Day 3 – Politics
Korra wondered how she'd ever been so naïve. When she'd arrived at Republic City, the young avatar had thought her heart was hers to give. Years later, she'd been taught that nothing mattered in the city but politics. It's why she was once again on the arm of the beautiful boy with dark hair and golden eyes.
"You seem upset." Korra felt guilty every time she looked at Mako. He may have been a lot of things, notably fickle and hard-headed, but he was innocent in this. It was Mako that had broken up with Asami to be with her when she'd thought he was what she wanted. At that point in her life he had seemed like her dream. At this point in life he was her gilded cage.
"Our city's golden couple. My, don't you make an attractive picture?" It was politics that mandated that Korra be friends with councilman Tahno. She wasn't even sure how he had managed to secure himself the vote, but he was certainly slimy. She still didn't trust him, although the general public thought that pro-bending made them the closest of friends. At least Mako was with her on that one, neither of them had ever really liked the waterbender.
"Can we get a picture?" As she'd been doing ever since the threat of Amon was removed, Korra turned and smiled for a picture. Mako's hand rested delicately on her back, and Tahno leaned in too. The picture would be perfect, detailing the lives of everyone's favorite couple.
Korra had read more articles on her relationship with Mako than she'd read actual news. Each time Tenzin, Pema, Katara and every other adult reminded her that it was good for morale. That it helped instill trust in the leaders of the city for people to see the avatar happily settled. That the shinier their relationship looked, the better the two of them seemed, the better the city seemed.
When Korra thought of politics she thought of men making promises they couldn't keep. Well, promising to love Mako forever as they both grew and developed into different people was a promise Korra had never intended to make. She'd loved Mako at a time in her life when she needed someone like him to want her. But now, now she was afraid to admit that she needed something different.
Her eyes locked onto something different as he strolled into the room. If her role was to be part of the most perfect couple, Tarrlok's was to show everyone how anyone could change. Councilman Tarrlok had not only regained his seat on the council, he'd been the only unopposed vote. With help from Tenzin, Tarrlok had become a hero. He played the hero well, Korra decided. With a kiss that was more for the cameras than for him, Korra took leave of her boyfriend.
She walked past Tarrlok a few times before approaching him. To any casual observer she'd seem like she was doing her job: mingling. Indeed she was stopped several times by several people, always sure to be cordial. The girl trapped inside her wanted to tell these people that their extravagant parties were wasteful, and that she'd rather be curled up with Naga. But this wasn't the forum for that. So instead, she smiled at them and made small talk until she was finally free to leave them. When she got to Tarrlok, she merely stood beside him.
"You don't look like you're having any more fun than I am." Korra kept her voice light, and also quiet. It was rude to appear to be anything less than overjoyed at the thought of another social function. If they were overhead, it would be best to play it off as a joke.
"Who would?" Tarrlok knew this game; his own voice was just as quiet, and just as lighthearted.
"You used to." At first it had made Korra sad, realizing Tarrlok had no memory. But it soon became just another part of their relationship. If someone had asked Korra before what she'd do to Tarrlok if he lost his memory, she would have been cruel. She would have given him a very distorted idea of who he was. But being in the situation, she'd never once lied. Never even told him he'd liked Naga, although she'd been tempted. They both trusted each other too much.
"Ah, well, I used to be the scum of the earth, remember?" Korra hated when he put himself down. Tarrlok had changed so much, although some things about him were always constant. His personality hadn't changed, not really, but Korra had finally gotten to know him. He was candid about everything he did remember.
"Don't." She warned, moving closer under the pretense of stumbling into him. Before anyone could see, Korra whispered
"Balcony, nobody wants to be outside in this weather." With that she pretended to laugh at something he said, and then make her rounds again. She didn't stop until she'd been unable to spot him for five full minutes.
When she got outside, it was still snowing lightly. Unlike the people inside, who had grumbled at the intrusion, it made Korra smile.
"I didn't mean to bring you down." Tarrlok had rarely apologized before the incident. Based off what Korra knew about his past, she imagined he'd spent most of his childhood apologizing. It made her heart hurt.
"I'm just waiting for you to realize you shouldn't put yourself down. Nobody handled Amon very well. Nobody responded well to any of the stress. We all could have done better, not just you. And from where you started, look what you accomplished. You tried to prove you were nothing like Yakone, and you did. I know you don't think so, but you did. I think the biggest testament to how much you've changed is that all of the most judgmental people in Republic City can genuinely say that they like you now. Even I like you." Korra tried to make it funny, but they both knew it wasn't. They were always having talks like that.
"Why do you like me?" He'd never asked her that before. She could tell that he was afraid of the answer. He didn't have to be.
"I like you because you feel like home. You understand my traditions and beliefs and remind me of everyone I loved growing up. I like you because I understand your negatives. I can get inside your head and understand why you act how you do, so I don't get mad at you. I like you because you're smart, and you try to be kind. But the reason I like you now when I didn't before is because nobody is making me. Our relationship isn't based on what Republic City needs, or one of us trying to get into office. It's based on who you are and who I am as a person. It's real." By the time she'd finished speaking, they were both staring intently into each other's eyes.
She was the first to break eye contact, looking out into the water. He wouldn't kiss her, and she wouldn't kiss him. Her relationship with Mako might not have been ideal, but she was no longer a child. She understood that sometimes the politics came first above all else. He understood perfectly, he always did. Instead, the two of them leaned against the balcony, letting the familiar snow gently envelop them. As they looked out into the night sky, their bodies only slightly pressed together side-by-side, Tarrlok grasped Korra's hand in his own. No politics involved.