The storm hits without warning; within seconds everyone is completely drenched. As one they all run for shelter.
Hakoda notices with interest that both firebenders are steaming as the group huddles near the entrance. Nobody else seems to notice, or, the water tribe chieftain is willing to admit, no one is surprised but him. Since the earthebender is practically hanging off the younger firebender while complaining about being wet, he thinks it might be the latter.
An argument almost starts between Katara and Sokka when they realize that their supply of firewood is still outside and by now most likely completely drenched. Aang looks mournfully outside at the downpour; Hakoda follows his gaze and can sympathize. He's pretty sure nobody wants to go back out there.
"I told you to put it somewhere safe." Katara's voice is sharp and annoyed.
"You said to put it somewhere out of the way. And I did." Sokka's voice is equally sharp, equally annoyed, and more than a little defensive. "What's the big deal anyway?" he demands, turning towards the prince. "Can't you just make a fire?"
Katara scowls. "He wouldn't have to if you hadn't stacked all the wood where it could get rained on," she says, as the firebender looks up and says "Yes?" rather unconvincingly.
He sits down without further prompting near the middle of the room. The earthbender follows, plopping down almost in his lap. Aang looks away from watching the rain and joins them, dropping down on the ground on Zuko's other side.
"Are you going to make a campfire?" the Avatar wants to know. "Does it need something to feed off of, or does it work the same way as when you're holding a flame in your hand?"
"It's the same general principle," the firebender replies. Chit Sang raises his eyebrows at this, but the boy doesn't seem to notice. "Though it's harder to control when it's disconnected from you, and takes more energy to sustain because it's bigger."
Aang nods along as if he understands completely. By this time Sokka and Katara have mercifully stopped arguing and joined the other three children, though the two are still shooting each other annoyed looks. Suki joins them as well, nudging Sokka as she sits down beside him.
The teenage boy immediately forgets all about the argument with his sister.
Zuko looks around for a moment before clearing his throat. "Uh," Katara's gaze fixes on him and he falters for a moment before continuing almost nervously. "If, uh-"
"If you can't do it-" Katara suggests, and the firebender ducks his head.
"I can-" he says quickly, then forces himself to meet her eyes. "If that's what you want. I mean-if you're cold I can just-" He falters again, and Toph elbows him.
"We're cold. And wet." She pokes him in the arm. "We don't care how you fix it, just stop blabbering and do it. "
Zuko looks at her for a moment, then shrugs.
Nothing happens, at least, as far as Hakoda can tell.
Sokka scoots closer to the firebender, bringing Suki along with him. "That works," he says.
"Huh." Suki comments, but does not elaborate.
"Dad, come get warm!" Sokka calls, and waves.
Hakoda notices the way the room seems to get warmer as he approaches the group. By the time he's reached them and the kids are shuffling around to make room for him, the circle has morphed into more of a huddle, and Hakoda has become acutely aware of the fact that the firebender among them is radiating heat.
Hakoda ends up sitting between his children.
"I notice there's no fire," he notes as he gets comfortable.
"This is easier," Zuko says.
"Breath of Fire," Aang puts in helpfully.
When the rain shows no sign of letting up soon they all end up settling in the center of the room, not quite huddled around the firebender. The earthbender sprawls out half in his lap and promptly dozes off. The Avatar ends up curled up against his side. Even Katara has reluctantly settled down within arm's reach, Suki with her back pressed against the waterbender. Sokka has claimed the space behind the firebender and is making himself comfortable.
"They just expect you to do this all night long?" Chit Sang asks from across the room. He's been quiet up until now. He doesn't quite seem to know what to do around the younger firebender after telling everyone that the boy's father was the one responsible for his scar.
Zuko shrugs. He looks down at Toph, then at Aang. When he looks back up, he's wearing an expression Hakoda can't quite decipher.
He's also starting to sweat.
"Are you okay?" Hakoda asks. The look he gets for his trouble is one of sheer bafflement. "You aren't going to overheat or anything, are you?"
The boy shakes his head. "I don't have to do as much, now that everyone's dry. Once they're all asleep, I can let the temperature drop even more. At least this time they're keeping their blankets to themselves," he adds, grumbling a bit, then catches himself. "They aren't afraid. And-it's something I can do to help."
Hakoda considers this for a moment before moving on to his next observation. "They have you surrounded, though. How are you going to sleep?"
Another shrug. "I can meditate. I, um, don't always sleep that well anyway."
"Are you sure? I can drag my son a few feet to the side so you have room to lay down." The offer is made in jest, but Hakoda regrets it almost immediately, especially as he's forced to watch the kid's eyes widen in alarm, then narrow in defiance, then widen once more as he realizes the older man is joking.
Zuko flushes and ducks his head. "Uh, that's okay."
They sit in silence. Hakoda is happy to watch his children sleep, while the firebender seems content to simply sit there with his eyes closed. He might be meditating-Hakoda can't really tell. He does notice when the temperature drops, just a bit. It's not uncomfortable, not for someone born and raised in arctic temperatures, and the children never stir.
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender does not belong to me.
Author's Note: I think that's the end on this one, folks. Thanks for reading, thanks for reviewing. Hope you enjoyed.