[ATLA] If The Sky's Gonna Fall Down

[harlowrd]

Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Title: If The Sky's Gonna Fall Down
Word Count: ~3150
Rating: PG
Pairing(s): Zutara
Warnings: Fluff. Fluff, fluff, fluff. Some mention of blood, vague references to sex.
Summary: Yue decides to give Katara's relationship a little push in the right direction. Written for Day 1 of Zutara Month 2012 - "Relief"

Comments

[manzanas_verdes]

I'm not sure I can deal with all the levels of perfection contained herein. This is a perfect example of why that 'secret lovers' trope hits the mark so hard for me with these two, because it's both a defiant act of selfish rebellion, of the will to take the reins of their own lives and wants, and it's also a certain relinquishing of that very power to the demands of the outside world, because they are selfless enough to understand that some things are bigger then them sometimes. It's both strength and vulnerability and it works so well for Zuko and Katara because, I think, they are the show's most well-adjusted and developed examples of this combination.

Not to mention how, when push comes to shove, they still choose each other, they still make each other stronger and taller, they still step up and own up. And they're still ever the idealists, even when trying to be realists they are ever hopeful and trusting in each other (and themselves). I just really love it when Zutara is portrayed like this. When the post-war world in general is portrayed like this, when the actual Fight For Peace is happening. And I love when both Zuko and Katara are savvy enough, immersed in their world enough to understand how this works and how it doesn't, how it limits them but how a shouldn't is not a can't.

Also, confident, hopeful, independent Katara is just my cuppa. That Katara that realizes she in over her head, but will wade instead of flat-out drown because, just like Zuko, she is unfamiliar with giving up. I also love how pure this thing between them is, how honest and clean, despite the fact that it has to be kept in the shadows to protect the world's delicate sensibilities, because that's how I ultimately imagine a secret affair between them would unfold, after all the denying and the looking away, and the rationalizing is over (and it will be, it will always be over), they'd give it their all, would jump into it head first; even if the finish line is unclear, the race would still be run because they would not be cowed by such a silly thing as uncertainty. As long as they're certain in each other, nothing else matters.

I just don't understand how Zutara isn't the ultimate love story. They have it all. But never mind that, this was a glorious little gem that might not have existed if they'd been butchered made canon.

[harlowrd]

Thank you! You're totally right, they are perfect for that trope, and I hadn't even realised exactly why until I read your comment. In fact, everything you said is very relevant to why I like Zutara so much. Anybody can like a ship for whatever reason and it's perfectly valid, etc., but I truly believe Zutara to be a balanced, healthy, loving relationship and I'm really proud of it as my OTP for that reason. Their relationship really is very pure, because I think it's based pretty much entirely on how much they love and accept one another as people, and so anything else will always come second to that. Katara had the best of intentions by immediately shouldering the responsibility, because that's what she does. But she doesn't really have to, because as much as Zuko appreciates his political position (and I think he truly does), he'd never let go of what they have together because of it. And she never will have to, because Zuko is her equal and so her instinct to be the grown-up is unnecessary. For them it's about finding that balance, like you mentioned: perhaps it's important to keep their relationship a secret initially, and they are willing to do that, but they won't let it get crushed.

I think Zutara is the ultimate love story ;) Just because Bryke don't see it, it doesn't mean it's not there. I do vastly prefer my and other fans' headcanons to Bryke's storytelling choices, romance-wise, so ultimately I'm glad they're not canon, to be honest.