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Ming was sure there’s something going on between his boss and his new wife, the Avatar. He knew they weren’t fond of each other. Their marriage was arranged and all for the public image of their represented political alliance.
Essentially, it was all a facade.
In the long while they’ve been wed, something shifted. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it was almost an instant change, although he didn’t catch onto it as early as he should have.
Despite that, Ming’s eyes study the two of them from afar. He’s on the second floor, peering over the ornate railing and transporting a pile of forms to Tarrlok’s office. Today, the Avatar’s attending a Council meeting, perhaps due to Tarrlok’s influence or Councilman Tenzin’s, he’s not sure.
Regardless of who, it’s clear one thing hasn’t changed, the Avatar still doesn’t favor being at City Hall. At her age, he doesn’t blame her.
As is the case every time the Avatar takes her seat next to Councilman Tenzin, she fights with his boss. It used to be vitriolic and dramatic. He noted they love the attention it gathered from the other Councilmembers. Well, they still technically do, but under his studious eye, their verbal bouts have a tinge of… warmth? Lack of bite? There’s an underlying something they’re refusing to acknowledge. Or rather, refusing to let slip.
That’s not including the way they stare at one another. It used to be venomous glares directed at Tarrlok, and now it’s lingering gazes that feel more akin to lovers wanting each other’s attention. But that’s not right… right? They’re both an enigma and he didn’t think he’d peg the Avatar as one considering she’s been an open book thus far.
It’s clear there’s some sort of communication between them that Ming isn’t privy to. Is his boss trying to appear threatening to her? Or is he preening?
No, no. That doesn’t sound right either. Ming is stumped and he doesn’t like that he doesn’t know. It’s his job to know. But then again, he’s supposed to keep an eye on other people’s business rather than his boss’.
Even acknowledging that, he can’t help but wonder. What goes on in that home of theirs? How they can tolerate each other. Just from observing them in public it’s clear they can’t stand each other. Well, if you look past the feigned pleasantries, it’s obvious.
Why did they even agree to this marriage? He knows why, theoretically, but is it worth it? Legally binding yourself to someone you care little about, constantly bickering? In Ming’s eyes, it isn’t. He doesn’t have anyone to go home to, but even he knows what sort of relationship the Avatar and the Councilman have isn’t normal outside of the political context.
The Council is dismissed and the Avatar stops to discuss a few things with her mentor, Councilman Tarrlok on her heels not long after with a hand at her back. His hold on her is uncharacteristically chaste, considerate, and he can sense Tarrlok’s refraining from lowering his gentle touch to the small of her back like he’s seen him do with previous relationships.
In retrospect, Tarrlok appears to be holding back quite a lot in regards to the young Avatar compared to his previous flames. For one, he knows his boss favors public affection. He’s never shied away from that. Ming’s caught him once or twice getting a little too cozy with women in his office and he tries not to think about it too much now that he’s wed to the Avatar. But now that it’s on his mind he can’t help but think, oddly enough, the women he’s courted before are not too dissimilar to Korra. They have that fire and tenacity in them, but the one distinguishing quality is they’re older than the Avatar and have a more… refined look to them.
Then another, he loves toting around his lovers. Ming bets it’s choking him on the inside that he can’t parade his wife like he’s done before, especially since she is who she is. It’s probably a point of pride for Tarrlok and a point of contention with her. Ming chuckles to himself, a small bit of karma after having to deal with all his theatrics for years.
They exchange a few words and as irritable as Councilman Tenzin looks, the Avatar readily climbs the stairs with her husband.
Ming circles the perimeter and offers his help to the other members even though he’s technically Tarrlok’s assistant. He’s bringing paperwork to and fro when he passes by Tarrlok’s office.
His boss is reclined, clearly mortified and incredulous behind his desk as the Avatar’s hip is cocked and arms crossed in front of him. He only hears the words, “-no we’re not contacting Amon’s alleged ex lover. Korra, you can’t trust who they claim to be. Who knows if they’re some rabid superfan of his and out to trick you.”
There’s a moment of silence before the Avatar hums. “Ok, but what if they aren’t?”
A sigh. “Korra-“
Ming is out of earshot by then, but their argument presumably continues… like it always does.
—-
Occupying his time works well in his favor. He’s prescreening forms and permits and death threats and proposals, sorting them out for his boss. When he’s done, he realizes it’s already dark, late in the night and Yue is shining beautifully. All of the Council members long have left - the airbender looking somewhat reluctant to before he bade his farewells - for the exception of the couple.
There’s whispering between the two before it’s effectively halted when Ming strides into the office. He’s not sure, but is the Councilman blushing? Dismissing it he places a new cup of tea for the both of them and gets a quiet thanks back. The Councilman and the Avatar work in the dim lighting of his office, the chair at the front of his desk is pulled beside him as they peer over blueprints of a suspected warehouse they’ll be raiding for the next task force mission.
He doesn’t like being a third wheel and certainly doesn’t like whatever tension is lingering around them so he leaves, glancing at them from his periphery when he hears something knock from underneath Tarrlok’s desk… he doesn’t want to know.
Another hour passes and before long he can hear the two packing up.
They pass by him, the Avatar refusing to make eye contact with him and Tarrlok, mildly vexed, says, "You can lock up, just make sure I have those reports and permits on my desk. Have a goodnight, Ming.”
He bows his head with clasped hands at his front and watches them. They’re both utterly quiet, and maybe it’s just him, but an awkwardness swells the longer he waits for them to leave. It’s not until he hears the entrance to City Hall is fully shut to finally go through his nightly routine. He stifles a yawn and finishes his cup of coffee before heading to Tarrlok’s office. He tidies up his desk for tomorrow’s agenda.
His boss was always so particular with his work. Ming sorted through paperwork by task force matters and tip offs and regular Council work and requests from his other colleagues.
It’s tidy enough and Ming decides to double check everything is in order and finally lock up. He’s typically the last one in City Hall unless Tarrlok dismisses him early and he wants a late night in working alone.
Ming heads out, mindlessly taking his routine route to the train station a short distance away, but as he’s walking past the Council’s inner parking structure, something catches his eye. Squinting, he sees a satomobile parked in the dark shadows of the farthest corner. Curious, Ming hunches and quietly draws closer along the hedges.
Closer and closer he hears the muffled keens of a woman. His hackles rise. Everything in him tells him to leave the couple alone, but there’s a single part of him that - disgustingly - wants to know who the two are and why they’re trespassing.
He’s at least a handful of meters away from the satomobile when his eyes bulge out of his skull. It’s Councilman Tarrlok and Avatar Korra.
Ok, he really shouldn’t be here.
He’s frozen in his spot, unable to tear his eyes off of the couple behind foggy windows. The Avatar, riding his boss frantically, enthusiastically with hair clearly disheveled and bouncing with the movement. Her top’s drawn up to expose her breasts. The Councilman, grasping at her hips with an unbuttoned dress shirt and mouth latched onto one of the Avatar’s breasts before their lips meet passionately.
A fiery flush crawls up Ming’s cheeks. He knew something was up between them! Gulping, he slowly moves backward into the shrubbery, thankful they’re too preoccupied with each other to notice he stumbles over a dip in the pavement. His heart is beating a mile a minute and blood is rushing in his ears. It’s all too loud in the dead of night.
Spirits, why did he panic and stay, he needs to leave… yet his feet feel like stone, sunken into the earth.
Sweetheart, please. He hears his boss groan out, despite it being as muffled as it is.
The Avatar nips at his neck and suddenly it makes sense as to why they kept this all a secret. The Avatar's the one with all the power in this strange relationship. He can imagine his boss wouldn’t like this leaking out given his perfectly crafted persona.
Don’t sweetheart me. You’ve been deliberately dodging all my attempts today. She grasps the hair at his nape harder and bucks faster against him.
Spirits, Korra. He grunts out, almost pained in a way. I-I’m not going to fuck you in the middle of the day at the place I w-work, with everyone there that can discover us. His boss stutters. Tenzin would kill me.
He hears a laugh that borders on hysterical and breathless. I think you’re a coward— besides, I- I thought you said you’ve done stuff in your—
Yes, but I haven’t had sex in there. Are you crazy? Tarrlok’s hold on her turns rough as it’s evident they're both reaching their peak.
Fuck you— there’s an absence of malice in her voice as she tilts her head back, her wolf tails swaying with each thrust. I know you wanted to, I felt it, don’t lie to me and— Oh fuck! Tarrlok, I’m gonna come. The car is squeaking faster now with their movements and Ming considers quickly making his exit before he’s caught being a peeping tom. However, he stays hunched in the shadows and despite everything in him refusing to acknowledge it, there’s a distinct stirring feeling in his groin that decides for him to wait until they leave.
Yes, yes, right there— The Avatar chants. The Councilman kisses a sloppy path from one of her breasts to the side of her neck until they’re swallowing each other’s moans.
Korra, I’m gonna—
I-inside, please—
Tarrlok’s rutting into her and mumbling something into Korra’s neck. The squeaking of the car is undeniable to any passersby of what the couple’s doing in there and in no time at all they both grow taut and moan out in ecstasy, the rhythm slowing down to a halt.
The silence rings too loud and he’s all too aware of his breathing because even that makes him feel like either of their piercing blue eyes would land on him.
They exchange some words he can’t make out, an exhausted smile painting the Avatar’s face and a chuckle escaping the Councilman. Despite them… finishing, she doesn’t move for some time. Ming wants to leave already, he’s both uncomfortable and unfortunately the slightest bit turned on. He doesn’t want to admit that. It’s too embarrassing.
He’s sure he’ll be found out when in all the stillness of the late hour he’d be the only thing moving. So he waits, stockstill with twigs pushing into his skin unpleasantly. He can only hope his glasses don’t cast a glare amidst the leaves.
They press slow, passionate kisses to each other and it feels like an eternity until the Avatar finally moves off of his boss and rights their clothing even if to look a fraction presentable.
The engine burrs to life, headlights bright and warm and in seconds the satomobile is driving away. It’s not until the car is out of sight that Ming heaves in a breath and hastily makes his way to the train station. He’s about five minutes away from missing the last train and even though there’s no one out he keeps his briefcase plastered to his groin.
—-
The next day, Councilman Tarrlok is conveniently out of work. Sick apparently. Ming doesn't believe that for one second.
He knows his boss and given what transpired at nearly one in the morning he can only presume what he and the Avatar are doing on a day free of work. He tries not to think about it because the more his mind lingers on that assumption, the more he feels flushed and mortified that he can’t tell anyone. That their hatred for one another is all a ruse.
Well, maybe they still hate each other, probably due to the circumstances of their marriage, yet it’s clearly not enough to keep their hands to each other.
He focuses on his other tasks and helps the other Councilmembers when needed and thankfully goes home before the sun sets. He takes a much needed break the rest of the evening in his bath and aromatic candles lit around him. Trying to forget the scene he witnessed play out before his eyes.
By the time his boss strolls in the next day, Ming seizes with tension. There’s certainly no way he was sick the day before. There’s a healthy glow to him that Ming can’t help but notice. He tries not to act out of sorts or make it known that his mind reels at discovering their coupling, but even he’s not that strong. He’s been avoiding him and he can’t look him in the eyes. Piercing and icy blue eyes that can peer into his soul and more than likely suss out why he’s so nervous.
For the majority of the morning, Tarrlok’s working like normal, acting like normal and he’s grateful to know he doesn’t suspect anything out of the ordinary.
It’s when night descends on City Hall and he places the last stack of work at the edge of Tarrlok’s desk, that he notices his boss is being eerily quiet. It’s just them two and Councilman Tenzin. Speaking of, maybe he should pay the airbender a visit just in case he needed his help.
He makes a beeline towards the door and just as he’s about to step past the threshold, he hears, “Ming, close the door for a moment.” He freezes, eyes wide, dread prickling down his spine and does as he’s told. Turning around, he notes Tarrlok reclined in his seat with a leg crossed over the other. “Are you married, Ming?”
Gulping, he tenses up all over again. “No, sir.”
“Anyone waiting for you at home?” He asks, tilting his head a fraction.
“I, um, have a cat.”
Tarrlok hums. Silence fills the room.
His boss smiles to himself. “You know, you’ve certainly caught me a few times over the years. I didn’t suspect anything, it was all an accident, of course. But what never occurred to me was you’re quite the voyeur, aren’t you?”
If he could’ve died right then, Ming wished he perished.