Mar 22
texting dtk !!
content: dtk spells like he has grammarly, unfunny boo dont laugh 🍅🍅, ooc, they act like they hate each other, they dont
second post 🥹🥹 reposts and comments are appreciated!! ♡︎ requests are opennn
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from T1
seen from Germany
seen from China
seen from T1
seen from Yemen
seen from Malaysia
seen from T1
seen from Austria
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Türkiye
seen from Malaysia
seen from Morocco
seen from Indonesia
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Türkiye
seen from T1
seen from T1
seen from China
texting dtk !!
content: dtk spells like he has grammarly, unfunny boo dont laugh 🍅🍅, ooc, they act like they hate each other, they dont
second post 🥹🥹 reposts and comments are appreciated!! ♡︎ requests are opennn
a little something (im not sure what)
a’n: i have absolutely no idea where i want this to go, im not even sure if i wanna continue this into smth but if you have an ideas/suggestions or maybe a starter plot; im all ears.
Spencer Reid. The man who can read 20,000 words per minute, has an IQ of 187, an eidetic memory, and also pulls everybody and their mother.
You. The weird, inexplicable, strange, “quiet-kid-in-the-back-of-the-classroom-who-always-got-pulled-from-the-counselor” type of vibe. There’s always been a stark contrast between the both of you, but there was also many similarities. Like how you two never had friends. School was merely an illusion to you, one where you were neither bullied nor noticed. It was like you just belonged in the corner. So when you climbed yourself upon the BAU, it was weird to finally be noticed.
LOG 1: 1/06/09
You always took your coffee black, with a few dosages of sugar but always black. It’s been that way ever since you took that first sip on that overwhelming middle school night where you couldn’t find X. Most people wouldn’t guess black, they’d guess 5 pumps of caramel and milk with a teaspoon of coffee. Maybe that seemed more you but you never knew. Arriving at the BAU was already a high energy boost; you didn’t need the coffee. Your hands fidgeted with the other and the box of papers and randoms tools cluttered and clacked with each step you took. Your black Mary Jane’s wielding the door slightly open so you could politely push yourself in.
The bullpen was loud, chaotic, with secretary’s rummaging through papers and pacing back and forth, about 9-10 cops sat looking through case files, and yet not a profiler in sight. You looked around and spotted a glass room with a brown round table surrounded by maybe 6 agents, and thankfully, your boss, Hotchner. Your eyes darted, unsure of what to do, so you mentally picked yourself up and fixed your posture. Bringing yourself over to the big brown door and knocking twice. You heard some murmuring and Hotchner opened the door and greeted you, “Welcome our new agent, Reverie.” Everyone waved and perked up in some way, somewhat awkward yet intrigued. “I’m agent Reverie, or just Reader..” You said plain but at least you didn’t stutter yourself into a frenzy of teasing laughter. “Let’s speed it up, that’s Reid, Morgan, Garcia, Jareau, Prentiss, and Gideon. JJ, give her a rundown on our upcoming case.”
chapter one: the annoying boy
content: readers lwk a bit rude but i promise shes a kind girl 🥹, forced proximity, one-sided enemies to lovers, childish rivarly, stubborn reader
the metkayina village was never truly quiet, not even at night. children raced across the woven walkways while their laughter carried over the water. ilu chirped from beneath the docks, and conversations drifted between families long after the sun had set
today was no different from the others. except it was. heavily.
you heard the muffled voices of people gathering up and pointing something out. clearly it was something to worry about since even chief came out.
you and tsireya were foraging for pretty shells found on the bioluminescent coral. tsireya had taken a breath, quickly diving back down to you.
“come back up!” she excitedly signed. her smile elucidating her face.
you’re eyebrow raised, the space between them clenching to show your confusion.
“hurry!” she practically jumped with joy, swimming back up with quick ease.
you had no idea what she had to be so excited about. so to figure out, you swam back up with her, clenching your shells in your right arm.
you took a deep breath as your rise out of the water, slapping (more-so tapping) tsireya’s arm.
“reya, what is so special?” you rolled your eyes, a bit upset that your reserved shell-finding time was interrupted by whatever caught tsireya’s eye. she yanked her hand, using it to point on the shore. giant ikran’s glided onto the sand, maybe about 6 riders mounting them. “what the fuck?” you thought out loud. “come on, my dad’s there so it has to be important!” she exclaimed and dived back in, how sweet of her but you personally had no idea why she was so happy about outsiders arriving.
when you two swam up onto the shore, tsireya stood out, pushing her hair back, she was beautiful but too humble to think so. you felt like a stupid looking ilu compared to her.
your attention drifted across the newcomers.
one boy stood slightly apart from the others.
he was looking everywhere at once, taking in the village with poorly disguised curiosity.
and when his eyes met yours—he didn't look away.
“hey..” that same boy greeted tsireya. she giggled and tucked her hair behind her ear. you faked gagged and she nudged you. “i don’t know why your taste in men is so bad, i definitely could never.” you sighed, a bit cocky.
“reader, it was just a wave,” she sighed. “yeah and you two might as-well got it down in front of your dad,” you teased, knowing you were pushing her buttons. “reader!” she grimaced. “i’m just playing around, tsi.” you both walked up to roxto and aonung, who were having fun ridiculing the newcomers. “is that supposed to be a tail?” roxto laughed at his own joke while aonung grinned. “do not, roxto! aonung.” tsireya fussed.
“you two are so nosy, worry about your own problems instead of others. maybe like the manbun, aonung.” you lectured, giving him a pat on the head. your ears twitched after you heard a snicker, maybe from one of the boys there. “hey! nothing is wrong with my man bun!” he whined.
your attention drifted back to the visitors. they looked exhausted. the man at the front stood tall despite it, his gaze sweeping across the village as if assessing every possible threat. beside him stood a woman whose expression remained unreadable. even from a distance, there was something intimidating about her.
"that's toruk makto," roxto muttered.
you resisted the urge to roll your eyes.
as if anyone did not know that.
“and you think to ridicule his children. such smart brains, skxawngs.” you rolled your eyes. your gaze shifted to the children instead. one of the boys stood straight, shoulders squared despite the long journey. another seemed incapable of standing still, his eyes wandering across the village with poorly hidden curiosity.
you frowned.
he was staring.
not at anyone in particular. at everything.
the walkways. the reefs. the villagers.
the ilu swimming beneath the docks.
for someone who had just arrived, he looked remarkably curious.
“lo’ak’s tail is too short, matter of fact, the kids all look different.” aonung bargained.
"which one is lo'ak?" you asked.
aonung pointed immediately. “that one."
of course. somehow, you had already known. “he looks annoying." tsireya shot you a look. “you have not even spoken to him."
"i do not need to."
aonung barked out a laugh. “for once, i agree with her."
as if sensing your attention, the boy glanced over. your eyes met for the briefest moment.
then he smiled. you immediately disliked him. looking back, there was no reason to dislike him. he had smiled.
that was all.
yet somwhow, that smile irritated you.
tonowari raised his voice, speaking over the curious murmurs. "this is the sully family. you will treat them with respect and honor."
you elbowed roxto. “yeah, respect and honor." you rolled your eyes while roxto winced beside you.
a quiet snicker caught your attention.
your gaze flickered toward the family.
lo'ak was grinning. the idiot had overheard.
when he noticed you staring, his grin only widened. you immediately looked away.
“reader, he just laughed at your joke,” tsireya sighs.
“and that was enough for me to want to lunge at him,” you whisper-yell to her.
tsireya stared and felt the need to sigh again.
before tsireya could argue, tonowari's voice rang out once more. "tsireya."
your friend's ears perked up immediately.
"yes, father?"
"you and aonung will help teach the newcomers our way of life." aonung looked less than thrilled. tsireya, on the other hand, brightened instantly. “of course."
ronal nodded toward the group of young sullys. "they must learn our ways if they are to stay here."
you relaxed.
good.
that sounded like tsireya's problem.
"reader."
your relaxation vanished.
slowly, you turned toward the chief.
tonowari looked entirely too amused.
"you will help as well."
"what?"
tsireya covered a laugh. traitor.
"chief, i think there has been a mistake."
"there has not."
you groaned.
from the corner of your eye, you caught lo'ak glancing over.
that stupid grin was back.
you were beginning to think his face was stuck that way.
chapter four : throwing hands
the ocean had a way of pretending nothing happened.
that was its favorite trick.
behind you, the reef swayed gently like it hadn’t just tried to swallow you whole.
like nothing had teeth.
like nothing had looked at you and decided whether you were worth killing.
you hated that. your grip on your ilu’s reins was still tight when tsireya finally broke the silence. “you should both rest,” she signed carefully, glancing between you and lo’ak.
lo’ak didn’t answer right away. he was still looking down at the water beneath him like it might change its mind and reopen.
“i’m fine,” he said eventually. you scoffed immediately. “you almost became fish food.”
he looked at you. then, annoyingly, he smiled. “but i didn’t.” you stared at him.
“that is not comforting.”
tsireya exhaled softly, like she was already tired of both of you.
“we go back,” she signed. “now.”
aonung didn’t move. of course he didn’t.
his eyes were still scanning the water, jaw tight, posture stiff in a way that didn’t match the calm surface around you.
you noticed it.
you always noticed it.
just not what it meant.
lo’ak noticed too.
you saw it in the way his gaze flicked sideways. measured. quiet.
then away again.
“you should stop staring at everything like it owes you something,” aonung said suddenly. lo’ak blinked. “i don’t.”
aonung gave a short, humorless breath.
“you do.” you rolled your eyes.
“can we go before something else tries to eat us? please?”
tsireya nodded quickly and turned her ilu.
you followed.
lo’ak did too.
aonung stayed half a beat behind.
watching.
not the water this time. lo’ak.
lo’ak was still standing in the shallow water, shaking off the last of the salt like he hadn’t just nearly been insulted into another dimension.
aonung, however, wasn’t looking at you anymore.
he was looking at lo’ak.
again.
you noticed it immediately.
unfortunately.
“can we leave?” you asked flatly.
tsireya hesitated.
“we should head back,” she agreed softly.
aonung didn’t move.
lo’ak wiped water from his face, then tilted his head slightly.
“you always stare like that?” he asked.
it wasn’t loud.
it wasn’t even sharp.
but it landed anyway.
aonung’s jaw tightened.
“like what?”
lo’ak shrugged.
“like you’re waiting for me to do something wrong.”
you sighed.
loudly.
“oh my eywa,” you muttered. “it is too early for this.”
aonung finally turned fully toward him.
slow.
measured.
dangerous in a way he probably thought was subtle.
it wasn’t.
“you talk too much for someone who arrived two days ago,” aonung said.
lo’ak nodded once.
like he agreed.
that alone made it worse.
“yeah,” lo’ak said. “you keep saying that.”
aonung blinked.
once.
you could practically feel the shift.
tsireya tensed beside you.
“lo’ak,” she warned softly.
he didn’t look at her.
he was still looking at aonung.
not challenging.
not backing down either.
just… steady. maybe a little challenging..
like he had decided something without telling anyone.
aonung stepped forward in the water slightly.
“you think you understand anything here?”
lo’ak’s ears twitched.
“no,” he said simply. “i think you don’t like me.”
that was it.
no anger.
no bite.
just fact.
aonung’s expression tightened instantly.
“you don’t belong here.”
lo’ak finally glanced away—just briefly—toward the reef behind them.
then back.
“i know.”
that pause was worse than any argument.
because it didn’t sound like defeat.
it sounded like he had already accepted it.
and didn’t care.
you frowned.
that was annoying for a different reason.
aonung clearly didn’t like it either.
his voice dropped.
“then stop acting like you do.”
lo’ak blinked.
then, very quietly—
“i’m not acting.”
silence. again. tsireya looked like she wanted to disappear into the sand.
you didn’t move.
you just stared between them like this was becoming someone else’s problem entirely.
aonung’s hands flexed once in the water.
he was closer now.
too close. and for the first time, lo’ak didn’t smile.
he just watched him back.
steady. waiting. like he wasn’t afraid of what came next.
that was what made aonung’s patience finally crack.
“you think you’re funny,” aonung said low.
lo’ak tilted his head.
“no.”
a beat.
“i think you’re loud.”
that did it. you felt it before it even happened—the shift in the water, the tension snapping tight like a line pulled too far. aonung moved first. lo’ak didn’t step back. tsireya shouted his name. you swore under your breath.
tsireya moved fast.
not panicked.
controlled.
she slid between them before the water could decide to turn violent.
“enough,” she signed sharply.
aonung didn’t look away from lo’ak.
lo’ak finally did.
slowly.
like he had only just remembered there were other people there.
you exhaled through your nose.
“thank eywa,” you muttered. “i thought we were about to start something stupid.”
tsireya shot you a look.
you ignored it.
she turned slightly, forcing the focus back into place.
“we continue training,” she signed.
a beat.
then she pointed.
you.
lo’ak.
again.
of course.
you stared at her.
“no.”
“yes,” tsireya signed immediately.
“absolutely not.”
“yes.”
lo’ak blinked between you both.
“why do i feel like i’m the problem here?” he asked.
you pointed at him instantly.
“you are.”
aonung let out a short laugh behind him.
too quick.
too sharp.
he didn’t look at you when he did it.
that was new.
and irritating.
tsireya ignored all of you.
“you will practice breath control and reef navigation together,” she signed firmly.
you frowned.
“with him?”
lo’ak raised a hand slightly.
“still here.”
“unfortunately,” you replied.
tsireya didn’t budge.
you could tell she was done negotiating.
she gestured once more.
move.
that was it.
no argument after that.
just expectation.
you clicked your tongue and turned your ilu.
lo’ak followed a second later.
too close.
again.
you hated that.
not because he was bad at it.
because he wasn’t.
you glanced back once.
aonung was still standing in place.
watching.
not you.
lo’ak.
his expression didn’t move.
but something in his jaw tightened anyway.
like he’d decided something and didn’t like that he had.
you turned forward again.
“if you slow me down,” you said flatly, “i will leave you here.”
lo’ak hummed.
“you’re very welcoming.”
“i am not.”
“really?” he said, sarcasm filled.
you rolled your eyes.
“focus.”
a pause.
then—
“i am focused.”
you didn’t look at him.
but you definitely heard the smirk.
behind you, just barely visible over the reef line, aonung started following again.
not with you.
with observation.
and this time, it didn’t feel like training anymore.
it felt like he was counting something.
“stay close,” tsireya signed before moving off with aonung.
you didn’t miss the way aonung didn’t take his eyes off lo’ak even as he left.
you exhaled sharply.
“this is already exhausting.”
lo’ak tilted his head slightly.
“we’ve been underwater for like ten minutes.”
“and yet,” you said, “i feel years older.”
he snorted.
it was quick.
almost surprised.
then he looked at you like he hadn’t meant to do it.
you narrowed your eyes.
“what.”
“nothing.”
“you’re smiling.”
“i’m not.”
you stared at him.
he stared back.
then, very slowly, his mouth twitched again.
you sighed.
“you are unbearable.”
“you’re doing most of the talking.”
“because someone has to.”
he hummed like that was fair.
and for a second—annoyingly—it was almost easy.
too easy.
you hated that.
lo’ak shifted forward slightly.
“so what are we actually doing?”
you pointed ahead.
“reef navigation. you follow me. don’t crash into anything.”
“that’s it?”
“that is already difficult for you.”
he pressed a hand to his chest dramatically.
“ouch.”
you glanced at him.
then, before you could stop it—
a smirk slipped out.
small.
accidental.
immediately regrettable.
lo’ak saw it instantly.
“wait,” he said. “did you just—”
“no.”
“you did.”
“no.”
“you definitely did.”
you turned your ilu slightly faster.
“focus.”
behind you, he laughed again.
but it wasn’t loud this time.
it was… lighter.
and somehow that made it worse.
“you’re not as annoying as yesterday,” he added casually.
you froze for half a second.
then immediately snapped your head back.
“that is not a compliment.”
“didn’t say it was.”
you narrowed your eyes.
“try harder.”
he blinked.
then, very seriously—
“you’re still annoying.”
“better.”
you turned forward again.
but your mouth twitched anyway.
you hated that.
ahead, the reef opened into a tighter formation—thin coral pillars, narrow gaps, shifting currents.
perfect for training.
perfect for losing someone.
you slowed slightly.
“stay behind me,” you signed.
lo’ak moved beside you instead.
you looked at him.
he looked back.
“no.”
“that wasn’t a suggestion.”
“i know.”
“…then why are you next to me?”
he shrugged.
“because i can see better here.”
you scoffed.
“you can’t even ride properly yet.”
“i’m doing fine.”
you gestured forward sharply.
“then prove it. follow.”
you pushed your ilu into the first gap.
tight.
narrow.
fast-moving current pulling sideways.
you didn’t hesitate.
you never did.
then—
splash behind you.
not panic. not chaos. just movement. you glanced back immediately.
lo’ak was still there.
just slightly off your line.
adjusting.
correcting.
then matching you.
perfectly.
you frowned.
he wasn’t supposed to do that.
you moved into the second gap—harder angle, sharper coral turn.
he followed again.
clean.
too clean.
you clicked your tongue.
“stop copying me.”
“you’re leading.”
“and ur annoying,” you rolled your eyes.
tuk found you like she always did—without effort, like she had decided you belonged in her path.
“come,” she said simply.
you looked down at her.
“no.”
tuk blinked. “yes.”
you sighed.
“…fine. where.”
“kiri,” she said, like that explained everything.
it didn’t. not really. but the way she said it wasn’t demanding, just certain, so you followed anyway.
the water was calm where she led you.
quieter than the rest of the village, shallow light spilling across the reef in soft, wavering lines.
and there she was.
kiri.
floating.
not swimming, not training, just resting beneath the surface like she belonged to it in a way the rest of the world didn’t quite understand. you glanced at kiri, then down at the water she was resting in.
tuk tapped kiri gently and kiri sat back up. “kiri, this is reader, reader this is kiri!” tuk exclaimed. “hey,” you nodded nonchalantly to kiri with a soft smile. “hi, nice to meet you,” she greeted back.
“you just… lie here?” you asked gently.
kiri’s gaze flicked to you.
“sometimes.”
you nodded once.
“that actually looks kind of nice.”
a pause.
“it is,” she said.
tuk giggled quietly behind you.
you softened a little at that sound.
you looked back at kiri again, curiosity more than judgment.
“doesn’t it get boring?”
kiri shook her head slightly.
“it’s quiet.”
you hummed.
“yeah… i get that.”
there was a small pause after that. not awkward. just… settled.
then kiri added, a little quieter,
“lo’ak says it’s boring.”
you snorted before you could stop yourself.
“of course he does.”
kiri’s mouth twitched faintly.
“he talks a lot,” you said.
“he does,” she agreed.
that earned a small smile from you this time, unforced.
“he’s annoying,” you added.
“yes,” kiri said again, like it was simply fact.
tuk laughed softly.
for a moment, it almost felt easy.
you glanced at kiri again, then down at the water she was floating in.
“well,” you said gently, “it suits you better than it would suit him anyway.”
kiri’s eyes flicked up to you, a little surprised.
then she nodded once.
“i think so too.”
you stepped back slightly.
tuk grabbed your hand again, pulling lightly.
“come!”
you let her lead you away without resistance, giving kiri a small nod before turning.
kiri stayed where she was, drifting again into the water’s calm.
you didn’t hear them at first.
just distant voices, sharp laughter carried over the reef. then a name. kiri’s.
your steps slowed.
tuk slowed too. you both turned.
the sound came again, clearer now.
aonung. you exhaled softly. “…of course.”
you started walking back before tuk even said anything. tuk followed immediately, gripping your hand tighter.
“what happened?” she whispered innocently. “aonung happened,” you said quietly. your voice wasn’t angry yet. just certain. when you reached the edge of the reef, you saw them.
kiri stood on the shore, still not reacting the way they wanted her to. aonung and his friends circled too close, laughing at something she didn’t respond to. that was what made your expression change. not fear. not anger yet. just disappointment.
“hey,” you called. aonung looked over first.
his expression shifted when he saw you.
“this isn’t your business,” he said immediately. you didn’t look at him right away. your gaze stayed on kiri.
“you okay?” you asked softly. kiri hesitated.
“…yes.” you nodded once. then you stepped forward anyway.
“then it is now,” you said.
aonung scoffed.
“you always do this.”
you finally looked at him.
“do what.”
“act like you can fix everything.”
your expression stayed calm.
“i’m not fixing anything,” you said simply. “i’m just asking you to stop.”
that made the air shift.
behind you, tuk stayed close, watching everything like she didn’t want to miss a moment.
kiri looked between you and aonung, quiet but present.
aonung’s jaw tightened.
“she doesn’t belong here.”
your voice lowered slightly.
“she’s standing right there.”
“exactly.”
you tilted your head.
“and she hasn’t done anything to you.”
a beat.
one of his friends laughed under his breath.
aonung ignored it.
“outsiders don’t belong here,” he said again, sharper.
before you could answer, another voice cut in.
“you’re saying that a lot lately.”
“because it is true!” aonung raised his voice.
“just leave us alone!” tuk yelled.
roxto snickered, “yeah, and what is the seven year old gonna do if we don’t?”
you shoved him, “stop roxto.”
“i mean he has a point, and they aren’t even real na’vi, why are you defending them?” another one of aonung’s minions spoke up.
you stepped closer, intimidatingly before you spoke up, you were interrupted.
lo’ak came into view, “hey! back off fishlips.” he said lowly. aonung backed up, not fearful, teasingly. “ohhh, another four-fingered freak. roxto grabbed lo’ak’s tail, “look at this little-“ you interrupted him, shoving him off. “stop it.” you hissed.
“leave us alone!” kiri yelled deeply.
someone who looked similar to lo’ak, maybe the older brother, walked up fast, shoving aounung. “you heard what she said.” putting his finger on aonung’s chest. “leave them alone.” before aonung’s friend said anything, aonung raised a hand to sign “stop.”
“back off, now.” neteyam intimidated.
“uh oh..” tuk murmured. “shhh..” you quieted her softly. aonung glanced at you, to meet ur stare which was firm and some what disappointed, he backed off. “smart choice, and from now on you respect my sister.” neteyam noted. kiri stuck out her tongue. “uhm that was intense..” tuk whispered to you. “right?” you grinned.
“whatever, they’re all just a bunch of freaks anyway.” “exactly, they can have reader.” “traitor.” the group gossiped. lo’ak went still. immediately stopping and shifting his body to turn. “lo’ak,” his brother warned. “relax bro, i got this.” lo’ak said. he walked up to aonung, staring him down before bringing his hand up. “i know this hand is funny. look i’m a freak. alien.” aonung and roxto snickered. “but it can do something really cool, watch. first, i ball it up just like this.. okay, then—“ he striked aonung, harshly. hitting his with a right, then a left punch, and even an uppercut. “OH SHIT,” you said, gasping. “it’s called a punch, bitch!” lo’ak yelled at the man on the floor. aonung picked himself up, tackling lo’ak who then threw aonung off him. “go aonung!” his minions cheered. “oh eywa,” tuk muttered. “are we supposed to something?” you narrowed ur eyes. “i don’t even know at this point.” kiri replied. “boys..” tuk sighed.
multiple punches were thrown, lo’aks tail was pulled. “that’s not even fair, they’re jumping him!” you yelled, tuk and kiri glancing slyly at each other. neteyam jumped into the fight. you were a bit bummed you couldn’t fight, maybe another day. “stop it!” kiri yelled, before realizing it wouldn’t end and giggling. you sighed largely. “so stupid!” you and kiri noted at the same time. tuk giggling. “MY EARRRR, LET GOOOO!!!”
chapter five : dads these days
the water felt different the next morning. not calmer. not louder. just heavier, like it remembered everything that happened yesterday and refused to let it go.
you noticed it before you even saw anyone. the reef was the same, saame light, same current, same soft pull beneath your feet, but nothing moved the way it should have.
like the ocean was watching you back.
you stepped onto the shoreline anyway. because avoiding things was not something you were good at.
unfortunately.
“there she is,” a voice called.
you didn’t need to look to know it was tsireya.
“good morning,” she added carefully, like she was testing whether the day would accept kindness.
you gave a small nod. “is it a good morning?,” you sighed.
tsireya smiled anyway, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “it could be?” she said softly.
behind her, lo’ak was sitting on a rock, messing with a loose strand of rope tied to his wrist. he looked up when you approached.
and immediately looked away again.
that was new.
you narrowed your eyes slightly. “…what,” you asked flatly.
“nothing,” he said too fast.
you stared at him longer. he didn’t look back.
“you’re worse at lying than yesterday,” you muttered.
that made him pause. just for a second.
then he exhaled through his nose like he was trying not to laugh. it didn’t fully work.
“you’re in a mood,” he said.
“i’m always in a mood.” you said flatly, a bit angsty.
“yeah,” he nodded. “i noticed.”
that should have annoyed you more than it did.
it didn’t.
instead, it just sat there between you both like something unimportant pretending to be important.
tsireya clapped her hands once, breaking the moment before it could become anything else.
“today is not training,” she said quickly.
you blinked. “…that sounds suspicious.”
lo’ak finally looked at her. “what does that mean?”
tsireya hesitated. just for a fraction too long.
then she smiled again.
“it means we visit the reef caves,” she said. “it is… quiet there.”
you immediately distrusted that.
quiet usually meant something loud was about to happen.
but tuk tugged at your hand before you could question it.
“come on,” she said eagerly. “kiri is there already.”
that changed your expression before you could stop it.
“…kiri?”
tsireya nodded.
you sighed. “fine.”
lo’ak snorted softly beside you.
“you said that like you had a choice.”
you looked at him. slowly.
“i always have a choice.”
“sure you do,” he said.
you should have hated that tone. you didn’t.
the reef caves were lower than the rest of the village. quieter. shaded. the water there didn’t shimmer as much—it absorbed light instead of reflecting it.
it made everything feel closer.
kiri was already there.
floating near the cave mouth like she had never left it.
when she saw you, she lifted her head slightly.
“you came,” she said simply.
tuk answered before you could. “of course she came!”
you gave her a look.
tuk ignored it completely.
you stepped into the water, letting it close over your waist before settling beside kiri.
“you always just… stay here?” you asked, softer than usual.
kiri tilted her head slightly. “it’s easier here.”
you hummed. “that sounds familiar.”
that made her look at you a little longer.
“you don’t like loud places either,” she said.
it wasn’t a question.
you considered denying it. didn’t.
“depends on the kind of loud,” you replied instead.
kiri’s mouth twitched faintly.
behind you, lo’ak made a sound like he was about to speak. then didn’t.
you glanced back at him briefly.
he was watching the water. not you. not kiri.
just the water.
“…he’s quieter today,” kiri said suddenly.
you almost laughed.
“don’t get used to it,” you said.
that earned a small, real smile from her.
for a moment, it almost felt normal.
tuk splashed forward between you both.
“we should explore!” she announced.
you blinked. “we already are exploring.”
“deeper!” she corrected.
kiri shifted slightly. “i don’t think—”
“we’re not going far,” you cut in gently, looking at her instead of tuk.
kiri paused.
then nodded once.
“okay.”
lo’ak finally spoke.
“you’re very responsible,” he said.
you didn’t look at him. “someone has to be.”
you didn’t see it, but his expression shifted slightly at that.
they didn’t go far.
but far wasn’t the point.
the caves opened into a shallow stretch of reef where sunlight broke through in thin, fractured lines.
tuk immediately swam ahead.
kiri stayed closer to you.
lo’ak lingered behind both of you like he didn’t know where he was supposed to exist in the space.
it should have been annoying.
it wasn’t.
“you always swim like that?” kiri asked you suddenly.
you looked at her. “…like what?”
“like you’re already deciding where everything ends.”
you blinked.
that was annoyingly accurate.
“it helps,” you said finally.
kiri nodded like she understood that too well.
lo’ak scoffed softly behind you.
you turned your head slightly. “what.”
“nothing,” he said quickly.
you narrowed your eyes. “you keep saying that.”
“because it keeps being true.” he repeated the words you said in one of your first arguments.
you stared at him.
he stared back.
then, his mouth twitched into a grin.
you looked away first.
kiri watched the exchange quietly.
then, very softly, she said, “you argue a lot.”
you paused. “…no we don’t.”
lo’ak spoke at the same time. “yes we do.”
you both looked at him.
he shrugged. “what.”
tuk giggled somewhere nearby.
you exhaled through your nose. “unbelievable.”
and yet your voice wasn’t sharp.
not really.
they left the caves later when the tide shifted.
tuk ran ahead, talking too fast about something you weren’t fully listening to.
kiri stayed beside you.
lo’ak drifted behind again.
you noticed he was watching the reef edges more now.
like he was learning them.
or memorizing them.
you didn’t comment on it.
for once.
as you stepped back onto the shore, tsireya was already waiting.
and so was aonung.
of course he was.
his gaze moved immediately across all of you.
and stopped briefly on lo’ak.
long enough that it meant something.
then shifted to you.
“no training today,” he said flatly.
you shrugged and smirked small. “we noticed.”
his eyes narrowed slightly.
lo’ak stepped up beside you, glancing at you subtly.
that small movement didn’t look like much.
but aonung noticed anyway.
his jaw tightened.
you didn’t.
not fully.
tsireya stepped in quickly. “we were showing kiri and tuk the caves,” she said.
aonung glanced at kiri.
then away again.
“…fine,” he said.
it sounded like it cost him something to say it.
you didn’t ask what.
lo’ak did though.
“you okay?” he asked suddenly, smirking slightly, like he knew he was getting under his skin.
aonung looked at him like he had just spoken a different language on purpose.
“why wouldn’t i be?”
lo’ak shrugged slightly. “you just look like you swallowed something wrong.”
silence dropped.
you exhaled through your nose.
tsireya covered her mouth.
kiri looked down quickly.
aonung stared at lo’ak. long. intimidating.
then turned away sharply.
“idiot,” he muttered.
lo’ak smiled faintly. satisfied. like he beat a challenge. maybe he did. and you hated how obvious that felt.
later, when everything finally separated again, the reef felt quieter in that way that wasn’t actually quiet—just emptier of people who knew how to make noise around you.
lo’ak lingered anyway.
of course he did.
you noticed him before you looked at him. standing a few steps downshore, half turned like he wasn’t sure if he was staying or leaving. like he was trying to decide which version of himself would get him in less trouble.
you walked over anyway.
not slowly. not carefully.
just… directly.
“you’re hovering,” you said flatly.
he glanced at you. “i’m standing.”
“same thing, emotionally.”
he scoffed. “you always talk like that?”
“like what.”
“like everything’s a problem.”
you tilted your head slightly. “it usually is.”
that earned a short laugh from him. not loud. not careless. just there.
you should’ve left it there.
you didn’t.
“your dad yelled at you,” you said.
that stopped him.
not dramatically. just enough that the air shifted.
“…what?” he asked.
you shrugged once. “don’t act surprised. it carried. half the village probably heard it.”
his jaw tightened a little. “you were listening?”
“i was existing nearby. unfortunately for you.”
he looked away toward the water. “it’s not your business.”
“didn’t say it was.”
pause.
you exhaled through your nose, softer this time. “he didn’t look happy.”
lo’ak’s expression flickered, something guarded sliding into place.
“he never is.”
you nodded once like that made sense. like it didn’t need more explanation than it did.
then, after a neat:
“mine either,” you added.
that got his attention again.
he looked back at you, slower this time. “your dad?”
you rolled a shoulder. “he thinks silence is a personality trait and disappointment is a teaching method.”
lo’ak huffed. “sounds fun.”
“oh, it’s a blast,” you said dryly. “family bonding, but make it emotionally unavailable.”
that earned another short laugh from him, but it faded quicker this time.
you kicked lightly at the water near your feet.
“he ever say you’re reckless?” you asked.
lo’ak didn’t answer immediately.
which was answer enough.
you nodded like you’d already guessed it. “yeah. classic.”
he frowned slightly. “what’s your point?”
you looked at him then. properly.
“my point is,” you said, “getting yelled at doesn’t automatically make you wrong. it just means someone older than you is scared of whatever mess you made.”
he blinked once.
like he hadn’t expected that to come out of your mouth.
you immediately ruined it by adding, “or they just enjoy hearing themselves talk. depends on the parent.”
that got a faint smirk out of him again.
“so which is yours?” he asked.
you didn’t hesitate. “both. depends on the eclipse.”
lo’ak nodded slowly. “mine’s just loud.”
“i noticed,” you said. then, after a beat, “he always that intense?”
“yeah.”
“annoying.”
“yeah.”
a pause.
this one wasn’t sharp anymore.
just… there.
lo’ak shifted slightly in the sand. “he thinks i don’t listen.”
you snorted. “you don’t.”
he looked at you.
you shrugged. “i’m not insulting you. i’m observing you. there’s a difference.”
that almost got a full smile out of him.
almost.
you glanced away first, like usual, but your voice came out less sharp when you added, “he probably just wants you to survive long enough to prove him wrong.”
lo’ak studied you for a second.
“you’re weird,” he said.
you nodded immediately. “yes.”
“not what i meant.”
“it rarely is.”
that finally made him actually laugh again. quieter than before, but real.
you let it sit for a moment before speaking again.
“…for what it’s worth,” you said, like you hated the phrase even as you said it, “you didn’t look like you were trying to mess up back there.”
he frowned slightly. “at the fight?”
you nodded once. “you looked like you just… reacted.”
lo’ak’s gaze dropped briefly.
“yeah,” he said. “that’s usually how it goes.”
you hummed. “relatable.”
he looked back up at that.
you rolled your eyes before he could ask. “don’t get excited. i still think you’re annoying.”
“good,” he said quickly. “would’ve been weird otherwise.”
you paused.
“…that was almost smart.”
“thanks.”
“don’t let it happen again.”
he huffed a laugh, shaking his head slightly.
and for a moment, the silence didn’t feel like distance.
just space.
lo’ak looked back toward the reef. “you ever get tired of it?”
“of what.”
he gestured vaguely. “all of it. people telling you what you are before you even get to decide.”
you didn’t answer right away.
your expression didn’t soften. not fully.
but something in it… eased.
“every day,” you said finally. then added, “then i usually ignore them and do whatever i was going to do anyway.”
lo’ak nodded like that made sense.
“yeah,” he said. “figured.”
you glanced at him again. “don’t start thinking we’re similar.”
he grinned slightly. “wouldn’t dream of it.”
“good.”
beat.
then, because neither of you seemed capable of ending things cleanly:
“you’re still bad at swimming in tight reef turns,” you added.
lo’ak scoffed. “i almost beat you yesterday.”
“almost doesn’t count.”
“it does emotionally.”
you rolled your eyes. “that’s not a measurement.”
“it is to me.”
you looked at him for a second longer than necessary.
“…that’s unfortunate,” you said.
and this time, when he laughed, you didn’t immediately try to shut it down.
just walked away first.
chapter two : ilu racing and things that weren’t meant to be said
ilu racing was common for kids to practice, with their need to win; competitions always stirred up. and you were not exempt from that.
aonung made a clicking noise under his tongue, tsireya joined him and yipped.
your ilu was circling you playfully, while you glided ur hand on its soft and wet skin.
“these are ilu,” aonung explained, “if you want to live here, you have to ride.”
“that’s what she said,” you mumbled to yourself.
a snicker. when will that brat lo’ak stop laughing at your jokes.
lo’ak hopped onto an ilu, bringing his braid foward. “make the bond gently,” tsireya noted. as he made the bond, him and the ilu’s eyes dilated, lo’ak letting out a shudder.
"good," tsireya smiled. "now let the ilu guide you. do not fight it." lo'ak nodded. to your annoyance, the ilu seemed to like him.
the creature clicked softly before nudging its head against his shoulder. “well, that's irritating," you muttered. “what is?" lo'ak asked.
"nothing."
"you keep saying that."
"because it keeps being true."
aonung snorted. "careful, reader. i think your ilu likes him more than it likes you."
your head snapped toward him.
"take that back."
"see?" aonung grinned. "even the ilu can tell."
"tell what?"
"that you two are alike."
you nearly fell off your borrowed ilu.
"do not insult me like that."
aonung snickered, “how about we settle whether you two are alike or not with a race?”
“that seems like a great idea!” tsireya yipped, hopping onto her own ilu.
"that seems like a terrible idea," you corrected. "why?" aonung asked innocently.
you narrowed your eyes. he knew exactly why. "because i have nothing to prove."
"that sounds suspiciously like something someone says when they're afraid of losing." you gasped. actually gasped.
"aonung."
"reader."
"take that back."
"make me."
beside you, lo'ak laughed.
again.
you were starting to think eywa had sent him specifically to test your patience.
"i never agreed to this race," lo'ak pointed out.
everyone looked at him.
"oh."
you blinked.
for the first time since meeting him, the boy had said something sensible.
"see?" you gestured toward him. "even he thinks this is stupid."
lo'ak grinned.
your hope died instantly.
"but now i kinda want to do it."
of course he did. you groaned.
"you have been riding an ilu for approximately three minutes."
"and?"
"and i have been doing this since i was a child."
"then you've got nothing to worry about."
your eye twitched.
aonung immediately noticed.
the skxawng looked delighted.
"there it is."
"there what is?"
"your pride."
"i do not have pride."
the silence that followed was deafening.
even the ilu seemed unconvinced.
tsireya covered her mouth.
lo'ak laughed.
again.
"okay," aonung nodded. "race it is."
aonung pointed toward a large coral arch rising from the water.
"around the arch and back."
"that is all?" lo'ak asked.
you nearly laughed.
he really had no idea.
"that is all," you said.
tsireya positioned herself between the two of you.
"ready?"
you settled onto your ilu's back.
the familiar feeling instantly grounded you.
this was different.
this was home.
beside you, lo'ak adjusted his grip.
his ilu shifted beneath him.
nervous.
good.
"ready," tsireya called.
aonung grinned.
"go!"
your ilu surged forward immediately.
water sprayed against your skin as the creature cut through the waves.
for a few glorious seconds, all you could hear was the ocean.
then—
"hey!"
you nearly screamed.
lo'ak was somehow beside you.
"what?"
"you looked surprised."
"i am surprised."
"why?"
"because you are still on the ilu."
"wow."
"i am being honest."
"you are being rude."
"same thing."
lo'ak barked out a laugh.
again.
you were beginning to think he enjoyed being insulted.
the thought was concerning.
you clicked your tongue, urging your ilu forward.
the creature responded immediately, surging through the water.
for the first time since the race began, lo'ak fell behind.
good.
that was where he belonged.
you rounded the coral arch, allowing yourself a smug smile.
victory was practically guaranteed.
then you heard splashing.
you glanced over your shoulder.
mistake.
a very large mistake.
lo'ak was catching up.
fast.
"what the fuck?"
the words slipped out before you could stop them.
"language!" tsireya shouted from somewhere behind.
"i am speaking a language!"
aonung's laughter echoed across the water.
traitor.
you clicked your tongue again.
your ilu accelerated.
so did lo'ak's.
"you are taking this awfully seriously," he called.
"i am not."
"you're literally running from me."
"i am winning."
"same thing."
"it is not."
"whatever helps you sleep at night."
you scoffed.
the shoreline was getting closer.
good.
finally.
you leaned forward, urging your ilu faster.
the creature responded instantly.
for a moment, you allowed yourself to relax.
victory.
then—
splash.
your ears flattened.
he was still there.
eywa, why was he still there?
you risked a glance.
lo'ak grinned.
again.
you were beginning to hate that grin.
with one final burst of speed, your ilu surged ahead.
the water beneath you blurred.
seconds later, you shot across the finish.
"ha!"
you threw both arms into the air.
"i win!"
aonung laughed.
tsireya cheered.
a heartbeat later, lo'ak crossed the finish line.
your celebration paused.
a heartbeat.
that was all.
a single heartbeat behind you.
your eye twitched.
"aw," lo'ak said, catching his breath. "so close."
so close?
so close?
he had been riding an ilu for less than a day.
"you lost."
"yeah."
"..."
"..."
you narrowed your eyes.
"why do you look happy?"
"because that was fun."
you stared.
the idiot was serious.
“that was surpising..” tsireya announced.
"right, yknow reader is the best hunter among us. fastest one here really, not that i want to admit.” aonung gawks.
Lo'ak raises an eyebrow. "really?"
"what is that supposed to mean?" you snap.
lo'ak blinked. “nothing?"
"that did not sound like nothing."
"reader," tsireya warned. you ignored her.
"if you have something to say, say it."
"i was just surprised."
"why?"
"because—"
"because what?" aonung looked seconds away from bursting into laughter.
the skxawng was enjoying this far too much.
lo'ak rubbed the back of his neck.
"because if that's your fastest, i thought everyone else would be faster too."
complete silence. aonung doubled over. tsireya gasped. you stared. lo'ak stared back. "...that did not come out right."
"oh, i think it came out perfectly."
"that's not what i meant."
"sure."
"reader!" tsireya called as you turned your ilu toward the shore. perfect dramatic exit.
aonung shook his head. "you messed up, bro."
"what did i even do?"
"last year she got mad at me." aonung pointed toward your rapidly disappearing figure. "it took me sixteen eclipses to make her forgive me." lo'ak blinked. "sixteen?"
"sixteen."
"you're joking."
"i wish." lo'ak groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. "i didn't mean for it to come out like that."
"doesn't matter."
"what?" aonung grinned.
"reader hears what she wants to hear."
"that's not concerning at all."
"oh, it gets worse."
"how does it get worse?"
"you're not on her good side."
lo'ak frowned.
"i didn't know i was trying to get on her good side."
"trust me," aonung laughed, steering his ilu toward shore. "you are now."
chapter 3 : when edges sharpened
the next morning, you woke up irritated.
which was unfortunate.
because usually, waking up irritated meant something had irritated you.
and there was only one thing irritating enough to linger until morning.
lo'ak sully.
you groaned into your pillow.
the worst part?
he probably did not even realize what he had said.
actually, no.
the worst part was that he had.
you had seen the look on his face immediately afterward.
the panic.
the regret.
the desperate attempt to shove the words back into his mouth.
and somehow, that annoyed you even more.
with a dramatic sigh, you pushed yourself to your feet.
today would be different.
today, you would avoid lo'ak sully.
completely.
absolutely.
without exception.
eywa laughed.
you got as far as the shoreline before you saw him.
of course.
lo'ak sully stood knee-deep in the water, arguing with tsireya about something involving breathing and balance.
he looked… awake.
unfortunately.
you considered turning around.
pretending you had forgotten something important.
like your sanity.
"reader!"
tsireya waved you over before you could escape.
traitor.
you walked anyway.
slowly.
like maybe if you moved at a different speed, reality would change its mind.
lo'ak turned when you approached.
his expression shifted immediately.
that same look from yesterday.
panic.
regret.
then something like relief.
"hey," he said.
you stared at him.
he stared back.
"...hi," you said finally, because ignoring him would have required more effort than you were willing to give this early in the morning.
tsireya smiled brightly between you both.
"today we go further out," she said. "you will practice deeper diving."
you nodded once.
lo'ak nodded a second later.
a beat of silence passed.
"do not slow me down," you told him.
he blinked.
"i wasn't planning to."
"good."
another pause.
"i am very fast," he added.
you looked at him. slowly.
"that is unfortunate."
lo'ak opened his mouth like he had something else to say.
then seemed to think better of it.
good. tsireya clapped her hands once.
"we go."
you followed without argument. for once.
the ocean welcomed you like it always did.
warm. familiar. alive. you slipped beneath the surface with practiced ease, the world above disappearing into soft distortion.
for a moment, everything was normal.
too normal.
you swam deeper, guiding your ilu alongside the others.
lo'ak was slower than you expected.
not bad. just… careful.
hesitant in a way that made you suspicious.
you frowned. he noticed. of course he did.
he always seemed to notice when you were looking at him.
“what?” he signed.
you shook your head once.
nothing. you turned forward again.
focused. this was training. not a conversation. not a problem.
just water.
just movement.
just—
the water shifted. subtle. wrong.
your ilu stilled beneath you.
tsireya noticed first.
her posture changed instantly.
aonung followed her gaze.
your stomach tightened before you even saw it. something large moved through the reef ahead. slow. deliberate. watching.
tsireya raised a hand sharply. signing, “stop.”
everything went still.
even the water seemed to hold its breath.
your ilu hovered beneath you, tense.
tsireya pointed again, sharper this time.
"move," she signed.
aonung was already backing away slowly, eyes fixed ahead.
you followed his gaze.
your stomach dropped.
akula. large. close. too close.
lo'ak shifted beside you.
"what is it?" he signed nervously. you didn't answer. not at first. your hand tightened on your ilu’s reins.
"reader?" he was closer now. you finally looked at him. bad idea. he hadn't seen it yet. of course he hadn't.
"stay,” you signed deliberately.
"why?" he signed back
you gave him a look that said "just stay still."
that was when the water moved again.
faster. closer. tsireya made a sharp sound and pulled her ilu back. aonung followed immediately. you did not move. lo'ak did.
"hey—"
"do not—"
too late. the akula surged.
the akula circled again.
closer this time.
too confident.
your jaw tightened.
lo'ak was still behind you, trying to keep up, still not fully understanding how close death was getting.
you didn’t have time for him to catch up.
you reached without looking.
your hand found the strap along your ilu’s saddle.
you pulled.
wood slid free with a sharp, familiar weight.
spear.
finally.
"stay close," you signed quickly over your shoulder.
he nodded too fast.
not reassuring.
the akula lunged.
this time you moved first.
you turned your ilu sharply, cutting into its path.
the water shifted violently around you.
lo'ak barely kept position behind you.
the akula snapped.
you met it head-on.
your spear drove forward.
not hesitation.
not panic.
precision.
the creature twisted just before impact, your strike grazing its side instead of piercing deep.
still enough.
it recoiled.
for the first time, it hesitated.
you used that second.
you forced your ilu between lo'ak and the akula, blocking him completely.
"do not drift," you signed sharply.
"i'm not—"
he stopped when you looked at him.
good.
the akula circled wider now.
weighing.
watching.
you adjusted your grip on the spear.
your shoulders were tight, but steady.
lo'ak’s signing was weak.
"you know how to use that."
you didn’t look at him.
"yes."
"why do you have that?"
finally, you glanced back.
briefly.
like he was asking something obvious.
"because things try to eat us here."
another snap of teeth in the water.
you moved again. this time, not to retreat. but to drive it away. spear forward.
ilu cutting through the reef like it belonged to you. the akula followed.
but slower now.
less certain.
and for the first time since it appeared—it was cautious.
that was the problem.
it was still there.
still circling. still deciding.
this thing was starting to irritate you.
you clicked your tongue once.
your ilu shifted beneath you, sensing it.
then it surged.
you moved with it. not away. toward. the akula lunged.
you met it halfway.
your spear drove forward.
this time, no hesitation.
it hit. not clean. definitely not perfect. but enough. the creature snapped back violently, twisting as your strike caught its mouth instead of its body. blood spilled into the water in thick, drifting clouds. it let out a low, distorted sound. aggressive and pained. good. you didn’t let it recover.
your hand snapped out instantly.
you grabbed lo’ak’s arm.
hard. "move," you signed sharply.
he didn’t argue this time.
your ilu shot upward, cutting through the water as the akula thrashed below.
lo’ak stumbled in the current behind you, but you kept your grip on him until he stabilized.
your ilu chirped, agitated but obedient, as you dragged him clear of the strike zone.
you broke the surface together.
air hit like impact. you didn’t stop until you were a safe distance away, the reef between you and the threat. only then did you release him. for a moment, there was only water.
and breathing.
your chest rose and fell sharply as you steadied yourself on your ilu’s back.
lo’ak coughed once, shaking water from his face.
you didn’t look at him.
not yet. behind you, the reef was still.
too still. like the ocean had decided to forget what just happened.
your grip on the spear tightened instinctively. just in case.
lo’ak finally spoke.
“…you stabbed it.”
you glanced at him.
slowly.
“yes.”
“in the mouth.”
“that is generally where spears go when something is trying to eat you.”
he blinked. then laughed once. short. disbelieving. not his usual kind of laugh.
“that was insane, bro!” you frowned.
“it was necessary.” a pause.
he looked at you differently now.
not annoyed. not amused. something quieter. maybe admiration, but you couldn’t tell. “you didn’t hesitate,” he said.
you finally turned away again.
“there was no reason to.” silence stretched between you. the water shifted behind you again—far away now, but still alive with movement.
tsireya’s voice called out in the distance.
aonung followed shortly after, splashing through the waves toward you both.
lo’ak wiped his face again, still watching you like you had become something slightly unfamiliar. “you’re… really good at that, bro,” he said finally.
you stiffened slightly, shoulders square like always, then ignored it completely. “try not to fall behind next time,” you replied.
and clicked your tongue. your ilu turned without waiting. you didn’t check if he followed.
tsireya swam quickly to you two, her eyes scanning you both in a panic.
“oh eywa, are you two okay? any injuries?”
you softened, just slightly.
something lo’ak noticed immediately.
“yes tsi, we’re fine,” you said. your voice was steadier now, less sharp than before.
lo’ak glanced at you like he hadn’t expected that tone.
and something in him softened too.
“yeah,” he added quickly. “bro, we’re okay.”
tsireya exhaled in relief, hands pressed briefly to her chest.
“i thought it got too close…”
“it did,” aonung’s voice cut in sharply as he arrived, splashing through the water with obvious irritation. his gaze locked immediately onto lo’ak.
then flicked to you.
then back to lo’ak.
“…you let it get that close?”
lo’ak frowned. “i didn’t exactly have control over it.”
“clearly,” aonung scoffed. “or she wouldn’t have had to drag you out.”
his eyes narrowed at you now, sharper.
“you’re supposed to be teaching him. not babysitting him.”
you stiffened again instantly.
whatever softness had been there disappeared.
“he was about to get eaten,” you said flatly.
“and?” aonung shot back. “that’s how you learn.”
lo’ak’s jaw tightened slightly at that.
not angry.
more like… offended on your behalf.
you didn’t notice.
or didn’t care to.
“next time,” aonung continued, “don’t hesitate to let him handle it himself.”
your grip on the spear tightened again.
“next time,” you said quietly, “don’t stand there and talk while something tries to kill someone in front of you.”
a beat.
aonung’s expression darkened.
tsireya immediately moved between you both.
“enough,” she signed firmly.
lo’ak looked between you and aonung, confused now.
like he was beginning to understand this wasn’t just training. it was somethkng hidden.
the silence stretched too long.
lo’ak broke it first.
“you talk about me like i’m not here.”
aonung finally looked at him.
slowly.
like he had just noticed a detail on something he already owned.
“you’re not from here,” he said simply.
lo’ak’s expression tightened.
“that’s not an answer.”
aonung’s jaw flexed once.
“it is.”
you exhaled sharply through your nose.
“are we done?” you asked flatly.
neither of them answered you.
that was the problem.
lo’ak’s eyes shifted back to aonung.
narrowed now.
not defensive.
observing.
reading.
aonung noticed immediately.
his posture changed slightly—subtle, but there.
“what?” aonung snapped.
lo’ak tilted his head a fraction.
“nothing.”
but it wasn’t nothing.
it was interest.
you didn’t see it.
tsireya did—but she looked away quickly, like she didn’t want to step into whatever this was becoming.
lo’ak spoke again, quieter.
“you don’t like me.”
aonung scoffed instantly.
“i don’t have to.”
“no,” lo’ak said. “you don’t.”
a pause.
then—
“but you’re louder when she’s around.”
that landed.
you blinked.
aonung’s eyes sharpened immediately.
“what?”
lo’ak shrugged slightly.
“just noticing.”
your gaze flicked between them now, finally catching the shift in tone.
aonung’s irritation had direction now.
not you.
not the situation. lo’ak. “you talk too much,” aonung said coldly. lo’ak gave a short laugh.
no humor in it.
“and you watch her a lot for someone who doesn’t care.”
silence snapped shut.
tsireya inhaled sharply.
your brows furrowed.
“what are you talking about?” you asked.
neither of them answered you.
aonung’s glare didn’t leave lo’ak.
lo’ak didn’t look away either.
it wasn’t a fight yet.
but it was close enough that the water felt like it was waiting for it.
you moved first.
because of course you did.
“stop,” you signed sharply.
neither of them reacted.
your eyes narrowed.
“both of you.”
lo’ak finally flicked his gaze toward you.
aonung did not.
that alone told you enough.
“this is pointless,” you added.
a beat.
then aonung exhaled through his nose.
slow. controlled.
like he was forcing himself to look away from something he didn’t want to be seen doing.
he finally turned slightly toward you.
not fully.
not yet.
“it’s not pointless,” he said.
lo’ak let out a quiet laugh.
“it kind of is.”
aonung’s eyes snapped back to him instantly. you felt it before you saw it, the shift. again. “you don’t understand anything here,” aonung said lowly.
lo’ak’s expression sharpened.
“maybe i understand more than you think.”
that made something flicker in aonung’s face. quick. too quick to name.
you didn’t catch it.
but lo’ak did.
his gaze narrowed slightly.
like he was confirming something.
tsireya shifted uneasily between you all.
“we should go back,” she signed again, more urgent this time.
this time, you agreed.
“now.” you turned your ilu first.
lo’ak followed immediately.
aonung stayed still for half a second longer than necessary.
watching. not lo’ak. you. then he moved. fast. too fast.
like he had been waiting for you to say it.
none of you spoke on the way back.
but the silence wasn’t calm anymore.
it had edges now.
chapter 11: lo’ak sully, the problem
the problem with lo'ak sully was that he stared. you had not noticed this. which was unfortunate. because everyone else had.
"he's doing it again."
kiri didn't even bother lowering her voice.
across the village, lo'ak was sitting beside neteyam, pretending to listen to whatever his brother was saying.
pretending.
because every few seconds, his eyes drifted. back to you. again.
and again. and again.
tsireya sighed.
"he really is."
tuk looked between them.
"doing what?"
"staring."
"at what?"
all three girls looked at you.
you were currently kneeling beside a pile of fishing nets, aggressively tying stubborn dried sea kelp.
tuk gasped.
"reader!"
"what?"
"lo'ak is looking at you."
you glanced up.
lo'ak immediately looked away.
straight into the sky.
like the clouds had personally called his name.
you frowned.
"okay?"
kiri buried her face in her hands.
"i cannot do this anymore."
"do what?"
"nothing."
you narrowed your eyes suspiciously.
"you're all being weird."
"we are not."
"you are."
"we're really not."
"you are."
"reader."
"tsireya."
"please."
"no."
the girls collectively gave up.
which was probably for the best.
because ten minutes later, you forgot the entire conversation.
everyone else did not.
especially aonung.
because aonung had seen it too.
and unlike you, he actually understood what he was looking at.
unfortunately for him.
that made everything worse.
the next disaster happened near the ilu pens.
you were helping tsireya sort supplies.
or at least that had been the goal.
somewhere along the way, the conversation had become significantly less productive.
"if ilu are so smart," you said thoughtfully, "why do they still need us to tell them where to go?"
silence.
complete silence.
you looked up.
tsireya was staring.
kiri was staring.
tuk was staring.
even the ilu looked confused.
"...what?"
then aonung laughed.
not a smirk.
not a snort.
not his usual annoying little grin.
an actual laugh. like fullblown head tipping back, shoulders shaking, just laughing.
you froze.
tsireya froze.
kiri froze.
tuk froze.
aonung immediately stopped.
the village might have frozen.
"..." silence emerged
you pointed at him.
"what was that?"
"nothing."
"that was laughing."
"prove it."
"you literally just did it."
"allegedly."
tsireya looked horrified.
"i witnessed it."
aonung nodded.
"unfortunate."
"you laughed."
"no evidence."
"everyone heard it."
"he laughed," kiri confirmed.
"he laughed," tuk agreed.
aonung folded his arms.
"all of you are nosy."
you stared.
then looked at tsireya.
"has he always been like this?"
"yes."
"that explains a lot."
"i know."
aonung looked embarrassed, which only made the girls laugh.
later that day, training began.
which was where the second problem appeared.
his name was lo'ak.
you and aonung stood across from each other on the sand.
sparring.
which was normal.
arguing while sparring.
which was also normal.
"ready to lose?" aonung asked.
you looked offended.
"what a strange thing to say to someone who is about to embarrass you."
"you say that every time."
"because every time i am right."
aonung rolled his eyes.
"come on then."
you did.
the second he moved, you ducked beneath the strike.
pivoted.
and swept his legs.
aonung hit the sand.
hard.
the nearby group erupted into laughter.
you pointed.
"stay down."
"i hate you."
"that sounds personal."
"it is."
"fair."
across the training grounds—
lo'ak was staring.
again.
he wasn't supposed to be.
neteyam was actively trying to teach him something.
"and when you're tracking currents—"
reader shoved aonung again.
lo'ak watched.
"—you need to pay attention to—"
reader dodged.
lo'ak watched.
"—the movement of—"
reader landed another hit.
lo'ak watched.
"...bro."
nothing.
"neteyam."
nothing.
"lo'ak."
"...what?"
neteyam followed his line of sight.
immediately.
instantly.
regrettably.
his eyes landed on you.
currently laughing because aonung had somehow managed to trip over absolutely nothing.
"...oh."
lo'ak frowned.
"what?"
"neteyam don't."
"i didn't say anything."
"you were about to."
"was i?"
"yes."
neteyam looked back toward you.
then toward lo'ak.
then toward you again.
"...you know, this explains a lot."
"i don't know what you're talking about."
"mhm."
"i don't."
"mhm."
"stop doing that."
"doing what?"
"that."
"interesting."
"bro."
"you like her."
lo'ak nearly choked.
"i absolutely do not."
"lo’akkkk."
"i don't."
"you were staring."
"i was watching the fight."
"for twenty minutes."
"..."
"..."
"...that's not the point."
neteyam laughed.
lo'ak hated that.
the third problem happened later.
because aonung noticed.
again.
and again.
and again.
at first, he thought it was coincidence.
then he noticed lo'ak always knew where you were.
always.
you went to help tsireya.
lo'ak appeared.
you went to the beach.
lo'ak appeared.
you went hunting.
somehow—
lo'ak appeared.
it was suspicious.
deeply suspicious.
aonung hated it.
you, meanwhile, remained completely unaware.
which somehow made it worse.
"reader."
you looked up.
aonung was standing there.
arms crossed.
looking annoyed.
normal.
"what?"
"where's lo'ak?"
you blinked.
"...why are you asking me?"
aonung immediately regretted the question.
"good point."
"that was a weird thing to ask."
"forget i said it."
"gladly."
then—
"hey."
you both turned.
lo'ak.
of course.
aonung closed his eyes.
slowly.
like he was asking eywa for strength.
eywa apparently declined.
"what?" you asked.
"nothing."
you narrowed your eyes.
"oh eywa."
aonung looked delighted.
for exactly two seconds.
then remembered who he was annoyed with.
by sunset, everyone was tired.
except apparently fate.
because fate had one final attack planned.
you were sitting with the group near the water.
tuk was trying to braid sea grass.
badly.
very badly.
"that is backwards."
"how?"
"i don't know."
"then how do you know it's backwards?"
"because it looks wrong."
"that's not helpful."
"i'm aware."
lo'ak snorted.
you looked over.
"what?"
"nothing."
"that wasn't a nothing noise."
he laughed again.
"you say the weirdest things."
you looked offended.
"that is incredibly rude."
"you asked how something could be backwards and then admitted you didn't know."
"because it was obviously backwards."
"based on what?"
"vibes."
silence.
then lo'ak laughed.
harder.
and despite yourself, and despite every instinct warning you not to, a smile slipped out. small, brief, and genuine.
gone almost immediately.
but not fast enough.
the entire group froze.
you didn't notice.
everyone else did.
tsireya nearly dropped her weaving.
kiri sat up so quickly she almost fell over.
tuk gasped loud enough to scare a nearby fish.
lo'ak forgot how to breathe, like physically forgo.
aonung looked like someone had personally betrayed him.
"...what?" you asked.
nobody answered and so you frowned.
"why is everyone staring at me?"
more silence.
then, tuk pointed dramatically. “you smiled."
"...what?"
"you smiled."
"no i didn't."
"you did."
"i absolutely did not."
kiri immediately pointed at tsireya.
"tell her."
"she smiled."
"i did not."
"you did."
"when?"
"just now."
"that's ridiculous."
lo'ak had suddenly become very interested in a random shell.
aonung looked ready to throw that shell into the ocean.
you crossed your arms. “he said something mildly amusing."
the girls exchanged looks.. dangerous looks.
the kind that meant they knew something you didn't. you immediately distrusted them.
"do not start."
"we haven't said anything," kiri replied.
"yet," tsireya added.
"that sounded threatening."
"because it was."
you pointed accusingly. “see?"
tuk giggled, kiri grinned, and tsireya looked far too pleased with herself.
lo'ak still hadn't looked up.
and aonung,
aonung was staring at lo'ak now. narrowing his eyes. finally connecting pieces. which was unfortunate. because unlike you,
aonung was not oblivious.
and that meant trouble was coming.
whether anyone wanted it to or not.
a/n: guys i don’t know how to work tumblr honestly. like its so complicated how do i make it pretty, tips would be appreciated bc i dont want tomatoes thrown at me 😭 i lwk lost the plot so like just go with the flow 💔