"Fair is a difficult road to walk, all the more-so when so much emotion is involved," he said softly. And yes, he was falling back on his role as wisdom coin machine, as Zuko put it, to keep himself together until Zuko was asleep.

And yes, of course he returned the hug.

"But if you are going to be a good Fire Lord, the kind we need but have not seen in a hundred years, fair is something you will need practice at. But remember, fairness needs to be tempered with compassion. You do not make a blade just by striking metal, you also need warmth."