#female!reader

Toruk Makto. Jake Sully. Dad. Your dad.

Setting down the equipment you were carrying, you crawled slowly to the entryway of your family’s dwelling—just to catch a glimpse of your family. Your father seemed to be scolding Neteyam and Lo’ak for something that had happened whilst they were gone.

“Kiri, go help your grandmother with the wounded. Please! Babygirl. please!” You heard your fathers exasperated voice, his anger was evident, but for her, his voice was soft.

You’d never seen him get angry with Kiri, maybe with you and your brothers… but never your sisters.

A long sigh escapes from your lips, the air leaving you in a long, shivering exhale. Carrying away the jagged edges of the day. Suddenly your mind goes to the times when you were younger.

The first born daughter of Jake Sully.

Where did I go wrong?

You were once everything to your parents, their first baby, a carbon copy of your mother.

At the first communion with Eywa, Mo’at saw great strength in your heart. You were destined to be a mighty woman. But your training was… cut short?

Everything was perfect until the family just kept growing. It felt as if you were slowly forgotten. Your father spends all of his time training Neteyam and Lo’ak. When they’re not training, they’re spending time with Kiri, Tuk, and Spider. Your mother is always busy with hunting, training, and… Kiri.

You’d felt you and your father’s connection slipping through your fingers over time; when he began to treat the family like a squad. It made you furious, and you let him know it. That’s one quality you took after him, his stubbornness, always snapping back.

Despite you being the oldest, Kiri was chosen as Tsakarem by your grandmother because of her very strong connection to Eywa. Everything was easy for Kiri. Even her Iknimaya, she did not have to fight for her Ikran. It simply chose her.

Yours was good, and fast due to your skills. You just wish that now, today, your talents were looked at for more than high-performance potential. You hated that word. Potential.

Neteyam and Loak’s were fast paced and celebrated greatly throughout the clan. Everyone had a big role in the family—but yours was always overlooked. Hell, even Tuk seemed bigger.

In the face of being one of the strongest young warriors amongst the Omatikaya, your parents just didn’t acknowledge these qualities in you anymore, not your strong heart, or your fierce determination, just your faults and mistakes.

You snapped out of it, got out of your head and went back to weaving. Everyone began to shuffle in at that moment, crowding the hut and taking their seats on the floor, bickering and mocking one another playfully. It’s what siblings do.

Tuk was the first to see you, but she didn’t say anything. Lo’ak thought you were boring, always sulking, in your own world. But what nobody cared enough to understand was you. Your skills were already good enough. Nobody ever really noticed.

You understood what had happened now, having overheard Lo’ak telling Kiri about his duties; tending to the Ikran for a month. Relief washed over you, you’re usually the one who hangs and cleans their saddles.

Your mother and father sat outside, talking quietly. Your father held that revolting steel in his hands, the stuff that the sky people use, their fire. It was nauseating to even look at.

They noticed you coming over from the inside of the hut, watching as you sat before them carefully, continuing to weave your armband. “How was the raid?”

Your parents exchanged obscure looks, it’s not really like you to sit and ask them questions about things you “didn’t really care about.”

But that's not true. You do care, a little too much about everything.

You cared because you are a warrior, why wouldn’t you care? Your father just didn’t allow you to go on raids—you never understood why.

“Good. Successful.” Jake said briskly, almost remotely.

“Oh! Look at this armband I'm weaving, I got a nice catch last week so I'm using the…”

Your excitement was perceptible. Your smile bright, hands stretched towards them, showing them your progress.

It didn’t take much for them to return to their own conversation, so you lowered your voice, slowly walked back into the hut, eyeing your grandmother's work as she smothered healing paste on Neteyam’s injuries.

“Move!” Kiri snapped, shoving past you and handing your brother a drink.

Your hand is around her arm in seconds, even though you’re quiet, and relevantly easier to get around, you have never just accepted your siblings’ disrespect, or your fathers. Perhaps that’s where things went wrong with him, always snapping back, never leaving his complaints unanswered.

You understood your position, oldest sister, respected warrior, blah blah blah. You loved your siblings, you just wouldn’t tolerate their disrespect all the time, especially when you’ve done nothing. “Don’t you tell me to move. Ask nicely.”

“Let go of my arm.”

“No.”

“Let go, Y/n!” She shouted loud enough for dad to hear, making you let go with a snarl.

Your father stormed inside. glaring daggers at you. “Hey! That’s enough!”

“She started it!” You waved your arms dramatically in frustration. Of course he’s taking her under his wing again.

“I don’t care who started it. She’s not the one hissing and grabbing.”

Everyone’s attention was turned to you and your father at this point, and even if they wouldn’t show it, you knew that they were disappointed in you.

“Apologize to your sister, Y/n. Now.” Your mother sighed, standing beside your father, her hands resting on her hips.

“I didn’t even…”

“That’s enough! Apologize.” Fathers voice bellowed past your defiant words. He knew you wouldn’t hesitate to finish that sentence, that’s what riled him up so much.

You turned reluctantly to face Kiri, taking her stupid hands and sighing, “I’m sorry.”

“For?…” Dad commented, earning a look from you.

“Whatever.” Kiri replied to your apology snarkily,

Is she serious?

Oh, but dad made no comment on that, you shook your head and sat back down, your lively braids bouncing with each movement, your delicate top swinging against your chest.

Your dad exited with your mother, half relieved that you didn’t make a scene. “That girl is ruthless.” He peeked through the entrance from outside, glancing at your crouched form.

“MaJake… I don’t know what to do with her. She doesn't spend time with anyone anymore.”

“That’s her own fault.” Your father sat, cleaning the metal and sharpening his arrowheads.

Neytiri glared at him before taking her own look at you, inside, alone. Watching your siblings with a curve of a smile at your lips.

It didn’t matter what happened, how far apart you’d all drifted, your love for them ran deeply. You’d do anything for your younger siblings. Anything.

It’s what got you in so much trouble at times, your will to put yourself in danger when it came to protecting them.

A week of adventure passed, you’d often leave and walk around the forest when your family was too busy to notice—but today, you decided to stay inside.

You lay silently on the woven mat in your family’s home, weaving like usual.

“Let’s go to the forest.” You heard Lo’ak’s voice but your head didn’t move up, assuming he was just talking to somebody else. “Sister! Let’s go!” He took your weaving supplies and helped you up.

“I’m supposed to be watching you guys, not going into the forest.”

“Who cares? Mom and dad are hunting, Neteyam’s not here to hold us back. Let’s go.”

You reached for your bow instinctively, delicate hands clasped around the firm, smooth grip made from bast and animal horns.

“Leave it, sister. You won’t need that.”

“Lo’ak…”

He dragged you after him anyway, into the deep, vast forest. Your bow left behind. Tuk tailed both of you while Kiri walked beside you, Spider with Lo’ak.

You’d never understood your siblings when it came to Spider, maybe it’s because you grew apart from him as well. You remember small details—playing together in the ponds, he’d chase your tails, wrestle with you all, but everything just fell apart at some moment.

“Tuk,” You called out gently to your youngest sister, making sure she kept up with you all.

Loak groaned, stopping for a moment. “Tuk! Keep up!”

“Okay, okay!” She shouted, arms hanging loosely at her sides. Taking her hand, you continued to skip after the group.

“Bro, why’d you bring her anyway?” Spider shrugged, his head shaking slightly.

Your tail swished in annoyance, who is he to question our youngest sister’s presence?

“She’s such a cry baby! She’s all, “I’m telling, i’ll tell mom if you don’t let me come”

“Don’t pick on her.” Kiri retorted, the young girl took her place beside her, holding her hand and jeering at Lo’ak.

It was immature, and unlikely for you to be so jealous of Kiri, but it’s almost like she’d stolen everything from you.

Your siblings continued their voyage, you walked quietly behind them, observing the wilderness, observing them. The forest would always be your home and you knew it.

Somehow, you all ended up at the old shack. Dad would skin you if he’d known that you allowed your siblings to see this forbidden scene, that never stopped your brother.

It didn’t take long for you all to notice commotion, commotion from the shack, so you moved quickly to hide behind the trees, dragging your siblings with you.

From the secluded area you guys had gathered around, you could see the Avatars. Five of them. “Skxawng, you should have let me bring my bow.” You whispered harshly, shoving your brother's arm.

He hissed quietly, watching them closely before feeling for his collar mic.

You couldn’t exactly make out what your father was saying to Lo’ak through his comms, you didn’t even have yours on. Not even your earpiece. All you heard was get the hell out of there and you were on your heels.

They all began to run, you halted, something in the bushes distracting you—but you kept going, slowly, assuming it was just a creature. You were wrong. Tuk dragged your arm, “It's almost eclipse, come on!”

There were two very large hands which suddenly wrapped around your youngest sister, you snarled sharply—eyes wide and confused. The other avatars pounced, their rifles, the metal…it all reminded you that in this moment, your heels are dug in for nothing.

Your siblings’ screams echoed in your mind, Spider had a bow this entire time and you hadn’t even noticed.

“Tuk!” You heard Kiri screech, your siblings holding up weapons to the enemy’s.

“Put it down! Down! Put it down or I’ll shoot you!” One of the recoms yelled.

Lo’ak dropped his weapons, holding his hands out to Spider and the others. “Keyn tsat, keyn tsat.”

“Mawey, mawey.” You tried to reassure your siblings, despite being petrified yourself.

They kneeled, some more hesitant than others, the dreamwalkers holding you all by the kuru, tugging harshly.

They held Kiri’s hands up, her five fingers flexing involuntarily. “Hey colonel, look at this. We got a half breed.” The man smirked, pulling your sister's hair back.

Their treatment made your blood boil, your sisters cries, her fast breathing—your eyebrows furrowed, eyes big and wet.

“Tsap’alute si, Kiri,” You shook your head, “I’m sorry.”

Their leader went around the group, asking to see hands, he went from Kiri, to Lo’ak…then stopped in front of you.

Loak's attitude amused you, his snarky comments, his body language—you had to stifle a laugh as this man stood before you, his eyes narrowed in recognition.

Carbon copy of your mother. The man’s eyes darkened, he stepped back, recognizing your humongous, golden eyes, and your four fingers.

“Kill her.”

Eclipse fell. The forest was silent, only the soft rustle of leaves and the small chirp of creatures resonated.

Your siblings eyes widened and before they could retaliate, the yips—unmistakably your mothers sounded through the forest canopy.

Everyone paused, Kiri muttered soft prayers to herself, the recom holding her pulled her head back roughly. “Shut up!”

Arrows flew, gunshots rang. The last signal you needed was your mother shouting Loak's name, you were on your feet then—griping the arms that were wrapped around your neck.

You grabbed Tuk, holding her against your hip and leaping away, shielding her with your body, stopping somewhere—hoping, just hoping someone would come to your rescue, there were too many nearby, and you knew.

“Tuk…” You whispered, a small caress. “It is okay.” Your sister cried softly beneath you, hands clenching around your shoulders.

When it was safe, you ran again. A startle response hitting like a rock when it was your family that leaped from the bushes.

“Tuk!” Your mother held her, taking you in her arms and then Kiri. “Thank you great mother, thank you!” She cried, kissing each of your sisters foreheads, letting you go subtly.

You don’t remember when, but Spider had gone missing, it came to your surprise earlier when you were all captured, the blue colonel was in all of the stories your parents told about their past. Has he returned?

You watched silently as the ship hovered overhead, the avatars disappearing into it.

Your father pulled his sons close, “It’s okay, it’s okay. We're okay.”

“Where’s Spider?” Lo’ak realized, his gaze moving over Kiri.

She pulled away from your mom, glaring at Lo’ak, then at Jake. “They took him! They took him.” Kiri sobbed, looking at her father for some sort of succor, everyone knew that he couldn’t do much at this moment. Always focused on keeping the family safe.

You beheld them covetously as he pulled Kiri close, whispering soft reassurances into her hair as she cried—worried for her friend. “It’s gonna be okay. We’re all gonna be okay.” He cradled her head, at this point you couldn’t watch anymore.

“Y/n, come. Get on the Ikran, you’re flying us out.” Neytiri took your arm, your father straightened up, guiding Kiri to where they’d landed the creatures, everyone followed.

“Okay…” Your ears were flat against your head, hands twisting your songcord which was woven into your loincloth. Mounting the Ikran steadily.

You soared through the sky, your mother holding Tuk behind you, one hand on your shoulder to steady you, and herself.

Your loud yips echoed via the vast night sky, signaling where your family should follow. With each breath, you got closer to high camp.

Glancing at your father, you wondered why he hasn’t muttered a word to you since they found you. Perhaps he couldn’t be angry, he looked deep in thought anyway.

Landing at high camp was the easiest thing to do, dismounting and immediately moving to the food baskets and having a meal, sharing with your siblings.

Your parents disappeared into the hut a bit earlier, you caught a glimpse of your siblings spying on them through the small gaps beneath the tent, you made your way over, kneeling down to listen—it was an argument, it had been ages since you heard them argue, it was unlikely at this point.

“Maybe we shouldn’t…” You whispered, already pulling Tuk into your lap.

“Shut up, skxawng. Listen.” Kiri said, waving her hand dismissively. You couldn’t fight the urge to listen either, so you did.

“I cannot. You cannot ask this.” You heard your mother say, leaning down to peek through the crack just like Tuk had done earlier.

“He’s hunting us. He’s targeting our family.” Your father was awfully quiet, hands hanging at his sides, his face—a bitter sadness.

“You cannot ask this!” Your mothers voice raised as she stood, facing your father, her body language is calm—her voice, not so much. A heartbreaking desperation in it. “The children! Everything they’ve ever known, the forest! This is our home!”

“He had our children. He had 'em under his knife!”

Neytiri exhaled sharply, moving slowly towards her fathers ceremonial bow and arrow, passed down to her—perched on a wooden weapon stand. “My father gave me this bow as he lay dying! He said protect the people! You’re Toruk Makto!” Her voice cracked.

Your father seemed to flinch at that reminder of his title. Toruk Makto. Looking down before glaring at your mother again.

“This will protect the people! Quaritch has Spider. That kid knows everything! He knows our whole operation.” Jake’s voice was sharp, hands gesturing wildly. “If the people harbor us, they will die. Do you understand?”

Your mother backed away slightly, her chest heaving, eyes dropped to the floor, ears flat.

“Look, I got nothing. I got no plan.” Jake continued, his voice soft. “But I can protect this family. That I can do.”

You stopped listening then, leaning back, hands resting lazily in your lap. The night passed, neither you or your siblings spoke a word to your parents, other than small good nights and sweet smiles.

You were more isolated, not completely understanding this whole situation. Unsure of where you’re going next, what they were even talking about.

The next morning, the camp bustled with activity, the people—preparing for a ceremony. One you had no idea of.

You walked beside your brother, adjusting the clothes you’d just changed into, fixing the hair you slept in as you both made your ways through the crowd of people surrounding the spirit tree.

Taking your stand beside your mother, you kept a hand on her shoulder, her sobs barely heard amongst the cries of the people surrounding us. Your father knelt before Tarsem…he was relinquishing his role as Olo’eyktan.

“Neteyam, what is this?” You whispered quietly.

His head snapped towards you. “Be quiet. I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay, okay.”

Jake stood down from the higher ground, leading your family through the crowd, the cut on his chest dripping in blood.

“Ma’sempu…” You called quietly, moving faster to stand beside him. “What is happening?”

“We’re going somewhere else.” He said blankly, walking solemnly.

You’d never seen your father so…sad before. Maybe a couple times, sure. But never this much. Where? Where are we going? You had so many questions, just no way to get the words right.

You all changed into your shawls, to keep you from the cold, packed your baskets and bound them to your Ikran.

You mounted then, your riders mask just above your eyebrows, hands gripping the saddles harder than ever. As you flew after your family, each of you looked back at the forest you were now leaving.

Your eyes welled with tears. A new life. A new home. Your family had already been overlooking you—a whisper in a storm. Now the memories of your childhood have been left behind in the only home you’d ever known.

You flew over the slamming tides, your ikran taking sharp turns and pivoting back, you were tired, but you had to keep yourself safe, safe from falling off this creature.

At dawn, everything was beautiful, the sight of the sea beneath you was marveling, shining in shades of white and blue.

“Are we there yet?” Tuk said, just waking from her sleep. We were just arriving.

Even in the face of this beautiful sea beneath you; you knew that you’d miss life in the forest. Your face was empty as you removed your shawl, slowly, steadily storing it into the basket on your Ikran’s left side.

Your beaded top, adorn with the soft leaves and feathers of the forest was now free with the wind, dancing around your chest as the breeze hit softly. You wore your warriors' raspu’ with your loincloth, the patterns mirrored your mothers clothing.

Shell horns bellowed, the yips of the Metkayina reef people sounded, the flap of your ikran’s wings loud as you followed Jake’s calls.

Then you landed.

Your mother reached instinctively for her bow, her lips pursed together.

“Hey, leave it.” Your father said quietly, leading the family in front of the crowd that was forming—hands raising at his sides.

Conversations died instantly. Heads turned. The Metkayina gathered quickly—warriors, elders, children. Until the shores were lined with watchful eyes.

Your father murmured softly, reminding you all to be calm, and to be nice, glaring at you for a heartbeat .

Two strange boys came through the crowd, eyeing your brothers, teasing them for their thinner tails.

Neteyam and Lo’ak tried to be nice, even gesturing the usual I see you with their hands, these reef boys only kept circling them.

Your eyebrows pinched together, fingers twitching at your left side—not in anger, but confusion. Your brothers’ heads whipped around suddenly, their eyes lingering on the ocean, or, really, a girl emerging from the ocean.

You smirked faintly as Loak's eyes widened at the sight of her. She was beautiful. The reef people were strikingly different, their turquoise skin, a breathtaking testament to their symbiotic relationship with the ocean. You appreciated this view, found it extremely interesting—the way their skin reflects the place which they come from.

“Hey.” Lo’ak said quietly, pathetically.

You almost snickered, the girl looked down nervously, huffing feebly.

The aura changed in milliseconds, warriors, several of them returning from a hunt.

Tonowari, the chief of the Metkayina, dismounted the tsurak he’d been riding. Your father had mentioned him in some stories, the ones about the past—the battle of the hallelujah mountains, when all the clans had been united.

He greeted you and your family casually, respectfully. The Tsahik, Ronal, his mate, parted the crowd, her hips swaying as she walked through, standing before the Sully’s, eyes sharp like ice, her expression serious, unyielding.

“I see you, Ronal.” Jake greeted, touching three fingers to the area between his brow ridges, and extending it towards the Tsahik. Your mother and siblings did the same.

“I see you, Ronal,” Neytiri said calmly.

“Why do you come to us, Jakesully?” Tonowari questioned, his arm sweeping inclusively, us referring to the entire clan.

Your dad looked around at your other family members. “we seek uturu.”

“uturu?!” Ronal exclaimed, glancing at your father as her ears dropped ever so slightly.

“Yes, sanctuary for my family.”

Ronal stepped forward then, circling your family and eyeing your siblings down.

Tonowari sighed, his eyes traveling awkwardly. “We are reef people. You are forest people. Your skills will mean nothing here.”

“We’ll learn your ways, am I right?” Jake said, turning to his mate, who replies with a simple “yes.”

You watch closely as this woman circles your brothers and sisters, she grabs their tails, touches their hands, and seizes their arms. “Their arms are thin.” She says, nabbing Tuk’s small forearm.

“Mom.” She inches closer to Neytiri.

Ronal stands there for a second before moving towards Kiri and gripping her tail. “Their tails…”

“Ow!” She mumbles, snatching her tail back.

“are weak. You will be slow in the water.” She continues, glaring at your parents, her gaze shifts back to Kiri who is standing before her. She takes her wrists in her hands, holding them high enough for everyone to see. “These children are not even true Na’vi!”

This observation earns loud gasps from the crowd, your lips part, releasing a small scoff, this earns a sharp look from Jake, then from the Tsahik.

“Yes we are!” Kiri declares, her hands snapping away from Ronals grasp.

The woman moves slowly towards you. She stands directly in front of you, holding your arms up and studying you before moving to Lo’ak.

“They have demon blood!” She yells, holding up his hands.

It takes everything in you to not step forward and say something. Crossing your arms, you leave it to the adults reluctantly.

The people hiss, backing away and raising their weapons.

“Look. Look!” Jake holds his own hand up, “Look, I was born of the sky people, and now I am Na’vi, all right you can adapt. We will adapt. Okay?”

“My husband was Toruk Makto. He led the clans to victory against the sky people.” Neytiri snaps, she glances at the Olo’eyktan, who gives her a curt nod of acknowledgement.

“This—you call victory? Hiding, among strangers?” The woman retorts, her ears flat, “It seems Eywa has turned her back on you. Chosen one.”

Toruk Makto himself. She is saying this to Toruk Makto.

Your ears perk up slightly as your mother clashes with Ronal, both of them hissing and snarling at each other. Jake quickly interrupts, his hand raised between them. “I apologize for my mate, she’s…”

“Do not apologize for me, Jake!”

“She’s flown a long way, and she’s exhausted.”

“Jake.” She hurls, stepping aside, Ronal does the same, sighing heavily.

There is an awkward silence that follows, “Toruk Makto is a great war leader. All Na’vi people know his story.” Tonowari announces, stepping up and placing a hand on your fathers shoulder. “But we Metkayina… are not at war. We cannot let you bring your war here.”

“I’m done with war, I just wanna keep my family safe.”

“Uturu has been asked.” Mother says, her eyes closed, grasping onto Kiri’s hand, Tuk holding her other one.

Ronal’s lips are parted, her eyes still cutting daggers through your family, newcomers. When her mate steps in front of her, her gaze lifts to his eyes, he lets out a long sigh, his face full of conceptualization.

She closes her eyes, nodding gently, a clear expression of reluctant acceptance.

“Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us. Treat them as our brothers and sisters. Now, they do not know the sea, so they will be like babies, taking their first breath.” The thought of being pondered as a baby makes you feel sick. Your ears flatten, lips pursed and thin. “Teach them our ways, so they do not suffer the shame of being useless.”

Jake huffs, a small smile creeping from the corners of his lips. “Okay, what do we say?” Your siblings thank the adults quietly, some more hesitant than others.

He turns towards his children, “My son, Aonung, our daughter, Tsireya will show your children what to do.”

“Father, why do…” The boy tried to question his fathers assignment.

“It is decided.” Tonowari cut him off.

“Come, I will show you our village.” Tsireya lead your family through the bouncy, woven platform which made up the village grounds, Tuk bouncing happily—grunting excitedly as you walked behind them, quietly observing the reef people and their ways.

“This is for you,” Tsireya’s voice cut through each thought you had as she stopped in front of a huge pod, abandoned, but not a complete mess. “Your new home.”

Your father stepped inside, taking a look around “Yeah, this’ll work.” He turned to face you all, hoping you’d all be content. “This is great, it’s nice right?”

Your mother dropped the mat she’d been holding with a loud sigh, everyone’s attention turned to her. We all knew she wasn’t very fond of this idea—none of us really were.

The day was spent cleaning and organizing the brand new dwelling until dusk came, everyone storming in for a family meeting.

“Remember? Family meeting?” Neteyam was angry, his eyebrows furrowed—pulling you and Lo’ak down roughly to sit beside him.

Kiri was stubborn like her birth mother, Grace. Refusing to sit even when your father told everyone to fall in.

“Kiri.” Your mother whispered—a warning.

“What?” She grumbled, sitting cross legged, reluctantly.

“Okay,” Your father sighed, facing you, Neteyam, Lo’ak, and Kiri. “I need you kids, on your best behavior. I mean it. Learn fast, pull your weight.” He paused to face you and Lo’ak. “Don’t cause any trouble. You got it?”

Your eyes trailed off at some point until you finally focused again, “yes sir.” Lo’ak said, looking at you expectantly.

“Yes sir.” A soft, coy mumble left your lips as everyone looked at you expectantly.

The passing weeks went by slowly, playing up the happiness you left in the forest—even though you were lonely.

Learning the ways of the water was more challenging than you thought, excruciating even. You couldn’t do anything right, slipping off of the Ilu, swimming too slow for anyone’s liking, you couldn’t even hunt properly.

Learn fast, pull your weight.

Your fathers words rang in your head every time you made a mistake, Aonung was not a good teacher, always teasing, never taking you seriously. Tsireya was patient, and hasn’t given up on you.

“Y/n, it’s like this. Hold here, make the bond gently.” She spoke quietly as you were seated on the ilu, careful hands adjusting your position, as you prepared to set off.

And you did, the creature moving with great agility, flowing gracefully through the ocean. You did it, You did it. The ilu resurfaced after a moment to breathe, Your smile was big, hands rubbing its sides. “Yes!”

“You did it!” Tsireya caught up, “You are learning to breathe.”

The sun sets beautifully, the atmosphere a canvas of shifting colors as you leaped to your marui pod. “I can finally ride the ilu! Soon I'll fight the sky demons on one! And hunt really well again!” You exclaimed, hands clapping as you spoke to Kiri who was inside with the rest of the family, folding teylu, seeds, and nuts into the waxy skin of a pandoran leaf.

Your father, sitting with your mother at the side looked up from his own leaf, he scoffed—amused and your head turned to him. “We’ve been here for weeks and all you can do is ride the ilu?”

Your ears dropped, tail swishing in vexation—hands resting at your hips. “Well…yeah.”

“I said learn fast.”

You shrugged, rolling your eyes and shaking your head. “That’s easy for you to say, Toruk Makto.”

It wasn’t the mention of his title that made everyone around you freeze, it was the way you said it. Like it meant nothing.

“Watch your tone, missy.”

You stayed quiet, crouching finally to help with the food, turning away and handling Kiri’s stash.

“Should’ve known you weren’t ready.” Father mumbled, his own head shaking as he went back to operating the contents of food he’d hunted.

“What?” You stood again, spine straight, eyes wide, lips curled. “What did you just—Are you calling me weak?”

That pitiful word, weak. Not you, never you. You are a warrior, a powerful huntress. His words only fueled your anger. “I am a powerful huntress, a warrior. I am not weak.”

“Not mentally. Look at the way you act. You won’t catch anything but a lecture with that attitude.”

“Yeah well—” You staggered forward until you felt strong hands hook around your arm, you turned to see your mother.

“That is enough daughter.”

“No! Tell me, dad. Why don’t you acknowledge my talents, my hard work, my accomplishments. Always focused on everyone else…hm?”

Lo’ak sneered, pushing himself up from where he’d been half listening. “maybe if you stopped trying to prove something all the time, you wouldn’t have to beg for attention”

Your head snapped toward him. “I don’t beg.”

“No.” He shot back, shrugging. “You just whine.” He cooed, whipping his tail around as he jeers.

“Lo’ak.” Neytiri warned.

Jake’s eyes never left you, “you want acknowledgement?” he said, his voice low, controlled. This; to you, was worse than yelling. “Then act like a warrior. Warriors don’t stop around because they don’t get attention.”

Your chest tightened, you’d never felt more cramped…airless, in your entire life. “I don’t want attention. I need you to see me.”

“I see you,” Jake’s jaw flexed, nodding like it meant nothing. “I see a kid who thinks riding an ilu makes her ready for war.”

That did it. Where did this come from? All you tried to do was celebrate your accomplishment. Your fathers coldness ruined every inch of the happiness there was in your eyes.

“You think I'm not ready?” You laughed—dry, hollow. “I’ve outshot half the young hunters. I’ve stayed up later than anyone tracking tides. I try, every day.”

“And you still don’t listen. You outshot omatikaya hunters. This is our home now.”

“So that’s it? I’m just a problem child now, right?”

There was silence, the worst kind. Kiri stopped folding the leaves, Tuk looked between you and Jake, Neteyam glanced down, minding his business, but still listening.

Your father exhaled through his nose, “maybe you’re not as ready as you think you are.”

there it was again, not enough, not ready.

You swallowed, ears flattening. “You don’t talk to Neteyam like that.”

Your brother's ears perked up from his spot, Jake stiffened, it was like everyone stopped breathing.

“You don’t look at him like he’s a disappointment every time he breathes.”

Lo’ak was quiet now, scratching his head awkwardly. You were too far gone to care.

“But me?” Your voice cracked despite your fighting it. “You don’t look at me at all!”

“Daughter—” Neytiri stepped closer, her fingers tightening around your flexing tricep.

“Noo!” You pulled your arm away from her grasp this time. “You all only see what you want to see!”

Jake stood slowly again, towering over you—his shadow eclipsing yours. “Watch yourself.”

“Or what?” Your stubbornness has you challenging him. “You’ll tell me that I'm not ready again? That I need to learn faster? That I'm weak?”

“I never said you were weak.”

“You didn’t have to!”

Tuk’s lip quivered, she didn’t entirely understand why you were so angry, pacing around, your hands clasped around your head. Your words hung heavy in the large marui as your siblings watched you pace and heave.

Your fathers face hardened, not cruel but more commanding.

“Until you can control that temper, you don’t fight beside me. You don’t go on hunts. That’s an order.”

An order? He cannot be serious.

It hit you then, this wasn’t a conversation, your father hadn’t been your daddy since you began to grow up. He was a commander now.

“You want the truth?” He continued, stepping closer. “You’re not ready. And if you went into battle like this—”

He stopped, his eyes narrowing a tad, hesitating... But his fear took over, and fear always leads to anger. “—you’d be the first one dead.”

The air left your lungs, not immature, but gone.

Even your mothers head snapped towards him. “Jake.”

He could only stare at you, realizing.

Your ears lowered slowly, not in anger, but in hurt. “You think I'd get everyone killed.”

“That’s not what I—” He paused again, his own ears falling as well. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to!”

Lo’ak shifted uncomfortably, even Kiri seemed shaken.

“Your father reached out instinctively. “Kid, listen—”

You said nothing, stepping back, grabbing your bow, then your knife, not even sure why, pride—maybe. Your vision, blurring as tears burned the corners of your eyes. “Kid” You scoffed, mimicking his term.

It used to be “sweetheart,” "babygirl,” or even just “baby.”

You really were no longer daddy’s little girl.

You turned towards the exit, your knife carried on your hip, arrows stored in a cylinder attached to the bow.

“Y/n.” Your mother called, sharper now.

You turned back one more time, frowning deeply. “All this time,” your breath was shaky, hands twitching at your sides. “I thought you didn't see me.”

You pointed an accusing finger at Jake. “But you do. And you see failure. Something you don’t believe in.”

He watched you go, striding towards the ilu pens with angered steps. Taking a step forward but halting just then.

Neytiris voice cut through him, low, and sharp. “MaJake…you speak from fear, and you wound our child.”

Your legs grew weak as you ran, but you dug your feet deep—calling the creature and riding fast, diving into the ocean. The moon casting a long path of silver light.

The ocean is not playful at night. It could cradle you gently, or swallow you whole.

“I’ve gotta close here but I thought I could swing by your place after work. I’ll bring a movie, some snacks and you know, some condoms.” Steve listed casually. “Does that sound better than your book?”

“Hmm I don’t know, it’s a pretty good book.” You twirled the telephone cord around your fingers as you spoke. You imagined Steve doing the same on the other end of the call.

“Maybe I can sweeten the deal…” You could hear the smirk in his voice. “We can do that thing you liked that we tried out last week?” Steve’s voice lowered to a sensual whisper, suddenly hyper aware that he was in the very public setting of Family Video, multiple groups of people milling around the shelves on a busy Saturday afternoon.

Your thighs involuntarily pressed together at the memory he was referencing. You opened your mouth to speak but were silenced by another voice coming through the phone.

“Hey lover boy! Save your dirty talk for later, we have customers.” Robin’s distinctive, friendly bullying echoed in the background. You pictured the scene in your mind, Steve was no doubt blushing the shade of a ripe tomato. You stifled a giggle.

“Uh okay I gotta go but I’ll be there around 9 see you later princess I love you bye.” Steve said all in one breath as he quickly hung up the phone. He didn’t care that he couldn’t stay on the line to hear you say ‘I love you too’, he knew you’d whisper it to yourself as you lingered the phone to your ear–and you did.

The rest of the day you tried to be a normal functioning person but your thoughts easily distracted you. Wondering what Steve was doing at that very moment.

Wondering if he was wondering what you were doing at that moment too.

Wondering about the things he would do to you later.

He filled every wrinkle of your brain. Every nerve in your body.

Nine fifteen. You had showered and changed into some comfy clothes. A t-shirt stolen from Steve’s draw that he had at your place and a pair of pyjama shorts. You thought it easier to forgo the underwear underneath. You didn’t feel like you had to put on some elaborate outfit to impress Steve, he liked you in any form but mostly whatever made you feel comfortable.

You were in the middle of draping some blankets over the couch when his usual knock rapped at your door.

Steve stood in your doorway still wearing his Family Video vest from work, with a tight polo shirt underneath it, tucked into his light wash jeans that stretch over his hips just right. His face lit up at the sight of you. He scooped you into an embrace as he entered the warmth of your apartment.

“Honey, I’m home.” He said into your neck as he held you. He loved to role play like a married couple. Like it was the most natural thing in the world that he would marry you some day.

You smiled against his chest as you clutched at the back of his vest, breathing in the scent of his cologne that he obviously just applied in the car to cover the smell of the video store carpet he had been surrounded by all day.

His hand came to cradle the back of your head, signalling you to attach to his lips. You both sighed into each others mouths like you had been aching for it all day, which you were.

“So what did you bring?” You pulled yourself from him just enough to be able to speak.

Steve held up the plastic bag in his hand.

“Take a look.”

You rummaged through the bag, it was filled with bags of chips, packs of candy and a box of condoms. You found a video tape at the bottom and pulled it out to inspect Steve’s movie choice.

“What the hell is this?”

You held up the video tape like it was contaminated. You looked over the cover. A woman in a skimpy outfit with her breasts unnaturally pushed up, pressed against a shirtless man who looked like he was on steroids. The title read Teacher’s Pet.

“It’s a movie.” Steve said nonchalantly.

“It’s porn.”

“It’s still a movie.”

“Steve, you really want to watch porn together?”

Steve chuckled as if you had asked a silly question.

“Not like that.” His arms came to rest on your shoulders. “We can like make fun of it, it’s probably so terrible, it’ll be funny.”

You looked at him with a sceptical expression. He looked back at you with those big brown eyes, the ones that always got him exactly what he wanted.

“C’mon, if you don’t like it just tell me and we’ll turn it off, okay?”

“Fine.” You said with a squint in your eyes. “Go put the tape in, I’ll get us some drinks.”

Steve gave you a peck to the cheek as he took the tape and bag from you and stumbled over to the VCR, taking off vest and shoes on the way.

You returned to the living room with a beer for Steve and a glass of wine for yourself, placing them on the coffee table as you watched Steve crouch in front of the TV.

“Ready?” He turned to you for your consent.

You simply nodded and patted the spot on the couch next to you. You settled into his side as he pulled you close, your legs curled up next to you as his arm wrapped around you to rest his hand on your hip.

The TV came to life through the static, the speaker blaring the most painfully sexy but un-sexy, 70s jazz. You giggled, maybe Steve was right, this might be funny. You grabbed a handful of chips to munch on as you tried to decipher the plot that began to unfold.

“Is he like, her professor or something?” You mumbled through a mouthful of chips.

“Looks like it.” Steve replied.

“But they look the same age.”

“I don’t think you’re really supposed to think too much about it.”

Suddenly, loud moans filled the room as the couple on the screen started having sex against the wall in what looked like a school corridor.

“Woah, I wasn’t expecting that.” You said with a laugh.

“You weren’t expecting the porn stars to have sex?” Steve had more of a matter of fact tone.

You gave Steve a light hit on his chest causing him to furrow his brow as he turned his head to you. You kept facing forwards toward the TV.

“I mean yeah, obviously they’re going to at some point, but where’s the build up, the foreplay, the passion.” You gestured wildly at the screen as you spoke, emphasising your words.

“I’ll make sure to get a porno with a more engaging plot next time.” Steve half joked.

“Next time?” Your head whipped around to face Steve, he was back to looking at the TV, a mischievous smile across lips.

You two continued watching the events progress in front of you. It was pretty non-stop, different positions, locations. The whole time you rambled on about how things didn’t make sense or wouldn’t actually feel good in real life. Even complaining about how unflattering the lighting was. As you kept talking you realised it had been a while since Steve had spoken, which for him was quite unusual.

“Steve?” You turned your face to look at him.

“Hm?” He hummed in response. His eyes stayed fixed on the screen.

And that’s when you noticed it. The way his chest was rapidly rising and falling, his skin slightly flushed, hand gripping the arm of the sofa.

“Oh my god this is turning you on!” You accused.

“Nuh uh.” Steve childishly protested like he had just been caught stealing the last cookie.

“I know you Steve, I know when you’re turned on.”

He finally turned his head to look at you and you noticed how wide his pupils had gotten.

“Okay so what?” Steve retorted. “There’s people fucking right in front of me, of course I’m gonna be turned on.” His voice cracked a little as he raised it slightly.

“But it’s just so…” You scrunched up your face, searching for the right word. “Gross.”

“Since when are you grossed out by sex?”

“This is not real sex! It’s so over the top and fake and it’s literally just close ups of this girls vagina getting rammed.”

“Don’t act like you don’t love to watch me do the same to you.”

Your breath hitched, surprised at his words.

“That’s different Steve. That’s you and me. Not some jacked up random people who are paid to fuck each other.” Your voiced raised at the end, a little annoyed.

The room continued to fill with over the top moans, mostly from the woman. Steve’s eyes kept glancing back between you and the TV, like he didn’t want to miss a second of the dirty video or of you.

Your eyes scanned his body again, this time you noticed more of the growing buldge in his jeans. You couldn’t lie, you were now also very turned on. Not because of the porn but Steve’s response to it. He always looked so good when he was horny.

You didn’t want to let him think the situation had affected you in a similar way. You wanted to see how far you could push him.

You stood up from the couch, planting yourself firmly in front of Steve’s eye-line to the TV, situated between his widely out stretched thighs.

“If you like it so much, show me.” You said, your voice holding strong and composed.

“What?”

“Show me how much you’re enjoying this god awful porn and touch yourself.”

Steve opened his mouth as if to say something but all that came out was a soft whine. He was stunned, sure you could be a little bossy in the bedroom sometimes but never like this. You standing over him with an almost disappointed look on your face made heat rise throughout Steve’s body. Whether that was from embarrassment or something else, he wasn’t really sure.

You raised your eyebrows at him as if to say ‘go on’ but he remained completely frozen in place, unsure if this was some kind of trap.

“Are you being serious right now?” Steve said breathlessly.

You crossed your arms over your chest and shifted your weight on to one foot, popping your hip out.

“Dead serious.”

You held his gaze as he looked up at you. His hand slowly moved to palm himself through his jeans, he bit down on his lip at the feeling of slight relief.

You moved out the way of the TV. His eyes followed you across the room as he rubbed over the hardening crotch of his jeans. You sat in the arm chair that faced the couch. You could no longer see the screen from your angle, only Steve.

“Ah ah ah,” you scolded him, “don’t look at me, look at the screen.”

“C’mon baby don’t be like that.” Steve pleaded.

You gave him another stern look, gesturing with your head in the direction of the TV. He didn’t know how you were able to remain so composed while he was quickly becoming a writhing mess.

“Fuck.” Steve whispered, mostly to himself.

He undid his belt and unbuttoned his jeans to shove his hand in between his jeans and his boxers, giving him a better angle to stroke himself. Steve did have a bit of an attitude sometimes but he usually did what he was told. So there he was, hand down his pants, eyes glued to the obscene images, the feeling of your stare on him like hot lasers burning his skin.

You got up momentarily and Steve moaned softly thinking your were approaching him, but you just leant over to reach for your glass of wine on the coffee table. You sat back in your chair, making yourself comfortable. You took a sip from your cold glass, your eyes not leaving the movement of his hand for a second.

“What about you?” Steve breathed out his words making them only just audible over the load moans from the tiny TV speakers.

“What about me?” You replied, like it wasn’t obvious what he was asking.

“Aren’t you gonna–ugh–touch yourself too?”

“Nope.” You said, emphasising the ‘p’ and taking another sip of your wine. “I’m not into that gross stuff like you are.” You lied. Steve knew you were lying. You were currently demanding he get himself off all the while demeaning him for his sexual desires. It took every ounce of self control inside you not to match his hand movements with your own.

Steve moaned at your soft degradation of him before it turned into a slight chuckle.

“Oh honey, I just know you’re fucking soaked right now.”

He glanced over at you, not long enough for you to scold him, but long enough to see the flush that had coloured your skin. You held back a laboured breath as you bit into your lip. He knew you too well.

Steve was still pretty much just teasing himself through his boxers. You took a few deep breaths to steady yourself before speaking again. Steve was beginning to pathetically whimper, he needed more, you wanted him to have it.

“Go on Steve, show me how you fist your cock.” Your voice sounded a little bit annoyed, you were getting impatient at how long it was taking him to make actual skin to skin contact with himself.

Steve didn’t even realise he was waiting for your permission until you granted it. He scrambled to take off his jeans. He pushed them down his legs, lifting his thighs off the cushions and kicking his trousers off completely. He pushed his underwear down enough to release himself from their confines. He drew in a breath as the cold air hit the heat of his length.

You watched as he spat in his palm and wet his dick all over. His large fingers gripped around his thickness. You felt heat pool deep within you.

“Agh, shit!” He moaned your name along with a few expletives as his hand slowly moved up and down his ever hardening cock. He settled further back into the couch cushions, head thrown over the back as he picked up a little speed.

Before he got too lost in the feeling of his own touch, you snapped your fingers, drawing his attention back to you. He lifted his head, his eyes immediately drawn to your’s like magnets. He never stopped the movement of his hand as his dark, pleading eyes bored into yours.

“Tell me what’s going on.” Your voice slightly horse as you lost a bit of your composure. Steve gave you a confused look, too lost in himself, and you, to comprehend what you were asking. “In the video Steve. Tell me what they’re doing to each other.”

“Oh–ugh–umm.” Steve slowed down his movements to a lazy stroke so he was able to form actual sentences. He turned his head back towards the screen. “They uh, the girl is bent over this desk and–oh fuck–“ Steve interrupted himself as his hips involuntarily thrusted up into his fist.

“And what Stevie?” You encouraged, voice softer now.

“God he’s fucking her so good and–ah–deep, fuck.”

He sped up like he was trying to match the rhythm of the performers. His shirt had scrunched up to reveal the trail of hair that ran down from his chest all the way to where he fucked himself.

“You wanna fuck me like that?” You asked just as casually as you’d ask what he wanted for dinner. Your flippant tone somehow more of a turn on than a sultry one. Like you weren’t even fazed by what you were doing to him.

“Yes, god yes! You know I do.” Steve let out and strangled groan like he was begging you to let him spilt you open right there on the coffee table. “I wish I had a tape of you like this.” He continued, Steve seemed to always start rambling whenever he was close. “A tape of me fucking you, you take my cock so good baby, I’d watch that shit all fucking day.”

His words were the thing that broke you. You spread your legs and tilted your pelvis to show him the damp patch that had gathered in your shorts.

“Steve…” Your once level voice was now just a shaken whisper. If Steve’s ears weren’t so tuned in to the sound of his name from your throat, it would have been drowned out by the slapping of skin that emanated from both Steve and the TV.

He turned his gaze to meet your eyes and they flickered over your body like he was trying to take in every inch of the vision of you all at once.

“Would you do that for me, let me film us make love?”

Make love. You repeated those words in your head as you inhaled a deep breath. Steve Harrington, at his core, was still a hopeless romantic.

You simply nodded. Your heart racing. You felt every pulse of your heartbeat gush blood throughout your body.

Steve drew out a loud moan showing you how close he was, you barely even registered the ones coming from the TV anymore. He was frantic. Breathing heaving and short. Hips thrusting quick and hard into his fist. His other hand gripped the arm rest, his knuckles glowing bright white.

You just watched. Even though you were aching, you were frozen in place, mesmerised. The image was so filthy yet so beautiful. Steve totally lost in himself, in his thoughts of you and letting you bare witness to it. You didn’t want to draw any attention away from him by seeking your own release.

“Let go for me Stevie.” Now it was your turn to beg. “I want to see you come.”

Steve wasted no time succumbing to your wishes. The sound of your needy voice opened the flood gates. His short breaths turned to whimpers as his hips halted and fell to the plush sofa. His hand continued to work himself tiredly through his release. Spilling himself over his stomach, wetting the hair that dances across his tummy like delicate brush strokes. His head hung heavy over the back of the couch, his eyes tightly shut. His entire body glistened with sweat and other substances, illuminated by the glow of the TV.

And then he looked at you.

He looked at you with a familiar look. A look he reserved only for you. Only for moments like these where you both held on to the invisible string connecting your hearts. Your breathing matched his as it began to slow, chests rising and falling in unison. Your eyes locked on each other, as if the other would disappear the moment you looked away.

Steve held on to your gaze as he leant forward, reaching for his, no doubt now lukewarm, beer bottle on the table in front of him. He took a series of long gulps to quench the thirst he had worked up. Still, his eyes never left yours.

He stood from the couch, took off his dampened shirt and removed his boxers, leaving him completely naked in the middle of your living room. You followed his stare as he rounded the coffee table and leant down to turn off the TV, abruptly cutting off what sounded like the final climax.

He stopped in front of you where you sat, both hands on his hips. A small smirk grew on his face.

“You are so dead.” Steve shook his head at you as he spoke.

You leapt out of the chair running away from him. You let an out a high pitched shriek as you narrowly evaded his grasp and he started chasing you down the hall to the bedroom.

You were in for a long night.

A/N: Sooo I may already have started writing a part 2 for this if anyone is interested???? Thanks for reading <3