A/N: Feedback of any kind is welcomed and appreciated! Enjoy!
—-
After that annoyingly terrible night, Korra made it a point to keep her distance from the Councilman. She didn't ignore him outright like the few weeks prior, or feel herself boiling with a mixture of frustration and confusion, or even feel the itch to maim something within her vicinity. No. She still kept conversation flowing, speaking with him no more or less than necessary.
Although everything about their interactions were nothing short of awkward.
Spirits, she didn't know how she managed it. As much as she was enraged that night, it didn't spill into the near week since their sparring. If anything, it was the complete opposite. It was much more her dwelling on new information about Tarrlok that he didn't candidly say, and a certain detail that she shouldn't have been thinking about because it only led to a heated flush coloring her cheeks and a warm ache pooling low in her abdomen.
Really, there was no excuse for a teenager her age to be musing over the bulge of a man of his.
Regardless, she decided to distract herself with spending her time with Team Avatar. She spent a few afternoons out at the arena with Mako and Bolin, an evening out at the race tracks with Asami, and the dead of night at Harmony Tower with all three of them.
It was a nice change from the wrath regarding Tarrlok or the blatant envy concerning Asami she felt thrumming in her veins. It was refreshing.
Though, what made her all the more content was the fact that Tarrlok, admittedly, was right. News about them dwindled. Nothing more than to spark controversy and gossip amongst the city for a few days, that the unabashed stares and whispers she duly noted the morning that headline appeared seemed to quickly melt away.
There were a few that still blathered on about it, specifically those in the Task Force that she knew of, though she assumed that could be blamed for that scene they caused rather than the headline itself. With that in mind, she was acutely aware of each movement, each word she exchanged with Tarrlok in front of others that could be misinterpreted as her, or him, flirting with one another.
Tseng and the Liang twins didn't help such matters. Because, if anything, they tried with all their might to push her towards the Councilman. From shoving her closer as they were already talking - that ultimately had her colliding into his chest with a flush - to obvious lewd gestures of their hands that were almost always within Tarrlok's line of sight. All their attempts resulted in a punch to the three's biceps and a pointed glare, but it was quickly replaced with an awkward smile on her part and a faint blush on his.
Korra mulled the week over as she bent at the waist to touch her toes in the sand. It was strange that she was easily fitting into Team Avatar. Of course, it should be easy considering her title, yet her feelings for Mako and her jealousy for Asami always got in the way of that. But now that her mind repeatedly strayed on a certain wealthy Councilman, she felt completely relaxed in their company, at peace with herself.
Enough so that the blatant displays of affection between Mako and Asami didn't bother her, let alone make her silently retch.
Then there was her predicament with Tarrlok.
Besides a few signs of him clearly affected by what had transpired, that flattery-filled mouth of his didn't cease. He managed to uphold a distanced facade of their relationship before any of this started, sneaking an underhanded insult with a compliment, just as much as he allowed her to study him with growing interest.
With a stretch of her arms and an arch of her spine, Korra heard and felt those delicious cracks popping every so often over the relaxing sound of waves breaking on the shore. She took a deep breath in, smelling salt in the air as she flexed her fingers and water responded to her gesture.
Korra focused her gaze on the floating water, glistening under the warm rays of the sun despite the weather being anything but. The sun was soon to set, a few gloomy clouds were hanging over the city, and she settled into a stance that had her body moving to the ebb and flow of the water lapping at the shore.
She had discovered a secluded cove just at the opposite end of the docks a few days prior and had been stretching - relaxing - there every morning before her training, and around sunset after a day's work of being the greatest Avatar to grace the planet.
Well, it would've been completely secluded if it weren't for the two White Lotus guards watching her every move since those headlines appeared on the front page. Of course, at the instruction of Tenzin.
She had to roll her eyes when she caught a cackle from them, vaguely listening to the stories they exchanged due to their utter boredom.
Though something other than the two guards caught her attention - however, both immediately stopped and stood straighter than before.
The crunching and sifting of sand beneath another's feet that had cerulean unconsciously turning to the source with curiosity. Undecided whether she should feel mischief or dread, Korra opted to keep the water flowing and firmly pressed her lips together.
Speak of the devil.
"Wow. What did I do to get blessed with the illustrious Councilman's presence?" Korra questioned smugly, disappointment coloring her voice the slightest bit.
Tarrlok responded with a diplomatic smirk as he strode to the young Avatar. Hues of orange and pink danced across their features and the smell of the sea enveloped them, the desire to take his shoes off in favor of the rough texture of sand against his skin nearly overbearing, though he refrained.
What was he doing there? Well, to make amends with what had transpired. It wasn't merely the week, but the totality of their lessons.
Since the week progressed from that disconcertingly fateful night, Tarrlok didn't think this was entertaining in the least anymore. Not the fascinated stares from the Task Force members. Not the select few who deliberately attempted to shove him and Korra together with nothing short of salacious implications hanging around them. Not the reporters that he was forced to pay a hefty sum to to leave the two of them alone.
Usually he reveled in the attention. He relished the thought of having reporters plastering he and his partner on the papers for all of the city to see, but this was different.
The person in question was the Avatar.
A young, brazen one at that. One that could certainly kill me if she put her mind to it, he thought, recoiling. While he didn't have any qualms about it in the past, and a sick fondness for what could have been if it weren't for that firebender of hers getting in the way, formed at the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the fact that this was supposed to be a sham.
The morning he saw that headline with him and the Avatar utterly inebriated, Tarrlok didn't know if it was trepidation or gratification that flowed through his veins. Or maybe a mixture of both. Though astonishment certainly came in spades as he nearly choked on his daily dose of caffeine.
Spirits, he looked absolutely disheveled.
At that point - as well as now as he approached her from the steep steps of earth - he blamed Yakone for having something to do with this, twisting the spirits above from his grave to make his life ten times more difficult than it already was. Arousal and shame came and went throughout the week. More than necessary if he had to admit. Then ultimately, the strange combination of intensifying fascination, confidence and adoration that he held for Korra.
A part of him contemplated whether or not this was a good idea, to visit her on such short notice, let alone with those guards he saw watching her, more than likely due to Tenzin's request. He already questioned his intentions in endless circles as he picked up the contents of the picnic basket in his grasp within the hour - a bouquet of fire lilies from a local florist, the same Fire Nation wine they shared weeks prior and some fresh fruit from the markets - after leaving City Hall early. But as he arrived at the docks, asking a few stray guards for Korra, and being led to this secluded area, Tarrlok straightened his spine further, chin tilted up confidently. He blamed this all for the sole reason of reparations, but quelled delight tickled the back of his mind nonetheless.
Although she didn't need to know that.
"Avatar Korra, I see you're doing well." He said as he stopped a small distance away from her.
Cerulean narrowed in confusion as he fingered the woven material of the basket with his thumb. "Well? We saw each other like five hours ago." She replied in amusement.
Looking out to the sea in mild bemusement, Tarrlok considered her words. Has it? He shook his head and chalked it up to the fact that he'd been too distracted with musings about her, as well as matters with the Council. "Regardless, I came to drop this off." He outstretched his arm and offered the basket.
"A picnic basket?" Korra asked slowly, warily accepting the gift. She didn't try to conceal her skepticism because her eyes drifted over the length of his body in scrutiny a few times, however her heart rate increased the slightest bit from what he could detect.
From what exactly, Tarrlok wasn't sure.
"As an apology, or a peace offering, if you will." He explained.
Korra tore her suspicious gaze from him to sift through the basket's contents in relative silence. Past the fire lilies spilling from the opening were the packaged fruit and the golden crest of slanted cursive on deep burgundy, nearly edging on black. "The same wine we had? Really?" She questioned sardonically, cocking her brow, though the smile on her face told him the gift wasn't unpalatable.
Good.
Tarrlok clasped his hand behind his back. "Like I said, a peace offering for all that has transpired between us. I want an amicable relationship out of this, and I highly doubt fighting will do us any favors, considering our last bout and the amount of stares we've been getting."
Korra snorted. "Really? I would have never guessed." She uttered sarcastically as she made her way toward some form of a small cave behind the guards and placed it on the damp sand.
Tarrlok stood there, watching her, reminiscing over their last sparring session and what mess he had to clean up after her storming out. But before he lingered on the fact that the dented drywall she created was recently mended, Tarrlok took a deep inhale in. When he made no indication of leaving, Korra offered him a sidelong glance over her shoulder, weary. "Other than dropping this off, why are you still here? Because you know if Tenzin finds out you're here, with me, relatively alone, you'll probably be airbended into Yue Bay without an air bubble protecting you, right?"
Dainty hands settled on the swell of her hips as Korra meandered her way back to him, hips swaggering with an almost satisfied air around her.
Lips curling in a smirk, Tarrlok lowered his lids as she stopped at his front. "Avatar Korra, are you concerned about my well-being?"
"Tch, don't flatter yourself." Korra dismissed, though almost immediately after she studied him once more and despite it all, a shiver of delight lanced down his spine. "I'm serious, though."
A terse exhale left his nostrils in amusement. "Well, other than the gift, I'd also like to speak with you alone."
The hint was blatant enough that as his icy eyes trailed from her to the two guards, Korra followed his line of sight a moment later. The White Lotus guards were standing stiff, since his arrival from what he sensed before descending the stone steps, of course. He doubted they were watching her as carefully as they were now before he made an appearance, but he held his tongue.
One of the two men bristled, subtly flinching from the unwarranted attention. "Erm- Avatar Korra, Tenzin instructed us to not lose sight of you." The guard said reluctantly, emerald eyes flickering between him and the Avatar.
Korra wilted, pouting and imitating the expression of a wounded polar bear-pup - or maybe one begging for scraps - that had him contemplating if he were on the receiving end of this, he'd be helpless to acquiescing to her request. Completely dangerous was what that expression was. But that wasn't the case, and for that, he stood there mildly entertained by this endearing sight. "Pretty please? With a cherry on top?" She pleaded. When the two guards merely exchanged a secret glance at one another, Korra rolled her eyes and lifted her left hand. "I swear I'll be fine, Avatar's honor."
Skeptical - for good reason, Tarrlok had to admit - they muttered a few inaudible words to each other before reluctantly nodding. "Fine, but we'll be up there if you need anything." Before Korra could do anything more than smile triumphantly, the two were being lifted to the top of the cliff in response to a tight fist.
Piercing blue followed the movement, watching the two quickly ascend as Korra turned away and resumed her waterbending forms.
"So, your office not sufficient enough?" Mischief colored her voice that it set his nerves in mild unease.
Tarrlok shrugged and followed her movements in gently moving the water to and fro with the flex of his fingers. "I didn't want to be on the receiving end of your wrath… and I didn't think you'd like to be in such close quarters with me after last lesson."
"Oh, so this is a lesson?" She challenged, bending some water from his to join hers.
Whether it was a euphemism of sorts, or it was merely her being playful and competitive, Tarrlok tried not to think too much into that.
"I wouldn't mind squeezing one in, but I didn't want to divert the topic from a more pressing matter." He said, mirroring her until they were easily bending the water back and forth to each other in yet another unspoken peace offering.
"Which is?"
Tarrlok licked his lips, focusing on the colors reflected in the water - a bright orange and haughty pink that slowly transitioned to purple - rather than the woman a few large steps ahead of him. If he kept his attention on her, he didn't know what it'd lead to when he knew how little his resistance was in regards to her. "I'd like to know where we stand." He uttered.
"What do you mean?" She questioned a little too innocently for his liking, before tossing a considerable stream toward him with a flick of her wrist.
Pursing his lips, Tarrlok tore his gaze away from the water to her warily as she smirked in response. "Avatar Korra, I do regret getting carried away with what happened that night. Tensions were high, we were letting our anger get in the way of speaking rationally… although I also couldn't help a certain factor on my part considering it is involuntary, but it was completely inappropriate and there isn't an excuse for how I reacted, in any case."
As much as his sick fascination with her ran deep in his subconscious, especially now that they were six lessons inwards, Tarrlok acknowledged both he and Korra crossed that concealed line the night they sparred. Utterly intrigued and almost delighted in a way. Though completely morbid. Fortunate was it that the Task Force uniforms were loose enough at the groin that he managed to clean up the mess she had made undetected by curious members later that night, but that didn't make walking any easier. Let alone the fact that they were, in some ways, caught.
Korra nodded, musing over his words long enough that he felt more than saw her eyes straying on him. "So, essentially, you want to know if I regret anything I did to you?"
Pushing more water from the lapping waves into their growing stream, Tarrlok nodded. "Yes, but I'd also like to know if you want to continue these lessons, as well as if we're on the same page professionally and personally."
"I don't regret anything. I was angry, rightfully so, and even if you didn't have anything to do with the headlines, you can't discredit how I thought you did. I mean-" She paused, brows rode high on her face as she blatantly eyed the length of his body once more. A part of him was bemused by the fact that she was so flagrantly checking him out, in front of him no less, but rational thought returned.
Of course, that'd only happen if they were practicing.
"Utterly two-dimensional, vile politician?" He completed her sentence belatedly.
Shrugging, Korra sent another stream of water towards him. "Well… you said it, not me." She mumbled smugly. Before he could add a quip, Korra was already hastening her form the slightest bit and he matched her accordingly. "My stance on the lessons hasn't changed because of that, Councilman. You might have angered me and I really wanted to kick your ass, but I'm determined to finish these lessons just for Mako. My answer is still the same as the last time I spent in your office."
Just for Mako, Tarrlok repeated in his mind.
It left a stale tang in his mouth the longer he thought about her still holding those feelings for the firebender after brazenly flirting with him the way she was. Time and time again, he tried to rationalize it on the fact that they were practicing seduction, but the longer he and Korra continued these lessons, the more he felt it was unjust. Judging from their recent sessions, he doubted she was that good a liar to trick him into thinking she was toying with him without feeling even half of the adoration he held for her.
However, maybe it was merely that ugly green streak in him that was whispering these things.
"That's good to hear." He uttered absently underneath his breath, though Korra managed to hear his words.
Korra made a noncommittal sound at the back of her throat in response.
Silence suddenly lapsed over them as she mulled over his words. The slightest crunching of sand beneath their feet and the crashing waves the only sound that met his ears. It intensified the longer the sun dipped just below the peaks of the surrounding mountains that they were bathed in a wash of pink and purple. And admittedly, the few furtive glances he took toward Korra, he had to immediately look away with a clench of his teeth simply due to the fact that the colors dancing on her features were a little too charming. A large part of him felt as though he were a lovesick teenager all over again, though this was certainly not the case. "I do think it is blurring our professional and personal relationship, though." She finally blurted.
Broken out of his reverie, Tarrlok cleared his throat. "I agree."
"A rarity, I assure you." She retorted sardonically. "But I think keeping this private is what we need to do. I know we agreed that that's how it'd be when I first asked you, to be away from the public eye and all, but if you haven't noticed, we haven't been doing that."
Tarrlok nodded and propelled the stream toward her before she easily caught it in some unspoken rhythm they set themselves in. "I do take some responsibility for that, and I do apologize."
It's one of the few times he genuinely apologized to someone since he'd taken a heavy interest in politics. Many of his mentors and professors years in the past had advised him to be unabashed yet passionate in the political sphere, that in doing so, he'd succeed.
And he did in some ways.
It also seemed as though Korra knew his words were authentic because she narrowed cerulean a fraction as she blindly tossed another wave towards him with a jerk of her arm. Odd was it that it looked as though she were seeing him in a different light, merely judging by her facial expression, though Tarrlok didn't want to assume anything of the sort.
It'd only leave him feeling shame coursing down his body.
"Same here…" Korra drawled almost inaudibly. Tarrlok swallowed over the growing lump in his throat as he met her intrigued gaze, however that lasted all but a few seconds before it was replaced with a mischievous smile. "So… what do you propose? You're a Councilman, right?"
"Keep this within the confines of a space where it's just us? Not even the Task Force, or a fairly secluded establishment?" He suggested with a cocked brow.
Korra offered one resolute nod. "Mhm. Shake hands on it or I won't believe you." Tarrlok rolled his eyes in amusement. He released the water from his flexed fingers as it splashed against now-damp sand, before taking a few steps forward and outstretching his hand to grasp her smaller one. Smooth, delicate skin met his that was a complete contradiction of the woman herself. Intrigued, Tarrlok allowed a small smirk to line his lips.
It felt as though this were the first time they formally shook hands. The first time they formally touched each other without the implication of something more devious behind their saccharine eyes or something wrathful behind murderous intent.
It was just them. The Avatar and Councilman agreeing to a fresh start of sorts.
Giggling, Korra released his hand first in favor of punching his bicep just as he'd seen her constantly do to the Liang twins the past week. Though this felt strangely different considering it was actually a light punch. "Wow, look at us. Talking without fighting." She beamed.
Tarrlok shook his head, narrowing his eyes toward her before glancing at the setting sun behind him. "Astounding, isn't it? The complexities of relationships."
Korra chuckled in response. Resuming their stances, Tarrlok bent the water from the sand and sent the stream towards her once again. For once, comfortable silence settled between them. Strange was it that he felt even the tiniest bit of content with her, given the first glimpse he had of her in the newspapers he was nearly taken back to his childhood, reminded of his dead brother and even more perished childhood. Then of course, what they've been doing behind not-so-closed doors and their nearly explosive bout the week prior, that if it weren't for the mild gasps from the Task Force members, he was sure they'd continue fighting.
Regardless, it wasn't until the sun was completely out of view and the full moon rose high in the sky that the twinkling stars followed, the purple morphing into a dark blue. That the water they sent back and forth to each other felt as though it were an extension of his being. It thrummed, pulsed in response to him. And he knew she felt it as well if the almost too relaxed expression on her face and slowed beat of her heart was of any indication.
Though that changed the moment the thought crossed his mind.
A few terse exhales escaped her nostrils in stifled amusement. Curious, Tarrlok offered her a wary glance, and feeling as though she needed to explain herself, Korra smiled roguishly. "Can I just say, I didn't imagine you as someone who likes to be bested. But now that I think about it, it makes sense."
Brows furrowing, Tarrlok faltered the slightest bit as he caught the stream of water she propelled his way. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked, mildly offended.
Her smile morphed into an outright grin as she studied him. "It means, you're a priss." She answered cheekily.
"I thought you deemed me as one since we first met." He replied with a dismissive pout. From the way he presented himself - with considerable pride and poise - Tarrlok didn't understand her penchant with those utterly insulting nicknames. Old? Priss? Spirits, he should punish her for that. What did that make her bald mentor? Let alone those in the White Lotus?
Tarrlok shook his head and readjusted his stance, flinging the water towards her. "I did, but you cemented that." She smiled.
He nearly scoffed at that. "Just as how I think you're brash and undignified?" He retorted with narrowed eyes.
"How so?"
Tarrlok released his grasp on the water, letting it fall to the sand once more and resolutely clasped his hands behind his back. As he approached her, circling her and allowing pale blue depths to slowly rove up and down her stiffening form, he detected a spike in her heart rate.
Maybe it was merely his intimidating presence, or maybe it was the effects of the full moon, he couldn't decide because his rose with hers. But as he stopped at her flank, he held her steady gaze.
"Title aside, your posture is abhorrent, your eating habits are repulsive, and you're as arrogant as I am, though that's just to name a few." He answered, tapping the tip of his foot to her bare ones and shifting them in order for her to straighten her spine. Inadvertently, the small contact was enough to have her grip on the water falter, wavering and wobbling before ultimately splashing into the sand.
"Stop, you're making me blush." She uttered sarcastically, an unenthusiastic smile stretching her plump lips before he took a step behind her and bent the droplets of water that landed on his shoes with a flick of his wrist.
Lethargically, Tarrlok eyed her physique as he felt her own cerulean watching him from over her shoulder. He knew he shouldn't have allowed his lecherous eyes to trail the length of her body, especially with the two guards up on the cliff that could be watching them from their vantage point, but dear Koh was she mesmerizing. Healthy muscles, toned and hearty, flexed under his gaze. Harsh curves, dips and swells beckoning to be grasped at by his hands.
He had to wonder how the sudden fire at the pit of his stomach began to flicker anew. Merely her charm? No. Yue's powers as the full moon shown above them? Surely, it was that, right?
Arousal tickled his nerves, thrumming subtly in his veins that caused him to unconsciously clench his jaw to refrain from showing his true emotions. As he neared her opposite flank, he leaned in close to her ear. "Actually, I'd like to introduce the next lesson. I doubt with your busy schedule we could do this sooner than in a week's time." He whispered, the stray tendrils beside her face stirring from his hot breath.
Seemingly emboldened by him, Korra turned her head, darkened eyes glimmering with something slowly burning within her depths, their faces a few centimeters apart, and smiled wickedly. "More hands-on training? You're practically begging to be killed by Tenzin, you know." She threatened mildly, though judging by the almost hushed, teasing tone in her voice, Tarrlok had an inkling Tenzin's overbearing protection was one of the last issues she had in mind.
"The only time I'd beg for something is for a little death, Avatar. Certainly not for Tenzin's mercy, or lack thereof." Whether she caught his insinuation or not, he wasn't quite sure. However, he had to remind himself that this was Korra he was regarding. The young Avatar that began with barely forming a scenario of speaking with her little crush, now seemed to carry flirtatious banter in spades. Maybe she was following her instinct or maybe it was deliberate. But one detail he was certain would follow if she did catch his heavy implication, he had no doubt that she'd flush a fiery red despite the lack of light. Smirking, Tarrlok continued. "But no, this lesson doesn't require any physical contact. In fact, you could practice using words to your advantage without the need for touch." He whispered before stepping away from her and returning to her front.
It was amusing to see those eyes of hers widen the slightest bit - before narrowing in mild offense - and conjure some form of a sultry side deep within her depths. Her form wasn't nearly as haphazard as their sparring session, though it was faltering a fraction under his intense scrutiny.
The light dusting of pink on her cheeks, then the glimmer of quelled lust, and ultimately the hitched breathing and spikes of her beating heart.
"Wouldn't that be boring, though?" She mumbled curiously.
Tarrlok smiled. "Of course not." Memories of past lovers fleeted in his mind's eye. Most were muddled with terrible ends to said relationships and blatant acts of sex, but the times he or his partner decided to draw this familiar tension to great lengths, even Tarrlok had to admit, it was intoxicating. Entertaining creativity and irritating tension always flourished as he thought back to a few ideas he could share with Korra, though that was incredibly inappropriate. Internally shaking his thoughts, he held her gaze. "It's what we've been doing since we started these lessons, just take the impulse of touching me out of the question."
She chuckled then, taking a daring step closer to him and standing at the tips of her toes with her hands perched on the swell of her hips. "Impulse to touch you? Councilman, judging on our last lesson, I don't need to touch you to get you hard." She whispered devilishly.
Incredibly crass was what she was, but he resolutely refrained from confirming or denying her assertion when she was perched upon his clothed cock nearly a week prior.
Pale blue searched her moonlit face as he swallowed over his dry throat. "The only touch you wanted to inflict on me was pain." He challenged, baritone low and menacing.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." She quipped.
"Do you deny it?" He whispered smugly.
"No,"
Smirking, Tarrlok tilted his chin up and lowered his lids as he regarded her. "Lesson seven: the art of being a tease without contact." He began, half expecting her to add some uttered complaint or quip to the conversation, but there was nothing. Instead, as he circled her, Korra watched his movements with fascinated eyes. "To put it bluntly, it's verbally flirting with the other person. You did well enough with verbal seduction in my office, though it'd be best to put that to practice once again. To reiterate, it's emphasizing certain words, the intonation or lilt in your voice should be playful, but your implication should be clear as to what your intentions are." He explained, leaning forward to whisper in her ear once more.
Repeating her movements moments prior, Korra turned her head to face him, holding his gaze steady. "So what's the difference between now and the last time I practiced this?"
"Boldness."
Brow twitching in response to his words, she smirked. "I wasn't bold?" She questioned.
His thoughts were taken back to the night in his office. The night she seamlessly transitioned from a fickle teenager to one that held some form of a sultry, seductive facade. The way she swaggered her hips, the deliberate arch of her back, the soft yet firm hands that settled on his shoulders and raked up his chest.
Then of course, her perched so enticingly atop his desk that it, admittedly, lingered at the back of his mind on mundane days where he was signing nothing more than permits.
"You were subtle, your physical actions were bold." He clarified.
Lightly chuckling, Korra cocked her hip to the side, shifting her weight from one foot to the other before folding her arms underneath her bust as he slowly reassumed his stance at her front. "I was just following your instructions. Unless you wanted me to take it further, of course."
"If you feel the need to escalate it, by all means, go ahead. So long as you feel comfortable with what you're doing."
"Now we're talking about comfort?" She asked innocently, her voice betraying her with her piqued interest.
Tarrlok shook his head, amused. "No, I merely mentioned comfort. It's about confidence. Whether it's feigned or not, it should appear genuine. As though you're comfortable in your own skin." He explained.
With a levelled sigh, cerulean roved over his form once more. It wasn't the curious, or murderous, scrutiny she offered him in the past. No. This time, it'd been slow, deliberate, as though she were appreciating what was at her front rather than studying him as to take some unspoken information from him. Tarrlok didn't know whether he should be flattered or not, especially when she tore her gaze away from his lower abdomen in favor of meeting his eyes.
Suddenly, a mischievous grin stretched her adoring features in the moonlight. With a step forward, Korra mimicked his movements and clasped her hands behind her back. With little more than a few centimeters that distanced them, Tarrlok's breath caught at the back of his throat. "You know, Councilman, there are very few things I know about you despite you telling me those stories on our first few dates…"
"But..?" He drawled, taking a step back.
"But one thing is for sure, I think you're the one that needs to get comfortable."
He needs to get comfortable? Bemused, Tarrlok glanced over the top of her head and out to the large waves behind her, pondering what in Koh's name she meant by that.
"... I don't follow." He uttered as he met her eyes once again.
Emboldened, Korra took another step forward, which caused him to step back. In a weird sense of familiarity, it felt similar to their tense dance of sorts during their sparring session, though this was growing with a certain type of tension that wasn't nearly as palpable.
When he moved, she followed. Until they were immersed in complete darkness.
"You're in a position of authority, of power, yet you got turned on just by me matching you when we sparred. You're clearly used to bossing people around, getting them to do your dirty work, while you sit at your desk, unscathed." She said, voice mirroring a dangerous, caught, tone. It didn't dawn on him until his back collided with the jagged surface of earth, that they were hidden in the small cave, completely out of view from the guards up on the cliff, and she had effectively trapped him. Pride surged in his veins at how well she was toying with him, but his brain was much too muddled to contemplate anything coherent.
Tarrlok licked his lips, a movement that was followed by enticed cerulean. "But when it's thrown in your face, someone doing exactly what you've done for the past decade-" She leaned forward, hands at either side of his arms, "let alone someone younger than you… you like it."
His heart thumped hastily against his chest. His breathing the slightest bit labored as he watched her lust-filled irises glimmer in the dark. If he wasn't caught before, he certainly was now. A part of him wondered how such a brash young woman became so astute in the handful of weeks under his instruction, but his thoughts were clouded with growing - inappropriate - arousal.
Blood rushed in his veins that he wasn't sure if it was only his or her own as well. Though he was certain that his was traveling south, threatening to manifest the obvious signs of his lust toward her just as it had the week prior.
Swallowing over his dry throat, Tarrlok's brow twitched. "Is this an assumption or a fact?" He murmured in a mild challenge, though his baritone gave away his true emotions of being utterly intrigued, fascinated, with her ministrations.
Or rather, lack thereof.
Korra stretched on her toes, digging her fingers into the rough rocks behind him. The heat from her body radiated off of her in waves as they were barely more than a few centimeters away.
"A fact." She whispered into his ear, the stray locks of hair stirring in accordance to her hot breath curling on his skin. For reasons beyond him, Korra managed to step a sliver closer, wedging herself between his thighs, yet still not touching him directly. "I can see it on your face. You want to boss me around, to play by your own rules, because no one has had the audacity, the confidence, to do so since you were elected. You're used to the idea of getting things you want, of ordering those beneath you around, that when the roles are reversed, you're fascinated. You want to submit." She enunciated, voice practically a hush as her lips barely brushed his own.
The heat she was emitting was astounding. Almost as though he assumed she used some gentle form of her firebending to add a flair for the dramatic, yet he couldn't bring himself to care. If anything, it was enticing him all the more, leaving him utterly dazed.
Relentless and stubborn. She didn't back down, her eyes searching his face, before tilting it to the side as if she were to follow it up with a kiss. A large part of him truly thought she would, internally preparing himself for a kiss that would break the chains of their growing lust. Would it be rampant, volatile, nothing more than seeking that pleasure? Or maybe it'd be completely innocent, hesitant, light, considering the young woman's lack of skill.
Instead, a brief chuckle bubbled at the back of her throat and her lips stretched into a sly smirk. "Is that bold enough, Councilman?" She questioned, her lips grazing his own that sent sparks of sweltering heat lancing down his nerves.
"Yes," he breathed out shakily. Her close proximity was affecting him in all too delicious ways, but before he was completely swayed by the young Avatar, Tarrlok matched her smirk and felt the defiance rising in him. "However, there's one detail I can't seem to shake with all this."
Reluctant, settled on the balls of her feet. "Which is?"
Taking the opportunity to best her - or rather, even the playing ground of this game they created during their practice sessions - Tarrlok quickly moved in a way that had him trapping her against the cave's wall and half heartedly straddling his thigh. Bending down to her ear, he could smell the sweet scents of her skin mingling with his own given how close they were to each other. Dangerous thoughts trickled into the back of his mind. It was exhilarating.
"You were just as aroused as I was." He whispered, before pulling away a fraction. There were traces of her shock on her adoring features. "Don't act so surprised, Korra. I can read emotions better than you, and despite your anger towards me, I could see you were horribly fascinated just as I was." His hands itched to touch her. To close the small distance and relish the undoubtedly delightful sensation of her front pressed against his own. "Do you deny it?" He repeated the question, though this time, smugness was thick in his baritone.
"No." She breathed, her cheeks burning fiercely even in the darkness.
Smirking, Tarrlok cocked his head to mirror her movements a few moments prior. "Then am I correct in presuming you're just as aroused as I am now?" He uttered, drunk on her scent, on her heat, on her dazed expression… on her power.
Though everything tilted on its axis in the span of a second, and he visibly bristled.
"What's going on here?" Came the familiar voice of his colleague.
Tarrlok felt Korra's small hands shove him away from her that caused him to stumble a bit, though he nearly cursed underneath his breath. How he didn't detect Tenzin's presence with his bloodbending was beyond him, but he tried not to think about the fact that it was wholly due to his clouded judgment and thrumming arousal.
Her heart rate nearly burst out of her chest from what he could sense, and his rose with it accordingly.
"Oh, hey Tenzin." Korra greeted stiffly, her voice anything but relaxed judging by the shaky tone. But he didn't budge, let alone glance at his ward.
"Tarrlok, explain yourself." He demanded, that ugly red flushing his face just as he'd seen many times in the past on the Council floor.
With one impatient glance at the bald man, Tarrlok sensed that if he simply walked away, or lied and was caught, Tenzin would've airbent him against the rough surface of the small cave, or worse, did exactly as Korra mentioned when he first arrived. Though that was merely judging by the taut bending stance Tenzin and the few White Lotus guards directed at him.
Sighing, he conceded with hands lifted in surrender. "Don't worry your shiny, bald head, Tenzin. I just came over to apologize to Korra for the amount of time she's been spending on my Task Force, and to discuss a few things for upcoming raids." He lied with a sly smirk, gesturing towards the picnic basket as proof that he visited with the intention to purely keep their relationship as cordial as possible.
It wasn't a complete lie when in actuality they did mend their professional and personal relationship, though he received more than he intended, and then some.
Tenzin's gaze hardened, then flickered to Korra that stood a few feet beside him. Bristling, Korra pointed at him childishly. "What he said." She muttered.
Spirits, if Tenzin had any doubt that they were lying, it'd be thanks to Korra for attempting - and failing - to stifle her true emotions from slipping. Maybe he needed to teach her about concealing her emotions as well, he duly noted.
Regardless, Tarrlok bowed his head, acquiescing to the fact that everyone except one person out of the group wanted him gone. Straightening his spine, Tarrlok ran his hands down the soft material of his coat, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles on the surface and smiled. "Actually, I was just leaving. I have other affairs to attend to in about half an hour, and I don't want to be late." He lied once more.
Emerging from the darkness of the cave, Tarrlok began setting out towards the steep steps, though Korra effectively stopped him with a slight stammer.
"O-oh, Tarrlok, we can continue this on Wednesday, same time in your office." Arousal still crossed her features, though quelled, as she playfully bit her lower lip and the darkness in her eyes glimmered in the moonlight. It was simply a hint compared to the worry that they've been caught in these lies, or maybe even the restlessness she experienced from all the eyes regarding them.
But Tarrlok smiled nonetheless, bowing his head. "I'll see you then, Avatar Korra."
It wasn't until he was nearly out of earshot from the group that he heard Tenzin ask, what will you two be continuing? However, the dismissive chuckle and, it's nothing, Tenzin. It's just task force crap he wants me to do for the newbies that are interested, from Korra caused a genuine smirk to line his lips as the impulse to shake his head in astonishment overwhelmed him.
Maybe her acting skills were sharper than he originally assumed they'd be.
—-
A/N: "Little death": an orgasm :)