#nanui

To be completely fair you never thought you'd end up here.

Here being a Metkayina settlement.

When it had been brought up after the bloodshed and chaos, the Metkayina were in need of aid you weren't really expecting to be first on the list for that flight.

And yet. Here you are on the sandy shores of Awa'atlu.

It had been sometime since you ventured too far from the home base. From the Omatikayan. And when you'd arrived you were not prepared for the absolute units that were waiting to greet you.

Omatikaya we're not small. Avatars and their hybrid genes were not small. But the Metkayina were fucking huge. A whole nother level of too damn big.

It was intimidating and interesting from a scientific perspective. The adaptations and changes made to their bodies to make living here easier.

Flat paddle like tails, finned forearms for swimming, teal gradients dappled on their skin to better suit the waves, and don't even get yourself started on the mass of them.

Larger chest and stockier build for the lung capacity they no doubt needed paired with the muscle to swim against ocean currents.

These were some built navi.

And the cherry on top was ink and swirling tattoos tracing the contours of their bodies. The dark markings contrasting with their lighter colors. It was really breathtaking, even the older clan members whose tattoos started to fade over time looked stunning with the meaningful patterns.

Yet as large and imposing as they could be, you found yourself more at home here than you were expecting.

The salty air and sunshine, the glow under the waves at night, and....maybe the company.

You glance over as you make your way across the woven paths of the village, basket of beads and an odd twine of sorts in your hands.

The tattooed craftsman sat as poised as always, a warm smile on his face and ever clear blue eyes hooded with his gaze focused on his work.

Nanui.

The weaver had definitely become someone you'd consider close. A friend.

Just a friend you swore. No matter how many knowing glances and suggestive grins you got from fellow avatar program survivors and other clansmen.

The friendly and warm hearted Navi had caught your attention when you first landed. Understandably after the war was brought to them, most of the Metkayina were wary of strangers. Especially the avatars. But they swallowed some dignity to get the help they needed and you tried your best to be respectful of that.

The first time you set your gaze on him you had to pointedly look UP to see those large inquisitive crystalline eyes. Even amongst his clan, he was tall. You'd imagine he was at least 10 feet tall, which put him about 12 inches and some change taller than you. Your avatar body wasn't the tallest for the Omatikayan, but you were pretty average.

Nanui had a tired and worn but welcoming smile on his face while he explained he would be your guide for the time you were here. No doubt he'd been working on the recovery of his people.

At first you thought the huge man was a guard of sorts meant to keep an eye on you so you didn't cause trouble in the community. It would make sense. But over the weeks you came to realize he was probably one of the few willing to volunteer to be near you at all.

Soon your large guide became a treasured companion, nudging you gently to correct your mistakes when you misspoke or to fix a task you tried to pick up to help the clan. Making jokes and teasing your differences good naturedly. Encouraging your progress with that loud heartfelt laugh and unabashedly cheering when you succeeded.

He seemed to sense your staring and perked up, meeting your gaze with hum of question and a tilt of his head.

"Ah it is the ungrateful one. How are we feeling today, hm?"

You can't help the small laugh and roll of your eyes, padding over to set down your basket of goodies for the weaving circle as you sat down beside him. Your traitorous tail flicked excitedly behind you, but luckily the teal man seemed to pay no mind.

"Im not ungrateful, just untalented. I told you already, Nanui if I could manage to learn to weave, I would."

"You have so little faith in yourself! Anyone can learn in time and time is everywhere. See? You're wasting it right now. You could be stringing beads!"

He grinned, giving you a gentle shove with that joyous laugh that always made your stomach do flips.

"Just because I have a Fifth finger, does not mean I can suddenly make complex patterns out of grass like you do."

"Who said suddenly, hm? I said you need to put time forward to earn your talents. All of you are the same. Flaunting your gifted fifth finger, but not putting it to use! What good is it just sitting there on a lazy hand, hm?"

He reaches over and wiggles your wrist around childishly with a firm pout, making your hand flop around limply.

You steal your hand back with a laugh, "Excuse you sir, they're not lazy. Just... Not as handy as they should be."

The large Navi paused as the words processed and you watch with rapt attention as a smile grew and soon he lets out a deep rich laugh that shakes his shoulders.

"Because it is your hand! Handy! I understand!"

You crack the sappiest smile at his excitement, shaking your head. The Metkayina had taken some time to understand puns but they delighted him once the learning period had passed.

You scoot in closer to look at what he's working on, eyebrows raised curiously.

"So what's today's project,hm?"

"Oh! I am redoing some beaded cords for the entrance of my sisters Marui. My nephews have torn her previous one down with their play. That I...may or may not have taken part in...."

"So you're fixing the entryway beads you tore down chasing Le'awe and Roxua?"

"That is not what I said." He muttered, fighting the grin threatening to spread across his lips with his ears down turned in effort.

"Uh-huh." You hum knowingly with a chuckled.

"Oh, before I forget!" He perks up, setting his beaded project down gently, "I have something for you. Every time I see you walking around you seem so.... Bare."

You look down at your standard RDA clothing. You wouldn't say bare, you were more clothed than any Navi you'd met.

T shirt and shorts made for the avatars. They were easy and made you feel a little more comfortable than most of the pieces you'd been offered by the Omatikayan.

Worried he was going to offer you one of the lovely but very sparse clothing pieces often worn by the Metkayina you default to declining.

"Nanui I'm not really-"

"Here see?" He moved around a couple fronds and unfinished weaving projects before finally pulling out a lovely woven circle with pearls and smoothed sea glass of greens and blues dotting between the braided leather.

"I...an arm band? How will that make me less bare...?" Your voice was soft as you took the offered gift, eyes wide and ears standing at attention to reflect your interest.

It was really beautiful.

"You wear more cloth than anyone I've seen, but it lacks history. No sentiment or care in this weaving." He tugs at the edge of your shirt pointedly, "You are bare of soul. And someone who shines as brightly as you, should have some, yeah?"

You choke up a little, lower lip wobbling at the kind words. You can hear your heart in your ears as you timidly offer him the band.

"Can-can you help me put it on?"

"Of course." He smiles warmly, "I hope this helps you feel more at home here. You grow more and more each day. It's been a privilege to teach you."

His touch is cool against your flushed skin, still warm from the heat of the afternoon and the day of work behind you.

He ties the armband tight enough that it won't budge and it sits comfortably on your bicep. Your skin tingles from the contact of his fingertips that you could swear lingered longer then needed.

You swallow thickly, looking at the Metkayina with a fond smile.

You settle yourself with a small breath, the fingers of your free hand tracing idly back and forth across your new accessory. Definitely a new sensory toy for you. The smooth pearls and tight pattern feel nice under your nervous tracing.

C'mon he made an opening, you can nudge this in the right direction with a little honesty. You got this.

"You know....I do feel more at home here. But that's...um. mostly your doing honestly."

"Hm? Well I would hope so. I am your guide after all. I did not think I was doing the worst of jobs."

You recognize an out for what it is, but clear your throat with a shake of your head.

"No...Nanui. I think....Well you've come to mean a lot to me. And I don't know exactly how that works for you guys here, but I just really wanted to say something because well...I..."

The teal Navi stares at you blankly for a moment and you can feel your nerves start to creep in. But soon the darkest flush you've seen on a Metkayina probably ever lights up his face, ears quivering with whatever emotions were going through his head.

The sound of swishing sand drags your eyes away for just a moment to reveal his large tail dragging back and forth behind him.

The project he'd been holding gets cast aside as he moves towards you, the size difference between you two glaringly obvious when he places his large hands on either side of you and leans down enough so his words are soft for just the two of you. You're close enough to see the soft greens and teals streaked through the icy blue of his eyes.

He tilts his head in question, inky black curls and braids spilling over broad shoulders.

"Are you asking about courting?"

"Y-yeah. I guess I am. Or at least the uh...before courting? Just...showing intent?"

He grins big and wide, prominent dimples dipping at either side. He needed to stop that right now. Something that large shouldn't be that cute.

"Ma'Paskalin, just saying so is perfectly acceptable. Grand gestures are appreciated but you do not need to waste such things on me."

You flush, heat staining your cheeks and manage a belligerent pout despite your excitement at the pet name.

"It's not wasted! If it's you. You're worth some grand gestures or gifts at least."

His smile turns soft and he tilts his head the other way in a gooey heartbreaking puppy eyed look that has you weak.

"You are a gift as you are, Ma'Paskalin. I don't think I could ask Eywa for more."

Oh what the fuck. Right through the heart.

You push a hand to his chest, nudging him back with a flustered huff leaving your lips. You don't push him too far, keeping your hand against the cool teal skin as you mutter in response.

"Okay, okay. I get it. Jesus. I just...I want to do something. Or just ... Have a way for others to know that We are...I don't know together?"

He takes your hands in his gently, pulling them from where they rested at his collarbone to hold them between you two.

He has a crooked smile, tone playful.

"You wish to claim me?"

"I....yeah. yes. If that's what you want?"

"Hm...if there is doubt, perhaps I should make a larger effort to be sure you feel wanted, Yawne. Because I want you."

He brings your hand up, lacing his large fingers with yours from behind and placing a gentle kiss to your palm. Your breath hitches, his words flustering you and making you swallow thickly.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Courting a Metkayina was not really something you had on your bucket list, but after the last couple weeks you're convinced it should have been.

Nanui had always been more affectionate. You'd grown accustomed to leaning on him at group gatherings, the way he gently guided you this way and that with those large hands, his affectionate headbutts when you leaned close enough.

But this. This was a whole different level. The was rarely a moment in Nanuis presence that you weren't being swept into a loose hold. His arms at your waist, sliding around your hips to rest with his chin set atop your head or shoulder while you all conversed with whoever that day.

Tender kisses were pushed to your head, your shoulders, your nose, anytime he laid eyes on you, the affection was expected and sought after. Cool smiling lips against sun warmed skin, picking out luminescent freckles between azure stripes. It didn't take you long to start leaning into it, a rumbling of approval from deep in the Navis chest letting you know he was pleased when you did so.

That sounds alone would send a delighted shiver right down your spine.

He grew more bold as you relaxed into his affections, pinching gently at your tail as he passed and making you yelp and swat at him, tugging you to lay on his chest while the two of you swam, floating and propelling you through the water with sluggish kicks, his fingers gently ran through your hair, assistance freely given to help you with styling it in ways that would be less effected by the waters you now traversed in daily.

He now proudly wore a crudely made necklace around his neck. Longer than his normal set with Omatikayan colors and patterns. Even if you were technically not a part of the Omatikaya clan, it was what you knew and you hoped you weren't going to insult anyone with the less than stellar craftsmanship.

But it was a courting token. And one he nearly cried for when you offered it to him, sheepishly holding the long beaded ring up for him to inspect.

He barely looked at it in honesty which you're flattered by and grateful for. You have a feeling you could've offered him anything and he would accept with gusto.

He'd dove into the necklace like he was going to battle, a dimple summoning grin on his face as he gently butted his forehead against yours.

"I see you Ma'Paskalin." He murmured softly, eyes wide with awe and affection.

You could barely breathe with his intensity, letting out a laugh and throwing your arms around those teal dappled shoulders, nuzzling your nose against his with your ears flickering with delight.

"I see you."

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

The eclipse had past hours ago, the celebration of the night still singing in your veins.

There had been a wonderful feast. With music and dancing into the night. The hunters had brought back an impressive catch and in the warmth of the season a gathering was overdo. And it was the first you'd witnessed since coming here.

Everyone was adorned with elaborate traditional jewelry, hand painted markings, and colorful hair pieces. Including yourself, though you still opted for a little more coverage, the ropes and beads at your hips felt nice and your skin was more open to the cool sea air.It was amazing to see. The colors and shadows dancing off of teal navi around the fire as they danced and laughed. Including yours.

Nanui was laughing loud and joyous, twirling his youngest of three nephews and letting him stand on his feet beside the roaring fire. White and yellow patterns flow down his body, streaks of colored paint dragging across the taut skin of his stomach, swirling on either side of his hips and connecting at his naval.

And as always, clasped firmly around his neck is your courting gift. You can't help the swell of affection in your chest, your fingers coming up to gently trace the shells at your own throat that he'd gifted you in return shortly after agreeing to your courting.

It was surreal and you can't fight your smile when he looks up to locks eyes with you. He's so full of life and wonder and love, it's almost overwhelming. As if he was contagious. And he was yours.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

The warmth of the fire had left your skin as you stumbled your way through the sand laughing, hand in hand with the large tattooed man that had come to hold your heart.

Encompassing hands grasp your waist, fingers nearly meeting as they gently lay you down on the comfortable layered bedding in Nanui's darkening mauri.

Heated open mouthed kisses are peppered down your throat, making you arch further into the touch with a shuttered breath past your lips.

"Nnnnanui. Shit."

Teeth nibble at your collarbone, intense blue gaze flickering up as the Metkayina Navi leaves a dark possessive mark on you.

He's been paying attention, dragging his firm grip up with just enough pressure that your skin dips beneath his touch and noting every sigh and twitch you make.

"Precious....look at you Ma'Paskalin..."

He doesn't move his lips from your skin, tongue and teeth tracing the patterns and star scattered freckles as he situates himself between your parted legs. ”Is this okay,Yawne?” He breathes against your navel, intense gaze dragging upwards as he questioned softly, “I'm happy to stop where you see fit. You’ll tell me, yeah?” ”y-yeah. More than okay. Please don’t stop.” you managed to force out with a deep flush staining your face, swallowing thickly as he continues to lavish your body in affection as he descends. He takes his time to press kisses and soft bites to every mark and freckle he passes, a steady rumbling in his chest making you melt into the bedding beneath you. ”Wouldn’t dream of it, If I tasted nothing but your skin from this day forward, I would want for nothing.” That should be weird to hear, but you cant help the small whine that leaves you with the playful bite he leaves at your hip. He tucks his fingers into the corded top of your bottoms, eyes drifting up once again. You give him a nod of encouragement and he smiles big and crooked and awed and it makes your heart hurt with the flux of affection within you.

Dragging the cloth own your thighs slowly, he presses his fingers into the striped skin of your legs as he goes, bringing them back up to grip your thighs firmly once its discarded with his ear perked in interest, pupils blown wide. You part your legs to welcome wide shoulders between, the teal navi sliding his hands to the tops of your thighs to pull you in and you laugh a little at the movement.

A small gasp falls from you as he presses his lips flush against you, wasting no time before they part and soon you’re overwhelmed with the heated wet tongue dragging across you.   

Your teeth clench, biting off a desperate whine as you press your hips upward into that devilish tongue. Your ears flatten against your head, the mat beneath your back the only thing grounding you as you reach between your parted thighs to grab hold of the loose curls in a tight grip.

The bluest eyes peer up at you over the beaded belt at your hips gifted by Nanui himself and left on to chime with your movements,a large scarred hand pressed against your stomach to keep you pinned while long curling strokes of that tongue against you makes you squirm against his hold. The heat builds, the air thickening around you as you buck against him fruitlessly and your breathing becomes labored.

Nothing could prepare you for the way he dove in like a man starved, consuming every gasp and whimper and sigh with a focus that had you tilting your head back, unable to handle the eye contact.

“f-fuck. Right there.”

A man on a mission, he obliges,letting his tongue out further to accommodate you. You knew you wouldn’t last long like this.With his sole focus on your pleasure and hellbent on giving you everything.

You could already feel the pressure of an oncoming release, tears not quite spilling from your watery eyes as he doubled down, hands gripping harder at your thighs, large fingers sliding against the sweat slicked skin. You expected a break somewhere between starting and now, to have a moment to breathe while he leaned back to replenish his own air. But it wasn’t happening. He explored you further,fluid drags of tongue and teeth and suction that had your toes curling and your breath stuttering. You grip his hair tighter, the Metkayina groaning lowly against you and giving another stimulant on top of his ministrations. His hair falls over his shoulders in dark waves as you manage to free it from the bun on the back of his head, giving you more to grasp. ”Shit-shit-shit. Nanui. Im gonna…please…” You’re tipping over the edge soon after when he presses in further, his hands spanning over the entirety of your hips and letting you grind into him as you reach your peak with a loud sob and tears finally spilling over.

Your thighs quake at the sides of his head, squeezing him between them as he continues his work though slower.Long languid motions that have you gasping for breath at the sensation.

But he’s not stopping. He still hasn’t run out of that famed Metkayina lung capacity and you feel yourself twisting a little in his grip.

He doesn’t relent, holding you firmly and coaxing more whines and pleas from you with every swallow and flex of his throat. You’re actively crying at this point, gasping for breath and lungs burning as you writhe. Fuck. It was too much. You’re oversensitive and the only thing keeping you from begging him to stop is how slow and warm and gentle the glide of his tongue is, tasting without pushing. Like you were his last meal and he was going to make it last as long as he could.

It wasn’t building into an orgasm like the first, it was a constant pleasure. Oozing into your body like an oil slick and coating every nerve until you were shaking and you nearly ached with it.

Water bubbles on your lashes, breath ragged and stuttered as you finally find the means to speak. ”I-I cant again…please…Nanui.”

Its only then that he pulls back, licking his lips that were shining, slick, and mildly swollen, having the nerve to look not the slightest bit out of breath as a presses a gentle kiss to your inner thigh, resting his cheek there to look up at you like he didn’t just eat you out until you cried with absolute adoration.

“How do you feel, Ma'Paskalin?” He slides his hands up and down your sides gently, bringing you down from your shaking over-stimulation with gentle touches as he sits up to loom over you. His eyes flicker back and forth, taking in your expression for any discomfort.

You cant help but laugh breathlessly, shaking your head.

“I feel like my bones have been replaced with jelly.”

He smiles so softly, every bit of love and affection he possessed drowning you through his large eyes.

“I will assume that’s a good thing?”

“Baby, its fucking amazing.C’mere.”You pull him down so his weight is pressed against you, firm and comforting,pressing a kiss to his nose.

 “I'm not going to lie, I was freaking out when I realized you didn’t need to come up for air.”

“oh?” ”Don’t you ‘oh’ me. You know exactly what I'm talking about you free diving bastard.” ”Yawne…you have come diving with me. And you know very well I could have dived for much longer.”

You flush darkly at the thought. You did know that. You’ve seen some of the reef clan free dive for nearly half an hour. And you didn’t know if that was the longest they could go, or just what they had needed at the time. Jesus. ”Well. I uh- I guess we’ll have to test that.”