I See You

Neteyam:

Secret Cove Mini Series: (Neteyam x reader) Part 1 - sneaking off to the underwater cove Part 2 - busted! Part 3 - ikrans <3 plus secrets Part 4 - angst and jealousy (oooo)Part 5 - finale

"You're Mine" (Neteyam x Reader) - jealousy & angst

Neteyam in Modern School

Splintered: Love Triangle

Tsu'tey

Fire of Souls (enemies to lovers, reader x Tsu'tey) Part 2: An Expedition Part 3: The forest Part 4: Celebration

Lo'ak:

Lo'ak and Tsireya - supporting each other

"Tell her" - Lo'ak confesses his feelings for Tsireya

Sully Family:

Quaritch was hardly ever around growing up, he was way too career focused. He left my mom to do it all alone. But now, he has this newfound need to be a father. Maybe he feels guilty? Or maybe it's cause we're both blue. I don’t know, but either way he insisted I join him on Pandora since my Na'vi body will have no place on Earth. My mom didn’t want me to go but she had no choice; Quaritch always got his way.

Which means that I never get my way.

I cross my arms and stare at Quaritch. "I want to go with you."

“No,” he says gruffly as he jams his gun into it’s holster, “you’re not allowed out there.”

His voice echoes off the metal walls of the compound. “You can’t expect me to stay holed here!”

“Oh, yes I can.”

“I refuse to spend my life in this metal box!” I yell at him before lifting my mask and taking a puff of air. “It’s not made for me.”

“Your human body wasn’t made for you either, kid.” He doesn’t look at me when he says this but the words sting. I can’t help but think of my frail body and bald head. Quaritch turns and marches off towards the rest of his squad. I wish he would just let me out but he's so paranoid about the local Na'vi. He says they're dangerous.

"I'm going insane here!" I scream after him. He doesn't turn around as he disappears around the corner. God, sometimes I wish I had just stayed on Earth. Even if I had cancer, it's better than being here. At least there I had mom and friends. All I have here is a metal box, guns, robots, and psycho military freaks.

Speaking of, a group of them walk past me. Their camo uniforms are the only ounce of color in this place. They don't spare me a look as they pass but I know they see me. No one here dares to look at me. Maybe they're uncomfortable with my Avatar body? Maybe because Quaritch is my dad?

"UGH!" I scream, letting my frustration out. A few scientist looking people in white lab coats look in confusion. I stick my tongue out at them and take another inhale from my mask.

The thought of returning back to my small, windowless room, is enough to make me want to throw up. The hospital was better than this. My mom promised me it would be amazing here: the nature, the culture, the time with my dad (she forgot to mention that Quaritch happens to be an insane overprotective workaholic.)

I take a few steps towards my room before stopping. A few workers nearly ram into me. They step hastily over my tail, adjusting their hard hats before scurrying down the hall. Everyone here thinks I'm different. A freak.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the steel walls. A strange blue figure stares back out me. I recognize the brown tank top and cut off shorts. But the swishing of a tail and the perk of ears; are still foreign. How can I ever know or even enjoy my new body if I'm forever trapped in here?

That's it. I'm going out. Screw whatever Quaritch has to say. I back track, immediately plotting the best way to escape the compound. Which soldiers to avoid, which ones I can bribe, and the best way to leave without a trace.

Quaritch might be furiouse but hey, he should've let me tag along.

~~~

Sneaking out was easier than I originally thought. I scuttle through an underground tunnel that the work cars use to get into the forest. I stay close to the walls, using my new sense of hearing to make sure no one is coming.

And of course, no one does. There probably isn’t a single person in this place that would notice if I went missing except Quaritch. I shove all those thoughts out my mind as I reach the end of the tunnel. Moonlight streams in from the end of it like a sigil of freedom.

My heart lurches in my chest. Finally, I can go outside. I take my mask off and tuck it into the waistband of my shorts. Chitters from animals I don’t recognize float through the tunnel.

I pause as I reach the archway that leads out into the night. The ground looks so soft, covered in greenery and plush plants. The trees are huge, they loom in front of me, making my heart soar. I haven’t been excited about something in so long.

I take one cautious step out, partially expecting for an alarm to go off. But nothing happens. I let a breath of relief followed by a little laugh. I’m outside!

I close my eyes and inhale deeply, smelling the freshness, pines, and the hint of something sweet that fills the Pandora air.

I open my eyes and take off into the forest. My eyes adjust naturally to the darker night and the two moons illuminate the path between trees. All the plants glow brightly and some even twirl as I pass by. All that time, I've been cooped up and missing all of this.

Animals call to each other as they swing through the trees. None of them approach me, they just swing by, seeing me as part of their ecosystem. A smile forms on my face as I keep running. I don’t think of anything. I just let myself enjoy this freedom, enjoy finally feeling at home in my new body

After awhile, I stop to catch my breath. My new body is filled with peace and serenity being in my rightful environment. I place my hand on a nearby tree and close my eyes. Maybe Pandora isn’t so bad.

I walk around the tree and halt, my breathe flying out of me. It’s a small clearing, covered completely by the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen. Long petals, all of them shining, some of them twirling slowly. A sweet aroma envelopes me. “Oh,” I gasp as I step slowly into the flower garden.

My mom would love these. She brought me tons of flowers when I was sick. My heart bangs at the sudden thought of her, alone in our small apartment. I reach forward and grasp a petal between my fingertips. It’s soft, much softer than I’d expected.

I think I could stay here forever and just get in lost in the beauty of it all. I mean, this is what my dad has kept me from? What is he so afraid of? I haven’t even seen a sign of the Na’vi…

“Bro, will you please just chill?” A voice cracks through the trees. I go rigid. It’s a boy’s voice. Young and adventurous. And definitely Na’vi. Great.

My hand shake nervously. I inch slowly to the ground before shuffling to the nearest tree where I stand and push myself flat against it, praying he won’t come this way.

“We need to go home,” another voice says, a more mature one, “it is past eclipse and dad will skin us.”

The voices sound like they're coming from my left but I don't dare to peek around the tree.

"Your such a wuss," the younger boy snaps. The voice is getting closer. My blood runs cold. I curse myself for never listening to Quaritch's lessons on how to fight.

Leaves rustle as the boys move closer to me. Please, please let them just walk by, I pray as I squeeze my hands together.

A branch snaps, piercing the air, followed by a loud smack and laughter.

"Ow," the younger voice cries, "Bro!" More laughter fills the air, presumably the older one. They must be brothers.

"You know bro," the young one starts, "I'll just do it anyway." The ground vibrates as footsteps sprint towards me. I go completely still.

The footsteps grow louder as the boy comes closer. I try not to think or breathe. There's a loud crashing from the other side of the tree. The boy runs through, sending a gust of air towards me. He didn't see me from my hiding spot.

I let out a breath of relief before patting the tree as though to say thank you. A moment of silence passes. My heart rate begins to slow. I take a few deep breaths. God, that was close.

I'm about to move away from the tree when a sharp spear shoves me back against the rough bark. A shocked gasp escapes my lips.

A boy stands before me, his fingers grasping the weapon and his amber eyes blazing. He's wearing a loincloth and woven headband where his ears lay flat against his skull. His lips are turned downward into a dangerous scowl.

My heart is banging against my chest. Quaritch was right. I shouldn't have come out here. I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out.

Suddenly, my neck stings. I let out a hiss as blood trickles down my neck. He just cut me! The boy doesn't say anything as he pushes his spear harder against my skin.

Fear races through my body. I don't want to die like this. I inhale sharply, ignoring the pain in my neck. "Please," I whisper as I slowly lift my hands up, "I don't mean any harm. I was just looking at the flowers."

A flicker crosses the boy's eyes but it's gone in an instant.

"I just wanted to see the beauty of the forest," I continue, my hands shaking.

The boy lifts his head slightly. His pupils widen as he studies my face. His eyes trail the line of my tanktop and shorts in disgust. Evidence of skypeople.

At least if I die, it will be in this amazing forest.

The boy goes still and he tilts his head as if he sees something in my expression. I meet his gaze, hoping to seem brave when a jolt runs through me. It feels like I've been electrocuted. His eyes light in surprise.

"Neteyam!" The younger voice calls from further in the forest. "Bro, let's go!"

Neteyam. He doesn't look away from my eyes. My body begins to feel warm and calm, despite the spear being held to my throat. It's like my body recognizes him. Like we've meet him before. His tail swishes slowly behind him.

"I'm for real!" The voice is louder. He's headed this way.

The boy, Neteyam, quickly shoves his spear away and takes a step back. I should feel relieved that the weapon is away but all I feel is the empty space where he once stood.

He shakes his head briskly, like he's trying to clear his mind.

"Dude," the young voice yells again, but I can hardly hear over the ringing in my ears, "dad is for sure gonna skin us now."

Neteyam looks towards the sound of his brother's voice. My tail flicks behind me, an instinctive movement I've never done before.

Neteyam turns his head towards me. "If you like these flowers," he says softly, "you'll like the ones under the Hallelujah Mountains."

He runs off into the forest before I have a chance to reply. He rustles through the leaves. Then, the low rumble of his voice mixes with his brother's until both of their sounds disappear and I'm alone in the forest.

You'll like the ones under the Hallelujah Mountains. My lips split apart into a grin. The warmth in my stomach is still there, fluttering out to my fingers and toes. Like my body is a magnet, fighting to find him again.

I push off the tree and make my way back to the compound. I should be worrying about sneaking back in or getting caught by Quaritch, but I don't. All I can think about is that boy. Neteyam. Who is he?

I don't even care. All that matters is that I see him again.

~~~

Thank you for reading <3

Ahhh, this was so fun to write!! I thought of this idea when I saw Avatar 2 again yesterday and I was like I have to do it.

There have been no signs of the Na’vi who attacked Tsu’tey but I keep my eyes open, prepared for anything. Tsu’tey crouches further to the ground as an animal chitters above us. I follow his lead, unable to see anything except his braids as he peers through some underbush. 

He lifts his hand, his long blue fingers pointing upwards, telling me to stop. I halt instantly, my heart rate rising. Tsu’tey’s ears flicker against the side of his head as he listens. I strain my ears, trying to hear whatever it is he hears. 

After a moment, he closes his hand and beckons me to keep moving. I follow after him, my back aching. The only time we’ve spoken is when we made our plan for killing the beast. After that, we fell into a rhythm of silently working together, knowing what the other person meant without them saying a word. It’s much better than our usual arguing. 

Tsu’tey leans back and puts something in his loincloth. His eyes meet mine and he gives me a curt nod that means, we’re close. I nod in response.

A crack sounds through the forest. I freeze as Tsu’tey reaches his hand in front of him, telling me to stay calm. Sweat gathers between my knees as a strong burst of air filters through the treetops above us. It smells of raw meat and decay. The beast. 

My eyes widen. Tsu’tey’s face goes flat, his lips in a straight line and his hands clasp around his bow. He creeps forward, not making a single sound. He pulls a string of leaves to the side. There, the beast stands in the middle of the clearing. His horns curled around his huge, unnatural head. 

My breath catches in my throat. Tsu’tey whips his head around. He cocks his head to the side, are you okay? His eyes ask. I nod, forcing my nerves down. Tsu’tey watches a moment longer, contemplating the nervous look on my face before lifting his three fingers up. It’s our signal. It's time to go. 

Tsu’tey breaks through the trees as one of his arrows goes sizzling through the air. The beast rears back in surprise. I climb up a nearby tree, my fingers digging into the bark as I cock my arrow into place. Tsu’tey springs out of the bush, distracting the beast as I shoot an arrow down. It slams right into the beast’s side. 

The beast roars an ugly, almost mechanical sound. Even the tree I’ve climbed seems to go still at the sound. I load another arrow and shoot again, this time ramming into the beast on the other side. It roars again, sending leaves down from a nearby tree.

Tsu’tey doesn’t hesitate to jump onto the beast’s back. He grasps its horns and clamps his legs around its throat. He looks up at me, his eyes viscous. I grab the long knife from beside me and throw it to him, angling the blade so it lands perfectly in Tsu’tey’s hands. 

Tsu’tey catches it even as the beast thrashes beneath him. He rears back and slams the dagger into the beast's heart. I suck in a breath as Tsu’tey jumps off and takes a few steps back. The beast roars, stumbles, blows out a nasty breath, makes a strange gurgling sound, and then collapses on its side. The beast shudders and goes still.

Tsu’tey doesn’t move as he observes the now dead beast. I climb down slowly, not fully believing our success. I drop my weapon and move closer to Tsu’tey. He begins to inch towards the beast.  I hold my breath until Tsu’tey turns around, a huge grin plastered on his face. A real smile, that spreads across his face and lights his eyes. “It’s dead!” He yells. 

“Hell yea!” I holler and pump my fist in the air. “We did it!” 

Tsu’tey turns back and whoops excitedly. I instinctively offer my hand like a high-five. He instantly grabs it, his fingers wrapping around mine like a handshake. He gives me a firm squeeze. 

I squeeze back, feeling the callouses of hands. 

“Not bad,” Tsu’tey says before pulling back. “Now, let’s go home.”

Home. I smile at the thought as Tsu’tey walks over and cuts off the beast's horns. 

~~~

I wake in my human body feeling weak and hungry. I push open the machine that links me to my Avatar. It takes a moment to fully adjust. It’s dark out but I can still make out the sharp outline of the Floating Mountains. I groan as I stand, my back cracking.

Grace and Jake’s voice float into the room, followed by a clatter of utensils. I sniff the air. It smells like burnt bread…

“Oh shit!” Grace yells from the other room. I chuckle to myself and head towards them. My legs feel weak and foreign. I miss my Avatar body the second I’m not in it. It’s starting to feel like my human body is the fake one. 

There’s a banging sound like Grace just plopped the bread down. I can’t wait to tell them about slaying the beast. Jake laughs but it sounds different, almost strained. Nerves bubble in my stomach.

“You have to do something,” Grace says, her voice serious. 

I freeze at the entrance to the room and push myself against the wall so they don’t see me. 

Jake hangs his head in his hands, his wheelchair pushed all the way against the table. He sighs. “I don’t know what to do.” 

Grace pulls out a chair with a loud scraping sound and sits beside him. “You have to tell Neytiri and soon.”

Tell Neytiri what? My hands flutter nervously at my side. 

Jake scoffs. “No way. She’ll never forgive me. And my sister…”

My blood runs cold. 

“You should’ve told your sister a long time ago.”

I step out from behind the entrance before I even have time to process a thought. I cross my arms as Jake’s face goes from shocked to nervous. “Tell me what?”

Grace lifts her eyebrows. She glances at Jake. “Well,” she heaves a sigh and stands from her chair, “at least you can check one of those boxes now.” She leaves, walking off to her own link station. 

“Tell me what, Jake?” My voice is rough, almost panicked. My nerves are growing by the second. Things are starting to go well for me. We just killed the beast. We’re going back to Hometree. I could be one of them. I just pray it isn’t all about to come crashing down. Jake doesn’t respond, he just runs his hands across the armrest on his wheelchair. “Jake.” 

He blows out a rough breath. “Okay, look,” he begins nervously, “do you know why we moved up to the Floating Mountains?” 

What is he getting at? I nod, clearly irritated. “Yea. Your dumbass was hanging around Quaritch.” 

“Do you know what we had talked about?”

I pause, unsure of where this is going and suddenly not sure that I want to know. 

Jake exhales slowly. “He wanted me to get the trust of the Omatikaya so I could negotiate terms of their relocation.” 

Relocation? I swallow the bile that rises in my throat. I dread the answer but I have to ask, “What do you mean by relocation?” 

Jake runs a nervous hand through his hair before meeting my eyes. His face is full of pain. “It was before I knew. Before I saw how amazing the people are and before Neytiri…” 

My heart starts pounding in my chest. Jake is always straight forward. Whatever this is– it’s bad. “Jake,” I say harshly, “out with it.” 

“Promise you won’t do anything rash,” he says. 

“Fine.” 

“They’re gonna destroy Hometree.” 

The air in my lungs is sucked out. I reach my hand out to steady myself as a wave of nauseous rolls over me. My ears are suddenly ringing. He can’t be serious. There are thousands who live in Hometree. It’s their home. It’s everything. I shake my head, unable to process this. 

Jake wheels himself closer, his face peering up at me. “We still have time.” 

I suck in a breath, trying to calm myself. Nothing feels real. 

“Y/n,” Jake mummers, “please, try and listen.” 

“What do you mean by time?” I ask, my voice raw. 

Jake sighs. “We have time to gain their trust and convince them to leave.” 

It feels like I’ve been kicked in the gut. My hands cradle my stomach as I let out a small moan. Tsu’tey’s trust? I’ve just barely gotten it, just silver. When he finds out… Any hope for friendship will be out the door. It will have been for nothing. “We have to stop them,” I say flatly. 

Jake shakes his head, his eyes sad. “We can’t. All we can do is warn them when the time is right.” He pauses as he observes my face. “Will you help me, sister?” 

I press my fingers to my eyes, fighting back tears. I wait a moment before nodding. “I’ll help you,” I whisper defeatedly, “what other choice do I have?”

~~~

Linking with my Avatar again felt like coming home. I opened my eyes to the streaming morning light. Tsu’tey had already packed the direhorses, the beast's horns curled from around the sides. There was something more relaxed about his demeanor; he’s happy to have killed the beast. Happy to be going home. 

His relaxed stance hasn’t gone away as we journey back to Hometree. I try not to think about what Jake told me. I try, with every ounce of willpower, to force it out of my mind. But it still plagues me. Making me feel numb. 

I don’t think Tsu’tey has noticed because we’ve hardly spoken any words to each other. We just move in silent agreement, a team that doesn’t need to write a plan; we just know. 

We’ve been going for hours and my legs are going numb. “How much further?” I ask, breaking the long silence. 

Tsu’tey slows his pace and looks back at me, flicking his braided hair over his shoulder. A small smile grows across his face. “Very soon.” 

I raise an eyebrow at the rare smile on his face. He breaks through a line of dense trees, the leaves brush against his calves. My vision is blurred by the greenery for a moment before coming into full focus. An entire crowd of Omatikaya stand before us. 

I gasp. Hometree looms right before me, looking mightier than ever. There’s no way Quaritch could destroy it. I force the thought away as Neytiri runs up to me, a brilliant smile across her face. “Welcome!”

I can’t help the grin that makes its way onto my face. All of the people have gathered outside Hometree. They're all cheering, whooping, and pumping their hands in the air. All of them are full of so much pride that it warms my heart. 

“Is the beast dead?” The Olo’eyktan, Eytukan, calls above the cries. The crowd goes quiet as he makes his way through in his feathered chest piece. Neytiri  backs away, joining Jake in the crowd. He gives me a goofy thumbs up but I look quickly away, not wanting to acknowledge him, not wanting him to think that I’m okay with this.

Tsu’tey dismounts and walks closer to the crowd as he holds his pack, the beast’s horns jutting out. I copy him, immediately hopping off my steed and falling into step beside him. Once, Eyutkan is right in front of us, we bow our heads in respect. 

“The People want to know,” Eyutkan says, his face stern but his eyes proud, “is the beast dead?”

Tsu’tey grins. His smile sends chills down my spine, it’s lethal and charming at the same time. He reaches down and yanks the horns of his pack. “The beast has been slayed!” 

The entire village erupts into roars of delight. Smiling faces as people hug and praise Tsu’tey the warrior. Then, I hear my own name. They are praising both of us. A small blush creeps onto my cheeks as various clan members look right at me and smile proudly. 

“We will have a celebration! Tonight!” Eyuktan yells again before turning and facing the crowd. “A feast in honor of Tsu’tey and Y/n.” 

The clan bursts into an array of activity: conversations and giddy excitement, as some run into Hometree and other’s grab hunting gear and head for the forest. A feast in my honor. Neytiri and Jake join us as Eyutkan pats Tsu’tey on the back. Tsu’tey’s eyes brighten at the gesture. 

Neytiri grabs my hand and squeezes. Jake smiles at me and I feel my blood run cold like I’m suddenly back in the Floating Mountains, talking to him about Hometree. I feel sick. I don’t deserve this feast. If only they knew…

Neytiri’s face flickers with concern but before she can say anything, Eyuktan asks, “did you have any hardship along the way?” 

Tsu’tey tenses beside me. I remember the cut along his chest, the poison seeping into his blood, and how I saved him. He remains silent beside me, waiting for me to speak. I clear my throat. “No, Tsu’tey and I worked well together.” Tsu’tey’s head whips towards me, his eyes light with surprise. I pretend not to notice and continue on, “all went well.” 

Eyuktan nods as he pats me on the back. Pride swells in me. Neytiri’s eyes flutter between Jake and me. She looks at her father. “They are ready.” 

Eyuktan grunts in agreement. “Tomorrow, take them to the ikran.” 

My mouth drops open as excitement pools in my stomach. I look at Neytiri to find her smiling at Jake. I raise an eyebrow. Interesting… 

Tomorrow, I’ll get to choose an ikran. I can’t contain my excitement to do something I’ve only ever read about. Tsu’tey catches my eyes and gives me a curt nod. My stomach flutters. He’s proud of me too. 

~~~

There is a large fire in the center of Hometree and the clan dance and eat all around it. Loud drums pierce the air as people talk and laugh. The celebration is in full swing. I’ve managed to forget about all my worries and just enjoy this moment. 

Earlier in the night, Tsu’tey brought me a plate of my favorite berries to which we shared a knowing look. Neytiri had cocked her head to the side in curiosity but said nothing else. Tsu’tey then tipped his head and stalked off, presumably to enjoy the party on his own. I haven’t seen him since and I pretend that I’m not slightly upset by that. 

Besides, I’ve been too busy dancing. Neytiri and I danced and danced. My feet are practically burning. All around me, the clan moves their bodies to the rhythm of the drums, it’s magnetic and alive. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Then Jake comes and sweeps Neytiri off into a dance off their own. With my aching feet and tired muscles, I begin to push my way off the dance floor when a male blocks my view. 

“Congratulations,” he says. It’s a man I’ve never seen before. He’s tall, broad shoulders, and his hips are wider than Tsu’tey’s. Not that, I’m thinking of Tsu’tey… I shake my head feeling suddenly fuzzy from the party. The man tilts his head. “I’m Kiezan, I don’t think we’ve met.” 

I swallow, forcing myself to get a grip. His eyes are wide and amber. His hair is loose and tied behind his head with a single braid. He’s handsome. I smile at him. “I’m y/n.”

He smiles back at me. “Pretty name,” he reaches his hand out, “do you want to dance?”

I take his hand without thinking, allowing myself to get swept away once again in the enthrallment of the party. He is a good dancer and he leads me through the crowd with ease. The drums pound loudly and we sway our bodies, matching the rhythm, the heat of his body melting into mine. 

I catch Neytiri’s eyes from across the floor. She nudges her head as if to say, oooo. I roll my eyes and shrug. It’s nice dancing with Kiezan but it isn’t amazing. I don’t feel that warmth in my stomach or flutter in my heart. It’s just nice. 

My eyes move from Neytiri, across the crowd and up to the stairwell where a familiar frame leans against the wall. I jolt. Kiezan’s hands trail down my side as I watch the figure lean forward. There is something familiar about their stature… 

“You like dancing?” Kiezan’s whispers in my ear, his hot breath hitting my neck, making me feel suddenly sick. The figure on the wall immediately straightens before whipping around and disappearing up the stairs. I freeze as I watch their braided hair swing behind them. It’s Tsu’tey. 

I shove Kiezan’s hands off me. He grunts in surprise. “I’ll be back,” I muster as I run into the crowd. He calls after me but I can’t make out what he said. 

There was something about Tsu’tey’s posture, the way he was watching; it sparked a feeling in me, one I can’t discern. I’m following after him and I’m not even sure why. I guess I’m curious about him. Maybe he’s upset? He should be enjoying the celebration… After all, it is for him. 

I make it through the crowd and up the stairs. The air feels cool as it hits my skin. It’s darker here as I walk deeper into Hometree, searching for any sign of him. I keep going, my heart thudding in my chest. Why am I nervous? It’s just Tsu’tey. 

After a while, I’m nearly at the top of Hometree and I haven’t seen him. This was stupid. What was I thinking just going after him? He doesn’t need me. I shake my head, silently scolding myself before turning around. 

“Y/n?” Tsu’tey’s voice stops me right in my tracks. I slowly turn to find him standing between an archway that leads outside onto a branch. He peers curiously at me. He’s wearing a yellow and red beaded chest piece that brings out the gold in his eyes. I swallow. 

“I, uh,” I mumble, struggling to find words, “I was wondering where you went.” 

His eyes grow. “I just needed some space.” 

“Oh, right, I’ll leave you to it,” I say awkwardly.

“Would you like to join me?” Tsu’tey asks before slamming his lips shut like he hadn’t expected to ask me that. I raise my eyebrows in surprise.  A breeze floats in from the archway, blowing his loincloth softly. My heart begins to pound again as I nod my head. 

He turns and walks through the arch. I follow him to find myself on a branch, far above the ground. The night sky is clear and the moons illuminate the forest beneath us. I gasp in delight as I take in the sight. 

Tsu’tey hums under his breath, “I love it up here.” 

He sits down, letting his long legs dangle over the edge of the branch. I sit down next to him, making sure to leave a bit of space between us. I take a deep breath, tasting the sweetness of the air. “I can see why,” I reply. 

“I wanted to thank you,” He says as he looks out at the view. 

I tilt my head, my lips turning to the side. “For what?”

“You didn't tell the Olo’eyktan about my injury,” he continues as the moonlight hits his high cheekbones, “you could have gotten much praise but you chose not to tell.” He looks at me, his eyes containing a feeling that I can’t quite place. “You are unexpected.” 

My ears perk at his words. I’m not sure how to respond. I clear my throat and shrug, trying to seem nonchalant. “You don’t need to thank me for that.” 

“Hm,” he hums as he returns his gaze to the forest. Pandora is gorgeous at night. I’m constantly awestruck by the forest and the Omatikaya. Tsu’tey, despite living here his whole life, seems to still appreciate the beauty of it all. All the way up here, away from any noise.

“You don’t like celebrations, do you?” I ask him. 

He lifts his head at this and lets out a little laugh. “You are observant.” 

“I am a scientist,” I remind him, “and not a useless one.” 

He looks at me, his eyes gleaming with remembrance. “No,” he agrees, “certainly not a useless one.” 

My cheeks heat and I quickly look away. “So, why don’t you like parties?”

He shrugs. “Too many people in one space.” I can’t argue with that. There were so many bodies, all of them dancing, it could easily become overwhelming. I drag my fingers along the bark of the branch. 

Tsu’tey inhales. “Kiezan seemed to like dancing with you.” 

I whip my head towards him, my eyebrows raised and mouth slightly open. “What?”

Tsu’tey reaches up and scratches his forehead. “Oh, I just saw you guys. Nice that you have made friends but…”

“But what?” I scrunch my eyebrows together. 

“You could do better than Kiezan,” he says like it’s a fact as his tail flicks behind him.

A laugh escapes, full of disbelief and bewilderment. Why is Tsu’tey talking to me about this? His ears flatten against his skull for a moment before returning to normal. 

“What friends would you recommend?” I ask playfully. 

“Neytiri,” he begins as he counts on his fingers, “any of the hunters, not Jake but I suppose he is your brother, so...” 

I laugh again, the sound rumbling from my stomach. Tsu’tey’s eyes soften. I shake my head. “Okay, good recommendations,” I say lightly, “so who are your friends then?”

He freezes. His entire body goes rigid. My heart sinks into my stomach. Did I say something wrong? I bite my lip as Tsu’tey rubs his hands together as if he is contemplating what to say next. 

An ikran crows in the distance, piercing the silence between us as I wait for Tsu’tey to say something. I scratch the bark beneath my fingers anxiously. 

Tsu’tey blows out a breath. “I had a best friend, a  finance, I loved her so very much,” he says and the deepness of his voice pains me, “her name was Sylwanin.” My heart sinks lower into my body as I recognize the name of Neytiri’s sister. I hold my breath, waiting for him to say more. His lips turn downward as he stares at his hands. He looks beaten down, vulnerable. I’ve never seen him look like this. 

“She must have been pretty amazing,” I say softly. 

He nods. “She was killed by skypeople.” 

I gasp. I didn’t know that part. My brain searches for something to say, anything, but no words form as I watch the grief stricken man before me. 

“That is why I hated you so much,” Tsu’tey says, his voice barely above a whisper, “every time I saw you, I saw the enemy.” He turns to me, his face open, his eyes full of pain and something else– something hopeful. “But I was wrong.” 

My heart springs back into my chest and flutters. I blink a few times, processing his words. “I understand,” I reply, “when my brother died… I felt so lost. So lost that  I came to a whole other planet.” 

Tsu’tey’s face is somber as he nods. A shared sense of understanding floats between us. The same kind of understanding as when we hunted silently. We allow our pain to mingle quietly between us, not needing to speak to know it is there. The only sound is the chitters of animals beneath us. 

After a while, I decide to lighten the mood. It is our celebration after all. 

“I guess I should go back,” I say as Tsu’tey turns to me, “since I need to go find some better friends.” 

“Ah,” Tsu’tey replies, “I’ll be your friend.” 

My mouth falls slightly open. Warmth spreads through my whole body, starting at my toes and into my fingers. My lips split a part into a wide grin. He spoke to me in Na’vi. Friends. 

I nudge his shoulder as my grin turns into a smirk. “Who said I want to be your friend?”

~~~

Hi! Thank you so much for reading <3

I'm sorry I took so long to post, I've been having bad writers block lol

Let me know what you think of this part and if you have any feedback :)

Taglist: (i will be adding new people for next part!) (thank you all sm))

You stop running once you reach the outskirts of High Camp. You see the top of your parent’s red tent and pause for a moment. Maybe you should just go home. A call from an ikran floats through the silence. You smile and set off towards the Sully’s. 

You crouch down and scuttle across the moist floor of camp. Soft whispers, snores, and the occasional cough come from various tents. Once you reach the Sully’s tent, the largest one in camp, you go left, where Lo’ak and Neteyam sleep. You listen intently, making sure Jake and Neytiri are sleeping. The last thing you want is Jake coming out and yelling at Lo’ak and you, something he’s done many times before. 

After a moment of silence, you decide they must be sleeping. You take a deep breath before scratching three times against the tent where the boys sleep. Lo’ak and you created this method of communicating shortly after the clan made camp in the mountains. Neteyam hates when you all sneak out. Sometimes he accompanies you both, grumbling the whole time about how you will all get trouble. And even though his complaints are annoying, you like when he joins. 

A moment goes by and you’re about to scratch again when you hear rumbling from inside the tent. You pause, holding your breath, praying it’s Lo’ak and not Jake. Another rustle. Then, three scratches in return. Your shoulders loosen with relief. You make your way back through the camp, not waiting for Lo’ak. You will meet him outside, in the open air, where you won’t have to whisper. 

Once you’ve reached the outskirts of camp again, you turn back. You observe how your clan has been forced to live in the mountains, far above the forest where you all belong. It breaks your heart. You look away, suddenly eager to do something fun, something that will make you forget all the pain in your heart. 

You stare out at the surrounding Floating Mountains. A few ikran fly in the distance making your heart lurch. Footsteps sound behind you. 

“Hey!” Lo’ak says energetically. You turn around to find him smiling at you, his tail flicking back and forth. Lo’ak has been your best friend since childhood. You both have a rebellious streak, love adventure, and have the same humor: you just understand each other. Some people in the village crack jokes that you are a couple but it’s never been romantic. He’s like your brother. 

You smile back at him. “Hey, wanna ride the ikran?”

“Hell yea,” he replies and begins walking towards the edge of the mountain. There’s a jump in his step, like he too has been needing an out. An escape from home and the clan. Just to be free for a while. You breathe out slowly and follow after him when a voice stops you. 

“Wait.” It’s Neteyam. He walks out of the camp, his shoulders tense and his eyes worried. You’ve always thought that Neteyam is so serious, sometimes you're jealous of that. He’s able to take all of his responsibilities and handle them. He’s so strong while you’re always looking for an escape. Neteyam stops just before you as his eyes drift to his brother. 

Lo’ak groans in irritation at the sight of his protective brother. “What, bro?” 

“Where are you two going?” Neteyam asks, his eyes slipping from Lo’ak over to you. Your heart stutters when his gaze falls on you. You also think that Neteyam is kinda gorgeous. Lo’ak used to make fun of you for having a crush on Neteyam and you denied it until he stopped. There’s no point in admitting your crush, it’s useless. Neteyam and you are two completely different people. He would never like you. So you brush off your crush by teasing Neteyam and pretending to be confident. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Lo’ak mumbles back to Neteyam. 

“Oh, I’m gonna worry,” Neteyam snaps back, his ears flattening, “Dad will be pissed if he finds out.” 

“Don’t worry, mister uptight,” you tease, “he won’t find out.” Neteyam gives you a pointed look, the whisper of a blush on his cheeks.

Lo’ak laughs before saying, “He’ll never know unless you tell him.” He raises an eyebrow at Neteyam. You cross your arms over your chest. 

Neteyam pauses, staring at his younger brother, whose messes he always has to clean. He knows there’s no point in forcing him to go back home. Lo’ak is too stubborn. The only solution is to go with them. Neteyam sighs, trying to make it seem like he doesn’t want to do this. But that isn’t true. He hates breaking his parents' rules but he likes to sneak with Lo’ak because then he gets to see you. 

Neteyam looks at you. You’re standing with your arms crossed, a somewhat accusatory look plastered across your pretty face. Neteyam is enthralled by you: your spirit, your attitude, and your beauty. He’s forced his attraction down, never wanting anyone to find out, especially not Lo’ak. What would his brother think? Him having a crush on his best friend. Besides, you were a free-spirit and he’s ‘uptight’. There’s no way you’d like him back. 

“Fine, you can go,” Neteyam says after a moment of silence, “but I’m coming.”

“Whatever, bro,” Lo’ak says before turning and running across the thick vines, away from High Camp. 

Your heart tightens at Neteyam’s words. You quickly follow Lo’ak and try to ignore your feelings. 

Neteyam brings up the rear as the three of you bounce across the vines, high above the forest. The air is sweet and the smell of pines drifts up from the trees. You love Pandora, so very much. Lo’ak reaches the end of the vine and jumps onto another mountain, his familiar hair swinging behind him. The vine is soft and sturdy beneath your feet as you jump off after Lo’ak. 

You hear Neteyam land behind you but you don’t look back. “Let’s ride!” You call to Lo’ak. A sudden urgency races through you. You need to be in the air, feeling the wind against your face, letting all your worries be swept away. 

“Wanna race?” Lo’ak challenges as you reach the edge of the mountain. You peer down, seeing the stark drop into the glowing forest below. You smirk at Lo’ak. There’s nothing you love more than a competition. 

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Neteyam states as he joins you. 

“Bro,” Lo’ak complains and rolls his eyes, “you don’t think anything is a good idea.” 

“I don’t think your ideas are ever good,” Neteyam says pointedly, “we aren’t supposed to fly alone, especially not at night. What if the sky people come?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be the mighty warrior?” You retort. Neteyam hesitates. You lean closer to him, a playful smile on your lips as you pretend to be confident. “Won’t you protect us?”

Goosebumps appear along Neteyam’s skin as you stare playfully at him. God, he hates how you are so oblivious to his crush on you. He thinks you’re so cool and unique, it makes him nervous. He swallows and forces his eyes away from your face. 

Lo’ak chuckles, “yea brother, isn’t that why you came with?”

Neteyam scoffs. He did come to protect you guys but he also just wanted to be around you… 

You tilt your head to the side. Neteyam’s stern face looks down at the forest way below. He’s so unfazed by your teasing. Nothing ever fazes him. If a woman ever catches his eye, she’ll have to be pretty amazing. Your stomach drops at the thought. You know it’ll never be you. 

“I came so you both wouldn’t be stupid,” Neteyam begins, “but you do stupid things anyway.”

“Exactly!” Lo’ak agrees before winking at you. He calls out into the night, a high pitched whistle than three low ones. Neteyam moves, his hands reaching out to grab his younger brother’s shoulders. But he’s too late. Lo’ak jumps off the mountain just before Neteyam can grasp him. He plummets down a few feet until his ikran appears, almost out of thin air. Lo’ak lands smoothly on his banshee and grins up at us, his white teeth gleaming manically in the darkness. “Hurry up!”

“Argh!” Neteyam groans in annoyance. He hates when his brother does reckless things. Doesn’t he understand danger? If something happened to Lo’ak… he isn’t sure he’d ever forgive himself. 

You flinch at Neteyam’s outburst. He seems lost in thought, well more like lost in worry. You inhale deeply and steel your nerves. Be confident, you tell yourself, act chill. You reach out and flick Neteyam’s tail between your hands. 

“Hey!” He turns around, a look of surprise on his face as he smacks your hands away playfully. 

You hold your hands up in a sarcastic surrender before smiling. “Are you scared, chief’s son?” 

He pulls his lips to the side and cocks his head. “No,” he says, his deep voice stirring something in you, “I just don’t find stupidity fun.” 

You ignore his comment and whistle three times, each of them high-pitched before turning to Neteyam. He’s standing somewhat rigid, but then again he always looks tense. His amber eyes shine and little white flecks glow along his blue face. His beauty takes your breath away. He furrows his eyebrows.

 You throw yourself off the mountain before he has a chance to say anything. God, you hope he didn’t notice the look on your face. 

Neteyam races to the edge of the mountain just in time to see you ride off on your ikran. He shakes his head with a smile on his face. He can’t help but smile at you. There’s something about you that sets him on edge. It makes him want to let loose and relax. You make him want to be more than just a perfect son; you make him want to be himself. He calls for his ikran before hurtling into the night sky. 

Lo’ak swoops and dives on his ikran, right in front of you. The moons illuminate his familiar form as he challenges you to various tricks. He shoots into the air before flipping around multiple times as he laughs. His laughter is familiar, like the smell of your mom when she hugs you. 

You follow him, sending your ikran high in the sky before flipping around and diving straight down. The wind whips your face as adrenaline shoots through your veins. You love this freedom. You love how it makes your mind go blank. You swoop, dangerously close to the sides of the mountains. 

“Yo! Watch out, cuz!” Lo’ak cries to which you laugh before diving down again. “You’re crazy, girl,” Lo’ak calls out to you, his ikran flapping behind yours. 

Neteyam sits calmly on his banshee. He watches as his brother and you fly around like insane circus acts. He notices how close you fly to the mountain, his whole body tenses up. He wonders why you do these reckless things. Is it just because you love adventure? Or is it something more? He thinks about the way you study people, how observant you are, and how deeply you think. He’s almost certain there is more to you than meets the eye. The thought intrigues him, making him like you even more. 

You notice Neteyam, calmly flying around Lo’ak and you. He never joins in on the fun. He’s always content to just watch. You wonder what it’s like to be that content. What it’s like to know who you are and what you want to do. You admire that about Neteyam. You wish you could be more sure footed like him. You force your eyes away from his strong frame and continue flying with Lo’ak when suddenly, the trees go still. 

Your ikran freezes beneath you. Your heart begins to hammer in your chest. Lo’ak stops a few feet ahead of you, his eyes wide. Silence envelopes you, not a peaceful silence but a dreadful one. The kind that warns you. You turn towards Neteyam to find him already flying towards you. 

“Back home, now,” Neteyam calls, “I have a bad feeling.” 

Lo’ak and you nod, neither of you needing more convincing. Even your ikran is on edge as she chirps nervously beneath you. Then, a sound slices through the silence, like the buzzing of a strange insect. 

All of you pause and strain your ears. The buzzing turns into a whirring. Neteyam’s mouth falls open. “Sky people!” 

“Oh shit!” Lo’ak states, panic coating his words.

Your hands begin to shake as your ikran flutters restlessly beneath you. Just then, a large helicopter appears from behind a mountain, heading straight towards you.  

“Fly down!” Neteyam orders. “Don’t lead them to Camp. Go into the forest!” 

Lo’ak and you immediately dive down as the sky people begin shooting. Gunshots burst as Pandora comes back to life. Cries of animals fill the air and a tension sets all around you. The whirring of the helicopter grows louder as it follows you three. 

You hadn’t realized how high you were flying until now. You keep diving down but the treetops are still too far away. Lo’ak is further ahead, his ikran’s wings are bent low as he speeds through the air. But your ikran is more nervous as she fights her way down. More gunshots. The helicopter is coming right after you. 

Neteyam shoots past you, following his brother. Come on, you think as you tell your ikran to go faster. A huge pile of light shoots down. You jolt in shock and your ikran screeches. The helicopter sent a flare at you. You shudder. Another round of gunshots, this time they’re aimed right at you. 

You can no longer see Lo’ak or Neteyam. Panic begins in your stomach and spreads through your veins. Another flash of bright light, like a huge fire, booms right next to you. Your ikran can’t take it. She thrashes at the sight of the light and there’s nothing you can do to calm her down. Her wings flap uselessly at her sides as she looks around the night sky in confusion. The helicopter sets off another round of gunshots, they whiz right by your head. 

You have no choice, you have to jump from your ikran or you’ll be shot. You reach for your hair and break the tsaheylu. You close your eyes and jump. 

You didn’t think anything but the words slipped out of your mouth anyway, “Neteyam!” You scream as your body falls in midair. 

Now, you’re squeezing your eyes shut. The wind is racing past you, burning your skin. You feel your arms and legs go numb with fear. You should’ve just gone into your parents tent earlier tonight. You should never have snuck out. You should’ve listened to Neteyam. Oh, Neteyam. 

You land hard against something. Arms wrap around your body, holding you steady. You don’t dare to open your eyes. Is this real? You aren’t sure. You can’t process anything except the pounding of your heart. 

The rustle of trees fills your ears and you can no longer hear the helicopter. Someone’s fingers rub your shoulder in comforting circles. Your breath is coming out quickly and sharply. 

“You’re okay,” a soothing voice says, “I got you.” 

Your heart rate slows at the sound as some of your panic begins to subdue. Pines and freshness infuse your nose: you’re in the forest. You're pushed up against a warm body. You slowly open your eyes, almost fearful of what you’ll see. 

You inhale sharply. “Neteyam.” 

His face is drawn together in concentration as he swoops between treetops on his ikran. His jaw loosens at the sound of your voice. He had been so scared. He’d never known fear like that. He was following Lo’ak when he heard your scream. It made his blood run cold. His vision had gone black, the only thing that mattered to him was saving you. He saw you floating in the air, your body hanging limply and he raced towards you. He didn’t care about the sky people and the guns, all he cared about was that you were safe in his arms. 

 And now you are. He wants to look at you but keeps his focus on flying. He can feel your rapid heartbeat and knows how scared you must have been. He wants to fly up and kill all those skypeople for making you feel like that. 

Once he sees a clearing, he slowly brings his ikran down and lands. You still lie in his arms, your body still recovering from the intensity of falling. Your face is pale. The sight of you like this hurts Neteyam’s heart. He curses under his breath before slipping his hands beneath you and lifting you up.

Normally, you would never let someone carry you like some doll, but right now, you don’t trust your legs to stand. So, you allow Neteyam to carry you towards a nearby tree where he softly sets you on the ground. You lean against the tree as he sits down next to you, worry coating his features. 

“Are you alright?” 

You nod. “I will be. Just—” you swallow, suddenly nervous. You aren’t sure you want to tell him how scared you were. You aren’t sure you want to be vulnerable with him. It’ll break the facade you’ve made for him. He stares at you openly, stress lining his eyes. You exhale. Screw it. “I was really scared. Just need a moment to recover,” you say quietly. 

Neteyam looks at you with understanding. “Take your time.”

“Where’s Lo’ak?” You ask, suddenly alarmed again. 

Neteyam holds his hands out as if to say calm down. “He’s fine. I told him to wait at the pond. I whistled to him when we landed and he replied.”

You nod and close your eyes. You're safe, you tell yourself, Lo’ak is too. You think of happy memories and try to relax. 

Neteyam thinks you look beautiful and then he instantly regrets it. Not because you aren’t beautiful but because you’re so upset and he shouldn’t be thinking that at a time like this. But he can’t stop thinking about how different you are. You stand out to him more than anyone. And the sound of your scream, your body, your pain; it made him realize it even more. He can’t keep ignoring his feelings for you. 

After a few moments, you open your eyes. You feel much better. Your legs aren’t numb and feel like yourself again. You look over at Neteyam to find him already watching you, an expression on his face that you can’t quite read. “Thank you,” you say, “for saving me.”

Neteyam smiles, a playful glint in his eyes. “I am the mighty warrior.”

“Oh, whatever!” You shove his shoulder, briefly feeling the warmth of his skin. 

He laughs. You rarely hear him laugh but when he does– it’s incredible. You can’t describe it but it’s your favorite sound in the whole world. 

Neteyam stops laughing and notices you staring at him. He feels suddenly self-conscious, maybe he shouldn’t be laughing like this, letting his guard down. “What is it?” he asks. 

The words are out of your mouth before you can stop them. “I like your laugh.” 

Neteyam freezes. He hadn’t expected you to say that. 

A blush creeps onto your cheeks. Why did you say that? Idiot, idiot, idiot. 

Neteyam’s lips break into a shy smile. His heart soaring, he wasn’t sure what your comment meant but he loved hearing you say it. “I have some redeeming qualities,” he says, thinking of all the uptight jokes that you and Lo’ak have made.

You pause, hearing the uncertainty in his voice. “Neteyam,” you say in disbelief, “you have too many good qualities to count.” You pause, studying the way his amber eyes dart across your face. “You’re practically perfect.” 

Neteyam’s mouth falls open. No way, you just said that to him. 

Your blush grows, heating your whole face. You think about laughing at him or pretend to be joking, but you decide not to. To hell with the facade. Maybe it was the near death experience that made you so bold. But you know now, you’re tired of pretending not to have feelings for Neteyam.  

Neteyam doesn’t think about his actions as he scoots closer to you. You think he’s perfect, the words bubble in his brain and float to his heart. You watch him as he moves closer. His heart pounds against his chest at the sight of your face so close to his. “I think you’re practically perfect too,” he whispers. 

Shock covers your face. “Really?” You ask. “You’re so much more sure of yourself then me.”

He laughs in disbelief. “Me? Sure of myself?” He shakes his head. His amber eyes never leave yours. “You’re the one who follows your heart. You go on adventures and you’re full of life.” 

Your breath hitches in your throat. You can’t believe this is happening. You can’t believe the words coming out of Neteyam’s mouth yet here they are. Loud and clear. A smile forces its way onto your lips.  

Neteyam’s eyes brighten at the expression on your face. He reaches up, his hand shaking and tucks a strand of hair gently behind your ear. The movement sends sparks across your skin. “I like you,” Neteyam says. 

“I like you too,” you reply without hesitation. You’ve known those words to be true, you’ve kept them secret for too long, and it feels so good to say them out loud. Relief and happiness curl through your body as a grin cracks across Neteyam’s face. 

You both lean towards each other as if you’re being pulled by some magnetic force. Your lips collide instantly, moving against each other naturally, like they’ve done this before. And maybe they have in another lifetime. Neteyam reaches his hands up and cups your face as he kisses you gently. You turn the kiss as Neteyam’s heart melts. He’s dreamed of this moment, of kissing you, and he never imagined it would be as amazing as this. 

Neither of you are sure how long you’ve kissed for, neither of you want to pull apart, neither of you want to let go. You want to stay like this forever and forget the world.

~~~

idk what this even is i just thought of the idea and wrote it out. hope you guys like it!!

do you guys like the switch of perspectives? i don't usually do that but it was fun.

My stomach growls. It’s growing late and we haven’t eaten. Tsu’tey stands, his eyes drawn together as he stares off into the distance. 

“We should stop,” I say, my voice rough from not speaking all day.

Tsu’tey doesn’t look at me but his ears quirk to the side so I know he heard me. 

“It’ll be dark soon and we need to eat.” 

Tsu’tey grunts before turning around. He doesn’t meet my eye but he grabs a sack of things from the side of his direhorse. I take this as agreement and hop off my steed. 

“You hunt,” Tsu’tey says, his voice harsh, leaving no room for debate, “and I’ll take the direhorse to the pond for a drink.” 

I nod but Tsu’tey has already grabbed the horses and is walking through the trees, his slim hips swaying as he goes. I hope we find this beast soon. I’m not sure I can take this much silence. I guess when it comes to Tsu’tey and me, silence is better than talking which for us— means arguing. I grab my bow, a parting gift from Neytiri. 

The ground shifts beneath my feet as I slip through the trees. I want to find a small animal, one that can easily be shared between us. The forest breathes all around me as plants begin to glow in the evening light. Chitters from various animals fill the air. I inhale deeply, smelling the pine and freshness of the air. 

A branch breaks from a few feet ahead. My eyes snap open. A small animal with black skin and no fur, eats a nearby plant. It’s perfect. I slowly crouch down, making sure to be completely silent. I pull back my bow, feeling my shoulder blades crunch before releasing the arrow. It splits through the air and rams into a nearby tree. The animal’s head shots up in shocked betrayal before sprinting off into the forest. Damnit. 

I blow out an irritated breath when a familiar voice jolts me. “Great. Tree for dinner.” 

Tsu’tey stands behind me, leaning by a nearby tree, his loincloth hanging loosely around his thighs. He tilts his head at me, his usual scowl etched on his face. I roll my eyes at him. 

Another animal runs into view, the same kind as before. The animal stops and looks around. I don’t have any time to waste. I lift my bow and shoot again, praying that it meets its mark. It doesn’t. The arrow splits through the air and disappears into the forest. I curse under my breath as Tsu’tey lets out an angry groan. 

I stand up, my fingers clenching the bow. I’m not a bad shot. I’m usually good, but something about being here, I don’t know. It feels off. My hands keep shaking and there's a constant pit of nervousness in my stomach.

“I’ll hunt over there,” I mumble and push past Tsu’tey. I don’t want him watching me fail again.

I walk past him, his scent filling my nose. He sticks his arm out and grabs me. Surprise spreads through me as he turns me around. “You’ll never kill anything with that posture,” he says. He yanks my arms up. I force myself to stand in my shooting pose. I lift my elbows and aim the bow. “Argh,” he hisses in distaste before smacking my stomach lightly. I jump at the contact. “Tighten your form,” Tsu’tey says, his eyes not meeting mine as he stands next to me. “You’re too loose. Did Neytiri not teach you anything?”

“She taught me well!” I shove his hands off of me. “I’m just off today.”

Tsu’tey sets his mouth in a hard line as he slowly brings his hands to his side. “I’ll hunt then.” He takes my bow. “I knew bringing a scientist would be useless,” he grumbles.

He turns and walks off before I have a chance to snap at him. I was a warrior once, before this. Ugh, anger coils in me, he’s so… I don’t even know. But it’s annoying. I whip around and head back to our horses. 

After a while of petting the direhorses, Tsu’tey appears through the trees, a dead animal over his shoulder. Sweat sheens under his braids. He doesn’t acknowledge me as he begins to make a fire. I keep rubbing my direhorse and try to look busy. The air between us feels tense even though we avoid eye contact. God, I want to find this beast. 

Cooked meat fills the air, making my stomach grumble. Tsu’tey is cooking the small animal over a contained fire. The warm light glows on his hard face, making his stern expression somehow tenser. Is he always stressed out? 

“What?” He asks bitterly. 

“Nothing, just admiring your rotating ability,” I state sarcastically. He looks up at me with an expression that says, are you stupid? I motion to the animal that turns above the flames. “Nice skills.” 

Tsu’tey blows out an irritating breath. He peels off the animal and gives me a small part. I grab it eagerly and shove the meat between my lips. 

The taste burns in my mouth. It’s awful, dry and full of a shocking flavor I don’t recognize but pray I never taste again. Oh no, keep it together. Don’t, don’t. I can’t help it. I gag. Full-on open-mouth gag. I slam my mouth shut.  

Tsu’tey scoffs. I stiffen. He takes another bite before looking at me. “Don’t like it?”

“No,” I say. No point in lying. I take a sip of water, rinsing my mouth.

“Ungrateful sky people,” he mumbles under his breath. 

“I speak Na’vi.”

He smirks as he takes another bite. “I know.” 

“What’s your problem? I’m trying to help.”

“No,” he says flatly, “you want Pandora. You don’t care about my people. Skypeople take and take. They never give.” 

Is he really saying this to me? “I’m risking my life to find this beast for your people.” 

Tsu’tey pauses. “Don’t speak to me in Na’vi.”

“Why?”

“It sounds wrong.”

We don’t speak the rest of the night.

~~~

His scream shatters my dream. I bolt upright on the ground, my heart pounding in my chest. My direhorse stirs uneasily and nudges my side. 

Where Tsu’tey had slept is empty, just rumbled dirt. The fire from our dinner is out and a loose strand of smoke floats into the air. 

“Y/N!” It’s Tsu’tey’s voice, at least I think it’s his voice, it’s hard to tell because of how panicked he sounds. I stumble to my feet and grab my bow before running into the trees, following the sound of his voice. 

“Tsu’tey?” I scream. There’s a path of direhorse prints. He must have slipped off during the night— without me. What was he doing? 

“I’m here!” Tsu’tey’s voice is weaker this time but I’m closer. I push through an underbrush, a few animals howl above me. The breath is sucked out of me. 

“Oh my god,” I say instinctively. Tsu’tey is lying on the ground, his head covered in sweat, his face pale, and his eyes struggling to stay open. There’s a large cut across his chest and blood pours down his blue stomach. I inch closer as if he were a stray cat. “What happened?”

Tsu’tey inhales shakily. “The beast but someone…”

He did not. He did not hunt the beast without me. My mouth splits open in anger, ready to yell vile things at him, when his skin surrounding the cut twitches. I gasp and sink to my knees beside him. The cut is not only bleeding but oozing a strange, dark fluid. His veins surrounding the cut are not blue but turning black, and spreading right towards his heart. All my anger drains out of me. “Poison.”

Tsu’tey shakes his head. “Go back to Hometree.” 

I ignore him and reach my hands towards his skin. I think I’ve studied this before… That fluid looks familiar. This is Na’vi poison.

My fingers hoover right above his chest. “Don’t touch me, dreamwalker.” 

I scowl. “You’re really going to be rude,” I motion to his wound, “in this condition?” 

“I won’t make it back,” Tsu’tey breathes. His pupils fight to stay focused on my face. His hands twitch uncontrollably at his sides. His blood continues to splay down his body but soon enough it will clot, and the poison will spread to his heart. “Take the horses and—” He inhales, trying to take a breath but clearly unable to. 

My heart clenches. Something about the sight of Tsu’tey laying in the dirt, his weapon strewn beside him and his face is determined. He’s unafraid of death. I used to want him taken down a notch, but I don’t like this. Fear races through me. The darkness around his cut is fanning out. The sides of my vision blur as I try to remember what that textbook said. I don’t have long. 

“Don’t move,” I say to him and jump to my feet. “Don’t speak unless you have to.” I turn and scan the plants around me. “I’ll be back.” I run into the forest, heading straight for the pond. 

Tsu’tey didn’t reply. His eyes had fallen shut. 

~~~

I don’t remember what I did or how I did it. It was like I was on autopilot. I remembered the textbook, the poison, and the antidote. I gathered what I needed and brewed it together. Even started my own fire. My direhorse stared at me in confusion but I ignored her. I didn’t have time to think about anything other than Tsu’tey and his diminishing breaths. 

I gave Tsu’tey the antidote, forced it down his throat since he was unconscious. The skin around his cut was completely black and his chest was rising and falling rapidly. Once the antidote had gone down, I stepped back and waited.

I’ve been waiting for hours now. Eclipse just passed and darkness covers the forest again. I moved our camp to Tsu’tey because the thought of dragging him through the dirt seemed wrong. I lit a fire so we’d be warm. My stomach grumbles but I haven’t dared to leave Tsu’tey to hunt. 

His breath is more even now, his chest rising slowly. His cut is still gruesome even after I cleaned it, red and angry against his blue skin. His ears are flat against his skull and his lips are parted softly. Is he dreaming? I wonder what he dreams about. 

I grab a stick and poke at the fire. What if the antidote didn’t work? What if he’s stuck in this coma-like state? God, I don’t think the Omtikaya would let me near them ever again. I sink my head into my hands, feeling my braided hair and the perk of my ears. To think a year ago I was on Earth and now I’m here, trying to save a Na’vi. 

He inhales sharply. My head snaps towards him. My heart flutters in my chest, suddenly nervous. Why am I nervous? 

He fights his eyelids open and his head falls to the side. “Wha—”

“Don’t speak,” I say quickly at the sight of his chapped lips. I grab my water pack from my direhorse before making my way over to him. He watches me the whole time, his stare boring into me. He probably just doesn’t have enough strength to turn his head away. 

“Water,” I say and sit beside him, “drink.” He struggles to lift his head, his neck muscle straining. I hesitate. He didn’t want me to touch him… A strangled groan escapes him as he tries to lean towards the water. Ah, screw it. I slip my hands under his neck, feeling his beaded hair flutter against my skin, as I lift his lips to the pack. 

His eyes widen slightly but they immediately close the second he sips the water. He gulps it down greedily, his body clearly needing it. After a moment, I bring the water down and softly rest his head against the dirt. 

A small frown covers his full lips. I tilt my head to the side. He blinks a few times before saying, “How?” 

“I remembered the antidote,” I reply as I secure the water pack, “guess having a scientist around isn’t always useless.” 

He grunts and then begins to cough. 

“Easy,” I chime, worried at the redness brimming around his eyes as he coughs. 

He stops coughing and narrows his eyes at me. “I’m okay.” 

“Yes,” I say, slightly annoyed at his rude expression and abrupt shift to English, “thanks to me.” 

He grunts again and looks away. 

I let out an irritated scoff. “Would it kill you to say thank you?”

He doesn’t respond. He keeps staring off into the forest, his tail twitching beneath him. 

“Why did you go without me?” I ask, anger slipping into my voice. “We are supposed to be a team.”

“Skypeople cannot work with Na’vi,” he says flatly.

I resist the urge to slap him. He would be dead if it weren’t for me. I cock my head to the side. “What would have happened if I wasn’t here?” Silence. “And who was it that cut you with poison?” 

His jaw tightens. “That’s different.” 

My stomach curls at his words. How ungrateful is he? “You know what,” I say as I climb to my feet. “I’m done with your crap.” 

I stand and walk towards my direhorse. I’m leaving, I don’t know where but anywhere is better than here. Fury boils in my gut but I refuse to look back at his weak body. Why did I think this could work? He doesn’t trust me. He never will. 

“Wait,” he calls after me. I freeze at the sound of his voice. 

I turn around but don’t move any closer to him. I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. 

He sighs.“Thank you,” he says. I blink in surprise. I didn’t think he was capable of saying that. He turns his head so his gold eyes stare into me. “Thank you.” 

I clear my throat, suddenly uncomfortable. I take an awkward step towards him. “Yea, well… I don’t know how to get back to Hometree so I kinda need you alive.” 

A laugh escapes Tsu’tey’s lips. It’s rough from his injury but full of life. All my anger slips away and something sparks in my gut at the sound. Tsu’tey just freaking laughed. I think the sound will echo in my mind for hours. 

He stops laughing and his face grows serious. “So you know who uses that poison?”

“It’s a Na’vi poison,” I respond, “we aren’t the only ones hunting this beast, are we?” 

Tsu’tey nods his head, his eyes squinting in pain as he does. “And they aren’t kind.” 

I resist the urge to say, obviously, as I observe his wound but I say nothing. His braids are spread around his head like a halo as he lays in the dirt and stares at the moons. His direhorse somehow found his way back. Both our steeds sleep peacefully beside each other. 

“We need to kill the beast before the other tribe,” Tsu’tey says, his voice stronger than it has been, “for the Omatikaya.” 

“We will kill the damn thing and whoever cut you,” I agree.

He watches me for a moment like he’s realizing something that he hadn’t before. I cock an eyebrow at him and he looks away. “What’s for dinner?” he asks. 

~~~

“No,” Tsu’tey grumbles as he swats my hands away. 

“I need to sleep!” I snap at him. 

It’s the middle of the night and the antidote is wearing off. Which means the pain is setting in. I need to clean his cut so that tomorrow, he’ll be good as new. For most people, that would be incentive enough to let me help them– but not Tsu’tey. He refuses to let me help. 

“Will you stop being a pain in the ass for two seconds?” 

“No,” he replies, his voice thick with sleep.

“I’m gonna kill you,” I threaten.

“Try to,” he states, his voice becoming sharper. 

“You have a massive hole in your chest,” I remind him.

“So?” 

I pause. His eyes glitter beneath the moons. Even with his wound– I wouldn’t want to fight Tsu'tey. 

“Do you want to walk tomorrow or not?” I hiss at him. If I don’t clean this cut, it’ll get infected.

He relaxes. “Fine.” 

I roll my eyes to which his mouth turns downward. I pull out a few pieces of cloth and my water pack. Yesterday, I brewed an extra antidote so I could use it to clean him. I mix it into the water and dip the cloth in it.  

Tsu’tey is watching me. I can’t make out the expression on his face. His eyes are narrowed but he isn’t wearing his usual frown, and his lips are parted slightly. I lean forward, my fingers gripping the cloth. I hesitate right as my hand hoovers above his skin. Nerves spread through my body. I brush them off and place my hand down. 

He flinches slightly at the contact. I slowly place my other hand down, feeling the tauntness of his chest. His skin is smooth beneath my fingertips as I dab my other hand lightly on his cut. The glowing forest illuminates his skin just enough for me to see where his wound is. 

I pour more antidote mixture onto the cloth. I lean closer, making sure I get every part of his cut. I spread my fingers across his chest to keep my balance. 

He inhales sharply.

“Does it sting?” I ask, suddenly alarmed. 

He moves beneath me before going still. “No.” 

I’m close to him, much closer than I thought. Now that I’m focused on him talking, I’m practically inches from his face. His amber eyes watch me carefully, his lips twitching slightly. I swallow. His eyes travel from my face, down my arm, and to my hand, where my fingers lay against his hard chest. 

His tail flicks from beneath him. “Are you done cleaning?”

It feels like someone’s shaken me. I blink a few times. “Yea.” I clear my throat. “Yes, you’ll be fine.” 

I peel my hands away. Cool air hits my body as I climb to my feet. I hadn’t realized how warm he was. He grunts and rolls over. 

I settle back into my sleeping spot in the soft grass, on the other side of our camp. He breathes steadily, his figure rising and falling in the distance. I close my eyes but it’s a long time before I’m able to sleep.

~~~

“I found tracks,” Tsu’tey says. 

Morning light pierces my eyes as I sit up, shaking off sleep. Rage sparks in my gut when I see Tsu’tey holding his weapon. “You went without me? Again?” 

I cross my arms and glare. I ignore the happiness in my heart at seeing him healthy. 

He lifts his hands out in front of him. “Just to get breakfast,” he states and motions to the animal slung over his shoulder.“I just happened upon the tracks.” I narrow my eyes on him. He cocks his head to the side, a nearly playful smile tugging on his lips. “I swear. I felt fine and wanted to eat.”

“Okay,” I recede as he begins to light the fire again. “We’ll follow the tracks after breakfast?”

He nods and starts preparing our meal. The cut across his chest is now a thin, angry red line. Not pleasant looking but much better than last night. His face has also regained its color. His long fingers move around the animal, “you must be on the lookout for the other Na’vi.”

My face deadpans. “I will.” Everyone seems to forget that I have a military background…

He grunts as a familiar smell wafts into the air. I squint. Oh, great. It’s the same animal as the other night. The one that tasted absolutely putrid. I nearly gag at the thought of eating that again. I think I’d rather starve. Tsu’tey looks up and his jaw tenses as he sees my expression. I internally groan, steeling myself for another sky people lecture. 

He reaches into a pouch on his loincloth, his muscular arms straining beneath him, and pulls out a small bag.

He shakes his head in disbelief, at me or himself, I'm not sure. He tosses me the bag and continues cooking the animal. My eyebrows furrow as I open the cloth baggy.

Six pink fruits stare up at me. My mouth falls open. The first time Tsu’tey and I had met, he’d made fun of me and my stained fingers. How I’d loved these fruits, they’re my favorite food on Pandora. How did he know? Where did he find these?

I open my mouth to say thank you but no words come out. I’m completely shocked. 

Tsu’tey glances at me from the corner of his eye. He shrugs at my shocked expression. “You like those, don't you?”

I nod, a small smile slipping onto my face. 

He rolls his eyes and returns to his meal. “Don’t smile. I need you to be strong for our hunt.”

Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. I dip my hand into the bag and take a bite of the fruit. Tsu’tey doesn’t look up at me again as he continues rotating his animal above the fire. His face drawn together in concentration and his limber body hovering above the ground. He’s beautiful. 

The thought jolts me. I nearly drop my fruit. I quickly stare at the ground. I did not just think that. 

“Eat up,” Tsu’tey says harshly, “we have a long day ahead of us.”

I swallow, forcing all the thoughts of him out of my mind.

PART 4

~~~

Hi beautiful human! Thank you for reading <3

I've been struggling to write this series because I never feel satisfied with my chapters :/ If you have any feedback or recommendations to improve; I would love to hear it!!

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“Make tsaheylu,” Neytiri calls to him. Jake whips his hair around and connects to the direhorse. The animal freezes before stepping back nervously and shooting off into the forest. Jake holds on for a moment, then loses his grip. He flies into a pile of mud with a groan. Neytiri and I  laugh instantly. 

“Thanks for the support guys,” Jake mumbles as he crawls to his feet.

Suddenly, the forest begins to rumble, the sound of hooves pierce through the air. Three direhorses break through the treeline, each one with a rider. Tsu’tey is in front of the pack, his head held high. My lips immediately turn downwards at the sight of his face. 

For the past two weeks, I’ve been training with Neytiri and my brother. Tsu’tey keeps his distance but sometimes he’ll stop by and say something belittling. He usually targets Jake and avoids eye contact with me. Sometimes I stare at him with all my might, challenging him to look me in my eyes, but he never does. The way he ignores me is infuriating. Tsu’tey and his companions stop before us, their direhorses breathing heavily. They look incredibly self righteous, especially Tsu’tey with his permanently etched scowl. 

Neytiri crosses her arms, clearly expecting trouble. Tsu’tey and his friends burst into laughter as they stare at Jake, covered in mud. Tsu’tey looks at Neytiri and cocks his head to the side. “What did I tell you? They’ll never learn.”

His words grind against my brain as anger pools in my stomach. Jake glares up at Tsu’tey, “Got a problem? Say it in English.”

I tell my direhorse to move towards Jake. Tsu’tey flinches slightly as I come closer but his eyes remain trained on Neytiri. He never speaks to me, not since my first night here. But everytime we're close to each other, the space between us grows hotter, filling with distaste and loathing. The tension circulates around me as I stop my direhorse right in front of him. I’m tired of him ignoring me. Actually, I’m tired of him in general. I set my mouth in a straight line as my direhorse blows out an irritated puff of air.

Tsu’tey’s head snaps towards me at the sound. His friends look at each other in surprise but Tsu’tey just deepens his frown. His eyes trace my legs, clearly noticing my natural posture on my direhorse. A smug look covers my face. That’s right asshole, two can ride a horse.

Tsu’tey shakes his head bitterly before staring at Jake. “You should go.”

“You’d miss me too much,” Jake replies. I choke back a laugh. 

Tsu’tey’s rolls his wide shoulders as his companions shout rude remarks at my brother in Na’vi. Tsu’tey’s nostrils are flared and his strong chest is blown out. I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my face. Something about seeing Tsu’tey worked up…

“What’s wrong?” I mock. Tsu’tey turns his head slowly towards me like he can’t believe I've spoken. “Scared he might be a better warrior than you?”

Neytiri pauses, her eyes whisking between Tsu’tey and I. His friends hesitate, unsure of how to react to this. Tsu’tey lowers his head and glares at me through hooded eyes. “No, alien, he can’t even ride.”

Jake stiffens as Tsu’tey’s friends snicker. I lock eyes with Tsu’tey and a jolt runs through my body, igniting me with fury. “I can ride,” I smirk at him,“maybe even better than you.” 

Tsu’tey scoffs, his beaded hair glistening in the light. “Impossible.” I narrow my eyes at him and he lifts his head smugly. God, he’s so arrogant. 

“She is surprisingly good,” Neytiri mummers, “a natural.” 

One of Tsu’tey’s friends pats his direhorse before looking up, a wicked grin on his face. “You know what this means?” 

“No,” Tsu’tey barks, “do not say it.” He glares at his friend. My body is cold without his hot gaze on me.  

Neytiri’s lips break into a smile, her eyes glittering mischievously. “Soloteu, tonight. Then we will see.” 

I freeze. My stomach bubbles with nerves. What is that? Tsu’tey’s lips flatten into a straight line as his long fingers tighten on his direhorse. 

“Are you going to refuse, Tsu’tey?” Neytiri coos. 

Tsu’tey says nothing, his jaw clenching. I smirk, enjoying his discomfort.  I don’t know what Soloteu is but if it makes Tsu’tey shut up: I’m in. “Worried you’ll lose to some dreamwalkers?” I jab at him. 

Tsu’tey spits angrily. “We begin at the eclipse.” His direhorse takes off into the forest, his friends following closely after. Tsu’tey’s hair flies behind him like a flag of victory. I force my eyes away to find Neytiri watching me. 

She looks between Jake and I. “We have much work before tonight.”

“What’s tonight?” Jake asks, wiping the last bit of mud from his confused face. 

~~~

Darkness covers the forest, making all the plants come to life, they glow and burst beneath my feet as Neytiri leads Jake and I deeper into the forest. My hands are trembling with anticipation. Neytiri explained Soloteu, it’s a game. There are two teams with the same amount of players. That means Jake, Neytiri, and me against Tsu’tey and his companions. The objective is to find the thanator cub hidden in the forest with a red ribbon tied around their neck. Whoever retrieves the ribbon without hurting any animals, wins. The only rule: you have to ride a direhorse. 

“Do you seriously think I should play?” Jake asks for the hundredth time as we push through various trees. Neytiri shakes her head. “You must,” she hisses back to him. He mutters something under his breath that I can’t quite make out. 

We break through the tree line into a clearing where Tsu’tey sits, already mounted on his steed. His friends chat happily behind him as he sits tall, his shoulders straight and stares off into the distance. What is he looking at? I trace the treetops but see nothing. 

His head twists in our direction as he hears Neytiri walking up. “Ready?” She asks playfully before calling for direhorses. This must be their resting spot because instantly three horses appear through the trees. Neytiri makes tsaheylu as she mounts. 

I force my hands to stop their shaking and mount a horse beside her, making tsaheylu. I slip easily into the seat and clap her side lovingly. A tingle runs down my spine. I look up to find Tsu’tey watching me, his face serious as always, as his eyes drop down to where my hand caresses the creature. I raise an eyebrow at him and he looks quickly away. 

That’s weird. I open my mouth to say something when a horn blares through the clearing. Tsu’tey takes off immediately, faster than I ever knew a direhorse could run. His friends holler battle cries behind him as they follow, making excitement spread through my veins. Neytiri laughs, enjoying the game already. 

“Go left, that is where the thanator den usually is,” Neytiri says, “and if you need help or find it, use this call.” She whistles a high note before dropping low and chittering twice. I don’t have a chance to nod before she bolts off into the night. 

I sprint after her, feeling the wind whip my face as Jake’s voice follows me. “Wait!” 

I shake my head as I go deeper into the forest. Riding through here will be difficult, there are thick roots covering the forest floor, large rocks with sharp edges, and various animals hooting in the branches above me. I tighten my grip on my steed, speaking calmly to her through our tsaheylu. 

I’ve lost Neytiri but my direhorse knows her bearings. She leads me around each tree and stump as we navigate the forest naturally. She knows my goal and keeps her eye out as well. I scan my surroundings, searching for any sign of the red ribbon or Thanators. We have to win, Tsu’tey and his idiot friends cannot have another thing to hold over us. Speaking of, his friends hoot from a distance away. I tense, praying they didn't find the ribbon. 

The wind is practically burning my face as we race through the trees until my eyes spot something. I jerk back in my seat. A large paw print is marked in the ground. My direhorse makes an uneasy sound as she slows down. I pat her and eye the strange marking. That couldn’t be a thanator… could it?

A high pitched whistle rings through the air followed by two deep tones. I pause, it sounded different than when Neytiri first did it. Wait… that’s not Neytiri. The signal rings through the air again, sending chills through me. Jake. 

“Go girl,” I say roughly as my direhorse bolts in the direction of Jake’s calls. 

I crash through the trees and onto a cliff where a large waterfall splays down. All my hopes of Jake having found the ribbon, vanish. He’s dangling over the edge of the cliff, his blue fingers grasping desperately at a few rocks on the edge. I jump off my direhorse and race over to him. His eyes widen as he sees me bolting towards him. “Wait, don’t—”

A giant figure jumps out from my peripheral vision. I duck to the ground instinctively, feeling my heart fly into my throat. A beast lands right in front of me, blowing hot steam out of its nostrils. I exhale sharply. What the hell is that thing? 

I’ve studied Pandora for years and I’ve never seen a creature like this. Four massive horns curl on the outside of its head, six strong legs stilt from its bulky but flexible body. 

“Just go!” Jake yells over the roar of the waterfall, his voice straining as his blue fingers begin to slip. 

The beast blows an angry breath at me. I close my eyes for a moment before charging, letting all my army training and instincts take over. The beast runs at me, seeing my act as a threat. Once we’re right in front of each other, its nasty breath radiating from its mouth, I drop to my knees and slide beneath its body. Its skin is a strange mix between scales and fur. The beast continues running as I grab Jake’s struggling hands and pull with all my might. 

But he’s heavy. His feet have no ledge, his entire body weight is resting in my hands. I wrap my arm around the rock, trying to give myself more strength but it’s slippery from the waterfall. I groan in pain as I try to lift him. 

“Go,” Jake says through clenched teeth, “or we’ll both fall.” 

“I’m not losing you too,” I mutter as Tom’s face flashes through my mind. I dig my fingers deeper into my brother's skin and heave. I whistle to Neytiri, practically screaming into it, praying she’s nearby. 

The beast stops its running, making the forest seem way too quiet. Jake’s eyes grow as shakes his head. I won’t give up. I’m not losing another brother. I yank and yank, refusing to look behind me, even as the pounding begins again, heading right towards me. 

“Y/N, GO!” Jake yells, the veins on the side of his neck protruding out. 

The pounding grows louder and louder as the beast nears us, the entire ground shaking like a thunderstorm. I’m biting down on my lip so hard that I taste blood. My fingers are going numb around Jake’s hand. The beast exhales like a volcano exploding, his breath hitting my back in a hot wave. My eyes become frantic as I search for anything to help me. My chest is growing tighter and tighter. I’m going to die. 

The beast is charging towards my back. This is it. At least I’m with Jake. I squeeze my eyes shut when a holler bursts through the trees. 

“AHHHH!” A man’s voice yells. Someone lands behind me, sending a burst of air up my back. The beast’s paws stop their charging as it rears back and roars. Jake’s eyebrows shoot up. The sizzle of an arrow pierces the air before making a squishing sound as it enters the beast. The beast roars again, slamming into a tree, sending leaves all over the ground. 

“Be gone!” The  voice yells furiously. I freeze, my hand slipping on Jake’s. I know that voice…

The beast growls. Another arrow flies through the air before thudding against the beast. The creature grunts angrily before stomping off between the trees. I don’t have a moment to be relieved because Jake’s hands are sweaty and he's falling through my grasp. 

“Help me!” I call but I didn’t even need to. Tsu’tey is beside me, his large hands covering mine as we tow Jake over the cliff and on to safe ground. I throw my arms around Jake’s neck. He smells like sweat and blood. I hold my brother tightly. “You scared me,” I whispered.

“Don’t worry,” Jake mumbles, “can’t get rid of me that easily.” 

We pull slowly apart. I almost lost another brother. I couldn’t bear that. Fear is still coursing through my veins when I remember that Tsu’tey is here. 

He sits beside me, the warmth of his body seeps into my side. His fingers red from pulling and there’s a cut on his bicep. His eyes are drawn together, his mouth pulled down into his usual scowl. He doesn’t meet my eyes but I say it away, “Thank you, Tsu’tey.” 

His golden eyes find mine, full of turmoil and emotions I can’t decipher. “I didn’t do it for you.” 

I furrow my eyebrows. Jake starts to cough. Tsu’tey stands and walks a few feet away, blood slowly dripping from his cut. I exhale, slightly annoyed. “Well still, thanks.” 

He stands like a statue with his shoulders rigid. He rubs his chin, his full lips moving each time his long fingers pass. Worry begins to pool in my stomach. “What was that thing?” I ask. 

Tsu’tey growls at my words as his face becomes livid. Why is he so angry? Neytiri breaks through the treeline on foot. Her yellow eyes are big with worry and confusion. “What happened?”

Tsu’tey lethal expression turns grave. Jake fights his way to his feet. “Some beast attacked me,” he says. 

Neytiri’s mouth falls open. “An animal attacked you?” Jake and I nod. 

Tsu’tey crosses his arms over his chest, clearly pissed off. “Another thing the sky people have brought,” he snaps, a vein protruding on his sculpted face. 

“We had nothing to do with,” I motion to where the beast once stood, “whatever that was!”

“Our animals do not attack us,” Tsu’tey hisses at me as he takes a step closer, “that animal did not even recognize us. It is not even a Pandorian animal.”

“You want to blame us for everything!” I scream and take a step towards him. 

“Sky people are always to blame!” Tsu’tey screams back, his throat straining and his accent thick. 

“Well, we didn't create that monster!” 

“No, you are the monsters,” Tsu’tey breathes out viciously. 

His words sting like I’ve been slapped. Rage pours through me. “Then why did you help us?”

Tsu’tey halts, his jaw loosens slightly. He opens his mouth then closes it again, like he too isn’t sure why he helped. 

Neytiri places her hands in front of her. “Enough. This is a matter for the Ole’eyktan and Tsahik.”

Tsu’tey grunts before straightening himself. I look away, no longer wanting to see him, but his comment replays in my mind. You are the monsters. 

~~~

“This beast is unlike anything we have seen before,” Eytukan, Neytiri’s father, the Ole’eyktan, yells from where he stands on the main stairs of Hometree. The entire clan has gathered around the base, everyone listening intently to their leader. 

“We can gather a hunting party,” Tsu’tey says loudly, throwing his fist in the air, “and this beast will be dead by morning.” 

The clan erupts into cheers and applause. Jake and I stand beside Neytiri who eyes her father worriedly. Jake studies the crowd and occasionally rubs his blistered hands. My heart pounds in my chest, I can’t shake the feeling that something is about to happen. 

Eytukan lifts his hands and the clan falls silent. “We have war brewing with the sky people. We cannot send that many hunters away from Hometree.” 

Whispers spread through the crowd as Tsu’tey tenses. “I will go alone then.” His voice is deep and full of pride. 

Eytukan studies Tsu’tey, considering this proposal. Mo’at stands behind her husband with her eyes closed. My hands grow clammy. Neytiri balances from one toe to the other before stepping forward. “Father,” she begins, “Y/n is a good rider, a natural. Send her with Tsu’tey and she will prove herself.” 

A few clan members gasp, including myself. What did Neytiri just say? Eytukan tilts his head to the side as Tsu’tey shakes his head. “No,” he says aggressively, “I do not need a dreamwalker slowing me down.” 

Small laughter flickers the crowd as my shocked face turns into a grimace. Tsu’tey is such a self righteous little… 

Eytukan doesn’t even bother to look at me. “I agree. The dreamwalker will not—”

“She must go.” Mo’at’s eyes fly open, her shoulders trembling and her beaded hair shining. “The dreamwalker will accompany Tsu’tey.”

Now the clan is frozen with silence so thick I could cut it. Time feels like it’s slowing down. This can’t be happening. Tsu’tey’s eyes widen but he tries to cover it. He says nothing as Eytukan turns to Mo’at. “Why do you say this, wife?”

Mo’at takes a step forward, her eyes boring into Tsu’tey. He swallows, the bulge falls down his throat. She makes a grunting sound before turning to me. Her gaze shoots through me like electricity. She tilts her head as her eyes trace my body. My heart might beat right out of my chest. Mo’at pauses before turning to the clan. “Eywa has spoken. Tsu’tey and Y/n will hunt the beast and return safely to us.” 

For a moment, no one speaks or moves. Then, the entire clan explodes into cheers, battle cries, and applause. The sound sends shivers of excitement through me. They’re cheering for me. A small smile fights its way onto my lips as various clan members reach over and smack my arm encouragingly. Jake rubs my arm. He definitely doesn’t understand all that’s happening but he knows it’s about me.

“They leave at first light!” Eytukan hollers, causing the entire clan to erupt into cheers again. Neytiri nods at me in support. A small bit of pride sparks in me. If I can do this, maybe the clan will view me as one of them. I’m beginning to feel hopeful until I spot Tsu’tey.

His jaw is locked. His body is rigid and his lips are curled into a forced smile. Tsu'tey’s eyes drill into mine, darkening by the second. My breathing slows as I stare back. He looks at me a moment longer, his eyes flashing, before turning and walking through the crowd. 

“You will work well together,” Mo’at breathes into my ear. I jump. I didn’t see her coming. She places her soft hands on my arms. Her kindness radiates into me. “Give yourself and him time. You will see,” she whispers and disappears into the crowd before I’ve even thought of a response. 

I swallow and find Tsu’tey’s retreating back. His strong blue body glows beneath the firelight. Maybe Mo’at is right… Or maybe Tsu’tey and I won’t last a single day.

Thanks for reading! I'm sorry this took awhile to write. I still don't like this chapter but the next part is when things will start to get ~juicy~

Please let me know what you think! And tell me what you would like to see happen in the next parts <3

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Last night is when everything changed, when all my patience led me to someone unexpected. Lo’ak and I were out on our ikrans. The moons were high in the sky, the entire forest glowed, and Hometree seemed to be smiling at us. We flew until we were so exhausted we both collapsed on the forest floor and stared at the treetops. Lo’ak rolled over and faced me, his yellow eyes radiating in the dark night. The air got suddenly sweeter, the space between us grew smaller, and his lips dangled right before me, inviting me to come closer. Our lips had been moments from touching when I came to my senses. I scurried to my feet and bolted back to Hometree with Lo’ak calling after me. 

I don’t know what got into me. I’ve spent my entire childhood having a crush on Neteyam. When my mom died, he became my friend and brought me into his family. I watched him grow into an adult and warrior, my heart beat for him through every phase. Neteyam never felt the same way, or if he does, he’s never shown it. 

I thought if I was just patient, that my first kiss would be Neteyam but last night– I’d almost kissed Lo’ak. The shock of it still courses through my veins. I keep seeing Lo’ak’s face in my mind, the way he was looking at me… I want him to look at me like that again. 

A piece of fruit hits me in the face, jolting me out of my thoughts. “Seriously!?”

“Why do you have that look on your face?” Kiri asks as she twirls her breakfast around her fork. I always eat breakfast with the Sully's. Thankfully, today it’s just Kiri and me as we sit on a thick branch of Hometree. 

“What look?” I ask, pretending to be oblivious. “I’m just eating.”

“Mhm,” Kiri mumbles before taking a sip from her cup. “Looked like you were having some serious thoughts. Deep, aching—”

“Whose deep and aching?” Lo’ak smirks as he suddenly comes up behind Kiri. My heart drops into my stomach at the sight of him. His eyes meet mine, sending a jolt through my whole body.

He smiles at me as something flickers in his gaze. Longing? Regret? I don’t recognize it. I swallow nervously and he opens his mouth to say something when Neteyam comes in. Neteyam smacks Lo’ak on the back lovingly, his eyes wide with amusement. “Now, what are we talking about over here?”

“Oh great,” Kiri says as she turns to her brothers, “Skxawng 1 and Skxawng 2.”

Lo’ak looks away and sits down next to Kiri, his eyebrows furrowed together. I don’t have time to think about what that means because Neteyam plops down beside me.

“Oh, I’m definitely number 1,” he says confidently to Kiri before he turns and winks at me. I inhale sharply. His blue skin glitters under the morning sun and his woven headband sits prettily on his forehead. I look quickly away hoping he doesn’t notice the blush on my cheeks. Even after all this time, he still makes me blush. 

“So,” Lo’ak says, his eyes flickering between Neteyam and me, “what deep, and oh so aching—”

“Shut up!” Kiri exclaims before shoving Lo’ak. Lo’ak laughs and whisks his sister's hands away. She shakes her head. “Y/n was all lost in thought.” 

Neteyam’s head snaps towards me. “What were you thinking about?”

I freeze. Last night, the beautiful forest, the pounding of my heart, the way Lo’ak’s hands fluttered so close to mine, the way his lips dipped down towards me…

Lo’ak raises his eyebrows as a small smirk forms on his mouth. “Hmmm,” he tilts his head, “must have been something so, very, juicy.” 

All my blood rushes to my face as I struggle to meet Lo’ak’s eyes. He begins to grin. That cocky asshole! I roll my eyes and throw a piece of fruit at him. He dodges to the side as the fruit whizzes past him. “Damn, girl!” 

“She doesn’t have to share if she doesn’t want to,” Neteyam states. I force my eyes away from Lo’ak’s smiling face to find Neteyam studying me, his ears twitching on the side of his head. 

Drums sound through Hometree and footsteps immediately pound throughout the inside. Kiri jumps to her feet, balancing in the wind, her tail swishing between her legs. “We gotta go,” she says to me before grabbing my hands and pulling me to my feet. 

“We’re helping hunt for your Dad’s birthday celebration tonight,” I clarify to the boys as they look questioningly at us. 

Kiri runs off the branch and into the main part of Hometree. I start after her, my feet rubbing against the familiar bark when Lo’ak’s voice calls out to me. “Y/n! Wait!” 

I pause at the archway to the rest of the tree as Lo’ak runs over. Neteyam stays out on the branch, watching his brother’s retreating back. My hands swing anxiously at my side, I don’t know what I’ll say if he brings up last night…

“Look,” he begins as he stops in front of me, “about last night.”

Oh, great. “Lo’ak, you don’t have to say anything.”

“No, I want to say something,” he says adamantly. His lips are pulled in a straight line, his eyebrows are slightly arched, and his eyes are centered on me. I’ve never seen Lo’ak look so serious in my life. I nod, encouraging him to continue. 

His shoulders loosen like he’d been worried I wouldn’t listen to him. “I want to talk to you.” The drums pound louder. The hunting party will be leaving any minute. I bite my lip and look down the hall. Lo’ak follows my gaze and tenses. “You have to go.”

“I want to hear what you have to say,” I reply immediately, surprising myself. I hadn’t realized how true those words were until they came out. I do want to know what Lo’ak has to say. I want to know a lot more about the boy in front of me. 

He smiles, it takes over his whole face. “Let’s go to the celebration tonight, together.”

I’ve never accepted an invitation before. I’ve always waited for Neteyam, I never thought I’d want to go with someone else. Lo’ak is still smiling, his cute eyebrows are quirked up and his ears are sitting happily on his head. My stomach begins to flutter and a small smile finds its way onto my lips. “I’d like that.”

The drums are beating one after the other, the sound penetrates Hometree. If I don’t leave now, I won’t make it to the hunting party. I quickly reach out and grab Lo’ak’s hand. His fingers wrap around mine immediately before he squeezes. “I’ll see you tonight.” 

I squeeze his hand in return. I start to leave when Neteyam catches my eye. My smile falters. He’s standing with both his arms crossed in front of his chest. His eyes are narrowed on Lo’ak and my hands, his ears flat against his skull. 

~~~

 I braid my long hair down my back, placing various feathers in as I go. I changed out of my hunting gear and now wear a woven necklace and my mom’s beaded chest piece. I rub it lovingly as I peer into the mirror. My mom always wore this piece to festivals. My heart clenches at the thought of her sweet face. Even after all these years, I miss her everyday. 

“Thinking of her?” Neteyam asks. I jump at the sound of his voice. I hadn’t heard him coming, I’d been so lost in thought. Understanding coats his features as he watches me touch my mother’s piece. 

“Yea,” I whisper, full of longing, “how did you know?”

Neteyam shrugs slightly. “I know you.” 

I catch his eyes in the mirror. He gives me a small smile that flickers in my stomach. He does know me. We’ve been best friends our whole lives: I bandaged his first wounds and he helped me hunt my first sturmbeest. 

He tilts his head to the side, keeping his gaze locked on mine. His face is so familiar, like a warm hug to my soul. My breath catches, he’s so beautiful it hurts. I turn away, trying to act natural. 

Neteyam clears his throat, something he usually doesn’t do unless he’s nervous. But why would he be nervous? “Do you want to—,” he begins as I place a thin necklace of vines around my throat. “Here, let me.” Neteyam comes up behind me, the warmth of his body seeping into my back. I halt as his smooth hands gently pull my hair to the side. He clasps my necklace and lets my hair fall back before sharply inhaling. 

“What?” I ask cautiously.  

“You’re stunning,” Neteyam says immediately. 

My eyes widen. Heat rushes to my cheeks. He’s never said anything like that to me before. My mouth falls uselessly open. Neteyam runs a hand through his braids nervously. “Sorry I—,” he clears his throat, “I just wanted to ask if you want to skip the celebration?” 

I cock my head to the side. “I think your dad w0uld notice if his own son wasn’t there to celebrate his birthday.” 

Neteyam rolls his eyes before smiling sheepishly. “Come on, y/n. We haven’t been swimming by the pond since we were kids.”

A small smile begins forming on my lips. I love swimming with Neteyam, the way he jumps in the water, his arms wrapped around me, pulling me right in with him. I open my mouth, a yes forming on my lips. 

“You can’t swim tonight,” Kiri states as she walks up from behind the mirror. I freeze. How long has she been listening? Kiri curls one of her eyebrows up and looks at us. “Dad would flip.” 

“Kiri,” Neteyam mumbles in irritation. 

“Besides,” Kiri nudges me over and leans into the mirror, “Y/n is going with Lo’ak.”

I go cold as all the blood vanishes from my face. Neteyam turns his head very slowly until he is staring right at me, his tail flicking behind him. “What?” 

Kiri begins braiding her hair in the mirror. “He asked her this morning. Isn’t it cute?” Her eyes cross mine in the mirror and she smiles. “I think it’s cute. Don’t you ‘teyam?” 

Neteyam’s lips turn downward for a brief moment before he smiles, his cheeks twitching. His eyes look strained as he nods his head. “Yea, yea. I didn’t know you were going together.” 

I try to catch his eye but he won’t meet my gaze. “It was last minute,” I say, trying to make it seem casual. Not that it should matter to Neteyam who I go with. It doesn’t matter to him, right? 

He rubs his hands against his leg. His fingers look like they’re trembling. Are his hands shaking? That only happens when he’s angry or upset. I take a step towards him without even realizing. “Neteyam?”

“That’s fine!” He says piercingly. I jerk back at the tone of his voice. Kiri stops braiding, confusion on her face. My tail swishes between my feet as Neteyam shakes his head slightly. 

“Sorry.” He coughs unnaturally. “I just remembered I have some things to do.” He straightens himself. Kiri raises her eyebrows and peeks at me from the corner of her eye. “Have fun with Lo’ak,” he finishes, his lips peeled back like the words hurt. 

Then he leaves. I stare after him, dumbfounded.

“Mhm,” Kiri grunts, “I wonder what’s gotten into him?”  

~~~

The party has just begun. The Sully’s are surrounded by various clan members, all of them greet Jake happily. Neteyam stands rigid, more tense than usual, as he talks with various people. Lo’ak stands off to the side chatting with Tuk and occasionally making eye contact with me.

I stand on the outskirts of the celebration, waiting for Lo’ak and observing. The drums are in full motion, beating rhythmically as various couples dance around a fire. Food and drink are being distributed throughout the clan. Conversation and smolders of laughter fill the space. I love celebrations at Hometree, they remind me of how much I love my clan. 

Lo’ak begins to move through the crowd and comes towards me. His hair is pulled back, highlighting the arch of his cheekbone. Excitement pools in my gut, making my insides tingle. 

In front of me, a little girl settles in beside her mother as they share their meal. It feels like someone punched me. Tears suddenly coat my eyes. I look away, there’s no use in wishing my mom was here when she isn’t. 

“I really hope Tuk goes easy on the sweets or my mom is gonna be pissed,” Lo’ak says with a chuckle as he joins me. I blink a few times, forcing the tears and memories away. Lo’ak’s chuckle fades away as he catches my expression. “You okay?”

“Yea,” I say before smiling at him, “I’m great.” 

He raises an eyebrow. “You sure?” I nod and try not to watch the little girl wrap her arms around her mom. “What are you thinking about?”

I pause. Neteyam’s face instantly comes to mind. He’d know right away that I was thinking of my mom. He’d see the little girl in front of me and just know. The way he always just knows. I sigh causing Lo’ak to tensen. 

“It’s nothing,” I quickly say and squeeze Lo’ak’s shoulder, “I’m fine, really.”

Lo’ak relaxes at my words before extending his hand. His five fingers stare up at me. He grins. “So, you wanna dance or what?” 

I shove Neteyam out of my mind. Lo’ak is the one who asked me out. Lo’ak is the one I almost kissed. I smile and place my hand in his. He wraps his fingers around me, warmth spreading through my palm, as he leads me towards the fire. 

My hand fits easily in his. He pulls me through the crowd with his head held high like he’s proud to be seen with me. And people are definitely looking. Various clan members eye us curiously before whispering to one another and pointing at our conjoined hands. I usually don’t like attention but something about being seen with Lo’ak makes me feel good; it feels right. 

A grin is plastered on my lips as we reach the fire. The heat of the flames greet us as Lo’ak turns to me. “Try and keep up.”

I scoff playfully. “Excuse me?”

“What?” Lo’ak smirks. “I am the best dancer here.”

I smack his arm and shake my head. “You are a cocky asshole, you know that?”

Lo’ak leans towards me until his lips are right by my ear. “And you like it.” His hot breath hits my neck, sending shivers down my body. 

Heat rushes to my face as he pulls back, a smirk still spread on his face. He watches me for a moment, his eyes full of amusement before we both begin to laugh. His laugh is so pure, it chimes in my ears like an angel's song. I hadn’t realized how much I liked his laugh. There’s so much I hadn’t realized about him. 

I’m watching him laugh, the way his eyes crinkle, when I notice a figure moving behind him. Neteyam. He’s standing on the outskirts of the celebration, his eyes locked on Lo’ak and I. I’ve never seen him look so… I don’t even know. His eyes are dark, his lips are in a flat line, his ears turned back. I’ve never seen that expression on his face before. It fills me with nerves and I quickly look away before he notices me watching him. 

“You know the moves?” Lo’ak asks, bringing me out of my stupor. I nod my head and he lets go of my hands. The drums shift gear into a new song and we dance. We dance in circles around each other, sometimes swinging, or skipping, and other times slowing down and coming closer. He puts his hands on my waist and I slip my fingers around his neck. We dance for hours, even as the music changes and couples leave and return, we stay close to the fire, moving our bodies in perfect harmony. 

His eyes are a brilliant shade of yellow and they only grow brighter as he watches me. We meet each other with smiles and giggles as our hands and bodies touch. Lo’ak wasn’t lying, he is a good dancer, but I happen to be one too. We glide effortlessly together. People definitely watch us, I even caught a few clan members whispering about how good we look together. I also caught Neteyam watching, Jake had come up to him and was pointing at Lo’ak and I. Neteyam had shook his head, his tail flicking behind him. 

Now, the drums are beginning to slow and my feet are tired. Lo’ak pulls me off the dancefloor, his fingers intertwined with mine. He walks to the outskirts of the party and grabs me a drink. I take it and down it in a moment. 

“Thank you.” My voice sounds exhilarated. “That was really fun.” 

He smiles, a genuine one that reaches all the way to his eyes. “Told you I was a good dancer.”

I roll my eyes again as a smile fights its way onto my lips. Jake and Neytiri are talking with Kiri on the other side of the space. Where is Neteyam? I scan the crowd for him but I don’t see his familiar braids. 

“So,” Lo’ak says, “I wanted to talk to you.”

His serious face from earlier pops into my mind. My heart begins to pound. Uneasiness spreads through me and I’m not entirely sure why.

Lo’ak waits a moment for me to respond, and when I don’t, he continues, “I’ve always thought you’re pretty and kind and brave.” 

Now, my heart is banging so hard in my chest I’m scared he’ll be able to hear it. I smile at his words but I’m also terrified of them.

“And after yesterday,” he takes a deep breath, “I can’t deny it anymore.”

I can feel my eyes widen as he looks at me in earnest. He grabs my hand and squeezes it, his fingers caressing my skin. I swallow. 

“I like you. I have for a while,” Lo’ak says confidently. There’s no fear or doubt in his voice. No one has ever said that to me before. I’m suddenly lightheaded. I stare at him, unable to form words. His smile twitches, like he’s growing slightly nervous. Then it hits me like a tidal wave. Lo’ak, laying his heart out for me. Lo’ak making me laugh. Lo’ak with his yellow eyes and deep stare. How could I not have seen it earlier?

I exhale deeply and squeeze his hands back. “I like you too.” 

Lo’ak’s face beams, happiness seems to shoot out of every part of his being: his ears perk up, his eyebrows arch, and his mouth parts. He shakes his head slightly like he can’t believe it. He brings his hand up and cups the side of my face. My hands begin to shake with nervousness and excitement. He leans into me as my lips begin to part. My first kiss…

“Lo’ak!” Jake’s voice cracks through the air. We both tensen, his mouth just inches from mine. “There’s someone I want you to talk to,” Jake hollers again from in the crowd. 

Lo’ak curses under his breath and let go of my cheek slowly like it’s torture. No, no, no. My body screams in his absence as he takes a step back. He tilts his head to the side. “To be continued.”

I can’t help the stupid grin smeared on my face. He winks at me before turning and heading into the crowd. 

I stand completely frozen, my palms clammy, my heart pounding, and my cheeks sore from smiling. I run a hand through my hair, sweaty from dancing. I suddenly feel hot. Really hot. I need to get some air.  

I slip through the crowd and into the night, letting the cool air surround me. Hometree glows warmly from behind me as I walk further into the forest. I inhale deeply, smelling the familiar pine and fresh air. A prolemuris chitters happily as it swings from a nearby tree. I love the forest, especially at night, when all the plants and flowers are glowing under the moons. It’s a perfect night, absolutely perfect…

“What are you smiling about?” Neteyam’s voice cuts through my thoughts. I flinch at his tone and turn around to see him leaning against a tree. He’s taken off his celebration cloths and his braids hang loosely around his face.

My smile slips off my face. “What’s going on with you?”

 “What do you mean?”

I cock my head to the side as if to say, seriously? “We’re best friends. I know something is bothering you.”

Neteyam’s eyes narrow. “What makes you think that?”

“You snapped at me earlier and you ditched the celebration,” I say as I motion to his clothing. He nods slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. There’s a glint in them, one I don’t recognize but it makes my body feel like it’s on fire. He doesn’t speak, he just keeps staring at me. I put my hands on my hips. “You don’t have anything to say?” 

He pushes his toned body off the tree and walks briskly towards me, his ears twitching against his head. “Oh,” he says breathlessly, “I have plenty of things to say.” 

“So say them!” I retort, a sudden wave of anger washing over me. 

“You know what,” he looks up before shaking his head, “it doesn’t even matter now.” 

He takes another step, his entire body is rigid like he’s bottling up so much fury he can’t handle it. He moves to pass me, heat radiating from him, when I grab his shoulder. His eyes widen at the strength of my grip. 

“Tell me,” I say hotly. I can feel the scowl on my face and flick of my tail. I don’t even know why I’m so angry but everytime I see Neteyam’s face, it fills me with so many emotions I think I’m going to drown in them. 

He pauses, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He stares into my eyes. “You shouldn’t be with Lo’ak.” 

“You don’t get to say that!” I yell at him. Tears prick at my eyes as I shake my head. 

He turns so he’s directly facing me. He places his hands on my shoulders like he wants to shake me. “Why not?” His grip on me tightens as his lips turn downwards. “He’s my brother and your—”

“I’m what?” I scream, rage taking hold of my entire being. “Your friend? Your best friend?”

“You’re mine!” He yells back at me. 

I blanch. All the fury in me dissipates. The animals in the trees go silent. Neteyam breathes heavily in front of me. 

“Neteyam,” I whisper, feeling suddenly exhausted, “why are you saying this?”

He exhales sharply like he’s also letting all his anger out. His hands move from my shoulders up to my face, they cup my cheeks gently. He lifts his fingers so that my eyes meet his. “I didn’t realize it until tonight,” he says softly, “I know you might not feel the same but I had to tell you.”

I scoff lightly. How could he not know? He tilts his head to the side, confused by my reaction. I look down before meeting his gaze again. “Neteyam, I’ve been yours for so long.” Neteyam’s hands tighten around my face and his eyes brighten. I bite my lip before continuing, “but things are complicated.” 

He sucks in a breath of air before leaning his forehead on mine. “So let me uncomplicate them.” 

My heart skips a beat at his voice: husky and deep. His fingers trace circles along my cheeks, making me melt in his palms. His bends down towards me, his familiar sculpted face, inching closer to my lips. I should push him away but I don’t want to. My entire life, I’ve wanted my first kiss to be with Neteyam. The boy who knows everything about me and still wants me. I tilt my head, giving him easier access to my lips. He smiles at the movement before our lips brush against each other.

He kisses me gently and holds the sides of my face like I’m precious. I soften against him, letting his strong arms hold me as we kiss. His lips move perfectly against mine, sending tingles through my body. I tangle my hands in his hair as he wraps his long fingers around my waist. It’s everything I've ever wanted my first kiss to be. 

He pulls me closer, our lips staying firmly together. I run my hands from his hair to his chest, feeling his strong muscles. He groans slightly and kisses me harder. Warmth and desire spreads through my body as all my worries wash away. All that matters is Neteyam’s lips on mine. 

He opens his mouth to deepen the kiss, his fingers gripping me tightly. I smile against his lips when a familiar voice cuts through the air. “Y/n?” 

We jump apart, breaking our kiss instantly, and whip around. Lo’ak stands between two trees, his hand hovers in front of him like he’s frozen in shock. Flowers lay crumpled on the ground in front of him. My heart clenches; he brought me flowers. He begins to shake his head, disbelief filling his eyes. 

~~~

Growing up, my mom always told me to follow my heart. She said that as long as I listened closely; it’d never lead me astray. She never told me what to do if my heart wants two different things. She never told me what to do if my heart splinters in half. And now, she’s gone and I’ll have to figure it out on my own. 

~~~

Thank you for reading!

This was requested by @victoriuss

 As if reading my thoughts, he turns back and raises his eyebrows at me. “What?”

“Nothing.” I shrug innocently. “I just can’t believe they chose you.” 

“Yea well, join the club. I think Norm is the president of it.” He flicks his braid behind him and picks up his pace. I laugh before almost stumbling over a thick root. I’m still getting used to my avatar body and my large boots only make it harder. 

“You know, it’d be easier if you ditched the Earth clothes,” Jake says without turning around. I’m about to sass him when I snap my mouth shut. Jake worked hard to convince Neytiri to consider training me; I owe him one. 

We move quickly, Jake making his way easily through the terrain as I stagger behind him. Pandora’s forest glistens above me. Animal’s I’d only ever studied, jump from branch to branch, making foreign sounds. Flowers that glow and twirl, sprout from around my feet. I want to sit and take samples, Grace would love that. But Jake wouldn’t stop, not for that.

“And,” Jake begins, breaking the silence that had settled between us,“please be respectful. Respect is big to the Omatikaya.” 

Seriously? It’s like Jake forgets that I’m that one who actually trained to come to Pandora. I raise my hands up in a sarcastic surrender. “I’ll be so respectful. I learned from you, big bro.” 

Jake narrows his eyes. “Don’t be a smartass.” 

“Well, I am the smart one.”

Jake scoffs. A colorful prolemuris chitters innocently as it hangs from a nearby branch. I raise an eyebrow at my brother. He opens his mouth to say something when a blue figure falls elegantly through the trees. 

I recognize Neytiri instantly as she lands in a crouch, her eyes wide. I freeze, full of shock that she just jumped from so high. Jake smirks at the surprised look on my face. I suppress the urge to stick my tongue out at him. Neytiri slowly stands and takes a step towards me. Her eyes rake over my body, taking in my five fingers, long hair, and eyebrows. She takes another step closer and sniffs before grimacing slightly as if I smell. I pull my arms closer to my sides. 

“One smartass is enough,” she mumbles as she inspects my sky people clothes. She walks behind me and flicks my tail. 

I jump before turning to her. “Trust me, I am actually worth it.” 

Neytiri’s eyes shoot to my face, making eye contact with me for the first time. I smile at her, trying my best to seem friendly, which is not my strong suit. She tilts her head to the side. “You speak Na’vi?”

“Yes, I studied it before coming here.” 

“So you are not a warrior, like Jake?”

Jake tenses at the recognition of his name. “Hey, English please?”

Neytiri doesn’t react to his plea, her stony eyes remain on me. Jake looks at me, his ears laying irritatedly against his head.  

I could lie to Neytiri, tell her that I’ve never been a warrior and never had any training, that I am simply a scientist. But my insides twist at the thought. Something in the way Neytiri is studying me, I know if I lie, she’d see right through me. 

“I was a warrior,” I say, the words bitter in my mouth, “But now I’m a scientist.” 

The sudden silence is deafening, it’s like the forest is holding its breath, waiting for Neytiri’s response. She continues to stare, her thoughtful yellow eyes lingering on my chest, as if she sees my anxious breath. Then, she straightens herself and looks at Jake. “I will teach your sister and you.” 

His shoulders relax. “Thank you.” 

“Thank you,” I repeat. 

She raises her head. “Come.” 

~~~

Na’vi clothes are not clothes. They’re thongs and bras trapezing around as if they are clothes. I stare in a dusty mirror, my blue body with hardly any covering stares back. I groan.

Neytiri had walked me through some side entrance of Hometree, claiming that my sky people clothes would not be welcome here. We’d walked up an outerspiral of the tree. Small fires lit the way as we ran on the smooth bark until we came to a miniature alcove. She’d given me some loincloths before ordering me to change and leaving. 

Now, I try again to arrange the cloths over my parts. I yank at the string covering my butt. The material flaps uselessly before falling down again, covering nothing. What I’d do for some shorts…  

Neytiri rounds the corner as I have one finger up my ass trying to shove the material further over. 

“Argh!” She exclaims as she rushes over and swats my hand away. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t think these clothes fit.” 

Neytiri’s eyes go flat and she looks at me like I’m an idiot. “They fit.” 

I’m about to protest when she pushes me out of the alcove. I stumble slightly, before my bare feet find their balance on the downward spiral. Hometree is massive, the inner spirals are a confusing maze, one that intrigues me. The inner layout isn’t in any textbook. I would be more than ecstatic if I didn’t feel so naked. Neytiri walks in front of me. Her shoulders are loose but I can sense her peeking at me from the corner of her eye. 

“The clan is gathered for dinner. Jake is already there,” Neytiri explains as we reach the ground level of Hometree. The entire floor is covered with Omatikaya, warriors, healers, and families. Young children run past us, their tails flying behind them as they call after each other. The roar of conversation fills the space as people settle on the ground to eat.  

Neytiri keeps walking, accustomed to the beauty of her clan. I follow her, taking in every detail of my surroundings. The beaded headwear certain men wear, a game with marbles that children are playing, and the soft beat of drums. Clan members stare openly at me. Some of them are curious, their ears perked up; but most of them glare at me. 

“Demon,” a man hisses as I pass. I jolt at the fierceness of his voice. Neytiri grabs my shoulder and forces me forward before I have a chance to respond.

Jake sits criss crossed with his back against the far wall, a small distance away from any other clan members. His face brightens when he sees us. The closer we get, he begins to grin. Once we’re right in front of him, his head hits the back of the tree as he lets out a laugh. 

“Don’t say a single word,” I spit at him. He’s not gonna be able to help himself, he’s just going to have to make fun of—

“God, that’s worse than your bikini’s on Earth,” he manages to say between spurts of laughter. Neytiri looks cluelessly at us. 

“I will kill you,” I say calmly. 

Neytiri’s head cocks to the side as if that thought intrigued her. Jake stops laughing and puts his hands up in fake surrender. I roll my eyes and sit down beside him. 

“Wait for the clan to get their food, then you may have some,” Neytiri states before turning and working her way through the crowd. 

Jake and I don’t talk in her absence. Our relationship is used to silence. There was a time, when we both trained for the Marines, where we talked about deeper things. Then everything happened, and I had to leave, and Jake and I grew apart. I try not to think about that year. If I ignore it long enough, it’ll be like it never even happened. 

When I left the army, I joined Tom for avatar training and prepared to leave for Pandora. Seeing Jake in Tom’s avatar is like a knife being constantly twisted into my gut, digging deeper and deeper. I take a deep breath. I don’t want to think about Tom or life back on Earth; I came to Pandora to get away from it all. 

A large fire burns in the middle of the floor where Na’vi fill their plates. Laughter and conversation infuses the space, giving it a pleasant ambience. Growing up here, having a community like this, must be so nice. They don’t even know how good they have it. If only we humans could understand. Neytiri appears in the crowd and works her way over to us, three plates balancing in her hand. 

Jake’s eyebrows raise. “Think she brought us some?”

My stomach growls. I didn’t even know my avatar could do that. “I hope so.” 

Neytiri stops in front of us, an annoyed expression on her face. I’m starting to think that’s just how she always looks. “I brought your dinner. Best you stay further away from the clan.”

“Right,” Jake says as he reaches for the plate, “thank you.” 

I take my plate from her, “thanks.” 

Neytiri settles in across from us, her eyes lingering on her clan members. She’s probably wishing she could eat with them instead of us. I push the thought away and dig into my food. It’s some kind of meat, probably sturmbeest, and a selection of sweet fruit. I take a bite and instantly melt, flavors bursting on my tongue. “This is good.”

Neytiri ignores me and eats her own food. Jake nudges me with his shoulder, telling me he thinks it’s good too. I relax a little, suddenly grateful for him. 

“Neytiri,” he begins, “will we be hunting tomorrow?”

I chase a small piece of fruit around my plate, it sprays pink juice all over my fingers. 

“Yes,” Neytiri answers curtly. 

“You’ve brought another?” A foreign voice says. I snap my head up to find a Na’vi man standing before us. His muscular chest is covered in a beaded piece that crawls up his neck. He glares venomously at me, the hatred in his gaze sends chills down my spine. I narrow my eyes on him. I know who he is, I’ve seen his pictures in my textbooks. It’s Tsu’tey. 

Neytiri hisses. “Not now, Tsu’tey.” 

“They will never be one of us,” He says, his eyes boring into mine. He tilts his head slowly as he looks me over, he lingers on where my five fingers are stained with juice from the fruit. He chuckles and shakes his head incredulously. “Especially not the new one.” 

Heat rushes to my cheeks. I’m rarely embarrassed or offended by other people, but something about Tsu’tey sets me off. His words nestle under my skin. I open my mouth to snap at him when Jake places his hand on my forearm, as if he can feel the anger rising off of me.

‘Tsu’tey,” Jake mutters, “always a pleasure.”

Tsu’tey’s lip curls with distaste as he looks at Jake. His entire presence is dangerous and lethal, he doesn’t even need to speak. I rub the side of the loincloth. Neytiri rolls her eyes at him. “Go on.” 

“Don’t waste your time,” Tsu’tey whispers to Neytiri, just loud enough so I can hear, “that new one can’t even sit still in her clothing.” 

Neytiri giggles, making my blood boil. Tsu’tey looks smug as he leans back. My vision darkens. 

“I could sit still on your throat until you run out of breath,” I say with deadly calm. 

Neytiri gasps as shock registers on Tsu'tey’s face, his mouth dropping open. Clearly he didn’t think I spoke Na’vi. Pretentious asshole. Jake looks confused between us all. “What’s–”

“I could have your life for that,” Tsu’tey interrupts Jake, seethingly. His eyes look like they’ve been set on fire. They’re practically ablaze as he stares into me, his hands shaking furiously at his side. 

“Calm down, Tsu’tey,” Neytiri says before eyeing me cautiously, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. “People are noticing…” 

Tsu’tey inhales sharply. Multiple clan members stare at us, alarm and curiosity coating their features. Tsu’tey steps back slowly, his eyes assessing the sudden attention were receiving. He sets his strong jaw, the movement highlights the high arch of his cheekbone. 

“I’ll be seeing you, alien,” he mutters through clenched teeth. I fight the urge to flick him off as he turns away. 

The clan members go back to their own conversations and my heart rate returns to normal. Jake blows out a breath of air. “What the hell was that?”

Tsu’tey’s blue backside glitters as he passes by the firelight. Multiple people greet him as he passes, he gives them each a tense and strained nod. He is a seriously stressed out guy…

“Your sister,” Neytiri begins, “she is interesting.” 

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Neytiri’s eyes are crinkled as she looks at me, like she’s seeing something in me that she hadn’t seen before. 

Jake laughs. “That’s one word for it.” 

I smack him playfully. Neytiri smiles at the gesture, now observing my brother and I. After a moment, she goes back to her food. Jake begins asking her about our training plans tomorrow.

Tsu’tey is now standing with a group of men on the other side of the fire, the light washes over his chiseled arms. They talk animatedly, smacking each other’s back and laughing. What are they talking about? I cock my head to the side, watching how Tsu’tey fixes his chest piece and listens to his friends. I wonder if he’s an asshole to them too or if that’s just reserved for special cases. 

He nods to one of his friends, his beaded hair flicks across his ears before he turns. His eyes lock with mine from across the fire. I flinch at the sudden contact. His eyes darken, making my stomach drop. I quickly look away and pretend to be a part of Jake and Neytiri’s conversation. I can feel the weight of his stare, it pierces me, like he’s tearing me apart with just his eyes. My breathing quickens and I try to focus on the conversation in front of me but I can’t process anything. Tsu’tey’s raging face keeps popping into my mind. 

After a few moments, I finally get myself under control. He’s just some asshole, I can’t be this bothered by some guy being rude. I risk glancing back to where he stood across the fire. He’s gone. I let out a relieved sigh, but something still curls in my stomach. That won’t be the last I see of Tsu’tey.

Part 2

Hi beautiful, thanks for reading!

I haven't seen anyone writing about Tsu'tey so hopefully someone wants to read this??? Idk, I just really love the idea of enemies to lovers and Jake being like bro what

I want to make this into multiple parts and make it a slow burn with tension and everything. Would anyone want that?

Kiri sighs and walks over to her brother. A year ago, she would never have done this, but after Neteyam… Her and Lo’ak have grown closer, both of them need each other. She places her hand on his shoulder. “Lo’ak…”

“No!” He pushes her hand off. “You don’t get it.” 

Kiri scoffs. “Oh right, poor misunderstood Lo’ak!”

A growl mumbles in Lo’ak’s chest. Kiri looks at him a moment, noticing the stress lines on his blue face. She shoves him lightly on the shoulder. “Seriously?” Kiri asks, a small smile growing on her face. “Growling?”

They stare at each other for a moment before Lo’ak shakes his head, a whisper of a smile on his lips. “Sorry,” he mumbles. 

“Why won’t you tell her how you feel?” Kiri asks, her yellow eyes peering thoughtfully at him.  

He inhales slowly before looking at his sister. “I’ve already lost a lot,” he begins. Kiri flinches slightly, Neteyam’s face flashing in her mind. Lo’ak hangs his head. “I can’t lose her too.”  

Lo’ak’s heart sinks as he speaks. He’s damaged, too damaged for the chief's daughter. And even if he wasn’t… How could he possibly tell her that he likes her? 

Kiri cocks her head to the side. She knows how her brother feels, how he blames himself. “You can’t punish yourself, Lo’ak.”

“I’m not,” he replies sharply. 

“Then don’t be a wuss.” 

Lo’ak’s head snaps up. A playful smile hangs on Kiri’s lips. “Neteyam would definitely tell you-”

“That Sully’s aren’t afraid of anything?” Lo’ak says, finishing her sentence. He smiles, unable to stop himself. His brother’s voice echoes in his mind as if he were right next to him. Lo’ak sighs, feeling that familiar heavy weight in his chest. 

A sadness passes over Kiri’s features as she watches Lo’ak. Suddenly she reaches out and pinches him. “Go!” She yells. He jumps at the sudden pain and the loudness of her voice. “Hey! Skxawng!” He rubs his arm dramatically. 

Kiri laughs at Lo’ak’s outraged expression. He’s the master of jokes but can never take them. She grabs her brother’s shoulders and pushes him out the archway. Lo’ak stumbles over his feet before steadying himself. 

Kiri leans against the pod. “Tell her!” She flicks her hands at him as if to say, run along. Lo’ak brings his hand out, curls his fist together and sticks out his middle finger. Kiri fake gasps and sticks her tongue out at him as he walks off.

~~~

Tonowari and Tsireya are sitting in their pod discussing the tides. Lo’ak hears them clearly from where he paces nervously beside the archway. A few clan members glance curiously at him as they pass by. Get a grip, he tells himself. He’s usually never nervous around Tsireya; if anything she makes him calm and fills him with a kind of peace that he never knew he could feel. Lo’ak smacks his cheeks lightly before shaking his head. Alright, he thinks, here we go.

He knocks on the pod before revealing himself in the doorway. Tonowari looks up, his tattoos dark against his skin. Lo’ak breathes out a sigh of relief to find that Ronal isn’t there. 

“Hey,” Lo’ak says. 

Tsireya turns around at the sound of his voice, excitement sparking in her. Her eyes brighten as a wide smile spreads across her face. “Hi, Lo’ak,” she says. 

He stares at her. Her dark hair curls around the sides of her face as her blue eyes glisten. Lo’ak thought that one day he would get used to her beauty, but he never has. Everytime he sees her it’s like someone kicked him in the gut. 

She tilts her head to the side. “Lo’ak?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to go for a swim,” he says quickly. 

“Yes!” Tsireya replies before turning to her father. “Is that alright?” 

Tonowari nods, a small smirk on his lips as he notices how Lo’ak looks at his daughter. “Be back before dark.” 

Lo’ak’s heart quickens and his hands feel sweaty. They're just hanging out, same as they always do, he tells himself. Tsireya walks out of the pod, her loincloth swaying against the sides of her body. Lo’ak swallows. 

She turns back to him. “Come on!”

Lo’ak snaps out of his stupor as Tsireya dives off the side of the village and into the water. He’s at the edge when Tsireya breaks the surface. They look at each other for a moment before she pulls her hand back and begins splashing him. Water flies over the edge of the village and soaks Lo’ak. Tsireya laughs, her giggles floating through the air like music to his ears. 

He shakes his head, causing water droplets to fly everywhere before turning to Tsireya. She smiles sweetly at him like she didn’t just splash him. This girl, he thinks before running and jumping into the water. Right before he lands, he pulls his knees up and hits the water beside Tsireya with a huge splash. 

He breaks the surface with a cocky grin on his face. The expression makes Tsireya’s heart melt. She’d do anything to keep that boy smiling. She laughs before wiping water droplets from her face. “Nice splash.”

Lo’ak smirks. “10 out of 10?”

“9 out of 10.” 

“9?” Lo’ak asks incredulously as he swims closer to her. 

Her ears perk up at the sight of Lo’ak coming towards her. “A 9 is a perfectly good score.” 

Lo’ak is inches from her, they float in the water, staring at each other. A wave of confidence washes over him as Tsireya’s heart starts to pound. Lo’ak reaches his hand from under the water and places it on her waist. She jolts at the contact but doesn’t move away. Lo’ak slowly splays his fingers across her side. 

“And how do I get a 1o?” He asks.

Tsireya can hardly process what he’s saying. His fingers are warm against her skin, they flutter lightly on her like she’s a precious delicacy. His yellow eyes peer lazily at her, with that confidence she adores. Her throat tightens. Lo’ak and her have been through so much together and they have only grown closer. Her heart longs for him in a way she has never felt before. 

Lo’ak studies her face. The things he would do for her… Kiri’s words echo in his mind. Tell her. “Tsireya,” he whispers. 

Their eyes meet, sending sparks through both of them. Lo’ak’s breath is shaky as he opens his mouth then shuts it again. He looks nervous, maybe even scared. Tsireya freezes. Scared? Why would he be scared?

“Look, I want to tell…” 

Tsireya’s heart slams against her chest out of fear. She can’t lose Lo’ak. She has no idea what he is about to say but the look for uncertainty on his face frightens her.

Lo’ak takes a deep breath, readying himself to tell her exactly how he feels. “Tsireya, I-”

“Look there’s Ao’nung!” Tsireya points at the beach, relieved to have found an excuse to stop Lo’ak from finishing. Ao’nung’s figure stands beside Rotxo as they run along the shore.  

Lo’ak’s eyes widen in surprise at being interrupted by her. “Wait,” he begins but Tsireya dives beneath the waves and swims towards the beach. Lo’ak’s shoulders sag. This might be even harder than he thought… 

He dives beneath the ocean. Tsireya swims further ahead, her body gliding easily through the water. Nerves bubble in Lo’ak’s stomach. Did she interrupt him on purpose? What if she knew what he was going to say and freaked?

He swims after her, passing by various clan members who are out fishing. Maybe he imagined the look in her eyes just moments earlier? Argh, this is impossible. Lo’ak wishes his big brother were here to help him. 

Tsireya is a fast swimmer, much faster than Lo’ak despite him being here for over a year. He reaches shallow water and walks out of the ocean. Tsireya is already sitting in the sand chatting with her brother and Rotxo. The palm trees sway in the sweet ocean breeze as Lo’ak joins them. He forces all of his nervous thoughts out as he sits down. 

“Hey, forest freak,” Ao’nung says with a playful smile on his face. 

“What’s up fish lips?” Lo’ak responds jokingly, making Tsireya roll her eyes. But Lo’ak doesn’t notice how her cheeks heat up. Fish lips? She thinks, is that what he thinks of her lips? She looks away from the boys and watches the horizon as worries muddle her mind. 

“Whatcha been up to?” Rotxo asks, his fingers messing with the sand. 

“We were out swimming,” Lo’ak says. Tsireya wrings out her wet hair, sending water droplets down her back as she continues to look at the ocean. Lo’ak tries not to stare.

“Ah,” Ao’nung says and smirks smugly at Lo’ak. He knows how Lo’ak feels about his sister, and he loves nothing more than to tease him. “What kind of swim?” Ao’nung wiggles his eyebrows. 

Lo’ak widens his eyes and cocks his head to the side, mentally telling Ao’nung to shut up. Ao’nung laughs.

“Tsireya,” Rotxo begins. “Someone asked me about you.”

Tsireya turns towards Rotxo, snapping out her worries. “Who?”

“Rullon,” Rotxo says as he leans back on his elbows. Lo’ak’s stomach drops. 

“Rullon? The amazing hunter Rullon?” Ao’nung asks incredulously. “What does he want with my sister?” Tsireya shoves her brother lightly. He looks at her and shrugs. 

“He said she’s very pretty,” Rotxo says. “And very kind.”

Tsireya blushes. Lo’ak’s eyes harden. Does she know this guy? He starts to chew on his bottom lip. Pretty and kind? Lo’ak could think of a million better ways to describe how extraordinary Tsireya is… 

“Well… that was nice of him,” Tsireya mumbles, suddenly embarrassed and unsure of what to say. 

“He wanted me to see what you think of him.” 

Tsireya didn’t say anything. Rullon is a fine hunter, he plays with the children, and makes sturdy weapons. She’s seen him around but they’ve never spoken. She’s never thought much about him, the only guy who's ever caught her eye is Lo’ak. She shrugs slightly, feeling the weight of all the boy’s stares. “I don’t know.”

She doesn’t know? Lo’ak thought bitterly. He hadn’t even heard of this other guy but he hated him. And Lo’ak was sure that he was a better hunter than this Rullon. Lo’ak tenses his jaw angrily. 

“He wants to take you on a date,” Rotxo says, oblivious to Lo’ak’s turmoil. 

“The amazing hunter, Rullon wants to take my sister on a date?” Exclaims Ao’nung. Tsireya lets out an annoyed sigh. “You gotta go!” Ao’nung says to her as he places his hands on her shoulders. “Please, sister go!” Tsireya brushes his hands off of her. 

Lo’ak is livid. His ears are flat against his skull, his tail flicks behind him, and his eyes are narrowed at Ao’nung. Ao’nung sits back in the sand and looks at Lo’ak. His eyes widen as he remembers Lo’ak’s feelings towards his sister. He smiles sheepishly. “But like… Rullon isn’t that great.” 

“What?” Rotxo bursts out. “You think he’s the grea-”

Ao’nung smacks Rotxo on the back and he instantly stops talking. Lo’ak’s chest rises and falls heavily. Tsireya observes the boys with a confused look on her face. 

“I mean,” she begins and looks at Lo’ak. She notices the furious lines around his mouth and the way his eyes are drawn together. Is he… is he jealous? Her stomach flutters. He doesn’t look at her as she continues to talk, “I’m not sure Rullon is the one for me.” 

Lo’ak stiffens. What is that supposed to mean? He sneaks a look at Tsireya to find her already peering at him. Her sweet eyes, open and curious, a small smile on her lips. Something stirs from deep within him, a primal feeling; he would do anything for her, he’d tear the entire world apart if she asked him to with that smile of hers. 

“Is that a no then?” Rotxo asks.

 Tsireya doesn’t respond and keeps looking at Lo’ak. He swallows slowly. Ao’nung grabs Rotxo’s shoulder. “Let’s go, man.”

Rotxo looks up in surprise. “But-” Ao’nung smacks him again. “Okay! Fine!” Rotxo climbs to his feet and follows Ao’nung down the beach and towards the village. Ao’nung glances back, seeing his sister and Lo’ak sitting closer together like they’d moved towards each other without realizing. It warms his heart to see his sister happy; there has been too much bad lately, they could all use a little good. 

Tsireya and Lo’ak hardly notice as the boys leave. Tsireya’s mind is racing. She can feel the heat from Lo’ak’s body on her skin. Was he really jealous? 

Lo’ak studies her eyes, his favorite part of her. The windows to a kind and pure soul. He doesn’t deserve her, he thinks. In fact, he doesn’t think anyone in this entire world could possibly deserve someone as great as her. 

“Lo’ak,” she says softly. Her heart pounding in her chest. Their connection seems to glow before them, neither of them able to deny it. The sky is growing darker, preparing for night. A few village members swim toward the maruis pods with their nets full of fish. Tsireya and Lo’ak don’t have long until they too must return home. 

Lo’ak jumps to his feet and reaches his hand out to Tsireya. She looks up in surprise and takes his hand without question. “Come on,” Lo’ak whispers before taking off into the trees, Tsireya running behind him. 

Their hands fit easily together. His five fingers rub cautiously against the sides of Tsireya’s four. Normally, Lo’ak hates to bring attention to his strange hands. His demon hands. But with Tsireya, it’s different. He knows she would never judge him. He squeezes her hand tightly as they run through the palm trees. 

Excitement, nervousness, and an unknown feeling boils in Lo’ak’s gut. She’s holding his hand, following after him. It warms his heart and spreads through his whole body. He’s gonna tell her. He’s gonna be a Sully and just say it. 

Tsireya has been waiting for this moment for so long. She can’t get over how natural it feels to hold Lo’ak’s hand. She adores his unique hands, proof of how special he is. There really is no one else like him… 

Once the sand turns into grass, Lo’ak stops. Breathless, he turns to face Tsireya. She’s looking up at the treetops, a smile on her face. It’s dark now, they should both be home but neither of them care. Lo’ak closes his eyes, smelling the trees and hearing the soft whistle of their leaves. 

Tsireya looks at his peaceful face. “Does it remind you of home?”

Lo’ak opens his eyes. Tsireya looks so beautiful under the moonlight and surrounded by the green palm trees. “Sometimes, I come out here and pretend I’m in the forest.” 

Lo’ak snaps his mouth shut. He didn’t think he’d admit that until the words just spilled out. He felt so safe around Tsireya, like he really could tell her anything. 

Her smile falters. “Do you wish you could go back?”

Lo’ak misses the tall trees, the ikrans, and the way the forest greeted him. But he always felt like an outcast. He takes a step towards Tsireya, his eyes never leaving hers. “Maybe, one day,” he says. Tsireya tries to hide her disappointment as he continues, “but I’d want someone to come with me.” 

Tsireya’s eyes light up and she takes a step towards him. “Really?”

“Someone who makes me feel like I belong.” 

Tsireya’s heart skips a beat as Lo’ak reaches out and tucks a strand of her behind her ear. His skin barely grazes hers but it sends shocks through her whole body. 

“Someone who looks at me and sees me, not an outcast or son of Toruk Makto, but me.” Lo’ak stares into her eyes. The girl whose heart has captured his. 

She slowly smiles at him. “And who would that be?”

“You,” he says. He grabs both her hands and holds them in his. “It’s always been you, Tsireya.” 

Her breath catches in her throat. She’s wanted to hear him say that for months. She’s suddenly light-headed. Lo’ak’s hands caress hers as he peers at her with an open expression. She wants to tell him she cares so much about him, that she wants to show him everything, and experience everything with him. Her mind fills with so many thoughts that she can’t voice a single one. 

Lo’ak waits for her to respond. He’d done it. He’d told her. Instead of feeling relief or happiness— he’s terrified. She’s not saying anything. She’s staring at him with a look in her eyes that he’s never seen before. It’s deep and electrifying; her eyes alone set his soul on fire. But why hasn’t she said anything? He lets go of her hands.

“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way.” Lo’ak scratches his head anxiously. “I just really value you and…” His cheeks heat up as embarrassment washes over him. “I don’t want my feelings to get in the way of our friendship.” Lo’ak bounces from one foot to the other. “So it’s fine if you just want to be friends.” He stops moving and faces her, trying to get a grip on his nerves. “I just can’t lose you and I had to tell you.” 

Tsireya’s mouth falls open. Does he really not know? This stupid, stupid boy. She begins to shake her head incredulously. 

“Argh!” Lo’ak groans. “I’m sorry I said anything, really—” 

Tsireya takes one step towards him, grabs his shoulders, and pulls his lips onto hers. His eyes widen in surprise as her lips brush against his. Lo’ak’s heart is about to burst with happiness and relief. He leans into her embrace, smiling as they kiss. He places his shaking hand lightly against her face and kisses her slowly, memorizing the feel of her soft mouth on his. His beautiful girl. 

All Tsireya knew is that she wanted Lo’ak to stop talking. And she also wanted to kiss him. Now, his lips touch hers so gently and lovingly, like’s telling her soul that he adores her. She kisses him back with the same energy. Her hands find their way to chest and she lightly touches him. 

Tsireya pulls back from their kiss, grinning so wide that her cheeks feel sore. Lo’ak’s eyes brighten at the smile on her face. He caresses her cheek and she leans into his palm. 

“Lo’ak,” she says. 

“Mhm?” He mumbles, his eyes studying each feature on her face. 

“It’s always been you, too.” 

Lo’ak’s eyes focus on hers before a giant smile cracks across his face. He brings his other hand up and cups her head. She closes her eyes, enjoying the feeling of him holding her. He leans forward and places a kiss on her forehead. “My, Tsireya,” he whispers. She melts against him, finally feeling like she’s home. 

Sobs came from inside, making Jake slow his pace as he peered into Tonowari’s pod. Tsireya was collapsed on the ground. Her hands covering her eyes as her chest heaved deep sobs. Ronal sat in front of her, her hands rubbing her daughters shoulders, a look of confusion and shock on her face; maybe even traces of denial. Jake paused in the entrance, studying the scene. 

“What is it, baby?” Ronal asked her daughter, her voice shaking. “What’s happened?” 

Tsireya didn’t respond. Her head shook faster as she wrapped her arms around her legs and began to rock back and forth. Ao’nung stood on the outskirts of the room and bounced his leg nervously. “Where’s our sister?” 

Jake took a deep breath before stepping into the pod. Tonowari looked up, his ears pulled back against his skull. He locked eyes with Jake as a look of horrid understanding passed over his face. Tonowari’s shoulders dropped. 

Ronal sensed her husband’s tension and looked to him. Jake faced the family, the family that had taken his family in, and now both of them have lost their oldest children… 

“Neteyam is with the Great Mother,” Jake said his voice raw. 

Tonowari closed his eyes as if he could wish it all away. Ronal inhaled sharply and Ao’nung fell back against the wall of the pod. He crashed onto his knees, his mouth in an o shape. Tsireya stopped crying at Jake’s voice. She looked slowly up from her place on the floor. Her big eyes were red and irritated. 

“Oh mother,” she whispered. 

Tonowari looked from his weeping daughter to Jake. Realization dawned over his features. He began shaking his head. “No,” he mumbled. 

Ronal’s eyes sharpened at her husband's words. She gripped Tsireya’s shoulders. “Where is your sister?” Panic coated her words. Jake tensed, his instincts told him to run but his heart told him to stay, and give his condolences to the family who helped him when they were at their lowest. 

Tsireya closed her eyes, not wanting to see her family’s faces. “She is with Neteyam.” Ronal went rigid but Tsireya continued on. “She is with the Great Mother now.”

No one spoke for a moment. Silence resting over all of them like a blanket, wrapping them all in an earth-shattering grief, isolating them from who they were two seconds earlier. They will never be those people again, they will live with those words for the rest of their lives. She’s with the Great Mother. Tears flooded down Tsireya’s face, her tail laid flatly against the floor, as she reached out to her mother. 

Ronal’s face had no expression. She didn’t move or blink. Tsireya wasn’t sure she took a single breath. Tonowari’s mouth turned slowly downward, a slight quiver beginning on the right side of his cheek. He turned to Jake, his eyes crinkled, like he just wanted to close forever. 

“Is this true, Jake?”

Jake felt the weight of his gaze. The weight of his question. “Yes,” he replied. “I’m sorry. I was too late. Too late for both our children.” 

A single tear fell down Tonowari’s face. Ronal still hadn’t moved. Ao’nung stood abruptly up. “This is not true!” He shouted, his tail flicking anxiously behind him and his eyes raced frantically around the room, as if trying to find some proof that this wasn’t real. “I do not believe this.” 

Tsireya turned to her brother. “Ao’nung…”

He slammed his hand into the side of the pod. Tsireya jumped at the sound as Jake’s eyes looked downward. “My eldest sister is not gone,” he spat venomously. “I will not accept this.”

“Son,” Tonowari said softly, his voice strained and filled with pain. Ao’nung shook his head and took one look at his family. His eyes glassed over, brimming with tears. “No!” He shouted before pushing past Jake and running out of the pod. 

“Brother!” Tsireya wept after him but he didn’t turn back. 

Tonowari watched his son retreating back. What was he gonna do? His children… His heart clenched in his chest as he looked at Jake. Jake was already looking at him, understanding in his eyes. Understanding of what they had both lost that night. Tonowari reached his hand out and Jake gripped it tightly. They stared at each other, acknowledging each other’s pain. Their fingers clenched around the other’s forearm. Jake’s mind was swimming with memories he didn’t want to remember. But he kept his grip on Tonowari, they would need each other’s strength over the next months. 

Tonowari let go first. “Go and grieve with your family.”

Jake nodded, not trusting his voice. He nodded at Tsireya and Ronal but neither woman was looking at him. He turned to leave, his grief felt like a stone on his heart. He needed to go home and mourn with his wife and children. How would he face them? Get it together, Marine, he said to himself once more before taking off into the village. 

Tonowari faced his family. Now missing one member. Now missing his oldest daughter. He moved without thinking, he dropped to his knees beside Tsireya. She looked at him, her devastated gaze landing on him, begging him for comfort. His arms instantly wrapped around his daughter. She fell into his embrace, closing her eyes tightly. 

“I told her not to go…” 

He smoothed her hair down, brushing his trembling hands against her head. “Shhh,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have let her fight with us.” 

Tears fell calmly from his eyes. He wanted to scream, break something, burn the village down, or go back in time. But he can’t. He sniffled, trying to keep himself composed for his crying daughter and frozen wife. 

“You couldn’t have stopped her,” Tsireya said, her arms shaking as she cried. “Not when it came to Neteyam.” 

Her father reached his hand under her chin and lifted her broken face. He met her gaze and shook his head. “When she told me she was going to fight. It wasn’t Neteyam that she thought of first. It was you.” He squeezed his daughter's chin. “You and your brother.” 

Tsireya inhaled sharply, her bottom lip shaking. Ronal blinked a few times as if waking from a stupor. She looked at her husband and daughter like she was looking through a cleaned window. Her tail wrapped around her knees. 

Tonowari reached out his hand and placed it on his wife’s shoulders. Ronal let out a low moan like a wounded animal. His grip on her shoulder tightened as he pulled her into his embrace. Tsireya slipped her fingers through her mother’s and held her hand tightly. 

“My daughter,” Ronal whimpered. She leaned her head against her husband's chest. “My daughter!” She cried loudly. Tsireya moved so that her head was right next to her mom’s. Tears fell from both their eyes, their hands squeezed each other as they shared their grief. 

Tonowari bowed his head over his wife and daughter, his trembling arms encircling both of them. He couldn’t help but notice how it felt like someone was missing. He closed his eyes. He knew that he would feel that way for a long time, for the rest of his life. It will be Ao’nung and Tsireya and… No more and. He only has two living children. He choked out a sob. 

Ronal looked up at the sound of her husband’s pain. She wailed, the sound came from deep within her like she was trying to claw all her grief out through her voice. She stared into her husband’s eyes, sharing his thoughts, telling him that she understands, that she knows nothing will ever be the same. He nodded to her, both of them crying. 

They stayed like that for a long time. All three of them, sitting on the ground of their home, holding each other, weeping, remembering. Ao’nung finally returned, his eyes red and his ears twitching. Tonowari took one look at him and opened his arms. Ao’nung ran right into his family’s embrace. He collapsed between his mother and father, needing their support. They rubbed his back in soothing circles as he cried. Tsireya reached out and held his hand. He looked up at her and squeezed back, his only living sister.They spent the rest of the day drowning in grief. 

~~~

The entire clan had gathered at the edge of the village, their tails hung low and soft whispers ran between them. Small fires had been lit, spreading warm light across the dark ocean as two families prepared for funerals. 

Lo’ak sat in the water next to Kiri. He refused to cry where people could see him. He would stand tall, watch his brother’s body sink into the ocean, and then go home where he could break down in the darkness, alone. He didn’t feel he deserved to grieve Neteyam. It was all his fault. Lo’ak shook his head sharply. No, he can’t think about that, not now. 

Neytiri and Jake came into the water, pushing a boat like leaf. Lo’ak didn’t want to look. He knew his brother’s body was in there. His heart began to pound as he gnawed on his bottom lip. He couldn’t face Neteyam’s lifeless body, not again…

Neytiri swam further into the ocean, her fingers pushing her oldest son’s lifeless body with her. She had noticed that Jake was unable to look at Neteyam for long. He preferred to keep his eyes ahead. Neytiri forced herself to look at her son’s body. The way his dark braids cradled his head, how his tail fell between his legs, and how his long back curled onto himself. She felt she owed it to him to watch his descent to Eywa. Her throat was tight and she felt each tear as it dripped down her cheek. But she wouldn’t look away. She would be here for Neteyam. 

Once Jake and Neytiri reached the spot, they both paused, meeting each other’s eyes for a moment. All their history flashed between them, everything that had brought them to this moment. Jake felt a sob rising up in his throat, he tried to force it down but the sob fought its way out of his mouth and into the air. Neytiri’s ears fell flat at the sound of her husband’s pain. 

They turned back to their children. Lo’ak was swallowing rapidly, fighting his tears as well. Kiri was crying openly, welcoming her pain with open arms. She allowed herself to grieve, not caring who saw. She held Tuk’s hand as the girls cried. Kiri wanted to honor Neteyam by feeling every ounce of pain that his death brought her. She wouldn’t cover it up or try to mend it, she would feel it. She would feel it for him, proof of how much she loved her brother. 

Jake and Neytiri nodded to each other before they dipped beneath the surface of the ocean. They pushed Neteyam’s body towards the bottom where he would become one with Pandora. All energy is only borrowed. The couple reached for each other as they watched, their hands intertwining. Jake rubbed circles on the back of Neytiri’s hand. 

Kiri and Tuk held each other tightly. Tuk shook in her older sister’s arms as Neteyam’s body slowly went out of view. She would never see her big brother again. The thought was too much for Tuk. She wanted to braid his hair and play with him. She wanted nothing more than to see his smiling face… Kiri let her younger sister cling to her, knowing that she would need her now more than ever before. 

Lo’ak couldn’t stop the tears. He was practically choking on them. So much for keeping it together, he thought to himself. Then Neteyam’s body disappeared. The last bit of proof that his brother was here. Lo’ak’s shoulders shook uncontrollably. He wanted to sink to the bottom after his brother. He still hadn’t accepted his best friend's death… he wasn’t sure he ever would. 

Neytiri and Jake took their time swimming back to their children, their hands locked together. When their faces broke the surface, Jake pulled all his kids into a hug. The entire Sully family, now a family of five, hugged each other in the water. Letting their grief pour into one another. 

They broke apart when Tonowari and Ronal stepped into the water and began pushing a small leaf boat of their own. The Sully’s swam closer to the village to give the other family their space. Lo’ak tensed as Tsireya followed her parents. Her eyes were puffy, he knew she’d been crying. He’d been so torn up about Neteyam that he hadn’t checked to see if she was okay. His heart clenched at the thought of her grieving, of her having the same pain that he has.

Tsireya glimpsed over at him as she paddled after her parents. They stared at each other for a moment, a thousand words unspoken between them. He nodded slightly at her, letting her know that he was with her. She smiled, the expression looked forced on her usually happy face. Lo’ak wanted nothing more than to swim out to her and hold her. Jake placed his hand on Lo’ak’s back. 

Ao’nung swam after Tsireya. He had told his parents that he didn’t want to come. He didn’t want to see his sister's lifeless body. That would mean this was all real and he would have to accept it. Tsireya waited for him, the firelight from the village lighting her sad face. 

Once Ronal had begun to cry, she hadn’t stopped. The tears varied from light streams to heavy sobs. Her mind was unable to stop thinking about her oldest daughter, her laugh, her smile, her fierceness. She would remember her as a baby and child, running on the beach and diving beneath the waves with a playful grin. And she’d think about all that her daughter would’ve been: a strong warrior, a beautiful wife, a caring mother. Ronal reached her hand out and brushed it against her eldest daughter’s cold face. All the things she should’ve experienced… 

Tonowari moved his daughter’s body through the water as his wife caressed her face. The sight broke something in him; he was surprised he even had anything whole that was left to break. Tonowari’s throat was raw from crying and forcing back tears. He no longer felt sad, just terribly numb. Like all feelings in the world had been ripped out of him. When they reached the spot, they turned back to their remaining children.

Tsireya and Ao’nung bobbed among the waves. Their usually bright faces were pale and melancholy. The siblings stayed close together, needing each other, both of them drawing on the other for strength. 

Ronal and Tonowari pushed their oldest daughter towards the bottom of the ocean. They sank beneath the waves and watched her familiar form disappear. Tonowari’s shoulders shook as he cried beneath the ocean. His beautiful daughter… 

Ronal wrapped her arms around her husband and rubbed her fingers soothing against him. He leaned his head on hers for a moment before they both swam to the surface. Ronal kept her arms around her husband, to which Tonowari was grateful. He needed his wife’s strength and comfort. 

Tsireya and Ao’nung waited for their parents to join them. A few tears fell from Ao’nung’s eyes, and to Tsireya’s surprise, he didn’t bother to wipe them. 

“Children,” Tonowari whispered as he reached his hand out to Tsireya. He held her hand tightly. Tsireya locked hands with Ao’nung, who grabbed his mother’s hand in turn. Their whole family floated amongst the waves, hand in hand. 

“Tsireya!” Lo’ak’s voice called out after a few minutes. Tsireya turned her head to find the Sully children swimming towards them. Her face broke into a small smile; it hurt her cheeks and felt foreign but she did it nonetheless. Jake and Neytiri looked surprised before following their kids. 

Lo’ak floated just a foot away from Tsireya and her family. He spoke to all of them but only looked at her. “I’m sorry.” 

Kiri splashed up beside her brother. She looked each person in the eyes before saying, “we understand your pain.” 

“Yes,” Ao’nung muttered before taking a deep breath. “I suppose you do.” 

Tsireya let go of Ao’nung’s hand and reached it out to Lo’ak. He was about to grab it when Tuk burst up from between the waves. She took one look at Tsireya before throwing her arms around her. Tsireya fell back a little at the weight of Tuk’s hug before wrapping her arms around the small girl. 

Lo’ak moved immediately, grabbing his sister and Tsireya into his own embrace. He felt Tuk’s small chest rising and falling as she cried. He squeezed her tighter. Kiri followed suit, wrapping her arms around Lo’ak and Tsireya, bowing her head between them as water lapped at her face. Ao’nung swam beside his sister before joining the hug as well. Five children instead of seven. They held each other tightly, now knowing what it’s like to lose one of them. 

Their parents watched for a moment, seeing their children embrace in their shared pain before joining them. Jake and Neytiri wrapped their arms around the kids followed by Ronal and Tonowari. No one spoke, they didn’t have to. They all knew what the other was thinking: they were in this together. That thought was their only comfort as they clung to each other. 

It was completely quiet and they remained that way for a long time. The only sound they heard was the shuffle of the waves. They couldn’t hear the call of an ikran, from far above and far away, where forest boy and ocean girl watched the scene. Although they couldn’t hear or see their lost children; forest boy and ocean girl, even from far within Eywa, would always be looking after their family.

When he first arrived, years ago, you had taught him your clan’s ways. Now, he and his family are full Metkayina. You had gone from teaching him to befriending him. It had been a slow process compared to his friendships with Ao’nung and Tsireya. Neteyam is always talking, sharing, and ready to tell a joke. You always want to say more but never do; most people don’t notice that desire of yours, but he does.

Neteyam would seek you out and ask you, “what are you thinking?” He would go out of his way to sit next to you, making you blush. Eventually, people started noticing. Tsireya would playfully ask you about him but you just brush it off, hoping no one else heard. At first it was nothing, just Neteyam wanting you to feel included but over time it’s changed. You aren’t entirely sure how or why but you know your heart always beats faster when he walks into a room and when you catch him staring at you before you both look quickly away.

You can’t help yourself, you look back over at Neteyam. He’s still sharing a drink with his father, both of them relaxed and happy. Your heart completely melts and you know: you like Neteyam, and not in the way friends like each other. 

You groan and force yourself to look away. It’s useless. He is Neteyam Sully, son of Toruk Makto. Maybe you’ve just been imagining the tension between you too lately. He told you to come to the celebration but he hasn’t even said hi. That’s it. You turn to leave, your feet sliding on the smooth sand when a voice calls out to you. 

“Y/n!” Ao’nung calls you.  

You stop and watch him run up to you, his dark tattoos gleaming against his skin. He reaches you with a smile on his face. His eyes are crinkle at the side, obvious that he’s had some to drink. A slow smile creeps onto his face. “You weren’t leaving,  were you?” 

You look back towards the village, empty and quiet. “Yes, I was.”

“Well, don’t do that!” Ao’nung exclaims. His eyes trace down your body, taking in your celebration beads that reveal more than your normal cloths. His eyes meet yours, a new gleam in them. “Dance with me.” 

Your eyes widen. “Oh!” You start to shake your head. “I don’t know…” 

Ao’nung cocks his head to the side, the same way he has since you were kids. Ao’nung has always been a bit of a player and you’ve always steered clear of that, making sure to keep your relationship platonic. 

“Please,” Ao’nung says before reaching out to you. 

You freeze. You don’t like situations like these, in fact you hate them. You only came to this stupid celebration for Neteyam and he’s not even speaking to you. Normally, you’d just slip off and be on your own, ignoring how you feel. But tonight feels different. The pounding of the celebration drums ring through your ears and into your veins.

 You look back at the party as Ao’nung watches you, carefully waiting for your answer. A jolt runs through your body when you lock eyes with Neteyam. He’s staring right at you from across the fire, his mouth turned downward. You tensen at his gaze, he’s never looked at you like that before. His eyes slowly travel down to Ao’nung’s extended hand. His eyes harden. You definitely have his attention now.

Your stomach flutters as you turn your eyes back to the boy in front of you. He’s smirking at you, waiting for your answer. Neteyam’s ignored you which makes you angrier than you thought it would. A foreign feeling floods through your body: screw being nice and sweet. What has it ever gotten you? 

You smile at Ao’nung, turning your head to the side like he’s made you blush. His smile grows. You place your hand in his and let him lead you to where the others are dancing. 

You keep your head high, faking your confidence as you walk by other clan members. They look up in curiosity at Ao’nung and your clasped hands. The heat of the fire hits your face as you reach the center of the party. Clan members dance all around you, hooting and cheering to the sound of the drums. The music sends chills through your body as Ao’nung leads you in a dance.

You’re rusty at first, having never danced before and only observed, but after a few steps, you get into it. Ao’nung pushes himself away from you before pulling you back in. You find yourself smiling and laughing to the music. 

Then, you glance back to where Neteyam stood. He’s still there, his nostrils flared and his eyes burn holes into Ao’nung. Something tingles in your stomach and spreads through your whole body. You turn back to your dance partner and move yourself closer to him. 

Ao’nung responds instantly, wrapping his fingers around your waist and guiding your hips as he dances. You lean your head back into his neck as he nuzzles his face against the side of yours. This’ll be the last time Neteyam ignores you.

You risk another look at him. Neteyam’s shaking his head now, his braids fly around his face. Lo’ak looks at you in concern before placing his hand on Neteyam’s arm, trying to calm him. Neteyam brushes him off angrily before storming off to the other side of the party. 

Maybe you shouldn’t have pushed him.  You haven’t even defined your friendship or whatever you guys have. Dread curls in your stomach, you’ve definitely overreacted. You’re about to push Ao’nung off you and say you’ve gotten tired when a couple begins dancing right beside you. 

You look up in surprise to find Neteyam dancing. His arms… wrapped around another girl. You go completely rigid. Ao’nung rubs his hands up your side. 

“You okay, girl?”

Neteyam looks up at this. His eyes bore straight into yours as his body moves synchronously with his dance partner. He smirks slightly and tilts his head to the side as if to say, two can play this game. That little asshole. You glare at him to which he just shrugs and pulls the girl closer to him. 

You turn around and face Ao’nung. “I’m fine.” 

He smiles and runs his hand along your jaw. “You look fine.” 

Neteyam scoffs from behind you but you don’t give him the satisfaction of turning around. You keep dancing with Ao’nung, swaying your hips in front of him as he guides you. You drop down to your ankles and work your way back up, moving your body like a wave. 

Neteyam’s stare is heavy. You can feel him watching you the entire time. It sends chills down your spine and your heart begins to pound. Ao’nung digs his fingers into your skin as the drums beat faster. He twirls you around and pulls you close again. You look over at Neteyam to find him still staring at you, his hands are on the other girl but his eyes never leave your face. You stare back, confidently and unlike your usual self. Neteyam bites his lip.

Ao’nung, completely oblivious to you not paying attention to him, grabs your face. He quickly pulls you close to him and you can smell the alcohol on his breath. 

“I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long,” he says. “But you’re always off on your own…” 

Fear shoots through your veins as your eyes widen. This is not what you want. You try to pull back from his grasp but he’s so close to you, already leaning in. Your brain goes blank as you try to think of a way out of this. His lips are almost touching yours when he goes flying backwards. 

He hits the ground with a loud thud, causing a few clan members to ask if he is okay. Neteyam is suddenly right beside you, his dance partner is gone and he’s staring at Ao’nung with a lethal look in his eyes. His chest is rapidly rising and falling, like he’s trying to contain himself. Ao’nung looks up at Neteyam, a look of disbelief on his face.  

“Neteyam…” You say in shock. 

He looks at you, his eyes darkening. He reaches out and roughly grabs your hand. “Come with me.” 

His voice is deep and raspy like he’s fighting against himself, like he wants something that he can’t have. His hand is hot against yours and he squeezes tightly, sparking something deep in your stomach. You don’t even look back at Ao’nung as Neteyam leads you off the beach and into the treeline. A few voices call after both of you but you don’t stop. 

You watch the swing of Neteyam’s long braids as he leads you away. He’s much more tense than usual, his strong arms look like they're about to burst. The sound of voices and drums begin to fade as you wade deeper into the palm trees. The night sky gleams above you and the plants glow beautifully. Once you can only see the faintest glow of the fire, Neteyam stops and turns to you.  

“What was that?”

You tilt your head to the side, waiting for him to elaborate. 

“You and,” he looks away in disgust. “Ao’nung.” 

You cross your arms over your body, feeling suddenly self-conscious. You let yourself go, this one time. Who is he to judge? “Why do you care?”

“Because I don’t ever want to see another man’s arms around you,” Neteyam replies so quickly you think you might have imagined it. 

Neteyam looks away, his eyes wide like he didn’t expect himself to say that. Your mouth falls open. You shake your head incredulously. “What is that supposed to mean, Neteyam?”

Neteyam runs his hands through his braids nervously. You take a step towards him as your heart rate speeds up. He eyes you cautiously but doesn’t move away. He lets out a sigh. “Don’t you know what it means?” 

You shake your head, wanting to hear him say it.

His golden eyes stare right into yours. “I want you.” 

You inhale sharply. Your heart pounds in your chest, so loud you’re afraid he’ll hear it. I want you. The words echo through your mind, making heat spread through your core. His voice, so deep and full of desire… It makes you want to… 

He cocks his head to the side as if he’s seeing your every thought. He takes a step closer to you. You’re frozen in place. His eyes narrow as he gazes lazily at you. He licks his lips and leans in. You tense, expecting him to kiss you, but his lips brush your ear. “Did you hear me?” He whispers, his hot breath hitting your neck. “I said, I want you.” 

Your throat is tight but you manage to speak anyway. “Prove it.” 

He pulls back slightly, amusement fluttering across his face.  

Now, it’s your turn. You lean into him, feeling his muscles harden as you come closer. The vein in his neck bulges slightly as you brush your lips against his ear. “You didn’t come speak to me at the party,” you whisper, making sure your breath hits his exposed skin. He shudders. “You danced with that other girl.” 

You pull back and stare at him. His eyes are a dark gold, filled with lust. You are standing so close to each other, the heat from both your bodies mix together. You fake an innocent smile at him. “How do I know that you really want me?” 

He lets out a low, guttural, growl before gripping the sides of your face. Your lips collide instantly. You let out a moan the second his lips meet yours, you can’t help it. He grins against the kiss as his hands travel down your neck. 

His lips move fervently against yours like he’s dying of thirst and your water. You return the kiss eagerly, your lips moving quickly against the softness of his mouth. You reach your hands up and sink them into his braids. You’ve been dying to run your fingers through his hair. You twist one of his braids and pull causing him to moan. 

His tongue runs along the bottom of your lip, begging for entrance. You open your mouth obediently, letting his tongue roam your mouth. His hands fly across your stomach and hips like he can’t decide where he wants to explore first. Your tongue glides against his as you wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him closer to you, smashing your bodies together. 

He lifts you up, his lips never leaving yours, and pushes you against a nearby tree. You wrap your legs around his waist, feeling the heat of his skin sink into yours. His hands run along the outsides of your legs and ass. Damn, he’s strong.

You pull back from the kiss, letting your head hit the palm tree behind you. His eyes are hooded as he looks at you lazily through narrow slits. Neteyam’s gaze falls to your lips. You can feel how swollen they already are and there’s saliva dangling from them. He reaches out and rubs his thumb across your lip. “I love seeing my spit across your lips,” he says, his voice rough.

You gasp softly, shocked at what he just said, and even more shocked that you liked hearing it. He smirks as his fingers circle your thighs slowly, making your breath hitch. 

You’re dying to hear his breath hitch. You lean into his neck and plant soft kisses on his skin. He inhales sharply. You run your tongue along his neck before sucking. “Fuck,” he moans as his fingers dig into your thigh. You smile and lift your lips before kissing again. 

You’re about to suck when he yanks your head back and presses his lips against yours. All his desire runs through his mouth and into your body. You throb in a way you never have before. You open your mouth, wanting to feel his tongue against yours. You press your hands into his skin, trying to force him closer to you, like you could melt into one being. 

You're both breathing heavily as you continue kissing, his strong legs keeping you firmly against the tree. His hands are feverish as they roam all over your body until they reach the inside of your thigh. He slows down his kissing, his lips slowly grinding against yours. His lips tug at yours at an excruciatingly slow pace. You moan as his fingers inch up the inside of your thigh, coming closer to your wet center. 

You want him to keep going. You nod against your kiss, letting him know you want it. He groans from deep in his throat. His fingers instantly are at your loin cloth. He brushes against the outside, you can feel the warmth of him against your core. 

Your heart is pounding as your body throbs. You can’t take this, you need him. You’re about to tell him that when a voice breaks through the trees.

“Neteyam?”

We both freeze. It’s Jake. Neteyam instantly lets go of you as you fix your cloths. Neteyam smooths his hair down and fixes his parts before looking at you. You stare back, your face completely flushed and sweaty. He smirks.

Jake appears a few feet away. “Come back to the party!”

“Coming!” Neteyam calls back. “We were just having a chat.”

Jake nods, believing his oldest son easily before leaving. 

You blow out a breath of relief as you watch Jake’s retreating back. Your heart is still pounding and your skin feels like it’s on fire. You’re not sure how you’re going to show your face back at the celebration. Neteyam leans close to you, his naughty lips brushing against your ear. “This isn’t over. You’re mine.”

Thank you for reading <3