Let's Get Started

Since I’m on a 10 hour road trip and have nothing better to do, I went through screencaps of the episodes of book 3 and I noticed that the number of scenes where Katara does housework drastically decreases after Zuko joins the gaang.

In The Painted Lady, Katara is shown getting dinner for everyone while Sokka goes over his (extremely long lmao) schedule.

In The Runaway, when Sokka, Aang, and Toph come back from their money-making scheme, they return to Katara cooking. And leave all of the groceries/supplies they bought with her, so it’s natural to assume she’ll be the one dealing with them. Then, in a later scene, Katara is sitting next to the cooking pot and feeding Appa, while Aang eats in the background.

In Day of the Black Sun, while Sokka goes over the invasion plan, Katara gets him a drink. (Not exactly a chore, but it does show how she is responsible for taking care of everyone else’s well-being).

In The Western Air Temple, Katara is shown getting meals ready for Aang, Sokka, Toph, Haru, Teo, and the Duke.

In the beginning of The Firebending Masters, the night that Zuko joins, Zuko watches the group in front of the campfire, where Katara is serving everyone’s dinner.

And that’s it. We don’t see Katara doing anymore chores in the background after Zuko officially joins the group, except for when she makes watermelon juice for the group in Sozin’s Comet (although that seems like less of a necessary chore and more of just a special treat she made for fun).

I only went through the episodes in the final season, but there are many more scenes of Katara doing household work in the background in the other two seasons, usually all on her own. The only chore I observed the others doing this season, besides Sokka keeping everyone on schedule, was shopping - in just one episode.

Even though Zuko hasn’t been with the gaang for long, he’s the only other person we see serving the group.

Especially taking into account his behavior around Katara, it makes sense that he would be helping her out with the chores.

In The Southern Raiders, he’s carrying their bag for her, and later, he’s the one doing the packing. He tells Katara she should get some rest - literally the only time anyone in the gaang ever asks Katara to look after her own needs - and it’s shown later that they switched places and Katara looks more well-rested.

Given that part of Zuko’s arc involves working in customer service, I’m sure he’s very familiar with doing chores without being told.

Purely speculation on my part, but in this scene from Sozin’s Comet, the group already has their food and are eating while Katara was off in the attic. My theory? Zuko served dinner. Since she was looking for pots, Katara probably still does at least some of the cooking, but it seems plausible that Zuko might help out with prep, serving, and/or cleaning.

Unlike the first half of book 3, where Katara is often doing chores in the background, after Zuko joins, she has much more free time and seems more relaxed. She watches Aang and Zuko train (with Toph and on her own) and goes surfing at the beach.

Toph tries to get under katara and Zuko’s skin for being so uptight and “bossy” she starts sarcastically calling them “Mom” and “Dad.”

This works to get them flustered and irritated. The rest of the gang starts in on it, too, when they don’t want to do chores. But, it backfires gloriously because while Zuko bad Katara are both easily annoyed, they also grew up with annoying (and dangerous) siblings.

The both of them realize this, which leads Zuko to offhandedly call Katara “wifey” as a sarcastic response to Toph but, Katara assumes this was intentional as revenge. Hence, she leans into it and starts calling Zuko Hubby.

More under the cut!

“Well, all the kids are asleep finally.”

“Go discipline your son.”

“She gets that from your side of the family.”

And maybe they start doing sweet little things for each other. Katara makes sure to get his favorite food at the market. Zuko leaves her a bowl of fruit outside her tent every morning.

Zuko: Did you ask Katara?

Toph: Yes.

Zuko: And she said?

Toph: *grumpy* No.

Zuko: Then why did you think my answer would be any different?

Toph: Because she’s not the boss of you.

Zuko: I think you and I both know Katara is the boss of everyone. She knows what’s best for you. Nice try, though.

Aang: But I was gonna go swimming with Toph…

Zuko: *dad look*

Aang: *pouts and crossed his arms*

Katara: *Loudly opens door carrying a soaked grumbling Toph thrown over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes*

Aang: I-

Katara: *Mom scowl* You and I will talk about this later.

Aang: But-

Accidental Date Night

It starts out with Katara and Zuko deciding they need a break one night, so they strong arm Sokka and Suki into camp parent duties for the night.

Sokka: Wait! But where are you going?

Katara: Mom and Dad are taking the night off.

Zuko: Yeah. You're all old enough to handle yourselves for one night

Toph: Well, what are you two going to do?

Katara: Not be here for a few hours.

Zuko: There's a tea shop I've been meaning to try out. You want to go with me?

Katara: That cute little spot by the theater? Sure!

Toph: Gross. Parents shouldn't go on dates

Aang: (suddenly overcome by a deep sense of foreboding) Hold on now. Who said anything about a date?

Suki: Go enjoy yourselves. Sokka and I have everything covered.

Sokka: We do?

Suki: We do.

“Aang: (suddenly overcome by a deep send of forbidding) Hold on now. Who said anything about a date?”

Instead

Aang: But you're going!

Katara: That doesn't count.

Aang, very much pouting: Why not?

Katara and Zuko panicking over how to say that their children are getting on their nerves: Uhhhhhh...

Toph, who does not give an eff: Because she's not tired of Zuko yet!

Aang: Oh! Right, cause he's the newest one to join the team!

Katara side eyeing with Zuko: Yep! That's it. Uh-huh. Totatally.

Katara: This is amazing! I love the spices!

Zuko: I’m glad. It’s one of my favorites.

Katara: we have something similar called sea prunes. But people outside the water tribes don’t like them.

Zuko: *Blushes* Well, I’d love to try them.

Katara: 😳

Meanwhile...

Sokka: I said time for bed!

Toph: No! You can’t make me!

Sokka: I’m the adult here!

Toph: You sound like Katara!

Sokka: I’m supposed to! Now, put that fountain back together now!

Suki: Well Aang’s asle-

Sokka: ...

Toph: ...

Suki: Toph. Bed.

Toph: Yes Ma’am!

Sokka: Why do they listen to you?

Suki: They respect me.

They're not dates, though. Let's get that clear.

And he might think it’s cute when she falls asleep on his shoulder during a particularly long night? But it’s only polite he covers them both with his cloak for warmth.

And maybe Zuko did tell people Katara was his wife when asked who he was taking to the theatre. But that's just part of the game...

Ticketer: And who is this ticket for?

Zuko: I’m gonna check to see if there’s fresh fish. Sound good?

Katara, gives Zuko a quick peck on his cheek: Sounds great!

Sokka: ooooh someone’s in looooovvvvee 😏

Katara: That’s ridiculous! We’re completely platonic-

Sokka: Is that a girl touching Zuko’s arm-

Katara: Where?!?! I’ll fucking kill her! 🤬

Elsewhere

Suki: So? When’s the wedding?

Zuko, groaning: For the last time, we’re just friends!

Suki: Who’s that guy kissing Katara’s hand-

“Oh everyone trusts you now? I was the first person to trust you, remember? Back in Ba Sing Se. And you turned around and betrayed me. Betrayed all of us!”

“I was afraid!”

“Afraid of what?!”

“I feel warm with you!”

Katara stilled. “What-”

“I feel warm with you, and people who make me feel warm always get hurt.” Zuko explained.

“I...” Katara faltered. “I don’t understand...”

Zuko sighed. “My mother, uncle- everyone who’s ever shown me love is gone. Every time I feel warm with someone, something happens to them. And when we were in the cave... I felt warm with you too...”

Katara carefully sat herself on the grass as she processed his words “Warm...”

Zuko followed suit and slumped against the nearest rock. Exhaustion evident in his eyes. “All my life, I’ve been surrounded by people who are cold. Coming back home was the same. My father was cold, my sister, my girlfriend- everyone was cold. Cold is safe... Cold protects people who matter.”

Katara pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. “You can’t-” Katara snarled. “You can’t just say things like that. It’s not fair. I get to be mad at you!”

“You do! You absolutely do.” Zuko agreed. “You’re right to be mad. I’m angry at myself too.”

“What do you want?” Katara whispered.

Structurally speaking, ATLA did something important with Zuko that, in a purely mechanistic sense of narrative development, I think a lot of people don’t notice immediately, and that even fewer people who want to emulate what was done with him get.

Which is Zuko is made a protagonist VERY early, and the show goes out of its way to continually place Zuko into situations where the audience empathizes and roots for him.

This happens in literally the second episode of the series, if we count the two-part premiere as a single episode, which I think we should. The A-plot of that episode, “The Southern Air Temple,” is Aang reckoning with the genocide of his people… but the B-plot?

The B-plot is the introduction of Zhao, and more specifically, his introduction in a way that is calculate to shift the audience, whose introduction to Zuko did NOT engender a ton of sympathy to him, directly and forcefully onto his side. They want Zuko to kick Zhao’s ass.

This continues all through book one and book two. Remember, Zuko is never, ever the main villain of this series. That’s initially Zhao, followed by Azula and Ozai. (Plus various temporary players like Long Feng.) Whenever Zuko isn’t placed into direct conflict with the other protagonists, he’s always written and presented in a way that is careful, VERY VERY careful, not to make him too monstrous, and to make us root for him. He’s placed right next to Iroh, who is designed for people to like, and that reflects back onto Zuko; we want Zuko to be better than he is because we want Iroh to have good things.

1.) 

He made a deal with Aang to leave the Southern Water Tribe alone if Aang went with him. When Aang escaped with help from two of those tribe members, Zuko didn’t demand they go back and destroy what was left of the tribe as revenge. He didn’t even think of it as an option. There was no split second where he went, should I/shouldn’t I?

2.) 

This is repeated. He corners the Avatar somewhere, causes some damage to the area in the ensuing fight, but does not stick around to raze the village/monastery to the ground and kill the people when he doesn’t get what he wants. Doesn’t consider this a necessary action even once.

3.) 

The Iroh&Zuko relationship is juxtaposed with the Zhao&Zuko relationship. Both older men have more power over him. Iroh is a retired War General and Prince who is not banished. Zhao is a Commander in favor of the Firelord, who is also not banished. We could tell early on that Iroh is wise and despite being on the bad side, seems to be pretty chill. We took a liking to him immediately. Zhao is the opposite. He is very much like early!Zuko. Impulsive, rude, loud, cocky, etc… But why is he more annoying? Why do we root for Zuko as opposed to him? 

Because we see what Zuko is like with his Uncle Iroh. Iroh does not rub in the fact that he’s banished. He doesn’t use that when reprimanding him for his attitude or his failings. That is a hot iron and he knows it. It’s to the point where Iroh can bend fire in Zuko’s face and Zuko is perfectly relaxed over it and doesn’t once believe his uncle will hurt him. There is a lot of faith in Iroh, from this angsty teenager, and it’s very obvious with their interactions.

Zhao is not trustworthy from the start. We’re shown this by how both Zuko and Iroh are hesitant to interact with him and don’t want to linger in areas he has control over, for too long. They even lie to him despite him obviously having more favor in the Firelord’s eyes than either of them do. Zhao’s personality opposes both Zuko and Iroh. And as we like Iroh, we want him to win and have nice things, as stated above. But Zuko&Iroh is a package deal. And as Zhao reveals himself more and more to be nasty even if it’s subtle, we want Zuko to win even harder.

And even when Zuko wins and he’s in the prime position to do to Zhao what Ozai did to Zuko for also ‘speaking out of turn’… he doesn’t do it. He walks away. He is the bigger man in that scenario. And Iroh further puts shame onto Zhao when he goes against the sacred rules of the Agni Kai because he can’t handle a loss to a banished teen. We are shown that Zuko follows rules and has honor, which is reinforced by Iroh’s, ‘even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you’. Iroh’s Word is basically Law at this point. Sf he says it is so, then he must be right and the audience accepts that. He knows Zuko better than us and hopefully we’ll get to understand more as the story progresses.

Already by the 3rd episode, we’re shown that Zuko is in no way the worst person from the Fire Nation. In fact, we’re given a sort of scale now from the four major Fire Nation people we know of. Iroh–Zuko——-Zhao–Firelord.

We’re also hoping that Iroh rubs off on Zuko enough for him to also become wise and learn to chill out.

4.) 

When “The Storm” finally rolls around, we’re pretty invested by then in the Iroh&Zuko relationship and that episode gives us so much more info into Zuko’s character and we are shown that Iroh is right. He has honor and he cares for others. And yet it’s obvious the Firelord doesn’t because we see Zuko do the right thing(protesting the plan to treat new recruits as cannon fodder) in the wrong place, and then his face gets burned off by his father because of it. And further, he’s banished for refusing to fight his own father. What sane parent wants to do battle with their own child? What sane parent banishes their child for speaking out of turn at the defense of their own peoples’ lives? What the fuck is wrong with the Firelord?

Zuko was punished severely for showing compassion and having a kind heart. And Iroh(and the ship crew even) is properly mortified by the punishments his nephew received for it, which in turn affects the audience’s perception of this situation. Iroh doesn’t like it, it’s especially bad then.

Now we start wondering why does Zuko wants to go back to the guy who burned his face off?! Iroh, talk some sense into him! PLEASE!

Halfway through S1, they got us to the point of wanting Zuko to have a redemption arc. 

black hair? check. bad parent(s)? check. trauma? double check.

bruce: how’d you get your scar?

zuko: my dad got mad at me for saying that killing people is wrong so he lit my face on fire and banished me.

J: “wan na kno w h ow i go t thes e sc ar s”

Consider

Iroh: you too must learn patience. Boiling the water ruins the delicate flavor of the white jade

Alfred: oh I’m dreadfully sorry - for some reason I expected this tea to have TEA in it

(later)

Alfred: *aggressively laying out full tea service with milk, lemon, sugar, and, just to drive his point in, jam*

while Zuko is enthusiastic about cream and sugar

“Aang said things.” Her chin wobbles, but before even one heartbeat can pass, her mask is back on and she is the picture of a composed and unaffected young woman. “He said things about you, and about me, and there’s a very good chance Tenzin heard them.”

Something inside him lurches painfully. Aang has always been perceptive enough to dredge up Zuko’s worst fears and most treasured dreams, no matter how deep he buried them inside himself.

Do you think we could’ve been friends, too?

Somehow, he finds the willpower needed to croak, “What...what things did he say?”

Zutara Month 2021 Day 1: Momtara and Dadko

Yes it’s already ZK month here in my country. I was suppose to do a Fire nation version of this but irl keeps on getting in the way 🥲. Momtara and Dadko is usually my go to zk fics, especially when I am in need of a boost of serotonin. I do plan to draw some of my fav fics that has this prompt, but if you have fic suggestions feel free to tell me about it!

Katara: BOY???? HOT BOY?????? HOT TEENAGE BOY?????????

Zuko: *speaks*

And then it hit me.

Iroh: *sitting in a teahouse at a paisho table* Iroh, deadpan: I must capture the last airbender.  Iroh: It is the only way to make sure the powe rof the Avatar won’t be turned on the Fire Nation. Iroh: Only then will I be redeemed in the eyes of the Fire Lord for my failure at Ba Sing Se. Iroh: … Iroh: Anyway, it’s your turn.

he was the eldest son of fire lord sozin, who knew the avatar was the greatest threat to the fire nation, but also knew the new one would be a firebender and he couldn’t exactly merc his own people, now could he? but he always planned to order a convenient little assassination on whoever the new avatar turned out to be and in the meantime took out the air temples so that avatar couldn’t learn the next element in the cycle. of course, when it turns out to be his son, sozin, stellar dad that he is, thinks “if you want something done right” and shoots a fire blast at his firstborn.

zuko enters the avatar state, blows up half the palace, etc etc as one does, gets a nasty scar for his trouble, and escapes, hence why he was hanging out far enough south to necessitate katara and sokka cracking open a cold boy a century later.

all this is to say 1. i think it’s a good way to maintain zuko’s background and characterization in an au like this and 2. it leads to a secret second roleswap