sunsents

[sunsents]

➶ ambivalent — series ; prologue

➴ neteyam x human!reader — “the end of the beginning”

“The greatest adventure is to have no fear for the blaze that lies ahead.” — Robert M. Drake

synopsis: a woman loses her way in pandora’s forest, but meets a man of the night. they couldn’t be more different, yet fate has a way of turning the impossible, possible.

genre: slow burn, hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers, 18+

tags/warnings: some violence (fighting off predators), mention of wounds, nothing too graphic, fluff and character death(s)

word count: 10k

↳ notes: wow. it feels so weird to be posting again like it feels like it’s been months since i’ve dropped anything on here and some of you (after reading this) will go “uh…is this what i’ve been waiting this long for? nahh” LMAOO and you would be right but to be fair, this is just an introduction ! i never really got descriptive with the reader’s background so i thought this was a cool way to go about it! plus, as a prologue, you never really get much anyway so i wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and give you a little peek of the past <3

↳ p.s. ok you know the drill. schedule, schmedule. jkjk. i honestly would like to post once/twice a week but man, life can be so unpredictable. then again, as a writer, it’s normal to disappear for weeks to months and come back with some wild story of what’s happened between then and now right? y’all are used to that so maybe old habits are gonna have to die hard. anyway! let’s just say…i’m going to pretend like i’ll be posting a chapter a week but do not hold me to it lol

disclaimers: writing is my hobby so i am in no way a professional. another thing, the chapters will always vary between 8-10k+ so be prepared for that ;)) btw, proofread by me so if you see a mistake…no you didn’t

need to know info: the na’vi speaking will only be in italics when they are speaking it around her, otherwise it’ll be presented in normal text. they will also be speaking in na’vi throughout the entire story unless said otherwise, which will be made very obvious, dw

↳ word bank:

natxu – “disapprove of”

nantang - "viperwolf”

tza’wey – “a debt; owe your life”

tawtute - "sky person/human”

kuru – “a neural queue”

ꕥ okok, enjoy n pls like/reblog! it is much, much appreciated ꕥ

» series masterlist ➳ chapter i

“Come, gentle night; come, loving, black-browed night;

Give me my Romeo; and, when I shall die,

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night…”

— William Shakespeare, ‘Romeo and Juliet’

“How pretty…”

Jane brushed the pad of her finger along the underside of a purple flower that was adorned with glowing dots all over its petals. There were more just like it that surrounded her, but something about this particular flower caught her eye. Maybe it was the unique shape of it. Its stem was thicker than the others, petals significantly larger as well. It was draped over to the side like it’d been previously stepped on or blown hard enough by the wind that it couldn't straighten itself back out. It was also a bit separated from its siblings but either way, she found it to be remarkably breathtaking.

She preserved her squatting position, debating on whether to meet the beautiful flower eye to eye and risk getting dirt smudged all over the front of her shirt or play it safe by admiring its beauty from a short distance as she subconsciously found herself doing already. The answer was painfully obvious, but it didn’t make the decision any easier. 

With a grim sigh, she stood back up and gave her back a freeing stretch that made the fluid in between her tired joints groan approvingly. Affirming a sense of relief from a little self-chiropractic session, she knew that it was time to head back to the lab site before it got too dark out. Although she packed her usual survival kit in the small backpack on her back, along with rations and a few other miscellaneous items, it was still imperative that she made it back no matter how prepared she was to get caught under Pandora’s beautiful but lethal moonlight.

She wasn’t the only one in the forest and made quick note of that as she gained a pep in her step, trying to race against the remaining daylight.

It was bad timing for her to remember the horror stories of past scientists getting lost in the forest after nightfall. Her mother wasn’t shy of the details, either. Most were torn apart by what hid in the dark shadows of the pandoran night while others found themselves forever lost and never found again. They overestimated their ability to survive the night on their own, something she knew she couldn’t bet against when she barely knew how to fend off mosquitoes. Dare she say, those tiny blood-sucking demons were more of a challenge than people knew. Especially without her peppermint and lavender oil mix with her. Though, sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. Pandora’s insects were a tad different from the ones back home on earth. 

She almost sighed again.

Perhaps she wasn’t as prepared as she originally thought.

It was fairly easy to tell that Pandora wasn’t made for humans. Possibly other beings, but she had yet to meet any other life forms besides the animals. Despite that, she was well aware that she lived amongst the na’vi, the natives of the land. She’d never met or seen one, but they were out there. 

Or so she was told. 

It was as if the forest was taller and bigger than what had once been on earth. She could hardly see what was above the tops of the trees, but she knew that she was losing daylight. The shadows had become her friend overtime, able to judge when the day was going to shift into night. From that, she could tell that her pacing wasn’t good enough. At the rate that she was going, she would have to set up camp soon and pray until morning came back around again. However, she didn’t have much faith that she’d even last an hour before the nightly creatures came out in search of her. As quick of a death as she hoped it would be, she had no plans on dying just yet.

A snap of a twig towards her left caused her to drive both of her heels into the dirt, ears on alert. While she was someone that didn’t mind  getting lost in Pandora’s transcendent flora from time to time, there was a slight interest in its inhabitants as well. So far, none of the animals had been brave enough to come close enough for her to examine them, but she often caught some peering at her from a distance while she was out and about. It was gratifying until she began to lose daylight. She became aware that the animals knew to go into hiding at a certain time, and understandably so. Predators tended to hunt at night, using the shadows as their first wall of camouflage. Despite the bioluminescence to keep the forest from becoming pitch black, it still wasn’t enough to silence the worry and fear that began to bubble up at the pit of her stomach. Was she going to make it?

Her mother always made it abundantly clear to Jane that she could never allow herself to stay out past a certain time. That she needed to stay aware of her surroundings, and not get lost in it. She had a transmitter around her neck, but she couldn’t let her mother or the others know that she could hardly tell where she was going now. That she might’ve gotten lost. The last thing she wanted to do was worry everyone to death. Especially her mother. Had they noticed her prolonged absence yet?

Another snap pulled her away from her thoughts, body as rigid and as stiff as a tree. She let her eyes roam the area, trying to find what kept making such an eerie noise but she couldn’t find anything. An intake of breath kept her focus steady, but it didn’t quell her anxiety. She knew she wasn’t supposed to be out in the forest so late, and she figured that she was about to pay the price for that.

For a split second, she closed her eyes and tried to ground herself. She was going to make it back home, safe and sound. Under her breath, she repeated that into a mantra over and over, letting her own voice try and soothe her as she began to walk forward again. Each step felt watched from the shadows, but she couldn’t pay any mind to it. To start, she didn’t want to give whatever it was that was out there watching her the satisfaction of acknowledging it, but she also couldn’t stop walking. She had to keep moving because the longer she lingered, the more likely she was to get stuck in the forest.

She could feel the fatigue pawing at her subconscious. She was tired, and wanted nothing more than to throw her body onto a soft bed. That was another reason why she couldn’t stop. Everything she’d need for a forest sleepover was in her survival kit, but there was a reason why she never used any of it. It was because she couldn’t settle for sleeping on the ground when there was a bed waiting for her back at the lab. However, her legs felt like jelly. It was like she was basically running on fumes. Her vision was getting blurry, and the sounds around her weren’t helping. If something wanted to come out and gobble her up, there was a 99% chance she’d let it happen. At this point, the forest felt never ending. She couldn’t go on for much longer.

Jane had an excellent imagination. She practically lived in her perception of how the world looked to her, but she also had the skills of a realist. She could come back to earth—well Pandora—and see the situation for whatever it was. She knew what her chances of making it back before nightfall was, and couldn’t sell herself the story anymore. She had to be realistic, and set up camp. 

And so she did.

There wasn’t a lot she needed to do, but it wasn’t like she was up to the task of doing much anyway. Her body couldn’t handle the stress so she became content with a small fire a few feet in front of her and a blanket laid out underneath her. She chose an area that was open, void of all the shrubbery and thickened plants. In case of an emergency, she would need a fast getaway or if something came out of the shadows, she’d see it. Plus, it was ample enough space to go toe to toe with anything that’d try and kill her. Or worse, eat her. She wasn’t exactly trained to fight a thanator but something smaller, she could possibly handle.

With all of her weapons, tools and rations laid out, she exhaled, and was leaned up against a tree that had become her designated spot for the night. It was strategic because if anything wanted to sneak up on her, she’d catch it before it could get to her which went hand in hand with the open space. Plus, sleeping upright felt better than laying down. She didn’t feel comfortable in the slightest so up against a tree seemed like the better way to go. 

As she munched on a granola bar, she began to wonder why no one had tried getting in contact with her yet. It looked like it was nearing the late evening which surely warranted concern. Were they still hoping that she would turn up soon? Following the swallow of her food, she frowned in thought. Was it a good idea to stop and rest for the night? Should she have kept going until she got close enough to the site for someone to come out and help her back inside? It wasn’t quite dark out yet; she still had a ways to go. Maybe she could still make it…

Suddenly, Jane wasn’t as hungry as she was a second ago. 

Thoughts of continuing the journey back to the lab circled her mind as something in the form of a human stealthily moved through the shadows, unbeknownst to her. Footsteps as light as a mouse, toeing around her campsite; right under her nose. It was quiet until she caught the sound of a deep growl past the fire, behind an expanse of thick leaves. Her nerves instantly went into shock. She snatched the knife from the holster attached to her hip, and raised it right below her eyesight, shifting up onto her feet to prepare for an attack. It was an animal, she was aware of that, and it sounded big. She’d mentally told herself that she was ready for anything, but didn’t think it would happen so soon (or, at all).

“Fuck,” her eyes darted around the area, trying to scope out what was watching her as it continued to stalk its prey. Whereas she couldn’t see it, it could see her and that made her want to crawl up a tree and never come back down. A part of her wished she had just kept walking until her feet bled across the forest floor. That she hadn’t stopped for rest at all. Now, she felt like she was paying the price. 

Her knife shook, still raised in the air. Her breathing pattern was just as erratic as her heartbeat. Maybe passing out would save her from the utter humiliation of getting eaten alive by whatever was circling her camp. It was her fault. She shouldn’t have been out past dark. She should’ve been back at the lab by now, but she’d gotten distracted earlier. She had no one to blame but herself. She could hear Matt now. 

“See, I told you. I told you a hundred times that Jane shouldn’t be allowed back outside again. She never listens when we tell her to come back at a certain time. One of these days she’s going to get caught past dark, and learn the hard way.”

And learning the hard way, she was.

If she managed to make it through the night, still in one piece, then she’d consider taking Matt up on never coming back out again.

Another growl rolled through the eerie silence, forcing her back to the present situation. The lit up plants weren’t doing her any favors illuminating the area enough for her to see her possible assailant. If she was to die here, she would never forgive herself. Not even in death. It was an indefensible way to go out. Her mother would never let her hear the end of it.

“Come on,” she muttered, able to hear its heavy footsteps now, “Come on.”

Just as she was about to run out and make the first move, it showed itself. A viperwolf launched itself out of the bushes and rushed towards her with its claws stretched out and ready to tear into her tender flesh. Caught off guard by the immense speed of its jump, she staggered backwards, backing into the tree behind her. A sharp pain jolted through her shoulder blade but without much thought, she pushed her body sideways to dodge getting her face ripped off. Tree bark littered the ground as she scooted away until she was able to get back on her feet. It hissed and snarled at her before taking another lunge. The moment she held up her knife, she realized that it was too late. The viperwolf smacked the weapon from her hand, the blade skidding across the dirt. It pounced on her, one massive paw on her chest to hold her down and the other trying to scratch at her. She held it back by its jaws, screaming and struggling to get away. It snapped and kept trying to get at her, tearing through her flimsy shirt and gashing up her skin in the process. 

Jane knew she was going to die. She’d seen it many times before, but nothing as clear as this. Death had never been so close. She could almost taste it, but that was probably just fear. There was something else underneath it all, trying to claw its way out.

She realized that she didn’t want to die. That she was fighting because she wanted to stay alive. 

Before, she was deluding herself that she was going to make it till morning so that she didn’t hyperventilate herself into a panic attack, but she knew what the biggest probability was going to be. She knew there was a good chance that she wasn’t going to make it. Now she was positive she was because the last thing she planned on doing was laying down and dying.

With that new resolve rushing through her veins, she kicked the beast off of her with the last bit of strength she still had, and quickly got back on her feet as it rolled across the dirt. Angry, it got back on its six legs and snarled loudly at her. That was when she heard similar growls around her. There were more of them?

“Shit.”

She forgot. Viperwolves traveled in packs. There was never just one.

She couldn’t win. Not when there was more than one watching her, waiting to find the right moment with her guard down to attack her all at once.

There was no other option. No other choice.

She had to make a run for it.

And she had to do it now.

The figure in the trees above her was considering whether to help her or let her become the viperwolves supper for the night. It was a difficult decision because the figure was well aware of the dangers of sky people. The people within the clan were trained to either kill on sight or stay out of sight when near them. The figure could have walked away, but... The woman below did not appear to be as vile as the legends about her sort suggested. Perhaps preserving her life will not doom the people. Perhaps she was intended to be saved. The figure had to admit a faint sense of duty in the air. It was wrong to allow someone so defenseless to die without obtaining the necessary abilities to survive. Especially in a forest like Pandora’s.

And so, it was decided. 

The moment she made the decision to turn and make a run for it, she heard something jump out of the tree above her. Scared that it was another viperwolf, she ducked and backed away, getting closer to the fire in hopes that the bright hot flames would scare them all off. Just as she picked up a log from the fire, she was able to see just what had leapt from the branches above.

A man stood tall and strong in front of the attackers with a bow as big as him gripped tightly in his hand. Once a long arrow was set, he pulled back and shot it towards one of the vipers. It tried to dodge and lunge at him but clearly wasn’t fast enough. Not faster than the arrow. With a weak howl, it flew back into the bushes, an arrow lodged deep in its belly. Several sprung out of the night, claws ready to avenge their brethren but were served similar fates. Right after the other, they went down but some managed to scatter, running for their lives. 

Jane sat there, speechless as she watched him walk towards his first kill. Still stunned by the heroic display of coming to her rescue and fending off the beasts, she’d forgotten how to speak. Who was this man? His height and blue skin along with his clothing signified that he wasn’t one of her own. He appeared to be one of the Na’vi that she had heard about. She’d never crossed one of them before, but perhaps it had something to do with her being human and living on land that didn’t belong to her. She almost cringed. His silence was expected. She couldn’t imagine how annoyed he must’ve been to go out of his way to save her like that. She wasn’t prepared for the animals that stalked the forest at night. She wasn’t properly equipped nor skillfully trained to fend off viperwolves. The Na’vi were. 

He bent down, and muttered something in his language before he pulled the arrow out. He did that with the other dead viperwolves until his eyes were finally set on her. She swallowed roughly, and struggled to her feet. The more he stepped closer, the more she stepped back. He stopped once he was next to the fire, a slight frown on his face. He looked displeased about something. He wasn’t speaking to her so she couldn’t understand what the issue was. He’d just saved her life. Maybe he was waiting for a thank you? Although, she wasn’t sure if that was something his people harbored on. Either way, she was confused.

“Natxu,” he hissed before smothering the fire with dirt. Then, he snatched the log of fire from her hands, and put it out as well.

“Hey, wait!” She stumbled forward to stop him but it was already out. She sighed, shoulders fallen in defeat. “I needed that.”

He looked down at her, confused by the somber expression on her face. He looked around, and was pleased that he could see the sight of the bioluminescence that surrounded them. She stopped pouting once she realized the same. It was beautiful. Of course, she was used to seeing it by now but after a close brush with death, she saw it all in a new light. She also realized why he had put the fire out. There was no need. The forest supplied enough to see just as effectively. Without the danger of almost dying looming over her head, that is.

“Pretty,” she whispered, and his eyes were back on her now. 

“Hm.”

He grunted, and began to walk away. Too scared to be alone again, she reached out to try and touch his wrist to get his attention. Quick with his reflexes, he had her tiny arm in his hand before she could even make contact. He didn’t say anything, but he bared his sharp teeth at her which made her speak first.

“Sorry, I just…” She looked elsewhere, feeling embarrassed. Of course he was on guard. She was a stranger, and a human at that. He was one of the Na’vi people she had heard so much about before. She never came across one since her time in the forest so she didn’t particularly know how to act or what not to do when in the presence of one of them. Clearly, their customs were different and that touching them without their consent was off limits and disrespectful. She felt embarrassed. “Don’t leave,” she looked back up at him, finding it difficult with the extreme height difference. “I won’t make it out here alone without you. Please.”

His eyes narrowed, lip pulled back in a grim snarl, “You should not be out here at all. Why?”

She blinked, slightly confused by the question and thrown off by hearing him speak english. His accent was thick, but she could still understand him. Where had he learned the language? “Why?”

“Yes.”

“I study plants,” she explained, but saw by the lack of change in his expression that he still didn’t understand, “I lost track of time. Before I knew it, it was getting dark and I knew I wasn’t going to make it back so I set up camp here. Then, I was attacked.”

He stared at her for several moments until he dropped her arm, taking a step back. “You are noisy. The nantang hears you from far away. You, making noise and not knowing what to do.” She deflated at that, feeling ashamed that she was so unaccustomed to how she was supposed to act while in the forest. Obviously, she lacked more knowledge than she thought. “You do not belong here. Go back.”

Jane bit into her lip, tears threatening to fall. She hated to feel like a burden to anyone. It was why she liked being by herself. She could’ve had someone come out with her that knew the forest better than her, but truthfully, she liked to be alone most of the time. Not to mention that if something happened and it was because of her, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself. She was prone to accidents, and was a magnet for danger. She always knew what she was getting herself into the moment she stepped out of the lab. She just felt sorry for needing the help. She was weak, and couldn’t fend for herself. As embarrassing as it was for her, she’d rather take the humility over the chance of getting attacked again.

In his eyes, she was the smallest thing he’d ever seen. She’d surprised him when she got back on her feet and looked ready to take on that viperwolf earlier, despite her size and incapability. It was one of the reasons why he had chosen to help her. Now, she was indebted to him and he hoped she would never realize that because the last thing he needed was her following him around everywhere like a lost puppy, and having to explain to his parents and to the people the situation. However, his honor kept gnawing at him. She didn’t know about tza’wey, owing a life debt. It wasn’t fair that he was aware of what that entailed, and she wasn’t. She had to be given the choice, even though it would only make his life that much harder. He knew that she deserved the right to know about it. 

When he opened his mouth to speak, he noticed how watery her eyes were. Was she trying to not cry? Was it something he’d said? 

He didn’t realize how harsh he might’ve been towards her. Unprovoked, at that. It wasn’t necessarily her fault for needing his help. She was on a planet that she couldn’t survive well on as naturally as him and his people could. She wasn’t born on the land and taught how to hunt and survive here. Though he didn’t believe she was meant to even come here in the first place, she was here and because of that, she needed protection. 

Feeling a sense of regret, he bent down and raised a large finger up to her cheek. It caught a tear before it could fall all the way down, startling her in the process. She sniffled.

“Sorry. Please don’t worry. I’m okay. I shouldn’t be crying. Because I couldn’t protect myself, you had to help me. I’m thankful that you were close by to do so, but I’m sorry that I needed the help. I will try not to be a burden again.”

He sighed, dropping his hand back to his knee, looking at her with a softer and more understanding gaze, “You are not strong enough. That is not a weakness. Do not be sorry. You are very fragile…” his voice was low and gentle, as if he was approaching a wounded fawn so as to not scare it away. She stood in front of him, having to still crane her neck up to make eye contact. He would’ve found it cute if not for the tears in her eyes. “You must be careful, understand? The forest at night is not safe for you.”

“I know,” she replied, wiping away the remaining tears, “Thank you for saving me.”

He shook his head, “Do not thank. It is my duty as a warrior to help soft, vulnerable little things such as you.”

“Vulnerable…” she played with the word on her tongue, flipping it over, trying to decipher his meaning to it, “Am I the first human you’ve come across?”

He nodded, “Yes...and no.”

That made her giddy. She had so many questions, but it wasn’t exactly the right time. She was bleeding, and needed to bandage herself up before she could start making her way back to the lab. The thought of everyone losing their heads once seeing her wounds was enough to strike up an intense headache. She wasn’t dying, she just needed a little medical attention. The stitching was going to be the worst part. She’d never needed stitching, but she saw someone get them and didn’t want any part of it. However, it was necessary and perhaps a little pain was due for the amount of idiotic decisions she managed to make within a few hours. 

Some still called it karma back on earth.

The man’s eyes darted down to the wound that she was covering with her hand, nose wrinkling up, “You are wounded.”

Jane nodded before she hobbled to her backpack to find her trauma kit, “Yeah, I am. Nothing to worry about though,” she winced as she bent down to rummage through the bag, “Just need a little bandaging and then I can try and make it back to the lab.”

“La-b.” The Na’vi man let the foreign word settle on his tongue, unable to put a meaning to it. “What is this ‘la-b you speak of?’ You cannot leave. The wound is too deep,” Even though her back was turned, she could tell that he was walking towards her. “You must be treated.”

“I know. We have medicinals and everything else I’ll need back at the lab. I just need to stop the bleeding so I can– ah! Found it.”

She pulled out a fresh pack of bandages and was about to peel it open when the man pulled her back on her feet, hand wrapped around her arm again. Confused, she stared up at him as he stared back. There was that look again. The one he’d worn when he stepped towards the fire a few minutes ago. He looked irritated about something. 

“What?” She asked, wondering what was on his mind. 

His face displayed several different emotions, desperately trying to pin down one to focus on. It was hard to concentrate on the conversation when she kept looking at him like that. Those long, dark lashes of hers. They casted tiny shadows across her cheekbones, eyes lit up by the fire as well. It was incredibly distracting. It was like she was doing it on purpose even though he knew that she wasn’t. He never could find humans all that visually appealing but this woman… She was different. She held some sort of an effect on him, whether he was ready to admit that or not. Perhaps there was another reason he saved her…

He mentally shook his head. That could be dissected later. Right now, her wounds needed to be treated and fast.

He stood there looking at her a few moments more before he grunted again, and tugged her along, “Come.”

Jane rose a brow, and took a glance back at her backpack that they were leaving behind, “Hey, wait—”

He stopped, and set his eyes back on her again, “You will die if you stay here. I can take care of you. Come.”

“I’ll go but I need my pack! We can’t just leave it there,” she exclaimed, pleading him with her eyes. They did seem to have an effect on him, she noticed. Why not continue to use it to her advantage?

His face was blank. Then, he blinked. In a gruff tone, he responded, “Unnecessary,” and swiftly turned around, walking forward again with her in tow.

She spent the next two minutes fighting against him but he was much stronger than her, and kept pulling her with him. Her resistance was beginning to claw at the most impatient parts of his brain so to rectify the situation, he stopped walking. Believing that she had finally gotten through to him, she wore a proud smile and was prepared to tell him to take her back to go and get her pack when she was caught off guard, feeling his arms slide under her thighs, picking her up. She yelped, realizing that she was now 9ft or so off of the ground, in the arms of a tall blue man that looked extremely annoyed. 

“What are you doing?!” She shrieked, causing his ears to twitch back.

His nose wrinkled again, glancing from her to the mass of trees in front of him, “You are very noisy.”

She’d noticed his ears flick back, and almost wanted to touch them. But, she realized that she was supposed to be upset with him. Not curious. 

“Everything I need is in that pack back there. We have to go back.”

His face remained unchanged. He looked forward, chest puffed in stern resolution. “No.”

She huffed. She wasn’t going to get anywhere with him. It wasn’t like she could force her way out of his hold. He was at least three times bigger and several times stronger than her so it’d be wasted energy that she didn’t have much of in the first place. Still, she mentally remembered where her pack was and planned on going back for it one way or the other. If it was still there, that was. Perhaps after getting treated by his people, she could sneak off for it. 

Boy was she going to have a good story for her mom and the others. 

“You are quiet now,” He commented, drawing her focus back onto him. When their eyes locked again, she didn’t miss the tiny pull of his lips as his eyes flickered back to what was in front of him, “You should stay that way.”

She crossed her arms, and looked away from him too, lips pulled downward, “Yeah, maybe I will.”

He could tell by her tone that she was upset with him, but he couldn't bring himself to inquire or try to rectify the problem. He was doing the right thing, whether she wanted to recognize it or not. Perhaps she’d feel better after getting treated. He could only hope that this was not her typical demeanor. There was only so much he could take in one day. He wasn't familiar with human behavior, but he figured she'd give him a one-on-one, up-close-and-personal lesson in all of it. He could feel a nagging headache coming on. She didn't appear to be making things simple for him, that was for sure. 

“Hm,” he acknowledged, and continued to walk in silence. 

She kept herself preoccupied by thinking about other things, and getting caught up in her surroundings. If only she’d brought her camera. The forest was incredibly beautiful at night. It seemed to come to life around her. Everything lit up, from plants to insects to even small animals that were still out and about. She’d been fascinated by Pandora’s wonders ever since she saw pictures of the planet, and sketches of its plants and animals. Even the rocks underneath the water in ponds had their own source of light. It was something she’d never seen before. She couldn’t remember a place on earth that was half as extraordinary as Pandora.

Her mind fell back onto the man that was carrying her across the forest, pondering something. 

“Hey.”

If he’d heard her, he didn’t make it obvious. His ears made the slightest twitch, but for the most part, he looked like he was off into his own world of thoughts. She didn’t let that stop her from annoying him by opening her mouth again.

“I never got your name.”

When he glanced down at her, he found her staring at him. For some reason, he couldn’t hold eye contact with the human. He quickly blinked, and stared at the forest in front of him, stepping through the wide leaves and around the tall plants that surrounded them.

He sniffed, chest puffed and responded with a proud, “Tsu’to.”

She smiled, “Tso’to.”

At that, he quirked a brow down at her, disapprovingly, “No. Tsu’to.”

“Yeah,” she nodded, confused, “That’s what I said. Tso’to.”

Tsu’to stopped walking for a moment, hellbent on fixing this situation before it made him do the unthinkable and toss her weightless body into a nearby pond. 

“It is Tsu’–to. Not Tso’to. There is only one ‘o’ in my name.”

“Ohhh,” she exclaimed, voice a bit too shrill for his taste but at least she understood her mistake, “Tsu’to!”

He almost smiled, but didn’t allow it to stretch across his face. Instead, he swallowed it down and gave her a firm nod before he started walking again, looking ahead. Jane smiled to herself.

“Tsu’to. I like it.”

She wasn't looking at him when he looked down at her. She had a slight smile on her face as she looked forward. He found himself unable to look away. Her smaller features, her smile, and her hands. Everything about her was so petite and delicate that he should've been scared to hold her this way, yet a part of him preferred having her in his arms to having her walk behind or in front of him. She was small enough to be captured by the forest's predators. She was as light as a feather and could simply be taken from the ground and sent off into the sky. In any case, he couldn't let it happen, so she was better off in his grasp, safe from harm.

A weird tingle ran down his spine as she murmured his name. At first, he mistook the sensation for a wind chill. The night air had cooled slightly, but not much. It was something about the way his name sounded on her tongue. She didn't quite understand how to pronounce a Na'vi name like his, but even with her unusual accent, she made his name sound like a gift from eywa. It caused his tail to swish from side to side until he caught the ridiculous act and swiftly stopped it. His tail hung low in humiliation as he traveled forward, refusing to allow the small human to get to him so easily.

He reminded himself of her wounds, and focused on that as they neared the village. 

Thankfully, when they finally reached the village, he’d found her sound asleep. She must’ve been tired. Not just from her wounds but surely from wandering through the forest for who knew how long. He almost didn’t want to take her to the tsahik to get treated, only because that would mean waking her from her slumber but her wounds were a priority. 

He gave her a silent apology before he took the necessary steps into the village that instantly attracted attention. Every eye was on them as he walked through the grounds, headed straight for his mother’s tent. Being the tsahik and oloeyktan’s son, he attracted attention wherever he went but with a human curled up in his arms like some feline—he’d garnished more looks and whispers than any other time else in his life. It was almost annoying, but he could understand the curiosity. He’d never been a fan of humans, and made that abundantly clear amongst the people as they all shared the same sentiment. However, to see him carrying one through the village, a woman at that, it surely brought talk. 

He almost sighed. He wasn’t sure how he was going to explain this to his mother and father or how he was going to get the woman treated, but it was worth the try. If push came to shove, he’d have to see after her himself. 

With that resolution, he marched further on until he made it to the tent, and cautiously stepped through being sure to lift the flap up as he entered inside.

Medicinal herbs and such infiltrated his nose, but nothing that he wasn’t already used to. Then his brother’s pained noises came next.

“Ow! Ow, ow, ow,” he winced, feeling a slight sting as his mother tried to finish cleaning the wound.

She frowned in concentration before she moved to lightly flick at his ear. He whined again, covering his ear and giving her a look of hurt over his shoulder. She shrugged.

“Don’t be such a baby, Zatxu. This is what happens when you stay past dark and come back with a wound as deep as this. Now turn back around so I can finish this. You don’t want to miss dinner do you?”

Zatxu reluctantly turned to face the fire again, head hung low as he groaned, wishing it was over quickly.

Tsu’to stepped further in, holding the little human in his arms tighter like hidden treasure. He wasn’t sure how to approach his mother with something like this, but if she were to react the way he had a feeling she would, then it was best to present the human as carefully as possible.

“Where are we?” Jane mumbled, rubbing at her eyes.

Tsu’to watched his mother and brother glance up at the sound of her voice before they both were on their feet. 

“Son, what is that?!” His mother hissed, keeping her youngest son behind her with an arm, eyes fixated on the woman her oldest was holding so protectively against his chest. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Whoa,” Zatxu stared at the small woman in his brother’s arms, all the more curious to get a better look. “Cool.”

Tsu’to sighed, looking from Jane back to his mother who looked frightened and on alert. She had every right. This wasn’t like him. He’d made it his mission to stay away from the humans that had arrived on their planet, and had always displayed his disdain for all of them. It must’ve been a complete shock to see him cradling one in his arms like some wounded innocent animal seeking medical attention before it was put back on its way home to the forest. This was a human that they were talking about. Not some wounded animal. 

He knew she needed the medical attention, but how he was going to convince his mother to help, he wasn’t sure.

Jane could sense the tension in the air, and even though she didn't understand the language, she could tell by the woman's expression and the way she kept the shorter child behind her that she had to be Tsu'to's mother or someone close to him. Her hatred towards Jane made her feel a little uneasy. She definitely didn't belong there, and she wanted to go even if it meant she wouldn't get treatment for her injuries. She was much further away from the lab, yet despite her injuries, she'd walk all the way back on her own. She didn't want to come into their home and make anyone feel obligated to help her.

Her gaze returned to Tsu'to, who was wearing a sorrowful grimace. He appeared conflicted. This was clearly as difficult for him as it was for her. He wasn't sure how to handle the matter, but he was trying to get her help. Suddenly, she felt like a burden again. She couldn't help but want to hide in a corner. If only to avoid the woman's fearful and judgmental glare.

“Mother, she needs help. If you could just—“

“I will do no such thing,” his mother retorted firmly, eyebrows pinched, “You will let that thing back into the forest and scrub your body clean of its filth before I do it for you,” she hissed, sharp teeth poking at her bottom lip, seconds away from snarling in anger, “Tsu’to, how dare you bring one of those demons into our home! What possessed you to do something like this? You know that we are not allowed anywhere near them and if so, it’s kill on sight. You, of all people, know this!”

“Mother, please,” Tsu’to stepped forward, stretching out a hand to let her know that he meant no harm, “She is harmless. She’s wounded, and needs treatment. After that, I will happily send her on her way back to wherever she came from but she—“

“Why do you expect me to help her?” She asked him, unable to understand where he was coming from, “She is not one of us. Her kind can help her. Take her back, Tsu’to. I will not say this again. If you continue to stand here and argue with me, I will have your father do it for yo—“

“This is a matter of Tza’wey.” 

His mother stood bone-straight, arm still raised in the air to keep Natxu away from the little human. She felt her breath get caught in her throat as the word sunk in.

“Tza‘wey,” she breathed, eyes wide open, “You mean…”

Tsu’to nodded with a firm grunt, “Yes. I saved her life. She is indebted to me.”

“Go back to the village.”

“No,” she said stubbornly, strolling behind him, “I’m walking with you.”

“….”

He chose to cut the conversation there, if not for the sake of his sanity that seemed to be hanging off of a very thin thread.

She grinned, and peeked around his body to see his face. His ears twitched at the sound of her giggling, “You’re brooding.”

He frowned, and glanced down at her, “I am not.”

“You are.”

“No. I am not.”

“Yes you are,” she repeated in a sing-song voice, irritating him even further.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, mumbling to himself, “I should have tossed you in the river. Been done with you.”

“You’d miss me,” she said, picking up the pace and passing him.

He watched her trek forward, chin in the air with a smile on her face. He growled to himself, and quickly looked away. 

“I would not,” he said to himself, nostrils flared.

Her smile widened.

Tsu’to didn’t snoop. He wasn’t a snooper, and he didn’t care about Jane. 

Not at all.

He was just sitting ten feet away from her, watching her from the corner of his eye as she sat hunched over with her back turned to him, doing something that got his curiosity sparked. Humans, and their penchant for always doing useless things. He never could understand her people. He deemed the entire lot strange, and unnatural. It didn’t quite explain what he was doing sitting in the same space with her when he had other pressing matters that needed his attention, but he was an important man. He didn’t need to explain himself.

Ever.

Still, there were better things to do with his time.

Like training young warriors, attending boring meetings about the village’s needs and border security or organizing the next hunting party. There were a handful of things that needed to get done and yet, he chose to share his company with a burdensome human woman. 

Perhaps he’d fully lost it this time. 

After moments spent sitting in silence and feeling the curiosity successfully eat at him, he growled, “What is taking so long, tawtute? Are you not finished yet? What are you doing over there?”

She gave him another miserable minute of silence until she broke it by giggling and turning around with her hands behind her back now. He eyed her suspiciously, eyes narrowed at what she was hiding from him. Unfortunately for her, he wasn’t a fan of surprises. If she had something substantial to show him, then it was best to get it over with and not make a big deal about it. 

“I started working on it yesterday, with your mother’s help, of course,” Jane said, smiling, “I hope that you’ll like it. She said that this is normally something the women of your village will do when they…” He noticed the way her face started to scrunch up a little, and how she fidgeted in place. Even how her eyes dropped from his, suddenly finding the ground very interesting. He grew even more suspicious, especially at the mention of his mother. Didn’t she dislike her? When did that change? “Anyway! Here.”

When she shoved whatever she’d been hiding behind her back in his face, he was forced to blink in order to let his eyes focus on what was in the palm of her hand. It looked tiny, so he used two long fingers to pick it up and put it in proper lighting to see it. The sunlight reflected against the messily wrapped cording, showing the braiding pattern and the colors she chose to use for it. It was a bracelet, but not just any bracelet. 

A courting gift. 

For him.

Before he could catch himself, his face darkened. Thankfully, due to his complexion, it was hard to see. Especially with her tragic human eyesight. 

This just wasn’t what he was expecting for her to show him. At all. 

Her face fell a little at his silence, teeth worrying at her bottom lip, “Do you…do you like it? I know it’s a little messy. It was my first time…”

Tsu’to looked at her, then at her lips. He swallowed, still holding her gift in between his fingers. He desperately tried to steer his focus back to the conversation, but her lips… He’d never admit it out loud, but it was his favorite part about her. Lush, soft lips, wet with a nervous swipe of her tongue, small teeth biting into them like she were trying to tempt him to move closer and take them for himself.

It was safe to say that it was working, if so.

“You don’t like it,” she stated, letting her lip go with a sigh, “I knew it. I can take it back,” she reached for it and he quickly moved it from her grasp, taking her wrist in his hand.

“I…I did not say I don’t like it…” he mumbled, frowning at her before going back to staring at the corded bracelet, silently admiring it again, “It is…nice.”

She raised a brow, lips tugging at the corner, “Nice? That’s all?”

“Hm,” he dropped her hand, and began to fiddle with the bracelet while she sat next to him, annoyingly closer now, eyes bright and wide with suffocating eagerness, “This is small. Not sure it will fit.”

Without glancing at her, he could tell that she was pouting. He almost smirked. Of course she didn’t consider making sure that it was the correct size for him. She was much too busy with trying to make it to think about fitting it to him. Usually, it was unnecessary since they could be made as a one size fits all for his people but since she was human and he was Na’vi…there was a pretty big difference. She forgot to take that into consideration.

His tone was teasing but there was a tinge of worry at the pit of his stomach, unsure if it would actually fit him. He felt her eyes still on him, and decided to give it a try anyway. 

When he slid it on, he had to wiggle and contort his fingers in order for it to have a chance at going through. It took him a minute or two, but finally, he managed to get it on. He had a feeling that it was never going to come off, but for some strange reason, he was okay with that.

Especially when she threw her arms around his neck, telling him how happy she was that it fit. That he’d accepted her gift, which ultimately meant that he also accepted her courting advances. 

As the son of a clan leader, he was going to have to deal with having a human for a mate but with a strong woman like her by his side—he felt like he could take on anything and anyone.



One of the best moments of Tsu’to’s life was meeting Jane. 

After a year of knowing her, courting her and finally taking her as his mate, he felt like all was right in the world. He’d led a team of his best warriors out to battle against one of their rivaling tribes, but after winning and coming back home to her—the wounds he’d suffered were well worth it. He’d do it all over again.

Despite meeting her and witnessing his life change for the better, he had to admit. 

Finding out that she was pregnant took over as the best moment of his entire life.

No one thought that it was possible. The people of his village took a while before they came around to accepting his chosen mate. Not everyone was on board, but they didn’t bother him. They just didn’t understand how it would work between them because she was human. She couldn’t give him what a Na’vi woman easily could.

Except, she’d done the impossible.

She was going to give him a child.

Eywa had blessed their union by giving them a baby, and Tsu’to couldn’t have been happier. He worked on expanding their hut, weaving and making what they would need for the arrival of the baby and worried the women of the village with questions and even sat in on a birth just to prepare himself for what was to come. 

From his eagerness to learn and get the things that they would need, Jane could tell that he was going to be a good dad. Filled with bursting excitement, he did what he could…up until it was time for her to give birth.

He was told by his mother that the baby would likely come in a few days time so to celebrate the coming birth of his child, he put together a small hunting party. Before leaving, he kissed her stomach and cradled her against him, telling her that he would be back. To rest until he got back. Before the day he left, she told him of her dream. That she’d dreamt of his death. That if he left…he wouldn’t be coming back.

Tsu’to tried to calm her with soothing reassurance, reminding her that he was strong and that he wouldn’t be going alone. That he was doing this for the celebration, and wouldn’t be gone long. Still, she worried and became frantic, begging for him to stay. 

He kissed the top of her head, and simply told her to keep thinking about a name for the baby.

Then, he was off.

“...what happens when you return

and find nothing

but a hollowed shell,

shingles and floor,

walls and echoes

and the light that led you here

has now burned out

and the ones who built it

have traveled afar

and you can't go to them,

no matter what shoes you wear.”

— Kellie Elmore, ‘Magic in the Backyard’

Word of Tsu’to’s death forced Jane into labor.

When she collapsed, she was with his mother, explaining how anxious she felt about him leaving after she’d told him about her dream. 

There was no time to grieve the loss of her son. She had to help his mate deliver their baby or she would lose them too. 

Hours and hours of staggering around the hut, providing her with encouraging words and a hand on her back to help her cope, Jane was finally able to give birth to a healthy baby girl. Her final push was done laying down, which the mother saw as a good thing considering she had been wobbling while standing up. 

“Here she is,” the mother whispered before she handed the baby to Jane, smiling softly, eyes full with tears, “She…she looks just like…”

She turned away, unable to finish her sentence. Jane held back her own onslaught of tears, and tried to give her full attention to her child. She let her daughter wrap her little fingers around her pinky, taking notice of her faded stripes and pointed ears. She lacked a tail, a kuru, the amber eyes, the average size of a full Na’vi baby and had four fingers and a thumb as well as a human number of toes. If she squinted at the child, she wouldn’t be able to tell that she was even half Na’vi. 

As much as she tried her best to ignore it, her daughter was identical to Tsu’to. It was like she carried a chunk of him in her, appearance wise. It was almost like looking in a mirror, if she looked past her human features. There was no mistaking it. She was his daughter.

If only he was alive to meet her.

After spending a bit more time with her and breastfeeding her, Jane handed her back to Tsu’to’s mother, wanting to rest for a few hours or so. She was eager to take the bundle of joy away for a while to show her off to the clan, and give Jane some time alone. 

Once she left, Jane broke down and turned on her side, crying and choking on her own tears as the wash of realization hit her. Her mate was gone. She’d heard some of the people talking. There wasn’t a body to bring back either. He was gone, and she was never going to see him again. She would have to raise their child alone, without him. 

It was too much to bear. She couldn’t handle the loss of her mate.

When Tsu’to’s mother came back to check on her, she found Jane unresponsive. She wasn’t breathing, and had been dead for hours. 

She felt Eywa’s pain for the first time of her life as the clan’s tsahik. 

The death of her son and his mate all in the same day took a toll. 

After keeping their baby in her care for six months, she decided to head to the only outpost she knew of. Fortunately for her, Jane’s mother was stationed there. It was good timing because when Tsu’to’s mother arrived, she was able to understand that they were packing up to go. 

Jane’s mother heard from her team that there was a Na’vi woman standing just outside of the post with a human baby in her arms. She looked out of the same window that everyone else was looking out of, and saw that it was true. The woman made eye contact with her then glanced down at the baby. That was when she knew. It had something to do with her Jane.

She threw on her exopack, and hurried outside.

“Human. You are Jane’s mother, yes?” The woman asked and by the significance of her clothing, Jane’s mother could tell that she was the tsahik. 

“Yes, I am. My name is Gemma,” She answered and looked at the baby, watching her smack her lips and whimper in her sleep. She frowned, “How is she… No mask?”

The tsahik raised a brow, not understanding what she meant until she watched the woman point to the mask that she was wearing.

“Ah. She is one of us. Half Na’vi.”

Gemma’s eyes widened at the new information. Her eyes swept over the sleeping child, finally noticing her striped skin and pointed ears. She understood now.

Then, she looked back up at the tsahik, heart wrenching in her chest, “So…what happened to…?”

The tsahik instantly looked away, face torn and twisted up in a frown. She shook her head, and it took everything in Gemma not to fall to her knees. Her body was washed over in a wave of grief, trying to hold herself together for the child. 

“I see.” Was all she said before her eyes landed on the child again, “I assume that you are bringing her to me because of her death.”

“And the death of my son,” the tsahik added, inhaling deeply, “Please. She belongs with your people. I cannot raise her as my own. My son is dead. He is not here to protect her right to remain in the village. They will not allow her to stay. I cannot protect her.”

Gemma nodded, fully understanding, “Okay.”

“Thank you,” The tsahik smiled, but it didn’t look like a full smile. Almost a grimace as she transferred the small child from her arms to Gemma’s. She sighed, head bowed, “You are leaving this planet, yes?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Good.” The tsahik looked at her again, eyes hardened with a straight spine, “Whatever you do. Do not come back here. Ever. I cannot explain why, just please. Do not return. For the child’s sake, she must not know where she came from–” She held back tears, taking in another sharp breath, “Or who her father…was. You have to be her mother. Can you do this?”

It took a moment for it all to register but after a few strained seconds of silence, Gemma nodded. The tsahik stood there, and stared at the child before she bent down and pressed her lips against the child’s forehead. Then, she was gone. 

Gemma stood there after she disappeared back into the forest before she looked down at her granddaughter with a solemn smile, “You just don’t know how special you are, do you?” The child finally cracked her eyes open, and looked up at the woman with twinkling eyes. She stared at her for a moment before she reached out to touch her face. Gemma chuckled before she turned around, and started heading back inside the outpost. “You have no idea.”

The baby giggled and made her laugh even more.

“You’re going to love earth. I just know it. We’ve got apple pie, chocolate milk, applesauce, jello…”

The tsahik stayed in the shadows until the woman safely made it back inside the lab before she sighed, and started to officially make her way back to the village, having bidded the sweet child her final goodbye.  

taglist:

@justasimps-blog @eclipseatsea @powowowy @daydreamerbunny @suntizme @neteyamforlife @blushhpeachh @makeup-stuff-and-such @ilovejakesullysdick @fantasico @iwanttohitmyself @tpwkstiles @jellybeanstacey0519 @squidalapobre @crazy4books1 @danyxthirstae01 @zoetrope1997 @bajadotcom @maweysworld @filmneteyam @kage-yaa @llearlert @jakesully-sbabygirl @dia-nne @reggiesslut @cerya @coldheartedmar @jdbxws @anxietydrogz @stillinracooncity @kyunasully @liluvtojineteyam @shadytalething @willowpains @itssomeonereading @luvvfromme @zaddyneteyamlovergirl @cleverzonkwombatsludge @love13tter @wtf-why-do-i-gotta-do-this @dreamtogether2000 @jjkclub @lyramundana @gracefulbumblebee @ricecakeslove @lookiiheh @shadytalething @stardust2-3 @heirtothekingdom @zetianzz

end notes: taglist now full !

[sunsents]

Are you from Turkey? I know from my friend that there are elections too. Good luck with the chaos of the election and may democracy win 😄 Can't wait for your next fic

Yes! I’m from Turkey. Thank you for the kind words, but the situation seems bleak right now 🥹 Nontheless we’re all staying hopeful and hoping for some justice

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good things will happen 🧿

things that are meant to be will fall into place 🧿

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me “patiently” waiting for my favorite fics to update

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Hello, I apologize for being inactive lately. Elections are happening in my country and the whole place is in chaos 😁

Here’s a sneak at the Tsu’tey fic I’m writing. I’m almost done, 8k words in and experiencing the worst writers block. Hopefully, I’ll get this done by tomorrow and start publishing the chapters.

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I was tagged in this twice so thank you @mechformers and @iwantjaketosullyme for tagging me, love you both and I would kiss you if I could 🤭

I am a shopaholic with no money to spend. 🫶

i’m looking at the tags and all my moots have already been tagged except some. @draiochtwrites , feel free to opt out of this though

create your very own picrew barbie! 🫶🏻

please don't feel pressured to do this, loves!

tagging: @pureforestspirits @neytris @jakexneytiri @heirtothekingdom @iwantjaketosullyme @ncllcraines @eclipseatsea @reyalvr @ang3lik @moxtailz @stargirlrchive <3

[sunsents]

Side view.

[sunsents]

The fluff Tsu’tey drabble I started turned into a 10k+ word fic with an enemies to lovers trope and a smut scene. I have issues.

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𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞 ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ᴘᴀʀᴛ Ⅰ

...hear my prayer

➺ pairing: aged up!lo'ak x metkayina!reader ➺ series summary: lovesick!lo'ak does all he can to win the heart of oblivious!reader ➺ chapter summary: ❝ eyes of liquid gold meet their aquamarine match and just like that, he is smitten ❞ (w/c: 1.6k) ➺ warnings: death (as a joke), drowning (for like 2secs) a/n: ♪ and they call it puppy loveee ♪ i strongly believe that lo'ak's goofy ass is ultimate rom-com material !! i decided to make it a mini-series so buckle up ! a couple yrs hv passed since the sea battle with the recoms so everyone's older. na'vi dictionary at the end :)

─────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────

C’mon bro, strong heart. No fear. Ride.

Strong heart. No fear. Ride.

Strong heart. No fear. Ri-

“Try not to get yourself killed this time, okay skxawng?”

Aonung’s grating voice carries over the cacophonous sound of waves crashing against one another, cutting through Lo’ak’s train of repetitive self-affirmations. Himself and the son of the Olo’eyktan had become close friends since they reached an understanding in the most unlikely of ways, after Ao’nung had left him for dead outside of the reef five years ago.

In spite of this, they had never quite managed to shake off the ‘love to hate them’ aspect of their relationship – directed insults now only meant to tease rather than injure and once-venomous rivalry now harmless. In this moment, however, Lo’ak fights the urge to let his intrusive thoughts win, images of wringing Ao’nung's neck coming to mind. At last, he had been approved to begin his tsurak training and he refused to allow fish lips to ruin it for him.

Refocusing on the task at hand, Lo’ak inhales deeply and resumes repeating his mantra mentally. His dad had advised him that a good pep talk was the key to having the fortified mindset of a Marine. Oorah. Desperate to tame a tsurak and get one step closer to completing his iknimaya, for once in his life, Lo’ak was willing to listen.

He merely scoffs at Ao’nung’s taunting words and inhales deeply, preparing to mount the tsurak. Lo’ak clears his mind, rolls his shoulders.You got this. He ignores when her extended tail whips the water’s surface, aggravated at being pinioned by Ao’nung and a few other Metkayina men. Ignores her beady eyes following him closely as he nears her jerking body, it is as if she is daring him to come any closer – you really want to risk riding me? 

Gathering all the courage he is expected to possess as son of the mighty Toruk Makto, Lo’ak swiftly connects his kuru to that of the tsurak’s before swinging a long leg over the thick of her body and shuffling up to seat himself properly, hands gripping the attached harness.

Amber eyes widen as he feels the rush of being in control of such a powerful creature. Strong jaws snap dangerously at the men that still hold her in their secure grip, overwhelmed by the presence of an unfamiliar rider in her mind. Just about managing to muster enough mental force to overcome her resistance, Lo’ak’s mouth opens to release a loud ‘Forward!’

Thinking in tandem with her rider, the tsurak involuntarily follows his command and breaks free from her restrictors. Bounding across the surface of the water, Lo’ak barely has a moment to rejoice in his minor victory before he is dragged underwater forcefully, the tsurak’s capable form thrashing wildly beneath his thighs.

Back on the shore, Ao’nung smirks to himself as he watches Lo’ak’s gangly legs flail in the air as they follow the rest of his body under the water. He must have forgotten to tell him that Niie was particularly picky with who she let ride her and therefore required gentle coaxing before any attempt to even climb her, nevermind ride. Oops.

Niie’s decorated wings tuck into her sides as she penetrates the water’s surface, sleek torpedo shape nimbly navigating the waters that she knows so well. Intelligent creature that she is, she allows Lo’ak a moment of reprieve, slowing down slightly to lull him into a false sense of security. Unbeknownst to him, her mission to shake him off is not abandoned, only paused temporarily. He allows himself to enjoy the high of speeding through the water with such velocity, adrenaline rushing through his veins. As Niie emerges to the surface to allow him to breathe again, wings unfurling to their full span, he pumps his arm in the air and lets out a triumphant "Hell yeah!"

Gaining confidence in his abilities, he shifts into a crouch atop Niie’s back as she glides through the air, planting his feet in what he thinks to be a secure stance. I can’t wait to see the look on Ao’nung’s stupid face, he thinks to himself smugly, picturing his friend’s disbelieving stare. Ever since passing his own iknimaya the previous year, the Metkayina boy had become utterly insufferable. Well, more than he usually was. Hearing his thoughts, Niie decides this is the perfect time to humble him and regain her freedom. 

Quicker than he can say ‘Great Mother help me’, Niie plunges back into the depths of water, using all her might to wriggle and writhe under his grip that had begun to become lax as he succumbed to his distractions. Pure shock courses through his body, causing him to open his mouth and gulp down one mouthful of water too many, tail whipping violently in the surrounding water. It soon becomes all too much for him as he feels the movements mess with his equilibrium and trigger a dizziness that causes him to lose his hold on the harness entirely. Silly boy, Niie thinks to herself as she dashes away. This ain’t my first rodeo.

Lungs burning from overexertion, Lo’ak swims upwards and takes an indulgent breath of fresh air. Miffed by recent events, he treads water and decides to stay out at sea, wishing to allow as much time as possible to pass before he does the lengthy swim of shame back to the village. As he languishes in his feelings, his eyes wander across the open water, thinking of ways to pass the time.

He spots an unmistakable flash of blue in the corner of his eye, squinting as he tries to decipher what exactly he is looking at. Casually, he eases forward and manages to make out two blue feet, toes pointed daintily towards the sky before they are swallowed by the waves.  

Intrigued, he fills his lungs up to their full capacity before ducking under the water again, feet kicking rapidly to aid him in his pursuit of his new curiosity. His interest is peaked again when he takes in your figure, equally as close to him as you are far. Outstretched arms scoop copious amounts of water, your streamlined tail helping to propel you further with each stroke.

When you seem to be satisfied with your spot in the water, you come to a halt and let your limbs float freely in the water. Eager to find out what a young Metkayina like you is doing so far out from the village by herself, Lo’ak also stops a little ways away from you. He chooses not to reveal his presence, for now. Saves him the embarrassing explanation of what he’s doing here, he figures.

Nothing could have prepared him for the spectacle he observes in front of him. The arms at your side begin to lift slowly as your head tips back into the space behind you, the rest of your body following suit in what looks to be an underwater backflip of sorts. The most graceful backflip he’s ever seen. Hydrobatics so graceful it would put an ilu to shame, he watches you perform a myriad of wonders, body following the intricate steps to a piece of choreography only you and the waters around you are privy to. 

When the rays of light from above the surface filter through the water and touch your body at just the right angle, his reaction is near enough comical. For a moment, he believes he is bearing witness to a divine vision from Eywa. You must be an apparition, a trick of the eyes.

He fists his hands, brings them up to his face and rubs his eyes twice. Sure enough, you are still there. When he opens his eyes again and sees your lithe form in motion, he blinks twice in disbelief but wills his eyes to stay open so that he can take in as much of your ethereal beauty as possible.

And take it in he does. Greedy eyes devour the sight of you, noticing more details the longer he looks. The blue and lilac strands of your macrame top remind him of the elaborate vein pattern of the diaphanous txampaysye, renowned for its natural elegance in the waters. But while those magnificent creatures helped Na’vi to breathe underwater, he felt that you left him breathless.

He thinks of the tawtute romcom movies from the science base he would force Neteyam and Tuk to watch with him back when they were in the rainforest. They were his guilty pleasure and no matter how much he begged her to, Kiri absolutely refused to watch them; she said Grace had expressly mentioned in one of her many video logs that they lacked real humour and were painfully unrealistic.

But as you sense that you are no longer alone, you turn around. Eyes of liquid gold meet their aquamarine match and just like that, he is smitten. I knew love at first sight existed outside of the movies, he thinks to himself. He’d heard the story of how his sa’nok wanted to kill his sempul the first time they met so many times, he’d begun to think that was the norm. But if Lo’ak was going to do anything, it’s go against the norm and prove everyone wrong.

Enraptured by the very essence of your being, he forgets himself and his surroundings. Moved by the newfound joy that comes with finally finding the one you were destined to be with, he opens his mouth and starts laughing. For the hundredth time that day, he is shocked when water starts to fill it, precious air escaping his lungs.

His body is exhausted from multiple counts of shock in too little time, and so he begins to drown. Limbs akimbo, panicked eyes meet yours and as you make your way towards him with haste, seeing your divinity in such close proximity causes him to descend further into the throes of a fit. Kind eyes observe his state of distress with worry and as he gazes into them deeply, he knows he’s a goner in more ways than one. 

─────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────

na’vi dictionary

skxawng - idiot // tsurak - skimwing // iknimaya - rite of passage to become an adult in a na'vi clan // kuru - na'vi neural whip, queue // toruk makto - rider of last shadow // txampaysye - gill mantle // tawtute - sky person, sky people // sa’nok - mother // sempul - father

© iwantjaketosullyme tumblr 2023

☼ 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵:

@heirtothekingdom , @bebkyu , @amiah24 , @inlovewithpandora , @alathan13 , @girlnred , @ggujkie , @aemondhoe , @malandrinhass , @itsyagirl01 , @mookiepookiesblog , @idekstopasking , @thelxnelyworld , @whitch123 , @camila-alejandra26

𝘭𝘮𝘬 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰/𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 <3

[sunsents]

neteyam sully - drunken confessions

I saw a fic where yn gets drunk and confesses to Neteyam, but I truly have no idea whose it was nor was I able to find it. For that, I apologize. If you're that author, or if anyone knows who that is author is please tag them in the comments so that I can give the right credits.

➵ summary: Fed up with your platonic feelings towards Neteyam Sully, you decide to let loose during a festival. Never would you have guessed your drunken state would decide to take matters into her own hands and deal with your feelings personally.

➵ pairing: (aged!up)neteyam x fem!reader(no use of y/n)

➵ word count: 3.8k

➵ warnings: alcohol consumption, one kiss, fluff

DON’T REPOST MY WORK

"Who wants another kiss!"

Yelling to no one in particular, you slur your words together as your drink sloshes in the wooden cup - darn whoever let you have it in the first place. When you bring the bowl to your lips, you frown. "Who..." You blink, though it’s obscenely uncoordinated. "Who drank my drink?"

Neteyam doesn't know what's worse; the fact that you think someone would dare to drink out of your cup, or that you have no idea it was you who sabotaged the evening by spilling the contents of your drink.

"Bro, you have got to try this!"

Lo'ak holds two bowls filled with something - the fumes hit your nose and your face pinches in disgust. It's pungent and positively putrid—no sane Na’vi would look at the liquid and immediately think ‘I’m going to put this in my mouth.’ 

You survey the boy with questioning eyes, then scan the clearing. 

Tsireya was finally of age and appointed as Tsahik, which prompted a lively celebration filled generously with roaring music, food, and alcohol. Ronal, the previous clan tsahik, had decided to leave her place for the younger woman to spend her days enjoying the fruits of domestic bliss with her elder husband, Tonowari. 

You're delighted, of course. As is anyone in the clan. Tsireya had been your closest friend since birth when she pulled on your kuru and you pulled on hers - grabby hands aching to get ahold of anything and possibly everything as a youngling.

Lo'ak is beaming as he looks at you, it's almost blinding. "Eh, why not." you relent, taking the bowl from his hand.

The boisterous atmosphere is accompanied by a majestic fire that lights up the eclipse sky. People are dancing and having fun in the golden glow of it all - everything is so warm that you're feeling heaps more open-minded than at any other time. 

Lo'ak smirks at you before downing his drink in one gulp. Impressed, you follow suit. The liquid burns your throat and you can't help but cough, had you bitten off more than you could chew?

You were of age, no one would be there to chastise you, a grown woman, for drinking. The only worry that plagued your mind was embarassing yourself.

Whether you liked it or not, Neteyam Sully would always be there to catch you in your most embarassing moments to poke fun. This time around would surely be nothing different. 

You huff, not allowing him to consume your thoughts. No, you were going to enjoy yourself tonight and celebrate your best friend's success.

Determined, you march up to the large table where drinks are being presented. "Lo'ak," you call out, firm. "I bet I can outdrink your scrawny ass."

You did outdrink Lo'ak. Then Tikanu, and Rotxo. Perhaps Aonung was also involved at some point, and then some.

You can’t think straight when you're drunk off of your teal-blue ass and swaying gently to the music. It's consuming and frankly, you don't have the decorum to care about the quality of your moves. It's a sway of hips, a clash of limbs - the closing of your eyes and the humming of your throat. Other people are no better, you're sure. Lo'ak passed out hours ago, then got found by a very angry Tsireya. The man was pure pleas and apologies, even mushier when drunk.

"____?"

The deep treble of his voice replaces the music you feel deep in your bones. "Neteyam!"

You giggle obscenely and fuck, sober you is going to be so embarrassed tomorrow. But drunk you is a piece of shit - a force of Eywa that cannot be reckoned with. With your hands in the air, you lunge into Neteyam's arms. He catches you with an oomph. 

"What-" he clears his throat. "Are you drunk?" 

You frown as you clumsily part from him. "No, I'm ____. “

As he waits for your next drunken action, you manage to think of a joke rather than say it. It’s funny enough to make you laugh loudly, but not so much that you verbally announce it to the man before you. 

Neteyam merely looks at you with amusement.

"Sorry, Made a joke..." you mumble with a giggle. "T'was funny."

He waits expectantly.

You blink at him. "Pretty..."

He chuckles lowly and crosses his arms on his chest. “I think we should get you home, hm?”

In your hazed mind, Neteyam has a halo around him. With feathers in his hair, fresh tattoos on his smooth skin, and a strong frame covered in accessories, he's glowing like the morning sun. You shout excitedly, feeling all too happy for him. "I'm gonna kiss you, I think."

At least you had the decency to warn the poor man before you grab his cheeks with wide palms and smash your lips onto his. It's vulgar and wet, you feel him freeze in your hold. You swear you hear him groan, melting forward before he quickly snaps back.

"Oh-kay, you're definitely drunk. Come one, up up, we're taking you home." He’s about to lift you with an arm behind your knees and the small of your back before you push his chest. 

"No!" You whine, then turn around all too suddenly. Your vision scrambles to catch up with the sudden change. "Who wants another kiss!"

When a huddle of men perk up in interest - all drunk and ravenous, Neteyam lets out a growl that surprises himself. He takes a deep breath, counts to ten, then breathes out.

Ketu'ney, a clan warrior known for his rich plays in hunting parties steps forward. "I would," he smirks, all too proud.

"Oh! Me too, me too!" Kiri, drunk and bouncing on the soles of her feet, comes forward. 

"Everyone gets a kiss!" You declare happily.

"Oh no you don't."

Neteyam grabs you by the hips and slings you over his shoulder like a sack. "We're going to your kelku, and you're putting your ass to bed."

If you were any less drunk, you would be embarrassed by the position he has you in. But you're not, dramatically waving to your friend as a parting gesture. They wave back just as enthusiastically, a little confused but spirited nonetheless.

You feel the buzz of Neteyam's chuckle on your thighs; he's got them pressed to his chest so you don't slide down. Slung over his shoulder, you decide to enjoy the view of his back rather than complain. "Nice," you smirk, peering down further.

"Are you looking at my ass, ____?" Neteyam asks, entirely amused.

"No, it's looking at me."

Neteyam barks out a laugh - it bubbles from his chest and rasps out of his throat. Your heart flutters just a little, he had such an attractive laugh. His face was entirely his mother, and so was his determination, strong mind, and free spirit. Yet he also had the stubbornness and the laugh of his father. You knew it would be a combination that would cause your downfall.

You are falling, you realize. Neteyam has deposited you on your nest like some weight he needs to take care of. You groggily look around and realize you're in your kelku. 

Inhaling deeply, you let out a huff of air with lidded eyes. "Can I go to sleep now, please and thank you,"

Neteyam sits down next to you with a soft hand on your shoulder. Through your hazed view, you realize he's smiling. "Alright sweet girl, let's sleep this off."

You nod, looking around for no particular reason. The kelku feels all the more warm and homely with Neteyam in it, or perhaps the alcohol in your system pushes you to entertain a false domestic fantasy with the only man you've ever pined after.

He smooths down your hair gently, "If you feel like puking, just tap my shoulder." He gets up and grabs an old wooden bin, then sets it beside the nest. "Water..." he mutters to himself.

You lazily watch as he moves around the room in search of something. With narrowed eyes, he comes back with a bowl of water. 

You reach out, (way too off in your aim, Neteyam has to guide your hand) and slowly gulp the liquid down before collapsing. "Feel so bad...ugh," you drawl off, smacking your lips as sleep dances around your lips. "I wanna go swim, I think."

You feel him settle beside you in the nest. His arm reaches back and pulls you into his warmth. As he traces a plethora of shapes on your skin, the urge to close your eyes becomes undeniable. "Just go to sleep ___, you'll feel better in the morning."

"No," you whine, fighting for consciousness, "Wanna...fine."

Promptly closing your eyes, you turn the other way and huff into the silence.

When sunlight invades through the flap of your kelku, you have the audacity to mumble a 'fuck off'. 

Sharp pain shoots through your spine and lingers in your head. The intensity of it throbs your scalp and muffles your ears. Groaning, you try to get a grasp of why the fuck you feel like dying.

Lo'ak, alcohol, Neteyam. 

Slowly but surely, the events come back and you regret welcoming them into your consciousness. You frantically look around, eyes landing on Neteyam across the marui, dicing fruit and mincing some kind of herb. His ears flicker, golden eyes darting to your face. "Good morning to you too," he smiles, sitting comfortably on the back of his heels, his strong thighs supporting his weight and looking entirely like his father.

You're hot - the realization sinks your heart until it hits rock bottom. Embarrassment floods through you like a tidal wave and oh Eywa - you want nothing more than to curve into yourself until you become a small pebble and get lost in the ocean. 

You had thrown yourself at him like some desperate fool, which forced him to take responsibility for your stupid, drunk self—Eywa knows what embarassing secrets you told him. You remember the major events - being offered drinks, challenging unlucky bystanders, dancing, and trying to kiss anything and anyone. The rest and the in-betweens are mind-boggling blurs because your headache won't let you think.

"Morning," you croak, then reach for the bowl of water on the side of your nest. The cold liquid tastes like gold running down your throat - when had water ever tasted this good? You moan involuntarily, gulping it down like a quenched woman left in the dune for days. The liquid dribbles down your chin and you're far too thirsty to care. 

When you put the bowl down, you're even more embarrassed than before by the look Neteyam gives you. He grins, "How are you feeling, more water?"

You're a little shy now, smiling and looking away. "No, thank you," you murmur, folding your hands on your lap primly. The properness of the action almost makes you laugh—it was only yesterday you were going around kissing people, throwing yourself onto Neteyam, and wreaking havoc across the village. It's almost humbling; you have no idea how to bounce back from the hole you've buried yourself in. Neteyam is Toruk Makto's son, and lest the sky people hadn’t disturbed the peace, he would be Olo'Eyktan of Omaticaya. His status is humbling enough that you fight the urge to bow your head down and apologize for the inconvenience. 

But you don't. Not when you've known him for seven years (more of admired him from a distance, with the occasional small talk because of obligation - on his part, you were friends with half his family, after all) and saw each other enough to be called acquaintances. Though, you would always be Lo'ak's friend who encourages dumb decisions, Tsireya's other close friend besides Rotxo and Pewli, or Kiri's weaving partner. Nothing more, nothing less. 

"Ma ___?" he addresses, and it takes too much of you to control your flushed state. 

"Oh," you make a surprised noise, "Sorry, my head hurts."

He gathers his trinkets and squats next to your nest, "Here."

"What is it?" you tilt your head, nostrils flaring. "Smells weird."

"It's medicine for your hangover," he quips, getting impatient.

You scrunch your face in disgust, "No way I'm drinking that, it smells like Ilu waste."

"Will you just drink it," he sighs, shoving the cup to your face.

You're quick to turn away, mussed morning hair flying with your movement. "No,"

"Stop being so stubborn," - you turn your head to the other side when he makes an effort to follow your lips with the cup. "You're worse than Tuk," he grumbles, fighting for your submission. With a final huff, he grabs your face, smushes your cheeks together, and drains the liquid down the opening your puffed lips prompted. It seems practiced, this action; you can only guess how persistently Tuk fights against medicine she doesn't particularly enjoy. You choke, having no choice but to swallow the horrible abomination. 

"You're like a baby," he grunts, "that wasn't so bad, now was it?"

"It was," you croak. "Blech,"

Neteyam chuckles all the same, then stands up to wash the used cups and bowls. Guilt squeezes your chest, not only because he was washing your dishes and taking care of you, but because you were enjoying it. You were having a glimpse of what life could be with Neteyam - waking up to him making you breakfast, taking care of you when you make idiotic decisions, watching him carry out household tasks like it's the most natural thing. 

"Neteyam," you call out. "Please, you don't have to do that.". 

He makes no indication of stopping his tidying anytime soon - tidying your kelku, like he also lived here and had to have it uncluttered. You slowly get up, conscious of your headache that seems to be dulling away, then slowly patter your way to him. Ear tips catching fire, you put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Please."

He stops his cleaning and crosses his arms. "This place is a mess, ____. "

"I wasn't expecting guests," you grumble, putting away the utensils in their appointed baskets. "Look, I want to apologize for yesterday."

"It's- it's fine. Really," he shakes his head.

"No, it isn't fine. I made a huge fool of myself - Eywa, I'm so embarrassed." you groan. "You even took care of me which is just so nice. You really didn't have to,"

He smirks, "I couldn't let you roam around drunk, kissing everyone on sight."

With a painful groan, you hide your face between your palms. It seems Neteyam was determined to rub salt in your wound.

"You're fine, ____. " he drawls only a little to emphasize that you really were fine, because he made sure you were, crossing his arms and facing you fully. "Everyone else was just as drunk, Kiri could barely hold her head up."

You nod, guilt still lingering behind your shoulder, and peering at Neteyam. In your checklist of 'things to apologize for', the next line was going to be a dreadful experience - located right next to apologize to anyone else you possibly might have kissed. Taking a deep breath, the words. "I'm sorry I kissed you," is blurted in one breath. 

You watch Neteyam's ear twitch, and his eyes widen. With a soft chuckle, he takes his sweet time coming up with a response. Your heart pounds in your chest and you hope he can't hear it as well - which was doubtful since it was beating for him. His laugh sinks the soles of your feet down into the marui floor, readying to plummet you down when he eventually rejects you and tells you it was like kissing his baby sister's weird friend. Because while you had your fair share of friends, Neteyam always caught you at your worst. 

You have to shake your head for the images to stop playing; when you were talking to Kiri, who was blocked out of view by a huge palm tree and thus, made you appear as though you were having casual conversation with yourself - Neteyam and Lo'ak were passing by, and were kind enough to ignore you out of pity, (Lo'ak laughed about it for days until his mother had to intervene). Or when horrid-smelling seaweed got stuck to your Iknimaya outfit during the ceremony, which caused the stench to stick to your skin during the festival. When Neteyam approached you to celebrate your adulthood, he was holding his nose with watery eyes. 

Worst of all, whenever he was around, you became this clumsy, uncoordinated mess. You were either breaking something, tripping on something, or saying something you shouldn't be saying. 

Thankfully, Neteyam's voice seems to stop the images. "You do not have to apologize for that," he winces, narrowing his eyes while averting his gaze.

You gulp, "Oh, okay." your voice sounds unlike your own. "Why?"

"You were drunk and unconscious of your actions," he says firmly.

"But I overstepped my boundaries," you continue, fighting your case.

Neteyam gives you a look that you can't decipher, and it eats away at your insides. He's been giving you these looks for years now, settling into your soul and engraving it so whenever you close your eyes, you could see his expression.

"You, kissing me, is a boundary I'm willing to overstep. Why can't you realize that?"

You gawk at him. His words don't settle in for another five seconds, but when the implications start rushing in, your heart squeezes with the most welcomed pain. "W-what?"

Netetam huffs a frustrated breath, then pinches the bridge of his nose. With squeezed eyes, he sits on his hunches. He says your full name, and you have no choice but to kneel down and sit in front of him as well. 

"I have been trying to court you for 3 years now but you're one difficult woman to impress." 

You would argue that the sound you let out is inhumane. You choke on your breath. "Excuse me?" you try to process his words. "What- I had no idea!"

"No idea? ____, why the hell would I look after your drunk ass if I wasn't the slightest bit interested. I slept here, I made you breakfast, and I'm tidying your home! All to prove that I can provide for you." Neteyam sighs, and you lower your ears at the unfamiliar ‘hell’ word. He seems frustrated and you can only hope it isn't at you. 

He notices your demeanor and softens, gently grabbing your hand. "My love, I weaved you gifts, I always offered you the biggest plays I caught, I invited you to eat with my family several times, and I even got Tonowari's approval!"

While what Neteyam says is inherently true, it holds some falsehood - and this frustrates you. He can't put the blame on you entirely, and you realize that his warrior ego is far too big for him to admit his attempts were simply not enough. 

"No," you say lowly. "The gifts you weaved me always had colors of cordiality on them. You offered my entire family food. And you didn't invite me to eat with your family, Lo'ak, Kiri and Tuk did." You count as you list them on your finger.

Neteyam flushes a deep color that compliments his cheeks beautifully, and for a moment you forget the entirety of the conversation. "I asked my siblings to invite you since you were closer to them - I was scared you would refuse if I asked. And whatever do you mean, cordial colors?"

"You know, the colors that indicate a platonic friendship."

He gawks at you. "I don't know of this!"

"Neteyam, you've been in our clan for years, surely, you've heard it somewhere."

"No!" he gets a little panicked. "I just thought you liked those colors, you always wear them."

"Because these were given to me by my friends!" you touch your jewelry for added effect.

Neteyam falls back from his position clumsily, holding his forehead. The view makes you soften entirely - you never thought you'd see Neteyam, always so calm, calculated, and graceful, panicking and awkward like this. He seems like he isn't in control of his actions and feelings which is evidently making him frustrated even more.

You crawl towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder soothingly. He flinches slightly at the touch, and you can see his nape starting to flush a deep color. His body is hot beneath your fingertips, and you can almost feel it thrumming. "Eywa, I'm such a failure. I asked everyone how to court you properly and they gave me these...answers. And I did all of them. All of them-  you didn't even blink in my direction - you,"

He looks at you, eyes blown wide. "You turn me into this clumsy, awkward fool. I hate not being in control," 

“Aww,” you coo, heart soaring. Taking a deep breath, you try to calm down to provide him some sort of comfort. "Neteyam, I like you too. I've liked you ever since you and your family came seeking uturu."

He gasps, "That long? Why didn't you ever-"

"For the same reasons you haven't." you sigh. "I'm always making a fool of myself whenever you're around. Take last night for example,"

Neteyam smiles fondly. "I thought you were adorable, clinging onto me, checking my ass out."

You groan, hitting his arm softly. "I thought you liked me. You don't tease the one you like,"

Neteyam grabs your hand before you can retract it. He pulls you forward until you're almost kissing him. Almost. "Oh, but I think you do," he smirks. 

Face hot, tail twitching, you suck in a breath. 

"So, you like me, and I know I love you,"

You gasp, not breaking eye contact. 

"We wasted all those years for nothing." he huffs, "I could have had you much sooner than this and saved us all the trouble. I shouldn't have asked my dad and Lo'ak for courting advice, they're helpless."

You giggle, putting a hand on his chest. The joy you're feeling is inexplicable, you feel it lingering down to your feet and floating you. His hand covers yours, squeezing it softly. "Yeah, you probably shouldn't have."

"Aren't you demanding," he grins, gaze fluttering down to your lips. "I will court you the right way from now on,"

"You should ask Rotxo," 

He furrows his forehead, "Rotxo? You're joking!"

You swat at his arm with your free hand. "No, I'm not. Rotxo is more romantic than all of you combined. Don't you see how flustered Kiri gets whenever he's around? The man knows what he's doing."

"Are you purposefully trying to make me jealous right now?" Neteyam grumbles, catching your free hand. He presses it to his heart, and you hope this will become a practiced gesture as well. "Don't talk about other men this close to my lips, yawne."

You roll your eyes, though your blush is undeniable. "Jealous already?"

"Always," Neteyam whispers, pressing your palm on his heart. The breath he lets out hits your lips.

"Neteyam, kiss me before I lose my mind."

And he does, softly until it's no longer the lingering touch of his plush lips but the two of you, grinning from ear to ear, unable to kiss due to your uncontrollable smiles. 

[sunsents]

Very real ☝️ literally the only reason why I wrote this 👹

neteyam sully - meeting you in the tree of souls

hello, this was suggested by @mona-aiko when I posted some tasty angst 🤭. angst 🫶 me. I definitely tried to make this all sad and sappy. which failed miserably. but enjoy nonetheless. also this is very, very unedited.

➵ summary: After your death, Neteyam struggles to meet you in the tree of souls.

➵ pairing: neteyam x fem!reader (no use of y/n)

➵ word count: its short, take a guess

➵ warnings: death and mourning, angst

DON’T REPOST MY WORK

vocab; tskxekeng - training, fwäkìwll - type of orchid, sevin - pretty

Neteyam dreads the first day of the moon cycle. 

Eywa'eveng betrays his na'vi blood when the sun greets him - bright and blinding. He hates it, he prefers the darkness that consumed his being; everything other than your beaming smile is artificial. 

The first day of the cycle means a fresh start - new duty, new responsibilities, new expectations.

He does not want a fresh start, he just wants you back. 

And thus he lives on, pretending like he's fine when he wakes up and gets ready for the day. He keeps his head empty, rather likes it that way. Not thinking pushes him to eat breakfast with his family and entertain his siblings, hunt with his father, and attend tskxekeng - all of which lack your dizzying presence.

And every day, he feels the ghost of your touch in the wind, hears your voice in the rustling of leaves, and scents you in fwäkìwll plants. And each passing eclipse when nature is consumed by darkness, you die in his arms.

You've been dying everyday for two moons (months) now  - Neteyam's painful loop of sorrow and self-pity keeping the remnants of your shriveled soul alive.

Which is why it had taken him two months to visit you in Vitraya Ramonung. For him, you hadn't finished dying. You danced on the thin line between physicality and a tranquility, blurring the edges and causing Neteyam to entertain thoughts that broke him unknowingly.

His hands shake as he makes tsaheylu with the bright tendrils. His heart thumps in his ribcage like an angry palulukan. His eyes fervently look around the bright lights that surround him.

And when it all dims down into nothinng but the quiet lull of waves crashing, he feels warmth. It's been so long since he felt wamrth, and as he stands there, frozen in place with his toes in the sand, warmth trickles down his eyes, and slide down his cheeks.

It feels so familiar yet so distant. In that he moment, he wishes Eywa could just take him. He wishes to be with you and feel again. 

He thinks it's raining as he gazes at the wat patches forming on the sand. It's raining, but only for him. Raindrops fall only where he stands on the otherwise clear weather. Before his tears drown him, he hears you.

"Neteyam?"

Oh.

Oh how he sobs so pathetically - like a little child breaking their first ever bow. Oh how he collapses to his knees with a shudder when you wrap your arms around him, so warm and comforting;

"Neteyam, it's okay." you sush him, caressing his braids lovingly. 

When a sob wretches itself from his throat, you kiss his cheek. "_____" he cries your name with a whine. You were here. You were dead. 

"Look at me, mighty fisherman." chuckling with a warm smile, your eyes twinkle when you gently cup his face. Hesitantly, you angle it upwards, and he realizes it's the first time he's looked at you.

"Sevin," he breathes, lodged in his throat. His watery eyes still, it's no longer raining because you're there with him. "I'm sorry."

He chants a broken mantra. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

The quiet hum of your voice envelops his entire being because Eywa deems it so. She is merciful enough for him to heal in your presence when you sush him. "It's not your fault, Neteyam."

And with a shuddering breath, he closes his eyes and looks up. Accepting your death is nothing but a searing pain across his chest, alas, it sets him free only slightly. 

[sunsents]

happy lesbian visibility week!!

i love you lesbians 🫶

[sunsents]

This might be too specific but I’ll ask anyway what if Reader has brown eyes and when Tsu’tey sees them and the light shines on them just right they glow or at the very least turn into that pretty golden honey color. Again sorry if this is too specific

its a good day to have brown eyes! hehe thank you for the request; i hope you like it xx

first love

pairing: tsu'tey x reader warnings: none word count: 350

tsu'teys first love was the forest.

the earthy tones of the woodland crafted a welcomed home; the dark browns of the tree bark and the prosperity of the soil were an everlasting reminder of the offering of life that eywa had gifted the people.

when illuminated by the promise of day, the forest was inviting and sincere. the golden rays of the sunlight would fight for dominance through the thick of the foliage; casting a royal radiance upon the greenery.

some loved the ocean; the vibrant blue of the crashing waves and the unknown secrets of the deepest depths.

some loved the night sky; the selfish theft of the light of day. the love the darkness had for the stars, to embody a canvas for them to shine.

but tsu'tey loved the forest; a cherished scenery that was mirrored within your eyes.

he could never forget the moment that he first found solace in the rich chocolate of your eyes; they embodied everything that he loved and they promised even more. he wanted to get lost within the woodland you harboured within them; and he did more times than he could count.

he had never considered that there could be even a sliver of possibility for them to be proven more mesmerising; but oh, how wrong he was.

when hit with the sultry rays of the morning sun, your eyes took on a new life. the cocoa transformed into a luxuriant pool of honey that he wished to drown within; and it would be a welcomed end. he got drunk off the bourbon gold that emulated that of the glistening tree sap; bonding his attention to nothing but you for as you would allow.

tsu'teys first love was the forest; and you carried the forest within your very soul.

tags: @23victoria @stargirlrchive @fanboyluvr @neteyamslovrr @live-laugh-neteyam @darkacademictrash @sweetdayme4427 @callmeoncette @xoxonimasworld @icarusthefoolish @neteyamsblog @avtprint @taymaddie @s-surreality @jakesullyfatjuicypeen @daeneeryss @sakura-onesan @mechformers @sharkybabe9 @floralifetime @singular-itae @nilrilie @elegantkidfansoul @seashelldom @nnobodyiss @yaya6765 @eternallyvenus @bothofm @goddesslilithmoriarty @sullysimp @bigbootahjudy @kenzi-woycehoski @ttkttt @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed @the-fanart-girl @theycallmesia @yhern05 @dev1lm4n @plzfeedmebread​ @n7ytiri​ @dreamywriter143 @slasherblog @ikranwings @neteyamyawne @zarilolll @rinasverse @0littlelucy0​ @ancientbeing10​​

© avatarbyamara 2023 | all rights reserved. do not republish, repost, steal, modify, translate or claim my work as your own.

[sunsents]

neteyam sully - beautiful boy

This is the fluffiest thing I've ever written. I'm on my period and very emotional.

➵ summary: Neteyam's beauty renders you speechless, you can't help but gawk at him.

➵ pairing: neteyam x fem!reader (no use of y/n)

➵ word count: 990

➵ warnings: pure, teeth rotting fluff. it's so sweet that even I was embarrassed while writing it. reader is literally just pining after him like an idiot and doing nothing else. reader is a simp.

DON’T REPOST MY WORK

"Will you stop it?"

"But you're just so pretty,"

Sat snugly on Neteyam's lap, you're tracing his facial features with a gentle finger. Your mate, frustrated and flushed - a combo you've come to adore after years of knowing him - keeps swatting at your hand and grumbling lowly.

You can't help it though, he's just so pretty. The type of pretty you stare at for hours without getting enough of it, no matter how much you trace and retrace his facial features with wandering eyes. The type of pretty that has you questioning how, or rather who allowed him to be this beautiful. The inquiries are daily and, nonstop - Eywa's likely fed up with you bending your neck at the sky and letting out a muffled scream of misery. 

Because Neteyam was a hurting kind of pretty - like he was incapable of making a facial expression that made him look even a tinge bit ugly, and this hurt your chest. Squeezed your heart until it shriveled and let out a pent, 'Enough, no more'. Worst of it all, you were free to touch. Free to look, free to fondle, and free to love. He was your mate, after all.  

This thought brought you immense joy every waking hour of the day.

So, he should cut you some slack. You were allowed to trace his facial features, because he looks like that, and he needs to be marveled at and cooed at. 

"I'm not pretty," he grumbles and squeezes your side in an effort to make you stop. It's useless, you're going nowhere. This is where you'll be spending the rest of your years, growing old and all that. Right between his arms. "I'm handsome and mighty!"

"Sure, you're all those. But you're also," you lean close to his ear, "pretty..." 

Neteyam grumbles all the same but stays still when you return to tracing his romanesque nose. His eyes are closed and you can't help but stare at his lashes - dark and long, kissing his cheeks. "I can never say no to you, can I?"

You smile, deciding to stay silent. You both know the answer, Neteyam would jump into a fire if you asked nicely.

So, with this in mind, you give him the softest kisses - peppering them on his smooth cheeks tenderly. His face is truly gorgeous and right in front of you; you can't help but kiss his lips. It's tame but drawn out, a press of lips as Neteyam stays completely still. (Which is a struggle for him since your mate always has to be doing something useful with himself.) You feel him smile against your lips, and a big, warm hand closes around your nape. His beautiful lashes - the ones you were admiring just moments ago - flutter against your cheek.

Neteyam likes to look. Not as much as you, but he had the strange habit of opening his eyes mid-kiss. You don't know how this action became a habit of his, but you're sure it was between the periods of I want to hold your hand longer, and I think I'm in love with you.  It would have been weird if you opened your eyes as well, but your heart never allowed you to. It's surprising you even noticed him doing this since you melt into pudgy goo whenever his lips touch you. So curse Neteyam's long and perfect eyelashes, it's hard not to notice them when they flutter softly against your cheek and tickle your heart. 

You pull away to which he whines, then continue your tracing. The tip of your pointer finger lingers on the curve of his lips - another feature you absolutely adore. His lip twitches and your finger moves to his bottom lip, pulling it down to watch it bounce back. The scene drives you crazy - causes your mind to reel. 

His lips are plush and soft, and his skin is oh-so pliant under your body. Your hand cups the sides of his face, massaging his temples. Neteyam hums and wraps his tail around your waist possessively. "Feels good," his eyes flutter shut again, letting you knead at his face. You try to be as gentle as possible, yet determined to make full use of this moment your mate has allowed you.

You feel the need to knead and smooth over every inch of his body so somehow - hopefully - the ache to just settle into his entire being and live there for the rest of your life is soothed. And the ache scares you.

The intensity of your love scares you because sometimes you feel like you cannot breathe. Neteyam has that effect on you - stealing your breath away with a kind smile and not even being apologetic about it. He's not even aware of his effect on you, and you think that only makes him more guilty. 

Punishing him is fun though - peppering kisses all over his face so he's unable to catch his breath as well, serves him right. You don't stop your kissing, out of breath and flushed. 

"Stop!" Neteyam laughs breathily, trying to push you away. He catches your face between his palms and harshly kisses your lips. Like a kiss a young child would share with a crush, only to run away, giggling, because ewww. 

You scrunch your nose, mumbling protests against his mouth. "You stop!"

He pulls away with a grin - and, oh Eywa. You're truly done for.

"I love you, so much. I could stay here all day, even if people come looking for us. Even if Eywa wills it herself for us to separate. I'm never letting you go, my love." he casually hums as he wraps his arms around you again, pressing you into his chest. So casual that you're baffled, looking up at him through your eyelashes with your lips parted. You feel your heart melting, sliding off from your parted lips and into his palms, snugly finding a new home in his hold.

[sunsents]

I See You — Chapter 14: Playing with Fire

Summary: You observe the mighty warrior, the famed Toruk Makto, struggling to adjust to his new life in the Metkayina clan. The gentle whisperings of Eywa push you past your comfort to reach out a helping hand, to ease Jake Sully in the only way you can.

You offer to teach him the way of water as the adopted daughter of the Olo'eyktan. The outcast befriends the outsider.

Pairing: Widowed!Jake Sully & Fem!Metkayina!Reader

Chapter WC: 3.7k | Series Masterlist | Previous | Next | Main Masterlist

Word bank: skxawng - moron/idiot, tsmuke - sister (pls note that I do not speak fluent Na'vi. My knowledge is limited so if you see an error kindly let me know and I will fix it!)

Tw: not beta read, mention of seizure (kiri's), use of petnames (sweetheart, baby girl), slight angst, brief arguing, more pining (are we surprised), cussing (damn, jackass), FLOOFY FLUFF (lmk if I missed anything)

a/n:  last couple days have been rough, so I hope this chapter won't reflect that. I quite enjoyed writing it nonetheless! I hope you enjoy my friends. But important update, I changed the story from reader with the na'vi name "emrey" to "_____" so you can fill your name in there. I'm sorry for the sudden change. I hope it doesn't ruin your reading experience. Feel free to fill in the blank with 'emrey' if you've been here for a while and that works better. <33

“Why do you always do that?” Jake asks, voice taut as the muscles between your shoulders. Your back is turned to him as you crouch, fingers absentmindedly picking up weaving materials and placing them back in their basket. The movements of your body are thoughtless. Unfocused. All you can feel is Jake and his presence behind you, heavy with authority. It clouds your sanity and muddies your tranquility.

“Do what?” The question comes out far more annoyed than intended. It cannot be helped. His frustration is baffling and not entirely understood. Why wasn’t he being honest with you? Haven’t you earned his trust by now? Everything is diluted when it comes to Jake, unclear. You bite the raw skin of your lip, shoving down the remorse that rises at your aloof tone. 

“Run away from me.” The beaded armband in your palm, one you were making for Neteyam, falls to the ground with a thump. A hostile, terse sigh leaves your mouth as you pick it up again and toss it into the basket. You move to another corner of your marui to organize some fruits you were slicing before Tsireya told you about Kiri's seizure. They lay untouched on a piece of wood next to your knife. The citrusy aroma wafts into your throat as you clean them up and place the uncut fruits back into the hanging basket above you.

“I do not…” You think about what he said and the implications of it. This time, your pride would not have to beg for an offense. No, you welcome it with gritted teeth and a knotted stomach. “Run away… but if I do, then you know why.”  You’re careful not to bruise the fruits with your hands. It’s juvenile to throw his words back at him, cruel even. It was far below your maturity level. But exhaustion overpowers you from the sleepless night and anxious day. You’re stretched thin, punctured by emotions, and spread wide like a fishing net. 

Now you were rearranging the velvety fruit in the basket. Floundering like a youth scared of chastisement. It was humiliating how you feared the effect Jake had on you. And how you don't trust yourself to look him in the eye without spilling the contents of your heart. The trepidation is a potent mix with your other emotions that brew together like a bubbling stew. 

“_____.” His voice is resonant as the ocean. There’s no room for pretense. It slices through all your inhibition. When had he gotten so close? Your ear twitches back, the skin of your neck heating in response to the warmth emanating from Jake behind you. But you’re stubborn tonight, more so than usual, so you continue fiddling with the fruit. Two large hands reach around you and hold onto your forearms. Their strength halts your movements until you let the fruit fall from your hands into the basket and stand there. His back is flush against yours, hot like the light of day shining on your skin during a hunt. It burns you and alerts every nerve in your body as he steps closer. His chin is above your right ear, which is folded downward in shyness. “Would you stop organizing the damn fruit and just talk to me, sweetheart?” There was no mirth in his voice despite how amusing the question sounded. Nothing but an urgent request that has your shoulders sinking to your feet.

You could fight against his hold. The looseness of his grip is enough to know that he’s giving you an escape if you want it. But what would be the point? Why dance around your emotions when you could act like an adult, like the warrior you are. You nod, expecting him to let you go. He doesn’t. Instead, his arms hug you closer, hands scorching over your forearms to envelop your hands. When had they started to tremble? 

“I don’t know what you want from me, Jake. I’m only trying to help your friends.” His sigh puffs over your ear and neck. Its humidity does nothing to help you cool down. Calloused fingers ghost over the back of your hands, intertwining the ends over your fingers. His hands are big enough to completely cover yours, and they do as he threads his fingers between yours until the pads press into your palm. The intimacy of the gesture is not lost on you. He is holding your hands. Holding you. You’ve no strength left to deny him or yourself, so you return the gesture by squeezing your fingers over his. 

“I know…” His head drops until the flat of his nose is nuzzled on the top of your shoulder, near the juncture of your neck. The action of such a strong Na’vi, a seasoned warrior, Toruk Makto, curling over you like this tears down all your walls. His vulnerability pierces you more than any spear could. “M’ sorry, baby girl. You’ve done nothing wrong.” His breath leaks over your neck like a tangible thing, like molten desire. Your arms crisscross over your chest as he hugs you. The dense, brawny muscles of his front surround you. You lean into him, knees weak from the moment you’re sharing. A ticklish sensation touched the skin of your left thigh, like the feathers of a bird. Jake’s tail coils around to hug your leg. 

“I’d invite you to sleep here…” Your eyes widen, panic seizing your body like a bolt of lightning. “With us,” you clarify and swallow down a knot, “But you should be with Kiri tonight in case she needs you.” He nods in agreement, but the action is more like a drag of his nose and lips over your shoulder. Flame and longing ignite. His breath is the kindling that sparks a deep and untamed craving. It slashes into the depths of your soul. Your eyelids flutter, blinking as you stare at the far wall of your home. His head lifts back up. It takes what little poise you have left not to… sigh in relief? Whine at the loss of contact?  You weren’t sure which one. 

“About that.” Jake unwinds his fingers from yours, leaving them empty and full of tingles while he steps to your right. But the skin contact doesn’t leave entirely. A warm palm clasps on your right shoulder, thumb rubbing soothing motions over your collarbone while he stands before you. “Kiri wants you to be with her tonight.” You look into his eyes for the first time since he followed you to your home. They are tender and intense. Mossy and amber in color as they practically glow in the darkness. “I told her I’d ask you, see if you’re okay with it.” 

It takes a few moments for the haze of passion to lift its weighted hands from you. But when it does, concern and surprise replace it. “Kiri wants me to sleep over?” You thought she wanted to be alone. Saw the isolation that cloaked her like a shawl which is why you left the marui earlier. But perhaps you misread her loneliness, mistaking her emotions for standoffishness rather than the need to be comforted. “What about the others? Are they okay with me doing that?” Jake’s face lightens into a smile. So soft and directed at you that you might’ve toppled over if he wasn’t holding your shoulder. 

“I checked with them all and they’re okay with it.” Jake looks past your head as if recalling a memory. He chuckles. “Tuk was pretty excited at the idea.” You let out a soft laugh, imagining the sight of her big eyes and beautiful wide smile. “But there’s no harm done if you don’t wanna do it… Kiri’s probably asleep by now.” The maternal instinct rises in you like a tidal wave, suddenly determined to comfort Kiri. Your left hand raises to sit over his on your shoulder. 

“I want to.” You pat the back of his hand gently. “I will do it. I just need to finish preparing my home for Norm and Max.” A beat of silence where time stills. You both stand in the darkness staring at one another. The flames from your previous encounter are still licking at your heels, making you antsy. But the fervency in his eyes roots you to the ground. Jake’s lips open, as if a confession sits at the tip of his tongue. He says nothing, lips closing to a firm line while his hand leaves you. The loss of its weight curdles your stomach. You ignore the feeling, turning to continue tidying your home. “Well, don’t just stand there, skxawng (idiot),” you cast a flippant look at Jake over your shoulder. “Help me clean up.” The wicked grin he sports has air coating your throat with your sharp inhale, mouth suddenly dry. His canines glint in what little light there is. It’s incomprehensible that they had been so close to your neck just a moment ago.

He chuckles a husky sound that penetrates you at your core. Then, as if nothing had happened but an honest conversation between two friends, he begins to help you. You aren’t sure whether you’re grateful or disappointed at that. 

“Jake, where will I sleep?” Your head is tilted, eyes wide as you stand near the entrance to Jake’s home. He squints, the hairs above his eyes cinch toward one another like thread when you mend cloth. It seems this had not occurred to him until now, either. 

“Take my hammock.” He whispers, leaning toward you. The marui is dark, his children all asleep while you and Jake stand at the threshold like two skxawngs (morons). Your eyes widen at his proposal, a flush building on the tips of your ears. 

“No, absolutely not. I am not taking your hammock.” Your head is shaking, causing the view in front of you to blur. He sends you a chastising glare, clearly not up for your opposition so late into the night. You raise a hand to gesture from Kiri’s hammock to the empty space where you assume his own resides. “I’m here for Kiri. What would be the point if I didn’t sleep next to her?” It’s a rhetorical question. You already know the answer. Jake darts his gaze from Kiri to where you motioned before releasing a sigh. You ignore how the movement draws your eyes to his chest, wishing to look over the burliness of it. Instead, you glare at the shadowed depths of the farthest wall. He lifts a hand to rub over the skin of his cheek. 

“Fine. But if it was up to me, I’d be the one on the floor.” The admission warms you. It’s difficult to suppress the smile that grows on your cheeks. You tame it to a soft, close-lipped expression. Full of affection despite the exhaustion that digs into your bones. 

“I’ll be fine, Jake. It’s not my first time sleeping on the floor.” Your palm pats his bicep in what you hope is comforting, but you pull your hand away quickly. It’s far too firm under your skin, too warm and inviting. Too… Jake. “Goodnight.” He doesn’t respond, eyes transfixed on your face. For a moment, you wonder if the citrusy pigment of the fruit you tidied up earlier had transferred to your face. Did you wipe some of the red juice on your cheek accidentally? 

In a confused panic, you turn to walk over to Kiri. She is sound asleep. Tufts of inky hair frame her face, now peaceful with the respite of dreaming. Good. Hopefully, she can rest now. A magnetic force pulls your hand toward her face but you stop it just before it cups her cheek. You don’t want to wake her, so you pull it back to your side. “Goodnight, tsmuke (sister).” The whisper floats into the breeze before disappearing entirely.

Your ears flick back at the sound of ruffling. Jake is unfastening the thick flaps that cover the entrance to the marui so they can shelter you all from the outside light. The woven floor is pliable beneath your back. It’s comfortable. Nothing like a hammock, though, which is specially constructed to mimic the ebb and flow of the ocean. It does not matter. You would gladly sacrifice minuscule comforts to help Kiri in any way you can. Her hammock lay above you, slightly to the right. All you see from this vantage point is the darkened silhouette of her body and one hand that dangles over the edge. 

Nothing is heard but the faint echo of the ocean's visit to the shore, the soft thumps of Jake’s feet along the marui, and the quiet breathing of the children in the home. Now that the flaps to the entrance have shrouded the home in silence and darkness, every sound is vivid in your ears. It’s… nice not to be alone for once. 

Your home is a blessing considering you are unmated and have no family. A rarity that you treasured deeply. But there’s something to be said for the intimacy of others. To sleep next to and wake up beside groggy yawns. Gratitude overwhelms you while looking over the brown ceiling in thought, but so does loneliness. Never before had you really understood what it meant to have a place to belong. With them? With Jake? Here, you belong. Even if Eywa deemed it fit to make you watch them from afar, it was well with your heart. Balmy air coats your skin, cooling and soothing. The lullaby of your surroundings causes you to drift off, not before a shuffling above you. 

“_____?” Kiri murmurs, voice clouded with sleep. Her hand reaches down toward you. You meet her halfway, eyelids blinking open. Your hand clasps around hers with a soft squeeze. 

“It’s me.” In the darkness, you can see a sliver of her face over the top of the hammock. She’s smiling. 

“You came.” You pull her hand until the back rests against your cheek, a smile on your lips too. 

“I came,” you affirm. Then you lift Kiri's hand back up to the hammock. “Now sleep, tsmuke (sister).” More ruffling before she was still once more. 

As if you have permission, knowing that Kiri is safe, that all of them are safely dozing, sleep finally overtakes you for good. 

Jake cannot fall asleep. Pain radiates up his skull from all the gritting he’s done with his teeth over the last few hours. Tonight of all nights it should’ve been easy to drift into a dreamless sleep. Welcomed with open arms, even. But nothing greets him except the whirring thoughts about his eldest daughter Kiri. How her lifeless form had lain for hours with no movement. Norm’s warnings that she could not bond with the Metkayina Spirit Tree again… ever. The information would absolutely crush her. Yet, he was uncertain if the advice should be heeded. Her safety was never debatable and always the first priority like all his kids. But Kiri is different. She’s connected to Pandora more than anyone he’s known, even Mo’at. What good would it do to cut off her access to it except to deny her belonging and meaning? Norm’s advice mixed with his instinctual desire to keep his daughter safe, mentally and physically, battle in his psyche. The worry grips Jake, wiring his brain into overdrive and trickling down unpleasantly to his belly as he looks to the side at the sleeping forms of his children. 

Safe. They’re safe. Jake doesn’t have to solve all the problems right now. He can rest tonight… he should rest. So why can’t he?

You. 

Blissfully asleep and curled onto your side from what he can see across the room. A beam of light from Pandora’s moons shoots through an opening in the marui and over your body. It’s as if Eywa favors you even when you're unconscious as she shines her light over you like a blanket of stars. Jake’s breath seizes in his lungs. Tingles prick down his spine. He feels as if all the air has been punched out of him, similar to a nasty blow to the windpipe in battle. You don’t have to do anything to evoke this type of reaction, though. Don’t have to fight or hit him. Just your very existence has made the simple, thoughtless action of breathing difficult. 

Jake looks away from you, guilt swallowing him whole because he’s staring at you while you sleep. Eywa, he’s a creep. Sweaty, rough palms shield his face in defeat while his eyes close. He rubs his hands over his face, a heavy sigh barely escaping the tightness of his diaphragm. 

What was he thinking earlier? Why had he gotten so frustrated at the idea of you sharing your home with Norm and Max… his friends. It’s not as if they were strangers he couldn’t trust. It’s not as if he had any authority to say who could and couldn't stay with you, not that he would even if he had. Jake had no place to tell you who you could extend your hospitality to. He doesn’t own you. He doesn’t want to control you. And yet… he was utterly defenseless against the frustration that coiled him tighter than any bowstring. The only thing that kept him from snapping was the look on your face that shattered him completely. 

Jake esteems you as a mighty warrior. He trusts you with his life. You are formidable in both heart and combat. A force to be reckoned with on the battlefield of war and the mind. His resolve to stay away from you grows thin with every passing moment. Even his dreams had become plagued with thoughts of you. Being next to your side, pulling you close, smelling the saltiness from your skin when he nuzzles into your cheek. In one dream, he got to act on his impulse of licking it off you. In another, he woke up next to you and kissed you as if your mouth was sweet nectar he had never tasted. Those dreams were victories more glorious than the ones he’d experienced in battle, even if they were only in imagination. 

And then there he was on the beach, huffing and puffing like a teenager at the thought of you sharing your home with other men. It’s ridiculous. He’s ridiculous. But you met every one of his jagged sentiments with grace. The sincere, if not stubborn, look in your eyes begged him to release all facade. And he did. Jake meant the conversation to be about asking you to stay over per Kiri’s request. How it turned into him following you into your marui like a lost puppy was beyond him. And him hugging you? Intertwining his fingers with yours from behind like a lovesick boy? He can’t say he regrets it, but it drilled holes into his abdomen, nonetheless. 

If he was going to stay away from you, he shouldn’t string you along like this. You deserve better and to at least not have him acting the way he is. He’s an adult, a warrior, and a father of four kids. So why is it that self-control evaporates when he’s near you? It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with him being a complete jackass. 

At the same time, it had everything to do with you. Not a day goes by now that he doesn’t think of you. How he wants you in every way. How he needs you to be safe and happy. How your beauty leaks off of you and drips over him like honey. How you pull him closer to you every time like he's the sea and you're the shore. No weapon could be forged to defend him against you. 

A soft movement causes his ears to flick to the source. His eyes follow out of instinct, seeing you puff a sigh while adjusting on the floor. You lay on your back, an arm near your face while the other rests over your stomach. The position seems… uncomfortable. Before he knows it, his feet meet the chilled ground. With stealth, he stalks over to your form, already set on his next move. 

His arms hover over your body, hesitant to wake your peaceful form. But the crooked way you’re sleeping leaves no argument in his mind. His left arm hooks under your knees, pulling them to his chest and his right arm slips under your shoulders. It’s a bit awkward, shuffling you close to his body while trying not to wake you up. But somehow, you don’t. A blessing from Eywa. He stands, careful not to jostle your head as it leans against his shoulder. Your mouth is slightly ajar, a tiny dribble of drool at the corner. He smiles at the sight, broad and adoring. You are precious in every sense of the word. 

His hammock melds onto your flesh like a blanket as he places you into it. A smile brightens your face. You sigh in contentment and nestle in it. Good. At least, he can give you this. His hands retreat to his sides, eyes darting over your body to make sure you’re comfortable. Before he leaves you to sleep by Kiri’s side, your hand latches onto his arm. 

Confusion washes over him. You were sleeping, right? 

“Jake.” You breathed, voice thin from sleep. Jake halts, standing above you and waiting for more. It doesn’t come. Rather, your hand slides off his forearm to dangle precariously over the side of the hammock. A soft smile drifts on his lips, hands cradling your arm hanging and putting it back inside the hammock. 

Then, as if some unseen energy was coercing him, Jake leans forward. He presses a chaste kiss to your temple, barely there with its gentleness. His lips linger, hovering over your skin while he shuts his eyes. The kiss symbolizes so many things. Jake’s devotion to you. His care for your well-being. The tenderness between you two. The vulnerability that was birthed in your relationship when you confided in one another. His yearning. His hopelessness. His desperation. But most of all, the kiss displayed his care for you as a part of his family. 

“Goodnight, sweetheart.” And as he whispers these last words into the night, he prays to Eywa for a way, for any way to be with you without the bullets of his past harming you.

a/n: so what did we think??? I know I always ask this bit I am genuinely curious of your thoughts. I wanna give a big thank you to everyone that has gotten this far. I know the slow burn is very slow. You're a trooper for making it this long. It won't last forever, I promise. :)) anyways, ya'll are amazing. Thank you for all the support. Love you and stay safe. reblogs & comments are dearly, dearly appreciated & <33

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[sunsents]

neteyam sully - meeting you in the tree of souls

hello, this was suggested by @mona-aiko when I posted some tasty angst 🤭. angst 🫶 me. I definitely tried to make this all sad and sappy. which failed miserably. but enjoy nonetheless. also this is very, very unedited.

➵ summary: After your death, Neteyam struggles to meet you in the tree of souls.

➵ pairing: neteyam x fem!reader (no use of y/n)

➵ word count: its short, take a guess

➵ warnings: death and mourning, angst

DON’T REPOST MY WORK

vocab; tskxekeng - training, fwäkìwll - type of orchid, sevin - pretty

Neteyam dreads the first day of the moon cycle. 

Eywa'eveng betrays his na'vi blood when the sun greets him - bright and blinding. He hates it, he prefers the darkness that consumed his being; everything other than your beaming smile is artificial. 

The first day of the cycle means a fresh start - new duty, new responsibilities, new expectations.

He does not want a fresh start, he just wants you back. 

And thus he lives on, pretending like he's fine when he wakes up and gets ready for the day. He keeps his head empty, rather likes it that way. Not thinking pushes him to eat breakfast with his family and entertain his siblings, hunt with his father, and attend tskxekeng - all of which lack your dizzying presence.

And every day, he feels the ghost of your touch in the wind, hears your voice in the rustling of leaves, and scents you in fwäkìwll plants. And each passing eclipse when nature is consumed by darkness, you die in his arms.

You've been dying everyday for two moons (months) now  - Neteyam's painful loop of sorrow and self-pity keeping the remnants of your shriveled soul alive.

Which is why it had taken him two months to visit you in Vitraya Ramonung. For him, you hadn't finished dying. You danced on the thin line between physicality and a tranquility, blurring the edges and causing Neteyam to entertain thoughts that broke him unknowingly.

His hands shake as he makes tsaheylu with the bright tendrils. His heart thumps in his ribcage like an angry palulukan. His eyes fervently look around the bright lights that surround him.

And when it all dims down into nothinng but the quiet lull of waves crashing, he feels warmth. It's been so long since he felt wamrth, and as he stands there, frozen in place with his toes in the sand, warmth trickles down his eyes, and slide down his cheeks.

It feels so familiar yet so distant. In that he moment, he wishes Eywa could just take him. He wishes to be with you and feel again. 

He thinks it's raining as he gazes at the wat patches forming on the sand. It's raining, but only for him. Raindrops fall only where he stands on the otherwise clear weather. Before his tears drown him, he hears you.

"Neteyam?"

Oh.

Oh how he sobs so pathetically - like a little child breaking their first ever bow. Oh how he collapses to his knees with a shudder when you wrap your arms around him, so warm and comforting;

"Neteyam, it's okay." you sush him, caressing his braids lovingly. 

When a sob wretches itself from his throat, you kiss his cheek. "_____" he cries your name with a whine. You were here. You were dead. 

"Look at me, mighty fisherman." chuckling with a warm smile, your eyes twinkle when you gently cup his face. Hesitantly, you angle it upwards, and he realizes it's the first time he's looked at you.

"Sevin," he breathes, lodged in his throat. His watery eyes still, it's no longer raining because you're there with him. "I'm sorry."

He chants a broken mantra. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

The quiet hum of your voice envelops his entire being because Eywa deems it so. She is merciful enough for him to heal in your presence when you sush him. "It's not your fault, Neteyam."

And with a shuddering breath, he closes his eyes and looks up. Accepting your death is nothing but a searing pain across his chest, alas, it sets him free only slightly.