#eetu

So’lek was helping tie an arm band around your bicep, it was neatly woven, beautiful beads and stones decorating it. His hands were gentle, making sure to secure it tightly, but not too tight.

“There, ma’eylan” he hummed, quietly admiring his own work. His eyes flicked up to your face, studying you, giving you the same look he would give someone he cared about deeply. It reminded you of when he would have quiet afternoons with his Ikran.

“Thanks, So’lek, it looks great!” You smiled up at him, he looked away and nodded. “You are much welcome, it is my pleasure to help you find your way, even in small ways such as these.” He finally met your eyes again, not smiling, but you could tell he was contempt, happy.

“How long did it take you to make?” You ran your fingers over the colourful stones, feeling their smoothness.

“Not long, I spent maybe a week or so in my spare time.” He looked down once again, like he was embarrassed to meet your gaze. He wasn’t used to doing these kinds of things for people. The truth was, he spent much longer, he spent up to a month studying you, seeing what you liked to decorate your own things with, what colours. Then he spent a considerable amount of time picking the right things, carving the beads, weaving the band, tying the stones. However, he couldn’t bring himself to admit he spent so much time and energy on you, it felt much too personal, for now anyway.

“You should teach me sometime!” Your sparkling eyes met his once again, a smile plastered on your face. Great mother, how those sparkling eyes of yours made his stomach flip, he felt like a teenager again.

“If you would like me to, then I shall, I would be glad.” He cleared his throat, trying to calm his beating heart, slow his swishing tail.

You admired the band for a short moment, before springing to life again. “Thank you, so much! But I have to go, Eetu is supposed to teach me how to hunt!”

Eetu… the name made his gut twist, but he curtly nodded and tightened his lips. Eetu was younger, livelier, not burdened by the trauma of battle, not like he was. “Go, I will be here when you return.”

You bid him goodbye, but not before giving his hand a squeeze, before finally fleeing off for the Aranahe hometree.

Eetu was fixing his headband onto his head, before finally spotted you walking into hometree.

“Sarentu! It is lovely to see you again. You are here for your lessons, I assume?” He gave you a boyish smile, although it held an air of friendliness.

“Eetu! Yeah, I’m here for the lessons you promised yesterday!” You giggled, and oh the sound made his heart flutter, it made him giddy inside.

“Great! Actually, I have a gift for you.” He bent down and rummaged through his belongings, finally pulling out a string. “For you. It is a bow string for when you hunt. I hope it will suffice better than the one you have.” He handed it to you, it was sturdy, and decorated with beads and dyes, in Aranahe fashion.

“Oh it’s beautiful! Thank you.” You admire the work, holding it up to its full length.

“Come! Let us put it on” he beckoned you to follow him, up to the Ikran landing. He sat with you on the edge, smiling to himself as you sat close.

He let you attach the string yourself, mentally patting himself on the back for having taught you how to switch out strings a few lessons ago.

His eye caught the armband around your bicep, it complimented you beautifully, the colours being ones he always associated with you, ones you always wore.

“Your armband is beautiful, did you make it?” He complimented

“Oh, thank you! Actually, So’lek just gave it to me today! He did a great job, didn’t he?” You smiled down at the band briefly, before going back to tying the string onto your heavy bow.

“So’lek?” Eetu felt his mood sour, a frown on his face. He was just glad you were too distracted with his own gift to notice it. “Yes, he is a mighty warrior, respectable. He did a good job.” He felt himself force out. He knew all of those things were true, but that was the exact problem, he felt a pit of jealously in his stomach each time you mentioned him. Each time you talked with him he felt himself become bitter. It was silly, really, he shouldn’t be this childish about something so small, yet, he couldn’t help himself.

The rest of the lesson went just as he had planned, lingering touches, his hands gently readjusting your position as you aimed at a target. You finally caught your own Yerik (hexapede), a clean and merciful kill. He felt pride swell in his chest, if it were not for him, you would not know these things.

You both made your way back to hometree, laughing and talking, when you spotted Etuwa talking with So’lek. “So’lek? What are you doing here?” You jog up to him, that smile that made his breath catch.

“Sarentu… Priya asked me to come and deliver some things to Etuwa, that is all.” He gestured to Etuwa, before spotting Eetu trailing behind you. The sight of the young hunter made his lips twitch into a small frown.

“Eetu.” He gave a greeting nod, only wanting to acknowledge the young man out of obligation.

“So’lek.” Eetu nodded back, feeling much the same about the older, hardened man.

There was a moment of tension between the two, So’lek noting the new string on your bow, and Eetu already having taken note of your new armband.

“Well, I must not keep Priya waiting, I will be going now.” So’lek looked back to Etuwa, giving her a nod, then both you and Eetu and nod. Although Eetu definitely took note of the hand So’lek placed on your shoulder before he left.

Eetu huffed quietly to himself at the action, turning back to you. “I must leave as well, one of the camps has requested my help with a hunt.” He smiled at you, putting a hand over his heart and making his leave.

Etuwa hummed, almost amused by the situation, if it were not for the uncomfortable tension. She sighed and turned to you, “please, be gentle with their hearts.” She gave your shoulder a squeeze before walking off her own way.

So’lek by some sort of miracle had been next to you almost every moment of the day. Though he didn’t speak. Not since he had rushed out of the tent many moons ago. He was so…guarded. Like an invisible wall was plastered in between the two of you.

He knew your routine. When you were hungry, when you needed to eat those disgusting herbs and when to get Minang to aid in atreating the bruised sweltered wound on your leg.

He had fetched the pod fruit for Nefika a couple days after you had settled into your routines. At least she couldn’t scold you for delaying the progression of her dyes. Thank Eywa for So’lek.

The tent flap opened softly, So’lek stepping through, and shutting it curtly behind him. He didn’t say a word, just as you expected. He held a large green leaf in his hand, holding small pieces of meat and fruit to indulge in for the morning.

Slowly, you shuffled up in your bed. Inching with your arms, to push yourself up to rest on your uninjured leg. It was a painstakingly slow process, that most definitely looked pitiful to So’lek. So maybe that’s why he didn’t look at all? He just stared at the floor turning away from you. The same way a child did when they were scolded by their mother, unable to face the consequences of their actions.

It didn’t click for you though. His avoidance, his guarded stare it just made you feel like a burden. As if So’lek was…furious that you had been so reckless. That he felt the need be responsible for your healing and that he resented that fact completely.

Looking up at him to try and meet his solemn eyes you squeaked out a mellow greeting. “Good morning.”

“Morning”. The silence grew awkwardly, you let out a small cough to try and mend the tension in the sweet morning air.

So’lek crouched down next to you, stretching out his arms to hand you the meal. His hands shook slightly, it was odd for a warrior of his stature, to shake in the presence of such a pathetic excuse of a grown woman.

Taking the food, you placed it on the floor in front of you so could use one hand to hold your weight up, absolving your leg of it’s responsibility.

“Where is yours? Have you eaten?” You were sure he hadn’t, it was so early that he must’ve woken before the sun rose to prepare your meal.’

“No. Not yet.” He hummed softly still avoiding your gaze as if your eyes would turn him into stone.

You frowned, your bottom lip poking out. “You must eat.”

So’lek just shook his head as he pushed your food closer to you “I am not wounded.”

You sucked your teeth, rolling your eyes. “No way, I haven’t noticed.”

So’lek grunted as he crossed his arms, adjusting so he sat slightly closer to you. “Just eat. Don’t make me feed you.”

No longer protesting you ate the rest of your meal in silence. So’lek loomed over you like a hawk, his presence warm even though he was still so cold towards you.

He waited until you swallowed the last bite of your food before he moved from his almost predator like position, still and watchful. He reached for the leaf in front of you folding it neatly. He was attentive, too attentive. Always making sure that the space you inhabited was clean, that you were clean and taken care of.

He watched as you tried to adjust “There’s no need to rush” He said quietly. “I will help you”

“Why would I rush? I have nowhere to be.” You gestured to you leg laying stiff on the mat.

He paused, almost remorsefully. His jaw tightened, placing the folded leaf into a pocket of his vest. “You will.” He replied “Soon.”

The word echoed.

Soon.

An empty promise, you weren’t going anywhere. Anytime soon. Not when this lug of a limb held you down. You shifted, trying to adjust your position, but you were quickly shut down as a pain sharp enough to steal your breath flared throughout your entire limb. You bit down hard, refusing to make a sound.

Within these weeks you learned quickly that every sound you made, every facial twitch drew his attention to you. Despite your efforts he noticed anyway.

“So’lek.” You interrupted him before he could move. “Don’t”

He froze.

“I- I can do it,” you insisted, even when the slight tremor in your arms betrayed your determination. “I won’t break apart if you look away for a moment.”

“You are wounded.” He said, guilt laced in his tone.

Your chest tightened as you struggled to keep your weight on your arms. “I didn’t plan on needing this much help”

So’lek frowned as he moved closer to you. “That does not matter.”

“It does to me.” Silence stretched between you. “You don’t look at me, you barely speak. I know you have better things to do”

His shoulders sagged, the weight of your words pulling them down as he tried to stop his mouth from frowning. “That’s not true.”

“You think I do not notice it So’lek?” Your voice trembled despite your best efforts to not show your emotions. “You tense when I move, you hover over me like you’re waiting for me to hurt myself again. I know I slowed you down. I know your only staying here because it’s some twisted sense of pity and obligation towards me.”

“That is not it-”

“Then what is it So’lek? Because it just feels like you’re angry at me for being such a burden.”

So’lek’s posture softened, his hands slowly reaching out to you. His eyes sharp and wounded, like an animal cornered by something it does not know how to fight.

“I am not angry…I’d never be angry.” His words were soft, his voice low and controlled. “I’m afraid”

The words hung in the air, fragile and unexpected. Your breath caught in your throat, unable to respondbrui to his confession. The silence was long and painful, claws scratching down your throat where words couldn’t escape.

Eyes met, it felt as if a warm wave rushed over you, washing away the pain within you for just a second as for the first time in weeks you had met So’lek’s eyes and there was not coldness. For just a moment So’lek had not been a guarded keeper of her health…but a friend.

What was he afraid of? Was he afraid you would impede on his other responsibilities? That this injury would cost him his work? What could he mean.

You felt inclined to ask. To interrogate him. But you were too afraid. Of ruining what might be the one moment of vulnerability he would bestow upon you.

“You don’t have to be afraid. It’s not like I will break.”

So’lek shut his eyes quickly, screwing them shut as he took in a sharp breath. His chest trembles as his hand gripped onto his thigh tightly. “You’re already broken. I-” He cut himself off, now unable to met your eyes. Maybe he really was afraid.

“I know that So’lek.” You huff, anger tittering on the tip of your tongue. “I’m the one that is holed up in this tent all day with nothing to do but think. But you can leave at any time. It’s quite obvious how much you resent being here.”

So’lek almost let out a hiss as he turned back to face you, his brows furrowed as he kept his hands glued to his sides.

“Resent?” The words were sour and bitter in his mouth. “You think I resent you?” He gestured towards you and your leg. Before his hands curled into fists glueing back to his sides as if he was restraining himself from something bigger than anger.

“If I resented you, I would be back at resistance. I would’ve left as soon as Minang said you would live”

Your heart hammered in your ribcage. “Then what is it? Fear? Are you scared of me or something? Because I’m pretty much hopeless right now so I don’t know why you can’t stand to be near me!”

The question slipped out of your mouth faster than you could filter it. It was raw and brittle. You hated how you sounded so…desperate. For what exactly? Reassurance? Closure? Validation?

So’lek froze, his jaw clenched. Teeth grinding against each other as he fought with himself to stop spewing out a raw and vulnerable confession.

“Because I did this to you. I shouldn’t have let you fly out. I should have said no to Nefika. I knew better and…and you got hurt.”

Your fingers dug into the plush mat beneath you. “So…this is about guilt?”

His eyes snapped back to meet yours. “This is about consequence.”

“I chose to fly out with you”

“And I chose to race you in the plains winds.” His voice was soft, quiet as he tried to stop his voice from showing too much emotion. “And I got you hurt.”

“So what? Are you going to mull around me until I can walk? Because we both know that will be a long time.” You tried to move again, face scrunching in pain.

So’lek quickly attended to you, being less subtle about his motions to help you. Placing his large hands around your waist to prop you upright onto a woven backrest behind you.

As his hands left your skin, the heat lingered, an absence that burned more than the contact itself. “Until I can get you back home safely. I will be here.”

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notes: thankyou sm for reading!! i'd love to hear your thoughts what you think might happen, what you wish will happen!! it really motivates me comments, reblogs and asks are so so so appreciated. sorry if theres some errors i wrote most of this when i should have most definitely been sleeping

“What’d they call you, Teylan?”

His cheeks darkened. “They called me ‘tawtute yawnetu.’”

Her brows furrowed and she looked at Minang. “I don’t know what that means. What does that mean?”

Minang looked a bit uncomfortable as she explained, “It…is a term not said in kindness. The best translation is, ‘human lover.’”

Her eyes widened a brief moment, then they hardened. “Oh, they called him that, did they?” she looked at Teylan. “Where are they?”

“Near the fighting ring…” he mumbled, and she nodded resolutely, then looked at Minang.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

As she walked off, Teylan suddenly looked frantic, and he clasped his hands around his cheeks. “Oh, no, not good.”

“What’s not good?” Minang asked and he looked at her.

“When she gets mad, she gets mad. Oh, no. I need to find So’lek.” He hurried off towards the last place he’d seen So’lek.

He came upon the older Na’vi along with the Aranahe hunter, Eetu, who’d come to join the games as well, and he waved his arms as he ran up.

“So’lek! So’lek, I need your help!” he shouted, panting as he bent down to breathe. “Oh, no, it’s not good. It’s not good at all.”

So’lek looked at him, a frown etched on his face, even Eetu looked concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s her, she’s going to kick their butts. It’s not going to be good. Oh no,” he worried.

“Wait, what?” Eetu asked. “What’s going on?”

Teylan practically whined in desperation. “I was being teased by some Zeswa for acting like a human and then they took my hat and called me a human lover and when I told her, she got that look in her eye that I do not like seeing and do not want to see ever again, and then she said she was going to be back in a few minutes, but see, the thing about her is she’s never back in a few minutes, it’s always forever, and that’s not a bad thing, but in this case, she’s absolutely going to kick their butts and make them eat dirt, and I don’t know what to do, so I came and got you because she’s going to bea—”

“For the love of the Great Mother,” So’lek interrupted, exasperated. “Take a breath.”

Teylan inhaled deeply and looked at him. “She’s going to make them eat dirt.”

So’lek rubbed his temples and grumbled under his breath as he started walking back the way Teylan came, Eetu followed close behind with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“I can’t wait to see that little Sarentu kick some Zeswa two times her size.”

As they came upon the hilltop, they all stopped, Eetu started cackling, Teylan hid his face in his hands, and So’lek sighed heavily. They watched as their fellow Na’vi had one of the Zeswa in a leg-lock and another in a headlock. Two more were already on the ground, groaning in pain.

“Say it again!” she hollered. “Say it again! I grew up in the human facility too! You gonna call me a human lover?! Say it to my face! Say it! I dare you!”

Eetu looked like he was about to cry from how hard he was laughing, Teylan was halfway to an involuntary panic attack, and So’lek was wondering how he managed to get dragged into it.

He walked over and grabbed her arms, pulling them open. The Zeswa dropped and started hacking. “Drop the other,” he muttered, and she snarled at him, baring her teeth. “Drop. Him.” he repeated sternly, and she unlocked her legs; he lifted her up and set her on the ground. “Why are you like this?”

“Unresolved childhood trauma and protective instincts,” she shot back with a glare, and looked down at the Zeswa trying and failing miserably to save face in their defeat; she swiped the hat from one of them and warned, “Call my brother a human lover again and I’ll knock your teeth out and make you eat them one by one.”

She stomped off towards Teylan and handed him his hat back. “Here. Merry Christmas.”