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An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 13/? Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Underage Sex Relationships: Katara/Zuko (Avatar), Minor or Background Relationship(s), Sokka/Suki (Avatar) Characters: Katara (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Haru (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Kanna (Avatar), Pakku (Avatar), The Blue Spirit (Avatar), Team Avatar (Avatar TV) Additional Tags: Worldbuilding, Slow Burn, Alternate Ending, Adventure & Romance, Lies, Deception, Fandom Growth Exchange, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Vigilantism, Blue Spirit Zuko (Avatar), Waterbending & Waterbenders, Death, Bloodbending (Avatar) Summary:

Set in the uncertain days after the invasion of the Fire Nation, the world stands on the edge of change – but not all battles have been won, and not all wounds have healed. Zuko, torn between duty and conscience, has finally stepped out of his father’s shadow, yet the weight of his choices still burns within him. Katara, burdened by grief and mistrust, finds her convictions tested when their paths unexpectedly intertwine.

As they navigate the delicate balance between duty and desire, their bond deepens into something neither expected – something tested by the secrets they keep. Even in a time of rebuilding, some masks are not so easily removed. When a new threat rises from the ruins of the old world, Team Avatar must reunite once more – but the real question remains: can Zuko and Katara’s growing connection survive the truth behind the mask that still divides them?

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Okay friends! I’ve officially gotten my masters and have lots more time to write! The finally part to The Mask Between Us is just about done! Here’s another sneak peak:

Chapter: What Are You Waiting For?

The realization made him grin despite himself. "Showing off now, are we?"

Zuko’s answer was a faint smirk.

Jinu lunged again, but three moves later, Zuko slipped inside his guard, redirected both blades, and settled into a final stance with one dao resting lightly against Jinu's chest.

The match was over. For a moment, neither moved, the silence of the yard settling between them. Then, Jinu knocked the blade aside.

"Okay," Jinu said, pointing a sword at him. "What happened?"

Zuko frowned, blinking. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't do that thing where you pretend you don't know exactly what I'm talking about."

Zuko’s smirk widened, and Jinu laughed. "There it is." He gestured broadly with one dao. "You're already insufferably good, but today you're impossible. So what happened?"

For a moment, Zuko simply looked at him. Then, instead of deflecting, he said, "Katara knows."

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My husbands drawing tablet broke unfortunately but this was his most recent drawing!

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I wanted to give an update to “The Mask Between Us,” the final part is almost finished! I’m in the middle of finishing grad school plus working full time so I had to put it on the backburner….

But! Here’s a sneak peak:

Zuko.

Her breath hitched – sharp, involuntary. For a heartbeat, she couldn't move, couldn't think. The alley, the city, the lingering warmth of battle – all of it blurred at the edges.

It was him.

Not a rumor. Not a memory from Yu Dao. Not a ghost in a mask.

Him.

For a long moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the soft drip of water from her last bending strike pattering onto the stone.

Finally, Katara found her voice – quiet, stunned, barely a whisper.

"Zuko…?"

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My husbands recent drawing prompt was “something you’d see on the subway…”

This was the result. He needs band name suggestions

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PART III of “The Mask Between Us” is now on AO3!

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After seeing the art work for the upcoming adult gang my husband decided to make Katara and Zuko closer to their original designs with some modifications!

Here are his updated illustrations using the new movie as his reference!

Read about these two characters in “The Mask Between Us” on archive of our own and wattpad to see their story build 2 years after the war!

An updated cover will be coming once he swaps out the characters!

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I wanted to give an updated on “The Mask Between Us” 🌊🔥 Part III is written, I am fine tuning, after taking a break and rereading last ni

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Not zutara related but exposing more of my husbands “doodles” as he calls them.

Somebody hire this many to illustrate a book lol

But for real, he’s loved hearing people’s feedback on his drawings! It definitely gives him a confidence boost. He just loves to draw, most of the time he draws his friends D&D characters for their campaigns

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I just finished the last chapter of Part III of The Mask Between Us and this is one of my favorite scenes I had to share!

Then, just as she was about to respond, she felt a shiver of exhaustion take over her body. She tried to hide it, but her knees buckled as she staggered back against the cool wall.

Zuko moved for her instantly, only this time he didn’t keep his distance…

He stepped in close, one hand settling firmly around her arm, grounding her. His other hand rose slowly, almost hesitantly, until his fingers brushed her cheek.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “I’ve got you.”

Her eyes lifted to his.

Blue met gold.

The lanternlight caught in both of them, turning the moment electric – too quiet, too close, charged with everything they hadn’t had time to feel yet.

Zuko swallowed. His thumb shifted lightly against her cheekbone as he held her gaze.

Katara could feel the warmth in her building… say something, do something… she thought to herself.

“I guess… a lot has changed these past two years…” she managed, though her breath was short and raspy.

“Well… not everything,” Zuko said, his voice rough yet soft, almost seductive.

Should I kiss her? No… not now. But… fuck I want her so badly.

Katara’s breath hitched, just barely, and Zuko felt it like a spark catching. Something in his chest flared in response – too fast, too hot. The warmth that always lived under his skin surged, rushing down his arms, into his hands. The tips of his fingers burned, not painful, but wrong, like fire answering a call he hadn’t made.

Then he noticed the light.

The torches lining the walkway flickered, flames bowing inward for a heartbeat as if drawn by something unseen. Their usual orange glow thinned, shifted – just enough to tint blue at the edges. Faint. Easy to miss.

But Zuko didn’t miss it.

No… no, no no. Not now!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/72313146/chapters/188280556

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Part III of The Mask Between Us is just about done and it gets intense! Here’s a snippet of what’s to come:

Chapter Title: A Name in the Mist

It was like fighting a reflection.

He kicked, she blocked. She struck, he dodged. The dance became faster, tighter, until he managed to break through her guard and land a hit — his palm connecting solidly with her forearm.

And in that instant, the contact froze him.

The way she moved. The precision. The balance. The strength in her arms, honed but graceful.

He knew that movement. Not as an enemy. As an equal.

Familiar. Too familiar.

He pressed forward again, testing, exchanging blows in quick succession. Each motion confirmed it — the turns, the breathing, the rhythm.

Then one of his strikes connected harder than he intended, a solid hit against her shoulder. She staggered back, releasing a sharp, involuntary grunt — low, quiet, but unmistakable.

Zuko stopped cold. His hands lowered slightly. His breath came fast, visible in the frozen mist.

His heart lurched.

That sound. That tone. That voice.

His eyes widened, the realization cutting through the haze sharper than any blade.

“…Katara?”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/72313146/chapters/188280556

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We’ve got an updated cover!

Check out The Mask Between Us on AO3 and wattpad

https://archiveofourown.org/works/72313146/chapters/188280556

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But now… she was alone.

With a soft, shuddering sigh, Katara turned back to the moon, a single tear tracing a quiet path down her cheek.

And for the first time, she allowed her heart to speak the truth it had denied for so long.

“I… I miss you too.”

Part III of The Mask Between Us is almost done and this is one of my favorite scenes!

Huge shout out to my husband for making my scenes come to life

Check out what happens in my fanfic on AO3 or wattpad

https://archiveofourown.org/works/72313146/chapters/188280556

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Here’s a sneak peak from the chapter: Secrets of Steam in Part II of “The Mask Between Us”

As he prowled above, his movements slow and deliberate, the familiar rhythm of the city below guiding him closer to the courtyard where he knew Jinu would be helping. A flicker of concern tugged at him. He wanted to check on his friend, to make sure he was safe, but first, he had to keep his focus sharp.

Then, movement caught his eye. A figure walking through a quieter alley toward the wounded, bandages bundled in her hands, a dark blue tunic, long jogger-like pants, and long brown hair cascading down her back.

His gaze fixed on her instinctively. Something about her drew him in – a pull he couldn’t explain, even in the midst of caution and duty. That’s… he thought, slowing his step to shadow her movements. No… it can’t be.

But… maybe she held a clue to the attack, he reasoned. Perhaps he could learn something.

The rooftops ended near an alleyway, and without hesitation, he dropped down, landing softly, rolling into a crouch. He straightened, blending into the shadows as he came level with her.

The woman’s eyes flicked up as a shadow shifted in her peripheral vision. She stopped mid-step, senses alert. Her gaze scanned the alley, but she couldn’t see anyone at first. The dim moonlight and long shadows concealed the figure, keeping him just out of sight.

And then, slowly, one foot stepped forward from the darkness.

And then their eyes met.

It’s… her.

It’s… him.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/72313146/chapters/188280556

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An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

One of my favorite things about writing as been creating new characters in the world of Avatar!

Meet Jinu! He is a royal servant in the Fire Nation in my fanfic "The Mask Between Us"

This is my husband's creative process and I absolutely love how far the character has come!

Learn more about Jinu in Part II of "The Mask Between Us" on Archive of Our Own and Wattpad!

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Zuko concept art drawn and illustrated by my husband

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Katara concept art drawn and illustrated by my husband