back at Zutara Month;

Thank you to Tumblr's staff, the original Zutara Month is back up and running! Find the event over there!

[zutaraexchange-blog]

We are excited to present the first ever Zutara Exchange!

Per popular request, the Exchange will be held ‘secret santa’ style, with participants matched up based on similar likes! And, as suggested, the reveal period will be in early May! <3

Everyone is welcome to sign up to create something! All pairings must be kept secret until posting, and all pieces must be kept Safe For Work. We hope you can all join us in the fun!

To join in, please fill in the form here: https://goo.gl/forms/nXXDE2qd6nAkAxTO2

Other Guidelines are as follows:

Fics: Minimum of 1,500 words. Art: Minimum of clean, finished line-art or flat color.

Please make sure pieces are reflective of your best effort!

[zutaramonth]

We’re Back!

As some of you have learned over the last month, the main account that ran this event was terminated, resulting in the last minute migration to @thirtydaysofzutara. However, as of this morning, said account owner has confirmation from Staff that the termination was an error, so… We’re back in business! 

I will be watching both blogs for submissions, due to the confusion, but this will be the location where submissions are posted! 

[kangaroo2010]

Zutara Month 2018, Day Eighteen - Diplomatic Solution

For the first time, the Lady Mai allowed herself to admit that the Fire Nation had lucked out with its soon-to-be Fire Lady.

Content Warning: Mai being Mai, sadness brought on by thoughts of how Bryke cheated us. Can be read as a standalone story.

@thirtydaysofzutara

December 18th – Diplomatic Solution

THEY KNELT ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A TABLE, SIPPED THEIR TEA, AND TALKED.

Keep reading

[tatkresiwok-deactivated20190928]

Some of you may have heard that there is a zutara discord server floating about, and the rumor is true! So far, I’ve been sending invite links to anyone who DMs me, but as the server grows, I feel a google form will help me stay more organized and on top of safety/security within the server. 

So, that being said, here is a link to the form. Please fill it out if you’d like to join, and you can expect an invite within 48 hours. 

Those of you who are already inside do not need to fill it out. 

[royaltealovingkookiness]

30 Days of Zutara - Day 17: Moonlight

He leans against the ancient pillars of the Western Air Temple. The night is mild and the full moon is larger than usual.  It looks foreign and mysterious just like the girl standing in the middle of the courtyard, next to the fountain. She’s wearing only her white wrappings which glow white in the moonlight. Her hair flows down to her waist like a dark waterfall. She is moving to the rhythm of the moon. It looks like a dance; graceful and calm. But Zuko knows the power hidden in her depth and he’s attracted to it like fire-moths to the light. He watches mesmerized as she makes the water bend to her will. All motion; curves and waves. She stops suddenly, the water falling down to her feet in a loud splash. She turns around and fixes her gaze right at him. Stupid. He got caught staring like a creep, and he knows it looks bad, even if his intentions are pure. Mostly pure. He swallows hard and steps out from under the pillars.

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[steambends-deactivated20200922]

necklace.

|| Zutara Month 2018 || Day 3 || @thirtydaysofzutara

Kya resents her father. She loathes that she has his honey-hued eyes, his narrow nose, his quick temper, and his ability to bend fire. She hates, too, that she is next in line to inherit his very throne that is responsible for her mother’s life.

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[littlenightingale98]

Zutara Month Day 16- Love During War

Zuko ran his hands through his hair. He’d failed. Everything he’d tried to do to keep the world at peace since the last war ended, had failed. Where had he gone wrong?

Katara peeked around the corner into her husband’s study. He sat at his royal desk with his hands tangled in his hair. She could tell by the way he was holding his shoulders that the letter he’d received had been anything but good news.

She stepped into the room. “Zuko? What’s wrong love?”

Zuko looked up to see concerned blue eyes staring at him. His wife was always so caring, so quick to come to his aid when he needed her. He didn’t know where he would be without her.

Still, he didn’t answer her question. He rose to his feet, quickly making his way to Katara. He placed his arms around her back and rested his forehead against hers. He couldn’t help but wonder if she would be better off without him, if maybe he shouldn’t have kissed her back the day she saved his life. If he hadn’t, she would be safe, back home in the Southern Water Tribe.

“Katara, I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

Zuko moved so he could look at his wife. “Another war has broken out between the nations. We’re going to need Aang to help end it. But until then, I have to go. I have to fight.”

Katara’s eyes grew fearful at first, then determined. “I’m going with you.”

“Katara, no. Not this time.” He placed his hand on her heavily pregnant belly. “It’s almost time for you to have our child. I… I couldn’t bear it if I lost you both.”

“I don’t like this. I don’t like the idea of being separated from you. I don’t like the idea of not knowing if you’re coming home, or if I’ll ever see you again.” A tear slid down her cheek, causing her to run furiously at her eyes. “Zuko I can’t lose you. I couldn’t handle that.”

Zuko grabbed his wife’s face, raising it so he could look directly into her eyes. “Listen to me, Kat. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure I come home to you and our child. You aren’t going to be doing this alone. I refuse to let that happen. I’m going to end this. I’m going to make this planet a safe place for you and our baby once again. I won’t rest until I do.”

————————–

Author’s Note

Hey guys. I just wanted to let you know that I will be participating in the log off tomorrow. I will still make a post for tomorrow’s theme, but I won’t be posting it here until the 18th. I will still have it on my Wattpad. (DixieRose1998)

[royaltealovingkookiness]

Thirty Days of Zutara - Day 15: Courting

She finds him at the turtle duck pond - because really where else would a sulking Fire Lord be sitting after losing his temper so badly at his ministers that the torches in the conference room all flared up at once?

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[kangaroo2010]

Zutara Month 2018, Day Sixteen - Love During War

Katara knew that everyone would say it was a bad idea. Good thing, then, that she didn’t care.

Content Warning: Mild adult language, mild adult themes, blatant rip-off of a line from Downton Abbey. Excerpted from my Zuko from the Start AU, previously seen several times this very month.

@thirtydaysofzutara

December 16th – Love During War

THEY DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY, KATARA AND HER BANISHED PRINCE. That was how she overheard the servants putting it, days later, long past the point of no return. They had been speaking Hokkien, a language Zuko had been teaching Katara, a language she could follow, but still felt uncomfortable letting on that she knew, and the two young women had giggled and talked soft and low as they moved about her rooms at the Palace and cleaned and tidied. One had said, You know, His Highness is her lover now, and the other had said, Of course, you saw how they looked at each other, even before the Emperor’s ball, it was only a matter of time. The first had giggled and leaned in to whisper, Did you see them dance? The other leaned in closer and giggled as she said, Of course, we all did, they danced the night away, and now His Highness’s valet has moved His Highness’s things into these very rooms.

           It was romantic, wasn’t it?

           It was more than romantic, it was…just…the Lady Katara and her Banished Prince…it was just so…so…so grand.

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[teaandcrowns]

storm

zutara month 2018 - day three

these will all be put up on my ao3 (AtomicPen) for ease of finding all of them

It was two more nights before he managed to slip out again, mask over his face. Zuko knew he was too distracted by this town, but he couldn’t seem to walk away just yet. He should be out trying to track the Avatar, trying to come up with a good enough reason to convince the kid he’d hunted for a good half of the year that Zuko should be his firebending teacher. Except, he wasn’t exactly sure where the Avatar and his friends had gone; their trail stopped cold a few miles out from this town. He thought it was his best chance to find them here, but so far he hadn’t had any luck locating them.

He crouched at the end of a deep roof eve, looking down over the street. It was searching for the Avatar that had caught him up in the things going on in this town—the sudden wave of sickness and the blackmailing of important families, namely. Despite knowing he needed to search for the Avatar’s trail again, he just couldn’t make himself leave the town. There were good people here who were being taken advantage of by the corrupt official in charge, and that rankled him. Anyone who could have done something about getting the mayor of the town out of his seat was now victim to illness, blackmail, or both. It was all just too coincidental, and there had to be a way to stop it. He just wasn’t sure how yet.

Surprisingly, he wasn’t alone in his efforts. The woman in the hat was a new development, but she’d helped the little Siagyo girl, and even threatened him if he’d intended harm toward them. There was something about her that he still couldn’t shake, and it wasn’t the mysterious way she’d healed the child’s cough—though, he did wonder about that, too. Did she know about the other people who were sick in the town? He imagined she had to. Would he get lucky enough to run into her again if he slipped into another household with an ill child?

A puff of breath escaped him, warm against the wooden inside of his mask. What would he even do if he ran into her again? Apologize for holding a blade to her throat? He should be looking for the Avatar again, not some mysterious woman.

Still, he was curious.

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[advocaado]

Day 16: Love During War

@thirtydaysofzutara​

This is the continuation of Day 13. Make sure you read that one first!

Find the whole collection on fanfiction.net User: Advocaat

Katara sighed audibly and pushed her hands up into her hair in frustration. This just wasn’t working. Every plot idea she’d come up with so far was too silly for her readers to suspend disbelief. Maybe Suki was right. Writing romance was proving to be much harder than she’d thought.

A few feet away, Zuko took his eyes off Aang and Toph’s earthball match to check in on her. “Still having trouble?”

Katara pushed the lap table she’d been using as a writing desk away from her so that she could stretch her legs. Today, she’d opted to take her writing outside, hoping the sunshine would help her find inspiration for her story. The former Team Avatar had all gathered in the garden for some outdoor fun and to all their delight even Zuko had managed to pull himself away from work to join them. He and Katara had opted to relax in the shade while their friends played by the pond.

“Yes,” she admitted, her shoulders sagging. “No matter what I try, it always sounds dumb.”

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[royaltealovingkookiness]

30 Days of Zutara - Day 16 - Love During War

The comet passes and his heartbeat quickens. It’s either the end or the beginning. One thing he’s certain of; he’s glad to be with her. She’s raging storm and calming stream. Strong yet gentle. Too stubborn to lose. Magnificent. Maybe one day he’ll be able to tell her all the ways she’s changed him for the better.

Time constricts to a single heartbeat. Instead of words, his lips find hers for one feverish moment. That’s all they have; a lifetime of emotions condensed to burning silence. He hopes she understands.

As her eyes lock with his, he knows she does.

[d-joyster]

A Lesson in Not Holding Back

@thirtydaysofzutara

Day 15: Courting 

Also on AO3 or FF.net

The first three weeks after the wedding move like a blur. Zuko grows distant and distressed as he wrestles with what to do now that he has realised what (or who he wanted. Sequel to Day 9: Fake Dating

T

Ships: Zuko/Katara, and minor Ty Lee/Mai, Sokka/Suki

The first three weeks after the wedding move like a blur. He isn’t quite sure what to do and trying to return to normal is surreal and he’s terrible at it. He throws himself into work and hopes that it’ll distract him enough. He wonders if they’re both waiting for the other to text when she sends him a cute picture of some turtleducks and they sort of go back to their casual interactions from before it all happened but with an added layer of stilted awkwardness. He avoids her whenever he can; he isn’t sure how to behave around her anymore.

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[littlenightingale98]

Zutara Month Day 15- Courting

Katara brought in a pile of heavy, blue, wool-lined clothes. Zuko stood there, hugging himself, trying to stay warm. He stared at his girlfriend, grateful that she’d thought to bring him clothes fit for this kind of weather. He would have thanked her verbally had it not been for the fact that he had his jaw locked to keep his teeth from chattering.

He was a long way from home, home being a warm place in the middle of a ton of volcanic islands. Now, he was on his way to the Southern Water Tribe. Katara had seen most of his culture. It was his turn to learn a thing or two.

He quickly threw on the wool clothes. Instantly his body felt like it had heated ten degrees. “How did you live in this cold, Katara?,” He asked.

She laughed. “When you’re born into it, you kinda get used to it.”

Zuko guessed she had a point there. He shrugged it off just as the ship jerked under his feet. “We’re here!,” He heard Katara yell from somewhere down the hall.

Zuko’s stomach tightened with nerves. How was he supposed to do this? The last time he’d been here… Well…. He hadn’t exactly come in peace. He’d destroyed some of the structures the Tribe had worked hard to build. He’d even snatched Katara’s grandmother, taking her hostage in exchange for the Avatar.

Katara’s grandmother. How could he have forgotten about Gran Gran?! Katara had gotten her fierce spirit from somebody… God help him if it were her.

He reluctantly made his way to the door of the room. He groaned before he pulled the handle. It was now or never.

Zuko made it to the deck just as Katara made it onto the icy shore. He watched her leap into her Grandmother’s arms, both of them smiling so big he thought their faces might break.

“Gran Gran!” Katara said. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been doing pretty well, Katara. I’ve missed you so so much.”

Katara beamed at her grandmother. “I missed you too, Gran Gran. I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long.”

Her grandmother laughed softly. “No need to apologise, Katara. I may be old, but I do remember what it’s like to be in love. Your father has told me much about this young man. He helped you find your mother’s killer, right? And he’s the new Fire Lord?”

Katara blushed slightly. “He did, Gran Gran. He’s an amazing man. I think you’ll like him. Zuko!”

Zuko had made his way to the shore while Katara spoke to her grandmother. He stood, smiling sheepishly, waiting for Gran Gran’s reaction. The elderly woman released Katara from her grip and walked around her granddaughter until she stood face to face with Zuko.

It may have been negative forty degrees. It may have been a land made entirely of ice. But in that instance Zuko had never felt hotter. Sweat began pouring down his neck and back as the woman dragged her eyes up his body to his face.

Her eyes lingered for a moment on his scar. “I know you. You’ve been here before.”

Zuko bowed. “Yes ma'am. I have… I know the last time I saw you, I wasn’t exactly kind. I destroyed a lot. I broke your trust before I ever had a chance to earn it. I promise, though, I’m not that person anymore.”

She narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before closing them completely. She released a heavy breath before opening them and speaking. “You’re right. The last time I saw you, I hoped I would never see your face again. I swore that if I ever did I would kill you myself. But. I trust my granddaughter’s judgement. If she believes you have changed and that you are worthy of being her boyfriend, then I believe that too.”

Both Katara and Zuko breathed out a sigh of relief. That had gone a lot smoother than they had planned.

“So, Gran Gran,” Katara spoke. “I’m gonna take Zuko and show him around camp. Do you want to join us?”

Gran Gran beamed at Katara. “I would love to.”

They spent the rest of the evening walking around the Southern Water Tribe’s camp. Zuko found himself fascinated with the way they had learned to build everything from the ice. He loved learning about the polar bear dogs and playing with their puppies. Sokka had done a lot of construction on the village since the end of the war. It had grown into a thriving little community.

Finally, it was time for dinner. Zuko’s heart pounded in his chest as he searched frantically for Hakoda. He’d been wanting to do this for so long. He’d hoped Hakoda would say yes. His approval was something Zuko wanted.

No, it was something he needed. He knew how much Katara’s father meant to her. He knew how much it would mean to her to know that he had asked her father before asking for her hand in marriage.

He found Hakoda near the butcher shop. He was skinning some seals, preparing them for seal-jerky. Zuko cleared his throat to catch Hakoda’s attention.

The Water Tribe Chief turned to face Zuko. His face broke out in a smile when he saw Zuko. “Hello, Fire Lord Zuko. How have you been?”

“I’m great, Chief Hakoda,” Zuko said with a bow. It was weird hearing a man twice his junior acknowledge him as a royal equal. “How have you been?”

Hakoda wiped his hands clean from blood, extending one for a handshake. “I’ve been doing well. Things are finally coming together for us. What’s on your mind?”

Zuko’s mouth suddenly felt drier than cotton. “I- See- I wanted to ask- You know I love Katara very much, right?”

Hakoda gave Zuko a nod. “I do. Why are you asking me that, though? Is she pregnant?”

Zuko felt his face go red. “N-No sir! We haven’t- I mean-”

Hakoda raised his hand. “Calm down, Zuko, I was only joking. Breathe. Tell me what’s going on.”

Zuko took a deep breath. “I was wondering if it would be okay for me to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage.”

Hakoda paused for a second before leaping forward to wrap Zuko in a tight hug. “Of course, Zuko. You can ask my daughter to marry you. It would be an honor to have you as my son-in-law.”

Zuko felt like jumping up and down, screaming like a little kid in a candy shop. Instead he managed to keep his composure, running one hand gently over the small box he had deep within his pocket.

“Thank you, Chief Hakoda.”

[kryptored]

Day 11: Mythology

“I’ve never been to this place, but I’m glad you convinced me to come along with you to eat here.”

“I wasn’t exactly sure if you’d like the food here.”

“As if, Zuko. We met in a subway – me after I ran away from my own wedding, you rejected with your proposal months ago. I think we’ve known each other enough to bring each other to places we’re sure the other would like.”

“I’m glad you think that. I trust that you’ll be a regular of Chinese Zodiac, then? You look like you’re enjoying those dumplings more than I am, Katara.”

“Definitely! Speaking of, do you know why the cat isn’t included in the zodiac?”

“Never really noticed until now. How come?”

“According to the myth, the cat asked the rat to wake him up when he was heading to the Jade Emperor’s birthday party to participate in the race to be a part of the zodiac cycle. Unfortunately, the rat got too excited and forgot to do as he was told. The cat woke up when the race ended, which started the hatred between them that lasted through ages until now.”

“Wow, wasn’t expecting that.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t know about it – “

 “Zuko! So nice to see you today. And who’s this, your girlfriend?”

[kangaroo2010]

Zutara Month 2018, Day Fifteen - Courting

Sokka needs advice on trying to date a princess. In retrospect, he should’ve just asked Aang.

Content Warning: Mild adult language. Part of the “Zuko from the Start” AU previously featured on this blog and over on @thirtydaysofzutara. This particular episode takes place right on the heels of Hidden Identity.

December 15th – Courting

SOKKA HAD A CRUSH ON A PRINCESS, AND HE NEEDED HELP. Fortunately, he happened to know where he could find a prince, and since this prince was currently being kept under a kind of house arrest (since his sister had kind of wrecked the King’s prison) not far from the Palace while King Arnook tried to figure out what to do with him, Sokka was fairly sure that this occasionally ill-tempered prince would be right where he was supposed to be.

           With that in mind, Sokka marched across the city, waved at the guards, and walked right through the front door of the house Zuko was being kept in. Sokka guessed that he would find Zuko working out, cleaning, meditating, reading, or hanging out with Katara, and sure enough, Zuko, being his usual, weirdly efficient self, was managing to do two of those things, hanging out with Sokka’s little sister while helping Katara work her way through some kind of primer written in a language Sokka didn’t bother to identify, because he had important matters to discuss, far more important than their weird little crush on each other.

           “Zuko!”

Keep reading

[royaltealovingkookiness]

Thirty Days of Zutara - Day 14: Festival

“It’s not even a thing, Uncle.” Zuko chews on his lips nervously. It feels like a conspiracy; the Water Tribe delegation is coming tomorrow and time is too short to change course now. But a decision like this should not be taken lightly.

“Of course it is a thing.” Iroh smiles patiently. “Or it should be. It’s water and fire in perfect harmony. You must have sensed it before.”

Zuko frowns. He has known moments of heightened intensity, where he felt that the two elements almost became one. After all he fought both against and with Katara. He has a strong preference for the latter. But he’s fairly certain this is not what Iroh is talking about. “I’m not sure, Uncle.”

“The fusion of two opposite elements to create something more than the constituent parts, something new and sacred. It’s the perfect start of our new relations with the Water Tribe.” When Iroh gets rolling, it’s difficult to stop him.

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