#swordbending

Swordbending kai but it’s actually gay  😳❤️

(first pannel is also a redraw of an illustration by Justin Ridge & Wes Dzioba from the comic Swordbending)

fully obsessed with how cute Toph's Zuko sign is

Swordbending

conceptualize:

one day sokka heartily challenges zuko to a duel not knowing he’s a master swordsman

zuko accepts because payback

sokka would show up armed with his boomerang, his machete, and hawky on his shoulder

zuko would obv have his twin blades (sokka: where’d you dig up those relics grandpa B) )

sokka would charge first and loudly

zuko would win almost instantly

sokka would mope for a couple of days and then realize his luck (if he can teach aang, maybe he’ll teach me??)

zuko is reluctant at first but sokka is very cute convincing

zuko also acknowledges that even as a bender he’d be lost without his sword skills and agrees

he is a ruthless instructor but sokka wants this, bad

sokka finds his focus, improves

space sword can still happen bc hotman zuko can just flame it up for him in the place of a kiln

similar to in the original ep zuko pulls a sudden ambush, sokka eventually beats him

zuko commends him for his skill; he has lost very few battles.

the two glean a newfound respect for each other (sokka, because he is greatful for zuko’s services, and zuko, because he has finally found his equal)

sparring becomes a favorite pastime for the two

Day 1: Sword

"The sword is an extension of ourselves"

As swords masters, and knowing how important are the swords for them, I think that between Zuko and Sokka is very intimate to shared it. It's their identity, a special way to show how much they love each other (yeah, both are looking the swords as they were looking the other).

It's their way to show love...

Zutara family gets their pictures taken, the kids decide to turn it into photo shoot. (I give full permission to draw any of these scenarios that tickle your fancy just be sure to tag this post in the description and/or me in the tags)

Kya, their oldest, a waterbender who has taken up her father’s skill with dual broad swords. She’s playful, but knows when to get serious and get down to business.

Katsuro, is a firebender, closer to his mom than his father. He won’t admit it but he finds his father intimidating. He has some pretty big boots to fill.

Aika, is a nonbender and very loved by her parents and older siblings, they dote on her. Lots of hugs and kisses. Kya likes to bring her in on messing with Katsuro.

SCENARIOS

Bending/Weapons

Kya takes individual pictures with her bending and with her swords before posing with both. She later poses with her mother. Business faces, smiles of pride and joy, camera smiles. In one picture Katara looks at her daughter with pride while Kya looks towards the camera. 

Kya poses with her swords with her father too. They pose in fight stances, and “at ease” poses. Some are combat poses, others are just one sword crossed, while they bend their element with their other hand. A favorite, which proved as a challenge, is Kya’s swords wrapped in water, with Zuko’s wreathed in flames. Then they take some father-daugther pictures. Arms around each other, formal hand on the shoulder, silly photos, pictures of hugs and kisses. 

Katsuro poses with his firebending, his long sword, and water Tribe weapons (these were gifts from Sokka and Hakoda). First by himself then with his father, they do the final motion of the Dancing Dragon, presenting their flames standing back to back. They pose with their swords in fighting stances and “at ease” poses. Some artistic poses are done too. There are versions through out their home of Zuko and Katsuro doing the Dancing Dragon. 

They take formal pictures, standing side by side in formal wear, Zuko’s hand on Katsuro’s shoulder. In one, Zuko brings his son in close, smiling with pride. It take Katsuro a few years (and more than a few times of being told by his parents, aunts and uncles) before he has a more casual, easier relationship with his father.

Aika, in her younger years posed with her parents and siblings. If she did solo pictures is was usually with her dolls and toys. Her pictures took on more variety after she spent some time with the Kyoshi Warriors. She poses with her fans and katana in full battle regalia. She poses with siblings and father with their weapons. Once again, in fighting stance, “at ease” stance, and pictures each of her siblings with blades crossed as if in combat. The picture of the three of them with their blades crossed is a favorite among the siblings. Kya on one knee with her swords drawn, with Katsuro and Aika standing behind her with their crossed single blades. But there’s one that the family as a whole loves even more.

Zuko and Katara sit in chairs Aika kneels in front with her fans out in full Kyoshi Warrior battle regalia while her siblings stand behind their parents with Katsuro’s sword crossing one of Kya’s swords. 

The message is clear: DON’T mess with or attack their parents. The kids WILL fight you!