#atlafanfic

instead, he meets a dancer and finds himself feeling love, desire, and want in ways he never has before. the only problem is she wants nothing to do with men like him.

pairing. firelord!zuko x fem!oc ﹒♡﹒ genre. angst, smut , romance , post canon au ﹒♡﹒ wc:4.2k+ ﹒♡﹒ 18+ mdni! ﹒♡﹒ cw: tension, language , smut , racial discrimination, drinking ( alcohol) , mtba….. note: OMGGGG!!!! thank you guys sooo much for the love and support you’ve been giving this fic ilyguys alll sooo much i’m literally cryingggg!!!

xoxo , kiki

!!! disclaimer !!! the FMC is desi/brown girl-coded and heavily inspired by desi/brown culture. That said, you can absolutely imagine her however you like that’s part of the fun, and why we’re all here anyway. it’s also crossed posted on ao3

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The slight buzz of the early morning chirps woke me. The early morning sun entered my room in molten strips of gold, mirroring across the floor and filling the room. A restful yawn escaped my mouth as I stripped the bed covers off of my body.

I made my way quietly to the kitchen. Anika slept like the dead, yet somehow always had the nerve to complain if the floor creaked too loud in the morning—drama queen.

Still half asleep, I filled the kettle and set it aside before pulling out flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and the fruit I bought yesterday.

Pancakes with berries and honey—yum!

⟡ Chapter Summary ⟡

The gang takes a trip to a nearby island for a little camping trip. There's something familiar about this place…

.ᐟ.ᐟ Excerpt .ᐟ.ᐟ

She cackled, enjoying the sensation of warmth in and around her. “Nice” she whispered.

Come to me.

Toph froze. Her head spun around. “What was that?” she muttered.

๋࣭⭑ Fanfic Synosis ๋࣭⭑

Pairing: Zuko x Katara

Word Count: 2,113

Prompt: Crest for Zutara Week 2024 @zutaraweek

Summary: At the crest of the moon, Katara and Zuko share a quiet moment, weighed down by the past yet holding on to a fragile hope for the future they might create together.

Warnings: Violence, battle aftermath, mentions of injuries, emotional vulnerability, themes of redemption, mild romantic tension, mention of past trauma

The air was heavy with the acrid tang of smoke and the fading echoes of Azula’s manic laughter. The sun, just beginning to set, painted the wreckage of the palace courtyard in fiery reds and oranges that mirrored the flames still licking at the distant rooftops. Katara stood at the edge of the courtyard, shoulders heaving, as the last ripple of her waterbending subsided into the cracked earth beneath her feet.

She was drenched, her hair clinging to her face and neck, her hands trembling from exertion. But it was over. Azula was bound, her wild golden eyes still burning with fury as the Dai Li dragged her away. The sound of her restraints clinking echoed through the courtyard like a ghostly reminder of how close they had come to losing everything.

“Katara,” Zuko’s voice broke through the haze, low and edged with something she couldn’t name.

She turned to him, her breath catching at the sight. He looked as battered as she felt, his tunic scorched, soot smudged across the sharp planes of his face. The jagged scar over his eye seemed to deepen in the fading light, a mark of the battles he’d already fought—and the one they’d just survived together.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The courtyard felt vast, a chasm of space and unspoken words stretching between them. Then, slowly, Zuko crossed it, his steps uneven but purposeful.

“You okay?” His voice was hoarse, and the way his gaze swept over her—searching for injuries, for signs of pain—made her stomach twist. 

Katara nodded, though the tightness in her chest said otherwise. “I’m fine,” she said, the words clipped, her voice steadier than she felt. She forced her hands to still, clasping them in front of her as if she could hold herself together through sheer will. “What about you?”

He gave a slight shrug, though the movement made him wince. “I’ve been worse.”

The corner of her mouth twitched, almost a smile. Almost.

“You were incredible,” he added, his tone softer now, reverent. “The way you—” He gestured vaguely to the place where Azula had been defeated, where water and ice had triumphed over fire. “I’ve never seen anyone fight like that.”

Katara looked away, the compliment settling awkwardly on her shoulders. She didn’t feel incredible. She felt hollow, every bone in her body heavy with the weight of what she’d done—and what she’d almost lost. “It wasn’t just me,” she said quietly. “We fought her together.”

Zuko’s expression shifted, something flickering in his eyes that Katara couldn’t quite place. He stepped closer, hesitant until they were barely a foot apart. 

“You led the fight,” he said firmly, his voice like steel wrapped in silk. “And you saved me. Again.”

Her gaze snapped back to his, the intensity in his voice drawing her out of the storm in her mind. His eyes burned like molten gold, but there was no anger there, no defensiveness. Just gratitude. And something else—something warmer, deeper, that made her chest tighten all over again.

“I couldn’t let her—” Katara started, but her voice caught. She swallowed, shaking her head. “I couldn’t let her win.”

Zuko nodded, understanding without her needing to say more. The silence stretched between them again, but this time, it wasn’t empty. It was charged, the air humming with things unsaid.

Zuko lifted a hand, hesitating just for a moment before brushing a strand of damp hair away from her face. His touch was light, barely there, but it sent a ripple through her like the first wave cresting before a storm.

“Katara,” he said her name like it was something precious, something fragile. 

She blinked up at him, her heart pounding in her ears. She wanted to say something—anything—but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she took a half step closer, the space between them shrinking until it was almost nothing.

His fingers lingered by her cheek, warm against the cool dampness of her skin. “I don’t know if I deserve your trust,” he admitted, his voice barely more than a whisper. “But I’ll do everything I can to earn it. I swear.”

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, all she could see was the boy who had hunted them, the scarred prince whose name had once been synonymous with danger. But that boy was gone. In his place stood a man who had fought beside her, who had chosen the hard path of redemption and stood willing to burn for it.

“You’ve already started,” she said softly, her voice steady now, sure. “And you don’t have to do it alone.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, Zuko smiled. It was small and tentative, but it lit up his face in a way that made her chest ache.

The sunset blazed around them, painting the world in fire and light as the chaos of the battle faded into memory. Together, they stood on the cusp of something new, something fragile but unbreakable. 

And for the first time, Katara thought, they might actually be okay.

The days after the battle passed in a blur of activity, rebuilding, and restless nights. The scars left behind by Azula’s fire raged in the form of blackened walls and charred memories, but amidst the destruction, there was a tentative sense of hope. The palace began to fill with whispers of change, murmurs of a new era poised to crest on the horizon.

Katara found herself drawn to the courtyard again and again. It was quieter now, the once-shattered tiles patched but not yet polished. The water in the fountain rippled softly, reflecting the pale glow of the moon as it hung high above. She stood at the edge of the water, barefoot, letting the coolness seep into her skin. The soft hum of her bending stirred the fountain’s surface, the gentle waves mimicking the rhythm of her thoughts.

“You always come here at night.”

She turned at the sound of Zuko’s voice, her lips curving in a faint smile despite the weariness that clung to her. He stood just outside the shadows, his posture as guarded as ever. His royal robes were gone, replaced with a simple tunic and loose trousers, but the weight on his shoulders hadn’t lessened.

“Maybe I just like the view,” she teased lightly, though her voice carried a softness that didn’t quite match the words.

Zuko stepped closer, his boots whispering against the stone. “It’s a little… ruined, don’t you think?”

Katara shook her head. “Not ruined. Just… changing.” She looked back at the fountain, the water glowing faintly in the moonlight. “Water can shape stone over time, no matter how stubborn it is. This place will heal, just like everything else.”

Zuko paused beside her, his gaze tracing the same ripples she had created. “I don’t know if everything can heal,” he murmured, his voice so quiet it was almost lost to the night.

Katara tilted her head to look at him. The moonlight softened his sharp features, but it couldn’t erase the shadows in his eyes. She wanted to reach out, to touch his hand, but the weight of their shared history held her back. Instead, she let the silence between them settle, waiting for him to fill it.

“When I was a kid,” Zuko began, his voice hesitant, “I used to dream about being Fire Lord. I thought it would mean power, honor… respect.” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “But now, standing on the edge of it, I’m not sure I’m ready. The Fire Nation’s done so much damage. How do I undo that? How do I prove I can be… better?”

Katara watched him carefully, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his words. “You don’t have to do it all at once,” she said gently. “Change doesn’t come with a single wave, Zuko. It comes with a crest, a moment when things start to shift. And you’ve already started that.”

Zuko’s gaze snapped to hers, surprise flickering across his face. “You really think I can do this?”

Katara’s gaze drifted upward to where the moon hung high and bright, its edges perfectly curved like a crest ready to break over an unseen shore. The silver light spilled across the courtyard, softening the jagged edges of destruction, casting the fountain and its rippling waters in an otherworldly glow. It felt like the universe was holding its breath, watching, waiting for them to take the next step.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, her eyes fixed on the sky.

Zuko followed her gaze, his expression thoughtful. “The moon?”

She nodded, her fingers absently trailing the water at her feet. “It’s always been a guide, you know? For sailors, for travelers… even for waterbenders. It’s constant, even when everything else feels impossible. It reminds me that there’s always another tide, another chance.”

Zuko’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. “I’ve always thought of the sun,” he admitted, his voice quiet. “It’s the center of everything for the Fire Nation—bright, powerful, unrelenting. But the moon… it’s softer, calmer. And it changes, doesn’t it? Growing and shrinking, but always returning.”

Katara turned to him, surprised at the insight in his words. “Exactly. It’s a reminder that nothing stays the same forever. Even in the darkest moments, the light always comes back.”

For a moment, Zuko said nothing, his gaze fixed on the moon’s crest as if seeing it for the first time. When he spoke again, his voice was low, steady. “Maybe that’s what I have to be. Not just the sun—something constant and unyielding—but something that can change. That can adapt, like the moon.”

Katara smiled, the warmth in her chest growing. “You already are,” she said softly. “The Fire Nation doesn’t need someone who can shine the brightest. It needs someone who can rise and fall with the people, who can weather the storms and still guide them forward.”

His eyes met hers, and for a moment, they held there, caught between the crest of the moon above and the future stretching out before them.

“The crest of the future,” Zuko said suddenly, his voice distant as if the words had slipped out unbidden. He gave a small, almost self-deprecating chuckle. “That’s what this feels like. Like we’re right on the edge of something. It’s terrifying.”

“And exciting,” Katara added, her voice barely above a whisper. She grabbed his hand, “You want to know if I think you can do this?” 

Zuko nodded, his fingers tightening around hers. Katara smiled, the kind of smile that reached her eyes and softened the tension in her shoulders. “You’ve already done more than you realize. You chose to stand with us. You chose to fight for what’s right, even when it wasn’t easy. That’s the kind of leader the world needs. It’s not just the end of the war, Zuko. It’s the start of something better. Something we get to shape. Together.”

For a moment, Zuko said nothing. His jaw tightened, his gaze distant, but then he looked at her, his golden eyes catching the moonlight in a way that made her breath hitch.

“Do you think…” He hesitated, his voice faltering before he pushed on. “Do you think you’ll stay? After this is over, I mean.”

Katara’s lips parted, but the words didn’t come immediately. She had thought about it—what life would look like after the war, where she would go, what she would do. The thought of leaving him behind had lingered at the edges of her mind, sharp and unwelcome.

“I don’t know,” she admitted softly, her voice almost swallowed by the night. “But I know I want to see what kind of Fire Lord you’ll become.”

His lips quirked into a small, almost shy smile, and for the first time in days, the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease. “No pressure, right?”

Katara laughed, the sound light and free, like a breeze rippling across the water. “None at all.”

They stood there for a while longer, side by side, as the moon climbed higher and the world around them grew quiet. The faint rustle of wind carried with it a promise—of change, of hope, of something new.

As the first light of dawn began to crest over the horizon, bathing the courtyard in soft golds and pinks, Katara looked at Zuko and felt the stirrings of something she couldn’t quite name. Something fragile but unyielding, like water meeting fire. 

It would have to wait. Tomorrow, Zuko would take the throne, and everything would change. But for now, they stood together, balanced on the edge of the future, waiting for the tide to carry them forward.

     “Tell me the story about how the sun loved the moon so  much, he died every night to let her breathe.” 

Emotional Tether Folklore: Two people, preferably benders, who are connected through spiritual interference. They are chosen at birth by two specific spirits. Throughout life, they both will experience feelings and visions from each other. This is a rare occurrence, it only happens every 100-200 years. Together, the two are powerful. Apart, imbalance will occur.

Summary: Y/N is the older sister of Sokka and Katara. Once their mother died, she step forward and watched over her siblings, even though she was only just ten. Years later, Y/N is travelling with her siblings, helping the avatar master all four elements. During this adolescence adventure, will she discover mysteries about herself she’d never imagined? All her life she has resented and ran from the Fire Nation. Now, could she possibly connected to the Prince of the Fire Nation himself? 

A/N: I’ve really gotten into ATLA in the past few weeks, so this happened. I really couldn’t just sit back and not write a Zuko fic. This will be multiple chapters, and will have semi-slow updates. A masterlist and helpful links for a smooth reading experience will be added. I am going to try to make it as accurate as possible. I hope everyone does enjoy, feedback is always accepted!

Warnings: violence, fighting, death, sad elements, cussing, blood, gore, adult themes (later on, will be warned on what chapter if it occurs) !!

Themes:  relationship developments, self love+hatred, acceptance, forgiveness, friendships, adventure !!

Soulmate AU?/Slow Burn/Connection (Unspoken)/Zuko x F!reader

Chapter One :  Beginnings  ☯

The Southern Water Tribe Village ☽

“My love, you should go to bed,” Gran-Gran whispered across the room. Sokka and Katara cuddled together in peaceful bliss, she did not want to wake them. Their father had left earlier in the morning, it had been an eventful day to say the least. With her father left, she couldn’t shake the fact that he would never return. In some ways, you could say, they were orphans. It only brought her thoughts to one sole person: Kya. It had been a few months since the deadly attack. She could still picture the beastly man looming over her mother. 

“Where is the water bender!” He forced once more. Y/N hid behind her mother in fear. They had been inside doing chores when the ships reached shore. Y/N shut her eyes pretending she was somewhere else, maybe penguin sledding with Sokka. Anywhere but here. He became more hostile, roughly moving closer towards the two.

“Where is the water bender.” They knew where the bender was, in fact she was in the same room, hiding for dear life behind her mother. The other, hopefully still alive, was outside with her brother. 

Y/N felt paralyzed. The big man pried even more, making some blows at Kya. Y/N could feel herself starting to bubble inside, her emotions were something to be reckoned with. She’d almost destroyed the entire village over a temper tantrum years prior. Though she was much older, her bending was not under control. It grew from emotion. Y/N noticed the ice around her cracking at every blow he made, Kya did too. 

He stood tall once more, shadowing over the two. Y/N thought death would be different, that she would die of old age. She hadn’t even lived to see the northern lights. 

“Mom!” Katara ran through the door only to be taken back by the large man in their home. The fire nation solider turned towards her, fury in his cold ember eyes. He seemed like he was getting impatient.

“Just let them go,” Kya finally said desperately, “and I will give you the information you want.” 

“Mom-” Y/N pleaded. She was in shock, would her mother really turn in her own daughters? Y/N wasn’t ready to go, but if it meant saving the tribe, she’d be willing to do it. 

“You heard your mother, get out of here!” the man hissed. Tearfully she ran over to Katara, holding on to her for dear life. Being her big sister, it was her unspoken responsibility to keep Katara safe. 

“Mom I’m scared,” the younger girl cried. Their mother looked at them, and smiled. 

“Go find your dad sweetie, I’ll handle this.” Kya spoke before facing the man once more. Y/N practically dragged Katara away from their childhood home, running as fast as they could to find their father. 

“DAD,” Y/N screamed. The ice she stood on cracked under her feet, yet she couldn’t care. The imagine of her mother’s fearful look swarmed her mind, it made her feel sick.

“Mom is in trouble there is a man in our house,” Katara shouted. Y/N held her hand tightly, making sure she didn’t loose her grip. They were the last water benders in the tribe. The two were vulnerable and easy targets, but she would never let Katara know that.  

“Kya!” their father cried out as he followed them back to their home. Sokka followed close behind. 

Her mother’s dead body laid on the floor. 

She didn’t want to remember the rest. Her father left to fight for their tribe after the devastating invasion. He seemed more, cold. Y/N couldn’t help but notice just how much Kya’s death changed him. Maybe his coldness was directed towards herself. She couldn’t bring herself to ponder that thought.

“Dad isn’t coming back,” Y/N remarked. Gran-Gran paused, calculating just the right thing to say. Sokka rustled in his sleep slightly, before settling once again. 

“I can’t shake the fact that he’s going to end up just like mom. Besides I am the reason mom is dead. No wonder Dad left, he can’t even look at me.” Gran-Gran shushed Y/N quickly. Sokka and Katara did not know the reason Kya died, and Gran-Gran wanted to keep it that way. It was Hakoda’s wish.

“Come child,” she waved the young water bender out into the crisp midnight air. Y/N followed the elder eagerly. The moon, full and bright, lit the entire village. The stars shined brightly, she thought of her mother. Kya always told her the magic of the night sky, how the moon and stars worked together so gracefully. Gran-Gran stood at the edge of the water, patiently waiting for the young girl to join her side. 

“When you were born, your mother suspected you would be a bender. That was a dangerous thing to be,” she paused with a long sigh. “However, the moon spoke to your mother the night you were born. The moon was the brightest it had ever been that night, the whole village awoke from its light. The moon shinned for you, and Kya knew that.” 

Y/N smiled to herself. She’d never known this much about herself before. It still didn’t make her feel better, why was Gran-Gran telling her this anyway? It didn’t change anything, her mother was still gone and her father still hated her. 

“But,” Gran-Gran continued abruptly. “The sun rose early that morning, bright as ever. It was as if the balance had returned for a day. We thought maybe you were the avatar.” They both sat in silence pondering her last statement.

The avatar? What a joke. Y/N had begun to believe such a thing never even existed in the first place. 

“I’m sorry I’m not,” Y/N muttered keeping her eyes fixated on the moon.

“No child, that is not your destiny. Your mother knew that you would be apart of restoring balance to the world, but just not in the way. The moon spoke to her. The great spirit told her to protect you from all harm.” Y/N’s eyes filled with tears, but she did not dare let them fall. Her mother was protecting her, she knew that the day she met her end. But to protect her over some prophecy a moon spirit said? It made her blood boil. 

“Of course, you won’t be alone in this.” Gran-Gran smiled to herself, leaving Y/N only to formulate more questions.

“Why would the moon find any sort of balance in me? Why would the sun react with the moon? How will I ever find another person to help me? This is so stupid, how do I know If you’re even telling the truth?  Gran-Gran this is ridiculous. No moon spirit cares about me! If they did they wouldn’t let her die or let dad go!” 

The eldest villager didn’t answered. She knew it was impossible to know. It was the truth, but it would take Y/N years to accept that. 

“Do not dwell on the unknown, it will be revealed when the universe allows it. What you do with this information is your choice,” Gran-Gran slowly confirmed before making her way back to her respected residence. 

“Ugh,” Y/N belted. She waved her hand towards the water before her in frustration. The water reacted with her swift movement, sending a wave towards the horizon. The sadness and confusion hit her, almost like a punch to the chest. 

She chose to never speak of the information Kanna gave her. It still plagued her mind every so often, but she ignored every aspect of it. In her eyes, she was a normal southern water tribe citizen.

But in the back of her mind she knew, that was far from true.

That night at the Fire Nation Palace ☽

Ursa had done what she had to. It was for him, her son, Zuko. She had protected him his whole life, just as she was instructed to. The sun spirit made that clear to her on the day of his birth. This incident was no different, just more drastic changes would have to be made.

She quickly made her way through the palace halls, her frail body still humming with adrenaline. Killing the fire lord, what was she thinking? Leaving now would only make it clear just who did it. Was being on the run from the crupt fire nation worth saving Zuko? A million times yes. Stopping to catch her breath, her attention caught by the bright orb in the night sky. It always gave her peace of mind, the moon. 

Azulon had instructed Ozai, her husband, to kill her first born. If only Ozai hadn’t spoken in such a heartless arrogant way, this wouldn’t have happened. To kill his child? It was horrible. He would do it though, if it meant keeping his honor. Ursa questioned why Ozai was so empty and power hungry. It was an answer she’d never know.

Some servants scurried pass her, bowing in the process. Did they know? They would soon, everyone would. She had to make herself scarce before then. The paranoia was sinking in ever so quickly. It was the only way to save herself, leaving. But, Ursa couldn’t help her mind race to Zuko. 

Zuko. 

The room he occupied was dark. There the young prince laid sprawled out on the crimson-colored king sized bed. Snoring slightly, he peacefully slept. The moon light coming from the window lit his raven colored hair perfectly. It felt wrong to wake him, he looked so content. But, it had to be done. For all she knew, it could be the last time she would ever lay eyes on her son. It was a little past midnight, in the morning the whole world would know. 

She sat on the corner of the bed next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Zuko had never been a heavy sleeper, especially with Azula as a sister. Her unless torment made him keen and aware of his surroundings, a good habit. 

“Mom,” he muttered groggily. Why was she here? His mind was still fuzzy.

“Zuko,” Ursa urgently spoke. Ursa quickly grabbed him by his sides, lifting her son up to face her. He blinked a few times, trying to focus with his tired eyes. 

“Please, my love, listen to me,” this made him try to focus more. Her voice was hoarse almost like she had been crying.  

“Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to protect you,” with this statement she pulled him into a hug. The last hug. She squeezed tighter than normal, he did not question it. 

She finally pulled away after what seemed like minutes. He was such a beautiful boy, how could she leave him? Would he parish without her? Would he be taken advantage of? Only the spirits could know. Footsteps could be heard in the hall outside his chamber. 

“Remember this Zuko,” she started facing him once more. Her voice was more stern this time, like she wanted to send a message. 

“No matter how things seem to change, never forget who you are,” her voice said in a whisper tone. Ursa hoped he’d listen, and take those words to heart. It was all she could do for him. From now on, Zuko would be on his own.

The prince watched her in tired confused as she turned towards the door. He wanted to say something, question why she had come, but he couldn’t. The tiredness was overwhelming, taking over before he could object. She sadly looked back once more, before pulling her cloak over her head. 

Hastily she ventured back trough the halls, leaving swiftly without a trace. By the time the fire nation caught word of their deceased leader, she was long gone. Just a memory. Ursa’s life she once knew was far behind her.

She looked up to the two spirits in the sky. The setting moon and the rising sun. Their harmonious relationship was on display in the sky. How wonderful the colors of the night collided with the morning sun, she thought to herself. 

“Watch after him,” the woman pleaded to the two spirits that occupied the sky.

Here we are, Chapter 5 of my Tokka compilation thingy... I literally cannot believe I’m already on Chapter 5 but STILL can’t get my ass up and make myself go to the store. I’m a lazy adult.  This one is spicyyyyyy... but also not. Short and sweet.

It was all his fault.

He hadn’t even tried to stop the Agni Kai. If he had, maybe he could have talked some sense into his brother. Maybe he could have prevented all this.