[ It takes him longer than expected. He has to process some of this on the way home. It’s distressing and puts a damper on his wonderful reunion with Iroh. But it’s not a conversation he wants to leave on that note with Azula... So by the time he’s arrived, he’s decided to try and smooth things over. When he comes in, he’s unusually quiet and gentle in his movements, the door barely clicking instead of the slam that usually announces his presence. There’s a tension in the air already, or at least his own perceived tension. He’s on edge now that he’s actually home with her.
When he finds her, he walks up behind where she sits with soft steps. He reaches to wrap his arms around her shoulders right away, and leans in to kiss the top of her head gingerly from behind. He pays no mind to whether or not she wants this, does not consider that she might be too upset for this, no thought of whether or not she wants to be touched by him after such a stressful conversation. His one track mind is focused on smoothing it over. That’s it. This is his direct, simple, thoughtful yet somehow so thoughtless attempt to appease her. Leaning on their physicality is the best he can think of, his words failing him. He’s already said enough to upset her, after all. ]
action;
When he finds her, he walks up behind where she sits with soft steps. He reaches to wrap his arms around her shoulders right away, and leans in to kiss the top of her head gingerly from behind. He pays no mind to whether or not she wants this, does not consider that she might be too upset for this, no thought of whether or not she wants to be touched by him after such a stressful conversation. His one track mind is focused on smoothing it over. That’s it. This is his direct, simple, thoughtful yet somehow so thoughtless attempt to appease her. Leaning on their physicality is the best he can think of, his words failing him. He’s already said enough to upset her, after all. ]