While it was true that he was only seventeen, Pavel was no child. He had grown up faster than most as a result of his intelligence, and so had never had time for relationships. He was as naive as the day he joined Starfleet, in some ways.
And so, with working with beautiful woman all the time, he began to be curious as to what kissing them would be like. The ship had recently been under attack, which it of course had evaded and won, but still he figured it was a well enough reason to give it a shot.
He strode down the halls, searching for Avana, eventually finding her he marched up and wrapped an arm around her waist and the other entangled in her hair. He lurched forwards the last few inches and kissed her almost desperately, knowing full well he was going to apologise for approximately three whole years afterwards, but for that was none of his concern.