#droplct

[honorforged-archive]

Zuko acting like he's Katara's personal bodyguard ☺️

[honorforged-archive1]

Zurata Moodboard for @droplct

[honorforged]

[sapphireceo]

❝ Almost perfect but , I still think I did pretty well ! ❞ 🩵

Are You Seto Kaiba's Type?

"See, I think if I persuade you that you are able to duel me at a drop of a hat. I have my ways of making it so." He smirked.

[honorabledragon]

Zuko doubts himself because of his trauma and upbringing, but he actually is a very well-liked fire lord, especially among international circles. His earnest desire to right the wrongs of the past and down-to-earth, humble demeanor is seen as endearing by other nations' diplomats and leaders.

He also gets along well with palace staff, as he's very gracious to them, and talks to them like a regular person, and remembers their spouses' and children's names. Ordinary citizens take a liking to him because of this and his kind personality.

What helps Zuko a lot in this is that he's actually very good at reading people and anticipating their needs. He is proactive and acts before they ask, seeing ahead in how things could impact them. Zuko is very empathetic, and this helps him a lot in everyday conversations as well as political ones.

Zuko worries constantly that he's unlikeable as both "just a person", as "just Zuko", and as the fire lord and how that it impacts how he can help people and the world's peace. But others don't see him that way at all. His anxiety, abuse, and trauma all impact how he clearly can see himself and his successes and strengths.

He became very good at reading people likely the same way Azula did. It was a survival mechanism where they had to watch Ozai's every move closely to anticipate how to behave to stay afloat. It also helped him monitor how Ozai might lash out against their mother as well. Azula took reading people in order to better serve her father by manipulating them to her whim, whereas Zuko's empathy made him work better this way to be a considerate and effective world leader.

[dreamlightmagicgarden]

@droplct

— Sometimes I think Zuzu does this on purpose. Dating people I especially dislike.

[dreamawoken]

Comm. from an anonymous source! Gifts for the lovely @droplct & @honorforged !!! It was such a pain keeping these a secret today since I share like...all my WIP with Jess (honorforged) These are for Taea and Jess, and them ALONE! Since it was a paid comm. (If you want your own, come see me.) New emoji gallery (my old multi was terminated): [link] Comm form: [link]

[airbcnder]

@droplct said: She was exhausted , in more ways than one , as she stepped out of the airship with her arm wrapped around her waist . Groggy , head spinning after she was woken up from her much - needed rest . She had sworn to Zuko that she was fine . Given him a parting hug , bit back her grimaces , while holding onto his robes so tight because it was a weak attempt at stopping her shaking . He didn’t believe her . He never did . But she just kept assuring him with smiles that didn’t reach her eyes until he agreed to let her go . She watched the Fire Nation craft leave , while she braced herself on the doorframe . If she let go , she was certain she’d fall over . Regardless , she kept going .

She dragged herself through her and Aang’s home until she couldn’t go any further . Their bed was her saving grace . With a heavy grown , Katara collapsed onto their bed . Every inch of her body ached . Every time she pried blood - soaked fabric from a part of her body she grimaced or hissed . She needed water , but that would take getting up . She didn’t have the energy for that . The small cuts on her arms were one thing , stab wound on her side from an ambusher that was as deep as a canyon was a different story . When her fingers barely hovered over it , she bit back a scream . She curled into herself , drawing her knees to her chest while she let her hair fall to shield her from the world . She could handle it . Aang would be home . . . Eventually . Week ? Maybe ? She thought that’s what he said . No matter what , he didn’t need to know about this . She had it .

She heard the sound of boots click along the stones of their home . Steady , light . ❝ Z - Zuko , I told you I’m - ❞ She looked up to see a familiar pair of eyes , soft like the light of dawn where she expected to see golden crisps . Tears lined her eyes as she let her body feel everything at once . ❝ . . . Aang ? ❞

Aang had landed quietly like he always did with boots soft on stone, wind easing him through the door like a whisper. He’d meant to surprise her by coming home a few days early. He had hoped she’d be tending the garden or half-asleep with her face in a book, but instead, he found the kind of silence that pressed on his chest and blood.

So much blood.

Aang was at her side in an instant, the world narrowing to the sight of her curled figure on the bed, her brow sheened with sweat, blood smeared and dried in places it should never be. Her hair was shielding her face but not enough to hide the tear tracks.

“Katara.” His voice broke, quiet and trembling as his staff clattered to the floor and he reached for her, gentle but swift. Her hand trembled as he caught it. Her body twitched when he brushed back her hair. Her brow was slick, a fever already setting in, and her jaw clenched tightly in a pained grimace.

And then he saw the wound, and his heart stopped. Aang hadn’t seen wounds like that since the war, and he knew what that kind of gash meant. That wasn’t just a scratch or some skirmish injury —she’d been ambushed.

“Oh spirits, Katara, ” he whispered, his voice cracking with the horror of it. His hands hovered for half a second, then he surged into motion. “I’m here. I’ve got you. I’ve got you —just hang on.” He moved with purpose now, fast and focused, adrenaline sharpening every thought. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled the water skin from his belt, uncorking it with a flick of his wrist. The water rose instantly, glowing faintly as it circled over his hands.

“You’re losing too much blood. I need to stop the bleeding first.”

Aang’s bending was steady, precise. She’d taught him well. Every sweep of water cooled the torn skin, sealed ruptured vessels as best he could, but he knew it wasn’t enough. Not for something this deep. Not for something so close to her core.

“I’m going to send a hawk,” he added quickly, eyes flicking up to hers as he worked. “You need a healer from Republic City. One of the best. It won't take her long to get here, so just… stay with me.” She whimpered, and his free hand cupped her cheek immediately, thumb stroking just beneath her eye. She was so pale. Her lips had lost their color. “Breathe, sweetheart. I know it hurts.” His voice went soft again, like a feather brushing against her. “You don’t have to be strong right now. Just be here with me.” He kissed her temple, then her cheek. Then finally, when she blinked up at him with a mixture of pain and exhaustion, and guilt he couldn’t stand to see, he leaned in and kissed her lips. Gentle and lingering.

“You’re safe now.”

He guided her carefully down, cradling her head with one hand, propping a pillow beneath her side to relieve the pressure. The bleeding had slowed. The worst of it was closed. But he didn’t stop holding her. Not for a second.

“You didn’t have to hide this,” he whispered, pressing their foreheads together. “You should have told Zuko it was this bad; he would have gotten you help faster.” Her breath was shallow, but steadier now. He tucked a blanket around her. Brushed his knuckles across her brow.