Kiyo

Lo’ak and Y/n had been close ever since they were kids — ever since his family first settled in the forest, before the Sky People returned. She was a pure-blooded Na’vi, born of the forest, with laughter that rang like the wind and eyes that always found his in a crowd. They’d been partners in crime since they were small, sneaking out to explore the hidden corners of Pandora, racing through the trees, diving from high branches into the rivers below.

Even now, with the Metkayina clan, nothing had really changed between them. Except lately — Aonung, found his way into Y/n's circle too, and that was fine. Lo’ak didn’t mind (👀) Not really. She was strong, confident, and she had a way of fitting in anywhere she went. But every time Aonung’s grin got a little too wide or his jokes a little too personal, something inside Lo’ak burned.

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The sun dipped low over the horizon, setting the ocean alight with streaks of orange and gold. The salty breeze danced through the group of teens lounging in a loose circle on the shore — chores done for the day, training complete, laughter still echoing from their shared stories.

Lo’ak sat with his arms draped over his knees, gaze fixed on the sand as Neteyam and Tsireya exchanged a joke beside him. Across the circle, Y/n leaned back, her head thrown back in a laugh as Aonung animatedly recounted his latest dive. Every time his hands gestured wildly, Lo’ak’s jaw clenched a little tighter.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Aonung. They’d made peace — a hard-won respect forged from fights and apologies. But the way Aonung leaned in, his grin a little too wide, his hand brushing Y/n's arm just a little too often — Lo’ak felt a heat coiling in his chest that he didn’t know how to name.

Then Aonung turned, flashing that signature cocky grin. “Hey, Y/n — can you help me with this mess?” He tugged at the loose ends of his hair, still damp from the sea. “Can’t tie it right with all this salt. You’ve got the best hands for it.”

Y/n rolled her eyes, shooting him a look that said, 'Are you serious?' — but she sighed. “Fine,” she muttered, scooting over to him and gathering his hair between her fingers. “Hold still.”

Lo’ak watched them, arms tensing. His gut twisted as Aonung leaned back, all smug satisfaction. It had been like this for weeks — Aonung’s teasing, the easy way Y/n laughed, the shared training sessions. And Lo’ak… he’d just watched. Because that’s what he did. He watched and tried to ignore the way something sharp dug at him every time Aonung made her smile.

Even Neteyam had noticed. He’d nudged Lo’ak earlier with that knowing smirk. 'You gonna let him take her, baby bro?'

Lo’ak had just scoffed and muttered, “Shut up,” but now — now he couldn’t shut it down anymore.

When the group started to drift off — Neteyam heading toward the water with Tsireya and Kiri chasing Tuk — Lo’ak caught Y/n's eye. Relief flooded him. Finally, a moment alone. But just as he started to stand, Aonung’s hand closed around Keyari’s wrist.

“Hey, come with me. I wanna show you something I found down the beach,” Aonung said, already pulling her away.

That was it. Something in Lo’ak snapped.

“Can you give us a minute, man?” he snapped, voice rough and a little too loud. “You’ve been with her all day. Just — give us a damn break.”

Aonung blinked, taken aback. “Bro, chill—”

“No,” Lo’ak cut him off, his voice trembling with frustration. “Just— just go.”

The shock on his own face mirrored Y/n, her eyes wide as she turned to look at him. Lo’ak’s heart slammed against his ribs. He turned away, shame heating his neck, and started to walk off, muttering, “Forget it.”

But Y/n's hand shot out, fingers curling around his wrist, stopping him. The touch alone sent a shiver through him.

“Lo’ak,” she called, her voice soft but steady. The last rays of the sun framed her face, painting her in gold and warmth. “Wait. Talk to me.”

He stopped, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at her. His jaw clenched, his eyes locked on the horizon, the colors of the ocean blurring in his vision. His voice came out rough, low, trembling. “Every time I try to talk to you, he’s there. Every damn time.” He finally turned to her, eyes bright, fierce. “And I hate it. Because I—”

She blinked, searching his face, lips parting but no words coming out.

Lo’ak’s hands balled into fists at his sides. “I hate it because I— I like you, okay? I like you, and it’s driving me crazy watching him with you, like he’s got the right to just— to just take up all your time.” His voice cracked, and he looked away, swallowing hard. “I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I can’t help it.”

He looked back at her, eyes burning with everything he’d been holding back. “I need you to know that, Y/n. Because it feels like I’m losing you, and I—” His breath hitched. “I can’t lose you.”

Silence stretched between them, the sound of waves crashing against the shore. She stared at him, her eyes wide, lips trembling.

Lo’ak’s voice dropped to a whisper, raw and vulnerable. “Please. Just— tell me you feel it too.”

Y/n stared at the ikran perched on the rocky ledge, its wings flexing as if eager to leap into the sky. Since arriving on Pandora, so much has been a challenge—adjusting to her new body, learning the ways of the People, and carrying the weight of her Earth-born training. But this—this was something she’d always dreamed of.

Lo’ak stood at her side, his grin wide and mischievous. “Ready for the ride of your life?” he teased, though his eyes held a spark of genuine excitement.

Y/n grinned back, nerves buzzing in her stomach but mixing with a spark of anticipation. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, her voice trembling but determined.

Lo’ak’s grin softened. “Hey, no shame in being scared,” he said, his tone playful yet steady. “But trust me—you’re gonna love it.”

With one fluid motion, he climbed onto the ikran, then turned and reached a hand out to her. She hesitated, her heart racing, but then she grabbed his hand and swung up behind him, her arms wrapping around his waist.

“Hold on tight,” he called over his shoulder, his grin turning even more playful. “Let’s show you what flying’s all about.”

The ikran launched into the sky, wings beating strong. Wind rushed past her face, lifting her hair, and her heart leapt in her chest. At first, fear gripped her—but then she remembered Lo’ak’s words: You’re gonna love it.

And she did.

A laugh burst from her lips, high and bright and unstoppable. “Woohoo!” she cheered, her voice carried by the wind. The horizon spread before her in a riot of color—lush greens, blazing orange, and soft purple mist. She threw her arms wide, trusting Lo’ak to keep them steady.

Lo’ak glanced back, eyes wide with surprise and delight. He laughed, too, his grin broadening. “That’s it, Y/n!” he shouted. “Now you’re really flying!”

She met his eyes, her own alight with exhilaration. “I love this!” she cried, the fear completely gone. “Lo’ak, I love this!”

He turned back to the horizon, his voice softer but still warm. “Yeah,” he murmured. “Me too.”

The wind whipped around them, carrying laughter and the scent of freedom. For the first time since she’d come to Pandora, Y/n felt truly alive—free, brave, and unstoppable.