A/N: Feedback of any kind is welcomed and appreciated! Enjoy!
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It wasn't even noon and she already felt that dull pounding at her temples. She sat cross-legged atop one of the many cushions in the dining room; Tenzin pacing across from her, Pema listening beside her and silently sipping at her tea. The door was closed, although the shadows dancing across the paper made her think the three airbending kids were listening closeby. It wouldn't be much of an effort because Tenzin seemingly relished the sound of his gruffly voice and made their conversation known throughout the Island.
Well, with whatever conversation this was when he did all the talking.
Korra braced herself with her hands behind her, leaning back with pursed lips. Since she was abruptly woken up by him just those handful of hours ago, he'd been doing nothing more than lecturing her.
It was a jumbled mess, of course. He was evidently frazzled and he was muttering to himself about one thing or another, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything in response. It'd only vex him further and she'd probably see that unflattering crimson tinting his face and the hairs bristling on his chin.
Besides, she was only half paying attention. Because if it was anything like her previous lecture with him, it was the same premise just this time, louder.
Tenzin took a deep inhale in and visibly released it when a moment of deafening silence lapsed over them. She was sure with how quiet it was, she could hear a drip from the tap fall into a water-filled cup from several rooms over.
Braving the chance to break the silence, Korra cleared her throat. "I'm guessing you already phoned my parents?" She asked softly. With the electricity in the air from the moment she woke up, she didn't know why she felt the need to ask that. It was obvious from her hasty bath shortly after having the unfortunate knowledge of that article that Tenzin wouldn't let this slide.
She didn't expect him to, but there was a little spark inside her that hoped he'd keep it between him and Pema. But no. Instead, she heard his voice carry down the halls, filled with frustration and fury, spilling everything that made him hate Tarrlok to her parents. As if they couldn't make their own assumptions without his bias.
"Mhm," he brusquely hummed in confirmation. "They're on the next ship over to Republic City, so don't think you and Tarrlok - especially Tarrlok - will be getting away with this without any reprimands. I doubt your father would allow this, just as I wouldn't." He paced back and forth, and given how long he's been doing so, just looking at him was making her headache even worse.
Korra rolled her eyes and pushed herself up to prop her elbows on the table. "Tenzin, for the last time, my dad will do enough damage as is. You don't need to do anything to Tarrlok. And I'm pretty sure whatever you want to do to him is because you already hate him." She said with a twitch of her brow.
Given the circumstances, it made much more sense for her dad to feel this type of anger towards Tarrlok rather than Tenzin. Because she was sure that the only reason why her mentor felt this way was due to his distaste for Tarrlok on the Council, and of course, this situation only added fuel to the fire. It was one thing for her father to do all the threatening - even though she didn't want him to since she grudgingly did care for Tarrlok - but it was completely another for Tenzin.
Besides, knowing her father, he'd probably get a kick out of scaring him, compared to Tenzin who would more than likely induce a mocking chuckle out of Tarrlok.
"Why are you defending him?" He prodded in return, stopping in his trek and gazing at her with hardened eyes.
"Because I-I… like him." Korra ended meekly.
Her airbending mentor rubbed his hands over his face in exhaustion. Another moment of silence fell upon them, but then Tenzin took a levelled breath in and glanced at her with tired eyes. "Explain to me again how this came to be exactly."
Korra lolled her head. She's said the story once hours ago, he more than likely stewed in his hatred for Tarrlok then, but she felt as though there was no need to draw this out even more than he already had.
With an exaggerated sigh, Korra kept her gaze on her already finished tea and recounted everything. How she came to Tarrlok in an idiotic request for him to teach her about seduction. How she wanted to learn because she wanted to be with Mako. How they went on supposed 'dates'. How she ended up starting to have feelings for him.
Everything.
Well, almost everything. A large part of her was reluctant to even mention the obvious notion that she'd been sleeping with Tarrlok for little more than a month, however, she didn't think she needed to say anything of the sort because Tenzin would probably be a mixture of a weeping man and a sputtering mess.
When she was done, Pema raised her brows as she cradled her cup of tea with one hand, while the other absentmindedly rubbed her swollen stomach. Deliberately quelled shock and maybe even strange curiosity crossed her features. She almost forgot this was the first Pema heard of it, considering Tenzin asked her to help him just in the previous hour… or had it been two already? Regardless, Korra chewed at her lower lip anxiously when the silence was nothing but overwhelming.
She wanted him to say something, anything, but all that was there was an expression of disappointment. Abruptly, he stroked his beard a few times. "And you thought going to Tarrlok would ease your curiosity?" He pressed quietly.
Korra met his gaze and sheepishly shrugged. She had to admit, it was a bit of a stretch when she thought about it in retrospect, but it wasn't like she had any real choice on who she could ask! She'd come to terms with that months ago, that she wouldn't be able to ask Tenzin or Pema or Lin or really any of her friends when she needed practice and it would only result in her feeling like a moron at the end of the day. If not from her lack of knowledge on the subject, then certainly for indulging in her curiosity for wanting to learn… well, and the fact that she didn't think she could easily practice on any of them without feeling utter embarrassment for doing so.
At least with Tarrlok, it was easy to pass her interest off as a way to pester him, and when he'd tease her about it, it wasn't difficult to get him back in his place. Then there was the fact that she had some eyecandy and he made it entertaining. It was something that was grueling to admit to herself even when they first began their lessons, but the longer that went on, the more she was at ease with the notion that he wasn't unpleasant to look at… or be in company with.
It was the complete opposite, really.
Tenzin released a chuckle and suddenly continued in his muttering just as she heard earlier that morning. Earlier, she couldn't make anything out, especially when he spoke with her parents. But now? Well, it was still a bit incoherent, but she caught a few things in the mess of grumbles. Such as, out of all people, why him? And, you might as well pack your things because you'll more than likely be taken back to the compound to get you away from him. It was nothing more than empty promises because she'd heard him mention relatively the same things the last time he lectured her, but it didn't make her roll her eyes any less. But then he uttered a, I can scrounge up a search warrant from Lin, we can arrest him then.
Taken aback, Korra narrowed her eyes towards the man. What? A search warrant? For what exactly? She knew he was taking it a bit far because as much as she was expecting Tenzin to practically screech for her modesty, Tarrlok's arrest wasn't one she had considered from him. From Lin, of course, but not him.
She always had this idea that he wouldn't say it outright, but silently agreed to Lin's idea, regardless.
Suddenly, Pema batted at Tenzin's arm to get his attention, and the longer she did so, his argument faded. "Wait, honey, I'd like to interject for just a moment," he nodded for her to continue, but then she narrowed her eyes towards Korra. It wasn't out of anything malicious, but her inquisitive gaze hardened a fraction. "Please tell me you guys haven't done anything on Air Temple grounds." She said just a little more than a whisper, almost pleading in a way.
Done anything on Air Temple grounds? Korra furrowed her brows, mouth opening to ask what the hell that meant, but then it registered. Mortification rushed through her. Resolutely closing her mouth shut, she felt her face grow hot and pointedly looked at anything other than the two people in the room. That must've sufficed because Pema wilted and glanced expectantly at Tenzin.
A combination of a hysterical laugh and a groan of disgust escaped him as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sweet merciful spirits, where did we go wrong?" He asked to no one in particular. "We need her bedroom cleaned out immediately."
Korra's face fell. "Whoa, okay now. Don't you think you're being unreasonable?" She questioned, the pitch in her voice cracking in mild panic. It wasn't the fact that they'd have to go through her belongings that terrified her, but more so what they'd find. Especially what was hidden in her underwear drawer. Surely, they wouldn't go through that, right?
"Unreasonable how?" Tenzin asked, folding his arms across his chest.
Korra scoffed. "Well, for one, you're invading my privacy by wanting my room cleaned out for no other reason other than Tarrlok being in there. And two, I'm capable of deciding whether or not I want to be with someone. I'm not a child."
"Yes, you are." His voice rose a fraction.
"I'm eighteen." She shot back tersely.
"Just because you're of legal age does not mean you can go philandering with my colleague. Spirits, Korra, there's a multitude of reasons why you shouldn't-"
Abruptly, the jarring sound of the door slid open and shook the walls around them, effectively - thankfully - intervened in Tenzin's rant. However, her luck quickly ran out when she caught sight of who it was. Mako and Bolin came rushing in, and Asami hurriedly attempted to keep up with their hasty strides until they were all standing beside her. "What the hell are you doing with that old guy?" Mako pressed incredulously.
Asami pulled Mako back with a jerk of her arm, almost annoyed in a way, though that was quickly replaced with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Korra. I tried to cover for you, but… it's kinda hard with the headlines…"
Korra smiled sheepishly in response. She had to admit, she and Tarrlok did set themselves up for failure, regardless of their intended lessons or not. But what she didn't understand was the fact that Mako was acting so possessive, as blatant and quelled as it had been. "No, no. It's okay, you've done enough already. Thanks," she said. Asami smiled back, but a slight shift to her left caught her eye.
Mako made an undignified noise at the back of his throat and shook his head in what Korra assumed to be disbelief. "Answer the question, why're you with Tarrlok?" He questioned.
"Are you with Tarrlok?" Bolin asked.
As much as she was cool and collected with Pema and Tenzin, the amount of people badgering her in such close quarters was overwhelming. Korra mouthed a few incoherent words, but nothing came out. Instead, she swept cerulean over the multitude of people around her. Pema sat shocked on her cushion and Tenzin was surprisingly quiet, while the other three - well, two, considering it was really only the brothers - looked as though they were on the cusp of either fainting, or following her out until they received a sufficient explanation.
But she couldn't even do that. After hours of listening to Tenzin, let alone the barrage of displeasure from everyone in the room, except for maybe a few, Korra couldn't do anything more than sit in her spot, rendered utterly speechless.
"Well?" Mako pressed, his voice growing louder. "Why are you ignoring us?" He asked.
"You know you can tell us!" Bolin added, but all Korra could feel was a mix of indignant and mortifying heat from the amount of people watching her.
Pema stood from her spot and moved about the room until she was attempting to usher the three of them out. "One at a time! You three, stay outside and we'll-"
Korra couldn't take it. Hurriedly, she stood up and slipped out of the room without a word.
"Korra!" She heard behind her, but fortunately no one came to follow her.
She just needed some place quiet to think. Since she woke up, she hasn't had a moment's time to simply wallow in what had transpired in the past twenty-four hours. Korra allowed her feet to carry her. With what was going on in the building behind her, she needed the brisk air rather than the stuffy warmth that nearly suffocated her in the dining room.
Cerulean caught sight of a ball of white curled up in a shed and immediately made a beeline with a sigh of relief. Naga's head lifted, her ears perked and her tail wagged in curiosity. Korra smiled, feeling the tautness in her muscles loosen, even a mere fraction.
"Hey, girl." She said, squatting down and running her fingers through Naga's soft fur. Abruptly, a large, wet tongue licked the side of her face and she could do nothing but giggle at her companion. "Yeah, I just need some peace and quiet."
The longer she remained at Naga's side, simply petting her sleepy companion and relishing in the brisk wind touseling her hair back and forth, Korra allowed her mind to wander. As reluctant as she was, she knew what lied ahead of her, and she knew it wasn't going to be easy.
When he saw the headlines, Tarrlok had an inkling no amount of yuans could hide this. He had a feeling it was too late to bribe some reporter or publication office to postpone any future articles said about them. At least with the first headline, it could be dismissed as them simply indulging in a night of drinking.
Were there any budding emotions? Were they merely sharing a night at a speakeasy as nothing more than inebriated companions? Perhaps.
This, however, was different.
The signals were flagrant, their body language - even printed in black and white - was enough to suggest something risque was going on between them. The disheveled appearance, let alone the obvious kiss, Tarrlok knew he'd have to accept whatever fate the spirits induced on him. Was it the spirits cursing him? Was it his father? Surely, it was, right?
Dread coursed through his veins as he leisurely sipped at his coffee. It truly didn't register in his mind the gravity of the situation until he went to work later that morning. Some reporters lingered around his home, while a few others pestered him at the front of City Hall, however, he easily avoided their questions by slipping past them. Blatantly so.
He had to wonder how Korra was taking all of this. Not just the headlines itself, but certainly the onslaught of inquiries from her peers, and the attention it brought them. Given who she spent her time around, he was almost sure they were having a fit. Especially Tenzin. He had to admit, as much as the situation was daunting on the grand scale, he was utterly amused by envisioning the bald man's face.
Regardless, Tarrlok wasn't a stranger to reporters from scandalous magazines asking about his love life - he relished the attention, actually - although, this was a different situation. She was the Avatar.
Tarrlok knew at the back of his mind that this day would inevitably come. He'd even prepared himself for it since the day she proposed her idea on these lessons. That Tenzin and Lin would be after him. That it'd be a sizable shock to those in the city. It was one of the reasons as to why he was reluctant in accepting her surprising offer, though even he knew, his feelings for her was what compelled him to take on the challenge.
At the time, Tarrlok acknowledged her emotions for that firebender outweighed how she felt about him. Truly, he was shocked that she even came to him for such matters instead of barging into that firebender's arms and taking it into her own hands, yet he couldn't bring himself to not take advantage of indulging in his sick fascination with her then. Perhaps it was considered a punishment on his end for feeling the things he did for her.
Now, those emotions he hid deep in his stomach intensified tenfold. Perhaps it was due to that, that caused their facade to slip, even just a fraction.
When he situated himself at his desk, work had been nothing but difficult and fruitless. If not from the constant scrambling and skittering of his page outside his office doors, then certainly the way his mind couldn't focus on the tasks at hand. He knew this would be the case, but sitting at home and wallowing in his thoughts wouldn't be a great use of his time… Well, neither was it as he leaned back into his chair with a slight creak. His attention for permits quickly waned and it was all he could to do simply stare in thought at his already empty cup of coffee.
Tarrlok was pulled out of his reverie when he duly noted Tenzin didn't arrive at work until late in the afternoon, something of which caused a brow to quirk up due to the fact that Korra had been halfheartedly trailing behind him. Merely one glance at the young Avatar, and he was certain Tenzin had been lecturing her for the better part of the morning… or perhaps day, considering the dark rings underneath her eyes. Her face was indecipherable, placid, yet her body screamed she wanted nothing more than to slip away and hide under a rock for much of the year.
He wanted to reassure her that these things would eventually fade - the gossip, the scandal, the articles written about their every move - but given the evidently rough day she had, he opted to hold his tongue.
Despite everything, he offered a diplomatic smile towards his colleague. The pleasantries didn't matter because Tenzin was unfazed to his veneer and more crossed than ever. The bald man quickly uttered that the Avatar's parents would be arriving in two days' time from the South and that his attendance was heavily requested for a dinner hosted at the Air Temple to discuss the circumstances with them. With the tone in his voice that was completely firm, the question, I am?, threatened to spill from Tarrlok's mouth in nothing short of a taunt.
He managed to refrain and simply nodded when Tenzin gave him more details, but he left it at that. The look on the older man's face was of quelled rage as he outright glared at Tarrlok from across his desk. Truthfully, it was entertaining. An inappropriate cackle nearly escaped him, though before he could stifle it, Tenzin was already leaving with Korra reluctantly following.
She offered him an apologetic expression before closing the doors behind her, pausing just for a moment while Tarrlok smiled in response. It must've been all the reassurance she needed because the slightest tinge of pink dusted her ruddy cheeks.
However, as time passed quickly, he had to admit, he'd been dreading this day.
It wasn't necessarily Korra's parents that had him apprehensive about meeting them - he's had no issues in the past with meeting his partner's parents, and all of them loved him from what he could recall, in fact. But no. It was the situation in itself that had him fingering the hem of his vest anxiously as he met Korra at the docks.
She looked ravishing. She'd changed into something much more formal than her usual sweats - a silk ivory button-down tucked into black trousers - as her hair was woven into a single braid. However, it was obvious by her stance and the fidgeting of her cuffs that she was ill at ease.
A tense silence enveloped them, as if they were walking to their deaths, and as much as he wanted to whisper something put her mind at rest into her ear, he couldn't bring himself out of his own musings.
Odd was it that he'd never experienced this much dread and anxiety welling up in his veins when he thought back to the times he had met a partner's loved one. But then again, this was a completely different circumstance from merely courting someone outright.
He considered the situation from afar. That he accepted her request in teaching her about seduction. That he accepted her advances, despite knowing he shouldn't. That he was sleeping with the Avatar. That he inevitably felt an accumulation of emotions stirring in the pit of his stomach for her.
Tarrlok nearly sighed aloud, though stifled it by focusing on walking forward with Korra alongside him.
As they passed the threshold of the dining room, Tarrlok immediately caught sight of who he'd be dining with for the night. Tenzin and Pema sat beside one another on one end, while presumably Korra's parents on another. Her mother - strikingly - resembled Korra. Hair braided and cerulean just as Korra's, Tarrlok swallowed over the lump in his throat nervously as he shifted his gaze towards the burly man beside her. He had a pointed beard that mirrored Tenzin's and long hair that was pulled into a half ponytail, while his arms crossed and a deliberate scrutinized stare bore holes into his soul.
Before they took their seats, Korra cleared her throat and scratched at her nape anxiously. "Mom, dad… this is Tarrlok. Tarrlok, this is my mom, Senna, and my dad, Tonraq." She introduced stiffly, gesturing towards her parents. The urge to run a comforting hand down her back was overwhelming, though he refrained. If not to preserve what unspoken formalities were hanging in the air, then certainly because Tenzin and Tonraq were glowering at him.
Given the circumstances, he couldn't even bring himself to feel ire rising in his blood. He was expecting it at this point.
Instead, he reassumed the polite and charismatic veneer he held for the public and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you." He said, bowing to them in greeting as Korra sat upon an elaborate cushion.
"Charmed." Senna said, bowing in return with the slightest tinge of pink coloring her cheeks. He had to wonder if this was who Korra got that from, the almost constant flushing, though he held his tongue. With a shift of his pale blue, he duly noted Tonraq had yet to unfold his arms and return the favor. The other man tilted his head back and hardened his gaze towards him. At the abrupt moment of awkward silence, Senna smacked her hand toward his chest, and tersely uttered, "Honey, don't be like that."
Tonraq merely shrugged. "Like what?"
Uneasily, Tarrlok took his seat beside Korra, just as she took a sip of her tea.
"Fucking hell, this is so awkward." She muttered into her drink. It was nearly inaudible, though considering it'd been unnervingly quiet, the whole table heard.
"Language," Tarrlok and Tonraq reprimanded at the same time.
His blood froze and nearly paled at the fact that this was even happening in the first place. Pale blue glanced at Tonraq's that were mere slits, full of suspicion and venom. Korra rubbed her face and groaned aloud.
Before he could respond, Pema cleared her throat and forced a sheepish smile. "H-how about we start with dinner, yeah?" Hastily, she waved someone in, and in a matter of seconds, a variety of Air Nomad food was splayed out for their convenience.
It seemed that food was all it took for that uneasy electricity hanging in the air to dissipate. Because shockingly, the dinner wasn't as uncomfortable as he expected it to be. The start of it was uncomfortable in ways that he knew everyone in the room had knowledge of what happened between him and Korra. His muscles were pulled taut as he spooned his curry, however, it was more due to the two pairs of eyes glaring daggers at his head and the difficulty to gauge how he could make this situation turn for the better.
With past lovers, it was easy to put up that facade in regards to their parents, or really any loved one, because most stories about him were in his favor, unlike this one. However, he understood why they'd be wary of him. He was one of Tenzin's colleagues - one that was hated by him, of course - a man of thirty-eight that was only a handful of years younger than her parents, and given the circumstances, it appeared as if he were taking advantage of Korra for nothing more than sex.
While he did relish it, his feelings for her went deeper than something as superficial as that. As for Korra, he had an inkling of how she felt in regards to him, yet he didn't want to assume with his own judgment and hopes plaguing him for the better part of these lessons.
They spoke of the obvious, what exactly happened and how this came to be. A flush of mortification burned at Korra's cheeks as they switched explaining things, while heat slowly crawled up his neck. However, it seemed the spirits held a shred of mercy in this one occurrence, because Senna eased the conversation and brought up some other topics. Much more intimate in a way that was personal rather than simply the rhino-elephant in the room.
Truthfully, it was strange that he was talking of his personal endeavors in front of Tenzin. He vaguely regarded him, considering he was speaking more to Korra's parents, however, Pema sat seemingly undecided beside a vexed Tenzin. He never indulged in speaking such matters in front of his colleague that had no intention of knowing him on a personal level, so he kept it at that.
The longer they ate and spoke to one another, the more Tarrlok could confidently conclude that her parents were warming up to him. Of course, not Tenzin, and Tonraq still seemed hesitant to trust him, though Senna was cackling with Korra and Pema as he mentioned a few stories from his travels around the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. Let alone stories of a disgruntled Tenzin from the first few months he was elected onto the Council.
It seemed his experience schmoozing to foreign dignitaries and those in the upper crest around the world worked in his favor, because he felt his nerves ease as he ate his food alongside Korra. He couldn't be completely sure, but judging from the atmosphere that lightened considerably, he had to stifle the smile threatening to tug at the corners of his lips.
Even the young woman beside him seemed much more at ease with the dinner than when it began. Korra didn't mention anything of the sort, but he could feel her heartbeat quiet in content as time passed relatively quickly during dinner. Not completely so, but it was vastly less frantic compared to the moment he stepped foot on the Island. He took that as a good sign, though he preferred to hear it on his own from the two at the opposite end of the table.
Feeling prickles on his legs from the lack of circulation and shifting his position on the cushion beneath him, Tarrlok finished the last morsels of his sweet buns and took a healthy gulp of his tea. A relatively comfortable silence lapsed over them - except for the gloomy cloud that still hovered over Tenzin, although he knew that wouldn't waver in the slightest anytime soon and tried to ignore him - as he furtively observed Korra finishing the last of her rice.
As much as he shouldn't, he felt something warm well up in him. Perhaps it was because there were people that mattered to Korra around him. Or perhaps it was the intimacy of the dinner itself, he wasn't sure, but content slowly surged in his veins the longer his gaze strayed on Korra spooning her food and absentmindedly tucking the stray tendrils that loosened from her braid behind an ear. It was still a long way to feel completely comfortable around these people - especially her parents if this was something she wanted to continue - but he couldn't deny the warmth bubbling in him.
"Tarrlok, how about you walk with me." Tonraq interjected resolutely, his baritone bringing Tarrlok out of his musings.
"Of course," he said. The other man was already making his way out of the warm room, while Tarrlok snuck a sip of his tea - simply to quench what dryness was there at the dreaded conversation - and Korra placed a reassuring hand on his bicep. He'd press a kiss to her cheek if it weren't for the others in the room, however, to save their eyes from the sight, he responded with a nonplussed smile.
He stood from his spot and made his way to meet Tonraq leaning against the door frame of the entrance to the Air Temple. Easily, they moved in step past the White Lotus guards and out into the darkness.
The glow of the city past the bay hazily radiated to the Island. Warm lanterns were lit to illuminate the several paths, and as much as he didn't want to admit it because it was more than likely Tenzin's doing, the sight of these lanterns swaying ever so slightly to the wind caused his nerves to relax, despite knowing full well the gravity of the impending conversation.
Gravel crunched beneath their weight as they simply strolled down a dimly lit path, the only sound greeting their ears, before Tonraq took a large inhale. "Look, we don't need to dance around the topic. From what happened at the beginning of dinner, I know you explained it well, but that was also in front of everyone. I've seen the article and what Tenzin told me. I have a brother who's well acquainted with you in the North, I've heard stories about you through him and other people and now from you… you and I are relatively around the same age, and I'm not saying I don't have any assumptions, but I'd like to hear it from you." Tonraq said, keeping his eyes trained to the winding path ahead of them. "What are your intentions with my daughter?" He asked.
Tarrlok considered his words carefully with a slight pout. "I'm not out to hurt her or take advantage of her, if that's what you're asking. As much as Tenzin makes me out to be, I care deeply for Korra and want what's best for her. I genuinely want to help and guide her throughout her troubles."
"So why all the secrecy?" Tonraq questioned, his baritone softening a fraction.
Mindlessly following the other man, Tarrlok just noticed they were doing nothing more than leisurely walking the perimeter of the Island judging by the constant, reassuring sound of waves crashing beneath them at his side.
Why all the secrecy? The answer should've been obvious, considering their positions of power and who exactly wasn't fond of him, yet Tarrlok held his tongue. There were numerous factors at play that made both him and Korra choose to keep their relations hidden. It was the press, the people they knew, let alone the implications that would undoubtedly be misconstrued and exaggerated.
"For one, Tenzin." He answered bluntly.
A chuckle left the man beside him. "You have to understand, he's like a second father to her. We've known him since the White Lotus confirmed she was the Avatar."
"I-I do understand, but it's difficult to get anything through to him when he already has unfavorable opinions about me that, I feel like, can't be changed." Tarrlok said with a shrug.
"And I don't?" Tonraq retorted, offering him an indecipherable sidelong glance.
With his thoughts stuttering for a moment, Tarrlok's mouth opened a fraction. "I…" He drawled foolishly.
Abruptly, the other man released a hearty cackle and shoved Tarrlok with a harsh push at his shoulder. He held back a wince and stumbled over his feet before quickly righting himself. "I'm just messing with you." Tonraq said, his voice full of amusement, though Tarrlok was sure there was the slightest bit of delight in the shove due to the fact that he could outright reprimand him if there were any ill emotions he felt. So that's where she gets it from, he thought sardonically. When a relatively comfortable silence fell upon them, Tonraq egged him on. "Go on, I'm listening."
Tarrlok inhaled and licked his lips. "Another reason being I'm more than certain people would make up their assumptions about our relationship. That I coerced her, or I'm taking advantage of her, or I'm using her as some ploy to gain more power… I mean, you said you did."
"Of course, I did. It's hard not to since we first heard about it from the papers and Tenzin, and not from either of you." He responded.
"Precisely that." Tarrlok smoothed a hand down the soft material of his vest.
Another lapse of silence rushed over them, although this time, Tonraq stopped in his stroll at one of the pathways leading back to the Air Temple that caused Tarrlok to halt as well. "Listen, I don't care what you guys do as long as I don't see it. That goes the same for Senna. She's our only daughter and you know her being the Avatar only warrants a lot more stress from our ends than what I can imagine any normal family has to go under. There's a lot of people out in the world who want to hurt the Avatar- I mean, Republic City is almost in a war because of a man who wants to hurt her." Tarrlok nodded, all too aware of the fact. "I'm not saying to take care of her, I'm sure you know she's fully capable of defending herself… but if you hurt her, there will be problems." Tonraq threatened, his voice both soft and insistent despite the roughness.
Out of apprehension, or merely at the fact that Tonraq was outright threatening him, Tarrlok released a terse chuckle and placed his hands in his pockets. "Trust me, she'd be more than willing to do all the battering herself."
The other man laughed and shrugged noncommittally in response, though, before he turned around to continue their leisurely stroll, he folded his arms across his broad chest and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, studying him for a moment. "Just answer me one more question before you can calm down." Tarrlok pressed his lips in a firm line, uneasiness prickling at his nerves once more. "I know things are just starting out between you and Korra… but do you love her?"
There was a combination of dread and hope in the other man's tone, but Tarrlok attempted not to dwell on that. Instead, he thought of Korra. Their time together, while most of it wasn't necessarily a serious relationship of sorts, he did feel those emotions welling up inside him that the longer this continued, the less he felt the need to restrain himself from saying so.
However, the one thing he was worried about was her reaction. It was obvious when she first started feeling some flicker of attraction towards him, let alone when he brought up what their ambiguous relationship meant to her in the showers, that she didn't relish speaking about such matters aloud. She was fond of keeping the illusion of mystery and charm and the vague meaning of their relations hanging in the air, and rather indugle in the moment. Would she run in mortification? Would she merely smile and kiss him in an unspoken acceptance of his confession?
Despite his hesitancy in speaking with Korra about it, he nodded. "I do."
No matter how much she tried to sit still, she couldn't stop her limbs from restlessly shifting as Tarrlok and her father were gone walking to who-knows-where. They were gone for a while, the silence settling over the three others in the room was, in all honesty, getting a bit stuffy.
Pema must've noticed because she tapped at Tenzin's wrist and nodded for him to follow in her movements in clearing the table of the used dishes and utensils, until it was only her and her mom left in the warm room. She couldn't make any assumptions, but judging how the night panned out, she hoped it quelled whatever misconceptions were brewing in their minds.
She also hoped she wouldn't have to be bending her way into the deep depths of the ocean to save Tarrlok from being thrown in a fit of anger from her father. She doubted that'd happen at this point, but there was still something small lingering at the back of her mind.
A few terse chuckles were released from her mom that pulled Korra out of her musings.
A simple, and teasing, he's nice, left her mom as she smiled into her cup of refilled tea. Korra rolled her eyes in response. Of course he's nice, he's supposed to be nice to people he's not working with… but, she had to digress. He had his moments and she really shouldn't be insulting him after he schmoozed his way into calming the storm she expected would occur. There were unspoken words hanging in the air that made her think her mom wasn't opposed to Tarrlok, after all. After the night of laughter and blushing over dinner, Korra knew they weren't completely against him.
It warmed her heart, despite Tenzin's sulking.
Her mom seemed to leave it at that, smiling and standing from her spot, before placing a comforting hand gently over her own. We're still a bit wary of him, but just know we're more upset that you decided to hide all of this instead. We know why you did it, and we know Tenzin is a bit overbearing because he works with him, but we're always a phone call away if you want to talk, okay? Korra uttered a soft, thanks, in response, feeling her cheeks prickle with heat since this was completely perplexing. That her parents were even the slightest bit lenient in regards to her escapades with Tarrlok, rather than seething like Tenzin was a few days ago.
Korra had to wonder what happened during dinner that caused her mom to say such things. But then she decided she didn't want to test fate and immediately abandoned her questions. Her mom cradled her cup of tea and stood at the threshold of the room, glancing out towards the entrance of the Air Temple. I see your father, so you and Tarrlok can have your time alone. Tell him to come over anytime he wants… both here and in the South.
Mom! She yelped, flushing fiercely as Senna hastily exited the area.
She was left utterly alone and she vaguely heard the sound of her father's voice mingling with Tarrlok's, a few chuckles strewn in the mix, Korra couldn't make out what they were saying. Instead, she stood in the same spot her mom did and leaned against the doorframe.
She waited, cerulean straying on the sight of Tarrlok smiling and gesturing with his right hand, while her dad nodded and smacked a hand to his bicep. Even from afar, she could see Tarrlok stifling whatever pain he felt, because he tensed for a fraction of a second.
Korra smiled. What a baby.
When they were done, her father and Tarrlok reentered the Air Temple, but her dad quickly made his way to the kitchen, as Tarrlok stopped directly at her front. "Hey," she greeted softly, chewing at her lower lip.
Tarrlok smiled in response. "Walk with me?" He asked.
She nodded and followed alongside him as they left the Air Temple. Absentmindedly, Korra allowed her feet to carry her as the glow of the swaying lanterns cast a warm sensation deep within her nerves. It had stirred since Tarrlok managed to sweet-talk and charm her parents - more so her mom, given the expression on her father's face at the time - and that he was putting in a great deal of effort for them to like him, despite how quickly their situation disintegrated.
It was strange, due to the fact that she observed him during the dinner with nothing short of astonishment and mild arousal rushing in her veins. He seemed like he wanted to fix this mess, even though Tenzin occasionally shot a few glowers at the man beside her.
Korra had to wonder, was it simply just because he loved the favorable attention on him, instead of what's been going on the past few days of incessant pestering? Was it because he loved people flocking to him in awe and a flustered mess? Or was it genuine? That he wanted their approval because of her.
Considering the man walking alongside her, he stood tall and proud, although it was significantly toned down enough that it was just Tarrlok beside her. Not Councilman Tarrlok. Just Tarrlok.
Spirits, what happened during that walk? They were gone for little more than thirty minutes, but when they returned it appeared as though they were already shook her head and abandoned the thought, merely indulging in the sense of closeness and warmth tingling between them.
It wasn't until they reached the meditation pavilion, sitting themselves upon the steps and listening to the crashing waves of the Mo Ce Sea just behind them, that Tarrlok broke the pleasant silence. "What's on your mind?"
Korra shrugged nonchalantly, sheepishly. In all honesty, a lot. After two days of constant badgering from Tenzin and Mako, she felt that the end of this dinner was in a lot of ways refreshing. She was expecting it to pan out just as how it began - a complete mess and awkward shitshow - but it wasn't. Of course, it was thanks to him, but she really was grateful that he managed to sway them so quickly.
"A lot. I mean, you know, the obvious." She answered.
"Mn," he nodded.
Korra fingered the tight cuffs of her button-down, relishing the ivory silk underneath her fingertips with a mind wandering relentlessly in exhausted circles. Wilting, she released a sigh and turned to fully face him. "I just- I want to apologize for getting us in this mess. If it wasn't for me wanting to learn about seduction and wanting Mako and screwing you instead and getting us caught for being a shit liar and super careless and-" she blurted all in one breath.
"Korra," Tarrlok interjected softly.
"I… um," she wilted even further and blinked dumbly. "What?"
He propped his elbows on his knees, the movement causing her to glance at his dangling hands, before easily meeting pale blue glinting attractively from the warm lanterns gently swaying around them. "You don't need to apologize. I'm part of the blame as well. This isn't a one-way street, so to speak, and I hate to make you think this was entirely you. I agreed and I could've backed out, but I didn't."
Korra nodded at his words. "Yeah…" She drawled. Cerulean searched his face. It was odd that he was as transparent as he was. He usually held a smirk or his tone would sway the conversation in another direction, but at this moment, he wore his heart on his sleeve. It was a bit disorienting to regard him in such a way, that he was gazing at her with unrelenting warmth that she tried to dismiss in the past, simply to keep herself from falling quickly, but it was there. Blatantly. Her heart pounded against her chest at the overwhelming intimacy. She leaned forward a fraction, intending to follow it up with a kiss, though she stopped herself and awkwardly chuckled. "I hope my dad wasn't too harsh. He can be a bit overbearing,"
"A bit?" He teased.
And there that smirk was. Back to teasing her.
Korra rolled her eyes and leaned against the step above the one they were sitting on. "Hey, if it makes you feel better, my mom likes you, despite everything." She matched his smile.
That smirk grew into an outright toothy grin as he straightened his spine and ran his hands down the front of his vest. "Well, I do tend to have a way with women, if I do say so myself." He said, the unspoken words hanging in the air that he was also regarding her, considering she slept with him repeatedly.
Scoffing, Korra poked his bicep sharply. "Yeah, well, it's probably because you smell like one."
"You've never had any qualms about it." He quipped, discreetly rubbing the wounded area.
With a pout, Korra broke her gaze from his and surveyed the dimly lit pathways ahead of them. "Shut up."
A brusque exhale escaped him in amusement. "Really, though, I understand why your father's protective. Well, both of your parents, actually. You're the Avatar, you're their only daughter, so it makes sense why they'd feel the need to be overbearing with you… Besides, your father even confirmed their perception of me was biased because of Tenzin, so I have to tred lightly, regardless."
Korra chuckled and met his eyes once more. "Tenzin did give them an earful a few days ago. I couldn't hear most of it, but I did hear him muttering a lot into the phone." Tarrlok shook his head, though he tucked the few stray tendrils at the side of her face behind her ear. Feeling herself flush from the uncharacteristically gentle gesture, Korra chewed at her lower lip. "So… what did my dad want to talk to you about?" She asked slowly.
Tarrlok shrugged before leaning back and bracing his elbows on the step above them. "Besides the obvious of wanting to know what my intentions are with you, we just… talked. A little bit of politics, what I've done with work. Stories of what I know with his brother. He even mentioned something about staying a bit longer just to see the city, but I'm sure it's because he's still suspcious of me." He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest that despite hearing it numerous times, it still caused lances of heat to run up her spine.
She harrumphed in response. "Yeah, my dad loves the South, so I'm pretty sure he just wants to keep an eye on you." She teased.
"Well that certainly reassures me." Silence fell upon them and she couldn't bring herself to break it. It was odd. She used to hate the silence when she was with him because she knew at the back of her mind he was either internally picking her apart, or forming some scheme to use her as a prop for his public image. But now? Spirits, it was a blessing in disguise, considering he never seemed to shut his mouth… well, except for the night they were discovered, that is.
Regardless, her musings were cut short when Tarrlok gently grasped her hand in his larger one and absentmindedly traced indecipherable patterns with the pad of his thumb.
"I do have to admit, the night turned out better than I expected. Since Tenzin threatened me in my office, I've been dreading making an appearance for this dinner because I was sure it'd end in screaming and food thrown about, or me being tossed into the ocean."
Korra couldn't stop the laughter bubbling at the back of her throat. "I was kinda expecting that, too. Especially when you came in. Did you see my dad's face?" She mimicked the expression; her brows knitted, eyes narrowed to mere slits, and a grim scowl downturning her mouth until her cheeks ached from attempting to stifle the mirth welling up in her.
"I was sure he wanted me dead." Tarrlok shook his head with an amused smile.
"Well, yeah. Tenzin told them you were doing 'scandalous' things to me."
He scoffed. "Leave it to Tenzin to overexaggerate."
"Was he, though?" She teased. After all their couplings and escapades, even she knew from an outside perspective that what they've been doing was considered scandalous. Especially with them being public figures. She had no doubt that some reporter would linger around the docks across the bay with a pair of binoculars or his home and try to find any little piece of this new scandal to their advantage.
An endearing pout pulled at his features as Tarrlok tilted his head to the side. "Fair point."
She didn't know how long they simply sat upon the wooden steps of the meditation pavilion, but she couldn't deny that that spark of warmth stirred the longer they talked. It was of inconsequential things. Of indulging in the calming sound of the waves, of the wind, of the leaves rustling around them as Tarrlok absentmindedly unbound her braid and toyed with her wavy hair. No matter how she looked at it, there was enough content coursing in her veins that she could've been lulled to sleep just being there beside him.
However, just as she felt herself dozing off, Tarrlok broke the silence. "As much as I love what we've been doing and how this night went, I'd like to know where we stand…" He whispered. "Or rather, if you want to continue this."
Korra glanced up at him. "Like the lessons?" She asked sheepishly, the pitch in her voice growing higher as she ended.
He smiled. "You know what I mean."
Korra didn't have to think much on the subject, because she'd been dwelling on it for the better part of the two days. When Tenzin lectured her, when her friends - more so the brothers - badgered her, let alone the moment her parents stepped foot on the Island. Even during dinner, she couldn't stop her thoughts from wandering.
It was difficult not to.
"Yeah, I want to continue this. You know, I'd tell you if I don't… or I'd probably pummel you until you stopped." She released a soft snicker as his nails scraped ever so slightly against her scalp, a shiver tingling down her spine. "As for where we stand… I have a lot of feelings for you. I don't know how to express it right without sounding like a dumbass, so don't even ask. I honestly don't know how you managed that when I wanted Mako at first, but I do like you…"
Tarrlok's brows rose at her words. "Just like?" He teased.
"Don't push it, bub. My parents are still here, I could call them to beat you up." They both laughed, though she was sure his held some fear that outweighed the amusement, or at least matched it. She doubted it'd melt away anytime soon, she knew damn well her father was terrifying, even to a few of the White Lotus guards at the compound and here on the Air Temple were afraid of him. "What about you?"
"I thought I made my feelings abundantly clear,"
Korra shrugged and coyly cocked her head to the side. "You have, but you haven't said it outright which is surprising, considering you can't seem to shut up, even during foreplay." She said, her voice little more than a whisper and held more mischief than she felt in the last few days. Tarrlok cracked a trifling smile, though as she leaned forward, her lips brushed his and instead of taking the bait, he pulled back a fraction.
Strange.
However, one glance into his eyes, there was something glimmering in his irises. Warmth, of course, was there, but it was definitely something more than just that and she knew she's seen it in the past. Many times in the past, actually. He opened his mouth and looked as if he wanted to say something, but he ultimately closed it and instead, pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. It was quick enough that she didn't even have time to reciprocate, but when he pulled away, he merely uttered, "Walk with me to the docks."
They stood up, Korra stretching and hearing those cracks and pops of her body evidently aching from leaning against the steps.
The night had been a wavering success. She honestly didn't expect it to turn out the way it did because Tenzin proposed the idea to her parents. At first, he was gloating at the fact that he could finally get a jab at Tarrlok - even through the blatant ire - but she had to wonder how her mentor felt now that she was outright canoodling his colleague out in the open. The image alone didn't sit right with her in her mind, but it did offer some solace, given he was adamant about lecturing her for the better part of a whole day.
She wrapped an arm around Tarrlok's waist as he draped an arm around her shoulders and made their way to the docks. A part of her couldn't deny that as much as it felt right and comforting to do this without needing to be wary of their surroundings, the furtive glances between a few of the White Lotus guards had her feeling heat tickling her cheeks.
Avoiding them, she glanced up at Tarrlok's profile, duly noting his freshly shaved jawline, the crispness of his button-down against her skin, and even the different ornaments tied within his hair. Spirits, he really cleaned himself up for this dinner. She smiled when he met her gaze and leaned in for a featherlight kiss.
It was when they reached the docks that he fully turned towards her. Not many words were exchanged, surprisingly, but she could read the raw emotions in his pale blue. In all honesty, she didn't trust herself to speak, considering how much things changed in the span of a few hours.
Stretching on the tips of her toes, Korra captured his lips in a kiss, before settling back. "Goodnight, Councilman." She teased.
—-
A/N: Wowie so fluffy :')