ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐ welcome to alex’s blogging space, have an enjoyable time here .
𐔌՞. .՞𐦯 irl angel. she;her. eighteen. mexicana. gemini. intj-j. horrible social anxiety (especially with guys). big girls deserve the whole world. omnisexual. in many fandoms. marvel. bts. formula one. smallvile. gilmore girls. gossip girl. breaking bad. outerbanks. many sitcoms. faye webster enthusiast. jazz lover. saw faye & clairo live. reality shifter & editor !!. max verstappen & oscar piastri lover. yoongi biased. annoying formula one fan. never ending tbr & tbw. 2000s movies enthusiast. unreliable series writer. <33
do not interact: racists, homophobics, t**** supporters, transphoics, support genocide, luigi m. haters.
OPERATION OLIVE BRANCH. FREE PALESTINE. SAVE CONGO. ALL EYES ON RAFAH. SPEAK UP ABOUT THE GENOCIDE, SPREAD AWARENESS.
(was previously l*ncestrollsgf, apologies if links don’t work, comment/send me a message if you wanna be mutuals!!)
# NEVER FORGET A FACE ! PETER PARKER X READER, WRITTEN
introduction master list request list
# WARNINGS: use of y/n. lowercase intended. horrible summary. english isn’t my first language; bad grammar and spelling. second person pov. reader replacing mj. possibly rushed timeline. can be read gn! reader, i think!
# SUMMARY: it is known that cats have wonderful memory. so when your normally distant cat is strangely attached to a superhero who saves them. you’re wondering if maybe you had met the person before?
# AUTHORS NOTE: i had read a story awhile ago that mentioned how animals/elephants have really long term memories and idk it was like some reincarnation thing anyways i was watching homecoming and i remembered that story. ok this sounds confusing but idk that’s just how i came up with this story! pretending traveling to mit from nyc is easy. his is also the first time i’ve posted about peter/marvel wowwowow!! i have loved marvel since like 2016 🥹 hope this story makes sense and please request for marvel more guys!! im open to writing for anyone and anything :))
statue of liberty - december
"you're gonna forget who i am," peter admitted, his voice breaking as he stood with you and ned on the crown of the statue of liberty. the cold wind whipped around you, but it was nothing compared to the chill that ran down your spine at his words.
ned shook his head repeatedly, his eyes wide with disbelief. "what...? forget who you are? what are you talking about?"
you stared at peter's scarred face, your heart pounding. "peter, what do you mean? why would we forget you?"
"it's the only way," peter said, looking back and forth between you and ned, his eyes glistening. "doctor strange is going to cast a spell. everyone who knows peter parker is spider-man will forget. it's the only way to fix this."
"no," you whispered, tears streaming down your face. "no, there has to be another way."
"it's okay," peter said softly, reaching out to touch your face. "i'm gonna come find you, and i'll explain everything. i'll make you remember me, and it'll be like none of this ever happened, okay?"
"okay but what if that doesn't work?" you choked out. "what if we can't remember you? what if you can't make us remember? i don't wanna do that, peter. i don't wanna forget you."
"you won't," peter promised, even though you could see the doubt in his eyes. "i promise, i'll find a way."
"peter, please," ned pleaded. "there has to be something else we can do."
but peter just smiled sadly and shook his head. "i love you guys. both of you. and i'm so sorry." and then, in a flash of golden light, everything changed.
new york city - january
you were in your small apartment in queens, the one you share with ned while you both atten mit. the commute was brutal—two hours each way on the train to cambridge—but you couldn't afford to live near campus, and somehow, staying in new york felt right. like you were supposed to be here, even if you couldn't explain why.
it was a saturday afternoon, and you'd just finished your shift at the café. you were exhausted, looking forward to collapsing on the couch with whiskers, your tabby cat. but when you walked into the living room, you froze. the window to the fire escape was wide open, curtains billowing in the cold january wind.
"no, no, no," you muttered, rushing to the window. "whiskers? whiskers!" you grabbed your coat and ran downstairs, your heart racing. whiskers had never tried to escape before. you had no idea why the window was even open—you were sure you'd closed it before you left.
you burst out onto the street, looking around frantically. "whiskers!" you called, your voice breaking with panic.
and then you heard it, a familiar meow.
you turned the corner into an alley and stopped dead in your tracks. spider-man was crouched on a dumpster, holding whiskers in his arms. the cat was purring loudly, rubbing her face against his suit, completely content.
"oh my god," you breathed, rushing over. "oh my god, thank you so much. i'm so sorry, i don't know how she got out."
"it's no problem," spider-man said, his voice slightly muffled by his mask. he handed whiskers over to you, and you noticed his hands were shaking slightly. "she's a sweet cat."
"that's so weird," you said, frowning as whiskers continued to purr and reach toward spider-man. "she usually doesn't like anyone. i'm surprised she liked you."
behind the mask, peter's heart was breaking. he wanted to tell you everything. he wanted to take off the mask and hold you and explain why whiskers recognized him—because she was your cat, but she'd been your shared cat first, before the spell.
"oh, uh, that's crazy," spider-man said quickly, his voice tight. "i didn't even know. i guess it's just luck."
"yeah," you said slowly, still watching the way whiskers stared at him. "well, thank you again. really."
"anytime," spider-man said, and then he shot a web and swung away before he could do something stupid like tell you the truth.
as he swung through the city, peter felt the familiar ache in his chest. he should've said something. he should've revealed himself. but he couldn't. he'd made a promise to himself that he wouldn't drag you back into his dangerous life.
even if it killed him to stay away.
five days later - the alley
you were going to kill that cat. "whiskers!" you shouted, running down the stairs of your apartment building for the second time in a week. "how do you keep escaping?!"
you'd checked the window three times before leaving for class this morning. you were *sure* it was closed. and yet, when ned texted you that whiskers was gone again, you had to leave your chemistry lecture early to come find her.
you rounded the corner into the same alley where spider-man had found her, and stopped. a guy was crouched down, holding whiskers, who was purring and nuzzling against his jacket. he looked up when he heard you approach, and you recognized him immediately.
"you're the guy from the café," you said, slightly breathless. "from last month. the one who didn’t order anything..peter right?”
"oh, uh, yeah," peter said, standing up quickly and handing whiskers over. "sorry, i was just walking by and i saw her. i'm guessing she's yours?"
"yeah," you said, taking whiskers and frowning when she immediately tried to climb back toward peter. "okay, what the hell. this is the second time this week someone's found her and she's been super attached to them."
"really?" peter asked, trying to sound casual even though his heart was pounding. "yeah, spider-man found her a few days ago," you said, shaking your head. "she was all over him too. she never likes anyone, but apparently she loves superheroes and random strangers."
"spider-man found your cat?" peter said, forcing himself to sound impressed. "wow, that's such a crazy coincidence. he's such a cool guy."
"yeah," you said, still studying peter's face. there was something familiar about him, something that tugged at the edges of your memory. "hey, do i know you from somewhere? besides the café, i mean." peter's breath caught. "uh, i don't think so. i just have one of those faces, i guess."
"yeah, maybe," you said, but you didn't sound convinced. then you smiled. "hey, do you want a free pastry? as a thank you for finding whiskers. i work at the café every other day of the week, so you can come by whenever."
"that would be great," peter said, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "thank you."
"no problem," you said. "i'm there sunday, monday, wednesday, friday. just ask for y/n."
"y/n," peter repeated softly, like he was savoring your name. "i'll definitely stop by."
"cool," you said. "well, i should get this escape artist home. thanks again." "anytime," peter said.
you walked away, and peter watched you go, his chest tight with longing. you'd looked at him like you almost remembered. like some part of you knew him. but it wasn’t enough.
your apartment - that evening
"you met spider-man and that weirdo?" ned asked, looking up from his laptop where he was working on a problem set.
"his name is peter," you said, setting whiskers down on the couch. "and yeah, i don't know why she’s so attached to these random people. and she keeps escaping at the same times and going to the exact same place." “wow i’m offended whiskers likes these random guys but not me??” ned complained.
ned's eyes widened. "oh my god, what if the random guy and spider-man are the same person?" you laughed. "you're crazy. anyway, i invited him to get a free pastry at the café."
"you invited him? didn't you think he was weird last month?"
"he saved my cat," you said defensively. "and whiskers recognized him. it seemed like the nice thing to do."
ned shook his head but smiled. "you're too nice for your own good."
"whatever," you said, but you were smiling too.
the café - wednesday afternoon
you'd been working for about two hours when you heard the bell above the door chime. you looked up from wiping down the counter and felt your heart skip a beat. peter walked in, looking nervous and slightly disheveled in a worn jacket and jeans.
"oh my god, hi!" you said, smiling brightly. "how've you been? it's been a while. i thought you weren't gonna come."
“yeah, sorry," peter said, rubbing the back of his neck. "i was just busy with... stuff."
you tilted your head, curious. stuff seemed like a weird way to put it, but you didn't want to pry. "okay, well, what pastry did you want?"
you showed him the display case, and he picked out a chocolate croissant. you rang him up and offered him a drink on the house too, which he accepted gratefully—a simple black coffee. "you can sit if you want," you offered. "it's pretty slow right now."
"okay," peter said, and he sat down at one of the small tables by the window. since the café was nearly empty, you decided to join him, sliding into the seat across from him. "hey, thanks again for saving my cat the other day. i'm sorry she was so clingy."
"no, it's totally fine," peter said quickly. "she was super cute. what's her name? how'd you get her?"
"her name's whiskers," you said, smiling at the memory. "i got her with a friend a while back, but... something happened to them. i can't really remember what, which is weird. it's like there's this gap in my memory, you know?"
peter froze, his coffee cup halfway to his mouth. his eyes were wide, and for a moment, he looked like he might cry. "are you okay?" you asked, concerned.
"yeah, yeah, sorry," peter said, setting down his cup and forcing a smile. "uh, so where do you go to school?"
"oh, i go to mit," you said. "i live here in queens with my roommate, but i commute to campus, and have online classes. it's brutal, but i couldn't afford to live in cambridge, and i had this feeling like i needed to stay in new york. i don't really know why." peter's heart clenched. you'd stayed because some part of you still remembered him, even if you didn't know it.
"that's actually the school i wanted to go to," peter said quietly. "how do you like it so far?"
"oh my god, that's so cool!" you said enthusiastically. "i love it. it's such a great school. why didn't you end up going?" peter hesitated. "just some personal issues. i'll probably take a gap year and try applying later this year or next."
"oh my god, i'm so sorry," you said, your face falling. "i didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"no, no, it's totally fine," peter assured you. "but it's really cool that you got in. who's your roommate?"
"oh, it's my friend ned," you said. "he was here last month when you came in, actually. we've been best friends since high school, so we decided to live together since we're going to the same college."
"that guy seemed nice," peter said, his voice a little strained. ned. his best friend, who didn't remember him at all.
"yeah, he's great," you said. then you frowned slightly. "you know, it's weird. i feel like i know you from somewhere. like, really know you. but i can't figure out where from." peter's breath caught. "maybe i just have one of those faces."
“maybe… that's what you said last time," you said, but you didn't look away. your eyes searched his face, like you were trying to solve a puzzle.
the conversation continued for another hour, peter telling you stories that felt both new and familiar at the same time. you found yourself laughing at his jokes, feeling completely at ease in his presence. when your manager called you back to work, you felt genuinely disappointed.
"same time friday?" you asked as peter gathered his things.
"definitely," he said, and the smile on his face made your heart flutter.
over the next few weeks
peter started coming to the café regularly. every monday, wednesday, and friday, he'd show up right around the same time, order something small, and sit at the table by the window. and every time, you'd join him when the café was slow, and you'd talk.
you learned that he lived in queens too, that he loved science and photography, that he had a weird sense of humor that made you laugh until your sides hurt. and with every conversation, that feeling of familiarity grew stronger.
sometimes you'd catch him looking at you with this expression—like he was memorizing your face, like he was afraid you might disappear. it made your chest ache in a way you couldn't explain.
one particularly slow afternoon in early february, peter brought his camera and showed you some of his photos. they were stunning—shots of the city at night, of spider-man mid-swing (which made you wonder how he'd gotten those angles), of ordinary moments made extraordinary through his lens.
"these are incredible," you said, scrolling through his phone. "you're really talented."
"thanks," peter said, and you could see him blushing. "i used to take a lot more photos, but i kind of stopped for a while."
"why?"
he was quiet for a moment. "i lost someone important to me. taking photos reminded me too much of what i'd lost."
"i'm sorry," you said softly, reaching across the table to touch his hand. the contact sent a spark through you, and you saw peter's eyes widen slightly.
"it's okay," he said. "i think i'm ready to start again."
"you really like this guy, huh?" he asked one night as you were making dinner.
"i don't know," you admitted, stirring the pasta. "there's just something about him. it's like... i've known him forever. does that sound crazy?"
"a little," ned said, but he was smiling. "but i get it. he seems like a good guy. and honestly, i kind of feel the same way. like when he came in that one time, i felt like we'd met before."
"really?"
"yeah. weird, right?"
you nodded, turning back to the stove. whiskers wound around your ankles, purring, and you thought about how she'd reacted to both spider-man and peter. it was almost like she knew something you didn't.
the café - late february
it was a quiet friday afternoon when peter came in looking more tired than usual. there were dark circles under his eyes, and his hands were shaking slightly as he ordered his coffee.
"are you okay?" you asked, concerned, as you handed him his cup.
"yeah, just didn't sleep well," peter said, but you could tell he was lying.
you sat down with him at his usual table. "peter, you can talk to me, you know. if something's wrong." peter looked at you, and for a moment, you saw something raw and vulnerable in his eyes. "y/n, can i ask you something?"
"of course."
"do you ever feel like you're missing something?" peter asked quietly. "like there's a piece of your life that's just... gone?"
you stared at him, your heart starting to race. "yeah," you whispered. "yeah, i do. especially when i think about whiskers, or when i look at pictures from high school. there's someone missing, but i can't remember who."
peter's eyes filled with tears. "y/n—"
"it's you, isn't it?" you interrupted, the words tumbling out before you could stop them. "the missing piece. it's you."
peter closed his eyes, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "i can't tell you. i promised myself i wouldn't drag you back into my life. it's too dangerous."
"dangerous?" you repeated. "peter, what are you talking about?"
and then, before he could stop himself, peter said, "i'm spider-man."
the already empty café seemed to go even more silent. you stared at him, your mouth open in shock.
"you're... what?"
"i'm spider-man," peter repeated, his voice breaking. "and we were together. you and me and ned, we were best friends. but something happened, and doctor strange had to cast a spell to make everyone forget that peter parker was spider-man. and i thought i could stay away from you, i thought it would keep you safe, but i can't. i can't stay away from you, y/n. i love you." tears were streaming down your face now. "whiskers recognized you."
"yeah," peter said, laughing through his tears. "we got her together. she was our cat."
"and that's why i felt like i needed to stay in new york," you whispered. "because you're here."
"yeah."
you reached across the table and took his hand. "show me."
"what?"
"show me," you repeated. "show me everything. i want to remember."
your apartment - that night
peter came over after your shift ended. ned was there too—you'd called him and asked him to come home, telling him it was important.
the three of you sat in the living room, whiskers purring contentedly in peter's lap, as he told you everything. about how you'd met in high school, about how you'd figured out he was spider-man, about all the adventures you'd had together. he showed you pictures he'd saved on an old hard drive, pictures of the three of you at homecoming, at graduation, on random adventures around the city.
there were photos of you and peter kissing, of ned doing something he called "guy in the chair" work, of the three of you laughing together. and with each photo, you felt something clicking into place, like pieces of a puzzle you didn't know was incomplete.
"we were at the statue of liberty," you said slowly, staring at one particular photo. "something bad happened there."
"yeah," peter said. "there were these villains from other universes. we tried to help them, but things went wrong. people found out i was spider-man, and it put everyone i loved in danger. the only way to fix it was to make everyone forget."
"everyone forgot you," ned said, his voice thick with emotion. "we forgot our best friend."
"i'm so sorry," peter said. "i wanted to tell you sooner, but i was trying to protect you."
"we don't need protection," you said firmly, squeezing his hand, reassuring him. “we just want to have our friend back.”
the next few months
slowly, piece by piece, you started to build new memories. they weren't the same as the old ones, but they were just as precious.
peter started coming over regularly, having movie nights with you and ned, helping you study for exams, taking photos of the three of you together. you started dating again—or for the first time, depending on how you looked at it. and even though you couldn't remember everything, you knew one thing for certain:
you loved him. you'd always loved him. and no spell could ever truly take that away.
ned took a little more convincing at first, but eventually, they both started to have their own “bro times”. calling each other nicknames and having their own jokes you don’t even understand.
you started having little flashes of memory—nothing concrete, just feelings and sensations. the smell of peter's cologne would remind you of something you couldn't quite grasp. a certain song would make you feel nostalgic for a moment you didn't remember living. but it didn't matter, because you were making new memories now.
peter was more careful this time about keeping his spider-man activities separate from your life, but you insisted on being involved. "we're a team," you told him. "we always have been, even if i can't remember it."
one night in april, peter took you swinging through the city. you held onto him tight as he swung between buildings, and for just a moment, you had a flash of memory—doing this before, laughing and screaming with joy.
"i remember this," you said breathlessly when he set you down on a rooftop. "not clearly, but i remember the feeling. i remember being happy with you."
peter kissed you then, soft and sweet, and it felt like coming home.
your apartment - may
you were curled up on the couch with peter, whiskers purring contentedly between you, when ned walked in. "you two are disgustingly cute," he announced, dropping his backpack by the door.
"you're just jealous," you teased.
"maybe," ned admitted with a grin. "but seriously, i'm glad we found each other again. or that you found us, peter." "me too," peter said, his voice soft.
peter laughed and pulled you closer, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "i'm just glad i found my way back to you."
"me too," you whispered.
and as you sat there, surrounded by the people you loved most, you realized that some things were meant to be. even if the world forgot, even if magic tried to tear you apart, love would always find a way.
# WARNINGS! implied reader is chubby. second person pov, use of y/n. possible ooc caleb. reader comparing self to other girls. messy writing. english isn’t my first language; grammar/writing errors. bad summary.
# SUMMARY! you and caleb are coupled up together. you’ve gotten comfortable around the villa, but recently you’ve been feeling different. you think no one has noticed but caleb has. and he is going to try his best to make you feel better.
# AUTHOR’S NOTE! my first love island story <3 and request, thank to all who requested!! i’ll be getting to your requests soon, it’s just my laptop broke and i’m not used to writing on my phone 😭 the pictures don’t really have anything to do with the story, i just need them for my format. please request more (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)
you wake up next to caleb, hearing the loud intercom voice you’ve been hearing for three weeks wake you up again. you immediately cover your eyes with your hands, not wanting to get up yet. the sheets are warm, and caleb’s arm is already around you like he never let go in his sleep. you quietly groan as you hear the other islanders start waking up too, drawers opening, someone laughing down the beds. caleb shifts beside you and rubs your arm with his thumb, slow and sleepy. “y/n it’s time to get up,” he says in that soft voice, like he’s smiling even with his eyes barely open. “i don’t want to,” you complain, still blocking the light. he makes a tiny sound like a laugh and scoots closer. “c’mon. i’ll carry you to the beauty room if you’d like.” your stomach flips, nerves hitting fast. the image of being picked up flashes in your head, old and uncomfortable, and you sit up way too quickly. caleb’s eyes open more, alarmed for a second, but he doesn’t ask right away. he just rubs your back, steady. “it’s okay,” you say quickly, smoothing your hair down even though it’s already falling in messy waves from being curled around him all night.
“i’ll get up.” caleb nods, like he’s choosing not to make you explain anything at seven in the morning. “alright then,” he says. “what would you like for breakfast?” you swing your legs off the bed and feel the cool floor under your feet. “uuhm… something light. no pancakes today.” you try to make it sound casual, like it’s just a craving thing. caleb stands too, stretching a little, shirt riding up for a second before he fixes it. “okay,” he says easily. “i’ll add more fruit then. you want coffee or tea?” you both leave the bedroom and step into the hallway. most of the islanders are still in their beds, but you and caleb are always the first ones out. the villa smells faintly like sunscreen and the ocean. “green tea is fine,” you say, and you manage a small smile. “okay, perfect. i’ll start on it now.” caleb walks with you until the staircase that leads up to the beauty room. you stop at the bottom step and look up at him. “thank you so much, see you in a bit.” you kiss his cheek and hug him, and he kisses you back, quick and sweet, like he can’t help it. his hands settle at your waist for a second, grounding. “drink water,” he murmurs, and then he’s holding out your water bottle he’s been carrying it the whole time. you blink, taking it. “you’re insane,” you tease softly. “i’m prepared,” he corrects, and he walks away toward the kitchen.
you head upstairs, water bottle clutched in your hand like a little comfort object. when you walk into the beauty room, it’s still empty. you exhale without realizing you were holding your breath and take your usual unassigned seat. the counters are spotless, mirrors lit bright, the closets lined up like little display cases. lately, you’ve been feeling nervous around the girls. you find yourself looking at them and how perfect they are, how easy they seem in their own skin, like they never have to second-guess a strap or an angle or a camera. you rub your face with your hands, a little rough, trying to wake yourself up and wipe the thoughts away before they get too loud.
trinity walks in smiling and sees you first. “you okay girl?” she asks, tossing her hair back like it’s nothing. you drop your hands and smile. “yeah of course, just still waking up,” you say, even though you can feel that small twist in your stomach already. trinity nods, then heads to her assigned closet. “c’mon, pick out your swimsuit. you can borrow one of mine,” she says, pulling out options like she’s shopping in her own store. the girls start entering the room in little waves, voices building, drawers being opened, someone’s lip gloss snapping shut. “you want this one?” trinity asks, holding up a white halter bikini with an open-front top and side-tie bottoms. it looks… pretty. it also looks like it might show less than some of the others, and that makes you feel relieved and guilty at the same time. you nod. “thank you, trin,” you say, taking it carefully like it’s delicate. she smiles like you just accepted a compliment.
you head toward the bathroom. “you’re not gonna change in here?” aniya asks as she’s already changing into her swimsuit. “uh, i wanna wash my face. i might as well change there,” you say, trying not to sound suspicious. the girls nod in unison, not really thinking twice. the girls bathroom is private, no cameras, and as soon as the door closes, the quiet hits. you change quickly, peeling off your pajamas and slipping into the bikini. you look up at the mirror automatically. your eyes flick over your body, and you frown before you can stop yourself. you look away fast, like you got caught doing something wrong. “stop,” you whisper, then turn the faucet on. you wash your face with your cleanser, the cold water helping a little, the routine giving you something to do with your hands. you pat your skin dry and practice a neutral expression in the mirror, you’re usually good at containing your fascia expressions.
you walk back into the beauty room and sit down, finishing your skincare. the girls are mostly changed now, already in their seats. you’re about to start on your makeup but someone knocks on the door and the girls call out, “come in!”
it’s caleb.
your face brightens without you even trying, like your body knows him before your brain can spiral. caleb walks in carrying a plate and a mug, careful not to bump anyone. he sets everything beside your mirror on the table, and it’s arranged in a convenient way. “morning,” he says softly. “the tea is very hot. i put a little teenie bit of sugar in it, just so it isn’t bitter.” he points at the plate. “toasted bread with avocado, your eggs just the way you like them. i also got the good fruit. and i remembered you like the fruit cut, not whole.” your throat tightens a little at that, at the tiny detail. he rubs your back while you sit there, like he’s checking in without making it obvious. “thank you, caleb,” you say, looking up at him. “i really appreciate it.” he smiles and leans in for a kiss. the girls immediately “awww,” and you both blush, you laughing into his mouth a little because it’s embarrassing and sweet at the same time. “caleb does not play about the breakfast,” kayda says, grinning. “he’s always the first one to bring it.” you and caleb laugh. “i’m gonna make myself breakfast,” caleb says. “c’mon down in a bit, yeah?” you nod. “yeah.” he squeezes your shoulder gently before he leaves, and you let out a deep sigh you didn’t even realize you were holding.
you finish getting ready, styling your hair while your tea cools. aniya is putting on body oil next to you, shimmering like she’s made of sunlight. you glance a few times, trying not to. aniya catches you anyway. “you want some baby?” she asks, closing the oil but still rubbing it into her skin. you nod with a small smile. “yeah, please.” she passes it to you, and the bottle is warm from her hands. you rub a little on your shoulders and collarbones, trying to be normal about it.
when you leave the beauty room, two of the other girls walk with you. you’re holding your water bottle in one hand and your plate in the other, tea carefully balanced on top. you move slowly, making sure nothing spills, because spilling would feel like one more thing to be embarrassed about. you head toward the kitchen where caleb is still making his breakfast. you sit on the far left side of the island, not wanting to take up too much space. you can see caleb finishing up his plate, talking softly with the other guys, laughing at something you didn’t hear. you sip your tea and look out at the pool, the water bright, calm, and still.
“i really like how you styled your hair today, y/n,” you hear a voice say in front of you. you blink, realizing you zoned out. caleb is now sitting across from you, his plate in front of him, fork in hand. “ah, thank you,” you say, smiling. “hopefully it doesn’t get ruined before the afternoon.” “you’ve barely touched your food?” caleb asks, eyebrows raised, eyes dropping to your plate. heat crawls up your neck. “yeah, sorry. i was a little busy getting ready,” you say quickly, and you poke at a piece of fruit like proof. “but the tea’s really good. what did you make?” caleb glances at his plate. “pancakes with eggs and fruit. just simple.” then he looks back at you, and his voice drops a little. “you sure you’re okay?” you nod too fast. “yeah. i’m okay.” caleb doesn’t call you out. he just reaches across the counter and taps the edge of your plate with his fingertips. “eat a little for me,” he says softly, like it’s not a command, like it’s a favor. “two bites. and if you’re done, you’re done.” your chest tightens at how gentle he’s being. you nod, picking up a piece of toast. you take a bite. then another. caleb’s shoulders ease like he’s been holding tension you didn’t see. “good bite,” he murmurs, and he smiles at you like you did something brave.
but the rest of the day, the feeling doesn’t go away.
and the next day, it’s worse.
you wake up and the intercom is just as loud, but you feel smaller. you don’t ask for pancakes. you don’t even consider it. you tell yourself you’re just not hungry, that it’s the heat, that it’s nerves. you put on more clothes than usual. a long crotchet skirt cover-up with a bikini that gave the most coverage. you keep adjusting straps, pulling fabric up, tugging it down, like your hands can’t relax. at breakfast, you pick at your food. you leave more than you eat. caleb watches but doesn’t embarrass you about it, just slides your water closer and says, “sip,” like it’s a little message between you.
after breakfast, in the beauty room, the girls are loud and bright again. the girls decided to touch up their makeup and outfits since everyone did a cute yoga class, directed by you, aniya, and trinity. you smile when they smile. you laugh when they laugh. you wait until the last possible to do your touch ups. and when you do, you’re checking your bikini, the ‘safe option’. you thought it would make you feel safer because it’s less revealing than some others, but when it’s on your body, under these lights, in front of all these mirrors, you feel exposed anyway.
the girls slowly file out, one by one, grabbing sunglasses and lip gloss and water bottles, calling out quick “see you outside!”s. you answer, “yeah, i’ll be right there.” then the door clicks shut, and suddenly it’s just you and the mirrors.
you stand there for a second too long. the air conditioner hums. there’s a smear of powder on one counter. a hair tie left behind. you step closer to your mirror. you stare at your reflection, and your brain starts doing that thing where it lists everything it thinks you should fix. your stomach twists. your eyes sting. “don’t,” you whisper, but your voice shakes. tears slip out anyway, fast and hot. you wipe them quickly, like you can erase them before anyone sees, but the more you wipe, the more your skin turns pink, and then you look even more like you’ve been crying. you press your palms against the counter, breathing shallow. “get it together,” you whisper, blinking hard. “just go outside.”
there’s a soft knock at the door. you freeze like you got caught. “y/n?” caleb’s voice, gentle, careful. your heart drops. you wipe your cheeks again, turning your face away from the mirror. “yeah,” you call out, trying to sound normal. “come in.” the door opens slowly, and caleb steps inside. his hair still a little messy like he ran his hands through it. he takes one look at you and stops. his face changes immediately, softness sliding in like he knows without you saying anything. you force a smile and busy your hands with nothing, reaching for a makeup wipe you don’t need. “hey,” you say too brightly. “i was just— i’m coming.”
caleb closes the door behind him quietly. “you don’t have to pretend with me,” he says. your throat tightens. “i’m not pretending,” you whisper, but your voice cracks. caleb walks over slow, like he’s approaching a scared animal, like he’s trying not to startle you. you laugh once, broken. “i’m fine. i’m literally fine.” caleb reaches out and gently takes the makeup wipe from your fingers, sets it down, and then he’s right in front of you. “hey,” he murmurs. you try to blink the tears back but it’s too late, they spill again, and you turn your head like hiding your face will make it less embarrassing. caleb’s hand slides to your cheek, thumb brushing under your eye. “look at me,” he says softly, like a request. you shake your head. “caleb, i’m being stupid.” “you’re not,” he says, firmer now, still kind. “you’re hurting.”
your shoulders shake once, and that’s all it takes. you cover your face with your hands, the same way you did this morning, except now it’s not the sunlight you’re blocking. caleb steps closer and wraps his arms around you, careful, warm, holding you like he’s anchoring you back to earth. “i got you,” he whispers into your hair. “i got you.” you breathe in and smell his cologne and sunscreen, and the familiar scent makes something in you collapse. you let out a quiet sob you hate yourself for, but caleb doesn’t flinch. his hands rub your back in slow circles. “talk to me,” he says. “what’s been going on?”
you pull back just enough to breathe, wiping at your face with the back of your hand. “i don’t know,” you say, voice small. “i just… i look at the other girls and i feel—” you swallow hard. “i feel like i’m not doing this right. like i’m not… villa pretty. i’m not confident like them. i keep trying and i still feel like the weird one.” caleb’s eyes soften even more. he cups your face with both hands, thumbs resting right under your cheekbones like he’s holding something precious. “listen to me,” he says quietly. “i’m here, and i’m choosing you. every day.” your lip trembles. “but i’ve been—” you gesture vaguely, ashamed. “i haven’t been eating, and i keep covering up, and i keep— i don’t even know when it started.” caleb nods like he’s been noticing, like he’s been worried, like he’s relieved you’re saying it out loud. “i noticed,” he admits gently. “and i didn’t want to push. i didn’t want to make you feel worse.” he leans his forehead against yours. “but i don’t want you shrinking yourself for this place. i don’t want you skipping meals. not because you think you have to compete. you don’t.” you close your eyes, tears slipping again. “i’m scared,” you whisper. “of looking stupid. of being the girl everyone pities. of being the one who’s not enough.”
caleb’s hands slide to your shoulders, steadying you. “you wanna know what i see?” he asks. you don’t answer at first. you don’t trust compliments when you feel like this. caleb waits until you open your eyes. “i see someone kind,” he says. “i see someone real. i see someone i want to wake up next to.” your breath catches. caleb’s mouth curves into a small smile, like he’s trying to give you something lighter to hold onto. “and i see someone who’s gonna take a deep breath with me right now.” you sniff and nod, and caleb breathes in slowly, guiding you without making it a whole thing. you follow. in. out. your shoulders drop a fraction.
“okay,” caleb whispers, brushing a kiss to your cheek, right where your tears were. then the other cheek. “you don’t have to be like anybody else in here.” he wipes under your eye gently with his thumb. “you just have to be you. and you already are.” you swallow, blinking, trying to steady. “i don’t feel like it.” “that’s okay,” he says. “we can go out there anyway.” he reaches behind you, picking up your cover-up from the chair and holding it out without telling you what to do. “wear it or don’t. but either way, you’re coming with me.” you take it, fingers brushing his. then you step into him again, wrapping your arms around his waist like you need the proof that he’s real. caleb holds you back, tight enough to mean it. “i’m here,” he murmurs into your hair. “and i’m not going anywhere.” you close your eyes, breathing him in, letting the words settle. “okay,” you whisper, voice still shaky but steadier than before. “okay. let’s go.”
caleb keeps his hand in yours as you both leave the beauty room, like he’s making sure you don’t slip back into your head the second the door opens. the hallway feels brighter than it should, and you blink a few times like you’re adjusting to being perceived again. “you good?” he asks quietly, thumb rubbing your knuckles. you nod, even though your stomach is still fluttering. “yeah. i’m good.” caleb hums like he hears the part you didn’t say. he leans in, lips brushing your temple for half a second, quick and private. “okay. i’m proud of you.” your chest tightens, but in a different way.
outside, the villa is already loud. islanders talking to each other about anything and everything. the pool water flashes in the sun like it’s showing off, just like it was this morning. the girls are clustered on the loungers, all shiny shoulders and easy laughter. you feel your body automatically want to fold in, to disappear. your fingers tighten around your cover-up, and caleb notices. “hey,” he says, stepping in front of you for just a beat. “look at me.” you lift your eyes. caleb’s expression is soft but sure. “you’re with me, alright?” he asks. “and you’re safe.” you swallow. “okay.” he nods once like that settles it, then walks with you toward the loungers.
“there they are!” kayda calls, waving. “finally, y/n!” trinity grins, scooting over to make room. you try to smile like it doesn’t feel like walking onto a stage. “i’m here,” you say, voice light. you sit down carefully, smoothing your cover-up over your thighs. caleb drops next you and immediately starts fanning you with his hand like it’s the most dramatic thing ever. “caleb,” you whisper, half laughing. “stop.” “it’s hot,” he says, dead serious, like he’s protecting you from the sun personally. “i’m doing my job.” you roll your eyes, but your shoulders loosen a little. trinity laughs. “he’s ridiculous.” “i know,” you murmur, and your mouth tilts up for real this time.
for a while, it’s okay. you sip your water. you listen more than you talk. caleb tosses you tiny comments under his breath, little observations that make you snort, like “why is he walking like that” and “i swear i saw that bug was here yesterday.” when the girls start talking about outfits for later, you feel that familiar pinch in your chest again, but caleb’s foot bumps yours gently, like a reminder to stay here. you nod to yourself, small.
when it’s time for lunch, everyone drifts inside in messy groups. the producers had let you all fend for yourself for lunch. you hang back a second on the couch, pretending to adjust your cover-up, pretending you didn’t get tired just from holding yourself together. caleb slows with you. “you hungry?” he asks. you open your mouth to say no automatically, and caleb’s eyebrows lift, just a little. not judgment. just… a quiet check-in. you exhale. “maybe. a little.” caleb smiles like you just handed him something important. “okay,” he says. “let’s get you something small.” you nod. “okay.” he takes your water bottle again without asking and grabs your hand, like it’s part of his routine, and he walks you into the kitchen.
the kitchen is chaos in the way it always is. plates clinking, fridge opening and closing, someone hovering around the toaster. caleb guides you to a spot at the counter and stands close enough that you can feel him without having to look at him. “sit,” he says, and it’s gentle, not bossy. you sit. he opens the fridge and starts pulling things out like he’s done it a hundred times. yogurt. berries. a little honey. he finds the smallest bowl on purpose. you notice, and your throat tightens again.
“is this okay?” he asks, sliding it toward you like it’s an offering. “yeah,” you whisper. you pick up the spoon. your hand shakes a little, and you hate that it does. caleb sees it anyway. he leans down beside you, voice low. “you don’t have to finish it,” he says. “just try.” you nod, taking a bite. it’s cold and sweet. it doesn’t feel like too much. caleb’s shoulders ease like he can finally breathe. “good,” he murmurs, and he presses a kiss to the top of your head, quick and soft, like he can’t help it.
the rest of the afternoon passes in pieces. you laugh a little more. you still go quiet sometimes, still feel the comparisons flicker, but caleb keeps you anchored in small ways. he puts sunscreen on your shoulders without making it weird, rubbing it in slowly, like it’s just natural. he hands you your sunglasses before you even ask. he tells you when your lip gloss smudges, then wipes it gently with his thumb like he’s fixing something precious. you keep catching yourself thinking, maybe i can do this. maybe i can be here.
that night, when the villa finally quiets down, you’re back in bed with caleb, the air cool, the lights dim. you’re turned toward him, knees tucked up, your fingers tracing absent little shapes on his forearm. caleb watches you like he’s waiting for you to speak first. “thank you,” you whisper. caleb’s brows pinch. “for what?” you stare at his arm, voice small. “for… not making me feel dumb.” caleb’s expression softens immediately. he shifts closer, pulling you into his chest. “you could never be dumb to me,” he says, like it’s a fact. you close your eyes, your cheek pressed to his skin. “i don’t want to be like this,” you admit, barely audible. caleb’s hand rubs your back, slow. “then we’ll take it one day at a time,” he says. “you don’t have to fix everything tonight.” you swallow, nodding against him. “okay.” “and tomorrow,” caleb adds, voice quiet, “i’m making pancakes.” you pull back slightly, blinking at him. “caleb—” he smiles, mischievous now. “mini pancakes,” he corrects. “with extra fruit cut the way you like.” your lips twitch. “you’re so annoying.” “mhm,” he hums, kissing the tip of your nose. “but you’re gonna eat.” you let out a soft laugh, the kind that feels like relief. “maybe,” you say. caleb raises his brows. you sigh dramatically. “okay. i’ll try.” caleb’s smile turns gentle again. “that’s all i’m asking,” he whispers. then he holds you closer, like he’s keeping you safe from the mirrors, from the cameras, from your own thoughts, just for tonight.
guys pls i’ve gone down the love island usa route (i’ve watched season 6-8) and i wanna write for caleb so bad maybe even carl, probably not any of the other evil guys…
Hello! I love your writing so much! I have a request but I understand if you can’t do it because of spoilers. Could you do a part two of the outcast! Lo’ak x human! Fem! Reader, but where the reader has a malfunction with her mask, loosing oxygen, and they’re rushing back after being out exploring, like spider! I loveeee worried lo’ak and you write him so accurately! Ugh I know he would be so sweet catching her! Thank you!
hai hai! thank you so much for the compliment and for requesting :) i did kind of go my own way with this part two, so if you would like me to make a part 3 with more your request/way im totally open to that!! i am also writing another story about reader’s mask malfunctioning so that’s kinda why i went off script when writing this but hope you like this either way. sorry for the rant and if it doesn’t make any sense.. love ya!!! 💝💝
this is similar to your request but not within the ‘outcast’ series link (check out my master list too!!)
# OUTCAST ² ! LOAK SULLY X FEMALE! HUMAN READER, WRITTEN
introduction master list request list
# WARNINGS: use of y/n. possible inaccurate scenario. lowercase intended. spider & reader are siblings. second person pov. english isn’t my first language; grammar & spelling mistakes.
# SUMMARY: you have come to realized that it is okay to be quiet, loak has helped you realized that as well. but now there is a chance for you to fully become what you’ve been wanting to be for so long.
# AUTHOR’S NOTE: i know i previously said i wouldn’t make a part two to any story but i loved this idea and felt like it would be really interesting to add this scenario to this story, so here is part 1!! make sure to read it before this one :)) PLEASE REQUEST MORE!! especially for neteyam! i promise to post it quicker! guys update; im about to start posting again and this has been in my drafts for like almost three months and it is a request but i kinda added my own twist to it.. lowk switched it up completely. but if you’re seeing this im totally open to making a part 3!! hope you guys like this!! the ending is a little sudden but it can end with your imagination <3
morning in the reef village always begins soft.
the kind of soft that makes everything feel slower, like pandora itself hasn’t fully opened its eyes yet. the sky starts to rise over the endless stretch of ocean, and the water glows faintly with that familiar shimmer that still amazes you even after living here so long. gentle waves brush against the sand while the metkayina people begin their routines—voices scattering quietly, the sound of nets being dragged across the shore, children splashing in the shallows before they’re scolded by their parents.
you sit where you always sit.
just close enough to the village to be part of it, but far enough that no one has to step around you.
your knees are pulled against your chest, arms wrapped around them while your mask hums softly against your face. the oxygen filter clicks quietly with each breath. it’s a sound you’ve grown used to over the years, but sometimes you still notice the way it separates you from everything else around you.
everyone else breathes freely.
you don’t.
you drag your fingers lazily through the warm sand, drawing little shapes you erase almost immediately. the ocean stretches out endlessly in front of you, glowing under the rising sun.
you hear laughter behind you.
lo’ak’s laugh.
you don’t mean to look.
but you do anyway.
he’s standing in the shallow water with ao’nung and rotxo, arguing about something while they shove each other around like idiots. tsireya floats nearby on her ilu, watching them with that patient smile she always has when the boys are being ridiculous. tuk is running up and down the shoreline chasing tiny glowing crabs while kiri sits cross-legged in the sand talking quietly to something small and glowing in her hands.
it’s a normal morning.
the kind that used to feel impossible after everything that happened.
the war.
neteyam’s death.
spider being taken.
all of it still lingers sometimes, like a shadow over the village. but people keep living anyway.
you’re just… not always sure where you fit in that living part.
spider always found his place easily.
your twin was loud and fearless long before you ever were. he’d run through the forest labs when you were kids like he owned the place, climbing everything he could get his hands on while the scientists chased after him. people always remembered spider. he was impossible not to remember.
you were quieter.
you watched more than you talked.
and somewhere along the way people started remembering you as “spider’s sister” instead of your own person.
the memory makes you sigh softly behind your mask.
“you’re doing the staring thing again.”
kiri drops into the sand beside you like she’s been there the whole time.
you roll your eyes slightly.
“i’m not staring.”
“you’ve been watching lo’ak for at least ten minutes,” she replies calmly.
“that’s not true.”
“eight minutes, then.”
you glance sideways at her. kiri’s braids shift slightly in the breeze, and she’s watching you with that knowing look she always has, like she sees things most people miss.
“i was just thinking,” you mutter.
“about lo’ak.”
“about life.”
“about lo’ak’s life.”
you groan quietly and drop your head into your hands.
“can we not do this today?”
kiri laughs softly. “you act like it’s a secret.”
“it is a secret.”
“not to anyone with eyes.”
before you can respond, splashing footsteps approach from behind.
“there you are.”
lo’ak’s voice.
your heart does that stupid little jump again.
you try not to show it when you turn around.
he’s soaked from the ocean, hair messy and dripping down his shoulders, golden eyes bright in the morning light. he looks like he always does after swimming—happy, a little wild, completely at home in a place you still sometimes feel like a visitor in.
“tsireya said you were hiding again,” he says.
“i’m not hiding,” you reply automatically.
“sitting alone on the beach staring dramatically at the ocean definitely counts as hiding.”
kiri snorts beside you.
you kick sand in her direction without looking.
lo’ak drops down into the sand next to you, close enough that your shoulders nearly touch. you feel the warmth coming off his skin and suddenly become very aware of how human you must look compared to him.
“what were you two talking about?” he asks.
“nothing,” you and kiri say at the same time.
he squints suspiciously.
“that sounds like something.”
“it’s not,” kiri says quickly as she stands up. “but i have something to do.”
you narrow your eyes. “what something?”
“important something.”
“kiri.”
she only smiles that suspicious little smile and walks away toward the village huts.
you watch her go.
“she’s plotting something,” you mutter.
lo’ak chuckles quietly.
“probably.”
for a moment the two of you just sit there watching the waves roll in.
then lo’ak says, “tsireya heard something from the clan leaders earlier.”
you glance at him. “what?”
“apparently some humans are coming to the reef today.”
your stomach tightens instantly.
“humans?”
he nods. “norm and max.”
your breath catches.
norm and max.
the scientists who raised you and spider after your parents died. the closest thing you ever really had to guardians growing up in the forest labs.
“why would they come all the way out here?” you ask quietly.
lo’ak shrugs.
“they said they finished something.”
the words linger in the air.
finished something.
a memory flickers faintly in your mind—glass tanks, glowing lights, the quiet hum of lab machines while norm excitedly explained genetics to anyone who would listen.
avatars.
you quickly push the thought away.
there’s no way.
a few hours later the aircraft appears over the horizon.
the entire village gathers along the shoreline as it descends. metkayina warriors stand alert with spears ready while tonowari and ronal watch the machine carefully from the front of the crowd.
you stand near the back with the sully kids and spider.
your twin looks exactly like he always does—lean, messy hair tied back poorly, expression curious and completely unbothered by the suspicious looks the villagers are giving the aircraft. ever since returning from the chaos with quaritch, spider has settled back into the sully family surprisingly easily. jake treats him like another son now, and even neytiri—though still wary—has softened toward him.
the aircraft lands heavily on the sand.
the door opens.
norm steps out first.
the moment he sees you, his entire face lights up.
“y/n!”
you don’t even think before running.
your feet pound across the sand as you sprint toward him. he barely has time to brace himself before you crash into a tight hug. norm laughs softly, wrapping his arms around you the way he used to when you were younger.
“kid,” he says warmly. “look at you.”
max climbs down behind him smiling just as widely.
“you’ve gotten taller,” he says.
spider jogs up behind you a second later and immediately pulls norm into a quick hug too.
“about time you guys showed up,” he says casually. “y/n’s been stuck here dealing with fish people for months.”
ao’nung scoffs loudly from behind him while tsireya elbows him in the ribs.
max clears his throat.
“well… actually we came because of her.”
everyone looks at you.
your stomach drops.
norm gestures toward the aircraft. two technicians roll out a long sealed container.
something about it feels familiar immediately.
your heart starts beating faster.
norm steps forward and unlocks the container.
the lid opens slowly.
inside, suspended in a glowing tank, is a tall blue na’vi body.
your body.
everything goes quiet.
“we started growing it years ago,” max explains gently. “back when you and spider were still kids.”
norm nods. “you used to watch the avatar program constantly. we figured… someday you might want the option.”
you stare at the body.
it looks peaceful.
it looks like it belongs here.
“we hid it when the rda came back,” norm continues. “moved it to a secure facility deeper in the forest. finished the neural connections recently.”
he looks at you carefully.
“it’s ready now.”
your chest feels tight.
lo’ak squeezes your hand gently beside you.
“you could breathe here,” he whispers.
before you can respond, spider leans over the edge of the container and whistles.
“okay that’s actually insane.”
everyone glances at him.
he studies the avatar with obvious fascination.
“so this is basically giant blue y/n?”
max nods.
spider grins. “kinda cool, honestly.”
you blink at him. “you’re not… upset?”
“why would i be upset?” he replies immediately.
you shrug slightly.
“i don’t know. you went through a lot with the avatar stuff and quaritch and everything.”
spider rolls his eyes.
“yeah and that’s exactly why you should do it,” he says. “if you’ve got a chance to live here properly, take it.”
he nudges your shoulder.
“besides, i’m still human either way. someone’s gotta represent.”
his easy confidence settles something inside your chest.
later that evening, the link equipment is set up inside one of the larger reef huts the scientists prepared earlier.
norm walks you through the process carefully while the rest of the sully family waits nearby. kiri watches the avatar body with open fascination while tuk keeps asking if you’ll still recognize her when you wake up.
neytiri stands quietly beside jake, her expression thoughtful.
when everything is ready, you lie down inside the link chamber.
your heart pounds nervously.
lo’ak kneels beside you.
“i’ll be here when you wake up,” he promises softly.
you nod.
norm closes the capsule and activates the machine.
the world fades.
and then suddenly—
you’re awake.
but everything feels different.
your lungs fill with air naturally for the first time in your life.
you sit up slowly.
the world is brighter.
sharper.
you lift your hands in front of you.
blue skin.
long fingers.
a tail flicks behind you instinctively.
someone gasps.
you turn.
lo’ak is staring at you like he forgot how to breathe.
hello can do resquest, Spider x human fem reader, Reader, like when she was a baby, they couldn't bring her to Earth, and Reader's parents died, and that clan Zeswa o tawkami that they adopted her and that Reader lives with them, and Spider has been in love with Reader since they were little and that he invited her to play with him and the Sully children
i forgot to respond to the request but it is posted !! thank you so much for requesting, i’m gonna be posting more soon :))
# HUMANS STICK TOGETHER ! MILES “SPIDER” SOCORRO X HUMAN! READER, WRITTEN
introduction master list request list
# WARINGS: kiri and spider are not together. possible inaccurate representation of clans. grammar/writing mistakes, english isn’t my first language. horrible summary. possible messy writing. reader is more accepted by the navi than spider is. spider feeling left out. no background to how spider and reader met. use of y/n. lowercase intended.
# SUMMARY: you were taken in by the tawkami clan, due to your parents not being able to take you back to earth and them passing away. the clan has loved you like you were their own, you also grew up with the omaticaya clan, especially since they had their own human as well.
# AUTHOR’S NOTE: lowk this is a bit messy and not super organized sorry!! and i’m also so sorry it’s taken me this long to get through my requests but im now officially done with writing everything i just need to schedule and post them!! anyways love you all so much <3 my requests are open :)) PLEASE REQUEST MORE!! especially for neteyam!
you were fifteen when everything started to change.
not between you and spider—that stayed constant, steady as the heartbeat of the forest. but the world around you began to shift in ways you couldn't ignore. whispers traveled through the clans, rumors of sky people returning, of ships in orbit, of something dark gathering on the horizon. jake sully held more meetings with the clan leaders, and you remembered your adoptive mother from the tawkami returning from one such gathering with worry etched deep in her face. grace's old lab became busy again with scientists you'd never met, their faces grim and tired.
the tawkami had always been known for their deep knowledge of the forest's flora, their healing practices, their careful stewardship of pandora's botanical wonders. growing up among them, you'd learned to read the forest in ways that went beyond simple survival—you understood the language of plants, the way certain flowers bloomed before rain, how to extract medicine from bark and root. it was a gift your clan took seriously, a sacred trust passed down through generations.
spider had always been fascinated by this side of you. he'd watch you work with plants, mixing salves or identifying specimens, with an intensity that made you self-conscious. "you're like a forest witch," he'd say, grinning. "in the best way."
"the tawkami would say i'm barely an apprentice," you'd reply, but you couldn't help smiling back.
spider tried to pretend he didn't notice the growing tension. tried to keep things light, keep exploring, keep laughing. but you saw the way his jaw would tighten when the adults talked in hushed voices, the way his eyes would track the sky like he was waiting for something to fall from it.
your tawkami mother—the woman who'd sung you to sleep with clan songs and taught you to speak to the forest—pulled you aside one evening. her weathered hands cupped your face, and her eyes held a sadness you didn't want to understand.
"the sky people's return will test us all," she said softly in the tawkami dialect. "but you, my daughter, will face harder choices than most. you walk between two worlds. remember: home is not where you were born. home is where your heart knows peace."
you didn't fully understand then. but you would.
"they wouldn't come back for me," spider said one night, the two of you sitting on a high branch overlooking the forest. the bioluminescence was just beginning to wake up below you, tiny stars blinking to life in the darkness. "i'm nobody. just... just a kid they left behind."
"you're not nobody," you said fiercely, and when he looked at you, surprised by your tone, you didn't look away. "not to me. not to any of us. not to the tawkami who let you visit our settlements, who taught you which plants were safe to touch.”
"that was mostly because of you," he said quietly. "maybe. but they saw who you really were. that matters." something flickered across his face—gratitude, maybe, or something deeper. he reached over and took your hand, lacing his fingers through yours like it was the most natural thing in the world. your breath caught, but you didn't pull away. neither of you said anything else. you just sat there, hands intertwined, watching the forest breathe beneath you.
that became your thing after that. holding hands. it started casual—him pulling you up a steep climb, you steadying him when he nearly slipped on wet rocks—but it evolved into something deliberate. intentional. his hand finding yours when you walked, your fingers tangled together when you sat close, the gentle squeeze he'd give when he caught you worrying.
kiri noticed first, naturally. she had this way of seeing things others missed, connected to eywa and the world in ways that made her almost otherworldly. she cornered you one afternoon while you were gathering medicinal herbs for your tawkami teachers, her golden eyes knowing and amused.
"so," she said, plucking a piece of fruit and examining it like it was the most interesting thing in the world. "you and spider." your cheeks burned. "what about us?"
"you know what." she smiled, soft and genuine. "it's okay. it's... it's good, actually. you're good for each other. the tawkami teach that some souls are bound by the forest itself, right? maybe that's you two."
"we're just friends," you said, but even you didn't believe it anymore. kiri laughed, gentle and knowing. "if that's what you want to call it." she touched your shoulder, her hand warm. "but for what it's worth? i think eywa brought you two together for a reason. you're both human, both trying to find where you fit. maybe you fit with each other."
her words stayed with you for days, circling in your mind every time spider smiled at you, every time his hand found yours, every time you caught him staring like you were something precious.
lo'ak was less subtle about it. he started making exaggerated kissing noises whenever you and spider sat too close, which earned him a punch in the arm from neteyam and a lecture about respect. tuk just thought it was romantic, in that innocent way kids do, and started weaving flower crowns for both of you—using techniques you'd taught her from the tawkami—insisting you wear them together.
neteyam, mature as always, just gave spider a look one day—the kind of look that said if you hurt her, we'll have problems—but then clapped him on the shoulder in what you assumed was big-brother approval.
even some of your tawkami clan siblings began to tease you. during a gathering, one of them nudged you and whispered, "your human boy looks at you like you're the rarest flower in the forest." you'd blushed so hard you had to excuse yourself.
and through it all, you and spider kept dancing around it. kept not talking about what you were, what you were becoming. because maybe naming it would make it too real, too fragile. maybe it was safer to just exist in this in-between space where you could be everything to each other without the weight of words.
but the world didn't care about your careful balance.
the sky people came back.
not all at once, not with the violence of the first war, but slowly, methodically, like a sickness creeping through the forest. their ships carved scars across pandora's sky, their machines churned through the earth, their presence hung heavy like smoke.
the tawkami were among the first to notice the changes. plants dying in patterns that made no sense. water sources becoming tainted. the careful balance of the ecosystem disrupting in ways that terrified those who understood it best. you spent long hours with your clan's elders, documenting the damage, trying to find ways to heal what could be healed and mourn what couldn't.
and spider... spider got quieter. more distant. you'd catch him staring at the sky with an expression you couldn't read, something complicated and painful. when you asked him about it, he'd just shake his head and change the subject.
until the day you found him sitting alone by the river, knees pulled to his chest, mask slightly fogged from his breathing. he didn't notice you at first, too lost in whatever thoughts were eating at him.
"spider," you said softly, and he jerked, quickly wiping at his face. were those tears? "hey," he said, voice rough. "didn't hear you coming. thought you were with your clan today."
"i was. finished early." you sat down next to him, close enough that your shoulders touched. the river burbled beside you, carrying healing plants downstream—plants that might not survive much longer if things continued this way. "what's wrong?"
“nothing. i'm fine."
"you're a terrible liar."
he laughed, but it was hollow. for a long moment, he didn't speak. then, quietly: "do you ever wonder if we're on the wrong side?"
you turned to look at him, startled. "what?" "i mean... they're human. we're human. and we're here with the na'vi, ready to fight against our own species if it comes to that." his hands were shaking slightly. "what does that make us? traitors?"
"it makes us people who know what's right," you said firmly, thinking of the dying plants, the poisoned water, the grief in your tawkami mother's eyes. "this is our home, spider. these are our people. that's what matters."
“but what if—"
"no." you grabbed his hand, forcing him to look at you. "listen to me. you are not them. you are not your father, you're not the rda, you're not whatever they represent. you're you. you're the boy who taught me to climb, who makes me laugh, who spent hours learning tawkami plant names just because it mattered to me. you belong here just as much as anyone. don't let them make you doubt that." his eyes were wet, his expression crumbling. "i just... i don't want to lose this. lose you. lose everything we have."
"you won't," you promised, even though you couldn't possibly know that. "we stick together, remember? always. that's what my mother taught me—home is where your heart knows peace. you're my peace, spider. you always have been."
"always," he whispered, and then he pulled you into a hug, desperate and tight, his face buried in your shoulder. you held him just as tightly, feeling the way his breath hitched, the way he trembled slightly.
when he finally pulled back, his eyes met yours, and there was something raw and open in his gaze. "i don't know what i'd do without you," he said, echoing words from years ago. but this time they felt heavier, more urgent.
"good thing you'll never have to find out," you said, trying to smile.
he didn't smile back. instead, he lifted a hand to your cheek, thumb brushing across your skin with a gentleness that made your heart stutter. his fingers traced the tawkami clan markings you'd painted on that morning—traditional patterns in plant-based dye. "can i—"
you didn't let him finish. you closed the distance between you, pressing your lips to his in a kiss that was soft and tentative and absolutely perfect. he made a small sound of surprise, then kissed you back, his hand sliding into your hair, his other arm wrapping around your waist.
it was clumsy and sweet and tasted like the fruit you'd shared earlier, and when you finally broke apart, both breathless, spider was grinning—that crooked, boyish grin you'd fallen in love with somewhere between age seven and now. "so," he said, slightly dazed. "we're really doing this?"
"yeah," you said, matching his smile. "we're really doing this." "good," he said, and kissed you again, softer this time, sweeter. like he was memorizing the feel of it.
the world was uncertain. the future was unclear. your tawkami clan faced impossible challenges, the forest itself was under siege, and everything you knew hung in the balance. but right now, with spider's arms around you and the forest singing around you both, you'd never been more sure of anything in your life.
Hiii! Could I request a lo’ak x human! reader where their mask malfunctions while theyre out exploring with the gang, lo’ak doesn’t notice immediately, just when the reader stumbles and their spare is back at the Metkayina mauri, so they rush back, but the reader gets weaker and weaker? I liveee for worried! Lo’ak!
-🐝
haiii! thank you so much for requesting, i sincerely apologize for taking so darn long to post your request! hope you aren’t too upset :)) i loved writing this 🙈 btw ill post another request soon so don’t you worry if you already sent something, but if you do wanna send something my requests are still open!
link (sorry if it’s still not linked, just check my account!)
# BY YOUR SIDE, ALWAYS ! LOAK SULLY X READER, WRITTEN
introduction master list request list
# WARNINGS: use of y/n. lowercase intended. established relationship with loak. omatikaya clan reader. no backstory for reader. reader not feeling well. second person pov. english isn’t my first language; grammar & spelling mistakes. maybe gender neutral? i’m not sure.. not proof read. horrible summary.
# SUMMARY: you followed the sullys to the metkayina clan due to being with loak. however on a specific day you hadn’t felt well the morning but still wanted to do your duties and help tsiyera. you were unbelievably exhausted and not doing well but your stubbornness didn’t let you down.
# AUTHOR’S NOTE: there’s no backstory to reader! sorry guys but just know they followed loak to the metkayina clan :) PLEASE REQUEST MORE!! especially for neteyam! unfortunately once again i wont post the next request until this gets 100 likes im sorry!
you did not feel good, at all.
that was the first thought that crossed your mind when you woke up this morning, head already feeling like it was stuffed with cotton and your limbs heavier than they should be. but you pushed through it anyway, because that's what you always did. the metkayina village was bustling as usual, the sound of waves crashing against the shore mixing with the chatter of na'vi going about their daily routines. you'd promised tsireya you'd help her gather some supplies from the reef, and you weren't about to back out now.
the sun was bright overhead, almost too bright, and you had to squint as you made your way down to the water. your feet felt clumsy on the woven pathways, and you nearly stumbled twice before you even reached the beach. maybe you should've stayed in bed. but you shook it off, convincing yourself it was just the heat, just the early morning grogginess that hadn't worn off yet.
tsireya was already waiting by the shore, her usual warm smile in place as she waved you over. "there you are! i was starting to think you'd forgotten," she teased, though her eyes scanned your face with a hint of concern. "are you feeling alright? you look a little pale."
"i'm fine," you said quickly, forcing a smile. "just didn't sleep great last night."
she didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded and gestured toward the water. "alright, well, let's make this quick then. we just need to collect some of the seaweed from the shallow beds. it shouldn't take too long."
you nodded and followed her into the water, the coolness of it a brief relief against your skin. but as you waded deeper, the wooziness that had been lingering in the back of your mind started to creep forward. your vision swam slightly, and you had to pause, gripping onto a nearby rock to steady yourself.
"hey, you sure you're okay?" tsireya's voice came from beside you, her hand reaching out to touch your arm.
"yeah, yeah, i'm good," you insisted, even though your voice sounded far away to your own ears. "just... give me a second."
she frowned but didn't push it, instead moving ahead to start gathering the seaweed. you took a deep breath and tried to focus, tried to ignore the way the world seemed to tilt slightly with every step you took. you could do this. it was just a little dizziness. nothing you couldn't handle.
but as the minutes passed, it only got worse.
by the time you made it back to the beach, your legs felt like they were made of water, barely holding you up. tsireya was talking about something, her voice a pleasant hum in the background, but you couldn't quite make out the words. everything sounded muffled, like you were underwater.
"...and then rotxo said the funniest thing, you should've seen ao'nung's face—" tsireya paused, turning to look at you. "wait, are you even listening?"
you blinked, trying to focus on her face, but it kept blurring in and out. "sorry, what?"
her expression shifted from amused to worried in an instant. "okay, seriously, you don't look good. maybe we should get you to—"
"i'm fine," you cut her off, though even you didn't believe it anymore. you took a step forward, intending to prove it, but your foot caught on something—or maybe it didn't, maybe your body just decided it was done—and you stumbled.
tsireya caught your arm, her grip firm but gentle. "that's it, we're getting you back to the village. you need to sit down."
you wanted to argue, but the words wouldn't come. instead, you just nodded, letting her guide you back toward the pathways. each step felt like a monumental effort, your body screaming at you to stop, to just sit down right there and not move. but you kept going, one foot in front of the other, because stopping felt like admitting defeat.
and that's when you saw him.
lo'ak was over by one of the larger marui pods, talking to neteyam and kiri. he looked relaxed, his usual easygoing grin on his face as he gestured animatedly about something. but then his eyes flicked over toward you, and his expression changed immediately.
you saw the exact moment he noticed something was wrong. his smile faded, his brow furrowing as he took a step forward, his gaze locked on you. you tried to give him a reassuring wave, tried to show him you were fine, but your arm felt too heavy to lift properly.
"yo, lo'ak, where are you going?" neteyam called after him, but lo'ak was already moving, his long strides eating up the distance between you in seconds.
"hey," he said as he reached you, his voice low and urgent. "what's going on? you look like you're about to—"
he didn't get to finish the sentence.
because that's when your legs finally gave out.
the world tilted sideways, the bright blue sky swapping places with the ground, and you felt yourself falling. but you didn't hit the sand. instead, there were hands—strong, steady hands—catching you, wrapping around your waist and pulling you back.
"whoa, whoa, i got you," lo'ak's voice was right by your ear, his tone a mix of panic and determination. you felt him shift, one arm sliding under your knees while the other supported your back, and then he was lowering you down gently, carefully, until you were sitting on the ground with your back against something solid.
"what happened?" neteyam's voice joined the fray, and you could hear the concern in it even through the fog clouding your mind. "is she okay?"
"i don't know, she just—she was fine and then she wasn't," tsireya said, her voice shaking slightly. "i tried to get her to rest, but she wouldn't listen."
"of course she wouldn't," lo'ak muttered, and you could hear the frustration in his voice, though it was directed more at the situation than at you. his hand was on your face now, his thumb brushing against your cheek as he tried to get you to focus on him. "hey, look at me. can you hear me?"
you tried to respond, tried to tell him you were fine, but your tongue felt too thick, your mouth too dry. all you managed was a weak nod.
"she's burning up," lo'ak said, his voice tight. "we need to get her out of the sun. neteyam, help me get her to the healer's pod."
"on it," neteyam replied, and you felt another set of hands, these ones on your arm, steadying you as lo'ak carefully lifted you again. you wanted to protest, wanted to tell them you could walk, but your body had other ideas. it was like all the energy had been sapped out of you, leaving you limp and useless.
"kiri, go find ronal," lo'ak instructed, his voice firm despite the worry evident in his eyes. "tell her we need her. now."
"got it," kiri said, and you heard her footsteps retreating quickly.
the next few minutes were a blur. you were vaguely aware of being carried, of the world moving around you in a dizzying swirl of colors and sounds. voices overlapped, some familiar, some not, all of them tinged with concern. you tried to focus, tried to ground yourself, but it was like trying to hold onto water—everything just slipped through your fingers.
and then you were being laid down on something soft, and the harsh brightness of the sun was replaced by the cool shade of a marui pod. you felt a damp cloth being pressed to your forehead, the coolness of it a shock against your overheated skin.
"she is dehydrated and exhausted," ronal's voice cut through the haze, calm and authoritative. "she needs rest and water. lots of water."
"will she be okay?" lo'ak's voice was quieter now, almost hesitant, and you could hear the raw concern in it.
"she will be fine," ronal assured him. "but she must rest. no more pushing herself like this."
there was a pause, and then you felt a hand slip into yours, fingers intertwining with your own. you didn't need to open your eyes to know it was lo'ak. his grip was warm, steady, grounding.
"you scared the hell out of me," he said softly, his voice so close you could feel his breath against your skin. "don't do that again."
you wanted to respond, wanted to tell him you were sorry, that you didn't mean to worry him. but the exhaustion was pulling you under, and all you could manage was a faint squeeze of his hand.
"just rest," he murmured, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of your hand. "i'll be right here when you wake up."
and with that promise, you let yourself slip into the darkness, trusting that he'd keep his word.
when you woke up, the first thing you noticed was how much better you felt. the fog that had been clouding your mind was gone, replaced by a clarity that made you realize just how out of it you'd been before. the second thing you noticed was the weight on your hand, and you looked down to see lo'ak slumped in a chair beside you, his head resting on his arms, his hand still holding yours even in sleep.
you couldn't help but smile at the sight, your heart doing a weird little flip in your chest. he looked so peaceful like this, his usually animated face relaxed, his breathing slow and even. you didn't want to wake him, but as if sensing your gaze, his eyes fluttered open, and he sat up quickly, blinking away the sleep.
"hey," he said, his voice rough with drowsiness. "you're awake. how are you feeling?"
"better," you said, and you meant it. "thanks to you."
he shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "you don't have to thank me. i just... i'm glad you're okay."
there was a moment of silence, the kind that felt heavy with unspoken words, and then lo'ak sighed, running a hand through his braids. "you really need to start taking better care of yourself, you know. you can't just ignore when something's wrong."
"i know," you admitted, feeling a flush of embarrassment creep up your neck. "i just didn't want to let anyone down."
"you wouldn't have let anyone down by taking a break," he said gently, his eyes meeting yours. "we care about you. i care about you. and seeing you like that..." he trailed off, his jaw tightening. "just promise me you'll listen to your body next time."
"i promise," you said, squeezing his hand.
he smiled then, a real, genuine smile that made your heart do that weird flip again. "good. because i don't think my heart can take another scare like that."
you laughed softly, the sound light and easy, and for the first time in hours, you felt like everything was going to be okay. because with lo'ak by your side, you knew it would be.
hello guys… talking to no one but i’ll post another request once the story get 100 likes!!! sorry guys i js dont wanna get shadow banned but i promise its good!!
# ALMOST LOST YOU ! LOAK SULLY X FEMALE! HUMAN READER, WRITTEN
introduction master list request list
#WARNINGS: use of y/n. lowercase intended. reader is human. english isn’t my first language; possible grammar and spelling mistakes. this is set in the metkayina clan, no mention of other events (like in the 2nd movie). established relationship reader between loak. no spider. neytiri having not liked reader previously. no logics behind reader being able to use an ilu. kind of proof read. horrible summary.
#SUMMARY: you had followed the other teens to go out and swim in the ocean. but you had your own complications due to obviously not being able to breath without a huge mask on your face. while you were able to swim for a while you ended up being in a tough position and almost ended up dying but luckily loak was able to help you.
#AUTHOR’S NOTE: picture of human has no correlation to the story, other than aesthetic purposes. i lowkey cannot remember if humans can use a mask underwater? js since they were in the ships, i think?? idk just pretend that humans can underwater with the mask. sorry im too busy rn to check and watch the movie 😭 anyways love you all so so much! my requests are open hope you liked this! PLEASE REQUEST MORE!! especially for neteyam! i promise to post it quicker! also i have 3 more drafts to post :))
the water around awa'atlu was unlike anything you'd ever seen. bioluminescent waves lapped gently against the shore, and in the distance, you could see the shadows of ilus cutting through the waves. you adjusted your mask—the ever-present reminder that this world, as beautiful as it was, wasn't made for you.
"come on, slowpoke!" tsireya called out, her voice bright with laughter as she glanced back at you from where she sat on her ilu. you grinned, giving her a mock salute before urging your own ilu forward. the creature responded eagerly, and you felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as you dove beneath the surface. the reef was alive with color—different shades of colors stretched out in every direction, and schools of fish darted past like living rainbows.
lo'ak was beside you in an instant, his ilu matching pace with yours. he shot you that crooked smile that always made your heart do something stupid, and you rolled your eyes at him through your mask.
"trying to show off?" you asked, your voice slightly muffled by the breathing equipment.
"maybe," he said, his grin widening. "is it working?"
before you could answer, kiri swept past both of you, her movements so fluid and natural that she seemed more at home in the water than on land. "you two are ridiculous," she called back, though there was affection in her tone.
the group of you continued exploring, weaving through towering formations of coral and chasing after curious sea creatures. rotxo pointed out a particularly stunning animal, and ao'nung—surprisingly—didn't make a single sarcastic comment about your swimming ability. you were starting to think he might actually be warming up to you.
neytiri had even smiled at you this morning before you left, a small but genuine expression that made you feel like maybe, just maybe, you were becoming part of this strange, wonderful family.
you were so caught up in the beauty of it all that you didn't notice the subtle change at first. the way your breathing felt just a fraction harder. the way the mask seemed to fog up more than usual.
it wasn't until you felt a sharp ache in your chest that alarm bells started ringing in your head. you glanced down at your mask's display, and your blood ran cold. the oxygen levels were dropping. fast.
"oh no," you whispered, your voice tight with rising panic. you tried to stay calm, tried to remember your training. you reached for the emergency release, hoping to switch to the backup system, but when you pressed it, nothing happened. the mechanism was jammed.
your heart rate spiked, and you could feel your chest tightening further. you needed to surface. you needed to get back to the marui where your spare mask was waiting.
you tried to signal to the others, but they were too far ahead, too engrossed in their exploration. you urged your ilu upward, breaking the surface with a gasp. the mask was barely giving you anything now, each breath a struggle.
"lo'ak!" you tried to shout, but your voice came out weak, strained. you looked around desperately, trying to spot any of them, but the waves made it hard to see. your vision was starting to blur at the edges, black spots dancing in your peripheral vision.
then, suddenly, lo'ak's head broke the surface a few meters away. he was laughing at something kiri had said, but his expression changed the instant he saw you. "y/n?" his voice was sharp with concern, and he was at your side in seconds. "what's wrong?"
“mask," you managed to choke out, tapping the side of it frantically. "not... working..."
his eyes went wide, and for a split second, you saw genuine fear flash across his face. then he was moving, calling out to the others with an urgency that made your stomach drop even further.
"we need to get back! now!" he shouted, and you heard the splashing as the others surfaced, their confused questions cutting through the air.
"what happened?" tsireya asked, her voice tight with worry. "their mask is broken," lo'ak said quickly, already positioning his ilu. "the spare is back at the marui. we have to go!"
you tried to protest, tried to say you could make it on your own, but another wave of dizziness hit you and you stumbled, nearly slipping off your ilu. lo'ak caught you, his grip strong and steady.
"hold on to me," he said, his voice firm but laced with an emotion you couldn't quite name. "don't let go, okay?" you nodded weakly, wrapping your arms around him as best you could. the world was starting to tilt, sounds becoming muffled and distant.
the journey back was a blur. you were vaguely aware of the others surrounding you, of kiri's worried voice asking if you were okay, of ao'nung barking orders about the fastest route. but mostly, you were focused on breathing—or trying to. each inhale was like dragging air through a straw, and your lungs burned with the effort.
"stay with me," lo'ak kept saying, his voice cutting through the fog in your mind. "we're almost there. just stay with me." you wanted to answer him, wanted to tell him you were trying, but you couldn't seem to form the words. your grip on him was weakening, your fingers going numb.
"y/n!" his voice was sharper now, tinged with panic. "don't you dare pass out on me!" you felt the ilu lurch forward, moving faster than before. the shore was getting closer—you could see the familiar shapes of the marui pods, could hear distant voices calling out in alarm.
but everything was fading. the colors were washing out, the sounds becoming nothing more than a distant hum. your head lolled against lo'ak's shoulder, and you felt him tense.
"no, no, no," he was saying, over and over like a prayer. "come on, we're right here. just a little further." you felt the moment the ilu reached the shore, felt lo'ak lift you with a strength you didn't know he had. there were voices all around now—neytiri's sharp tone cutting through, demanding to know what happened; jake's commanding presence as he cleared a path.
"the spare mask!" lo'ak was shouting. "someone get the spare mask!" you were laid down on something soft—woven mats, maybe—and you tried to focus on the faces above you, but they were all swimming together. you could feel hands on you, hear the frantic scrambling as someone ran to get what you needed.
"breathe, y/n," neytiri's voice was surprisingly gentle, her hand on your shoulder. "help is coming. breathe." you tried. you really did. but your body wasn't cooperating anymore.
then, suddenly, the broken mask was being pulled away and replaced with a new one. fresh, clean oxygen flooded your lungs, and you gasped, coughing and sputtering as your body remembered how to breathe properly.
the world slowly came back into focus. the first thing you saw was lo'ak's face, streaked with water—or maybe tears, you couldn't tell—hovering inches from yours. his eyes were wide and terrified, his hands cupping your face.
"you're okay," he was saying, though it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than you. "you're okay. you're breathing." you managed a weak nod, your hand coming up to cover one of his. "i'm... okay," you whispered, your voice hoarse.
he let out a shaky breath, and then, to your surprise, he pulled you into a tight hug, his face buried in your shoulder. you could feel him trembling. "don't ever do that again," he said, his voice muffled against you. "i thought... i thought i was going to lose you."
you wrapped your arms around him, still weak but wanting to comfort him. "takes more than a broken mask to get rid of me," you tried to joke, but your voice cracked.
around you, the others were watching with a mixture of relief and residual worry. kiri had tears in her eyes, and even ao'nung looked shaken. tsireya was clutching rotxo's arm, her face pale.
neytiri knelt down beside you, her expression unreadable. for a moment, you thought she might be angry—maybe this would be the thing that finally convinced her you didn't belong here.
but then she reached out, her hand gentle as she brushed hair back from your forehead. "you scared us," she said softly. "you scared my son." you looked up at her, surprised by the concern in her eyes. "i'm sorry," you said. "i didn't mean to—"
"no apologies," she cut you off, her tone firm but not unkind. "just... be more careful. you are part of this family now. we cannot lose you." the words hit you harder than anything else that day. part of this family. you felt tears prick at your eyes, and you nodded, not trusting yourself to speak.
lo'ak pulled back just enough to look at you, his hands still on your shoulders. "from now on, you check your mask twice before we go anywhere," he said, trying for stern but failing miserably. "and you stay close to me. always."
"always," you agreed, managing a small smile. he smiled back, and for a moment, everything else faded away. it was just the two of you, breathing in sync, alive and together.
"come on," jake's voice broke through the moment. "let's get you inside. norm's going to want to check that mask and make sure you're really okay." norm had recently arrived to the clan due to wanting to check on you, but he was currently with other clan members. lo'ak helped you to your feet, keeping a protective arm around you as you walked. your legs were still shaky, but with him supporting you, you knew you'd make it. as you made your way to the marui, surrounded by people who cared about you—who had dropped everything to save you—you realized something. this world might not have been made for you, but somehow, you'd found your place in it anyway.
# YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG ! AONUNG X FEMALE METKAYINA! READER, WRITTEN
introduction master list request list
# WARNINGS: SPOILERS. grief. loss of a parent. emotional hurt/comfort. established relationship. mentions of death. roxto is alive. (lmk if i missed anything!)
# SUMMARY: you are comforting ao’nung after his mother’s funeral ceremony.
# AUTHOR’S NOTE: i sincerely apologize for posting this so late, i did not want to get shadow banned and i had this in my drafts for over a month. i will work on more requests as soon as possible, i see all of your comments and submissions so i promise i am working on them! hope you enjoy this story, and please request more :)) [you can check my boundaries/ character list in the request list]
the ocean was quiet in a way that felt off.
the ocean was supposed to be constant, something you could count on, the heartbeat of everything you knew.
but today it felt like even eywa was holding her breath.
the battle was over. the ash people had pulled back, quaritch's fate unclear after neytiri went after him and he jumped into the flames. the rda's factory ship was destroyed thanks to jake sully getting the clans together as toruk makto again, and the tulkun fighting hard because of lo'ak. kiri's connection to eywa had changed everything in ways you still couldn't wrap your head around, plants growing and moving like they were alive and thinking.
victory, everyone kept saying. we won.
but the cost weighed heavy in your chest, made it hard to breathe even though you'd come out of the battle with just bruises and a cut on your arm that tsireya had already fixed up.
ronal was gone.
the tsahìk of the metkayina, the spiritual leader of your people, aonung's mother. she'd given birth to baby prill right in the middle of battle, this moment of pure life surrounded by so much death, and then she'd died protecting everyone. protecting her newborn daughter. it was almost too much to process.
you'd been looking for aonung for hours.
he wasn't at the healing marui where his father tonowari sat holding tiny prill, the baby still wrinkled and crying, looking for a mother who'd never answer. he wasn't with tsireya, who was dealing with her grief by helping with the wounded, moving with this desperate kind of energy. he wasn't with rotxo either, who'd told you quietly that aonung had disappeared right after the battle ended.
you found him eventually, because you knew him. knew the places he went when he wanted to be alone, the spots he'd made his own over the years.
the hidden cove on the far side of the island was one of them. you'd found him here once when you were younger, maybe thirteen, and he'd been so annoyed that he'd splashed you until you left. but then the next day he'd shown up and asked if you wanted to go hunting, and that was that. a friendship born from being annoyed with each other and just being around each other and both of you being too stubborn to back down from anything.
he was sitting at the water's edge, his feet in the shallows, his ilu floating nearby with that patient worried look animals sometimes had. the glowing algae cast soft blue light across his skin, showing the tension in his shoulders, the way he was hunched over like he was trying to make himself smaller.
aonung had never tried to make himself smaller in his life.
"hey," you said softly, walking up slowly like you would with a hurt animal.
he didn't turn around. "go away."
"no."
"i'm not in the mood."
"i don't care."
that got a reaction. he turned his head just enough that you could see his face, the hard line of his jaw. "seriously. leave."
"make me." you sat down next to him, close enough that your shoulders almost touched, and put your feet in the water too. it was warm, always warm, but tonight it felt different somehow. heavier.
for a long moment he didn't say anything. his ilu made a small chirping sound and swam closer, pushing its head against your arm until you reached out to pet it. the skin was smooth and cool, kind of comforting.
"she's gone," aonung said finally, his voice rough and low. "my mom is gone."
"i know."
"she just... she had prill and then she was fighting and then she was just gone. like it was nothing. like her life didn't matter."
"it wasn't nothing," you said firmly. "and her life mattered. she died protecting all of us. protecting prill."
"what kind of world did she bring prill into?" his voice cracked on his baby sister's name. "what kind of world where babies are born during battles and mothers die before they even get to hold their kids? the ash people, the sky people, all of it. quaritch jumping into the fire like some dramatic exit, not even letting us know if he's dead. what's the point?"
you didn't have an answer for that. you'd been asking yourself the same things since the battle ended, since you'd watched ronal fall and heard the wave of grief that went through the metkayina warriors.
"your mom was the strongest person i knew," you said instead. "remember when that storm hit two years ago and everyone was freaking out? she just stood there in the rain, totally calm, and told everyone exactly what to do. we didn't lose a single marui because of her."
aonung made a sound that might have been a laugh or might have been a sob. "she once threatened to feed me to an akula because i pranked tsireya."
"you put a dead fish in her sleeping mat. you deserved the akula threat."
"it was funny."
"it was gross."
this time it was definitely a laugh, small and broken but real. his ilu chirped again, happy, and did a little spin in the water.
"show off," aonung muttered, but there was affection in his voice.
you sat in silence for a while, watching the glowing stuff pulse and swirl around your feet. in the distance you could hear the sounds of the village starting to recover, voices calling to each other, the splash of hunters coming back with food. life going on because it had to.
"prill doesn't have a mother," aonung said quietly. "she's going to grow up without knowing her. without hearing her voice or learning her healing songs or any of it."
"she'll have you. and tsireya. and tonowari. and honestly half the clan because everyone loved your mom." you bumped your shoulder against his. "and she'll have me, because someone needs to make sure you don't teach her all your bad habits."
"my habits aren't bad."
"you literally tried to fight someone last month because they 'looked at you weird.'"
"they did look at me weird!"
"they were yawning, aonung.."
he turned to face you fully then, and you could see the redness around his eyes, the tear tracks. aonung, who prided himself on being strong and tough, who'd stepped up during the battle against the ash people and fought like crazy. he looked young suddenly, younger than he was, just a boy who'd lost his mother.
"i don't know how to do this," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "i don't know how to be okay with this."
"you don't have to be okay with it." you reached out and took his hand, threading your fingers through his. his hand was warm and rough from years of training and fighting, but it shook slightly in yours. "nobody expects you to be okay right now."
"my father needs me to be strong. the clan needs—"
"the clan needs you to grieve," you cut him off. "you can't be strong if you don't let yourself feel this. trust me, i learned that the hard way."
he looked at you with a question in his eyes, and you sighed.
"when my grandmother died, i tried to just keep going like nothing happened. thought that was what i was supposed to do, you know? keep swimming, keep hunting, keep pretending everything was fine. but it wasn't fine, and i wasn't fine, and eventually i just... broke. had a complete meltdown in the middle of reef training and freaked everyone out." you squeezed his hand. "your mom actually helped me through it. she sat with me for hours, let me cry, told me stories about my grandmother. she said grief was like the ocean - you couldn't fight it, you just had to learn to swim with it."
aonung's breath caught. "that sounds like something she'd say."
"she was wise. and kind. and scary when she needed to be." you smiled despite the tears in your own eyes. "remember when the sully kids first showed up and you were being a complete skxawng to them?"
"i was not—"
"you called lo'ak a freak and made fun of his hands."
"okay, that was bad," he admitted. "but in my defense, i was being protective of the clan."
"you were being a bully."
"same thing."
"not even close." you shook your head. "but your mom shut that down real quick. i've never seen you look so scared as when she called you out in front of everyone. even though she didn’t like them either."
"she had a way of making you feel about two inches tall when you disappointed her." he looked down at your joined hands. "but also like you were the most important person in the world when you made her proud."
"you made her proud," you said firmly. "in the battle, the way you fought, the way you protected tsireya and your father. she saw that. i know she did."
"how do you know?"
"because i saw her face right before... before." you had to swallow hard. "she was looking at you and tsireya, and she was smiling. even in the middle of all that chaos, she was proud of her kids."
aonung's face crumpled, and then he was crying, really crying, the kind of deep sobs that shook his whole body. you pulled him toward you and he came easily, burying his face against your shoulder while you held him. his ilu swam closer, making worried sounds, and you reached out with one hand to calm it while keeping the other wrapped around aonung.
"it's not fair," he gasped out between sobs. "none of this is fair. the ash people turning away from eywa because of some volcano, quaritch and his stupid revenge, the rda and their factory ships. why can't they just leave us alone? why does there always have to be another war?"
"i don't know," you said honestly, your own tears falling into his hair. "i wish i had an answer. i wish i could fix this."
"you can't fix this. nobody can."
"i know. but i can sit here with you. i can remind you that you're not alone." you pressed your cheek against the top of his head. "i can tell you that your mom loved you more than anything, and that love doesn't just disappear. it's still here. it's in you and tsireya and baby prill. it's in every person she healed, every tradition she kept alive, every story she told."
"that's very poetic," he mumbled against your shoulder. "did you prepare that speech?"
"shut up, i'm trying to be comforting."
"it's working." he pulled back a little, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. "sorry for getting your shoulder all wet."
"we're literally sitting in the ocean, i think i'll survive a few tears."
he laughed weakly, and eywa, you'd missed that sound. it felt like forever since anyone had laughed.
"have you seen prill yet?" you asked gently.
he shook his head. "i can't. every time i look at her, all i see is... i see my mom, and then i remember she's gone, and—"
"prill needs you," you said softly. "she needs her big brother. and i know it hurts, i know every time you look at her you're going to think about what you lost. but aonung, she's also everything your mom fought for. she's proof that life goes on, that love goes on. even after everything with varang and the ash people, even after quaritch and the rda, life found a way."
"you sound like jake sully."
"i've been spending too much time around the sullys. lo'ak's tulkun bonding stuff is rubbing off on me." you paused. "speaking of which, can you believe lo'ak got the tulkun to join the fight? that boy might be reckless but he's got heart."
"he's still annoying."
"you like him."
"i tolerate him."
"you literally saved his life during the battle."
"that was tactical. needed him alive to keep the tulkun fighting."
"sure it was." you smiled. "admit it, you've gotten soft. the forest boy grew on you."
"like a fungus," aonung grumbled, but there was no real heat in it. he'd actually become friends with lo'ak over the past months, bonding over being the older siblings who were expected to be perfect while their younger sisters got to be special.
well, in tsireya's case she was perfect. but still.
"kiri's powers were crazy though," you said, trying to keep the conversation going, to distract him from the grief. "did you see the way she made the tsyong fight during the battle? it was like eywa herself was fighting with us."
"it was weird," aonung said. "but it worked. that tsyong attack probably saved a ton of lives."
"and spider breathing without his mask now? that's going to change everything. if kiri can do that for others—"
"that's a big if. and knowing spider, he'll find some way to make it complicated." aonung shifted, pulling his feet out of the water. "but yeah, it was pretty incredible. the whole battle was... i've never seen anything like it."
"toruk makto rising again," you said softly. "my grandmother used to tell stories about the last time someone rode the last shadow. never thought i'd see it myself."
"jake sully is either the bravest person on pandora or the most insane."
"probably both."
aonung was quiet for a moment, staring out at the dark water. the moons were rising, throwing silver light across the waves, and somewhere in the distance you could hear some night creature calling.
"do you think she suffered?" he asked suddenly. "my mom. do you think it hurt?"
you wanted to lie, wanted to tell him it was instant and painless. but aonung deserved the truth, and he'd know if you were lying anyway.
"i don't know," you said carefully. "but i know she was fighting until the end. i know she was protecting prill and your father and all of us. whatever she felt, it was worth it to her. you were worth it to her."
he nodded slowly, working through that. his jaw clenched and unclenched, dealing with emotions you couldn't even begin to untangle.
"i should go see prill," he said finally. "you're right. she needs family."
"do you want me to come with you?"
he turned to look at you, really look at you, and something in his face made your heart skip. there was grief there, yeah, but also gratitude and something else, something softer that you weren't quite ready to name.
"yeah," he said quietly. "i'd like that."
you stood together, brushing sand off your legs. aonung's ilu swam up, ready to take him back to the village, but he ignored it for a moment and just looked at you.
"thank you," he said. "for finding me. for... for this."
"always," you said, meaning it with everything in you. "you don't have to go through this alone, aonung. none of us do."
he reached out and pulled you into a hug, sudden and fierce and desperate. you hugged him back just as tight, feeling his heart beating against your chest, his breath warm against your neck.
"i don't know what i'd do without you," he said into your hair.
"lucky for you, you'll never have to find out."
when you finally pulled apart and got on your ilus to head back to the village, something had shifted between you. the grief was still there, raw and painful and too much, but it felt more bearable somehow. shared.
the village was settling in for the night when you got there, families gathering in their maruis, the wounded being helped, the dead being mourned. tonowari's marui glowed with soft light, and you could hear baby prill crying before you even got off your ilu.
aonung hesitated at the entrance, his hand on the woven doorway. you gave him an encouraging nod, and together you stepped inside.
tonowari was sitting on the floor, holding prill against his chest and swaying gently. he looked up when you came in, and the grief in his eyes was overwhelming. but when he saw aonung, something softened.
"my son," he said quietly.
"father." aonung's voice cracked. "i'm sorry. i'm sorry i ran off. i should have been here, i should have—"
"you are here now. that is what matters." tonowari held out one arm, and aonung went to him, kneeling next to his father and baby sister. "would you like to hold her?"
aonung looked terrified, but he nodded. tonowari carefully handed prill to aonung, showing him how to support her head, and for a moment the tiny baby stopped crying. she looked up at her brother with unfocused eyes, one tiny hand reaching up to grab at his face.
"she's so small," aonung breathed.
"you were this small once," tonowari said, a sad smile on his face. "your mother used to say you had the strongest grip she'd ever felt. said you'd be a great warrior one day."
"was she right?"
"see for yourself. you fought bravely. made her proud." tonowari's voice got thick. "made me proud."
tsireya came in then, her eyes red from crying but her face determined. she saw aonung holding prill and her expression crumpled with relief.
"you came back," she said.
"where else would i go?" aonung asked, looking up at his sister. "this is our family. we face this together."
tsireya came and sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder and reaching out to stroke prill's soft hair. you stayed near the entrance, feeling like you were intruding on a family moment, but tonowari gestured for you to come closer.
"you are always welcome here," he said warmly. "you brought my son home. that is no small thing."
"he would have come back on his own eventually," you said. "he just needed time."
the end <3 please please request more !! i'm posting another request soon possibly later this week :))
First time requesting!! How aboutt lo'ak x f!human reader in afaa that's also an outcast and never really noticed by others (and maybe to spice things up, a mix of angst where reader thinks she's not worthy being with the sully family and envy's tsireya for being close with lo'ak) MY BAD I JS HAVE A THING FOR THE READER SUFFERING LMFAOO
haii i’m so honored to be the first person you’re requesting smth from!! thank you so much for the request and details omg i love it! here is the story :)) this is kind of my first time writing something angsty so it might not be my best work! sorry but hope you enjoy it, love ya!! 🫶🏼🫶🏼
