Hi hello I’m so sorry for the long wait, work unfortunately has been very stressful as of late and I found no energy to write. But I promise this week you’ll see more of the story being posted, I may post a smaller chapter just to prove I haven’t forgotten this story and I’m still very much invested in sharing it! I’ve honestly been writing stuff for future chapters cause I’ve got some ideas I just needed to get onto the page. Especially with things pertaining to Malu, and spider! And the other child/children that may be born as well. Chapter 12 was written but I decided to start again cause I didn’t like how it was written and it felt forced, I’m going to be slowler on updates until I can find a better balance but also I’ve been sick a lot recently which stopped my flow of writing. I have time off work soon and I plan on taking the time to get onto writing! Apologies I promise this is not being abandoned it’s just going to be a little slower for the time being
Hi hello so sorry for the delay, but between work, sickness and personal things I haven’t had a chance to post chapter 12 it is coming and I wanted to try and write out a few more chapters before posting so there won’t be such a long wait in between!!
Saturday and Sunday is when I plan on writing out more chapters! Chapter 12 will be posted in the next few days as I want to edit and add some more stuff to it! I’ve also been plotting out more things to help the story flow better! And I’ve been writing out things for movie two/3 as well as the between.
Book 2 of this Series will focus on Malu and possible siblings for her, she definitely will be the ultimate big sister!!
SYNOPSIS: Damian Wayne has never been the kind of man to fall in love halfway. And when he loves, he does it with all the ferocity and devotion of someone who was trained to safeguard what he holds most dear
So when the girl he loves shines—he makes sure the world never dims her
PAIRINGS: Aged Up! Damian Wayne x Reader
TAGS: Romance, Fluff, Implied Dick x Kori, Implied Tim x Kon
🜼 :: i've seen too much alpha male content on tiktok i had to write this masterpiece to calm myself
🜼 :: i get that this might be ooc for damian—like i said, i'm not very familiar with the canon material yet—but i don't care because this is my fic and i can do what i want with it
🜼 :: i wanted to post this before part three of my tim fic just 'cause that one isn't quite done yet. i'm not yet satisfied with the way i've written it so this is a little something to have while you guys wait for that one.
There’s something in her—
Something radiant.
It’s not loud or dramatic.
Not desperate or flashy.
It’s just… bright.
The way she walks into a room and transforms it, like someone opened the windows and let the sunlight in—suddenly everything feels warmer, clearer, alive.
Damian fell in love with that brightness.
And the moment he did?
He made it his job to protect it.
One Year Ago
He showed up on her window balcony with a dislocated shoulder and a look that said: don’t ask.
So she didn’t.
She just opened the window, said, “You’re bleeding on my basil,” and went to get the first aid kit.
They weren’t dating then. Not really.
He was Damian Wayne. She was the girl who sat beside him in class—lip gloss always perfect, boots too pretty for Gotham grime, with a knack for saying something ridiculous and making it sound profound.
They met in a Philosophy 101 elective.
He thought she was an idiot for quoting Barbie.
She thought he was repressing sixteen years of rage and probably slept with his fists clenched.
Both were right.
But they also partnered on a debate project, complained about their annoying classmates, and kept running into each other at increasingly inconvenient moments.
He’d show up to class with split knuckles and a stitched lip, and she wouldn’t ask. She’d just pass him an ice cold water bottle, slide her hoodie over for him to use as a makeshift ice pack, and keep talking like nothing was unusual.
One time he came in with blood drying beneath his collar. She only raised an eyebrow, moved her takeout box closer to him, and said, “The garlic bread is still warm.”
When he disappeared for five days and returned, knocking on her door—limping, face paler than usual and shoulder stiff—she didn’t ask where he’d been. She just opened her door, pointed him to the couch, made soup, and put on a movie he once mentioned he enjoyed.
He stopped showing up anywhere else after long nights. Only her window.
They weren’t supposed to fall in love. He wasn’t supposed to fall in love
There were too many unsaid things between them—too much shadow in his world, too much light in hers. He carried weight in his shoulders like he was always bracing for war. She wore joy like armor, all sunshine and clever comebacks, like she could survive anything as long as she stayed golden.
But he kept coming back. For her. For the way she patched him up in glittery pajamas and brewed him coffee the way he liked it. For how she met every argument he made—disarming his logic with a well-placed “actually”—and still managed to be gentle about it, like she was offering correction with a ribbon tied around it.
For the way she made being brilliant look fun—and made him feel things he wasn’t supposed to. Things he didn’t have the time or luxury for.
It drove him insane.
He called her infuriating. She called him dramatic.
He kept coming back. And she let him.
Eventually, he told her. About Robin. About the League. About the fact that he wasn’t just bruised from bar fights, but from chasing actual death through rooftops and gutters.
She blinked. Took a breath. Then asked, “So that’s why you’re so bad at texting back?”
He stared.
She handed him his coffee. “Cool. That explains a lot.”
Now
Damian Wayne doesn’t do anything halfway.
Not in battle. Not in love.
So when it came to her—there was never going to be anything halfway about it.
He calculated the risk, weighed the consequences, and still handed her the keys.
He didn’t accidentally fall in love.
He didn’t casually let her into the Bat-side of his life.
And he’s sure as hell not going to keep living under the same roof as his gossiping, nosy, emotionally invasive brothers when he could be waking up next to her in a place of their own.
So yes.
The only logical next step?
Move out. Take her with him.
“Damian. Baby. Love of my life. Please do not fold my dress like it’s a tactical vest.”
She didn’t even look up from her side of the room, where she was carefully organizing makeup into a padded case like it was crown jewels. Damian, meanwhile, was frowning over her favorite silk dress, currently flattened into a rectangle.
“It wrinkles when you pack it like that,” she said, tone calm but pointed—clearly watching him out of the corner of her eye.
“It’s more space-efficient,” he said flatly, still folding.
“It’s Dior.”
“That doesn’t make it less wrinkle-prone.”
She sighed, standing up and crossing the room to peel the dress from his hands. “This is why you’re not allowed near my closet unsupervised.”
“I rescued a civilian diplomat in less time than it’s taking you to pack makeup,” he muttered, watching as she delicately re-folded the fabric with a practiced roll.
“And yet here you are,” she said softly, “ still showing up for me anyway.”
He flies her to the new place—not because it’s far, but because he likes the way her eyes light up when he does things like that. Private jet. Window seat. Her favorite drink already waiting.
The residence is technically still in Gotham.
Discreet. Reinforced. High above the noise.
A penthouse—three levels of clean lines and curated light.
The kitchen looks like it was designed for a cooking show.
There’s library already holds all her annotated books, shelved just the way she likes them.
Their bedroom has blackout curtains, soft sheets, and her favorite throw blanket folded neatly at the foot of the bed.
She’s silent for a long moment. Then:
“You decorated.”
“Tt. I’m not a savage.”
The adjustment, the rhythm, the quiet luxury of building something together.
It doesn’t happen all at once. But the space eventually starts to feel like them—like a home.
Damian, ever precise, takes to domesticity the way he does combat: intensely, instinctively, and with startling dedication.
He remembers—too clearly—those nights she wordlessly cleaned the blood from his knuckles, nudged a warm bowl of fresh soup toward him, handed him a fresh shirt and didn’t ask questions.
Back then, he hadn’t known how to say thank you. So now, he shows it in the only way he knows how: by making her life gentler wherever he can. By handling the sharp corners before she gets near them. By protecting her from the quiet exhaustion she never complains about.
It starts small.
She’s humming—soft, distracted—while folding towels on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Damian walks in.
Pauses. Frowns slightly.
“Beloved.”
“Hmm?”
“You shouldn’t be doing that.”
“It’s laundry. I’m not battling Deathstroke.”
“Still.”
Two days later, every piece of clothing she owned—including ones she didn’t remember buying—was folded, hung, and steam-pressed in perfectly color-coded rows.
No explanation.
Just a silent housekeeper named Marta, who appears twice a week like clockwork.
“Why?” she asks later, a little amused.
“Because you were humming,” he says simply. “And your voice is better when you’re not tired.”
She doesn’t cook. Unless you count heating water for tea.
Every morning, she wakes up to a pre-set breakfast bar tailored to her weekly cravings.
Avocados? Already sliced.
Eggs, soft-boiled for exactly six minutes? Naturally.
Chocolate-dipped strawberries on Tuesdays? Of course.
She once jokingly asked for pancakes shaped like bats.
The plate was waiting the next morning—complete with tiny edible batarangs.
“You know I can cook, right?” she once mumbled, more puzzled than insistent.
Damian, without looking up from his tablet, “You could also write a thesis in glitter gel pen. Doesn’t mean you should.”
She doesn’t grocery shop. She’s never had to.
The fridge is always stocked. The pantry never dips below half. The fruit is always fresh, the snacks never stale, and somehow, everything she loves appears just before she realizes she’s craving it.
The exact brand of instant ramen she lives on during final?
Local lemonade she swears tastes better than store-bought?
Her favorite brand of oat milk that always sells out?
It’s just there. Always. As if the universe anticipated it
—or Damian Wayne.
He’d hired a private grocer before they even moved in. Arranged deliveries on a rotating schedule. Commissioned a smart inventory system that flagged replacements before she noticed anything missing.
There’s no grocery list taped to the fridge, no scribbled reminders on the counter, no panicked “we’re out of milk” moment. It just… never happens.
“Did you go to the store?” she asked once, squinting at the restocked shelf of her favorite jam.
“No,” Damian said. “The store comes to us.”
She doesn’t clean.
Not because she’s lazy.
Because Damian has built a life where she simply doesn’t have to.
The housekeeper arrives exactly when they’re out.
The vacuum runs on a silent schedule while they sleep.
There’s a scent diffuser system that releases calming scents like warm vanilla and fresh linen.
The kinds of scents that say: You’re home.
She tried to vacuum once.
He unplugged the cord without a word, handed her a cup of tea, and delegated the task to Marta.
“This feels excessive,” she said once, laughing.
“No,” Damian answered. “It’s called priorities.”
“Priorities?”
“Yes. You have better things to do than chase dust bunnies.”
She huffed a laugh. “Like what?”
“Being brilliant. Annoying me. Tending to your garden of plants you call your children.”
“Your attention is a resource I refuse to waste on dust.” he said simply.
The only time she ever picked up a broom was to threaten Jason with it.
She asked him once.
“Is this a power thing?” she’d asked, curled in his lap on their couch.
“Are you trying to take care of me because you think I can’t?”
He had looked at her then, calm and deadly sincere.
“No. I’m taking care of you because you shouldn’t have to waste your time doing menial things. Because your time is valuable. Because your mind is extraordinary. Because I can.”
She didn’t answer right away. Just rested her head against his shoulder, eyes soft.
“You know I’d do the same for you, right?”
“I know,” he murmured, brushing his fingers through her hair. “That’s why I won’t let you beat me to it.”
“You protect the city,” she tells him once. “And I don’t even do the dishes.”
He looks at her like she’s lost her mind.
“You protect me.”
He said it like a fact.
And she didn’t laugh. Didn’t roll her eyes or argue like she usually might.
It was ridiculous. Over the top. The kind of thing people say in movies, in poems, in love songs whispered between verses.
But the thing about Damian Wayne was—
To him, her happiness wasn’t a luxury. It was a metric. A criteria for what was worth her time, her effort, her energy.
If it drained her, it was cut. If it bored her, it was handled. If it made her pause too long before smiling, it was gone by morning.
“But Damian—”
“If it doesn’t make you happy,” he said, quietly, forehead pressed to hers, “it doesn’t belong in your day.”
One of the things she does do—without fail—is wait up.
Damian came back with blood on his sleeve and exhaustion in his bones. The patrol had gone longer than expected, and the gash across his arm told her more than any debrief ever could.
She met him at the balcony window, arms crossed, your expression sharp with worry poorly disguised as irritation.
“We are having words,” she said firmly.
“I neutralized a threat—” he started, voice hoarse.
“No,” she interrupted, stepping forward and grabbing his uninjured wrist. “We are having nourishment, then words. In that order.”
He grunted something unintelligible, but didn’t pull away. Let her guide him out of his boots. Let her steer him to the kitchen. Let her fuss over him even as he rolled his eyes and muttered that he was fine.
Damian Wayne might be a soldier, might be lethal, might have faced down warlords and monsters—
But in her hands, he was just a man who needed soup, stitches, and someone to tell him not to bleed on the countertop.
And she always did. Every time.
“You disobeyed a direct girlfriend command,” she said, dabbing antiseptic on his scrapes and bruises. “I should revoke your forehead kisses.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” he grunted.
She simply leaned in, kissed his brow—gentle, lingering, a silent promise—and whispered, “Next time you come home bleeding, I will.”
It makes her happy, he knows.
To help.
To protect him the way he protects her.
To be part of this secret thing that is his, and now, theirs.
And because he has her…
He trains harder. Fights harder. Smarter. Cleaner.
He fights with her voice echoing in his ear, and with the knowledge that if he slips—if he falters—it will scare her.
“You did good tonight,” she says after every patrol. “Come home safe. That’s all I want.”
So he does.
Because she keeps him steady.
Keeps him from going too far, from losing himself in the mission.
From the silence that used to follow him home.
It was the first time she’d ever hosted anything in their penthouse.
She’d sent the invite on impulse, halfway through raiding the pantry for snacks. Damian hadn’t said anything when he saw the group chat name pop up. He only raised a brow and muttered something about “surviving one evening of meddling.”
The Gotham Partners Support Group™
hangout? snacks, drinks, and possibly unsolicited love advice
KORI: absolutely, i will bring flowers!!
KON: on my way as long as no one makes me play charades
DICK: lies, you love it
She laughed out loud reading it, already half-buzzing with excitement.
Kori’s heels click against the polished marble, echoing softly through the open space.
Kon lets out a low whistle when he sees the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Dick stops in front of the kitchen island, eyebrows raised. “Is that real marble?”
Tim pretends not to be impressed, but his fingers haven’t stopped tracing the edge of the built-in espresso bar for five solid minutes.
There’s music—soft. Lighting—warm, romantic. Scents—floral and calming.
And in the middle of it all is her, radiant in pink silk shorts and a cardigan she didn’t button up all the way, offering fresh lemonade in glasses that chill themselves.
Kon accepts his with both hands, eyes wide as he takes in the curated calm of the space.
“This is what you live like?” he asks her, somewhere between awe and disbelief.
Tim doesn’t look up from where he’s adding a lemon slice to his own glass. “This is what Damian insisted she live like.”
Kon whistles low. “Damn. I get it now.”
Kon finds the in-house massage chair. Within seconds, he’s flat on his back, eyes closed, muttering something about never leaving.
Dick discovers the balcony garden—rows of herbs, sun-warmed terracotta, and a vine-draped bench with a throw pillow. He whistles low, brushing his fingers over the rosemary. “Didn’t know Damian had a green thumb.”
“He doesn’t,” she calls from the kitchen. “I do. He just bought the balcony.”
Kori, meanwhile, opens the walk-in pantry—and promptly gasps. “You have an entire section just for different kinds of honey??”
“I like options.”, she beams.
Jason hasn’t even shown up yet, and already the place is buzzing.
Kon’s half-asleep in the massage chair, murmuring threats to anyone who tries to make him move. Dick is crouched in the garden corner, dramatically sniffing potted herbs and assigning them names with far too much confidence. Kori’s opened three jars of honey for “taste-testing purposes” and is now trying to convince Damian to try the lavender one on toast.
Tim is loitering by the drinks counter, drink in one hand, the other typing furiously on his phone, pretending not to laugh at the chaos around him.
And through it all, she’s just laughing—at ease, perfectly unbothered—as Damian leans against the kitchen island behind her, watching it all unfold with a look that says: this is his personal hell and also he’s never been happier.
They gather around the low table in the lounge—pillows everywhere, soft throws tossed over laps, bowls of popcorn and fancy chips within reach, half-finished drinks sweating on coasters. Laughter echoes off the high ceilings, warm and unhurried.
Kori nudges her with a grin, eyes sparkling.
“So you really don’t cook?”
“Nope.”
“Or clean?”
“Not once.”
“And Damian doesn’t mind?”
Before she can answer, Damian—seated beside her, legs crossed, perfectly composed, fingers idly brushing her knee—scoffs.
“Mind? I’d be offended if she tried.”
Jason, fork in hand, lazily gestures toward her as he leans back into the cushions.
“So what do you even do in the penthouse all day if you’re not cooking, cleaning, shopping, or doing laundry?”
The question wasn’t malicious. Just curious. Playful, even.
Damian answers before she can—calm, certain, unapologetic.
“She studies, she writes, she drives me insane by reciting musicals.”
Tim snorted into his drink. “You’re spoiling her.”
“She deserves it,” Damian said simply.
Jason raised a brow. “What’s she ever gonna do if you’re not around to handle everything?”
“Thrive,” Damian repeated—cold, final. His gaze didn’t waver. “Because I’m building her a life where she can.”
Damian leans back, calm and unaffected. “I don’t understand why her not doing chores surprises you. My mother never lifted a hand to sweep a floor in her life. And no one dared question her capability.”
Dick raised a brow. “Your mother also runs an empire of assassins.”
Damian doesn’t miss a beat. “Exactly. And she never wasted time on tasks that diluted her strength.”
Because Damian Wayne may live under Bruce’s roof, fight under the Bat’s symbol, and protect Gotham’s streets—
But the foundation of his worldview?
That was all Talia al Ghul.
“I grew up watching people serve my mother. Not because she demanded it, but because her time was valuable. You don’t train the world’s most dangerous woman to hand-wash her robes. You let her focus on what makes her extraordinary.”
His gaze flicked to her, sitting beside him—pink silk and soft joy wrapped in confidence.
“So I made sure my beloved—who is, in her own right, extraordinary—lives the same way.”
Kori nodded slowly. Kon glanced her way, thoughtful.
Damian spoke without hesitation. “Why would I ask the person I love to waste time on things I can pay others to handle—when she could spend that time with me, pursuing her passions, or simply existing in peace?”
Dick leaned back, arms crossed, mulling it over. “So it’s not spoiling her.”
“It’s honoring her,” Damian corrected, voice calm but absolute.
Jason scoffed, grinning. “And here I thought you were just whipped.”
Damian raised a brow. “Oh, I am. Fully. Willingly.” A pause. “You should try it.”
Everyone stared at him for a moment. Then:
Kon let out a low whistle. “Honestly? I get it. She glows in this place. Like she owns the world.”
“She does,” Damian replied, calm and certain. “Mine.”
the concept of THE jason todd being too scared to go to the gotham public library because he has a over due book fine on his account from before he died (and came back) and it’s just been accumulating on there and it’s making him so anxious and then to make matters worse the librarian is really pretty so he’s not ready to embarrass himself 😭😭
Sorry this one is arriving so late, but the easter weekend got away from me and I didnt have time to post or do much editing. I was hoping I would have more time to write but I ended up being really busy! But here's chapter 11! The next chapter is already being written and i'm about half way through with it but I might end up trying to post shorter chapters in the future to try and get them out more often! I'm back on late shift this week so I don't have as much time to write. Hoping this weekend is less busy so I can spend more time writing, and I've also taken the time to plan out the next ten chapters! but please enjoy and don't hesitate to comment and interact, I honestly get such inspiration when i see people interacting with the story!
Read on AO3 HERE
Word count: 4k
Chapter 10 - Chapter 12
Chapter 11:
Now sitting in Mo’at’s tent as she checks on my shoulder with Tsu’tey glaring daggers into my back isn’t as awkward as one might think. No, it’s worse it is ten times worse cause no one is speaking and I feel like I must hold my breath as to not mess up the silence of the tent. The anger from Tsu’tey is practically radiating off him and Mo’at keeps casting him glances over my shoulder which causes him to grumble, and I continue to sit in silence.
Even with Mo’at pushing and prodding at my shoulder I bite down on my lips to ensure I don’t let out any sounds of pain that would further push the narrative of me being weak in front of Tsu’tey. But as Mo’at lifted my arm to get my shoulder to rotate a hiss exited my mouth and I feel his gaze burning into my back.
“It will take you about a week to regain full mobility back.” Mo’at speaks as she packs away the pastes and herbs back into the basket. She removed the sling that I had used opting for more traditional Na’vi healing options using natural leaves and fibres to create a sling. I had to admit that it felt more comfortable on my skin compared to the sling I had used and I appreciated her explaining how to create it when I had asked which Tsu’tey took much offense too.
“I thank you Tsahik.” I bowed my head to her lightly which in turn caused Tsu’tey to scoff, I have a feeling anything I do is going to cause the man behind me irritation.
“Truly, you have every reason to not trust my brother and I, but I thank you for this opportunity none the less.” I continue you on watching how meticulous Mo’at is which each of the tools she used placing them back on its place on the shelves her back Is turned away from me at this moment.
“Eywa, sent a message she stopped my daughter from killing Jakesully and came to rest upon you both, it is my roll as Tsahik to interrupt her will. Though I do not know what it is she tells us just yet.” Mo’at did not turn around to face me yet.
“Then I hope to do her proud, anything you ask of me I shall do to the best of my abilities. I only seek to learn.” It’s true what I say. If Eywa truly has chosen me and my brother, I do not wish to do her a disservice I will do what ever is asked of me in my time here.
“Tsu’tey will teach you in the ways of a warrior, and I shall teach you in the ways of being a healer, you say you are a doctor correct.” Mo’at finally turns around to face me and she strides forward and sits cross legged in front of me and I straighten up as she stares at me.
“Correct, I am a doctor, I did study Na’vi anatomy and some of the medicines that you have shown to previous people that have come here. Though my doctorate says I have the abilities to treat the Na’vi I do not claim to have such knowledge as I did not learn it from the source.” I try to speak as clearly and diplomatically as I can as I do not want to cause any offence.
“You studied us, our culture, our Medines, practises, our language, yet you say that it means nothing if it was not taught by us?” Mo’at tilts her head slightly at me, and I feel myself swallowing a lump in my throat, being stared no studied by the Tsahik is a scary feeling.
I find myself nodding at her, “The books, that I studied, they are written by humans, humans that hold opinions and Bias’s its not fair of me to say that I understand, your ways when I learnt it through others experiences.”
She lets out a little hum as she looks me up and down, “You will come here every morning, and I shall teach you our ways of healing” I nod at her, “But I am curious if you can learn to listen.”
“To Eywa?” I question, I blink a few times surprised at her offer my mouth opening and closing, “Tsahik, I do not wish to anger anyone or to make them think I am taking advantage of your kindness in sparing us.”
I can hear Tsu’tey let out a low growl, and Mo’at puts a hand up silencing him, the same hand then comes to rest on my good shoulder, “Eywa’s will must be listened to child, and I hear her calling for you to listen.”
She stands motioning me to do the same, “The people know not to question Tsahik, as I am the one who interrupts Eywa’s will, they will be angry yes, they will question you yes, but we can not ignore our great mother.”
I swallow back yet another lump in my throat, which at this point seems to be there permanently.
“Tsu’tey take her to get changed, these sky people clothes will not do.” Mo’at calls to Tsu’tey who has stayed stationary at the exit of the hut, and at her command he grunts in what I guess I would call relucent acceptance.
I nod towards Mo’at again and begin to follow Tsu’tey, though he does not slow his pace or even look back at me to ensure that I am following.
Mo’at’s POV
“Great mother, what could you possibly want with these two sky people.” I speak outload as I stand at the exit of the hut, watching as the one who requests to be called, ‘Co’Ri’ picks up her pace follow him.
The wind blows around me a comforting feeling of the great mother’s presence and I watch as the same wind blows past Cori. I let out a little sigh, unsure of what this could all mean. Are these Sky people hear to truly learn or is this another horrible lesson in not trusting the sky people.
Cori’s POV
Trying to keep up with the man is proving difficult he does not slow his pace in the slightest and with the day I’ve had the fatigue is truly getting to me at this point. I can feel myself breathing heavier with each step and if I don’t get some water or food soon, I may pass out and I do not wish for that to happen on my first day out. I already have a dislocated shoulder to deal with and falling face first into the ground, again. Is not something I wish to happen.
Finally, though Tsu’tey stops walking and stands in front of another tent, he turns to face me, and I’m met with a look of utter disdain, one which I do not have the energy to match anymore. He juts his head towards the tent, and I tilt my head in response.
“Am I supposed to enter then.” I ask gesturing towards the tent and I’m met with a growl in response which just makes me blink at him, it weirdly reminds me of Malu when she’s hungry and tired, sounds instead of words.
“Do not sully our language with your poor excuse of speaking it.” Tsu’tey takes a step towards me, and I have to tilt my head to reach his eyes, which in turn makes me raise an eyebrow at him.
“I did not think, you would prefer to converse in English.” I really wish I could cross my arms in this moment but instead I keep my good arm next to me and tilt my head at him.
“Enough talking.” He hisses making to grab at my good arm and pulls me inside the empty tent, I stumble slightly at the rough movement and take a sharp breath as my bad shoulder jolts.
I attempt to glare back at him but the pain in my shoulder probably does not help with trying to look angry at him. In fact, I do understand his distrust of me and his negative feelings towards humans, all the experience he has had with them has most likely been bad even though he was once one of Grace’s students. So the hostility is to be expected.
As I look around the tent I can see that it has different articles of clothing laid out for me, a Loincloth and a top, not like most Na’vi tops I have seen though this one looks more like a crop top, and a breathe out a sigh of relief upon seeing it. The Na’vi may be comfortable with showing off a lot of skin and not caring for a nip slip, I do often care about those things, and it only got worse after my pregnancy with Malu. But As I look at the clothing, I glance down at my arm, realising I most likely will not be able to undress and redress my self with the minimal movement.
I risk a glance back at Tsu’tey who is stood just in the entrance of the hut, glaring at me with his arms crossed and a sneer clear on his face. I let out a huff and turn to face him which seems to only irritate him more, he takes a step forward and I put up my hand.
“I can speak in English with you if that’s what you want.” I say and he stops in his tracks and hisses in my direction and it takes all my self-control not to roll my eyes at the childish behaviour. “But with my shoulder, it is not possible for me to change without assistance.” I briefly look down at my arm in the sling and then back up at him and I can’t help the amused smile that etches onto my face as Tsu’tey’s widen and his mouth drops open, in quite apparent horror. “I can most likely undress from my shorts, but I will not be able to get out of this top and into the new one as well with the ties on the Loincloth I will not be able to tie them with one hand. So, either you help me or you can call someone else too.”
Tsu’tey’s eyes dart around the room avoiding looking me in the eyes or even at me at all and I let out another breath as I begin to stumble with the button and zip from shorts. I may be uncomfortable with this, but seeing the horror on Tsu’tey’s face, well teasing him just felt like something I couldn’t pass up.
“Stop.” He yells out and turns away from me, “I shall call for Neytiri.” He all but runs out of the tent and I can’t help but laugh, I guess even Na’vi men are scared when Woman do something that they’re ill-prepared for.
A few minutes go by before I hear the ruffling of the tent flap again and I’m met with the sight of an exasperated Neytiri and I smile at her, “I see you, Neytiri, I thank you for coming to my rescue.”
She huffs slightly and walks towards me, “You’re brother, shooed me away when I attempted to help him with his own Loincloth.”
I let out a laugh, “He is not used to beautiful women being around him.” I say with teasing tilt to my voice, which stops Neytiri in her path before she uses her nice to slice away at my tops ridding them from my body.
“He said he was ‘Uncomfortable’ changing in front of me.” She continues on as she carefully slides my injured arm through the hole of the top, the fabric tight and form fitting along my breasts and back.
“Sky people do not tend to typically get changed in front of the opposite gender or really in front of anyone at all.” I explain as I feel the fabric of the top, its surprisingly soft and comfortable along my skin.
“Why?” She questions as she reaches for the loincloth, I had already rid myself of the shorts and boots I was wearing so she made quick work of tying the loincloth together as well.
“Because it is viewed as an intimate act, one should only do with their mate or with their parents and siblings if they have any as children. Though I find women will be comfortable changing in front of other women as an adult, but the men often prefer privacy.” I say to her and she stares at me for a second.
“So you have changed in front of him as a child then as you are siblings.” She tilts her head at me and I laugh slightly shaking my head.
“Jake is my brother yes, but we have different parents I have never changed in front of him and him nor me. It does not shock me that he didn’t feel comfortable changing in front of you” I roll both my shoulders back and my neck a view times as well digging my toes into the floor beneath me, the Na’vi clothing feel less restrictive then the sky people clothing and If I’m being completely honest it feels a lot nicer to be in these clothes than the ones I started my day in.
“You are siblings, but have different parents? How?” she questions as she guides me out of the tent, and I take the time to have a look around and notice that Tsu’tey is no where in sight.
“It is slightly complicated, and a long story, one for a day where I have the energy to tell it.” I say to her with a smile hoping that she would stop her questioning for the time being, as I do not wish to explain that I am a widow with a dead husband. Because it still doesn’t exactly feel real yet, that Tommy truly is gone.
I feel my face drop into a slight frown as I look around again, and I can’t help but marvel once more at the beauty of pandora. Tommy would have loved it so much.
“A story for another day then.” She says, “I do wish it was I who was chosen to be your teacher, at least we can converse in my native tongue.” We continue to walk together side by side.
I find myself smiling once again at her admission, “Jake, he can be brash, impulsive-”
“Like a baby.” She mutters and I laugh.
“Yes, but his heart, he has one of the kindness hearts I’ve ever known. He’s my number one baby sitter for Malu as well so I guess that’s probably why he can act like a child as well.”
“Malu is your daughter?” She questions and I hum in response.
“Yes, she’s 5 years old now and its crazy to me how much she’s grown.” I beam at her, “But not matter what she will always be my baby.”
“So you are mated then?” I slow my pace slightly at the question, trying to figure out the best way to answer.
“Well, no. No I am not mated to anyone.” I pick up my pace slightly, “Malu’s father passed away before we left for Pandora, and I do not want to be rude to you but please do not ask me more on the subject.” I feel my throat get tight, fearing that I may have upset her, when she is just asking simple questions.
“Then I will ask no more then.” Neytiri smiles at me and gives my good arm a squeeze, “We should find Jakesully, and make our way for dinner.
MALU’S POV
Today has been fun, I know most 5-year-olds wouldn’t find it fun to be stuck in a science lab all day but most kids don’t have work acholic parents that love to teach their kids everything that they are doing and take them to their jobs all the time. So being stuck in a lab all day is normal for me, I will say though it is refreshing to be at a new lab though. There are so many new faces here and surprisingly everyone is really nice and lets me look over their shoulder when I wander round. I have mostly either stuck by Max or Davis for the most part though with both of them going into detail about what they’re doing.
I do appreciate that they don’t try to use easier terms to explain things, and whenever I’m not sure of a piece of terminology they use instead of getting annoyed, they seem to get excited at being able to explain it to me. I can’t help the smile that seems to be permanently on my face as Max shows me some of the samples they have collected over the past few months and what it all means. Pandora truly is a wonderful place, and I hope I get a chance to maybe go exploring with my mum and uncle Jake one day. I know for a child going into pandora would be too dangerous, but I know I could probably convince Uncle Jake to take me as long as I use the ‘puppy dog eyes’ on him.
Mum always jokes about the fact that if I use them on him, he’ll crumble instantly, and I know since using them that is this fact is true. The day has been going by quickly, but I notice a demeanour shift in the air once Max gets off the phone, his face turning pale. I tilt my head at him, and he immediately averts his eyes from me whispering to another scientist.
I look back towards the links, not noticing anything wrong with them. I’ve tried not to look at them too much cause its weird to think that even though their bodies are there, they’re minds are not. I’ve watched their brain activity a few times though and its really cool watching the colours shift as different parts of the brain are used and activated.
A few hours later, I find myself spinning slightly on a stool reading one of Dr Augustine’s book, sat in front of a computer that Max said I can use to look up different things about Pandora. Giving me my very own log in details so I don’t accidentally stumble on any files or projects that aren’t for my eyes. Yet, I mean I doubt mum will want to go back to earth after being here, so one day I’ll probably be working in one of these labs alongside all these scientist.
“Hey Malu, why don’t we go get a snack.” Davis appears next to me leaning on the desk and give Bagheera a pat as I placed him up beside the book I’m reading, I squint slightly at him, trying to decipher why he’s asking now, as I’m currently very engrossed in my book.
I shake my head at him, and as I do I catch Max’s movement as he starts heading towards Grace’s link pod, as I watch I perk up slightly and smile, thinking that it must be time for everyone to unlink and I need to be here when Mum and Jake wake up.
I wrote down all the different questions I have for them in my notebook. I know they’ll probably be tired but I don’t want to miss them.
Davis sighs and he looks back towards Max and lowers his voice as he turns back to me, puts a hand on my shoulder squeezing slightly, “Malu, I really think we should go get that snack now.” I frown at him and shake my head as I hope down from the stool and inch my way closer to the link beds, “Kid.”
I watch as Dr Augustine and Norm come out of the links, but as I look over towards Mum’s and uncle Jake’s, they’re link beds remain occupied and in use. I furrow my eyebrows together as I watch Norm, Grace and Max go into a tight circle. I watch as each of them cast glances over at me, but my attention then switches to the linkpods that hold my Mum and uncle Jake.
Davis comes up to stand behind me and tries to put his hands on my shoulder again, but I shake him off scowling, and I take a few steps towards my mums link bed. Max, Grace and Norm all look at me with sombre faces, I don’t like that look. It’s the same look the police gave when they came to tell us about my dad.
I quickly turn away from them. No, mum and Uncle Jake are fine, they just want to play a prank. That’s what’s happening right now. A prank. A Poorly timed and not nice prank. I blink fast as I feel tears start to well up in my eyes and I roughly rub at them with my hands.
Norm appears in front of me crouched though he appears a bit blurry.
“Malu.” He says it softly, as if trying to use a quieter and softer voice is going to help with what’s happening, and I move back from him.
WHY ARENT THEY AWAKE!? I want to yell I want to scream but no words will come out of my throat. I want my mum, I want uncle Jake I don’t want softness I want the truth.
“Kid.” Dr Augustine, “We lost them, they were being chased by a Thanator, we’re going to wait a few more hours and hope they unlink themselves, because we don’t want to risk causing them any brain damage by forcing them out of the link.” I turn to look at Dr Augustine, and she holds a reassuring smile towards me, and I take a big breath in and wipe at my eyes again and I nod once firm and with understanding.
“Now, I don’t know about you but I’m feeling hungry.” She says as she stands and holds out her hand towards me and I stare at it for a second before looking back up at her. I slowly grasp onto her hand and nod.
She then walks me out of the lab, and I look back towards Max and Norm who continue to hold sombre faces as their heads are tilted together, in whispers I quickly turn forward again as I feel their gazes cast back to me and I squeeze a little tighter to Dr Augustine’s hand.
“You’re mums’ smart kid; she’ll keep herself and Jake’s Avatar’s safe.” Dr Augustine says as we exit the lab heading towards the cafeteria.
I look down at the ground as we walk, I know my mums smart, and I know Uncle Jake won’t let anything happen to the two of them. But I’ve read enough about Pandora to know of it’s dangers. I cast one more look back at the lab.
“Be safe Mother, be safe uncle Jake.” I whisper out in Na’vi and I feel as Dr Augustine stiffens slightly beside me slowing her pace, I look up at her in question and she looks down at me mouth slightly open, before clearing her throat and continuing to walk forward.
Happy Easter weekend everyone chapter 11 is being posted on Sunday! (Australian time) and we may see more chapters dropped as well! I’m excited to get into the next few chapters and continue to build on the relationships!!
Chapter 11 is in progress! Shall be posted in the next few days! I’ve slowed down a little bit just cause I’m still experiencing some headaches from sitting at my pc too long but I’m hoping this cold will be out of my system soon!!
Just planned out the next 12 chapters 🫡😅😂 depending on how much I waffle in each chapter I think I may hit over 100k words with this series which seems insane to me. I think this series will either end up with 25-30 chapters
So sorry this chapter took so long but unfortunately I was extremely the past week and I couldn't look at my pc for long peiords of time wtihout getting Dizzy. Now I'm really excited for the next few chapters as we get more into the story and I'll be doing a few Character Pov changes between Tsu'tey and Cori with a few Malu ones thrown about as well.
Any comments and questions are always appreciated thank you all for reading so far and being paitent!
Read on AO3 HERE
Word Count: 5.1K
Chapter 9 - Chapter 11
Chapter 10:
I don’t know how long they have us running for, but I try not to think about the aches in my body and the burning in my lungs as we move fast in the forest. My breathing is coming out laboured and I’m struggling to get breaths in, my mouth feels like sandpaper. Gods I wish I had some water right now, or alcohol, cause I’m going to need the stiffest drink in the world after today and giving my daughter the biggest hug in the world.
But soon I see it, something again I’ve only read about in books and see in pictures or illustrations and truly its even bigger than I imagined it. The Omatikaya clan’s hometree their Kelutral and I’m about to enter it, not in the way I ever envisioned I would enter it but still I guess dreams do come true. I watch as Na’vi skirt out of the way of the running Direhorses, but as the direhorses move past them they slink back in closer observing Jake and I.
The overlapping voices were too much for my brain to really register but I could tell they weren’t too happy at our presence. Though some did look curious as they gaze at us as they continued to move in closer some even reached out to touch us on the arm, I watch as Jake flinch at the contact, but I kept my body still and facing forward. I was walked behind Jake and could see the knife that they had place right on my queue, I even felt one upon mine and it made me shiver with nerves.
The cutting of the Kuru is greater than death to the Na’vi, it dissolves their connection to the great mother, stopping them from returning to her embrace after death. The fact that they have their blades against both of ours, to me at least shows that they have no intention of allowing us to connect and be apart of this world. I just hope they let us return at all, that we can come to a calm resolution. This shouldn’t be the way that we are reintroduced to the clan.
We are eventually stopped at a clearing, where we are placed in front of Eytukan the Olo’eyktan. He turns slowly his face stern and clear confusion that firmly sets into anger as his gaze settles on us, and I look him over noticing his chest mantle covered in claws and by the size of them I venture the guess that it is Thanator claws. Looking past him, I gaze at the Skeleton head of a beast that could only be of a Toruk. Knowing in my research that the last Toruk Makto was Neytiri’s great-great-grandfather, rider of the last shadow. I bow my head slightly, not feel worthy to gaze upon it, but as I slowly lift my gaze again I catch Tsu’tey’s eye and he immediately snarls at me, fangs poking through as his gaze Hardens.
Tsu’tey stands tall behind Eytuktan and as I look over him once more, I notice he holds my drenched med kit bag and all I can think is I’m glad that is waterproof. My eyes then fall to Neytiri as she greets her father.
“Father.” She takes her hand placing it to her forehand and brings it back down, “I see you.”
I move slightly closer to Jake as we are released from our holds from the warrior and I place my good arm on his gripping his elbow tightly to ensure that he doesn’t do anything stupid.
My eyes drift from Neytiri to land on Eytuktan as he walks down towards her his head tilted as he regards us, he slowly moves past Neytiri stopping in front of us. He looks to Jake first and then his gaze drops to me, part of me wishes to greet him, but the more nervous part of me wants to wait until permission is given.
“May the Great Mother smile upon our first meeting. I see you Olo’eyktan.” I give in to intrusive thoughts of being able to greet the man in his native tongue before he most likely decides to kill us both.
As I speak, he slows his movements and looks me over again, and I feel myself shrink under his eyes, but I try to remain tall and strong matching his gaze. Hoping it comes off as being respectful, considering I know Jake just nodded at him.
From outside of the clearing, I can hear gasps of other clan members, over my ability to speak their tongue. I try to keep my gaze focused on Eytuktan but a sharp hiss from a warrior draws my attention for a second and I try to keep my face as neutral and compliant as possible before I return it to the man in front of me.
“These creatures…One who seemingly speaks our tongue” He begins as he turns away from us and I can see Neytiri also following her father’s movements, “Or at least is competent enough to know a greeting but why dear daughter, why do you bring them here?” he stops in front of Neytiri regarding her with sharp eyes that show the strength of a leader, but I see the love of a father hidden behind the harshness of which he looks at her. He looks towards me again and it seems just like his daughter, he’s testing my knowledge of his language, to show him I understand I give him a low nod before meeting his gaze. Since he has moved away I can only just make out the low ‘hhm’ he makes at my confirmation of understanding what he said.
Jake leans in closer to me and I can feel his breath on my ear as he goes to speak but I grip his arm tightly allowing nails to dig in to hopefully quem his questions. I hear a slight hiss from him but he straightens himself back up understanding my silent request that he remains quiet and saves any questions he may have until the end.
“I was going to kill him,” She pauses for a second, her head slinking over her shoulder slightly in my direction. “And her, but there was a sign from Eywa.” I watch as Neytiri leans forward towards her father as she speaks, making herself appear smaller as to appease her father, most likely knowing he would not take kindly to this information.
I try to keep my breathing even, as I wait for the response of the Olo’eyktan, knowing that when it comes to clan matters this is his domain. But with there being a sign from Eywa I’m still holding out hope for the Tsahik to come out to decide our fates.
“I have said.” He enunciates every word, he seems frustrated in this moment, and I can’t say that I blame him for it, they don’t want us here after everything the RDA has done, not just to the whole clan, but to Eytuktan’s family specifically.
“No dreamwalker will come here.” I keep my eyes on him but as he continues to speak a frown inch its way on my face and my eyes droop down to the ground my ears flattening across my head.
“What’s he saying?” I hear Jake whisper to me clearly feeling left out of the conversation, but I barley register it as I try to focus in on
“Their alien smell fills my nose.” He finishes, laughter begins to surround us from all directions from the clan members, and I close my eyes and let out a small grounding breath. Yeah, we off to a great first meeting.
“Hey, what’s he saying” Jake grips my arm more tightly urging my attention back to him in hopes of me translating.
“My father is deciding whether to kill you both.” Neytiri says it in such a calm way that it takes me a second to properly register her words, and my eyes widen as I feel Jakes hand fall away from me and see him take a step forward.
“Jake! -“I try to pull him back to me, but he brushes me off.
“It’s nice to meet you sir.” Jake puts his hand out in attempts to shake hands with the Olo’eyktan, and shouts come from all warriors yelling and grabbing at both him and me and I swallow hard as the same warrior from before grips my good arm, but not as dramatic and deadly as the ones that grab at Jake. I see Tsu’tey in the mix of the warriors who hissed and yelled at Jake and watch his hand clenches around the strap of my bag.
“But I’m sorry you can’t kill her.” He says it so seriously that I balk completely at him, but I don’t move closer or dare to speak, as to not agitate an already upset audience, “She’s a mother, she has a kid at home.” He finishes and as he tries to look back at me, he’s gripped by the back of the neck to continue looking forward.
This information seems to shock most people in the vicinity as I feel more eyes on me than before. Neytiri’s head shoots in my direction her mouth gaping slightly at the information, Eytuktan’s eyes almost soften at the admission of my status as a mother and Tsu’tey he continues to glare eyes shrinking to slits as he looks me up and down, and I can’t help but Squirm under their scrutiny. Most people do regard me in a negative light when they find out I was a teen mother, so as I feel their stares I can’t help but feel small and irresponsible, they’re probably wondering why I am here and not with my child. Cause as we walked in; I did see multiple children who were all huddled closely to their own mothers some in slings across their chests while older ones were being held by the shoulders.
But before I can muster up the courage to possibly defend why I am without my child, a voice calls up from a set of stairs that round the Hometree.
“Release these creatures!” All eyes snap toward the voice as she speaks and their gaze’s slowly make their way back towards Jake and I, as she steps down each step her arms outstretched in front of herself, “Step back!” I look up at her again as she move’s down the steps, and I recognise her as Mo’at the Tsahik of the Clan, Neytiri’s mother and Eytuktan’s mate.
I’m slowly pushed back towards Jake and he immediately steps in line with me and I try to stubly punch him in the ribs while whispering, “I told you to keep quiet!” I seethe the words at him quickly, before Mo’at finishes her approach to us.
“I will look at these Aliens.” She announces to the crowd and everyone steps back at her words, she walks closer to us and I can vaguly make out Neytiri giving an explanation to Jake on who she is and I bow my head in respect, but My head snaps back up towards Jake as he dares to speak again.
“Who’s Eywa?” he says looking down toward me with furrowed brows.
“Did you listen to nothing I tried to teach you.” I say to him my eyes wide and mouth open in utter shock at him, Jake just shrugs his shoulders towards me.
Mo’at makes her way around us and I follow her path and can’t help but shrink more under her gaze as she paws at both Jake and I even going as far to swipe at our tails and I stumble slightly forward. Unsure of the feeling of someone being so causal about touching it so blanketly. I hear a chuckle from in front of me and look up to see Tsu’tey quickly school his features back into a scowl which I quickly rebuke with one of my own and I can’t help but look down towards my bag.
Tsu’tey seems to noticed this and tightens his grip on my bag seemingly to say that I won't be getting it back any time soon and my frown deepens as I look at it. Knowing that I stashed a photo of Malu in one of the pockets, so I could have some part of her be with me during our times apart. Mo’at then finish’s her walk around the two of us and stands directly in the middle of the both of us in front.
“What are you called?” She switches her glance between Jake and I.
“Jake Sully.” Jake tries to school his face into one of neutrality to cover up his nervous smiling and I try to keep my face as calm as possible.
“My Name is Dr Corvus Katrina Jones-Sully, but everyone calls me Cori.” I say as instead of lowering my head, I try to stand tall, to ensure that my respect for them and their language shines through, Mo’at hums slightly at my use of their language.
“Another scientist?” She sneers towards me and I shake my head quickly.
“No, a healer, and a researcher of culture. I don’t study the likes of animals or plants I don’t take things that are already here. I simply observe and take in the information that is offered to me, none of my research is meant to be shared with others unless I am given permission. I do not wish to disturb the balance of Pandora. Or harm any who live here.” I find myself babble out as much information of my role as quickly as possibly before Mo’at lifts her hand and I find myself immediately quietening my words and leaning back slightly. She regards me with her eyes looking up and down but does not offer any words of understanding or believing me and I find myself swallowing back a lump at her intense stare.
She then pulls a sharp pin from its sheath and stabs Jake with it, I see him flinch slightly at the intrusion and I try to keep myself from doing the same and not react when she licks the pin either. She then procures a second pin and does the same to me, all I can think is thank god she didn’t use the same one cause the germs of blood and silva mixing is not a great combination.
“Why did you come to us?” She asks, but she does not direct the question specifically to either of us.
“I came to learn.” Both Jake and I speak at the same time, Him in English while I spoke in Na’vi.
“We have tried to teach other sky people” Mo’at slows her speech as she takes a step towards the both of us squinting, “It is hard to fill a cup which Is already full.” She turns her gaze towards me at that sentence and I hold her gaze, before I can speak Jake lets out a small laugh.
“My cup is empty, trust me. Just ask my sister” he jabs his thumb in my direction and I can’t help the small laugh that falls from my mouth with a shake of my head. “I’m no scientist. And as far as my sister goes, I’m pretty sure her cup is never-ending, there's never been a time in our entire lives where she wasn’t trying to learn something new.” Jake shakes his head as he looks at me with a smile and I can’t help the smile that splits on my face, as I feel the pride that edges off of him, but both of our attentions are quick to turn back to Mo’at.
“You’re sister says she’s a healer and a researcher, a researcher of what exactly?” Mo’at sends the question towards Jake which I can only assume she is doing so that she can figure out if I was telling her the truth when I spoke in Na’vi.
“Oh yeah she’s a killer doctor – not actually a killer though I just mean she’s really fucking good at what she does-“ Jake Stammers out and I look at him with wide eyes his own eyes widening as he lifts his hands up defensively as a few of the warriors take a step forward hissing slightly, with raised weapons.
“Jake,” I chastise pulling on his arm slightly, Jake turns back to Mo’at
“Yeah, she’s an amazing doctor and surgeon too, she studied both Human bodies and your guy’s too.” He says gesturing to the Na’vi around us and I struggle to hold in the groan I feel escaping my throat as a few of the Na’vi around us narrow their eyes at me.
Great he’s making me out to sound like a pervert by saying I studied their bodies.
“She also studied y'all's language and culture for years like years and years, before she even joined Dr Augustine’s program. Like I don’t know how she managed it all especially when Malu was born.” Jake Finishes and I can hear the pride in his voice as he talks about my accomplishments and I find it hard to be mad at him in this situation.
“Malu?” She questions looking at me and I can’t help but smile as I think of her.
“My daughter.” I say proudly.
“You are a mother too then? Surely you understand our hesitation on allowing either of you to walk on our lands.” Mo’at looks me up and down and I find myself nodding along with her words.
“Of course, my daughter means everything to me. Despite what others might think, considering I stand before you without her by myside.” The words tumble from my mouth before I can really stop them, but I know they come from a place of some insecurity, “There is a picture of her in my med kit bag that I carry, so even when she is not physically with me I have a piece of her with me always.” I gesture towards the bag that Tsu’tey is still holding tightly and I watch as he narrows his eyes shifting the bag slightly behind himself and I have to hold back the Instinct to roll my eyes at the childish behaviour.
Mo’at gestures towards Tsu’tey and the bag and I can seem him clench his Jaw tightly before he makes his way down beside Mo’at depositing the bag at my feet.
“I believe it belongs to the demon.” Tsu’tey growls out towards me before taking a few steps back behind Mo’at.
Mo’at gestures towards the bag and I crouch down slowly aware of all the eyes on me and the warriors inching closer with their weapons as I slowly unzip the bag and revealing the medical supplies inside. I slowly slide my hand into the side pocket and pull out the small Polaroid picture I carry of Malu, in a red Minnie mouse tutu dress proudly holding a ‘jungle book’ book and Bagheera. The photo was taken last year on her birthday, as I found another special edition book to add to her collection.
Mo’at Looks inside the bad and spots the photo that I hold in my hands and promptly holds out her own, I slowly raise up again and place the photo within her palm and she holds it up to look at it.
“She is very small.” Mo’at mumbles in English looking at the photo and both Jake and I let out a small laugh.
“But very mighty as she would always say.” I reply back in English, she then gestures down towards the bag and hands the photo back to me, “It’s a medical kit bag, for if any of the Avatar’s receive any injuries I can patch them back up.”
She gestures to my arm that is still in the swing, “Just like the sling I’m using for my arm, it keeps it secure and immobile to ensure the best healing results.” I explain and she hums along before her attention then goes back to Jake.
“And you are?” She speaks towards him, Jake loses the smile that was previously on his face and stands up taller beside me, turning serious.
“I was a Marine,” He stutters for a second looking unsure as he looks at me then towards Neytiri before settling back on Mo’at “ A warrior of the Jarhead Clan.”
Once again with his words Jake makes my mouth drop open in shock, and he looks down at me as I raise a brow at him, and he shrugs his shoulders slightly.
“A Warrior!” Tsu’tey yells across the clearing and everyone’s attention snaps towards him, he raises his weapon and goes to move closer to Jake and I glare at him as I stand in front of my brother who puts a hand on my good shoulder. “I could kill him easily!” Tsu’tey cries out as Eytuktan place’s a hand on his chest to stop his movements forward.
“No!” Eytuktan yells out stopping Tsu’tey in his path and he stares down at us and sneers his fangs peaking out from his lips and I keep my glare directed at him and he scoffs at me.
“This is the first warrior dreamwalker we have seen. We need to learn more about him.”
I blink rapidly as I take in Eytuktan’s words and I watch as Tsu’tey does the same eyes growing wider as he turns to the man next to him.
I slowly turn back to Jake as he tugs lightly on my Elbow. “What’s going on what are they saying.”
“I think your idiocy may have just saved you.” I whisper to him, but before Jake can answer me Mo’at speaks up turning towards Neytiri.
“My Daughter.” She starts slowly and Neytiri glances towards her, “You will teach him our way, to speak and walk as we do.” Neytiri looks like she is about to object to this but Mo’at holds up and hand turns to Tsu’tey and points to him and Nudges her head in my direction, “You shall teach her.”
Oh shit.
Both Neytiri and Tsu’tey come forward towards Mo’at, “Why can I not teach the girl? At least she speaks our tongue.” Neytiri complains and I can’t help but a small swell of pride that fills my chest at the smallcompliment that shebestows upon me.
“Ugh, the demon sullies our language, I pray to cut it’s tongue from its mouth to save my ears from the sacrilege.” Tsu’tey spits out and his gaze locks with mine ensuring that I heard and know how he feels, the previous pride I felt immediately leaves and I’m filled with an overwhelming amount of shame. Of course Neytiri wasn’t complimenting that my ability to speak was good, just that I could speak it and understand it compared to Jake.
“Enough!” Mo’at called out lifting her hands and the two in front of her stopped, “Was it not your arrow that would’ve pieced his heart?” She gazed down at Neytiri who Groaned and hissed while turning away, Mo’at turned to Tsu’tey “And your Bolo that captured her legs?”
I feel my ears go flat on my head as Tsu’tey levels me with another deathly glare and a snarl before he turns away huffing and turns back to Mo’at again and points to me, “How can she learn when she is injured!” He yells, and Mo’at slowly turns her gaze back to me.
“She will learn the ways of healing with me while her injury still restricts her, but I feel strength from her that I don’t think this injury would hold her back from your teachings.” She says all this while looking me up and down and I tentatively nod at her which only seems to anger Tsu’tey more.
“I will not aid these demons!” He tries again but Mo’at whirls on him.
“You dare question Eywa, you dare question your Tsahìk?” Mo’at levels him with a look that makes him falter in his anger and his ears pin flat against his head and he lowers his gaze to the floor.
“No, Tsahik I do not wish you to question you, but how can you ask this of me? To teach these demons when all they have shown is destruction and killing.” There is pain in his voice as he speaks but I can tell he is trying to hide it, to level his voice as being a warrior and not as someone who has suffered at the hands of humans.
“Tsahik, I do not wish to cause Turmel, I do not wish to force someone to teach me if they do not deem it to be okay.” I say tentatively gaging both Tsu’tey and Mo’at’s reactions to my words, Mo’at again looks me up and down while Tsu’tey snarls and turns away from me.
“It is decided.” Mo’at announces to the clan with Jake looking down at me curios as to what has been decided and I place a hand on his arm giving it a reassuring squeeze.
My daughter will teach you our ways” She looks to Jake before turning to me, “And tsu’tey you. Learn well, Jakesully, Co’ri. We will see if insanity can be cured.”
Mo’at turns back to Tsu’tey and Neytri, “They are your responsibility. Both of you” If looks could kill Jake and I would be dead ten times over with the looks the two of them are giving us and once again I cannot blame their anger and hesiatation.
“Tsu’tey bring Co’ri to my tent so I may inspect her wounds, Neytiri see to Jake’s yourself.” Mo’at then walks off back to the stairs.
Neytiri walks up to the two of us with a snarl and roughly grabs Jake by the arm pulling him away, he goes to say something but she whirls back on him her braids hitting him in the face, “Do. Not. Speak.” She snarls at him and continues to pull him roughly towards some tents, he looks back at me for a second and I give him a nervous smile and a wave which he mirrors back.
Tsu’tey does not walk up to me simple gestures with his head to follow him with that same snarl on his face. But this time I do not have the energy to match him, I simply sigh reaching down to pick up the bag and I can’t help the small hiss I let out from the pain in my shoulder.
Suddenly the bag is ripped from my hands and I look forward with wide eyes and am met with the anger and disgust of Tsu’teys, “Weak.” He spits out as he turns back around stomping off in the direction of Mo’at, I let out a sigh and slowly begin to walk behind him.
“Leanabh.” I whisper under my breath, and Tsu’tey stops briefly looking back at me with narrowed eyes, I know he does not understand that I just called him a child in Gaelic, but I think he can understand that I didn’t exactly compliment him either. So I smile at him though with my shoulder it probably comes out as more as a grimace. He grunts and turns back around.
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Tsu’tey POV
The BOLO SCENE
Something I was not prepared to see this day, Dreamwalkers back in our forest. To close to the clan, to close for it to be an accident. I can practically hear their stomps from even this distance. There demon foot coverings that make them loud and trackable within the forest.
I tighten my fist around the bolo in my hand waiting for them to come into view. Two of them, a man and a woman. Huddled in close – perhaps they are mates with the way the male is gripping onto the woman’s hand and looking back every few steps to ensure he hasn’t lost her.
Then she comes into view, she is injured, she is in pain, yet she is still trying to smile at the man in front of her and is keeping up with the pace. It startles me slightly as I watch her, she is attempting to match and copy the same movements as Neytiri. She is not succeeding in the slightest.
She keeps looking down at her feet towards the ground, though as quickly as she looks down she keeps looking all around and even from this distance I can see that they are wide with fascination. Or really, she is most likely seeing what other things her and her people can take from us again, planning another attack.
Her ears are swaying all over the place as if she is trying to listen to all that is around her. Stupid, dreamwalkers cannot listen and they cannot see. Looking them over again I can see that the male is brandishing at least one hunting knife though it will not do much up against the party of warriors I have with me.
With her though I see no weapons on her person, foolish of her to come to the forest unarmed. I look back down at the bag attached to my Pa’li the demon bag that holds things inside it that I recognise as their medical supplies. Though hidden inside was a picture of a child. Looking back up at them even in their fake bodies I can see similarities of the child to the male, maybe their Child. I can’t help but narrow my eyes at them, they left their child behind to come here, they would leave their child alone to come for death in entering these forests.
I can’t help the low growl that leaves my throat, catching her would be too easy she is already injured it would not take much to subdue her. I lift the Bolo aiming to strike at the legs of the Male and as I throw, I see the female’s head snap up and yell, pushing the male in front of her down and bolo wraps around her own ankles instead and she falls.
I can’t help the gasp that leaves my throat as I watch her tumble from the tree, landing with a resounding thud on the floor.
Chapter 10 update: due to sickness I’m delaying chapter 10 another day but since it will be Friday and I’m hopefully going to be feeling better, I’ll be writing and editing all weekend! Hoping to churn out a couple of chapters!! I’m also on early shifts for work next week so will have more time in afternoon/evenings to write! I promise I haven’t forgotten this story and I’m still heavily invested!!!
Chapter 10 is being written and edited as we speak! But unfortunately I’m getting sick at the moment so it’s going a bit slower than usual, it will either be posted tonight or tomorrow!
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