[ Zuko's a bit stunned by all that. It's true he was trying to deflect from a compliment, uncomfortable being complimented often, but Aerith's insistence on her perception of him as a good trustworthy person... catches him off guard, even with his guard up. ]
Trustworthy...? You just— feel like I'm good...?
[ He parrots, then pauses. ]
...Why?
[ He doesn't say it in a dismissive way, nor is he fishing for compliments, but asks in a genuinely curious way. He doesn't understand her reasoning. But he wants to know what about him would give off such an impression. He isn't certain he's a trustworthy person, but if he's giving the impression of one, it's worth thinking about how so. That she sees him as innately good is what's most shocking to hear, and he wants to pick that apart and analyze it because he's not been "good" always. He still sees himself as a transformed bad guy in a certain sense, deep down — a vague perception that floats and haunts, not really on the forefront of his mind or articulated. But hearing he comes off as a genuine good guy, that people he's barely met see him as a mensch in particular — it all strikes a chord. ]
no subject
Trustworthy...? You just— feel like I'm good...?
[ He parrots, then pauses. ]
...Why?
[ He doesn't say it in a dismissive way, nor is he fishing for compliments, but asks in a genuinely curious way. He doesn't understand her reasoning. But he wants to know what about him would give off such an impression. He isn't certain he's a trustworthy person, but if he's giving the impression of one, it's worth thinking about how so. That she sees him as innately good is what's most shocking to hear, and he wants to pick that apart and analyze it because he's not been "good" always. He still sees himself as a transformed bad guy in a certain sense, deep down — a vague perception that floats and haunts, not really on the forefront of his mind or articulated. But hearing he comes off as a genuine good guy, that people he's barely met see him as a mensch in particular — it all strikes a chord. ]