A/N: If you are uncomfortable with themes of rape, sexual coercion, power imbalances, and age gaps, I suggest you don't read any further.

Thank you for reading.


Tarrlok's gaze swept across the crowded, stuffy ballroom. Another gala hosted in Avatar Korra's honor, though tonight was very important and different from the last time he held an event like this. He analyzed the many, many guests, among them being the Avatar herself. Standing in the middle of some reporters and socialites, he could read her fake smile from across the room. The dress she wore - an excellent choice on his part - was a dark blue, bearing resemblance to water tribe clothing only in color. The neckline plunged at her chest, and the hips of the dress were tailored to be just tight enough to make her uncomfortable without being unwearable. The bottom of the dress tapered out somewhat, making it inefficient for fighting or maneuvering quickly. Her hair was tied up tightly in a bun, an ornate hairpin holding her hair in place.

The jeweled lily glimmered in the light of the room, and so did the opulent necklace covering her collar bone. She had even worn make-up, a light tint of purple on her eyelids and barely noticeable red tracing her lips. She cleaned up nice, when push came to shove. The dark blue of her dress was the same as his tailcoat, though he opted for a white undershirt and light gray cravat for this occasion. Dark slacks weren't his usual go-to, but for tonight, they were an appropriate choice. He knew pesky tabloid reporters would coo and marvel at their matching outfits, the decidedly more mature look of the girl, and the rest of everyone's concerns would fall by the wayside because the Avatar endorsed him.

He couldn't help but feel proud of his handiwork. Her loyalty to her friends was more useful than he initially thought. At first a nuisance, like she was, but she fell in line like all the others. He could rest easy knowing he had her right where he wanted her. There was nothing the all-powerful Avatar could do to stop him from being the city's savior, not if she wanted her friends to stay safe. The Avatar's gaze shifted from the people she was engaged in conversation with, to Tarrlok high above her on the railing of the balcony next to the staircase. The slow, thin smile he gave her told her all she needed to know. He saw her fake grin falter for a moment before she said something to those around her, and he could sense her heartbeat quicken while he descended the staircase.

He set a languid pace, hand guiding along the banister and soaking in the tensing of her muscles, able to pick out the slightest acceleration in her breathing. Tarrlok smiled and greeted those he passed by, snagging a glass of champagne from a server passing by. Korra bit her lip hard while he approached her and the small group of people she was conversing with. Tarrlok settling an arm around her shoulder and pulling her close to him made her tense up even more, though she tried to hide it with a polite laugh.

"Now, what have you been telling our esteemed guests?" Tarrlok said. The words carried an edge Korra easily detected, prompting her to play along.

"Just about the new policies you're implementing."

She smiled through gritted teeth, nails digging into her palms.

"All such good ideas. Couldn't ask for a better man on the council."

Tarrlok nodded pleasantly, handing her the glass of champagne. Korra relaxed somewhat, taking a small sip. It burned at the back of her throat.

"How did you two reconcile your differences? After Avatar Korra left the task force, there had been rumors of animosity between the two of you. Care to comment?"

Tarrlok squeezed her shoulder tightly. She kept her mouth shut.

"Ah, yes. At first we clashed on what the best ways to help the city were, but we united after having a heart-to-heart. We realized we had a similar enemy, and that helped us understand each other. Isn't that right?"

Korra nodded passively. She was trembling in his grip. Good.

"So, the next step was to celebrate our ideals with this gala. I'm not one to shy away from expressing affection for those I care about."

His hand slipped from her shoulder to her waist. He could sense bile rising in her, a quickening heartbeat while she squirmed under his touch ever so slightly. She took a deep gulp of her glass, hiccuping slightly while the alcohol tingled at the back of her throat. His right hand splayed across her stomach, left hand coming to cup her face. She had no choice but to stare into his eyes, a self-congratulating, oily smirk on his lips.

"More than the union of our forces to fight the equalist movement, this is about the union of the two of us. As partners. As- well, dear, would you like to tell them?"

Korra paled as much as she could with her dark complexion. She understood this play. Getting her to admit it. Make it seem like she's equally on board. She's the Avatar, after all. Hearing it from the horse-donkey's mouth would make it more real, more tangible. He was a monster.

"We've been courting each other." Uttered the Avatar. "I'm glad to say it's going well. He makes me happy."

Some of the socialites ooed and fawned over the statement. It took all of Korra's will not to beat Tarrlok senseless. It was the least he deserved for dangling her friends over her head, forcing her to play dress up and do as he pleased like she was some doll for him to play around with. Korra felt utterly alone with his slimy hand on her waist and the women and men around her congratulating her on her relationship with the councilman. She gulped more champagne down.

"Goodness, you're such a cute couple!" One of the wives of an oil tycoon remarked. "Age is just a number, Avatar Korra, don't let anyone else say otherwise."

Korra couldn't help but notice the woman was half the oil tycoon's age. The man was graying and wrinkled while his wife barely looked older than Korra's mom. She glanced over at Tarrlok, stomach turning at the sight of fine lines around his mouth and a few gray hairs peeking out.

"Well, Avatar Aang was one-hundred and twelve years old when he met his eventual wife. Things always find a way to work themselves out."

Reporters and wealthy elites all around laughed heartily. Korra polished off her drink miserably, any distraction better than what was happening right now. Comparing himself to Aang when he was forcing her into doing this and keeping her friends imprisoned made her blood boil. She hiccuped from the rush of alcohol in her system, unintentionally leaning against the councilman for support. Tarrlok's smirk grew more predatory while his hand snuck behind Korra's back and gave her bottom a hard, perverse squeeze. He leered at her, grabbing her rump in an overly eager way. The dress was fitted to give him easy access, which couldn't be a coincidence. No one around her seemed to notice the perversion. They were all playing along and making polite conversation. Her head spun.

"It's funny, Avatar Korra and I didn't get along when she first arrived. But we managed to see eye-to-eye on a few issues, and despite disagreeing, we managed to become closer than ever. She's the most incredible woman I've met."

Korra dizzily nodded when Tarrlok prompted her, her stomach rolling with nausea. The champagne was a bad idea. Tarrlok's hand had moved from her buttocks to her waist, pressing a small kiss in her hair. She wanted to retch up what little she had eaten that day when he smelled her hair, groaning so quietly she was the only one who heard him. His hot breath ghosted across her face and neck, hand clamped on her hip and a dark look in his eyes. She recognized the look as the same predatory gaze Amon gave her when she'd first encountered him. Back then, she had assumed it was a look of hatred and contempt. But now, while Tarrlok pressed wet kisses to her cheek, that same heated gaze sweeping across her chest, it dawned on her that Amon and Tarrlok had wanted the same thing.

"I need to go to the bathroom." Korra blurted, and scurried away before anyone could object. She knew it'd piss Tarrlok off. She didn't care. She needed to get away from him.

She found herself wandering the halls of the building, climbing stairs rather inelegantly in the heels she was wearing, until she opted to throw them behind her and trudge her way through the building without shoes. She abandoned her empty champagne glass somewhere along the way, marveling at the ostentatious architecture surrounding her. It always amazed her how City Hall was huge , sprawling hallways and dozens of rooms tucked away in parts of the building not available to the public. Her thoughts flitted to Asami's mansion and how at the time, she had thought it ridiculous that one house for two people needed to be so big. That complaint had faded with her actually enjoying Asami's company and looking around City Hall, she felt more contempt for the taxpayer dollars that went into what was presumably a vanity project for Tarrlok. She came upon a long, moonlit corridor with countless windows that overlooked a large garden; coming closer to the windows, she was reminded of the garden Asami had at her house.

She smiled at the memory of her, Mako, Asami, and Bolin enjoying each other's company at Asami's mansion. Splashing in the pool, eating lunch together, driving around with them. Her memories shifted to the last time she had seen them, all being carted away in handcuffs. Who knew how they were being treated? That hurt her most of all. Not knowing what they were all being subjected to, especially with the way Tarrlok was treating her in public . There was no telling what he was capable of behind closed doors.

When she'd encountered him in his office that night, she had been scared to refuse his offer of keeping her friends safe. She had been a coward. She accepted to do what he asked, what that entailed. She felt so stupid for not recognizing the lecherous look he gave her, not understanding what exactly he meant by ' fall in line, and do as I say '.

It had started out innocent enough. Well. As innocent as Tarrlok, of all people, could be. Press conferences where she endorsed his policies, attending dinner parties with him, getting Tenzin to back off and not agitate the council during meetings. It was all work to put the city in his pocket, something she hated , but she was certain once her friends got out, they could right all the wrongs Tarrlok was bent on implementing. A week or so after they had made their initial agreement, Tarrlok had sent a car for her to discuss their terms. To her surprise, it had taken her to the tidy (too tidy for what she was used to) home of the councilman. He had made dinner that evening, something she initially eyed with suspicion. He offered her alcohol which she accepted with trepidation. Dinner wasn't that bad and the small talk Tarrlok engaged in was actually entertaining. For a few minutes, she could forget how awful he was.

Then he took her hand in his.

"Avatar, I believe a partnership would be beneficial to the both of us."

Korra cursed herself for being naive enough to think a few public appearances would be enough to sate him.

Earlier that night, Pema helped her do her hair and make-up, trying to encourage Korra as much as she could. Tenzin watched with disgust and sadness when the girl was dressed up with everything Tarrlok had sent to Air Temple Island. When Pema finished fixing her necklace and settling the pin in her hair, Tenzin blocked the doorway.

"You don't have to do this."

She smiled sadly, and shook her head.

"Please don't make this more difficult, Tenzin."

The look Tenzin gave her broke her heart. Pema had consolingly rubbed her shoulders and soothed her, telling her it would all be okay, that everything would be fine. Jinora seemed more aware of what was happening than Ikki or Meelo, both excited at how pretty Korra looked. Jinora took Korra's hand in hers, sad, brown eyes staring deep into Korra's. She gave Korra a hug.

"I'm sorry." Jinora had murmured.

Korra had almost broken down right there.

It took all her strength not to throw her arms around Pema and Tenzin and never let go. She gave Naga a quick pat on the head and left on the ferry waiting for her without looking back. It would have hurt too much.

Korra eyed her faint reflection in the window. Her thin frame looked defeated. Weak. It hadn't even been a month and he'd already gotten her to concede and play along with what he wanted. She hated what he was making her. Hated the obvious satisfaction he got from breaking her into pieces. Her palms balled into fists. Her life had completely turned upside-down in the past few weeks because of him.

She ripped the hairpin out, tearing off her necklace and throwing the accessories down the hall. Guttural growls and frustrated shrieks left her. She clawed at her hair, then her arms where he'd touched her. He permeated her, ghostly touch still on her waist, disgusting smile burned into her sight. With one last frustrated scream, she punched one of the windows, glass splintering the air, shimmering in moonlight as shards littered the pristine floor.

Korra's blinding rage gave way to bitter tears. Korra hugged herself tightly, fat tears spilling down her cheeks. Sobs wracked her chest. She stopped moving, exhausted so much by what Tarrlok was taking from her. She curled up on the balls of her heels, covering her face in shame. She sniffled, hiccuping, wiping her tears away. She squinted in the pale corridor lit by moonlight; barely able to make out patchy smudges from her eye shadow on her hands.

She hated feeling like this. Tarrlok made her feel more powerless than Amon had, and he didn't even have the power to take away her bending. Instead of stripping her of her Avatar title, Tarrlok opted to use it against her as much as possible. It was an effective strategy, she hated to admit. The girl's hands, dirty and bleeding, trembled. She missed home. She just wanted to be home, curled up with Naga and mom and dad. Playing in the snow with her friends during the day and warming up by the fire with Tenzin, Pema and their children. Her heart wrenched at the thought of what her parents' reactions would be when they saw the headlines of her and Tarrlok being a couple. She just wanted to be back home, far far away from his clutches and influence.

The breeze from the broken window swept through her. She shivered. She was used to the cold in the South Pole, but the cold in Republic City was alien; far more bitter and frustrated.

"Avatar, are you done throwing a tantrum?"

Korra's blood froze. Her head slowly inched to the direction of the voice, stomach lurching at the site of Tarrlok. Hands clasped behind his back, a flicker of annoyance graced his features. Korra knew the broken window and her tattered appearance were grating on him, which was not going to make him easy to deal with.

"Come now. You know better than to pull something like this." Scoffed the man. "I thought you'd be more willing to agree to our terms knowing your friends were at stake, but I suppose you really don't care. Not that it matters much to me. I can let Saikhan know what he can do with the insurrectionists."

A volley of fire barely missed Tarrlok's face.

"You- You-"

Tarrlok looked unbothered by the act of aggression.

"Get it all out. I know teenagers act out like this, even if it's unreasonable."

"Shut up, you monster." Spat the girl. "You're not going to keep getting away with this! You're just as bad as Amon! No- You're worse !"

That seemed to have gotten his attention. Tarrlok's eyes narrowed.

"You have no clue how miserable I could make things for you."

"You couldn't-"

"I can. And I will. " He snapped. "If you break our arrangement, there's nothing stopping the press from finding out the Avatar is an Equalist sympathizer. Friends with the daughter of a known Equalist conspirator, attacking a councilman for pushing anti-Equalist policies, threatening the safety of this city with her reckless behavior. Secretly teaming up with Amon so her bending is left alone. Why else would he have left you alone on Aang Memorial Island that night?"

Cotton filled her throat. Her hands fell limply by her sides. His voice cut through the night air.

"I understand you may feel that, somehow , I've wronged you. But rest assured, Avatar. As long as you do as I say, your friends will be unharmed."

He closed the space between them, the soft clink of glass beneath his shoes. His hand caressed her cheek, wiping away stray tears. Tarrlok pressed a kiss to her temple, vacant eyes barely acknowledging his presence. He tsk-tsked at the cuts on her hands, pulling water from a nearby vase and applying it to her battered hands. He wasn't an especially talented healer, but learning how blood responds in someone's body made him competent.

The surprisingly tender moment from Tarrlok didn't fool Korra, but she couldn't exactly fight back. She couldn't let her friends or the city suffer for her actions. While she was free to walk, she had hope of gaining the upper hand, hope of defeating Amon and beating Tarrlok mercilessly like he deserved. She had to be patient. Having restraint was the only way to deal with him. Anything else she tried would backfire.

"There, there, little Avatar." Cooed the man softly, mistaking her silence for compliance. All the better for her that he thought that. He stroked her hair with his free hand. Tarrlok buried his nose in the crook of her neck when he finished healing her. Taking a deep inhale of her scent, he groaned. "What am I going to do with you? I can't let you act out without repercussions."

Korra could taste vomit on her tongue from his words. Endure. That's all you have to do. Endure.

He was still stroking her hair, pressing soft kisses to her neck and shoulders. Her brain could hardly register when he pressed a peck to her lips. She went numb when he kissed her again, deepening it and forcing his tongue in her mouth. His mouth was hot, cloying, expertly forcing her to reciprocate. Tarrlok could feel himself harden when her mouth trembled and barely fought back against him. He grabbed her shoulders, hard, pulling her closer to him and slipping a hand on her waist while the other fondled her right breast. Korra weakly struggled for a moment when he bit her lip, but the poor girl fell limp in his arms. She tried to think about anything other than what was happening. Feeding Naga lunch. Ikki and Jinora playing with her hair. Mako and Bolin training with her. The soft look Asami would give her when they were alone together. Tears welled in her eyes. For the city. For her friends. She needed to endure.

Tarrlok's hand on her breast slipped underneath her dress, groaning when he rolled her sensitive, pert nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He'd barely been able to keep his hands off of her as long as he had. It was a miracle he hadn't caved sooner. Her soft skin felt so right under his calloused hands, the faint scratch of his stubble touching her face. He groaned again, pressing his hardened length against her thigh, forcing one of her hands to cup his manhood through his trousers. Korra faintly responded with a small shake of her head, which Tarrlok ignored while he pressed a fervent kiss to her lips. Spirits, she was beautiful. The way her body squirmed ever so slightly under his attention, the way her fingers twitched around his manhood, the way she tried to fight back tears and stay strong despite all he was taking from her- It was enough to make him stop fondling her breasts and focus on her buttocks instead. Grabbing her roughly and squeezing her buttocks affectionately.

"Good, little Avatar." He murmured against her lips, taking two of his fingers and forcing them in her mouth. She gagged with how far he pushed them in, Tarrlok content to watch her squirm and feel her body prepare to throw up. He removed his fingers, a sickeningly satisfied smile appearing on his face. Korra could hardly reconcile what was happening.

"Don't..." Mumbled the girl.

Tarrlok smirked at her desperation.

"Why should I do that?"

Korra didn't have an answer. Instead, she closed her eyes. Tarrlok deepened the kiss, his overwhelming frame dominating her, with him being taller and older. Korra's mind faded in and out. One moment, he was kissing her. The next, he had slipped her dress down to her hips; he was sucking on her breast.

It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.

"Avatar." Groaned the man. Tears found their way to her eyes every time he reminded her of her position, forcing her to understand what he was doing to her despite who she was. Her dress came off, somehow, and his eyes raked over her with too much slimy delight.

"Spirits, you're incredible."

His praise fell on deaf ears. Korra's mind was numb. Blank. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, head heavy and lolling backwards, helpless when she fell unconscious.

Korra was faintly aware of lights passing by. She was moving. In a car. The smell of a new car, rosemary, and- Him.

Tarrlok was driving. Korra glanced down, seeing her necklace on. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun, heels back on her feet. She could hardly remember the night.

"You had a bit too much to drink." Chimed the older man. His eyes narrowed somewhat, wearing a friendly smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry. None of the press noticed."

Korra eyed him confusedly. She'd had a dream that he… He'd… But her clothes were on. She glanced at her hands. No cuts. There was an odd taste in her mouth, an ever present ache between her legs. Maybe from the champagne, she tried to convince herself. Her head pounded as she tried to recall the night.

"What happened?"

"You, ah, helped yourself to the champagne." He laughed. "You were in over your head, so I decided to help you back to Air Temple Island."

Korra sniffled, mouth dry. She didn't know what she had expected after the gala. It shouldn't have surprised her he was giving her a ride back, but it did.

"I'm nothing if not a gentleman."

Korra nodded absent-mindedly, hands hugging herself. Silence filled the car. Minutes passed with no conversation, not that she minded. She didn't want to talk to him, grateful he wasn't making awkward small talk. Faint memories of a dream - nightmare? - hung over her. She fidgeted with her necklace.

"I had a weird dream."

"Oh?" Tarrlok mused.

"Yeah."

Korra didn't elaborate. She stared out the window, the lights from the city occupying her thoughts. Restaurants open, a few bars with stragglers coming out, couples on the sidewalk walking arm in arm and kissing. Korra's nose wrinkled. She glanced at the driver's seat, meeting Tarrlok's eyes in the mirror. She snapped her head back to the view of the city. Snow covered the ground. The car slowed to a halt, the pier before them. Tarrlok got out of the car, opening Korra's door for her. Her head hurt, why couldn't she remember anything? She wordlessly accepted Tarrlok's arm in hers as he escorted her to the ferry. He pulled her into a hug, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you for the lovely evening. Care to join me for lunch tomorrow? I'll send a car for you around noon."

Korra's head must have nodded without her even realizing it when Tarrlok smiled and pecked her lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then. Wear the other clothes I sent you last week. They suit you."

With that, he drove away. Korra watched the dark, murky water until she arrived back on the island. The statue of Aang in the distance did nothing to soothe her nerves.

Pema, Naga and Tenzin crowded the stairs to the house. She wondered how long they had been waiting for her. Pema swept her up into a hug, Naga licked her face excitedly, and Tenzin offered a comforting arm on her shoulder. She squirmed out of their hold on her. She just wanted to sleep.

"Are you okay, Korra?" Pema's concerned voice cut through her thoughts. Naga followed her, sticking her nose against Korra's torso. She didn't want Naga to touch her. Korra shrugged.

"It was fine. I'm having lunch with him tomorrow."

Tenzin and Pema shared a look. Naga whined sadly when she was pushed away.

"Korra, you don't have to-" Tenzin began to speak before Korra sharply cut him off.

"I'm going to sleep."

Korra stumbled to her room, tearing off her accessories and clothes, slipping into a night shirt and pajama pants. Flopping onto her bed, she pulled the covers over herself tightly. Despite how many blankets she was under, the cold pit in her stomach stayed. Korra could faintly make out Tenzin and Pema's hushed voices speaking urgently and the sad whines Naga made at her door. The moon burned through her window. The image of broken glass, a dark corridor, Tarrlok's hands squeezing her tightly-

Korra closed her eyes, falling into a restless sleep.


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