The prince had a heart. Sokka could see it. The pain in the boy's eyes when he saw his Uncle go down was hard to watch. Sokka had felt an odd pain in his chest watching Zuko be as upset as he had been. Even the evil prince was capable of love.

That night when he made an attempt to fall asleep, Sokka only saw Zuko's eyes. His golden eyes had been filled with pain and sorrow, and Sokka had felt an urge to help. If the prince hadn't shot fire their way, then he would have gone over. As out of character as it would have been to help the prince, Sokka would have done it. He found that now, after seeing the pain that Zuko was going through, that his feelings weren't all lust, maybe, perhaps, he cared for the prince. Of course they were enemies, but maybe even enemies could care for each other's well-being. It would only be human to do so.