I'm sorry for the wait, struggling with these chapters. I believe I'm coming to a close fairly soon and, frankly, I think I know how I'll finish it! :] So, yay! I may put my other Amorra fic on hold until I get this finished, but that should only be a few more days. Sorry, Redemption-lovers!
Disclaimer: I do not own TLOK or its characters.
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Chapter Ten: Problems
Noatok sat in his designated bedroom, waiting for his brother's return, flipping through one of the few books provided to him. Perhaps now Tarrlok would be more helpful. For some reason, Noatok felt better after the altercation with his brother. True, it solved nothing and, in fact, he felt a little sore and bruised, the man felt relieved. Though the guards had been heckled and snarled at for being negligent of their duties; the brothers hadn't needed much supervising, so the guards did tend to goof off a little.
His mind suddenly veered back to Avatar Korra, instantly feeling agitation and frustration froth into his chest. Of all the women for him to feel something for, it had to be her. Her. It made Noatok want to pull his hair out, frankly. Of course, there was nothing to do about this situation. Once he returned to Republic City, he'd be sentenced to life in prison or death. He didn't expect any leniency, either. Noatok acknowledged his tactics were terrorism, that he instilled fear in the masses when it could've been avoided, but seeing anyone at the mercy of benders, of people who abused gifts, it brought him back to the bloodbending training.
He scowled, images of his father's persistent push to make Tarrlok and himself bloodbend. His words about how they would avenge him against the Avatar. His stomach shuddered with disgust.
A sudden knock on the doorjamb roused Noatok's gaze from the word he had been concentrating on for the past three minutes. The man almost dropped his reading material; Korra stood in the door, parka removed and hanging in the crook of her arm.
The man quickly stood, to expel the sudden burst of excitement that shot through his body, and laid his book on the bed. Crossing his arms behind his back, Noatok stood tall, trying to be nonchalant, "Avatar Korra."
"What's with the formality, Noatok?" Korra cocked an eyebrow at him, a crooked grin curling at her lips as she entered his room. She tossed her parka on the foot of his bed and, once she was right in front of him, Korra put her hands on her hips, peering up at him with a critical look. Noatok fought the urge to fidget under her gaze. He almost breathed a sigh of relief when she began to talk, "So, we're heading back to Republic City tomorrow. You OK?"
"My well-being has no importance in returning to Republic City," Amon stated, averting his gaze from Korra's eyes, "I will return, face my trial, and serve my sentence, however severe it may be."
Korra fell silent, narrowing her eyes at the man who had, at one time, been the fuel to her nightmares. She almost couldn't believe that she cared for the man, now. Or, at least, cared enough to try and ease his worries. Of course, Korra had to admit, there was little she could do. Amon was probably correct in his assertion that he was going to be punished severely for what he did.
The young woman suddenly flopped down onto his bed, leaning back against her elbows and sitting crosslegged. Noatok struggled to keep his expression impassive, but the squeak of the mattress under her certainly played havoc on is thoughts. Korra stared up at Amon, lips pursed, "Well, if you don't want to talk, I think I will."
"As if I could stop you."
"That's the spirit!" Korra grinned as she sat up. She patted the spot on the bed next to her, "Sit!"
Noatok momentarily debated, but quickly obliged, settling down slowly beside Korra. The young woman smiled, somewhat relieved he had actually listened.
"I broke up with Mako."
This time, Noatok couldn't hide his expression. Shock flashed across his face and his eyes darted right to Korra's face. All the man could think of was her interesting timing and the fact that Mako had suddenly been tossed out the window as an obstacle.
A large smile split across Korra's lips, "Wow. Surprised?"
Noatok forced himself to regain his composure. A blush burned at his ears, suddenly feeling moritified about his earlier conversation with Tarrlok, as if this news were tied to his brother. The man averted his gaze, trying to brush off his embarrassment, "Somewhat. You don't seem the sort to give up on something."
"Yeah, well, it was kind of mutual." Korra smiled and, for a second, Noatok could see a sliver of sadness twitch at her lips, "His parents died when he was young, so trying to stay with a foolhardy keeper of balance who was constantly attracting life-threatening trouble..."
"I see the problem." Noatok leaned back on his hands, turnign his eyes to the ceiling, "He needs some level of stability, safety, and control."
"Yeah, and I'm insane, constantly diving into danger, and uncontrollable." The way Korra quickly bit off the sentence, Noatok had no doubt that those were Mako's exact words. Though the Avatar seemed hurt, she was far from the bawling mass of tears that many teenagers were after losing their significant other.
"You don't appear very perturbed."
"As angry and hurt as I am, I can't be mad at him." Korra sighed, glancing up at the man who sat beside her as she brought her legs to her chest, "He does have a point. Since I got here, I've been...busy."
"You've ignored him." His eyes returned to Korra's face, cutting to the chase so quickly the Avatar almost winced.
"I didn't mean to!" She sputtered and Noatok had to hide a grin at her reaction. It was somewhat refreshing to be around someone who wore their heart on their sleeve, "I mean, between trying to help you and Tarrlok and the walrus-whale I've spent time with him!"
"Fighting."
Korra deflated, her lips twisting into a pout as she wrapped her arms around her legs and laid her chin atop her knees, "Yeah. I guess I haven't been a good girlfriend."
"On the other hand, you have done well as Avatar."
"Was that a compliment?" Korra craned her gaze to catch Noatok's eyes.
"You could do a better job."
"That's the Amon I know." The young woman chuckled, averting her gaze as well.
From the corner of his eye, Noatok could see her expression. Despite her best attempts, there was a somber sadness in her body language. A deflation where she was usually boisterous. Before the man realized it, he was reaching an arm around her. He tugged the smaller figure against him, wedging her against his side, enjoying her body heat against him.
He couldn't find words, though. Noatok truly thought Korra could be an amazing Avatar; that she could restore balance and maintain it. But she was young. She had learning pains to soldier through. Then again, Avatar Aang had met his wife by the time he was eleven; not to say they got married right away, but he still had quite a lot of luck.
Finally, his mind stumbled onto something to say, "Your boy- your former boyfriend is being stupid and I'm trustworthy, Korra."
The Avatar was silent, half-stunned by his embrace and partially shocked by his words. She felt like her brain was fried. Korra couldn't compute. Then, suddenly, a fit of giggles overtook her. Pressing the heels of her hands to her eyes, she snickered through her words, "That's...you're...pfft."
She dropped her hands, shifting her position so she could clearly see Noatok's face. A smile tugged at her lips and, while that sadness was still under her gaze, amusement shone brighter, "Thank you, Noatok. I appreciate that."
Noatok stared at her, his eyes darting from her gaze to her lips and back. His thoughts were taking a turn down darker paths, again. Unfulfilled imaginings and fantasies. Things he shouldn't be thinking. But he was. And Korra was right here, sitting on his bed.
The man quickly pulled away from Korra, standing and turning away from her. Folding his arms behind his back, Noatok attempted to calm himself after the barrage of sexual fantasies just assaulted his mind.
"Noatok?" His name, his birth-name, breathed so softly on her lips. Noatok's mind quickly distorted those few symbols into something suited for a dirtier scenario.
"I apologize, Avatar, but it draws late, I would like to rest before arriving in Republic City."
"Did I do something?" He heard the bed squeak as Korra got up and could feel her pacing closer behind him. Agitation lit into the air around her. He could practically smell it on her.
"For once, listen to me, Avatar." Noatok clenched his eyes shut and tried to bite the words out with force, "Before I do something you and I will both regret."
"Noa-"
Her hand touched his arm. He tensed, his mind racing as he felt temptation rearing up. The warmth of her hand, the way it made his skin tingle, even through the fabric of his clothes. Korra had to leave. Now. Whipping around, yanking his arm from Korra's palm, Noatok snarled, "Leave!"
The Avatar stumbled back a couple steps, eyes wide. After the time she had spent with Noatok, even when they were enemies, she hadn't ever heard his voice take on such an edge. Clenching her fists, Korra regained her ground, stepping forward and screaming back, "What's your prob-"
Noatok closed what remaining space was between them, his hands cupping Korra's face. He bent low, eyes closed, catching her lips against his. Keeping the kiss chaste, not daring to anger the Avatar further, Noatok broke the kiss before he could be tempted. Pressing his forehead to the stunned young woman's, he opened his eyes half-way, unable to meet her gaze his stare stayed on her lips, "You are my problem, Korra. Please, go."
He pulled away from her, turning his back and stalking away from her, leaning against the sill of his window. The man closed his eyes, pressing his forehead to the window, hoping to eradiate all warmth that the Avatar stirred within him.
Behind him, Korra stared at his back, shocked, stunned, surprised. Her mind had shut down, unable to process what had just happened. Her body moved on its own, hoping to find a solution to this new problem; Korra picked up her parka and left.
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The next morning, preparations were made to fly to Republic City. Tarrlok and Amon were handcuffed, as a precaution and set onto separate flying Bisons. Korra and Tenzin guarded over Amon, while Chief Kya - who had business to tend to in Republic City - and the others watched over Tarrlok.
Noatok felt his stomach lurch and it was more than their airborne travel upseting his stomach. Korra barely looked at him. He felt like a fool. A huge, old fool.
His little brother had heard the story last night. It drove Noatok nuts that his little brother had developed more sense than himself. The man glanced over the edge of the flying Bison's saddle, trying to distract himself by what little scenery he could see through the clouds.
Meanwhile, Tenzin's fatherly instincts did not completely fail him. Glancing down at Korra, he raised his eyebrows and asked, quietly, "Korra, is something wrong?"
"What?" Korra glanced up at her mentor and shook her head, a little too quickly, "Oh, no, no. Just...thinking."
Tenzin narrowed his eyes, eyebrows furrowing, "Are you certain? You have seem distracted since last ni-" Korra visibly winced as the airbender's fatherly nature flared, "Did something happen with Amon? Did he do something to you?"
The airbender's shoulders tensed and Korra could tell he was debating on guiding Oogi into a barrel roll, to jostle their captive cargo. The young woman hadn't realized how much she missed her father, until Tenzin became protective of her.
Korra opened her mouth to extinguish Tenzin's worries, but stopped. Her eyes almost darted back to the Noatok, to see if he was watching. But she thought better of it. Bringing her gaze to Tenzin's face, she realized lying to him would be disrespectful. If he ever found out the truth, he'd be hurt by her need to hide it. Still, Noatok was within Tenzin's retaliation proximity.
"Yes, Tenzin, something happened." Korra finally sighed, Tenzin's gaze imploring her to continue. She shifted uncomfortably under his concerned gaze. Her voice dropped lower, "He kissed me."
"What." Tenzin stared at the young woman, unable to believe what she just said.
"Last night, when I went to make sure he was alright, I told him about Mako and me breaking up and he gave me advice and then asked me to leave and when I didn't he..." Korra babbled, breathless and anxious, wanting to get it off her chest. She had been tormenting herself all last night over his words, his posture, the feeling of his lips, "He kissed me."
The man turned his gaze to the clouds, lips pressed into a tight, thin line. The man felt as if one of his own daughters had been violated. His hand twitched on the Oogi's reins and, instantly, Korra slapped her hand over his wrist, gaining his attention. Shaking her head, Korra didn't meet his gaze as she muttered, "I'm a big girl, Tenzin. He didn't hurt me, just confused me a little."
Tenzin's eyes returned to Korra and he swallowed heavily, noting the expression on her face. Her calm, in itself, threw the airbender off. Briefly, he remembered how - not too long ago - she had been sobbing, from fear, in his arms. Suddenly, that time felt a long, long time ago. While Noatok was on her mind, maybe she had already figured this one out for herself, though. Tenzin wasn't sure if he wished to know the answer. Still, it was his duty as a mentor and guardian, "Are you still confused?"
The young woman's eyes glanced over her shoulder and, sensing a gaze on him, the scarred man turned to face her. Korra didn't snap her gaze away, but she was the first to break their stare. Turning back to Tenzin, she replied, "Is it OK if I sit back there with Noatok?"
The airbender tensed, his mind playing through all the potential scenarios that could happen from such an action. Taking a peek at Korra, however, made Tenzin relent. His shoulders sagged, "Yes, Korra, you may."
"Thanks for understanding, Tenzin." Korra smiled brightly, giving the man a crushing bear-hug that almost left him breathless, and then made her way to the back of the Bison's saddle.
"I don't understand," muttered the man to himself as he turned and watched Korra get closer to Noatok. The scarred man had perked up, eyebrows quirked inquiringly, and even from the distance, Tenzin could see some sliver of hope in Noatok's posture. Sighing, Tenzin faced forward and settled in his seat, "But I am willing to try."
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Noatok's eyes remained on Korra as she closed the distance between him and her. He felt his breath catch in his throat and wondered if, maybe, it was due to their altitude. As Korra got closer, he knew the height had nothing to do with it. Suddenly, Noatok was aware of Korra; her scent, her eyes on him, that half-grin that used to prick at his patience.
She settled down beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder. Tension soaked into his body and his mind couldn't make sense of the situation. She had been silent, veritably ignoring him, and now she was snuggling up to him for her friends and mentor to see. Noatok wasn't sure what to make of this.
His mind revolved around the fact that he and his brother were soon to stand trial for their crimes and it was likely they would be hanged. The thought made his mouth go dry and, though he knew he had to, Noatok sincerely didn't want to push Korra away in any fashion, "This path will only lead to pain, Avatar."
"I'm not unfamiliar with pain, Noatok." Korra looked up at the man, but he refused to meet her gaze. Shifting, she pressed her hand into his, but kept him bound. Korra would be causing enough scandal simply by being seen beside him; to have him freed would make it worse. Lacing her fingers between his, Korra murmured, "Let me help in what little ways I can, now."
The man finally brought his gaze to hers, feeling the lump in his stomach become even heavier. He simply nodded, unable to find the words he needed. Korra smiled, sadly, up at him and pressed her head against his shoulder again. Noatok soon pressed his head atop hers, closing his eyes, trying to memorize Korra's body heat, her scent, the feel of her fingers between his. The man realized that, while he accepted his life would be taken for his crimes before, he now ached for more time.
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