The more time Zuko spent with the Avatar and his friends, the more he was forced to take notice of Sokka. Zuko had never noticed the boy during his time spent chasing the Avatar; to Zuko, there had been two types of people: benders, and those who didn't warrant his attention. Sokka had fallen into the second category, and Zuko hadn't had a thought for the boy when he had joined the team.
It didn't take long, however, for Zuko to see how integral a part Sokka played in the delicate dynamics of the Avatar's group. He knew how to ease tempers and quell arguments, and his quick wit and easy banter eased even the tensest situations. He kept the group fed and out of danger, remaining one step ahead of the enemy at all times. It both frustrated and amused the Fire Nation prince to realize that the only reason the Avatar had escaped his grasp for so long had been the Water Tribe peasant's constant and obsessive vigilance. Zuko could tell that although Aang, Katara, and Toph were powerful benders, they would be helpless without Sokka.
In spite of his great contributions, however, Sokka was remarkably hard on himself. He constantly belittled himself and his importance to the team while somehow masking it with flamboyant arrogance and histrionic boasts. The fact that Sokka's own sister couldn't even seem to see through it drove Zuko crazy and made him dislike her even more. He found himself watching Sokka as he interacted with the rest of the group and quickly became fascinated by the boy's contrasting ego and selflessness.
Zuko had been with the group for nearly a month before he got up the nerve to say anything to Sokka. When he did, he approached the subject with his usual blunt tactlessness. "Why do you always do that?" he demanded after listening to Sokka rag on himself for getting in the way of Katara and Aang's training.
Sokka looked up at him, surprised. "Umm… sorry, I didn't realize it was all that bad. I try to stay out of the way."
It took Zuko a minute to figure out what Sokka was talking about. "No, that's not what I meant!" he said, frowning. "You don't get in the way. Why do you always act like you do?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Sokka insisted, looking convincingly clueless.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Zuko exploded. "You're the only reason those idiots are even still alive and yet you act like you're holding them back. I haven't known you for very long but already I can tell that isn't the case."
Sokka's smirk had melted off his face while Zuko talked, and he sighed heavily before answering. "I can't help much when it comes to the fighting. I mean, I'm good with a sword, but that can't stand up very well against Azula's lightning and the rest of the Fire Benders. So I do what I can. I keep the others out of trouble, I strategize, and I make sure our enemies don't catch up. And if they do, I make sure the Avatar stays safe. If that means making sure they're happy and adding a little levity to the situation, that's what I'll do. And if that means acting like an idiot and staying out of the way, that's what I'll do. I do whatever I have to."
Zuko was speechless, staring at the other boy with a flicker of what he could only describe as admiration. Admiration, accompanied by deep respect. He knew he would never be able to be that selfless, but pride had always been his biggest downfall. Sokka had gone back to work, pretending like the conversation had never taken place, and Zuko sighed. The group was truly lucky to have someone like him on their side.