#atla:zuko's scar

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

kintsug (Series)

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: discordiansamba, @discordiansamba​

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Strong Language, Violence, Child Abuse

Word Count:  95,014

Characters: Zuko, Toph Beifong, Lao Beifong, Poppy Beifong, Yu, Mai, Ty Lee, Iroh, Ozai, Azula, Xin Fu, Original Characters

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, toph didn't get her field trip so she gets to hog zuko for three whole years, Ozai Being a Terrible Parent

au in which a banished for good zuko ends up being hired by the beifongs to watch over their daughter- or, zuko and toph never took that field trip in canon so now she gets to hog him for three whole years.

kintsugi

After his ill-fated Agni Kai, Zuko is cast out of the Fire Nation without even so much as a hope of returning. Dumped on Earth Kingdom shores, he's forced to come to terms with the fact that his father likely wants him dead- and that maybe the Fire Nation was never that great to begin with.

That's the painful part.

The weird part? The weird part is breaking into a nobleman's manor in order to steal food, getting caught and then being hired to protect (babysit) said nobleman's blind daughter. Then again... maybe it's exactly what he needs right now.

(or, toph never got her field trip so now she gets to hog zuko for three whole years)

of earth and fire

In which Zuko's first few days in the Beifong household are interesting to everyone involved, but none more so than to Zuko himself.

(or, zuko learns to adjust and learns toph's just as big a liar as he is)

those left behind

Iroh returns to the Fire Nation to unpleasant rumors, and makes a decision.

in which lying and acting are the same thing really

Zuko's never been a liar. That's always been Azula's thing. But now that he's living in enemy territory, he literally has no choice- and the guilt is starting to get to him.

Toph's never had a choice when it comes to acting- she has to, because the girl her parents think she is doesn't exist. She doesn't feel guilty about it at all, not really.

(or, sometimes a liar and an actor are exactly what the other needs)

two kids in an underground fight pit

What happens in the underground fight pit, doesn't always necessarily stay in the underground fight pit.

(in which Zuko and Toph spar with each other, go watch a Rumble, have their first fight, and figure out friendship on the way.)

two birthdays in the earth kingdom

Toph marks her first birthday since Li came into her life, which to her, is a gift enough already.

Zuko marks his first birthday since his exile with the fevered realization that maybe family has found him.

(or, toph and zuko grow a year older and maybe just a little wiser)

earth rumble five

It's time for Earth Rumble Five, and Toph Beifong has one mission- to prove that she really is the greatest earthbender in the world.

Zuko's just along for the ride.

turtleduck

While shopping in the market, Zuko spots something unexpected.

two kids loose in ba sing se (what will they do)

Before, Lao Beifong would have never considered bringing Toph with him to Ba Sing Se. It just wasn't safe.

It turned out your daughter having her own personal bodyguard changed things.

(or, long feng gets a headache)

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

Culture Shock (Series)

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: constellayetion

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Suicide, Self-Harm, Violence, Child Abuse

Word Count:  34.337

Characters: Zuko, Sokka, Aang, Toph Beifong, Katara

Tags: iroh is mentioned in flashbacks, Culture exploration, Cultural norms, Light Angst, mentions of suicidal ideation, Mentions of self-harm, which is accidental and one-time but still, Child Abuse, Ozai's A+ Parenting, The Fire Nation's A+ Training Regiment, Slight Canon Divergence, set between The Firebending Masters and The Boiling Rock Part 1, Apologies, meant as a way of bringing about justice/sacrifice, as a cultural norm, Hurt/Comfort, Scars, Zuko's Scar, Sokka Hurt/Comfort, zuko comforting sokka bc he deserves it

Fire Nation Training

The Fire Nation has some weird cultural norms. When Zuko gets added to the group, they find a fun role for him to play. Fire Nation Fact Checker!

(Basically meaning, I wanted to explore the conversations the gaang would have about their separate societies, traditions, and worldviews)

Chapter One: The Gaang wonders, what does a Training Accident even mean? And why do so many Fire Nation recruits seem to have the mark of one?

Chapter Two: Sokka worries about what training methods Zuko will use with Aang and finding out the Fire Nation's way of 'training' the previous night. He didn't realize what kind of training Zuko was referring to though, and actual discipline is very different than he thought.

Chapter Three: Zuko reflects on what Aang said. Control...versus intent... How does one even not have ill intent?

Chapter Four: Zuko teaches Aang the new trick he learned: How to NOT burn things.

Chapter Five: Sokka sees Zuko practicing his new skill. He does not react...well.

Retribution & Reparations

Continuation of Fire Nation Training, looking at how to...fix something works in the nations. Chapter One: All Zuko wanted to do was apologize… however… the ways everyone does it is...a little different from how he was taught. Chapter Two: Toph & Sokka take Zuko hunting. When injuries happen there’s some disagreement over whether or not that’s suppose to happen. Chapter Three: Toph tries to fix things, Sokka tries to fix things, scars just make everything worse. But, maybe that's just for Sokka. Chapter Four: Post Boiling Rock: Sokka knows that Zuko's upset. He just doesn't know how to fix it and that's worse than anything else. He just...needs him to be okay. He just needs everyone to be okay.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

These Tides Do Turn

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Authors: FireLily_z

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Alcohol, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Torture, Violence

Word Count:  233,163

Pairings: Zutara, Sukka

Characters: Katara, Zuko, Sokka, Suki, Aang, Toph Beifong

Tags: Episode: s03e16 The Southern Raiders, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Ember Island, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst. Romance, Drama, Slow Burn, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Imprisonment, beatings, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, One-Sided Aang/Katara, Non-Explicit Consensual Sex, Alcohol, Epic Friendships, Denial of Feelings, Toph Beifong and Zuko are Siblings, Big Brother Sokka, POV Multiple, Blood and Violence, Mutual Pining, Loss of Bending Ability,  Aged-Up Character(s), Fluff

Katara and Zuko's mission on board The Southern Raiders goes badly wrong, and they are captured and imprisoned in the unforgiving hull of the ship.

Katara now finds herself locked in a small room with a boy that she refuses to trust, and nine years worth of trauma and guilt swimming in her mind. She is resolute in her hostility towards Zuko, but as the horrors of their captivity unfold, an undeniable bond is formed in the quiet moments between their captor's torments.

When they find themselves safely back with their friends on Ember Island, they are both sporting deep scars – old and new, seen and unseen. Katara struggles to reconcile all the pieces of herself and figure out who she truly is. And Zuko continues to battle with his past guilt, and the new guilt that arises from his growing feelings towards Katara.

As their bond deepens – it may be the lifeline they both so desperately need to pull them from the dark waters of their past.

-Or-

Canon-divergence from Book 3 Ep 16 The Southern Raiders. Eventual Zutara. Trigger warnings placed at the beginning of each chapter.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

Just An Act

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author:  LongingForRain

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Mentions of Child Abuse

Word Count: 5,507

Pairings: Zutara

Characters: Katara, Zuko, Aang, Sokka, Toph Beifong, Headmaster

Tags: Episode: s03e02 The Headband, Alternate Universe, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Silly, Jealousy, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, (comes with the territory when writing Zuko), Mutual Pining

Aang is in trouble in Fire Nation school and needs some fake parents...who could pull it off?

An alternate universe in which "The Headband" takes place after Zuko joins the group.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

“how long can i be a wall, keep the wind off?” Series

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: flustraaa

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Suicidal Thoughts, Violence

Word Count: 16,802

Pairings: Sukka

Characters: Zuko. Katara, Sokka, Ty Lee, Toph Beifong, Suki, Iroh, Fire Nation Citizen(s), Aang, The Gaang, The Blue Spirit

Tags: but off-brand, (v briefly for sokka and katara), Kyoshi Warriors, Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck, Hurt Zuko, Zuko is Bad at Feelings, Zuko whump, Tired Zuko, Sokka is a Good Friend, Zuko Needs a Hug, Zuko Needs Therapy, Assassination Attempt(s), Suicidal Thoughts, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Hurt/Comfort, angsty boi, Character Study, Introspection, no beta we die like jet, Zuko-centric, Zuko's Scar,  Protective Zuko, Zuko is a good fire lord, hes tryin his best guys, zuko is tried, Zuko Needs a Nap, and therapy probably, zukka if you squint, The Fire Nation Loves Zuko, Fire Nation, zuko is not scary, at all, he is small and doing his best, protecc him, also let zuko say fuck it’s what he deserves, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, 41st Division, Zuko is an Idiot

they stuck me together with glue (and then i knew what to do).

the fire lord— a position that harboured the implication of death and destruction freshly in the minds of the world. the title that harboured pain and suffering— and the burning of a child. the staff always feared him. but now, they’re wondering if this kid is truly as scary as he is powerful. spoiler: he’s not so scary after all. (or, zuko is a good leader and could definitely get mad hoes if he wanted to)

(that means it’s noon) that means we’re inconsolable.

he doesn’t know how to say the words that stick to his tongue— the pain is like a poem without flow— like an epic without meter. it’s a wound that won’t clot, and it’s something so much greater. the words that stick used to feel like a trap, but something about it seems freeing now— a little secret that he’ll take to his grave. because he knows that in the end, not matter what, it’s the one thing he’s sure to reach. (or, zuko isn’t okay— and he doesn’t know how to reach out).

what is it that flings these innocent souls at us? (look, they are so exhausted).

he’s staring at his hands like he wants them to burn, like he and his hands are the cause of every atrocity to ever take root in this world. he stares at himself the same way in the mirror, she thinks. but as his eyes flicker to the assassin slain on the ground, she realises his tears are not for his wounds— they are for the man he has just taken a life from. she realises, he has never had this type of blood on his hands before. (or, zuko learns how to ask for help, one word at a time).

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

A Hundred Golden Suns

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: orphan_account

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Child Abuse, Strong Language, Violence

Word Count: 70,072

Characters: Zuko, Iroh, Hakoda, Katara, Sokka, Ozai, Bato, Aang, Toph Beifong, Agni, Azula

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Pre-Canon, Hakoda adopts zuko, thats it thats the fic, Ozai Being a Terrible Parent, Ozai is an Asshole, Hakoda is a Good Parent, Zuko is raised in the Southern Water Tribe, ozai kills zuko and agni says try me again motherfucker, Canonical Child Abuse, Iroh: I may have committed some light treason

Zuko does not survive that first fateful Agni Kai.

But no matter how much Ozai strives to pretend otherwise, the Old Gods are not dead.

And the Old Gods are angry.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

Mountains and Badgermole Hills

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: Glass_Onion

Rating: General

Warnings: Torture, Violence

Word Count: 142,042

Characters: Zuko, Sokka, Katara, Aang, The Gaang

Tags: Friendship, Secret Identity, Hurt/Comfort, Enemies to Friends, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Fluff and Angst, Beautiful Escape Plans, Stupid Escape Plans, Bad Puns, Good Intentions, Force Fed Friendship, Zuko Joins The Gaang Early, The Gaang Learns How Zuko Got The Scar

After the Blue Spirit frees the Avatar from the Pohuai Stronghold, Admiral Zhao captures Prince Zuko under suspicion of treason. Isolated from his Uncle and his crew, Zuko has only one ally: the chatty prisoner one cell over.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

shu 

Two Drama Queens Loose on a Shirshu (Series)

Fandom: Aavatar the Last Airbender

Author: mindbending, 

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Child Abuse, Major Injury, Graphic Descriptions of Violence, Alcohol Use, Violence towards Animals

Word Count:  42,822

Characters: Zuko, June, Nyla, Original Characters, Iroh, Chit Sang, Combustion Man, Toph Beifong

Tags: Mental Health Issues, Zuko's Scar, Trauma, medical treatment, Hurt Zuko, Alcohol, Past Child Abuse, Hurt/Comfort, but june's doing the comforting, so it involves theft, and fistfights, and impersonation, june adopts zuko au, Podfic Available, Injury Recovery, Humor, Angst, now featuring arm wrestling, some light poison, and taxes, Animal POV, shirshu paws as security blankets, also?this fic is the angstiest one so far, there’s a full-blown tragedy going on in the background, though nyla wouldn’t know, nyla just wanted a snack, also, light references to humans being tasty, also!, there’s an honor jar, like a swear jar but for honor, Angst and Humor, Firebending & Firebenders, zuko: STOP TELLING PEOPLE I'M DEAD, azula: sometimes I can still hear his voice..., light references to underage drinking in that zuko shouldn't try it, he's bad enough sober, also featuring baby’s first attempt at makeup, emphasis on “attempt”, Libraries, saving the world one scroll at a time, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Presents, Cultural Differences, not pictured: zuko buys himself a thesaurus, Bounty Hunters, Secret Identity, Makeup, Detectives, Violence Towards Animals, violence towards nyla's poor nostrils, can you spot the memes, Circus, Animal Abuse, Excessive Drinking, june and kyoshi have the same voice actor and i think that’s cool

June (plus Nyla) adopts Zuko AU.

Like a Baby Shirshu

Despite the fever and the barely-healed burn scar, the boy’s fast. June avoids his blade, but still he jams his limbs into her, desperate to scratch and kick and bite off her hand…

(Just like a baby shirshu, spitting poison from behind the bars of its cage. The comparison shouldn't be so endearing.)

Or: the AU where Zuko flees the palace after his Agni Kai, running right into Nyla and June.

Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

“So,” the nurse says with a murderous smile, “you obtained a recently traumatized twelve-year-old child.”

“He really might be older than that,” mutters June.

“Then you gave him a long lecture on how the world’s full of dangerous opponents who might commit violence against him at any time.”

“That’s nothing he didn’t know already...”

“And then, to initiate combat practice, you tossed a knife at his face.”

“I said ‘catch!’”

Okay, so maybe someone should’ve stopped June from adopting a kid.

The Shirshu Adoption Process

Humans are a marvel. They come in a million different flavors.

(A shirshu’s viewpoint on adopting a firebender.)

The Firebending Masters

“So,” June observes casually, “you just waltzed in tonight and declared yourself king.”

Turns out Kuzon isn't a half-bad dictator.

Library Drama

Chit Sang didn’t lie to June, when he said he’d angered the Fire Lord simply by misfiling a library scroll. But under the neat words, there’s more to the story. There always is.

3 Times Zuko Gets a Gift (+1 Time He Gets One)

Kuzon doesn’t like his present.

June’s never giving anyone anything ever again.

She pulls herself off that cliff to inspect his expression more carefully. He doesn’t dislike it, necessarily; he’s just staring at it like it’s terrifying beyond his comprehension.

(Which is the reaction it should inspire in strangers, sure, but not in him.)

Dead Hawk: Do Not Eat

Kuzon's first hunt will be a safe, sensible affair. Really.

The Biggest Payday

When the Beifongs’ young, fragile daughter is kidnapped, it’s up to June and Zuko to stage a dramatic rescue.

Panda Dragons

June has good luck with strays.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

What We’re Given (Series)

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: Haicrescendo, @sword-and-stars​

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Violence, Strong Language, Child Abuse, Major Injury, Imprisonment

Word Count:  39,995

Characters: Zuko, Iroh, Sokka, Aang, Katara, Zuko's Crew, Zhao, Song, Toph Beifong, Azula

Tags: Team Avatar, The Gaang, tiny zuko is in TERRIBLE PAIN, acting as a one man representative of the endangered species act, what’s a little rebellion between friends?, iroh just wants to protect his kid okay, there are wild sky bison and they are PRECIOUS, zuko will just straight up try to murder anybody who tries to mess with them, rebellion kickstarted by genocidal horror, rejection of papa-ganda, Ozai is a terrible father, honestly possibly the WORST father, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, things are similar but also very different, War Crimes, hand waving canon, zuko is tiny and full of SADNESS, and so much self loathing, what is self esteem?, we don’t know, uncle thought he’d have longer to work before we got to full treason but here we are, casually beautiful zuko, oops it’s definitely child abuse, zuko is Not Fucking Around, appa is consistently dirty and zuko is salty as hell about it, HOW COULD YOU LET HIM GET LIKE THIS???a rage-filled manifesto as written by zuko, real talk tho appa is like the dirty harriet of sky bison, the crew is ride or die, abide by the rules of hospitality or perish, oops the author can’t help adding fiber arts to everything, zuko is bigger and SO IS HIS PAIN, so is his voice, uncle takes looking after his kid SUPER SERIOUSLY, childhood nightmare fuel, zuko can never remember that his alias is li, and consequently never answers to it, its a beautiful day on the jasmine dragon and you are a horrible son, uncle just wants his precious child to MAKE SOME GODDAMN FRIENDS, hand waving canon because fuck it, zuko has no chill, and is fully prepared to throw hands, baby zuko is full of angst, and very loud noise, mentions of abuse by authority figures, like this fucking kid has literally had his education sabotaged, and he doesn’t realize that that shit is Not Acceptable, zuko doesn’t realize that uncle has handpicked his crew for sass and loyalty, he’ll understand one day but that day is not today, inescapable fiber arts, zuko stress felts EVERYTHING, And Worries, second thoughts on treason but no regrets, zuko’s crew has Feelings, their commander is a casually endearing little monster and they will fight you over him, zuko is everyone who’s ever had to be polite to dickheads in a service job, he doesn’t get paid enough to put up with this bullshit, zhao is a fuckhead, showing love through endless complaining, not much happens but it’s still important, local uncle surprised to find kid needs more therapy than expected, Zuko is trying his best, his best is a little special, bison lite, sorry y’all, Discussions of Past Abuse, zuko is trying really really hard to be good at existence, he’s just not sure it’s working, reasons to not do crime: zuko will definitely steal your ostrich horse, Zuko is doing his best, coincidentally min is also doing his best, they’re handling it very differently, zukoichi the traveling masseuse, even lost I’ll throw hands, this is a fuckboy psa, as written by zuko, song gives Zuko the business, not the sexy business, the ‘hey you’re being pretty judgey and should probably stop that’ business, Canon has been taken out back and shot, the ba sing shitshow, like seriously this shit is a mess, and Zuko is a mess, be gay do crimes, but only if your names are toph and zuko, we loot because we love, if you didn’t wanna be robbed you shouldn’t have been a dick, nothing like vibing instantly with a child-sized lie detector, thank agni for toph, roof crawling for dummies, field trip to the sewer!, just a little casual attempted fratricide between friends, zuko’s sudden realization that he is a massive tea snob, how the fuck did this happen?, aang and his clue-by-four, Zuko’s no good very bad field trip to the fire nation, Ozai’s A+ Parenting, we stan one (1) uncle, Zuko may not know what’s happening but he’s definitely gonna go murder his dad, hallucinations are gr8or they would be if Zuko was actually hallucinating, the entire shits, how that is the eclipse, Zuko is having a Really Bad Day, the crew of the jasmine dragon is ride or die, in which zuko hurts everyone’s feelings just by being himself, the comfort that comes after the hurt, soft death by sky bison, descriptions of trauma, zuko’s crew is ride or die, feelings? in MY fanfic?, this is soft garbage, rip to the western air temple but I’m different, tags are hard today okay?, Unintentional Self Harm

Started out as a “What would happen if Zuko happened to rediscover sky bison while searching for the Avatar?” and turned into something more than that.

This is a series of one-shots. Please subscribe to the series for updates! <3

To Take Care

Zuko finds them at the Western Air Temple, the first that they visit after his banishment. He doesn’t mean to, and he sure as hell doesn’t go looking for them, but he finds them anyway. He bolts out of the temple, past his uncle, past their camp, and runs until he reaches a forested meadow, where he drops to his knees and throws up everything he’d eaten that day.

Or, alternately:

Zuko discovers the truth about what happened to the Air Nomads, and also rediscovers an endangered species.

To Take Pride

It’s a beautiful day on the Jasmine Dragon, the sun is shining, and Zuko has a Bad Feeling about it.

Or,

Zuko’s casual treason is interrupted by the Avatar, who is a child and a Pain In The Ass.

To Take A Break

Zuko’s fire is broken: is it the treason or is it the anxiety? Uncle takes steps to rectify this.

Or,

The Knitterlude nobody asked for

To Take Heed

[“Snap your fingers at me one more time, and I’m taking them off,” Zuko snarls at him after being snapped at once too often. Zhao rubs a hand over his sideburns and eyes him.

“Your uncle hasn’t taught you manners yet?”

“Sorry,” he replies, not sorry at all, “Snap your fingers at me one more time and I’m taking them off, Admiral.” He sees Uncle’s warning stare and shuffles a pace backwards. He hates Zhao and Zhao hates him, and they both hate the stupid game they have to play of feigned politeness when really, they each want the other to drop dead where they stand.]

Or,

Zuko is tired of Zhao’s nonsense, an important talk about surrender is a long time coming, and the Siege of the North is an absolute mess.

To Take Advantage

[Zuko doesn’t tell Uncle goodbye.

He doesn’t think that he would try and stop him, but Zuko thinks that if he has to talk about it, he’ll manage to talk himself out of it. Better to go now before he can change his mind.

Zuko packs light: a change of clothes, some nonperishables, and a few knives go into a wax-lined satchel. He’s about to leave the room when he stops to eye the swords mounted on his wall, and, well.

It’s not like he can go around firebending all over the place, he reasons, and straps them to his back.]

Or,

Zuko’s super fun, solo adventure in the Earth Kingdom.

To Take Cover

[“So,” she says, “The question is: what do we need from each other?”

“I need to warn the Avatar. Someone’s coming for him and he needs to get out of this city.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” Toph replies with the frustration of somebody who’s tried really spirits-damned hard, “Not til he finds Appa.”

“Then I have to find the bison, and then get the Aang out of here. He’s not...he’s not prepared,” And Zuko can’t hold back the note of tightly controlled hysteria from his voice, “She’s going to come for him and he’s going to underestimate her, and she’s going to let him.”]

Or,

In which Zuko goes to a family reunion, commits some casual felonies, and drinks some really bad tea, not necessarily in that order.

To Take Heart

[Iroh looks awful.

He’s definitely been crying and his face looks like it’s never known how to smile, and his whole posture is slumped over like he’s suddenly aged several decades. His eyes (gold, just like Zuko’s) are sharp, though, and filled with something hard and furious.

“How could you have left him behind?” He drags out, voice rough and heavy and mad.]

Or,

What happens afterwards.

To Take Comfort

[Zuko is rocking.

That’s the first sensation he feels upon awakening. It’s a familiar feeling, as is the texture of the knit blanket he’s curled up in, as is the quiet but constant hum of machinery, deep in the belly of the Jasmine Dragon.

...wait.

Zuko bolts upright and flails, once, and falls out of bed with a hard clatter. It’s his bed that he’s been sleeping in for years, and definitely not the cell that he’s been rotting in for the last...he doesn’t know how long. He doesn’t know how he got here. He doesn’t remember.]

Or,

Zuko is not okay. But he can get better.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

is there a way back home? Series

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: dont-leaf-me-alone

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Violence, Major Injury, Child Abuse, Alcohol Use, Underage, Character Death, Strong Language

Word Count: 315, 336

Pairings: Maiko, JetLee

Characters: Hakoda, Zuko, Bato, Hakoda's Crew, Original Characters, Original Female Character(s), Iroh,  Zuko's Crew,  Jee, Jin, Hakoda's Crew, Azula, Jet, Ursa, Kiyi, Water Tribe Characters, Mai, Ty Lee, Smellerbee, Longshot, The Duke, Southern Water Tribe Characters, Ozai, June, Nyla, Jeong Jeong

Tags: Parental Hakoda, Original Characters aren't mine, credit to Muffinlance for them, Zuko's Scar,  Hakoda is a Good Parent, Southern Water Tribe, I Wrote This Instead of Sleeping, Hurt Zuko, When I say 'Zuko's Scar' it's a lot more like 'Zuko's fresh burn wound', Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Boats and Ships, Angst, Iroh is a Good Uncle, Blood and Injury, Ozai Being a Terrible Parent, Ozai is an Asshole, Ozai Can Kiss My Ass, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Jin shall be included, because I love her, Earthbender Jin, Hakoda's Perpetual Headache, Earthbending & Earthbenders, Firebending & Firebenders, I decided geese and goats weren't insufferable enough as separate animals, so you get them in one unholy fusion!, Unreliable Narrator(s), Zuko Needs a Hug, Protective Azula, God I hate Ozai with a burning passion, Goose-goat hybrid, Zuko's Angst Coma™, Past Child Abuse, Injury, Credit to Muffinlance for the Akhlut and crew, Air Nomad Genocide. Underage Drinking, Drinking, teenagers being dumb, Fluff and Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Unreliable Narrator, Zhao Is An Asshole, Zuko's luck is the actual worst, Fun fact! This fic is a self-indulgent Mess™, also Jet is here for a bit so that's fun, those two tags may be related, can't believe i forgot that tag, Jet Redemption, (Sort of? He hasn't actually done anything bad yet, so. Is it really redemption?), Hakoda Adopts Zuko, Iroh Adopts Zuko, They Can Coexist, Jet Lives, Jet Is An Asshole, Zuko Is ALSO An Asshole, they are assholes to each other, which is the foundation of their friendship, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Self-Indulgent Mess Part III, Credit to MuffinLance for the Water Tribe OCs & Zuko's crew, Goose-goat hybrid returns, Zuko Gets a Hug, Kustaa (MuffinLance) is ALSO a Good Uncle, Azula Redemption, eventually, Jet Lives, Goose-goat returns!, Inspired by Salvage - MuffinLance, Ozai Being an Asshole, (Because Ozai), Slow burn friendship, Who let me write this mess?, I'd like to speak with a manager, Zuko is a Good Brother, Jet & Jin are horrible influences, and WILL corrupt Kiyi, Found Family, so much found family, Questionable parenting choices, questionable life choices, Minor Character Death, Significant death but insignificant character, Jet Is NOT An Asshole, Protective Zuko, Ursa is a Parent, not necessarily good or bad, ALL THE FOUND FAMILY, Ba Sing Se, Some Plot, look i'm not great with plot, you know that by now, Badass Mai, Goose-goat is back again! And here to stay, This is just a character salad, and I'm the chef tossing it in a vinaigrette of chaos, Minor Mai/Zuko, Whoo boy we just keep filling out this cast of characters huh, Team as Family, Ursa is still A Parent, Protective Jet, Azula Recovery, because redemption is kind of not the right word in this case, Azula Needs a Hug, will she LET anyone hug her? Probably not, Minor Mai/Zuko, just a smidge for flavor, no waterbenders YET, Friendship, Enemies to Friends, Goose-goat WILL BE IN THIS ONE, The Dai Li, Long Feng Being an Asshole, Bad Parent Ozai, Minor Jet/Ty Lee, just kinda sprinkled in there for some zazz, we just keep coming back to that

you’ll find that i’m unshakeable

A thirteen-year-old Fire Nation Prince winds up on a ship with the Chief of a minor village in the Southern Water Tribe.

Chaos ensues.

like a comet pulled from orbit

A Water Tribe ship's small crew must come to terms with the fact that their prisoner isn't a prisoner anymore, and the Fire Prince must come to terms with the fact he's neither a prisoner nor a Prince anymore.

Sequel and direct continuation of 'you'll find that i'm unshakeable'.

who knows where this road may go?

Zuko has been reunited with Uncle. Hakoda is on his way to find Zuko and his captured crewmembers. Jet is a walking crisis. What could go wrong?

Sequel and direct continuation of 'like a comet pulled from orbit'.

i am brave, i am bruised

One of these days, Hakoda's going to have to put a stop to this whole 'hitching a ride on his ship' business. For now, he's learning to co-parent with a former Fire Nation royal. How did his life come to this point?

Sequel and direct continuation of 'who knows where this road may go?'

the sun will rise

After a catastrophic Fire Nation family reunion, the crew — plus three more Fire Nation ex-nobles — are bound for Ba Sing Se. Hopefully, they can all hold their sanity together until then.

Sequel and direct continuation of 'i am brave, i am bruised'.

show the way the world can be

With Ari reunited with his brother, Jet reunited with his Freedom Fighters, and the whole crew soon to be reunited with the Akhlut, they're finally Ba-Sing-Se-bound, for real this time. It's sure to be smooth sailing from here! Right?

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

Honor Among Thieves

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: cassiopeia721

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Child Abuse, Violence, Major Injury, Self Harm

Word Count: 47,145

Characters: Zuko, Ozai, Iroh, Zuko's Crew, Jee, Original Characters, Piandao, Azula, Teo, The Mechanist, Sokka, Aang, Katara

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, For Want of a Nail, Fire Nation, Ozai Being a Terrible Parent, Ozai is an Asshole, Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck, Child Abuse, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Zuko's fun adventures with cognitive dissonance, Spirits, Spirit Shenanigans, Oblivious Zuko, characters added in order of appearance not in order of how much they feature, for instance, Ozai is second but he does not get the second most screentime, Self-Harm

Father keeps on telling Zuko that he's acting without honor, but a lot of the time he won't explain what exactly Zuko is doing wrong, and what he should do to be more honorable. So, Zuko decides to do some research and ask around about how he should behave honorably.

Or: the servants of the Fire Lord's palace develop a soft spot for Zuko, Zuko confuses everyone around him with his particular brand of shout-y, aggressive politeness, and somehow Zuko accidentally ends up leading a revolution.

edit: update on the status of this fic in the end notes

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

Another Brother

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: Avocado Love

Rating: General

Warnings: Violence, Child Abuse

Word Count: 312,685

Characters: Hakoda, Toph Beifong, Lu Ten, Zuko, Katara, Sokka, Iroh, Jet

Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Canon, What-If, For Want of a Nail, Family Feels, Sibling Bonding, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon Rewrite, Developing Relationship, Team as Family, Found Family, dadkota, Hakoda is a Good Parent, Parental Hakoda, Adopted Sibling Relationship, Protective Zuko, Water Tribe Zuko

It was a mission of revenge. There weren't supposed to be any survivors, but Chief Hakoda couldn't bring himself to kill the Fire Nation boy. Against his better judgment, he brought him home. A Zuko joins the Water Tribe story.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

Always Trust Sokka’s Instincts Series

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: Thisisentertaining

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Violence, Child Abuse, Imprisonment, Strong Language

Word Count:188,824

Characters: Sokka, Jet, Zuko, Smellerbee, Longshot, Pipsqueak, The Duke, Katara, Aang, Chey, Jeong Jeong, Gan Jin leader, Zhang Leader, Canyon Guide, The Gaang, Yue, Pakku, Arnook, Iroh, Zhao, Aunt Wu, Meng, The Fisherman, Zhao, Teo The Mechanist,  Bato, June, The Sun Warriors, Ran and Shaw, General Fong,  Song , OCs, Chong, Lily, Mai, Azula, Ty Lee, Tom-Tom, Mai's Parents, Bumi, Gansu, Sela, Sensu, Toph Beifong, Toph Beifong's Parents, Lee, Jet's freedom fighters

Tags: Jet is crazy, Sokka's instincts, Season 1 Ep 10, Hurt Zuko, Captivity, Non-Graphic Violence, No pairings, Angst, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Zuko and the Gaang bonding, Avatar: The Deserter, Fire Nation, Canon Divergence, Friendship, Bending, Fire Days Festival, Fire Flakes, The Great Divide, yeah that episode, Canyons, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck, Claustrophobia, Northern Water Tribe, Water Tribe(s), Fighting, Zuko does not like being locked up, Canon-Typical Violence, canon typical sexism, Badass Katara,  Just found that as a tag, That seems repetitve, Episode: s01e19-20 The Siege of the North, Pai Sho, the fortune tellerS1 Ep 14 The Fortune Teller, Sokka is dobtful, Zukos destiny, Basically a character, Ozai's A+ Parenting, Sokka and Zuko Friendship, Firebending  World, bending, Volcano, Avatar: S1 E12Avatar: The Storm, Boats and Ships, Backstory, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, The Blue Spirit, Atla: Season 1 Episode 13, Pohuai Stronghold, Yuyan archers, The Yuyan, Zuko doesn't know how to be good, but hes trying, the northern air temple, theatre nerd!zuko, Angry!Aang, Discussion of destoying relics, Destruction of the air temples, Hurt/Comfort, Bato of the Water Tribe, Daddy Issues, ice dodging, Pouting Aang, Discussions of dead parent, discussions of child abuse, The Avatar State, The Firebending Masters, yup, Two episodes in one,  Kinda, Dragons, Ozai's A+ Fire Lord-ing, Worldbuilding, Sun Warriors, Secret tunnel, season 2 episode 2The Cave of the Two Lovers, Zuko suffers as usual, White Jade Tea, ostrich-horses, Return to Omashu, Omashu, Discussion of contagious disease, Pentapox, The bumi box, Episode: s02e04 The Swamp, Episode: s02e07 Zuko Alone, Episode: s02e05 Avatar Day, Episode: s02e06 The Blind Bandit, The Swamp, Zuko kicks butt, Zuko Alone but he isnt alone, Episode: s02e08 The Chase, Pursuit, Slight Mai/Zuko, Girlfight, Tea, Blue Spirit, Sleep Deprivation, Arguing

Instinctual

Sokka's instincts had screamed at him ever since Jet showed his smarmy, smug, wheat chewing face, but without evidence he couldn't convince Katara and Aang to listen to him. Honestly, as time went on and he couldn't find anything to support his unease he started to doubt it himself.

Then Jet let him in on the Freedom Fighter's biggest secret.

Sokka should have known better than to ignore his instincts.

Divided Instincts

Part of the Instinctual Verse - Please read that first.

The last thing Zuko wants after years of being stuck in that cave is to see any more rocks. Unfortunately, he hadn't had luck since the day he's been born so here they were, staring at world's largest canyon.

Oh well, at least they're flying over it and he won't actually be surrounded by rock walls, right?

...right?

Instincts to Guide in the Storm

Maybe it's the possible impending doom.

Maybe it's the novelty of having someone to tell who might care.

Maybe it's just that kind of storm. The one that makes you want to curl up around a fire to tell stories, and he and Sokka aren't exempt from that even on a perilous ship.

Regardless of the reason, Zuko begins to tell the story that the Freedom Fighters never bothered to even ask about.

A Spirit’s Instincts

Aang should be the one taking care of a sick Katara and Sokka, not Zuko, but the airbender insisted that he be the one to find the medicine.

Now it's been hours, and Zuko is painfully aware that there is a Fire Nation Stronghold nearby that he hadn't been able to warn Aang about.

When the lights of Pohuai light up in victory, he knows without having to be told that Aang has been captured.

Now Zuko has a decision to make.

Could he allow his maybe-friend to be captured by the Fire Nation?

Or was he ready to be the traitor his father had branded him as.

A Fortune Teller’s Instincts

Zuko may be free from Jet, but he is struggling to earn the full trust of the Gaang.

More than that, he isn't sure what do do with his life now that he is no longer crown prince and is no longer facing a life in chains. He used to know his destiny, now he has no clue where his life should go.

Maybe the famous Aunt Wu will be able to help.

Bato’s Instincts

Katara still hates him.

Sokka is following some Water-Tribe-Father-Figure around with stars in his eyes.

Aang is pouting because his friends are paying more attention to the Water-Tribe-Father-Figure than him.

Oh, and there is a Water-Tribe-Father-Figure now. And Zuko has a wonderful track record with Fathers.

Overall, this is a /great/ time to be Zuko.

A Deserter’s Instincts

Part of the Instinctual Verse, please read that first.

It had been weeks since Sokka had freed Zuko from Jet's clutches, and Zuko... he still can't make a spark. He's spent every available moment in the sun, and while his chi is growing stronger, he can do no more than manipulate an existing flame. He's trying not to let on how... concerned he is, but since Sokka maintains that he's a 'terrible liar', he doesn't think it's particularly effective.

He knows that going to the Fire Days festival was probably a bad idea, after all there is a whole wall of wanted posters featuring them right outside the city wall. But honestly, if Zuko never made a bad decision, he'd never do anything, and he wants a taste of home so badly.

What's the worse that could happen?

The Instinct’s of the Airwalkers

Zuko wasn't sure what to think about the tales of modern day figures living and flying in the Northen Air Temple. His people are... thorough. He doesn't want to let Aang down, but he finds it hard to believe that anyone not stuck in an iceberg had escaped the eradication.

When he got to the temple, he hated being proven right. What's more, he hated seeing Earth Kingdom strangers destroying what little of Aang's heritage survived the attack of his people. But the day that the Fire Nation launches a second attack on this once idyllic temple, Zuko hates the most that he has to finally make a clear choice.

He'd thought he'd made this choice already, thought he'd made it several times over, but the question remains when he'd least like it to: Is he willing to fight against his Nation?

Cold Hard Instincts

Part of the Instinctual Verse, please read those first!

Zuko is glad that he had started getting his bending back before they hit the frigid North Pole, but it turns out that the Northern Water Tribe doesn't feel the same way.

They hadn't even gotten close to the city yet and he was half frozen in a block of ice, freezing and bound as his captors ignore Katara, Aang, and Sokka's protests. He really should have known something like this would happen, but as usual he'd underestimated his luck and now he had to come up with a way to convince the Northern Chief to allow a firebender to walk free in his village.

He HAD to, because he wasn't going to let himself become a prisoner. Not again.

The Instincts of the Sun Warriors

Zuko... may have been hasty, when he got on that raft instead of finding his friends and at least seeing if he needed to pull this disappearing act. It was day three of sitting of a raft in the middle of the ocean though, and a little too late for him to do anything about his regrets.

He had other stuff he could focus on, like perfecting the Dancing Dragon and trying to figure out why Uncle was steering them to the northern tip of the Fire Nation.

Meanwhile, the Gaang have left the North Pole and are on their way to pick up Bumi and round out the gaang, they just had to stop and talk to the General Fong guy first. This shouldn't lead to any complications, right?

The Instincts of Healers and Nomads

Zuko is, surprise surprise, on the run once again. At least this time he has Uncle, someone to watch his back and someone he can trust to know absolutely everything about his past, his identity.

Now he just has to find his friends before they do something stupid.

He isn't holding his breath.

Especially since apparently, Uncle is no better than him at identifying what plants are good to make tea out of, and which ones are poison.

Instincts in Omashu (not Bumi’s instincts)

Being on the run is bad enough, but at least they have an Ostrich Horse now. Unfortunately, that doesn't help them make money, and Zuko has to endure begging with Uncle on the streets and put up with jerks who swing swords at (seemingly) defenseless old men.

Or does he?

Meanwhile, the Gaang is braving a very different Omashu than they remember. Aang is faced with the realization that his last old friend had fallen to the Fire Nation, just like everyone else he had remembered. He does have new friends now though, and new promises. He told Zuko that he would remember that the Fire Nation soldiers were people too, and as much as he didn't want to, this was a good place to start.

Zuko’s Instincts

Zuko and the Gaang are separated.

Yes, Zuko knows that it's his fault. Now though, he is travelling with Uncle throughout the Earth Kingdom to find them, all while trying to avoid the sister hunting him down. The way is treacherous and littered with friends and enemies alike. The hot headed teen is faced time and time again with danger, both natural and born of his own making.

At least he isn't alone.

The Instincts of the Chased

Katara thought that Zuko was one of the most stubborn, heard headed people she'd ever meet.

Enter Toph Beifong.

Meanwhile Iroh is trying to figure out how to approach his nephew about his habit of running off alone, which would be easier to do if the younger firebender hadn't run off alone the instant he saw a bit of bison fur.

[awanderingmuse-ficrec]

To End a War (Series) 

Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

Author: ChickadeeChickadoo

Rating: General

Warnings: Brainwashing, Child Abuse

Word Count:  43,803

Characters: Zuko, Iroh, Zuko's Crew, Hakoda, Aang, Katara, Azula, Sokka, Suki, Pakku, Ozai, Toph Beifong, Ursa, Mai, Ty Lee, Long Feng, Kuei

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Everyone Needs Hugs, Some people get hugs, War sucks, Ozai Being a Terrible Parent, Azula being halfway decent, Iroh a Good Uncle, Iroh Loves Tea, Merchant Zuko, What's even going on, NO ONE KNOWS, it's fun though, Angst, Do the pirates come back?, probably, Does Azula hunt them?, of course, Does everyone need a hug?, yes, that's a thing, Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck, Who's them?, Long Feng is a horrible human, Azula gets some help, Zuko is really not the best at negotiations, Mostly he just wants to yell at people, Toph is amused, Da Li, They try to brainwash people, It would work better if Katara didn't keep healing them

To Protect

Zuko tried to protect the 41st division- he failed. He was banished. They died anyway. Now he has a crew. And he'll protect them if it kills him. Or the pirates chasing them.

To Betray

Zuko wasn't a traitor. Exactly. He was just going behind his father's back to end a war. That wasn't really treason. Probably.

Actually it was treason. Zuko wasn't exactly sure how much he cared about that.

To Compromise

Iroh has sent letter after letter to Ba Sing Se, looking to end the war permanently. They haven't responded... until now.

Zuko is an Ambassador.

Azula is a spy.

And Long Feng wonders... why rule one kingdom when you can have three?