hiii, can u write Tuk fleeing the family's marui at night to sleep with metkayina! female reader because she feels comfortable with the reader since Neytiri's death (before they moved)? The first time, the reader doesn't even notice Tuk's arrival only for Jake to freak out the next day thinking Tuk disappeared. Then it happens often, and even if they don't have a romantic relationship (yet!!!), reader starts sleeping in the family's marui to prevent Tuk from escaping.
May Rest Find You, Little One
Pairing: Jake Sully x Metkayina Reader
Description: You discover that Tuk needs you around in order to have a full nights sleep, so Jake proposes to try something new.
Content Warnings: Talk of Neytiri being dead, Tuk being upset about it. Nothing else!
Author's note: Hello anon! Thank you so much for your request. Tuk is so cute! She deserves more attention! Hope I delivered on the sprinkle of Jake x reader romance you requested.
Na'vi Words used:
Sa'nu = Mama
Sempu = Daddy
'Angtsìk = Hammerhead Titanothere (animal that squares up with Jake in Movie 1)
'itetsyip = Little daughter
Rain pattered lightly on the Mauri’s roof as you sat comfortably on your hammock. You held your project in your hands as you wove sturdy fibers together to create a knot in the chords.
For the past month you had gone back and forth on whether or not to add the Sully’s arrival to your songchord, but the longer they stayed, the more they became a part of your story. At first, it had felt presumptuous to add their arrival as such a large moment in your life. They technically had no attachment to you other than friendship and you had no claim on them. Now, as you knotted a blue bead to the string, it felt like the right thing to do.
You had become an honorary member of their group, helping them to adapt to the Metkayina way, teaching them proper etiquette, and becoming close friends with each member. The patriarch had become very special to you and you bit back a smile at the thought of his handsome face.
It was getting late, the fire in the center of your home your only source of light. You hummed the songchord as you deftly tied on the new adornment. Animals called to each other outside, but you were happy to feel safe and warm in your Marui.
You heard little feet pattering up to the door, but no one entered. Your forehead wrinkled as you got up to see what was going on outside. You opened the covering that you had already closed for the night and saw a young girl standing there.
“Tuk?” you asked, surprised to see her here so late.
“I could not sleep,” she mumbled, tears welling in her eyes.
“Come in!” you waved her inside and she practically fell through the door. Her arms latched tightly around your waist and she started crying as you held her close.
“Oh Tuk,” you tutted, smoothing a hand down the back of her head in a rhythmic motion. “What is wrong, little one?”
“I miss my Sa'nu,” she blubbered, gripping your waist tighter as she fell apart. “I want to go home.”
Your heart broke at the words. You would take on every bit of pain and suffering this child had to go through if you could, but this is a part of her journey. The most you could do was help her along the way.
You bent down and picked her up, holding her close to your torso as she continued to cry.
“I know,” you soothed. “It is okay to miss her, I know she misses you.”
“Daddy says she can rest now and that she is with Eywa.” Tuk whined, leaning back to see your face. Her cheeks were pink and tearstained as she roughly wiped away the wetness from her eyes.
“Yes, that is true, but that doesn't mean she does not also miss you. She does not have to know the pain of this world now, but she will always care for her children, no matter if she is near or far from them,” you consoled her.
Tuk paused as if thinking it over. “I still want her to be here,” she decided, but she had stopped crying as much.
“I know. I am sorry, Tuk,” you relented.
“Can I stay here tonight?” she whispered, looking around at the home she had been in several times already.
“As much as I would love that, your dad will be looking for you,” you told her.
“He is already asleep, it takes a wild 'angtsìk to wake my dad up,” she smiled a little and that was enough to sway your decision.
“Fine,” you relented, “but only because your dad is asleep. I do not want to wake him.”
Tuk blinked up at you, “because you like him?” she asked with all the faux innocence she could muster.
Your eyes flew as wide. “What? Where in the world did that come from?” you sputtered.
“You look at him like Neteyam looks at hatchet bee nectar,” she laughed, a delicate tinkling sound. Even as she teased you, you were grateful for it if it brought a smile to her face.
“I do not, Tuktirey!” you fussed at her, “You listen to Lo’ak’s jokes too much.”
“You like him,” she sang.
“You cannot stay here anymore, I will kick you out,” you threatened and her mouth snapped shut.
“Fine… I am sorry” she grumbled.
“Trouble maker,” you shook your head at her antics. “Speak no more of it. It is far beyond time to sleep.”
You helped her into your hammock before climbing in yourself. You wrapped an arm around her as she rested her head on your shoulder. "May rest find you, little one," you whispered as she closed her eyes. You softly hummed the tune of your songchord and she drifted into sleep.
The next morning, you awoke to Tuk’s name being called close by. You shot up as your mind filled in the happenings of last night.
You slipped out of your hammock, being careful not to wake Tuk up as you unlatched the door covering and stepped out to greet the rising sun. It was barely dawn, about time for most of the village to be waking up. Jake’s worried eye met yours as he walked over to you.
“I can't find Tuk!” he exclaimed, his hand reaching up to tug at his necklace in worry.
“She is inside, she is safe,” you assured him as his shoulders sank in relief.
“What happened?” he said softly as he walked around you to peek inside your Marui like he needed to lay eyes on her in order to breathe again. Tuk was still laying in the hammock fast asleep.
“She came to me late last night crying. She misses her mom so much, Jake,” you explained, your head shaking in sorrow for the little girl and her family.
Jake gripped your shoulder as if to comfort you, how ridiculous a notion. It was you who should offer comfort.
“I know, I’ve been trying everything, but she barely eats, she can't stay asleep. She has these nightmares every night, and she wakes up screaming. I think last night was the first time all of us slept through the night in a long time. I’m sorry, she probably woke you up,” he said, eyes of concern set intently on you.
You were surprised, “No, not at all,” you corrected. “She did not make a sound.”
“Really?” Jake said, moving away from you to look back into the Marui. “No screaming?” he asked again.
“I do not think she even woke up during the night,” you added.
“Wow,” he mumbled under his breath. “I’m going to wake her up. Get her out of your way.”
“No, let her sleep a little while longer. She is so tired,” you replied, grabbing his arm to stop him.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“I am very sure. Go have breakfast, I will stay here with her,” you offer.
“Oh no, I couldn’t.” he chuckled awkwardly.
“Jake, I will not tell you again. Go!” you ordered, pointing a firm hand towards the communal village center.
“Jeez, woman,” he grumbled, “Fine, I won't be long,” he gave in.
You sat on the dock outside your Marui with your toes barely grazing the water as you waited for Tuk to wake up. It had been enough time for the sun to fully emerge from the horizon before Jake came back.
“She’s still out?” Jake asked from behind you, walking up with his hands full of food and drink.
“Out like a flame,” you replied.
“I brought you breakfast,” he said, handing you the leaf wrapped fruits and dried fish he had collected. “And water,” he added, holding up the cup before setting it down on the dock.
“Thank you, Jake. That was kind,” you smiled and he smiled back.
“Eh, it’s also a bribe,” he shrugged, “I had a thought while I was walking to get food.”
“That is a momentous occasion,” you jabbed, trying hard not to burst out laughing as he set a weathering gaze on you. “I am joking!” you insisted as you started eating the soft fruit, “What was your thought?”
“That was just mean,” he shook his head, “But I was wondering if you would be willing to try an experiment,” he continued hesitantly.
You paused, shooting him a wary glance, “What kind of experiment?” you asked.
“Well, I’ll be honest. As freaked out as I was about Tuk missing this morning, it was kinda nice to get a full night's rest. Tuk seems to be comfortable around you, she came to find you last night. That means something, you know? I just think it would maybe help her if you were…” he tilted his head, searching for the right word, “around.”
“Around?” you questioned, taking a bite of the spartan fruit, quickly swiping your tongue over your bottom lip to catch the juice before it dripped.
Jake's eyes flicked to your mouth and you froze, watching him as he watched you.
“Yeah…” he agreed, seemingly dazed.
“Jake, what do you mean?” you said, smirking as he blinked twice and his eyes snapped back to yours.
He shook his head ever so slightly, “huh?” he questioned.
“Skxawng,” you muttered affectionately. “What do you mean when you say I can help Tuk by being around?”
“Oh!” he chuckled, maybe embarrassed, and you fought the urge to hide your face in your hands. “I think you should stay at our place tonight if you're comfortable. I want to see how Tuk sleeps when you're around. If it is the place or if it's just… you.”
Your eyes narrow as you look to see a punchline, “I could do that,” you agree slowly.
“Great, just come by our place tonight. We’ll have a hammock for you, you don't need to bring one.” he said. He stood up then and walked into your Marui, his fingers brushing the top of your head as he walked past.
You looked up to the sky and whispered, "Great mother, give me strength.” You had a feeling you would need it.
That night, you stood in the entry way of the Sully’s Marui and watched as they got ready for bed. All the kids rolling out their hammocks and attaching them to the ceiling, ribbing each other along the way. Jake helped Tuk roll out her hammock and reached up to hang it for her. She was still too short to reach.
“Hello,” you called out hesitantly. All eyes turned to you and you felt the strongest urge to turn around and go back home.
“You are here!” Tuk squealed and all apprehension fell away from you. She ran up to you, groping your waist in a hug and you were glad that she wasn't crying this time.
“Hello Tuktirey,” you smiled, hugging her tightly.
“We hung your hammock for you there,” Neteyam offered kindly, gesturing to a hammock hanging on the middle right.
“Thank you,” you nodded gratefully.
“Come, look at my toys!” Tuk smiled, leading you to the back of the Marui and tugging you down to sit on a woven mat. She pulled a small wooden box onto her lap and opened it to reveal several children's play things.
“This is Talnu,” she said, pulling out a small blue doll made of beads, woven grass and fibers. “Sempu made her for me.” She handed you the doll and it fit in your hand.
“She is beautiful, did she come with you to Awa'atlu?” you asked.
“No, we had to leave my old doll back home. My grandmother is watching her until I get back,” she said matter of factly.
“I see,” you nodded, “That is very nice of her.” You looked up to Jake standing close by, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. He was looking conflicted at the mention of their old life. He saw you watching and turned away, busying his hands with putting out the fire.
Tuk showed you several more of her toys before Neteyam came over and crouched beside you both. “It is time for bed, little sister,” he smiled as she groaned.
“I don't want to! She came to see me!” she huffed.
“I am staying the night Tuk, we can play in the morning." Tuk turned to you as if you had just sprouted a second head.
“Yes, all night,” you smiled at her enthusiasm.
“Okay… I guess that's fine,” she relented.
Neteyam picked up his little sister and carried her to bed, flying her around as if she was a Ikran before “landing” in bed.
“Come tuck me in, Sempu!” she called to Jake who smiled and kneeled beside her side.
“You too!” you called, waving you over. You hesitated. This seemed to be a nighttime ritual you did not want to interrupt, but Jake nodded and held out a hand for you to take. You kneeled by his side, as he helped balance you with his hand as you lowered yourself to the ground.
“Which one would you like to hear tonight, ‘itetsyip?” he asked Tuk.
“I want to hear about Sa’nu,” she said quietly.
“Good choice,” Jake smiled sadly and you saw the other children pause what they were doing to listen to him speak. He cleared his throat, his voice full of emotion, “The first time I ever met your mother, she tried to kill me.”
Later that night, the world was asleep and all was quiet except for the bugs chirping in the sand. You stared at the ceiling as you tried to quiet your mind. You felt odd and out of place in their home, despite being asked here.
“Are you awake?” a masculine voice whispered through the quiet and you recognized it to be Jake’s.
He hesitated, not saying another word for several moments. You expected him to say nothing more, but instead he spoke again. “Come here.”
In your sleep deprived, malleable state, you slid off of your hammock and padded to the one next to yours. Jake grasped your hand and pulled you to him, helping you over the side in your half awake stupor.
He held you to his chest, your legs laying adjacent to his and you dared not breathe. “Relax sweetheart,” he ordered gently. His skin was warm against the night air and you hesitantly let yourself sink into his embrace. Your hand was cradled by his, both of them laying on his chest.
“Go to sleep, I got you,” he murmured and you finally closed your eyes.
The next time you opened them would be to the orange sunlight glowing through the Marui’s cracks. Your eyes blinked away sleep as you realized there were two other bodies crammed into the hammock with you.
You still laid on Jake's chest, but on his other side, Tuk was nestled under his arm. She had slept soundly through the night, you had heard no peep from her. She must have awoken in the early hours of morning and climbed up here with you.
You smiled, not daring to move further. You finally felt like you were meant to be here. This felt right in Jake's arms.
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