It was only when she didn't walk away and seemed to be honestly trying to be civil with him did he reach up and wipe away the tears from the flawless, smooth white skin of his right cheek. That cheek tinted with some color, however, at her statement regarding why he left this time and he had to bow his head and turn away to speak of it, as it was still a sore subject on his mind.
"I could let myself take advantage of the situation," he began. "I was...involved with one of Azula's friends. Mai, the one who throws knives--I'm pretty sure you and your friends have encountered her before. She's had a crush on me since we were children growing up in the palace. When I made the decision to turn my back on the Fire Nation and give up my crown, I also put an abrupt stop to that relationship. Mai is far too loyal to Azula to ever see things my way, or even clearly at all. I was...hurt by it all and after I...kissed you, I realized that I was seeking some sort of solace from it all."
He looked up then, golden eyes serious. "I was rebounding, Katara. I didn't trust myself not to do anything inappropriate for my own selfish benefit. That's why I left. I'm sorry if that hurt you. I have a bad habit of just doing things without letting my intentions be known by those around me."