Hyperlinks are attached to specific paragraphs that when clicked on will lead you to its illustration by Ralak's creator @zestys-stuff. I love her and all her art so much that when I saw Ralak I was so compelled to write a fic for him. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Teytey, you knocked it out the park with this one (as you always do, my love).
Characters: Metkayina!Ralak (24) x Sully!Omaticaya!Reader (19)
Warnings: shit ton of fluff, profanity, age gap, a lot of sexual tension, size difference, let me know if i forgot anything?
Word Count: 4.4k
Requested: Yes || No
Author’s Note: I hope I did this gorgeous man justice and wrote his character well. It was an interesting challenge to introduce his character and build a plot with it. Chapter two and three will be out shortly! I’m beyond overjoyed that you guys are excited for this 😊 I hope I don’t disappoint lool
Synopsis: Your family seeks uturu with the Metkayina in the village of Awa’atlu. You have a difficult time adjusting, and are assigned your own special teacher, Ralak.
Next ->
The Sully family adopted you from birth, taking you in as their own. They were more than patient with your delayed milestones, moving at the slow pace you set since childhood. You completed your iknimaya a cycle later than your siblings, despite your eagerness to prove your self-worth as one of the Sully’s. Being a late bloomer and smaller than the average na’vi never put a damper on your optimistic attitude, though. It only added fuel to the fire.
The news to seek uturu with the Metkayina came as a shock not only to you but the rest of your siblings, and soon became the leading topic of discussions at family dinner. Jake explained that this is what was necessary, and that you would need to ‘pull your weight’ and ‘make a real effort’. You knew he didn’t mean it as harsh as it sounded, but the words stung nonetheless, plucking out a couple heart strings when they pierced through your chest.
You’ll never forget the day of your arrival here.
War horns blew loudly, signalling your arrival to the village of Awa’atlu. All the members of the clan swarmed the shore to see what the fuss was all about. Even the little ones that could only toddle wriggled their way out of their parents’ arms to get a glimpse. It was overwhelming – to say the least – to have all these eyes on you, scanning every foreign feature of your body, walking around you to inspect you further. You’d never felt more objectified in your life.
When Tonowari and Ronal made their grand entrance on their skimwings, your heart thud furiously in your chest. Sure, the large, winged fish took you by surprise, but the man to Tonowari’s right shook you to your core. His head tilted in wariness, hunting knife secured cautiously in his right hand and the leather wrapped reign gripped tightly in his left.
Wet, long hair plastered to his chest; he eyed you down momentarily before averting his gaze to the rest of your family that calmed their ikrans. His eyes widened ever so slightly at the winged creatures, large with armoured skin, much like the beast he’s bonded with.
You couldn’t help but stare aghast at his sinewy, chiselled features – sculpted by Eywa herself. It didn’t take long for you to understand why he was Tonowari’s right-hand man. His expression of indifference remained fixed on his face. Embodying that of an akula, his presence brought an intimidation like no other.
But what you couldn’t understand were the butterflies that plagued your stomach.
Your gaze lingered for a moment too long, the akula himself now returning the leer. It sent shivers down your spine, turning your butterflies into knots. You looked away, gaze falling onto your toes that burrowed their way into the sand. You felt his eyes bore into you, taking in each dark blue stripe on your tiny body, your slender extremities and thin tail.
You peeked at him through the corner of your eye, to see his gaze locked on your tail as it swished side to side. You saw his ears perk up, and the minor curl of his lips, a sight only a person staring as intently as you would see. You watched as his expression morphed into one of confusion, just before he dropped his head all together.
You would later come to find out that he couldn’t quite understand his own butterflies in his stomach.
The giant stayed seated on his winged beast, as Tonowari and Ronal dismounted theirs and crossed the shore in only a few strides. Initially, they were wary of your arrival, thinking your family would bring war to their village. After your father reassured them, they were gracious enough to grant uturu for your family, and even dispatched their own children to teach you the ways of the people.
Naturally, you had a hard time adjusting to the new biome, water was never really your thing to begin with. You were slow in the water, slender body only holding you back more. The olo’eyktan’s son, Ao’nung, quickly grew agitated with you, handing you off to his sister, Tsireya, who was already overwhelmed with teaching your siblings. You felt like a burden, holding everyone back during lessons. There was absolutely nothing that you were getting the hang of, not even the ‘finger talk’ as you brother calls it.
For the first in your life, you felt completely defeated.
The sweet, determined girl disappeared, leaving nothing but her shell behind. You started missing lessons, making up reasons to stay back in your family marui pod. You often found yourself alone sitting on the shore in the height of the eclipse, dipping your feet into the warm water. Jake would always find his babygirl, demanding to know what was wrong. But you could never reveal the truth, not after what he said to you before your departure. Especially not now, not after failing so terribly for two entire months.
At this point, your siblings had passed their iknimaya, and you were the only one left.
----
Tsireya presses two fingertips right above your navel, resting her other hand on your chest, fixing your posture. “Breathe from down here. You must slow down your heartbeat, y/n.”
You’ve heard this a million times by now. You know this, but it didn’t matter. No matter how hard you tried, you just couldn’t get it. Frustrated, you exhale harshly, gritting your teeth so you won’t speak the words flooding your mind.
“Look. I know you’re frustrated, but you are getting so much better. If we just keep –”
“No! I’m fucking tired of this. I’ll never get it. Alright?!” you shout, shuffling to your feet to.
You scan the circle of surprised na’vi, all of which are staring up at you in disbelief. You could see Tsireya’s face screw with hurt, which only makes your heart ache more. An apology brews in your chest, when all five pairs of eyes flicker to something behind you. Turning on your heels, you see what everyone is looking at.
Jake, Tonowari, and his right-hand man all standing in front of you, presumably listening to your every word. You stand there for a bit, eyes bouncing between Tonowari and Jake before landing on the giant. He stands tall, staring off into the distance with that same deadpan look on his face. His hair is tucked behind his ears, revealing the stud in his lobe, the freckles on his jaw – the deeper blue markings on his neck.
This is the first time you’re getting a good look at him, seeing the first time you two met things were... eventful.
His freckles are conspicuous, even in broad daylight, beautifully patterned and abundant throughout his body. Perhaps it’s his lighter-cyan coloured skin and swirls for stripes, but his freckles twinkled just right from the reflection of the water. They even seemed to trace his stripe pattern on his forehead and brow bones. A single tahni under each eye... his ocean, impassive eyes.
A sleeve of tattoos covers his right arm, a sleeve on his right knee to his ankle, and a tattoo of stripes below his navel that went underneath his – oh. Your brows lift slightly, tensed facial muscles relaxing.
That’s an interesting place for a tattoo.
This tattoo continued between his prominent v-lines, under the band of his loincloth. You begin counting the stripes.
One, two, three, four, five... six.
It takes the sound of Jake clearing his throat for you to reluctantly peel your eyes away from this poor man’s crotch.
“Right, babygirl. Ralak here is going to be your teacher from now on.” Jake motions his hand over to the Metkayina, who’s now visibly, and unsuccessfully, trying to appear friendlier.
You couldn’t help but scoff, frustration now bubbling over in your chest once more. “So what? I’m so shit at this that I need a ‘special’ teacher?” you glance over at Ralak and roll your eyes.
“Language!” Jake whispers harshly, giving you that look. The look he gives you when you’re embarrassing him.
“No. I’m tired of this. I want to go home.” you shrug, storming past him just for him to wrap his hand around your upper arm and drag you back.
“That’s enough.” Jake growls, bending over to meet you at eye level. “Tonowari has been kind enough to arrange for Ralak to help you. He was once a fisherman.”
“The best. At about your age.” Tonowari stands proudly as he utters the words, “And now he’s one of the best warriors. I hand selected him myself.”
Your eyes flicker over to Ralak, whose ears lay flat against his skull, brows slightly pinched, jaw clenched. It’s hard to tell what he was feeling, his mask of indifference fixed tightly on his face. Was he grimacing? Or maybe he was trying not to.
Regardless, it looked as if the words upset him. Maybe there was something more beneath this cold exterior. Something that maybe you can pry out of him. Something that intrigued you. The corners of your lips curl upwards, an expression that any outsider would perceive as happiness, but Jake knew you had something else in mind.
Something more mischievous.
“I apologize, sir. I am... just frustrated.” your eyes shift from one giant to the next as you bow before the olo’eyktan. “It would be an honour to have Ralak be my...” you glance over at him, “...karyu [teacher].”
Jake remains silent, pursing his lips as he watches the scene unfold.
“Ah. I understand.” Tonowari smirks, shrugging his shoulder. “It is decided, Ralak will teach you.” he looks at Ralak, giving the order, “Today.”
Jake raises his brows at you, as if he were telling you to behave and not cause any trouble. You tilt your head and subtly stick out just the tip of your tongue. Tonowari walks away, a large hand brushing against Jake’s back to signal him to follow. Jake turns around and joins the larger na’vi, two olo’eyktans now making their way back to the tall mangroves.
“Hey, karyu.” you sing, eyes fluttering as you stare up at the towering man.
He looks down at you for a moment, eyes flickering between your eyes and lips. His ears twitch as he swiftly turns around, walking away from you. “Come.”
So that’s what his voice sounds like.
It’s gruff, yet smoky. Deep and husky, thick with... nothing but his Metkayina accent. It was flat and monotone, revealing nothing of his true character. You follow closely behind him, already excited about how you plan to get him to reveal more about himself. He seems to be a man of few words, reserved and... composed. You couldn’t deny that there is a part of you that wants to poke at him, to see how far you can take things with him.
Before you know it, you’re standing in a secluded clearing on the shore, nestled far away where the fishermen tend to hunt. You look around, scanning your surroundings with curious eyes. You see a secluded marui pod, seemingly larger than all the others you’ve seen thus far. It's tightly woven with orange and red sturdy material, secured tightly to the thick mangrove roots around it.
“That yours?” you stick him with your first poke of the day, eager eyes trying to look inside the marui.
His gaze remains fixed on the fishnet that he’s gathering in his hands. “Yes.”
“Pretty big for...” you mumble, shifting your gaze towards him to be met with the sight of him unbuckling his cumberbund. “...just one person.” your voice dwindles in volume, fading out into a breathy whisper.
If your eyes could protrude from your head anymore, they would. You always had a hard time masking how you feel as your facial expressions were quick to give it away. His cumberbund falls into the wet sand, embellished razor sharp akula teeth piercing its surface. Your eyes trail up his body, settling on his bare chest.
“Today, fishing net. Tomorrow, ilu.” he mutters, putting his hair into a loose bun as he ventures further into the water.
“O-kay.” the word comes out broken and awkward.
Venturing out into the water, he settles in the spot he used to go frequently as a fisherman. Waist deep into the water, he looks behind him, chin meeting his chest to land his gaze on you, chest-deep in the water. He realizes that he's gone too far out for you, and walks towards you.
Your beaded top plasters to your chest, revealing your peaked nipples as your breasts bounce with the tide. His eyes quickly avert to the shore, eyelids fluttering a little faster than they should.
“Come.” he walks past you, prompting you to follow him once more. You bounce your way back to the shore until the water is crashing into your stomach. “Watch.” he says, fixing his stance to show you a demonstration.
You watch intently, focus being on the wrong thing, honestly. Your eyes had a hard time looking away from his chiselled body – from each dip and ridge of his muscles on full display. How could you focus? Especially now that he’s barely thigh deep into the water, loincloth clung to his bulge. You swallowed thickly at the sight, was that huge thing really his –
“Erm. Got it?” the sound of him clearing his throat snaps you out of your deep thought.
“Mhm!” you nod quickly, doe eyed and genial smiled.
He nods once, handing you the netting. You take it slowly, buying yourself sometime to figure out how to throw this thing. Standing with your left foot in front of your right, you bend your elbows out, holding the yoke of the net close to your chest.
He grunts in disapproval, settling behind you to fix your stance. He gently kicks your feet apart, putting your dominant foot in front. Large hands grip your tiny waist, shifting your stance slightly to the left. They slip up your sides, and run along the length of your upper arms, stopping at your elbows to tuck them in. He’s so focused on correcting your poor posture that he doesn’t even realize how he’s pressing himself against you.
“Like this.” he huffs, hand enveloping yours to shift it further from the yoke of the cast net. “Hold here.” his other hand grabs the lead line and plunks it into yours.
Heart pounding at a dangerous speed, you take a few deep breaths. Perhaps it was the nerves of casting your first net, or maybe it was just how this gentle giant is pressed against you. Either way, you can’t ignore the butterflies that flutter in your stomach again.
“Now throw.” he says barely over a whisper, backing away from you.
You twist your upper body, core tensing when you throw the net as hard as you can, only for it to clump together rather than spread out. Your shoulders drop and lips press tight, a wave of disappointment washing over you.
“Again.” he orders, pulling the net towards him.
--
Ralak had you throw the net half a dozen more times before giving you your first break. You prodded and poked at him, trying your best pry personal information out of him – to no avail. He remained unaffected by your persistent jabs, revealing nothing other than how he pined for the days of being a fisherman.
“Karyu. I-I’ll never get it.” you huff in frustration, gathering the fishnet from the surface of the water for a tenth time.
“Again.” he says patiently, unbothered by your frustration.
“Karyu. Please. It is not working. Can’t we try something else?” you beg, arms and back sore from throwing the fishnet so many times.
He looks at you for a moment, taking in the slouch of your back – the strain on your face. He felt bad for you, but he could also see that you were so close to learning the skill.
“No. Again.” he orders monotonously, taking note of your gaze drifting off to the mangroves nearby. “Focus. Eyes on me.”
“How am I supposed to focus when you look so, so –” you cut yourself short with a sigh.
“So, what?” he tilts his head and raises a brow.
You shake your head and roll your eyes, landing them right on that damn tattoo again.
Why was it so low? Didn’t that hurt? Why there of all places?
“Look. I see you –”
The words make your eyes snap up to his, heart thumping wildly in your chest.
“...staring.”
You didn’t realise you were lingering until he pointed it out. How could you not? Surely, he chose that spot for a reason. Perhaps his mate wanted it there, so she could trace the lines with her tongue, all the way down to his –
Am I... jealous right now? I don’t even know this man.
“Who did that tattoo?” you question harshly, green flame of envy igniting in your chest.
“This one?” he chuckles softly, tugging at the hem of his loincloth.
You drop your head, gaze locked on your hands fiddling with the net, hoping to hide the blood that’s rushing to your cheeks. “Yeah. That one.”
“Again. And I tell you.” he pulls the hem back up before crossing his arms over his chest.
Your gaze snaps back up to him, eyes wide with excitement. This is the first time he’d be revealing anything personal about himself. A smile splits your lips as you fix the net in your hands once more, burrowing your feet into the sand. Your eyes narrow on the target – a school of fish off in the near distance.
Twisting your torso, you cast the fishnet, watching it splay out perfectly and trap majority of the fish. You stare in awe, surprised that it even splayed out much less caught some fish. Once it registers, you jump up in glee, quickly turning to your teacher to see his pleased expression and slight nod.
“I did.” he utters, a smirk barely pulling at his lips.
Adrenaline still coursing through your veins, you’re perplexed by his two words. “Huh?” you huff, brows pinching together in confusion.
“I did the tattoo.” he says, holding eye contact with you.
“Oh.” your lips pucker at the words, furrowed brows now raising in understanding. Being so surprised by yourself – finally getting something right – you forgot about your little deal.
He breaks eye contact to look over at your perfectly casted fishnet. “If you ride an ilu, maybe I show you the rest of it.” he says through his thick accent, making his way towards the fishnet. “Since you are so... interested.”
“I-I’m not – it, it is just in a – an interesting spot.” you stutter, eyes locked onto your twiddling thumbs.
“Ah.” he gathers the fishnet in his large hands, bundling it together to call it a day. “If you say so... vultsyìp [stick; tree branch]”
“What did you just call me?” your leer snaps up, eyelids squinting at his tensed back muscles that flex and relax as he gathers the net.
A smile pulls at his lips, although you can barely see it from the angle in which he’s facing. It’s contagious, causing your own lips to curl, and soon enough you’re giggling into your hand.
----
Ralak became the light in the darkness, pulling you out of your shell and filling you with the purpose that you once lost. Things came quick to you, thanks to him. He was a great teacher, always patient with you, never showing his agitation – or any other emotion for that matter.
You learned how to hold your breath properly in only a week, due to his persistence and confidence in you. He’d always be quick to praise you after you accomplished something, whether that be with a quick clap, a gentle tap on the back, or – in bigger accomplishments – a hug.
The bond between the two of you strengthened. Overnight. You put a crack in his walls, and bits of his true self began to shine through them. And that was your biggest accomplishment yet. To see a person with the strength of five men turn into a little water puppy in front of you, and you only.
There would be moments where his façade of indifference would drop completely. The moments where he would chuckle a little too loudly, a little too long. Where that shy smile grew wide enough to flash his lengthy canines, and a primal part of you that you tried to supress, desired to know what they felt like sunk into your neck. Clamping down on you while you writhe underneath him, being tamed by his touch.
The moments where you’d tease one another about your differences. His stature in comparison to yours. Pressing your hands together, only for yours to be lost in his palm. And when you pulled away, your fingers intertwined ever so slightly, prickling the skin all over your body. He loved to tease you. Honestly a little too much, poking at your chest with a figurative finger about how you favoured that of a vultsyìp. It’s what got you riled up the most and soon it became your nickname.
Until the day you successfully rode your first ilu.
It was an exhilarating experience, nothing like what you had experienced prior. You glided through the water effortlessly, flowing with the movements of the blubbery creature. When you broke the waters’ surface, Ralak stood proudly in the shallow end, arms crossed over his chest with a smile on his face. It was a rare occurrence – that smile.
And when you laid your eyes on such a sight, the butterflies flew back into your stomach, fluttering and flapping harder than they ever have. They soon became plenty in number, filling your stomach to the brim until you can no longer suppress the way you feel. The flutter in your stomach radiated throughout your body, sending your legs fluttering too. You swam quickly to him, surprising yourself with your speed.
--
“You did it. Like I said.” he smiles smugly.
“Hope you didn’t forget about our deal.” you grin, wringing out the water from your hair.
“You would not let me.” he scoffs, shaking his head as he uncrosses his arms. “Ready?” he asks, cocking a brow while his fingers glide down his stomach, finding purchase under the under the band of his loincloth.
“From the moment I saw it, karyu.” you say, voice feigned with confidence.
He could see through your disguise, though. It only makes him chuckle, to see such a little thing act so big – so dauntless. He tugs his loincloth down, taut strings now sinking into his upper thighs, revealing not only the entirety of his tattoo but also the base of his length.
“H-how did you manage to do that all on your own? Didn’t it hurt?” you ask sheepishly, voice laced with concern.
“Bottle of fermented fruit and a rag to bite. No pain.” he answers, Metkayina accent thick.
You examine it a little closer, leaning in to have a better look. It’s raised, very slightly – invisible to anyone not staring as intently as you are. Most definitely because it’s hand poked, by himself of all people. An innocent thought floods your mind, so loud that you couldn’t stop the movement of your own hand.
How does it feel?
“Can I –” you glance up at him briefly, hand hovering over the tattoo, “Can I touch it?”
His brows and ears shudder for just a few seconds. He quickly regains his composure, swallowing silently before giving you a single nod. Fingertips experimentally graze over the tattoo, taking in its bumpy texture. Your digits trace each line of his tattoo, down to his pelvis. A sudden jerk of his hips causes you to yank your hand back.
“S-sorry, Ralak.” you mumble, feeling a little ashamed that you may have made him uncomfortable.
But in all honesty, your innocent, little touches were arousing him and he didn’t want you to know.
“Nothing to be sorry about.” he states, fixing his loincloth.
You straighten your spine, a foot stepping back to create space that you think he wants, only for him to pull you in for a hug.
“You did well today, vultsyìp.” he mumbles, hands resting on your head and back. “Tsurak [skimwing] next and you will be Metkayina.”
“Hmm. I’ll think about it.” you giggle, warm embrace and snarky commentary ebbing away whatever feelings of doubt tensing your chest.
It’s the way his huge arms engulf you that make you feel so protected and accepted. It’s something you always looked forward to after a big achievement. You lean into him, laying your head on his chest. The smell of sea salt mixed with leather hide wafts up your nose. You take a deep breath, holding it in your lungs until you feel light in the head. Releasing your breath with a loud huff, you smile widely.
It’s so enticing, so addictive.
“You always do that.” he chuckles breathily, swiping back a few strands of hair stuck to your temple.
“’ts not my fault you sea people smell so good.” you mumble into his chest, taking in another deep breath.
“Ah.” he exhales, hand cupping the back of your head. “My hì’i vultsyìp [little stick]” he almost grimaces at his words, it just wasn’t fitting anymore. Not for situations like these. Not when his chest feels so tight.
You lift your head and stare up at him with eyes of innocence. He looks down at you, ocean blue eyes searching yours. You’d never even noticed the little yellow ring around his pupils until now, how they shimmer when the light catches them just right. There’s an unspoken tension, thick in the air – so thick it makes you swallow the spit pooling in your cheeks. Your smile fades, lips parting as your breaths turn hot.
Eyes growing heavy, they almost close in anticipation that he might – just might – kiss you.
“Tanhì.” he mutters, eyes minutely shifting between each freckle on your forehead. He’s counts them, admiring how they embellish your supple, dark blue skin.
Your smile returns like it never left, except it’s wider – brighter. The last ray of sun shines through the sliver of a gap between your silhouettes, averting your attention to the oncoming eclipse.
“Thank you, karyu.” you whisper, reluctantly pulling away from his arms to make the trek back home.
“Tomorrow...” he watches your small figure shrink as you walk away. “...my tanhì.”
pairing: so’lek x tam’tey/reader
word count: 2.3k
warnings: kissing, one grain of spice, angst. not my gif! :)
summary: one night, you decide to finally decide to make a move on so'lek, praying that you haven't been misreading the signals he's been giving you. what happens next only leaves you feeling more confused about where you stand with him.
author’s note: wrote this all in a three hour stretch… i honestly cannot remember the last time i pushed out a fic all in one sitting so that was really nice! also i was not expecting for this to be so angsty; i originally intended for it to be a minor disagreement, but... oh well! i haven’t played avatar: frontiers of pandora (why are gaming PCs so expensive rip 💔), but i’ve watched a few hours of gameplay and folded for so’lek in like 2.5 seconds sooo... enjoy!
“Come on, you old grump!” you call back to So’lek. You’re damn near ready to drag the man yourself because of how far behind he was.
“I am not that old,” So’lek grumbles as he pushes through the draping leaves of the tree in a bid to catch up to you. At this, you simply giggle, and So’lek smiles despite himself. The bioluminescent moss beneath your toes glow in tune to each step you take, and you come to a stop once you get to a river that is almost entirely concealed by the foliage of the trees. You crouch down to dip a finger in the cool, clear water, ripples disturbing your reflection as you did so.
“How did you find this place?” So’lek questions. He mirrors your actions, sitting down on his knees to cup some water from the stream to drink.
“I found it one time when I got lost on my way back to camp,” you admit sheepishly, looking at him. “Do not laugh.”
So’lek puts up his hands in mock surrender. “I am not laughing… merely wondering how you managed to get lost.”
You roll your eyes, a distinctly human gesture that you picked up from your time spent in TAP. “I haven’t been on this planet as long as you have, silly.” Playfully shoving his shoulder, you get up, and So’lek finds himself immediately following you on instinct. You move to sit on a lush patch of moss near the river bank. When So’lek gets near you, your hand wraps around his wrist as you tug at his arm, motioning for him to sit with you.
“Wanna see something cool?” you question, a twinkle appearing in your eye as you look down at the vegetation beneath you. You take a finger and draw something simple—a flower—and marvel at the way your drawing appears vibrantly for about half a minute before vanishing, much like the Etch-a-Sketch toy Alma had given you as a baby. You look up at So’lek, trying to gauge his reaction. His eyes are focused on you, pupils small under the brightly glowing leaves that swayed gently above you. Suddenly feeling very shy under his intense gaze, you drop your eyes back to the ground.
“Try it,” you say, smiling at the moss beneath you.
”What do you want me to draw?” So’lek asks.
“Hmm… a sturmbeest,” you decide. You stretch both of your arms out behind you, resting your upper body weight on your hands, looking at him expectantly. He pauses for a second before he obliges. You watch as he traces the outline of the animal on the ground, the drawing appearing before your eyes like a curtain being drawn open. Your eyes follow his finger as it moves; you never really paid attention to his hands before. They were strong, with several small scars littering the tops of his knuckles. But they were nice… really nice.
”You are staring.” So’lek’s voice interrupts your thoughts, and you try to play off the way your shoulders jolt.
”Yes… I’m staring at how badly you drew that sturmbeest,” you say, stifling a laugh. His forehead crinkles as his eyes widen in surprise, and a giggle escapes past your lips despite yourself.
“What is bad about it, hm?” So’lek questions, cocking his head to re-examine his drawing just as its glow fades.
“You got the front horn all wrong. If you’re drawing it from the side, there should be a little bit of a curve.” You scoot over so you’re sitting next to So’lek instead of in front of him as you attempt to redraw the animal, trying to pull the pieces of its shape from your memory.
”Did you do a lot of drawing in TAP?” So’lek asks. When you look up, you’re a bit startled by how close he had gotten to you as he inspected your handiwork.
“Yeah, it was my favorite thing to do when I was little. Alma taught me. She would also hide my art supplies when I misbehaved, so,” you say, shaking your head with a smile at the memory.
“Is that not the same as what I drew?” So’lek teases you, nudging your shoulder gently.
“It is not!” you reply incredulously with a laugh. “There’s no part of my drawing that looks anything remotely like yours did. Well, maybe except for here—”
“It is, right there—”
Your words and your fingers overlap as you both point to the exact same area of the painting. Every cell in your body tells you to jerk your hand away but you freeze, stilling as you anticipate him moving his hand.
But it never came.
Your breath is trapped in your lungs, as if you were scared that any sudden movement or sound would cause him to change his mind. This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real. Maybe you were hallucinating; you hadn’t been getting much sleep lately, after all. You squeeze your eyes shut, then open them again to look at your hand. It’s still there, with So’lek’s right next to it. Barely touching, but still connected. Your eyes dart all over his scar-ridden hand, scared that it will vanish into thin air like your drawings did. You zoned in on a particularly nasty old wound that looked like it had to re-heal several times.
“So’lek…” you whisper. “Your hand, how– where did you… who did this to you?” When you look up, you expect his gaze to follow yours.
He’s staring right into your eyes.
“Life,” he responds plainly. He moves to put the offending hand away, but you reach out with your other hand to stop him. Yours is dwarfed by his, skin smooth where his was rough and calloused, but you hold on anyway, shocked by your own boldness.
You crane your neck and inch forward towards him the tiniest bit; the movement is so small that it could easily be missed. Now it’s So’lek’s turn to hold his breath as his eyes scan your face, trying to figure out if he was imagining things or if this was truly happening. You move forward again, closer and closer until your noses are right in front of each other. He makes no move to pull away, but he opens his mouth to speak, tongue feeling dry under the weight of one word.
“Sarentu…”
“Don’t call me that.”
And with that, you leaned in and pressed your lips against his.
So’lek doesn’t know what shocks him more—the serious tone in your voice, or the fact that he’s kissing you back of his own free will right now.
Somewhere, in the very back of your brain, you register the fact that So’lek hasn’t pulled away from you, but his arms are frozen, like he’s scared that if he touches you, you’ll change your mind about the whole thing. So, without breaking the kiss, you maneuver yourself in front of him once more. You peck him twice before finally pulling away, and your hands come up to wrap around the back of his neck as you look at him.
“You can touch me, y’know,” you whisper, stroking the hair at the nape of his neck.
So’lek swallows thickly. The man can count on one hand the amount of times he’s been flustered in his life, but after this encounter, he might need two. You’re looking at him coyly, your scent is invading his senses, and your nails feel like heaven against his neck. Needless to say, he’s finding it extremely difficult to focus.
“Sarentu, we should not,” So’lek finally manages to respond.
“Then tell me to stop,” you challenge him.
“I just told you to,” he says defiantly. Despite this, his hands cautiously come to rest on your hips. You take that as a sign to shift a little, and now you’re basically sitting on one of his toned thighs. So’lek swears he can hear his heart pounding in his throat now.
“No, you said ‘we should not’. You didn’t say stop.” You pause, looking down at him as you feel your confidence waver a tiny bit. “Do you want me to stop, So’lek?”
“No,” he says earnestly.
At that, lean in and kiss him again, and there’s a bit of urgency behind it. Like this is a dream that you’ll wake up from, or that you have a limited amount of time before So’lek comes to his senses and changes his mind. One of his hands comes up to cradle the side of your face as he deepens the kiss, changing the pace from hurried and urgent to slow and languid. You drop one of your hands to blindly fumble with one of the two clasps on his tactical vest. When you can’t get it unclicked right away, you break away from him, bottom lip pulling a little between your teeth as you struggle with it.
“Let me help, Sarentu,” So’lek chuckles, gently placing a hand over yours to help you undo the vest.
“I have a name, you know. Like an actual name” you reply, puffing your bitten lip out. Just as you say this, he manages to get the vest off, carefully placing it off to the side before letting his hands roam over you again. His bare chest is exposed to you for the first time, and the sight of it alone almost makes you forget what you were upset about.
“There. No need to pout, Tamtey.”
The utterance of your name with his voice causes your ears to perk up, tail coiling as your eyes soften at him.
“I wasn’t pouting,” you mumble, staring at his lips.
“Your mouth was most certainly fixed in a pout,” he retorts, squeezing your hip for emphasis.
“Then come kiss it off of me,” you whisper.
“Mhm…” So’lek murmurs, leaning in to join his lips to yours once more. You drop one of your hands to run a palm down his abdomen, and you’re met with sheer, toned muscles. You use your hand as leverage to push him to lean back against the tree trunk behind him, shifting again to the point where you were fully on top of one of his thighs. The friction from your movement causes a jolt to run down your spine, and a moan escapes your lips before you can even realize. So’lek’s mind goes completely blank at the sound, his hands gripping your hips tighter than he meant to. The pressure of his hands causes you to pull back breathlessly, and you keep your hand on his chest as you use the other to slowly reach for your kuru behind you. When it registers in So’lek’s mind what you intend to do, his wrist flies up to stop your hand in its tracks.
“Tamtey, wait…” he trails off, suddenly feeling like his tongue was made of metal. Your eyes widen, pupils blown with lust as your lips form into a little frown.
“So’lek, I… I want to be with you. As in, truly be with you. Together… as one,” you say timidly, gauging his reaction intently.
So’lek feels his whole body go stiff at your admission; it’s as if the rational part of his brain completely shut down at that very moment. When he speaks, it is not truly him talking: it is his grief, his loss, and his shame that speaks. Like an out-of-body experience of sorts, he watches in abject horror as his lips form the words: “Well, I do not want to be with you.”
Your face crumples up like a dry leaf as you stare at him, mouth slightly opening and closing repeatedly as if you are trying to speak. Finally, your jaw quivers as you decide to keep your mouth shut, and you push yourself off him and up to your feet. So’lek feels as if all the warmth in Pandora has disappeared when your body heat is no longer on him, and he’s standing upright in a split second, hand reaching for you the same way a plant instinctively moves towards the sun. But you jolt away from his touch, instead wrapping your hands around your arms and running them up and down in an effort to soothe yourself.
“I wish I had never brought you here,” you speak up suddenly, voice cracking as you turn to look anywhere but his eyes.
“Tamtey, please, do not—” So’lek, usually too proud to beg for anything, finds himself pleading with you. He tries to reach for you once again, but you reject him, physically pushing his hand away.
“Don’t! Don’t touch me. And don’t call me that,” you say sharply, your eyes hot with tears. You feel them fall and angrily wipe them away as you start to walk away, feeling as if you might keel over at any second from how your legs felt like jelly. You hear his shuffling footsteps as he tries to follow you, so you spin around on your heel, only to be met with So’lek standing right behind you. You point your finger into his chest and shove him; you’re not strong enough to have any real effect on him, but he stumbles back all the same.
“Leave me alone!” you exclaim, agitated that you’re allowing him to see your face in this state.
“I know you are angry with me, but I do not want you to get lost—”
“I don’t care. Matter of fact, you get lost, So’lek. I never want to speak to you again. Go find somebody else's emotions to toy with,” you demand, voice croaking from the massive lump in your throat. You turn around, and this time, you take off running, going as fast as your legs will take you as you weave through the foliage and the plants ahead of you. You’re not sure how long you run before you finally collapse, dropping to your knees on the forest floor. Your breathing is heavy as your hair whips in your face when you swivel your head, looking for any signs of So’lek. When you don’t see him, you let out a big, shuddering breath, drop your face in your hands, and begin to sob.
Summary: You are a part of Grace's avatar programme. You make the mistake of following Jake on the expedition and narrowly escape death. You would kill him but the dumbass somehow got you both to the hearts of the Ometikaya.
Word Count: 5.2k
Warnings: Swearing
A/N: 😮💨 I'm so fucking excited about this chapter!! It's here early cause I was in a flow state writing thing....
Your dreaded alarm rang out in the compact living space. The noise assaulted your ears as you blindly slam your hand down to cease it. The sun had yet to peak through the horizon as you get yourself changed into clothes and brush your teeth.
Coming out of the shared bathroom, Jake was waiting for his turn, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Morning." Your voice groggy with exhaustion. "Mornin' sleeping beauty." You give him a soft smile at his playfulness. After a day of heavy emotions, you appreciated his light-heartedness a lot more.
"You ready to face the day?" You asked, moving out of his way and towards the fridge. "Always ready." His wink as he shut the bathroom door had you rolling your eyes with a smirk on your lips. Walking across the tight space to have one of the two meals a day you managed to give this body. You stretch your limbs again in preparation for another day of restricted movement.
You still weren't used to the switching between bodies and the shifting of sensations. It was strange to close your eyes in a body strained and bruised from training and open them in a body that felt cramped from lack of use.
You grabbed one of the vacuum packed pouches of god knows what and heated it up in something resembling a microwave. You shifted to get a closer look at the pictures on the fridge while waiting for your breakfast.
A smile pulled at your cheeks as you looked at the joyous expression plastered over Grace's avatar in each photo. You felt the tug in your chest as the realisation came over you that the beautiful relationships no longer existed. Grace had been pushed away from the clan after the attack on the school and she hadn't seen any of her students since.
Your eyes fall on someone Grace had pointed out within the first few minutes of your arrival; Sylwanin. She was the first victim to taste the bloodthirsty metal of bullets ordered by the RDA. A heavy weight settled in your stomach as your fingers ghosted over the pair of sisters. You knew the feeling of loss but not of betrayal. The person that took your family wasn't someone you had opened up your home to or trusted in.
The ping of the timer shook your attention away from the photos. You made quick work of eating the flavourless mushy food just as Jake came in to join you. "Damn, watch your fingers." He chuckles as you practically inhale each bite.
You shoot him a look before swallowing the mouthful that was occupying your tongue. "It's not like there's anything to savour." He smirks at your comment but doesn't reply. You watch him for a moment, almost second guessing the words forming in your head. "Can I ask you something?" You settle your fork against your plate, leaning back in your chair. "Sure." He shrugs, putting his own pouch of food in to heat up.
"Do you know what Neytiri was doing in the tsahik's hut yesterday?" He pauses, thinking. "Something to do with Tsu'tey bitching, why?" You roll your eyes at his unhelpfulness. You knew Tsu'tey was furious to learn the tsahik wanted to test your connection with Eywa, you just wish you knew what you were going to walk into.
Dread settled deep inside you as you sigh, standing. "No reason, just curious." You give him a forced smile to throw him off scent. You're thankful your friendship hadn't developed enough for Jake to question you.
You clean up after yourself before heading towards your link bed. You stretch a final time, your sore muscles defined under the tinted beams of sunrise peering through the glass. Let's get this over with. You sigh, pressing the buttons on the monitor to start up your link.
Your eyes open in your sleeping pod- a snonivi as Neytiri called it on your first night- and you barely control the tremble in your hands as you climb out. You made your way down the winding structure of Home Tree.
You were one of the first to awaken that morning and you didn't know whether to be thankful for the lack of witnesses for the commotion that you were sure to break loose, or unnerved that you had no one to hide behind to escape Tsu'tey's wrath.
He hadn't tried to seek you out after his outburst yesterday but that didn't mean you were safe. You felt anxiety creep up your body with every step towards the tsahik's hut. The fears swirling in your mind over the last few hours had manifested into whispers ringing in your ears that were getting harder to ignore.
Pushing aside the curtain, you freeze at the unexpected sight. Neytiri was stood in the middle of the hut, her back to you. Your eyes dart across the space, suspicion consuming you. She turns to face you, sensing your approach. "(Y/N)." Her voice is soft but there is a hardness lingering beneath.
"Neytiri." Her name is all the words you can form. You were full of too many emotions for your brain to perform at full capacity. She gives you a curt smile and it makes you relax a bit. It was the one of the few kind faces you had received in your time with the Ometikaya.
"So, it is true." Her voice fills the void of silence. You can only stare. Confused. You hadn't had the time to fully process or understand the weight of the expectations placed upon you. "I don't know what you've heard, but I'm not even sure what's happening." You exasperate, stepping closer to Neytiri so you could lower your voice in fear that someone would overhear.
She doesn't step back. You note. Her eyes run over your body in thought, her gaze was lighter in comparison to Tsu'tey's. Instantly, her eyes find yours and the tense silence is broken again.
"Sylwanin was a fine tsakarem, she had great potential." She doesn't hide the grief pouring across her features. "I'm sorry for your loss." You meant that with all sincerity though you knew the words would be meaningless coming from you. Her smile was tight as she turned her head to look around the hut.
"She spent a great many hours devoting herself to Eywa, sometimes neglecting those around her in favour of the Great Mother." You let Neytiri speak freely. You knew her bond with her sister was strong, leaving her the most affected by the bloodthirsty attack. You felt deeply appreciative though that she was comfortable enough to speak of such a personal topic.
"If my mother sees this path for you....then Eywa must be speaking." Your heartbeat is the only form of response your body can give. You hadn't expected Neytiri to react so calmly. Her eyes land on you again and she steps close to you.
She's close enough that she can whisper into your ear. "But Eywa's voice is deep water. Many drown trying to listen for it." Her voice is a soft breeze carrying the oncoming storm of caution. You hear the meaning underneath; this is sacred- an honour, but dangerous.
The shiver blooms from your ear down to your spine and you're frozen. She was warning you. Not from wrath but the fear of obsession. She moves away enough to look in your eyes, making sure you understood what she was telling you. Your eyes are locked on hers, as if you could find the answers to all the questions she had sprung loose in you.
Nothing more is said between you before she leaves, returning to her responsibility otherwise known as Jake Sully. As she exits, you release the breath you had been holding for the last minute. You desperately crave solitude to unleash all the pent emotions building inside you. But, it was pointless wanting for something that wouldn't be granted.
Now, your salvation previously found in the tsahik's domain felt stifling. You exit the hut and try to calm your breathing before it can overcome you. Yesterday, Mo'at words felt like a sweet promise but now you felt the sharp edge of its expectation cutting into you.
It all felt too much, too sudden, too great a weight on your shoulders. So much was being discussed and decided before you had even taken a single footstep down that path.
You weren't allowed another moment alone before someone else approaches you. The last person you wanted to see. "Not now Tsu'tey." You exhale dismissively. You hope he doesn't hear the desperation in you voice.
You want to run away, to flee from his anger that you no doubt were about to be on the receiving end of. It would be fruitless. You wouldn't escape him even with a head start. You have no choice but to face him. You straighten your back, ready. There's no greeting, no cushioning before his verbal attack.
"You are not Na'vi." He snarls, each word deliberate. "You walk in a body grown from a tank. You do not know our songs, our dead, our stories carved into stone older than your kind has breathed." The words cut you deep, even if you've heard similar versions of them before.
"I want to learn, I want to understand." You whisper, ears pinned back. The defensive words slipped from your lips before you could think against them. Tsu'tey lets out a sharp breath through his nose, not quite a laugh. "Understand?" He repeats. "Understanding is not words. It is blood. It is being born with the songs already in your bones." Silence stretches. A breeze stirs the leaves above, dappling light across his tense posture.
"The Tsahik should be guiding our hunters. Our children. Those who will carry the clan when the fighting comes." His gaze hardens. "Not pouring wisdom into someone who may leave when it becomes difficult."
You want to cry at the sting his words leave, your emotions boiling dangerously close to the edge. "I haven't left." Your hand comes up over your chest as though to shield it from his vicious words. "Not yet." The two words land like a challenge. You swallow, forcing yourself not to look away. "You think I'll waste her time." Not a question, you already knew the answer.
"I think that the People are at the beginning of war, and our strongest voices are not meant for... experiments." The word is sharp, but his eyes flick, if only for a second, to the Na'vi clothes adorning your alien body. Recognition. Unease.
"You think she's wrong?" A challenge of your own. That makes him freeze. To question the word of the Tsahik was unheard of, even the notion of it meant the greatest disrespect. His expression shifts- conflict flashing there before discipline locks it down again.
"The Tsahik listens to Eywa." He says. "I listen to what keeps the clan alive." You stare at him, holding the pause after the words leave him. Then it shatters, more personally than before. "You stand between worlds. That is dangerous. For you. For us." His eyes search your face like he's trying to see something that isn't visible. "If she is teaching you, then you will be tested. More than any hunter, more than any warrior."
"I know." Your voice too soft against his hardness. His eyes narrow slightly, measuring your answer. "Do you?" Neither of you move. No. You didn't. You couldn't begin to comprehend what this meant for you.
Finally, he straightens, some of the tightness shifting. "Then do not waste what she gives." He warns. "If the Tsahik sees something worth teaching... prove she is not wrong."
It's not approval. Not even close. But it's not complete rejection either. You could count that as a win. Maybe. Tsu'tey turns, pausing just long enough to add without looking back. "The People watch you now." Then he walks away, as he always does.
You're left to drown in both Neytiri and Tsu'tey's warnings.
Mo'at doesn't arrive for your morning session and no explanation is given to you. The rejection stings but you couldn't say it was unexpected. Perhaps she had regretted her prior judgement quicker than you expected.
Staying true to your words, you don't run away like you desperately want to. You head to the training ground. You may as well spend your time gaining extra practice with your weapons. If only to gain more of Tsu'tey's favour.
You opt for a knife this time. The blade would prove more effective as a relief from your overwhelming emotions. The weighty hilt of the knife settles your focus to your surroundings, your escape from the darkness slinking over your mind. You find your target in a broken down tree, not wanting to cause more harm to the land that your lone existence has already seemingly erupted.
You bring forward the memories of everything Tsu'tey had already gone over; stances, movement combinations, hand techniques. You practice each one until you feel the growing familiar burn under your skin. Looking at your target, your resilience breaks. Hardly improvement.
Your cuts were messy, lacking precision. If you focussed, you could hear Tsu'tey's disapproving feedback. His voice would be a seemingly never ending stream of insults. You suck in the air desperately to catch your breath, letting his previous comments fill your mind.
You allow yourself only a few moments as a break before resuming. Not a second longer than Tsu'tey would grant you. The sun was nearing its peak. Soon, you wouldn't be alone. Your teacher was never late and you didn't doubt he would know exactly where to find you. He watched you even outside of his view.
Your desperation to make even a miniscule amount of progress caused your movements to become sloppier, your lack of skill abundantly clear. Frustration ate at your patience with each strike. With your last throw, you pant, chest heaving.
You stare at your target, accessing each cut and scratch you had made. Unsatisfied, you growl. At the tree? At your knife? At yourself? You didn't know. You retrieve your weapon laying carelessly on the ground and move farther away. You close your eyes. The physical strain on your body wore down the dam holding back the stream of insults stored in your mind.
"You have no place. No right." Your jaw fixes.
"You are not Na'vi. You walk in a body grown from a tank." Your teeth grind, the noise rumbling inside you.
"You are weak. Slow. You will die." A dark haze settles over your eyes as you now look at your target. You raise your arm, the tip of your knife angled straight.
A growl claws its way from your throat, pulsing its way down to your arms, an embodiment of the vexation clinging to your skin. You pull your arm back, eyes settling hard into your target and the exact point you hadn't manged to sink your knife into yet.
"Your life means nothing to me." You let the blade fly. Everything slows down to a fraction of its normal speed. Your eyes lock onto the travelling metal as though to will it to make its mark. Your body is a statue, not risking a single movement to prevent your weapon from straying direction.
You can feel a fresh bead of sweat trickle down your temple. The droplet reaches your neck as the knife digs into the wood. You finally swallow the moisture that had gathered in your mouth.
Dead centre. You don't dare take your eyes away in fear it was an illusion and would be replaced in another position when you turn back. You blink to rid your eyes of the moisture accumulating. It's still in the same place.
You move to grab the hilt, yanking it out from the bark it had settled in. Your fingers brush over the cut. A good aim. You don't let yourself celebrate yet. You move back to your spot and take the same stance. Your success lied in channelling your emotions, so you would mirror the same moment.
If you could land the same cut, then you would celebrate. That would really show improvement. And oh how you craved to show a semblance of progress from all your training. To prove yourself. You set your feet into the hard ground.
You let the same words enwrap your mind, their effect on your emotions far from diffusing. Tapping into that overflowing pool of rage, you let it gush out of your mind and seep into your muscles. You pull back your arm again before throwing your weapon.
Holy shit... The blade nestles into the familiar cut in the bark. I did it. You choke out a strangled laugh. "I fucking did it..." You whisper, staring at your knife.
The disturbance of clapping brings you out of your silent celebration. Your head whips in the direction of the noise, muscles clenched in anticipation of your mystery companion. You visibly relax, shoulders slumping, at seeing Jake. "Hey, Jake." You greet him, feeling very thankful you weren't joined by one of the Ometikaya.
"Impressive." He gives you a toothy grin, gesturing at your knife sticking out of the tree. You give him a shy smile, curious how long he had been watching you. "You saw that?" If you were in your human body, you were sure your cheeks would be flushed pink from humiliation.
He scoffs. You were sure he would poke fun at your mild abilities in comparison to his. "I'm not sure what I saw." His eyes trace over the desecrated bark from your harsh blows. Now that you had gotten out all your frustrations on your poor wooden victim, shame filled the void. "But that-" He taps the hilt of your knife still deeply rooted in the tree. "-was badass."
Your smile grows with confidence. "Really?" You barely note the flicker of your tail exposing how touched you were from a small amount of praise. "Hell yeah." He flashes his canines at you before ripping the weapon from the tree. "Damn, some force behind that too."
"Thanks, I think." You say, trying to hide your burst of pride. "Keep it up, you'll beat me in no time." You both share a small moment of fondness in your eye contact. "I'm not sure our teachers would say so." Jake twirls the knife in his hand as he thinks over your statement. "I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. Neytiri calls me skxawng, it means moron."
You roll your eyes and push your hip out a little to rest your hand there. "Yeah? Try being called vrrtep every other sentence, it means demon." Jake sucks in a breath in a mocking tone, raising his hands in a defeat motion. "Okay, you win." You roll your eyes at him.
Your head hangs low to look at your hands now fiddling with your fingers to busy them. Jake softens his gaze, moving closer to you. "Hey, you okay?" His gentle hand warms your shoulder. You can't bring yourself to look away from your hands. You weren't close but you felt you had crossed the boundary now to call yourselves friends over the course of the past few weeks.
Sighing, you can feel the heavy weight return in your chest. "Yeah, I mean..." You trial off, unsure of how much of your heart you should spill out to him. He waits patiently for you to continue and it's enough time for you to second guess about confiding in Jake. "It's just hard." The words are understated by comparison to the flood of emotions and doubts hiding behind them.
"I know." He pats your shoulder in that awkward, emotionally-immature way most human men are. "Don't let it get to you. It's just a mission." You look up at him then. You feel like you made the right choice not to confide in Jake. How could he understand? He didn't have the same all-consuming yearning for the sense of belonging as you. To him, this was just the means to an end; money for his surgery once he got rotated back home. To him, this was a puppet show to play nice and ensure a smooth sail until he got his old life back.
"Sure." You just agree with him, not wanting to even go down the road of defending the hopes you held so close to your chest that they haunted your every waking hour and disturbed night. Thinking he had helped, he smiles and pats your shoulder again.
"Just be glad you don't have Augustine and Quaritch to report to." Your train of though snags to a halt at his words. What? That nagging feeling tingles at the back of your neck again. It's a tough battle to keep the suspicion from showing on your features, but you win. You smile up at him to make sure he doesn't catch on to your uneasiness.
"Oh of course, mister Ex-Marine would be under Quaritch's department. Poor Jake." You jest, hoping you could feign ignorance enough to make him believe it. Your mind races for reasonable explanations as to why Jake would have to send any information over to Quaritch. He had zero involvement in the avatar programme, everything overseen by Grace.
This would have to be something you'd need to investigate. Suddenly, Jake's hand felt heavier than it did moments ago. Something dangerous. Unpredictable.
Rustling to your left has you both turning your heads to find you're no longer alone. "Jake Sully." His name sound less like a greeting and more like an accusation from Tsu'tey's lips. "Tsu'tey." Jake greets, equally as cold even with his casual tone.
You wait for your usual label from Tsu'tey, but it doesn't come yet. You catch that his eyes are preoccupied by Jake's hand still resting on your shoulder. It's not until Jake finally removes his hand that those stone eyes look at yours.
"Tsu'tey." Your head tilts forward slightly in greeting. You aren't granted the same. "You weren't with Tsahik." The Na'vi had a talent for making questions sound like statements. "No, she had a commitment." You guessed, since you were left in the dark to her whereabouts. You were unsure why he was asking, he would have known the whereabouts of the tsahik.
Jake steps away, beginning his series of movements to leave. "I'll let you continue your training in peace, can't leave Neytiri waiting." Your knife is handed back to you before he goes. Tsu'tey's lips curl deeper into his scowl as he watches Jake navigate his exit through the trees.
You couldn't explain why, but you're stuck watching Tsu'tey until he brings his attention back to you, and the destruction you caused to your poor target. "You have been practicing." You nod simply, cautious of pissing him off more than you already do from just breathing. You really didn't want to deal with anyone's temper today. You knew you had gotten off comparatively easy from the tensions over the tsahik's decision, and you wanted to keep it that way.
He walks to the tree, reaching out to feel the marks left behind from your blade. "Sloppy." His assessment is not news to you and yet, your heart begins to hammer in your chest. He moves his fingertips to the deep cut you had managed to carve out from two consecutive throws.
A mere hum is all the recognition you receive, if you could call it that. At least it's not an insult. "Show me." Your brow cocks in confusion. "Huh?" You cringe at the dumb noise that escapes your mouth. His eyes settle back on you.
"Again." He simply points at the cut before standing back to the side. He recognised your improvement but he was far from trusting your abilities wouldn't end up with him being wounded if he wasn't at least a few feet away from your target.
You take in a deep breath, forcing yourself to relive the same past moments you needed to channel your concentration. You followed the exact same movement, however it seems being under Tsu'tey's heavy gaze changed everything. You didn't hit the same precise spot, but you were only out by an inch or two.
You held on for his intolerant critics but you were left waiting. You dared yourself to look at him but for once, he wasn't looking at you. His eyes were pinned to your knife. "Another." The single word leaves him minutes later as you waited for his instructions.
Your session continued in the same format until the end. You throwing your knife, and Tsu'tey giving you one word commands to repeat. Your trainer was silent. Too quiet. It was starting to piss you off. You should have been glad for the change but you had gotten used to his harsh voice grating away the silence surrounding you. Dare you say you were beginning to miss it.
In the last few attempts to perfect your aim, the restriction of words filling the training ground had your temper at such a high that you didn't need to rely on the memories of his insults. Perhaps this is just a change in tactics to scare me off. You grit your teeth together as your knife just say misses the mark again. And again, you receive no comment.
You had been festering in your mind for the entire time, that you hadn't realised how dark the sky had gotten. You cave against temptation and set your eyes on your Tsu'tey. In the fading light, you can get a detailed look at the pattern swirling across his body from his syuratan.
It's quite poetic that Na'vi bodies are a reflection of the wild life, a visual representation of their belonging to their home planet. Your eyes are tracing the dots around his chest before you realise. It's a moment too late that you come to and stop yourself. Tsu'tey caught you. To your utter surprise, he doesn't mention it.
You're dismissed in the same way; by him walking away without the courtesy to even inform you that the session was over. Somehow, even in his sudden change, you feel as though you've gone backwards in your 'relationship' with Tsu'tey.
You watch him leaving and you follow, your body moving purely on muscle memory. You return the knife before making it to the entrance of Home Tree. All of sudden, your feet stop moving forward. You look ahead where the tendrils of the firelight illuminate the clan, even more directly on the outline of your trainer who is closest to you. You look behind you, to the edge of the forest and the life lurking behind it.
You hear shuffling of feet and turn back to the fire. Your eyes lock with Tsu'tey's and you can see the question in his eyes. You don't have time to hesitate before something nameless takes control.
One moment the village noise presses too close- voices, movement, expectation- and the next, your feet are already flying across the soft earth, breath sharp in your chest, leaves brushing you arms as you pass. No one calls after you.
You slow only when your lungs burn, when the glow of the bioluminescent plants have grown denser and the path beneath you disappears into roots and moss. Your hands land on your knees when you stop.
Your eyes dart around, ensuring your solitude. "I told you it wouldn't be the last you heard from me." You say, your words escaping only between your pants. You weren't able to see the moon, where you had focussed your words last time, but it no longer felt necessary.
"It's been a weird day..." Your voice softens, breathing slowing as your lungs regain normality. "I'm not sure why I'm here. I mean, not in a philosophical way but this spot, right here." You gesture to your feet planted in the floor. "I was going to walk into Home Tree but then... I don't know."
You ramble on, letting your thoughts flow from your lips unfiltered. "I made progress today, I managed to improve my aim." Your head tilts up then, searching for the moon beyond the canopy of the towering trees. "I think you had something to do with that." You grin at yourself. "I don't think Tsu'tey will be very happy I'm giving you the credit though."
"He doesn't like me very much as it is... nobody does." Your smile fades with every word. "I don't blame them of course." Still half bent over, your head lowers to hang between your shoulders. Your mind crawls back to the intimate shadows that had nestled from years of neglect. Battling the raging thoughts in your mind, you remain silent in commentary. The only sound emitting from you, your sharp breaths.
The forest breathes back.
A low hum sits under everything- insects, distant wings, leaves shifting against one another. Not noise. A presence. Like the world is thinking and you've just stepped inside the thought. You feel like an intruder barging in on an intimate moment. Selfish, you don't want to leave.
"I know." You whisper, though you don't know what you're answering. Your fingers brush the nearest plant for balance. Its tendrils curl towards your touch, not away. Light pulses faintly beneath its skin, blue, then violet, then a soft gold that flickers like a heartbeat. The glow reflects across your palm, turning your skin into something not entirely yours.
You straighten slowly. All around you, tiny points of light blink awake, as if your stillness has given them permission. Seeds drift through the air, glowing motes that spin lazily around your shoulders. One lands on your wrist. The weight barely registers but your throat tightens.
"I'm here." You say, softer now. The words feel too small, so you close your eyes instead. You listen, but your ears aren't the ones to hear. It's deeper. A pull behind your ribs, a warmth that spreads through your chest like roots growing in reverse, threading upwards instead of down. The ground beneath your feet is cold and solid, yet you have the dizzy sense of standing on something vast, something layered and endless.
Your breathing slows again. With every inhale, the hum sharpens. Patterns begin to form in it, rises, falls, rhythms that almost make sense. Not language, more like feeling given shape. Grief. Joy. Hunger. Growth. A thousand lives brushing past yours without touch and yet....
You sink to your knees. Your queue slips over your shoulder, resting against your collarbone. For a moment, you hesitate. You hadn't dared explore the sacredness of complete connection. You don't yet trespass that boundary. You don't reach for an animal or a tree. You just place your palms flat against the moss- covered ground.
But beneath that. There. A pulse so faint you almost think you imagined it. Then it comes again, slower than a heartbeat, deeper than a breath. Your own pulse starts to match it without asking permission.
Tears blur your vision. There is no sadness behind them, only the acknowledgement of something greater than understanding.
"I see you." Your voice breaks. The seeds circling you brighten all at once, swirling upward in a slow spiral. A breeze moves through the canopy, though the air around you stays still. Leaves rustle in a pattern that sounds almost like a sigh.
A wordless answer. And for the first time since you arrived on this world, you don't feel like a visitor standing on scared ground. Your skin buzzes with the swell of recognition.
You step toward JakeSuli, your hand coming up to rip his shirt more. You rip it back revealing the hand on his chest that resembles your own hand. You look back to your mother, who has a thoughtful face on, then your father, who is staring at his soul mark. To further prove that he is your soulmate, you put your hand over the hand print, your hand fitting it.
Author's note: this fic is inspired by this post I made. I still can't get it out of my head. Anyway, our boy just deserves to be silly and happy with his family. I also tried to leave this as ambiguous as possible so you can be delusional (like me) and imagine a human. Or not! your choice!
Summary: Things have been hard for your family since the second coming of the sky people. But, after a few months of settling into your new home on the reef, things are lighter. You can feel it.
Warnings: None really, the kids are mentioned though since this is fluffy and Jake's a dad.
divider by me Btw! very proud of myself!
You're not sure when the shift happened, when days started to seem brighter and the air became easier to breathe. Maybe it was when you heard the children laughing more or when you could finally stop and notice the warm sun soaking into your skin. The biggest tell of all though, was Jake. He smiled more, and he joked around like he used to. It was in the way he touched you too; less quick pecks and hurried 'I love you's, more slower and meaningful caresses, like he wasn't looking over his shoulder every minute of every day anymore and could take his time. The way he wanted to. The way he'd been dying to since you all made the move to Awa'atlu. You understood. You truly did. The saftey of your family was what mattered most and of course it was going to be stressful.
Still, the change in the air made your heart lighter. It stirred feelings that had long lay dormant, waiting for a safer time to reemerge. Feelings you missed.
This morning, they hit you full force. You woke up before everyone else. Before the lightest part of eclipse, a few hours before the sun broke the sky. You could feel Jake's body pressed close to yours in the hammock you both shared. His soft breath brushing the top of your head. It should have been enough to lull you back to sleep, but the tightness in your chest had other plans. Not the type caused by unease, but of excitement. The kind that you can feel buzzing in your bones. A good kind of restlessness.
And so you slipped out of your hammock, careful not to wake your husband and children, to get a start on chores. You made sure the fishing nets were properly tied for Jake to use after training with Tonowari, gathered food for breakfast, and even got to practice with your bow before heading back into your marui.
The restlessness didn't leave you; in fact, it was only made worse by the sight of your husband walking into the communal space. His dreads were loose and framing his face in the most enticing way. The muscles in his abdomen were on display as he stretched his arms above his head, releasing a groan. The sight in front of you made you stop and stare. It makes your mouth water, your teeth long to sink in and bite. You're so wrapped up in him, you don't even notice he's looking right back at you with smugness on his face.
"Mornin' baby," Jake says, his voice still rough from sleep. Walking over to pluck the fruit you were going to cut, before you were so rudely distracted, out of your hand. Before he can retract, you lean in and nip at the flesh on his arm. The aching in your teeth melting away. A laugh of surprise leaves Jake's lungs.
"You lil' shit!" A lopsided smile forming on his face, revealing a sharp canine. "This is how we're gonna start the day?" His eyes lighting up at the thought of the game just between you two.
It's midday now, the sun high in the sky as you try to burn your energy playing with the kids in the water.
"Mama! You gotta see this trick!" Tuk yells as she flips from the back of her ilu. Her excitement makes you laugh.
"That was very impressive Tuky," You smiled. Paddling to her and pulling her close.
Just then, movement from the edge of your marui catches your eye. Jake is back from training...and he looks good. His hair is up to keep it out of his and he's flushed from the heat of simulated battle. His back is to you now, he's crouched, getting the nets ready to throw in the water, right were you left them by the woven walkway. You can see the muscles in his back glide with movement. The thrumming in your body returns and you know just what to do about it.
A smirk breaks out on your face as you begin to submerge yourself in the water.
"Mom!" You hear Neteyam call from behind. "What are you doing?"
"Sssh. You'll see, don't give me away." You whisper, finally diving under the water.
When you slowly break the surface, as to make as little noise as possible, Jake's back is still facing you. Excellent. His tail is dropped in the perfect position. All you have to do is just reach forward a little aaaand...
Your hand suddenly grasps his tail and yanks, sending him back towards you. you see arms flailing and hear a "Whoa!" escape him before he lands in the sea with a splash.
You can hear the kids cackling with laughter and it makes you react the same way. Jake pops up with a gasp, surprise written all over his face, his eyes even wider.
"She really got you dad!" Kiri calls, giggles still audable.
Jake's eyes never leave you, a dangerous smirk forming on his face. "You better start swimmin' baby, cos you're gonna get it."
You let out a shriek before darting to swim out of his grasp.
It's dusk by the time your family leaves the beach. The fishing nets are full with contribution for tonight's communal dinner. Your kids are carrying on behind you. Laughing and shoving. You and Jake are walking ahead of them. Lost in a conversation of your own.
"What's gotten into you today woman?" Jake lets out a chuckle. His arm is over your shoulder as you two walk side by side. Seeing Jake so care free after all the terrible things that the sky people have done causes another rush in your blood. You're so happy that your family is happy you can't contain your emotions and it's manifesting in you being a terror. It gives you an idea. One that just might be the death of you but it's too funny to pass up. So funny that it causes you to let out a quick laugh.
"What?" Jake asks, wanting to be let in on the joke. You look up at him and you see the adortion his eyes hold for you. His lips turning upwards into a small smile, like he can't belive he witnessed something so cute as you laughing at basically nothing.
"Nothing...Jacob, I'm just happy," and just like that his face drops. His ears pinned back like he's angry, though it doesn't meet his eyes. They're full of...mischief?
"Alright, that's it," Jake swoops his arm underyour legs to toss you over his shoulder. "Kids, say goodybye to your mother, she's going back into the ocean." The kids are protesting as he walks closer to the waves.
"Jake! Jake! I'm sorry! Put me down!" Your laughter and screetching uncontrollable as you fight against his hold.
"Not a chance babygirl." He snickers.
"Jacob! Put my mom down!" Lo'ak yells at his father, and Jake turns so fast on his heels it makes your head spin. His eyes are wild as they bore into his son. A single finger pointed in Lo'ak's direction.
"Run boy." Lo'ak's face drops as he enters panic mode, taking off away from your group. You're not even returned to the ground. you're just jostled around on Jake's shoulder as he chases after Lo'ak.
Looks like you won't be making it to dinner.
Taglist:
@junebugonjupiter
Lmk if you want added! I want to write more but I know it'll be VERY infrequent with work and college
Hi! Just wanted to say hello, and say that your Series, Colours of the Wind, is one of the best ones I've read :))
For a long time, I really wanted to read something that would follow the plot of the movie, but at the same time have some addictions that would make it more reliable, and not 1:1 to what happened
Also, wanted to ask
Lets say, you're finishing the Series, closing the First Avatar, would you consider ever making continuation of the Fic that also follows two new movies??? It's just a Hypothetical question, so don't feel pressured or anything!!! I hope Christmas was good for you and you had your time to rest :D
First of all, thank you so much! That’s a huge compliment and I appreciate it. To answer your question, I may, but I might be too lazy to continue it. I may do an epilogue or various one-shots that are connected to the series if I don’t do the new movies completely! Have a lovely day or night! <33
heyy when are u going to update colours of the wind pt4 huhu
Im waiting till Christmas to continue writing because im positive im getting an ipad and i hate typing on my phone lol so expect an update after Christmas
I NEED TSIREYA X FEM!OMATICAYA!READER!!!!! reader would be the oldest in my mind. she's speaks her mind and no more than that. not backing down from anyone, even people of authority, but does so more gracefully than loak 😭
pairing: tsireya x sully!reader
summary: Tsireya is the kindest person you know. It’s why it breaks your heart to see people be rude to her.
warnings: mean dad jake and tonowari moment :(, reader taking a stand, mentions of bullying/self deprecation
wordcount: 1.07k
: ̗̀➛ masterlist
“You disappoint me, daughter.” Tonowari says, aiming a disapproving glance at his daughter, Tsireya. Oh, Tsireya. Her face nearly brings you to tears.
Tsireya, your Tsireya looks disappointed in herself at her fathers nasty look. Tsireya doesn’t deserve that. She’s been nothing but kind to you and your family since you arrived, begging for uturu. She looks past the ‘demon-blood’, she sees into others.
You were always used to being hated. So being treated kindly by a person who should find you the most different is a heart warming privilege. She has the biggest heart in all of eywa’eveng. She’s kind and utterly endearing in a way that makes your heart want to burst.
Everyone knows there’s an underlying tension between you two. But, you both don’t want to hide how you feel. Though she’s never said it and you’ve never said it, you both somehow know you adore each other.
“Actually, sir,” You don’t know what causes you to speak up. Maybe it’s the sad look on Tsireya's face, maybe it’s the guilty look on your younger brothers. Everyone's eyes shoot to you. “It’s my fault.”
Tonowari gestures for you all to sit. You command without questioning him. Ao’nung and Neteyam stay up. “Sit!” Tonowari raises his voice in anger. “Continue.” He tells you briskly. Your parents come up behind you, settling just outside the marui. Ronal’s look is all they need to know, to know you kids are in trouble.
“Uh,” You smile apologetically. “Lo’ak actually told me and Tsireya about Payakan. Tsireya told us that he was dangerous and to not go near him but, I didn’t listen. I told Lo’ak to continue what he was doing, because I thought it was right, but I was wrong.”
Not a total lie, but not the truth. Lo’ak confessed to everyone in the marui, but you didn’t want to get anyone else in trouble. And, you didn’t tell Lo’ak to continue being friends with Payakan, you told him to stay away.
Lo’ak shoots you an annoyed look for defending him and lying, Tsireya shoots you a thankful one. “Lo’ak looks up to me and follows my advice, so he listened to what I said.” Also not a total lie, Lo’ak sometimes listens to you. “I apologize.”
Tonowari nods at your apology before talking. You can feel the heated stares of your parents on your back. “The tulkin way is that no killing is to be done.” Tonowari tells Lo’ak. “Payakan broke that rule, so he is outcast.”
“But, sir-” Lo’ak starts, but you interrupt him.
“It just doesn’t seem right.” You break in, trying to get them to understand Lo’ak. He opens his mouth to talk but you shoot him a glare. “Lo’ak told me. He didn’t mean for anyone to die, he was just scared.”
“He is outcast by the tulkun way.” Tonowari reaffirms. “Lo’ak should not have bonded with him. He is a bull gone rogue.”
“Sir, I mean no disrespect, but you’re wrong.” You tell him in the calmest tone possible. Can’t he be a little forgiving?
“Y/N,” You turn your head to your mother. “You speak to Olo’eyktan.”
“I know that, but-”
“That’s enough!” Your father interrupts you trying to defend yourself. He crouches down next to you, lowering his voice. “That’s enough.” He says sternly.
You look at Tsireya’s shaking of her head, telling you no. You look at Lo’ak, sending you a grateful look. That’s what encourages you to put your put down and get your opinion across.
“I know what I know.” And that’s your father’s final straw.
He grabs your bicep, pulling you up. Tonowari lets out an exasperated sigh, Ronal scoffs. You shoot a small smile at Tsireya as your father drags you away. Your mother has a sour expression on her face as your father brings you back to your family’s marui. You can hear the footsteps of your brothers behind you.
“What is your problem?” Your father asks harshly as you enter the marui.
“I was just-” You go to defend yourself but he interrupts you.
“Tonowari is Olo’eyktan, you don’t speak to him like that. You brought shame to this family.” Your ears pin to your head at his words.
“We are disappointed in you.” Your mother joins in on the berating you. They both have mirroring looks of disgust and disappointment.
“May I go now?” You ask and your father nods, not speaking a word to you. You storm out of the marui, heading down to the beach.
After an hour of walking, you hear footsteps behind you. You could recognize those footsteps anywhere.
“Y/N!” Tsireya's lovely voice rings out into the air. You turn towards her, smiling. She returns it. She stops in front of you, grabbing your four fingered hands with her three fingered ones. “Thank you.” She says softly, voice barely above a whisper.
“It’s whatever.” You smile sheepishly, heat gathering on your cheeks.
“It’s not.” Tsireya insists. “You’re very kind.” Her words make you feel vulnerable. Suddenly, tears fill your eyes.
“I don’t know why people treat Lo’ak like that.” Your voice cracks, lips wobbling. Tsireya’s face softens even more than it was. “He’s so kind and a good brother and everyone just treats him like a freak. They treat me like a freak.” You snatch one of your hands from her hold and show it to her, displaying your weird fingers for her. “Demon blood. That’s all anyone will ever see.”
She grabs your hand, fingers wrapping around your pinky. She holds it like you would something you love—like you are something precious—like something worth being protected. She opens her mouth and hesitates, eyes watering slightly, but tears never spill. She suddenly gains courage and looks you in your eyes. Ocean blue meeting gold.
“I see you.” She says. “I see you.” She repeats firmly. You examine her face for a moment and realize she is being serious. She sees you. You see her. You smile softly at her, bring her hands clutching your pinky up to your mouth and placing a featherlight kiss on them.
“I see you.” You whisper and she smiles. Oh, her smile could melt you and stop your heart all at once. You lean forward and peck her on the lips, testing. She surges forward, kissing you fiercely.
You melt into each other, holding each other in the dark of the night, on the beach.
First of all, thank you for your interesting and unique requests! I really appreciate it. Second of all, I will be writing/finishing allof the requests after I finish or in the middle of "Colors of the Wind". So if you happened to request in August don't worry, I've seen your request! I just need to get around to it and I'm a very slow writer. Thank you for al the resent follows, likes and reposts! I love you all! <333
I have a question, when you write for the ATWOW characters, do you write any smut for them or age them up beforehand? Just wanted to know! Thanks so much! 🫶🏼💕
Hello anon! Sorry for taking so long to answer! The short answer is no, I do not write smut, nor do I age up any characters unless I'm writing a post-canon/epilogue chapter. I don't write smut at all because I just prefer not to. Thank you for the question tho! <333
"But I know every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name" - Pocahontas
02 |🤍| 04
pairing: na’vi!jake sully (tsyeyk te skaha) x reader
summary: when your twin dies and your sent to Pandora to fill in her spot in the Avatar Program, you never expect to fall in love with one of the natives, Tsyeyk te Tskaha Eytukan’itan aka Jake. You learn that the Omatikaya aren’t savages and actually just people trying to protect their land.
warnings: check series masterlist
wordcount: 1.5k
: ̗̀➛ masterlist
“Jake taught me how to ride a pa’le–pa’lee? Pa’li! Jake taught me how to ride a pa’li today, otherwise known as a dire horse.
You are tired, so tired. You got up at dawn by Grace because apparently that’s what the Na’vi do too. You were annoyed and also confused because you only got two hours of sleep. Your brain is more empty than it normally was. Grace also taught you the names of the most important people in the clan. The olo’eyktan, the tsahik–you were really trying to remember as Jake led you through the forest.
Jake entered a clearing and held a leaf for you to pass, much like humans holding doors open for each other. You mumbled a short ‘thanks’ and continued into the caring. The grass was flat here, and wet. There was a lake a few hundred feet away. But it wasn’t the scenery surrounding you that interested you, it was the animals.
Horse-like creatures were all over the clearing, some leaving and entering. They had anteater snouts and you could see one slurping nectar from a flower with it. They had six legs instead of four. These were the creatures, you realized, that those warriors approached you on last night. Except none of them had saddles.
Jake approaches you, guiding one close to you. When had he left? You shake your head and focus on the now. Jake stops by you, petting the horse to calm it.
“This is pa’li.” He tells you, still looking at the horse and mumbling calm words to it. He looks at you and when you just stare at him he motions for you to get on the steed. You come up to the side of it.
“Wow.” You mumble, petting the sides of the horse. “He’s beautiful.” You tell Jake.
“Pa’li is girl.” Jake corrects, then motions again for you to get on her.
You brace your hands on the back of her and pull yourself up with a grunt. You swing on leg over and situate yourself so you’re sat comfortably on top of her. You pet her neck lightly when she jostles, trying to calm her. Jake holds her antenna for you to connect to.
“This is called tswin.” He starts, showing the tswin for you to see. “Connect yours to hers and that makes tsaheylu.” Jak tells you in a soft voice as to not startle the pa’li under you. You nod and grab your tswin from behind you. When you connect yours to hers like Jake instructed your pupils dilate. You can feel everything. It’s a weird feeling, being able to feel her along with yourself.
“Good,” Jake praises lightly, still petting her and you can feel it as if he was petting you. Which is a weird thought on its own. The horse chortles, seemingly laughing at you. “Feel her breath, feel her strong legs. And when you are ready, tell her when and where to go.” He instructs. You nod and close your eyes, focusing on her body. When you and her feel calm, you decide to tell her where to go.
“Forward.” You say aloud and she darts forward. Too fast for your liking. Apparently you weren’t squeezing your thighs hard enough because you fell off, right into the mud. You hear Jake’s laughs from behind you, he snorts loudly as you pick yourself up. You’re covered in mud, it’s on your hair, your mouth, everywhere. Jake keeps laughing, it's closer and he’s next to you, helping you up. “Keep laughing.” You grumble. He continues to laugh and an idea pops into your head.
“I don’t think I’m very good at it. But, I’m trying.”
When the mud hits Jake’s face he gasps in surprise, a look of confusion taking over his face before seeing your smug, muddy grin. He grabs a fistful of mud and chucks it at you, internally celebrating when your smile falls. You and Jake throw mud back and forth. The air around you is filled with yells and childish laughter. Jake doesn’t know when he has had this much fun in the past few years.
The pounding of hooves against the ground is what stops you both. You’re both covered in mud and on the floor, the aftershocks of your laughter is still shown from the grins on each of your faces. You and Jake look at each other, heaving breaths. You chuckle at his cheerful face. The hooves sound gets louder and you and Jake pick yourselves off of the floor.
“This vrrtep will never learn.” Tsu’tey announces as the pa'li she is riding gets closer to you andJake. You have no clue what vrrtep means but you assume it’s bad. “You should go away.” Tsu’tey tells you. You start wiping the mud off of your face. You smile mockingly at her.
“Nah, you’d miss me too much.” You tell her, booking down at your body and scraping the mud away. A wicked grin grows on Tsu'tey's face.
“You should kick her out.” Tsu’tey says to Jake is na’vi. You can’t understand a thing she says so you continue wiping off the mud. Jake shakes his head, a light smile still on his face. “A rock sees more.” She gestures to you.
Jake shakes his head again, chuckling quietly at the comment. He slaps the back of Tsu’te’s pa’li and mumbles a quiet ‘go’. He turns back to you, his smile softening when you’re looking down. He’s growing to like you, he thinks. Silence encompasses you, save for the light sound of hooves throughout the clearing and the slosh of mud as you step away from it. Jae quickly grabs the pa’li that tried to run away.
“Try again.” He says when he looks back up at you.
“Jake had me trying and trying again all day. It reminded me of my strict military days.”
–
“This lake is where many people come to wash themselves.” Jake says quietly. It’s night now and if you thought it looked beautiful in the day, it looks breathtaking at night. Many of the fauna that surround you glow brightly in different purples, yellows, greens and blues. You never saw anything quite this amazing on Earth. “We will wash the mud off and go back to Kelutral.” Jake tells you before stepping slowly into the water. You follow him.
“So, how'd I do today?” You ask him as you cup water with your hands and wash the dried mud off of your skin. There’s different stages of dried mud on your skin because you fell many times. When you look over your shoulder you see Jake doing the same as you. The two small braids framing his face dripping water.
“You were like child in beginning but you have made…progess.” Jake takes a moment to find the right words. He doesn’t use English everyday and it still sounds heavily accented and different from how you speak it.
“Hm.” You hum in acknowledgment but you don’t offer any other words. The sounds of water fill the air as you bathe.
After, when you went back to Kelutral–which you now have learned is na’vi for home tree–Jake said good night to you. Which is progress from the night before. You guys are steadily becoming friends, you think. He’s strict but also kind in his own way.
Before you’re able to go to your hammock, a boy approaches you. He’s young and you recognize him as the boy who was interested in you when you came last night. Jake is a few feet away from you, he was about to get in his hammock before he saw the boy.
“H-hello.” The boy stutters out, and oh, he is so adorable. His voice is so soft and innocent. You give him a soft smile. If you thought Jake’s accent was heavy, he does not compete. “I make for you. You look up and see an elder behind him, maybe his grandma. She smiles at you warmly. ” He holds up a bracelet.
“Oh my.” You say, picking up the bracelet and inspecting it. The colors do not match and some of the string is popping out of the weaving. From what you can tell, this is amateur compared to others. “For me?” You point to yourself. He nods enthusiastically, eagerly waiting for your response.
“This is so kind of you, thank you.” You grin and hold out the bracelet for him to grab. “Can you help me put it on?” He nods again and you hold out your wrist. He ties the bracelet around it.
“This looks really nice, what’s your name?” You ask him.
“Ayaw.” He mumbles quietly, looking down shyly.
“Nice to meet you, Ayaw. My name is Y/N.” He waves at you and runs back to his grandma. You look back at Jake and see him smiling at you.
–
“This little boy, Ayaw, approached me right as I was about to get in my hammock. He was adorable and the only other person who talked to me other than Tsu’tey and Jake. Everyone else either ignores me or makes comments in na’vi that I can just tell are rude. But, what can you do?” You shrug as you look at the camera, yawning. “Anyway, I think today was a pretty successful day. I learned some words and took a bath.” You smile at the blinking light of the camera. You’re silent and you realize you have nothing else to say and you’re really tired.
“I’m going to bed.” You click the button to turn the recording off.
notes: Hello reader! Sorry this chapter took like a month. Next chapter may come out sometime tomorow! Have a good read and remember to leave comments/kudos!
Do you think it’s intentional in avatar that the male leads (Jake and Lo’ak) have four letters in their name and the female love interests and leads have seven (Neytiri & Tsireya)? Do you think it’s intentional or a coincidence? Idk why but once I noticed, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was intentional or coincidence. It’s a silly question but what’s your thought on it?
Wait thats actually so funny. Jake and Lo’ak also have ‘ak’ in their names and Tsireya and Neytiri have ‘ir’. It may be intentional because lo’ak also is taking neteyams place in the next movie as older brother and jake took his brothers place in the avatar program. It’s nice to see the small details put into the Avatar movies and I feel like nothing James Cameron dos is unintentional.
summary: during the time when jake became toruk makto, you were quaritch’s youngest and most valued soldier, the daughter he never had. but, pandora changed you and you died during the final battle, betraying quaritch and wishing that you had been able to do more. now, you have been reborn again, as a na’vi, tasked with quaritch’s new military avatar crew to kill Jake Sully. taking advantage of this second chance at life, you help the Sullys and fall in love along the way.
genre: fluff, angst ~ slow burn, pining on lo’ak’s part.
warnings: mentions of blood, war, violence
word count: 10,488
note: i'm back from the dead like our dear reader with a long awaited update! this one is jampacked with some unexpected cameos so BE READY <3 love you guys
"I wish I had been there. The ocean blessed you with a gift, brother."
Kiri was in awe as Lo'ak retold the story that he had told you last night, the two of you never ending up going to Tsireya's as you lost track of time, too engrossed and intrigued by what had happened at Three Brother's Rock.
It was past breakfast time, the morning sun casting upon you all as you sat on the rocks, Neteyam leaning against the tree with Aonung as the rest of you sat on the ground, listening to Lo'ak's story. And while Lo'ak didn't need to convince you or Kiri of that truth—that this unknown tulkun had saved him—the others were bewildered and skeptical.
When Tsireya had first told you about the tulkun, you were more than eager to learn about them, urging her to teach you everything there was to know. They were intelligent, spiritual, and emotional creatures that have existed since the time of the First Songs.
The tulkun had the ability to communicate with Na'vi through their eyes and sounds and learned to understand the Reef People's sign language. Because of this gate of communication, of union, they had become just as important to the Reef People as their own family members; the tulkun were their spirit brothers and sisters, each clan member chosen by one tulkun in their whole lifetime. And within the pods of the tulkun were close-knit bonds and communities all united by a deep culture within themselves.
"The tulkun have not returned yet, and anyway no tulkun is ever alone." Aonung spoke out doubtfully, leaning forward, his hand rested on his knee.
You glared at Aonung, your remaining anger from last night seething as you let out a breathy chuckle, "Why are you speaking like you weren't the one who left him alone out there?"
Aonung hung his head down immediately, silenced by the guilt that arose in him. Neteyam crouched down beside you, placing his hand on your head, his look speaking volumes as a warning for you to calm down.
Lo'ak put a hand on your thigh in acknowledgement, smiling lightly as he shook his head to respond to Aonung "Well, this one was. And he had a missing fin, like a stump on the left side."
Tsireya breathed shakily, her expression full of fear as she shuddered,
"Payakan. It is Payakan."
Rotxo and Aonung gasped, eyes widening, but you and the Sullys were merely confused, Kiri saying aloud what you were all thinking, "Who's Payakan?"
"A young bull who went rogue. He is outcast. Alone." Rotxo explained.
Aonung stepped forward, agreeing, "He has killed Na'vi and other tulkun. Far to the south."
"They say he is a killer." There was a mixture of relief and concern in Tsireya's expression, her eyes pleading as Lo'ak shook his head, "You are lucky to be alive, Lo'ak."
"No, no! He's not a killer. I'm telling you guys. He saved my life. He's my friend." Lo'ak was unmoving in his stance, resolute in his serious tone.
"Come on guys, if Payakan was really a killer of Na'vi, why would he save Lo'ak? What's the thinking?" You reasoned, and Tsireya looked at you, her head downcast as she processed your words, unsure of what to say but knowing deep down that you were right.
"My baby bro! The mighty warrior who faced the killer tulkun and lived to tell about it, huh?" Neteyam joked, placing a hand on Lo'ak's shoulders.
Lo'ak grunted, shrugging his hands off aggressively as he got up, "Why did I even bother to tell you guys? You're not listening."
Walking off, his fists balled in frustration, Lo'ak left. Tuk called after him, "Lo'ak I'm listening!" But, he paid no mind to her as he continued.
Sighing, you got up too, your hands on your hips as you glared at Neteyam, "Why do you have to joke at a time like this?"
"What? I—"
You hit him upside the head hard, Neteyam's head moving forward with a smack as he yelped, "Ow!"
"Don't wait up." And with a wave, you followed after Lo'ak.
When you finally caught up to Lo'ak, you could have sworn the ground was charring with each aggressive step he took, his anger fiery as you watched his shoulders move up and down from his breathing.
"Lo'ak." Your voice made him stop, his hands relaxing as he turned his head to face you, the anger that he had dying down as he softened his expression.
Carefully, you stepped forward, fingertips resting on his chest as you asked, "Where are you going?"
Lo'ak himself was unsure, his movements mindless, "I don't know."
Venting, he let his body turn toward you fully, "Why don't they just get it?," He put his hand over yours, heart beating crazily, "Like you do?"
Feeling the warmth of his touch, you sighed, "Lo'ak, give it time. And what are you trying to prove to them anyway?"
"That I'm right!" His outburst laced with his frustration, his focus on you as he leaned in, "That we're from two different worlds and somehow we had this connection right away."
Softening again, his eyes bore into you, realizing that although he meant his words for his new tulkun friend, they mirrored how he felt about you too, that instant connection he never really shared with anyone else until now.
"And how do you know? That you had this connection right away?" The intention shifted, no longer talking about Payakan as you hinted, your eyes dripping with implication as you asked with a feathery voice.
"It's not something you can teach," He looked down at your hands, lifting yours from his chest and intertwining it with his, "You just know."
A glimmer of light shined behind your eyes as you caught onto what he was saying, lips pressed together. Per usual, you were caught speechless for a moment, moved by Lo'ak's words, teetering on your heels.
Lo'ak knew it too, shifting the conversation back to Payakan, "I just wish I knew what he was saying."
"Right. It's a little hard to learn but Tsireya taught me a little bit of their language when I—"
He put a hand to your mouth, blinking at you in disbelief, "You know their language?"
You nodded, moving his hand aside, "Yeah, but—"
You choked on your words, taken aback as Lo'ak tightened his grip on your hand and began to run quickly toward the riding pavilion, dodging passing clan members as he went with you. Finally stopping by the ilu saddles, many beside one another on three-tiered racks, he called for his ilu.
"Where are you going?" Picking one out, you handed one to him.
Lo'ak looked past the docks, the calm of the water and the shimmer of its surface beckoning him, "We are going to Three Brothers Rock."
Lo'ak's ilu trilled, breaching the surface and bowing its head as Lo'ak put the saddle over him. Pivoting, his ilu moved so Lo'ak could get on easily and reaching his hand out to you, he urged, "Come on!'
You were about to get on your own ilu, but Lo'ak groaned, leading you onto his ilu first, "Just ride with me."
Stepping in front of you, he wrapped your arm around him, securing your leg as you sat behind him and looking for confirmation, he turned around, "Hold on tight."
You pinched his rib and he winced, making you chuckle, "Just go."
Diving under the water, Lo'ak rode his ilu toward the barriers, weaving through the coral and the sea animals that were passing by. Going toward the far end of the reef, the crowding of the animals and coral became scattered as more rock pillars that stood tall came into sight. You looked up to see the rock pillars above, and when you looked ahead again, Lo'ak was headed toward a small opening in the barrier opening into a tunnel, the wounding bark and rock shaped into an ellipse.
Ducking forward, Lo'ak signaled for you to do the same and you did, the two of you darting through the tunnel and suddenly, you felt the shift of the water, the once calm of the sea becoming noticeably more tumultuous. Rocking, you felt the resistance and diving up, Lo'ak jumped up into the air, above the crashing waves. He made sure that you were secure with every jump, his other hand instinctively on your thigh as you rode.
You laughed as he enthusiastically whooped and diving back, he kept on jumping in and out of the water, the feel of the air against the rush of the water thrilling you. There was nothing but open water for miles, the pale blue sky against the dark blue of the sea.
Then, you saw it.
Three rocks that stood beside one another, once small in sight, but enlarging as you headed toward it. They were colossal, the very tops of them reaching the high clouds, white and mist-like as they hung in the air.
The water became more still as you made your way to the middle of the rocks, but it didn't resemble the calm of the water at the village. Positioning his ilu in an upright position, Lo'ak began to yell out, "Payakan! Payakan!"
You looked around, expectant, the air around you quiet, the light breeze offering a light whistle in the air as Lo'ak's voice seemed to echo into nothingness.
Then, stillness stirred, a huge mass emerging from the water with grace. First, you saw the peek of a large, vibrant head crest, followed by the eruption of water from above as Payakan exhaled, his dark grey and blue skin glistening in the sunlight. Then, you saw his orange irises, two of them, one smaller than the other, and immediately you saw Payakan's gentle kindness as he rumbled, the sound he made showing his relief to see Lo'ak.
You got off Lo'ak's ilu first, then Lo'ak swam beside you, disconnecting his queue from his ilu and instructing him to return home. You were speechless for a moment, your jaw open as you took in the great size of the tulkun. There were many moments in The Forest when you had encountered the wildlife, angry thanators, territorial titanotheres, and the like. But you had never encountered a creature like this.
Already anticipating your approach, Payakan lifted his fin up for you and Lo'ak to sit on, Lo'ak taking you by the hand as you took your place beside him, your shock and awe still fresh as your eyes were glued to him. Rubbing his fin, you noticed how tough his skin was, the feel of it, although smooth, like armor.
"It's good to see you." Lo'ak greeted him, placing a hand above his eye, then signing while saying, "This is y/n."
Hearing your name, you finally closed your mouth smiling. You greeted Payakan, signing and saying, "It's nice to meet you." You peered over at Lo'ak for a moment before continuing, "Thank you for saving Lo'ak."
Payakan trilled enthusiastically, his sounds forming the words, "You are welcome. We have become friends."
Translating, you told Lo'ak, "He said you guys are friends."
Lo'ak was happy to hear that, smiling at Payakan as he signed, "I trust you. You can trust me."
Although it felt heavy in his heart to ask, he wanted to know the truth, the conversation with Aonung and Tsireya still bothering him, "Please tell me. Why are you outcast? What happened?"
There was a pause as Payakan's eyes changed, and you saw so clearly in his eyes something you were all too familiar with—loss. But behind them too, you caught a glint of something even deeper—guilt and regret.
Downward, you noticed the hole that was left by the harpoon end, an eternal mark from the Sky People, a scar that would forever remind him of the pain he felt and the weight of the day he had gotten it.
You felt his sadness in your own heart and to add to the ache, his sounds strained, formed the words, "It's too painful."
Looking to you, Lo'ak blinked, eager to know what he said. You took Lo'ak's hand, shaking your head, "He's not ready yet. It's too painful."
Lo'ak nodded, squeezing your hand to show that he understood. He patted the skin above Payakan's eye, affectionate before he signed, "You can tell me when you're ready."
You couldn't pull your eyes from the hole in his fin, gulping as you felt a pit form in your stomach. You had your suspicions about what had happened.
In The Forest, the Sky People wanted unobtainium, and it didn't matter that HomeTree was right above it.
Here, you didn't know what it was that they wanted to take, but that scar proved the tulkun were being hunted for it, another life force for for humanity's greed to waste.
And that look in Payakan's eyes, filled with sorrow and guilt, revealed a part of his story that mirrored your own. It was the look of a warrior who was paying for his sins, for blood that was spent, for innocent lives that were taken.
Payakan was no killer. He only did what he had to for the sake of the ones he loved, what he felt was right.
But now, here he was.
No family.
No home.
"What's wrong?" Lo'ak asked you, noticing your troubled expression, the forlorn cast on your face worrying him.
You said nothing to Lo'ak, determined as you lifted your head up, "Why did you save him?" You signed to Payakan, not asking the question aloud for Lo'ak to hear, although you felt you already knew the answer.
"Because he was alone."
And it was also then that you realized why the calm of the water had felt so strange before, so contrary to the Reef.
It was the reason why Aonung had taken Lo'ak there.
It embodied a deep loneliness, and its eerie silence made it feel as if the place was marked for death.
And that was why Payakan was there too.
Outcast.
He felt he deserved to be alone, even dead, for whatever he had done, but that didn't mean he wanted to be or that he wanted anyone else to suffer in that same fate.
Switching your gaze between the two of them, you were moved, seeing fully in front of you that connection Lo'ak was talking about.
You felt no loneliness with them, a warmth emanating where you were against the cool of the water and the chill of the breeze.
Clicking again, Payakan's tone changed into a higher pitch, his clicks showing his happier mood, "Seeing you, I am glad to know he never really was."
Nodding, you signed, “Yes, we’re friends.”
Payakan exhaled again, trilling lightly as if he was laughing, then sounded, “For now, it seems.”
His eyes went to Lo’ak, astute as he clearly discerned Lo'ak's loving eyes, his usual adoring stare, although shrouded with confusion, still vividly affectionate, “I can see that he loves you very much."
You inhaled, eyes going heavenward as shyness took over you, but you tried your best to look contemplative, pretending that you didn't know what Payakan had told you.
"Y/n, what's he saying? Are you okay?" Lo'ak was still concerned, since you didn't answer him the first time.
You explained your conversation, but left out the last part, just thinking of it sending your nerves to oblivion, your heart pounding in your chest, and your butterflies in a frenzy.
"No, what else did he say? You're blushing." He joked, brushing a hair behind your ear. "He's being a good wingman for me isn't he?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." You were grinning wide as you played it off, but Lo'ak wasn't convinced.
Payakan merely watched as you denied it, Lo'ak urging you on as he teased. It had been a long time since he had talked to someone, so he was grateful to you and Lo'ak for coming, and gazing upon you both, his heart was also touched seeing your connection with Lo'ak.
The more you spent time with Lo'ak, you could feel your heart open up, your usual dismissiveness fading. It was usually your blush that gave you away, and he loved seeing it, always enjoying when that red tint would appear on your cheeks, the sight endearing to him.
Exhaling again, the water on the surface of his back shooting high into the air, Payakan gained you and Lo'ak's attention, happy as he suggested, "Let's swim together."
Turning to hear your translation, Lo'ak moved closer to you, still in his flirty mischievous behavior, "What's he saying?"
"Hold your breath." It was all you said as you nodded to Payakan, telling him to go fast.
Catching Lo'ak off guard, Payakan dove into the water, the two of you hanging onto his fin tightly as he swam. In the water, Lo'ak squinted at you, knowing you did it on purpose. But you only shrugged, happily enjoying your ride as Payakan glided swiftly through the water, his movements graceful as he commanded the sea with every powerful stride.
Gaining momentum, he plummeted downward then up again, breaching the surface with a twirl, you and Lo'ak whooping as you two flipped with him. When you two plunged back into the water, the adrenaline rush so fresh, you asked Payakan to do it again, you and Lo'ak trying new flips this time.
Then, Payakan toured you around the area, maneuvering through the coral and underwater plants. Some of the aquatic life you had never seen before, in awe as you observed them all one by one. At one point, Payakan took you through what looked like a sea forest made of kelp, the long strands of the plant creating a maze of green amidst the blue of the sea, its large pods and leaves swaying in the undercurrent.
Out of curiosity, you let go of his fin, swimming downward to the sea floor when you saw something shiny below. Lo'ak swam after you, both concerned and curious as he watched you swim, your long hair cascading behind you being his view. Payakan stayed close nearby, keeping watch as you both swam together.
When you finally got to the sand, you brushed away the sand where the shimmer was and underneath revealed a crystal of some kind, slightly jagged but pearlescent and iridescent as you turned it, the sun from above the surface showing its different shades of purple, blue, and green.
Placing it in your palm, you showed it to Lo'ak and signing, you said, "I'm going to give it to Tuk."
His heart swelled hearing that. Lo'ak couldn't help it. Tuk was so much younger than all of you, and while he always said she was annoying, deep down he had a soft spot for her. So, every time you would do something like this for his little sister, it only made his feelings for you grow more.
You swam all the way back up to the surface, savoring the air as you took a breath. Pawing it between your fingers, you admired the crystal, "Pretty, huh?"
"Yeah," He agreed, barely giving it a glance as he merely kept his attention on you, "The crystal is pretty too, I guess."
You avoided his eyes, smiling to yourself as you kept your focus on the crystal. Surfacing, Payakan's eyes landed on the crystal too and seeing how much you were admiring it, he outstretched his fin again to you, eager to show you another place with more of them.
Carefully placing it in the pocket of your loincloth, you both swam with him again, past the kelp forest and into the open water again. Diving a little deeper, there was a shift in the elevation of the water as you noticed the water darken slightly, and below were structures of towering coral, intricate as they wounded upward in spiral formations. Yet as you approached closer, the darkness of the water was contrasted by the shimmering sea bed littered with what looked like millions of crystals. They resembled the night sky, scattered like stars, each unique in size and shape.
You chose more of the crystals as you meticulously inspected the ones that caught your eye. Lo'ak helped you pick, handing you ones that he thought you'd like or helping you choose between the ones you couldn't decide on.
When you finally had grabbed a handful, Lo'ak took them for you, safely placing them in his loincloth pocket. Finished, you both took Payakan's fin again and he led you back to the regular elevation. Remaining outside the Reef for quite some time, you were in your own little world, another dream that you didn't want to wake up from.
The joy of being with Lo'ak and the tulkun that had saved his life fueling a surge of life within you. All three of you forgot your worries together, enjoying the peace of each other's company and the carefree happiness that came with it.
When you started to notice the sun waning, flecks of orange becoming visible underneath the usual blue of high afternoon, you knew it was time to head back. Payakan knew too, worried what your absence would mean to the village. He got you there quickly, slowing down his pace as he got to the edge of the Reef.
"We will see you again, friend." Lo'ak reassured him.
Nodding, you agreed, smiling. "Thank you, friend."
Payakan gave you guys one last glance, trilling happily as he said his goodbye to the two of you. Lo'ak called for his ilu, both of you paddling your feet toward the tunnel. It didn't take long for his ilu to dart through it, greeting Lo'ak as he bowed its head to him.
Getting on, you both watched as Payakan swam off into the distance and you looked back, watching him become smaller and smaller as he distanced himself, until you saw nothing else but the sea.
You rested your head against Lo'ak's back, feeling his breath under you, "Thanks for taking me to see him."
He acknowledged your gratitude as he rubbed the back of your leg, still holding onto it since you first got on his ilu, "Are you ever going to tell me what he actually said? Or are you going to keep me guessing?"
"He told me..." Your voice trailed off as you contemplated for a moment before continuing, the pit in your stomach returning.
Nearing the village, Lo'ak slowed down enough so he could look at you, the change in your voice enough to make him worry, his tone changing, "What is it?"
You were already at the riding pavilion, lifting yourself up onto the dock, Lo'ak behind you as he took the saddle off his ilu.
Putting the saddle on the rack, he repeated himself, putting a hand on your chin so you would look him in the eye, "Come on, what did he say?"
Meeting Payakan reminded you of the two promises you intended to keep.
You had woken up ready to die again, to give your life so willingly with no hesitation, to fulfill that promise you made to yourself to protect Jake and his family, no matter the cost.
But you had just promised Lo'ak that you weren't going anywhere, that there was no dying between you two.
For the first time, you saw a life ahead of you and you saw that life reflect right back at you in Lo'ak's eyes.
You put a hand over his heart, your breath getting caught in your chest as you slowly let out the truth in a breathy tone, "Nothing I don't already know."
Lo'ak was trying to find the answer in your face, but you weren't looking at him, your affection seeping through as you couldn't help but stare at his heart.
You closed your eyes, bracing yourself as you fought your worries inside, but feigned a smile, "Come on, let's go home before your dad skins you."
He tilted your head upward again to meet his eyes, unwavering devotion and affection so apparent in the warmth of his gaze, "He could try, but I know you wouldn't let that happen."
He was trying to make you feel better, your unusual standoffishness pricking at his heart, unsettling as he still wondered why you seemed so troubled. Inside you knew and the look he gave only deepened that inner knowing.
As you walked with Lo'ak side by side, he said nothing to you but his eyes didn't leave your face. You were looking down at your feet contemplative and avoidant, yet it didn't last long as he took your hand in his, reassuring you, "Whatever it is that you're thinking about, you're not in it alone. I'm here with you in everything."
You managed a small smile, walking ahead of him as you murmured to yourself, "That's what I'm afraid of."
"You guys were gone for so long." A voice questioned from in front of you.
Kiri, with her arms crossed at first, stepped forward, stopping both of you in your tracks, "Where have you two been?"
"Around." Lo'ak replied vaguely, already irritated by her prodding.
When you said nothing in response, Kiri uncrossed her arms, analyzing the melancholy in your eyes immediately. "Well, you've had y/n to yourself all day, so I'll take her for the rest of the evening. Thank you."
Before she whisked you away, you reminded Lo'ak, "Can you give Tuk her rock when you see her?"
Kiri linked your arm with hers, ignoring Lo'aks's protests as she led you further away from him, whispering, "You're troubled about something. What is it? And don't deny it. I know you too well."
You looked around, seeing villagers come and go, your heart hurting at the thought of their lives rupturing at the hands of the Sky People, "I can't tell you. Not here, at least."
"I know where we can go." She smiled, whistling to call her ilu who promptly stuck her head out of the water.
You got on Kiri's ilu, seated behind her comfortably as the feel of the water and the sea carried you, cradled you dearly as you let yourself flow through blue stillness, you were still unsure where you were going, but you enjoyed the bliss of movement.
You closed your eyes, trusting in Kiri's command completely. When you felt a sudden change in the water, the energy ignited a warmth inside as you opened them to see the floating mountains and floating coral as you swam through the entrance of a cove.
Above, the rock that sheltered the rest of the cove was vast, its exterior appearing porous-like as its shape resembled honeycombs. Small branches with moss hanging from them intricately covered the rock and as you swam forward, you saw that there were more of these rock structures, but small in comparison to the arching structure that concentrated the flux of the area, much like the one at the Tree of Souls.
The blues and purples of the night's auroras mirrored the illumination of the Spirit Tree, its blues and purples granting illumination in the water and its flowing feather-like leaves swaying in the water gracefully. You were led to the Cove of the Ancestors and you were immediately drawn downward toward the Tree.
Kiri swam after you, eyes lit up as she spoke, "Even if you didn't want to tell me what's troubling you, you could at least speak to my mother here."
"Thank you Kiri," You nodded, looking down at the leaves below swaying, trying to get the words out to her.
Silence filled the air as you gathered yourself, your emotions bubbling as you felt scattered by your own inner conflict, "I want to live. I have lived the fullest life with you all here, more than I did in my old life."
She swam closer to you, reaching down to grab your hand under the water. Tears escaped you as you continued, "My father is coming. I know it. I can feel it. And when he comes, no matter how much I want to live, it won't outweigh the love that I have for all of you."
"Y/n, Sully's stick together." Kiri shook her head, taking your face in her hands.
"And I'll make sure that you guys do." You smiled, patting the back of her hand.
"You're a Sully too. You've always been. We stick together. Please, y/n, where is this coming from?"
Again, you were filled with silence, biting down the emotions that were clouding your judgement, "Let's dive down. I have a lot to talk about with your mother."
Kiri could only nod as you let go of her hand without another word, following you down as you submerged yourself in the water.
Going past the Tree's roots, glowing a bright cyan color, you swam right into the middle of it, lightly touching each of the leaves and its smaller branches with green sheer bulbs. You spun around between them, mesmerized as you felt the deep spiritual nature all throughout your surroundings.
Reaching out to one of the leaves, touching one of its purple tendrils, you grabbed your queue from behind you as you connected at the same time.
Closing your eyes, you felt that connection deep within you, the world of water that you were in no longer as you opened your eyes to find yourself back in the Forest.
Behind you, you heard the rustling of footsteps, although quiet and light, you were confident you heard someone approaching. Turning, you kept a careful eye for movement, the stillness of the plants being your guide.
"Grace?" You called out, but there was no answer.
Again, you called, "Trudy?"
Again, you heard nothing, no answer. You had no one else to call out to, bewildered by the silence, yet comforted by the surroundings of home.
Then, you heard the rustling again, this time louder, and finally you knew where it was coming from. Your eyes darting toward the brush behind one of the trees.
Stepping into the water confidently, its height at your calves, you outstretched your arms to your sides as you said, "Grace, Trudy, I know it's either one of you! You can come out now. Come on, I miss you guys. I have a lot to tell you."
There was a pause before you saw a foot step out of the brush, And looking down, you blinked, not believing what you were seeing as you tilted your head up to meet the eyes of your visitor.
"After all this time, I finally get to meet the woman who has done well to protect Our People." Oddly, in English, the voice that was speaking to you was authoritative, yet soft still, a commanding warmth to it.
Your eyes widened, goosebumps going down your spine as you instantly recognized who was in front of you, "Oel ngati kameie, Eytukan, sempul ne Neytiri ulte Sylwanin, muntxatan ne Mo'at." You put your fingers to your forehead, bowing slightly as you looked back up again, defaulting to Na'vi as a form of respect.
(I See You, Eytukan, father to Neytiri and Sylwanin, husband to Mo'at)
Your usage of formalities made him chuckle, smiling as you dared not look into his eyes. Lifting you from your bowed position, he put his hands on your arms gently, allowing you to stand tall.
"And also grandfather to Neteyam, Lo'ak, Kiri, and Tuktirey...your companions in this new life." He spoke in Na'vi this time, and finally, you looked at him, comforted by the gentle smile that he kept on his face. Agreeing, you nodded, unsure of what to say to him, still overcome with shock.
Then, inhaling, you found your words, humbled by his presence and asking your most eager question, "Why have you come to me, Eytukan? I am nothing to you. I am nothing. I am not Toruk Makto or anyone important."
He looked insulted as you said it, regarding you with a high chin as he took in your appearance, proud as he spoke, his voice commanding his confidence, "Are you not, child?"
You relaxed your shoulders, not realizing how tense they were, and you let yourself be engulfed as Eytukan embraced you, his hand at the top of your back as you let your words flow out, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. For the bulldozers, for HomeTree, for everything. Forgive me. I promise, I will make sure that your family lives."
Patting your back, he said softly, "You are born of Sky People, whose nature is to take. But you, y/n, are not one of them. You give and you have given so much, even your life. But I assure you child, this apology, it is not yours to give and it never was. So be calm."
He placed a hand on your cheek, the other on your shoulder, "You tell me you are nothing but, are you not the one who has helped protect this family before your second birth and even after it? You, who is one of the reasons why Neytiri has a husband, a family. You, who has even kept the memory of my eldest alive in your stories to my granchildren."
He leaned in closer, wiping away a tear you didn't know was falling down your cheek, "You are not the mistakes of the past, you are the bearer of a new future. The strength of your hands has protected them, but it is the strength of your heart, the love that grows within it, that will fortify you all."
He placed a hand on your head, the gesture speaking a quiet warmth and showing tender care, "I See You, y/n. This family needs you. And one day, when your heart is open to the love you have inside, you will understand more of this life that the Great Mother has granted you."
There was a radiance of comfort that you felt as he smiled at you. It was a conversation you never expected to have, but one you had deeply longed for. He walked back toward the trees where he had emerged and you could have sworn in the distance you saw a head peek out to look at you, your eyes widening at the sight of Sylwanin, waiting for her father.
You were pulled out from that vision suddenly once you blinked, detaching your queue from the leaf. When you looked over to your side, your eyes widened as you saw Kiri's body convulse in the water. Instantly you swam to her and to your surprise, Neteyam was swimming over too, grabbing one of Kiri's arms as you held onto the other, the two of you reaching the surface.
You breathed in the cold air, Lo'ak suddenly beside you two, but you paid him no mind as your heart dropped holding Kiri and calling out to her, her spirit feeling so distant from you.
Neteyam had called it in to Jake and Neytiri as he rode off with her unconscious body in front of him. Since you had rode with Kiri, Lo'ak offered his hand for you to ride with him, and grabbing it, you sat behind him, yelling for him to hurry.
When you all finally got to the shore, Jake and Neytiri were already there with a group of warriors. Jake met you halfway in the water, the other warriors following him with a stretcher made of fishnets. Helping, you all put Kiri on the stretcher and they took her to the infirmary, the same place that Tsireya had shown you the seaweed bandages.
You had taken Tuk into your arms, holding her as she cried out for her sister. Neteyam and Lo'ak, although they remained serious on the outside, they were stricken with worry on the inside. Jake was comforting Neytiri, the two of them walking side by side as Neytiri cried out in agony, "Kiri, Kiri, my sweet child!"
When you all arrived at the marui, Tsireya and Ronal were kneeling beside another clan member, bandaging his torso. There were others in there as well, already waiting to be taken care of, their eyes, once elsewhere, settling on all of you as you knelt beside Kiri.
Tsireya immediately got up seeing you guys, holding back her tears as she saw Kiri unconscious and heard Tuk's wails. She looked to her mother, the same urgency in her eyes that all of you had as she silently pleaded for her mother to rise too.
Jake kept his voice still as he begged for Ronal's help, "Please Ronal. My daughter. She needs the help of a tsahik."
Ronal turned toward Kiri's body, her expression unreadable and every move of hers precise. She said nothing in her observation, eyes narrowed as she made her decision. Her words, although seemingly cold and unfeeling were ones motivated by duty, not cruelty as she said sharply, "This is an ailment of the spirit, the separation of mind and body. It will take time." Her eyes went to the others already in the marui, the rest of them also awaiting her decision, "And I have others I must take care of."
Neytiri, consumed by despair and agony, her mind fraying at the potential of another loss, hissed, "You are tsahik!"
Jake held her back, apologetic as he hung his head down.
Ronal, disciplined and controlled, held no warmth in her gaze and no softness in her voice, "Yes, and as tsahik, I cannot abandon the ones who have already come for the urgency of another. I will come, but for now, take her back to your home."
Your faces fell and you all stood silent. Blinking, you couldn't believe what you were hearing and you held your tongue as your anger threatened to seep through your silence.
Jake inhaled, feeling his own rage inside of him, but he kept it at bay as he remained calm, "Thank you Ronal." Turning to his sons, he instructed, "Help carry your sister."
The three of them did so, and you helped Neytiri stand as she kept a hand at her mouth, her eyes glued to Kiri as you led her out of the marui, Tuk's hand in yours.
You all walked in silence back quickly and when you arrived, Jake, Neteyam, and Lo'ak laid Kiri down in the middle of the smaller room of your home.
Neytiri was frantic, walking around the room, trying to find something comfortable to lay Kiri's body on. When you found a soft mat made of sponge, you showed her. Taking it from your hands, she knelt beside her daughter, and moving her onto her side, Neytiri slid the mat underneath her. Tuk took her sister's hand into hers, holding it to her cheek as her tears fell.
"Do not worry for Kiri. The Great Mother is with her, always. She will come back in time. I know it." You reassured the two of them, but your words sounded more like a prayer than fact, your wishes wisping into the thick air.
Though, it seemed to help as Neytiri gave you a small smile, her hand in Kiri's as she rubbed her daughter's palm soothingly.
Neteyam and Lo'ak were standing next to each other by the hallway that led to the bigger room, and getting up, you approached them, whispering, "When did you guys get to the Spirit Tree?"
"Just right before she started seizing in the water."
You looked over at Lo'ak, who put a hand at the back of his neck in guilt, "I know I know. I wasn't supposed to follow you."
But you only placed your hand on his shoulder, thanking him with a small smile as you did the same to Neteyam before pulling them both in for a hug, "Thanks for being there."
The three of you were silent, sinking into each other's embraces as you pondered how this could have happened again, wondering what it could mean, the events too similar between the two of you to be a mere coincidence.
Worry and concern didn't press you as you thought about what Kiri had told you before, about hearing the Great Mother's breath, feeling Her.
It was impossible to think that the Great Mother would forsake Kiri now, after she had just barely grazed the surface of the gifts she had discovered. You had experienced the power of the Great Mother yourself, her grace and her understanding shown once she granted you your deepest redemption when Eytukan had come to you. And She had regarded you all this time as one of Her children, despite your own inner turmoil.
There was nowhere else you were going to put your belief in.
Yet, Jake couldn't bank on mere belief to save Kiri. He was desperate, pacing outside with his hands on his hips, thinking of what to do but nowhere to turn.
With an exhale, he walked back into the marui catching your attention. He took the straw covering off one of his artillery boxes, and as he opened it, his eyes panicked as he searched, you already knew what he was looking for.
You let go of Neteyam and Lo'ak, "Jake, you can't." Your voice came out like a warning and you ran over, shutting the box with a clang and you watched Jake as his jaw clenched and his shoulders tightened.
"So, what do you want me to do, huh?" His lips were pressed into a thin line, fingers curled into a fist as he rested his elbow on his knee, "You want me to do nothing while my daughter lays unconscious?"
You knelt down next to him, whispering, "Long range patrol is going to pick up their radar the second they hit the Eastern Sea." Jake avoided your eyes, knowing you were right, and you persisted, "If you call for help from the base, you're putting that target right back on us."
He let out a frustrated sigh, looking heavenward, "Ronal isn't going to help." Jake felt his reason slipping, logic becoming silent as his need to protect took over, "And I won't wait for her to. I can't."
You both said nothing, but you could tell that Jake was beyond negotiation. And looking back at Kiri, her mother and her little sister still with her, crying, you exhaled slow, although it didn't help relieve the heaviness you felt within you. The choice was final and you left your reluctant approval unsaid as you opened the box back up, walking out of the marui with your head down.
That next morning, you were greeting Norm and Max as you helped Jake unload equipment off their helicopter, the rotors still whirring loudly.
The clan members stood nearby, but not too close to the helicopter, lending their curious eyes from a safe distance as they ogled it, having never seen anything like it before.
When you all unloaded everything, you helped Norm set everything up, and as you did, you asked them, "What are you looking for exactly?"
Neytiri was hovering over them, carefully watching. If you weren't there along with them helping with their machines, she would have been less tolerant and more frantic. Still though, she was pacing, desperate for a solution.
Max took the liberty of answering, showing Kiri's brain scan to you on his tablet, "Bleeds in the brain, hyper activity in the frontal and parietal, fluctuations that could show us what condition she's suffering from."
"But she's not suffering any condition." You spoke with confidence, grabbing the tablet from Max's hands, "She had a seizure, yes. That's obvious with the interictal activity in the prefrontal, but there's nothing wrong with her. I know it."
"Yes, but we need to rule out all possibilities, y/n." Jake said in response.
"You're not listening, okay? What I'm trying to say is—"
From behind you, you heard a grunt, Ronal's voice sharp as she spat, "I see that I am not needed here."
You didn't need to turn around to know that she had revulsion on her face, her eyes narrowed at the sight of these otherwordly machines insulting her as she held onto her basket of materials she had prepared to heal Kiri with.
But, Neytiri stopped her from leaving, yelling at Norm and Max to go and to take everything with them. You carefully took out Kiri's IV, helping them clean it all back up as you hurried outside. Ronal began her ritual with Kiri, Tuk helping her as Neytiri stayed in the tent, praying to the Great Mother.
You continued your conversation with Norm, Max, and Jake, pleading with them as you said, "She said that she could feel Eywa, okay? Hear her heartbeat, and she—"
"Y/n, that sounds like classic frontal lobe epilepsy." Norm described and you could see Jake shake his head, not wanting to believe it.
"You see visions, you get states of religious ecstasy like the kind she's describing." Norm continued, his gaze switching between you and Jake, "Plugging into the Spirit Tree is some kind of trigger. You can't let her do that again."
You could hear Jake's heart break, his voice breaking, "What? Like ever?"
"If she seizes under water one more time, it could kill her." Max added, hanging his head in shame as he spoke.
"No, no you guys are wrong! This isn't just some vision that she's having! Eywa isn't just some religion, made up by humans and manipulated. She's real and she moves through Kiri." You were angry, frustrated, but mindful as you lowered your voice, "I've seen it with my own two eyes."
Jake blinked at you, lost as he tilted his head, "Seen what?"
You looked out into the sea, your hands gesturing as you described what Kiri had shown you, "The animals, the plants, they listen to her, respond to her. She can connect to anything underwater and tell it what to do, and it does." You continued on, the three of them speechless, "When we swim down to the bottom of the Reef, I'll plant my feet down and there's no response, but the minute her hand just grazes it, the whole things glows, whether it's nighttime or not."
Norm was having a hard time understanding what you were trying to say, his brain only capable of being scientific. Still, he tried his best to meet you where you were at as he responded slowly, choosing his words carefully, afraid to face your wrath again, "So, you're saying that Kiri is like...Jesus?"
Your expression went flat and you smacked Norm on the head, "Are you serious right now? Would you just forget the religion thing and forget this— You took the tablet out of his hands, pointing at the scan, "Forget the science shit for one second and just listen!"
They all were taken aback, your old friends exchanging looks with one another.
"Wow." Max said, trying to be serious but a chuckle escaped him, "You used to threaten to shoot me if I looked at samples without you. I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth."
Norm concurred, muttering, "Oh yeah, me too."
The corner of Jake's mouth tugged upward slightly, showing his own wonderment, but he kept his voice steady as he asked, "What are you trying to say y/n?"
Giving Norm's tablet back to him, you sighed, "A spiritual problem can only be solved by a spiritual solution," You looked at Jake, lowering your eyes at him, "When I went unconscious at the Spirit Tree, Mo'at healed me and said that I went unconscious because the Great Mother willed it, so that I would be reborn."
You got up, postulating as you looked past them. You saw Ronal working, turning Kiri on her side as Tuk held something for her, "This was Kiri's first time connecting to the Spirit Tree here, and maybe for her it was a way of being reborn too."
Jake sighed, turning his head back toward the marui. He wanted so desperately to believe you, but he hung his head down toward the ground, closing his eyes, "I don't want to hear anything more about this, not until she wakes up."
"But Jake—" You tried to protest, but he looked up at you with a glare, silencing you.
You eyed Norm and Max who could only maintain their silence too, worry etched on their faces with their gaze fixed on Kiri in the marui, Ronal still working diligently to wake her.
Ronal's ritual lasted the whole day, and while everyone else's faith seemed to wane, at the dawn of eclipse, Kiri finally began moving, her eyes opening as she burst into tears. Tuk and Neytiri held her close, relief and sadness mixing in the air as they began to sob again as well.
-
Barely a day had passed after Kiri had woken up and you were already knelt down in the Chief's home with Lo'ak—in trouble again. Neytiri and Jake came barreling down the walkway when they heard you were all gathered together, anger, frustration, and disappointment coating the air as Jake knelt down beside Lo'ak.
The village had carried on as if nothing had happened, as if what happened to Kiri held no weight to the village's practices and routines, as if her state didn't signal anything bigger.
Their concerns were instead focused once again on Lo'ak's mistakes, on his disobedience, on his disrespect of the way things have always been.
"You let him bond with the outcast?"
Ronal spat that at Tsireya, her mother's tone of voice making her hang her head in shame.
You exchanged a glance with Lo'ak, the two of you maintaining calm resolves as Tonowari began to explain the Tulkun way.
No killing.
It was the one rule that the tulkun lived by, and Payakan had broken it when he defended his family against the Sky People.
"I know what I know."
It was all Lo'ak could say even after he tried to explain the truth, but they were willingly ignorant, and Jake didn't help as he grabbed onto Lo'ak's neck and apologized for his son's behavior, taking him out of the marui with a huff.
And suddenly, with no hesitation, you were up too, chasing after Jake in an unholy rage.
Jake hadn't even begun lecturing Lo'ak when you pushed yourself between them and shoved Jake, prompting his attention instantly, a surprised glare meeting you as you balled your fists.
Even Lo'ak was shocked, mouth hung open slightly as he blinked at you, your hand gripped on his forearm and your other extended to keep Jake at a distance.
"Y/n, this has nothing to do with you. This is between a father and a son." Jake warned, stepping forward.
You stepped back, defiant as you shook your head, "Between a father and a son? This is how a father should be? Instead of understanding the truth, you're worried about how he looks to the Chief? To the village? One wrong move and that reflects on you, on how you raised your children? Who even are you Jake?"
"I'm a soldier alright y/n? This is how I run my family—“
“And I’m not? Do you not hear yourself? Ever since we've been here, Lo'ak has tried to do everything to please you and nothing is ever enough! This isn’t how a family should be, this isn’t what I imagined you’d be like as a father. I—“
Agitated beyond thinking, Jake shouted back at you impulsively, "I'm their father. I get to decide the standard. And what do you know about how a father should be? Hell of an example yours set that we ended up here!"
You breathed in, sighing, his words stinging more than you wanted them to. Jake instantly regretted them the minute he spat them out, but it was too late.
"I didn't—you know I—" He sputtered, but when your eyes rose he stopped, noticing your disgusted expression.
"I know what you meant. I See You Jake. Toruk Makto. The perfect soldier obeying orders, staying in line and raising kids meant for that destiny too." You paused, leaning forward, eyeing him with a deadly gaze, your voice calm, "Standing in front of you now, you've never resembled my father more."
Jake said nothing, every ounce of resolve he had dissipating, plummeting him into silence.
He had dealt with the worst blows in life, the Marines had prepared him for that much.
But hearing those words from you?
It was worse than anything he had gone through. Worse than being shot. Worse than his spinal injury. At least with those, he had recovered. He gained everything from surviving so much. Yet, he didn't realize how his fear of losing it all made him lose himself, his code to protect unconsciously teetering toward the path of the man that had killed you and killed the People.
All Jake could do was stand there, his gaze going to Lo'ak, who paid no mind to his own father, but instead at you.
Lo'ak was ready to take the heat again, so numb to all the lectures. He had long accepted that he would never be the glorified child.
He couldn't be the perfect son, the perfect soldier.
But he cared about how you felt, the weight of maintaining that perfection your whole life so obvious in the way you kept your voice calm. You were hurting inside and you didn't want to show it. But you said what you said with conviction, and what melted him even more was the fact that you did it to defend him.
He took your hand, knowing you were about to walk away and began to lead you out toward the beach. Whatever consequence would follow after he intertwined his hands with yours, Lo'ak didn't really care.
Whatever they all thought of him— village thought of him, the Chief, even his own father, it didn't matter when he had you.
He didn't say anything to you, allowing the thickness of the air to dissipate and your heart to calm. So wrapped in your emotions, you didn't feel Lo'ak beside you, despite his hand so affectionately clasped with yours.
All the hardship and pressure you endured growing up suddenly came flooding back, the days when you felt you had to earn the love you were just supposed to be given as a daughter.
You were Quaritch's little girl. He said he loved you. But, why did it ever feel like you couldn't have that love without doing everything he wanted?
A father protects. It's what gives him meaning.
You knew deep down Jake was nothing like your father. You regretted saying it the second it came out.
Jake was your best friend. Everything he did, you knew he did it out of love. You saw that clearly.
He stopped taking risks because he took a risk with you. And that risk got you killed. That was the guilt he carried and that guilt fueled his standard for his children. unhealthy or not.
Just like you, Jake knew what it was like to lose the things you love. So, why not protect it with everything? Even if it means you can't be the way you know you should be.
That's what happens when you love something too much.
You'd do anything for the ones you love.
At least the ones you love would be alive.
Then you realized your own hypocritical thinking.
You had woken up with that same notion, ready to sacrifice everything for Jake and his family. You were ready to compromise this new life, leave the gift the Great Mother gave you for the sake of their survival.
But that's not life.
Mo'at had reminded you.
But, Eytukan reinforced it.
You felt as if you finally understood what they had been trying to tell you all along.
You spoke out suddenly, your voice making Lo'ak's ears perk up.
"Back at the Spirit Tree, I spoke to your grandfather." You let out with a sigh, and Lo'ak tilted his head at you, amazed.
"My grandfather?" He repeated, "What did he tell you?"
"He gave me a reminder.” You replied simply.
"And what was it?” Lo’ak teased, leaning his forehead against yours.
You turned toward him, chuckling lightheartedly, “That I’m not the enemy.”
"I could have told you that. That was one of the first things you ever said to me." He joked suddenly, making you laugh.
You put a hand out to smack his shoulder playfully but he caught it, wrapping both of his hands around yours with such tenderness you almost melted right in front of him.
Then, clasping your hands together, he met your eyes affectionately, every piercing second that he stared breaking your walls down one by one as he gently spoke, "You didn't know who I was, and you still wanted to save me. I think my grandpa came to you to remind you who you are and why you were worth saving too."
And again, there Lo'ak was, doing what he always did to you.
He Sees you. Without fail, without hesitation.
Blinking up at him, you didn't realize tears were already falling down your face, the realization hitting your heart so deeply.
There was no hiding it now.
"Lo'ak." You paused as you put your hand up to his, your fingers perfectly matching, "I...I've been afraid since I woke up."
"Afraid?" He repeated curiously, taking a step closer, nearly closing the gap between the two of you.
"I've been afraid. Not to die, but to live. I thought that I needed to die to save you all." You watched his face drop, his expression disheartened and eyebrows furrowed.
You continued on though quickly after seeing his face change, "But that's how I used to think. I thought I had to give everything up to be Seen."
"And how do you think now?" Lo'ak asked gently, although he didn't really need to ask.
He knew just by how your hands were touching, how you were staring into his eyes, how close you two were, that everything was changing between the two of you.
"I think I'm done with the past. I choose now. I choose to See a future." You admitted, placing a hand on his heart.
And as if the Great Mother heard it as well, your acceptance shrouding the air, tranquility suddenly washed over you, Her wisdom echoing in your mind and sending chills down your whole body. You and Lo'ak were past the sand on the shore, your calves in the shallows of the water that reflected the sky once blue now purple, the planets above seemingly sparkling to you as the cascade of colors and the nearing of eclipse brightened everything around you.
"And what do you See in this future of yours?" The glint in Lo'ak's eyes gave way to his usual mischievous smirk, his tone teasing you as he raised a suggestive eyebrow.
Again, he was baiting you, dragging the moment out for as long as he could and waiting patiently for you to finally admit what you felt.
Once you caught that look in his eye, you couldn't help it as you slid your hands up to his cheeks, "I See You."
The cavalier look he had immediately disappeared and once you smiled back at him, he matched you, the smile that he never gave anyone else except for you revealing itself. He felt weightless, heart practically beating out of his chest. He couldn't stop smiling and not knowing what else to do, he let out a laugh in disbelief, too happy to even utter any words.
Pulling you into him, he hugged you tightly, his hands around your back and you couldn't help but laugh too, your own heart suddenly unburdened.
Then, he pulled away slightly to look at you, eyes beaming and as always, affection overflowing from every part of him as he held you, he teased you again, "So, we're not just friends now, right?"
You rolled your eyes, stepping back from him with a laugh as you teased him back playfully, "If you want to be just friends then—"
"Oh nooo, it's too late now. I'm not letting you go." He brought you back into him and once your hearts were touching, he leaned forward, connecting your lips gently at first, the world around you falling away as you fell into that kiss. Wrapping your arms around his neck, he deepened the kiss, snaking his hands up to your hair and he pulled you closer, as if there was any space left to fill between you.
Breathless, Lo'ak smiled, pecking you again as he let out a sigh, "I never thought my grandpa would end up being my best wingman."
You couldn't help another laugh, but he continued, the seriousness in his voice amusing, "I wish my grandma was here. But knowing her, she probably knew this was going to happen. If anything, she set this whole thing up. So, she's been your wingwoman this whole time."
"Well, she told me to pick between you and Neteyam, so I don't think she was rooting for you." You joked, poking at his chest.
He scoffed, shaking his head, "I fell in love with you the second that we met. Neteyam had no chance."
He kissed your cheek, then peppered your face with them, not letting you get a word in, but you were happy to let him talk, listening to the natural husk of his voice making your heart skip a beat, "I waited my whole life for you, and now I have the rest of it with you. This is literally the best day of my life."
Hugging you again, you buried your face in his chest, the whole world becoming you and him.
The moment felt like forever.
You were safe. You were home. You were happy. You were in love.
Just as quickly as you fell in love with the Forests of Pandora, you fell in love with Lo'ak.
That love was strong and powerful, but that was part of the danger of loving something too much.
As strong as love can be, so can hate.
Love was a weakness that could be exploited to the ones who have nothing more to lose, who have nothing but the hate left in their hearts.
No matter what future you Saw, your father was coming.
And although it left your mind, your heart too occupied, that thought was still in the pit of your stomach.
You were in love with the son of the man he believed killed you.
You were in love with the enemy.
How far would your father be willing to go for his vengeance?
-
Author’s Note:
after a long awaited period of time, we have FINALLY stopped denying our feelings and accepting LOVE!!!
also i had to add eytukan in the mix too cause he just is so important to everyone's story
also yes someone had to put jake in his place, and you know it was our reader cause like DAMN lo'ak can't do ANYTHING right.
please tell me what you thought of this chapter! finale is coming soon!!!!! i am so so so excited!
thank you again as always for your patience with me. i know that many of you have waited so long. I MISS YOU ALL, PLEASEEE comment and tell me your thoughts. I love reading them.
I'll add you to the taglist if you'd like! just comment down below! :)
