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shu-box-puns · 11 months

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You wanna be one of them (Tsu'tey x Reader) Part 8

Previous Chapter <- Act 8 -> Next Chapter

If you prefer to read on Ao3, you can find the fic here!

Word Count: 8930

Summary: Reunions and Norm just trying his best :)

Reader uses they/them pronouns.

<”Tsu’tey, you’re being ridiculous.”>

In contrast, Tsu’tey strongly believed that he was not in fact being ridiculous, and chose to say nothing. His mate was a comfortably weight in his arms, their relentless wiggling more endearing than bothersome. He welcomed it in fact, after the stressful night he’d spent tracking them across the rainforest.

His mate did not share the sentiment. They scowled up at his blank expression, apparently choosing their next words carefully. <”Let me down.”> They told him, rather seriously, pulling away from him in an attempt to make eye contact. Tsu’tey refused to meet their gaze, knowing he would lose immediately if he did.

<”Tsu’tey!”> His ear flicked at their tone, but he kept his composure. They groaned. Muttering something about him being stubborn before they scrambled for another argument. <”The palulukan fucked off hours ago! It’s safe now.”>

<”The forest is never safe.”> Tsu’tey neatly countered, and kept walking.

They huffed. <”My legs are getting stiff.”>

<”You will complain they hurt within the hour.”>

<”That is not the point!”>

Tsu’tey found himself smiling despite himself. He knew from their tone that they weren’t actually mad, a tell he’d been forced to learn or suffer through endless misunderstandings.

<”We move faster like this.”> He informed them truthfully, as he neatly leapt over a fallen log, which was just tall enough in diameter, that if his mate had been walking, than he would have to to wait several minutes for them to clamber onto it and then even longer for them to find a safe spot on the other side to slide off. The mental image caused him to snort.

The human in his arms, groaned and threw their head back, the annoying exo mask strapped over their attractive features glinting in the dappled sunlight. Tsu’tey glanced down at them, finding their languid sprawl over his arm ridiculously adorable.

Their head rolled towards him, and their eyes pinned him into place as they tried once more to persuade him. <”Surely your arms have to be cramping from holding me for so long.”>

Tsu’tey scoffed in mock offence. As if he would be so weak. He would happily carry them around for the rest of his life if they allowed him to; human or avatar. Not that he would tell them that.

<”I fear I will lose you in the undergrowth if I let you down.”> He countered mockingly, to which they promptly sat upright in his arms.

<”I’m not that small!”>

He didn’t respond, and turned his head away. His knowing smirk was answer enough.

They scowled at him, pushing at his cheek but failing miserably to actually push him away. Tsu’tey laughed, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. Finally, the tension in him had broken.

Forgetting himself, he paused in his purposeful strides to pull them further up his torso, so he could knock his forehead against theirs, only to be immediately disappointed by the dull tap of glass to his cool skin. He kept the pressure regardless, wishing their naturally warmer skin was pressing into his, sharing their warmth, instead of the glass stealing what little body heat he generated. The largely na’vi gesture was not lost on them judging by the warmth that flooded into their cheeks. To Tsu’tey’s amusement, they pouted but allowed the affection with a looseness to their body, which Tsu’tey thought would translate to a lazy tail wag or soft purring if they were driving their avatar. Although in truth, he wasn’t entirely sure. The Sky People emoted vastly differently to the na’vi afterall, what with their lack of movable ears.

<”Fine.”> They grumbled quietly, when Tsu’tey started to purr again. <”You win.”>

Tsu’tey grinned despite himself, and gave his mate an appreciative nuzzle for relenting. They scowled back, but Tsu’tey knew it was just because they wanted to be difficult.

The rest of the day continued like that, with the pair of them exchanging light banter and playful jabs as the day wore on.

The sun had reached its midday peak when Tsu’tey heard the first yips of ikran riders soaring over the canopy. He was immediately on alert, his snarky response momentarily forgotten as he scrambled to find the source of the yips. Calling back loudly, his voice carried effortlessly through the trees. His mate hissed against his chest as he stepped from the dappled sunlight of the shade into the strong light of midday, but Tsu’tey was more concerned with being noticed and hopefully hitching a ride back to the clan.

Mighty wingbeats circled overhead. And through the trees, Tsu’tey caught sight of not an ikran, but a toruk. Tsu’tey felt his muscles pull tight, preparing to throw himself deep into the undergrowth to avoid discovery, until he noticed that the mighty animal carried riders. This was no wild toruk. It carried three na’vi aboard its colossal back, two of which clung to the one in front who urged the beast of legend to elegantly bank and start to descend with graceful wingbeats. There was only one na’vi alive stupid enough to have tamed such a creature.

<”Is that a toruk?”> His mate breathed, staring wide eyed up at the enormous, orange reptile. <”I thought it moved on.”> That’s what Jake had said anyway, that he had sent the animal away now that it was no longer needed.

<”It’s Jake’s toruk.”>

<”Shit. What do you think brought it back?”>

<”I have no idea.”>

Another yip sounded from toruk’s back, to which Tsu’tey responded sceptically. The rider sitting behind the first visibly pointed, to which the animal promptly altered its course. With surprising efficiency, it managed to slot itself between the arching branches of some trees before attaching itself to a sturdy looking trunk that barely creaked under its weight.

Immediately, the rider in front was sliding down toruk’s back, and then down its wing which it extended to the floor for an easy dismount. The second rider followed suit, whilst the last clung desperately to Toruk’s spines, decked out in RDA issued shorts and matching jacket.

“Where the hell have you two been?” Jake yelled out, the moment his feet touched the ground, Neytiri at his back. Within seconds of regaining his balance, he was jogging to meet them, ears pricked and his tail thrashing with nerves.

“Are the People safe?” Tsu’tey demanded instead of answering the question. “Why did you summon Toruk?”

“They’re fine. Mo’at has everything under control. As for toruk, he came when I called.” Jake replied simply, as if that settled everything. “I explained the situation and he was more than happy to help, but that's not important right now. Where the hell DID YOU GO, TSU’TEY!”

His voice kicked up severely in volume as he approached the Olo’eyktan, a wild look in his eye as he took in the fresh bruises and wounds dotted across his skin. Those weirdly small demon eyes dipped to the human in Tsu’tey’s arms, his bared teeth slackening a fraction as they waved sheepishly up at him.

“And you!” Jake immediately started, jabbing a finger at them, “you are never going ANYWHERE on your own again! Do you understand me?”

Within seconds, he had closed the distance and practically wrestled the human out of Tsu’tey’s grasp. For once, Tsu’tey was so stunned by the protective fire in Jake’s eyes to put up much of a fight. Which left him standing stupidly to the side as Jake held his mate several feet off the ground by their armpits. “You scared me half to death!”

The human glared back at him. “I am fully grown-”

“YOU SCARED ME!” Jake repeated with a sharp shake, which caused them to yelp and grab at his arms. “I asked you to get water, not go on a fucking vacation! Where the hell have you been?”

“There were marines by the river.” His mate growled, “they overpowered me-”

“So why didn’t you scream for help?!”

“You wouldn’t have heard me with how comfortable you were all snuggled up in your bunk.”

Jake snarled at them, ears pinning back. His mate levelled him with a look Grace would have been proud of.

"Oh cut it out. I didn't bloody ask them to abduct me."

Jake chuckled darkly. "Oh I bet you goaded them into it. Probably knew there was no other way of finding their camp now that you knew they existed separately from Hell’s Gate." Jake fired back. “You crafty, brilliant bastard.”

"You give me more credit than I deserve." His mate deflected, but Jake’s attention had already slid off of them and returned to Tsu’tey. He lowered them to their feet before stepping around them to start yelling at Tsu’tey as well.

“And you!” Toruk Makto boomed, shoving Tsu’tey hard. He stumbled, too shocked to bite back. Over Jake’s shoulder, Tsu’tey watched Neytiri struggle to smother her amused look.

“You didn’t even give me a chance to link up. Just DISAPPEARED without a word! Mo’at was getting ready to make me Olo’eyktan! ME!” He jabbed a finger into Tsu’tey’s chest, his expression suggesting that the idea was simply preposterous. As if he hadn’t successfully led the People to war and then back again a few short weeks ago. “And when the fuck did you name me as your bloody successor? Surely you misspoke!”

“After my injury.” Tsu’tey grit out, ears flat. “I would trust no one else to protect the People.”

“Neytiri would have been a better leader than I ever could!” Jake snarled, his tail whipping too and fro so aggressively that the human standing beside him had to move away to avoid losing an eye.

“Neytiri is set to become Tsahik after her mother. I could not name her as my successor too.”

“Jake.” Neytiri cut in, giving her mate a hard look. “Breathe.”

“I am breathing.” Jake insisted before launching straight into another interrogating question. “And where the hell is your pa’li? No wonder you’ve been gone so bloody long!”

“It is impossible to track whilst riding, you know this.”

Jake let out an infuriated sound, turning away to grab at his hair. He tipped his head back as if looking to some higher power for strength. The dramatic action was lost on Tsu’tey, as his attention was drawn away by Norm finally sliding off of toruk’s back with a pained ‘oof’.

Tsu’tey’s mate was the first to speak up. “You called NORM!?”

To his credit, the avatar driver did not look offended as he dusted off his cargo shorts and jogged over to the group, various instruments and scientific devices swinging from his large backpack.

“You called Norm.” They repeated, in disbelief. “NORM? Really Jake? What the hell was Norm going to do? Recite every known property of carnivorous flora at the bloody enemy? Throw a test tube at the fucking marines and pray the glass got in someone’s eye?”

“I panicked!” Jake argued, looking rather comical, as he bent to yell down at his friend who had their hands planted firmly on their hips. “Norm knows how to keep a level head, and lord knows we needed some of that with Tsu’tey going rogue without telling anyone where he was going!”

“I thought what I did was right.” Tsu’tey defended to which Jake threw up a hand at him with his middle finger pointing to the heavens. Although Tsu’tey had not grown up with such a gesture, he knew from the pure annoyance plaguing Jake’s features that it was meant to offend him.

“He’s got one of Grace’s scanners.” His mate cut in, “the ones Grace used to measure the electromagnetic connections between the trees. That thing can’t even pick up thermal signatures from point blank range.” As Jake scrambled to find a decent response, they lifted their attention to Norm, who was twiddling his thumbs and looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here. “Did you just grab that out of panic, and realise too late that it would be useless?”

Norm thinned his lips, deciding to avert his gaze instead of answer, his tail diving between his legs as he was stared down by his much smaller colleague. “Norm.” They repeated, stern as Mo’at scolding one of her apprentices.

The avatar driver let out a long, defeated sigh. “It calmed Jake down when he thought I was being useful.”

Jake let out an offended scoff. “How dare you use my lack of technological knowledge to your advantage.” Behind his back, Neytiri was looking at Norm in a new light, looking mildly impressed.

“Well,” Norm exhaled, “I wasn’t willing to sit through 48 plus hours of your anxious nattering, without something to give you hope. I wouldn’t survive the headache.”

The pair promptly dissolved into bickering. With Jake accusing Norm of thinking he was stupid, to which Norm easily agreed, which in turn hurtled them off course and into an entirely new argument.

Peeved by her mate’s behaviour, Neytiri, who had been a quiet bystander until now, weaved around the pair and approached on unsure feet.

<“What happened?”> She asked simply, in that calm but authoritative tone of her’s. The one that nostalgically reminded Tsu’tey of Eytukan.

<”Sky People kidnapped them.”> He explained simply, suddenly aching to scoop them back up. He knew they were perfectly safe now with even more na’vi hunters watching out for them, even Norm would make a decent distraction if something suddenly found them, but he still felt raw. <”There was a camp beyond our territory.”>

<”Did you leave survivors?”>

<”Not one.”>

<”That is good.”> Neytiri said, which was as close to praise as she got. <”Norm-Spellman informed us of a few warrior groups that never returned to Hell’s Gate. He said they were assumed dead, but there have been whispers of human camps appearing in neighbouring clan territories.”>

<”Why was I not informed of this?”>

<”They have been successful in rounding them up alone. They did not want to spread unease among our people.”>

Whilst Tsu’tey did not like the idea of being excluded from something so crucial, from a leadership perspective, he could somewhat understand the motive of the scientists. If only a little.

An ikran shrill distracted him from responding.

Perched upon its tree. Toruk lifted its head and answered, the timbre of its low call sending vibrations through the forest. The ikran chirped in reply, before a large blue blob shot through the canopy, headed straight for the clearing.

Tsu’tey recognised his spirit brother as one would recognise their own reflection.

The ikran wasted no time in finding him amongst the group and unsettling the dirt as he dropped down at Tsu’tey’s back. The hunter grinned, reaching up to greet the beast who ducked his head eagerly in greeting. He had little care for the others in the circle, and beat his wings in joy at having finally found Tsu’tey.

Neytiri watched the interaction with a bitter note in her eye, before turning to the rest of the group and raising her voice above Jake and Norm’s bickering. “We should head back.”

“Yes. Lets.” Jake immediately agreed, giving Norm a firm shove and Tsu’tey’s mate a sharp glare. They flipped him off in return. The marine pretended not to notice, and shoulder checked Tsu’tey on his way back to toruk, to which Tsu’tey reciprocated hard enough to almost shove the man off his feet. Neytiri tutted at her mate’s behaviour, but made no comment as she followed.

“Norm.” Tsu’tey’s mate acknowledged.

“Doctor.” The avatar returned politely. “Glad to see you in one piece.”

The pair shared an odd kind of staring contest which Tsu’tey couldn’t decipher, before Norm inclined his head and retreated towards toruk.

Tsu’tey’s ikran headbutted his arm. Turning, the hunter smiled as his mount offered his neural whip. Pulling his kuru over his shoulder, Tsu’tey linked up and was immediately met with a wall of concern and pride. He ran a soothing hand down his ikran’s snout, smiling faintly.

<”Ready to go?”> He asked his mate, who was watching the interaction from a safe distance. They smiled tightly, their eyes tracking the excited wiggling of Tsu’tey’s ikran as they approached.

<”Yes. Let’s go home.”>

>_<

You were expecting to be dropped off with Norm at the compound.

You assumed that you’d spend your evening alone. Taking off your sweaty exomask and tumbling straight into your bunk without even bothering to pull back the covers. Mentally, you had prepared yourself for dirty sheets in the morning, and an earful from Jake when he eventually unlinked, for going to bed without eating or pulling out a first aid kit for your wounds.

Instead, Tsu’tey didn’t even slow his ikran’s wingbeats as the compound slid past between the trees and disappeared from view.

<”Um, the compound is that way.”> You pointed out helpfully, leaning to the side in the saddle so you could see where toruk was circling low to allow Norm to dismount.

<”I know.”> Tsu’tey replied simply, his arm around your stomach tightening to keep you firmly against him. His eyes did not stray from the distant arching rocks of the Well of Souls. <”Jake will catch up with us shortly.”>

<"Shouldn't you be dropping me off there too?">

<”No.”> He replied simply, with enough surety that you paused to question yourself.

<”You can’t seriously be thinking that taking me to the clan is a good idea.”>

<”It’s the perfect plan.”> Tsu’tey argued.

<”Maybe.”> You half agreed, <”if I were in my avatar or the clan was even slightly less traumatised by the Sky People.”>

<”It will be fine.”>

<”It really won’t.”> You pressed. <”Even you tried to kill me the first time you saw me like this, and we were friends. What are you expecting the hunters to do? Open their arms and embrace me with grins and wagging tails.”>

<”You’re being dramatic.”>

<”I’m being practical!”>

<”Just-”> Tsu’tey cut himself off, and inhaled deeply. He gave you a quick squeeze, as if to reassure himself you were still there. <”Just, trust me? Please? I won’t let anything happen to you.”>

<”That’s what I’m concerned about.”> You grumbled under your breath, but allowed the conversation to drop. And then louder added, <”fine. If you insisted. But I expect a decent head start if they start notching arrows on sight.”>

Tsu’tey did not laugh. <”It won’t come to that.”> Tsu’tey assured you. You were too tired to tell him that it very well might.

>_<

The din of clan life could be heard before the Well of Souls even came into view.

The sight was almost similar to the view you would get on the back of your ikran when returning to HomeTree after a day of hunting. Far below, the clan moved with the organised chaos of a bee hive around The Tree of Souls. The camp was alive with activity, with hunters stationed on the cliffs as guards, whereas the rest of the clan busied themselves by carrying baskets whilst others cooked or tended to weapons. Children weaved between the adults, shrieking and playing as they always had.

It was reassuring to see that everyone was okay.

It didn’t take long for Tsu’tey’s ikran to be recognised, and even shorter of a time for toruk to be spotted following its descent for the cliffs. Yips of greeting echoed from the bowl of the Well of Souls as many of the clan members paused in their tasks to point and wave.

Tsu’tey’s grasp on you tightened securely as he manoeuvred his mount onto landing on his usual perch, a neat shelf of rock that overlooked the well below. The ikran chirped as it touched down, lowering its front for Tsu’tey to dismount, and then down further to make it easier for your small legs to slide off. You smiled, patting his neck as you followed Tsu’tey’s lead.

A little ways over, toruk had also landed, with Neytiri having already leapt off and begun her rapid descent down the cliff face, whilst Jake took the time to thank toruk and offer the enormous beast a few pats down its muzzle.

<”Are you ready?”> Tsu’tey prompted, pulling your attention away from your friends and up to him. He stood proudly upon the lip of the cliff, half turned back to you with the sun back lighting him. The vision of authority and certainty.

You cast an uncertain glance over the cliff edge, down to the faces that had become familiar to you. Anxiety squirmed uncomfortably in your stomach, but deep down you knew you were safe here. Even if the clan were to react badly, you trusted Tsu’tey to get you out in one piece.

<”Let's get this over with.”> You agreed, <”I’m exhausted.”>

Tsu’tey smiled tightly, but took no time in gathering you up in one arm and beginning his swift descent down into the bowl of Souls. You clung diligently to him, watching the clan naturally migrate towards where their Olo’eyktan would predictably land.

Neytiri had already hit the ground and wove through the crowd to meet you. Na’vi you didn’t know the names of greeted her politely, offering soft questions that Neytiri either waved off or gave swift responses. Her expression was pinched but attempting at being encouraging as Tsu’tey landed neatly on his feet before crouching to set you down beside him.

<”It is going to be alright.”> Tsu’tey promised with something fierce glinting in his eye.

At his back, the clan had gone uncomfortably quiet. A thrum of unease had gone through the members the moment human feet had touched the glowing moss encompassing Eywa’s throne for the first time. Against your will, your nervous swallow was loud to your own ears. Over Tsu’tey’s shoulder, you could see the confused glances the People were shooting one another. A couple hands had lowered to knife hilts, whilst some of the younger, more skittish hunters had taken uncertain steps back.

You knew how you must look to them. Small and dirty and bruised. Weak compared to the collective threat of humanity in which they had lost so much to. You felt vulnerable like this. No longer on equal footing with the People who had become your friends. Hell, you didn’t have a thread of Omaticayan jewellery on you, let alone your bow. To those who would not see your avatar in your face, you were just another demon.

You shouldn’t be here. Not like this. Not in such a sacred place.

The clan remained motionless. Waiting for Tsu’tey to make his intentions clear.

<”Wait here.”> He told you, and then straightened.

He had barely taken a step forward, his mouth opening to offer reassurance or a greeting worthy of an Olo’eyktan, before the clan surged forward to greet him. Women who had watched him grow up immediately started worrying over his injuries, whilst one or two tutted at the state of his braids. Na’vi men offered clipped greetings and firm pats on the back, glancing uncertainty at you over Tsu’tey’s shoulder but choosing not to comment. Tsu’tey took the attention in his stride, reassuring anyone who asked that he was okay and that Jake had been ultimately useless at finding him.

Between the legs of a couple of parents, you noticed the curious faces of three children peering at you. If you were to stand shoulder to shoulder with the oldest, she could’ve easily towered over you, and yet she hid. Tucking her younger brothers close to her side, whilst she stole quick glances at you, as if you would lash out if she accidentally met your eyes.

The youngest was clearly intrigued by you, whining to his sister about her insistent grip on his bicep to keep him from emerging from the crowd to look you over. He grumbled audibly, his little tail smacking into her thigh, but she refused to relent. Her lips drawn into a thin line as she firmly shook her head.

<”Where is Mo’at?”> You heard Tsu’tey ask over the clamour of many voices. To which you saw someone near the rear of the crowd break off at a hard run for the sleeping area.

Someone stepped purposefully between you and the cowering children. And you knew it was purposeful from the way the long, blue limb had stepped down and then remained, the foot facing towards you instead of Tsu’tey who was standing a little way in front of you to your left.

Your skin crawled, your dominant hand absently groping for a knife that wasn’t there as you steadily lifted your gaze to a glaring na’vi woman. Saeyla, you recognised her as, as she had been one of Tsu’tey’s students who had completed her iknimaya alongside Jake. Although you’d never spoken to her directly, you knew her for her blatant honesty and strong beliefs.

Every inhale you took through your exomask felt obnoxiously loud, even more so than before with her unblinking gaze on you. You hadn’t felt this awkward and out of place, since stepping into Grace’s laboratory for the first time. Where everyone was busy or carrying out a job, barely sparring you a confused glance, and had left you to stand stupidly in the doorway with your rucksack over one shoulder.

<”Saelya.”> You greeted politely, as you had always greeted her. With a swift dip of your chin and the ‘I see you’ hand gesture. She did not return it.

Instead, her gaze snapped up to someone directly behind you. And when she spoke, her tone was sharp and icy. <”Is this your influence, Toruk Makto?”> She asked plainly, <”convincing our Olo’eyktan to bring a stray into our sanctuary?”>

<”Stray?”> You repeated cuttingly.

It took Jake a moment to figure out what she was telling him, but he managed to translate it well enough on his own. <”I didn’t do any influencing.”> Jake replied honestly, his lips quirking up into a small grin.

Saelya’s tail thrashed. Her head abruptly snapped downwards, her eyes finding yours’ and holding with crippling intensity. “What are you doing here?” She snapped, unexpectedly switching to English. Your eyes widened in shock. You hadn’t even been aware she knew English. ”You people are not to be here.”

<”I was invited.”> You replied sharply, revelling in her surprise at your choice of language. Clearly, she had not been expecting you to be fluent.

<”You are one of the scientists then.”> She deducted, flashing her teeth as she took an intimdating step closer.

“Careful.” Jake warned lighty, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone.

Despite her height advantage, you were not unnerved by her. She would not act without a go ahead from the others. Nonetheless, it was reassuring to feel Jake step up behind you anyway, his shadow causing the light to shift. You didn’t have to look up to know that his amusement had melted into something more sinister.

The huntress stilled her approach. <”Why?”>

Jake jerked his head to your left.

Saeyla followed his gaze only to start when she found Tsu’tey already glaring back at her. With ease, the Olo’eyktan extracted himself from the crowd and approached with an unimpressed tilt to his chin. His strides could only be described as predatory.

<”Is there a problem?”> Tsu’tey asked, his tone giving nothing away. <Saeyla?”>

Accidentally, the huntress now had the attention of the entire clan, and she knew it. She shifted uncertainly on her feet, as she studied Tsu’tey’s expression carefully. When she next spoke, her voice was even and sure. <”There is a demon in our sanctuary.”> She told him bluntly as if he didn’t have eyes.

A murmur went through the clan at Tsu’tey’s back, whereas the Olo’eyktan simply frowned. Pointedly, your mate looked at you, then looked you up and down with a fire in his eyes that made your stomach twist warmly. With what could only be described as arrogance, he returned his attention to the huntress. <”I see no demon.”>

Saeyla opened her mouth with a snap, only to catch herself and visibly calm her posture. Her tone was reproachful when she found the right words. <”I have never known you to joke, Olo’eyktan. And certainly not about something like this.”>

<”I’m not joking.”> Tsu’tey assured her, in that infuriatingly all-knowing tone of his. Behind you, you heard Jake attempt to smother an amused snort.

Saeyla licked her lips. With a deciding shift of her stance, she pointed down at you. <”Demons are dangerous, Olo’eyktan.”>

<”They are.”> Tsu’tey agreed.

<”Then why did you bring a Demon here?”> Saeyla demanded, <”they are not be trusted. They are dangerous and destructive, and you should not have brought one this close to Eywa’s throne after they’ve taken EVERYTHING from us!”>

<”I understand you are uneasy, Saeyla, but know that I did not make this decision lightly. They have proven themselves more than trustworthy.”>

<”Trust will not protect us.”> Saeyla pushed, <”Demons turn on each other all the time.”> The huntress added, shooting a pointed look at Jake. <”What makes this one any different? What’s stopping it from turning on us?”>

Tsu’tey smiled, all fang and quiet anger. His eyes had flickered back to you, but were hovering just above your head, watching something. <”Look closer.”> He motioned, to which Saeyla snapped her head in the direction he pointed.

She paled.

You cocked your head, glancing over your shoulder to find that Jake had backed up a couple steps and was now beaming with what could only be described as pride. He pointedly looked up, his eyebrows quirking playfully.

You followed his gaze, only to find a single atokirina hovering above your head. The sacred seed was much larger with you this size, but it felt no more threatening than it had the day of the battle. Slowly, as if to avoid startling you, the sprite floated lower and lower until it perched upon the black plastic rim of your exo mask. You watch it wave its little tendrils. How it remained perched even when a light breeze swept across the moss, surely strong enough to dislodge it.

With your movements slow, you looked back to the huntress, to the clan who now looked upon you with a sense of awe and almost respect. You looked past them to Tsu’tey, who grinned openly, his tail swaying happily.

He turned back to the clan as Saeyla struggled to find words strong enough to debunk such a blatant sign. <”The Great Mother has spoken!”> Tsu’tey said loudly, as a ripple went through the crowd. Saeyla

<”TSU’TEY!”> Mo’at suddenly bellowed back, to which the Olo’eyktan went very still. Even from your point of view, you saw the People effortlessly parted for their Tsahik as she approached at a brisk pace.

Tsu’tey had gone stiff. His spine unnaturally straight as he watched Mo’at approach with fire in her eyes.

She broke free of the crowd and strode across the moss. Everything about her screamed pissed off. And yet her voice was light and almost relieved as she continued to speak. <”You have returned.”> She threw her hands up into the heaven’s dramatically. <”Oh how the Great Mother weeps in relief.”>

Her eyes flickered up to the cliffs, to toruk, before dropping back to the small gathering. You watched her eyes brighten at the atokirina perched on your mask, before she spun back to the people, her voice rising. <”Our Olo’eyktan has returned to us unharmed and successful. May we sleep soundly on this night.”>

A relieved hum went through the clan. Mo’at lowered her hands. <”Continue with your tasks my People.”> She instructed, and just like that, the tension in the Well of Souls broke and ebbed away.

She smiled tightly, waiting until the clan’s attention was fully off her, before whipping round. Saeyla jumped at her sudden movement, and ducked her head as she hurried away. Mo’at glared at her retreating back before, snapping her eyes back to Tsu’tey. The fury from before leapt up into her face within seconds.

<”Where have you been!”> She snarled, whacking Tsu’tey upside the head as one would swat at a persistent fly. <”No message! No ikran! Not even a hunting party to support you! What were you thinking?!”>

Tsu’tey growled his irritation, darting away. Mo’at simply followed him, her rant only just picking up speed. <”You were not! Clearly!”> She declared dramatically. <”Stupid man!”>

<”Um, Mo’at-”> You spoke up only for her to cut you off.

<”Quiet you!”> She growled, spinning her hurricane of wrath in your direction. The atokirina perched on your mask promptly took flight and floated back towards the Tree as the Tsahik approached. Mo’at pointed an accusatory finger in your direction. <”You are just as stupid, if not more so! Wandering off in the darkness, no escort, no backup, no plan!”>

<”Hey, that’s not-”>

<”And look at the state of you!”> She shrilled.

You looked down at your dirty, torn attire. Despite Tsu’tey’s best efforts by the river, your clothes had definitely seen better days.

The Tsahik’s attention slid off of you and returned to Tsu’tey, her tone gravely serious. <”I feared you would not return to us. That you would leave me to heal an already broken clan. To appoint a third Olo’eyktan in so little time. There is so much you still have to do. So much you can prove. You have been training for this position since you were a boy!”>

Mo’at was still talking, but visibly losing steam. <”Do not recklessly throw it all away because you fear we will not support your decisions. This clan has, and always will be your family, Olo’eyktan. If you ask them, the People would have gladly helped you.”>

Looking suitably chastised, Tsu’tey apologised. <”I am sorry Tsahik. I was not thinking.”>

<”I know what it is to want to protect everyone.”> Mo’at breathed, <”but you must learn to think more logically.”>

<”Of course.”>

She hummed thoughtfully as she visibly softened. <”Come. Warm yourselves by the fire, I assume you have no eaten yet.”>

>_<

<”We need to move the clan.”> Tsu’tey said calmly, his tone all business as he sat perched on a fallen log and stared into the flames. Mo’at leant over his back, applying salve to a nasty scratch. <”It is no longer safe here with the Demons lurking within the forests.”>

The Tsahik hummed thoughtfully, dabbing more ointment over the wound before replying. <”It would have been better to move once they have been sent away, but you are right, it is dangerous to remain. We will begin preparations. Come sunrise, we will leave.”>

Tsu’tey nodded his understanding, his teeth grinding as Mo’at began applying leaf bandages.

Neytiri lightly nudged your arm, you jumped, tearing your gaze from Tsu’tey’s grimace, to find the huntress knelt beside you, offering a leaf of nuts and fruit. Since dinner wouldn’t begin being prepared for several more hours, you were touched by her kindness in wandering off to forage for something edible for you.

<”Thank you.”> You breathed, eagerly reaching for the leaf. She smiles tightly, letting you take it from her before gingerly sitting down on the log beside you.

Mo’at was finishing up tending to Tsu’tey, when Jake returned to the fire with your atokirina knife in hand after realising that your gun had been lost.

He held it out, to which you smiled gratefully and reached up to take it from him. In seemingly slow motion, you realised that the arm you’d reached with had the swirl mark from Tsu’tey’s kuru tattooed into the delicate skin. Your eyes widened in realisation in comical synchronisation with Jake’s eyebrows shooting up to his hairline. Without warning, his large hand shot out and caught you by the forearm.

“The hell is this?” He asked, his tone reminiscent of a parent finding bruises on their kid. With surprising gentleness, he turned your arm over, his eyes raking over the beautiful swirls of darkened pigment.

“Dunno. Some chemical reaction from Tsu’tey’s kuru, I presume. It’s not painful or anything.” You explained simply, watching in amusement as Jake’s eyebrows somehow hitched higher.

“His kuru?” Jake repeated, “what were you doing near his-” he cut himself off with a scandalous gasp. “Tsu’tey, show me your tentacles!”

”My WHAT?” The Olo’eyktan spluttered, but it was too late.

Jake had tossed you your knife and swept around the fire towards Tsu’tey who promptly launched himself to his feet to dart away. “Back off!” The Olo’eyktan warned sharply, his hand flying to his own knife, to which Jake ignored him and kept advancing at an alarming speed.

“Just bloody show me!” The marine ordered, “it’s important.”

Tsu’tey did not look impressed, but judging by the way Jake was clearly not about to give up, he found it safer to just do as he was asked. With a withered glare, he pulled his braid over his shoulder and lifted the end so that his tendrils emerged from the end. To your fascination, the usually pastel lilac skin of them, had deepened into a plum purple.

Mo’at’s breath audibly stuttered as Neytiri let out a strangled sound. You simply stared, transfixed by the gorgeous new shade of purple. So little was known about the na’vi, it hadn’t even occurred to the science department to investigate how bonding could alter an individual’s pigment, let alone how that might impact their instincts. It was fascinating how your own body had changed because of the bond.

“You did not!” Jake laughed, stepping closer, only for Tsu’tey to drop his braid and snap his teeth at him. Luckily, the marine did not seem interested in a fight. He backed away, still grinning. “God, Norm owes me so much money!”

“You did not bet on us!” You interjected, feeling suddenly betrayed.

Jake just grinned. “Of course we did. We knew it was going to happen.”

“Since when?”

“Since he didn’t kill you on sight.”

“Fuck you. You weren’t even on planet for that shitty introduction.”

“Nope. But the cranky bugger clearly has a soft spot for you. And I noticed that on my first bloody day!”

“I did not!” Tsu’tey immediately interjected, even though the looks the others shot each other clearly indicated that no one believed his flustered outburst.

Up until this point, Neytiri had largely just been watching how things played out, But now, she was chuckling to herself, a grin of delight causing her ears to flatten uncontrollably as she looked at the mark on your wrist. <”You’re just like Kiolu!”> She suddenly burst out, pointing at Tsu’tey who’s face morphed into an expression of pure offence.

<”I AM NOT!”>

<”YOU ARE!”> Neytiri accused, cackling loudly enough to upset the birds in the trees. Tsu’tey snarled at her, darting around the fire at an unsettling speed, to which Neytiri frantically clambered to her feet. She sidestepped his clumsy swipe at her torso, still grinning with childish glee. <”YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE PUT A DON’T TOUCH SIGN ON THEIR FOREHEAD!”>

<”I DID NOT DO IT ON PURPOSE!”> Tsu’tey denied, his cheeks practically purple with mortification.

<”BUT YOU LIKE IT DON’T YOU?”>

<”SHUT UP, YOU NOSY WOMAN!”>

<”YOU’RE EXACTLY LIKE KIOLU!”>

<”AM NOT!”>

The pair promptly dissolved into an intense slap fight, in which Neytiri could barely coordinate her limbs with how hard she was laughing, whereas Tsu’tey just looked mortified.

<”Children. The both of them.”> Mo’at tutted tiredly as she rounded the fire and perched on the log Tsu’tey had just vacated. Amusement shone in her eyes as she watched the pair’s pointless bickering.

”What did Kiolu do?” Jake whispered, eyes still on the pair fighting it out across the fire.

Mo’at sighed, low and heavy as if the story greatly pained her. ”Throughout my time as Tsahik, I have had to treat all sorts of injuries, particularly the injuries of recently mated couples. The People tend to get a little,” she sucked on her teeth, searching for the correct English word. “Possessive.”

“What did he do?” Jake pressed, leaning in close like the gossip he was.

“Kiolu has always been a biter.” Mo’at said simply, “has been biting everything he could reach since before he broke Tsaheylu with his mother. Naturally, I was prepared for when he took Ayome as his mate. A beautiful couple, might I add, terribly polite and competent. Of course, Ayome had always been the brains of the pair, but no amount of intelligence could stop Kiolu from taking a clean chunk out of Ayome’s rump after they first bonded.”

Jake’s jaw fell open. Mo’at nodded knowingly at his shock.

“When questioned, he argued that Tsaheylu wasn’t enough of a claim. That he needed others to know that Ayome was taken. Possessive bastard.” She added merrily. “Gets that from his father he does.”

“Was Ayome alright?” Jake pressed.

“Of course, he gave Kiolu a matching bite right back and I ended up with two bloodied hunters cluttering up space in my healing wing for stupid wounds. I never did quite manage to get those scars to fade.” She added almost wistfully.

“Kiolu still brags about it when he has enough to drink.” Neytiri chimed in, grinning wide enough to rival the light of the fire, whilst Tsu’tey was sulking at her back. His pride had clearly taken a beating.

The conversation veered off course from there.

>_<

Tsu’tey stuck close to you as the day wore on and the People prepared to relocate, although he tried to pretend he wasn’t. You would be helping out with a task or carrying an abnormally large basket, only to find him either staring intently at you, or swooping in to steal the object right out of your hands.

And the entire time, he pouted whilst he did it, as if you had threatened or blackmailed him into taking over every single one of your chores. In truth, you found the exaggerated jut of his lower lip incredibly endearing. But inconveniences like his shadow falling over you whilst you tried to mend were not so welcome.

Pointedly, you glared up at the ridiculous man who studied your needlework with a critical stare. <”You’re in my light.”> You offered pleasantly, to which his gaze dragged up your body to your face. At his back, his tail gave an inquisitive wiggle.

You could feel the curious eyes of the women you were helping, looking between you and the Olo’eyktan. They had welcomed you quickly enough into their ranks after seeing you helping out with other tasks, but you were half worried they might turn you away now that Tsu’tey was being a distraction.

To your surprise, your mate looked pointedly at your face, his eyes dragging over your exo mask, before he turned on his heel and strode away with purpose.

<”What was that about?”> One of the women whispered to her neighbour, whilst another simply shrugged.

Your face flamed as you returned your attention to your work and ducked your head.

All too soon, Tsu’tey’s feet reappeared in your peripheral just as your mask beeped that it was in need of a fresh battery. You frowned, noticing the oxygen light had begun to flash.

Wordlessly, Tsu’tey knelt down in front of you, his hand outstretched with a fresh battery held carefully between his long fingers. <”Jake brought them earlier.”> He explained at your bewildered expression, before pushing the battery more urgently at you as the annoying beeping of your mask began to rise in octaves.

<”Thank you.”>

<”You’d be lost without me.”> He sighed dismissively, as you fiddled with your mask.

By the time you had switched out your batteries, your mate had sat himself down at your back, and gently pulled you back against him so you now had a rather comfortable backrest to lean into whilst you worked. It was hard to suppress your pleased smile, as Tsu’tey loosely wrapped his arms around your stomach and dropped his head so that his chin rested on the crown of your head. It should have been an uncomfortable position for him, all curled up and stiff, but his tail thumped rhythmically against the moss as a soft purr vibrated down your back.

The women you were sat with exchanged knowing looks but wisely did not comment on how attached to you Tsu’tey suddenly was. Usually, he would take steps to touch you subtly, instead of draping himself over you like this. Nostalgically, it was like you were back under HomeTree, finding excuses to stay as close to each other as possible. Oh, to think how far you had come from those simpler times.

Too soon, eclipse rolled in and the clan began to bed down for the night.

It went without question that you would not be returning to the compound tonight. Instead, Tsu’tey wordlessly ushered you towards his sleeping mat.

Whilst he busied himself with unstrapping his jewellery and weapons, you glanced towards your vacant avatar. From this angle, the still body looked as if it were merely star gazing and had accidentally nodded off. Its face was relaxed and open, its freckles glowing in time with its sleepy heartbeat.

Large hands reclaimed your attention, and you turned to find Tsu’tey already laid out across his mat. He was trying and failing miserably to hide his eagerness as he lightly tapped the expanse of mat he’d left for you to lay down on.

Rolling your eyes, you complied. Setting your knife down alongside Tsu’tey’s within easy reach, you curled up on your side with your back to the man, who immediately curled his arm securely around you, as if he had done it countless times before. It was easy for him to pull you in close and tight so you wouldn’t be able to move in your sleep and disrupt the position of your mask.

You nodded off almost immediately to the soft rumble of Tsu’tey’s purr.

>_<

The fires were dim and the clan was still aside from the few hunters who kept watch on the cliffs.

You weren’t entirely sure what had woken you. Tsu’tey was still curled up against your back, his breath even and his grip secure. Whereas the night was still with only the trees to rival the steady light of the moon.

Movement by the embers of the closest fire, caught your attention. And sure enough, there was Jake’s avatar staring blankly into the dying flames, with Neytiri lying a small distance away on their normal mat. Something was off though. He seemed curled in on himself, his head bowed and his tail curled tight around him like one would hug themselves with their arms for reassurance.

Instinctively, you tried to get up to check on him, only to be abruptly reminded of how much stronger na’vi are than humans. With all the strength you possessed in your arms, you tried to sit up, but Tsu’tey wasn’t budging. If anything, he snuffled softly before pulling you an extra inch towards him, his tail flicking up to curl around your ankle. Ultimately, there was no hope of escape.

With an amused huff, you instead craned your neck as far as you could towards the lone figure.

“Jake!” You whisper shouted, feeling satisfied when the marine’s ears flared in acknowledgement. Guiltily, Jake lifted his head to meet your gaze, something distant flickering across his expression. “You alright? Why are you back?”

For several long, tense heartbeats he didn’t respond, and that in itself made you anxious.

Without success, you tried to wiggle out from under Tsu’tey’s arm, only to exhaust yourself before you could get a good angle. Collapsing back down on the mat with a quiet groan, you decided that this was a good enough - and comfortable enough - place for a conversation.

“I didn’t go.” Jake eventually admitted, guiltily avoiding your gaze.

Your brows furrowed. “You need to rest. We have a long day tomorrow.”

“I know. I’ll be able to handle it.” Jake insisted, his tone just falling short of being reassuring. In fact, his quiet statement had the opposite effect on you, because now you knew there was something wrong. And judging by his silence, and resigned tone, it was something that had been eating at him for a long while.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He said too fast. Too dismissively. A world away from the Jake who’d been chewing you out for getting kidnapped only hours before. This Jake just looked and sounded exhausted.

“Jake?” You repeated more firmly, feeling Tsu’tey’s ear flick at your tone. You ran a soothing hand over his arm, listening to his breathing evening out again.

The marine curled in tighter on himself. “I said, nothing!” He snapped defensively.

You sighed and opted for a different approach, the kind of question only Grace would have the balls to ask. “How long have you been linked in, marine?” The following silence told you all you needed to know. “Since this morning?” You prodded, to which Jake ducked his head and glared hard at the embers. “Since last night?” A guilty downturn of his ears. “Oh my god you’re bloody ridiculous.” Your accusations were met with only silence. “Please tell me it hasn’t been more than thirty-six hours?”

“Thirty-two hours actually.”

“That is not better.”

“I know.”

You sighed. “What’s going through your head Jake?”

Jake lowered his gaze to his lap with a heavy sigh. He seemed to come to a conclusion in his mind before he looked back to you, his golden eyes burning even in the darkness. “Do you-” he faltered, cutting himself off with an irritated growl. You kept all comments to yourself whilst he found his words.

He tore his eyes from the stripes along his thigh and turned to look at you, his eyes shining with uncertainty. “Do you ever get the feeling like everything is backwards?”

The question hung between you, heavy with tension and unspoken connotations. You swallowed, having feared this was where the conversation was going. You weren’t unfamiliar with this situation, everyone who went through the Avatar Programme, at some point, got so invested in their avatar’s life and abilities that they found it hard to stop. This was different, you knew. This was more than a forest trek gone right and a desire for more time in the link.

Jake swallowed loudly. “Like this,” he motioned to his avatar body, his hands visibly shaking, “is the real world, and back there,” he motioned vaguely in the direction of the compound, “is the dream?” Another swallow and a sheepish glance away. “I feel wrong in my human body, but this body, it feels right. Do you get that?”

“What are you trying to tell me?”

“I think I want-” he steeled himself, shoulders squaring as if he were about to address his commanding officer who he would need the approval of. “No, I know I want to go through with the consciousness transfer.”

You felt your stomach drop. Abruptly, your mind was back in your avatar, on a horrible day after a series of dreadful events. Anger festered in your heart as grief pricked your eyes. You were looking down at the body of Grace, the glow of Eywa’s influence fading from the vine wrapped around her fragile form.

You blinked, and it was Jake’s avatar staring back at you blankly, tension lining every limb.

“Ah.” You forced out, struggling to keep your voice steady. “And how long have you been contemplating this?”

“Since the battle.” Jake admitted, “Quaritch forced me out of my avatar and I was defenceless. I was going to die. And if Neytiri hadn’t interfered I would have. That body, it’s like an exposed limb that I forgot to put armour on before getting into a fight. And I can’t live with the constant fear of being slammed back into it without a moment’s warning.”

His golden eyes were shiny and raw with unspoken emotion now. And at that moment, you didn’t see Jake the marine, or Toruk Makto. In fact, Jake arguably looked more human than he ever had in his other body. Even with his flattened ears and sparkling freckles, he looked like the Jake who had recently lost his brother, but had found home where he had never expected it to be. There was a vulnerableness to him, a fragility that you knew would shatter into a thousand pieces if you chose your words wrong.

“I understand.” You said, and he sucked in a sharp breath. “I truly understand Jake.” You promised him. “But for now, both of your bodies need to sleep.”

“You’re right.” He admitted with a soft chuckle.

“I often am.”

He simply chuckled, sounding and looking far too drained to rib you back in return. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With that, he rose slowly to his feet and shuffled back to the mat he and Neytiri shared. You craned your neck to watch him go until he slipped beyond your view.

<”Sleep Yawne.”> Tsu’tey mumbled sleepily by your ear, his arms applying a comforting amount of pressure around you. Against your will, your eyelids fluttered as you cuddled closer against him, allowing the glass of your mask to press into his chest.

Come morning, the ikran would be tacked up and loaded with supplies, and the clan would file its way outside of the shelter of the Well of Souls. As the People sang and encouraged one another, an RDA chopper would whizz across the sky, carrying the compound towards a safe new location.

But for now, you simply basked in Tsu’tey’s comforting presence and wondered how you got so lucky.

Previous Chapter <- Act 8 -> Next Chapter

#tsu'tey #avatar #tsu'tey x reader #protective Tsu'tey #human reader #Jake being a worried mess #Norm is done with his shit #Neytiri is the only sane one of the bunch #Mo'at is tired of the lot of them #tension #I just know Mo'at holds all the village gossip in the palm of her hand

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fl3shm4id3n · 9 months

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𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞. 𝐒𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞.

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: ᴘᴀꜱᴛ ᴡɪᴅᴏᴡᴇᴅ! ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴜʟʟʏ x ꜰᴇᴍ! ɴᴀ'ᴠɪ! ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ, ᴡɪᴅᴏᴡᴇᴅ! ᴛᴏɴᴏᴡᴀʀɪ x ꜰᴇᴍ! ɴᴀ'ᴠɪ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

Tw: death of a spouse, sadness, angst, a parts is inspired by a deleted scenes from the extended cut of the movie, fluff towards the end.

A/N: This fic has been sitting on my draft for a long time, I thought it was time that I'd finish it and post it. It took me longer to look for images then to actually post this.

Masterlist

When Jake woke up, he didn't find you. He assumed that you had gone out to hunt or get some food for them like normal. Except he saw that your things were missing. The things that you had left behind was the breads and dull colored clothing. Jake grew worried. Before the kids could wake up, he went out to find you.

He looked everywhere for you. He got on Bob and searched everywhere, as well as he searched for you around the forest, even asked some people about your whereabouts, but nothing. No sign of you anywhere. He searched for you for hours. The last person he went to was Mo'at.

Mo'at was already busy with her duties, she had a lot to do that day. Jake had entered her hut in a hurry, the older woman looked over at him. "Jake, you seemed troubled." She said unbothered going on about her business. "Mo'at, have you seen her?" he asked, with a worried sounding voice. "Seen who?" she asked, knowing full well who she was talking about. "Neytiri! Have you seen her." His words made Mo'at stop in her tracks. Then she turned to him, looking at him back at his worried looking eyes. "Neytiri? Don't you mean y/n?" She corrected him.

Jake groaned, mentally scolding himself for saying his late wife's name instead of yours. "Yes! Sorry! Have you seen her?" he asked, worriedly. "No, she probably already left." Mo'at said, calmly. This felt like a bucket of cold water had fallen on him. "Left? What do you mean left?" he asked the older woman. She sighed, standing up from the floor. "She left. I told her to leave." She stated. Jake took a deep breathing, trying to understand. "With all due respect Tsahik, but why?" he asked her, wanting to know why his mother in law had told you to leave.

"Because she was unhappy, she was not being herself. She was playing a role of someone who is no longer here." Mo'at explained. Jake only stood there, confused. "No she wasn't!" Jake protested. She woman only scoffed. "Jakesully, you are a fool. You were blind to see her suffering." She groaned at him, getting irritated. "She was not herself. She was playing that role of my late daughter!" She hissed at him. Jake only stood there, in silence. "She was not a new mate of yours! You weren't looking for a new mate, but a replacement, a replacement of my daughter!" She told him. "So that's why I told her to leave, to find her true self. You and her home were harming her." She explained. Jake couldn't help but realize now. You didn't leave because you no longer wanted him. You left because he was harming you, he had made you play a role of Neytiri.

He didn't want a new mate. He was only looking for a replacement. Someone who he could morph into his late wife. He felt horrible now. "Oh what have a done." Jake had said to himself. "This was your doing, now you have to pay the consequences of your actions. I hope you learn from this, because if you do that again, then you will never find that kind of happiness." Mo'at stated sharply. As much as she saw him as her son, she was very disappointed in him, but she hoped that he learns from this.

You had been in the sky for hours, you had stopped to rest with your Ikran and got back in the sky. It was tiring, you hopped that you'd be near the reef people's village. A few hours later, you had finally arrived at the village. You saw the na'vi below, stopping what they were doing and jumping into the water. You rode your ikran around, searching for a place to land. This caught people's attention that a horn was blown, possibly warning of your arrival. You spotted an empty little island with a few people and landed on the sand.

You mounted off your ikran, softly calming her down. People began to approach you. You took a breath and headed towards them, walking slowly. The sand got between your feet and stuck under your foot as you walked, slowly holding your arms up showing you meant no harm. The people were much taller and bigger then you, you saw how their skin was a minty green and their stripes were much wavier. They also had much thicker and long looking hair. Some had tight braids. They also held spears and some had pulled their children behind them. As a way to protect them from you.

Everyone began to turn their heads back and make way, now before slightly bowing their heads. You noticed a very tall man, he too had long thick hair with tight braids to his scalp. He had tattoos on his face, that took up most space on his face. He was pretty handsome. He also had a spear in hand, he wore a kind of vest with with yellow and orange tassels and feathers. Along with a thick necklace. Looking down, he was being followed by two small children, a boy who was a bit older and a girl who was holding onto the boy's hand as they followed.

As soon as the man approached, you did the greeting gesture out of respect. He did it as well, sending you a kind smile. "What bring a na'vi like you here?" he asked. Now this caught the crowds attention. "I seek Uturu." You asked, making everyone mutter amongst each other. "Uturu? Why is that? Are you running away from something?" he asked again. "I don't know how to put it, but. I'm running from... someone. Someone that has been haunting me now." You said. Tonowari hummed by you response, but he also thought of it for a movement. "I know you're reef people and I'm from the forest, but I'll learn your ways. If you don't wish for me to stay, then I'll best be on my way." You stated, but he had an answer. "Uturu has been asked. So you may stay with us." He said, making you sigh in relief.

Tonowari then turned to his people. "Treat her a one of our sisters. Teach her ours way so that she does not suffer the same in being useless." He stated to the people. You couldn't help but feel thankful that he had allowed you to stay. He turned back to face you. "Thank you" You had said with a small happy smile on your lips.

You would be staying in Tonowari's hut with him and his kids. You learned their names were Ao'nung and Tsireya. Ao'nung was his first born and Tsireya was second, they seemed like nice children, specially Tsireya, since she tried in helping you bring your bag back to her home. Ao'nung didn't approach you just yet, he seemed a bit skeptical about you.

While you were sitting on the floor of the marui, you looked around, seen the many things in the small home like space. It was almost similar to the hut you once lived in. "I hope you don't mind staying here." Tonowari said, taking a seat in front of you. "I don't! I'm pretty thankful that you're allowing me to stay." You responded, sending him a smile. "I'll be your personal teacher. I'll be the one showing you around the reef and teaching you our ways." He said, you only nodded as a form of response. Meanwhile, his kids were right behind you. Looking at your tail and on how it moved around. Unlike their. Tsireya attempted to grab onto it, but she was too short to grab it. Ao'nung could only watch, seen how you small and thin your tail was.

When you were fully rested and fed. You began your lessons. You had to learn how to breathe underwater, you knew how to swim but not breathe for a long period of time. You weren't goof right away, but you were slowly learning. Then came the ilus. They were similar to dire horse. The first time you had fallen off, but you got back up right away. If you could bond a dire horse, then you'd be able to bond with the ilu. You didn't forget about your ikran, you'd often be spotted flying the creature around the islands.

Along the lines, you also got to know about Tonowari a bit. Turns out that he too had lost his mate, Ronal who was Tsahik at the time. It was during a battle between the humans and na'vi. She had left behind her husband and two children. You saw the look of Tonowari's eyes, he really missed his late wife, but he didn't allow the pain to take over him. He was the Olo'eytan and a father, his people and children needed him. Tonowari knew that his wife would of wanted for him to move on, for himself and those who needed him. He had accepted her death right away, since it was the doing of Eywa, the deity knew why she did what she did.

Both Ao'nung and Tsireya were two wonderful kids, Tsireya had liked you right away, while Ao'nung took time to get used to you living in the marui with them. You could tell that they missed their mother, but they knew to stay strong, despite their age. At times, you'd wake up to crying of both kids, wanting their mom. Tonowari would wake up to comfort his kids, also staying up late to watch over them. You too would be up to help him in anything. This brought you back, when you'd wake up to Neteyam and Lo'ak waking up late, crying for their mother. Jake was a very heavy sleeper, so he didn't hear them. You'd stay up hours and hours, trying to comfort them. You barely got rest since you worried more about them. This made you wonder how things were back home, how the family was doing.

More time had passed, you got used to the sun hitting at you and the sand getting almost everywhere. At first it bothered you a bit, but you had to get used to it at some point if you wanted to keep being in the reef. You were taught by Tonowari how to hunt with a spear and an underwater crossbow. At times you'd use your Ikran to go fishing like before, but you had to learn how to ride an Ilu to be able to go deeper underwater. As much as you loved to fly, you had to learn how to dive.

That morning Tonowari kept on teaching you how to use an ilu, but you kept on falling off the creature more than enough times. This time was the fourth time you've fallen off. Tonowari had been watching the whole thing happening. He himself was on mounted on his skimswim instead of an ilu. "You keep trying to fly." He commented, as you swam towards the ilu that had thrown you off his back. "I know, I'm not used to all this." You answered honestly, mounting the ilu again. "It's alright. We can keep on trying." He said, as you got on, he couldn't help but stare at you. He was studying your features.

How your dark blue skin glassine due to it being damp from the water. He looked at the even darker stripes that formed many shapes onto your skin. But what he couldn't help but look at the most was your face. He's never met someone as beautiful as you, besides his loving wife. The way that your markings were adorned on your face, almost like some kind of crown. Your big yellow eyes, your thick long hair that reached between your collarbones and your ears. He almost felt a pull towards you. He's heard of the forest people, but he's never meet them in person until you came. He also couldn't help but look at your style of attire. You wore very bright colored materials. But they were a bit too lose. Almost that they'd probably fall off your body and sink to the bottom of the ocean.

"Tonowari?" You called out to him, causing him to snap out of his thoughts. "Are you alright?" You asked him, even your voice made this pull stronger. "Yes, of course. Let's continue." He said, almost embarrassed that you caught him looking at you. His cheeks turned a small tint of a lilac purple. He cleared his throat. "Like a said before, good position, that's very important." He explained, again. You latched your queue onto the Ilu and held onto the handle of the saddle, again the ilu took off fast. Your whole body was pulled up, your legs were no longer sitting on the creature and now were up like before. You held on as hard as you could, but it was the speed of the ilu was too strong that you ended up letting go again. As you tried to get yourself straight. Tonowari couldn't help but let out a small giggle but covered his mouth as an attempt to hide his laughter.

From days to weeks and months passed. You've improved a lot on your skills. You were getting used to this new lifestyle of yours. The people had also seemed to be more accepting of you now that they've seen your hard work and effort into being adapting like them. Specially Tonowari, he seemed the proudest you the most. He admired how despite you kept on falling, you always managed to get up. Soon enough, you began to notice his new behavior. He would spend a lot more time with you, well you and the kids. Sometimes you'd babysit both Aonung and Tsireya when they're father was out late. You didn't have to, but you did. You knew a thing or two about children, especially kids their ages. Tonowari couldn't help but admire you for it. His kids are the most important thing in his life ever since they were born.

You noticed his change in behavior, when he began to bring you flowers. With the excuse that he saw it and he couldn't' help but bring it to you. What was kind of funny, was that the flowers he'd bring to you were the flowers that often you'd look at when out around the beach. Another thing, was how he'd weave anklets, giving them to you. He'd excuse it that he was practicing a new hobby. The thing was that they were made out of your favorite kinds of materials that you had grown to like during your time here and colors. He'd insist you'd keep them, so that you should keep them and wear them. Very different from Jake. He'd bring you the flowers his wife liked and even gave you small gifts, again, something his wife liked. He never seemed interested in what you liked. He's never asked you about what you liked. He never even knew your favorite color. He never took time to ask about it. That should have been a red flag from the beginning.

At first you didn't want to see it. He was simply being nice, that was all. Until one of the women who you had become friends with, had told you that Tonowari was actually courting you. That was what you were afraid of, being courted by a yet another widowed man. You didn't want to go through the same thing that you went through with Jake. You didn't want to become a replacement again. You didn't want to be morphed into Tonowari's late wife. Those thoughts were eating you up. You have grown scared, very scared. What if you began to dress like his wife? What if his kids say that you look like their mother? What if he begins to call you Ronal? You just kept thinking of 'What if this' or 'What if that'. Your worries began to take notice by Tonowari.

That day, you and Tonowari were making fishing nets, except, you were too distracted that you've messed up the sewing. "Y/n, you're doing the stitching wrong." He commented, making you snap out of your thoughts and saw what you were doing. "Oh... sorry." You said, unmaking your previous mistakes to start again. Tonowari noticed your look, not only that, but the slight tension in the marui. "Let's go somewhere." He said, while getting up from off the ground, helping you up. Once getting a hold of his hands, you got up, then processed to follow him out the marui. You couldn't help but ask. "Where?" You asked, while you followed him through the bouncy path. "Somewhere, A place I've been meaning to show you." He only explained.

You and Tonowari walked into a further part of an island, pretty far from the village. But not too far. As you walked, you couldn't help but feel as if you were back in the forest. Your surroundings looked just like the forest back home. The sounds of this place made you feel calm in some way. So did the sound of the waves, but these sounds were the more affective. Eventually you both stopped, in an area that was hidden in some bushes. It was a pretty nice place. It had a waterfall and a huge riverbank. As well as some plants that surrounded the river, it was almost similar back home, you were glad that Tonowari has brought you here.

Once Tonowari saw how calm you were, as much as he didn't want to ruin your mood, he just had to ask. "What's wrong? I've noticed how your mind has been filled with thought recently, would you like to talk about them?" He asked. So, he had caught on. You sighed, while thinking of something to say. "I've heard that... you've been courting me." You admitted, making his face turn a lilac purple. Embarrassed that you had learned of him trying to court you. "Oh, I see." He simply said, chuckling a bit, but he saw how your face didn't change. That felt as if someone had dumped cold water on him.

"I'm sorry, have I offended you?" he asked, now growing worried. "Oh! No no no, you haven't... it's just that." You tried saying, but you felt a lump growing in your throat. You proceeded to rubbing your face as a form to try and tell him what was going through your head. "I'm scared." You admitted. Tonowari's eyes widened. "Scared? How so?" He asked, scotting closer to you. "Scared that... I might become... a replacement of your wife." You admitted to him, finally. His eyes frowned. "Replacement? What do you mean by that?" He asked, now curious about this claim. You had to tell him everything, the reason why you're here in the first place.

"Part of that is that. The reason why arrived here in the first place. Was because." You paused, taking a breather. "A while back, I was in a relationship with a man. This man, he... he was a widow, he has four children." You explained, as Tonowari paid close attention. "We met and after a long time, me and him began a relationship. But this relationship... wasn't a very healthy one." You said, while fidgeting your tail a bit, as way to keep calm. "He... he began telling me how I'd look before if I did things, the way his wife would do. Such as cooking, hunting, even changing my hair. I didn't think anything of it, until I've completely changed, I no longer was myself. I was her. I could no longer see myself, I saw her face instead of mine." You finished. Now he completely understood why you left your home. Someone wouldn't just leave their home for no reason. "She's the one who's been haunting you?" He asked, referring back to the first time you arrived, explained how you were on the run from somebody. Now he saw the whole picture.

"You're afraid that what you've experience, would happen again?" He asked. You nodded. "Yes, that had become my biggest fear, to become another's replacement. Don't get me wrong, I've been actually... growing feelings for you, it's just... my fear is preventing me to find someone to love." You admitted. Tonowari could only nod in understanding. He did notice how the past few days you've been keeping your distance and almost avoided him. Now he understood the reason why, it didn't upset him. He just wanted to learn why you've suddenly change.

It was silent, only the sounds of the waterfall were heard, but finally after a long minute, Tonowari had spoken up. "I understand now." He simply said, this gained your attention. Hoping your listen to what he had to say. "I don't know about him, but. I'd never do what he did." He explained, now you payed close attention to what he had to say. "As much as I loved my wife, I'd never try to find her a replacement. She's already gone, therefor, she could brought back or replaced. There's a reason why the Great Mother does what she does." He explained and you listened to everything he had to say. "Just know that, I'd never do that. It wouldn't be good for either of us. Me because, that means I'm not over her death and you, because you've already experienced that. I know for a fact that you'd be hurt even more, because you gave me your trust and... I took that trust and just crushed it." He said. He was right, everything he said was right.

Tonowari turned to you, looking at you directly in your eyes. Making your face turn a dark purple. You couldn't help but feel your heart beating fast and your stomach flattering around like crazy. You've never felt that way, ever. Not even with him. You then saw how he brought his hand, placing it on your warm cheek. This made you even more flattered. "I would love to start a new life with you, but I understand if you're not ready to be in a relationship. I'll give you your space and time, I won't pressure you into anything. I'll wait for as long as I have to, I wish for you to love me the way that I've fallen in love with you these past few months you were here." He said, in the most low and soft voice, as if he only wanted you to hear his words. "What if... I don't want you to wait? What if, I told you that I've also fallen for you these last couple of months?" You asked him, this made you slightly chuckle by your confession, making his face turning a lila purple. "Then, I won't keep you waiting." He said, whispering.

You didn't even notice how close you and him, your faces nearly touching one another. Then out of nowhere, you wrapped your arms around his strong torso, pulling him into a hug. Tonowari didn't hesitate to hug you back. He's been wanting to be close to you for some time. Even more ever since you've distance yourself from him. This loving hug was something you haven't had in a long time. Your heart beat speed up, the feeling of his lips morphing in with yours. Also, your body had began to heat up, your tail was swaying side to side, almost curling to your thigh. You wished that you and him would remain like this forever.

ₚᵣₑᵥᵢₒᵤₛ ₚₐᵣₜ, ₙₑₓₜ ₚₐᵣₜ

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