"But--" Sokka tries to protest, looking down (well, not nearly as much as he used to) at his friend.

"We can't let you--Katara would--" He groans and rubs a hand across his face, turning away and crossing his arms, lapsing deep into thought. There had to be a way to save everyone, including Aang. And he was damn well going to find it. He was the Idea Guy, darn it, and he would be damned if he would let his mind fail him now, at this most critical of junctions. Besides. It was Aang. And they would need him if they ever got home. He spun back around to face Aang, his expression serious.

"Okay. But I won't give up on you until the very end. You know that. Katara won't. Toph won't. And Zuko won't. We're not going to let anything happen to you unless--" He closes his eyes and looks away, wiping at his eyes again.

"Not unless we absolutely have no other choice. No options at all."