Alright, I didn't want to leave you guys hanging too long. I apologize for this being short, but I didn't want to drag it out too long.
Disclaimer: I do not own TLOK or its characters.
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Chapter Twelve: Closure
Korra hadn't slept all night. The evening before, "Tarrlok the Two-Faced" and "Amon the Terrorist" had been hung. She overheard the stories from acolytes and from members of the White Lotus as they passed outside her hall last night; so many proclaimed to have heard their necks snap, to watch them jig and dance on the air. It disgusted her, in a way.
Groaning, she sat up, her body sore from the time spent with Noatok. She could feel faint bruises beginning to form and she shivered at the thought of his hands imprinted upon her. She felt a stir of arousal in her lower tummy and she swung her legs over the side of her bed, stretching her arms over her head.
"Hey, get up, sleepy-butt." Korra reached over and swatted her companion.
Beside her, Noatok shifted under the covers, pulling the blanket over his head to ward off the sun that peeped in through the shutters and gave a grunt, "The dead don't get up."
"For a corpse, and an old guy, you get up fine." Korra smirked as Noatok brought the covers just over his nose, just enough to give her an icy glare. Tarrlok had shared what Noatok's weak-point in his pride was, last night, after the men had been executed. Korra stood and grabbed the blanket, yanking at it despite Noatok's firm hold, "C'mon, breakfast'll be ready soon. I'm starving."
Korra pouted, simply trying to bother Noatok now, while she halfheartedly tugged on the blanket. Though she was hungry, and delectable scents were heavy in the air, Korra felt a surge of energy with Noatok awake. There was plenty of ways to spend a morning and, after yesterday, Korra would be happy to simply laze about with him in bed. However, Tenzin had barely allowed the man to sleep in the same room as her; for the sake of her mentor's mind, Korra thought it best that she and Noatok at least show up for breakfast.
"Then you are free to go eat, Korra," Noatok replied, abruptly letting go of the blanket. Korra yelped and stumbled backward, thrown off balance by his release. He rolled over, pulling the pillow over his head to ward off the sun, "I am still feeling the after-effects of that bloodbending. You're far from a master."
In the light of the rising sun, Korra's eyes roved over Noatok's naked back. Pink, thin lines marred his back, from where her nails dug in, some going as far down as his hips. Besides that, there were a few scars - from stories yet to be told - and mouth-watering body structure. Her mind bumbled over last night, remembering the screams, the sweat, the moans, the tension of his muscles against her. A warmth began to flare in her lower tummy.
Crawling atop the man, Korra grinned as she felt him tense under her. Lifting the pillow up, the Avatar caught his earlobe in her mouth and gave it a gentle suck. He shifted, in response, and let out a soft groan. She smirked against his ear, before purring, "Gonna give me some lessons, then, Master Noatok?"
The man gave her a sidelong look and Korra's breath caught as she noted the fiery glint. Within a second, he looped his arm around her and switched their positions. Now atop her, Noatok's mouth on her neck, kissing and biting, Korra whimpered and squirmed beneath him, the fire in her belly burning red-hot.
Never in a million years would the man have thought he'd be in bed with the Avatar, let alone enjoying her company. After the events of yesterday - compiled into one exhausting day - Noatok felt an ungodly amount of appreciation for Korra. The young woman never gave up, never gave in, and she found a solution that - while sneaky - had given closure to Republic City and kept the bloodbending brothers alive. A definite juggling act if he had ever watched one.
Korra's fingertips trailed down his abdomen and a rush of blood hit his groin. He inhaled sharply, knowing it wasn't just a completely natural reaction to her teasing. The grin on her lips said more than enough as well.
"If you make another crack about my age or my abilities as a man, Korra," Grunted Noatok as the effects of her minor bloodbending became extremely apparent against her thigh. A mock scowl curved across his lips, juxtaposing Korra's amused grin, "I refuse to give you any pointers."
"I dunno, you're giving me a pretty big one right no-" Korra didn't have a chance to finish as Noatok rolled his hips against hers, a groan leaving her lips. A cocky smirk curled at the man's face as Korra's eyes lit up with insubordinate challenge. Once she could talk, Korra added, "What're you gonna do if I don't listen, old man? Spank me?"
Noatok dropped low to Korra, his lips against her ear and his body pinning her down to the bed. With his voice low, he growled into her neck, "Now, there's an idea."
The Avatar shuddered beneath him, heart pounding her her chest as they both decided, without words, to put off going to breakfast for a little while longer.
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Sitting outside, in the Airbender's fruit orchard, Kya and Tarrlok enjoyed breakfast among flying lemurs and the scents of berry-oranges. The former councilman was skimming over the morning's paper. On the front of the paper, a picture of his brother and himself, hanging from the gallows, was plastered across the page. The headline read: TWO-FACE AND TERRORIST DEAD. It was somewhat unnerving to see the picture. Caught in the shot were the two executioners, standing beside their levers. Now that he wasn't about to die, it almost seemed painfully obvious that Korra and Kya were under those black masks.
His body was still sore from being bloodbent by the two women, but he wasn't about to voice any complaints. Kya and Korra weren't masters, but the fact they had manage to pull off levitating the men just enough to keep them from suffocating or snapping their necks, was admirable. Both women were competent waterbenders and Tarrlok thanked his stars for that.
"So, what's your plan, Mr. Dead Guy?" Kya asked as she peeled her orange-apple. Her eyes flicked from the fruit to the man, eyebrows quirked inquiringly.
Tarrlok put his paper down, turning his eyes to the woman who sat across from him. Vaguely, he could see the seventeen-year-old he had crushed on so many years ago. Sitting straighter, Tarrlok shifted in his seat, "Well, I imagine I'm free to do just about anything. Travel the world or start anew somewhere. Perhaps become a politician elsewhere, though I may admittedly have to alter my appearance."
He motioned to his hair, a sort of icon to his appearance now. After a few years, Tarrlok presumed he'd be forgotten enough to not even be noticed, though. And, personally, he didn't wish to cut his traditional Water Tribe braids; they held memories of his mother and he felt he was severing a tie with her if he did cut his hair.
"I see." Kya leaned forward, bracing an elbow on the table and cupping her chin in her hand. Her blue eyes switched from the man to the orchard as she popped a piece of fruit into her mouth. Chewing on it slowly, the Water Tribe chief mulled over her thoughts, "Well, if you want to come to the Northern City again, I've no qualms against it."
"I have thought of visiting my mother." Tarrlok admitted, feeling guilty that he hadn't done it sooner.
"I'm sure she'd appreciate it, after those headlines." Kya nodded toward the paper, "We may a bit hard to reach, but news travels easily, nowadays."
Tarrlok felt his stomach somersault at the thought of his poor mother presuming Tarrlok was dead. He couldn't imagine how she was feeling if she even thought that Noatok had died on her again. Thinking about Noatok, Tarrlok's eyes turned to the airbender dormitories. His brother still hadn't roused from the Avatar's room. Then again, there were obviously reasons for that, which Tarrlok inclined to ignore.
It was eerie, realized Tarrlok, that the thought of his brother and the Avatar didn't seem so farfetched anymore. Even their tender moments, which were hard to imagine given the image Noatok had left on his mind, seemed natural.
Though, he was sure Tenzin had a few words to say against it.
Kya followed Tarrlok's gaze, catching the dormitories. Amusement flickered over her face, "I do hope you're not thinking of disturbing them, Tarrlok."
"Certainly not." Tarrlok cringed at the though, reliving his awkwardness from the prison cell as he brought his eyes back to Kya, "I was just wondering if my brother wished to see our mother as well."
"It's only fair," Kya replied, popping another piece of fruit into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed, before adding, "I think your mom deserves to see who you guys are dating, don't'ch think?"
Tarrlok's eyebrows rose a fraction of a hair, feeling a blush creep over his features. He remembered the tumble from last night, in the prison, and his ears burned hotly. The man hadn't thought much of it, presuming Kya was humoring an old crush and allowing him one last night of carnal pleasure before he died, "I don't believe I'm taken, however."
"Is that so, Mr. Moonfish?" Kya chuckled, far from annoyed. She stood and began walking off into the orchard with her breakfast. Tarrlok didn't move until Kya glanced at him over her shoulder, a half-lidded sultry look that sent tingles across his skin.
The man glanced down at the paper, at the headline, and shook his head with a wry smirk quirked onto his lips. He could finish the newspaper later. Getting up and pushing his chair in, Tarrlok strolled after Kya, in no apparent rush to catch up with her. He had the rest of his life to enjoy her company.
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Thanks for all the reviews and all the great compliments. :] I'm sorry if everything seems rushed, but this fanfic (and Redemption) began as nice ways for me to unwind.A lot of planning wasn't involved with either story.
That said, I have a few extra things I want to add to this story, but those will be one-shots, if they happen. Make sure to keep an eye on my tumblr - .com - if you're hungry for any more fanfiction from me. I'm playing with a few ideas.
Anyway, thanks again! I really enjoyed writing this story - though it was fairly short and slapdash - and I do hope everyone enjoyed reading it!
