So'lek x fem!avatar driver reader inspired by Tsumuke written by @lvlypinkesworld
Part 9 > Part 10 > Part 11
Alex sat hunched over several monitors with exhausted focus etched across his face.
He replayed diagnostic logs again. And again.
Nothing. No hardware fault. No neural spike warning. No overload indicators.
Everything pointed toward manual interruption.
Which made absolutely no sense.
Alex frowned harder before finally pulling up archived security footage from the the link rooms.
“If something interrupted the connection…” He muttered quietly to himself. “…then something had to happen physically.”
The footage flickered to life. Timestamped. Normal.
Then Alex froze. “…What?”
The footage showed Alma entering the link room. Alone.
Alex leaned closer immediately.
The timestamp matched the exact window before (Y/n)’s collapse.
His stomach dropped. “No no no…”
Onscreen Alma walked directly toward the active link station. Toward (Y/n)’s pod.
Then without hesitation—She slammed her hand against the emergency red cutoff button.
The one that forcibly severed an active neural link.
Alex went completely still. Horror slowly flooding through him. Because he knew exactly what that button did.
Instant forced disconnect. Emergency use only. Potentially catastrophic during active deep-link states.
“Oh my god…” He immediately grabbed the comms.
“Priya.” His voice sounded strained. “You and Nalin need to get down here.”
Static crackled briefly. “What’s wrong?” Priya asked.
“You just need to see this.”
Something in his tone immediately made her move. Minutes later Priya and Nalin entered the room quickly.
Nalin still looked exhausted from days in the med bay. “What is it?”
Alex wordlessly replayed the footage.
Alma appeared onscreen again. Walked to the pod. Pressed the emergency cutoff. Then calmly walked out moments before alarms later erupted throughout the base.
Priya’s face drained completely of colour. “No…”
Nalin stared at the screen unmoving. Her jaw tightened slowly.
Alex nodded his head. “I checked the diagnostics three times.”
“The emergency severance came directly from the manual cutoff.”
Nalin looked physically ill now. Because suddenly every horrible suspicion she tried not to entertain became real. “She severed the link.”
The words came quiet. Disbelieving.
Priya immediately shook her head harder. “No.”
“There has to be another explanation.”
“She would never intentionally hurt (Y/n).”
Nalin’s eyes stayed fixed on the frozen frame of Alma beside the pod. “She still did it.”
Teylan and Ri’nela stood frozen. Neither had meant to overhear. They had only been passing by. But now both stared at the monitor in horror.
Teylan’s stomach twisted violently. “…Alma did that?”
Ri’nela looked furious. And hurt.
Teylan looked shaken to his core.
“She almost killed her…” Nobody in the room answered him. Because there was nothing comforting left to say.
Teylan stared at the frozen security footage like if he looked long enough it would somehow change.
Alma stood beside the link pod.
Her hand against the emergency cutoff.
“No…” The word escaped him quietly. Uncertain. Shaken. “There has to be something else.”
Ri’nela looked toward him sharply. “What else could there be?”
Teylan immediately shook his head harder. “She wouldn’t do that.” But even saying it now sounded fragile. Weak.
Because he had seen it. All of them had. Alma pressing the button. The same moment (Y/n)’s link severed.
Teylan’s chest tightened painfully. Because Alma had protected them for years. Fed them. Taught them. Watched over them after they escaped Mercer.
“She was worried,” Teylan said quickly.
“She thought (Y/n) was overworking herself.” “Maybe she panicked.”
“Maybe she thought stopping the link would help.”
Ri’nela stared at him in disbelief. “By slamming the emergency severance?”
Teylan flinched slightly. “I don’t know!”
The words came louder than intended. His breathing quickened. Because he truly did not know what to believe.
Part of him felt sick imagining Alma intentionally harming someone.
Another part could still hear Nalin saying, Another link breakage like that and she may not wake up next time.
Ri’nela meanwhile looked furious. And hurt. Confusion twisted visibly across her face too because this did not fit together properly in her mind either.
Teylan looked toward her. “They argued because Alma tried stopping me from leaving base with (Y/n).” The memories suddenly felt uglier now.
Ri’nela folded her arms tightly. Anger flashed through her eyes now. “She had no right.”
Teylan rubbed shakily at his face.
“She didn’t mean it…” The sentence sounded more like something he needed to convince himself of.
Priya remained completely silent nearby. Because deep down— That was the question terrifying all of them now.
Did Alma understand what that button could do? Or had she acted impulsively out of anger and control without considering the consequences?
Nalin finally spoke quietly. “She may not have intended this outcome.” Her eyes stayed hard on the frozen screen. “But intent does not change what happened.”
That silence afterward felt unbearable.
Because whether Alma meant it or not—(Y/n) could have died.
Teylan hurried after Ri’nela through the corridors of the resistance base struggling to keep up with the fury in her pace.
Not until she was at the medbay. Inside the room the lighting remained dim and quiet.
(Y/n) sat propped carefully upright against pillows a blanket wrapped around her shoulders while she slowly drank from a cup of water.
She still looked exhausted. Pale. Dark shadows beneath her eyes. Hair slightly tangled from days unconscious.
Her movements sluggish like even lifting the cup required effort.
And yet— The second she saw Ri’nela she softened immediately. “Ri’nela?”
Before she could say anything else— Ri’nela crossed the room quickly and threw her arms tightly around her.
The sudden movement nearly knocked the water from (Y/n)’s hands. “Woah—”
(Y/n) carefully set the cup aside immediately wrapping one weak arm around Ri’nela in return. “Are you okay?”
Ri’nela said nothing. She only held onto her tighter.
And suddenly memories crashed painfully through her mind.
(Y/n) teaching gently without judgment. (Y/n) tending wounds and animals and people with endless patience. (Y/n) always somehow chasing fear and doubt away like warmth pushing back cold.
And all Ri’nela could think now was— She almost died.
Not just an ally. Not just a healer. A friend. A dear friend.
Ri’nela’s throat tightened painfully.
(Y/n) frowned softly sensing something wrong. “Ri’nela?”
Slowly Ri’nela pulled back enough to look at her. Her eyes looked wet now. Conflicted. Angry. Hurt.
And when she finally spoke her voice came quiet and strained. “Alma severed your link.”
The room went completely still.
(Y/n)’s expression emptied briefly. Like her mind failed to process the sentence at first. “…What?”
Behind Ri’nela, Teylan stood near the doorway looking miserable and shaken.
Ri’nela swallowed hard. “Alex checked the security footage.”
“She went into the link room.”
“And she pressed the emergency cutoff.”
(Y/n) stared at her silently.
The color slowly drained further from her already pale face. “No…”
The word escaped faintly. Disbelieving. Because Alma had argued with her. Threatened her. Been harsh.
But this? This was different.
“She nearly killed you,” Ri’nela whispered.
(Y/n)’s breathing suddenly felt strange. Too shallow. Her thoughts tangled violently trying to reconcile the image of Alma with what Ri’nela was saying.
Teylan finally spoke softly from the doorway. “She may not have known what it would do.”
Ri’nela immediately looked toward him sharply. “She still did it.”
Teylan sounded upset now too. “I just…” His voice weakened. “I don’t understand why.”
(Y/n) lowered her gaze toward her trembling hands.
And suddenly— The memory of Alma’s voice echoed back sharply in her head.
This is an order. Take one more step and I will confine you to base.
The realization settled sickeningly through her chest.
Because maybe— Maybe Alma truly had wanted control more than she cared about the risk.
Priya and Nalin lingered quietly near the doorway behind Ri’nela and Teylan. Watching.
Because now that the truth was out— Something had to happen.
Nalin finally stepped slightly forward. “What do you want to do, (Y/n)?”
The question settled heavily over the room.
(Y/n) stared down at the blanket gathered weakly in her lap.
Her thoughts spun painfully. Alma had severed the link. Alma had nearly killed her.
The moment she imagined pushing this further— Her chest tightened.
Because she already knew what would happen. Tension. Conflict.
And Alma— Alma would never forgive being challenged openly like this.
(Y/n) suddenly felt trapped all over again. Like no matter what choice she made there would be consequences waiting behind it.
If she fought this— Recovery would become unbearable. Every interaction poisoned. Every day tense.
And deep down a tired frightened part of her whispered the same thing it always had,
Do not make trouble. Keep your head down.
Slowly she lifted her eyes again. “Leave it be.” The words came quietly.
Ri’nela stared at her immediately. “You are not going to do anything?”
(Y/n) shook her head faintly. “No.” Her voice stayed calm despite how exhausted she looked.
“I am alive. That is all that matters.”
Nalin’s brow furrowed sharply. “(Y/n)—”
“Thank you for worrying about me.” Her tone softened gently now. “But I do not wish to cause unwanted trouble.”
Ri’nela looked outright upset. “This is not trouble, she nearly—”
“Ri’nela.” (Y/n)’s voice stayed soft. But firm enough to stop her. “It is fine.”
It very clearly was not fine.
Everyone in the room knew that.
Teylan looked miserable. Priya conflicted. Nalin frustrated beyond belief.
But (Y/n) simply looked…Tired. Bone deep exhausted. Like she no longer had the strength left to fight another battle.
Slowly she leaned back more heavily into the pillows. Her eyes already beginning to droop again from exhaustion. “Now…” Her voice had gone quieter. “If you will all excuse me…”
She closed her eyes slowly. “…I would like to go back to sleep.”
So’lek returned to the resistance base shortly after nightfall. He moved quietly through the halls instinctively heading toward the med bay the unfinished necklace tucked carefully into his pouch.
Ri’nela caught him halfway there. “So’lek.”
One look at her face and his posture sharpened instantly. “What happened?”
Ri’nela hesitated briefly.
Because honestly— She still did not fully understand any of this herself.
Not why (Y/n) reacted the way she did. Not why someone so kind folded inward the second the harm was directed at herself.
And she also didn’t know how he’d react.
So’lek went completely still.
Ri’nela continued carefully. “Alex checked the security footage.”
“She entered the link room.”
“And manually severed the connection.”
The air around So’lek seemed to change instantly. Not outwardly explosive. Worse. Stillness. The terrifying kind.
Ri’nela saw his jaw tighten sharply. Saw his shoulders go rigid. His eyes darkened with a look of violence immediately.
“She could have killed her.” The words escaped him low and dangerous.
Ri’nela nodded once.“We know.”
For a moment she genuinely thought he might turn around and hunt Alma down immediately. But then she quickly added— “(Y/n) wants it dropped.”
That finally made him look directly at her.
Confusion flickered briefly beneath the anger.
Ri’nela sighed frustrated now too. “She does not want trouble.”
“She said she is alive and that is all that matters.”
So’lek stared at her like the words made no sense. Because to him— Someone hurting (Y/n) was not something quietly ignored. It was something answered.
Ri’nela rubbed tiredly at her face. “I do not understand her.”
“She stands up to everyone for other people.”
“But when someone hurts her…”
Ri’nela shook her head slowly. “…she just accepts it.”
So’lek’s expression shifted slightly at that. Not softer. Sadder.
Because he understood more than Ri’nela realized.
He had seen pieces of it already. The way (Y/n) downplayed her own suffering automatically. The way she endured things quietly until her body physically collapsed beneath it all.
The thought made something ache violently inside his chest again.
Ri’nela crossed her arms. “She is still a mystery to me.”
So’lek’s gaze turned briefly toward the med bay ahead. Toward where she rested inside. “I will speak with her.”
(Y/n) was asleep again by the time So’lek entered the med bay.
So’lek paused beside the bed for a long moment watching her. Even sleeping she looked exhausted. Dark shadows lingered beneath her eyes. Her face still pale against the pillow.
But at least now her breathing remained even.
Carefully he brushed several loose strands of hair back from her face.
(Y/n) stirred faintly beneath the touch but did not wake. Good. She needed sleep.
So’lek settled beside the bed quietly afterward.
After several minutes he finally pulled his weapons free one by one. Knife. Gun. Ammunition.
Metal pieces rested methodically across the nearby table while he began dismantling them with practiced silent precision.
Usually weapon maintenance calmed him. Tonight it simply gave his hands something to do while he waited for her to wake again.
Every so often his eyes lifted instinctively toward her. Checking. Watching. Making sure her chest still rose steadily.
The fear had not fully left him yet. So he cleaned each weapon carefully. Slowly dragging cloth across blades. Checking mechanisms. Reassembling parts with quiet clicks in the otherwise silent room.
At one point (Y/n) shifted faintly in her sleep brows furrowing slightly.
So’lek’s attention snapped toward her immediately.
His hand moved to hers without thought.
The moment his fingers wrapped around her hand again her expression softened.
Something in his chest ached fiercely at that.
(Y/n) stirred awake again slowly.
For a moment she simply blinked blearily at the ceiling trying to orient herself.
Then thirst hit immediately. She pushed herself upright carefully wincing faintly at the lingering ache in her body before reaching weakly for the water nearby.
Beside her So’lek sat cleaning one of his blades beneath the low lighting. Even occupied his attention shifted toward her instantly the moment she moved.
“How is the sanctuary?” she asked quietly after drinking. Her voice still sounded rough around the edges.
So’lek reassembled part of the weapon slowly before answering. “They miss you.”
“Ulrr rarely leaves your hammock.”
“And the pups wait beneath it.”
(Y/n)’s chest tightened softly hearing that.
“You should visit them,” So’lek continued quietly. “It would calm them.”
(Y/n) stared down into the water cup for a moment. Then slowly shook her head. “I do not think they would recognize me.”
Her tired gaze lifted toward him. “And even if they did…” A faint sadness crossed her expression. “…I do not want them associating humans with safety.”
So’lek immediately frowned at that. Without another word he set the weapon aside and crouched beside her bed. The warrior looked down at her silently for a long moment. “Why do you not wish for justice for yourself?”
(Y/n) sighed deeply already knowing someone must have told him. “Ri’nela?”
So’lek did not answer. He did not need to.
(Y/n) rubbed tiredly at her face. “All it will do is make Alma resent me more.”
The exhaustion in her voice sounded older than her years somehow. “I am already stuck on bedrest for several days. I would rather not spend them dealing with endless headaches.”
So’lek’s expression hardened slightly. “But you were willing to stand against her for Teylan.”
(Y/n) looked away briefly. “Because there are lines. Teylan being more fearful than the others is not an excuse to keep him trapped.”
Her fingers tightened faintly around the cup. “He deserved someone standing up for him.”
Then So’lek asked softly, “And are you not worth such defense as well?”
The question struck something deep inside her. Painfully deep.
Because instantly— Something inside her almost answered, Why would I be?
The thought flashed across her face before she could hide it.
But So’lek saw it. He saw it clearly. The way she looked genuinely uncertain that she deserved protection too.
His chest tightened sharply.
His hand rose carefully cupping her cheek gently. “You matter.”
(Y/n)’s eyes lowered instinctively. “So’lek—”
“No.” His thumb brushed softly beneath her eye. “She could have taken your life.”
A flicker of anger entered his voice then. Not toward her. Toward the fact she still somehow believed peace mattered more than her own life.
“And your first instinct is to protect the person who harmed you from consequences.”
(Y/n) swallowed quietly. “I just don’t want conflict.”
“You fear becoming difficult.” The accuracy of it made her chest ache. Because yes. Yes, she did. She knew causing trouble was never worth it.
So’lek looked at her like the thought itself angered him.
“You should not have to suffer silently.”
The words hit her harder than anything else had. Because no one had ever said something like that to her before.
“It’ s fine,” (Y/n) whispered softly. Her gaze stayed lowered avoiding his eyes now. “I didn’t die.”
The words sounded far too casual for something that had nearly killed her. “So there is nothing to worry about… right?”
The warrior’s jaw tightened immediately. Because no. There was everything to worry about.
Someone had harmed her. And she sat here trying to smooth it away like it was an inconvenience instead of terror.
(Y/n) finally looked up at him then. Tired. Gentle. Pleading more than arguing.
“I insist.” The words came quiet but firm. “Let it go.”
Something deep inside him rejected the idea instantly.
No. Every instinct inside him screamed no.
He had spent years hunting down people who caused suffering.
And now she expected him to simply accept this quietly because conflict made her uncomfortable?
His chest tightened sharply.
Because he knew why she asked. Not weakness.
Fear. Fear of becoming difficult. Fear of retaliation.
And somehow— That hurt almost more than Alma’s actions themselves.
So’lek’s thumb brushed slowly against her cheek again while he stared at her silently for a long moment.
Conflict moved heavily behind his eyes. Because everything in him wanted justice for her even if she would not seek it herself.
Wanted to protect her. Wanted someone to answer for the fear and pain she endured.
But more than anything— He did not want to become another source of stress pressing against her exhausted heart.
Very quietly he said“If that is what you wish.” The words sounded reluctant. Not agreement. Just restraint.
(Y/n) visibly relaxed faintly hearing it.
And somehow that only made the ache inside him worse. Because she looked relieved someone was finally willing to stop pushing. Like she expected conflict the moment she asked for peace.
So instead So’lek leaned forward gently pressing his forehead against hers.
And while he outwardly let the matter drop—
Deep inside himself—The warrior knew he would never fully forget what had happened to her.
Nor stepped into the resistance base expecting noise.
Instead—Something sweet drifted through the halls.
Fruity. Warm. Almost floral.
His nose wrinkled slightly in confusion before he followed the scent toward the kitchen.
The moment he stepped inside—He paused.
Teylan and Ri’nela hovered around the central bench while (Y/n) stood near one of the stoves slowly stirring something inside a large pot.
The room smelled strangely pleasant.
Fruit simmering. Sweet nectar. Herbs.
Ri’nela was busy cutting pieces of bright shell fruit while Teylan leaned forward watching the pot intently. “What are you doing?”
Teylan answered immediately. “(Y/n) is showing us how to make the nectar cubes she gives the Kinglor.”
Nor blinked once. This was what the strange sweet smell was?
His eyes shifted toward (Y/n). “I thought you were resting.”
(Y/n) did not even look up from the pot. “This is resting.”
(Y/n) finally glanced toward him faint amusement flickering across her tired face. “I am standing still and stirring.”
“That is significantly less than my usual activities.”
Nor stepped closer cautiously eyeing the strange setup spread across the counter.
Several small glass vials. Bowls of crushed fruit. Containers filled with golden nectar. Dried herbs.
(Y/n) noticed his attention. “Stressed and injured creatures often struggle to eat properly.”
Her voice remained quieter than usual still recovering.
“It takes energy to digest regular foods.”
She stirred the pot again slowly. “So if I concentrate the nutrients instead…”
She gestured toward the simmering mixture. “…it becomes easier for them to feed while still getting everything they need.”
Teylan looked fascinated. “So the nectar is not just for taste?”
(Y/n) shook her head. “No.”
She pointed toward one of the bowls. “Shell fruit for sugars and hydration.”
“Crushed dapophet for minerals.”
“Then I reduce it down slowly.”
Nor watched her move between the ingredients surprisingly precise despite how tired she still looked.
Nor folded his arms. “You feed all this to wild animals?”
(Y/n) gave him a look. “They are not patients if they die.”
That shut him up surprisingly quickly.
Teylan meanwhile watched her pour the thick golden mixture carefully into another bowl.
Then (Y/n) picked up the translucent gel beside the counter.
“This is from a vein pod.”
She squeezed the substance slightly between her fingers. “It solidifies when cooled.”
“So once the nutrient mixture combines with the gel…”
She slowly stirred it together until the thick liquid became smoother. “…and it cools…”
(Y/n) finally looked toward them. “…you get an easy to eat nutrient cube.”
Ri’nela looked impressed. “That is actually really clever.”
Nor stayed quiet watching her carefully now.
Because this— This did not feel like the behavior of someone pretending to care about Pandora. Everything about her movements felt practiced. Patient.
Thought through carefully over years.
And despite himself— The skeptical part of him that distrusted sky people found itself struggling to reconcile that with the woman quietly stirring healing mixtures in front of him.
“If you look in the fridge, Nor, you can try one.”
Nor immediately looked suspicious.
Ri’nela grinned. “Oh come on.”
“They actually taste really good.”
Nor muttered something beneath his breath about dreamwalkers poisoning people before finally moving toward the fridge anyway.
He opened it cautiously. Inside sat several trays of neatly cut translucent cubes.
Golden-orange in color with faint flecks of crushed fruit suspended inside them.
They smelled sweet. Fresh.
Nor grabbed one reluctantly.
Then narrowed his eyes at the three of them watching him expectantly. “If I die—”
“You will become excellent fertilizer,” (Y/n) replied dryly while stirring another batch.
Nor grumbled again before finally biting into the cube.
The texture surprised him immediately. Soft. Cool. Then the taste hit. Sweet nectar. Citrus from shell fruit. Something floral beneath it.
Rich without being overwhelming.
His ears flicked slightly in surprise before he could stop them.
Teylan immediately noticed. “You like it.”
Ri’nela burst out laughing.
(Y/n) looked far too amused from across the kitchen. “They also make a very good snack.”
Nor swallowed reluctantly glaring at the cube in betrayal. “…Tastes like sky people medicine.”
(Y/n) raised an eyebrow immediately. “I hope you know everything in those medicines comes from Pandora.”
She gestured toward the ingredients spread across the bench.
Nor folded his arms stubbornly.
“You still make them like a sky person.”
(Y/n) shrugged lightly. “I simply use methodology from Earth.”
She stirred the pot slowly again. “Observation.”
“Your Tsahìks do the exact same thing.”
That made Nor pause slightly. Because… She was not wrong.
(Y/n) glanced toward him again. “Earth did not invent medicine.”
“It just taught me a different framework for understanding it.”
Ri’nela smiled faintly hearing that.
Teylan meanwhile looked fascinated again.
“So all those weird little bottles you carry around are basically concentrated plants?”
“Some stabilize compounds.”
“Others increase absorption.”
Nor eyed the cube in his hand again before reluctantly taking another bite.
(Y/n) immediately noticed. A smug little smile tugged at her tired face. “You hate it so much you are eating another one.”
Nor scowled. “I am making sure it is not poison.”
“Of course you are,” Ri’nela said with a grin.
And despite himself—Nor finished the entire cube.
Nor stared suspiciously at the empty space where the cube had been before clearing his throat awkwardly. “So…”
He shifted slightly beside the stove. “Can I help?”
Ri’nela immediately looked delighted by this development.
Teylan looked outright shocked.
(Y/n) blinked once before a faint tired smile crossed her face. “You want to help?”
Nor immediately looked defensive again. “I did not say I wanted to.”
“You literally just did,” Ri’nela pointed out.
“I am making sure you do not ruin the mixture.”
(Y/n)’s smile widened slightly. “Of course.”
She stepped carefully away from the stove clearly still exhausted from simply standing this long. “How about you stir this pot.”
Nor moved over immediately trying to look like this was a serious mission and not him voluntarily helping with animal medicine.
(Y/n) pointed toward the thick golden mixture. “Slowly.”
“If it sticks to the bottom it burns.”
Nor nodded once already stirring carefully.
Meanwhile (Y/n) finally lowered herself into one of the nearby chairs with visible relief. Every movement still looked heavy with lingering exhaustion.
Teylan immediately reached for another nectar cube while everyone else was distracted.
(Y/n) pointed at him instantly without even looking. “Teylan.”
His hand froze halfway to the fridge. “They taste really good,” he defended immediately.
“That is because they are not meant to taste like medicine.”
Ri’nela laughed while cutting more fruit. “You made medicine snacks.”
“I made efficient nutrient delivery systems,” (Y/n) corrected tiredly. “That happen to taste good.”
Nor stirred the pot quietly for several moments before finally glancing over at her sitting down.
His eyes lingered briefly on how pale she still looked. How tired.
Then back toward the careful instructions she gave anyway despite clearly struggling to stay upright long earlier.
Something about it unsettled him slightly. Because she kept helping people.
“You should rest more,” Nor muttered gruffly.
(Y/n) blinked slightly at him surprised. “I am resting.”
Nor looked unconvinced. “You are supervising.”
Teylan snorted softly trying another stolen cube anyway while Ri’nela smacked his hand away from taking a third.
Nor glanced toward the worn notebook sitting beside the stove. Its pages were warped slightly from humidity. Several loose papers stuck out between sections. Ink stains marked the edges.
(Y/n) looked over from her chair. “My notes.”
Nor picked it up carefully while still stirring with the other hand.
The moment he opened it his face immediately twisted.
The writing looked chaotic. Tiny cramped notes squeezed into margins.
Half-finished diagrams. Crossed out observations.
Na’vi words mixed with English shorthand.
Ri’nela leaned over trying to look. “…Can you even read this?”
(Y/n) looked entirely unbothered. “I just use it to jot down thoughts.”
Nor flipped another page.
The handwriting somehow became worse.
“That sounds like a mess.”
“It is.” (Y/n) took another sip of water calmly. “I do however have separate journals where I keep track of every confirmed discovery I have made. It’s a bit tidier.”
That immediately caught Ri’nela’s interest. “Really?”
(Y/n) nodded faintly. “My earlier notebooks especially.”
“They contain detailed medicinal properties and knowledge shared by Tsahìks from the eastern clans.”
Ri’nela’s eyes widened slightly. “I would love to read that.”
Nor looked surprised too though he hid it better.
(Y/n) shrugged lightly. “My handwriting is still chicken scratch. But you are welcome to try.”
Teylan leaned closer excitedly.
“You wrote down all the healing things you learned?”
(Y/n)’s expression softened slightly now.
“I didn’t want knowledge disappearing if something happened.”
“So whenever a Tsahìk allowed me to learn something…”
Her fingers brushed absentmindedly along the edge of her water cup. “…I wrote it down.”
Ri’nela looked genuinely moved hearing that. Because suddenly those messy notebooks became something else entirely. Years worth of trust slowly earned from clans who once distrusted dreamwalkers entirely.
Nor glanced back toward the chaotic pages in his hands.
And despite himself— He found his earlier assumptions shifting again. Because this was not someone casually pretending interest in Pandora.
This was someone who spent years carefully learning it. Respecting it enough to preserve its knowledge properly.
Even the messiness of the notebook somehow made it feel more genuine. Like she wrote faster than her thoughts could keep up.
Nor shut the notebook carefully this time instead of dismissively. “You really write everything down?”
(Y/n) gave him a tired amused look.
“That seems unlikely.” “Oh trust me,” she muttered dryly. “My brain is held together by duct tape and glue.”
A massive Sturmbeast pawed violently at the ground. Its distress echoed through the plains in deep thunderous bellows that made the surrounding grass tremble.
A ring of Na’vi stood several meters while the creature thrashed its head wildly.
A tracking dart protruded from its shoulder. Angry red flesh swollen around the impact point.
“No closer!” one of the hunters warned. “It will run!”
Tamtey stood near the front staring at the distressed creature helplessly.
The Sturmbeast’s sides heaved rapidly. Fear.Pain. Confusion.
It kept trying to scrape the dart free against nearby stones only making the wound worse.
Tamtey immediately lifted his hand to his com.
Relief crossed his face instantly. “I will switch to her channel.”
A moment later— “Hey, (Y/n).”
Her voice answered softer than usual but awake. “What’s up Tamtey?”
“Sorry to bother you…” He glanced back toward the distressed Sturmbeast. “…but we have a Sturmbeast here with a dart in its side.”
Silence crackled briefly. “Unfortunately, Tamtey, I am benched for a little while longer.”
Tamtey looked back toward the struggling creature. “Please, (Y/n).”
Then her voice returned calmer. “Tamtey. I am going to coach you so you can help it.”
“Tell me what I need to do.”
Tamtey straightened slightly immediately listening.
“First— steady your heart.” Her tone softened quieter now. “Breathe deeply.”
“If you are distressed it will sense your distress.”
Tamtey obeyed. Inhale. Exhale. Again.
Slowly his heartbeat steadied.
The Sturmbeast still pawed nervously at the ground but no longer seemed quite as frantic.
“Good,” (Y/n) said through the com.
“Keep your movements calm.”
Tamtey swallowed once before beginning to move. Every nearby hunter watched tensely. The Sturmbeast snorted loudly ears flicking toward him.
“It is okay,” Tamtey said carefully. His voice remained calm despite the creature towering over him. “You are alright.”
The creature’s breathing gradually eased slightly.
Tamtey reached the dart finally.
“Now what?” he whispered.
“Quickly,” (Y/n) instructed. “One clean pull.”
“And step back immediately afterward.”
Tamtey gripped the dart tightly. Then yanked hard.
The Sturmbeast roared violently jerking backward.
Several Na’vi flinched instinctively.
Tamtey stumbled away quickly exactly as instructed.
The creature shook itself violently once—
Then bolted off into the forest disappearing into the distance.
Then Tamtey looked down at the dart still in his hand completely stunned. “I did it.”
A grin spread slowly across his face. “I did it!”
Laughter broke out around him immediately.
“You are a lifesaver, (Y/n)!”
Her tired laugh crackled softly through the com. “Tamtey, that was all you.”
He looked ridiculously proud of himself now but remembered he needed to find nectar. “Hey, do you know the best spot to find swamp hive nectar?”
(y/n) chuckled, “You just said where, Tamtey.”
Tamtey groaned. “You know what I mean.”
“Do you know where that is?”
Her amusement remained obvious now. “But I think it is best if you work it out on your own.”
Tamtey sighed dramatically. “You are cruel.”
“I am teaching you a very valuable lesson.”
He smiled. “Thanks, (Y/n).”
“No problem, Tamtey. Stop by later. I have more nectar cubes ready.”
His voice softened slightly afterward. “…I am glad you are doing better.”
This time her answer came quieter. Warmer. “…Me too.”
Tamtey arrived at the swamp expecting thick vines and buzzing hives.
Instead—The air smelled wrong. Sharp. Chemical. The water beneath his feet shimmered with an oily rainbow sheen while plants near the shoreline sagged blackened and dying.
Silence hung unnaturally through the swamp. No insects. No distant calls.
A family of scarab crawlers lay motionless near the bank legs curled inward unnaturally.
Tamtey’s stomach dropped. “…Eywa.”
Something massive crashed nearby.
He spun just in time to watch a Sturmbeast stumble from deeper within the swamp. Its movements looked wrong. Unsteady. Disoriented.
The giant creature let out a strained pained cry before its legs suddenly buckled beneath it.
The ground shook when it collapsed.
Tamtey immediately grabbed his com. “(Y/n).”
Static crackled softly before her tired voice answered. “What is it?”
“I am at a swamp…” His voice faltered slightly looking around at the devastation. “…but it is polluted.”
“Animals are dying its worse than that small facility near base.”
Her silence lasted just a fraction too long. “How bad is it?”
Before he could answer— Movement rustled nearby. A hexepede burst shakily from the brush sides heaving rapidly. The animal made a strained choking sound. Then collapsed hard into the mud.
Tamtey stared horrified. “…Bad.”
The word came hollow. And suddenly he understood why she spent so much time trying to save Pandora’s creatures.
Because seeing this hurt. Deeply.
If (Y/n) were standing here— This would break her heart.
“Can you help?” His voice sounded almost desperate now. “Please tell me you can help.”
Silence crackled softly through the com. Then quietly she answered, “The best thing you can do right now, Tamtey…”
Her voice had gentled painfully. “…is switch to Priya’s channel.”
“She can help locate the base causing the pollution.”
“So no other animals are hurt.”
Tamtey looked back toward the fallen Sturmbeast. “But they are dying, (Y/n).”
Her inhale caught faintly through the speaker. “I know, Tamtey.”
The sadness in her voice sounded exhausted. “I know.”
“But from what you are describing…”
“…it is already too late for many of them.”
Tamtey clenched his jaw tightly.
“Once the pollution is inhaled…”
Her voice lowered quieter. “…there is very little I can do.”
“All I can really do is prolong their death.”
Tamtey looked sick hearing it. “You have to have something.”
“I could but Tamtey, there’s less than a 1% chance it works.”
The admission sounded frustrated. Angry at herself. “I am still searching for something that works.”
He looked toward another creature trembling weakly near the poisoned water. “…Is there any way I can ease their suffering?”
Then softly, “Yes, Tamtey.”
His stomach twisted immediately. “What can I do?”
Her answer came barely above a whisper. “Give them a swift death.”
Tamtey closed his eyes briefly. Because he understood exactly what she meant.
Even through the com he could hear how much saying those words hurt her.
“Even if you brought them to me immediately…” (Y/n)’s voice shook faintly with restrained emotion. “…the moment they drink or eat enough of that poison…”
“There is still only a very small chance I could save them.”
Tamtey stared silently across the dying swamp. The grief in the air felt suffocating.
“Tamtey.” Her voice steadied slightly. “Take heart Tamtey, there is still something you can do to help them, something I can’t do.”
The faintest bitterness lingered there. “So do what you do best.”
The corner of Tamtey’s mouth twitched weakly.
“The forest will bounce back.”
“And no other animals will suffer the same fate…”
Her voice quieted sadly. “…at least not in that area.”
Tamtey looked out across the poisoned swamp one final time. Then his expression hardened. “Will do, (Y/n).”
And as he switched channels toward Priya—
The young Sarentu felt nothing but admiration. Because even heartbroken— (Y/n) still thought first about protecting what could still be saved.
(Y/n) sat staring at her notebook with visible frustration. The pages blurred together beneath tired eyes while her pencil tapped restlessly against the paper.
She hated this. Hated sitting still. Hated feeling useless.
Her mind kept drifting back toward the polluted swamp.
Toward dying animals she could not help. Toward unfinished research and half-tested ideas sitting untouched back at the sanctuary.
She hated how she could forget that looming issue so quickly.
The longer she sat doing nothing—The worse the restless feeling became.
Finally she shut the notebook with a soft thud.
There were loopholes here. She was very good at loopholes. Research technically was not field work. Reviewing notes was not strenuous.
Tinkering definitely did not count as dangerous activity.
With that reasoning firmly established in her head she pushed herself up carefully and headed through the base until she found Teylan sitting with Alex near one of the maintenance stations.
Alex looked up immediately suspicious.“Why are you walking around?”
Teylan immediately looked relieved seeing her upright again. “Hey, (Y/n).”
(Y/n) leaned lightly against the doorway still visibly tired despite pretending otherwise. “I need a favor.”
Teylan straightened instantly. “What is it?”
“Could you and Ri’nela grab some things from the sanctuary for me?”
Alex narrowed his eyes immediately. “What things?”
Alex stared at her flatly. “That does not sound like resting.”
Before the argument could continue Nor walked in overhearing the last part.
“Ri’nela went out for the afternoon.” He crossed his arms. “I will help Teylan.”
(Y/n) blinked slightly surprised. Then smiled softly. “Thank you.”
“If I am stuck on bedrest for several days…”
Her fingers brushed against the notebook tucked beneath her arm. “…I can at least review my notes and tinker with things.”
Alex pointed at her immediately.“Tinkering is not resting.”
(Y/n) ignored him completely.
Teylan meanwhile looked excited by the idea of visiting the sanctuary again.“Sure.”
Nor still looked mildly skeptical.
“What exactly are we getting?”
“My satchel near the workbench. Three notebooks tied together with cord.”
“A storage crate beneath the herb shelves.”
Her expression suddenly shifted slightly. “Oh.”
Nor narrowed his eyes immediately. “What?”
(Y/n) pointed at him very seriously. “Guard your toes.”
“The pups will absolutely go for them.”
Teylan immediately burst out laughing remembering the sharp little viperwolf teeth.
Nor looked offended. “They bite people?”
“They bite everything,” (Y/n) corrected. “They are learning.”
Alex snorted softly already looking entertained at the mental image.
Nor sighed dramatically. “If I lose a toe because of your demon pups—”
“They only bite if they like you.”
That somehow made Nor look even less reassured.
By the time Tamtey arrived at the resistance base later that evening— (Y/n) had somehow taken over one of the very few free benches,
Notebooks covered nearly every available surface. Open pages filled with cramped handwriting and sketched diagrams sprawled across tables and chairs alike.
Several glass vials bubbled gently over controlled heat sources while strips of drying plants hung from improvised racks nearby.
The air smelled earthy. Sharp. Medicinal.
At the center of it all— (Y/n) sat in a rolling chair.
Rather than walking between stations she simply pushed herself from one setup to another with her feet. A steaming distillation apparatus hissed softly beside her while golden liquid slowly dripped through tubing into a collection flask.
Tamtey stopped in the doorway staring. “…You were unconscious from a seizure a few days ago.”
(Y/n) rolled from one station to another without looking up. “I am sitting.”
Tamtey shook his head slowly. “This is not what resting looks like.”
“Sure it is.” She gestured vaguely around herself. “I am stationary.”
“You built a chemistry lab.”
“A temporary chemistry lab.”
That somehow sounded worse.
Tamtey rubbed at his face before finally stepping closer. “What are you even doing now?”
That immediately caught her full attention.
(Y/n) straightened slightly excitement flickering through the exhaustion still lingering across her pale features. “You got me thinking.”
Tamtey blinked. “…That sounds dangerous.”
She pointed toward one of the bubbling flasks. “What I have worked out so far about dapophet pods…”
She carefully lifted one of the small vials holding it toward the light. “…is that concentrated extracts slow the poisoning effect.”
Tamtey frowned trying to follow. “So it cures it?”
“No.” Her excitement dimmed slightly.
“It fights back against the toxin.”
“Reduces organ failure rates temporarily.”
“But it does not neutralize the poison.”
She sighed quietly frustrated. “It buys time.”
Tamtey’s expression softened slightly.
“That still sounds useful.”
“It is.” (Y/n) rolled toward another notebook flipping through pages rapidly. “But you had me thinking.”
Her voice quieted more seriously now. “Nothing is going to politely wait for me to find a cure.”
Outside somewhere deeper in the base machinery hummed softly.
(Y/n)’s fingers tightened faintly around the notebook. “And you are not going to destroy every RDA refinery before more animals are poisoned.”
Tamtey looked guilty because… No. He probably could not. Not all of them. Not fast enough.
“So if I cannot stop the poisoning entirely yet…”
(Y/n) gestured toward the distillation setup again. “…then I need something that at least keeps creatures alive long enough for treatment.”
Tamtey stared at the scattered notes surrounding her. Page after page. Calculations. Chemical reactions. Plant combinations. Toxin progression sketches.
All worked on by someone who still looked pale and exhausted enough she probably should have still been asleep.
“You really cannot sit still can you?” he asked softly.
(Y/n) leaned back in the rolling chair looking mildly offended. “I am literally sitting right now.”
Tamtey laughed despite himself.
(Y/n)’s gaze drifted briefly toward one of the pages detailing toxin effects on local wildlife. Her expression softened sadly. “They do not deserve to suffer because humans are careless.”
Tamtey leaned against one of the tables watching (Y/n) roll herself between stations in her chair while another vial slowly dripped concentrated dapophet extract into a glass container.
“You should have seen the swamp.” The amusement faded from his expression immediately. “Dead scarab crawlers everywhere.”
He swallowed faintly. “I watched a Sturmbeast collapse and die.”
(Y/n)’s hands slowed over the notebook in her lap. Pain crossed her face immediately,quiet heartbreak.
“I know, Tamtey.” Her voice softened heavily. “It is a slow and cruel way to go.”
The room quieted briefly after that. The bubbling of the distillation equipment suddenly sounding much louder.
Then Tamtey straightened slightly trying to shift the mood. “Well…”
A grin tugged faintly at his face. “We had a win today.”
That got her attention immediately.
“We discovered what is making the Kinglor flowers close. What has been distressing the Kinglor.”
(Y/n)’s tired face lit up instantly. “That is excellent.”
“Yeah.” Tamtey rubbed awkwardly at the back of his neck now. “And tomorrow morning…”
His ears flicked nervously. “…I climb the Ikran rookery to bond with an Ikran so I can take down those balloons that are causing it.”
(Y/n) smiled brightly, “You are doing what?”
Tamtey laughed nervously. “I am a little worried.”
“That is why I am here. I need a pep talk.”
(Y/n) stared at him in disbelief. “Why on earth would you want a pep talk from me?”
Tamtey clasped his hands together. “You are wise.”
“You are emotionally supportive.”
(Y/n) sighed deeply rubbing at her face. “Fine.”
Tamtey immediately straightened expectantly.
She pointed at him very seriously. “My biggest advice?”
Tamtey blinked. “…That is your wisdom?”
She continued calmly. “…try very hard not to die.”
Tamtey burst out laughing. “Wonderful advice.”
“Well if you survive the fall I can at least patch you up.”
Tamtey grinned shaking his head. “Good thing is soon we will not need nectar cubes anymore once those balloons are dealt with.”
(Y/n) sighed dramatically leaning back in the rolling chair. “Unfortunately for me they have become Teylan’s new favorite snack.”
Tamtey laughed loudly. “I do not think your nectar cube making days are over.”
He grinned. “You know Etuwa and Nefika are wondering when you are joining them for tea again.”
(Y/n) immediately looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Her face heated instantly.
Tamtey saw it and nearly doubled over laughing. “Oh Eywa there it is.”
“Stop.” She threw a notebook at him, he blocked it, picked it up and put it back on the table.
(Y/n) buried her face briefly in her hands while Tamtey continued grinning mercilessly.
“But really…” His expression gentled. “How are you doing since the seizure?”
(Y/n) paused. The humor faded slightly from her face. “Same old, same old.” But she looked exhausted. Painfully so.n Her eyes still shadowed with fatigue. nHer movements slower than usual.
Even sitting upright seemed to drain energy from her.
Before Tamtey could press further—
Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Both immediately recognized them.
“You are meant to be resting.” So’lek’s voice cut through the room firmly.
(Y/n) jumped slightly in her chair like a startled Hexepede. She turned quickly toward him nervously rubbing the back of her neck.
Tamtey lost the remaining battle against laughter entirely.
“I am resting,” she argued immediately.
So’lek looked around the room once. Notebooks everywhere. Boiling glassware. Strange equipment.
His expression flattened. “No you are not. You are working.”
Without another word he crossed the room and immediately began gathering notebooks into neat piles.
He ignored her completely switching off the heating elements one by one.
“I will have none of this.” His tone left absolutely no room for argument. “You are eating.”
“And getting a full night’s rest.”
(Y/n) looked scandalized.
“I am simply tinkering, there is nothing exhausting about this.”
“That too,” Tamtey muttered helpfully.
(Y/n) frowned at him. “Thanks for the support Tamtey.”
So’lek finally moved beside her chair gently but firmly guiding it away from the workstations. “Come.”
“You look one strong breeze away from collapsing again.”
(Y/n) pointed accusingly at him. “Do not encourage him.”
“I am enjoying this too much.”
So’lek continued pushing the rolling chair toward the kitchen despite her protests.
“My extracts are cooling.”
“My notes are not organized.”
“They were never organized.”
(Y/n) folded her arms dramatically while being wheeled away against her will.
“You are both frustrating.”
“Yes,” So’lek answered immediately. “Because apparently you are allergic to resting.”
Tamtey laughed shaking his head while going to the kitchen grabbing several containers of nectar cubes from the fridge.
“Well…” He started backing toward the doorway. “I should head off.”
He grinned toward So’lek sympathetically. “Good luck handling that.”
So’lek guided her stubbornly toward the kitchen while (Y/n) continued protesting the entire way.
“I was in the middle of something important.”
“You were in the middle of ignoring your health.”
They entered the kitchen just as Nalin walked past carrying medical supplies.
Her eyes landed immediately on the scene before her. (Y/n) being escorted in a rolling chair by an extremely unimpressed So’lek while she looked personally offended by the concept of food and sleep.
Nalin visibly brightened. “Thank god.”
(Y/n) narrowed her eyes immediately. “Do not start.”
“Someone that can actually talk sense into her.” Nalin pointed directly at So’lek. “Do not let her back near those chemicals tonight.”
Then without another word she kept walking clearly delighted to hand responsibility over to someone else for once.
So’lek ignored her entirely already rummaging through. Metal doors opened. Closed.Opened again.
“You keep your food in strange places.”
So’lek crouched opening the fridge next. “There are too many containers.”
“Bottom shelf left side.”
(Y/n) pinched the bridge of her nose tiredly.
“Bottom part of the fridge. There are ration trays.”
He finally found them. “Hm.”
“You eat this willingly?”
“I don’t exactly have a choice.”
He shut the fridge and held up the tray suspiciously. “What now?”
She pointed lazily across the kitchen. “White box over there.”
So’lek eyed the microwave like it personally offended him. “This tiny box cooks food?”
“It is not magic So’lek.”
He pressed the button anyway. The microwave hummed loudly.
So’lek immediately narrowed his eyes at it.
(Y/n) watched him with visible amusement. “You look like you are waiting for it to explode.”
“I do not trust human machines.”
The microwave beeped suddenly.
(Y/n) burst into tired laughter.
He opened the microwave with deep suspicion before carrying the warmed tray back toward her.
“I can get it myself you know.”
“You are currently wheeling me around against my will.”
“And yet you are still somehow trying to work.”
He set the tray down firmly in front of her. “Eat.”
He stared at her. “…What is a fork?”
“The spiky thing in that drawer over there.”
So’lek opened the drawer finding several utensils. “…Humans willingly place tiny spears in their mouths?”
He handed her the fork anyway.
She took the fork. “I’m fine, I can take care of myself.”
“I am just tired and exhausted.” She shrugged lightly. “Nothing out of the usual.”
That answer immediately made his expression harden. Because that was exactly the problem.
(Y/n) treated exhaustion like weather. Like something unavoidable rather than dangerous.
So’lek crouched slightly beside her chair until they were level. “(Y/n).”
His voice lowered quieter now. More serious. “I will remain in this base myself if that is what it takes to make you rest properly.”
She groaned softly. “You are so bossy.”
“And you are impossible.”
He crossed his arms. “I am new to what a seizure is, but I know that it was serious (y/n), that there was a chance you wouldn’t have woken up and your body now needs time to recover.”
“And now I find you surrounded by boiling chemicals pretending that sitting in a chair makes this acceptable.”
(Y/n) stabbed dramatically at the ration tray with the fork. “I was sitting.”
“That is not the point. You work until your body physically forces you to stop.”
His eyes softened slightly then though worry still lingered heavily there. “And you say it so casually.”
(Y/n)’s movements slowed faintly.
Because underneath the bickering— She could hear it. Fear. He was scared.
So’lek reached over brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear gently. “You frightened me greatly.”
The words came quieter now. “And I do not think you understand how close I came to losing my mind while waiting for you to wake.”
(Y/n)’s expression softened immediately.
“You are not supposed to say things like that while I am trying to be difficult.”
A faint reluctant warmth touched his face. “You are always difficult.”
So’lek took full advantage of that momentary silence. “Eat your food.”
So’lek watched her poke halfheartedly at the ration tray and take a reluctant bite of food.
“Must you truly eat that?”
(Y/n) sighed already knowing exactly what expression he was making. “It is the only option we have.”
She scooped another bite into her mouth looking thoroughly unimpressed by it herself. “If it were not for you I would probably still be eating grey sludge out of white bags.”
So’lek looked horrified. “…Grey sludge?”
“That sounds deeply unnatural.”
She pointed the fork toward the tray. “This at least tastes vaguely like cardboard.”
The warrior stared down at the food like it personally insulted him. “I wish you did not have to eat such…” He struggled visibly for the correct word. “…filth.”
(Y/n) laughed tiredly. “Trust me.” She swallowed another bite. “This is significantly better than the grey sludge.”
So’lek still looked unconvinced. Like he was contemplating marching into the forest himself to hunt something more acceptable for her to eat.
Eventually (Y/n) finally finished eating.
Immediately So’lek took the tray from her before she could even attempt standing.
“You know I am capable of walking.”
“Yes.” He stacked the tray away calmly. “But something tells me the moment I let go of you…”
His eyes narrowed knowingly.“…you will try returning to your work.”
(Y/n) considered lying. Then sighed. “I do want to go back to work.”
So’lek moved behind the rolling chair immediately. “Bed.” The single word left absolutely no room for negotiation.
(Y/n) groaned as he escorted her toward her quarters.
“You are enjoying this power far too much.”
He ignored her entirely continuing down the hallway while she muttered about unfair treatment beneath her breath.
When they finally reached her quarters So’lek stopped the chair carefully beside the doorway.
(Y/n) stood slowly this time steadier than earlier though still visibly tired.
She turned toward him. Then gently her smaller hand caught his large one. Warm fingers squeezing softly against his palm.
A simple touch. Yet it immediately softened something deep inside him. “Goodnight, So’lek.”
She started toward the doorway.
And suddenly—He missed her other body fiercely.
Missed the ease of simply pulling her close and kissing her whenever he wished.
Because now, in this fragile human body— He hesitated constantly.
Terrified of hurting her accidentally. Humans broke so easily beneath his hands.
And after watching her seize helplessly on that med bay bed— Fear still lingered deep in his chest.
His eyes lifted toward hers afterward filled with quiet warmth and something painfully tender.
(Y/n)’s expression softened immediately.
Then she squeezed his hand one final time before disappearing quietly into her quarters leaving So’lek standing alone outside already missing her warmth again despite her only being several feet away behind the door.
Even after the door shut behind her he lingered a moment longer standing silently in the hallway listening to the faint movement inside.
Making sure she actually went to bed. Only then did he finally turn away.
And nearly walk straight into Alma.
She had been heading down the corridor carrying several folders beneath one arm but stopped the moment she saw him.
Silence settled instantly between them.
Alma had faced armed soldiers before. RDA patrols.
But the look So’lek gave her in that moment— It chilled something deep in her spine.
No words were spoken. Because his gaze alone carried enough fury to make the air feel dangerous.
The kind sharpened down into something cold and lethal.
Alma knew immediately. He knew.
And suddenly being alone in that hallway with him felt like standing too close to the edge of a cliff.
His jaw tightened once. Then he walked past her.
But before continuing— He stopped briefly. Turned slightly. And looked back at her one final time.
If looks could kill— Alma would have been six feet under already.
Then he continued down the hall without another word leaving Alma standing rigidly in place trying to ignore the cold unease curling through her chest.
Ahead— Teylan, Nor, and Ri’nela sat talking quietly amongst themselves.
Ri’nela looked up first. “Oh good.” Relief crossed her face instantly. “Of course you are the one person she actually listens to.”
So’lek lowered himself down tired heaviness of someone who had not properly rested in days. “She does not listen. She argues.”
“That still counts as listening for (Y/n),” Nor muttered.
Teylan nodded immediately. “That is true.”
Ri’nela leaned forward resting her chin in her hand. “She looks exhausted.”
“She is exhausted,” So’lek answered flatly.
Teylan looked thoughtful.
“So…” He hesitated slightly. “How do we stop her from working without upsetting her?”
“That is impossible,” Nor answered immediately.
Ri’nela ignored him. “No seriously. She clearly does not know how to stop herself.”
So’lek’s gaze lowered briefly toward the floor. Because that much was painfully obvious.
(Y/n) only stopped...he can’t think of a time she willingly stopped. Even now she treated rest like punishment rather than necessity.
Teylan perked up slightly. “We could distract her.”
Ri’nela nodded immediately. “Yes. She rests more if she is around people.”
“And less likely to start experimenting with toxins if she is occupied.”
Nor crossed his arms. “So we are essentially babysitting her.”
“Yes,” Ri’nela answered. “Exactly that.”
So’lek looked mildly offended by the term. “She is not a child.”
“No,” Ri’nela agreed. “But she behaves like one when it comes to resting.”
That unfortunately was also true.
Teylan started counting ideas on his fingers.
“No letting her disappear into research.”
He looked toward So’lek carefully.
That immediately hardened So’lek’s expression slightly.
“Yes.” His voice lowered. “That means keeping Alma away from her.”
Silence settled briefly over the group. Because none of them disagreed. Not after what happened.
Ri’nela folded her arms tightly. “She acts calmer when Alma is not around.”
So’lek’s jaw tightened subtly hearing that.
Because now that he noticed it— He saw it constantly. The way (Y/n) immediately became careful around conflict.
“She deserves rest,” So’lek corrected quietly.
Ri’nela pointed toward him immediately. “Good.”
So’lek blinked once. “…Food duty?”
“You are the only person she listens to when told to eat.”
Nor looked amused now. “She also listens when he tells her to sleep.”
“Barely,” So’lek muttered.
Teylan grinned slightly. “Still more than the rest of us.”
Ri’nela leaned back looking entirely pleased with herself now.
Nor smirked faintly toward So’lek. “Apparently regular supervision from Pandora’s grumpiest warrior.”
Teylan burst out laughing immediately.
So’lek looked deeply unimpressed.
Yet despite himself—The faintest warmth tugged at the corner of his mouth knowing these people cared enough about (Y/n) to scheme together just to make sure she recovered properly.
@whos-nin1 @lvlypinkesworld @loaf-with-jam @deepangelpartykid @itsfrenchxfrxes @quietlydecafinated @lovelyinthesunlitsky @lizzy91768 @bxxbeaxxb @twentysomethingwereyote @jillxty @rinitoshi13 @gvyknkj @nikomenom @intervitadatura @buckybluebarnes @theatregeek-247 @valinat @rinitoshi13 @sunshinescubagear @7leo7 @eeorrrr @layingintheloam @poppyw4 @marija4674 @miniverse-zen @ur-juno @sleepisfortheweakpooh @akamenaruto14 @pinkglittertaco @annoyingasexual
kianamaiart
gummygunk
andulkaphoto
titsay
discoholicmusic
germansingergirl
stormborns
