#zutara fanwork appreciation week

[strawberrymilkyumyum]

his callused hand held her face as she cried. she couldn’t stop crying, not since zuko had appa land for the night. facing yon rha was supposed to make her feel better, but it didn’t. 

more tears streamed down katara’s face and the zuko’s pale hand brushed some of her tears down her face. “it- it hurts!” she cried, “it hurts so bad.” 

when she looked up, so saw the pain written all over his face, “i know.” he swiped away a few more tears. “i understand.” 

“how? how you you possibly understand!” she wasn’t yelling, she wasn’t angry, she was desperate. katara knew he wasn’t lying, zuko couldn’t lie to save his own life, or hers. 

he sighed, “do you remember ba sing se?” she nodded. “i told you we had something in common?” katara nodded again. “well, now we have this in common too.” 

zuko could’ve meant that they went on this same trip, but she knew that wasn’t the case. he’d done what she did before. “when?” 

“on the day of black sun.” katara leaned into his hand. “i always thought- i thought letting him live was weak, even though i knew it was the right choice. but when i saw you today i realized,” that you showed true strength. you showed me i was strong too. “thank you, katara.”

he was so painfully honest that she couldn’t take it anymore. katara threw herself into his arms, causing him to stumble back. the hug was relaxing, or it would be if zuko was hugging her back. katara squeezed her arms and zuko wrapped his around her, pulling her tight to him. she buried her face in his neck and said, “thank you, zuko.”

with that, he tucked his face into her hair and sighed. eventually they sat down, which turned to laying on appa’s legs. katara wasn’t ready to let go of him just yet, he was her lifeline. from the relaxed beating of zuko’s heart, she thought he wasn’t too eager to separate either. they fell asleep curled into each other. 

when she woke, it was still dark. she only slept a few hours, but she felt as though she slept for days. it was the best sleep she’d had since her mom died. katara leaned back to study the firebender’s face. it was relaxed for once, and innocent. he was the same boy who hunted her, but that boy was put to rest a lifetime ago. 

sensing her move, zuko unconsciously pulled her closer, resting his head on top of hers. he hummed and katara felt warm and fuzzy. she let herself be pulled closer and she buried her face in his chest. it was the best sleep she’s had in years, and she knows she won’t be able to sleep well without zuko with her. with his arms strong around her waist, katara realized she would be able to sleep alone, but she never wanted to sleep without him there ever again. 

here’s my second contribution to @zkfanworkweek​ . this is for angst wednesday. i don’t know if this was angsty, i’ve never done this before and i prefer fluff. i hope you like it!

#zkfanworkweek #zuko and katara #katara and zuko #katara x zuko #zuko x katara #zutara #zutara fanwork appreciation week #the southern raiders #atla #zutara fanfiction #zutara fanart #angst #i think

[peartarts]

- and you feel your heart (taking root in your body) by raisindeatre on ao3

for @zkfanworkweek's fanart tuesday :) ignore how late this is aaaa

#zuko #katara #zutara #zkfaw #zutara fanwork appreciation week #doodles #mine #gave up on shading ahdndjk #but if u squint it looks ok?? i think? :'') #anyway for me this fic is right up there w oats and half asleep #it just handles everything so well imo #and the writing ahsjskdhf chef's kiss <333 #wish i could do it more justice but yeah 😪

[pineapple-frenzy]

Zkfaw Day 6: fluff Friday

Stay Frosty, Royal Milk Tea by @hinaoyamas and @sofileall

This is already late but it's fineeee,,, I got really busy with school stuff akajhsb

This fic is amazing!!! I only recently started reading it and I haven't caught up to it yet but it's already so fluffy and I love it so much! Plus, it's a tea shop au and how could you not love that??

I actually don't know if they have uniforms or what the tea shop looks like so I hope this is okay ajajshhs

#zutara fanwork appreciation week #zfaw #zkfaw #zutara #zuko #katara #atla #atla modern au #i clicked on this fic cause of the title akshgsha #my emo ass loves fob okayyyy #and i'm so glad i clicked on it cause this is now a favorite #my art

[stardust948]

(via Custom Image) 

Have I ever mentioned how much I love this community? 

#girl eating pancakes meme #zutara #zutara month #zutara fanwork appreciation week #zk drabble december 2020 #zk drabble februrary #zutara bollywood week #zutara big bang

[clubolive]

@zkfanworkweek Day 6: Fluff Friday

She reaches out under the covers for his hand. When she finally finds it she gives it a gentle squeeze. “You can tell me anything, you know.”

There is another long silence, so long that she thinks he might’ve fallen asleep. 

Her eyes begin to drift shut. She suddenly feels so tired.

“I know.” 

She smiles into her pillow.

They fall asleep holding hands.

Based on chapter 10 of In the Same Candlelight by @likeadove (FF, AO3)

not to be dramatic but this fic yall… this fic is the one that lives in my mind rent free utilities INCLUDED!! its so sweet and cute, Bethany did such a wonderful job spinning this story. katara and zuko growing up together is one of those things that i didnt know i needed but im so glad i got it thru this fic 🥺

edited cuz my formatting got all funky for some reason 

#zutara #zuko #katara #atla #avatar the last airbender #kfjlsdkjf im so bad at words this is why i draw but really yall this fic is so good i reread it sm #my art #this week im in zutara hell once again whoops #sorry 2 everyone who follows me for dc flkjdslfjl #rip 2 me in particular tho bc this was supposed 2 be for yesterday oops #zfaw #zutara fanwork appreciation week

[markedmage]

Moontides

Pairing: Zutara

Rating: T

Summary: He smells like fire and feels like home. She smells like rain and feels like love.

Notes: Hi guys- I know it’s been ages since I’ve really show much activity on here lately, but I’ve risen from the dead to give you all my submission for Fanart Tuesday, for ZFAW. This fic is for the lovely @hayleynfoster, who’s animated storyboards for ZK week 2020 have utterly wrecked me in all the best ways possible. Those videos are stunning and gorgeous and breathtaking, and I feel so so so honored to have the opportunity to immortalize them into fics. Hayley, thank you so much for allowing me to express my love for you and your works, and thank you again for giving me this opportunity. I hope you enjoy it. 

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27638455

(excerpt below the cut)

He can sense her thoughts running rampant in her mind, just like his, but he waits for the right moment, waits for that perfect opportunity where she will finally belong to him.

(He doesn't know how long he waits— that's the thing about Katara. When he's with her, the world seems to freeze in its tracks, like a glacier in winter; everything slows down and the world tilts on its axis. It could be mere seconds or eons; cities could rise and fall, and all that matters is the way the blue of her eyes shift from sapphire to midnight.)

Then he sees his opportunity— the sun is kissing the horizon, and the first blush of dawn is spreading across the sky, baby pinks bleeding into the dark of night. He nudges Katara, and she jerks, looking up at him, and the light of the sun sparkles in her eyes. "Look," he murmurs and she turns her gaze to the horizon, where reds and pinks and golds light up the sky, wrangling the black from the horizon to welcome the first kisses of blue back into the atmosphere. The moon still shines overhead, not willing to relinquish her dominion, and for a brief moment, the sun and the moon meet in a stalemate of colors.

"It's like you and me," he nudges Katara, and she looks. Her eyes widen, and he can see the breath catching in her throat. "The sun and moon. When they meet—" his breath lowers into a gasping breath "— it's electrifying."

It's a beautiful homage to who they are— a child of the moon and a boy kissed by fire. The world was never prepared for the two of them, never prepared for fire and ice to meet in such harmony, but the beauty created from their union is nothing short of spectacular. He looks at the moon, looks at the sun, and, not for the first time, thanks the spirits for gifting her into his life.

#zutara #zutara fanfiction #hayleynfoster #zfaw #zutara fanwork appreciation week #zuko x katara #atla fanfiction

[moonifall]

This is for @neincraff and their AMAZING zutara fic that has been my recent obsession, For Pride And Honor, AND ITS SO GOOD. HIGHLY RECOMENED YOU READ IT GOSH IM OBSESSED. Without spoiling too much, the Fire Nation is in the middle of a Civil War and your resident Waterbending Master Katara is roped into helping Prince Zuko claim his victory. Fair warning its Rated E for smut, and mentions of attempted r*pe (should this be censored?), which is brief at the beginning.

(Btw I took some creative liberties on Kataras outfit because I wasnt sure how it looked)

#zutara #avatar the last airbender #atla #avatar #katara #zuko #zutara week 2020 #zutara fanwork appreciation week #zutara fanart #zutarafaw #zkfanworkweek #zkfaw

[invnciblesummer]

Day 7 of @zkfanworkweek week: Recommendations

I was originally going to post this for Hidden Gem day, but hey, better late than never! This gif set I made has lyrics from the song “Sleepy Eyes" that @ryzelpretzel created for Zutara OPM week 2020. She also made two other Zutara songs, called “Catacombs” and “Somewhere Between” (the latter of which was inspired by “Once Around the Sun”) on her YouTube channel that are certainly worth listening to as well. Ryzel Pretzel has a very beautiful singing voice, and her lyrics are eloquent and marvelously written for Zuko and Katara. I would definitely recommend listening to all three of her Zutara songs, and checking out the rest of her YouTube channel that goes by the same name!

#zutara #zfaw #zfaw2020 #zutara fanwork appreciation week #zutara fanwork appreciation week 2020 #zuko #katara #atla #avatar #avatar the last airbender #my gifs #my gifset #song rec #fan song

[zutarasecrettunnel]

I think the best thing about the animatic that Hayley posted today is that it's a metaphor for Bryke trying to kill the Zutara fandom and the fans just continuing to bring it back by using our immense power and talent.

#anti-Bryke #zutara #hayleynfoster #zutara fanwork appreciation week #thank you to hayley dante and owedbetter for this piece of wonderfulness #zutara shit posting

[ifyouwereamelodymeg]

Rec List Saturday

Alright alright alright, I know I said I was done for ZFAW, but I lied because it’s REC LIST SATURDAY.

I honestly think this final day of the week embodies what the whole thing is about -- with only so many hours in the day to actually create fanwork inspired content, it’s our chance to pull together lists of all the works/creators that we didn’t have the opportunity to pay tribute to across the rest of the week and show them some love. So with that in mind I’m actually going to be reccing people rather than individual works, because so many folk have contributed loads of wonderful pieces. @rideboldlyride - my first friend in the fandom, and a double/triple/quadruple threat with awesome contributions across multiple media (writer, artist, tech whizz, and podcast host), is there anything this gal can’t do?? @formerlygoldilocks - coming in hot with a newly-made fandom blog but active on AO3 for a number of months now with a mixture of angst and fluff, one-shots and long-form, and one truly hilarious and bizarrely heartwarming crack piece under her belt.

@all-thewaydown - someone else who’s nailing both the long- and short-form work on AO3! In particular I have to recommend her Zutara Fluff Exchange piece, ‘of rules and traditions’

@cablesscutie - a brilliant writer with truly fantastic comedic skill chops who literally never fails to impress me no matter what she writes (if you’re 18+ and okay with reading E-rated material, please check out her Katara Has a Cat series, you won’t regret it).

@theadamantdaughter - my first bookmark on AO3 was Adamant’s collab with @atomicpen, Perfect Places. I believe it’s been discontinued now, and Adamant is not currently active on AO3, but there is an absolute stack of ATLA fanfiction on her profile as it is. Even aside from writing, her tumblr account is full of Zutara content and it’s one of the things that fed me when I was first coming into the fandom last year, so I owe her a lot.

@my-bated-breath - not only is this seventeen-year-old writing well beyond her years, but she has so much incredible analysis and insight to give in her amazing ATLA/Zutara metas. 100% worth both reading and following.

@antarcticasx - another even younger person at sixteen (oh my god, just make me feel old, why don’t you), here we have a total writing machine whose AO3 is packed with Zutara content. Her blog is also super active so if ATLA/Zutara chat is what you’re looking for then look no further.

@doodleladi - a wonderful, wonderful artist who has tackled both in-universe and AU artworks alike (this is a particular favourite of mine). Another member of the @jdteahour crew along with Ride and @bulletproofteacup!

@amourinette - another beautiful artist who created one of my favourite ATLA artworks (steamy, so beware if you’re full of youth). Like seriously I have this picture bookmarked on my laptop ‘cause I love it so much.

@hayleynfoster - I mean, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tag her, but if you don’t know who she is and the incredible stuff that she produces then where have you been?? Get your butt over to her profile and educate yourself in the ways of Zutara art and animatics.

@iwritevictuuri - known as LittleLostStar on AO3, offers incredible characterisation and storytelling prowess, although beware that almost all her work for ATLA is either M- or E-rated!

Finally, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge someone whose writing pushes me to be better myself and never fails to amaze me. If you want exquisite description and insanely beautiful world-building/-expanding, your search begins and ends with @fictionissocialinquiry. My idol, my dream, my mad Aussie fandom-wife, this woman has so much talent it’s crazy and please just read her work (again, beware multiple mature-rated fics, check ratings before reading). She’s gonna be a best-selling author one day, so check her out now so you can say you liked her work before she was famous.

And that’s me done. Hope everyone has enjoyed this week, and thank you so much to @hinaoyamas/ @zkfanworkweek for putting it together!

Love to all!

#zutara #zutara fanfiction #zutara fanart #zutara fanwork appreciation week #rec list saturday #so much talent here I can't even deal with it

[soufflegirl]

ZK FANWORK APPRECIATION WEEK

Day 7: Rec lists

@zkfanworkweek

The first time that I came here talking about Zutara was in July, when I first watched the show and I had no idea of the very existence of this amazing community. I remember that I asked for some fic recs because I didn't know where to start and I was actually surprised to receive so many suggestions.

Anyway, here I am suggesting some of the works that I have read during this six intense months. And to all of you who write stories out there: you have saved this months, so thank you.

everything I am by @wewere-angels

RATED E

My most recent obsession. It's an ongoing fic, set post canon and surprisingly original. I've read so many post canon stories because they're my favourite ones and yet I get excited whenever this story gets updated.

The way the author expresses the emotions, the almost poetic style, the short excerpts at the beginning of every chapter and especially the characterization. I'm a sucker for IC characters and this story is the best as regards this aspect.

(Also: the way she writes the gaang!! Amazing!!)

Lilacs and Lily Pads by @sadladybug

After getting your heart crushed with Clothe me in seasons, this lovely story will heal your damaged soul. It's about Zuko and Katara's wedding preparations and I swear, it's so, so sweet and funny. Definitely one of the best fics I have ever read. If you want romance and comedy and court drama, this might be the perfect story.

(my poor heart still hopes in the wedding chapter!)

(I also suggest Bones, which is the one-shot sequel, RATED E, about their wedding night. So sweet!)

and love, the shoreline, where you and i meet by andromeda3116

This is the one-shot sequel to the well known "such a selfish preyers" and I'm suggesting this because I'm a sucker for Zuko visiting the Southern Water Tribe. It has an interesting perspective about how the Tribe would react to Katara marrying the Fire Lord.

make sense of all my broken parts by @markedmage

RATED M

This is a dark one, canon divergent in some aspects, post canon and a really good hurt/comfort.

(if my wishes came true) it would have been you by @the--descension

Modern AU. Text Fic. My most recent discovery. The format is pure genius. I swear, you will get invested in this story more than you think, it's like gossiping on fictional characters!! (it's an ongoing fic)

Our Fortunes Together by NomDeGuerre

RATED M

Arranged marriage, Aang was never frozen, slow-burn with and interesting ending. Loved it.

#zutara #zuko x katara #zutara fic rec #zutara fanfiction #zutara fanwork appreciation week #zfaw #zfaw2020 #zutara rec #zutara rec list

[strawberrymilkyumyum]

zuko and katara are friends that are def pining after each other 

this is my first actual fanart that i’m posting and i’m so happy that it’s zutara. this is my first contribution (hopefully not my last) to @zkfanworkweek for day 3, fan art tuesday. this ship has my whole heart and i’m excited to finally share some art work. 

(modern version of katara and zuko sitting on a side walk at sunset(ish) zuko is talking with his hands while katara listens. first picture is edited to add noise, second is unfiltered)

edit: reference was from pinterest (i’m sorry i don’t know og artist)

#zutara #zkfanworkweek #zuko x katara #zutara fanwork appreciation week #zutara fanart #fanart #art #friends to lovers #mutual pining #modern au #modern zutara #zuko #katara #zutara fanwork appreciation week 2020

[neva-borne]

My feed is flooded with the Zutara Fanwork Appreciation posts and everything is so beautiful and I can't believe how talented and amazing our fandom is because everything I am seeing is absolutely amazing.

(Dante Basco voicing a Zutara video? Fucking magic)

But I am trying to stay motivated to continue on with my own fanfics but all these posts have me feeling super down because none of my work will ever be as popular or as loved as the works that are getting fanart and animatics and metas and I don't want to sound ungrateful for what i have because I'm not.

I deeply appreciate all my readers because they are amazing and have given me so much joy and motivation in my writing journey, and I'm not going to stop writing, but it's hard to feel excited about it when my name will never be listed among the Greats.

#zutara #zuko #katara #atla #avatar #avatar the last airbender #zutara fanfic #zutara fanfiction #fanfiction #writing #author #fanfic author #fanfic #fic #fic writing #writer depression #motivation #zutara fanwork appreciation week #ao3

[pineapple-frenzy]

Zkfaw Day 3: Fanart Tuesday

(if my wishes came true) it would have been you by @the-descension-inks

So today is all about favorite fanfiction, and I gotta say this fic easily became a favorite of mine. The format is literally the coolest thing, and the story itself is amazing!! Not to mention the memes aksjhdhdj. This is honestly such a fun fic and it always cheers me up reading it, seriously check it out if you haven't already

Look, of course I had to include the mongoose!! It's the best character and you know it 😤😤😤

#zutara fanwork appreciation week #zkfaw #zfaw #zutara #zuko #katara #atla #how obvious is it that i didn't really plan on putting that phone in the middle there??? #akajhshhs #i realllyyyyyy wanted to put the mongoose in okay #and that was the only way i coukd think of #alsoooo #this specific convo of theirs is probably my favorite of all #idk i just love it aksjsjha #my art

[zelzenik]

dear katara

zk fanwork appreciation week day 3: fanart tuesday

my contribution to @zkfanworkweek for today!!

based on art by @pokidokieships here & here!!

"That blue twinkle in her eyes is dangerous, he decides. It almost makes him want to… He shakes his head, clearing his thoughts. The road. He has to focus on the road."

In other words, how a troubled punk rocker finds love with the captain of the debate team (through car rides and a letter and a little help from their friends).

click here to read! (other notes down below and on ao3)

happy zk fanwork appreciation week!! i was lowkey oblivious to this event (because i've been drowning in school n my other wips), BUT yesterday at approximately 6pm, i decided that i had to do this and basically grinded this all out until the wee hours of the morning, haha. 6k words in like... record time, lol.

i hope everything makes sense (it's a tol oneshot, and i didn't outline like i normally do before writing).  all of my other wips will be taking a backseat this week as i try to keep up ;)

this fic is for lev/pokidokies on tumblr/instagram!! i've only really been actively involved in the zk fandom for the past two/three months now, but she's created a lot of the zk art that i first really fell in love with! she's unbelievably talented, and i'm a HUGE fan of her work. she’s a straight BLESSING to the zk fandom, n i hope i was able to do her adorable hs universe justice <333

(also yes, i listened to a punk rock playlist while writing most of this, and yes, most of the part names come from punk rock song titles/lyrics, lol).

what a ride. i am exhausted. anddd...back to my derivatives i go, lol. see u soon!

elsie/zel

#zutara #zutara forever #zkfanworkweek #zfaw #zfaw2020 #zkfaw #zkfaw2020 #pokidokies #modern zutara #zuko #katara #zuko x katara #katara x zuko #zutara fanwork appreciation week 2020 #zutara fanwork appreciation week #zel writes

[quarantineddreamer]

a little fall of rain 

aka: it’s my fanfic and i’ll make myself cry with les mis!zutara if i want to

Day 4 @zkfanworkweek​: Angst. Hello! For those of you who know me as quarantineddreamer on AO3 a heads up that this one-shot is very different from my usual style. I experimented with present tense and I’m still not sure how successful I was with it, so I hope it doesn’t totally disappoint the wonderful artist who inspired me to write this!

In any case this amazing piece by the talented @firelord-hotman​ is worth checking out even if my writing cannot do it justice! I saw it and immediately got all the Zutara feels --along with a certain song stuck in my head... 

There’s an uprising in Ba Sing Se and she is dressed proudly in blue. 

The color is noticeable even in the shadows of night. It is a challenge, a dare, thrown boldly to the troops that have gathered and are waiting, arms at the ready, for the students behind the barricade to disperse. Or else. 

She is dressed proudly in blue and it fills Zuko with a dread so deep he can feel it in his heart like a drum, pulsing with each step he takes further into the tense silence. 

He wishes she would dress as the others he passes have, in muted browns, greys, and greens, but of course, her bravery and passion are as much a part of her as the curls that move like water across her back as she turns to speak with another rebel --and he loves every part of her. 

He has loved her since the day they met. The day she found him curled in the street, clutching his face, and without a second thought took him to a healer. She is more selfless than anyone he has ever met. More selfless than he will ever be. She is always thinking of others, always dreaming of a better world, and now here she is, ready to fight for that vision. Zuko thinks maybe, in another life --a life where the enemy’s face was not burned so intimately into his every nightmare- he could be more like her. 

Zuko has always carefully avoided conflict. He was taught that when tension fills the air it is best to mind your own business and look the other way or severe punishment will be dealt. It is a lesson he learned when he was young. It is a lesson he has carried within him ever since the day he met Katara. He has tried to teach her this lesson of self-preservation, because his worst fear is seeing her hurt, but it is not in her vocabulary. 

“Where does the barricade still need reinforcing?” 

Katara glances at her friend Toph before examining the earth wall before her. “Aang!” she calls.

A boy in orange robes comes forward. Zuko has been envious of this boy ever since they met. He is like her, courageous, decisive and he has seen how she smiles at him. The same look of admiration crosses her face now as he confidently instructs Toph on the best place to bend next. 

Coward, Zuko calls himself, as he avoids the light of the lanterns, but continues to follow them from a distance, observing. 

Katara is walking alongside Aang, he has looped her arm through his. Together they are checking on the members of their revolution, soothing nerves with just the power of a few words. Eventually they settle around a small fire with several other rebels.

You need to tell them, he thinks, but he feels so out of place here. He has been helping Katara organize her movement for years, but always discreetly. Scrounging up useful information and stealing supplies from behind the safety of a mask. He never thought he would be here, undisguised, sneaking into what will soon be a battleground. It has been years since he last stood directly in his father’s path. Yet here he is and beyond the barricade are his father’s men. It is an undeniable and terrifying truth that turns his veins to ice. 

He wonders what fresh torture his father might dream up for him if he is discovered. Banishment will not be enough. Perhaps obliteration will do. 

“Sokka, Suki, seriously, get a room! I can hear you smacking lips from here,” Zuko’s thoughts are interrupted as Toph groans at Katara’s brother and the girl who sits beside him.

“Toph, there’s no rooms around here and we don’t know what tomorrow may bring. If you don’t mind I’m going to kiss my girlfriend.”

“She has a point,” Aang coughs. 

“Oh please, I know you and my sister will be sneaking off before the night is done.” Sokka rolls his eyes, but he and Suki have separated and a playful grin is on his face. 

Zuko’s stomach twists. Katara’s head is resting on Aang’s shoulder and a slight blush has appeared on the face Zuko knows so well. His nerve is failing with each passing second, but Katara is wearing blue and time is running out. 

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to steady himself. In his mind he sees a day from years ago. One of his favorites. When they walked to the park together to feed the turtleducks. It had felt so easy with her, so carefree, like for the first time in his life everything might just be okay. He remembers the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed at his jokes. He recalls the warmth of her hand in his as he walked her home along rainy pavement shining like silver… but Katara was a storm, a tempest, beautiful and strong and he hadn’t been able to find the courage to tell her, afraid of what might happen if he confessed how he felt. Of the loss that might follow. The loneliness. What would he do without her?

Now the years of friendship are a sort of regret, because it was safe, yes, but it is another who is tucking a strand of her hair gently behind her ears, and he might never know what could have been, but she must know this… 

“Katara…” Zuko steps forward. 

Everyone jumps and reaches for weapons, but she is quick to assure them. “Zuko! What are you doing here?” Her eyes take in the red of the uniform he wears, but they do not narrow in suspicion as the others have. She trusts him. 

“I have to tell you something.” He pauses only briefly, watching her face for a moment before the rest of the words tumble out, “I snuck into the palace--”

“You what?!” Katara is shocked. She knows what that place means to him, the marks he still bears from his years spent behind its walls. Though she is clearly still trying to figure out what has possessed him, she lowers her voice. “Why would you do that?”

For you, for you, everything I do is for you, he wants to say. “I know what you have planned and I knew my f--.... I knew the Fire Lord would retaliate.”

Aang is regarding him with a cautious curiosity. His arm settles protectively around Katara’s shoulders and it takes everything in Zuko not to visibly cringe. “You still haven’t answered her question. What are you doing here?”

Her eyes are locked onto him. They are the moon in the darkness that has been his life, illuminating everything, making him feel seen when it would be all too easy to disappear into the abyss. They are blinding and perfect and he does not want to see the disappointment in them when he shares the intelligence he has gathered. When he pleads with her to stand down. Still… you must do this. 

“The Fire Lord does not intend to fight you fairly. He does not intend to fight you at all. He intends to kill anyone who remains behind this barricade. You need to get home. All of you…” He speaks only to her at first, but then turns his gaze to the others sitting beside her. When they do not react he tries again. “They do not intend to wait much longer. They will come before sunrise and they will not show mercy.”

“What are you saying?” Sokka asks.

“I am saying if you do not leave these streets will run red with your blood. I’m saying today is doomed, but you can still save tomorrow if you go now.”

It hurts that Katara looks away from him and turns immediately to Aang, for guidance, for comfort, for all the things Zuko wants to give her.  

“We can’t go. This city needs change. The people need us to change it.” Katara faces him again, resolve in her eyes. It makes his spirit spark, speaking to something inside of him only she can bring out. It reminds him why she is a voice for the helpless, a leader of people, a warrior. He knows that she has taken his warning into consideration, but has stubbornly decided she will not betray her values. “I will never turn my back on people that need me.”  

“Katara pl-” but Zuko does not finish his sentence. He has spotted a lone Fire Nation soldier perched at the top of the barricade and taking aim. Her target is clear. She is aiming for blue. She is aiming for Katara. 

For the first time in Zuko’s life he feels he is doing what he was meant to. For the first time in his life fear does not rule him as he jumps between Katara and the lightning that comes shooting from the soldier’s hands. It tears through his body sharp and sudden. He is grateful she will not experience the agony he does in that moment.

Commotion erupts. Toph bends the barricade higher with the help of other earthbenders, Aang charges towards the soldier with the lightning, and Sokka and Suki scan the area for more soldiers, but it is only the one for now. Zuko’s message has reached them just in time.

Katara drops to the ground beside Zuko, but he does not quite understand why her hands, usually so sure and steady, are trembling. Why her voice wobbles as she speaks. “No, no, no… Zuko, no...” 

He smiles at her. “It’s okay, Katara.” And it is. It always is when she is with him, because she makes him feel safe --like the home he never had.  

“I’ll mend this wound, you’ll be fine, y-you’ll be.” 

She reaches for the pouch of water that is always at her side, but Zuko takes her hand away and places it against his chest, against his wound, against his heart. The heart that he wishes she knew he had given her long ago. Her tears are falling freely, they land on his face like rain and roll down, but he does not join her in sorrow. 

“Just stay with me,” he whispers. “That’s all I need.”

“I won’t desert you now,” Katara promises, voice breaking. “I’d never desert you.”

“You wouldn’t?” 

“No, of course not…” She presses her free hand to his cheek, the other hand bends water towards his chest. It begins to glow, but it provides no relief. “Zuko, you have to live. You’re going to live.”

He knows he is not. He wants to tell her with the time he has left how much she has meant to him, but he hesitates, unable to find the words. Wondering if all the courage and purpose he would ever feel in life were intended for that moment of sacrifice that has already passed. Besides, what good would it do now except to cause her more pain? 

“Remember the day we went to feed the turtleducks?” 

“Of course,” she murmurs. “You held my hand and walked me home, I thought… Well, I hoped that you were going to…” She stares at him for a moment and he watches emotions play out on her face that he never in his wildest dreams thought he would see there.

They have been there all this time he realizes, but he has not allowed himself to believe it, because he is still not sure he is good enough --that he, a banished prince, is deserving of a heroic spirit like her. 

Katara bends down and presses her lips to his and he has just enough strength left to place a hand in her hair as she does so, marveling at this dream come true, the only dream, and the last. 

It might not be worth as much now and it’s not how he wanted to say it, but he says it anyways, softly, reverently, a prayer. “I love you.”

“I love you, too…” She cradles his head in her hands, he can feel the tremors of grief running through her --it is the only thing he feels, the only thing that still hurts. “I’m so sorry…”

I’m sorry too, but all the years spent in hesitation, in fear are nothing now. All that matters is that he has finally said it --and by some miracle so has she. It’s the greatest day of his entire life. In his euphoria he does not notice the hitch in his breathing when he tries to inhale nor the stillness building where a strong heartbeat should be. 

“Zuko, stay with me,” Katara insists with a sob. 

He wants her to understand that she has made him so unbelievably happy. He wants her to feel this way too. It is all he has ever wanted. There’s very little air left in his lungs, but he fights to tell her anyways, to assure her that all is well. 

“Don’t worry...it doesn’t hurt anymore…”

#zutara fanwork appreciation week #zutara fanfic #zutara #zuko x katara #tw: major character death #ZFAW 2020 #ZFAW #zkfaw #firelord-hotman #im soooo nervous posting this gah #b writes #angst #angsty angst