#tarsem

“Can I come?” Neteyam asked, forehead wrinkled in question and Jake’s smile wavered at disappointing his son.

“There’s something we need to discuss. Sorry ‘Teyam. Next time,” he answered.

“Uh oh… you are in trouble big sis,” Neteyam teased, turning to you. Externally, you rolled your eyes, but internally your stomach dropped. Even at 18 years old, you still felt like a child being scolded whenever your parents asked to talk to you.

You grabbed your spear and a basket and followed your father outside.

“What is it?” you asked, anxiety gnawing on your gut as he led the way to the river, passing the other families as you walked through the village. 

“You’ll find out when we get there,” he replied, shaking his head at your impatience.

Your gut dropped even further when you saw him. Tarsem. Your father’s protege and your nearly life long crush. 

He was sitting outside his kelku (home) with his elbows resting on his knees as he braided delicate beads onto his songchord. His little sister played at his feet and made little ikran sounds as she flew a wooden toy around. His mind looked preoccupied as he reached for more beads on the bench beside him.

“Kaltxì Tarsem (Hello Tarsem),” your dad’s voice broke Tarsem’s trance and made you avert your eyes as he looked up. Your dad’s back stopped in front of you to talk to the young warrior.

“Olo’eyktan,” Tarsem said respectfully, standing up and putting his songchord down hastily on the bench. “Oel ngati kameie (I see you),” he greeted your father, signaling the traditional hand gesture to match. 

“Oel ngati kameie,” Jake responded.“Kaltxì, little Se’val,” Jake added, saying hello to Tarsem’s little sister. The second his attention was diverted, Tarsem’s gaze slid to yours and you smiled bashfully, feeling like the little girl who first realized Tarsem was growing up to be kinda cute all those years ago.

“Oel ngati kameie, y/n,” Tarsem greeted you as well, his tail snaking around his knee. His eyes locked to yours so intensely it almost made you want to scream.

“Tarsem, Oel ngati kameie” you nodded, meaning the words with all of your heart. He smiled slightly, the corners of his lips curling up a fraction and it made your heart jump.

“How did the hunting party do?” your dad asked Tarsem and he tore his eyes away from you. It felt like a sudden influx of air hit your lungs.

“Good, sir. Three talioang from the East and several yerik from the North as well,” Tarsem explained, recounting the previous day’s spoils as you turned your attention to the little girl still playing on the ground. You crouched beside her, already familiar with her quirky attitude and kind heart.

“Hello Se’val, what is Yipip up to today?” you asked, referring to the purple ikran in her hands.

“He is flying to his home up in the mountains. He has been out hunting all day like Tarsem,” she said, weaving the toy through the air and making it do a loop. You tamped down a laugh as she squawked like an ikran.

“Wow, he must be tired then, that is a lot of work,” you pointed out and she nodded.

“He is very sleepy, he needs to go to bed,” she affirmed.

“Tarsem,” you heard your dad bark. You looked up to catch the young man already staring at you as you spoke with his little sister. His face flamed purple as his head shot to Jake. “Sorry sir, what did you say?”

Your dad’s eyebrows and ears were lowered as he scoffed. “Where’s your head at? I said I need your help with the ritual tomorrow night. Kalu is doing her dreamhunt,” Jake repeated and you stood up, Se’val was in her own world anyway.

“Right, I will be there,” he nodded, avoiding eye contact with you now as if it would burn him.

“Okay…” your dad sighed, “We better be off then. You two have a good night, get some sleep.”

“Tsìltsan txon (good night),” Tarsem said, eyes finally glancing over to you and there went all the air again.

“Tsìltsan txon, Tarsem, Se’val.” you repeated, gut twisting as you tore your gaze away from his and turned your back on the two.

“Bye!” Se’val called, hand waving as her eyes still stayed locked on her game.

Your dad waved back and you turned around to wave as well only to see Tarsem’s eyes on you again. You were like a magnet drawn to him, you could not escape his eyes. Your body whirled back around to follow your dad and you tried to ignore the embarrassment and hope rising in you.

-

“So, what was that?” Your dad asked, his gaze stuck on the water in front of him, but his words were directed at you. You stood side to side in the stream, water up to your knees as you watched carefully for any fish.

Your stomach dropped, “What was what?” you asked, feigning confusion. You were a bad liar, your voice was far too pitchy for someone supposedly innocent and Jake didn't believe it for a second.

“Come on, that back there with Tarsem,” Jake prodded further. 

“I don't know what you mean,” you lied. Sirens went off in your head, this was a conversation you did not want to have with your dad.

“You think I don't know my babygirl? I see the way you look at him,” He said and your cheeks flamed.

“Sempu! Is it that obvious?” you asked, hand coming up to put pressure on your temple. This was giving you a stress induced headache.

“Only because he’s looking right back,” he snorted and you closed your eyes in embarrassment. Your ears flattened at the threatened feeling taking over your senses.

“Do you like him?” he asked, finally turning to level his eyes at you, wanting to read your reaction.

You sighed, “This is not something a girl wants to talk about with her dad,” you ground out, shooting him a glare.

“Well I’m not just any dad, I’m Olo’eyktan, so you have to tell me. Do you like him?” he teased and you huffed out a laugh at his persistence.

“Yes, Sempu. I like him, I have liked him for many years.” you admitted, your hand gripping tightly to your spear.

Jake hummed, “Ah, now we get into it. He obviously likes you, why has no one made a move?” he asked, a soft smile gracing his lips.

“Because we are duty bound and shy,” you gritted out.

Jake barked out a laugh, somewhat surprised that you had an actual, honest answer. “Well, that will do it. You should talk to him, tell him how you feel,” he suggested.

It was your turn to scoff, “Yeah right, what if he does not like me back? No, I would rather not know,” you said, embarrassment already clouding your mind of just thinking about that.

“If he doesn't like you back then he’s an idiot and I’ll tan his hide into a new cumberbund,” your dad said stoically and you rolled your eyes at his dramatics.

“Be serious, Sempu,” you chided. 

“I am, babygirl! Who wouldn't like you? It’s obvious he does,” your dad said softly, placing a hand on your shoulder.

“I guess I’m just scared. I don't want to have misread him,” you explained, shoulders slumping at the defeated feeling in your gut.

“You’ll never know until you talk to him about it,” he reminded you and you nodded.

“Yeah, I’ll think about it,” you agreed, but you and he both knew that when it came to matters of the heart, you’d never scrounge up the courage unless an opportunity forced you to.

“He’s a good man. No one deserves you and I wouldn’t go that far to say he does, but if someone was to come close, it would be him,” Jake said, looking at his little girl with adoring eyes.

“Thank you, sempu,” you smiled, despite the shame still plastered to your face.

“You know, I could always set up an arranged marriage between you. He'd have to like you then,” he shrugged and you could tell he was joking, or at least you hoped he was.

“That would be just perfect! Why did I not think of that?” You said sarcastically, rolling your eyes as Jake laughed.

“Good, I’ll make it happen,” he teased back.

You sighed looking back down at the water, “We were never gonna do any fishing were we?” you asked as a Pekavol fish finally swam past you and neither of you moved.

“Nope.”

“Figures.”

-

You sat in the grass the next day near the cliffs edge, picking apart blades of grass and staring out into the sky, watching as ikrans dipped and veered. You had been lost in thought all day, so much in fact, that your mother had sent you away after you dropped one too many items and Lo’ak lost it laughing at you. 

Your mind was on your conversation with your dad yesterday. Well, that and Tarsem, always Tarsem. He had occupied every waking thought in your mind and it was driving you crazy.

“I’m so sorry!” the very subject of your thoughts exclaimed, bursting through the tree line and scaring half the wits out of you. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I didn't know,” The words rushed out of him like a river as you gaped at him with wide eyes.

You had shot up to your feet when he emerged. “What are you talking about?” you demanded in shock.

Tarsem’s eyes narrowed, “Your dad said you were waiting for me.”

“I wasn't waiting for you, I was just… Oh. Oh no.” you stopped suddenly, eyes widening.

“What?” he panicked, stepping closer to you.

Your shoulders slumped as realization hit you, “He set us up,” you confessed, and Tarsem’s face opened into one of confusion instead of worry.

“I don't understand, what do you mean?” He shook his head.

You sighed again, “He told you I was waiting for you here so we would be forced to talk.”

“Why would he do that? We talk nearly every day," he pointed out.

You decided to grasp the last thread of courage you had and hold tight to it. You were a Sully after all. Your dad had put you in a difficult position, but you might as well take advantage of it, “Because… he says I should tell you how I feel…” you stammered, the words not coming out how you wished.

“How you feel…” Tarsem stated, staring blankly back at you. “How do you feel? Tell me,” he urged.

“That I… like you.” you continued, covering your face with your hands to hide the deep purple it was turning.

You felt rough hands grasp yours, tugging them away from your face and holding them tightly between your bodies. “You like me?” he asked, bright eyes boring into yours.

You nodded, not possessing the will to speak any longer. You could have shriveled up in embarrassment right then if the Na’vi body was capable of it.

His lips broke out into a smile, “That is convenient.” he said and your heart lept, in fear or hope, you were not sure.

“Yeah?” you asked softly.

He nodded, “Yes, because I like you too.” He smiled softly and you returned it.

“Oh!” You exclaimed brightly, “Yeah, that is fairly convenient, since you know, you will be Olo’eyktan, I am in line to be Tsahik. You like me, I like you. It is all very… convenient,” You rambled uselessly as Tarsem grinned wider. 

“You are very beautiful when you blush,” he said, reaching up to trace a finger over your cheek and your breath hitched.

“Thank you,” you stuttered.

“You are welcome. May I kiss you?” he asked with more confidence than you imagined him to possess.

“Please,” you sighed as he smiled wider and hooked your chin between his finger and thumb.

He lowered his face to yours, pressing his lips against your mouth softly, barely a whisper of touch before you both relaxed, meshing together. Tarsem brought his other hand to your waist as you rested your hands on his chest, coming closer before finally separating for air.

“You’re good at that,” you chimed, a laugh running through your words.

“Thank you, yawnetu (beloved),” he smiled smuggly.

“My dad is gonna freak,” you muttered.

“We will never hear the end of it now,” he agreed. 

“He will probably even threaten to kill you if you hurt me. I might take it seriously if I were you, he has done crazier things,” you explained with a worried grimace.

Tarsem nodded once grimly, “He already did, last week.”

“Oh… and you still like me? That is so sweet,” you cooed.

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You are a skilled weaver and singer, yes—your voice carries the old songs well, your fingers weave patterns that make elders smile with memory—but you are not the daughter of a great hunter, nor the sister of a legendary warrior. You are simply you: steady, kind, perhaps too quiet for the mate of an Olo’eyktan. Surely he will choose someone bolder, someone whose bloodline strengthens the clan more visibly.

You slip away before the feast ends, climbing higher into the branches where atokirina drift like slow stars; their presence somewhat soothing you. The night air is cool against your skin, and you press your back to the wide trunk of Hometree, letting the tears come silently.

You do not hear him approach.

Suddenlt, strong arms slide around you from behind—familiar, careful. Tarsem’s chest presses to your back, his chin resting atop your head as he envelops you completely.

“I looked for you below,” he murmurs, voice low and warm against your ear. “You left too soon, ma yawne.”

You try to steady your breath, but it trembles. “There were many who wished to speak with you, Olo’eyktan. I did not want to… steal your time.”

His arms tighten slightly. “You steal nothing that is not already yours.”

You turn in his embrace, searching his face—those calm amber eyes that have watched you for moons, the faint scar along his jaw from a long-ago hunt.

“Tarsem,” you whisper, “you are leader now. The clan looks to you. You should choose a mate who—”

He silences you with a gentle thumb to your lips.

“I have already chosen.”

Your heart stutters.

He reaches into the small pouch at his waist and draws out something wrapped in soft leaves. When he unfolds it, a songcord bead rests in his palm—carved from the bone of his first kill, threaded with fibers dyed in the deep indigo of Omatikaya night skies, and inlaid with a single glowing seed from the Tree of Voices.

“I made this the night you allowed me to court you,” he says quietly. “I have carried it every day since, waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”

More tears spill freely now. “But… there are others—stronger, bolder—”

He shakes his head, stepping closer until you are pressed between him and the tree. “None stronger than the one who sings healing into broken hearts. None bolder than the one who faces each day with quiet courage after all we lost.” His forehead rests against yours. “I see you. I have always seen you. There is no other.”

His hand guides yours to his chest, over his heart. “Feel this, yawne. It beats for you.”

You do—strong, steady, true.

He links your queues then—slow, deliberate—tsaheylu blooming bright and overwhelming. His love floods you: deep, certain, patient, fierce. No doubt. No hesitation. Only you.

When the bond settles into a warm hum, he kisses you—soft at first, then deeper, claiming. His hands slide down your sides, pulling you flush against him, and you feel the hard evidence of his want pressed to your belly.

“Here,” he breathes against your lips. “Now. I want no more waiting.”

You nod, breathless, and he lifts you easily—your legs wrapping around his waist as he presses you gently back against the tree. Cloth falls away in urgent whispers; skin meets skin under the watchful glow of the forest.

He enters you slowly, eyes locked on yours, letting you feel every inch as he claims you fully for the first time. The bond sings with shared pleasure—his low groan echoing in your mind, your gasp and moan answering in his.

When you come, it is together—quiet cries muffled against each other’s necks, bodies trembling in perfect unison.

After, he holds you there—still joined, still linked—forehead to forehead in the old way.

“You are my mate,” he whispers, voice rough with emotion. “My love. My heart, always. The clan will see what I have seen all along.”

You smile through happy tears, fingers tracing the line of his jaw.

“I see you, Tarsem. Olo’eyktan. My love.”

He kisses you again—slow, reverent, promising.

And high in the branches of Hometree, beneath Eywa’s gentle guidance, the new Olo’eyktan seals his choice—not with ceremony or announcement, but with the quiet, unbreakable truth of two hearts finally, fully entwined.

Aromas of glazed meats and roasted mushrooms filled the air, your hands worked skillfully over the fire. A clay plate balanced above the flames, the food cooking painfully slow as you waited for your mate to arrive back home.

Time passed your eyes started to feel heavy, fighting the pull of sleep as your head slowly dipped to your knees.

Right on time you hear a rustle at the tent flap. Tarsem stepped in, a smile wide on his face as he saw you crouched by the fire, your head resting on your knees. “Yawne, I have returned.”

His voice woke you up from your tired haze, eyes lighting up, a toothy grin appearing slowly as you slowly pushed yourself up to greet him.

“No. Stay there.” He murmured, already moving towards you. “No need to get up” he said softly, in a fluid motion he was sitting next to you, laying your head on his broad shoulder.

“Took you so long to get home.” The words mumble out of your lips, eyes mostly closed as you snuggle into the space between his shoulder and neck.

“Ah, did you miss me then?”

A little chuckle escaped your lips as you peered up at him. “Mhm, couldn’t sleep.”

“Ah my poor yawne.” He paused, welcoming the silence as your soft breaths made a harmony in his ear. “What are you cooking?”

“That dinner you said you wanted a couple weeks ago. You kept saying it took too long to prepare so you never made it”

“You remembered?” He said quietly. “I have been craving this for the longest time”

You nodded, the corners of your mouth turning into a small smile. “Of course I did.”

Tarsem held you closer now, pressing your body firmly to his chest. “You did not have to do this. It takes much too long to cook.”

“Well.” You murmured. “You took much too long to get home.”

Tarsem snorted, shaking his head at your remark. “Well, if every time I am home late, I am welcomed back with my beautiful wife cooking me a hearty meal. I may have to be late more often.”

You shook your head quickly. “You would not dare.”

Tarsem looked down at you, his eyes full of warmth. His stoic warrior nature slowly peeling away to reveal an expression that was tender and soft.

“Never.” He said softly “I only want to be here…with you.”

thankyou sm for reading!! ilyyy <3 reblogs and comments are also appreciated i always wanna hear from my lovrrs. okiee byeeee!!

Y/n "Almost there, haha, I got to the top." You had climbed to a high tree branch hoping to see the beautiful view, and you did. 

Tarsem " Ma y/n I advise you come down now before slipping, and I need to catch you again."

Y/n " It will be okay, Tarsem. No need to worry so much about me." 

Tarsem, " Says the girls who always seem to wander away from home on her own, and goes on these crazy adventures."

Y/n " Hey, they are not all crazy, just some of them. Where will life be if we are always so calm and relaxed? Why do you sound like you jumped to your feet when I asked you to come with me?"

Y/n "Tarsem, are you still there, Tarsem?" You looked down at the ground, hoping to spot Tarsem, but couldn't see him. 

Y/n " Tarsem tarsem." Soon, Tarsem showed himself, as his legs wrapped around the branch above you, and he hung from it. 

Tarsem: "I got you there, olo'eythan daughter. You didn't even notice I was up there."

Y/n " Okay, you got me there, buddy. Fair win to you, but how did you get up here this fast anyway?"

Tarsem " training under olo'eythan and tsu'tey has helped me learn the quick way to climb up trees, and it seems like it paid off fully." Tarsem soon had his legs let go as he landed on the same branch as you. 

Tarsem: " I can see why you climbed up here. It's a breathtaking view, but not as beautiful as you." Your face had started turning bright red. Even if you were blue, it was still as bright red as the day, making you turn away quickly. Tarsem began to laugh at your reaction. 

Tarsem: " You are so adorable when you blush, too, and don't lie; your ears are also giving you away."

Y/n " Always taking the chance to be a big flirt, I see."

Tarsem " I only flirt with you ma y/n as you have my heart and soul, and no woman in the clan or anywhere else shall take me away from you."

Y/n " You are very kind, ma Tarsem, and no man from hunters to warroir shall have my love, and I will give it to you." 

Tarsem, "I'm the luckiest man in the clan to have you as my future mate, and I hope one day we will build a life together."

Y/n, " I hope that day can come, and maybe we should tell my parents and grandmother. So everyone will not be the daughter of olo'eythan. Jake Sully is already courting one of many good warriors and hunters."

Tarsem: " Then we can go now and speak with them, as we both wish to be with each other in this lifetime and all of eternity." Tarsem called his ikran as he got on and made the bond. He soon reached out his hand, and you grabbed it, soon getting onto his ikran and heading home. It didn't take the couple that long to reach home. 

Y/n " There is my father, and he is with tsu'tey." The couple had seen the two older navi males on the ground, as Tarsem ikran soon landed a few feet from them. The pair had gotten off the ikran as Jake and tsu'tey walked towards them. 

Jake: " Hey, sweetie, welcome home."

Y/n " Hey, Dad, we returned home before dinner or sunset."

Jake: "That's Good. I see Tarsem is also with you. You two make a great pair."

Tsutey: " Yes, it's good that Tarsem was with you. He has been trained well, and I know he will keep you safe from any danger."

Tarsem " Thank you for the praise, brother, but olo'eythan Jake, I and you daughter will love to tell you something."

Jake, " If it's any trouble, we can gather the council."

Y/n " No, Dad, it's not that Tarsem and I have been dating each other for a couple of moons now, and we have decided to share the news with you and Mother. As we wish to be with each other in the future."

Tarsem: " Y/n is right, olo'eythan and brother tsu'tey. We know there are many stages we have to go through to be a couple, and we are willing to go through them."

Jake, " I approve."

Y/n "We don't need to explain anything else."

Jake: "Well, we might have to do all the stages of courtship under the clan rules to ensure everyone officially knows, but I approve."

Neytiri: "What's going on here that has gotten your four speaking in a low tone?"

Jake " Well, honey, it seems like our daughter has picked her mate." 

Neytiri, "For the sake of the great mother and our family, please tell me it's Tarsem, my daughter."

Y/n " It Tarsem mother no one else."

Neytiri: " Then I give my approval and blessing as well, and I pray the great mother watches over you both."

Y/n " Thank you, Mom."

Tsutey " Well, both of you are perfect for each other, and the ancestors will be happy." 

Tarsem " Thank you all for your blessing and kind words, but I think we should tell the tshaik and your siblings as well, ma y/n." 

Y/n " I think we are good on that point, Loak. I see your head come out now and everyone else as well." loak had come out of hiding with everyone else watching and listening. 

Kiri, " Before we get scolded, congratulations, sister and Tarsem."

Tuk " congratulations."

Loak, " Yes, we are happy for you and didn't mean to have our ears drop, we just saw you all here and got noisy."

Neteyam, " We just wanted to make sure everything was good." 

Jake, " We can see that, well, that saves us sharing the news with everyone."