Note about spelling of Noatok/Noatak: I don't know if this point will come up or if anyone is bothered by how I spell Noatok. I know, on Avatar Wiki and in captions, it's spelled Noatak. I'm sure that was the original intention of Bryke, as well, since there's a Noatak River in Alaska. However, I'll stick with Noatok; for aesthetics, because its solidifies a union to Tarrlok, and because I get kinda "eh" when characters, in a different universe, are named after things in our world. :] Sorry if this upsets anyone.
Chapter 3: Family
The Avatar didn't know where to go or who to turn to. Tenzin was healing and the others were having fun; Korra didn't have the heart to interrupt any of them with her petty lovers spat. Her short scuffle with Mako upset her. She knew she shouldn't have felt so angry, so annoyed, but she did. It was as if he didn't trust her. And to have him question the use of Noatok's name! As if it were a crime to use his birth name!
Before Korra knew it, her feet had led her to the Northern City's prison. Outside the doors, she paused, eyes focusing on the blue-tinged, ice building. She almost turned and kept walking, almost sought something or someone else, but Korra swallowed heavily and finished climbing the front stairs.
Korra easily found her way to the brothers' cell. Even the guards didn't bother her as she waltzed through the halls, her mind abuzz with feelings, thoughts, and questions. Her heart throbbed in her chest and, once outside the cell, Korra hesitated. No one was here if something happened. No one could help her. Residual fear still clung to her, finding places to hide between her bones.
Shaking her head, Korra steeled herself. She was the Avatar. She had powers to fight against Amon. She would be fine. Besides, they wouldn't know she came alone. Swallowing heavily, Korra opened the door and ducked inside, shutting the door behind her.
In the darkness, Amon stood, anxious, "You have found my brother's cure already, Avatar?"
"No." Korra approached, her eyes slinking to the covered form of Tarrlok.
"Then, what brings you back?" Amon attempted to drawl, tried to maintain nonchalance, "I cannot see you enjoying my company."
"Why do you still hide your face?" The words were out before Korra could monitor them, but it was better than relaying her relationship problems to her former enemy. Her gaze flicked to Amon's face; he conveniently stood in a shadow that obscured his face.
"What do you mean?"
"Your true identity has been revealed, but you're still keeping your face from me. Why?"
"The lighting in here is poor, Avatar. I'm not trying to keep it from yo-"
Fire licked to life in Korra's hand. Her eyes widened as she got a look at Noatok's face and her lips formed a shocked 'o'. The man pressed his lips together, tightly, and glowered in the firelight at the Avatar. His hair had grown our over the months and had to be pulled back in a short ponytail, his sideburns had taken up more of his face and become a less well-kept. The biggest change were the scars, thoug. The scars sprayed across his face, as if a jet of fire had hit him from under the chin and continued up; from his jaw, up his cheeks, and above his eyebrow, the injuries seemed to vaguely mimic the design of his old mask.
"You forgot the red circle on your forehead." Korra couldn't help the grin that curled at her lips.
Amon's glower darkened.
"I'm sorry." She winced as a sudden surge of guilt hit her chest, "That was in poor taste."
"So it was perfectly you." He bit out, lip curling in a sneer.
"I deserved that." Korra warily shuffled closer, getting a better look at the injuries. Amon's body language screamed that he wanted to get away from her, but he stood his ground, hands clenched and body rigid. Tilting her head, Korra caught Amon's light blue eyes, "What happened to you?"
His gaze flicked to Tarrlok, softening, "I brought this condition upon myself."
Korra followed the direction of his gaze, eyebrows raising as they rested on Tarrlok's still, sickly form, "Wanna go into detail on that one?
Silence seemed to be Amon's answer. Korra turned her face back to him, eyebrows raising. His eyes narrowed, as if in pain, and his jaw set. Inside, a battle was being waged. There was a lot of history, a lot of sadness, built up between the two brothers. The glint in Amon's gaze spoke enough of that; he felt just as much pain as Tarrlok did.
"You don't have t-"
"My brother and I were going to disappear, start anew. Together." Amon's deep voice was so soft, Korra had to strain to hear his words. There was a thick sadness congealing over his words, making his throat tighten, "Instead, he chose to blow up our boat in the middle of the sea."
Shock stole Korra's breath in a gasp. Her eyes widened as her gaze flicked back to Tarrlok. For him to choose suicide - and murdering his own brother - over starting anew, over finding somewhere to be happy, it made Korra shudder. She understood the feeling of not being worthwhile, of not being good enough for this world, but she couldn't imagine what was going through Tarrlok's mind. The former councilman was wounded, more than physically; his brother was a terrorist, essentially fulfilling their father's plot for revenge, and who stole his bending away.
Her eyes trailed back to Amon, tracing along the contours of his clenched jaw where a muscle twitched. His body was tense, strung tightly. Korra pressed her lips together, raking her mind for something to say, some way to comfort him. Why should she, though? He didn't go out of his way to comfort a soul when he took their bending, he never spoke kindly to her or anyone who opposed him; he probably thought it was a sign of weakness. Yet, Korra found she didn't care if he thought it weak. She was the Avatar. Weak wasn't in her job description.
"He still loves you, Noatok."
"Yes, how could I forget? Homicide-suicide is one of the top three ways show familial affection."
"I think he did it, because you both are lost," Korra spoke slowly, picking her words with care. She felt Noatok's eyes flick to her face and, instantly, a flush burned over her cheeks. She tried to sound eloquent, but felt she was exceedingly falling short of her goal, "And while lost, you both were - and are - needlessly hurting others. He didn't want to live like a monster and he didn't want that for you, either. He was willing to sacrifice himself for you."
Again, Amon became silent. He mulled over Korra's words, dragging them over his synapses. Even though her wording was stilted, he felt the heaviness in his chest lessen, ever-so-slightly. Focusing on the Avatar, he realized she seemed self-conscious. Biting her lip and turning her gaze from his, a flush on her cheeks that was from more than the flame she held in her hand. It piqued his curiosity, but he shoved the observation away for another time.
"Thank you, Korra."
By the way, thank you for the reviews, everyone! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
