Junebug

Your sisters were warriors, strong and nimble as palulukans. They had tamed ikrans, passed their dream hunts, and become one of the people through proving themselves over and over. You, on the other hand, had always been quieter and more gentle. 

While they practiced archery, you sat out in the sun creating strings for your instruments, humming under your breath ideas for a new tune. While they learned how to defend and protect from your father, you had been asking the Shaman of Songs a million questions and soaking up each word from her lips. Even when your sisters brought home their first kills, you had been sitting with your cousin, Ninat, as you wove songs together piece by piece. 

Sylwanin was a good older sister. She was mature and kind, but she was also courageous and fiercely loyal to her people. She and Tsu’tey trained most days when they weren’t learning English at the skyperson’s school or helping the clan doing day to day tasks. She had many friends and was admired by all for both her skill and her beauty.

As the middle sister, you had always preferred to fly under people’s notice. You were used to being the quietest one, the one who did not need much and would not ask for it even if you did. You were content with letting your sisters run the show, sacrificing attention for peace. Most other people’s eyes were drawn to you for other reasons anyway, so you much preferred being alone in your kelku (home) than to be out there, trying to not gain their awareness.

Lastly, a year younger than you, Neytiri was more brash and bold. She liked having things her way and would get into a mood when the winds did not favor her. She had an open heart though, and was the most accepting out of the three sisters. She was usually the one to look forward to your Tawtute (human) lessons with Grace in years past.

But that was long ago, before Sylwanin and Tsu’tey had attacked an RDA site and destroyed mining equipment that was being used to blast holes in the ground and destroy the homes of Eywa’s creatures. Now, your oldest sister was gone, shot in the back like a traitor, and her body now buried under Hometree. 

It had been two years since that day, and your family had learned to move on in some ways, less so in others. Neytiri had hardened into something nearly unbreakable, and you had softened into what every once else needed at the moment, becoming even more amenable and agreeable. 

But it was Tsu’tey who had truly changed. He had become a shell of who he once was. With Sylwanin, he was still serious and responsible, yes, but he would often crack jokes and always tried to get her to smile. A different side used to come out of the Eykatay around your sister, but after her death, he had been all furrowed brow and dead eyes. Out of all of you, it was Tsu’tey, who you were often worried about.

You had been next in line to assume the role of Tsakarem, one you took with hesitance. It felt too large of a task to try to fill Sylwanin's shoes. You were far more interested in your music making than you were in mindlessly mixing herbs in your mother’s rooms and sitting in silent prayer. Yet you knew what was expected of you, and you would take it with as much grace as you could bear. 

With your new position, you had not only been taught the ways of Eywa, but you assumed Sylwanin's betrothal in her place. Her promise to Tsu’tey was now yours, and with it, the assurance for him to one day become Olo’eyktan. 

While being Tsahìk was not high on your list of dream jobs, you did have a loyalty to your people and your family that was as strong as human metal. You would not let Tsu’tey down, and you would not disappoint your parents. When one of your parents passed into the Great Mother’s hands, or when you and Tsu’tey both agreed it was time, you would mate with the Eykatay and seal his claim to the chiefdom and your role as its Tsahìk.

Sitting at his side during ceremonies and being forced to get to know each other had not been so bad. You had entered a hesitant friendship that bloomed into a genuine one. Your shared grief over Sylwanin worked as a bind that connected you, and together you had learned to laugh again. 

You had grown into a woman who was not slim or narrow like your sisters. Despite their slight and willowy frames, you were all wide hips and thick thighs and full breasts. Your figure was uncommon for the Na’vi, and many saw you as something rare and desired. Your eyes sparkled like human gold and your smile was blinding to even the most serious warrior. 

You were gorgeous. Even Tsu’tey had to agree, despite not feeling any romantic love towards you. If his heart had not already been taken, perhaps he might have loved you like a mate, but he still loved you in his own way. He could not blame others for fawning at your feet as they did, but he would not give up his obligation to your family. You were his, though it was the promise of hand rather than your heart that led him to fulfill the duty that Eywa tasked him with.

Very few could resist your full cheeks or the kindness you held in your heart. Although they tried, none had tempted you with their affections so far. You had high standards, but more than that, you knew finding love was fruitless anyway. You were already destined to be with Tsu’tey and you had made peace with that. You had carried your beauty as a heavy burden. You were kind and polite to the hunters and weavers and farmers who approached you for your interests, but you never entertained them, knowing of your responsibilities to the clan. You would not shirk your promise to Tsu’tey or to your parents.

Your parents boasted at having two of the finest daughters in the Omatikaya; one being an accomplished warrior at an exceedingly young age, and the other the most beautiful woman of the clan and a tsakarem who was rapidly learning the ways of Eywa whilst still perfecting her chosen craft of music making. 

Things around hometree had continued on after Sylwanin's death. Maybe the air was filled with grief and tension now, but life did continue. It was not until a newcomer arrived and cut the ropes that had been holding you all up, that you realized how unbalanced and tenuous you all were.

When the dreamwalker had waltzed into hometree, you had watched in equal parts horror and fascination as Neytiri was assigned to teach him the Na’vi way. Tsu’tey scoffed from beside you on the dais, his fist clenching at his sides. Your father partially obscured you from being seen by the dreamwalker, but you still noticed the way his eyes met yours over Eytukan’s shoulder and even more so when they lingered there.

The dreamwalker was handsome, in an odd sort of way. The hair over his brow and the extra finger on each of his hands was the most noticeable of his differences. His eyes were smaller than you were used to seeing, and his nose protruded slightly more than most Na’vi’s did. But despite this, your parents had chosen to accept him for now. He would be trained to be a warrior and the elders would carefully be watching him. Unknown to him, you would be too.

The first few weeks after his arrival, you saw very little of him. He was busy learning and you were busy acting like you were not curious about the newcomer. You watched him at meals, his easy smile betrayed by his nervous eyes, but any anxiety he felt about being with the Na’vi faded quickly. He made acquaintances, even started earning people’s trust.

It was not until his third week in hometree that you first interacted with him. 

It had rained that day, thick drops of water had splashed down from above for hours. The ground was soaked from the deluge, but the skies had eventually cleared, so you had decided to leave your cozy alcove and make your way outside to take a walk and clear your mind. 

You had found your thoughts clouded by your father. The Olo’eyktan’s shoulders were often held close to his ears in these past days, his forehead wrinkled as stress pressed in on him. He had come to you last night, asking you to play a song he had often sung to you when you were young. It was a song of the ancestors, one that had words no longer spoken and meanings that had been lost to time. 

Your mind kept going to the way Neytiri had peeked in as you strummed the tune on your instrument, voice softly rising to join in with the sound. She had looked peaceful for the first time in months and it gladdened you. 

Your thoughts seemed to be getting away from you as you stepped on a fallen leaf, your foot hitting the ground at just the right angle to cause your heel to slide along the slick texture. Your arms pinwheeled, but you were unable to catch yourself in time.

“Woah!” you heard as your legs shot out from beneath you, your bottom hitting the forest floor below. The grass did little to cushion your fall. 

“You okay?” a deep, velvet voice asked in English as you saw a blue blur jogging towards you out of your peripheral vision. 

You had to search through your mind to find the correct words in English. “Yes, I think so,” you groaned, looking up to see Jake Suli, the dream walker, crouching in front of you. Your tail throbbed from the way you had awkwardly landed on it.

“Here,” he said as he reached out a hand to help you up. 

You took his hand, surprised at how easily he lifted you up, even with his muscles just now starting to emerge from training with Neytiri. Other than the hunters, many men in your clan were not solid enough to pick up anyone this easily, much less someone of your size. But Jake Suli was strong, and the way he had hefted you up made a swarm of shimmyflys erupt in your stomach.

“Thank you,” you murmur, looking up at him through your lashes.

“Of- of course,” he stammered, eyes locked on the curve of your cheek and the way your eyes sparkled in the late afternoon sun. “You’re Neytiri’s sister right?” 

“I am,” you nodded, surprised he already knew of you. “And you are the dreamwalker.”

“That’s what they call me,” he nodded with a shrug. “But Jake is fine too,” he said with a charming smile. 

“Jake,” you repeated slowly, making sure to pronounce it correctly. “I am y/n,” you told him. 

He smiled, “I know, I’ve seen you around,” he explained. 

You leaned down to brush off the grass on your legs, as you asked, “You have?” surprised at this information.

“Well, sure. Neytiri talks about you all the time. You’re her hero,” he explained and your cheeks turned purple at the words. 

You straightened up again when your legs were free of dirt and grass. “I am definitely not her hero, I am barely able to draw a bow,” you laughed and shook your head. “You must be mistaken, our older sister, Sylwanin, she was one of legends,” you insisted. 

Jake shook his head slightly, “No, she talks about both of you. In fact, she suggested I come talk to you about the language. She said that you had ways of teaching me through… song?” he asked, hair covered brows raised.

Your eyes widened, “I have written songs to help the children learn, I do not know if it would work for an adult, you may find them annoying,” you giggled at the thought. 

He shrugged, “I am pretty desperate, I can’t get the words through my thick skull,” he gave you a self-deprecating grin and you found yourself pitying him.

You pressed your lips together in contemplation. “I suppose we could try. When could you meet with me?” you asked.

“Tomorrow? I’m sure Neytiri wouldn’t mind an afternoon off. That’s when we normally work on language and, you know, Na’vi customs and stuff,” he suggested and you nodded.

“I could do that. Meet me at the base of hometree, I normally take the children somewhere outside so the noise does not interrupt others,” you said.

“Okay, tomorrow… I’ll meet you there after lunch- uh, mid day meal?” he clarified and your eyes sparkled at his slip up. 

“Yes, that is fine,” you agreed.

“Good…” Jake said, backing away a few steps. “It was nice meeting you. I look forward to the… songs,” he told you, eyebrows furrowing as if he thought he was tripping up on his words.

“Have a good day, Jake. Do not let my baby sister be terribly unkind to you. She gets stuck in her ways,” you suggested, a kind smile on your lips that made Jake's heart beat double time in his chest. 

“Right, thanks,” he nodded, wincing as he thought of no other wise words to say. He quickly turned from you, cursing himself for starting so strong just to end on an awkward note. At least he had tomorrow to show you he was not a total idiot.

The next day, you waited at the base floor of Hometree after midday meal. 

You were probably a little early, since most people were still eating above you, but you had been too on edge to eat slowly or really much at all. The prospect of meeting with the dream walker privately again was both exciting and nerve wracking. He was handsome, not in the way the other Na’vi men were, but in a way unique unto himself. 

You now found yourself clutching your instrument tightly in your hand, wetting your lips out of habit. Your sister had not spoken much of the dreamwalker, just about how he was stubborn and slow. That was not exactly what you had gathered from your conversation with him yesterday, but she would know him better. 

“Hey!” a masculine voice called, breaking you from your thoughts and looking for the source.

You recognized the man, Koa, although you could admit you did not know him well. He was tall and thin, and a good warrior in the clan. 

“Hi,” you greeted back. 

“Are you on your way up to eat?” he asked, gesturing over his shoulder up the spiral. 

“I just did,” you explained, “I am meeting someone.”

He nodded, “I see. Maybe another time then?” he asked. 

You opened your mouth, but hesitated to come up with the right words. 

“Y/n,” a voice called as the owner of it stopped his path and diverted towards the two of you. You looked over to see Tsu’tey with his brow furrowed as he walked purposefully. He had interrupted at precisely the right time.

“Tsu’tey,” you nodded, gesturing the traditional greeting of ‘I see you’ as he stopped a step in front of you and signed it back to you. His tall frame made you crane your neck to look up at him since he had stopped so close. 

“Koa, am I right in saying that you are on the next patrol?” Tsu’tey asked, his voice gruff.

“Yes, I just stopped in for some food,” Koa nodded.

“Then go get the food. You’ll be late,” Tsu’tey ordered, silently dismissing him and turning to you. 

Koa hesitated, looking at you in question, but when you just shrugged, he sighed and turned to start up the spiral. 

“What are you doing down here?” Tsu’tey asked, distracting you from Koa’s departure.

“Waiting on a new student,” you explained, “What about you?” you asked.

“I am returning from my own patrol, Atan relieved me. I was hoping to share a meal with you,” he said, but your slumped shoulders and pressed lips was a quick tell that it was a no. 

“I am sorry, I already ate and I promised I would help. Neytiri is still there I think,” you added encouragingly. 

Tsu’tey nodded in thought. “Very well, perhaps for the evening meal then?” he asked. 

“Sure,” you agreed with a small smile. 

At that moment, the soft sound of feet hitting dirt had you and Tsu’tey both turning to the spiral, where Jake had just jumped off of the last curve of wood and fully onto the lower level. 

Your eyes widened at the expectation of watching them interact up close. The two could not agree on anything.

“Dreamwalker,” Tsu’tey sneered, his body language shifting into squared, rigid straightness and sharp lines. 

“Tsu’tey,” Jake greeted, walking toward you both. A cocky smirk was on his face, making Tsu’tey’s hackles rise even further. “Are you here for lessons too?”

Tsu’tey’s eyes gleamed as he turned to you, a shocked look on his face. “He is the student you are waiting on?” he said, “Surely not.”

“Neytiri thought I could be of some assistance,” you explained, and Tsu’tey rolled his eyes. 

“You cannot teach the dreamwalker,” he scoffed. 

“Why not?” Jake asked, stepping closer to Tsu’tey again, “What do you think is gonna happen? It's just a little song and dance, she’ll be fine.”

“I do not need a reason not to like you, Vrrtp (demon),” Tsu’tey said. “Your kind is a disease.” 

“Stop it,” you barked, stepping forward, partly between them, but they both still glowered at each other over your head. “It is fine, Tsu’tey,” you insisted. 

That made him look down at you, “Neytiri is his teacher, you do not have to do this,” he responded.

“I know,” you affirmed, “it is okay.”

“Fine,” he finally grumbled. He glared at Jake, “Do not touch even a hair on her head or I will give you a swift end.”

You sighed at his dramatics as Jake just clenched his jaw.

Although there was no romantic love between you and Tsu’tey, there was still an oath to keep. There were certain expectations that came with being promised to each other. When men from the clan approached you with courting gifts or words that were far too honeyed, Tsu’tey always spoke to them for you, pushing them away with his usual gruffness. He defended and protected you, but he knew you were not as fragile or naive as others liked to treat you. He did not protect you out of fear that you could not handle yourself, but because it was his job now. That was what came with the territory of being in a pair. That was why he was being so short with Jake now.

On a few occasions, he had even accepted challenges on your behalf from men who wished to shake Tsu’tey from his role. Some because of his position as Eykatay, but some of them, because they envied his betrothal to you. You had been shocked each time, staring on as Tsu’tey fought them efficiently, winning by a landslide. He had always made sure you had no real attachment to the man before accepting their challenge, but you never did. 

“I will be fine,” you repeated, pulling Tsu’tey’s gaze away from Jake. You stepped to the side, pulling Tsu’tey with you. It did not stop Jake from hearing you, but it gave the feeling of a little more privacy.

Tsu’tey cocked his head as if he disagreed. “I trust you, it is him who I do not trust. Yell out if you need help, I will put patrols nearby,” he said. 

You raised your brow. “I do not think that is necessary,” you muttered,

“Even so, it will bring comfort to me. Will I still see you later?” Tsu’tey ground out as you nodded. 

“I will come find you,” you agreed.

He bowed his head in acceptance and turned, shooting Jake one last look over his shoulder before he leapt onto the spiral and began making his way up.

“What’s his problem?”  Jake asked as you turned to face him. “He your boyfriend or something?”

You narrowed your eyes. “I do not understand your human talk. Yes, he is my friend,” you corrected. 

“Yeah, but not your… mate? Are you together?” he asked and you understood. 

You smiled, turning away and walking to the exit.  “No, if Eywa wills it, one day we will mate, but we are not yet… together as you say,” you explained.

“I’m confused,” he noted from behind as he trailed after you.

You cocked your head to the side, feeling unsure at what he could be hung up on. “When my sister, Sylwanin, was alive, Tsu’tey loved her and she loved him. They entered into courtship and Tsu’tey was named Eykatay, the next in line. Eykatay and Tsakarem are often pairs, so that they may one day step into their roles as Olo’eyktan and Tsahìk together. When Sylwanin died, his role did not change, but I had to step into Sylwanin’s, meaning I took on both her title and her betrothal. Tsu’tey does not love me, and I do not love him, but we will mate before Eywa one day. Those are our duties,” you explained.

“That’s stupid,” Jake said matter of factly. You climbed a branch of a tree much smaller than Hometree.

“Our ways may not seem normal to you, but we act for the best of the people, not ourselves,” you said, slightly offended that he would question your ways so brashly. 

“Even if it makes you miserable? What if you’re unhappy with him?”

“I will not be. We are friends and that is more than many arranged mates start with. I will be fine. Come, no more talk of my mating. I am to teach you our ways,” you said in a way of finality and waved him on. 

You found a spot high up in a large tree and began to climb. You had to sling your instrument over your back, making your trip up easier. Jake climbed with surprising slowness, perhaps skypeople had no trees where he was from. When he finally joined you at the top, he was out of breath. 

“You okay?” you asked, trying to hide your smirk. 

“Oh, outstanding,” he promised, as he rested against the trunk and dangled his legs over either side of the limb. His chest heaved with exertion and you tried not to stare at it.

You tore your eyes away from him and aimed them at the instrument at your side instead. “I will start with a simple song, one all Na’vi children know by heart,” you suggested and Jake nodded, although reluctantly. 

Hours passed, with you singing and strumming the rhymes and tunes of the Na’vi. Jake followed along, his ears growing used to the turn of your words and the way they twisted together. He watched you, thoroughly enamoured as you lost yourself to the joy and rhythm of the music. You even got him to sing a little, although the offkey tone made you giggle and he clammed back up before you knew it.

“How do you remember all of this?” he asked, looking inquisitorially at you as if in awe. 

“It is my work, I wrote many of them, and the others I learned in childhood. You do not have music on your star?” you asked. 

“We do. We have a lot of music, but I think I like yours better.” He smiled faintly, “you sing beautifully, like an angel.”

You cocked your head to the side, fighting back the heat on your cheeks. “What is an angel?” you asked.

He lifted his eyebrows, “It’s a… spirit who sings to God and sounds gorgeous while doing it.”

You smiled, liking the description. “Then I am an angel,” you nodded in agreement.

He huffed out a laugh, “Alright, angel it is.”

That day was not the last of your lessons. He came to you often and asked for assistance, either to teach him more songs or to explain a custom or to translate a word. From then on out, it seemed everywhere you turned, Jake was not far off.

He even came to find you in your home one day. You had your own kelku to properly care for your instruments. It worked equally as both a living space and a workshop of sorts, wood and string and plant fiber cloths and all sorts of odds and ends cluttered your space. 

You lived in organized chaos and had always loved the comfortable, lived-in feel of it, but when a shadow darkened your door, you suddenly saw it through his eyes.

“Jake,” you gasped out, clutching your rag in surprise. You had not expected to turn around and see him at all, in fact, it was Tsu’tey who promised to come walk you to the forest to collect materials for a new flute. You had sort of forgotten he was coming, seeing as he was over an hour past what he promised. Something must have gone wrong with patrols or training, he was not usually so late.

“Angel,” Jake greeted you, smiling fondly as you began hurriedly putting away the most offensive parts of the clutter. His expressive eyebrows raised as he noticed the tension in your shoulders and the shocked look on your wide, golden eyes.

You pursued your lips. You could not imagine why he was here. “I have no more songs to teach you and I am afraid you would not learn much of arrows or bravery from me. If you came here for-” You sputtered to a halt as he fully stepped inside.

“I didn’t come to you to learn… I just… I wanted to see you again,” he confessed, gazing instantly at you and making you pause your cleaning to look back. 

Your eyes widened, “To see me? Why?” you asked breathily.

He smiled, shrugging slightly. “Becuase I think you’re beautiful,” he replied. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

You blushed, cheeks turning purple, as he looked around at you kelku covered in trinkets and instruments, some halfway made since you had paused your creations for one reason or another.

When you did not respond because your brain was still short circuiting at his words, he gestured to the hoard of things surrounding you. “All this is yours?” he asked. 

You bit your bottom lip. “Yes,” you sighed, giving up on putting everything away and turning back to your previous task to absentmindedly occupy your hands. You were finishing off oiling the wood on the instrument in front of you, and you were thankful to be able to do that instead of bursting into flames out of embarrassment.

He asked questions and you answered them, both pairs of eyes dancing and locking together just to rip themselves away again. “How come you aren't going to be the next Shaman of Songs? That seems more your thing?” Jake asked.

You shrugged, “I will be Tsahìk, this is Eywa’s plan for me. Being Shaman was once my goal, but now my cousin, Ninat, will make an excellent leader of music. She is perfect for it,” you explained, although Jake did not seem all that enthused by your answer.

“Neytiri tells me you are doing well and will be doing your Iknimaya soon. Do you feel ready?” you asked, changing the subject and putting this back on him before he could ask more.

His face lit up with pride. “I’m ready. This time next week, I’ll be soaring through the sky on my own ikran. Maybe we could go on a ride sometime? You know, once I get the hang of it,” he suggested and your heart sank a little in disappointment. 

You looked down at your hands as they worked. “That would be nice. I would like that, but I do not have an ikran. They are for hunters and I am not one,” you explained.

You glanced up at Jake just to gauge his reaction, but it was not what you were expecting. He shrugged, undeterred. “That’s okay. You can ride with me if you want. I won't let ya fall,” he smiled teasingly. You realized that he did not think of you as less valuable than anyone else because of your passions and it brought a lightness to your chest.

You laughed, “Alright, get your ikran first, warrior, then I will go with you,” you promised and Jake nodded proudly.

“Deal,” he agreed. “In the meantime, want to check out the sunset with me? I found this great spot at the top of Hometree,” he asked.

You placed the oil and cloth down, smiling at his offer. You loved sunsets. “I would like that,” you nodded enthusiastically.

He smirked, holding out his hand and you stepped forward to take it. “I was hoping you’d say that.” Your three fingers intertwined with his four fingers, an odd feeling, but a good fit none-the-less. 

As he began to gently lead you through the threshold, he stopped at the sight of an imposing figure blocking your path. Tsu’tey stepped inside your home, taking in the sight before him.

“What is this?” Tsu’tey asked, glancing between the two of you before flitting down to your interlocked hands. Anxiety clawed at your stomach at his sudden appearance, although the feeling was maybe more akin to shame.

“Tsu’tey!” You gasped, letting go of Jake’s hand and realizing you had no reason to hold it in the first place. “We were just going to take a look at the sunset,” you explained, hurriedly, feeling guilty even when you had no reason to. You reminded yourself you had done nothing wrong.

Tsu’tey’s eyes only narrowed. “I thought we were going to go find reeds for your instruments.”

At the reminder, your face crumpled. “I forgot, Tsu’tey. I’m so sorry,” you gushed, lips twisted into a frown.

You had overcommitted and would now have to choose. You wanted to go with Jake at this moment, but you had specifically asked Tsu’tey and he had taken time out of his busy day. You glanced at Jake, looking completely conflicted. He looked disappointed under a look of stony contempt in his eyes. 

“Can you not pick reeds tomorrow? I can take you,” Jake offered, but it elicited a hiss from Tsu’tey.

“I will take her. It was me she asked, not you,” Tsu’tey snarled.

“She can make her own choices,” Jake grumbled.

“Her choice was made when she asked me,” Tsu’tey bit back.

“She’s a free woman with her own autonomy. She can change her own damn mind.” Jake bit out, glaring at the Eykatay. 

“Boys!” you called, growing more anxious from their bickering. You felt terrible. You would have to go with Tsu’tey, there was no other option. You had previously committed to him, in addition to him being your betrothed. It was the natural choice, regardless of how much you wanted to go with Jake. 

Jake sighed, forcing himself to bite his tongue, as Tsu’tey averted his eyes to you. He was still waiting for an answer.

“I-” you hesitated to say your choice and when you couldn't produce a reply after a moment, Jake thankfully took pity on you. Perhaps he already knew your answer and was letting himself down gently.

“You know what? Sunsets happen every day, same time and everything,” he pointed out, “Go with him. You can meet me tomorrow,” he suggested. 

You placed a hand on his arm in relieved gratitude. “Are you sure?” you asked Jake. 

“I’ll be fine,” he promises with a knowing smile. Tsu’tey glowered at Jake as Jake’s eyes swiveled back to the taller man. “I imagine you like to keep your promises,” Jake said to you, but his gaze stayed fixed on Tsu’tey, a silent challenge in his eyes. 

You were not entirely familiar with how the male brain worked, especially when two seemed so at odds like Jake and Tsu’tey were, so you could not begin to infer the inner workings of their brains. Your best guess was that this was some odd, territorial display, both marking boundaries and testing the waters. You wondered how far they would realistically push each other.

Jake backed away from you both, tossing a smirk your way as he nodded his head in acknowledgement. He did not seem to take this as a loss, but more so as a challenge. You nodded back with a small smile as Jake shouldered past Tsu’tey. The Eykatay turned to watch him go and you sided up to him to watch as well. 

“Bye, Angel!” Jake called over his shoulder and sent a hand up in the air to wave.

You bit back a smile at his name for you. “Goodbye, Jake,” you replied. 

“Skxawng,” Tsu’tey muttered under his breath once Jake was out of earshot. You pursed your lips at the insult, but decided not to say anything about it. “What does that mean? What is Angel?” Tsu’tey asked.

You hesitated, unsure how to describe it. “He says it is a messenger of their god. A spirit who sings beautiful songs.”

Tsu’tey pursed his lips at the explanation. “Those are pretty words, but it is a trick. He will only hurt you,” he said grimly. You both watched Jake stumble on a bump of the limb he was walking on and while you watched intently while he righted himself, Tsu’tey continued, taking it as proof. “He does not belong here.”

You could think of no argument. You knew he was right, there was no refuting it. “We should go,” you said quietly, grabbing the woven pouch the master weaver had made for you as a gift over your shoulder. You set out into Hometree, disregarding whether Tsu’tey was behind you or not, he would catch up eventually. 

Your mind reeled as you walked, catching all of the details of the past hour that you had brushed aside in the moment. Now, you ran back every catch of Jake’s eye, every upturn of his lips, and especially the way his warm palm fit with yours. You tamped down the rising elation at the thought of him coming to seek you out today and what that might mean. 

Tsu’tey’s words echoed in your mind, but it did not stop you from the longing of wanting to see Jake again. Eywa, it was all you wanted. 

Vibrations on the limb below you told you Tsu’tey had caught up. “You have been spending time with him, why?” he asked, siding up to you and looking curiously down at his intended.

“I have not spent that much time with him,” you protested, even knowing it was not necessarily the truth. 

“Neytiri says it has been hard to find you apart recently,” Tsu’tey said.

“I do not know about that, but I enjoy spending time with him. He is kind and he is funny,” you said, trailing off as your true answers clogged in your throat. It was the way Jake made you feel, the way he set your heart ablaze just by being near. You could not put that sensation into words, not in a way that Tsu’tey would like or accept.

“You are fond of him,” Tsu’tey stated, not a question, but an observation.

“In a way, perhaps. He is becoming a friend,” you explained.

He was quiet for a beat. “It looks as if you love him.”

Your eyes flew up to his in surprise. “No, I could not love a dreamwalker,” you insisted, but the words tasted sour.

Tsu’tey sighed, seemingly growing tired of arguing with someone who could not see reason. “Do one thing for me, Sevin’eve (pretty girl). Be careful. He seeks you, there are no questions about that.”

You laughed, a hearty sound that Tsu’tey enjoyed hearing. “He does not. You are just jealous,” you forced a smile, trying to tease him back into a milder temper. You hated conflict and this all made your stomach turn. 

But instead of rolling his eyes or scoffing, Tsu’tey just silently dropped to a lower branch on your path, leading the way down to the spiral. He reached up, hands lifted for you to take and to help ease you down. 

You took his hands, using them to steady you as his eyes blazed with simmering fire. “Yes, I am. I cannot protest it, I am very jealous,” he admitted and your large eyes stared up at him with shocked fascination. You knew Tsu’tey to be territorial, even aggressive at times, but you had not thought him ever to be truely envious of another.

His hands tightened softly around yours, treating them as if they were frail things. “You have never looked half as happy with me as you did when I found you two today. He can give you a joy I cannot and that makes me angry. But, I also know that these feelings that you feel for him are temporary. Do not chase demons through the forest. They will only lead you to poisoned waters,” he warned. 

Your mouth hung open for a moment. “Tsu’tey, I-” you started, but he cut you off.

“Promise me this, promise to not get in too deep. Say you will not stray from my side.”

You stared up at him, eyes softening at the desperation written all over him. “I promise that I will not fall for him. I will not stray from you, Tsu’tey,” you swore and he relaxed, if only the smallest bit.

“Good,” he nodded. “Do not go where none else can follow.”

-

You had broken your promise quickly.

Barely 24 hours later, you stood at the top of hometree with ikrans chirping around you and Jake standing beside you. His arm was close to being flush with yours, barely a breath of space between you. It was odd, considering you had consciously chosen to stand far enough away from him for there to be space, now there was none. You bit your lip at the realization that you had been subconsciously moving closer and closer to him. 

Once you were up here, it had taken barely moments before he turned to you, eyes looking orange in the dying sunlight. He stared with so much intensity that it made you want to sit down and collect yourself. You tried not to squirm under his gaze, your senses feeling fried from the kindness you found in him.

“I don't think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful than this,” he admitted, eyes roving over your cheeks, up your nose, and to the way your hair fell around your ears. 

“Yes,” you agreed, “It’s gorgeous, I love the way everything turns different colors,” you commented, tearing your eyes away from him to look out at the blazing, pink horizon. 

“Not that,” he corrected. When you looked at him in question, he smiled. “You.”

“Me?” you scoffed. “I would have to disagree with you.”

“Well, you aren’t the one looking at you, are you?” he smirked, knowing you could not argue with that.

“You flatter me,” you smiled, unable to stomp on the growing warmth in your chest.

“I’m tellin’ you the truth. You’re an angel,” he insisted.

“So you’ve said,” you responded, fingers twisting in the beads of your long, dangling necklace.

“It’s true,” he said. “Let me look at you.” He urged your chin up with a knuckle on his four fingered hand and smiled wider when you rolled your eyes, but indulged him. You faced him head on, twisting your waist to better angle your body. You leaned closer as if being pulled into him by the flux vortex.

Jake watched your face soften, liking the way you returned his look of awe. “Beautiful,” he murmured, face dipping down as if to capture your lips with his. 

Just a hair’s breath away, he stopped, making you let out a disappointed sound. “Can I?” he asked, wanting to check in on you first. You did not respond with words, not having the patience for it when you were so close to getting what you wanted. You just closed the gap between you. 

Kissing Jake was not a rushed thing. It was exploratory and slow and intentional. He did not push, did not force his way in. He just gripped at your hips with calloused hands and held you in a way that made your skin buzz.

You realized that this was your first kiss. No one had ever tempted you before your betrothal to Tsu’tey. You were too young, and then you were too involved in your music, and then you were too deep into your grief. And after your betrothal, you had always remained loyal to the promises you made. Even if that meant you had never looked forward to a kiss because you always assumed it would be with Tsu’tey.

Tsu’tey… Eywa, forgive you. 

You pulled away slightly, forehead resting on his as you caught your breath. “Jake…” you murmured against his lips, not wanting to create space between you. He breathed deeply, smiling wide. 

He gave you a second before chasing after you, stopping your next words with another kiss. “Hmmm…” he hummed like a question against your mouth and you suddenly didn’t remember what you were supposed to say. Your hands tightened on their grip around his shoulders before they loosened and slid to the back of his neck. Your fingers gripped the hair beside his tsawin, twisting in the locks that were braided into his kuru.

He pulled away, eyes searching yours as you blinked lethargically. “Were you going to- Did you have something to say?” he asked. 

Your eyes widened at the reminder. Your mouth snapped closed, stomach twisting at the realization of what you had done. “I-” you stuttered, unable to sweeten the words as they slipped through your lips. “I cannot… I should not have done that,” you managed to say. 

His brow furrowed. “Is this about him?” he said, even as his hands loosened around your hips and you pulled away. “You don’t love him. Why are you with him?”

You groaned, dropping your head in your hands. “I do not want to have this conversation again, Jake. It is not just about love. It is about my duty to my people,” you reminded him.

His lips straightened into a firm line. “I know! You keep saying that, but you don’t even want to be Tsahìk. How does being unhappy best serve the people?” he asked.

“It is what is done here! It is what Eywa intends me to do!” you insisted, your emotions rising in your chest like a wave.

“If Eywa really wanted you to do this, why would she send me here? Why wouldn’t she make you love him?” he demanded, stepping closer. 

“I do not know! I cannot claim to know the ways of the Great Mother, but I am doing it, Jake. Do not make this harder for me,” you begged, vision still obscured by the palm of your hand. You were glad you covered your face when a rouge tear formed on the edge of your eyelid and you were able to quickly wipe it away.

He sighed, laying a hand on your shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry. Don’t be upset,” he pleaded, pulling you into him and you let him. 

After a moment, you laid your head on his chest, tucking it under his chin, and letting the warmth of his skin seep into yours. “Okay,” Jake relented. “How about this? The RDA only agreed to let me train for two more months. After that, I will be pulled out of this body and not be able to come back. That was the agreement.” Your eyes widened in shock at the news.

“But if I already have limited time, and you have to mate with someone else anyway, then let's just make the most of it. Two months of having fun and spending time together, and then when it's time to go, it will be like nothing ever happened.”

You mulled it over, wincing at the reaction this would elicit from the people. “Tsu’tey, he will not like-”.

“Tsu’tey never has to know. It’ll just be between you and me,” he explained.

You lowered your brow in thought. “Nì'aw zìskrrsomo…” you noted.

When Jake’s eyebrows scrunched together, you translated for him. “Only during Summer.”

His face softened. “Only for the summer,” he agreed, watching you intently for your answer.

You pursed your lips, knowing that this was your chance at experiencing something real. You hoped to grow to love Tsu’tey one day, but even that would be formal and duty bound. What you had here in front of you now was passion and romance and all of the things you never let yourself believe you could have before. You had to take this opportunity by the reins and enjoy it while you could.

You straightened a little, still tucked against his chest, but able to see his face now.  “Okay, what is in it for me? I run the bigger risk. If things go wrong, you can leave. I cannot,” you pointed out, but the lilt of your voice and your hand landing on his middle gave away that you were playfully negotiating. Your mind was already made, not that he had to know. 

He raised his brows at you, a scoff making its way past his lips. “Well, you get unlimited access to me, and I make a pretty damn good boyfriend. Plus, when I get my ikran, I’ll take you on as many rides as you want.”

You pretended to think it over, “Hmm, that is a good offer, but you know, Tsu’tey has an Ikran now, maybe I should just ask him to take me,” you suggested, smirking. 

His lips curled up into a grimace. “Don’t you dare,” he grumbled. “Not funny.”

“It is a little funny,” you said, “to me at least.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Angel, you could go ask Tsu’tey, and I’m sure he’d say yes, but you won't have half as much fun than if you were with me,” he pointed out, and you rolled your eyes, even if he was right.

Your smile faded into something far more subtle. “It is good then, that I do not want to go with him. I want to go with you,” you said.

“Good,” Jake stated smugly. “I could treat you so much better than him,” he promised, stepping closer and boxing you in against the trunk of the tree. “He can’t make you laugh like I can. He can’t hold you like I can. He won’t kiss you like I will,” he said, growing even closer. Your breath stopped in your chest, your lungs constricting at the words and proximity. 

“Jake, he is my intended,” you refuted, not liking for him to talk down on your future mate, even if what he said was true. 

“So? He doesn't know you like I do. He’ll never love you like you deserve,” Jake argued. “For the next two months, you’ll be mine. I’ll show you.” 

“Jake,” you repeated, but this time it was more of a plea. 

“Just say yes,” he urged, his breath warm against your cheek. “Love me for the summer.”

You squeezed your eyes closed, hating yourself for what you were about to do, but not having the ability to deny him. “Okay. Just for the summer,” you muttered. 

Jake smiled, blinding white teeth glinting in contrast to his blue skin. His two sets of fangs were on display before he ducked down to kiss your temple, his other hand coming to your face to steady you. 

You laughed at his reaction, finding only joy in his response. “Just… do not fall too far in love with me. This has an end,” you reminded him, knowing it was fruitless, but trying anyway. Maybe the warning was more for yourself.

“No promises, Angel,” he teased, “You gonna fall in love with me?”

“No promises,” you imitated, rising up on your toes to meet his lips with yours once more.

Thank you for reading! Part 2 is coming...

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He peered over your shoulder to read it and his reaction made your stomach sink to your toes. His eyes bugged out as they rapidly scanned through the code on the screen.

“What the hell?” he asked under his breath, taking the tablet from you.

“Is that what I think it is?” you asked, pointing to a certain line of code.

“I don’t even know what this is,” he huffed, calling Max over. 

The Chief Scientist furrowed his brow at your worried expressions and came over. “What’s going on?” Max asked, holding out a hand for the device.

“Look at this,” Norm said, shoving the tablet into his hands. 

Immediately Max started shaking his head as he read over the text. “How… this can’t be right,” he said, refreshing the screen and rerunning the diagnostic. A minute later, it filled in the exact same text as before and Max’s brow lowered even further. 

“We’ll have to rewire new computer boards for each link pod. This could take weeks, this is…” Norm trailed off, hand coming to his forehead and rubbing at his temple.

“Bad,” you finished for him, your mind reeling at everything that would have to be done. 

“This isn't going to be fun, you guys won’t be able to link until we get this fixed,” Max added.

“Wha- At all?” you scoffed, immediately thinking of how unhappy Tsyeyk would be at the news. 

Your mate was fine with your human body, he swore he loved you just the same, but he had also been asking you to consider a transfer ever since the Battle of Ayram Alusìng two years ago, this was only going to make his insistence stronger. As much as that would be ideal, you still hesitated. The death of your mentor and friend, Grace, had rattled you so thoroughly, that the thought of letting Mo’at attempt it on you made you unthinkably nervous. 

You know that transferring would make your life simpler, but being human was such a big part of you. You planned to make the transfer one day, but you just didn’t feel ready to say goodbye yet. This body was your last true connection to Earth and your family still living there. You were supposed to do a 6 year rotation and then go home, but now you were permanently staying on a moon light years away from your own species. You had built something here, a new family, found love with Tsyeyk, but Earth was still your heritage. As messed up, dirty and corrupt as Earth was, it was still once all you knew. 

You looked at Norm as he shook his head, “Mutxuk is going to kill me,” 

“You stand no chance,” you winced at the thought of Norm’s pregnant and hormonal mate. 

His gaze swiveled to you with a glare, “You’re one to talk. I don’t think the Olo’eyktan is going to be thrilled either,” he reminded you and your face fell further.

“We’re both dead,” you groaned.

- 

Later that night, you steeled your nerves before returning to the Omatikaya village in your human body. The climb up to your kelku was twice as hard in your smaller form and there was a brief moment your hands trembled at the exertion. “Tsyeyk,” you said softly, finally entering your shared kelku and looking for your mate. 

Tsyeyk looked up from sharpening his knife, his face immediately forming a smile as he realized it was you. “I was wondering where you were.” His Olo’eyktan mantle had been discarded for the day, already hanging up on its stand, his bow below it. He looked relaxed as he crouched on the woven floor.

“Unilnyu (dreamer), why are you in your human body? I thought we had plans tonight,” he asked, his mouth quirking up at the corners as he remembered the conversation exchanged earlier this morning. He was only paying half a mind to your answer as he looked back down at his weapon.

“They’ll have to be postponed. Uh, I have something to tell you. Put down the knife,” you requested, coming closer.

His eyes shot back up to you, lowering the knife, but not putting it down as you asked. “Why?” he asked, looking worried now.

You sighed, “I’m not telling you until you put it down,” you said, putting your hands on your hips. The size difference now between you and Tseyeyk stood out like an ‘angtsìk. Even with you standing, he was still nearly at eye level. 

“Okay…”  he muttered, finally putting down the knife onto the floor beside him. “What is it?” 

You sucked in a breath, stepping closer to Tsyeyk, between his knees, and wrapping your arms around your stomach as a nervous reaction to what you were about to say. You didn't know why you were preparing for the worst. Tsyeyk was not quick to anger or ever harsh with you, that was not the fear. It was more so that you didn’t want him to be disappointed or feel that you were doing this on purpose. 

“My avatar, it’s… Um, well, there was a problem with the link pod, it’s broken. I can’t link to my other body right now,” you confessed, looking pleadingly at Tsyeyk to understand. 

He blinked back, looking confused. “So you are in this body until it is fixed then,” he surmised, nodding slowly. 

“Yes… and it’s going to be a while,” you added.

That’s when his face fell. “How long?” he asked.

You bit your lip out of habit. “Maybe a few weeks, maybe longer,” you admitted. His own lips pressed together at the news, brow furrowing lower as you jumped in to say, “Max and Norm are working on it as we speak, the other Avatars can’t link either. It’ll just be for a little bit.” 

“It is fine,” he said stiffly, looking disappointed at the news.

Your heart broke, “I’m sorry, Tsyeyk. I know you wanted to take me up in the mountains tomorrow. We can still go, I’ll just be a little slower-” 

His tail twitched behind him. “No,” he demanded, cutting you off. “You have to stay safe in this body, it can wait,” he insisted. 

“But, I’m fine!” you argued, scoffing at his reaction. “I’m not glass, human or not.”

“You are not glass, but you are equally as breakable. Your bones are not strong like ours, and you can not move as fast if something were to attack. Besides, this body is weak from spending so much time strengthening your other self,” he argued.

Your frown made Tseyeyk even more upset, “You talk like I’m a kid. I can still do things in this body,” you insisted. 

“I know, but safe things. You cannot protect yourself as well,” he expanded. 

“I know you don’t like my human body, but you can’t expect-”

“Au!” Tseyeyk reared his head back and his hands flew up to your shoulders. His blue skin covered so much of yours. “That is not true. I like all of you,” he corrected. 

Your eyebrows fell low over your eyes. “But you want me to do the transfer so badly, I just thought…” you said, feeling confused and flustered. “I don't know,” you trailed off.

“You are beautiful in every way, ma’ tawtute (human). Yes, your avatar makes our life together easier, but it is what is inside that I fell in love with,” he said, tapping a finger to the skin over your heart.

Tears welled in your eyes and you desperately blinked them away. “Really?” 

“Unilnyu,” his voice softened as he pulled you in close, his large hands splaying across the expanse of your back and pressing you to his chest. Your head automatically found the crook of his neck, breathing in all the familiar smells you associated with your husband. “I told you this on the night we mated. Have you not believed me all this time?” he asked as you felt his cheek rest on your hair. 

“I wanted to… and I- I do, but it is hard to believe sometimes. You’re Olo’eyktan, a trained Na’vi warrior. I’m just a human in a false body,” you admitted. Your finger lightly dragged over the left line of Tahni that trailed down Tsyeyk’s neck and chest before dipping down to his stomach. Your nail dragged on his skin and you withdrew your hand before you hit his naval. “And I know I am shaped differently in this body. I’m not as slim or as pretty. You should have never chosen me,” you whispered, voicing aloud a silent thought that had been eating at you these two years.

Tsyeyk hissed quietly in anger, although you had a feeling it was not directed at you. You were thankful to be hiding away in his safe embrace and not having to face him head on. “Ma’ Muntxate (my wife), humans have always looked like wrinkled, pale aliens to me. They are ugly little creatures that kill and maim these lands and the people. I detested all of them, until I met you. You were the first that looked beautiful to me, not quite as alien, not quite so foreign. Maybe you do look like the others, maybe you do not, I do not know. All I see, all I feel, is my soul calling to yours. The rest does not matter.”

“It does matter, it matters,” you muttered, squeezing your eyes tightly.

“Not to me,” he murmured, his hand coming up to hold your head firmly to his shoulder. “You have taught me that there is good in humanity, that you are good. I do not care what you look like, although I find you very beautiful anyway, I care who you are. You are Eywa’s chosen, Toruk Makto. You led us to victory, you did what I, nor any Na’vi, could not. If that does not prove your strong heart, then I do not know what would.”

“I guess,” you muttered, “but the price was too high.” You remembered the faces of empty eyes and gaping mouths, sons and daughters who would never sing or laugh again.

“The price of not fighting was much higher,” he assured you, and it did bring some comfort. 

“I still want to go to the mountains tomorrow,” you said, changing the subject so you didn’t cry. 

He was quiet, and you could nearly hear the gears turning in his head. “Fine,” he finally relented quietly. 

That night, you laid cushioned in his arms in your shared hammock, legs intertwined as the soft whoosh of your mask drowned out the buzz of insects and the call of fkio (small ikran) that you so loved to hear. 

Your sleep was broken into parts, sporadic and restless, as you hated the feeling of the woven hammock on your delicate, human skin. It grated against your legs and back, making you feel itchy and uncomfortable. You twisted in your mate’s arms, struggling to find a comfortable place whilst not waking him. He was a light sleeper, so your efforts won few rewards, but you eventually drifted into a half sleep.

Hours later, when the sun was just beginning to rise, Tsyeyk was awoken by a harsh beeping sound, followed by desprate gasps from your mouth. His eyes flew open in a panic to see your face pressed to his chest as you usually did in your sleep, except this time, your mask had been pushed to the side in your unconscious state.

He nearly fell out of the hammock in his rush to roll you onto your back and reattach the mask firmly to your face. You awoke with a start, your hand immediately flying to clutch at his hand on the plastic mask. You heaved in air, feeling dizzy and lightheaded as you realized what had happened.

“You are okay?” Tsyeyk asked, worry lacing his tone. He was propped up on his side by his elbow, hovering over you. You could feel the way he was rigid as a board while he waited for your answer.

You nodded, too busy focusing on breathing in air to answer him with words. Eventually you rasped out, “I’m okay,” and he exhaled. 

“Thank the Great Mother you are alright,” he sighed, dropping his forehead onto your shoulder, his body slumping onto yours and you felt compressed for air all over again. 

“Tsyeyk?” you muttered, “You’re squishing me.” 

He reacted immediately, getting off of you with the speed of a Thanator. “Sorry, I am sorry,” he rasped out. “I am not used to this, I-” he sputtered out a few more words of nonsense before he eventually shut his mouth and shook his head in frustration.

“It’s not your fault, Tsyeyk,” you said brows furrowed in confusion. How could he possibly think this was his fault?

“This is why,” he said simply, harshly poking a finger to his thigh to stress his point.

“What?” you asked quietly, stilling as you observed him. 

“I do not want you to transfer into your other body because of how you look. I want you to transfer because every moment that you are in your human body is a moment that Pandora is trying to kill you. I can protect you from most things, but poisonous air? A broken mask? Empty oxygen stores? I cannot fight that with arrows or spears. I am powerless to save you."

Jake paused to take a deep breath and he gazed imploringly at you to understand. "I know that your avatar body can still get hurt, but the risk is so much greater when you are human.” He pursed his lips, looking so intently as you that you felt like crying. “Do you not want to transfer because this life is not enough? Have I done something wrong? Made you unhappy?” he asked desperately, his voice cracking your heart wide open. 

“No,” you insisted, shaking your head and grabbing his hands tightly in your tiny ones. “I love my life here, with you. I love the forest, the people, Eywa. I wouldn't go back to Earth even if given the chance, but… it is still where I was born, where I grew up. I spent most of my life in this body. I spent so much time learning to love it and move in it and be how I am in it. It's hard to let it just die.”

You sighed. “I’ve been thinking about the transfer some more and I want to do it. I think I'm almost there. As much as I want to though, I saw what happened to Grace. I saw the light go out of her eyes when she passed through. Grace was the best of us, she was much stronger than me, even when she was dying. What if I’m not strong enough either?” you asked, voice dying throughout your monologue until the last words were just a quiet utterance. “I don’t want to die.”

Tsyeyk’s face fell, displaying his pain plainly and your gut twisted at the sight. “You have shown more strength and perseverance than most could ever dream of. You are so strong that you give me strength every day. I do not want to make you feel as if you have to do this, but do not let the fear of dying be the reason you wait. Grace was already dying far before the transfer started. Her story is much different than yours, you are of sound mind and a mighty body. Eywa will guide you through the passage through her eye and give you back to us, this I know or I would not have asked you to do it,” he swore, gripping your hands. 

You searched his eyes for any wavering or deceit, but he held fast to his convictions. As Olo’eyktan, he had seen many ceremonies and worked closely to Eywa and saw her will play out often. He would not lie to you, and you would not lie to him. 

It was time. 

You felt the shift in your bones. It was in the way your lungs opened a hair to allow more air in. Your mind and body both accepted the reality before you. It was time to transfer bodies and assume a life fully by Tsyeyk’s side. No more half commitment or partial loyalty. You were all in. When it came to Tsyeyk, you had no choice, your heart would not let you be anything but. 

“Okay,” you released a deep breath. “I will do it then.”

His eyes widened, “Truly? I have convinced you?”

“Truly. I will transfer as soon as Mo’at says the time is right,” you decided.

Tsyeyk smiled sadly, as if he too was losing something, but was willing to pay the price anyway. “Thank you. Thank you, muntxate. This eases my heart,” he muttered, resting his head on your shoulder. 

“You are welcome, husband. It will be nice to both fall asleep and wake up next to you,” you mused, smiling fondly at the idea.

“I will begin counting down the minutes,” he said, lifting his head to smile at you before lowering his head back down to kiss your shoulder, a sorry substitute for your lips, but the mask still acted as a barrier.

“As will I, and then I will kiss you morning, noon and night and never take it for granted,” you teased, although your words held truth. 

Tsyeyk’s brow shot up. “Then I will get Mo’at now, we cannot wait,” he insisted, smiling widely as he pushed away from you and slid off the hammock, gathering his items in order to leave. 

“Tsyeyk!” you giggled, reaching for him as he clasped his battle band around his middle and took his knife sheath off its hook. 

“Get ready for the transfer, wife. I will beg her for her to be quick at making the arrangements,” he informed you.

“You’re mocking me,” you claimed, but Tsyeyek just grinned devilishly down at you as you still laid curled up in the hammock. 

“You first teased me, it is only fair. I will see you soon,” he said, leaning over the hammock to drop a kiss to your hair. 

“I love you,” you laughed, closing your eyes at the sensation of him close to you. 

Tsyeyk smiled lovingly as he straightened and began backing out of your home. “I love you, Eywa, so much,” he replied before he gently slapped the threshold with his palm and walked through it, presumably to go find the Tsahìk.

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