#human reader

The first time tsu'tey registered your scent, was when he happened to pass by jake's side. He was talking to one of those humans. But as soon as he walked by you, he stopped dead in his tracks. The scent he was smelling was something… amazing. He felt a shiver run down his spine, he couldn't understand where the smell was coming from. It wasn't until jake tapped him on the shoulder, and introduced them. Tsu'tey turns to look at you. You smiled warmly back at him, giving him the 'I see you' sign. Tsu'tey caught on a little too late, he was so immersed in the scent you were giving off that he barely listened to what Jake was saying. He couldn't believe that you were the carrier of that peculiar scent. From that day on, tsu'tey did everything he could to be by your side.

It got to the point that he didn't care about the comments they made, it was strange to see a man like tsu'tey behind a human. Always trying to help you, or try to talk to you even for a couple of seconds, he had to smell your scent at least once a day. He was becoming obsessed, and if his little obsession was not dying down. He began to notice how your scent became stronger when he was around you. It had to be that reason, because on one of the occasions he came to talk to you. You were talking to neytiri, and he could feel how your scent was the usual one. But as soon as neytiri left you alone, he could feel it getting more and more potent. He was going crazy and he knew it. It wasn't healthy, what he was creating for you. You were supposed to be a human, he wouldn't have to find you attractive or desirable…but here he is. If you asked him to kiss your feet he would do it, even if you asked him to kill someone and let him put his nose in your neck sweet spot for only 5 minutes or less, he would do it.

On the other hand, you were oblivious to this situation. You thought tsu'tey was very kind and gentlemanly. He was always helping you, and available to you. You liked the attention he gave you. Besides…tsu'tey was painfully handsome. You liked him from head to toe, you found him beautiful. And having him this close wasn't helping you much. But you enjoyed his company…there was just a nice friendship between the two of you.

That particular day, tsu'tey could smell your scent from far away, he could tell you were about 30 feet away from him. And he could recognize it was you, turning around to see you approaching him with a basket in your hands. “Hello!!!” you greet him, smiling at him. You were hurting his senses, because if it were up to him he would have already dragged you into his arms. You looked very pretty, in the traditional na'vi clothing. Tsu'tey scanned you up and down, laughing a little. “Do you like it? Neytiri gave me this outfit…she made it for me” you speak, taking a quick turn. “I'm surprised at how well it suits you “tsu'tey says, looking at you again. But now with more determination, the little clothing gave freedom to your scent to be released all over the place, he was getting nervous. “Yeah…she says I should wear more family stuff…you know, since jake is my brother and he is now…” you stop talking, when you notice that the man is barely paying attention to you. “Tsu'tey…are you okay?” you ask, waving your hand in his face. Snapping tsu'tey out of his stasis. He laughs nervously, settling more on his feet. “Yes, sorry. You were saying?” tsu'tey sees you laugh.

“I was going to ask you if you could help me pick some berries…the ones near the river. You know they're a little tall…and I need help” you speak, tsu'tey doesn't think for a second and goes to help you. Getting up from the ground, he starts walking towards the river. The walk from the village to the river was about 15 minutes. When you arrived you both decided that the best thing to do was to pick the berries that were on top of some branches, besides it was much more private for you. Your very presence in the clan could be a bit intimidating for some na'vi. And this was an area where they used to come frequently. Tsu'tey helped you up, placing his hands on your waist, to get you up easily. But not before bringing his face close to your back, sniffing you. Closing his eyes, enjoying your scent. It was a momentary thing, when you climb up the branch. “Are you coming?” you keep walking towards where the berries were. “Yes…I'm coming” tsu'tey swallows hard, trying to control himself.

Tsu'tey helps you for a while, picking the prettiest berries that were on the highest leaves. Sitting down to rest, and to watch you pick in the other corner. You turn and give him a smile. Tsu'tey smiles back. Aside from the fact that the man was obsessed with your essence, he liked the way you were. You were the opposite of your brother. You were calm and quiet. You didn't do risky things and avoided getting into trouble. Tsu'tey enjoyed your company, and he was sure you did too. He could feel it. “These berries are so sweet” you speak, approaching where tsu'tey was sitting. “Yes…and this is their best season” tsu'tey speaks, but is puzzled when you sit down in front of him. You sit in front of him, cross-legged. This new position makes your scent much stronger than at other times. Freezing in his seat, his eyes widen.

However, you keep talking as if nothing is wrong. You are placing the basket next to you, taking some berries to clean them. You can tell, you were the only one talking, tsu'tey might be silent, but he wasn't talking at all. You look up and you can see that he was different. He was looking at you seriously, his pupils were dilated, his posture was straight, his ears were up and so was his tail. You could notice that his breathing was agitated, and although his look seemed to be one of discomfort… you knew it was not. It was one more of lust, you could see how he was swallowing hard. “Tsu'tey?” you speak softly, getting her attention.

“What's wrong with you? Are you ok?” you ask, tsu'tey doesn't answer you, and keeps looking at you. Analyzing your whole body, your scent was ambushing him. It was too strong for him, too sweet. And now with your new outfit you were not helping him. “Why do you smell like that?” says tsu'tey in a serious tone. You grow more nervous, closing your legs out of instinct. The look on tsu'tey's face at this moment was intimidating, but not in the bad way. “I have a bad smell?” you begin to smell your hand, as you watch tsu'tey approach you. Placing his hands on the ground of the branch, leaning a little over you. To now be much closer to you. “Don't do it” tsu'tey places his hand on your knee, moving it to the side. Causing your legs to spread for him. You watch as he closes his eyes, and sighs deeply. Your heart wanted to pound out of your chest, he was getting so much closer to you. “You have a scent…delicious” tsu'tey moves over your body, getting closer to your neck. Pressing his nose to your neck, breathing deeply. Words didn't come out of your mouth, you were surprised tsu'tey didn't use to behave like this with you. Well with anyone…and now he was almost on top of you. Balancing on his hands, sniffing your neck.

Tsu'tey felt so out of control, it was like he couldn't control what he was doing. He was feeling anxious, he wanted to know where that scent that was driving him crazy was coming from. Slowly moving down as he sniffed your skin, down your chest until he reached your breasts. Breathing hard again, to continue, the only thing you could do was to stay still. -T-tsu” your voice is interrupted when you see that tsu'tey had already reached your lower belly, stopping for a moment. At this moment tsu'tey was crouched over you, very close to his goal. He gave you a quick glance, and if you had to be realistic his look was one of hunger. As if no one could stop him, though you didn't plan to. Tsu'tey wouldn't get that far, would he. It was then, when he decided to go a little lower. First you thought he was going to smell one of your thighs. But you were wrong, when he went down he parked his face completely in your clothed cunt.

...

...

Your eyes widen in surprise, as you feel him breathing much harder than before. In a quick movement you move your foot towards tsu'tey's face and kick him in the face. This makes him move away. “What the hell is wrong with you?” you yell at him, this is all taking you by surprise. You liked tsu'tey but no one has ever behaved like this before. “What's wrong? I'm just sniffing you” speaks tsu'tey caressing his face a little bit. “What for? And why are you sniffing me…there” you close your legs slowly, but you see how tsu'tey stops you. “Don't close your legs…this is where that rich smell is coming from” tsu'tey says, laughing playfully. “Oh my god, no no” you close your legs tightly. “You're talking about the smell of my parts?” you were more concerned now. “I'm talking about your whole scent, I've never smelled someone with this scent before. No na'vi woman has a scent like this…it's exciting” tsu'tey speaks a little excited. You had never seen him like this, he looked like someone else. He was still very close to you, now he had come completely over you. You were looking up, observing his whole body attitude.

“I have noticed that when I am close to you…or when I touch you” tsu'tey lowers his voice, raising his hand to now touch your thigh, caressing your exposed skin a little. “I can notice how the smell gets stronger…and I love that” tsu'tey lowers his face, moving closer to your face. You push him back, causing tsu'tey to sit back down. You were so embarrassed, tsu'tey was talking about the excitement you felt towards him, like it was nothing. You wanted to bury yourself alive, you were getting so nervous, you didn't know what to say or do to him. “Tsu'tey…but you must not approach him like that. You must ask” you looked down, tsu'tey was looking at you playfully. He is silent for a moment, seeing how you are a little nervous. Squeezing your legs together so nothing would come out. “So…could I smell you a little? “tsu'tey asks. You knew that the attitude tsutey was showing was something without mischief, something he wasn't doing on purpose. It was instinctive on his part.

“I don't know what to tell you…we barely know each other, and yes I really like you” you try to change what you just said but there was a lot going on right now. “I mean…we should wait, yeah?you know what I mean?” you try to make him understand you, it's not like you didn't want tsu'tey between your legs. But it was still too early for that. “Ok… but can I be closer to you?” asks tsu'tey again. You nod with your face, watching as he moves closer to now be literally glued next to you. His tail began to dig into your waist, and he kept looking at you.

“Come on, bro. You’re going to get us grounded,” Neteyam, ever the dutiful firstborn, urged. His brother was always perfect. When he made a mistake, it was never looked on for any longer than a few hours. Lo’ak hated being in his shadow. He hated the way no one had ever really seen him without the whispers of his family.

“Bro. It’s not like I’m trying to be slow. Give me a minute.”

“Alright. Just be quick, will you?” But then again, Neteyam had always watched his back. His brother had always been there for him, trouble or no trouble. Today was trouble. Lo’ak knew, Neteyam knew, even the humans knew.

“Uh, are you two sure you wanna be doing that?” Norm raised his concerns. An old RDA device beeped rapidly in Lo’ak’s hands as it finally turned on, blinking a steady red light. It was an old tracker from years ago when his dad fought against the humans. They weren’t even sure if it would still work, but Lo’ak wanted to take his chances.

"Don't worry about it, Norm. We know how to work this thing. It’ll be back in the labs in no time,” Lo’ak assured, waving the avatar away. He experimentally pressed on a button and a radar blipped to life on the center of the screen.

“Yes! It still works. Now we just have to unplug these wi-” He was interrupted with a nudge to the left side of his ribs, the subtle, sharp sting halting his words. “What?”

Neteyam had a shit-eating grin on his face. That couldn’t be good.

Lo’ak looked up from his brother to find you, his favorite little human, standing across the camp, talking to Max about something that looked important. You were handing him some papers, a thick amount of them, all printed with ink, and before his brother’s smile could widen any further, Lo’ak turned his attention back to the device that was now in his sibling’s hands.

“What?” Lo’ak repeated, snatching the wires off before his brother could do it. Neteyam’s lips twitched a millimeter upwards. “It’s nothing, baby bro.”

Clearly his brother’s goal was to agitate him, because they both knew what. Lo’ak would never admit it though, and Neteyam wouldn’t say it out loud, so now the silence was eating him up. That, and the deliberate expression on his brother’s face.

“What are you doing?” As if he were a startled syìl, Lo’ak jumped to the sound of your voice. He had to ground himself back to actually process the fact that you’d asked him a question. When had you gotten so close?

“Repairing some old RDA gear. We’re hoping it can help us,” Neteyam answered for his poor, stunt little brother.

“We’re going to track txeptxal migration, get their teeth before they move too far. Want to come with us?” Lo’ak said all too quickly, getting up to his feet and pushing his brother to the side.

“No,” Neteyam said, pulling him back. “No way. It’s way too late now. Dad will have our asses.”

“But-” The quiet look from his older brother had Lo’ak shutting up, tail tucking between his legs as he slumped in defeat. The tracking device was now attached safely to Neteyam’s hip, out of reach from his hands, which meant going home was not up for debate. In fact, Neteyam was already well on his way home after bidding you and Norm a quick goodbye.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Lo’ak pleaded more than he asked. He grabbed at your hand when you didn’t answer him right away, tail flicking back and forth expectantly behind him. “Come on. I can’t commit a crime without my partner in crime. Besides, it’ll be fun. I know you can’t resist a good hunt.”

“That doesn’t sound reassuring, Lo'ak,” you pointed out, trying to maneuver your way out of his grip.

“You know what I mean. Please, syulì’ang? I’ll protect you.”

“Mmm I doubt it.” You playfully shoved him by the chest, putting some distance between you two. But Lo’ak knew from the slight curve of your lips that he’d already won, stirring up his own victorious grin. “Fine, fine. What would you do without me?”

His grin widened and so did his stance. He was about to say something so stupid that you’d fall in love with him or something. “I’d be living my best life.”

You shoved him a little harder this time. “Skxawng.”

Lo’ak ate it up, grinning like a kid who’d just won a race for the first time. He lingered around you and was probably up in your personal space, though you didn’t seem to mind. He was gooning so much that Norm had already left, deciding it was best not to stay and watch.

“Lo’ak,” a loud, exasperated call came from the distance. Lo’ak’s ears perked up. Neteyam was waiting at the edge of camp, eyes on his brother who was taking a whole life cycle to come home, as usual. Lo’ak had never been one to be mindful of the time when it came to you. It was a specialty of his.

“Bro!”

“Alright, alright! I’m coming!” Lo’ak shouted in reply. He took clumsy steps backwards, head still turned to you. “I’ll see you tomorrow!” He nearly tripped on uneven ground as he ran off, catching up to his brother who looked at him like he’d swallowed a direhorse.

“What?”

Neteyam shook his head, clapping him on his shoulder as they walked together. “So, when are you telling mom and dad?”

“Tell?” Lo’ak paused, tail straightening on edge. “Tell what? There’s nothing to tell.”

Even Tuk wouldn’t buy it. He wasn’t sure what there was to tell, but he knew something had gotten him all tensed up, so maybe there was something to tell. Maybe. He wasn’t sure?

“Come on, little bro. Do you need me to spell it out for you?” Neteyam ruffled the top of his head, messing up his braids. Lo’ak shoved his brother’s hand away. He was clearly agitated now.

“What?” he hissed.

Neteyam backed away a little, releasing a laugh. “Calm down. You don’t exactly hide your little crush very well.”

Now Lo’ak just looked distressed. He didn’t know what to say to that. “I don’t- It’s not-” He growled in frustration, turning away. He couldn’t meet his brother’s eyes, not after that. Hell, he never thought Neteyam would actually say it out loud.

“It’s alright, Lo’ak,” Neteyam said, a little gentler this time. He placed a hand on Lo’ak’s shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

“I just- Mom can’t know. Not yet. She won’t like it,” Lo’ak told his brother. “Look, I don’t even know what this is.”

He felt the punch before it even came. Neteyam always had a knack for hitting him. “Bro, seriously? You dance around the tawtute almost every day. It’s a wonder the whole clan doesn’t already know,” his brother raved, shaking his head.

“Well, there’s nothing going on so there’s nothing to figure out.” Lo’ak shrugged, avoiding his brother’s gaze, and just his brother entirely.

“Lo’ak. You can’t be serious.”

“Okay! Maybe I do have… feelings,” he drew out the last word, cringing a little as he said it. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

That was probably a lie.

It probably did mean something. After all, he figured you meant everything to him a long time ago. If only he had the courage to admit it to himself, and to you. You were the one person who saw him, raw and unbridled, but still accepted the parts of him that many could not. You didn’t care if his jokes were stupid, or if he made mistakes while teaching you how to shoot, you loved all parts of him as you did yourself. You saw people; found beauty in everything, and you loved beautiful things. That’s what he loved about you.

“We always knew you were a little too close, skxawng. Relax. It’s nothing new,” Neteyam assured, continuing to walk ahead of him.

Somehow, the smile his brother gave him made Lo’ak feel a little better, like a weight lifted off his chest. He hadn’t expected this to be how he’d discuss you with his brother, but if anything, it went better than he could’ve pictured.

✧.*

You didn’t know what was worse, the fact that Lo’ak had brought you to the middle of nowhere, or the fact that he’d gotten injured in said middle of nowhere after saying he’d protect you. It was hot outside, more than usual, and you were hungry. You also had to drag this idiot back home before he bled to death because he’d rushed head on to a herd of palulukans by accident.

“Okay, okay. I said I was sorry like a million times,” the Sully boy defended as you pressed a little hard on his arm. Blood seeped through the thin material wrapped around his open wound, and you hoped it was enough to stall the bleeding until you could reach camp. He was propped against tall rocks with you looming over him, trying to do all you could to relieve him from as much discomfort as possible.

“Sh, don’t move,” you said as you felt a hand over his, likely, broken rib. You couldn’t be sure until you took him back for a scan. Lo’ak winced at the slight pressure you gave, but was quick to shut up when he felt your fingers delicately brushing and mapping his abdomen.

“Can you get up?” you asked softly with a hand to his stomach, gentler than he’d ever seen you been, and if it weren’t for the throbbing pain all over his body, he probably would’ve melted.

“Yeah. Yeah, don’t worry. Just a scratch,” he assured, wobbling when he tried to move away from the rocks.

“Here.” You held out a hand for him to take and he used it to steady himself as he got up to his feet. The pain on his side was something he’d have to hold for a little while, because the walk back certainly felt like it took forever. You’d considered bringing the science guys to him, but Lo’ak waved it off, saying there was no need to trouble them, that he was fine and that he could walk on his own, but you couldn’t help the worry that appeared on your face every time he’d wince or grunt in pain with every step he took. He’d faced much worse, that you knew. That didn’t mean you had to like it. You hated seeing him injured, or worse, you hated seeing him in the medical wing with the smell of human medicine.

“Good news, nothing’s broken.” The both of you let out a sigh of relief at that. Lo’ak would hate having to explain what had happened to the rest of his family.

“Just rest, and try not to move that arm too much,” the medic says before leaving him alone. The place was mostly empty with most of the avatars having gone out on a mission. Lo’ak had taken one of their crates to sit on instead of the medical beds. He wasn’t injured enough to need one anyways, but he did often complain to you about how his head hurt, and how his arm was sore.

“That’s on you, skxawng.” You hit his hand, sitting on the edge of a hammock as you finished wrapping his wound.

“Hey, at least we got what we came for,” Lo’ak said, dangling the txeptxal tooth tied to his finger. “Besides, if I hadn’t jumped in like that, you would’ve been palulukan food.”

“No I would not,” you argued, satisfied with the grunt you received when you tugged on his bandage a little harder than you should. Lo’ak looked like he was in better shape than before, and he could definitely walk properly now. Maybe he was just being a dramatic ass back there to see how you’d react. That sounded like something he’d do.

“Lo’ak!” The call of his name made both your heads turn towards the entrance. The avatars were back, setting down equipment and already starting to get into their hammocks to rest their blue bodies, so you moved out of the way and settled beside Lo’ak. You would’ve fallen from the edge of the crate if it weren’t for his quick reflexes, catching you by the leg with one arm and pulling you to sit close to him, practically on his lap.

“What happened to you?” Norm commented on Lo’ak’s arm as he removed his armor, doing a double at you on the Sully boy’s lap. It looked like he almost choked on air.

“Nothing to worry about. Oh, and here.” Lo’ak tossed the RDA tracking device to the avatar. “Thanks for letting us use it.”

Norm caught it with ease, tucking it away amongst the pile of other equipment. “Yup.”

“Hey, Norm, I need the data you gathered-” Lo’ak’s body tensed underneath you at the familiar voice, tail falling limp on your lap. Your blood ran cold as Jake Sully entered through the flap of the tent, causing you to quickly scramble off of Lo’ak, pushing at his leg and tail in haste. Jake’s eyes fell briefly on the two of you as the boy attempted to straighten your clothes with rushed hands, cursing when his father made his way over to Norm.

“Oh, right,” you heard Norm say, but you were too preoccupied with the sudden rush of warmth that flooded your face to make out anything they’d said afterwards.

“Shit, shit. Sorry,” Lo’ak apologized to you, keeping his distance. He looked like he wanted to hide, and so did you. But you were both out in the open, with nowhere to avoid each other or his father. Even with physical contact being so common between the two of you, it felt like you’d just got caught doing something way worse. And you weren’t even sure why.

It’d always been easy with Lo’ak. He understood you, and you understood him. He would never laugh at you or make you feel silly, and no matter how stupid his ideas were, you would always believe in him, even when nobody else did. You stuck together for longer than you could remember and touch just came naturally to you. Then why were you so flustered?

His eyes met yours by accident. He looked away. The shift was barely noticeable at first, the change creeping in slowly without either of you realizing it. You were little kids running around the forest, talking your hearts out to each other under the stars, then one day, you were your own grown people finding your place in the world. His touches had always been innocent. It was a lot, but innocent. You had no idea when it started to feel different.

“What happened to you?” Jake sighed, eyeing the bandage and bruises that were now showing on his son’s body. Lo’ak shifted where he stood, desperately trying to avoid everyone’s eyes.

“I went out hunting,” he replied, then Jake’s gaze landed on you. If looks could strip, you might as well already be bare.

“You alright?” The Olo’eyktan addressed, and you nodded in response. He inspected you, then his son, invisible dots forming over his head. Whatever Jake was about to say next got put on hold when Norm called for him, and he left to join the avatar in the labs.

Once again, you were alone with Lo’ak, if you didn’t count the resting avatars all around you. You wondered if you should say something, break the unusual silence that had formed between you two, but it seemed Lo’ak had beaten you to it.

“Hey, I’m sorry for- whatever that was,” he stammered, uncharacteristically nervous as he scratched the back of his kuru.

“Uh, it’s okay,” you said lowly, falling into silence that you had no idea how to break. You fiddled with the patterned-lines on the wall, scraping your nails against the harsh metal when Lo’ak spoke up again.

“Mmm, so we’re cool?”

“Yeah, cool.”

✧.*

“Fuck.” Lo’ak paced back and forth outside his tent, tail whipping around harshly. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.” 

Neteyam stood in a corner, watching his younger brother loudly drown in the torment he had created for himself. Surely it couldn’t be that bad. What was so bad about their mother finding out he’d been spending time with you? It wasn’t like she hadn’t known before either.

“No, you don’t get it. Mom knows knows. I know it.”

Neteyam crossed his arms over his chest. “Knows what? I thought you said there was nothing going on. Nothing to figure out.”

Lo’ak groaned and pushed his brother away, hissing at him when he didn’t sway off-balance a tiny bit. “You’re not helping!”

His thoughts were eating him up. It was bad enough that you were avoiding him—or at least, that was what it seemed like you were doing—, but even worse that his own mother might possibly hate you.

Ever since he’d come of age, his mother had been watching him. She didn’t follow him around, or stick her nose in his business, but he felt it. The way she lurked, observed him more. She wasn’t like this with Neteyam, but with him, it felt as if she was holding a breath she refused to release until he chose a mate.

“I need to think right now,” Lo’ak told his brother, palm running over his head in an attempt to soothe his mind.

“It’s almost dinner. I’m sure mom will understand. Whatever you think is going to happen won’t happen, baby bro.”

“But it will. She doesn’t even like me spending time with humans!” Lo’ak shouted as if it made his point any truer. “What will she think if I want one as my mate?”

But it’s you, Neteyam wanted to say. His brows furrowed. It was written all over his face. Their mother couldn’t hate you, could she? She knew you, knew you had no choice being born a sky person; knew that you’d probably trade everything to become one of the people.

“We’ll just go to dinner and find out,” Neteyam said instead. “With any luck, mom won’t even mention it.”

Lo’ak’s ears flattened against his skull. He hoped his brother was right. He hoped that tonight would be all over soon and that he could sort everything out in the morning. He needed to talk to you, make sure that whatever was going on between you two wasn’t already gone before it even started. It was all he could think about during dinner. And maybe a little bit about your smile, and the way you looked at him when he hauled you onto his lap the other day. Oh, and he loved how your soft, human hands felt. He would give anything to feel them running through his body again, even if you were just feeling for injuries.

He missed the delicate touch of your fingers along his back, making his blood rush in a way he didn’t know it could. And now he felt your absence more than ever. The absence of your touch, your smile, your soft remarks. It had only been two days, but, god, did he miss you. He wondered what you were doing right now, how good you probably looked, even if you were just sitting down. You could make breathing look good.

“Lo’ak!”

Lo’ak jumped in his seat. Everyone’s eyes were on him, Tuk’s sparkling with a bit of curiosity as her teeth sank into her fruit.

“Sorry,” he said, head bowed as his eyes landed on his own food.

“Your father was just asking how your day went,” his mother repeated for him, slowly, antagonizingly. All their attention was on him now, great.

He took a bite of his food. “Oh, it was good.”

Silence stretched the room. Only the sounds of fire and chewing filled the empty space, and some time in between, Neteyam caught his eye, gaze softening in pity for his younger brother.

“Hey, Tuk. I heard you found something while you were out earlier,” Neteyam started, breaking the rigid mood, and Tuk, the excitable teenager she was, broke into a grin and rambled on to her family about her day, gesturing her hands wildly in the air. While the youngest Sully continued telling her tale, Lo’ak heard shuffling from beside him, to the right, and saw his other sister approaching him.

“You seem a little out of it, brother,” Kiri said in a low whisper, leaning close to Lo’ak. He finally lifted his head, looking at his sister in what he hoped looked like confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kiri skeptically looked around and when she found the rest of their family still occupied with Tuk’tirey, she leaned closer to his ear. “Is this about-? you know… Human?” she said as if the sky-people language made her any more discreet than she was.

“Kiri!”

“What? I just wanna know why dad looks like mom’s gonna punch him any second, and why you sulk around so much.”

“I’m not having this talk.” Lo’ak wasn’t whispering anymore, and he wanted to get out of here badly. He stood abruptly, making all eyes turn to him. Even Tuk stopped talking to stare.

“Lo’ak, where are you going?” His mother questioned like she was approaching a wild thanator.

“I’m not hungry,” he simply said. His feet carried him outside before he could stay to hear whatever any of them had to say. Lo’ak wanted to find you. He’d much rather talk to you than go back in there and face his family.

“Lo’ak.” The sharp hiss from his mother made his feet stop moving. He heard her steps before he felt her grab his arm, the good one, and turned him to face her. “What is all this about?”

Lo’ak pulled his arm from her grip, avoiding eye contact, even as she searched his eyes. “It’s nothing, mom. I just need some air.”

“Where? Where are you going?” she asked, unrelenting. He looked away, just as his dad came out from the tent and stood there by the entrance, watching.

“Lo’ak, don’t tell me you’re going to the sawtute,” his mother said, but she already knew without him having to utter a single word. “You choose them over your family?”

He finally looked at his mother, hard and hurt. “It’s not like that! You know it’s not like that. Why are you making me choose?”

She looked at him and Lo’ak saw pity in her eyes, the same one he found in Neteyam’s. “We’re not making you choose,” she said carefully, lacking the fire and anger he thought he’d find in her words. “You’ve already chosen on your own.”

Lo’ak felt his heart drop when the words came. His whole body weakened as his mother walked away, back to the rest of his siblings inside. He couldn’t think properly, a lump caught in his throat at the weight of the situation. No, he didn’t even want to think about all this right now. He needed to see you.

“Out of all the people,” Jake sighed, slowly approaching his son. “You had to choose that one, didn't you? Your mother will understand in time.”

“That one? You act as if you weren’t human once, dad. And you didn’t even grow up here! Unlike-” Lo’ak caught himself, shutting up before he could stir something up with his father as well. It was the last thing he needed right now.

“Go cool off. We’ll talk when you’re level-headed,” his dad patted him on the back, leaving him to wallow in his misery. Lo’ak took a step back, feet moving on their own accord, then he took another, and another, until he was running away from his home.

Running where? He didn’t really know. He just wanted to run. It was what he had always been good at. Everything else he did turned into a mess, everything he touched ruined. You probably didn’t want anything to do with him either, that’s why you’d avoided him. Would you even choose him if he told you he chose you? He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer. He was running so much, shutting his brain off, that his body almost crawled out of his skin in surprise when he bumped into someone small wandering camp so late at this hour.

“Woah, easy.” Lo’ak caught you with steady hands before you could fall on the ground. The first time you looked up at him in days, he felt his breath catch in his throat.

“Lo’ak.” You said his name and he felt like he was breathing fresh air again. “Sorry, I wasn't looking,” you told him, attempting to swivel around him to make your leave when he hurriedly caught your wrist.

“Wait!” he shouted in panic. “Wait.”

When you really looked at him, he saw your brows crease in concern. He didn’t see pity in your eyes like he did his mother and brother. You worried for him and you had a good reason to. He did look like he was in a lot of distress. Lo’ak clearly wasn’t expecting to bump into you so quickly after what had just happened.

“I don’t want to be alone right now,” he confessed quietly, letting go of your arm. You hesitated, torn between comforting him and leaving him alone as you had the past few days. But you should’ve known that you wouldn’t be able to resist him when he looked at you like that. It was only a matter of time before you’d come back running to him, and you could only avoid him for so long.

“Okay,” you said softly and Lo’ak’s face lit up a fraction. He grabbed your hand to pull you with him, leading you through the night of the camp. You didn’t even think to question where he was taking you. You just followed, hand in his in the dark, like a secret only meant for the two of you.

His palm warmed the longer you held it, heat radiating off his body in a way you wouldn’t have expected it to in the cold night. It was clear that Lo’ak was upset, but apart from that, he seemed on edge, ever since he took you away with him, and you wondered if it had anything to do with his… feelings. If he even had them. You weren’t sure. You started noticing a couple of days ago, but to say that he liked you seemed like a stretch.

“Lo’ak,” you called out, tugging at his hand for him to stop.

“What is it?” His voice was soft as he came to a stop, softer than usual and it made you forget what you were about to say for a second. You took a deep breath, unprepared for the way he was looking at you now, half-lidded and full of emotion, like he was undone by the simple touch of your hand alone.

“I worry for you,” you admitted. “I’m sorry. I thought distance would give us both time to figure things out.”

He brushed his thumb over your knuckles, assuring you with a small smile. “You don’t have to worry about me so much. I’m alright, syulì’ang.”

You were unconvinced, and Lo’ak must’ve seen it on your face because he pulled you closer, keeping you near as he continued to lead you through the science labs. “Come on, we’re almost there.”

“Almost where?”

Lo’ak never answered you. He let the surroundings speak for itself as you stepped in. It was somewhere you’ve never really seen before, but it wasn’t like you would notice it. There were plenty of alcoves like this surrounding camp, and this one seemed like another one of the few hundreds you’d find lying around the mountains.

“Take off your mask,” Lo’ak said, finally letting go of your hand. You stood at the entrance, frozen in place at his words.

“What?”

His tail whipped in small excitement. “Trust me.”

Without much thought, you reached to remove your exopack, and when the first breath of air entered your lungs, you found that it was not suffocating you.

“Lo’ak, how?” You tilted your head and breathed in again, your mask long forgotten as it hit the ground. Lo’ak mirrored the smile on your face.

“I asked Norm to help me set this up a while ago. I know you hate living inside that thing when you’re out of the labs. So, I thought I’d give you a piece of Pandora you can breathe in,” he explained, looking almost shy as he reached to take his own mask from the wall.

“This must’ve taken weeks.”

“Well, it was mostly them doing the work. I just check in from time to time,” he said, a little unsure what to do with his hands now that it wasn’t holding yours anymore. The days you spent apart left an unspoken mark that neither of you brought up, but you figured now was a good time to make up for it.

“Thank you, Lo’ak,” you thanked, surprising him when you surged forward to wrap your arms around his neck in a hug, and instead of bending down a little like he always did when you hugged him, he lifted you by the waist as if you weigh nothing and pulled you flush to him. This time you were the one caught by surprise, and your feet dug onto his hips to stabilize yourself.

“Mmhm,” he hummed in response, face finding comfort buried in your neck. Lo’ak nuzzled your hair when you felt your legs begin to slip, and he must’ve felt it too, because he adjusted his grip so that his hands were supporting your weight. Or to put it simply, you were straddling his waist and his hands were practically on your ass.

Neither of you said a word, but you were certain he could hear the quick pulse of your heartbeat with how close he was. It could’ve been minutes, or hours. There was no telling how long the two of you stayed like that, but when Lo’ak pulled away, his eyes held a sort of certainty that wasn’t there before.

“Now will you tell me what’s been bothering you?” you asked sympathetically, staying in place when Lo’ak made no move to release you. He stared at your face for a while, making you squirm at the attention until he finally answered.

“My mother wants me to find a mate,” he said easily, mind seemingly elsewhere. Your breath caught in your throat.

“I don’t see the problem with that. You’ve come of age.”

You didn’t know what came over you, but you touched his braids when one caught your eye. It felt so right to just touch him like this, and to be so close to him that you could feel his heart pound in his chest.

“Yes, but,” Lo’ak murmured, a hand gently closing over yours. “Unfortunately for her, I don’t want one.” His eyes flitted to yours as he brought your hand to his lips, placing a tender kiss to your palm. “Not if it’s not you.” 

The determined look he gave told you he’d already made up his mind and you had no idea what to make of that.

“Lo’ak.” You tried finding your words as your hand slowly fell from his face. “Your family-”

“Will have to learn to accept my choice,” he said with finality to his words, then carefully added, “that is, if you also choose me.”

Lo’ak’s eyes lit up with hope as he held your gaze, nervously awaiting your reaction. The only sounds that made its way to your ears were the low chirping of the animals at night; not even his breathing, or your own, was hearable.

You lifted your hand again to brush along the side of his face, nearly letting a laugh slip when you saw his tail raise in excitement. Then you smiled, a soft and loving warmth overtaking your features.

“I see you, Lo’ak,” you whispered. “I choose you.”

Lo’ak visibly exhaled in relief, a smile etching its way to his lips, and you finally felt his chest rising and falling again as he breathed.

“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that,” he laughed. The carefree expression he wore made your heart swell in affection. You traced the stripes adorning his face, across his forehead, over his cheeks, and stopping at the edge of his mouth, and Lo’ak didn’t even try to hide the way his eyes dropped to your lips, gaze darkening as if he’d been craving its taste.

You saw the restrained eagerness in his movements as he slowly leaned in, a hand coming up to rest against your back, rubbing small circles.

“You can always hit me if you’re uncomfortable,” he murmured, breath coming in short pants.

“Your hands were all over my ass, skxawng.” Your words lacked the fire you’d initially thought they’d have. It was a lame comeback, and you knew from the grin Lo’ak gave in response, but you couldn’t really think about that right now, not when he looked at you like he wanted to swallow everything that came out of your mouth as he kissed you senseless.

“Mmm… I enjoyed it,” he grinned, brushing his lips against yours, causing your eyelids to flutter shut. He lingered there, breath teasing your lips, and you almost wanted to punch him.

“Lo’ak, if you don’t kiss me right now-“ you gasped as he interrupted your sentence with his mouth. Lo’ak kissed you like he was addicted to your taste, biting and licking at your lips, occasionally groaning when you did the same. His hands respectfully wandered your body, lingering a lot on your waist and on your back, and when his tongue slipped past your mouth, you moaned against him.

Lo’ak used your surprise to his advantage, grabbing your ass to haul you back up before you could hit him for violating you. You hadn’t even realized you were slipping from his grip, too occupied with the way his mouth and hands were making you feel to care. He carried you over to- you didn’t really know where, you were a little busy, but you felt the hard surface of the rock as it hit your back, supporting your weight.

Your face was flushed when Lo’ak pulled away, catching his breath, and you’d almost forgotten he needed a mask to breathe your air.

“Sorry. Don’t really want to suffocate after our first kiss,” he said sheepishly, carefully setting you down.

“Yeah,” you laughed as your feet finally met the ground, still a little dazed as his arms steadied you. “That doesn’t sound ideal.”

Lo’ak rightened your disheveled hair, tucking loose, stray strands behind your ear, the gesture so tender it almost made your heart want to burst from its cage. You closed your eyes as your head fell forward to his chest, melting when his arms came around you. He held you close to him, affectionately kissing the top of your head.

Somehow, Lo’ak had always known he would choose you. Maybe since you were little children who had no idea what you were doing. Maybe he’d chosen you since then, he thought. You had always seen him in a way that nobody else did, and he couldn’t help but love you a little for it.

“Oel ngati kameie, I love you, syulì’ang.”

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