I apologize for accidentally spreading TWO forms of Zutara Month misinformation fjgndkjfngd

first I thought a haleynwong post from 2021 was a new one, so I said she confirmed she's partaking in this year's ZK Month

Then I thought ZK Month this year was in April so I got hype about it being so soon, but it's actually in MAY

my mistake 💀 💀

🌈is there a fic that you worked *really fucking hard on* that no one would ever know? maybe a scene/theme you struggled with?

Hello friend! Thanks for the ask! 💜

I did answer this here BUT ALSO SMUT. IS. SO. HARD (pun intended). And then I went and did a fool thing and wrote almost 30 smutty oneshots for zk month 2021? Tf was I on? How did I do it??? I'll never know.

But honestly, anytime I write smut it's a struggle and takes extra effort to get the words out.

Send me a ((real)) fic writer ask!

I posted 571 times in 2022

That's 230 more posts than 2021!

89 posts created (16%)

482 posts reblogged (84%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@juldooz-atla

@cobraonthecob

@the-badger-mole

@zutarawasrobbed

I tagged 112 of my posts in 2022

#zutara - 41 posts

#zutara month 2022 - 17 posts

#zuko - 12 posts

#anon asks - 12 posts

#katara - 12 posts

#pro zutara - 8 posts

#zutara week 2022 - 8 posts

#fanfiction - 8 posts

#jet - 8 posts

#jetara - 7 posts

Longest Tag: 86 characters

#when i continue writing my jetara fic im gonna picture jet like this during flashbacks

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Why does everyone say "I wish zutara was canon" lmao have you seen the creators and their writing?? We've got everything we need in fanfics and art—hell, even AMVs! Canon is overrated!

Zutara exists in every way that matters.

96 notes - Posted April 3, 2022

#4

LMFAOOOOO why are they so mad?!?!

Imagine going on AO3 and looking for a fic for a ship that you don't even like at 6 in the morning. Talk about dedication! I love my fans <3

Anyways! I'm going to continue minding my business and writing my stories✍🏾

103 notes - Posted March 10, 2022

#3

I've talked about this on twitter, but the way canon shippers defend their ships with their whole chest is hilarious. You're that defensive because zutara is mentioned? Why? You HAVE canon, you have EVERYTHING, yet you still care about what we ship? It's giving insecurity to be honest. It's been fifteen years and you'd think they'd get it through their heads that zutara fans don't give a flying FUCK about what's canon.

Why would we when our fan content is better than anything Bryke would put out? LMAOOO

109 notes - Posted October 6, 2022

#2

These Things I've Done

"Katara, you're not a monster. You'll never be a monster."

She shook her head angrily, unable to contain herself any longer. "No, I don't think you understand, Aang. I decided to end that man's life today. I did that. Not Zuko, not Sokka, me. And if you can't handle that then you can just kindly fuck off!"

Aang sputtered, "You don't mean that—"

She let out a bitter chuckle, "Oh, I think I do," She stepped closer to the airbender so that they were face to face, toe to toe, "And I won't repeat it."

He was breathing harder now, his eyes wide, unable to believe what she was saying. She was perfect. Katara was always perfect. So innocent and kind. So why was he seeing her so differently now? Why was she acting this way?

"Katara, I think Zuko has corrupted you somehow. This isn't like you—"

She clenched her jaw, pressing her finger into his chest, "Oh, no no no—we are not doing this again. You and I? We are not the same. We've never been the same! You can't tell me how to live my life just because you don't agree with it! I ended that man's life because he killed my mother! I was owed that! And I'll be damned if I let anyone else tell me otherwise!"

"And if you think for a second that I am gonna let you slander my best friend then you've got another thing coming! Zuko was there for me, he's always been there for me! So why won't you? Why can't you support me on the one thing that would give me closure?"

"Katara, the monks always say to—"

"I don't care what the monks said, Aang! I am not a monk! I am Katara from the Southern Water Tribe. I am not you! Why don't you understand that?"

"Katara–"

"I'm sorry, Aang," She gulped, swallowing the lump in her throat, "But if you're going to shame me for killing my mother's murderer then I don't think we can be friends anymore."

Part II Part III Part IIII Part V Part VI

182 notes - Posted August 25, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

"zk is mostly katara-centric" first off, so what? And secondly, we love them both equally. Katara gets more hate than any of the other characters. As a brown girl, she can't get too emotional. She can't bloodbend because then she'll be "evil", and she can't be nuanced or too complex.

Outside of zks and the occasional Katara stan, who else is gonna ride and die for her character?? Casual fans who don't even remember what happened in the show?? Antis?? Just shut up already, you sound like a broken record.

186 notes - Posted July 24, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

The Best PAYE Tax Calculator in Zambia

The unemployment rate in Zambia in 2022 was 6.13%, decreasing by less than 1% since 2021. Unemployment rates are, of course, viewed negatively. However, smart employers see these rates as a talent pool eagerly awaiting the right opportunities.

Hiring and paying talent in Zambia could be a great opportunity for local and international employers. Companies get diverse skills and varied cultures, which benefit the financial and brand aspects of the businesses.

But hiring from Zambia also means taking the responsibility of PAYE taxes. Employers must make accurate deductions and remit the taxes to the correct authorities. This task warrants the use of good PAYE tax calculation software or service provider.

The information below explores PAYE tax compliance in Zambia and the best PAYE Tax Calculator in Zambia.

PAYE Requirements in Zambia

Like most African countries, Zambia applies a tax collection system on individual employees known as Pay as You Earn or PAYE. The method taxes employees based on their wages or salaries. This tax collection is a significant source of income that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) administers every tax year. The year runs starting January 1st to December 31st.

Employers must deduct the tax from employee salaries and remit it to the revenue authority. They do this for every employee and must submit the tax on or before the 14th of the following month.

Per the Income Tax Act, Zambia’s PAYE tax rates are progressive. So, the more an employee earns, the higher their tax rate. Below are the working individual income tax rates in Zambia:

Earnings in Kwacha (ZK) | Tax Rate

0 to K4,800 - 0% or no tax

K4,801 to K6,800 - 20%

K6,801 to K8,900 - 30%

Above K8,900 - 37.5%

Therefore, employers can calculate PAYE by summing the basic salary, commissions, and other earnings, then subtracting the deductions and exemptions per tax laws, determining the taxable income. With the resulting value, employers can apply the corresponding tax rate to the value and discover the PAYE.

What are PAYE Calculators?

PAYE calculators are software or digital tools that help employers and HR personnel calculate the income tax they must withhold from an employee's wages or salary per the country's tax regulations and laws.

These calculators are ideal for ensuring accurate and compliant tax deductions. Good PAYE calculators can:

Consider tax deductions. Good PAYE calculators consider the required deductions such as pension, healthcare, and other allowable expenses that reduce the taxable income.

Account for various income tax factors. PAYE calculators can account for deductions, tax allowances, and tax rates to calculate the right tax deductions for each employee.

Update tax rates and brackets. Good PAYE calculators update tax rates and brackets per changes to the legislature.

Remit taxes and payroll frequently. Employers can adjust the PAYE calculations for frequent payroll processing and tax deductions. Good calculators can offer weekly, monthly, and annual calculations.

Report. Good PAYE calculators can generate real-time reports such as payslips for employees and withholding tax summaries for employers.

Workpay Payroll: The Best PAYE Calculator in Zambia

Workpay is the best payroll management provider in Zambia. The solution makes payroll processing simple, effective, and, most importantly, accurate. The payroll feature helps with PAYE calculation in Africa, meaning employers in Zambia or with remote employees in the country can use the award-winning payroll, HR, and Benefits platform for accurate tax remissions.

Workpay Payroll Features

The Workpay payroll feature is an innovative and easy way for Zambian employees to ensure PAYE tax compliance while running payroll. Some features that make Workpay the best PAYE calculator in Zambia include:

Integration

The Workpay calculator fully integrates with payroll and other Workpay services. Employers use the software to streamline the payroll process into a single platform by pulling information from various sources such as ZRA and employee files.

In addition, Workpay integrates with services such as Employer of Record (EOR), allowing employers to make accurate deductions based on the taxing laws of the employee's country without setting up a local entity. Therefore, it ensures compliance with not just tax regulations but labor laws as well.

Accurate Calculations

Because the payroll feature integrates with taxation requirements, employers can expect accurate PAYE calculations for employees in Zambia. The calculation accounts for deductions and allowances and then aligns the taxable value of each employee with the corresponding tax bracket. The result is accurate tax deductions and salaries to individual workers.

Timely Payments

Payroll processing with Workpay is automatic, so employers can remit taxes to the ZRA on time with the peace of mind that their employees will also receive salaries on time. The payroll software can make quick calculations in seconds for multiple employees. Compared to human labor, it is much faster with the advantage of accuracy.

Self-Service

The payroll processor offers excellent convenience to both parties. Employers can conveniently access PAYE information and integrated services from web browsers and the app. Similarly, employees can access their information, payslips, and integrated services using the same methods.

Time-Saving

The Workpay PAYE calculator is fast and effective. It would take extensive time to calculate PAYE for each employee using human labor for a company with more than ten employees. Workpay makes these calculations in a few minutes, saving time that could go into other company processes.

Comprehensive Reports

Workpay provides access to comprehensive reports to employers. They can access PAYE reports in real time from anywhere for filing or referencing. These reports are useful if the company needs to prove compliance with labor and tax laws.

Customer Support

Lastly, Workpay offers employers 24/7 customer support and real-time assistance with PAYE calculations. It contributes to on-time tax remissions and employee payments.

Final Observation

As of 2022, Zambia's unemployment rate has experienced only marginal improvement, underlining the significance of opportunities for employers to tap into this skilled workforce.

Hiring and compensating talent in Zambia can be mutually beneficial. Nevertheless, it comes with a responsibility– the accurate calculation and remittance of PAYE taxes.

Workpay Payroll is the solution for this critical aspect of employment. Workpay's PAYE calculator stands out due to its key features: seamless integration, calculation accuracy, timely payments, self-service accessibility, time-saving capabilities, comprehensive reporting, and round-the-clock customer support.

Workpay Payroll is more than just a tool; it is a strategic asset that empowers employers to thrive in Zambia's evolving job market. Get in touch with us to begin your journey of compliance with Zambia PAYE requirements.

Since its mainnet launch in March, NFT sales volume on zkSync has exceeded Optimism and Arbitrum. zkSync has seen significant traction in network activity since May. With the growing demand for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Layer 2 (L2) solutions, zkSync has surpassed all other L2s in NFT volume since their respective mainnet launches, data from NFTScan showed.  zkSync implemented its mainnet launch on 24 March as a scaling solution for Ethereum [ETH] that utilizes the zero-knowledge rollup (ZK-rollup) technology. ZK-rollups are a type of L2 scaling solution that uses cryptographic proofs to verify transactions off-chain, allowing them to achieve much higher throughput and lower gas fees than the Ethereum mainnet. Despite launching on the mainnet two years after Optimism [OP] and Arbitrum [ARB], zkSync has processed over 160,000 ETH in NFT transactions in under 12 months, data from NFTScan showed.  Arbitrum and Optimism have processed NFT sales totaling 32,611 ETH and 8,126 ETH since their mainnet launches in 2021. Despite having the lowest transaction volume among all three L2 platforms, Optimism is the leader in terms of NFT transaction count and wallet addresses. Since OP Mainnnet’s launch on 16 December 2021, the cumulative count of daily NFT transactions completed on the network has totaled 56.153 million.  Also, its active wallet count at press time was 4.62 million, putting it ahead of zkSync’s 2.11 million and Arbitrum’s 3.08 million.  Source: NFTScan All hail zkSync Regarding user activity, zkSync has seen significant traction on a year-to-date. Data tracked by Artemis revealed that network activity has climbed steadily following the slight slump in the daily count of unique wallet addresses experienced in May. Since 6 May, the daily count of active addresses sending on-chain transactions on zkSync has rallied by almost 10%. According to the latest data on Artemis, the number of active addresses on the L2 on 9 September totaled 280,000. As users flocked to the network, daily transactions also increased. Since the May decline, the total number of transactions registered on-chain daily has risen significantly by over 1000%. Source: Artemis As for the volume of transactions processed by decentralized exchanges (DEX) housed within the network, there has been a 1600% jump since May. For context, on 11 May, the total DEX volume on zkSync was 6.6 million. As of 10 September, this touched 105 million. Despite the recent surge in network activity, the total value locked (TVL) in zkSync’s Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ecosystem has declined. At $125 million at press time, zkSync’s TVL has dropped by 35% since 25 July, data from DefiLlama revealed.  Source: DefiLlama

Key Takeaways The cryptocurrency market has actually leapt off the back of the Federal Reserve's most current 0.75% rate of interest walking. ETH and other Ethereum-related tokens have actually rallied on the bounce. The Ethereum community might have high benefit in the next crypto booming market. Many Ethereum-related tokens are outmatching ETH in the current market rally. Market Surges Off Back of Fed Hike Macro conditions might still look bleak, however that hasn't stopped the crypto market from rising today. Ethereum-related tokens are the huge winners in the current market bounce, defying another week of bad market news in which the Federal Reserve revealed its 4th 75 basis point rates of interest walking of the year. Though the marketplace was quickly gotten rid of the back of Wednesday's hawkish upgrade from the U.S. reserve bank, Loopring, Polygon, Lido DAO, and other tokens have actually published double-digit gains today. By far the greatest entertainer amongst crypto's significant possessions is Loopring, whose LRC token has got 49.5% on the day. Loopring is a Layer 2 option that leverages ZK-Rollups, innovation that Ethereum developer Vitalik Buterin and others have actually promoted as crucial to assisting crypto's leading clever agreement network scale. Together with other ZK-Rollup options like StarkNet and zkSync, Loopring is thought to be among the most popular competitors in assisting Ethereum accomplish its aspiration of mass crypto adoption. Polygon, which released as an Ethereum scaling service however has actually considering that generated a vast community of its own, has actually seen its MATIC token dive 21.6% over the past 24 hours. Lido DAO, another Ethereum staple that's grown in appeal over the previous year thanks to its liquid staking offering, has actually likewise increased, with LDO up 17% today. Curve's CRV and Aave's AAVE, 2 of the most popular Ethereum DeFi tokens on the marketplace, have actually likewise gotten double digits over the past 24 hours. As is typically the case on market bounces such as this, Ethereum is dragging lots of possessions with lower market capitalizations. ETH has leapt 6.6% to around $1,650, assisting the international cryptocurrency market capitalization increase by 4.8%. The Future Outlook for the Ethereum Ecosystem As crypto approaches one year given that the marketplace peaked in November 2021, financiers and traders alike have actually watched for stories and tokens that might lead on the next bullish market cycle. While it can be hard to anticipate which method the marketplace will move, one popular method for identifying future winners is to determine bearish market outperformers. Universe and the Cosmos-based network Osmosis, for example, have actually revealed strength throughout negative market conditions over the previous couple of months, providing so-called "Cosmonauts" hopes of an approaching rally when the marketplace turns. Universe revamped its ATOM token in September and is concentrating on cross-chain interoperability, leading numerous to think that it might delight in an increase as interest go back to the marketplace. Other lesser-known tasks like GMX have actually likewise been striking highs in energy and token efficiency in spite of the sustaining crypto winter season. Ethereum has actually likewise been highlighted as a prospective leader of the next market cycle. While Ethereum's ETH is not likely to exceed the booming market's greatest outliers due to its $199 billion market capital ization-- it underperformed numerous possessions such as the leaders of the "alternative Layer 1" boom in 2021-- i t's perhaps the 2nd probably crypto property to endure the approaching months and any additional market chaos together with Bitcoin. Plus, Ethereum went through a significant technological upgrade in the kind of " the Merge" in September. As the Merge cut ETH issuance by about 90% however ETH still trades practically

70% below its highs, Ethereum's the majority of ardent followers have actually argued that the occasion is not yet "priced in" due to the bearish market environment. As with the previous crypto bull cycle, if ETH is to rally, lots of other popular tokens in the Ethereum environment are most likely to benefit and even surpass it. Quick advancements in the Layer 2 area have actually sustained a story that Layer 2 tokens might have high upside possible in the next booming market, which might bode well for possessions like Optimism's OP and Loopring's LRC. zkSync is because of share more information on its upcoming token this month, StarkNet has actually verified its own token, and Arbitrum is likewise commonly anticipated to release one. Other Ethereum-related tokens like Polygon and Lido DAO might likewise take advantage of an ETH rise in the future. Polygon has actually protected lots of noteworthy collaborations this year consisting of a current tie-up with Starbucks, and Meta today revealed assistance for Polygon NFTs on Instagram. Lido DAO has actually gotten considerable attention because the Ethereum Merge, however the job will need to get rid of issues that it is centralizing Ethereum. Ethereum fans have actually likewise been questioning when DeFi will capture a break after 18 months of slow cost action considering that the area suffered a substantial correction in May2021 While numerous DeFi tokens are trading substantially below their highs, Ethereum is house to crypto's greatest DeFi community. Needs to the innovation bring in brand-new users in the future, tasks like Aave, Curve, and Uniswap might see the advantage. The international cryptocurrency market capitalization is presently $1.1 trillion. It's about 63% below its $3 trillion peak tape-recorded in November 2021. Disclosure: At the time of composing, the author of this piece owned ETH, MATIC, LRC, CRV, AAVE, ATOM, and a number of other cryptocurrencies. The details on or accessed through this site is gotten from independent sources our company believe to be precise and dependable, however Decentral Media, Inc. makes no representation or guarantee regarding the timeliness, efficiency, or precision of any info on or accessed through this site. Decentral Media, Inc. is not a financial investment consultant. We do not offer tailored financial investment guidance or other monetary recommendations. The details on this site goes through alter without notification. Some or all of the info on this site might end up being out-of-date, or it might be or end up being insufficient or incorrect. We may, however are not obliged to, upgrade any out-of-date, insufficient, or unreliable details. You must never ever make a financial investment choice on an ICO, IEO, or other financial investment based upon the info on this site, and you ought to never ever translate or otherwise depend on any of the details on this site as financial investment suggestions. We highly advise that you seek advice from a certified financial investment consultant or other competent monetary expert if you are looking for financial investment guidance on an ICO, IEO, or other financial investment. We do decline settlement in any kind for evaluating or reporting on any ICO, IEO, cryptocurrency, currency, tokenized sales, securities, or products. See complete terms Ethereum Layer 2 Soars to $5B in Locked Value. Here's Why Arbitrum presently holds majority of all the overall worth locked on Layer 2. Inside Ethereum Layer 2 Ethereum's Layer 2 environment is on the increase. Per L2Beat information, the ... Ethereum Breaks Out of Month-Long Range Ethereum briefly touched $1,500 today as it broke out of the tight variety it had actually been trading within given that mid-September. Setting the Stage for a Rally Ethereum is getting ... Bitcoin, Ethereum Will Go "Much Higher" Post-Recession: Paul Tudor ... Paul Tudor Jones stated that he thinks the U.S. economy is either in or on the cusp of an economic crisis.

Jones Thinks Recession Is Looming Despite a months-long bearish market ... Read More

"i'm not photogenic, but if it makes her happy then . . ."

HAPPY ZUTARA MONTH MY FRIENDS 🔥💧 here's some modern au zk because i can't get enough of these two ;-;💜 i love them sm pls

catch me on twt/ig, i'm more active there!

Zk month 2021 day 16: masked

Zutara Month 2021

Day 21

Prompt: “Her royal majesty, our queen”

“All that I am and all that I have, I give it completely and only to you. Master Katara.”

(I like to think that somehow it is linked to the day "Lady of the moon")

@zutaramonth

🐝 Instagram | 🐝 Twitter | 🐝 Deviantart | 🐝 Pillowfort | 🐝 Facebook

❤️ Please support me  >  ☕  Ko-fi

Zutara Month Day 25: Nightmare

The Golden Grass

read below or on AO3!!

Even after all this time, he still gets nightmares.

Or, the Agni Kai continues to haunt Zuko.

The Golden Grass

The field is lovely.

Waves of grass ripple in the soft wind, the dry, yellow stalks glistening in the sunlight against the stark blue of the sky. The wind pushes Zuko’s hair against his forehead, the strands shorter than they should be. It all reminds him of the Earth Kingdom, the fields he laid in, the sun beating on his back.

It’s beautiful, and it makes Zuko’s stomach lurch.

It’s less rigid, less real. The ground beneath him, usually firm and sure, wavers with each step. He cannot even feel the tall grass which he sees brush his fingers. His chest rises and falls as he walks, yet air eludes him.

He feels her before he sees her. That sweet presence fills his heart like poison. Images flash through his mind-- her smile, moon-white, stealing the light from his eyes. Her, weaving ribbons of water around herself on the beach of Ember Island, the first time his breath hitched in his throat at the sight of her.

As if on cue, she appears along the line of the horizon.

Agni, no.

She has his back to him, long wavy hair curling down her back. Dressed in the Fire Nation red he had seen her in before, a sliver of brown skin exposed between maroon fabric. He swallows, tugs at his hair again. He wonders if she still sees him like he does her, forever trapped in youth.

He steps forward, rustling the grass loudly. She turns to face him, her hair swinging.

Her eyes are the same color as the sky.

“Zuko!” she calls out, waving as a bright smile grows. He can’t help but smile back, even if it is watery.

She reaches him in an instant, as if she wasn’t meters away seconds ago. Zuko’s heart pounds. She is right in front of him now, eyes searching his.

“Hi, Zuko,” she whispers, breath tickling his face as she comes closer. She raises her hand to his face, and Zuko’s stomach turns.

This is usually where it ends. Zuko standing in the field of grass, about to fall, and her hand far enough to never graze his cheek, and the sun beating them down. Tonight, it seems, the spirits wish to torture him.

He breathes in deeply at the feel of her skin on his, never closing his eyes for fear he’ll lose the moment.

“Hi, Katara,” he whispers, and her smile grows bigger.

“It’s good to see you,” she says, louder, and Zuko’s heart sinks. He feels a lump grow in his throat; tears start to well in his eyes. He tries to blink them away carefully, but they fall down his cheeks anyway. Katara frowns, rubs them away with the back of her hand. Hand shaking, Zuko reaches up to cup her palm to his face.

“I missed you.” His voice wavers, and Katara’s frown deepens.

“What do you mean?”

Zuko’s stomach caves in, and a small sob escapes from the back of his throat. Coolness streams down his cheeks -- tears, he realizes-- and he squeezes her hand tighter.

“Zuko?” she whispers, in a tone all too familiar.

It all comes back in an instant. The crumbling courtyard, the red sky. The screams of a girl lost to war, the efforts of a boy who had lost everything, or so he thought.

Azula was always pitch-perfect. Her top-knots pulled tightly, her forms balanced and precise. The praise which evaded him in his childhood went to her, coming from the mouths of important officials and firebending masters; those who hardly knew he existed. Zuko assumed that it would all come crumbling, assumed it would be her downfall.

Instead, it was his.

If he had been smarter, if he had worked harder. If he had run faster, if he had never let her come in the first place.

The lightning flashed beside him, cracking the air with a sound sharper than broken glass.

If he had never let her come in the first place.

He watched as it hit her chest, her eyes widening in fear, skin searing at the touch of heat, heart stilling.

Zuko was at her side in an instant, kneeling to her trembling body, eyes glazed over. In her last moments, Katara grasped his shaking hand, pulling it to her burnt chest.

“Zuko?” she had said, her voice shaking, tears welling as her eyesight blurred. He tried to say something, but all that came out was a choke of words, unintelligible to the girl dying in his arms.

It had broken him, her death. For the few weeks he knew Katara, he clinged to her. To the slow pump of his heart, steady under the warm sun. To the wave of ground under his feet at every one of her glances.

Zuko stood, feeling the hard earth steady underneath his feet. He looked over his shoulder at his sister behind him, grimacing as the thought surfaced.

Love would not destroy her.

He breathed in the comet’s last inch of flame, as grief and anger rose inside him. Azula’s eyes widened.

But fear would.

The grass around Zuko and Katara grays, falling flat as the air stills.

Love could not destroy Azula, but he has a feeling the beating sun, and her hand on his, and the tears falling down his face will be the end of him. How can he tell Katara that he was the one who killed her? That he keeps her in his dreams, away from rest? That after all this time, he still refuses to let her die? He does not trust himself to speak.

Tell me you remember.

She brings their interlocked hands down to the middle of her chest, where the arrow of lightning once carved a hole in his heart. It was the place she’d held his before, and Zuko lets a beacon of hope emerge in his thoughts.

Tell me I won’t have to tell you.

Her other hand reaches up to his face, tips it down towards her. She approaches carefully, as if she’s just as afraid he will fade from her, and presses her lips to his.

Something expands in his chest, warm and alight, like campfires and ribboned water. Like smiles and glances. Like the feeling of his eyes on hers, after decades of separation. Like love.

After all this time, after years of bitterness and sunken eyes and reliving the biggest mistake of his life over and over again--years of fear, and grief--it would be love that rebuilt him.

Tell me I won’t have to lose you again.

He pulls away finally, his forehead resting on hers, feeling the breath of a laugh escape him.

“You never lost me in the first place,” Katara whispers, her eyes glistening under his. The hand on his cheek falls away, and the grip on his other hand loosens.

She fades away, as the ground beneath Zuko steadies into soft dirt, the grass slowly turning green. But the feeling in his chest stays, as his hair grows longer, and wrinkles on his face re-appear.

Zuko wakes up in red silken sheets. In the moonlit night, he takes a sobering breath, feels the weight on his chest alleviate, and parts with the ghostlike memory on his lips as it fades into the cool night air.

Goodbye, Katara.

A cool breeze slips through the open window, and Zuko breathes in the aroma of shimmering summer grass. With his eyes closing, he hears the faint sound of a laugh -- her laugh -- and breathes out the last of the chill in his body. Warmth floods his blood as he sighs a last goodbye.

I’ll meet you in the golden grass.

Thanks to @my-bated-breath for beta-ing :)

— The Wolf by e.h

@zutaramonth​ Day 11: Lady of the Moon

zutara month 2021 day 14: red string of fate

 "Poniendo la mano en el corazón 

Quisiera cantante toda una canción 

Que tú eres mi cielo"

Breathe, just breathe~ For @zutaramonth​ day 15 - Healing [ support the artist | more fire & water art 💙❤️]

Sokka: What are you guys doing??

Zuko: We're...

Katara: Keeping warm.

Suki: By spooning?

Aang: In your underwear?

I'm getting sentimental over Zuko's chest scar.

Zuko got the scar on his face — one of the key details of his identity — for defending others. And the scar indeed brought him suffering, but it also brought him new opportunities and lessons. Thanks to them, he got to meet this one person for whom he is sacrificing himself again and earning himself yet another scar.

And Katara is watching someone else willingly sacrifice themselves for her, after she learned she lost her mother because of a similar sacrifice and she had considered herself a "helpless little girl" afterwards. But this time the person she cared for got to live thanks to Katara. She defended and healed him, even if the scar remained.

Does that count as a soulmate mark?

Zutara Fam! It’s time to get another month long ZK love fest up and running! April 2021 is it! Start sending in prompt ideas via submissions, asks, or messages. We’ll compile the full list on February 1st, then open a poll for the top 30!