This one-shot was inspired by alynnl's prompt on tumblr: "Another friendship scene with Toph and Iroh, maybe in the tea shop? Toph might be asking for advice on how to handle her family problems. (I loved their interaction and wanted to see more!)"

I'm always down for more Toph and Iroh. Hope you enjoy, alynnl!

Tea (with a side of wisdom)

"Well?" Gramps asked.

Toph held up a finger to tell him to wait. She picked up the cup in front of her and sniffed the contents. Earthy, almost like wood. A smile spread across her face. "Ginseng."

A chuckle. "You've got very good at this game."

"Perks of being blind. Ain't nothing fools this nose."

"So it seems."

Silence settled. Toph sipped her tea. There were no other customers in the Jasmine Dragon. Gramps had closed the shop so it could be just the two of them. He was nice like that, though she had yet to broach what had brought her here. It was easier to focus on the hum of voices outside, Gramp's steady heartbeat, or the blend of herbs that perfumed the teashop.

"You're quiet today," Gramps observed.

His tone was gentle, but it still felt like a prod to her ribs.

"So? I can be quiet if I want."

"You can, but I don't believe you came all the way here just to play tea guessing games with me."

Her brows pinched. She wrapped both hands around her cup, letting the warmth press into her skin.

"Did something happen?" he asked.

Her grip tightened. "Not really ..."

"That still sounds like a maybe."

She shifted on her seat and kept her head lowered. Just because she couldn't make out people's faces clearly didn't mean that he would not be able to read her expression.

"I … thought about visiting home," she admitted.

"I see."

That was it. No comments about whether it was a good thing or not. Just a simple statement that allowed her to choose whether she wished to explain more. Toph appreciated that.

"I haven't been back since I ran away. I know my parents are probably worried, and I know I should try to make things better with them, but …"

"But what?"

"I don't know if I actually want to. They just … they never saw me. They saw my blindness, my gender, but they never saw me." Anger and hurt curdled in her stomach. "They would have kept me shut away like some delicate flower my whole life had I not run away. They even tried to hire some idiots to kidnap me and take me back to Gaoling."

"Those are serious grievances."

Toph straightened and pressed her bare feet into the floor, wanting to feel every vibration, to sense whatever she could of his posture and the shifting blotch that was his expression. Most people liked to come up with excuses for her parents or hinted that she should try to be the bigger person (because "family was important"). Gramps did neither.

"That's it?" she said. "You're not going to tell me I should forgive them or at least try to speak to them?"

"Do you want me to?"

Her brow furrowed.

Gramps poured himself another cup of tea. "More tea?"

She shook her head. She still had plenty left in her cup.

"Can I be honest, Toph?" he asked, settling back on his chair and placing the teapot down.

"I guess."

"It seems to me that you need to decide what you really want. You said you know that you should probably try to fix things with your parents, but for whose benefit is that? Yours? Theirs?"

Her frown deepened.

"Your parents no doubt did what they thought was best for you. Likewise, you ran away because you believed that was best for you. Now you are like two streams heading on parallel paths, never able to cross unless a bridge of harmony and understanding is forged."

She scrunched her nose. "Could have done without the harmony bridge, but I think I get what you're saying."

Nothing would change between her and her parents unless both sides put in the effort. She had to let go of her pride and give them another chance, and they had to start listening. The problem was that her parents had never been good at listening.

She traced her finger along the rim of her cup. "What if they don't change? What if they can't accept me for who I am?"

Gramps went quiet. "People will often tell you that you should try to make the most of the family you have, because you only get the one."

She nodded. She had heard those kinds of speeches before.

"But I don't think that's true, nor do I believe we should chain ourselves to those who only end up hurting us."

"Then you think I shouldn't go back to them?"

"Like I said, I think you need to decide that for yourself. It is an admirable thing to wish to make amends with your parents. I would never discourage you from doing so, but they are not your only family, Toph. You have me. You have my nephew. You have all the people who have forged bonds of affection and trust with you."

Her eyes prickled a little and her throat got tight. She swallowed and took a big gulp of tea.

"Whatever happens with your parents, know that you will always have a home to go to. You will always have us."

She sniffed and rubbed at her eye, trying to pretend there was something stuck in it. "Thanks, Gramps."

"You are very welcome, Miss Toph."

He stood up and bustled off with a promise to bring them some snacks. She knew he was just giving her a chance to compose herself.

By the time he returned with red bean sweets, she had managed to get her drippy nose down to a sniffle and stop the moisture from leaking from her eyes. He took his seat opposite her.

"Hey, Gramps?"

"Yes?"

"Will you help me write a letter to my parents?"

"Of course."

She smiled and bit into one of the sweets. She could always count on Gramps to give good company, tea, and wisdom.