Hey, so I saw that you were open to giving a rec list of Fire Lord Zuko fics, which I’m in love with. If it’s no too much trouble, could you possibly compile some fics for a hungry fandom child? Thanks!
Of course! I adore Fire Lord Zuko stories (which you can probably tell from my tag for him lol) so I don’t mind at all! (also tagging @en-sam-malas because look at all the amazing fic!!!)
Once again, this is by no means a complete list of even my favourites, because the tag has so many amazing stories in it that I couldn’t possibly include them all
the men who hold high places must be the ones to start by klainelynch
Summary: Seven years after Fire Lord Zuko ended the war, a young servant accidentally burns the Fire Lord and sees a side of him that he didn’t expect.
It’s POV outsider, which happens to be a trope I really like about this particular brand of fic, and has healthy amounts of Zuko being a considerate ruler and very dad-like to a younger, newer member of the kitchen staff
This Barefoot Estate by JustGettingBy
Summary: The palace staff can't say they're exactly pleased with the attitudes of the royal family, to say the least. Now, after a few wild fights, the old banished Prince is sitting on the throne and leading their nation. What are they supposed to make of it all? OR The five times the palace staff weren't sure what to think about the new Fire Lord + the one time they were.
Another outsider POV along the same lines, but it’s now 5+2 scenes!
a friend indeed by aloneintherain
Summary: Toph says, “It’s never nice when someone tries to make you feel small. Especially when they’re grown adults who should know better.” Zuko blows out a breath. “Yeah. It’s--yeah.” Toph and Zuko, protecting each other at cross-national balls.
Some Toph and Zuko bonding, well after canon events. I adore them in canon and it’s a pity we didn’t get to see more of Zuko appreciating Toph’s bluntness.
see your son rising at last by aloneintherain
Summary: When Zuko dashes into the sitting room, it is with the same wide-eyed panic that he ran from Azula’s smoking hands when he was a child. Iroh bites down on a smile. Zuko looks the same, even now, a decade later with a scar blossomed over one side of his face, green and brown robes replacing the solitary reds of his childhood. His hair is puffed up around his face. He looks like a very frightened, very windswept turtle-dove. Zuko dives behind Iroh just as Aang breezes to a stop in the doorway. Five times Zuko hid behind Iroh, plus one time Zuko stood proudly in front of him.
Another 5+1 story, but this one’s kind of cheating - some of the scenes happen before and during canon, and not necessarily when Zuko’s appointed Fire Lord - but it’s so well-written and most of it fits this category anyway
a night at the theatre by aloneintherain
Summary: The director could get on his knees, and talk about honouring Zuko all he liked, but it didn’t erase the fact that the Ember Island Players had trivialised—had actively mocked—his struggles. His friends’ struggles. This man had Zuko murdered on-stage to the rapturous applause of the audience, and now he was trying to smile sweetly at Zuko, and welcome him onto his set, as if there weren’t exaggerated versions of his friend’s outfits tucked away backstage, as if he hadn’t orchestrated Aang’s death at the hands of his father— Fire Lord Zuko meets the Ember Island Players.
This is pure crack and all the best parts of it. Just... read it, it’s absolutely hilarious
moments like this by MashpotatoeQueen5
Summary: The war is over, but that doesn't mean everything is fixed. The battles are fought and won, but that doesn't mean all the scars are healed. The Gaang has been through hell and back, but that doesn't mean they can't find solace with each other and the help of a good food fight. Alternatively known as that fic where Aang is stressing out and not sleeping again, Zuko finally gets to be a big brother to someone who appreciates him, politics make Zuko's head hurt, and Zuko is far too attracted to angst for his own good. Alternatively alternatively known as Zuko has weird friends but he loves them anyway. Fluff. SO much fluff. There is the GAang, acting as their own little happy family unit. And adorable, sleepy Aang. And kids dealing with stuff. And Food fights.
There’s a bit of political aftermath discussed, but that’s somewhat background compared to all the Gaang fluff
Do You Hear The People Sing? by generic__username
Summary: The Fire Nation has only rebelled once in its long history. They are a proud people, and a loyal one. They do not turn against their own for no reason. They protect their own. Especially their Prince. ~~~ Basically this was a What if the Fire Nation said Fuck Ozai and rebelled AU. along with a sprinkling of world building built in. Enjoy!
I’m absolutely cheating with this one, because it’s mostly during canon and very little of it is actually Fire Lord Zuko, but it’s absolutely brilliant and a must read because it’s FL Zuko in spirit
Thank you for the ask, I loved making this list! I’m open to making more lists (might make another Gaang+Zuko list to accompany this one) if you have specifics, but otherwise all I have to say is happy reading!