So Burst-of-iridescent, I noticed you were doing a character ask game and I was curious about your feelings for either Iroh or Zuko? I don't care which one you choose I just want to hear your thoughts on either one. 🙂
hey j‐man, thanks for the ask! i'll do both because why not?
Sexuality Headcanon: i know this is a mad unpopular opinion on this site, but straight. i totally get why people hc zuko as gay/bi/ace, especially when his arc with his dad is so sadly reminiscent of the relationship many queer kids have with their parents, but he just radiates straight "i love my bi wife" energy to me.
A ship I have with said character: gee, i wonder if anyone can possibly tell who i ship zuko with (zutara trash till the day i die)
A BROTP I have with said character: zuko and sokka! i love their friendship, and i can totally see sokka calling them the sword bros or something equally cringey. i also like them as a ship in fanon, but following canon alone i think these two would have the most epic bromance ever.
A NOTP I have with said character: mai/ko. kill it with fire. i will despise this ship even in my grave.
A random headcanon: zuko is ambidextrous. look at all that dual sword wielding!
General Opinion over said character: zuko is the definition of "people hating on a popular character solely to be contrary/because they're bitter their fave isn't as popular". the complete lack of empathy people seem to have toward zuko in favour of propping up other characters (looking at you, hardcore aang/azula stans) is just astounding. his character arc is so beloved and lauded for a reason. you aren't "seeing the truth" where the oh so unintelligent masses got taken in; you're purposefully and completely misreading canon to support your own batshit stupid interpretation. please develop some critical thinking skills.
Sexuality Headcanon: unlabeled. i see iroh being a firm proponent of the whole "love is love" idea and just doing whatever he wants with whoever he wants. or maybe he's just into tea, who knows.
A ship I have with said character: iroh x tea i don't really ship iroh with anyone but if i had to choose, aunt wu or piandao could be interesting.
A BROTP I have with said character: iroh and toph. they would 100% be those friends that play pai sho and gossip the whole afternoon over tea.
A NOTP I have with said character: i'm not invested enough in iroh's love life for this.
A random headcanon: iroh is the one who first notices zuko's natural athletic skill and arranges for piandao to teach zuko.
General Opinion over said character: i wasn't aware that the hague or geneva conventions existed in the atla universe, but apparently i was wrong since everyone and their mother enjoys calling iroh a war criminal. just say you dislike this character for being popular instead of pretending that you genuinely want to apply modern standards of warfare to this fantasy children's show regarding a character who repented and then did whatever he could to take down the regime he regretted supporting.
