#mdw

Author's Note: hopefully something to hold you over until MDW part 2 !! thank you for your patience and continued support -- she’s gonna be a long one ! i hope you enjoy !!

thank you to my twosin bestie @junebugonjupiter for beta reading this and actually inspiring me to write it in the first place hehe 🫶🏻

*you can find the Na’vi to English Translations at the end

“Just like we practiced, okay?” You reassured Jake, hands on his biceps as you tried to catch his darting, nervous eyes. The racing pulse in the hollow of his neck matched the pace of your own heart that was pounding in your chest. 

He nodded and took a deep breath to ground himself. “Okay,” he exhaled. 

You stood with Jake just outside of your family’s kelku and you had never seen him so nervous. It had been days since Jake fought with Lek’ann and the following revelation of his intention to court you. The shift in your relationship that day had brought nothing but clarity to your feelings and pure joy. Loving Jake was something you felt you were made to do. From the fit of his hand against yours to the warmth that came with looking in his bright eyes, you knew he was yours.   

However, with the history of an unfavorable courtship, you chose to follow the tradition of receiving blessings from the courting pair’s parents and the Tsahìk. You decided you would accept any and all additional support and prayers. You had never wanted something so badly in your life. 

Given that your mother was the only parent that would be able to bless the courtship on this side of life, Jake felt the weight of importance her approval held. He was determined to do his part properly for you, but his shaky grasp of Na’vi rattled his confidence. Though he had memorized the request, drilling it over and over, he still struggled with pronouncing some of the words. You did not expect perfection, but his determination was touching.  

“Ready?” You asked, sliding a hand down his arm to take his hand. 

“Let’s do this,” he replied and accepted your reassuring touch by squeezing your hand. 

You smiled and quickly reached up to kiss his cheek before turning toward the door. Jake set his shoulders, and with a quick prayer you pushed past the portiere and stepped into your home.  

Inside, your mother looked up from her whittling, brow lifted at the sudden interruption. Her eyes flicked between you both as she set down her tools and an unfinished bowl.  

“Oel ngati kameie, ma sa’nok,” Jake greeted, bowing lower than necessary and raising a hand to perform the traditional greeting. 

After responding in turn, her brow rose again toward you. “Maite (my daughter), what is this?” she questioned.  

You gestured to Jake with the lift of your chin. He shifted on his feet as your mother gracefully stood, fixing her attention on him as you had silently requested.  

“Txo oe tsunslu pivlltxe (If I may speak),” Jake requested, slowly and clearly.

Your mother nodded. “Pivlltxe, ma Jakesully (Speak, Jakesully).”  

“Ma’am,” he began in English and his eyes widened, “Uh,” he cleared his throat and continued in accented Na’vi, “Fpìl oe ngeyä ‘ite (I think your daughter)… I... We… Mun–Muntxa si fìtsap ye'rìn, ngeyä syawn moe new (to mate/marry each other soon, your blessing we want).”

Your eyes had not left him until he had completed the sentence and you smiled in relief when he had delivered it to the best of his ability. Immediately checking your mother’s reaction, you tamped down the feeling of accomplishment. She did not look surprised, but nor did she look entirely pleased. A fresh wave of nerves blossomed uneasily in your stomach. 

Determination furrowed Jake’s brow, and to your surprise, he went on before your mother could give her response. You had not prepared him to say more and the next words came as a shock. 

“Hufwe äo oeyä aysyal poe lu, sweyn oe nefä, tung oe zup kawkrr,” Jake declared, brain and lips visibly working to form each word. He was looking earnestly at your mother but you almost gasped at the beauty and vulnerability of his statement, one so unlike him to say aloud.  

She is like the wind under my wings, keeping me up, never letting me fall.  

He stammered and swallowed before switching to English as he continued, “She opened her eyes to me before anyone else did. Nobody’s ever believed in me like she does. She is strong, and kind, and beautiful like your forest.”  

Jake peaked over at you as you translated his words for your mother, and you felt warmth swelling in your chest. He waited until you were done to continue. 

“I’ve never been in love before, but I'm pretty sure this is it,” Jake admitted, with a breathless laugh. “I don’t see my life without her. And so I promise I’ll take care of her, treat her right.”

Repeating his words from your own mouth made each take a deep root in your heart. You slipped your hand into his and blinked away the tears that blurred your vision. It took effort to look away from him, and when you did, you found that your mother’s eyes had softened, but her mouth was still set firmly.  

“Maite (daughter), translate for me,” she finally spoke, gesturing to Jake.

You nodded before your mother responded, processing her words as you relayed them to Jake. “She can see that we hold each other in our hearts and that there is great love and devotion between us.”

“Slä (but)...” 

Your face fell, and your mouth filled with webs. “However…?”

“Lehìpey, oe lu, 'eveng,” your mother continued, and you wished you did not have to translate.

“No?” Jake quickly asked, looking between you both, brows pinched together. 

“She is hesitant,” you clarified, lips pressing into a mirthless smile.  

Jake's shoulders sagged, but your mother went on, “Na’vi hu tawte, keltrrtrr muntxa amunsna fì'u lu. Kawkrr fmami sreset (Na’vi with human, unusual mated pair this be. Never attempted before now).”

“His dreamwalker body is like us,” you argued, feeling frustration overtake your disappointment. Her words were so similar to Lek’ann’s, and though you knew she said them with love, they stung. 

“Do not deny the truth,” she countered calmly. “He may look like us, but this body is just a skin he wears.”

“I have chosen him to be my mate and he has chosen me.” 

Your words hung in the air between you and your sa’nu (mom) for a moment.  

“Aykxutslua stxong fkeytok. Translate so he, too, knows,” your mother reminded you of Jake, whose eyes were filled with a mix of confusion and alarm as he tried to follow along. 

“She says Na’vi being with a human is an abnormal pairing,” you repeated her initial point, fighting a frown. “One that has never been attempted before…There are unknown risks.”

Jake quirked his head in thought and reasoned, “Well, there’s gotta be a first time for everything, right?” 

You met his eyes, and though you had no clue where Jake was going with his point, you translated anyway. Your mother crossed her arms as she listened. 

“Your daughter always tells me that Eywa’s got me here for a reason,” he continued, appealing to your mother’s strong faith. “I might not be one of the People yet, but I will be if the Great Mother allows it. There are bound to be challenges that we can’t see right now, but I’d never put y/n in harm’s way.”      

You repeated his words and, spurred by his confidence, added your own sentiments, “We will face any complication together. Together is better than apart.” 

Your mother considered you both with her wise eyes. “Do you truly believe what you say?” 

Jake nodded, looking the most serious you had ever seen him, and you spoke on behalf of both of you, “Srane (yes).” 

“What about grandchildren?” 

Your cheeks burned a deep purple. “Mother!”

“What?” Jake implored urgently when you hesitated to translate. 

“She asks about grandchildren…” you explained, glancing at him shyly. 

His eyes widened. “Uh…”

“You must think about these things,” your mother said in seriousness. “To mate is a lifelong commitment.” 

“But you always say that tomorrow will worry for itself,” you argued, though you knew her words held truth. You softened your approach and continued, “Mother, please. I only want to know that you will support me in this.” 

“I do not withhold my blessing. I do not disapprove, but I worry and hesitate for your sake,” your mother stated and you translated again. Your disappointment returned as the sinking feeling in your chest. “You have endured enough and there is too much unknown, so I must pray. Eywa must bless this pairing before I do.”

“I understand. Irayo (thank you), ma ‘sa’nok,” you conceded, holding back a frown and knowing you could not argue with that truth. 

“Irayo,” Jake echoed before you left your mother to resume her craft. 

“She did not say ‘no’,” you reassured yourself more than Jake once you were free from the stifling kelku. You had hoped to have happily bounded out of it with your mother’s blessing, but instead your steps were heavy with defeat. 

“Hey,” Jake breathed, placing his hands on your slumped shoulders and tilting his head to catch your eyes. “I’ve been told ‘no’ plenty of times, I’d say this is a win,” Jake encouraged. 

“I was foolish to think she would not have misgivings.” You frowned.

“She wants what’s best for you, baby.” 

“But you are what is best for me,” you countered. 

Jake smiled softly as he slid his arms around your shoulders and pulled you into him. 

“You know she’s right, our life won’t be easy,” Jake said, chin pressing against the top of your head. “There are risks.” 

“Yes, of course I know that,” you sighed, hugging him back. “But you are brave and take risks all the time. You took the risk to be here.”

“Some call it brave, some call it stupid.” 

“You are no skxawng,” you quickly refuted, looking up. “But even if you are! It takes a brave skxawng to do what you have done. What a waste it is to fear the unknown! Let us worry when we are face-to-face with a problem.”

You took a deep breath and found an amused look on Jake’s face. 

“You’re really worked up about this,” he mused teasingly. “You like me that much?”

“Yes! This is no time for joking,” you pouted. “It is a serious matter!”   

“I know,” Jake said, with no trace of teasing left in his tone. He spoke more quietly, “If I wasn’t clear enough back there, I really like you too.” 

“Those things that you said to my mother,” you started, recalling his unplanned speech and the way it touched your heart. “I saw in her eyes that she was pleased…” 

“And what about you?” 

“I am very pleased.” 

“Good,” Jake replied, satisfied. “I’m great at talking out of my ass, but out of my heart…?” 

“Nobody has ever said such beautiful words about me,” you said, resting your head back down on his chest. He brought a hand to cradle your head against him, the other settling securely on your back. “Thank you.”

“I see you.”

“And I see you,” you responded with a grin, feeling a swell of love rising up in you. “We can show her that this will work.” 

“Hell yeah, we can,” Jake agreed, and you could hear the smile in his voice. 

“And if she cannot see, I do not need her blessing,” you concluded confidently, feeling so secure and so loved within his embrace. 

“You don’t mean that.” 

“You are right, I do not,” you admitted with a small sigh. And after a moment you added, “Let us go pray.”  

“Like mother, like daughter,” Jake laughed and he let you lead the way. 

masterlist | part one | part two

Na’vi to English Translations

Kelku: Home/house Oel ngati kameie: I see you Sa’nok: Mother Maite: My daughter Txo oe tsunslu pivlltxe: If I may speak Pivlltxe: Speak Fpìl oe ngeyä ‘ite: I think your daughter Muntxa si fìtsap ye'rìn, ngeyä syawn moe new: To mate/marry each other soon, your blessing we want Hufwe äo oeyä aysyal poe lu, sweyn oe nefä, tung oe zup kawkrr: Wind under my wings she is. Preserve me up, allow me fall never. Slä: but Lehìpey: Hesitant Oe lu: I am 'Eveng: Child Na’vi hu tawte, keltrrtrr muntxa amunsna fì'u lu. Kawkrr fmami sreset: Na’vi with human, unusual mated pair this be. Never attempted before now. Sa’nu: Mom Aykxutslu: Risks Stxong: Strange/unfamiliar/unknown Fkeytok: Exist Srane: Yes Irayo: Thank you Skxawng: Idiot/Moron