Time for the next round of Avatar World Week. I'm trying to speed up my updates, so I can quickly get this done and focus on my other projects, which you should definitely check out ;).

Day 2: Tea Time with Iroh

Pairings: Kataang (Aang/Katara), Tokka (Sokka/Toph), Maiko (Mai/Zuko), Zuki (Suki/Zuko), Sukka (Suki/Sokka)

Genres: Romance/Friendship

Rating: T

Setting: Sometime after the war where the Gaang all need some advice from Iroh. As you can see based on the ships, not everything is cannon and not everything will stay cannon.

One thing that Iroh always prided himself on was his ability to give people advice. No matter what the situation was, Iroh could always offer some words of wisdom for those in need and he always felt happy when he saw his words taken to heart. On many various occasions, he had taken the time to give advice to many of Zuko's friends when they came to him just for that.

Iroh couldn't count the amount of times he had advised his nephew on one hand, since there would be too many for that. Iroh had always known that his nephew was a troubled man and that his troubles would never truly go away. But he was working his way through bettering himself, even if each day was a struggle. Not only did he have his political life to deal with, but his personal one as well.

"I can see that the stress is getting to you again, my nephew," Iroh said as Zuko took a sip from his cup of tea.

"I just can't handle it sometimes. The drama, the assassination attempts. And Mai certainly isn't helping either," Zuko admitted.

Iroh nodded thoughtfully, "Have you spoken to her since she left?"

"I've tried reaching out to her, but she's made it clear she want's nothing to do to me. Plus, I'm still trying to enforce myself as Fire Lord since majority of the citizens don't take me seriously," Zuko vented as he forcefully slammed his cup down on the table.

"Zuko, you must remember that for the past one hundred years, war is all that the Fire Nation has known. It's going to take some time for them to adjust to the new, peaceful regime," Iroh said.

"This would be much easier if I had the support of my people, but I don't even have that!" Zuko exclaimed.

"Calm down, my nephew. I'm sure in time that the people will accept you as their leader. You just have to show that you can be taken seriously, but not in a way that oppresses people. They are still your citizens and you need their support," Iroh advised his nephew.

"Can't you see that I've tried that? I want nothing more than for them to respect me, but I can't even do that. I'm a terrible Fire Lord," Zuko said.

"No, you are doing as best as you can, my nephew. I am proud of what you have done so far. You are doing your best to maintain peace and one thing that you must understand is that no matter what you try, there will always be conflict. You just have to find a balance between the two," Iroh said.

"Thank you, Uncle. I am sorry for taking up your time. I will be heading back to the Fire Nation shortly," Zuko announced as he stood up.

"Remember, my nephew. You are always welcome here," Iroh said.

"I know, Uncle," Zuko said.

~*•°•*~

When Iroh heard of Katara and Aang's breakup, he was surprised to say the least since the last he heard, the two were inseparable and more in love than ever. It was his nephew and his other friend, Sokka who had sent the boy to him to help ease his heartbreak. For the most part, the young Avatar just wallowed in his own self pity until Iroh eventually managed to get him to speak in complete sentences.

"What upsets you the most about the end of your relationship?" Iroh asked as he poured Aang a cup of tea.

Aang sniffled, "Because it's mostly my fault. I was such an idiot, I didn't make time for her and now she's gone."

"So, you're upset because you put your duties before her?" Iroh clarified.

"I promised her that I would always put her above everything else, only to break that promise. I just wish I could take back the stupid stuff I did and said. It's all my fault," Aang cried.

"While I can understand your feelings, you must not put all of the blame on yourself. Any relationship needs both of you to want it for it to work. No relationship is ever perfect," Iroh said.

"I should've fought harder for her. I shouldn't have been such a moron," Aang muttered.

"If Master Katara really wanted you as much as you wanted her, she would have stayed and fought for your relationship as well. Perhaps this is what you both need, some time a part so you can both grow and spread your wings. If it is really meant to be, love will find a way," Iroh advised him.

"So, I should just give up?" Aang asked.

"No, what I am saying is that you should embrace the time you have a part, so you can develop as a person, on your own. After all, you are all each other has known for the past few years and sometimes, distance is what is needed," Iroh suggested.

"I see your point, Iroh," Aang said.

Iroh nodded, "Good. Now, I suggest that you take a few more sips of the calming Jasmine tea and do things that you enjoy to try and take your mind off of Katara. Go to the zoo, paint a picture or fly across the city. Just do what makes you happy because your friends can see your pain and they only want what's best for you.

Aang sighed, "I'll try. Thank you for the advice and the tea, Iroh."

"Anytime," Iroh said.

~*•°•*~

Iroh always enjoyed it when Suki visited him. There was just something about the Kyoshi Warrior that he couldn't quite put his finger on. She was a strong young woman, no doubt about that. Perhaps it was the way she always eagerly listened to his stories unlike his nephew and his other friends did. Yes, that was probably it. Although, on one day in particular there seemed to be a spot of disinterest on the Kyoshi Warrior's face.

"Is something troubling you, my dear?" Iroh asked.

Suki sighed, "No. Please, continue."

"I can see that something is on your mind. It might be best for you to clear your conscience," Iroh suggested.

"It's just that, ever since things between Sokka and I ended, the entire group dynamic has shifted. I knew that the end of our relationship would make things awkward, but I can't bare it sometimes," Suki vented.

"From what I heard, you two ended on good terms," Iroh mused.

"We did, and we didn't. It sort of came out form nowhere on Sokka's end. I knew that he didn't see it coming when I broke up with him. But it's not like we ended things screaming and yelling at each other," Suki admitted.

"Do you still have those feelings for him?" Iroh asked.

"No, not really. That's part of the reason why I ended our relationship, because I felt like it had taken it's course. Besides, I may or may not have feelings for someone else now…" Suki trailed off.

"Would that someone else be my nephew?" Iroh questioned.

Suki's cheeks instantly blushed about as red as Zuko's fire at that, "W-what. No. I don't have feelings for Zuko. That would be completely inappropriate."

"Then would you care to tell me who it is?" Iroh requested.

Suki sighed, "Okay. Maybe my feelings for Zuko have changed over time, but I'm still trying to figure those out myself. And like I said, it would be completely inappropriate. I'm his bodyguard, not his girlfriend."

"But do you wish you were?" Iroh asked.

Suki sighed, "Maybe. Sometimes. Why are you taking such an interest in my feelings for Zuko?"

"Because, it has an impact on my nephew's relationships. Besides, I always thought that you two would make a nice couple," Iroh admitted.

"Well, it's probably never going to happen," Suki muttered.

"And why wouldn't it?" Iroh questioned.

"I'm Earth Kingdom and his Fire Nation. He's the Fire Lord, I'm just his bodyguard. It would never work out," Suki said.

"My dear, you of all people should know that Zuko does not judge people based on their bloodline anymore. You can never just assume that something can't happen. You would be surprised at would could happen if you just take a chance," Iroh advised her.

Suki raised her eyebrows, "What do you know that I don't, Iroh?"

Iroh chuckled, "I know nothing, my dear. I just know that you can't stop yourself from taking chances because you're afraid of the consequences. Even if it doesn't work out, you can at least know that you did something."

"I'll take that to heart, Iroh. In the meantime, will you continue your story?" Suki asked.

"I don't see why not," Iroh replied as he went back into detail on his adventures that always made Suki awed in amazement.

~*•°•*~

If there was anyone of Zuko's friends that fascinated him the most, it was the blind earthbender, Toph. He can still remember their first conversation when they were both on the run and sometimes, he Iroh can still see that she needs to let other people help her. Toph was actually the one who visited him the most frequently for advice and Iroh was always more than happy to help her.

This time, it didn't seem like she'd come for advice as she just merely drank his tea while she stared out one of the windows. Iroh quickly realised that there was something on the young earthbenders mind and despite how she would react to most of her friends, Iroh knew that she wouldn't react too coldly to him.

"Is there something on your mind?" Iroh asked.

"No," Toph muttered.

"I can tell you're lying," Iroh said in a sing-song voice like she always did.

Toph glared at him, "Only I can do that."

"I can see it on your face, Toph. You know I won't judge you if you tell me," Iroh pried.

"I've just been thinking a lot lately…" Toph trailed off.

"About?" Iroh asked.

Toph sighed, "Well, lately I've just felt kind of bored with my life."

"What do you mean by that?" Iroh questioned.

"I guess it's because everyone has something going for them. Twinkle Toes has his Avatar duties, Meathead and Sugar Queen are down in that frozen nightmare of theirs, Hothead's got a nation to lead and Honeysuckle is his bodyguard," Toph replied.

"Don't you have your school?" Iroh asked.

"Yeah, but the only fun part about that is telling them what to do and those lily livers hardly do that unless I scream at them," Toph answered.

Iroh raised his eyebrows at the girl in front of him. It was rare of her to be in a state like this, so he knew something must've been bothering her.

"What is it that's bothering you?" Iroh asked.

"Why do you ask so many questions?" Toph snapped.

"Because I only want to help you. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with letting people who love you help you," Iroh replied.

"I guess I just need some more excitement again. I got so used to always having something to do and now that I'm in a routine, I hate it. I liked it better when I just did whatever I had to do. It sucks having responsibility," Toph admitted.

"Well, maybe you should find something that gives you excitement," Iroh suggested.

"I'm a tough one to please, Iroh. You of all people should know that," Toph said.

"Sokka seems to have a way of pleasing you," Iroh said.

Toph lunged forward, "Where did you get that idea from?"

"Oh, I see more than you think I do, Toph. It always fascinated me how that boy managed to get a reaction from you unlike anyone else," Iroh admitted.

"Well, he is one of my best friends and he gets me unlike the way most of them do," Toph said.

"Is that all there is?" Iroh asked.

"What are you, some kind of matchmaker?" Toph snapped.

Iroh laughed, "I try to be. Back to your main problem, I suggest that you take some time to explore your options. Broaden your horizons, reach for the stars as they say. You could even do some more traveling."

"I did always like travelling. But then again, I've already seen most of the world," Toph said.

"I'm sure there are some places that you haven't been to. Now, would you care for some more tea?" Iroh asked.

"Give me your best shot," Toph challenged.

Iroh laughed, "My tea shop is not a bar."

"Obviously," Toph pointed out.

Not too happy with how this turned out but oh well. Sorry if Toph's bit was a bit OOC, I wasn't too sure what to write for her. Anyways, feel free to leave your thoughts and check out some of my other works as well.