#avatar x male oc

[perfectprofessorloverapricot]

Finding purpose | Male OC (or male reader)

Chap 2

Summary: In a world that is dying and there is no way of saving it, the humanity takes mater into their own hands. They flee from their home planet with hope of conquering another in order to survive. Among them, a couple of brothers with no idea what they’re doing.

Pairings: Jake sully x Oc (friendship), Tsu’tey x Oc (friendship), Neytiri x Oc (friendship). [No current love interest]

Warnings: Mention of violence, mentions of death, use of drugs or alcohol, bad ways of coping mechanisms and obscene language.

Note: - This is not a request and it’s the translation of the original story in wattpad. - My native language it’s not English - The Oc’s name is Eli Thompson.

Prev part - Masterlist - Next part

"Is this thing on?" Eli asked as he pushed some buttons on the camera. He realized that he was recording until he turned to see the screen next to him. "Oh yes it is."

Behind him were Norm, Max and Jake in their respective seats doing whatever on their computers. Jake, like him, was practicing on his first record.

"My name is Eli Thompson. After being asleep for 5 years and 9 months I am finally on the planet Pandora." The soldier started making a face trying to think of what he has to say. "My purpose is to take my brother's place and lead an avatar body that looks like one of the natives here... or something." He scratched his head in some confusion. "Aaaaaand… I think that’s it." He turned to see Norm and Max who were behind him. "Hey Norm. Is that all I have to say?"

The scientist turned when he heard his name. "Yeah, we just have to make sure we document everything we see and feel." Said the man.

Max poked his head from behind Norm's shoulder. "It's what will keep you sane for the next 6 years." He joked.

Eli gave him a small smile, shaking his head and turned to the camera. "Okay. Eli out."

He reached out and turned off the camera.

End of stream.

"Grace Agustin is a legend," Norm said with great admiration evident in his tone of voice. So much so that Eli couldn't help but roll his eyes at him. He had already heard many things about that woman and not many of them were good. "She's the head of the avatar program. She wrote a the book. I` mean, she literally wrote the book on Pandoran botany"

"Well, that's 'cause she likes plants better than people." Max said, backing up Norm's idea about the female scientist.

Jake looked at Eli and raised his eyebrows in a gesture that said "Won't they really shut up?" bringing a smile to his friend.

"Here she is, Cinderella back from the ball." Upon hearing the aforementioned, both soldiers turned to face the front, finally arriving in the presence of a woman with an aura that gave off arrogance.

'This will be good' Eli thought as he saw the doctor.

"Grace, I'd like you to meet Norm Spellman, Eli Thompson, and Jake Sully."

With very little interest in the newly arrived, except for one of them, the doctor turned around, removed her glasses and pulled her cigarette from between her lips, showing that he had her undivided attention.

"Norm, I hear good things about you. How is your na'vi?" she asked in a surprisingly soft tone.

Norm, clearly nervous, raised a hand in the form of support to search for the words he wanted to say. He was in front of his idol. "May everyone's mother… smile upon our first meeting."

Eli brought a hand to his forehead to massage between his brows. The idea of having to use that new language that his brother tried to stick on his head like a mantra wasn't very appealing. He could understand most of the words, so it wasn't hard to form an idea of what they were saying, but speaking it on his own was out of the question.

And it was worse when he saw how pleased the doctor was at having received the words of greeting.

"Not bad. You speak a bit formal."

Norm let out a nervous giggle, but went on with his talk with more confidence. "I studied five years, but there is much to learn."

"Um, Grace? This is Eli Thompson and Jake Sully." The smile on the woman's face disappeared as Max tried to redirect her attention to the soldiers.

"Ma'am." Jake reached out his hand to shake the doctor's. He was trying to remain respectful despite the scientist's clear distaste for having soldiers within 1km of her work area. Eli, on the other hand, stood idly behind Jake.

"Yeah yeah, I know who you are and I don't need you. I need your brothers" the cold words of the woman put a metaphorical wall between the soldiers and the scientist, causing the calm attitude of the soldiers to instantly change to a more hostile one with just an exchange of glances. "You know?" She asked Max, answering before he could. "The PhD who trained for three years for this mission?"

"They're dead. I know it's a big inconvinience for everyone" Jake's tone of voice was evidence enough that they were now on thin ice.

The woman, for a tiny moment, thought about giving them a chance. But her way of giving them that opportunity was nothing short of dismissive. "How much lab training have you had?" She ask abruptly.

"I dissected a frog once." Jake answered with complete confidence.

Eli snorted at the memory of the chaos of that day in class. "I blew mine up." The soldier laughed.

Grace gasped in shock and outrage. Intend to give them a try. "You see?..." she spat at poor Max. "You see? I mean, they're just pissing on us without even the courtesy of calling it rain. I''ll talk 'm going to Selfrigd." The woman turned around with every intention of hitting someone, genuinely panicking poor Max.

"No, Grace. I don't think that's a good idea."

"NO, MAN, THIS IS SUCH BULLSHIT!" She complained without stopping to pay attention to them. "I'm gonna kick his corporate butt."

Max stopped in his attempts to talk sense into her. Instead, he turned to the soldiers to give them one last piece of news before continuing with the job. The tour was over. "Here tomorrow, 0800... Try and use big words."

Eli and Jake raised their eyebrows in surprise and somewhat amused to see the scientist leave with the last word from him. They were both sure they wouldn't listen to him. They didn't plan on getting along with the woman, but they would try to make an effort not to make enemies with people they will see for 6 years in a row.

[whimsyvixen]

💙 When you can't move because he's too heavy. 💙

(Ah my babies, how I've missed drawing them together. Starting the year with Na'vi content because that second chapter to my fic needs to be posted soon hehe~🤭)

[tsuutarr]

The rabbit looks like it tryna be Judy hopps

POV: you're talking to an AI but he's really anxious and just overexplains everything

No but seriously this was unintentional haha but I can totally see it!! He's 100% based off of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, not Judy Hopps, but he lowkey does look a bit like her haha

Who knows, maybe I'll draw them together sometime! It could be fun >:)

[furiouspersonakitten]

😔

[wheneclipsefalls]

Courting Spider

Pairing: Spider x Na'vi Male OC

Masterlist AO3

Summary: It's time that someone takes care of Spider for once. Zhali is up for the task.

Warnings: aged up Spider/Sully kids, explicit, MDNI, male x male, size difference, Na'vi x human pairing, oral, insecurities, angst, trauma, injury, blood, perfectionism, Spider just needs to be loved, etc.

A/N: Wow, this took a while but it is finally here. Not too confident with some of the writing style for ths one but hopefully it still makes sense.

“What about the back panel?” 

“Useless.” Zhali quickly interjects, weaving the soft fabric together with practiced precision. Lo’ak huffs slightly, titling his head as he watches the male work on the small piece of clothing. 

“He’s not going to wear it with his ass out, brother.” 

Zhali rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath. He will never understand the Sky Demon’s obsession with modesty. Clothing should allow one to move freely and if it shifts from one way to the other, so what? Who would truly notice, anyways?

Well, he supposes, were it Spider he himself would notice. 

And suddenly all that Zhali can think about is getting a glimpse of the little Tawtute’s bum, just another peek at that beautifully soft and squishing form of his. As tempting as the idea is, however, it does have him editing his original claim. If he has interest in seeing that sculpted ass, surely other Na’vi or even Sky Demons could have the same intentions.

He decides to weave together a back panel after all. Besides, once the small Sky Demon has been courted and agrees to mate with him, it may be more rewarding to have that area of his mate revealed to his eyes only. That thought has the slightest curve of a smile lacing his lips. 

Lo’ak, as always, is one to notice the shift in demeanor, but he pays the other male no mind. After all, there would have been no chance of executing this courting properly without Lo’ak’s insights. Zhali thanks the Great Mother that he has close enough ties with someone Spider considers his best friend. Otherwise, how else would he know how to make a loincloth for the boy in the first place? Or not to leave dead kills at the outpost’s front entrance as a courting gift?

Lo’ak’s information is irreplaceable. It’s hard enough to wrap his mind around the different customs and concerns of a small tawtute, let alone court one without any insight in the first place. 

Although it may seem unconventional to some Na’vi, opinions that he has heard personally from some friends and family, Zhali knows that there is no one else for him besides Spider. 

He can still recall the spark of interest that had been there during their adolescence, watching the small boy with golden hair saunter across the forest confidently. He had moved with a grace and agility that Zhali had never witnessed from a Tawtute. Back then, his small crush was poorly nourished as his parents tried their hardest to keep him from spending too much time around Sky Demons. Searching to become a warrior and clan member that would make his parents proud, Zhali had refrained from stepping out of bounds. 

There were small moments he had caught with the so-called monkey boy, but it was always in the presence of others. 

The night of Spider’s capture had been a core memory for Zhali. He recalls it as the night he truly began his path to adulthood. Regret and dread had laced his gut as he realized his own cowardice had broken any real chance at connecting with the other male. It shifted his perspective, pushing him forward until he had made himself a promise that night. 

Never again would he let criticism and judgment keep him from following his heart’s desires. 

It was only the direct command and even surveillance from the new Olo’eyktan that had kept him from storming Hell’s gate as a one man army. 

Those years apart had been painful, but they had shaped him into the man he is today, the man he needed to become. There had been slight relief that came from hearing of Spider reuniting with the Sully family across the sea. However, he could never erase the sting of missed opportunity.

Following the footsteps of his father and other warriors, Zhali had channeled this pressing emotion into his training. The sun would barely be upon the horizon before Zhali began his daily grind. He had excelled in every aspect that a young warrior could, spending extra hours training alone with only the glowing light of eclipse for aiding sight. When he had pushed himself in every aspect of hunting, fighting, and gathering possible he had moved on to homemaking skills. 

Now, sitting here with only a few months of weaving underneath his fingertips, he’s proud to find the garment an attractive item thus far. A surprising fact considering how his discipline and attention has slipped upon the Sully family’s return. Or rather, Spider’s return. 

Seeing the small tawtute advance from behind the Sully family, hair somehow turned a lighter shade of gold and arm adorned with shelled jewelry, Zhali had felt like a child once more. The Great Mother had been kind to him, advancing his form into that of a true muscled warrior and adorning him with skills that were far beyond anything the could’ve dreamed about at fifteen, but none of that seemed to matter when faced with Spider once more. His stomach had tightened into a million different knots, tail swinging and ears flickering desperately as he took in the beautiful male before him. 

Although taken aback and slightly nervous, something he would never admit, Zhali had expressed these emotions in the best way he knew how; hard work. The family had only been home for little more than a moon cycle but the male’s courting plans were already underway. His consultation with Lo’ak had informed him that the beautiful tawtute was in fact still unmated. He figured that the Metkayina Na’vi knew nothing of real value placed in their laps if they had somehow managed to miss courting such an exquisite creature. 

Nevertheless, he is grateful for their insolence. 

The yearnings of his heart have never ceased and Zhali would have his soul taken up to Eywa before he’d let this chance slip away again. 

“You’re sure about this color?” He murmurs, concentrating on the intricate trim to lace the sides. Next to him Lo’ak lounges along the marui floor with one leg propped as he bites into the delicious fruit he missed oh so much. Golden eyes flicker over to the intricate pattern of green material, different shades popping out in precise patterns. 

“Well he did complain about there not being enough green on Awalatuu.” 

“I asked you what his favorite color was.” Zhali huffs out, finally letting the unfinished garment rest on his lap. Lo’ak hardly flinches under the glare he receives, simply shrugging his shoulders before continuing to eat. 

“I know. Figure it must be green if he complained about its absence so much.”

It’s not fair to bite back at the hand that feeds him. Zhali knows this. He repeats it in his head over and over again. If there is one thing that he has learned about Spider it’s that no one treats the poor boy the way he deserves. Lo’ak and Kiri are the closest things that the small human has to friends, but even they have other parts of their lives that pull their attention away from him. There are always other obligations and personal problems that come first before Spider and to Zhali’s dismay, the boy accepts it. 

Being left in the shadows is something that has become natural to Spider in his life. The Sully family takes him in, but never with the attitude of treating him like their very own. The scientists at the lab have watched over him since he was a child but not one of them was truly a parent. They too, have their own worries and concerns. Most are too focused on their own research and work to really prioritize raising a child. 

That familiar lingering of guilt resurfaces when Zhali remembers that he too let Spider remain hostage with those Demons for months on end, not one rescue party sent after him. 

It’s a fact that haunts him to this day, but he vows to leave all those mistakes behind. Spider will be safe and taken care of in his arms, by his side and treated with the love and respect that he deserves. For the first time in the boy’s life, he will know what it means to be someone’s first priority. 

Spider can still feel Neteyam’s curious glances thrown his way as they walk silently back to the human outpost. With the small bundle of fine fabric carefully clasped in his hands, it feels like a small eternity before the human boy can comprehend the turn of events. Upon his return to the Omatikaya clan Spider had assumed that most outside of a few humans from the lab outpost would remember him, let alone receive a courting gift from one of the clan’s finest Na’vi males. 

Is that what this is? A courting gift?

Although, Zhali had used all the proper words one would upon extending a courting gift and beaming at Spider’s acceptance, it’s still difficult to be one hundred percent certain that is what had occurred. The ogling he had done over the garment in front Zhali had been taken in with a smile bursting of pride that seared into Spider’s countenance. The blush that erupted over his tan skin wasn’t even comprehensible until the heat was enough to have him sweating underneath the glass of his mask. 

Looking back, Spiders knows that his gratitude had been little more a stumbling of thank you’s and rambled thoughts that hardly finished into full sentences. It didn’t seem to matter, however, as Zhali had left the pair with a stride that made him look as if he was walking on clouds. Truthfully, Spider often makes that comparison when watching the male prance along the forest with ease. He wouldn’t necessarily call it ogling….just keen observations that he can’t help but make. 

Neteyam had been almost entirely silent during the exchange and when Zhali had broken away, his only comment had been something about the smooth fabric being made of rare materials only present in the Hallelujah mountains. Spider had done nothing more than nod in response. Now, meeting up with Lo’ak once more, Neteyam jumps in to relay the scene to his younger brother. Lo’ak simply smirks and shoots Spider a wink. 

It punches through his blood and once again Spider finds sweat gathering at the edges of his mask. He knows his friend better than he would like to at times, so he knows that looks like that always come with a reason from Lo’ak. He seems neither surprised nor reluctant to let that signature smirk show. 

Perhaps it isn’t in his head after all. 

A courting gift for him. 

Made specifically for him. 

It’s disheartening when Spider realizes that he never expected to receive one of these. 

He makes an excuse about needing rest in order to get away from the Sully brothers as soon as possible. Once back inside the common area of the outpost, he flings the sweat mask off of his face and to the side carelessly. 

“Spider.” Norm sighs from his work station. No words are needed to show that he does not approve of the boy’s disregard of the equipment. 

“Busy.” Spider rushes out before practically sprinting to his room. That is if it can be called a room. It’s a corner of the outpost that Spider had managed to claim for himself with old drapes hung up messily for privacy and a hammock strung up that he had made himself. His greatest and most rare possession however was a floor length mirror. Spider had gone through Hell and back in order to get it here. And by Hell, he meant literal Hell’s Gate where the RDA had left their fancy gear behind the first time. 

He rushes to throw the bag of fruit to the side and shuffles himself over onto the bed. The soft cloth is unfolded as if he is about to handle the rarest of Pandora’s diamonds and to Spider it might as well be.  Perhaps even more valuable considering the rarity. 

The fabric slipped along his fingers like the sway of a rushing river, a smooth effortless motion. His own grimy hands caked with dirt and a hint of blood from rough housing with Neteyam look horrifying next to the carefully crafted garment. In fact, it’s enough to have Spider setting the piece to the side and rushing to the bathroom so he can wash his hands. It would be a shame to ruin the loincloth so quickly simply because of his bad hygiene. 

Stomping past Norm and the other lounging scientists he tries to ignore him. 

“Kid, what have I told you about leaving your mask on the ground?” Norm huffs but Spider is already closing the door to the cramped bathroom.

He may have been a teenager when he was captured by the RDA but now has come into full adulthood. Something Norm seems to have a hard time understanding. Spider doesn’t care how much water he hogs in order to get every speck of dirt and grime from his hands. He only leaves the cramped bathroom when his skin is scrubbed raw and red. 

Leaning back against the woven hammock he allows himself the proper time to just admire the details of his new gift. It’s a beautiful emerald green with precise stitching that works to outline patterns of leaves and greenery. Under the harsh light of the outpost bulbs, the boy admires the way the thread glimmers with the shift of light. He thanks Eywa that it has a back panel. It may be something he is used to seeing with Na’vi but Spider can not imagine having his own ass hanging out of his loincloth, especially without a tail for it to wrap around. 

Once he finally wrangles up the courage to try on the loincloth he is amazed to see how perfectly it fits. The fabric is like silk against his rough skin. Or at least what he remembers silk to feel like from that one time another scientist let him touch her silk pillowcase. The band is woven of various colored threads and twine that come together to create criss cross patterns. His fingers brush them softly in a silent reverence. 

Spider looks at the mirror and allows himself to drink in the sight. Most days, the boy uses the mirror to simply swat at his dreadlock hair or repaint the blue stripes on his skin, but never can he remember a time that he uses it to admire himself. To look at his appearance head on and feel something more than indifference or longing to be a version of himself that is blue and a few feet taller. 

Being a human is something that Spider has learned to make peace with, but that doesn’t mean he particularly likes the look of himself. The blue stripes help slightly to cover the extra squish of his body that is normally nonexistent across Na’vi stomachs. With the beautiful garment now fitted perfectly to his hips, Spider notices for the first time how good a color besides blue looks on him. 

The heap of leather that is his usual loincloth seems like nothing more than a discarded washcloth now. Jake had been the one to show him how to weather the material and fashion it into clothing but from there the job had been his own to update the garment in stride with his growth spurts. 

The loincloth is so  clean and pristine in comparison to the rest of Spider’s appearance that for a moment he considers putting it away for safekeeping. What would happen if he tore a hole in it or got dirt rubbed into the careful stitching? It’s too beautiful to take the risk. 

However, when his fingers start to undo the carefully tied knots at the sides, he catches another glance of himself in the mirror and he hesitates. It looks so much better than before. He looks so much better than before. Maybe it has nothing to do with the loincloth’s quality at all. Perhaps it’s the careful thought and effort put into such an extraordinary gift. A thought for him. Just him and only him. 

One simple reminder that someone thinks he is worthy of nice things. 

Spider allows himself the privilege of wearing this reminder throughout the day. 

Zhali does not have many opportunities to spend time with Spider, especially without the company of others. Most nights he only gets to share a few sentence exchanges with the boy before either him or Spider is pulled away by their responsibilities or nagging friends. It doesn’t kill his spirits, however, not when he notices how beautiful the tawtute looks wearing his courting gift. Pride swells to the size of a balloon in his chest upon seeing how perfect the fit is. This feeling only inflates to new bounds when he sees Spider wear the garment every day without fail. 

Having been entrusted with leading one of the hunting parties on a daily basis, Zhali finds himself daydreaming about the male between patrols and petting down the direhorse. The other Na’vi in the crew do not fail to notice his shift in demeanor. Although some of them spread rumors that it has to do with Zhali’s unbridled affection for a certain golden haired tawtute, no one goes out of their way too complain. Controversial or not, Zhali is more forgiving of their mistakes when he is in high spirits. It matters not that it comes from a small Sky Demon. 

Lo’ak continues to assist Zhali in preparing another gift for Spider. This time they settle on weaving together a simple but stunning armband. Surprisingly this requires more experience and skill than the loincloth but he has never been one to back away from the struggle that comes from picking up a new trade. Zhali’s fingers work tirelessly as Lo’ak chatters on about the Metkayina clan and what adventures he missed. 

Later that night Zhali listens to the encroaching thunder that rumbles in the distance. Even his direhorse hesitates in his stride but he urges him forward. There is less than an hour left of his patrol and then he will return to his carefully crafted hut to get some much needed rest. However, now the sound of thunder and lightning is becoming more pressing and the male becomes less and less sure of how soon that sleep will come. 

It comes as no surprise when the first drops of rain quickly picks up into a full downpour. Lo’ak grumbles next to him, but Zhali ignores the other male’s mumbled curses and directs them to split up so more ground can be covered. They might as well check up on the family huts and make sure everyone has the sufficient coverings and supplies needed for the storm.  

It’s when he’s wading through the heavy greenery and wiping water from his eyes that Zhali catches sight of something peculiar. He follows the movement of bushes slowly, urging the direhorse to tread carefully. With the blanket of falling rain it’s difficult to identify the small creature wading through the greenery. Judging by the amount of rustle it creates, Zhali concludes that the creature must be either injured or panicking in the storm. He urges the horse to prowl closer as the rain pelts against his back mercilessly. 

It becomes near impossible to see anything in the thick greenery but there is a series of snapping branches and he watches as the beast comes tumbling down the hill. It rolls and crashes along the greenery before finally hitting the bottom of a tree trunk with a grunt. Through the thick sheet of rain, Zhali finally catches a glimpse of golden hair flying in the wind.

Spider!

He’s off the direhorse within a heartbeat and racking through the thick leaves moments later. Spider is sprawled out on the muddy ground, limbs stretched in every direction. The boy blinks, seemingly trying to comprehend the turn of events. 

“Spider.” Unintentionally Zhali words come out as a hiss. The Na’vi searches over the boy’s body frantically to see if there are any fatal wounds. With limited light it’s difficult to fully see where the sources of blood are so he shifts to use his fingertips to feel for wounds. Spider simply groans and stares up at him through slitted eyes as Zhali weaves through his hair in search of a head injury. He prays to the Great Mother that he won’t find one. 

The Sky Demon’s small body is covered in mud and littered with a plethora of bruises and bleeding scrapes. Luckily, none of these injuries appear to be more serious than the deeper cut over his shoulder. It will require bandaging and a series of healing ointments to prevent infection. Zhali is already running through the list of healing procedures he plans to execute on the boy when Spider’s voice finally breaks him out of the trance. 

“Hey.” Spider speaks in a gravelly hushed tone. “I-I’m ok.” He goes to sit up but a large blue hand covering half of his chest, gently pushes him back down. “Sorry I just lost my grip….got a little disoriented but…yeah sorry.” 

“You’re bleeding.” Zhali says bluntly. 

Spider looks down to see a smear of red painting his shoulder. Zhali watches his reaction with perked ears and pointed tail on alert but Spider simply knits his brows together and shrugs. However, the small being is unable to hide the grimace that flashes across his features. It has become a real effort on Zhali’s part to learn the ways of reading human expression, especially ones covered by those ridiculous masks. It can be incredibly frustrating trying to read one’s reaction without a flickering tail or ears to give away the boy’s state. 

“Oh shit, yeah, I guess I am. It’s ok…the outpost has a first aid kit so…” 

It’s then Zhali’s turn to scrunch his features in confusion. 

A first aid kit? Is that another one of those Sky Demon inventions those scientists are so fond of? Once Zhali had snuck down with Lo’ak and Neteyam when they were teens to the outpost and he had caught sight of things beyond his wildest imagination…or rather wildest horrors. He had watched as giant trunk shaped contraption fold around a human before sucking him into the wall. Lo’ak and Neteyam had later explained that these were the devices used by the Avatars to dream walk. Zhali could never erase how similar it had looked to the coffins that Jake had once described, the constricting box made to bury dead bodies. 

Would they put Spider in there too? Or something else? Perhaps this first aid kit would be even worse. 

No. He would not be returning to the outpost for those horrors. Zhali is more than capable of patching up the injuries and giving Spider the care he truly deserves. 

“No need, come. I will take you home.” Zhali says while carefully helping the boy to finally sit up. Spider’s lips purse for a moment as if he is about to say something but he must have read that wrong because it disappears just as quickly as it came and the small tawtute remains silent. 

It is, however, when Zhali easily lifts the male into his arms that Spider strings together a nervous onslaught of objections. 

“Oh woah, hey it’s ok. I can walk. I-I’m not really that hurt-”

Lightning strikes across the night sky. Thunder is quick to follow and by the sounds of deep rumbling, Zhali is confident that the storm is only about to get worse. Spider squeaks when he is easily lifted onto the direhorse without response. The other male makes quick work of sliding in behind him and reconnecting tsaheylu before the direhorse becomes too freaked out by the tawtute’s presence. It’s almost second nature to slip his forearms securely around Spider’s waist, keeping him safely atop the creature. 

He can feel the boy shiver in his embrace, but it’s difficult to tell whether it is from his touch or the relentless onslaught of rain.

“Thanks.” Spider’s mumble barely rings audible over the storm’s fury. The small sound still manages to bring a smile to Zhali’s face as he nods back in recognition and they begin their journey back towards the village. 

Despite the fact that Spider is conscious and not nearly as injured as he could’ve been, he is anxious to get the human to the healer’s tent as soon as possible. This urgency only increases when he can physically feel the boy’s body shaking like a leaf in the wind. His arm tightens around the small male, hoping to let some of his own natural body heat transfer over to him. It’s disconcerting to see how easily a little tawtute can be affected by the elements. It  serves as another reminder of how fragile the pretty boy truly is. It’s easy to forget at times when Spider is swinging from branches like a monkey, but now all he can see in his mind’s eyes is the replay of his small body tumbling down the steep decline helplessly. 

It’s then that Zhalie remembers the cloak he has packed away by the saddle. He manages to wrap the thick fabric around both of them. It covers Spider completely and to the male’s delight he finds that the human curls up against his warm chest. He’s satisfied to find that this solution keeps the pelting rain from attacking Spider any further. 

Zhali is made for these types of elements but he can only imagine how Spider’s small fragile body could be reacting to such harsh conditions. He makes a mental note to learn more about human anatomy in the coming days. Perhaps Lo’ak could arrange some sort of meeting with one of the remaining medical Sky Demons at the outpost. He hates the smell of chemicals and sterilized metal there but it would be preferable to the real feeling of inadequacy he has now. 

To his horror Zhali finds that the pathway to Tshaik’s tents has already eroded into a rushing stream and the tent itself is completely abandoned. He checks in with the Olo’eyktan over the throat comm and comes to find that Mo’at has fled to higher ground with the injured and sick to wait out the storm. With Spider barely conscious in his curled up position against him, Zhali decides that the only logical course of action is to bring the boy back to his kelku for the night. 

No matter, there are sure to be enough supplies at his home to patch Spider up and take care of him before the condition gets worse. 

Or at least, that is what he mentally assures himself over and over again until they reach the trunk of his kelku. 

Zhali is forced to let Spider crawl up the trunk himself as the tawtute is less than willing to let himself be carried again. He considers overriding this decision but he figures it’s already lucky enough that the blonde hasn’t insisted on being dropped off at the outpost instead. He takes the tender mercy in stride and makes sure to be below the boy in case he manage to slip, constantly ready to catch him if needs be. 

Zhali is in full action mode as he goes about efficiently securing the waterproof drapes. Spider hangs back, awkwardly standing in the middle of the room. Once the task is finished he turns around to find the boy’s arms wrapped around himself, seemingly curling up in on himself as trembles still wrack his body. It is such stark contrast to the usual confident and sassy demeanor that Spider upholds. Whether it is from the cold or the slightly traumatic situation, Zhali vows to coax the boy into being at ease as soon as possible. 

“I-it’s nice.” Spider manages to mumble out before audibly clearing his throat. Those hazel eyes roam over the darkened room as Zhali makes quick work of building a small fire and setting a pot of water over to warm. His own eyes stray from the fire to recall what state his kelku has been left in. Luckily, he has always had a knack for organization and creating a cozy environment in his home. Still, there is no saying what a Sky Person considers to be cozy when it comes to decor. He prays to Eywa that Spider’s preferences are not aligned with that of the suffocating and hard steel in the human outpost. 

“Thank you.” 

Spider tries to hide the wince that graces his features when he rolls his shoulder, but even in the dim glow of a fire, Zhali can clearly see the distress.

“Come. You are bleeding.” He motions Spider forward and luckily the boy does not protest.

Spider does, however, hesitate as those hazel eyes scan over the empty span thoughtfully. Zhali starts to think something is wrong but then it dawns on him. The boy’s body is speckled with mud and blood. Spider seems all too aware of this as he carefully squats over the clean woven floor. 

Of course this must be just Spider’s way of trying to be a polite guest while in his home, but it frustrates Zhali more than he expects. The beautiful human squats over the woven material as if he is unworthy to touch it. This behavior extends to all aspects of their encounter in the space as Spider is more than cautious to let himself enjoy any of the comforting ambience that Zhali has created in the space. He creeps into the area like an intruder, waiting to be shooed away. 

And it breaks Zhali’s heart. It shatters him to pieces to think that Spider would ever act in such a way when his presence alone is something to be celebrated. It’s borderline disappointing to think that Zhali has spent all this time over the past few weeks slowly preparing his kelku to become a welcoming place that Spider would be enticed to call his own someday, just for the boy to shy away from associating with it. 

“Sit.” Zhali puts a little more intensity behind the words than intended. He mentally curses at himself when Spider flinches in response but the human is already setting himself down gently. 

“The bleeding isn’t that bad.” Spider claims, but how would he know when the injury stretches across his right shoulder blade? 

Zhali goes to see for himself, reaching his enormously large hands towards the small creature, but then he pauses. 

“May I check?”

He idly notices that Spider’s breathing is no longer fogging up the glass of his mask? Has he stopped breathing? Was there something wrong with it? Oh Eywa, how does one fix that little thing if there is?

“Yeah.” 

The response is more of a puff of air than real words. Zhali allows himself to breathe now. 

Settling behind Spider feels natural and oddly comforting. He enjoys the way his body is haunched over the small blonde, as if he could create a Na’vi shield over the boy if any danger were to arise. The idea strokes his male pride for a moment until he remembers that he failed to shield Spider earlier. When…when he…

“How did this happen?”

“Well it was….you see….” Spider struggles before finally sagging with a sigh. “I fell.” Defeat is apparent in his tone. 

Zhali can not decide if he finds this explanation better or worse than the images he had conjured up. The thought of thanator claws scraping at the small being was terrifying, but then again, is it not more concerning to see that a simple fall is all it takes to injure him? This beautiful tawtute truly is so fragile. A simple misstep is all it would take to put him in danger. 

Spider appears to be thinking the same thing, but if the red cheeks and deep frown are anything to go by, it’s embarrassment rather than fear that rises to the surface. 

“Tawtute, this cut is deep. From how high did you tumble?” He tries his best to clean the cut with the rag as gently as possible, monitoring every flinch and shudder that ripples through Spider. 

“My bow got stuck up in the canopy. Thought I could get it down.” 

“It is still there?”

Spider nods.

“We will get it in the morning.” Zhali concludes smoothly as he dips the soft cloth back into the now warmed water. He checks it against his own skin first. The male may not know much about human anatomy but it’s clear that their response to the elements is more dramatic than his own. He would hate to accidentally expose the boy to any more harsh temperatures for the night. Once it is sufficiently clear that the rag is at a soothingly warm degree, he begins to glide it over Spider’s back. 

“Thanks I uh…I was kind of clumsy I guess. You don’t have to come with me in the morning though, I’m sure I can manage a bit better this time.” Spider rambles.

“I will not if you wish not for my company.” 

“No no, it’s not that.” Zhali peeks around the boy’s shoulder easily, braids swinging down as he openly observes the male’s expression. Spider’s turn a brighter shade of pink. Zhali finds he quite likes that shade. “Of course I would love for you to come. I just uh don’t want to make you go out of your way for me.” 

“You are never out of the way, Spider.” He sighs, tail curling in irritation. He shouldn’t need to make that clear, especially after efforts he has started towards his courtship. “You are the way.” 

He surveys the boy’s expression, but without twitching ears and a moving tail to give him away, it feels impossible to sense the shift in emotion there. He slowly retreats, not wanting to scare him off any more with the staring, but he lingers just long enough to see Spider catch his bottom lip between those blunt teeth. It’s a cute habit that Zhali has noticed from him, but one that he is still trying to understand fully. 

It’s obvious what his own response to the action is as his tewng grows uncomfortable, but that does little to help him decode Spider. Not to mention it makes him feel like an untrained teenager all over again, drooling at just about anything. 

“Spider.” 

He feels the boy straighten underneath his hands.

“Yeah?”

“What is your favorite color?” 

“What?”

Zhali is pleased to find that the area around the wound is finally clean and ready for bandaging. 

“Color. What is your favorite color?” He repeats. Spider only flinches slightly as he begins to lay the leaves covered in ointment over the small wound. He has to rip them into small pieces a few times so they don’t cover the whole expanse of Spider’s back. Doing so, however, draws his attention to the rest of the boy’s muddied and artificially stripped skin. Long fingers itch to reach for the warm rag again. 

“I um…I don’t know. Never really thought about it before.” 

Zhali’s eyebrows knit together. He is soon regretting his decision to sit behind the tawtute where he can’t even depend on the minor fluctuations of his small facial expressions for context. His tail thumps against the woven floor incidentally, but at least Spider can’t see that. When the urge becomes too strong, Zhali hesitantly starts running the warm cloth over the rest of Spider’s back.

“What do you say when people ask?” He takes Spider’s lack of flinching as a token of permission, scrubbing the dirt away from his tan skin with the gentlest touch he can muster. It’s interesting to see the way his skin turns a light pink after only a few strokes of the warm rag. It appears that Sky People’s skin is extremely sensitive and expressive to every substance it comes in contact with. He is pleased however to see that Spider’s muscles have begun to relax underneath each stroke and the shaking of his body has puttered out to a small vibration. 

“Well I don’t think anyone has ever asked me before to be honest.” Spider tries to slip in a small laugh but it’s strained. Those tiny four fingered hands come to gather his dreads and push them to the side before fondling them absently. 

Of course he knows that Lo’ak didn’t know the boy’s favorite color but for no one to ask? Never? By Eywa, what do the strange scientists at the lab that supposedly raised this male talk to him about? The negligence is infuriating and yet Zhali knows he shouldn’t be surprised. From the interactions he has seen between them, Norm acts more like a close friend than anything resembling a parental figure.

Spider pauses, head tilted as he ponders the question.

“I suppose red is not a bad one. Like the red from sunsets.”

Zhali’s lips turn down.

“Not green.” Disappointment lays heavy in his stomach, He should’ve known better than to trust Lo’ak as his source of information. 

“Green? Oh you mean cause of the loincloth. It doesn’t really-” Spider cuts himself off, turning silent as he looks down. 

Zhali’s ear perk forehead, wondering if he has somehow missed the end of that sentence. 

“Shit.” Spider whispers to himself. 

Peering over the boy’s golden dreads, Zhali finally finds the source of Spider’s silence. A jagged rip through the side of the loincloth. 

“Fuck I- Damnit, I didn’t realize and now….” Spider hunches forward inspecting it frantically.  “I’ve ruined it. All for my stupid fucking bow.” He grits out. “You worked so hard on it and I-”Spider gulps, voice heavy with emotion. 

“I will make another one.” 

“No no, you shouldn’t have to…..I-I’m sorry.” 

Zhali catches sight of glimmering tears welding over the boy’s eyes, ones that he refuses to shed. His heartbeat picks up more erratically when Spider allows his dreads to form a curtain over his face. 

“Spider, it is fine. I will make a new one. This time red.” As it should have been from the beginning. This would be his chance to redeem himself and give Spider the courting gift he truly deserved. Hesitantly he reaches out to sweep that golden hair away but Spider reels back. 

“Another one? N-no I cant ask that. It’s my fault I ruined it…it was…”

“The wrong color. I understand, tawtute.”

“No no no it….it was fucking perfect.” Spider sniffles and more than anything Zhali wishes he could see the boy properly, get that damn mask out of the way so he could wipe away the tears. “The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.” It’s whispered so soft and reverant that the Na’vi almost questions whether or not he heard it properly. 

It would be easier not to believe it.

Easier to believe that there were greater gestures the boy has received over the years than some simple pieces of clothing. 

Zhali shifts  forward, boldly sweeping the hair away so he can clearly see Spider’s sparkling eyes. 

“You deserve so much more than this.” He can see the boy’s lungs still with air. “So much more than a courting gift in the wrong color. More than a simple garment that pales in comparison to your beauty.” Spider’s blunt teeth naw at those soft pink lips. “More than jewels and bracelets. More than all the beauties of Pandora combined.” 

It’s as if the boy is frozen in time, air no longer passing through those lips. It’s borderline impossible to understand if this is a good or bad sign, but the truth is bursting from the seams, no longer willing to be kept prisoner. 

“You deserve a mate that will care for you. One that truly sees you.” Zhali catches a golden strand, tucking it behind Spider’s ear. Oh how he wishes to bury his face in that hair, to fully let the beautiful tawtute’s scent to sink in. 

His stomach twists into a bundle of knots but the words come regardless. 

“I see you, Spider.” 

Silence stretches between them but Spider’s eyes remain trained on him, pupils blown wide and breath stilled. A new form of anxiety settles itself as the seconds pass without a clear breath coming from him. 

“You do not have to say anything. I have only begun courting you after all. I simply thought you should kno-” 

Spiders cuts him off with a shake of his head, breath finally exhaled. Nothing, however, matches the horror Zhali feels as the boy reaches to lift his mask. 

“No Spider-” He catches his wrist.

“It’s ok.” Spider gently pries the hand from his wrist before taking a deep breath in. 

The mask is carefully slipped from his face but Spider gives him a reassuring smile when he spots the concern written over Zhali’s face. And then, the space between them decreases slowly, the boy’s face inching closer to his own until their noses brush. Those big doe eyes flicker between his own heated gaze and lips.

The first point of contact is hesitant and slow, but there is a certain tenderness to that gentle swipe of lips. Spider’s lips are so much smaller than his own, but ever so soft. So many moments have led to this one but his heart continues to race, ever so worried about hurting the small tawtute. 

It is Spider, however, that pushes it forward, small tongue swiping at his bottom lip. Zhali allows him. He gives the boy of his dreams access, gives him the world because there is nothing else he can manage to do, not when his wildest fantasies are coming true. Leisurely they each explore one another and melt into the kiss. 

He cups Spider face tenderly, hands easily covering each side of his head. He even allows his fingers to softly explore through the sunshine mane. Spider’s hands are more cautious, but every area they trace over has Zhali’s tail swinging back and forth exuberantly. 

In some ways this kiss is nothing in comparison to the other sexual rendezvous Zhali has experienced and yet it feels more intimate. Like finally having access to a beautiful masterpiece kept behind glass for so long. Finally getting to cherish Spider’s beautiful face instead of observing from a distance. 

At the first jerk of Spider’s chest, Zhali sternly repositions the mask over his face. His emotions swirl from pure elation to trepidation as he waits to hear that first breath. 

Spider lets out a small gasp for air, cheeks tinting as his chest expands and caves rapidly. Hands on the boy’s thighs, Zhali leans forward, eyes darting across the mysterious mask to make sure it is working properly. 

“Can you breathe?” He reaches forward to mess with the contraption, not that he has any idea how but he can’t help himself. 

“Yeah yeah…I can.” Spider lets out an airy laugh. “Well, mostly.” 

Zhali’s frown deepens urgency increasing but then he notices that dazed smile over the boy’s face. The giddy look in his eyes as that beautiful blush paints his cheeks once more. 

“It’s ok It’s ok.” Spider laughs, small hands prying Zhalil’s own off the mask. “I’m alright. Just a little overwhelmed.” 

“You promise, sevin?” Zhali sweetly pushes a few dreads away from Spider’s face, eyes studying him intently. 

Once again Zhali watches in awe as that tan skin quickly shifts to a darker shade of red, even traveling over Spider’s collarbones and chest. He follows that blossom of color downwards, eyes caught on the boy’s small nipples now perked in the cool air. He doesn’t try to hide the ogling, not now that the truth is out. 

“Y-yes.” Spider stutters.

“Good.” He breathes out, but his hands are already gliding over the soft skin of Spider’s sides. He takes in every reaction like a gift. The way the tawtute shivers when his ribcage is brushed, the way that blush only intensifies with Zhali’s darkening gaze, the way his nipples pebble under his long fingers as if they are aching to be touched. 

For so long Spider has been forbidden fruit. For even longer Zhali has dreamed of how this beautiful creature would feel in his hands, the sounds he could draw from him. Sitting here feels like a dream, one beyond his wildest imagination when a small groan escapes Spider. 

One hand dares to grip the boy’s left hip while the other swirls over one hardening nipple. Without a tail or ears it can be hard to read Spider but even Zhali can recognize the restraint his beautiful tawtute exhibits as his hips twitch and chest heaves. 

Spider’s eyes stray away from the intimate points of contact when Zhali leans forward to rest his temple against his. Breath fogs up the glass. 

“Spider”

“Yes?” He whispers. 

“Let me take care of you.” 

Spider’s thick lashes flutter rapidly as he visibly gulps. 

“But I….w-why?” He stutters, as if unable to process the concept. 

“Because you deserve it, sevin.” He squeezes his hip gently as Spider stares at him with big hazel eyes. A color that he could easily get lost in. Ones that goes greatly with Spider’s now swollen pink lips. 

He has never been so desperate to please such a beautiful being. 

“Let me make you feel good, yawne.” Spider’s eyes flutter closed when the Na’vi rakes his longer fingers through his hair. “Please, yawntutsyip.” 

Spider melts in the touch, letting the Na’vi cradle the back of his head. 

“Let me show you how I’d take care of you if you’d be mine.” His softly scratches along his scalp, delighting in the way Spider’s small form goes slack. 

A new spice intertwines with Spider’s scent, filling Zhali’s lungs until it has become his own personal drug. 

“Sevin?”

“Y-yes yes, ok yeah I-I…yes.” Spider exhales, words tumbling together. 

Zhali grins.

Spider is sure he’s hallucinating. So sure that somewhere in that fall he hit his head a little too hard and now suffers from delusions. It’s the only explanation he has to explain how this god of a Na’vi has decided to please him. The only way he can comprehend not only being allowed in his kelku but furthermore have those sharp teeth tracing over his abs. 

Looking down at the male who kisses and nips at his body like it’s art made just for him, Spider is content to let this hallucination continue. He will spend the rest of his life in this dream if it means staying cradled in his arms, if it means feeling that hot tongue explore his body intimately. 

True intimacy can be hard to come by for Spider.

Kiri tries and Jake will occasionally ruffle his hair but it does little to satiate what he really needs. Now, however, seems to be the worst time to realize how touch starved he is. It’s embarrassing how difficult it is to keep himself from squirming or God forbid even bucking up into every touch and kiss. 

It’s worse than being a teenager in his hammock trying to get himself off. At least then he was in the privacy of his own company but Zhali’s touch is like lightning in comparison to his own. His hands are so much larger that when the Na’vi goes to cup his head or slink down his chest, it covers the expanse easily. 

It’s when Zhali pushes him down with a hand to his chest that Spider realizes he might be into their size difference more than he anticipated. 

Neck craning to watch Zhali litter kisses along his lower abdomen, he burns in mortification when he spots his own boner through the green loincloth. He wants to believe that Zhali has not noticed this before but even he knows that Na’vi have greatly enhanced senses. 

Fuck, he most likely already can smell his arousal, let alone see it. 

His blunt teeth sink into his bottom lip harder as he holds back the jumble of moans that threaten to break loose. 

It’s pathetic. 

Already in adulthood and yet all it takes for him to rut like a hormonal teenager are a few well placed kisses and bites. 

Open mouthed kisses are meticulously placed along his v line until he has reached his right hip. Something sharp draws along his skin and Spider sees the  Na’vi’s teeth bared. Their eyes connect for a moment and it appears to be all the confirmation that Zhali requires before he takes the plush flesh into his mouth and sucks hard. 

A shocked cry falls from Spider’s lips as his back arches. 

Pain and pleasure dance together in symphony when those impressive teeth come into play. What has his legs shaking, however, is the knowledge that it will leave a mark. Even humans know what such a display means.

A marking to show he is being courted.

A marking to show that he is wanted and desired by a male prospect. 

“Am I hurting you, sevin?”

It takes a moment for the words to register.

“Wh- oh no no. You’re not.” 

“Hm, good.” Looking up through his lashes Zhali keeps their gazes pinned as he lays a tender kiss over the new mark. Those lips skate over his skin until reaching the intricate ties of his loincloth. 

Hands holding the male’s thighs apart, Zhali carefully secures a tie between his teeth and begins to pull. Watching that knot unravel feels like the longest seconds of Spider’s life. He isn’t sure if he needs it to speed up or slow down because his brain can hardly process what is to come. 

It isn’t his first time being bare before a Na’vi. Admittedly, other Na’vi, even among the Metkayina have had their curiosity sparked by Spider. Some shuffled him away with a rushed exploration and desperate touching that became all the sex life Spider had ever known. However, those had only left him unsatisfied and lonely again at the end of the night. 

This is different, however. 

Zhali, although curious, doesn’t explore him for his own pleasure but rather Spider’s.

He takes in every new discovery and change like a masterpiece meant to be worshiped. He watches for the slightest flinch to signal a change and the smallest twitches of pleasure to indicate what spikes the boy’s pleasure. 

And when the silky loincloth falls away, the same one that Zhali had spent weeks carefully crafting especially for him, he doesn’t rush to grip or stroke. His heated gaze is the first thing to caress him, and then his voice.

“So magnificent, my tawtute.”

Spider can already feel himself trembling. This new emotion bubbling forward does not make it easier to gather restraint, to stop himself from appearing like a desperate lonely fool in front of this gorgeous man. 

Zhali kisses right next to the base and Spider forces himself to look away. 

This gentle worship does things to him that he could never have imagined and therefore could never have prepared for. He can’t watch this any longer without losing the reins. 

He can feel himself twitch as soft kisses are placed one by one around the base until every inch has been covered. Toes curling, Spider attempts to slow down his heartbeat. 

“Spider”

“Huh?”

He peaks to find Zhali looking up at him, large golden orbs taking in every flinch in his expression. 

“I am not hurting you?” He checks again.

“No no, of course not.” Spider chokes out, ears growing hot at the tremor in his voice. 

“Hm, I see.” He hums before his fingertips start drawing soft patterns over his hips. “You are tense, sevin.” 

His stomach flips.

“Fuck, yeah I know, I-I’m sorry. I understand if-”

Zhali hushes him sweetly, crawling forward to cup his face once more. 

“Spider,” His name from Zhali’s lips sounds like a song. “Do you want this?”

He doesn’t enjoy how fast he is nodding his head.

“Yes. I do, shit yeah I do. I’ll keep it together, I'm sorry.”

Zhali is shaking his head before he can even finish the sentence. 

“Sevin, do not apologize.” Zhali’s slim tail wraps itself around his calf and Spider has to hide the tremor along his lips. “I only need one thing from you.”

Spider gulps, leaning forward and ready to take the criticism. 

“I need you to relax.”

Spider flushes, fighting back the urge to gulp down the knot in his throat. 

“Yeah o-okay.”

Zhali is less than convinced but a warm smile crosses his lips. His fingers intertwine with the boy’s hair once more before he is raking them through those golden locks. The reaction is immediate, pleasurable shivers dissipating through Spider’s body. 

Never before had he realized how sensitive he is to this gesture but now with those gentle movements massaging his scalp, Spider feels like he could melt into molten gold. Zhali runs his face along the curve of his neck, marking him with his scent. 

The hand in his hair is used to tilt Spider’s head back and give him better access. A breath wooshes from the boy’s lungs. 

“Just focus on what you feel, sevin.” 

Soft lips lay a kiss behind his ear. 

“What feels good,” Zhali continues. 

Another kiss, this time to his pulse point. 

“What feels different.” 

Zhali’s textured tongue drags along his skin languidly. Spider hardly registers his own groan as he lets his weight fall into the Na’vi embrace. 

“What you want more of.” 

When the male begins sucking a hickey into the side of his neck, Spider can no longer keep a cap on his noises. A string of whines and moans fall from his lips as he finds rest in the moment. Eyes closed and mouth agape, he forgets where he is.

He forgets who he is. 

He forgets who he is not.

And Spider lets each exhilarating sensation guide his decisions. 

“Good boy.” Zhali whispers warmly against his pulse, licking over the mark to soothe. 

His hands firmly run down Spider’s sides, squeezing it greedily until his presence can not be forgotten. Taking control of every curve and line, Zhali plays him like an instrument. Spider lays back against the matt, golden hair creating a crown around him. Hazel eyes dilate before fluttering closed when soft kisses are left along his inner thighs. 

Sounds erupt from him that Spider doesn’t recognize when Zhali’s tongue begins exploring his length. His body buzzes with a new energy, nerves a lit with every swoop and swirl of that talented tongue. 

And even though his hips twitch in silent request for more, Spiders swears that he could live in the moment forever. 

“Such beautiful sounds, oeyä tawtute.” 

The compliment floods his cheeks and tugs at his chest. There is no longer room for self doubt as praises fall freely between the beautiful exploration of Zhali’s mouth. Every concern is hushed before it can fully bloom. 

“You taste so good, sevin. Don’t know how I went without you for so long.”

And then warmth encases his member in a rush. Zhali sucks his cock with such enthusiasm and vigor that it becomes difficult to see which partner enjoys themselves more. 

But it’s him.

Spider is sure it is him. 

He knows that there is no other Na’vi or human out there that feels the things he is feeling, that reaches such heights of ecstasy and passion in one night. He can’t fathom anyone else knowing the warmth, pleasure, and relief that washes over him. 

Nose to the boy’s navel, Zhali swirls his tongue around the boy’s base, easily able to take all of Spider within the warm cavern of his mouth. Spider’s hands shoot down and grab the Na’vi’s tied hair without thought. His fingers grip and tug at the neat bun until strands start to fall loose. 

“Oh fuck!” He shouts, blunts nails digging into his scalp. 

Zhali pulls back until his lips are sealed around only the bulbous tip. The point of his tongue runs over the slit brashly and Spider yanks on his hair. The action is rewarded with a carnal moan, the vibrations rocketing through the boy. 

Zhali likes to watch. Spider can feel those eyes trained on him without reprieve, no matter which way he squirms and bucks. At some point he feels strong hands pin his hips to the ground, forcing him to take the pleasure in its entirety. 

Spider isn’t used to the attention.

He isn’t used to the way Zhali mentally tracks his reactions and the actions associated with them. 

He isn’t used to the honey eyes drinking in the sight of him. 

But most of all, he isn’t used to being the center of attention.

It breaks him into a thousand pieces. 

His climax crashes so hard into him that his small hands search for something to ground him. They circle around Zhali’s kuru tugging as he spills into the male’s mouth. 

The sound that erupts from Zhali is unlike anything Spider has ever heard from him. So far from the polite, organized and formal male that he has known. It rings forth with a raspy texture and a deep serenade that sets his world on fire. 

Not a drop is wasted and Zhali doesn’t release his twitching length until Spider is pushing back his head. 

He falls limp against the mat, bowl pupils staring up at the world in a daze. He can briefly sense the careful precision Zhali takes to kiss every mark before running a warm cloth over him but it’s background noise to the symphony playing in his head. 

“Thank you, sevin.” 

That deep voice now with a raspy tint weaves into his consciousness as Spider revels in the tingling aftershock running through his body. He can only manage a lazy smile when Zhali comes up to check on him. 

“Just give me….give one minute and then I….I can help.” He manages to get out between pants. Zhali’s brows furrow until he sees the boy eyeing his tented loincloth. 

“You have done more than help today, tawtute. Given me more than I could have asked for.” And he grins so sincerely that Spider can’t fathom how the male could feel this way. In every sexual interaction he has had, there was always a return of the favor, that is assuming Spider finished in the first place. But Zhali looks at him like he hung the moon, eyes glimmering in delight as he wipes him down with a warm cloth.

“You…you don’t want me to touch you?” 

Zhali traces idle lines over Spider abs happily. 

“Of course I do, but how would that serve the proper purpose? I am courting you.” Zhali stands and begins preparing the hammock for them. He arranges extra pillows and blankets that Spider has never seen other Na’vi have before. In fact, there is a great deal of influence from Sky People culture present in the male’s kelku. Things that only a human would find necessary. 

Before he can protest, Spider is carried carefully to the hammock and laid across the Na’vi chest. He tucks a blanket around the boy’s hips, making sure it isn’t too tight but still brings the wet tawtute some warmth. 

“Although, I admit. This is out of order. It was supposed to be step twelve but do not worry. I will make sure not to skip over any. Fourteen steps to go.” He nods firmly, lips perking upwards.  

Spider’s brain sputters, head still fuzzy from the best orgasm of his life. Tonight feels like a dream, an absolute horny amazing romantic dream that his subconscious has whipped up. He can barely process the night’s turn of events, let alone this handsome male wanting to go through an extensive courting process all for him. 

“Fourteen? You….but…that is so much.” 

Zhali’s hairless brows furrow. 

“It’s hardly enough, sevin. It’s important that you have enough proof of my ability to provide, protect, and love before you make your choice. So you can weigh your options.” 

As if he has other options.

Who would surpass this?

Who has ever even tried?

Zhali continues to run his fingers through the human’s hair as he sighs happily, watching as Spider shifts closer. 

“I do not expect an answer now, sevin. But hopefully tonight is a start to convincing you.”

Rain pelting down on the kelku and wrapped in this amazing man’s arms, Spider’s eyes fill with tears again. 

To call it convincing would be an understatement. 

Thanks for reading. As always, I truly appreciate hearing your thoughts. It motivates me to write and update more. Love you all<3

Taglist: @tallulah477 @eywaite @itchaboi-itchyboy @perfectprofessorloverapricot @xylianasblog @neteyamssyulang

[skeletondeerart]

Sacred Waters, Sacred Hearts Chapter 1

A Male OC! Metkayina x Fem Human! Reader | Word Count: 1722

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A/N : Both Rukan and reader are in their mid 20's

" " = direct speech | ' ' = Metkayina sign language | Bold = English

Another night approaches as multiple moons emerge from the waves. I adjust my mask, ensuring it's sealed to my cheeks, as I shuffle off my light shawl, leaving just my wetsuit and waterproof tablet. The morning winds nip at my exposed skin, and I make haste into the reef, gracefully submerging myself and diving down to the reef bed to escape the chill of the evening.

I was one of the last marine biologists left on Pandora after the fall of the Omatikaya's Hometree, yet by the grace of Eywa I was taken into her embrace and was allowed to live amongst the flora and fauna. I now reside on the coastline a couple hours from the Metkayina settlements; respecting the ocean-dwelling Navi immensely, I made sure to leave them alone and stay in my small corner of the ocean; content with just researching and documenting the underwater flora and fauna. Though I may seem isolated here on my lonesome I do make frequent calls to Norm and Max to update their data files, ordering human supplies or just for a chat yet sometimes I yearn for someone else to share my experiences with...

Weaving through bioluminescent kelp, flippers boost me through the currents I glide to a halt and unsheathe my switchblade to harvest some vegetation and check on the coral's health. Happy with the healthy flora and the harvest I document photos for my log and bask in the temperate waters. I smile at the stillness from the ocean bed, turning onto my back and gazing up through the water's surface, mesmerised by the reflection of light shimmering across the lapping waves from below.

Eventually, my lungs begin to burn yearning for oxygen, and I move to breach the surface, breaking the water tension my mask immediately intakes the Pandoran air and swiftly converts it to plain oxygen. As I catch my breath, I watch Ilu ride the waves and birds dive into the ocean to nab up small fish for their dinner. My stomach rumbles at the through and my mind drifts back to the edible vegetation in my pouch, I paddle back to shore and squeeze the water from my hair before I begin stoking a fire to roast my own dinner.

Time gets away from me as I continue to do tasks onshore like chopping wood and transferring files into the databank. My thoughts are disturbed by a shrill ring, Norm's contact blaring from my tablet. I quickly accept it as Norm appears on the screen; giving a curt wave before he started speaking.

"Hey (Y/n), how are you? Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time, but I have a favour to ask." He rambles, arms gesturing awkwardly.

"Uh, nah I'm not doing much; how can I help ya Norm?" I say absent-mindedly as I continue weaving a new blanket, preparing for the cooler weather.

"Mo'at needs some specific medicinal herbs, but they can only be found in the deeper parts of the reef bed. Considering you're now quite an adept diver I thought to ask you first before connecting with the Metkayina traders."

"Oh yeah no problem, I'll duck out in a moment and get that heading your way no problem" I smile as I stand to pull my wetsuit back on from its drying rack.

Norm rubs his nape and bows his head in gratitude "I can't thank you enough (Y/n) just text me when you're done so I can send someone out there to collect the goods"

"Easy, I'll get back to you soon, but if you don't hear back by tomorrow afternoon assume I drowned" I laugh in jest.

I watch as Norm scrunches his face in horror "Don't make me come over there for a welfare check buddy, because I will! I swear it." Norm sighs exasperated by my words wagging his finger to the camera.

"Oh, I'm just kidding Normie; have some faith in me will ya." I giggle as I slip the thick fabric up my torso, Navi stripes adorn the fabric, mimicking the Metkayina's camouflage.

"How many times have I asked you to quit it with the 'Normie'…" Norm scolds but it holds no venom at all. "Look, you better update me straight away ok! I got to go; Max needs some help in the lab, see ya (Y/n)." He waves and disconnects as I wave goodbye myself.

I release a sigh as I take a final note of all the things I need and make sure my mask is free from damage as I set out. I walk out of the airlock to the edge of the mangroves and leap into the deeper portion, my vision is hindered by a myriad of bubbles for a moment before settling down, I begin the descent into the sandbank, I had no need for a flashlight due to the high concentration of bioluminescence, I glide through the waters and corals with ease and gradually letting some oxygen in through my air tank, I only used it for longer expeditions as I like to train my lung capacity.

I swim further from my base, lowering my altitude as I dive into a stunning deep cave. I spotted the herbs; it looked like sea moss; excellent in curing skin ailments when ground into a salve. I push faster through the currents and into the jagged coral formation that the moss grew on, not seeing the signature Metkayina markers for a protected area... I peeled it from its roots and placed it into a leather pouch, deeming it enough I turned to make my way back out, but I was stunned into silence as a massive shadow passed by the gaps in the coral.

It was an Akula…a massive shark-like beast who not even the Navi deem as a friend. My lungs constricted as I limited agitating the water around me. I waited with bated breath as the Akula swam circles around the exit, I peered timidly out as I no longer detect its presence. So, I make the decision to slowly rise to the entrance of the cave. I make the dash, but the Akula notices the disruption and flings itself in my direction, a terrified gargle escapes my throat as I weave hastily through the outcrops narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws.

In my adrenaline-fueled state, I didn't notice another join the fray. Until a muffled roar is heard from the Akula as it flees back deeper into the cave system. I burrow myself into the coral hiding from my painful death as I go to release more oxygen into my mask, my hands fumble with a pierced tube and my eyes widen in realisation.

My oxygen supply is drained and I'm so far from the surface.

My panic only spikes further as piercing blue eyes peer down at me cuddled up in the coral like a child.

It was a Metkayina patroller, he was mounted on an Ilu as he scowled in my direction, his rapid signing not going unnoticed.

I gingerly raise my hand and sign 'I mean no harm. I'm with the Omaticaya, gathering medicinal herbs for our injured, but can you help me to the surface I need to breathe…'

He shook his head frustrated but for a moment I could see the disbelief in his eyes at my fluency. 'You do not belong here tawtute, let alone in a protected area, go back to the forest.' But his eyes soften when he sees me start to go blue, my eyes pleading as I point to the surface. He sighs exasperated as he snatches my arm and hauls me into his chest atop his Ilu, jetting to the surface. My vision gets splotchy as we break the water, my mask luckily taking in the air again with no issue.

As I fill my strained lungs again, I'm abruptly shoved off the Ilu and dunk under momentarily pouting as I surface and gazing up at the Navi with a smug look on his face. He points his finger at me.

"Do not touch tawtute, it is a protected site and you're too close to the village" he states, shaking his head. "Go" He states his finned arm pointing back to shore.

"Sorry I didn't see the marker, I'll stay away, promise." I put up my pinky finger momentarily before realising he wouldn't know what it meant. He leans back, a hairless brow raising in suspicion.

"Silly tawtute…" He mutters under his breath before urging again "I'll accompany you home just to make sure that Akula leaves you be. I don't want your pitiful death on my conscience." He states "But you're swimming yourself…"

I laugh "Fine by me" I say before setting back on course. I paddle on the water's surface beside the Metkayina on his Ilu, swimming in silence for most of the way. I'm broken out of my thoughts as his words pierce the silence.

"What are those on your feet…" He questioned, with an ounce of curiosity evident in his tone. I gaze back for a moment checking for any foreign matter.

"Flippers. Helps me swim faster and easier, kind of how your feet and tail help you through the water." I say casually, lifting one from the water to flaunt it with a smile, his face scrunching up as water flicks him in the face.

"I see…" His words were cut short as my home was spotted over the water. Nestled into the mangroves and covered in my hand-woven cloths and netting.

"Well, here's my stop" I sigh as I pull myself up into the mangroves and onto the net platforming.

A curious hum leaves his throat as he gazes at my abode. "Looks somewhat like our villages… yet so tawtute." He mumbles scratching at his nape.

Honestly, over the past hour, I have grown fondness for this Navi. I can't help but blurt out "(Y/n)." His eyes shoot to me confused. "My name… it's uh (Y/n)" I state my cheeks flushing.

"(Y/n)…" He takes a moment letting my name digest "Rukan…" he replies before abruptly diving on his Ilu and swimming off in the direction of the village.

"Rukan…. What a nice name" I smile before heading inside to preserve the moss and notifying Norm of a successful expedition.

Enjoy the next chapter in my Masterlist! & join the taglist

[cl0udy-wolf]

collide invisible lips, like a shadow on the wall

aka: zuko lets himself get distracted after losing the avatar.

(featuring lee/oc)

trigger warnings: n/a, just fluff :)

Zuko was livid.

Not only had he lost the Avatar, after countless manhunts, after an endless cycle of losing and regaining hope, after three years of waiting...

But he had also lost his most prized possession- his notebook containing all his information about the past Avatars. All his deepest thoughts.

Everything.

After about a half hour of searching for it, his room was an absolute mess. Everything was out of place and thrown across the floor. He had a hard time navigating, so he just kicked or tossed things aside. Not like the mess was helping him at all.

In his frustration, he didn't hear the person who was at the door until around the third time they knocked. He heard the door open and whipped his head around.

"What?!"

His eyes widened when he realized it was Lee. He silently cursed at himself. He hated yelling at his friend, being rough like that at him. It was unintentional, but...

Lee took a breath, carefully stepping over some scrolls thrown across the floor. "I came to check on you. I was worried."

His gaze traveled across the room. Zuko couldn't read his expression, which annoyed him. He liked having an idea of what was coming next. But Lee was good at keeping his face like a mask, for the most part.

"Zuko," Lee said, "Talk to me."

Zuko averted his gaze with a sour expression. He crossed his arms, feeling Lee's scrutiny. Those gentle eyes fixed on him. 

It wasn't long before he caved.

"We lost the Avatar, for one. And now, my notebook is gone. Can you believe this? He ran! And took something of mine with him. I spent years-" He groaned and covered his face with in hands in annoyance. He turned and walked in the direction of the window just to get away.

But Lee followed. He noticed Zuko running his thumb over his scar absent-mindedly as the frustration with himself set in, and Lee frowned. His heart ached whenever he saw him do that. 

He took Zuko's hand and eased it away from his face. "Stop," he murmured, "Just squeeze my hand instead."

And indeed, Zuko was crushing his hand.

"I'll lend you one of my empty books to use. As for the Avatar...I'm sure we can find some sort of lead. It's not...it's not impossible."

"It feels like it," Zuko grumbled.

"Zuko," Lee said, calmly, "Look at me, please."

He brought his hand to Zuko's cheek and gently turned his head so they'd make eye contact. Deep in Zuko's eyes, Lee could see his pain. It was harder for Zuko to hide it around him. It was harder for Zuko to hide anything around him.

He should've expected it. Bonding over running away to random secluded spots in the Fire Nation brought them closer than anyone else Zuko knew that was his age. 

"Take a breath with me," Lee said, bringing his voice down to almost a whisper. He knew Zuko found solace in that tone.

He demonstrated taking deep breaths, hoping Zuko would follow. 

But then his own breath faltered, and he sighed, anxiety creeping onto his face. Zuko was quick to act upon seeing it.

"Hey, you okay?" 

"I...I'm fine. You know me..."

"Just one of those days? Take your own advice," Zuko said lightheardedly. It made Lee crack a soft smile.

"I'm worried about you. When don't you worry me..."

"Sorry." Zuko gave a sheepish half-smile.

"It's okay." Lee squeezed his hand, just now realizing they were still holding hands. He peered down to look at them when he noticed something. He rose their hands to get a better look at Zuko's. 

"Zuko!"

"Huh?"

"You hurt yourself." Lee ran his thumb over the small cut on Zuko's hand. It definitely wasn't much, but Lee couldn't help but be worried about it anyway. It wasn't just the cut, but the fact that Zuko was so angry and he hadn't noticed made him concerned- has this happened before? Did Zuko take care of it by himself? Why didn't he say anything? Was he okay? Would he be okay? What if something happened and Zuko didn't tell him and then-

Zuko's voice tore Lee from his spiraling thoughts.

"Lee, I'm fine. It's not that bad. I probably just cut myself on accident with some of the pottery."

"I know, but-"

The moment they made eye contact, it felt like a bolt of lightning shot through both of their hearts. Lee's breath suddenly caught in his throat. Zuko's eyes widened as he tried to process this new and very sudden feeling.

He felt...warm. Fuzzy. His breathing grew a bit heavy as he tried to focus. But how was he supposed to focus when Lee was looking at him with his big, bright amber eyes, so close that he could see the little specks of green in his eyes, looking at him with not scorn or disgust but tenderness and care.

Then there was the way Lee held his hand close to his chest, close to his heart. Maybe he was overthinking, but now his own thoughts were spiraling and he couldn't help it. 

It took him back to the Fire Nation. Before all of this. Back to when Lee and Zuko sat under the stars, hidden away somewhere where their families couldn't find them. Sharing stolen glances, soft touches, sweet words- promises that Lee would come back safe and sound from war. So many things that neither of them knew the meaning of.

It took him back to that confusing feeling that stirred in his heart- the one he tried to forget but he couldn't because he couldn't just throw away the way this boy made him feel- this boy who was his best friend- the boy who he wrote countless letters to and waited for in the center of Capital City to see if he had come back home- come back to him alive.

The boy that gave him butterflies, or something close to it- he didn't know exactly what was going on, he just knew he wanted so desperately to be close to him but he was terrified at the same time because what if something happened and Lee hated him for it? What if he hurt him? 

They had already been through enough.

It scared him.

And then he gazed deeper into Lee's eyes and it all went away.

His mind went blank. It was quiet.

Lee whispered, "Zuko? What's wrong?"

Zuko stammered. "No- nothing's wrong, I just..."

And then, without realizing it, Lee leaned in. And Zuko pulled him in closer.

Not even a second later, before their lips could even meet, Zuko broke away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

Lee grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him. 

Zuko's arms went around Lee's waist. Lee brought him closer, a hand behind his head.

Zuko was completely lost in how soft Lee's lips were. He was entranced by the way, every time they broke away, he went in for another kiss, as gentle and as tender as the first one, as if Lee was afraid to hurt him. 

And he was overwhelmed by the barely restrained intensity of Lee's embrace, making him feel every last bit of desperation that Lee carried- the desperation they shared, for years, and it finally felt like it was being resolved.

The stress of their lives washed away like waves crashing on the shore. There was only the feeling of Lee in Zuko's arms and the faint scent of his cologne. 

All the worries, the pain- their search for the Avatar- was forgotten about.

Zuko pulled away and sighed in contentment. He looked down at Lee, whose cheeks were as red as a rose. He had a cute, shy smile on his face, one he couldn't help.

A beat passed before either of them spoke. Zuko rested his forehead against Lee's and neither of them opened their eyes, instead taking each other in during the short moment of silence.

"I love you," Lee breathed.

Zuko smiled. "I love you, too." His hand gently caressed Lee's cheek, the other resting on his waist.

"I've loved you since before we left the Fire Nation. Every time I was at war, I thought about coming home to you." Lee felt tears pricking his eyes. It was hard recalling the fear that plagued him when he was deployed, not knowing what the days would hold for him, not knowing if it would be his last. But every time he lost hope, he thought about who he was fighting for.

"I thought about hugging you. I thought about the way you'd look at me and smile and run to take me into your arms as soon as you saw me marching back to Capital City. I thought about you." 

Lee let the words hang in the air. They just sort of tumbled out of his mouth without him meaning to ramble. Zuko, on the other hand, was silent, until Lee heard his voice in a soft murmur.

"I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."

"We don't have to think about that anymore. You're okay. I'm okay. We're both okay."

A soft chuckle escaped him, maybe of disbelief, maybe of excitement. "We're in love."

Zuko's smile returned to his face. "We're in love," he repeated, awe-struck. "And it's staying this way."

"Whatever happens, I'm by your side. Just don't go anywhere I can't follow."

"That goes for you, too."

"I'm staying. So you can hold me like you are right now."

"I love you." Zuko pressed his lips to Lee's, lingering as he began to draw back. 

"I love you, too," Lee said as he brought Zuko in for yet another kiss, this one deeper than any of their first. 

[minnory]

Ai generated art

[kingofvipers]

ATWOW INCORRECT QUOTES #1

Cas: *covered in sand* I am the sand guardian, guardian of the sand

Lo'ak: Eywa quivers before him!!

Cas: *looking at the ocean* FUCK OFF!!!

Sam: *laughing and shaking his head*

[maycat-19-142]

My love~[2]

A/n:someone wanted a longer version so here it is

⚠️:this might be inaccurate to the original requests and if so I'm sorry. This not a lot longer but that is ok

You had run away from you family. They did not like the other tribes around you. You felet unsafe in the area when they would rant and talk about the other tribes.

So here you are 6 earth months later. Working from the other tribes. Yiu have made friends and some feel like family. Yiu hate the next leader tsu'tey. He is arrogant and full of himself.

You both hate each other. You were working in the fields when you heard you fathers voice. "Y/n,why are you with the enemy"

"You are the enemy" you say "you live is fear and you expect me to do the same. When I'm with you I'm trapped." He runs over and grabbed your arm. He starts to run in the direction of your home till tsu'tey blocks him.

Oh this was bad your parents had found out that you had been with tsu'tey from the enemy clan.

You saw your father yell at him and then he drew his sword. Your eyes went big. You ran up to your father and yelled "no papa" he glared at you and said "why should I he is enemy scum.

"Please" you pleded with tears forming in your eyes "why" you father said again with a sour tone.

You turned to look a tsu'tey and then said "because we are mated" you father look in shock and then his eye shot to you then to tsu'tey.

"You are mated to him" he asked. His eye grew wide when both of you nodded. He just dropped his sword and walk away.

You turned to face tsu'tey "so how are you my love" he said shockingly calmly "I'm ok. I think" you said as you tried to catch your breath. You looked up and then he kissed you.

You just saved his life and he was grateful

I hope this good for the people that wanted a longer version. Have a good day and night 🌙

Pixie out 🧚‍♀️

[trash-monkey]

Tasheylu (remake)

(v) a bond, a neutral connection

(Note: I ready wanted to continue writing this story but there's something about it I don't like so I'm rewriting it but don't worry only minor changes will a occur)

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I was only a child when the second tsam (war) started between my kelku (home) and the Tawtute (sky people), who has returned after long years of being exiled from it. The Tawtute (sky people) were furious about one of their own betraying them and they had it in their heads that he has stolen their property so they came with vengeance and I could feel it in the air has my parents took me into their arms and ran from the Kelutral (Hometree) to take me to a safe place were the Tawtute (sky people) can't find me and only my parents know were I am.

They paused when a small crack appear in the cliff side and only I can fit through since I am smaller than the other children, it had worry my Sa'nu (Mum) dearly but for once she is glad about my size. The crack is too small for my parents and it was perfectly hidden from any predator that can fit through. They quickly told me to crawl in and don't come out until it's safe.

"We both love you always, Eywa be with you." They didn't said anything else as they pushed me into the crack and once I'm looking through they ran back the way we came. Fear and sadness fills me as tears pours out of my menari (eyes) as the booms that would echo for days and nights started. I closed my menari (eyes) as I back away from the crack farther into the cave to get away from the loud scary kxangangang (boom) and when my hand land on a soft spot of ground causing the whole floor under me to give away. My tokx (body) twist and turns a few times as it slips down the slope before stopping at the bottom, I cried out when a sharp rock cut into my skin on the way down. I pant in pain when I finally stop rolling, slowly I sit up and noticed that the place I have fallen into was a small underground forest and I can only see the top of a Utral Aymokriyä (Tree Of Voices) that's lighting the whole place up.

My menari (eyes) widened and jaw slightly open at the beauty before me, I shakily stood up before looking down at my left pxun (arm) to see a long cut from my pxuntil (elbow) to the top of my ‘etnaw (shoulder). I quickly thanked Eywa that it wasn't to deep but it still bleed, I quickly walked into the forest and find what my Sa'nok (mother) taught me to find when I get a open wound. Once I wrap the leaf around the long cut I started the small journey to the center of the forest and when I break through the utral (tree) line I saw that the Utral Aymokriyä (Tree Of Voices) is surrounded by water, stepping stones in the water leading to the base of the large utral (tree) that has a little bit of ground where the roots flows over and into the water. Slowly I made my way over and onto the soft ground, I curled myself up in the many roots as my ears pick up the fade sounds of the booms from the outside. I turn my head towards the tree as tears started to pour again.

"You are safe now, little one." The words are whispered in my ear as the wind blows by, the voice is so kind and loving. I close my menari (eyes) as warmth flows through my tokx (body) and without my knowing little glowing vines started growing around my tokx (body) along with atokirina's (woodsprites) land gentle on my skin. Sleep takes over my mind, pulling me away from the nightmare that's happening outside and into the arms of Eywa.

For an unknown amount of krr (time) I stayed inside the underground Na'rìung (Forest), listening to the whispering voice of Eywa and her teachings but I do wonder why I can hear her so often? Why has she chosen me to speak to?

"Little one?" A breeze flows by me as it carries the voice of Eywa to my ears snipping me from my thoughts which I smiled at her voice as I go back to listening to her lesson like we have for a few days now when the faint scary kxangangang (boom) finally stops but I'm still too cautious to leave the small Na'rìung (Forest).

"It's time to leave little one, I taught you everything I could before it was your krr (time) to go." Eywa whispered to me one day after the kxangangang (boom) has stop and with a heavy txe'lan (heart) I packed what I needed in a pouch before walking to the slope I have fallen down, slowly I make my way up. By the time I made it I'm breathing heavily and before I can slip down the slope again I quickly crawl through the crack only glancing back once as I step back into the world.

My menari (eyes) are blinded by the early morning sun which takes me a few moments to get use to again and I can smell the smoke before seeing the destruction of my kelku (home), smoke of dieing flames rise into the air that once was clear as my menari (eyes) take in the burned remains of the Na'rìung (Forest), animals, and my people. Immediately tears starts to fall as my txe'lan (heart) is torn in two at what I'm seeing and with slow steps I walk on with an absent mind as my feet unconsciously takes me back to the Kelutral (Hometree) while rage and hatred fills my soul along the way.

'Why must these small greedy creatures destroy everything in their path, take what isn't theirs in the first place. Is it jealousy or just plain greed that pushes them forward to hurt others?'

Raging thoughts fills my mind as I push through a thick bush to see Kelutral (Hometree) completely destroyed as my clan members lays on the ground lifeless causing my tokx (body) to shake with so much sadness as I fall to my kinamtil (Knee) with a wail and for some krr (time) I cry before pulling myself together again knowing my tears won't fix anything, with carefully footing I step around my people to see if anyone is still holding on.

"Olo'eyktan! (clan leader)" I cried out when seeing my Olo'eyktan (clan leader) Jake Sully laying on the ground but quickly noticed his chest moving as he takes in small amounts of air and at my call he forces his eyes open to see young me running to him, I fall to my kinamtil (Knee) beside him.

"I am sorry" he whispered to me after seeing the panic and fear in my menari (eyes), he weakly holds the Olo'eyktan tako (clan leader bow) out to me and with hesitation I take it before giving a heart wretching wail after watching his tayokx (hand) fall to the ground as he takes his last breath.

"May Eywa be with you all." I whispered to myself after settling down from crying again and for days I spent my time digging graves for my people for a proper burial.

"May we meet again in the eyes of Eywa." I said as the new sunrise shines pass me and onto the graves I just finished in the middle of the mo’ara (gathering place) of Kelutral (Hometree), after a few moments of silence I began to gather everything I can carry as I'm too little to ride a pa'li (direhorses) and a Ikran (mountain banshee) before follow the atokirina (woodsprite) trail glowing in the last darkness of the night.

_______________________________________________

[perfectprofessorloverapricot]

Finding purpose | Male OC (or male reader) Chap 4

Summary: In a world that is dying and there is no way of saving it, the humanity takes mater into their own hands. They flee from their home planet with hope of conquering another in order to survive. Among them, a couple of brothers with no idea what they're doing.

Pairings: Jake sully × Oc (friendship), Tsu'tey × Oc (friendship), Neytiri × Oc (friendship). [No current love interest]

Warnings: Mention of violence, mention of death, manipulative behavior, use of drugs, bad ways of coping mechanisms and obscene language.

Note: - This is not a request and it's the translation of the original story in wattpad. - My native language it's not English - The Oc's name is Eli Thompson. - Edited

Prev part - Masterlist - Next part

With the second day at Pandora over, the soldiers documented their experiences of what they saw and felt while driving an avatar for the first time. It wasn't anything as detailed as a scientist would describe with the technical names of the neural connection between bodies or something. It was simple. They described it as an experience that couldn't be expressed with enough words or an experience that would blow anyone's mind. They called it a day and proceeded to fall into the arms of Morpheus.

The next day, the routine began like the previous one, they got up, took a bath and went to the cafeteria to eat.

But they never expected that after eating they would be directly called by a pilot to follow them to an area that they are already more familiar with from their years in the army, proclaiming that the colonel wanted to see them.

The woman introduced herself to them as Trudy, detailing that by orders of who they were going to see, she would be the designated pilot for the expeditions that involved them.

"You guys are packing some heavy gear." Jake commented as he saw the ammunition that was being loaded into the Samsun that she indicated as hers.

On the other hand, Eli was looking around, almost feeling nostalgic. Comfortable in his environment, but that did not bring him the best feelings. The last time he was in a place like this was when he presented his resignation letter caused by the disaster on his last mission. The same mission that almost took his life.

He felt a shiver run down his spine as he remembered it.

"Yeah. That's 'cause we're not the only thing around out there. Or the biggest." Trudy replied, with a small tone of amusement at the end. "I need you as gunners. Protocol generally asks me to take 2 soldiers for 1 scientist, but we are short staffed. You would be a lot of help tomorrow."

Eli turned to look at the woman with surprise, but a hint of relief. He wasn't cut out for science and he had to confess that he missed the adrenaline. So much time without being a Marine is already starting to take its toll on him. "Do they really have weapons but enough for avatars?" Eli asked.

Trudy gave him a toothy smile. She almost felt like she was seeing a child after being told that there are going to be gifts for Christmas. "You'd be surprised what toys the RDA can make. Fill out an application saying it's to improve mission performance and they'll give you whatever you want."

Jake nodded in satisfaction. Even if his avatar body was not his own, the idea of entering a hostile forest unarmed only to experience his death firsthand was not the best of ideas. "Well then, you can count on us." Jake said, responding to the request made a few seconds ago. Eli nodded.

"Perfect. I'll see you tomorrow then." She ended the conversation by stopping in front of a slightly more private section among all the mess caused by the army. She pointed to a man exercising in the corner. "There's your man. See you on the flight line." As a last act, she bumped fists with them to say goodbye.

Both soldiers approached the boss, stopping at the metal frame of the security-like cage created for those who wish to exercise and remain out of danger from the rest of the machinery in the place. "You wanted to see us, Colonel?"

"This low gravity'll make you soft…" the colonel began to speak while still doing the bench presses. His voice came out slightly with difficulty due to the effort of speaking and lifting weight. "You get soften…" to give more drama to the moment, Quaritch roughly put the weights in its place, sat up and looked them in the eyes very seriously. "Pandora will shit you out dead with zero warning."

Eli mentally snorted. He had already heard a lot about how dangerous the planet is, but no one had told him how good it could be and he is beginning to believe that someone ordered them to specifically tell them that just to scare them. To mess with the rookies or something like that.

The Colonel stood up and walked until he was in front of them. "You have a lot of courage showing up in this neighborhood." Both soldiers remained silent. The man's tone showed that he was not finished. "You are the best proof that a soldier cannot be defeated… Both wounded in combat and look where you are." Quaritch walked past them and held out his hands for emphasis to show where they were. On the most hostile planet known to man.

"It's just another hell, sir." Jake answered as he turned the chair around.

Quaritch smiled at the attitude. That fearless look is just what he needed to see to continue with his plan. With a nod he indicated for them to follow him. "I was first recom myself. A few years ahead of you. Well, maybe more than a few. Three tours Nigeria, not a scratch. I come out here?…" he turned around walking backwards to point at his scar on the side of his head. "Day one. Think i felt like a shavetail louie? Yeah."

Eli nodded his head, turning to see some soldiers pulling a weapon big enough for the robot suits like the one they were walking to at that moment. A weapon the same size as his body and he bets 3 times heavier.

"Oh, the could fix me up, if I rotated back. And make me pretty again." He paused to climb onto one of the robot's legs and gave it a few strong tugs to test its resistance. Satisfied with the result, he turned back to the couple of friends. "But you know what? I kind of like it. Reminds me every day what's waiting out there."

Before he began climbing the robotic suit, he signaled for the soldiers to ride the elevator next to the suit and stay out of the way.

"The avatar program is a bad joke. Bunch of limp-dick science majors. However..." his voice came out with difficulty as he climbed up the suit until finally falling inside. "It does present an opportunity both timely and unique."

Eli crossed his arms and leaned on one leg to pay attention. The platform he had stood on with Jake finally stopped at the Colonel's level.

"CLEAR." The man shouted as he grabbed the controls of the machine. Someone behind the ex-Marines yelled for them to clear the area. The Colonel pressed the buttons on the panel, satisfied when the engine came to life. "Recon gyrenes in avatar bodies. That's a potent mix. Give me the goose bumps." He said with the slightest laugh in his words. He seemed to find the situation amusing. "Men like that would give me the intel I need, right on the ground. Right on the hostiles' camp" After calibrating the controls to his liking, he turned to the soldiers in a slightly more serious tone. "Listen. I want you to learn these savages from the inside. I want you to gain their trust. I need to know how to force their cooperation or hammer them hard if they won't."

The Colonel's tone did not give room to refute anything, it was directly an order without mentioning that it is an order. Something that neither of them liked. But they are soldiers, they are used to it.

Jake followed up with an important question. "Are we still with Augustin?"

"On paper. Yeah, you walk like one of her science pukes, you quack like one, but you report to me. Can you do that for me lads?"

The newcomers turned to look at each other. One look was enough to know that they both agreed.

"Yes, sir," they both answered instinctively. This loyalty brought a satisfied smile to the superior's face.

"Well, all right, then." With a wave of his glove, the Colonel turned on the robot. He brought his hands to his chest and threw some well-calculated punches, making the suit perfectly imitate his movements.

Jake and Eli backed up a little in the elevator to avoid being hit by accident.

Pleased with the adjustments to his suit, he turned it around to face the former Marines, placing his hands on his waist. Not even his suit seemed to prevent the Colonel from moving with confidence.

"I take care of my own. You get me what I need and you will get what your nation denied you."

The words the Colonel had used had been intentional. He read both of their files in order to not only understand who they are, but to understand how they think. He wants them to know that they are no longer on earth and that under his control he promised to give them more importance.

And they both completely believed it.

"To you Jake." The Colonel began. "I can give you your legs. Your real legs." Mentioning the limbs, the man aimed at Jake's human legs, using the robot. He then turned to Eli. "And to you, corporal. I will make sure that your nation gives you the recognition and apology you deserve. What do you think?"

Both soldiers nodded at the same time and responded. "Yes sir."

"Good." Ending the conversation, he closed the lid of the cabin with his metallic hand, turned around and turned to continue on his way, leaving the two with a lot to think about but only one conclusion.

They have a new mission.

[whimsyvixen]

Oh, to have a big blue alien sleeping on my thighs~ 💙

[phat-p00sey]

help how do i get fem reader stories off of my for you page on here its killing me

like tumblr PLEASE figure out that i am GAY and that i don’t want this💔💔

i’ll write the fics myself if i can’t find anything good 💀

[furiouspersonakitten]

SIR YOU ARE NOT SNEAKY NUH UH

[wheneclipsefalls]

Ma Neteyam pt.16

Pairing: Aged up Omega Neteyam x Alpha Male OC

Ma Neteyam masterlist

Summary: "Mate with me", Neteyam had said. Kxolo thinks he might just be losing his mind

Warnings: explicit sexual content MDNI, aged up Neteyam, ABO universe, alpha/omega dynamics, power imbalance, kidnapping, stockholm syndrome, dom/sub dynamics, swearing, daddy kink, etc.

A/N: Just when we all thought the day would never come! I really got in my head about this last chapter for literally months! Half of it has been written for so long but I was just so scared to finish it because I thought it wouldn't be good enough. I finally decided to stop overthinking the writing and just let it happen. It may not be my best, but I hope you enjoy it anyways

Eywa herself had stolen the air from his very lungs. While at it, she must have stuffed his ears with fluff and tangled his thoughts into a web because all he could hear ringing through his head as Neteyam talked was: mate with me.

Mate with me. 

Mate with me. 

Neteyam babbled, hands now unlinked from Kxolo’s own and twisting together nervously as he peeked up at him through thick lashes. It was clear that the boy was saying something important but it felt as if Kxolo had lost all control and function within a span of a few seconds. It didn’t help that his inner alpha bit at the bars of his cage every time that small command flitted through his mind. 

He had been trained to control himself and his own desires for years and yet once again Neteyam had proven to be his kryptonite to all of these skills. 

The omega’s words cut off when Kxolo cupped his jaw and held a thumb over his lips. Wide eyes watched him for the slightest movement as the Olo’eyktan stepped forward to tower over him. 

“Neteyam,” He started, voice bleeding through thickly like larvae. “Do not joke about such things.” 

It came out harsher than intended but Kxolo was already losing the battle. He let the snip of his own words tame his hopes into something more realistic. After all, this was still the same omega who had been nothing but hesitant and quiet this morning. Even accepting the courting gift had not gone as planned. The Olo’eyktan had spent half the day worrying about Neteyam and the other half constructing new ideas for courting that would bring forth better results. 

“I’m not.” Neteyam mumbled against his thumb. 

The omega must have detected the doubt lurking in Kxolo’s eyes because he carefully removed the Olo’eyktan’s hand and stepped forwards. 

“I am being serious.” Neteyam firmly spoke, eyes forced to lock with his own. Kxolo’s tail coiled and whipped anxiously. “Kxolo, mate with me. Please.” 

It was the please that shot through him like lightning, almost enticing his primal instincts to take the reins and let recklessness win out for the day. It was as if Neteyam had infiltrated his wildest fantasies and used them as a script, knowing exactly what would break his resolve. The alpha’s nails dug into his own thighs. 

“Why?” It was the only thing he could think to say, too befuddled and shocked to approach it more delicately. 

Neteyam’s spin of confidence wavered at that. Those golden orbs darted and averted his own gaze, fingers running through his braids with a heavy sigh before timidly peaking back up at him. 

“Well because….” Sharp teeth bit into his bottom lip and Neteyam swayed from foot to foot nervously. 

“Because…” Kxolo gently urged him. 

“Fuck it.” The omega hissed in English, the meaning lost on the Olo’eyktan. “Because I love you. I love you. To hell with every common sense that tells me I shouldn’t and every complication that has kept me from letting myself fall, it apparently hasn’t succeeded anyways. And…and I’m tired of denying it. So tired…” Neteyam sighed, a hand running over his face. “But that’s the truth. I love you, Kxolo. Although, I’m sure you had already figured that one out.” Neteyam huffed.

Kxolo hadn’t.

Neteyam’s stubbornness dimming?

Yes. 

Neteyam coming to trust him?

That had been a miracle confession that Kxolo treasured every night. 

Neteyam lusting after him?

He had enough memories of breathy moans and pleas for release to cement that assurance. 

And even affection had been present in Neteyam’s actions lately, but Kxolo had never let his hopes get ahead of himself and assume that love had been won over yet. 

“Please say something.” The Sully boy groaned. 

“You love me?”

Neteyam whined, both hands now covering his face as he stepped backwards. A blush peeked out between those fingers as the omega’s tail erratically coiled and tucked. 

“Oh Eywa, this is harder than I thought!” Neteyam whined softly before harshly slapping his hands down to his hips. “Never mind. Forget about my babbling, let’s just fuck. Yeah that’s what I meant to say.” Shaky hands tugged at Kxolo hips but the alpha had them both spun around and Neteyam pinned against the nearest tree within a flash. 

“No.” He clipped sternly. 

Neteyam threw his head back against the tree with a whine. 

“Kxolo-”

“You love me?”

He stepped between the boy’s legs, pressing their fronts together. The omega shrugged, head fighting to stay turned to the side as the Olo’eyktan caught hold of his chin and tugged at him to face forward. 

“Neteyam.” Kxolo growled out. The other male squeezed his eyes shut as he was trapped underneath the Olo’eyktan’s gaze. “Do you love me?” He asked, each word enunciated and holding the weight of an anxious man. 

“Yes! Yes I love you, Kxolo! I love you, you asshole. Does that satisfy yo-”

Their lips crashed and melded together like a familiar song. One that Kxolo was content to drown in forever because Neteyam loved him. His mate, his beautiful stubborn, shy mate had come to love him after everything. 

Neteyam’s own lips met him back with the same level of desperation. Kxolo wrapped muscular arms around the boy’s waist and circled them around him until there was not an inch of space between their chests. Neteyam meanwhile busied his own hands with tangling themselves into Kxolo’s long neatly braided and ornamented hair, gripping and tugging until they tangled between his fingers or in this case until the Olo’eyktan was groaning into his mouth. 

Later he would thank the Great Mother profusely until his voice would give out. He would sit under the tree of souls and question how he had ever been given such a wonderful blessing as Neteyam. Question how after perhaps the rockiest start one could have to a relationship that Neteyam had found his way to kindling love for him all the same. For now, however, he couldn’t think of anything besides intertwining with his mate in every way possible. 

Including the one way Kxolo had been reluctant to dream about, in fear of losing his patience.

The one connection that would have them bonded for life, bonded before their deity. 

“I love you.” Kxolo vowed, words messily sprawling into their heated kissing. 

“Love you.” Neteyam whined, using his grip on the alpha’s braids to pull him even deeper into the kiss. “Want you.” He mumbled. 

“I’ve been yours from the beginning, Neteyam.” Kxolo’s lips danced over every spot of available skin, peppering his cheeks and nose frantically until every shimmering tanhi had his kiss imprinted on them. “Always, baby boy.” Lips tangled once more. “Always.” 

“But I want forever.” 

Kxolo reluctantly gave him some space when the omega pushed at his shoulders. 

“Forever.” Neteyam repeated but this time delicately pulled the alpha’s kuru over his shoulder. 

“Forever.” Kxolo breathed out. 

Vamai fit the fourth flower between his pinky and ring finger. Lo’ak continued to hold his outstretched hand still as a statue so as not to ruin the small art piece she continued to create over his hand. She meticulously wound another slim vine around and between his fingers until it looked like the flowers were bursting from the greenery itself. 

He didn’t question the trance that these actions put her in, not when her tears had fully ceased and her breathing had come to a calming rhythm. 

When traced over his pinky and ring finger once more, he felt himself stiffen. It had taken years of his adolescence to make peace with his Sky People physical characteristics but even still there was something incredibly vulnerable about having her observe his extra finger so closely. However, Vamai’s expression showed no hint of disgust or fear. 

What was present, however, was a spark of curiosity as she tenderly traced them over and over again. 

“Does it help?” She asked, the first thing to be spoken since the tears had started. 

“Wha-you mean my fingers?”

Vamai nodded, smaller fingers wrapping around Lo’ak’s pinky and ring finger. 

“Well if you remember it did help the other week after our swim. Another digit to stretch-”

Lo’ak’s sentence was interrupted by his own puff of air when she elbowed him in the gut. He laughed as he was met with that same viscous glare he had grown so fond of. 

“Okay okay, sorry.” 

Vamai simply rolled her eyes when amusement continued to tug at the corners of his lips. She set back to work, sternly forcing his fingers to stretch out further. 

“We don’t receive much information on Sky People here.” She said so quietly that Lo’ak was surprised he could catch it. She whispered it like a confession that Eywa herself was not supposed to hear. And with the way her tail curled in interest he supposed it was. 

Her secret interest. 

“You know, the Omatikaya have become integrated with all sorts of Sky People and technology.” Vamai didn’t respond immediately but he noted the way the next flower mindlessly twirled between her fingertips. “If you came over to the outpost-”

“Outpost?” Her hairless brows knitted together in confusion.

“The human outpost where our Sky People allies keep the tech and live-”

“I couldn’t.” She snapped, wavy hair bouncing with every shake of her head. “Too dangerous.” 

Vamai once again set herself back on task but the alpha was far from being compelled to give up. 

“That’s too bad, because there is a lot I could teach and show you there.” He feigned a sad sigh, leaning back and pretending to become distracted by the greenery above. Vamai’s tail perked, eyes peeking from her peripheral to look at him. 

Several moments of silence stretched on, Lo’ak forcing his interest to appear somewhere else but he didn’t feel any more flowers placed upon his hand. 

“Like what?” The omega finally asked in a hushed tone. 

Lo’ak was grateful her back was turned to him so she wasn’t able to see his growing smirk. 

“Well for example,” His free hand carefully grasped her wrist and turned it over so it was facing palm up. “I could show you a special promise that only Sky People know about.” 

He kept his expression calm and confident when she shot him a look that showed her suspicion. 

“They call this finger a pinky.” He wiggled his smallest digit for show. “And they link one person’s pinky with the other’s.” His pinky quickly wrapped around her shortest digit before she could try to pull away. “And then make a promise. One that becomes universally impossible to break.”

This time when she sent him the same look there was a shimmer of a smile at her lips before she pulled her hand away. 

“Lo’ak,” She sighed, shaking her head.

“No, it’s true. They are unable to break the promise so long as it was spoken with pinkies interlocked.”  At that he swore he could see her chest tighten with the effort it took to suppress a laugh. His own lips twitched at the sight, sorely tempted to grin back at her but that would ruin his plans. “Don’t believe me?”

“Not in the slightest.” 

“Fine, I’ll show you.” His pinky caught her short digit tightly again, holding them up for emphasis as he said, “Vamai, I promise if you come visit the human outpost with me, you will be under my protection.” It didn’t feel like a joke anymore when their eyes locked and Lo’ak felt his inner alpha purr at the thought. Simmer at the idea of getting to protect and look after his fated mate in the way Eywa intended. 

Their chests rose and fell in tandem, the distance subtly closing between them until he could feel her perked nipples against his own chest. 

Vamai cleared her throat and pulled away.

“But…I’m no Sky Person. How do I even know the pinky promise worked?” She attempted to raise a hairless eyebrow back at him but that rising blush undermined her exuded confident facade. 

“I guess there is only one way to find out.” His decorated hand had curled slightly, smashing the flowers between his fingers as he awaited her reaction. 

“I guess so.” And that was as good as a promise there is coming from her lips. This time he didn’t suppress his grin, flower covered hand cupping her left hip tenderly. His mind whirled, already thinking through the logistics of how to get her there without being caught or seen. The alpha had more than enough favors he could call in with Spider, anyways. One way or another he would make it happen. 

“We have a deal then.” 

Although not a question, Vamai gave him a hopeful shrug and grin. To him, it was just as powerful and binding as his own pinky promise. 

“Not tonight of course since it’s so late and everyone is slee-”

“Shit!” Vamai exclaimed as she sprung to her feet. Lo’ak’s first thought was that she had been stung by an insect or venomous plant but when he reached to check for injuries she simply backed away and gripped her hair. “What time is it?” 

Time?

Lo’ak hadn’t thought about the time or anything for that matter since he had arrived here. It all felt irrelevant when he was finally getting to spend some time with his favorite omega. 

“Um…I don’t know.”

“Shit, my dad is going to tie my tail to a tree!” She darted along the riverside, the call for her ikran echoing across the water. Lo’ak scrambled to follow, almost tripping over his own feet as he saw her mount the creature.

“Woah woah, hey! Are you leaving?” He ignored the ikran’s hiss when he grabbed hold of the saddle. 

“I’m not even supposed to be here. Oh Eywa, I am in so much trouble!” She groaned. Her cheeks heated another shade, surely thinking about the punishment that would await her at home. 

“Mawey, little snitch. It will be fine.” He caressed her thigh, letting soothing pheromones drift from him once more. “At least let me fly you home.” She came here to patch him up after all, it was his responsibility to get his omega back safely. 

“No no.” She pushed his hand off in frazzled motion, but Lo’ak gripped her knee. “I’ve taken up enough of your time already and then…” Her eyes squeezed shut as she shook her head and frowned. Finally she looked back at him, bottom lip caught between her teeth. “I’m really sorry for taking your evening, Lo’ak.” 

It would have taken him more than a few moments to get over the shock of Vamai apologizing, let alone correct her assumptions, but he was afforded time for neither as the Ikran’s wings suddenly launched (almost knocking him over in the process) and the two took off into the night sky. 

“Well maybe we should send someone after them.” Pulo suggested, eyes peeled for their Olo’eyktan and Neteyam. Last he had heard, Kxolo was rushing through the forest to check up on Neteyam’s hunting trip. At this rate neither of them were going to get a chance at leftover dinner. 

“Neteyam didn’t go hunting.” Tamil said softly, handing the small baby off to his mate. 

“What are you talking about. Kxolo sa-” Pulo cut himself off when he heard nearing footsteps. His hand immediately closed around the handle of his dagger, ready to unsheath it at the first sight of danger. 

Kxolo bursts through the kelku flaps.

“By Eywa! Where have you been?” Pulo nearly shouted but then his expression morphed into something else when he noticed his friend’s tangled braids. Sure enough one peek around Kxolo’s shoulder showed Neteyam waiting outside, the omega patiently rocking back and forth on his feet. 

“I will be gone for the night,” He paused, kneeling down to rummage through one of the baskets. “Maybe longer.” It was barely more than a mumble as he continued to stuff various supplies into a cloth bag. “Pulo you are in charge while I’m gone.” 

“Where are you going?” Pas’lin, Tamil’s mate, asked. 

“The only place that has a grown Na’vi smiling like that.” Pulo answered for him and it did nothing but make Kxolo laugh as he didn’t bother to hide his giddy nature. 

“Is that true? Are you two going to Vitraya Ramunong [the Tree of Souls]?” She asked, peeking around Tamil’s shoulder while still wrestling their child onto her hip. Kxolo dared to peek up at the circle of friends for a moment but even he didn’t have enough self control to hold back his growing smile that oozed male pride. 

“Brother!” Pulo slapped him on the shoulder, squeezing the area in congratulations while Tamil smiled softly at them. Kxolo tried to focus as he set aside Neteyam’s bow and used a band to tie his long braids together. 

“I should be back sometime tomorrow.” Kxolo started, rolling his eyes as Tamil raised his hairless eyebrows back at him.

“Or so you say.” It was Tamil this time that commented, a smirk lacing his lips. Kxolo’s lips pressed together but he didn’t respond, still frantically stuffing the bag full of supplies. 

“Don’t come get me unless it is an emergency.” Kxolo leaned back on his haunches in order to face them properly. “And by that I mean death and blood.” Pulo struggled to hold back a stifled laugh at the stern look that was sent his way. “If you come get me, someone better be dying.” 

“I would never dream of interrupting such a momentous day for you. Eywa knows how many times you wouldn’t shut up about our dear Neteyam and all the things you wanted to-” A stuffed cushion hit the side of his head. 

A chorus of muffled laughter echoed through the kelku and even Pulo couldn’t keep the grin off of his face. Kxolo, try as he did, could not temper down their teasing with half hearted glares. It was clear he too was having a hard time keeping his emotions in check and it made Pulo’s heart warm.

Never had he seen his friend so irrevocably happy. He deserved it. Every glow of sunshine that came from his aurora until it brought forth further taunting. As Pulo looked around the room at Tamil and his wife he couldn’t help but think of his own who would return home soon. The three of them had made it. From simple skxawngs into leaders and warriors but even more than that, Na’vi that knew of true love and happiness. 

Neteyam was practically bouncing on his feet when he finally entered the kelku. Although his greeting was timid and cheeks inflamed, Neteyam still didn’t hesitate to tug at Kxolo’s bicep. With a shit eating grin, the alpha required no further coaxing. 

“Have fun you two!” Pulo called out after them, followed by a string of congratulations and teasing remarks from Tamil and Pas’lin. 

It felt like being a child again. Fingers interlocked, giddy laughter and rushing feet that barreled across the terrain. It was almost hard to believe that the man in front of him was the Olo’eyktan with the way he joined in on the glee and tugged at him frantically. Eclipse was their playground as glowing plants and greenery led the way to Vitraya Ramunong. 

Neteyam couldn’t remember the last time his cheeks had hard hurt so much from grinning. 

Tonight he let go of everything outside of this moment. With a sigh that sent off the weight of the world, he gave himself permission to cast his worries away. Nothing would come to overshadow this beautiful memory, the point where the puzzle pieces would finally fit into place and he would be home. 

Home in Kxolo’s arms. 

Vitraya Ramunong seemed to shine even brighter in the progressing darkness of eclipse’s night. It felt as if Eywa herself was welcoming them with the embrace of its glow. A purple shimmer that stretched over the sculpted curve of Kxolo’s spine, then upon turning, the contrast of his collarbones and throat. Neteyam could feel his own muscles tensing as something flipped in his gut. 

He’d known attraction. His hours here with the Olo’eyktan have hardly ever escaped the raw pull that he has felt from the attractive male. However this…this was different. A deep surge of desire that settled uniquely than that of his carnal heats or dizzying moments of passion. 

“What I would give to know what goes on in that pretty head of yours, little one.” Kxolo sighed, lips twisting up into a crooked grin as he brushed smooth knuckles over the omega’s cheek. 

And in that moment a new thought occurred to Neteyam. 

A swift realization that with this bonding, Kxolo may be able to do just that. 

Before the consequences of that truth could form properly, gentle lips were there to soothe them away. Interlocked in a kiss that flowed like honey, Neteyam melted against his partner. Where Kxolo’s hand cupped either side of his face, Neteyam’s own settled to grip at the alpha’s toned hips. So slow and patient beat the rhythm of their kiss. And while anticipation was thick in the air, neither were willing to rush. As if each brush of lips, swipe of a tongue, would let the essence of the other fully seep in. 

Two beings ready to meld into one.

An invisible clamp enclosed around his heart, threatening to push tears into his eyes. But Neteyam was sick of crying, for good or bad. There was no sensation he wanted to distract from the heat of Kxolo’s skin and the tension of that tugging chord finally falling away. No more fighting. No more struggling. It felt as if gravity itself was holding them together, effortless and kind in its embrace. 

Although there was no tsaheylu connection to bind their thoughts yet, the omega could tell Kxolo felt the same. It was evident in the brush of his fingers, the tenderness of his lips worshiping Neteyam’s own. Lost in a moment of time that many nights had led to. 

Neteyam couldn’t remember at what point the alpha had moved them to the ground. All he could recall was the reverence of his own fingers tracing over Kxolo’s physique. It was not the first nor the last time he had explored the other male’s body. From the very beginning the Olo’eyktan had opened himself up to any and every curiosity and desire the omega yearned to act upon. And yet, there was no comparing those events to what he experienced under the protection of the Tree of Souls. 

So many times he had shown his marvel over the male’s body with a rush of wet kisses and vicious bites that were mere reactions to the haze of arousal. It had been instinctual, frantic, and nothing close to the reverence that his mate deserved. 

And so when the alpha spread out on his back and those long braids danced over his chest to perfectly accent those blaring golden eyes, Neteyam knew there was nothing to do but revel in his lover’s radiance. He was going to take his time.

“Tiyawn…” Kxolo exhaled, eyes roaming down to where small hands circled the dip of his hips. Eyes meeting silently, Neteyam didn’t miss a beat, soft lips pressing over the smooth skin there. Meticulously placed and seeping with a voiceless appreciation, every kiss flew the two closer to cloud nine. 

On the outside the actions were nowhere close to the raunchiest deeds the two had committed together and yet nothing had felt more personal. It was a new level of intimacy to swallow as Neteyam’s touch laced his own scent into every inch of the alpha’s skin unveiled. Strong hands reached down to return the favor at every tahni speckled flesh he could reach of his omega’s. 

“I love you.” Kxolo spoke, eyes reflecting the shimmer of hanging vines. 

“I love you.” Neteyam returned, shifting up to breathe it into the crook of his mate’s neck. 

The cycle continued. For how long, Neteyam couldn’t attempt to guess, but they basked in that joy for as long the Great Mother allowed them. Until their bodies had become an entanglement of limbs and heated skin that refused to cool. Until that familiar ache for more rose again. 

“Ma Neteyam,” Kxolo rolled them over, his larger form becoming a shadow over his little mate’s easily. “My beautiful Neteyam.” 

The alpha was not afforded time for another breath as a hand clasping the back of his neck pulled him into another kiss. This one was far less patient than that upon their arrival.  The coordination described as nothing short of messy yet nothing pleased the other more. It was ravenous, bordering on a beastly demand, and Neteyam could do nothing more than drown in that sensation. 

His body moved instinctually, curving itself around his alpha in a way that he had become quite familiar with. Kxolo, now looming over him, gave an appreciative squeeze to one of the smooth thighs that cinched around his hips desperately. 

“What do you want, baby boy?” The alpha grinned against his lover’s pulse. 

Neteyam let out a mix between a groan and a whine. “We are still playing this game?” A deep chuckle rumbled just beneath where Kxolo’s soft lips pressed at his jaw. “You know what I want, asshole.”

Kxolo’s laughter intertwined with the sharp crack of his hand delivering a stern spank to Neteyam’s bum. 

“I mean alpha.” Neteyam quickly amended, sending his mate a sheepish look. 

“Always working on manners when it comes to you, little one.” Despite the chidding, Neteyam wasn’t left to wait for long. The bulbous head of his alpha’s cock just barely pressed at his entrance, a silent warning for what was to come. 

“Love you, want you want you.” A thread of endless begging spewed from his lips, spurring on a deep growl from his lover above. All until that pressure was increasing and the omega’s rim was stretching around the new invasion. That hardness pushed into him at a steady pace but with relenting determination. 

Neteyam was caught between squinting his eyes closed in pleasure and admiring the shift of Kxolo’s handsome face above him. Heat or not, that primal darkness ebbed over those sharp features, golden eyes burning through his skin and filling every inch of Neteyam’s body with wicked fire until he melted into that claim.

In some ways it feels like the first time again. The intensity of the moment sweeping away into that same buzz of anticipation and release that felt beyond this world. Knowing that soon they would be connected in a way beyond anything that either of them have ever experienced. A bond that no one and nothing could ever break. 

“I love you.” Kxolo breathed, his hips slowly starting to roll, pressing the head of the appendage right at the omega’s sweet spot. 

“Oel ngati kameie. [I see you]” Neteyam countered. Those words had always held so much significance, a phrase that he had shied away from using in vain. Yet nothing had ever flowed from his lips so easily before. Kxolo’s eyes slowly morphed into a brighter sparkle before pressing the flats of their noses together. 

“Oel ngati kameie.” The Olo’eyktan vowed. 

And that was all Neteyam needed to hear. Small hands reached over the alpha’s shoulders to gently locate his mate’s kuru. The roll of Kxolo’s hips suddenly stopped. 

“We don’t have to do this tonight if you aren’t ready, yawntutsyip. Just knowing you want to is a greater gift than I could have asked for.” 

“I know.” Neteyam whispered, other hand coming up to gently trace the stripes of Kxolo’s cheek. “But I’m ready…just nervous.” 

Kxolo preened against his lover’s touch, leaning into the soft musing with a lazy grin. 

“I know, little one.” 

“I’ve never done this before.” 

“Neither have I,” came Kxolo’s honest response.

It hit Neteyam then what new territory they were both entering into. So much of their relationship had been Kxolo showing him the ropes. Kxolo introducing new sensations and experiences to his little omega with such grace and ease. But laying there now with bated breath and pairs of eyes snagged by the other in silent anticipation, Kxolo was just as vulnerable as him. 

“How special.” Kxolo whispered before leaning down to softly mold their lips together again. Even the small movement had the alpha’s cock shifting against his sweet spot, lighting Neteyam’s arousal anew. 

“Want you now.” He pleaded against his lips. “Don’t want to wait anymore.” 

“Mawey, baby boy. I have you.” 

Skilled fingers drew Neteyam’s own braid over his shoulder until the tips of both neural queues rested on his lower stomach. Neteyam’s head pounded, blood rushing at a rate that had his ears ringing. This was it. So many moments that led to this very one and yet he had no idea what to expect. His parents had always explained it as a transformative experience, something beyond what words could describe. 

There was one truth, however, they had failed to mention. To bind two souls together, one must bear their soul first. Kxolo would come to know the raw version of him, the beauty and ugly all at once. Just as he too would learn his mate in a way no one else ever would. 

“I would wait a thousand lifetimes just to have you once.” The last words Kxolo whispered against Neteyam’s lips before the dancing tendrils connected. 

A zap of electricity. 

So sharp and vibrant that it punched a gasp from Neteyam lungs and Kxolo’s fingers suddenly dug into his hips. And then when the initial shockwave had died down, he could finally process the mind numbing sensation. It wasn’t a trickle of concrete thoughts, nor a doorway that opened into his own consciousness. Instead, a series of emotions tumbled together. 

Joy, anticipation, shock, ecstasy, contentment. 

So many swirled together into one pool that it eventually became clear that these were not just his own emotions, but Kxolo’s too. Admiration strummed down the line at the forefront when Kxolo began peppering kisses over his omega’s throat. Elation fell thickly over him like warm honey when Neteyam met those lips with his own. 

Strong unbridled feelings, bared for his soul only. Presented on a silver platter for only Neteyam to explore. 

A sharp burst of pleasure rattled his bones suddenly when Kxolo dared to move his hips. The sensation was far more intense than anything he could have ever imagined as it was shot with not only his own pleasure but also that of his mate’s. Every shift of his alpha’s cock along his velvety tight walls was shot down like lightning through the bond. 

So much to focus on. So much to process that it was only when Kxolo was wiping away tears from his cheeks that Neteyam realized he had started crying. 

“Can you feel me, tiyawn?” Kxolo’s voice dripped into a deep purr, sliding his cheek against Neteyam’s in an intimate form of scenting. 

“Yes!” He blabbered back, voice thick with tears. 

A deep rumble of satisfaction emanated from Kxolo’s chest, seeping into Neteyam’s very being. It was a dark hickory flavor on his tongue, so tangible he found himself almost biting back at air. 

“I can feel you too, oeyӓ [my] omega.” They both groaned in unison as Kxolo dared to pick up the pace of his rutting thrusts. “So gorgeous, little one. Every little part of you. Mine to worship. Mine to treasure.” 

Tears rained down for all new reasons. The tsaheylu bond had his alpha reacting to the new emotion in record time, whispering sweet nothings against his twitching ears. It was all too much. The slide of his alpha’s cock filling his hole. The decadent praise ringing in his skull. That zapping electricity pulsing between them in spades. And then Kxolo’s love. His deep utter devotion and adoration that washed over him in waves that could not be ignored. There was simply no room to deny it. No possible way he could go without accepting the alpha’s tenacious feelings for him. 

The awe from the first time Kxolo had laid eyes on him. The deep rooted curiosity as he had tried over and over to get closer to the omega only to bleed into frustration when he had been held back. The amusement at Neteyam’s sassy remarks. The anger and fear dancing in tandem every time he had run away. The elation of finally witnessing such pleasure mark his mate’s face. The strong willed patience at waiting for his little love to give in to his own feelings, waiting for Neteyam to finally lay down those burdens he insisted on carrying. The sheer gratitude and joy at finally being joined as one.

Every step of that journey fell before him, watching their story through Kxolo’s eyes. 

I see you. 

And he had.

Kxolo had seen him from the very beginning. 

Neteyam shattered. He reached a euphoric high so intense that it had stars dotting across his vision. And along with it, came Kxolo who was snapped to his own release by the bond echoing his mate’s bursting pleasure. 

Warmth filled him. It radiated from him. It pressed down on his smaller body until there was nowhere left to go. Warmth surrounded him into beautiful darkness. 

Night seemed to stretch out as a small eternity, just for them. And Neteyam was grateful for the time as they made love to each other over and over. Even more grateful when there was no one to witness the way Kxolo had him screaming Daddy into the rich soil until he was too brain dead to form syllables. Times was theirs to wield, giving the illusion that all responsibilities and primal desires would be put on the back burner as they were left to make every decision. 

Giving in to Kxolo like this was different. 

In fact, it wasn’t giving in at all. 

He wasn’t giving in to the desires of his omega presentation. He wasn’t giving in to the sinful seduction that rained so commonly from Kxolo’s lips. 

Because this time, it was a choice. A choice made with an alert mind and every fiber of his heart. 

He had not given in, but given himself over to the male he loved. 

Streaks of purple light swayed over their intertwined bodies. Neteyam’s bone dead body lay sprawled over his lover in usual fashion, face tucked against his neck and one leg thrown across the alpha’s hips. Although the tsaheylu bond had been cut off a few minutes prior, the memory of it lay imprinted in Neteyam’s mind. Their bond remained, physically connected or not. 

Neteyam was left to ponder and bask in this afterglow as his alpha consistently brought pieces of fruit to his lips. Thank Eywa for his lover’s prior thinking of packing the necessary food and equipment for the night. Then again, he couldn’t be surprised. Kxolo had always taken meal time very seriously when it came to his stubborn little omega. 

“What made you change your mind?” Kxolo asked, softly breaking the silence. 

Neteyam paused his chewing, peeking up sheepishly to find that his lover had now set the food aside and was directing all of his attention down on him. Even after everything that they had shared together, he still found himself tucking against Kxolo’s chest and away from the intensity of those eyes. Neteyam drew the pads of his fingertips over the Olo’eyktan’s stomach softly, drawing patterns there mindlessly. 

“My mind has slowly been changing for a long time but I didn’t want to accept it.” How strange it felt to now feel guilty over his reluctance. “Not until I came here. And I finally saw what you saw.” 

A shiver raced down his spine when a large hand came to tuck a few braids behind his ear. Even more so when those fingers lingered and traced the line of his jaw. 

“So now you know.” He murmured, the weight of his alpha’s presence wrapping around him. 

“Now I know.” Neteyam echoed. He leaned into his alpha’s touch, recalling the way similar reactions had caused a burst of affection to sweep down the bond every time. “But you didn’t tell me how perfect they are.” 

Kxolo’s hand paused. 

“They?”

“The children.” Neteyam shrugged, lips already stretching impossibly wider into a grin. “Incredibly difficult but perfect all the same.” 

That had Kxolo abruptly veering up onto his elbows without warning. Neteyam reluctantly slid his head off his mate’s warm chest and sat up to look at him. 

“Our children?” Neteyam’s upper arms were clasped between two rough hands, forcing him to meet his mate’s wide eyed expression. “You saw our children?” 

“Um…yes?” He couldn’t fathom why Kxolo was acting this way. After all he had been the one spouting on and on about the sign from Eywa since he got here. 

“Neteyam…” Whatever Kxolo was trying to communicate died on the tip of his tongue as his golden eyes took on a new shimmer. Something softened in the Olo’eyktan’s features and it suddenly felt as if the mighty warrior he had come to know could shatter like glass. 

“Didn’t you?” Neteyam asked, wide eyes searching his mate frantically. 

“No…I would have….you would have known if I had, little one.”

Oh. 

“But you said…” Neteyam’s brows scrunched together. 

“I saw a sign from Eywa here too, even had several other leaders confirm it with their own eyes but that had been of us. Just little snippets of you and me, enough to communicate our fated union but never….” Kxolo let out a breath, that falter in his expression returning. “You truly saw them? Our future family?”

“Yes.” And this time it was Neteyam’s eyes that were clouding with unshed tears. He could barely breathe when the back of his head was captured in a swift grip and Kxolo’s lips were crashing against his. The salty taste of tears melded between their lips but he couldn’t tell from who they came. Most likely both as Kxolo yanked the smaller boy onto his lap and pressed them impossibly close once more. 

The Olo’eyktan’s joy was infectious. It seemed that even beneath the glowing tree of souls it was Kxolo that shined brighter than those vibrant vines. That unbound elation gripped at Neteyam’s own heart until he couldn’t tell if it was the endless kissing or rather the bob of emotion in his throat that caused him to struggle for air. 

When Kxolo pulled away, Neteyam was left panting and delirious as large hands cupped both sides of his head. It felt as if he could float away into the stars again. His fingers twitched, just barely restraining himself from reaching over to connect tsaheylu again. 

“Tell me everything.” Kxolo demanded, ears eagerly perked forward in anticipation. 

“Well,” Neteyam let out an exhaled laugh. “What do you want to know?”

“As I said, everything. Do not hold out on me now, yawntutsyip.” 

Neteyam scrunched his nose in fake admonishment. “Well for one thing I can easily see where some of them get their demanding attitude from.” 

Kxolo simply chuckled before nipping at his mate’s jaw. “Do they give you trouble, tiyawn?”

“Only as much as you do,” He tried to veer away from the tickling sensation of Kxolo’s lips against his neck and occasional nips but the alpha was giving him not an inch to escape. “Times four of course.” 

That effectively had Kxolo relinquishing the attack. 

“Four children?” 

“Three boys and one girl I think.” Another shiver induced when Kxolo’s tail came to wrap around his own. “But of course it is only a vision of what could be. Anything could change.” 

However, Neteyam knew just as well as Kxolo that now that the idea of four had been introduced the alpha was not going to stop until he got that. Perhaps even more if the insinuations present in the vision were much to go by. 

“I think your daughter may be the cause of your downfall.” Neteyam teased but that only made Kxolo smile until his eyes crinkled. 

“A daughter and sons.” He marveled. 

“A rambunctious set for sure.” 

“Hm, just like you then.” Kxolo hummed, fingers snatching his mate’s chins to bring their faces closer together. Even with that teasing mischief sparkling in his alpha’s eyes, Neteyam couldn’t find it in himself to refute the comment. 

“Absolutely beautiful. Perfect.” It came out as a wistful sigh as his mind trailed back to the way they had clung to their father. Such a unique set of qualities that made every child a burst of pure sunshine. And just like the sun, they would draw Neteyam and Kxolo into their orbit, where they could never escape. Their perfect babies. 

“Exactly like their mother then.” Kxolo spoke, this time lacking that teasing quality. Neteyam’s heart stuttered. How was he ever going to get used to being around this male? 

“I love you.” 

The alpha’s shoulders lowered slowly, a long exhale coming from somewhere deep inside of him. As if the male was finally settling into the world around him and peace had settled into every speck of his countenance. Three little words that were savoured until they had been drilled into his very soul. 

Neteyam wanted to ask his mate what burden he had let go of but before he had the chance, Kxolo was softly connecting their tendrils together again. The tsaheylu weaved into place. 

“I’ve yearned for you, loved you, far before I knew you.” Kxolo leaned forward and pressed their faces together as his omega melted into their connection. He grinned against his mate’s temple as his eyes closed. “And now, you can finally feel it.”

It was no surprise that Pulo could not, or rather would not, keep his mouth shut for one night. By the time they made it back to the village there were already people rushing down to gather and congratulate them. Somehow it seemed that in the chaos of emotions Neteyam had not fully grasped what a big deal it would be to mate with the Olo’eyktan of this tribe. He felt it now as he was embraced and passed around like a toy people were waiting to get their hands on. 

Despite the crowds, nothing could dim his own happiness. Kxolo was much better at dealing with the mass of people, having done so many times as their leader, but Neteyam also managed to get a few set responses he could say over and over that did the job. The warm welcome was greatly appreciated but as he saw Pulo and Tamil grabbing at his mate it reminded him that there was really only one person he was wanting to hear from. 

So with one last glance at his very distracted alpha, Neteyam managed to spout some excuse and escape the jittering crowd. He slipped down the now familiar path towards Vamai’s family home but it only took a minute before he was knocked off of his feet. He hit the ground with a forced oof, brain frantically trying to catch up with what had happened. 

“Some fucking friend you are!” Vamai accused, quickly straddling his waist and pinning the other omega’s hands above his head. Despite her narrowed eyes, her playful ire could not properly break through that glow of glee. “How dare you not consult me beforehand.” 

His laughter was strained slightly with her weight still resting on him but soon her lips were turning upwards too. 

“I figured you would just tease me for taking so long in the first place.” 

“And a silly boy you are for waiting indeed.” White teeth on full display, Vamai radiated a rush of vibrant energy. An energy she seemed to not be able to contain any longer because within seconds she was toppling over the male and wrapping her arms around him as tight as a vice. 

They giggled and squeezed one another while struggling to get back into an upright position. More than once a few of the beads and ornaments in Vamai’s hair tangled with his own braids. It took several minutes of clumsily prying at the knots while tears streaked down their cheeks from laughter before they were separated.  

Vamai didn’t waste a second once they were both on their feet. She snatched Neteyam’s wrist and with a quick, “come on,” began racing through the trees. Following after her swift leaps dashing feet and constant giggling, it felt just like the first time she had dragged him off in a rush. In fact, they took the same path now. The path towards the river that Neteyam now knew like the back of his hand. 

And although the moment drew such a distinct parallel to the first time meeting her, Neteyam could hardly fathom how much had changed. How this chaotic, and oftentimes strange, girl he had once met had morphed into his closest confidant. His partner in crime. The one person he knew he could freely tell every secret to. 

Unlike that first day, Neteyam laughed along with her antics as they bounded through the greenery. He followed her silly dances and even took a fall when trying to imitate her ambitious leaps with grace. 

By the time they made it back to sit at the river’s edge, there were leaves sticking out of his hair and their faces flush with sweat. They toppled back onto the rocks and Neteyam beat Vamai this time in laying down in the very shallow beginnings of the shore. 

“Hurry up.” His prompting was met with a shove before she laid beside him. 

“Guess you can’t get rid of me now.” She teased, elbowing him lightly. 

“Was I ever able to before?”

Their laughter mingled together to bounce between the trees. The clouds had parted and they revealed the noon day sun in its wake. Although it hurt his eyes, Neteyam could not tear them away from the beautiful shapes forming in the sky. It felt as if Eywa herself was smiling down on him. 

“I knew you’d stay.” Vamai spoke after a long draw of silence. 

“Hm, it seems you’ve been the only one for a long time.” 

“What can I say? Womens’ intuition.” She beamed even as a handful of water was splashed into her face. Retaliation was immediate. The two wrestled and splashed at one another until they were both panting for breath and Vamai’s intricate hairstyle was beyond the point of salvaging. 

“How are you going to tell them?” 

Neteyam paused from his place leaning against a rock and squeezing his braids out. “I don’t know. I suppose I will have to tell my family at some point.” And something flickered in Vamai’s gaze when he gave a shrug. 

“Aren’t you scared?” 

She leaned forward when his brows knitted together and he paused in thought. “Not really. Nervous of course but I don’t feel scared per say. Not anymore.” 

The smile he gave was not returned easily. Neteyam could practically see the gears in Vamai’s head turning. There was something plaguing her, he knew it. However, Vamai held her secrets near and dear to her heart. 

“Are you alright?” 

“What? Oh yeah, it’s nothing. Just a bit sore.” She snapped out of thought and put on a show of pouting. 

“Sore?” He questioned but Vamai gave him a look. “Oh.”

She nodded with a sigh. 

“What did you do now?” 

“Nothing really.” She waved it off, fingers coming up to fuss with her hair again. 

“Vamai,”

“Just got caught sneaking back in after eclipse. It shouldn’t have been a big deal but my sempu [father] has been especially strict lately.”

When his concerned gaze caught how she shifted in her seat, she simply rolled her eyes and added, “Stop worrying, you big baby. I’m not that fragile.” 

“Do you ever think that maybe you wouldn’t have to be so strong if you at least tried to stay out of trouble?”

“Now what would be the fun in that?” With a crooked grin she wiggled her hairless brows until Neteyam simply let out a snort and leaned back against the rock. 

“What about you? Are you going to become a, what is it you called it, a goody two shoes now that you are mated to the Olo’eyktan?” 

He giggled along with her joke but there was something about her words that made his mind spin. Mated. He was mated. Neteyam was finally going to call this place home. 

“Don’t worry, he doesn’t get off the hook that easily.” 

“I’m glad you’re here, Nete. Or rather, finally happy to be here.” She reached over to clasp his hand in her own. “Because you can’t take it back now. You know that right?” 

It was meant to be a joke but the shadow of doubt it originated from could still be picked out from her demeanor. And it struck him then that although Vamai had been his friend for what felt like forever now, she had spent most of that time wondering if he was still going to be there the next morning. She had always lived with the chance that he would run home and never return. 

“Thank you, Vamai.”

She snorted. “For what? Making you realize your horny thoughts, cause there’s no need. I enjoyed it.” Fangs on display, she gave a sneaky smirk. 

“Well yes, you little minx but not just that.” He kept her hand captive when he could feel her hesitantly wanting to move away. No doubt she could sense that he was no longer going to joke around and make light of the situation. A new atmosphere settled between them that made her squirm. “Thank you for being my friend. You have always been the one person I could go to without judgment.” 

Her shoulders dropped, a softness falling over her features. 

“I know I’m mated to Kxolo now and you may think that’s why I’m staying but…” Neteyam paused, making sure to snag her eyes with his own. “I hope you know that you were the first person I fell in love with here.” 

And there was a moment, just one moment before Vamai crumbled completely. She flung into his arms clumsily just in time for him to react with his own vice-like grip. Her shoulders shaked as little sobs crawled up her throat. It felt as if his own throat was blocked with a thick emotion, making it hard for him to breathe. All until he couldn’t hold back his own tears. They clutched onto one another for dear life.

“Platonically of course.” Neteyam managed to get out with a thick voice and immediately the two broke into a fit of broken laughter. 

A simple mess of tears and lungs barely able to take in oxygen, it took a while before Vamai could softly speak into his shoulder. “I love you, Nete.”

“I love you too.”

Lo’ak stared up at the fabric ceiling of his kelku. His right foot periodically pushed against an exposed trunk to swing him back and forth in his hammock. Nothing helped his nerves. Vamai had been concerned, had even apologized. 

“I’m sorry for taking your evening.” She had said. 

The last thing in the world she should ever apologize for. If anything he would rather have an apology for her not resting beside him in bed every night because that’s where she should’ve been right now. She was meant to be nestled against him as eclipse casted a glow through their kelku and she rambled on about whatever nonsense had come to fill her mind that day. 

But who was he kidding?

Fated mates or not, Vamai was the most stubborn omega he had ever met. It was a characteristic that both kept him up at night in frustration and made him yearn for her that much more as the hours rolled by. 

Lo’ak thought that getting away from the tense dinner with his family early tonight would help bring him some peace. At least then he wouldn’t have to witness the strained looks between his parents as they silently communicated their worries. Surely now that their audience was gone they would once again be discussing strategy for the Neteyam situation. However, escaping that stress had only given him more time to torment himself with the thought of her. 

By Eywa, what the hell was he getting himself into? 

Vamai was among the tribe that had kidnapped his brother. She was the very definition of forbidden fruit. Not to mention the deep turmoil that he had already developed with her Olo’eyktan. He should have been helping his parents think of ways to get his brother back. He should have been trying to keep his family from falling apart instead of daydreaming about some girl.

But Vamai wasn’t some girl.

She was his fated mate. Every fiber of his being knew it. Just as every fiber of him knew that no matter what she threw his way, or anyone else for that matter, he wouldn’t give up. 

And for a moment, just a singular second, Lo’ak wondered if perhaps that is what Kxolo had felt when he took his brother. 

However, just as that thought began to take root, Lo’ak sprung up at the most wonderful sound. 

“Soooo let’s say I did go to the outpost with. Theoretically, of course” Her voice rang into his ear piece, splitting a wide grin over Lo’ak’s lips. 

THE END

Wow I can't believe it is finished! I can't count how many times I have cried over this story! Nor can I tell you how grateful I am for everyone that has ever shown an interest in this little thing I've written. Especially to those that have been INCREDIBLY patient as I've struggled to finish this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart<3

Currently I am heavily considering doing a shorter little sequel where we get to finish Lo'ak and Vamai's story while getting a look into mated life between Kxolo and Neteyam plus finally telling the Sully family. If you are interested in this, please let me know

I love you all<3

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