#norm x reader

- Since the brotherhood found him in the crater that was once his home, Max has mostly known touch when it comes at him violently, something he needs to defend himself against. So when you let your fingers gently land against his skin, slowly and patiently letting him open up to you, it's almost enough to make him fall to pieces then and there. The way you give him time to prepare for every slight graze, testing the waters before you shuffle your body closer, it makes him feel safer than he could have imagined possible. 

- Touching Max has to go slowly; his holding his hand eventually moves to a gentle hug that he can feel himself struggling to accept for fear of repercussions for letting his guard down. Then you can let your hand cradle the back of his neck as he starts to melt against you, realising this feeling is worth anything that may follow it. And finally when your lips land against his, he almost collapses against you, so overwhelmed by the strength of his own feelings that he almost forgets that he ever wasn't kissing you. He thinks nothing of kissing you in the middle of the brotherhood base, so euphoric at the sensation that nothing else even registers for him, dopey smile spreading across his cheeks every time he pulls away from your lips. 

- He craves your touch from that first moment he starts to relax against it, searching you out for a quiet moment of contact any chance he gets, feeling more like the man he wants to be when he's in your arms. He hopes his strong hands firmly grasping at your waist give you the same feeling of support, pulling you tightly against his broad chest until he's certain you can feel the way his heart is only beating for you. 

Cooper Howard/The Ghoul:

- In his new decaying form, Cooper shies away from your touch for as long as his willpower will allow. He can see the way you look at him like he's still the man he was before the bombs hit, like nothing has changed in the centuries he's spent wandering alone, like he still deserves to be treated with kindness and love even though he's sure that isn't true. He wants to accept every hand you extend towards him as you two navigate this new, terrifying world together, but some part of him thinks the moment you feel his twisted flesh against yours that the spell will be broken and you'll suddenly see him for exactly the kind of creature he has become. 

- Until one day he comes a little too close to losing you and when slowly rise to your feet after what feels like a lifetime he can't help but throw his arms around you, pulling you in and letting his cheek rest against yours, the warmth of your soft skin making him feel like he can somehow still blush. All his fears melt away when you nuzzle your face more deeply against him, letting him cradle your injured form until you both reluctantly accept that you can't dwell in that spot any longer. 

- With that invisible barrier crossed and your gaze towards The Ghoul still warm and forgiving, Cooper finds himself initiating far more affections. When you two are exploring alone, the hand not resting on his rifle will inevitably find yours, grip firm as if daring the world to try and part you. And when it's time to make camp he finds himself laying beside you without asking, letting your fingertips trace shapes across his skin until your eyes flicker shut and he can hold you through the night. Cooper knows what it is to be in love, and he knows that this time he's never going to let you out of his sight, or his grasp. 

Norm Maclean: 

- Given the limited options for fraternising in the bunker, Norm grew up without experiencing the slow growth of affections that he noticed others were lucky enough to find. So when he finally has you in his life, he can't help but want to make up for lost time and feel your hands against his touch-starved skin. He doesn't know how to initiate any of this with you, but he's not afraid to try, being the first to place a hand on yours in a quiet night, even if he can't bring himself to look at you until he feels you squeeze your palm against his. 

- His smaller stature means Norm is often underestimated, so he doesn't want you to handle him like some delicate, fragile thing. He likes feeling you lay your weight on him, or pull him tightly into your arms, no matter where his head reaches on your form. When you sit near him, he wants to find the seat closest to yours and let his thigh press firmly against you, a physical reminder that whatever you two are doing, you're facing it together. 

- Norm doesn't want to leave anything unsaid in the way he feels towards your touch, so when he starts to think that you might feel the same, then he'll be the one to kiss you first, waiting until he can steal you away from prying eyes for a moment alone and pressing his lips firmly against yours until he starts to feel the undeniable curve of a smile form against them. He might not be the most outgoing when it comes to public displays of affection, but when it's just the two of you he'll make sure he's always touching you in some way, your company becoming the safe haven and home he always knew the vault couldn't provide. 

The lab was never quiet. Either it was the distant footsteps of scientists, or the machines beeping every few seconds.

The room was full of samples, delicate glass vials filled with different liquids.

You had been taken in a raid- little was known about your past, and little did the scientists care.

The only important thing here was your genetic material- everything they could sample with their complex machines. You had been sedated, drugs pumped every few minutes to keep you in some sort of comatose state.

Your fingers faintly twitched as you floated inside the tank, a breathing machine in your face, and the liquid around your body slightly bubbling as the machines inside it moved with precision, proding with large needles your vulnerable body.

Once you had worn gorgeous beaded tops and loincloths colored with roots in a way you could get lost just staring at the intricate designs you had dyed onto them. But those days were long gone. 

You had lost everything, even if you weren’t awake to realize it. The scientists had given you a nickname to refer to you as if you were nothing more than a school project. 

Specimen #1, Recom Viability Trial.

They couldn’t care less about searching your true name, even as the soldiers heard it being screamed at by other Na’vi as they took your unconscious body after the fight.

Your clan, your clothes, things as intimate as your songcord were all trashed.

All that was left of you was your naked body floating day and night, being fed by a tube while they used you for resources.

“Sedation holding alright?” Said a scientist to another as he checked your pulse on the monitor. Steady as always. Because of budget cuts, they had to change the sedation drugs, giving you a cheaper one that had the risk that if it’s use was interrupted you could regain consciousness, But after being trapped there for so long, it was most probable your brain would be all mushed.

“Yup, most we’ve gotten is some minor spikes on neural activity” Answered another one with a lollipop hanging from her lips as she typed the daily advances on a computer.

A distant alarm began blaring- the two scientists freezing for a few seconds. Gunshots began being heard. 

Their station wasn’t in Bridgehead, but instead in the forest- could they have been spotted? But it wasn’t Na’vi war cries that could be heard- these were not a random clan attack. It was the Resistance.

For a few minutes they just stared at each other, the lollipop falling to the floor.

The gunshots were clear now, screams both in English and Na’vi could be heard. The security alarms began blasting louder. The monitors had an EMERGENCY: ABORT AND EVACUATE screen on them.

“Shit” Said the male scientist as he ran towards the computer, dismissing the notifications and quickly typing.

“What are you doing? We have to evacuate before they get to us!” Said the female scientist, trying to pull the male towards the exit to no avail.

“We can’t lose all our progress! We’re taking as many samples with us as we can” He said, and with a final click of his mouse the small glass boxes holding vials unlocked. He grabbed a metallic case and began putting as much as he could inside, his co-worker doing the same as the gunshots slowly got closer.

As they finally finished, there was only one last thing to do.

The computer had the instructions on.

DESTROY SPECIMEN #1

The male scientist looked at his co-worker, and she nodded as she searched for the keys for the helicopter. He gave her the metallic case and unholstered the gun from his belt, made exactly for moments like this.

With a quick movement of his finger, he pulled the trigger. The glass broke and the water quickly moved your body to the floor, landing between the broken shards of glass, red lines appearing on your blue skin.

“May god forgive me” He whispered before running away with his co-worker.

You laid there, limp. The breathing machine still beeped, your pulse was weak, but still there. The translucent liquid surrounding you now was all over the floor, your body uncomfortably twisted over the glass shards cutting into your skin.

The breathing machine was still on your face, softly beeping with each soft breath.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Slow drops of the translucent liquid from the tank ran down your body, making your hair and eyelashes wet.

Drop, drop.

They slowly fell down your body, pooling under you. Your tail gave a small flick, then your fingers. 

You felt as if you were being born. Colors danced beneath your eyelids, each part of you felt at least ten times heavier, and you slowly began waking up from your years-long slumber.

You could feel the blood being pumped by your heart move through your veins along with tickles on the tip of your fingers and toes, but even then, you couldn’t move or do anything. It was as if there was a heavy blanket over you, lulling you back to your long sleep.

The needle which pumped the drug continued oozing the amber liquid onto the floor, hanging from the tank.

The floor vibrated as footsteps approached.

—

Smoke made everything hard to see, some fuses had been shot, its cables burning and filling everything with a thick layer of smoke and the smell of burnt plastic.

The once clean halls of the small laboratory were now stained with blood and bullets on its walls. 

How did the Resistance reach it? They had been kidnapping Na’vi. From different clans, sometimes they sent soldiers to go and kill everything that resisted, other times they’d use more quiet methods, drugging and kidnapping Na’vi’s with the bad luck of being alone with no one near to help.

They were specific. Only Na’vi’s in their early 20s, blue-skin only, no teal. There was a few exceptions, but not many.

Many clans had gathered to discuss. Hunters began going missing, gatherers disappearing during their usual activities, banished in thin air. The smell of gun powder became present in other parts, leaving bloodshed behind.

Jake wasn’t stupid, he could realize this was the RDA planning something. “They’re selecting them” He said- the all mighty Toruk Makto feeling the weight of somehow finding a solution to this problem. 

Thankfully his kids were too young to fit in the criteria, but that didn’t ease him- everyone was looking at him, waiting for a plan. He used to be a soldier, he had the advantage of having been with the enemy once, he knew how they thought.

And here it was, the proof of what he had suspected at first.

A lab hidden in the forest, its walls painted and camouflaged to not be spotted. 

Norm moved through the halls in his Avatar body, one hand pressing a face mask against his face, the small machine softly emitting sound as he breathed in and out, looking for more survivors.

Two avatar fighters moved in front of him, rifles in hand just in case another RDA soldier popped out of nowhere. They had cleared three rooms already- Two of them had different supplies which would help the Resistance, guns, canned food, ammo, and some more useful things.

The third was a long hallway with cells, some were empty, others had Na’vi on them, some recently taken, others had been here for more. 

As the Avatars helped the last few outside, taking turns with the face masks- one stopped, grabbing onto Norm’s shirt.

At first Norm couldn’t understand him, as the poor Na’vi’s voice was rough and couldn’t stop coughing. But then Norm understood it. “There’s… Another one” The Na’vi said in a rough voice.

“Another one?” Norm asked, raising an eyebrow. The Na’vi nodded “They kept her separate from us” he said.

They reached the exit, and Norm helped the Na’vi onto the floor to sit with the other rescued people.

Max approached Norm, looking up at his friend and coworker.

“You’re not gonna like this” He started. Max’s clothes were dirty from all the prior fuss as they fought against the soldiers, one of his sleeves torn where a bullet had grazed him.

“It seems they were experimenting with the prisoners” Max began- explaining what he had seen inside, not much because of the smoke they couldn’t enter all rooms, and before running away the scientists had deleted most of the information from the computers.

Norm nodded. “I saw the equipment, like Jake said, it sounds like they were trying to get something specific from the Na’vi.” He said

“Not just sampling- Neural scans, long-term sedation protocols, blood samples, and more” Max added, fixing his breathing mask.

Jake came into view. Norm remembered what the Na’vi had told him- about another prisoner being still inside.

“That’s all of them?” Jake asked Norm, who shook his head. “There’s another one apparently” He answered.

“Let’s hope that alive” Max added. “Let’s go then” He said before entering back the ruined laboratory, Norm and Max following as the other Avatar and humans of the Resistance helped the rescued Na’vi onto the helicopters.

The smoke was somehow thicker now, the stench of burnt metal stinging the nose of Norm and Jake, the face masks soothing it lightly, while Max’s full face mask prevented him from smelling.

Eventually Norm got ahead, Jake following with his rifle in hand, just in case,

There it was, the last room. Liquid oozed from the slightly ajar door, making the men’s boots and feet wet.

“Watch the ground” Jake said as Norm entered first, seeing the broken shards of glass on the floor from behind. The smoke made it hard to see, the red alarm blasting making it harder.

Norm squinted his eyes, but managed to make out a silhouette. “There” He said, walking closer, his boots cracking the pieces of glass. Jake stood by the entrance, since being barefoot didn’t let him get any closer.

You were still on the floor, body sprawled, looking almost dead, if it wasn’t for your tail giving small flicks.

Norm wasted no time in lifting you into his arms, the smoke barely letting him see who he was holding.

As they once again exited the laboratory, Norm carefully put you on the floor, one of the Avatars quickly approaching with a blanket to cover your intimacy.

Max grabbed a first aid kit to see your signals and clean the injuries from the fall and glass shards. Jake kneeled next to your form, frowning as he recognized you, his hand going to bump Norm’s shoulder- they both recognized you.

“Hold on” Jake said as his hand went to your chin, moving your face lightly. Yeah, it was you.

It also clicked on Norm’s head. “Wait- i know her” He said, Jake muttering a “Me too”, his fingers going from your chin to your neck, checking your pulse. Good, you were holding onto life.

“Yeah… yeah, she’s- crap, what was her name..” Norm frowned- “A warrior… from another clan, the one that trades with the Omatikaya constantly” Jake added. They both had seen you- heard of your disappearance a year or so ago.

“She trained with us a few seasons.” Jake muttered. So this is where you had been all this time- you were probably one of the first to be kidnapped.

Max approached with a small flashlight in hand, opening one of your eyelids with his fingers. He pointed the light straight to your pupil, the pupil barely reacted, making Max frown. “That’s not good” He said.

“She’s doped. Sedated, heavily” Max elaborated, letting Jake see how dilated the pupil was.

“What else?” Jake asked. “Hard to say without proper equipment” Max answered with a sigh. The other warriors called for them. It was time to part back to High Camp, as any minute the RDA could send backups.

So they lifted you up, and took you to one of the helicopters, back to the High Camp where they could properly contact your clan and send you back home.

–

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The beeping of machines seemed to follow you everywhere.

Max had you on a stretcher inside the lab at the camp, sitting next to your still unconscious self as he wrote down in his notebook.

Lo’ak and Spider were nearby with Kiri, next to Grace’s Avatar, muttering about something.

Norm entered, still on his Avatar, he just came back from talking with Jake. 

Your mouth felt dry, your tongue almost too big for your mouth, your tail was uncomfortably twisted under your body, the stretcher too cold, making goosebumps grow on your skin.

Your eyes barely opened, struggling to continue the effort it took to do so.

You only saw blurry shapes around you at first, nothing made sense- your head felt too heavy to even move, and every time you tried looking around you felt dizzy, as if you had run for an  hour in circles. A faint noise left your throat, making Max look up from his notebook.

“Norm- she’s waking up” Said the human as he stood up, checking on your vitals.

You began panicking. Who was this person speaking? Why were you wearing such weird clothes? The material felt odd against your skin- you couldn’t remember anything, your mind feeling like a sea, and you were currently drowning in its expanse.

Your breathing became labored, and you tried to move, barely moving your arm- it felt wrong, too heavy. It took everything just to lift your shoulders a few centimeters before falling back down, your tail moving under you and anxiously flicking, knocking things down.

“Easy there-” Said the human next to you. Who was this stranger? Too much white, too much sky-people technology. You slowly regained your control as you finally snapped your eyes open, seeing nothing but human technology. 

Your vision was still slightly blurry, but you saw someone approaching. You felt a tug in your heart- the sensation of knowing this person. The way his stripes looked familiar, his hair not in the usual Na’vi braids, but instead straight seemed… So close to a memory.

“N….Nm…” You tried speaking- you needed him, you weren’t sure how, as if he was the only piece of land in the sea that your mind was right now. You sucked in a big breath and used all your strength to push yourself up, feeling the world around you twist and turn as you managed to do so, completely ignoring the sky-person next to you speaking hurriedly.

You slipped one leg around the edge, then the other. You still felt so, so dizzy. 

“Wait!” Said the human, to which you hissed at, your ears going back as you bared your fangs at him.

But you quickly realized why he had tried to stop you, as the moment you tried standing up your legs gave out, and before you realized you were going down.

But before you hit it, Norm was quick to move and grab you, your face falling on his chest.

His hands hooked under yours, grabbing onto your torso, your own hands desperately grabbing onto him- your face pressed against his upper torso, hands twisting the fabric of his shirt, your whole body was trembling in half fear and half weakness.

Norm looked at Max confused. Yeah, you two had met before, but never interacted in a way that would explain this desperate attempt to get to him.

Max merely shrugged.

Your face moved slightly, looking up at Norm. “Hey, it’s okay, you’re safe”

“N…Norm” You finally said, your throat dry and sore from so much time without uttering a single word.

—

This would be hard to explain to Mutxuk. They weren’t mated, but it was clear to everyone Norm wanted to court her.

But what could he say? How could he explain this situation? You were a respected warrior in your clan, from what he heard one of the very best, but here you were, reduced to a shell of what you once were.

“Confabulation” Max said- intentionally speaking in english as you didn’t understand it. You sat next to Norm, playing with his hands.

They had been trying to diagnose you for a few days now, but you were extremely distrustful to anyone who wasn’t Norm, and on top of that you barely talked.

“Confabulation. Like when the brain fills in the gaps with fake memories?” Norm asked, his shoulders tensing as your tail wrapped around his ankle as if it belonged there.

Your body had multiple stitches from the glass injuries, but your eyes held a warmth whenever they looked up at Norm.

Your fingers the fifth finger in his hand almost lovingly, your body pressed to his side as he spoke to Max.

“'Upe's going sìn ma yawne? [What’s going on my beloved?]” You asked, mixing some loose words you seemed to remember in English with your native Na’vi. Your voice sounded raspy, and you clearly struggled to speak.

“Ke'u… Syor [Nothing… Relax]” Norm said with a faked sweet tone, giving your hand a pat with his free hand. 

“Her brain’s filling the gaps with something that makes sense emotionally” Max added as he rummaged through the files he had been writing about your situation.

Footsteps approached, and you instantly tensed. “Who do you think knocked her up?” Said a male voice, Lo’ak.

“I think it was Norm, think of it, two Avatars, all alone in the woods- Ow!” Added the same voice, and a slap sound interrupted him. Then Lo’ak and Spider came into view, walking side by side, Kiri behind them.

“How’s it going with the nutcase?” Lo’ak said, letting out an Ouch! As Kiri pinched his arm.

Norm let out a sigh. “She’s not a nutcase, Lo’ak, she’s…” Not even he could find a word that could explain this situation. At his lack of words Lo’ak nudged Spider with a laugh.

Kiri rolled her eyes as she stepped closer.

Your ears went back and your tail began lashing from side to side, letting out a low hiss, pressing harder against Norm.

“Pefya lu ngaru tì'efu? [How are you feeling?]” Kiri asked you, giving you a sympathetic smile, which took you by surprise.

You couldn’t explain why, but it felt… Comforting, to be near her. You simply nodded, looking at the side ashamed of your prior hostility.

“She’s still disoriented” Norm explained. Spider leaned a bit, trying to see you better. It was so odd to see a Na’vi in clinical gowns.

You frowned- you didn’t understand them whenever they spoke in english. 

“M… Ma… Yawne… oeyktìng [M…My… Beloved… Explain]” you said, tugging at his shirt. Your grip on him was soft, gentle, your eyes almost shined like glitter looking up at him.

Norm cringed at the words- but didn’t show it. Kiri stared at you, then at Norm- Spider raised his eyebrows as well as Lo’ak. “No shit” Spider said.

Lo’ak grinned. “Yeah dude, she definitely thinks you're her mate” He said.

“It’s the confabulation. Not weird with these kinds of memory issues.” Max explained as he grabbed a specific folder, opening it and going through the pages. “So she just… picked him?” Spider asked.

“Well, he was the first stable figure she saw when she woke up, familiar race plus non threatening behavior” Max explained further. “Besides she already knew him prior to the incident, so it’s her brain doing it’s best to reconstruct what’s missing in her head” 

Nom stared at Max, all the while Mutxuk was on his head.

He needed to report the whole situation to Jake. Maybe he’d know what to do.

After you fell asleep, Norm went towards Jake’s Kelku- the walk across the high camp feeling weirder. Lately Norm hadn’t left the lab, as he was afraid other Na’vi would feel your scent all over him.

It didn’t matter how much he thought of other things, Mutxuk was a constant in his head. She probably realized by now how distant he had been- and he had no words to explain this situation.

He arrived at Jake's kelku with a sour taste in his mouth. Jake was cleaning his rifle, Neytiri behind him fixing his dreadlocks.

Jake stared at Norm, trying to put on a serious face, but Norm noticed the faint smirk on his face. “What?” Norm asked, noticing how even Neytiri seemed to already know of the whole ordeal.

“Lo’ak told me about the situation” Jake said, raising an eyebrow. “Seems you got yourself in a situation” Jake added. He let the rifle over his knees as he leaned into Neytiri’s hands on his hair.

“She’s confused” Norm said, getting slightly defensive, not enjoying Jake’s teasing. Jake only nodded- “She’s traumatized” Norm added.

“Does that include her wrapping her tail on your leg?” Jake said with a grin. Norm’s ears flattened in embarrassment. “I was trying to keep her calm” Norm tried explaining, when in reality there was little to explain, the situation spoke for itself.

“Sure looked calm when she was calling you ma yawne.” Norm’s tail freezed in the air as Jake said that, his face becoming a deep violet shade. “Dude, come on, cut me some slack” Norm said, running a hand over his face, letting out a sigh.

Jake motioned for Norm to sit, Jake’s grin softly fading into a more serious face as Norm sat down. “Alright, jokes aside…” He began.

“It’s not your fault she’s all over you man, but it is your responsibility to be honest, with her, with yourself.” Neytiri silently nodded behind Jake, her fingers twisting his dreadlocks with patience.

“I’m not lying to her, I'm just-” Norm began, only to be interrupted by Jake. “I don’t mean words. You can’t let her build a life in her head that ain’t real- what will happen if she regains her memories? What will happen with Mutxuk?” Jake said, his tone far more serious than his teasing tone before.

Norm swallowed, staring at Jake.

“She trusts you- right now that trust is probably the only thing keeping her steady. So… Stay close, help her. But set boundaries.” Jake explained, Norm nodded.

“And what do I tell Mutxuk?” Norm asked. “If she hears it from someone else it’ll be worse. So be honest with her.” Jake answered.

Norm muttered a curse under his breath- he was royally fucked. You weren’t ugly- at all, but his heart was torn between protecting this illusion for your sake and being honest to Mutxuk. Whatever he chose, he’d make someone upset.

“You got a good heart, Norm. That’s why she picked you- now go get some rest” And with that, Norm thanked Jake and got up, going back to the lab, hopefully you wouldn’t recognize him in his human form, and he could take some days to think about this whole thing.

—

Well, he thought wrong. 

The moment you saw him in his human self, you curiously followed him- of course, you recognized his scent, but… You hadn’t connected the dots that he was an Avatar. Still, that didn’t stop you from slowly approaching him and being behind him all day.

Things got worse as you began heading out of the lab, interacting with other Na’vi and people and carelessly saying you were Norm’s mate- not understanding why some people gave you the side eye, as you were completely unaware of Mutxuk’s existence.

Then you got more bold. The size difference played quite the image as Norm barely reached your ribs, and still you’d be all over him, thankfully you waited to be alone in the lab to begin your little shows of affection.

At first it was standing next to him, tail playfully flicking his behind as you’d then laugh as he’d tell you you couldn’t do that and get flustered.

Like a cat, you’d always pay attention to his weaker moments, whenever he took a nap or something you’d always be near, making sure he was safe. 

Of course, you couldn’t live in the lab, so you were assigned a Kelku, but you barely spent any time there, in fact, getting upset at the fact Norm was “moving you out” from the lab, and he shared sleeping quarters with other Avatars, so you barely had any more intimate moments.

Intimate moments Norm was sure he didn’t want- it’d make everything too real, and like Jake said, he couldn’t continue feeding onto this delusion you had.

But meat is weak, and there’s little to hold on to when you tempt him so badly, calling him sweet nicknames and giving him teasing shy touches, whether he was in his Avatar or not.

Right now, he had decided to bring you back to your clan- of course, you were confused, why was he leading you to the helicopter? But Norm had to do so before things escalated, maybe there you’d recover your memories.

He didn’t tell you where he was taking you- just told you he needed to take you somewhere special, which eased your mind, and gave you many ideas. Was he finally ready to form tsaheylu? You were already mated, but your mind was so foggy you couldn’t remember how it must have felt the first time, and in the name of Eywa, were you excited to try it again.

So with the few friends you had at High camp, you made sure to make a gorgeous top, using everything you had and that was given to you to make it as appealing as possible. Then your loincloth- it was short, dyed with roots to imitate Norm’s human hair color, and with small beads in the strings in the sides, inviting for your mate to untie it.

Norm noticed the change in your clothes as you two got on the helicopter, the fact you didn’t let anyone else go with you two being a dead giveaway as well.

He had gone back to his human self, as it was the only way to pilot the helicopter, which you hadn't thought about- humans weren’t able to Tsaheylu, but hey, you’d make it work- even if it was just a kiss, it’d be enough for you.

It didn’t take a genius to understand what you thought this was. Norm focused on the controls as the wind made your loincloth move dangerously, showing the underlayer pressed against your genitals.

He felt his stomach twist, already preparing himself for your heartbreak the moment you’d realize you weren’t going to what you thought.

You were sitting behind the pilot seat, occasionally moving to see down below, pointing out stuff to Norm with such a loving tone it only made him feel more anxious. The way you looked at him, even if he couldn’t see it, he was able to feel it. With devotion.

The flight was quiet other than your occasional comment and the overall sounds of the helicopter.

He set the helicopter down before reaching your clan, as a human arriving in a helicopter wouldn’t do anything in his favor.

The engine powered down and you carefully climbed off the helicopter. You smiled as you saw the vibrant flora- after being so long in the High Camp surrounded by nothing but stone, you finally had the feeling of grass under your feet.

Norm stayed on his seat for a few minutes, his hands getting clammy. By the moment he made up his mind to be honest, he got off the helicopter, and met your bright eyes as you waited for him, your cheeks slightly violet in anticipation, your tail moving side to side softly in excitement.

As he stood next to you, he made his mind- he was going to be honest. 

“Okay, listen-” He was interrupted as you kneeled in front of him, now being face to face.

“You bring me somewhere quiet- somewhere private” You began, a smile on your face, your hands settling on his shoulders, one hand going up to his face and caressing it.

You pressed your forehead against his. “So we can be… Close” You added in almost a whisper, closing your eyes.

It was too much for him. “No, please- its… That’s not why we’re here” Your eyes opened and you moved back, looking at him with a weird expression- completely thrown off guard.

“What?” You finally said, your accent thick on the English you had learned in this time.

He looked at your eyes, and his shoulders tensed as you retreated your hands. “I’m taking you back to your clan”

You were slightly aware of your condition- but they hadn’t told you much, only that you had been in a terrible accident that had affected your memories- you hadn’t bothered asking more, trusting that they’d take care of you. Not send you away like one would do to a pest.

Your ears flattened, your tail went still. “...No” You said.

Norm exhaled, not sure if he should step back. “You belong with your clan… They can help you remember- help you get better.”

“I don’t need that- i… I have you, it’s all I need” You said, your eyes getting wet.

“You’re confused” Norm said. Your tail began moving again in a frantic rhythm, your hairless eyebrows furrowing.

Your hands grabbed his shirt, your much bigger hands twisting the fabric under your fingers. “I am not confused. You’re my mate- you cannot send me away”

He didn’t say anything, just stared at you, almost as if saying sorry with his mind.

You put two and two together, the lack of touches, the fact that he always seemed to try to be busy so as to not have free time with you.

“You lie” You said, your hands tightening on his shirt, not letting him step back.

“I’m… You just- your memory is messed up, you’re mixing things together.” He tried explaining, only worsening the now open injury in your heart.

But then you realized. His words lied, but you knew, deep down, he felt the same. Those times where you’d curl on him on the really small human lab beds, how unconsciously he’d press his head against you deep in his sleep, your tail curled against his leg. How whenever you touched him you felt a change in his scent.

You had to show him you knew it- that together, it didn’t matter what happened, as long as you were together.

Mates or not, you were in love with him. He took care of you, aided you when you mostly needed it.

Your hands left his shirt and moved to his shoulders, this time softly grabbing them.

“I know how you feel” You said softly, a tear running down your cheek.

“That doesn’t mea-” He tried saying, but you were quick to interrupt.

“I know your scent” You began.

“I know” He said, unable to look into your eyes.

“I know your voice”

“I know”

“I know… You are mine” You said, moving your face in front of his, your hands going down his shoulders to his arms.

Norm felt a shiver run down his spine. “You can’t decide that right now, you’re not thinking clearly.” He said.

But you simply moved your hand to his chest, feeling his fast heartbeat.

“I see you” You said softly, letting him savor the words in the air.

He finally looked at your eyes, and you moved closer, pressing your lips against his. Even if your different anatomies made it weird, you enjoyed the feeling of his human lips against your Na’vi ones.

As you broke the kiss, he spoke once again.

“This isn’t right- You don’t understand what you’re asking.” Norm insisted, his smaller human hands grabbing onto your wrists, not pushing away, just… Touching.

“Then explain.” You said- he opened his mouth, but no words came out.

He could feel your pulse under his fingers now, how warm your skin was. “I can’t” He insisted once again.

Why couldn’t he?

Because it would be a lie.

Because somewhere out there was a life you couldn’t remember.

Because Mutxuk existed.

It was too much to risk. All the years it took him to be accepted by the Na’vi, then all it took you was waking up to choose him, Avatar or human, it didn’t matter.

“You don’t remember who you were before.” He said, taking in your facial features.

“Maybe this is who i am” You answered, not willing to give up.

“That’s not how memory works, you have a conditio-” He tried saying, only to be interrupted by your face moving close to his, lips just a breath away.

“It is how the heart works.” You finally said, it was the truth. 

When you woke up, you’d look for him.

When you slept, you searched for Norm’s warmth.

When you’re afraid, you need him.

And when he leaves, it hurts.

“I already chose you” You added. This was it.

It was up to him now to choose.

NOTES:

Guys there's like zero HD pictures of Norm... So i had to put on my pirate eyepatch and go to sketchy websites to go see if i could find the movie HQ to take screenshots but had zero luck... Anyways i have so much fics to finish omg i really hope i can get back to being as active as before!

The music gradually slowed down, like a heart returning to its normal rhythm after running too fast. Laughter still echoed here and there, some Na'vi continued to dance in small groups, but the large circle had broken up. The torches burned lower and the cooler night air began to mix with the heat of the party.

Jake and Neytiri were no longer there. They had disappeared somewhere into the night, retreating to their refuge together.

Norm stood still for a moment, watching. The ground still vibrated slightly beneath his feet, or perhaps it was just his body.

The night seemed bigger now that the noise had subsided. The air entered his lungs slowly, heavily, but at the same time alive and fresh. He could hear his own blood in his ears.

Choosing a mate.

Jake's voice echoed in his head with irritating clarity.

He tried to imagine what that would really mean. Not as a ritual. Not as a tradition. But as... life. Waking up and her being there. Hearing her laughter every day. Not having to look for her in the crowd because she would be with him. She would be... his. And he would be hers.

The thought was too big, but at the same time that it scared him, it also made something inside him settle, as if. . . it seemed right. Belonging to Ninat felt right to him.

The problem was that no matter how right it felt to him, would it feel right to her? Belonging to him?

The idea sent a shiver down his spine. Because with it came the old, familiar fear of not being good enough. He had spent years being the fragile human, the misfit scientist, the one who observed rather than belonged. Even now, even in that body, that insecurity lived under his skin.

But when he thought of Ninat...

He exhales slowly.

You're her type.

Jake had said it as if it were obvious. As if it were a fact and not a statistical probability almost below zero.

Norm shakes his head, almost laughing to himself. Still, his chest tightens. He couldn't be anyone's type.

He is so lost in these self-deprecating thoughts that he doesn't even hear her approach until she sits down next to him.

Her presence is luminous, and she sits close enough to him that her shoulder almost touches his.

His heart races.

He turns around immediately, surprised but ready to smile, to greet her, ask how she is, or even just say her name or something normal, but what comes out is

“Jake told me I still have one Omatikaya ritual left.”

As soon as the words come out, he wants to take them back. He wishes Pandora would open up and swallow him whole.

But it's too late.

Ninat blinks, taken by surprise, and the blue light from the plants reflects in her eyes, making her look even more awake.

“A ritual? she asks, tilting her head slightly in confusion. Her voice is soft and tinged with exhaustion from all the time she spent dancing with her friends, but at the same time there is genuine curiosity in it. “Which one?”

Norm swallows hard. What should he say? The words had escaped him without thinking. Without preparation. Without courage. Just the truth falling in the middle of the night between the two of them. His heart beats too fast, as if trying to escape his chest, and he opens his mouth a few times before the now more reluctant words come out.

“Choosing... a mate.”

The silence that falls between them is not heavy with noise but heavy with meaning.

Ninat inhales incorrectly and chokes on the air, turning her face slightly, and Norm immediately straightens up.

“Are you okay?” he asks, concern overcoming embarrassment.

“Yes.” She nods quickly, but doesn't look at him. Her fingers tighten slightly. “I just... wasn't expecting it.”

He thinks he understands; he wasn't expecting it either.

“The tsaheylu between partners must be... important to study,” she adds, her voice carefully neutral, almost formal.

Norm feels something sink inside him. That wasn't the direction he wanted to go. He nods anyway, caught between hope and fear that he might say something that pushes her away... even more.

“There are many women in the clan,” Ninat continues, her eyes still fixed ahead. “Many who would make good mates.

He lets out a small breath through his nose, almost a humorless laugh. “I doubt any of them would want to mate with me.

It was true, but he leaves the biggest truth of all unsaid. The truth that she was the only one he would want to mate with.

She turns her face to him so quickly that her braids brush his shoulder.

“Don't say that.”

The firmness in her voice catches him off guard. But then her gaze flickers again.

Silence returns, this time more intense.

Norm feels like he's on the edge of something, like an invisible cliff. If he takes a step forward, everything will change. If he steps back, he might be able to keep something intact.

“I...” Ninat begins, surprising him, but the words seem to weigh heavily on her tongue. She takes a deep breath. “I can help you. With studying tsaheylu, I mean.”

The world becomes very quiet and Norm feels unable to breathe.

“But then you couldn't find a mate...”

“I don't plan on mating with anyone in the clan,” she interrupts, too quickly. “So I can do what you said. Devote myself to science.”

No.

The word echoes inside him again, louder.

That's not what he wanted, at least not now.

He didn't want her “to study.” He didn't want an empty ritual. He wanted her smile in the morning.

He wanted to be able to look at her without having to hide, without fear, long enough to memorize the position of each freckle and the pattern of each spot.

He wanted to be able to tell her his stories and scientific facts while hugging her.

He wanted to be able to explore Pandora with her, discover Pandora with her.

He wanted to do everything to see her happy, to touch her, to hug her and... He wanted the way she looked at him as if he were... more than he ever believed himself to be.

But fear speaks first.

He sees himself waving slowly, as if watching someone else use his body. Like a true Avatar without any control.

“If you're sure...” he murmurs. A coward.

Ninat stands up, extending her hand to him. He looks at her for a second that seems to last years... and accepts.

Her fingers are warm. Small. Real.

She guides him away until the last voices of the party can no longer be heard in the night. Through the trees, where the light becomes denser, more sacred. The Trees of Souls rise in front of them, in the most vivid silence he has ever heard.

-

Her heart beats so fast that she fears he will hear it.

For the sake of science, she repeats to herself.

But the name her heart gives it is another.

She knows she is selfish. He could come to love another. He could choose another as his companion. But the idea tears her apart inside. It was selfish, but she didn't want to see him with anyone else, she couldn't bear it.

Besides, she thinks, trying to soften the selfishness she feels. If he wants to study tsaheylu, wouldn't it be best to do it with someone who loves him? With her? It would certainly give the best results. To study tsaheylu, even if only once... then she could have him, even if it was in this nameless space between the real and the pretend.

She could have the man she loves as her mate.

-

She stops and Norm almost collides with her, torn from the whirlwind in his head. When she turns around, the light from the trees reflects in her eyes like a sky full of stars.

He forgets all the phrases he had prepared. All the rational arguments.

The only thing left in his mind is... her.

Norm approaches, raising his hand to gently hold her face.

She looks him in the eyes and raises her kuru. He mirrors her actions with less trembling hands than he would have thought, and in a heartbeat everything syncs.

The tsaheylu forms.

And the world doesn't disappear, it expands. Sensations that have no words wash over them, mixing fear, warmth, recognition.

It was supposed to be just to experiment. Just to learn. That was the excuse they both gave each other.

But their hearts didn't seem interested in excuses, not when they feel the truth.

Love.

With no more limits, their lips meet in an impulse that is not abrupt, but inevitable. The contact is warm, moist, and makes the air escape from both their lungs at the same time.

The kiss was like nothing either of them had ever experienced before, it was warm, familiar yet new, and it filled them. It doesn't take hold of them all at once but spreads slowly, its warmth seeping through their bodies.

His hands find the curve of her waist, pull her toward him, and his fingers feel her soft skin, as if he needs to confirm that she is real.

Ninat slides her fingers down his arms, slowly climbing up, feeling the tension there, the restrained strength, and holds him by the neck, not to restrain him but because she needs him, closer.

Their bodies draw closer until there is no space between their breaths. Her warmth crosses the short distance that remains, seeping into his chest, his stomach, his thoughts. Each time their lips part for a breath, they meet again as if the absence were a mistake to be corrected.

The kiss deepens, not in haste, but out of need. Her hands run slowly over his back, feeling every muscle that tenses under her touch. He responds by pulling her closer, his palm open between her shoulder blades, as if afraid that the world might steal her away.

It is not lack of control but surrender. They moved like two beings who had always been meant for each other, like two bodies born to touch each other, to feel each other.

Like two souls that were nothing more than one in two bodies, but at that moment those two bodies were just one and any distance between them was felt as suffocating, something to be eliminated.

Nothing is said. No promise is made. No certainty is formed.

But the shared warmth seems to act as such. Fingers that don't want to let go. Lips that meet again. And the touch said here, now, you and me...us.

And like that, under the Trees of Souls, science stops being what brought them there. At least for that night.

-

To read two weeks in advance, subscribe to my Patreon for just $1.

“You’re kidding” norm says, not really believing what he just heard. 

“I am not, believe me norm, I almost didn't believe it at first either” Jake says. 

“No, I have to hear it myself. Replay it” norm says, max nods, replaying a message they were sent just an hour ago. 

It was an audio, a bit scuffled but loud and clear was the voice of a woman. 

“Hello? This is Alma Cortez. I am a researcher and Co director of TAP. An education branch of the RDA. I don't have a lot of time but I am seeking help from the RDA rebels, more specifically Jake sully, aka Toruk Makto, and Grace Agustine. There are na’vi children here being held against their will. They need help and I alone cannot do it. I need-God damn it! Grace if you are hearing this, please! I need your help! They are not all dead! I repeat! The Sarentu children are alive!” 

Norm can say he has been into battles and raids enough times to see some patterns, alternatives, can even predict how it will end. Call it cheesy but he is the man of loyalty and would do anything to protect those he cares about. 

Among the people he has come to care about more than his own life, was his newly adopted son that enjoy being called “spider” 

Bright, crazy, and will try different ways to kill himself simply by being curious of the world he was born in. A walking happy, stress inducing little being spider is for Norm. Full of surprises, and norm enjoys that. 

The biggest surprise was him being born. 

And norm is always grateful for that, always thanking Eywa everyday. Yup, parenthood sure is something not many today plan for. 

“Well, each of us can watch over him, like that old saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’” Max suggests. A group of the science guys have found baby spiders in the old dormitories for the female soldiers. Only a few months old, skinny little guy. 

It wasn't long before they did a DNA scan of who he belonged to. The results were both scary yet unsurprising. It was after that many did not wish to get involved with the baby. 

“I will do it” , the norm says, more like announcing it. 

Picking up spider, wrapping him up in his little blankie, he says it again, “I will be his parent” 

“Does this count as a reverse kidnapping?” Max asks. 

It was night, using nature to cover the scorpion plane, waiting for an important package. Jake, Norm, Trudy, Max and Grace were all waiting patiently for Alma to come to them with the sarentu children that were being held within the human facility. 

“I see it as a rescue mission” Trudy says, her eyes not being away from her port. 

“It is a rescue mission” Grace affirms, her eyes scanning through the foliage for any movement. Being silent and listening carefully for any sounds of footsteps. Her concentration was a bit out of character for her. None have seen her this serious before. 

“It will be a huge cultural shock to these poor kids” max says, filling out the silence of the soundless night. 

“Cultural? More of a world shock, metal walls and holograms is all they ever knew” Jake replies. All of them have heard the tragic news of a fallen na’vi clan, how there were no survivors and even more tragic there was no way to help them. Grace was more hit on a personal level, felt more helpless, as feeling that it was somehow her fault when really it wasn't. 

“They will struggle, a lot of struggling, getting back to their roots and relearn everything. It's very sad " Norm comments. His thoughts drift to spider, thinking what it would have been like for his son. To be brainwashed and never been allowed to do things that he was born to do. A hell no child should go through. 

“I know I am thinking ahead but…..who will take in these kids?” Trudy asks suddenly. 

“Hi! Im spider! And I am your big brother!” little spider proudly points to himself as he talks to the newly arrived na’vi children. He was so excited to meet them the moment norm told him who was coming. New friends and new siblings! 

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Jake asks, he and his friends huddle on the farthest corner of the old hells gate. Everyone watching the sarentu children carefully. 

“They seem very comfortable with spider” Max points out. 

“Its because he is human, didn't you see their faces? Seeing native na’vi? They looked horrified, "Grace whispers. 

“STAY AWAY!! LEAVE US ALONE!!”

“ENGLISH!! WE DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU!!”

“THEY ARE GOING TO KILL US!!” 

8 sarentu children huddled together, tears flowing down from their eyes, little bodies trembling in fear. Circling the younger ones, as they all scream and cry in utter terror. Surrounding them was what was supposed to be a welcoming celebration to these unfortunate children. What was supposed to be loving, cheerful, and harmouns, the children only feared things that they don't understand. 

And what they dont understand is the native na’vi are right in front of them, speaking in a language they dont understand.

“And what is your name…?” Norm asks softly to the sniffling children, after what felt like forever with a touch of a miracle, the sarentu children have calmed down. A great thanks to Norm. Using his already experience with spider, he flawlessly managed to gather the 8 children and have them stop crying. 

“M-my name is nor…” the little boy stutters out as he wipes away his tears. Holding hands with little teylan and ri’nela. 

“That is a wonderful name, and you” norm compliments as he turns to one of the little girls. Looking down shyly as she plays with her hands, “my name is paw….”

“Im t-telisi….” another little girl says, being slightly more confident. Holding her hand was one of the older children. He was trying to look tough, brave and tall. Norm knew he too was scared inside but rather not show it. 

“This is Yuayt….and-” 

“ACHOO!!” 

Telisi was cut off from a sneeze, coming from another little girl. 

“And she is okni, she gets sick easily,” Telisi informs. 

Okni was rubbing her nose when another little boy, ripping a piece of his shirt to wipe her nose. 

“And that is yefti….” 

Norm took a good look at all of the sarentu children. He was about the make the more bizarre choice ever in his life. Perhaps more bizarre than all of the bizarre ideas. He was gonna make all of these sarentu children into Spellman children.

“Come on slow pokes!!” 

“Yeah! I'm smaller yet faster than any of you!!” 

“Telisi! Spider! Be Careful!” 

9 little spellman children were exploring the vast forest that was now their forever home. There is always an adventure to explore, little mysteries to solve and skills to hone. 

Spider and Telisi make way for their other siblings as they fearlessly go ahead. Not far behind was nor and ri’nela with teylan between them. Nor trying his best to keep while ri’nela takes her sweet time. Behind them yuayt giving okni a piggyback right while paw was holding okni’s hand and yefti being comfortably silent beside them. 

“Feeling any better okni?” paw asks, giving her sister a gentle squeeze on her hand. Okni nods, giving a reassuring smile. 

“That medicine better work, or else we will use the medicine that humans use” yuayt says. 

Paw frowns a bit, “don't be like that, the tsahik is a master of healing. It is her life's job, why do you still doubt her skills?” she asks her brother. Yefti also gives a disapproving look to his brother. 

“It's been a year already and Okni is still sick. In my eyes, there hasn't been any changes” yuayt replies. 

“She stopped having accidents at night. Not puking as much and can now sleep through the night without any interruptions. I see that as major progress” yefti signs. Trying to points out the positive outcomes from mo’ats medicines. 

“He is right, and okni can eat more now!” paw adds. 

“Not enough” yuayt scoffs. 

“Dont be meanie” okni whispers as she gently pokes her brother's cheek. 

Yuayt stopped complaining after that. 

“Spider! Telisi! Slow down! Ma’eywa!” nor shouts, giving up on telling his siblings to not go that far ahead. 

Ri’nela giggles as she helps Teylan go over a big tree root. 

“It is futile brother, they are just too energetic” she says. Nor sighs, she is right. Out of everyone, his two older siblings are such a chaotic duo. They were slowing down for the other trio to catch up. 

Teylan looks over to see yefti and smiles, “YEEYEE!!” he shouts excitedly. 

Yefti smiles, seeing his baby brother and runs over to him. Teylan reaches out his little arms, wanting to be picked up, to which yefti happily complies. 

“You spoil him brother” nor says. 

Yefti merely shrugs, “it makes him happy. Also he wants to copy okni” he signs. 

“Speaking of, I can carry okni if you are getting tired yuayt” ri’nela offers as her brother gets closer. 

Yuayt shakes his head, “im fine, okni is lighter than that little fatty” 

Okni hit him in the back of the head, “done be a meanie, teylan isnt fat, just squishy” she gently scolds. 

“Eerr….teylan’s appetite is growing…” paw says. 

“Its fine, with all the running and climbing, he won't be squishy forever” ri’nela says as she gives teylan a playful pinch on his chubby cheeks. 

“He won't if yefti keeps carrying him like a baby” nor comments. 

“Teylan is a baby” yefti signs. 

“I'm gonna beat you spider man!!” telisi teases. 

“NEVER!!! They don't call me monkey boy for nothing!!” spider shouts. 

Both laugh and cheer to their hearts content as they run through the vast forest, not caring to stop. Letting the wind hit their faces, overcoming any obstacle and quick thinking. 

Climbing to the floating mountains do they see their goal. 

“I'm gonna win~!!” telisi shouts enthusiastically. 

Spider summoned all his strength and went even faster, going past telisi and makes the leap of faith. 

“SPIDER!!!” his sister screams, stopping to witness him jump from the edge of the cliff and flying towards the nearest landing. 

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!” 

 Spider braced for impact, his side landing first on the rocky ground. Grunting in pain, and a bit dizzy, he shakly gets up. Dusting off the dirt and rubble, he laughs. 

“HA!!! I WIN!!” he cheers. 

Telisi shakes her head, huffing loudly. 

“Dad is going to skin you…” 

“OOOOOOOWW!! OWOWOWOWOW!!!” the spider squeaks in pain. 

Ri’nela sighs, trying to gently tend to his bruising and scratches. 

“You are lucky dad is busy with Jake, he will be very angry when he finds out what you did” she scolds her big brother. 

Spider chuckles a bit, “I couldn't let telisi beat me, my record would be broken” 

“I like competition brother, but never when it comes to risking our lives” telisi shouts across from the room they are in. 

Okni hears spider in pain, and quietly goes over to him, silently offering some of her medicine. Spider gently denies. 

“I'm ok sis. Don't waste your medicine, you need it more than I do” 

Okni slight frowns. Offering it again. 

“Spider is right. It is not easy for the tsahik to make that medicine, okni. Only you can use it” ri’nela says as she adds the last bandaged on spider’s side. 

“Kiri can make some. We can ask her” okni finally speaks, clutching her herb pouch. 

“Kiri is too busy looking at pretty flowers to make medicine” yuayt scoffs. He and teylan were messing with some old technology equipment. More like yuayt trying to make sure no small piece gets into teylan’s mouth. 

“Can anything positive come out of your snarky mouth?” nor asks a bit sarcastically. Earning a glare from yuayt, “When you stop bitching like a-” 

“Ok that's enough you two” spider interrupts what could be another round of word fighting. 

Yuayt rolls his eyes, lifting teylan from the table, handing him over to yefti who gladly accepts. Grabbing his knife and gun, he makes his way to the exit. The other kids following his movement. 

“And where are you going?” telisi asks. 

“Somewhere” yuayt replies and leaves. 

Almost everyone shakes their head. 

“I will get the fire started, no doubt he is coming back with some good yerik” ri’nela informs. Telisi and Paw quickly helped her.

Norm walks into his home after saying his nightly farewells to Jake and his family. It was a long day with so many things to do, but happy he will come home to his kids. Chuckling to himself, norm cant help but smile widely. It has been a year since the kids were rescued from the hellish TAP facility and already have grown so much. 

A lot has happened, overcoming trauma is not an easy thing. The Sarentu children were easily scared when starting to live here. Scared about everything, even seeing other na’vi. Norm still couldnt believe a lot has progressed over one year. Though not all is perfect and not every wound is healed. 

There is still a lot left to do for these kids, his kids. 

And speaking of his kids, norm opens the door and- 

“TOO MUCH SALT IS BAD!!” 

“NO! IT MAKES IT TASTY!!” 

“WHERE DID YOU EVEN GET THAT?!”

“FROM YOUR ASS! WHERE ELSE IDIOT! THE KITCHEN!” 

Yup, another round of spellman chaos. 

“HEY!” 

All the spellman children stopped what they were doing and stared at norm. 

“DAD!!” they all cheered. Forgetting about their argument, everyone ran towards their father. Jumping on him, hugging him, shouting so many things at the same time. 

“Easy! One at a time!” He tries to settle down the kids. 

“Dad! Nor added too much salt into the stew!” 

“So what?!” 

“Daaaaaaaaaaad!! Yuayt called nor a bitch again!” 

“Dad dad dad!!! Spider did a dumb move today!!” 

“Why are you snitching on me!? Dad I know who telisi’s crush is” 

“DON'T YOU DARE!!”

“OK OK!! QUIET DOWN!!” norm shouts. 

Everyone dispersed, giving norm room to get up and observe what is going on. From the smell and obvious pot cooking, it smelled like yerik meat stew. Knowing instantly, norm turns to yauyt. 

“Did you hunt today?” he asks. 

Yuayt shrugs, “why ask if you already know the answer” 

Yefti slapped his arm, “really?” he signs. 

Paw tugged on norms shirt, eagerly wanting to say something. 

“Yes paw?” norm turns to her. 

“Can we watch a movie after eating?” she asks, trying to look cute to convince him. Ruffling her hair, norm smiles, “lets eat first then we shall se

“Dad,” Telisi calls. Now turning to her, norm lets her continue. 

“Spider jumped off a cliff and almost died” she tattles. 

“SPIDER WHAT?!” 

“SNITCHES GET STITCHES!!” spider warns. 

“WHO IS WEARING THE STITCHES RIGHT NOW?!”

“Finally…..” norm can breathe in relaxation. After a hearty meal the food coma hit everyone. 

Norm tucks little teylan between paw and yefti. Beside paw was Okni, who was also beside yuat. On the other side of yefti was nor and ri’nela. Spider and Telisi were sleeping over their other sleeping siblings. As if to protect them even as they slumber through the night. 

Norm quietly observes the children. Everyday he gives his best, gives his thanks as he couldnt believe his luck. 9 beautiful children. Chaotic and rowdy but good kids. 

Many wonder how norm does it. Every time he is asked, “how do you do it?” or “have you lost your mind yet?” 

Many times was norm close to losing his mind, but knows better. Constantly reminding himself that his children could have been in worse situations. That they wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the call for help. 

Jake at times would say “got a full house there norm” 

Yeah, he was right. A single man trying to raise 9 kids does insane, lunatic, but norm enjoys all of it. And there is nothing in this world or the next would norm trade it for anything. His kids are not just sarentu or human kids, no, they are spellman children and norm be damned if others say anything else. 

Aaaaaaaand that is it for this one! This fic took me a good while because I was trying to get every scrap of information about the other sarentu children. See what personalities I can create.

"Norm?"

Your voice bounces off the concrete walls and back into your ears. Your heels click with every step, your shoes are nice and shiny for the occasion. He wasn't home, at Chet's, or in the fusion room. A long shared hiding spot. You frown as you turn down yet another hallway. A sea of copy-pasted doors muddle together in your eyes as you huff. Maintaining your peppy smile you grip the bouquet tighter. When you noticed Lucy, but no Norm to accompany her you had to pause everything. A much disagreed decision which led to Overseer MacLain chastising you for your decision. It wasn't a good idea to make Vault 31 wait but you couldn't care less.

"Norman."

Your voice grows in pitch as you backtrack out of the hallway and into an identical one. One furthest from your wedding and who do you find sitting with his back to you? Cleaning the connection line of the vault floor.

"Oh! Norm, there you are."

He doesn't turn back and simply gives you a quick hand raise and a simple, "Busy. Be done soon."

You give a soft giggle and crouch down behind him.

"Norman MacLean. It's rude to ignore the person being married. Especially on their wedding day."

He finally turns at that. Almost as if he just realized who was talking to him. Your smile is unrelenting a stark contrast to the stony expression he gives you in return.

"Well, are you coming?"

You stand and extend your hand only to frown when he simply glances at your palm.

"What's wrong?"

You start to worry as he takes his time replying. You never felt this before, the feeling of your stomach becoming a giant knot. Like all your intestines became worms and got themselves tangled in each other. You did not like this feeling.

"You're making my stomach hurt, Norm. What's going on? You said you would be there when I met my partner."

"I got assigned cleaning duty."

You scoff and roll your eyes, a smile gracing your lips again as if you solved one of the riddles in the vault newspaper.

"It's my wedding day. I'm sure Hank would understand. You're my best friend after all, he would want you to be there with me."

Hands on your hips you can't help but notice as your cheeks start to sting with all this frowning and smiling.

"Best friend. Yeah, okay."

He repeated you again.

"Norman, what's going on? Are you sick?"

Bending over at the waist you place the cool back of your hand to his warm forehead and chew on your bottom lip. He feels fine. So why is he acting like this?

"I'm fine. It's nothing."

He swats your hand away. Using his hands he pushes himself to stand.

"Let's just go."

"No. Not until you tell me what's going on. Why you're acting like this. You've never repeated me twice. You only do that when you're upset. Three times and I would have to call security."

You try to give him a smile and laugh, but he just pushes past you. Hurrying you catch up to him as he goes to turn the corner out of the hallway. Reaching out you're able to grab ahold of his suit before he makes it.

"I don't want you to get married."

His words are rushed and he refuses to look at you. You give a small laugh hoping he was joking. You didn't go through all this... all this moving on just for him to confuse you.

"Norm, you said you were excited when I told you I was chosen."

"I lied."

I lied echoes throughout the corridor. Your grip tightens on his suit as you soak in his words.

"You told me-."

"I lied. About everything. It wasn't just practicing for me. None of it was practice. You need this, I know. Now you know so you can move on. What are you hoping they look like?"

He gives you a false smile and it looks out of place especially with you mimicking his stony expression from before. Dropping your hand you furrow your eyebrows and slam the palm of your hand into his chest.

"You... jerk! All this time I thought you wanted to be just friends. Thought you regretted everything. Fudge, Norm. Why didn't you tell me? I would have never gone to the council and convinced them to let me get married."

He gives you a genuine smile and you want to hit him again. Maybe yell at him some more until he's cupping your cheeks. His eyes are intense as they stare into yours.

"I know how important fulfilling your job is, I would never ruin that for you. I thought it would be easier if I didn't show up."

"That's stupid. You're more important to me than any job. I would be just as fulfilled and happy scrubbing floors."

His eyes search yours. His fingertips press into the soft flesh of your cheeks. You can tell he wants to lean in closer. Do as you always did ever since you were children. You don't give him the chance to back away. Not again. Leaning forward you rest your forehead against his, nose smushes against each other making it difficult to breathe. As if you could breathe clearly given the circumstances.

He takes the initiative this time and closes the minuscule gap between your lips. Years as the Overseers son gave him access to anything he ever wanted and you can tell he uses it to take care of himself.

"Strawberry?"

"They figured out how to make this stick that makes your lips soft and they gave me one to try."

You giggle and kiss his soft sweet lips again and again. Breaking away to smack your lips covered in the foreign flavor. After a good thirty minutes, you hear your name being called from a dot down the hallway.

"Lucy." You whisper as your heart starts to rise and you fear you might throw it up.

Taking your hand he squeezes it tightly before letting it fall beside the fabric of your wedding gear.

"I don't want to get married anymore, Norm. What do I do?"

That earns him a good scolding and probably some ear pulling with it too.

Reassures his children that they’re enough. we love him 4 that.

Goes to Neytiri and Jake for advice sometimes.

Once he made you really upset and borderline doubting yourself as a mother after he had said something and he has never hated himself more in that moment.

He went to ask Neytiri how to make things better.

Asked your kids to help him do something to make you feel better.

You lowkey only forgave him cause your children were in the plan and you didn’t wanna disappoint them.

After that he made sure to hold you tightly at night and reminds you how much of an incredible mother you are everyday.

He’s so smitten for his family it’s insane.

The kind of dad that will put his children up on his shoulders and he spins them around.

It’s all happy and joyful until they’re both dizzy and he ends up with puke all over him. That’s what he gets for spinning a toddler over his head.

The type of dad to furrow his eyebrows at your kids when they don’t finish their food (your son literally told you to add more food to his bowl after you warned him that it was a lot).

Neteyam

The chill parent.

He will scold your children when they disobey but i dont see him as the yelling type.

When he gets really angry then he’s a real scary father. But other than that your children all adore him.

loves being his kid’s ‘hero’.

Like when they get their limbs stuck in the fabric of the tents and he goes to unlatch them.

A stressed and tired dad i can just tell.

Makes toys for his children himself because he wants them to be special.

He prolly makes dinner but the kids don’t like it (L for him)

You take up the cooking after his miserably failed attempts at making food. He’s slightly jealous when he watches your kid’s delighted faces at you cooking.

Stays so close to them when you all go swimming at the lake.

Like the water could be at waist level for them and he’d still accompany them.

Lets his children paint on his warrior body paint and he’s lowkey regretting afterwards.

You cant help but make fun of him and your children join in too.

Jokingly sulks after y’all laughed at him.

So now you all owe him a shit ton of kisses.

‘I’m doing this for your own good’ kind of dad, in the least toxic way possible.

Norm

Cutest thing would be you being a na’vi from the omaticaya falling in love with him despite being an avatar.

Lets say his avatar is still alive and well.

It’s kinda hard for him to maintain his family life and head of the avatar program life at the same time.

He pushes through for y’all though.

He cuddles with you and your children in your family tent at night while he wakes up in his human form to take care of himself and the program.

His kids and Jake and Neytiri’s kids are besties.

Takes his children to the lab with him to show them his research.

Loves the way they’re so enamored about his research until they start touching everything.

Has to restrict them at some point.

He can’t get himself to yell at them.

The type of dad to put his children on his shoulder when they can’t see something amongst the crowd.

He’s such a good dad.

He has the dad drip full on. We’re talking a large shirt with cargo shorts and sandals. In his avatar form or human form it doesn’t matter, he’s always rocking the dad drip.

Passes his awkwardness to his kids but you find it endearing.

You love how shy he was when he met you, and you love that you can see that in your children.

He would’ve never expected that he would’ve been here, mated with children but damn Eywa really has plans for everyone.

Brings your kids something back everytime he goes on an exploration.

He shows them the godly privilege of netflix. Doesn’t tell them that it’s on child mode because he fears rebellious teenagers help.

Doesn’t wanna taint them with some human internet bullshit so he never tells them about the web lmao.

Kiri

She’s so cute honestly.

The both of you chose to adopt an metkayina baby that has lost her parents.

You want to teach your daughter in the future that it’s okay to be different, and even if the both of you are look different to her then you’ll always love her.

She amazes your child with her pandora jesus powers.

You’re badass cause I said so and you teach your daughter to stick up for herself.

You’d probably beef with your child’s bullies and Kiri will scold you for acting so brashly.

Will bring your daughter on a walk in the forest every evening.

Kiri relishes in your sweet daughter’s loud laughter when she attracts wild animals to her.

Ao’nung

HES A MENACE BYE.

He’ll be the type of dad to pull lightly on his children’s tails and then look away as they wonder who did it.

you fear letting them too long with their dads cuz you’re scared that they’re gonna turn out as little bullies like he was.

but it’s their dad so you can’t really keep them away. should’ve just chosen a better mate bae🙁

The type of dad that will hold their baby upside down by the foot while they’re literally screeching in joy.

He’s kinda harsh on olo’eyktan training once your son gets older.

You however take your sweet time while teaching you daughter the ways of Tsahik.

sometimes you gotta remind Ao’nung to calm down lmao.

He doesn’t want his son to hate him or his duties so he eventually does and instead tries and make training sessions more like a fun bonding time between the both men.

He makes dad jokes you cant tell me otherwise.

PROTECTIVE DAD!!!

Every teen in the clan is scared to approach your children (romantically) because of Ao’nung’s wrath.

When one boy finally got the guts to ask your daughter out and she said yes, he was finna flip his shit fr.

You had to PHYSICALLY hold him down as you watched your daughter leave on a date with the man.

He knows that he shouldn’t actually hold his children back from having a romantic life, so instead he chooses to tease them about it.

‘Saw that boy giving you googly eyes yesterday, heard from some rumors that he happens to be dating the olo’eyktan’s daughter?’

‘heard you sneaking out the marui last night son, you really should work on your sneakiness.”

The type of dad that WILL swear at your children but like fondly? like;

Your son and him are playing fight in your marui at night when he has the amazing idea to tickle his father.

‘Oh you little bitch, it’s on,”

Then he gets scolded by you and potentially his ear pulled as you do so but oh well it was worth it.

Brags to his spirit brother about his children.

doesn’t wanna admit but he secretly loves it when you all just cuddle up to him during cool nights. Then pretends to be annoyed by im later in the morning.

You all know he’s capping.

Rotxo

sweetest dad in all of awa’atlu.

The metkayina woman are probably jealous of your baby daddy I ain’t even gon’ lie to you.

He loves burping your child for some reason.

I headcanon him as someone that has grown up with only girls. Like full on just sisters and their mother so when his first child is born a son he can’t help but be ecstatic at the newborn male company.

He physically cannot scold your children so you have to do it yourself.

Makes you look like the bad cop.

He spoils your children a little too much.

Like they wanna try akula meat? damn just wait a min for him to call up his skimwing-

Your children have a fav parent and it’s clearly him.

They still love you though.

Rotxo’s always here to remind you how much he’s grateful for the family that you gave him.

Brings his children to meet his spirit brother as soon as they can enter the water with you.

bonus: Tsu’tey

He lowkey has beef with his baby.

will have staring battles with it.

They both fight to see who can get more affection from you but we all know the cute baby is gonna win.

Hes deadass gonna sulk i aint even lying.

He’s not the ‘awww ur so cute’ kind of father but the ‘you’re not ugly’ kinda dad but we all know he loves his baby.

When his children grow up he will be strict on them there’s no denying.

At this point he kind sounds like a bad father but he isn’t (at times).

He shows his love through words of affirmation.

Reminds his children that he’s proud of them when they achieve something, or sometimes just in general.

He wont go easy on their potential mates. Like he'll lowkey show them what hell is.

HE CANT KEEP IT IN HIS PANTS. after you both have had your first child together he’s just 100x more affiliated with you than he was before.

not to say that he didn’t love you before, on Eywa my man was a goner. There’s just something about motherhood that made you shine much more than before.

You’ll probs end up with like 5-6 children.

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