[Rewriting) Keeping the fire close [Zuko × Sokka]

Time gone by

It had been almost three months since the Fire Nation raided the Water Tribe and all of the kidnapped boys had lost hope in ever going home, meanwhile Sokka kept his head up and tried to think of ways to get out. While the guards were asleep he would sneak out of his room and wonder around the ship, if he was caught he would just say that he was out for a midnight stroll, that he was taking some extra laps to try and tire himself out so he could sleep better.

But on this night he wasn't alone, he walked along the deck like he normally did and wondered into the kitchen, seeing Iroh. It startled him a little, but the old man chuckled a bit and turned towards Sokka, holding up his tea kettle and a small plate with two teacups and their saucers. "Well good morning there young man" he closed his eyes as he smiled then opened them again, looking towards the door to leave the kitchen "Would you like to join me for some midnight tea?"

Sokka, still being absolutely terrified of everything really, nodded, not knowing what would happen if he denied sharing tea with this kind old man that he had come to enjoy the company of. "Come then," Iroh smiled once again and started to lead the Water Tribe warrior out of the swinging doors into a cooler hallway, then led the tan teenager back to Prince Zuko's room. The old man gently knocked on the door, followed by a muffled "come in"

Inside the room Zuko was sitting on the floor, at the table he and his uncle put there so they could have tea together, and play games on nights that they couldn't sleep. He was shirtless, legs crossed while wearing big red puffy pants, resting his cheek on his hand, looking over to the door after he heard the knock, smiling faintly when he saw that it was uncle, but was completely disgusted to see Sokka. "What is he doing here? He should be sleeping Uncle" Iroh sighed and hobbled to the table, setting everything down before he sat down on the dark red pillow in his normal spot "I invited him for tea, isn't that nice Prince Zuko?"

The young prince rolled his eyes and grumbled to himself "you shouldn't invite prisoners to spend time with us as if we're equals" he glared at Sokka while his uncle glared at him "You will learn to enjoy the company of others" Iroh spoke softly just as always, you would never have guessed he used to be a soldier with how calm and mellow he was. He glanced over to the young man standing awkwardly in the doorway "What's your name young warrior?"

Sokka was a little surprised that he was spoken to, he straighted out his back and cleared his throat, "..My name is Sokka, Sir" Iroh looked to the young and angered prince "Aren't you going to invite your guest in?" The 16 year old grumbled and slammed a fist that was starting to combust onto the table "Be quiet uncle! We don't make friends with prisoners!" The old man sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his hands in his sleeves "Zuko, calm down," he smiled and unfolded his arms, gently lifting the tea kettle and pouring some of the steaming hot tea into the cup closest to Zuko "please, Sokka, grab a pillow and join us" once the Prince's cup was full he filled his own carefully, holding a hand under the bottom while one held the handle to make sure he didn't over pour or spill.