idc who u ship with sokka just know that he will be oblivious one and katara is SO tired
GUYS I THINK THAT THE LA ATLA IS PRETTY GOOD GUYS LIKE.
YES, katara isnt angry enough but is it really 2010 bad? its also the writers fault not the actress like kiawentiio is SOOOO katara in all of the interviews etc
YES, ozai is hot BUT thats seriously doesnt excuse THE CHILD ABUSE!!!! yall can simp for him but dont condone his actions :))))))
YES, zuko is sassy af THATS HOW HES SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE. did we seriously watch the same show
SOKKAS' ACTOR IS NOT WHITE, like if he was and he got the role, it's the casting directors's fault. they didn't know what they were auditioning for, so i don't see why he would've lied about his background. plus, he really doesn't look white, like at all. and seriously, how would you feel if someone told you that you were lying about your race
percy would NOT be jealous/possessive of anyone having a crush on annabeth because 1) she's so possessive that he knows she would never cheat on him and 2) he thinks she is so smart and pretty and cool and awesome that he's just like "hell yes. my girlfriend is sooo awesome thank you for noticing!"
ok here me out even more. as an avid zukka shipper lemme put this in here. toph: just chilling and vibing (she just wants her parents off her back) so she does not give a shit. zuko and sokka are like 'fighting' over her but it becomes too competitive at one point that they just start randomly dating. they dont know its happening and no one else except toph realises because, again, shes just vibing. suki and mai DO eventually realise and partake in the chaos by dating each other. suki still stays as 'team zuko' though, just cause she thinks its fun. MEANWHILE zuko and sokka still havent realised whats going on because yes they are smart but theyre also dumbasses. the earth king joined in on the bidding wars with hakoda and ursa but because hes a neutral party he bids for toph to not get with either zuko or sokka. aang's in the corner on the verhe of a mental breakdown trying to keep everything under control. agni himself shows up in zukos dreams telling him to 'beat that water tribe kid otherwise tui and la would tease him for all eternity'. reminder that zuko's still trying to run the nation. aang eventually uses his avatar powers to trap zuko sokka and toph in the spirit world until they figure it out. king kuei of the earth kingdom wins the bet
ok hear me out - when Zuko and Toph got to like 21 and 17 respectively they started being each other’s dates to fancy events they had to attend
Which of course the newly emerging media was taking to like fish to water, publishing all sorts of rumours and musings about whether the Fire Lord and heir to the Beifong fortune were being matched (which definitely would be an advantageous one)
And naturally Zuko and Toph both love it. Zuko because his advisors aren’t badgering him about marriage (whilst he continues to pine after Mai), and Toph because her parents think she’s months away from being the Fire Lady and so aren’t trying to set her up with suitors. So they basically encourage it, always walking into parties arm in arm, both looking hot af, playing up to the crowd
But the rest of the gaang (namely Aang, Katara and Sokka) HATE it because Zuko and Toph won’t actually admit they’re faking it. So even though they all keeping rolling their eyes and saying “we know you’re just messing with us” internally each one of them is like “zuko and toph afksrgkhjrh!!!!!”
Sokka keeps trying to get Toph away from Zuko because he’s like “no you’re too old this is inappropriate” and so is always trying to drag her away and interrupt dances but this just leads to the media thinking that the fire lord and the next chief of the southern water tribe are fighting over the same girl and they LOVE it
Aang is getting really cheesed off because every time he tries to do a press conference he keeps getting asked if he’s Team Zuko or Team Sokka
Suki 100% is living for the chaos
Katara proudly shows off her Team Sokka shirt in the clinic odd days
Lily Evans had never had a large party on her birthday before. She had always had just a couple friends over at her house, or once she started hogwarts, in her dorm. The first few years at school were short little celebrations with her different friends, since they couldn't get along together. But this year was just one party, a big one, organised by Mary and James, well known for their ability to plan a great party with large crowds and manage to keep those crowds happy.
She donned her best outfit, got Emmeline to do her makeup, Marlene to do her nails, and Mary with the hardest job of blocking Remus Lupin from the record player in the common room.
And as people began to gather, Lily went downstairs to join them. Sirius and Peter had snuck to Hogsmeade to get some booze, under the conditions they made sure it was only people over 16 drinking it. Now they stood like guards, arms folding with sunglasses over their eyes and makeshift badges as they teared down at a poor ravenclaw from 4th year that tried to grab a bottle.
Lily made her way over grabbing a drink before moving to the record player in the corner.
Mary was stood, glaring up at Remus, "You aren't fucking touching this! I will stand here the entire night if I have to. We refuse to lieten to a single Zeppelin song!"
"Remus!" Lily shouted, "Get away from the music! We made a deal, my choice on my birthday!"
Remus groaned, "Mary's just been playing constant abba though!"
Lily grinned, "My birthday, my choice."
Remus glared at her before starting to smirk and he quickly grabbed her drink before speeding away.
"You fucker!" She yelled after him.
"Happy birthday, Lils!"
Mary grabbed her into a tight hug, "What that twat said."
She hugged her back, "Ugh I love you, thank you for this."
"Why are you sweet? Hey, you should go get another drink before it's all gone. I'll protect the music for you."
Lily hugged her again before going back to the drink table to find it bare.
"We're gonna go get some more but James has disappeared and he's got the cloak and map." Peter said, seemingly appearing behind her out of nowhere.
"He's a terrible boyfriend", Sirius sighed, shaking their head.
Lily rolled her eyes, as Marlene bounded over.
"He's just gone to grab the slytherins, prat."
Sirius clasped their hand to their heart, "blondes are so mean... oh sorry, I mean gingers."
Lily's eyes widened and she stared at Marlene in shock, "What? Marlene, what?"
Marlene stuck a finger up at Sirius before disappearing into the crowd.
"Marlene! You're ginger too?!"
"What's all the yelling about?" James said, map and cloak in one hand just before Peter grabbed them both and ran off with Sirius.
"Marlene's ginger!"
James froze, "you're not meant to know that. She got us all to promise to never tell you. Who told you? It was Sirius wasn't it? They're terrible at keeping secrets."
"Why would she dye her hair? What's wrong with being ginger!"
James shrugged, "I dont know! She's done it since she was like 9!"
Dorcas leaned over, "Her mum got her to do it as a kid and then she said she keeps doing it because 'ginger is much less rock n roll'... also hi lily, happy birthday."
"Fucker." Lily said.
"Woah Lily, Cas was just wishing you a happy birthday, no need for swearing." Regulus slightly smiled.
Lily squinted at him in annoyance before reaching to hug him.
Pandora nudged Regulus, "He got you a gift, but he's so shy he asked me to give it to you instead."
"That's not what I said! I'm not shy!" Regulus said, nudging her back as she gave the wrapped present to Lily.
James bounded over her shoulder excitedly.
Inside was a vinyl of the single song, dancing queen.
Regulus put his hands in his pockets, "I thought it'd be a good fit for this party, and I am willing to dance."
Lily grinned, immediately running over to Mary to put it on.
The intro spinned into the air and James pulled Lily up onto a desk. They danced and danced. Others clambering up on the desks after them. Dorcas and Marlene dancing while making out, Pandora with Emmeline and Sybil, Mary leaving her station to join in the dance, Peter and Sirius back from their mission and immediately jumping up on the desks, and Regulus following through his promise to join Lily and James in the dance.
And Remus, with a clear shot of the record player with no one guarding it, didn't move from where he stood, and let abba sing out, just for Lily.
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl
Watch that scene
Digging the dancing queen
This poll is a celebration of fandom and fandom history; we're aware that there are certain issues with many of the listed pairings and sources, but they are a part of that history. Please do not take this as an endorsement, and refrain from harassment.
Hakoda stood at the front of the ship, gripping the railings to see if he could see the Fire Nation and where his children were.
He had been very busy, slowly but surely rebuilding the Southern Water Tribe with Malina. But now he had time to visit.
As he traveled to the Fire Nation, where his children were, he wondered what the announcement they had mentioned in their letters was.
Katara had only spoke of it briefly, talking more about the young Avatar Aang, but she did say that it might surprise him, and it would be good for Water Tribe and Fire Nation relations.
Sokka was more enthusiastic, stating what Katara had said, but also that he was so pleased with the proposal that he agreed immediately. Aang, the Avatar, was apparently also excited for the announcement. Even Toph Beifong, who was all the way in the Earth Kingdom and busy with her metal bending school, had traveled to the Fire Nation.
So really, this declaration would be phenomenal, and would cause an entire chapter to be made in the history books.
But there was one specific letter out of the eyebrow-raising three that had surprised him immensely.
It was from Firelord Zuko.
Zuko, the poor boy, had sounded very anxious and desperate to please in his letter. He promised that he wasn’t forcing anyone do anything, and that he and Sokka had both agreed this would be the best route, and that he was very hopeful that Hakoda would be accepting of their decision.
And while Hakoda had to admit that he was a bit skeptical of how good this choice was, considering they were just children ruling over an entire nation, he did trust Zuko enough to not have any doubts that all parties had consented to this choice.
Suddenly there was yelling, shaking him out of his thoughts and alerting Hakoda that they were close to the Fire Nation now.
When they finally arrived, the entire Water Tribe was in for a slight shock as a massive furry bison flew in and roared. Of course they had seen the animal before, but perhaps not this close. Avatar Aang immediately leapt off his beast, apologizing profusely to the surprised warriors.
“I didn’t mean to scare you!’ He blabbered. “It’s just Appa trying to greet you! I’m so, so, so sorry! It won’t happen again!”
Hakoda gave him an amused smile, placing his hand on the young boy’s shoulder. “It’s quite alright, Aang.”
“Dad!”
Hakoda just had barely enough time to see a blurr of blue and brown before he was engulfed in a massive hug, almost knocking him off balance. He grinned warmly. “Katara! Oh, look at you! You’ve certainly grown.”
She beamed. “Oh, Dad, the preparations are amazing! You have to see it.”
“That sounds wonderful, Katara,” Hakoda said, “But I was wondering where your brother was?”
Katara smiled, albeit a bit mischeiviously. “Oh, he’s in the palace. He’s busy with preparations and stressing over every detail on this very, very special day.”
Hakoda frowned a bit. “Are you sure he’s okay? I don’t want him overworking himself.”
Katara shakes her head. “Don’t worry, Dad. With Zuko there, Sokka won’t even overwork an hour.”
Hakoda nodded, a bit hesitantly. “Well, if you say so.”
And then Katara and Aang started dragging him along, insisting that they can’t be late. Hakoda shot a confused and pleading glance towards Bato, who just shook his head and smiled.
Traitor.
*
“Katara! Oh, hey, Twinkle Toes,” Toph said. “And Hakoda.” She added, a bit like an afterthought.
Katara smiled at the younger girl. “Hey, Toph!” She replied, Aang following suit. “Do you know where Sokka is?”
Toph snorted. “He’s with Zuko, as per usual.” She responded, sounding incredibly exasperated. Hakoda assumed that his son and the Firelord were good friends.
Katara nodded. “That’s good. Come on, Dad!”
The dragging started up once more, with Toph following, but thankfully this time it was much shorter. They stopped in front of two massive bronze doors, accented with shining gold. It looked like a door for royalty, and it also looked very similar to the entrance of the Fire Lady’s room described in Sokka’s letters. Hakoda couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Why is Sokka in the Firelord’s room?”
Katara and Aang exchanged glances. They both smiled knowingly, as if Hakoda had said something a bit stupid and was being oblivious. He was mildly insulted by that.
“Oh, that’s not Zuko’s room! It’s Sokka’s.” Aang said casually, as if the knowledge that his son was living in a room made for royalty was inconsequential.
Katara pushed the doors open, revealing Sokka sitting at a desk, with Zuko beside him, incredibly close and having an arm around his son’s shoulders.
“Oi, Snoozles!” Toph yelled, and the two boys jumped apart. Sokka and Zuko both twisted their heads to face all four of them, their eyes blown ridiculously wide.
When Sokka saw Hakoda, his eyes grew even wider, something that had seemed impossible to Hakoda. “Dad!” Sokka exclaimed, and ran over. Sokka tackled him in a hug, which Hakoda was quick to reciprocate.
Hakoda laughed a little. “Look at you, Sokka!” He said. “You’ve grown into a fine young warrior.”
Sokka beamed with pride at the praise. Zuko looked on at them and smiled.
And this was when Hakoda discovered something very important.
He looked down.
And he saw…
A blue choker.
On his son’s neck.
Shocked, Hakoda shoved him away, confused.
Sokka looked hurt, while the others stared at him, mildly flabbergasted.
“You– you have,” Hakoda stutters through his words, “Since when? Who?”
Sokka looks confused at first, and Hakoda wants to shake him, begging for answers like a hungry, desperate man demanding apples from a tree. Thank Tui and La, Sokka understands. His face flushes right down to the roots of his hair and he glances at his sister desperately. “You didn’t tell him?!”
She shrugged, much to innocently. “It’s you who has the necklace. You tell him.”
“But– but… Ugh!” Sokka groaned.
“Sokka,” Hakoda said, very, very slowly. “When did this happen? And with who?”
Sokka paled, and swallowed. Then swallowed again. He looked like he needed a drink. And, admittedly, Hakoda did too.
“I– I,” He stammered. “It just happened, like, last week! It’s very, very recent news, Dad, I promise!”
“And who…” Hakoda started gesticulating wildly, “Was it that nice girl from Kyoshi? Suki?”
Sokka choked. “Dad, Dad, no! Spirits, no, we broke up! We’re just friends!”
“But then…” Hakoda’s gaze shifted towards the Firelord. There was a high blush on his cheeks. Hakoda looks back at Sokka’s necklace. There’s a Fire Nation symbol inscribed on the purple stone hanging from the blue collar. “You– you– Zuko??”
Sokka grimaced and nodded. “Dad,” He said, gesturing to Zuko, “Meet your future son-in-law.”
And Hakoda faints.
*
When Hakoda came back to himself, he finds he is in the palace’s infirmary.
He also finds his children and their group looking over him anxiously.
Instantly, Hakoda finds himself wrapped in another hug.
“Kids?” He said lowly.
“Glad you’re awake, Dad.” Katara said, smiling.
Zuko stepped forward, a little awkwardly because his Firelord garb was so heavy on him. He bowed. “Um, hello, Hakoda, sir,” He said. “I– I know I didn’t exactly make a, uh, good first impression as your future son-in-law–”
Hakoda stopped him when he took his hand. Maybe he should be against this. Maybe he should shout at Sokka, tell him to break it off, because this was the Firelord, and the Firelord was the leader of a nation that took so much from him.
But he couldn’t.
He couldn’t because a leader is not responsible for his nation’s past mistakes, they are responsible to fix them.
He couldn’t, because when he looked at the Firelord, all he could see was a young, terrified boy named Zuko. A young boy who grew up to fast, and was forced to save the world, a heavy burden on his shoulders.
“It’s quite alright,” He said honestly, “I was… ah, very… shocked?”
Toph snorted. “Seems like an understatement.” Hakoda ignored her.
“But, I must assure you,” He continued, “I approve of this. You were right, Katara, in the fact that this might strengthen Water Tribe and Fire Nation relations, but I can also see how close you and Zuko are, Sokka.”
Sokka looked like he was going to cry, and he hugged Hakoda even tighter than before. “Thank you, Dad,” He whispered. “Thank you.”
And so, is really any surprise that Hakoda cries during the announcement?
He is just so, so proud.
*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&
zuko: sokka, sokka, did u notice the color of the necklace???
sokka: ofc why?
zuko: its purple bc us yk?? fire nation and water tribe??
sokka: oh my god you're so cheesy ily
also why when i try to write this super light-hearted fic it just turns out to be a lil angsty does anyone else experience that????
also zuko is a bloody simp change my mind
pls no one come for me on this but i feel like james is just so white boy coded. like he exudes british white boy energy. he just. i respect all those who hc him as poc but hes like (in my brain) the definition of a white boy. like in my head him and lily are the most annoyingly cute white straight couple that everyone still loves. anyways thanks for coming to my ted talk.
zukki is such a fucking funny ship. really that kinda ship were character A is oblivious and characters B and C are trying their hardest to date them. zuko is like "i love hanging out with you guys but aren't i interrupting your date?" and sokka and suki are like "wdym this is our 30th date and we've been living together and sharing a bed for 3 months"
just thinking about how percy's plans look like he's actively trying to get himself killed because he doesn't take the time to explain his plans to anyone else because they are time-sensitive. and how annabeth never needs him to explain anything because she can recognize battle strategy from a mile away. and how she knows that percy only diverges from a collective plan when he sees a flaw in it and is about to do something that'll confuse the opponent long enough for them to gain the upper hand. and how annabeth will only take over when she sees a flaw in his plan and guide them back on track. and how percy gives her the space to play on her strengths instead of fighting her over it because he trusts her judgment. and how all of this basically happens wordlessly because they understand each other.