Akito turns his full attention to Sokka at that, not just the half he had been giving him before. If he's surprised he doesn't show it (he's too exhausted to be surprised anymore) and simply stares at the other boy with a discerning gaze. This is one of the few times he's without his eyepatch, having lost his during the race at some point, so Sokka is treated to a scrutinizing mismatched stare; one eye bright gold and pupil slitted, the other a warm amber-grey.

When Akito speaks, his voice is tentative but sincere. "If you really want to, that would be okay."