#tsahik

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you dreamed of love as something fascinating, hard to come by.

it is not mere the thought of our minds it is beyond our imagination, beyond the lessons we are taught as we grow.

but how were you meant to know love would face you from one of a different clan, different tradition. you were not expecting to be pulled from your family like this, residing in a mauri which was empty and cold with silence.

your people and family are important to you. awa'atlu is your home, your beginning and hopefully your end, you are one with the metkayina. awa'atlu is home to many, land of 1000 years old surround the people, there is lesson, teachings, guidance, through the waters.

but when you declined every sing lelefnelan (male) na'vi that stepped before you, there was no place for you to complain with where you are now. you brought this upon yourself. your sa'nok (mother) and sempu (father), the Great Olo'eyktan Tonowari te Tsika'u Arvak'itan & Tsahìk Ronal te Natsira Tan'ite, pushed you to bring life to the clan. have children, find your mate for life, perform tsaheylu before eywa.

blah blah blah.

marriage was exciting, finding that someone was exhilarating. but you did not expect it to come like this. losing your position as the next olo'eykte for love. maybe it was the thrill of looking rather than gaining.

you were not shown of what is to come, what may happen. you were not told of the addicting sensation that happens between your thighs. you were not prepared for the aspects of marriage.

disappointment is what filled your parents at first, heavy silence, lectures every time you breathed, what else were they expecting from you? you cannot force tsaheylu with a lelefnelan (male) you do not love, it is painful just the thought of it.

you are rebellious in your parents eyes, hard to tame, annoying once your mouth is open. don't point fingers! it is not your fault that you have a mind of your own and do not rely on a significant other to respond for you.

years of childish behaviour, roaming the waters freely, getting into fights that you would lose, eating at your hearts desire, not caring of your image.

it is only until recently you have become more...tamed.

you are the Metkayina's crowned pearl. a burdening title but one where those of the other clans make you the talk of the century. is it a flex? possibly. a title rewarded for your care of the people, modesty, looks & skills. you have to put on a character for the people, they cannot see who you truly are.

but nevertheless, here is where we are today.

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when the Olo'eyktan of the Omatikaya had graced you with his presence it was almost as if you had returned to being a teenager. a sudden wash of deja vu filled you when laying eyes upon him, your soul had been this close to him before.

Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk’itan, Olo'eyktan of the Omatikaya. when your family had first met them, they were all children, teens. the bond between you all formed naturally, from years of fighting beside one another.

but you were never close to neteyam, you were best friends with lo'ak. his younger brother, the Tulkun Makto. he is your sister's lover but also a younger brother beside ao'nung in your eyes.

neteyam was adamant on keeping you away from having fun, ruining every single ounce of excitement with his lectures. he behaved more like your father than ao'nung did. neteyam the party pooper. tuk created that name for him when he lined all of you up and told you off for trying to adventure to the sea dragon.

when neteyam had almost died before you, it was your name he called out. a friendship that suddenly became so fuelling, you thought of him as a soul mate.

but as time goes on, people change, feelings change too.

word had spread to the omatikaya that you were now accepting proposals, neteyam's family were ecstatic. but neteyam? it was an alarming feeling of betrayal that flowed through him. he didn't expect you to be so foolishly blind.

he had his eyes on you the moment he saw you but you did not entertain him, you did not look his way. you got closer with his brother instead. he tried every conversation with you but it did not last. until you fought side by side, protecting one another. you were locked in with him.

the day neteyam had arrived, you were not expecting anything from it. but what you didn't seem to remind yourself is that he is a man and you are a woman.

you could not sense of what was to come.

"tsmuke (sister)!"

ao'nung's voice pulls you from your thoughts.

"yes bro,"

"the na'ring (forest) na'vi have returned!,"

surprise slaps you round the face.

"the sullys have returned?"

"yes! are you coming to see them?"

your heart drops to your stomach, stepping outside your mauri pod with speed.

"let's go!,"

the two of you dive, darting through the water to the shores of awa'atlu.

the people are celebrating, welcoming the dark skinned na'vi before you. their tails are still as small. but their frames, they are taller, wider, larger. seeing them from behind, you could easily recognise who was who from their frames.

the backs of the two siblings, are defined. curved with muscles, taller in size, larger in frame. they had grown.

ao'nung rushes over to greet them but you don't follow so quickly, you stand back, watching.

"my friend."

ao'nung embraces neteyam, warmly.

"brother, it is good to see you." neteyam's voice is deeper.

his accent is thicker, heavy with every word. his voice is louder, every word so easily heard even if he were to whisper. just his voice screams olo'eyktan.

ao'nung and tsireya greet the sullys with love, your mother & father are quick to do the same. but you do not move any closer, you can only look.

her presence is clear. she is far but i can feel her, she is watching us. neteyam thinks to himself, a smirk lingering on his lips. he can sense you even from a mile away, he can smell your scent of...lilies, paskalin (sweet berry). neteyam's heart thuds against his chest, excitement.

"daughter, come forth," your father's booming voice, calls for you.

each step is gentle, standing beside your father. you lift your gaze, slowly, the sully's stand before you with shock.

neteyam couldn't stop the spark that travels down to his cock from seeing you. you have grown into a woman hand crafted by eywa herself, born again. you do not wear the same figure as before, you are rounder. so full in every corner he looks to, your thighs are thicker, stomach blessed with a pudge. your chest is swell, the roundness of your breasts elevated by the thin material you adorn.

stretch marks are luminous on your skin, travelling up your knees, muscled biceps, corners of your stomach. you hide them with tattoos that lie on your wide hips. tenderly built, full in a way that marked warmth. your face still adorned the full cheeks that are painted with the same pink hue.

you were everything neteyam did not expect and it only fuelled a feeling in him that lied dormant since he left awa'atlu. since he left your side. you had ignited the fire in him, desire.

it is tuktirey's voice that brings you back to reality, her squeal of your name has you walking over to her. you greet every sully with a tight hug, even their father, before you stand just breaths before neteyam.

he is no longer the boy that you would tease on purpose, the boy that would ruin all your fun. he is not the party pooper you remember.

you sigh as you think back to the day you had first met him after many years. neteyam wore scars as if they were the same blessed tattoos you have, he stands much taller, he looms. his face is chiseled, lips full. braids hang just past his shoulders, the same beads and feather behind his ear. he was so built. defined muscles, torso lined with abs, drool fills your mouth.

it was a fleeting feeling at first, the initial meeting was shy. your eyes did not meet but you shook each other's hands with blushes coating each other. a skip of a heart beat you did not register hitched your breath.

since that day, meeting the Olo'eyktan had become painful. he spoke very few words but let his eyes continue the rest of a conversation. he walked through the villages with his shoulders rolled back, hands behind his back. he still stood two steps behind his father, he was the Olo'eyktan and did not force his image.

interactions came more often, you could not escape the man no matter what corner you turned.

"do you not enjoy the celebrations with your people?," he asks you, lowering himself.

you look up at him through your lashes, a small smile on your lips as you take a bite of the fresh meat caught from the hunt.

"does it seem this way, olo'eyktan?"

he laughs to himself, you do not say his name out of respect, more out of mockery.

"it does."

his blunt reply has you silent.

"I hear you are planning on mating," he asks.

"yes...I am."

"I see,"

"do you have a partner, olo'eyktan?"

his silence has you questioning yourself.

"I do not."

"oh,"

"it's out of choice rather than...not being accepted,"

"I did not ask," you smirk.

he grins, shaking his head.

"still the same it seems,"

"of course,"

he hums, standing beside you in silence. the two of you do not utter another word that night, enjoying the quiet presence between one another.

at other times, neteyam would purposefully step in the way.

"you still have gift i made you,"

lo'ak smiles.

"of course I do sis, why would I get rid of it?,"

you grin, hugging him tightly.

"I'm happy to see you again bro,"

"me too, it's been a long time."

"it has, I'm sure things are better though, right?"

"yeah, we're just rebuilding ourselves at the moment,"

"that's good to hear, will you guys be staying for long?"

"depends on dad and neteyam,"

"I see,"

he nods, grabbing your hand.

"your sister missed you every time she left," he says.

"I'm glad she was with you,"

"me too, we wish you were with us,"

"I'm sure I will visit the forest soon, your father has ordered me to come soon,"

he laughs.

"yeah, dad talks about you all the time,"

"he does?" surprise filling you.

before lo'ak can speak any further, neteyam's eyes are dark as they scan your figure.

"bro," lo'ak greets.

"baby bro,"

lo'ak looks down at your joined hands, his brother's eyes hot on them. he lets go fast, patting your shoulder, gulping.

lo'ak knows his elder brother has always had his eyes on you, he knows how much he tried but failed. you were too close to lo'ak, you did not recognise the elder brother who also wanted to be close with you.

"bro,"

"yeah?" neteyam responds.

"you still got feelings for y/n?"

neteyam spits out the food he was eating, lo'ak gags.

"what's wrong with you?" neteyam muffles with a mouthful.

"first of all, that's disgusting. and just the mention of her name has you fumblin', mighty warrior," he mocks.

neteyam rolls his eyes, cleaning himself up.

"when did I ever have feelings for her?" he spits.

"c'mon bro, you weren't fooling anyone even if you didn't, you wanted to get close to her."

"bro..." neteyam sighs.

"she's kinda...she can't tell left from right, if you don't remember,"

"yeah, i know," neteyam groans.

"you had time though bro, you could've told her."

"wasn't the right time baby bro,"

lo'ak nods, rubbing his brothers back.

"she's gonna get wifed then knocked up bro, you better get a move on," he laughs.

neteyam scowls.

"shut your skxawng ass up lo'ak."

every single interaction had a space for neteyam to butt into. he did not let you have any sort of conversation without being there or eavesdropping behind you.

it wasn't attractive, it was jarring. it only spurred your annoyance towards him.

"are the standards that low y/n?," neteyam spits.

"excuse me?"

"you seem to be offering every man a chance,"

"does it seem that way? why does it concern you?" you grit.

"you must be weak minded."

anger burns through your skin.

"do not jest with me, neteyam."

"does it look like i'm making jokes?" his brow cocks.

you scoff.

"right and you clearly don't have any standards since you have no partner,"

he growls.

"don't try it with me y/n, I am just telling you. you have better choices of men, do not allow all of them such closeness with you, just for you to reject them." he shakes his head, sighing.

"and what are you going to do? help me find a mate?"

neteyam gulps, tilting his head.

"yes," he breathes out.

shock short circuits your mind.

"y-you what?"

"I will help you,"

if only you could run back and tell yourself to not fall into this trap, setting yourself up with your stupidity. neteyam announced courting you loud and clear, a promise made between you two.

"you will court me,"

neteyam's head almost snaps.

"what?"

"if you want to help me, you can't just walk around by my side. you must court me,"

"y/n."

"what? you have nothing to lose, don't stress it olo'eyktan. once we find the right one, we can go our separate ways."

you must have lost cells from every fight you lost in your time, because your stupidity angered neteyam. he could not believe the shit that was coming out of your mouth and neither can you, now that you look back at it.

now here you are, stuck in a space of hell. punished with the olo'eyktan next to you at every second. and each time you are near he puts this feeling in you, this thought, the world is slower at every step he takes.

his aura is threatening, his eyes are dangerous and that mouth. every single bit about him has your head spinning, your chest heavy with pressure when he is near.

what was meant to be joint partnership in succeeding you with a partner has turned into something that neither of you were expecting.

"neteyam, this is absurd!," you giggle.

"a man only has to take one look at you and he will claim you as his y/n,"

you roll your eyes, pressing your fingers, gently, into his arm.

a shiver is sent up his spine, your faint touch has his skin burning.

"you do not see how they look at you?"

you cock your hip, turning to face him.

"I do not."

"each time I speak to you i think you will remain oblivious forever,"

"hey! don't be mean,"

he shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest.

"i mean it, you're naive,"

"neteyam, i have simple conversation with simple men,"

"and, you fail to find the conversations interesting, your people here are not simple, they are anything but that."

you match his stance, crossing your arms over your chest.

you don't realise what mirroring him has done to you, your breasts lift; threatening to spill. neteyam's eyes can't help but flicker down at them. he smiles to himself. you can't help yourself even if you tried.

"how is them trying to sell themselves to me interesting? you should listen to the things they say!,"

neteyam only kisses his teeth in response.

so oblivious, you do not realise the cart of fruit that is about to hit you. neteyam pulls you in by your wrist, hand heavy on your waist as he moves you before him.

as if you have been winded, you gasp. heart racing at the sudden manhandling. no man has tried to carry you, you thought it was because you're too heavy. but he has lifted you with ease. no strain.

"careful," he whispers.

not realising how close he is to you, neteyam scans you face. the shock has drained colour from your face. he holds you tighter, rubbing soothing circles into your waist.

your eyes are wide, your lips parted.

"are you okay?,"

he lowers his head, moving it to each side of your face and body, analysing for a wound.

"i-i'm...i am not hurt," you whisper.

his hands are rough, calloused. heavy but warm. his hold on you has your skin prickling. licking your dry lips, you lull your head back.

"you are not hurt,"

"i am not." you breathlessly reply.

warmth pools in your belly, a tingle underneath your tweng (loincloth) has you squeezing your thighs together.

it doesn't go unnoticed by neteyam. his brows furrow, eyes flicking from your lips to both of your eyes. your breasts are pushed together, elevating the breaths you are struggling to take.

neteyam sniffs the air, paskalin. so close and intoxicating. the smell of your arousal has his ears flicking, tail curled higher. he smirks, letting his hand rub lower across your back. watching how you shiver below him.

you bite your lower lip, gulping. his warmth has you alarmed. pushing him off in an instant.

struggling to catch your breath, you turn on your heel.

"we will see each other later,"

he does not respond, inhaling your lingering scent on his hands.

you're aroused and you don't even know it.

neteyam is meant to feel ashamed, you're pure, untouched. & he's putting his hands all over you, ruining your modesty. it doesn't push him away from you, it brings him closer. when neteyam wants something, he will do anything to gain it. neteyam is a tsamsiyu (warrior) and he has the skills to achieve anything. even if it meant you.

but his mind isn't set on having you, no. it's to make you desperate for him, no man being able to provide the same presence. he came to awa'atlu to congratulate you, support you but now that he's seen how much you've changed? yeah, no. it was the stupid conversations you have with these men that are only after one thing, he doesn't want that to happen to you! neteyam's just looking out for you.

moulding you. he doesn't deserve you, he knows he'd be torturing you if he had you as his. you would not live the life you live now.

since the day neteyam had his hands on you, you crave for it more. wanting to feel his hands on you just a little longer, the feeling in your belly does not return until he is with you. the feeling between your thighs only happens when you're with him, you want it again.

and you got it alright, any excuse, any small excuse, neteyam had his hands on you.

ꨄ︎

"let us go this way y/n,"

his hand on the small of your back, remaining there as he pulled you, gently, to a different path. that same feeling returns.

"mind your step,"

his large hand holds yours, the roughness rubbing your hand in a soothing way.

ꨄ︎

"oh, your hair,"

"huh?"

he moves your hair behind your ear, tucking it, gently. butterflies fill your stomach.

ꨄ︎

"here,"

"thank you," you whisper.

he hands you a plate of food, filled largely. a smile coats your face.

ꨄ︎

"y/n,"

his breath is hot on the back of your neck, breath hitching, you turn to face him.

"yes?" you shakily respond.

he doesn't say a word, invading your personal space with his looming figure.

"I brought you a gift,"

"you did?," grinning.

"close your eyes,"

"we're not children neteyam,"

"just do it,"

closing your eyes, you place your hands up in the air. your cheeks ache from your hard grin, but when something cold is placed in your hands, you can't help but hum.

"what is it?"

"open your eyes,"

in your hands is your songcord, attached with new beads.

"what's this?"

"one for looking for proposals, one for our return to awa'atlu & the last one is for our new found friendship," his voice is soft.

warmth coats your entire body, you squeal as you pull him into a hug. knocking the wind out of his chest, neteyam lowers himself, steading you with his hands on your waist.

both of you laugh together, holding one another. but you don't realise, the beads are the same colours as the ones in neteyam's hair.

he has completely invaded your space, mind and soul. whatever man you talk to does not stimulate you the way neteyam does. no one interests you as much, no one has you second looking. it's painful, a waste of time. having to participate in pointless conversation that are not leading anywhere.

so you have begun flat out declining.

you do not want your time taken away from neteyam, no other man should waste hours of your days when you could be communicating with the man who knows just what you dislike and like, how to get a reaction out of you & what the right words are to ease your mind.

the grass isn't always greener.

he sits before you, eating fresh meat and sticky fruits. even when he is sat next to you, his frame is still taller. there is no denying the difference in your size next to the olo'eyktan.

"are you even listening to what I'm saying?," you shout.

"I am, I'm multi tasking,"

"what eating and not replying?"

"no...eating & listening."

rolling your eyes, you cross your arms, watching him.

the juice of a fruit rolls down his index and middle fingers, coating them. he tuts before...you're set on fire. you're burning before the man. your heart thuds in your ears, your throat dry.

neteyam's long tongue wraps around either of his fingers, lapping up the juices that trickle down before shoving both the finger in his mouth.

his long lashes flutter before he makes his eyes to yours, he's got you right where he wants you. you're dazed, starry eyed. watching him as every fibre in your body sets alight. your doe eyes stare at him, chest rising with each breath you take.

neteyam's eyes watch for any slight change in your expression, tracking even the smallest flicker. pleased focus. your eyes move to his, glossy.

bright to dark, desire coating his eyes. his pupils dilated, he lets go his fingers with a pop.

your flustered face is bright pink, glowing.

"you okay?," he smugly asks.

that same smell, sweet. your arousal shifts the air you breath, intoxicating his brain.

"y-yeah," you hiccup.

you stand with urgency, shaking.

"i don't feel well, i will see you another time,"

"you don't feel well or you're aroused?"

his question forces your eyes on his.

"w-what?"

"your chest rises faster, your heartbeat is loud, your lips are wet and your pupils are dilated. it is not an illness, you are aroused y/n,"

"w-what? n-no, stop I have to go."

he pulls you onto his lap by his wrist, a gasp turning into a quiet moan.

"neteyem! s-someone will catch us, let go of me!,"

but you do not fight to be freed, your relax further into his hold. he chuckles at your words, chest vibrating against your back.

"do you feel it between your thighs?," he whispers against your ear.

you shiver, hands gripping onto his thick forearms.

you purse your lips, closing your eyes, focusing on trying to stay silent.

your ass is right on his cock, so soft and full.

"tell me,"

his breath travels down your neck.

you nod, slow.

"do you understand what that feeling is?"

you shake your head no.

"it is arousal. does it feel wet and sticky?," he snarls.

you nod.

he groans, cock twitching, he can't stop his hips from rolling just gently.

"fuck," he groans.

you moan against him, his voice sends flushes to your stomach, goosebumps forming all over your light blue skin.

"have you ever touched yourself y/n?,"

confusion causes you to open your eyes.

"what? where?"

neteyam's eyes widen in shock.

"you've never touched yourself?"

"where? you've asked me this twice."

"you've never-"

his fingers slide across your body, pushing your thighs apart. you gulp in anticipation, letting out a shaky exhale. his fingers lightly tap you clothed clit, your back arches. a loud moan leaves your lips, the sensation makes your thighs tremble.

"touched your pussy?"

"n-no.."

"oh y/n."

you whine as his hand moves away. he coos, lifting you to face him, off of him. his strength warms your chest, the strange feeling of being able to be lifted by a man has you light headed.

"neteyam," you whimper.

he tuts.

"go home y/n and when you are alone, when it is quiet and dark outside. let your hands travel down your body, let your fingers touch your pussy, rub it, press down each time you touch your sensitive spot, explore yourself."

the voices of other have you running away, not listening to his call of your name. shock runs your body cold.

she'll do what i've asked her to do. neteyam whispers to himself, rubbing his thumb across his lips.

ding ding ding, he was right.

it is quiet in your mauri pod, silence filling the empty space. the moon is bright tonight, casting shadows within your home. you rid of your cover, closing your eyes.

neteyam fills your mind.

his body,

your hand travels lower.

his muscles,

your hand lets your breasts free, the cold air hardening your nipples. you hiss.

his golden eyes,

you rub your fingers across your nipple, arching into your touch. the sensitive buds sending sparks down you.

the way he held you in his arms,

your fingers travel to your tweng.

his larger frame caging yours,

moving your tweng to the side, you spread your legs wide.

the way he sucked his fingers,

your fingers push against your clit, yelping at the pleasure that bursts through you. you pant, stopping yourself. the feeling is so strange, so different. it has your insides buzzing, warm.

his fingers on your pussy,

rubbing your fingers against your pussy, your moan echoes through the darkness. the touch is exhilarating.

you keep rubbing, circling your clit, gathering the wetness of your pussy and spreading it over and through your folds. the faster you move, the intensity builds. the knot of pleasure inside you threatens to burst -

"neteyam," you moan.

the feeling washes over you, creaming as you shake. your eyes roll to the back of your head. this is addicting & all you've had is a taste of it.

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neteyam could tell very well that you had touched yourself. your skin painted pink, cheeks rosy, chest rising each time he was no wear. no need to be so modest y/n.

you were so obedient already. he wanted to corrupt you with things you have never been taught, he wanted to show you what you have been missing out on.

but neteyam was a shy man when it came to his emotions, he's never had the space to talk about how he feels. there was never a need at times.

you began to fill his mind more than you already did. it was not poison, he began to hate himself. hate the thoughts that filled him. his morals did not align with what he was hungry for.

it did not stop, you did not stop infiltrating his mind. his dreams, his thoughts. he'd wake up and see you, go to sleep and see you, during the day you be there before him.

but his morals. you were a pearl, a beautiful woman that deserved to stay pure forever. well that was what he kept telling himself, internal conflict. he was debating with himself each day.

he told himself to look away when you were near, think of anything else but his thoughts did not cooperate, rotating images of you with a stubborn thirst that could not be quenched.

it unsettled him, uncomfortable. he has never obsessed over something before. he has not had time to find love and be selfish, his family is his first priority. & now that he is olo'eyktan, he knows he must focus on his duties.

the argument that ran through him was trapped behind his ribs, surrounded his heart and dug into his blood flow. arteries tightened, his breathing short. but nothing could stop his mind from leaning towards you.

"his silence is frustrating," you mutter, picking at the fruit in your hands.

"what is wrong sister?," tsireya holds your hands, sitting before you with worrisome eyes.

you chew your lip, shaking your head.

"it's nothing," you sigh.

"we haven't been close recently, I've missed you," she huffs.

"I've missed you too,"

"have sempu (father) & sa'nok (mother) said anything about neteyam courting you?," she asks.

"they still don't talk to me tsireya," you sigh.

"I know...I know, I thought they would have said something to you at least,"

"well, they haven't,"

"I'm sure they will speak to you eventually,"

"you have been saying this for years now, there is no point sister. I am not fussed,"

"then what is bothering you?,"

you hesitate, the sound of footsteps stopping you from speaking.

"tsmuke? (sister)," ao'nung calls out.

"come in,"

he smiles when he sees both of his sisters together, making his way to sit beside you both. the sun is shining down into your mauri, the sounds of waves providing music.

"sister," he greets.

"you okay ao?," you rub his shoulder.

"it seems I've interrupted something serious,"

"do not worry brother," you smile, weakly.

"you've clearly got something on your mind y/n," he wraps his arm over your shoulders.

"your best friend, his silence is frustrating,"

"what has he done?," ao'nung purses his lips.

both your siblings look at you with wide eyes, listening.

"he has not spoken to me in days,"

"did something happen between you two?,' tsireya asks.

you think back to how warm his hands were on your skin, his breath causing you to shiver - the scent of mint leaves. his braids brushing over your shoulders, a comforting itch.

you don't realise the colour forming on your cheeks, your brother pulls a face of disgust.

"please do not tell me it was something disgusting, I do not wish to think of my tsawl tsmuke (big sister) in such ways." he shivers, pretending to gag.

you slap his chest playfully, grinning.

"do not think of me as such baby bro, nothing has happened. he has not spoken to me, he stands beside me in silence but at distance or he avoids me whilst we stand in the same room,"

ao'nung scowls.

"he is a sxawng," he mutters under his breath.

"do not be annoyed ao'nung," tsireya hums.

"I can't tell anymore, I do not know what courting even means, how am I meant to feel? am I meant to feel a certain way or did I miss the memo?," you grunt.

ao'nung grins.

"are you asking us how can you tell if you like neteyam?,"

embarrassment shines in your eyes, you look away, a shy smile on your lips.

"when you like someone, you should feel butterflies in your stomach when they are near, your chest will feel tight," tsireya smiles.

"your knees will feel weak, head light headed. & once you feel those things, they will consume every part of you, you cannot rid them even if you tried," ao'nung gazes into the distance, reflecting.

their words have you second guessing yourself, doubting the words you said to neteyam. you made a promise between each other, help you find a partner & then be off on your own ways. but now...you have come to realise, it won't be as easy as you think.

this was never meant to happen.

you were never meant to feel this type of way.

you gasp in shock, cold fingers pressing against your warm lips.

you have feelings for Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk’itan.

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neteyam could not have guessed he would fall this hard for you, he thought he could stop himself. but that side of him, one that wants to see you on your knees in front of him.

"bro, stop pacing!," lo'ak shouts in annoyance.

"sorry baby brother,"

"you're putting me on edge, what is wrong?"

neteyam sighs, crouching down.

"it's her isn't it?," lo'ak turns to face his brother.

neteyam only groans in response, rubbing his hand down his face.

"why did you put yourself in this situation, your feelings are too strong for her, aren't they bro?,"

neteyam nods, slow.

"I thought helping her would be the right thing, I did not realise this would happen,"

"then you're foolish, you can't believe that you weren't gonna' fall for her when you had some sort of feelings for her years ago bro,"

lo'ak's truth makes neteyam's skin crawl. he knows his brother is right, he should have never put himself in the middle of this shit. he should have just wished you well and stood beside his parents. but you're so interesting, everything about you is hypnotic.

"don't fuck this up bro,"

night has fallen, the people are singing and dancing with the tlalim clan (wind traders). they have taken rest in metkayina, trading and sharing stories with our people before they continue on their journey. the olo'eyktan's of the tlalim are good friends with your father, it is always a blessing from eywa when they are within your presence.

neteyam has not spoken to you although you stand close, the two of you are silent. neither of you make the first word, both equally as shy. you want him to say anything but you do not want to face your feelings for him.

it is when neteyam sees you talking with a tsamsiyu (warrior) of your clan that has him pulling you by your wrist, away from the people.

"neteyam! what's your issue!?" you scowl.

"stop pulling me!,"

your protests fall deaf on his ears.

"stop it!, let me go!,"

his blood is boiling, eyes seeing red, head pounding against his skull. he watched your entire interaction with the male.

your shy smile,

the giggle that escapes your lips,

your doe eyes as you look up at him whilst he speaks,

the way you tucked your hair behind your ear,

the tsamsiyu purposefully flexing his arms in your face,

his eyes that wandered all over you,

his loud cackle at clearly something humorous you had said.

neteyam is seething with jealousy, he could not watch you any longer.

your gentle strides across the people,

your long lashes fluttering as you greeted the people,

the flow of your hair brushing against men that gawked at you,

the people did not care, they clearly did not respect the fact he was courting you.

it was not apparent enough that you were being courted by an olo'eyktan.

his jaw almost snaps from hard he is clenching, he suddenly halts in his steps, letting go of your wrist.

"neteyam? hello? why aren't you saying anything?,"

he turns to face you.

his face is stuck in a expression of annoyance, anger.

he lifts you, fingers pressing down painfully on your skin.

"ow!, neteyam! let go of me!," you scream.

he throws you over his shoulder, landing a harsh spank on your behind. you yelp, kicking the air.

"put me down!,"

"neteyam, you prick!, let go of me!,"

"put me down!,"

neteyam, turn his head, your behind is right against his face. your tweng lifted, the outline of your folds has him inhaling against you.

you gasp, stopping your kicks.

"neteyam?"

he growls, leaving a bruising slap against your cheek, watching it jiggle.

"what is your issue?,"

"stop screaming." he states.

his voice is low and firm.

he places you down, standing in the maze of trees. he paces before you, hands pressed against each other, against his lips.

"neteyam?," you whisper.

his rage is evident, the twitch in his ears is harsh, tail whipping against the ground.

metkayina's pearl. who would've known she would rile up the olo'eyktan of the omatikaya this much.

"do not entertain that tsamsiyu (warrior),"

"what?"

"you are speaking to men of the wrong morals y/n,"

"and you think that dragging me, throwing me over your shoulder is the right thing?"

he shakes his head.

"do you enjoy gaining the attention of others? do you like it when even the men who only want one thing from you approach you?,"

his questions have you breathing sharply.

"do not question what I do after you do not speak to me the way the do, you have no right to be mad,"

"I am not mad,"

"you are fuming neteyam, it is evident." you roll your eyes.

"did you just roll your eyes at me?,"

for some reason, guilt heats your body. it as if you wear the shame when your father catches you doing something you should not be doing.

"yes," you whisper.

his tongue pokes the inside of his cheek, jaw clenched. his eagle like eyes bore into you. shaking his head.

the battle in his head is loud. the scent of you so close to his face has him drunk.

"y/n,"

"neteyam,"

seconds pass in silence, eyes trained onto one another.

he takes one step forward,

you do not hold yourself back.

neteyam lifts you as you clash into him, wrapping your legs arounds his waist. he smashes his lips against yours, teeth biting at each other's lips. you moan in his hold, struggling to breathe as he attacks you with his mouth.

it is desperation, the days of frustration pooling from each kiss. his lips are plump, wetness shared. you swallow his saliva that is passed from his tongue, the taste has you in a frenzy. you want more.

the kisses are sharp and unyielding, fighting for dominance via your tongues. it is a challenge that you accept, teeth grazing, breath stolen the pressure had was intense - making your pulse jump.

your moans mixed together, he pulled back. his eyes held a warning in them, a question.

if we continue this, there is no going back.

you answer him with a peck on his lips.

there is no going back.

he grins against your lips, holding you tighter. the kisses are promises, wanting to show you far he was willing to go.

he wastes no time, putting you down. he attacks your neck, biting down as he pulls your breast free. squeezing the fullness, rubbing the sensitive bud. his rough hands against your soft skin, driving you insane.

his fingers reach into your tweng, your wetness welcomes him in. neteyam groans against your lips, puffing air.

"fuck, you're soaking."

you moan in response, digging your nails into his skin. he rubs, the feeling so different to your fingers. his touch warms your skin, warmth pooling low in your belly.

you feel alive, seen, touched in every crevice of your body.

"neteyam," you whimper.

"you feel so good ma'"

you grin, shy. the moon light shines against both your glowing skin, the contrast in shades, calm intertwining with depth.

"what the fuck!?,"

both your faces drop in horror, looking over, your brother stands, shaking. his fists curled, eyes dangerous. if smoke was visible from him it would be coming out of his ears.

neteyam lets go of you, ao'nung runs at him, growling.

"what the fuck are you doing!?," ao'nung roars.

he lands a blow on neteyam, he does not fight back.

"AO'NUNG!," you scream.

he ignores you, dropping neteyam to the ground. he jumps on top of him, throwing rough punches at the olo'eyktan below him.

"AO'NUNG!,"

your fathers booming voice has you dropping to your knees, ao'nung stopping his blows.

the ground shakes underneath your fathers steps, pulling his son off neteyam.

ao'nung entire body shakes, hands spasming. your father does not punish his son, he pulls him away, watching his vibrating figure.

"olo'eyktan," your father helps neteyam up.

"son!,"

neteyam's dad runs over, holding his son to the side.

"what has happened?" tonowari bellows.

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you pick your nails, tsireya brushes her fingers through your hair. you wait outside the olo'eyktan's mauri pod, neteyam, ao, toruk makto and your father are inside.

you sit with your sister, mother, lo'ak and the rest of the sullys. anxiety runs your skin cold, knee bobbing up and down at pace.

"what happened?," tsireya whispers.

you shake your head, eyes glossy with tears.

your mother argues with neteyam's mother, hissing.

"your son has clearly done something!" your mother spits.

"do not accuse my son of anything!," neytiri hisses.

you head snaps up as they all come out from inside. looking directly at neteyam, he hangs his head low. you try to hold down the tears that escape you.

"you two will wed," tonowari states.

pin drop silence.

"i do not know of the argument between yourself and neteyam, daughter. but ao'nung has said it was a lovers quarrel, to ease the tension. I have agreed, with the blessing of eywa, you will mate before the Great Mother,"

you stand in shock, your father bears a soft smile. for once he looks at your with kindness in his eyes, he does not wear the stoic expression.

you cross over to ao'nung, the anger still washes off him but instead, he also wears a smile.

every single male before you is smiling except neteyam. he stands with his shoulders dropped, a grin creeping.

"we welcome you to our family, y/n te Tsika'u Ronal'ite,"

the sully's celebrate, hugging the both of you. your sister's soft cries have you clutching onto her. lo'ak pulls you into a tight hug, whispering words of reassurance in your ear.

"big sis," he grins, teasing.

your mother presses a kiss against your head as she holds you close, uncontrollable sobs leave you. her touch has been distant for years, she has not held you.

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your sat with your brother and neteyam, both of you waiting for him to speak.

"there was no point of me telling father what I had seen,"

"ao, i'm so sorry,"

"don't apologise when it isn't your fault sister, clearly my friend here could not control his urges,"

neteyam sighs.

"neteyam had already asked to marry you weeks ago sister,"

you still.

"w-what?," you stutter.

"it seems he did not tell you,"

neteyam kneels before tonowari, ao'nung stood to the side with lo'ak.

"you wish to marry my daughter?,"

"yes,"

"nga new tsonta muntxa si? (you want to mate?)"

"yes,"

"hm..."

neteyam gulps.

"stand up, you are the olo'eyktan of the Omatikaya."

neteyam stands, crossing his arms behind him. his heartbeat is loud in his ears, worry nipping at him.

"nga lu am'ake nga tsun ease 'ite tirengop (you be sure you are able to ease my daughter's life)?,"

"oe lu am'ake (i am sure),"

"you are the son of Toruk Makto, the olo'eyktan of the Omatikaya, you are one with the forest. my 'ite (daughter) is the pearl of my people, she is of water. she will struggle with your traditions..."

tonowari cannot stop the thoughts of his daughter struggling fill his mind.

"I will care for her greatly, po lu my ya (she be my air),"

lo'ak's lips are swollen as he bites them, eyes flicking from tonowari to his brother. their father enters the room, seating himself as he watches his son.

"my 'ite (daughter) is complex, she is...mighty with her emotions, one of the figures for the people,"

"she is my complexity, she will be mighty with my people,"

"tell me, olo'eyktan. do you plan on making her Tsahìk?"

neteyam nods, shoulders easing with the change in tonowari's words.

"she will naturally enter that position,"

"hm...and does she know of your interest?,"

neteyam gulps down the ache in his throat.

"it has been difficult,"

"you are courting her,"

"I am, it has been very real for me. but to your daughter, she is...this arrangement. we have not shared our feelings," neteyam struggles.

"I see,"

"I am coming to you before the time comes again in the future, my intention is clear sir,"

tonowari grins, nodding his head.

"then so it be, eywa tìng syawn nga mune (eywa bless you two), i trust you will help my daughter express herself, bring the truth to her soon, son. this will be difficult, she is a strong character."

fat tears roll down your face, hot. your cheeks are burning, bottom lip quivering.

acceptance is what makes your chest swell, being chosen. no man has done this, said this, gone to your father to ask for you. no man has been comitted to keeping you around once they actually get to know you. they do not see you for who you are, declining every single man because they do not give you the feeling you've been looking for.

the feeling that neteyam has given you, shown you.

neteyam already chose you from the moment he seperated from you, he did not regret going to your father the moment he agreed to court you. he was anxious, split into two. his urges, he did not want to be the same as all the men that surround you.

"you are a lucky man my friend," ao'nung smiles.

neteyam cannot stop himself from placing his hand over yours. wiping your tears away.

"i am," neteyam whispers.

"ao," you sob.

"do not cry sister, you will make me emotional,"

you wrap your arms around ao'nung, his hands shake as he returns the hug.

"i will leave you two, i hope i never see you two like that again, i feel nauseous."

you press a chaste kiss against your brother's cheek, watching his shy face glow.

you and neteyam kneel before each other, finally alone.

"you did not tell me this was your plan,"

"i wanted you to recognise me yourself,"

you smile, holding his large hand in yours.

"I see you, neteyam."

neteyam's eyes widen, watching you.

all he's ever wanted was for you to see him, since the teenage years he wanted to be close to you the same way lo'ak was. he could not hold himself back from having you but he thought he was a sinner for the way he behaved. deep regret burned holes in his chest when your brother caught the two of you, he kept ruining you, taking away your purity.

neteyam is quick to bare you of your clothing, stripping you naked under the night sky. he moans, precum rolling down his cock.

you cover yourself under his gaze, hiding your parts.

"no, no, it's okay baby, let me see you," his voice gentle.

he kisses you all over, whispering words of affirmation in your ear, reminding you how beautiful you are.

neteyam is soft with every move, taking his time to explore each part of your body. he kisses every scar, licks every spot that has you shivering under him. he spreads your legs open for him, watching the droplets of your arousal trickle.

"you're dripping," he groans.

you watch him, nervous. neteyam's cock is rigid, hard and dripping with his precum. you're going to end up kill him. he brushes his nose down your frame, inhaling your sweet scent, paskalin. so addicting, he moans after each sharp inhale.

you giggle, holding his face between your hands.

"that tickles,"

he grins, flashing his canines.

he kisses your thighs, kissing the stretch marks that are etched into your skin. light moans escape you, neteyam stops his movements.

he looks at you, mind twisting with the thoughts he's tried to push away. he reminds himself of his morals but they do not stop the sinful thoughts.

corrupt you.

mould you.

mark you.

neteyam lets them consume him, closing his eyes. your doe eyes stare up at him, careful not to make a single sound.

"this will hurt y/n,"

"i want it to be painful," you confess.

neteyam's brow cocks, head lulling.

oh she wants me to fucking ruin her.

& so he does.

"open your mouth," he croaks.

you do as he says.

so obedient.

"stick your tongue out, yawne,"

your pink tongue is flat out for him, you watch with wide eyes as he gathers the spit in his mouth, swishing it before spitting it onto your tongue. you yelp.

"swallow it,"

your stomach churns with shame.

he laughs, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of your mouth.

"swallow it baby, c'mon, don't wanna' upset your olo'eyktan do you?"

you shake your head, no, swallowing it.

"show me,"

his spit is hot, thick as it travels down your throat. it doesn't make you react the way you thought you would, your stomach twists with pleasure.

sticking your tongue out to show him, he grins.

"get on all fours baby,"

the exposed position has you trembling with anticipation, his hot breath on your bare pussy.

he pulls your folds apart, watching the strings of arousal between them.

"your pussy is swollen, you been touchin' yourself?" he slurs.

you squeak a yes.

"nasty girl. your pussy's puffy baby, did you make yourself cum multiple times?," he coos.

you nod, burrowing your face into your arm.

"aw baby, don't be shy. 'm proud of you, did it feel good?"

"uhuh," you squeak.

he laughs against your pussy, burrowing his nose between your folds, letting your scent intoxicate him. you smell sweet, natural, clean. neteyam places a kiss on your folds, you jolt in shock. the pleasure is nerve wrecking.

neteyam analyses you, your two holes so tight. he gathers his saliva once more and spits it on your tighter hole, watching it clench beneath the trickling spit.

you moan as his spit sinks between your folds, your greedy hole sucking it in. neteyam's eyes roll back. your poor pussy is just so tight, he wants to ruin you but you'll bleed all over his thick cock.

you whimper, nails digging into the earthy ground below you. your hips move back, desperate for his touch.

"want me to touch you?," he coos.

"yes please,"

"so sweet, of course my yawne,"

he flattens his long tongue, pressing it against your clit. your hips shake, a long moan elicit from you. the taste of your juices have neteyam seeing stars, cock twitching with need.

his tongue curls between your folds, drinking your juices. each gulp has him thirsting for more, needing to quench his thirst.

he laps at your throbbing pussy, puffy from making yourself cum multiple times the night before. the sensitivity still there, you squeal. neteyam wraps his mouth around your clit, sucking at it fast and rough.

your front half falls flat to the floor, legs spreading further against the rough ground. you tremble, arching.

neteyam hums against your clit, the vibrations making your eyes roll back. it doesn't take long for you to feel the build up of pressure in your stomach.

"n-teyam!," you squeal.

he hums in response.

"i feel, feel like i'm- feel strange!," you squeak.

neteyam can't stop the grin, teeth grazing against your clit, sending you over the edge. neteyam shoves his finger in your clenching hole as you cum, screaming his name.

"feel okay?,"

"yeah," you pant.

"you just came, baby, well done," he praises.

"that felt so weird,"

"should've felt the same way you felt making yourself cum, paskalin,"

you huff air.

"it doesn't,"

"come yawne, i will show you how much better it will feel,"

he lifts you onto his lap, holding you close. neteyam sucks at your sensitive tits, moaning.

"these fat tits," he growls.

lying you flat, he lifts your legs over his waist.

"sevin (pretty), this will hurt,"

you nod, watching his brows knit.

rubbing his tip between your folds, neteyam looks down. his cock is dark blue, tip purple with shiny white precum rolling. thick veins wrap around the girthy length, throbbing.

neteyam helps you pass through the burning stretch, rubbing your clit to provide stimulation as you clench around his girth. he sits so heavy and full inside you, tip curled to sit against your sensitive spot.

he's instant, pistoling, his cock is thick, rearranging your guts.

thwap! thwap! thwap!

his hips bruise you, hand wrapped around your neck. the warmth of your pussy, squelching below him, has his eyes rolling back.

shlick! shlick! shlick!

your stomach bulges with each thrust, your head lulling to the side, eyes white.

"fuck, look at that, see my cock in your belly,"

he grabs your hand, pressing it against the bulge. his rigid cock is hard inside you.

"harder teyam!," you scream.

he grins, lifting your legs, pushing them to either side of your head. he pushes himself all the way in you, bottoming out. his weight is heavy against you, the position has your muscles aching but the pleasure has your nerves buzzing.

"feel's good tey," you moan.

"si nga my sevin muntxate (make you my pretty wife),"

"f'ck me tey please, need it so bad," you whine.

his toes curl at your words, every single hair on his body lifting.

"yeah, you want me to fuck you?,"

"yes please,"

"always so kind,"

his thrusts moves your entire body, your hands scratching him.

"feel's full,"

"yeah?,"

"uhuh, so big!," you squeal.

neteyam's balls tighten, the coil in his belly snapping. he fills you, shaking as he paints thick white ropes of his cum in your womb.

but neteyam doesn't stop, the swishing sound of his cum inside you has him fucking you deeper, slower.

every inch of you feels like it's on fire, head spinning from his attacks.

that same pleasure in your belly has you shaking, clutching onto him.

"gonna- gonna cum, please tey, please." you scream.

"shh, shh i got you,"

"fuck!,"

"clenchin' me so tight, gonna milk me yawne," he growls.

"feel's different teyam, pressure!," you scream.

"huh, gonna squirt on my cock tiyawan?"

you squirt all over him, shaking, eyes rolled to the back of your skull.

neteyam laughs in shock, your juices coat his abs, neteyam pulls out, lowering himself. he gulps down your juice, moaning after each gulp.

you two are in sync, cumming and moaning at the same time. pushing yourselves past your limit, shaking in overstimulation.

you both don't realise the sounds close by.

"you have got to be fucking kidding me!,"

ao'nung's shouting pulls you out of your brainless mind, the two of you turning to face him in horror.

"oh fuck," neteyam shouts.

"neteyam, i'm going to fucking kill you bro!,"

you sigh, accepting your fate.

your future lies with this man.

the olo'eyktan & i.

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holy shit this took so fucking long, through treacherous headaches i've finally finished!

thank you so much for being patient w/ me guysss, need to get back on my grind in releasing these fics 😫

any requests, i promise I will get round to soonnnn 🫶🏼✨

The best way,in your opinion , to unwind after a long day of Tsakerem training was to swim your heart out in the lovely dark ocean.

You followed the path which you had taken a hundred times before. The schools of fish with their glowing scales illuminated your path.

The bioluminescent algae glowed with different shades of yellow and green the deeper you dived in . So beautiful that they put even the daytime sun and the ever reigning forests to shame.

Every time you came up for air, the fish followed you too. It made you glow in the dark waters, the ripples creating a halo around you.It was something you would never trade for anything.

Someone tugged on your tail. You knew who it was even before you resurfaced.

You could feel the ease with which he waded the water. The ripples in the water intimate in the way only familiarity can bring about. Just like by ones footfalls one can identify their partner, you could also tell by the way they parted the water, the subtle shifts in the current, the bubbles that came out with an escaped breath. And by counting how long they held their breath.

You were a fairly good diver . And there were few who could hold their breath underwater for as long as you could.

Him being one of them.

Your childhood best friend. The Olo'eyktan's eldest son. The one who was as familiar with these waters as you were.

"Aonung!" You gasped as you finally came up for air. "How many times did I tell you not to touch my tail you skxawng!!"

He always accompanied you on these swims. You had told him not to worry about your safety and just rest after a long day of training.

But he always came anyway.

"Sorry . I didn't know how else to get your attention, which was otherwise occupied with those fish friends of yours. It's not my faul-mmphhh" you dunked his head underwater.

He sputtered as he came up again, probably had swallowed some salt water too as he was mid speech.

"That's what you get for being obnoxious!", You giggled. His eyes softened at the sound.

He loved to make you laugh. To make you happy. He wanted to do it forever.

"How was Olo'eyktan training?" , you asked as you floated in the water on your back.

"Other than the sore muscles from training and the migraine my father gave me with his inexhaustible nagging? Fantastic!" ,he continued with mock enthusiasm.

"Well you are almost twenty. Might as well start taking it seriously. It's what you are meant for 'Nung", you continued in a serious tone.

You have always loved the art of mixing , creating salves and healing people.

So it was an easy decision to make on your fifteenth birthday. Now almost five years later, you were one of the best Tsakerem in Metkayina . But there was still much to learn from the Tsahìk.

" Mother seemed very pleased today. About how you saved little Yetuki after she had eaten some poisoned berry." He said.

"Oh! It wasn't that the remedy was my own inventory. It's just that I acted fast. And i am glad she is healthy and breathing now. " You smiled remembering the relief you felt when the little girl had vomited out the poisoned fruit after you force fed her the hastily crushed herbs.

"Well , my mother has claimed you as her very own prodigy now. It's rare she praises someone, much less with such a big smile " he huffed out a laugh.

"Well she talks about you too , you know" , you say, your lips in a permanent smile. It was always this way with him. Happiness came easily with him.

You loved the way his laugh sounded . You wished you could hear it for forever.

But that was wishful thinking .

With him being the next Olo'eyktan, not only will he be required to lead, but also choose his mate, the future Tsahìk of Metkayina.

These night swims were the precious moments you could spend with your best friend. He was already so busy , and he would only continue to be more so. With the tribe. With his future mate. With the family he would build with her.

You shook your head. These thoughts were of the past. You had come to accept it. Yet, sometimes you couldn't help but wish for more .

"Yes? Like what?" He asked with a snort of disbelief.

" She talks about it all. Your first fish. Your first win in a duel. Your first big injury. How you have mastered the waters and are one of the best hunters of Metkayina..." , you trailed off. He had an odd look on his face.

" What about you?" He asked softly. His tail was swishing wildly, creating ripples underwater as it brushed your leg.

You looked beautiful with the colourful glowing fish swirling around you. The shells at your neck reflected the water , creating beautiful patterns on your long neck. Your long hair adorning you like jewellery. He couldn't take his eyes off of you . He came to this realisation with a sudden jolt.

He loves you.

"What about me?" , you asked , slightly confused.

" Do you believe I'm one of the best hunters here?" you were taken aback by his question. He had always been confident and outgoing. Maybe a little annoying in his teenage years but still extremely charming. And he was the golden son of the Olo'eyktan after all. Talent with regal looks to boot.

" Of course!" you rush out. He looked at you like he was expecting something more. But you were so taken aback by the question that you didn't know what else to say.

You were the last person he would need reassurance about his abilities from. He could ask any of the eligible girls from the tribe and they would sing praises about his skills for hours. You had witnessed one such confession yourself.

Nope! Not going think about that dreadful experience. It's in the past for Eywa's sake! You thought as you lightly shook your head. No time for jealousy laden thoughts.

He gave a single , seeing as you were not going to say anything else .

" My father wants to step down by next year, before my twenty first" he said in a somber voice.

"What?! That's really soon 'Nung!" I said in a surprised tone. But honestly, he had been training for the better part of his life for this. He was definitely ready.

You smiled thinking about how much you both had grown up since your infant days. You both had seen the other take their first step, first ilu ride , even eachothers first admirers . You knew he considered you one his closest friends.

But you had stopped seeing him as just your friend sometime in the last four years. The process was so gradual that you hadn't even seen it coming until it hit you right in the face. On the day you saw another girl confess to him.

Maybe it was the way he had shot up in height, standing shoulder to shoulder with his father. Or perhaps it was in the way his jaw had squared, his shoulders broadened and became lined with muscle. How he had grown up to be a responsible, kind man helping the little kids hunt and helping the elderly with their small requests.

You were proud to call him your best friend. But sometimes it hurt . You were always going to be just that to him . A friend.

" My mother wishes to step down as well by his side." He continues.

"That's understandable. You and Tsireya can look after yourselves but little Pril is too young. She needs her parents" you say , imagining his youngest sister's face . She was only three.

"My tribe will need a new Tsahìk" he continued undeterred.

"Um..okay. yes you will need a Tsahìk" I say , now confused about where he was taking this conversation.

" And I need a mate"

Oh.

So this was what this conversation was about.

Suddenly the water which had felt so freeing just minutes before, now felt suffocating. Your first instinct was to dive underwater and swim as far away from him, from this conversation.

You stopped yourself .You were his friend. You owed him your attention.

But the bitter feeling of jealousy within you swirled dangerously like the waves during a stormy night.

" Tuntï is a great singer" you said slowly, turning your back to him.

"Singing won't heal my people, *sevin" him and that nickname which made your knees weak. He had taken to calling you that a few years prior. But you wanted to be the only one he called by that name . Not his other friends. Not even his mate.[*pretty]

"Iseyä is a good healer" you said , trying to appear unbothered. You started wading the water, slowly making your way to the shore.

You could feel his body heat at your back , as he followed close behind. Then in an unexpected move,his hand wrapped around your bicep.

He pulled you towards him. Your back almost touching his chest.

"But i don't want Iseyä" he murmured in your ear.

Your heart skipped a beat. This close you could probably hear his heartbeat too,only if yours wasn't thumping so hard in your head.

You whirled around.

Ducking under water upto your nose,with only your eyes visible. It was a futile attempt at hiding your expression which was probably full of hope.

You studied his face from your almost- submerged stance.

His chest glistened under the night stars. His lashes were clumped together. Some strands of curly hair had escaped his bun and was sticking to the sides of his face and neck.His eyes were a little glassy. He looked beautiful.

You would never forgive him if he was just jesting.

No . He could never be that cruel. You thought.

He had that expression on his face.

"I have already chosen. In fact ,I had chosen a long time ago. But this woman must also choose me." He whispered, his eyes boring into yours.

You let that forbidden feeling fill your heart again.

You love him.

You sprang up from your submerged form, your palms lightly covering his eyes. You were too embarrassed to let him see the stupid blush colouring your cheeks purple. Your eyes also felt moist. You couldn't decide which was more embarrassing.

"She already has" you whispered , pouring all your hope and love into it.

The corner of his lips pulled up in a smile

"Let me see you, sevin" he sighed ,but did not move to pull your hands away. He was giving you time. To accept this. Accept him.

You pulled away your hands slowly. Your eyes still wouldn't meet his.

He slowly tipped your head up with a hand on your chin. His eyes were asking a question which you had never imagined he would ask.

Your eyes moved to his lips

That was all the permission he needed as his lips met you . It was soft , like a promise.

"Be mine sevin" it was more a statement than a question. Unknown to him, you had been his for a long time.

You kissed him again.

He tasted like salt, the ocean and the sweet berries he loved to sneak between practices. He tasted like childhood memories and future promises.

He tasted unmistakably yours.

“Lo’ak!” I shouted as I was searching all over the beach for him. I saw him run out his mauri angrily, I assumed he had an argument with his dad. I heard shouting but I didn’t hear much of what was said. Ever since Neteyam’s death, him and his dad have been arguing non stop. I was still searching for Lo’ak but I paused when I heard Kiri’s voice, I guess she was looking for him too. I ran over to her as she spoke up. “Have you seen Lo’ak?” She asked with worry on her face.

“No, I’ve been searching for him but I can’t find him anywhere!” I said as my head was going in different directions, still searching for the boy. Kiri sighed as she put her hands over his face. “He shouldn’t be alone right now..” she lowly said as my ears perked up at the sound of a click. I looked up and saw he was sat behind a giant rock as I rushed over to him, Kiri following behind. “Lo’ak!” I shouted in relief as I ran over to him but that relief was soon gone when I saw the sight in front of me.

He had a gun aimed under his chin. “Lo’ak..don’t.” I whispered as Kiri’s voice trembled. “Why shouldn’t I?! I should be dead! Not Neteyam!” Lo’ak shouted as I got closer to him. “My tìyawn, you matter, you have so many people here who love you.” I lowly said. “We need you here, little brother.” Kiri softly said from behind as I nodded. “No! I’m tired of being everyone’s punching bag!” He yelled as his tears flowed down his face. “You’re not my punching bag, Lo’ak.” I softly said as I cupped his face but he quickly pushed my hands away.

“Everyone thinks his death is all my fault!” He cried. My heart ached for him, he shouldn’t have to carry that feeling around. “No one thinks it’s yours fault!” Kiri pleaded but that only made him grip the gun tighter. “Yeah?” He chuckled as I nodded my head. “Say that to dad. He hates me, I see it in his eyes everyday.” Lo’ak stated as he stared at the sand beneath him with watery eyes. He was right though, Jake does blame him. “Lo’ak, your father is grieving too, that doesn’t mean he hates you.” I said desperately hoping he would at least put the gun down.

“We’re all grieving! And all he ever does is shut me out!” He cried as I gripped his arm. “Have you tried talking to him?” I asked with a tilt to my head as Lo’ak just broke down. He was hitting his head with the gun and screaming in crying. Me and Kiri were both shocked at the sight, were so used to seeing him putting on this nonchalant act all the time. “I just want it all to end!” He cried as his head was down. I got closer to him as I took the gun, chucking it across the sand before hugging him tightly.

I signaled for Kiri to go, she understood because Lo’ak always confided in me the most. “Let it out, it’s okay.” I softly said as I rubbed his back. He was crying into my arms. “Everyone hates me!” He sobbed as I closed my eyes and tears fell. “Yawne, I love you more than words can express, don’t ever forget that.” I said as my voice cracked. I hated seeing my boyfriend like this, it makes my heart ache. I’ve always known him and his father never seen eye to eye but for Jake to stoop this low is insane.

Ever since the Sully’s got here it’s very clear that there is favoritism, Jake treats Lo’ak as if he is some kind of outcast, everyone see’s it. Na’vi gossip about it.

Lo’ak soon fell asleep in my lap and I tried not to wake him as I got up to get some leaves as a makeshift blanket for us. I fell asleep next to him with my arm draped around his chest.

…

The sun had arose as I woke up before Lo’ak. I yawned and wiped some sand off of me before waking him up. “Tìyawn, it’s time to wake up.” I softly said with a smile as I shook him a bit. He mumbled something incoherently amid went back to sleep. I giggled at the drool he had on his face. “Ma Lo’ak! We must wake up before our parents come looking!” I stated, shaking him again. He finally woke up as he rubbed his eyes before focusing on me. It was a silent moment before he damn tackled me by his hug as I giggled.

“Thank you yawne! He said into my neck as I smiled. “Always.” I responded as I placed a kiss to his cheek. We stood up and made ourselves look decent. “I gotta go help Tsireya and mother with Tsahik duties but I should see you later on today.” I explained as he nodded his head. Just as we were both about to walk off, his eyes lingered on the gun from last night. “Hey!” I snapped, grabbing his chin and putting his focus back on me. “Don’t worry about that, okay?” I added as he put his head down. “Yeah.” Lo’ak mumbled. I placed a quick kiss on his lips before walking back to my mauri.

It was later on in the afternoon as I was grabbing some herbs for my mother when I spotted Jake talking with my dad down by the Tsuraks. It’s disgusting how normal Jake is acting after how he treated Lo’ak last night, laughing it up with my father after his son almost killed himself last night. I waited for my father to walk off as I made my way to Jake. “Hey Y/N.” He smiled as I now stood in front of him.

“You don’t have any idea what you’re doing to your son right now, don’t you?” I scoffed as I crossed my arms. “Excuse me?” He said as his whole demeanor changed. His posture was straight and his face was serious. “Lo’ak broke down last night because he thinks you don’t love him, he’s tired of being your punching bag for Neteyam’s death.” I firmly stated as Jake’s eyes widened.

“I do love my son.” He said with a confused expression on his face. “Well you’re clearly not showing it.” I quickly responded as he shook his head. “Y/N, I get it..you’re speaking up for your boyfriend but this isn’t how you speak to adults.” He lowly said. I rolled my eyes in an attempt to keep the tears from flowing. Everyday Lo’ak is always telling me something cruel his father has said to him, and I hate that. I need to tell Jake what happened, how far he pushed Lo’ak last night.

Just as Jake was about to turn around, I blurted the words out. “He tried to kill himself last night!”

Jake’s whole body froze in an instant, he slowly turned around back towards me. “He what?” He asked with wide eyes as he stepped closer to me. “He had an assault rifle pointed under his chin last night.” I trembled. Even just thinking about the whole situation again makes me shiver.

With care, you eased So'lek onto a bed of woven fibers and fresh leaves. His breathing stabilized here, away from the base. You moved with practiced grace, cleansing his cuts and applying a cool, green poultice. His physical damage was minor, but as you placed a hand over his chest, you felt the deep sadness he’d long suppressed. Word of his arrival quietly spread through the Hometree.

A lone Na'vi warrior in guerrilla tactical gear, adorned with his clan's artifacts, clearly in distress, had been brought in by the Tsahìk. For now, this chamber remained a sanctuary, a quiet haven for restoration. A soft, unfamiliar radiance filtered through So'lek's eyelids. He stirred, a dull ache reverberating in his arm and side, but the suffocating dread had vanished, replaced by a deep sense of calm.

The air was clean, redolent with herbs and damp earth, a stark contrast to the RDA base's metallic odor. He slowly opened his eyes, disoriented. He was no longer in the cold, stark confines of human territory, but in a space bathed in warm, ethereal light, surrounded by the gentle rustle of living foliage. A figure leaned over him, silhouetted against the gentle illumination.

As his vision clarified, he saw you. You were applying a final, glowing balm to his arm, your hands moving with quiet precision. Your visage, serene and focused, was lit by the soft light, accentuating the intricate patterns of your skin and the depth in your eyes.

"Thank you, Tsahìk," he rasped, his voice rough from disuse and lingering distress. The words felt insufficient, but the immense gratitude swelling within him was undeniable. He felt secure. Truly secure. You met his gaze, a gentle smile gracing your lips.

"You are safe here, warrior. Rest." Your voice was calm, soothing, like a forest stream's murmur. You inquired about his pain, not just the physical discomfort, but the deeper, unseen wounds, with an understanding that made him feel truly perceived for what seemed an eternity. As you moved away, tending to other plants in the chamber, preparing more remedies, So'lek observed you.

He was enthralled. Not solely by your undeniable beauty, but by the quiet strength in your movements, the inherent elegance in every gesture. He perceived your deep connection to Eywa, to the very life force of this sacred place. He had sought refuge, and found not merely healing, but a presence that drew him in, promising a solace he hadn't realized he desperately craved. He could not avert his gaze.

Sensing his lingering observation, your ears twitched back once—then twice before you glanced over your shoulder, your tail quietly swishing. "What is your name, ma tsmukan?" your voice came again, your eyes locking onto his as your hands completed their task. He sat up, leaning against the wall behind him but not breaking eye contact. "I am So'lek te Elusa Kiro'itan," he introduced himself, inclining his head slightly.

"I am Y/N Te Zorä Vängu'ite, Tsahìk of the kirì’aw." you responded, a soft smile gracing your face. "Welcome, So'lek— we’ve missed the trr’ong." Over subsequent days, as So'lek's physical vigor returned, the healing chamber became a gentle hub of activity.

Your clan members, having learned of the lone warrior's arrival, began to visit. Their curiosity was tempered by respect for your healing space and for So'lek's obvious distress. Elders spoke in hushed tones, recalling the Trr’ong – a clan renowned for fierce independence and a deep, almost spiritual bond with the land.

They presented him with small, thoughtful tokens: a perfectly smooth river stone, a piece of intricately woven fabric, a cluster of sweet forest berries. People recounted tales, not of the Trrrong's tragic demise, but of their vibrant past, of shared hunts and ancient ceremonies, of his ancestors' might and wisdom.

So'lek, typically reserved, found himself unexpectedly touched by their warmth. He listened, his ears twitching, his tail making a slow, almost involuntary sweep as he absorbed their genuine affection. He had believed himself utterly alone, the last ember of a dying fire. Yet, in this Hometree, among these individuals, he felt a burgeoning sense of belonging he hadn't dared to envision.

You observed these interactions from a quiet corner, attending to other duties, a silent contentment blossoming in your spirit as you witnessed his guarded demeanor gradually soften. You also noted how his gaze would often drift towards you, a quiet anchor in his new environment.

One evening, as the twin moons ascended, your father, the Olo'eyktan, entered the chamber. His presence imbued the space with calm authority, his eyes, sagacious and kind, settling upon So'lek. "So'lek te Elusa Kiro'itan," your father greeted, his voice deep and resonant. "It is good to see a son of the Trr’ong among us." He sat beside So'lek, near enough to convey kinship. He recounted a distant era, of a grand hunt shared between your clans, of the Trrrong's unparalleled skill in tracking the forest's elusive quarry.

He spoke of the deep roots connecting your peoples, roots that even the Sky People could not sever. "You are not alone, warrior," your father stated, his hand resting briefly on So'lek's shoulder. "This Hometree, this clan, is your dwelling for as long as you wish it to be. We welcome you." So'lek was deeply moved.

The Olo'eyktan's words were not simply an offer of refuge, but a balm to his injured spirit, an acknowledgment of his clan's heritage and his own position within the broader Na'vi family. A profound tranquility settled upon him, a quiet hope for a future he had not dared to conceive. Your father, meeting your gaze, offered a subtle, knowing inclination of his head, a silent recognition of the forming bond he perceived between you and the warrior he had just embraced into your home.

You often found So'lek drawn to your side, observing your duties as Tsahìk. He watched, captivated, as you moved with effortless grace among the bioluminescent plants of the healing chamber, your fingers tracing ancient patterns in the soil. He admired the quiet strength in your every movement, the way your ears would subtly twitch, listening to Eywa's very pulse. He perceived your connection to the spiritual realm, a beauty that transcended the physical.

One afternoon, you discovered him by the communal weaving looms, his tail making a slow, thoughtful sweep as he observed the intricate designs. "Ma So'lek," you murmured, approaching him softly. His ears flicked back, then forward, acknowledging your presence, his head turning to meet your gaze. "Would you like to explore more of our home?"

"I would, Tsahìk. Nga yawne lu oer." He respectfully agreed. You smiled, a soft, genuine curve of your lips that made his chest feel strangely warm, a low rumble beginning deep within him. "Then come. There is much to experience." You led him through the Hometree's winding paths, indicating the nurseries, the kitchens, the training grounds. You recounted your clan's history, their unique bond with the floating mountains, and the songs they sang to Eywa.

So'lek listened intently, his tail making a slow, thoughtful sweep, his ears constantly swiveling, absorbing every detail. "Your people... they are as vibrant as the forest itself, Tsahìk," he murmured, his eyes surveying the bustling activity. "And your insights... they are like the deepest roots of this Hometree." He posed questions, quiet and perceptive, revealing a deep curiosity about your customs, and shared fragments of Trrrong lore, his voice low and resonant. You listened with equal fascination, cherishing these glimpses into his lost heritage.

One evening, as you were showing him the sacred pool where your clan communed with Eywa, a group of young Na'vi women passed by, their laughter echoing softly. One, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, called out, "Look, sisters! Our Tsahìk has finally found a shadow— Thank Eywa!" Your ears flattened slightly, a faint blush rising on your cheeks. Your tail made an embarrassed flick. "Skxawng!" you hissed playfully, though your tone lacked true bite.

The women giggled, bowing respectfully to So'lek before continuing on their way. Another woman, with a knowing expression, leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Between you and me, Trrrong, she is not an easy one to get close to." So'lek observed the exchange, a rare, soft rumble escaping his chest—almost a purr. His ears twitched, amused, but his eyes held a subtle spark of protectiveness. "They tease you, Tsahìk?" he inquired, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. You sighed, a small exhalation.

"They do. They have long worried I would be too focused on my duties to find a mate." You met his gaze, a vulnerability in your eyes. "Perhaps... they were not entirely mistaken." His eyes softened, a deep, slow blink. He extended a hand, his large palm gently brushing your arm, his thumb stroking a slow, comforting rhythm against your skin. His tail made a soft, almost imperceptible sweep. "Perhaps," he murmured, his voice low, "some journeys simply take longer to find their way home. And some spirits... are worth the wait."

The unspoken affection deepened, a delicate dance of glances and subtle touches. So'lek sought opportunities to be near you, assisting in the den or accompanying you on foraging trips. His presence offered quiet comfort. His gaze would linger, a deep, steady warmth in his golden eyes, and you felt a familiar flutter whenever your fingers brushed, or his tail, typically controlled, would make a soft, coincidental brush against yours.

He admired your unwavering dedication, your profound connection to Eywa, and the gentle strength with which you performed your duties. He often mused, to him— you were like the Tree of Souls, deep and full of light. You, in turn, were drawn to his quiet dignity, the deep well of emotion concealed beneath his stoic exterior, and the fierce resilience that had enabled him to forge a new path after such profound loss.

One evening, the peaceful hum of the Hometree was shattered by the roar of RDA gunships. The assault was swift and brutal, a terrifying echo of So'lek's own past. He fought ferociously, his warrior's instincts honed by years of conflict. His quick thinking, his desperate call for the resistance’s reinforcements, shifted the balance, repelling the Sky People. But victory carried a price.

The aftermath revealed devastation. Smoke curled from charred sections of the Hometree, its living wood splintered and broken. The air was thick with the scent of ozone and burnt sap. You moved through the wreckage, your ears flattened against your skull, your tail lashing low and furious.

Your heart was a raw wound. You discovered him – a young warrior, barely entering adulthood, his eyes wide and unseeing, a spear still clutched in his hand. A choked, guttural sob tore from your throat as you dropped to your knees, pulling his lifeless body to your chest, rocking him gently. Hot, stinging tears streamed down your face, blurring your vision, and your lips pulled back, revealing your sharp canines in a silent snarl of grief and rage.

"What is this?" you rasped, your voice raw with disbelief and anguish, thick with unshed tears, as your eyes, wide with horror, locked onto So'lek, who had just approached. Your ears twitched violently, then pinned back again. "What is this, So'lek? Nga yawne lu oer, ma 'itan!” you screamed out, looking to So'lek for some explanation of this grief and pain. "Look! Look what they have done! This... this is not right!" Your arm swept out, encompassing the devastation, the fallen warrior, the wounded Hometree.

So'lek's own ears flattened in shared sorrow, his tail low. He understood this pain, this crushing, senseless loss. He knew the anguish that ripped through your soul. He didn't speak, didn't immediately touch, but simply stood, a solid, unwavering presence, acknowledging the depth of your despair.

After a long, agonizing moment, as your cries subsided into ragged sobs, he knelt beside you, helping you lower the boy and closing his eyes, waiting for you to finish your small and quiet prayer over him. His large hand, calloused from battle, gently rested on your back, a silent anchor. He pulled you closer, not demanding, but offering a space for your grief, a shared burden.

Your ears, still flattened with sorrow, softened slightly against his touch, and a faint, mournful purr vibrated deep in his chest, a desperate sound of comfort. "They have wounded us," he murmured, his voice a low rumble, raw with his own pain for your loss. His gaze swept over the wounded Hometree, then settled on you, his golden eyes filled with a profound, quiet strength. "But you stand. You endure, Tsahìk."

The days following the assault were heavy with grief and tireless effort. You presided over the solemn ceremony under the clan's Spirit Tree, laying the brave warriors to rest, their spirits returned to Eywa, their names whispered into the wind. Your heart ached with each connection, each farewell. Then, you turned your attention to the wounded Hometree, your hands moving tirelessly to guide the repairs, to mend the living fabric of your home.

You felt every splintered root, every charred branch, as if it were your own flesh. Your father, Olo'eyktan, and the clan observed you with growing concern. Your deep connection to Eywa meant you felt the Hometree's pain acutely, and your grief for the fallen was a palpable weight. "She feels it too deeply," your father murmured to So'lek one twilight, his eyes on your distant, weary form. "Her spirit is burdened. Go to her, So'lek. Speak with her. She needs... something more than just silence."

So'lek's ears flicked, his tail making a slow, uncertain sweep. He had observed you, his heart aching for your distress, for the raw vulnerability you displayed in the face of such loss. He yearned to offer solace, to draw you into his arms and shield you from the world. But a deeper truth gnawed at him, a confession that felt both urgent and utterly inappropriate given the clan's period of mourning.

Was this the moment? Could he voice his heart's desires when yours was so shattered? He swallowed, words catching in his throat. Yet, your father's gaze was firm, trusting. He had to try.He found you by a newly scarred section of the Hometree, your fingers gently tracing the burnt bark, a single tear tracing a path down your cheek. Your shoulders were slumped, your ears flattened. He approached slowly, his footsteps soft. You didn't turn, but your ears twitched, acknowledging his presence.

"Y/N," he began, his voice low, a hesitant rumble. He knelt beside you, his tail making a nervous, almost imperceptible flick. "Your people... they are concerned for you. And I..." He paused, taking a deep breath, his golden eyes fixed on your profile. "I am concerned for you. My heart... it aches to witness your pain." His hand, calloused from conflict, extended, hovering for a moment before gently cupping your cheek, his thumb brushing away the stray tear.

"I did not believe... after all I have endured... that I would ever experience this again. This... bond. This yearning." His gaze dropped to your lips, then back to your eyes, raw with emotion. "My heart... it sings when I am with you, ngaytxoa yawne. Even in this sorrow. Oel ngati kameie. I perceive you. Every part of you. And I... I wish to be your home, if you will accept me." Your breath hitched. Your eyes, already brimming, overflowed with a fresh torrent of tears – tears not solely of anguish, but of immense relief, of a profound, aching joy that dared to blossom amidst the devastation.

Your lips trembled, pulling back slightly to reveal your canines, but this time, it was not in fury, but in the raw, vulnerable expression of deep emotion. Your ears flattened, then slowly, hesitantly, began to rise and flicked forward, a blend of disbelief and hope. You reached up, your hand gently cupping his cheek, your thumb tracing the line of his jaw. "So'lek te Elusa Kiro'itan," you whispered, your voice thick, trembling.

"My heart... it has awaited a melody like yours. Nga yawne lu oer." You leaned in, closing the small distance between you, and pressed your forehead gently against his, a sacred kiss, a silent pledge of a love that had found its way home. His tail wrapped gently around your leg, a silent embrace, as your tears continued to flow, mingling with his skin.

The raw, tear-streaked confession under the wounded Hometree had unveiled something profound between you and So'lek. The grief for your lost warriors, the anguish of your scarred home, had intertwined with your burgeoning affection, making it deeper, more resilient. In the subsequent days, the unspoken desire to truly connect, to merge spirits as well as hearts, became a palpable resonance between you.

One night, as the starts turned again— after the clan had settled into quiet repose, you found So'lek by the edge of the Hometree's inner roots, gazing out at the star-dusted forest. His tail made a gentle sweep, a silent invitation. You approached, your own tail making a soft, anticipatory flick. He turned, his golden eyes meeting yours, a query, a yearning, mirrored in their depths.

"Ma So'lek," you whispered, your voice barely audible. "My heart... it seeks to truly comprehend yours. To become one." A low rumble, a deep purr, vibrated in his chest. His ears flattened in earnestness. "And mine, Tsahìk. Oel ngati kameie. Ngaru tut." You led him deeper into the Hometree's sacred core, to a secluded alcove where the bioluminescent flora pulsed with an ancient, vibrant energy, and Eywa's roots hummed with quiet power.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and spiritual resonance. Here, under the watchful, knowing gaze of the ancestors, you would unite. you knelt, and he knelt before you, his gaze unwavering. With trembling hands, you reached for his queue, the sacred braid of nerve tissue facilitating the deepest connection.

He leaned into your touch, his ears flattened in reverence. As your fingers intertwined with his queue, guiding it to connect with your own, a shiver coursed through you both.The world dissolved. Colors exploded behind your eyes – the vibrant greens of the forest, the deep blues of the night sky, the fiery reds of a distant sunset.

You experienced his memories, a rush of images: the proud, fierce visages of the Trrrong, the vast, open plains they once traversed, the devastating roar of the AMP suits, the crushing sorrow of loss, the long, solitary odyssey of self-discovery, and then... the quiet, growing hope he found in your clan, in your presence. His pain became your pain, his strength, your strength.

And he, in turn, experienced the deep, ancient wisdom of your lineage, the joy of your clan's melodies, the profound anguish of your recent loss, and the unwavering affection you held for your people, for Eywa. He perceived you. Your essence. Your soul.As the spiritual merging intensified, the physical world began to reassert itself, but now, it was imbued with new, profound significance.

Your hands found his, fingers intertwining, a silent anchor in the swirling depths of shared consciousness. His hands wrapped around your shoulders, a gentle, possessive embrace. The air around you thrummed with the intensity of your bond, a sacred energy flowing between you.

He leaned in, his forehead pressing against yours, then lower, his lips finding yours in a slow, tender kiss that deepened with the weight of all you had just shared. It was a kiss of newly found comprehension, of acceptance, of an affection that had found its way home through shared sorrow and burgeoning optimism.

Your fingers tangled in his hair, drawing him closer, your bodies moving together with an instinct as ancient as Pandora itself. Every touch was a confirmation, every breath a shared whisper. His low rumbles, deep in his chest, became a continuous purr of contentment, his ears flattened in pure bliss. You arched into him, allowing him to pepper kisses along your shoulder— your tail making a soft lash against his, a dance of instincts and newly forged love.

When the world slowly returned, it was transformed. You lay together, limbs intertwined, queues still connected, the bioluminescence of the alcove casting a soft, warm glow over your joined forms. A deep tranquility settled over you both, a quiet understanding that transcended verbal expression.

Your spirits, once distinct, were now inextricably woven, a bond instilled in the deepest part of your beings. His arm tightened around you, drawing you impossibly closer, and his lips found your forehead, a soft, reverent kiss."Ma tìyawnìl," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, his ears flattened in utter contentment. "My beloved. Oel ngati kameie. Nga yawne lu oer."

You nestled deeper into his embrace, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart against your own. The scars of the past persisted, but now, they were softened by the warmth of a love that promised a future of shared burdens and endless connection. You had discovered your song, and it was a duet.

the following day, the Hometree, though still bearing its marks, thrummed with renewed vitality. The injured areas were healing, tended by your clan's tireless efforts, and the spirits of the fallen were honored, their memory woven into new songs. And at the core of it all, a new bond, a new melody, was celebrated.

Under the vast, star-dusted canopy of Eywa, the clan assembled.

The air vibrated with the rhythmic beat of drums, the soaring melodies of flutes, and the joyous, harmonizing voices of your people. You and So'lek stood before the clan, hands clasped, foreheads pressed together in a silent, profound connection. Your father, the Olo'eyktan, presided, his voice strong as he spoke of the joining of two spirits, two paths, two clans.

So'lek, once the lone survivor, now stood tall, his tail swaying gently, his eyes, so often guarded, now openly soft as they met yours. He was a constant, steady presence, his quiet strength a perfect complement to your empathetic spirit. He still honored the Trrrong, but now, those memories were softened by the vibrant life he was building.

When not engaged in missions with the resistance, he offered his knowledge of the deep forest, his warrior's instincts, and his understanding of the Sky People's tactics, all invaluable assets. He frequently assisted you in the healing den, his large hands surprisingly gentle as he helped prepare poultices, his ears swiveling, listening intently to your instructions. He learned your clan's songs, his deep voice adding a new layer to the ancient melodies, and he instructed young warriors in the subtle art of silent movement that he once learned from the tipani— his tail occasionally giving a soft, teaching flick.

After a long day your young healing apprentices came running, telling you so’lek had returned from his mission. You discovered him sitting quietly at the Hometree's base, his tail loosely wrapped around him, his eyes closed as he listened to the forest's whispers. You settled beside him, leaning your head against his shoulder. His arm came around you, drawing you gently closer, and a soft rumble, a contented purr, vibrated in his chest.

His ears flattened in pure comfort. The air was cool, filled with the scent of damp earth and blooming night-flowers. Above, the Hometree pulsed with life, its bioluminescence casting soft shadows around you.

"Are you at peace, ma So'lek?" you whispered, your fingers tracing the familiar patterns on his arm.He turned his head, pressing his forehead against yours, his eyes closing in contentment. His tail made a slow, deliberate sweep, a sign of profound tranquility.

He paused, gazing into the vast forest as he contemplated. He had found a mate who understood him, a clan that welcomed him— recounted the stories of his people he did not get to learn, a home he could depart from and not have to wonder whether a place would still await him upon his return.

"Srane, ma tìyawnìl.” His voice was a deep, resonant hum, filled with a profound sense of belonging. You’d shown him a method of healing even the deepest spiritual scars.

—————»»

Kxawm! - Away!

Tsahìk - Clan spiritual leader/healer

ma taronyu - my hunter/warrior (affectionate address)

Nga yawne lu oer - You are beloved to me (used in context as a respectful way of agreeing or showing pleasure/willingness)

Skxawng! - Idiot! / Fool!

ma 'itan! - my son!

Oel ngati kameie - I see you (a profound greeting/acknowledgment of one's true self)

ngaytxoa yawne - my beloved (a term of endearment, often used in a loving context)

Ngaru tut - For you, I give myself

Mawey - Peace / At peace

Srane - Yes