poppyseed1031

[poppyseed1031]

Starbound Hearts

Status: I'm working on it

Pairings: Neteyam x human!f!reader

Aged up characters!

Genre/Warnings: fluff, slow burn, oblivious characters, light angst, hurt/comfort, pining, NSFW, human x Na'vi, size difference, needy Neteyam, oral sex (fem receiving)

Summary: In the breathtaking, untamed beauty of Pandora, two souls from different worlds find themselves drawn together against all odds. Neteyam, the dutiful future olo'eyktan of the Omaticaya clan, is bound by the expectations of his people and the traditions of his ancestors. She, a human scientist with a love for Pandora’s wonders, sees herself as an outsider, unworthy of the connection she craves.

Tags: @nerdylawyerbanditprofessor-blog, @ratchetprime211, @poppyseed1031, @redflashoftheleaf, @nikipuppeteer@eliankm, @quintessences0posts,

Part 16: To want

This is my first time writing an explicit fic, and honestly, I never thought I’d venture into this kind of writing! It was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking to create something so intimate, so please be kind in the comments. I’m still learning and experimenting with this style, so I really appreciate any support, encouragement, or constructive feedback. Hope you enjoy! 💙✨

Part 17: To worship

You don’t know when Neteyam called for his ikran.

You don’t know when it landed next to you in the dense forest, its large wings stirring the night air, rustling the bioluminescent plants around you. You barely register the shift in the ground beneath you as Neteyam moves, guiding you effortlessly.

Because you’re clinging to him—desperate, breathless, lost in the heat of his touch.

Your arms wrap tight around his broad shoulders, your fingers pressing into the firm muscles beneath his skin. Your legs instinctively lock around his torso, holding onto him like he’s the only thing tethering you to the world. Maybe he is.

You don’t understand how or when you end up on the back of his ikran, only that somehow, you do. His warmth surrounds you, his scent thick in the cool night air as the wind rushes past. But all you can focus on is him—his heartbeat against yours, his steady hands gripping you firmly, keeping you pressed against him as the ikran carries you through the sky.

The flight is a blur.

The next thing you know, your back is against the woven walls of the hunter’s hut, and Neteyam is carrying you inside with an ease that makes your stomach tighten. His strong arms hold you effortlessly, his chest pressed flush against yours, his head buried in the crook of your neck.

His lips find your skin.

Slow, reverent kisses.

Soft, teasing drags of his lips against your pulse.

Each touch sends a wave of heat through you, a slow-burning ache that coils deep in your stomach.

Your breath shudders as you grip his shoulders tighter, feeling the way he flexes beneath your touch. A soft whimper escapes your lips before you can stop it, and Neteyam groans in response, his grip tightening, his body pressing against yours like he can’t get enough of you.

You want to be closer. Closer than before.

Neteyam must feel it too because he moves with purpose, stepping deeper into the hut, his pace unhurried but filled with intent.

Then—he lays you down on the pelts.

The woven pelts beneath you are soft, but the warmth of his body above you is intoxicating. He hovers over you, his golden eyes dark with want, his breath uneven as he takes you in. His tail flicks behind him, his body taut with restraint even as his hands explore, mapping every inch of you like he’s trying to memorize the feel of you beneath him.

His weight presses against you, his warmth seeping into your skin.

The space between you is almost nonexistent.

Almost.

Because he’s still holding back.

But you don’t want distance.

You don’t want hesitation.

You just want him.

Now.

Neteyam’s hands are everywhere.  

Large, warm, and reverent as they skim over your sides, your waist, your hips—like he’s trying to learn you by touch alone. His breath is heavy, uneven, his golden eyes locked onto yours with something dark, something raw, something hungry.  

His fingers toy with the hem of your top, his thumb brushing against your bare skin, slow and deliberate. He watches you carefully, silently asking, silently waiting.  

You nod. A barely-there movement, but it’s all he needs.  

With one smooth pull, he lifts your shirt over your head and tosses it aside, leaving you beneath him in only your bra and shorts.  

Neteyam inhales sharply, his ears flicking back, his pupils dilating as he drinks you in.  

“Eywa…” His voice is rough, barely above a whisper, like the sight of you knocks the breath from his lungs.  

You shift under his gaze, heat crawling up your spine, your fingers twitching against the pelts beneath you. His golden eyes trail down your body, taking in every inch of exposed skin, and you squirm, suddenly feeling impossibly small under his intense stare. A deep chuckle rumbles in his chest, and his tail flicks behind him. He leans in, so close that his lips brush against your temple before moving lower, his nose ghosting along the side of your cheek next to the edge of the mask, the sharp inhale he takes sending shivers down your spine.  

“Do you know how many times I’ve imagined this?” he murmurs, his voice thick with longing.  

His fingers slide up your sides, teasing, tracing the curve of your waist, the line of your ribs.  

“How many nights I’ve laid awake, picturing you like this? Beneath me, wanting me?”  

Your breath shudders. You can’t think. Can’t breathe.  

His lips hover over your pulse, the warmth of them barely there, just a whisper of sensation, and you feel like you might combust.  

“Neteyam…” You whisper his name, voice fragile, breaking.  

He groans softly, his grip on you tightening for just a second before he presses his forehead to the glass of your mask, eyes wild, burning.  

You don’t think.  

You just act.  

A deep breath. Hold it.  

Your fingers tremble as you reach up, pull the mask off—  

And then you kiss him.  

Fierce, desperate, needing.  

Your lips crash into his, and Neteyam growls against your mouth, his control snapping like a bowstring pulled too tight. His hand tangles into your hair, one sliding down to grip your waist, pulling you up against him, chest to chest, heat to heat.  

His lips move with an urgency that leaves you dizzy, his tongue parting your lips, claiming your breath, your body, your very soul. He kisses you like he’s been starving for you, like he needs you more than the air in his lungs.  

And you give him everything.  

Your hands roam over his shoulders, his back, feeling the ripple of his muscles beneath your fingertips, the way he shudders every time you touch him. Your nails dig into his skin, pulling him closer, closer, needing him like never before.  

Your lungs scream for air, but you don’t care. Not yet.  

Not when his mouth is on yours. Not when his hand is gripping your hips, sliding over your body like he owns it, like he’s claiming it.  

The burn in your chest becomes unbearable.  

You gasp, wrenching yourself away just long enough to fumble your mask back into place, sucking in a desperate breath, your body still thrumming with heat, with need.  

Neteyam is panting above you, his forehead pressing against your temple, his golden eyes dark, his lips kiss-swollen. His hands tremble where they hold you, his fingers flexing like he doesn’t want to let go.  

And neither do you.  

You want him.  

You need him.  

And from the way he looks at you—his jaw tight, his tail lashing, his body still caging you in—you know he feels the same.    

Neteyam’s breath is heavy, his body burning above you as his fingers explore every inch of your exposed skin. But when his hands reach your back, brushing against the fabric of your bra, he pauses.  

His brows furrow slightly, ears twitching as he fumbles with the clasp.  

You bite your lip, trying to stifle the soft giggle that threatens to slip out as his large fingers struggle with the tiny hooks. He huffs softly, clearly frustrated, pulling back just enough to glance down at where his hands are failing him.  

“'upe lu fì'u?”[What is this?] he mutters, his tail flicking sharply in irritation.  

You open your mouth to answer, but before you can, Neteyam growls under his breath. His patience snaps.  

With one firm tug, the clasp gives way—not because he figured it out, but because he simply ripped it open. The straps slide down your arms, the fabric falling away completely as he tosses the ruined garment aside without a second thought.  

Neteyam stills.  

His golden eyes, blown wide with hunger, drink in the sight of you, bare beneath him, chest rising and falling rapidly as the cool night air brushes against your heated skin.  

You tremble.  

The sharp chill sends a ripple over your body, making your nipples harden under his intense gaze. His jaw clenches, his breathing uneven, his tail curling behind him. You swallow hard, shifting slightly beneath him, suddenly feeling exposed, vulnerable under his unwavering stare.  

But Eywa—the way he looks at you.  

Like you are his entire world.  

His voice is a hushed reverence when he finally speaks. “You are…” He trails off, shaking his head as if words are failing him. “…breathtaking.”  

Heat surges up your spine, spreading through your limbs. Your fingers twitch, restless, aching for him.  

But Neteyam… he waits.  

Tension coils tight in his muscles, his self-control an unyielding force. He wants you—gods, it’s painfully obvious from the way he hovers over you, the way his fingers twitch at your sides—but still, he waits.  

And that’s what undoes you.  

That restraint, that unshaken patience, when all you want is for him to break.  

You can’t take it.  

Your hand flies to his head, fingers tangling in his thick beaded braids as you pull him down, guiding his mouth where you need him.  

A deep, guttural groan rumbles in his chest when his lips meet the soft swell of your breast. His mouth is hot, reverent, worshiping as he kisses over your sensitive skin. His tongue flicks over the hardened peak, teasing, tasting—learning you.  

Your breath shudders, a whimper slipping past your lips as your grip tightens in his hair.  

Neteyam feels that reaction—your nails scraping against his scalp, the way your back arches slightly beneath him—and it ruins him.  

A growl vibrates against your skin as his other hand slides lower, fingertips trailing down your stomach, teasing the waistband of your shorts. You shiver beneath him, anticipation thick between you, the air crackling with want.  

He’s barely touched you—barely started—and yet you already feel like you might fall apart.  

And from the way his lips linger against your skin, the way his breath shudders against you…  

He’s just as lost.  

Neteyam’s fingers curl around the waistband of your shorts, tugging them downward, slow, deliberate. The fabric slides over your hips, down your thighs, leaving you breathless beneath him. The cool air kisses your exposed skin, sending a ripple of shivers through your body.

He groans softly at the sight of you—now clad in nothing but the thin scrap of your panties, the last barrier between you and him. His golden eyes, dark with hunger, trace every inch of you, memorizing, devouring.

Your breath stutters when his hands—so large, so warm—grip your hips, steadying you as he begins his descent.

The first kiss lands just below your ribs.

Soft. Warm.

A whisper of reverence against your skin.

Your stomach tenses at the sensation, and Neteyam smirks against you, his lips curving into something purely mischievous.

He felt that.

His flat nose brushes lower, his breath hot against your skin as he plants another kiss, this one deeper, more deliberate.

A soft gasp escapes you.

He knows exactly what he’s doing to you.

His lips continue their slow, tortuous path downward, lingering over your stomach, his sharp canines grazing lightly against the sensitive skin there.

You squirm.

A quiet, needy sound slips past your lips before you can stop it.

Neteyam chuckles—a low, satisfied rumble that vibrates against your skin.

“I like that,” he murmurs, his voice deep, rough with want.

He kisses lower.

Your breath hitches when his tongue flicks out, tasting you, tracing slow patterns along your skin. “Neteyam,” you whisper, his name tumbling from your lips like a mantra.

His sharp ears flick at the sound, his tail curling behind him.

He loves it. Loves hearing his name fall from your lips like that—soft, breathless, full of need.

Another kiss, just above the waistband of your panties, his teeth grazing teasingly against your hip bone.

You gasp, thighs twitching beneath his touch, your body arching slightly toward him, seeking more, more, more.

He hums approvingly, his hands tightening on your hips, holding you in place as his lips move to the other side of your stomach, repeating the same agonizingly slow worship.

“Sensitive here, hmm?” he murmurs against your skin, pressing another teasing kiss just below your navel.

You whimper, nodding, unable to form words, your breath coming in short, shallow gasps.

His mouth lingers there, reveling in the way you tremble beneath him, the way your body reacts so easily, so completely to his touch.

You swear you can feel his smirk, the way his lips curve against your skin, pleased—no, thrilled—by the way you unravel beneath him.

He wants you like this.

Helpless. Desperate.

He presses another slow, burning kiss just above the last scrap of fabric still keeping him from you, his breath hot against your skin.

And when you whisper his name again, your voice barely more than a breath—

He groans, his restraint hanging by a thread.

He wants more.

And you’re about to give it to him.

Neteyam’s fingers hook beneath the waistband of your panties, his grip firm but unbearably slow as he drags the thin fabric down your legs. You shiver as the cool air brushes over your newly exposed skin, heat pooling in your core as you feel the last barrier between you and him disappear.

The soft sound of fabric hitting the floor barely registers through the pounding of your heartbeat.

Your breath stutters as reality crashes over you. You’re bare beneath him now—nothing left to shield you from his heated, hungry gaze. Your boldness from before vanishes like mist beneath the sun. You press your thighs together instinctively, suddenly feeling shy, overwhelmed by the way he’s looking at you.

Golden eyes drink you in like you’re the only thing in the world that matters.

His tail flicks behind him, the low, steady thumps against the hut floor betraying the barely-contained need simmering beneath his skin.

When you risk a glance up at him, your breath catches.

Neteyam is sitting back on his heels, legs spread, his gaze fixed entirely on you.

Predatory. Ravenous.

Like you’re prey trapped beneath him.

Like he’s been waiting for this moment, craving it, and now that he has you—finally has you—he’s going to take his time.

Heat burns up your neck, pooling in your cheeks as you turn your head away, unable to hold his gaze. A deep chuckle rumbles from his chest, rich and full of amusement, but when his hand brushes over your thigh, it’s reverent, patient.

He’s not going to let you hide from him.

Not now.

Not when you finally belong to him fully.

His large, warm hands trace the length of your legs, his touch slow, deliberate.

“Open for me,” he murmurs, his voice thick with need.

Your thighs tremble, hesitating, but his touch is firm, coaxing you apart with a gentle insistence.

One of his large hands moves down, curling beneath your calf almost engulfing it as he lifts your leg, his grip steady, secure.

Your breath hitches as his lips press against your skin.

A kiss.

Soft at first.

Right at the curve of your calf.

Then another.

And another.

His tongue flicks out, barely grazing your skin as he trails slow, burning kisses up your leg, inch by inch. Your breathing stutters, your hands gripping the furs beneath you, helpless beneath his worship. He reaches your knee, pressing a kiss to the sensitive skin there, his lips lingering, his nose brushing against you as he breathes you in.

Then, lower.

His mouth moves to your inner thigh, closer, so dangerously close—

A whimper escapes your lips before you can stop it.

Neteyam groans.

A deep, guttural sound that sends a tremor through his body.

His ears flick sharply, his tail curling and thumping behind him as his grip tightens around your leg.

“You sound so sweet, ma’syulang,” he whisper, voice thick with hunger.

The sound of his name spills from your lips in a breathy moan as his sharp teeth scrape gently against your thigh.

You gasp, as you try to press your hand against your mouth but the mask is in the way.

Neteyam shudders.

Your touch makes his whole body tremble.

His tail flicks wildly, his self-control almost over as he drags his tongue along your inner thigh, tasting you, marking you. His canines graze your skin again before he bites, sinking his teeth just enough to leave a mark—just enough to claim you. Your body jerks in response, a breathless moan spilling from your lips as your thighs threaten to close again.

But his hands—his strong, steady hands—keep you open for him.

And he’s not finished.

Neteyam growls, his breath hot against your skin as he laves his tongue over the fresh mark, soothing the sting before leaving another kiss right beside it.

You already know—you’re going to have to wear long pants for days just to hide the evidence of what he’s doing to you.

But you don’t care.

Not when his mouth is this warm, this desperate against your skin.

Not when his hands are holding you like you’re the most precious thing he’s ever touched.

Not when all you want is to be his.

Completely.

Finally.

And the way he’s trembling against you—his fingers digging into your thighs, his breath coming ragged and uneven—tells you that he’s barely holding himself together.

That every noise you make, every twitch of your body beneath him, is destroying him. And you’re about to ruin him completely.

Neteyam settles between your thighs, his body sinking lower, his breath ghosting over your skin.

Your chest rises and falls in uneven pulls, anticipation winding so tightly in your core that you feel like you might snap at any moment.

He’s so close.

So devastatingly close to where you need him, yet he doesn’t move forward.

He lingers.

His golden eyes roam over your body with unrestrained hunger, taking in everything now that there’s nothing left between you.

A slow, reverent inhale, as if breathing in the scent of you is enough to send him spiraling.

His hands, large and warm, trace slow, idle patterns along the side of your thighs, the contrast between his rough palms and your soft skin making you shiver. You twitch beneath him, your fingers curling into the pelts below, your breath stuttering when his lips graze so close, just next to where you ache for him most.

But he doesn’t go there.

Instead, he kisses your thighs again.

Slow.

Lingering.

His mouth trails along the softest parts of you, tongue flicking out just slightly between kisses, tasting you, savoring the way your body trembles beneath him.

A low, pleased rumble vibrates from deep within his chest when he feels you squirm, the need in your body so obvious that it makes his blood run hot.

Eywa, you’re so beautiful like this.

Laid bare before him, trembling, squirming, so soft beneath his hands, his to hold, his to worship.

How many nights has he dreamed of this?

How many times has he ached for you, touched himself to the thought of you, imagined how sweet you would taste, how you would fall apart beneath his tongue?

And now, you’re here.

Real.

Shaking.

Needing him.

His ears flick at the sound of your ragged breathing, his tail curling behind him as his hands squeeze your thighs, spreading you further, holding you open for him.

And yet—

He waits.

He watches.

He drinks in every inch of you, memorizing the way your body reacts, the way your breath hitches when he gets too close, the way your fingers twitch like you want to pull him in but don’t dare to move.

You let out a small, frustrated whimper, shifting beneath him, trying to get closer—but he doesn’t let you.

His lips brush over the skin just beside where you need him, deliberately avoiding the one place that aches for him most.

His control is ironclad, but only just.

His whole body is buzzing with restraint, fighting every instinct that urges him to take you now, to claim you, to bury himself in your softness and never come up for air.

But no—

Not yet.

Not until you’re begging for him.

His tongue flicks against the sensitive skin of your thigh, leaving a slow, open-mouthed kiss just next to where his head is resting between your legs.

Your back arches.

A soft, broken whimper tumbles from your lips.

And then, barely above a whisper—

"Please."

Neteyam groans.

A deep, needy sound that rumbles through his whole body, his tail curling tighter, his ears pinning back as his fingers tighten against your thighs.

His restraint snaps like a bowstring.

And then—

His mouth is on you.

And you shatter.

Neteyam’s mouth claims you in a slow, devastating slide of heat, his tongue pressing firmly against your most sensitive part in a way that makes your entire body jerk.

A strangled gasp escapes your lips, your back arching off the pelts as if a current of electricity just ripped through you.

"Oh, fuck—"

Your fingers fly into his hair on instinct, gripping at his thick braids as your thighs clamp around his head, but it doesn’t deter him.

Not even a little.

If anything, it makes him groan against you, the deep, guttural sound vibrating through your core, sending another shockwave of pleasure rippling up your spine. His hands tighten on your thighs, holding you open as he moves with agonizing slowness, his tongue dragging over you in long, deliberate strokes.

Each movement is maddening, a slow, teasing exploration, like he’s savoring every second, every taste of you.

"Neteyam—" Your voice is breathless, a desperate plea as your head tilts back, fingers tugging at his braids, heels digging into his broad shoulders, trying to pull him closer.

But he doesn’t rush.

No, he revels in the way your body twists beneath him, the way your hips roll, the way your thighs tremble, the way you chant his name like a desperate, breathless prayer.

"Eywa, please—" Your voice is breaking, a shameful mix of whimpers and gasps, of curses and incoherent pleading.

Neteyam growls against you, his large hands sliding up your trembling thighs, fingers digging into your skin as he holds you down.

"I have you." His voice is deep, muffled, vibrating straight into you before he sucks at your clit in a way that makes your whole body jolt.

A strangled cry rips from your throat.

Your grip on his hair tightens—desperate, clawing—your fingers curling against his scalp as you pull at him, as if you could somehow ground yourself against the force of the pleasure.

But there is no control now.

No grounding.

Just him.

His mouth.

His tongue works you open, devouring you like you’re the only thing in the universe.

The pressure in your core coils too fast, too sharp, a fiery tension snapping through your veins, your thighs trembling around his head.

His tongue presses harder, his lips sealing around your swollen, aching clit, and then he sucks.

"Neteyam—!"

Your entire body locks up, your back arching off the pelts, your breath shattering into a sharp, broken cry as pleasure crashes over you in an overwhelming wave.

Your thighs tremble violently as your body bucks against him, but he doesn’t stop.

He guides you through it, his hands strong and unyielding as he holds you down, his tongue still moving in slow, languid strokes, drawing out every last pulse, every last shudder.

Your breath comes in ragged gasps, your whole body trembling, your mind floating somewhere between bliss and disbelief.

Neteyam hums against you, a deep, satisfied sound as he drinks in the way you fall apart for him, his grip on your thighs tight, possessive, like he never wants to let go.

And then, finally, after what feels like an eternity, he pulls back just slightly, his lips glistening, his golden eyes blazing as he looks up at you.

A slow, lazy smirk spreads across his lips as he licks his mouth, his voice thick with hunger.

"That was only the beginning, ma’syulang."

Your chest rises and falls in rapid, uneven breaths, the aftershocks of your climax still coursing through your trembling body. Your muscles feel like liquid, heat pooling in your limbs, your fingers weakly clutching at the pelts beneath you. The air in the hut is thick—humid and heavy, wrapped in the scent of desire and him.

Your mind struggles to catch up. To understand what just happened.

That was the quickest and the most intense orgasm of your life.

Your body still hums with the afterglow, tiny tremors rippling through your thighs where Neteyam still holds you open. The cool night air kisses your flushed skin, sharp in contrast to the feverish warmth that lingers in your core.

You gasp, eyes unfocused as you stare at the thatched ceiling above you.

It’s almost hilarious, in some twisted way.

You had to travel four and a half light-years across space, sleeping in a cryostasis capsule for six years, leave behind everything you’d ever known, survive Pandora’s harsh wilderness, fall in love with a ten-foot-tall blue warrior—just to experience this.

A breathless, disbelieving laugh tumbles from your lips.

You can’t help it.

It bubbles up from your chest, soft at first, then growing until you’re giggling, completely hazed, utterly wrecked, staring up at the ceiling like the secrets of the universe have just been rewritten before your very eyes.

Neteyam huffs a quiet chuckle above you, his large hands still gripping your thighs, keeping them spread for him. You can’t see his face from this angle, but you know he smirks, the amused shake of his head as he watches you come undone beneath him.

"Something funny, ma’yawne?" His voice is deep, laced with satisfaction, but there’s a teasing edge to it, warm and indulgent.

You try to form a response, but your brain is still swimming in the aftermath of pleasure, still trying to grasp the sheer insanity of what just happened.

So instead, you just shake your head weakly, still breathless, still trying to process.

Neteyam shifts slightly, and before you can register what he’s doing, you feel it—

The hot, wet slide of his tongue against your still-sensitive core.

A sharp gasp rips from your throat, your entire body jerking, muscles tensing as a shock of pleasure rips through your oversensitive nerves.

Your hips twitch involuntarily as you try to squirm away—but his hands hold you firm, strong and unyielding.

"Neteyam—" Your voice is raw, breathless, shaking.

He groans against you, his lips pressing against your swollen, aching heat, devouring you all over again.

"Still so sweet," he murmurs, his voice a deep, husky purr against your most sensitive part. "I could stay here forever."

Another wave of sensation crashes over you, your body still so raw, so open to him. Your breath shudders as you try to form a coherent thought, but he’s already moving—his tongue lapping, slow and deliberate, savoring you with an almost devotional hunger.

You can feel the way he takes his time, savoring you, groaning against your heat like this is something he’s craved for longer than he’d ever admit.

And he has.

For so many nights, for so many years, Neteyam has imagined this—you laid out before him, trembling, gasping his name, your fingers tangled in his hair, your small body writhing beneath his tongue.

And now, he finally has you.

And he’s going to worship you.

"Let me have you, ma’syulang," he breathes against you, his voice thick with reverence. "Let me taste you again."

And then, with another slow, luxurious stroke of his tongue, he does.

Neteyam’s mouth is relentless.

The slow, maddening slide of his tongue sends another shudder through your body, his warmth against your most sensitive part making you tremble all over again. You should be too sensitive, should be unable to handle more—but somehow, it doesn’t matter.

It still feels so good.

Your body betrays you, pleasure building once more, deep and slow, coiling in your stomach like a rising tide.

Neteyam knows.

He feels it in the way your thighs tremble in his grip, in the way your breath hitches sharply every time his tongue moves just right. He can hear it in the soft, choked sounds escaping you, the way your hips instinctively arch against his mouth, desperate for more.

He groans, the sound vibrating against you, deep and reverent, like he’s lost in his own pleasure—like this is the most pleasurable thing he’s ever done.

“Eywa…” he murmurs between kisses, his voice thick and strained, full of awe. His fingers tighten around your thighs, spreading you open further, keeping you right where he wants you. “You taste like—", he groans again, voice cut off as he devours you once more.

The feeling is too much, but not enough.

Your hands fly to your mouth, instinctively trying to muffle the shameless, wanton sounds pouring from your lips. But—

The mask.

Your fingers hit the smooth glass instead, a clear barrier between you and your desperate attempt at containment.

And Neteyam sees it.

Sees the way your hands tremble against your mask, your eyes squeezed shut, your chest heaving.

His lips curl into a wicked, knowing smirk against your core, his golden eyes gleaming as he looks up at you.

“Don’t hide from me, ma’tanhi,” he murmurs, his voice dark, teasing.

And then—

His tongue slides deeper.

A sharp, high-pitched cry rips from your throat as his tongue pushes against your entrance, slick and firm, slipping just inside, teasing you.

Your body reacts instantly—your hips arch off the pelts, desperate for more, grinding against his mouth with raw, needy instinct. Neteyam groans loudly at that, a deep, almost pained sound that sends a violent shudder through your body.

"That’s it," he praises, his voice rough, guttural, his hands gripping you harder, keeping you right there. "Give yourself to me."

His tongue flicks against your clit, slow and purposeful, and he moans—a deep, shuddering sound that vibrates through you, that makes you tremble beneath him.

His pleasure is undeniable.

And when he sucks your clit into his mouth, his tongue lapping, working you up again, you realize—

You’re going to break.

And he is the one who’s going to break you.

Your body shatters.

The heat in your core snaps, sharp and violent, pleasure crashing over you like a tidal wave. A raw, broken scream tearing from your lips as you come undone on Neteyam’s tongue again. You chant his name, over and over, like a prayer, like a plea—like he’s the only thing keeping you tethered to reality. “Neteyam—Neteyam—oh, Eywa—Neteyam!”

Your hands tighten in his braids, your thighs trembling around his head, your entire body shaking as he works you through your orgasm, licking you like he can’t get enough.

You hear it—the low, wrecked moan he lets out against your core, the way his breath stutters like this is just as intense for him as it is for you. Like your pleasure is his own, like he’s lost in it, drowning in the way you come apart beneath him.

Your body slumps back against the pelts, gasping for air like you’ve just run miles, like you’ve been chased and finally caught.

Your limbs feel boneless, your chest rising and falling in rapid, uneven breaths. Your entire body tingles, still thrumming with aftershocks, still trembling from how hard he made you come.

And then—

Neteyam moves.

Slowly, purposefully, he crawls up your body, his golden eyes locked onto yours, dark and hungry.

Your breath catches as you watch him prowl over you, his massive frame caging you in, his muscles shifting with effortless strength. His tail flicks lazily behind him, but his movements are anything but relaxed—he’s deliberate, controlled, like a predator savoring the moment before claiming his prey.

Your mask fogs up from how hard you’re panting, heat radiating from every inch of your overwhelmed body. But it doesn’t matter—

Because as soon as he’s close enough, you rip it off.

And kiss him.

Desperately.

Like there’s no tomorrow. Like the world is ending and he’s the only thing keeping you alive.

His lips are hot, wet with your taste, his breath mingling with yours as your tongues tangle, fighting, devouring each other. You taste yourself on him, and the realization sends another wave of arousal surging through you.

Neteyam groans into the kiss, his massive hands gripping your waist, pulling you flush against him like he needs you closer, like the space between you is unbearable. His chest rumbles, deep and needy, his entire body pressing you down into the pelts.

You kiss him until your lungs burn, until your chest aches for air.

And only then—only when your vision starts to blur—do you pull back, gasping as you fumble your mask back onto your face.

The moment it presses into place, you flop back onto the pelts, spent, limbs weak and trembling.

Neteyam chuckles, his voice low and amused, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief as he watches you struggle to recover.

“Look at you,” he murmurs, smirking. “So weak. I barely touched you.”

You glare at him, lifting a shaky hand to smack his broad chest. “Fuck you.”

His smirk deepens, his ears flicking forward as he leans down, his lips brushing the shell of your ear.

“That’s the plan.”

The heat between you lingers, even as the urgency fades into something slower, sweeter.

Neteyam’s massive form cages you in, his warm, powerful body wrapped around yours as he leans on his right elbow. His golden eyes drink you in, still dark with hunger, but softer now, filled with something deeper.

His fingers trace lazy, worshipful paths along your naked body—up and down, from the curve of your hip to the dip of your waist, then higher, until his palm spans across your ribs, pressing warm and firm over your racing heart.

He marvels at you.

How small you are beneath him.

How tiny your frame is compared to his—so soft, so delicate, yet still strong in a way that drives him insane.

One of his hands is enough to engulf both of your plump breasts, covering you completely. Marvel them how soft they felt under his palm. He squeezes, testing, teasing, watching in fascination as you squirm beneath him, your breath catching at the sensation.

But even with the stark difference in size, you are perfect to him.

You always have been.

Your breathing slowly evens out, but the moment you begin to relax, your fingers find his shoulders. You explore him, trailing the broad planes of muscle, feeling the strength beneath his skin. You grow bolder, your blunt nails raking gently over his deep blue striped skin, watching the way his muscles twitch in response.

Neteyam hums in approval, leaning down, pressing his lips softly against the lovebite he left on your neck.

Your heart swells with so much affection that you feel like you might burst. The words slip out before you can stop them, soft and reverent.

"I love you so much."

Neteyam stills for a moment, his breath warm against your skin. Then—he presses another slow, lingering kiss to the mark.

"Oel ngati kameie, ma’yawne."[I see you, my beloved.]

The words send a shiver through you, sinking deep into your bones. His voice is low, rich with meaning, with devotion, and your body trembles in response.

But then—you feel it.

The hard press of him against your thigh.

He’s achingly hard, the thick length of him pressed against your skin through the thin material of his loincloth, hot and undeniable. The realization sends a bolt of arousal straight to your core, making you ache all over again. Slowly, you reach down, sliding down on his chest, on his abs, your fingers trembling slightly as you try to touch him—to feel all of him for the first time.

But before you can, his large hand catches yours, pinning it effortlessly above your head.

You let out a soft gasp, blinking up at him in surprise as his lips curve into a slow, knowing smirk.

"Not today," he purrs into your ear, his deep voice sending shivers down your spine.

Your breath hitches as you look up at him, your fingers flexing beneath his grip. “But I want to touch you,” you whisper, pleading, your voice desperate and needy.

Neteyam chuckles, low and dangerous. Instead of answering, he leans down, bites your earlobe—gentle but firm—then soothes it with his tongue, the teasing motion making your stomach flip.

Before you can protest, his other hand slides down, gripping your hips, pulling you closer against him.

And then—he grinds against you.

Slow. Deliberate.

The thick, solid length of him presses against your bare thigh, rolling against your feverish skin. The sensation is maddening, the friction sending a wave of pleasure surging through you.

A moan slips past your lips, high and needy, your body reacting instinctively to his.

You look up at him, your chest rising and falling, your pupils blown wide with desperation.

"Please..." your voice wavers, barely above a whisper. "Oe tìkin nga, ma’Neteyam."[I need you, Neteyam.]

And that—that breaks him.

His golden eyes darken, his restraint shattering like glass.

His left hand trails down, slipping over your stomach, moving with purpose, with promise.

You hold your breath, waiting, wanting—

Then—

The first fluttering touch of his fingers between your thighs makes you whimper.

His calloused fingertips tease along your most sensitive part, deliberate, exploratory, sending sparks of pleasure racing up your spine.

You tremble beneath him, arching your hips against his touch, silently begging for more. Neteyam watches you, utterly captivated by how you react to him, how your body responds to every careful movement of his fingers.

Then, slowly—he enters you.

Just one finger.

Long and thick, stretching you in a way that makes your breath catch in your throat. A soft, shocked moan slipping from your lips as your thighs tremble around him.

Eywa—

Just one of his fingers feels like when you use two of your own.

And the thought—

The thought of how much more of him there is to take—

It makes you shudder with anticipation.

You’re writhing beneath him, body caught in a relentless cycle of pleasure and want, teetering on the edge of something bigger, something deeper. You don’t even know how many times you’ve come just by his fingers.

It’s a blur—waves of ecstasy crashing over you again and again, each one leaving you shaken, your legs trembling around his broad shoulders as he works you apart with his expert fingers.

But you do feel when his second finger presses into you.

Your body stretches around him, and the sensation is so much, so deep, a desperate gasp ripping from your lips. "Fuck… yes," you whimper, your fingers clawing at his arms, grasping his armbands for a moment, your nails raking over his unbelievably strong shoulders. "So good—"

Neteyam groans deeply above you, his golden eyes hungry, his tail lashing behind him in raw need. His ears twitch at every sweet, gasping sound you make, drinking them in like they’re the only thing keeping him sane.

You can feel how much he’s trying to hold himself back.

How his hips stutter against your side, how he grinds himself slowly, as if trying to relieve some of his own unbearable ache.

He’s just as desperate as you are.

That thought alone sends another wave of pleasure coursing through you, your hips rolling frantically against his fingers, seeking more, needing more.

Your hands fly up, trembling fingers reaching for him—grasping, pulling.

And then—

You yank your mask down.

Before he can even register it, your lips crash against his, fierce and unrelenting.

It’s messy, desperate, filled with raw hunger as you pour everything—every ache, every longing thought—into the kiss.

Neteyam groans against your small lips, his grip on you tightening, his fingers curling inside you in a way that makes you cry out against his lips.

You don’t care.

You need him.

You need him now.

Your breath burns in your lungs, but before you pull away to put your mask back, you whisper against his lips, your voice trembling, pleading.

"Please, Neteyam…" Your forehead rests against his, your breath mixing with his as your thighs quiver around his hips. “I  need you to…”

"...fuck me."

A deep, guttural sound rumbles from his chest—a sound so primal, so filled with desperation, that it makes your whole body shudder.

You barely manage to secure your mask back into place before Neteyam moves.

Before he gives you exactly what you’re begging for.

Neteyam shifts, his movements slow, deliberate, as he settles back on his heels between your open legs. His golden eyes stay locked onto yours, filled with something heavy, something intense that makes your breath hitch before he even touches the knots at his hips.

Your heart pounds as his fingers move, untying the thin strips of fabric that hold up his loincloth. His hands are steady, but you see the way his chest rises and falls with each slow breath, see the way his muscles twitch slightly with anticipation.

And then—

The last piece of cloth falls away.

A sharp, unexpected surge of need crashes through you.

You barely realize you’re moving until your elbows prop you up, your eyes dropping to his body, the forest’s soft bioluminescent light from the outside through the gaps of the woven walls flickered over his deep blue skin, highlighting the smooth planes of his powerful body, all hard muscle and grace. The markings running down his chest and arms seemed to glow faintly, tracing the sculpted ridges of his defined torso, the shadows deepening where his muscles tensed.

He was massive, broad shoulders tapering into a narrow waist, his form both elegant and commanding, honed by years of discipline and training. His thighs were powerful, thick with muscle, built for speed, for strength, for hunt. Yet, here in this quiet moment, he was simply a man before you, yours to admire.

And then… your gaze drifted lower.

A deep flush spread across your cheeks as you took him in. Hard. Heavy. Surprisingly human-looking, yet distinctly Na’vi.

Your breath wavered.

And—Eywa, he’s big.

It was thicker, longer, with a slight curve upward, the flushed tip a deep shade of blue, darker than the rest of him. It twitched under your gaze, as if aware of your attention, and you could practically feel the heat radiating from him. The base of it, where soft ridges ran subtly down the underside, was nestled against the apex of his thighs, right above the dip of his hip bones.

But somehow, seeing this, seeing all of him for the first time, makes reality set in in a way that makes your stomach twist with something dangerously close to uncertainty.

Neteyam notices.

His ears twitch, his breath catches—just for a moment—before his expression softens. You expect him to smirk, to tease you the way Lo’ak or Kiri would in any other circumstances, but he doesn’t. He just watches you, his tail flicking slowly behind him, his whole body trembling with restraint.

Not for himself.  

For you. 

Because you are the one making him like this.  

You are the one he’s been aching for, the one he’s been waiting for, the one he wants with such intensity that it’s practically vibrating through him.  

Your lips part, your chest tightens at the way he’s looking at you—like you’re everything.  

And just like that, the uncertainty vanishes.  

A small, knowing smile tugs at your lips.  

Because you make him feel this way.  

Because you have all of him, completely and utterly undone before you.  

And when you finally lift your gaze back to his face, Neteyam looks absolutely lost in you.

As you sit up before him, the warmth of the soft pelts beneath you is nothing compared to the heat radiating from Neteyam’s body. His massive frame is kneeling before you, yet even like this, he towers over you—his sheer presence overwhelming in the most intoxicating way.

Your heart pounds as you crawl closer, moving toward him with slow, deliberate intent. The dim light of the hut flickers across his deep blue skin, highlighting every tense muscle, every careful breath as he watches your approach.

And then—your legs brace beneath you, and you rise to your feet.

Despite being on his knees, he is still tall enough that you are nearly eye-level with him now. The realization sends a small shiver through you. He is so big, so strong, and yet, the moment you stand, his long arms wrap instantly around your waist, pulling you to him, pressing you flush against his chest.

You gasp softly, his warmth seeping into you, his strength caging you in a way that only makes you want him more.

“Neteyam…” you whisper, your small fingers trailing down, brushing over the solid muscles  as you steady yourself. Your touch is featherlight, gliding over the ridges of his abs, feeling the hardness of his body beneath your fingertips, but carefully—deliberately—you avoid touching his aching length.

A sharp inhale hisses through his teeth at the teasing absence of your touch. His hands tighten on your waist, fingers digging in just enough to warn you.

But you don’t stop.

Your hands travel upward, over his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your palm before sliding over his powerful shoulders. You grip him there, needing to steady yourself—your legs are still weak, still trembling from the overwhelming pleasure he had given you earlier.

His golden eyes are burning as they lock onto yours, his breath shallow and controlled, but you can feel the way his muscles coil tight beneath your hands. The way his tail flicks in sharp, desperate movements behind him. Slowly, you pull off your mask, holding your breath just long enough to lean in—your lips brushing against the curve of his strangely shaped ear, pressing the softest, most delicate kiss against it.

A violent shudder runs through Neteyam, his grip on you tightening. His ears are so sensitive.

You smile against his skin, your voice barely above a breath as you whisper:

"Why are you holding back?"

And then, before he can answer, you press another kiss just beneath his ear, feeling the way his jaw tightens, how his hands twitch against your waist, how his entire body is practically vibrating beneath you.

Neteyam lets out a low, deep groan, his voice strained as he finally answers, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear in return:

"Because if I don’t… I will ruin you."

His words send a wave of heat down your spine, your whole body tightening at the raw, unfiltered hunger in his voice.

"Because if I give in now," he continues, his grip firming on your waist as his head dips lower, "I will not stop. Not until I have had all of you."

His lips graze your neck, his breath hot against your skin.

"Not until you are shaking beneath me again."

A soft, involuntary gasp escapes your lips.

Your grip tightens on his shoulders, your chest heaving as your breath catches in your throat. You smile at him—soft, tender, and so full of love that it makes Neteyam stiffen for an entirely different reason. Because despite the aching desire burning in his veins, despite the raw need that has him trembling in restraint, you still look at him like this. Like he is yours as much as you are his.

Even with the undeniable heat pressing between you, even as he can feel the way your body is eager for him, he still waits. Still holds back because he refuses to hurt you, refuses to be anything but careful with you.

And that makes you smile even more.

Your heart swells with something deep, something raw, something endless for the man in front of you. He is so good—so considerate, so perfect, even when he is barely holding himself together, his broad chest rising and falling in deep, measured breaths.

You pull your mask back on, taking a few steady breaths, filling your lungs. And then, with deliberate slowness, you remove it again, holding it carefully in your hand as you lean in—your lips barely brushing against his as you whisper:

"What if I want to be yours, ma’Neteyam?"

His entire body freezes.

For a split second, his golden eyes darken with something almost primal, something wild, something so deeply possessive that your breath catches in your throat.

And then—he moves.

His hands grasp your waist, firm and unrelenting, as he pulls you against him. Before you can even gasp, he lifts you—effortlessly, easily—making you wrap your legs around his waist as you cling to him.

You let out a small, breathless noise as your hands fly around his broad shoulders, your body molding against his as he holds you up like you weigh nothing.

And then—you feel it.

His hard length, pressing against the curve of your butt, hot and heavy even through the thin barriers of warmth still between you.

A shudder runs through you at the sheer size of him, your nails digging slightly into his skin as you press closer, feeling the way his grip tightens in response.

"You test me, ma’yawne," he murmurs, his voice low, a growl of pleasure and restraint in your ear.

And then—he moves.

With deliberate ease, Neteyam lowers you onto the soft pelts, his body still caging yours as he hovers above you.

His golden eyes never leave yours, drinking in every inch of you—your heaving chest, the way your lips part slightly as you pant beneath him, the way your legs instinctively tighten around his waist before he gently pries them apart, making space for himself.

His hands glide down your body, slow and reverent, tracing the curves he has memorized in his dreams, the ones he has ached to worship properly for so long.

You quickly put your mask back on, gulping in the air you desperately need. But before you can say anything, before you can even think, Neteyam leans down, his warm lips brushing the shell of your ear, his deep voice vibrating through your very bones as he whispers:

"Then let me make you mine."

Your breath catches as you look up at him, golden eyes locked onto yours, his body poised above you like a force of nature. Your chest rises and falls, lips parted in anticipation, and there’s nothing else—no one else—but him.

"Yes... please," you whisper, voice trembling with longing, with need.

Neteyam’s ears flick at your words, his throat bobbing as he swallows hard. His hands, so large, so warm, slide over your sides with gentle reverence, as if mapping you, memorizing every curve, every dip. Then, he leans down, his lips finding your collarbone, pressing slow, open-mouthed kisses against your skin.

And then—you feel it.

A sharp gasp leaves you as his hand moves between your bodies, the slow, deliberate drag of his fingers against your skin sending a new wave of anticipation through you. Your legs instinctively tighten around his hips, urging him closer, and he obliges—pressing himself against you, hot and hard.

A shiver racks through your body as you feel the blunt, thick tip of him against your still-sensitive and soaked core, the sheer size of him making your stomach tighten. He’s so big, so intensely there, and yet—he doesn’t move, doesn’t push forward.

Because even now, when every muscle in his body is coiled tight, when he aches for you, he still waits.

Neteyam pulls back just enough to look down at you, his golden eyes burning with so many things at once—desire, need, but also hesitation.

You know what he’s thinking.

That you are so small beneath him. That you are fragile compared to his massive frame. That he wants this more than anything, but he refuses to hurt you.

Your heart swells at the love in his expression, at the silent plea in his gaze, the way his ears flatten slightly against his skull.

And so, you nod, fingers reaching up to brush his strong jaw, whispering again, softer this time.

"Rutxe."[Please.]

Neteyam exhales shakily, his resolve barely holding together, and then—slowly, agonizingly slowly—he begins to push in.

Your breath stutters at the sensation, your fingers digging into his shoulders as inch by inch, he fills you, his thick length stretching you in ways you didn’t know were possible.

Neteyam lets out a deep, shuddering groan, his forehead pressing into your hair as he buries his face against you, his breaths ragged. His ears twitch, his entire body trembling with restraint as he fights every primal urge screaming at him to move faster, to take, to claim.

But he doesn’t.

He waits, panting against your skin, pressing slow, reverent kisses to your temple as he gives you time—time to adjust, time to feel every inch of him, time to let your body mold to him like you were made for him.

His hands clutch your hips, his fingers trembling slightly as he forces himself to still, waiting for any sign, any word from you.

And then, finally, when you exhale a breathless "Neteyam...", he groans, his head dropping to the crook of your neck as he shudders.

Because this—this moment, this feeling—is more than he ever dreamed of.

And he will give you everything.

A gasp leaves your lips as Neteyam finally sinks all the way in, his body pressing flush against yours, his warmth consuming you completely. The feeling is overwhelming—too much and yet not enough all at once—stretching you in a way that has your head spinning, your chest rising in sharp, shallow breaths.

A deep, ragged groan rumbles from Neteyam’s chest as he trembles above you, his muscles taut beneath your fingertips, his entire body coiled with restraint. His ears flatten against his skull, his jaw clenched so tightly you can see the tension straining his neck. He looks almost pained, as if holding himself together is taking everything he has.

"Ma’Neteyam..." you whisper, reaching up with shaky hands, fingers brushing over the taut lines of his arms, feeling the way they quiver slightly from the effort of not moving.

He is huge, overwhelming in every sense, and yet—he waits, his chest rising and falling in unsteady breaths, his golden eyes squeezed shut as he forces himself to stay still, to let you adjust, to not lose himself in you completely.

Your heart aches at the sheer amount of control it takes for him to hold back, to not give in to the deep, primal need raging inside him.

Gently, you trail your hands up his arms, over his biceps, before cupping his face in your hands, your thumbs tracing over the sharp angles of his cheekbones. His skin is burning, feverish under your touch, and when his golden eyes flutter open, they are wild—blown wide with desperation, with so much unspoken need.

"You are so good..." you murmur softly, trying to soothe him, trying to ease the trembling in his body.

But just as the words leave your lips, Neteyam’s hips stutter against you, and the last syllable turns into a long, helpless moan as pleasure shoots up your spine.

Neteyam curses under his breath, his hands gripping your hips so tightly you feel like you might break apart beneath him. He drops his forehead against your mask’s glass, panting, his breath hot against the thin glass.

"You are—" he exhales, voice barely more than a growl, "going to be the death of me."

You let out a breathless laugh, but it quickly turns into a sharp gasp as he shifts, barely moving, and your entire body shudders in response.

You are so full of him, stretched beyond anything you’ve ever known, and yet—it feels right. Like you were meant to take him, like his body was made to fit yours.

And Eywa help you, but you need more.

Your fingers curl in his braids, your lips parting as you pant, pleading. "Neteyam..."

His answering growl rumbles against your skin, his restraint hanging by a thread, his body shaking as he fights every instinct to move, to claim you completely.

But when your small hands grip his shoulders, when your body arches against his, when you whimper his name like a prayer—

Neteyam exhales a shaky breath as he slowly pulls back, only to sink into you again—agonizingly slow, deliberate, as if he wants to savor every second, every inch.

A deep, guttural groan tears from his throat as he buries himself inside you once more, his larger hips pressing flush against yours, his right fingers digging into the soft flesh of your waist like he needs to anchor himself, while his right arm is above your head and holding almost all of his body weight.

"Eywa..." he breathes, his voice rough, almost desperate. "You feel so—so good, ma’yawne. So tight around me... so perfect."

His praise sends a sharp wave of pleasure through you, your body clenching around him in response. The sound that leaves him is feral, his hips stuttering before he pulls back and thrusts in again, this time just a little deeper, a little stronger.

"Nete—ah!" you gasp, your hands flying to his arms, gripping onto his biceps like a lifeline. He is so big, so strong above you, his body dwarfing yours, surrounding you completely.

His movements are slow, almost reverent, each roll of his hips measured, precise—like he is learning you, learning how to make you fall apart for him. You moan with every thrust, your head falling back, eyes rolling as pleasure coils deep in your stomach.

"Fuck, Neteyam..." you whimper, your fingers digging into his arms, your breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Neteyam lets out a low, pleased growl at your words, his tail curling tightly around your thigh. He leans down, his lips brushing over your jaw as he murmurs against your skin.

"You sound so pretty when you say my name like that, syulang..."

His next thrust is deeper, the drag of him sending a sharp, blinding wave of pleasure through you. You cry out, your nails raking down his arms, your entire body arching into him.

"Tìyawn, you're so tight..." he groans, his voice strained as if he’s barely holding himself together. "You feel—Eywa, you feel like you were made for me."

A shudder wracks your body at his words, your breath catching, your thighs tightening around his waist. You feel the restraint in him, the way his muscles coil with every slow, controlled thrust, the way his hands tremble slightly as he grip your hips.

And Eywa help you—you want more.

"Neteyam..." you plead, breathless, your hands sliding up to tangle in his braids. "Please—"

Every roll of his hips sends a new wave of sensation through you, his length sliding in and out of you with such ease now, each thrust sending a tremor through your limbs. The friction, the way he stretches you so perfectly. Your moans grow louder, unrestrained, echoing through the small hut. Right now, there is only him, only the way he moves inside you, the way his body engulfs yours, the way he feels so impossibly perfect.

"Eywa—" Neteyam groans, his golden eyes flickering down to where your bodies are joined, watching himself disappear into you over and over. His ears flick back, his jaw clenching as if he’s trying to hold himself together, but you can feel his restraint slipping. His movements are too careful, his muscles too tense, like he’s holding back more than he should.

That won’t do.

You tilt your head up, eyes locking onto his as you gasp, "You won’t break me, Neteyam."

His breath hitches at your words, his ears twitching sharply. His grip on your hips tightens just slightly, his movements stalling for just a fraction of a second.

And then you laugh—a breathless, hazy sound as you reach up, cupping his face between your trembling fingers. "I can take you," you whisper, your voice dripping with need, with urgency. "I want you to stop holding back."

For a moment, he just stares at you, his golden eyes dark with something primal, his nostrils flaring. His tail flicks once, twice—and then, with a low, guttural growl, his restraint snaps.

Before you can even take another breath, his arms wrap around you, circling your waist and pulling you flush against him. You gasp as your chest meets his, your legs instinctively tightening around his waist as he buries himself inside you all the way, his hips snapping forward with a newfound urgency.

"Eywa—" you choke out, your fingers digging into his back, your body rocking against his with every thrust.

"You can take me, huh?" Neteyam grits out, his voice strained, his breath warm against your temple. "Let’s see if you still say that when I make you come again, syulang."

And then he picks up his pace, his thrusts deeper, faster, sending shockwaves of pleasure crashing through you, making your breath hitch and your toes curl. You cling to him, your nails raking down his back, your moans spilling freely from your lips.

"Yes— Neteyam, yes!" you cry out, your head tilting back as pleasure overtakes every part of you.

His arms tighten around you, his lips finding the sensitive spot on your neck as he loses himself in you, completely, entirely—just as you wanted. Just as you needed.

Neteyam groans as he finally lets go, his self-control snapping like a bowstring. His thrusts turn deep, urgent, each one stretching you completely, hitting every sensitive spot inside you with devastating precision. Your moans turn into desperate, wordless cries, your body arching helplessly beneath him as he drives into you with long, powerful strokes.

Your nails dig into his upper arms, clinging to him as if he’s the only thing keeping you grounded. "Nete—" you gasp, your voice breaking as pleasure coils tighter and tighter in your core, the overwhelming sensation too much and yet not enough at the same time.

His breath is ragged, his golden eyes burning as he watches you—watches the way you writhe under him, the way your lips part with each moan, the way your body welcomes him so perfectly. "Eywa, syulang," he groans, his head falling to the crook of your neck, his body shaking from the effort of holding himself up. "Nga zir—nìftxan—tsìltsan."[You feel so good.]

His words send a fresh wave of heat through you, your body reacting instantly. The pleasure in your core twists, tightens—and then, like a bursting star, it snaps.

"Neteyam!" You scream his name as you reach your peak, your back arching off the pelts, your head tilting back, your eyes rolling back as your release crashes over you like a tidal wave. Your body shudders, clenching down so tight around him that you feel his entire form tremble above you.

Neteyam groans, his rhythm stuttering as he feels you squeeze around him, the sensation too intense, too perfect. "Eywa—" he chokes out, his voice wrecked as he follows you, his hips jerking forward one last time as he buries himself deep inside you.

His whole body shakes, his muscles flexing, his ears flat as he releases a deep, throaty moan. His grip on you tightens, his hand pressing against the small of your back, holding you to him as he rides out his release.

If he weren’t bracing himself on his elbow, he might have collapsed entirely from the sheer force of it. Instead, his body trembles against yours, his breath hot and ragged in your ear, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he slowly comes back to himself.

You’re both shaking, panting, completely spent.

The only sound in the hut is your heavy breaths, the rapid thumping of your hearts pounding against each other. Your fingers, still buried in his arms, twitch as the aftershocks ripple through you.

"Ma’Neteyam..." you whisper breathlessly, your body still trembling beneath him.

He exhales deeply, his lips pressing softly against the side of your neck, as if grounding himself in the feeling of you, in the reality of what just happened.

And Eywa—nothing has ever felt more right.

Neteyam lets out a long, slow breath, his body still pressed against yours, his weight comforting rather than overwhelming. His heart pounds against your chest, his skin still warm and slick with sweat, his breaths uneven as he comes down from the intensity of it all. His arms stay wrapped around you, as if he’s afraid to let go—as if this moment is something sacred that he wants to hold onto for as long as possible.

You’re still trembling, still trying to catch your breath, but as the haze of pleasure fades, a lazy, satisfied smile spreads across your lips. With a soft sigh, you lift your hands, running them gently over his shoulders, easing the tension from his taut muscles with slow, loving strokes.

Then, with a deep inhale, you pull down your mask, just for a moment, just long enough to press a slow, deep kiss to his lips. Neteyam hums into the kiss, his large hands still gripping your waist, holding you close as he lingers in the feeling of you. His lips move against yours deliberately, savoring every second, as if trying to memorize your taste.

When you finally pull away, gasping softly, you quickly secure your mask back into place, still smiling up at him, your body boneless beneath him.

A breathless giggle bubbles up from your chest as you look at him, eyes filled with warmth. "If I knew this would be so good with you..." You bite your lip, teasing, eyes gleaming with mischief, "Fuck, I would’ve been yours sooner."

Neteyam huffs a soft laugh, his golden eyes softening as he looks down at you, pure adoration shining in them. "You have always been mine, ma’yawne," he murmurs, his voice low, affectionate, full of certainty.

Your heart stutters at his words, your fingers trailing over his shoulders, down his arms, down to his chest, mapping every dip and ridge of his powerful form. Your touch is gentle, soothing, filled with love, easing the last remnants of tension from his body.

After a moment, Neteyam slowly pulls out of you, his movements careful, but still enough to make a deep, shuddering moan spill from your lips. Your breath catches as you feel the mess he left inside you, the warm, sticky evidence of just how much he ruined you.

"Fuck," you exhale, laughing breathlessly as you feel his release slowly drip out of you. Your head falls back onto the pelts, a hand loosely covering your face. "You really ruined me."

Neteyam’s ears twitch, a smirk tugging at his lips as he leans down, pressing a lazy, satisfied kiss to your shoulder. "Good," he murmurs, his voice full of smug satisfaction, his tail flicking happily behind him.

His hands caress your hips, his fingers tracing the marks he left on your skin, his touch soothing despite the intensity of what just happened. His golden eyes roam over you, taking in every detail, every mark of his claim, every lingering shiver that courses through you.

"Rest, ma’yawne," he whispers, his forehead pressing gently against the glass of your mask. "I will hold you."

And as you melt into him, wrapped in his warmth, surrounded by his scent, his presence, you realize—there is nowhere else you’d rather be.

The warmth of Neteyam’s body against yours is all-encompassing, his long arms wrapped securely around your much smaller form as you nestle against his chest. The steady rise and fall of his breathing soothes you, his blue skin still warm from exertion, his heartbeat a steady rhythm beneath your palm. You’re still hazy, still floating from everything that happened between you, but this—this—is just as intoxicating.

His tail lazily flicks behind him, brushing against your leg, his deep, steady breaths melting into something else entirely—a low, rumbling vibration, soft yet unmistakable. You blink, confused for a moment before the realization hits you.

You bite your lip, trying to suppress a giggle, but you fail. "Neteyam… are you purring?"

His ears twitch at your words, his brow furrowing slightly as he blinks down at you. "Purring?" he repeats, clearly confused.

But that only makes you laugh harder. The deep, continuous rumble in his chest sounds exactly like a big cat, and it’s so unbelievably adorable that you can’t help but let out another giggle. "Oh my Eywa, you sound like a huge cat."

Neteyam raises a single, unimpressed brow, his expression deadpan. "What is a cat?"

That only makes you laugh harder. "Ohh," you hum through your giggles. "I will show you one day."

He narrows his eyes slightly, clearly not amused at being compared to something he doesn’t even know, but when you nuzzle closer against his chest, the tension melts from his expression. His arms tighten around you, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles over your back, his purring—because that’s definitely what it is—deepening.

A warmth spreads through you, something deeper than just affection, something so all-consuming that you can’t contain it. You shift slightly, pushing yourself up to sit beside him, your knees tucked beneath you as you gaze down at him.

Neteyam watches you curiously, his ears twitching slightly as you lean in and rest your chin on his broad chest, staring at him with the silliest, most adoring smile on your face.

"What are you doing?" he asks, his voice amused but affectionate, one hand lazily tracing the curve of your spine.

You exhale a soft breath, your eyes drinking in every perfect detail of him—the strong lines of his face, the soft glow of his bioluminescent freckles, the way his golden eyes hold you like you’re the most precious thing in the universe.

"Just watching," you murmur dreamily, "the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen."

His expression shifts, something soft and utterly devoted settling in his golden gaze. His ears twitch slightly, his tail flicking against the pelts in response. "Yawne…" he breathes, his voice so gentle, so full of love.

And you can only smile, because Eywa, how is it possible to love someone this much?

Part 18: (Soon)

[poppyseed1031]

Swimming Lesson (A Precious One Shot)

Pairing: Adult Ao'nung x Hyperfeminine human reader

Summary: Ao'nung is more than eager to teach you how to swim. He doesn't, however, anticipate what it leads to.

Warnings: aged up characters, explicit sexual content MDNI, reader has mild fear of water, interspecies relationship, established relationship, swearing, possessive beahvior, brief mention of violence, past bad relationship, insecurity, marking, scenting, dom/sub dynamics, etc.

A/N: I've been overthinkg this one for way too long. Here's how it turned out

Precious Masterlist

Adult Ao'nung photo by Cinetrix

Tawtute modesty is a perplexing concept. Most Sky People dress in a way that covers their body, even going as far as creating cubbies in their metal homes where they can change these clothes without others seeing. For a species that appears to have just as much sexual drive as Na’vi do, they certainly waste a lot of time and effort acting ashamed of their bodies. 

Although your clothing is far more appealing, and even revealing at times, you too act very shy about being exposed. 

And yet, it appears that this cultural norm is thrown out the window when it comes to swimming attire. Calling an outfit a swimsuit as you do, suddenly gives a tawtute a free pass to discard ninety five percent of their clothing and prance around without care. 

No one had informed Ao’nung of this however so when you walk out in your handmade swimsuit for the first time, it takes him a moment to connect his mouth to his brain again. You give a little twirl as you always do, before rambling on about what material it’s made of and how easy or difficult it was to construct. 

And as usual, Ao’nung takes his time admiring your latest work with greedy hands that always come out to grip your hips and spin you from side to side. This is a common routine for the two of you. It is customary for him to see your latest projects first so you can receive his opinion. Although both of you know he offers nothing close to helpful feedback. The real joy from this arrangement comes from him opening ogling you in the pretty clothes until you sufficiently feel confident in your genius. 

You never stop him when he gets handsy either. Although that pretty blush often spreads from your cheeks to collarbones and you giggle at his lack of restraint, he knows you enjoy the obvious display of carnal desire. It’s a win-win scenario. 

And today, stars above, there is so much for him to look at. Or rather, so little fabric to cover your form because this swimsuit as you call it is tiny. In many ways it feels a lot closer to the usual attire of females in his clan with intricate straps and only a tiny top and bottom to shield some of his favorite parts. In fact, this set is much like your bra and panties combo.

When he squeezes your hips and turns you to the side, he is more than ecstatic to find that this duo is actually more revealing than most of your undergarments. Is this truly considered decent in tawtute culture? Oh well, he knows better than to question when something good comes his way. Whatever reasoning sky people have come up with to justify these tiny outfits, he is grateful for. 

The bottoms are held together by strings that tie at each hip similar to the ties on your upper back that keep the small chest piece in place. You’ve chosen fabrics of light blue for the base and cream for the trim that is of course bunched into frilly fashion. It wouldn’t be yours without some extra flare. The front of the bottoms cover decently but the back draws a shape higher onto the hips that leaves more than half of your gorgeous ass spilling out. 

And it’s not the only thing to spill. The bottom sit low on your hips so that the front is tucked just beneath that adorable pooch of a stomach that Ao’nung is constantly tempted to bite into. Even the ties on the hips just barely press lines into your plush flesh that you call love handles. And to top it off, there is a tiny bow between your breasts and a matching one just atop your vulva. 

Eywa above, if he knew teaching you to swim would put you in an outfit like this he would have fought even harder to make this day come sooner. 

“Do you like it?” You ask, cheeks pink but eyes telling him that you already know the answer to your own question. 

“What did you call this?” He asks, sweeping your long hair over one shoulder to admire the curve of your spine. 

“A bikini.” 

“Oeyӓ tawtute, I more than like it.” His lips gently press over a mark he had sucked into your skin last week, just above your shoulder blade. With twiddling fingers and a smile he can practically feel radiating even from behind you, goosebumps rise over your exposed flesh. “I don’t know what stops you from wearing this bikini thing more often.” 

You snort and playfulling try to elbow him in the ribs. “You horny meathead.” With a giggle you turn around to scrunch your nose up at him which he has come to recognize as a chiding expression. 

He’s not sure what is so funny about his comment. You may be giggling but he sees no reason why you couldn’t wear this during day to day life on the island. Although, he wouldn’t want to miss out on your strange dresses either. 

“You know I can’t do that.” 

He doesn’t but Ao’nung lets it drop when your small hand intertwines with his own and you practically begin skipping towards the beach. It seems this successful outfit has put you in a good mood, so it’s best to hold his breath and pray that it will remain that way once you get to the water. It has taken a couple weeks of convincing, borderline demanding, that you learn to swim. 

Today you don’t show the usual signs of apprehension so Ao’nung plays along carefully, treading as light as a hunter worried about spooking their prey. 

The good luck has passed. Whatever giddiness you felt from showing off your new bikini dissipated ten minutes ago when you two had finally reached the shore. Now you remain perched on the rock wall that extends a way into the shallows, watching with a nervous smile where Ao’nung stands in the water. 

“You are stalling.” He accuses. 

“I’m not.” You protest, bottom lip becoming snatched between your teeth. “I just think I need to observe you some more before I get in. After all, nothing’s better than watching the master.” 

You catch on fast, that’s for sure. In the short few weeks the two of you have been together it seems that you’ve already devoted yourself to figuring out how to charm him and target certain weak spots. Try as you might, however, that isn’t going to work today. 

“Get in.” 

Your arms wrap around your own torso, a nervous habit of yours. He isn’t being mean, isn’t even raising his voice in the way some of his own teachers did when he was younger but it takes very little to intimidate a small tawtute like you. It’s important that he maintains some form of strict authority in these lessons, otherwise you will walk all over him. 

It will never cease to perplex him how carelessly humans treat learning to swim. He thought the most horrific part of it would have been their form alone, something that had made his jaw drop the first time he saw Spider swim, but unfortunately it goes far beyond that. Among the seaside clans it is customary to have newborn children already learning how to kick to the surface on their own. Children know how to swim far before they can take their first steps. From what he’s heard, even the Omatikaya teach their children from a young age. And yet, Ao’nung was horrified to hear you say that some humans don’t learn how to swim until they are adults, some even die without learning. 

He won’t let that be your fate. So no matter what it takes, he is getting you in the water today. 

“You are being a bad numeyu [student], precious.” He warns, clicking his tongue in feigned disappointment. Just as he expected, your shoulders drop slightly. No doubt if you had a tail it would be tucking between your legs right now. Such little praise to have you melting and such little criticism to have you proving you can do better. 

“We can start tomorrow I prom-AH!” Whatever promise you had hoped to placate him with turns into a squeal when Ao’nung heaves himself up onto the rock wall in one fluid motion. Immediately you start running back towards the beach. You know just as well as him that he can and will hunt you down to drag you back since it has come to that. 

There is a part of him that awakens at the first sign of a chase. It’s the same part of his nature that has him imagining all the ways he could rip those scraps of fabric you call a bikini off and ruin you for any other man. It doesn’t help his focus to have your squishy ass bouncing further out of your bottoms as you sprint. 

Regardless, the hardest part about catching you has nothing to do with the skills he has learned as a hunter and everything to do with keeping his carnal desires at bay. You would be all too happy to let take a session of his head between your pretty legs over a swimming lesson. 

He has one thick arm wrapped around your waist within your first five steps. You waste no time in starting your pleas to be released, shorter legs kicking in the air as he tucks you against his chest. 

“Wait! Ao’nung, I can’t! Not today. Put me down!” 

“You can not learn without getting in the water.” He says simply. 

“No no! I can’t! I can’t!” Once again your words turn to shrieks when he swiftly jumps back into the ocean, softly landing his feet in the substrate. The waves only reach his hips at this height and with you in his arms you are nowhere near having your head dunked under. 

Nevertheless your efforts to cry for mercy quickly shift into clawing your way up his body. You squirm and wiggle and manage to twist halfway towards him so that you can grab his shoulders and try to get higher. You climb him like one does a tree, but with far less grace than anyone who has experience climbing to get the fruit. 

“What are you doing?” With furrowed brows it takes everything in him not to laugh, only grunting softly when your feet get dangerously close to keeping him between the legs. 

“Okay I think that’s enough for today. Bring us back up!” 

“It is fine. Nothing is going to happen.” He assures, using his other hand to steer your feet away from his tewng [loincloth]. Ao’nung tries not to think about how good it feels when your legs wrap around his torso instead. 

“Easy for you to say! You’re like ten feet tall and can hold your breath for an eternity.” The tide is not strong today, just as he planned, but even the small waves billowing against his waist seem to put you on edge. 

This is why you teach children to swim early on. They have no notion of fear. 

He is caught between two conflicting temptations. Laughing his ass off at your antics and chucking you into the deep end much like they do for Metkayina babies. However, both won’t have the desired result in the end. And Ao’nung tries to remember too how different you are from the Metkayina. They are born with life saving instincts while from what he has seen from humans, has been nothing but concerning regarding their instincts. There is no telling if you will resurface if he lets you go under now. 

Growing up his teachers had always been strict; unforgiving. He knew the importance of learning skills swiftly so as not to become a burden for the clan, and even more so surpassing expectations as he would someday be Olo’eyktan. A tough regiment had worked for him but you…

You are soft. And it’s one of his favorite qualities you possess, both physically and emotionally, but this also means that using that strict attitude to the same degree would more likely have you giving up and locking him out of your room more than making any real progress. No, while a firm hand is necessary with you at times, it’s evident that praise draws so much more out of you than negative repercussions. 

Ao’nung had thought you particularly inept when it came to climbing but he is surprised to find that you’ve scooted your way significantly up his torso and now have your blunt nails dig into his shoulder blades. Oh how he wishes they were dug in there for the same reason they were last night as he fingered your demon pussy open. 

“Oeyӓ tsyeym [my treasure], do you think I would let you drown?”

“Well no but-”

“Is there anyone that knows these waters better than me? Anyone further capable when it comes to moving through the sea?”

“No.” You mumble against his shoulder. 

“So since you are here with me, an expert, and we’ve already established I will not let you drown then does that not mean you are the safest person, both human and Na’vi, in the ocean today?” He tucks a curve finger beneath your chin so you are forced to meet his expression, his brows raised in question. 

His logic is difficult to deny although there is still some hesitancy in your movements when you nod. But he’ll take it.

“And as your karyu [teacher] who is experienced in these ways should you not be trusting my methods?”

“Ao’nung-”

“No?”

Those pink lips form into what is surely meant to be a scowl but instead looks like nothing more than a pout to him. You know he’s right. How could you claim otherwise? But you stubbornly want to hold onto this fear. 

“Yes, I suppose.” You say in a voice so small that Ao’nung’s ears have to perch forward to properly catch it. 

“Good girl.” He grins, pecking you on the cheek before you can think up another excuse. “Let us begin.”  

“Mawey, paskalin [be calm, honey]. You are too tense.” He purrs, hands supporting the curve of your back as you attempt to float atop the water. It’s a form not typical for the Metkayina but considering your small lungs he has deemed it essential for taking breaks in the water. However you are stiff as a board. 

“I’m just trying not to sink.” You squirm until back on your feet and latched to his side. Perhaps you worry the tide will be strong enough to pull you out. 

“The harder you try the more you will sink. Diving is not meant to be a struggle won. You must move with the water, do not fight against the sea.” For you to truly understand what he means you would have to actually try submerging beneath the waves. He had insisted that you learn without your mask, after all there is no guarantee you would be with it at all times, but it seems this crutch is one you are attached to and therefore refuse to go beneath the water without. 

It is no issue. Ao’nung would rather teach you to dive the proper way slowly than have you relying on this crutch indefinitely.

“But you said that the sea is unforgiving. That it is a powerful force that does not discriminate when choosing prey.” Wet hair sticks to your cheeks as you look up at him. Ao’nung screws his lips and places a hand on his hip. You know how to pack a lot of trouble for someone half of his size. 

“Hm, you love to twist my words, precious.” He teases, one hand snatching your hip to tug you in closer. He steadies your weak form when you stumble at the action. 

“I-I’m not twisting it but this doesn’t make any sense. What am I supposed to do if a wave pulls me out from shore? I’ve heard even some Na’vi can not kick their way back in and so if they can’t neither can I. Not with these weak tawtute legs. And that’s not to mention the sea creatures. To some of them I’m not even a full bite!”

“None this close to shore are big enough to bite.” He cocks his head to the side. “Only some that could sting.”

“Ao’nung!” you screech hitting a hand against his chest. “I’m being serious. How am I ever going to be strong enough to do anything out here? It’s a hopeless cause which I knew but then again when do I ever really listen to-”

“You have forgotten to breathe.” And sure enough you pause for a second to take in his words before finally inhaling a shaky breath. When you get into rambles like this it’s common for you to fly off without any end in sight. Some days they are born out of nerves while others it's in excitement as you explain your favorite romantic movie in detail to him for thirty minutes. How did you survive such rambles before him? Who else was there to remind you the importance of oxygen? 

“You think too much, paskalin.” Your pout only deepens but you lean against him. “I said I will teach you to swim and so I will. The rest is not for you to worry about.” Your hair tickles his lower abs when your head rests against him. He hears you inhale, preparing himself for more weak protests, but then you stop. 

Your attention is snatched off to his far left where there is some splashing. He follows your gaze to find it fixated on one of the newests Ilu’s in deeper waters. This juvenile can only be a few weeks old as it is shorter than his forearm and remains in close proximity to its mother. 

When he spots the way your expression softens, an idea sprouts. Ao’nung has been taking the wrong angle this entire time. It was only last week that he discovered how empathetic you are for animals, especially ones that have not reached adulthood. You had gone from constantly cooing at the strange small animals in your magic screen to falling apart into blubbering tears when one of the baby hippos, as you called them, couldn’t find his mother. It took a long time of hearing your choked up voice ramble about how alone that little creature must feel. It was a strange experience. Then again, that was during your bleeding week. 

“We call her An’ali and her mother Se’xte.”

“She is adorable.”

“Do you want to see her?” 

“Well yes but it’s deeper out there…” You trail off, uncertainty present in your tone. 

“Grab on.” He instructs before bending down onto one knee and prompting your hands to his shoulders. You’re slow to comply, those big beautiful eyes peeking up at him with a flicker of apprehension but it seems your curiosity overrides that emotion because you finally clutch his shoulder to sprawl out across his back. 

He could walk out to the ilu without any struggle of touching the bottom but Ao’nung opts to swim out smoothly, keeping his head and yours above the water. Just a small step to get you used to the feeling of gliding through the water. However, his swishing tail coming to aid does get tangled with your feet every now and then causing a giggle to bubble up your throat. 

Luckily this sensation appears to distract you from the way the ilu swim out further into deeper waters. Ao’nung finds himself holding his breath, praying that you don’t notice how much further the sandy bottom is now. Fortunately, just as he hoped, the cute creatures have your full attention upon reaching them. 

“Wow,” You whisper in a daze, looking past his shoulder. An’ali rubs up against her mother, earning an affectionate call in return. “They are beautiful.”

“They are ilu. Peaceful creatures.” When he reaches behind him to grab one of your hands there is resistance but he continues until it is resting upon the mother’s head. Se’xte gives a curious look but does not push away your tiny hand that pets at her head. He has a strong enough bond with her to have trust extending to you as well. 

“And you ride them?”

“When we are younger, yes. Once a Na’vi has come of age and undergone their iknimaya they ride Tsurak.” If you are this amazed by the ilu he can only imagine what you will think once he introduces you to a Tsurak. Once he gets you more comfortable in the ocean maybe he can convince you to let him take you for a ride. At a slow pace of course. Your soft little hands do not have an ounce of the grip strength necessary to hold on for anything faster. 

“She likes you.” Ao’nung smiles as Se’xte gives a chirp. He can practically feel you beam against his ear. 

“I like her too.” It only lasts for another minute or so before the ilu is ducking beneath the water, not a sufficient amount of time to get a closer look at her baby. “Where are they going?”

“Beneath. We can follow.” Your fingers dig deeper into his shoulders, your breath wavering. Ao’nung doesn’t wait for permission however. It’s best not to give you time to overthink it. “Take a deep breath, paskalin.” 

He waits to hear you deep inhale before diving beneath the surface. Your right arm hooks around his neck instinctively, your legs kicking out frantically but then there are the ilu just ahead, swimming around one another in a playful circle. Not wanting to push his luck too much on the first time, he surfaces after only a few seconds. This time he sets you to stand on a rock so that your head is above the soft waves. 

“Ao’nung!” You gasp, holding a hand over your heart as if it is about to go into cardiac arrest. “Are you insane?! I could have died.”

“And yet you didn’t.” 

That deeply rooted frown melts even as your eyes glare daggers back at him, no doubt not appreciating the smug look he wears. “You maniac!” Your accusation is accompanied by your right hand splashing water back at him. You’re barely holding back giddy laughter as you splash at him. Say what you want, but he knows you enjoyed the rush. 

Ao’nung sweeps his own right hand out to splash back but his miscalculation of strength and the difference in height turns it into a full wave that washes over your entire upper body. “Oh.” He cringes slightly, feeling just a tad bit guilty for playing so rough. 

However, to his surprise it lights something in your eyes. That embering fire turns into full blown competition as you try to imitate his man made wave. He fights back with his own, this time more gentle, retaliation as your laughter picks up. The Metkayina male’s tail swishes in excitement the further you take this little competition. Little sounds erupt from you that confuse him for a moment before he realizes this is your human form of battle cries. 

His stomach aches from laughing so hard even as you manage to push a wave high enough to pummel him in the face. Ao’nung’s cerulean eyes narrow, his lips turning up into a crooked smirk. You have the better sense to scramble across the short distance of the rock when he lets out echoing yips and cries of a hunter who has already caught his precious prey. 

Laughter and shouts coalesce together when he snatches you back in his arms. The splashing dies down as you struggle to catch your breath between wheezing laughter. Even Ao’nung himself finds his heart pounding at a significantly faster rhythm, but it’s spurred on by a new thrill that has taken him. 

In the fit of playing you’ve slowly floated out of the circle in his arms, still holding onto his arms for support but there is no fear in your eyes now at being loosely kept above water. Just as he thought, the worst was all in your head. 

“Do you trust me?”

You pause, eyes flickering between his face and the water again. And though it takes a moment for you to respond, you finally relent. “I do.” 

Ao’nung smiles and situates you to float on your stomach. “Follow my lead, precious. Take a deep breath.” 

Once he is sure your lungs are filled with oxygen Ao’nung wastes no time in helping you dive beneath the surface. His hands guide your body into the proper arch so that you can sink below and once you are, he dives beneath himself and grabs your clasped hands. With ease he slips deeper until he is directly below you and able to smoothly pull you through the water. 

Your eyes are squeezed shut, as if bracing for harsh impact. Rolling his own eyes, he taps your cheek gently. When they timidly open he gives you a wide grin and a wink. However, Ao’nung does not have your spotlight for long. Now blown wide into sparkling orbs, your eyes take in every detail of the sea.

He gets to see it. The first time you fall in love with the ocean. The way you almost let out the breath in your lungs when a spade wing skates close by. How your gaze reflects every vibrant color the reefs have to offer. From the smallest to largest creature, you pay each the same undivided regard. 

He couldn’t say what you see if his life depended on it, too enraptured in watching your reaction instead. The way one hand unclasps from his and reaches out to pet the juvenile ilu that passes them. Ao’nung can’t remember the first time he saw the ocean. He was only a baby and since then the underwater world has been his home more than the land above. So there is no telling if he looked at it for the first time the way you do now. Does he still appreciate the beauties of the sea for what they’re worth? Or has he grown to take such things for granted? 

It feels like seeing it anew when he looks at it through your eyes.  

He could watch you forever. Pull you through every inch of the sea if it means you can experience every wonder present from the open sea to the small nooks and crannies. You however can not hold your breath forever like this. So reluctantly, Ao’nung pulls you back up above the waves.  

You gasp for air, but luckily there is no coughing fit to follow. Ao’nung keeps you above the surface as you fight to go back into a steady breathing pattern. However, it seems that the rapid beat of your heart is not just from catching your breath but also a reflection of the pure adrenaline your body displays. 

Nothing is said for a long moment. Trying to gauge your reaction is difficult but a ravenous energy buzzes from you. Those pink lips part, but you don’t speak right away. You don’t appear to know what to say. And then slowly, your right hand comes to cup his cheek. He’s lost in your eyes the moment they snag his. A small sound catches in your throat, something between a laugh and a sigh. 

For all the millions of words you’ve spoken, somehow this sound is the one he understands the most. True and utter awe. 

Ao’nung doesn’t have to think when your lips touch his. It’s as simple as holding his breath, effortless as he pulls your body closer to his and bends to meet your kiss. It’s only been a few weeks since you first came to retrieve your bunny from his marui but his body has already begun acclimating to yours beautifully. He knows when to anticipate your little gasps for air when you’ve been kissing too long. His large hands have memorized the curve of your face and the feel of his fingers threading through your silky hair. 

The ocean has never felt more tranquil than with you in his arms. 

“The purple on the fins also reminded me of a dress that I put down ages ago, but now I don’t know maybe I will pick it up again. Because it looks so pretty in the water. Now that I think about it, it reminds me a lot of Annika’s dress. The one she magically receives at the end.” 

Ao’nung wracks his brain to identify which movie you are referring to. Is this one you have already showed him or are you simply thinking out loud? Chances are it may be one of the stories he missed entirely because you were too tempting wrapped in that silky lingerie. Distracting you had earned him a light slap to the head but you didn’t complain once you were clenching around his thick fingers. 

Even with your translation, following the plots of those weird stories is not nearly as entertaining as watching your face scrunch up in pleasure. Regardless, it’s important to you so he tries his best to behave. Or at least behave enough to keep you from kicking him out of your room. 

“Oh my god what I would give to have the fabric for that dress.” You groan, your little theatrics tugging a smile to his lips. 

“You were a very good numeyu [student] today, paskalin.” Ao’nung says, squeezing the hand that is interlocked with his own. Your fingers barely peek out from where his massive hand has them caged. 

“Yeah well I have a pretty good karyu [teacher].” You send a wink even as heat rushes to your cheeks. 

“Well I wouldn’t be a good teacher if I didn’t motivate you properly. So since you were so good for me today,” He snatches your waist and pulls you to a stop against him in one move. “I think you deserve a reward.” Those soft hands rest along his stomach, thumbs absentmindedly rubbing circles along the swirling pattern of his skin. 

“Oh…I…is that so?” All essence of confident flirting flitters away before his eyes. Much like a fish out of water you gape for the proper words. It is far too easy to render you to such a state. 

“Why are you soaking wet?” Lo’ak rounds the corner and jumps onto the woven walkway. While you put effort into breaking away and turning to the Sully boy with a smile, Ao’nung finds no reason to conceal his distaste for the untimely interruption. 

“We were swimming.” You chirp, bouncing on the balls of your feet. Lo’ak’s unnatural dark brows knit together. 

“You can’t swim. You’re terrified of the water. Remember last time I tried to get you in. It took hours and after five minutes you-”

An unrecognizable string of words fall from your lips to interrupt a story that Ao’nung was becoming quite interested in hearing. The consolation prize however is hearing your sharp tone shut the other male down. Whatever embarrassing memory Lo’ak was wanting to share is certainly enough to have you fidgeting beside him. “Ao’nung is teaching me how to swim.” You say, switching back to Na’vi. 

“You are?” Lo’ak scoffs, finally turning to address him. His golden eyes dart between the two of you and it takes no genius to understand what memory the forest boy is recalling. In his youth Ao’nung had not been the most patient in teaching Lo’ak especially. Then again, he was also not in love with Lo’ak. He never earned the same softness that you bring out in him. 

“It seems she has only been in need of the right karyu.” That smooth comment has Lo’ak eyes narrowed into slits. Sensing the tension between them you are quick to jump in. 

“It was actually a lot of fun! I got to see a spade wing and a baby ilu, Lo.” Your voice is infused with so much energy, it’s clear you are attempting to compensate for the negative energy withering between Lo’ak and himself. 

“And you went out in that? Tsmuke [sister], those are barely scraps.” He huffed, gesturing at your swimsuit. Something swells in Ao’nung’s chest. By the stars he is not about to let some forest boy crumble your confidence in wearing such a garment after all the work you’ve done to get this far. However, just as he is about to steer you behind him and give this skxawng [moron]  a piece of his mind, you shrug and let out a little laugh. 

“You wear nothing but a loincloth every day, Lo’ak. You’re not really in a position to judge.” Lo’ak opens his mouth to protest but you beat him to the punch. “Anyways, we’ve got to run. Bye!” You call out with a dramatic wave while tugging Ao’nung down the walkway. Sending a sly look over his shoulder he catches the way Lo’ak watches from afar with a pinched expression. 

“Sorry about him.” You sigh. 

“He does not approve.” 

“No, it’s not like that. Lo’ak just thinks he has to play this protective brother role. It’s not personal.” His relationship with Lo’ak has come a long way since the Sullys first landed on this walkway. They’ve grown to put up with one another and occasionally be friendly, a necessity with the Omatikaya male courting his sister. That being said, he has never considered them close, nor would he be offended at finding out Lo’ak sees it the same way. You on the other hand don’t seem to understand this dynamic as you desperately try to reassure him. 

“I swear he thinks just because he’s taller he can play big brother. He has concerns but that’s just part of his bravado act. I wouldn’t let it bother you.”

“It doesn’t.” Ao’nung shrugs. Although, it nags at him that Lo’ak has been sharing these concerns with you. If he has complaints they should be brought to him directly, not woven into your mind in hopes of creating doubt. Would that work? Have you already developed your own concerns? You’re a shy little thing at times but Ao’nung has always figured that to be part of how your personality reacts to his own. Surely, you must know the way he feels about you. 

For all the ways you openly wear your heart on your sleeve, he still somehow can not be sure. Some things still remain a mystery when it comes to you. 

“What is this?” You ask, once you're back inside his marui. He squints to make out one of the small figurines he had placed next to his hunting gear. 

“A…cat?” He answers, eyes still squinting to see if he has passed your test correctly. 

“No Ao’nung. I mean what is it doing here? What are all of them doing here?” The rest of the figurines are much like this cat one, although just like your bunny they all wear tiny clothes. Calico Critters you had called them the first time he asked. They serve no real purpose, just tiny things that stand there but the important thing is that you adore them. 

So naturally he swiped them to bring back here. 

“They don’t do anything, precious. Just exist I suppose.” 

Your attempt at a stern expression is endearing, hand placed on your hips as your neck cranes to glare up at him. 

“I’m starting to think you’re a kleptomaniac. You can’t keep stealing my stuff.” 

“It is not stealing.” He shrugs. 

“Oh really? Then what is it?” 

“Relocating.” Ao’nung grins. “Now you can enjoy them here.” 

Although there is not true ire in your questioning there is in fact real push back on the topic. You know why he has stolen your creepy figurines. Just as you know why he has strung some fabrics of pink and purple like a canopy along the ceiling of his marui. And placed a few of your extra blankets in his hammock. Whatever it takes to lure you back here night after night. 

Notwithstanding all of his efforts, you continue to split your time between here and your place in the tawtute caves. Moving into his marui would be a natural next step in your relationship. Of course you are attached to all the silly trinkets you’ve acquired but he is not opposed to letting you litter his marui with them as long as you would call this place your home too. 

Still, he remains patient. Many courting couples wait until properly mating before living together anyways. You must share the same morals. However, he sees no harm in enticing you all the same. 

“I know what you’re doing.” Your voice smooths out into a sing-song tone. Ao’nung’s long hair falls over his right shoulder when he cocks his head to the side and feigns innocent curiosity. “You truly are ridiculous.” Fighting back a smile you begin arranging the figurines neatly into their separate families. 

He has the decency to wait until they’re organized before sweeping you from the ground and falling back onto his hammock in one swift move. It draws a surprised chirp from your lips. A deep sigh echoes from his own chest even as you make weak protests about him giving you a heart attack.

“You know I still need to dry off.” You remind him but Ao’nung already has his head leaned back against the woven fabric. His right arm smoothly encircles around your middle to clamp you against his chest. You squirm and thrash to get out of his hold but it only takes an iota of his strength to keep you locked there. Even with his eyes closed in a show of feigned sleep, he can’t keep his lips from twitching into a pleased smirk. 

That smirk crackles into a full laughter induced grin when your small hand swats at the side of his head. “Ao’nung,” You chide, a slight whine to your tone that has him stifling back his amusement. 

Peeking his eyes open he finds your own strangely colored eyes glaring back at him. This little game of back and forth is one that you both enjoy frequently but he has a feeling that this time you may actually insist on being let up to get your towel. A sigh heaves from his chest as he shakes his head fondly. “There is no need, tawtute. I will keep you warm.” He says, reaching down to pull out a blanket and toss it over your small form. 

Ao’nung is grateful when you don’t fight him further or demand a proper reason. He would give one but it’s unlikely you would understand. How could he explain that seeing you drenched like this does something to him? That your hair smelling of the sea’s salt water serves as a direct signal of you and his home coming together? Everything about you is unique, so new and foreign to him but there is something about witnessing those beautiful aspects of you slowly integrate into his life on the reef as well that lingers with him. 

But you’re tawtute. Your sense of smell is greatly dampened in comparison. It’s a shame considering how many times he has scent marked you and you can’t even recognize it, let alone appreciate the possessive gesture. No, there isn’t an easy way to explain to you what he is feeling as he presses his nose against your crown. And even if there is, it’s doubtful that he would be the one to find it. Saying the right thing hasn’t always been his strong suit. It’s Tsireya that is good with the mushy sentiments. 

And why waste the air with such jumbled nonsense when this moment already holds everything he needs? An ocean breeze that filters through the entrance of his marui to coast over your frame and carry your essence. A soft sway to the hammock, lulling him to relax. The satisfying weight of your warm body draped across his own. 

And then there are your hands. Uncalloused pointer finger that delicately begins tracing over his shoulder tattoo. The soft glide of your finger greatly contrasts the pain he had endured to stain his skin with dark ink. You’ve never witnessed a Metkayina tattoo ceremony but your quiet fascination carries a certain reverence. 

Swirling down further and further until he can feel the tickle along his bicep. Such a simple sensation, barely more than the brush of a breeze, yet it melts through him like liquid gold. The unconscious tense of his muscles release and already he can feel his breath deepen. He’s on the verge of succumbing to this silent lullaby when his ear twitches from being touched. 

Ao’nung opens his eyes to find that you are carefully tucking a few strands or curly hair behind his pointed ear. Letting others touch his hair is not a normal practice for him. Traditionally he has relied on Tsireya exclusively to fashion it into a suitable hairstyle. There is something deeply…personal about it. It’s always been a fixation for you though.

And where his tail typically pikes onto alert and a growl blossoms in his chest at a foreign touch to his curls, somehow it all dissipates away when it comes to your strange tawtute hands. 

Perhaps it's the way you marvel at him openly. You’ve always had a fascination for pretty things, a category that he was pleased to find himself a part of when your hasty confession came that first night. You’re often shy in speaking it, but your touch and stare always hold that same appreciation for his physique. 

There’s more to it, though. 

When you stare up at him like this, all bashfulness put to the side, it cuts him open. As if with one prolonged moment you’ve managed to strip him bare and peer into his very soul. It’s not his hair or intricate tattoos that you see. Not even the dozen of physical differences between you two that screams alien. You look at him. 

Whatever you see in him. 

If only he could read your thoughts. Finally untangle your tawtute customs and culture that have webbed you into a puzzle for him. Do you get that burning in your chest too? That one that feels like his heart has been clutched in an iron grip? Perhaps a grip from the same hands that now go back to tracing his tattoos. 

With the smallest sigh your head drops back onto his chest. Sleep overcoming you is obvious by the now absence of touch along his right bicep. Ao’nung follows you into slumber mere minutes after when he has finally brought his heart rate back to a normal speed. 

Your nap far exceeds his own. While Ao’nung had only dosed off for a few minutes but you are dead to the world for at least a half hour. Apparently that little swim had worn you to the bone. He would have to help you with endurance. It seems tawtute are not built for staying in the water long. 

In fact you are so still as you sleep that Ao’nung finds himself placing a hand across your back to check that it still rises and falls with breath. When you do wake up it takes a minute for you to make out where you are with blurry vision. A sheepish look crosses your features upon realizing what position you’ve remained in. It’s followed by some silly notion that you laying on top of him is somehow considered rude or uncomfortable. He’ll never understand why you make these assertions. 

Regardless, Ao’nung quickly wraps both arms around your waist when you attempt to move off of him. Dislodging yourself from his hold is an impossible task, a truth that you must come to recognize as you only give a feigned huff and try fighting back a smile. 

“We can’t stay here forever you know.” 

His pointer finger slowly drags over every vertebrae of your spine as he lets out a thoughtful hum. “Maybe not forever but I did promise a reward. Can’t have you skipping off before receiving what you are owed.” 

The air seems to thicken with his words. A familiar tension is slowly wound as all of your sleepiness dissipates and goosebumps ripple across your skin. He can feel the evidence of his own excitement shifting beneath his tewng. Dirty thoughts of all the ways he could reward you sprout to the forefront of his mind. There is no end to these thoughts when it comes to you. Never before has someone woven themselves into his fantasies so incessantly. Even to the point where it can be a struggle to focus on his duties while you swim through his head. 

Ao’nung pushes down those ideas for now, however. It’s only fair that you get to pick the reward after all that you’ve accomplished today. And then…if you need some ideas he would be more than anxious to supply. 

“Have you decided what reward that will be?” He asks, forcing his hands to remain above the tempting curve of your ass. Just for now. You’re not always the most articulate when his wandering hands come into play. 

Something flickers in your expression. Only a second before you are averting your gaze and gnawing on your bottom lip. Ao’nung’s exploring hand stills as curiosity lights within him. Propping himself onto one elbow he invades your space, forcing your eyes to meet his own. 

“You do.” He smirks, reveling in the way you fight to squirm. 

“Well, maybe. I don’t know. It’s just an idea so I’m not sure if-”

“Sevin [beautiful/pretty],” Ao’nung interrupts. “Tell me.” He coats his voice in a smooth purr, hoping to coax an answer from you, but his patience can only last so long. Whatever idea has sprouted in your brain must be obscene enough to prompt such hesitation in telling him. However Ao’nung has come to find that your meter for rating lewds acts is far more sensitive than his own. Regardless, you have his attention now. All of his previous ideas are cast to the side in favor of hearing what has you blushing. 

“I was thinking that maybe…if it’s okay with you…that I could…suck you off?”

Ao’nung’s devilish smirk drops in an instant. 

“For your reward you want to suck my cock?” The vulgar language has your cheeks deepening in color but you manage to nod.

Great Mother above, where did he find you?

It seems he must have done something right in his past life. He was ready to find satisfaction in your slick along his tongue and watching your writhe with pleasure but now you are sitting on top of him, the true depiction of bashfulness, asking to put his cock down your throat. His brain can’t really make sense of it, but he still stands by not asking questions when nice things come his way. And precious, you are by far the nicest thing he has ever had. 

“Is that weird?”

“No,” comes his instant reply. Subconsciously he holds his breath. You’re an easy one to spook. 

“Actually I was hoping you could teach me.” 

This is starting to feel far too close to one of his favorite fantasies. So much so that Ao’nung takes note of every detail in the room to confirm that this could not be just some erotic dream. But this is real and a feral creature is stirring inside of him, gnawing at the bars of its enclosure. 

“You’ve never…” Ao’nung trails off. Neither of you have talked much about past relationships, you especially. It’s common knowledge that the Metkayina prince has had his time sleeping around but he has no inkling of what you’ve experienced. The only hints he receives are the clear hesitation in your movements. Just enough to have him wondering if he is your first. 

“I have. Just once.” That has his other arm propping him so he is now sitting up properly. “I mean I tried to once but I-I wasn’t very good at it. At least that’s what he said. Which make sense, I had no idea what I was doing so I couldn’t really be mad when he said we shouldn’t again-”

“Who?” A dark venom fills his chest. This is the first time you’ve discussed a past lover and he’s already not liking the light it's being presented in. 

“Just a guy I used to date back with the Omatikaya.” So he’s not here. It would take crossing an ocean to kill him. Then again, he’s done more for less. Was it an Omatikaya male or did you fool around with one of the science tawtute? “It’s fine. He was right.”

His brain lags at the information. Caught between confusion and rage. 

“And oh god now I’ve made it sound like the most unappealing thing possible. Great.” 

Ao’nung barely hears your embarrassed groan. What man in their right mind has a beautiful creature like you on her knees for him only to criticise and turn her away? To be presented a gift and not only reject it but smash it into pieces, tear your confidence to shreds. So what if you’re inexperienced? A true man knows how to teach, takes joy in it. Joy that this creature has tossed out without regard. 

It’s a perplexing tug of war between emotions. As a man himself he can’t help but find this person’s actions incredibly ridiculous. And yet, the idea of him enjoying your body has Ao’nung imagining ripping this faceless man to shreds. And a man he must not be. No true man does this. 

To treat you in this way…there is no honor in such actions. The Omatikaya are different but they are still respectable Na’vi. It could not have been one of them, that would somehow feel worse. So a tawtute it must have been. A vrrtep [demon]. 

“It doesn’t have to be that. I think I might be making it a bit weird by sharing this.”

“This man said such things to you?” To your face? He looked you in the eyes as you fiddled with the hem of a lacy skirt and apprehension seated beneath long lashes and told you he didn’t enjoy your mouth around him? He watched those beautiful eyes hold back tears? Looked at perfection incarnate and spat in the face of it? 

“Well yeah but..does it really matter?”

Does it matter? How could it not matter? Is that what he wanted you to think? That this was no big deal, convince you to suck it up and move on without complaint? That wouldn’t work on you. It’s only been a few weeks and even Ao’nung knows that words cut you deep. Anyone with a morsel of sense would know that. But this man, the same that somehow had the honor of sharing your bed, obviously had not taken a second to understand you. 

Could he even please you if so? Had he even tried? Not in the way Ao’nung has, that much has been obvious from the way you still tremble after the orgasms he coaxes from you. It’s not a contest, for that he would require true competition. However a part of him, a part that directly conflicts his innate urge to pummel any man that has touched you, feels as if there should be competition. No one would ever compare to him, but your past experiences should have at least been enjoyable. 

“Who is this?” His throat strains to hold back a growl. 

“Um…I’m getting the feeling that it’s a bad idea to tell you.” 

Smart thing that you are, you’re right. Correct if your goal is to prevent Ao’nung from ripping this anonymous man’s throat out. He can’t fathom why you would want to protect him but then again this is very in character for you. No matter what someone has done you always have a way of finding a soft spot for them. You care so much, sometimes too much. 

And this man didn’t care for you at all. 

Your precious heart is too big to tell him, but the Metkayina prince vows he will find out one way or another. 

“He was just being honest.” 

“Sevin,” A stern understone laces the pet name as he captures your chin. “He did not deserve you.”

Ao’nung weighs those words with every ounce of sincerity he can muster. And you feel it. It shows in the way your shoulders drop and expression melts into something new. Not a smile by any means but his words have touched you, they beckon you further into his arms. And then there is that cinch around his heart again. 

And being the ridiculous little thing you are, you thank him. As if telling the truth is ever a favor. You are utterly nonsensical at times. Utterly nonsensical and utterly his. 

“What he deserves is a spear through the chest.”

“Okay big guy, calm down.” You say, patting his chest while trying to hide your creeping amusement. You think he’s joking. How cute. 

“Are you asking me to teach you because that’s what you want or because you think this is what I want?” Ao’nung hates to ask, to potentially ruin this opportunity for himself, but it’s needed. He won’t be like that pathetic creature of a lover you once had. Avoiding that starts with making sure you aren’t simply doing this for his benefit, to prove yourself in a way that he has never and will never ask you to. 

“Do you want it?” 

His hairless brows drop as he gives you a deadpan look. “Precious, you already know that I do.” Want it more than you can even fathom. “But that’s not what I asked you.”

There is a beat of hesitation, you poor bottom lip already torn up from your gnawing. “I want to feel like I know what I’m doing. I want to make you feel good in the same way you do me.” 

“You already do.” There is still much left for the two of you to explore, so much more he can’t wait to do with you but there is no rush. You’ve brought him to the heights of pleasure no one else has before. 

“I know but…still. And it’s not the only reason why. I’m curious.” Your head tilts in a subtle way to create a curtain out of your hair and hide that sheepish look. “You’re just so different and I…I’m interested.” 

Different.

Interested.

Two trails of thoughts fighting for attention. Different from your past lover. Different because he is Metkayina or different because he is a Na’vi. Perhaps it shouldn’t matter but it’s difficult to stamp down that curiosity.

However, Ao’nung focuses on the latter. The same that has his ears perking with his own interest and groin suddenly becoming very aware of your weight situated there. 

A low hum of appreciation rumbles in his chest as he slowly situates your further onto his lap. His turquoise cheek brushes against your jaw before he presses a slow kiss there. “My curious sevin, hm?” You suck in a breath when his sharp teeth just barely nip at your earlobe. 

“Yes.” You whisper but those small hands are already smoothing over his shoulders, one even slinking to the nape of his neck. 

“You know I am always happy to sate your curiosity, precious.” 

That abused bottom lip is finally released when he captures you in a kiss. Despite the growing anticipation, Ao’nung leads this kiss in a pace that is anything but rushed. It’s languid. Relaxed. Sensual. And when he tilts his head to deepen the kiss you eagerly respond in kind. 

The ties of your bikini are much simpler than the average Metkayina top and yet it’s difficult to concentrate on undoing them when his tongue is swirling around yours and your hands have already taken real estate lodged deep in his hair. Fingers fumbling for a moment to undo your top he can’t fathom at which point he had let you get such a tight hold on him. Those curious hands hold more power than he would dare to let you know. 

The skimpy piece of fabric finally sags, only held up by being sandwiched between his chest and yours. 

“This is what you want?” Ao’nung asks again, only departing from your lips for a second. 

“Yes.” He pulls back when you eagerly chase after him for more.

“Promise me.” He demands. 

“I promise.” 

No words have tasted sweeter against his lips. So Ao’nung rewards your sweet behavior with a slow beckon of his tongue. Skillfully exploring and stroking your own until a groan has your lips parting wider for him. His right hand cups the back of your head, easily encompassing the width of your skull in his hold. Anything to keep you there, to continue breathing in your essence until it is seared down his throat. 

Your breath is erratic when he pulls away. Even more so when he whispers a simple, “good girl.” There is always a visceral reaction that comes from that short phrase. An ease of tension in your muscles, a breathy sigh that directly trails to a shiver down your spine. It’s become one of his favorite coined phrases for that reaction exactly. Praise has a way of slipping you into a new headspace, one where worry dissipates and you finally allow him to worship you in the way you deserve. 

Ao’nung veers back just enough to let your top fall before pulling you close again. Your breasts press against his chest, those tender nubs already prickling against his skin. So responsive and he’s hardly done anything to you yet. 

It’s your turn to fumble with the ties when you attempt to undo his tewng. Ao’nung smoothly shifts onto his knees but that doesn’t greatly reduce your struggle when it comes to unwinding the ties from his tail. He’s partly to blame. The second you graze the base of his tail it reacts with a strong swish. Without one of your own, it must be difficult for you to comprehend the unique sensitivity of his tail. You sense there is something, though, hands already retreating shyly. 

“What is wrong?” He murmurs against your temple. 

“Nothing.” 

It’s less than convincing, even more so when you grapple to meet his gaze. “No need to be shy, precious.” 

“I just…don’t want to hurt you.” 

It’s tempting to roll his eyes, a tawtute habit you’ve somehow managed to ingrain in him. Instead, he grasps your tiny hand carefully in his own and begins pushing it back towards his tail. “Just as you are mine, paskalin, I am yours.” Ao’nung fights back a shiver when you just barely brush the base of the wide appendage. “Which means I am yours to explore. Yours to enjoy.”

“Take advantage of it.” Something flickers in your countenance at his words. Although still slow and careful in actions a spark of intrigue ignites. He has been the main instigator in your interactions, far more bold in letting his desire for you show. And while Ao’nung revels in always having the upper hand it’s important that you understand the joy that comes from it too. To let you wander and sate your curiosities without restraint. Finally allow yourself the freedom from silly tawtute concerns that plague you. 

Because he is yours. 

He has been yours since the first time he saw you land at their shores with ribbons in your hair wearing that ridiculously short yellow dress. Even he did not know that day how far gone he already was. 

Either way, you two have obviously been crafted for one another. And Ao’nung will be damned before he lets pointless Sky People customs get in the way of you fully enjoying that bond. To finally taste the ecstasy that comes with owning someone, body and soul. 

Finally his tewng falls away and Ao’nung helps you dispose of it to the side. As he works on the ties of your bottoms now a kernel of courage slowly sprouts within your actions. Ao’nung smirks against the crook of your neck when he feels the traces of fingertips along his pecs before dragging over the lines of his abdomen. 

As tempting as it is to tease you for the interest, Ao’nung spares you his knowing looks and instead encourages the action by placing sweet kisses along your throat. With very little effort he ripens an old mark he had left there last week, licking over the now beautiful contrast of color in delight. It seems to spur something within you as well, small kisses now running over his collarbones and down his chest. 

The touch is featherlight, enough to have him almost squirming at how it tickles him. However, you are already letting your touch travel south. Ao’nung graciously aids this endeavor, sliding you off of his lap, flinging your bottoms to the side and laying down on his back with spread legs. For a moment he considers standing up and letting you kneel for a better access but it feels like a risk. 

You are just barely mustering up enough confidence to explore. A small thing like you is easy to startle, standing above you could be too intimidating. And as much as he loves watching your nerves paint a beautiful blush over those cheeks, today it’s in his best interest to tread carefully. 

Ao’nung holds back a jerk reaction when your hand wraps around the base of his cock. Despite your demure nature this activity has become one very familiar to you. It’s been a safe substitute for your little pussy as you work your way up there. It’s hard not to think about how you will stretch around his thick cock someday, how little whines will bubble up your throat without reprieve and he will finally know what it means to be inside of you. 

But you are small. And fragile. 

It’s easier to push those thoughts aside in order to maintain his patience. 

You only stroke him a few times, hand barely able to wrap fully around him. And then without any warning, there is a loss of touch and you are crawling up his chest again. Ao’nung pulls back and raises a brow when your right hand slinks to the back of his head. Perhaps you are wanton for another kiss but then your lips never descend to his. Instead there is a shift in his hair before the rest of his long locks are falling freely and you are holding the band that originally had it tied into a bun. 

This is a common preference of yours, seeing his hair unrestrained. However, today you don’t just fling the band to the side and become engrossed in admiring the curls. That large band is fitted around your wrist before you are bending back to gather your own hair. The view is more than preferable, back curving and chest opened up for his heated gaze. All of a sudden he can’t remember what his objections to his own hair were. Not when his teeth are drawing blood from his lip just imagining how perfectly they would sink into your right breast. Just above the nipple where no one but him would get to admire such a beautiful mark. 

You tie your hair back into a ponytail, even giving its roots a good tug for measure. You mean business. 

“Who is stealing whose stuff now?” Ao’nung jests. 

“I don’t see you complaining.” Your nose scrunches at him in a teasing manner. It wipes away when his warm hands encompass your hips, kneading the flesh sensually. His left  hand travels up your stomach and past your ribcage before brushing one nipple not so innocently. 

“I’m very generous when it comes to you, precious.” You won’t understand how true those words are, especially when you’re too busy gasping at the harsh tug he gives your right nipple. 

Saliva gathers along his tongue as he flicks the other hardened nub. Those pretty little tits always feel good in his mouth. So malleable. Your cries always responsive. If it weren’t for the clear ache between his legs the Metkayina prince would have you flipped onto your back and mouth tormenting those perfect breasts until you would beg for him to stop by now. 

But that’s not the reward he promised you, he reminds himself as you are released and slink back down between his thighs. Apprehension settles in your shoulders again when you are face to face with his twitching cock. Fisting the bottom you take a deep breath to steady yourself. 

“Paskalin,” He calls lowly. “There is no rush.” 

Everything in his body screams otherwise, but Ao’nung maintains a cool composure. You’re already nervous. Already scarred from a past bad experience. It’s his job to do everything in his power to ease that burden. Even when that means torturing himself with the perfect image of you nestled between his thighs all while desperately aching for your touch. 

“Yeah but you’re-”

“I am fine. It’s your reward, sevin. Do what feels natural to you.” 

What feels natural to you is far more than what he is ready for. Plush lips press against his hip bone, trailing down into open mouthed kisses along his thigh. And then there are your teeth. Those silly blunt teeth that struggle to make an indent in his flesh but your attempt is stimulating all the same. A soft tongue and small teeth encompassed with those perfectly kissable lips work to suck and bite a new color along his upper right thigh. 

You’re trying to mark him.

Claim him as he has claimed you so many times. 

It’s concerning how fast it frays as his self control, awakening that primal beast within him. His own nails sink into the root of his messy hair while his other hand resting at the back of your head, carefully ensuring to cup you gently not push. When a muscle in his thick thigh flexes that silky tongue chases the line it makes. 

The entire endeavor has his body awakening with anticipation, fighting the urge to pin you down and take what he wants now. It is ridiculous how such a simple act from his tawtute has him twitching with need but he loves seeing you this way. Letting your unbridled desire show, using his body the way that has always been your right. 

When you pull back, Ao’nung’s neck cranes to see the damage. And damage you can barely call it as there is the smallest purple spot blooming along his upper thigh. Tiny indents of teeth around it. 

It is nowhere near the possessive carnage of his own marks upon your lighter skin, in fact the change in color is hardly a contrast. But it’s his. Your adorable attempt at marking your territory is utterly his to treasure. His precious tawtute leaving the sweetest of gifts. 

“So pretty, paskalin.” He purrs, finger stroking through your scalp as he battles the urge to stick his tongue down your throat again. The pad of your thumb brushes over the mark, gaze just barely peeking up at him beneath your long lashes. 

His body can’t fight a jerk this time when you unexpectedly grab the base of his cock again. A reassuring smile is quickly plastered on his face when you look up at him in concern. The size of him is borderline comical in your hand. Cock practically the length of your forearm, it’s daunting to imagine what a tight fit it will be in your mouth. Equally erotic and nerve wracking to think of those sweet lips stretching around him. 

“Promise you’ll help me do it right?” You ask gently, as if you aren’t simultaneously stroking his twitching cock in one hand, precum already drizzling down between your fingers. 

“I promise. Stop worrying.” Ao’nung prays you don’t hear the waver in his voice. How unfair it is to expect him to answer your questions when it’s taking everything within him not to fuck up into your fist. “Just start with your tongue, precious. Let yourself taste.” 

He had meant for you to explore slowly, maybe start from the bottom and work your way up but it’s clear you’re out to kill him because instead your pink tongue immediately flicks at the head of his cock, right over the slit where a drop of precum rests. 

It’s a pure shot of electricity. 

And that’s when Ao’nung knows…he is in trouble. 

How did he not calculate for this? This is by far not the first time he has had a beautiful woman’s mouth running along him, but they had all been Metkayina women before you. Their tongues had a rougher texture, something enjoyable but entirely different to the silk-like surface of your own. It’s so soft it almost tickles.

He’s known this from the first time you kissed but somehow that never translated into how it would feel against his most sensitive parts. 

Mercy is not afforded to him. Like the good numeyu you are, his instructions are taken to heart as your tongue lathers along every inch of him. Sometimes shorter flicks of your tongue while others long strokes that travel from the base to tip. You are duteous in your task. Even going as far as running over his heavy balls hanging beneath. 

Great Mother above, he was not built to contain himself like this. 

Blown out pupils look up at him when you pull back. It’s impossible to miss the seated hunger in your gaze, but first and foremost you wait for him to guide you. There is a drop of his arousal resting at the corner of your lips innocently, already starting to glow as eclipse has set outside. 

Without thinking, Ao’nung finds his own thumb pressing at the dot to slip it back inside your mouth. The digit is accepted without question. Curiosity getting the better of him now, the prince presses his thumb down on your tongue. 

Obediently your jaw slacks and lips separate. The pad of his thumb drags over your silky tongue as his other fingers curl beneath your chin. Saliva coats the digit before Ao’nung softly presses your jaw closed. “Suck,” He instructs. 

Unlike with swimming you don’t question his methods. You suck hard enough to hollow your cheeks, presenting the perfect tools to imagine what it will feel like around his cock. “There you go. Breath through your nose, sevin.” 

You take every direction graciously, following each to a tee. By the time he pulls his thumb out with a pronounced pop sound, it has a line of saliva still connecting it to your lips. He can’t help himself. Ao’nung slides that wet thumb down between your legs and lets it brush over your clit. A choked sound echoes from your throat, clasping his shoulder as he reaches further down to confirm his suspicions. 

You are absolutely drenched. 

“I-I want to try,” your breathy voice rushes out. 

Biting back a moan, Ao’nung kisses your cheek before whispering, “Do as you wish.” 

With heavy lidded eyes, he lays back and watches you settle between his thighs again. There is less urgency this time, desire overriding your apprehension. Less timid now, you take his cock in hand and start to fit your lips around the head. The tip is barely past your lips before you are emulating the ministrations he had taught you on his thumb. Cheeks hollowed and tongue running wild, you suck the very life out of him. 

“Precious precious,” Ao’nung gasps out, pulling your head off of him. “Not yet, sweetheart. Not yet.” 

His body thrums from the aftershock. Too much all at once. “Let’s focus on getting me in that pretty mouth first, hm?” 

“Sorry,” You mumble, already pulling back but Ao’nung pushes your head forward again. 

“Don’t apologize, sevin. You are being so good for me.” Wrapped in his praise you lower down around him slower this time. 

Just fitting the head inside is already a mouthful, something he tries to keep in mind as his hips are begging to buck up into your sweet cavern. It feels like being wrapped in satin. That perfectly hot wet cocoon of your mouth encircling his cock as if it was made for him. Not even halfway down and he can just barely feel the back of your throat. 

Ao’nung keeps you positioned there, not wanting to push you too far yet. He makes the mistake of looking down, however, and that image alone has his balls drawing up, dangerously close to the edge. Your pink lips stretched to their limit, such a beautiful contrast to sparkling eyes that peek up at him for approval. An absolute masterpiece. 

A shudder ripples forward when you suddenly pull off of him. “It won’t fit,” you pout. 

As if the situation isn’t already enough, those deceptively sweet words have the filthiest of fantasies running through his head. 

“That’s alright. You can use your hand for the rest.” He prompts. 

The advice helps when you lower down again, fisting what you can of the rest with your hand but even then it won’t cover all of him. “Now you can try your tongue, sevin. Just like I taught you.” 

But the way your tongue incidentally rides the vein on the underside of his cock is far more than what he taught you. It’s only his reaction that has you less oblivious to its sensitivities. Ao’nung lungs suck in air sharply, the concave of his stomach accenting the x shape of his ribs. 

“Am I hurting you?” You ask, abruptly rearing off of him. Those beautiful features are painted with such genuine concern Ao’nung is caught between laughing at your innocence and growling in need. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean-”

“You are so far from hurting me, precious.” Voice thickening with something carnal, Ao’nung pins you with ocean blue eyes. “That pretty mouth feels so good around me. Let me feel it again, paskalin.” 

The words strike you hard, plummeting you into a daze-like state as you softly follow the push of his hand. Whatever worries you have dissipate, too focused on getting him to gasp like that again. And it turns out such filthy words are exactly what you need when he is nestled in your heat, wide eyes crinkling with glee. 

“There we go. Now suck, sweetheart.” 

It takes little encouragement for your compliance. Even the small directions of how hard to suck, where to lap your tongue is ardently followed. Less experienced you may be but your obedience makes up for it ten fold. And then you are following him down into the thick haze of desire. Nostrils flaring, your head starts lowering down to take him deeper. 

Despite his flaring desire to watch you choke on him, Ao’nung hesitates. You’re fragile. This isn’t like the other women he has been intimate with. Throwing you around, using you too harshly, can come with consequences. Push too hard and he may just break you, making this an experience you never wish to repeat. 

But then his cerulean eyes catch a glimpse of your thighs, the way they squeeze together. That tantalizing essence is thick in the air, even more so when you begin rutting against the fabric like an animal in heat. There is still a slyness to your movements that tell him you’re trying not to get caught, but it’s too late. 

You are enjoying this just as much as him, big wide eyes begging for more. 

And so more you will get.

“You want my cock down your throat. Don’t you, sweetheart?” 

The hum you give in response not only confirms his theories but lights every pleasure center in his brain. A growl rumbles in his chest. “Of course you do, because you’re a good fucking girl, aren’t you?”

Another whine around him and Ao’nung’s toes are curling against the hammock. He fists the base of your ponytail and both of your hands position themselves at his hips, blunt nails digging in. “Then do as I say, sevin. Relax that throat and let me in.” 

The first time he slinks past the back of your throat, your gag reflex kicks in dramatically. Immediately he pulls out to allow you a ragged breath but before he can ask if you’re alright, your hands are clawing at his hips and trying to pull him back in. Ao’nung doesn’t need to be told twice. 

The pattern continues. His hips draw forward a little more each time until the choking seems to be too much and Ao’nung draws back to allow you air. Each time he is rewarded with the view of your sinfully debauched state. Lips ruby red, a mixture of his precum and saliva glossing over them, and blown out pupils lazily staring up at him. 

You’re a quick learner. It’s easy to fall into a rhythm of this pattern. It comes to a point where you are efficient in taking a deep breath before he is spearing down your throat again. Until it can be done faster and faster. Until he has almost three quarters of his length encompassed and able to thrust a couple times before needing to pull back. 

“Fuck, precious!” He groans, feet already planting against the hammock’s surface. “My perfect little cocksucker.” 

Those words spurs a new energy through you. When he comes to pop out after a couple thrusts, you snag his hip and give him a look. A silent communication that tells him all he needs to know. And by Eywa, it could not come at a better time. He is hanging just over the edge of release. It’s unclear how much longer he can keep that beast inside of him caged. 

So when you pull back for one last breath, his grip tightens on your hair and Ao’nung hips finally snap up with vigor. You take it like a champ, choking and drooling but eagerly pushing him to fuck down your throat. Those little ruts against the hammock becoming even more desperate with every growled moan he releases. 

“So fucking perfect.” He growls out between clenched teeth. The last tangible sound before his hips are ricketting sporadically and his balls are drawing up against him. Ao’nung finishes with his head thrown back. A position that only lasts for a moment as he quickly remembers to look down and watch the way you choke around him. He doesn’t fight it when you pull back and the rest of his spend lands across your jaw and collarbones. 

Now caught in his own daze, the prince hazily savors the masterpiece before him. Tears glossing over your eyes, abused lips parted, and his bioluminescent cum painting your satin like skin. If only there was a way to keep this image tucked away in his pocket forever. 

Coming down from his high, Ao’nung feels a tinge of guilt when he surveys your state. That is, until he catches another whiff of your arousal and watches a dopey grin trace your lips. For the first time in perhaps forever, he finds himself speechless. 

That grin dampens down in the silence, however. Chest still heaving for air you nervously ask, “Was it…good?” 

Nothing more than a raspy whisper but your concern is pure. 

Ao’nung is baffled. Wholly bewildered at how you can sit there with his sperm still dripping down your breasts and sincerely ask him such a question. 

He’s going to kill that pathetic man, that is for certain. Rip apart the one person that ever dared to make you question such a thing. The man that made you feel like anything less than a goddess. 

“Good?” He asks, slowly rising to sit up. You bite your bottom lip. “Oh precious, you aren’t good.” Ao’nung’s thick tail swerves behind him when he settles onto his knees, hands clasping your hips. “You are addicting. My perfect unraveling.” 

If he wasn’t so impatient he would savor the way your breath catches and eyes sparkle in delight. But he only sees it for a second before you are manhandled onto your back with a squeak and he is bullying his head between your squishy thighs. 

“Spread those pretty legs, tawtute. It’s my turn to taste.”

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[poppyseed1031]

Starbound Hearts

Status: I'm working on it

Pairings: Neteyam x human!f!reader

Aged up characters!

Genre/Warnings: fluff, slow burn, oblivious characters, light angst, hurt/comfort, pining

Summary: In the breathtaking, untamed beauty of Pandora, two souls from different worlds find themselves drawn together against all odds. Neteyam, the dutiful future olo'eyktan of the Omaticaya clan, is bound by the expectations of his people and the traditions of his ancestors. She, a human scientist with a love for Pandora’s wonders, sees herself as an outsider, unworthy of the connection she craves.

Tags: @nerdylawyerbanditprofessor-blog, @ratchetprime211, @poppyseed1031, @redflashoftheleaf, @nikipuppeteer

Part 13

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Part 14: To sneak

The lab was alive with the hum of machines, the glow of datapads, and the occasional chatter of the xenobotany team. But amidst the usual commotion, all eyes seemed to drift now and then toward the far corner of the room, where Neteyam crouched next to her. His large frame seemed out of place in the compact, human-scaled lab, but the way he leaned in close to her, his attention entirely focused, made it look as though he belonged there.

She looked up at him, her eyes bright with some explanation about the latest plant sample they were analyzing. He didn’t say much, but the slight tilt of his head, the way his tail lazily swayed behind him, and the soft smile tugging at his lips spoke volumes. It was as if they were having an entire conversation in their own language, one that didn’t require words.

Kate, seated a few feet away, nudged Norm with her elbow. “Look at them. I mean, seriously. You’d think they’d been mated for twenty years already.”

Norm chuckled, his gaze following hers. “And yet, somehow, it’s still kind of sweet.”

Kate smirked. “You’re just saying that because you saw their first kiss on the CCTV footage last week.”

“Okay, first of all,” Norm said, lowering his voice to a whisper, “I didn’t mean to see it. The cameras are for lab security, not spying.”

“Sure, Norm,” Kate teased, her grin widening. “And I didn’t hear you gush about how romantic it was. She’s a goner,” Kate remarked quietly, glancing at Max. “But who wouldn’t be? I mean, look at him.”

Max chuckled, his gaze softening as he watched the pair. “It’s not just her, though. He looks at her like she’s the only thing in the world that matters.”

Max leaned closer, lowering his voice. “You know Jake’s been piling work on him lately, right? Testing him like crazy. And yet, somehow, Neteyam still makes time to come here. Every day.”

Kate raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

Norm nodded, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Without fail. Even if he’s exhausted, he shows up. I don’t know how he does it.”

Kate glanced over again, catching the moment when she stood on her tiptoes to press a kiss to Neteyam’s cheek. His tail flicked playfully in response, brushing against her legs and making her giggle. “Okay, I’ll admit it,” Kate said with a laugh. “They’re disgustingly cute.”

The others chuckled, though none of them looked away. There was something mesmerizing about the way they moved together. If she shifted, he shifted too, his body naturally adjusting to hers as though they were two parts of a single whole. And when she laughed—soft, unguarded, and full of joy—it was clear to everyone in the room that she wasn’t just happy. She was in love.

And Neteyam? The way his golden eyes softened every time he looked at her, the way his tail flicked lazily behind him, and the way his entire frame seemed to relax in her presence said everything that needed to be said.

Kate rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her grin. “It’s disgustingly sweet. But good for her. I mean, she got herself the literal Omaticaya prince. That’s like winning the intergalactic lottery.”

Brian leaned on his station, adding in a mock whisper, “But you can tell his title doesn’t mean anything to her. She’s so in love with him, it’s ridiculous.”

At that moment, she giggled, her laughter light and musical, as Neteyam’s tail playfully swiped against her side. She swatted at him halfheartedly, her cheeks dimpling with amusement. “Neteyam!” she scolded, her voice laced with affection.

Kate snickered. “Yup. Ridiculous.”

Norm, always the quieter observer, tilted his head as he watched Neteyam lean closer, speaking to her in a low, rumbling tone that none of them could hear. Neteyam turned slightly, crouched tightly beside her, his golden eyes never leaving her face. She tilted her head up, standing on her tiptoes again to press a quick kiss to his flat nose. He chuckled, low and deep, his hand brushing against her waist as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Kate sighed dramatically, waving a hand in the air. “All right, I’m officially done. Someone get me an insulin shot.”

Norm smirked. “Jealous, Kate?”

“Of her? Nah.” Kate’s grin widened. “But I’ll admit, it’s kind of awesome seeing them like this. She deserves it. They both do.”

Kate raised an eyebrow and turned to Max. “If this doesn’t make you believe in soulmates, I don’t know what will.”

Max grinned but stayed quiet, watching as Neteyam’s hand lingered at the side of her face. She leaned into his touch instinctively, her eyes sparkling as she gazed up at him. There was no denying it—they moved together as if tied by an invisible thread, perfectly attuned to each other in a way that felt almost otherworldly.

“She’s completely gone for him,” Norm observed quietly, his voice tinged with genuine happiness. “And you can see it’s mutual. She’s not even guarded around him anymore.”

“Yeah,” Kate agreed, her tone softer now as she watched them. “It’s nice to see her like this. I mean, we all knew she was head over heels for him, but now she’s just... glowing. She’s happy.”

“And he’s different, too,” Max added thoughtfully. “Not just the dutiful warrior anymore. He looks... at peace when he’s with her.”

As the group went back to their tasks, their teasing subsiding into fond smiles, the pair remained lost in their own little world. Neteyam reached for her hand, her much smaller fingers slotting between his effortlessly. For a moment, the noise and chaos of the lab faded, leaving only the quiet warmth they shared. And for everyone watching, it was impossible not to feel a little lighter, a little brighter, in the glow of their happiness.

*

The lab was hushed as the last of the team headed off to their bunks, leaving only the faint hum of machinery and the soft glow of the bioluminescent samples. Neteyam stayed close, his presence a steady warmth beside you as you focused on your datapad, scrolling through the day’s results. It was late—too late, really—but you were used to long nights.

“Come with me,” he said suddenly, his voice soft but insistent.

You blinked, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow. “What?”

Neteyam crouched beside your chair, his golden eyes gleaming in the faint light. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

You scoffed, shaking your head. “Neteyam, it’s the middle of the night. Do you know what Norm would do to me if I left the outpost? He’d lose his mind. Not to mention the forest is... well, you know, dangerous. Especially for me.”

His ears twitched, the faintest flick that betrayed his amusement. “Norm won’t know.”

“Because I’d be dead before I could tell him,” you shot back, your tone dry. You set the datapad aside and crossed your arms, giving him a pointed look.

He crouched beside you, his face level with yours, and the intensity of his expression made you falter. “You’ll be safe with me,” he assured you, his voice low but filled with conviction. “I promise.”

You sighed, leaning back in your chair and crossing your arms. “The golden child himself, encouraging reckless behavior? What would Jake say?”

His lips twitched into a faint smile, but he didn’t back down. “He doesn’t have to know.”

You gave him a pointed look, your tone light but tinged with concern. “Neteyam, you should be sleeping. You’ve been running yourself ragged, and I don’t care how much you try to hide it—I see it.”

Your words softened his smile, but he didn’t waver. Instead, he tilted his head, his ears flicking slightly downward, and his wide, pleading eyes met yours with a look that made your chest tighten. “Please,” he murmured. “It’s important.”

You groaned, running a hand through your hair. “You’re a monster,” you muttered, but the warmth in your voice betrayed your affection. “Fine. Let me grab my mask.”

His face lit up, and the flick of his tail behind him made you laugh despite yourself. You followed him out of the lab toward the airgate, muttering under your breath about how you must have lost your mind, but there was no real resistance in your steps. You grabbed your exo-mask from the wall and secure it on your head. The hissing of the compressed air relaed you slightly before you waited the airgate to open. You found yourself drawn to his excitement, even if you couldn’t fully understand what had him so eager.

“If I die, Norm is going to kill you. We are understaffed.”

“I’d like to see him try,” Neteyam teased, his tail swishing behind him as he led the way through the dimly lit outpost.

You reached the edge of the clearing where his ikran waited, its sleek, powerful form glowing faintly in the bioluminescent light of the forest. The sky above was thick with clouds, the faint rumble of distant thunder hinting at rain later. You paused, looking up at the looming sky with an uneasy expression.

“This feels like the setup to a bad horror movie,” you said, glancing at him. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Neteyam chuckled, his voice warm and reassuring. “You worry too much.”

He extended his hand to you, his smile softening as he added, “Trust me.”

You hesitated for a moment, looking at the outstretched hand, then at his ikran, and finally back at his face. His earnest expression, the way his golden eyes searched yours with quiet confidence, was impossible to resist. With a sigh, you placed your hand in his.

“I must be insane,” you muttered as he helped you onto his ikran, his steady hands guiding you with care.

“You’ll see,” he said as he climbed up behind you, his arms securing you safely in place pulling you closer to his chest. “It’ll be worth it.”

You paused, glancing up at the dark sky. “You’re aware it’s probably going to rain, right? This feels less like a romantic adventure and more like a guaranteed soaking.”

Neteyam laughed softly, his hand resting on Tawkami’s neck as he reached behind himself to grab his kuru. “A little rain won’t hurt,” he said, his voice light with amusement as he made the bond with his ikran. “Besides, you trust me, don’t you?”

You sighed dramatically, though your smile lingered. “Unfortunately for my better judgment, I do.”

As you took off into the night, the wind rushing past you and the forest stretching out below, you couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and unease. Whatever he wanted to show you, you hoped it was as important as he seemed to think it was.

*

The cool wind would whipped against your face harshly if you wouldn’t wear the mask as the ikran soared through the darkened sky, its wings slicing through the clouds with a quiet power that left you in awe. You clung to Neteyam, your arms wrapped tightly around his arm, your heart thundering as the dense forest below blurred into an endless expanse of glowing greens and blues. The faint rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, a reminder of the coming storm.

You had no idea where he was taking you, and despite the comfort of his warmth against your back, unease prickled at the edges of your thoughts. Why did I agree to this? The forest was dangerous enough during the day, let alone at night, and the storm on the horizon didn’t help ease your nerves. But then you’d think of the way his eyes had silently begged you to follow him, the quiet desperation in his voice when he’d asked you to trust him, and you couldn’t bring yourself to say no.

His ikran let out a soft screech, tilting slightly as Neteyam adjusted its path. The wind grew colder, and you glanced overthe ikran’s shoulder, your breath catching as you spotted the faint glow of something ahead. As the ikran descended, the sight became clearer, and your unease melted into awe.

The Tree of Voice.

Even in your studies, you’d heard of this place—one of the most sacred site of the Omaticaya, the heart of Eywa’s connection to Pandora. Few humans had ever seen it, their stories now no more than whispered memories. But here it was, glowing softly against the darkness like a beacon, its long pink tendrils swaying gently in the breeze.

The ikran landed smoothly, its talons gripping the soft earth near the base of one of the smaller trees. Neteyam dismounted first, his movements fluid and precise as always, before turning to help you down. His hands were strong and steady as they guided you to the ground, your boots sinking slightly into the mossy soil. The air here was electric, charged not only by the approaching storm but by something deeper, something alive.

You turned in a slow circle, taking in the sight around you. The remains of the larger trees, destroyed long ago by the RDA, still stood as solemn reminders of that dark time, their trunks hollowed and charred. The war was 20 years ago. But nature had fought back. Around those lifeless husks, smaller trees had sprung up, their glowing tendrils dancing in the wind, pulsing softly with life. It was as if Eywa herself had ensured this sacred place was reborn, stronger than ever.

“It’s... incredible,” you murmured, unable to find words that did justice to what you were seeing. “Neteyam,” you whispered, your voice barely audible above the wind. “I shouldn’t—”

He cut you off with a gentle look and reached for one of the glowing tendrils, his fingers brushing it with reverence. The tendril responded to his touch, its movement graceful and alive. He glanced back at you, his golden eyes soft and thoughtful. “It is said to be a place for prayers to be heard,” he said, his voice quieter now, as if speaking louder would disturb the sacredness of the moment. “And sometimes... answered.”

You watched, transfixed, as he brought his neural queue forward. The strands of his kuru intertwined with the tendril, the connection seamless and natural. His eyes fluttered closed, his expression softening as if he were listening to a song only he could hear.

“They live within Eywa,” he murmured, the words carrying a depth of meaning that made your chest tighten.

You couldn’t take your eyes off him. The way the soft light of the tree illuminated his features, the serenity in his expression—it was like you were seeing a part of him you hadn’t fully known before. When he opened his eyes and looked at you again, a small smile tugged at your lips.

This is sacred to him. And he’s sharing it with me.

Without thinking, you reached out to one of the tendrils, your hand trembling slightly. Can I? Should I? The glowing pink strand seemed to move on its own, its gentle sway aligning with your hesitant motion. When your palm made contact, a jolt of warmth pulsed through you, startling but not unpleasant. The tendril pulsed faintly under your hand, alive and vibrant, and for a moment, you forgot to breathe.

“It’s alive,” you whispered, your voice filled with awe. You smiled, unable to help yourself, as you watched the tendril respond to your touch. No, you couldn’t connect with the ancestors like the Na’vi, but you could feel the vitality of this place, its sacredness. You glanced back at Neteyam, who was watching you now, his golden eyes filled with something you couldn’t quite name.

Neteyam opened his eyes, his gaze immediately finding you. The warmth in his expression made your heart race, and you couldn’t help but feel that this moment was something rare, something you would never forget.

Neteyam’s heart swelled as he watched you standing beneath the glowing tendrils of the Tree of Voices. The bioluminescent light bathed you in soft pink hues, reflecting in your eyes as you gazed in awe at the sacred place. He’d dreamt of this moment, of sharing this part of himself with you, and now that it was happening, it felt more profound than he’d imagined.

Bringing you here wasn’t a decision he had made lightly. This place was the heart of his people, the connection to their ancestors and Eywa herself. It was sacred, almost untouchable, and to bring a human here was unthinkable to many—including his own mother. But to him, you weren’t just a human. You were his. His heart, his balance, his anchor in a life that sometimes felt overwhelming.

As he stood there, the wind tugging at his braids, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude that you were here with him.

“You’re beautiful in this light,” he said softly, breaking the silence between you. His voice carried easily in the stillness, and he saw the way your cheeks flushed faintly at his words.

You smiled, glancing at him. “I think you’re the one who fits here, Neteyam. Not me. This place feels... too sacred for someone like me.”

He looked at you as if you were the most precious thing in the world, and you couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his mind.

“Neteyam,” you said softly, breaking the silence. The wind played with your hair, carrying your voice to him. “Why did you bring me here? Really?”

For a moment, he didn’t respond. His gaze shifted to the glowing tendrils swaying in the breeze, and his jaw tightened as if he were searching for the right words. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but steady, laced with something that sounded almost like reverence.

“I heard you,” he said, his gaze flicking back to you. “A few days ago. With Kate.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion, and you tilted your head slightly. “You heard me?” you repeated, unsure of where this was going.

He nodded, his ears flicking slightly downward in a gesture of vulnerability. “You said... you said you would never truly be a part of Pandora. That you could never fully understand this place. That no matter how long you lived here, it wouldn’t matter.”

Oh. The memory rushed back to you, unbidden. You and Kate had been joking—lighthearted banter about how Pandora seemed to resist human understanding when someone doing their job, how even the most advanced research couldn’t capture the soul of the planet. But the weight in Neteyam’s voice told you he hadn’t taken it as a joke.

You opened your mouth to explain, but he held up a hand, stopping you. His expression was calm, but there was a fire in his eyes that made your heart race.

“You’re wrong,” he said, his voice firmer now. “Pandora isn’t about understanding. It’s about feeling. About connection. And you—” He paused, his jaw tightening briefly before he continued. “You are a part of this place. Whether you see it or not.”

Realization dawned on you, and your chest tightened with a mix of guilt and defensiveness. “Neteyam, that was just... I didn’t mean it seriously. We were joking.”

But his expression didn’t change. His ears twitched slightly, and his tail flicked once behind him—a sign, you’d learned, of quiet determination. “You may have been joking,” he said softly, “but I don’t think you believed it was entirely untrue.”

You opened your mouth to protest, but the words caught in your throat. He was right, in a way. There was a part of you that had always felt out of place here, like you were borrowing space in a world that didn’t belong to you. A world that, no matter how much you learned or loved it, might never fully accept you.

“I brought you here because I want you to see something,” he continued, his voice quiet but steady. “This place... it is the heart of my people. It is where we come to pray, to ask for guidance, to feel Eywa’s presence. And it is where I came before I met you. I prayed to Eywa to show me my path, to help me become the leader my father expects me to be.”

You tilted your head, your mask glinted in the light of the bioluminescent tendrils, curiosity replacing some of your unease. “Before you met me?”

Neteyam nodded, his gaze distant for a moment as if he were looking back on a memory. “It was a time when I was lost, unsure of the path ahead. I came here to ask Eywa for guidance—for a sign of what my life was meant to be. And then... I met you.”

The weight of his words settled over you like a warm blanket, and your breath hitched. “Neteyam...” you whispered, but he shook his head gently, urging you to let him finish.

“I didn’t understand it at first,” he admitted, his eyes locking onto yours. “Why Eywa would place someone like you—someone so different, so human—on my path. But the more I came to know you, the more I realized that it was not a mistake. It was her will.”

You blinked up at him, your heart racing as he continued. “From the moment I met you, you have been a part of this world. Not because of where you were born or what body you were given, but because of what’s here.” He crouched down before your, reached out and pressing a big hand gently over your heart. “Because of the way you see things. The way you care, the way you listen.”

His hand lingered, warm and steady, before he let it fall back to his side. “Eywa does not make mistakes,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a reverence that sent a shiver down your spine. “She brought you here. To me. That is all the proof I need.”

You stared at him, your breath caught in your throat. The weight of his words, the raw honesty in his gaze, left you speechless. He truly believed it—that Eywa, the great life force of Pandora, had guided you into his life. That you were meant to be here, with him. The thought was overwhelming, humbling, and impossibly beautiful.

The depth of his words, the raw vulnerability in his gaze, left you speechless. You searched his face, looking for any hint of doubt, but there was none. He truly believed every word he had said.

“I never thought...” you began, but your voice broke, and you shook your head, trying to find the right words. “I never thought someone like you—someone so deeply connected to this world—could see me as anything more than... an intruder.”

“You are not an intruder,” he said firmly, his hand tightening slightly on your cheek. “You are a gift. I didn’t bring you here just to show you this place,” he continued, his voice softening. “I brought you here because this is where everything began for me. This is where I asked for guidance, and this is where I realized that you... you are my answer.”

His movements slow and deliberate, as though he were afraid of breaking the moment. His large hands found your arms gently, his touch grounding you as he brought his forehead to your mask. Overwhelmed by the closeness, the intimacy of the gesture, you closed your eyes.

“You are my prayer answered,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You are the peace I didn’t know I was searching for.”

Your hands trembled as they rose to his shoulders, gripping him tightly as though to anchor yourself. Tears slipped down your cheeks, but you didn’t care. The wind whipped around you, the storm drawing closer, but in that moment, the world felt still, as though it were holding its breath for the two of you.

“Neteyam,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say nothing,” he murmured, his voice soothing. “Just stay here, with me.”

*

The wind stirred gently around you, carrying with it the faint hum of life emanating from the Tree of Voices. Your masked head remained pressed against Neteyam’s, his warmth grounding - even through the thin glass-  you as his words echoed in your mind, a profound declaration that left your heart aching in the best way. His hands rested lightly on your arms, his thumbs brushing soothing circles against your skin.

Your eyes remained closed, tears drying against your cheeks as you let yourself be present in the moment, his presence filling you with a sense of peace you’d never known.

When Neteyam opened his eyes, intending to take in your face, his breath caught. His golden gaze widened in shock, his entire frame stiffening as his focus shifted over your head.

“Eywa,” he whispered, the word reverent and filled with awe.

“What?” you murmured, your eyes fluttering open at the sound of his voice. You pulled back slightly, confused by the look of utter wonder on his face.

Neteyam didn’t respond immediately. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on the small, glowing spirit drifting gracefully through the air toward you. An atokirina—one of Eywa’s seeds, a sign of the Great Mother’s favor. The luminous tendrils of the seed pulsed faintly as it floated closer, glowing softly against the darkened backdrop of the sacred grove.

You froze, your breath catching in your throat as the atokirina descended. It hovered for a moment before settling lightly against your head, its tendrils brushing your hair with a gentle, otherworldly touch.

Neteyam’s lips parted, his ears twitching as his tail gave a subtle flick of astonishment. “I knew it,” he murmured, his voice a blend of awe and quiet conviction. His golden eyes burned with emotion as they met yours, his expression a mixture of pride, reverence, and love. “I knew Eywa brought you to me.”

Your heart thundered in your chest, overwhelmed by the weight of his words and the sight of the sacred seed resting against you. You lifted a trembling hand toward the atokirina, though you didn’t dare touch it, afraid to disturb the delicate moment. It lingered for a few heartbeats longer before floating upward, its tendrils swaying in the breeze as it rejoined the others dancing around the Tree of Voices.

“Neteyam,” you began, your voice trembling with disbelief. “What... what does this mean?”

He cupped your head gently, his touch firm yet tender as his thumbs brushed your temples just right behind the mask. “It means,” he said softly, his golden eyes boring into yours with an intensity that left you breathless, “that you are not just mine by chance. You are mine because Eywa willed it. She brought you to me for a reason.”

You couldn’t speak, the weight of his words and the sacredness of the moment rendering you silent.

“I’ve always believed it,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. “But now I know, without a doubt, that you are meant to be with me. Eywa has seen your heart, your spirit... and she accepts you.”

Your hands clutched his arms, seeking stability as your knees threatened to give out. “Neteyam,” you managed, your voice breaking. “I don’t know how to... I’m just—”

“You are enough,” he interrupted gently, his tone firm yet soothing. “You have always been enough.”

The wind shifted again, stronger this time as the impending storm drew nearer, but neither of you moved. The sacred grove seemed to pulse with life around you, as though the forest itself was acknowledging the connection between you.

And in that moment, standing in the heart of Eywa’s blessing, you felt it too—you belonged here, with him.

*

The first drops of rain fell like tiny cold pinpricks, pattering against the leaves and the glowing tendrils of the Tree of Souls. You tilted your head upward, squinting at the darkened sky as the rain intensified into a steady downpour. Within moments, the world blurred around you, the heavy rain making everything seem like a hazy dream.

You couldn’t help but laugh, a soft, breathless sound that bubbled out despite the chill settling in. “I told you so,” you teased, brushing wet strands of hair out of your mask’s glass. The rain plastered your clothes to your body, the chill seeping into your skin, but the exhilaration of the moment kept you from caring too much.

Neteyam, soaked and unbothered, stood beside you, his hair clinging to his face, droplets catching on his bioluminescent freckles. He looked at you with a mix of amusement and exasperation before glancing at his restless ikran. The storm, with its rolling thunder and flashing lightning, made the creature uneasy, its wings flexing as it let out a low, nervous chirp.

“We can’t fly in this,” Neteyam said, his voice steady despite the weather. “It’s too dangerous.”

You nodded, glancing at the dark sky and the flashes of lightning in the distance. The wind whipped around you, pulling at your damp clothes and making you shiver. “So, what’s the plan?” you asked, wrapping your arms around yourself for warmth.

Neteyam tilted his head, his golden eyes scanning the forest as the rain poured down harder. “There’s a hunter’s hut nearby,” he said after a moment. “We’ll wait out the storm there.”

Before you could protest, he was already helping you onto his ikran. The creature’s discomfort was evident as it shifted and chirped uneasily, but it took off smoothly under Neteyam’s guidance after the bond, its powerful wings cutting through the rain-soaked air.

The flight was short but tense, the storm intensifying around you. Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the forest below in sharp flashes. The rain stung your skin, and you clung to Neteyam’s arm, trusting him to guide you through the chaos. Finally, the ikran swooped down toward a sturdy tree where a small hut was built high above the ground. It was simple but well-constructed, designed to offer shelter for hunters caught in bad weather.

Once you were safely inside, you collapsed onto the woven floor, panting and dripping wet. The rain hammered against the roof, the sound a constant, soothing rhythm despite the storm raging outside. Neteyam secured the hut’s door and knelt by the small fire pit in the center, quickly lighting it to bring some warmth to the chilly air.

You turned to him, your clothes dripping water onto the wooden floor as you crossed your arms and gave him a pointed look but after a few moment you rached up just to wipe the glass of your mask. “I hope you’re happy,” you said, a teasing edge to your tone. “This is officially my last night alive, and I’m spending it with you.”

Neteyam arched a brow, clearly amused despite the storm raging outside. “Your last night alive?” he repeated, his voice warm and soft with mock offense.

“Yes,” you said with dramatic flair, stepping closer to him as you wrung water from your sleeves. “Because when I get back to the outpost, Norm is going to skin me alive for being out here in the middle of the night. He’ll probably hang my remains in the lab as a warning to others.”

Neteyam chuckled, his tail flicking slightly as he reached out to tuck a damp strand of hair behind your ear. “Then I’ll just have to make sure you don’t regret spending your last night with me.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at your lips. The storm continued to howl outside, but in the quiet safety of the hut, his presence made it feel like nothing else mattered.

*

The fire crackled softly in the center of the small hunter’s hut, casting flickering shadows on the woven walls as rain lashed against the roof. You sat close to it, trembling slightly, your soaked clothes clinging uncomfortably to your skin. The chill had seeped into your bones, making it impossible to stop shivering.

Without much thought, you reached for the hem of your shirt and tugged it over your head, tossing the wet fabric aside. Your pants followed, leaving you in nothing but your underwear.

You didn’t realize what you’d done until you looked up and caught Neteyam’s gaze. He was staring at you, his golden eyes wide and unblinking, his expression unreadable. Heat rushed to your cheeks, and suddenly, you felt unbearably self-conscious. Wrapping your arms around yourself, you grabbed the crumpled woven blanket from the floor and quickly draped it over your shoulders, pulling it tightly around your body like a shield.

“How do you not freeze?” you asked, squinting at him through the dim firelight, your voice more accusatory than you intended. He was still soaking wet, his inky braids dripping onto his broad shoulders, and yet he didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. Like most Na’vi, he only wore a loincloth, his blue skin slick with rainwater, but he looked completely unaffected by the chill.

Neteyam tilted his head, a small, amused smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Our bodies are different,” he said simply, his voice low and calm, though there was a flicker of warmth in his eyes that made your cheeks burn even more. “We’re used to this.”

You huffed, clutching the blanket tighter around yourself. “Well, I’m not,” you muttered, shivering despite the fire’s heat.

Neteyam’s smile widened, and he extended a hand, his long fingers curling slightly in a beckoning gesture. “Come here,” he said softly, his voice carrying an unmistakable note of warmth and invitation.

You hesitated, your grip on the blanket tightening. “I’m fine,” you said quickly, though your chattering teeth betrayed you.

“Come here,” he repeated, more firmly this time, his golden eyes steady and patient as they held yours. There was no judgment in his gaze, no teasing—just quiet concern and an unspoken promise of warmth. “You’ll be warmer.”

Reluctantly, you shuffled closer to him, dragging the blanket with you. As you reached him, he uncrossed his legs slightly, creating space for you to sit between them. You settled hesitantly, tucking the blanket around yourself as you leaned against him.

The moment your back pressed against his chest, you felt his warmth envelop you like a cocoon. He was like a furnace, his body radiating heat that seeped into your chilled skin almost immediately. You let out a soft, involuntary sigh as the tension in your muscles began to melt away, your shivering subsiding. His arms came around you instinctively, his large hands resting lightly on your hips as he pulled you closer, and you felt his chin rest gently against the top of your still wet head.

“Better?” he asked, his voice a low rumble against your ear.

You nodded, your eyes fluttering shut as you let yourself relax against him. “You’re not just warm,” you mumbled, your voice muffled against the blanket. “You’re unfairly warm. It’s not natural.”

Neteyam chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest and into your back. “Unnatural?” he teased, his hands smoothing over the blanket covering you. “Or just lucky for you?”

You smiled despite yourself, nuzzling closer to him. “Lucky, I guess,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper.

For a while, neither of you spoke. The storm continued to rage outside, the rain lashing against the hut and the wind howling through the trees, but it all felt distant now. All you could focus on was the steady rise and fall of Neteyam’s chest behind you, the rhythmic thrum of his heartbeat against your back, and the way his arms held you so securely, as though he never wanted to let you go.

*

"Even when I won’t see the sunset anymore,” you said dramatically, your voice muffled as you nuzzled into his chest. “Because Norm will make me so dead.”

Neteyam tilted his head to look down at you, his golden eyes shimmering with amusement. “Norm wouldn’t dare,” he said, a playful edge to his tone. “I’d stop him.”

You laughed, the sound light and sweet, filling the small space of the hunter’s hut. “Oh, sure. But I bet Jake will lecture you into the next week. So, even just for a tiny bit, we’ll be even. Perfectly balanced,” you added with a smirk, “as all things should be.”

His smile widened, and he shook his head slightly, his braids shifting with the movement. “I’d take a thousand lectures from my father if it means spending a night like this with you.”

The sincerity in his voice caught you off guard, and for a moment, your teasing expression softened. You reached up, your fingers brushing lightly against his jaw, tracing the strong line of it before letting your hand rest on his shoulder.

“Well, aren’t you just the sweetest thing?” you said with a small, shy smile. But your tone was soft now, lacking its usual teasing bite, and your gaze lingered on his face for a moment longer than usual.

Neteyam’s eyes flicked to yours, his expression tender, and he leaned down to press his forehead gently against your mask. “I mean it,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “Every moment with you is worth it.”

You felt your cheeks heat under his gaze, and you broke eye contact, nuzzling into his chest to hide your flustered expression. Absentmindedly, you reached for the blanket draped over you and pulled it up higher, tucking it around his broad shoulders as well as your own.

“You’re impossible,” you muttered, your voice wavering. “Completely unfair.”

Neteyam’s arms tightened around you, his tail giving a lazy flick behind him. “Unfair?” he echoed, a smile tugging at his lips. “And yet, you’re the one making my heart race like this.”

You let out a quiet laugh, shaking your head. “Stop being so smooth,” you said lightly, though the warmth in your voice betrayed the affection behind the words. You tilted your head up slightly, your mask brushing against his collarbone as you glanced up at him with a soft, playful smile.

He chuckled, his breath warm against your hair, and pressed a kiss to your temple. “Never,” he whispered, holding you close as the storm raged on outside, the world beyond the hut feeling far, far away.

As you rested your head against his chest once more, your fingers tracing lazy patterns over the blanket, you couldn’t help but think that, no matter how angry Norm might be—or how long Jake’s inevitable lecture might last—this moment was worth it. Every second of it.

Part 15: (Soon)

[poppyseed1031]

Melting- Chapter 5

Aged up Neteyam x Freader

AN: Tumblr wouldn't let me upload the whole things so it's kinda short, but the rest will be posted soon! I hope you enjoy! Any feedback is welcome

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The whimper you let out upon contact made Neteyams head spin, he trailed his hands down your sides and gripped your hips harshly, pulling them against his as he breathed you in and savored your taste. You were sweet, and so soft. Your lips moved against his in perfect tandem and lit a fire within him, and he knew you were meant to be together, and he never wanted to let you go.

It was days before you two resurfaced again and joined the clan in daily life, to wound up in basking in the new found affection. It was taking everything neteyam had to keep his urges tamed. He wanted the first time you two joined in that way to be special, and he knew you would be worth the wait.

"Teyam, we should go see if the gatherers that went out today found any shelter fruit, I would like to add it to a new loaf I'm thinking of." You murmured out into the quiet of your hut, fingers trailing his chest and tail sailing softly in the air behind you. He looked at you with soft eyes and just took you in for a moment. You were both curled up on the giant pile of woven materials you called a sleeping mat, legs intertwined and sides pressed together, and you looked oh so beautiful. Your tahni was flickering in the dull light, hair flowing and curling around your face and tickling him with the ends with any slight move of your head, affection swelled within him and he caught your hand gently in his, pressing a soft kiss to each fingertip as he stared at the pools of honey that made up your eyes; "hmm, that sounds good, I was also thinking we could go to the celebration together tonight." He hummed, trying to aound non-chalant, knowing your reservations on mingling with others your own age. Your eyes widened and you shot up, causing a wounded sound to escape Neteyams mouth before he could stop it at the loss of your body against his. "I don't think that's a good idea, Neteyam." Your eyes intently shot around his face as you spoke, browbone furrowed and lips pursed. You were looking at him as if he had grown a second head. He heaved a small sigh as he sat up and tilted his head at you. "Look, I know you feel like you need to protect yourself, and I know that there has been nasty, awful comments and treatment and you have no reason to want to try, but if you just let them see you, the you I get to see, you would prove them all wrong so fast they'd think they were crazy for ever thinking or saying any of those things about you, please," He raised his hand and cupped your cheek, "just try, that's all I'm asking. Come with me, I want you with me." He implored, ducking slightly to maintain eye contact when you shot your gaze down to your lap. You were silent for a few minutes before you peered up at him through your lashes, and he cursed himself when his breath audibly hitched at the look. He saw something akin to fear flash across your face before you slumped in defeat. "Alright. I'll try. For you."

[poppyseed1031]

Starbound hearts

Status: I'm working on it

Pairings: Neteyam x human!f!reader

Aged up characters!

Genre/Warnings: fluff, slow burn, oblivious characters, light angst, hurt/comfort, pining

Summary: In the breathtaking, untamed beauty of Pandora, two souls from different worlds find themselves drawn together against all odds. Neteyam, the dutiful future olo'eyktan of the Omaticaya clan, is bound by the expectations of his people and the traditions of his ancestors. She, a human scientist with a love for Pandora’s wonders, sees herself as an outsider, unworthy of the connection she craves.

Tags: @nerdylawyerbanditprofessor-blog, @ratchetprime211

Part 6

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This part is really lng ! Sowwy! <3

Part 7: To long

Neteyam trudged behind Lo’ak, his mind drifting far from the path they were walking. His younger brother was in the middle of an animated rant about something—probably another one of his harebrained ideas—but Neteyam wasn’t paying attention. His thoughts were still tangled in the moments he had spent with you earlier at the outpost. The way your laugh had echoed in the cramped space, the way your eyes lit up at his terrible attempts at conversation—it was all seared into his memory.

“Are you even listening?” Lo’ak’s voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to the present.

Neteyam blinked, glancing over at his brother. “Hm? Sorry, what were you saying?”

Lo’ak groaned, throwing his hands in the air dramatically. “Unbelievable! I was saying that I found something cool out here yesterday, and I wanted to show you. But clearly, you’re too busy being... I don’t know, you lately.”

Neteyam sighed. “What does that even mean, Lo’ak?”

“It means you’re always off in your own head these days,” Lo’ak replied, side-eyeing him as they continued walking. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed. You’ve been distracted, bro. And I’m guessing it has something to do with a certain human girl.”

Neteyam’s ears twitched, but he said nothing, keeping his gaze ahead.

Lo’ak smirked, nudging him with his elbow. “Come on, admit it. You’ve got it bad.”

“Lo’ak,” Neteyam said warningly, though the faint color rising in his cheeks betrayed him.

Lo’ak only laughed, throwing an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “Relax, I’m just messing with you. Mostly. But seriously, Teyam, you should—”

He stopped mid-sentence, his ears perking up as a faint sound reached them. Voices. Human voices.

Neteyam’s instincts kicked in immediately, and he motioned for Lo’ak to stay quiet. They crept forward, their movements silent as they approached the source of the sound. As they reached the edge of a clearing, they crouched low behind the thick foliage.

In the clearing, a small group of humans was gathered. Norm and Max were there, along with a handful of others—new faces that Neteyam recognized as part of the recently arrived science team. Equipment was spread out across the clearing, and a few humans were busy examining various plants and soil samples.

And then he saw you.

You were kneeling on the ground, your attention focused on a vibrant purple plant that seemed to glow faintly in the filtered sunlight. Your hair fell over your shoulder as you leaned closer, your expression one of pure curiosity and wonder. Neteyam felt his breath catch in his throat. You were mesmerizing.

“Wow,” Lo’ak whispered beside him, his tone teasing. “You’re not even trying to hide it, are you?”

Neteyam shot him a glare, but his brother only grinned, leaning back against a tree. “Go on, admit it. She’s the only thing you see right now.”

He wasn’t wrong. Neteyam’s eyes remained fixed on you, captivated by the way you seemed so at home, even in this strange environment. You reached out to gently touch one of the plant’s leaves, and the bioluminescent glow intensified under your fingertips. The sight stirred something deep within him, a mix of admiration and longing that he couldn’t quite put into words.

But the moment was interrupted when another human—a man Neteyam didn’t recognize—stepped into the scene. He was tall, with short-cropped hair and a confident, almost cocky demeanor. He approached you with an easy smile, crouching down beside you as he spoke. Neteyam couldn’t hear what was being said, but the man’s body language was clear—too friendly, too familiar.

Neteyam’s tail flicked restlessly behind him as he watched the interaction. The man leaned closer to you, pointing at something on the plant, his smile widening when you laughed softly at whatever he had said. The sound that had brought Neteyam so much joy earlier now felt like a knife twisting in his chest.

“Oh, this is getting interesting,” Lo’ak muttered, his tone laced with amusement. “Looks like you’ve got some competition.”

Neteyam’s jaw tightened, his golden eyes narrowing as he observed the scene. He knew it wasn’t fair to feel this way. You were free to talk to whomever you wanted, to laugh and smile with anyone who caught your interest. But that knowledge did nothing to quell the surge of jealousy bubbling in his chest.

The man reached out, his hand brushing lightly against your arm as he made another comment. Neteyam’s fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He hated the way the man was looking at you, the way he seemed to command your attention so easily.

“You gonna do something, or just keep glaring at him?” Lo’ak asked, raising an eyebrow.

Neteyam didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was racing, torn between the urge to march into the clearing and stake his claim—or at least interrupt—and the voice of reason reminding him that he had no right to feel this way. You weren’t his, no matter how much he wished otherwise.

Lo’ak sighed, shaking his head. “You’re hopeless, bro. Absolutely hopeless.” But there was a hint of sympathy in his voice as he nudged Neteyam’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go before you combust.”

Neteyam's golden eyes burned as he watched the human man grow bolder with every passing moment. The stranger's overly confident demeanor grated on his nerves, and the way he positioned himself so closely to you made Neteyam’s chest tighten. His tail flicked sharply behind him, a physical manifestation of the storm brewing inside him.

The man—Ethan, as you would later call him—leaned closer, his voice low and insistent. Neteyam couldn’t hear the exact words, but the tone was unmistakably flirtatious. He pointed at something on the ground near the plant, earning a polite nod and a forced smile from you. It was clear to Neteyam that you weren’t entirely comfortable, yet Ethan either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

Ethan's hand brushed against your arm casually, too casually, as he gestured to the plant. You stiffened slightly, but the man didn’t stop there. His touch became more frequent—a hand on your shoulder, then trailing lightly down your arm. You shifted away subtly, but Ethan closed the gap, oblivious or deliberately ignoring your discomfort.

Neteyam’s jaw clenched so tightly it hurt, his sharp canines pressing against each other. His fists balled at his sides, nails digging into his palms. Lo’ak, perched beside him, let out a low whistle.

“Oh man,” Lo’ak muttered, his voice dripping with amusement. “This guy has a death wish. Look at you, all ready to pounce. Don’t tell me this doesn’t make you want to break his tiny human nose.”

“Lo’ak,” Neteyam said in a low, warning tone, his tail flicking restlessly behind him.

“What? I’m just saying,” Lo’ak continued, his voice teasing but quieter now. “That guy’s going for it, huh? Trying really hard to get her attention. Too bad it’s working.”

“It’s not working,” Neteyam muttered, though his fists clenched tighter at his sides.

“Sure it’s not,” Lo’ak drawled, leaning casually against the tree. “That’s why she’s laughing and letting him touch her arm.”

But Neteyam could see that your laughter wasn’t genuine. The polite smile you wore didn’t reach your eyes, and the way you shifted uncomfortably every time Ethan leaned closer told him everything he needed to know. Still, the man’s persistence grated on him.

Ethan reached out again, this time letting his hand settle lightly on the small of your back. Neteyam’s tail lashed harder. When Ethan brushed a strand of hair from your face, his fingers lingering too long, Neteyam’s chest burned with an unfamiliar, intense anger.

“Yikes,” Lo’ak whispered, mock-shielding himself. “I can feel the heat from here. If looks could kill, that guy would be dust.”

Neteyam didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His entire focus was on you, and the way Ethan’s actions were becoming more invasive. You subtly shifted to put distance between yourself and the man, looking around for someone to help, but every other scientists were so engrossed in their work, but Ethan followed, his easy smile never faltering as he kept talking, his voice low and smooth.

Ethan continued his advances, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from your face. You jerked back slightly, an uncomfortable laugh escaping your lips as you tried to deflect. “Ethan, don’t—”

“Relax,” the man interrupted smoothly, his hand lingering near the small of your back. “I’m just being friendly. You’re too tense. You should smile more—it looks good on you.”

Neteyam’s breath hitched as he watched Ethan’s hand drift lower, his fingers brushing against the curve of your waist. You shifted uncomfortably, trying to step away, but Ethan’s confidence didn’t waver.

“Ethan, leave me alone,” you said firmly, your voice carrying a note of frustration.

But Ethan simply grinned. “Come on, don’t be like that. We’re just having fun, aren’t we?”

When his hand grazed your lower back, dangerously close to your hip, something inside Neteyam snapped. Before Lo’ak could make another quip, Neteyam rose to his full height and stepped out of the foliage, his movements silent yet commanding.

The clearing seemed to still as the towering Na’vi emerged from the shadows, his golden eyes blazing and his expression a mask of barely restrained fury. Ethan froze, his hand hovering awkwardly midair. The others in the clearing turned to stare, their faces a mixture of awe and fear.

You were the first to speak, your eyes lighting up in a way that sent a pang through Neteyam’s chest. “Neteyam!” you said, your voice warm and full of genuine delight. “I didn’t think I’d see you today.

The change in your demeanor was immediate, and Ethan, still caught in his own disbelief, glanced between you and the towering Na’vi. “Wait, what?” he stammered, his shock evident. “You—you know him?”

Ignoring Ethan, you took a step toward Neteyam, your smile radiant. “I’m so glad you’re here,” you said, your voice carrying a note of relief that only he seemed to notice.

Ethan, finally finding his voice, moved as if to step between you and Neteyam. “Wait a second,” he said, raising a hand as if to shield you. “This—this thing, this savage—he’s dangerous! Don’t talk to him! I bet he doesn’t even understand us. He shouldn’t even be here. We should call—”

The clearing fell deathly silent. Norm and Max, who had been observing from the sidelines, exchanged uneasy glances, clearly bracing for what was about to unfold. Neteyam’s eyes shifted to Ethan, his gaze cold and unyielding. Lo’ak, still watching from the sidelines, let out a low whistle. “Oh, he’s dead,” he muttered under his breath, clearly enjoying the show.

The words ignited a spark in Neteyam, and he stepped closer, his gaze sharp as he leveled it at Ethan. “I understand more than you think,” he said, his voice calm but laced with an unmistakable edge.

Ethan stumbled back, clearly startled that Neteyam could speak. “You—you speak English?”

Ethan’s jaw dropped, his confidence crumbling as he realized the mistake he’d made. Neteyam ignored him completely, his attention shifting back to you. He took a step closer, his expression softening ever so slightly as his gaze met yours. “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

You nodded quickly, stepping around Ethan to stand closer to Neteyam. The sight of you willingly moving toward him seemed to knock the wind out of Ethan. His expression twisted into one of confusion and disbelief.

Ethan gawked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Wait—you’re thanking him? You can’t be serious.”

Neteyam’s gaze finally flicked back to Ethan, his golden eyes narrowing dangerously. “She said enough,” he said, his voice like a low rumble of thunder.

Though his words were measured, the underlying warning was unmistakable. Ethan paled, taking a step back as he finally realized just how outmatched he was. Neteyam didn’t need to do anything more. His mere presence was enough to silence whatever protest Ethan had been about to make.

Lo’ak, who had finally entered the clearing, leaned against a tree, watching the scene unfold with a grin. “Man, I’ve got to say, this is better than I expected. That guy doesn’t stand a chance.” Neteyam ignored his brother, his focus entirely on you as you stepped closer to him, your hand brushing lightly against his arm.

“Thanks for looking out to me,” you said softly, your voice just for him.

Neteyam stood silently in the clearing, his gaze fixed on Ethan as the man retreated to the other side, clearly shaken. Ethan didn’t even spare you another glance, his shoulders tense as he busied himself with the other scientists. Neteyam felt a quiet satisfaction at that but quickly turned his attention back to you. You had slowly returned to your work, crouched next to the glowing purple plant, your focus back on the samples you were analyzing.

Neteyam stepped closer, lowering himself to a crouch so that he was eye level with you. Despite his attempt to make himself smaller, he still towered over you, his presence unmistakably large. His tail flicked lazily behind him as he observed your careful movements.

From behind him, he heard Norm and Max chuckling quietly. “Never thought I’d see this,” Norm muttered, his tone light. “Two massive Na’vi crouching like oversized housecats, just to keep her company.”

Lo’ak, who had followed Neteyam into the clearing, leaned casually against a tree before sauntering over to you. He plopped down beside his brother, grinning as his tail swayed with amusement. “You know,” Lo’ak began, “I really don’t get it. All these humans losing their minds over plants. They’re just... plants.”

You glanced up from your work, a small smile tugging at your lips as you brushed a strand of hair from your face. “Well, Lo’ak,” you said, your tone light, “when you grow up on a planet with no plants at all, they stop being boring.”

Lo’ak blinked, his grin faltering slightly. “Wait—no plants? Like... none?”

You nodded, your expression thoughtful as you spoke. “On Earth, most of the forests and natural ecosystems were destroyed a long time ago. When I arrived on Pandora, it was the first time I ever saw real trees. I’d only seen pictures and simulations before that. So yeah, being here in a forest like this? It’s pretty special.”

Neteyam’s ears flicked forward as he listened, his chest tightening at your words. He couldn’t imagine a world without the vibrant life of the forest, the towering trees, the constant hum of nature. To him, the forest was home—so familiar it sometimes felt mundane. But to you, it was something extraordinary.

“Man, that sounds awful,” Lo’ak said, his voice softer now. “No wonder you humans are always poking around at every little thing.”

You laughed lightly, your smile warm as you nodded. “Exactly. What’s boring to you is incredible to me.”

Neteyam’s tail flicked behind him as he studied you, his gaze lingering on the way your hands moved deftly over the plant, carefully documenting its bioluminescence. He admired your passion, the way you approached every detail with such care and curiosity.

“You don’t have to stay and watch this boring stuff,” you said suddenly, glancing up at him with a teasing smile. “I’m sure you have better things to do.”

Neteyam tilted his head slightly, his expression calm as he replied, “I have nothing better to do.”

It wasn’t true, and he knew you could tell. Your smile softened as you held his gaze for a moment before shaking your head slightly, a quiet laugh escaping you. Lo’ak, of course, couldn’t let it go.

“Oh, come on,” Lo’ak said, rolling his eyes dramatically. “You’re really gonna sit here and pretend you care about plants, Teyam? What’s next, you’re gonna start drawing diagrams too?”

You laughed again, and the sound warmed Neteyam’s chest. “Maybe I’ll teach him,” you joked, glancing at Neteyam with a playful grin. “He might be a natural scientist and just doesn’t know it yet.”

Neteyam let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “I’ll leave that to you.”

As you worked on the glowing purple plant, Lo’ak, ever the instigator, continued his commentary. He leaned back on his hands, his tail flicking lazily behind him as he grinned. “So, if plants are this exciting to you, does that mean you’ll start naming them? Like, this one could be… uh, Purple Glow Thing.”

You glanced up from your notes, raising an eyebrow at him. “Very creative, Lo’ak. You should start a naming service. I’m sure the scientists would love it.”

Neteyam smirked, his eyes flicking to his brother. “Maybe we should call it ‘Lo’ak’s Brain,’ since it glows as much as his ideas.”

Lo’ak gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “Wow. Betrayed by my own brother.” He turned to you, his expression mock-hurt. “Do you hear how he talks to me?”

You laughed, shaking your head as you jotted down another note. “I don’t know, Lo’ak. I think Neteyam’s onto something.”

“Et tu?” Lo’ak groaned, flopping onto his back theatrically. “I come out here, bring my brother to see something cool, and this is the thanks I get. Betrayal. From both of you.”

You rolled your eyes, leaning back slightly to look at him. “If this is betrayal, I’d hate to see what you’d do with actual enemies.”

“Be careful,” Neteyam said, his tone dry but teasing. “He might declare a lifelong vendetta over this.”

“Ha-ha,” Lo’ak muttered, shooting his brother a glare before sitting up again. “You two are the worst.” His tail flicked lazily against the forest floor as he tilted his head. “You know,” he said, his tone light and teasing, “you’re probably the only person who would look at dirt and glowing plants and think, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’”

You glanced up at him with a smirk. “Well, you’re probably the only person who can’t tell the difference between two plants unless they’re trying to kill you.”

Neteyam snorted softly, and Lo’ak gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “Ouch! Right in the pride. Did you hear that, Teyam? She’s ruthless.”

“I heard,” Neteyam replied, a small smile tugging at his lips as he looked at you. “And she’s not wrong.”

You laughed, shaking your head as you returned to your work. “See? Even Neteyam agrees.”

Lo’ak rolled his eyes, leaning closer. “You’re both impossible,” he said, before narrowing his gaze at Neteyam. “Though, I have to admit, I’m starting to think Teyam’s only here because he’s worried I’ll steal you away.”

Neteyam shot him a look, his tail flicking sharply behind him. “You couldn’t steal anything, Lo’ak. Least of all her attention.”

“Is that a challenge?” Lo’ak asked, grinning mischievously. “Because I think I could—”

“Lo’ak,” you interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “I’m standing right here, you know.”

Lo’ak grinned, completely unbothered. “Exactly. That’s what makes it fun.”

You sighed, shaking your head with an amused smile. “I think I liked it better when you were off chasing ikran or arguing with Kiri.”

“Careful,” Lo’ak warned, pointing a finger at you. “Keep this up, and I might not help you the next time you get lost.”

“I’ve never been lost,” you countered, raising your chin. “I’ve just been... temporarily unsure of my location.”

Neteyam chuckled, his deep voice rumbling softly. “That’s one way to put it.”

Your laughter bubbled up again, and Lo’ak threw his hands in the air. “You know what? I don’t need this. You two deserve each other, sitting here, ganging up on me.”

“Oh, come on, Lo’ak,” you said, still grinning. “You’re fun to tease. Besides, you make it too easy.”

“See? You’re encouraging her,” Lo’ak said to Neteyam, though he was smiling now. “I hope she knows how mean you actually are.”

Neteyam shrugged, his lips curving into a small smile. “I’m honest.”

“You’re impossible,” Lo’ak muttered, flopping back onto the grass dramatically, his tail flicking in mock frustration.

Before Lo’ak could fire back another retort, Norm and Max approached, their boots crunching softly against the forest floor. Norm glanced at his watch before addressing the group. “All right, folks, time to wrap it up. We need to head back soon. Forest gets a little too lively at night for our comfort.”

Max nodded in agreement. “Especially with the new team. We don’t want to risk anyone getting lost.”

Your smile faltered slightly, and you closed your notebook, carefully packing up your supplies. “Got it,” you said softly, glancing at the vibrant plant one last time.

Neteyam’s chest tightened at the thought of you leaving. He didn’t like it—didn’t like the idea of you heading back to the lab, away from the safety of the forest where he could watch over you. And he especially didn’t like the idea of you being stuck with Ethan.

You noticed his expression and offered him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Neteyam. I’ve dealt with worse men back on Earth than Ethan.”

His jaw tightened, and his tail flicked sharply behind him. “That doesn’t mean you should have to deal with him here.”

Norm cleared his throat, sensing the tension. “Ethan’s harmless, Neteyam. He’s just... not great at reading the room.”

Neteyam’s gaze didn’t leave yours, his voice steady and firm as he spoke. “We’ll escort you back.”

Norm hesitated, glancing at Max, who shrugged. “Well, I’m not going to say no to having two Na’vi warriors as bodyguards,” Norm said lightly, trying to ease the mood.

“Works for me,” Max added, nodding. “Let’s start packing up.”

As the humans began gathering their equipment, you turned back to Neteyam, your eyes softening as you studied his expression. “You don’t have to, you know,” you said gently. “We’ll be fine.”

Neteyam met your gaze, his expression resolute. “It’s not just about being fine. It’s about making sure you’re safe.”

Your smile widened, warmth spreading through your chest at his sincerity. “Thank you, Neteyam.”

Lo’ak, standing nearby, rolled his eyes dramatically. “Oh, sure, he’s the noble protector. What about me? Do I get any credit for tagging along?”

You laughed, shaking your head as you shot him a teasing look. “You’re here for the jokes, Lo’ak. That’s enough.”

“Wow,” Lo’ak said, clutching his chest as if you’d wounded him. “The disrespect.”

Neteyam’s lips twitched into a faint smile as he watched the exchange, the weight in his chest lifting slightly at the sound of your laughter. For now, he could breathe easier knowing he’d be there to see you safely back to the outpost.

*

As the other scientists disappeared into the secure doors of the outpost, Neteyam lingered just beyond its perimeter, his sharp eyes tracking every movement. The faint hum of machinery filled the air, but his focus remained on you, standing a few feet away. Lo’ak was leaning lazily against a tree, fiddling with a stray twig and humming a tuneless melody.

“You’re not going to stay out here all night staring, are you?” Lo’ak teased, his voice low and amused.

Neteyam shot him a look, but the younger Na’vi just smirked. “Relax, bro. She’s safe now. Ethan’s in there, probably too scared to even look at her after earlier.”

His ears twitched, irritation flaring at the mention of Ethan. “It’s not just about him,” Neteyam said, his tone defensive.

Lo’ak snorted. “Sure, it’s not.” He flung the twig away and stretched. “Well, if you’re going to keep playing guardian, I’ll head back. I don’t want to spend all night smelling exhaust fumes.”

You turned to look at Lo’ak, smiling warmly. “Thanks for walking us back, Lo’ak. You made it fun.”

“Of course,” Lo’ak said with a wink. “Someone’s got to keep things lively. Neteyam’s too serious for his own good.”

“Go home, Lo’ak,” Neteyam said flatly, though his tail flicked in mild amusement.

Lo’ak laughed and gave a mock salute before heading off toward the forest. “See you back at home, big brother. Try not to stare too much,” he called over his shoulder.

When Lo’ak disappeared into the treeline, silence fell between you and Neteyam. The night air was cool, carrying the faint, earthy scent of the forest. You turned to face him fully, arms loosely crossed as you looked up at him.

“You didn’t have to stay,” you said softly, your tone free of accusation. “It’s late, and I know you probably have things to do.”

Neteyam shook his head, his golden eyes meeting yours. “There’s nothing more important than making sure you’re safe.”

You tilted your head, studying him for a moment. “I appreciate it, Neteyam. Really. But I’m okay now. The outpost is secure, and I’ve dealt with worse situations than Ethan.”

His jaw tightened at the mention of Earth. “You shouldn’t have to deal with any of it,” he said, his voice low. “Not here. Not on Pandora.”

You stepped closer, your voice gentle. “You’re sweet for worrying about me, but I promise I’m not as fragile as I look.”

Neteyam’s tail flicked restlessly as he searched your face. “I know you’re strong. I’ve seen it. But strength doesn’t mean you should have to face things alone.”

Your smile softened, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. The hum of the outpost felt distant, the world shrinking down to just the two of you.

“Would you stay here all night if I asked you to?” you asked, half-teasing but with a trace of curiosity.

Neteyam didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

You blinked, clearly caught off guard by his sincerity. “Why?”

“Because I care about you,” he said simply, his voice steady. “And because I want to.”

Your cheeks flushed faintly, and you glanced away, a shy smile tugging at your lips. “You make it really hard to argue with you, you know that?”

“Good,” he replied, a small smile forming on his face, his ears flickered for only a moment.

The moment lingered, the air between you charged with something unspoken. Finally, you exhaled a quiet laugh and gestured toward the outpost.

“You should head back to your family,” you said softly. “I’ll see you next time, okay?”

Neteyam hesitated but eventually nodded. “Next time,” he repeated, his voice carrying a promise.

He watched as you walked toward the entrance of the outpost, pausing to wave at him before the doors slid shut. Only then did he turn back toward the forest, his heart still caught in the quiet weight of your parting words. Next time felt too far away already.

*

As Neteyam stepped into the dense shadows of the forest, leaving the hum of the outpost behind, he barely had time to let out a breath before Lo’ak emerged from behind a tree. His younger brother was grinning like he’d just caught the best prey of the day.

“Well, well, look who’s finally free from his babysitting duties,” Lo’ak said, falling into step beside him. His tail swayed lazily, and his tone practically dripped with mischief.

Neteyam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Lo’ak, don’t start.”

“Start? Me?” Lo’ak asked innocently, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “I’m just saying, you could’ve been home an hour ago, but no. Big bro had to make sure his precious little human made it safely inside.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice mockingly. “‘Oh, I care about you, and I want to.’”

Neteyam sighed, brushing past him. “Go home, Lo’ak.”

“Not until you explain whatever that was,” Lo’ak said, falling into step beside him. “You’re practically glowing with all that unspoken longing.”

“Lo’ak,” Neteyam warned, his voice low and tired.

But Lo’ak wasn’t deterred. “I mean, come on, bro. You’re supposed to lead the people, not spend your nights pining after a human. And not just any human—a full-blooded, ‘fragile bones,’ sky demon human.”

Neteyam’s tail flicked sharply, but he didn’t respond. Lo’ak grinned, clearly enjoying himself. „What would Eywa think of this little... fascination?”

“That’s enough,” Neteyam muttered, his voice clipped.

Lo’ak ignored him, pressing on. “Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s kind of sweet. But seriously, what’s your plan here? She’s human, bro. Like, full-on human. The kind that doesn’t even have an avatar. I mean, sure, Dad was human, but at least he became one of us. What about her?”

Neteyam’s jaw tightened, his steps quickening as if he could outrun the conversation.

“And let’s not forget,” Lo’ak continued, jogging to keep up, “you’re the future olo’eyktan. Do you really think Mom and Dad are going to let you run off with a human when they’re probably already looking for a perfect mate for you? Someone who can be tsahik, someone who—”

“I KNOW WHAT SHE IS!” Neteyam’s voice boomed through the quiet forest, startling even Lo’ak into silence. Neteyam’s chest heaved as he glared at his brother, his golden eyes blazing with a mix of anger and anguish. “Do you think I don’t know? Do you think I don’t see it every time I look at her?”

Lo’ak stepped back, his expression unreadable as Neteyam’s voice dropped, trembling with emotion. “I know I don’t have a future with her,” he said bitterly, his gaze dropping to the ground. “And I never will.”

Lo’ak blinked, stunned into silence as his older brother’s words hung in the air. Neteyam’s chest heaved as he tried to rein in his emotions, but his next words came softer, quieter, and filled with a raw vulnerability that Lo’ak hadn’t expected.

“But with her... I’m not a future olo’eyktan,” Neteyam whispered, looking away, his voice breaking. He looked away, his shoulders slumping as the weight of his confession settled over him. The fire in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a quiet, broken vulnerability that Lo’ak had never seen before.

For a moment, Lo’ak didn’t say anything, his usual teasing smirk replaced by something softer, more genuine. Finally, he let out a small sigh, running a hand through his braids.

“I’m just me. And for a little while, I want to be at her side. Before I have to mate with someone I don’t even like. Before I lose the chance to be anything else.”

The weight of his words settled between them, and Lo’ak rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.  For a long moment, Lo’ak said nothing. Then he stepped forward, his tone uncharacteristically soft. “Hey,” he said, nudging Neteyam’s shoulder lightly. “I was just messing with you. I didn’t mean to push.”

Neteyam didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the ground.

“I mean it,” Lo’ak added, sincerity coloring his voice. “I like seeing you happy, Teyam. Even if it’s with her. Actually, especially if it’s with her.”

Neteyam finally looked at his brother, his expression still pained but touched by Lo’ak’s words. Lo’ak shrugged, his smirk returning faintly. “Now, let’s get home before mom starts wondering why her perfect eldest son is running around the forest after dark,”

Neteyam shook his head, the heaviness in his chest still present but slightly eased. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you love me for it,” Lo’ak replied, clapping a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

Neteyam followed, his steps slower, his thoughts still tangled with longing and guilt. But for now, he had his brother’s understanding, and that was enough to carry him a little further.

Part 8: Soon

[poppyseed1031]

I’m terrible at thinking of ideas for a story 😅 but maybe scientist reader? I go crazy for any size difference lol

This is for the Neteyam x human I’m assuming? I like it! It’s going on the list. I think I’ll make this a one shot maybe? Do you want fluff? Spice? Angst? 💛

[poppyseed1031]

Breaking Point

Summary : You and Bucky had always hated each other. When Bucky gets injured during a mission, you start wondering if the hatred was just masking something else.

Pairing : Bucky Barnes x avenger!reader (she/her) 

Warnings/tags : Enemies to Lovers and Confessions! Fluff. Hurt/comfort. Past trauma. Cursing. Violence. Injury. A bit of Jealous!Bucky.

Requested by : @beansprout713

Word count : 4.8k

Note : Enemies to Lovers will always be so good to write about. Thank you for requesting this! Enjoy!

Requests are open!

You adjusted your coat, clutching your purse as you strolled back toward the Avengers compound after your date. Your head hung low from the frankly underwhelming night you shared with Ryan, a guy you’d met through a mutual friend. 

Ryan was a librarian. He was perfectly fine, perfectly handsome, perfectly polite. But you weren’t looking for perfect. You sighed. 

He talked about his job, about how a group of school kids making noise had been annoying him. When he asked about yours, you shifted in your seat with unease. You can’t really tell the whole truth. What would that even sound like?

Oh, I went on a mission last week and shot a guy. Don't worry, he was a bad guy.

You would’ve sounded ridiculous.

In the end, Ryan was just another normal person. He couldn’t keep up with you, with your life, being an avenger. With this line of work, you wondered if you’d ever find love. 

You were halfway up the steps to the entrance when you saw him.

Bucky Barnes stood by the doors, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. His blue eyes locked on you as soon as you came into his view. The outdoor light cast long shadows across his face, strengthening the sharpness of his features.

Bucky watched you walked up the steps. He clenched his jaw, forcing down the aching swirl inside him. It was easier to push you away, to let the sharp edges of his words do the damage before you could get any closer, even if he could not deny how beautiful you were underneath the dark glow of the night sky. His gut twisted, knowing you put in all this effort for some half-decent guy who could never give you enough, not that you needed to put any effort at all. He shook his thoughts away, eyes narrowing. 

Great, you thought. The last thing you needed tonight was to deal with his brooding attitude. You took a deep breath, preparing yourself for whatever sharp remark he was about to throw your way.

Bucky stepped closer, his chest only inches from yours now, and the proximity sent a jolt of heat through you. His gaze flickered down to your lips for the briefest second before he met your eyes again.

"Out late, aren’t we?" His voice was low.

You rolled your eyes, brushing past him as you opened the door to the compound. "It's called having a life, Barnes. You should try it sometime."

He followed you inside, his boots heavy against the floor. "A life, huh?" He scoffed, his tone harsher than usual. “That’s what you call having dinner with some guy who won’t last longer than a week?" His voice was low, almost a growl, but there was something else behind it—something you couldn't quite identify. His eyes didn’t leave yours, and the air between you crackled with a tension you had always felt with him. 

You swallowed hard. "Why do you care who I spend my nights with?" you replied, your voice shakier than you intended. 

His jaw clenched. "Maybe I care because none of those guys know what you really need." His voice was gravelly, and the implication in his words made your stomach flip. For a second, you couldn’t breathe.

You quickly brushed his words. "And you think you do?" you shot back, but your voice faltered. 

Bucky left the question open, not knowing how to respond. Instead, he did what he always does best. He deflected. "You can’t keep a boyfriend because you’re too brash. Too loud."

The words hit you like a punch to the gut. You swallowed hard, the pain twisting in your chest as his words echoed in your mind. He always had a way of cutting deep, but this was different. Calling out your coping mechanisms seemed too low, even for Bucky.

"Wow." Your voice wavered slightly, but you quickly steadied it, refusing to let him see just how much he affected you. "You really know how to hit where it hurts, don’t you?"

Bucky didn’t respond. For a second, you thought you saw something flicker in his eyes—regret, maybe. But he didn’t apologise. Instead, he turned away, his metal arm flexing at his side.

"Just go to bed," he muttered, almost condescending except for the hint of softness in his voice. "I need you well rested for the mission tomorrow."

As much as you and Bucky outwardly despised each other, the two of you were surprisingly effective partners in the field. Again and again, you found yourselves paired together. You never complained, though. There was an undeniable intimacy in your partnership that you craved, even if Bucky hated your guts.

"Is this really about the mission?” Your anger bubbled to the surface. 

His hand shot out suddenly, gripping your wrist—not hard, but firm enough to stop you from moving too far past him. His metal fingers were cool against your skin, his blue eyes alight with frustration. "It’s about you not taking things seriously.” He said, almost sneering. “Instead of preparing your gear, you're off with some random guy. Do you even care?"

Your heart pounded in your chest, and you felt the tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, but you wouldn’t let them fall. Not in front of him. 

"I care more than you think, Bucky," you said quietly, pulling your arm away from his grip.  "But you don’t get to talk to me like that. You don’t know why I am the way I am."

Bucky’s expression softened slightly. He opened his mouth to say something, but then quickly snapped it shut, as if he didn’t trust himself to speak. The truth was, he’d been watching you for months. Not just on missions, but in moments like these, when you thought you were alone. You wore your confidence like armour, but sometimes, when you let it slip, he caught glimpses of something deeper. Something that made him wonder if maybe, just maybe, you felt the same way he did, whatever that feeling was. Whatever the racing heart in his chest meant. Whatever the butterflies in his stomach meant. 

But he couldn’t let himself go there. 

The silence between you was unbearable, and finally, you turned away.

"Let’s just get through tomorrow without killing each other, okay?" you muttered. Without waiting for his response, you walked away, leaving him standing alone..

Why did he always do this? 

He didn’t know half of what you carried. Didn’t know what it was like to lose—to build your walls higher every time someone left, because that was the only way to survive.

Or maybe he knew too much of what it was like.

You spent your life keeping people at arm's length. Dates were fine. Fun. Superficial. They didn't ask for more than you were willing to give. You could smile, laugh, let your guard down just enough to feel normal, but never enough to let anyone in. 

Bucky—he was too close. He saw too much. He could cut through the walls with one sentence, and it scared you.

As you made your way back to your bedroom, part of you wondered—what would happen if you let him in?

What a stupid thought. 

—

The next morning, the air between you and Bucky was still cold, your argument from the night before hanging in the air like a hurricane. You were briefed on the mission, but you barely paid attention. Your mind was still reeling from the sting of Bucky’s words. And you hated that he had the power to make you feel this way.

In the quinjet, silence filled the space between you, making the air feel too thick and heavy to breathe. Bucky sat across from you, his gaze fixed on the floor, his hands resting on his knees. You stole a glance at him, noting the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched tight, and for a second, something flickered in his eyes as he glanced at you. Regret, maybe?

“Look," you muttered, breaking the silence. "About last night—"

“Don’t," he cut in, his voice low but firm. "Let’s focus on the mission."

You swallowed, biting back whatever words had been forming. He didn’t want to talk about it. Fine.

The knot in your chest tightened. You wanted to tell him—wanted to say something to bridge the gap between you, but the walls were still there, and neither of you was ready to break them down.

—

The mission was supposed to be simple. You and Bucky had done this a hundred times—get in, gather intel, get out. He was the shadow, slipping in unnoticed, while you were the distraction, loud and violent, drawing the guards’ fire away. 

You took point, leading the guards away with your usual brashness. Something that Bucky criticized you for.

You could feel Bucky’s eyes on you, tracking your every movement. Most of the time, his gaze felt like scrutiny, like he was waiting for you to mess up. But today there was something else. Protectiveness, perhaps?

As you manoeuvred through the base, you split up. You were supposed to patrol the halls, distract any guards, draw fire from Bucky to you. Bucky was supposed to secure the intel. You stopped in the centre, where you were supposed to wait for communications right about now. 

Where is he? you thought, scanning for Bucky, but he was nowhere to be seen. He was supposed to signal once he’d reached the server room. But the silence on the comms was making you nervous.

Your instincts kicked in, as you heard more guards coming from your left. 

You cursed, ready for confrontation.

You felt exposed, vulnerable. Normally, you could feel his presence. But now, something was different. The usual synchrony between you two felt… off.

Suddenly, the footsteps halted as gunfire erupted in the distance, shattering the uneasy quiet. Your heart raced. That wasn’t part of the plan. Bucky wasn’t supposed to engage until he had the data. The sound of gunshots rang in your ears, echoing in the corridors of the enemy base.

“Barnes, what the hell’s going on?” you hissed into the comms, trying to keep your voice steady. No response.

Your breath hitched. Something was wrong. Your steps quickened, your pulse pounding in your ears. The sound of shouting and footsteps grew closer. Where the hell is he?

You ran towards where Bucky was supposed to be. Rounding a corner, suddenly a gunshot rang out—close. Too close.

A sharp pain seared across your side as you dove for cover behind a stack of crates. You cursed under your breath, pressing your hand to the wound. Blood oozed through your fingers. The bullet had grazed you, which was survivable, but the sting was enough to remind you just how dangerous this was becoming. 

You shot your attacker with your last bullet, bullseye on the center of their forehead. The body went stiff, still on the ground. Brutal. Clean. Necessary.

“Where are you, Barnes?” you muttered, your breath coming in ragged bursts, but you were only met with static from the other line. You were supposed to be the distraction, but without his backup, you felt vulnerable in a way you hadn’t felt in years.

Damn it, this isn’t working. You threw away the comms and crushed it beneath your heel.

You heard the commotion getting closer and closer, and then suddenly the gunfire stopped. Maybe Bucky had been able to disarm the enemy and was making a run for it. 

You glanced over the edge of a crate. Your eyes widened, spotting the sniper hidden on the corner, by an air vent, aiming on your head. Your heart pounded, knowing you don’t have the energy to dodge another shot. 

You took a deep breath, readying for impact.

Then, there was a flash of movement—Bucky!

He appeared out of nowhere, barreling toward you just as the sniper lined up his next shot.

“Move!” he shouted, his voice brimming with panic. 

Before you could react, his body slammed into yours, tackling you to the ground. The breath was knocked from your lungs as you hit the ground hard, his weight pinning you down. 

Bucky’s chest pressed against your back, his breath heavy in your ear as he shielded you from the line of fire. His metal arm wrapped protectively around your waist, and despite the chaos, you couldn’t ignore the heat of his body, the way it made your skin tingle. But the relief was short-lived.

The next sound you heard was a grunt of pain.

You twisted beneath him just in time to see Bucky stumble, his hand clutching his side. Blood. Too much blood. It soaked through his tactical suit, spreading rapidly as he slumped back, his face pale with pain.

“No!” The word tore from your throat as you scrambled to your feet, gently laying him on the ground before he could fall. You grabbed his arm, trying to keep him upright, but he was heavy, his body sagging against yours.

“I’m fine,” he grunted, his voice strained, but the way he leaned on you told a different story.

You felt the adrenaline surge through your body, giving you the last boost of energy you needed. You grabbed Bucky’s rifle, blindly shooting at the direction of the sniper. 

You weren’t shooting clean shots anymore. You didn’t care. You didn’t stop until you saw the body fall on the floor. 

You scrambled back to Bucky. 

“This wasn’t part of the plan,” you snapped, your voice trembling with anger and fear as you pressed your hand to the wound in his side, trying to stop the bleeding. “Why didn’t you stay in position? You weren’t supposed to—”

“To what?” he rasped, wincing as he tried to move. “Let you die?”

“I had it under control!” you shot back, hough you knew it was a lie. You could feel the heat of his body against yours, but the closeness only fueled your anger. “If you had just stayed where you were—”

“You were in the open. I had to—” Bucky interrupted, his voice sharper than before, his eyes dark with frustration. His hands tapped his pocket, making sure he had the intel you came here for.

“I was doing my job, Bucky!” you shouted, your grip tightening on his arm. The fear bubbling up in your chest was quickly being overtaken by anger, the unresolved tension from last night’s fight bleeding into the moment. “But you—damn it, why do you always have to make everything harder than it is?!”

His eyes met yours, blazing with frustration. “I’m the one keeping you alive!” he growled, stepping closer despite the pain radiating from his wound. “You never listen—”

“You don’t trust me!” you accused him, your voice shaking when you noticed the bleeding wasn’t slowing. Did it hit an artery? “and now you’re hurt because you had to play the hero!”

His jaw clenched, his hand gripping your arm tightly as he struggled to stay upright. “I don’t—” He stopped, his voice catching as the weight of your words sank in. His eyes flickered with something that made your heart twist. “I don’t want to lose you.”

The confession was so quiet, so raw, that it hit you harder than any bullet could have. 

Your anger faltered, the heat of the moment cooling as you stared at him, your breath catching in your throat. “Bucky…” you started, but the words died on your lips.

Soon, you heard hostile footsteps growing louder in the distance. You didn’t have time for this. Not now.

You tore your gaze from his, focusing on the immediate task at hand—getting him out of here. 

You supported Bucky as best you could, half-dragging him through the enemy base toward the extraction point. His body was heavy against yours, his breaths shallow, but he still had enough strength to keep his arm around you, guiding you through the chaos.

“Stay with me, Barnes,” you muttered, your voice tight with worry as you half-ran, half-stumbled through the corridors.

Bucky groaned in response, his grip on you tightening, his weight sagging against your side. “Are you even… strong enough to carry me?” he gritted out, his voice laced with pain. There was a flicker of his usual sarcasm there, a sign he was still fighting.

You shot him a glare, even as panic clawed at your chest. There was a hint of charm in his voice this time, and you couldn’t help but smile a little. “Don’t make me regret saving your ass.”

His weight pressed heavily on your shoulders, and his blood soaked into your gear, but you didn’t stop. You couldn’t stop. Every time his breathing hitched, you pushed yourself harder, refusing to let the fear of losing him take over.

—

By the time you got him back to the quinjet, Bucky was barely conscious. You worked frantically to stabilise him, your hands shaking as you hooked him up to an IV and bandaged the wound as best as you could with the limited supplies on hand.

When you finally returned to the Avengers compound, they wheeled him away to the med bay, and despite the doctors’ reassurances that he’d pull through, you refused to leave his side. 

For the rest of the night, you stayed by his bedside. 

Sam dropped by a couple of times, bringing you water and food you couldn’t bring yourself to touch. On his third visit, he lingered, watching you with a knowing expression. Bucky was still unconscious, the steady rhythm of the EKG was the only sound in the room as you stared at him. Your hands clutched the arms of your chair as if holding onto something solid would stop your thoughts from spiraling.

“You’ve been here a while,” Sam said softly, not wanting to disturb the stillness in the room. “You should eat something.”

He pointed at the bottle and sandwich he had brought a couple of hours ago. You nodded faintly, but your eyes didn’t leave Bucky. “I’m not hungry.”

Sam sat in the chair next to you, his gaze flicking between you and Bucky. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

"So..." he started, drawing out the word like he was testing the waters, "you finally decide to stop dancing around each other or what?"

You shot him a glare, but it lacked the amusement you usually reserved for his teasing. "Sam, not now."

"Hey, I'm just saying," Sam replied, holding his hands up in defence. "It's been months of this weird tension, and now you're sitting here like you're at the end of some romantic drama. It's about time you said something."

“Can we not do this now?" You repeated, snapping this time, though you did not mean to. 

“He’s gonna be fine,” Sam reassured you quietly, now aware of your agitation, “You don’t need to sit here all night worrying.”

“I’m not…” you trailed off, realising how defensive you were being. With a sigh, you slumped back on your chair. “I… I should’ve seen the sniper sooner.”

Sam chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You know Bucky. He wasn’t about to let you take that hit, no matter what.”

You glanced at Bucky, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. You lowered your voice, scared that he would somehow hear you. “I don’t understand why he’s always like this. One minute he’s insulting me, and the next, he’s throwing himself in front of bullets for me.”

Sam sighed, leaning back in his chair. “You matter more to him than you think.”

You scoffed quietly, not quite believing him. “He sure has a funny way of showing it.”

“Listen,” Sam said, his tone soft but firm. “Bucky… he’s complicated. He doesn’t exactly wear his heart on his sleeve. But the fact that you’re sitting here, all torn up over him? Makes me think his feelings aren’t one-sided.”

You looked over at Sam with visceral scepticism in your eyes. 

Sam leaned forward again, his expression serious now. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching. Hell, he gets jealous of the guys you go out with.”

You swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Sam’s words sink in. The argument with Bucky from the previous night echoed in your mind—his harsh words, the way he’d cut into you so deeply, as if trying to push you away. Was that really how his jealousy manifested? 

Then there was today, how he’d risked his life without hesitation to save you.

“He nearly died today,” you whispered, your voice catching in your throat. “Because of me.”

“He didn’t do it because he had to.” Sam shook his head. “He did it because it was you.”

You sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Sam’s words settling in your chest. You had always felt the tension between you and Bucky, the unspoken something that simmered beneath the surface, but you had never let yourself fully confront it. Maybe because it was too scary to admit. Maybe because you feared that caring about someone like Bucky Barnes carried more risk than you were willing to take.

You blinked back the tears that pricked at the corners of your eyes. “I don’t know what to do...” with all this information you had just dumped on me. 

Sam smiled faintly, standing up and resting a hand on your shoulder. “Just be here when he wakes up.”

You watched as Sam walked out, leaving you alone with Bucky again. You let your eyes fall back to his sleeping form, his face still pale but peaceful. You reached out, hesitating for just a moment, before gently brushing a lock of hair away from his forehead.

—

Hours had passed before Bucky finally stirred. The room was heavy with the weight of everything that had happened, thick with the scent of blood and sweat. You sat beside him, your body drained, shoulders hunched over. Your mind stayed alert—unable to tear your focus from him for even a second. 

“Bucky?” Your voice was hoarse, cracking under the pressure of everything you had witnessed, everything you had felt. 

His eyelids fluttered as if fighting to lift a weight the weight of the world. For a long, quiet moment, he just stared at you, eyes cloudy and disoriented. “You’re still here,” he mumbled, his voice fragile.

“Of course, I’m still here,” you shot back, the sharpness in your tone betraying the tenderness that hid behind it. Your emotions simmered beneath the surface, threatening to overflow. His muscles tensed as he attempted to sit up, but a grimace of pain shot across his face, stopping him short. “You should’ve let me handle it,” he muttered through clenched teeth, frustration leaking into his voice. Not because he had been shot, but because it broke his heart seeing you here. You looked so weak and sleep deprived. You looked so tired, your wounds untended.

The anger that had been quietly burning inside you flared. You rose to your feet, the chair scraping the floor in the silence. Your conversation with Sam swam in the back of your mind, but old habits die hard. “Handle what, Bucky? Getting shot?” 

His gaze snapped to yours, the weariness in his eyes replaced with a flash of cold steel. “Why does it matter to you if I live or die?” His voice cut through the room, louder now, tinged with a bitterness. 

The question hit you like a blow, freezing you in place. Your heart pounded violently against your ribs, the truth clawing at your throat. Every wall you’d carefully constructed around yourself, every defence you had in place, crumbled in an instant. Before you could stop yourself, the words you had fought so hard to keep buried tore free.

“Because I fucking care about you!” you shouted, your voice breaking. “I care about you so much that I have to pretend I don’t just to keep myself sane! Is that what you wanted to hear?”

The air between you felt electric. Bucky’s eyes widened, the force of your confession hanging in the space between you, churning like a wave ready to break. He didn’t move, didn’t speak at first, just stared at you as if seeing something he couldn’t comprehend.

Then, after a beat that seemed to stretch into eternity, his voice came, a low, gravelly whisper that was almost lost in the silence. “You think I don’t feel the same?” His words trembled with a vulnerability you’d never heard from him before.

Your breath caught, and your body stilled. Maybe Sam was right, the realisation dawned on you.

His voice was cracking under the strain of emotions he’d long suppressed, grunting as he sat up. “I push you away because it’s easier than admitting how much I—” His jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists as he struggled to say what he’d buried for so long. “If I let myself feel it... if I let myself get close to you... I’ll lose you. And I can’t—” His voice faltered, breaking. “I can’t lose you.”

Your heart wrenched at his words, at the fear so raw in his voice. Slowly, you took a step toward him, your legs trembling beneath you. The distance between the two of you had never felt so vast, even though it was only a few feet. “Bucky…” The anger, the frustration—it had drained away. Your voice was softer now than it has ever been with him, gentle. You sat on the edge of the bed, facing him.

He looked up at you, and in his eyes, you saw everything you had ever felt mirrored back at you—the fear, the longing, the unspoken love that had always been there but never acknowledged. 

Your breath hitched in your throat as you finally let the walls fall completely. 

“It’s easier than admitting how much I—” Bucky tried again, but couldn’t finish. The words weren’t enough. 

You closed the distance between you in a heartbeat, your hands reaching for him, pulling him into you, and your lips crashed against his with a force that felt like it could shatter the walls around you. 

The kiss was desperate, letting go of everything you had kept at bay for so long. It was raw, unfiltered. It was an outpouring of all the feelings you had tried so hard to ignore. There was nothing but you and him, the world outside of this fading away into nothingness.

When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathless, chests rising and falling in sync, your foreheads pressed together as if you were trying to ground yourselves. The gravity of what had been revealed was too much for you to process.

For a long moment, neither of you spoke. The silence was thick, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. 

"What is this?" you whispered, your voice barely audible. “What are we?”

Bucky's breath was shaky, his forehead still resting against yours as he struggled to find the right words. His hands hovered at your waist, as if he wasn’t sure whether to hold you tighter or let you go. The vulnerability in his eyes, raw and unguarded, mirrored yours.

“I don’t know,” he whispered, his voice rough and hoarse, barely audible. “But I can’t keep pretending like this doesn’t mean something.” His eyes flicked up to meet yours, searching your face as if trying to decipher your feelings, afraid of what he might find there. “You… you matter to me. More than anything or anyone.”

The honesty in his voice sent a shiver down your spine, and you could feel your heart pounding in your chest, each beat echoing in your ribcage. You didn’t know how to respond—your thoughts in a tangled mess. 

“Bucky…” You started, unsure of where to begin, but the words just didn’t come. You reached up, cupping his face gently with your hand, brushing your thumb across the stubble on his cheek. His eyes fluttered closed at your touch, a shaky exhale escaping his lips.

“I don’t want to mess this up,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if admitting it out loud made it more real. “I’ve lost so much. I’m scared—” He broke off.

“You’re not going to lose me,” you whispered, the words firm, even though fear still lingered in the back of your mind. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still as the weight of your words settled. Bucky stared at you, pressing his forehead against yours once more, the tension in his body easing ever so slightly.

“Together,” he repeated softly.

The room was quiet again, the steady beep of the heart monitor the only sound that broke the silence. You sat there, holding each other in the stillness.

And maybe, someday soon, you’d have the courage to say what you both had wanted to say:

I love you.

-end

[poppyseed1031]

My smooth, pea-sized brain just remembered that tag lists are a thing, so if anybody would like to be in said tag list, lemme know 😂

[poppyseed1031]

— moony’s masterlist —

— on going series —

Demons and Savages (tsu’tey x reader) [5/?]

chapter 1 — chapter 2 — chapter 3 — chapter 4 —

chapter 5 —

Moon Girl (kiri sully x koa royen’tian) [1/?]

chapter 1

— one shots —

[X]— there are none at this time.

check back soon!

[poppyseed1031]

Demons and Savages

pairing: tsu’tey and human!avatar driver (fem presenting)

content warnings: graphic language, violence, alien vs human differences, awkward friendship?, tension, angst, vulgarity. (also, i don’t like to capitalize sentences on tumbler :3)

word count: …idk :D

pov: 2nd person so you can add yourself in. for writing/plot purposes, your character is named eris ramsey. i’ll use the name sparingly but i can’t take myself seriously writing y/n— so please just work with me here. i promise it’ll be worth it. (i hope)

< previous chapter

———🌌———

SUMMARY: earth was dying and your sister was, too, but cancer killed her faster than humans were killing earth. when she passed, she not only left behind an empty apartment full of memories but a billion dollar avatar without a driver. in a desperate attempt to not waste that money, the program she had spent the last five years preparing to join recruited you— her twin. of course, you agreed. there was nothing left on earth for you. there was nothing left on earth for anyone— that’s why people like your sister were sent off to pandora.

when your sister had spoken of pandora, it seemed like a dream.

the RDA promised it would be like a safari adventure.

truth was that pandora is beautiful. beautiful and unlike anything else across the whole of the universe. it is breathtaking— and that’s because what chases you through the forest hunts with the intent to kill; so you best run like hell even if your lungs are on fire. beasts and monsters of all kinds lurk out of sight waiting for the right moment to kill you dead— but none are as dangerous as him.

the blue shadow with the bow.

chapter two

— cowboy —

you should have linked to your avatar body sooner. the morning had nearly passed by the time you opened your eyes and stirred in your hammock. when you rose, he was waiting.

he had been waiting.

for hours.

anger made him look volatile. his tail flicked behind him as he watched you climb out from your hammock. you nearly tripped over your own feet trying to rub the daze of shifting into this larger, still-stiff body from your eyes.

“i’m sorry…” you said as you approached. you dipped your head and signed, ‘i see you’ to him. when his demeanor did not change, you swallowed around the lump in your throat. “really, i’m sorry. i don’t have much control over when i can and can’t be connected to my body.”

tsu’tey flicked his head and you knew to start marching.

he was kind enough to have saved you breakfast. dried fruits and nuts. you picked at them within the pouch he stored them in as you walked through the forest together. you offered him some as an attempt at making peace. to your surprise, he took a handful and poured them into his mouth. it was silent as you walked.

well, not for very long.

you had a bad habit of blabbering when tension arose— and you could feel the negativity radiating off him like the old story of chernobyl you knew about.

“how long have you been up for?” you asked, shooting a glance his way.

tsu’tey popped more pieces of dried fruit into his mouth and grunted. “sunrise.”

guilt made your stomach hurt.

“i really am sorry. i hope you understand that there is a strict schedule i follow. if i don’t, i risk killing myself. water? food? sleep? it’s all stuff my real body needs, too.” you said.

“i am not angry you are late, skxawng. i care not for what you do. im angry my day revolves around you. why i must be the one to teach you is not something i am happy with. i have other tasks i would rather see to. hunting. training warriors who are soon to pass their iknimaya.” tsu’tey said gruffly, not bothering to look at you.

your expression soured and you scowled at him. “you can teach me to be a warrior, too.”

“ha,” tsu’tey laughed. a real laugh. it lit up his face and made his ears perk up. he looked at you and shook his head. “you really are a skxawng.”

“eywa may have given me a sign not to shoot you down with my bow but it changes nothing. i see what you truly are, demon, even with all your practiced knowledge.”

“you are not real.”

you could only stare at him. your throat went dry. your heart shuddered in your chest. your voice was no where to be found— but what could ever be said to that?

nothing. because he was right.

“then why bother with all this?”

tsu’tey turned, stopping dead in his tracks. his tail flicked. “what?”

“why did you save me from the nantang?” you asked outright. you swallowed the fruit you had in your mouth with trouble and tried to keep your chin up. “if you know what i am, why bother saving me? you could’ve let me get torn apart. it wouldn’t have been you who killed me. no blame on you. why did you save me?”

tsu’tey let his shoulders drop. when he met your eyes, he looked at you. into you.

“eywa did not want you dead,” he said. his voice was too soft. he sounded like an entirely different person. a hopeless believer. “the atokirina landed on my arrowhead before it floated down to you. it kept me from firing that shot. it was a sign. you were to live.”

“when it floated around you, i knew what the great mother expected of me when the nantang attacked you.” tsu’tey said as he approached.

you stiffened as he stood in front of you. you had to tilt your head back to see him clearly. “and what…what is it that she expected?”

you winced when he grabbed your hand even though it didn’t hurt. not in the slightest. he touched your extra finger. he fought a scowl, his face twitching. he looked into your eyes and — for a second time — he was staring into you.

“i am to protect you…” tsu’tey muttered. he almost rolled his eyes as a heavy sigh escaped him. “it has been decided by eywa and by the tsahik. eywa is greater than my feelings. the great mother is greater than our differences. demon or not, you have been chosen for something and it is my job to make sure you don’t kill yourself, skxawng.”

“i— i’ve been chosen for something? what?” you asked, grasping his hand. you needed answers. you needed to know all that he knew.

tsu’tey pulled his hand from yours and shook it at his side as if it burned. his scowl returned with vengeance. it twisted his face in a way that was all too familiar. you almost preferred his scowl. you expected his harshness. you had no idea what to make of his gentler voice and softened features.

“i do not know.” tsu’tey said. his voice was tight in his throat. his tail flicked behind him. “i am not capable of interpreting eywa’s will. i am only a warrior.”

“and i can make you one, too, if that is what you wish to be.”

you looked up at him. your ears and tail betrayed you. your tail wouldn’t stay still and your ears stood at attention. excitement tickled your belly.

“really?” you asked, almost bracing yourself for a sudden change in his heart.

tsu’tey grunted and looked away. “it serves as a better use of my time teach you how to fight and hunt rather than help you string beads and teach you how to sing.”

“and if i choose to be a singer?” you asked, raising one of your eyebrows.

“then there are many songs for you to learn, demon,” tsu’tey said with a shake of his head. “but you will learn to ride pa’li. that is essential.”

if he hadn’t tried it so intently then maybe you would’ve missed it. perhaps more subconsciously to him, he tried to raise only one of his hairless eyebrows. it had you biting your lip as to not smile.

you nodded once, placing your hands on your hips. “let’s get started then.”

he took you to the riverbank. the sun was warm. insects buzzed by your head and skimmed across the surface of the water. fish leapt out from the river to catch them. direhorses ate the sweet vegetation that grew by the waterside.

“damn,” you whispered as tsu’tey guided one of the massive direhorses towards you. you took a step back as it stomped one of its feet when he tugged it to halt. “no saddle?”

“you have legs.” he said with a glance towards your thighs. “you will use them to hold on.”

“i don’t know if you know this, buddy, but this body has only ever been in use like four times now. i’m going to fall off.” you said.

“then you get back on.” tsu’tey said with a single flick of his head toward the direhorse.

you swallowed a bit of your pride as he grunted for you to get a move on. you had to raise your arm up high to reach its back. the leather of its skin was tough. it was a tall, powerful creature you knew would buck you off within a second.

“now, demon.” tsu’tey hissed.

“alright, alright…” you cringed a bit and tried your best to steel your spine. with you best foot forward, you tried to swing yourself up.

“bad try.” tsu’tey shook his head and nudged you out of the way. “watch how i do.”

he wrapped his arm around the tendril that hung down by the direhorses neck. with a quickness you wouldn’t be able to replicate anytime soon, he swung himself up onto the direhorses back.

you rolled your eyes. “you should’ve told me to grab that from the beginning.”

“again.” tsu’tey said as he slid down off the direhorses back. he ignored your comment. “this time, do like i did.”

you exhaled a sharp, fast breath. annoyance pinned your ears back. reaching up, you hooked an arm around one of the tendrils just as he had. with all the strength you could, you tried to pull yourself up.

that just pissed off the direhorse and it stomped it’s feet, huffing and snorting.

“you need to swing.” tsu’tey said. he tapped his stomach. “strong belly and swing your legs up. do not use your arms to pull until your belly is tight and you’ve swung your legs.”

“watch.” he nudged you out of the way.

this time, you really watched his form. you watched the way he grasped the tether as a stationary point but swung himself up. he had taken two steps to build momentum. two steps, swing up, mount.

easy enough, yeah?

“momentum. momentum.” you muttered yourself as you grasped the direhorses tether again.

you took a breath and felt it. your core tightened as you geared up to take those steps and swing yourself up. step, step, swing— except you choked. when your leg didn’t quite get up over the side, you bailed entirely and nearly fell flat on your face.

he grabbed your arm and kept you steady.

your ears fell flat as you met his eyes. you could see the scowl threaten to curl on his lips. you braced yourself for harsh words and hisses.

“better.” he said.

your ears perked up.

“swinging yourself with great force is the only way to mount pa’li. you must take larger steps to make that swing.” tsu’tey said.

you nodded. “yeah, i need more momentum.”

“momen…what?” he narrowed his eyes and titled his head.

“momentum,” you said again, clearer this time. you demonstrated the swing you needed to do with your hands. “momentum. the swing. you get it?”

“momentum.” tsu’tey said, watching your lips as your mouth formed the word. his accent was so thick it seemed to get in the way of his tongue. “yes, it is that. you just make more momentum.”

“but how? i mean, i tried doing the same amount of steps as you but it’s the height that’s throwing me off.” you said, looking up at the direhorse.

“pa’li is tall but you are tall, too. try to step, jump, swing.” tsu’tey said. he crossed his arms against his chest and watched.

you shook out the tension in your shoulders. step, jump, swing. his brows pinched together as he watched you take a few steps back. you gave yourself a running start and jumped, pushing yourself up with your arms.

his hands curled around your waist and he pulled you off before you could swing yourself on.

“hey!” you exclaimed, struggling in his grasp.

“wrong.” he placed you down and turned you toward him. “in order to ride, you must make tsaheylu. a bond. in order to make that bond, you must hold the tether. first step, you must hold the tether.”

“jumping on pa’li like that is a waste of time. it is not faster. bad habit. break it. do not do it again.” he instructed.

“alright, alright…” you said softly, holding up your hands.

“strong belly, demon.” he reminded you.

“yeah, i got it. thanks.”

you huffed under your breath as you wrapped your arm around the tether. standing back nearer towards its face, you would be able to run and swing yourself up— and that’s exactly what you tried to do. you ran, kept your core tight, swung your leg up, and mounted the direhorse.

“hey!” you gasped, pupils blown wide as you look down at him. “i did it!”

he was fighting a grin whilst stood at your side. patting the direhorses neck, he kept the beast calm. he looked up at you and nodded once. you could see in his eyes what he did not say.

well done, demon.

“again.” tsu’tey said, pulling you off the direhorse.

“woah!” you hooked your arms around his neck and fell into his arms. as he set you on your feet, you looked up at him. “you are so handsy.”

“i don’t know what that means.” he said as he let you go. his lip curled and he stared down his nose at you.

he thought you were insulting him.

“handsy. y’know, touchy.” you said. for show, you glided your hand along his chest and gripped his bicep in the other. “you touch me a lot.”

tsu’tey huffed and nudged your hands away. “if i don’t touch, you will hurt yourself. i’m making sure you do not injure yourself, skxawng.”

“skxawng. you keep calling me that. what does it mean?” you asked with annoyance lacing your voice. judging by the way he called you demon, you knew it couldn’t be good.

“means you are slow.” tsu’tey said. he flicked your forehead. “in here, you are slow.”

your eyes widened and your mouth popped open. “you’re calling me a moron!”

tsu’tey bared his teeth in a sharp smile. “you act like one.”

“you are such a jackass.” you huffed under your breath.

ignoring the way he chuckled, you once again tried to mount the direhorse. you didn’t keep your core tight enough. you stumble and it bumped you with its hip. the poor thing must’ve been annoyed with you by this point. you were annoyed with yourself— annoyed with him most of all.

on the second try, you swung yourself up onto the direhorses back. tsu’tey came to your side. he nodded at you as you met his eyes. you’d gotten the hang of it. with more practice you’d be able to do it with ease.

“now it is time for you to make tsaheylu.” he said.

tsaheylu. the bond. you knew of it. you’d read about it in grace augustine’s book before they shipped you out to pandora. it was how all living things on pandora connected to one and other. it is how all living things connected to eywa.

“take your kuru and make tsaheylu.” tsu’tey said, guiding the direhorses tether up toward you.

you reached behind your head and pulled your braid over your shoulder. queue. kuru. so many names for it. but there was only one name for the bond you were about to make.

the white spindles twisted and extended at the end of your braid. so did the direhorses at the end of its tether-like queue. as you guided your kuru forward, pinkish-white spindles linked and overlapped as you made tsaheylu.

your pupils blew and your body went rigid. you could hear mighty breath and a strong beating heart. you could feel legs that were not your own.

tsu’tey placed his hand on your thigh. you looked down at him, unaware that you were panting. he nodded once. calm. collected.

“breathe,” tsu’tey said lowly. he ran his hand across your thigh, up your waist, to your belly. “deep. slow. feel her breath and match it.”

you closed your eyes and focused on the way the direhorse inhaled and exhaled. it was much harder to do when his hand was on your belly.

his hand was warm…

in and out.

you focused on that and that alone.

breathing in deep and letting it all out.

“feel her strong legs.” tsu’tey said.

those you could feel without having to try. as she stepped back and forth, you could feel the power within them. fast. faster than horses on earth ever could’ve been. this direhorse had more legs than them. a larger set of lungs. a larger heart.

“when you are ready, think ‘run.’” tsu’tey said as he stepped back.

“run?” you repeated.

the direhorse ran— and you fell straight into the mud.

a soft groan escaped you. the whole left side of your face was mud caked. his shadow blocked out the sun and you heard him sigh.

“a mistake every first rider makes.” tsu’tey said as you pushed yourself up. “you will try again. this time, you will hold on.”

“thanks for the advice.” you huffed, hitting him with your muddy shoulder as you walked by.

mounting the direhorse became easier each time you did it— and you did it over and over again because you could not stay on the creatures back for long. you fell into the mud each and every time you willed the direhorse to run.

tsu’tey brought you to the riverbed not only because it is where the direhorses liked to graze but because the mud cushioned your falls.

“you are not holding on.” tsu’tey said as he pulled you up from the mud.

“i am!” you exclaimed. your frustration was reaching its boiling point and you pulled your arm from his grasp. “how much tighter do i have to grip the damn tethers it has?”

“you are not holding on here.” tsu’tey said, smacking your thigh.

you scowled at him and swatted at his hand. “don’t.”

“you must squeeze your legs, skxawng.” tsu’tey said with a shake of his head. “you cannot stay in place on the back of pa’li if you do not squeeze your thighs.”

“fine. fine.” you huffed and turned away. “i get it. tight core. squeeze my legs.”

“try.”

you looked back at him as he grabbed your waist. your eyes widened as he tugged you towards him. your jaw dropped as he wedged his leg in between your thighs.

“what the fuck are you doing?!” you cursed at him, pushing your arm into his chest.

“squeeze.” tsu’tey commanded.

you laughed in his face. “oh, you’re funny.”

“do as i say, skxawng.”

you had to grit your teeth. chest to chest with him, you had little options. everything he had instructed you to do so far and every correction he made had not led you astray. it bruised your pride to do as you were told.

you squeezed your thighs together, squishing his thigh between your legs. you looked anywhere but at him. he did the same as his hands framed your waist. he rocked his leg from side to side.

“pa’li are fast and they are strong. you must be strong, too, to ride. your legs will tire but falling hurts more.” tsu’tey said softly. he looked down between you both. “you must squeeze harder. i am able to move my leg back and forth without you. squeeze until you are moving as i move.”

looking down, you squeezed your thighs together tighter. you had to grit your teeth. as he moved his leg side to side, yours were glued to him. squeezing his thigh, you moved as he moved. when he dipped to the left, you had no choice but to follow. when he tried to move his thigh upward, the tension in your legs gave the right amount of resistance so that he could not throw you off.

“do you see now?” tsu’tey asked as he met your eyes. he tried to buck his thigh again and could not. not with you squeezing him so tight. “tsaheylu makes you one with pa’li in the mind. you must make yourself one with pa’li like this. strong core. strong legs. strong hips.”

“i get it,” you said softly, ignoring the burn in your face and the tickle in your belly that came with being so close to him.

tsu’tey tapped your thigh and you let him go. he took a step back and flicked his head. “try again. don’t fall this time, demon.”

you dipped your head.

mounting the direhorse, you were quick to make the bond. feel her breath. feel her heart. feel her legs. you wrapped the tethers around your arms and kept a firm grip. at the same time, you squeezed your legs tight around the direhorses sides.

“run,” you thought.

and the direhorse heard you.

with legs that sounded like thunder as they hit the ground, the direhorse ran. you kept your grip tight and your thighs clenched even tighter. gritting your teeth, you held on as the wind whipped across your face. the direhorse ran a lap around the riverbed as it had been trained to do— and you only fell off at the end when you simply could not hold on any longer.

you spit out the mud that had gotten in your mouth. pushing yourself up, you saw him grinning. a soft sigh escaped you. such sweet relief it was to see something other than a scowl after giving it the best shot you had all day.

“we are finished for today.” tsu’tey said as you neared. he picked a twig out of your hair. “you did better than i thought you would. tomorrow it will be easier. clean yourself up in the river.”

the cold river water embraced you like a lover and soothed the ache in your muscles. it washed away the mud caked onto your skin and the sweat that beaded on your hairline and dripped down your back.

you could feel his gaze linger on you as you washed.

and you ignored the way it made you feel.

— 🌌 —

the next day was by no means easier.

nor way the day after that.

or the day after that.

bruises made your blue skin purple. they littered your thighs. your arms. your back. you took the falls like a champ when they happened, but crawling in and out of your hammock each day could not be done without a groan.

until it did get easier.

you could mount your direhorse with ease. mitsia was her name. each time you made tsaheylu, the more your bond deepened. she grew accustomed to you. she did not jostle as much. she did not run so recklessly. she would greet you each morning with a bump of her nose.

you could ride longer and longer each day— and one day you stopped falling all together. leaving the riverbank behind, you rode with tsu’tey through the forest. learning to hold on as mitsia leapt over fallen logs was not as difficult as you imagined it would be. keeping your core tight and your legs secure, you moved as she moved. it became second nature.

it became second nature, too, to compete with tsu’tey as you mastered the art of riding.

“c’mon, cowboy! you’re eating my dust!” you laughed over your shoulder as the two of you raced back to home tree.

he smirked.

racing through the forest, you stole glances at each other as the direhorses below you ran. mitsia and karuk — tsu’tey’s pa’li — had grown accustomed to each other, too. like their riders, they competed to get home first. mitsia’s heart pounded and her breath came hard as fast as she tried to out run karuk.

the male direhorse was older and his legs were longer. when tsu’tey crouched and tucked himself downward to be more aerodynamic, the race was already won.

“i will beat you tomorrow, jackass.” you said as you swung yourself off mitsia. you gave her a gentle pat before joining beside tsu’tey.

“no, not tomorrow. we are finished training with pa’li. you have mastered riding.” tsu’tey said with a glance your way. as you walked inside home tree, the smell of pandoran barbecue made your stomach grumble.

“what’s next then?” you asked.

“you have yet to decide if being a hunter is what you want. tomorrow, you rest and decide.” tsu’tey said.

you watched as he departed. instead of heading up the center column, he made his way towards the olo’eyktan. he bowed his head and signed ‘i see you’ before sitting down beside him. you knew what they were discussing. each day, tsu’tey gave a report about how you were fairing to the olo’eyktan.

you cleaned yourself up before dinner. re-doing some of the braids in your hair, you thought about what tsu’tey had said.

you had yet to decide on what you truly want to be.

you knew you didn’t want to be a singer. you didn’t have the confidence it took to preform. you enjoyed riding and you enjoyed being in the forest, but you didn’t know if you had what it took to be a powerful hunter.

on earth, you hadn’t done more than wait on costumers and clean up messes that they left behind. hunters didn’t scrape gum off the undersides of tables or have to clean matted grease off deep fryers. they were masters with a bow and quick with a knife.

each day that you went to bed and woke up back in the link-pod, you felt less and less uncertain.

uncertain about what you wanted.

uncertain about who you were.

surrounded by scientists, you were not as smart as them. you could help grace log her findings but you couldn’t offer anything more than clicking buttons on the computer. you weren’t fluent in navi like norm. you weren’t as physically capable as jake was when he was in his avatar body.

jake was military.

norm was a scholar.

grace was a scientist.

you were just the replacement for a dead genius.

a blank slate.

that thought stuck with you like a nagging itch as you climbed the center column of home tree and made your way to your usual eating spot. the more you tried to ignore it, the worse it became.

you were a blank slate in a world ripe with opportunity and that had to mean something.

you had few skills.

that meant you could learn hundreds of new ones.

you had poor navi.

that gave you room to improve with those who spoke it fluently and hadn’t learned it out of a book.

you had no muscle.

that meant you could only grow stronger.

in a program full of bright minds and strong spirits, only one of you sat in home tree— and only one of you had been chosen by eywa.

it had not been grace.

It had not been norm.

it had not been jake.

it had been you. you had a purpose on pandora. a purpose that surpassed what you knew about tree roots or how many pull-ups you could do.

if you wanted to be a hunter— you would learn.

and he would each you how. just like he taught you to ride a direhorse in nine days.

“what is it that you had called me today, demon?” tsu’tey asked as he sat across from you. “when we raced through the forest.”

you couldn’t help but smile. “a cowboy.”

“cowboy…” he picked up a bug from the pile on his leaf and cracked the shell with his teeth. he pulled out the soft meaty inside and ate it. “what does that mean? cowboy.”

“a cowboy is a man who rides a horse and deals with herding animals. they wear hats and boots. on earth, cowboys were seen most in the western part of america.” you said as you picked at the food. you hadn’t gotten used to bugs yet. it was their many, many legs that creeped you out.

when he didn’t respond right away, you looked up. it was clear to see that most — if not all — of what you said had been lost to his ears. again, you smiled.

“on earth, cowboys rode pa’li. they were like hunters, except they kept the animals close together in herds. in a big group that they would move from place to place.” you said, choosing your words more carefully.

“they were also like warriors, too. the word is vigilante. it means that they took the law into their own hands and punished those who broke it.”

“is there no olo’eyktan to answer to?” tsu’tey asked, his invisible brows knitting together.

“no,” you said with a small laugh. carefully, you bit into a bug and chewed. it didn’t taste bad. it was good. smoky in flavor— but the legs still gave you the heebie-jeebies. “on earth, instead of clans there are countries. millions and millions of people live in a single country alone. and there are hundreds of countries.”

“millions of people…” tsu’tey looked around the crowded dinner place and then back at you. “and that is more than navi here in home tree?”

“so many more. unimaginable.” you said with a shake of your head. you popped the shell of another bug and tried to explain it as easy to understand as you could. “let’s use you as an example. you know everyone in your clan, yes?”

“yes.” he nodded.

“right. in a country on earth, you’d never be able to meet every person who lives in that country. there are too many people. it would be like if all the clans from sea to sea across the land we’re on now were one clan.” you tried to explain.

to your delight, he seemed to understand. his eyes were wider than they usually were. he let out a soft breath and shook his head, “and these cowboys…were there a lot of them?”

“in the past, yes. where i lived and in the time i lived, no. there aren’t enough animals on earth for cowboys to be useful. there are no more great plaines, either. no horses to ride. it’s all metal and machines.” you said with a small frown.

“is there no great mother on earth, too?” tsu’tey asked.

you shrugged. “if there was one then she died long before i was born.”

tsu’tey frowned. you could see the sympathy he held for you. his face was so expressive for someone so rough around the edges.

“how did you come here?” tsu’tey asked. the question was careful. it was as if he presented it to you in the palms of his hands and braced himself for rejection.

that was exactly what you gave him.

“i want to be a hunter.” you said outright. you pushed aside your leaf still full of food. you were no longer hungry. as you met his eyes, you nodded once. “i want to be a warrior like you and i want you to teach me.”

tsu’tey sat back. he narrowed his eyes at you and took in the whole of you. his eyes trailed from your head to your crossed legs. the bruises that decorated your body had yet to fade. being a hunter was a lot harder than being a direhorse rider. being a warrior was more dangerous than both.

“tomorrow you shall rest. that is decided. it is needed. the day after, i will teach you how to use a bow.” tsu’tey said.

heat rose to your face and your tail swayed wildly behind you. so wildly that you reached back to grab it. he hadn’t said no. he hadn’t laughed. he hadn’t called you a moron.

he would teach you.

he would mold you into a fierce warrior and a bountiful hunter because no student was better to teach than one who was a blank canvas.

“why do you look like that?” tsu’tey asked with a small scowl.

“huh? uh…” you were quick to let go of your tail. your ears pinned and you looked anywhere but at him. “i don’t know…i think im just surprised that you’re agreeing to let me become what you are. a warrior. a hunter. i figured you would’ve told me to start warming up my singing voice.”

tsu’tey laughed. a low, grunt-like laugh came out of his nose. as he picked apart a green-shelled bug, he smiled. “i told you once before, skxawng. if you want to be a hunter, i will make you a hunter. i don’t like singing. i would dislike you more if you had chosen to sing over shoot a bow.”

you couldn’t help but smile. “right…”

“you learn fast.” tsu’tey said without looking at you, “you are determined, too. you proved me wrong when you got back on mitsia after you kept falling off. i thought you would quit.”

“my only doubt left of you is that your body will give out on you.” he met your eyes and shook his head. “you are not true navi. it will be a very great test of your strength, demon, but if you are willing then i will teach you.”

“i am.” you said with a slow nod of your head. you looked into his eyes and kept your chin up. “i made my choice. i want to learn all that you know.”

tsu’tey seemed to savor your words. more than that, he savored the look in your eyes. he saw into you. he saw your resolve. it was as hard as steel.

on earth, you had been nothing.

on pandora, you would be exceptional.

“it is decided then.” tsu’tey said.

you smiled to yourself. you couldn’t help it. looking above, you took in as much detail of home tree as you could but there was only one picture in your mind.

his face.

over the last nine days, you had done well to keep up with him. so much so that you refused to quit even when you took a particularly bad fall off mitsia. you couldn’t let him know that it hurt. pride kept you stubborn— but the desire to see him proud burned hotter and hotter each time you tried.

tsu’tey was a good teacher. he was handsy and harsh, but he was the only person capable of teaching you. he could handle your stubbornness as well as you could handle his. while he scolded you and smacked you on the back of the head when you would do incredibly stupid and dangerous things, he was quick to congratulate and reward you, too.

not all his edges were rough.

most. but not all.

“here,” tsu’tey said. he tossed you a pouch as you climbed down into your hammock.

“what is this?” you asked.

sitting on your knees, you opened the pouch. dumping it into your hand, a palm-size carving of a direhorses fell out.

it was mitsia.

when you looked up to thank him, he was gone. the flap to his hanging hut closed as he disappeared inside.

you bit back a smile as you laid down in your hammock. holding up the carving, you admired the craftsmanship. for the last three days, you would wake to him sitting on the branch beside your hammock. he had been whittling something. wood chips would be piled beside him. he would be quick to tuck away his work and sheath his knife as you awoke.

in the morning hours you were not here, he carved as he watched you sleep without dreaming.

you kept the carving of your direhorse close to your chest as you laid back. closing you eyes, you wished to dream. in this body, you wanted to dream of thundering hooves and tsutey’s sharp smile.

the whirr of the link-pod greeted you. the hatch opened and the bright, white lights of the lab made your eyes burn. home tree at this hour was dark and quiet. the avatar lab was always busy. pushing yourself out of the pod, you rolled out the stiffness in your shoulders.

“long day again, huh?” norm turned in his chair as you passed by. he was studying slides under one of the microscopes. “what did he have you doing this time?”

“hey, no talking until after she logs.” grace said without bothering to look away from the computer she typed at. “detail the day while it’s fresh in your mind.”

“yeah, yeah…” you mumbled as you made your way over to a chair in the corner.

the blinking red light told you the tiny camera was recording you. that and the fact that you could see your face displayed on the screen as the time ticked by. you gave your name, your badge number, and the date before detailing the events of today. you hated logging. you hated sitting at that desk and recalling everything you’d done.

you hated it because it made you miss him.

the feeling was new to you. it crept up on you like a cold. each hour spent outside of your avatar had you growing sicker and sicker with the feeling.

the feeling of longing that came with wanting to be in home tree. wanting to wake up— really wake up in your hammock. being up early enough to eat breakfast with the clan.

with him.

you liked to argue with him. you could see the slight smile on your lips each time you spoke about him in your video logs. you hated that you smiled— but you couldn’t help it. apart from jake, tsu’tey was the only person you felt you had any kind of rapport with. he could be mean and calloused— but he was also the only person on this giant blue moon who spent any meaningful time with you.

jake kept you company at breakfast and dinner. he played card games with you before bed. he was easy to talk about human life to. you expressed your grief to him— as hard as it was — because he understood. he lost his brother like you had lost your sister. he, too, felt like an imposter in the avatar labs.

the bond you two shared was solid.

he could make you smile. he could make you laugh. he could make you cry. he could make you feel as though you did belong here in the RDA. he was a comforting presence that you hadn’t known you needed after the death of your sister had left a hole in your heart.

jake didn’t fill the hole— but he did a damn good job of making it hurt less.

tsu’tey was not your friend.

unlike jake, tsu’tey refused to be labeled as such— and yet he acted like one. he was a strict teacher. that much could not be denied. he worked you to the point of bruises…but at the same time, he consoled every hurt. he checked every bump. he tended to every scratch.

he may not have known you like jake knew you, but he spent the most time with you. he spent hours and hours alongside you. his days started and ended with you. teaching you. correcting you. yelling at you. bickering with you. teasing you. smiling at you.

jake knew your story.

he knew your heartache.

he knew your fears.

tsu’tey knew your hopes.

he knew your strength.

he knew your hunger for life.

in so many ways you couldn’t quite put into words, tsu’tey was the only one to know you. what you were. what you were capable of. what drove you. what focused you. what lit a fire under your ass. what strength you had in your heart.

on earth, you had been nothing. just another person on a dying planet. you had no plans because there were no plans to have. you had no money. not enough to be comfortable. not enough to find happiness. you had no family. sickness and poverty had withered them all away. with the death of your sister, you may as well have died, too.

on pandora, you had the chance to be anything you wanted to be. a warrior. a hunter. a singer. a scientist. a gardener. a solider. there were so many things you could be— yet you hardly knew who you were.

each day you got into that link-pod, it was a constant battle of which one was real.

which you was real?

you knew the version of you that could no longer exist. the girl from earth had died when her sister passed— and whoever emerged from the smog keeping you wilted was new. she was a stranger to everyone around her.

including you.

which is why you chose to be strong. if you could be anything on pandora, you would be strong. you would be brave. you would be kind.

who you chose to be was a mirror of the first person to look into your eyes and see you.

tsu’tey knew you better than anyone in this lab ever could because he watched you find yourself more and more within the forests of pandora.

you liked the sun. it felt good on your skin. you liked to swim in the river. it felt good to be weightless. you liked to ride and you liked to run. you liked to laugh. you liked to learn. you liked to try and try again when you failed.

while the avatar drivers you had been separated from on your first ground excursion worked on understanding the forest around them on a cellular, scientific level— you worked on understanding the forest on a personal level.

you scraped your knees on the forest floor. you climbed the towering trees. you formed tsaheylu with pa’li. you had been blessed by the atokirina.

grace saw the forest through the lens of a microscope while you saw the forest through his eyes.

“tsu’tey told me as we rode today that all energy is only borrowed. it is through that energy gifted by eywa that we are blessed to live long, fulfilling lives. when we die, we return that energy to her.” you said, rubbing your hand along your jaw. “i wonder if that applies to us demons…”

you smiled at the camera. “well, that’s about all. the same old same old. horses and riding. riding and horses. tsu’tey said that tomorrow is my rest day. i wonder what kind of trouble i’ll get myself into on a day like that.”

when the red light turned off, you sighed. rubbing your face, all you wanted was to go to bed but you couldn’t. you needed to eat and drink something. even though you had such recent memories of eating dinner in home tree that tricked your mind into thinking you were full— your stomach growled and gnawed at itself.

“hey, hot-shot.” you said as you sat down in the mess hall beside jake. he was already halfway done with his dinner.

“hey there, forest girl.” jake said with a grin. “you’re back pretty late again. get thrown off your horse at all today?”

“nah. i’ve got that horse-riding shit on lock down.” you said as you took a bite of your dinner. the food tasted weird. it always did. you tried your best to ignore it. “how was your day?”

“boring. all i do is stand around while grace and norm scurry around the woods together and put dirt into jars. i dunno how tommy found any of this shit interesting. i mean, pandora is awesome but the science work i see grace and norm do is like watching paint dry.” jake said with a sigh.

you laughed and frowned at him. “i wish you could come to home tree and spend a day with me and tsu’tey. i don’t think he’d like you very much, but at least it would be something for you to do. it would be like basic training but navi style.”

“i wish i could, too. im jealous that you get to spend your days running around in the woods while im stuck with the know-it-all’s. but i live vicariously through you in your stories.”

“is it fun?” jake asked. he smiled. “yknow, riding those big ass horses?”

you smiled, too. “so much fun. you’d love it. you’d be good at it. i bet you’d master it faster than me.”

jake offered to stay with you while you finished your dinner even though he’d finished first. you enjoyed his company. sitting together, you talked mindlessly about hobbies the two of you had. on earth, jake had liked to go to bars and gamble while you had liked to come home from work and rot in front of the tv. no matter what was on, you would watch it. any show. any movie. it didn’t matter what it was because all it was was an escape from the shithole you lived in and the dying world outside your window.

“excuse me, miss ramsey?”

you looked over your shoulder as your name was called. a solider dressed in camo stood with his arms behind his back.

“yeah?” you asked, raising one of your eyebrows.

“if you could follow me please, colonel quaritch wants to speak with you.”

you met jake’s eyes in time to see his brows raise. with a small flick of his head, he silently told you to get going. you got up form where you were sitting, cleared away your mess, and followed behind the solider. as you walked, you saw the corporal insignia on his uniform.

“in here.” the corporal said, pushing open a set of double doors. “sit tight. he’ll be here shortly.”

the doors shut with an eery silence as the corporal left you alone. you’d been in this room once before. on your first day at hell’s gate, you’d been brought here and given a briefing. the lights were off. only moonlight spilled in through the massive windows. slowly, you took a seat on one of the cold metal chair.

minutes ticked by in silence.

it was so silent that it was deafening. it was the kind of quiet that was loud. you could hear every little sound. your breath. muffled footsteps from the floor above. faint grumbling from machines outside.

you knew what this was.

you had seen enough old detective movies to know that you were put in a room by yourself to induce worry. worry led to overthinking. overthinking led to over-talking. over-talking made it hard to lie.

the doors swinging open made you jump.

“sorry to make you wait,” colonel miles quaritch said as he strode into the room. “the dangers on this god forsaken planet never seem to cease.”

you nodded as he approached. he turned a chair around and sat backwards on it beside you. he smelled of gun powder and alcohol. it burned your nose. the scar on his face had made you uneasy from the moment you saw him for the first time. you wonder what did it. nantang? palulukan? something worse?

“i read your file, miss ramsey.” the colonel said as he folded his hands against the back of his chair. “im sorry to hear about your sister’s passing.”

“thank you.” you said softly. too softly.

“what luck the avatar program has in seeming to recruit scientists who have twins, huh? you and corporal sully are two miracles for this place. without you two, the RDA would’ve lost more billions than they could afford to make back.”

unsure of what to say, you tried your best to smile. as the colonel looked into your eyes, you found it hard to keep that smile. there was something about him that made you feel small. his eye were empty. they were cold. you felt like a rabbit who’d caught the attention of a wolf.

“i watched a couple of your video logs. you got separated from your team and you’ve been taken in by the natives, yes?” the colonel asked.

you nodded once. “yes…”

“as head of security, it’s my job to make sure my people are safe. you’re one of my people, miss ramsey, which means that avatar body you control is, too. to be honest with you, i’d say you’re now one of the most essential people in this hell hole.”

“i have a job for you, missy. i want you to gather intel about the natives for me and record it in your video logs. find out how they operate. find out what it would take to make peace with them.”

your stomach sank.

peace was still being sought.

you were so wrapped up in day to day life in home tree that you forgot that the relationship between the navi and the RDA was unfriendly in every sense of the world.

it made you feel queasy to remember your first night in the forest. sweat pooled in your palms as you recalled seeing him for the first time. those glowing eyes. that bow half-drawn, aiming for your chest.

tsu’tey had every intention of killing you.

and he would’ve if eywa hadn’t stopped him.

the colonel leaned in and asked in a low voice, “do you think you can do that for me?”

“yes, sir.” you whispered. slowly, you nodded. the only thing you could do was nod. “of course.”

“that’s good.” the colonel said with a smile. he tapped his hands on the metal of his chair as his smile grew and grew. “that’s real good, miss ramsey. you’re going to be a great deal of help to me and you’ll be making the lives of everyone here all the safer. besides, it’ll be easier to answer to me than it is to answer to dr. augustine.”

you smiled, too. you forced your lips to show your teeth and you dipped your head. “ah, she’s not so bad…but i will say i’m more keen on tactical work than computers.”

“i like to hear that.” the colonel said. “have you given any thought to enlisting? it could benefit you a lot here in hell’s gate.”

“truthfully, no. i’m not really sure what role it is i play here and i’m not too sure if i’ll pick one at all. i’m here to fill my sisters shoes in any way that i can. right now, it seems my job is to keep learning.” you said.

the colonel seemed to roll your words between the tips of his fingers. “knowledge is power— and i need all the knowledge i can get my hands on. study the natives as close as they’ve been studying you and in time, you won’t need to fill any shoes that aren’t your own.”

“your sister may have been selected to aide dr. augustine in her studies so that she can write a second book that no one will bother to read— but you? you’ve been chosen by me to ensure the security of the men and women on this base. to me, that is far more important than what you can see under a microscope.” the colonel said.

“i understand, sir.” you said with another dip of your head. “i’ll make sure to detail my findings in my logs.”

“good.” the colonel said as he stood. “you have a good rest of your night, miss ramsey. we will be in touch.”

as he walked passed you, your heart returned to its place in your chest and not lodged up into the back of your throat. you uncurled your hands from fists and rubbed them up and down your thighs to wipe away the sweat. you felt as though you could breathe.

“oh and miss ramsey?”

“yes?” you asked, turning your head.

the colonel stopped by the door and said, “make sure not to tell any of your scientist friends about this little arrangement. grace augustine gets very unhappy knowing i’ve stuck my nose into her program.”

“sure,” you said softly. “no problem.”

the colonel left without another word.

you nearly crumbled into a pile of ashes. curling over the table, you rested your face against the cold metal. your heart was racing in your chest. it was hard to breathe around the pressure on your shoulders and the tightness in your throat.

what the hell are you doing, you idiot?

you had no answer for yourself.

covering your head with your arms, anxiety burned your belly. it put a sour taste in your mouth.

you were now on the colonels radar.

he expected information out of you. he expected answers— unlike grace who expected results.

in bed, you could hardly sleep. tossing and turning, you couldn’t lay still. it felt like there were ants in your sheets. each time you felt comfortable, tsu’tey scowl flashed in your mind.

what you were going to do was wrong.

you knew in the core of your being that spying on the clan and handing over your findings to the RDA was wrong.

but what choice did you have?

you had chosen to be a warrior— and yet you had been chosen to be a spy.

you buried your face into your pillow and tried your best to ignore the way shame made you feel.

it brought you shame to know that each time you’d log the events of the day, miles quaritch would watch your recordings and use them to his advantage. and the worst part was that you couldn’t just spew bullshit. you had been tasked with learning how they operated. learning how they functioned not just as a people but as a united force. if you didn’t make the right reports with the right kind of information, what would happen to you?

you had no idea.

you did know, though, that you’d never be allowed to touch a link-pod again.

the avatar body you’d grown to love would lay a husk until it died. you’d be ripped from the forest like a weed out of the ground. you’d never be able to feel mitsia’s heart. you’d never be able to sit in home tree and listen to the people sing.

you’d never get to see tsu’tey again.

he tolerated you because you looked like him. blue, tall, and freckled with bioluminescence, your avatar did it’s job of seeming normal enough to even the mightiest warrior. even if he’d never admit it, over the last nine days you had become familiar. he wasn’t very fond of you and he was definitely not your friend— but at the very least, you were familiar to him.

he would shoot you dead if he saw you standing before him as the alien you truly were.

that was something you couldn’t risk.

your admiration for him and your hunger to learn from him was not something you could let slip away— so you would do what the colonel asked of you.

in order to run through the forest and bicker with him, you’d do as miles quaritch asked. and you would do so carefully. cautiously. as gently as you could— because you did not want was to lose the freedom you’d been given. you didn’t want to lose the life you had just begun to lead. you didn’t want to be trapped inside metal walls and crowded by machines and pollution any longer.

and the last thing you ever wanted to do was hurt him.

eywa had given tsu’tey a sign protect you. when the atokirina landed on his bow, it had been a duty gifted to him. he protected you from the nantang— from himself. and he would continue to protect you from anything that tried to harm you.

tsu’tey had given you a purpose. when he carried you to home tree and took on the burden of becoming your teacher, he’d given you a second chance at life.

it was now your turn to protect him.

from the RDA.

from the colonel.

and maybe even from yourself.

thanks for reading :)

next chapter >

[poppyseed1031]

Demons and Savages

pairing: tsu’tey and human!avatar driver (fem presenting)

content warnings: graphic language, alien vs human differences, unconventional grief, the RDA sucks, fuck u miles quaritch, tension you could cut with a knife, nsfw themes: grinding, biting, scent marking???. enemies to lovers. (also, i don’t like to capitalize sentences on tumbler :3)

word count: o_0 long… <3 ur welcome

pov: 2nd person so you can add yourself in. for writing/plot purposes, your character is named eris ramsey. i’ll use the name sparingly but i can’t take myself seriously writing y/n— so please just work with me here. i promise it’ll be worth it. (i hope)

< previous chapter

———🌌———

SUMMARY: earth was dying and your sister was, too, but cancer killed her faster than humans were killing earth. when she passed, she not only left behind an empty apartment full of memories but a billion dollar avatar without a driver. in a desperate attempt to not waste that money, the program she had spent the last five years preparing to join recruited you— her twin. of course, you agreed. there was nothing left on earth for you. there was nothing left on earth for anyone— that’s why people like your sister were sent off to pandora.

when your sister had spoken of pandora, it seemed like a dream.

the RDA promised it would be like a safari adventure.

truth was that pandora is beautiful. beautiful and unlike anything else across the whole of the universe. it is breathtaking— and that’s because what chases you through the forest hunts with the intent to kill; so you best run like hell even if your lungs are on fire. beasts and monsters of all kinds lurk out of sight waiting for the right moment to kill you dead— but none are as dangerous as him.

the blue shadow with the bow.

chapter five

— i know you —

the chopper was louder than you remembered. it made it hard to sleep even with the protective headphone over your ears. leaving before the sun was up, you were utterly exhausted. if your head was pounding bad enough to make you scowl with your eyes closed, you couldn’t imagine the headache jake had from his link being broken. with your head rested on his shoulder, the two of you tired your best to sleep.

you wished you hadn’t.

she came to you in your dreams.

“hey,” grace’s voice was gravelly over the headset. you felt her nudge your leg. “twin one and twin two, wake up before you miss it.”

you let out a soft whine as you stretched. beside you, jake yawned. he turned his head away from the glaring morning sun and tucked it down into your shoulder despite the mask. the cool breeze of oxygen was vital— but you really wished you could’ve taken it off to rub the sleep from your eyes. blinking hard, you tried to focus.

“oh, holy shit…”

emerging from the clouds, the hallelujah mountains came into view. the massive, floating rocks were covered in green. waterfalls fell into sprays of cool mist that wafted into the helicopter that helped wake up jake. he, too, stared dumbfounded outside.

“ain’t it something?” grace asked.

you turned your head to look at her and all you could do was nod. your eyes welled with tears you didn’t let fall. it was gorgeous. too gorgeous. earth — even as pretty as it was in its prime — could’ve never ever compared to the majesty and the glory that was pandora.

“aaaand that’s another job well done, folks. thanks for traveling air pandora. tips are appreciated.” trudy said in a perfect public service voice as she began to shut down the chopper.

“best damn pilot this side of the universe.” jake said.

trudy smirked. “you know it, baby.”

blue base: hidden was where you would be spending the next handful of months with grace, norm, trudy, and jake. setting up the field lab was no easy task. there was much to do. air filters had to be cleaned. link-pods and tech needed to be recalibrated to deal with the flux vortex. a new radio channel had to be set up in all the walkie-talkies. food needed to be stored away. bunks needed to be prepared.

you had so much to do— too much to do.

and yet you couldn’t stop thinking about tsu’tey.

“hey, where are you going?” grace asked as you rose from the table. you had all eaten dinner as a group once all the work had finally gotten done.

“i have to link.” you said as you tossed away your trash and took a last sip of water.

“it’s late. you should wait until tomorrow.” grace said with a small shake of her head.

“i can’t. i’m sorry.” you frowned at her and whispered, “it’s important. he needs to know.”

while the other three at the table exchanged confused glances, grace only sighed. she got up without another protest and fired up the link-pod. you climbed inside and laid back.

fuck was it going to be hard not to fall asleep.

as soon as your head hit the spongy blue foam, you could’ve fallen asleep right then and there. as soon as the hatch shut and your eyes closed, your vision tunneled into white.

the warm night air and smell of pandoran dinner were a comfort you didn’t know you needed. you laid by yourself for a moment. you were tired. incredibly so. it had been nearly two days since you’d been in your avatar at this point. traveling to the hallelujah mountains and setting up blue base: hidden had taken more time than you thought it would.

the center of home tree was alive with music and dancing. a massive bonfire in the middle of the gathering burned like a second sun. shadows danced across the walls as voices echoed in song. you couldn’t help but smile. you couldn’t help, either, as you scanned face to face looking for him.

“dream-walker, you’re awake.” the tsahik said.

your turned. sitting with her daughter, mo’at ran her fingers over a beaded chord. neytiri did not look at you as you crouched down to be level. instead, she focused on her own beaded chord.

“what’s all this?” you asked with a glance around at the festivities.

“a celebration of life.”

neytiri’s voice was like snow. cold and beautiful. it almost hurt your ears how pretty it was— and you realized it was the first time you’d ever heard her speak.

she met your eyes and said, “there has been a death since you were last here. we mourned and now we celebrate.”

your heart sank.

for a split moment— a moment you never wanted to live again, you thought it was him.

where was tsu’tey?

“an elder passed in her sleep.” the tsahik said. she watched your expression. she seemed to know exactly what you feared. “she lived a long, full life. now she will live forever in eywa.”

“i’m sorry for your loss…” you whispered, saying the only thing you could offer.

“there is no loss,” neytiri said without looking at you. instead, she was focused on something behind you. “you cannot lose what was not really yours.”

“eris.”

you looked up at the sound of your name rolling off his tongue. you shot up, your pupils blown wide. tsu’tey took ahold of your arm and squeezed you. his ears perked and the look in his eyes was one that you’d never thought you’d see.

relief.

“come.” tsu’tey said.

without another word, he whisked you away. he was always doing that. grabbing and pulling you. you wondered as you hurried to keep up with him, when that had become your favorite part of your day.

to your surprise, you left home tree.

where better to talk privately than where no one was at this hour?

“you were gone a long time.” tsu’tey said as he walked beside you through the sunset painted forest. soon, it would be dark and the forest would glow all on its own.

“i know…i’m sorry.” you said softly. you glanced up at him and heat rushed to your face. he was looking at you. “things— uh…things got real crazy real fast. i’m happy to report that jake is not a spy for the RDA.”

“you are sure of this?” tsu’tey asked, his brows drawing together.

“yes.” you said. you cracked a small smile and laughed. “grace is intent on making sure those who would wish to plant spies here never get the chance. she pulled my whole team out of the RDA facility. we are— well…maybe i shouldn’t tell you where we are.”

tsu’tey’s eyes widened and he asked, “are you not at your colony?”

“no. not anymore. we’ve gone wild. we are far from hell’s gate. far from here, too. at least, i think? i’m not really sure where those floating mountains are.”

you slapped your hand over your mouth.

tsu’tey smiled down at you and chuckled. “what? afraid i’ll come and kill you?”

“maybe…” you whispered, letting your hands drop.

“you have proven yourself to be useful, eris, so there is little to gain by killing you.” tsu’tey said. his arm brushed against yours and he met your eyes. “better yet, you’ve proven yourself to be trustworthy.”

your throat tightened and your chest caved but your forced yourself to smile.

silence settled over the two of you as you walked and you were thankful for it. your voice would’ve cracked and you would’ve cried if you had to say anything more. walking with him now, you realized how scared you had been the last 37 hours.

with him, you felt safe.

and it made you cry.

you stopped dead in your tracks and covered your face with your hands. big, wet tears rolled down your cheeks. the stress of the move and the exhaustion due to it made for an awful, potent mix of a complete and utter overwhelm.

“eris?” tsu’tey whispered your name too gently.

“i’m just tired,” you said. you wiped your eyes hard and tried to calm your breath. you looked up at him and shook your head. “i’m fine.”

“let us go back. we will get you back to your body so that you can sleep.” tsu’tey said.

“no.” you shook your head as tears dripped from your eyes. “i don’t want to go back yet. please. i want to stay here. i want to stay with y—”

you caught yourself.

not we’ll enough.

tsu’tey ears perked and his pupils rounded. carefully, he flicked his head. without a word, you followed behind him. you had no idea where you were going. you didn’t care. when you came upon a massive tangle of gigantic tree roots, the forest was beginning to glow in the shadows.

“this way,” tsu’tey said as he crouched down.

you raised your hand up to protect your face as you followed him into the dark. a tunnel. the smell of pandoran soil was strong. lights began to twinkle the deeper into the dark tunnel you walked until blue and purple were the only colors you could see.

underground was a small burrow-like cave. the grass shined as you walked. the tree roots were speckled with colorful dots. the gems in the walls of the burrow twinkled and reflected the light. in the center, an unlit firepit. woven mats lined the floor. baskets were placed against the walls.

“what is this place?” you asked softly.

“it is where hunters come to rest if they tire greatly before reaching home tree. there are many places like this in the forest.” tsu’tey said.

you watched as he lit a fire. slowly, you sat down on one of the mats. it took skill to make a fire that fast. you wondered if you’d master something like that one day. would he teach you?

“where is jake’s avatar?” you asked. the thought came to your mind like fire catching onto dry grass. you watched the flames swirl as he added kindle.

“the tsahik’s hut.” tsu’tey said without looking at you.

you looked at him though.

you watched the way his muscles rippled as he moved. you watched the way he shifted his weight as he reached around. when he finally sat down beside you, you stared at his face. his frustratingly handsome face.

was it wrong that you found him handsome?

he was a ten-foot-tall blue alien and all you wanted to do was let your head drop into his lap and fall asleep.

“why do you look at me like that?” tsu’tey asked. his voice was low. low and curious. he turned his head and met your eyes.

you pursed your lips. “like what?”

“like…” tsu’tey hesitated. perhaps he didn’t have the words in english. he cracked an awkward smile. “like you want to…eat me.”

your eyes widened and you couldn’t help but laugh. as heat filled your face, you looked away. “i don’t look at you like that…”

“not— not like you want to chew me and swallow.” tsu’tey was quick to say, worried he confused you. he tried to catch a glimpse of your face as he sat forward. “but like you want to…i don’t know. forget it. i can’t express it well.”

“it’s because i think you’re hot.”

when he didn’t say anything, you forced yourself to look at him. his ears were perked. he was waiting for you to explain. to say more. you found it hard to.

“hot…” tsu’tey repeated. “like i burn you?”

“kinda.” you said with a small laugh. you played with one of the braids in your hair as you stared at the fire. “it just means i…i think you’re attractive. you’re good looking. i think you’re hot.”

“is that why you try to put your mouth on mine?” tsu’tey asked.

you wanted to curl into a ball and die.

“yeah…” you said softly, nodding your head. you exhaled the air in your lungs awkwardly.

“i feel like that about you.”

you nearly broke your neck looking up at him so fast. your eyes widened and your lips parted in a soft expression of shock. you don’t know why it surprised you so much. he had literally tried to fuck you in the hot springs.

still, it was different hearing it so outright.

“you…think i’m hot?” you asked under your breath.

tsu’tey nodded once. “yes.”

“and you want to…kiss me?”

“all the time.”

you could���ve fainted.

your heart was racing and so much blood was rushing to your face that you felt light headed— but you had to keep your wits about you.

you laid back on your elbows and nodded, trying to seem as nonchalant as you could. “epic.”

“epic?” tsu’tey asked as he, too, laid back on his elbows. he looked at you. “what is epic?”

“forget it.” you said with a small shake of your head.

so embarrassing…

silence fell over the both of you. the burrow was full only with the sounds of crackling sticks. soft, even breaths. a small hum of some tune he whispered under his breath. you looked up at him but he kept his eyes on the fire.

it became warm in the safe haven below the ground. perfectly warm. it made your eyes heavy. his humming did, too. slowly, you slipped down to lay on your side. when you did, he did the same. on the mat beside you, he rested his head on his palm and watched you as he hummed.

“i don’t want to fall asleep…” you murmured, rubbing your eyes. you smiled faintly. “you’re making me sleepy.”

“what is it you want then?” tsu’tey asked in a low voice.

you shook your head.

he sighed the smallest bit. “just say it and i will do it.”

you hesitated for a moment.

tsu’tey tensed as you wiggled closer and curled up against his chest. he looked down at you. with your eyes closed, you tried to play it cool— but your heart was pounding in your chest.

the tension in you died away as he brushed his fingers down your arm. you relaxed as he laid down with you. his arm slid underneath your head. a perfect pillow. his legs tangled with yours. his lips rested against the top of your head.

he placed the faintest kiss on your hairline.

you were no longer tired.

all you could hear was the pound of your heart. it was like thunder. you breathed as deeply and as evenly as you could to keep yourself from squirming. you hoped he couldn’t feel the way your heart raced.

he could.

“mawey,” tsu’tey murmured, reaching between you to place his hand on your chest.

it only made you less calm.

slowly, you lifted your head to be eye-to-eye with him. with his hand still on your chest, he could feel the beat your heart had skipped. his pupils widened as you stared into his eyes. his tail was swaying, audibly swishing against the mat.

“what?” you asked softly.

“you smell good,” tsu’tey whispered, a small smile curling on his lip.

you bit the inside of your cheek. you knew what he was getting at. pheromones. you inhaled through your nose. the smell of the fire was all that you could really pick out. that and a sweet, faint aroma you figured was the grass.

you shook your head. “i only smell the fire.”

tsu’tey let out a low sigh but smiled anyways. “you are frustrating…do you know that?”

“i don’t mean to be.” you said softly.

“i know,” he dragged his fingers up your arm and pressed his palm against your face. “which is even more frustrating...”

tsu’tey kissed you.

and it took everything in you not to moan.

worse, it was harder not to devour him completely.

he kissed you slowly and softly, as if he were testing out the waters. maybe he expected you to feel different on his lips than real na’vi women did. or perhaps kissing was entirely different on pandora than it was on earth.

you let him lead.

you liked it best when he told you what to do.

your fingers laced through his braids as you kissed him back. his lips were like velvet. his mouth was hot. you wanted to taste him but you didn’t know if you could. you were too afraid to ruin this by doing something too human.

but you couldn’t help it.

you parted your lips in the hopes that he would give you more.

his tongue was wet and coarse as it dipped into your mouth. you sighed against his lips and wrapped your arms around his neck. guiding you to the ground, he leaned the top half of himself over you as your tongues slow danced together.

he tasted so fucking good.

he smelled so fucking good.

his pheromones hit you like an anvil to the head like in those old cartoons. salvia filled your mouth and a tingle began to vibrate in your belly. between your legs, your pussy began to weep. your tail curled itself tight around your leg. you felt breathless. you felt hot all over.

you felt so bad for not realizing what you did to him without even knowing it.

tsu’tey pulled his lips away from yours but he did not remove them from you. he glided them along your jaw. he nipped at your throat as you tilted your head back. you were squirming below him, panting and huffing as he kissed the sweetest spots you had. soon enough, you were grinding against each other.

a sharp yelp escaped you as he bit into the crook of your neck. fangs threatened to puncture through your skin— but they didn’t. he didn’t. he just wanted to bite. and bite you he did. over and over again, across your throat and shoulders, tsu’tey bit you hard enough to draw gasps from your lips but not enough to bruise.

your eyes shot open as he rolled you onto your side. the fire warmed your face but that was nothing compared to the flush that burned in your cheeks as he pressed himself against your backside. he pushed his hips forward into your ass. you could feel his erection. it throbbed against you from below his loincloth

“i will not mate with you face to face,” tsu’tey murmured against your ear. he dragged his lips along the pointed cartilage. “but we may do it like this and i will hold you just as close.”

“why can’t we face each other?” you asked softly, squirming back to be closer to him.

you tried to look over your shoulder and meet his eyes but he tucked his face down into the nape of your neck and bit down. you winced softly and closed your eyes, grinding back against him subconsciously.

“because if we look at each other, we grow attached.” tsu’tey said, his breath hot against your neck. it made you shiver. “na’vi can only mate for life by forming tsaheylu but there is still a deep connection that comes with staring into the eyes of someone you mount.”

“i may not be a virgin, eris, but i have never faced anyone while i coupled with them.” tsu’tey said as he reached down between you both and pushed your leg up to your belly. he was making room for himself. “that honor shall belong only to my mate.”

your heart sank at once. “to neytiri…”

“to whomever i chose.” tsu’tey said gruffly.

he didn’t have much of a choice.

you both knew that.

“this is wrong.” you said softly. you turned onto your tummy and looked at him. well, you tried your best to. it was hard to look him in the eye.

“what is?” tsu’tey asked with a small shake of his head.

“if you’re…if you’re supposed to mate with neytiri for life, what are we doing? it doesn’t feel right. it feels like you’re cheating on her.” you said through the tightness in your throat.

tsu’tey frowned and leaned into you. he pressed a soft kiss to your cheek. “na’vi cannot cheat. until na’vi form tsaheylu, they are not bonded to anyone or anything besides their ikran. once na’vi mate, there cannot be another.”

“we are doing nothing wrong.” tsu’tey murmured against your ear. he nipped at it softly. “but if you do not wish to, i will not make you.”

“i do wish to but it doesn’t seem right. i’m not…i don’t even know what i’m doing here. i’m not like you. not up here.” you pointed to your head. “and not here either.” you placed your hand on your chest.

tsu’tey pushed himself up onto his knees as you sat up. you were almost entirely turned away from him. slowly, he came up behind you. he ran his hands down your arms and peeked his head over your shoulder. you tried your best to ignore him.

“no matter what you are, eywa has chosen you for something.” tsu’tey whispered into your ear. he wrapped his arm around you and placed his palm against your thumping heart. “no matter what you are, this heart is strong.”

“no matter what you are, i see you.”

you turned your head and met his striking yellow gaze. your lips were ajar in soft shock. your ears pinned and perked. your tail curled itself into knots as butterflies ate at your insides.

he saw you.

he could see you.

at least, he thought he could.

he had no idea who the real you was.

you frowned at him as you studied the details of his face. “i wish that were true.”

his brows drew together and he tilted his head.

“you don’t even know me.” you said under your breath. you looked away and closed your eyes tight. “you said it yourself, my kind are a disease on this land. we don’t belong here. i…i shouldn’t be doing this with you.”

“i speak in anger. it is my curse. for that i am sorry.” tsu’tey said in a low, gentle voice. he slid his hands around your hips and down your thighs, keeping you close. “i will stop being cruel.”

“it’s not like i make it very easy for you to be nice sometimes,” you whispered as you watched his fingers trace the stripes on your thighs.

“we both need to improve.” tsu’tey said as he brushed his nose along your ear. “it is something we shall work on.”

he was being too affectionate. it was wearing your resolve thin— but was he being affection because he liked you or just to get laid?

your chest started to hurt all over again.

“we can’t,” you whispered.

tsu’tey sighed and hugged you closer. “we can.”

“no we can’t.” you turned. facing him was harder. you wished you stayed looking the other way. “there is no we. you are promised to another and in human culture, i’d be considered a homewrecker.”

“eris,” he breathed your name as if it pained him. “i don’t want neytiri. and nor does she want me.”

“i thought you said it was duty.” you said with a small shake of your head.

he scowled at you and squished your cheeks between his fingers. “you never stop talking…”

“wllwhatdyowan.” you tried to say through your squished lips. tsu’tey rolled his eyes and removed his hand from your face. rubbing your cheek, you asked again.

“what do you want?”

“what i want is for you to turn over and let me inside you, woman. i want that very much. to hold and bite and kiss you.” tsu’tey said almost impatiently.

you annoyed him so greatly.

and yet he wanted you anyways.

“will you at least let me earn it first?” you asked. your voice was hardly loud enough. your face was hot and your tail was swaying wildly behind you.

he tipped his head. “what?”

you sighed and looked down into your lap. you picked at the skin around your nails and rolled your eyes as embarrassment weighed on your chest. so stupid. this was so stupid. you were so, so stupid…

“i want that, too, but i can’t even shoot an arrow. i feel…unworthy.” you cringed as you said the word. you should’ve just shut up and let him fuck you.

“eris,” he tried to interject but you wouldn’t let him.

“once i learn how to be more like you and less like…like me…then…okay.” you looked up at him and bit your lip. you couldn’t read his expression. “we can…we can do whatever this is.” you gestured between you both to whatever tension was tangled around you.

tsu’tey only stared at you. you felt like a slide under a microscope. he took in every detail of you. every facet. every stripe and dot. every fine hair on your almost na’vi face.

he only nodded once. “it is decided then.”

— 🌌 —

strength was something you never thought you could have.

on earth, the pollution had made you feel sick. it kept you indoors. it made your mind hazy. on pandora, there was no mist in your mind. there was no laying around— not on the path the you had chosen to walk.

you wanted to be a warrior.

you would become one.

rain or shine, you were out in the forest with tsu’tey learning how to be strong. strong in your body, in your head, and in your heart. every day you would run. along the forest floor, over the towering tree roots, in the muddy riverbed. you ran and ran and ran and built up your stamina. every day you would climb. you climbed trees, rocks, and vines. you learned how to pull yourself, push yourself, and most importantly— catch yourself.

archery was the hardest for you.

the first time you shot an arrow, it ricocheted off a rock and nearly flew back at you. tsu’tey hadn’t even known that level of bad luck was possible. you hadn’t done much wrong, either. it was not your posture. it was not your technique.

it was simply poor luck.

“here…” he said under his breath, eyes still wide. he came up behind you and adjusted your elbow. the adjustment would change nothing. it was too small— but he didn’t want you to feel terrible. “try like that instead.”

“sure…” you muttered, keeping your elbow straight.

archery was far harder than riding a direhorse. while you sustained more injuries riding mitsia, at least there was pay off. there was visible progress. the art archery took you hours to get comfortable with.

and then it took you days to master.

“can you see?” tsu’tey asked as he grabbed your face. he looked into your eyes. “you can see, yes?”

“yeah, i can fuckin’ see.” you huffed as you turned your face away. you ignored him as you tried again. it was pouring. the rain was cold and the wind was harsh. “it’s the wind. the wind is fucking me up.”

“it was not windy yesterday when you did not hit anything.” tsu’tey said.

you hissed at him and he was quick to look away.

days were spent in the archery clearing. while jake was learning how to ride a direhorse with neytiri — who got stuck with training a demon of her own under orders from her father — you were stuck every day in that clearing with tsu’tey. he resorted to drawing in the dirt to pass the time as you missed target after target.

there was only so much bad luck someone could have, right? surely, you were just getting it all out now. one big awful week of it.

tsu’tey paced behind you as you drew your arm back. all day you had spent out in the glaring sun. not one time did you hit the target. instead, you hit everything around it.

seriously, you had to have been mentally deficient.

“breathe.” tsu’tey said.

you took a breath and held it. you focused. you closed one eye and honed in one the wooden board with a big yellow dot on it. you exhaled slowly. in the stillness between breaths, you shot the arrow.

patuk!

dead in the center of the yellow dot, your arrow pierced the board. the yellow and green calling card waved as the arrow rattled.

“ah!” you gasped, your eyes wide. “oh, my god!”

“yes!” tsu’tey exclaimed.

you turned to him and threw your arms up. you nearly screeched with joy as he hooked his arms around your waist and lifted you up. you hugged him tight as he yipped with excitement. he placed you back on the ground and cupped your face.

“you did it!” he said with a wide smile.

“i did it!” you giggled.

“do it again.” he encouraged, nudging your waist.

your smile dropped. “uh…”

“come on,” tsu’tey turned you around and urged you to raise the bow. “you can do it. breathe and shoot.”

you pulled an arrow out from behind your back and loaded the bow. you breathed deep and focused on the target. you let the arrow fly free and it narrowly missed.

you frowned.

“no, no. don’t get discouraged. again. come on.” tsu’tey said, giving your back a soft pat. “you can do it.”

you ignored how hot your face felt. you cleared your throat and shook out the nervous tension in your body. once more, you loaded an arrow into your bow. you kept your core tight. you kept your arm straight. you took a breath— and you let it fly.

patuk!

the arrow landed just a little ways above the first.

you turned your head to meet his eyes and you couldn’t help but smile. he smiled, too, and ran a gentle hand over your hair.

“well done, tsamsiyu.” tsu’tey said.

you dipped your head.

since that day in the hunters burrow, tsu’tey had made an effort to be kinder. in the same regard, so had you. while you still bickered and he still called you a moron every chance he got, there was less turmoil between the two of you.

replacing it was tension.

heavy, painful tension that made every moment harder than it should’ve been. no time was harder than when you would sit across from him and try you best to learn his language. you weren’t hopeless— but you weren’t fluent.

you watched as he gestured to the space around you. you scrunched your nose and clenched as if you were pushing the word forward in your mind.

“fuck, i know this.” you muttered.

“yes. you do. i’ve told you it fifty times.” tsu’tey said, continuing the gesture. he looked above. he looked below. he looked around.

“fra’u!” you gasped, pointing a finger at him. “fra’u! everything!”

tsu’tey grinned and nodded. he was quick to move onto the next word. he pursed his lips and whistled.

“fwefwi,” you said with a small laugh. “whistle.”

tsu’tey whistled again and swayed his hand from side to side. your brows drew together and your shook your head at him. he repeated the action once more, whistling and he swayed his hand.

“wind?” you asked. when he rolled his eyes at you, you corrected yourself. “hufwe.”

“mn,” he nodded. “and if you were to say that it was a light wind?”

“hufwetsyìp.” you said.

“good.” he smiled. he beckoned your forward and you scooted closer to him. he dragged his finger across your lower lid. “what are these?”

“nari.” you answered. “eyes.”

he smacked you with his tail. “this?”

you smacked him with yours. “kxetse. tail.”

he brushed his thumb across your lips. “and these?”

your mind went blank. staring at him, all you could do was blink. slowly, your lips curled into a smile as his did, too. he seemed to enjoy your sudden speechlessness.

“i— i don’t remember.” you said with a soft, bashful laugh.

he titled his head and cocked an eyebrow. “you don’t remember?”

you giggled and shook your head. “no, i don’t.”

“c’mon,” tsu’tey purred. “you know. you must know.”

your ears perked. hearing human slang come out of him was still so awe-striking. while his antics and habits rubbed off on you, yours rubbed off on him, too. you spent so much time together. little things like that were a reminder of just how much time you spent together.

“i don’t remember. seriously, i don’t. i think i have to touch your lips to remember.” you said with a small, devious little smile.

“oh…” tsu’tey’s eyes widened and his pupils dilated. he leaned forward and tried to suppress his smirk. “go on then, skxawng.”

slowly, you traced the shape of his lips. your breath caught in your throat as you remembered how it felt to kiss him. meeting his eyes, you could almost see his thoughts.

he was thinking the same thing.

“lips.” you said. you shook your head. “i don’t remember.”

“meseyri,” tsu’tey said softly. his breath was warm against your fingers. “awstengyem meseyri. two lips.”

“meseyri.” you repeated, gliding your fingers across the soft pinkish-purple skin of his lips.

tsu’tey pressed a soft kiss to the tips of your fingers.

you dropped your hand and pushed yourself forward, not being able to bare it another second. denying the pull between you the last few weeks had been torture. he grabbed your throat eagerly and tugged you into a kiss. a husky huff escaped him as you slipped your tongue into his mouth. he tugged at your waist, hoarding you closer.

your lips only got to meet for a moment before you heard the thundering of hooves.

tsu’tey pulled back and looked over the side of the towering root you were sat on. with the sun beginning to set, warriors and hunters began to return home. among them, jake and neytiri.

“come,” tsu’tey said. he had begun speak small words and phrases in na’vi to help familiarize you with the language. “it is time to eat.”

reluctantly, you got up.

“hey!” jake waved as you entered the dining circle. he was sat by himself waiting for you. unlike tsu’tey who would sit with you at dinners, neytiri had never once sat with jake.

although, tsu’tey had stopped sitting with you now that jake was around.

he gave your arm a soft squeeze before parting ways with you. sitting down in front of jake, you smiled. there was always relief in seeing him. especially since he looked pretty beat up, too, after a day of trying to ride a direhorse. it made you feel better to know that even a marine got bucked off.

“rough day?” you asked with a teasing smile.

“nah. not too bad.” jake said as he picked up a skewer of roasted meat. he took a bite and was quick to chew. “your day?”

“lots of na’vi practice. my heads all jumbled with it.” you said as you picked up a fig-like fruit and took a bite of it. it tasted so sweet that it made your tail curl in delight. no fruit had ever been that sweet and delicious on earth.

when sat together, earth was something you and jake talked about often. comparing foods, flora, animals, and customs, you and jake could talk for hours about how different pandora was. how wonderful it was. how scary it was.

“you know; in the end, i think coming in blind to all this may have been a good thing.” jake said as he chewed on the skewer like a toothpick. “i think if i had known half the stuff i know about this place, i would’ve stayed home.”

“really?” you asked, your brows raising. “i figured this was just your kinda place, marine.”

“well, it is now that i’m here. especially now that im here in this place.” jake glanced around at the clan and smiled. “but if i had been told there were actual fucking monsters and plants that could shock you and spray poison…i definitely would’ve passed on it.”

“maybe i would’ve, too, honestly. i got to study up on the language and the forest. conveniently, the RDA left out the palulukan and the nantang from my guide.” you sighed just a bit and you looked around, your eyes falling on someone sitting just close enough for you to see every detail of. “i think it more so boils down for me to missing things on earth rather than not wanting to be here.”

“what do you miss most?” jake asked.

“tv.” you sighed. the corner of your lip pulled into a smile. “not so much the movies. grace has movies if we really wanted to watch them. i’m talking about television. shitty reality shows. documentaries of what earth used to be like when it was green. cooking shows. stuff like that.”

“i think i miss the sounds of the city the most. i miss the noise. here, it’s too quite. in hell’s gate, it’s too mechanical. up in the mountains, it’s all wind and nothing else.” jake said as he leaned back on his arms. he shrugged a bit. “i miss the sound of people. humans like us. cars beeping. distant laughter. high heels on concrete. tires on a rainy street. hell, even hearing people swear at each other.”

“i haven’t thought about things like that being here.” you said. you glanced around. the chatter of the clan was filling to the ears— but not in the way the bustle and hustle of earth was. in some way, you did miss it. especially the tires on a rainy street. that had soothed you to sleep your whole life.

“that’s a good one.” you said as you met jake’s eyes. you nodded. “i definitely miss things like that.”

“sometimes, i even miss the stink.” jake laughed lowly. he shook his head and tilted it back, smiling to himself. “it’s stupid but i brace myself for the smell of smog and gas every time i go outside here. i feel stupid, of course, but i almost miss the way the air would wreak.”

you laughed, too, and felt silly for understanding exactly what he meant. it was awful. it was disgusting. but it was home.

it had been home.

this was home now.

firelight and bioluminescence. blue skin and yellow eyes. fangs. monsters in the forest. floating mountains.

you’d always miss earth — some part of you would — but this was home.

jake was still new to the forests and the clan and home tree like you had once been. to him, it was foreign. to you, it was only more and more familiar as the days passed. you were beginning to make friends with the other hunters who had yet to pass iknimaya. saeyla was the kindest to you. she always said hi when she saw you. mo’at was always happy to see you. eytukan dipped his head and was polite enough.

and then there was tsu’tey.

sometimes, it felt like he was the only thing that made the world go round.

“did you eat enough?” tsu’tey asked as he walked you to your hammock.

“oh, yeah. i’m stuffed.” you said with a smile, patting your belly. you turned to say goodnight but the expression on his face stopped you. “what?”

“i overheard you and jake’suli,” tsu’tey said with a bit of reluctance. he wouldn’t meet your gaze. “you miss earth?”

your brows drew together and you felt hot with guilt.

oh, jesus…did he think you wanted to leave?

you could’ve up-chucked your whole dinner.

“sometimes i do but…but i don’t want to go back.” you said as quickly as you could but the words nearly alluded you.

“but you miss the sounds of your people.” tsu’tey looked into your eyes and his ears dropped. “and that is different from my people, yes? a city is not like this.”

“no…no a city isn’t like this. it’s loud. really loud. always loud.” you said with a small sigh. your shoulders dropped and you couldn’t help but look around. “it’s always glowing. not like the forest glows but bright lights. so many lights. in order to sleep, i would have to close my blinds and sometimes even cover my face with my hoodie.”

“i prefer this.” you said as you placed your hand on his chest. he met your eyes and seemed to soften under your gaze. “this is peace. earth so rarely knew peace. even though you hunt and craft by hand here, it was so much harder to survive on earth.”

“you are happy, yes?” tsu’tey asked.

the question surprised you.

is that what he was worried about? your happiness?

“yes,” you whispered. your ears dropped but your tail swayed back and forth. the question touched you. deeply and wholly. “yes, of course. of course, i’m happy. truly.”

“that is good. i was afraid that…that i made you feel like you did not belong.” tsu’tey said with shame lacing his voice.

you were speechless. all you could do was shake your head. he didn’t make you feel that way…

“you are different and that is true…but you do belong here.” tsu’tey placed his hand on your chest. “strong heart. and it belongs right here.”

you laid awake that night in your bunk.

staring at the stars through the glass in the ceiling, your chest felt warm and fuzzy. in the dark, you smiled to yourself. his words had touched you. sometimes, it was hard to understand where you stood with tsu’tey. one day he couldn’t stand you, the next he was all over you and drowning you in affection. he was strict and then he was easy going. he was mean and then he was kind.

sometimes, it gave you whiplash.

other times, it made you want to smack him and then kiss him before he could feel the pain.

tomorrow you may very well fall asleep wanting to smack him upside the head but tonight you wanted nothing more than a single kiss from him.

— 🌌 —

“eris,” norm said, shaking you awake. “eris, get up.”

“huh?” you picked your head up and tried to open your eyes. “what’s wrong?”

“eris, he’s outside.”

your heart dropped.

miles quaritch was outside.

you scrambled out of your bunk and hurried to throw on a decent pair of clothes. you slipped into jeans and pulled on an RDA issued shirt. you fixed your hair as best you could and stepped into your boots. as you hurried through the small tactical base, you nearly tripped over your own feet.

fuck.

were your video logs about archery training insufficient? of course, they were but you had no idea what you were doing. you had no idea how to gather the kind of intel that the head of security wanted.

you almost forgot to grab an oxygen mask before going into the airlock. thank god for trudy.

pushing open the heavy metal door, the morning breeze was cold so high up in the atmosphere. your breath was ragged and nearly fogged your mask. the helicopter outside was…trudy’s.

and grace was not standing with the colonel.

she was standing with him.

tsu’tey was unbelievably gigantic.

your heart could’ve stopped. your knees nearly gave out as his ikran screeched at you. he raised a gentle hand and stroked the creatures long face. yellow eyes flicked towards you— and his pupils blew wide.

“i’ll leave you two to talk.” grace said as she passed by you.

‘no!’ you wanted to beg, ‘don’t leave me alone with him!’

the door sealed shut and so had your fate.

slowly, you turned and his shadow swallowed you whole. with a yip, he sent his ikran away. the blue, white, and yellow patterned creature dove off the cliff and soared through the skies. tsu’tey tilted his head at you, his tail flicking behind him as you approached.

“what— what the hell are you doing here?” you asked, your voice tight in your throat. “how…how the hell did you…how did you find us?”

“there is only one rock amongst the many that float with these on it.” tsu’tey said, flicking his head towards the field lab behind you.

“you are small.” tsu’tey said as he crouched down. he smirked as you recoiled. “are you scared of me?”

“no,” you lied. you steeled your spine, trying to seem taller than you actually were. “you’re just…big.”

big was an understatement. he was over ten feet tall and you were lucky to be the height you were.

tsu’tey’s tail swayed through the grass. if it hit you, it probably would’ve bruised you. it may have been able to break a rib. he seemed mindful of that fact as you stared at it.

“what are you doing here?” you asked as you looked back up into his eyes. even when he was crouched you had to tilt your head back.

“i have come to learn about you.” tsu’tey said. he crawled forward to be closer and sat down in front of you. finally, you were somewhat level. “you spend all day and all night with me…it is only fair i come to you.”

“i…” you didn’t even know what to say. your head was spinning. it was hard to breathe even with oxygen being pumped right into your face. “there isn’t much to do here…you won’t fit inside the field lab easily. you wouldn’t be able to breathe well, either. it’s all oxygen in there. besides, it’s crowded.”

“can we not sit here?” tsu’tey asked with a small tilt of his head.

“we can…but it’s just— it’s cold.” you whispered, drawing your arms in close around you. you should’ve grabbed a sweater or a hoodie.

“come,” tsu’tey motioned for you to sit in his lap. “you will be warm here.”

“oh— oh, my god, no.” you said. you looked away as red filled your cheeks. “the whole crew is no doubt watching us through the window. i can’t just sit…there.”

tsu’tey looked passed you. sure enough, they were all watching. they were quick to scramble but they couldn’t go far. there was little privacy. jake would link soon. so would norm and grace— if grace decided not to study her samples and log her findings. and trudy would just…do whatever trudy did to pass the time.

“can i take you somewhere?” tsu’tey asked with an edge of caution to his voice.

“nope.” you refused. shaking your head and wiggling a finger at him, you said, “absolutely not. my fragile human ass stays put.”

tsu’tey huffed under his breath and pursed his lips. “always so difficult.”

“if you really wanted…we could use the west wing. it’s for bunking and it’s not going to be full at this hour now that everyone is up. i can see if grace can find a way for you to breathe.” you said with a small shrug.

tsu’tey seemed apprehensive to be stuck inside a small metal box but he flicked his head.

you were quick to hurry inside. within a few minutes, grace had made a reversed oxygen mask for tsu’tey. it was janky and if it didn’t work well he’d have to go back outside, but she had filled a larger oxygen canister with pandoran air and found a spare mouth-and-nose mask she connected to it.

tsu’tey clearly regretted his choices as he crawled through the front door. you were quick to guid him straight to the west wing. the ceiling was a bit taller there because of the bunks, so he didn’t have to keep his head hunched over so much.

“hey, watch the tail.” trudy said.

tsu’tey tucked his tail. he was quick to slide himself into the bunk room. you closed the door behind him and rested your forehead against it. you sighed. your heart was racing. slowly, you turned. when you did, you found him staring at the wall decorated with pictures of your life on earth. posters of your favorite animals. cities. pictures of you and your parents. pictures of your sister.

“i’m the one on the left,” you said as you pulled you mask off. carefully, you brushed your hair out of your face.

“i know.” tsu’tey said, gently touching the photo. he looked at you and his pupils dilated. “i know you, eris.”

you let out a soft breath. he reached down and lifted the mask to his face, inhaling slowly. unlike you, he could breathe oxygen for a while. not forever but longer than you could breathe his air.

“i did not think you would look so much like you.” tsu’tey said as you approached. while he sat on the floor, you sat on the bed. jake’s bunk.

you shrugged and shook your head. “ta-da?”

tsu’tey grinned at you even though he did not quite understand what it was that you meant. “ta-da, yes.”

“so…” you smacked your hands on your thighs and exhaled softly. “what do you wanna do?”

“i want to know what tivee is.” tsu’tey said. he looked around the room and tried to pin point what may have been tv. “i heard you tell jake’suli you missed it and i want to see why.”

you shook your head. “i don’t think i should.”

“why not?” tsu’tey asked, his invisible brows drawing together.

“because you may like it too much and start an industrial revolution like the RDA is trying to do.” you said with a soft laugh.

“i do not know what you just said but i want to see tv.” tsu’tey insisted.

you sighed. there was little point in saying no. getting up off of the bed, you walked around him. he turned, being mindful not to knock into anything. he watched as you crouched down to plug in the chord. you pressed the button on the bottom and the screen filled with static.

“it may not even work.” you said over your shoulder.

you flicked through the tapes grace had in box and pulled out the most fitting one. star wars: return of the sith. tsu’tey scooted closer as the movie began. you took a seat beside him and used the remote to turn up the volume. as the opening credits rolled, the music made his ears perk.

“what does it say?” tsu’tey asked, watching the yellow letters roll across the screen. he brought the mask to his mouth and took a deep breath.

you read the preface of the movie to him and did your best to explain what it all meant. you knew it was lost to him but he was fixated anyways— especially when humans appeared on the screen. he was transfixed.

“did you have that?” tsu’tey asked, pointing to the flying car on the screen.

you laughed and shook your head. “at the time this movie came out, flying cars didn’t exist. in my time, i didn’t have enough money.”

he looked down at you.

none of it made sense.

“no,” you said with a small smile. “i didn’t have a flying car.”

he nodded and turned his attention back to the screen. you sat in silence as you watched the movie. every now and again he lifted the mask to his mouth to take a breath. he would ask a question here and there. it amazed him— but he did not understand much of what was said. soon enough, he wasn’t quite seeing the point of a movie.

“why do you watch stuff like this?” he asked.

“for fun.” you said with a small shrug. “humans really value entertainment. star wars is one of the biggest movie series ever. very well loved.”

“do you like this movie?” he asked with a curious tilt of his head.

you gave him your honest answer.

once more, it fell silent between you. you watched the movie with a sense of nostalgia weighing heavy on your heart. this was the first time you’d actually sat and watched anything since you’d arrived on pandora. it was comforting yet so foreign at the same time.

“can i touch your hair?”

you looked up at him, your eyes wide and your cheeks red. you had not expected that question. all you could do was blink.

“sure…” you whispered.

so carefully you weren’t sure if he even touched you, tsu’tey ran his hand over the top of your head. his ears perked and his tail swished against the metal floor.

“soft…” he murmured, purely infatuated. “different than mine. so…thin. like very fine twine strings.”

“well, you are like twelve feet tall.” you said with a small laugh. he could’ve easily crushed you in the palm of his hand if he wanted to. “everything about you is bigger than me.”

“your chest is big.” tsu’tey said, looking down at your breasts.

you couldn’t help but laugh. nodding, you said, “yeah. i told you, human women have bigger chests than na’vi women.”

“can i touch?” he asked, extending a hand towards you.

you were quick to cover your breasts and gawked at him. “no! are you crazy?”

“why not?” tsu’tey asked. he moved closer to you and tilted his head. now more so than ever, he was entirely cat-like. it took looking at him through human eyes to see it. “is it because you are in this body and not your na’vi one?”

“yeah,” you breathed, looking away from him.

he pursed his lips the smallest bit. “can i kiss you?”

“jesus christ, are you in heat or something?” you asked.

“no, not now.” he said. he shrugged and flicked his head towards you. “i am just…curious. i want to kiss you as you and see if it is the same.”

“just a kiss?” you glanced at him.

“just one.” he nodded, sitting on his hands as if to promise you he wouldn’t do anything more than that.

slowly, you pushed yourself up. standing in front of him, you were level enough. your heart raced in your chest as he stared at you. he took in every movement you made. he tensed as you neared and that made you even more nervous.

“this is weird…” you said, pulling back the smallest bit.

“no,” he insisted. he reached out a hand that ghosted along the small curve of your back. “it’s not.”

you swallowed your embarrassment alongside your pride as you leaned forward and pressed a soft, lingering kiss onto his lips.

sparks shot through you from your head to your toes.

when you pulled back, his pupils were so large you could hardly see the yellow of his eyes. his tail smacked into the metal frame of the bunk bed and thumped wildly against the floor. as your cheeks reddened and reddened and reddened his ears perked up and up and up.

“why are you red?” he asked softly.

“i’m flustered…” you whispered.

tsu’tey smiled. “it was good.”

“it was good,” you said with a small, quick nod.

“again?” he asked, leaning forward. “to make sure.”

you couldn’t help but laugh.

he smiled as you reached up and placed your hands on his face. he dipped his head down and kissed you again, softly and sweetly. kisses like these were much different from how he kissed you when you were the same size and same blue shade.

“good,” he purred. his lips curled into a smile as he reached down to pull the mask to his face. he took a few deep breaths. “very good.”

you could only watch him in awe. you sat down in front of him and tried to wipe the blush from your cheeks. of course, it didn’t work. not even a little bit. he hunched over to be more level with you and it made you giggle.

he was just too big.

too large.

too handsome.

he was even more striking to the human eye.

you sat quietly as he picked up your hand and examined your five little fingers. he was intrigued by your pinky. to him, it was an extra pinky. with his four thick fingers, your hand seemed so frail and dainty. he touched the lines of your palm and smiled to himself as you shivered at the sensation.

“it is strange,“ tsu’tey said lowly. “how you are so different and still so the same…i thought it would be hard to recognize you. hard to see you with this face and not that face…but it is not hard.”

you curled your whole hand around his index finger and pulled it close. you placed his hand on your chest. your heart beat below his palm. he met your eyes and his ears perked. it made you smile.

“i see you.” you whispered.

tsu’tey leaned down and pressed his forehead against yours. he smiled to himself, enjoying the way your little heart beat so strong under the tips of his fingers as he neared.

“i see you,” he said like a promise.

this chapter was so much fun to write :P i love soft tsu’tey!!!! hope you guys enjoyed. lmk your thoughts <3 as always, thanks for reading!! — moony

tag list — @plantgirliewholovespandora

[poppyseed1031]

Demons and Savages

pairing: tsu’tey and human!avatar driver (fem presenting)

content warnings: graphic language, alien vs human differences, the RDA sucks, fuck u miles quaritch, tension you could cut with a knife, enemies to lovers. (also, i don’t like to capitalize sentences on tumbler :3)

word count: …idk :D (roughly edited sry)

pov: 2nd person so you can add yourself in. for writing/plot purposes, your character is named eris ramsey. i’ll use the name sparingly but i can’t take myself seriously writing y/n— so please just work with me here. i promise it’ll be worth it. (i hope)

< previous chapter

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SUMMARY: earth was dying and your sister was, too, but cancer killed her faster than humans were killing earth. when she passed, she not only left behind an empty apartment full of memories but a billion dollar avatar without a driver. in a desperate attempt to not waste that money, the program she had spent the last five years preparing to join recruited you— her twin. of course, you agreed. there was nothing left on earth for you. there was nothing left on earth for anyone— that’s why people like your sister were sent off to pandora.

when your sister had spoken of pandora, it seemed like a dream.

the RDA promised it would be like a safari adventure.

truth was that pandora is beautiful. beautiful and unlike anything else across the whole of the universe. it is breathtaking— and that’s because what chases you through the forest hunts with the intent to kill; so you best run like hell even if your lungs are on fire. beasts and monsters of all kinds lurk out of sight waiting for the right moment to kill you dead— but none are as dangerous as him.

the blue shadow with the bow.

chapter four

— weak hands —

“if i want to get us any closer to peace, i’ll need to put in a lot of work.” you said as you logged the events of your day. you could hardly keep your eyes open. for a rest day, you felt more worn down than you did on days you spent entirely in the forest. “if i want to gain back trust the omatikaya once placed in the avatar program, i have to pass two tests.”

“tsu’tey says it will take months for me to even think about passing the first test. in order to complete iknimaya and claim an ikran, i have to be strong. i have to have a fighting spirit. a strong heart, he says. i have to learn the ways of warriors. it is no easy challenge— but an ikran would kill me otherwise.”

“he told me that he doesn’t doubt my heart.” you said softly. you looked at yourself on the screen and covered your cheeks with your hands as you saw color rise into them. “he just doubts that i’ll be able to pin down the damn thing before it kills me.”

“i think that’s all for today. lots to be done. tomorrow i start archery. fun, huh? i hope. really, i do…alright. see ya.” you reached out and clicked the recording off.

you had no energy to eat. you had no energy to do anything at all. when you climbed into your bunk, you fell asleep as soon as your head hit the pillow. it was hard for you to sleep most nights— but exhaustion made it easy for you now. it reached out its arms and enveloped you in its warm embrace.

you dreamed of the riverbed and the stars. you dreamed of the bugs that floated by. you dreamed of the way the water sounded sloshing against the shore of the riverside.

you dreamed of him, too.

you dreamed of running with him through the grass. the way he chased you. you could almost feel your chest burn as you ran and ran and ran. even in your dreams, he caught you. he tangled you in his arms and lifted you off your feet.

you didn’t hesitate to kiss him.

you had wanted to kiss him today. it was an insufferable itch that you wanted to gnaw at with your teeth— but you couldn’t.

when you woke in the morning to the usual alarm set for all those in the avatar program, you could not have been more frustrated. you buried your face into the pillow and groaned into it.

you didn’t want to dream about him.

you didn’t want to think about him the way you always did. he was supposed to be your mentor. a teacher. a guide. not someone you dreamed about kissing.

you didn’t want to face him.

after the hot springs, you two returned to home tree as if nothing happened. he got you food and you sat with others in the clan and listened to their stories. you listened to their songs. tsu’tey told stories of his own. he did not sing alongside the others but the faint smile on his lips showed his contentment.

and that was it.

all day, you rested in the livelihood of home tree with him. eating. talking. laughing. introducing yourself to those who dared to approach you. those who let you join their circles. you helped string beads and craft twine. mundane, small things that you enjoyed more than you thought you would. while most of the conversations were held in navi, you were able to pick out bits and pieces.

it wasn’t until after dinner when you made your nightly walk with him to your hammock that what had happened between the two of you weighed on you. he didn’t say goodnight. he didn’t spare you a glance. he hit you with his shoulder as he passed and hissed under his breath.

you did not want to see him— but he was the first thing you saw when you opened your eyes in your hammock.

“get up. now.” tsu’tey said. his tone was sharp. lethal. there was no patience to be found in him.

you did your best to get up quickly. your head spun with the daze of shifting. he grabbed your arm to steady you— but he dragged you down the center column of home tree without any warning.

“agh— dude.” you muttered as you tried to pull your arm free. “stop it.”

“walk.” he said, pushing you in front of him.

you didn’t fight against him. it would do you no good. once you were out of home tree, you shrugged him off. thankfully, he went willingly. without a word, he flicked his head towards the direhorses waiting.

you approached mitsia with gentle hands. she pressed her snout against your face as you said hello. reaching up, you formed tsaheylu with her and swung yourself up onto her back. with a soft pat to her neck, you urged her to follow behind tsu’tey.

he moved with purpose today and mitsia ran fast to keep up with him.

you rode into the thick of the forest. you had to duck low onto mitsia’s back as to not get snagged in the low hanging vines. all sorts of sounds resonated in your ears. the rush of wind. the chirping of pandoran birds. squeaking and squawking. thundering hooves. snapping sticks.

when tsu’tey finally came to a stop, it was by a pond. he hopped off his direhorses back and clicked his tongue as a thank you. when you slid off mitsia’s back, you thanked her with a soft kiss to her face.

you felt bitter as you met his eyes.

what he had told you yesterday lingered in your mind. mitsia was yours. maybe not like how an ikran could be, sure, but you were certain that she would come only to you if you called.

“good girl.” you whispered as you patted her neck.

“come here.” tsu’tey said, his tail flicking behind him like a feral cat.

you parted with your direhorse and sighed as you stood in front of him. you expected him to start with a lesson on archery. he carried two bows on his back. instead, he grabbed your hands and scoffed at them.

“you have weak hands. small fingers. they will bleed.”

you ripped your hands out of his grasp. “you don’t know shit. they won’t bleed.”

“they will.” he said, snatching your arm. he tapped his fingers against your bicep. “no muscle. children have more strength than you. i bet you would not be able to pull yourself up whilst climbing a tree.”

“would you cut the shit?” you pulled your arm out of his grasp and scowled at him. “you’re pissing me off.”

“you will fail today at archery. many times. just as you failed at riding pali. you are weak. you will have troubling drawing back the arrow. i doubt you can aim.” tsu’tey said.

“but you will learn.”

your mouth closed. the anger in your expression lessened as you watched him pull one of the bows off from around his shoulder. it was simple. dark wood. strong string. it was heavy— but not as heavy as his. not as well-crafted and expertly designed. not at pretty.

“first rule of bow,” tsu’tey said as he stood up straight. “you must be like tree. tall. strong. always strong in your belly. for everything. be strong in your belly.”

you mimicked him. standing up straight and tending your core, you held yourself in the same tall posture. you matched his breath. over and over again, you told yourself what to do like a mantra: keep tense but don’t suffocate. don’t suffocate. breathe. in and out. in and out.

tsu’tey lifted the bow and assumed a shooting stance. no arrow was drawn, but he pulled back the string. you could see the tension in his belly. you could see the firm stance he held in his shoulders. more importantly, his legs. like two pillars on the ground, he appeared unmovable.

he appeared strong.

and you knew he was.

“when you draw back the bow, you must use two fingers. always two fingers. it is how you keep the arrow aligned. draw back is hard when you start. bows are strong and they fight against you. that is why arrows shoot so far.” tsu’tey said as he lowered his bow.

“you try.”

you took a sharp breath and tightened your core. you did your best to mimic the stance he held. before you could even drawn by the bow, he was all over you. he spread your legs further apart with his own. he smacked you on the hip and you were quick to place tension there. a grunt of approval was all you earned. he did the same to your shoulders and you were quick to straighten up.

“that is proper position.” tsu’tey said. he tapped your stomach lightly. “firm. strong. it is good. it is powerful. keep this habit of strong core and you will learn the posture fast. it will be as easy and natural as swinging up onto his the back of pali.”

“right,” you said softly.

“now draw back the bow.” he said.

you hooked two fingers around the string and pulled. your lips thinned and your brows knitted together as you pulled harder. and harder. the bow seemed unwilling to bend and you were quick to let the string go.

“bad. again.” tsu’tey said with an impatient flick of his head. “you did not even try.”

“i did try. the bow feels like it’ll break if i pull at it anymore.” you said with a small huff.

tsu’tey hooked his bow over his shoulder. he snatched yours from your hand and you could only watch as he pulled an arrow from his quiver, loaded the bow, and shot it.

it stuck straight into the dirt, the calling card swaying in the breeze.

“it did not break.” tsu’tey said, handing it back to you. “you are not strong enough to break it because you are not even strong enough to draw it back.”

you felt your chest burn. you took the bow back without another word. ignoring the way his constant belittling was beginning to hurt, you did your best to draw the bow back. you kept your core tight, your posture tall, and your breath even. you pulled back as hard as you could. at a certain point, the resistance gave way and allowed you to pull back fully.

“yes.” tsu’tey said, cupping your elbow. “now hold this position.”

“it’s hard,” you whispered, your fingers gripping the bow with all your might.

“hold this position until i say so or i will make you run to home tree and back.” tsu’tey said.

you had to grit your teeth. you kept your stance locked. you kept your core tight and yourself tall— but your breathing soon gave way. the bow was large. it was heavy. the string was thick and harsh against your callous-less fingers. soon enough, you were shaking.

squeezing your eyes shut, you fought not to let the string pull your arm down. the seconds felt like hours and the minutes felt like days. unless it hadn’t been minutes. you had no idea. everything was moving too slow and with each moment that passed, the odds stacked against you. your bicep was burning. your core was cramping. your hands were beginning to sweat. your breaths came in small gasps.

“release.”

you let the string fly from your finger tips and the bow snapped into shape. if an arrow had been loaded, you wondered how far it would’ve gone.

“resolve is something i don’t have to teach you. that was good enough for now.” tsu’tey said with a small nod. “strength can always be built. willpower cannot. it takes a strong hear to have discipline.”

“and i have a strong heart?” you asked even though you already knew his answer.

“yes,” tsu’tey said even when you didn’t think he would. he looked over the whole of you. his eyes lingered on your mouth. “you have a very strong heart. it is why eywa smiles upon you when i do not.”

“why are you being so rude?” you asked. you turned to face him and shook your head. “seriously. why? did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something?”

your phrasing confused him but he did not attempt to understand. “because you have angered me.”

“i’ve angered you? how?” you asked.

tsu’tey hissed and waved his hand. “no. just be quiet. be quiet and do the one thing i taught you. practice your stance so that you do not make a fool of yourself when you attempt to shoot an arrow.”

“if you’re going to be a dick to me then no.” you tossed the bow at him.

he caught it and his eyes widened in a terrible, terrible way. fury. the disrespect of your action could’ve turned him red. he grasped the air beside your head — as if he wanted to crush you in the palm of his hand — and bared his teeth.

“get out of my sight, demon.” he murmured through his teeth. “we are done. if you are going to act like that, you can sing songs until you lose your voice.”

“no,” you said. suddenly frustrated, you reached to grab the bow back. “i’ll do it. just give it to me.”

“no,” he held it away from you. “you have caused disrespect. you will try again when i tell you. today you will remain weak and unskilled.”

“i’m not weak. stop calling me that.” you whispered with your breath tight in your throat.

tsu’tey laughed at you. “if you tried to show that you were strong today, you showed wrong. your heart is not aligned with your body. and i don’t know if you have a mind at all.”

you shoved him.

tsu’tey stumbled back. he scowled at you, his face pinching in anger as he tilted his head. soundlessly, he warned you not to do that again.

you shoved him again.

he smacked you upside the head. hard. really hard.

“ugh!” you complained, caressing the back of your head. “you are such a fucking jackass!”

“i don’t know what that means, demon, but you are that, too.” tsu’tey hissed.

“it means you are the worst person i’ve ever met! you are mean and cold and cruel! you’re a jerk to me all the time! it’s like you’re allergic to being nice!” you exclaimed all at once. the words just came rushing out with no thought to if he would understand them at all.

“because i don’t like you,” tsu’tey said through his teeth. he glared down at you and stuck his finger in your face. “you and your people are a curse on this land. you are a sickness.”

you laughed at him. “then why did you want to fuck me so bad?”

tsu’tey’s fiery resolve seemed to falter. staring down at you, his ears pinned. he sighed under his breath and looked away. “great mother grant me patience.”

“you won’t even deny it?” you shook you head at him and laughed again. you knew you were rubbing dirt into wounds. you should’ve been careful considering he could’ve done the same to you. “is that why you’re so mad at me? because you want to fuck me?”

he wouldn’t look at you. like a bull, he huffed out of his nose. his face twitched. his tail flicked sharp and fast. frustration had never looked so good on someone. he was a master at it.

“i’m the weak one?” you tutted you tongue and whispered, “some warrior you are if you can’t fight against desire.”

tsu’tey grabbed you by your face. squishing your cheeks between his fingers, he hissed at you. “you never shut your mouth.”

“you don’t even realize what you do to me. you fault me for my poor judgment when you’re the one covering my eyes.” tsu’tey said.

“m’not— doin’ an’thng.” you tried to say between your squished lips as you struggled to free your face from his grasp.

“you are. you don’t even know it because you are a demon in the skin of my people. you rubbed your scent on me at the river. you started a chase game. you asked me about mating. your body was crying in the hot spring.”

“you look at me with those eyes…”

tsu’tey’s grip on your face lessened. he his hands clasped around your throat lightly and your hand still flew to his wrist. you couldn’t draw breath. not because he held you too tight but because you forgot how to.

“i— i don’t do it on purpose.” you whispered helplessly.

“i know,” tsu’tey murmured as he ran his thumb along your throat. “which is why i hate you even more. you have no control over your instincts. you have no control over your body. your mind fails you, demon.”

“and my body is failing my mind because of it.”

staring at him, the look in his eyes made your knees weak. he was staring at your mouth. his fingers flexed around your throat. as your eyes met, you stepped forward and tried to kiss him.

“do not…” tsu’tey murmured, glaring at you between the inches that separated you.

you raised your hand up to his face. as your fingers brushed against his cheek, he flinched. his ears pinned. he could’ve hissed at you— but his expression turned warm as you glided your thumb across his lips. his pupils dilated.

“can i have the bow back?” you asked in a whisper. “i’m sorry for throwing it at you.”

rationality seemed to comeback to him. he let go of your throat, his fingertips grazing the beads of your top. your eyes never left each other. he handed you the bow and you took it— or tried to. he didn’t let it go, either. the longer you stared at each other, the more convinced you were that he would kiss you.

you wanted him to.

a sharp yip sliced through the hair and something hit the ground. tsu’tey pushed the bow at you and turned. looking over his shoulder, you saw her. she’d jumped down from the trees above. her bow was in her hand, a magnificent piece of woodwork. her tail flicked as she met your gaze.

neytiri.

“oel ngati kameie,” tsu’tey said, gesturing the act.

neytiri returned the gesture. when her eyes fell upon you again, you signed i see you. she dipped her head the smallest bit and gave a lazy wave of her hand. you couldn’t be offended. that was more than tsu’tey usually gave you.

the pair conversed in navi. they spoke too fast for you to understand. they spoke low, too, as if tsu’tey knew you would be able to understand them if you tried hard enough. some piece you picked out.

forest.

nantang.

moron.

demon.

they were talking about you. you rolled your eyes and scoffed under your breath. was tsu’tey informing her of how bad your posture was? how weak you were? or was he trying to convince her that you weren’t anything at all.

had she seen you two…

your stomach knotted and you felt sick. if she had seen you two touching and…oh, lord in heaven. you were dead meat. dead. dead before you could be reborn.

tsu’tey whistled and the direhorse returned to the archery clearing. mitsia came to your side and brushed her face against your shoulder. you turned to look at tsu’tey. he mounted his direhorse and pulled neytiri up after him.

“we return to home tree now. quickly, demon.”

you mounted your direhorse and were quick to follow after him and neytiri. one of her arms were hooked around his waist. you had no time to feel jealous because all you felt was sick. had she seen you both? would you be placed in front of the olo’eyktan and the tsahik and scolded? worse, would you be banished? executed?

you could hardly walk straight as you entered home tree. when you arrived, people were in uproar. tsu’tey was quick to come to your side and grab you by the back of your arm. you looked up at him but he did not meet your gaze and you weaved your way through the crowd of people gathered by the meeting circling.

“mawey!” the tsahik said, raising her hands high into the air.

silence followed— all but one voice. as you and tsu’tey broke through the crowd of people, you saw him. for a moment, you recoiled at the sight of tactical jeans and an RDA issued shirts on a blue figure.

regretfully, it took you a moment to recall that face of his in his avatar body.

“jake!” you exclaimed, your pupils blowing wide and your ears perking.

tsu’tey hissed as you pulled your arm free from his grasp. you didn’t care. not about anything else. you nearly tackled him to the floor as you threw your arms around him. jake caught you, stumbling to keep you both upright. a near cry slipped passed your lips to see a familiar face.

to see a true friend.

“holy shit, eris.” jake breathed as his arms tightened around your waist. it had taken him a moment to register your blue face, too.

“what the hell are you doing here?” you asked as you pulled away. when you met his eyes, you saw the scratches and the bruises on his face. you lifted your hand to his jaw and gasped softly. “jesus, jake, are you okay?”

“they really should’ve put us through ground training. i may know my way around a gun and hand-to-hand combat, but that’s all useless out here in these woods. i nearly got torn to pieces by a pack of these ugly ass wolf-things trying to keep norm and grace safe. norm got hurt and so i did the only thing i could which was distract them and run.”

“thankfully that blue valkyrie over there found me.” jake said with a glance toward neytiri. his brows raised and he smiled at you. “her and a group of hunters. they saved my ass.”

before you could say anything else, the tsahik approached. she raised her hand and instinctively you stepped away from jake. you bowed your head. jake stiffened as the tsahik grabbed him by his chin and examined the cuts on his face.

“you know him.” the tsahik stated a fact and she glanced at you.

“yes. he’s in my program. we work for grace augustine.” you said.

“nice to meet you,” jake said with a polite tilt of his head.

tsu’tey stepped forward, speaking words that jumbled in your ears. you picked out what you could. what was important.

how many demons!

you clenched your teeth. you knew exactly what he was asking. how many of you would come here? your arrival had been an accident. a pure chance of fate. was jake’s run-in with the nantang the same? or was it planned?

from his volatile expression alone, tsu’tey seemed to think you were now being planted here.

“you.” tsu’tey hissed as he grabbed you by the back of your neck. “walk.”

“hey, woah, woah, woah.” jake pulled his face away from mo’at and turned. he stuck his arm out, hitting tsu’tey in the chest. “you best take your hands off her right now or we’re gonna have a fuckin’ problem.”

tsu’tey bared his teeth.

“jake,” you whispered his name and guided his hand back towards his side. “it’s fine…”

before jake could say anything else, tsu’tey pushed you along. you tried your best to shrug him off but he wouldn’t let you go. his grip was tight. too tight. tighter than it had ever been as he guided you up the center column of home tree.

“ow!” you hissed as he shoved you into his hut by the back of or your neck.

“sit.” he demanded, pointing to the floor.

you were quick to drop down. you watched as he paced. you could see the thoughts running through his mind. you tensed as he crouched down in front of you. staring into his eyes, you’d never been afraid of him. never truly.

you were now.

“who is that man?” tsu’tey asked in a lower, calmer voice than you expected.

“jake sully,” you said. you wracked your brain for anything else remotely useful. “he…he’s new to the avatar program like me. he is a marine.”

“marine?” tsu’tey asked.

“warrior.” you said.

tsu’tey seemed to scowl. he rolled his eyes and shook his head. “demon warrior ends up here? by chance? tell me truthfully and i’ll reward you with not killing you…has this man been sent here?”

“no,” you said. the word jumped from your throat. all you could do was shake your head. you were trying to convince yourself more than you were trying to convince him him. “i— i mean…i don’t think so.”

“but he could have been?” tsu’tey asked.

“not by grace…”

your heart sank. grace would’ve never sent anyone to infiltrate the omatikaya— but quaritch would.

he could.

he already had…

jake was a marine just like him. it was too easy. it was too perfect— and it was a real possibility.

had you not given the colonel enough information? did you not have the skills to give him the kind of information he needed to know? did he tangle jake into this because jake could find out exactly what it is that he wanted to know?

how the hell to kill tsu’tey.

you stared into tsu’tey’s eyes and you both knew there was only one way to get answers.

“i need you to return to your body and find out what you can about how he ended up here. if his story matches with grace’s…maybe eywa has a a twisted sense of humor after all.” tsu’tey looked past you and spoke in a whisper, “if this demon warrior has been sent to spy, it wouldn’t be the first time your people have sent someone here to do such a thing.”

your stomach dropped. you knew all too well the kind of spies they sent to infringe on the na’vi. you knew, too, the kind of man who devised such a thing.

maybe jake really had been planted here…

“okay.” you exhaled a soft breath and placed your hand on you belly where the anxious pit sat. “alright…but if i go back now i won’t be able to come back until tomorrow.”

tsu’tey leaned in close and placed his hand on your tummy. your eyes fell closed as he dragged his lips across your forehead. the pain in your belly melted away like ice cream on a hot day. you exhaled the breath you held trapped in your throat.

“na’vi warriors are brave.” tsu’tey looked down at you and tilted his head. “are you brave?”

are you a na’vi?

that was the question he did not ask.

where do your loyalties lie, eris?

“hang tight, okay? i’ll be back as soon as i can.” you said softly, your breath all tangled in your chest.

“i don’t know what ‘hang tight’ is but i will know relief once i see you again.” tsu’tey said.

heat flooded your cheeks and your ears perked. your tail swayed and you knew your pupils were as wide as the moon you’d never see again. slowly, you dipped your head and signed, i see you.

tsu’tey dipped his head the slightest bit.

he could see you, too, even if he was stubborn.

“go.” he ordered with a stern wave of his hand.

and off you went.

— 🌌 —

each time you returned to your body, you grew to hate the lab lights even more. you pushed yourself out of your link-pod. a group of specialists were surrounding jake’s pod. his face was displayed on the screen beside it. grace was smoking a cigarette with a look of utter defeat plastered on her face.

how many idiots was she going to lose?

two.

because there were only two people stupid enough to get lost— you and jake.

“you’re back early,” grace said as you made your way over.

“what’s going on?” you asked through the dryness in your mouth. whether it was because you hadn’t had water since this morning or the fact that you were anxious, you couldn’t tell.

“the marine got himself lost and separated.” grace sighed. she put out her cigarette on the top of jake’s pod and shook her head.

“how?” you asked even though you already knew.

well, you knew what jake told you.

but was jake’s story the real story?

“we were out on an excursion gathering samples. tree roots so that i could test my new hypothesis on the almost neural-like connection the trees have to each other. we stumbled too close to a viperwolf den and it was like the seventh circle of hell opened up on us.” grace said.

she looked up at the screen displaying jake’s face and rolled her eyes. “for as hard as he is to work with in the lab, tactically he’s a blessing. our trigger-happy marine sprung straight into actions and kept norm from getting his face torn off.”

“the funny thing is,” grace tapped jake’s pod and looked down at you. “he didn’t even shoot a single bullet. he used himself as bait and angered the pack. he was gone into the trees. norm’s avatar suffered some nasty injuries. i couldn’t wait to bring him back and so we had to leave jake.”

“i’m just hoping the poor bastard is somewhere safe.” grace said with her lips pressed into a thin line.

“jake is in home tree.”

grace’s brows drew together and her lips parted— but no words came out. not a sound.

you’d never seen grace speechless before.

the cogs turned in her mind and she nodded once. “and you were sent back because there’s no way in hell you didn’t recognize him. i’m sure that did not bode well with your teacher, huh?”

you shook your head. “no, ma’am. tsu’tey is now questioning whether or not we’re being planted in home tree to…to spy on them…”

it was difficult for you to say.

grace pursed her lips and placed her hands on her hips. she inhaled a long, slow breath. when she let it out, all the tension she held went with it.

“well, i can’t really blame a skeptic for being skeptical, can i?” grace ran her hand through her short ginger hair. whatever she was thinking, it made you even more nervous when she stared at the red button that would pull jake from his link-pod.

“what?” you asked. the silence was nearly killing you.

“tsu’tey and i share a similar fear. if selfridge finds out one of the marine mutts is now in home tree, he’s going to tell the colonel. if the colonel knows, he’ll use jake to his advantage— and the last thing i need is for miles fucking quaritch to get his hands anywhere near my program.”

“we need to go.” grace said. she looked down and you and seemed to hesitate. “pack whatever you need. we won’t be back here for a while.”

your brows drew together and you shook your head. “what? where are we going?”

“we’re going full blue.” grace turned and sucked in a tight breath. she cursed inaudibly. “sorry about this jake.”

grace slammed her hand on the red button.

a swarm of people rushed over and grace was quick to open the hatch. you saw her begin to shine a light into jake’s eyes before the two of them were swallowed up by white coats. slowly, you turned away. you had to pack.

grace was sending the team incognito to try and sway the iron grip miles quaritch would hold on jake if he found out where jake’s avatar was.

grace was worried about the wrong avatar driver.

because you were about to become the colonels spy in both bodies.

thank you for reading :) hope you enjoyed! and thanks for the patience, too. i wish i had more time to write but alas… see ya when i see ya :P —moony

tag list: @plantgirliewholovespandora

[poppyseed1031]

Courting Ayelýn - Part Listing

Aonung x Original Na'vi Female Character

Summery: Pressured by his parents to enter a formal courtship, Aonung rebels in his own way and what starts as a ruse, turns into something real. 

Image by the amazing cinetrix.

Note before reading: This is a spin off of my Safe Haven Series.

Reading Safe Haven is not necessary to follow this story.

Some characters have been aged up. Aonung in particular is 25.

Ayelýn is my own creation. *Pronounced Aye-Lin

Warning- This story includes smut.

~

This Story Is Now Complete!

Word count: 37k+ words

Part 1 - When They Met

Part 2 - When They Agreed

Part 3 - When They Pretended

Part 4 - When They Fucked I

Part 5 - When They Fucked II

Part 6 - When They Loved

[poppyseed1031]

Courting Ayelýn

Series Listing Found Here

Aonung x Original Na'vi Female Character

Summery: Pressured by his parents to enter a formal courtship, Aonung rebels in his own way and what starts as a ruse, turns into something real. 

Note before reading: This is a spin off of my Safe Haven Series.

Reading Safe Haven is not necessary to follow this story.

Some characters have been aged up. Aonung in particular is 25.

Ayelýn is my own creation. *Pronounced Aye-Lin

Warning!! This part contains heavy smut.

~

Part 4 - When They Fucked

When Aonung had asked for the two of them to do something, Ayelýn thought perhaps they’d still end up somewhere public- for show.

Maybe they’d take a walk along the beach, or even attend a storytelling event, but no.

What she hadn’t intended from his request of it being just the two of them was that it truly was… just the two of them.

Their evening started out with a late night swim. Aonung led her to one of his favourite spots- a brightly illuminated, underwater hidden gem, filled with sea fauna and flora that was too beautiful for words. 

And so captivated by her surroundings, Lýn had missed the way Aonung drank her in- as though seeing her for the very first time.

Later on, they found themselves on his private tiny island, seated inside of the little makeshift structure he had crafted for himself. 

The sort of lean-to design was just tall enough that Aonung didn’t hit his head when standing and wide enough that at least four Na’vi could fit comfortably. 

Mismatched, frayed mats laid scattered on the sand, acting as a sort of flooring that also provided comfort, and there was even a well-worn hammock set up in a way that the amazing scenery was still within view.

Near the threshold, they sat face to face as Aonung revealed dish after dish from a sack that had already been there waiting for them. Their position also allowed them the gorgeous view of the glittering sky and sea- stars all out in their glory as rhythmic crashing waves sang.  

In quick succession, laid out between them was an impressive spread that had Lýn salivating. 

“My Eywa,” she whispered through an excited smile, tucking flyaways behind her ears. “It all looks so good! Is- is this hexapede?” 

“Mhm,” Aonung hummed, loving her reactions. 

“Where did all of this come from?”

“We got a huge delivery of goods this morning from the Omaticaya. I’ve already made sure Keftxo gets their fair share,” he said, trying not to wince guiltily. “I didn’t know any wasn’t given to Keftxo the last two times… but things should be brought down within the next few days since they’re still sorting through everything we got.” 

The trading system between the clans of Pandora was well developed by now. With the use of human technology, communication was up and running, thus, enabling an established procedure.

“Aonung,” Lýn voiced softly. She had no words. He’d gone above and beyond for her little village time and time again. 

He tutted at her affectionately, understanding the wave of gratitude she was trying to express. 

“We got fresh meat this time around. I made us some hexepade stew and roasted hexape-”

“Wait… you cooked? You? I thought you hate cooking?”

He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and mumbled something incoherent under his breath and without responding, he continued pointing out the options- one after the other. 

“- oh and Lo’ak gave us a couple of these things from his private stash- something called sari cakes, I think? They’re courtesy Neteyam’s mother-in-law… and finally-” He emptied a pouch that held, “Yovo fruit.”

Ayelýn gasped. “Yovo fruit? You’re kidding! I’ve always wanted to try these.”

“I know.” Aonung had gotten them specially well preserved for the journey- just for her. 

He chose the best looking one of the batch and held it out to her, pleased when she leaned in to take a bite of the fruit between his fingers. 

Tossing the remaining piece in his mouth, he watched as her face morphed into one of ecstasy, eyes rolling in bliss, lips licked with a moan of appreciation. Her reaction had the front of his tweng straining within seconds. 

“That’s sooo good,” she sighed. 

“Fuck, Lýn.” He cracked his neck, willing his body to calm down. “Can you try not to kill me so early tonight?” he half begged, half teased. 

It took her a split second to catch his meaning, but when she spotted his obvious situation- one he made no effort to hide, she managed to mumble an apology through a mortified blush- though a small part of her was pleased she had that much of an effect on him. 

Conversation, fun and flowing after that, they talked about everything and nothing as they indulged in their Omaticaya delicacies- sharing and feeding each other bites of food with exclamations of “you have to try this!” and “oh Eywa, this one is amazing!”

And when their bellies were full and satisfied, their attention fell on the view before them.

A light breeze ruffled their hair while they sat in comfortable silence- both minds preoccupied. 

Fiddling with his bottom lip, Aonung tossed fleeting glances Lýn’s way- a question on the tip of his tongue. And unbeknownst to him, Lýn was also sneaking her own peeks- finding him far more captivating than their scenery. 

Momentarily distracted by a leather waterskin almost sort of hidden behind him, she couldn’t help ask, “What’s in that? Did we forget to try something?”

“Hm?” He turned to see, then, “Oh, no. That’s not for you to try. Lo'ak said it’s lethal. Some insane concoction called Spir’ytüs.” 

Ayelýn looked affronted. “What do you mean not for me to try? I want to try it.”

“Sorry, gorgeous but no.” 

“All I’m asking is for a sip!”

“Lýn, you can barely handle the lightly fermented ones we make here.”

“Says who?!”

“Uh- says me? Says that one time you were stupid enough to have a competition with Rotxo and I had to carry you back to your parents inebriated and had to explain to them that it was in no way my fault, yet your father glared at me as if I had fed you every sip myself!”

“That was one time! You know I usually hold my spirits well!”

“Yeeah. I’m not taking any chances. Especially with something I haven’t tried yet.” 

Determination blazing through her gaze and boldness taking control, Lýn crossed over to his side, careful of the spread that separated them, and in the blink of an eye, she was planting herself in his lap, knees on either side of hips. 

At her shocking actions, Aonung worked his jaw, eyes flickering to her lips before returning to her eyes. “You’re playing a very dangerous game, Ayelýn.”

“Am I?” Her palms danced down his skin, starting from his shoulders, feathering down his chest to land flat against the hard panes of his stomach. They rounded his sides with clear intent on the pouch behind him. “Not if I win,” she whispered in his ear. 

Like lightning, he caught her wrists and clutched them in one hand. Her feeble protests died rather quickly when he lifted his knees- making her land exactly where he wanted. The jaw dropping shock on her face at the intimate feeling of him pressed up against her warm heat was worth the painful ache it came with. 

Lýn could do nothing but watch as he used his free hand to pop off the top of the waterskin and take a deep swig of its contents. 

He tried not to wince at the burn but failed- it was sickly sweet and definitely fucking potent. 

“I win,” he rasped, triumphant grin stretching wide and taunting as he tightened his hold on her wrists- not that he needed to, since the minx in his lap put up no fight. 

Never one to back down, Ayelýn arched her brow as if saying really? And then she surprised him yet again by leaning in and kissing him- tongue darting out to taste the essence of the sweet spirits lingering on his lips and tongue. 

She’d stolen her taste. 

It happened so fast, Aonung barely had time to register, because she was then leaning back with a satisfied smirk and smacking her lips with a pleased hum. 

“No… I think I, win.” 

But Aonung was quick to retaliate. Greedy and demanding, he devoured her with the type of kiss that had her dizzy within mere seconds. 

Wrists released, her hands framed his face as their lips and tongues danced- moving to a tune that worked in perfect symphony. 

“Stay,” he begged against her lips- finally asking that question he knew he shouldn’t be asking.

He chased after her when she tried to break their connection, stealing one last firm kiss before she managed to push him backwards. 

“Aonung, this is a bad idea.” 

Logically, he knew she was right.

It was a terrible idea. 

Eyes roaming over her, he licked his lips. At some point he had released the tie that kept her wild hair confined. She was stunning- swollen lips, flushed cheeks and fully blown pupils. 

He wanted to kiss her again. 

So he did. 

One hand tangled her hair, he angled her head and parted her lips with his own. And though he could still feel her lingering inner fight, she kissed him back just as feverishly. 

Lýn rolled her hips- a single, deep roll against the thick ridge of him that gave her the most delicious friction despite the layers separating them- one that gained her a staggering groan from Aonung.

“Do you have to get back tonight?”

“Anou-”

He didn’t want to face her rejection just yet, so he silenced her with another kiss- a kiss that made her tail and toes curl… a kiss that hurt her heart just a little bit. 

The incessant throbbing between her thighs had become overly unbearable and, aching for relief, Lýn gave in, encouraging his touch as his hands explored her skin. 

They skimmed up her thighs and squeezed her ass before traveling up her sides- calloused thumbs sweeping the underside of her breasts. 

A loud swear escaped him and his hips bucked when she rolled again- core rubbing deliberate and way too much for him to handle. He clamped a firm hand on her waist to prevent her from doing it again.

Unhappy about this, she smacked the hand away and he smacked her backside in response, tugging on her tail in warning for good measure. 

“Ayelýn, I’m going to come within seconds if you keep that up.”

“That sounds like a you problem.” She yelped at the tug of her hair and the stinging bite he left on her neck. 

“So mouthy,” he mused. 

“And you’re annoying,” she muttered with a nip of her own against his jaw.

But then, reality creeping in, alarming and loud in her head, Lýn’s mouth moved faster than her mind, spewing, “I’m not a play-thing.”

Aonung reared back to see her face. A flash of hurt crossed his features and despite how fast he’d schooled his expression, she still caught it. “Of course you're not… Where did that even come from?”

“I- I’m just saying… I don’t know what any of this is or what we’re doing, but I needed you to know that.”

“Lýn. You're not,” he emphasized.

She nodded, glad to have at least cleared that with him.

“And anyway… It’s- uh… been a while for me,” he admitted in a soft tone. “I don’t- I’m not that Aonung anymore. I’d hope you think so too.” 

She did think so. Aonung was so much more different than she’d realized. Different from the rumors… different from when they’d first met.  

“When you say a while…”

“Mmm, counting? Over a year…” He scratched his jaw. “Almost two by now since we’ve been together- well not together together-” he rambled. “You know what I mean.” 

“Oh.” Ayelýn turned the information around in her mind as she bit on the tip of her thumb.

He hadn’t been with a woman in that long? How? Why?

“Okay,” she finally said. “And to be clear, you want to-” she gestured between the two of them, “-with me?” 

“Yes,” he answered firmly, fingers toying with the string that kept her top in place. “It’s no pressure though. We’re just having fun, right?” 

“Fun.” 

“Mhmm.” He ducked his head to nose at that spot where her neck and jaw connected. With one tug of the string, the beaded thing covering her breasts fell into her lap. 

A shudder made her jerk in his arms and Lýn blamed it on a gust of wind. This time of year and this late out, the breeze could get nippy… It definitely wasn’t the way Aonung was mouthing at her flesh, or the way his thumbs brushed over her hardened nipples. 

Definitely not…

Fuck. 

“Okay,” she agreed breathlessly, head lulling backwards as his path trailed from her collarbones, to the tops of her chest that rose and fell in anticipation. “But just this one time and we don’t talk about it afterwards. Agreed?”

Aonung paused at her words. 

He didn’t want that. 

And instead of responding, he swallowed her nipple into his mouth. 

~

Sex with Aonung was not at all what Ayelýn imagined… and yes guilty- she had imagined this moment…. Many times actually. 

In the early days of their pretend courtship, a heartbroken woman named Zers’i had cornered Lýn, giving her a piece of her mind- accusing her of stealing the man she hoped she’d settle down with. 

By the end of the rant, Zers’i had turned from bitter and angry into a sobbing mess. And in the midst of Lýn, comforting the weeping woman on her shoulder, it led to an interesting revelation. 

“You’re going to have to do all the work. I- I guess I don’t feel so bad now,” the blubbering soul had stammered through tears. 

At the time, Ayelýn didn’t know what that meant, but with two other confrontations that bore similar remarks, she gathered that Aonung could be somewhat of a selfish lover. 

Yet here, in this moment as the stars watched over them, Aonung had ripped sounds from her lips she didn’t even know she could make. 

The man was ruthless in his pursuit to learn what she liked- mapping her body with his hands, lips, tongue… tail. 

He was far from selfish as he stayed buried between her thighs for Eywa knows how long, lapping and sucking while his fingers curled deep within her heat, causing delicious pleasure to consume her in wave after wave. 

Then, while she was mid recovery from another glorious orgasm, he was rearing onto his knees, lifting her calf over his shoulder and thrusting into her in one fluid stroke- right the the hilt. 

That first time, the burning stretch and his pace was brutal. 

Skin slapping on skin he took her hard and fast, practically contouring her body to his will as profanity fell from his lips like a prayer. He really didn’t last long at all and he even apologized for it when he dropped down next to her to catch his breath. 

Post orgasmic haze, his lips were everywhere, peppering her with sweet, playful kisses as he whispered things that made her blush.

“Not so mouthy now, are you?”

“You make the prettiest sounds when you come.”

“Will you let me taste you again?”

“...You’re beautiful.”

Eager to have her own way with him, she had slithered between his thighs, mouth watering at the sight of him coated in her arousal. 

Lýn was pretty sure dicks weren’t supposed to look pretty. She guessed he must have been an exception. 

He was quite impressive even though he was half hard. She wouldn’t tell him that though, she was sure it would only go to his head, especially judging by the stupid smirk he’d given her as she took him in. 

Lýn enjoyed teasing him. Within seconds of her little playful strokes and licks, he was fully erect and leaking all over her hand. His stomach hollowed out and his moans and grunts were loud as her head bobbed- mouth taking him deeper and deeper down her throat each time she came up for air. 

And when the cusp of his impending release came near, he was sitting up, impatiently pulling her up his body by the hair and kissing her with such passion, she was on the verge of combusting. 

Drenched between her thighs from her own arousal and his release from earlier, he slipped in with ease, sliding her down his length until she took him all- back bowing because at this angle, the man was impossibly deep. 

Eyes locked in unspoken intensity, they released quiet breathy sighs as they relished in the feeling of him seated inside her- deep and full and tight and warm. 

Limbs folded around each other and lips meeting halfway, they rocked slowly, fucking in a way that didn’t feel like fucking at all. 

Aonung planted kisses on her temple and her cheek and jaw, hands smoothing over every inch of skin he could find while Lýn clung to him- tiny murmurs and mewls escaping her.

They moved in tandem, deliberate rolls and grinds that weren’t rushed or hurried as they climbed higher and higher- the build up so profound and fervent, a few tears sprang to Lýn’s eyes. 

“Fuck, I’m going to come soon.” He licked away the lone teardrop that escaped her, and she tasted the salt on his tongue when he parted her lips with it. “Come with me, gorgeous. Please.”

She nodded and led one of his hands between them, showing him what she wanted- clit needing attention for her to get there. 

It was tempting to increase their rhythm, to want rock harder or move faster, but they both kept their pace, gradually getting to that peak that swelled and blossomed until they neared that break.

Rhythm eventually growing erratic, then faltering, Aonung hid his face- nose pressed into Lýn’s cheek as his fingers tightened their hold- in her hair at her nape, the others circling her clit. 

Ayelýn came with a soft cry and a full body spasm, trembling as she felt his warmth spread inside her. She moaned into Aonung’s mouth- his own groans accompanying hers.

Pleasure thrumming throughout her body, he continued to grind into her- drawing little aftershocks and whimpers from her. 

Both limbless and exhausted, they collapsed against the mats beneath them. 

Aonung slipped out from between her legs and Lýn made a face at the gush of mess slowly escaping her. Though, she was too worn out to care to do anything about it. Eywa, there was so much of it. 

Arm draped around her waist, Aonung kissed her forehead and whispered something she didn’t make out. She squirmed closer, and made a home in his arms, content to use a bicep as a pillow and to squish her face into the space below his shoulder.

And in the quiet of their shelter, the sounds of rolling waves lulled them into calm.

Aonung did not find rest easily that night. While Lýn slept, his thoughts plagued him. Knuckles running down her spine, he held her close… 

Something he’d never done with anyone before. 

Aongung didn’t do cuddling. 

He didn’t do soft and sweet fucking.

And he definitely didn’t do night overs.

He sighed and squeezed his eyes shut, hoping his thoughts would grow tired.

Ayelýn confused him. 

He knew he liked her. He hadn’t realized just how deep, however. The way in which this woman had wormed her way into his constant thoughts, terrified him.

A small dark part of him- a lingering remnant of the old Aonung, thought that fucking her would get her out of his system. 

They’d fucked alright, yet here he was, holding her because he still couldn’t get enough. She was no longer only in his thoughts.

She had seeped into his veins…

Into his heart.

Giving up on his inner struggle, he decided to literally give up. He was done fighting this. 

Done fighting them. 

Cupping her neck he held her to him as quiet prayers to Eywa left his lips, whispers buried into Ayelýn’s hair. 

~

When morning broke, neither of them spoke about it. 

And in the following hours that turned into days that turned to weeks, neither acknowledged the evident shift between them.  

~

Eywa. 

Please give me calm, give me strength. 

Ayelýn blew out another shaky breath. She was a nervous wreck this morning. 

Tail twitching behind her, she made yet another wrong turn along a bouncing pathway… Maybe it was deliberate? Maybe it was her body’s way of protecting her from what was to come. 

Eywa. She really didn’t want to do this.  

Throughout her journey, Lýn kept a look out for a familiar mountain of a man who she couldn’t seem to find anywhere. Of all days, this was not a day for him to be missing! 

Despite her obvious prolonging, she couldn’t stall any further or else she’d be late, and after final, futile efforts, she at least felt some ounce of relief when she spotted Aonung’s sister. 

“Tsireya!” she called out. 

“Ayelýn!” the woman chirped in pleasant surprise, walking over to meet her halfway. “Are you looking for my brother?”

“Well, yes and no. I was hoping to catch him for a moment.”

“He’s out on a hunt. Won’t be back till late.”

“Oh.” That was disappointing to hear. 

“What’s wrong?”

Lýn licked her lips and tried not to grimace. “My presence has been requested. Your mother summoned me,” she revealed. 

Tsireya appeared unaffected by the news, though she did pick up on Lýn’s nervousness. “I had a feeling this would happen eventually. I told my brother as much… He’s so stubborn,” she muttered with a fond shake of her head. 

“Why does she want to see me then? I was just told to come here.” 

“Sa'nok has been asking Aonung to have you come by for a while now and he’s been swimming around it,” Tsireya explained. “She thinks he keeps you purposely away from her and I’m guessing she’s had enough… and of course she’d choose the day he was on an all day hunt.”

“Ah. I see.” Lýn weighed her options, then, “Reya, I have no clue what to say to her… the few times we’ve interacted were- weird and awkward and honestly, I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“Lýn, trust me, you’ll be fine. She simply wants to get to know you. She did the same thing with my Lo’ak.”

That did ease away some of Ayelýn’s nerves. 

Tsireya took her hand and squeezed it in comfort. “And just a secret between you and me… if she offers you to stay for a meal with her, it means she definitely approves.”

~ 

Ayelýn tried not to squirm, but sitting before an intimidating Ronal would make just about anyone uncomfortable. 

They’d been sitting in silence ever since she’d arrived and Lýn decided to cope by focusing on her surroundings while Ronal continued to study her. After all, every nook of the Tsahìk’s marui had something curious to see. 

“What is your appointed position in your village, Ayelýn?”

Lýn startled, not only from the sudden break in their long, suffering silence, but also from the question. 

By now, it was no secret what her role in the clan was. Ayelýn had gotten her fair share of snickers and stray comments and at one feast only a couple days ago, she had to pull away a snarling Aonung when he’d overheard a group of women bad mouthing her and her scrubber status. 

The Tsahìk had also been present and seated nearby and Lýn had even caught her watching the ordeal in great interest. 

“I’m a scrubber, Tsahìk.” 

“Hm. Do you enjoy it?” 

“I don’t think anyone enjoys being a scrubber,” Lyn answered honestly. “But it is work, and I am diligent about it.” 

Ronal appeared to think before she spoke again.

“Should you have the opportunity, what would you prefer to be doing then?” 

“Oh- no, I-”

“T’is only a question, child. Won’t you humor a curious woman?”

“Ah… I- I suppose I’ve always had an interest in mending things.” Lýn held in a chuckle, remembering her first meeting with Aonung and his mortified reaction to her canoe. “Though I don’t believe I’d be any good at it given my lack of skill.”

“Skill can be easily learnt,” Ronal said, helping herself to a sip of her brewed seaweed and herb tea. “If I’m not mistaken, Hythspon is finally considering getting an apprentice- I believe you know him? Perhaps you might be interested in taking the position? I can put in a good word for you, if you’d like.”

Ayelýn sat up straighter. “Truly? I- thank you, Tsahìk… I will give it some thought.” 

“You should… It means, you’d also be closer to Aonung since you’d have to move to Awa’atlu.”

Unsure how to respond to that, Ayelýn mashed her lips together and gave a small nod. 

“My son does not realize it, but he speaks a great deal about you. I, however, am interested in getting to know the women he intends to mate and bring into our family, for myself... So tell me.” Ronal sat back expectantly. 

Lýn frowned. “What exactly would you like to know?”

“Everything, my dear. Everything. You will not be Tsahìk- since my Reya is next in line, but if and when you and my son do mate, you will be the mate of the Metkayina’s future Olo'eyktan. It is my duty to know who that woman is… So tell me, everything.”

And so, Lýn spoke as Ronal asked her question after question. 

She was asked about her family and her completed rites; Keftxo, her childhood, her likes and dislikes, what her values were and what she did in her free time. Ronal asked her what she envisioned for her future, even how many children she wanted to have.

With each question, they became more direct and personal and Ayelýn felt her walls going up and panic bubble in her chest. Her body was so rigid and tense, she had to force herself to unclench her jaw, to uncurl her tail and to give her shoulders the occasional roll. 

When requested, Ayelýn recounted the story of how she and Aonung first met and then Ronal asked her a question she had been dreading the most. 

“Aonung won’t say, but when do you believe you two will take the next step? I am keen to have the meeting of the two families. Tonowari and I have been lenient. We gave Aonung a year, it has now been almost two. I understand this must be a bit difficult for you, but… it has been long enough.”

Stunned, Ayelýn fiddled with the end of her tail, then, catching herself, she stopped. “We will discuss it, Tsahìk,” she feebly promised. 

“That is all I ask,” she said. “You may continue to court of course, there is no pressure to make the mating bond just yet.” 

Tension eased from Lýn’s shoulders at that.

“But, you have to understand, we need to know for certain whether or not this is a secure match,” she explained with surprising gentleness. 

“I understand.” 

“Good… Now tell me, Ayelýn. Are you happy in your courtship with my son? Truly?”

“Yes. He-” Lýn cleared her throat. “I am happy… He makes me happy.” 

“Hmm.” Ronal’s unwavering eyes made Lýn uncomfortable. “I must speak my mind when I say I was quite surprised by my son’s choice of you.”

Feeling another wall of guardedness shift into place, Lýn clenched her jaw. “Because I am a scrubber from Keftxo?” 

Surprise clouded Ronal’s features for a fraction of a second. “Oh goodness, no. Nothing to do with that. If anything I am baffled as to why you- a woman with her head on her shoulders- are with my Aonung- given how he can be.” 

“How he- can be? Forgive me, Tsahìk, but don’t understand.”

“Aonung is… subversive. He is wild and brash- rude. He is selfish in nature and is reckless with his life.  As his mother, I want nothing more than for him to see that he is destined to do great things.”

Lýn’s heart thundered in her chest. She should have bit her tongue but it was quicker to release. “Your son is already doing great things.”

Ronal regarded the woman before her. Gone was the fidgeting, nervous slip of a Na’vi. Ayelýn was livid. 

“You don’t agree with me?” she asked, mildly amused.

“No. No, I don’t. Aonung is defined by none of those descriptions.” 

“Oh?”

“Tsahìk, my apologies for speaking out of turn but- Aonung is bold, and kind. He is brave and he may seem selfish at times like you say but he would put his own life in danger for the help of others. He is brash and rude but he is also funny and sweet and charming- and he wants nothing more than your approval of him. He wants you and his father to see him- not as a constant disappointment but as your son…. He’s a good leader, he has heart and strength and the people love him!

“And yes he has his flaws- Don’t we all?! But he is our future Olo'eyktan- his mistakes no matter how big or small are seen as monumental in anyone else's eyes. He’s allowed to make mistakes, he’s allowed to learn from them and not have them constantly thrown back in his face... Like anyone else, he’s allowed to be forgiven…. Especially by his parents.”

Silence followed.

An awestruck appearance of realization formed on the Tsahìk’s face and Lýn braced herself for Ronal’s wrath.

“You speak with such passion for Aonung. I had not realized you were in love with my son.”

Ayelýn released a shaky breath. Not outrightly disagreeing with the statement, she didn’t correct it either. 

Since her mother’s slip of the word love a little over a month ago, she’d had sufficient time to dwell and think. 

At every attempt to reason away the absurdity, Lýn had failed. 

She was in love with Aonung. 

Through and through. 

Flaws and all. 

“We are courting, Tsahìk. Of course I care deeply for him.”

“For someone like Aonung with a commitment to his clan, courting has nothing to do with love, child. It is a path to secure a match in the end. You may care deeply, yes, but finding love in courtship for him is a gift. As leaders, courtship means duty, honor, security.”

Lýn bit her lip. She finally understood the pressures Aonung face day after day.

“Then, as a leader whose duty is for the clan- their needs, their happiness… Doesn’t Aonung deserve that too? You speak of love as this surprising gift between a match. But… can’t he just want to find love for himself?”

Ronal’s lips twitched and instead of answering, she asked her own questions. “Does my son know? Does he know how deep your feelings for him fall?”

“...No.”

“And will you tell him?”

Ayelýn’s head bowed, wordlessly answering the question. 

“Pity… Well. There is still time, no?” The Tsahìk uncovered a platter. “I am famished. Would you like to join me for lunch, Ayelýn?”

Staring stunned at the spread, when Lýn glanced up, Ronal was smiling. 

The type of smile that told Ayelýn she’d passed some kind of test. 

~

Hello friends! 💛

Firstly, I promise you, I tried so many others, but that's the title that happened to stick for this part... and on the topic, I hope the smut was alright... Hehe.

This part got way too long, so I split it into two. The next one coming out will be the final part. *Fingers Crossed*

As always, please let me know what you think.

~

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[poppyseed1031]

Courting Ayelýn

Series Listing Found Here

Aonung x Original Na'vi Female Character

Summery: Pressured by his parents to enter a formal courtship, Aonung rebels in his own way and what starts as a ruse, turns into something real. 

Note before reading: This is a spin off of my Safe Haven Series.

Reading Safe Haven is not necessary to follow this story.

Some characters have been aged up. Aonung in particular is 25.

Ayelýn is my own creation. *Pronounced Aye-Lin

Warning!! This part contains spice.

~

Part 3 - When They Pretended

“Hmm. What about her?”

“Where?”

“The tall, pouty one by the fire who’s glanced in our direction a total of three- no four times in the last minute.” The female was openly glaring at Ayelýn now. “Oh, she doesn’t seem happy with me at all.”

“Mm, maybe.” Aonung answered dismissively. 

“Eywa,” Lýn snickered. “Definitely her. Skxawng, just how many hearts have you broken, hm? I’m starting to lose count.”

“Not my fault,” he mumbled into her hair, his breath tickling the tip of her ear. “They all knew nothing more would happen after.”

It had gradually become a sort of game between the two of them. By now, Ayelýn had attended numerous clan gatherings, feasts and ceremonies as his formal courting partner- during which she’d sometimes guess whether or not he’d slept and or fooled around with her pick of a random female. 

While definitely not tasteful in the least, it had only started out of pure boredom on her part, sprinkled with a bit of curiosity each time she received an ugly sneer or muttered curse or even an outright confrontation from an upset, jealous female that thankfully at one time, Lo’ak and Rotxo were there to intervene. 

And Aonung being Aonung- shameless about his past entanglements, usually entertained the game, mostly by engaging her with cocky remarks and teasing that sometimes- always made Lýn blush. 

Tonight however, he was reserved. 

Lýn frowned at this. “What? No overly snarky comeback?”

With his chest pressed against her back, his arms tightened around her, and, head falling to the side, he nuzzled his face into the juncture of her neck. “Not tonight.” 

Forgetting about the game, she turned in the circle of his arms to face him, earning a disgruntled noise of disapproval from him losing his comfortable spot. 

Upon her arrival a little while ago, she’d been pulled between his thighs as he leaned- half stood, half sat against a mangrove root and she’d been there ever since- not that she was really putting up much of a fight.

In the months they’d been playing pretend, they’d gotten quite good with their act. Their physical affections had become more of a habit rather than a necessity and their arguments turned bickering, tethered the line of excessive flirtation.

“That’s a first,” she said. “What’s with you tonight?” 

“My hunting party went way past the boarders every night this week. Guess I’m just tired.” 

“Oh.” Fiddling idly with the talon hanging around his neck, Lýn wondered whether she should leave. But she had just arrived though. The dancing hadn’t even begun yet for tonight’s celebrations. 

“Oh?” he voiced, catching her serious expression. 

“It’s- Well, you’ve been spending most of your days at Keftxo. Hunts at night- not to mention your other responsibilities… When exactly do you sleep?” she wondered, feeling a little guilty. He was only coming to Keftxo after all, because of her.  

Aonung cocked his head to the side with a soft smile. “There you go again… worrying about me.”

Eyes fiery, she jutted her jaw. “Well someone has too!” she snapped. “Three weeks ago, somebody stabbed himself with a fishhook and didn’t even bother to get it tended to. The cut would have gotten infected if I hadn’t stepped in!”

“Accidentally stabbed, gorgeous. Accidentally.”

She ignored him. “And then last week, you thought it was a good idea to go exploring during a storm. A storm, Aonung.”

“I didn’t go!” he exclaimed in defense. “Your nagging was enough to make any man go crazy.”

“My nagging probably saved your life,” she muttered. “How exactly have you survived this long without me?”

“That’s an excellent question.” 

Her comment was meant as a joke, but seeing his face scrunched up as though he were actually considering the question, made her chortle and smack him playfully. 

“Speaking of sleep, you’re not sleeping either, I see.” 

Her brows narrowed up at him. “How’d you know?”

Without responding, his hand framed her jaw and a thumb brushed under her left eye. She shivered from his intimate touch and silently cursed the wretched dark circles for giving her away. 

“You need to sleep, Lýn. Otherwise you’ll be cranky and snippy more than usual and though I have yet to lure you into my bed, you’d most definitely try to smother me in my sleep like you’re always threatening.” 

There was the teasing bastard she knew and despised.  

“You have a really punchable face. Did you know that?” she asked sweetly, making him toss his head back with a loud bark of laughter that earned them many stares. 

“Have you been speaking with Lo’ak again?” 

“Yes,” she confirmed. “In fact,” she continued, “I think I’ll daydream about doing just that right before I sleep tonight.” She made a pretend, dramatically slow swing for his face but he caught it. “Might just do the trick. No?”

Aonung’s eyes darkened and Ayelýn knew she’d just set herself up. 

“Gorgeous, I know of a few other things you can think of that might work a lot better for you,” he taunted, voice low and deep as he teasingly made her palm run down the length of his chest.

Her hand was stopped precariously low near his tweng, making her inhale sharply. 

It was not the first time they’d found themselves treading in dangerous waters, but it was getting harder every time to hide just how affected she was. 

She smacked him and squirmed when his tail curled around her calf with no intention of releasing her. “Enough with the flirting, skxawng.” Turning serious when he released a wide yawn, she poked his side. “I know it’s still early, but you should probably rest. I can g-” 

His hands tightened around her hips as though she were about to leave. “I’ll survive. Stay.”

“Aonung,” Rotxo called low as he approached them. “Heads up, brother, but Ezly is here tonight.”

Aonung cursed and Ayelýn perked up in interest, especially when he hugged her closer and began to scan the crowd of Na’vi from over her head. 

“Who is Ezly?”

“No one.”

Palms flat against the panes of his stomach, she pushed off him and perched on a high mangrove root beside an amused Rotxo. 

“Come back here, Lýn,” he ordered grumpily. “Ayelýn.” 

“Shush. I am talking to my friend Rotxo.”

“Everytime we hang out, I think I like you a little more each time, Lýn.”

“The fuck-”

“Aw, Rotxo. That’s so sweet,” Lýn responded, ignoring Aonung’s mumbling theatrics. “I like you too."

“Have I gone invisible?” Aonung muttered to himself. 

“So, you were saying, Ro’? Who is Ezly?” 

The man snorted, then hesitated as though realizing who he was talking to exactly. His eyes flickered to his best friend then back to Ayelýn’s inquisitive ones. 

“Ez is from the Nanlu village and she uh… strongly believes that she and Aonung are meant to be. She’s overly persistent about it and it’s a pain for us all whenever she visits.”

“Persistent is putting it kindly,” Aonung snarked, arms folded as he sulked. 

“She’s quite terrifying,” Rotxo admitted. “Even Aonung thinks so.” 

Lýn laughed. “She can’t be that bad.” When neither man cracked a smile, her face fell. “Oh.”

And when Lo’ak showed up ten minutes later with a panicked, “Psycho bitch alert!” Rotxo scrambled and disappeared behind the omaticaya man while Ayelýn suddenly found herself accosted by a wall of muscle and a delicious wave of what was starting to become her favourite scent in the world. 

“Hi.”

“Hi?” she squeaked, mildly amused by the odd change in his behavior, hands automatically resting on his forearms… She liked his arms. 

“Do you remember when you told me about your list of rules?” 

“My rul- Wh-” Brain gone frazzled, she failed to comprehend his words… Most likely because she found herself desperately trying to not erupt into flames from the scorching palm that suddenly wrapped rather possessively around her upper thigh. 

Legs dangling, her knees bracketed his hips and although she was very accustomed to his familiar touch by now, this… this had her feeling flushed and bothered and very tempted to do something foolish. 

“Lýn, are you with me?” he asked, either unaware of the effect he was having on her or too distracted to care. “I’m going to kiss you.” 

That snapped her out of her haze. 

“You will not! My rules were clear and-”

“It’s one kiss, Ayelýn.” 

“Because of Ezline?”

“Ezly,” he corrected. “And yes. She’ll back off once she notices that I’m preoccupied.”

“I am not going to kiss you just because you couldn’t keep your dick in your tweng. This Elza or whoever is your problem, not mine.”

He grinned wickedly and leaned in further. “Oh? Well one- my dick loves when you talk about him-” She made a disgusted face but he continued, “-and two. I never slept with Ezly.”

“One- yuck and two, then why is she so obsessed with you?”

“Okay. Okay. I know what it is. I know why you won’t kiss me.”

“What?”

Aonung nodded sympathetically. “You’re a bad kisser. That’s why.”

Her jaw dropped. “I’m-” She scoffed. “I’m not a bad kisser, you skxawng!”

“Really? Then prove it, gorgeous. Or is the sight of my face really that repulsive?”

“You’re trying to trick me.”

“Nope. I'm a simple man, standing here, begging you to give me one measly, little peck.” 

“You’re begging? Ha! History has been made. Shall I tell the tale at the next storytelling gathering?” 

“Funny.” He pinched her side making her yelp in the middle of her snicker. 

“I can’t believe you pinched me!”

“I’ll kiss it better later. Now would you do me this one favor?”

“I’m doing you quite a lot of favors already, if you didn’t notice!”

They were so close now, their noses brushed- him so freakishly gigantic that he hovered over her even though she sat on a high mangrove root.

“Is she really so bad?” 

“The worse. You are my only hope,” he mumbled dramatically. His voice rumbled deep and Ayelýn shivered, making him grin. 

“Aonung! Aonung!” a shrill voice called from nearby. 

Aonung froze and in response so did Ayelýn.

“Is that-” 

“Ayelýn, p-” 

And without another thought, she cupped his cheeks and fused their lips together. 

~

Now Aonung had had his fair share of kisses in life… but-

Kissing Ayelýn was- 

Fuck. 

Aonung’s brain went completely blank. Tense muscles relaxing, he sank into it as the sounds of the clan surrounding them turned mute. 

It was just him and her. 

Slow and sweet. 

And perfect. 

To his pleasant surprise, her tongue ventured first, curiously sliding along his bottom lip- and damn if it wasn’t hot when she found his own and sucked. 

He almost hated that she wasn’t wrong- she was a fucking fantastic kisser and he never wanted them stop. 

She was gentle yet demanding and when he won their battle for dominance and deepened their kiss, the sound she made went right to his dick. He didn’t even care that she most definitely could feel it either- rapidly growing hard and pressed up against her stomach- and far too intimate.

Ayelýn didn’t know how long they’d been at it- truthfully, part of her didn’t care, but eventually her lungs began begging for air and her lips were slowly turning numb. Breaking the kiss first with a deep gasp, she mewled, fingers digging into his biceps when Aonung dived for her throat, unable to help himself. 

As though he’d been deprived of a great gift and couldn’t seem to grapple with restraint and self control, he was ruthless. The hand on her thigh burned a path of heat against her skin as it travelled higher, landing on her ribs, thumb brushing just under her left breast. The other held her in place by the nape.  

He wanted her. Badly. 

“Ah- Aonung!” Ayelýn rasped. Dizzy, her stifled moan came out as a needy whimper when he sucked at her pulse. Eywa. “I- I think Ezla’s gone,” she managed. 

And then just like that, when he’d registered her words, he suddenly felt cold and very, very tired. 

~

In the few weeks that followed, Lýn’s mood plummeted. She’d deduced that it was most likely because she hadn’t spent much time with Aonung. 

When exactly that became a thing… She wasn’t quite sure. 

And in truth, while they weren’t exactly spending time together, she still technically had been seeing him around- almost every other day in fact, sometimes multiple days in a row.  

He’d been spending most of his free time at Keftxo for the past month and some. Leading a team consisting of members from both Awa’atlu and Keftxo- Ayelýn’s father included, their little village was slowly changing before her eyes. 

Ayelýn didn’t think that Aonung would take her request so seriously, much less he himself work alongside the others… but everytime she caught sight of him scaling high to help weave a ceiling into place, or pull hard on ropes- she knew would cause blisters- to secure a new doc, her heart melted a little more and her feelings for him grew. 

That was another new discovery she’d been battling with. She didn’t know the exact moment it happened, only that one day she found herself wondering what it would feel like if their situation were different… were real. 

At first, she’d brushed it off. 

It was a stupid crush she’d told herself. 

But then the skxawng had somehow convinced her to kiss him, and well, it had been no help. If anything, it made things worse. It took everything within her to stop the kiss, and even more, it was taking everything within her to guard her heart. 

They were on a timeline that had an end date…

He wasn’t hers to keep.

~

“You’re avoiding me,” she finally snapped one evening as she dried her freshly washed face.

Ayelýn had had a long, grueling day of work. Her fingers ached, she was tired and coming home to find him sitting at her family’s table as if he belonged there had only soured her mood even further.  

Aonung’s attention flickered to her for a fleeting second while two other pairs of eyes stared at her- wide and innocent. 

“That’s dumb. Why would he be here if he were avoiding you?” Kaiiff asked, nose wrinkled in confusion as he, Aonung and Khalhan continued to tinker away at some foreign object. “You live here, Lýn.”

“Kaii has a point,” the skxawng smirked. 

Ayelýn made an unimpressed noise. “Kaiiff, Khalhan. Go play outside, please.”

Khalhan had already gotten to his feet from the request but Lýn’s littler brother protested. “Wh- but Aonung is hanging out with us! Can’t you yell at him for whatever it is, later?”

“Kaiiff!”

“Fine!” the eight year old hollered. Then to Aonung, “If you survive, don’t finish our project without us.”

Aonung raised his hands at the bossy order. “Promise, I won't.”

The second the two boys left, Ayelýn was demanding answers. “Is this about the kiss?” 

His head snapped towards her. “The… the kiss?” 

Oh that got his attention alright. 

“No, it’s-”

“What else should I think it is then?” Her arms folded and her hip cocked. 

“It’s not! Eywa. You’re overreacting, woman.” 

“Am I? Look me in the eye and tell me you’ve not been avoiding me because of that.”

He couldn’t. 

“See, I knew we shouldn’t have-”

“Ayelýn, will you stop! The kiss didn’t even mean anything! It was nothing but a stupid mistake.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. Realistically she knew that, but his words still stung. “A mistake.” No. It hurt. “You asked me to, Aonung.”

“Well. Now, I’m thinking I shouldn't have.”

“...Right.” 

He blew out a tired breath as he stood. “I’m going to head home, it’s getting late.”

“Yeah- okay,” she nodded, shifting to the side to let him pass. Better that than throttling him like she so very much wanted to. 

“I’ll see you next week, Lýn.”

But she didn’t want to wait until next week… Her fingers snagged his own before he could get any further.

“Aonung.” Voice soft in vulnerability, her eyes were almost pleading. “I hate this… I hate this.” 

“Fuck,” he whispered tiredly. He was such a scum. He was hurting her. Aonung pulled her into his arms and she just about melted into his embrace in relief. “I’m such a skxawng, Ayelýn.”

“The biggest,” she agreed, words muffled into his chest as she squeezed him tight. “Swear,” she continued. “You’re behaving like an idiot teenager who’s just gotten their first kiss and doesn’t know how to handle it. And we both know you’ve had your fair share. I thought we were friends, Aonung. You can’t treat me like that.”

“We are friends, and I’m sorry. Though it really wasn’t about the kiss,” he lied again. “And to be fair, I think you kissed the stupid out of me.” 

“Oh no, there’s definitely a whole lot of stupid in you still,” she rebutted, making him cackle. “Stupid you, stupid me and that stupid kiss.”

He snickered, and tickled her side. “Take that back. Our kiss wasn’t stupid. And I told you, it wasn’t the kiss.”

Ayelýn’s chin poked a pectoral when she gave him a look that read, I don’t believe you, you big stupid liar. “Do you not remember just saying it was a mistake?”

Giving a hesitant nod, his jaw ticked. “I- Lýn, I shouldn’t have said that. I was… upset.” 

“With me?”

He twirled a lock of her messy hair. It was always tangled and wild after a long day of work… he liked it like this. “No. No, not with you… with myself. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”

For the past few days, Aonung had been trying to decide whether or not he should continue with this farce of a plan he’d concocted. Ayelýn had him spiralling and feelings he had no damn right feeling for her stirred inside of him, all bittersweet and confusing. 

He went about dealing with it the wrong way of course. Avoiding the woman he had so clearly grown real feelings for however, only intensified what he felt. And with that distance, he missed her which then made him even more moody and dickish. 

Aonung had missed her pretty scowl and her insults and their banter. And this… Their casual- turned intimate touching was nothing but comfort and safety for him. 

‘When this is all over, I don't know what I’ll do with myself,’ he kept thinking. What was he going to do without her? 

“So, if it wasn’t about the kiss, what was it then?”

“Look, maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t about that,” he admitted.

“It’s a simple yes or no question, Aonung!”

“No. Believe me, gorgeous, it is anything but! Not when it comes to you.”

“What is that even supposed to mean?” she frowned. “Remind me to never kiss you again- unless I want you to ignore me for another two weeks,” she grumbled. 

Contemplating her words, his tongue poked his cheek. Then, as if coming to a decision, mirth danced in his eyes and his signature smirk grew. “What if I prove it to you?”

“Prove what?”

“That it wasn’t- the kiss.”

It damn well was the fucking kiss. Who was he trying to fool?

Catching his meaning, her mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out. They were still hugging, and although the man was gigantic, his shoulders were slumped, allowing his face to hover precariously close to hers. 

“What do you say, hm?”

“You want to kiss me again…” she said slowly, as if trying to understand. 

“Yes.”

“To prove that it… wasn’t the kiss?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes fell to his lips. She wondered what it would be like to run her tongue over the cute spot he had resting just above. 

“That’s a dumb idea. Better yet, that's the worst idea you’ve ever had.”

“We’ve already established that I am, in fact, a skxawng, gorgeous. I don’t know why you’re so surprised.”

That made her laugh. Only it ended on a nervous note.

“You’re overthinking, aren’t you?”

“No,” she lied and as if determined to not back down, she jerked her chin stubbornly. “Do it then.” 

“Yeah?” he breathed in surprise, thumb already running along her jaw as he inched closer. 

“Yeah,” she answered just as quietly as he. 

Their feet moved, almost like a slow dance as he walked her backwards until she was pressed up along a beam. 

He made the first move this time, claiming control of her lips so she didn’t have another second to think. 

She was grateful, because she was instead suddenly focused on the intense heat rippling through her body. Starting with her lips and traveling downward, her nipples tingled, pebbling in want before the serge roamed lower, pulsing between her thighs. 

They broke apart far too soon for her liking- her licking her lips unconsciously and sucking in a shaky breath of air. And him- blinking as though he were making sure she was real- that she was indeed, actually there. 

“Well?”

“Well what?” she asked in a wobbly tone that betrayed her, showing him just how affected she was. 

“Mm. You don’t look convinced enough to me.” His nose nudged hers affectionately, one big hand curled low on her hip, the other cupping her cheek while his tail slid around her calf. 

“No?” 

“Not even a little.”

And instead of stopping him like the sane part of her mind was nagging her to, she greedily leaned in for another kiss, this time pressing up onto the balls of her feet, desperately seeking more.

Before she could complain about how freakishly tall he was, Aonung was hoisting her up. She squealed in surprise as strong arms hooked under her thighs, but she wasn’t complaining, and in response her legs wrapped around his back, encouraging his actions. 

Teeth and tongues and lips moving in sync, their kiss intensified. 

Aonung swallowed her shocked gasp when he bit her bottom lip, his low growl of appreciation sending a deadly vibration straight to her core. 

Eywa. The man could kiss. 

Back arching, her hips bucked on their own accord. Once, twice and then she was grinding, cursing in annoyance when there was no friction found. 

“Aonung.” 

“Mhmm? Frustrated, gorgeous?” he murmured in taunt against her throat, biting a bruising kiss that would no doubt leave a mark. “Need something?” 

She smacked him with her tail. “Such a damn skxawng.” 

“A skxawng, who has you making some very pretty sounds,” he teased in agreement, licking her pulse. 

As if proving his point, when kissed her again, she moaned into his mouth- a sweet melodic hum that had him straining in his loincloth. He loved that sound. He wanted to hear it again and again. 

His hands roamed. Finding and squeezing her ass, he encouraged her frenzied efforts to turn into a slow, needy rhythm- her core rubbing against his hard stomach. Eywa. Her moans were driving him wild! Everything about her drove him wild. 

“Can you come like this?”

“What? N-no, I don’t thi- ah!” She yelped when she was suddenly dropped- core landing directly onto a thigh… a thick, toned thigh. “Ohh, Great Mother…”

“Just Aonung will do,” he quipped, reaching behind to tug her tail. 

She mewled sweetly as he moved her hips for her-  his thigh hard and warm and pressing up against her clit fucking deliciously. 

“How about now, gorgeous? Think you can come for me?” 

“Maybe, I-” She hissed at the sting of his nipping teeth. “Maybe I can.”

“That sounds like a yes to me.”

Like clay in his hands, he manipulated her to his liking. With her feet dangling off the ground and hips and ass in his hands, Aonung did all the work- playing her like an instrument.  

Kisses sinful and bruising and clit dragging just right, the build up was fast, blinding, intense. 

It was mildly terrifying to a degree when the cusp of her orgasm began to swell- panic taking hold of her. “Ohhh- Ngh. I’m gonna c- Wait, wait!” 

Aonung kissed her, effectively distracting her panic away. Her body shook beneath his hands, trembling as she broke. She came with sweet, sweet noises that mingled with his own soft groans.

As she caught her breath, he peppered her with gentle pecks- lips, chin and down the length of her neck, toward those little breasts he wanted to lavish.

When clarity emerged from the fog in her brain, she hid her face, palms muffling her disbelieving moan. “I can’t believe I just did that,” she groaned, shuddering from a rippling aftershock. 

“Do you normally not come or something?” Aonung asked, shifting her onto his other thigh. He grunted when he accidentally brushed against her. His poor dick hadn’t had a woman's touch in nearly a year now, no surprise it was painfully begging for her attention. 

She peered up at him incredulously. “I come just fine, you skxawng,” she snapped, unsure whether she should laugh or not. “But I’m talking about the fact that we- ”

“And when you say just fine. Is this by yourself? With someone els- wait, wait… Do you have a playmate I don’t know about?” 

His teasing tone had turned into one of jealousy and his expression was so serious that it made Lýn burst into laughter. She had a feeling he was doing it all on purpose- and it was effective. He probably knew she would be overthinking and panicking over what they’d just done. 

“Aonung, you’re incorrigible.”

“And you,” he hummed, pecking her lips between his words, “are gorgeous and sweet and oh so dangerously, deliciously tempting.”

She melted and returned his gentle affections, lips grazing the corners of his mouth before kissing his chin.

“Still haven’t answered my question though.” 

“Aonung. You know my routines better than anyone else by now. I work all day and then all my free time is taken up by you or my family. How could you possibly think I have the time for a-”

Rendered speechless by his lips for the umpteenth time, she giggled at his eagerness. Their kiss this time was a playful fight for dominance, full of nips and teasing bites and wandering hands.   

So entangled and focused on each other, they both took no notice when a poor, none the wiser, Bwena came strolling in. Her arms were laden with baskets of produce- freshly caught fish, fruit, and seeded grain all collected from the village’s communal stock and some rare herbs she’d bartered for with passing a trader from the Tipani clan. 

A soft gasp and quiet call to the Great Mother fell from her lips at the sight of Aonungs back- and the legs wrapped around it. “Oh Eywa…” Then, she admonished a rather loud, “Ayelýn!” 

“Sa'nok!” Ayelýn squeaked- a squeal following when Aonung almost dropped her. 

They scrambled to right themselves and Aonung thanked all that had power in the universe that his raging bulge had simmered to hideable and unnoticeable. He still purposely kept Ayelýn to his front and was able to discreetly adjust himself. He very much did not need to scare the poor unsuspecting woman any further. 

From the threshold, Bwena shook her head disappointedly. “I must say, I am very surprised at the two of you. Now I understand that you are young and in love-” 

“Love?!” Both Lýn and Aonung sputtered at the same time. 

Bwena paid them no mind, going on with her lecture, diplomatically. “-but please do have some respect for our home. What would your poor father say if he found you like this? Courting is a sacred time between and man and a-”

“Sa'nok, please!”

“-woman. It is the nurturing of your connection. Spiritually and emotionally, all with the aid of the Great and Mighty Eywa.”

“Sa'nok!” Ayelýn whined, utterly humiliated now. She stepped forward to take a basket from her mother’s arms- Aonung following her lead to help as well. “Trust me- there will not be a repeat of that- any of it. Ever! You have nothing to worry about.”

“Ever Ever?!” Aonung worriedly asked in alarm. He grunted an, “ooff” when he earned a smack of a tail from the woman he so loved to rile.

Seemingly recovered from her shock, Bwena disposed of the rest of her items, humming without a care as Aonung and Ayelýn held a hushed debate filled with wild gestures behind her back.

“Not happening!”

“Are you kidding me?!”

“We never talk about it again, agreed?”

“No. No, agreed.”

They straightened up quickly and planted neutral expressions on their faces when her mother spoke again.

“Aonung dear, will you and Khal be staying for tonight’s feast?” Bwena enquired as she collected items from around the marui in an empty basket. 

“No. He said was just leaving, sa'nok.” 

“Actually, we would love to stay for tonight’s feast.” 

“Wonderful! You can help me and my sister scale some fish then. Come along!”

“You are exhausting,” Ayelýn hissed under her breath when her mother’s back was turned again. 

“And you love it,” he grinned, smacking a kiss on her cheek and tugging at her tail before cheerfully following after her mother. 

~

Drench.

Scrub.

Scrub.

Scrub.

Rinse.

Wring.

Repeat. 

A cheerful hum accompanied the monotonous task Lýn was conducting. With a wet smack, she heaved a mat into her basket and reached for another from the unclean pile. 

“T’is a beautiful melody you sing, sweet girl,” Slwen voiced from across the marui, her own hands busily working at a massive tapestry. 

“Oh.” A blush tinted Lýn’s cheeks. “I hadn’t realized I was so loud.” 

“Nonsense. The louder the better for my aging ears. My Lýn singing is good. Means you’re happy,” the old woman said with a knowing smile. “It’s that boy, isn’t it?” 

Ayelýn began to shake her head. “No-”

“Bah! Who’d have thought little Ayelýn would woo the heart of the chief’s son.”

“His name is Aonung,” Lýn corrected.

Spending as much time as she had with the man she was pretending with, led to learning a great deal about him. 

The one thing that stood out most of all to her was that he despised being referred to as, “the chief’s son.” He hadn’t outright said this to her, but she’d picked up on it. And the one time she tried to bring it up with him, the skxawng brushed it off with a half assed, “I’m not just the chief’s son.” 

Since then she was awfully protective and found herself correcting people whenever they referred to him as such. 

“Ahh. My apologies, sweet girl. Carry on singing about your Anoung,” Slwen teased as she got to her feet, heaving her overfilled basket onto her hip with surprising strength and leaving the marui before Lýn could protest. 

“I was not singing because of him,” she muttered to an empty pod. 

‘Liar, liar,’ her mind mocked. 

And as if she’d somehow summoned him, he came strolling in a few seconds later- or should she say was being pulled. 

“Ask her! Ask her, puh-lease, Aonung!” Kaiiff begged as he yanked on the man’s hand. “She’ll say yes to you.”

Aonung chuckled but put up no fight at the youngling’s tugging. “Kaii, she never says yes to me.” 

“What is this about now? And why are you here? Don’t you have training with your team today?” 

“Well hello to you too, gorgeous,” he snarked sarcastically. “Can’t I just drop by for a visit?”

She plopped her final piece onto the rest of her clean pile and raised a suspicious brow at him. 

“My team and I were nearby and I thought I’d be nice for them to take a little break.” He nodded towards her brother. “Kaiiff spotted me on the beach and we had a nice chat.” 

Aonung beat her to it when she attempted to lift her basket, hoisting it with an ease she envied. It also made his muscles pop and- oh fuck. He definitely caught her ogling him. 

When their eyes met, his expression was molten and a hint of something mischievous played on his lips.

“Hi.” 

“Hi.” 

Kaiiff frowned up at the two of them, his little head shifting left and right as they just… stood there… staring at each other. 

‘Were they having a staring competition?’ he wondered. 

They were so weird. 

Thankfully his sister seemed to lose, because a second later she was marching right out of the marui and Aonung and Kaiiff had no choice but to quickly follow her out into the sun. 

“Aonung said I can go with him to explore the Sulruck Cove tomorrow,” Kaii announced. 

“Is that right?” Lýn asked, striding towards the village’s drying stones. 

The stones in question were massive boulders that had been scraped and filed till smooth. They held heat well and served as the perfect tool to dry large quantities of laundered items. 

“Yes, he really did say,” the eight year old confirmed. “Can I go, Lýn? Please, please?”

Ayelýn grabbed the first article from the top of the basket in Aonung's arms. “Sulruck Cove? Isn’t that past srakat infested waters?” she asked with a frown as she laid it out on a hot stone. 

“It’s safe this time of year,” Aonung shrugged. 

Dropping the basket onto the sand and lifting a wet mat, he spread it out on the same stone as Lýn’s, batting her hands away when she tried to tell him he didn’t have to help her. 

“They’ve migrated to the southern seas. Mating season,” he explained, laying flat another article. “It’d be perfectly safe.” 

“Seeee, perfectly safe,” Kaii echoed, that boxy grin of his wide and infectious. 

“Mmm. I don’t know, little brother. I’m not sure sa'nok would approve if she were here.” 

“She would! She definitely would, Lýn!” 

Their parents had journeyed to Jer’hxen village to visit their father’s family for two weeks. The birth of his sister’s child was due anytime now and so Kaiiff had been left in Ayelýn’s care. 

“If it makes you feel any better, I’m taking Khalhan as well.”

“Khalhan?!” Kaii exclaimed, stepping out of the way when Anoung hauled up another mat. 

At this point, Lýn had been practically shooed away and had no choice but to watch him do her duty. 

“Yep,” Aonung confirmed with a smile, ruffling Kaii’s hair when he stood straight. He’d completed all her work for the day without realizing it. “Lo’ak and Rotxo’s going too,” he told Lýn. 

“Oh alright, go have your fun,” she said, giving in. 

“Wa-hooo! Jes! Thank you, thank you!” Kaiiff jumped happily, tail flickering rapidly behind him. He squeezed his sister in a speedy hug- slim arms around her waist before he was dashing to do the same to a chuckling Aonung. 

“I'm gonna go tell Talu! Bye!” he yelled, hugging Aonung one last time for good measure. 

“Think you just made his year,” Lýn said. She went to get her empty basket but again, he beat her to it- head ducking with an awfully cute tilt to find her eyes. 

His gaze made her pause- and that fluttery, swooping sensation in the pit of her stomach came to life again. 

“Behave,” she said, reading his mind all too clearly- though the near blushing smile that broke through her lips made him grin in return.  

“I didn’t even say anything, gorgeous. Don’t know what you’re thinking but my thoughts are all innocent,” he said in a faux serious tone. “Come on.” He linked their fingers with his free hand and walked her back to the washing marui- stares, like always following them as they did. 

The Na’vi sure loved their gossip. 

Stopping at the threshold, he pulled her palm up for inspection. Running his thumb across her blisters, he tsked at the sight of the broken skin. 

“So I might have had an ulterior motive for venturing this far out.”

“I knew it.” 

“My parents are hosting guests from Tipani next week. My mother said you’re invited to come.” 

“Did she?” Lýn’s tail twitched- a nervous tick that Aonung picked up on. 

Arm around her waist, he tugged her to his chest and she went willingly. 

“Yes, but don’t worry, I’m planning on keeping you to myself all night. These things can get terribly boring.”

“Ah. So I’m to be used for your entertainment then?”

“Guilty,” he grinned. “Also…”

“Also…?”

He shifted and looked away. “Are you busy tonight? I thought we could- we could maybe do something- if you want.”

Was he…?

“Do something… As in, just you and me?”

“Mhm.”

“Oh- um, yeah. I’d like tha- Shoot. I can’t. I’ve got Kaii, remem-”

“Sweet Kaii will stay with me tonight,” a no nonsense voice called out. 

Ayelýn and Aonung blinked at each other, then simultaneously peered into the marui to find-

“Slwen!” Lýn admonished. “Were you seriously eavesdropping? I thought you were hard of hearing?!” 

The elder huffed. “I’m going deaf, girl. Not blind. Now say your goodbyes to your lover and come help me finish this.” 

Shoulders shaking and closed fist over mouth, Aonung was trying hard to contain himself. He finally broke, laughter escaping him as he walked them both out of Slwen’s line of sight- tucked in the shadow of a jutting mangrove root. 

Ayelýn giggled as well and when they finally sobered up, eyes unable to stop staring at each other, he kissed her cheek sweetly, making her breath hitch. 

Lingering precariously close, he waited, and at her little nod of silent consent, his lips met hers for a searing kiss. 

They reluctantly broke apart and with the promise that he would see her later, he left. 

~

Neither of them questioned or acknowledged what was happening between the two of them- both too afraid of what the other would say.

~

Back out on the beach where his waiting team lingered, Aonung avoided Lo’ak’s annoying, knowing smirk. 

“Shut up, forest boy,” he gritted, hailing his skimwing.

Lo’ak cackled. “I didn’t even say anything, fishlips, though you sure look like you had a grand time during your break… Should I tell the lovely Ayelýn that you never let us take breaks?”

“Lo’ak.”

“Or that we never travel this far out for a simple training lesson?”

 “Lo’ak, I’m not going to warn you again.”

“Yep… Shutting up.”

~

Not until they had almost made it back to Awa’atlu and with relatively safe distance between him and Aonung, did Lo’ak tauntingly call out-

“Sooo, did you invite your gorgeous mate to be to my party?”

~

Hello friends! 💛

Don't know why I was so nervous to post this part lol

So originally, I planned for this part to be a bit more angsty, but then all that fluff and pop of spice happened... These two are just so surprisingly fun to write.

You'll find in my works I love a good embarrassing moment lol. Bwena walking in on them was a last minute insert- I couldn't help myself.

Anywhooo- As always, please let me know what you think.

Also I'm giving you guys the heads up, I have a hectic schedule this week, so I can't say when exactly the last chapter will be out.

And finally, feel free to let me know if there's anything you'd like to see happen before this mini series come to an end.

Spoiler alert- Ayelýn has some things to say to Ronal... and we have some visitors.

~

Tags:@jakesullyfatjuicypeen@granddearduck@riatesullironalite@strawberri-blonde@earthling55 @innercreationflower @duckworthbean @gyuventure @btsiguess-kpop@blkmystery@neteswife@luvteyams@isnt-itstrange@erenjaegerwifee@faatxma@ivysully@bakugouswaif@pinkpantheris @mntx666@ironcaptainnataliabarnes @staymentallystable @neteyamslovrr

[poppyseed1031]

Courting Ayelýn

Series Listing Found Here

Aonung x Original Na'vi Female Character

Summery: Pressured by his parents to enter a formal courtship, Aonung rebels in his own way and what starts as a ruse, turns into something real. 

Note before reading: This is a spin off of my Safe Haven Series.

Reading Safe Haven is not necessary to follow this story.

Some characters have been aged up. Aonung in particular is 25.

Ayelýn is my own creation. *Pronounced Aye-Lin

~

Part 2 - When They Agreed

“Absolutely not!”

The smile on his lips died. “No? What? Why?” 

“W- what do you mean, why?” she implored. “I should be the one asking you that! What is this about, Aonung? You have to explain yourself! You can’t just-” 

“Hey, hey, okay,” he tried to sooth, as she turned upset. “I’m sorry! You’re right.” He was already messing up, forgetting everything he and Lo’ak had practiced beforehand. “Will you at least give me the chance to explain?”

Ayelýn scoffed in disbelief.

What in the Great Mother’s mighty name was happening?

“Ayelýn.” 

Out of habit, she nervously tugged at her tail, staring at him with no response. Lýn wanted nothing more than to desert their present conversation. She was uncomfortable and trying very hard to stay respectful. For the fifth time, she had to mentally remind herself she was talking to her future chief. Cursing him out would not bode well. 

“Lýn?” he called again. 

Reluctantly nodding, she agreed to hear him out. “Okay.” 

His shoulders slumped in relief. “Okay.” 

“So,” she said lamely. “I’m sensing there’s a story here?”

“A tiring one, yes,” he agreed, turning away and plonking himself on a mat around her family’s tiny crafted table.  

Ayelýn watched dumbly as Aonung made himself comfortable- body sprawled in a lounged position that showed off his- well his everything. Abs, thighs, chest- arms that held him up as he leaned against them. 

Eywa, the man was large!

He patted the space beside him expectantly, and she complied, but not without a dramatic huff. 

“I need your help. More specifically… I need a courting partner,” he started. “I’ve been instructed by my parents to find one.”

“And your first thought was me?” she snorted, thinking this was all some kind of cruel joke. 

“Not exactly,” he replied with a chuckle that seemed more sad than amused. 

She fidgeted as he launched into his story, telling her everything from his parents’ expectations, to his elaborate plan that heavily relied and involved her… Technically she was right. He didn’t exactly want court… he only wanted her to pretend. 

And when he was finished, Lýn was just as confused and no less convinced. “Your story is sad and all but I’m sorry, I-”

“It’d be for a short while, Ayelýn. Just long enough that it seems real.” 

“Real?” she frowned. “Alright, let’s say we did… We’d make that happen how exactly? Have you noticed we can’t have a single conversation without breaking out into an argument?” 

“That’s not fucking true. I-”

At her pointed look, he bit his tongue. “Ayelýn, all I’m asking is for you to show up to a couple feasts and ceremonies with me, maybe hold my hand or kiss my cheek, bat your eyelashes and pretend that we-”

“Are in love?”

“Like each other,” he bit out. “Just enough to get my parents off my tail.” 

“Why me?” 

“Why not you?” he tried to tease, but she wasn’t impressed. 

“Will you stop behaving as if this is no big ask and be serious for once?! You came to me of all people to help you. Why? I’m sure you have a slew of women who’d be more than willing to play pretend with you, Aonung. There are rumors you know? About you and- and your-”

His lips quirked, entertained at how flush she was suddenly getting. Her blush was fucking adorable. “My what, gorgeous? Go on, you can say it,” he taunted. “I believe in you.”

The stinging smack against his chest in retaliation was well deserved, and it was taking everything within him to not burst out into laughter at her expression when she realized what she’d done. 

“Again I say, you are such a child!” she seethed, too caught up to apologize to her future chief for her violence. The man was ridiculous!

“Me? You’re the one that can’t say the word, co-”

“Your playmates, Aonung!” she belted. “I don’t know what you were thinking, but I was going to say playmates.” 

The smug skxawng had the audacity to look disappointed that she hadn’t said what he was actually thinking. 

“And judging by just how many rumors I’ve heard, I’m sure they are very true!” she continued. “Just look at you!” she emphasized, moving her hand up and down towards his body.

“Aw thanks, gorgeous. You think I’m attractive?”

“Aonung!”

“What does it matter?” He was getting slightly annoyed now. He was so used to getting his way with women. Why was she making this so difficult? Truthfully he knew she wouldn’t agree straight away, but he didn’t think it’d take this much to convince her. 

“It matters to me, you skxawng!” Her tail thrashed behind her, irritated and itching to whip him again. “I’m not stupid… I’m from Keftxo and not- not Awa’atlu.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” 

“Oh we’re pretending already, are we?” she asked sarcastically. “Have you thought this through enough? Who’s going to believe that you choose me out of all the options you have? I’ve got nothing, Aonung! Nothing! I’m from Keftxo. I have no status, no achievements-” she listed, gesturing to her body that bore no tattoos of any significance besides the small one for completing her coming into adulthood rites. “I’m a scrubber for Eywa sake! Who’s going to believe that you’d want me as your future mate, because I sure won’t!” 

He leaned into her personal space, arms practically trapping her as one rested on the table and the other on the floor- brushing her folded knee. “You sure don’t think very highly of yourself, do you, gorgeous?” 

“That’s not-”

“I promise you that the reason I picked you has nothing to do with you being from Keftxo, and certainly nothing to do with your status.” 

She licked her lips and he caught the action. “Why then?”

“Because for some strange reason, you’re immune to my charm. You didn’t even like the tongue thing I did,” he said, sounding almost disappointed. “They all like that.”

“Stop.” 

“Say yes.”

“No.”

“If I wanted another woman, I’d have done so. But I didn’t… I want you.”

That had no right sounding the way it sounded.

“Aonung…” her tone was warning.

“Ayelýn.”

“People will talk.”

“Let them. Their opinions mean nothing to me.”

“What about what it means to me?”

“You don’t care what people think.” 

“You don’t know me!”

“Then I’ll get to.” 

“I’ll get on your nerves.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it.”

“You’ll get on mine.”

“Can’t be helped but I’ll work on it.”

“I might stifle you in your sleep.”

He grinned. “Already thinking of us sleeping together, are we? Naughty, naughty, Ayelýn.” 

“Aonung.” She tried to push him backwards needing space- and air to think. Eywa, he smelled good.

The bastard didn’t budge though. He was doing a weird pleading thing with his face that made her tummy give a little swoop. Ayelýn groaned and slumped forward, forehead smacking against one very firm pectoral… She felt her resolve slipping. 

Maybe she wasn’t as immune as he’d said.

She straightened up when she felt the vibrations of his chuckles. “This is an awful lot you’re expecting from me… It might sound selfish but what exactly do I get out of it?” 

“What do you want?” 

Ayelýn nibbled on the edge of her thumb. Given the sudden rare opportunity, there was one thing she really wanted, but it seemed too big a thing to ask. 

“The entire thing is insane, you do know that right?” she complained instead, backtracking again. She couldn’t even believe she was actually considering it either. 

“What else am I supposed to do?”

“I don't know, have you tried being honest with your parents?” 

“No. I really haven’t. I won’t either,” he replied candidly. 

“So you’d rather lie to them? You’d rather create this whole scheme- this… this ruse-”

“Yes,” he said firmly, cutting her off. “Ayelýn, please… This is my only option at the moment.”

Silence descended between them. He stared at her while she studied him. Desperate eyes dancing with searching ones.  

“You’re good at this, you know, convincing me to do things that I damn well know is going to end in disaster.”

That cocky smirk began to grow across his lips. “Well, you kn-”

“Don’t speak. Or you’ll ruin everything.” 

He pressed his lips together, unable to hide his amusement. The skxawng knew he’d won. 

‘When have you ever done anything daring?’ her mind mocked as she ran through possible scenarios of how badly this could all end.

“Okay,” she decided after her silent moment of deliberation. “Okay, I’ll help you.”

Aonung opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off before he could, index finger sternly pointed up at him. 

“But! I reserve full right to end this whenever I want to… If it’s too uncomfortable or- or too much.”

“Deal.” 

“And, only if my parents agree with your request to formally court me… As much as I hate this- lying to them- they can’t know the truth either.”

He was a little less confident about that aspect- only because her father didn’t appear to think much of him- but he nodded anyway. 

“Easy. Double deal.”

Ayelýn eyed his outstretched arm warily for a beat too long, then clasped it with hers- the size difference drastically noticeable since his swallowed hers entirely. 

“Double deal,” she repeated. 

~

The rest of the afternoon passed in a world wind. 

Right after they’d made their deal, Lýn’s family had shown up- evidently too eager to stay away any longer and Aonung was invited for dinner the moment he tried to apologize for overstaying his welcome.

While he and Aldurf- Lýn’s father, engaged in awkward small talk that was thankfully interrupted by an excited Kaiiff, Ayelýn helped her mother prepare a simple spread consisting of spicy, roasted fishtails, a fragrant seaweed and tslikllte broth and some leftover nectar dipped fruit. 

Throughout their meal, Bwena blushed profusely and flicked her wrist in an “oh stop” motion, every time Aonung complimented her.

He praised cooking skills after tasting each dish offered to him and Ayelýn had to force herself to stop rolling her eyes at each flattering remark given. Especially the ones when he admired her mother’s grand tapestry that had taken her many moons to complete.  

Kaiiff, on the other hand, bombarded their visitor with question after question. “Do you have your own spear?” the eight year old asked after a big gulp of broth. “Did you craft it yourself?” He wiped his mouth messily and pointed. “What’s this tattoo for?” He listened intently as Aonung explained, then, “Oh and that one? And what about the one on your calf?”  

Aonung thankfully took it all in stride, delving into tales of his adventures in the far oceans when he’d been asked, “Did you really defeat an akula on your own? I heard a rumor that you did.” He grinned at the wide-eyed, awed expression on the youngling’s face that so reminded him of his own little brother. 

To Ayelýn however, it was incredibly annoying how quickly her family became besotted with the skxawng. Thankfully she could rely on her father to show some sort of emotion other than instant acceptance. 

Aldurf didn’t glare per say, but sat back quietly while everyone spoke, staring at their guest with uncertainty. And by the time their stomachs were filled, the sound of her father clearing his throat lulled their chatter- future Olo'eyktan included. 

“Kaiiff, go play.”

The little boy pouted at being dismissed, but got up anyway, taking a long piece of driftwood with him. He’d apparently been trying to whittle it into a spear all week. 

“So,” Lýn’s father started, gaze trained on Aonung who shifted nervously. “What brings you to our home, son of Tonowari? What makes you seek out my only daughter?”

“Well I-” Aonung was suddenly anxious. When did that ever happen to him? “I was hoping to get to know your daughter, sir… with your permission of course.” 

When Aldurf made no effort to respond, Aonung glanced at Ayelýn who rolled her eyes at his silent plea for help.

Taking pity, she gestured to the man sitting beside her. “Sempul, the skxawng said he intends to court me.”

“Gorgeous!” Aonung chastised, the nickname rolling naturally from his lips as a whispered hiss. “You can’t call me that in front of your parents.” 

“Then you can’t call me that either.”

“Not happening.”

“Then skxawng it is,” she smiled.

“Wow…” He stared. “You should do that more often.”

Her smile dropped. “Do what?”

“Smile. I like it. It’s pretty. Do it again.”

“I only smile with people I like.”

“Ouch, and here I thought you liked me plenty.”

“Shut. Up.”

“Never.”

The clearing of a throat had them straightening up as though chastised- both reminded that the same thing had happened once before.

Bwena was grinning so wide, she appeared giddy while Aldurf finally seemed more at ease- more his usual relaxed self. Obviously they saw something Lýn didn’t.

Disappointed by her parent’s reactions, Ayelýn knew it wouldn’t take much for them to agree to Aonung’s request.

She guessed she was going through with this facade after all. 

~

A week later, Ayelýn was slowly placing the length of the beach near Aonung’s private hideaway. It would be the first time they saw each other since he’d approached her with this wild idea and she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous. 

The loud shriek of a skimwing alerted her of Aonung’s arrival. His water beast coasted expertly, finned wings causing large rippled waves before the future chief was soon lurched and landing on the sand with grace. 

“Show off!” Ayelýn called out in greeting, causing him to grin. “Skxawng, you’re late.”

“Only a little. I got back from my hu-” When he’d closed the distance between them and had finally seen her properly, his words got stuck in his throat, causing him to choke. 

“You, alright there?”

“Fine, mm,” he croaked, knocking his chest with his knuckles. “You-” He coughed and tried again. “I like your- you look beautiful.”

“Oh… Thank you.” 

Ayelýn had put some effort into her appearance for tonight’s plans. Hair tamed with a salt and sweet scented herbed balm, Lýn’s natural curls fell above her waist, shiny and defined. She wore her best top- an intricate creation she’d made with brightly coloured coral that was delicately woven. Her flowy tweng had detailed braided cords and beads along the edge and she’d borrowed her mother’s neck piece which glittered with rare stones her father had traded for many years ago. 

“Well uh, let’s go. We really are late.”

“Wait, wait!” She hurriedly grabbed his hand. “Shouldn’t we discuss this first?” At his confused expression, she huffed. “What are the rules? The plan?”

“Rules. Can’t we just go with the flow?”

“Aonung, this will be the first time anyone sees us together. Your friends are going to be at this feast… your family.”

Aonung tracked her expressions. “You’re nervous,” he concluded, feeling like a dick. He pulled her closer with the hand she was already clutching. “Alright. Tell me what you need to know.”

He felt pleased from her grateful sigh of relief, and listened intently as she began to explain herself. At some point, whilst she rambled on, listing her rules of do’s and don’ts and definitely no kissing, Aonung unconsciously zoned her out.   

Because Eywa… He couldn’t stop staring at her. 

~

Awa’atlu was an explosion of festivity. 

Ayelýn had been to her fair share of feasts and celebrations at other neighboring villages, but this would be her first one at Awa’atlu. Everything in the main village was bigger, grander… And tonight was no exception. 

The beach was packed, all in the name of celebrating the first harvest of the new moons. Lit torches along the shore glowed brightly in contrast with the dark sky and sea. And past the dancing bodies that moved to the thundering beats of massive drums was an archway- it was majestic, thick mangrove roots twisting and connecting, leading to an enormous communal space.

Lýn kept hold of Aonung’s hand as they made their way through a throng of clan members. Bows and signs of respect followed them with every step- along with whispers and stares of curiosity. 

When they approached the feast area, Aonung squeezed her hand. “Fuck.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked, tilting her head upward to catch his expression, finding it closed off.  

Instead of responding, he changed the direction they’d been going in and Ayelýn quickly caught on.

They’d been summoned.

She didn’t think it’d be this soon. 

Ahead of them sat a line of regally adorned Na’vi. The council. And seated directly in the middle of that row was none other than Tonowari and Ronal. 

Growing up, Lýn had seen the clan leaders from afar on a rare couple occasions, but this would be her first interaction with them. 

At the impressive sight of Tonowari, she silently chastised herself for not figuring out who Aonung was sooner. Just like his son, the chief was a beast of a man- and even seated, Lýn felt small in comparison.  

Both she and Aonung bent with respectful greetings toward the Olo'eyktan and Tsahìk. The act meant the loss of Aonung’s grip, a comfort Ayelýn instantly missed. He’d gone completely ridged beside her, thus causing her anxiety to spike. 

“Late again, Aonung,” his mother voiced, tersely and although her words were directed to her son, her attention was trained on his female companion. 

“Apologies, sa'nok.” 

“Who is your friend?” his father asked.

“I am Ayelýn,” Lýn said. “It is an honor to meet you, Olo'eyktan. Tsahìk.”

Tonowari was kind enough to politely return her greeting, but Ronal’s gaze only intensified. 

Ayelýn knew Ronal’s stare was meant to intimidate, and she’d have cowered at any other time, but somehow a surge of boldness took over. She did not back down, did not break the fierce eye contact until Ronal blinked and bared a hint of a smile that conveyed her intrigue. 

“Ayelýn… I’m assuming this is your mysterious courtship partner?” Tonowari questioned, and before his son could answer, the chief was addressing Lýn. “Aonung has told us too little about you. It is good to put a name and a face to Aonung’s stories. I was beginning to think you didn’t exist,” the chief said, and though Lýn knew it was a joke, she tensed at the tone of his words. 

Sending a fleeting glance to her pretend partner, she caught the irritated tick of his jaw. The tension was glaringly extreme, so Lýn tried to break it with a chuckle that came out more shaky than amused. 

“It’s my fault for that actually, ” she lied, addressing the chief. “I wasn’t quite ready to take the next step. I’m grateful Aonung has been so patient with me.”

Her fingers reach out to tangle with Aonung’s as she ignored his burning stare. 

“Is that so?” Tonowari asked intriguingly. His gaze found her village’s beads. “How is it that you two met? I didn’t realize that Keftxo held your interest, son.” 

Head still bowed, a cloud of growing rage appeared on Aonung’s face and as his lips parted to speak, Lýn quickly cut in again. 

“That would be my fault too, Ma Olo'eyktan,” she laughed- more believable this time. “How we met is quite the story. You see I had narrowly escaped a dangerous riptide. My canoe got caught on some rocks and thankfully it washed up near here. Seeing that I’ve never been to Awa’atlu, Aonung was kind enough to take care of me… He was quite charming, and well… here we are.” 

Careful with her explanation, she made sure not to be specific about their timeline. As far as his parents thought, they’d been secretly together for months. 

“Here we are.” Tonowari gave an impressed, hum. “Well. I'm pleased to see that he’s finally settling down. And to you Ayelýn, welcome. I hope we see more of you. Aonung, we shall speak later,” he said, dismissing them. “Go on. Enjoy the celebrations.”

Later on and after she’d been briefly introduced to Aonung’s rowdy group of friends who gestured approvingly at her in the way men usually did with each other over a woman, the pair settled amongst them to enjoy the feast. 

Away from the leaders of her clan, Lýn finally relaxed somewhat- shoulders slumping as pent up tension slowly left her body.

Uncaring of the stares, she awkwardly shuffled closer to Aonung, leaning against his side as if it were natural- and after a while of them both figuring out what worked- it did… feel natural. 

She felt his breath tickle her hair as his shoulders shook. 

“Are you sniffing me?” 

“No!” she lied. Then, “Fine, yes. Only a little,” she whispered back. “I’m stressed and your scent is annoyingly comforting,” she huffed. 

Instead of teasing her for her comment like he’d usually do, he tugged her closer, one large palm curling across her hip. And sure it might have all been for show, but some small part of him fluttered happily at the feeling of him being her comfort. 

“Eywa. I think I feel my heart in my throat,” she mumbled. “Do you think your parents bought it? It felt like they saw straight through me!”

“You did good,” he mumbled in praise against her temple. “Far better than I did… My mother likes you.” 

“Really?” she snorted, peering up at him, dubiously. “How could you possibly tell? She said not one word to me and glared the entire time, you skxawng.”

Aonung shrugged. “She smiled. She doesn’t do that with just anyone.” He snickered as if realizing something. 

“What?”

“Seems like you and my mother have something in common.” 

“Mm… Aonung,” she said gently, shifting a tad closer so they wouldn’t be overheard. “Is it always like that? With them,” she clarified. 

His tongue poked the inside of his cheek and he shook his head. “Not always. They’re not very happy with me right now, is all.”

“Why?” she frowned. “Because of the courtship?”

“A little bit… My parents don’t love it when I rebel against the life they intend me to be living.” He smirked in faux amusement. “Unfortunately, I am a stubborn disappointment and I just can’t help myself.”

Ayelýn didn’t find any humor in his words, she felt sympathy if anything. “How would you like to live your life?”

Aonung blinked in surprise. No one had ever asked him that question. “I'm still figuring it out,” he whispered honestly. 

A high pitched whistle and bang of a drum interrupted their moment.

Everyone’s attention fell on Tonowari who stood before them. His voice was resonant as he greeted them and his speech was beautiful and full of praise for his people.

Then, after Ronal led the clan in a chanting, melodic prayer, they feasted.

Aonung begrudgingly untangled himself from her when the food arrived. “Are you hungry?” 

From the lavish spread they were sharing with others around them, he dished out her meal for her, adding more and more despite her feeble protests. 

“That’s way too much, Aonung!” she laughed, tugging at his arm and wrist to stop him from putting another serving. “I can’t possibly finish all of that.” 

“Then I’ll finish what you can’t,” he responded easily, swiping a slice of fish from her leaf and licking the juice from his fingertips. 

It didn’t take long after that for them both to start bickering.

And, so lost in the moment between the two of them, when Ayelýn finally glanced around- if she thought people were staring before, they most certainly were now.

Even Rotox was peering at them in surprise. Catching himself, he smiled at her and engaged her in small talk, making her feel welcomed. 

Midway through their meal, they were interrupted by two newcomers. 

An omaticaya male who Ayelýn figured was none other than Lo’ak- gave her a knowing smirk as Aonung introduced her to his sister. 

“I thought you were finally done with this, foolishness,” Tsireya chidingly whispered to him sometime later, while Lo’ak and Ayelýn were in the middle of a heated debate about the tastiest part of a fish. 

“Reya-”

“You promised you’d try.”

“And I am.” He gave her a meaningful look.

“Oh… So, she- Ayelýn’s the one you said you found then? The one you told us about?”

Aonung felt a stab of guilt for lying to his sister. He nodded. 

“I owe you an apology then,” she sighed. “I thought you lied… and that she was just another plaything of yours.”

“She’s definitely not.”

Tsireya smiled. “Good. Because I like her.” 

They both watched as a fiery Ayelýn and Lo’ak continued to argue their points- each trying to get poor Rotxo to take a side. 

“Me too,” Aonung agreed.

~

At Aonung’s instance, he accompanied her back Keftxo- her hanging off his back as his skingwing glided them through the ocean. Avoiding the long journey, they used a shortcut through a coral filled channel and arrived on the northern side of her village. 

But something was wrong… Lýn sensed it the instant they stepped foot at the edge of a dilapidated dock.

The loud roar of crashing waves could be heard from the south. In addition, orders being called out, mingled with screams and shouts of terror coming from every direction accompanied the clan’s mess of movement. 

Lýn ran to the nearest person- Aonung close behind, calling out, “Slwen!”

Slwen, an elderly Na'vi, held a crying toddler in her arms, whilst two little ones clung to her legs. “What is happening?”

“The terrace wall at the south side. A breach. It- it happened so fast. They tried to barricade it, but the waves were too rough.” She was shaking. “Homes collapsed, Lýn” she revealed. “They are searching for the missing.”

“Lýn, wait!” Aonung tried to pull her back but she slipped past him in a flash. “Fuck.” Moving quickly, he gave a stern order to a terrified teenaged boy- telling him to get to the nearest village and bring help. Then, he was running after Ayelýn.

Sprinting through her village, Lýn’s heart pounded as people ran in the opposite direction. The terrace wall was centuries old. There had been breaches in the past- breaches they were able to mend- but if it ever broke all the way… their little village was no match for the fury of the sea. 

“Ayelýn!” Aonung caught her around the waist, flinging them around so he faced her. “Stay!” he ordered loudly with a pointed finger. 

“My family!”

“I mean it! Don’t!” And with that, he took off in the direction of the commotion, leaving her behind. 

The further south he got, the worse he saw. 

Water came up to his shins along what was once a southern dock. It was rising alarmingly fast. He could see men and women straining to hold up the barriers- high waves angrily splashing over the illuminated natural wall that creaked loudly.

Snapping sounds rippled with every new crack and more and more water escaped between them- washing away Na’vi with its powerful force.

And just ahead he spotted the remains of collapsed maruis- the tops of their ceilings splintered and jutting out of the sea as they slowly sank. 

Quickly assessing the situation, Aonung began to call out orders. 

Those being rescued emerged one by one, and the entire time Aonung’s gaze was on the lookout for Lýn’s family. 

“You, and you, help me with this!” Directing two men- and three others who fell in, they used their knives to cut the ropes of a section of pathway. Lifting the heavy material toward a gaping section of the barrier, they successfully secured it.  

Catching on, many others followed suit- some even climbing high to stretch the material further up. 

On Aonung’s third patching, he caught sight of a familiar man emerging with rescues- a child in his arms and an injured elder leaning heavily on him. Aonung called his name, but the waves were too loud. 

“Aldurf!” Aonung called out again running towards him. He caught him by the shoulder before he could dive off again and the older man seemed surprised to see him. “Kaiiff? Your mate?”

“Safe,” Aldurf assured, panting as he wiped at his brow. “My Lýn?”

“Safe,” Aonung said as well. “Are there many others down there?”

“Ten trapped. Three still missing. There’s too much debris. I’ve got a team trying to find another way in.”

“I’ll go. Take over for me up here.” It was an order. 

Before Aldurf could agree or not, Aonung was diving deep without a second thought. 

~

Only when the faint rays of morning made itself known did things finally calm. 

Fatigued and aching, Aonung and many others made their way to the shoreline to where the rest of the clan were gathered and waiting.

Ayelýn spotted him first and ran towards him. Looking deeply relieved, she was trying to appear brave and unaffected, but the wringing of her tail and the way in which her eyes tracked over every inch of his body told him that she was nervous- that she was genuinely worried- about him. 

“I’m fine, gorgeous,” he assured, brushing a strand of hair off her cheek when she came within reach. Then, to his surprise, her forehead fell against his chest with a quiet mumble.

 “Thank Eywa.”

“You were worried about me,” he teased in a singsong voice, ducking so that his words got muffled in her hair. 

“Shut up, skxawng” she said without heat, slipping her arms around him. “Sempul told me what you did… Thank you.”

Surprised for a second time by her actions, he realized they were engaging in physical contact that was again not for show- or part of the plan, but for comfort… for them. 

His knuckles ran along her spine as he observed the beach. The people of Keftxo were hugging each other in relief. Over the top of Lýn’s head he caught sight of her family- all safe. They waved at him and approached. 

Bwena fussed over him, planting a fat smooch on each of his cheeks in thanks. Even Aldurf patted him on the back while Kaiiff launched into a story about how he’d heard that Aonung saved so many people. 

Soon, the entire village was gathered in their communal space, singing in unison a soft melody of thanks to Eywa until the morning burst from the dark. Although nine homes were lost and many were injured, they all still had their lives.

Aonung stayed that day to help pick up the pieces- along with the few others who’d come from neighboring villages.

With the waters residing, they cleaned away the debris, made more patches to the terrace wall and crafted makeshift temporary homes for those who’d lost theirs.

Ayelýn and her family’s home was thankfully still intact and had only suffered minimal water damage.

Aonung was already mentally making plans for how to reinforce their marui- he even voiced a couple suggestions to Aldurf who accepted his offer to help him execute the improvements.

They hosted him again for another meal, again thanking him for his efforts. And when he was finally about to leave, whistling low for his skingwing- Ayelýn called out his name. 

She jogged down the rickety dock towards him, determination ablaze in her eyes. “I know what I want.”

“Want?”

“You asked me what I wanted in return for helping you… Is that- still an offer?”

“Oh. Right…” he cleared his throat. “Of course.”

“Sempul said that you two are going to do repairs? To our home?”

“Ah. Yes. I’ve got a couple ideas.” Actually he had a lot. Not only for her home.

She nodded. “Can you- I was hoping…” Her arms folded and she shook her head as though thinking something was stupid.

“Ayelýn. Ask me.”

“Keftxo. You know we are sort of the forgotten village… We try but-” she hesitated. “I know that technically I should be going to our village’s chief councilor- and that it is a big ask, but, you have the power to make a change- a difference… All I want is for us to flourish-” She gestured to her village behind her. “To not be broken and always need mending… To not be known as… lesser.”

Aonung took in the view of Keftxo- really looked. Mauri pods were falling apart- familiar reinforcement like what Ayelýn had used on her canoe could be seen covering up much of the pod shells. There were numerous tears and rips and holes along the village paths, docks had missing gaps and that was only the half of it. 

The biggest issue was the terrace wall of course… an issue that if not properly tended to could wipe the entire little village. 

Without her ask, he been planning to bring it up with his father anyway- he’d been ready to head to Awa’atlu to ask the Keftxo’s councilor what exactly the fuck he’d been doing all these years for the village… and seeing Ayelýn staring up at him so pleadingly broke a tiny part inside of him. 

Suddenly all he wanted to do was scoop her up and hide her away somewhere safe and pretty. She deserved it. 

And she was right too. He did have the power to make a change for them. 

“Okay. I can do that.”

“Yeah?” 

Her grin was so blinding, he couldn’t help returning it. He almost teased her about it, but he didn’t want her to stop. 

No. Instead, he was going to try his damn hardest to see that gorgeous smile as often as he could. 

~

Hello friends! 💛

I hope you enjoyed this part. Please let me know, you know I love hearing from yall.

Little disclaimer; but because this is a mini series, there's going to be some time skips ect. Also, I have a tiny bit of it already kind written- but do we want smut in this series?

~

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[poppyseed1031]

Courting Ayelýn

Series Listing Found Here

Aonung x Original Na'vi Female Character

Summery: Pressured by his parents to enter a formal courtship, Aonung rebels in his own way and what starts as a ruse, turns into something real. 

Note:

Reading Safe Haven is not necessary to follow this story.

Some characters have been aged up. Aonung in particular is 25.

Ayelýn is my own creation. *Pronounced Aye-Lin

~

Part 1 - When They Met

“You want us to… what?” 

“Court. You and me.” 

“Clearly you’ve gone and lost your head.” 

~

Months Before…

Aonung stormed out of his family’s marui after yet another argument with his parents. Their demands were already ridiculous, but their constant reminders at every family meal were becoming annoyingly overwhelming. 

The anger and irritation inside of him was building, festering and threatening to make him do something he knew he’d regret. 

He was also about ready to punch something… Anything!

Clicking his tongue, he called for his skimwing and the second he reached the edge of the pier, he was leaping off and diving into deep crystal waters. Tsaheylu made, and at his command, the water beast shot off, taking him further and further away from his home… away from Awa’atlu. 

Mind distracted in a jumbled mess of fury and frustration over the situation at hand, Aonung let himself be blindly carried through the ocean. 

His parents had given him a deadline to find a woman to court. A woman he was then expected to eventually take as his mate. 

And honestly, it bothered him just how much of a shock the news had caused for him when he was told. Aonung had known all his life it would eventually come- it was expected of him- his birthright. 

But was it worth the pain it came with? 

“You should know better,” his father would say. “Be better.” Aonung was constantly criticized for his training techniques… his life choices, his decisions… his ways. It was, “do as I say,” and “when will you learn?” and… “you disappoint me.”

Nothing was ever good enough!

Words of honor and commitment and duty were forever shoved down his throat at every given opportunity. And although Aonung still considered himself a rebel and a rule breaker in his circle of friends, he was very much stifled and controlled. 

It was why most of his daydreams involved him running away. Daydreams of him leaving behind the duty, and the expectations… the fucking title. 

But he couldn’t leave. 

Tsireya. 

And Khalhan- his little brother. 

Aonung could never desert them. 

Damn his parents. Damn the entire situation. 

Fuck it all. 

~

For the remainder of the day, Aonung spent it by himself. Hidden away, he brooded, wallowing in self pity. It wasn’t until the sky began to change, suns slowly sinking into the sea that he considered leaving his shaded haven. 

A sudden muffled swear however, followed by a thunk, pulled Aonung from his thoughts. He couldn’t fathom who would have possibly ventured this far out to the abandoned, tiny island he considered his own. 

Curious, he climbed over a short wall of moss covered jagged rocks, only to find… a female.

He was unable to see her face from his position, but she was clearly upset, angry even, judging by the way she kicked the canoe that was half docked, half bobbing from the sway of rolling waves. 

“Oh you stupid thing! Couldn’t you have waited until I reached the reef line?” 

He snorted when a curse escaped her again, along with another thump, from the serve of a fierce kick. 

“Having fun there?” he called out. 

She startled at the sound of his voice, flinging her body around, knife drawn from her hip in preparation for danger. 

“Don’t do that!” she hissed when she found that it was just a loitering Na’vi. “I could’ve hurt you, you fool. You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.” 

Aonung approached, hands lifted in surrender. The tip of her knife brushed his stomach as his eyes darted between her and the weapon.

Head titled, he noted that she barely reached his chest and her puny blade looked so dull, he was certain she wouldn’t be able to make much- if any damage with it. 

“I highly doubt that, but if it makes you feel any better,” he shrugged, ignoring her pretty scowl as he moved to inspect her canoe. It was laden with laundered items, so with ease, he pulled it all the way onto the shore. “What seems to be the problem with this?”

“It’s got a leak,” she huffed, sheathing her blade. “I tried patching it before I set out this morning, but-” Head snapping toward the sea, she glanced around in immediate panic. “Wait, where are we-” Her stomach dropped at the sight of a significant flag blowing in the far distance. “Are we near Awa’atlu?”

It was only at this question did he take note of the purple and brown string of beads dangling from a lock of her tangled, messy hair. “You’re from the Keftxo village,” he said stupidly. It now made sense to him why she didn’t immediately recognize him. 

She sized him up when her eyes found his own string of blue and brown beads- Awa’atlu beads to be precise- attached to the sheath on his hip- her expression almost daring him to say something. 

And he would have… but for some reason he held his tongue. 

“I… got turned around,” she mumbled, thumbing at a small scar on her shoulder. The almost healed cut had ripped open in her haste to keep both her and her canoe safe. Thankfully it was no longer bleeding. “Riptide, along the eastern sharp rocks.” 

“Riptide?” he repeated in alarm. “Why in Eywa’s name are you even traveling near there?! It’s high tide. Were you trying to get yourself killed?” 

“W- Did you not just hear me say I got turned around and caught in a riptide?!” Tail flickering in annoyance behind her, she gestured to the vast ocean before them. “It’s not as if I had any control! I left Keftxo before dawn and now look where I am! Oh, and I’m fine, by the way. Thank you, for your concern,” she snarked. 

His gaze traveled the length of her body, spotting no other injuries. “Are you really?” he asked sincerely. 

That gave her pause. “Yes.”

He didn’t believe her but accepted her answer anyway. “Alright then.” Kneeling beside her canoe, his brows creased incredulously. “Just how old is this damn thing?”

“It’s fine!” she exclaimed in offense, crouching beside him to inspect the damage. “Only needs a bit of mending.”

“A bit?” He flicked at a thick, crusty patch of reinforcement. “You’re better off without it. I’d scrap it if I were you. One wrong turn along a pier and it be nothing but a pile of fucking splinters.” He snickered. “Who even made this thing? The work is shoddy, a mess of piss poor craftsmanship, sloppy carving. Look- even the design is off. How did you get it to float?” 

Nostrils flaring, her chin jutted out at his words. Aonung was pretty sure he’d be dead if her glare was a dagger. 

She muttered a slew of very creative swear words under her breath that had him raising his brows and while he should’ve been insulted, he was rather impressed. 

“Scrap it… scrap it?! I’ll have you know, I fixed it up myself! This canoe was specially gifted to my father by council elder Fjid!”

Aonung snorted. “Fjid?! The old man hasn’t been on the council in over a decade. And what does he know about canoes? Last time I saw him, he could barely tie a knot.”

“I know we just met, but does anything good ever come out of your mouth?” 

“Actually. I’ve heard my tongue does wonders,” he boasted cockily, tracing the tip of said tongue along his bottom lip sensually.

Instead of swooning or blushing like he thought she would, revolution clouded her features. It threw him off honestly. 

“Who is the nearest mender in your village?” 

Aonung blinked. “W- I can mend it for you,” he offered, getting to his feet quickly when she looked about ready to dive out. 

“No, thank you… Mender?” 

“Wait…” He pointed to himself, baffled by her reaction to him. “Are you upset with me?” 

“Hm, let me think,” she hummed sarcastically, pretending to ponder. “I almost died from a riptide, got washed up near Awa’atlu of all villages. My canoe has a gaping hole in it and the first person I’ve come across who I thought could maybe, possibly help me, insults its craftsmanship and tried to crudely insinuate that I let him please me with his so-called wonderous tongue… So, yes. I’d dare say I am upset with you.”

She blew out a gush of air. “Now… would you please tell me where I can find your nearest mender.” 

~

Aonung led her to a marui on the outskirts of his village where many canoes were lined docked along the pier it was connected to. 

All the while throughout their journey there, he couldn’t help tossing glances at his new found companion. A companion he found to be scruffy and slightly volatile… but also… pretty. Very pretty.  

Her reactions towards him were slightly refreshing- she clearly didn’t know who he was- status included - something he was keen to keep hidden from her for a bit longer for some reason. 

He found great amusement every time she caught him staring- her face morphing into an unimpressed scowl that most definitely read, fuck off… He was right, because a second later she was signing those two words right at him and speeding past, purposely sending a wave of water his way.

Oh he liked her alright.  

Was it terrible that he loved pissing her off? That scowl did it for him, honestly, especially the one she gave him after he’d caught up and yanked on her tail, signaling that they had to travel in the opposite direction. 

When they’d reached the shoreline, her annoyance towards his theatrics had subsided. Distracted, it was evident that she was trying not to gape at her surroundings, and failing to. 

Unbeknownst to him, Awa’atlu was in every way different from the little village she’d grown up in. While of course there were some similarities, Awa’atlu screamed life- brightness, adventure… promise. 

His companion was so rapt up with her awed surveying that Aonung was secretly glad she missed the few passerby’s reactions to him. 

Two women he'd slept with on two separate occasions, flirtatiously waved at him. And then there were also the overly respectful nods and gestures from others that were becoming obvious.

Desperate to avoid running into anyone who’d try to stop and chat, Aonung gently tugged on her elbow to change their direction. “This way.” 

~

The mender available to help seemed rather enthralled by the pair that had come to visit him that day. 

Hythspon, while no longer in his youth, but nowhere near considered old, stood for a full solid ten minutes watching the bickering two hurl snides and sly comments to each other, all while trying to come to a decision. 

His future chief wanted the Keftxo female to leave with one of the newly crafted canoes Hythspon had available, while the unnamed metkayina wanted to simply have her own canoe mended and be on her way. 

“I told you already, the thing is a deathtrap! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Because at this rate, I’m starting to think you are!”

“It’s not a deathtrap!”

“It is!”

“Not! It’s perfectly fine!”

“So perfectly fine that it almost killed you?! Sorry, gorgeous but you need to let it go. It’s time.”

“No. No, no. The riptide almost killed me, skxawng, the riptide! And for future encounters, the decent thing to do would be to ask about someone’s well being after facing a catastrophe like that! Not, lecture them as if they're stupid!” 

“Well you wouldn’t have ever been in that situation if you had ditched the fucking thing and worried about your own life! You seemed to think so too since I found you kicking and swearing at it!” 

“I already apologized for the kicking!”

“Yo- you,” he spluttered incredulously. “Did you actually apologize to a pile of splinters?”

“Canoe!”

“Deathtrap!” 

“It just needs a little love and care, I told you!”

“Aha! Love and care? I’m sorry, gorgeous but that thing is way past love and care.”

“That’s the second time you’ve done that now. Stop calling me that!”

Anoung paused… then, head tilted, he grinned wickedly. “Gorgeous.”

“UGH! Why do you insist on behaving like such an annoying little kit?! Even my brother is more mature than you and he’s eight!” 

“Oh-ho! So me trying to stop you from harm's way is-”

The clearing of a deep throat halted their argument and also made them simultaneously straighten up and put a little distance between them. At some point during their feud, they’d ended up merely inches apart. 

“Well, as much as I’ve enjoyed this rather entertaining ordeal,” Hythspon chucked, “I would like to get on with the rest of my day.” 

“Right, sorry,” she mumbled in embarrassment, tail curled as though she wanted to hide herself behind it. 

Hythspon’s solution in the end was to loan her a canoe. He’d have someone find her own and promised to mend it to his best and then have it returned to her- which she was ever grateful for.

That left Aonung with nothing else to argue about and the minute Hythspon gave her an oar, she was dashing off. Before he could think of running after her, she stopped abruptly at the marui’s threshold and pivoted. 

“Um, thank you. For your help… skxawng.”

“You’re welcome… gorgeous.”

She scowled, but he didn’t miss the tiny twitch of her mouth. He probably imagined it but he thought for the briefest moment that she’d almost smiled.  

Walking along the pier, Aonung watched her row until her silhouette faded into nothing more than a blob in the distance. Confused by the unknown churning he felt in his chest, he shook his head and finally turned away. 

It wasn’t until later that night as he waited for sleep to claim him, that he realized something…

He hadn’t gotten her name. 

~ 

In the blink of an eye life went on. 

The Sullys were gone and a few months later, Awa’atlu received word that Xilä- Neteyam’s mate had given birth to a healthy baby boy. 

Left behind was Lo’ak of course, who’d decided to stay at Awa’atlu for good. Much to no one’s surprise, the forest boy was officially courting Aonung’s sister, Tsireya. 

Whilst Aonung and Lo’ak had started off on rocky footing initially, they both had quickly overcome it in their youth, and dare say even become close friends since then.

And even though Aonung’s immediate confidant was Rotxo, Aonung found himself confiding in the Sully brothers more often than not. 

Neteyam had given him some good advice when Aonung had first opened up about his worries to find a mate. Advice that he was actively trying to practice. Neteyam had told him not to look- not to stress and worry. That Eywa would show him the way eventually… But his patience was wearing thin and time was also running out. 

Arguments with his parents had intensified and the gossip and whispers about his “playmate” days being over, had spread. Though it was the truth. 

Gone were the days and nights of fucking and fooling around with playmate after playmate. He hadn’t been with a woman since after Neteyam’s chat with him that night. 

It was harder than he thought- not getting his dick wet on the regular. Not only was it painful at times and he had to get rather acquainted with right hand, but it also put him in a foul mood most days. 

Aonung was secretly proud of himself however. Every time temptation tried to lure him, he didn’t give in. He was serious. He was trying… Even though he had his doubts. 

And then, just like that, his year was up. 

And still no woman from Eywa. 

~

“Bro… Are you shitting with me right now?”

A disgusted expression formed on Aonung’s face. “I do not shit with you, brother.” He shook his head. “Your human sayings are quite vulgar, do you know that?”

Lo’ak ignored him, focusing instead on the bombshell of a confession Aonung had just shared. “Can we go back to the part where you said you lied to your parents about having a courting partner?” 

Aonung grimaced. Not only because the words sounded just as bad coming from Lo’ak’s mouth, but also from the sour flavor of the pungent booze he and his friend were passing back and forth. 

“I didn’t know what else to do.” His jaw clenched at the thought of the tongue lashing he was in for when the time came for him to confess. 

Ronal had the spirit of the Great Mother running through her veins. Aonung knew his mother didn’t believe him when he’d told her his news earlier that day. 

Fuck. 

“Okay. Let’s start over, man. Why would you even do that?”

Right. Lo’ak didn’t know everything. Neteyam did.

Slightly tipsy as he and Lo’ak sat along the shoreline, waves kissing their feet, Aonung divulged, telling his friend every detail all over again, because, what else was there for him to do?

“Damn, that’s just… damn.” Lo’ak sighed, slightly stunned by the angry rant Aonung had just given. “You’re lucky it’s not as bad as Neteyam- he had a fucking blood oath.” He winced at his choice of words. “Sorry, cuz.” 

Aonung paid him no mind however, his gaze instead distracted and locked on the horizon before them as Lo’ak went on a long winded rant of his own.

“- all one fucking mess, this whole elders’ tradition thing. If you ask me, brother, I’d just get some poor girl to pretend to be in love with me- ya know, appease the parents, then just have her break your heart… and then-” Lo’ak drank another healthy mouthful of their booze, “and then everyone would feel so sorry for your moping ass, they’d give you a break over this whole courting thing… I’m sure of it.” 

Aonung’s head snapped to his friend, slightly stunned. 

“What?” Lo’ak glanced behind him for good measure, but nope, Fishlips was staring at him. “What?” he asked again.

“That’s… that’s actually a good idea.” 

“The shit I just spewed?”

Aonung cursed at the burn from anther sip of the liquid he swallowed. Why was it worse each time? “Yeah. I think I’ll just do that.”

Lo’ak plucked his bottom lip in thought. His mind was hazy but not that hazy. He probably hadn’t heard right. “Pfft. You’re yanking my tail.”

“No, I’m serious,” Aonung said, sitting up as his mind started whirling. He twisted to face the Sully man, taking another shot of the disgusting, throat burning spirits. “It’s the perfect plan. Just before the formal ceremony, I’ll have her break it off, but by then I’d have “fallen in love”… My parents wouldn’t push anyone on me after something like that.”

“Dude… I was fucking joking,” Lo’ak emphasized. Then, paying attention to the determined look on the man’s face, Lo’ak shoved his shoulder. “Skxawng, you’re not seriously thinking of going through with this?”

“Why not? It’s good advice- Hey! I was going to drink that!”

Lo’ak had snatched the waterskin they hid their liquid stash in. “I think you’ve had enough.”

“Fuck you.”

Facing the metkayina man fully, the omaticaya shook his head. “Listen… back at Home Camp, there’s a saying, don’t ever take advice from Lo’ak. Now usually I’d be offended, but right now, I think you should listen to the masses… Also, I’m pretty sure you’re drunk. Better yet, we're both drunk.”

Aonung waved him off. “Lo’ak. This plan could actually work.” 

“It could also blow up in your face.”

“Then that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“You’re that desperate?! Reya’s got so many female friends, why don’t you-”

“No. I wouldn’t ask that of my sister. I know myself and it’s this unspoken rule between us anyway. I don’t play around with her friends, and she stays clear of mine- even if she’s never been like that- like me.”

“Nice. Guess I’m the exception then?” Lo’ak grinned. 

“You’re not my friend,” Aonung deadpanned. 

“Ouch!” Lo’ak pretended to be hurt. 

“Are you going to help me with this or not?” 

“Dude, I really love your sister. And I’d really like to stay on good terms with your parents, you know, so they’d let me continue to court her?! If they knew I helped you with this they’d toss me back to the forest before I could even plead my case!” 

Aonung squinted at him. “Tsireya’s made you soft,” he taunted. 

“Nice try, but I have two new badass tats that say otherwise,” he replied, gesturing to the intricate ink that adorned his left arm, and right shoulder.

The corner of Aonung’s lips twitched. He was secretly proud of the forest boy. Lo’ak impressed them all with his determination to learn their metkayina customs.

He’d been through grueling challenges that endangered his life and partook in lengthy, traditional ceremonies all for the chance of love. All for Tsireya. No wonder it was so easy for Aonung to approve of their match. 

Lo’ak blew out a breath and handed the booze back to his friend who took a swig. “Alright then, let’s do this fucking thing.” 

“That was fast. What changed your mind?”

“I know too much. Your parents will kill me either way, especially if they knew I didn’t do anything to stop you. So, let’s get to planning properly so they don’t find out.”

“Let’s hear it then. What’s first?”

Lo’ak thrummed his bottom lip again. “First things first, we need to find you a woman. Should be easy to help you get a willing partner, you’ve already got so many swatting at your tail.” 

“No,” Aonung shook his head, eyes glassy in the moonlight. “It can’t be one of them. They’d think they could handle it but they’d also think they could change me. Make me fall for them. I’m not stupid.”

“Nope,” Lo’ak agreed. “You’re just a cocky bastard… a fucking fishlip skxawng if you ask me,” he mumbled.

“Skxawng…” Revelation formed on Aonung’s face. “I think I know the perfect woman.” 

~

Ayelýn was furiously scrubbing at a filthy mat someone had brought in. Frustrated, she cursed at whatever substance had left such a stain, praying it wasn’t blood… or worse. 

Thankfully it didn’t smell like either. 

She wiped at her brow, and blew out a breath toward a stubborn loc of hair that refused to be confined in her tie. This would be her last article to clean for the day. 

If she could just get the stain out. 

Scrubbing until her already bruised knuckles blistered, Ayelýn tuned out the sounds of the village around her. 

Keftxo, was the smallest and last in the chain of fifty islands occupied by the metkayina people. Hearing countless whispers and rumored talk when she was growing up, Ayelýn found out that Keftxo, was sadly known as “the lesser” island. That included the reef people inhabiting it, also.

Despite learning this, her parents taught her to never be ashamed of being from here. It was full of the hardest working Na’vi, Na’vi who undertook jobs that may not have been the most grand but were no less important than any other. 

Life in her little village was all hard work most days. Her duty, along with a handful of others was the grueling job known as a scrubber. 

Everyday, canoes from their neighboring villages were filled to the brim with tarps, sleeping mats, hammocks, heavy fishing nets, tapestries and harnesses. And everyday she would spend hours scrubbing them clean. 

She’d just added another sweet smelling soap spud directly to the already almost potent concoction she’d formed for this one mat, hoping the concentrated effects would aid in her task, when a familiar fine voice called her name. 

“Lýn! Lýn!” Kaiiff, her little brother excitedly bounced into the marui she was in, boxy grin wide. “You won’t believe this! We have a visitor from Awa’atlu and I think he’s asking for you!”

Wiping sweat from her brow again, and mostly likely smearing herself with soap studs, Ayelýn began to rinse out the stubborn article. “No one from Awa’atlu knows who I am, Kaii,” she said with a forced smile, trying to mask her tiredness from the ball of life in front of her. 

“Lýnnn, I’m serious. He described you perfectly. Asked for a puny, scowling female and even said you have a tiny scar on your left shoulder. At least that’s what Talu said he was asking for. And who else in the village could that be?” 

Ayelýn paid full attention to her brother now, brows scrunched in confusion. Before she could ask, two individuals were entering the marui behind her brother, flanked by a very obvious crowd of onlookers behind them. 

Her father seemed uneasy as he approached her, suspicious eyes flickering from her to the man following close behind him.

“You!” her lips spat in fury before her brain could comprehend who exactly she was seeing. 

“Hello, gorgeous,” the familiar stranger greeted- rather loudly too, once again with that stupid smirk of his. 

“Ayelýn?” her father called. “You know the Olo'eyktan’s son?”

Ayelýn audibly inhaled- shock clouding her features at the revelation that the wall of a man before her- the man she’d practically insulted quite a few many times now, was none other than their Olo'eyktan’s son. 

Aonung…

Ripples of not so hushed whispers from Lýn’s workmates echoed behind her as her face paled in mortification. Despite the reveal, she had never wanted nothing more than to punch the stupid smug smirk off his face, mirth dancing in his eyes because he knew… that she knew now. 

“Ayelýn,” he voiced as though testing it out- her name sounding sinful coming from his lips. 

Time seemed to have sped up, because in a matter of seconds, quite a few things happened.

The first being, Aonung’s surprisingly pleasant introduction with her younger brother and her mother, who’d quietly snuck into the mix as well- her cheeks tinting as she bashfully patted Aonung on the arm for thinking that she was Lýn’s older sister and not her mother. 

Having enough, Ayelýn snapped rather rudely, interrupting their small talk. “What are you doing here?” 

“Ayelýn,” her mother hissed in disbelief. “Have some respect.”

“Sa'nok, you don’t under-”

“No, it’s okay. I know my presence is a bit of a surprise… I was actually hoping to have a word with your daughter, if you’d allow me,” Aonung directed to her parents, tone dripping in charm Ayelýn knew was probably- most likely all an act. “Somewhere private if possible?”

“Oh! O-of course, of course,” Bwena replied, grin stretching so wide that Ayelýn thought her mother’s face must hurt. She was ever eager to encourage whatever was happening here. “You may use our marui. Ayelýn will show you! Go on, Lýn,” her mother quipped, bodily shuffling her forward and even taking a fast second to try to hastily wipe away a streak of soap residue from her brow. 

“No- wait-”

Protesting was futile because before she knew it, Ayelýn found herself in her family’s shabby but quaint, tiny marui- quite alone with a towering Na’vi and his stupid smirking mouth. 

It annoyed her how much he was enjoying this- whatever this was.

Her eyes tracked his every move as he observed her home. It wasn’t as nice or grand or even tidy like the ones she’d snuck glances into during her brief visit to Awa’atlu, and she suddenly found herself feeling self conscious- lesser than… and she hated herself for it. 

When he finally returned his attention to her, his lips did a funny little quirk as though he were trying not to laugh.

“What?” she snapped.

Instead of responding, he snagged a cloth from a line of clean drying articles and approached cautiously, surprising her when he began to gently wipe at her brow and down her cheek. His other hand held her chin in place, thumb and forefinger keeping her still as he worked in silence. 

Ayelýn didn’t know why she allowed him, but something gave her pause… maybe it was the way his smell attacked her senses- salt and spice and comfort. 

“There you go,” he hushed, voice rumbling deep and wrong. “All pretty again.”

Senses betraying her, she forced herself to take a step back. “What are you doing here, Aonung?”

“Looking for you.”

“Mm, I gathered… You’ve created quite the spectacle and now it will be all my village talks about until I’m frail and old.”

“That’s dramatic… and presumptuous of you.”

“Presumptuous? Me? Oh-” she scoffed. Oh the nerve of him. “I have lived here all my life and I have never seen you step foot in Keftxo. You’re the one that walked into my village- like you own it mind you-” She gave him a flashing warning glare when he tried to rebut, because technically he did own her village. “-looking for me! Can we get this over with so you can be on your way? What do you want?” 

Mouth set, he shrugged casually. “I want us to form a courtship. A formal one.”

When Ayelýn didn’t answer, his head tilted, trying to catch her attention as he poked her shoulder. “Did you hear me, gorgeous?”

“Hm? Oh yes, I did. Nice joke. I'm just too tired to laugh though. Now what do you really want?”

“I’m… not joking,” he enunciated slowly, peering at her in concern, as if she were the one saying crazy things. “I want us to court and-”

“You want us to… what?” 

“Court… You and me.” 

Ayelýn snorted. “Clearly you’ve gone and lost your head.” But something about the way he kept staring at her however popped the amusement bubbling at her chest. “You’re being serious right now, aren’t you?” 

He nodded. 

And for the first time, she saw his sincerity shining through.

“So, what do you say, Lýn?” he asked with an expectant smile, using her nickname as though they were old friends.

“Absolutely not!”

~

Hey, you lovey people!

I’m sure you all know the drill by now, please let me know what you think. 💛

Parts 2 & 3 are mostly complete and just need a full edit, so be sure to share anything in particular you’d like to see happen.

~

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