#Zuko trying to be nice

[luriuan]

Sokka and Zuko get SO much funnier when you remember this is both of their first times talking to another teenage boy in years. Sokka had all the other boys leave the tribe when he was little and Zuko just hasn’t talked to other teenage boys. They wanna be friends but have absolutely no clue how to talk to other teenagers. I love them so much.

[comradekatara]

azula as zuko’s evil advisor is so funny to me i actually fuck so hard w this concept. she gives zuko advice and then zuko looks across the room to sokka and sokka just discreetly gives him a thumbs up or thumbs down. one weekend sokka, aang, mai, toph, suki, katara, and anyone else who might have a modicum of common sense all go out of town for like. omashu coachella or smth. and when they come back the entire palace is in shambles, zuko’s just sitting on his throne shinji style, and he’s just like “i’m so sorry….. her advice seemed so cogent….. she made trickle down economics seem so reasonable……. why weren’t you there….. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE, GODDAMMIT!!!!!!!” while azula slyly sips from a cunty chalice she had personally made just for moments like this.

[petricorah]

fake manga covers [id in alt]

[ambriel-angstwitch]

Sokka: You know I love you but you can’t just keep putting yourself in harms way.

Sokka: You’re the Firelord for spirits sake

Zuko: You love me?

Sokka: We’re MARRIED

[sockfus]

i genuinely cant fathom how people hate aang and cant sympathise with him. he woke up, one moment he was with his family, the next everyone he ever knew was dead. he was constantly pressured to go against his beliefs despite being the only nomad left, despite the fact that killing ozai would've stripped him of one of the few things still connecting him to his culture. we find out in the letters katara sent to tenzin that aang carried the guilt he felt for the death of his people to his death, and devoted all his time to his only airbending son because he felt it was the only way he could pay back for what happened.

[hella1975]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT IF TOVAH KNEW FINDING URSA WOULD STIR UP SHIT WOULD SHE GO ROUND HER UP??????? AANANGKEMRMWKRNW

LMAO can you imagine if tovah's only motivation was 'this'll be funny'. like tovah could go get ursa within five minutes she has the skillset all she needs is a motive

[ssreeder]

Hi, I know it's a stupid question but I was wondering how Zuko calls Sokka on his mind, I mean Sokka use (his fire bender ) but what about Zuko?

I don’t think it’s a stupid question!!

Honestly… I doubt Zuko has the same mindset Sokka does, but I’m sure he thinks about his Water Tribe boy frequently.

But Zuko’s brain is more insecure & probably views himself as undeserving of Sokka’s love and affection.

So when Sokka is smiling at him & thinking “my fire bender”

Zuko is likely unraveling -

why is he staring at me like that?

Did I say something weird?

Fuck, what was the last thing I said?

Fuck I bet it was really stupid.

Why does he like me?

He said he likes me… but why?

Fuck he is still staring at me… I should say something. But something… idk nice?

Zuko: *glares at Sokka*

“what?”

[eggs-love-loki]

The tales of Ba Sing Se is the definition of emotional whiplash every single time

[zukos-tiny-burnt-ear]

New zuko pants! I am almost done getting ready for the con, there's just a couple accessories that i need to make

[help-i-need-a-cool-username]

antisocial rival character thats somehow a chick magnet at parties gag IS OUT antisocial rival character who's primary friend group is made up of girls who could shred you to pieces with just one sentence IS IN

[chiptrillino]

A nice version of Zhao, you say?

we fever dreamed that part... absolutley not an option in any universe!

[peony-pearl]

I’ve loved this song for a long time; the instrumental is one of my favorite pieces of music. It totally gives me healing Fire Fam vibes

[thatonedudeinthecorner]

Sokka, trying to be more friendly to Zuko after becoming Aang’s firebending teacher: relax, guy, I like gay men

Zuko, sweating profusely: that’s nice but…I’m not gay

Sokka, who has been daydreaming about kissing him, KNOWING his fantasies were based off of some fact: [squinting] I don’t believe that

[outpastthemoat]

I cannot get over what a people-pleaser zuko is at heart.  that boy did NOT want to go on that date with jin!!  he ONLY went on that date because iroh wanted him to go and zuko wanted to make his uncle happy!!

listen to me.  EVERYTHING about that date was zuko trying to make iroh happy.  zuko went on the date (he did not want to go on the date).  zuko wore the fancy earth kingdom clothes that he CLEARLY did not feel comfortable in and had not picked out for himself (he did not want to wear the fancy earth kingdom clothes).  zuko allowed iroh to style his hair WITH HAIR GEL (he did not like the hair gel) and sat still for TEN WHOLE MINUTES until iroh was satisfied with his look (he did not want to sit still). 

and he went on the date (he did not want to go on the date). zuko ate the noodles (he did not like the noodles) and tried his hardest to make small talk (he did not want to make small talk).  and then.  during the course of the date that wasn't his idea and that he didn’t want to go on.   zuko firebends lights up the lanterns at the fountain, just to make jin smile, because she was sad and he couldn’t stand to see her unhappy.

and then he came home and told iroh the date was nice (it was not nice).  because he knew that saying so would please iroh (he wants to make iroh happy.)

zuko wants to be a good boy SO BADLY!! and that’s what makes his attempts to please ozai so tragic.  he can never make his father happy; zuko is destined to always fall short for the simple reason that there is nothing zuko can do that will ever please ozai.  

and meanwhile, iroh is so ready to be thrilled and appreciative of every tiny little half-hearted step zuko makes in his direction, but what iroh really wants is for zuko to find a happiness that's his own choice, not just whatever he thinks will make iroh happy with him.

and zuko just doesn't get it; he's so often frustrated because he can't figure out what iroh wants from him. so instead he steals pastries and golden tea pots and he eats the congee with a smile and sweeps the floors and serves the tea and goes on the date and does whatever he thinks iroh will approve of, in order to earn iroh's affection (he's never had to earn it) (he's never understood that).

[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

[empyrangel]

How are people really acting like the general consensus is that the Netflix atla series is decent or even good??

Zuko’s backstory and desire for familial love is brought in way too early so he doesn’t have time to actually be a ruthless and cruel villain. Y’know, the thing that’s essential to his killer redemption arc? Because god forbid characters be unlikable.

One of Sokka’s main flaws was completely removed because god forbid characters be unlikable. And he’s not funny!

Katara is watered down to being just a little girl, her mature and nurturing side is gone. Her anger at injustice is also gone because god forbid characters have flaws.

Aang doesn’t act like a kid. He doesn’t try to run from his responsibilities while simultaneously feeling guilty about running from his responsibilities. Because god forbid characters have flaws.

You know, I’m seeing pattern.

“Yeah all the characters are completely different from how they are in the original, and the acting is flat, and the writing is shit, and the world feels dead, and the pacing is terrible because they insist on smashing like 4 important episodes together at the same time, and some of the best moments were completely cut out, and those that were adapted got butchered, and Aang doesn’t really even learn waterbending during the water season, but it’s still pretty good. I mean the cgi looks nice and it’s not the Shyamalan movie.”

Oh wow they say his name right five out of five stars 🙄. Cmon are our standards really this low?