Pairing : platonic!! Father figure! So’lek x GN! reader
Summary : Tamtey, you, picked up a trait the second you woke up from cryosleep and it was a craving for validation. You needed someone to reassure you and to tell you that every time you threw yourself into deadly situations alone, that you had done a good job. So’lek understood the need, it reminded of him of himself when he was a young warrior.
Warnings/Tags : insecurity, Father Figure! So’lek, Tamtey being an absolute beast against the RDA and a stray puppy left in the rain back at HQ, no one really knows how to act around this big, blue puppy begging for validation, So’lek understands Tamtey’s feelings, Sarentu find comfort in being around each other, the Sarentu miss Tamtey a lot when they’re away
Word Count : 2.6k (mostly edited)
A/N : i just think that Tamtey should’ve gotten more acknowledgment for the amount of work they put in for the Resistance 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Fresh out of cryostasis and irking for ways to prove yourself as a Na’vi and a Sarentu, you became a beast of a warrior. Not only taking down RDA patrols and smaller pollution sites alone but also wiping out big RDA outposts.
The Na'vi clans took notice and treated you like the great warrior you are. Only, it never scratched the itch that irritated you more than anything. Which was why you were returning to HQ.
You dropped in after clearing an entire outpost with just your bow and complete stealth. The ride back on your ikran should've been tainted with rage at how the RDA could continue to destroy this world without any remorse and it was!
For the most part, you were filled with adrenaline and a need for someone to tell you that you did a good job.
You dismounted your ikran in the dead of night, petting them softly as they nuzzled into your ribs. You grinned at them and rubbed their face. Your ikran was proud of you, you had felt it through the bond, including the relief that you had returned to them alive after disappearing over a concrete wall and all they could hear were distant explosions and yells.
"It's alright. I'll take a few days off and rest. We can rest." You whispered to your ikran and they cocked their head to the side to pin their eyes on you. You huffed a laugh and gave them a few final pats. "Okay, maybe it'll only be a day."
You left them behind to do what they wished and had to calm yourself down so you wouldn't go dashing in. You waited impatiently inside the airlock for it to adjust to the pressure and air inside, your tail flicking behind you as the seconds lasted far too long for your patience.
Once the doors opened, you crossed the threshold in two strides and scanned the rooms. Not many people were awake and human snores drifted from the living quarters.
So’lek was leaned over a computer, flicking through rosters and files you didn't care for at the moment. Alma and Priya were nearby eating a less than appetizing meal and discussing some important matter as they always did.
You slowed your steps and circled around the plush seating area towards Alma and Priya, barely hiding the giddiness racing through your veins. The two of them had noticed you the second you walked in and only acknowledged you once you were stood at the end of their table.
Alma's eyes met yours and a stressed sigh came deep from her lungs. Both of their bodies held tension in their shoulders, more than they usually did. Your ears tilted back because you knew what they were going to say.
"Hey. It's a good thing you're back." Alma greeted as she set her fork down. She glanced to Priya to signal her to brief you on the next mission you had to do. Another thing you'd have to risk yourself for.
"The RDA sent a patrol unit nearby one of the field labs recently. We thought it was just a regular patrol until we checked that area again and they set up a drill site. Could you go out and take a look at it?" Priya explained. Your tail sagged and skimmed the floor as your chest tightened. You took a deep breath in and nodded.
Unbeknownst to you, So'lek had turned his head and was reading you like an open book. You swiftly fixed your posture and resumed the mighty warrior personality in a split second.
"Yeah, of course. Just send me the coordinates and I'll head out in the morning." You answered. There was not a single hint in your voice that gave them any indication that you were tired and wanted to take a moment to recuperate. So'lek noticed though.
"That's the thing. It would be best if you could fly out tonight. There's a group of researchers camped at that field lab right now and the RDA stationed there enjoy chasing wildlife into the forest. They're worried that the RDA will get too close and discover them there." Alma informed you. She ran a hand over her face then graced you with a small smile, almost like she knew that if she showed you how tired and stressed she was, then you would be more inclined to do as they asked.
Your fingers twitched apprehensively at the thought of it. Your thighs were sore from riding for so long, not to mention the scrapes and bruises you acquired from taking down the last base. You ached and yearned for the bedding you shared with your Sarentu clan. It was waiting for you just around the corner and they were too. They had already curled up into each other and a spot waited for you just in case you came home in time.
You nodded once and started to head back to the airlock doors when a voice startled the three of you.
"You will stay. I will go in your place." Solek's voice cut through the quiet air. Three pairs of eyes met his unwavering stare. Your entire body perked up at the thought but Alma was quick to cut in.
"You can't. You're needed here. You still have to teach the other Sarentu their weapons and monitor the RDA's movements." Alma stated. So'lek's gaze flicked to you.
You stood still as you watched all of them, stiffened up like you weren't sure you were allowed to rest. So'lek wouldn't allow them to work you to the bone. You were still young and he believed it was unfair for them to allow you to keep throwing yourself into dangerous situations. Sure, you had proved your skills within an hour of escaping TAP and had proved yourself tenfold since them. You were a great asset. Which was why he was stepping in now.
"The Sarentu will be fine. I think they'd rather see their face than mine when they wake up in the morning." So'lek replied, catching the faint smirk on your face at that. "I will be back before the sun touches HQ."
And without another word, So'lek turned and walked away. He touched your shoulder as he passed, giving you a small squeeze of reassurance and then he was gone.
You stood there for a few minutes, unsure of how to proceed. Alma had started muttering behind you about So’lek and expressing her worry and doubt about what just transpired while Priya listened.
You could feel Priya's eyes on your back as you started to walk towards the living quarters. With one last look back at the two, unknowingly searching for permission to relax, Priya gave you a soft smile and waved you on.
You practically skipped towards the pile of Sarentu snoring away together. Ri’nela had one arm hooked around Nor's middle and the other intertwined with Teylan's arm. You were glad that they had been able to find comfort despite your absence.
Teylan, ever the light sleeper, blearily opened his eyes and found you watching them. His face brightened at the sight of you and he wretched his arm out of Ri’nela's tight grip.
He scooted to the side and you slipped right into the cozy spot that he made. Curling into Ri’nela's side and Teylan snuggling up against your back, you realized that the way you had been sleeping away from them was awful compared to this. Their scents combined and filled your nostrils with the smell of home.
Even asleep, the other two seemed to sense you were there and adjusted themselves accordingly. Ri’nela shifted so you could fit better and Nor threw his leg over Ri’nela's back so that his ankle laid across your thigh.
The sleep that you got that night had recharged every exhausted piece of your soul. Even if you hadn't gotten the acknowledgement you wanted, this was better.
All of you were woken up at the same time by So'lek standing over the pile and clearing his throat. The four Sarentu stared up at him with bleary eyes and sleepy expressions. So'lek had to remind himself that all of you were grown Na'vi despite how often you all would do something that made you look like children.
Priya met you at the holatable and explained that So'lek had cleared the drill site quickly and was back before dawn. She reviewed the information you had brought back from the last base you destroyed with you and talked more about potential threats that could pose a problem in the near future. All the while, you were crouched beside her with your gaze flicking back and forth between her and the screen while you waited for something to feed that hunger inside of you.
As Priya wrapped up her speech, she met your eyes and reeled her head back at how closely you had been paying attention. She let out a nervous laugh.
"I'm sorry about last night. Alma had made it really clear to me that it should be you to go out to take down that drill site because you had done so well with every other one that you had taken down recently." Priya explained. A smile you couldn't control lifted your face and your ears perked up for any other praise that might fall from her mouth.
So'lek had been watching from halfway across the room where he was supposed to be supervising Nor's arrow-making but the man had already mastered the basics of it. So’lek was a little shocked when he realized that his chest had puffed up a little with pride that someone else had taken to the time to notice the work you put.
"You'd been gone for a while. You should stay here for a couple of days, get some rest. I'll make sure that Alma doesn't try to send you out anytime soon. If that doesn't work, then I might just sick So'lek on her." Priya attempted to joke. She let out a laugh that died when she realized that you were staring at her with a clueless look on your face.
"Nevermind. Go get something to eat."
You awkwardly walk away, trying to control the glee that made your joints feel airy, and met Teylan in the kitchen. He was cutting open a Fortune Fruit when you approached.
"I'm glad your back. It's been kind of lonely around here." He commented as he finished up. He handed you half of what he cut up and the two of you found some spot to sit down.
"Lonely?" You questioned around a bite of the juicy fruit. He nodded softly, pinning his gaze on the seeds.
“Ri’nela is always working with Priya or looking at stuff on her tablet and Nor gets dragged around by So’lek who keeps trying to get him interested in weapons and hunting and all that." He explained.
"What about you? What've you been doing?" You ask him, eyeing the old radio attached to his clothes as he unconsciously lifted his hand to it.
"Alex has been letting me tinker around with some old gadgets. He says if I can fix them then he'll let me practice on some things around HQ." He told you and you kept your grin to yourself. It was good that Teylan was able to sate his curiosity here, you just worried that he might lose his way back to Pandora.
"That's good. I can try to bring some things I find back here for you to work on." You offered.
"Could you really?" He asked excitedly and you snickered.
"Yeah, if you really want me to." You answered. You two settled into a peaceful quiet after that as you finished your small breakfast. Teylan sensed that you were getting antsy and was about to leave to find something to do when he spoke again.
"You should come back more." He muttered, fidgeting with the flap of a pocket on his shorts. You blinked and tilted your head slightly. "Nor has trouble falling asleep most nights, I think it's why So’lek pushes him into lessons so much. Ri’nela gets up in the morning and goes straight to checking your location."
His voice lowered to almost a whisper. You realized it was because they didn't want you to worry about them while you were away. To not stress you out about them while you were fighting the RDA and doing all you could to establish a relationship with the clans.
"And you?" You asked gently. His eyes flicked to yours for moment then back to the floor as his ears pinned back against his head in slight embarrassment.
"I...I wake up to every sound. I didn't last night once you laid down because I knew you were there." He admitted and you caught the part he didn't say outloud. He could sleep soundly when you were with them because he knew you'd protect him if anything happened.
You reached over and pulled him into a side hug. "I'll try to come back every night and if I don't, I'll radio in and tell you guys beforehand." You promised him. You felt his body relax at that as he nodded at your words.
An hour later, you were geared up with all your ammo restocked. As you were tightening some of the straps that had loosened slightly on your ikran, someone came over.
"You do not have to work so hard." So'lek commented. You turned your head towards him and paused. "Some things do not have to be done immediately or by you. It is okay for you to take a break."
"There's not a lot of people who can take over." You replied.
"Still, you are no use to the Resistance if you can barely stay awake or hold your bow straight." So'lek pointed out. The corners of your mouth twitched in amusement. So'lek, the quiet and broody warrior, was fussing over you. In his own way.
"I will be alright." You stated, tightening the last strap and knotting it securely. He stepped closer, standing by your side as you stroked your ikran's flank.
"You will. What you have accomplished in the short time since leaving TAP has proved that. I wasn't sure when I first saw you that you would be able to survive out here. Raised by the Sky People with barely any memories of your people. I was wrong." Sa'lek breathed in and faced you. "You are a great warrior and an even better diplomat. You are still learning too. I think that there will be stories of you that live on for generations."
That was what you were craving.
You stilled your entire body, fighting hard against the flood of emotions that threatened to destroy your reputation in one fell swoop. You met So’lek's gaze.
"A warrior that becomes history still remembers to take breaks." He states with a seriousness that makes you break. You let out a laugh that startles you both and a small smile graces his features at it. He lets you laugh and hides the fact that he is glad that after everything you had gone through, your joy was not taken from you.
"Thank you, So'lek. Truly." You tell him once you calm down. He sets a hand on your shoulder and squeezes.
"Come back more. Your Sarentu brothers and sister are too fidgety for their own good and I am running out of things to occupy them with." He sighs and you laugh again, making his smile grow a little bigger.
"Yes, Sempul." You tease him with a playful roll of your eyes as you mount your ikran. So'lek moves forward. (Sempul - father)
"Be safe." He says instead of goodbye.
And with that, you take off into the air.
So’lek watches you go until he can no longer see you and sighs to himself. He hopes that one day you won't need other people to tell you that you are good enough. But, until that day comes, he and your Sarentu clan will be the ones to remind you of it.
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