A/N: I wouldn't want to start a chapter without an annoying author's note, would I? I just wanted to thank everyone who reviewed, and to say, Yes. Iroh knows everything. Oh, and shame on you, Bluetiger (?), now I'm wondering how Iroh knows that. A backstory may be in order. Which is distracting. Anyway, story time! *clap*

"Can I ask a question?" Sokka said, as he walked beside the carriage carrying Zuko.

Zuko looked over at him, his hair falling into his eyes, "What is it?"

An easy camaraderie had fallen between master and servant after Zuko's meeting with his father, and so Sokka felt little fear as he said boldly, "What's the point of leaving the palace, if you're going to spend the whole time in a shaded carriage?"

Zuko huffed, "I have to, I'm the Prince."

"Right," he said, with a sarcastic smile, "I forgot that you're all high and mighty."

Suddenly, the carriage jerked to a halt, sending Zuko sprawling. Sokka stifled his laughter as the Prince's volatile anger kindled. He stormed to the front, Sokka hurrying behind him. They stopped when they saw a little girl standing in shock in front of the ostrich-horses. Her lip quivered when she saw the face of the prince, "My dolly."

His eyes followed her pointing finger to a small, sackcloth doll under the scaled foot of the ostrich-horse. Sokka tensed, ready to defend the child against his fire-bending wrath, but once again, the Prince surprised him. He smiled at her, and knelt down, handing her a handkerchief, "I'm dreadfully sorry."

He motioned for Sokka to get the doll. Recovering from his shock, he picked up the doll, grimacing at the rip.

Zuko's head spun around, and he frowned with the girl, then offered her a hand, "My servant is clumsy. I'll buy you another one."

Sokka watched in shock as he led the little girl off, the perfect gentlemen. When she skipped off, a new doll clutched under one arm and a cookie in the other, Sokka came up and shyly, brushed his lips over his cheek.

Zuko looked down at him, surprised, "What was that for?"

"I'm proud of you," he said, nonchalantly.

The Prince smiled, inordinately happy at the praise. He waved off his guards, "I'm going to walk the rest of the way."

-o-

Zuko walked into the throne room, the guttering flames that lined the pedestal his father sat on, flared. He braced himself and bowed, "Father. You called for me."

"Yes, Zuko," the arrogant voice filled the room, "I've heard some disturbing rumors."

He shook, a phantom pain flaring in his scar, "What would those be, sir?"

"I heard that you showed mercy to a peasant, one that should have been severely punished for impeding a member of the royal family."

Zuko saw the face of the crying girl, the tracks the tears had made in the dirt on her face, and raised his head boldly, "I showed mercy to a child."

"Mercy is never acceptable. The people will see you as weak, and a weak leader is not a leader at all," he said firmly.

He took a deep breath and steeled himself, "I disagree, sir. When a monarch shows mercy to his population, he shows that he is strong enough to punish the offender, but wise enough show compassion to the younger generation that will grow to be a loyal army. When I help a young child, I gain his or her respect, and when they grow older, I gain a loyal guard, servant, or soldier."

The Fire Lord raised an eyebrow, considering his son, then said levelly, "You show weakness when you show compassion, but you show bravery, foolhardy or not, when you stand up to the Fire Lord. For now, your transgression will be overlooked. You may go."

He heard his servant following him, but neither made any sound until they were in the safety of his quarters. All the tension, anger and fear left him, and he was forced to brace himself against the wall, his head hanging down between his arms.

A slender arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him around. Sokka pulled him into a long, slow kiss. He hesitated, then responded passionately. When they pulled back for breath, Sokka rested his forehead on the fire-bender's chin, "You were so brave, defending yourself to your father like that."

He smiled wickedly, "Do I get a reward?"

"I think you deserve one," Sokka said shyly, pulling him towards the bed.

-o-

Sokka leaned down to grab his pants and slide out of the large bed. Zuko called after him, "Where do you think you're going?"

"Back to the servants quarters," his voice lacking a frightening amount of emotion.

"Why?" he queried innocently.

Sokka turned and raised a cynical brow, "When have you ever wanted me to stay?"

Zuko slid out of bed and walked softly over to him and grabbed both of his hands, dragging him back, "I've changed. Come back to bed."

Reluctantly, he allowed himself to be led back to the comfort and warmth. He curled up against the Prince's chest, his leg wrapped around his thighs and sighed contentedly. Zuko's chuckle ruffled his hair, "Comfy?"

"Yes actually," he said, "You're remarkably warm."

"I'm a fire-bender, what did you expect?" amused despite himself.

"I never know what to expect with you," Sokka looked up, "Can I ask a question?"

"I haven't stopped you yet," Zuko answered, "Now doesn't seem like the time to."

"What changed?" he asked, almost scared of the answer.

"It's not often that a monarch is confronted with the consequences of how they treat people. You forced my eyes open. You're special, you make me remember I'm a human, as well as a prince," he smiled softly into Sokka's hair.

Neither of them saw the trap they were walking into. As their heartbeat's fell into sync, the steel jaws began to close down. Without realizing it, they were both caught in a trap; a trap that neither would be able to leave without tearing apart.