#azula always lies? i don’t think so

[xkaidaxxxx]

Zuko x Reader

Mentions: Betrayal, Angst, Arguing, suicidal thoughts, Happy ending.

sorry for errors. 1am story.

reposts are appreciated.

“Zuko, she’s a traitor. She didn’t take our side.”, Azula said to her “darling” brother. She’s always manipulating and gaslighting him. “No, I’m not. Zuko, please. We were doing so well and living a good life us and your uncle. Please.” You said crying. Your heart was aching, hoping he wouldn’t believe Azula’s horrible lies and follow her path in life. You have loved  Zuko more than anything, since your childhood. “She went against us, and so did our uncle. I bet she’s even lying about being in love with you.” Azula said while rubbing his back. You knew all Zuko ever wanted was approval from his family to get his honor back. In proving he’s worthy of his family name. “ Zuko I am in love with you! Don’t listen to her.” You pleaded. You were practically on your knees at this point. “Azula is correct...I’m in love with you that’s what’s wrong…you betrayed us. You went against us and the fire nation.” Zuko said and then looked away. Your heart broke into a million pieces. You felt like time stopped. Tears ran down your cheeks. It felt like you couldn’t breathe, you felt pressure on your chest. “ You’re doing what’s right brother,” Azula reassured him and it brought you back to your senses. “You bitch! You’re lying to him! You don’t care about him! You’re using him! You’ve been hurting him since we were all children. Even now!” You yelled standing up,  suddenly feeling a burning sensation on your arm and neck. Azula burned you. Zuko wanted to run over to you, but Azula stopped him.

Once everyone was at the Fire Nation you and Iroh were locked up in separate gender prisons. Your wounds were treated there. There wasn’t a day you didn’t cry. All you want is to live happily with Zuko. Marry him and have kids, but you were currently in what probably felt like hell. You were devastated, disappointed, angry, heartbroken, betrayed,  yet you still love him. 

A month or so passed. You heard a guard walk in, “ You have a visitor.” he said to you. “Leave us alone,” Zuko ordered and the guard obeyed the Fire Nation’s prince. “I’m here. I’ve been thinking about you..us. I love you y/n.” he said with tears forming. “You don’t love me enough. If you did…I wouldn’t be here…alone..cold…treated horribly, wanting to die. I want to kill myself. I can't take it anymore. This prison is torture. You know what’s funny, is that you betrayed me and I’m still in love with you. I still want a bright future with you. I’m so stupid to even need or want that while I’m locked up.” You cried feeling like you were slowly losing yourself. You faced away from him. “I don’t want you here. I’ll speak to Azula…I promise I’ll get you out of here. I love you so much…hold on a bit longer.” he said wanting to hold you in his arms but those stupid bars were in the way. He left. Time passed since the first visit. Weeks maybe months, you couldn’t tell. Many thoughts ran through your mind. 

Did he move on? 

Is he dating Mai?

He left and didn’t take me with him?

Does he think I’m a waste of time?

He’s dead?

The truth was he was caught visiting you. He was being watched since then. He was finding a way to leave with you and Iroh. Somehow every time he’d come up with a plan there was always a dead end, however, he’s not giving up. 

He pulled out a scroll that had you drawn on it. He got ready to sleep opened the scroll and spoke. “ My love, Y/n whenever I close my eyes I always picture you there. Throughout my days I see you in people's faces. It’s driving me crazy but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I swear I’ll be coming back for you. I love you y/n, more than anything. Don’t worry…hold on longer please.” he closed his eyes crying himself to sleep. 

Suddenly a week later team Avatar showed up and caused a huge scene, while Azula and the Fire Nation’s soldiers were after them Zuko took it as an opportunity. He let you and Iroh free and an hour later team Avatar took pity on you. Next thing you know, you all were on Appa, flying away. “ Thank you. We appreciate it very much.” Zuko said pulling you close to him. They were shocked by Zuko. A. Zuko is in love. B. Being kind. C. Thankful. 

“No problem,” Aang said with a smile. Everyone else nodded. “ I love you. I’m sorry,” he spoke looking down at you. You nodded forgiving him, cuddling up to him. 

As nightfall came Appa landed. The camp was set. You went down by the lake to wash up. Zuko followed you. “ I’ll keep watch just in case.” you rolled your eyes. You undressed carefully walking into the lake. The water was cold but soothing. You made sure you were completely clean. Head to toe. Zuko turned to watch you for some reason you didn’t mind. “Hey may I join you?” he asks with a blush on his cheeks. You decided it was time to get intimate physically with him. “Y-Yes. I’d like that,” you replied nervously. A few minutes you found out you had nothing to be nervous about. He washed up as well. “I’m glad we’re together once again. This time I know it’s forever even though the war is still going on,” he spoke moving closer towards you. You felt his hand on your waist. “I’m in love with you y/n.” you smiled and hugged him tightly, “I know, I’m in love with you too Zuko.” Suddenly your lips touched his. Your tongues roamed each other's mouths until you guys had to catch your breaths. He placed pecks on your neck and also left hickeys behind. You moaned in the process. Once you guys finished you got back into your clothes. You guys walked into the cave you were all resting in, Zuko grabbed the blanket he had brought along, and spread it on the ground. “Is..Zuko..can we sleep together?” you asked. You only dared to ask him because you got privacy from the others. “Yes. I’d like that,” he replied. You held onto reach other warming up. After a while, his hands began to roam your body. You didn’t mind it at all. If anything it made you feel closer to him. You snuggled closer. “ I’m never letting go of you my love,” he whispered. Your hearts burned with so much love.

please like, comment and reblog.

Hope you liked the story. I will be posting more.

much love, Kaida

[fuckyouozai]

now the LAST thing i want to say. is the idea that jet or hama are portrayed as like, “as bad as” or more deserving of punishment or more irredeemably evil than iroh, who as we know is a war criminal, because they fought back against the fire nation. i am not sure that’s the case!

a lot of ppl misremember the jet episode as jet planning to wipe out a fire nation town. twas not a fire nation town! it was an earth kingdom village full of earth kingdom people that was occupied by fire nation soldiers. there ain’t nothing wrong with killing fire nation soldiers LOL but katara & the gang were protecting the earth kingdom people when they prevented jet from blowing up that dam. so jet being “evil” is not based upon him wanting to kill fire nation folks first of all

second of all, even before he gets brainwashed by the dai li it is repeatedly made explicit that jet is a kid who is Unwell. he is obsessed and losing connections with his friends and wants to be a freedom fighter but keeps getting tunnel vision. much like how azula is shown to be a tragedy at the end of the series just by the way the narrative treats her, we see jet as a lost, angry boy who has trouble controlling himself and retaining connections. jet gets depth! he is not an irredeemable villain! he’s the antagonist in one episode but then the rest of his arc is about him being a victim

hama is a little more difficult to deal with for a couple reasons. the first and foremost being that her appearance is the obligatory nickelodeon halloween episode, so it’s all about portraying something spooky. the second is because the violence and trauma she endured is like. fucking unlike ANYTHING we see in the rest of the series, barring perhaps gyatso’s skeleton surrounded by fire nation soldiers in the southern air temple. it’s barbaric! it’s horrifying! she was captured and chained up like a DOG!

sokka, toph, and aang rescuing the “innocent villagers” and putting a stop to her imprisoning fire nation randos is what they have to do because they’re the protags. they’re the good guys in a kid’s show. but the show does not place those fire nation people at the center of what makes hama villainous; instead the focus is entirely on katara, and how hama is passing on the fear and trauma of her own experience to her, and she has to stand up and master it (possibly the only remaining waterbending technique that belongs solely to the southern water tribe!) because that has always been her role. she’s the last waterbender of the southern water tribe! she has inherited this trauma! like, on the page yes aang and sokka and toph have to rescue the villagers. BUT WATCH THE EP! THE VILLAGERS ARE QUICKLY FORGOTTEN! THE LAST LINGERING SHOT IS ON KATARA CRYING WHILE THE BOYS COMFORT HER! the NARRATIVE does not villainize hama primarily for what she did to the fire nation people; it villainizes her primarily for traumatizing katara. ITS A 22 MINUTE KIDS SHOW! there was no way they could turn to the audience and say “oh and by the way fuck those fire nation ppl they don’t matter,” but what they could do was make sure that what lingers about how wrong hama was, is the damage she did to katara, not to the fire nation villagers

all that to say; YEAH, the show could’ve gone a little fucking harder on iroh! i would’ve loved at least someone in ba sing se to talk about how horrible or traumatic the siege was so we could get some perspective on that. but the show does repeatedly emphasize that iroh NEEDS zuko; that iroh is REDEEMED by zuko, not the other way around. the inclusion of him as part of the fire nation family ( “the sins of our family”) rather than a straight up good guy is deliberate. and personally! i don’t think jet or hama run contrary to that handling

[ihaveacorgi]

Zuko used to love sitting on the roof as a child. It was a way to get away from the servants and nannies, the tutors and instructors, and most of all, his father. It was his happy place, his escape, the one place in the palace where he could just… be. It was just a roof, maybe nicer than most others, but it served the same function in the end. It was just a roof, but it meant so much to Zuko. And he knew Sokka wouldn’t understand that, that he had no idea why Zuko was so nervous to bring him out here. It was just a roof, afterall.

Sokka seemed to love it too, from the awed way he looked up at the stars and out over Caldera. “This is beautiful, Zuko,” he breathed, turning his brilliant smile towards Zuko. “I bet this is how Yue sees the world. It’s incredible. She would’ve loved this,” he continues, gazing sadly up at the moon. And Zuko knew it didn’t mean anything, but he couldn’t help the spike of jealousy that flared in his chest, regardless.

Zuko stamped it down and nodded. “Yeah,” he said, though he had never met Yue and knew nothing about her. It was what was expected, so he said it.

“Thank you for showing me,” Sokka said, as he leaned over to kiss Zuko. They existed like that, in stolen, hidden moments, cloaked in shadows and darkness, unable to be open like Katara and Aang.

“Sokka, I… I wanted to tell you something.” Zuko swallowed heavily. That was the whole reason for showing Sokka this place. He wanted somewhere that he felt… safe, for this. “I… um, I wanted to tell you how I got the scar.”

“Oh,” he replied quietly, his voice lacking any hint of joking or amusement in the way it so rarely did. And Zuko was sure Sokka had probably guessed. He was smarter than the entire Fire Nation court combined, and Zuko’s father hadn’t exactly hidden his hatred of his son well, nor had Zuko been able to hide his fear of his father.

“I… I’m sure you’ve guessed, what happened. O- or someone told you, li- like Uncle Iroh, or Aang might know, but I… I wanted you t- to hear it from, you know, me,” Zuko began, haltingly, stuttering and tripping over a few words as he tried to find the right ones to say. He’d never really been good at words and sharing his unfiltered thoughts rarely ended well, but he was going to try his Agni-damned hardest, because Sokka deserved to know. He deserved to know it how it was, not some twisted-up version, told by one of the witnesses and warped by hatred or sympathy. No, Sokka should know the truth, and Zuko knew there were only two people in the world who would tell it to him. And there was no chance Aang or Zuko would let Sokka anywhere near Ozai, bending or no.

“Ok,” Sokka replied, pressing a kiss to Zuko’s temple. “You can tell me, Zuko.”

“It… well, I guess it started because I asked Uncle to let me into a war council. Or… maybe, maybe it was before that. I, uh, I was always a disappointment. My father, uh, Ozai, he used to say that Azula was born lucky, but that I was, uh, lucky to be born. And, well, you know Azula. She was a prodigy, you know? She was always better at fire bending than me, and, well, Ozai always favored her. But I tried, Sokka. I wasn’t… I wasn’t trying to slack off, or fail on purpose, or make mistakes. I did my best to make him proud, but… he just… didn’t love me. Or… maybe he never loved anyone. I don’t… I don’t know. But, uh, anyway, when I was around thirteen, I asked Uncle to let me join a war council. He told me to be quiet, not to say anything. And I, I should’ve listened, Sokka. Uncle, he’s usually right, you know? But, well, I– I didn’t listen. There was this general, uh… I don’t remember who, actually. Uncle probably knows. Anyway, he wanted to sacrifice a division of new recruits, the 49th – who were probably drafted, come to think of it. But they were young, and he wanted to send them up against part of the Earth Kingdom army as a distraction and come around the back for a completely insignificant piece of land. It was… it was dishonorable. Barbaric. We were… I was told we were better, back then. That we wouldn’t… that we weren’t like that. So, I spoke out. I thought he would be proud,” Zuko spat the word. “I thought that would make him proud, Sokka. That I would be showing him I was capable of leading, of thinking about our people the way a good Fire Lord is supposed to, but, uh, that’s not what happened. The general challenged me to an Agni Kai, a fire bending duel over honor, because, by speaking against his plan, I had insulted him.”

Sokka took one of Zuko’s hands, and he realized he was shaking. “You didn’t fight the general, did you?”

Zuko shook his head. “It… it was my father’s– it was Ozai’s war room, and I had disrespected it… disrespected him. I… I didn’t fight him, Sokka. I couldn’t fight him, and I begged. I knelt and I begged, like a coward, and he burnt me. It was his right, I forfeited, he won. His words to me were ‘you will learn respect. Suffering will be your teacher,’ and, uh, and then he banished me. He told me that I… that I could come back if I captured the Avatar. For, uh, for context, your sister didn’t get Aang out of that iceberg for another, uh, three years, give or take. He expected me… no, he hoped that I would die, first from the burn, then again in exile, but I…” Zuko laughed bitterly. “I thought he wanted me back. That he’d offered me a way home because… because deep down, that’s what he wanted. That I could… that I could finally make him proud.”

“That… that wasn’t your fault, Zuko,” Sokka replied, wiping a stray tear that Zuko hadn’t noticed.

Zuko sighed, wearily. “I know, Sokka. I was a child. A stupid one, but a child. I just, I wanted you to know.”

“Why didn’t you tell us when you tried to join Aang during the war? He would’ve understood. He’s a very forgiving person.” Sokka asked, but he looked like he knew the answer.

“I didn’t want your pity. I wanted– no, I needed to know that I could… that I could do better than Ozai. I still, sometimes I think I’ll become like him. I get so angry, sometimes, and I… I wonder if it’s just in my blood. I… I asked Aang to kill me, if I’m ever like him. I made him promise. If– if he ever tries, let him, Sokka.” Zuko’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I love you, so much, Sokka, but you can’t… you can’t let me turn into a monster.”

Sokka just pulls him closer and promises him that, if necessary, he would kill Zuko himself. It’s not what lovers are supposed to say, in these situations. Zuko knows that they’re supposed to tell each other that they’d never become that, that they’d always protect each other. But this, this promise is far more comforting, because if Zuko has to die by someone’s hand, he’d rather it be Sokka’s.

And, if Sokka spends that night crying for the childhood that Zuko lost, swearing to himself that he’ll never, never do anything to hurt the beautiful boy next to him, the broken, angry, but, above all, kind boy sharing his bed. That, no matter what Zuko did, he would never raise so much as a pinky finger against him, because there was nothing Zuko could do to end up anything like his father – even back when he was screaming about honor and trying, so hard, to be just like him – then that was between him and Yue, and no one else.

[ssreeder]

Hello! :D

Chapter 14 was so AHHHHH!!!! *sobs* It was adorable, sad, and fun!

Honestly, I want to see how much chaos you can add to the following chapters! :D Hopefully something Red would like! 👀

Having Ara show up at some point is going to be very painful. So much unstableness will happen, oof. Also, wonder what will happen to Jet? :D Watch him sacrifice himself again! :p

ALSO! WHERE THE HELL ARE THE DAI LI AND LONG FENG!?!?!? Maybe at some point they will "team up" with The Girls®. Well that will turn out

chaotic I wonder what is in the shadows? Why is it lurking? What is it watching? Oh the suffering you will bring to them. Don't tear them apart too much or they will fall.

It's fun to see the choices that are being made.

-Pain Anon

-Red Anon

HIIIIII you’re amaziiiiinngggg how’s my favorite double anon.

I think it’s funny you are looking forward to the chaos because some of it makes me cringe just thinking about haha.

As much as it would be fun to see Jet back in action I don’t think he will be recovered enough by the time Azula arrives to be of any use. He has a lot of mental and physical hurdles to jump still and he’s obviously not in the best mindset right now.

Haha Long Feng was arrested in canon & escaped with the Dai Li so… haha it’s not surprising the same happened here. Who knows where they went but the The Girls is a good guess hehe.

As always, you’re the best <3

[ellakomskaikru]

My thoughts on Azula lying to Ozai about Zuko killing Aang

First of all, I believe that both of the siblings had their own reasons for doing what they did. I believe that Zuko lied to Azula about Aang possibly surviving because he was truly conflicted about the war being right or wrong and didn’t want to make the Fire Nation aware of him possibly being alive. I don’t think that he was deliberately trying to get her into trouble. Like his Uncle Iroh said, Zuko doesn’t always think things through. I don’t think he thought of the terrible consequences it could have on Azula if she confirmed that the avatar was dead when he was in fact alive and if it was discovered.

From Azula’s point of view, she was not conflicted about the war at all and therefore was not aware that Zuko was either, so she viewed Zuko lying to her as Zuko deliberately trying to get her in trouble with their father after she gave Zuko back everything she thought he wanted. Therefore, I think she was actually upset and viewed Zuko as ungrateful, so to protect herself, she chose to tell Ozai that it was Zuko who killed the avatar so that he would have the blame if it turned out that the avatar was alive, instead of her. It was totally unfair to Zuko but it was a reaction to Zuko lying to her.

As we all know, Azula’s lie to Ozai caused Zuko a lot of anxiety and discomfort while he was in the Fire Nation, and he has a right to be angry at Azula for that, but Azula also had her reasons for lying to Ozai. She was just as terrified of Ozai as Zuko was and probably extremely scared of what it would mean for her if the avatar was discovered alive and she was blamed for it. Overall, it was just a very unfair situation to both of the fire siblings. They shouldn’t have to live in such fear of their own father.

[domxmarvel]

Loyalty Part 5

Masterlist

Pairing: Zuko X Male!Reader    

Words:781

The first day and the jasmine dragon was already the most popular tea shop in Ba sing se. By the end of the first day,Iroh had received a message from the palace. An invitation to make some tea for the king. The three of you stood in front of the palace. You were sat down waiting for the king

“What's taking so long?” Zuko asked

“Maybe the Earth King overslept,” Iroh joked,suddenly the room started filling with Dai li. You moved closer to Zuko,he tensed up before holding your hand. He leaned in and whispered

“Be ready”You nodded. Only seconds before Azula walked in. You bolted up quickly followed by Zuko and Iroh. “Azula!” He shouted,and she started talking about the Dai li. Iroh stood up,holding a tea cup.

“Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname "The Dragon of the West"?”

“I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle.” Azula dismissed 

“It's more of a demonstration, really.” Iroh drank some tea,Zuko quickly pulled you down as Iroh breathed fire at the Dai li. Once it was over,all of you ran out of the room. Running down the hallway,Iroh blasted through the wall and jumped down,you quickly followed. Standing up you noticed that Zuko didn’t follow,he was still standing there.

“Come on! You'll be fine!” Iroh called out 

“No! I'm tired of running! It's time I faced Azula!”Zuko walked back in.

“What now?”

“Follow me”

***

He led you to a house that was partially destroyed,walking up to the front door he knocked on it. The door opened and you were face to face with the Avatar and his friends. 

“We need your help”

“Let’s talk inside”

“Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se”

“She must have Katara” Aang said

“And she’s captured Zuko”You added

“Then we'll work together to fight Azula, and save Katara and Zuko,” Aang said.giving you a small smile. Sokka stepped forward

“Whoa there! You lost me at "Zuko".” Iroh was about to speak up when you stepped closer.

“Listen, I know your sister means alot to you and Zuko means alot to me. If we don’t work together we could lose both of them”

***

One of the Dai li had told you where to find them,so the team split up to warn the king. Aang was using his bending to move further down. Aang asked Iroh for some advice and the last thing he said made you think about your relationship with Zuko.

“I don't know the answer. Sometimes, life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving,you will come to a better place.”You didn’t know if you could keep going behind everyone’s backs. You were snapped out of your thoughts by the light,you had reached the end of the tunnel. You quickly found them,Aang and Katara left to get to the king. Iroh was talking,trying to convince Zuko to change. When you were interrupted by Azula,the Dai li formed crystals around Iroh, trapping him.

“I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle. But Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?”Azula stepped closer

“Release him immediately.”Zuko shouted 

“It's not too late for you, Zuko. You can still redeem yourself.” 

“The kind of redemption she offers is not for you.” Iroh interrupted 

“Why don't you let him decide, Uncle?”She said bitterly before turning back to Zuko “I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day,this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have Father's love. You will have everything you want.”

“Zuko, I am begging you. Look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want.”He quickly glanced up at you,when Iroh said the last part.Azula left to follow Aang and Katara. Stepping closer,you softly touched his shoulder. He didn’t look up at you. Suddenly he moved but didn’t say anything,following after Azula.

“Y/N” You looked up at Iroh “You have to go after him,he’ll listen to you” You doubted that he would but you were willing to try,breaking the crystals the two of you ran after Zuko. You arrived just as in time to see Azula shoot lighting at Aang,it was obvious which side Zuko choose but now it was your time to choose

Stay with Zuko

Join The Avatar

[juniperhillpatient]

“🎶dad’s going to kill you🎶”

I feel like this scene gets twisted & mixed up a lot & part of that is weird ret cons in the comics that I’d prefer not to get into but in the context of the show, let’s remember this is a 7(?) year old. Now as an adult sometimes I’ll laugh at uncomfortable moments (everyone who’s ever been to a Halloween haunted attraction with me knows I giggle maniacally when I’m scared lol) & as a kid it was even worse, laughing when people cried etc. The fact that Azula was only - what? - 5 or 6? 7? idk young - during this scene is easy to overlook because she’s just illustrated her immense intelligence. There’s a reason “gifted kids” are stereotypically socially awkward.

Kids have to learn emotional & social skills at a young age & that gets messed up when intellectual pursuits beyond their developmental stage are pushed. Also, Azula & Zuko’s positions are unique as royals in an imperialistic family. Ursa scolds Azula for violent or cruel behavior & thinks there’s something wrong with her, even though Azula is only acting the way her father encourages her to act. I’ve seen some speculation that Azula maybe didn’t think there was a real possibility that Zuko was in real danger or she’d be more scared. I disagree. She answered Azulon’s questions about the Fire Nation military flawlessly in the scene before this. She’s demonstrated that she understands the royal court with her comments about how Ozai could become Firelord. She’s also shown that she can be casual about death with her lack of reaction to Lu Ten’s death. These aren’t moral condemnations, they’re observations about her behavior.

“Azula didn’t understand that Zuko might really die” is a fine theory but I think Azula is too smart for that. I also think we have to remember what a master she is of hiding her true emotions behind a mask. She’s so good at it she can even lie to Toph, who can feel when people lie. Azula doesn’t always lie but Azula always keeps her emotions close to her chest, she’s been conditioned to believe she has to. That’s why the breakdown hurts so bad. Years of repressed hurt & fear are spilling out over her broken edges.

Azula understands the questions Azulon asks her, she’s being taught about the Fire Nation & it’s values, she knows what Azulon is capable of doing. I interpret Azula as fully understanding what’s happening. I think that’s why she tries to tease & goad Zuko into running away. It’s often ignored that regardless of how she goes about it, Azula ultimately saves Zuko’s life by talking about what she overheard. I also think she fully understood the potential repercussions. She wasn’t supposed to spy on that conversation & she knew it. She knew she was committing treason by sharing private plans made by the Firelord, let’s give her credit for her intelligence & understanding of politics.

I interpret Azula as having fully understood the situation. However, I don’t think she’s a soulless monster for laughing & teasing Zuko about it, even if it’s completely understandable that Zuko wouldn’t know how to interpret this behavior & in the aftermath, probably considers it a traumatic memory. Even years later, he chants “Azula always lies,” the mantra he said to himself that night, even though Azula wasn’t lying then. I want to be clear that I’m not discounting how traumatic this was for Zuko to hear, or for him to lose his mother & watch Azula act blasé about it afterward (even if we later see that losing Ursa affected Azula too. the emotional distance between the siblings is a tragedy. they could have been there for each other, but their situation prevented it.) Still - back to my original point - Azula isn’t emotionally mature at this point in the story. We learn in “The Beach” that even as a teen she still hasn’t learned how to behave in social settings. Why would she understand as a small child how to convey horrifying information to her brother in a proper way when she wasn’t even equipped to emotionally process what she heard herself?

The tragedy is that after Ursa leaves, the distance between Azula & Zuko grows. I can just picture them both laying in their separate rooms, thinking about that night. Azula knows that Zuko could have died, & it feels like Mom blamed her, & Mom never said goodbye to her & she doesn’t know why. The last interaction they had was Mom scolding her, & Mom always thought she was a monster…. She could become disposable to Dad too, it could happen if she doesn’t keep outdoing Zuko…. She has to always be the best, or she could be treated like Zuko….

And Zuko just keeps hearing that sing song voice in the back of his mind. Azula would have laughed if he died. Azula always hated him, & only cares about outdoing him & Mom is gone & he’s left with Dad, who only ever looks at him with disappointment & disdain… Azula keeps saying “you’ll never catch up” & the mocking hurts so bad… it’s not fair how Azula is so adored & loved & he’s all alone, he has no one… Uncle Iroh is around again, but he’s different after Lu Ten’s passing. quiet. Distant… Zuko just wants to make his father proud but the task feels more impossible every day. Then one day he begs to go into a war meeting, he wants to show that he understands the Fire Nation military. He wants to make his father proud. But what the men are saying is horrible & he just has to speak up….

[zuko-always-lies]

Every Refence to Azula’s Relationship with the Court and General Public in the Fire Nation

“The Siege of the North, Part II”:

Zuko: I finally have you. But I can't get you home because of this blizzard. (He walks over to the cave entrance to look out at the falling snow, his back to the camera) There's always something. Not that you would understand. You're like my sister. Everything always...came easy to her. She's a firebending prodigy – and everyone adores her. (Cut to a frontal view of Zuko) My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born. (Cut to view of his back again.) I don't need luck though, I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am.

According to Zuko, “Everyone adores Azula.” His perception is probably mostly confined to the Court and the Capitol.

Canon Bio of Azula:

Character: Princess Azula

Daughter to Fire Lord Ozai, Azula is Zuko’s 14-year-old younger sister. She’s a lot like the typical “Little Miss Perfect” younger sister, only she’s also a deadly Firebender. Azula has always been the favorite of the Fire Lord, and of everyone around her for that matter-  everyone but Zuko, that is. Azula excels at her royal role-  she is extremely gracious, smooth and put-together. An ideal Princess, she is also cold, calculating, and precise. Zuko will tell you that Azula is “lucky.” Things just tend to turn out in her favor.

Azula is “the Perfect Princess”(which probably implies she generally fits ideals about royalty within a broad section of Fire Nation society) and is “the favorite of everyone around her”--a judgement which seems more confined to the court.

“The Awakening”:

(The camera zooms out from the shot of Aang and Katara. The scene cuts to a shot of the Fire Nation capital city and harbor. Cut to Lo and Li, who are seated on top of a very high balcony at the royal plaza facing a large crowd of Fire Nation citizens. Behind them is a large archway filled with flames.)

snip

Li and Lo: Now the heroes have returned home. Your princess, Azula! (Cut to a profile shot of Azula. The camera pans right as she walks towards the edge of the balcony and the crowd cheers for her.) Li and Lo: And after three long years, your prince has returned. Zuko! (Cut to Zuko walking out onto the balcony and facing the crowd. The Fire Nation citizens cheer for him as he sullenly gazing over the crowd.

Azula (and Zuko) are cheered by an absolutely massive crowd upon their return home.

“The Beach”:

Ty Lee: (surprised) What? You were jealous of me? (gestures toward herself) Um, but, you're (gestures toward Azula) the most beautiful, smartest, perfect girl in the world.

Zuko: I guess you wouldn't understand, (pulls Mai to him) would you, Azula (sarcastically) Because you're just so perfect.

Both Zuko and Ty Lee refer to Azula as “perfect,” which hardly suggests that they think she’s widely hated.

“The Ember Island Players”:

Azula is the protagonist and “hero” of “The Boy in the Iceberg,” and is cheered as such throughout the play.

Of course, there’s also lot’s of evidence that Ozai is extremely popular, and Azula is associated with him, but that’s another story.

[bellatrixobsessed1]

The Comfort They Crave

Summary: Instead of finding herself imprisoned, Azula chooses to fight battles on behalf of everyone else even though it is slowly breaking her down physically and mentally. Sokka is the first person to suggest that maybe she doesn't deserve to be treated as a weapon.

“Why do you care if I’m safe?” She demands. She almost sounds angry about it. Angry to have someone who cares about her, someone who could be worried about her. And Sokka admits that he almost does let it deter him. Afterall, she is right. Why should he care? After everything that she’s put his sister and his friends though. After what she put he and Suki through.Why should he care, especially when she is snubbing him right now while he is trying to care. 

It is something in her eyes. 

That is what stops him from throwing up his hands and telling her that she’s right, he doesn’t care and he shouldn’t. 

Something in her eyes that says she is afraid. 

Afraid to be cared about. 

Afraid to let someone care about here. 

Something in her eyes that says that she is confused. 

Confused about how to handle a helping hand.

Confused, genuinely so, as to why anyone would care. 

Her tone is hateful but Sokka is certain that Azula really does want to know why he cares about her safety. At first all he can say is, “because no one else does.” A bad answer, he knows that even without her reply.”

“Clearly…” She mutters. Her voice is as flat as ever but he can still hear the hurt in her voice. She has come to some sort of resigned acceptance that the closest she will come to having friends is a gaggle of people that invite her to dinner because she has been fighting their battles for them. 

Today’s battle is a small team of assassins that have been after Zuko for some time. She has already taken down several of them; their capture had led to the relaying of crucial information. Details of the assassination plan that is going to be put into action tomorrow. And Sokka doesn’t think that this group particularly cares which royal they take down so long as they’ve got blood on their hands and an example to make of the body.

.oOo.

She supposes that she’d rather run the risk of death than spend a lifetime in a cell alongside father. At this point she has grown rather fond of the extremely high risk endeavors, they offer her, her best chance for peace. Her best chance for a blissful, merciful nothingness. The kind that will wrap around her and caress her body as it pulls under and away.

Away from everything that hurts her.

That will always hurt her and haunt her and torment her. 

Right now the source of her torment has blue eyes and the beginnings of a scruffy beard. Evidently this has been the source for the past few days. He is always yammering away about stupid things and telling ridiculous stories that she doesn’t care about. 

He tells her dumb jokes that aren’t funny.

Now he is pretending to be concerned so he won’t have to feel as guilty when she finally makes her way to that nothingness.

When she finally dies. 

“You’re not so bad.” He tries again. “I actually like talking to you.”

She furrows her brows, she can’t imagine why he would enjoy it. “Talking at me, more like.” 

He rubs the back of his head. “Yeah, I guess.” He pauses. “You’re the only person who hasn’t told me to shut up.”

“I’ve been trying to signal it with my eyes.”

Although she isn’t trying to be funny, he laughs. “You’re the only person who actually listens. And don’t tell me that you don’t. I’m used to people zoning out in the middle of my stories. You actually pay attention, I bet that you can tell me exactly what I was telling you about three days ago.”

“Submarine infrastructure.” She mutters against her better judgment. “How Water Tribe submarines differ from Fire Nation ones and the pros and cons of both.” 

“Exactly.” He is beaming now. She is not used to people look so cheerful over something that she has said. 

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“You asked me why I care if you’re safe.” He shrugs. “I care because I like talking to you. I also enjoy having you around for dinner.” He is dancing around the word ‘friend’. Not that he would consider her to be anything of the sort. 

“There are plenty of other people who you can talk to, Sokka. Maybe they aren’t as attentive but they’re more pleasant conversationalists.” She tapers off into a sigh. There is a stirring in her tummy, a depressive little tickle. 

“You’re not just some…some guard dog.” He sputters. 

They could have fooled her. She knows that they have been feeding her metaphorical table scraps. They pet her and treat her when she does well and kick her when she doesn’t even if it isn’t in a physical sense. 

Evidently she doesn’t even think that they realize that they are doing it. 

That they treat her not dissimilarly to how father always has. 

Especially Zuko.

Zuko who is so proud of himself for not turning out like his father. 

“I guess that it feels that way sometimes.” Sokka’s voice falls. He finds himself a seat next to her, shoulder hunched, posture slouched–exactly the opposite of how she holds herself. “It’s okay to feel heavy sometimes. It’s okay to show it.” He says. And then he clarifies, “You don’t always have to sit so tall.”

“Perhaps I find this position comfortable.” Even if it is only by familiarity. 

“I don’t think that you’re just some kind of weapon.”

She doesn’t believe him.

“You don’t have to do this, you know? I’ll tell them that I wouldn’t let you or that I wanted to handle it because I needed to feel useful.” He offers. “Sometimes I do that, you know? I can’t bend and so sometimes it feels like I’m not as cool or important. So sometimes I do dumb things…”

“Sometimes?”

“So that I can feel like I’m as strong as everyone else.”

Azula shrugs. “What do you need bending and strength for? You have something better.” 

“Better?”

She gives his head a good tap. “You’ve got more brains than all of them put together. They can master all the bending forms that they’d like, build as much muscle as they can. It won’t matter so long as you plan adequately.”

Sokka smiles. “See, this is why I like you.” He pauses. “You don’t give compliments very much…”

“That wasn’t a compliment it was a…”

“That’s what makes it mean so much when you do. Even if you decide to pretend like you weren’t giving compliments.” He has the audacity to take her hand. “I don’t think that you’re as cruel as everyone says, you wouldn’t be such a good listener if you were.”

She stares at her palm and at her hand in his. She considers shaking his grip away.

“Just because you have a past doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get a future.” 

And she cracks. 

She doesn’t want to but she does. 

That armor that he has been steadily chipping away at is finally crumbled beyond use. 

Her breath hitches and she grits her teeth so to stifle the sob that wants to come forward. She swallows it down, though the tears are burning behind her eyes. She lets him rub her back. 

“It’s alright.” He assures. “You can just let it out. I think that you need to. I won’t tell anyone. As long as you don’t tell anyone that I’m also going to cry.”

“Why would you cry, Sokka?” 

“Because it just so happens that today is one of those days where I really wish that I could have bending so I wouldn’t just be the ‘idea guy’.”

.oOo.

He is surprised to find that she doesn’t tell him that that’s stupid and that he should be grateful that they think he is the brains of the group. Maybe it is simply because he has caught her in a vulnerable moment…maybe it is because they are both having one, but she pulls him into her arms and brushes her fingers through his hair.

She doesn’t say anything at all, but he can feel the care in her gestures. 

Can feel the affection. 

He knows that she isn’t as heartless as everyone makes her out to be, not when these small comforting gestures seem to come very naturally to her. Naturally, when she needs the comfort more than anyone else.

Not that he also can’t use some comfort. He isn’t just the idea guy, he is also the shoulder to cry on. The tough guy who listens to everyone’s problems and solves them. 

Just like he was trying to do for Azula.

Azula who has very much redirected his efforts and taken it upon herself to try to ease his pain.

He thinks that somehow it is soothing for her to be consoling him. 

Maybe it makes her feel less like a monster, maybe it helps her to remind herself that she is a human being filled with all of those emotions that people insist she is devoid of. 

“You know what else bothers me?” He asks.

“What bothers you?” She murmurs. He is glad for the soft and subtle quality of her voice. A voice that is so level now, he knows that she has managed to once again bury her own need to cry.

“I lose a lot of people I love and care about. I lost my mom and Yue and…I guess that’s not actually a lot.”

Azula shrugs. “One dead person is a lot, Sokka.” 

“I don’t want to lose another.”

“I’m not going to let Zuko die. Or Katara. Or any of those idiots.” 

“I’m not talking about those idiots!” He replies in a near shout. 

Azula snickers. 

“I’m talking about you.”

.oOo.

Azula swallows, “me?”

“Believe it or not, I care about you.”

The stroking of her hand comes to a halt. Surely just listening to his silly stories isn’t that profound. Really it is just a common courtesy. Yet he seems to really cherish that. She inhales through her nose. “Does it really bother you that much that I’m going to take this mission?”

“Yes!” He exclaims. “I know that there’s a better way to take this organization down. Sure it’s easier to just let you go in and do you thing. Take all of the damage that you usually take.” It isn’t lost on her that his eyes have locked on the scars that decorate her arms. The same sort that cover nearly every inch of her back and abdomen. The scars that keep piling up and up to the point where she is beginning to have trouble recognizing her own body. “It’ll take more time and planning but they don’t have to keep throwing you into the line of fire.” 

Azula shrugs. “It’s alright, Sokka. I’m used to it. If they didn’t, father would be.”

He takes her hands and squeezes them very tightly. “But it’s not alright. You shouldn’t be used to that.” 

She takes another shaky breath. The man really is pushing her to tears, she thinks that he might just be doing it on purpose. Maybe if she just gets it over with he will let her move on with her day and move on with her tasks. 

And maybe that is exactly what would have happened if Zuko and his merry band of morons hadn’t decided to come home from their afternoon of tomfoolery early. She shouldn’t have allowed him to convince her to cry. Especially not out here in the middle of the fucking palace garden of all places. 

She definitely shouldn’t have allowed him to coax her into leaning against him for a change. 

Because now they are looking at her differently. 

They are looking at her with pity and disgust. 

They are looking at her like she is weak. 

Sokka assures her that they are looking at her with empathy. That they are finally looking at her as a human being rather than something expandable. That might be reassuring if she believed him. 

.oOo.

It doesn’t take nearly as much convincing as he had anticipated now that they have happened upon her crying. Of course, Azula is furious with him, insisting very adamantly that he’d done that on purpose, that he had set her up to be caught. He’ll let her be mad at him because they are finally reconsidering their plans.

“Don’t write her out of them.” He mentions. “Let her work with us, not for us.”

“Sokka, you just said that you didn’t want her fighting.”

“I don’t.” He confirms. “But I know that she’ll take it the wrong way if we have her stay home. Let her take the lead, she likes doing that.” It’ll make her feel as powerful and strong as she likes to feel but she’ll have some support. People to make sure that she doesn’t acquire anymore painful scars. 

“Alright, we’ll come up with a new plan and…” Zukok starts. 

“I already came up with one.” Sokka cuts him off. “That’s my job, remember. I’m the idea guy.” Maybe one day they’ll catch that hint of bitter in his voice. At least this time, he is alright with being the idea guy. “I’m going to run it by Azula and let her polish things out. She’s amazing with details. I don’t know why you don’t let her make the plans. She can accomplish everything that needs to be done without getting hurt all the time.” He declares. 

It is then that he notices her figure propped up against one of the throne room pillars. He wonders how long she has been lurking for. Having noticed that she’d been noticed, Azula slips away from the pillar and wanders toward him. 

She looks much smaller without all of that armor. Or maybe it is how long the sleeves of her robes are. Or the way that her hair frames her face. And yet those eyes burn with a ferocity to match the bold personality within.

He takes her hand, it is soft and smooth and warm. “I think that between the two of us we’ll come up with a way to keep the assassins from getting to you and take care of them once and for all.” He pauses. “Without risking Azula’s life.” 

She is terribly quiet but he realizes that she is holding his hand back. Apparently she isn’t so angry with him after all. 

“That would be ideal.” Zuko replies as though this is the first time that he has actually truly considered that it might be better for everyone to try to make Azula feel cared for. 

Perhaps this mission won’t be full of love and fluff and team spirit. But it will be a start. And maybe, in due time, he won’t have to be the only one making all of the plans. Maybe, in due time, Azula’s scars will have a chance to heal. Maybe, in due time, the both of them will get the comfort they crave.

[unorthodoxx-page]

You guys know what’s next! atlaxrottmnt - A Tale of Spirits

It’s still crazy to know that Recoil is finished.  I’m really proud of the story, and I think over the next few days I’ll post the original outline so you can see just how far we strayed, while still following the overarching plot lol.  It’s almost shocking to read what was supposed to happen in that story.  But onwards to A Tale of Spirits!  This is my next big project so I’m excited to turn my full attention to it.  The second chapter should be up soon and I think it’s going to be 7 days between updates on that one.  But one thing I want to mention/talk about is the turtles and their corresponding elements (relax, they aren’t benders in this).  

My main thing when I was developing this story is that the atla people are putting the elements on the turtles because that’s all they know.  The turtles don’t represent any element, but that’s how this world perceives them (I’m loving playing with that misconception).  Of course, I have some thoughts on why I placed certain turtles with people, but this underlining disconnect adds an interesting dynamic to the turtles and anyone they interact with.  

Note: the oneshots are still coming and will drop in-between certain chapters of this story.

Remember!  All sneaks are unedited.  I’m really trying to push myself with the writing on this so I hope you enjoy!  Also Chapter 2 starts at ATLA season 2 episode 1:  The Avatar State........So there’s another hint I guess.

SNEAK PEEK

Azula

Power coils up her legs and balloons in her chest.  She shifts, lifting a leg into Praying Crane with a snap and a release of energy from her fingertips.  Fire burns hot and powerful across the deck.  She pulls in a breath and drops into Crouching Dragon, rolling the flame down her frame to roar out her foot.  Exhaling, Azula pulls her hands and feet under her in a sharp motion.  She pushes off the ground and twists, straightening one leg into Jumping Scorpion.  Fire cuts through the air and curves with the tail of her arch.  She lands and settles back into her base stance.  Inhaling, she starts the sequence again.

Only when the sun moves to noon does she complete the last set.  She lands fluidly on her feet and twists a bang from her face.  She holds out a hand and cold water is placed against her palm by a bowing servant.  Azula takes a sip and calms her breathing before turning to her Masters.  The twins sit high and watch her with unmoving expressions. 

“Perfect as always, Azula,” They say.

Their eyes shift in unison and Azula follows their gaze to the lounging spirit.  Donatello lies on a small throne surrounded by literature and his own metal helpers.  He demanded most of their library before permitting departure, everything from children's fables to documented military maneuvers.  The Sages fall over themselves to fulfill any and all of his tasks, whispering prayers and performing offerings at the spirit's feet.  Donatello takes it all as if it were his right to demand it.  It irks her to no end.

He lazes on the deck most days but pays her little to no attention.  It bothers her Masters and the accompanying Sages that a spirit of such caliber is not phased or interested in her mastery of the element.  Even now, his focus remains captured by the ancient history spread before him.  He has not looked up once during any of her morning practices.  The disregard stings.

A Fire Sage creeps down the stairs toward the spirit and Azula turns away.  She can’t take any more groveling at Donatello’s feet.  Weaklings, all of them.  So ruled by superstition and tradition that they can’t recognize the beast before them.  A servant holds out a towel and Azula takes it with a dismissive wave.  They’ve been sailing for weeks now, yet there haven’t received any word on her foolish brothers whereabouts.  It’s not a total surprise.  Reports of Fire Nation survivors being pulled from the Northern oceans come through the radios almost every hour.  She didn’t believe it in the beginning.  An entire fleet lost to Water savages and a spirit no less, but they’re pulling more dead soldiers than alive ones the closer they get to Northern territory.  It’s entirely possible that her brother and Uncle are dead, but she banishes the thought before it can take root.

She’d never be so lucky.

[kigozula]

Gladiator 300th Chapter Celebration

Here are my answers and I have to admit, I realized how hard it was to answer some of them xD

FAVORITE…

1.OC: It has always been Rui Shi. But in general, I do like so many OC's. Tiang is one of them as well. As I say often, Seyary is the Queen of the best OC's!!

2. Guard: Since I chose Rui Shi as my favorite OC, I choose Fei Li here. Funny and cute

3. Gladiator: The Millenium Dragon is a nice person. The Blind Bandit maybe? Or wait, Haru? Honestly I don't really have a favorite Gladiator other than the Blue Wolf come to think of it

4. Sponsor: I'm going with Zhao

5. Pair/Couple (besides Sokkla): Songshi<3 These two are the cutest

6. Friendship: Azula and her childhood friends Mai and Ty Lee. I miss their friendship these days... Azula and Rui Shi, Azula-Sokka-Rui Shi-Song

7. Villain/Antagonist/Opponent: Yes he is evil, but Rhone brought action

8. Suitor for Azula: Kuan and Hahn. Here too, I liked the action it brought. And I enjoyed it how Hahn ended up. As for the characters I like as suitors Zhao and Chan. I believe Chan will be a good character in the future(?)

"Oh?" said Ozai. "And what sort of gift is that?"

"Why, no other than him, of course," said Kuan, pointing at the man he had brought with him.

"Why, your first engagement present to me is a man?" asked Azula, raising her eyebrows. "Your ideas for courting are quite unconventional, Governor Kuan." Chapter 69

Had to drop this here, since I am re-reading this arc currently. One of the funniest scenes xD

9. Place (any houses/island/cities…): Fire Nation Capital (the Palace, Sokka and Azula's house/garden, Ty Lee's, Ember Island, Shu Jing

10. Event (weddings/festivals…): Not sure but Azula‘s birthday and the Gladiator Fight afterwards. And the second Fire Nation Festival with the catastrophic ending

FAVORITE TOP THREE…:

Sokkla Kisses in Part 2 when they become finally a couple: I really like making things difficult don’t I? I might be missing some but at the moment: Their rejoining after the second Fire Nation Festivals, on the ship when Sokka rushed in Azula‘s room while Ty Lee is still in there, Shu Jing domestic life, aaannddd I think on the ship when Azula accidentally spills out the word love and is „angry“ afterwards, Oh and when she hurts her wrinkle and Sokka tends to it and kisses her *_*

Sokkla Love Making: The whole Festivals Arc, random moments, Northern Air Temple, Anniversary

THIS OR THAT:

1.Part 2, or Part 3 (so far): I really have no answer to this. Been reading since nine years, my absolute favorite arcs and moments aren't much more in one part than the other. So, I have to answer it this way ;) in no particular order:

Introduction arc Attack of the White Lotus arc Ember Island arc The Notorious Stingray arc Azula’s Birthday arc Fire Nation Festivals arc Giving in arc Northern Air Temple arc Kinslayer arc Toph finds out arc Fire Nation Festivals #2 arc  Sokka and Azula’s anniversary arc Gladiator Brawl arc Return to Shu Jing arc The Spirit Library arc Fire Lord for a Week arc Wedding arc

2. Zuki Family or Mai Jian Family: I'm honestly impressed by both. I never thought Zuko would be such a good family man. Mai Jian is a dream. I guess at the end Mai Jian outweighs Zuki even if juuuust little

3. Festivals Arc or Anniversary Arc: Again I guess I like making things difficult xD. Both are bomb... Again there is only the littlest difference and my choice goes with Festivals...

4. Captain Rui Shi or Captain Fei Li: Captain Rui Shi forever

5. Ozai or Zhao: Zhao. He made a 180 degree turn out of nothing these days. But I still like this man in part 2 as well as the beginning of part 3. He treated both Azula and Sokka well in my opinion. Before the whole pregnancy reveal, he's been a good man to his wife Azula. Zhao is one of the best characters in the whole story!!

Ozai... well, even if he our Diva Lord is a likable character, (I mean part 1 and part 2 were very funny with him), and even if I don't truly hate him as a character, I can never see him the way I did after all the things he did to my baby Azula

6. Gladiator Brawl, Sponsor Race, Pairs Tournament or Scavenger Hunt: All are very good. My final decision is Gladiator Brawl

7. Xin Long or Appa: I ike Appa. But Xin Long wins here!!

8. Azula’s Squad or Sokka’s Squad: I'm gonna go with Rui Shi's future Squad(?) xD

9. Ty Lee or Mai: Ty Lee I like more in part 1. Mai is always good. This woman and her sudden comments are humorous. Their absence is very noticeable

10. Shoji or Kino: Shoojiiiiii

11. Ruon Jian or Haru: We didn't see much of Ruon Jian, but I still like him. I like Haru more still. He was very funny around Azula at the beginning xD

OTHERS:

1.A Place you would like to visit or live: The Capital I would want to live in. And visiting, I would like to see every place. Esepcially Ember Island

2. If you could give Part 2 a title it would be: "A BOND UNBREAKABLE"

3. Something you look forward to: Chan. Rui Shi and the guards. *coughs* chapter 327/329. Azula visiting the South Pole. Reuniting and being happy together again forever*-*. Azula giving birth to more children with Sokka by her side

4. Favorite Sokkla Artwork from Part 2:

These two babies right here*-*:

GUESSING TIME:

Future Ships you think will happen: I thought about Reirei at then beginning (Rei and Renkai) but then I found out about the age difference. Honestly, I don't think there is going to be a big surprise

Azula and Zhao will divorce when/because of … I think Zhao might commit betrayal and lose the royal family's trust (the Spirit Oasis)

When Hakoda meets Azula and Hotaru for the first time …: One of the things I am very much looking forward to. Admiration on both sides and happiness. Maybe some tears?

When Ozai and Ursa see each other …: .................................................................................................................................................... Angry Ursa.... I think she will play a major role in Ozai's future downfall, emotionally(?). Everything aside, I would support some moments of affection and longing from both sides =D. Urzai is a good ship... HAD the potential of being one of the best...

I think Ozai's future looks like...: Since things can change in this story, I don't really have an opinion on that that I can be sure of. All I can say is: I think he will stay alive...

When Azula finally visits the South Pole, I hope/wish/think …: Igloo Sokkla. Fun family times. *wantstocry*. Admiration of the whole tribe for Azula, their new family member

First things Azula and Sokka will do after their reunion:

Be happy, cry, take in each other's scent, cuddle together with their baby daughter, then sharing their miserable journey with each other, Sokka finding out about the letters and her tears and trying to keep his anger in check and never ever letting her go for the rest of his life, no matter what happens.

@seyaryminamoto , congratulations on the release of the 300th chapter! As always, I feel happy-sad and can't believe Gladiator is a journey we've been on for a decade. You already know how much I love this story;). Your hard work and love for writing and making these beautiful artworks amaze me. I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to host events for your masterpiece and I feel valued with your trust! Thank you! I've already started re-reading my favorite arcs. They give me joy!

I'll be posting the correct answers to the quiz on sunday evening.

[blueburningcup]

Coconut Pineapple

And the Valentine’s day one shot that y’all voted for! Gonna try to work on the Ruby/Regina one.

Summary: Seicho takes Azula to the beach to do some chocolate tasting. Azula tries to shake away doubts that Ozai and Fire Nation high class society have instilled within her.

The sun is still high. It casts vivid rays through the windows of Seicho’s bedroom. It is a small dwelling, but it is very cozy. As fate would have it, she owns the same seashell bedspread that Lo and Li do.

She also owns a lot of clutter. Ships in bottles and bottled sand are scattered throughout the room amid piles of seashells and dried starfish. The ceiling is home to many replica sea animals that hang on strings. Seicho had mentioned that she is terribly uncomfortable with people drying out real sea critters for decoration and Azula supposes that she can see how the other woman would find the practice unsettling. Her floor is covered in mis-matching and colorful rugs that would make Mai hurl. And her wall is covered in paintings and wooden masks that just don’t go together. 

Admittedly, the first time that she’d set foot in this room it had made her head ache trying put the disjointed pieces together. 

She has long since given that up. Seicho seems to acquire new treasures at a rate much faster than she could ever hope to organize things. 

As much as she hates to admit it, she has grown used to the clutter. Frankly, she thinks that she would be more uncomfortable if she stepped into this room to find it suddenly spotless. Not that she isn’t uncomfortable right now.

“You know that it’s not like it was a few years ago. Honestly, Ember Island was never really shy about this kind of thing. And you shouldn’t be either.”

“I’m not shy. I just…I know what’s expected of me.” She pauses. “And what isn’t.” She takes another glance in the mirror. Her hair falls over her shoulders in waves. She had let Seicho fix small seashells into the stands. Really, the swimsuit isn’t all that showy. More so than the one she had worn on her last trip to Ember Island but nothing as brave as what Ty-Lee had worn. 

But then, father hadn’t approved of her first swimsuit either. 

“What are you trying to do?” He had asked. “Do you want people to think that we’re a nation full of harlots?”

“Mai and TyLee…”

She remembers the look on his face as he pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“TyLee, that girl was always floozy, her parents should have raised her better. She’s going to end up pregnant and disgrace her family like Chan’s sister. Is that what you want to do?” 

“We were on the beach…”

It was a logical enough thing to say but father had made it seem senseless and stupid. Like she was a lost cause for doing what? Chancing a quick swim? But spirits it was effective because she feels so very exposed.  

“You look great.” Seicho promises. 

And that’s exactly the problem. She will draw looks, the kind that father has always warned her about. The kind that he would get angry with her for even if she had done everything she could to avoid getting those looks. The ones that make her feel queasy.

“I’d like to put my armor back on.”

Seicho quirks a brow. “You want to wear armor to a chocolate tasting?” She pauses. “On the beach?”

Azula bites the inside of her lip.

“I thought that you were a fan of being practical.”

“I am.”

“Well then, let’s be practical. Beach, sunny. Sun, hot. Armor? Sweltering. I don’t want to have to carry you home because you passed out. I especially don’t want to have to carry you if you’re wearing like fifty pounds of armor.” 

“It’s not that heavy.” She mumbles. 

“My point is, no one wears armor to the beach and you know it.” 

Azula shrugs. 

“This is perfect.” She insists. “You do like it don’t you?” 

Azula nods. The fabric feels very comfortable. The skirt is quite long but so is the v slit. Long enough to show off her whole leg. She likes the gold belt that sits on her hips with its seashell charms and its gold coins. The top suits her nicely, it is sleeveless–held up by a zipper in the back and a chain to match the one at her hips. Embroidered along the bottom of the bikini top are golden flames and one small dragon. There is another chain fixed to the bottom of that bikini top is one more chain. One that dangles down to her belly with a collection of rubies and sunstones. 

It is flashy.

Eye catching. 

She doesn’t want eyes to be caught.

She adores how it looks but she doesn’t love the idea of wearing it in public. She is perfectly content having captured only one pair of eyes. 

“You’re dad was wrong, you know that don’t you?” She pauses.

“He’s not the only one who thinks like that.”

“He’s not the only person with wrong opinions. The Fire Nation always talks about being so brave and amazing. And yet they’re all so scared of a little skin.”

“They’re afraid of change.” Azula mumbles. “Which is strange. I’ve read about Fire Nation fashion as part of cultural and historical research, of course.”

“Of course.” Seicho rolls her eyes. 

Azula opts to ignore the doubt in her voice. “Fire Nation culture has roots in Sun Warrior culture and their clothing style much more closely resembles modern Ember Island fashion trends.” She pauses. “The shift happened during the war.” 

“Yeah, because they want to stifle creativity…or something. Come on.” Seicho hooks Azula by the elbow and begins leading her to the door. “You’re putting so much thought into this, all we’re going to do is go down to the beach and have some chocolate. And a good time, we are going to have a good time.”

Azula certainly hopes so.

She is, afterall, the princess. Now that father isn’t here to demean her she supposes that there isn’t much anyone can do to stop her from having a nice time, from feeling comfortable. 

She can stop herself though.

She is very good at that.

.oOo.

“Well, which do you prefer?”

Azula hums, “I’m not sure, they both taste good enough.” 

Seicho pops another piece of chocolate into her mouth and then a second sample of chocolate type four. 

Both truly are amazing. Type three is a touch bitter, it is rich in the same way that dark silks and woodsy colognes are. Type three is rich like warm blankets, cream, and the glow of a beach bonfire.

“The caramel one.” Azula decides. 

“Yeah, I think that I prefer that one too.” Seicho agrees. “It kind of just melts on your tongue.” 

Seicho links their hands and leads her along to the next stall. The beach is so lively and crowded. For once, Azula is comforted by the massive gathering. Everyone just breezes by her, each person–individual or couple–is invested in their own doings. Their own romances or personal delights. 

Whether that thing is the chocolate sampling breaking away from the crowd to watch the twinkle of lantern lights reflecting in the water. The fireworks will begin soon. 

“Oh! Try this one!” Seicho offers her another chocolate. This one of the white variety. It has been carefully molded and dyed to bare likeness to a firelily. It certainly looks appetizing. 

She plucks it from Seicho’s hand. “It’s got a touch of…peach?”

“I think that it might be mango, or orange?”

“Those are two completely different flavors!” She exclaims. “And they’re both incorrect guesses. It is definitely a hint of peach.” 

“No way, taste it again!” She insists. 

“Seicho, I don’t know how much more chocolate I can handle.” Regardless she lets Seicho give her another piece. “Last one and then I’d like to walk by the water.” 

Seicho exhales through her nose. “Fine, I guess. But I would like to taste Mikahara’s chocolate first. I heard that she’s got some kind of coconut-pineapple chocolate that sounds tasty.”

“Alright, Mikahara’s chocolate and then some quiet time.” Away from people, away from the occasional glances. The ones that linger too long for her comfort. 

She lets Seicho lead her along. They weave through a lively crowd. Everyone looks so comfortable and at ease with hibiscus in their hair and drinks in their hands. No one seems troubled in the slightest. Azula inhales and drinks in the smell of chocolate and fruity drinks. 

“Hey, it’s alright.” Sheicho squeezes her hand. “You’re doing great. We can pass on the Mikahara’s…”

She shakes her head. “No! We can go get it.” She has to get herself comfortable. Has to take back what father and years of ridiculous expectations have taken from her. “I’m fine, I always finish things that I start.” 

“Technically I started it.” 

“I want to enjoy tonight, all of tonight.” Every list scent, taste, and sight. Every emotion that she had, in the past, tried to keep herself from. She wants to be alive. Truly alive.

And tonight is the perfect night to do that. 

To reclaim parts of herself.

To make new parts of herself.

Parts that she can cherish the way Seicho cherishes her. The way she cherishes Seicho. 

“Hello!” Greets a woman with shaved hair and a pearl in one ear. 

“You must be Mikahara.” Azula guesses. 

“I am.” She confirms. 

“From the sound of it, you’ve made quite an impression tonight.” 

Mikahara smiles. “See for yourself, princess.” She hands Azula a box of chocolates. “I heard that you might be here so I saved a little something special for the both of you.”

Seicho’s eyes twinkle. “Oh this is a treasure trove of chocolate!” The woman’s mouth is practically watering. 

“Thank you.” Azula replies.

“Of course, princess. I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if not for tonight’s festivities. And we would be having them if not for you.” 

Azula nods and slips her a gold coin or two. “We can share this by the water.”

“That sounds great, Azula.” Seicho smiles. 

.oOo.

It is quiet here at the shoreline. She has led Seicho a good distance from the jubilant energy of the chocolate tasting stalls and the couples straggling on the sand that is still relatively close to the festivities. 

This portion of the beach is, until the sunrises, desolate. Charmingly so. The music and chatter are close enough to be heard but distant enough to be little more than pleasant white noise. 

“Tell me the truth, how was it?”

“It was…it was really wonderful, Seicho.” It was nerve-wracking but sublime in its own right. There is a certain charm, a sense of exhilaration and freedom in stepping out of her comfort zone and into something new. Something that is probably better.

Something liberating. 

All in all, father had been completely off.

Most people hadn’t even noticed her at all.

And if they had, they opted to give her, her space. 

She certainly doesn’t feel like a harlot. Neither does she feel like she has had herself a scandalous evening. She had simply had an evening. Had put on an outfit sewn, very lovingly, by her girlfriend’s mother, and went to a party. 

“It is going to be nice to go back to the palace and not get a lecture about carelessness and wasting time.” 

“Would he really tell you that today?” 

Azula nods. “He would.” She looks out at the open ocean, at those rolling, twinkling waves and clears her throat. “Can we talk about something else or eat some of that chocolate.”

Seicho quirks a brow. “I thought that you said you were full.”

“Mikahara did make that special for me though, it would be a shame to not try it.”

Seicho chuckles. 

“It would also make father really unhappy if I were to go visit him in prison and tell him that I spent a whole night eating chocolate and wearing sleeveless outfits…”

“Chocolates and no sleeves? On the beach!? Oh we’re getting really wild and daring now!” 

Azula gives a humored sniff and holds a piece of chocolate out to Seicho.

“Very good.” The woman gives a thumbs up. “Try it for yourself.”

Azula cups the woman’s face and brings their lips together. She can indeed taste the lingering chocolate on them. And indeed there is a hint of coconut and pineapple. She holds her face a few inches from Seicho’s, their lips still nearly touch. 

“Oh this is an adventurous night.” 

“It ought to be.” Azula replies quietly. She needs that so badly. She has needed it for a long time. And she promises herself that this will be only the beginning. That her life is going to be hers from now on. Starting with the way she views herself and her body.

Ending with discovering and following her own hopes and dreams.

“Happy birthday, by the way.” Seicho nudges her. 

“I suppose it is.” Azula smiles.

[hello-nichya-here]

“That is literally what happened to Katara in the comics and LOK though? She basically became Aang's trophy gf/wife. It's part of why they are hated so much.” So now you guys care about what’s “canon” and what’s not? If we go by that logic, in the shitty post-atla canon Zuko and Katara stopped being close friends and genuinely do not give a fuck about each other anymore. They don’t talk about/to each other and they don’t care about each other (even though post-atla Katara has no problem bringing up her brother, Toph, Suki, and even Iroh). But that doesn’t stop you guys from making your fics & art in which she’s attached to Zuko’s hip. So why should we accept Bryke’s Americanized fanfiction as canon when it comes to Kataang or any of the other canon pairings? I swear, Zutara shippers act so entitled thinking that they’re the only ones who reject canon and everyone else is welcoming it with open arms or something. Who’s going to tell these whiny pissbabies that no one likes that Korra “canon” outside of Korra fans themselves?

Oh, anon, don't you know they change their mentality from "Death of the author" to "Word of God is law" depending on what's convenient? Azula antis do exactly the same whenever, by some miracle, the writers say something nice about her.

It's all about hiding behind "authority" to claim they're correct, then mocking said authority the second it says something they don't like.

If the evil writers made a decision that makes Kataang look bad? Well, that's obviously canon and, in fact, was always meant to happen, just look at the signs that TOTALLY were there in the original show.

If the same evil writers made Zutara look bad tho? Well, we call them evil for a reason! They are writting lies to make our OTP look bad!

They can never say something like "I think this writing decision is good and coherent, while that one is a mixed bag, and that other one is just dumb" because that makes it clear that it's just their opinion, and people can disagree. They always go for anything that makes their thoughts on the matter be "correct."

[mostly-mundane-atla]

Azula’s reaction to the Zhao stuff would be interesting to see because yikes! Especially if she’s written as being a lesbian. I don’t think we see enough of the queer struggle when it comes to an arranged marriage when you’re royalty (maybe I’m looking at the wrong places but House of the Dragons is only thing that comes to mind)

But seriously. First Lu-Ten and then Zhao? So much of this from her perspective would be so compelling because she’d personally hate the idea of both but she has a duty to perform to her father in the end so it’s complicated! Thankfully both are dead (don’t care much about Lu Ten, sorry!) but whenever she finds out about all this, I have a feeling it would mess with her A LOT because this is A LOT to deal with.

Right? In my own Azula recovery fic (not redemption, she's gonna process and deal with her own shit before she's in a place to make amends to people she hurt when she was put in that position) her learning about this and realizing that Ozai never intended to tell her is the catalyst to her seeing him for what he is.

At first she's heartbroken because Lu Ten was very kind to her, he spent time with her and kissed her cheek, called her precious and the family's rare treasure, indulged her in all the games she wanted to play and all the things she wanted to show him. He made himself as approachable as possible because as much as everyone hoped the marriage wouldn't come to pass, there was a big possibility it could and why not make it easier on her? At the same time, how can you ever feel the same about this special relationship knowing that was the reason? How could Azula, after all she was taught and expected to do, see such kindness under such circumstance as anything but a ruse?

And now, in her early twenties, after finally getting the chance to distance herself from duty and expectation with the help of a mother who knows she's strong enough to recover, Azula cries over the cousin she was never allowed to greive and says "He lied to me."

And as her mother assures her the affection wasn't a lie, he really did just want her to be as comfortable as he could make her and an uncomfortable scenario, she puts two and two together and realizes Zhao was also promised to her and she wasn't consulted about this or even told.

She visits Ozai's cell to confront him about this. She isn't angry with him, she just wants the truth from his perspective, from his mouth. Surely, there must be a reason he never told her. He always has his reasons. He brushes off the questions, claiming it's all untrue, that her mother is trying to get to her, that he can't tell her about what never happened. He scolds her when her frustration manifests in tears, he scolds her for acting like a child and that breaks something in her. For the first time in her life she aims at her father to hurt him. If he hadn't dodged into the corner she might have killed him

Zuko has to be the one to calm her down and convince her he's not worth it. The most frustrating thing is that she wants to hate her father, but can't. Zuko, with the emotional development she was denied and spending three years in and out of her mental state, advises her that hatred may not be the poison people say it is, but that it also doesn't feel righteous or noble or pure to hold onto. That it just makes you tired. That the pain will ease when she acknowledges that she was wronged and it wasn't her fault.

Mai visits her some point after, asking about her finally figuring it out. When Azula asks Mai why she didn't say anything if she knew all along, she points out that she wasn't playing with friends to be reminded of royal duties and expectations, that she wasn't heartless enough to drop that kind of bomb on her.

[paramouradrift]

Febuwhump Day 6 - "You Lied To Me"

Fandom: Avatar/Mirror's Edge crossover AU

Characters: Zuko, Azula

"You Lied To Me"

Zuko threw open Azula’s office doors. She spared him a glance from her seat at the desk.

“I’m going to have to call you back,” she said into her gridLink. “Something urgent has just come up.”

The two of them couldn’t be more different: her with her neat, pressed corporate suit, not a hair out of place; him with his enforcer civvies, messy hair, and bandaged eye. She was made for boardrooms and office work. He looked like a street thug.

“You lied to me,” he said.

“About what, specifically?” she asked.

“How is it that I learned I’ve been passed over from the company newsletter?” Zuko spat, storming up to her desk. “You said you were pursuing an independent project!”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic.” Azula rolled her eyes. “Look at your resume: disciplinary notices, two demotions, and your psych eval does not inspire confidence. Did you really think Father would choose you as heir to his business empire?”

“OSec is the backbone of this corporation,” Zuko sneered. “I worked my way up through the ranks and understand its workings better than you. Your summary of my resume left out my commendations for field work, and all my certifications.”

“Let’s call it a mixed bag,” Azula said with a dismissive wave. “So you’ve experience with our security divisions. While you were studying bending and crowd control, I was learning business, finance, and negotiation. You may be able to manage OSec, but I’m the one with the skills to govern Ozai Holdings.”

“I guess I should’ve expected this of you,” Zuko said. “You always went out of your way to get Father’s special treatment.”

“And how’s that burn?” Azula said, a slight edge to her tone. She stood. “I admit, I may have fibbed a little about your prospects in this company, but you’ve only yourself to blame for gaining Father’s disapproval. Will that be all?”

Zuko grunted and turned on his heel. His hand was on the door handle when Azula called out to him.

“I see you’ve been enrolled in the ShockSec Division.” She was checking her tablet idly. “You know, I’m friends with Commander Shin. If you’d like, I could invite you to join us for dinner next weekend. He has a daughter two years your senior, and she’s single.”

Zuko nearly snapped the door handle off. Azula raised an eyebrow at his thunderous expression, waiting a beat for him to respond. She smirked.

“A true leader doesn’t rise from the bottom,” she said. “He claws his way up to the top to stand above the rest.”

“Enjoy your promotion,” Zuko spat. He didn’t slam the door behind him—he was 18, he was a full adult in the eyes of the Conglomerate, he was above such childish displays of pique—but he did close the elevator door in the face of a hiCaste secretary. The punching bag in the training room was reduced to cinders.

Azula was now the sole heir to Ozai Holdings.

Zuko had been sidelined.

[suzukiblu]

Start of an in-progress AtLA fic, for @primtheamazing.

“I had an idea,” Zuko lies, which means he thinks Azula won’t listen to said idea if she knew who’d really had it. Azula can’t imagine why he thinks she’ll listen to an idea from HIM either. 

Zuko’s always been so stupid. 

“I don’t care,” she says, tossing her uneven hair. Her voice comes out more terse than dismissive, unfortunately, which isn’t exactly what she was going for. 

They’re both stupid, maybe. 

Every time Zuko comes to her dull white rooms, though, she thinks he’s just a little bit stupider. 

“It might help,” Zuko says, as if anything ever could. 

“I don’t need HELP,” Azula spits with a lick of blue flame. She’s still waiting for the Avatar to walk in and take it away. Zuko looks tired. 

He always looks tired now. The Fire Lord’s crown is weighing him down. 

Always the weak one, even now. 

“You aren’t yourself, Azula,” he says. 

“And you’re the Fire Lord,” she sneers, dreaming of burning his eyes out. She’d do a better job than their father. 

“Yes,” Zuko says, and Azula LAUGHS at him. 

“Some Fire Lord!” she mocks. “Put on the throne by the AVATAR” 

Zuko doesn’t say anything. Azula bares her teeth at him. 

“Katara put me on the throne,” Zuko says, and Azula’s blood BOILS. Zuko looks at her silently. She feels lightning crackle inside her head, but no lightning comes to her fingers. It hasn’t in months. Not since that last Agni Kai. 

If it would, Zuko would already be dead. 

“You’re pathetic,” she hisses at him, nails baring like claws. She’s attacked him for less. He has scratches on his face and burns on his arms from the last time he said that miserable waterbender’s name to her. They’re not even healed yet. 

Zuko doesn’t say anything, again. Azula keeps talking. She wants to BURN him. 

“Pathetic,” she repeats. “You’ve always been weak, Zuzu, but that’s low even for you. Do you ask her permission to run the nation?” 

“There’s an oasis,” Zuko says. 

“What on EARTH are you talking about,” Azula says, genuinely baffled by the non-sequitur. What is WRONG with him? 

Besides everything, of course. 

“An oasis,” Zuko repeats. “At the north pole.” 

“I don’t care about the north pole,” Azula says, lip curling in disdain. She doesn’t care about a single thing Zuko has to say, in fact. 

There was nothing there to care about. 

When has there ever been? 

“The water there has healing properties,” Zuko says. Azula stares at him, then lets out another sharp bark of a laugh. 

“You’re JOKING,” she says. Zuko is silent, and she laughs louder. It hurts her throat. “I don’t need HEALED. I don’t need your PET WATERBENDER putting her filthy hands on me!” 

“It doesn’t have to be Katara,” Zuko says. “There are other healers there.” 

“I hate you,” Azula says. “I wish I’d killed you. I wish FATHER had killed you. Or better yet, Grandfather. My life would’ve been so much better without you around.” 

“I want to help you,” Zuko says, and Azula throws herself at him with fists full of flame and a screech of fury. 

She hates him. She LOATHES him. She should’ve killed him years ago, before he ever had the chance to cost her Mai and Ty Lee and the CROWN. She should’ve burned him to ash the day she first learned how to start a fire. 

The dull white door slams open and four Kyoshi Warriors rush in. The fight is brief and ugly and all Azula cares about is trying to hurt Zuko as badly as possible, and all he does is step back. 

She barely lays a hand on him, but the scratches on his cheek are freshly ripped open and bloody again. 

It’s not enough. 

Some part of her takes a bitter satisfaction in it, though. 

“Azula,” he says. 

“Go DIE!” she snarls back, pinned down by disciples of the Avatar and full of too much rage to direct or contain, too much hatred to work with, too much of EVERYTHING. 

It’s Zuko’s fault. It’s all Zuko and his worthless friends, because of course the first time ZUKO made friends he’d pick the worst possible ones. They did this. They ruined everything. They stole everything that was rightfully hers and everything that she’d spent her whole life fighting for, and they’d given it all to useless ZUKO, or not even cared enough to keep it at all. 

Azula breathes flames. The Kyoshi Warriors drive her down harder, trying to knock the fire out of her lungs. Zuko just watches, because he’s USELESS. Always useless. He’s never done a single thing that mattered in his life. 

He hasn’t even found their mother yet. 

“I hate you, I hate you, it’s all your fault, I HATE you!” Azula screams furiously. struggling so hard she nearly dislocates her shoulder. Zuko’s mouth thins. He stands there in the Fire Lord’s robes and crown with a fresh-bleeding face and burned arms, and Azula refuses to struggle to reach him. Not Zuko. She’ll never, ever do that. Zuko isn’t even worth her attention, much less her struggle. 

He took everything from her. 

He took EVERYTHING. 

“You should leave,” one of the Kyoshi Warriors says. Azula doesn’t care which one. “She’s not going to calm down with you here.” 

“I know,” Zuko says. “I just . . .” 

Azula dreams of burning his eyes out. Of watching him die. Watching him SUFFER. He deserves it. Deserves so much worse. Deserves everything she could ever find the time to do to him, and just that little bit more. 

“You’re worthless!” she screams at him. “You should’ve just DIED!” 

“We’re going to the north pole,” Zuko tells her, and then he turns his back on her and leaves the room. 

Azula is going to DESTROY him.