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ꕥ — 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 ᝰ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆… Tonowari x fem!avatar!reader

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒… During the festival, desire simmers between you and Tonowari as you wait for the celebration to end, anticipating the moment you and him can run off and mate. Just as the tension threatens to snap, taking a turn into enticing territory, duty tears him away at the last second. While waiting for his return, you’re drawn into an intense, private conversation with someone who knows Tonowari better than most—determined to test whether you are truly worthy of the Olo’eyktan’s heart. Will you crumble under their scrutiny, or will you rise to the occasion and prove that you’re worthy to mate with Tonowari?

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓… Chapter Seven [Part Two] ᝰ Pre-Atwow, fluff, suggestive content, sensual content, softness, dancing, tension, yearning, teasing, mutual pining, vulnerability, kissing, public displays of affection, declaration of love, mention of mating, alcohol consumption, mention of Ronal, mention of grief/mourning, na’vi language used w/ translations; direct continuation from Chapter Seven [part one]

𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍… 17.3k words

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑… The newest addition to the series is finally here!! I can’t believe we're so close to the last chapter to Volume One! I really enjoyed writing reader and Tonowari’s relationship/bond in this chapter, especially since they are entering smut territory. I also really love how Tonowari is protrayed in this as well, he is so soft and romantic with reader..... and lets not forget sexy!! The next chapter will have full smut scenes between them! I have added two new side characters, both of them will play large roles in Volume two. I can’t wait to see what you guys think of the character reader encounters🤭. I hope y’all enjoy and as always feel free to comment and reblog, I can’t wait to read y’all reactions/thoughts!

𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒… Series M.list ・Series Taglist・Main M.list

The moment the musicians strike up another lively rhythm, Tonowari turns you around to face him, allowing you to get a view of the smile that curls gently at the edges of his lips, causing you to reciprocate.

The air is thick with heat from the bonfire… and your lust. The sexual tension is still present, so thick it could be cut with a knife. Grinding against Tonowari did raise the tension drastically, but for now you and Tonowari have allowed it to simmer, not wanting to continue the torture of edging yourselves for what’s taking place tonight.

For the duration of the festival, Tonowari and you remain in this delicate balance, desire burning hot beneath the surface, yet held back by the thinnest thread of restraint.

Tonowari’s palm presses firmly into the small of your back, the heat of his hand seeping through your skin as he guides you into another dance. His other hand lifts to brush his knuckles along your jaw, the simple gesture sending a shiver down your spine.

He draws you into the rhythm, leading your body into a sway that mirrors his, your steps syncing as if both of you were made to move as one. His eyes never leave you, not even for a second. There’s a hungry gaze in his irises. Even in the softness of the music he holds the gaze of a man who knows exactly what he wants and is barely holding himself back from taking it.

The firelight casts a golden hue across his face catching the faint beads of sweat at his temples, making him look devastatingly handsome. You let your fingers slide up the plane of his chest, feeling his thick muscles shift beneath your touch.

A quiet hum escapes him, barely audible, but filled with blissful pleasure. He dips his head toward you, nose brushing along your temple in a gesture so intimate it nearly steals your breath. “Enjoying yourself, syulang [flower]?”

You laugh softly, brushing your body against his just enough to spark some heat. “It’s impossible not to,” you tease, arching a brow. “Especially dancing with you like this.” A flirty grin appears while you speak, gently grazing his skin with your fingertips.

Tonowari’s chest rumbles with a low, contented laugh, the sound vibrating softly against your palm. While conversing, the music shifts into something gentler. Still rhythmic and alive, but much warmer, more gentle for the soul.

He moves closer, his large hands settling along your waist. His thumbs stroke slow circles there, coaxing you to bridge the gap between you that formed while moving to the beat, silently calling for your skin to press against his and allow your body to enter his warm embrace.

You step forward without hesitation, allowing your feet to guide you. Your arms slide around his neck, fingers brushing against his nape, and you pull yourself against him until neither of you has any personal space.

The moment your body fits against his towering frame, like the final piece completing a puzzle, Tonowari exhales through his nose, as if his mind has been calmed and his body can relax.

You rest your head against his collarbone first, then you shift just enough to settle your cheek against the warmth of his shoulder. The world around you blurs: the crackling fire, the waves crashing into the sand, the laughter of the Metkayina. All of it softens until the only thing you feel is the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

Tonowari dips his head to rest it gently atop yours, letting his chin graze your hair, his breath warm against your scalp. A soft hum escapes him, a sound you’ve only ever heard in moments where his heart is full.

Your swaying slows, your steps becoming less about the rhythm and more about following Tonowari's movements. He guides you in a lazy turn, moving along with the pace of the song, allowing your hair to get caught in the breeze.

You cling to him, fingers brushing against his curly hair and the akula teeth necklace that’s resting around his neck. His skin is warm beneath your touch, pulsing faintly with contained energy, the same energy he’s been holding back for hours now, trying to channel his urges into a better outlet. Tonowari would rather savor the closeness of this dance rather than worry about his primal desires. In his mind, he would rather fuel the romantic tension than the sexual.

“I could stay like this all night.” You murmur softly, your voice coming out muffled against his shoulder. There’s a warmth in his arms that sinks into your bones, a kind of comfort you didn’t know you’ve been starved of until you finally tasted it. Being held like this: gently, protectively, without expectation or pressure, feels foreign and familiar all at once.

Tonowari’s arms tighten slightly around you, his body language responding to your statement before his words have the chance. His breath drifts down the side of your face, a warm exhale that makes your eyes flutter shut.

While focusing on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your cheek, you feel his lips brush the top of your head, pressing a light kiss against your hair. “So could I,” he breathes, barely audible over the bone flute being played in the background.

He shifts his stance, swaying you deeper, and you melt into him completely. Holding you in his arms casts a shadow of peace over him, allowing himself to fully relax and embrace all the occurrences of the day and what’ll be taking place in the future.

Tonowari shifts just enough so that he can look down at you, his lips hovering close to your hairline. “Tonight cannot come fast enough.” And you know exactly what he’s alluding to with that phrase.

The intimacy that’ll unravel, the sacred bond between two adults who love each other, and the feeling of becoming one flesh, that’s something both of you crave.

His words settle inside you, warming parts of your body that have been untouched by another person for years, places that have been longing for affection. You lift your head slightly so you can see his face, your cheek brushing the strong line of his jaw on its way up.

“Mm,” you murmur, “I keep thinking about it too.” Your voice is soft, but the tremor in it is unmistakable, feeling your emotions get caught in your throat. “About finally sealing our bond… starting our life together as mates.”

Tonowari loves how you and him are always on the same page, how his thoughts are always similar to yours no matter the topic. Knowing that he isn’t the only one looking forward to tonight, that you feel the same yearning he does, that you are counting down the minutes with the same flutter in your chest —along with a heat stirring in your lower regions— softens something inside him.

His expression gentles, the hunger in his eyes melting into something far more tender. He lowers his forehead toward yours, the bridge of his nose brushing delicately against yours.

His eyes flutter half-closed, the weight of your words hitting him square in the chest. His hands bring you closer to him, pressing you against the firm plane of his abdomen. “I cannot wait to wake beside you,” he says, “to hold you without having to go home at the end of the night. To call you mine in every way.”

Your breath catches, heart pressing against your ribs as if it’s trying to reach him. Your hands slide from the nape of his neck to cradle his jaw, allowing your thumb to brush the strong column of his throat. “I’m ready,” you say softly, looking into his ocean blue eyes, feeling yourself getting lost in them. “For all of it. For you.”

In this moment, the world seems to shrink around you, closing in until there is only the press of his body, the warmth of his breath, and the promise glowing in his gaze. Tonowari can feel a stirring in his stomach, a magnetic force that’s tugging at him to make a move. So he does just that.

Tonowari tilts his head, closing the last sliver of space between you. His breath fans across your lips, while his hands glide up your spine, fingers spreading wide as if trying to memorize every curve and quiet tremor that runs through you.

You rise slightly on your toes, drawn in by a force you don’t bother resisting. His heart beats under your fingertips, thumping harder as you get closer.

Both of your eyes flutter closed, allowing yourselves to be swept away by the buzzing tension. His breath catches, just barely when your lips graze his. Your lips part, a soft inhale escaping as he leans in. Your noses brush once, twice, before you brace yourself for what’s to come.

Every fiber of your being leans toward him, drawn by gravity, by love, and desire so potent it makes your knees threaten to give out. Your lips are a breath apart now, so close the slightest movement would seal everything the two of you have been aching for since the moment the sun dipped below the horizon.

Tonowari’s fingers curl at the back of your ribs, while his forehead rests against yours. His breath deepens, warm against your parted lips. You tilt your head, welcoming his lips to engulf yours, anticipating the feel of his lips agasnt yours—

When suddenly—

A voice cuts through the air like a spear.

You jolt subtly, your eyes snapping open just as Tonowari stills, jaw flexing in silent annoyance. He doesn’t pull away immediately. His forehead remains touching yours, his breath still ghosting your lips.

Reluctantly, he straightens. Keeping one hand firm at your waist as he turns to face Elder Rula who’s standing only a few steps away with stiff posture and apologetic expression towards the intimate moment he just shattered, but not apologetic enough to leave.

Tonowari's posture shifts from tender to authoritative in the blink of an eye, while his tail lashes against the sand, expressing a sharp flick of agitation he doesn’t bother hiding. His ears pin slightly back, and there is a subtle flare of his nostrils, showing how truly irritated he is by this intrusion.

Elder Rula clears his throat, folding his hands respectfully at his front. “Olo’eyktan… forgive me for the interruption. There is a matter that requires your attention.”

Tonowari’s jaw clenches so tightly you can nearly hear the grind of his teeth. His grip at your waist tightens, not possessively, but protectively, as if he’s trying to save the last threads of the moment you were sharing. When he speaks, his voice is low and clipped. “Is it urgent? I am in the middle of celebrating with my betrothed.”

You nearly laugh at how Tonowari manages to keep his words polite while sounding one word away from growling. But you smooth your expression quickly, unwilling to disrespect an Elder, even one who just interpreted what would have been one of the softest, sweetest, most desperately-awaited kisses of your life.

Elder Rula’s ears lower faintly, deciding to go ahead and spit out what he needs to say. “It concerns the eastern net platforms. They have begun to loosen from their anchors. If they drift, it may damage the mauri [homes/pods] structures. We need your approval before moving it.”

Tonowari inhales sharply through his nose, feeling himself grow more upset with every second that passes by. Annoyance ripples through him in a wave so strong you feel it in the air.

You can tell your soon-to-be mate isn’t taking too well to this interruption. Since he’s already having to deal with waiting until the end of celebration to indulge in his raging desires, his ability to stay composed is a running lower by the second. This intrusion on what little intimacy you and him can participate in to fill your sexual appetite, Tonowari can feel himself about to explode at any given moment.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, you step in before his patience snaps entirely and Elder Rula gets the blunt end of Tonowari’s boiled over frustrations. Your hand rises to rest gently on his chest, right over his heart.

It’s a grounding touch that brings his eyes to flick down at the contact, the tight line of his lips easing just a fraction. “It’s okay,” you murmur softly, giving him your extra sweet tone to help him relax. “handle what you must and I’ll be waiting when you get back.”

Your words are gentle, soothing, your smile small but sincere. His irritation softens, still simmering, but now directed only at the untimely circumstance, not at the messenger of the news. Tonowari huffs a low breath, not wanting to leave your side but knowing he must get this done. “I will not be long.”

“And when you return we can resume right where we left off,” you whisper before rising on your feet and placing a soft kiss on his cheek, making the last bit of irritation in his expression disappear.

Tonowari returns the affection, dipping his head and pressing a kiss on your forehead, a silent apology for leaving and promising to make it up to you later. Once contact is made he steps back reluctantly, the loss of his warmth against your body making your skin cool much too quickly.

With one last heated glance at you, one that shines with the fire burning between you and him, Tonowari turns and follows Elder Rula toward the edge of the gathering and to the east end of the main village.

You watch him go, your lips still tingling with the ghost of the kiss that almost happened. When he’s out of your line of sight you exhale and press a hand to your chest, feeling your heart still fluttering wildly at the very thought of his lips pressed against yours.

You stay there for a moment, standing on the warm sand with the fading echo of Tonowari’s touch lingering on your skin. It’s almost embarrassing how you melted right into him, how he swept every thought from your mind until only him remained.

A small, flustered smile tugs at your lips as you try to steady the warmth swirling low in your belly. ‘God… tonight is gonna be… something.’ You think to yourself, your cheeks warming when your mind thinks about the events that will take place once the celebration comes to an end.

Needing something to occupy your hands and something to cool the heat still simmering beneath your skin, you weave through the gathering, passing clusters of Metkayina, making sure you don’t accidentally bump into someone.

After walking for a moment you reach the refreshment table near the far side of the celebration. A few wooden structures holding bowls of fruit, roasted vegetables, varieties of meats, and all forms of beverages.

You reach the section of drinks, grab a carved ladle, and pour a serving of the alcohol into a gourd cup. The dark purple colored liquid swirls inside the cup, catching the lantern light as it settles inside. You pour an amount that’s not enough to get you drunk, but enough to calm your mind and allow your body the luxury of a nice buzz.

You lift the cup to your lips, letting the cool rim press briefly against your mouth before tilting it back for a slow sip. The first thing that hits you is the aroma. It’s fruity, nothing like the Omatikaya alcohol Tsu’tey gave you after the successful stermbeest hunt when you first joined their clan. They have the type of stuff that hits your nose like a slap: earthy and bitter enough to make your eyes water if you inhaled too deeply.

Metkayina alcohol is the opposite of that. The taste that follows after a long sip is smooth and subtly sweet, with a faint tang of salt that dances over your tongue. There’s a cool rush before a floral heat arrives, spreading down your throat, expanding through your ribs, settling deep into your chest.

Back in the forest, the alcohol was strong and definitely achieved its purpose to get you drunk, but you always felt the need to gulp it down, you never savored it. However, with the Metkayina alcohol, you can tell it is meant to be enjoyed.

You can tell the fermented sea berries and warm fruit that were used to make this were left under the sun to ripen for the perfect concentration. This is liquid honey compared to the Omatikaya’s concoction.

You take another small sip, savoring the sweetness as it blooms across your tongue, and feel the first hints of a pleasant buzz begin at the base of your skull, sliding down your spine, and then loosening the lingering tension from the almost-kiss you weren't able to have. While your shoulders loosen and your heartbeat steadies, you allow your eyes to wander over the celebration from where you stand.

Laughter rises from every direction. Young hunters reenact parts of their iknimaya with exaggerated gestures, sending their friends into hysterics. A group of women share a bowl of fruit, whispering gossip behind knowing smiles. And men drinking together and reminiscing on their younger days when they completed their own iknimaya.

Your heart softens when your eyes find Lo’ak, surrounded by his friends: Rotxo, Ao’nung, and a handful of other village children. They’re splashing each other with handfuls of water, shrieking with laughter every time Lo’ak pretends to fall dramatically into the shallow end.

He’s glowing with joy, more carefree than you’ve seen him in months. Seeing him happy and enjoying time with his friends fills you with a warmth deeper than the fermented fruit in your hand can provide.

A smile touches your lips as you take another slow sip, letting the sweetness bloom again on your tongue. The alcohol is doing its job in the best way possible. Not dulling you, but softening you. Letting you breathe. Letting you enjoy the moment without the weight of your past tugging at your ribs. The buzz is pleasant, a small comfort while you wait for Tonowari to return to you.

Just as you lower the cup to your side, a shift in the air makes the fine hairs at the back of your neck stir, like someone’s presence is brushing close to yours. “Enjoying our brew, are you?” A low, calm voice speaks from just beside you.

You turn and find yourself face-to-chest with a towering, broad-shouldered figure. It takes a tilt of your chin to meet their eyes. When you look up and see who it is, your eyes widen in surprise at the person in front of you.

It’s Marowan. Tonowari’s older brother.

You’ve met him a handful of times, always in passing—brief greetings, short exchanges, nothing more. He is rarely home, always traveling with traders, scouts, and distant reef communities. Seeing him up close like this shows how much he’s unmistakably Tonowari’s kin, yet entirely his own creature.

He stands a couple steps taller than his younger brother—9 foot 9 inches—with a frame built of long, defined muscle. Where Tonowari carries the weight of leadership in his stance, grounded and solid, Marowan carries the ease of a wanderer. His shoulders are broad, his arms muscular, but his build is more slender, almost graceful.

His face is sharper, more angular than Tonowari’s. His cheekbones are carved with precision, he has a longer jaw, and his eyes hold a sharper, more mischievous glint. One entire side of his face is marked with intricate tattoos, curling like dark waves over his temple and down along his cheek.

He carries more ink down his right shoulder, sweeping across his deltoid, flowing down his skin until it reaches his forearm. Another dark band encircles his right thigh, almost like a ring of status, though you don’t know the exact meaning yet. His hair is bound in braids. Hundreds of them, small and neat, woven together into a high, knotted bun at the crown of his head. A style that speaks of discipline.

While looking down towards you, his lips lift into a small, knowing smile, one that tells you that he’s been watching you for at least a moment. You blink, gathering yourself and your thoughts before offering a polite smile of your own. “I am. It’s sweeter than what I’m used to.”

Marowan nods once, unsurprised. His voice is smooth and deep, carrying the warm cadence of someone who speaks with charm. “Forest brews burn the tongue. Reef brews warm the heart.”

You let out a small laugh, giving him a nod that shows your agreement with his choice of words because in a way he’s right. “That’s one way to put it.”

His own smile grows, subtle but you notice. His eyes—brighter than Tonowari’s, more teal, less ocean-blue—study your face with a quiet intensity that makes you straighten. However, he doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable or as if your being judged. It seems like he’s just assessing, sensing your energy. “You look well tonight,” Marowan says, tone softened, though there’s a contemplative layer laced within his words. “Happier than the last time we spoke.”

The last time he saw you was when you were still settling into the village, still new to living among the Metkayina. Back then, your eyes held more fear than ease, relearning what safety felt like, and trying to shake the horrific memories of your past while staying present in the future.

Your life has significantly improved since you and him last spoke. You’ve started letting go of your past and started imagining a bright future, your son is well adjusted and thriving, and most of all your head over heels in love. Things can’t get any better than that.

You nod gently, taking another sip of the brew in your cup before responding. “Life has gotten better since then.”

Marowan hums, folding his arms loosely behind his back, posture relaxed yet undeniably commanding, as if he’s spent his entire life standing on decked walkways with the wind at his back and the horizon in his sights. “I can see that,” he says. “Joy suits you.”

Marowan’s words hang in the air for a moment, quiet but heavy with meaning. You offer a soft smile, a little shy beneath his scrutiny, even though his gaze is not sharp like Tonowari’s can be. His gaze is more curious, more observant, as if he’s cataloguing you piece by piece.

Before you can respond, Marowan shifts slightly, adopting a stance that feels intentional. His hands slide from behind his back to rest loosely at his sides, his tail tracing a slow arc through the sand. “Walk with me?” he asks warmly. “Just for a moment.” He gestures with his chin toward the quieter part of the shore.

It’s phrased like a request, not a command. But there’s intent behind it, you can tell. Before you respond you glance toward where Tonowari disappeared, looking at the place you and him danced in front of the clan, and then back at Marowan.

When Marowan follows your gaze and realizes Tonowari’s on your mind, he gives a soft, reassuring huff of a laugh. “I won’t steal you for long. My brother would gut me if I kept his future muntxate [wife] from him on a night like this.”

You breathe in the cool night air, letting out a light chuckle from his teasing comment that has truth in it. Tonowari is already on edge when it comes to having you to himself so if his brother holds you captive for too long Tonowari will have a fit. And something in you knows he isn’t asking out of idle curiosity, so you nod. “Alright.”

Marowan gestures for you to follow him away from the crowd and towards the outskirts of the festival so you can hear him clearly over the music and to ensure no one will overhear anything not meant for them.

For a moment, neither of you speak. The Metkayina simply studies you with that keen, calculating gaze before he breaks the silence. “I wished to speak with you before the night ends,” he begins, “before you and Tonowari bind your lives together.” His tone deepens with honesty, something you appreciate. “We have spoken before, yes. But never in truth.”

You tilt your head, lips lifting into a small, half-smile. “You’re never still long enough to catch,” you say softly. “Always traveling.”

Marowan is the clan’s diplomat. He acts as Tonowari’s eyes, ears, and hands beyond Awa’atlu. He represents the Metkayina among distant reef clans, trade networks, and coastal territories. It’s his duty to carry news, negotiate agreements, forge alliances, and temper disputes before they swell into conflict so peace can be maintained.

His life is built on reading people, understanding their intentions, their hearts, and their weaknesses, long before they ever speak them aloud.

Because of his role in the clan, his time at home is limited. He travels for days, weeks, and sometimes even months at a time. So he has watched your relationship with Tonowari grow through whatever pieces of information made their way to him on his travels. Messengers reaching him at distant coves. Tlalim [Wind Traders] carrying spoken news from Awa’atlu. And of course… through Tonowari himself.

Every time Marowan returned to the main village, even if it was brief, Tonowari spoke of you. At first lightly, only simple mentions. But, eventually it became more each time he visited home and it became impossible not to notice that Tonowari held the weight of a man rediscovering love.

So this quiet walk is more than curiosity. It was a family’s obligation. A big brother’s instinct. A man making sure the person who would soon hold Tonowari’s heart understands its worth, its scars, and willingness to treat it with devotion.

The corner of Marowan’s mouth twitches, the closest thing to amusement you’ve seen from him so far. He lets out a soft exhale, half a laugh, and half something heavier. “True,” he murmurs, answering your tease about his travels. “But I returned tonight with purpose.”

He pauses, something shifting in his expression. Still controlled, still measured, but no longer purely observational. There’s intention in his gaze, showing that this talk is no longer casual. “Tonowari asked me to be here.”

You blink, surprise softening your features as you absorb his words, an unexpected warmth spreading beneath your ribs. “He… asked for you?” you repeat, voice gentler than before.

“Yes. Quite firmly, in fact. Sent word days ago. Said he wanted me home for iknimaya.” A brief glimmer of humor flickers in his eyes, thinking about the moment he got word from the southern reef clan’s Olo’eykte [female clan leader] he was visiting that Tonowari requested his presence. “My brother does not… request things often. Not unless they matter.”

You release a quiet breath, the corners of your lips lifting, thinking about how Tonowari is quite stern when he wants to be. “That sounds like him,” you murmur. “Stubborn with the things he cares about.”

“He is,” Marowan agrees. “And you are now one of those things.”

Your heart stutters because you know Marowan doesn’t mean it lightly. His tone doesn’t carry flattery, it shows intent. His words are deliberate and it makes you feel more comfortable when talking to him, knowing he won’t sugarcoat things when talking to you, a trait you’ve always admired.

“So he wanted you to… check on me?” you say with a teasing tilt of your head, though your tone carries real curiosity beneath your playful cadence.

Marowan huffs, amused, enjoying this playful side of you. Seeing your ability to be fluid in conversation shows your personality and allows the Metkayina to see one of the reasons Tonowari has chosen you. “He wanted me to meet you.” He corrects, wanting to make sure you don’t get the wrong idea. “Not in passing. Not in haste. But fully.”

Of course Tonowari would want that. He wanted his brother, the person who knew him before he was Olo’eyktan, before he was a mate, before he was a father, to see you. To know you. To understand the woman who had quietly rekindled something in him he thought would remain buried with Ronal forever.

Tonowari wanted Marowan to see you the way he did. To see your strength, your gentleness, your resilience. The softness you carry after surviving so much. The way you love his own children with a heart of gold. For him to see the way your presence had brought a certain light back to his life. Tonowari wanted his brother to witness the woman who would soon be his mate and it seems Marowan took that request seriously.

Marowan looks out to the festival, toward his people celebrating the accomplishments of their fellow man. “You must understand,” he says, “my role… keeps me distant.” He gestures vaguely to the horizon, where the sea stretches out farther than your mind can imagine. “I see more of the world than most. But my home, my family, they are dear to me.”

You nod, already knowing this much about him from when Tonowari speaks about him and gathering your own thoughts from your previous conversations. While waiting for him to continue, you watch the diplomat in him revealing itself. “Despite my absence from the village, I knew of you long before I returned tonight,” he says. “Because my brother could not keep your name from leaving his lips.”

Marowan’s mouth lifts subtly. Not quite a smile but something just as gentle. “At first,” he admits, “I thought he spoke of you only because you were new to the clan. A woman with a story worth telling. A mother protecting her son. Someone who is… rebuilding.”

“Before, he had barely spoken of anything with warmth since Ronal’s passing. His mind was focused on his children and the clan. He closed off the parts of himself that used to belong to joy. To companionship. And I feared that part of him was gone forever.” Marowan’s expression softens, though the lines around his eyes crease with old sorrow, remembering the time when his brother was grieving the loss of his mate. “But suddenly… on my next return, he spoke of you differently.”

Hearing Marowan’s words makes the lump in your throat swell. Tonowari has shared with you the emotions he felt for you since the beginning of your relationship but hearing someone else’s perspective, someone who knows Tonowari well, makes your heart race. You breathe through the ache in your chest, meeting Marowan’s keen stare, wanting to hear what he says next.

“Soon,” Marowan continues, “each time I returned, his demeanor changed. He looked lighter…” He pauses, studying your face, noticing the emotion in your eyes. “He told me you were kind. Brave. Patient. That your presence brought him peace he had not felt in years. That you reminded him he was still a living man, not only a leader or a single father.”

The ocean hums against the shore. Bladder lantern light flickers across his tattoos, showing the softness in his facial expression as he shares his heart. “You gave him back a piece of himself,” Marowan tells you. “At first it was small, but now…” He exhales with a shake of his head. “Now, he is a man reborn.”

Your throat tightens painfully, and you swallow, staring out at the waves because his words hit places inside you that are tender. Hearing how Tonowari was riddled with grief for years and how his brother thought he would never see that romantic side of his brother again but you coming here changed that, makes you emotional. It makes you realize that everything is divinely appointed, whether we know it or not.

Marowan watches your reaction carefully, then shifts slightly closer. Not threateningly, but with the steadiness of someone who carries the role of protector even when he travels far from home. “So understand,” he says quietly, “I do not ask you questions out of doubt. I ask them because I carry my brother’s heart in many ways. I have guarded it for years and I will continue to until I lay among our ancestors.”

When he says that, you understand why he sparked up this conversation, why he isolated you from the festival, and why his face holds such a serious expression. He has come to see if you are worthy of Tonowari’s heart, if you're the type of woman his brother should be mating with. “You wish to know if I am worthy enough for your brother,” you murmur, naming the unspoken truth.

Marowan’s chin tilts in a single, precise nod. “I do.” The need to protect Tonowari is rooted in Marowan. It’s been there since the day his mother told him he would become a brother. All of his life he’s been protecting him, having his back, helping him through life, wanting nothing but the best for him and tonight is no different.

For a moment, you look past him and toward the end of the village where Tonowari is somewhere among the small cluster of Na’vi, finishing up the urgent matter so he can find his way back into your arms. The thought of him brings a smile to your lips. When you think back to the way you and him were dancing earlier, that same warmth from that moment fills your veins.

Your voice is steady when you speak, but your heart thrums hard beneath your ribs because this is the truth, the marrow-deep truth you rarely say aloud. “I know the pain your brother has endured,” you begin softly. “I know what it means for him to open his heart again,” you murmur, taking a small step closer so he can see the sincerity in your face, “because even though our circumstances were different, I closed off my heart.”

The diplomat’s eyes sharpen, out of both suspicion and attention, wondering what you mean by that. He listens with the same intensity he uses when reading unfamiliar leaders, foreign clans, and dangerous waters.

You inhale softly, allowing yourself to become vulnerable, wanting Marowan to truly understand why you’ve fallen in love with his brother. “Tonowari has helped me heal in ways I didn’t think were possible. He took a heart that was broken, bruised, and he held it without fear. He never made me feel small. He never rushed me. Everything my past was, he’s the opposite.” You glance down at your fingers, tracing the rim of your cup before meeting Marowan’s gaze once more, trying to push down some emotion before continuing, not wanting any tears to spill. “With the… baggage I had from my marriage, many men would have stepped back. Or decided I wasn’t worth the effort, but Tonowari didn’t.”

Marowan hasn’t heard your story, only snippets from what Tonowari has told him and even those things were surface level. No one knows full story except for Tonowari so when Marowan hears those personal pieces from you, it allows him to understand you more. “He has seen parts of me no one else has. Parts I never thought I’d show again. I’ve been vulnerable with him about things I wouldn’t speak of with anyone else…” Your breath trembles, not with weakness but with the weight of speaking your truth. “And he never ran, he just held me tighter.”

There’s a beat of silence, allowing Marowan to digest those large doses of details you gave him. You can feel the wind hum gently against your ears, and you take it as a sign to finish your thought. “So yes,” you continue, voice growing warmer, even stronger, as you confidently declare your intentions with Tonowari. “I plan to love him with all my heart, to replenish his soul, and strengthen his spirit. Just as he’s done for me.”

Marowan doesn’t speak at first. He simply looks at you and something in his expression shifts in a way you weren’t expecting. It’s a subtle yet precise shift, the kind of softening that only happens in a man who rarely lets himself soften at all.

The diplomat in him falls away. The traveler, the negotiator. All of those layers peel back, leaving only the older brother who once held Tonowari by the shoulders through heartbreak, who watched him fall apart after Ronal’s passing, who feared he would never see light return to his brother’s eyes.

And now he stands before the woman who helped bring that light back. His jaw faintly tightens as he exhales through his nose, feeling a sense of emotion wash over him. His gaze sweeps over your face again, not assessing this time, but as if your words have given him a new level of understanding.

He had come here seeking truth and instead he found something more precious than that. Your honesty hits him harder than he expected. Hard enough that his tail stills behind him, that the tension in his shoulders ease a fraction, and the air around him loses its edge.

He isn’t a man easily swayed but tonight your words struck something inside him. He sees the fractures you hinted at. He sees the healing Tonowari has helped you gain. He sees the strength it took for you to stand in front of him and bare your truth without flinching. And beneath all of it, he recognizes that you love Tonowari just as much as he loves you, that your heart fully belongs to him.

For a man who is difficult to read, Marowan’s silence speaks volumes. It’s clear that your answer wasn’t what he expected but it seems like it satisfied him just the same. Slowly, he draws in a breath, gathering himself, and returning to his purpose with a steadier spine. There is still one last truth he needs to hear before he makes his final decision about you.

“That is good,” he murmurs, voice low, the word not approval exactly, but it shows acknowledgment which is a great sign. His gaze sharpens, but now with something gentler beneath it, something earned. “Then… I have only one more question.”

You tense, not out of fear, but because something in his tone tells you this question is the one matters, that it’ll truly make or break how he views you. Marowan takes a single step closer, enough that you catch every sharp line of his tattoos, even the glint in his eyes.

“If Tonowari falters,” he asks, “ when leadership wears him down, if grief returns, if the past claws at him on a night you do not expect… will you still stand beside him? Not as his mate. But as his anchor?”

Your heart thuds at the question. Because it isn’t ceremonial nor is it polite. It is a question from a concerned brother, a man who saw Tonowari through storms no one else witnessed, who held him upright through seasons of grief, who watched him rot from the inside out during the darkest time of his life.

This question is the gate to him accepting you and your answer is the key, so you answer without hesitation, just like before. “Yes,” you begin simply, the word carrying not only promise, but conviction. “Tonowari needs someone for the shadows, the struggles, the nights he wants to hide from his own heart.”

You inhale, allowing the words to flow smoothly as they flood your mind. “If he doubts, I’ll remind him of who he is. If he breaks, I will place him back together. I will not leave him, no matter how hard or painful things become. I’ll stand with him through all of it, just as he does for me.” Your voice deepens with emotion, but never wavers. You give yourself a moment to breath, to gather your last thoughts, before completing your answer. “Tonowari is worth that. Worth everything.”

Silence settles between you. Then Marowan exhales slowly, a long, steady breath that sounds like release, as if hearing your words has helped soothe his thoughts. His shoulders drop a fraction, tension easing in a way that tells you he has been carrying these questions for longer than just tonight. “…That,” he says quietly, “was the answer I prayed to hear.”

The word ‘prayed’ lands in your chest with unexpected weight. For him to admit hope, that he asked Eywa for guidance where his brother’s heart was concerned, it makes you feel honored to some degree. It makes your throat tighten and your eyes burn faintly, emotion rising swiftly and uninvited.

Marowan lifts two fingers and presses them briefly to his chest, directly over his heart. The gesture is deliberate, a sign of respect, of truth, something that isn’t given freely. “My brother has chosen well,” he says, voice deepening with sincerity. “Better than I could have imagined.”

The approval settles over you like a blessing you didn’t know you were waiting for. You didn’t need it, Tonowari would have chosen you regardless, with or without anyone’s consent, but you know how much this will mean to him to have it. You can already picture his reaction: the subtle relief in his eyes, the quiet pride he won’t voice aloud, and the peace of knowing his brother sees what he sees.

Tonowari would have mated with you even if the world stood against him, but knowing his brother approves of you, will make him happy in a way only familial approval can.

Seriousness eases from Marowan’s face, replaced by something lighter and much more relaxed. His tone shifts, the weight of responsibility easing from his shoulders. The corners of his mouth curve into a faint smirk, mischief slipping back in like a tide returning to shore. “You have eased my worries.” he says lightly, waving his hand as if he’s brushing the last of them away. “I will not allow my doubts to linger any longer.”

Then he leans slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret, eyes gleaming with unmistakable older-brother wickedness. “Should Tonowari ever give you trouble… you may send word to me. I will return and knock him senseless.”

A laugh bursts from you before you can stop it. Warm, genuine, carried by relief and fondness all at once. You shake your head, amusement dancing in your eyes. “I’ll hold you to that,” you say warmly, half-teasing, half-serious. “I expect swift intervention.”

Marowan’s smirk widens into something close to a grin. He steps back then, giving you space, allowing you to breathe again as the moment settles. When he speaks next, his tone carries weight, not playful or testing, but ceremonial in its own quiet way.

“You have my blessing,” he says. “Not as the clan’s diplomat. But as his brother.” Marowan dips his head in a slow, deliberate nod, one given only to people he deems worthy. “Guard his heart, and he will guard yours.”

“I will.”

“Good.”

After that, the tension in the air softens. The heavy part of the conversation has been spoken, understood, and now sealed. Marowan’s posture reflects it; his shoulders aren’t as rigid, his tail has relaxed into a slow sway behind him, and the sharpness in his eyes warms into something almost fond.

You breathe a small laugh, swirling the last remnants of fermented fruit in your cup, feeling like the spotlight on you has finally dimmed. “Well,” you murmur, voice lighter now, “I’m glad I passed your… inspection.”

Marowan scoffs softly, thinking your choice of wording is funny. “Inspection? No.” His lips twitches, enjoying the fact he was able to put you in the hot seat for a moment, something he enjoys doing as a diplomat. “Interrogation is more fitting.”

You chuckle, nudging him lightly with your elbow. “Oh, is that what we’re calling it?”

“If you think that was harsh,” he says dryly, “you should have seen what I put Tonowari through the first time he told me he wanted to court Ronal.”

Your brows rise, wondering how harsh things could’ve gone when he questioned Ronal for the first time. “Was it as intense?”

“Worse.” He leans in slightly. “She cried.”

Your jaw drops, not believing Ronal, a woman who is known for her strength, blunt attitude, and sternness, would cry just from a line of questioning. “You made Ronal cry?”

His brow muscle lifts, feigning thought, realizing maybe he selected a poor choice of words. “Perhaps not cry… but her nose flared, she hissed at me, and then she left immediately afterward.”

When Tonowari first began courting Ronal, they were young and it was during the same season Tonowari was announced to be the clan’s next Olo’eyktan. Marowan, acting as a protector, wanted to be certain that Ronal sought his brother’s heart, not the power that would eventually follow him.

So he questioned her relentlessly: probing, testing, and questioning until even a woman as intimidating as Ronal reached the edge of her patience. By the end of it, she was livid, pride bristled, dignity intact but very offended.

Marowan had learned what devotion looked like that day, but he had also learned where his line was. Because of that incident, Tonowari made him swear not to repeat the same mistake.

He warned Marowan that if reduced you to tears, anger, or treated you a fraction of the way he had Ronal, there would be consequences neither diplomacy nor brotherhood would save him from.

You burst into laughter, clapping a hand over your mouth as the image forms in your mind. Ronal, fierce and strong-willed, brought to her breaking point by Marowan’s relentless questioning. “Marowan,” you scold between laughs. “That’s terrible!”

He only shrugs, entirely unapologetic, a glint of smug satisfaction in his eyes, the same look of a man who knows exactly how far he can push before retreating. “What?” he says lightly. “They mated not long after. I like to think my scrutiny hastened the process.”

All you can do is shake your head, huffing a laugh through your nose. If this is him now, you can only imagine how he acted when he was younger. “You’re insufferable.”

“Mm,” he agrees without hesitation, nodding once as if it’s a title he wears proudly. “So people tell me.”

Before you can think of a clever retort, footsteps approach behind you, a presence you could recognize even in a storm. The sound alone sends a small thrill through your chest.

You turn just as Tonowari steps into view. His gaze sweeps the quieter stretch of beach until his eyes lock onto you. The moment they do, something in his posture softens, the tension he’s been carrying easing the instant he finds you safe and smiling.

When his attention shifts, his brow lines lift slightly when he spots Marowan at your side, surprise flickering before it turns into something warmer. Something along the lines of relief and fond irritation. “Brother,” Tonowari greets, voice filled with amusement. “You have returned. I thought you would not make it in time for Iknimaya.”

Tonowari fully steps forward, and before another word can be said, Marowan turns toward him with a huff of a laugh. The brothers close the distance in two long strides and clasp each other in a firm embrace, forearms locking as their shoulders thump together.

Marowan pulls back first, his hands still gripping Tonowari’s arms as his sharp eyes scan him head to toe. “You look older,” he remarks dryly, tone innocent but eyes wicked, clearly enjoying himself. It’s said with the kind of affection only an older brother can get away with, the unspoken ‘leadership has aged you’ hanging between the words.

Tonowari lets out a short snort, seeming unimpressed, though the corner of his mouth betrays him with a hint of a smile. He tightens his grip briefly before releasing Marowan’s arm. “And you,” he counters smoothly, gaze flicking pointedly to the horizon. “still look like a man who does not know how to remain in one place long enough to grow old.”

“Someone must keep the world from unraveling while you sit comfortably as Olo’eyktan,” Marowan replies, then flicks a glance your way. “And I had to come,” he adds, voice shifting just enough to carry weight. “I could not miss the chance to speak properly with the woman I shall call ‘sister’ after tonight.”

Tonowari’s eyes flick to you at Marowan’s words, something soft and proud blooming there. He steps beside you and his hand rests on small of your back without thinking, thumb brushing in a grounding, familiar stroke as if to tether himself to you.

“You spoke with her,” Tonowari says, not a question, but an observation. There’s trust in his tone, curiosity as well. He knew that you and Marowan would soon speak, he just prayed that his brother wouldn’t question you too intensely but seeing you with a happy expression proves that his brother took heed of his words.

Marowan hums, nodding his head. “Mhm. Properly.” He tilts his chin slightly, studying Tonowari now with open satisfaction, deciding to give his little brother his props. “You chose well.” The eldest brother doesn’t think Tonowari could have done any better. You’re beautiful, smart, witty, seemingly strong-willed, gentle, and sweet. All the things that can make a woman the perfect mate.

That alone earns him a look from Tonowari, warning and fond all at once. “Careful,” he says. “You are treading close to sentiment.” Tonowari is appreciative of his brother liking you, but he doesn’t want him liking you too much. He’s a possessive man when it comes to you and he doesn’t even like the thought of another man feeling romantic about his woman, brother or not.

Marowan laughs, thinking it’s cute how his brother is all prickly from his compliment, knowing that deep down he enjoys the praise. “Do not pretend you do not enjoy hearing it.”

Then the older brother's gaze shifts back to you, expression sharpening into something keen. “I arrived just before the final trails,” he continues, waving a hand vaguely toward the west side of the island where iknimaya had taken place. “I saw the last of it.”

Your brows lift slightly, not knowing he was there. You didn’t notice him but maybe you were too high on adrenaline and celebrating with Tonowari and the kids to notice. “You did?”

“I did,” he confirms. “And I saw you ride your tsurak [skimwing] down like you were Metkayina bred.” He says, impressed with your skills. “Clean mount. Strong balance. You trusted the dive.” He clicks his tongue once, approving your ability to ride the warriors mount. “Not many do on their first true run.”

Tonowari’s chest lifts subtly at that, pride no longer hidden in the shadows. “I taught her.”

Marowan’s grin spreads, getting ready to yet again tease his brother. “Clearly.” He gives Tonowari a slow, assessing look. “Your teaching has improved since you last had a numeyu [student].”

Tonowari hisses, throwing a hand in the air at his brother, deflecting his nonsense talk. “My teaching was never lacking.”

“No,” Marowan agrees easily, not arguing on that fact. “But your patience was.” He glances at you again, something warm and amused softening his sharp features. “It seems you have remedied that.”

You laugh softly, feeling the gentle press of Tonowari’s hand at your back tighten just a fraction, as if touching you is helping him stay level headed in this conversation. “He was an excellent karyu [teacher],” you say, singing your soon to be husband’s praises. Complimenting and defending his abilities in the same breath. “Firm, but steady. He never let me doubt myself, or allow me to give up.”

Marowan’s gaze flicks between you and his brother, and for a moment he simply watches. Taking in the way Tonowari stands practically connected to your hip and the way his posture angles subtly toward you as if the world might crumble without that some form of contact. “Eywa help me,” Marowan mutters lightly, shaking his head. “If I did not know better, I would think you were already mated.”

Tonowari exhales through his nose, something like a warning rumble tucked within his chest. “You test my restraint, brother.”

“And you have plenty of it,” Marowan replies smoothly. Then, with a wicked glint in his eye, he adds, “At least until the festival ends.”

You choke on the last sip of fermented fruit you just drank, eyes widening at Marowan’s dirty and alluding comment. Tonowari groans, dragging a hand down his face, wondering why Eywa had to give him such an annoying brother. “Marowan.”

“What?” His brother lifts both hands in mock innocence. “I merely acknowledge what the entire village is thinking.” And Marowan is telling the truth when he says that. The Metkayina have always been curious about you, from the very moment you set foot on their island. Now that you’re going to be mating with their Olo’eyktan, they are curious how a sky person mates and how it’s different from their customs.

“That is enough,” Tonowari says firmly, though the smile tugging at his mouth betrays him.

Marowan only hums, clearly pleased he’s struck the exact nerve he was aiming for. “You must admit,” he adds casually, eyes flicking between you and his brother, “there is a certain… anticipation in the air. Even Eywa can feel it.”

That earns him a shove from Tonowari’s massive hand to the chest. Marowan barely moves, only steps back an inch or two, heels digging into the sand as he easily steadies himself, smirking like a man who’s just won a private game.

You clap a hand over your mouth to hide your laugh, finding the exchange they are having amusing. Their bickering is not only hilarious, but endearing. It reminds you of Ao’nung and Lo’ak, only scaled up, heavier, and far more dramatic.

Marowan dusts off his shoulder theatrically, not phased by the shove from his brother. This has happened many times over the years and it somehow never gets old. “Careful, brother,” he drawls. “You nearly wrinkled my tattoos.”

Tonowari lets out a short breath, jaw tightening just enough to be noticeable. “One day,” he mutters, “I will forget that you are still my brother.” Marowan is the only man on this island who can relentlessly tease Tonowari, make dirty jokes, and compliment his woman without facing real consequences. If it wasn’t for them sharing the same blood, Tonowari would have already stopped him dead in his tracks.

Marowan’s smirk only widens, clearly delighted by the threat rather than deterred by it. He leans in just slightly, dropping his voice with conspiratorial glee. “Well, tonight is not that day.” His eyes flicker meaningfully between you and Tonowari. “Especially tonight… when you and your soon-to-be mate sneak off to—”

Tonowari’s hand snaps up immediately, palm pressing firmly against Marowan’s chest yet again, shoving him a little more forcefully than before, not liking this type of language being spoken around you. “Do not finish that sentence.”

Marowan lifts both hands in mock surrender, though the wicked curl of his mouth says he absolutely will finish it, just not here and in front of you. The only thing stopping him from continuing to torment his brother until no end is your presence.

“I will spare you further torment.” he says generously, stepping back to give you both some space. “Besides,” his gaze drifts toward the gathering, where the music begins to shift, drums slowing, voices rising with anticipation. “It seems the closing words are near.”

As if Eywa herself heeded the cue, a subtle ripple moves through the crowd. Conversations soften. Laughter lowers. Musicians ease their hands, letting the final beats fade into something softer. Elders step closer to the group of na'vi, lanterns swaying gently as the village turns its attention.

Marowan dips his head toward you, respectful and gentle. “Sister,” he says simply. Then to Tonowari, quieter, but no less firm: “I will see you later. Do not keep her waiting longer than necessary.”

Tonowari’s hand loosens at your back. “Go,” he says dryly, nodding his head towards the cluster of people heading back towards the center of the beach. “Before I say something I cannot take back.”

He turns, already retreating, then pauses just long enough to glance back over his shoulder. His gaze falls on Tonowari, not being able to leave without on last tease. “Just remember, brother. Pace yourself. I would not want the Olo’eyktan to embarrass himself on his mating night.”

“Marowan!” Tonowari growls.

Marowan laughs under his breath, thoroughly pleased with himself, throughly enjoying getting under Tonowari’s skin because he prickles so easily. “Enjoy your night,” he says, voice drifting back to something genuine. “Both of you.” With that, he turns and disappears into the crowd, swallowed by the shadows, leaving you and Tonowari alone.

Once Tonowari feels himself begin to calm, he exhales slowly, eyes following the direction his brother vanished before he looks down at you. “I apologize, for my brother.” he mutters. “He has always enjoyed testing limits, especially mine.”

You lean into him, laughter fading into something tender, and he wraps an arm around your hip, pulling you close. The gesture is instinctive, protective, and intimate, enough to make your belly flutter.

You smile, “No need,” you say with a soft laugh, thinking about the little storm he stirred up in Tonowari, but also the kindness he gave you earlier. “I like him.”

And you truly mean it. Beneath Marowan’s sharp wit and watchful gaze, you sensed a quiet steadiness. Someone who loves deeply. His care is protective and sincere, rooted in loyalty to his brother, and that alone makes you like him.

“You are the only one,” Tonowari says, “who could say that about him and mean it.” He studies your face, as though he’s searching for doubt or forced politeness but he ends up finding neither. The tight line of his jaw eases, shoulders relaxing as a quiet breath leaves him, the earlier tension finally loosening its hold. “He grows on people in time,” he says lowly, “but few could say that about him this early in knowing him and mean it the way you do.”

There’s something similar to relief in his expression, not because Marowan is liked, but because he’s understood. “He worries,” Tonowari admits, voice softer now, meant only for you. “Not only about me. About the clan. About the future.” He pauses, taking a small breath before continuing. “But he has always carried his concern like a blade. Sharp, stubborn.”

You tilt your head slightly, meeting his eyes, placing a hand on his cheek. “That comes from love,” you murmur, looking up at him with golden irises that shine with understanding.

That earns you the faintest smile from Tonowari. It is small, but it is real. He leans in just enough that his forehead brushes yours, an intimate gesture hidden in plain sight. “You see him clearly,” he says, pulling you closer to him, his hands traveling up to your torso. “As you see me.”

Before you can answer, a low call ripples outward, carrying across the many yards of land, a signal which means it is time for closing remarks. Tonowari straightens, the weight of his role settling back onto his shoulders. “Come,”

His hand slides from your physique to your fingers, lacing them together without hesitation. The simple act sends a thrill through you because it is not hidden or careful. It is a sign to show the surrounding Na’vi the love you and him share.

Together, you and Tonowari turn from the quieter edge of the shore and begin the slow walk back toward the heart of the celebration. People part instinctively at Tonowari’s approach, warriors dipping their heads out of respect for their leader, elders offering quiet nods, and children pausing in their games to watch you both pass.

With all the attention surrounding him, Tonowari’s focus never strays far from you. His hand remains firm around yours, thumb brushing your knuckles in a subtle, calming rhythm. You can feel the shift in him as you near the front of the crowd, the way his spine straightens, the way his breathing deepens. Leadership settles over him like a mantle, yet tonight it rests easier than it ever has in years.

The music fades as you reach the clearing. Drums begin to slow while other musicians lower their instruments, voices lower, and a hush settles over the clan until the only thing that’s heard is the crackling of the fire.

The last murmurs dissolve as the Tsahìk steps forward, ready to address her people, and waiting for the Olo’eyktan to stand beside her. Flames from the bonfire leap and then settle, reflecting in dozens of eyes turned toward the center.

Tonowari straightens fully now, shoulders squaring as the weight of duty slides back into place. He doesn’t let go of you. If anything, he draws you a fraction closer, his hand firm at your waist. “Stand close,” he murmurs, dipping his head so only you can hear. “Where I can see you.”

You nod, fingers curling briefly into his wrist, feeling your heart tighten in the best way possible, knowing he wants you within eyeshot of him. “Of course.”

He looks down at you then, really looks, and you catch the warmth in his eyes. With a final squeeze at your waist, lingering just a bit longer than necessary, he releases you and steps forward, going to stand next to the clan’s Tsahìk.

You move to the front of the crowd as he asked, standing where his gaze can find you without an ounce of effort. You feel it when his eyes flick back to you, just once, before he faces his people.

The Tsahìk, Alma, lifts her staff and taps it once into the sand. The sound is soft, but it carries. She is older, her face etched lines that equal years of wisdom and weathered grace. Once, long ago, she stood as Tsahìk in her prime. She guided the Metkayina through births and storms, through blessings and grief, until the day she stepped aside so Ronal could take her place beside Tonowari.

When Ronal was taken to live in the spirit world, Alma returned to her role as the clan’s spiritual leader. Not out of ambition or duty, but out of love for her people and knowing that they will need spiritual guidance and someone to interpret the will of Eywa.

Secretly, Tonowari did not want to replace the role of Tsahìk in the beginning. Not because he disliked her or thought she was incompetent, but because his heart didn't want to face it. His grief was still raw at the same and the only person he wanted to lead the clan beside was Ronal. But, as the Olo'eyktan, he knew that it needed to be done, so for the clan's sake he agreed to Alma being reinstated as Tsahìk.

Alma's eyes sweep across the sea of Metkayina, and when she speaks, her voice is gentle, powerful, and enduring all in one. “People of the Metkayina,” she begins, staff resting firmly at her side. “Tonight, we honor change.”

A murmur ripples through the crowd, quickly settling as she continues. “The young ones who faced the trials of iknimaya no longer stand before us as children.” Her gaze drifts toward the people who completed the rites of passage, pride beaming in her expression. “They have been tested and came out on the other side. They have called to Eywa, and the Great Mother has answered.”

She lifts her chin slightly, looking out into the crowd. “From this night onward, they will be seen differently. Not only by the people, but by Eywa herself.” The words settle heavily, like a blessing laid gently over every soul present. “They are no longer children who follow,” she continues. “They are now adults who will lead.”

Her gaze lifts, sweeping the people once more, then settles briefly on Tonowari. Alma turns then, angling her body toward Tonowari. She inclines her head, a quiet gesture of respect and acknowledgment. “Olo’eyktan,” she says simply, passing the floor to him.

Tonowari steps forward at her word, nodding his head in respect before addressing the Metkayina. For a moment, he says nothing, but his gaze sweeps the crowd until his eyes find you. You and him lock eyes for a moment before he starts his remarks. “My people,” he begins, voice easily carrying over the crowd. “Tonight, we stand at the edge of many beginnings.”

He gestures outward first, to all the young Metkayina who completed their iknimaya. “You faced the trials set before you,” he says, pride threading his tone. “You have endured and returned stronger than before. From this night on, you will walk among us not as children, but as adults. Your voices will carry weight. Your choices will matter.”

A murmur of agreement ripples through the crowd, people excitedly utilating for their own family and friends who have passed the rights of passage. With the first phase of his speech out of the way, now the second phase can begin. Slowly, his hand lifts again but it doesn’t just cast over the sea of Metkayina, it moves in your direction, making every pair of eyes follow.

You feel it all at once. The heat of the fire, the sudden awareness of dozens of eyes turning toward you, your heart thudding hard enough you’re sure the entire reef can hear it. Instinctively, your breath catches, wondering why Tonowari has ushered everyone’s attention to you.

Tonowari’s gaze never leaves you as his hand settles, palm open in your direction, as if he’s presenting you to the clan in a new light. “There is one amongst them,” he continues, voice lowering just enough to draw the crowd closer, “who did not have to face iknimaya… yet chose to.”

Tonowari’s lips part again, but this time he speaks your name. His voice is clear and unmistakable. The sound of your name on his tongue, his rich accent vibrating through your ears, steals the breath from your lungs.

You didn’t expect this, not by a long shot. Hearing your name spoken so openly, before the entire clan makes your pulse stutter, heat rushing to your cheeks as a soft ripple moves through the crowd. A few heads turn more sharply now, recognition forming in their eyes.

You and Tonowari haven’t been hiding your relationship these past few months, especially with that tension-filed dance you and him shared in front of everyone, but him claiming you so openly in front of everyone changes everything. “She walked the path of iknimaya beside our young ones,” he continues, eyes still looking your direction. “Not because she was asked. Not because she was born to it. But because she chose to face Eywa as we do. To be tested, seen, and to belong.”

The words land deep, settling in your heart, making your eyes water. Around you, the Metkayina begin to listen intently, wanting to hear what their Olo’eyktan has to say. There’s no murmurs or movement, they just focus their attention on you and the man who loves you enough to stand before his people and profess his love.

Tonowari’s hand lowers slowly to his chest, palm resting over his heart. “You all know what was taken from me,” he says quietly, ears pinning to the side of his head as his mind reflects on his past love.

The words land heavy amongst the Metkayina, shared grief rippling through the crowd. They remember their Tsahìk Ronal who had a great reign. She made an impact on her people and she’ll never be forgotten. Peoples faces soften as they think of her. Warriors shift in positions, remember her as a fierce fighter. Healers bow their heads, remembering her as an excellent teacher. And as a collective, they remember her as someone who loved her people dearly, all the up until her last breath.

Everyone remembers the seasons after her death. The village was in deep mourning, but no one was stricken with grief more than the Olo’eyktan. His mourning period lasted much longer than the average length. White paint was plastered on his skin for many months, not being able to shake the death of the woman he was supposed to spend a lifetime with. Her passing scarred parts of Tonowari that in the moment he felt would never heal, but thankfully years later, he’s come out on the other side of that pain.

“You saw me endure,” Tonowari continues, voice steady though the weight of his emotions are not. “You saw me lead while hollow.” He pauses for a moment, not because he has lost his place, but because the truth of it settles like a weight in his chest. The fire crackles softly between breaths, while the ocean waves crash along the sand. Then Tonowari lifts his head again, continuing where he left off. “And you have seen the parts of me that returned.”

His voice is quieter now, fuller. He doesn’t speak with the voice of an Olo’eyktan addressing his people, but a man speaking from the deepest place in his heart, a part of himself he doesn’t show his people often, needing to keep his authoritative image but when he does it makes an impact.

“She brought warmth back into my home,” he says, hand still pressed to his chest. “She brought laughter where there had only been echoes.” His eyes find yours again, wanting his words to feel intimate despite being in front of the clan. “She did not demand my healing, nor did she rush it. She stood beside me… until I was ready to love again.”

Your chest aches, tight with emotion you can barely contain. Your vision blurs, firelight glistening as tears pass your waterline and streak your cheeks, despite your best effort to steady yourself. You lift a hand to your chest, allowing your palm to rest over your heart, mirroring your fiancé’s stance, overwhelmed by the tenderness of his confession.

“Tonight, I respect her not only for facing iknimaya,” he says, voice growing stronger as his tone becomes overwhelmed with love and pride. “but for choosing this life. This clan. And for choosing me.” He takes one step forward, then another, closing the distance just enough that his presence feels closer, more personable to his people. “After this night,” he declares, “she will stand beside me as my mate.”

“I love this woman,” Tonowari continues plainly, not feeling the need to embellish his words. “And I plan to honor her,” he continues, “as I honor Eywa, as I honor this clan. With my strength. With my life. And with my heart.”

He draws a slow breath, chest rising beneath the scars that mark him as Olo’eyktan, as a widower, as father, and as a man who’s soon to be mated once again. “So tonight,” Tonowari says, his voice rising, carrying across the space, his speech becoming close to its end. “I give thanks for new beginnings.”

His gaze sweeps outward again, encompassing the young Metkayina who completed their trials, the elders, the warriors, the families gathered beneath moonlight. “For those who faced challenges and returned stronger. For those who chose the path forward, even when it was difficult. For those who stepped into who they are meant to become.”

Then his eyes return to you, blue irises filled with love. “And I give thanks,” he continues, warmth threading through his body as he speaks, his words coded to touch every heart in the crowd but specifically designed for your consumption. “for the courage to start anew. For the patience that allowed healing. For the love that does not demand, but endures.”

“Those who passed iknimaya walk with confidence,” Tonowari declares, looking outward towards his people with an expression of happiness, a feeling that consumes everyone on nights like this. “Lead with honor. Love with strength. And may we all remember that Eywa does not only test us to break us, she tests us so we may grow.” The Olo’eyktan finishes his speech with a head nod, lowering it slightly, as if it seals his words and the meaning they hold.

For a moment, the Metkayina are silent. No one makes a sound, but once they realize Tonowari has completed his closing remarks, the reef people erupt. Cheers, yips, and claps can be heard from all directions. Warriors thump their chests. Elders nod with quiet pride. Musicians utilize their instruments and show their approval. And the other population of Na’vi express their support in their own ways.

The Metkayina assumed that you both would be mating tonight, things have been spreading through the gossip mill, but now it's confirmed from their chief's mouth. They are happy for you and Tonowari, aside from a reluctant portion who have many reasons why they don’t agree with your union. Nonetheless, you and Tonowari have support from majority of the clan members and that means the world to both of you.

After a while, the cheers begin to soften, shifting into something warmer and less thunderous. The musicians play their tunes at a low tempo, allowing the rhythm of celebration easing into something quieter. Families begin to gather their children, elders lean toward one another in quiet discussion, and the great fire that once burned brightly in the middle of the festival starts to burn lower, allowing the flames to fizzle out.

The festival has reached its end, and while some Metkayina decided to linger around the beach, others decide to depart, whether its going home and relax after todays festivities, or continue their night with more romantic festivities.

Your heart is still racing from Tonowari’s confession, beating so hard you swear he must be able to feel it from where he’s standing. The echoes of his words linger in the air long after the cheers have faded, your mind replaying his words over and over until its all you can hear.

You’re still rooted in the place Tonowari asked you to stand, feeling too stunned to move anywhere else. When the crowd begins to thin, and he finishes his conversation with his co-leader of the clan, you finally see him moving toward you.

As he strides over to you, murmurs begin to fill the air. Knowing smiles and sidelong glances come from the na’vi still scattered along the sand. But, Tonowari doesn't pay any attention to looks he’s receiving as the Metkayina imagine what will take place between you and their Olo’eyktan. They’ve already witnessed the chemistry between earlier, along with other small moments over as your courtship publicly progressed, so they can only assume how steamy things will become on your mating night.

When he reaches you, the noise of the world falls away. Up close, his expression is different than it was moments ago before the clan. His authoritative edge is still present, still every inch Olo’eyktan, but there is something gentler in his eyes now, his demeanor shifting into something softer.

You swallow thickly and lift a hand to your face, brushing away the few tears that managed to escape while listening to Tonowari’s heartfelt words. “I…” Your voice comes out softer than you expect, making you sound breathless as you begin to admit your reaction of Tonowari’s speech. You shake your head with a small, disbelieving smile, feelings your emotions trying to get the best of you. “I didn’t expect that. Any of it.”

His brow muscles creases faintly as he tilts his head, a sign that he’s focused on every word that falls from your lips. “What you said,” you continue, glancing briefly past his shoulder and towards where he stood so proudly moments ago, speaking of you like you were his most prized possession. “It was really sweet. You didn’t have to say all of that. Not in front of everyone.”

Before you can say anything else, his hands come up, large and warm as they cradle your face. His thumbs gently sweep beneath your eyes, wiping away the last traces of your tears with a tenderness that makes your chest ache all over again. “I know I did not need to,” he says sincerely, turning your head so your eyes find their way back to his. “But I wanted to.” His thumbs still, resting against your skin, while he expresses why he decided to declare his love for you in front the clan. “My people deserved to hear it. You deserved to be honored. To be loved out loud.”

He leans forward, closing the small amount of distance between you both, allowing your foreheads to almost touch. “And I meant every word,” he adds quietly, feeling the need to make it known. “Especially the part where I said I love you.”

Something in you gives way when his words settle in your mind. Your breath catches, shoulders easing as the tension you didn’t realize you were holding finally slips away. You soften into his hands, your lips part on a quiet exhale, eyes shining as you look up at him. ‘Could this man be any more perfect?’ You think to yourself, wondering how you got so lucky.

You don’t give yourself time to overthink it. You lean in immediately, rising just enough to close the distance between you, drawn by instinct, affection, and the overwhelming need to feel him after all the sweet things he just said.

Your lips meet his softly at first, like you’re testing the waters, making sure this moment is real. Tonowari exhales against you, a low sound that vibrates through your chest, and then his mouth moves with yours, allowing the kiss to deepen. One of his hands slides from your cheek to the back of your neck, fingers threading gently near the base of your kuru, making a soft moan escape your lips and into his mouth.

This kiss doesn’t end in a few seconds, it lingers. It’s slow, unhurried, filled with all the emotions that are too woven into your hearts to express. His lips are warm and familiar, moving against yours with a tenderness that makes your heart stutter. You melt into him, one hand coming up to rest against his chest, right over his heart, feeling it beat strong and steady beneath your palm.

Around you, the last of the Metkayina continues to drift away, giving you two privacy without being asked, sensing the tension between you and him. When you finally pull back, your foreheads rest together, noses brushing, your breaths mingling in the quiet. You’re smiling without realizing it, nerves and excitement tangling in your chest.

Tonowari’s hand moves further down your body, making its way to your waist, drawing your attention. “It is time,” he says softly, his eyes piercing into yours. You don’t need him to explain, his body language does enough talking for him. The meaning behind his words settles instantly, sending a rush of nerves through your stomach.

You’re nervous, but excited nonetheless. You’ve been anticipating this night since you and Tonowari began courting, counting down the days, waiting for this very moment, where your fantasy turns into a reality.

You let out a shaky laugh, nodding as you look up at him. “I’m ready.” you whisper, voice full of emotion. And with that, he reaches for your hand, mingling his fingers through yours. With your other hand, you slip it around his bicep, holding onto Tonowari as if your body is meant to be tethered to him.

He keeps your hand in his as he guides you away from the center of the beach, the sounds of festival becoming a distant murmur behind you.

While walking you spot the children near the edge of the village, still riding the last waves of excitement from the gathering. Tsireya is laughing as Ao’nung dramatically reenacts something that happened earlier in the night, arms flailing, while Lo’ak interrupts every few seconds with his own exaggerated commentary.

“There they are,” you murmur softly. Before you and Tonowari can go off for the night, you and him must talk to the children and explain to them that you’ll be needing to go away for the night.

Tonowari follows your gaze and once he notices the children he nods. As you approach, Tsireya notices you first. “y/n!” she calls, jogging toward you with a grin. Ao’nung and Lo’ak trail after her, curiosity flickering when they see the way Tonowari’s hand is still firmly linked with yours.

When all three children are surrounding you, that’s when you and Tonowari let go of each other's hand. He bends slightly so he’s closer to their height, his presence calm and relaxed. “We came to tell you all something,”

The way he says it makes Ao’nung narrow his eyes, knowing that tone from a mile away. Whenever his father talks like that, it means it’s serious. “That sounds suspicious.”

You laugh softly, knowing how on guard Ao’nung is at times. “Nothing bad,” you promise, resting your hand briefly on his shoulder. “Your father and I are leaving for the night.”

“Leaving?” Lo’ak echoes, brows furrowing, not understanding why you need to leave for the night. “Where are you going?” The question draws matching looks from Ao’nung and Tsireya. All three of them stand there, waiting for a response.

For a brief moment, you and Tonowari share a glance.

In Na’vi culture, children are not kept ignorant, but neither are they rushed. They are taught certain aspects of life when the time is right, such as mating. The children already know what tonight signifies. They know it marks the moment when you and Tonowari will return as husband and wife.

What they do not yet know, the part that is reserved for adulthood, is the deeper truth of how such bonds are sealed and what usually follows once the bond has been made.

You assumed they would ask, but you still didn’t know how to answer. While searching for the right words, Tonowari smoothly steps in, leadership settling over him like a second skin. “There are matters we must attend to,” he says evenly. “Important ones.”

You nod quickly, backing him up. “We’ll be back in the morning. You’re staying with Padma and Yapto tonight.” You had spoken to Padma weeks ago, long before tonight arrived, making arrangements for where the children will be staying while you and Tonowari are away, needing them to stay with someone you both trust so you can have peace of mind while away.

At the mention of her name, Tsireya’s shoulders relax. “Oh. Okay.” Tsireya enjoys spending time at Padma and Yapto’s mauri, because that means she can spend time with her friend, Rotxo. The mated pair have always been kind to her and since her father is friends with them, she has no complaints about being there tonight.

Her brother, Ao’nung, however, crosses his arms. He needs more than half-answers. His eyes flick between you and his father, sharp and searching. He doesn’t understand what could possibly be so important it can’t wait until morning, or why it has to be without them. “Why can’t we come?”

Tonowari doesn’t bristle at the challenge. If anything, a faint curve touches the corner of his mouth, amused by his son’s stubbornness and strong will. Both traits he knows all too well, inherited directly from his mother, Ronal. He straightens slightly, presence still calm but becoming authoritative. “Because,” he says, “this is something y/n and I must do alone.”

Ao’nung opens his mouth again, ready to argue. “That doesn’t make any sense—”

“It will make sense,” Tonowari cuts him off with a raised hand, not sharp, but firm in that strict fatherly way. “Just not tonight. You will understand fully when you are older.”

You step closer then, smoothing a hand down Ao’nung’s arm. “Some things are only for grown-ups,” you say softly, taking a more gentle approach. “Not because they’re bad, but because they carry responsibility. And tonight is one of those times.”

Lo’ak shifts on his feet, clearly more open-minded than his soon-to-be stepbrother. “So is it like… marriage stuff?” he guesses. “Or leadership stuff?”In his young mind, since Tonowari is Olo’eyktan and you just passed your Iknimaya, he assumes it’s something that has to do with you “becoming one of the people”. Or that since you and Tonowari are courting, you and him must be going on a date night or something of the sort.

Tonowari inclines his head with a small smile, resting his hand on Lo’ak’s head, ruffling his hair slightly. “Something like that, little one.”

Tsireya studies your faces for a moment longer, perceptive as always. She nods, accepting it for what it is, understanding what you and her father are saying. “We’ll be okay,” she says, glancing toward the path that leads back to the village. “Padma always lets us stay up a little longer.”

Ao’nung huffs through his nose, still not satisfied. “That’s not the point.”

Before frustration can take root, Tonowari exchanges a glance with you, a look that explains he’s about to go into phase two of the plan you and him agreed upon. “If all of you behave tonight,” he says casually, shifting his attention back to his son, “y/n and I will take you all to Three Brothers tomorrow.”

That gets their attention immediately. Ao’nung’s arms fall to his sides. “We get to go past the sea wall?” he asks, eyes lighting up at the thought.

“Yes,” Tonowari confirms. “But only with us. You know you cannot go there alone.”

Three Brothers Rock is located in the Eastern Seas, not far from the village of Awa’tulu. Due to it being past the seawall terraces, the village’s protection, children are not allowed out that far without supervision because of the dangers that lurk in those waters.

Three brothers is a place where warriors go hunting, the healers go find some of their required herbs, and there’s different flora and fauna that can’t be found around the village. Three brothers is known to be where the “real men hunt”, so to the young people wishing to become warriors, they want nothing more than to take their practice spears and crossbows out there and hunt like the adults do.

Ao’nung’s eyes narrow thoughtfully as the idea settles in, his skepticism already fading away as he thinks about all the activities he’ll be able to participate in. “If we go… can we actually do things there?” he says, needing to hear the terms and conditions before agreeing.

Tonowari's brow muscles crinkle just a little, wanting his son to elaborate. “Such as?”

“Hunt,” Ao’nung answers immediately. “and bring things back.”

Lo’ak perks up beside him, thinking of how cool he’ll look to his friends if he brings back something cool from the trip, he might even find an Akula tooth and the thought of that excites him. “Yeah, like real stuff. Not just boring animals like those tiny fish.”

Tonowari considers them for a beat, letting the anticipation build, despite him already knowing what his answer will be. “If you listen,” he says evenly, looking between the boys. “and respect the reef, then yes. You may hunt and bring back what Eywa allows.”

That seals the deal for Lo’ak, he’s already thinking about the trinkets he wants to collect. Lo’ak grins so wide it looks like his face might split. “Yes!” he says to Ao’nung, bouncing on his heels, giving him a look that says ‘you better agree.’

Ao’nung lets out a pleased huff, chin lifting, acting as if his hands are being tied but he’s really just as excited as Lo’ak. “Okay, you and y/n can go. I’m cool with it.”

Tsireya, who has been quiet through the exchange, tilts her head slightly, eyes bright with her own excitement. “I can’t wait for all the pretty fauna and flora,” she adds softly, already imagining all the items she can find and use to accessorize her hair, clothing, and jewelry with. “The shells… the smooth stones.” She smiles shyly, looking up at you. “The ones you use when you braid my hair.”

Your heart melts instantly, knowing how much Tsireya loves adding those things to her look, you can tell it makes her feel like a little pretty princess. You crouch slightly so you’re closer to her level, brushing a strand of hair from out of her face. “We’ll look for the best ones.” you promise. “We can even get some things to make matching anklets with.”

Tonowari watches the exchange with a softened expression, admiring the bond you and his daughter share. “It is decided,” he says. “Tomorrow. Three Brothers. If you are all on your best behavior tonight. That means no arguing and no giving Padma and Yapto any trouble.” He gives Ao’nung and Lo’ak a pointed look, the two troublemakers out of the trio, always finding a way to get under each other's skin.

Ao’nung straightens immediately at the tone, placing a hand over his chest in mock solemnity, acting as if he never disbehaves. “I will be the most respectful child you have ever seen,” he declares.

Lo’ak snorts, thinking that’s rich coming from Ao’nung, knowing he’s almost always getting in trouble by Tonowari. “You said that last time.”

“That was different,” Ao’nung shoots back, giving him some harsh side eye. “This is Three Brothers.”

Tonowari raises a brow, unimpressed, hoping the boys will keep there end of the bargain or they will be having some chores added to their list of duties when they help around the clan. “Your behavior will determine whether tomorrow happens at all.”

Tsireya giggles softly at how the boys shut up after her father says that. She can tell they really want this trip. “We’ll be good,” she promises, planning to keep them in line like she always does, it’s her duty as their sister after all. “All of us.”

Before Tonowari can respond, right on cue, Padma appears along the path from the village. “There you are!” Padma calls warmly, her voice carrying easily over the sand as she approaches. Yapto walks beside her, calm and steady as always, while Rotxo has already broken into a run the moment he spots the others.

“Ao’nung! Tsireya!” Rotxo calls, skidding to a stop in front of them, tail flicking with excitement. “You’re staying with us tonight!”

Ao’nung lights up immediately, excited to have a fun night with his best friend. “Yes! Can we—”

“—no racing the way home,” Padma cuts in gently, resting a hand on Rotxo’s shoulder before the boys can take off, not wanting to have to chase them around the island. “You two have played enough for one night.”

She turns to you then, her smile softening. “Everything settled?” She asks, wanting to make sure your plans are going smoothly.

“Yes. Thank you for watching them. We appreciate it very much.”

Padma waves a hand lightly, not needing any sort of thanks. Moments like these is what friends are for. Plus, she knows how much Rotxo loves spending time with Lo’ak and Tonowari’s children. “It is no problem.” Her gaze flicks briefly to Tonowari, then back to you, excited for what the night holds for the two of you. “Besides, it’s an important night.”

Yapto inclines his head respectfully toward Tonowari, seeing him as both his Olo’eyktan and a friend. “They will be fine,” he says evenly. “They will be kept busy and be returned to you in one piece.”

Tonowari meets his gaze, the two men sharing a quiet moment of mutual respect. “I trust you,” Tonowari replies simply, knowing that Yapto and his mate are good people, after all he’s known them for many years. “I know you both will take good care of them.”

Before the children leave with Padma, you kneel slightly to hug each of them. Lo’ak wraps his arms around you without hesitation, holding on a little longer than the others. Ao’nung accepts a quick squeeze, pretending like he’s cool with or without a hug but he’s leaning into it anyway.

Tsireya hugs you gently, soft and sweet, before letting you go and repeating the same motion with her father. Tonowari returns the affection and hugs his daughter back and once she pulls away, he rests a steady hand on each of the boy's shoulders, pulling them in.

As the children drift back toward Padma and Yapto, Padma pauses, then steps closer to you. She draws you into a brief embrace, firm and reassuring. As she leans in, she murmurs quietly in your ear, talking in a tone so only you can hear her words. “You are ready,” she says gently, rubbing your back in a soothing manner. “Trust yourself.”

You already know what she means. She’s alluding to the conversation you and her had earlier today, when you expressed your feelings to her about mating with Tonowari. You appreciate her words of encouragement, it’s exactly what you needed. “Thank you, I will.”

She pulls back with a warm squeeze of your hands, giving you a small smile before turning to herd the children toward the village. Yapto places a guiding hand at Rotxo’s back while Tsireya chatters excitedly, and soon their voices fade into the woven pathways, making their way to the heart of the village.

When they’re gone, leaving only you and the Olo’eyktan, there’s a shift, an intimate one. Tonowari turns to you, the weight of fatherhood easing from his posture as his focus settles entirely on you. “Now,” he says softly, extending his hand, “our night truly begins.”

You take his hand without hesitation, intertwining your hand with his. Tonowari leads you along the shoreline, moonlight painting across the water. After a few steps, he slows, glancing down at you, with a softened expression. “It is a long walk.”

“No it isn’t—” you start to protest, already smiling as he says it, because you both know he’s exaggerating. To where he’s leading you is less than a quarter of a mile away, you can easily make it.

Tonowari glances down at you, eyes warm, and full of light in a way that always makes your stomach flutter. “Humor me, syulang.” he says instead, voice low and fond. “You have had a long day.” He insinuates to the many trials you faced during your iknimaya which was a physical strain, then the mental when you talked to his brother, and lastly the emotional when you and him could barely contain yourselves on the dance floor.

You let out a soft laugh, shaking your head as you walk beside him. “I’m perfectly capable of walking a little farther.”

“I know,” he answers easily, looking straight ahead for a moment. “But tonight…” His thumb brushes over the back of your hand where your fingers are laced together, and after a few more steps, he slows, gaze dropping to you with a look that’s far from innocent. “I would rather you conserve your strength.”

The words shouldn’t make your pulse jump, but they do. Along with your heart picking up its pace. Heat curls low in your belly at the implication, nerves sparking beneath the excitement you’ve been carrying all evening. You tilt your head, arching a brow at him. “I bet you do.”

For a moment, something flickers across his face. It’s multiple things at once, but the emotions you recognize are amusement, hunger, and something deeper beneath his steady composure. The corner of his mouth lifts just a fraction, his playful side emerging. “Tonight will require it.” he replies, voice smooth and unhurried, as if he isn’t deliberately unraveling you with every word that rolls off his tongue.

You laugh softly, though it comes out breathier than you intend, feeling your body begin to warm, and let’s just say it’s not the humidity. “You say that like you’ve planned something… strenuous for us to do.”

“I have.” he says simply. There’s no hesitation. No teasing denial. Just certainty. When you realize what he's insinuating, what you and him are discussing without using the proper terms, you can feel your chest tightening. Everything feels so heavy but thrilling at the same time.

You tighten your grip on his hand, suddenly feeling very aware; of how close he is, of how the night seems to stretch open with all time in the world, like the moment you’ve been waiting for is in the moment's grasp, because it finally is. “Then I suppose,” you murmur, “I should thank you for your concern.”

“You may,” he replies, glancing down at you again, voice dropping just enough to send a shiver along your spine. “But later. When you truly have something to thank me for.”

Before you can respond and acknowledge the heat behind his words, or even gather the clever —yet flirty— retort forming on the tip of your tongue, Tonowari stops entirely. You open your mouth to question what he's doing, and suddenly the ground is gone.

You squeal as he scoops you up with ease, one arm beneath your knees, the other secure around your back, lifting you as though you weigh nothing at all. Instinctively, you grab onto his shoulders, heart racing as laughter bubbles out of you. “Tonowari!” you gasp, half-laughing, half-breathless. “What are you doing?”

“Helping you conserve your strength,” he repeats from earlier, utterly unbothered, already continuing down the shore. His grip is firm and protective, holding on to you as if you were a delicate flower. “You said it yourself. Plus, I do not want you to tire yourself out. There are important activities we must do soon.”

You scoff, shaking your head at how now he’s putting words in your mouth, but you can’t stop smiling to even bring that part to light. “You are unbelievable.”

“And yet,” he says smoothly, glancing down at you, eyes warm and full of intent, “you are smiling.” And that’s something even you can’t deny. You’re smiling so much it feels like your cheeks will begin to hurt.

The closeness you and him share makes everything feel heightened. The steady rhythm of his steps, the warmth of his body pressed against you, the way your heart seems to beat in sync with his. You rest your head briefly against his shoulder, letting yourself be held, letting the moment sink in, allowing yourself to be swept off your feet, emotionally and physically.

Soon, a line of canoes comes into view, resting gently at the water’s edge. You lift your head, curiosity flickering through your nerves. “We’re taking a canoe?”

Tonowari nods, giving a soft hum along with it. “You have been among the Metkayina for many months now,” he says. “Yet you have never ridden in one.”

You smile at the realization, realizing just how much Tonowari pays attention to you. “I haven’t.” In all your time living amongst the reef people, you still haven't used one of their most popular modes of transportation. You don’t know why you haven’t but you’re glad this moment will be your first.

“So tonight,” he says, lowering you carefully into the shallow water before helping you step into the canoe, “is the perfect time.” He steadies it for you, hands firm at your waist as you settle inside, making sure you’re comfortable before stepping in after you.

You watch him with quiet admiration as he unties the line and takes his place, movements practiced and smooth, showing how much he’s done this over the course of his life.

Tonowari grabs the oars from the floor of the canoe and once they hit the ocean, the structure begins to move. Once some momentum is gained the canoe glides forward, leaving the shore behind.

The water opens around you, calm and endless beneath the stars. The village lights fade into the distance, replaced by the hush of the sea and the soft sound of the oar cutting through the water. You look at Tonowari, at the way his eyes keep finding yours between strokes, full of affection and devotion, showing just how much he’s ready to spend the rest of his life with you.

As the canoe journeys through the water, the sea welcomes you both as though if knows this night is important in more ways than one. You sit quietly, hands resting in your lap, heart full as you take in the view around you.

Ocean life stirs beneath the surface with every gentle movement of the oars, small fish dart beneath the canoe, leaving their glowing bioluminescent trails in their wake, and farther out, larger shapes begin to move at their own rhythm.

You breathe it all in, the salt in the air, the magic of tonight. This is perfect. A canoe ride feels so romantic, intimate in a way you would’ve never expected. There’s no rush, no noise, just the two of you on the open waters, moving toward something unknown but deeply anticipated.

You glance at Tonowari again, loving how moonlight catches along his facial tattoos, and the strength in his muscular arms as he uses the oars to guide you from the village.

He hasn’t told you anything about where you’re going. Not once, he wouldn’t share a single thing no matter how many times you asked, teased, or tried to coax details out of him, he only smiled and told you to trust him.

If this is only the beginning, if this quiet, glowing journey is merely the first step in what he’s prepared for your mating night, then you can hardly imagine what awaits you at the end of it. The thought sends a flutter through your chest, excitement and nerves twisting together until it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.

The silence between you is comfortable, neither of you feeling the need to speak, allowing the heavy meaning of tonight to fill the conversational gaps. It hums with everything unspoken; the months of longing, the restraint, the love that has been building steadily between you.

Tonight, things will happen that will change your lives forever. You and him will forge a bond that will never be broken, share a love that is so profound and deep that your heart could burst. Soon, you will be participating in one of the most anticipated moments of your life, and even though you're nervous, you’ve never felt more ready.

Previous — Chapter Seven [Part One] ・Next - Chapter Eight

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄… I hope you guys enjoyed meeting Tonowari’s older brother! If you guys would like to learn more about him before Volume Two, let me know!

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