#avatar fluff

“Is everything alright?” The soft whisper made Jake smile.

“Yes, baby. I'll see you later.” He rubbed his cheek against yours.

“Be careful.”

While the boys were out training, the girls decided to take care of the baby ilus with Tsireya. On the other hand, you decided to help Ronal organize the dishes for the communal dinner. After finishing your part of the work, you decided to continue with some accessories you had started making for your children a few days earlier. The most entertaining part was mixing elements of Metkayina culture with Omatikaya culture, because you respected and loved the essence of your new home, but you didn't want anyone in the family to forget their roots.

“Hey baby.”

Your mate walked fast towards you, almost making you drop Neteyam's anklet. Jake positioned himself behind you, encircling your body with his strong arms, pulling you close to his chest.

“Hey.” You giggled. “You scared me.”

“Sorry.” He whispered, sniffing your freshly washed hair. “I just missed you today.” His mouth traveled down from the crown of your head to your neck.

“Baby, It was only a couple of hours. It's not the first time you've gone out to train with the boys. Are they okay? Or are you hurt?”

“Everything's fine. It's just that I missed you so much." He squeezed you tighter, making you laugh.

“Mom? Dad?” Your oldest son came in carefully. “It's time to eat.”

Jake snorted, pouting as Neteyam came out again. That expression reminded you of when you first started the relationship, back in the early years when he was on Pandora.

When everyone gathered in the communal dining room, Jake sat closer than usual. Your knee brushed against his thigh, making him smile every time you approached Tuk, who was sitting on his lap. Jake loved looking at your face, so tender and sweet, when talking to your youngest daughter, helping her with her fish.

“What?” You whispered when Tuk wasn't paying attention.

“You are gorgeous.” He made you blush.

“Mama, can I have more of these?” When Tuk pointed at the yovo fruit, you immediately stood up and went looking for more.

Most of the na'vi were sitting already, but there were some others standing in a line, waiting for more food. You didn't know where the Yovo plate was, so you looked around the table that held the food for the whole clan.

“More yovo fruit?” A deep voice asked, it was the warrior first in line.

“Yes, sorry, I was just looking for it.”

“No, it's okay. Let me help.” The warrior gently took the plate from your hand. He placed a generous amount of fruit on it without complaint. Then he handed it back to you with a smile. “I see Toruk Makto has a large family. It's better if you take it, we eat a lot here.”

“Thank you.” You made a respectful gesture, smiling, and returned to where your family was. Surprisingly Jake was looking in the direction of the table.

“Do you want something else, Ma Jake?”

“No, it's okay. Come here.”

When you sat in the spot next to him, Jake asked Tuk to sit next to her sister with the plate full of yovo. But first, he took a little bit for your own plate.

“Open your mouth.” He asked softly.

“Huh?”

“C'mon, open your mouth. Tuk loves yovo fruit because her mom does.”

“Jake, everyone will stare at us.”

“So? That's better, that way they will know how much I like to spoil my mate.”

With red cheeks you finally opened your mouth. The na'vi in front of you giggled when Toruk Makto wiped your lips. Jake smiled proud, and ate some fruit too. Inside, you felt like a teenager discovering new things with him, but that didn't stop you from feeling a little embarrassed. Even if no one else looked at you with disapproval, Jake's actions made you nervous —in a good way—.

“They are doing it again.” Lo'ak complained, drawing out the last syllable.

“Let them be.” Neteyam pushed him playfully.

“Gross.” Kiri smiled.

The eclipse fell in Awa'atlu. Darkness enveloped the Sully children as they settled on their sleeping mats. You kissed everyone goodnight, except for Neteyam, who was sitting in the middle of the marui.

“Is something wrong, Ma eveng?” You asked, caressing his face. The gentleness with which you spoke to Neteyam made him feel warm. He was about to answer, but his father was quicker.

“I asked him to keep an eye on his siblings while we're gone."

“While we're gone?”

“Yes. Let's take a walk.”

After you asked Neteyam if he was okay with staying up a little late —he said yes—, you took Jake's hand and followed him through the plants of familiar land. That part of the island reminded you of home. You always liked to come and hunt, take a break from everything or pass time with Jake when chores were done.

“Ma Jake.”

The way you pronounced his name made Jake's knees shake. He almost tripped when you called for him, worried and curious. You gently pulled his hand, making him turn towards you.

“I know something is wrong. You have been acting weird, more affectionate. Don't get me wrong, you know I love that side of yours, but I can't help but feel like you are not telling me something.”

“Yeah… Well, you might be right.”

“What is it?”

He gently pulled you closer. His hands traveled from your wrist to your shoulders. The caresses felt different. Of course there was desire, but above all that was a need for something deeper. Jake pressed his forehead to yours and you closed your eyes, enjoying the closeness.

“It's just…” He whispered, squeezing tick skin under his fingertips. Under the light of the eclipse, you couldn't see the crimson color that adorned his expression, but you did notice a shy smile and his ears pointing backward. “You know… it's one of those days.” Jake said, stopping in every word, as if he was afraid to say them out loud.

“One of those days?”

“Well… prior to those other days. When I just want to be with you.”

Suddenly, sharpening all your senses, you finally realized what he meant. How could you not have noticed it before? Were you so busy with clan duties that you didn't notice what date it was?

“Wait a minute… is that why you were so clingy? Touching me and kissing me? Even feeding me in front of everyone?”

“About the last part… I just wanted to mark my territory.”

“Mark your territory?”

“That warrior was smiling too much at you.” He rolled his eyes.

“You are unbelievable.” You chuckled, stepping a few steps back, not enough to let go of his hands. Just enough so he could see your playful smile. “Yawne, you acted like a teenager all day!”

“I know!” Jake hid his face in the hollow of your neck, giggling. “That's why I didn't tell you before!”

“So what now? What does my lovely mate want? Huh?” You asked, running your fingers through the strands of hair.

“I want you close.” Each word was spoken carefully, trying not to tell the surrounding trees something so intimate that only he and you could know. Jake stopped joking, filling the air with sincerity.

“We are already close.” You whispered too.

“I want you closer.”

Jake lifted his face, and with those golden eyes shining between his bioluminescent freckles, he studied you intently. You shuddered. Before you could answer, he touched your face as if you were the most fragile thing in the entire universe. Jake tilted his head. A gesture you knew perfectly well meant danger, but given the situation, you knew he was just trying to ask for permission.

You rubbed your nose against his cheek, closing your eyes to savor the sensation. Jake responded with a small sigh that indicated he felt relaxed. You knew his past and his story, so it was important to you that he felt safe, loved.

“I hope you know you can tell me every time you feel like this.”

“I know.”

“Then show it next time.”

“Sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

Jake squeezed your body a little bit tighter and then kissed your mouth. His lips touched yours with pure love, making you feel dizzy. Jake played with your tongue just enough so you could feel your knees go weak too. But he was there to catch you if you stopped breathing and fell next to him. However, Jake wouldn't let you touch the ground before you took refuge in his arms. A lot more kisses later, he guided you towards the trunk of a tree. You both sat down, him with his head on your chest and you with your arms and legs wrapped around him. A soft hand stroked his back and hair until soft purrs were heard. His long eyelashes were beautiful and his nose twitching slightly was so cute.

After a few minutes, you closed your eyes to sleep too, hoping you could wake up in time to go back and not leave the children alone in the morning.

At first, it came as a surprise to many when you and the prince of the reef started dating, he had a reputation for being a ‘tough guy’, while you were one of the quieter girls with peculiar interests. Before the two of you became a pair, members of the clan imagined that Ao’nung would find someone who matched his fierce character, perhaps a skilled hunter like himself but turns out, you were just the thing he needed, as well as the only person who could see right through his ‘tough’ act.

The differences between the two of you were evident, yet they only drew you closer together. Although you barely spoke, even before your first interaction, he seemed to know a lot about you while you on the other hand, knew very little about him, who was significantly louder than you.

The future olo’eyktan had an outgoing personality, accustomed to always being the centre of attention — you, kept to yourself and relished the peaceful moments by the ocean. He was in the middle of every festival, you were sat in the corner, entertaining yourself with a small creature that rested in the palm of your hand. What the metkayina prince appreciated most about your shyness, was how no one else was able get a proper conversation out of you, not the way he could.

Ao’nung would lay leaned back in the sand, his eyes full of admiration, as you would run over to him, excited to show him the beautiful pieces you had collected. He was never a listener, no, he could talk for hours but when it came to you, everything flipped, suddenly nothing he had to say mattered anymore because all he wanted was to listen to you speak.

He could never deny you either, not when you looked at him with those big glossy eyes of yours, so anything you asked for, he would do. The first time his family witnessed this, Ronal thought her pregnancy was causing her to see things while Tonowari’s eyes widened in disbelief at his son’s obedience to his girlfriend, silently attempting to communicate across the table with Tsierya, but she didn’t seem amused. By now, all of Awa’atlu had noticed the change in Ao’nung who would follow you around like a lost puppy.

Some might even say he was whipped — not to his face, of course. His behavior never softened for anyone else, if anything, it grew harsher every second he wasn’t with you, the only one who could unlock that gentler side of him.

Although no one mentioned it out loud, many members of the clan admired you for somehow bringing a man, as stubborn as yours, to his knees with just a bat of your lashes.

── .✦

Ao’nung has been annoyed all day, shouting at his friends for the smallest mistakes during training as if he already was olo’eyktan. However his best friend, who has known him his whole life, immediately connected the dots that it had something to do with you.

“Have you seen her today, bro?”

Rotxo asked, questioning the clearly irritated man next to him, slightly leaning away in case Ao’nung would smack him again for mentioning you.

Luckily enough, he didn’t.

“No.” He sighed, his response bland but still far better than the physical assault he had bestowed on the shorter boy beside him earlier. Rotxo knew that the only way to get his friend out of his bad mood (so that he couldn’t take it out on him anymore) was to encourage him to leave his duties a bit earlier and find you, his anchor.

“I’ll cover for you, go talk to her cuz.” He smiled, not because he’d done good deed for his best friend, but because he’d finally be able to speak freely without being on the receiving end of a death stare each time he opened his mouth.

Before heading toward the direction of where he knew you’d be, Ao’nung stopped and patted the shorter male on the shoulder in gratitude, “Thanks man, I owe you.” Lo’ak’s and Spider’s slang really did seem to be rubbing off on everyone…

𓂃✍︎ to sum it up,

no you = angry ao’nung = everyone scared

On the other hand, unlike Ao’nung whose entire day depended on whether you chose to acknowledge him or not, you have been enjoying your afternoon. The sunlight flickered across your back as you took small steps into the ocean, carefully slipping in, your mind focused on retrieving that seashell you had set your sights on. The water closed around you like a second skin, rising from your ankles to your waist as you waded deeper.

Ignoring the fact that you were not the best swimmer, you continued to go more and more into the cool water — reminding yourself of how wonderful that seashell would look on Ao’nung’s loincloth (which was the only reason you were doing this) for motivation. Taking one last steady breath, you fully dove beneath the surface, the sounds of everything around you dissolving into a muted hush as you moved closer to your goal.

You weren’t someone who took risks by any means, more like someone who, once set their mind on something, acted on impulse, which tended to really bother your boyfriend who worried for you. You could almost hear his voice in the back of your head telling you to turn back, but with the water pulling at you and your prize somewhere below, your instincts took over, turning him out and guiding you deeper without any thought. After all, what kind of metkayina were you if you couldn’t handle a little bit of water?

A smile formed on your lips when you finally spotted the seashell, reaching for it with your hand — you were so close, just a stretch away, only a small lean forward from making the vision of Ao’nung in a sexy loincloth that matched yours, a reality. So close just—

Suddenly, a voice from the shore broke through the peaceful silence of the ocean, making you pause mid dive as you questioned whether it was real or your imagination. Unfortunately for you, it was very real. You must have jinxed it with how much you were thinking of him because you recognised the distorted voice calling out to you as the one of your boyfriend’s. Was he not supposed to be on duty?

Your heart began to race when you heard familiar sound again, which was exactly the opposite of what should be happening while you were underwater. You urgently kicked upward, swimming toward the surface, already aware of the scolding that awaited you, that is if he can resist giving into your glossy eyes, which he never usually could. Ewya had gifted you with big, doe-like eyes, and you knew just how to use them to get what you wanted.

Peeking your head out of the water to gasp for air, you see Ao’nung who is visibly pissed, jumping into the water after you. Only then did you realise just how far you’d actually swum — you could say that your boyfriend was sometimes great motivation. With each deliberate stroke, you moved closer to your lover, meanwhile planning on how you could manipulate him into not being upset with you.

The feeling of a warm hand colliding with your hip made you shriek, immediately snapping you out off your thoughts. For a moment, you almost forgot that Ao’nung was known as the fastest swimmer in the clan for a reason.

“Ao’nung!” You exclaimed, pretending you hadn’t noticed the irritated expression on his face. He looks so hot when he’s mad.

Instead of greeting you wish a kiss like he typically would, he firmly grabbed you by the waist, trapping your body against his.

“Yawne,” he said sharply, “how could you be so reckless?”

“I—”

He quickly cuts you off, his grip around you tightening, “No, I leave my duties early thinking we could spend time togther but instead I find you half way outside the reef.”

He takes a deep breath, trying to his best to keep his composure so he doesn’t accidentally raise his voice, “Do you have any idea how many Akula lurk here at this time of day?”

Not giving you time to answer, Ao’nung tried to continue, but the moment he met your glossy gaze, he froze. You were looking at him with a soft expression, fluttering your lashes as if daring him to say what he had been about to.

Don’t give in Ao’nung, don’t give in, she could have hurt herself, this is serious.

Fuck, but she’s too cute

One of his hands lifted slowly, cupping your face, instant regret consuming his features, “Paskalin, I’m sorry, I was just worried that you could’ve been hurt, I—I would never forgive myself if that happened and I weren’t there to save you.”

You put your smaller hand over his, gently caressing it with your thumb in a comforting way, before opening your mouth to speak, “I’m sorry, Ma Ao’nung you were just worried, it’s my fault—”

To prevent you from blaming yourself any further, he crashed his lips against yours, using it as an excuse to pull you closer to his chest. If there was one thing the prince of the reef hated more than anything, it was you putting yourself down when in his eyes, you were an angel and could do no wrong.

“Nothing’s your fault, we’ll just forget this happened, tanhi.” He murmured into the kiss, not knowing that this had all been apart of your plan. At hearing his words, you tried your hardest not to grin so instead you just kissed him back with even more passion, playing with his hair as your tounges fought for dominance. You secretly loved how ‘whipped’ your boyfriend was for you, you could do as much as bat your lashes at him and he’d be on his knees, calling you his princess — his future Tsahìk.

You whine as he pulls away to take a breath. This time, when he leans in it’s not to kiss you, instead Ao’nung nuzzles his face into your neck, one of his hands sneakily travelling to the curve of your ass to embrace you into a hug. Now that he couldn’t see your face, you smirked to yourself at how oblivious your boyfriend was to your techniques.

“Mhm, you smell so good, princess.” He whispers, inhaling your scent. The feeling of Ao’nung’s hot breath against your skin causes your tail to instinctively curl around his muscular leg, making him let out a small chuckle. “Someone’s eager.”

You met his comment with a death stare, so to please you, he immediately wiped the smirk from his face, an act of obedience that earned him a kiss on the cheek.

“So paskalin, what made you swim all the way out here?” He asks teasingly, bending down to place kisses on your shoulder while awaiting for your answer.

“Well I really wanted to get this seashell—”

He didn’t wait for you to finish your sentence, his posture snapped straight, his gaze locking onto your pretty, glossy eyes as if silently urging you to tell him exactly what you wanted needed him to do.

Without you even having to say a word, his hand gave your ass one last gentle squeeze before he dived under the water, determined to fetch the seashell you asked for.

Who would’ve guessed that the tough, mean to everyone, future olo’eyktan was secretly such a good boy?

"I have you," he murmured, his large, calloused hands steadying your waist. His brow was furrowed, eyes searching your face with a mix of irritation and deep-seated worry. "You are clumsy today. Even for you."

"I am just tired, Aonung," you breathed, leaning into his cool chest. The scent of salt and the familiar musk of his skin usually calmed you, but now, the world was spinning.

He lifted you easily, ignoring the giggles of the children nearby, and carried you toward the shade of your family’s marui. As he laid you down on the soft woven mats, the smell of the drying fish outside hit you. Usually, it was the smell of home. Today, it was a threat.

Days later, he found you draped over a sun-warmed rock near the shallow reefs, your spear lying forgotten in the sand while the other hunters were already halfway to the drop-off.

"The fish will not jump into your lap, pretty girl," Aonung said, though his tone lacked its usual competitive edge. He swam closer, hoisting himself up onto the rock beside you. "My father is asking why the best tracker in the village is currently napping like a forest-slug."

You didn't even open your eyes. You just groaned, shifting your weight. "The rock is warm. The sun is perfect. Tell your father the fish can wait for one day."

Aonung frowned, reaching out to touch your neck. You weren't hot—your skin was cool and damp from the spray—but there was a softness to your features he hadn't seen before.

"You are lazy, yawne" he murmured, poking your side. "Even Lo'ak works harder than this today."

You finally opened one eye, giving him a look so withered it should have scorched him. "If you poke me again, I will bite your hand off."

-

You loved the way the sun turned the ocean into a sheet of shattered diamonds, but now, the glare made your head throb with a rhythmic, dull ache.

Aonung was watching you, his playful smirk slowly dying as he saw the way you swayed. He’d been teasing you for your "laziness", but as you sat on the edge of the sun-bleached rock, he saw your throat hitch. Your breathing became shallow, jagged, and your hands gripped the rough stone until your knuckles turned a ghostly white.

"Yawne," he said, his voice dropping the bravado. He swam closer, reaching up to pull himself onto the ledge. "Do you need me to call my mother? You look—"

He didn't get to finish.

A wave of violent nausea crashed over you, more aggressive than any tide. You barely had time to lurch toward the edge of the rock. It was a total betrayal of your body. You doubled over, racking tremors taking hold of your spine as you retched into the salt water below.

It was a raw, ugly sound that tore through the peaceful afternoon.

"What-" Aonung’s voice was laced with a sudden, sharp panic. He scrambled onto the rock, his large hands catching your shoulders just as your strength gave out. You felt so small against him, your body shivering violently in the heat.

"Aonung..." you choked out, your vision tunneling into black spots. The acid in your throat burned, and the sheer exhaustion of the last few days seemed to culminate in this one, agonizing moment. You felt terrifyingly sick.

He pulled you back against his chest. His tail was thrashing the water behind him in a frantic rhythm, a clear sign of his rising fear.

"I have you. Breathe, ma'Y/N," He wiped the sweat from your brow with a trembling hand, his eyes wide as he searched your pale face. "Eywa, why are you like this?"

He was genuinely terrified, watching the person he loved most slip away into a sickness he couldn't fight.

"It’s... it’s okay," you whispered, leaning your head into the crook of his neck. The violent nausea had stopped, leaving you hollowed out and trembling.

"It is not okay," he hissed, his grip tightening as if he could hold the life inside you by sheer force of will. "I am taking you to my mother."

-

The examination was brief. A few quiet chants, the steady pressure of Ronal’s hands over your abdomen, and then a knowing, sharp smile.

"The sea has planted a seed," Ronal announced, her voice echoing in the quiet space. "You are not ill. Well, you are, but you are simply carrying a new heavy burden of life. Rest. Eat what the body asks for. The nausea will pass when the moon turns."

-

The walk back to your own marui was silent, but the air between you and Aonung felt charged, like the moments before a great storm. He didn't say a word until you were both inside, tucked away from the prying eyes of the village.

You collapsed onto your sleeping mats, you felt heavy and strangely content. Aonung stood over you for a moment, looking uncharacteristically lost.

"Aonung?" you murmured, reaching out for him.

He moved closer, his tail wrapping around your thigh in a subconscious tether. He kissed you softly and then, tentatively, he reached out your belly. He hesitated for a heartbeat, his fingers hovering over the soft curve of your stomach, before he finally pressed his palm flat against you.

His hand was massive, covering nearly the entirety of your belly. It was warm as he touched you, as light as sea foam.

Aonung leaned down, his face inches from your skin. You watched with a soft smile as his ears flickered nervously.

"Listen to me, little one," he murmured, his voice dropping into a low, vibrating rumble that you could feel deep in your bones. "I am your father. You are already causing a great deal of trouble for your mother, making her lay in rocks, causing nausea and even eat bitter things."

You let out a breathy laugh, your eyes watering with happy tears as his thumb traced a slow circle over your skin.

"Grow strong," he continued, his tone turning fierce and protective. "The reef is waiting for you. The Tulkun are waiting. And I... I am waiting. Do not rush, but know that when you arrive, you will have the fastest ilu and the sharpest spear in the clan. I will make sure of it."

He pressed a lingering kiss to your stomach, his breath warm against you, before looking up at you with eyes that shone like the bioluminescent sea.

"You are carrying our child, a hunter/diver," he murmured and smiled at you, his grip tightening just a fraction—enough to let you know he was never letting go.

"I think they will have your eyes," he whispered kissing your temple, "And my stubbornness. May Eywa have mercy on us both."

-

Aonung’s plan was simple: keep the news quiet until the next full moon. He wanted to savor the secret, to protect you from the inevitable chaos of the clan’s excitement.

But Aonung was never particularly good at keeping his internal world off his face.

The "squad"—Rotxo, Tsireya, and even Lo’ak—were gathered by the communal fire-pits, sharpening their hunting daggers. You were sitting a few paces back, leaning against a woven pillar, currently focused on a bowl of a strangely bitter seeds Aonung had scavenged for you.

"Aonung, you’re sharpening the back of the blade," Rotxo remarked, squinting at his friend. "Are you planning to club the fish to death?"

Aonung snapped out of his trance, his ears flattening. "I am focused. You talk too much."

"You’ve been staring at Y/N for twenty minutes," Lo’ak added with a smirk, nudging Rotxo. "And she’s just sitting there eating... are those dye-nuts? Those taste like dirt."

Aonung’s tail gave a sharp, defensive flick against the sand. "She can eat whatever she wants. They are high in... minerals. For the spirit."

Tsireya looked between you and her brother, her head tilting with that innate Metkayina intuition. "You are acting strange, brother. You didn't even join the race today. You said you had to 'check the stability' of your marui’s floorboards?"

"The wood looked soft!" Aonung defended, his voice going up a suspicious half-octave. "It is important. If the floor breaks, someone could fall. Someone... heavy. Or someone who needs to be held up."

He looked at you, his gaze lingering on your stomach with such intense, blatant longing that Rotxo actually dropped his whetstone.

"Aonung," Rotxo said slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Why are you looking at her like she’s a sacred Tulkun?"

"I am not! I am just..." Aonung scrambled for an excuse, his face heating up to a deep shade of teal. "I am ensuring she is breathing correctly."

"She’s been breathing for years, man," Lo'ak laughed. "I think she’s got it down."

You caught Aonung’s eye and gave a tiny, mischievous nod. You knew he couldn't hold it in. He was vibrating with the need to brag, to claim this new title.

Aonung took a deep breath, puffing out his chest. He tried to look stoic, but the corners of his mouth kept twitching upward.

"If you must know," he began, his voice dropping into a performative future-leader bass, "I have decided that Y/N requires extra monitoring because she is currently... busy."

"Busy doing what?" Rotxo asked.

"Carrying a future Olo'eyktan... Or Tsahìk" Aonung blurted out.

The silence that followed was broken only by the crackle of the fire. Then, Tsireya let out a high-pitched squeal, leaping to her feet to rush toward you.

"A baby?" she cried, her eyes shimmering. "I am going to be an aunt?"

"Wait, for real?" Lo'ak blinked, looking impressed. "Aonung, you're gonna be a dad? You can barely handle a stubborn ilu."

"I will be a great father!" Aonung said dramatically. He stepped in front of you like a shield, his hand instinctively reaching back to hover near your knee. "She needs more seeds. Rotxo, go find more of those bitter seeds. Now."

As the group erupted into questions and cheers, Aonung leaned down toward you, ignoring the boys' teasing. He whispered just for you, his tail winding tightly around your own in the shadows.

"So much for a secret," he murmured, his eyes glowing with pride. "But they already know our little one is going to be the strongest of the reef."

He reached out, his thumb quickly brushing over the fabric covering your stomach and he kissed you, already acting like a overprotective father-to-be.

🌊⋆｡⋆˚࿔°.🐚⋆❀˖°⋆˚࿔

Neteyam's shadow fell over the workspace.

"Really?"

You looked up and gave him a wry smile. A half apology and a half 'what did you expect'.

Lo'ak didn't twitch, just simply kept his focus on the task in front of him. Neteyam's mouth tightened into a thin line; one that said he was trying very hard to hold himself back. His anger filled the room with a thickness that made your movements slow but Lo'ak simply ignored it, the calm air around him repelling the daggers that were shot his way. Your eyes darted back and forth as you sat in the middle of the familiar dance between temperaments that you have been a spectator to for many years.

The silence lasted seconds that felt like days and nights coming and going. Eventually Lo'ak turned his gaze, finally looking away from the bead between his fingers and onto his brother who was wound so tightly he looked like he would snap in half.

"You mind?" Lo'ak said "you're blocking our light"

You pursed your lips as Neteyam grit his teeth. You turned away in an attempt to hide the subtle shake of your shoulders. Neteyam noticed anyway. He turned his ire onto you.

"This is funny to you?" His eyes narrowed. You looked down with a poorly hidden smile. "All i ask is for one—one day with my mate by my side, completely. One day without her being taken from me. And here you are, laughing at my misery" he leveled you with a stern look

"Dramatic much.." Lo'ak muttered, now grinding roots for more dye.

Neteyam snapped his head towards him.

"You" he pointed like a teacher scolding a rowdy child "Go.Away. Go back to the reef and leave her alone"

"Neteyam" you tried, but he ignored you.

"You're so possessive bro" Lo'ak raised a judging brow "No wonder she keeps running away"

"She is not running away, skxawng. She is just too nice to say no"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night"

Neteyam opened his mouth to retort but you stepped in "Ma 'teyam, do not be so mad. Lo'ak just needed help for today. You will have me tomorrow"

He scoffed "You say that now but tomorrow, if it's not this idiot, then it's someone else snatching you up"

"That's not true"

"Yesterday it was Tuk wanting to play by the river"

"Tuk is a child"

"The day before it was Kiri making you help grind herbs in the healers tent"

"Everyone else was busy"

"The day before that, it was my mother forcing you to bead a new curtain"

"I offered"

"Y/n "

"Neteyam"

Neteyam closed his eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. He felt like he was on the cusp of combusting into flames. The heat that swelled in his chest was suffocating.

"What’s all this?"

Neteyam jumped slightly at the hand now resting on his shoulder.

"I'm helping Lo'ak dye beads to carry back for Tsireya" you answered, happy for the change in conversation.

Jake hummed, eyes raking over the carefully lined beads that air dried. He crouched down to inspect it closer. "Looks good"

"Great, dad can help you now. Come (Y/n)" Neteyam beckoned, already half turned for you to follow.

At the questioning look on Jake's face Lo'ak supplied "He's just pissy she wants to hang out with me and not him"

"You—!"

"Y/n!" Tuk came rushing in, bypassing Neteyam completely and hopping right to the space next to you

"Tuk tuk!" You cooed, squishing her cheek against yours

She giggled "Y/n, we have to go to the river! Now! Spider said he saw viperwolf pups nearby and I want to see them" she yanked at your arm, try to lift you from the ground.

"Hey!" Lo'ak's brows furrowed "She can't. She's helping me with something"

Tuk stuck her tongue out at him.

"Hey (Y/n)" Kiri waltzed in "Can you come with me to the mountains? Mo'at needs dapophet pods"

"No! Y/n's coming with me!" Tuk's ears flattened.

"What? No way, she's already busy. Go by yourself" Lo'ak grumbled

"Umm.." Jake mumbled sheepishly "I actually needed her help to string some bows.." they all turned to him ".. your mother's busy and (Y/n)'s good at it"

"You've got to be kidding me"

"You can't be serious right now"

"All of you suck"

Everyone devolved into chaos. Voices climbed and teeth were bared. You sat there stunned by the whole ordeal, not knowing who to comfort and who to scold. Truthfully you didn't mind helping them all but knowing them, everything was a competition to be won and a tie would make them moan and groan, so you just kept silent. You forgot about Neteyam's presence until he made himself known again.

"That's it, I've had enough!" With lighting speed, Neteyam lifted you up and tossed you over his shoulder like a woven sack. You gasped, instinctively wiggling to escape his hold but it was no use, his grip was too strong. The rest of the family protested as he left without a word.

You hung uselessly as he stalked back to your kelku.

"You are not leaving my side ever again" he huffed.

You sighed, accepting your fate.

Lo'ak was right, he is dramatic.

a/n: i've got tons of stuff in the works just fyi. it'll probaly just take forever for me to finish them and be actually satisfied enough to post.

coming back in, only to see him sprawled out on the small bed, long legs dangling off comically. "you sure you wanna sleep here? you're literally too tall" you laugh, laying down beside him. he mumbles something in the bedsheets before his body is pressed against your side. simply laying there as you drape a queen size bedsheet over your bodies.

"such a baby" teasing him when he curls his legs and throws a heavy arm over your stomach. you can't help but pamper him. "m'not a baby." lo'ak shakes his head, slowly nuzzling his head. digging his chin into your chest to properly look at you. his markings glow in the dark and he just looks so "pretty..." you whisper, patting his head lovingly.

its silent for a few minutes. basking in eachother's presence. his eyes threatening to close and you feel him settle sleepily. "y'know..its not my fault..it isn't my fault, right" he whispers, exhaling heavily. "it's not your fault, lo'ak. never your fault, okay?", and the na'vi visibly seems relieved at your reminder. the reminder he needed to feel more like himself. to really begin the journey towards forgiving himself. he goes lax and comfortable. practically purring. finally falling asleep with a soft smile across his face.

"sleep well, baby" his hand finding yours. interlacing your fingers with his bigger ones. and you let yourself sink into the warmth. humming when he whispers in his sleep. "g'night"