@zkdrabbledecember / zkdrabbledecember.tumblr.com
sweats
It is now February and I’m just sliding in here with my last couple of drabbles for ZKDD - Crashing Waves & So Sublime! I elected not to do the last bit of the month because 20 just felt like a good stopping place + I wanted to work on other things. :)
I can’t believe how long this post has been sitting in my drafts, but I figured I could still post it anyways - Thanks so much to everyone who made ZKDD 2020 a huge success, whether you were reading or writing or doing both!
In case you’re looking for some new reading and would like to sort through the various fics that were written during ZKDD 2020, each day’s submissions are tagged uniquely so that you can find them easier :)))
For example, if you’d like to read from Day 1′s prompt, Nightfall, you’d search the blog using #zkdd day 1 2020
To read Day 27′s prompt, Don’t Worry, you’d search using #zkdd day 27 2020
And so on and so forth.
You can look up any of the fics written for the 31 days of ZKDD 2020 in this way. I apologize for my delay in making a formal post on how to sort all the fics!
If you’d like to browse the ZKDD 2020 Collection on AO3, the link is here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/ZK_Drabble_December_2020/works
Zel >:)
The wind howls in her ears, chills her to the bone. Katara has to scream to be heard as she asks, “Is this really how I die? At terminal velocity, strapped to a stranger’s crotch?”
The skydiving instructor, Zuko, simply says, “No,” and turns her around so he can clip the carabiner on the front of his harness onto the back of hers. Katara has climbed enough glaciers back home with Sokka to know that this should be a very secure hold. Belaying each other up and down sheer faces of rock and ice, the ropes and clips had always held, but something about this particular death-defying endeavor has her questioning it.
“Well, you can’t guarantee we’re not about to die - you made me sign a whole bunch of forms just in case we do!” She digs in her heels a little when he starts walking her towards the open door of the plane.
Chapters: 6/31 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katara/Zuko (Avatar) Characters: Katara (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Katara’s and Zuko’s Child(ren) Additional Tags: Zutara, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Future Fic, Children of Characters, Fluff, Drabble, Drabble Collection, Zutara Drabble December 2020 Summary:
The drabbles I write for @zkdrabbledecember on Tumblr!
I know it’s January third, but I still want to try and finish the rest of the fics for the month.
Zutara Drabble December Day 31!!
Yes, this is a little late. I have about five minutes until January second but we don’t need to talk about that. It’s 2021 now though!!!! Woo!!!!
I swear that about half of these drabbles have the same vibes to them
I now present to you:
Zuko had been traveling for a long time, three long years. He had gone to his home for about two months at the end of that time period and realized it was no longer his home. He left again, denouncing his father and leaving his now ex-girlfriend, his probably now ex-best friend, and his sister behind.
He found the Avatar and joined him, and slowly got his friends to trust him. He felt comfortable with them. Like he had with his mother, and with Azula before their father got to her.
And once Katara forgave him they became fast friends and he felt so at home with her. He accidentally heard her telling Suki something similar regarding him. He didn’t know what to think about that. He just knew that he loved her.
She ended up telling him that she loved him first, at sunset after the war when they were all at the Jasmine Dragon. He blushed and said that he did too. They kissed, and it felt magical.
Several years later when she moved to the Fire Nation it felt like home again. She fed the turtleducks with him and he felt like the palace suddenly felt less like something strange and like his home.
i have completed the last chapter/epilogue of only after nightfall (one of my absolute favorites out of everything i wrote) and, with it, drabble december!
i can’t believe i managed to participate in this entire month without flaking, but it was amazing to write for all the prompts and read the amazing things other people posted (most of which i still need to get to lol)
(day 31 of @zkdrabbledecember)
“Go rest, Druk. I’ll see you in the morning.” Zuko petted the snout of his not-so-baby-anymore dragon. They’d had a long trip from Ba Sing Se. Business as usual- of course stopping by Uncle’s teashop in between breaks. Still, as good as it had been to spend time with Iroh, he was glad to be home.
He quickly walked the halls of the palace, nodding to any servants who were still up. The Fire Lord came upon his eldest daughter’s room. He didn’t want to wake her up, it had to be nearing two in the morning. But he just wanted to see her face after so long.
Zuko slowly opened the door and peeked his head in. Nozomi was fast asleep on her side, her black hair spilling over her pillow in a disarray of curls. He smiled at her softly before closing the door again- he didn’t dare go in, Nozomi was such a light sleeper he’d surely wake her. And being a firebender, she didn’t sleep in much, so she needed her rest.
He went to the next door down, Iroh II and Kya shared this bedroom. They were heavy sleepers, so Zuko went in. He fixed their tangled sheets and kissed their foreheads before leaving again.
The next bedroom belonged to little Ryu, who was only four. Zuko peeked in and saw him clutching a stuffed animal, fast asleep.
Zuko felt better after seeing them all well. He didn’t like being away for so long.
He stepped into the last room. Unlike his children, he planned to wake his wife up. Katara would always want to welcome him home, even if he had to wake her up to do so. (He’d been chastised before when he didn’t wake her... it wasn't fun.)
He set his bag on the ground in the dark room, calling a flame to his palm. He walked over to the Katara-sized lump under the covers. She had the tendency of being a heavy sleeper, and she probably had just fallen asleep with how late she stayed up. Zuko sat on the edge of the bed, tucking her wild hair behind her ear. “My love, I’m home.”
After a few more caresses, Katara slowly blinked her eyes open. “Zuko?”
“Yes, it’s me. I just got home.”
Katara hummed, winding her arms around his waist, “Welcome home.”
Alternative Home Prompt for shits and giggles
“Look, the directions are right here. Literally you just cook the meat and then add the other ingredients. It’s super easy.” Katara instructed.
Zuko ran a hand down his face. “Katara, you are vastly underestimating my ability to fuck things up.”
She giggled and kissed his cheek. “Babe, I know how good you are at fucking things up. I have ample experience with it. But I have trust that you can do this!”
“I’ve never cooked a day in my life, you are putting your trust in the wrong person.”
She patted his shoulders and walked away. “Follow the directions! I’ll be back soon!”
Zuko groaned, leaning his head back. This was a bad idea.
.……….........…
“I’m home!”
Katara sprinted to the kitchen when she smelled smoke. Zuko rubbed the back of his neck and waved at her lamely. “Welcome home…”
“The FIRE, Zuko!”
Can also be read on AO3!
Rating: T
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairing: Zutara (Zuko/Katara)
Characters: Katara, Zuko
Summary: Zuko’s past makes him fear the future.
A/N: Author’s notes can be found on AO3.
C/W: Discussions of past abuse.
Zuko and Katara head home after their visit to the SWT. @zkdrabbledecember
WOW GUYS WE MADE IT!!! Thanks for everyone who has been reading along they way. You are amazing.
Read the last chapter on ao3 here or below. And if ff.net is still your thing, read everything over there.
“We’re ready to cast off when you are, Fire Lord,” Lieutenant Chan said, bowing a little as he approached. Zuko nodded but kept his eyes locked on the dock where Katara was still saying goodbye to her family. Their family.
A smile tugged at Zuko’s lips as he watched Katara pull Sokka in for one last hug. She planted a kiss on their niece’s forehead and then turned to head up the gangplank. “I can’t wait for you guys to come visit in the spring,” she called over her shoulder, “I’ll write as soon as we get home!”
Home.
Zuko’s smile broke into a grin when Katara wrapped her arms around his waist. He immediately pulled her flush against him, kissing the top of her head. His smile quickly faded when he realized her shoulders were shaking and the front of his tunic was becoming damp with her tears.
“What’s wrong, my love?” he asked, concern inching into his tone. To his surprise, she began laughing as she pulled back, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.
“Nothing, I think the pregnancy mood swings might be kicking in already,” she tried to reassure him.
“Are you sure? Is there anything I can do? Anything to help the baby? Should I get us tea or-”
“Zuko, my love,” she cut him off, grabbing one of his hands and twining his fingers with hers. “It’s fine, really. I mean, sure, it’s a little sad leaving my family, but I know they’ll come visit when we have the baby.”
Zuko nodded and swiped a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. “Ok, if you say so,” he said, before turning to address his crew. “Set a course for home,” he ordered clearly, but with a warmth seeping into his tone.
Home.
Even after all this time, heading back to the Fire Nation was an emotional process for Zuko. During his banishment, he often wondered if he would ever be allowed to set foot on his native soil again. When he returned with Azula, he realized the home he had longed for was gone, with his mother still missing and a father who never wanted him.
Those short weeks hiding out on Ember Island before the comet had been the closest to home he had felt in years. But even then, something felt like it was missing.
Now though, now he returned to the Fire Nation as their leader, as the Fire Lord. More importantly, he got to head back with Katara, who was giving him the greatest gift imaginable.
Zuko studied his wife, who had turned her gaze to the fading shoreline. Her stormy blue eyes were still wet the emotion of leaving her family, but her expression was soft, almost tender. Katara had told him the Southern Water Tribe hadn’t quite felt like home since the war. Looking at her now, he could almost believe her.
Maybe for them, home wasn’t a place. Even though they lived in the palace, it never had the same cozy feeling that Gran Gran’s hut did, or the warmth of belonging that Iroh’s tea shop had. Maybe, home was the people you choose to make it with.
Zuko drew Katara to his chest, lightly kissing the top of her head as he tangled on hand in her hair. She melted against him, sighing in contentment as she settled against his chest. Zuko closed his eyes, committing to memory the feeling of her against him, of holding her close, of the pure happiness that washed over him.
There was nowhere he felt more at home than in Katara’s arms.
Zutara Drabble December 2020 Day 31
Summary: After Izumi assumes the throne, Zuko and Katara return to the South Pole to retire.
Katara inhaled the salty breeze then exhaled slowly, watching her breath come out in puffy white smokes and dance around her. After all these years, the thought of snow and ice warmed her heart in its own special way.
“We should be there before nightfall.” Zuko said as he wrapped his arm around her. “Chief Yue sent word that she already made preparations for our arrival.”
She smiled, thinking about her niece. Yue definitely inherited her father’s love for planning and schedules. Katara reached up and pulled his hood over his white hair, going on about how he’s not as young as he used to be despite Zuko’s half-hearted protests.
“I still have the Breath of Life, love. I’m not going to freeze to death!”
“And I’m here to make sure that you don’t.” Katara said poking him in the chest. She adjusted his blue parka until she was satisfied. Zuko planted a kiss on her forehead.
“My hero.”
Katara laughed then leaned against his chest as Zuko wrapped his arms around her. They watched the gentle winter sun slowly rise over the horizon. The only sound was the metal ship slapping against the waves.
“Are you sure about this, Zuko?” Katara asked after a moment.
“Izumi is going to make a fine ruler. We’ve prepared her for this her whole life and she knows where to reach us whenever she needs to.”
“I know. I’m so proud of her.” Katara felt tears well up as she thought about how far her daughter has come. There were many obstacles both external and internal but Izumi overcame them all bravely. Katara had never felt such pride in her long life.
“I meant, are you sure about moving to the South Pole? Azula said she wouldn’t mind if we stayed on Ember Island with her.”
“Of course, I’m sure. You lived in the Fire Nation for 60 years with me. It’s only right that I live 60 years with you in the South Pole.”
“60 whole years, huh?”
“Or until you get sick of me.”
“Just don’t tie me to anymore trees and I’ll might keep you around for a bit.”
Zuko laughed and rested his head on top of Katara’s.
“I mean it ‘Tara,” he whispered. “As long as I’m with you, I’m home.”
This time, Katara let her tears fall as she pulled Zuko into a passionate kiss.
It didn’t matter where they traveled or where they finally settled down.
They were home with each other.
Title: If One of Your Soulmates Told You to Go Jump in the River, Would You?
Rating: T (cussing, mentioned past character death, brief mention of infanticide)
Summary: Zuko always believed his destiny was tied to the Avatar, he just never thought it would be in this way. (Fruits Basket!AU)
Note: A/N can be found on AO3 (including a chart to figure out your atla zodiac lol) Also! I would appreciate feedback because I’m thinking of expanding on this idea more for the Zutara Big Bang :)
A long time ago, the Avatar lived together in harmony with their twelve friends: the shirshu, the flying bison, the tiger seal, the jackalope, the dragon, the koi fish, the ostrich horse, the koala sheep, the winged lemur, the turtleduck, the polar bear dog, and the badgermole.
For @favlie - a New Year’s kiss for you!
It is not the New Year for Katara. For the Southern Water Tribe, the year had started moons ago on the solstice, with the first hint of sunrise after The Longest Night. But here in the Fire Nation, the year is beginning now with the end of the rainy season. Everywhere she looks, the land is a green so vibrant that it nearly hurts to look at. Flowers are shaking raindrops from their petals and every path is dotted with little verdant shoots peeking up from under and around stones. After months of so much gray, the ocean seems to glitter especially bright on Ember Island, where Zuko has brought her to celebrate.
“We put out candles everywhere,” he tells her. “The altars people keep for ancestors or house gods get lit up, and then people send these little boats out to sea or release lanterns into the sky if they aren’t near the coast.”
“Wow,” she says, feeling a little in awe of the spectacle of it all. In her mind’s eye, she can already see the glittering lights.
“Trust me, however beautiful you’re imagining it, it’s more,” Zuko promises, his smile wide and easy - boyish in a way he so rarely seems anymore. “It’s my favorite holiday.”
“I can’t wait,” she says, and kisses his cheek, then lets him pull her towards the florist stand to pick flowers to decorate the fragile wooden boat.
By sunset, when it is time to bid the old year goodbye, their final creation is flecked with white and yellow blossoms, the petals like licking candle flames already. As they prepare to make their way down to the familiar private beach, Zuko cradles it gently in his hands, Katara’s arm linked with his. Their feet press into the soft sand, as they walk down to the waterline. The shore as far as she can see is already flooded with tiny flickering lights as people release their boats, and from the center of the island, streams of lanterns trickle up, up, up into the sky, like early stars. They wade into the surf, Katara’s skirt tied up at her hip, and she can see Zuko trying not to stare too much at how much of her legs are exposed.
“Come on,” she laughs, trying to tug him in deeper, maybe coax him into a late night swim, but he stands firm.
“We have to stay here.”
“Is this tradition, or is the Fire Lord just scared to get a little wet?” she asks, kicking a small spray of water at him. He laughs and dodges half-heartedly.
“It actually is tradition. We need to stay where the waves are breaking so we can jump over them and make our wishes.”
“Wishes?” He nods.
“Yeah. Seven of them.”
“Do I get to hear yours? Or are they a secret?”
“You’re supposed to say them out loud. The rhythm of the waves and the wishes sort of makes a song.” Katara tilts her head and smiles at the lights spreading across the sea and sky.
“A song of hope for the future.”
“Exactly.”
Zuko carefully lights the little candles nestled inside the flowers-covered boat, and holds it out for Katara to put her hands on the hull with him. Together, they set it in the water, Katara gives it a nudge with her bending, and it’s off, bobbing slowly over the waves, heading out towards the vast ocean and the other dancing sparks on the water. He slips his hand into Katara’s, squeezing her fingers and trading twin smiles before they turn to read the waves, waiting for the perfect moment.
“Ooh here it comes!” Katara says as a rounded ridge of water rushes towards them. She wracks her brain, scrambling to put words to her hopes and dreams for the next year as the first hints of white foam appear. It curls and crashes, and as it rushes towards their ankles, she and Zuko leap as one, out of the water, their toes just evading the bubbles. The instant they splash down again, they say in unison,
“I wish for peace.” They look to each other, and burst into laughter.
“Maybe the Ember Island Players were a little more accurate than you think,” Zuko teases.
“Oh you’re one to talk. Not everything is a speech you know,” she shoots back, the edges of it softened by her smile. He laughs and shakes his head, turning back to look for the next wave, and as the edge of the water sharpens again, they jump.
“I wish for Uncle’s good health,” Zuko says.
“I wish for new benders in my tribe.”
They jump again.
“I wish for another year of Gran-Gran.”
“I wish for my council to cooperate.”
Again.
“I wish for good crops.”
“I wish for light storms.”
Again.
“I wish for adventure.”
“I wish for more sleep.”
Again.
“I wish for my friends to be happy.”
“I wish for you to be happy.”
Again.
“I wish to have all of my family together.”
“I wish for all of my years to start and end with you.”
Katara freezes, turning to Zuko. “You…” She trails off, stunned. Tries again. “Are you -” She cuts herself off, disbelieving. He pulls her to him, arms wrapping around her. All she can see is his face lit by the shimmering sky.
“Will you marry me?” he asks, hardly above a whisper. Katara pushes up on her tiptoes and kisses him. His mouth is sweet from wine and honey-soaked pastries after dinner. His hair slides through her fingers like silk threads, and she grasps them tightly, lingering against his soft lips and reveling in his warm touch - hers forever now.
“Yes.”
For @ladamapintada - Happy New Year, friend!
“Ugh, what’s wrong with these people?” Zuko groaned, leaning over the railing of Uncle’s balcony.
“What do you mean?” Katara laughed. “It’s just a party.”
“It’s not just a party,” he complained. “It happens in Caldera every year too! All these people come for this massive New Years’ party, and you can’t see anything! What kind of idiot wants to start off the year with music they can’t hear, food they can’t get to, and a million strangers keeping them from getting home when the whole disaster is over?”
“Wow, tell me how you really feel there Zuko.”
December 31th, 2020 (Day 31 of ZKDD): Home
(Remember to add your fic to the Ao3 collection and tag us in your Tumblr posts so we can reblog!!)
Zutara Drabble December Day 30!
Oh my gosh 2020 is almost over!! I’m going to bake cookies tomorrow (maybe) and watch the new movie about Sharkboy and Lavagirl’s kids too. Maybe I’ll go get myself a new lego architecture set who knows! 2021!!
Anyway! The link to ao3!
I now present to you:
Toph had given him the opportunity to have a little sister who showed affection, Aang had shown him how to have fun, Sokka had shown him how to throw a boomerang and was his first real friend his age, Suki had given him the chance to broaden his view of fighting, and Katara had shown him what love really was.
They were his forever family. And so was Iroh, and even Azula. He had found the best doctors for her and she had been getting better. Now, four years later, she was living in the palace again, having lunch with Katara and Toph and Iroh and him.
Toph had moved in and declared herself the Fire Lord’s sister soon after the war ended. Katara had moved in three years after the war after Zuko had announced their engagement.
It had been awkward when Azula and Katara met again, but Azula forgave her. They even hugged. Zuko was happy. Azula was too, she said she was excited to get yet another new sister because of Zuko.
Sokka and Suki swung by the palace often, so did Aang. He had met On Ji again and they had begun dating. Katara was happy for them both. Ty Lee and Mai still stuck around, they were happily dating as well. Iroh moved his tea shop to the Fire Nation as well, to stay closer to his family.
Zuko loved his forever family, he was lucky to have them.
