Just my little collection of oneshots and drabbles about our favorite adorable duo. Theyāre listed in chronological order, but whether theyāre linked or not is up to interpretation.
I use AO3 ratings for my fics: G (general audiences), T (teen and up), M (mature themes), and E (explicit).
Pre-Calamity
A Moment of Mutuality
Rating: T
Word Count: 0.9k
Summary: After rescuing her from a group of Yiga clansmen, Link lets his feelings for the princess get the better of him.
The Quest for Acquaintance
Rating: G
Word Count: 1k
Summary: Zelda struggles with her task of getting Link to open up to her while also being reluctant to apologize for being harsh on him in the beginning.
Decorumās Abandonment
Rating: E
Word Count: 3.6k
Summary: Although hesitant at first, Link indulges Zelda in a scandalous request as a way for the both of them to relieve some of their pent-up stress.
Submersed in Sorrow
Rating: G
Word Count: 0.5k
Summary: Link comforts Zelda after another failed pilgrimage to one of the three sacred springs of the Goddess.
Post-Calamity
The Mark of a Lover
Rating: E
Word Count: 3.7k
Summary: Zelda and Link are in the process of rekindling their relationship of one hundred years past, but Zelda is still haunted by her horrifying memories.
What Could Have Become of Us
Rating: T
Word Count: 0.7k
Summary: After countless battles and endless strife, Link watches helplessly as his worst fears unfold before his very eyes.
Late-Night Reminiscence
Rating: G
Word Count: 0.7k
Summary: Fed up with Linkās reckless and dangerous antics, Zelda expresses her concern regarding his behavior.
Sheikah Slave
Rating: E
Word Count: 2.1k
Summary: After being ignored for a bit longer than he would have prefered, Link reclaims Zeldaās attention by force, and he does so in a rather creative way.
Sunrise
Rating: M
Word Count: 4.5k
Summary: Ten long years after her return to the land of the living, the queen of Hyrule takes her first steps out of her comfort zone with her beloved knightās hand in hers.
AU Fics
Like Birds of a Feather
Rating: T
Word Count: 3.2
Summary: Link, the owner of a small bakery in the middle of the big city, and Zelda, one of his most frequent customers, spend the holidays together.
Thereās a man I know with the first name Robert, I felt very close with him. I donāt think he saw things the same way. I would call him one of my best friends. He would call me one of his friends.
In 2019, I told him that I felt suicidal and he helped encourage me to talk to other people and stay around.
In 2020, he pushed me and all of our mutual friends away because he was dealing with some āmental shitā
I hope he gets it sorted out
His actions hurt me a lot, but itās about self-care so I will never tell him.
I do not want to tell him that I want to die because in my mind, he doesnāt deserve to know. He pushed me away so I should stop trying to include him in my life.
Before 2020 is over, or very shortly into 2021, I think that I will be dead. I am not going to tell anyone. The first man I told in 2019 pushed me away, so I do not want to tell him or anyone else for that matter.
If you are reading this while I am still alive, there is nothing you can do. I have tried medication, therapy, counseling, atheism, agnosticism, christianity. I have tried fasting and praying, I have tried daily prayer, I have tried journaling, and every other Christian thing people mention.
I have also tried a few hedonistic things but never drugs or alcohol
The point is, nothing has ever helped me no matter how badly I wanted it. Nothing you suggest will ever help me ever, because I have tried it.
If you are reading this after I am gone, then you should look for videos of me online, most of those are of me in public and therefore are me at my best. Thatās how I want you to remember me. Thanks for nothing life, fuck everything, nothing matters, especially not me
Hey, Google: What do I do if all my friends have either consciously or unsonsciously abandoned me to the point where the only friendship and mirth I can find is in internet shows? Also all concerts and D&D games are canceled so the only other things that brought light to my life are gone. I am fully convinced that the people I know donāt actually give a fuck about my existence. Once I die, theyāll be sad in the same way that a child is sad when a toy of theirs breaks. Itās sad that they lost one of the things that was useful and a little fun to them, but theyāll replace it soon enough and forget that first toy even existed. Iām already in the garbage can of their minds, why not complete the triforce in real life? Why did I have to procrastinate for 16 months? For this?! Stupid. Iāve gained maybe 1-2% at the cost of 60-70%
Most of the people I know (and once good friends with) make it really hard to want to stay alive. Nearly all aspects seem to come up with undesirable outcomes.
- Work - Barely have a job or enough money to support myself, would not have to worry if I were dead
- Family - Constantly disappointed in me and telling me either out loud or subtextually how unworthy and subpar I am
- Friends - Most of them have turned out to be assholes who donāt give two shits about me. When I left their lives because I was depressed, they didnāt give 2 shits. I have 1 MAYBE 2 people who legitimately care for me on a level that has nothing to do with how they can benefit from my existence
- Religion - I am a practicing Christian who believes that I will be with Christ when I die. And being with Him would be a lot better than anything I could do here. Others might say, āWell, Godās not through with you yet.ā Heāll figure out a way, heās omniscient. He doesnāt need me therefore thereās no compulsion to live any longer
- Plans - I have nothing to look forward to. Music was my passion and now all concerts are canceled and I donāt see the world getting better in the next 6 months and I donāt want to live in this world for another 6 months. The only obligation I have is for the 3 D&D campaigns I DM for.
- Iād be missed - No I wouldnāt. Iāve largely gotten over my friends that have passed away, theyāll get over me. I never meant enough to anyone for it to make that much of an impact.
- What about all the beauty in life? - One bit of beauty is not worth having to endure 100 evils. It is too great a price to pay and I no longer want to pay it.
Iāve concluded that I am holistically incapable of lasting joy. Happiness is a passing comfort that comes and goes in a way that I was originally taught sadness would. This makes life feel effectively meaningless or at the very least it has made me into an opportunistic hedonist.
do u have any atla fic recs? all time faves? can be shippy or not
Fun fact, I am incapable of holding back on reclists. In other words: brace yourself, anon. Thereās a reason I put most of this behind a cut.
First off, these are almost all Zuko-centric, because I shamelessly play favorites. Iāll sort them by author rec, gen, shippy, and then by other characters because honestly the numbers break down well that way. Within those categories itāll be more just as I think of it, so no special meaning to the order. Iām not always good about bookmarking even my faves, so some excellent stuff will no doubt be missing, especially since I havenāt read a lot of the more recent stuff yet/forgot some really old stuff, but this will definitely still give you plenty of fic to enjoy.
Thereās a good number of FFN links on here so apologies to people who dislike it, but a lot of great stuff is still on there so give it a chance.
Author recs
Everything by @awesomeavocadoloveāā Ā Such hits as Another Brother (Zuko adopted by Hakoda pre-S1), and currently has a Zukka soulmate fic Iāve been meaning to start reading, as well as Unchained Melody, one of my favorite Zukka fics ever. Always quality, you canāt go wrong.
Everything by KimberlyT.Ā I do not kid. Sheās written a variety of ATLA fic ranging from Zutara/other romance to gen, seriously emotional to cracky cabbagebending. I think my favorite is probably Mismatched (S1 Zuko adopts a baby) but honestly just go read it all.
Everything by @emletish-fishāā. She has a very fun writing style and honestly her end-of-chapter notes on why sheās made the choices she has are fun minimetas worthwhile in their own right. Some of her top fics are the Stalking Zuko series (S3 suspicious Katara to Zutara) and The Worst Prisoner (the Gaang kidnaps Zuko in S1 and canāt get rid of him). I think thereās still a good amount of her fic that can only be found on FFN so check there too.
Everything by @botherkupoāā. Especially her Undying Fire series (healer!Zuko) but also just literally everything she writes, it is all so great. Tends toward Zutara but strong gen fics as well sometimes and a lot of fun. Check it all out!
Everything by @muffinlanceāā. Loves to toy with her readersā emotions in the best of ways. Tons of fantastic gen Zuko-centric AUs, I have adored every single fic Iāve ever read by her, canāt praise them enough. Very productive as well, her tumblr is a hub for the ATLA renaissance and her fics inspire lots of others. Has also organized a fanmade ATLA coloring book for charity so get that once itās out. In the meantime read everything sheās written.
Everything by Haicrescendo. My favorite is What Weāre Given (the series where Zuko finds more air bisons and raises them), but thereās a lot of good Zukka fic too. I tend to steer away from explicit works in this fandom unless itās a smaller part of a much longer plot-centric fic, so there are a number I havenāt read, but I really like the Pokemon!AU Zukka.
Everything by @gaycinema. I really love the EK fight club series (Zuko fights in Rumbles/etc.) but all of it is a good read. Some Jetko, mostly a lot of introspective or emotional oneshots. Which isnāt really a great depiction of how good they tend to be, youāll just have to read them and find out. You wonāt regret it, trust me.
Everything by @captainkirkk. So far eight stellar fics, starting with kind Fire Lord Zuko and ranging to Floating Tea Shop!Zuko who doesnāt want to hunt the Avatar. I love her style and have laughed out loud at multiple of these.Ā
Gen Zuko fic
Bringing Out the Blue by maguena1. [unfinished, long] Definitely worth the read. The first ATLA fic I ever got really sucked into. The Blue Spirit never gets knocked out so Aang doesnāt know his true identity; he joins the Gaang on a recurring basis, while Zuko attempts to tell himself this is only for information on how to catch them, they definitely arenāt his friends.
Itās Impossible by Sandra Phillips. [abandoned, long] One of the earliest Avatar!Zuko fics (sort of) and a really interesting take on some spirit stuff.
Embers by Vathara. [complete, long] A landmark fic in the fandom, and for good reason. I didnāt love everything about this fic, but it is very well-written and an absorbing read certainly worth the praise.Ā
the art of description by incandescens. [oneshot, short] Five descriptions of Zuko and Tophās field trip from various perspectives. Short, sweet, and funny.
Breaking Point by Kryal. [oneshot, short] Zuko isnāt banished but instead sent to serve in the Home Guard. I love Zuko loving his people, and alternate canon explorations, and this is exactly that.
The Alternative by Lunatique. [oneshot, short] The reason Zuko is so determined is because he fears what will happen if he isnāt the next Fire Lord. An idea I support in canon, to a degree, written well.
Hands and Knees by gigerisgod. [oneshot, short] Zuko reflects on the choices heās made, and experiences heās had, when joining the Gaang. A nice introspective fic.
Relative Misery by peroxidepest17. [oneshot, short] Toph complains about her family and Zuko takes her on a field trip. Not a fic I take too seriously, but funny in a sad way.
Second Nature by lazyartisan. [possibly abandoned, long] An AU stemming from Zukoās capture at the North Pole. Well-written and characterized, an old favorite that I actually find needing to reread to give you more detail, but I can promise itās good.
Year One by peroxidepest17. [oneshot, short] Lessons Zuko learns in his first year being Fire Lord. I really like explorations of Zukoās journey as Fire Lord and this is a lovely little window into that.
Soft by PenPistola. [oneshot, short] Zuko and Toph bonding after the Ember Island Players. Short and sweet.
The New Phoenix King by JoeMerl. [oneshot, short] Fire Lord Zuko is overthrown, and no one but him is bothered at all. In fact they help. Hilarious crack.
First Name Basis by JoeMerl. [oneshot, short] Thereās some popular posts going around Tumblr lately about Zuko not knowing the Gaangās names, but this fic did it first back in 2008. As amusing as youād expect.
Male Bonding by glamaphonic. [oneshot, short] The original āZuko and Sokka bond and are also dumb idiot boysā fic. Katara is permanently rolling her eyes.
itās not the waking, itās the rising by isamagicdragon, thegracious [ongoing, series, medium] Azulon tells Ozai to kill Azula instead of Zuko, which leads to heartwrenching fire sibs adventure. I havenāt caught up on the last chapter yet but god is it fantastic and also just a really interesting and new perspective on what could have happened.
Doe-Eyed by Anonymous. [complete, medium] Zuko is a baby, Azula is a loving big sister. More fire sibs and a great exploration on Azulaās POV of turning against Ozai.
kintsugi by discordiansamba. [ongoing, series, long] Zuko doesnāt have Iroh after being banished, and winds up hired as a guard to protect the frail Beifong daughter. Fantastic preseries Zuko+Toph found family fic.
Legacies by WildInkling. [ongoing, medium] Far in the future, a historian studies the journal of Fire Lord Zuko. Also, he was secretly a famous author but no one knows. A funny and poignant outsider POV.
#UndercoverZuko series by naggeluide. [complete,Ā series, short] A completely cracky concept written straight enough to be actually quite touching in parts, but also just really funny. Zuko goes Undercover Boss on his ship pre-series.
Avatar Ficlets by JaggedCliffs. [series, oneshots, short] An ongoing series of disconnected oneshots, mostly post-canon and mostly Zuko-centric. Some a pretty fun, one is a great view on Zuko and lightningbending, all worth the read (and follow for when more come out).
The Blind Leading the Blue by BrusselsSprout. [ongoing, medium] An epic Zuko and Toph field trip set in S2. I love them and this.
half in the shadows, half burned in flames by r_astra. [oneshot, short] Iroh dies, Zuko gets caught on the Day of Black Sun, everything ends up all right but damn does it hurt getting there.
A Tale of Earth and Fire by chiiyo86. [complete, medium] Zuko and Toph are married for Politics in a FN Wins AU, and follows them slowly bonding as friends to beginning a revolution. Theyāre married but itās not romantic, just some good friendship.
Eight Principles of Yong by psocoptera. [oneshot, short] An exploration of immediate post-show FN politics (sort of), calligraphy, and Zuko. Also has some lovely non-fighting firebending; I always love when people explore other uses of bending.
Healing Properties of Cinder Sage by Dawen. [oneshot, short] Zuko gets very sick in the Western Air Temple. Some good interaction when heās new to the Gaang, and Toph+Zuko friendship.
We Ourselves Must Walk The Path by WinterSky101. [complete, medium] The Gaang agrees to make Zuko their prisoner in the WAT. Speaking of new-to-the-Gaang, tension, this fic has plenty of it, and also features some good Toph and Zuko.
Frozen by Aris Merquoni. [oneshot, medium] Zuko is captured in the NWT. Some politics, lots of angst, and eventually, healing. Also actually makes me somewhat like Hahn? Incredibly enough.
Reluctant Hero by PAW_07. [ongoing, long] Avatar!Zuko fic. I got to beta it way back when for a little while before I got too busy, and have always been a huge fan of this fic. Great concept, one of the best executions of it Iāve seen, and also one of the first. Definitely read this.
Morality Chain by Pureauthor. [abandoned, long] Azula and Zuko were always on each otherās side; how this changes canon. I love this concept and would happily read a lot more fics with it (please guys, I need more fire sibs).
A viper-lizardās tales series by Yumi_Take. [ongoing, long] The world needs more of Zuko adopting pets and small children, and those are just facts. This only has one of the two, but itās a EK baby! Jet plays a big role in this fic as well, a weird kind of uncle-ish to the baby/friend/murderer Zuko needs to watch closely and hold back kind of thing.
(life happens) wherever you are by howlikeagod. [ongoing, long] Katara doesnāt find Zuko and Iroh in the teashop, and canon takes a sharp left turn. Excellent Gaang fic.
The Best Path series by EudociaCovert. [series, ongoing, long] Zuko meets Jet inĀ āZuko Aloneā and winds up getting claimed as theirs by the remaining Freedom Fighters. Really really well-written, I got quite emotional over some scenes.
Shippy Zuko fic
Balm by Thyme In Her Eyes. [Maiko, oneshot, short] A sweet little fic about Maiās thoughts on Zukoās lightning scar.
The Black Games by Mrs. Pettyfer. [Zutara, complete, long] Hunger Games-esque AU. Itās the first in a series, and I lost interest after this one but I remember enjoying the fic and it was more personal preference rather than a drop in quality that had me leaving.
Lie To Me by Inkcharm. [Toko, oneshot, short] Iām not actually a fan of this pairing romatically (at least until years down the line), but this little fic of Toph and Zuko bonding through lying to one another is sweet. I choose to ignore the more shippy parts and enjoyed it.
Zutara? What the heck is that? by Ryxl. [Zutara, oneshot, short] Complete crack, have a good sense of humor and I think you will enjoy. Just the mental image of the Gaang finding a Zutara propaganda flyer had me chuckling.
The Three Chores series (1, 2, 3) by Fandomme. [Zutara, threeshot, short] Zuko and Katara slowly bond as he helps with chores. I will admit itās been years and I barely remember this, but what I do recall is lovely and I always appreciate people lightening Kataraās load.
read the inscription by suzukiblu. [Zuko/Song, complete, series, medium] When Zuko is banished, he is left alone in the Earth Kingdom to fend for himself. Very touching, and I love Song in this.
Hooked by TGP. [Jetko, complete, long] A classic āJet didnāt see Iroh warming his teaā fic. Theyāre almost all this premise but so many well-written and very long ones.Ā
Something To Hold Onto by Wildgoosery. [Jetko, complete, long] The EK fell and Li stayed to fight with the Freedom Fighters to protect the city during its foreign rule. Jet didnāt see the tea fic that goes very AU from canon.
Foxfire by Rahar_Moonfire. [Jetko, ongoing, long] Zuko loses his memories Jetko fic, but with heavy spirit influence and lovable EK OCs, both of which I adore and should be in far more fics.
Once Upon A Teashop by anaer. [Zukka, Jetko, ongoing, long] Cracky Ba Sing Se AU that gets gradually more and more serious. Jet hits on Zuko a lot and Sokka gets a job in the teashop to keep an eye on both of them. Endgame Zukka but heavy Jetko, and both pairings are handled pretty well, not a love triangle that makes me too mad, although as always bear in mind Jetās messed up.Ā
Names by TGP. [Jetko, complete, long] I feel like Iām forgetting some more excellent Amnesia!Zuko fics, but this is one I do know of. To be honest I donāt remember it super well because it may be mixed up with other Jetko/amnesia fics in my mind, but I think it was really good. Iāll have to reread myself.
Epistles by Lady_of_the_Flowers. [Zukka, ongoing, long] I love epistolary fic and I love Zuko and Sokka bonding earlier in canon. I will be honest I havenāt read this in a long time and been updating all the while, but the premise alone (Zuko and Sokka become messenger-hawk-pals in S1 and then fall in love) is fantastic.Ā
Ozymandias, King of Kings by Think_of_a_Wonderful_Thought. [Zukka, ongoing, long] Zuko rebels earlier and actually is sent to the mines, until he isĀ ārescuedā by the Water Tribe. Dark but getting lighter over time, and more reluctant-to-rule Zuko which always wrenches my heartstrings. I prefer super loyal and dutiful to his people Zuko but this trope always makes me feel things.
Crossovers
Fallen Drops of Fire by Chasmfiend. [Fullmetal Alchemist, ongoing] Young Azula and Zuko somehow appear in Amestris, and encounter Roy Mustang. I adore the fire sibs, and their relationship in this strange situation is the star of this fic for me, but itās also fun seeing the FMA perspective of these two.
The Dragon-Kingās Temple by Kryal. [Stargate SG-1, long, complete] The best crossover fic out there. Zuko and Toph get stranded on the other side of a Stargate. I donāt know anything about SG-1 but it didnāt matter, the fic was fantastic, they were badasses, it explored language and culture from an outside perspective, and it was just a ton of fun. Must-read.
Other character fic
Loyalty by Julia451. [oneshot, short] The ship captain didnāt misspeak when he called Iroh and Zuko āprisonersā in the start of S2. A lovely look at a nameless character, giving depth to a small moment and humanity to a FN soldier which I always love.
The Only One by HarlowR. [oneshot, short] An excellent exploration of Azulaās mindset regarding Zuko, her desperate need to be loved and jealousy of him matching his own. I think Azula was one of the greatest tragedies of the show, and this fic makes me feel it.
Blood by theAsh0. [oneshot, short] Katara-centric thinkpiece on bloodbending and healing. Dark but really interesting.
Touch and Go by Cadence. [oneshot, short] After Irohās struck by lightning, Toph doesnāt let Zuko drive them all away. A momentary alliance and the seeds of friendship. More Toph-focused but still heavy on the whole Gaang.
Shortcomings by Menamebephil. [oneshot, short] Iroh thoughts during his imprisonment, on the theme of mistakes. I love this man and donāt understand why I am so drawn to fic about him that makes me sad.
Watch And Review, Please by Becca Stareyes. [oneshot, short] The Ember Island Players receive some constructive criticism... sort of. Funny and quick.
Azula Redemption Trilogy (1, 2, 3) by Mistress of Sarcasm. [threeshot, short] Second person and deeply introspective, three short little fics delving into Azulaās head and bringing her closer to redemption.
Echoing Refrains by catie_writes_things. [oneshot, short] I really like nuanced explorations of the whole FN royal family. Itās perfectly fine to write Ozai as pure evil bastard, but exploringĀ what might have been or how he got there, or even as in this fic his talent for music being inherited by Zuko is really interesting too. Iroh-centric.
our curse by ohmygodwhy, and the last dragon by thesometimeswarrior. [twoshot, complete, short] Stay away if you donāt like to cry. In the first Zuko learns Ozai is executing Iroh, and isnāt able to stop it; the second is even worse because itās Irohās POV. I put this in the other characters section because honestly I adore the second fic even more than the first, but they are both fantastically written and will hurt you a very great deal.
Finally, Iām not quite bold enough to put my own fic on a reclist, but just shameless enough to mention Iāve written a few Avatar fics I quite like if anyone feels the desire to check them out on my AO3. ;) But seriously give love to all the rest of these, they deserve it. (And as I said, thereās lots more excellent stuff, this fandom is so prolific and well-written!)
Life sucks and I wish it would end. Every other method to stop the pain does not work. Only a complete and utter end to life can bring any true peace. And Iām just writing this cuz I know no one will see it, but I wanted to put it out into the ethos. Survived for 14 months after bailing on my first attempt, maybe itās time to revisit that.
