled me closer and I fell on his chest. His breathing changed and he groaned. I held my breath and closed my eyes. I couldn't. See his face. Was he going to push me off? Or stand up?

Then I felt his fingers stroking my head. I forgot my act and the air got stuck in my throat for a second. “Goodmorning.” His voice was rough from lack of use. I lifted my head to look at him. “Hi.” I said in a weak voice. I immediately wanted to jump off the wall that was surrounding this city. His hair was a mess and his eyes almost shone in the morning rays of sunshine that were streaming inside from the open window.

Before any of us could say anything else Toph's voice cut in right outside the door. “If you two lovebirds are done may I ask where you two left the mango’s?!”

Both of our eyes widened. “Shit.. I knew we forgot something.”

#zuko x gn!reader #zuko x fem!reader #zuko x male reader #zuko #zuko atla #zuko imagine #zuko fic #zuko x you #zuko x y/n #zuko fanart #zuko x oc #atla zuko #atla #avatar the last airbender #avatar zuko #avatar fic #atla imagine #zuko x reader

[whattheflockbirbs]

Welcome to my pub, we have birb on tap 🍻

#Zuko the lovebird #what the flock #bird #pet #parrot #lovebird #peachfaced lovebird

[mycomfortblanket]

Why Are You so Afraid of Loving?

Zuko can see the look of disappointment on Toph's face. It's small, but it's there. Over the past six months, she has been living here, he has gotten to know her fairly well and is able to read the small amount of expression that crosses her face. The way she hides her emotions resembles Mai and a wave of empathy fills his chest.

Aang and Katara continue to talk about their most recent adventure and the way they look at each other, the love and compassion that just seem to ooze off of them makes his stomach churn. All of dinner, Toph has kept her head down and said very little, only making remarks when asked directly. If the two lovebirds have noticed Toph's strange behavior, neither of them mention it.

He can't help but glance over at Aang and Katara every few moments, and each time he does, it feels like he is being shot with an arrow. Seeing the way they look at each other, the way Katara's eyes are so focused on Aang rather than him hurts too much. He turns away and stares down at his meal instead. After about an hour into the meal, Zuko sees Toph wipe her mouth with the utmost grace and quietly excuse herself from the table. He doesn't need to be an earthbender with seismic sense to see the heartbreak that is radiating through her. Aang calls out goodnight to her and Katara promises that they will have a spa day tomorrow, but Toph doesn't acknowledge either of them.

Later that night, Zuko finds her laying on the grass in front of the turtleduck pond. He always comes out here when he can't sleep and it seems that Toph had the same idea, "What are you doing out here?" he asks.

"Have you ever been in love?" is her response. He is slightly taken aback by this question, definitely not something he was expecting from the tiny earthbender. He walks over and sits down next to her, draping his arms over his knees and stares at the water.

She hears him let out a deep sigh, "Yeah, I think so."

"With Katara?"

Zuko sucks in a breath. How the hell did she know that? He looks over at her and sees that her sightless eyes are still facing upwards towards the stars. He doesn't see a point in denying his love for Katara, Toph would call him out the second he lied anyways.

"Yeah," he pauses, not wanting to say her name. He lets out a deep breath, this is the first time he has admitted out loud his love for the waterbender, for his best friend's girlfriend. "Why do you ask?"

Toph just shrugs at his question, "I don't know. Just curious, I guess."

Zuko lays down next to her and looks up at the stars that are partly hidden by the thick clouds. He prepares himself to be hit when he asks, "You're in love with Aang?" Toph doesn't say anything to this, nor does she punch him so he knows that he got that right.

"I don't want to be. In love, I mean," she whispers.

He turns his head to the side, looks at her, and sees that her eyes are shiny with unshed tears. He turns his face away from her and back towards the night sky, "Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you so scared of being in love?"

"I never said I was scared of it," she mumbles.

"Then what is it?" he asks. He knows that she'll tell him if he is patient and doesn't push her too hard, but he wants to know. She sits up and crosses her legs, ripping out the grass in front of her. For a second, he thinks he has overstepped.

"Because he doesn't love me back. He never will. I just want to feel his heartbeat race for me like it does for her," she whispers. Zuko thinks about this for a moment, about how awful this must be for her. He's able to look away when Katara and Aang look lovingly at each other, but she isn't able to do that, she feels it every time.

He sits up and bumps shoulders with her. "I know, Kiddo." Toph takes a deep shaky breath and leans her head on his shoulder, finally letting the tears fall.

--------------------

Two years later, Zuko finds himself facing a problem he's been putting off for years. "Please pardon my bluntness, My Lord, but the need to produce an heir has come and gone. You've been on the throne now for 6 years, and with the numerous assassination attempts in the past year, we will need someone to assume the throne if the worst were to happen," Wu Tan says. Zuko can see the fear in his eyes as he says this as if Zuko will strike him down for speaking of the law. It's been 6 years, and still, his people are scared that he might be just like his father.

He rubs at an emerging headache in between his eyebrows. He knows that his advisors have been more than lenient about the whole situation and that the need for an heir is critical. The last assassination attempt had landed him in the infirmary for days. If one of the attacks were to succeed, the entire Fire Nation would be thrown into chaos.

"There have been several proposals from excellent women that come from very respectable families. If you would like, we can set up meetings with the most eligible women..." he trails off.

"No, no. It's fine," Zuko waves him off. "I already have someone in mind. I will talk to her later today about the situation."

"Oh, My Lord. We were not aware that you were dating someone," he says, surprise lacing his words. A few of the other advisors whisper amongst themselves and figure out who the mystery maiden must be.

"Yes, we have been keeping it secret so as to not have politics meddling," he eyes a few of the stricter advisors. "But, yes. We have been dating and I will speak to her about this later today and we will come to a decision."

--------------------

"Are you fucking stupid?!" Toph throws a boulder across the arena. He can feel the outrage and surprise radiating off of her, "Why the absolute fuck would you think I'd go along with this plan, Zuko?" he flinches when another boulder crashes into a wall. the use of his real name rather than 'Sparky' or 'Lord Hothead' shows how pissed off she is.

"I'm sorry, okay! I panicked! Two years ago, you were in the same situation when your parents were trying to marry you off to the highest bidder. But instead, you came running here, so you know exactly what I'm going through."

Toph stops hurtling boulders and turns to look at him, her arms crossed over her chest. "But we would have to have kids, Zuko. I don't think you've thought this through. I don't want kids, I never have. You know that!" she jabs a finger in his direction.

"I know, I know!" he grips his hair, pulling at the strands. Feeling an overwhelming sense of panic, his legs give out from underneath him and he falls on his butt. "I just don't know what to do! I can't marry a stranger, and I certainly wouldn't be able to bring myself to bed her the night of the wedding."

"Oh, but you could bed me?"

"No! No, we would figure something out, cut your leg or something so that it looked like you bled. I don't know. I just can't go through with what they want me to do."

Toph doesn't say anything. She swallows hard and feels him curled into himself on the ground, his head in his hands that are propped up on his knees. She can feel the panic and tiredness seeping from his vibrations. Would it really be so bad, one part of her brain rationalizes. She wouldn't have to go back to her parents and be made to marry. Plus, Zuko would be the perfect suitor; a ton of connections and even more money. She glances in his direction and thinks that he may be crying. Her resolve completely crumbles at this.

"Fine. I'll do it," she mumbles.

Read it on Archiveofourown.com

#toko #toph beifong #zuko #atla #avatar the last airbender #angst #toko angst #is it considered toko tho? #kataang #still dont ship kataang #but like

[heavensenthearty]

Imagine how the quest for tracking down Iroh before Sozin's Comet went. June, the designated OG Zutara shipper, spent an entire day next to ZK. How did that go?

An important clue comes up while Zuko and Katara are talking:

June: Sorry, lovebirds, but I think we might have hit something.

Zuko does the thing of staring at Katara while she isn't looking:

June: Take a picture, prince charming. It'll last longer.

Zuko and Katara have one of their intimate, mellow talks:

June, passing by: Ugh! Can't you two leave that for when you're alone?

Momtara and Dadko mode activated when the remaining members of the GAang become impatient with the search:

June, to Zuko and Katara: So... how long have you been married?

#😂😂 #zutara #atla #katara #zuko #zuko x katara #avatar the last airbender #avatar the legend of aang #zuko/katara

[canyourscienceexplainthis]

@capt-snoozles I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, every time I see your art I get so happy and I start singing COLLEGE HUUUUUUSBANDSS like a tv jingle! If I may, I think it would be adorable af if the college husbands went to a fair (I’m picturing them holding each other on a log ride/feeding each other bits of cotton candy while their friends are all like “hey lovebirds! If you could quit staring at each other we’re up next!) Picture Sokka and Zuko going on one of those catapult rides and Zuko is loving it while Sokka has passed out.

#if i could draw quick id do it #also if i was confident in my drawing skills id do it #but youve cornered the college husbands market #also i truly love your art so so much #it makes me so happy

[melzula]

Could you write a Fire Lilies blurb about Princess! Reader and Zuko 's date night in their tale of Ba Sing Se?

a/n: you have no idea how excited I was when I got this request!!!

~ part of the fire lilies series ~

It’s a quiet day in Ba Sing Se as the Princess sweeps the floor of the tea shop and prepares for the morning rush of customers. She doesn’t get paid nearly as much as Zuko and Iroh due to only working part time, but she makes up for it by working in the dress shop across the street. It’s easy work and her employer is very kind so she can’t complain. Besides, this was the kind of simple life she had been longing for ever since her departure from home. The transition hadn’t been easy, especially not for Zuko, and she knew it would take some time to get used to, but now that they were in Ba Sing Se they had all the time in the world to settle down and finally begin a life together.

Across the way at the front counter Zuko watches y/n work silently, an unreadable expression on his face as he does so. He’s doing his best to at least try to make a life here despite how adamant he feels about the city being nothing but a prison, if not for him then for her, because she deserves it after all. It was something he had promised her long ago, and though their relationship had become worn and strained it was still there altogether, and the knots that had formed along the way were finally beginning to loosen now that they were here in Ba Sing Se.

“You know, it has been a very long time since the two of you last had the chance to be alone,” Iroh points out. “Perhaps the Princess would appreciate a romantic night out with her boyfriend.”

“There’s nothing to do here,” Zuko complains. “Where could we possibly go?”

“I’ve heard they have a beautiful fountain here,” Iroh suggests.

“I have to work.”

“Nonsense. I can cover your shift for you so that the two of you may go out together,” his Uncle offers, and before he has the chance to protest y/n approaches the counter with her dustpan and apron in hand.

“The shop is ready for customers,” she says with a small smile. “I should get going. Miss Tai asked me to open up the store today.”

“Of course. Zuko, is there anything you’d like to say to the Princess before she leaves?” Iroh asks, giving his nephew a gentle nudge to the ribs. Zuko scowls before clearing his throat and attempting a gentler approach to the question as you stand there expectantly.

“Would you like to go out on a date tonight?” He asks in a strained voice, obviously uncomfortable and out of his element. He’d never really had to ask her on a date before, she’d always just kind of been there, by his side and ready to spend time with him. Since when did a simple bowl of ramen together not count as a real date?

“I’d love to,” she giggles, obviously appreciative of his efforts, “you can pick me up from work.”

“He’s looking forward to it!” Iroh grins, and Zuko blushes with embarrassment at the delicate laughter that escapes y/n as she exits the shop and heads to work. Spirits, help him.

~~~

Zuko waits impatiently outside of Miss Tai’s shop, a permanent scowl on his lips and the urge to fuss with his hair stronger than anything he’s ever felt. He isn’t sure why he allowed his Uncle to do his hair or why he’s putting so much work into a date with his longtime girlfriend, but he knew Iroh had been right about the fact that it had been much too long since they’d last went out like this. But it wasn’t Zuko’s fault, at least not in his eyes, because he had been busy and couldn’t tend to y/n right away like she had hoped he would. The pair had been so close together yet so far apart in his years of hunting the Avatar, and when it was quiet enough his thoughts were often loud with doubt over whether or not she still loved him as much, if at all, as she did when they’d last met in their secret tunnel.

A muffled giggle is what catches his attention, y/n’s hand held over her mouth as she tries to stifle her laughter for Zuko’s sake. He wants to complain but the words die in his throat at the sight of her. Dressed in Miss Tai’s finest silk dress, the Princess looks absolutely radiant and quite literally takes Zuko’s breath away.

“Do you like it?” She muses with a sweet smile. “Miss Tai let me borrow it for our date.”

“You look... really pretty,” he finally says with a small smile of his own.

“And you look absolutely adorable!” y/n squeals, prompting Zuko’s smile to immediately morph into a scowl. She gives his cheeks a light pinch and laughs when he gently swats her hand away. “You should do your hair like that more often.”

“It took Uncle ten minutes to do my hair,” Zuko sulks as the Princess finally puts him out of his misery and ruffles the awful hairdo away.

“I’ll have to thank him when we get back,” she giggles before taking his hand and dragging him off to venture out into the city. “So what should we do?”

“I don’t know,” Zuko grumbles. “This city is nothing but dirt, I don’t know how I can possibly enjoy it.”

“Well you can’t enjoy it with an attitude like that,” the Princess argues. “There’s a cake stand over there. You like cake, don’t you?”

“I’m not in the mood for cake.”

“Then what are you in the mood for?”

“Nothing,” he grumbles, and the Princess’s once cheerful demeanor dwindles into one of disappointment. He doesn’t want to be here, she knows that better than anybody, but she had hoped that maybe by going out together he’d at least warm up to the idea of living in the city. Y/n loved Zuko more than anything in the world, but she was starting to doubt whether or not he still felt the same way about her. Their flame was beginning to dwindle and though she was desperate to keep the fire going it seemed that wouldn’t be possible without his help.

“Maybe you should just go home,” she offers quietly, releasing his hand and turning her back towards him in order to hide her growing tears. “That way you won’t have to be here when you don’t want to, a-and I can just explore the city by myself.”

Guilt weighs heavily upon Zuko’s shoulders at the sound of her trembling voice as he yet again manages to disappoint her. He wants to apologize but the words are stuck in his throat, so instead he lets out a small, awkward cough before coming up and gently resting a hand on her shoulder.

“That fortune teller booth looks kind of fun,” he suggests, and when she gives him a pointed look he says, “I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“Okay,” y/n sniffles quietly, a weak smile present upon her features as Zuko intertwines his fingers with her own and guides her towards the booth. He doesn’t miss the manor in which she tightly holds his hand, almost as if she’s afraid she’ll lose him if he lets her go, and it urges the Prince to increase his pace as he guides her towards their destination.

“Yes, step right up, lovebirds!” The eccentrically dressed man encourages, immediately taking the Princess’s hand and yanking her forward to read her palm. Zuko bites back the threat that rises up his throat, and y/n watches with childlike excitement as the fortune teller scans the grooves and lines of her hand. “Ah, this is very interesting.”

“What is it?”

“I see that you’ve lived a very happy life, though it hasn’t been easy as of late. The love you have in your heart is strong, but this love will be put to the test when the time comes.”

“Sounds like a bunch of nonsense,” Zuko mumbles only to earn a glare from the Princess in return. Put to the test? Hadn’t they already been through the hardest parts of their relationship already? What else could possibly make things worse?

“You will live a content and comfortable life and die a peaceful death. Oh, and you’ll most definitely be having twins!”

“Twins!” Y/n repeats delightedly, but all color drains from Zuko’s face at the idea and suddenly he feels very lightheaded.

“Okay, thank you, that’s enough,” he finally interjects, making sure to pay the man before dragging you off to your next destination.

“We’re going to have twins!” The Princess squeal delightedly.

“How do you know he’s not just some crazy old man?” Zuko retorts.

“He could be,” she admits with a shrug, “but it’s nice to have something to hope for even if it isn’t real.”

He says nothing in response to her wishful thinking, but he must admit that he does enjoy the idea of settling down with the Princess, starting their own family, creating a new legacy. Maybe staying in one place wouldn’t be so bad after all.

After a few minutes of aimless walking the two stumble upon the famous fountain of Ba Sing Se, though it doesn’t look like much to either of them due to the fact that the lanterns aren’t lit.

“This is the fountain everyone always talks about?” The Princess retorts with obvious disappointment. “I thought it would be prettier.”

“Hold on,” Zuko says, and before y/n can question him the Prince begins to use his bending to light the lanterns around the fountain. It’s dangerous and absolutely foolish to use his bending out in the open like that, but he’d rather be thrown in jail by the Dai Lee than have his Princess be upset. Her eyes sparkle with complete and utter awe at the sight of his fire bending, recognizing the flow of his movements and admiring the beauty of the flames that dance among the lanterns.

Now lit in all of its glory, the two stand side by side and admire the shimmering water that flows from the fountain. Zuko wraps an arm around the Princess’s waist, and she happily rests her head upon his shoulder once she’s safely nestled into his side.

“Thank you for taking me out tonight,” she murmurs quietly. “I’ve missed spending time with you like this.”

“Me too... I know I’ve been difficult with the transition into our new life here, and it’s going to take some time for me to get used to. But I also know that this should have happened a long time ago, and I’m sorry it took me this long to fulfill my promise to you.”

“I don’t care about how long it took us to get here,” y/n replies earnestly. “All that matters is that we’re finally together in Ba Sing Se just like we planned all those years ago. We can be happy now, but only if you allow yourself the chance to enjoy it.”

“I want to,” Zuko utters, turning to face her and gently cupping her cheek with his hand, “and I know with your help I can.”

The Princess smiles faintly at his proclamation, and when he leans down to kiss her she meets him halfway to seal their lips together in a tender kiss. It isn’t very long or very passionate, Zuko still not used to the idea of public displays of affection due to the fact that he’d refrained from act during his time on the ship with the crew, but it’s special and beautiful all the same.

Ba Sing Se is the start of a new beginning for the a coupe, a second chance at happiness and a place where they can start over. It won’t be easy, and the transition won’t happen over night, but at the two kiss underneath the ember glow of the fountain’s lanterns, the Princess knows that they’re finally going to get their chance at happiness, and so she savors the feeling for all it’s worth.

Because the spirits know it won’t last for very long.

| tags: @rainteslerrrr @oddment-niwit-blubber-tweak @thebluelcdy @royahllty @the-firebender-girl @coldlilheart @ilovespideyyy @yiyibetch @eridanuswave @lammello @a-monsters-love @knaite-solo @zukh03s @titaniafire @dekahg @emberislandplayers @kikaninchen-2 @lozzybowe @izzieserra @melacholy @music-geek19 @thia-aep @thyunnamed @haylaansmi @nataliahaslosthershit @idkdude776 @aangsupremacy @thirstyforsometea @ihaveaproblem98 @brown-eyed-thang @djskfkdkkf @xapham @yeetletzgetitjae @misnmatchedsox |

#zuko #zuko x reader #zuko imagine #prince zuko x reader #prince zuko imagine #zuko and the princess #avatar the last airbender #atla #atla x reader #tales of ba sing se #fire lilies #request #gif used above is not mine!

[ardantly]

Zukka Youtube/College AU

Okay so Sokka has a youtube channel where he basically posts really weird and memey videos 

 One of his most successful videos is him running around campus in like a full on Gandalf outfit and asking people to go on adventures with him 

He and Zuko are roommates and after the initial wtf are you doing there Sokka moment Zuko found that helping Sokka with his weird videos is actually really fun and 

Sokka enlists him as his camera man and co-conspirator alongside the gaang so he gets roped into the whole family and we have a nice lil found family moment 

Sokka and Zuko decide to do a follow-up to the Gandalf thing and walk around Campus as Gimli and Legolas (Sokka is Legolas because he's the tiniest bit taller and Zuko has to walk around on his knees) and they pretend to be fighting orcs and they're also being really gay because I have a Gigolas Agenda™️ 

After that they start like doing more couples running around on campus and it just starts this whole phase of super intense gay yearning because they're comfortable with each other and spend so much time with each other and when they're doing the coupley thing they're always hugging and holding hands 

Anyway, the rest of the Gaang watch this and they just see these two pining idiots and they're like we gotta do something these fuckers aren't getting anywhere 

So they hatch a plan and they tell Zukka that they have the perfect idea for a skit where the couple (idk maybe Frodo and Sam) have to kiss and both of them are like oh fuck this might be my only chance so they agree 

They get to the day of the shoot and they're both super nervous and the others are like setting up the camera and Aang is like do you guys want to practice? All innocent and nicely and Zukka are like wtf do you mean practice and Aang is like yea actors always do that (total lie) and everyone agrees so Zukka (being the dumbasses they are) are like huh okay I guess

So the two of them kinda look at each other and Sokka internally is just like fuck it if I get to kiss Zuko twice I might as fucking well and just kisses him and Zuko is totally taken aback and doesn't respond for a hot second and Sokka is just like fuck fuck fuck I fucked up but then Zuko's dumbass is like HE'S KISSING YOU  KISS BACK 

The gaang are like heck yea and turn around to give them some privacy but then they just keep going for really long and at some point Toph is like alright get a room lovebirds we gotta film and Sokka and Zuko just kinda spring apart and are like uhhhh just guys being pals 

At that point Suki just fucking snaps cause she's been dealing with both of their pining for too fucking long and she just yells YOU LIKE EACH OTHER, FOR FUCKS SAKE 

Sokka and Zuko stare at her for a hot second and then back at each other and are like ...you like me Sokka gets nervous and says dude that's kinda gay or something 

Zuko is just like fuck it and answers sth like not just kinda and kisses him again and the whole gaang just Whoops really loudly 

And then they go and get frozen yoghurt as their first date and Sokka ends up having a bit of froyo on his nose and Zuko just nearly looses it 

The end of it is them being super cute and gay but also extremely chaotic and running around as the gayest couples from fiction over and over again

#atla #zukka #atla au #zukka au #lou writes #shut up lou #headcanons #youtuber au #college au #I had a moment of OUH THIS IS CUTE #and this is the result #what a babe #jerkbender connoisseur #gaang