I See You, Little Dream Walker (Tsu'tey)
Tsu'tey x Human!Reader
Words: +4.0K
Summary: After having to go back to main base for a health check up, you come back to Site 26 with a concussion from putting Lyle in his place, unable to operate your Avatar for the day. Jake and Grace break the news to Tsu'tey that you can't train, leading him to go to Site 26 himself for you.
Content/Warnings: Reader has established disabilities, talks of bad healthcare and bad experiences with it, Lyle touches reader without consent, fight with injuries/blood mentioned, reader is a lil stubborn, Tsu'tey may be a lil OOC, a little off canon, lots of yearning and crushing, fluff.
A/N: I've loved Tsu'tey since the movie came out, he makes me cry *takes a hit of my cigarette*. I haven't written for Avatar or him before, but i've been wanting to for a long time. I've had this idea for my own story i've made in my mindpalace and decided to use it as a reader insert instead. I may make a second part of this when i get inspiration. Anyways, hope yall enjoy.
It should have been a simple, routine check in on your health.
Prior to arriving at Pandora, you were involved in a pretty serious accident. You couldn’t properly pay for the best surgery nor were your living conditions post-op. Your lung capacity isn't what it used to be in your human body thanks to pulmonary fibrosis and there is always a lingering ache from your left hip down to your foot. There were concerns for your well being on such an inhospitable moon with your newer conditions. And yet, the RDA were able to pull some strings to have you still cryo’d and shipped out to Pandora. More than likely, they didn’t want the millions of dollars they spent creating your avatar to go down the drain.
When Grace insisted on moving up to Site 26 with you, Norm, and Jake, there was hesitancy by the doctors on base. Being that high up in the mountains caused concerns, but you waved them off. You know your body and the oxygen stabilizers inside the RDA buildings and the oxygen masks work just fine for you, better than the smoggy air back on Earth. But, you comply with their requests to check ups.
You think it's their way of getting more information about the Omatikaya since you were accepted into the clan along with Jake.
Not that you would ever spill anything.
It was supposed to be simple like all the other times.
You flew to home base, thanks to Trudy, at dusk and you were supposed to fly back early morning after breakfast. A lot of the times Jake tagged along for his not-so-secret talks with Quaritch, but this time it was just you and Trudy. You did what you normally did in the morning and got in line for some breakfast in the mess hall. That way, you could hop back into your link unit and start training with Tsu'tey as soon as you got back to Site 26.
And yet, when Lyle got behind you and started making gross comments about your body, you knew the day would start bad.
You tried to ignore him. You really tried. But the second you felt his hand touch your hip–almost too low to really be considered your hip–you turned around and slapped him hard. And well, he did not like that one bit. One second you both were standing and in the next you were both rolling on the floor trying to land hits where you could. You aren't a great fighter in your human body–you certainly took your licks from Lyle–but you took the knowledge Tsu'tey bestowed unto you and put him in his place. You were pulled off him with your own wounds. Your forehead had a nasty bump and cut, your nose was aching and likely a bloody mess, and you were struggling to get air into your lungs. But the look of humiliation on Lyle's was well worth it, especially when his comrades started joking at his expense. He lost to a science nerd.
You were cleared to head back to Site 26 but not for the unit link. You now sat beside Trudy as she flew back towards the Hallelujah Mountains with your arms crossed over your chest as you looked out the windows. The lush scenery and vibrant flora and fauna make you mourn for an Earth you weren't even alive to experience. Your face is starting to throb even with the painkillers they gave you and the bright light is making you wince.
“We're almost back and you can rest.” Trudy tries to comfort you as she flies into the vortex.
“The sooner I can get into the link unit the better.” You mumble before closing your eyes.
“Should you be driving your avatar with a concussion?”
“I don't see why not.”
You crack open your eyes and you see the concerned glance Trudy gives you before she continues on flying through the clouds.
When she lands, you slip on the oxygen mask and wince as the sealed edge rubs against the cut on your temple. You take a few seconds longer to get out of your seat and out of the rotorcraft. The pain in your hip and leg feel worse and you try not to limp too much as Trudy and you make your way into the station, taking off your mask once it was safe. You hope the others are already in their unit links so you can get in but when you get into the residential part of the station you see Jake, Grace, and Norm finishing up their own breakfasts.
Immediately Norm is getting up and stands right in front of you with a look of concern. Both Grace and Jake look pissed off as they see the bruising on your face.
“What the hell happened?” Jake asks, his hand clenching his water cup.
“Lyle was being Lyle.” You shrug your shoulders and look away awkwardly. You hated when people got concerned for you. “But he got handsy and I slapped him. Next thing I knew he slammed me onto the ground.”
“You guys should have seen them.” Trudy smirks as she looks down at your bruised knuckles. “They really knocked the shit out of Lyle. It took two guys to pull our friend here off that jarhead.”
“Trust me. It looks worse than it feels.” You try to push past Norm so you can get to your unit link but Grace’s voice stops you.
“So that’s why I got a message from Dr. Langley telling me about your concussion and that you can’t connect with your avatar for the day.”
“He simply advised against it-”
Grace says your name in an almost motherly tone as she looks you over.“I know you are dedicated to this as much as the rest of us, but going into a unit link with a head injury is risky.”
“But my training with Tsu’tey… the Omatikaya.”
“We’ll tell them what happened and I am sure they will understand.” Norm tries to reassure you.
“Besides, you could kick Tsu’tey’s tail and he’d give you a smile and say it was okay. He's soft on you.” Jake teasingly grins to which you roll your eyes at. “I’m sure he’ll be fine if you miss a day. You’re already doing good for your iknimaya.”
You sigh softly. They were all right. But you didn’t like having to limit yourself… However, you know from your own experiences not to overdo something. You could finally find time to read that old book you’ve been wanting to start or maybe catch up on some sleep. Still, you would be lying if you said you wouldn’t miss being a part of clan life.
“Alright, I’ll take it easy today.”
—
Tsu’tey’s tail flicks almost anxiously as he waits for you to rise from your snonivi for today’s training. Occasionally you mention your human body must return to the place the humans call ‘Hell's Gate' for your health. At first, when you were assigned to him by the Tsahìk and the Olo'eyktan, he scoffed at the notion. While Eywa may have spared you those many moons ago, he didn't think you or Jakesully were worthy of being with the people.
And yet as he (reluctantly) taught you the ways of the Omatikaya, he found himself more at ease in your presence. You weren't a fast learner but he could see that you cared about his lessons. You are determined and always excited for the next day. And when he was busy learning under Eytukan, he would always find you learning about the people elsewhere. Plenty of times he would finish his task and see you elbows deep in a batch of dye or weaving and listening to stories from the elders. You were always learning and never were you taking.
So the fact that you haven’t returned to the people in that dreamwalker body of yours, even if it's the day of your travels, concerns him more than he would like to admit.
His ears flick when he hears footsteps approaching and he feels hope it's you. But his face falls when he sees Jakesully, Grace, and the one called Norm. You weren't with any of them. They each greet him softly and he returns the gesture before speaking.
“Where is my student?” He asks, his tail flicking anxiously despite his attempts to still it.
“They got in a fight back in Hell's Gate.” Jake answers first and bluntly.
“A fight with another human?” Tsu'tey can't help how his ears pin back at the thought. “They are too hurt to be here?”
“They were just defending themselves from one of the soldiers. He grabbed them without their permission and they hit him. Their head got pretty banged up so they can't be in their avatar for just today.” Grace explains. Her language is a lot more advanced than Jakesully's, even if it's hard to follow the explanation. Humans like Grace and Norm always had an overly complicated way of saying and doing things. “They need to rest. Their head is pretty bruised.”
Tsu’tey processes her explanation and his mind turns to anger at the thought of you being hurt in any capacity. His tail twitches as his eyes search the ground for something. He parts his lips but then takes a deep breath. “I will speak with Mo'at and then I will go see my student.”
All three of the dreamwalkers before him looked surprised, but he didn't stay any longer. He will see if any of the healing poultices would be okay for a human. He finds Tsahìk and she gives him something for bruises that will be safe for a human's skin. His body is on autopilot as he makes his way to where the ikran typically rested and called for his.
It wasn't until he was in the air making his way to where you are did he realize he would be truly seeing you. Not you in your dreamwalker body that looked so much like the Na'vi yet so strange at the same time, but actually you. Would he regret seeing you as the human you were? Would it shatter any illusions he may have built up since he has only seen you in that false body?
Tsu’tey shakes his head when he hears his ikran’s screech. It will all be fine, he reassures himself. Humans were strange looking things, but you wouldn’t be. You would be you.
He can see the metal buildings come into view and he has his ikran fly a little faster to get there. His mount lands with a dull thump and a loud screech before he slides up and disconnects tsaheylu, the leaf with the poultice still secure in his hand. Already he can see you in the window and when your head pops up from whatever you were staring at, you look surprised to see him.
Tsu’tey watches with amusement as you scramble up from your spot and out of view. His tail flicks impatiently to the side and he is half tempted to go in to you, even if he will have to crouch and crawl through the small structure. When his already thin patience wears out and he starts to walk towards the door, you appear with one of those masks over your face. You smile at him, which makes his heart flutter strangely in his chest, but then he spots the bruises.
Tsu’tey’s ears pin back in anger.
When you stand before him, he kneels down to be more at level with you. Even then, you are so small compared to him.
“I see you, little dream walker.” Tsu’tey cannot help but tease you.
“I see you, Tsu’tey.” You have a playful glare on that strange face of yours, but he finds himself liking it. The only human face he likes. “What are you doing here?”
“Grace and Jakesully told me about what happened. I came to see you and give you this.” He unwraps the large leaf and shows you the slick, translucent poultice that has hints of purple in it. He quickly folds the leaf again. “Mo’at says this is safe for your skin. It will help heal those bruises.”
“Oh, Tsu’tey…You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did not have to. But I wanted to.” He speaks matter-of-factly. “Do you want me to come inside so I can apply the poultice or should you hold your breath?”
“I can do it myself.”
“I am sure you can, but let me take care of my student.” His tail flicks as he stares down at you. He knows you can do it yourself, but he wants to be the one to soothe your injuries and take care of you properly. He wants to provide for you.
He shakes that thought away.
“It’ll be easier for me to be inside. I can’t hold my breath long out here.”
“Then we shall go inside.” He gestures for you to lead the way and he follows. His head tilts at the slight limp in your walk that he didn’t notice when you came out. His gaze hardens and he will find out the name of the human who harmed you and tear him limb from limb.
Tsu’tey has to crouch and crawl like he predicted, and sits awkwardly on the cold metal floor. Unlike humans with the air outside, he can tolerate their air for much longer. He watches you unblinkingly as you place your mask where others hang before you approach him. His body stills and his breath catches when you stand between his barely parted legs, his ears and tail not making a single move.
He should not be feeling like this towards a dream walker, let alone one in its human body. Yet, the human before him is you.
He slowly unravels the leaf once more and before he dips his fingers into the poultice, he reaches out to your face. Tsu’tey’s touch is surprisingly gentle as he feels your soft skin, his golden eyes scanning over every little detail of you to commit to memory.
“It may sting.”
“You said Mo’at said it was safe.”
“It is. Does not mean it will not sting. Now step closer.”
You huff a little but do as he says. He dips two of his fingers into the poultice, gathering enough on his fingertips, before he starts to coat the bruise at your temple. He sees you wince and lets out a soft coo to soothe you.
“It does sting.” You mumble as he rubs it in as gently as he can. His hand is so large compared to your face and it makes his chest tighten. He realizes he likes you both in your false body and this one. Maybe something more affectionate than just like, but he isn’t sure he can admit that just yet.
“So tiny. So fragile.” He murmurs as he dresses the bruising along the bridge of your nose and under your eyes.
“This tiny, fragile human beat a marine in a fight though.”
His tail thumps against the ground. “What happened?”
“Didn’t Grace and the other two tell you?”
“Yes. But I want to hear it from you.”
You sigh and look away from him for a moment. He can’t help but use his free hand to gently pinch your chin and turn your face back to him. You shift in your spot and wince a little, favoring your right leg over the other.
“Do you have more injuries?” His ears pin back as he looks you over.
“None from what happened today. I…” Your voice trails off.
“Speak. You can tell me.” He can see you hesitate for a few moments before you start to speak again.
“I have a few health issues…got them before I came here.” You admit in a murmur. “Got in a bad accident, didn’t have the money or insurance to get decent care so I’m left with a bad leg and damaged lungs. The incident today just exacerbated my already existing problems.”
Tsu’tey doesn’t quite understand what insurance is or why money would be a part of care, but he knows it prohibited you from being treated properly. “Tell me about today.”
You huff again, “Lyle got handsy with me. He touched right below my hip on my ass. Sorry.” Your apology over your crass language makes him snort. “So I slapped him and he didn’t like that. He grabbed my shirt and slammed down on the ground. I remember our training for situations like that and brought him down with me. I was able to get a few punches in and then got on top to land a few more before his buddies pulled me off him.”
“I am proud my student won. I just wish I was there to see it myself.” And to kill that skxawng. “But, I am sorry he touched you when and where you did not want it.”
“Thanks.”
There is a pause between you both.
“Today, I was planning on training you while you are in the form. But your injuries and what you have told me about your health, I think flying will be enough.”
“Tsu’tey, I’m not weak like this. Even with a bad leg I can still do stuff.”
“I do not doubt that, little dream walker.” He is quick to reassure you, because the last thing he wants is for you to think he views you differently. “But, you are hurt from that skxawng and it is okay not to push yourself when you are hurt.”
“You won’t judge me for it?”
Tsu’tey ‘tsks’ and looks perturbed at the mere thought. He answers you simply, “No.”
“Just like that?”
“Why would you be judged for something you cannot help? Rotsu’s leg broke and it did not heal correctly. We do not push him outside of what he can do and he is not judged for that. Why would I do the same to you?”
“I just hate…feeling weak.”
“It is not weak to admit your limits. You do what you can. That is good enough.” He swipes away a thick patch of the poultice that got on your non-bruised skin and wipes it on a sweater hanging off a chair. He shifts in his spot and moves to the exit. “Come. Do you want to fly or not, little dream walker?”
He can’t hold off the small smile that appears on his lips as he watches you practically scramble for a mask, but when Tsu’tey sees pain flash across your face and your left leg slightly buckle, he is quick to get on his knees and lunge forward. His arm wraps around your waist and he can feel your little, five-fingered hands grip onto his forearm.
“Sorry. I'm a little excited.” You chuckle with a wince. He keeps his arm around you longer than it should be before he cautiously pulls away.
“I see that. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a pain flare up from today and–you know–lingering issues.” You huff and take a few steps to where the masks are instead of running. His eyes linger on your form before he leaves the small building, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air. And as he watches you slowly come out after him with that mask on your face, he feels his features soften as you join him.
“I am sure you can handle it, but if you need help, I am here, little dream walker.”
- - - -
You find yourself holding onto Tsu’tey’s arm as you both approach his ikran. The dangerous creature blinks at you and seems to startle, making you stop for a moment.
“It is okay.” The Na’vi murmurs and holds out his palm; the ikran starts to calm almost immediately. He brings you in closer and uses his free hand to connect tsaheylu. “Is it okay to lift you?”
“Yeah, yeah. Of course.” Tsu’tey shifts behind you and you feel his hands wrap around your waist. Your face flushes with heat at how easily his arm wraps around you and lifts you up against his chest as he mounts the ikran with you in front of him. You’re tucked securely against him with little to no room between you both. “What do I hold on to?”
“Do not worry. I will hold you.” You can feel his chest rumble as he speaks. You hear him shout and ikran pushes off the rocky surface, diving down at a fast pace. Your stomach feels like it lurches up into your throat. Your hands scramble and you find purchase on his arm around your waist and the saddle. You squeeze your eyes shut and fight back the urge to scream.
You jerk back into Tsu’tey with a soft grunt as the flight levels out into a much more manageable glide.
“Sorry, little dream walker. I was excited to fly with you, making him excited.” Tsu’tey chuckles and he briefly lets go of his hold on his ikran to give your head a gentle pat.
You take in a deep breath of air your mask gives you as you will yourself to relax back and open your eyes. The sight was more beautiful than ever. Even if you’ve been Trudy’s rotocraft passenger for however long, this is just different. The air glides past your skin and Tsu’tey is able to get you closer to the floating rock formations than an RDA craft could ever.
“This is amazing.” You stare in awe as he takes you down lower towards the vast jungles. “Feels so free up here.”
“I prefer being on pa’li but yes, this is freeing.” He shifts you tighter against him as he has his ikran tilt a little in the air, soaring in a different direction. His body feels so warm against your back. “I am glad you like it, little dream walker.”
“Makes me excited for my iknimaya.” You giggle softly and feel Tsu’tey tense slightly behind you.
“You have made good progress. Just a little more and then you can get your own ikran. You are…good student to have.”
You smile at his compliment and the warmth it brings in your chest.
You spend as long as you both can simply flying through the air and landing in small alcoves or in spots hard to get to by pa’li or foot. You would spend all day out if you could, but the air levels in your exopack and the growing ache in your leg has Tsu’tey unfortunately bringing you back to site 26.
He lands his ikran as gently as he could before sliding off with you in his grasp. He places you back on your feet and makes no indication he minds that you hold onto his arm for support.
“Let's get you back inside so you can rest.” He murmurs and helps you walk up to the door. “I left the poultice inside. Try putting it where it hurts most for your leg. It may ease the ache. I will ask Mo’at for different ones for you.”
“Oh you don’t have-”
He shushes you with a soft hiss. “You are a part of the people now. We will take care of you. I will make sure of it.”
“Thank you.” You turn to face him before you enter the building.
“No thanks. Just rest for me.” His hand cups the side of your head for a brief moment and it makes you freeze for a moment. His touch lingers before his hand drops to his side. Tsu’tey gives you a tense nod of his head before he stalks off back to his ikran. Your exopack beeps at you and you're quick to get back inside and to the window, where you watch him take off into the sky, unable to see the faint purple dusting his cheeks.
You go to a more private spot in the station and rub some of the poultice on your hip and around your knee. You don’t feel the same relief as you did when it was applied to your bruises, but it did take the edge off the ache. You redress and go to lay down in your bunk for a nap.
You can’t stop the smile on your face from the day you had, and you feel a little closer to Tsu’tey now that he got to truly see you.
