#lo’ak x twin!reader

[iikatsukii]

im releasing something today.

thats all imma say tho. and its ao'nung x reader. OKAY BYE

[beiasluv]

Kind of niche but what would happen if Lo’ak had a twin sister that was his polar opposite (calm, a healer, rule follower) but always gets dragged along on his dumb adventures anyway lol

lo’ak x polar opposite twin

a/n: so basically a female version of neteyam 😭 | anyways, enjoy 🤍

masterlist

neteyam was thrilled when he learned that his younger sibling is not just a sibling but siblings

obviously, lo’ak came out of neytiri first. the gene is strong, people

you followed closely behind your twin brother

since a youngling, jake and neytiri noticed how their twins are similar yet different in so many ways

for sure, you guys are both more expressive and emotionally intelligent than the other sullys

jake spots his oldest daughter comforting a hurting animal or her siblings every now and then.

when you were just a toddler, barely walking, you were wiping a tear off his face. he didn’t know whether to continue crying or jumping up and down

lo’ak is more expressive when he is fighting for what he love, and that is what he prioritizes. sadly, jake dismissed his actions now and then

for instance, when he was trying to prove himself that payakan isn’t a killer to jake, he was dismissed as a troublemaker :(

you guys are very protective of each other, despite trying to kill each other as a toddler💀

so like, neteyam, kiri, jake, and neytiri would play together on the hammock. and then there is you and lo’ak fighting for a piece of snack

definitely learned to babble bad words at each other at very young age

cuz y’know you gotta learn how to protect yourself

but twins can only get so similar…(yes, i know, the sixth sense and all of that but…)

you are calmer, a healer, and a rule follower

neteyam favored you a little more than lo’ak, just because you are a little bit calmer :(

your twin brother? quite the opposite…

very TURBULENT, a fighter, and a rule breaker *insert jake face palming here*

often many:

y/n: “lo’ak no!”

lo’ak: “lo’ak yes!”

“bitch!”

but he is your brother after all, you will follow him wherever it takes

so basically, dragging yourself into trouble everytime. and if you haven’t caught it yet, jake is not happy about this.

probably because lo’ak is just using you to lessen the trouble jake will get him if he sees his weakness, you.

doing those bargaining EVERY-TIME

“please, come with me, i promise to keep you safe!” he urged you as he pulled on your arm.

“no, i am not falling for your trick again, what will i get? nothing!”

“please, please, please, i promise i will be good, please, i’ll cover the chores for this month,” he begged you on the floor.

“…”

“please, my beloved sister, i am begging you, dad will kill me if i am caught alone,” he hugged your leg.

“pl-ease, you know how this will end, so why are you still doing it?”

“pleaseeeee, 3 months, 3 months i’ll cover your chores”

“fine…and you better get my ass out if dad caught us”

“yes, ma’am”

always cursing at him but at the same time following behind his trail

mumbling things like: “dad’s going to kill you” “i think i wanna go back” “i don’t think that is a good idea” “let’s not go in there”

sometimes eywa is on your side and you came back unharmed and “uncaught”

but sometimes it doesn’t get so lucky.

even though you guys seemed like you would be pushing the blame on each other, you actually love him too much to see him get the blame himself.

especially when you know he is neglected by your dad the most, you just wanna make him feel a little bit better.

of course, he is always compared to neteyam and you got it a little bit easier because jake is such a girl dad

lo’ak just need a little more love and you are there to remind him that you care for him

for instance, one time, you got caught wandering into the forest at night with lo’ak. JUST BECAUSE he wanted to impress a girl and go find some plant that only glows in the night-

jake was mad MAD

he was like:

“SIT DOWN!” he ordered you both, you quickly gathered your tail and whimpered down to the floor. lo’ak stared hardly at your dad.

“please, lo’ak, just-“ you tugged his leg.

“WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU! AND WHY would you drag your sister into this!” he was breathing in and out quickly and he tried to calm himself down.

“i am so-“

“please, dad, it wasn’t his fault, i am-“

“oH, i don’t think so, please, sweetheart, stop taking blame for each other, for eywa’s sake!” he shouted with the back of his throat, trying not the make the situation worst. you whimpered in your spot as your ear dropped back.

jake will feel bad for shouting at you more than lo’ak, so eventually he just dismissed you both 🙁 (butitmeansthathisplanworked)

BUT you love your twin too much that you will patch him up every time

earning “ouch”s and “ow”s from your brother as you did his wound intentionally harsher than before

“why are you doing this on purpose!” “OW-!”

“please, i am tired of you breaking the rules, sorry, i have to fight fire with fire,” you dapped the cloth on his wound.

anyways, just two siblings trying to get along as a kid, but ended up being the most supportive to each other when they grow up.

got those “no you can not have my french fries, but you can have my liver if you are going to die.”

take care guys! stay hydrated! 🤍

@rosaryos / @bumblinbumblvee / @nyotamalfoy / @fangirl-2610 / @astablacksword / @lokisblueskin

[normspellsman]

Forever

part one | part two | part three | part four (wip)

pairing: ao’nung x fem!sully!reader

genre: fluff (for most of it), mentions of enemies to lovers, a bit angsty at the end, & mentions of forbidden lovers + secret relationships

word count: 2k+

warning(s): ao’nung being an absolute SIMP for the reader (as he should tho), mentions of ao’nung teasing the reader – name calling & some physical harassment, mentions of reader & lo’ak being twins, talks of violence, mentions of childhood bullying, threat of bodily harm, lo’ak being a bit of a bitch, mentions of hickies, cursing, & sad!reader at the end

taglist: @aonungsmate @optimisticblazetrash

word bank: sa’nok — mother, yawntu — beloved; love; loved one, yawne — beloved, sempul — father, iknimaya — rite of passage for na’vi teens, & toruk makto — rider of last shadow

note: bit of ooc lo’ak bc i know my baby would never, but for the sake of this plot he’s a bit of a douche towards reader. this is the first part & the second part will most likely be the last part but we’ll see! anyways, please enjoy <3

You hadn’t even been in Awa’atlu for two minutes before Ao’nung had decided to make his target.

The Olo’eyktan’s son had loved teasing you. Always pulling on your much smaller and thinner tail, causing you to hiss out in pain and smack his hand away as he and his other goons laughed. Always making fun of your pin straight hair, calling it dull and ugly compared to the other Metkayina’s long bouncy curls. Calling you a freak or alien due to your extra finger on both hands. He pushed your buttons on many occasions throughout the days you stayed on the island. He absolutely loved it. He loved riling you up and getting a reaction out of you. A small smirk dancing on his lips whenever he stormed away from his figure, fuming as a result of his continuous teasing.

But there was something that he loved more than teasing you. He loved loving you. He loved to grab your dainty hands in his and pull apart each finger gently, spreading your long fingers until they matched up against his larger hands, smirking at how smaller they looked even with the extra finger you produced. He loved playing with your braids, looping them around his pointer finger as he messed with the numerous beads and feathers adorning them. He loved calling you his yawntu. He loved seeing the light blush paint your cheeks purple whenever he called you a term of endearment. He loved putting his face into the crook of your neck and inhaling your calming scent, making him purr out in delight. He loved all of you. Especially your stubborn personality that made him want to groan out in annoyance whenever things didn’t go your way. He adored and loved you.

Ao’nung had a funny way of expressing his interest in you at first. He practically followed you everywhere around the remote island. Sometimes he’d be teasing you as he trailed behind you, pulling at the string of your loincloth and laughing as it harshly snapped back against your dark azure skin. Sometimes he’d just be silent, basking solely in your presence as you explored the forest-like parts of the island. Other times he’d talk to you, asking what you did back home and what your favorite foods were, making a mental note to ask his Sa’nok if they had any of the ingredients so he could attempt to make it for you. And most of the time, he teased you and your siblings for your differences.

His teasing never bothered you, much. It was frustrating at times but it wasn’t like you never heard any of his teasing words before.

Back home, you, your twin brother, Lo’ak, and older sister Kiri were the talk of the village amongst the other children. You three were the only ones with five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot, a differing contrast from the four fingered and toed children your age.

Children loved to call you half breed, alien, and even demon. They often pulled at your pinky, wanting to see what it would do as a reaction. They also pulled at your ears and tripped you wherever you went, pulling your feet into their hands to study your five toed foot. They were so cruel and mean growing up, eventually growing out of it as they got older. But, some children didn’t.

Oftentimes, whenever their teasing reached Neteyam or Lo’ak’s ears, they would avoid eye contact with you as your bullies sported new spilt lips and black eyes from your brother's anger. And even that didn’t stop some kids from continuing their teasing, but it was few and far in between once you completed your Iknimaya.

So when Ao’nung had begun to tease you and Kiri that one afternoon that ended in both Neteyam and Lo’ak beating him and his goons, Lo’ak made sure to keep you in his line of sight whenever you wandered off to do whatever you did. This had forced the both of you to keep your budding relationship a secret from your beloved twin brother.

And that’s what lead you to this very moment. You wrapped up in Ao’nung’s arms as the both of you hid away in your special secret spot that he found just for the two of you, looking up at the starry sky as your lover whispered sweet endearments into your sensitive ears.

“You make me so happy, yawntu,” Ao’nung gently whispered, nuzzling his face into the side of your head, burying it in your hair.

You softly giggled at your boyfriends actions, turning your head slightly to hide the part he was nuzzling into.

You loved it whenever Ao’nung went soft for you. It was only a sight for you to see and your heart warmed at that fact. Ao’nung had a tendency to keep others at an arms length at all times, doing so by hissing out harsh words and other means. But you could see through his façade the minute he began to pull your tail and tease you. He felt like he needed to be mean or seem dominant in public in order to receive respect from others within the clan. He was the Olo’eyktan’s only son and was expected to lead the clan one day. Ao’nung had so much pressure and weight put onto his shoulders from the expectations of his Sempul and clanspeople, something you could somewhat relate to being a child of Toruk Makto. Although that was no excuse for how he treated you and your siblings. You made him promise to not tease your siblings the way he did before when you got together. And he didn’t, keeping his promise he made to you.

“You make me happy too, Ma Ao’nung,” you whisper back, pulling a bit forward to lay a kiss on the boys turquoise skin.

Ao’nung had sighed out in contentment at your words, a soft purring sound emitting from his chest. He felt truly relaxed in your presence, it being evident in his lax body posture and rumbling coming from his chest.

“You’re purring, yawne,” you giggle out, smiling at the fact as you felt the rumbling movement against your back.

Ao’nung pouted at your words, “Am not,” he denied, resting his chin on your shoulder as he pulled his face away from your soft hair, “I do not purr.”.

The boy knew he was lying. Of course he purred whenever he was in your presence. But he didn’t want you to get too cocky from that fact. You already had him so wrapped around your finger that he didn’t need another reminder as to just how much he was in love with you.

You rolled your big amber eyes at your boyfriends denial, “Sure, Nung. You definitely do not purr”.

Ao’nung whined at your words, pulling you in closer to his chest, hiding his blushing face into your neck.

“I think it’s cute, my love,” you reassured, once again placing a kiss onto your lover's forehead, “It means you feel content and relaxed around me”.

At your words, Ao’nung smiled into your neck and pecked the side of it with a kiss. He was in so deep he was sure that Rotxo and his other friends would make fun of how he basically turned into putty in your presence.

Soon enough, you began to purr to response to Ao’nung constant rumbling, relax enough in his arms to do so.

He smiled at your purring, his getting even louder once he registered the fact.

Ao’nung began to gently kiss up and down the side of your neck, lightly biting where he placed a kiss every once in a while. He loved showing you how much he cared and adored you, often voicing his adoration through his kisses.

A gentle sigh escaped from your soft lips at your boyfriends actions, melting deeper into his embrace as he did so.

Everything was so quiet and peaceful. You felt as if you could stay in this moment for all eternity. Stay in Ao’nungs warm arms forever.

But all good things eventually come to an end.

You were to caught up in the feeling of Ao’nungs soft lips against your neck that you didn’t register the snapping of a branch a few feet away from the both of you. Your ears didn’t even twitch at the sound, to caught up in the sound of Ao’nung kissing hickies into your neck.

“Holy fuck,” a voice whispered out, making both you and Ao’nung freeze at the familiarity of it, stomachs twisting in anxiety, “You little shit!”.

There stood an angry Lo’ak, fists tightly clenched by his sides as his tail furiously swished side to side behind him. If looks could kill, Ao’nung would be six feet under by now.

“Lo’ak,” you whisper out, scrambling out of your boyfriends arms and onto your feet, meeting your brother halfway in his angry stride.

You made hard contact with the lean chest of your twin, putting your hands onto his chest to keep him a safe distance away from your lover.

“You’re seeing my sister?!” He hissed out, voice laced in anger, practically shaking at the intense feeling, “I told you to stay the fuck away from her! Do I need to beat it into you again before you understand?”.

You growled at your brother's words, lips drawn back in a scowl. You had growled and hissed at your twin only a couple of times and they all were when you were much younger than you were now.

Lo’ak growled back at you, too consumed in his anger to think clearly.

“What are you doing with him, (Y/N)? After all that he’s done to Kiri, to me, to you,” he hissed out yet again.

A deadly look had made its way onto Ao’nungs face as he glared at Lo’ak, quickly getting up to put himself between you and your very angry brother.

“Don’t talk to her like that,” he growled out between clenched teeth, getting behind you as he towered over your backside, back and head making contact with Ao’nungs chest.

Lo’ak drew his ears and lips back, actually hissing at the Metkayina boy. Ao’nung returned the gesture.

“I won’t hesitate to beat you to a pulp right here, right now in front of (Y/N), maybe then she’ll come to her senses about you and leave,” Lo’ak yelled out, attempting to get closer to your boyfriend but your body stopped him from doing so.

You gasped out at his words while Ao’nung growled once again at your brother. How dare he speak to him like that? To you like that?

“Lo’ak!” You exclaimed, shock and anger clearly written onto your face. You were angry at how your brother was acting. You knew that this kind of reaction was a possibility once you and Ao’nung were ready to expose your relationship, but you didn’t expect this kind of reaction.

“What is wrong with you?” You questioned, pushing at your twins chest, making him stagger a bit.

“Me? What’s wrong with me?” He hissed out, body shaking in anger as he pointed to himself with his closed fist, “What’s wrong with you? You’re the one slutting around with our bully!”.

Lo’ak’s words had caused you to shrink into yourself, causing intense hurt to spread throughout your body. Sure you and Lo’ak often argued as siblings do and called each other all kinds of names and neither of you meant it, but it seemed like your brother truly meant what he said.

A loud growl was heard from behind you, Ao’nung now extremely pissed at your sorry excuse for a brother. He would never call Tsireya a slut or even accuse her of slutting around with Lo’ak. He had actual common sense to never call his sister that.

“I’m going to kill you for talking to her like that, Lo’ak,” Ao’nung muttered, also shaking with anger.

Everything seemed to go silent as your ears began to block out any other noise except for your breathing and rapid, breaking heartbeat.

You began to walk away from the scene, sadness settling itself into your bones as you drifted further and further from your love and brother.

Maybe everything good doesn’t last forever.

[saintsstranger]

twin flames masterlist

summary: Eywa has bonded the Son of the Forest and Daughter of Ember over the pain and grief towards the Sky People.

pairing: Lo'ak te Suli Tsyeyk’itan x Ash People Na’vi!Female!Reader (Uses she/her/hers pronouns; No use of Y/N)

genre: romance, angst, fluff

warnings: canon character death, minor character death, grief (lots of it), trauma bonding

status: on-going

Chapters:

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Extras:

Reader Inspo

Mahuika Inspo

Tarākona Inspo

Where Lo'ak teaches you how to cuss

Taglist:

@okaylorrainee @destinylb @dakotali @kaymarnun @liyahsocorro @midnightliacr @drugs-for-memes @alexandra-001 @loakenthusiast @eywas-heir @il0veheartz @cleverzonkwombatsludge @idktbhloley @ok-boke @bwormie

[armins-main-hoe]

Odd socks | chapter 6

Previous | next

(I’m alive I swear guys)

His fingers went over the scars on her skin, his touch soft and gentle. She didn’t like the way her body leaned into his touch a little, as if she liked it. 

“What are you doing?” Y/n asked Ao’nung. His eyes left her skin and looked up into hers. He does that face she hates, that dumb one with his dumb smirk. 

“You know scars like these take years to fade. You’ll probably still have them by the time you’ve had kids. That is if there is any man unfortunate enough to have you as his wife.” 

Y/n wanted to throw another shell at him so bad right now. It was a week ago when she had both her brothers came out of the sea with fish bites, though it seemed Y/n got the most out of the three. Now most of the bites had healed but left behind scars. She already had scars from previous fish bites so now it seems as if her whole body is littered with them. 

“Shut up.” She stood up from her spot on the sand, dusting herself off. 

“Am I lying though?” There was a small laugh in his tone as he got up as well. 

“Go annoy someone else, I don’t have time for you.” She scowled, walking in the direction back to her marui but he kept taunting her, teasing her. How is she supposed to not punch him? Her patience wore thin and she then shoved him away from her, making him stumble back and fall down. 

“Vonvä’” She mumbles and continues walking away. 

Ao’nung blinks away the shock from his fall and glares at the forest girl’s back as she walks away from him. Sure, he was being a jerk to her, he knows but he believes his actions are justified, sort of. 

Ever since that forest family came to stay, his life has been nothing but hell. Y/n and her family have made a rather good impression on the clan already despite what they themselves might think. Ao’nung hears what his friends and the other kids say about them, at first it was words that made fun of the forest kids, which was perfect, it still had everyone looking up to him and looking down on them or rather her. However, she was a quick learner, she can ride an Ilu, weave baskets, braid hair, make accessories with what the sea provides, make healing pastes. In other words, she was perfect. It was as if everything was second nature to her.

He heard others start to talk differently about them. Even during family meal times, he would have to endure his parents and Tsireya praising the forest family. Praising her. He hates it. He has had dreams where she is standing before him, everyone praising her and looking down on him. He’d die before it ever comes to that in real life. She is a forest person and she has no business here with the sea. 

Oh Ewya she annoyed his very being, the corners of his mouth turned up to let out a snarl as he watched her dark blue figure enter her Mauri. He got up and walked the other way, he was pissed. So pissed at her, and her family, and his father and at himself.

“Ao’nung!” He heard someone call out to him. He looked over at it was his friend.

“What.” He was irritated already, if his friend decides to be annoying he’ll actually-

“You got to check this forest girl out, she’s actually lost it.”

What-

Now ao’nung was interested. He followed his friend who led him back to the direction of the forest family’s mauri, just below was very shallow water where a forest girl was laying on her stomach, head in the water.

‘Is that y/n?’ Ao’nung thought as he watched from afar. His other friends were watching her, laughing quietly amongst themselves. When ao’nung approached them, they made space for him to stand in the middle of the group, a clear view of a dark blue girl minding her own business.

Ao’nung smirked.

“Let’s go closer” he said, his friends let out a few excited words, laughing quietly again, following ao’nung as he walked closer and closer to Y/n.

He was going to get back at her.

“She’s just looking at the sand”

Wait…

“Ahahaha”

Wait no that’s not-

“Huh?” The forest girl lifted her head and ao’nung had to hold in his shock when he saw that it wasn’t Y/n but her sister, Titi. No.. Piri? Oh he can’t remember.

“What you’d say?” She shook the water off her face and stood up. Ao’nung can’t back down now though.. not when his friends are watching. He really did think it was Y/n so he was fine with teasing and annoying her. But it isn’t y/n. It’s her sister.

So what? They’re both the same. Both are forest aliens.

“Are you some kind of freak?” Ao’nung asked.

“He asked if you are a freak.” His friend clarified.

Y/N’s sister sighed and shook her head. “No.” She began walking away but ao’nung and his friends followed her.

“Are you sure? I mean, you’re not even real Na’vi.” Ao’nung smirked, walking around her. When she didn’t say anything, he tried provoking her further. “Look at this hands.” He tried grabbing her hand but she pulled it away.

So he went to grab them again.

“I mean look at them” he emphasises.

“HEY!”

Ao’nung and his friends turned around at the voice. It was Y/N’s younger brother, noah. No. It began with L right?

“Back off fish lips.”

Whatever, his name is irrelevant anyway.

“Oh~ another four fingered freak!” Ao’nung laughed, the smaller forest boy may have came acting like the hero but he was greatly outnumbered, ao’nung and his friends began to tease and taunt him.

“Leave us alone!” Piri or titi, whatever her name is shouted. But her voice was ignored. Ao’nung kept laughing.

Yes. This is it. Make everyone look down on them so they can look up at him. This is how it should be. This is perfect.

Ao’nung felt a hard hand grab his shoulder and force him to turn around. It was neteyam. His friends and lo’ak stopped squabbling. Ao’nung glared silently at the older boy.

“You heard what she said.” Neteyam’s voice was alarmingly calm. “Leave them alone”

“Aww~ big brother coming-“ ao’nung’s friend spoke up, his voice taunting but ao’nung stopped him for speaking any further. He hated the sully’s that’s true. But he isn’t a fool. He knew it would be unwise to start a fight with the eldest son of the sully’s.

“Back off.” Neteyam let out his last word through his teeth. “Now.”

Ao’nung smirked and put his hands up, mimicking surrender.

Neteyam kept his eyes on ao’nung as he spoke again. “Smart choice.” He looked at his friends. “And from now on, I need you to respect my sister. Both my sisters.”

Ao’nung said nothing but kept glaring. That dumb friend let out a hiss as if still wanting to fight, ao’nung held him back with a single hand.

“Let’s go.” Neteyam took his two siblings and walked away.

—-

Y/n had been sent out by her father to go catch fish, enough for dinner to feed the whole family. She was only allowed to hunt by the shore line so she was limited with how many fish she could hunt.

By the time she came back, 10 fishes in her large pouch and a few fruits she found, she was confused when she couldn’t find her dad.

“Dad?” She called out in the empty mauri, putting her bag down to the side. She was about to go and look outside the marui pod when she heard footsteps nearby, her dad’s footsteps. She turned around and within seconds Jake came in with her brothers.

She gasped at the sight of them.

Both had looked like they were beaten up, neteyam sporting a busted lip, lo’ak’s skin having patches of dark red, irritated skin that will bruise over night.

“What happened?” She muttered as she walked over to them.

“What was the one thing I asked? One thing.” Jake ignored Y/N’s question, his mind too busy buzzing around with the thought of his idiotic sons.

“Stay out of trouble.” Both boys whispered. Y/n inspected both her brothers, she went to lo’ak first, holding his chin and making him look at her so she she could see his injuries closer. His nose was bleeding. Lo’ak shook her off.

“It was my fault.” Neteyam stepped forward.

“I don’t think so. You got to stop taking the heat for this knuckle head” Jake glared at his youngest son.

Y/n moved over to Neteyam, too shocked and worried to even remember that she and him had argued and had not spoken to each other for days.

“Ao’nung was picking on Kiri, called her a freak.” Lo’ak explained himself, Jake sucked in air through his teeth, looking away.

“He did what?!?” Y/n is was mid inspecting Neteyam’s injuries when she turned her head sharply to look at lo’ak when she heard what happened. “He called her what??” She need to hear lo’ak say it again. She was gonna fuck that sea Bitch up.

“Go apologise to Ao’nung.” Jake spoke softly.

“What.” Both lo’ak and Y/n spoke. Clearly ao’nung is in fault, why should lo’ak apologise.

“He’s the chief’s son. Do you understand.” Y/n looked at her father in disbelief. Neteyam held onto her arm to stop her from going out to find ao’nung herself.

“Just go. I don’t care how you do it, just go make peace.” Jake sighed and lo’ak went out to go find Ao’nung.

“Socks, you will stay put.” Jake warned her.

“Whaaat???”

Neteyam’s hold on her hand tightened.

“Let lo’ak do it himself. You stay here in the marui. Patch neteyam up or something.” Jake then left after giving her a final warning.

Once her father left she looked at neteyam in disbelief.

“Did you hear what I heard?” She asked him.

“Socks..”

“Dad is unbelievable.” She moved to go through a few small pots in the corner.

“Y/n listen-“

“That dumb overgrown fish decided to flap his tiny flippers at you and Lo’ak and it’s your fault?” She pulled neteyam down to sit next to her.

“I said listen-“

“Why should lo’ak apologise? It’s that son of a bit-“

“Y/n!” Neteyam held her shoulder and pushed to make her torso turn and face him. She stopped talking at looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears that barely clung to her waterline.

“It’s not fair.” Her voice came out quieter than before. She looked down and picked up a clean rag and dampened it in a bowl of water.

“Y/n, dad knew it isn’t our fault.” Neteyam spoke softly. This probably is the first real conversation they have had since their argument. Before it was just small words and quick replies, most of the time they would avoid and ignore each other.

“Then why did he go and say all that?” She tried blinking away tears as she cleaned off dry blood on his face.

“He had to. He’s doing what he can to help our family fit in here.” Neteyam watched as his sister held in her tears. He moved a hand to hold her face.

“Y/n, sister, why are you crying?”

Her hand trembled as she continued cleaning his cuts.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Neteyam I’m-“

“You said it.”

She looked up at him, confused.

“What?”

He smiled softly.

“You said my name. It’s been a while since I heard you say it.”

She continued to look at him confused as he grinned stupidly at her. Her bottom lip wobbled and she smacked his shoulder.

“Ow!” He flinched back, rubbing his shoulder and lifting his eyes to glare at his sister but his eyes softened immediately when he saw a stream of tears running down her face. “Socks..” he moved closer to her, holding her in his arms even though he was still sore from the fight.

She cried for a while before calming down, her sobs reduced so small hiccups.

“What’s wrong? Are you crying because me and Lo’ak got hurt?” Neteyam asked.

“I’m never there.”

Now neteyam looked at her confused.

“What? Where do you need to be?”

“With you! With Kiri, Lo’ak and Tuk! I’m never there when I need to be.” Her voice wavered and neteyam brushed away her tears. “Even back when we are in the forest. I wasn’t there when… when you four were attacked by those human na’vi. I wasn’t there today when something as bad as a whole physical fight broke out. I know I’m not as reliable as you but I still want to be the big sister and protect you all…”

Neteyam closed his eyes and held his sister’s hands.

“Socks.. no.. Y/n, you do know that the younger three look up to you as much as they look up to me, right? If not then more.”

Y/n let out a small hiccup and looked up at him. Neteyam continued.

“We are twins, sister. You and me. However that does not mean we must compare ourselves to every little thing. You are Y/N. You are socks. You are the first daughter of Toruk makto. You protected our siblings from ao’nung before I even stepped in and did anything. You hit him with that shell remember? You protected Tuk and all I did was shout at you for it.”

Y/n felt her eyes water again, Neteyam kept holding her hands.

“I am sorry. I got too caught up in trying to do everything in a strategic way, my way, that I forgot to understand your way. I even refused to understand where you were coming from. You are amazing Y/n and I’m sorry I got too blind to see it.”

Neteyam looked into her eyes. Her eyes that were the exact same as his. Same shape, size and colour. He looked at her. He looked at his sister, his twin sister, his other half.

“I see you, sister.” He whispered.

Y/n chocked back on a sob and blinked away tears. She hated arguing with neteyam the most out of all of her siblings because it hurts the most. They hadn’t even spoken or looked at each other properly since their argument and it took neteyam getting physically hurt for her to talk to him again.

“I see you, brother.” She whispered back. Her arms wrapping around his body as she hugged him. He hugged her back and they stayed like that for a while.

“So how badly did you beat up ao’nung?” She asked, pulling away from him.

Neteyam chuckled.

“Well he is the cheif’s son, so I didn’t hurt him too bad but his friends however…” he trailed off but Y/n knew what he meant.

She lightly smacked him this time.

“Those poor boys. They probably don’t even know what a punch was, much less the types of punches. You should have gone easy on them.” She teased.

“I did go easy on them!”

She laughed. “Yeah right. You probably gave it your all, I know you weren’t holding back.”

“No socks, believe me, I was still holding my true strength in. I was holding my mighty warrior strength back.”

She laughed even more while going back to tending to his cuts and bruises.

After she was done patching neteyam up she was about to put all the healing paste and blood stained cloths away before she remembered she has another beaten up brother. She looked out of the marui and saw it was late already, the light of the day was gone and now stars littered the sky.

Y/n looked back at Neteyam.

“Lo’ak should be back by now, right? I was going to help him with that bloody nose of his.” She sighed.

Neteyam got up. “I’ll go get him, you should probably make more paste, he has bruises on his legs everywhere.”

Y/n nodded and went further in to the marui pod while neteyam went out, his steps calm as he went. Time passed and Neytiri came in with Tuk, chopping up the fish Y/n had caught earlier, however Neteyam still didn’t arrive.

Being a little worried that perhaps another fight broke out, and if that was the case then Y/n would not hesitate to jump in and fight as well, so she was about to head out of the mauri pod when she saw her father and Kiri talking.

“Mighty..” she heard Kiri say. What was mighty?

Just then Y/n heard footsteps and turned her head to see who it was. It was Neteyam and Ao’nung. Y/n couldn’t help the disgusted look on her face when her eyes landed on the sea boy. Why is he here?

Neteyam pulled Ao’nung over to Jake.

“Tell him. Tell him what you told me!” Neteyam’s voice wasn’t calm like it always was, no this time Y/n could hear the pure fear in his voice.

As she heard Ao’nung talk, she quickly understood why. Each word made her heart drop.

Lo’ak. Lost in sea. Alone. Missing.

Ao’nung you son of a bitch-

—-

Taglist- @heart-an0n

[ghoul-bonez]

~I Love You, I Trust You, I See You~

(Ao’nung x Fem! Deaf! Sully! Reader)

Summary: When the Sullys moved to Awa’atlu Ao’nung thought they were weird, knew they were weird. He took a particular hatred towards the older Sully kids, Neteyam was the perfect little follower, Lo’ak was constantly in trouble, Kiri was always off in her own world, and you. Just you. You seemed to always ignore him and never talk, but what he didn’t know was it’s because you couldn’t hear him.

Word count: 4.4k

Author’s note: This is the longest oneshot I’ve written at 4.4k words and 9 1/2 google docs pages… Sign language will be normal font, and bold & italics will be spoken, although I try my best to show which is going on.

~Masterlist~

I Love You, I Trust You, I See You

When people thought of the Sully family many thought of your siblings. They thought of Lo’ak who was always a troublemaker, causing chaos everywhere he went. They thought of Kiri who seemed so in tune with her surroundings that she might as well be Eywa herself. They thought of Tuk who was the youngest, still enamored by everyday life. They thought of Neteyam, a strong leader who would someday take on the role of Olo’eyktan after your father.

They never thought of you.

You who always seemed to be in your own little world. You who never had any friends. You who never talked. You who always seemed so attentive to the world around you, yet had no desire to join it.

When you were born after your twin Neteyam, a spike of fear had run through everyone in the room when you began to cry, but no sound came out. They feared you may not be breathing right, you may need your airways cleared. They feared something was wrong, and that was true.

When your parents or siblings thought about your family, they thought about you. They thought about how funny you were, always cracking jokes when there was a chance. They thought about how kind you were, taking a moment to check on everyone daily. They thought about how different you were than most.

They thought about you. You who couldn’t hear.

You always seemed to be in your own world, and that drew many away from you, they didn’t want to be friends with someone who they didn’t think was paying attention to them, and to be fair you weren’t paying attention to people most of the time. You preferred to direct your attention to the world around you, always keeping an eye out as you couldn’t hear danger coming.

When you had been caught by Quaritch and his men you had panicked, more than everyone else at least. You didn’t know what was going on, you didn’t know what they were saying, your lip reading was not dependable, and definitely not in english.

When your siblings arms were bound you couldn’t keep yourself calm, now you had no way of communicating, they couldn’t translate for you. Tears streamed down your face, eyes closed as tight as possible to try to calm yourself by blocking out the outside world.

When you felt your captor’s grip on your release your eyes shot open, looking around at the damage around you, multiple avatars dead on the ground. Then you ran, you ran faster than ever before in the first direction you saw.

You ran and ran, eyes trained on everything around you, and when you ran into someone and they grabbed you again it was like a shock. You let out a scream, the first noise anyone had ever heard you make. A noise nobody was aware you could make.

You turned to dead weight in an attempt to get out of their grasp, panic coursing through you again as your eyes couldn’t come into focus. However, the person dropped to the ground with you, pulling your face towards them and holding it still as you tried to thrash. Then they blew air into your face, and you realized you were safe.

When you were younger you would throw temper tantrums, as children do, where you would close your eyes to refuse to listen to your parents. Not being able to see them meant no sign language, which meant no having to listen to them. However your father found one thing always worked, blowing air on your face. Your eyes would shoot open, highly offended with your mouth dropped open, before you would sign at him, “Your breath is gross.” in retaliation.

You had never been more relieved for your dad’s stupid way of getting you to listen. Your eyes finally came into focus and you calmed down seeing his face, but that calm quickly turned into crying, sobbing. You couldn’t help but let out all of the pent up emotion inside of you, but eventually you calmed down and were able to stand back up, staggering your way home with the rest of your family.

Some time later when your parents had been arguing in your family kelku you hadn’t been paying attention as your siblings were, all huddled against the wall. You had been lost in your own world once again, not wanting to know what was being said as you were still processing what had happened earlier. You didn’t need anything on top of that as you feared it would make your careful stack of emotions you had constructed come tumbling down.

They had come tumbling down though as your parents announced you were moving, leaving. Leaving everything you had ever known, your home, your grandmother, the forest you loved so much. You couldn’t help it as you cried again, being held by your mother this time.

However as you thought about it you weren’t that sad. You had always liked the water, everyone not having to hear underwater made you feel more included, more like you belonged, and you had heard the Metkayina used sign language. Maybe this would be a chance to make friends for the first time in your life. Maybe you would be able to talk to people for once, nobody at home taking the time to learn American Sign Language, as your father had called it, like your family had.

One thing you hadn't taken into account was that they used a different version of sign language, but that had become very apparent when you first jumped into the water with Tsireya, Ao’nung, and Rotxo. They used signs you had never seen before, ones you didn’t recognize. You couldn’t help but feel a little beaten down at dinner, staying quieter than usual, not signing as much.

Afterwards your dad had asked you to step outside, waving a hand towards you as he exited the marui.

He sat down on the pathway, and you knew he expected you to join him, so you did. You sat next to him with your feet dangling in the water, looking out towards the horizon, refusing to look at him so you didn't have to have a conversation.

That didn’t last long though as he poked you in the arm, causing you to look at him offended, mouth open and eyebrows raised. He took this as his chance to speak, “You okay, kid?” He signed.

You sighed deeply, fidgeting with your hands before signing, “I’m okay, dad.”

You could tell he didn’t believe you, lips pressed together in a thin line and eyebrows furrowed, “You’re less talkative. What’s wrong?” He signed, proving he didn’t think you were telling the truth.

A frown came to your face, feeling like it was permanently there after the past few days or so, but you continued, “I’m disappointed.”

He raised his eyebrows, surprise and confusion on his face, “About what?”

You looked away from his face, instead choosing to watch his hands, you didn’t want to see the pity on his face, “We don’t speak the same language. I can’t communicate. Everyone else can at least talk to each other.”

His face softened, but you didn’t see it, “It’ll be okay. You’re a fast learner, so you will learn their language quickly, then you can make friends. If anyone actually wants to be your friend.” He meant it playfully, and you saw him laugh, so jammed your elbow in his ribs.

Then the conversation was over, your mom poking her head out of the doorway and saying something to your dad. He just stood up and gave you a look like he was asking, “You good?” and you nodded, “Yes.” back in return.

After your father’s words of encouragement you decided to work harder, learn faster, determined to be able to communicate with the people around you, and a few weeks later you were excelling whereas your siblings were still struggling. They were caught up on the differences of Metkayina sign language versus ASL but you had grasped that there weren’t differences, or similarities, and you would just be learning from scratch.

Even though you were doing well at it, working your way towards being fluent, you were worried about talking to the people, mostly because of one person in particular, Ao’nung. It was as if Ao'nung was determined to ruin your siblings' lives, and yours, but you didn’t know that.

You had seen Ao’nung’s attempts to cause hell for your siblings, nagging at them, laughing at them, and even trying to start fights, with Lo’ak in particular. Him messing with your siblings made you frustrated, but you weren’t aware of the taunts meant to make you upset, and laughing that was meant to make you feel like a target coming towards you from a distance.

The bullying towards your siblings had become more and more frustrating and you had begun showing your anger at home, being rougher with things than usual, and not wanting to go outside of the shared family marui.

It had been peaceful while you and your mom had been working on dinner, but she noticed you seemed to be far off, handling the food with rougher hands, “Are you okay, (Y/n).” Neytiri signed as you placed another fish over the fire.

You rolled your eyes at her, upset she was even insinuating something was wrong. In reality there was, but you didn’t want to admit that, “Yes mama, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” She had asked back, concern on her face as she looked at you closely.

You signed, “Yes.” Trying to end the conversation, but you knew she would just keep pushing.

You saw your mom think for a moment, her face scrunching up in concentration, “Well I am not.”

You frowned more, once again feeling like it had always been there since you left the forest, “Not what?”

She was frowning too now, “I’m not sure you’re fine. I see you isolating yourself. Even from me and your father.” She grabbed your hands, squeezing them gently to show her love in a little way.

Tears welled in your eyes, frustrated tears, tears that came because with all the stress recently they were the only way your brain knew how to process, to cope.

You pulled your hands from hers to wipe at them, “I’m sorry.” was all you could say.

She wiped the tears falling down your face before saying, “Why?”

You sniffled, running your hands down your face before signing, “I see Lo’ak, Kiri, and Neteyam being picked on, and there is nothing I can do. I can’t stand up to the bullies. I can’t say anything.”

“Okay, well soon you will be able to say something. You are learning their sign language, yes? I’ve heard from your siblings you are out working them.” She smiled at you and you could really see how proud of you she was.

You couldn’t help but crack a little smile although tears still threatened to fall, “Yes, mama. I’m getting better, but I’m worried it will be too late though.”

“I’m sure you will do your best, my ‘ite.” She thought for a second, “Why don’t you go try to talk to these kids tomorrow?”

You sighed, you didn’t want to, but you knew your mom would nag you until you agreed, “Okay. Love you.”

She smiled lovingly at you, “Love you too.” before pulling you into a hug.

When tomorrow came you didn’t even want to leave your marui, but you found the strength to do so. You did some of the breathing exercises Tsireya had taught you to try to calm your nerves, and they worked for the most part, steadying you and clearing your head.

However as soon as you stepped outside your marui you regretted it, not wanting to do what you had promised to your mother, but you knew you had to eventually. Eventually, which meant you could fool around as long as you wanted beforehand, and so you decided to settle down for a quick nap on the beach.

When you laid down and closed your eyes you quickly and easily fell asleep. You were still tired from last night when you struggled to sleep from your anxious thoughts.

When the Sullys moved to Awa’atlu Ao’nung thought they were weird, knew they were weird. He took a particular hatred towards the older Sully kids, Neteyam was the perfect little follower, Lo’ak was constantly in trouble, Kiri was always off in her own world, and you. Just you. You seemed to always ignore him and never talk, but what he didn’t know was that it's because you couldn’t hear him.

Ao’nung tried to not let anything get to him, especially when it came to people he didn’t like, like the Sullys, but for some reason you, (Y/n) Sully, had peeved him more than anyone or anything else. He had grown tired of you ignoring him when he shouted or laughed at you, like you didn’t even notice he was there, tired of you flat out avoiding him sometimes as you scurried away when he tried to approach you.

Of course he knew why, he had the same intentions to bully you and make you feel unwanted in Awa’atlu as your siblings. Of course you didn’t want this so you spent most of your time avoiding him, but for some reason instead of him not caring about it, it made him want to get under your skin even more.

When the sun rose today he decided today was the day to act. Today he would confront you head on, face to face. He would make you notice him, and he would make you feel awful in the process. So he gathered his friends, his goons, and they set off to find you.

They first checked with Tsireya who was with the rest of your siblings, but you were nowhere to be found, they all insisted they hadn’t seen you. Then they combed the beach, going from one end to the other, and on the far end they found you peacefully asleep on the soft sand.

He couldn’t help but notice how cute you looked asleep and peaceful, but he quickly shook it off, shouting at you, “Wake up, freak!”

He was targeting your extra finger and the hair above your eyebrows, like he had your siblings because he knew that got to them, and hoped it would do the same to you.

When you didn’t stir he tried shouting again, assuming you were awake, but trying to act asleep to avoid him, “What is wrong with you? Do you not care or are you stupid avoiding me?”

His friends laughed at you when you still didn’t move, eyes not cracking open and your breathing staying the same, so he took the next step, trying something physical. He kicked sand up and over you and finally you stirred, sitting straight up and looking around for the source of the sand, and when you saw him your heart dropped, a lump forming in your throat.

“There we go, now you are paying attention.” He snickered.

You tried to read his lips, but he spoke too fast, and you just stayed silent. You cocked your head to the side, eyebrows drawn together in a look of confusion.

You hesitated for a second, but were about to sign something when he spoke again. “Do you not speak? A silent freak, interesting.” You still didn’t understand exactly what he was saying, but his friends all laughed at you, and although you couldn’t hear it it made you feel small.

“I’m sorry. I can not hear you.” You signed, using Metkayina sign language this time.

He scoffed, “I do not believe that. I think you just don’t want us to bother you, but here we are.” He laughed in your face.

“Please use your hands.” You tried to communicate, but they just wouldn’t listen to you.

“No.” He sneered, this you understood, one single word.

Your mouth dropped open, offense written all over it. You knew he was disrespectful, didn’t care about others feelings, but you would make him care, “I can not hear. I am deaf.”

He was about to retort against you again, but when he had been searching for you earlier that day Neteyam knew he meant trouble, so when he found you he stayed in the shadows, watching, but now Ao’nung had taken it too far.

He surged forwards, anger consuming him, “Step off bro. She can’t hear you.”

“Yeah that is what she just said.” He rolled his eyes, “I do not care though, it is better if she can not hear me. Means I can make fun of her without her knowing.” He signed the last part so you could understand.

You shrunk back, standing to hide behind Neteyam. You tugged on his arm, “It’s okay.” You signed.

“It’s not okay, (Y/n).” He rubbed a hand down his face, turning to Ao’nung, “You need to leave her alone.”

“Whatever.” Ao’nung scoffed before turning and walking away.

Now he knew why you seemed to ignore him, you just didn’t know he was talking to you. You were probably avoiding him because you didn’t know their sign language yet. He felt bad for some reason. He usually wouldn’t feel bad about his bullying but with you it felt different now knowing this.

He couldn’t show his feelings though, worried about his little group making fun of him, but he slowly started to back off of you, and your siblings some as well. Whenever one of his “friends” would ask why, he would reply something like “We can not make fun of a cripple.” and roll his eyes, still a jab at you, but less so.

At some point you became all that consumed his thoughts, on his mind at all times, and whenever he would see you with his sister, or your siblings, he would feel the need to insert himself into the conversation, but he always refrained. He wanted to talk to you, to apologize, but he feared judgment from his “friends” who are just as nasty as he was.

Eventually he couldn’t hold it in anymore, heading to your marui to ask to talk with you, in the way you would understand. When he knocked on the doorway of the family home Lo’ak was the first to notice him, glaring at him and nudging Neteyam in the side, directing his attention towards Ao’nung.

Neteyam stood before either of his parents even noticed the boy in the doorway, stalking over to him and dragging him down the pathway so they could talk, “What do you want?” He hissed out.

Ao’nung cleared his throat, but the words still came out small, nervous, “I came to apologize to (Y/n)...”

“No.” Was all Neteyam said before turning away and starting to walk back into the Sully family’s home.

Ao’nung grabbed his arm before he got too far away, “Please. Please let me talk to her.” He begged, something he didn’t like to do, but it was necessary.

Neteyam sighed, “Fine, but if you do anything I will chop your head off myself.” He threatened the boy, “I’ll go get her.”

It wasn’t long before you stepped out of the marui, a frown on your face and hands he could see shaking, “What do you want?” You signed, hands shaking with nerves.

“I came to say sorry.” He started off, “I’m sorry for bullying you, and your siblings. I promise I won’t do it any more.”

“And?” You asked, knowing there was more.

He looked nervous now, hands shaking as he signed, “I wanted to extend the offer of friendship.”

You looked shocked now, “You want to be friends with me?”

He nodded his head, smiling shyly, “Yes. Absolutely.”

You smiled this time, relieved he would be leaving your siblings alone, and excited to learn more about him, about what he was really like under the bad boy shell, “Okay, friend.”

He just nodded at you, “I have to go now. See you at lessons with Tsireya tomorrow?”

“Of course.” You responded.

When you entered the marui again everyone's eyes were on you, a light blush on your face, “I made a friend.” You smiled.

You could see your parents cheering and clapping for you, but your siblings' faces were unsure, you would have to reassure them later but for now you were all having a family night, playing games and handing out things you had made for each other with the new resources you were getting used to using. They were clunky and awkward, but you would get better, it reminded you of something, of someone.

As days passed into weeks you and Ao’nung had grown closer, him pretty much taking over your lessons, stealing you away from Tsireya who was sad to see you go, but happy for her brother for making a friend, a real friend, not one of his goons that tended to hover around him at all times. You had seemingly broken down his bad boy aesthetic and his goons had since left him, moving onto another leader to follow, still as nasty as ever.

You were grateful for him letting his walls down around you, allowing you to see him, and soon you did. You saw him as more than you ever had before. You couldn’t help but think about courting him, of trading little handmade gifts, and sharing little intimate moments of happiness throughout the day.

It seemed as if he wanted the same as he began bringing you gifts, starting as a little armband he made from you out of hard to find shells he had spent many hours trying to find, then it moved onto necklaces and bracelets. Each was more intricate than the last.

When this started you began to bring him things too, poorly made things because using dried seaweed and palm leaves were different from the materials of the jungle, but you managed. Even though they weren’t the best quality he proudly wore them, gladly accepting every gift you would give.

Everyone had noticed by now, the traded jewelry, the touches that lingered a little too long, and the longing looks when you weren’t together. What baffled people most however was not Ao’nung’s seemingly peaceful side coming out, but the fact that neither of you had officially come out and asked if you were courting.

You were courting, you both knew that, but Ao’nung wanted to put it into words, he wanted to make it official, but he felt the need to fix a couple things first, to get a couple blessings.

So he went to the person he thought would be easiest first, your mom. She had seen you two from afar and already had talked to you about it, encouraging you to pursue him and get what you wanted. She had said she was not Tsahík, but Eywa had shown her signs. So when Ao’nung asked she immediately gave him her blessing, knowing this was something not just he wanted, but something you wanted too.

Then he went to your dad. He was a fierce warrior who commanded respect, and Ao’nung tried his best to be respectful, carefully wording his proposal of courting his daughter. Of course Jake had been hesitant at first, but eventually he caved after Ao’nung had mentioned he already had Neytiri’s blessing.

Finally he went to Neteyam, your twin brother, your best friend since birth. Neteyam was adamantly against it, wanting nothing to do with Ao’nung, and wanting his sister to have nothing to do with him either. He was still on the edge of forgiving Ao’nung, swaying over a cliff where falling meant forgiving Ao’nung for his wrong doings, and when Ao’nung explained his love for you, his intentions to never hurt you and treat you with the respect you deserve Neteyam fell over the cliff, giving the Metkayina boy his blessing.

Once he had gotten their blessings he had invited you to the beach where he had first intentionally seeked you out. You were hesitant to go back there with him, but you gave in, trusting him wholeheartedly.

You love him. You trust him. You see him.

When you got there he pulled you to sit down with him, you both facing each other, and he signed, letting his heart out, letting his feelings show, “I am sorry for any times I have hurt you. I was an ass and a fool, and I wish I had never caused you upset or harm. I am sorry for bullying your siblings too, they did not deserve it, but I was scared by the new people and what they would bring. I now see I should have helped like my sister. I should have been making you feel at home here, not doing the opposite.”

“It’s okay. We’re past that.” You reassured him.

He nodded, continuing, “Now I see how special you are. I see how much you’ve changed me and my views on life. I am grateful for the person you have shaped me into. I am grateful I got the chance to make it up to you. I want to court you. Officially.”

You felt your heart swell, butterflies in your stomach, and you were sure it was showing on your face, “I would love that.”

You moved your hands carefully to cup his face, holding it there as you looked into his eyes, hoping he understood how grateful you were for him too, then you pulled him in, lips brushing against each other before they fully made contact. It was magical, unlike anything you had felt before, and you were happy it was him making you feel this way. So happy, so loved.

When you pulled apart he smiled widely at you, grabbing your hands and giving them a gentle but tight squeeze before using them to say, “I see you. I see you.”

You sign your thoughts from earlier, “I love you, I trust you, I see you.”

He doesn’t say anything else, just smiles, and pulls you back in for another kiss, and you feel at peace. You know he is yours, and you are his. You know he will never leave you, and you will never leave him. You know he loves you, and you love him. You know he sees you, and you see him.

Word Bank:

Olo’eyktan (Clan leader)

Kelku (Omatikaya homes)

Metkayina (Ocean Na’vi)

Marui (Metkayina homes)

‘Ite (Daughter)

Awa’atlu (Metkayina village)

Tsahík (Spiritual leader)

Eywa (Na’vi Goddess)

[theirnamesarekiklo]

Cold

Tired and damp, the sweet sweet girl could only hold herself

pairing: !Twin Sister! Reader x Sully Family

a/n: this is kinda like at the end of the movies where the whole battle takes place also this was not corrected at all I literally js pulled this out of my ass 😭 (LITERALLY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LIKES I CANT BELIEVE THIS)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: a lil talk abt suicide, very faint injury desc

⋆★⋆★⋆

Deep pants all around, the only thing on their mind was that they were safe and together. But something deep and churning kept place in Lo’ak’s stomach.

The most common thing between twins in Na’vi culture was that they were more connected than most. They had this special bond that most siblings didn’t obtain. Ever since Lo’ak and his twin sister had been born under the same light, they could feel one-another. They felt each other’s losses, wins, and they especially felt eachother’s heart. So imagine how his heart dropped as soon as he felt alone.

So utterly alone and cold, he felt.

“Dad, where’s y/n?” and everyone’s breath hitched.

— ⋆⋆ —

Gasping for air, she had managed to drag herself on the rough rock, but she couldn’t care less now that she had bigger wounds to tend to. Wheezing out raspy breaths, her shaking hand rested softly on the edge of the blade, the same blade that had pierced her heart. The wound was the biggest one there, despite the bullet hole lodged into her skin.

She wasn’t sure how she felt exactly. Her legs were numb, one of them clearly in no condition to walk with, her face had been covered in dried gore that not even the water could wash off, and her arms were covered in several deep gashes, bruises, and burns. Swallowing the rising blood, she took one more deep breath before her hand gripped the knife, obviously not being enough as the removal was simply worse than the actual wound.

The gruesome scene was surely something, and she was sure that the other guy (who she hadn’t bothered to even learn the name of) had looked worse when she was done with him, but that didn’t stop her from meeting the same fate as he did.

Letting out a scream that truly screamed bloody murder, the girl could only sob and heave and clutch her torn skin that she was sure would get infected if she had even managed to get out of here. What would take her first? Dying of blood loss or dying of infection? Taking a peek at the sky, Her vision was already clouding over. Wincing as she tried getting just a tad bit comfortable on the rock, blood started pooling at the edges of her lips.

Was her older brother okay? She was sure the bullet only grazed him, she took the bullet for him before getting dragged back by the same guy she killed. Most importantly, was her twin brother okay? Was he breathing better than her? Did he carry the same feeling she did at this moment? At this moment, she could recall all the sweet memories she and him shared. They were born together, and she sure was hell glad they didn’t leave the same way, although she wished more than anything that they were right there with her.

Choking out a sob, the girl felt a chill of acceptance run through her. She wouldn’t make it out of this. Even though she was still young and hadn’t completed her Rite of Passage, she knew she was going to die. Curling up into a ball, she felt cold and as if all the thoughts in her head were simply vanishing, the only thing repeating itself were comforting nothings. Clutching at her chest, her slightly parted lips were releasing slow, tiny gasps. Taking one more look at the looming eclipse, she choked back a cry and whispered one last promise to ewya, leaving the world the same way she came into it.

— ⋆⋆ —

“No No No Y/N!”

As the wailing begun, Jake couldn’t help but want to simply shoot himself in the head right now.

Taking one look at her daughter once more, he turned around and crouched down. Taking some shaky gulps of air, he felt as if his world was suddenly closing in on himself. He’s been through this before, only he wasn’t experiencing it directly. Turning his head to take a look at Lo’ak, his heart broke into a million pieces right then and there.

Bringing her hand to his heart, his hands were already covered in her drying blood, trying to gain that silly warmth that everyone felt cover them if they had ever been around her. Whimpering tiny delusions to himself, he couldn’t help but wonder if this was some sick joke or some type of revenge for all the wrong doings he’s caused in his life. Meeting the eyes of his father, he could tell this was taking somewhat of the same toll on him too.

Trying to let out a few words, only a squeak could be heard before he ran his hand over his face and his his face away from the rest of the grieving children. He had let her die cold and alone.

He had let the sweetest person he had possibly ever met, the one who could do no bad, die stuck in her head and fighting. He wasn’t there to comfort her, caress her face as a distraction from the pain, nothing. If only he had been there sooner, if only he hadn’t betrayed Miles, if only he decided to follow the rules. His babygirl was gone, and the only thing he could do was cower and cry into his hand.

Kiri, who was simply sobbing to herself, truly not even there at the moment, held spider’s hand so tight that he was sure she would break it, but he wasn’t paying attention to that as he shed a wave of tears himself. She was one of the first people to truly accept him into their family and made him feel as if he belonged. Tuk, that poor child, tried laying her head on her older sister’s chest, trying to find a heartbeat, something, to prove that she wasnt really gone forever.

Neytiri, at this point blubbering thing to herself, only calmed down as she took in the peaceful expression on her daughter’s features. She had always been calm, but sometimes the way shadows hit her face showed nothing but a mask. Her eyebrows were always a little tense, but now they rested easily. Her baby, My baby, she thought, was gone. Bringing her face closer to hers, she laid her other hand right onto her cheek. They’ve held each-other like this many times, and to believe that this would be the last was a punch to the gut.

Tsireya, who was weeping right next to Lo’ak, couldn’t help but remember how sweet she was. She had a heart for many, even her brother, who had gone to extreme measures to simply make sure that they hadn’t felt welcome. She recalled the funny and heartwarming, sometimes sad memories that her twin had shared with her, and that only brought more tears to her eyes.

— ⋆⋆ —

The clan was silent.

Both y/n’s ilu and ikran had gone wild, suddenly scurrying off but not without a tiny fight with a few of the men, trying to keep them stable.

Ao’nung, who had seen the whole thing go down, was sure of his reason as to why these things were happening, but he didn’t want to believe himself. He was cruel, desperate to relive himself of these feelings he felt around the doe-eyed girl. Now, as he stood there, rigid and hardly breathing, let out a gasp as he could see a group in the distance.

As people started whispering, they were cut short as his mother let out a tiny noise at the sight of them. Peeking around a shoulder, he felt his heart drop down to his stomach. She was there, only not in the condition he hoped and prayed for. She was limp, pale, and completely rid of life as her father carried her in his arms, obviously not ready to accept the fact that she was dead.

Huffing out a “no”, he ran off, shoving people out of his way as his parents focused more on the sobbing daughter that was shown possibly the first heartbreak she had ever experienced. Her oldest brother didn’t know. How would he possibly react to the news that the girl he promised to protect since the moment she was born, was gone?

—…

[dreamwritersworld]

His daughter (sully family x reader)

It was rare for Navi’s to have twins. So with Neytiri’s pregnancy with Lo’ak and Y/n it was safe until it wasn’t, she had almost lost Y/n in her womb. It would’ve left Lo’ak by himself, the rest of Neytiri’s pregnancy was the worst. She knew her baby girl was going to be born weak, so when they pulled her out of Neytiri’s womb it was like they were taking the life right out of her. Neytiri immediately went to grab her, longing for her daughter’s heart beat. Compared to Lo’aks body Y/n was small and fragile..from then on the connection with their daughter was strong, they needed to be in order to keep her alive.

So from then on Y/n was Jake’s baby girl, his precious daughter. It should be noted that she was Lo’aks twin and was raised along side him and Kiri.

Of course as any child would, Lo’ak and Kiri had selective hearing when it came to their father and his many rules growing up. However, Y/n listened. She was the only one out of all three who truly cared about her fathers opinion. In the eyes of the clan Y/n was Jake’s golden heart.

*

“Mhm and Ooo! What is this papa?”

The child had wobbled to her mothers chain of flower, she had planned to surprise the girls with.

“ahhh, that my little one is not for you!”

“…are you sure papa? It looks nice on me.”

Y/n twirled around with the flower crown, smiling with glee and grace.

“It does!! But your mother would kill me if she found out I let you-“

Neytiri had walked through the home before he could even finish his sentence

“Ma’Jake?! You were supposed to hide it!”

“She got a hold of it!”

“It looks amazing mama-”

While spinning however, Y/n fell to the floor and both parents looked at her in disbelief. They froze for a moment waiting for the cry’s to begin..but they never did. Y/n just laughed at herself and laughed at her parents for worrying more than she had. Jake’s smile couldn’t hide, he knew that Y/n was strong and he loved that about her.

*

The only issue with Y/n was that she wore her heart on her sleeve. She loved to love everything in site, and she often gave people the benefit of the doubt. Jake saw that, and he trained her very well. He had her perfected and established to be a role model for the clan. Despite all his efforts, y/n didn’t find it in her heart to view the world as he did. So, he kept a watch fall eye on her to keep her safe, and Y/n was never allowed anywhere without someone around.

*

“I’m going around the village! By-“

“Nope! Not without your sister!”

Y/n had tried her hardest to remain patient with her father, settling on not saying anything and instead holding her frustration in. All she desperately wanted was time to herself; she was exhausted from spending time with everyone.

*

In many ways Y/n knew how to capture anyone’s eye. She was the most vibrant out of all siblings. All siblings remained close, but they had never gotten to the point where they would speak about..the cracks within their house..

*

Jake had been furious that he found both of his sons wondering around the forest, with no care in the world.

“Lo’ak are you stupid?! You were given orders! Stay away from those areas of the forest!..and you! Neteyam how many times do I have to tell you to keep an eye on your siblings!”

Both boys would blink their tears away..

*

It wasn’t just them..

*

Y/n had been eating her dinner alongside her family when an elder adult approached her. They had instructed her to fix something, in an aggressive tone; almost as though they were demanding it be done now. For once, Y/n retaliated gently, slightly annoyed that she was constantly interrupted when she was trying to connect and eat like the rest of the clan.

“Im sorry, can it wait till im done eating? then I’ll be happy to do it! thank you.”

The elder had gotten annoyed because it was the first time, Y/n declined aiding. The women had walked away in a rush, upset at the girl.

The siblings quickly exchanged confused faces about the situation before leaping back into their conversation but Jake couldn’t shake off the emotions he was feeling about Y/n denying the women.

“..that was rude why did you treat her like that?”

Y/n looked at her father with a questionable look..

“She was rude first.”

“So? She is an elder..”

“I said I would get it done later sir, im eating like the rest of you. She can wait.”

“Y/n that is not the behavior you should be having towards the clan.”

The pair had went back and forth in hushed voice as the rest of the family watched.

“..why is it that she can toss orders at me and you can be completely fine with it?”

“Y/n you can’t be talking back to me-“

“Can our daughter not eat in peace Jake? Please can the both of you be quiet.”

The pair turned to Neytiri and all Y/n could do was pass a gentle smile at her mother, glad she had stepped in. It was very rare that Neytiri ever did. Both Y/n and Jake were so used to getting what they wanted, that the pair would often clash heads…

*

The arguments didn’t start until Y/n got older. She had gotten so eager to finally go out by herself and be more independent. That’s just the person Y/n was, she was willing to take risks and adventure. Funny enough Lo’ak was the same, yet he got away with majority of the things he did because it was expected of him. Y/n always had to come back home looking the same as she did before she left. Not a hair or seam in her outfit out of place, if Jake knew she did anything he wouldn’t approve of he’d be furious.

To Y/n , that was the most frustrating thing of all. Everyone of her siblings would be able to go out, except her. She had hated it, she always felt watched. When the people came up to her she felt as though she couldn’t truly connect, she was absolutely terrified of the things they’d tell her father if she did.

For her father’s approval, Y/n conquered more than you can imagine. She had more talent in her body at her young age than any male soldier.

You can only imagine how eager Jake was to leave the forest. His sacred children were held at gunpoint, what more of a signal could there be as a warning to go?

So the family left their home; tears fell from everyone’s eyes as they were now torn away from their friends and families. Y/n eventually grew with excitement and encouraged the rest of her siblings to feel the same, she knew something good was coming. Eywa was going to treat them to a reset button.

When they arrived on the island Y/n stood tall and confident. The clan looked at them with the most disgusted faces, confused as to why they were there and what they’d be asking for..

Time had passed and when Ronal got to Y/n, she didn’t hesitate to poke at her body. She had no shame in Critiquing it, in-front of her people…

“This child! She won’t last-“

Neytiri hissed, frustrated at Ronal for even implying that. Jake had told her to calm down, yet again putting his foot down.

“Do you think this is what we want here? Your children’s bodies won’t survive in our ocean, their demon blood runs thick..”

Ronal continued by picking at Kiri and Lo’ak next.. degraded was an understatement of how Y/n felt. She looked at the crowd furiously, until her eyes settled on a boy who had just came onto shore. He had teased her siblings here and there before meeting her eyes.

Ao’nung could feel the madness within her eyes, how fragile and frightened this experience was for her. Those eyes told everything. He had made the abrupt choice to put the teasing to an end, deciding it wasn’t worth it. Nothing could perfectly describe the way Ao’nung viewed Y/n , she was breathtaking to him. Different than the rest of the Navi’s but comforting.

When he was walking them to their Mauri he had gotten quiet, glancing at her the entire walk. She looks so comfortable in her skin, confident even! But when you took one look at her eyes it was like they captivated you and told you her life’s story. He was so interested in her background..

Y/n had remained quiet the rest of the night, she was excited before but now…the anxiety and sadness settled in. She missed the forest, she missed home. Y/n missed it so much that she regretted being at least a little excited, she threw herself to go back to grieving. All her siblings seemed eager to learn, but she knew that if she didn’t get any of it right or if her father didn’t think she was trying hard enough he’d made her relearn to all over and over again.

So there she was, picking at her food…fighting the tears. In that moment she realized she pushed those excited emotions on herself, at home she had a role to withold and the people were always so eager to speak to her. Maybe she took it for granted sometimes but, she would always take the time to say hello and ask how everyone’s day was.

“Y/n? Y/n? Y/n!”

She had been pulled out of her transit once again.

“Yes?”

“I know it’s hard. But we can’t sit at the table with upset faces. When you’re out there? You smile. When they don’t smile back? You smile. Even when They’re not here you must smile. they cannot know you have a distasteful thought while being here.”

She was mad. Mad that he was still holding his guard up. Upset that he had managed to order her around even when he wasn’t trying to. Frustrated that he couldn’t see that they should be allowed to grieve the loss of their home. Neither of them realized how exhausted and how easily irritated both of them could get after the amount of traveling they did.

“No ones here except family-“

“So? Your siblings feel your emotions! You’re making everyone upset.”

“How is that my fault? I’ve been trying-“

“Well try harder! Cause that face isn’t showing it.”

Those furious tears fell from her eyes as she stared at her father. He wanted to control everywhere she went, and now he wanted to control her emotions.

“..Well you can’t go around acting like that either..”

“Don’t cry now Y/n.”

“Yup, that’s me being dramatic. Once again, father knows everything!”

“I know everything! Because I do everything.”

Y/n got up from her spot and walked away from her meal, exhausted from her father. She was beginning to get the strength to just forget pleasing him. Y/n no longer wanted to be her father’s golden child, it had gotten so bad he’d even describe her as a burnt out star..

Even when it was visible Y/n no longer wanted to argue, Jake kept pushing and he followed her as she attempted to walk away.

“..cause you don’t let me do anything! I could help more if you just let me go!”

Neytiri gasped, fear reaping right out of her. What she feared was true, Y/n did notice how tight Jake held onto her, and she felt suffocated. The true truth was right between her words.

“Please the both of you are just tired, finish eating.”

“No Neytiri. I’m tired of this behavior. Y/n! With the way you’re acting, you are doing the opposite of help!”

Neteyam grew accustomed to taking the siblings out the room when anyone was arguing with father, he knew because it’s what he would’ve wanted. The most harshest punishments come from their father.

“I’m doing the best I can! What else do you want from me?!”

“I want you to be better! And to maybe spend some time thinking about how you’re effecting this family! I can’t keep arguing with you! This year has been a wreak! And it started with you, constantly acting out. You don’t get to be sad when you became reckless with the clan when they needed you.!”

Y/n started at her father for a brief moment, she gave her heart a moment to break. The clan meant everything to Y/n and yes, sometimes recently she had denied their demands to stay late and aid within their homes simply because everyone has their moment when they were tired of everything. The face of betrayal came across her face once again..

“…you may tell me how to shoot a gun, or train or who I get to hang out with, but you don’t tell me how to grieve my home and clan! I’m done with this conversation.”

“Oh!! Now I get it, this is about your training, that you fell down from!”

“Oh my goodness! This has nothing to do with my capabilities! But since we’re on the subject just because I mess up with small details, doesn’t mean that I won’t succeed in life! You do not get to tell me that!”

“I get to tell you all of it! Because I made you! Remember that Y/n!”

“Yea dad…you made me..okay..that’s fine..”

Neytiri wanted to cry at seeing her daughter’s shoulder weaken, her posture fall with her tears, and her hair detach from her scalp once again since she had run her hand through it. The volume in her voice got low and cracked, her daughter had accepted defeat in Jakes argument.

The siblings walked back in and watched Y/n walk into a dark corner of the Maui, turning her back to her family..

They sat there and didn’t bat a word at Jake, simply gotten used to his behavior and treatment of Y/n. They didn’t believe he was right for it, but what can you do when you know she’s at least fighting for herself? All siblings and mother accepted that she would never change.

Y/n laid there weeping silently, allowing her body to fall into a deep rest she needed badly.

!💗!

HEYYYY HOPE YOU LIKED IT MWAH!!!

@venomsvl

[nelissecrectplace]

Refuge

part 1 | next

aonung x !Sully! reader.

Word count: 4.7k

Language: Tsahík- spiritual leader of the clan, Skxáwng - idiot

description: Your family seeks refuge with the Metkayina clan. You are met with a boy that takes your breath away but you did not know the sadist that lived under those eyes. He was cruel and mean too your sibling and you so why did your heart still beat for him? Why is he more gentle when it comes too you?

Exhaustion, the only word to describe how you felt after the days of traveling to the reefs clans home. You payed no mind to the na’vi’s gathering around as you landed your ikran. Hopping off all you felt was a overwhelming uncomfortable feeling as the sand seemed to burn your feet and the suns fire danced across your body. There were no trees to hide yourself no soft grass to calm the ache of your feet as the grains of sand seemed to be on fire. The heat was unbearable and it only seemed to get more suffocating as the crowd around you thickened.

Your father approached with his hands up showing you meant no hard as he approached the people. You lazily followed behind him feeling discouraged and weak from your travels. Kiri seeming to notice your state took your hand in hers giving it a comfortable squeeze. She led you to stand behind your parents, being a good big sister and guiding you. Lo’ak and Neteyam were right next to them allowing the strange Na’vi to examine them. You could not understand how your older brothers were always so bold never lacking confidence. It was funny because Lo’ak was born just a few minutes ahead of you but the two of you could not be anymore different.

Suddenly the crowd parted as a clearly entitled na’vi made his was to the front. His eyes seemed to burn into your family as he scanned you all. You did not miss how he ignored your brothers greeting simply staring through them as if they were not even there. Normally you would feel offended but you could not seem to process the boys disrespect as you eyes scanned his body. He was not like the Omaticaya warriors you were use too seeing, he had a strong large build with a tatoo from his neck to bicep. A feeling of desire swirled in your belly as you took him , Eywa he was beautiful.

Seeming to notice your state his menacing ocean eyes met yours. He scanned your body as if he was taking in every detail. You had not realized you were holding your breath until his gaze tore away from you as he turned to talk to a shorter na’vi. A snickers left his lips as he turned back to you and your sister motioning to your tails. Suddenly your stomach dropped as embarrassment took over, hiding next to kiri you attempted to shield yourself from their gazes. Their laughing did not last long though as a beautiful na’vi hit them both as she whispered a scolding you could not hear.

Looking to your brother you saw him take her in with a awestruck gaze. You could not help but giggle at Lo’ak obviousness as you watch him, god your twin was such an skxáwng. The Amused feeling soon vanished as the chief made a grand display announcing his arrival. Nerves took over as your father conversed with the chief and your mother and the Tsahík butted heads. Suddenly the intimidating woman was making strides towards you and kiri and every bone in your body told you too flee as you tensed.

“Look at these tails they will be useless in the water!” Grabbing your tail harshly she examined it with her hands almost as if making a point. Letting out a faint cry of pain you were quick to take your tail back an annoyed expression painted on your face. The woman paid no mind as she continue to rudely take your sisters and Lo’aks hand and lift them in the air.

“They have demon blood!” Voice accusatory she embarrassed your sibling. You felt your blood boil as you watched her, how dare she! A hiss escaped your lips as you stared at the woman fury in your eyes but your father was quick to take the attention away from your act of disrespect. He displayed his hand countering her point and leaving her silent. The woman made her way back to her husbands side and as if they were communicating with their eyes they looked to each-other. You wished they did not grant you uturu after that dehumanizing display but your father seemed please with the outcome. All you felt was sadness weigh down your heart, wishing you were home.

“My daughter Tsireya and my son Ao’nung will teach your kids the way of are people.” At the news the young girl seemed to light up her smile lightning your mood slightly. Her excitement was contagious you could not deny that. The boy with the ocean eyes did not seem as please as words of defilement left his lips but he was quickly shut down. You could not deny that you were slightly exited to have such an attractive teacher, especially if you had to go through an iknimaya again. It felt foolish going through a rite of passage at 18 but you must learn the way of these people.

Tsireya was full of joy as she helped you take your stuff to your pod. You felt a slight comfort watching her prance along. Though your amusement did not last long as your arms seemed to scream at the weight of your load, arms slightly shaking. You moved slower than the others with similar loads to you but you were the only one who seems to struggle. Strength had never been your fortes, you became a warrior because of your speed definitely not raw strength, unlike your brothers.

“Your flimsy arms can’t even hold such a small load.” You felt a blush cascade over your face as his ocean eyes pierced yours. The boy you knew as Ao’nung had a smirk plastered across his face as he looked back at you clearly amused by your struggling.

“I-I am fine” The lie left your lips in a tone filled with struggle. You felt embarrassed that his first impression of you was a weak na’vi who could not even haul her load. The man only shot you an unimpressed look as he walked towards you. Ao’nung only shot you a glare that made your stomach flip nervously as he lightened your load, taking a few things from your grasp. A sigh of relief left your lips as you slightly jogged to catch up the na’vi already a few strides ahead of you.

“Thank you!” A smile threatened to breach your lips as you looked at the boy.

“Don’t think much of it forest girl, I do not like you freaks in my village.” As his words hit your ears you felt your ears droop. The temporary happiness quickly vanished as you were at a lost for words gaze casted away. What a great start to your life in the clan….

It had been 2 days since your arrival and today was to be the first training in the Metkayina way. You were suppose to meet Roxto Tsireya and Ao’nung near the ilu saddles. You were filled with excitement as you walked next to Lo’ak to the locations as Kiri and Neteyam led, Tuk had her own personal tutor due to being 12 years she would not need to learn some of the things her older siblings were. You had no fears for your little sister as you anticipated your own lessons, hoping to feel a little less useless in these foreign lands.

“God, your excitement is gonna make me puke.” Slightly pushing you Lo’ak rolled his eyes playfully.

“Don’t act as if you are not filled with joy to see the chiefs daughter!” Teasing your twin you pinched his cheek as he hissed.

“As if I have not seen you eyeing the future chief.”

“How-”

“I am your twin y/n we are different but I know you as if you are myself.”

A blushed painted your cheeks as you avoided your brothers knowing gaze. You knew twin telepathy was a myth but moments like these you felt as if the boy could read your mind.

“Whatever.” Quickening your pase you caught up with Neteyam and Kiri hoping to join their conversation to avoid Lo’aks teasing. Your twin only laughed at your actions jogging to catch up too the three of you. Kiri and Neteyam shot the both of you a questioning look but payed no mind as they approached a waiting Tsireya.

“Oh, good morning! I have been waiting, the boys are already in the water.” After a short sweet greeting the girl ushered the 4 of you into the water. She dived in so gracefully it left you slightly taken aback. How could someone be so effortlessly perfect?

Lo’ak who wore a similar expression wasted no time to jump in with Neteyam. The two boys made whoops as they splashed in the water, it was an ungraceful sight compared to Tsireyas display. Slightly hesitant you looked to kiri for reassurance and your older sister gave you just that. Taking your hand in hers you both walked to the edge launching yourself into the water.

As the water calmed around you your eyes prided opened taking in your surrounding. If you were not underwater the sight itself would have taken your breath away, it was beautiful. Kiri, who also seemed entranced by the beauty shared your look of awe. You did not bother to stop your sister as she wandered away knowing the girls entrancement with wild life, you simply followed your brothers in front of you. You took the chance they went up for air to call too then allowing them to stop and wait for you.

“Hurry y/n these guys are fast as hell!” Lo’aks voice called out as he grabbed your arm pulling you towards them. Neteyam had his face in the water watching the na’vi below you.

“They are doing weird signs but I think they want us to follow.” Neteyam informed you as he took a deep breath and dove back in. You felt a wave of dread as he did so feeling your lungs already burn. Resentfully you took a deep breath and followed the boys, but it was no hope as the Metkayina were far too fast and could hold their breath for much longer. Before you knew it the three of you were back at the surface gasping for breath.

“I-I can not” You spat out between breath as you looked at you brother. They shot you a sympathetic look before the other breached the water next to you.

“You are not good divers, maybe good at swinging through trees-” Interrupting her brothers rude comment Tsireya smacked him on his head. You could not help but let a weak giggle out in between your struggle to catch your breath.

“We do not understand this finger talk.” Said Neteyam.

“We will teach you.” Tsireya said in a calm voice as she looked at each one of you. You caught Ao’nung rolling his eyes in the back, it was no doubt that he was not happy to be lumped in.

“Where is kiri?” Suddenly the boy Roxto asked as he looked around the group.

“She is near where we dove in.”

“We’ll then let’s head there, you guys need breathing practice” With a giggle Tsireya dove back into the water leading the way. A full body sigh left you lips, knowing you would have to go under again.

“Don’t drown on the way back forest girl.” You felt hot breath on your neck as the familiar voice of Ao’nung spoke so close to you. Goosebumps seemed to rise on your skin where his breath touched. You had no words to say as you turned to look at the ocean blue eyes that were soon torn away from your gaze as he dove under.

“Skxáwng!”

𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅

After what seemed like hours of swimming you made it back too shore. Your stamina was far from small yet you felt a slight drowsiness overtake you as you walked onto the beach. It was almost as if your lungs were tired, a feeling you had not felt before. You were most grateful that your new activity did not include holding your breath but learning to breath. You would be lying if you said you did not find Tsireyas explanation confusing, weren’t you breathing right now?

It seemed as though Lo’ak shared your confusion because as the lesson progressed the two of you seemed to be the only ones not getting it. It did not help that Tsireya flirtatiously placed her hand on Lo’aks stomach sending the poor na’vi even more off course than before. A slight laugh left your lips at your twins reaction finding his flustered state amusing.

“Do not laugh when you are not doing any better” Cutting your amusement short that annoyingly smooth voice entered your ears. His tone was laced with annoyance as he poked at you.

“Yet I do not see you being of any help.” a sarcastic smile painted your face as you turned too meet his eyes.

“Do not blame me for your lack of skill.”Suddenly Ao’nung’s voice darken in a way as his eyes scanned your form. This caught the attention of Neteyam, offended for a reason you could not understand.

“Watch how you talk too my sister.” Neteyam was quick too jump in his voice stern as Lo’ak was peering from behind him.

“Woah, woah, woah let’s calm down a bit.” Tsireya jumped between the two males with a nervous smile on her face.

“Let’s separate into small groups, keep things peaceful and help the ones struggling!” Clapping her hands together the girl looked around with a hopeful look. The group muttered an agreement as Tsireya was quick to separate na’vi into groups of three. Of course you were stuck with Ao’nung while the others were spread between Rotxo and Tsireya.

“We shall separate for more focus, teach some signs too them as well!” Scoffing Ao’nung turned away from his sister and began to walk away. Tsireya motioned for you to follow the grouchy man and you did just that. Dragging your feet behind the taller na’vi you felt your mood sour at his obvious attitude.

No words left his lips as you were left staring at his back. In your opinion he was blessed with a very nice back. You could see bits off his tattoo from his neck at the top of his shoulder and it was obvious that he was a warrior. His frame was strong and hard most likely the result of his training and endless hours of swimming. It was almost as if you were in a trance as you admired him from behind caught up in the way his muscles slightly moved as his defined arms swayed at his sides.

Abruptly stopping your brain did not have any time to process until you slammed into the na’vi, a slight gasp left your lips at the impact. In attempt to back up you stumbled on your own feet landing swiftly on the ground. A slight groan left your lips as you made contact with the sand. You had no time to catch your breath before ao’nung was turned around, wearing an amused expression as he looked at you.

“Try too pay some attention forest girl.” It was now Ao’nungs turn to wear a sarcastic smile as his eyes looked over your fallen form. Embarrassed, you quickly rose dusting the sand off your backside. You avoided his judging eyes as you placed yourself on the rock you assumed was going too be the place he would teach you.

“Hmm no words now?” Cocking his head too the side he worn his signature smirk, placing himself in front of you. You felt your heart best against your ribs as his eyes bore into you.

“I am sorry.” Avoiding his gaze you whispered a response. A purple hue painted across your face. A light chuckle met your ears as his eyes stayed glued too your face.

“Let’s start with signing than, if you even can with… those fingers.”

Casting your gaze too your four finger hands you subconsciously laced them together. Tucking your pinky finger in you felt slight shame. Your gaze did not move from your lap.

Slightly annoyed by your unmoving eyes Ao’nung reached for your face. His finger rested under your chin bringing your eyes too his. He wore a satisfied expression as his eyes bore into yours.

“Eyes on me forest girl.”

Your efforts too push down the rising feelings for the ocean boy seemed fruitless. Every attempt to gaslight yourself seemed futile because as soon as his eyes met yours the butterflies ragged in your stomach. It did not seem to matter how much insults he threw at you, if anything it got you even more hooked. He would say mean words but his actions did not match his tone as he would gently guide you into the correct position or take you away from the group too help you out.

Although his sweet behaviors did not extend too your siblings. Ao’nung was often cut throat and mean too them. It made you conflicted and sad. You did not wish too feel these things for someone who was cruel too your twin, too your older siblings. Thank Eywa Tsireya was there to intervene most of the time. She was even the one too teach you how to stay on an ilu. She had insisted on teaching you and Kiri hoping that her brother would warm up too the sully boys after teaching them too ride.

Her hopes did not get her very far as Ao’nung was a stubborn man, his high rank did not help his attitude. He taught your brother too ride masterfully but he was not gentle in his teachings. He argued that it was obviously effective as you could only ride bear back, helpless in a saddled ilu. It made you embarrassed that he brought up your lack of skill in front of the others.

You were quick to shy away from their gazes picking at your hands. Kiri had been a natural at almost everything they had throw at her while you were the opposite. Even Lo’ak caught onto things faster than you! It was clear that your skills did not lie in the water. On the other hand Ao’nungs mood over the weeks only seemed to get worse as he was always stuck with your brothers.

After what Ao’nung would describe as a horrid day he was preparing too hunt with his friend. Tsireya had released you and kiri early as the lesson on healing was rather short due too your guys prior knowledge. You had gone too pick the two of you some fruit, and on the way back you were met with a dreadful sight. Ao’nung was obviously harassing your sister as his friend surrounded her, snickering at Ao’nungs action and words. It made your blood boil as he grabbed for her hands, Kiri obviously uncomfortable and trying too get away.

You had never been the confrontational type but your normal timid personality seemed thrown out the window as you rushed towards you sister. The basket of fruit was long forgotten as your legs carried you too her at record speed. Throwing the fruit in your hand at the taller na’vi a hiss breached your lips as you shoved him with your momentum. The force made Ao’nung and you stumble back slightly.

“Do not touch my sister!”

Ao’nung ears perked up as a smirk plastered on his face at your tone. He was use too a relatively quite y/n. Sometimes you would insult him back but other than that you were quite and flustered during your interactions with him. He had never seemed too be able to hit a nerve like he did with your other siblings and he felt a foreign feeling as you looked at him with fury in your yellow eyes.

“Another four fingered freak enters the scene!”

A series of chuckles were heard as his freakish looking friends giggle around you. Kiri only glared at the boy as she stood beside you. Pushing down the slight fear you felt you hissed at the taller na’vi slowly getting into a defensive position.

“Y/n do not do anything stupid.” Kiri whispered her worried tone filling your ears.

“The only freaks I see here are you and your mutated friends!”

A flash of an emotion you could not decipher ran through Ao’nungs eyes as he was quick to grab your hand holding it up so high you had to rise too your tipi toes. A slight groan left your lips as your body stretched out. Threatened kiri was quick too bite Ao’nung. Using his moment of surprise you planted your feet on the ground flipping the much bigger na’vi over your body.

A laugh left the girl lips as you positioned yourself on the na’vi trying your best to keep his arms down. His little friends were now quite, shocked that two forest girls could bring such a big na’vi down.

“I love a woman who can take control.”

Ao’nungs eyes looked into yours. He seemed exited by your new aggression as he fought you for dominance. Feeling oddly uncomfortable by the scene Kiri was quick too usher Ao’nungs lackeys away flashing them her red teeth. Although she would usually stay and aid you in anyway possible she knew it was not her place as a woodspirte danced around the two of you. Of course that jackass has to be the one Eywa chose for you. Slipping away she allowed the scene too unfold as she went too search for her brother, intending too inform them of the recent events.

You did not even notice Kiri slipping away as Ao’nungs hands broke free. He now had you in control grabbing your wrist and placing them together in one of his hands. There was no doubt that he was much bigger than most Omaticaya men as both your wrist could be held in one hand of his. His grip was firm but not painful as he waited for your struggle too stop, than soon let go. Suddenly you felt flushed at your position, legs straddling his waist as his now free hands made its way too your hips.

Ao’nung lifted his torso up easily as if there was not a whole na’vi on top of him. Sliding down into his lap you felt your breath catch in your throat. A purr of satisfaction ran through Ao’nungs chest as he dropped his hands too your legs seeming too admire you.

“You freaks are quite light.” As the words were processed in your brain it was almost as if you were knocked out of a trance. Your body flinched away from his touch. Seeming to get the message Ao’nung was quick to remove his hands from you. You felt a storm of mixed feelings as you looked at the man not knowing how too react. You felt anger at his action yet your heart felt light as the ghost of his touch still lingered.

“Yet you seem quite comfortable at this freaks proximity.” The words came out in a sneer as you glared at Ao’nung. You had decided you would be angry at him, he was wrong to gang up on Kiri and what type of sister what kind of sister would you be too just forgive him because he was gentle with you.

“It was nice to finally get a rise out of you.” His signature smirk plastered across his face made you hiss in dissatisfaction. Shoving his chest you glared at the man about to rise too your feet before firm hands held you down.

“I meant no serious harm.”

“Your a dick! Let me go!” Raising your voice Ao’nungs eyes seemed too soften but before he could make any moves your arm was grabbed as his upper body was pushed into the ground. A hiss left the Metkayina throat as he was quick too rise too his feet.

“Don’t you ever touch my sister again fish lips!” Lo’aks aggressive voice rang through your ears as you looked at your twin. His grip on your arm was firm as his tail whipped in aggression. Ao’nung seemed to mirror his body language not willing too back down.

“Lo’ak it’s ok I had it under control!” Placing a hand on your brothers chest you attempted to calm him down. His cat like eyes pierced your as his gaze softened.

“Yeah your sister loves throwing herself at me.”

Shocked you looked at Ao’nung who’s eyes were not on you. He was obviously trying to get Lo’ak too snap and just that happened. Tearing himself away from you he stomped over too the boy.

“Bitch!”

THWACK

𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅𓂅

The thoughts of the day crashed over you in waves as you sat on a rock. The waves were not far from your figure as you were lost in thought. An immense guilt filled you at the fact that Lo’ak had been punished for something you considered your fault. You hated seeing your brother scolded it filled you with an unbearable sadness, but that was not the only thing that troubled your mind. Ao’nungs words did not seem to leave you as you rethought all of your interaction. Did he see you as a desperate? Were you just another one of his sick twisted games? Did the light touches, extra attention, and looks mean nothing?

You felt like a idiot. Such a stupid, stupid girl. Brining your knees too your chest you couldn’t help the hot tears from breaching your eyes. You were such a fool, for even thinking there was something there. You felt so stupid for allowing yourself too fall for the boy. For the way the water dripped from his curls, his stupid laughs, his dumb smug smirk that seemed to always be plastered in his face. You hated the way he touched you as if you were a delicate flower, how he would tease you and make your stomach swirl, and how your heart would jump every time your eyes met.

Feeling cold water against your feet you tore your head away from your knees. Looking up ocean eyes stared down at you with an unreadable look. Shock filled your features as you were quick to wipe away your tears trying too hide the evidence of your sorrows.

“Y/n” Your name rolled off his tongue smoothly. Ao’nung eyes softened as he scanned your form. Placing himself next too you eyes never leaving your body.

“Why are you here Ao’nung.” Your voice came out raspy as you stared at the ocean, gaze unwavering. It was obvious that you had been crying.

“I just wanted to check on you, didn’t see you at the dinner.”

You almost scoffed as the words left his mouth. Worrying after harassing you and your family all day? Could someone be anymore bipolar. “I have no words for you. I would not wish for anyone too think i’m throwing myself at you.” Although you intended for the words to come out in a harsh tone they left your lips laced in a pain Ao’nung could not decipher.

“I said I meant no harm-” Aggressively rising too your feet you cut the boy off. Your eyes filled with pain and anger as you stared at the Metkayina. “It does not matter what you intended it matters what it did too my family, to me!” Vision blurring from your tears you did not even know the Metkayina stood in front of you until his rough hands were placed on your cheeks. You felt his course thumb rub under your eyes wiping the tears away. You hated the way your heart leaped at the action, craving more of his touch.

Forcing his hands away from your face you shoved them away. “I will not be one of your games Ao’nung! Leave my family alone.” The last part came out barley above a whisper as you turned away from the man. Ignoring the ache of your heart and yearning of your body you stomped away from him tears running down your face in waves.

Watching you retreating from with his ears back and heart sunk Ao’nung thought over his actions. A slight guilt built up at the sight of your tears, tears he had caused. As your form disappeared from his sight Ao’nung knew he fucked up bad. He had lost his favorite forest girl.

a/n: I love love love Ao’nung🤭

this will probably be a 2 shot thing but let’s see where it goes

[wheneclipsefalls]

Grovel Part 3

Pairing: Aged up Lo'ak x Fem Omatikaya Reader

Grovel Masterlist

Warnings: aged up characters, past cheating, angst, mentions of blood, trauma, nightmares, description of injuries and death, war flashbacks, fear, swearing, drinking, etc.

Summary: Lo'ak is everywhere all at once.

A/N: Sooo...a little unsure about how the writing quality of this turned out but I hope you enjoy anyways. oh also I really don't know how or why I made this chapter so long haha

“And that speech…” Talu paused to give a wistful sigh. Words were not necessary to convey how romantic she thought Lo’ak’s courting proposal was. “Sister I can only hope for the same from Neteyam soon.” The sparkling grin she threw your way proved to be anything but envious, cheeks tinting into a happy shade. 

Your own returned smile was mediocre at best, fingers still running over the mysterious pieces of your new top. No, of your new courting gift. That would never stop feeling strange, especially knowing it had come from a man that you had written off as a memory so long ago. If Talu sensed your apprehension, she didn’t show it. Nothing could stop her giddy babbling as she went about straightening your shared kelku. 

“I admit, I would not have guessed Lo’ak to be the first of the two to profess such feelings but then again this is my sister we are talking about.” Her eyes shined with pure admiration and love. “He would be a true skxawng to not tuck away his childish hesitations in favor of chasing such a gem.” 

“Talu-” You go to reprimand her dramatics but it falls on deaf ears. 

“And just think, with any luck our matings could coincide and then before you know it our children will be learning to hunt together. We could even create a connected kelku. I’ve seen a few families do it before!”

“Is that not a little much?”

Talu squealed, feet kicking like a small child. It was hard to cut off such ramblings when she was in this state. So truly disconnected from the judgments of others, letting her joy flow from her without reserve. 

“It is like becoming sisters all over again. Double sisters even. Or…” She paused thoughtfully. “However you say it.” 

“I don’t think there is such a term.” You muttered, tucking away the healing ointments into a basket. That sparkling top still lay across the floor of the marui. It had no place in your home, or at least you didn’t know where it would be. Even heaped across the floor it felt far too grand in this humble abode. 

“How have you not tried it on?” Talu gasped, kneeling down to carefully collect the garment as if handling a rare gem. “Go on! It will look dazzling on you, I know it!” 

You reared back, fingers twirling nervously away from where she offered it to you. 

“I don’t know if I will.” 

“Why not?” Talu’s head tilted to the side, tail dashing back and forth in anticipation. “Don’t worry about breaking it. I can help you get it on carefully.” 

A small smile curved at her kind invitation but you no longer knew how else to respond to her new enthusiasm. You had no interest in explaining and consequently reliving the events of you and Lo’ak’s history but neither did you want her fantasy of your twinned mating to blow out of proportion. 

“What I mean is I don’t know if I will wear it at all. Lo’ak’s courting…well…I don’t think I will accept.” 

Her ears dropped immediately, eyes widening as her tail came to a halt. Talu didn’t wait for an explanation. 

“I do not understand. Was his presentation not…sufficient?” 

You were shaking her head before she even finished. Scrambling back down to your knees to meet her at eye level. 

“No, of course it was but…I am not sure whether or not I would like to accept his courting in general. Lo’ak can be very…” You paused, searching for the right words that would get her desperate attention off of you while properly masking the past. “Annoying,” you finished lamely.

“Annoying?!” A laugh of disbelief coated the word. Her tail swooped up slightly and a spark of hope surfaced again. “By Eywa, what are you talking about?”

You knew it was the wrong choice of words the second they left your mouth. Hoping to conceal your heated blush you hastened back into straightening the room. 

“What do you mean by that?” She rephrased.

“Well Lo’ak has always been a little headstrong and…loud…and….oh he always called me names and pulled at my tail-”

It was difficult to continue now with Talu’s rampant giggling filling the room.

“All of those reasons are from when you were children. Of course he was not great for the nerves, no boy was at that time, but it has been years.” Amusement danced in her eyes, that level of disappointment already washed away. It’s not as if you could blame her truthfully. Your reasoning was lacking at best. 

“Give the male a chance to show he has changed. If his appearance is anything to go off of then we know at least one thing has changed-”

“Talu!” You hissed, chucking a woven blanket at her. Your sister’s laughter did not subside as it made contact and she dramatically rolled to the floor. Despite her suggestive joke you couldn’t help but find her joy contagious and before you knew it both of you were bursting at the seams until your stomachs ached. 

“Lo’ak has his work cut out for him. It will take more than pretty words and a few tattoos to win my sister.” She finally spoke once you were starting to catch your breath. There was no mistaking the pride in her tone. “As it should be.” She reassured you, placing a hand atop her head before exiting the kelku. 

Neteyam’s proposal came mere days later. You wondered if part of the rush was due to being upstaged by his brother but that theory was set to the side when you witnessed Lo’ak’s helping hand in the festivities. He had been the one to set off the glowing plants at the end of Neteyam’s speech, painting eclipse in a vibrant glow that washed over the smiling couple. And when Talu had given her joyful, yet contained, acceptance, Lo’ak had smiled at you from the bushes. 

Gifts came pouring in left and right, your front doorstep littered with fresh kills, baskets, berries, and woven ornaments every other day. Each gift was specifically marked from each brother, obvious that neither wanted the credit for their work to be placed on their sibling. It was almost humorous were it not for the guilt you felt in disposing of your gifts hastily. 

Talu had given you a fair share of glares when you had passed off the neat meals to some neighboring families or tied small trinkets into some of the little girl’s hair in the village. No one knew that they were from the youngest Sully son but Talu’s disapproval was enough to make you hesitate at times. And yet, that first beautiful garment remained draped over your table at home without being touched for days. 

Despite her common persuading, Talu often brushed off your resistance as your way of playing hard to get. The looks she would exchange with Neteyam when Lo’ak was brought up had your intuition sparking. You wouldn’t put it past your older sister to conspire with the eldest Sully son in the ways of helping Lo’ak woo you. 

Those suspicions were borderline confirmed as the gifts switched to very specific items and fruits that caught your fancy. One morning in particular you had woken up to your mouth watering at the smell of peanut butter coming from the entrance. Such a rare delicacy that the Sully’s had introduced you to so many years ago, your senses had become quickly attuned to its pull. 

So you ate it.

Tucked away in the corner of the marui where you could shovel it into your mouth without judgment, but you had eaten it all the same. And as the last glob of strange texture stuck to your tongue it was becoming harder and harder to feel guilty for indulging in the pleasure. 

So you stopped.

From then on out when the gifts came you sorted them into trinkets that would be shoved away and repurposed to treats you would allow yourself to enjoy. Lo’ak dropped off meals so often that it became almost unnecessary to join communal dinner. Although you would never admit it, you couldn’t resist the slowly cooked meat or even the fish that he had seasoned and prepared in such a unique way you could only associate it with him. All the same, you let yourself have it.

After all, if he wanted to waste his time hunting and foraging for your delight every day that was his prerogative. And what you did with those free offerings was yours. 

A bitter part of you couldn’t help but feel satisfied by the constant effort he was putting in. Perhaps this is what he truly deserved after breaking your heart. He could race across the forest every day trying to win your affections without result and maybe that would finally teach him to handle people’s hearts more carefully. 

In any case, this obsession would subside sooner or later and he would be chasing after another girl. Until then, it seemed logical to enjoy the splendors while you could. 

However it became increasingly more difficult to avoid his presence as the gifts poured in, especially in the company of others. Some days it felt as if Lo’ak was everywhere all at once. Helping a clan member move into their marui, joining the afternoon hunting party, taking notes at his father’s meetings. The list went on and on. It was more than you expected for the youngest son of the Olo’eyktan to have. 

And Lo’ak never missed a day. You never woke to an empty threshold and he never stopped averting his attention your way no matter the situation. Even if some days all he could afford was a loving gaze, one that made your stomach turn itself inside out. 

Your fingertips had grown wrinkly under the river’s current as you continued to scrubs at the cloth viciously. So many to get through cleaning for the healer’s tent before you could sufficiently rest from today’s labors. Still…you remembered a time where it was worse. So much worse. 

It was never too late to count your blessings. 

“The orange would look good!”

Your ears perked, recognizing the voice although it had changed over the years. Sweet Tuktirey emerged from the treeline, her older brother in tow. It was difficult to wrap your mind around how much the girl had grown since the Sully’s departure. Where once skipped a tiny optimistic child of sunshine now bloomed a beautiful young woman on the precipice of adulthood. Still only a teenager, Tuk had seen more than most people should in their early years.

It was a relief to find that the trials of war failed to dim her light. 

“I don’t need another one.” Lo’ak insisted.

Your scrubbing intensified but your breath held. Perhaps they wouldn’t see you. 

“Just a small one right here.” Tuk halted her brother sternly before carefully selecting a stray braid to bring forward. “It would look so pretty!” She giggled and Lo’ak scoffed.

“Pretty? What type of vibe do you think I’m going for?” Hands on his hips and eyes narrowing it was still easy to see the glimmer of teasing there. It only made Tuk laugh harder. 

“Whatever it is, it's too late to save you from it now.” The words barely left her lips before a shriek followed and she was racing away from her brother’s chase after her tail. The edges of your lips curved upwards. “Lo’ak!” She screeched, now trying to elbow her way out of his grasp. 

They wrestled along the rocky shore until his younger sister was gasping for a truce. Dopey grins matched as the two finally broke away to collect themselves. Your eyes refused to be diligent as you kept forcing them back at your task. 

Their laughter died down suspiciously quick and through the gentle breeze you could just barely pick up on whispering. The weight of their attention bore down on you. The scrubbing picked up tenfold. There are still three rags left but maybe-

“Y/N!” Tuk called, practically skipping your direction. There was no hope in hiding now.

You flipped over in mock surprise, a warm grin naturally taking place as you saw her rush your way. 

“Hi Tuk.” Infusing friendliness into your tone and body language you tried to keep your eyes pinned on the younger Na’vi and not her shadow that followed behind. 

“What are you doing?” She immediately swooped in to kneel beside you. 

“Tuk, don’t bother her.” Lo’ak called, gently jogging to catch up. His hair was down today, decorated braids swinging with every step. 

“I’m not bothering her!” She shot back with a huff as he came to a halt before them. Lo’ak’s dark eyebrows dropped, giving his sister a doubtful look. 

“She is fine.” You gave a firm assurance but purposefully veered your attention back at the sudsy rag. Otherwise you were sure to notice insignificant details like the return of his battle band and the way it gave a further optical illusion of his slim waist. 

“Are these from grandmother’s tent?” Tuk gestured to the pile of rags. 

“Just giving them a quick wash.” 

“All by yourself?” Her surprise at such a thing warmed your heart, even more so as she reached to grab one of the rags.

“Oh no, Tuk. It is alright. I can manage.” Your concerns are quickly shushed as she swats your hand away. “I don’t want to make you late.” 

From the look on Lo’ak’s face that is exactly what was going to happen. Whatever engagement they were currently going to was sure to be starting soon. 

“Well…” She dropped the rag, pausing for a moment. “I can’t really stay long…”

“Do not worry.” You laughed softly, placing a hand on her arm but there was a flicker of mischief in her smile. 

“But Lo’ak can help!” Within one yank to his arm she had her older brother falling to his knees. 

“Oh no Tu-”

“He’s great at washing rags! Best in our family, actually.” 

The bizarre lie almost had your panic melting into humor. You expected Lo’ak to intervene again but despite the roll of his eyes and reprimanding look shot Tuk’s way, he was already shifting to get comfortable and reach for the next rag. 

“No, really.” You caught the rag from his fingertips and alongside it his gaze as well. Pools of gold studied you with a diligence that made your skin burn. 

“I can walk myself the rest of the way.” Tuk happily chirped, rising to her feet. Ripping the cloth away you scrambled to gather the rest of the supplies. It didn’t help when two four-fingered hands gently helped you gather the mess silently. 

“I appreciate it, Tuk, but I really should head back as well.” 

Her shoulders dropped. Within a stride Lo’ak was in your space. Instinct almost had you reeling backwards before you realized it was to simply hand over the rest of the supplies. 

“We can walk you.” He offered, voice warm and smooth like falling molasses. 

“No thank you.” Two steps backwards and your lungs could finally fill with air not drenched in his essence. 

“But you’ll be at the party tonight, right?” Tuk perked over his shoulder, eyes wide and already on her toes for an answer.

“Party?” 

“More of a small get together, near the old shack.” Lo’ak corrected. 

“Anything but small. There will be food and music and an excuse to dress up.” Her hairless brows wiggled, a glee that was intoxicating. 

“I don’t know I-”

“Oh you can wear that new top! I’ve been dying to see it on someone! Lo’ak would barely let me look at it while he was making it, let alone try it on.” Supple lips formed into a pout.

“Okayyy,” He drawled, slinging an arm around her shoulders. Tuk shrunk under the weight, squirming as he began to pull her back. “I think you’ve bugged the poor woman enough.” 

She hissed back at him, ducking under his arm to be released. A few comments shot between the two in English but Tuk reluctantly began to inch away. 

“We do hope you can make it.” There those eyes were again, studying you for any change. Perhaps he was waiting to see if you would shout, run off, even raise a hand at him. If so, it would be a relief to see him finally catching on to his standing with you. “Call for me if you need help. I will come.”He promised and Tuk quickly ran up to wave goodbye.

 Just as you thought the coast was clear, making your way upshore, footsteps came up fast. You turned and startled slightly to find Lo’ak so close again. He held something wrapped in leaves. 

Lo’ak held it up with a half grin. 

“Lunch, paskalin [honey].” Before you could shoot back your protests he had it tied to your bag strap and was jogging away. You watched his retreat longer that you would have cared to admit. Not your fault. Lo’ak had a way of catching you off guard. That’s all it was, you told yourself. It had nothing to do with the way sunlight danced across his shoulder blades. 

Lo’ak made it seem like attending tonight’s party was optional. A stance that Talu clearly did not share as she braided small flowers into your hair. You could try to convince her otherwise, maybe even make up a lie but you knew better than to underestimate Talu’s ability to shackle you into social events. When she had an idea in her head nothing would sway her away. 

Yet another reason your theory of her aiding the younger Sully son concerned you. Although you’d hate to believe it, it would surely only take witnessing a few of her conversations with Neteyam to confirm such meddling. And with how often Neteyam swept her away, there was simply too much time for scheming to take place. 

“Don’t you think it is a little rude not to wear it?” Talu huffed, holding the sparkling top out to you. The same one a certain Sully had gifted.  

“Seems more rude to give him false hope by wearing it.” 

“Oh come now, you can’t seriously claim there is no hope for him to cling to.” Talu rolled her eyes, carefully turning each piece of the top so it laid in the right direction. When faced with your deadpanned expression she let out a sight, shoulders dropping. “I’m just saying it would match nicely with the flowers.”

“I’m wearing the purple vines.” You reiterated, eyes narrowing.

“Alright alright,” She carefully laid down the garment and turned to show her surrender. “Have it your way.” 

It would be foolish to believe that her acceptance would be anything more than short lived. Bracing yourself for the night ahead you carefully dressed and began crafting a game plan. Anything that would keep Lo’ak off your back and therefore sail you through the party swiftly. 

Tuk was right. This ‘small gathering’ was anything but intimate. While it was clear that not all clan members were not invited, it was obvious which demographic they were catering to. Almost every young single warrior, healer, and gatherer had shown up with dazzling garments and the motivation to whisk the night into a frenzy. Frankly it was surprising that Tuk’tirey was allowed at this party at all. 

Then again, she came with three taller, older escorts flanking her sides. 

You could practically feel Talu’s grin, although she strategically turned to hide it. She had a way with men that seemed to serve her well. Never reveal your cards too early. 

It was a success for as far as you could tell because the future Olo’eyktan barely made out simple greetings as his eyes were drawn back to your sister like a moth to flame. It was starting to get uncomfortable. And although you couldn’t be more happy for your sister, it became clear that taking your turns around the gathering would serve you better. 

The old shack was something you had never ventured to see. As children with the Sullys you had refused to get anywhere near it. Even now as it was almost entirely swallowed by Eywa’s forest and your friends served drinks from inside, it felt as if hallowed spirits still drifted through its ugly halls. There were too many memories held in that strange kelku. And while none of them were yours, the familiar RDA symbols had it feeling all too personal. 

Steering away from the looming structure you found solace in a circle of young females. Most were warriors that you had little interaction with but you had spent enough time Penyau in the healer’s tent to consider her a friend, so her presence was sufficient. You were only half listening as the topic flowed from upcoming gatherings to new gems found in the nears caves. Nothing that you were interested in chiming in on but the circle of females were your armor against Lo’ak. And that’s all that mattered. 

At least, that is what you assumed until a finger was tapping you on the shoulder. 

A flurry of golden eyes immediately snapped to the space behind you. It was clear who stood there even before you turned around. 

“Good evening, sisters. Do I mind if I borrow Y/N for a moment?”

“More than a moment if you’d like.” One female responded with a suggestive smirk and that earned her a series of giggling laughter. It gave Lo’ak more than enough courage to lead you away. 

Once out of their ear shot there was no more reason to play nice. 

“Dinner.” Lo’ak said simply, gently handing over the leaf of meat. 

His gentle expression was met with a scowl.

“I can get my own food, Lo’ak. I am in no need of being fed like a child.” Although, the food was currently being served inside of the shack and you would rather starve than set foot in there. However, that information was none of Lo’ak’s business. 

“Of course you do not need it, paskalin.” His deep chuckle was accompanied by a smile that was far too resilient. “But I have committed to courting you and part of that is proving my ability to provide. So as far as I’m concerned I will treat you as if that responsibility has already fallen on my shoulders.” 

“Well, it’s not.” Sharp words and a quick shove had your hands empty once more. Although his tail drooped there was an indistinguishable flame of determination present in his countenance. This man was going to be the death of you. “And I’m not hungry.” 

“Too full from the peanut butter?” He guessed with a crooked smile. It cracked your composure for a split second. Both of those dark eyebrows raised. They taunted you because one way or another Lo’ak had come to figure out the truth and he knew there was no way to refute it. 

Jaw clenched and arms crossed, your eyes flashed back with that same fervent challenge. Even as that handsome face threatened to melt you into a puddle you held your ground. How arrogant could he be to still dare showing his face at you like this after everything? Those white teeth on display as if he had won the prize. Beaded braids pulled up into a neat bun to show off his defined shoulders and chest like a true whore. Wearing that frayed tewng that danced like true seduction in the wind as if he would be getting anything close to lucky tonight. 

It was baffling to try and understand where he got such nerve. 

“Well if you are so persistent on making yourself useful then maybe you should shift your efforts towards getting me a drink instead.” It wasn’t often that you partook in strong drink. The idea often felt childish and pointless. Tonight however….tonight it sounded like an Eywa-send in getting through these interactions. 

Anything that would soar you through this nightmare would be welcomed with open arms. 

“Of course, tanhi.” Lo’ak shook his head with a fond grin. 

Before he could depart however, you caught his arm. He halted immediately. 

“From there.” You pointed towards the furthest corner of the shack. A small gaggle of Na’vi were sprawled out across the floor in giggling fits. It was clear from the look in their eyes that not a single worry could fall upon them. Their drink was strong, no doubt about it. 

“You don’t want that.” 

“And how do you know?”

Lo’ak set the food down to mimic your stance, arms flexed as they crossed. 

“That shit will knock you into next week.”

“And you somehow know that is what I don’t like?” You challenged. “Who's to say I don’t drink it on the regular? Unless you somehow had ways of stalking me all the way from Awa’atlu.” 

You expected him to sigh and admit defeat with reluctance. Maybe throw in a few claims to battle your own but Lo’ak was never one to meet your expectations. He took two strides forward. He had no right to invade your space but somehow the idea of stepping back looked like defeat. 

“That, paskalin, is from Awa’atlu. I should know because I brought it. And I will tell you honestly that pxir [type of alcohol] is nothing like the sweet drinks we make here. It is mostly drunk by men two times your size.” Lo’ak tucked a curl behind your ear. “It will fuck you up.” 

It was not the first time Lo’ak had your teeth grinding to the point of your jaw aching, and you feared it would neither be the last. Even as children he had a way of getting under your skin, tugging at your hair, making teasing comments that had you hissing back at him. That special skill had not been lost, but now…now you knew how to deal with cocky Sully men. 

“I don’t remember asking for the lineage, skxawng.” Your nimble fingers drew your thick hair over one shoulder. “But if you don’t want to get it for me, I’m sure I could find another capable suitor that will.” 

To his credit, Lo’ak’s mask stayed in place. It was the rising of his shoulders that gave away your success. A deep breath was drawn into his lung and that smile waivered like grinding gears that had grown rusty. It shifted into something resembling more of a sarcastic grin. 

“Fine.” He huffed, his show of pearly whites demonstrating anything but joy. “Have it your way, tanhi.” 

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding when he went to retrieve a share of pxir. He couldn’t return soon enough. If you had to endure his intoxicating scent and teasing grin for one more moment without aid, the night would end in violence. Lo’ak kept his own small bowl of drink after handing you one. 

He waited, watching you closely. Perhaps he thought you were going to back out. A small voice in your head said that it might have been best but it was too late to retreat now. So with the best mask of confidence you could muster, you held the bowl up in cheers and took a large gulp. 

The taste was fowl!

Absolutely horrific as it seethed your throat with fire. How did any of the Metkayina chose such a drink in full consciousness? Lo’ak patted your back as you choked on the few remaining drops that had gone down the wrong tube. The gesture was quickly swatted away. Your own annoyance only rising as you looked down to see that he had already finished his bowl in silence. 

“It’s a shock to the system I know…no Y/N don’t-”

Three more gulps and that scorching fire was settled in your stomach and the bowl empty. Your nose tingled like it was about to erupt as your eyes squeezed shut. 

“Woah hey, easy there.”

“Another.” Your tone came out like gravel as you handed him the bowl. 

“Uh yeah right.” He scoffed, taking it away. The liquid only spiked your courage, pushing you to face the male head on but then…it unfortunately had you sense of gravity shifting as well. Lo’ak quickly wrapped a securing arm around your waist as you stumbled a few steps. Shit, this stuff worked fast. “Here, eat something.” 

He brought a piece of yerik meat to your lips and that made you squirm to get away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” You snipped.

“Pxir is worse on an empty stomach, trust me.” 

“That easy huh?”

Lo’ak sighed, bringing the food down. “Okay I deserved that but-”

“I don’t want your food, Lo’ak.” There was still enough coordination left to wiggle yourself out of his grasp and stomp to the other side of the gathering. In all fairness, the ground did move side to side with every step but you managed just the same. 

Unfortunately, you couldn’t escape him even while dancing. Toruk Makto’s youngest son remained leaned against a tree on the outskirts, eyes pinned on you diligently. It felt as if you could never get a break from his weighted presence. Why was he not enjoying the party like everyone else? Was it really worth skipping out on getting drunk with old friends just to babysit you?

Walking, let alone dancing, was a struggle but you made a crooked path to him as fast as you could, one hand pushing against his chest. Lo’ak barely flinched.

“You’re watching me.” You accused him. 

“First experience with Metkayina alcohol requires supervision.” 

“And you have to do it from the shadows like a stalker?” Your words were already slurring together but it was hard to tell if that was how it sounded out loud or simply the distortions of your inhibited brain. 

“I’d be more than happy to keep a closer eye on you but it seemed like you wanted space.” He shrugged, eyes darting to where you swayed back and forth. 

“You’re right. I do.” One pointed finger stabbed at his chest with each word. Eywa, he was so warm. 

His mouth opened to treat you to yet again his annoyingly low baritone but then….

“Your sister is calling you.” 

Your claim had his brows raising before slowly turning around to look. It seemed that Eywa was on your side tonight after all because Tuktirey was in fact trying to get down one of her beaded chains from a high branch. How it got up there was a mystery to you but one that you had no interest in solving. 

A forced breath puffed from his nose before he turned back towards you.

“Just,” His lips pressed into a thin line, ears tucking back. “Stay here. Eat something.” That leaf of meat was tucked into your hand before Lo’ak was stalking towards his younger sister. 

As if.

You carelessly flung the leaf away, taking in this new breath of freedom. Eywa only knew where Talu was and conversing with the girls once more no longer seemed appealing but there was still one thing on your mind. The same thing that would erase all other thoughts and help you survive. 

Lo’ak had taken his share of the pxir with him so you were forced to find your own means of acquiring some. Going into the old shack was still not on your agenda but surely you could think of some plan before getting there. And just like that an idea hit you.

Quite literally. 

The male let out a small grunt as you incidentally knocked into him. Immediately strong arms were steadying you back into place with a half hearted laugh.

“Apologies, sister. Woah hey, you got it?” The male was tall and strong, a wall of muscle with a battle band meaning he must have been a warrior. His features held a flame of familiarity but you couldn’t recall his name. However, looking down at the bowl in his hand you realized he perfectly met your two requirements. 

He wasn’t Lo’ak.

He had pxir. 

“Irayo [thank you], I’m just a little…knocked off my axis.” 

He had a pleasing smile. And his braids were shiny. A few clumsy bats of your lashes and the male was already rising to play the hero. He guided you carefully to a stump where you could sit, saying another quiet apology and offering his services. 

“There isn’t anything I can do for you?” At first you figured he was nothing more than a sweet gentleman who somehow got his hands on the strong drink by luck. However, when your eyes locked with his you could see the faintest tremble of a smirk wanting to take place. 

Not too well behaved after all. 

Just what the doctor ordered. 

“Well, I am a little thirsty.” You couldn’t quite remember what a seductive expression would look like and doing that while riding the line of innocence and suggestive was nothing more than a train wreck. 

He wasn’t picky though. 

Neither was his price high as he brought you bowl after bowl of strong drink. The two of you began to make games out of it. Seeing who could drink the fastest. Seeing who could still stand up straight. These little contests became funnier with every sip, although this mysterious man had size on his side and therefore started to smoke your ass at every game. 

You couldn’t remember how you made it back to the dance floor. You weren’t even sure if you were doing anything more than swaying in place but it didn’t really matter when you had him to cling on to. The drinks kept coming even as your head grew heavy and eyes blurry until the scene was just pretty streaks of color. You couldn’t remember the last time you saw him take a sip but he never asked you to stop, making trip after trip for more.

A wave of victory washed over you upon spotting Lo’ak’s scowl from the sidelines. This was the perfect plan indeed. So perfect that you must not have been that drunk after all. You had the Sully boy off of your ass and a handsome male keeping you from falling down as you drank away the worries. 

At some point in time you recalled heated voices coming from above. Another taller frame pressing against your opposite side until you are sandwiched. The heat of wandering hands. Your giggles that rang in your ears in such a funny way it had you laughing again. 

It was warm. Oh so warm.

And his hair danced in the breeze beneath your fingertips, shells and beads clinking together.  

And fragments…the night only existed in fragments.

Ones that trickled off into nothing. 

The nightmare had come on fast. Like a strike from the sky then suddenly you were transported back into that heated tent. Blood spilled from seeping pools along the floor to small clumps that might just never come out from under your nails. Tendons and bone and metal balls. Things that were never meant to be together but time after time you were forced to dig out these demon bullets from warm bodies. 

You hit the floor with a thud. Footsteps scrambled across the space. 

The explosions continued in the background. Like fire in the sky that these demons had somehow figured out how to harness. And as you frantically stitched up a gushing wound you couldn’t help but wonder where it had hit. Who it had hit. Your work was getting messy. Not only from your shaking hands but the squirming of the man beneath you. His cries would never leave you.

Arms wrapped around you but they couldn’t stop your shaking. They couldn’t stop the endless line of battered bodies they came through the tent. 

Rumble and crack, sounds that rattled in your chest the same way it shook the ground. You stopped looking at their faces, afraid of who you could see. Had you already stitched up a friend? A child? Your sister…no, she was on your left. She never spoke on these days, covered in blood up to her elbows. 

How long had it been? 

How much longer did you have to go?

Your fingertips were becoming slippery but you wouldn’t look to see what they were covered in. Not when another person was carried to your feet. Not when…not when those screams sound far too young to be more than a child. 

No more.

No more no more no more no more.

Please no more!

“Mawey, tanhi. I’ve got you.”

Another crack. Another vibration. The lump in your throat was sure to be a sob but no one would hear you even if it were to bubble up. It would be drowned in the sea of anguish. Just the way no one would see your shaking hands through the mist of teary eyes. Your throat knotted. You couldn’t get oxygen through just in the same way the chest beneath your hands couldn’t. It heaved and heaved before halting. 

His heart had stopped.

Would yours stop too?

It didn’t matter. There was no time to think about your own oxygen. Just keep going. Don’t stop. Never stop.

“Open your eyes, sevin, please. Open your eyes for me.”

And you were a coward for shifting away but how could they ask you to look? How could they expect you to see the carnage that was once your friends and family? How did war have a way of turning passionate souls into nothing more than fractured skin and bone? It was all you could see now. 

Just blood.

And bone.

And your crooked stitches from cowardice hands. 

“Y/N!”

In a snap you were met with a different view. A canopy of fabrics above, not the same as the healer’s tent. A firm chest pressed against your back and sweet words that resembled nothing of screams. 

The explosions were here though. And each rumble of power was followed by a strike of light and that sharp rippling sound. 

“Please.” You whispered.

“I know, I know. I’ve got you.” A voice soothed and you could only drown in the wetness along your cheeks. Rocked back and forth side to side but the explosions never stopped. 

New sounds accompanied the first and it was only the throb in your throat that revealed it was your own sobs being let loose. Warm skin pressed against your forehead, lips that weren’t outlined in blood. 

“It’s over.” The voice promised. 

You wanted to tell the truth. To say that it would never be over. It could never be over. Not when the memory infiltrated every space in your mind, corrupting what little light was still there. 

You didn’t have enough air to say it, however. Your own cries were what filled the night as the voice whispered soothing promises. Fingers ran through your hair and a heartbeat was beneath your cheek. 

Your eyes gave out before the rumbling did. 

The gentle sway was relaxing. The sound of rain doing even more to calm you slumber as you snuggled deeper into the soft blanket. Fingers grasping at the material, you breathed in the scent with eased contentment. The essence alone was enough to tempt you into falling right back asleep.

Perhaps you could stay here forever. Snuggled in your bed.

That way you would never have to open your eyes because doing so was sure to spin you off your axis. The pounding in your head could only be blamed on last night’s overindulgence but Talu hadn’t come to wake you up yet, so it was fine. 

The branches of your top dug into your side upon turning over and you squirmed to shift it. Much less soft than the usual tops you wore to bed. Did you not change before falling asleep?

Sifting through your memory, however, all you could retrieve was the sound of a calm heart beat and a fresh fragrance that wrapped around you. The same one that filled your lungs from the blanket. 

Your eyes snapped open. 

This was not your room. You could tell from the first glimpse at the overhead marui structure. And with one more inhale that essence led you to believe you knew exactly whose home you were in. Head aching and body feeling like it has the strength of a rag doll you slowly turned to observe your surroundings. With a cringe you held your breath. One look over had your apprehensions confirmed. 

Sprawled out across the kelku floor on the opposite side of the space lay Lo’ak, sound asleep. 

He had one arm tucked beneath his head with a small blanket thrown over his lap that barely covered anything. Long legs strewn messily along the woven floor, his soft lips were parted with just a whisper of breath passing. Glossy braids outlined his chiseled features into something softer. Something that had you turning away abruptly. 

The action only rewarded you with a spinning room, lifting from all sense of reality as you tried not to hurl your guts on his floor. Taking deep breaths you eventually calmed your head and stomach enough to start thinking through your next course of action. 

You hadn’t even attempted to stand up and it had already been a close call, so sneaking away gracefully seemed like an unlikely feat. Still…Lo’ak was asleep. And if his heavy breathing was anything to go by, he was well under.

Rain still trampled the scene outside but the thunder and lightning were gone, at least for now. Your eyes pinched shut, cheeks heating as you tried to to push away the memory of Lo’ak rocking you in his arms. 

All the more reason to get out of here without having to interact. 

Lo’ak’s groan made you freeze in place, one leg already reaching outside of the hammock. He shifted, propping one leg up before letting out a sigh. You prayed to Eywa he was a heavy sleeper. 

It wouldn’t have mattered in the end, however, because when both feet were planted and you went to stand it only resulted in a collapsing with a screech that would have woken up the neighbors, let alone the male sleeping a few paces away. 

Rushed footsteps sounded before two hands tried to help you back up.

“Hey, take it easy.” The tone of his voice had dropped to a rough rumble, thick with the last string of sleep. 

You gulped.

Shoving him off was too much of an effort at this point and to your dismay it seemed that the only way back on your feet was to accept his help. He didn’t give you a chance to try running again, instead helping lift you back onto his bed. With a groan you threw your arm over your eyes. 

It felt as if your head had been trampled beneath a Bone Helm Rhino’s feet. 

“Lo’ak,” You said slowly. “What am I doing in your home? Or more specifically, in your bed?” 

“You really should drink some water.” You could hear him shuffling, mostly likely going to get you some.

“Lo’ak.” Tongue wielded like a knife you took the little energy you had to muster up some remnants of intimidation. 

He sighed. 

“Don’t worry. Nothing like that happened last night. I promise.” 

Despite your frustration, you believed him. Your clothes were still in tack and it appeared that Lo’ak had spent the entire night sleeping on his floor so you could take the bed. Another part of you was more frustrated by the gesture. He was being such a gentleman it was borderline sickening. Why couldn’t you be left alone to hate him in peace? 

“Oh really?” You countered. “Then what did?” 

Although you could feel his stare, the arm over your eyes added a false sense of protection from his intensity. 

“Exactly what I said would happen. You got drunk off your ass and needed someone to take you home.”

Your arm dropped sharply, heating rushing to your face.

“And you thought that meant taking me to your home?” The sound of your own raging voice caused a ringing in your ears. Lo’ak remained unfazed, a leaf of water already waiting in his other hand. 

“I would’ve walked you home tanhi but…” He cringed slightly.

“But what?” You pressed, eyes narrowing. 

“Well it was my horny brother that would have kept you up all night so I figured it was my responsibility to help you find some place more…comfortable.” 

Your nose scrunched. So many tiny pieces of information yet nothing was coming together to create a true picture of what had been your prior night’s experience. 

“He stayed over?” It shouldn’t have surprised you. Talu and Neteyam were progressing at such a fast rate you sometimes wondered if mating was only a few weeks away. Staying the night was only bound to happen before then, especially with those secretive looks that you were forced to witness. 

“Still is.” Lo’ak urged the leaf forward, which you reluctantly accepted. Even the cool water burned your battered throat. “I didn’t want them waking you.” 

“Sure.” You deadpanned.

“He is not the quietest-”

“Ew! Lo’ak, I don’t want to hear about that.” You reeled back, desperately trying to erase invading images of your sister and the future Olo’eyktan as fast as possible. You loved your sister but hearing about her sex life was not on your list of priorities. A sentiment you wish she had in common with you but there were far too many times that she pushed for information on your end.

Lo’ak laughed and leaned back onto his haunches. 

“Well neither do I but it’s information I am burdened with.” His fingers ran through his braids. “Shared a marui with him in Awa’atlu for far too long.” Lo’ak muttered. 

“So it’s a good thing you’re here. Won’t have to witness it for yourself.” He patted your knee with a smile before rising to refill the water. You scowled at his back, amiss that he couldn’t properly see your disdain. 

With the clouded sky it was difficult to tell how long you had been there but you were ready to suffer the physical strain of walking back in this horrid state if it meant avoiding addressing the elephant in the room. 

“Well excuse me if I’m not quick to thank you but I really should be getting back now.” 

He eyed you cautiously from across the room. Putting on a tough facade was difficult when your limbs would hardly coordinate as your head pounded relentlessly. You didn’t manage to swing your legs over the hammock again before Lo’ak had crossed the room and was handing you more water. 

“One thing I know about Neteyam is that he likes to take his damn time. It’s going to be a while.” 

“Oh please, all men claim that.” You scoffed, taking the water from his hands. “Surely even the walk back would be enough time.” You scoffed after downing the liquid. 

“Tanhi, you are brutal.” Lo’ak said with an amused chuckle. 

“No, I’m realistic.”

“Pessimistic.” He corrected, eyebrows raised in a challenge. 

You tapped a finger against your chin as if in deep thought. “Hm let me guess, you are the great exception then? Your claim to a woman's pleasure being sincere for once.”

Those golden orbs darkened slightly, his tail swishing in a slow rhythm. “I don’t have to claim anything. Actions speak louder than words.” 

That glimmer of mischief sparked just the same as it did when he was a child. However this time it held promises of things far less innocent. You wondered how many Metkayina women had fallen prey to that vibrant spark. His appeal was undeniable and yet another reason the sight of him made your blood boil. 

When were you ever going to catch a break? Your racing heart could surely use one. 

“Typical.” You scoffed, finally relenting to being trapped, flopping onto your back. 

Lo’ak chuckled and rose, towering over where you laid. From this angle you could see far too much, every chiseled muscle in his body contrasted by the low light. 

“Well if you ever want to examine the evidence up close yourself, I am at your beck and call.” He tucked one stray strand away from your forehead and retreated before you could reprimand him. Heat sparked down from your face until reaching your collarbones. 

He was such an asshole. Thinking there would ever be a day where you would want that. You were not another doe eyed female he could win over. Even if your eyes strayed far too long as he began adjusting the waterproof fabrics to hang from the marui’s openings. That superficial attraction meant nothing but that you were in the prime mating season of your life. Hormones were a powerful force but not enough for you to forget what he had done. 

If any other typical warrior were to take his place the effect would have surely been the same. In fact you remembered feeling that pull to another male last night.

Your tail curled around your thigh. What had happened to him? Flashes of dancing and drinking with the warrior were strong enough to be real but beyond that everything else was a blur. All you knew is that he was more than willing to bring you drink after drink. 

Did he see you leave with Lo’ak at the end of the party? There may not have been any true long term interest for the male but you would still feel bad if running off with Lo’ak had snipped him in some way. Especially when getting further entangled with the Olo’eyktan’s youngest son was the last thing you desired. 

When Lo’ak scaled the side support beam to flank down the next cover, you caught sight of scabbed marks along his knuckles. 

“You hit him?!” 

“What?” Lo’ak casted you a glance from where he hung from the beam, thighs flexed around the base to keep him in place. 

A fiery glare was shot at his hand.

“Oh this,” He peeled the hand from the bar, casually using one arm to keep a grip. “Yeah I met your special friend last night.” The frown upon his lips showed that he had anything but fond memories of the interaction.

“What a character he is.” Lo’ak grumbled lowly, more so to himself than you. 

Like lightning a flash of anger coursed through your veins. Clenched fists and wobbly legs scrambled to push you back into an upright position. 

“Lo’ak te Suli Tsyeyk’itan you had no right!”

His legs unfurled and he hung from the bar with one hand, the other out in form of surrender.

“Now wait a minut-”

“You think that just because you want to court me that it puts me off the market for all other men? It’s not their fault that you are too stubborn to let me ignore you peacefully! So what now? Are you going to punch every male that looks in my direction?”

“That’s not what happened.”

“Can’t even handle the slightest bite of competition?” 

His eyes narrowed, ears pinned backwards as he leveled you with a fierce stare. It was too late. You were on a roll. 

Ignoring the swirling of the room you stomped over to him, finger poking aggressively into his chest as you spoke. “If you don’t like seeing me with other suitors then I suggest you skip to the inevitable outcome and find yourself another woman to annoy! Maybe she will take your constant nagging as a compliment.” 

Your chest heaved from the effort, lungs filling with oxygen rapidly as silence fell. An eerie silence that made you shudder from the drafting wind. Lo’ak watched you, voice stoic of emotion before fixing the last flap and dropping to his feet with a thud. Towering over you like a shadow in the night, it was difficult to force yourself to keep from stepping back. 

Two more steps and he was close enough to feel the heat of his skin. 

“Napau is a crook and disgrace to the title he held. Any man that schemes to take advantage of a woman under strong drink against her will does not deserve to breathe the air Eywa gives. He is lucky that I only had time to get a few hits in.” Lo’ak’s voice dropped into a low register that burned with seething fire. 

“He knows what will happen if he crosses my path again. Or Neteyam’s for that matter.” Dark promises whistled in his words, an intense sincerity that had your own nerves rattling. You could only imagine how Napau would have fared under that same intimidation last night. 

And then Lo’ak was gone, calmly walking to the other side of kelku to secure the next flap. 

A mixture of embarrassment, regret, and dread swirled in your chest. If what Lo’ak said was true then last night could have ended so much worse than it did. A million possible scenarios crammed themselves to the front of your mind until you could feel nausea settling in. During the party you couldn’t even remember Napau’s name and yet that was almost the man taking you to bed. 

“You…You told Neteyam?”

“He saw enough to confirm the origin of my actions. Napau won’t bother you again, tanhi.” He didn’t turn to face you, pulling on the rope tight to keep the fabric in place. 

“What does that mean?” A part of you was reluctant to ask but you needed to know what became of him and even more so what had almost become of you. 

It seemed Lo’ak was even more reluctant than you to talk about it when his tail dropped and he let out a heavy sigh. He remained diligent in waterproofing the marui despite the heavy topic. 

“It means he got off with more mercy than he deserved. As I said he was not worthy of the warrior title he held so that was remedied and now he knows better than to come within half a mile of you or me.” 

“His title was revoked? How is that even possible? Without the proper authority-”

“Neteyam will be Olo’eyktan soon enough. One word to my father from him will be enough, trust me.” He peeked over his shoulder, watching the way your eyes ran from side to side as you processed the information. It was too much to sort in your hazy mind, too many emotions that couldn’t be felt separately. 

Lo’ak softened.

Leaving the flap aside he made gentle steps in your direction, careful not to scare you away. 

“Don’t let this weigh on you, tanhi. It has been solved.” Voice smooth and tender, it didn’t matter because it was clear your mind was somewhere else. 

“What did he do exactly?” 

That struck Lo’ak into a posture as stiff as a board. His tail froze and eyes melted back into that stormy gold color. 

“I don’t want to talk about it.” 

“Well I do.” You insisted, catching his arm when he went to turn. His whole body froze this time, eyes darting down to where you clasped his forearm. Lo’ak had grown tall, taller than most Na’vi thanks to his father’s Avatar genes. It therefore required your neck craning backward to stare up at him properly. 

“I am grateful to Eywa that you do not have to remember such events.”

“But-”

“However, I can assure you that he got no further than a few unwanted kisses and squeezes before I stepped in.” Lo’ak stayed in place, no longer in a rush to fix the kelku as you let his words marinate. It was harder to feel the true wash of relief when your own shouts against the Sully son had been reframed into something more brutal. Apologizing felt like the last thing you wanted to do, especially since a part of you could not let go of your lingering anger towards him. 

Lo’ak had saved you. 

Why couldn’t you have saved yourself?

All because your stupid pride and spite towards the male had clouded your judgment into behaving foolishly. This is not who you were. Never before had you indulged in such reckless behavior and yet within the first couple weeks of the Sullys returning this is what Lo’ak got to see of you. What type of sorcery did his mere presence hold to shove you into madness? 

Lightning struck from above, thunder falling far too quickly after. 

Nails digging into Lo’ak’s arm, you watched the sky carefully through the front entrance. 

“It bothers me too.” 

His voice snapped you back to attention as hard as the crackling lightning. 

“The storm.” He clarified, meeting your startled gaze with a soft composure. “The sound is all too…familiar.” 

There were no further words needed to understand what he meant. The Sky Demon’s erupting fire had been relentless. Always taking. Always destroying. Crumbling your land before you in a matter of blinking. Awa’atlu no doubt had not been exempt from such cruelty.

“Should I feel sorry for you then?” The cycle of storm started up again and with the next crack of lightning your voice came out shakier than intended. 

Lo’ak’s shoulders fell.

“No tanhi,” He sighed, pausing for a moment. “I’m not telling you this to gain your sympathy. I only want you to know that I would never judge you for feeling that fear too.” His eyes flickered down to where you still dug into his arm as the storm carried forward. 

You quickly snapped away, taking a few steps back for measure. Veering your attention away from the entrance, you hoped the lack of visual would keep you from crumbling further in terror. 

“I don’t want to talk about it.” You mumbled.

“And we don’t have to.” 

Such a different tune than the one Lo’ak often sang but one look at his expression showed that he was not lying. 

“But you know where I am if you ever do.” He gave a half smile and crossed to put the last flap over the entrance. You weren’t oblivious to the occasional glance he casted from the corner of his eye to check up on you. 

Having the marui enclosed completely did aid in dampening your anxiety. It gave you a moment to look around and fully take in your surroundings. It had only been a few weeks since the Sullys had returned to the forest so you were surprised to see his living space so thoroughly crafted. Small candles lit a soft glow that seemed to fill the area with warmth. 

Thinking of Lo’ak you would have expected his space to be covered with a messy floor and toppled gear but what you found was quite the contrary. Neat baskets held smaller household items while his weapons were securely kept in hanging shelves. Spears, bows, knives, and other Sky Demon weaponry. Your eyes were caught on the ominous guns before getting snapped away by the sound of thunder. 

Your arms snaked around your own waist, willing your heart rate to slow. 

Soft lips threatened to break beneath your sharp teeth. Although exhausted it felt as if your body was on a buzz, a vibration that would have you shattering to pieces. 

“How do you deal with it?” The question sprung without thought. 

“With what?” You had his attention now, his hands swiping at the rain covering his arms. 

“The storm. If it bothers you so much, how do you manage?” Although initially embarrassed by your impromptu question it did help to shift the weight over to Lo’ak instead of you. Anything to avoid bringing up the way you had cried in his arms. 

Lo’ak surprisingly lit up at the inquiry. A smile curved at his lips and the air of a secret you were not privy to filled his aura. 

“I have a secret weapon.” He said proudly, motioning for you to follow him as he quickly dropped to his knees and shuffled through baskets. At the mention of weapons you were already hesitant, stiff as a board. However, for as far as you knew everything that could do harm was on the other side of his marui, so you slowly dropped to your knees beside him. 

Lo’ak pulled out on those glowing squares that the scientists were always tapping on. You’d seen them many times in your trips to the outpost but never were interested in becoming familiar with it. This one was smaller, though. So small it fit in the palm of his hand. Then he pulled out another metal object that was an oval shape. 

With a few taps on the tiny pad the oval began singing. You shuffled backwards, almost hitting the hammock behind, as if the small device would attack. When it made no other movement you relaxed and awkwardly crouched back into place. To his credit, Lo’ak tried to hide his laughter. 

Sky Demon music is strange. So different from the lively drums that accompanied their ceremonies. From the foreign words to strange layers of sound it was always too overwhelming. But this song stood apart. 

No language to throw you off but whistling of high and low that would meld into perfect harmony. Lo’ak watched as you creeped ever closer. Despite its soft essence the music gently floated over the sound of thunder and lightning until it felt like the only air filling the marui.

Your tail curled lazily along the floor. Hands bracing yourself forward you drank in every note and phrases that formed together. There was no way of predicting which message would sprout from one to the next but somehow it maintained that perfect fluidity. Like the roots of the trees that intertwined all greenery together, this song was its own habitat. 

“Beautiful.” Lo’ak murmured, like a whisper of a secret. 

“Beautiful.” You couldn’t help but agree, but when you looked up his eyes were only set on you. Warmth crackled through your veins. 

He rose to his feet second after and you craned to look at him. 

“I will go drag my brother out so you can go home. At least make sure he’s decent.” His right ear twitched as a glimmer of amusement snuck through. “But you are free to stay as long as you like.”

The rain was still coming down in sheets outside. When Lo’ak pushed the cover aside you could see another flash of light from the sky. He stepped out into the shower without hesitation, braids becoming shiny in the rain. For a moment you considered protesting, insisting that he wait until the storm had passed, but you feared the contradiction. Only a mere moment ago you were stumbling to return. 

“Tanhi, you were right.” Lo’ak called over the pounding rain. “It did bother me to see you with him.” 

There and gone within a flash. You were left to sit in his kelku with lips parted and head more dizzy than ever. Despite how much there was to unpack you allowed yourself to sink into the sweet melody. Curling up with the blanket that had fallen to the floor you decided that you didn’t have to go back, not just yet. 

“Kaltxi [hello], traitor.” You huffed after breaching the entrance. There was no sight of Neteyam but you could still smell his specific essence in the air. Talu’s ears twitched up at the sound of your voice, pausing from where she was cleaning her room. 

“Oh come on, don’t be like that.” She chastised you but a smile was already forming along her lips. She tugged the trunk from the corner quickly and sat down atop it. Elbows resting on her crossed legs and eyes shining with interest, her keen attitude was far too much for your hungover state to handle. “Tell me everything!” 

“Where would you like me to start? Waking up today in another man’s bed? Or maybe I could tell the story from when you decided to toss me off to him so you could entertain a certain prince last night.” Your arms crossed and nose scrunched as you glared down at her. 

Your agitation only increased when Talu let out a short laugh. 

“Toss you off? Tsmuke [sister] I could not have pried you away from him last night.” Her correction was accompanied by her own body language mimicking yours, lips tempted into a playful smirk. It made your own countenance falter. 

“What are you talking about?” Narrowed eyes pinned her into place but Talu already wore a giddy grin. 

“I tried several times to take you home last night but you would not have it. You were glued to Lo’ak’s side, kept talking about how good he smelled.” Her smile only grew as fire burned into your cheeks. “He even offered to walk you home but it was you that insisted upon staying with him. You were absolutely smitten.” She giggled.

“I was absolutely drunk!” You hissed, tailing coiling around your own ankle. You ran your fingers through the root of your tangled hair, eyes squeezing shut in horror. This is not how Lo’ak had told the story. Why would he have spun it differently? “And you just let me fall all over him? Let him take me back to his place so you could fuck his older brother?!”

“Mawey tiyawn [calm down love],” She urged, voice far gentler than your own as she stood and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “Lo’ak promised nothing would happen and I believed him especially after…” That usual soft composure sharpened into something fierce. You knew exactly what she was remembering. You were confident that Talu would snap Napau in half herself were it not for Lo’ak getting their first. Despite her sweet and tempered demeanor your sister could be vicious once provoked. She had a protective streak that no one could dampen. 

“Yes yes I know.” You groaned. 

“So then you know that it’s all handled then. Neteyam is on his way to talk to Olo’eyktan right now.”

“Don’t remind me.” You spoke on an exhale, arms dropping to your side. This headache was never going to go away and now it had more ammunition to swirl it into chaos. Was it really as bad as Talu described? How were you ever going to face him again? And yet Lo’ak had not spoken of your clinging once. 

“He was quite heroic.” Talu smiled, finger moving to start releasing the knots in your hair. “I thought after how scared you were with Napau that you would want to return home immediately but you melted so easily in Lo’ak’s arms. A few minutes of playing with his hair and you were happy as a clam.”

You covered your heated face, stomach twisting as you imagined the scene. 

“Bury me ten feet under.” You whined, slumping into her arms. Talu shushed your worries, nimble fingers doing wonders for your chaotic hair. 

“Oh now don’t be so dramatic. I’m sure Lo’ak would never hold it against you.”

And he didn’t. In fact, he went out of his way to spin another story with the omission of your embarrassing desires. Why would he do that? He had been given the perfect ammunition. The perfect proof that you were interested in him and yet he had done nothing with it? Threw it out before even utilizing it. 

Surely there was some leverage to be gained after all of his courting to now find you falling all over him. 

None of it made sense and perhaps the remnants of pxir were stronger than you anticipated. It seemed as if the world had been spun on its top. You were nowhere closer to unwinding this web now than you were a few hours ago so you might as well rest. With that in mind you unclasped yourself from Talu’s arms and told her you were going to lay down. 

Hallway out the door way she stopped you. 

“You aren’t mad, are you? Truly?” Her voice wavered with hesitation for the first time since your arrival. “It wasn’t my intention to bring him home but once you were in such good hands….well, the night was so perfect and-”

“It is fine.” You reassured her, hand lazily landing on her shoulder. 

“Thank you.” Talu whispered, her eyes melting into a warm honey hue. You shrugged it off. 

“I hope he was worth it.” You snorted but one look at the Talu’s sneaking grin and swatting tail told you so much more about their night of fun than you would have liked to know. 

Thankfully the storm did not continue much longer. Rain continued to wash over the forest but thunder and lightning had taken its absence. It allowed you to fall head first into a deep sleep, although your dreams were riddled with passing memories. Glimpses of Lo’ak’s hands coming up to wipe away tears. The stretch of blue skin along his shoulder and throat that you snuggled into until his essence was clear. Even the deep rumble of soothing praise as you let yourself fall back into his chest. 

Hours later a shuffling of footsteps by the door pulled you out of sleep. Feeling much stronger now, you slowly padded to the entrance with pinched brows. Lo’ak was already gone but another cooked meal was left in his place with a homemade umbrella perched atop to keep it dry. 

You thought nothing of it, although begrudgingly grateful for something to fill your stomach. But then you saw something else neatly fold into a leaf, a note tucked at its side. 

To keep the darkness away

-Lo’ak

And left behind were those two objects that had played such sweet music in his kelku. His secret weapon, now yours to wield.

Any and all feeback is appreciated! It makes a huge difference for motivation and updating<3

Part of taglist: @hauntingvenus @yawnetu @baybaybear1 @affinity101022 @tsireyasluvr

[23victoria]

Too Late.

synopsis: they loved you when it was too late. 

pairings: sully family x daughter/sister!reader, neteyam x twin!reader, neytiri x daughter! Reader, jake x daughter!reader

warnings: mentions of death, attempted suicide, suicidal thoughts(?), swearing, familial issues. 

word count: 3.6k

a/n: would yall believe me if i said i wrote this while listening to pussy talk by city girls LMFAOOOOO p.s. Happy valentines day (THE RED TEXT IS "FESTIVE" im trynna get into the valentines day spirit :D). I wish i could've given yall part two of illicit love instead of this but i'm not done with it </3. ALMOST THO!!! (gif creds: @world-of-pandora)

it was never supposed to end like this. jake's mouth felt bitter. his whole body shook as he let out the most heart-stopping scream when his eyes landed on his eldest daughter. you, neteyam's twin, lay lifeless in his arms. your father cried because he never got to tell you he was proud of you, or that he loved you, or that you didn't need to compare to your brother to still be considered his baby girl. 

it wasn't always like this, though. 

you and neteyam were always happy and playing around together when you were younger. still, as you two grew older, neteyam took on olo'eyktan training and became his father's perfect warrior. where does that leave you? mo'at had chosen kiri to pursue tsahik training because of her apparent connection to eywa. so where does that leave you? lo'ak took on the role of the troublemaker, and tuk, of course, is just the baby of the family. so where does that leave you?

you're lo'ak's babysitter. making sure the boy doesn't get into trouble, but with your lack of training due to your father training your brother more than you, you weren't really the best babysitter. honestly, it was more lo'ak protecting than you protecting him. he kept you from losing balance while in high places, saved you when you fell into the rapids and flew you home when you forgot your way as if you had not lived in this forest your whole life. 

you felt like a burden on your family. 

nothing you ever did was right. 

you went hunting? cool, but you didn't bring back enough for the whole family, so now neteyam and lo'ak have to go out and find more food for everyone else. 

you bead a necklace for your friend? great, but you messed up the pattern she asked for, so she brought it to kiri so she could remake it.

tuk wanted to go play with you? of course! but now she has a sprained ankle from falling into the river while you were looking at flowers a few feet away.

and every time, somehow, some way, your family always managed to say something that felt like a blade stabbed through your heart.

"next time, y/n, just leave the hunting to neteyam and i. at least we know the right amount to bring back." it was lo'ak before he and your twin had to go hunting for more food for dinner a few weeks ago.

"you know, sister, your jewelry hasn't been the same recently. i've had sooo many of your friends coming back to me saying you messed up the pattern they asked for. just try and pay more attention when you're beading." kiri said as you walked into your home. she was re-beading the necklace you gave to your best friend yesterday. 

the one she told you was perfect and that she loved it.

"how could you leave your sister unattended like that y/n she could've been killed?! why can't you be like neteyam? you’re twins, for crying out loud, y/n. do you not care for your sister's well-being?" your father scolded you outside your grandmother's hut. you could hear her cries inside the tent, along with your mother's gentle words of comfort, as she tried to calm her youngest daughter down. 

you were being compared to your twin for the millionth time in your life, and as used to this as you should be, it still hurt just as bad as the first time your father had said it. 

"she only sprained her ankle. it was an accident sempu–" you tried to defend yourself, but you were cut off. 

"NO. it is, sir. do you understand me?" jake yelled at you. in your 18 years, your father had never raised his voice at you, let alone for you calling him 'sempu.' he used to love it when you called him because you were his ite and he was your sempu. but right now, to him, you were just someone who had hurt his child and nothing more than that. you hang your head, eyes falling to the floor in front of you as you didn't want your father to see you cry. 

"sorry, sir." was all you said before walking away. you don't know where you walked, but you found yourself at the abandoned shack. you knew this area was forbidden, so when you realized where you were, you immediately crouched. you were just gonna walk back because your father would kill you if he found out you were over here, but then you heard voices. you looked through the bush to see a group of 3 or 4 avatars. you knew you couldn't escape now, so you pressed on the collar of your neck.

"sempu– sorry. sir, i need help, i wasn't paying attention to where i was walking, and i can hear avatars speaking english and–" your father cut you off.

"where are you?" he, your mother, and your two brothers were patrolling around your land's territories when they heard you through their earpieces. 

you let out a heavy sigh, praying to eywa that he wouldn't chew your ass up for being here, before pressing the button again and saying, 

"i'm at the abandoned shac–AHH! OWW, LET GO, YOU ASSHOLE!!" you couldn't finish as one of the avatars found your hiding spot, grabbing you by your queue.

thankfully your family had heard enough. your twin telling his father he knew a shortcut, they all flew as fast as they could to you. honestly, this was their last straw. everyone was fed up with you constantly making things hard for everyone.

your mother, though, was worried. you were caught by those skydemons all by yourself. who knew what they would do to you?

as you waited for your family, you were roughly held by your queue as they poked and prodded at you like they had never seen a native before. 

"let me see your hands." the man with a buzzcut spoke. 

"why don't you look at my feet instead?" you said. they all gave you a confused look until you kicked quaritch right in his face. you don't know how, but it caused the avatar behind you to loosen his grip, so you tried to make a break for it.

unluckily for you, the female avatar grabbed your arm, pulling you back into her form. she gripped you by your neck, unaware that she had pressed the button on your communicator. you hissed at her. the man you had kicked was only laughing as he wiped the blood dripping from his nose. "she must be one of his. she's defiant. grab her hands, let me see." he said

the avatar behind you grabbed your hands, holding them both out. 

"hm… four fingers. maybe she's not one of his." were they gonna let you go? wishful thinking.

"fine. she may not be one of his but if one of their people go missing they're bound to come for her. keep her." his words made your heart sank. were they gonna take you? away from everything? your home? your family? if you could even call it that. 

but then you thought about it. you really can't call it that. you don't remember the last happy memory you had with someone, anyone, in your family. it clicked to you that it had been about 10 minutes since you had radioed your father, and he wasn't here yet. were they even coming for you? you knew it was a stupid question. they were coming for you. why would they when this was the easiest way to get rid of the weak link of the family? it's not like your blood would be on their hands, and their life would be way better without you.

"they're not gonna come for me. i have no family. you killed my family in the last war, you dickhead." you lied to the man you had kicked earlier. 

hearing you say this confused your family. what were you talking about?

"dammit you're an orphan? i didn't know the na'vi had any of those. then what do we do with her. she's useless. nobody will notice she's gone." the woman behind you asked her superior. 

"hmm.. i have a better idea. kill her. use her as a warning to the sullys. this is what we're capable of now. it'll be a threat. give us jake sully and nobody else will die. but this one… this one is our lab rat. we're gonna make you bleed out nice and slow little one." he said as he grabbed his pistol off his waist, pressing it below your jaw. the nickname made you internally gag, but you held your ground. 

these people had no real idea how tired you really were. you were exhausted. you were ready for life with eywa. you wanted your deity to hold you close, keep you warm, and protect you from the harsh real world. the world that your parents didn't adequately prepare you for. the world that you were ready to leave. 

"kill me," you said as you grabbed quaritch's wrist and moved his gun from under his jaw to right here. "and make it quick. nobody will come for me anyways," you said in a monotone voice.

the avatars all looked at you in awe. they had never once seen a na'vi so willing to give up their life. the natives they had all met were vicious, hissing and armed, always ready to kill. but you. you were the opposite.

you were fed up and ready to die. but not for your people. for your own inner peace. 

"no," quaritch said, putting his gun down. that shocked everyone. like he shocked his soldiers and your family, who had been listening the whole time. they were trying to get to you as fast as possible.

hearing how you really felt was a wake-up call for your family. and when they heard bullets moving within the chamber of quaritch's pistol, they all flew their ikrans as fast as possible, weaving through trees and around mountains, trying to get to you.

you looked at the man like he had just betrayed you. 

"DO IT, YOU COWARD! FUCKING DO IT! NOBODY WILL COME FOR ME!! THEY DON'T CARE!! THEY DON'T FUCKING CARE!!" you don't know what came over you, but you tried to wrestle quaritch's pistol out of his hands. your family was only 2 clicks away and could hear you struggling. everyone landed at the same time. the sullys, excluding tuk and kiri, who had stayed with mo'at, caught quaritch's attention, which distracted him enough for you to pull the gun from his grip. 

you distanced yourself from everyone, and looking around, you realized you were surrounded by everyone. your family and these random avatar people. everyone could read you. you were a ticking time bomb and the only person in control of the trigger was you. one of the avatars took a step forward slowly, but you saw him move and point the gun at him. it didn't stop him from moving, but you heard screams of protest when you pointed the gun at your own head. that's when everyone froze. the avatars. your family. nature. time. eywa. you. everything was frozen.

"babygirl…" the nickname made you snap your neck to the man who was the root of your problems. 

"NO! no, you do not get to call me that. if i can't call you ma sempu, don't bother referring to me as your daughter." you said. your energy was depleted, and you knew you would only be able to stand here for a couple more minutes before you opened your own doors and walked to your great-mother. jake tried to take a step closer to you, which only caused you to tense up and pull on the trigger a little bit. everyone immediately backed up, your mother hissing at you through her tears. "MA ITE, PUT THE GUN DOWN," she screamed at you.

"sa'nok…" you whimpered, not even being able to look her in the eyes. 

"sa'nu… i can't" you sobbed. you could barely breathe and your tears were coming down in waterfalls at this point. you couldn't see anything clearly. your tears had blurred your vision. 

you knew your mom loved you. she and tuk were the only ones in the family who had never uttered a harsh word in your direction. though she was busy taking care of tuk, so it wasn't like you got much attention from them either. but there's no way you would blame her or tuk for that. if anything, you're sorry that you have to leave them, but this world isn't for you. you turned on your heels, looking at the man whose gun you took.

"you are a coward. you should've pulled the goddamn trigger. you're fucking pathetic. are you happy now? now everyone here gets to experience what they've waited so long for." nobody had ever heard you speak to anyone like that. honestly, they couldn't tell if your words were directed at quaritch or yourself. 

you inhaled, looking up at the eclipse, your bioluminescent freckles glowing brighter than they ever had in the nighttime as tears cascaded down your face. 

"goodbye," you said as you squeezed the trigger, hearing a loud bang and tons of screaming. you felt no pain, though. you opened your eyes, not realizing you had closed them, and looked around. you noticed your pistol was stuck in the tree in front of you with an arrow clean through it. you turned to your twin with hate in your eyes. he lowered his bow as he read your expression. 

"now you wanna save me?" your voice was weak but filled with venom. 

"why didn't you save me when you noticed i stopped hanging out with you guys? hm? why didn't you teach me when i was younger? huh? why didn't you talk to me other than when you were chewing my ass out for something that was A FUCKING ACCIDENT, GODAMMIT. WHY?!" you felt like your tears were endless. 

"WHY DIDN'T YOU LOVE ME?! ANSWER ME YOU FUCKERS!! WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?!" you screamed your frustrations at your father and brothers. none of them could look you in your eyes, save for your mother. "you only want to save me because you know how much i don't want to be saved anymore but it's too goddamn late," you said.

you turned to the female avatar who was holding you from before. you noticed her gun earlier and hoped you looked threatening enough for her to use it as you ran in her direction. she didn't know what to do. she didn't know you were a barely trained warrior or that you wouldn't have put a scratch on her. she didn't know you were harmless. all she knew was that you were a native, and the natives were hostile. 

so she pulled her gun out and fired two shots into your chest.

the momentum of the bullet was enough to stop you from running. you felt the searing pain start to blossom in your chest area. falling to your knees, your eyes met the woman who had shot you. you looked at her shirt, reading her name. it was a funny name to you, but you didn't care. she had fulfilled your wish without even knowing it. so you used your last breath to speak.

"thank you, z-dog" you slumped over on your side, as everything started to go slow. your vision was starting to darken, and you let it consume you, not wanting to fight for your life anymore. 

cue the screams and cries from your family and the fleeing steps of the rda soldiers. your chest stopped rising and falling, and your breathing had ceased. your family surrounded your body, trying to stop your bleeding and preserve the life that had already left your body. still, you had been shot twice, and both bullets had exit wounds. it was no use. nearby, na'vi had heard the screams of distress and had called over some hunters and scouts to investigate the scene since they knew the area was near the forbidden old shack.

the hunters and scouts arrived at the scene armed and ready to defend their people, but what they were met with was the last thing they expected to see. the eldest sully daughter was lying on the floor, motionless, with two bullet holes in her chest and her blood sinking into the forest floor. her family leaned over her body, screaming and crying for her to be okay and to return to them. they whispered how sorry they were. they whispered to her how if she came back, they would treat her right, teach her, hang out with her, and love her like they were supposed to. but it's too late.

nobody knew how to react. the eldest sully daughter had died, and nobody but her family knew what had happened. 

“ma ite, oel ngati kameie. i see you. i'm sorry, i'm so so sorry. you don't have to be your brother. being you was just fine." your father cried as he cradled your head. brushing your hair away from your face, getting blood on your cheek since his hands were covered in it. 

neteyam and lo'ak were each holding one of your hands. they cried as they watched their tears pool in your palm and then fall off the edge to drip into the soil below your body. they couldn't believe they treated you like anything less than their sister. they treated you like you were a stranger, a burden to deal with. and now that you were gone, they could not tell you how sorry they were for how they treated you.

neytiri was inconsolable. her firstborn daughter had just died in front of her eyes. willingly. she wanted this. her own daughter wanted to take her life. and she couldn't do anything to stop it. how could she not know? how did you go 18 years hurting in silence? how did she not know you needed to be saved? 

"ma ite. my baby. ma y/n." neytiri's heart shattered when she saw those bullets go through your chest. she cried over your body for what felt like hours, but it was only a few minutes until the male healers came so they could carry you to the healing tents to prepare you for your burial ritual. 

as jake pulled his mate from your body, she started to push against him trying to get him to let go of her so she could return to her daughter. 

eventually, jake lets go, unable to keep his mate from her child. he joined her and just asked the healers to give your family a minute with you. 

they just nodded in understanding, leaving your family to grieve. 

two pairs of footsteps rushed towards the clearing, where the family mourned one of their own. 

kiri and tuk had heard the news and came as fast as they could. tuk screamed, running up to you and curling herself into your chest as she sobbed into your neck. she didn't care if she was getting blood all over herself. you were her older sister, and she didn't even get to say goodbye. she felt nothing but sadness and loss. tuk felt terrible because the last time she had seen you was earlier when you brought her back from the stream because she had sprained your ankle. and now you were lying on the forest floor dead? how did this happen?

"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?! SISTER, PLEASE!!" kiri begged you to wake up as she placed herself where her father was earlier. she rested your head in her lap, looking into your lifeless yellow eyes. you were her elder sister. as much as you didn't know, kiri looked up to you. she knew how hard you tried for the family, and though it wasn't your fault that you would mess up a necklace every once and a while, she couldn't help but feel guilty for the words she said to you in those moments. she knew she could've should've been nicer about it. 

when it was finally time for the healers to take your body, once again, neytiri tried to fight against them. this time everyone in the family had to hold her back as the healer walked you away in a leaf big enough to cover your entire body from the eyes of those around you. once you were gone from her view, neytiri fell to the floor again, sobbing into the ground, 

"GREAT MOTHER, WHY?!!" their mother's screams felt like a knife in their hearts. the sully family felt nothing but guilt and grief upon your death. nobody got closure because there is no closure for this kind of thing. they were the reason you wanted to die, and now that you got what you wanted, they had to live with that guilt. 

you were high in being held in eywa's embrace as you cried. looking down on your family. you did not regret your decision, but you just had one question for your deity. 

"did they really love me, great mother." eywa heaved a sigh before answering you. 

"my ite, your mother and youngest sister loved you everyday, they were just very poor at showing it i'm afraid." you nodded your head, asking a follow-up question, 

"what about the others?" you knew by her face that you wouldn't like the answer, but it was too late. the question was asked. and the answer is precisely the reason why you did what you did.

"they loved you just a little bit too late, my child."

[atokirina-writings]

“Omatikayaru tìhawnu sivi”- Protect the people.

sully family x reader

shoutout to @eywas-heir for giving me the idea for this fic, i hope i did it justice :)

pairings: sully family x reader, neytiri x daughter!reader, jake sully x daughter! reader, neteyam x twinsister!reader etc.

notes: this is set during the events of avatar twow and I had sm fun writing this! this fic is 2k+ words so be prepared

synopsis: you’re the twin sister to neteyam. growing up you served as the families little bit of peace, even when quaritch threatens everything you know and love.

…Mìpa tìreyti, mìpa tìkanti. Lawnol a mì te’lan.

One of your earliest memories was your mother and father cradling you and your twin brother Neteyam, while your mother sings her songcord. Your mothers voice always had an affect on you from a young age.

“y/n, please stop fighting with your brother.” You always listened to what your mother had to say, even if it was a scolding. You loved your dad endlessly but you were a mama’s girl at heart, and everyone knew it.

She sees a lot of her late older sister in you. Your compassion for Pandora’s animal life, your strong will, and your love for the people.

“Ma' ite, she is beautiful.” Your grandmother constantly reminded your mother how happy she is that you’re her first grandchild. Your whole family adored you and that continued even into your teen years

“Ma sempul Lo’ak has done nothing wrong, let him be.” You never failed to stand up for your younger brother to your father, even when what he did was truly stupid. You never let your brother feel like he was not supported by you. Today however, was different.

When you got the message that Lo’ak, Kiri, Spider, and Tuk were at the old shack with sky people present, you felt could not defend him. He had put himself and your siblings in a dangerous position.

After rescuing your siblings from Quaritch and his people, you couldn’t help but to let your anger with your brother dissipate. Your gratefulness for their safety was a stronger feeling than your anger for them being in that situation in the first place.

꧁꧂

Later that night after finishing a conversation with a few of your friends you make your way back to your families tent. You catch your siblings seated outside of your home seemingly listening to someone’s conversation. “Guys what are you do-” Kiri sushes you, gesturing for you to sit down with them.

“I can not, you can not ask this. I can not leave my people, I will not!” Your ears perk up at the mention of leaving the people. ‘What’s going on?’ You wonder. Your father says something about him targeting your family. You immediately know who he’s referring to. “You can not ask this! The children everything they’ve ever known, the forest, this is our home!” Your mom bites back. Tuk winces upon hearing your mom yell at your dad. Placing a hand on her shoulder you nod at her, giving her a faint smile attempting to keep her grounded.

“My father gave me this bow as he lay dying. And he said ‘protect the people’ you’re Toruk Makto!” At this point you and your siblings are all on edge, as you begin to understand what your dad is insisting. Tuk wraps herself in your embrace as you attempt to soothe her irregular breathing. Kiri has a hand over her mouth as she lets out quiet sobs. Your brothers have serious faces on with saddened eyes.

“But I know one thing, wherever we go this family is our fortress.” You and your siblings make eye contact sharing a knowing look. Your father has never given your family any reason not to trust him, this is no different.

꧁꧂

Turning back you’re met with the forest, your people, and your home getting smaller and smaller as you ride off with your family to a new region of Pandora.

You learned how to hunt there, you bonded with your Ikran there, you attended Tsahìk lessons with your grandmother there. The forest is your home and your life’s first love. Nowhere could ever replace it.

Although if this is truly the best choice for the safety of your family, you’re willing to go as far as it takes.

꧁꧂

Arriving at Awa'atlu, everything felt wrong. You felt outcast for the first time in your life. You and your siblings immediately being subject to the bullying of the Olo'eyktan’s son Ao’nung and his friends didn’t help the feeling either.

“Leave us alone!” Your ears perk up, your head swiftly turning to where you’re hearing the commotion. Your eyes land on the sight of Lo’ak and Kiri being harassed by Ao’nung and his friends. Making eye contact with Neteyam you both make your way over to your younger siblings.

Roughly shoving Ao’nung away from your brother and giving him a deadly stare, your eyes narrowing at him. “You heard what she said, leave them alone.” Neteyam demands. One of his friends attempts to talk back to him and before you can respond to him Ao’nung raises his hand infront of is body, silencing him. “Back off now!” You hiss tilting your head, daring him to say anything back. Ao’nung then raises his hands in surrender. “Smart choice, and from now on I need you to respect my siblings.” Checking to make sure all of you are ok you begin to retreat back to your marui pod.

Walking away they begin to talk more shit under their breaths about your family. Lo’ak stops walking with us and turns back. Neteyam warns him to stop but Lo’ak dismisses him and continues to walk over to the group. Neteyam makes eye contact with you, clearly confused as the two of you watch the scene unfold.

Suddenly Lo’ak punches Ao’nung in the face twice, and he’s sent back by the blow into the sand. “It’s called a punch bitch!” They immediately gang up on your brother, he starts losing the fight and fast. “Teyam do something!” You whisper yell to your brother. He looks at you scratching his head contemplating getting into a fight for his little brother, ultimately deciding to jump in to help him.

꧁꧂

After all the fighting Lo’ak and Neteyam returned home all bruised up. Your father was not having it, ordering you all to go make peace with Ao’nung. Once your brothers left with defeated faces you stick behind to talk with your dad.

“Lo’ak was only defending Kiri, Sully’s stick together and that’s what he was doing. The execution wasn’t the best sure but he still stood up for her, don’t be so harsh.” He sends you a sympathetic smile and pulling you into his chest, wrapping you in his strong arms, and kissing the top of your head. “Alright babygirl.”

꧁꧂

The peace that was made between the two families was soon destroyed when Teyam comes in dragging Ao’nung by his arm “Tell them what you told me” Looking at your parents in confession you listen to what Aonung has to say.

The color drains from your face he reveals what has happened with your brother. Throughout the night you wondered where he had gone off to, figuring he was out doing his own thing with his new friend Tsireya you brushed it off.

When your little brother returned home you ran to him trapping him in a tight embrace, thanking Eywa for his safety. He relaxes in your embrace but quickly tenses back up at the sight of your enraged mother.

꧁꧂

The following weeks at Awa'atlu were rather peaceful for you. Lo’ak told you all about Payakan, the clan shamed him for it but you found it interesting and agreed with him that Payakan is a hero. So did little Tuk, she constantly asked him about his new found friend.

The Tulkun returned home, and you swear to Eywa it was the most beautiful sight. You got better and better at riding your ilu and holding you breath thanks to Tsireya’s lessons. Things for your family were starting to look up.

꧁꧂

You were cooking dinner with your parents when you got the news that started the spiral that sent everything downhill.

You and your mother were laughing at your father’s corny jokes, simply enjoying one another’s company when Tonowari walked past your marui pod, causing you all to fall silent. Your mom gave your dad a questioning look as he makes his way to Tonowari.

꧁꧂

Ronal’s spirit sister and her baby were killed by Quaritch. Noticing how your mom’s heart clinches at Ronal’s cries reminding her of when her own sister was taken by the sky people, you place a hand on her shoulder trying to soothe your mother.

When the clan gets word on what has happened, all hell breaks loose. Your father attempts to reason with them that attacking the sky people will end in defeat but they persist. “Please, listen to my father!” You beg the people to hear him out but their war cries only grow louder.

Your father shows off the tracker to clan, silencing them all. It is decided that the clan will warn the tulkun and tell them to leave. The clan thinks this is about the Tulkun but your family knows it’s really you being hunted.

Lo’ak runs off to the docks, Neteyam and you following after him knowing he’s going to warn Payakan. Lo’ak argues with Neteyam about him being the perfect son he’ll never be and it hurts your heart. He jumps into the water and takes off on his ilu. Neteyam and you yell his name in unison as you jump in after him, commanding your ilus to follow him.

꧁꧂

When you find Payakan, he has a tracker lodged in his arm. Using the strength of You, Neteyam, Lo’ak, Rotxo, Ao’nung, and Tsireya you manage to pull the tracker out. Successfully rescuing him.

In the process Kiri, Tuk, Lo’ak, and Tsireya are captured and bound the the ship. Your parents along with the metkiyna warriors arrive aiding in the fight, Payakan does too.

Dodging every bullet from underwater effortlessly, you make your way to the ship. Emerging from the water you run to Lo’ak cutting him loose while Neteyam frees Tuk and Tsireya.

“Did ya miss me little bro?” You tease. Rolling his eyes and shaking his bound wrist “Just hurry up!”

Cutting him loose “Cmon bro lets go.” Neteyam and you begin to exit the ship but Lo’ak turns back, taking a gun from a dead sky person.

“They have spider” Lo’ak begs you and Neteyam to save him. You know how much Spider means to him, they grew up together after all. Sharing a look with Neteyam he groans and reluctantly agrees.

Together You and your brothers take out every last human in the area seamlessly. Using your knife to puncture one of its oxygen mask while kicking the back side of their knee bringing them to the floor, slitting their throat. Successfully retrieving Spider you rest your hands on your knees trying to calm your uneven breathing, “Nice kill sis!” Lo’ak praises, hitting the back of his head in response annoyed by his joking in a serious situation.

“Guys go! go!” Neteyam shouts,redirecting your attention to the avatar shooting at the three of you. Once the four of you reach cover you take the gun out of Lo’ak’s possession, firing back at your attackers.

“Lo’ak jump go!” You order and be wastes no time jumping off of the ship into the water below, the other two boys following right behind him. You stay behind continuing to fire bullets at the group shooting at you, you’re out numbered now. Quickly reciting a prayer to Eywa you dive into the water.

When you emerge from under the water you gasp at the stinging sensation in your shoulder.

“Oh shit y/n.” Spider gasps and everyone’s attention is on you in an instant. You feel yourself being pulled onto an ilu as your eyes start to feel heavy. “Y/n hey, hey, stay awake ok?” Lo’ak pleads as he cradles you in his arms.

꧁꧂

“Watch her head! Watch her head” You hear someone frantically yell. You gather that you’re being pulled onto some form of land. Feeling strong hands grasp your shoulders examining your body, your eyes flutter open. “Babygirl? Hey sweetie keep your eyes open for me yeah?”

You feel heavy, your eyes are clouded with tears, everything hurts. As you blink in and out of consciousness you notice everyone is hovering around you in a circle, and a new figure emerges.

“Oh my sweet girl, Eywa please.” She begs “Momma i’m scared, I want- I want to go home.” You choke out, through the pain getting worse and worse by the second. “We’re going home baby, we’re going home.”

Your eyes unfocus from the world around you.

You can hear cries from over you but you no longer have the energy to inspect it.

꧁꧂

Your eyes open to Tsireya and Ronal kneeling over you. You groan at the light beaming painfully into your eyes. “She is awake, everyone she is awake!” Tsireya calls out and in an instant your family rushes in.

Your mother walks up to you falling to her knees at the sight of your hurting figure. “Thank you great mother, thank you.” Hot tears fall from her face onto your chest as she litters kisses on your forehead.

Looking to your other side you see your dad staring at you with puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. “Dad it’s ok, i’m ok now.” You reassure. Your voice is hoarse and dry, from the lack of talking you’ve been doing.

“I’m just happy so you’re safe baby.” Your dad says sending you a close lipped smile. Using all the strength in your body you extend your arms out to your family, inviting them into all into a hug.

Your parents place their foreheads on yours, your brothers hold each of your hands, and your sisters rest their heads on each of your legs.

Melting into your family’s embrace, burning this moment into your memory.

Sully’s stick together.

tysm for reading! a like and reblog is deeply appreciated <3

Taglist: @multifandomgirllol @23victoria @avatar4eva @simp-erformarvelwomen @themysteriousslenderman @hannahboobanna @uglymammoth @onlytays @bvbblepopp @lets-candice @mrs-sullys-blog @ssc7514 @neteyamforlife @iloveavatar

[normspellsman]

Truly & Honestly

part one | part two | part three | part four (wip)

pairing: ao’nung x fem!sully!reader, lo’ak x twin sister!reader, & jake sully x daughter!reader

genre: angsty, comfort (from jake to reader), fluff, ao’nung being a simp for the reader, & the twins make up (yay!)

word count: 3.9k+

warning(s): jake feeling like he’s not an adequate father, lo’ak still in his self loathing era, lo’ak missing his twin :(, ao’nung growling, the sully twins crying, kissing, & reader + ao’nung being cute af

word bank: kehe — no, skxawng — moron; idiot, sempul — father, sempu — daddy (term of endearment), eywa / great mother — goddess deity that the na’vi believe in, paysyul — water lily, & sayrìp — handsome

taglist: @aonungsmate @dearstell @optimisticblazetrash @thatonegirlwiththebeanie367 @goodiesinthecloset21 @universal-s1ut @amortencjja @liyahsocorro @minkyungseokie @chshshhshshshshshshshs

note: kinda rushed the end bc i struggled with figuring out what lo’ak should say & the reader should respond with & this is what i came up with. hope i did it justice & well enough. i swear i never read or written the words gently & softly so many times in my life holy shit 🧍🏻. anyway, the long awaited part three is finally here! yayyy! enjoy lovelies <3

It had been days since the last time you talked to Lo’ak, ignoring him everywhere you went.

At first, he avoided you too, trying to gather his thoughts and think of a way to apologize to you. He tried a couple of things that worked back when you both were children. He made you a new armband that matched his, but he didn’t see you wearing it the next day. He then made you a small trinket to add to your ever growing collection of random shit you found, but it was right where he left it the next day. He then tried to talk to you but all he received in return was your silence and Ao’nung’s small growls in warning for him to step away. Lo’ak felt like he was going to circles. He felt utterly hopeless.

It wasn’t long until both of your parents and remaining siblings realized your avoidance towards each other. Neteyam had failed to tell Jake and Neytiri about what happened that fateful night, in turn disregarding telling Kiri and Tuk. He wanted Lo’ak to tell them for himself or at least have you confront them about it and receive comfort from them. But he knew the both of you were too stubborn to ask help from your parents, so one night he asks no one in particular if they knew why you were, yet again, staying over in Tsireya and Ao’nung’s marui pod.

His question made Lo’ak freeze and nearly choke on the food that was halfway down his throat, harshly swallowing in discomfort.

Neytiri was deeply disturbed by your absence. She missed you dearly. She asked you many times as to why you were never around and you never gave her the truth, wanting Lo’ak to do it on his own. You’d always give her an answer of Tsireya is offering me extra breathing lessons, it’s just easier if I stay over for dinner tonight or Tsireya and I wanted a sleep over. Neytiri always frowned at your answers, knowing that you weren’t telling her the truth. But she never pried. She knew that you would tell her the true reason someday so she let you stay with Tsireya as long as you needed.

Jake didn’t realize your distance until nearly a week after the fight. He had been too caught up in his training with Tonowari and making sure that Quaritch was nowhere near Awa’atlu to comprehend your absence from the family for one too many nights. But once he did, he felt uneasy. He knew you like the back of his hand. He had to. You’re his first born daughter, it was expected of him to. He was always the first person you’d run to whenever you had any kind of problem, confiding in him for a solution or aid. It warmed his heart that he was the first person you came to in time of need, made him feel wanted and loved. So when he saw you barely glance at Lo’ak or even say goodbye to them before heading off to wherever you had in mind, he felt unease settle itself on to his chest. He knew something was wrong and wanted to know what it was, but didn’t want to pry it out of you. It wouldn’t work. He felt helpless and wanted to figure out whatever was wrong so you’d stop distancing yourself from the family. He just wanted his little girl back.

The night Neteyam had asked that question, made Neytiri and Jake pop up in interest and repeat the question to their circle of children.

Lo’ak wanted to tear his older brothers head off right then and there. He didn’t need his parents meddling in both of your business. This was something between him and you, not your parents.

Kiri and Tuk had also realized your absence but didn’t give it too much thought. You always hung out with them at your guys spot and interacted with them. Yeah they found it odd that you rarely slept in the family pod and if you did, you were the first person awake and out of the house. So Neteyam’s question piqued their interest.

It took a lot of prying on Neteyam’s part to finally get the truth out of Lo’ak, but once he did, shit hit the fan.

“Kehe!” Neytiri gasped out, truly surprised at her sons words, “You did not!”.

She thought she raised both of her sons to respect all women, especially the ones in their lives. She couldn’t believe that her own son called his own twin a slut. And for what? Seeing the Olo’eyktan’s son and not telling a single soul about it? Neytiri was flabbergasted at the news.

“Boy,” Jake growled, beyond pissed at his sons previous actions and lack of communication about what occurred. He didn’t even need to ask Lo’ak about whether what he said was true or not, it was written on his face that he was guilty.

He found himself disappointed in his son, perhaps even more so than he usually was whenever he heard or caught Lo’ak doing something he wasn’t supposed to do. Jake had made sure to instill how he and Neteyam should treat every woman they came into contact with, continuously reminding them to behave accordingly and treat them with respect no matter what. So to hear that his son had called you, his sister, a slut for seeing a boy, made his blood boil. I’d ought to show that boy how humans would treat him, he thought in response.

“I know,” Lo’ak croaked out, on the verge of tears. His guilt was eating at him everyday, practically being the only emotion he felt for nearly the past two weeks. “I know what I said was completely out of line. I was angry and that isn’t an excuse for what I said. I am desperately trying to make it up to (Y/N), but nothing’s working. I’m going in circles trying to,” he finished, tears running down his cheeks.

Lo’ak knows that he shouldn’t be crying. That he doesn’t deserve to. That he doesn’t deserve anyone's pity for what he did. But the guilt ate away at him and he couldn’t help but cry. He just wanted you to forgive him and be his twin again, his other half. He felt incomplete without you by his side. It physically hurt to have you avoid him and not have you next to him.

Tuk had wiggled her way into Lo’ak’s lap in order to comfort him, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck as he cried into her shoulder.

Every Sully member could see just how much Lo’ak regretted saying what he did. They felt bad that he was feeling the way he did but they also knew that he deserved your avoidance and distance. It was the only way that would allow Lo’ak to see the impact of his words.

———

You were laying on the soft, warm sand below you when a shadow covered the suns soft rays, blocking them and covering you in its coolness.

You quickly opened your eyes to see who it was and to shoo them away, not in the mood. But your mouth quickly shut itself once you saw your Sempul hover over your relaxed figure, a small smile on his face.

“Sun bathing?” He asked, sitting next to you as you sat yourself up.

You only shrugged in response, wrapping your arms around your legs and pulling them up to your chest.

You felt bad for essentially ignoring all of your family members, but it was the only way to get it through Lo’ak’s thick skull the kind of impact his words had on you.

Your Father hums and looks out to the water line, silence overtaking the moment for a few beats. Until he finally speaks.

“Lo’ak told me,” he starts, “About what happened that night. Don’t worry. I gave him a stern talking to,” he continued, giving you a small smirk at his words.

Jake’s stern talking to’s almost always involved him dragging one of his children somewhere, yelling at them for Eywa knows what they did, and giving them some sort of punishment that will go on for however long Jake deems necessary. You found yourself wondering what punishment your brother got for his actions.

“I figured,” you chuckled, still looking out towards the water line in front of you.

“I’m sorry, babygirl. I know that it shouldn’t be me apologizing, but,” Jake says, tip of his tail swishing back and forth a bit before resting by your siding, curling itself around you gently for comfort, “Your brother is a complete skxawng. And I’m sorry for…not instilling it in Lo’ak’s brain enough to not call anyone, you that.”.

Your head whips towards your Fathers direction at his words.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for, sempu,” you replied, eyebrows furrowed together, “Lo’ak is a skxawng and said something he shouldn’t have. He knew what he was doing and none of that reflects your teachings.”.

Jake could almost scoff at how wise you sounded. Since when did you become so wise?

Your Father only hummed in response. He wanted the best for his little girls, for you. And to hear that his own son had insulted his daughter and took his words to heart made him feel as if he wasn't adequate enough as a Father. He spent so many years craving for a family of his own before he was sent to Pandora, knowing that it wasn’t possible in his human condition. And once he finally got it, he felt over the moon. He wanted his children to love and respect each other, something that was a struggle for him and Tommy growing up. So being in this current predicament and having you and Lo’ak avoiding each other like the plague, made him feel as if he wasn’t successful in emphasizing how important family was to his children.

“I think you should hear him out,” Jake whispers to you, turning his head to face you, smiling gently down at you, “You don’t have to now. But, soon. Whenever you feel like it,” he reassured.

Your lips pierced together into a thin line, head nodding at his words.

You know that you should give Lo’ak some benefit of the doubt and at least listen to what he has to say, but it’s hard. The last thing your brother said to you were words that caused severe distress to your psyche. To be honest, you were terrified to see what he had to say. To see if he truly meant it or not.

“I’ll try,” you replied.

Your Father continued to look down at you as he smiled, bringing you into his side as he placed a soft kiss on the crown of your head. You laid your head on his shoulder in response.

“So, Ao’nung, huh?” Jake snorts out, teasing you.

“Dad!” You groaned out, covering your face with your hands as you lightly shoved him away, earning a loud cackle from your Father.

———

You were with Ao’nung when Lo’ak approached you for the first time in nearly two weeks.

Ao’nung had taken you out on a date around the island, as he usually did just to show how much he adored you. It almost always consisted of Ao’nung taking you to one of the many jewelry stands the Metkayina jewelers had out, telling you to pick whichever necklace, bracelet, or armband your heart desired and gently putting it on you once you budged, walking with you hand in hand around the island, twirling you around as you two danced to his light humming and singing, and finally going for a swim to wrap up your time together. Even though the dates were repetitive and always the same, they never failed to make you smile from ear to ear and warm your heart. It was something that you and Ao’nung did together to enjoy each other’s company. It was nice.

The both of you were spinning and dancing around in the warm sand as your boyfriend softly sang a song his Sa’nok used to sing to him when he had trouble sleeping, the melody being gentle and delicate, a perfect song just to waltz or sway to.

Ao’nung pulled you into his chest, slightly leaning down to grasp your hands against his lean chest, dipping his head down so you were face to face. He continued to sing the song as he smiled, rough hands slowly moving from your hands on his chest to your shoulders down towards your back before resting against your hips, pulling you in even closer.

You giggled at the ticklish sensation Ao’nung’s hands left on your skin as they just barely grazed it, moving your arms to wrap them around the back of his neck, fingers making their way into his curly hair. Your fingers gently run through the loose ends of his bun before messaging the scalp underneath his usual hairstyle, elevating some of the pressure from the tightness of it.

The Metkayina boy shivered at your soft and slow touch, nuzzling his forehead against yours as the two of you swayed in the gentle breeze.

“You look so pretty, my paysyul,” Ao’nung whispered out, blue eyes deeply gazing into your amber ones. He loved calling you new pet names, enjoying the soft blush that spread itself across your cheeks and neck once you processed what he called you. You loved the nicknames he gave you as well, making your stomach churn in excitement and never failed to make you smile in adoration. He truly did love you and he expresses that in many different ways, pet names being at the top of the list.

A light purple hue painted itself across your cheeks and down your neck in response to your lovers nickname. “And you look so sayrìp, Ma’Nung,” you whispered back, smiling up at the boy.

The teen boy purred out at your response, softly rubbing his face into the side of your head, kissing the arch of your eyebrow.

Ao’nung halted his singing and humming for a moment, basking in the silence and blissful peace that settled itself into the moment. Everything in his life was so quiet and peaceful the minute you arrived on Awa’atlu. He didn’t know he could feel such peace with a singular person and he was glad that he felt it with you.

But, unfortunately, much like the event that occurred days prior, Lo’ak had to ruin it with the loud clearing of his throat.

A cold chill ran up and down your spine at the sound, stopping all movement you and Ao’nung were doing. A small growl emitted itself from the Metkayina’s throat, grip on your hips getting tighter as he pulled you closer into his embrace. It was a clear warning to Lo’ak to stay away from you and leave the two of you alone.

“Can I talk to you, (Y/N)?” Your brother asked, standing a good couple of feet away from the both of you.

Lo’ak had worked up a lot of nerve to approach your figures once he caught sight of the two of you dancing. He didn’t want to ruin the moment the both of you were sharing but he knew that if he didn’t go to you and try to talk to you now, he never would. So, he gathered up all the courage he could muster and made his way to you, hyping himself up on the way.

“Leave, Lo’ak,” Ao’nung hissed out, angling you away from your twin, “She doesn’t want to speak with you.”.

“I wasn’t speaking to you, fish lips,” Lo’ak argued, growling out. Your boyfriend shouldn’t be speaking for you when he wasn’t the one who decided things for you.

Another growl left Ao’nung’s lips as he glared at the Omatikaya boy, anger creeping up his throat. Your brother shouldn’t be speaking to you if you didn’t want him to, especially after what he said to you.

“Ao’nung,” you mumbled out, hands now on his chest, pushing him back slightly.

Much like your brother, you knew that if you didn’t talk to him at this moment, you most likely never will. You needed to nip this thing in the butt sooner than later.

You nodded at your boyfriend, telling him to stand down and give you and your brother some space, that it was okay to leave you alone with him.

Ao’nung only huffed in response, eyes narrowing at Lo’ak behind you. Before he parted ways with you, he captured your lips into a kiss, running the tip of his tongue across your bottom lip before pulling back, not giving you time to respond to his light teasing.

“Our spot after? Twenty after eclipse?” He softly asked, thumb running over your cheekbone as he grasped your face in his hands. He wasn’t very happy that your brother interrupted your alone time and didn’t want to leave you alone with the one that deeply hurt you, but he trusted your opinion and respected your wishes, no questions asked.

You hummed as a response to Ao’nung’s request. There was no way that you weren’t going to tell your boyfriend how this conversation was going to go. Albeit the tension only being between you and your brother, Ao’nung was very much involved as you were.

Once Ao’nung became only a speck in your eyesight, you finally turned around to face your brother.

“Yes?” You asked, arms folding over your chest in an attempt to protect and hold yourself together. You had no idea where this conversation was going to go and that made you anxious.

Lo’ak took a deep breath in before he breathed it out, quickly gathering and preparing himself before he opened his mouth to speak.

“I know apologizing, no matter how many times I do it, isn’t going to change what I said and the way it affected you. But, I am deeply sorry about what I said to you, about you. There is no excuse. I have no excuse,” he started, tears stinging his waterline, “I was so angry at that moment that common sense was thrown out of the window. I don’t even know why I called you that. I was just so angry that you were with Ao’nung, someone who made it quite clear that we were freaks and were not welcomed here. I know that he had been different after leaving me at the reef, which I could assume is around the time you two got together.”.

You nodded at his guess, confirming.

“But I still didn’t trust him. I thought he somehow managed to manipulate you into falling for him. That he was forcing you. It was the first thought that popped into my head when I saw you two that night. I couldn’t comprehend that someone like you, my sweet and caring sister, could fall for someone like Ao’nung, a mean bully who took pleasure in causing pain to others. Confusion and anger clouded my vision. I just…” he paused, a couple of tears had already dropped down his face, “I know that I am shitty at apologies and can never accurately get out my thoughts, but I am sorry for causing you so much pain from my words. I am such a shit brother and you shouldn’t accept my apology. This past week has been awful. I felt incomplete without you. You felt miles away when in reality, you were only feet away. There was this…emptiness inside of me whenever you weren’t by my side. Everything felt wrong without you there to experience it with me.”.

“I desperately missed you. So much. It physically hurt me to not have you by my side. It made me realize that my words and actions do have consequences and that I wasn’t going to escape this situation scott free. Dad gave me the worst scolding that I’ve ever gotten. He told me that I was really fucking stupid and ignorant with my words. That he and Mom raised me better,” a chuckle escaped from your lips at that sentence, only imagining the type of scolds and hisses Lo’ak received from both of your parents.

“Yeah, you were really stupid to say that,” you replied, arms still crossed against your chest but a small smirk on your lips this time. It was nice to hear from him that he was punished by your Father, solidifying what he had told you earlier. But you still felt somewhat bad for him, knowing how angry and intense your Father can get when dishing out punishments.

Lo’ak chuckled at your acknowledgment, wiping away a couple of tears that continued to run down his face. He wanted for days to hear your voice and for you to acknowledge him. He felt relieved that you were talking to him and actually were listening to what he had to say, even if he didn’t deserve to be heard.

“I’m so sorry. You are not what I said you were. You are not slut. There is no excuse for what I did and I know that I can’t take it back or make it up to you in any way that will undo the damage I did. But I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I will do anything,” he finished, eyes never leaving yours.

The smirk fell off your face after he was done and silence overcame the two of you for a couple of beats.

“What you said really hurt me, Lo’ak,” you started, arms uncrossing from your chest, “It really fucked me up for a while. The intensity of your words made me truly believe your words. I know now that you didn’t mean them but in the moment, it felt like you did. I avoided you to teach you a lesson. To teach you that what you said was not okay. I am sorry for making you feel that kind of pain from my absence. I felt the same too. There were too many times where I wanted to just give up and go and just sit by you to ease it, but I knew that would defeat the purpose of what I was trying to get through your insanely thick skull.”.

The both of you laughed at your childish insult, more tears running down the both of your cheeks.

“But,” you continued, “I forgave you the minute it happened, Lo. I forgive you. I just needed to teach you a lesson and make sure it actually stuck and made an impact,” you finished, hands grasping your brothers.

Lo’ak smiled down at you from his height, lips quivering as he did so. To hear that you forgave him immediately after it happened was relieving but also made him regret his words even more. You were so kind and forgiving to him when he felt like he didn’t even deserve it.

“I love you, sister,” he whispers, bringing you into his warm embrace, one hand going behind your head to pull it into his chest while the other one went around your waist.

“I love you too, brother,” you replied back, accepting his hug and wrapping your arms around his back.

The two of you stayed like that for a couple minutes, hugging as the waves softly lapped against the shore.

It felt good to have your brother back and to finally hug him again after all this time, the emptiness the both of you felt from each other’s absences now replaced with warmth and comfort.

You couldn’t wait to meet up with Ao’nung later and tell him all about your conversation.

[writerinlearning]

𝐘𝗼𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 | 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍. 𝖿𝗂𝗏𝖾.

𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁: 𝗇𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗒𝖺𝗆 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗌 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗐𝗂𝗇 𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗌. 𝗁𝖾 𝗀𝗈𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝖼𝗎𝖾 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋, 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝖾𝗑𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍.

𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗅𝗅𝗒’𝗌 𝗑 𝗌𝗎𝗅𝗅𝗒!𝖿𝖾𝗆!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗂𝗍’𝗌 𝖺 𝗐𝗁𝗈𝗅𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗍𝗍𝖺 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍. 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗈𝗇-𝖽𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗀𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗏𝗂𝖾, 𝗌𝗈 𝗂 𝗀𝗎𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗂𝗍’𝗌 𝗌𝗉𝗈𝗂𝗅𝖾𝗋-𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖾. 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗂𝗌 𝗇𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗒𝖺𝗆’𝗌 𝗍𝗐𝗂𝗇 𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝗌𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖺 𝗍𝗐𝗂𝗇 𝖻𝗈𝗇𝖽. 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾!𝗇𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗒𝖺𝗆, 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾!𝗃𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗇𝖾𝗒𝗍𝗂𝗋𝗂. 𝗎𝗇𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗌𝖼𝗂𝗈𝗎𝗌 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋. 𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝖻𝗅𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗂𝗇𝗃𝗎𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌. 𝗇𝖾𝖺𝗋-𝖽𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁 𝖾𝗑𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾. 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗈𝗇 𝗉𝗈𝗂𝗇𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐. 𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗇𝖺’𝗏𝗂 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗎𝖺𝗀𝖾.

𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 𝟩,𝟣𝗄

𝗮.𝗻: 𝖾𝗇𝗀𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗁 𝗂𝗌 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗎𝖺𝗀𝖾, 𝖺𝗉𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗆𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗄𝖾𝗌. 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝖼𝖾𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝗈𝗇 𝗇𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗒𝖺𝗆, 𝗃𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗇𝖾𝗒𝗍𝗂𝗋𝗂, 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗌 𝗐𝖾𝗅𝗅. 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗂’𝗏𝖾 𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖺𝗀𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝗂𝖼, 𝗒𝖺𝗒!! 𝗂 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎’𝗅𝗅 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒. 𝗽.𝘀: 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝗸, 𝗶𝘁’𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 :)

𝗻𝗮’𝘃𝗶 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲: 𝘀𝗮’𝗻𝘂 [’𝘴𝘢?.𝘯𝘶]: 𝗆𝗎𝗆, 𝗆𝗈𝗆𝗆𝗒 (𝖺𝖿𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆) || 𝗺𝗮’𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 [𝘮𝘢’?𝘪.𝘵𝘢𝘯]: 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝗈𝗇 || 𝘁𝘀𝗺𝘂𝗸𝗲 [’𝘵𝘴𝘮𝘶.𝘬ε]: 𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋 || 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘂 [’𝘴ε𝘮.𝘱𝘶]: 𝖽𝖺𝖽, 𝖽𝖺𝖽𝖽𝗒 (𝖺𝖿𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆) || 𝗺𝗮’𝗶𝘁𝗲 [𝘮𝘢’?𝘪.𝘵ε]: 𝗆𝗒 𝖽𝖺𝗎𝗀𝗁𝗍𝖾𝗋 || 𝗺𝗮’𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘁𝘀𝘆𝗶̀𝗽 [𝘮𝘢’?𝘪.𝘵ε.𝘵𝘴𝘫𝘪𝘱]: 𝗆𝗒 𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝖽𝖺𝗎𝗀𝗁𝗍𝖾𝗋 (𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗆 𝗈𝖿 𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍) || 𝘁𝘀𝗮𝗵𝗲𝘆𝗹𝘂 [𝗍𝗌𝖺.’𝗁ε𝗃.𝗅𝗎]: 𝖻𝗈𝗇𝖽 (𝗇𝖾𝗎𝗋𝖺𝗅 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇) || 𝗺𝗮’𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴 [𝘮𝘢’?ε𝘷ε𝘯]: 𝗆𝗒 𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖽

𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 || 𝗇𝗈 𝗌𝗐𝖺𝗉𝗑𝗂̀ 𝗅𝖾𝖿𝗍 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽: 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍. 𝖿𝗂𝗏𝖾 || 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

          Neteyam wakes up abruptly, sweat dripping down his forehead and heavy pants leaving his lips. His chest rises and falls heavily, heart thumping loudly within his ribcage. His hands shake in his lap, and a searing pain in his abdomen causes him to double over, arms sneaking around his midriff in search of comfort. The beads in his braids cling together and echo in the silence of the tent. It sounds far away to Neteyam, sounds muffled by his heart beating louder. His ears are flat against his scalp, and his vision blurs with the tears that gather at his waterline. His breath comes short and shallow, and his limbs grow numb and weak with the pain that spreads through his torso. He does not look down though, because he knows he is not the one in pain. Panic rises in his body at the thought, and he searches for his parents as best as he can in the darkness that surrounds him.

         Jake wakes up before Neytiri, alerted by the sound of a wooden bowl falling to the ground, and he has to adjust his golden eyes to the darkness, blinking several times before he can see a struggling silhouette wandering around and tripping on their feet. He is quick to stand up, when he realises it is his eldest son, and he reaches for him, gently dragging him outside the tent so that he can fully see him under the lights of the stars and moon across the pitch black eclipse sky. Neytiri is woken up at the same time by the commotion, and she is up in an instant, watching as her mate and eldest son disappear outside. She glances down at her other children, all fast asleep on their mat, before she follows Jake and Neteyam outside.

          Neteyam’s eyes are frantic, looking everywhere but to his father, and his body shakes with spasms as he draws shallow breaths. His lips quiver and his ears flatten against his scalp, his tail swishing mindlessly behind him and which increases the worry that settles into Jake’s mind. His firm hands hold his son’s upper arms tightly, squeezing gently to break him out of his trance. He has to repeat the gesture several times before Neteyam finally begins to calm down, breathing heavier and tears pooling at his waterline.

          Jake looks up when he hears rustling, and he sees Neytiri standing behind their son, muscle brows pulled together in a worried frown and with her arms crossed over her chest. He nods once, letting her know that he’s got this, and he glances back just as Neteyam finally looks into his father’s eyes, sweat still very much glistening on his forehead.

         “What is it Neteyam?” Jake asks, and he curses himself for the crack in his voice towards the end of his sentence. “Are you hurt?”

         Neteyam shakes his head from side to side, beaded braids clinking together, and he inhales sharply when the pain from his side spreads further into his body. It should not hurt that much; it never did in the past when either him or Y/N got hurt. It was always more of a phantom pain than anything, numbing their muscles until the other’s pain faded away. But this time it is different, he can sense it in every fibre of his body.

         “Not me.” Neteyam breathes out, looking down. “Y/N.”

Neytiri lets out a soft gasp, covering her mouth with her hand, and Jake frowns as he tries to push the worry in a back corner of his mind. He still holds his son’s arms in his hands, but his grip is softer, less tight.

         “Where?”

         Jake asks, remembering his own injuries from his time in the Marine as a human, before all of this happened to him, and he is afraid for his daughter. He knows Quaritch and his team are former military members, and he knows the Sky People because he used to be just like them, and thinking of his daughter potentially injured and in their hands... No, he does not want to think about it. She is a tough kid, she’ll make it.

         “On her side, I think...”

         Neteyam pants, freeing one arm from his father’s grip to press his hand against his abdomen, on his left side, where he senses his twin sister’s pain beginning.

         “Does it hurt anywhere else?” Jake wonders, a flicker of panic in his eyes.

         His protective instincts tell him to look at his son for any injuries, but deep down he knows he won’t see anything because Neteyam is not the one who is hurt. It is Y/N, and she is nowhere near him for him to check on her injuries.

         “N-no... but...” Neteyam’s voice pulls Jake out of his thoughts. “It has never hurt like this before, when she got hurt...”

         Neteyam begins to rub his sore side with the palm of his hand, aware that his father’s grip on him is holding him steady, and that his mother stands behind him, but all he can think about is his twin sister, and the pain he feels spreading in his body. He wonders about what is happening to her, and why it hurts him so much. He senses the fear settling in the marrow of his bones, and the panic in his mind. It isn’t him, he knows it, and he looks into his father’s eyes with a determined, yet afraid, expression.

         “We have to get her dad.” Neteyam says, more urgently. “I-I know you want to leave High Camp. Tuk, Kiri, Lo’ak, and I... we heard you talk with sa’nu. But we cannot leave Y/N behind. I won’t do that, and you can’t ask me to.”

         Jake is stiff and still for a second, his eyes are the only moving thing when he glances up at his mate, hurt hidden behind both their irises. It hurts him to know that his son, his pride and joy and the future Olo’yektan of the Omatikaya people, thought they would leave Y/N at the hands of the Sky People. It brings tears in Jake’s eyes when he sees the desperation and anguish in his son’s own golden irises, gears turning  in his mind.

         “Never once did I think about leaving your sister behind, Neteyam.” Jake states, voice cracking. “Your mother and I, we’ll go get Y/N, but we need you here, to keep an eye on your siblings, alright?”

         Neteyam shakes his head. He refuses to stay back, unable to help rescue his  twin. And Jake refuses for his son to come, perhaps out of his own fear of what they might find in Bridgehead; of how they might find their daughter there.

         Jake’s grip is firm on his son’s shoulder as he looks into his eyes, Neteyam still  shaking his head in denial.

         “You can’t ask me to stay back, dad!” Neteyam protests, pushing himself away from his father. “She’s my sister, she needs me!”

         “I know Neteyam. I know.” Jake says. “But I cannot risk having another one of my kids getting injured by the Sky People, do you understand?”

         Neteyam nods once. He does not agree with his father, but he pretends to, lowering his head in defeat whilst Jake sighs in relief. Still, Jake watches with worry in his eyes as Neteyam walks back to the tent, brushing past Neytiri whilst mumbling under his breath.  

         “Ma’Jake.”

         Neytiri calls her mate, softly, as she turns to him, and a tiny smile press her lips together in a curved line. Jake sighs and shakes his head. He knows what she is going to say, even before another word leaves her, and he runs a hand over his face in defeat. He follows behind his son’s footsteps, knowing that Neytiri follows behind too, and he sits besides Neteyam on his mat, observing him for long minutes before putting a hand over his son’s shoulder.

         “I know you are scared for your sister, ma’itan.” Jake acknowledges. “And I also know that you will not listen to me. Because I wouldn’t listen to myself either if it were my own twin back there.”

         Neteyam does not say anything. Instead, he keeps on fiddling with the feathers at the end of his arrows, making sure they are tight enough around the shaft so that they fly swiftly through the air when he’ll shoot them. He can feel his father’s presence still beside him, with his hand on his shoulder, and his ears twitch slightly as he acknowledges his mother’s footsteps getting closer to where he sits.

         It is not until Neytiri puts a gentle hand against his cheek that Neteyam looks up, golden eyes filled with tears pooling at his waterline and rolling down his cheeks when he blinks. Neytiri gasps softly, and her arms move of their own accord to embrace her son in a hug, cradling his face against her chest as she feels him cling onto her shoulders for support whilst his body begins to shake with sobs.

         “It is going to be okay, ma’itan.” Neytiri says. “Your sister has a strong heart.”

         Neteyam knows his mother’s words are true. His twin does have a strong heart. She is one of the best young warriors of their age in the clan, and she is the first one ready to lend a hand to their grandmother Mo’at when injured Na’vi return from raids or hunting parties. But knowing this does not stop the fear from settling deep in his stomach, and the panic to course his veins. He knows the panic is hers, and that the fear is both of them, and he wonders why his strong sister, the one he’s been looking up to since they were kids, suddenly seems small and fragile as the panic imprints itself into the marrow of his bones.

         He pulls away from his mother, using the palm of his hands to dry the tears that roll down his cheeks, and he takes a deep breath, lips trembling.

         “We leave at dawn, son.” Jake says, voice barely above a whisper as not to wake the rest of his family.

         Neteyam looks at his father hopefully, eyes glazed over by the unshed tears he’s kept to himself. Jake shakes his head, before he pats his son’s shoulder.

         “As I said,” he clarifies, “I know you won’t listen to me, if I ask you to stay behind and keep an eye on your siblings. So, you may come with your mother and I, but on one condition. While we deal with the Sky People, your only mission is to find your sister, alright son?”

         “Yes sir.”

         Neteyam answers with a curt nod of the head. He doesn’t smile at his father, because he knows he pushed his luck too far with Jake giving up on asking him to stay behind, but he looks up to his mother who nods approvingly. Jake sighs, and he pats his son’s head before he leads Neytiri back to their shared mat.

         When he is certain that his parents have fallen back asleep, Neteyam rises from his mat on the floor, and he walks outside to sit on the edge of the mountain where the High Camp is settled. He keeps his eyes on the horizon, two yellow orbs in the dark sky of the eclipse, and the bioluminescent freckles on his cheekbones glow softly under the stars. He breathes through slightly parted lips, allowing the tears he’s been holding back to silently roll down his cheeks as the pain on his side grows tenfold and his tail swish rapidly behind his back, thumping against the ground. He hisses, pressing his hand on the right side of his abdomen, doubling over as the pain spreads up to his torso. Itches littering his arms and legs and across his chest add on to the pain from his abdomen. It isn’t much, but the familiarity makes him hiss. He fears what he might feel later, once he finds his twin sister. He fears the state he might find Y/N in, when he accompanies his parents to Bridgehead.

         “I will find you, ma tsmuke, even if it is the last thing I do.”

         Neteyam whispers into the night, before he rises to his feet and walks back into the tent, laying down on his mat and letting the sleep consume him.

—

         Jake does not know what to expect when he steps first inside Bridgehead, Neteyam on his heels whilst Neytiri flies above on her ikran. He knows only one thing, that Quaritch is here, waiting for him; waiting for his revenge. Jake looks over his shoulder when Neteyam hisses lowly, baring his fangs as he does so, and the worry settles into the Toruk Makto’s mind. He cannot begin to fathom the bond that his eldest children share together simply because they were born twins, but he can understand the pain and the fear that Neteyam goes through. His hold around his rifle tightens, knuckles turning a lighter shade of blue, and he locks eyes with his son. He nods once, then motions towards a hallway on the left of Neteyam with his chin.

         Neteyam follows his father’s gaze past his shoulder and behind him, before he nods obediently. He straps his bow back across his torso, the string applying a familiar pressure into his skin as he moves across the hallway in which he has just disappeared into, away from his father’s lingering eyes on his running frame. He has to bend down a little, too tall to wander down a human-sized facility, but his twin sister is the only thought that keeps him going further. He has to bring her home safe; he has to. He has to be the older brother now, the one to take care of Y/N once he finds her. They may be twins, but she is sixteen minutes older than him and therefore the eldest child, always looking after her siblings and making sure all of them are loved equally and that they know it.

         She has always been the one to run head first into danger, if it meant protecting her family, and now Neteyam gets to do it. For her. He gets to be the older brother. For her. He gets to run head first into danger. For her. There is nothing on this planet or any other that he would not do for her.

         His long and nimble legs carry him as fast as they can to another hallway with less blinding lights, and he has to adjust his eyes to the unplanned darkness if he wants to read the signs hung up on the wall next to him. He gives silent thanks to Eywa when he sees the english-written words, and to his father for having taught him his native language. When he does not find what he is looking for, Neteyam grunts and his balled fist meets with the wall in anger.

         Breathing deeply, he gathers his thoughts, and he keeps on walking the same hallway he first entered until he sees more and more written signs. In the far distance, he can hear the echoes of bullets being fired, his father’s low growling and his mother’s war cries, as well as the Sky People barking orders. Guilt makes its way around his mind at the thought of his parents, and for a second he stops, turning on his heels and ready to go help them, but he wills himself around to go look for Y/N. He has to find her, but the pain growing stronger through his body makes it difficult for him to stand. The more he walks, the more his limbs grow numb, and with every step, a new painful sensation rises somewhere in his body: his arms, his thighs, his chest, his tail even, which thumps against the ground in painful movements. Those aching areas, he knows he didn’t feel them before coming here, only the pain in his abdomen, but then he realises. The itching sensations from last night; they were a phantom pain of where Y/N is injured. When he figures it out, Neteyam growls under his breath, brow muscles pulled together in a frown, and he wills his legs to carry him as fast as they can to where his twin is kept. He follows the pain, pays attention to what it is telling him. The more it hurts, the closer he gets to her. And when he can barely stand on his feet in front of metallic double doors, he knows she is hidden behind. His eyes frantically look around for a button, anything to pull the doors open, and a frustrated cry rumbles from his chest when he cannot find anything, except for the digital panel next to the doors. He takes his bow with trembling hands and readies an arrow, the poison-dipped tip resting against the wooden shaft of his weapon, and he pulls on the string until it brushes against his cheek, eyes looking through the nocking point for his aim. He counts to three, breathing deeply, before he releases the arrow into the digital panel that breaks from the force of the hit. White sparks spurt around as a crackling sound follows, and he hears the whirring of doors as they open slowly.

         Neteyam drops his bow to the floor, and he rushes inside the room, falling to his knees from the unbearable pain that settles deep into the marrow of his bones. Lips parted, pants leave him as he crawls towards her, hand out in front of him to reach out for her. When he does, when his hand finally finds that of his twin sister, he crumbles from the pain that spreads through his body, tears freely rolling down his cheeks. He tries his best to sit, cradling Y/N’s body in his arms with her head resting on his thighs. Her breath is slow, almost inaudible to a human’s ear, but his own pointed ears twitch with each shallow breath she takes. Her chest rises and falls slowly, fingers twitching ever so slightly when he intertwines one hand with hers. His eyes, usually bright and glowing, are a dull reflection of the pain, and the fear, that has made home in every fibre of his body. They scan over Y/N’s body, his breath itching with every cut and trace of dried blood he finds on her, her pain mirroring in him. He notices the white gauze wrapped around his twin’s abdomen, and on which he sees a large patch of blood on her right side, a stark contrast to the white of the bandage, and he figures it is where she has been shot, because there is no way it would hurt him this much if it were not a gunshot wound. Instinctively, he presses his hand against her side, and the crimson liquid stains his palm almost instantly.

         “Oh Eywa…” Neteyam chokes on a sob. “Please, let her be okay…”

         His head drops low, his forehead against hers as he hoists her up in his hold so that her head rests against his chest, and he can secure her in his arms. His tail thumps widely behind him, as anxiety rises to high levels within him. Alarms begin to blare and ring around him, bright red lights flickering around him as a commanding voice echoes in the speakers of the whole building, but Neteyam cannot find the strength in him to stand. His hand moves from his twin’s abdomen to rest against the side of her face, thumb brushing against her cheekbone and linking her bioluminescent freckles with one another, smearing blood across her features, but he does not care. He brings her closer to his chest, rocking their bodies back and forth as he cries into her neck, begging for her life with Eywa. He holds her close, unable to move as his heart pounds against his ribcage, breaking slowly from the pain as the beats echo in his ears. He can’t focus on anything but Y/N, his big sister, the one he looks up to. The mighty warrior, always ready to defend the People and the ones she loves. What have they done to her?

         Neteyam chokes back a sob, body shaking with the sound, and he moves his head to rest it against his sister’s chest, ear pressed against her left side to listen to her heartbeat. It is faint, and slow, but it’s there, and it’s all Neteyam needs to keep himself grounded. Every other noise around him disappears as he focuses on his twin’s heartbeat, not having any thoughts about smearing himself with her blood as he covers her whole body with his. The tears keep flowing from his eyes as he closes them, and his lips move slowly as he mumbles silent prayers to Eywa.

         It feels like hours before Neteyam even moves one limb, but it has merely been minutes. His body feels heavy with each gesture he makes, and the long-fallen tears begin to dry on his cheeks as more come to cover the tracks. His eyes find Y/N’s face, and he sees the peaceful smile hung on her lips. He believes he sees it, but it might be his imagination. He isn’t certain of what he sees; everything feels unreal, like a dream he has trouble waking up from. Her hand is limp in his, but it takes him a minute to realise it. He looks down on her, eyes frantically searching her figure as his breath hitches, getting caught up in his throat when his eyes land on Y/N’s unmoving chest. Or if it moves, he cannot see it through his blurred vision and the tears that threaten to roll down his cheeks like waterfalls again.

         “No… No. No!” Neteyam cries, bringing Y/N closer to him. “Oh Great Mother, please! Y/N. Y/N!”

         Neteyam cries, shaking his twin’s shoulders in hope that she’ll open her eyes and smile at him, but he doesn’t get anything from her except for her limp body against his. He realises then, that the pain has subsided in his body. He cannot feel anything, not even the familiar pull that connects him to Y/N; their twin bond.

         A loud, guttural cry leaves his lips, alerting his father who is looking for him in hurried steps in the hallway nearby. When Jake’s ears twitch upon hearing his son’s cries, he stills. Fear comes like a tidal wave submerging him, and his hands begin to shake. His legs carry him faster to where the screams come from, and he stops abruptly when he reaches the metallic double doors. He sees Neteyam’s bow on the floor first, and the arrow lodged into the broken digital panel. Then, his eyes look around and land on his son’s hunched back, sobs racking through his body. Jake drops his rifle to the ground, arms and hands falling limp at his sides, ears flat against his scalp. A lump grows in his throat as he takes careful, silent steps towards his son. He cannot see everything, but he knows something is wrong from the pleas of his eldest son. Unbeknownst to him, his hands begin to shake, and his heart pounds faster in his chest as fear rises up to his mind, clouding his thoughts.

         Jake steps through the doors’ threshold carefully, holding himself up with a hand against the doorframe, and his eyes lift up to his children. He can see it now, how Neteyam is holding onto Y/N, hands a lighter shade of blue from how strong his grip is on his twin sister as he shakes his head and cries out Eywa’s name between sobs. He sees how Y/N’s body is limp in her brother’s arms, how her eyes are tightly shut and how her chest barely moves. He sees the cuts and bruises littered on his daughter’s body, as well as the large gauze wrapped around her midriff where a growing patch of red becomes a stark contrast to the white bandage against her blue skin. Neteyam does not seem to notice him, even as Jake’s knees give out underneath him and he falls to the ground, his daughter’s name escaping his lips in a broken whisper.

         Jake knows the Na’vi body is more resilient than the human one, it is one of the first things he had been told when he entered the Avatar Program in his brother’s stead, after his own twin died, nearly two decades ago. And his daughter is strong, the mightiest warrior of her age in the clan. She can survive anything. But Jake is uncertain. Uncertain of how much blood loss it takes before a Na’vi dies, and judging by the wounds on Y/N’s body, he knows she has lost a lot of it. In a moment’s weakness, he glances up to the ceiling above him with tears pooling in his eyes as he prays to Eywa for his daughter to come out of this alive. His hands shake as he manages to stand, silent steps stopping near his son, before he kneels down besides Neteyam, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

         It is the first time that Neteyam acknowledges his father’s presence in the room, and he lifts his head up to glance at him through tear-filled eyes. Jake’s heart shatters at the sight, and he pulls his son close to him until his head is resting against his chest. Neteyam sobs, the sounds coming out muffled against his father’s skin, and he shakes his head in denial.

         “I can’t- I can’t feel her sempu.” Neteyam cries each word out between breathless hiccups. “H-her pain… It’s all gone!”

         Jake freezes for a second. He does not quite fully understand the bond his eldest children share together, but never once did Neteyam stop sensing Y/N’s emotions and feelings. Until today. Fear creeps back up on him, haunting his mind with the worst thoughts and almost sending his body into shock. But one of his hands falls down to his daughter’s face, palm gently pressed against the side of her face, and it pulls him out of his stupor. He blinks once, then twice, before his body fully turns towards his unconscious daughter. He moves around her, so that he stands opposite to his son, and his arms slither underneath Y/N’s limp body. His left arm settles under the curves of her knees, whilst his right one finds its way under her arms, and he lifts her up in a bridal-style way, keeping her close to him.

         It feels like hours to Jake since he managed to lose the Sky People that were pursuing him, but it has only been minutes, everything happening in slow-motion since his eyes landed on his son the first time around. He knows Quaritch is still there, looking for him, and he knows they have to leave before the Colonel catches up to them.

         “Neteyam…” Jake calls out, his voice breaking. “We gotta go, now.”

         Neteyam rises to his feet, eyes never leaving his twin, and he nods his head slowly. He wants to reach out for Y/N, but the only thing he can manage is to graze at her skin when his father walks past him and begins to walk back to the exit. Neteyam follows, picking up his bow from the ground as well as his father’s rifle because that is what he has been told to do, in training. Always pick back your weapons, when it is possible to do so.

         Lost in thoughts, Neteyam does not even notice it when they emerge outside under the scorching light of the sun. He can’t feel anything but the emptiness in his chest, the missing link that keeps him close to Y/N even if they were miles apart. It sits empty and cold in his chest, and it feels like a part of him has been ripped away, leaving a gaping hole where his twin bond used to be. His eyes don’t look anywhere but his feet, until a screeching ikran makes his ears twitch. He lifts his head up, noticing three mountain banshees in front of him: his father’s, his mother’s, and his own. He sees his mother sliding off of her ride, eyes landing on her daughter in her mate’s arm, and she shakes her head in denial.

         Neytiri does not move, when she sees Y/N’s limp body in Jake’s arms, eyes wide and frantic when they land on her eldest son covered in blood; his twin’s blood. All noises around her diminish to a quiet silence, her breath being the only thing that reaches her ears as her eyes land back on her daughter when Jake comes up beside her.

One beat.

         An anguished wail rips through the atmosphere, echoing as far as the tree of souls in the rainforest, and Neytiri runs to her daughter. The tears do not fall from her eyes, but her hands find Y/N’s face, gently cradling it.

         Jake’s heart shatters once more upon seeing the distress on his mate’s face, how her wide eyes frantically search for any signs of life in their daughter. His heart breaks even more when Neytiri’s broken voice pulls his ears flat against his scalp.

         “No. No. No!” Neytiri cries out. “Oh Great Mother, why? Oh, ma’ite, ma’itetsyìp…”

         Shouts from Bridgehead behind them pull Jake out of his thoughts, and he looks over his shoulder to see four blue tall frames rushing out of the building. His father’s instincts come out, and the urge to protect his family overcome every other thought in his mind. He has to be strong. For Neytiri and for Neteyam. For Y/N. And for his children that stayed home.

         Neytiri notices the change in her mate’s demeanour, and she looks over his shoulder to see Colonel Quaritch running in their direction, with three other avatars on his tail. She nods her head once, as an understanding passes between them, and she goes to Neteyam.

         Her gentle touch on his arms pulls him out of his thoughts, and he looks up to her through his visor, tears silently cascading down his cheeks. She dries some of them with a swipe of her thumbs against his cheekbones, and through the pain she gives her son a comforting smile.

         “Ma’itan. My strong son…” She whispers, her words a wave of comfort to Neteyam. “We must go. Now.”

         Neteyam nods once. He glances at his sister, limp on their father’s ikran, and he nods again. He doesn’t say anything, not knowing what to say, but he walks to his ikran, performing tsaheylu, the neural connection that binds him to his ride for all his life. He takes off after his parents, his ikran soaring across the sky until Bridgehead becomes a dot in the horizon, disappearing behind the rainforest’s trees.

         Jake glances behind his shoulder, seeing Neytiri fly side by side with their son, before he looks down on his daughter. One arm keeps her body secure against him, her head resting against his torso whilst her legs dangle to the side, but he makes sure that his ikran does not let Y/N fall off of him. She looks peaceful in Jake’s arms, and if it weren’t for  her body covered with cuts and a gunshot wound, he’d think she is only sleeping. Jake lowers his head, lips pressed against his daughter’s forehead.

         “Hang in there babygirl.” He whispers into the day’s air. “I’ve got you, Y/N, we’re going home.”

         The ride back to High Camp seems never-ending to Neteyam, but as soon as his ikran lands, his feet are on the ground and he rushes to his father to be close to his twin. He misses her; he misses feeling the pull in his chest, the one that always lets him know his sister is fine. He barely has time to hold Y/N’s cooling hand in his, for his father rushes past him towards the healing tent. Neteyam’s eyes widen as it dwells upon him that his siblings might be inside, with their grandmother. He has to rush behind Jake, running past him and entering the tent first. Mo’at, his grandmother, is grinding herbs and plants when he rushes in, and she turns around when his pants reach her ears. Her brow muscles pull together in a frown, and the certainty that something is wrong settles in her. She notices the blood that covers her grandson’s skin, and she is at his side in a heartbeat, checking him for any injuries. Neteyam does not think much of it, at least not until Tuktirey comes into view and her eyes widen upon seeing her big brother.

         “Neteyam?”

         Her voice comes out shy and worried, which catches the older Sully off guard, and his eyes land on his youngest sister. Be the big brother, Neteyam. For your siblings, he tells himself just as Kiri and Lo’ak come into view.

         Kiri gasps, a hand going over her mouth when she sees Neteyam covered in blood. Lo’ak frown, his eyebrows furrowing; a trait he’s inherited from his father’s Avatar DNA. He crosses his arms over his chest, watching as Tuk goes up to their older brother, mimicking Mo’at’s gestures to check on any injuries on Neteyam’s body.

         “What happened?” Lo’ak asks his brother. “Did you find her? Did you find Y/N?”

         “I-She-We…” Neteyam slurs, not really knowing what to say.

         “Neteyam?”

         It is Kiri who calls him now, and just by looking at her, Neteyam knows that she knows. She knows because she’s always had a strong connection to the Great Mother herself. None of them could truly explain it, nor could they explain how Kiri came to be born out of Grace’s Avatar, but Kiri is Kiri; unique in her own way.

         Neteyam doesn’t have to say anything, because Kiri nods her head once in understanding. His body becomes stiff, however, when he can hear his parents’ voices getting closer, and he takes a step towards his siblings, ignoring his grandmother’s orders to stay put. In one swift movement, his riding visor is off of his forehead and thrown to the side, and he takes Tuk in his arms. He doesn’t care if the blood on him is not dried up yet, but it seems that Tuk doesn’t care either when she rests her head on her brother’s shoulder. Neteyam inhales sharply, swallowing the lump in his throat.

         “We found her.” He says, his voice surprisingly calm. “We found Y/N, but she-” A pause. The words get choked up in his throat as tears form in his eyes. “She’s not…”

         He cannot even finish his sentence, breaking down entirely. So much for being the older brother. Y/N has always been better at being the eldest sibling; he doesn’t know how she even manages to do so as he crumbles down under his siblings’ stares.

         Movement can be heard behind him, but Neteyam does not have the courage to look up. His lips tremble as he tries to hold back his tears, and he feels Kiri’s arm wrap around his shoulder as she rests her forehead against his temple.

         “It’s okay, Neteyam.” She says, voice soft. “It’s okay…”

         “Dad?”

         Lo’ak’s voice reaches Jake’s ears as soon as he steps into the healing tent. His eyes land on his son. Lo’ak looks at him, eyes wide and full of fear as they travel to his sister’s limp frame in their father’s arms. It does not take him long to put two and two together when he sees the cuts and the blood covering Y/N, and he casts his head downwards to his older brother, the understanding of what must have happened falling onto him at full force.

         “Neteyam.”

         Jake’s voice is firm, catching all of his children’s attention, but his stare, hard and devoid of emotions, is solely on his eldest son. His lips press into a thin line on his face as he exhales slowly through his nose.

         “Take your siblings out.” When none of them move, he adds, “Now!”

         Kiri scrambles to her feet, pulling Neteyam with her to exit the tent. Lo’ak reluctantly follows, dragged away by Tuk who worriedly glances at her mother on her way out. Neytiri gives her youngest daughter a smile and a reassuring nod of the head, which seems to be enough for Tuk to leave the tent with a smile of her own on her face.

         When his children are out of sight, Jake almost breaks instantly when he puts his daughter down on a mat. His hands shake, and his heart pounds fast behind his ribcage, suffocating him. He blocks out all noises around him, including Neytiri’s and Mo’at’s voices as his nimble fingers carefully unwraps the white gauze around Y/N’s midriff. A trembling relieved sigh leaves his lips when he sees no exit wound on her back, and he hovers above her, cradling her face in his hands. His thumbs brush against her cheekbones, his touch rough against her soft, unbruised and uncut skin, bioluminescent freckles glowing under the tent’s low light.

         Neytiri kneels beside him, gently taking one of her daughter’s hands between hers, lifting it up to her lips before pressing Y/N’s palm against her cheek. She glances up expectantly at her mother, Tsahìk of the People, and Mo’at sits down opposite to her daughter and the clan’s Olo’yektan. Her eyes land on her granddaughter’s unmoving frame, hands hovering over her as she calls on to the spirit of Eywa for answers.

         Unbeknownst to them, Y/N finds herself surrounded by bright lights, purple and blue hues surrounding her glowing frame. Her hair falls over her shoulders in straight, unbraided strands, and a yellow flower is pinned in her hair at the back of her head. She turns on her heels, sensing a presence beside her, and she smiles knowingly.

         “You fought well, ma’eveng.”

         It is a warm and welcoming voice Y/N could listen to forever. But deep down, she knows she won’t be able to.

         “I did my best, Great Mother.” Y/N smiles, looking down.

         “You did, and it is enough. It has kept your family safe. But they may have need of you yet, ma’eveng. They may need their strong warrior, still.”

         “It is not my time yet, is it Great Mother?”

         “I fear it is not. Your family needs you.”

         “Will I see you again?”

         “When the time is right, ma’eveng. When the time is right.”

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

         It is a low sound, and faint, but Jake can hear it very clearly from where he stands, with his ear pressed against his daughter’s chest where her heart safely hides behind her ribcage. He almost misses it, the sound; Neytiri crying softly beside him as she holds Y/N’s hand in hers.

         Mo’at stills in her movements, eyes glazed over by a white veil as the spirit of Eywa momentarily takes possession of her before it disappears as if it were never there. The Tsahìk breathes out, trembling hands hovering above her granddaughter’s face in anticipation. Neytiri falls quiet, careful eyes glancing between her mother and her daughter as Jake sits up, his large hands pressing on each side of his daughter’s face.

         And then, through the quietness that surrounds the three adults, Y/N’s chest rises and falls slowly, silent breaths leaving through her slightly parted lips. Jake’s body shakes, breath short and shallow as the gears work up his mind. And the Toruk Makto cries. He cries because, thanks Eywa, his daughter breathes. His first daughter breathes when her heart has stopped for Eywa knows how long. He cries because his child lives; because her strong heart beats again. Jake does not care if she does not wake up here and there, because he knows she will live, and he finds himself looking up to thank Eywa for her gift.

         Mo’at sighs in relief, beyond exhausted from performing her Tsahìk duties, but her granddaughter breathes, and Eywa has blessed the family with this gift of life. And in a moment of clarity through the pain and uncertainty, she remembers that her granddaughter still has injuries that need tending to. She exhales slowly and begins to check on the gunshot wound, relieved when she finds out that the bullet has already been pulled out of Y/N’s abdomen. She applies a green paste on the wound, before wrapping it up with a brown bandage. She tends to other cuts, applying paste on the larger ones and cleaning up the smaller ones with a cloth dabbled in cold water.

         Neytiri gasps when it dwells on her that her daughter lives,  bringing one hand up to cover her mouth as tears of relief cascade down her cheeks. She leans down, her head resting against Y/N’s stomach that rises and falls slowly with each intake of air that goes through her lungs. Her first-born daughter, the light of her life, her fierce warrior is alive.

         “Oh Great Mother, thank you. Thank you!” Neytiri cries out, carefully holding on to her daughter.

         Instinctively, Jake’s tail finds its way around Neytiri’s waist, keeping her close as they comfort each other, finding peace of mind in knowing that their eldest child lives. Although, as he watches Mo’at treat Y/N’s injuries, Jake makes a note to seek the help of Norm, to make sure that his daughter does not have any internal injuries or broken bones, aside from the cuts and the gunshot wound.

         Outside, Neteyam sits on a wooden log, in between Tuk and Kiri, the latter cleaning the blood off of his skin with a dampened cloth, and his body goes into shock when he feels it. His mouth falls agape after he inhales sharply, forcing Kiri to stop her movements, Tuk to look up to him in wonder, and Lo’ak to give him a confused glare.

         The world around him vanishes into nothing, as the pull in his chest tugs harder, like a heart beating once more, and a sharp hiss of pain leaves his lips when his side begins to hurt once more. His eyes grow wide, ears flattening against his scalp and tails wagging wildly behind him, while his feet pull him up and his legs carry him to the healing tent before any of his siblings can say anything.

         Neteyam stands there in the entrance, eyes fixated on his twin sister’s body, and he notices the slow rise and fall of her chest. His lips quiver, tears threatening to spill out as he glances towards his father, the man he aspires to be, and he breaks down when he sees the tears on Jake’s face. He crumbles under his weight, falling on his knees between his parents, and he reaches for his sister’s hand, bringing it up to rest against his cheek.

         “I-I can feel her sempu.” Neteyam says through sobs. “I can feel her…”

𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁: @websterss // @sully-stick-together // @eywas-heir // @nao-cchi // @ssc7514 // @lola-bunn1 // @brittclass-18 // @missroro // @min-aaa // @stomach-bugg09 // @aonungs-tsahik // @galacticstxrdust // @yeosxxx​ // @kurtsworld096 // @junnniiieee07 // @keijikunn // @isnt-itstrange // @creamboba // @ghibliwatcher // @bwormie // @simp-erformarvelwomen // @nomnom21 // @silkenthusiasts // @neteyamoa // @perseny // @mae-is-crazy // @minjix // @23victoria // @dumb-fawkin-bitch // @straightestgay-voice // @historygeekqueen // @epicy0n // @snownjune // @ashlatano7567 // @missdreamofendless​ // @fanboyluvr​ // @sucker4angstt​ // @im-in-a-pansexual-panik​ // @hailrecords​ // @sullysmate​ // @reiko69​ // @tejas-kris​ // @velvtcherie​ // @jakesullys-bitch​ // @minkyungseokie​ // @hai-kbai​ // @oceanic-kiri​

[saintsstranger]

twin flames | L.S. (Avatar: The Way of Water) - Chapter One

Summary: You meet the people who were once your clan’s enemies.

Lo'ak te Suli Tsyeyk’itan x Ash People Na’vi!Female!Reader (Uses she/her/hers pronouns; No use of Y/N)

Warning: None

Chapter Masterlist

In the eyes of the flames, everything is one and the same.

Within you is the fire, the urging desire…

to cause destruction, all because of the ember's seduction.

Mahuika is a beauty. After all, it is your home, the warmth of the sands on your feet, and the scorching ashes dancing through the air never bothered you. 

The kiss of the breeze on your skin was what you love most, the warm embrace of home.

The marui surrounded by magma, spouting its embers into the air.

The tarākona that roamed and rested among the large rocks, your bonded creature forged in fire.

The children watched the flame dancers during the eclipse in glee. 

Your clan, happy as another group of warriors, celebrated victory in conquering the leap of faith in Mount Valko. The burn marks on their skin tell their own tale.

Your sisters dance among the fire, as you cheer among their grace.

Your Olo'eyktan, your mother sat among her people smiling.

And the most sacred place upon Mahuika is the large tree that sprouted among the volcanic grounds with golden luminescent leaves and white roots and trunk; it almost looked like it was burning, The Roots of Life.

Your heart longed and ached for your home. 

But now you are surrounded by blue and green. Water, the enemy of the flames.

How ironic, your enemy— no companion— no savior… had been basking in the clear blue seas. At first, you would've thought he looked like the depth of the ocean, the unknown. Yet as much as you looked at him clearly, he didn’t resemble the clans who resided in the waters; perhaps he is one of the forest dwellers you thought.

On your journey toward Awa’atlu, the place where his family had already considered their own, you revel in silence while the tulkun tries its best to carry your wounded tarākona. A place where you could rest, rest before heading back to your shattered home. 

The cinders still remain and a simple flick could easily ignite it all. You’d heal and when all is done…then what? 

You were silent while both of you rode his ilu back to Awa'atlu, you held your bleeding arm across your chest, untouching. Even if there was a fine line that made you understand one another, you cannot trust him completely; you are still wounded by the scars of the sky people. You only hold onto his waist with one hand. But when you shivered as every wave slapped your arms and legs; your teeth chattering loudly he couldn’t help but turn around, and with you bleeding profusely, you can feel your eyelids grow heavy.

You were too tired. Too exhausted to even be conscious of your surroundings. 

His ilu stopped midway, while Payakan continued his way among the seas he knew. 

“Would you like to stay at the front? I can—shit— I could warm you up?” He moved away from his ilu, ready to go behind you while you looked at him with your intense glare. Even if you were bruised and shivering in the cold, you still looked at him with this cold glare making him cower. 

Lo’ak almost smacked himself in the back of the head with how he worded it out, but you slightly shifted to the front of his ilu and left him space behind you. Lo’ak gently placed himself behind you, at first giving you the distance that you needed while you held your bleeding arm across your chest.

When he commanded his ilu to go forward, slowly you leaned against him making his breath hitch. Lo’ak felt like he was stepping on eggshells with how careful he wanted to be with you;  he didn’t want to overstep his boundaries and toy between the line of what this is and what you are to each other. 

This was oceans that are not traversed and Lo’ak is simply dipping his toes in the waters, testing…waiting.

He can smell the faint smell of smoke, fresh spice…from you. You were warm, not too much that he would sweat, just the right amount of touch for physical contact. You fit right beneath him perfectly, still shivering while he held his ilu’s reins. 

Throughout the whole ride, Lo’ak never heard you talk, only after your fight earlier. Even Lo’ak was silent, he could’ve just left you there alone but he didn’t. The bitter understanding of the taste of loneliness painted on his lips. 

He knew your darkest secrets without needing to know you that long. This blind trust you have with each other makes him feel things he never had… it makes him feel wanted… depended on at long last… that he is worthy of trust and responsibility. 

This would probably do both of you good, you were both alike, weren’t you? Lo’ak thinks.

How bizarre it is to think that you bare your fears and pain to a complete stranger? There would be once-in-a-million chances for you to meet and yet here you both are.

Every line becomes muddled with uncertainty.

Lo’ak only realized that you’ve been leaning on him completely when he lowered his hands, you were sleeping. Your drowsy state, trying to open your eyes when you saw the faint light of the fire.

The urge to close your eyes was too strong, and so you did. Putting your complete faith in the na’vi that you almost considered the enemy into safety. After all, what else could you lose?

When the both of you reached the island surrounded by roots of mangrove-like trees, there are multiple campfires and lanterns open. Right in the distance, Lo’ak could see figures he knew too well, looking out into the ocean.

Looking for him.

‘The boy has returned!’

When Lo’ak tried to shift you awake, your eyes remained closed and your head lulled backward. His ilu guided him towards the white sands, people had gathered to look at the boy and the figure he was carrying. 

“Where were you?!” Jake came barging right in front of Lo’ak, anger and fear littered on his features.

Neytiri, his mother looked at him with panic in her eyes, muttering ‘my son’ in the wind. Neytiri’s hand placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, scanning her son’s body for further injuries when she realized the figure he was carrying, a bloodied na’vi with ash blue skin, the large feathers and bones that adorned your frame told her that you are the same age as her son.

Payakan had pushed your tarākona towards the shore, the crowd gasped at the large creature slumped right behind Lo’ak. It hissed in pain and the eyes of the Olo'eyktan narrowed as soon as he saw the creature trailing behind you, almost making a protective barrier with its large body. Preventing even his family from even coming close beside him, with the tarākona protecting you both.

“A tarākona.” Ronal hissed. There is only one clan that tamed this monstrous beast.

Lo’ak kneeled, gently placing you in the sand yet refusing to let you go. You were still bleeding, he cannot afford to pass any minute with you being dead to the world. You were running out of time.

The sole reflection of his pain, the only person who’d understand is lying here waiting until Eywa would take you as hers.

“I-I found her drifting across the sea…and I… help her please.” He begged the Tsahik, looking at Ronal with a pleading stare. 

Metkayina’s Tsahik was cautious as she did not trust the Sully family at first. And Lo’ak was at the last on her list of good graces, Lo’ak brought nothing but trouble and yet here he is presenting another problem to the Metkayina’s home.

A na’vi from the Manawa Wera Clan, an enemy of their own clan.

Manawa Wera had their own beliefs and cultures that are far too different from the Metkayina. If they believed in The Way of Water, your clan believed in The Seeds of Fire. 

For the Metkayina, the sea is a better ally.

For the Manawa Wera, fire is judgment

If the water is eternal, the fire begins with a spark and ends in ashes.

If the sea is your home, the flame is a lover who is erratic. uncontrollable, unforgivable, everything and beyond. 

If the Metkayina can learn acceptance and forgiveness, your clan on the other hand would burn everything in ash and cinder.

A fire cannot be contained or trained, they ran havoc in destruction. 

Because no amount of water can quench the fire that resides within.

“You have no idea about the child you brought here, she is from Manawa Wera.” Ronal growled.

Lo’ak feels helpless and he can feel his own anger rise upon the accusation just because of your own upbringing. He could almost see himself in you, untrusted, enemy… just finding solace and comfort only to be pushed away. You showed no signs of threat and just like his first time with the Metkayina Clan, he is being ridiculed, scorned, mocked, and shamed. 

The anger in him slowly crept up in his veins. He felt his eyes twitch.

Like a calculated venom, he spat out the following words: “If you are no help then maybe you don’t deserve the title of the Tsahik.” 

Ronal's intense stare wavered, as Lo’ak parents scolded him. He held his ground, looking at the Tsahik in front of him. 

Tonowari held his mate’s arm softly, looking at her as if talking with her with only his eyes. 

“It is a child…” Tonowari whispered, looking at Ronal softly and back towards their own children. Ronal knew the feeling of a mother, and how she didn’t want her own children to be separated from her own family; When the Sky People had posed a threat far greater than what they could fight. 

Your own mother must be out there, worried about her own child's loss in the sea. Ronal couldn’t do that even with the former enemy. 

Metkayina’s are forgiving, and if the sea had brought you here then there must be a purpose. Because if not, you should’ve drowned a long time ago.

Ronal exhaled defeatedly conceding to her husband’s request.

“Bring her to me.” Ronal demanded, and with that, the healers of the clan carried the girl away from Lo’ak’s hands. 

Leaving Lo’ak standing there with his family looking at him worriedly. Kiri carefully stepped around the tired creature, looking at it in wonder. It was majestic in her own eyes, far too different as its muted red color scales glinted in the moonlights.

“You disrespected her and our family. Do you understand that?” Jake scolded looking at him in anger. 

“Lo’ak, you do not talk to the Tsahik that way!” Neytiri scolded, only for his mother’s eye to fall right into his bloodied chest. His mother’s breath almost caught in a hitch, it reminded her of another most recent loss far too great for a mother to experience.

Neytiri’s hand wavered in front of his son’s bloodied chest, she could almost feel the cold embrace of her guilt when Lo’ak slapped her hand away.

The pain in the eyes of the mother did not go unnoticed by Jake and Lo’ak. 

Lo’ak reassured his mother: “I am fine, mother. It’s just a scratch.”

Lo’ak own erratic breathing was pulsing with anger, but when Jake place a comforting hand on his son’s head Lo’ak realized that he was back to directing his anger to what was in front of him. Just like what he had done when he met you.

“Where have you been?” Jake asked, this time he lowered his tone. Wary about how it would sound in the ears of his child.

“Ma Jake, you ask questions later. Your son is bleeding.”  Neytiri softly said, grabbing her son’s shoulder tightly, as if Lo’ak would disappear as soon as she closed her eyes. “I apologize… let us go and I’ll heal you.”

Walking side-by-side, the tarākona shifted awake, looking at Lo’ak, and followed him begrudgingly. Its forked tongue hissed in the air, while Kiri remained intrigued. It was a beautiful creature, it looks to be a bonded creature of a warrior.

Kiri noticed there was a prominent burnt scar on the tarākona’s neck. Far too calculative to be just a mere coincidence, like it was meticulously placed there. Even with its tired state, the creature followed its own owner; not even bothering as it slithered away from the watchful eyes of the na’vi who were far too curious about the said creature.

Lo’ak looked behind him, watching as the light in the pod of Tsahik glow as they healed you. In the dim light of lanterns, it gave your sleeping figure a heavenly glow. 

You looked serene, peaceful… perfect. 

Māori Words Used: Manawa Wera - Manawa (heart), wera (hot) means “being fervent of heart and passionate”. In the case of the story, it is the Clan of the Ash People, the Fire-Dwelling Clan. Taglist: @okaylorrainee, @destinylb

A/N: I SPENT A GOOD TIME RESEARCHING GOOD NAMES THAT FIT FOR ASH PEOPLE CAUSE JAMES CAMERON WOULDNT PROVIDE ME WITH ONE.

Also, I would like to give credit to the recording artist, Ria Hall, I was listening to her album named “Manawa Wera”. Also "Set Fire to Rain" by Adele is one of my looped songs for writing this. Also if you go back to the prologue you would notice something, there is now a header! This is a reminder that the plot belongs to me, except for the characters of the Avatar Franchise. This is only for fictional purposes.

[mayhemories]

Neteyam x readers kids to lovers eventually, before WOTW bc I carnt handle his death

Eywa, A Sign

Ohhh it kills me, I love this boy. He died for what? Pandora Jesus better resurrects him next time, or I will have words with Mr Cameron. Not sure if I did your request justice, hope I did <3 

Pairing: Neteyam Sully x Reader (James Cameron’s Avatar) 

Requested: Yes | No

Warnings: None? Just straight fluff. Reader is an orphan trope/parental death. Mentions of death. 

Words: 1.58k

Author’s Notes: Neteyam is roughly 18/19 here, Reader is 18, Lo’ak and Kiri are 17, and my girl Tuk is still the same. Set before Way of the Water. 

Please note that the reader utilises she/her pronouns. If you’d prefer male or gender-neutral pronouns in fic I’m more than happy to repost a male or gn version of the story, otherwise include any pronoun preferences in the request box!

Read below the cut

Many Na’vi died following Toruk Macto. Either due to the impact of the battlefield violence or, their wounds upon return to their clan. Your parents, two brave Omatikaya warriors, died at the hands of the Sky People during a routine raid on supply shipments. 

Jake and Neytiri were quick to take you under their care, love and protection. Practically becoming one of their own. Being a few months younger than Neteyam and a year older than the twins, Kiri and Lo’ak, you slipped right in.

Jake was never afraid to reprimand you like you were his own, either. Like the time you were twelve, Lo’ak eleven:

“Now what did I tell you two?” Jake had you and Lo’ak lined up against the wall of the clan stronghold, sprung by the Olo’eyktan from the moment you came sneaking back in after curfew. 

“Don’t be in the forest after eclipse-” You and Lo’ak mumbled under your breaths, knowing that Jake wouldn’t let up.

“Yes! That’s right, don’t be in the forest after eclipse!” he said, exasperated, holding his hands above his head, dragging them down across his face. “And where were you two knuckleheads?” His face was annoyed, though his eyes were soft. We were his kids, god forbid anything happened to us. 

“Look dad (y/n) had nothing to do with it, it was all me-” Lo’ak started, but you finished,

“Sir, Lo’ak didn’t want to go, I wanted to go.” You and Lo’ak shared a small smile, he was your brother, through and through. 

Jake shook his head, hands on hips. 

“Go, go, both of you. Wash up.” He was stern, but as you two skxawngs ran past him you saw the gentle smile lay on his lips. 

As you got older you noticed Jake becoming harder and harder on his boys. For whatever reason Lo’ak almost gave up on pleasing Jake, felt like he could never be enough for him, a spec of dust compared to Neteyam’s glittering gold. Maybe that was why, why he was so impulsive and reckless, consistently. Any attention being good attention for Lo’ak. Regardless of his intentions, you liked that about him. He encourages your sense of adventure like a brother should, was always there to catch you when you fall. Neteyam and Lo’ak were different sides of the same coin, both living to please Jake in one way or another. Jake saw himself in Lo’ak and that scared him, you knew that,

But Neteyam…shit, Neteyam. 

You always saw Neteyam differently. As kids, he felt too cool for you to be around. This developed over time as you, yourself developed. As you felt awkward and out of place in your body, tail giving away every thought and feeling, Neteyam got taller, got broader, got sweeter. As an awkward teenager, your little soft spot evolved into a full-blown crush. You kept it under wraps sure, Lo’ak teasing you here and there but he never thought anything serious of it. Shit, you tried not to think anything of it. He was the future Olo’eyktan, he was the future of the clan. 

Now, freshly eighteen you were considered a woman: A relatively fierce Ikran rider, bow made from wood of the tree to replace the Hometree that was lost to the Sky People, a hunter. You surpassed any ritual trail of clan-life easily, save for one. Save for probably the most important one. 

Finding a mate. 

So, here you were, kneeling on the beautiful deep green moss surrounding the base of the Tree of Voices. The tree was glowing purple, fading to a light pink and back again, streaks of white travelled up and down the tendril of the tree, where you’ve made the bond. The hum of the ancestors created a white noise in you mind, helping to create a true vision. Praying to Eywa always gave you a sense of calm, like all anxieties were being blown right through your body, energy settling itself back into the world. 

“My dear All-Mother Eywa, I come to you now for guidance, for advice.” You started, clamping your eyes shut to encourage any kind of vision, so that you may see into the realm beyond that of physical sight. 

Neteyam knew it was wrong, to listen to your private prayers with Eywa. But he did not make a move to leave his advantageous spot, hidden amongst trees and rocks, he could watch you freely. His whole life felt like it revolved around you, and your alluring presence, strong heart, strong mind. 

Neteyam officially became a man the year prior, it was expected of him as the future clan leader to have already chosen a woman. And, in some ways he had. It had always been you, it was always you. Neteyam loved you, and it was never as a sister as Lo’ak has. When you were children you would play family. Neteyam was the dad, you the mum, Kiri and Lo’ak the kids. Neteyam knew from a young age that he didn’t want to play family with anyone else. 

He assumed Neytiri always knew, too. She never pressured him in claiming a mate, or even talking about it. Jake, well he was less switched on when it came to Neteyam’s shy nature. He was always pestering Neteyam about it-

Jake had flown Neteyam and himself to a floating mountain so that him and his first born son could speak freely: “Look, I’m not even saying you have to mate straight away! But at least court someone Neteyam, you’re the future of this clan-” Jake started, but for the first and last time in his life, Neteyam cut his father off.

“I am waiting for (y/n)!” Neteyam yelled, holding the bridge of his nose, anticipating that Jake would come back with a raised voice as he most often did. It did not come. Instead Jake closed the distance between him and his son, wrapping his arms around his beautiful baby boy, who wasn’t a baby anymore. Neteyam loosened, wrapping his still lanky arms around his father. With his chin resting on Neteyam’s head, Jake chuckled:

“Well then, wait for her as long as you need.” 

“I love her.” Neteyam admitted quietly. 

“I know you do, kid.” 

Neteyam shook the memory from his mind, and focused back on your kneeling, praying figure in front of him. 

“My mother Eywa, what am I to do?” You felt exasperated, lost. “I… I am afraid that the one I love does not love me Eywa.” 

Neteyam’s chest tightened, although he always knew it was a possibility that you may not want him, he tried his hardest swaying anyone else’s decision in the matter. The glares he had sent to all the young na’vi during their teen years, and at your own ceremony of womanhood, Neteyam made it clear with growls and possessive hovering that he was waiting for you. Although, maybe he could’ve made it clearer to you. 

“Great Eywa please, please show me a sign that Neteyam and I will be named mates.” you whispered, scared to admit his name in the scenario, aloud. 

Neteyam felt like he could vomit. He slowly approached you, kneeling beside you, as if he were beginning to pray, himself.

You could feel his heat, his being as he sat down, you didn’t need to open your eyes to confirm. Besides that, you could feel all the blood drain from your body and rush back up to your cheeks and ears. Clearing your throat, you decided that this was a good a sign as any. 

“Neteyam” You opened your eyes, his beautiful warm honey ones already locked on your face, “how much of that did you hear?” 

Neteyam hung his head in shame, shaking some of his braids from their resting places, blood rushing to his cheeks. 

“I am so sorry, I know I shouldn’t have listened to your private words spoken with Eywa.” Neteyam spoke softly, like he always did with you. “But I could not help it, especially knowing you have not chosen a mate yet.” Neteyam spoke around a lump in his throat, “I needed to know why.” 

Your mind was rushing a million miles per minute. But fake bravado was something that Lo’ak taught you, and something you could hide behind.

“You know, you haven’t chosen anyone either. My ceremony was last week, yours was last year.” You said, catching his eye again, with a slight smile on your lips. Neteyam laughed. Shit, you loved that sound. You could die happy now, hearing his laugh. 

“I have chosen,” your stomach dropped at his words, though sensing your anxiety Neteyam wove one of his hands with yours, and pinned you to the spot with his warm eyes. “I just had to wait a year for her to choose me too.” 

And all at once it felt like Eywa had breathed life into you, and Neteyam. Like your soul was made of milk and honey and you were going to flow on forever. 

You kissed him, your hands cupped his beautiful face, his slender fingers settling on your waist, nestling between beads and cloth. 

He came out of the kiss laughing, needing air. You let out a laugh too, keeping your foreheads together. 

“I see you.” You whispered, still scared that if you speak too loud this dream will dissipate into the colours of Pandora’s jungle, floating away from you entirely. 

“I have only ever seen you,” Neteyam said, smiling. His silver freckles set alight from the glow of the Tree of Voices. 

Happiness was simple.