Quarjaytiri but when Q comes back as a Recom he's trying SO fucking hard not to blow his cover and the fact he was 'definitely not' fucking Jaytiri before everything went to shit.
Quaritch: She'll head this way, it's where 'x' grows.
Spider: How do you know Neytiri likes 'x'?
Quaritch:
--
Spider watching Quaritch weaving a cord: ... Who taught you that?
Quaritch: My old sergeant.
Spider looking at a very Na'vi-specific weaving style: Hm.
Spider firmly: That's an archer's cord weave.
Quaritch stiffly: No, it's for making gun slings.
Lyle's unhelpful ass: You boss, where you learn that? I ain't never seen nothing like that before.
Spider:
Quaritch covering: Lyle, it's not my fault you're a dumbass!
Jake identifies Quaritch's scent after Tonowari alerted him to a theft. He decides it's best for him to seek out Quaritch To either kill him, or make him see.
(2,000+ words)
Jake leans low. His nose nearly grazes the floor. He's sniffing at thickly woven mats. Three of them, piled atop messy woven flooring. A new scent has been left in the area, and the people expected him to identify it. His tail arches as he pads forward on his hands. His knees are digging into the floor.
"And this will solve your dilemma?" Tonowari asks carefully. His voice was heavy, aged with grief.
Neytiri responds, voice carrying softly for the other's sake. "Ma' Jake has the best nose when it comes to Skypeople things. If it is them or their allies, Ma' Jake will know the scent."
Tonowari gives her a short hum in return. A simple note showing he'd heard her. Jake can't blame the man's doubts. Reef Na'vi didn't have as strong noses as Forest Na'vi. There's also one troubling detail about this smell.
"It's like the Colonel's-" Jake begins. He sits back, turning his head to face his wife and the worried clan leader. "-But it's different from anyother time I've caught his scent."
Tonowari tenses, posture rising as he prepares himself. Neytiri's tail flicks angrily, her brows glaring at the pile of mats.
"It's softer…" Jake starts to ramble. He leans forward again, letting his nose touch the mat as he sniffs again. Many tiny sniffles fill the air between him and the floor. His vision was full of the skilled weaving of the Reef Na'vi. "Not weakly or faintly. It's more calm, nervous at worst."
"He must have been afraid for his life, stealing from under our feet." Tonowari drones. His tone was as stiff as his posture.
"No," Jake notes. He tugs at a mat, peeling it off the pile. He sniffs at the next one down. "The Colonel is too confident and prideful for that. Something else is going on…"
"Perhaps he's desperate for food." Neytiri offers.
Jake turns to her, his ears perked. At his attentive silence, she continues.
"I doubt Varang and her people taught him to forage. He only has what he would have learned from them or his human life… theft and ticks." Neytiri's voice snarled the name of the woman who nearly took her life. All of their lives.
"It's possible." Jake sits up again. He works his way onto his feet, brushing off his knees. He raises his eyes, glancing between Neytiri and Tonowari. "I didn't know shit from crap until Neytiri taught me to forage."
Neytiri nods thoughtfully, a faint smile crossing her lips. Happier times. Tonowari might lack the memories Jake shares with Neytiri– but the weak smile that crosses his face for a moment shows he understands.
Despite his joke, which made light of the situation. It's hard not to see how hopeless humans were at making food on Pandora. Many times, stragglers from the great battle have been found, starved on small atolls or nearby islands. They never lasted long. Sick because of what they'd eaten so far. Clueless that most Pandora flora was toxic to them. Add on injuries from the battle? Jake can still morbidly recall when they'd found one man's body, his decaying body spilled open with half-digested critters. Jake can remember when he used to be so desperate. Most humans nowadays only know food when it's pre-packaged.
"If he is responsible for food theft, we can't ignore this. After our battle, some have gone to bed hungry." Tonowari urges. His gaze is firm as he nods to Jake.
Jake returns the motion, then draws in a breath. He considers keeping his thoughts to himself. He glances at Neytiri, offering a knowing look. One of the slight begging. Her smile sours, and her eyes harden. Still, she gives Jake a reluctant nod. Jake looks to Tonowari. The leader is uneasy after seeing the exchange. He knows something big is about to be asked.
"Spider and I have tried pushing Quaritch toward Ewya," Jake nods low. Submissive to his clan leader. "Even in the city, I saw real consideration in his eyes. Then came the time when he threw himself into the flux-"
"I will not take that man into my clan." Tonowari interrupts. There is no bite, no hiss. Just a firm end of Jake's turn to speak.
Jake breathes a tense breath as he shakes his head. He shrugs weakly, motioning helplessly with his hands. "That's not what I want to ask."
"Then what do you ask? For me to allow him onto our reef?" Tonowari groans. It's less firm, but no more agreeable.
"If I send him to the forest to learn to see, I can't ensure he does." Jake flatly says. "I know the clan has been avoiding the places the human bodies and things have been washing up… He'd be out of the way. If he has his Ikran, I can even bring it here and bind it, so he can't leave."
"Or draw closer…" Tonowari notes.
Jake nods. "Otherwise, he's just loose out there. Maybe learning to see… Or maybe falling into the habits Varang taught him. I know which one I prefer."
"This man…" Tonowari grimaces, grinding his teeth. "He has taken more from us than mere meals. Homes, lives. Can you be so sure he can learn to be among Ewya's children?"
"If he can't, he'll be killed." Neytiri adds.
Tonowari looks to her, sadness in his eyes. The look of a man who has just lost a little more hope. His two closest confidantes had hidden conversations from him. "You two have spoken about this before."
"We have." Neytiri turns her eyes to the floor. Guilty even as she refuses to lie or backtrack on the idea. So firm, so brave. The woman Jake falls in love with over and over. "When I raised my bow at him in the flux… I did not see the demon that took my home. I saw a wounded animal. Limping after its lost child. A father."
Neytiri swallowed harshly. She shuts her eyes, shaking her head before sucking in a sniveling breath. She raised her gaze again, meeting Tonowari's gaze. Both of their eyes were red around the edges.
"I do not understand what that man is. And I have given up trying!" A humorless huff escapes her, and a tired smile lasts for a second. Then, her guilty eyes return. "Whatever he is? It is for Ewya to choose."
Jake steps closer to Neytiri, his heart aching as her voice begins to crack. She leans into Jake, taking his embrace as he lays his head against hers. She's weepy as she continues. "I… I can't allow him to hold more of my mind. I can't lose myself to wrath again. My children need me. My people need me."
"I understand," Tonowari says. His eyes were downcast. They have all been picking up the pieces after the battle. Licking their wounds, mending their broken hearts. And most importantly, caring for their children. As a father himself, Tonowari needs no further explanation. He knows the fear Jake and Neytiri carry. The hidden terror that the man might return in ash colors, seeking revenge and blood. Tonowari keeps his head low, looking to the parents under his brow. "Something must be made of this demon. A Na'vi… or another corpse."
Jake nods, fingers interwining with Neytiri's.
"Just another day with my family… And I'll find him." Jake softly offers. His throat is tight. His eyes were edged with unshed tears. "I'll make sure that whatever he becomes isn't a threat to our people."
Tonowari slowly nods, relenting. "I trust in you, Jakesully. Toruk Makto."
It's with that Tonowari leaves them. Stepping away and out of the shell-curtain doorway of the home. His shadow passes the walls as he makes his way to the center of the village. Jake's hands hold Neytiri tighter, his eyes shutting as he buries his nose in her hair. Despite their time out here, she still smells like the forest. He noses into her hair, passing his chin over her braids. She nods upwards into the touch. Another sniffle leaves her nose.
"Promise me you will return, Ma' Jake," Neytiri says. She never begs, not with Jake. Not with anyone. Her words dangerously draw close to it now. Jake pushes it away, kissing her forehead.
"I swear, baby," Jake answers her with his whole heart.
---
Jake twists his knife against the hard shell. Scraping the round meat of the shellfish free of the body. One of Jake's ears flicks as the seabreeze pushes his hair across it. He leans forward while lifting his hands. The knife was tucked under the round shell. The fresh shellfish meat is soft on his lips. He sucks it into his mouth, tongue fattening on it as he begins to chew. Jake takes his time, savoring the natural salt and fishy flavors in his mouth. His eyes half open as he rubs a thumb over the shell, cleaning it. His cheeks pudge as he takes a swallow. The raw shellfish meat settles nicely in Jake's gut. Far more welcoming than raw red meat would be. He sighs through his nose, soft sadness flowing through him. His gaze wanders, looking past his messy hair that's crusted with seasalt. The horizon stretches on forever, and Jake feels helpless against it.
"What are you thinking of, Daddy?" Tuktirey asks innocently.
Jake blinks, remembering where he is. He felt the floor below him. The home around him. He fits a smile on his face as he turns to his youngest daughter. She lies on her belly, her feet wiggling in the air behind her. She's looking up at him, eyes still brimming with hope despite it all.
"Nothing, Tuk," Jake tells her.
It's the truth. Jake had lost his train of thought hours ago. Pushing it down to savor the homely moment. Still, his daughter does not believe him. She stares at him, wondering. Her feet stop wiggling, her tail quits shifting. Tuktirey blinks up at him, a morbid understanding in her eyes. Ewya… Jake feels terrible to see it.
"Do I have to go to the cove, Daddy?" Tuktiery asks. Her hands were tightening around her Ikran toy.
"No, no…" Jake reaches for her. Placing his knife and the shell onto the woven floor of their home.
Tuktiery never turns down the chance at a hug, especially not after the battle in the cove. She pads onto her knees, hobbling over as Jake wraps an arm around her. Her arms feel so small against him. Another reminder that she shouldn't have seen everything she's witnessed. The deaths. The agony. The things she's survived. It's nothing for a child to bear.
"You don't have to hide, Tuk. Everything is okay." Jake pulls her tight, dropping his head onto hers. Tuk hugs him tighter, and he returns the favor. Jake mutters his next words. "I just… Have to do something scary soon."
"Will you come back?" Tuktiery asks into his chest guard. Her voice was weepy and worried.
"Of course I will, Sullys stick together, don't they?" Jake prompted her, forcing a smile on his face and into his voice. His expression falters as Tuktiery doesn't parrot the phrase back to him. He sets a hand on her shoulder, pulling them apart. Jake sets his eyes on her face, and his heart breaks.
She looks at him. Doubt in her eyes. Her lip pouts as she sucks in a small sniffle. Jake melts, petting a hand across her hair. He leans to her level, tucking his head over her shoulder. He pulls her into a tight, nearly crushing hug. Her arms cage his throat, squeezing with all their might. A desperate hold. One who wishes he won't leave.
"Oh, Tuk…" Jake mutters softly.
"Do you have too?" Tuktiery finally manages to ask. Her voice is cracking as she tries not to cry. She's trying to stay strong.
"I do, Tuk," Jake says, as if offering an apology. Guilt layers his words. "If I don't go, then I can't make sure you and everyone else are safe here."
Jake can tell she swallows her protests. Resisting the urge to beg him to stay. She's growing up fast. Too fast. She shouldn't need to be so strong. Understanding the danger in which he needs to chase away.
Jake keeps his arms around Tuktiery as he hears someone draw closer. He feels the warm hand of Neytiri settle onto his shoulder. He watches as she sits next to him. She nudges her head against Tuktiery's. The silent comfort was accepted immediately. Jake smiles softly as Tuktiery leaves him, quickly crawling into her mother's lap. Neytiri stares into the distance as Tuktiery takes comfort in her arms.
Then, with feather-soft words, Neytiri speaks. Her message feels hard as stone. "Your father will return, Tuk. He has survived worse."
Neytiri's eyes focus as she turns to Jake. She pecks a kiss into Tuk's hair before addressing him. "Lo'ak is still with Payakan at the moment. But Kiri and Spider should be back shortly. Try not to worry them too much, Ma Jake."
"I'll do my best," Jake answers, his ears drooping. He leans toward the pair before him. He pecks a kiss on Tuktiery's hair before giving Neytiri a quick kiss and nuzzle.
With that, he stands. He swallows the urge to stay inside the home. The Marui he's grown so bound to. But there are more important things to visit than this home. Tuktiery isn't his only child. He wants to see them all before he leaves, just in case. He fills his lungs with a tense breath as he leaves the shelter. He pushes past the curtained doorway, stepping onto the woven walkways of Awa'atlu. The flexing path carries him as he heads toward the interior of the island. Where Kiri and Spider are likely returning from. The people of the village bow their heads as he passes.
Dunno if this went through the first time so here is my prompt again! Sorry!
Jake x Neytiri x Quaritch Prompt: After everything that happened and losing Neteyem, Jake and Neytiri's bond is on the verge of full collapse. A desperate Jake turns to Eywa for any kind of answer and is stunned when the Great Mother shows him that none other than Miles Quaritch is the key to him and Neytiri's bond surviving. Neytiri is horrified at first but when Eywa shows her the truth too, she and Jake finally get on the same page, and then get about tracking down the man they need. Quaritch is fuming and wanting revenge, but also feels this deep, confusing sense of yearning for both Mr. and Mrs. Sully. Jake and Neytiri set up a trap for Quaritch, which he falls for and they abscond with the man who can no longer be their enemy. The three of them try to kill each other several times before Jake and Neytiri finally get Miles to LISTEN and see the possibility before him, or love and family rather than loneliness and lapdogging for the RDA. Will Quaritch make the choice? What does it mean for the Sully family?
It sent 3 times including this one :,3
This is wonderful! A real chaos of love and fate <3
A random detail from my dream last night is that Quarjaytiri is not canon, but instead gets a spin-off comic, and a lot of people are mad. The cover was jaytiri looking annoyed as Quaritch invited himself into the cuddle pile with a. big smile. real sitcom energy ngl.
