#Zuko doesn’t really HELP

[ssreeder]

2 or 12? Idk if it's been asked yet

2. First sentence of the chapter:

Katara knocked on the bedroom door to be polite, even though she knew Iroh was inside with Zuko, and they were expecting her.

12. Emotions I expect people to feel:

I answered this already but second hand embarrassment, of course as always some sadness, pity for the boys, questioning motives and how characters are handling certain situations/other characters.

[melzula]

zuko confiding in sokka to be his wingman to try to get together with you?

a/n: sokka sharing his back bending skills with zuko we love to see it. also this takes place post-war

summary: Zuko isn’t sure how to tell you he likes you, so he looks to Sokka for guidance

Zuko watches longingly from across the room as you dance with Katara and enjoy the night’s festivities. Your eyes sparkle with joy and your smile is so infectious it has everyone around you beaming. Everyone seems to want your attention, and so he hadn’t been able to speak to you much since the party began, but he desperately wants to be near you.

“You know you look like a total creep when you stand in the corner and stare, right?” Sokka notes, interrupting Zuko’s sulking.

“I’m not staring!” The Fire Lord says defensively, but he knows he’s not fooling anyone.

“Come on, buddy, it’s a party! Lighten up! Go mingle!”

“I don’t want to mingle,” Zuko grumbles indignantly, “I just want to talk to y/n.”

“Then go talk to her!” Sokka encourages as if it’s the most easiest thing in the world. “It’s not like you haven’t talked to her before. She’s our friend!”

“I know that,” the boy bites irritably. Deflating, he sighs, “But it’s different this time.”

“What do you mean?” Sokka says, his demeanor morphing into that of a more serious tone.

“I… I think I have feelings for her.”

“You what?!” Sokka exclaims, earning a few puzzled stares from nearby partygoers. Zuko sends his friend a harsh look and urges him to be quiet.

“I know, I know. What am I thinking? She’s perfect, she’d never go for someone like me,” he admits in quiet defeat. “It’s stupid of me to feel this way.”

“What? No way, that’s not true,” his friend insists encouragingly. “You’re a great guy! You just need to work on your romance game.”

“My what?” Zuko retorts skeptically.

“Your romance game! Look, if you want y/n to like you then you have to work your charm.”

“I don’t have any charm to work.”

“Sure you do, it’s easy! Take it from your old buddy Sokka, the ladies love me. Just follow my advice and by the end of the night y/n will be dying for you to ask her out!”

Zuko is skeptical of his friend’s words and hesitant to take Sokka’s offer of help, but he knows he’s hopeless on his own and there aren’t many other options. With a relenting sigh, Zuko gives his friend an agreeing nod.

“What should I do first?”

“Just follow my lead,” the boy says with a wink before loudly calling you and his sister over. Zuko does his best to mask his embarrassment and puts on his best attempt of a smile as you and Katara saunter over arm-in-arm.

“Hi, guys!” You greet cheerily. “King Kue really knows how to throw a party, doesn’t he?”

“He sure does! Say, that’s a really nice dress,” Sokka compliments before harshly elbowing Zuko’s side. “Don’t you agree, Zuko?”

“Uh, yes, it is,” he stammers nervously, his face immediately turning red. “You look very beautiful.”

“Thank you,” you reply with a bashful smile. “You don’t think it’s too much?”

“Not at all,” he says earnestly. “You could never be too much.”

“You know, y/n, Zuko here was just telling me how much he wants to dance,” your friend informs you much to the Fire Lord’s dismay.

“What?! That’s not-“

“Oh, well, would you like to dance with me, Zuko?” You ask with a careful smile, delicately holding your hand out for him to take. His protests immediately die in his throat as he takes in your gentle features, the world almost seeming to come to a halt as he focuses on you before him. Your beauty almost physically pains him, and he wished he knew how to tell you this without coming off like a total creep.

Zuko hesitates before taking your hand, knowing that whatever happens next could alter your friendship forever, but the idea of physical touch is almost too tempting, and so he gently grabs hold of your hand and guides you back to the dance floor.

The musicians play a melody of traditional Earth Kingdom waltzes, and despite knowing nothing about dancing Zuko does his best to match your pace. His hands are suffocatingly warm against your skin, but you never once complain. You say nothing when he steps on your toes repeatedly or gets caught on your dress, and in spite of how awkward you both look compared to the other couples on the floor you seem to be having the most fun out of them all.

“You’re doing wonderful,” you encourage, giggling when he missteps and nearly trips over his own feet.

“I’m awful at this,” he argues exasperatedly. “I’m sorry you got stuck with such a lousy dance partner.”

“I don’t care about how good you can dance. I’m just happy you’re dancing with me,” you admit, looking away bashfully to hide your smile. “I haven’t really been able to speak to you much tonight, so I appreciate being with you now.”

Over your shoulder, Zuko spots Sokka from across the way. The water tribe boy waves his arms frantically and gestures for Zuko to make his move. The Fire Lord simply scowls before swallowing down his nerves and looking back to you.

“Y/n,” he calls faintly, gently guiding your face to look back up at him. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you all night, but it’s been hard. You’re so full of life, you draw people in with just your smile, and so I didn’t think I’d get the chance to finally be alone with you and tell you that- well, that I have feelings for you. I want to be the one that makes you smile, the one that dances with you at every party.”

“Zuko,” you murmur softly, taken aback by his confession. He takes your surprise as rejection and looks down with a dejected smile.

“I know, we’re friends. It’s strange of me to think we could be more, but I just needed to tell you.”

“No, that’s not it,” you quickly correct him, “I-I’m just surprised because I didn’t think you felt the same way I did.”

"You mean… you like me back?” Zuko asks in disbelief.

“Of course I do! What’s not to like?” You tease with a smile. “All night I was hoping you’d come up to me, and even though Katara said I should be the one to make the first move I was too scared to try. I’m glad you told me because I feel the same.”

You feel as if your heart could burst when he carefully tilts your chin up to meet your lips in a kiss. Ever since he joined your group you’d wanted nothing more than for him to see you as you saw him, and after months of what you thought was one-sided pining it seems Zuko has felt the same way about you all along. It took some time for things to come out in the open, but now that they are you couldn’t be any happier.

And unbeknownst to either of you, Katara and Sokka share high-fives behind your back in celebration of their successful plan.

| zuko tags: @ilovespideyyy @yiyibetch @eridanuswave @lammello @a-monsters-love @taeeemin @livelaughlovekuni @lovialy

| atla tags: @sirkekselord @niktwazny303

[twinsarekeepers]

READ MY PINNED POST PLS!

The writers really put Zuko and Katara in a position where they were completely isolated from the rest of their loved ones in the finale and only had each other to rely on for support and care in the most precarious time of their entire lives and that’s wild to me.

It’s pretty obvious by the farewells the group share as they’re parting that they’re all aware this could be the last time they see each other. They all know there’s a high chance most or none of them are making it out of this. By having Zuko and Katara go off with each other alone, where the only person they know for sure is alive and well is the other … the writers have just created a Molotov cocktail for shippers.

And it’s not just the writers who put them in this situation, they wrote the characters putting themselves in it. Zuko and Katara didn’t end up facing Azula together by accident or chance, they chose to go together, alone, knowing that neither of them would have anyone else to trust and depend on but the other and being completely fine with that. Being content with the idea that if they were to die, they’d be protecting each other, fighting side by side.

Okay.

Just think about Zuko’s decision to agree to Azula’s Agni Kai because he doesn’t want Katara getting hurt because she could be the last person on the planet that he loves by the end of this and he wants her to be safe. Katara watching Zuko duel Azula and having no idea if her brother and father and friends are still alive, only that this boy fighting his homicidal sister is and that she needs him to be safe. Of course she’s going to run out into the battlefield to protect him. Of course he’s going to take a bolt of lightning to the chest for her. Of course she’s going to do everything and anything in her power (even defy the laws of waterbending healing apparently) to save his life.

The show had them put themselves in a situation where they could literally only give a fuck solely about each other and no one else and then somehow expected everyone to believe those feelings magically vanished after they’d made it through safely. It also really doesn’t help that even when they defeated Azula, they both still had no idea who had won in the Earth Kingdom and were just waiting either for the gaang to send word or for Ozai to and the former meant peace and the latter meant Awful Horrible Things For Them. Like, in those days after the Agni Kai, they were still in a position where they were only aware of the other’s wellbeing and no one else’s.

They’ve now just created lifelong yearning potential for these two characters, who seem to be desperately in love with each other, great job writers!

REMINDER TO READ MY PINNED POST!

[lost-inthe-v0id]

Someone PLEASE needs to do this

Like something about zuko and fire bending reader being engaged. Like she’s a royal and they’re being “forced to get married” but they actually fall in love. They support each other through everything and they’re literally stuck at the hip. They sneak out to see each other and whenever they have to go to formal events they can’t wait to see each other and they goof around all night. She knows all of his secrets and how he feels about his father and mother.

Reader somewhat gets along with Azula. Reader doesn’t like the way she treats zuko sometimes but she acknowledges she is only a product of the adults around her so she has a soft spot for her.

Then when zuko get exiled he’s so caught up on getting his fathers approval. He promises to her he’ll be back before she knows it. He knows how hard it is for her in the palace. She tries to go with him just as his ship is leaving, pleading with him one last time; insisting she can be of help. He declines her kinda harsh but she understands and bids him farewell. She walks away but remembers she has to give him something. A token of good luck. When she runs back to give it to him she over hears Zuko talking to someone telling them he didn’t want reader to come because she’d be baggage, a burden, dead weight. Reader is hurt and goes back to her room in the palace and cries her sorrows away. She really thought he thought more of her, he always complimented her when she firebent, she was taught by the best and he still thought of her as deadweight?

In Reality Zuko only said that because he knew he wasn’t going to come back for a while, he knew it would inevitably she would fall for someone else during the time he was away. What if he came back with his hopes up only to find her in the arms of someone else, someone who was there for her, who would care and love her then and there. He wasn’t good for her. And the faster he convinced himself he could move on, the less he would cling to her when he inevitably saw her again.

Time passes by and reader comes to the conclusion from the help of overthinking, that he never loved her. It was all a facade to win the approval of his father. If he really cared for her , he would know how awful it was in the palace without him. He abandoned her. And for what to find some kid?

She joins azula. She’s really good at fire bending and she hates to see azula practically destroy herself and the people around her for some approval. So she decided if no one will properly take care of her, she will. Over time Reader has disconnected her feelings from the actions she takes under Azula. Her only concern right now is Azula. She realizes Azula at her core is a wounded little girl and she takes care of her as her own.

IDK when or where reader and zuko reconnects or see glimpses of each other again but when he sees how she cares for Azula he melts away. You’re so scary to people around you but soft and nurturing towards his sister. He wants that. He needs it. At one point when you challenge him to fight due to anger from maybe hurting Azula in some type of way or jealousy due to his kindness towards katara. When you firebent in the past you made sure your flames wouldn’t hurt him but now they’re coming at him full force and he doesn’t know what to do.

@ me if u do plz give credit 👉👈🥺 I can’t write like that

[zukosdualdao]

so, this post was originally born from a post i saw a couple of months ago that was deriding people for criticizing katara’s main role in lok being a healer when that was never all she wanted to do but liking the scene where she heals zuko in sozin's comet. at the time i thought about responding directly and decided against it, but i have since scanned through transcripts of every instance (i could find; it's possible i could be missing something) of katara healing someone in the show and how they respond. (you know, like a normal and well-adjusted individual. lmao.)

anyway, aside from katara explicitly stating that she doesn’t only want to be a healer, another aspect of why people don’t like that this is how her story goes in lok is because of the way healing is treated in the atla narrative.

Katara: Aang, you're burned! Let me help you. [Katara heals the burn on Aang's arm.] Aang: Wow, that's good water. Sokka: When did you learn that? Katara: I guess I always knew. Sokka: [Sarcastically.] Oh ... Well then thanks for all the first aid over the years. Like when I fell into the greaseberry bramble. [Angrily.] Or that time I had two fishhooks in my thumb!

this comes, of course, after aang accidentally burns katara and she learns she can heal through her waterbending by healing her own hands. then (after comforting aang despite being the one who got hurt, not that i'm bitter), she heals aang after he gets burned in his fight with zhao. and like... there's not so much as a cursory thanks in this scene.

to be clear, because i can already hear some responses in my head and i am making a preemptive strike: i'm not saying that when other characters don't thank katara for her healing, they're like, the worst people ever for not doing so or there aren't other ways at different times where they show their appreciation. what i am saying is that it feels like this sets up a long pattern of katara's healing specifically being taken for granted, and it makes me especially uncomfortable when i see her healing as a sort of metaphorical parallel to the emotional labor often expected of her in the show, especially because this and being The Avatar's Girlfriend/Wife is more or less what she's relegated to in post-canon.

also, i have to note sokka's line here. i don't want to come down on him too hard for this, because it's obviously being written humorously (and does genuinely make me laugh, for what it's worth, if just for the inherent ridiculous nature of two fishhooks), but his sarcastically saying thanks for all the help over the years when katara says she always knew (which is supposed to be her saying it just somehow instinctively came to her) does feel like another mark in this pattern. but i also really read this as sokka trying to lighten the mood after a Difficult (TM) day, so i cut both him and the writers some slack for it.

Meanwhile, back at the Outer Wall, Katara attempts to heal a member of the Terra Team. General Sung: What's wrong with him? He doesn't look injured. Katara: His chi is blocked. [Stops healing.] Who did this to you?

i find it interesting that katara has sort of naturally fallen into a token team healer role, to the degree that we don't even see them ask for her help or her agree to it; it's just automatically assumed that she will. and i mean, on the one hand, it's fairly standard to have an Assumed Healer in a fantasy action setting like this, where people will get hurt in combat and therefore the narrative needs someone whose job is to help them. the problem for me is that the show kicked up such a fuss about how women shouldn't just be allowed to be healers, and yet it's still the role no one but katara ever fills. aang is also a waterbender! why couldn't she have taught him healing, too? i genuinely think it would have added a lot to the story, but katara is The Girl (TM), so healing is what she (and only she) does, what's expected of her, and again, with very rare thanks for it.

Katara stares open-mouthed at Jet, her hands hovering near her mouth in shock. Snapping out of it, she withdraws water from her water skin, with which she covers her hands, and it begins to glow as she kneels down next to him. Cut to a shot from over her shoulder, with Jet glancing at her while she rubs her hands over his chest in an attempt to heal him. After rubbing his chest three times, the glow fades, the water stains Jet's clothing, and Katara looks back over her shoulder toward the rest of the group. Katara: This isn't good. Smellerbee: You guys go and find Appa. We'll take care of Jet. Katara: We're not going to leave you. Longshot: There's no time. Just go. We'll take care of him. He's our leader. They stare at Longshot in surprise. Jet: Don't worry, Katara. I'll be fine. [Smiles a little.]

Cut to a closer shot of Katara placing Aang's body on Appa. Katara opens the vial around her neck and uses water healing on Aang's wounded back. The rest of Team Avatar, Kuei, and Bosco all look sadly and in anticipation. The glowing from the spirit water stops, and Katara starts crying, assuming that it was not enough to save Aang. Aang's tattoos glow for a second and Aang groans. Katara, overcome with joy that Aang is alive, looks at him, who smiles a little, and she holds him closer.

writing about these together because i have less to say about them. i'm definitely not going to fault jet for not thanking katara when she tries to heal him as he literally lay dying, or aang for not having the mind to do so after she brings him back. but i am still going to fault the narrative for putting her in a position where healing is just inherently expected from her and yet very rarely allowing her to feel the emotional toll of that or to feel constricted by it. and when she does struggle against the weight of it (not necessarily of being a healer, but of being expected to be kind and good and uncomplicated with no room for other aspects of her identity, which are very tangled up in why she is The Healer) in episodes like the runaway or in the southern raiders, she just... does not receive a lot of support from the people she should be most able to rely on.

Katara: Maybe we should go upstairs. [Helping Aang up.] You need a healing session. Back in Aang's room on the ship. Katara bends some water onto the scar left by Azula's lightning attack. Katara: Tell me where the pain feels most intense. Aang: Mmm, a little higher. Uhhh! Aang briefly flashes back to the battle at Old Ba Sing Se where he rose into the Avatar State, then back to reality. Aang: Wow, you're definitely in the right area there.

not much to say here, it's just another instance where it would have been so easy to slip one thank you in, and the writers just... do not. the reason i think it bothers me so much with aang specifically is because katara is supposed to be both aang's physical healer and his emotional crutch in a way that she's not written as being for, say, toph or sokka. he's sometimes shown appreciation for her emotional support, but he still comes to rely on and expect it in ways that do not always feel healthy, and knowing that, it bothers me that he shows even less appreciation for her healing, because it's just what katara is there for.

A figure resembling the Painted Lady glides over the water on a carpet of fog and enters the village. She steps into a hut where several people are sleeping on the floor, and bends over each of them in turn, healing them with a blue glow. Her last patient is the mother of the little boy seen earlier, her son sleeping at her side. He wakes as the Painted Lady turns to go and silently follows her out the door. Little boy: Thank you, Painted Lady.

this is a genuinely sweet scene in which katara does receive appreciation and genuine thanks for her healing, but i think it's also worth noting that katara is not being recognized as herself here. still, i am genuinely very glad that it's included in the episode because (again, unless i am missing something) it is the first time katara gets thanked for her healing.

The scene cuts to show Appa landing on the edge of the battlefield. Sokka and Katara help Hakoda onto the ground, and Katara starts trying to heal him. Katara: How does that feel, Dad? Hakoda: Ah, a little, better. I need, to get back to the troops. [Attempts to stand but is too weak to.] Ahh! Katara: You're hurt, badly. You can't fight anymore. Hakoda: Everyone's counting on me to lead this mission Katara, I won't let them down. [Attempts to stand again but can't.] Ahh! Sokka: Can't you heal him any faster?

they're in a high intensity situation, and sokka is Stressed because hakoda is supposed to lead the mission, so i, like, Get It, but "can't you heal him any faster?" does strike me as another moment in which katara's healing is being taken for granted. i think it's something that would bother me a lot less if this was an isolated incident in the writing, but *gestures vaguely at whole post*.

Sokka: [Brightening.] Dad! [Rising and approaching the two.] You're on your feet again. Hakoda: [Sitting down; somewhat weakly.] Thanks to your sister.

that being said, in the next hakoda and katara scene, there is this very sweet moment, where hakoda might not be thanking katara directly but is showing a lot of appreciation and admiration for her skill in healing (and though she's not in the dialogue i included, she's around to hear it, which makes me happy.)

Katara: It's gonna take a while for your feet to get better. [Stops healing.] I wish I could have worked on them sooner. Toph: Yeah, me too.

once again, i'm not gonna fault toph for wishing katara could have healed her feet sooner, because she's been in pain all night, but the writers could have very easily (as they could have in any of these scenes!) chosen to include a perfunctory 'thanks' here, and they just didn't. i know this is getting repetitive, but i swear it's because it's largely more me being mad at the writers than the characters, lmao.

there are also a couple of scenes in which katara doesn't heal anyone, but her healing gets brought up by aang.

Aang: He doesn't look sick. You okay, buddy? [Appa groans and Aang pulls out Appa's purple tongue.] His tongue is purple! That can't be good. Katara, can you heal him?

to be fair, aang asks here, and it's not like aang gets defensive or angry when katara says appa needs medicine (and also to be fair, appa's not even actually sick, lmao, katara's being slightly trickstery), but it's another instance where katara is automatically positioned as the person who is and should be responsible for healing.

Aang: [Chuckles.] Well, not over over. I mean there's always Katara and a little Spirit Water action, [Turns to Katara.] am I right? Katara: Actually, I used it all up after Azula shot you. Aang: [Disappointed.] Oh.

i actually don't mind this so much as a writing moment, as i think it's a lot more intentional wrt aang not always conceptualizing the reality of the violence he’s facing. still, it’s another instance of katara’s ability to heal and care for him being taken for granted, and i find it especially notable it’s in of the last significant moments they share together (the other being an argument as katara urges him not to run away from the reality of their situation with ozai) before they spend the rest of the finale separate until they’re kissing without a word at the end.

and then there is the zutara healing scene, where katara heals zuko after he interferes and takes azula’s lightning to the chest when she’s aiming for katara.

Cut to Katara as she rolls Zuko on to his back and begins healing him. Zuko opens his eyes, feeling the pain lessen, and smiles weakly at Katara, who smiles back as she sheds a tear.

Zuko: Thank you, Katara.

Katara: I think I'm the one who should be thanking you.

it seems fair to me to say that one of the reasons the motifs of healing in the zutara are dynamic are so appreciated by their fans is because of how it contrasts to a lot of moments where the work katara does with her healing is under-appreciated. for one thing, it happens as part of a mutual exchange—katara heals zuko after he gets hurt saving her. (this also somewhat calls back to their scenes together in the crystal caves in the tcod, where she offers to heal his scar after they are trapped together and zuko extends her empathy.) it’s based in reciprocity. it’s also, as shown here, one of the few moments of explicit, heartfelt appreciation and thanks given for katara’s healing.

[p1astr81]

you’re the one that I want - op81

synopsis: when Oscar joined the spring musical, you swore you hated him for it. Because you did. Didn’t you?

pairing: oscar piastri x fem!reader

warnings: misogynistic comments, idk if there’s any more

wc: 5k

an: the grease scenes described are based on the movie, not the Broadway musical!!. not proofread

This wasn’t Oscar’s field.

This wasn’t him.

He didn’t belong here.

You knew it, everyone in the regular rotation of cast knew it. It was like an insult to you all, using the spring musical as a form of punishment. He was only here because he lost a bet.

He didn’t actually care about any of it. It was highly infuriating.

This year, the director chose to put on Grease. Getting the role of Sandy would be the highlight of your entire high school career. You wouldn’t know what you would do if you didn’t get it.

You were freaking out backstage, your friend trying to calm you down. Oscar walked by you, being called on stage for his audition.

And when he sung, it temporarily shocked you out of your nerves.

Because he was good.

The guy who missed half the year for some races, could sing. Like, really sing.

So it didn’t really come as a surprise that when the cast list was posted, his name was imprinted across from Danny Zuko.

Right under yours, across from Sandy Olsson.

He was your counterpart.

The first rehearsal was hell. Oscar didn’t know a single theater term and it was causing confusion all across the stage. And he was terrible at acting. Even worse, he was shit at dancing.

“It’s like dancing with a mannequin.” You confessed to your friend after that first rehearsal. “There’s no emotion to it, and he’s fully awkward the whole time.” You huffed, shaking your head and shrugging on your jacket.

Your friend shrugged. “Maybe he just needs to get used to it? I mean, it’s his first show.”

Hating to give him the befit of the doubt, you rolled your eyes. “For my sake, I hope that’s the case.”

It wasn’t the case. Two weeks later and he was still hopeless on his feet. He needed help, and lost of it, because he was starting to make you look bad.

Your director pulled the both of you aside before rehearsal. “Your stage chemistry is out the window. No one is believing you two are in love, let alone even like each other.” She sighed. “I’m not asking you to be best friends. I’m just asking you to pretend. For just two hours.”

You spoke before Oscar. “Okay, we’ll fix it.”

“Thank you.” She exhaled a heavy breath.

During rehearsal, you’d ran through the entire prom scene and recorded it. The video sat in front of you now, in a cafe, paused so you could critique it. “You have to make this look natural. Look, you’re making me look like a dead body.” You complained. “You’ve gotta lean into it.” You continued, trying to demonstrate what you mean with your own body.

Oscar rolled his eyes. “Sorry I’m not broadway trained.” A fake apology, which only annoyed you more.

“Don’t get all defensive. I’m trying to help!” You huffed. “You just need to try to act, and it doesn’t even look like you’re doing that.” You looked him over in judgement.

Oscar stiffened, his jaw clenched. “I didn’t even ask for your help.”

Trying to compose yourself, you stared at the ceiling, a deep inhale through your nose. You slammed the laptop shut. “You’re making the both of us look bad. I’m trying to put on a perfect show and you’re making that impossible.” You huffed, standing with your laptop in hand. “Why didn’t you just fail your audition on purpose? Then you wouldn’t be here.”

Oscar ignored your question. “Your Australian accent is shit, by the way.”

You scoffed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” You replied, generous amounts of sarcasm. Your frustration had reached boiling point and it carried your steps out to your car at a rapid pace. Once the door was shut, you let out a silent scream.

Can’t damage those vocal cords.

Frustration was packed full in the air. You attempted to keep it inside, but when Oscar kept stepping on your toes and handling you like a sack of potatoes, you just broke.

“Are you trying to make me look bad?” You whisper shouted. It was only you two in the hallway, having taken him out during your 5 minute break.

Oscar got defensive again. “No! Why must everything be about you?”

“Because you couldn’t give less of a fuck about this!” Your hand shot out, giving his shoulder a rough shove. He flinched back, a look that silently questioned your audacity. “It’s just a pastime for you.” You eyed him over in pure disgust and resentment.

A harsh reply sat on the tip of Oscar’s tongue. He wouldn’t let it slip past his lips, for it was too personal an attack.

“Why don’t you just quit?” You asked.

“Oh, I bet you’d love that, JJ taking my role.” Oops. Guess it slipped.

Your jaw clenched, and then your body went rigid when a voice came from behind you. “Ah, what’s going on here?” Smooth, low, teasing.

JJ. Your ex boyfriend. He cheated on you four times. One of which being with your former best friend. How you missed it that many times, you didn’t know, but it humiliated you to no end.

Oscar caught every micro-expression of yours. The way your eye twitched. The slight deepening of your brows. The heavy swallow that rippled your throat as it went down right before you turned around.

“Nothing. We’ll be back in a moment.” Your voice was cold, filled with more resentment than you’d shown Oscar.

JJ grinned. “Okay,” and then he winked. “Lookin good in that dress. Yellow’s your color.”

It made you sick to your stomach, and Oscar could see it when you turned back to him in the way your face twisted.

“‘M sorry. For the… what I said. It wasn’t right.” He apologized, earning a very shocked expression from you.

You shook your head, smoothing your hands over your yellow costume dress. “It’s fine.” It was inhumane, how fast you could compose yourself. “I guess our five minutes is up.” You muttered, slipping back into the auditorium.

“I don’t know what to do. He’s so… I don’t know.” You sighed, slumping farther in your seat. “It’s been a month of rehearsals and he still looks so unnatural when dancing.” You sighed. “His acting has gotten better, at least.”

Your friend twisted in her chair, sliding her completed worksheet over to you so you could copy it. You were hopeless at physics. “Why don’t you help him then?” She raised a brow.

“What do you mean?” You questioned, your eyes finding the back of his head across the classroom.

She sighed. “We don’t have rehearsal today so just ask him to come over and then you can help him. One on one.”

You bit your cheek and huffed. “Can’t you do it?”

“No. I don’t know his scenes. And you’re his dancing partner. And! You’re the one complaining.”

You threw your head back in annoyance.

“I don’t know why you hate him so much. He’s a nice guy.” She insisted.

A bitter laugh. “Maybe to you.” You shook your head. He apologized for what he said about JJ, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t still a low blow. “But he doesn’t care about this. It’s all a joke to him.” You repeated the words you’ve said plenty of times lately. The repetition didn’t make it any less true.

“Maybe, but you’ve also been staring at him for the past two minutes.”

You hadn’t even realized, but once she pointed it out, you straitened up. Eyes now trained on your shoes. “Fine. I’ll ask him.”

She didn’t expect you to get up right then, and cross the room to occupy the empty seat beside Oscar.

He turned to you, unimpressed but slightly raised his brows in a silent question.

“Okay so look,” you started. Oscar turned his body towards you. “I’ve been shitting on you for your dancing lately, but I haven’t tried to help. So, do you want to come over after school so I could help?”

“Uh…” he thought it over. He was meant to go to the track after school. His bunny teeth peeked by his lips. “Yeah I’ll just need your address.” He smiled. He supposed he could go to the track another day.

Your hand hit the desk. “Great.”

You expected to lose your patience with him quickly, but an hour in and you still weren’t miserable. An even bigger shock, you were enjoying yourself.

Maybe telling him to loosen up wasn’t the best idea. You tried to run through the prom scene again. When he was meant to flip you upside down in his arms, his grip wasn’t firm enough and you went tumbling down.

You stayed on the floor, holding onto your stomach as you tumbled through a fit of laughter. You pointed a finger up at him. “I did not mean that loose!”

Holding up his hands, Oscar chuckled. “Hey, you said loose so i delivered loose.” He held a hand to you. Your hand slipped into his palm and he hoisted you to your feet.

And then he took you by surprise, spinning you on your feet and dipping you in his arms. He handled you like you were as light as a sheet of paper.

You were stunned into silence, staring up at him with wide eyes.

“Figured I’d finish the dance.”

You swallowed, gaze analyzing the details of his hazel eyes. “Uhuh.” You nodded absentmindedly. And then, “you’re leaning.” You pointed out, voice soft and hesitant.

“Yeah.” Equally soft. Equally hesitant.

Something lingered in the air, a shift from how it felt during rehearsals prior. Still heavy, but a different kind of heavy. Like the feeling of being watched rather than like having ten pounds resting on your shoulders.

The moments stretched, gazes locked on each other’s while he held you in that dip.

Until you cleared your throat and stood up. “Uh, how about we—uhm—dinner. Check on dinner? I think my mom is making pasta.” You stumbled, failing to ignore how your heart collided with your rib cage, over and over again. It was the dancing, you told yourself, the dancing is making my heart race not him.

“Yeah. Yeah.” You failed to notice the dark crimson color of Oscar’s cheeks.

The following day in physics, Oscar caught your eye as he filed into the room. He smiled, reserved. You returned the smile, equally as reserved.

“What the hell was that?” Your friend demanded.

“What?” You asked, eyes wide.

Her eyes darted from you to Oscar. “That- you just smiled at each other.” You struggled to find an excuse, and your friend filled your silence. “What the hell happened last night?” Her tone demanded an answer.

“Nothing! Well,” you sighed, she urged you with an impatient expression. “I don’t know. I actually enjoyed myself last night. Like, we weren’t arguing. We were laughing, even.” You shook your head.

“Aw you’ve found your Danny.” She teased, poking you in the arm.

You slapped her hand away. “Did not! He just wasn’t totally insufferable yesterday.” You muttered, leaning your head on your head.

She wasn’t so convinced.

And rehearsal didn’t help to convince her either. Every scene you ran together, it was clear you were enjoying yourself—unlike the previous weeks of rehearsal.

She kept an ear out for your conversations, too.

“You picked that up fast. You’re dancing like a pro now.” You told Oscar between sips of water.

He shrugged. “Guess I’ve got a pretty good teacher.”

She watched as you rolled your eyes while you failed to hold back a smile. The back of your hand hit his chest in response before walking off in her direction.

Interesting.

“So is he not totally insufferable today either?” She teased, a brow raised in suspicion. “Or are you method acting?”

You shook your head. “Shove another twinkie in it, Jan.”

“From the beginning! Let’s run it!” Your director clapped her hands.

Oscar reluctantly placed his hands on your waist.

“I’m going back to Australia, I might never see you again.” You recited.

Oscar shook his head. “Don’t- don’t talk that way, San.” His hands momentarily tightened their grip on your hips. His eyes flicked repeatedly between your eyes and your lips, like he didn’t know which to focus on.

Oh. You hadn’t practiced that. But maybe he was taking your advice. Maybe he was trying to improve his writing.

You continued anyway, taking a step closer to him. “But it’s true! I’ve just had the best summer of my life and now I have to go away.” You sighed, bowing your head. “It isn’t fair.”

Just as in the movie, Oscar slipped a finger under your chin, tilting your head up to meet his eyes. You both paused, very aware of the next move.

“We don’t have all day!” Your director impatiently commented, earning chuckles from the rest of the cast.

Oscar hesitated a second more before leaning forward. His lips on yours were soft, still reluctant as he led the kiss.

Your lips tingled, along with the tips of your fingers. And your brain felt light. It was strange. No stage kiss had ever done this to you before.

“Okay! Okay, stop!” Your director huffed. You took a big step back from Oscar, refusing to meet his eyes. “Oscar! This is supposed to be passionate! I want more fire! More desperation! Like you’re trying to devour her face! Like she’s the air you need to breathe and you’d just been drowning for a whole minute!”

You took a glance at Oscar, and couldn’t help but chuckle at his stunned expression and rosy cheeks. “I can do that.” He muttered.

“Great! Start from ‘it isn’t fair’.”

You turned back to Oscar, offering him a small, encouraging smile before getting serious. “It isn’t fair,” you repeated.

Once more, he brought his finger to your chin, inclining your head to face him. You caught the slight shake in his exhaled breath before he dove down.

And wow did he take the devouring part very serious.

His arms wrapped around you, pulling you close while he stole the air out of your lungs. It was a full make-out.

As scripted, you pulled away. “Danny don’t spoil it,” you were breathless, naturally, without even trying.

“I’m not spoiling it Sandy, it’s only making it better.” He held onto your arms, your hands planted on his shoulders. His eyes searched yours.

“Danny, is this the end?” You cocked your head to the side the slightest bit.

Oscar shook his head and laughed, an uncharacteristically cocky laugh for him. “Of course not.” He grinned. “It’s only the beginning.”

A beat. And then. “Brilliant!” Your director clapped her hands. You and Oscar stepped apart. “Wow! Just, wow! The chemistry!” She slot herself between you two, a hand on each of your shoulders. “God I was really convinced you were actually Sandy and Danny.” She looked between you two. “Amazing, truly amazing.” She shook her head in disbelief.

Then she turned to the collective. “I think that’s a good note to leave off on! Good night to you all.”

When she was no longer within earshot, you turned to oscar. “Not bad for a rookie.” You shrugged.

“Not bad? Cmon you’re not giving me enough credit.” He said, a level of flirtation unlike him.

“Are you trying method acting now?”

Oscar cocked his head to the side in question.

“You’re being flirty.” You pointed out. Oscar was stunned, brows shot up. The pink flush of his cheeks darkened.

He laughed nervously. “With you? I would never.”

You hummed. “Still flirting.” You sung, walking off. A broken argument followed you, though it didn’t make much sense.

“You have him all flustered.” Your friend muttered. You shook your head. “I wasn’t trying, but it was quite easy.” You shrugged, glancing back at him over your shoulder. He was still sporting a soft, pink glow on his cheeks.

Your friend missed school today, conveniently a lab day in physics.

“You can work with Piastri.” Your teacher dismissed, waving in his general direction. You contemplated protesting, but knowing it would be of no use, you didn’t.

Oscars hair flopped as he whipped around to look at you. “Well don’t look so annoyed.” He laughed.

You gave a sarcastic smile. “I’m dreadful at physics, fair warning.” You sighed, occupying the seat next to him. Your knees were nearly touching.

“It’s alright. It’s my best subject.” He shrugged.

You propped your head up on your hand, settling in for an hour of boredom. “What are we doing again? I wasn’t really paying attention.”

Oscar chuckled. “And you wonder why you aren’t good a physics.”

You scoffed, feigning offense.

“We’re building a car out of candy.”

You raised your brows. “Ah good! This is your area of expertise!” The back of your hand made contact with his bicep.

His eyes glanced from his arm, to your hand, to your face, before his gaze dropped to the table. “Uh, yeah.” He muttered, fidgeting with a piece of paper.

“Okay so, how are we building this then?”

Oscar perked up, searching the materials table with his eyes. “Could you grab a rice crispy, a few pretzel sticks, and a few… chocolate striped cookies?”

You raised a brow. “Am I your maid now?”

Blinking, Oscar’s brain stuttered for a reply. “Well, I’m the one doing this car aren’t I?”

Humming, you stood, silently collecting his requested items. “You made a good point.” You shrugged.

He cocked his head, brows shot up in surprise. “Is that a compliment?”

A hand of yours waved through the air. “Yeah, don’t let it go to your head.”

“Ooh, that’s a difficult request.”

You rolled your eyes, chuckling.

A soft smile, Oscar started working. You stood by, eyeing the way he expertly manipulated the candy in a way that he saw fit to make the quickest car.

It took him all of 20 minutes to construct it, leaving the both of you with an extra 20 minutes to do whatever.

Conscious mind absent, you started to hum you’re the one that I want, while drawing on the table with chalk markers. Not loud enough to disturb everyone around you, but certainly loud enough that Oscar could hear. To mess with you, he started to hum along.

Only when you heard him was when you recognized you were singing yourself.

Routinely, out of instinct, you started dancing in your seat. Oscar followed your lead.

“Okay, okay. Save it for drama practice.” Your teacher shook his head at the both of you.

You and Oscar paused before simultaneously chuckling. Even though you tried to hide it, it was quite obvious, as you both folded in half in the other’s direction.

As the class neared it’s end, you tested the cars. Yours and Oscar’s won by a large margin. “Your nerdy-ness came in handy.” You shoved his shoulder while you walked out of class together.

“Oh I’m nerdy? How long have you been doing theatre again?”

You pursed your lips. He got you there. “Alright, I’ll see you tonight.” You broke off from him with another shove to his shoulder.

The first night of tech week, you organized a get together at a restaurant after rehearsal. Of course, the cast and crew thought they were comedians. They left two open seats, right in the middle of the table. One for you. One for Oscar.

When you walked in, you took a pause before taking your seat beside your friend. “You did this, didn’t you?” You asked her. She shrugged innocently.

When Oscar arrived, he did the same. Pausing before taking his seat. “Just had to leave a seat open for me, did you?” He teased.

You sarcastically laughed. “No. They all did this.” You replied, gesturing to the cast and crew sitting around you both.

“Mmm, meddling pricks.” He muttered. Only you caught it, responding with a hidden chuckle.

The waitress came, taking your drinks and food orders.

“So how are you feeling about your first show?” You asked Oscar, grinning.

The corner of his mouth quirked up for just a second in deep thought. “Bit nervy, honestly.”

Your attention remained on him. “Better or worse than before a race?” It was a teasing question, but also sort of… genuine.

“You care about my nerdy hobbies now?” He teased right back.

A scoff. “Fine, I won’t ask you about your favorite thing on this planet.” A dramatic rebuttal, all things considering.

He stayed silent for a moment, before answering, “definitely worse. A trillion times worse.”

You tilted your head, an expression that communicated shock. “Really?”

“It’s just not what I know, you know? It’s all new to me, it’s not like I can just think on my feet like on the track. If I mess up, well I don’t think I can save it.” He shrugged.

The frown that pulled on your lips wasn’t purposeful. “Aw, that was very vulnerable.”

He shook his head. “I’m never speaking to you again.”

You chuckled, laying a hand on his arm as you leaned into him. “No but seriously, if you mess up, don’t worry. I’ll improv and make it look purposeful.” You leaned back in your chair. “It’s honestly the least I can do after you just saved my physics grade.”

It was Oscar’s turn to laugh now.

Two weeks ago, he would’ve avoided saying a single word to you. But now, he was rambling about his racing, just to keep you talking to him. Perhaps it was the fact that you were the only person he was familiar with. Or—more likely—something deeper.

And you entertained him. Laughing at the appropriate times, adding input when you saw fit. He talked so passionately about racing. You’d never admit it, but it was sort of… endearing.

Jesus, what was happening to you? You should be disgusted at the prospect of sitting near him. Should’ve demanded your friend swap seats with you. You definitely should not have been so engaged in the conversation, clinging on to every word he spoke.

And then Oscar called your name, dragging you from your own thoughts. “Hm?” You hummed, sitting up straighter.

And then a plate was placed in front of Oscar, and he slid it over to you. Your food. “Oh, thanks.” You muttered.

And then he leaned into you, swaying your body while saying, “you know, if I was boring you, you could have said something.”

Instead of replying, you stole a fry from his plate.

“Hey! You have your own food!” He pointed to your plate of pretzel bites.

You acted as if that was new information. “Oh, my bad! Would you like it back? I can-“

Predicting the direction of the conversation, he put a hand up to stop you, a grimace on his face. “No. No. You can keep it.”

For good measure, you stole another. In response, he stole a pretzel bite. And you carried on the rest of dinner like that, sharing your food without a formal agreement to.

Just before opening night, the whole cast turned up at your house. It was a Grease watch party.

The large group crowded into the theater room in your basement.

Like the the restaurant, you and Oscar ended up next to each other. Unlike at the restaurant, it was fully your choice.

He would make comments in your ear throughout. Just stupid comments to make you laugh. And you did laugh, like a total fool.

During ‘Sandy’, he turned to you to make another comment, only to see you sleeping on his shoulder. He didn’t even notice the weight of your head until he saw it with his eyes.

He became stiff out of fear that moving would wake you.

And right before ‘you’re the one that I want’, someone in the back of the room called the both of your names. “Cmon get up there! Give us a live performance!” They joked. The rest of the cast joined in on trying to urge the both of you.

You shifted in your sleep and fear spiked up Oscar’s spine. “Guys, she’s asleep.” He dismissed in a hushed yell.

“Aw!” Someone cooed, and then a flash went off. “I’m so saving that as blackmail.” It was your friend, giggling at the scene.

And then a water bottle was tossed at your head. A hand of yours slowly made its way to your head. You sat up with a groan. “Now she’s not!” JJ laughed.

Oscar twisted around, glaring holes into the very man who threw the bottle at you. “What the hell is your problem?”

Hushed whispers fell upon the room. No one had ever seen Oscar speak to someone like that.

JJ laughed. “Ah, cmon, it’s just a bit of fun.”

“Not when it’s your head being bashed in.” You grumbled, still trying to soothe the spot with your hand.

Oscar only noticed just then that his arm was around your waist. When it got there, he wasn’t sure.

JJ smirked. “Y’know Piastri, if you wanna get her to bed, all you have to do is ask nicely.” His chuckle was evil.

And it made Oscar’s stomach churn. You beat him to a reply. “Get out of my house. Right now.”

“Come on! I’m just joking!” JJ threw his arms out, looking around for at least one person on his side. There wasn’t a single one.

You stood, Oscar’s hand sliding from your waist. “Get out!” Your voice was irregularly shrill, your jaw clenched.

When he didn’t move, you took a fist full of his shirt, shoving him towards the door. “Out!” You ordered once more.

The rest of the cast watched the scene unfold, horrified. The movie was still playing in the back, providing an ironic soundtrack.

Oscar followed you up the stairs despite the protests from your friend.

“Tell me, what do you see in him, baby?” JJ asked.

“You have no right to call me that.” You seethed.

He ignored you. “Cmon, baby, just tell me. Is it his lame hobby of racing?”

“I don’t see anything in him beyond a friend!”

JJ laughed. “Oh he definitely wants a little bit more than friends, just not a commitment, though.”

“You don’t know what he wants! Not everyone is like you!”

JJ made eye contact with Oscar, who stood a distance behind you. He laughed bitterly. “Call me when you get bored of him, sweetheart.” He reached out to touch your face and you flinched away. He left at that, being sure to slam your front door.

“Oh my god!” Your voice broke in frustration. You took a deep breath before turning around. Eyes landing on Oscar, you jumped. “Oh, hi.” You muttered, trying to move past him.

He caught your arm. And then you noticed the movement of his feet. Jazz square stepping. And then the music from downstairs reached your ears. You’re the one that I want. And then he started singing, too.

“You’re an idiot.” You shook your head, chuckling. But joined him. Now you were secluded in the foyer of your house, singing and dancing together out of your own will, not because you had to.

Even when the song stopped, Oscar continued to hold you close. His eyes flickered from your eyes to your lips. It didn’t go unnoticed by you. “Can I ask you something?” He asked, out of breath. You gulped before nodding. “Is this all for show?”

You blinked. “What do you mean?” You asked in a whisper.

His eyes lingered on your lips, his mouth agape while he tried to conjure the words in a way that conveyed him emotions. “I don’t feel like I’m playing a part anymore.” He confessed. “I don’t… it doesn’t feel like I’m faking this anymore.”

You stuttered, searching his eyes.

“If it’s not the same for you just don’t say anything. Spare me some dignity.” He tried to laugh. It just came out as a shaky breath.

You hesitated only a moment before your fingers threaded through the strands of his hair and you pulled him down. His lips met yours, and god was the feeling electrifying.

Months of buildup to this moment sparked between you, released by the acknowledgment of your long suppressed feelings. He deepened the kiss, drawing your body closer to his. His hands mirrored yours, slipping between the strands of your hair to keep you in place. It quickly evolved into a heated make-out.

You signed into it, and he laughed into your mouth. “I hate you.” You muttered, and he swallowed the sentiment. “Mh, evidently.”

“Wow. Looks like you really hate each other.” Your friend deadpanned.

You jumped apart. The entire cast was now standing in your foyer. You could die of embarrassment.

“Movie’s over.” She informed.

“Yeah, thanks. Gathered that.” You mumbled, your face now red hot. It couldn’t have been worse than the deep shade of red that colored Oscar’s entire face.

“At least their chemistry will be good now.” Someone quipped.

You hid your face in your hands. “Oh, god. Everyone get out.” Your words were muffled in your hands, but they got the point. Each one shuffled out the door, but not without sharing more one-off, witty comments.

Opening night had just finished, and Oscar didn’t make a single mistake. You were out in the cafeteria, receiving praise left and right when a woman came up to you. A large, pretty bouquet occupied her hands.

“This is for you, honey.” She said, handing it over.

“Oh! Thank you.” You we’re confused. You’d never seen this woman in your life. But you accepted the flowers.

And then Oscar came up to you, not noticing you at first. “Mum, can we get ice cream on the way home?”

You felt your body go cold. “Mum?” You glanced between the two of them. That’s when Oscar finally noticed your presence, and his eyes went wide.

You hadn’t even been dating for a day and you’re already meeting his parents!

“Oh, how rude of me! I’m Nicole, Oscar’s mother.” You shook her outstretched hand. “He hasn’t stopped talking about you for months! I knew you were going to be excellent!”

Her words eased your worries, now focusing on a shiny new piece of blackmail. “Months, you say?” You asked her, but your eyes were on Oscar, who was now hidden behind his hand.

[abilouwrites]

SOMEONE TO CALL MINE

Modern zuko

Zuko began getting accustomed to the gaggle of girls who would walk into his uncle’s shop, cooing and flirting as they would order tea. But he wasn’t used to this new group. A quad of four, all girls— not obsessed with the idea of flirting… just yet.

All with bags over their shoulders as they occupy a booth and take out study materials, “should I get drinks? Or did we come with our own?” Your voice speaks up from the chatter, smooth like honey and sweet like it too.

“Oh I just have a water but yes tea would be good” a girl responds- dark hair clipped back says, “anyone else?” To a murmur of no’s.

You walk up, hair loose, wearing pinks and blacks, “hi, can I get a green tea and then do you have matcha here?”

“We do” Zuko responds, “should I add that to the order?”

“Yes please, iced if that’s an option”

“Of course. Can I have a name for the order?”

“Yea yea, here” you say, as you give him a credit card

“Tea’s on the house for people who study” he lies— smiling as non-awkwardly as he could.

“Really? That’s amazing! Thank you”

It doesn’t take long for you to find your seat and begin typing away on your computer- decked out in stickers on the casing and a Polaroid taped to the sides, writing things down and shooting ideas off one another, “y/n”

You look up and slide your headphones off, “huh? Oh thank you Zuko” You take the tea from his hands, “Suki here”

“Thanks” She responds

Zuko continues watching you study; admiring the way you brush the hair out of your face and the way you ask friends for help or their thoughts on an answer.

Three hours later there’s a packing up and wishing of goodbyes, “suki will you wait outside for me?” You question and she nods

“Ya”

“Thanks for the tea Zuko, I’ve never had green tea that good before” You complement

“Oh— thank you. My uncle he is the mastermind behind it all— I’ve never liked tea before I let him brew me some” He responds, I smile and nod. Trying to fight the blushing rising from my cheeks

“Well— thank you again, especially for the free drinks”

“You’re welcome. Here’s a coupon” he slides it to me and I smile and wave goodbye.

“What’d ya talk about” Suki asks as we walk back to her car

“Just tea.. and I got a coupon” I smile flicking it between my fingers; I look to see a phone number written across the card and my cheeks go red, “and maybe a date”

[prying-pandora666]

Azula Respected Mai The Most

I just saw another Reddit comment saying Azula wasn’t friends with Mai and mostly only cared about Ty Lee. And I just gotta say…

I respectfully disagree.

The Boiling Rock proves Mai meant a lot to Azula.

First, Mai publicly commits treason and betrays the Fire Nation and Azula.

What does Azula do? Order the guards away and gives Mai a chance to explain herself. She even says “I never expected this from you” and “you of all people know the consequences”. Put a pin in that for a moment.

Giving a traitor who just publicly and flagrantly betrayed you and your nation to help an even worse traitor to your nation (Zuko, who on a personal level hurt both Mai and Azula by doing so) a chance to explain themselves is already significant. But even moreso is the fact that Azula doesn’t make a single move to harm Mai until Mai purposely and effectively hits Azula’s trauma weak point like the master marksman she is.

When Mai says “I guess you don’t know people as well as you think you do” this is already an insult. She’s putting down Azula’s intelligence and manipulation skills, things Azula clearly takes pride in. And yet despite how insulting that is, Azula still waits for Mai to explain herself. Even as Mai throws that barb at her, Azula wants to hear her out. Until Mai throws the even worse insult right at Azula’s weak point.

“I love Zuko more than I fear you” isn’t a statement of Mai being afraid really. It’s Mai throwing a powerful dig at Azula’s biggest fear and trauma, the one Azula tried to dismiss during The Beach with a joke to avoid showing her own vulnerability: Azula fears that Ursa hated and feared her but loved Zuko. It’s why during the mirror scene, a grief stricken and emotionally volatile Azula bitterly says to the hallucination of Ursa “even you fear me”.

Only then does Azula get triggered enough to lash out in return. Mai was only capable of hurting her so much precisely because Azula loves and trusts Mai so much, and precisely because Mai knew what to say to hurt her.

Even so, Azula does the forms for fire, not lightning. And after she is chi-blocked, Azula orders both Ty Lee and Mai jailed, not executed or banished despite having every right to do so since they just publicly committed treason against the Fire Nation.

See the quick strike? It’s more like when she attacks Iroh in The Chase with blue fire:

Lightning, by comparison, always has a wind up for her. Even when comet-boosted or otherwise.

Remember Azula’s line we put a pin in? Let’s go back to it now. Why does Azula say “I never expected this from you” and “you of all people”. What is the significance here?

We know Azula is a perfectionist. She can’t stand a single hair out of place. This informs her frustration with Zuko and Ty Lee, both whom she adores, but whom are constantly failing to stay in their place and play their role. Zuko messes up, gets himself banished. Ty Lee runs away and joins the circus. What does Azula do? Endeavor to use any means necessary to bring them back into the fold. It sounds crazy, but from her perspective, she’s helping them shape up.

But Mai? She’s different. Mai knows her place. She knows what’s expected of her. She says herself that she learned to be quiet and still so as not to risk her dad’s political career. She hates it and searches for any excuse to leave her stifling expectations at home, but she only does this in an acceptable way: when ordered by the princess to join her on a mission for the Fire Nation.

This is why Azula is especially shocked. Because of all people, Azula thought Mai was the only one of her friends who understood their duty to the nation and wasn’t a colossal fuck up.

Azula may be more affectionate with Ty Lee, but she definitely respected Mai more.

And I think the fandom doesn’t give their fascinating relationship or how it breaks down enough credit.

[rightwheretheyleftme]

TLOK’s Healer Katara: Why does she fail so much?

In Korra, we are reintroduced to Katara as a dedicated healer who seemingly doesn’t care about politics or activism anymore, her focus is on her healing huts. But if Katara is “the greatest healer in the world”, as we are often reminded, why does she fail so much?

Season 1:

We never get any canon explanation as to how Amon’s power works but many fans have theorized that he uses bloodbending to break someone’s chakras and that’s how he takes people’s bending. (This explanation doesn’t make much sense because chakras are a spiritual thing, you can’t access someone’s soul simply by controlling their blood, but whatever)

If Amon can break Korra’s chakras using waterbending, why can’t Katara heal them using the exact same method? Seriously, what’s preventing her?

Narratively, Katara had to fail to heal Korra so that (1) the audience could gauge how dangerous Amon was, and (2) Deus ex machina Aang could save the day. There is no watsonian explanation as to why Katara failed, the writers simply needed her to.

Season 2:

Discussing book 2 of TLOK is complicated because that season is, without hyperbole, one of the most nonsensical pieces of fantasy media I’ve ever consumed. Regardless, Katara fails again this season. Jinora’s soul is trapped in the spirit world and Katara doesn’t manage to wake her from her coma, but she does manage to keep Jinora alive. However, this victory doesn’t really stand out because Kya also managed to keep Jinora alive and she did it for longer than Katara- so it seems that you don’t need to be the greatest healer in the world to accomplish this, it was just a trivial task.

Season 4:

In season 4, Katara fails for a third and final time.

Katara: (waterbends the liquid in the healing pool) The poison did a lot of internal damage.

Korra:  Can you fix it?

Katara:  I can help guide your healing process, but whether you get better or not is up to you.

Katara self-admittedly can’t heal Korra, she can only offer physical therapy. We even get a scene where Korra remarks on Katara’s failings:

Katara:  Whenever you're ready. 

Korra:  What's the point?  We've been at this for almost six months and (looks away from Katara) I can barely take a couple of steps without collapsing.

Katara:  I know you're frustrated, but-

Korra:  Of course I'm frustrated! A crazy man poisoned me,  and now I can't dress myself or cook for myself or do anything for myself, and this whole time my friends have been off helping the World while I'm stuck with you, and you can't even heal me! 

Ouch! This is particularly egregious because we saw Katara use waterbending to heal someone’s psychological trauma:

Katara: Maybe this will help. [Takes water and puts it around his ears, using healing to clear his mind.]

Jet: [looks up from the floor and sees an image of Long Feng standing above a lake. Long Feng stares at Jet, and Jet sinks down under the lake into an underground room. He sees an image of a Dai Li agent shining a spinning light in his face.]

Jet: They took me to a headquarters under the water. Like a lake!

But with Korra, she doesn’t even attempt this technique. Why? Did she forget that she has this ability?

Furthermore, considering that we saw Katara heal Zuko so thoroughly that he was able to stand up and walk after getting shot with lightning on the chest, I don’t understand why she’s unable to heal Korra’s poisoned-induced paralysis. Why can she restore Zuko’s mobility but not Korra’s?

Once again: narratively, Katara has to fail in order to prop up Toph, who will heal Korra’s body, and Zaheer, who will heal Korra’s mind and soul.

So what’s the point of all this?

A lot of people have talked about how Katara’s healing skills are used as a Worf Effect:

“The Worf Effect, from TVTropes:

Want a quick way to show how dangerous one of your unknown characters is? Simple, make them do well or win in a fight with a character that the audience already knows is tough. This establishes them as willing to fight and marks them as sufficiently dangerous.

In Legend of Korra, Katara’s healing abilities aren’t there to demonstrate how awesome a character she is, or that she is the master who taught Korra, because we never successfully see her heal anyone and we never see Korra learn waterbending from her. No, Katara’s so-called skills are only there to show us how much of a threat the villains are. Katara can’t heal Korra’s nightmares? Wow, Zaheer must have been a real threat. Jinora’s spirit is drifting away? Sounds like Harmonic Convergence is a big deal. Even Katara can’t undo Amon’s bloodbending? Oh, no, he must be a dangerous villain!” (source) (emphasis mine)

I’d like to add that Katara’s healing abilities aren’t undermined solely to establish the strength of the villains, they are also diminished to prop up the heroes:

- Katara fails to restore Korra’s bending so that Best Boy Aang can show off his cool energybending powers

- Katara fails to wake Jinora from her coma so that the audience can marvel at Jinora’s resilience when she saves herself

- And Katara fails to heal Korra’s poisoning trauma so that we get to admire Toph’s wisdom and semi-redeemed!Zaheer’s spirituality

Overall, even though her arc focused more on combat than healing, ATLA Katara comes across as a better healer than TLOK Katara—despite the latter’s story centering on her healing abilities. Regardless of Bryke’s intent to portray her as the world’s greatest healer, what’s shown on screen is a significant regression in her skills.

[iloveboysinred]

I won't say I'm in love [Prince Zuko]

pg. 13, fluff | Zuko x gn! reader

synopsis; Zuko had never been one to express himself in the right ways, anger had always been his primary emotion. But, when he meets you, a rouge fire bender helping the Avatar, it becomes hard for him to accept the growing warmth in his chest every time you look at him.

cw; emotionally constipated Zuko, fluff, pining, Clueless Zuko, Zuko doesn’t know how to deal with feelings, awkward turtleduck, light fluff.

Masterlist

Zuko never had time to really sit and think about relationships. After spending his early teenage years on a wild goose chase hunting the avatar, and now having joined the Gaang, with only a week to teach Aang how to firebend so he could face Ozai, he had a lot going on.

However, when he had started to fit in with the gaang better, you had definitely caught his attention.

You were a firebender yourself, highly skilled and light on your feet. You made a formidable opponent in battle, your elegance and lightweight movements almost resembling an air-bender. Zuko couldn’t help but stare as you practiced basic maneuvers, your muscles flexing with every movement, the thin sheen of sweat on your brow, and the fierce look of concentration on your beautiful face. To say Zuko was whipped was an understatement.

You were the last to accept him into the group, having always been a bit of a loner and standoffish, you didnt trust him. Especially with him being the crown prince of the very nation that has caused you nothing but pain. So Zuko worked extra hard to earn your friendship. Doing good deeds like helping Sokka clean up camp, going on water collecting trips with Kitara, helping Toph with her hair, and of course, befriending Aang and teaching him firebending alongside you.

While Zuko was still miles away from getting close to you, he was running out of ideas on how to gain your approval. So, naturally he went to Sokka for advice.

“Its like no matter what i do, y/n still hates me! I dont get it, you guys all like me, you know i’m good now. So whats their problem?” Sokka looked over Zuko’s exasperated face, putting two and two together. Not that it was hard, everyone caught him staring at you like a creep once or twice already. “I dont think y/n hates you, honestly. Thats just the way they are. It took like, 2 months for them to really open up to us.” Sokka shrugged, smoothing his hair down. “If i’m being honest, you’re trying too hard. Seems like you got a thing for them.” Zuko gaped, staring at Sokka like he had grown another head. “What are you talking about!? I dont like them. I just want them to trust me!” But despite his words, the flush on his face betrayed his denial. Sokka raised his eyebrows. “Right. Okay. Why don’t you just talk to them? I mean, obviously what youre doing isnt working. Maybe you should get them a gift or something.” Zuko nodded to himself. Why hadn’t he thought of that before? He quickly stood up, a new objective in mind.

“Thanks Sokka.”

“Anytime, bro. And a word of advice, if you’re trying to make it less obvious that you like them, try not staring so hard. It creeps everyone out.”

“I TOLD YOU I DONT!”

“Yeah, yeah whatever. Get out before you burn my tent down.”

Zuko rolled his eyes, storming off with a deep flush on his cheeks.

The next morning he set out to the village nearby, wearing a cloak to disguise his face. He looked around the market, stopping by a jeweler, who had a whole array of different bracelets, necklaces, and rings. A peculiar necklace stood out to him. It held a beautiful ruby, plated in gold and held on to a thin, gold chain. Before anybody could see, he snatched it up, quickly leaving and heading back to the air temple before anybody could confront him. On the way back he stopped by a patch of fire-Lillies, picking a few to make a messy bouquet. “Y/n will like these.” He muttered to himself, trying to tie them together with an old piece of twine.

When he made his way back to camp, the others stared at him with questioning glances, momo crawling up to sniff at the flowers. “Whats with the flowers? You into gardening or something?” Sokka asked, eyeing the bright fire-lillies in his grasp. “I got these for Y/n” Zuko blushed as he realized how this looked, averting his eyes from Sokka’s teasing gaze. “Aww thats sweet, Zuko. Who knew you were such a softie.” Kitara cooed, fluttering her lashes in a mock swoon. Zuko gritted his teeth, cheeks burning hotter than the sun. “Yeah, maybe you’ll man up and confess. We all know you like them” Toph chided, smirking. “I don’t!” Zuko protested. “You’re lyinggg” Toph hummed, and Zuko cursed her abilities to see with her feet.

“Whats going on?” Zuko froze when he heard your voice, quickly turning towards you, hiding the bouquet behind his back. “Oh nothing, just teasing Zuko about his undying lo-“ Sokka was abruptly cut off by Zuko slapping his hand over his mouth, glaring at him. “What Sokka was trying to say is, we were teasing Zuko’s undying and super obvious crush on you.” Toph stated nonchalantly. The others snickered at Zuko’s panicked expression, his cheeks couldn’t have gotten hotter, wide eyes turned to you. “I dont know what they’re talking about! I don’t have a crush on you! They’re just trying to be funny i swear-“ “uh, Zuko-“ “I just want you to trust me, so i got you these flowers-“ he pulled the bouquet from behind him, presenting it to you. But what he didn’t realize was, he had accidentally set the lilies on fire. He gasped and dropped the bouquet, stomping on the charred flowers to put the fire out. You just gave him a blank look, the others snickering behind you. Zuko had never felt so embarrassed in his life.

“Wow Zuko, that sure was a good way to confess!” Kitara teased, watching as you just threw your hands up, being completely done with… whatever that was, and walking away to your tent. “Yeah Zuko. Maybe try not almost burning the camp down. I think Y/n will like it better if you just told them how you feel!” Aang chirped, just irritating Zuko more with his upbeat attitude. “Whatever, you guys are impossible” he snapped, storming off in a random direction. “And I told you i don’t like them!” Once he was out of earshot, Toph snickered, laying on her back against Appa’s side. “He’s lying again.”

For the rest of the day, Zuko avoided you at all costs. Leaving you to teach Aang by yourself, even sitting a considerable distance away from you during lunch. It was confusing you, but you didn’t say anything. You guessed he was still embarrassed from the spectacle he had made of himself that morning. You couldn’t help but smile to yourself. Zuko was sweet, and if what the others are saying is true, you couldn’t deny that you could start feeling something for him too. You’d observed him ever since he joined the group, and his surprisingly gentle heart had impressed you. You’d watched him teach Aang during your training sessions. Appreciating the way his body moved flawlessly, his dark hair bringing out the gold in his eyes. You had to admit, you weren’t complaining when he would show up to your lessons shirtless. There was no denying he was cute.

So, you decided to approach him, surprising even yourself. You waited for everyone to settle into their tents, then you made your way to his. You stood outside for a second, thinking about how you were going to start this, what you would say. But your thoughts blanked when Zuko crawled out of his tent, now face to face with you. “O-oh hi- Zuko- i, um” you stuttered, lost for words. His eyes widened at the sight of you, sputtering like a nervous wreck. “I just wanted to u-um say, t-that i think the flowers were beautiful and u-um that was very sweet of you” “o-oh” you stood in awkward silence, the ground suddenly very interesting. “Anyways i think i’m gonna go-“ “wait, i-i um, i got you this too.” He quickly handed you the necklace, eyes averting yours and a deep blush on his cheeks. You looked the piece of jewelry over, smiling at him. “It’s beautiful Zuko. Um, thank you?” “You’re uh, you’re welcome..” you don’t know what took over you, but you leaned forward pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. You stared at each other in shock, now it was your turn to blush, face as red as a tomato. “Uh well, its getting late- i’m gonna go back to my tent. G-goodnight” the words came out quicker than you could think, racing off back to your tent. Leaving Zuko standing there, hand on his cheek, feeling how warm the skin was under his palm. His brain short circuited and his heart was beating 400 miles per minute, he swore he was gonna pass out.

Hope you enjoyed :> notes and reblogs are appreciated, comments, asks, and requests are welcomed! 💗

part 2

[lady-iskra]

Are Katara stans more likely to become Zutara?

To be fair: I also saw Kataangers, other- or non-shippers who care at least a little about Katara and did complain about the nerfing of her character. But still…maybe it is because of the communities I visit, but it appears to me that most Katara stans are more likely to become Zutara.

The reason I prefer this ship is that I’ve become a Katara stan first. I love every side of her, the loud one precisely, when she stands up for her ideals. And, as for Zutara: There is a deep understanding of each other’s needs along with mutual respect and a special bond those two share with no one else in the Gaang. They are equals—Zuko respects, accepts and loves Katara as a whole, and the same goes the other way around (canon-platonically or headcanon/ship-baiting-romantically doesn’t matter).

So, here’s what I don’t understand: if someone ships, I would assume they care about both characters and how they fit with each other. Yet, I’ve seen many Kataangers care only about Aang: What Aang wants. What his intensions are. That he is just flawed when he kisses Katara without consent…never how Katara feels about his actions, never how she is presented at the end of the OG, in the comics and in Korra.

Regarding The Southern Raiders in this case: I truly believe that Aang just wants to help, as many Kataangers argue in defense of his behavior. The teachings of the monks helped him during his dark times, plus, he is just a kid. He panicked, bc he thought Katara would follow the same dark path, and didn’t know how to express his worries. However, this is also my point against Kataang: He is just a kid. He still has so much to learn before even thinking about a serious relationship; especially with Katara whom he still sees through rose-tinted glasses—including that forgiveness to receive closure is not the right path for everyone.

If you mention this to some Kataangers, even very carefully, they immediately become defensive, saying that it’s just about making Zutara look better and demonizing Aang. And don’t get me started on the kiss by the end. 🙄 I’ve never read anything from them beyond “Katara is clearly happy.” But what makes you think she is happy? No explanation. People who agree with me, showing that they care about Katara, are mostly Zutara- or non-shippers.

Me, on the other hand: I can easily say that Katara has every right to hold a grudge against Zuko after The Crossroads of Destiny, bc he wronged her the most. Totally understandable that he had to go the extra mile with her to receive her forgiveness. I won’t sugar coat his actions to make him or Zutara look better, so much for their complaints—that isn’t necessary anyway. The difference: Zuko stood up for his mistakes, helps Katara to find her closure without asking for forgiveness, even if that is what he hopes. Let’s not forget how she opens up to him, even during this process; more than she did to anyone else.

Aang’s mistakes weren’t that huge, and it would take a scene of maybe a minute or two to truly show the regret of his actions towards Katara.

I believe that if you care about a character like Katara with such huge beliefs and intensions to create a better world, you wouldn’t be okay with reducing her to nothing more than an attachment whose world revolves around her boyfriend/husband—or her sweetie *ugh*. Yet, some Aang-stans seem not to care about this side of Katara and really consider her happy when her life is nothing more than pampering her partner.

[melzula]

hii i was wondering could you write a oneshot of how zuko's self cautious of his scar and reader just kisses his scar and reassures him and tells him that hes perfect and that she loves everything abt him. This is in a very like intimate and loving way ykyk

a/n: ah this plot is so sweet! had to rewrite this piece a few times before landing on something i liked so i hope you enjoy!

summary: zuko asks you to remove his bandages

“Are you sure you want me to do this? I can fetch Iroh instead.”

“No,” comes Zuko’s soft reply, his sullen features bathed in candle light. “I want it to be you.”

Sighing softly, you give him an understanding nod and press a careful kiss to his check. The Prince remains stoic in spite of your show of affection, simply signaling for you to proceed.

It’s been a week since the Agni Kai, and the healer has given Zuko the okay to remove his bandages. The wound should be healed by now, nothing but a painless scar with a painful memory attached to it. It’s not only your first time seeing Zuko’s new face but his as well, and neither of you are sure what to expect.

You were honestly surprised when the Prince had asked for you to be the one to remove his bandages. He’d been cold and standoffish with you since your departure from the Fire Nation, something you couldn’t blame him for considering all he’d been through, but you didn’t expect him to trust you with something so important so soon. It made you nervous, but it also made you relieved to know he still felt he could trust you with such things.

Your fingers work carefully as you unravel the white cloth around his head, doing your best not to cause too much discomfort for your Prince. He says nothing as you move and only watches you through the reflection of the mirror before him.

“Are you ready?” You ask him softly, hesitating as you reach the final layer of wrapping.

“Hesitation is a sign of weakness,” Zuko replies gruffly, and that’s all you need to hear before finally pulling away the last of the bandages.

The room is silent and tense as Zuko stares at his own reflection. The skin around his eye is angry and red, permanently damaged and forever serving as a reminder of his failure. He can hardly see out of his left eye, but he’s still able to make out your figure watching on silently as he assesses the damage.

“Go ahead and say it.”

“Say what, Zuko?” You murmur softly, carefully resting a hand upon his back.

“Say you’re disgusted by me. Say you’re repulsed,” he snarls bitterly. “Say that you’re too embarrassed to be seen with such a failure!”

“Is that really what you think?” You utter sadly, a pained smile on your lips as you carefully reach out to touch his face. His hand immediately flies up to catch your wrist in a firm grip before you can get any closer, and despite the discomfort it brings you make no attempt to move.

“It’s what I know.”

“Then you must not know me at all,” you counter with a small shake of your head.

Reality sets in and Zuko guiltily removes his ironclad grip on your wrist. He doesn’t mean to be so harsh with you, but there’s an amalgamation of emotions festering within him at the sight of his deformity. He was a Prince, he wasn’t meant to look like this, he wasn’t meant to be out at sea fruitlessly trying to find the Avatar so he could end his banishment. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

“You’re perfect, Zuko,” you console with a careful brush of your fingertips against the freshly healed skin. His eyes flutter shut at the comforting sensation, and you take it as a sign to continue. “I love you the way you are, and this scar doesn’t change that.”

He can’t help but gasp when he feels the softness of your lips pressing against his temple. How could you not feel sickened by him? How could you still love him after everything?

“Your scar is nothing but a sign of your strength, I hope you know that,” you tell him before pressing another kiss to his cheek just below his eye.

He says nothing in response, but you know that he understands you. With you, he doesn’t have to feel shame or guilt. Your love for him knows no bounds, and there’s nothing he could do that would ever make you turn away from him.

He sits in silence as you begin to apply a soothing balm to his skin. His eyes close in contentment and for the first time since leaving home he finally feels at peace.

He knows then that he made the right choice in having you be the one to remove his bandages. No one sees him like you do, and it’s more than he could ever ask for.

| zuko tags: @ilovespideyyy @yiyibetch @eridanuswave @lammello @a-monsters-love @taeeemin @lora21 @livelaughlovekuni @lovialy

| atla tags: @sirkekselord @niktwazny303

[gay-dorito-dust]

I blame @valeskafics for reviving my zuko brain rot with that modern!Zuko post! How dare 💜💕

If there’s one thing that you’ve come to learn about Zuko and that’s the fact that he doesn’t own clothes made to keep him warm. He has a plethora of jackets but they’re the thin kind of jackets that wouldn’t protect you from even the smallest of chilly breezes.

When you asked him about this when you first started dating, he only shrugged and said ‘I run too hot for those fleece jackets to ever feel the need to own one of them. I’m warm enough for the both of us as it is.’ Which is true. Zuko ran abnormally hot for a normal human being but that was one of the reasons why you loved cuddling up to him when it’s cold.

‘What happened to those warm blankets you normally bundle up in when you’re cold?’ Zuko asked as you proceed to cuddle yourself deeper into his side.

‘I just happen to have found something better in keeping me warm.’ You replied cheekily as you pressed a kiss to his cheek before you burrowed your face into his chest. Zuko sighs as he looks away from you to hide his flushed cheeks from sight as he smiled dopily, still not entirely use to an over abundance of affection directed towards him in a positive and healthy manner.

‘So what I’m hearing is that I’ve been demoted to your personal body warmer?’ He says rhetorically.

‘Think of it more as a promotion from my extremely warm boyfriend to extremely warm boyfriend who doubles as a personal body warmer.’ You replied, tightening your hold on him as you leeched more warmth off of him. ‘Don’t you find it dangerous?’ Zuko asks as he opened his palm to a small flame. It was practically harmless in your eyes, but Zuko always ingrain into you of the destructive power that even the smallest of flames possessed.

‘No.’ You answered honestly as you reached a hand to hold the back of his own that housed the small flame, enticed by its beautiful colours and flickering image with every movement being made. ‘Not really because I trust you more than I probably trust others.’ You added softly as you looked over at Zuko who was already looking back at you with a soft look in his eyes and an even softer smile. ‘Sounds like you should reevaluate that if you’re willing to put your trust in me.’ He said, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

‘No I don’t think I will ever want to reevaluate who I put my full trust in.’ You told him truthfully as you helped close his hand, extinguishing the flame as trails of smoke drifted upwards, only to dissipate before it could even reach the ceiling. ‘I’d like to think I am a sound judge of character and I defiantly don’t regret saying yes when you asked me out.’ You then kiss Zuko on the nose and felt his breath hitched in his chest. Zuko always has the cutest reactions to many things, but when it came to being some love and affection, those reactions were the ones you happen to love the most.

‘Then I hope to never make you second guess your choice to trust me with your heart.’ Zuko replied with a smile as he pressed a sweet kiss to your lips.

‘You never do, now be a good personal body warmer and let me leech off your warmth some more.’ You joked as you snuggled yourself into him and felt him place his arms over your waist, rubbing the skin that had been revealed when your nightshirt raised up a little, causing you to sigh under his touch as sleep slowly began to weigh heavily on your eyelids.

[theofficialpresidentofmars]

zuko and katara have genuinely SUCH an interesting dynamic and relationship to explore when you don’t have a bitch in your ear trying to tell you they should kiss.

like there’s nothing objectively wrong with shipping zut4ra but i CANNOT find any proper duo content of them that isn’t romantic or romantically implied and it annoys me. no i don’t think they would work. no i don’t think Katara would give up her man for that guy of all people. no I don’t think Zuko would be romantically interested in Katara. yes i do think that reducing all of their feelings towards each other into ‘romance’ oversimplifies and undermines the depth of the platonic relationship that they actually do have in established canon. yes whatever I’m sure there’s something sweet about a boy trying to get a girl to forgive him by helping her get revenge on the guy that killed her mom but don’t you think that it’s actually much more profound if there are no romantic ulterior motives whatsoever and it’s actually just a demonstration of the lengths Zuko will go to because he cares deeply about his friends and their feelings and what they think about him and he wants Katara to like him and he’s genuinely sorry that he broke her trust by warming up to her slightly before betraying them and to make sure she knows that he was being sincere and he actually was touched by what she said he tries to find a way for her to heal a wound that he knows tears her apart and it’s a wound he wishes he could heal in himself. and he does it because he’s trying to earn her forgiveness, not her love. he’s trying to earn himself the right to look her in the eye, not to hold her hand. he’s trying to amend for the mistakes of his people for nothing but the better of others.

and when Katara offers to heal him in the cave, it’s not because she’s fallen head over heels at all, or even in the slightest. she’s the first to see the light in him, and she sees a boy who’s been hurt by the fire nation in a similar way to her. she recognises that if she can convince him to come with her now, the gaang is up by a firebending teacher and a friend at best, and down an enemy at least at worst. for a moment she sees him for who he is and what he’s been through and it’s not because she likes him. the thought doesn’t even cross her mind, it’s just in her nature as a person to be caring and understanding and she has the help she can tell he needs, so she extends a hand.

and when they face Azula together? Katara was the first to reach out when it was almost the right time, and she’s the one who’ll be there to help him see it through. When he takes a bolt for her, isn’t it more profound that he jumps in front of the bolt not out of romantic love, but because Zuko is the kind of person who would put himself in mortal danger for anyone he cared about? Because his heart’s too big and because he’s seen those he love get hurt too many times to stand there and let them take it?

anyway I’ve spent too much of this post refuting romance but not actually expressing what it is i do like about their platonic dynamic but it’s late and i don’t have the words. so i’ll just say it’s such in that it would be really funny if Zuko instead dated Katara’s brother. and they yap together and she gives him a list of interests and he tells her embarrassing date stories. they also yap a lot about Aang because like. Zuko’s bff and Katara’s bf he’d probably come up a lot. also Maiko’s platonic shit-talking exes/close friends dynamic solos their romantic dynamic but that’s a discussion for another day ^-^

ship name censored because I don’t intend for any negativity to actually intrude upon certain shipping spaces lmao. i’m rarely opinionated but i don’t really care tbh i just wish there was more platonic stuff out there or i saw less romantic stuff el oh el

[zukosdualdao]

just… the absolute trust between zutara in the finale is unreal. after zuko’s impromptu training attack session, yes, katara is surprised and even somewhat angry as she confronts him, but when she says “you could have hurt aang!” all it reminds me of is the fact that just a few episodes ago, she literally threatened to kill him if he ever gave her a reason to think he might so something to hurt aang. but here, now, even as she’s confronting him, she just… waits for him to explain, and she actually sees and agrees with his point once zuko tells the gaang about ozai’s plan.

there is also the absolutely, 100% synchronized way they fight during the simulated training session, something that calls back to their synchronization and teamwork in the southern raiders, and that inherently shows a lot of trust and understanding between them.

katara is the one who initially asks zuko what they should do after aang disappears. everyone else agrees, but it's katara who trusts him enough to position him, not just to herself but to everyone else, as someone they should listen to because of his history, skill, and experience, especially noteworthy because the reason she gives—“you are sort of the expert at tracking the avatar”—is what used to make him untrustworthy in their eyes. they’ve come such a long way.

then katara notices zuko freeze and sit in front of iroh’s tent, and when she asks if he’s okay, he just… completely trusts her with exactly what he’s feeling, and if he’s even a little worried that what he’s saying might cause her to act derisively, because what he’s referencing here is also what katara was angry and hurt about, he doesn’t show it. he just so completely trusts her with it, and her insistence that iroh will forgive him is born from her own trust of zuko, and she's able to tell him what he needs to hear because she was once in iroh's position and zuko proved his genuine remorse and care to her.

then, of course, we've got zuko not missing a beat as he asks katara to be the one to come with him to confront azula, and her ready acceptance. they make a good team, and they know it.

but when they get there and azula challenges zuko to an agni kai - though she initially has misgivings, katara ultimately trusts zuko when he says he can handle it and understands that he doesn't want her to get hurt if she doesn't have to. (an aspect of zuko's "i can't explain it, but she's slipping" line that i think gets underexamined, btw, is that that's not an inherently good thing for them. yes, maybe that means zuko will be able to take her, particularly because he knows azula and her fighting style well. but someone who is "slipping" is also, in this case, desperate, and more prone to being reckless with people's lives. zuko tries to mitigate that by fighting her alone, but it doesn't work because azula can't follow the terms she sets when she realizes she's losing.)

the lightning scene is a really interesting example of trust as it relates to zuko and katara, because to me, the emphasis there isn't quite so much on zuko and katara trusting each other. there's barely time for katara to think through what will happen to as azula aims for her or wonder what zuko will do, after all, and zuko is probably in too much pain and too out of it to think about katara coming to try to heal him. (though if they did have the time and mental faculties to think it through, i think they would both 120 percent trust the other to help them.)

instead, the emphasis is on the audience trusting the characters. from the moment zuko sees where azula's aiming, he doesn't hesitate, doesn't even think about, just. immediately jumps in front of the lightning before it can reach katara. i've said this before, but as soon as he understood what was happening, there was just no chance of that lightning ever getting to katara and that's the point. we've seen what zuko looks like when he's hesitating or conflicted, and the difference is stark. the show never wants you to question exactly what zuko will do, that he refuses to let katara get heart, that he'll save her.

and for her part, katara immediately runs to try and save zuko despite azula still being around and attacking, and tries again before realizing she needs to defeat azula in order to do so. but the entire scene of katara's defeating her, while obviously heroic and emblematic of katara's power and the culmination of her arc as a girl whose culture and identity was nearly stripped away from her to being a master waterbender, is also framed as katara defeating azula so she can get to zuko. she would have done it anyways, yes, but in this context, right now, she is fighting azula so she can get to zuko to heal him.

here, in the narrative culmination of their arcs together, it shows not just that they trust each other, but asks the audience to not doubt the development of the dynamic that’s been built, to trust that they will take care of each other. and they do.

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I will NEVER understand people who say “Zuko was the only one who supported Katara”

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but ZKs ALWAYS bring up The Southern Raiders as this huge revolutionary moment where “Zuko supports Katara like no one else did”, as you can see in this garbage TikTok.

I genuinely cannot comprehend how people can be THIS delusional.

While Katara does ultimately get some closure confronting the man who killed her mom, and it was nice of Zuko to help give that closure. It’s literally the LEAST he can do for Katara to make up for the crap he’s done before. Him going out of his to make amends with Katara in NO WAYS means he’s the only one to support Katara.

Re-watching A:TLA, all the members of the Gaang were on the same relative playing field, the were all equals, they all pulled their weight, sometimes one member would have to take charge, be it Sokka in The Library or Katara in The Desert, but they were a team. 

I have no idea where this notion that Katara has do EVERYTHING comes from. 

If taking Katara somewhere is such a big deal, Aang literally does this in the first darn episode, so she can learn waterbending, which is highly important to her culture, he gives himself to save Katara’s village from Zuko. He willingly lets Katara take Appa, encouraging her to go with Zuko.

In terms of emotional support, Aang comforts Katara when Jet dies, Sokka comforts her when Aang is captured at the North Pole, both comfort her when she bloodbends. Aang even empathizes with Katara’s anger, by relating to similar moments where she comforted him. 

These ZKs are really gonna act like Katara had NO support and all her friends were just dicks.

F off 😂

I also HATE how these supposed Katara always try to make her episode where she confronts her grief head-on and is pushed far into uncharacteristic, yet well deserved anger as some Wattpad Twilight Katara X Zuko fanfic. 

Most of the things these Zutara fanatics care about regarding this episode is about how “Katara now has a big strong man in her life to help her, because she’s to tired, has to hide her true feelings and does everything alone”. Again, ignoring the fact that Katara does have good friends and family who support her and NEVER pushed her feelings aside (when she’s angry, she’ll let you know), making her whole arc about what guy she likes is so reductive and borderline sexist.

Lastly these Zutara fanatics always use THIS episode to showcase how Zuko is supposedly “the only one who understands Katara and loves her ‘true self’ unlike Aang”.

Zuko doesn’t even know Katara, heck I don’t think he even knew her name until he spoke with Sokka. Aang and Sokka have known her the longest out of the Gaang, they’ve seen all sides of her character, they know that taking someone’s life (horrible person or otherwise) could have a bad effect on her and are simply concerned, Aang himself was in a similar situation in The Desert. 

Katara being consumed by anger and rage to the point of bloodbending and telling her brother “she didn’t love their mom like she did” is not her “true self” any more than Aang’s “true self” was him harming a  buzzard-wasp, lashing out at his friends and gearing up to destroy some sandbenders in The Desert. They’re not wrong for feeling angry, it makes sense why they’d be, they are three-dimensional characters, but they’re the result of are extenuating circumstances.

I’ve seen plenty of ZKs say “Zuko was gonna let Katara make her own decision, he trusted she wouldn’t lose herself”. Lemme set the record straight, Zuko fully expected Katara to off Yon-Rha. When Aang warns Katara about taking vengeance and urges her to let out her anger without harming him, Zuko mocks this idea and openly admits that Aang was right and violence wasn’t the answer. Aang was wrong about Katara needing to forgive Yon-Rha, especially seeing as the killer felt no remorse for his actions, but Katara made her own choice.

I will never be convinced that these types of Zutara shippers actually care about Katara. If she ain’t next to Zuko, she’s pretty much worthless to these people.