A/N: Sorry for the slight delay, I had surgery recently and I wasn't able to strain my eyes that much so I couldn't work on this as much as I'd liked to.
Feedback of any kind is welcomed and appreciated! Enjoy!
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There was no other way to go about this, and Korra had to admit, nervousness was coursing through her veins. She tried not to let it show so blatantly, but she couldn't stop herself. As disgusting as it was, her palms were slightly sweaty, and her booted foot tapped hastily against the floor to the beat of the jazz as she waited for Tarrlok. She checked the clock on the wall, ten minutes to nine in the evening.
Well, it was a good thing that she came here early and waited for Tarrlok than the other way around, she guessed.
A part of her was shocked that Tenzin even allowed her to go out at this time of night. She uttered some fib about hanging out with Team Avatar at an unnamed restaurant, but it didn't seem to matter when he was distracted with other affairs. Really, he made it all the more easy for her to sneak away from under his thumb because even the White Lotus guards seemed to have either gone to sleep early or weren't there at all, which was strange. Taking a stray napkin in her hand, she recalled their lesson at the cafe and mimicked Tarrlok's instruction.
Odd was it that the roles were, in some ways, reversed, she had to ponder sardonically.
She took up a relatively private booth, curved just enough for a party of four even though it was only for her and Tarrlok. It was comfortable, leather seats that no doubt would stick to her thighs if it was summer in the city rather than the beginnings of winter. From her vantage point, it unnerved her that this was still quite open for prying eyes, since this was something she opted to hide from the public despite their outings, but she was committed, adamant.
Privacy was something she evidently couldn't get when she was the Avatar, especially one taking the time out of her long list of commitments to spend time with one of Republic City's Councilman. And of course, the fact that the speakeasy was filled to the brim with locals which either offered them some form of seclusion or were still completely open.
Regardless, she tried to ease her mind by focusing on the music.
At her front, upbeat jazz boomed from the band playing a few tables over - trumpets and saxophones and drums playing loudly as a woman occasionally stepped up to the microphone to sing - and countless patrons took the opportunity to grab a dance partner, hastily swaying and deftly moving to the beats. It amazed her that people moved the way they did. So synchronized without much practice, and in all honesty, it looked utterly fun. Completely divergent was it from the traditional dances from the South, that it intrigued her wholly.
She always wanted to dance to this type of music, usually doing so in the privacy of her bedroom as she listened to the radio late at night, but she guessed it'd be refreshing to have a partner. Especially one she could laugh at in the process.
To her left, a few bartenders poured various drinks, bottles of contrasting colors collecting dust behind them. It was tempting, to say the least, wanting to drown herself in alcohol, because what a mindwarp, and how completely exhausted was she that she had to deal with Mako and Tarrlok simultaneously. But she had to refrain, at least, until Tarrlok arrived.
Wickedly, a smile curved her lips at the thought. She was curious as to how he'd handle cactus juice.
At the time, Korra assumed it would do them both good for some fun, considering the gravity of their situation. Of course, it was all in her head, because why would Tarrlok consider her as anything but an annoyance? If anything, maybe he tolerated her. She was obviously making their predicament a hell of a lot more complicated and embarrassing than he was. Soon after, she certainly received an answer, and then some, with their impromptu lesson in his office. As much as she tried, playfulness and mischief would come easily to her - more so out of her morbid curiosity - but it felt as though something serious always followed behind them at every moment of progress.
She chalked it up to the fact that it was just Tarrlok being a stick in the mud, but that didn't feel quite right. She knew quite a few stuffy old men and women from her time at the compound, most were from the White Lotus, but Tarrlok wasn't on their level of utter blandness.
Completely the opposite, really.
At least, he was entertaining. Entertaining in a way that she could easily do something to gauge a reaction out of him, and it'd be hilarious, from either his facial expression, or his quick-witted remarks. What could she say? He was just easy to pester.
Well, she discovered the reason just a few short weeks ago after that mess of a night at that jazz club he took her to.
Spirits, she couldn't fathom the spectrum of emotions after that night at the Blue Bearcat. If she had a crisis when she came to the conclusion that she'd choose the Councilman to teach her about seduction, what did that make this? She didn't want to label it, because the more she contemplated her emotions, her attraction to him, it made her head pound and in desperate need of a hot bath… or maybe a cold shower?
It'd been frustrating, to say the least.
Her thoughts were scattered and she didn't even know where to begin. She still didn't know where she lied within all of this. She was physically attracted to Tarrlok, that much was obvious, but she didn't know where she stood in regards to the two men she wanted. Did she drop one for the other? Did she drop them all together? Truthfully, she leaned towards the latter out of the blatant confusion prickling at the back of her mind. It was more than she intended, and wanted. Never did she think she'd have to choose between sharing her affections with two completely different people, yet she had to come to a conclusion quick, lest she strung one of them on. And that was something she really didn't need.
The week leading up to their previous lesson was difficult. Korra couldn't deny it when everything in her being flared with heat - from indignation, or lust, or maybe a strange combination of both - at the mere mention or sight of Tarrlok.
Korra didn't know what to make of it. She was always hot-headed and brash, but oddly, it was on some untapped level that even Tenzin looked at her strangely when she'd suddenly utter a sting of vulgar words underneath her breath when Tarrlok passed by with a folder of papers in his grasp.
At first, it'd been because of the sheer embarrassment of discovering that there was something there, for him, of all people. He was thirty-eight. A man that was very much vain, a man that knew his power and influence and used it to his advantage, much less the fact that he was infuriating enough to get on her nerves with the tiniest cock of his brows. But judging from the time she spent in his company, it clearly told her otherwise. As difficult as it was to admit it, he was fun to be around. When they weren't insulting each other in some endless dance of banter, well, Korra grudgingly knew they made a good team. The thought didn't sit well with her, because truthfully it scared her, but it was some consolation that there was some sort of balance between them. When he pushed, she pulled, and vice versa. Similar to the sensation of waterbending, really.
But that didn't stop her from feeling all the more bewildered about this.
Everything was contradicting each other, and it confused her all the more. The fact that he relentlessly claimed this meant nothing between them, yet his actions spoke louder than his words - as odd as it was, considering he was a politician. Then there was that heated look on his face, in his eyes, and she belatedly realized it was lust.
Because when she returned to Air Temple Island that night, chucking her dress onto her mattress with a huff, in favor of her sweats, she glanced at her reflection and recalled that evident darkness in her eyes.
It mimicked his own, even in the dim light of the jazz club, and it alarmed her.
She punched a tree trunk out of pure frustration until it burst underneath her fists. Her knuckles were raw, a few splinters digging into her skin that she easily bent out. But even that didn't stop herself from repeating the same gesture as she practiced with Mako and Bolin throughout the week.
They probably looked at her weird, or maybe out of worry, but at that moment in time, she didn't care.
When she was confronted with these emotions, it was difficult to actually think about whether she wanted to see Tarrlok out of genuine interest or purely for bodily harm. And at that point, everything blurred that she barely held a shred of thought in regards to Mako. Even as they were in the same room, or even as he spoke with her. Spirits, he must've thought she was crazy for constantly snubbing Team Avatar out of rage for her weird lust for the Councilman.
It infuriated her, because this wasn't what she had planned.
When asked, she incessantly chalked it up to the fact that she was annoyed with her airbending training, or her spiritual block, or even that Amon and his Equalists were steadily making progress in their movement and always held the upper hand. It wasn't necessarily a lie, when it really did frustrate her as she stared at her ceiling in the dead of night.
It just wasn't the true reason why she wanted to yell into a void of sorts.
Korra already rambled and confided in incoherent, endless circles with Naga when they were alone. It confused her wholly that she practiced with the Councilman - as stupid as she felt when doing so - and he reciprocated in kind. It wasn't the reciprocation that staggered her, but the fact that his reactions to her flirting were genuine, authentic. She knew he had a deft hand in manipulation and deceit, but this didn't seem like the type he used when he coerced her to join his task force, or even when she sensed him doing it to other politicians.
No, it was different. And it mystified her even further when she realized her practicing with him wasn't entirely an act as well.
She always brushed it off as her acting skills improving under his instruction because, one way or another, she'd only grow taut with ire if she let her mind wander into dangerous territory, but as she knew it was nothing more than a lame excuse. Even if it were true, how could she explain away the stirring in the pit of her stomach, or the flush she constantly felt burning at her cheeks. Or even the subconscious way her eyes trailed down the length of his arms and strayed on his hands with mild intrigue.
When she was around Tarrlok, she wanted, willed, for those emotions to melt away and maybe it really was nothing more than a stupid infatuation for a mere few days. She's had those crushes on some White Lotus guards before, maybe this wasn't any different, she reasoned. When relatively alone in his presence, Korra adamantly ignored him. She tried with all her power not to look him in the eye or focus on his physique anywhere near her. And when she caught herself doing just that, she'd grow infuriated with him, but more so with herself for barely resisting.
Suddenly, as she began talking to a few task force members, she realized, that maybe being an exaggerated form of herself would scare him away, and more importantly, drive her lust for him away. It seemed to be a good line of thought. He was prissy, she was anything but. It only made sense that her being undignified would repulse him, right?
Curiosity bested her, and she decided to test her theory, almost too confident. Loud and abrasive and vulgar were her jokes, and she was grateful that a few of the members, specifically Tseng and the Liang twins, held the same humor as her because that would've been awkward. She threw her head back, cackling at the obvious sexual innuendos, but instead of succeeding in her plan, it only grew into more of a hindrance on her part and intensified those emotions.
Honestly, she didn't know where it went all wrong.
Maybe it was the high of a successful raid, or maybe it was the fact that they were utterly separated from the group that she was emboldened - affected - by his presence, Korra didn't want to know. But one thing was for sure, he looked handsome with dim lighting playing across his aristocratic features, and she hated that she even noticed.
Korra cursed underneath her breath at that. The spirits were toying with her emotions, surely. She didn't know what she did to piss them off, but this was just completely unfair.
Their lesson in his office was improvised. At first, she was frustrated that he duly noted her varying behavior, studying her all the more with a critical and calculating eye that he was prone to doing, but something in her clicked with fascination that caused her to do the same with him.
She really did plan on stopping these lessons, because in all honesty, her true feelings lied with Mako, as foolish as that sounded. But it was true. Korra had more similarities than differences with Mako, and despite him being with Asami, she knew her feelings for him were justified. Pema even said that she had to drive herself between a relationship in order to get Tenzin, and she'd be damned if she wasn't adamant enough to do exactly the same.
Although, that night in his office, Korra entertained that nagging thought at the back of her mind. It conjured in her brain before his lesson as she endured that inner turmoil of a week, but she ultimately abandoned the idea out of it being utterly ridiculous and selfish.
Korra was already selfish for taking Tarrlok's time in teaching her seduction when she acknowledged they should've been spending their time in dealing with the Equalist movement.
But then, what would she get out of this if she was too late in taking any opportunity with Mako? Korra wanted to begin seduction when she had a relatively firm grasp on it, and it certainly wasn't now, as much as she hated to admit it. Maybe seducing Tarrlok wasn't that bad of an idea. If she successfully seduced Tarrlok, she more than likely could seduce anyone she wanted. He was stubborn and stony with guarded walls hiding behind that political veneer, and it actually made her giddy at the mere idea. It was also a nice thought, that maybe she could share her affection with both men when need be. So, that night, she quickly switched gears. She allowed that frustration to melt away, and instead, replaced it with playful mischief. His reactions, his reciprocation, his blatant confusion, amused her to no end.
The majority of her practicing, she didn't know what she was doing. Basing it off of instinct, she tried not to overthink her actions, and just as he instructed on their second lesson, to look for any opportunity and use it to her advantage. Merely meandering around his office, gazing at his books and political endeavors from years in the past, or even placing her hands on his shoulders was enough to have him warily watching her. Chuckles threatened to spill from her lips, but she successfully refrained when she perched herself on his desk, mirroring that smugness he usually wore in strides.
Honestly, if she knew he'd be this easy to sway under a deliberate hand, she would've put her mind to it more firmly earlier than that moment. Regardless, it was fun. That twinkle of quelled lust in pale blue, the wary movements and intentional exchange of words.
He was completely guarded, yet simultaneously transparent. It was strange. And when she left him that note, a flourish of her fingers before leaving him utterly alone, Korra decided then that she could manage seducing him with the intent of successfully seducing Mako in the future. Of course, it'd been roughly a month since she requested his instruction. If seduction took time, she could wait where it'd take her in regards to Mako.
But now, Korra sat alone at the booth, muttering some order to a stray employee wandering the Blind Jackalope, before chewing at her lower lip in nervousness. She kept her gaze focused on the dancers, taking in the environment and already planning for what she could use to her advantage. Just to prove to Tarrlok she knew what she was doing, despite it being the opposite, of course.
Suddenly, the front door of the speakeasy swung open. Her eyes immediately honed in on the movement and couldn't stop the small smile curving one side of her lips.
There he was.
Many glanced over to him, although they were either already too drunk or too invested in their conversation to do anything more.
He still adorned his usual work clothes, the pale blue robe flowing languorously just as his distinctive three ponytails, as he strode in looking as out of place as ever. It was entertaining to say the least. Because most, if not all - including her - seemed to want a relaxing Friday night rather than appearing as though they were attending a meeting.
But that must've been because most of the men in the speakeasy were local fishermen compared to their esteemed Councilman.
Korra stretched her legs out leisurely underneath the table, crossing them at her ankles as she watched him. Spotting her easily, Tarrlok made his way to her, circling the table and eyeing her warily. Spirits, of course he was already cautious. Maybe it was a good thing she already ordered the booze.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." Korra said cheekily.
An eyebrow rose as he considered her stiffly. "As opposed to you who looks as though you're about five minutes from murdering the bartender." He quipped. Insulted, a scoff was halfway out of her throat, but then it occurred to her that it must've shown on her face just how much recent weeks took its toll on her mind and inadvertently how she looked. "Avatar Korra," he uttered in greeting before taking a seat to her left.
"Councilman Tarrlok," she matched him. An amused smile threatened to curl her lips as Korra duly noted the fact that he seated himself with considerable distance between them, nearly on the edge of the curved leather. But she held her tongue.
"So what exactly is this about? Am I here just for you to insult me? Because if so, maybe we could do this somewhere less… rowdy." He suggested.
Shrugging, Korra scanned their surroundings, straying on a couple that'd been dancing since she arrived fifteen minutes ago. "Actually, I thought it'd be a great place for our lesson." She replied, mischief coloring her voice. Once she met his eyes, she relaxed into the worn leather and felt the need to explain herself. "You took me to that jazz club, and I was a little disappointed that it wasn't as I imagined… you know, like this. All the dancing, the booze, the high energy. I thought it'd be perfect considering the topic of our lessons."
"Mn," he nodded. "Well, in my defense, it actually is usually like this, but that isn't the point. How did you find out about this place? I thought all the buildings near the harbor were warehouses designated for imports in cargo and whatnot. At least, from what I recall from signing permits."
"It is, but I guess some fishermen wanted to have some fun and built this speakeasy under your nose. You're not opposed to having fun, are you, Councilman? Because, believe it or not, you look like a wet blanket. It'd be a shame if you couldn't let loose for once." She teased, offering him a sidelong glance.
"I know how to let loose. I just have standards." He muttered with an endearing pout.
A part of her wanted to poke and prod him for more information on what he considered was 'letting loose', but she figured it could wait for another time. She sensed his answer was getting a massage, or immersing himself in oils and coming out of a lavish bath smelling of toothpaste, or even attending the local opera house to relax. Just judging by his interest in high-class culture, like the Blue Bearcat, she had an inkling she was right.
Evidently skeptical, Korra smiled despite herself. "Mhm, right. Well, considering all of our 'dates', you aren't exactly a laid-back man. I mean, if anything, you're a stick in the mud."
Tarrlok rolled his eyes as she adjusted her position, turning in a way that had her facing him. "You didn't answer my question." He pressed.
Sighing, Korra offered him a look. "Asami actually recommended it. I was talking to her after we had a probending match and asked her if she had any idea of great places to get some booze and dance. Apparently, she goes here quite frequently whenever she sneaks out of her estate." Korra explained with a shrug.
Thinking back to it, Korra couldn't believe how many places Asami actually knew of, much less the fact that there were so many jazz clubs and speakeasies and whatnot in Republic City. Was Tenzin seriously keeping her from discovering all this? More than likely was it true, but she listened raptly to Asami. There'd been a few of her recommendations she mulled over - more out of her curiosity if she ever took Mako to them - but what a perfect opportunity that was practically offered to her on a silver platter to use on the Councilman.
From their night at the Blue Bearcat, she gathered that he relished alcohol. Whether it was a coping mechanism or he genuinely liked the taste of it - or rather the effects of alcohol - she didn't know. Regardless, there was a devilish part of her that wanted to see what he'd do under the influence.
Not just the bottle of wine they shared that gave them both a slight buzz, but truly inebriated. Was he an emotional sap? Was he a clingy paramour? Was he the dope that couldn't stop laughing? Her curiosity piqued all the more.
Tilting his head to the side, he shifted his legs underneath the table. "Sneaks out? I got the impression that Miss Sato isn't the type to disobey her father."
Korra waved dismissively. "Her dad has some sort of curfew for her and she hates it. I mean, I kinda understand where she's coming from because of Tenzin."
Tarrlok nodded once before draping an arm around the back of the booth, his fingers just barely reaching her, and smirked. "Color me surprised, but I'm impressed you're able to hold a conversation with her when I know you want to, essentially, steal her lover for your own selfish needs."
"Yeah, well, she isn't all that bad." Korra conceded. Given the past week and a half, she had to admit she was getting closer to Asami. At first, she thought of it as a way to get closer to the enemy - keep your friends close, and enemies closer, was it? - but a large part of her couldn't go through with it when Asami was genuinely sweet. It was merely Korra being envious of her because she was gorgeous, let alone the fact that she knew how to fight and was such a nice person.
It didn't feel right to treat her like crap just because she had feelings for Mako. But then again, everything about this went against all of her expectations. From wanting Mako to be with her, to unintentionally having some weird feelings for the old fart beside her, and in some odd way, accepting she could wait for Mako and grow a bond between Asami. What an odd sequence of events, however, that wasn't what she needed to think about.
"Mn," Tarrlok hummed in response.
Effectively cutting her thoughts off, a man came up to Tarrlok's side - a slight flinch coming from the Councilman, that she had to bite the inside of her cheek to stifle a chuckle from escaping yet her mind wondered why in Koh's name he was so on edge - as he scooted an inch or two closer to her.
It was the waiter with a platter of their drinks. Two shot glasses of cactus juice graced the silver surface, while the rest was littered with bottles of traditional Water Tribe beer. Korra counted, mouthing it, and came up with ten bottles. Just as she ordered. A wily smile curved her lips as she thanked the waiter and relaxed back into the cushions, thinking back to the few times she drank this specific brand with her dad.
It was barely anything to fawn over, and definitely not as delicious as that imported wine she shared with Tarrlok, but it did the job in effectively skewing her thoughts, so she shrugged it off.
Tarrlok eyed the platter warily, then flickered over to her in obvious suspicion. "You ordered alcohol?"
"You're so astute, Tarrlok," she deadpanned with glittering eyes. When he simply glanced at her sardonically, Korra reached over to pop the lid off one of the bottles and offered it to him. "Are you intimidated?" She questioned in mild challenge.
Considering the bottle, Tarrlok shook his head and ultimately accepted the drink from her, his long fingers grazing hers. "No. Should I be?" He mirrored her tone. The contact, let alone the slight drop in his voice, sent heat lancing down her nerves. It seemed he was getting the message, the unspoken words hanging in the air, and she was grateful she didn't have to say anything outright.
"Well, we both seemed to be a little affected by it last time we shared a bottle of wine." She replied smugly.
Korra tried not to think about the fact that she was the one that panicked and left in such a haste, because the more she dwelled on it, the more embarrassing it'd been since she now decided she'd attempt to play a hand at seduction with him. Instead, she tried to focus her attention on gathering that feeling all over again. It happened almost instantaneously in his office the week prior, but that was because they were alone.
Now, she pondered what she could do behind the prying eyes of the public.
She assumed it wouldn't be that difficult when he was quite skilled in teasing her from what she gathered over the course of their few lessons. Besides, surely the alcohol would loosen any tautness in their nerves, right? Less inhibitions and all?
Tarrlok took a swig of the beer, her eyes inadvertently watching his throat move as she blindly popped the lid off her own bottle, and realizing a fraction too late when he narrowed his eyes and smiled behind his beer. "Yes, well, regardless of what happened before, I assure you, I can handle my liquor." He said.
Clearing her throat, Korra licked her lips. "Oh, of course, I had no doubt. It's just cactus juice and Water Tribe beer, right? What could go wrong?"
A lot could go wrong, but she wasn't about to confirm anything when he was already suspicious given the amount of times he eyed her cautiously.
Nonetheless, he took another swig of his drink before setting it down on the table's surface. "I think we should get on with the lesson." He prompted. Korra nodded in agreement as she tasted the almost disgusting flavor of that familiar beer dancing in her mouth and a shiver of aversion shot down her spine. "As I said in the previous lesson, this isn't focused on the actual information, but rather practicing. Last time, you did exceptionally well in stringing me along, teasing me, so to speak, and you want to keep that momentum and intrigue with the other person." He began.
Korra's brows rose as she draped her elbow behind the booth, her skin grazing his as she took another sip. "I did exceptional?" She enunciated with lidded eyes.
"Yes," he uttered, and she took the opportunity to inch closer to him. Whether he had any qualms on the matter or not, Tarrlok didn't mention anything of the sort. "In fact, I was surprised because you seem to be the complete opposite just judging from the start of all this."
With another slight shrug, Korra studied him critically. He was still quite tense, though just with the few gulps of alcohol filtering through his system, Korra could already sense some leisure settling in his body.
"Didn't I say you were a great teacher?"
Tarrlok cleared his throat. Was he blushing? A triumphant part of her thought he was considering there was the tiniest tinge of pink dusting his cheeks - even from her close position a mere foot away from him - but she couldn't say for sure when the lighting was completely askew. Spirits, if it were true, how was she already making him flush from a simple compliment when weeks prior he'd act smug about it? "That you did, and I assure you, your compliment isn't falling on deaf ears, Avatar. Now, you need to take it a step further. What do I always reiterate?"
"That seduction is about subtlety." She answered with the temptation to roll her eyes nearly overbearing.
Tarrlok nodded once and smirked. "Good. That transition from modest flirting to blatant flirting is subtle in seduction. In order to do that you need to hone your skills in making the best out of every situation and taking any opportunity to get closer to the other person, while reading their body language without overstepping their boundaries. In fact, now that I think about it, you did a great job in choosing this speakeasy. I won't say it outright, but there are plenty of ways to seduce the other person here."
"Really?" She asked, delighted, and once again, scooting ever more closer.
"Of course. Besides the obvious, you just have to be a little creative." He said, picking his bottle up and taking another healthy gulp from it. "Some are blatant and some are indistinct, but you'll do fine. Keep in mind, that in dealing with seduction, at this point, the flirting has to be bold, your intention made clear." He advised, his eyes glimmering with that darkness again.
Nodding, Korra matched him with another gulp that it barely registered that she was already past the halfway point of her bottle. Regardless, she meandered closer and closer until her thigh was practically pressed flush with his own and she was within some form of a loose embrace, given his arm still draped around the booth.
Cerulean studied his face for any indication of that tautness that she detected when he first strode in, or any hesitation. Of course, there was still some residual tension in him, though she couldn't help but think it was due to think on a greater scale than just her. Maybe she was wrong, but from her memory of their last lesson, everything seemed to end on a rather friendly note.
However, with each sip of the beer and the alcohol settling in their blood, the more she felt both her and Tarrlok begin relaxing. "So, do I have to go grinding on the other person or something?" She questioned, voice hushed and breathy.
Tarrlok didn't take the bait. At least, not completely.
He watched her with heavy lidded eyes and swallowed. "No, it's not that level of blatant eroticism. What I mean is compliment them and tease them, as well as keeping that close contact, like what you're doing now. You don't want to regress from the last 'date'." He instructed with a gesture of his hand that it gently grazed her shoulder. "For instance, last lesson, that subtle yet firm touch you had on my shoulders. That was a perfect balance for the lesson. Now, this time, gradually get courageous in flirting, but don't overdo it. You're supposed to find that middle ground before advancing to the next step in seducing them."
Korra nodded and mused over his words. Chewing at her lower lip, she swallowed over the growing lump in her throat.
"What about this? Is it too subtle?" She questioned as her free hand landed on his thigh. Somewhere in her mind, Korra realized that she was playing with fire. Because she knew he could easily make her flush tenfold. The fact that she was out in public, doing this with one of Republic City's Councilman, let alone that she had a goal in mind to intentionally seduce him was madness.
But as she lethargically caressed his thigh, moving up and down his leg with teasing, lingering grazes of her fingertips, Korra could see it was affecting him. Whether it was a good or bad thing, she wasn't sure, but she tried to hone in on his body language.
His hand that didn't grasp his bottle twitched under her light ministrations and she had to smile at that. Korra continued blatantly teasing him, slowly inching towards the one place she knew she had no knowledge, more so experience, of.
"From a technical standpoint, you're merely touching my thigh. But what's important is the implication it sends." He muttered quietly, utterly transfixed as pale blue orbs searched her face.
"And what does it imply?" Korra shot back, eyes straying on his own before unconsciously flickering to his lips, the movement not going unnoticed.
"Considering you're gradually getting closer to my groin, and your touch is relatively light, the implication is clear you want to be intimate with me." Tarrlok smirked as the sight alone sent a shiver down her spine.
"With you?" Korra teased with a cock of her brows.
They lapsed into silence for a moment, the only sounds coming from the cacophony of the speakeasy. "Maybe not me specifically, since this is all pretend, but mimicking this with that firebender will get your point across rather quickly. Especially if you add that sultry sort of look in the eye contact, just as you are now." He whispered, voice barely audible, though just enough for her to hear.
Korra smiled wickedly.
That diplomatic veneer he had slipped, and whether it was intentional or not, Korra didn't want to let this go. "I have a question." She leaned back a fraction and took a swig of her beer.
"I might have an answer." He retorted mischievously.
Narrowing her eyes, Korra tilted her head as she regarded him. "Why do you always call Mako, 'that firebender'? I can count on one hand you mentioning his actual name." She smirked.
Despite her hand still on his thigh, she had no intention of removing it. Teasingly, Korra traced indecipherable patterns onto his trousers with her fingertips and glanced down to deliberately watch her hand move in the slightest of movements, and the tiniest of twitches in his muscles in response. There was nothing there outright, as he said, but something stirred in the pit of her stomach nonetheless.
"He is a firebender, is he not?" He replied all too innocently, sipping his beer.
Chuckling, Korra's eyes met his once more and nodded. "He is, but it's odd because you call everyone some variation of their name, yet you exclude him. Are you irritated by him?"
His mouth opened, but resolutely closed a second later before pressing into a firm line. "Avatar Korra, I don't want to stray from the topic, but it feels as though you're interrogating me."
"I just asked you a question out of curiosity, Councilman. Nothing more." She teased, thinking back to that night in his office.
Tarrlok was many things, but as odd as it was, Korra sensed him becoming more and more at ease with her company, just as she was with him. Though that's to say he still had those guarded walls up. For good reason, she had to rationalize. But the fact that he felt defensive, or more so 'interrogated' by her questioning the reason why he always regarded Mako in such an unpleasant way compelled Korra to conclude that he wasn't so fond of him. Was it out of malice? Jealousy? But if so, why?
Chalking it up to the alcohol, Korra internally shook her head and realized she'd been staring at him, completely enthralled in his sharp features, just as he mirrored her expression, and was fiddling with the stray tendrils on one side of her face.
Before things ended up awkward, Korra smiled. "Let's dance." She blurted, intertwining his hand with her smaller one, scooting down the worn leather, and making a move towards the many couples littering the dance floor.
Tension rolled off of him in waves as she maneuvered them towards the center, immersed and effectively lost in the crowd. He stood almost flush against her as they faced one another. A large part of her didn't think too much of it considering the couples around them moving in such a haste, though all she could do was notice the fact that he was quite tall compared to her… and that she could smell his familiar sandalwood and spiced vanilla despite the cigarette smoke and stale booze lingering in the air.
For once, Korra was thankful for the beer. For one, it loosened her nerves and emboldened her, considering it gave her enough courage to tug him towards the dance floor as they began to seamlessly meld into the dance. Then another, because her giddiness seemed to melt any of his remaining reservations about doing something so scandalous in the public eye.
Regardless, she couldn't stop herself from smiling when she caught sight of him in the flurry.
The dance was fast-paced. Cerulean glanced around her, almost dazed, and copied their movements easily, taking Tarrlok's hand in hers and moving to the beat with him. The push and pull of his arm kept her rhythm matching his own until they moved in complete tandem.
They switched places, feet skittering across aged wood, twisting their hips and twirling along with the other couples by expertly avoiding them as the sound of the roaring saxophone and drums and trumpet rung in their ears. Korra threw her head back and laughed, utterly amused at the fact that she didn't know what to make of Tarrlok knowing how to do this, of all things.
Especially the deft way he handled the dance with utter ease.
Abruptly, for a few short moments, the dance slowed, and he mirrored the patrons beside him and Korra held on for the ride. That is, until the singer returned with her smoky voice.
Minutes passed all too rapidly and Korra couldn't get enough of dancing. Her heartbeat thumped wildly against her chest as they hastened their movements, and intensified when Tarrlok gently gripped both her hands in his, pushing and pulling her close to his chest repeatedly. They moved their legs in time with the trumpet with variations of light and heavy taps of their feet against the floor.
A twist and a twirl, and suddenly he was grasping both of her hands from behind her, still moving in a way that mimicked the other couples with arms splaying out in large circles. Much to her surprise, his body was closer than she thought, but it wasn't unwelcomed when he guided her along. A fiery flush burned at her cheeks, though she didn't know if it was because of the alcohol, the fast dancing, or the fact that she liked dancing with Tarrlok. Unconsciously, she twisted in his loose embrace and regrettably bumped into his chest.
They were panting, their dance abruptly ending when she caught sight of that glimmer of something indecipherable in his eyes, and that almost endearing way his hair was slightly mussed about. However, Tarrlok offered her that infuriating smirk and bent down close to her side, his hot breath stirring her own disheveled tendrils.
"I'm surprised you know how to dance." He whispered, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.
Flushing all the more ardently, Korra shot him a smirk of her own that matched his. "Why because it's not that slow crap you're fond of like at the gala?" She lightly poked his chest, but he straightened his spine and rubbed it as though he were wounded with a pout.
"No, it's the fact that you repeatedly stepped on my feet. I don't know how you've managed to do that when you're simply supposed to sway to the beat, but like I said, you never cease to amaze me, Avatar."
Cooing, Korra glanced up at him, tilting her head. She duly noted the fact that some wicked part of her relished their height difference… and the more pressing matter that they were still standing in the middle of the dance floor with the bustling couples pushing and pulling in endless circles around them. "Poor, Tarrlok." She said. "You know, I should be saying that to you. You don't seem the type to be dancing to upbeat jazz."
Tarrlok released her and she finally turned to face him fully with arms folded underneath her bust, taking a step closer. "I did take you to the Blue Bearcat, and contrary to what happened that night, I do usually dance with my dates. Most of the time, it is upbeat, or is your memory failing you?" He teased, baritone hushed and low.
"It's not, it's just based on my experiences with you." She retorted with a challenging smirk.
"Well, apparently, you don't know much about me." He quipped.
"That can change." Korra replied. Jazz still roared around them, and it was against all of Korra's expectations that she unconsciously felt herself moving closer to the Councilman. They were a mere few inches away from one another, the warmth emanating from his body in exhilaration and that stirring in the pit of her stomach intensifying. Suddenly, as they gazed into each other's depths, Korra caught sight of the slightest dusting of pink on his cheeks. Smirk turning into an outright grin, Korra cocked her hip to the side. "Are you blushing, Councilman?" She teased.
Brows furrowed, Tarrlok tore his eyes away from hers. "Of course not," he denied.
She cooed once more, moving her head to catch sight of it once more, though he effectively hid it from her. "You totally are. I wonder what other things could make you blush like that." She said, her mind wandering into dangerous territory despite herself.
She chalked it up to the alcohol for having no such filter between her brain and her mouth, but she couldn't back out now when that seed was planted and was now sprouting, her imagination working wonders.
Clearing his throat, pale blue snuck a glance over the top of her head. "We should get back to our table before someone steals our booze."
"...Yeah." She drawled, dazed, allowing him to guide her back as she mulled over the obvious of her relishing this side of Tarrlok.
Korra wasn't sure how much time had passed, let alone how many bottles they drank, but the cactus juice successfully skewed their thoughts. It was only one shot, compared to the two she dared to drink with Team Avatar, but it still morphed her sight, and much more her inhibitions with the Councilman.
She poked and prodded him for useless information, unknowingly chasing that warmth of his side despite the fact that her body was sweltering under the effects of the alcohol. Regardless, he entertained her and matched her raunchy jokes, uttering one thing or another about something incoherent, or rather something she didn't have the capacity to dwell on, but her cheeks ached from the constant strain of a grin.
Even under the influence, Korra liked his laugh. It wasn't the teasing chuckle or the arrogant scoff she was accustomed to when he was sober, but instead, he truly relaxed and mirrored her by throwing his head back with a boisterous laugh, tears welling up in his eyes.
One thing led to the next, and with an arm draped around the back of the booth, suddenly there was some fruity drink before him. It was pink at the top and morphed into a milky substance at the bottom with a cherry beside his drink.
In all honesty, it looked delicious, but her curiosity nagged at her brain that as prissy as he was, it didn't come as a surprise that he ordered something like that rather than a sharp whiskey or vodka she pegged him to get. Snagging the drink from his grasp, just short of spilling some of it onto his lap as it splashed against his lips, Korra sniffed it.
Her suspicions were right. It was fruity. Was it cherry? Moon peach? No, strawberry?
Intrigued, she took a small sip, all while eyeing Tarrlok over the rim of the glass and tasting the alcohol dancing across her taste buds. She had to nod to herself when the quirk of his brows in an unspoken question vaguely registered in her mind. Strawberry, of course. How utterly predictable of the Councilman.
But spirits, was it delicious.
She took a healthy gulp of it before placing it back down on the table. "It's alright." Korra lied, with a shrug. Brushing it off as nonchalantly as possible, she narrowly avoided his gaze and opted to take the discarded cherry and pop it into her mouth.
It was overly, distinctly, sweet. Even a little much for her, but trivial things like the sweetness of a cherry didn't matter when she slowed her chewing and a half-assed idea formed at the back of her mind.
Audibly swallowing the remnants of the sweet fruit, Korra pinched the cherry stem between her thumb and index finger, and studied it. Her words were slurred at this point, as well as his own, but she questioned him if he knew how to tie cherry stems with his tongue. Of course, it makes for a good party trick, he whispered into her ear. His breath smelled overwhelmingly of cactus juice mixed with alcoholic strawberries.
But in some weird way, she kind of liked it..?
Korra couldn't explain it, and she didn't want to, but she took that as a challenge. Placing the stem in her mouth, she began tying it under his amused gaze.
No more than a few seconds passed and she smirked, showing him the knotted cherry stem with mischief glimmering in her eyes. Blindly, Tarrlok gestured for the waiter to return to their table, ordering a bowl of cherries.
She didn't know how it came to this, but of course, they made it into a game of sorts. It was mostly her idea, but he entertained her nonetheless. Whoever had the least cherry stems knotted in five minutes, had to order the most disgusting drink off the menu and finish it all.
Both her and Tarrlok were doing relatively well. Both working at the same pace with little giggles escaping her within the lapsed silence between them, until there was only one cherry left in the bowl. She made a move to grab it, but Tarrlok snagged the small fruit.
The bastard.
As he popped it into his mouth, Korra's gaze strayed on his lips, watching them move even the slightest bit. And when he pulled the stem out, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
It was double knotted.
Taking the stem from his pinched grasp, Korra leaned forward and studied the two knots in mild awe and obvious skepticism. Surely, he cheated, right? He was a politician, a sore loser at that, that it only made sense that he did some nonsensical bending to weave the knots together.
Pursing her lips, Korra braved a glance at him and discovered his eyes were swimming with mirth and that familiar darkness, but the meaning vaguely registered in her inebriated mind. "How the hell did you do that?"
Tarrlok shrugged triumphantly. "Practice… amongst other things." His baritone dropped, playfulness coloring his voice just enough that his insinuation - despite the amount of alcohol in her system - was not lost on her.
Heat lanced down her body. An inappropriate part of her brain wondered what those 'other things' were, let alone the fact that he said 'practice'. But then again, that was stupid. With a silver tongue such as his, Korra doubted it had anything to do with cherry stems or speech, and more so something hidden behind closed doors.
Her giddiness of this game was slowly replaced with wonder, and as much as she hated it, yearning as she continued to observe him from beyond the cherry stem. He took the last healthy gulp of his fruity drink, wincing, then suddenly, met her gaze.
Restless, Korra's breath caught at the back of her throat as pale blue regarded her all too innocently. A part of her wanted to smack that expression off his face, intrigued and utterly aroused. But she could do little more than fixate on the fact that him practicing such a frivolous party trick was more than likely due to his sex drive, past lovers, and her natural curiosity that filled in the blank spaces of her imagination.
In the privacy of her own mind, Korra devilishly wondered what other things his tongue could do, and how it'd make her feel. Blushing at the mere thought, she chewed at her lower lip, and against everything in her being, she scooted the slightest bit closer to the Councilman, feeling his warmth against her side as she grudgingly called the waiter over once more.
—-
"Korra!" A voice yelled.
Jostling in her warm spot underneath thick covers, Korra's eyes cracked open with that disgusting crust at her inner corners. Her head reeled at the sudden movement as she slowly sat up. Well, any type of movement sent the room spinning and she really ought to have limited her alcohol intake after she swore to rethink consuming cactus juice with Team Avatar.
This time, though, she had to admit, it was quite fun. But spirits, with Tarrlok? Who knew?
The sun's rays were barely peeking over the horizon, but it was still enough to get her squinting from the utter brightness of it all. Spirits, why was the sun so bright in the first place? Wait a minute. Why was she even awake so early?
But that was a stupid question.
Squeezing her eyes shut and carefully feeling and meandering her way towards that booming voice that caused a dull pulsation at her temples, Korra realized she had little recollection of what happened afterwards from the night prior. She remembered quite a bit from their 'date'. The teasing touches, the beer, the dancing. However, the last she remembered was those damn cherry stems and feeling herself burning from under that stupid Councilman's scrutiny. Damn him for doing this to her. Damn her for even going through with this.
And damn him for putting those stupid fantasies in her brain.
No matter how she looked at it, it was still weird to her. Not that she held some physical attraction towards him - he was an infuriatingly intelligent and handsome man of the North, that she couldn't deny, as much as she wanted to - but it was the fact that this was Tarrlok.
Their relationship was complicated to say the least, and it was only proven further when she chose him.
The night before went against all her expectations. Because for someone who held this stony yet diplomatic facade to the public, he sure was easy to read in private. Especially in recent lessons. And that's what threw her off.
She figured she'd somehow get close to him after all this was over, but Koh it was only their, what, fifth lesson? How the hell did that even happen? Let alone the fact that he was gladly going along with this ploy with little to no qualms, from what she could see.
Obviously she could be wrong, but if she was, surely he'd mention something, right?
Korra had to shake her head the slightest bit, and immediately regretted it. No, no, no. She shouldn't be thinking about that, or anything, with her head swimming with the terrible aftereffects of alcohol.
She vaguely recalled stumbling back to the docks with him. She remembered his warmth at her side and giggling at his incoherent jokes, and even more so the fact that he managed to get them both across Yue Bay and back to Air Temple Island without falling face-first into the water, and going undetected by Tenzin or the White Lotus guards. But that was just a mystery in and of itself.
"Korra!" That voice called once more, indignant.
Korra clenched her teeth, feeling the world around her tilting and swaying and sending a wave of nausea at the pit of her stomach. She reached out to the wall beside her to steady herself, before slowly making her way to what she assumed was the kitchen if the scent of boiling tea that caused another stirring in her stomach was of any indication.
No more alcohol, she swore. At least for the next few weeks.
Taking a steady inhale of oxygen, Korra cracked open her eyes and found Tenzin standing stiff beside one of the counters and something clutched in his hand. "What? Why are you yelling so early, Tenzin?" She asked. Instead of an answer, or even the ugly red that his face was prone to turning into, he slammed what was in his grasp against the cold surface beside him with a gust of air.
Apparently, it'd been the morning newspaper.
Spirits, this was not what she needed this early in the morning. An impatient question was halfway out of her throat before it died as she caught sight of the front page headlines, let alone the image.
Cerulean shot wide open when it finally registered.
It was of her and Tarrlok, cuddling of all things unholy, at the booth that they were at just the night prior. He seemed to be whispering something close to her with an arm around her shoulders, brimming with smugness, and her - dear Koh - leaning quite heavily against his side, laughing.
Surely, she was dreaming, right? Maybe she could secretly pinch herself and she'd wake up from this nightmare. She actually followed through with it, pinching her forearm, but predictably enough, it was real. Terribly real.
Her eyes repeatedly flickered from the image to the headline in disbelief.
The Avatar, Councilman, and A Newly Budding Relationship?
It seems that the Avatar and current chairman of the Northern Water Tribe took the Friday night off from their respective duties in favor of some liberation! The two were spotted in an underground speakeasy, the Blind Jackalope, and clearly couldn't keep their hands off each other-
Korra didn't dare read the rest before she threw up the bile rising in her throat from the combination of growing ire, utter embarrassment, and at the mere fact that they were discovered. Especially when Tenzin was looking at her expectantly for an ounce of an explanation that surely would do nothing but anger him further.
"Fuck me."
—-
A/N: Can I just say, I absolutely love the thought of Korra and Tarrlok swing dancing :)))