Pixie🧷

“Are you sure, Ma’Jake?” You asked one final time to the man sitting before you. 

Jake huffed out a laugh at your hesitance. “Yes, I wouldn't have asked you to do this if I wasn't sure,” he said.

You had him sitting crosslegged near the Marui pods opening to get better light as his family crowded around him. The sun had just begun its ascent over Awa'atlu, although some of the Sully Clan had been up for hours. Neteyam was already gone to practice diving, while Tuk had been playing on the platform outside the Marui for the past hour before Jake called her in to help.

“Very well,” you sang, glad to have gotten one last confirmation before you moved forward. 

“Just do it!” Kiri encouraged. 

“Do it!” Tuk chorused in agreement.

“I’m doing it!” You exclaimed. You guided the razor sharp knife close along Jake’s scalp, lopping off several dreads near his ear. 

Lo’ak let out a laugh of excitement at the action finally happening. His dad had been talking about doing this for weeks. “You know, you’ve had the same hair since I was born, Dad,” Lo’ak pointed out.

“I’ve had it redone since then, son. Running a clan doesn't leave you with a lot of free time, but it is probably time for something new,” Jake relented. “Your mother used to do my hair,” he remembered fondly. 

Tuk stilled her fidgeting with her necklace and your fingers faltered at the mention of Neytiri. She had died over a year ago now, right after the sky people had come back. According to Jake, an air raid gone wrong had left his wife with a bullet hole through the heart. 

“She would be ashamed to see Toruk Makto with such a mess on his head.” Lo’ak said with a sad smile, but it brought back an air of lightness to the room. Jake nodded to his youngest son in thanks and Lo’ak nodded back.

“Then we shall fix the mess to honor her.” you said, grinning at Tuk who smiled back a little. You and Jake had only started courting a couple moon orbits ago. You still were figuring out where your place was within this family, or really if you should even have one at all.

You had agreed to do Jake’s hair after the hundredth time he complained about the weight of his dreads. Any time he spent in the water would weigh them down even more and it figuratively hurt your scalp to see the weight pulling on him.

You had caught him massaging his neck many times trying to ease the tension. They were not only heavy, but unless he bound them to the back of his head, they fell into his eyes and got in his way. He had been wanting to redo his hair for a while now, but it took some time before a free day opened up. 

Now you, Tuk, and Kiri kneeled around Jake, and Lo’ak leaned on the wall nearby watching with mirth in his eyes. Jake’s arm was settled on your thigh as you focused your attention on his head. 

“It will take hours to comb through these,” Kiri complained, getting up to gather the supplies you would need.

“Maybe days.” You teased, although it did have some truth to it. Hopefully with all of you working together, it would move faster. “That’s not counting putting in the braids.” You reminded her. Kiri groaned and it made you smile at her dramatics. 

“It needs to be done. Sorry babygirl,” Jake said, his tone sounding genuinely apologetic. 

“It’s okay, Dad. You did my hair when I was little,” she sighed as she sat back down with her arms full of combs, oils, and ointments. You imagined little Kiri sat in Jake’s lap as he braided her hair and it brought joy to your heart. You wished you could have see that.

You had created a straight line of smooth skin on the right side of Jake's head, so you handed Kiri the knife for her to do the other side. “I started here,” you showed her what lines to cut and where to stop. 

Even before she finished, you could tell there would be a lot less dreads to comb through than before. As soon as Kiri put down the knife, Jake was moving his head around and rolling his neck. “Oh yeah, that already feels better,” he noted.

Neteyam ducked through the Marui’s opening then, his eyes widening at his dads drastically different look. “Woah… What happened to you?” he exclaimed, setting down his bow to come closer. 

“Nothing happened to me,” Jake scoffed, "I'm trying something new.”

“We were just about to start taking them out, want to help?” Kiri asked, holding out a comb.

“Uh,” he hesitated, eyeing the door.

“It wasn't a request, skxawng,” Kiri huffed, waving the comb at him.

“If I have to do it, so do you,” Lo’ak said, slapping a hand on his brother's shoulder.

Neteyam took the comb but rolled his eyes, “Fine, maybe I will do a few,” he stepped closer and grabbed a piece in the back.

Kiri and Lo’ak grabbed a dread on either side of his head and you stepped to the front, taking a dread right above his temple and reaching for the oil that Kiri had pulled out. Jake grinned playfully up at you as you kneeled before his seated figure. You tried to ignore his steady gaze, but the curve of your lips was a dead giveaway that you had noticed.

“What can I do?” Tuk called, her hands fiddled with her own hair as her family all crowded in one spot. 

“You have the most important job, Tuktirey,” you beckoned her over and handed her two cups. “We are going to need lots of water while we comb his hair out, it needs to be wet. Can you make sure we have some at all times?” you asked. 

“Yeah! I can do that!” she nodded enthusiastically and it brought a smile to your face. 

“Good, they’re gonna depend on you. You up for it?” Jake said. 

“I got it Dad,” she exclaimed, taking the cups and running out of the Mauri to fill them just outside. 

Kiri was right, it took you several hours to comb through the dreads, even with the four of you working at the same time. You had lost Lo’ak and Neteyam an hour ago after both were complaining about their hands cramping. You had told them to take a break during eclipse when the light was too low to see his hair clearly anyway, but they had yet to return. 

“Those skxawng’s,” Kiri complained. 

“I can't believe they left us!” you laughed, working on the last few dreads in the front. The back was almost completely done except for the one Kiri was finishing up. “Finish that one and then go look for them just in case something happened,” you instructed, not above playing it safe.

“Take Tuk with you, she's going stir crazy.” Jake added, nodding to little Tuk who was spinning quickly in circles just to still, watch the room weave and blur, and then do it all over again.

“Fine,” Kiri nodded, working to quickly detangle what was left of the dread.  

A few moments later, she said “we'll be back in a little while.” She took Tuk by the hand which was evidently needed because Tuk was swaying and stumbling as if she had too much to drink.

You and Jake both laughed as she finally made it out of the Marui. “Only a few more,” you told him as he looked up to you. 

“Thank you sweetheart, I hate that you’ve wasted a whole day on me,” he said sincerely.

“I wasted nothing. This is for me since I am the one who has to look at it,” you teased and he raised his brows. 

“You don't have to look at it, you look because you like to look. I can't get you to stop starin’,” he taunted and your heart stuttered. 

“Mmm, do I?” you questioned as if it was not so obvious. “Maybe it is because you are pretty. I like pretty things.” 

“Pftt, I am not pretty,” he scoffed.

“You are very pretty, ma’Jake,” you grinned, twirling the uncombed dread in your fingers before giving it a gentle tug.

“Oh yeah?” he reached out and grabbed your hips, pulling you to him and making you lose your balance. The comb clattered to the floor, forgotten as you instinctively grabbed his shoulders.

“Jake!” you exclaimed, laughter slipping out of you as his thumbs gently caressed the skin at your stomach.

“Hmmm?” he hummed innocently.

“Let me finish and then you can play your games, I only have a few left and we can start braiding,” you pleaded, giving him your sweetest expression so he would give in.

“Fine,” he grumbled, letting go of you so could resume your detangling.

“Here, get to work,” you grinned cheekily, handing him one of the kids discarded combs and picking up your own.

He grabbed one of the last remaining dreads and started combing through it. He had a lot of hair that had fallen out over time and it now laid on the Marui’s floor in clumps. 

“Do I have any hair left?” Jake joked after eyeing the scattered remnants of his dreads.

“You have a lot of hair left. But you do have a bald patch though. Kiri messed you up,” You explained, faking a wince and looking dramatically to the side that his oldest daughter had shaved. His eyes narrowed as he felt the hair on that side. 

“I am kidding, you should see the look on your face!” You snorted. He rolled his eyes and barely pinched your arm in retaliation. 

It was another hour before you finished completely combing through his hair and it was ready to wash. You made sure his Kuru was still protected and its braid intact.

“Come, time to wash your hair,” you nudged him to get up as you collected the cleaning ointments Kiri had pulled out earlier. 

You grabbed Jake by the hand and tugged him outside where you could see the clan going about their normal day to day activities. You and Jake waved to Tonowari who was talking to a group of his council by the village center. He waved back and paused when he noticed Jake's new hair before turning back to the people at his side.

“Everybodies gonna be ragging on me aren't they?” Jake asked as you approached the beach. 

“Lo’ak, yes. I’m sure he will come up with lots of creative jokes. But everyone else will like it. Your kids have never seen you with your hair natural before. It might take a little while for them to get used to,” you reminded him.

“And what do you think? Did you like the old hair better?” he asked, grasping your hand as you walked.

“We haven't even seen your new hair yet, skxawng,” you laughed. “Ask me again when it is done.”

You reached the water and Jake waded in until he was waist deep. “Come on,” he called before diving into the water. You followed after him and trudged through the salt water so you saw him coming, but you still weren't expecting it. 

You didn't even have time to react when he emerged from the water right in front of you. Water splashed down your torso, thoughly drenching you. You gasped and instinctively wrapped your arms around his neck in a vice grip as he picked you up. His arms held you tightly, his height making it so that your feet left the sand. The cool water that clung to his body transferred to you and caused a chill to sweep down your spine.

He grinned up at you even as you held him tighter. “I swear to Eywa, if you drop me I will shave your head while you sleep and all of that work today will be meaningless!” you exclaimed, not wanting to be dunked abruptly and get the rest of your body wet. 

Jake readjusted his grip on your midsection, “I got you, sweetheart,” he laughed at the reaction he got and it helped you relax the smallest bit. You had managed to keep hold of the hair tools by some miracle. 

You loosened your grip on his neck and felt that his hair was completely wet. “This will work actually,” you mutter. You tucked a comb into Jake's knife band that went over his shoulder so it could stay out of your hands for a moment. You took the bar of herbs that Kiri had made and rubbed it between your hands before running it through Jake's hair to get it lathered in. It took a few moments for you to cover all of his hair completely, and it was nice and clean by the time you were finished. 

You glanced down as you were massaging it into his head to see that his eyes were closed, obviously relaxed. It made you happy to see him content and being cared for. Jake was so hard on himself and the kids to constantly be alert and on task. It kept them tense, but it kept them alive. 

The Skypeople hunted the Sully’s like animals, tracking their steps and ruining the planet with metal and fire as they went. Jake deserved a moment to forget the rest of the world and just be here with you. You didn't want to pop the bubble so you continued on for a little longer.

“Ma’Jake,” you finally murmured, breaking him out of his reverie even as you kept scratching at his scalp. “It is ready to be rinsed.” 

“Hmmm,” he acknowledged but he didn't open his eyes or move at all. 

“Are you going to stand here and hold me all day?” you asked, and a giggle bubbled out of your mouth.

“Sure,” he agreed. 

“Ma’ Jake, we must look ridiculous to everyone el-” you started but was interrupted. 

A yell cut through the air as the sound of pattering feet joined it, “Cannonball!” Lo’ak yelled out the strange word in English as he and Neteyam ran at you full force, jumping off of the Marui platform into the water below. They ululated and yelled as they fell, letting out playful, mock war cries.

Jake immediately moved, swiveling you away and shielding you with his body as his boys caused a giant splash to erupt on the previously serene surface. The water hit Jake’s back and crested over his head, indirectly hitting you too. 

You opened your eyes just in time to see Tuk and Kiri running towards the water hand in hand. Their splash was much less chaotic, but still caused some waves. Jake set you down and the undulating water came up to your waist instead of your thighs now that your feet touched the sand.

Jake turned to his kids, his hair still foamy and flecked with green from the herbs. They froze, Lo’ak already pursing his lips preparing to come up with an excuse. Jake lifted a finger, pointed it at all four of them and with his deepest, most opposing tone said, “Oh it’s on.” 

The kids shrieked and turned to flee, Kiri and Tuk diving under the water to escape, but Neteyam, being the closest, was caught by Jake. Jake lifted Neteyam up with his arms pinned to his side and swiveled his body to drop both of them into the water like a Tulkun would.

They plopped into the water and Jake immediately let go just for Neteyam to dive for him again as soon as they both resurfaced. Jake's hair was a mess, half of it stuck to his face and neck and the other half still full of the herbs. They wrestled for a moment before Jake got Neteyam in a loose headlock, both men laughing loudly. 

“Get her!” a little voice shouted and Tuk jumped on your back, not causing any real damage, but you still dramatically fell over into the water anyway. “Ahhhh!” she shrieked as you fell. 

“Tuk!” Jake yelled as you reemerged. “She didn't want to get wet,” he gently scolded his youngest. Neteyam had his hands reaching up to pull Jake’s ear, but Jake skillfully kept him away even as his eyes were on Tuk.

“It's fine!” you promised, “I just didn't want you to slam me into the water like a Tsurak earlier,” you complained and Tuk giggled. You twirled around and caught her in your arms as she wrestled to get away. “Like I am going to do to Tuk!” She was laughing hysterically so you knew she was okay.

“Hold your breath!” you instructed, before you fell back into the water, letting your back take the full brunt of the water. You made sure not to let go of her and immediately pushed her back up to the surface. 

She took in a huge breath of air before she howled in laughter. It made you start to giggle too. You looked up to see Jake standing in the same place with a goofy smile on his face while he watched you and Tuk play.

“Ma’ Jake,” you said, snapping hims out of his trance.

“Yeah sweetheart,” he smiled.

“You still have your son in a headlock,” you gestured to where Neteyam was half heartedly pushing on his dads arm to let go.

“Oh shit,” Jake gasped, immediately letting go and Neteyam stumbled out from his grip. “You okay?” Jake asked worriedly.

“Yeah, not the first time,” he grumbled.

Lo’ak released a shriek from the water further down the beach. You all looked up to see Kiri backstroking away as you watched Lo’ak grab his tail and turn on Kiri.

“Teylupil!” Lo’ak yelled as Kiri laughed and reached the sand.

“Hey! Knock it off!” Jake commanded and it made even you pause, “You kids go dry off and start getting ready for dinner. I think we've done enough damage for today,” Jake instructed, nudging Neteyam’s shoulder. 

“Fine...” Kiri grumbled. Neteyam picked up Tuk on his back and carried her out of the water, piggy back style. Lo’ak followed them and met up with Kiri before all the kids were heading back to the Marui. You could hear Kiri and Lo’ak bickering all the way back home.

“That was eventful,” you noted with a smirk dancing across your lips. 

“My kids just reminded me that Sully’s don't play nice,” Jake sighed, dragging a hand down his face. You had both subconsciously walked forward a few steps as the kids left, coming together in knee deep water.

“Maybe so, but you love each other,” you justified. “Families are rarely kind all the time, especially not one with three teenagers.”

“Ughh,” he groaned as if he had forgotten. “They’re the worst.” He huffed out a laugh. The water had made his hair straight now and it hung down past his shoulders. White suds still clung to patches of hair giving him a wild, rather interesting look.

“It’s not supposed to be easy,” you reminded him. 

“It wasn't supposed to be quite this hard,” he murmured, turning his body away to watch the setting sun. Your heart broke for him, he had lost so much.

“I am sorry, Yawnetu,” you whispered as you walked up behind him and slipped your arms around his midsection. You rested your head on his shoulder and his head came to settle against yours.

“You make it easier,” He added, grasping your forearms that sat on his stomach. 

“I do nothing,” you refuted.

“You do everything. I couldn't have come this far on my own. The kids are happy here, not as happy as they were, but life is… okay. You make it okay. They aren't drowning in grief anymore. I think you've healed some parts of them that I couldn't," he said, tracing shapes on your skin. 

Your lips pursed as you thought over your response, “I can not replace their mother, and I will never try, but Jake, I love them so much. I would do anything to see them safe and happy,” you promised. 

“You help them feel safe and happy,” he rasped and you realized he was tearing up. 

“Jake,” you started, hesitating on the right words because you knew the root of his heartache, “Do not spill tears for what has already been mourned. The Omatikaya are still strong, Tarsem carries the mantle. And Neytiri rests with Eywa, she feels no pain or sorrow. You are the one who carries heavy burdens now,”

“I know. You're right,” he agreed and nodded before he reached up to roughly wipe away a tear. “You know, she likes you,” he said and your heart shuddered. 

“What do you mean?” you asked, genuinely confused.

“When I visited the spirit tree, I had told her all about you before I even really knew you. She wasn't happy at first,” he chucked and the vibrations reverberated through you. “But once the kids started telling her about you and what you've been doing for this family… She gave me her blessing. It was Neytiri who told me to make a move.”

“I had no idea,” you said, half speechless in shock. 

“She wants to meet you. I told her I would ask you.” he said, peeling your arms off of him so he could turn around to face you. 

You readjusted your grip to settle around his shoulders. “I would like that. Perhaps not too soon, but one day,” you relented, hesitant to meet the woman who had been Jake's first mate. There was no measuring up to that, no way you were even comparable.

He nodded, “Good, take your time sweetheart. Whenever you're ready. I’m going to go wash out my hair,” He pressed a kiss to your cheekbone before he turned and waded deeper out.

You watched as the water reached up past his waist before he dropped fully into the water. His head was submerged for a few seconds before he somewhat surfaced while scrubbing harshly at his black hair. 

You were about to walk back to the beach but were stopped in your tracks when Jake stood up completely. You could see the water run down his back and shoulders, the water shining and reflecting the setting sun. “Eywa, give me strength,” you muttered, hoping that she really did answer your plea. He pushed his hair out of his face and his shoulders tensed at the action.

His hair gave him a younger and fresh appearance. You had like the dreads on him, but they carried so much weight, it seemed to just be one more thing to burden him down. Now he seemed a little lighter, both mentally and literally. You liked this better.

“Enjoying the view?” Jake asked, tipping his chin over his shoulder so you could see his side profile.

“I’d enjoy it more if your hair was finished,” you called back, placing your hands on your hips. He turned to fully face you and mirrored your movements. His hands came up to his waist as he observed you. “Then let's get it done.” 

He trudged through the water to reach you, barely slowing as he grabbed your waist and threw you over his shoulder. You let out a screech as he manhandled you back to the beach.

The next day at eclipse, you sat around the fire in the village center surrounded by other families and people in your village. You and Kiri chatted good naturedly as you both finished up braiding Jake’s new mohawk. It had taken you some of last night and all of this morning to complete.

“You really told her that? Kiri, that's just mean,” you laughed as the younger girl shrugged. 

“Then maybe she shouldn't have stomped on my tail,” she replied, a smirk making its way onto her face. Her ongoing issues with a young troublemaker in the village often had you and the Sully’s equal parts hysterical and concerned. 

“She’s seven cycles old!” You scoffed, “I'm sure it was an accident.”

“Well even so, what I said was true. If she continues stepping on people's tails, then she really shouldn't be surprised if someone releases a nantang on her,” Kiri said unapologetically.

“Kiri,” Jake scolded, “She’s probably terrified.”

“Good,” she muttered.

“Kiri…” Jake warned again.

“Fine, maybe I shouldn't have gone that far.” She shrugged and tied off the braid she was working on.

“Go apologize when you're done,” Jake instructed.

“Whatever,” she mumbled, getting up and stomping away, kicking sand as she went.

“Out of all the kids… She's the scariest.” Jake sighed, watching as she walked away.

“She takes after you, Ma’ Jake.” you smiled at his hypocrisy. 

“She acts like her mother, Grace,” he corrected. 

“She will change as she matures,” you guess.

“I didn't say I wanted her to change. And anyway, if Grace is anything to go off of, she will only get scarier,” he shook his head slightly, causing all of his new braids to swing. 

“Then let us remember to stay on her good side,” you suggested, tying off the last braid. “There,” you said, patting his shoulder, “I am done.” You shuffled to see his side profile as he patted his hair.

“Feels good, sweetheart,” he smiles and leans forward to peck your lips. “Thank you,” he murmurs before kissing you again.

“Achk gross,” you hear as Neteyam and Lo’ak walk over to where you are sitting. Jake pulled away and rolled his eyes good naturedly at the interruption. 

“Lookin’ good, Dad. I like it.” Lo’ak continued on as if nothing had happened.

“Yeah, they suit you,” Neteyam nodded.

“Thanks boys,” Jake said and looked up at his sons. 

“They look very good, ma’ Jake,” you offered in agreement, “I like them.” You ran your hand over the braids, feeling the smooth texture under your fingertips.

“Well, that's all that matters,” he smiled over at you and it made the two day process worth it.

Hope you enjoyed it! Leave me some Jake Sully requests because I am fully on that Avatar grind!