None of these are really series? But the ones grouped together are best read together in the order below. The sets themselves are also in chronological order. The ones by themselves can be read as standalone but they also fit in the continuity I think??? I don’t know man whatever!
Excerpt from something I'm cooking up, except this might be the only good part? Anyway I'm trying long-form content for the first time and my goodness this is taking a while to write..... I'm debating posting one of my other drafts just to post something because I get annoyed every time I open the Ao'nung tags and they are dry as a bone!!!!!
“That maybe it’s for the best, and maybe I should push you to be with someone else for the sake of the clan instead of considering my feelings.”
“Are you hearing yourself? I don’t want to be with someone else. What about my feelings?” The frustration coming off of him was almost palpable, and you think that maybe you've put him into a worse position than if you had said nothing at all. Whatever resolve you had before disappeared.
“I don't know how to make this fair to you."
"It's not up to you to make it fair. I just need you to be here, with me, and not pushing me away." He grabs onto your biceps as he did earlier. This time his grip is much firmer and your eyes find his fingers practically digging into your skin.
"Look at me," he commands. You abide. He looks frustrated still, but it is being overtaken with a steadiness. "I need you, ___. This is not some silly tunutu and we are not children. You will stop whatever this is, and stand by me, and I will stand by you. Got it?"
the people on twitter are defending quaritch… who is the actual devil btw… and demonizing na’vi to do so… oh okay!
personally funny to me because i wrote a post like yesterday or the day before talking about how much i HATE that man and will never forgive him even if they do a redemption arc for him (and didn’t post it because i didn’t feel like it) but i didn’t know he genuinely had shooters like 😭😭😭
Description: after the humans come back, you and Ao'nung are there for each other. Canon-compliant through vagueness, but in my regime no one actually dies. Angsty but somewhat comforting!
Warnings: PTSD induced sleep paralysis, nightmares, some canon-typical but unsettling imagery
tanhì: bioluminescent freckle
The reef had taken a hit. Thankfully, the battles did not last long and it seems the humans had retreated, but Awa’atlu was struggling. Many were injured, or killed, and it was up to the survivors to keep their clan going. So, you had to keep yourself going.
You had never seen, let alone treated, some of the injuries you were now being faced with. Pushing through grief was an obstacle, but you were also forced to deal with the vacuum left by the Tsahik. You were not Tsakarem, yet you were there. You picked up what needed to be picked up. But with no title and dealing with unprecedented pressure, your people often did not trust your guidance.
“You mustn’t continue to go in the water, your gash is not holding up well.” You were fixing the same stubborn hunter up for the third time this week.
“I hunt for my family, for my clan.”
“I understand that, but the water isn’t helping you heal and not to mention you haven’t rested—“
“I know what I need, child! And it is not you lecturing me.”
You were patient, as patient as can be. But there was only so much you could take. You listened to the grumbling until you were done. It was frustrating, but you could not blame the need to do something.
“If you do not trust my judgement, then how can you trust my hands?” You do not listen to any further grumbles, moving to complete one of the other many tasks that were needed.
Some of the other clans that were not as impacted sent a few people to help where it was needed. Naturally, you were the one unofficially making sure they knew what they were doing. And you were making rounds to those that were in the healing marui and those on bedrest at home. The clan still had the sick and there were new injuries every day, so that did not help the strain. And you felt like you were nonstop mixing and grinding and preparing for something.
And the Tsahik was not here. And the Tsakarem wasn’t couldn’t do it all. But everyone was trying. You were trying.
Ao’nung and his family were dealing with a lot. There were less hunters but still many mouths to feed. There were also reef patrols and meetings between clans to discuss how to move forward; the Tulkun hadn’t even begun their migration again. Plus, his father needed support. He had to be there.
And there was Pril, who was well taken care of despite it all. You still worried for her; she was smaller than most babies you had seen and she seemed to be in a lot of distress. She was crying now, even though it was late and she should be sleep. Ao’nung should also be sleep, but as you drag yourself into his family’s marui to check on them, you see that they are both awake and alone.
She wails in his arms, and he futilely rocks her tiny figure in his arms, pacing around. He’s obviously exhausted, and you are too. But he still kisses your forehead when you walk up to him. You offer out your hands silently, sensing his frustration. He hands her over without protest.
“Strong lungs on her,” you try to joke.
“Everyone keeps saying that.” He runs his hands down his face and looks around at the slightly messier than usual space. He tidies up, like it’s the only thing he can do with his nervous energy. You don’t have the strength to muster up an alternative, so you just watch.
And then your attention goes to Pril, still gasping in your arms. You look over the girl to rule out anything physical causing her discomfort. You end up looking into her nose, and it’s quite blocked. She could be sick, or maybe it was just from her crying, but clearing it out would still help.
You lay her down, getting a wet cloth and something to clear her nose with. She cries harder, and you try your best to coo and talk her through it. Ao’nung looks from across the room, watching in concern since she seems to be getting worse but trusting you enough not to say anything.
Eventually, her nose is clear. Her crying slows down, and once you begin to rock her again, she stops. She finally relaxes on your shoulder as you try to coax her to sleep.
“She was crying because her nose was stuffy?” he whispers incredulously. He’s standing behind you now, looking at Pril.
“Having a stuffy nose is no joke for a baby.”
“You’re amazing, thank you for saving me. I don’t know if I would’ve figured that out.”
"It comes with the territory. I see a lot of babies, especially sick ones."
Even with everything happening, there are tiny bright spots in the midst of darkness. This was one of them; for Ao'nung, you were one of them. After a day of unwaveringly taking care of the members of your clan, you still found the will to come here and check on him (and Pril). You still had kindness and softness in you to give, a patience that many did not have. How could he not be in awe?
He watches as you put his sister down, continuing to rub her back so that she could sleep. Selfishly, Ao'nung wanted more of your time. He wanted you to stay here. He massages your shoulders from behind, feeling all of the now familiar tension pent up there.
"I should be doing this for you, comforting you," you whisper.
"You are my comfort, and you are here." He goes to hug you from behind and places a kiss to your temple. You lean into his embrace and rest on his chest as you continue looking on at Pril.
"I think she's asleep."
"We should follow in her footsteps then."
You found yourself sleeping here some nights. It started as a comfort, and it continued because you didn't want him sleeping alone when his family wasn't there. But it had also brought you a sense of relief. While you laid together at night, you didn't talk about how heavy your hearts weighed or the ails of the day. You took this time to embrace one another and enjoy the stillness of rest.
“Thank you for checking on us still,” he whispers again. “I know it is unfair to ask because the world has become so demanding of you—“
“You do not have to ask me to be here. The world is demanding of all of us, including you. So if this is unfair to me, it is unfair to you.” You are almost scolding him for even implying such a thing, but your next words soften. “I would rather you be demanding of me in all of this, because it means you are still here with me. For that I am grateful.”
He doesn’t say anything else and neither do you, only sharing a good night kiss. Eventually you drift off into sleep. It doesn't last long though.
Your eyes snap open a couple of hours later. You couldn't remember the specifics of the dream right now, but you didn't need to. Your nightmares were all too similar, and they blurred together.
Recently, you had been experiencing a state where you could not move even when you woke up. You were forced to stare at the shadows around you. The shadows weren't what scared you; you had grown out of your fear of them a long time ago. The worst part about this was that you were trapped in your body while your mind replayed a mix of real memories and figments of your imagination.
So much blood in the water it turned purple. All of the bodies; from people you had known your whole life and others you had never seen before. Screams of triumph and incitement fading into ones of anguish and horror. All of this running through your head as you lay unable to move, making the panic even worse. Everything the violence had brought felt palpable in the energy shared between your people and planet, and you felt it right now. It was like your own personal, nightly version of the dream hunt. Only this one revealed nothing new.
As you think of bodies, you remember what Ao'nung and the others had told you about the body searches. You heard about the ones tangled in gnarled metal, the ones they had to swim through human structures to get to, and the ones that had just drifted in the sea. There were also ones that were never to be found, but still mourned. Some people still searched for those unaccounted for. You understood their need for certainty.
Soon your body let you free of its imprisonment, and your first act is to look over at Ao'nung. You place a hand on his chest to feel it move and a little bit of relief comes to you, but it is not enough. You get up to check on Pril, carefully trying to navigate a marui that was not your own, and you also notice that Tsireya had returned home. You watch them one at a time to see their tanhì move with their breathing until you are satisfied.
Ao'nung woke up out of his sleep in unease. He had reached out to search for you, but when he couldn't find you, his bleary eyes opened to look. He saw your freckles glow in the darkness, and he felt better that you were at least here. He also felt agony. You had told him about your recent struggles with sleeping. You had also told him not to worry about it, but he did anyway. When you finally crawled back into bed, he didn't ask about anything. He could not heal your mind, just as you could not heal his. All he could do was hold you until your urge to check the entire clan's breathing subsided and hope that you would be able to get at least some rest tonight.
Even in the midst of war and its aftermath, you still had enough love between you to try and shield each other.
Author's Notes: in my personal continuity, no main characters die and james cameron can go to HELL!
Description: Ao’nung x Reader getting their tattoos!!! Reader isn’t described whatsoever but I guess implied to be Metkayina? plus my interpretation of a Metkayina Dream Hunt but you can skip past that at the second cut (some notes about that and tulkun thoughts at the bottom if you're interested). Enjoy!
warnings: mentions of blood and the Dream Hunt is a psychedelic experience so could be considered drug use?
eyktanayn: secondary leader | aysiretu: shamans
Your entire clan and your spirit sister’s clan were gathered at the sea wall terrace, the very structure that broke the waves before they met your shores. Today was the day that you and your peers would hopefully be filtered through into adulthood.
These ceremonies were always accompanied by the Tulkun. They were integral to the Metkayina culture, and you could not pass into adulthood without your spirit sister ready to do the same. And finally, you both were.
As you wait to begin, you stand alongside Ao'nung wearing ceremonial shawls and nothing else. Your hair was unstyled and you wore no jewelry; you could not be weighed down by anything in the water. You hadn't seen much of each other today, too busy in preparation. But now, you stood quietly together. While you stare into the water, you hear him take a deep breath next to you.
"Nervous?" you ask without turning.
"A little, but mostly for what comes after. It has been decided that I will officially become Eyktanayn soon, if I pass."
"They told you today?"
"They decided today."
"That is a big step."
"We are taking a few big steps, in a short amount of time. But I suppose that is what it means to become one of the people."
The two of you hadn't spoken much about matehood and the specifics of it all, but you both understood that you would be choosing one another. Maybe not tonight, but you would finally have the option to. Nevertheless, you had both agreed that the biggest priority was making it through. You both had spent the week focusing on contributing to the clan, spending time with your families, and working with your respective spirit brother and sister through your trials. Now you were facing this. Even after all of your preparation, it was daunting enough without the added pressure of defining your relationship.
"Are you nervous?" he asks.
"No. I've been anticipating this for so long, and I was nervous all week. But somehow my nerves are finally all gone and I feel steady."
"We have traded places it seems."
“Don’t let your nerves and everyone’s expectations get to you today, Ao’nung. This is about you becoming one of the people, and everything else will follow.” You reach to give his hand a hopefully comforting squeeze. He takes another deep breath and nods to your words.
“Everything else will follow.”
You hear your Olo'eyktan call, and you know it is time. The small group of participants are sat in a line and separated from the rest of the clan. The aysiretu and the Tsahik are the closest to you.
You slip into one of the many pools of water and shed your cloak. The Tsahik holds a shallow wooden bowl to your mouth and you drink from it. Very soon, your body goes slack as the mixture begins to work.
With most of your body numb, it feels like you can sense the humming of the world around you. Even as you sit submerged in the pool of water, the energy that connects your world slowly becomes available for you to see. While you felt connected when you visited the spirit tree, this experience allowed you to see past what your body could normally handle. It was a lot. Then, the hallucinations began. Some of them were scary, some were comforting. It was like you could see your past and your future at once, but the real task was breaking through to the present to save your own life. You felt like you were down there for much longer than you actually were.
Once your lungs began to burn, you could feel the paralysis wearing off and the ability to move freely slowly returned as your body fought against it. Finally, you resurface to take your Second Breath and you finally take feels like your spirit and body were back on one accord.
For a while, everything is a blur as the after affects move through you. Eventually, you are back at the village. Your family dresses you in clothes they’ve prepared or gathered, and make sure to replace your piercings. This is what you wear as you step into adulthood.
You meet with the aysiretu, the Tsahik, the Tulkun elders, and your spirit sister. You relay your visions, and soon you are laying down to receive your first tattoo. The needles that repeatedly press into your skin hurt, but they bring you back to now. Your sister lays in the water next to you, receiving her tattoo as well after completing her own rites.
The festival is lively. Tulkun songs and your clan's music can be heard throughout the village as everyone celebrates your coming of age. Through all of the congratulations and conversations you found yourself in, you also found yourself searching for Ao'nung. After passively looking for him while you enjoyed the festival, you set out on a mission. Surely his session was over by now? And someone would've said if he somehow did not pass.
As you search through the crowd, you seemingly spot each other at the same time. After a brief pause, your legs move on their own towards him until you are standing in front of one another. The noise of the celebration dims as you focus on him.
"You're here," you breathe out in relief.
"Where else would I be?" He reaches for you first, and his fingers ghost over the edges of your tattoo. As he stares at it, you feel even more bare than you had all day. He looks at you with a smile that ripples to his eyes, consequently causing him to wince. It was barely noticeable, and you only saw it because you were staring at the swirling tattoo right above his eye. You stand together as something new, but still familiar, and the world moved around the both of you. When you reach up to hold his face, you know you want to hear it all.
"Do you trust me? With this?" you ask softly, like the moment was too fragile to speak over everything else. He nods in understanding, because of course. You two practically run through the celebration until you reach the outskirts of your village. You sit criss-crossed in front of each other on the rocky ground.
"You don't have to tell me about your visions if you don't want to." You understood that not everyone wanted to talk about theirs; the tattoo told enough.
"You are the only person I did plan on telling everything to. Other than the circle." He looks at you like he was personally offended at the notion that he would keep something from you. "Sometimes you say things that make me think something else is going on up there," he jokes, tapping at the center of your forehead a couple of times.
"I was just making sure."
He waves you off. He doesn't need any other encouragement before he starts speaking with gusto, starting at the moment he drank the liquid. Although you listen intently and nod along, other thoughts are entering your head. The Ao'nung that sat in front of you seemed to be so many versions of himself at once. You were reminded of the lanky boy as he excitedly recounts his journey today. You also saw the future tattoos, moving down his body as he faced the very things he was speaking about.
Above all, he was the man sitting in front of you. One of your arms is propped up on your leg to hold up your face as you admire him for all that he is.
“The mouths gaped open and they were full of shiny teeth. I was sure I was going to be consumed, and then child me appeared, and I couldn’t look at anything else.”
“What did he tell you?”
“That there is a before and an after. And that I must stand tall, even if I am eaten.”
“Sounds scary.”
“It was, at first. Especially since the mouths came back. But I decided to listen to little me, and I stood as tall as I could in the water. Then a path appeared in the darkness. I didn’t turn around when I followed it, even when I heard everything catching up to me. It led me to my brother, and we swam to the surface together.”
You reach up to cup his face as you often did. As you stare at his tattoo, you take in the different motifs and symbols, some representing your clan or his family. You tried to decipher it all and match each piece to his words like a puzzle. And then you really notice a small but central spiral that continues to the edge of the design.
In your intense staring, you don’t notice Ao’nung staring back for your reaction.
“Well, what do you think?”
“Mostly that I’m proud of you.”
“I mean of my tattoo.”
“It is placed well. It looks good on you.”
“Thank you, but that’s not what I meant.” A confused look appears on your face. “I mean, you’ve been staring at it this whole time and making faces. You obviously think something of it.”
“You’re the only one that really knows what it means. What I got from it doesn’t matter.”
“Well, what you think matters to me.”
“I was deciding on it.” Your hand moves trace over the swirl without touching it and his eyes follow as best as they can. “And I decided it fits you.”
"Mmm. Good to hear. It is permanent.” His eyes flicker across your own tattoo. “Your turn?”
“Who said I was telling you about my visions?”
“Do you not trust me?”
“Of course I trust you.”
“Then do not deprive me of knowing you.”
You sit up straight snd take in a breath as you recall the moment you went under.
“Before I could see the energy, it was like my heart was pulsing with it. It was overwhelming at first, but I stayed like that for a while so I got used to it. With every second, the web just kept building out.”
Now it was his turn to watch as you described your experience. It was different than his, but everyone’s experience was different and that was reflected in your tattoos. As he listens, he is taken by his adoration for you. You aren’t necessarily elusive, but you don’t tend to speak your thoughts aloud, especially unprompted. This was particularly special, because these visions were literally a glimpse into your spirit. Even now, you seem to pick your words carefully as you illustrate.
You pause in your speech for a little longer than you had been doing, like you were debating on telling him something. He reaches out to place a hand on your arm in a hopefully comforting motion. He also tries to meet your eyes, that have drifted away.
"You don't have to tell me everything if you don't want to, but I want to know anything you'll share."
"I just don't really know what to make of the rest of it."
"Tell me anyway."
“There was blood, everywhere. There was so much, and I couldn’t see anything else. It made me feel so small. Then the water started vibrating, and I could hear Tulkun songs start normally but they changed and got louder and louder. My body was shaking through the water and the blood. When I could finally move, I couldn’t tell if what was happening was real or not, because it felt so real. Eventually the blood went away, but the hallucinations began to wear off so I don't know what was supposed to happen next."
He can tell you’re shaken up by what you saw, which was understandable. It wasn’t nearly as comforting as his own vision.
“Do you believe what some say? About them being prophetic?”
You turn to look out into the water, taking in the sky and the scenery that surrounds it.
“I think that just because we are able to see through the eye of Eywa, it doesn’t make us not who we are.”
He doesn’t respond, instead trying to chew on your words to help him understand.
“I just mean that we do not suddenly become all-seeing and all-knowing. I was still me and you were still you, so our thoughts and fears and hopes still remain through it all. At the very best we see something that calls to us through the eye. But even then, it has to call.”
“Then why do you think you saw what you saw?”
“I don’t know.”
You look down into your lap now, and Ao'nung feels slightly out of his depth. He obviously couldn't tell you simply not to worry about it. He knew very well from his elders and even some of his friends that passed before him that whatever you see should be taken seriously. But you needed to be comforted.
"___, come here." He moves his body so that he was now sitting up and his legs dangled over the edge of the rocky ground. You were now both sitting with your sides pressed in to one another. He quickly wraps his arms around you and lets you lean into him.
"What if it meant something, Ao'nung? We are our most receptive then. What if I was receiving something real?"
"You told the elders, you've done your due diligence. If something needs to be done, then it will be."
"Okay," is all you quietly say.
"I'm proud of you, too." He tilts your face up to his and places a kiss in the center of your forehead, carefully avoiding your tattoo. "Oel ngati kameie, ___ te ___ ___."
You smile at his words, feeling understood in a way that maybe you hadn't before.
You sit together quietly for a while, and eventually the sounds of celebration become noticeable again.
"Should we go back into the festival?" you ask.
"We can. It is celebrating us."
You turn to look at each other. When you both notice your smiles, you laugh in unison.
"Maybe we shouldn't be avoiding everyone. I'm glad we came to talk though, I wanted to share a moment with just you.”
"Just a moment?" He places a hand over his heart, to feign a wound. "That hurts, yawne. I want to share everything with you." The words come out a little heavier than they normally would, likely because of what they now imply.
"Even our futures?"
"Especially our futures."
"I am unsure about a lot of things, but sharing my future with you is not one of them."
He leans to kiss you again, this time on your lips. He doesn’t say anything as he reaches to untie his songcord from his loincloth, along with the three new beads that were tied together on a separate string. He takes one of the beads and holds it out to you.
“I want you to have it.”
You reach to untie one of your own and hold it out for him to take.
“So we can be even.”
“We don’t need to be even.”
“But we are.”
He takes your bead and you take his. You both add the new ones to your songcords while you have them out. No one would notice what you had done, and they wouldn’t know unless you told them. It was something to be held between the two of you.
Once done, you both stand up to reattach them. While you adjust your clothing, he leans down to tug at your cord. You shoot him a look.
“I was making sure it was snug.”
“You must put your childish ways behind you.” Although you are chastising him, it doesn’t land through your amusement.
“You’re right. I am a man now.” He steps closer to you, placing a hand on your side and another under your chin so you couldn’t avoid him or his words. “A man that is grateful to have you in his life in any way. But I would hope that we would become more than what we are.”
“Mates? To be?” He nods in agreement. “Well, you have a right to choose now.”
“I choose you.”
“Are you sure we’re ready for that? We just passed the threshold today and if we mate soon it will change everything—” He cuts you off with a kiss that should annoy you because who is he to interrupt you? Instead, you find yourself melting into it as it brings you right back to the present.
It’s short-lived but just right.
“Say you choose me,” he whispers.
“I choose you.”
“Everything else will follow.”
As he looks at the smile that breaks across your face, another surge of emotion hits him. This time, it’s excitement.
“Are we going to tell everyone we are promised to one another?” he asks hopefully.
“Of course we are,” you reply just as giddy. You reach down to grab his hand and you walk back into the festival. Even if people didn’t know you personally, the garments you were both wearing made it obvious that you were a part of the group being honored tonight. You are quickly moved to the center of dancers, and you join in. The music flows through your bodies and the rhythm connects you to the people of your clan regardless of their status. Tonight was another night to celebrate life and transition.
You were grateful to be here with everyone, but especially Ao’nung.
Author’s Notes: i don’t really know how canon the “Dream Hunt” is since it’s a deleted scene from the first movie but i decided it was way too cool to skip out on for a coming-of-age na’vi fic. i would like to think that because the na’vi are so into connection with the world around them, an experience that kind of forces you to briefly see all of the energy around you would be a part of every clan in some way.
the visions aren’t meant to be prophetic also. ao’nung is concerned about his future, hence his vision. reader is written to be more perceptive of the world around them, so they get a vision of something currently impacting the energy flow. the tulkun have been on my mind a bit (hence my last post) and i just think the slaughter of an entire tulkun clan would be such a monumental event.
they connect to the spirit tree, so i definitely think they’d be showing up there. even though payakan’s clan seems to be separate from the brothers and sisters of the metkayina, i think that amount of tulkun reaching the spirit world would cause somewhat of a disturbance. also, i thought about how when whales die they become somewhat of an ecosystem. tulkun seem to be some of the biggest beings on pandora, so multiple of them dying has to have a crazy impact on the environment. a whole group of tulkun not eating food anymore plus the amount of creatures their bodies are likely feeding would definitely impact the energy flow, so the vision was kind of a nod to that.
i don’t really like that the tulkun fighting back is framed as a triumphant moment in afaa. “the tulkun way” is repeatedly described as ancient, and their pacifism at this point is synonymous with their species. i also think their point is pretty valid; they developed their pacifism after being at war with one another for so long.
the tulkun fighting back, to me, is sad. especially for a character like ta’nok; she literally loses her entire clan (minus payakan) and then also gets stripped of a part of her culture because of how ruthless the humans are.
correct me if im wrong (i didn’t like afaa so i try not to think about it) but there’s no mourning over them literally being worn down. it’s either they continue their ancient ways, or get slaughtered. either way, they are losing something. it’s also important to note that the tulkun aren’t just being hunted to extinction, but with them being both sapient and sentient beings (like humans and na’vi) it is safe to say that they are facing outright genocide.
i think it would’ve been powerful to show not only how heavy this decision actually weighed on the tulkun, but also show the metkayina upset over what things have come to. it is said that the reef clans and the tulkun have a deep respect for one another, but personally i think more could’ve been done to show that. we see the metkayina rally behind jake and protect the sullys (as well as the metkayina kids) throughout the movie, but i think it would’ve been so powerful to see the metkayina rally around their spirit brothers and sisters to protect their ways (like “i will fight so that you don’t have to”). then maybe it would’ve been cooler to see the tulkun fight back, because they see their spirit brothers and sisters willing to die behind them.
it just sucks because it feels like the na’vi are just kind of like “yeah they don’t kill but bro please please please kill this one time and join us,” and then the tulkun just do and it doesn’t even matter. i also think this is a bigger pattern of how pacifism isn’t taken seriously in media and how non-human ways are basically punished throughout avatar movies. i just feel like even though we’re supposed to believe the na’vi and tulkun are such intelligent species and blah blah blah, it feels like every character that doesn’t embrace human ideologies gets punished by the narrative in some way when that doesn’t need to happen! this is fiction, why can’t we get happy endings for the non-human adjacent characters?
TL;DR the tulkun are permanently changed by human behavior in a way that is directly against their culture and i think it would’ve been nice to acknowledge that at least. (correct me if i’m wrong!)
Description: "Come Back to Me Pt. IV" !!!! fluff, heartfelt confessions, and everyone OOC as hell. Again, slightly suggestive at the end depending on how you read. Enjoy!
Edit: this is long my bad
uran/ayuran: boat/boats | irayo: thank you | paskalin: sweet berry (term of endearment) |
The next day, Ao'nung is arguably in an even worse mood than the entirety of your absence. It is noticeable, to everyone. He's upset for a lot of reasons, but mainly that he didn't get a real reunion with you. You looked amazing, tanner from your spending most of your time in direct sun. And you were glowing, physically and in a sense that he knew your journey had changed something in you.
Yet, he didn't get a chance to say any of that. He had ruined something, again. Technically, this wasn't his fault. He did those things months ago. And it's not like he did them to you. He didn't really get why you were so upset but it was eating at him.
Him, the Sullys, Rotxo, and Tsireya were walking through the village to get to the spot they had been using to practice diving. On the way there, they pass you and others. The ayuran had already been unpacked, but there were still things like unused food and medicine that needed to either be distributed to the travelers or given back to the clan.
Ao'nung, ever vigilant, spotted you first and stopped in his tracks. There you were, talking and laughing and somehow still hanging out with people that you had spent all that time with. He’d think you'd be sick of them by now.
"Tsireya, go get her and ask if she wants to join us," he quietly commands while nudging his sister.
"You do it. Or are you too scared?"
"She won't come if I ask, but she's not mad at you. Just do it. And don't say I'm the one that asked. Say you need another person, because we're doing pairs or something."
"Okay but only because I was already thinking of asking her to come." Tsireya bounds off in your direction and Ao'nung keeps close watch. He can hear his friends talking about something, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that Tsireya could very well be messing with his plan. It takes a minute of convincing, and it seems Talu of all people has to wave you off for you to come over. But, here you are now, greeting everyone and joining in on the walk. Instead of engaging with everyone else in their chatter, Ao'nung only listens while he mentally prepares himself. He needed to be on his best behavior today.
Upon arrival, he makes sure to puff out his chest like the leader he is, taking a deep breath to steady himself before addressing the group as politely as he can.
"Today, we are going to see if you all would be able to save someone else. As a part of living on the reef, it is important that you are able to swim while carrying your fellow divers. ___, would you mind demonstrating with me?" He notices you squint briefly, but you appear at his side anyway. It felt amazing to have you there, even if it was for this stupid drill.
"We are going to swim to the bottom, and ___ will pretend to be unconscious because someone that cannot move is much heavier than someone that can. Then, I will carry her back to the surface as quickly as I can. Simple." He submerges himself, pointing at a spot much deeper below.
Race me? he signs to you. He can almost hear your laugh even under the water, and then you nod, getting into position. He taps you, and the both of you are off. It's a sight, really, watching the two of you try to stop the other from reaching the bottom first.
I win, I touched it first! You sign immediately.
And you cheated!
You cheated too!
Fine, it's a tie.
Unfair. You gesture with an eye roll. He moves his hands in front of him, motioning for you to pretend to be unconscious. You take the hint, making yourself lay horizontally as close to the bottom of the ocean as you can. Ao'nung places his hands under your thighs and back. Before you are able to protest his form, he starts bolting to the surface. He lifts you both easily above the surface with a cocky look on his face.
"That is not how you should be teaching them to rescue someone skxawng."
"I forget they are baby swimmers." You roll your eyes at him again, wrestling your way out of his arms. Everyone else has been looking on in amusement for the most part.
"Sorry, I will show you guys how we teach the children,” you reassure.
"That is insulting, we have warriors in our presence," he jokes, gesturing at the Sullys.
"Shut up and dive, Ao'nung." You go first and Ao'nung dives right behind you.
Play dead, you sign. He obliges quickly. You hug him from behind, hoisting him up from under his armpits to quickly swim back to where everyone was. You don’t immediately let go, and Ao’nung relishes in the contact until you do.
“Irayo for saving me, ___. How must I repay you?” He leans in far too close to your face, and he doesn’t miss the slight blush that appears even while you try to look annoyed. You quickly turn to address the rest of the group.
"That is how most people do it, if you do not want to risk drowning as well. You don't want to tire yourself out, especially if you are going long distances."
"___'s right, it is advised that you use proper form when doing a rescue. Especially if you are not me." He can hear your breathy exhale, and sees you pinch your nose in exasperation. Even though your hand partially blocks it, he also sees a tiny smile on your face that you were obviously trying to hide. Too bad.
“Okay, partner up.” Tsireya and Lo’ak, Kiri and Rotxo, and you and Neteyam. Which left him with Tuk, although he was sure Tuk could not carry him.
“Tsireya, switch with me. You’re closer to Tuk’s size, or as close as we can get.”
“Oh, and I have to carry you?” Lo’ak scoffs.
“Am I too heavy for you, little Lo’ak?”
The boy huffs but doesn’t respond directly. You and Neteyam end up going first. You speed to the bottom, curiously looking at him when you realize how far behind you he is.
Sorry! You sign, apologetic about leaving him. It was hard to find the balance when teaching newcomers because you didn’t really know what they could or couldn't do.
It’s okay he signs back, somewhat clunkily.
You lay down as you did before. Neteyam hesitates to grab you for a second, like he was remembering what to do. You pretend to drown, sticking your tongue out to the side.
You must be quick!
At that, he grabs you like Ao’nung did, hoisting you to the surface. He struggles a bit and is heaving upon resurfacing but he makes it anyhow. Ao’nung debates on how he should feel in his head; on one hand, why is Neteyam carrying you like that? On the other, he didn’t do it nearly as well. He keeps his comment to himself, continuing the lessons and trying not to think about it. But he does anyway.
Ao’nung had been enamored with your touch while you were teaching him, what’s to say Neteyam wouldn’t forget whoever it is he had in the forest and choose you? And who’s to say you wouldn’t fall for the outsider? Neteyam was arguably handsome, and already a warrior before, even if he wasn’t recognized here. He’s also nice and friendly and disarming enough to maybe even charm you. What if you thought he was more mature, a better fit for you?
Before he realizes, he’s glaring at Neteyam. He doesn’t know how long he’s been stewing and analyzing your interactions with the boy when Rotxo elbows him. Right, best behavior. Ao’nung lets it go, continuing their lessons and eventually eating lunch while teaching the Omatikayans more sign language. You ended up sitting between Ao’nung and Neteyam, much to his annoyance.
Ao’nung’s quietness was at least a little bit concerning to you. He was often quieter when you were alone, but in groups of his friends he at least engaged in conversation a little bit. You knew something was off, and it had been off all day. And you had to make up for his absence now, talking more than you usually would.
You okay? you quickly gesture with your hands, trying not to get anyone’s attention but his. He nods in response, and it is not convincing. You hated seeing your boy upset. While the rest of the group breaks away for naps or whatever they decided to do for the afternoon, you pull him away without any words but he still follows.
“You were pretty quiet today.” You didn't want to press if it was nothing, but you wanted him to know that you noticed. You hold on to his bicep and scan his face for clues. As you look on at him, you realize you’ve never seen him look like this. His face was almost melancholic. Was he this upset from yesterday, or had something else happened? But you brush off that thought; Ao'nung was never one to take a scolding to heart, right?
"I know we were fighting last night, but you can still talk to me if you're upset about something." You place your other hand on his cheek, hoping it'll coax an answer out of him. He sighs, looking up at the sky instead of at you while he thought about what he should say.
"I spent so much time thinking that maybe you'd come back in love with someone else. And then we fought the night of your return. And today, it felt like I could only watch you from afar even though you were right in front of me. It feels like I keep messing up everything and I just don't want to make you hate me." He looks down at your feet then, tears slightly building in his eyes that he didn't want you to see.
"What? Ao'nung, I could never hate you. It just pains me when you do certain things because of how deeply I feel for you. You are a part of me, like a tattoo. Or maybe a scar."
"Which one am I?"
"How am I supposed to know?"
"Which one should I be?" As he looks at you, you can tell he's taking this half-cooked analogy way more seriously than you had when you initially said it, but you indulge him anyway.
"Well, tattoos are intentional, and built up over time to show parts of your story. Scars are not as full of intention, but they tell a story all the same. I guess it just depends on the strike. How you want to strike."
"I can be intentional, for you."
"You already are, a lot of the time. But I don't want you to be intentional just for me. We are going to be of the people soon, eventually choosing our mates. If we chose each other right now, we would become extensions of one another. I do not want my extension picking fights with me or other people."
"It is still a question for you? Whether you will choose me?"
"What?"
"You said if we choose each other. I have already chosen you in my heart, even if I cannot officially do so yet. But you have not chosen me?"
"Out of everything I just said, that is what you got from that?"
"That was the most important part. If there is someone else you must tell me. I'm fine with it, I just need to know."
You blink at him in disbelief. Ao'nung is avoiding your eyes, but still looking at you with this almost sad resolve as he pushes his face into your hand. You've never seen him like this, and it has you confused.
"Ao'nung, who else could there possibly be? And you are speaking like this is a decision we need to make tomorrow. Don't you think that's a little fast?"
"No. I don't." He says it so strongly it takes you back a little. "___, when you went away, I spent every day thinking of you. I prayed that you would come back in one piece, and as soon as you left I knew I never wanted to be apart again. But it was too late to tell you that because you were already gone. So no, it's not too fast. And I'll wait for you to decide on me just like I waited for you to come back."
His words should've made you feel anxious; talking about mating always did. But it didn't, because you had decided on him a long time ago. A smile broke across your face because if that was what he was upset about, it was a pretty easy fix. As you were about to tell him how you felt, an interruption comes. It was as if everyone had divine timing as of late. Iya walks up first, rambling about how she might've given someone one of the pastes you had made at sea and now they had a rash.
"I swear, I thought I knew what it was but now his skin looks a lot worse-"
"It's fine, I'll come help in a second.” Your eyes dart between her and Ao'nung as a signal. She quickly apologizes, and just as the girl walks away, suddenly the area just floods with activity. A large group of people seem to be calling for Ao'nung. He throws his head back in annoyance, and you laugh at the current predicament. Maybe you should've picked a more private spot to talk?
"It's okay, we'll talk later," you suggest.
"Later. Again."
"It is the curse of being useful." As you say this, it seems the group is encroaching. You give him a peck on the cheek, and although that was not the original plan, it would suffice. As you break away from him, your hand trails down the length of his arm, and your hands stay connected until they can't anymore. As much as you didn't want to leave, you would talk to him later.
Later seems to be never, to Ao'nung. It is a whole new day and he still hasn't been able to steal you away. He is out on the reef with the Sully boys and Rotxo, thinking up his plan of approach. He felt he had not made up for the night of your return, nor anything else. He wanted to have a special moment, for just the two of you. But it was hard, and it felt like everyone always needed something. It was only worsening his mood. And it didn't help that he still thought you were upset with him.
"I feel a little bad, Ao'nung. Do you want me to talk to her?" Lo'ak offers.
"And what will you talking to her accomplish exactly? She needs to talk to me," Ao'nung shoots back.
"But she doesn't want to talk to you, obviously, or you would’ve by now," he counters. Maybe Lo’ak was right and you didn’t want to talk to him.
"Well what do you usually do when she's mad? I assume this happens frequently, knowing you," Neteyam jokes.
"Usually I give her space. I cannot do it this time. I am tired of space."
"I don't think we can take you giving her space either. You've been in an awful mood, Ao'nung," Rotxo says.
"Well, it's in everyone's best interest to get me back into her good graces, isn't it?"
They think for a while until Lo'ak comes up with the first usable idea.
"Maybe we set you guys up. Like trick her into meeting you somewhere, and you give her gifts and stuff. And we all explain everything, and hope she is deluded enough to like you again."
"That could work. How do we get her there though? Maybe saying Rotxo got hurt?" Neteyam adds.
"Perfect, perfect. I knew eventually having you guys as my friends would pay off. Although if Lo'ak wasn't my friend, this wouldn't have happened in the first place," Ao'nung says towards to boy.
"How was I supposed to know she would react like that?"
You had invited Tsireya back to your marui that afternoon, after you had forgotten to give her your gift. You had apologized to her many times since you had practically abandoned her and her new friends that night. Back in your home, you were going through some of the stuff you had returned with.
"You never told me whether this one was a gift or a trade?" She holds up the shiny top you previously wore.
"A gift technically, but I consider it a trade. I gave some other na'vi some tea because they had a cold. It worked well, and the next time we stopped, they gave it to me."
"Aw, that's sweet. Do you think they were flirting with you, or were they being friendly?"
"I don't think it matters much."
"Right, because you and my brother are currently fighting but generally in love."
"We aren't fighting, although your brother is a skxawng."
"He is. But he's like crazy about you. He actually moped for half the time you were gone."
"Ao'nung does not mope."
"For you he does."
It wasn't easy to believe, but yesterday did prove that Ao'nung had feelings that you previously didn't know about. But you questioned that; he could be impulsive at times. Even if he did have feelings for you, did he mean what he said about choosing you? Or was he only saying it in the heat of the moment? Maybe all of these interruptions were divine interventions. You shake those thoughts from your head, not letting them spiral out of control.
"Sorry again for causing such a scene the other day. Ao'nung just brings out big feelings in me sometimes."
The girl laughs at your confession and waves off your apology. In the rest of your time with Tsireya, you went through the things you had gotten while away and swapped stories of your journeys.
"I feel like once I got back, I wanted to travel more," she says. “And we definitely weren't gone as long as you were."
"Well, you could travel more. There's a lot of ocean to explore. I’m sure you could visit other clans if you wanted to, even if it’s for no reason."
"I suppose so." You were now both wearing your clothes, she was wearing something made of feathers, with a few from the payalìm in her hair. You were wearing something covered in shiny bead work, and wearing matching jewelry.
"I can't believe you made this one yourself, ___. It looks so intricate."
"It did take a while. But we had a lot of time in calm waters, I got bored. And someone taught me a new pattern, so I wanted to try it out."
Suddenly, you hear Lo'ak and Neteyam bursting into your home.
"___! Tsireya! Come quick! Rotxo is hurt."
"What? What happened, don't we need to get something?" The both of you scramble up, trying to grab whatever healing materials you could.
"No time, c'mon!" The four of you sprint through the village as questions and mostly panic ring through your head. What could possibly have happened for them to come directly to you instead of getting him to the Tsahik? You run through the sand as fast as you can, eventually reaching a little cove of some sort. The two boys dive into the water, and you go after them. When you resurface, you're in a cave that has skylights and water running through the expanse of it.
Ao'nung watches you get out of the water to get on the rocky ground he and Rotxo were standing on. You rush to Rotxo's side, examining him for second. Then you whack him.
"What is wrong with you? I though something happened. You seem fine."
"I think they were lying to get us here. Or you here. I wish they had come up with a lie that did not include us running for our lives."
"Great Tsireya. Your new friends are stupid, too. As if we needed more skxawngs in Awa'atlu." You try to keep as much bite in your voice as possible, but considering how out of breath you are, it is hard.
The two forest boys in question aren't faring any better. They had to sit down after the swim.
"We had to find a way to get you here," Neteyam pants.
"We want you to forgive Ao'nung, please. We are tired of his misery."
"You skxawngs! I had already forgiven Ao'nung."
"Really?" He perks up at this. He had been quiet, waiting on his chance to talk to you after Lo'ak and Neteyam said their piece. But it seemed they hadn't considered how strenuous running and then swimming would be. You and Tsireya catch your breath a little easier than they do. She laughs at the absurdity of the situation, and you do not.
"The next time I hear you are hurt, I may not get here as fast," you threaten Rotxo.
"They made me. Ao'nung has been terrible all day-"
"Rotxo, hush! Paskalin, you look beautiful-"
"Oh, and chieftan of this plan. Do not flatter me." You looked angry, glaring on at him. But it only made you more enticing. Your wet skin glistened under the light filtering in from the top of the grotto, not to mention the pearlescent beads you were wearing did nothing but call to him. He reaches to place a hand on your rib, caressing the skin and your clothing at once.
"I like this very much. It makes you glow."
You shake your head at your predicament. Lo'ak speaks up next, after finally steadying his breath.
"Why are you two so dressed up anyway?"
"We were trying on some of ___'s new stuff and catching up before you two came to get us."
"Well, you both look really nice," the boy blushes. But he wasn't looking at you, he was looking at Tsireya, who blushes back.
"Irayo." The interaction makes your eyes dart between the two, and then back at Ao'nung who hadn't taken his eyes off you yet. Your eyes finally look around, and you notice a canoe behind him holding a basket and a blanket.
"Is this supposed to be a date?" you ask, trying to keep the annoyance in your voice. But he can see the smile creeping up on your face.
"Yes, but everyone is still here for some reason."
"We just caught our breath skxawng."
"Is this the thanks we get for helping?" Rotxo asks, but still moving to get in the water to leave. The other three follow, and you do not miss the look Ao'nung and Neteyam share.
"Finally, we have a moment alone."
"And what do you plan to do with your moment?" You inch closer, making your chests touch. One of his hands was still on your side, and the others were still holding the flowers.
"Make up for lost time." He leans closer to your face, faintly rubbing his lips at the corner of yours like he was asking for permission. Your hand grabs the back of his neck to move him, landing a kiss on his lips first. It starts off slow, Ao'nung taking the lead as he wraps both of his arms around you now. And then, you're all teeth, letting your canines scrape against his lips and your tongue coming to soothe it away. It turns heated quickly, him letting you kiss him exactly how you wanted. He couldn't help but groan into your mouth, and you relish in the noises he makes. You pull away first, and he licks his lips to refrain from chasing after you.
"You didn't need to trick me to get me here."
"I thought you were mad at me. And I figured you were with someone that wasn't my sister, so I needed you to abandon my possible competition."
Again, here he was talking about competition. What competition? He seemed to be joking, but you couldn't really tell. You looked on at him skeptically, after everything, you obviously couldn't take had to take his little quips seriously.
"Ao'nung, why do you think there is someone else? I have only ever shown interest in you." You had to be blunt, or you were never going to get anywhere. And he shrugs.
"Why wouldn't there be? We aren't mated, and you're well within your rights to explore things."
"There is no one else. This isn't a competition."
"You said earlier if we were to choose each other. Doesn't that mean your heart is still open?"
"As in choose each other in front of Eywa. As in mating. Which we aren't doing right now because we are not of the people." As you look at the relief spreading across his face, you were reminded of your previous conversation. You wrap your arms around his torso, but he was still avoiding your eyes.
"Ao'nung?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to know that my heart chose you a long time ago. Since being with you, I haven't even considered someone else's hand. I took that trip for myself, but I carried you with me the whole way. And when I got back, you were still here, and still mine."
"Yours?" You nod, feeling emboldened in your feelings for him.
Ao'nung felt like he would explode if you kept looking at him like that, so he chooses to lean down and press his face into your neck. He breathes in scent deeply and pulls you impossibly closer to him.
"I've always been yours. Good to see you finally catching on."
"Maybe that means you'll start acting like it."
"I will. ‘M sorry for how I acted before you left,” he mutters into your skin as he places kisses on your neck and ears.
“You don’t need to keep apologizing, you already made up for that,” you breathe out. “But if this is your apology, I’m definitely still mad.” You pull him in closer by his neck, and you hear his muffled laugh. He finally trails along your jaw and places one upon your lips. You place a few pecks on his lips until he's the one to pull away.
"We have to stop, or we’ll be standing here forever.”
"What's so bad about that?" Eywa, how you had missed him.
"I haven't even shown you what's in the basket."
"I thought you brought me here to kiss without interruptions, and now you are interrupting."
"I brought you here to be alone, yes, but I also have other reasons."
"You thought I was mad at you, so being surrounded by Eywa's creations was supposed to soften the blow?"
"No, it is because I believe a beautiful woman should be surrounded by beautiful scenery while we have a beautiful moment. Now, into the canoe."
"How did you even get this in here? I thought the only way to get in here was to swim."
He ignores your questions, holding out his hand for your stability and you finally oblige. You sit on the bench inside of the canoe, and he sits next to you. He grabs the oars to push you into the water so you could lazily float with the current. You look around, trying to see if this was an enclosed cave.
Turning to be face to face with you, he grabs your hands in his and braces himself to speak. While you apparently weren't upset, he still felt the need to go forward with his original plan.
"___, while you were gone, you owned my nights, my days, and all of my thoughts. I don't think you realize how I feel about you, but maybe I can show you the evidence of my devotion." He lets go of your hands and grabs the basket to hand to you. You open it and your eyes widen in surprise as you peer into it as there are quite a few things. Clothing, accessories, and a collection of trinkets like combs and shells. As he studies your surprised reaction, his heart beats wildly in his chest.
"Did you make all of this?"
"Some of it, other stuff was traded. Sometimes I just needed something to do with my hands when I couldn't go to sleep."
"Ao'nung, while I appreciate all of this, you do not need to express yourself with material things."
"I know, I know. But you deserve nice things, and I wanted to give them to you." As he watches you go through each piece, he thinks about the fact that part of the reason he was here was because he wanted you to know exactly how he felt, no matter how pathetic he sounded. "I really didn't know what else to do with myself. I didn't know where we stood before you left and everything reminded me of you and I was so, so worried about you. I even thought about following you, just to see if you were okay. Collecting things for you was how I kept busy. It was my way of making sure you'd come back to me."
You stop admiring the gifts and place the basket down to straddle the bench, and he does the same. When you place your hand in his cheek again, he presses his face into as he usually does. This time, you feel like you could finally see how he felt. You realized that you hadn't particularly reassured him of your feelings enough.
"I didn't know you would be in such distress while I was gone. I didn't realize how much I affected you."
He screws his eyes shut, chuckling to himself. How could you not know? Everyone else did.
"You've always affected me. I just didn't want to be needy. But I am. And I need you. And as bad as I've always wanted to be yours, I thought I couldn't be when I messed up." His words make you a little sad, but you couldn't focus on that. You had a goal to be accomplished: proving to him that his foolish notions were untrue, even if it took all night.
"My love, look at me." When he finally opens them to look at you, you make sure to stare back to get your point across. "You aren't only your actions, and I'm not either. I'll adore you for who you were yesterday, and who you'll be tomorrow. I'll always come back to you, no matter what. I see you for all that you are, and I'm sorry for ever making you feel any other way."
Although you had said words the exact words he never knew he wanted, Ao'nung had been rendered speechless. He could only blink at you, and it isn't until you speak again that he realizes he should probably say something back.
Him not saying anything makes you tilt your head in curiosity. He finally nods slowly, and you’ll take that as an answer. You place just one kiss on his lips, hopefully sealing the deal. “Well, what are you thinking?”
Ao’nung smiles for the first time since you’d gotten into the canoe, and it finally felt like you had done it.
“That this is going much better than I expected,” he whispers honestly. “And that maybe I should be a little needy more often.”
“Needy does look good on you.” You move your hands to his shoulders and let them roam freely on his chest and arms. “Maybe if I knew just how needy you were, I would’ve been able to comfort you sooner.”
“I can’t believe you were under a different impression.” Aonung’s face had returned to one you were much more familiar with; his smirk was back, but his eyes were looking at you full of love (and maybe something more). He leans closer to you, and your faces are now almost touching. He places his hands on your thighs, mimicking your motions.
“Do you remember what you said about me bringing you here to kiss in peace?”
“Yeah, and you said we were here to have a moment.”
“I said we were here for a few reasons.”
“Well, it’s still your moment. Give me one of your reasons.”
His lips brush against yours in an instant, and you very quickly stop pretending you didn’t want this as badly as he did. The kiss you shared could only be described as hungry. Somehow at the same time, you wrap your arms around him to bring him closer and he lifts you into your lap.
“Mmm, I missed you so much,” you mumbled in between.
“Show me I was on your mind, sevin.”
Safe to say you were there for a while. Later, you laid together in the bottom of the canoe, cuddling into each other and using the blanket. As you admired the stars that shone through the holes in the cave, you laugh to yourself. He turns to look at you expectantly.
“I just think it’s funny that you have me in an uran right now, after I spent months living on one.”
“Yeah, because you weren’t in one with me.”
Author's Notes: the ending? "Rock the Boat" alt title lol
sorry this took so long, i was apparently going through something personal... and idk i just didn't really like the way this fic was going for like forever so i did abandon it for a while but i finally locked in and finished today!!! anyway, i have like a dozen drafts so i might start spamming again. i have another idea for a series, a couple of oneshots, and like a drabble or two.
side note: WHY DID "SING TO ME" BLOW UP???? that is genuinely so funny to me like i wrote that on a whim and somehow it has over 200 notes (for reference, i recently hit 500 total notes on my blog and i have 22 total posts, so def out of the ordinary...)
TLDR: THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT LMK YOUR THOUGHTS OKAY BYE SORRY FOR DISAPPEARING AGAIN
Description: Aged-up Ao’nung x Reader as parents. Just a teeny, fluffy drabble based on a video I saw from @/crescendochannel on TikTok (it’s pinned on their page). Enjoy!
i’en: stringed instrument (I picture a non-metal dulcimer but you can also picture a guitar or whatever)
You wake up to music. Soft strings being played and Ao’nung’s even softer voice, singing words you can only slightly hear. As your eyes blink open, you can see him and your baby. He has their tiny body resting on his i’en with a blanket between their skin and the instrument. You watch in silent awe for a while, so many emotions flooding your tired body.
Most of the times you’ve heard him play were in ensembles with the other members of your clan. He would also occasionally get caught making music for Pril, and very seldom for you. Now, you heard him a little more frequently with your baby after you convinced him it was good for them.
He sounded beautiful, but it was also quite a sight to behold. Your mate of years now, sitting in your home holding the baby you made together. His tattooed skin glowing in the easy morning light and his normally kept hair cascading over his shoulders. And your tiny baby resting. It brought tears to your eyes.
He stopped playing for a moment to caress the child, never stopping his singing. You can hear the tiny babbles and coos, and it almost makes you break.
“I don’t sing much, but I’d do anything for you,” he whispers. “For your sa’nok as well, who is pretending to be asleep.” He openly looks at you for the first time with a knowing smile and you let out a laugh.
“How long have you known I was awake?”
“I always know.”
“And that is not true, you do not sing for me.”
“You do not ask.”
“Oh, the baby asked?”
“Yes. We talk often, mostly about you.”
“Bring my baby to bed. You can come too if you bring the i’en.”
And he does. The two of you sing songs from your childhood to your beautiful creation. You wish the moment could last forever.
Author’s Notes: slightly outside of normal content but the vid was so cutesy i just had to lol
Description: "Come Back To Me" pt. III! Some soft angst, mostly reader is just annoyed. Slight SPOILER? Sullys make a real appearance and whatnot, and this chapter isn't super focused on Ao'nung and reader but the next one will be
Reader returns and basically everything except the humans coming back has happened (because I said so).
Ao'nung hears the horns blaring again, and he hopes it's you. He sprints to the shore, not caring that he was leaving everyone else in the dust. He gets there and he sees the payalìm circling above, announcing your return. He thanks Eywa as they fly about. People around him crowd in excitement and he feels it too.
The uranya crash against the shore and people flock to surround them, him included. There you are, as beautiful as the day you left. Hair blowing in the sea spray, wearing a shawl to break up the wind. Ao'nung feels his heart actually stop when you finally spot him. It's a blur as you wrap up in each other, squeezing like you had come back from war.
He thinks about everything he wanted to tell you but nothing comes out. He can only savor the fact that you were back, that you were here in his arms again. All of his anxieties seemed to melt away, and he decided he didn't care if you had come back promised to someone else in that moment. He'd figure it out. The embrace lasts until he can hear others trying to get their turn of welcoming you back. He only pulls away to let your family in, knowing you'd want them there.
Eventually, his parents are making a speech about the trip being successful and such. He isn't really listening. Once the group begins breaking off, he helps you carry your stuff home and your family follows. On the walk back, he can see you send a questioning face as you pass the Sully's. He sends a laugh back, remembering you weren't there for any of that.
Once you get home, you plop down.
"I missed home."
"We missed you, too, ma'ite," your grandmother replies. "We're so happy to have you back. Your father had become worrisome-"
"It is only right for a father to worry," he cuts in. His hand comes to ruffle your hair affectionately.
"I brought everyone some stuff back," you say with a yawn. "Sorry, we didn't sleep much the last few nights. Too excited about returned home."
"Can I see what you brought me first?" Rotxo asks excitedly.
"Nonsense. You should rest. There will be much time to celebrate later!" Your grandmother proclaims.
"Yes, we should let ___ rest," your father pointedly states at Ao'nung. The boy nods, but your grandmother drags Rotxo and your father out before they can protest anymore. She throws you a wink as your father grumbles about something you couldn't hear.
"Can you tell that your grandmother likes me and your father does not?" he asks, sitting at the edge of your bed.
"What have you been up to since I've been gone?" you ask, a playful accusation.
"I'll tell you later. Your grandmother's right, you should be resting."
"Rest with me?"
"I wish. I'm supposed to be down at the docks right now actually, probably preparing for tonight. I hear some important travelers have come into the village."
You don't have much fight, properly exhausted as your bed calls you to sleep.
"Okay, I guess you can get your gifts with everyone else."
"Am I not special enough to be first?"
"Rotxo already asked to be first."
"Go to sleep," he says with an eye roll. Another yawn comes from you, stopping whatever response you have.
"Okay, okay. I thought everyone missed me. But you all just want me to sleep now that I'm back," you mumble as you nuzzle further into the comfort of your bed.
"I did miss you," he adds quietly.
"I missed you, too." Those are your last words as you drift away, the tiredness from travel and the comfort of your bed overtaking you. Ao'nung stays for a minute, watching you as if to make sure you were really there. Eventually, he stands to leave. There is an apparent pep in his step for the rest of the day.
The village is buzzing in preparation for the celebration; hunters are hunting, gatherers are gathering, and there is a sense of excitement spreading throughout.
You wake up a couple of hours later to Tsireya shaking you gently.
"It's time to get ready!" she practically squeals. "And I have much to tell you." You are barely awake as she rifles through some of your stuff. "Did you get anything new while you were away?"
"Yeah, some trades and gifts. It's in the garment bag over there." She finds it, coming across a piece made from shiny capiz shells. "___! This is gorgeous. Was this a gift or a trade?" she asks with a mischievous smile.
"Does it matter?"
"Forgive me for being curious. Anyway, the festivities will be beginning soon. You must get ready, and show everyone what they've been missing!" Sometimes you tried to fight it, but her bubbliness always rubbed off on you. You got up to wash yourself as she filled you in on things that happened while you were away, like the arrival of the Sullys.
"I was wondering why there were forest people here. And they sought uturu here of all places?"
"Yes I know, odd decision. But they are here now, learning."
"And what's chasing them?"
"A tawtute, holding a grudge against their father."
"And what if they find them here?"
"I try not to think of that part."
You shiver, thinking of the possibilities.
"Well, are they like other Na'vi? Or are they human-like?"
"They have some weird sayings, but they are Na'vi through and through!"
You were still skeptical, but you did not voice your concerns. If they were fine with Tsireya and everyone else, you were sure they'd be okay. She sat behind you, messing with your hair. It had been in a braided style before, for convenience. She undid all the braids, giving you a new style as she continued.
"I think that's everything. I didn't want you to be caught off-guard later, but Ao'nung has become friends with them now. So you shouldn't be worried!"
"It doesn't make me feel great that he was picking fights with people that obviously had enough problems, Tsireya."
"Well, it was nothing drastic. Just a couple of fights and some teasing. Really, it's fine now. Don't even worry about it! You should enjoy tonight and not rehash things that have already happened."
"If you say so."
You finish getting ready after Tsireya convinces you to wear a more ceremonial but pretty headpiece. You go through some of your things, grabbing a bag to carry all of your gifts you planned on giving out.
"You have to wait like everyone else, Tsireya," you scold after she begs to get hers first. You walk together to the common grounds; there are already people playing their instruments and dancing. You don't have much time to soak it all in before your clan leaders are calling all the travelers to the front. Tonowari talks about the history of the journey and calls for the clan to celebrate you all, congratulating each of you and commanding the festivities to begin.
You sit alongside the people you traveled with as people perform songs and dances in front of you. Once they’re done, you eat with your family. You gift them the little trinkets that had reminded you of them, along with payalìm feathers. Your grandmother hugs you and shoos you and Rotxo away, telling you to enjoy the night. As you walk, some of your other friends and even some people you didn’t know stopped to talk. Much like the others, you give out the feathers freely, spreading the tokens of good fortune.
Finally, you spot Ao'nung. He had been talking with others and letting you have your time in the spotlight. He breaks away from the people he was talking to and walks up to you with another hug.
"Do I get my gift now?" he whispers before pulling back. You don't get a chance to respond because Tsireya appears.
"I was just looking for you! Come, meet the Sully family." She grabs your hand.
"We're kind of having a moment here Tsireya." He pulls you back into his side and the siblings have a slight stare-off.
"It's fine. We'll talk right after," you assure him. Tsireya drags you forward with Rotxo and Ao'nung following closely behind. You can hear him grumbling, so you turn around to show your amusement. When you walk up, the Sully children are sitting around one of the fire pits closer to the outskirts of the area.
"This is ___, the one we've been telling you about!"
"Good things I hope."
"___, this is Kiri, Tuktirey, Neteyam, and Lo'ak." You watch as she goes down the line, trying to remember their names. A couple of them were different looking, you note. But Tsireya says they are Na'vi, so they must be. You reach into the bag you've been carrying, handing each of them a feather. They thank you, but they each look a little confused.
"They are symbols of good fortune for your journey in life ahead." It comes out a little awkwardly and you just hope they don't think you're weird.
"It's so pretty!" the youngest one exclaims. "And your outfit is very shiny. I like it!"
"Irayo, Tuktirey? It was a gift from my travels."
"Speaking of, you must tell us everything," Tsireya gushes as she pulls you to sit next to her, and on her other side is Lo'ak. Ao'nung sits on your other side, and Rotxo completes the circle by sitting next to Kiri. Ao'nung pulls you closer into his side as he normally does. It feels kind of awkward, with everyone seemingly staring at you. But, in your months away, you were forced to make friends a lot quicker than you normally did, so you were determined to do so now.
"Well, we made it back! Talu was surprisingly good as our captain, but i didn't know him that well before so maybe it wasn't so surprising to everyone else."
"Talu is amazing, isn't he?" Tsireya teases. You had somewhat forgotten about the scrap from before.
"I didn't know you were so fond of him, Tsireya. I thought you had found someone else to be fond of," he shoots back. You look between the two, wondering what that could possibly mean; maybe Tsireya hadn't told you everything. "Besides, I am just grateful Talu could bring you back safely. Although I'm sure you would've made it back with or without him," he says with a squeeze and a smile.
You roll your eyes, slightly self-conscious about the compliment and the fact that you had an entire group of people you did not know staring at you like you had two heads.
"It was a group effort. You know that."
"Whatever you say. I'm just glad to have you back, paskalin."
"I'm glad to be back." Your eyes flick to his lips, and you refrain from acting on your desire to kiss him. It had been so long, you wanted to take your time when you finally did. You look back around, and the rest of the circle seems to be whispering about something.
"What's that about?" you whisper to Ao'nung. "Are they always like this?"
"Weird? Yes. You get used to it."
"Oh, okay. I thought it was me. Maybe I should've gotten some wine to loosen up."
"We can leave if you want. Or I can get you something to drink."
"I still--" and you're cut off once again. This time by Rotxo.
"Tsmuke, are you going to leave us hanging? I must hear about all the predators I'm sure you fought off."
"Oh right."
"I'll get the drink, be right back." Ao'nung gets up without giving you any time to protest, kissing you on the cheek and bolting off. Three sets of yellow eyes follow him, with that same look.
"I don't think everyone wants to hear about that," you chuckle.
"What? Why wouldn't we?"
"You guys have been making the most confused faces I've ever seen, especially you." You nod towards who you believe is Lo'ak. "I can just tell you guys about it later," you say back to Rotxo.
"Well I've been confused, but mostly about Ao'nung. I mean who is this guy? He's been basically cuddling you-"
"Lo'ak, shut up." This comes from Neteyam, you're pretty sure. You guess it makes sense; people are usually at least a little bit different around people they have feelings for. Afterall, you weren't dreaming of making out with just anyone.
"I think they're just surprised to finally see you and my tsmukan together finally," Tsireya jokes.
"Yeah, you seem a lot nicer than Ao'nung. And he seems a little nicer around you," Neteyam says.
"So you guys aren't looking at me like that, you're looking at him like that?"
"We're just surprised someone likes him." This time Kiri mutters quietly, and this is the first time she's spoken while you were here. Again, surprising. Ao'nung had many suitors, so their perception of him was slightly jarring.
"But, we knew about you. So I think everyone should stop before we scare off our new friend," Neteyam pointedly says at the other two. Ao'nung comes back at that moment, passing you a drink.
"Scare her off? What have you guys done already?"
"They are surprised about your affection towards me. Did you keep me a secret while I was gone?" you tease.
"I did not." He glares at practically everyone.
"He didn't, really."
"Ugh, this is boring," the little one says.
"Tuk is right. ___, go."
"Okay fine. I'll tell you a Talu story. Don't worry, I think you'll like this one Ao'nung." You tell them about how he had almost gotten eaten by a marine ikran while you were docked along a rocky coastline. You show them a scar you now have on your shoulder that was healing over.
"If you think mine's bad, you should see Talu. It had practically sunk into him by the time I pushed him down. The skxawng was too busy trying to impress some of the Ta'unui to notice he was about to be eaten."
"You should've let him be eaten." The group laughs, and you feel like you're warming up to everyone. It feels a lot less awkward. You go into a story about a pxazang that followed your boat, but Lo'ak interrupts you.
"One of those tried to eat me, too! When Ao'nung left me outside the reef!" The air immediately tenses, and you turn to look at Ao'nung.
"You what?"
"it was a prank, a while ago. It's fine, I got a friend out of it," Lo'ak tries to reassure you. Your eyes hadn't left Ao'nung though.
"___, it's okay. I don't even why my skxawng brother brought it up. Continue your story," Neteyam says.
"No, I think there's a story I should hear first." Your gaze was still locked on Ao'nung, and he seemingly shrinks a little.
"We might've told Lo'ak we were hunting outside the reef. And then left him out there."
"But I met Payakan out of it, and I'm fine."
"He met Payakan?!" At this you stand up in disbelief to look between Lo'ak and Ao'nung. Ao'nung stands as well. Kiri laughs to herself, Neteyam facepalms, and Tsireya noticeably winces.
"Were you involved in this Rotxo?" you sharply ask the boy.
"No, no, I had nothing to do with it."
"Oh, irayo, Rotxo, I really needed that."
"Now is not the time to be mad at anyone Ao'nung. Look at him! Does he look like he could survive outside of the reef? What else did you do while I was gone? Feed someone to nalutsa?"
"No, mostly just that."
"Mostly. Right. Tsireya, I thought you told me everything."
"I told you the important parts, that now we are friends with the Sully family and now everything is okay. I told you he just wasn't his best self because he missed you and-"
"Oh so this is my fault?" You look back at Ao'nung, who was looking towards the sky.
"Okay, everyone quiet," he says with as much authority as he can muster. "___, can I talk to you? In private?" he asks, leaning forward to grab your arm. You dodge it, but you walk away anyway. He follows behind you quietly as you stomp through the sand, out of earshot but not completely out of sight. You turn to face him, crossing your arms with another glare.
"That sounded bad, but I wasn't trying to kill him. I was just joking around, really. I thought he'd just follow us back, but apparently his ilu got scared and left him. But when he didn't come back, we did get pretty worried."
"Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
"There was a fight, that I didn't technically start. But that was before. And the forest boys totally won so that doesn't really matter."
"Was what Tsireya said true? That you did it because you were upset I was gone?"
"No. I mean I was upset but that wasn't all. I don't know how to answer that, ___. I was forced to teach them and I was pretty mad about that too. But you have to believe that it's fine now, and we made up. Lo'ak is my friend."
"You keep saying it's fine now. But while you were gone, they told me how surprised they were to see you like this with me. How bad were you while I was away?"
"___, that does not matter. You are back, can we just enjoy that? I haven't even gotten to tell you how much I thought of you while you were gone."
"You obviously were not thinking of me while you terrorized those people."
"They have forgiven me. Why can't you?"
"Because it is another thing I'm forgiving you for. Don't you remember, right before I left? And I get back to find out you've been acting like a child, once again. What am I supposed to say to that, Ao'nung?"
"I'm sorry, ___. Can we just enjoy tonight?"
"I will enjoy tonight. I will not let you ruin my return like you almost ruined my return. Will all of my celebrations be like this? Us, fighting?"
"No, ___. I promise, I will be better--" You interrupt him by shoving his gift into his hands.
"I was supposed to tell you how much I loved you tonight. How much I missed you while I was away. All of that is still true, but I just can't right now. The moment is over." He tries to hand it back to you.
"Give it to me later then."
"No, it's yours. Goodnight. Ao'nung." You return to the celebration without another word.
Author's Notes: sorry if this is bad i lowkey suck at writing other characters lol but i'm trying to hit the sweet spot of actually showing necessary interactions and not dwelling on stuff that feels unnecessary to the plotline..... anyway sorry there isn't much aonung and reader interactions in this one yk plot stuff </3
anyway, i'm so lazy bro all my titles are becoming song titles or heavily influenced by them lol BUT all the songs are bangers so
edit: just realized payalìm would technically be the singular version of this made up species FRICK man i lowkey need to take na'vi classes bruh this is embarrassing
Description: "Come Back To Me Pt. II" already!!! Mostly yearning Ao'nung really, not much else this chapter. Sully's finally appear, very briefly though.
sängop ftu rawm: "creation from lightning" is the literal translation, but here it is a fulgurite formed from lightning hitting sand
Ao'nung had been miserable since you left. No one ever knew how long these trips would last since it was dependent on the payalìm. About a day in, he had seriously considered just following after you; he should've done it in the first place. He could've handled the bad fortune if it meant being with you again. The only thing that really brought him comfort in not following was that it would've brought you bad fortune as well, and he had already done enough.
The first weeks are a blur. He throws himself into training, hunting, anything that would keep his mind off of you. It was to no avail, though. His worries were not at ease. Although his mother frequently prayed for the safety of the travelers, it didn't help him much. You made him become well acquainted with Eywa in your absence. He couldn't stop thinking about all the dangers you were bound to face. He knew you were strong, but you weren't the only person out there. And you were bound to place someone else's safety above your own because you were stupidly self-sacrificial instead of being selfish and coming back home to him in one piece.
He also couldn't keep his mind off the fact that someone could be winning your heart, undoing all of his hard work. He didn't believe you were so easily smitten, but someone could be chasing down pxazang in your honor. You could be healing someone back to health at this very moment, your talented hands rubbing them in ways that would make anyone want. Just like he did. He had the competition of Talu, someone that would absolutely try to woo you just to spite him. But there was also everyone else on the trip, including the people you would meet from the other clans. He knew as well as anyone how easy it was to be charmed by you.
All of that could be fine. You would overcome everything, return safely home, even with a new lover on your arm. He knew that he would fight for you. But what if you returned and realized he just wasn't the one for you? Then what?
These thoughts often sent him into a spiral, especially at night when he had no tasks to distract him. He filled in some of his nervous energy with crafts for you; a beaded top, a ceremonial necklace, even collecting shells for your hair.
Life had already been a struggle, and then the Sully's came seeking uturu. And he had to be the one to teach them. Torture.
Ao'nung had declared today's lessons to be enough. He was tired, and it seemed everything reminded him of you. The waves, the sky, the way the sun felt on his skin. He couldn't handle teaching someone the basics of reef life in these conditions, so he opted to float in a shallow pool like he did with you when he had time. He could hear his sister, his friend, and the others talking, but he tried to drown them out.
"Is he moping?" he could hear someone ask.
"Probably."
"What could Ao'nung possibly be moping about? Not being able to torture us?" He wasn't moping. He was thinking, reminiscing about the love of his life while these skxawngs sat about. He heard less of the conversation, like they had begun whispering. He still heard your name though; he knew exactly what they were talking about.
Another moment ruined. He got up, storming away without a word and listening to the hushed laughter behind him.
More time goes by, and eventually he starts to be able to focus on things other than you. He doesn't forget, but he's found ways to spend his time while honoring you. He also eventually became friends with the Sully children, spending a lot of time with the boys. Currently, he was with Neteyam. They had come back from a hunt, and were now sitting in silence watching the waves go by.
"Tell me about ___," Neteyam says abruptly.
"What?"
"Tell me about her. It'll make me feel better."
"Feel better about what?"
"Feel better about the fact that I had someone at home, someone I left behind. Maybe it will make me feel hopeful."
Ao'nung indulges his friend, telling him the full story of how you two got to where you were. He hadn't really talked much about it, offering bits and pieces of your relationship every now and again. He usually didn't talk about you even when he wanted to, because it felt like if he said everything out loud that it would be even realer. But Neteyam was easy to talk to. So, he poured it all out.
"Wow, that did not make me feel better."
Ao'nung shoves Neteyam, half-playfully.
"Shut up, you asked."
"I did ask."
"Well?"
"What?"
"Aren't you going to offer advice or something?"
"Why would I offer advice on someone I don't know. Besides, seems like you know what you need to do. Just follow your heart or something."
"So I've poured out my heart for no reason?"
"No, you obviously needed to talk to someone. You've been brooding since I met you."
"I have not."
"Yes, you have. Now I'm starting to wonder if somehow we've met the fake Ao'nung, and that maybe you are actually a wonderful person underneath everything or something."
"Shut up."
Ao'nung spent practically all of his alone time at your spot, leaned against your boulder. He though that maybe he should keep it company, since you weren't using it at the moment. it also brought him a semblance of peace, thinking about you coming back to meditate on your relationship with him and probably everything that happened while you were gone. The spot had become sacred. It was somewhere he could be unguarded in his thoughts of you, let them roam free without the watchful gaze of everyone else.
He thought about where you could be at this very moment, what you were eating, how you were feeling. He hoped you were thinking of him, and that you were okay. Sometimes he got a little mad at you for leaving. How could you be so cruel to take something so dear away? It felt like maybe you had taken his beating heart out of his chest and attached it to the hull of the uran like a barnacle. He also wished it would be that easy to actually give you a part of him, something more than a material thing, so that he could feel the same pulsing waves that you slept on top of.
Most of all, he hoped you knew how he felt about him, and that you would come back to him. He wonders how he'll react when he sees you again; if he'll get on his knees, begging and pleading for forgiveness, or if he'll have the foresight to have something to give to you right away.
He wishes he could talk to you or be in your presence, even if it was just for a little while. His only consolation is that you were connected by the same sea, so maybe the little pieces of him he threw to the waves made it back to you.
Your time away from Ao'nung is different. Life at sea was busying, and there was constant distraction. Keeping the uran afloat, watching for sea predators, cooking, docking, setting sail after docking; it was constant work. You were also rarely, if ever, alone. The uran always had someone else there, and when you stopped, you were surrounded by the travelers from your clan and the others. You spent time sharing stories, swapping things, and just keeping each other company. Every now and again people would even switch between uranya if the waters were calm enough.
But when your brain did stop for a moment, he would appear into your mind like a bolt of lighting: sudden, intense, and so bright it could burn. When you stopped moving, you missed him terribly. Like right now. The payalìm had stopped for shelter due to a storm, so that means you did too. The worst of it had stopped, slowing down to a drizzle, but the migration had not yet resumed. You were sitting in the wet sand when you came across something that had reminded you of Ao'nung.
It was a sängop ftu rawm. The lightning from the storm had struck into the sand, making a beautiful, petrified piece. One of a kind, since one never looked like another. It was still warm from the strike, but you held it anyway. You observed it as best you could in the low daylight, looking at the twisting, complex structure. Throughout the rest of the journey, you spent tiny parts of your free time staring at it. It was fragile and sharp-edged at the same time, the irony not lost on you.
You decided you would give it to him upon returning, something as unique as your Ao'nung.
Author's Notes: whatever, we double posting!! can yall tell im insane?
Description: Ao'nung x Reader! They get into a fight right before reader leaves for this long trip. Aged-up as always, enjoy! And go here if you want more info about what Kafi Si uo Tìrey is (it's basically just a made up journey honoring history blah blah blah, completely unnecessary to read but basically they follow a bird migration and you can only do it once in a lifetime).
Warnings: angsty? and bad na'vi translations and i don't really proofread anything i just hit post and hope for the best sawri!
uran/uranya: boat/s | payalìm: sea bird (word I made up) | rutxe: please | sätare: connection | eykyu: temporary leader
You were sitting amongst friends during the communal dinner. It was a casual setting, multiple conversations happening all at once in front of this fire. Although you were pressed into Ao’nung’s side with his arm hung lazily around you, you were not a part of the same conversation. He was halfway listening when it came to you though, as he always did.
“I’m so excited for Kafi Si uo Tìrey, I feel restless,” declares Talu, a friend of many and kind of one of yours. He is also the biggest reason Ao’nung was listening in; he didn’t like the guy very much, and he definitely didn’t like him talking to you.
“I know, it seems like we’re just counting down the days until the payalìm take flight. They seem to be taking much longer this year.”
“Yes, but they are getting restless.”
The chatter around this side of the pit is buzzing with excitement as everyone guesses how soon the payalìm will leave and the journey will start.
“It was such an amazing experience when we went. Although sometimes I wish I was a bit older. I would’ve enjoyed it more,” Tsireya reminisces.
“I’m just grateful we have people to continue the tradition. I don’t think I could do it.”
“No one’s asking you to, skxawng.”
The topic moves to whether or not it the journey was worth it. Most of the people in your clan will never follow the migration of the payalìm. It is hard, and technically not necessary for the clan’s survival, but still a tradition withstanding. And you had to be blessed by the Tsahik; people were not often turned away, but it still happened.
“Ah, I don’t know if I would last,” you finally speak up.
“Really? You have strong sätare with the world around you. I could see you taking the journey,” says Tsireya.
“I also haven’t trained.”
“You’re already trained enough, ___. Anyone would say so!”
“Tsireya, are you trying to push me away?” you joke.
“No, ___. I’m just saying, most people never leave this reef. I would encourage anyone that can withstand to take the chance.”
“Maybe next time?”
“Maybe this time!”
“You could go this time,” Talu says. Ao’nung tightens his grip on you slightly, but he does not speak up. “We have room on our uran,” he casually offers.
His older sister, Pyala speaks up instead. “You cannot just offer up the trip like that. It is a big commitment, Talu.” Ao’nung is happy someone over there isn’t pushing you to do something you didn’t want to do.
“Well, just think about it. It is an honored tradition and we would gladly have you.” Ao’nung wishes Talu will leave it.
“I will think about it.”
The conversation continues on, and you speak up every now and then. Eventually the night ends, and Ao’nung takes the scenic route to walk you home.
“So, do you think you’ll take up Talu’s offer?” he tries so hard to ask casually.
“Probably not. That isn’t the kind of decision you make in one day, right?” He hums in response. The rest of the walk is silent until you get to your mauri. He suddenly pulls you into a hug.
“Well, if you did go, just know I’d miss you. A lot,” he murmurs into your shoulder.
“I don’t think you’re at risk for missing me.”
“Not true, I miss you now and we haven’t even said goodnight.” Ao’nung had gotten clingy with you, and he was never afraid to show it. He currently has you wrapped up in his arms with his face nuzzling into your neck, but it never felt like enough.
“Is that your way of asking me to sneak you in?”
“Mmm, no. I would never dream of that. It would be improper.” He did dream of it, often. “And I think my family would notice if I wasn’t home.” Sadly.
“Too bad. I would.” Your words make him adjust to look at you while not breaking the embrace.
“Do not tempt me, I have a week of early mornings helping to prep for this trip.”
“Then I should probably let you go, Olo’eyktan-to-be.” You drawl out the words with a teasing smirk on your face.
“Why must you tease me so?”
“Because it’s fun.”
You kiss him goodnight. He watches until you're inside and spends his walk home thinking of you.
“Do you think you’d ever complete Kafi Si uo Tìrey?” you ask Rotxo as you both repair a hole in your marui. It had been on your mind, especially with how restless the payalìm had gotten.
“Probably not. I’ve never seen the appeal.”
“People like you are how traditions die.”
He laughs, continuing to weave.
“Does this mean you’re going with Talu?”
“What?”
“I heard about his proposal.”
“Why are you saying it like that?”
“Because that’s how Ao’nung sees it.”
“No he doesn’t.”
“Maybe you don’t know him as well as well as I do.”
“Skxawng. Maybe we’d be done faster if you focused on the netting and not Ao’nung.”
“I’m telling grandmother you’re being mean to me again.”
“You will not.”
“I absolutely will.”
“I am going to feed you to pxazang if you do.”
“Just another thing for me to tell her.”
Your eyes narrow, before you grab the nearest thing to throw at him. Rotxo had become a little brother to you, and you treated him as such. He only laughs as he dodges your attack. And then he pounces, wrestling you down. The fight lasts a while until you tire each other out.
“If you did go, I’d miss you, tsmuke.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Why not? You know we’d be okay without you right?”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Well you’re here and the marui currently has a hole in it. Maybe we should try with you gone.”
“Who would fix it if I wasn’t here?”
“Me. Or someone else.”
When you don’t respond he continues.
“Look, I won’t bring it up anymore but don’t let us get in the way of something you want to do.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
You bring it up at dinner later, and of course your family encourages you. It means a lot to have their approval, especially on such late notice. This is the first time this feels like a real possibility.
You hadn’t talked about it to anyone else, only thinking and weighing. It hadn't particularly affected your performance, but it was noticeable, especially to your Tsahik. She paused for a moment, staring at you with an expression you could not read. When you opened your mouth to speak, she raises her hand to silence you, continuing to hold the piercing gaze. Finally, she says something.
"Kafi Si uo Tìrey weighs on you, on your spirit. I bless you on your journey, ma'eveng."
"I hadn't even brought it up, how did you know?"
"I know many things about you. Much like I know that you will go," she pulls you in for an embrace you quickly return. "You need to prepare. Go,' she commands with a smile. You had developed much love for the woman, and much respect. So you go.
Your first stop is to find Talu, as he is the eykyu for this trip. You assume that he would be where the ayuran were, so your search begins there. You are correct, and you see him and others preparing for travel by loading up foods that would last the duration of the trip. You greet all of them with a gesture saying "I see you," and they return it.
"___, you are here to tell me good news, yes?"
"If good news means I have been blessed by the Tsahik for the journey, then yes! How can I help?"
"For starters, we do not have many healers on the trip. Iya was the one preparing our herbs and healing needs, but she has been slacking."
"I wouldn't want to take over someone else's role-"
"Nonsense! She'll appreciate it. Besides, you have trained under Tsahik for years I hear. We'll need someone in charge of the group's wellbeing."
"Okay, I'll find her to see what she'll need."
"No need, that's her walking up! Iya! ___ is coming on the trip now! You'll have some help!" he shouts as she walks up.
Iya slightly scowls at the mention of you helping her, but she plasters a smile on her face anyway.
"Wonderful!"
"We'll be leaving in a day or two. Lots of prep," he says, shooing you away.
You begin the work of double checking what has already been done, which isn’t much. You and Iya spend time mixing, preserving, packing, and doing everything else that is needed.
Ao'nung had spent much of his morning with his father and the elders; they were quite worried about the state of the people preparing to go on the long journey. There was concern spreading, mostly about the lack of agency within the group.
Once the debate is settled, Ao'nung and his father head to the docks to check on the current state of things. While asking Talu for updates, he mentions your name.
"The group is still quite small, only three boats worth, but we have a couple of new people. ___ expressed interest today and was already blessed by Tsahik. A good addition, too."
Ao'nung stops listening after that. How could you agree to go without talking to him first? He saw you before the day started, what changed so suddenly? Was it Talu? Did you want to go for him? He didn't even have time to find you to talk. He had to help prepare for this stupid trip because they could "use the help." Maybe instead of worrying about you, Talu should be worried about his role.
“Irayo, for everything you’re doing for us Ao’nung. It means a lot to have your support as someone that has already done this.”
“No, problem,” Ao’nung says noncommittally, focusing on checking the condition of the sea crafts.
“And don’t worry about ___. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder.”
Ao’nung doesn’t respond, gritting his teeth and continuing his task.
“I couldn’t imagine someone I’m courting going away for such a long time. I mean you know how these trips can be,” Talu continues.
“What are you saying?” Ao’nung finally turns to face the boy.
“Just that I hope your connection lasts the journey.” If those words were said by someone else, in another tone, or coming out of the mouth of someone that didn’t look as smug as Talu, maybe they wouldn’t have pissed Ao’nung off so much.
“Mind your tongue when speaking of ___.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Depends on what you mean.”
“I mean ___ is in great hands.”
Ao’nung lunges at Talu quickly, and they land in the shallow water. He pushes the boy down, not to technically drown him but maybe to show him a message. The tussle doesn’t last long though; his father and some of the others separate them. Tonowari drags his son away to lecture him about his role and duty and whatever else, but he is only halfway listening.
When he can finally leave, he searches for you.
You had gone to gather herbs; when you return to continue working with Iya, Ao’nung is there.
“Oh, ___! I thought you’d be gone much longer—”
“We need to talk,” he cuts Iya off. You only now realize how angry he looks. Not good.
“Of course, let’s take a walk,” you say calmly. “Iya, I will leave this here and be back soon.”
Ao’nung has gotten impatient, grabbing you by the arm to drag you along.
“You are walking too fast! Stop dragging me, skxawng.” You pull at his arm and he finally stop.
“Do you need me to carry you?” he turns to ask in a voice reserved for children.
“No, I need you to not piss me off,” you grind out. You breathe for a second, remembering that you were currently in a very public space. “Can you just calm down for a second until we can get some privacy?”
He doesn’t respond, grabbing your arm again and walking a little slower. He pulls you into the jungle, turning around as soon as the flora surrounds you.
“I have to find out from Talu of all people, that you are going away for months. How do you think that makes me feel?” His voice is low, gruff even, as if he is holding himself back. The question softens you a little, as you hadn’t really considered him finding out from someone before you. You steady yourself before you speak.
“I’m sorry. I would’ve come to tell you but it all happened so fast and I thought it would be best for me to begin helping with preparations as soon as possible. Much had not been done, and since I was joining on so late, I wanted to do as much as I could today to make up for the fact that I hadn't done any other preparations.” As Ao’nung takes in your words, you see his body release some of the tension it previously held. But he starts looking at the ground like a guilty child.
“I do not want to fight before I go on such a long journey, but I understand how upset you must be.” You grab his face to make him look at you. “Forgive me?”
“You have done nothing to forgive.” His voice is almost solemn. “I am sorry.”
“It’s okay, I promise to scold you when I get back.” You place a kiss on his lips. He goes to wrap his arms around you for a moment, and briefly pulls back.
“I have to confess.” Those were not the words you wanted to hear.
“To what?” you ask, trying to keep your voice level.
“I might’ve had a confrontation with Talu before I came to find you.” You separate your bodies fully at this, crossing your arms and looking at him. He starts avoiding your gaze again.
“A confrontation?”
“A fight.”
“You did what?!” Your voice had now risen.
“He was goading me. Saying I shouldn’t worry about you, that you were in great hands.”
“You fought him because he said I was in great hands?”
“It was how he said it! He was insinuating things!”
“I don’t care how he said it. You do not confront people on my behalf. You come to me!”
“Like you came to me?” he shouts back.
“I don’t need to check with you before I make decisions about my life!”
“Don’t you hear how selfish you sound?”
“Oh.” You let out a low, humorless laugh. Your eyes were wide in shock.
“I didn’t mean that—” You cut him off with a raise of your hand.
“I am going to walk away now. I have things to do, and I will not waste my time arguing with you like a child.” Your voice raises in emphasis at the last word, and you turn to leave. Ao’nung tries to grab your arm again with a call of your name and you slap it away.
“No! You think about what you’ve done and I will gather the strength to not pull your kuru from the root!” With your final shout, you go back to where you were. You spend the rest of the day angrily working.
It is late in the evening now; you had skipped dinner to continue preparing. You were still working diligently when you hear someone enter the healing tent you were in. You quickly turn around to make sure it isn’t someone in need of help, but it is Talu.
“Sorry if I scared you. Iya told me you were still here, I just wanted to check on things.”
“Things are getting done.” You were irritated. Obviously with Ao’nung, but also with Talu. Ao’nung was occasionally brash, impatient, maybe even childish. But he was not impulsive enough to attack someone for no reason.
“Good. I knew you would be a great addition.”
“Irayo,” you say simply, trying to focus.
“Well, is there anything you need me to do?”
“Do you know anything about what I’m doing here?”
“Not really but—”
“Then no.” He doesn’t say anything for a beat after that.
“Of course.” He pauses again. “And there’s no hard feelings about today, by the way.”
“No, there are not.” You stop what you’re doing to face him. “Since there aren’t any hard feelings, I must let you know that I don’t appreciate any disparaging words being said to of about Ao’nung, especially regarding us or our relationship.”
“I didn’t say—” You raise your hand to cut him off.
“I am not accusing you of anything. I am simply asking you to respect the both of us.” You didn’t know how or what was said, and you didn’t need to. You believed Ao’nung, and you would defend him if need be. You would be brave enough to stand up for him, and yourself.
The boy scoffs but nods in agreement anyway.
“Irayo. How are the payalìm looking?”
“They have been gathering in small groups. It is likely we are leaving in a day or two.”
“I will be sure we are prepared.”
“Good.”
At that, Ao’nung walks in holding food and drink. He immediately frowns at the situation.
“Well, I will leave you to it. Ao’nung,” Talu recognizes him with a curt nod before leaving.
“What was he doing here?”
“Just checking on how far I’ve gotten, hopefully,” you respond, going back to what you were doing.
“Hopefully?”
“I cannot read his mind.”
“So there is doubt?”
“There will always be doubt when it comes to others.”
“What about when it comes to you?”
“If you’re asking if I set him straight, I did. I have reason to believe that he did goad you. But that doesn’t mean what you did was right.”
“I know, syulang, I know,” he says, creeping up to hug you from behind and setting the food down. “I’m sorry,” he whispers into your ear, nuzzling into you. It almost makes you forget you were upset, but he had also picked a fight with you after.
“You will not sweet talk me Ao’nung. Do you even know why I’m upset?” You wriggle out of his arms, crossing your own and putting some space between you two.
“Because I embarrassed you?”
“That’s one thing, but it’s definitely not everything!”
“Then tell me, rutxe. I can make it right.” You can tell by the look on his face that he did not understand how deeply upset you were.
“What did Talu even say to you?”
“He said he hopes our bond would last the distance, and that he would never let someone he was courting go on a trip like this, and that you would be in good hands. Obviously in his tone, but that’s basically the gist.”
“And why did it make you angry enough to fight him?”
“I was jealous, maybe.” Ao’nung’s voice was quiet, like he was embarrassed to say that. “I had just found out from him that you were going and he was basically saying he’d try to steal you from me. You are going away for a long time, and that's a long time for something to happen between you two.”
“And you did not have enough faith in us to believe our bond could last? Enough faith in me?”
“That’s not what I—” Once again, using a raise of your hand to stop someone from speaking. You had spent so much time ruminating on how you felt, so you absolutely needed to get it all out.
“Did you think of how that makes me feel? To basically be accused of being so easily taken that I could throw away something that has been years in the making for someone I barely know?”
“And what does that say about you, huh? Should I be scared of going away? You will have the entire village at the disposal while I’m gone. Is there anyone I should be fighting before I leave?”
He shakes his head furiously.
“No, there is no one. I promise you. I’m sorry.” You could hear it in his voice, but you weren’t done.
“You did not even have faith to believe that there was a good reason for me not telling you first.” Tears begin to well in your eyes as you continue, but you would say your piece. “And you don’t even know how much it hurt to hear you call me selfish.”
Silent tears began to run down your face as you turn away from him. You were feeling much too vulnerable about the subject.
“I didn’t even dream of going away from my family for months until I sat down to speak with them. Until they told me they would be okay. I had already been wrestling with feeling selfish for even wanting to go.”
“And then our Tsahik told me it was in Eywa’s will for me to do so without me even asking. I finally felt somewhat sure in my decision.” You have to take a breather to continue.
“And the one person I thought would for sure be happy for me, the one person I thought understood me, pulled me away from preparations to start a fight with me to call me selfish of all things,” you chuckle out the last bit and finally turn to look at him.
“Do you want to know the worst part?” You breathe before continuing, turning away from him again. “You’re the person I would miss the most, and I can barely look at you before I leave for months. And instead of making things any better or doing nothing at all, you pick a fight with the person leading the uran I will be living on.”
“How can I fix this?”
“Not with food and sweet talk, that is for sure. I think it would be best if you left.”
“___, rutxe. Do not push me away like this.” You can hear his voice break and you can feel him reach for your shoulder, but you jerk away.
“I have much to do. I cannot sit here with you and discuss this anymore. Go.”
You finally hear him leave, and you let out a sob you had been holding in. You cry for a little, before pushing it back down.
Along with things needed for the journey, you were also using the tools and space to make things for your family. You mixed together the spices you used when you cooked, you created preserved versions of the balms your father used for his old injury, you mixed hand creams to help your grandmother’s cramps, and a few other things.
Once you finally felt you had done for the night, you quickly eat the food Ao’nung had left behind and return to your marui to rest for the day ahead.
Ao’nung had messed up, badly. To him, it was just a few moments of anger before he was immediately soothed upon talking to you. To you, this was much deeper. He hadn’t realized that in the moment, too blinded by his own feelings. He could kick himself.
Ao’nung was scared. Soon you would be at the mercy of the current, sleeping exposed to the world around you. He would not be there to protect you from any of it. He knew the trials you were bound to face, and he couldn’t even talk to you about them because he had upset you so badly.
His first stop after leaving you was finding Talu, who was thankfully still at the docks. He groans upon seeing Ao’nung, but Ao’nung raises his hands in surrender to hopefully ease the boy.
“I am not here for trouble, I just need to speak to you quickly.”
“Look, ___ already talked to me. I get it, my mouth is shut.”
“I don’t want you taking any feelings you have for me out on ___, okay? Whatever issues we may have are between us. In fact, we can settle when you get back if you are not a changed man.”
“Fine.”
“Irayo,” and Ao’nung simply walks away. He hopes the conversation is enough, he hopes that Talu was a better man than he thought.
Afterwards, he thinks of his next steps he’ll take when the new day begins. Talking to Tsireya, maybe others that completed the journey before to help you prepare. Definitely double checking after Talu; he’ll need to look at the food supply, the fire pits, maybe test for any holes. He’ll ensure that other people are actively helping you since you were the only one there tonight. Maybe Rotxo could check the state of your weapons, make sure they are strong enough to last? And definitely a care package of some sort.
The next day, he blows off any of his training and instead runs around the village making sure that nothing could possibly go wrong on your trip. He also trades for things like your favorite oil, spices, hair mixtures, etc. so you’ll have some to take on the trip since he figures you wouldn’t have time to make any. The entire village is in a frenzy because the payalìm are gathering, meaning they could take flight at any moment.
That evening, he finds you towards the end of the send-off dinner. He didn’t want to interrupt your time bonding with the people you’d be sailing with, but he had given you enough space. He was holding the bag of goods, and he wanted to at least give them to you.
“___, can we talk?” He asks with a tap to your shoulder. You turn around and look at him for the first time since you told him how you felt. Ao’nung felt like his heart would stop, but he held strong. You finally nod, and he leads you away with a hand hovering over your back. Once again in the secluded jungle, he faces you to say his practiced words.
“I’m sorry. I was being completely unfair and you have every right to be upset with me. Obviously, I don’t expect your forgiveness before you leave. But, I got you some things to take with you before you left that will hopefully make your journey a little smoother.” He holds the bag in front of him for you to take, and you do, hesitantly. He sighs in relief as he watches you rifle through the bag.
“I just wanted you to know that I’m proud of you for going, and that I love you so much.”
“I know about all the other stuff,” you state after a brief pause.
“That was more of for my peace of mind. I am a little worried,” he mutters, slightly embarrassed.
“You are making it very hard to not be upset.”
“Then be upset.” He experimentally places his hands on your arms, giving them a squeeze.
“I’m about to leave, maybe tomorrow. I don’t want to be upset with you.”
“Then don’t be. Save it for when you get back.”
You cave, wrapping your arms around him and resting your head on his chest. He embraces you as well, holding you tight. You hold each other for a while, in silence. Then you lift up your head to look at him.
“I’m going to miss you, so, so much. Why’d you have to go on the last one?”
“Because I have no foresight.”
“I can see that.” You go quiet again, like you’re thinking about something.
“What?” He asks suspiciously.
“Well, I know one thing that might make me feel better…”
“I’ll do whatever it is, promise.”
“Stay with me tonight?”
“Of course. Ready?”
“Yes, but let’s walk slow. Soak up as much time as possible.”
You walk together through the glowing jungle. You talk about your hopes and fears while Ao'nung tells you things about his journey that he hadn't said before. When you get back to your marui, you close your privacy curtain and curl up into each other. You savor the feeling of skin-on-skin, and neither of you mention how scared you are. It's quiet, and nice to pretend.
You wake up to horns; it is still dark outside, but you know what it means. You hop up, scrambling to grab whatever you hadn't already brought to the uran. Ao'nung jumps up as well to help. Your family wakes quickly as well and they do not question Ao'nung's presence.
Once you get to the dock, the send off is quick; the payalìm wait for no one. There are many hugs and well wishes from family and friends alike. Ao'nung hugs you the tightest.
"Come back to me," he whispers into your ear and places a kiss on your cheek.
Suddenly, you're sailing away. You wave back at everyone until you can't see them anymore.
Author's Notes: new series! lmk what you think and if i should start a taglist or anything, that's alllll
unrelated, but i looked at tumblr on my computer and realized the little dividers i was using on my phone were NOT cutting it lol so creds here for the lovely ones i've added!!! plus i added some cutesy changes to the blog so yeahhh
Post strictly for my made up journey in "Come Back To Me."
Direct translation is "Sail Behind Life." I took some inspiration from Māori migrations and old bird studies. Millions of years ago, the people that now make up the reef clans lived on the other side of the Eastern sea, off the mainland. After many years of not respecting the balance, the land and coast had become depleted. One of the species that came close to extinction were the Payalìm (a species I made up from the na'vi words for "water" and "bird"); they did not appear often, only every couple of years. Initially, they represented a gift from Eywa, as if they appeared when the clan was down on their luck. However, they had been hunted to very small numbers.
Part of the clan eventually decided that they would leave to find more life. While there were many great navigators among the clan, they had yet to find somewhere new to call their own. After observing the payalìm for so long, they understood that they only came to these coasts to have their young and die. While they failed to truly understand why the payalìm did so, the people also wondered where they lived for the rest of the time.
With the payalìm returning, the clan members that were set on leaving decided they would follow after them when they left. They packed onto uranya (boats) and set sail. They knew it would be far, since payalìm had never been spotted outside of their migration. The journey was hard; many people had never even travelled those waters and definitely not that far. But, the clan survived.
The payalìm stopped only when necessary; for food, rest, or storm shelter. The people did the same. They learned how to live at sea and developed an amazing bond with the water; the sea provided what they needed and nothing more. They also learned how to trust the water. The journey was long, and had the ocean not provided what they needed, they would've died of starvation.
Eventually, they made it to the islands the payalìm lived. They were uninhabited by people, and there also weren't any land animals. It meant no natural predators for the payalìm (or the people), but also that they had to turn to the water again for sustenance. Over millions of years, they adapted and spread out into the reef clans we know today.
One year, the payalìm came back incredibly sparse. Because of the gratitude they had for the animals, a few na'vi decided to follow them back to ensure their journey would be a safe one. Eventually, it became a tradition named Kafi Si uo Tìrey, after the first initial journey the people took to find new life. With every migration, a group of navigators follow after them. The journey has become more symbolic, representing the trust the reef clans have in the water. Most clans send at least a few people for the journey, and there are festivals when they journeyers come back.
Because the payalìm only make the round trip once in their life (they migrate a couple of weeks after birth and then once to reproduce on the island), na'vi also can only do it once. Many people that go on the journey become clan leaders in some respect because of what it takes to do it and come back. The Olo'eyktan/Tsahik's children are often pushed to go since it leaves people with a deeper understanding of the clan's history, but it isn't entirely necessary. People come back with many lessons, but one of the biggest ones is a greater sense of connection with Eywa and the water. I also headcanon that a big part of the Metkayina bond with the Tulkun is based on their pasts and them changing to move forward.
Description: Ao’nung x Reader fluff! technically another part of “You Carry Me” but can be read alone. Slightly suggestive maybe idk… But Ao’nung just wants to take care of you and you fight him on it
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You and Ao’nung found time for each other when you could. Especially after your injury; it really shook Ao’nung seeing you like that, and he wanted to fit himself into your life as much as possible. He also worried about you, a lot. Hence why he was here, waiting in the healing center of the village.
He’d come to eat lunch with you when someone told him you went out to gather some things. He found you as you were walking back in.
“Where were you?” he asks, as if waiting to scold you.
“Well hello to you, too, Ao’nung,” you chirp. You continue walking to where you were going, knowing that he would follow you. And he does.
“___, you mustn’t go out into the jungle with your wound still healing. It’s dangerous.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I was cleared.”
“Cleared to not rest the entire day. Not cleared to wander off alone.”
You only scoff at his words, unpacking the things you retrieved and organizing them with everything else. He steps in to help, and you swat him away.
“These are my duties, and I will do them.”
“They are still getting done, why does it matter if I help?”
“Because it does.”
So, he sits quietly and lets you work. Ao’nung knew you well; you struggled greatly with the concept of just existing. If a task was being done around you, you stepped in without anyone asking. However, you struggled with letting others do the same. If Ao’nung tried to step in to help you carry something, he was denied. If you were in charge of cooking dinner, you encouraged everyone else to relax. Even while you were healing and on bedrest, you found things to do.
It was challenging to Ao’nung to say the least.
“Has your wound been cleaned yet today?”
“No, but I can do it now though under your watchful gaze, my worrisome Olo’eyktan-to-be.”
“You’ve been cleaning your own wound? That’s on the side of your body?” He tries not to take too alarmed of a tone with you, knowing it could possibly lead to you kicking him out.
“Yes. I can reach it just fine.”
He watches as you begin to undress the wound, and that’s his last straw.
“Fine, you don’t want to get bother someone to do it. But I’m here, let me.” He goes to move your hand away and you swat at him again.
“I don’t need you to.”
“I know that, obviously.”
“Then why don’t you sit and leave me to it.”
“Can you just let me take care of you? For once?”
You don’t respond, opting to look at the floor. He knows you’re cooking up some excuse in your head, which is why you weren’t looking at him. He lifts your chin to make you face him.
“It’ll make me feel better. Rutxe?” He lays it on as soft and sweet as he can.
“Fine,” you concede.
He lifts you to sit on the wooden counter, and you were eye to eye. He works quietly and quickly, making sure to not give you a reason to deny him next time. He undresses the wraps you have, gets a clean cloth with warm water, and cleans the wound. He leans down and examines it for a second, letting his fingers feel along your rippled skin.
“It’s healing pretty quickly.” He continues his ministrations, moving to apply paste to the wound.
“I know, I take decent enough care of it.”
“I can tell.” He rewraps your side tightly. Once done, he places his hands on either side of you to stare. Your arms quickly cross over one another in defense, and he knows he’ll have to tread lightly.
“Why do you fight me on things like this?”
“Because I don’t need your help.” The quickness and definitiveness of your answer amuse him; a small smile appears on his face.
“I know that. You don’t think I know how much you don’t need me?”
“Then why do you insist?” you ask sharply.
Ao’nung knows he has to approach this delicately. He could say a lot of things. That he wants to take some of your load, that he worries about you, or just that he simply wants to take care of you. He doesn’t say any of those things.
“It is an entirely selfish reason.”
You say nothing, only raising your brow.
“You know by now that everything I do is to get your attention. And I think that if I’m taking up your time, then I should be worthy of it, right?”
“I’ve told you that you don’t need to prove yourself to me.”
“Like I said, selfish. It’s not about you. It makes me feel better. Can’t you do me that favor?” He leans to brush his lips against your ear, whispering. “I like to work for it. Makes me feel like I earned it.”
He knows he’s winning when your arms unfold and you brace yourself on the counter. He leans back to make eye contact with you again, and then moves to kiss the wraps he had just done. He comes back up to put his face right in front of yours.
“So, how about next time I help you, you let me. Like an exchange. No thanks or reciprocation needed. Maybe a kiss, if you’re up for it.”
“I can try.” The coy face you make paints this as a victory in his mind.
“Yeah? You’d do that for me, sevin?” You happily nod. “Can I get one of those kisses now?”
Your lips find his quickly and your hands tangle in his hair. Yeah, this was definitely a win for Ao’nung.
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Author’s Notes: funnily enough this was the first thing i was picturing when i started posting on here lolll i just figured i should finally write it out!!!
also lowkey struggling to continue writing so there’s that! i think i typically try to stick to writing with a limited worldview in my fics (no real side characters, etc.) because getting bogged down on the details is the quickest way for me to abandon something,
anyway, this literally just flowed out of me and reminded me that i write for funsies so i think it helped with my “writer’s block”
Description: Final official installment of “Lessons Learned” ayyy!!! 99% fluff, teeny bit of angst!!! warning: they kiss <3
The song is taken and slightly edited from “Just Like Water (Live)” by Lauryn Hill (hence the name) and you can listen to it if you need the melody!!! (Also just an amazing song and I immediately thought of these two while listening to it like this morning lolll)
rewon: morning | i’en: stringed instrument (more in author’s notes) | Kafi Si uo Tìrey: Sail Behind Life (made up trip, more below) | sayríp: handsome | sevin: pretty | kxì: hi (informal) | rutxe: please
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Maybe pushing Ao’nung away wasn’t the best idea. You were probably pushing him into someone else’s arms. Whatever.
You spend the next week in a daze, a weird ball of anger and sadness and anxiety. You kept yourself busy with as many tasks as possible. You wanted nothing more than to curl up with him, share fruit, maybe listen to him play his i’en. You felt like you couldn’t win: being around him was painful but so was being apart. That doesn’t matter now, though; today was the day, and you would tell him how you felt no matter what.
Ao’nung had spent the week preparing. Really, it had been much longer than that, but he’ll just say it’s been a week of him focusing on today. He packed mostly everything he needed the night before so he could wake up smoothly. And to avoid his family of early risers. He quietly gets ready behind his privacy curtain. He selects his favorite toa guard, one that thankfully pairs well with the arm band you made him. He carefully picks his loincloth and jewelry. He uses the time to calm himself before seeing you.
He grabs everything he needs and quickly bids his family goodbye before bolting out of the house. He perhaps looks funny carrying all he had, but it was for a day with you.
Once he arrives at your marui, he throws a pebble into the window by your window. You stick your head out to glare at him for a second and then you disappear to walk out of the front. You close the privacy flap and turn around to look at Ao’nung.
“Rewon… Should I be bringing anything?” you ask, looking at the stuff he was carrying.
“Rewon. And no, I have everything covered. Just walk with me.”
“I see.” You then glance at the rest of him, tugging at the armband with a smile. “You look nice, very handsome.” He tries to hide it but the compliment makes him blush just a little because it was coming from you.
“Irayo. You look as beautiful as ever,” he says back, grabbing your hand as you walk.
Your plan was not to become a blushing hatchling with him, but that idea was thrown to the sea once you walked out to see him. He was carrying a bag on his back and one in his arms, no doubt indicating a full day planned. And he looked particularly good today. Especially wearing your armband.
You two walk hand in hand, enjoying the beginning of the sunrise. He leads you to a nook in the mangrove roots, a perfect spot to watch the morning sky and the animals in the ocean below.
He pulls out fruit for you to share, and you two eat in comfortable silence. Neither of you know how badly you both want to spend all of your mornings like this.
“So, when am I going to see what you’re carrying around in there?” you ask when both of you are done eating.
“Later,” he replies cryptically.
“Keeping secrets from me now?”
“Think of them as surprises.”
You both stand up, and he takes your hand again to walk to the ilu pens. Once there, he calls for them.
“Where to?” you ask as he attaches one of his bags to the ilu’s harness.
“Well, I was thinking we should head to the Cove of Ancestors for an early morning communion.” What better way to connect than to share communion alone?
“Sounds amazing.”
The ride over is slow, savoring your time together. The site is beautiful as always. The tanhì of all the creatures and your own bodies still creating a beautiful network of lights during the day. The ocean was always awe inspiring, especially around this sacred place. There are few others here, and it gives you a feeling of connection to your people.
When you bond with the tree, you feel everything. Ancestors flash before you, the history of your people floods into you, and your link to the living world arounds you intensifies.
You stay there a while. This really was an amazing start to the day.
When you disconnect, you stay there for a while, chatting about what you saw and searching the area for shells.
Ao’nung nods to the surface and you follow.
“Ready for the next stop?”
“There’s a next stop?”
“Of course there is. It’s kind of far away though. Are you up for it?”
“Of course I am!”
You mount your ilu’s once again, and you follow him in mostly silent curiosity. You were pretty excited for this. Going far away from the main islands was such a treat, and you were so grateful to do so when you had time.
Ao’nung could’ve just taken you both back to the main island, but he had a few reasons for this. One, he was showing you his navigation skills. Being able to navigate between islands used to be a big part reef life, but now it was considered an ancient skill that many did not learn. People especially did not go far out, choosing to focus on the cluster closest to their main village if anything.
But Ao’nung was to be the next Olo’eyktan, and part of his training focused on being able to move your people if need be. He had even participated in Kafi Si uo Tìrey a few years ago, a great honor.
Secondly, you were going to a small, uninhabited island. To be alone of course. He had studied his maps for this, and he was excited.
You pester him a few times about where you’re going, but he doesn’t break. Otherwise, the ride over is fun. You dodge through other islands and huge underwater plants, admiring the journey there.
“Sorry if it’s too long! We can take a break,” he yells during a surface break.
“Are you kidding? I’m having fun! Aren’t you?”
“Yeah, but I know some people aren’t up for a long ilu ride,” he baits.
“Who do you take me for? I can last all day!”
“Yeah? We’ll see!”
Eventually you get there and dismount. He sees your excited face and thinks he made the right choice. You grab his hand and you both explore the island. This one had different vegetation and tiny creatures compared to the ones closer to the main islands. You walk around hand in hand to admire Eywa’s creations. Ao’nung picks some fruit neither of you have eaten before choosing to settle in the grass. The island was so small that you had walked the entirety of it, and you could enjoy the “inland” life while still looking out into the ocean.
Since you saw him this morning, your inhibitions had disappeared. Actually, as the day goes on, you are more confident in your feelings for him and his feelings for you. He couldn’t, he wouldn’t put in this massive amount of effort for just anyone. Regardless of the knife.
The knife.
You were having a good time. You push those thoughts away as you sit cross legged in front of the one that was giving you an incredible day.
“Is it time for me to see what’s in the bags?” you ask, not wanting to hide your excitement.
Ao’nung was suddenly a little nervous, and he knew he had to get to this part now before he completely lost the guts he had when planning.
“This might be a little odd considering it’s just the two of us,” he says, reaching into the leather case. “But I saw you eyeing it the day you braided my hair, and I thought it would be nice to play it for you.” He pulls out his i’en to sit it on his lap. “But that definitely isn’t necessary if you don’t want to hear.”
“I absolutely want to hear. Your mother didn’t make you take those lessons for nothing, Ao’nung!”
“Okay, okay. Just for you,” he whispers. “Sorry if it’s not good, I don’t play as much anymore.” It hurts to hear him so unsure. You lean forward to grab his face, forcing him to look at you.
“I don’t care. It’ll sound amazing to me because it’s coming from you, you sweet boy.” Tears well in your eyes from the sheer emotion you felt. “Now play. You’re a perfectionist anyway, I’m sure it’s great.” You lean back to sit down fully again.
With the instrument in his lap, he starts playing a soft melody you’ve never heard before. And then he starts singing.
Moving down the streams of my lifetime,
Cooling off the fire of my longing,
Boiling off my could within your heat,
Melting down the walls of inhibition.
You knew Ao’nung was musical; his mom had in fact forced him to take years of lessons learning to play the i’en, and occasionally made him to sing for the clan. This felt like so much more though.
You’re just like the water,
I haven’t felt this way before.
You’re just like the water,
I haven’t felt this way before.
You’re moved to silent tears almost instantly.
Surviving on the thought of loving you,
Washing my intentions with your name.
Pouring out your soul to me for hours and hours,
Drawing out my nature with your hands.
Yearning, I’m so thirsty for your power,
Burning to be worthy of your hands.
He gives you a soft riff, obviously showing off his prowess on the instrument.
You’re just like the water,
I’ve never felt this way before.
Cleaning me,
You’re purging me,
And moving me around.
Around, around, around.
“Ao’nung, that was beautiful,” you sob when he finishes. Everything you’d been feeling all day, everything you’ve always felt for him, surfaces. You take the i’en from his lap and crawl your way into his arms, and he holds you quietly as silent tears of his own fall.
Unfortunately the thought of the knife creeps back into your mind. It reminds you that Ao’nung might not be the person you spend your life with. The quiet sobs turn violent, and you have to grip onto his toa for support.
“Hey, ___, is something wrong? I can fix it if something’s wrong. I know I’m good, but I’m not that good,” he tries to joke as he pulls your chin. On the inside though, he was starting to panic. And then you cry harder, somehow.
You felt like you were ruining a moment, a day, he had planned with your stupid feelings. You just couldn’t enjoy it because you were too scared of him loving someone else.
“___, I’m sorry. Was it too much? Rutxe, rutxe stop crying and talk to me.” He couldn’t take your sobbing, and he definitely couldn’t handle it being his fault.
The emotion in his voice wills you to take some deep breaths and he does too. Your sobbing eventually slows to tiny sniffles.
“I just, I feel so deeply for you. And I cannot stand the thought of you being with someone else. I’m sorry if it makes me selfish but it just hurts so bad to think about and now I’ve ruined everything and—”
“___ what are you talking about? Who else is there?”
“The knife, Ao’nung! The stupid, gorgeous knife that you carved for someone else. I can’t stop thinking about it because I know you might have feelings for someone else but I only have feelings for you!”
It’s out. Finally. You feel kind of better for finally letting it out, but you’d feel a lot better if he stopped looking at you so confused. Then he reaches into his bag without letting you out of his lap to pull out a beautiful knife guard.
“This knife?” he says unsheathing it. Now it was finished with a bone and leather grip. Your breath hitches at the sight of it.
“I thought you gave it to that girl. I saw you give it to that girl last week at dinner.”
“I needed her to make the bone grip. She’s an artisan, and I wanted the best for you.”
“Oh.”
He laughs at you, and you hit his chest. He couldn’t help but feel pretty good at the fact that you were jealous over him. He places the knife in your hand, letting you observe it for a moment.
“___, my beautiful, beautiful and oblivious ___. How could you ever think there was someone else?” That pretty blush paints your face and you go to cover it bashfully, but he moves your hand away to cradle your face. “No hiding,” he whispers, pulling you a little closer with his other arm around your waist.
Ao’nung felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. He hated to see you cry but you looked devastatingly pretty. Your face was flushed and your eyes fluttered away your tears, but he couldn’t stop looking at the pout on your lips. Surely you had gotten over him saying he didn’t want to kiss you all those years ago, right? He takes the knife from between you and sets it aside, quickly returning his arm to your waist.
“I was lying. When we kissed as kids, and I said I didn’t want to kiss you. I really wanted to. And I’ve been wanting to kiss you since then.” His voice is so soft. And he goes to kiss away the tears still left on your face, savoring the saltiness that reminded him of the sea. “M’sorry I lied. Can I kiss you now, rutxe?” he asks, continuing to move his lips on your cheeks and jaw. You don’t respond, just grabbing his chin to place a kiss on his lips.
You both savor the first contact. You start soft, slow, enjoying the melding of your lips together. He wants to taste you so badly, licking at your lips. Muffled moans are shared between you as your tongues meet, exploring one another.
But you want to be closer. You wrap your arms around his shoulders and your legs around his waist. He softly laughs between you, and you pluck him. The kiss is slightly frantic, full of pent up frustrations.
He pulls you down to lay on top of him and you finally break the kiss to catch your breath. Ao’nung isn’t having it though, tangling his hands in your hair to pull you back down.
You share a few more kisses, and then you plop beside him in the soft grass. Your bodies tangle together immediately.
“I thought I ruined the moment when I started crying, but maybe it was worth it.”
“How could you ruin anything when it was all for you, skxawng?”
You share a laugh as you bask in the sun together, rubbing your noses against one another. It was like you could feel this buzzing in the air as it swirled around you. There was also understanding.
“Oel ngati kameie.”
“Oel ngati kameie.”
You stay there for a while, eventually dozing off into each other’s arms.
——————————————————————————
Ao’nung wakes up first, blinking at the light suddenly in his eyes. Then he looks at you, still breathing slowly. He’s happy the sun is still up; it means he has more time with you before you need to head back.
He watches you for a while, happy today turned out the way it did. He plays with your hair, traces your stripes, and maps your tahnì to past time and hopefully quell his impatience. Eventually, your eyes flutter open and you reach to rub them.
“Kxì, sevin,” he says with a short kiss.
“Kxì, sayríp.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Sure.”
He sits up excitedly, pulling you up as well. You giggle at his enthusiasm and it rubs off on you. He starts disassembling the other leather carrier, and it is filled with different foods and even cooking materials.
“Do you remember how you didn’t have a favorite fish when I asked?”
“Are you going to tell me my favorite fish now?” you ask, leaning back on your arms.
“Nope,” he says. He gets a quick fire going with wax, and then stands to get some water from the ocean. You watch him bumble about, looking curiously at the various things now splayed in front of you.
When he gets back, he places a steaming basket on top of the boiling water. He’s slightly in front of you, so you have to lean onto one arm to see what he’s doing.
“I made a point of getting different fish in the last couple of weeks. Saving them from meals and stuff. And then I cured them in salt to preserve them. And now we are going to taste them all after I steam them,” he declares while taking out the different pieces of fish.
You look on at him in awe. This gave you more thoughts than you could put into words.
“How did you even have time for all of this? Is that why you were too busy to do your hair?”
“Mhmm. And I wasn’t seeing as much of you, so I had more free time,” he shrugs.
You scoot closer to him and he makes room for you to rest your chin on his shoulder.
“I don’t even know what to say,” you whisper into his back as you nuzzle into him shortly, returning to the previous position. You thought you had been going crazy over someone that didn’t feel the same for you, and he was here running himself ragged.
“My father gave me a talk about intention and being brave, and I wanted to go all out.” He pauses for a second and his tails nervously moves as his voice gets a little quieter. “I just wanted to prove myself to you. Show you that I could be thoughtful. Maybe even prove that I could be a good mate for you.”
“You’ve never needed to prove anything to me. I only ever wanted you,” you say, moving to kiss him. “But this is nice. I’m glad to see you think of me as much as I think of you,” you say between kisses.
“Trust me, you’ve made it all worth my while.” You share one last kiss and move to a more comfortable position, sitting side by side.
“Do me the honors?” he says, handing you the fruit you picked earlier and your new knife. You prepare the meal together and bless the food.
After a while of feeding each other and enjoying yourselves, you pack everything up. You save anything you didn’t eat to feed your ilu, and ride in the sunset together.
You walk into the village holding hands, finally at ease with the one you love.
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Author’s Notes: wow first of all, thanks for all the love for this impromptu series!!! im glad they finally kissed!!!! this probably won’t be the last ever part of Lessons Learned, but it’s definitely the end of this particular storyline
Kafi Si uo Tìrey is a made up voyage based around Māori people sailing behind birds to move their people to better lands (if i’m correct, sorry if that is wrong). i’ll also be fleshing the concept out more in the next series, so lmk if you guys are interested in being on that taglist or anything. perhaps surfer reader will be mentioned as well, idk yet…
also, i think it is very fitting for clan leaders to make their kids do a bunch of random stuff, hence musical ao’nung making an appearance. i’en isn’t an instrument that i could find a picture of or anything, i could only find “stringed instrument” when searching for it. personally, i picture a dulcimer (with no metal) but technically you could picture anything!
Description: Lessons Learned Pt. 7??? I think??? mostly fluffy and slightly angsty, the chunk about hair is suggestive depending on how you read (could be considered kuru play)??? idk anxious yearner x anxious yearner if you’re into that
Although Ao’nung’s parents had always encouraged him to take his time, and even wait until after his rites to think about searching for a mate, he had always known it would be you. He had accepted courtships in hopes of proving himself wrong, but no one had come close. Ever since you were children, he felt this pull towards you.
Now that Sol’tey wasn’t taking up your time and affections, Ao’nung decided it was time to prove himself to you. He figured that even if you didn’t feel the same way yet, that he could show you how could you could be together. He had to show you he could be a good mate.
He had always brought in good catches, especially when bringing them in for communal dinner. Today, he had to bring in the best catch. He was leading his own group, and he had instructed everyone to try and catch a bit of hammer leaf fish (he had interrogated Rotxo for your favorite fish before going into the water).
He caught a couple of big ones, and as they brought it all in, he saw that you were doing intake. Perfect.
“Ah, kxì, ___. We have many fish for you today.”
You look between him and the fish, slightly amused.
“The Great Mother always provides, mighty fisherman.”
“And today, she has provided much of your favorite fish.” You start looking through the catch to begin cutting and cleaning the fish.
“And what might that be?”
“Hammerhead? Rotxo told me.”
You tilt your head back in laughter, one of his favorite sounds.
“Hammerhead is not my favorite fish. It’s just usually the one I bring home because it’s easy to catch. And easier to cook.”
“Right.” He shoots a glare at Rotxo, who he knew was previously watching the interaction. Now he was pretending to be busy. Skxawng.
“Well since we’re on the topic, what is your favorite fish?” He might as well get the answer.
“I don’t have one,” you shrug.
“Surely you do, everyone does.”
“I’m not really thinking of my favorite fish when feeding my family.” Incredibly noble answer, another thing he liked about you. “Why do you care anyway?” you ask, pausing your work for a second to look at him suspiciously.
“I have to feed the clan, might as well feed them your favorite fish.”
“Thoughtful. Too bad I don’t have a favorite.”
“Way too bad. You aren’t using our relationship to your advantage nearly enough.”
“Oh? How else can I take advantage of you?” Your question catches him way off guard. Are you flirting? He leans in across the stand you’re cutting fish on.
“However you want, paskalin.” He had to get you back. It works, because he sees your hands stutter for a moment before resuming.
“Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, I’m busy at the moment,” you say, gesturing at the fish (and people) around you. “And you, are a distraction,” this time you point at him with the knife. The stern look on your face is enticing, and then you stop looking at him to focus again.
“Ah, wouldn’t want you to lose your focus with such a sharp knife in your hand.”
You scoff, but don’t look back to him. He goes around the stand that was previously separating you two to wrap his arm around your shoulders.
“Sit by me tonight?” You two had been sitting with each other a lot anyway, he had no need to ask.
You nod without looking at him. He places his hand over yours to stop your motion. You finally look at him with a glare.
“Yes, now go do something productive other than bothering me.”
He squeezes your shoulder and leaves with a smile. Good enough for now.
——————————————————————————
You pointing a knife at him encouraged his next move. He had shown you his craftsmanship with the bow he gifted you, but this would be different. You constantly carried a knife around for various purposes. If he gave you one and you carried it around, then it would be a constant reminder.
Crystal knives were usually for ceremonial purposes since they were so hard to come by. Luckily for Ao’nung, he had gotten some from the wind traders the last time they came by. He didn’t even have anything in mind when he got it, but now it would have a good use.
He hadn’t worked with the material before, so he enlists the help of his father. He had a sizable chunk, but if he messed it up there was no telling when he could get another piece.
“This is nice, ma’itan. Why do want to use it?”
“I want to make a knife,” Ao’nung says simply.
“Ah, of course.”
They spend some time together, Ao’nung’s father showing him how to break the material into sizable pieces. As Ao’nung looks at the shards, he can feel his father’s eyes on him.
“Ma’itan. You have been growing into a respectable young man.” Ao’nung knows exactly where this is going, and he avoids his father’s eyes. “I am proud of you. Growing up to be much wiser than you were.”
“Thank you, sempul.”
After selecting the best piece, Ao’nung begins carving into it.
“The hardest part about carving into crystal is that every strike must be well thought out, especially the closer you get to the end.”
Ao’nung nods, certain that the words have a layered meaning. Still, he slows his hands.
“What is the knife for?” he finally asks outright.
“___.” When his father only hums, Ao’nung nervously follows up. “Not a courting gift exactly.”
“Then what is it?” Ao’nung stops his motions completely this time.
“I don’t know how ___ feels about me. I don’t know how to approach this, the feelings I have,” he admits, finally looking at his father. “I know you believe that I am rushing into this, but I’m not.”
His father nods.
“Then you must be brave, yes?” It is Ao’nung’s turn to nod. Be brave. He could do that. For you.
——————————————————————————
In the last few weeks, Ao’nung had been on your mind a lot. Incessantly even. You knew that it probably wasn’t good, but it didn’t matter anymore. You couldn’t spend the rest of your life like this.
He was a popular boy in the village. He was to be Olo’eyktan. He was a strong hunter and teacher and good at practically everything he did. And he was pretty, unfairly so. Many had tried to stake their claims, especially with his rites approaching in the next year. It was driving you insane. He was your Ao’nung. Couldn’t they see?
You had put the feelings into an armband, really taking your time on it. You started at the loom, intricately weaving together dyed fabric for the base and using glass beads throughout. Then, you placed a shiny abalone shell in the middle. Finally, you had cured some of the bones from his recent hunt in a shiny pearlescent coat to frame the shell.
Was it too much? Maybe. But it got the point across.
You knew where he would be today; combat training. The people in your village were not warring, but they still often sparred with each other just in case. Even if people weren’t participating, there were others there just to watch. Perfect time.
You put on slightly nicer clothes than usual. A long loincloth that swayed when you walked, and a more structured top. You put on your normal jewelry, and let your hair flow loosely. Nothing crazy, but being intentional in your appearance gave you confidence like it would any na’vi. At least that’s what Ao’nung said when you teased him for being vain.
You take a deep breath before walking up to him, scared you would lose your nerve.
“Ao’nung,” you say, tapping him on the shoulder with one hand and keeping the armband obscured in your other. Before he greets you back, you pull him by the arm. This had to be quick.
You weren’t necessarily in a secluded spot, but it will do. Maybe it’s good that people can see you.
“You look nice today. I like this,” he reaches for the bottom of your beaded top and you swat him away. “Can I not pay you a compliment?” This time he goes for one of the strings of your loincloth, laughing when you swat him away again.
“You can, without touching.”
“Then I must say, you look as beautiful as always. But your choice in attire is really accentuating that.” He goes to play with one of your curls. “And your hair flows like the sea.”
“Still touching.” You’re flustered, between the way he’s looking at you and his words you almost forget what you came to do.
“I can’t help myself.”
You really, really hope he doesn’t talk to other people like that. Is that why he always seems to have some na’vi on his tail? The thought makes you sick to your stomach.
“What did you pull me for? To wish me good luck?” he teases, pulling you back from your thoughts. You muster up your courage again.
“I made you something.”
“Really?!” he says, his face lighting up.
“Don’t sound so surprised.” You finally pull the armband from behind you, stretching it so that he could see the full piece.
“Wow, this is…”
“Sorry if it’s too much. I just wanted to make something nice for you,” you say shyly. “You don’t even have to wear it if you don’t want to.” You start pulling it away from him but he grabs your wrist.
“I am absolutely wearing it.”
“You’re already wearing an armband. Two is overkill,” you joke. Now that you were actually here, this was much stressful than you thought it would be.
“Fine, we’ll trade.” He takes the one he’s wearing off his arm to place it on yours. “Your turn.” He offers you his bicep and you put it on him.
“Looks good, no?” he says, flexing his arm.
“It looks great.” He looks down to admire the piece again, and you feel pretty accomplished. The armband was quite a piece, and now he was wearing it. And you had on his armband.
“Irayo, ___. I must know what inspired this craftsmanship.”
“Well, I wanted to make something nice for you. The bones are actually from the day you thought you caught my favorite fish.”
“Should I be offended?” he chuckles.
“No, it was sweet.” He opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted by someone yelling for Ao’nung.
“Guess you have to go?”
“Stay and watch? You’ll get to see how your work holds up.”
“Sure, now go before they get started without you.”
——————————————————————————
With you watching, Ao’nung has to put on the best performance of his life. He pushes through drills, trying not to break a sweat. He wills his spear to not break under the stress. And, he prays that he doesn’t get an injury too bad. He’ll need a scrape or two though, so you can patch him up.
He can’t help but look at you on the edges of the training grounds. The wind blowing through your hair, the way the sun hits your face, and his armband on you. It takes all of his willpower not to focus on the way your hips had swayed as you drug him away.
You pulled him to the side in front of all those people to give him a work of art he could wear, like you were staking your claim on him. It gave him a rush. Even if you hadn’t done that, you just being there made him understand why people asked their prospects to watch them spar. He plows through his sparring partners, looking at you each time.
Training goes by quickly that day. He barely bids everyone goodbye before jogging up to you. You were already standing to leave, so he walks by your side.
“Enjoy the show?”
“Started off pretty slow, but watching the sparring is kind of fun.”
“Kind of? I put on my best performance for you!”
“Oh, you were performing for me?”
“Everything’s for you.” At that, you make this flustered face that he had come to love. You avert your eyes to the armband. “Surprised it held up through my rigorous training?”
“No, I told you I made it with you in mind. I knew I had to make it strong.” Your eyes return to his face, and your hand lifts up to his hair. “Something else did not hold up though.” He winces at that.
“I was definitely supposed to do my hair. I’ve been busy though.” An idea quickly flashes through his head. He pivots the previously aimless walk towards his marui; good thing you were already pretty close. “And now I am just so tired.”
“What a shame. I know how important your hair is to your image.” He saw the grin on your face that showed you were playing along.
“It is. I just wished I had someone to do my hair.”
“Mm. I wish you had someone to ask.” He doesn’t say anything again until you follow him inside his empty home.
“___?”
“Yes?”
“Can you do my hair?” You pretend to think, tapping your chin.
“You’ve gotten a lot out of me today. I gave you a gift, I watched you practice for forever, and now you’re asking me to do your hair.”
“Yes, because you are an amazing friend?”
“Wrong answer.”
“Because I would love your amazing touch on my hair?”
“Better answer.”
“Rutxe, ___. Rutxe, rutxe, rutxe!” he pleads with his hands together in prayer.
“I guess since you asked so nicely,” and you finally sit down on a stool in the corner. He grabs some clean water, hair tools, and the mixtures he used for his hair. He places them next to you and sits. You make space between your legs for him to scoot back.
Your hands find his hair quickly, taking apart his loose bun and braids.
“Your hair has gotten pretty long,”
He hums in response. In a very short time, he has become entranced by your hands in his hair.
“Am I washing it? And doing your kuru?”
“Sran, rutxe.”
Once undoing the braids at the top, you reach for the braid that protects his kuru. It sends a jolt through his body. It was the first time you’d ever touched it.
“Sorry, you can unbraid it if you want,” you mutter. Your hands had left his head in surprise, so he reaches for your hand to place it there again silently. You get the hint, gently starting at the bottom. He can feel the tendrils reaching out for you and it’s a struggle to stay quiet through the entire unbraiding process. Sure, kurus were naturally sensitive, but this was an entirely new level. His tail thumps against the ground and his breathing stutters the entire time. Once finally done, you pick it up to place it on his shoulder and away from the rest of the hair. He relaxes back into your legs.
He was maybe in over his head. How were you supposed to braid it after this?
“Let me wet your hair,” you say, guiding him to lay over the hair washing basin and moving to kneel beside it. He stares up at you. You were concentrated and biting at your lip. He prays he hasn’t caused you any discomfort. He clears his throat to speak.
“I hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable. I didn’t realize—”
“Ao’nung, it’s fine. Kurus are sensitive, I know that. It’s why I asked.”
He’s about to say something else, and then you start washing his hair. It feels so good, your delicate hands scrubbing his scalp. How is he supposed to go back to doing his own hair?
“Are you purring?”
“Mmm maybe.” He hears you giggle above him, but you continue on. You grab his kuru, quickly giving it a dunk in the water so it can be cleaned as well. He knows at this point he’s making all kinds of groans, but it doesn’t matter.
“Sit up,” you command, going back to your original position. After all of that though, his body is limp. He’s in a buzzing daze as you comb through his hair and braid. He has no idea how much time has passed.
“Time for your kuru,” you warn. He feels the initial jolt that causes him to grip onto your legs. Then the sensation is entirely pleasant as you braid it. He nuzzles into one of your thighs, not caring about how he looks right now. Once you get to the end, his tail thumps against the ground again.
“All done.”
He doesn’t move from between your legs though, leaning back to look up at you. You look down at him, hair cascading around you both as you hold his face.
“Irayo, ___,” he whispers.
“Of course.”
His inhibitions are gone as he massages your legs. He wishes he could stay like this forever, staring up at you.
“You’re so pretty,” he murmurs, making your cheeks flush. He’s about to comment on it when a yawn interrupts him.
“Tired?” you ask, tilting your head in amusement.
“Maybe.”
“I should let you take a nap then,” and you lean back to stand up.
“No, don’t go. Nap with me?” he whines into your leg. When you don’t respond, he looks back up at you to pout.
“Okay, just for a little.” When you both stand, he turns to face you. He grabs your waist, walking you backwards to his hammock and flopping on top of you. You laugh.
He nuzzles into your neck, unabashedly affectionate as he adjusts you two. His tail curls around your leg, his arms surround your torso, and his legs tangle around you. He goes to sleep purring, spent from his long morning and the intensity of you doing his hair.
——————————————————————————
Ao’nung falls asleep rather quickly, and you watch him for a while in his relaxed state. You also think a bit. Things have been going pretty well between you. And he was literally cuddled up with you in his hammock. There’s no way that he doesn’t at least feel something towards you.
Your mind drifts to the performance you saw while doing his hair. The symphony of noises he made keeps running through your mind. He was also so touchy lately. It kind of drove you crazy, but it also made you excited. And a bit more secure in your feelings. You don’t completely doze off, letting your imagination run wild as you hold him in your arms.
Eventually you get bored, and somehow maneuver your way out of his arms. You stand up and look around at his things to keep yourself entertained. You fiddle with his i’en you haven’t seen him play in forever. As you continue looking around, you come across these beautiful crystal shards, one of them knife shaped. It was gorgeous really, hitting the light in an entrancing way. You pick it up to examine it closely.
“Snooping?” you hear him groggily ask. You jump, like a child being caught.
“When did you wake up? I thought you were tired.”
“I woke up when you left me all alone.” You laugh at his dramatics.
“Mmm, so sorry,” you hum. “What’s this for? It’s very pretty. Making yourself something?”
“No, it’s a special gift for a special person.”
You try not to hope it’s you and put the knife down.
“Well, I’ve gotta go anyway. See you at dinner!” You say, leaving abruptly.
——————————————————————————
The thought of the knife had been nagging at you since you left Ao’nung. It hasn’t been long, but still. The thought of him gifting someone else something so beautiful and so special left an awful feeling in your chest. Especially after today.
Granted, you had just recently left a courtship. And you two weren’t officially anything but friends. But you obviously weren’t friends, right? You were pushing to be something more.
However, you knew sometimes these things got competitive. Some people shared their affections with multiple people at a time to speed up the process of finding a mate. Or if they had multiple suitors. Which Ao’nung definitely had. You actually didn’t count as a suitor, since nothing was official!
This is all too much.
You walk into the communal grounds in a daze. You aren’t searching for him, but your eyes land on him anyway. He was walking up to a girl. Which is fine, your clan has many girls.
Then he (briefly) hugs her as a greeting. He hugs that gorgeous, strong, tall, and singularly-tattooed girl that you definitely recognize from earlier today during combat training. And then he talks to her. And then he pulls out something that is definitely knife-shaped to hand to her.
You move quickly, leaving right where you came in from. You don’t go home. You find yourself staring into the water, leaning against a boulder. Eventually the heaving in your chest stops, and you feel like you can breathe again.
——————————————————————————
Ao’nung hadn’t seen you at dinner last night, and no one else had either. He forced himself to calm down; you were fine. He saw you not long before dinner and you seemed fine, even though you left quickly.
He couldn’t help but think that maybe he had gone too far. Maybe it was too much? Inviting you to watch him, his reaction to you doing his hair, the nap, and the knife. He had come on too strong and scared you away, obviously.
Who wouldn’t be scared? He had to slow down. If you weren’t ready, then that was okay.
He lets out an exhale of relief when he sees you on training grounds that morning, throwing your spear around. He jogs up to you without thinking. So much for giving you space.
“Rewon, ___. You weren’t at dinner last night.” Clingy. Tone it down, Ao’nung. You throw your spear without acknowledging him. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, I just wasn’t particularly hungry last night.”
“Ah, is it because it wasn’t my fish?”
“Because your fish is the best fish, naturally.” And you swim to retrieve the spear.
Ao’nung can’t really tell how well this is going. Badly, probably.
“Sorry if I got carried away yesterday. I just—I don’t know. It was nice. You should know by now that I like being around you.” You don’t say anything, throwing your spear into the water again. You take a longer time retrieving it.
“Yesterday was nice,” you say with a sigh when you finally resurface.
“Well I was wondering whenever you had another day to yourself, if you’d want to spend it with me?”
You mull it over in your head. At the moment, looking at him was hard. But it was only because of how strongly you felt. Maybe you shouldn’t throw it all away because he might possibly have feelings for someone else. Maybe it’d be good to express your feelings on a day you don’t have any other duties; you could go home and cry when he does not share your affections.
“Okay. Trrmuve?”
“Works for me. I’ll let you focus.” He walks off and he doesn’t hug you. Whatever! This torture would be over soon one way or another.
——————————————————————————
Author’s Notes: this feels long? so i cut it off before their next rendezvous. sorry my two dummies are taking so long to get together but it’s like their brains start short circuiting when it comes to one another
slight spoiler for the next part (they will be kissing finally!) it’ll probably be the last official installment in “lessons learned” (minus some drabbles i have sitting in the drafts about stuff i didn’t want to put in any of the other fics). but i literally already have my next set of fics in mind that i’m sooo excited for!!!
Description: Ao’nung x Reader as kids! Reader assumed to be Metkayina and Rotxo’s cousin. Relatively angsty and completely unnecessary to read if you like the other fics!
Really long Author’s Notes at the end about how I think of mating and tsaheylu and all of that. Also unnecessary, but I think it’s interesting!
——————————————————————————
You were six years old and your cousin’s parents had just passed. He and your grandma moved in with you and your father. You were obviously family before, but now you felt responsible for your little cousin.
One of the things that changed was that you walked together to lessons now. You weren’t always learning the same thing, but you made sure he got where he needed to go. Today though, you were all in a big group and practicing your swimming skills.
Rotxo spotted his friends and ran off. You swam with your friends, but you kept an eye on him the entire time. It seems his friends get a little too rough pushing each other around under water, and one of them has to help him get back to the surface. You swim over and this is the first time you remember speaking to Ao’nung.
“What are you doing?! Don’t you know he’s learning how to dive?” You grab Rotxo and hit his back to knock any water that could be in his lungs.
“He was fine, I brought him back to the surface didn’t I?” The boy smiles like he’s done you a favor and you roll your eyes.
“I am okay, really,” Rotxo coughs out but smiles nonetheless.
“Whatever, I’m swimming with you now,” you declare. You stay with Rotxo and his friends until you’re convinced they won’t drown him. Your eyes drift to Ao’nung in curiosity throughout the day, and his drift to you.
——————————————————————————
Another thing that changed was that you spent time with the Tsahik’s family; apparently Rotxo’s parents were pretty close to them. You knew Olo’eyktan Tonowari and Tsahik Ronal, but you had never been inside of their marui before. They had invited your family for dinner, and this is when you learned that their son was Rotxo’s skxawng friend.
You also met their daughter. She hugged you upon arrival; she wasn’t shy at all.
“Hi, I’m Tsireya! I am very sorry for your loss.”
“Um, thank you? I’m ___.” You watched the boy run off with your cousin to show him something.
“Ma’Ite, why don’t you show ___ some of your toys?” her father said. You didn’t really want to see her toys, but you knew that was code for “the adults are talking,” so you go without protest.
This is the first dinner of many, and you warm up to Tsireya quickly because she makes it easy. Your father is happy you’ve made a friend in all of this. Eventually, the four of you start playing together.
——————————————————————————
You were at home with your grandmother and she was showing you how to make a net. It was quite boring. Ao’nung shows up at your door asking if Rotxo can play.
“Sorry, he is not here. But ___ is!”
“Ao’nung does not want to play with me, grandmother.”
“Well, he wants to play, and you are here. Go on.” She practically pushes you outside and then closes the privacy flap behind you. You and Ao’nung awkwardly stare at each other.
“Sorry, I don’t know why she did that.”
“It’s okay, I just wanted to go swimming but my sa’nok told me I couldn’t go alone because the waves are rough today.”
“I’ll go with you.”
So you swim together, and you have a lot of fun. You don’t talk much, choosing to silently play tag in the water. It’s nice; you begin seeking each other out even when your cousin or his sister aren’t around to join in. What you didn’t know is that Ao’nung had passed Rotxo’s lessons on the way to your marui.
——————————————————————————
You’re ten now, and learning more about using a spear. Rotxo and Tsireya are just a little too young to join you guys, so you and Ao’nung stick together.
You watched the first person go up and they nick themselves on the spear. Minor injury, but it could be much worse. You stiffen at the thought, tail swaying in anxiety behind you. Ao’nung notices.
“___, you know that skxawng just wasn’t paying attention during demonstration. You’ll be fine,” he leans over to whisper. How did he know what you were thinking?
“What if it’s not fine?” you incredulously ask.
“It will be. I’ll go before you, just watch me.” That doesn’t completely soothe you, so he reaches down to hold your hand and it makes you feel a lot better.
“We don’t have to go today. We can just tell karyu you’re sick or something,” he keeps whispering in spite of said karyu now glaring at him.
“No, you’re excited for this. I’ll be okay.” You square your shoulders and squeeze Ao’nung’s hand.
“You sure? I can get us out of this. I can pretend to be sick,” and he starts very loudly fake coughing.
“Ao’nung? Do you have something to say to the class?” your karyu asks.
“Yes, can we go next?” and he runs to the front of the class, dragging you along with him. At least now you didn’t have to keep thinking about what could happen, because you were up.
It was nice to have someone push you.
After the lessons are over, you two leave and walk together.
“I don’t know why you’re always so worried, ___. You never mess up.”
“Well I could mess up. Spears are sharp, what am I gonna do if someone starts bleeding?” He stops walking to think for a moment before excitedly telling you his idea.
“I got it! You can be like my mom!” When you look at him confused, he grabs your shoulders and continues. “She is mighty with her spear, but she also helps people when they get hurt. You could be a healer, and it’ll help you not be as worried!”
You agree excitedly, and he brings it up to his mom when he gets home that evening.
You begin within the next week and Ronal takes you under her wing; her son had asked her to, after all. You’re spending more time with her, and consequently more time with Tsireya. It also means you spend less time with Ao’nung because your time is split, and he has to spend more time with his other friends. Which will be fine, right?
——————————————————————————
It’s been weeks since you started, and you were healing today. Ao’nung apparently got hurt playing with his friends, and they brought him in. Ronal has you assist her through the process, but when she leaves, reach to hold his hand just as he’s done for you many times. And then you hear his friends, snickering.
“What, is ___ training to be your Tsahik?”
“Yeah, maybe we should leave so he can kiss his mate?”
You stand up straighter to defend Ao’nung, but he speaks first. And he drops your hand.
“Fnu! ___ is not to be my mate, you skxawngs.” The words hurt, just a little. He doesn’t call you his friend, and he sounds pretty angry at the mere thought of you guys being together. Would it really be so bad?
Ronal returns and the laughing stops, but you can still feel the sting. She scolds his friends and sends them away; she didn’t like them very much. Once his arm is all wrapped up, Ronal asks you to help him get home so he can rest. Once you’re outside, you speak first.
“Should walk a few steps behind you so people don’t think I am to be your mate?”
“I’m sorry about my friends, ___. They didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know that, skxawng. You’re the one that sounded angry. You didn’t even say that I was just your friend.”
“I’m sorry, I just didn’t want to look weak,” but those words sound weak coming from him.
“Whatever. That’s why your sa’nok doesn’t like them. They are stupid, and they make you stupid.”
The rest of the walk is silent. You barely walk him inside before you turn around to leave. Ao’nung convinces himself that he doesn’t care. He had made the mistake of telling his friends that he’d asked his mother to train you, but now he missed you when you didn’t have lessons together.
——————————————————————————
You were still kind of upset with Ao’nung, but you hadn’t told him because you did like him. Ao’nung made you feel different than other people did, and you didn’t have the words for it at the time, but it obviously meant something. And everything his friends said had also been on your mind; what if you were meant to be mates?
This is all you can think of as you help your grandmother carry fabrics through the village. You had been quiet the whole day.
“Ma’___, what is plaguing your thoughts? And don’t say nothing.” The woman knew you well, and you knew there was no lying to her.
“How do you know someone is supposed to be your mate?” You can tell the question slightly surprises her, but she answers anyways.
“Ma’eveng, you still have much time until you must choose.” She pauses for a second before continuing. “But, your spirit will respond to them, even call out. It is a feeling like no other. Still, you have a long time until then.” The answer somewhat satisfies you, so you nod in response. So the feelings probably just meant you liked Ao’nung as a friend, a lot. You could work with that.
“Irayo, grandmother.”
“Of course. You are allowed to be curious. You can always come to me.”
You’ve reached your destination and you are helping her sort through everything to distribute when Ao’nung approaches. He gives your grandmother the polite greeting he always does.
“Can ___ come ride ilu with me?” he asks. Before the woman can respond, you speak up.
“I am helping my grandmother, I cannot.”
“Nonsense, you have helped me enough, ___.” When you look at her unsurely, she says, “Have fun. Be home for dinner.”
The two of you bound off to the water. Once you reach it, Ao’nung reaches to grab your hand so that you can jump in together but quickly pulls back. You try to ignore it.
You two race each other through the water until you’re tired. Now, you sit and let your ilu circle one another, enjoying the calm waters. You are the first to break the silence.
“You’ve been different lately, Ao’nung.”
“No I haven’t.”
“Yes, you have.” He dodges your glances, choosing to stare into the water for a while before saying anything.
“Don’t you hear how everyone says I like you? And you like me? Doesn’t it annoy you?”
You only shrug in response.
“Well, it is annoying. My parents had this gross talk with me recently about mating. Why would I want to talk about that? Even Tsireya says she’s excited to be your sister, like it’s just bound to happen.”
“Oh.”
“I’m just saying I wish things were normal again.” He thinks for a second before looking at you. “Maybe we shouldn’t hang out alone for a while. And stop holding hands and stuff.”
“Okay… We should probably head back then.”
And you do, in silence. When you get back home, you tell your grandmother that you aren’t feeling well so you lay down until it’s time for dinner. When asked, you say nothing’s wrong.
——————————————————————————
You and Ao’nung do as you said: no hand-holding or touching or sitting together or even talking. It sucks. He thought the weird feelings he had about everything would go away, but they don’t. Eventually though, his friends have stopped teasing him about you, so he decides to seek you out.
He catches you after a lesson with his mother.
“___, do you want to go get some fruit with me?”
“Why would I do that?”
“My friends stopped bringing you up. I told you that when things went back to normal that we could hang out!”
You squint at him for a moment and Ao’nung gets scared he said the wrong thing.
“Fine. You’ll have to do all the picking though.”
“Deal!”
You walk together into the jungle that exists inside your island. Ao’nung keeps his promise of picking all the fruit. You two sit on the ground and enjoy each other’s company, catching up on all the things you missed in between.
Ao’nung had a problem though; his feelings for you are still very much present. But, he had a plan. He had asked his father why him and his mom kissed so much about a week ago. His dad told him that it was how they expressed their feelings to each other. Obviously, he had to express his feelings for you.
“Have you had your first kiss yet?” he asks.
“What? No? Have you?”
“No. But I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I think we should kiss.”
“What?!”
“Like as a trial. Everyone keeps saying we like each other, so maybe we should see if anything happens.”
“That is not a good idea. We’re too young.”
“It is a good idea because we’ll know for sure. And everyone else can stop getting in our heads.” You take a while to respond, and Ao’nung almost backtracks.
“Okay.” Once you finally agree, you both scoot closer to one another.
“What do you think is supposed to happen if it’s true?” you whisper once there is only a little distance between you.
“I don’t know, I hadn’t really thought of that. Maybe our kurus will light up.”
“Oh shut up, skxawng.”
“Kiss me and I will.”
So you do; you both lean in to press your lips together experimentally and quickly. When you pull back, you stare at each other.
“Did anything happen?” he asks.
“I don’t think so.”
“Maybe we should try again.”
This time it lasts longer, like you two are trying to learn how to do it properly. You pull away, barely.
“One last time. For good measure,” he murmurs. You didn’t need much convincing. This time, you don’t break away until you’re out of breath. Ao’nung supposes nothing technically happened, but that felt amazing. He hopes you feel the same, but it doesn’t look like you do. You jerk back from him.
“We probably shouldn’t do that anymore,” is what you say. You look scared, so he obliges and pulls back. If you didn’t like kissing him, he could only respect your wishes.
He pulls away from you again, for much longer this time.
——————————————————————————
Ao’nung had obviously been avoiding you since you’d kissed. He hadn’t even been hanging out with Rotxo, which is where you had to draw the line. Rotxo had done nothing wrong and should not be mixed in with this. So, you approach him while he’s with his friends.
“Ao’nung, can I talk to you? Really quickly.”
“Why?” You can hear the absolutely idiotic laughs behind him start. You know that you won’t have the courage to do this again, so you keep trying.
“It’s not about what you think. And it’ll only be a second.” He begrudgingly gets out of the water and follows you. You lead him to a quiet spot.
“Why did you do that in front of them?” he asks first.
“Look, I only came to ask you to stop avoiding Rotxo. He didn’t do anything.”
“Okay,” he says, not looking at you. It makes you mad; this was all his fault! Why were you the one being punished?
“I don’t know why you’re avoiding me either. I didn’t even do anything. You’re the one that wanted to kiss me.”
“I didn’t want to kiss you.”
“Then why did you?”
“I don’t know, ___. Sometimes I do things without thinking.” He finally looks at you. His eyes are full of tears but his face looks so, so angry. Kissing you had upset him this much? “It was a mistake.”
You don’t say anything else at that, walking away in a silent daze.
——————————————————————————
The next time Ao’nung sees you, you ignore him completely. He even tries to partner up with you, but you pick someone else. He didn’t really get why you were so mad; you didn’t want to kiss him at all and you’re the one that said you shouldn’t do it again. Sure what he said was kind of mean, but he figured it wouldn’t matter. You hadn’t even come to talk to him about that! You cared more about him and Rotxo’s friendship than him and yours.
Nonetheless, you ignoring him hurt a lot more than anything else. It meant you didn’t feel the same ache he did.
You and your partner dive down together. Today the class was doing drills. You both had to dive deep into the water, and then pull the other up. Something happens, and you both come up gasping for air before you could reach the bottom.
He looks at you in concern, swimming over to make sure you’re okay. And then his friends start laughing again, and you see it! He stops in his tracks, and you swim away from him. When he goes back over to his friends, he gives them a good whack. He had told them to stop before, why couldn’t they just listen?
He opts to go right after you, hoping you’d watch. He does well, and looks at you when he comes up. But you’re too busy hugging your partner so you don’t even see it. Yet another sting.
Lessons go on as usual for a while, everyone taking a turn to go and then a second time to switch. But you don’t get a second time; someone comes to get you and you have to leave. Probably not good. He spends the rest of the time wondering what happened.
——————————————————————————
Your dad had gotten hurt, badly. It was possibly the scariest moment in your life. By the time you were brought there, your grandmother and Rotxo were already there. Rotxo was uncontrollably sobbing and your grandmother was trying her best to console him. He had already lost his parents. You cried quietly, holding your little cousin in your arms.
It took a while to stop the bleeding is what you’re told. It was scary looking at him; his shoulder was pretty badly mangled and it was definitely the worst wound you’ve ever seen. He was asleep, and Tsahik instructed you all to go home to rest and eat.
Olo’eyktan and Ao’nung were waiting outside to walk you home. When you saw Ao’nung, it made the hurt so much worse. All you wanted was a hug from your friend, and you hesitated. How can he really be your friend if you felt like there was a chance he would turn you away? You decide in that moment that whatever was going on between you two had gone on for long enough. If he couldn’t be your friend all the time, then you shouldn’t be friends. It would be better that way.
Your grandmother was holding Rotxo and talking to Tonowari when Ao’nung tries to talk to you.
“I’m sorry about everything, ___. I’m here for you guys,” he says quietly.
You can’t even look at him.
“You should just be there for Rotxo.”
“You’re my friend, too.”
“Not anymore.”
Now it was your turn to avoid him.
——————————————————————————
Author’s Notes: sorry if this is like weird or doesn’t fit into the rest of the fics? but i genuinely needed a backstory before i could continue on lol. ALSO PART OF THIS DELETED SO I HAD TO REWRITE IT </3
first of all, i really didn’t want to write an impossibly cruel ao’nung that softens over time or enemies to lovers because i really do think a big part of his character in the movies is immaturity paired with the very real fear of the sullies (they are canonically uncanny to na’vi and running from a war that does in fact follow them to the metkayina).
second of all, i headcanon that because na’vi live so long and they mate for life in this incredibly intimate way, that they really want their children to be fully baked before thinking about mating. you kind of have to spend the rest of your life with this person (or at least it is very ideal to have one partner; imagine performing tsaheylu with your new mate and you can only think of your first love lol yikes OR EVEN having this persisting connection with someone you actually don’t really care for would probably feel really invasive), so it would be a good idea for you to be a fully developed person before you can truly share your personhood. the adults in ao’nung’s and reader’s lives are only trying their best to emphasize that mating is far away without pulling these two apart (grandma’s talk with reader trying to soothe their worries to ensure that they have time, ao’nung’s parents talking to him leading to him pushing reader away, etc.) even the other children in this and “sometimes” are weirded out by reader and ao’nung’s connection (teasing from ao’nung’s friends in this, tiyo pulling the prank and it being such a big deal). also, the closer everyone gets to their coming-of-age, the more interested they are in courtship because it takes so long to find someone. like there’s a small time period between your rites coming up and feeling like you’re on the cusp of being one of the people, and some na’vi have a fixation on finding the right one by the time they pass their rites.
eywa also seemingly has to approve of the bond. to na’vi, this is the goddess over basically everything in their lives. we know now that eywa is like a living fungus network that connects life on pandora. what if there’s like a physical feeling that na’vi get when a person “calls to their spirit” or like their body chemistries really meld together in a way that pleases eywa? also, what would happen if two people do not have that? we see that forced tsaheylu is literally torture, so perhaps when you try to mate with someone you aren’t compatible with, it is literally torture. this could also be why it’s typical for na’vi to stay mated the entire night for it to be official, like a way to say “we can actually do this and it isn’t torture.”
basically in this, you have two kids that have these incredibly strong feelings for one another and they literally cannot handle being around each other because they believe they shouldn’t feel this way this early. consequently, they push each other away, making the other believe that they don’t share the same feelings. they also both react to this stress in different ways and they don’t really have the words to express themselves, plus an insane fear of rejection. like we know how intense tsaheylu can be, so maybe that calling they feel is also super intense and it probably hurts pretty badly if it’s unrequited. i think that they will really mellow out once they are able to mate in the future because they’ll finally have an outlet for this neurotic torture.
anyway, i don’t think all na’vi have like a super specific soulmate. i also like to think that the feeling of mate attraction is like a sensation in their kuru, and we all know how intense that could be.
thirdly, i like “two idiots in love.”
idk why im going so deep into this lol i actually wrote these notes after i was basically done with all of this. erm they could just be little weirdos and there’s no explanation for that!
