Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Flying was the best thing you’d ever experienced.

The weightlessness of your body. The quiet hum of your ikran’s consciousness in the background of your mind. The endless thrill of being so high in the air that one slip would have you plummeting to your death. But somehow knowing your mount would never allow it. Within minutes of being airborne, the bond had strengthened into something unbreakable.

The joy it filled you with was indescribable.

Head tilted towards the sun, you could feel your cheeks aching from how hard you were smiling. Arms spread wide, you trusted your thighs to keep you in place as you threw your head back and let loose a victorious whoop.

Your ikran returned the call, shrieking his happiness to his brothers and sisters, who were eager to return his cry.

Around you, the other young hunters echoed the sentiment, performing barrel rolls and dangerous dives upon their own newly tamed ikran. You watched them with a sense of pride, glad that none of your group had failed their rite.

<”You ride better than you climb.”> Tsu’tey hollered from your left, snapping you out of your euphoric state. He was astride his own mount, looking relaxed in the saddle with a taunting look in his eye.

You grinned, flashing your fangs as you replied, <”I was born to do this.”>

He quirked an eyebrow, making a show of looking at your poor posture and incorrect hand placement upon your ikran’s neural whips. <”Prove it.”> He challenged, before clicking to his ikran and taking off at speed. You laughed, yelling insults at his back as your own mount subconsciously prepared to follow.

You patted his neck, encouraging him to show his greatest speed. The ikran let loose a terrifying sound before shooting off after Tsu’tey, almost throwing you from his back in his eagerness.

Sitting up properly, you leaned over your ikran’s neck so your thighs supported most of your weight, tilting side to side with every bank of your ikran on the air currents. It seemed effortless on your mount’s part as you caught up to Tsu’tey’s ikran, soaring up and over him, only to continue on. You grinned, spinning in the saddle to jeer at him.

His normally serious facade had melted into the wind, leaving his face open and bright as he laughed at your antics.

Mentally, you told your ikran to bank, to which the beast easily obliged, tipping itself to the left as your leaned right to stay on. Tsu’tey followed your flight path, your ikran slowing its rapid pace to allow the warrior to catch up. Together, you dipped close to the side of one of the floating mountains, the spray of the waterfall dotting your skin as you sped past at breakneck speeds. The wind was sharp against your damp skin, as you swerved again in the air, feeling the air currents catch on your ikran’s wings, the powerful body beneath you coiling as you gained height.

This was far better than riding in the passenger seat of Trudy’s helicopter.

Far below, the ikran nest writhed with the countless colourful bodies, the beast starting to settle in for the night now that the hunters had claimed their partners.

<”We must start heading home.”> Tsu’tey yelled over the sound of the wind, to which you nodded, following his lead as he peeled away from the mountains and steering in the direction of HomeTree. Your ikran instinctively fell into place on his right, pulling back so the updraft created by the larger ikran would aid his flight back home.

As the mountains gave way to sprawling forest below, Tsu’tey hollered to the young hunters still messing around amongst the floating rocks. Returned calls sounded shortly after as the colourful beasts fell into formation either side of Tsu’tey, forming a neat ‘v’.

As the trees and rocky valleys of Pandora sped past below, the sun slid further and further behind the moon, allowing the bioluminescence of the jungle to flicker into life. Overhead, stars became visible against the growing inky blackness of the sky, a large portion of which was already taken up by the closest sister moon to Pandora.

Flying at night was somehow more beautiful than soaring around the Hallelujah Mountains.

The glowing constellations of your ikrans freckles rivalled the stars, you privately concluded as HomeTree loomed in the distance and Tsu’tey gave the order to begin climbing. The leisurely pace of your ikran’s wingbeats gradually began to increase in speed as the beast worked harder to gain altitude, pulling the air down in powerful strokes before striking up again for another wingbeat.

With controlled speed, the party soared into the branches of HomeTree and found suitable places to land and dismount. Sliding down from the back of your ikran, you stoked down the purring beast’s side as you walked around to his face. He was truly a gorgeous beast, stunning as he had been fierce when fighting him in the nesting grounds.

<”Well done today.”> Tsu’tey congratulated the group, easily commanded the attention of all those assembled, standing proud with the soft glow of his freckles to accent his form.

From the spiral staircase at his back emerged Eytukan and Mo’at, looking equally proud as their eyes trailed over the assembled hunters, grins growing brighter when they realised that everyone was accounted for.

Mo’at was the first to step forward, her arms raising dramatically as if addressing the heavens instead of her People. <”You are now adults in the eyes of Eywa.”> She declared, her face was the picture of joy. <”May the Great Mother smile upon you this day of your second birth. And may her kind hands guide you on this day and forever more.”>

As the hunters mumbled their thanks, Eytukan stepped up to her side, his chin raised. <”You will spend the following months crafting your bow from HomeTree. And are free to take a mate. But first, your celebration awaits.”> He bowed to the hunters, looking much like the proud father he was.

Hunters returned the gesture, clapping each other on the back, before focusing on their mounts. Vaguely, you registered Mo’at and Eytukan moving throughout the small crowd, congratulating everyone individually on their successful rite.

Unexpectedly, your mount nuzzled his face into your shoulder, sensing your underlying anxiety through the bond. With soothing hands to his snout, you quickly disconnected your kuru from him so he wouldn’t be able to sense anything else. <”I’m fine.”> You reassured him, although he would not be able to understand the words.

He chirped softly, head cocked to the side. <”Nosy.”> You laughed, lightly pushing his quizzing gaze away.

Earlier in the day, someone had already taken the time to set out the new saddles for the ikran. Neatly lining them up along a small branch nearest the helix staircase. Pulling away from your ikran’s judgemental stare, you were quick in retrieving a saddle for him. Returning with it resting on your arms, you noticed the mischievous glint in his eye, already dreading the shit show that was going to be you putting it on him. Approaching slowly, you offered him the equipment first, to which he lowered his head to give it a curious nudge.

<”You have done well Dreamwalker.”> Mo’at unexpectedly stated from beside you, making you and your ikran jump. <”I will admit, the Great Mother’s plan for you was obscured from me, but you have proven yourself.”>

<”Thank you Tsahik.”>

<”I am proud of you.”> She continued as if you hadn’t spoken. <”Dr Augustine would be too.”> With that, she placed a firm hand to your bicep and squeezed, her expression kind before she drifted off to talk to the next person.

You became absorbed into your work, methodically coaxing your ikran into accepting the weight of the saddle between his shoulders. Rewarding him with scratches along his neck when he didn’t immediately toss it off. Gradually, he stopped trying to throw it off, and remained still to allow you to tighten the girth across his chest. From there, it was just a matter of providing his dinner before you followed the other hunters down the helix staircase.

You found dinner already underway with the fires blazing and the People gathered. A chorus of cheers erupted from the assembled people as the first hunters cleared the staircase, yelling cries of victory back, arms in the air.

Their joy was infectious as you slipped into the crowd in search of an empty space to crouch, lips pulled back into a fanged grin as you carefully picked your way through the families who had already turned back to their food. The other hunters had already dispersed back to their families, talking animatedly to loved ones about their crazy day.

Finding an empty space before the flames, you uttered your thanks to an older na’vi woman as she handed you one of the leaf dishes. She politely smiled back, offering formal congratulations on your successful rite before turning back to the conversation with her mate. You offered a quiet thanks before digging in.

It didn’t take long for Tsu’tey to find you. He’d hung back with the ikran to discuss his observations for the day with Eytukan.

His footsteps were silent as he approached you, dropping into a fluid crouch opposite and putting his bow down at his side. You didn’t bother to look up from your meal, content to eat after a long day of climbing mountains and almost dying. The silence was comfortable as the humm of the clan filled the large chamber, your ears swivelling to keep track of the different conversations going on around you.

<”You did well today.”> Tsu’tey commented, his hand snaking out to steal a grub off of your leaf. Rolling your eyes, you pushed the makeshift plate closer to him having already had most of your fill.

<”Is this just you complimenting your teaching skills?”>

<”Yes. I worked hard to make you into a respectable warrior.”> He replied easily, to which you playfully pushed at his arm. He shoved you back, fangs catching the bright firelight.

<”I wasn’t expecting it to be so easy.”> You admitted after swallowing your mouthful. <”I mean, I’ve heard you and Neytiri discussing the bond and everything, but it was so instant. Like he was an extension of myself.”>

Tsu’tey hummed, nodding along. <”Ikran make no mistakes in who they choose. As Eywa did not make a mistake in bringing you to us.”>

You rolled your eyes at the last part. <”Don’t go getting soft on me now.”>

He did not immediately respond with a fast quip, making you look up. Tsu’tey’s expression had lost the unfiltered joy of being in the air, but he still had a small, guarded smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The glint in his eye was unreadable. It could be amusement, it could be fear.

<”What?”> You asked, hand grasping his knee to ground him.

<”Young hunters that pass the rite are traditionally given gifts by their families.”> He explained, to which you found yourself relaxing.

<”Is that all?”> His expression grew pinched. <”Don’t worry, when I unlink later I’ll open a bottle of something just for myself.”>

Tsu’tey rolled his eyes before reaching for something next to his bow. <”I made you this.”> He said simply, holding out something small. Hesitantly, you took it from him, eyes raking over what you recognised to be a decorative armband. It was finely woven in the traditional Omaticaya style, with tiny beads made from glowing river pebbles woven across the centre. You turned it over and over, committing every knot to memory.

<”Thank you.”> You breathed, unable to find the words to properly convey how touched you were by the gift. Tsu’tey’s smile returned. Taking the armband from you, he softly asked which arm you wished to wear it on. You eagerly thrust your dominant arm at him, motioning to the height in which you wanted it to sit. He nodded along, expertly wrapping the band around your bicep and tightening it accordingly.

<”It looks good on you.”> He monologued, <”surprisingly.”> You gasped mockingly, placing your hand on his chest to shove him away.

<”Stop being an ass and eat.”> You fired back, to which he playfully, his tail batted at you, mouth opening to reply, when a shadow fell over your back and a voice you didn’t recognise spoke up in english.

“Excuse me, um, Dr L/n. Right?”

Tsu’tey’s easy smile had turned venomous as he glared up at the newcomer behind your back, but that could just be his face.

Meanwhile, your face had dropped at the quiet utterance of your sky person title. It sounded wrong in the setting of the clan. The familiar English sounded weird in a place it was no longer welcome.

Turning towards the voice, you looked up to find a young na’vi male smiling sheepishly back at you. Arching a brow, you turned fully towards him, rising to your feet. The pieces slotted into place as he gingerly waved at you, showing off his five digit hands. An avatar then. How the hell did he get accepted?

“It’s Y/n.” You corrected, and he nodded. You waited impatiently for him to continue, tail lashing.

He floundered for an explanation, eyes catching on someone over your shoulder before he pulled himself together. “Right. Um, Grace warned you about me? I’ve been around the clan for a few days now and haven’t been able to track you down.”

You grimaced.

The marine.

Oh god, no. Why?

Absently, a memory did surface of a file on your desk with a man’s face on it and the name ‘Jake Sully’ printed across the front. Although it had been stamped as urgent, you’d simply shoved it aside with everything else and pulled out your laptop to type up some notes. You were deeply regretting not having read that stupid file now.

“Oh, right.” You replied, waiting for more. Jake looked at you like he assumed that was enough. “Well thanks for stopping by-”

“Actually, she said you’d be able to help me.” Jake jumped in before you could turn away. You stilled, sending a thousand mental curse words Grace’s way before fixing him with a stern expression.

“Babysitting isn’t in my job description.” You returned sharply, this time promptly turning your back to resume your dinner. Whilst you’d been distracted, Tsu’tey had also risen to his feet and was watching Jake with a distrustful expression, hand hovering dangerously close to his hunting knife.

“Unbelievable.” The marine scoffed, but cut himself off when Tsu’tey tensed. You smacked your friend's thigh with the back of your hand, giving him an unimpressed look when he looked down to snap at you. You motioned for him to sit back down but he ignored you.

Meanwhile, Jake had clumsily stumbled around the edges of your space to stand in front of you again, his tail swaying side to side. “I’m just asking for a bit of guidance.”

“Neytiri is your guidance. Learn quick and learn well, you will die if you fuck up.”

“That’s it, that’s all the advice I get?”

“It’s more than I got.”

>_<

You hated Hell’s Gate. It was too cut off from the forest with its loud occupants and stone walls, and loud. So incredibly and uncomfortably loud, at all times of the day, whether it was the annoying whirr of machinery, or the people. The forest was never like this.

It was jarring to unlink from a world that was so open and free, to a life of tight corridors and exo packs whenever you wished to step beyond the protective barriers of the buildings. As a result, you tended to spend as little time as possible here, only unlinking long enough to keep this body alive before hopping straight back into the link to do more ‘research’.

Staying longer with the clan would’ve been much more bearable than whatever thing Grace wanted to talk about, but since you ignored her last request to look after Jake, you felt that you owed her in some way. Something told you that if you didn’t turn up of your own free will, she would stand outside of your link unit until you were done for the day and ambush you then. She’d done it before, and you knew she wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

With a sigh, you allowed yourself to start moving within the link unit. Reaching for the latch, you winced as the bright, overhead lights of the lab flooded into the dim unit, momentarily blinding you as the unfamiliar sound of commotion filtered into the small space. You took a breath, then pushed the unit open, following it up to find the lab alive with activity. Scientists were buzzing around the tight space in white lab coats, hurriedly packing away equipment and supplies into large storage boxes as if the building was on fire.

Heaving your stiff muscles over the side of the unit, you felt disorientated by the height of this body in contrast to your avatar, momentarily clutching the side of the unit to calm your spinning mind as you collected yourself. Your shirt was musty and clung to your sweaty back only adding to your discomfort as your legs tingled with pins and needles.

Eventually, you managed to straighten up, which immediately caught Max’s attention. “Oh, Dr.” He greeted cheerfully, unaware of your grimace at the professional title. He broke away from the group he’d been helping dismantle exo packs, and made a beeline to the messy disaster that was your desk. Pulling your lab coat off the back of your office chair, he approached you with a smile. “We didn’t hear you unlink.” He apologised as he approached, holding the coat out towards you with his hands on the shoulder.

“Long time no see Max.” You greeted with a tight smile, as you turned and allowed him to help you into the coat, it smelt better than your shirt, but was in desperate need of a wash. You were pretty sure there was dust on the sleeves.

“Yeah well, everyone’s been busy.” He returned easily, turning and disappearing off in the direction of the coffee machine, leaving you to stand stupidly next to your link unit, internally debating just climbing back inside and going back to the clan. From what you could see, Jake’s unit was empty so he wasn’t even around to annoy you this time.

Instead, you kept your feet firmly planted in place, the mental image of Grace standing over your unit the next time you opened it keeping you from running away. To occupy yourself you focused on the commotion across the room. Your eyes slipping over the new faces who must have come in during the last rotation, whereas faces you’d grown used to over your eight month stay were absent, either by choice or having rotated home already. Time was weird on Pandora afterall.

“Y/n, nice of you to join us.” Grace swept into the room with a dramatic sweep of her arms.

You smiled, taking her hand when she offered it and giving a firm shake. “Dr Augustine, you wanted to speak with me.”

“I did.” Grace confirmed, turning sharply to begin helping pack up yet another box. You winced as she grabbed fistfuls of important looking documents as well as fragile equipment and began shovelling the lot into the nearest storage box. “We’re moving to an off grid base. Our newest driver is talking to Quaritch.”

If your ears could prick in interest in this body, they would be raised high. “Jake?”

“That’s him. I’m sure you’ve seen him around HomeTree?”

“Yeah, he’s a persistent fucker.”

“That’s him alright.” Grace replied with a shake of her head, “constantly comes out of the link complaining about how good you are at slipping away.” Then she turned to you, all the carefree attitude of earlier melting away as her expression grew serious. “Look, we’re gonna need your field notes and jungle knowledge if this is going to be successful. Oh, and I need you to scout the Hallelujah Mountain base to see if it's livable.”

You pursed your lips, “on one condition.”

Grace cut in, grinning with confidence that suggested she knew exactly how to get you to agree. “You will have unlimited access to the link unit and your avatar.”

You raised your eyebrows, impressed by how easily she’d guessed your motives. “I’ll pack my desk.” She patted you on the back, and the lab dissolved into silence once more.

>_<

You spent the next couple of days, dodging Jake’s constant questions and annoying ability to pop up at the most inconvenient of times. In theory, it should’ve been harder for him to find you between training with Neytiri and your own obligations to the clan as a hunter. But nope, Jake was a stubborn one.

Which led you to now, it was a fresh day. The link units had been open and ready when you rolled out of bed this morning, the lab blessedly empty as you slid into your unofficial unit and woke up in your avatar.

Jake’s avatar was still dead to the world near Neytiri’s hammock on the other side of the sleeping levels, so you’d clambered up to the rookery. Eager to get away from HomeTree before he could wake and to check out that mountain base for Grace. The clan had brought in a big hunt yesterday that would require all hands to dismantle and preserve, so you wouldn’t be missed much.

Tsu’tey was already awake and tending to his ikran when you reached the top most level of HomeTree where the ikrans roosted. He nodded in greeting as you slipped past, which you returned with a nod of your own before calling for you ikran.

The beast was quick to answer, coming in to land with a majestic beat of his wings and a greeting call. You stroked his snout as he offered it, glad to see that his saddle remained on and secure, since new mounts tended to tear at them until they got used to the sensation.

<”Good morning.”> You mused, laughing when he chirped in greeting, nuzzling your shoulder. <”What do you say, want to get out of here?”> The ikran seemed to nod, shifting his stance so you could easily climb up.

Patting his shoulder with a soft promise to get breakfast on the way, you easily pulled yourself up into the saddle. Automatically, your ikran shifted so you were sat more comfortably, your long legs finding the stirrups as you reached back for your main braid, pulling it over your shoulder, you reached for his antenna and connected your kuru.

It was a surreal experience, to feel the bark digging into your feet, but be sat on the back of an ikran with your feet cushioned by smooth leather and warm hide.

<”You need to straighten your posture.”> Tsu’tey commented from across the way, to which you waved him off, even as you followed his advice. Beneath you, your ikran turned to the edge of the branch, claws digging into the mossy wood as he looked out over the forest.

<”Make sure you don’t overdo it.”> Tsu’tey continued, he’d wandered away from his own mount to watch you, eyes critical with his arms crossed. <”Remember ride-”>

<”Ride the winds, find the air currents.”> You parroted back with a smile, <”I never knew you cared Tsu’tey.”> He scoffed.

<”It would be embarrassing to be associated with you if you fell off.”>

<”You and your stupid pride.”> You joked, before adding more seriously. <”I’ll be careful.”>

“Dr L/n, do you have a moment!” Jake called from the helix staircase.

<”Go. I will see you at dinner.”> Tsu’tey urged giving your ikran a soft push, coaxing him towards the edge where you asked him to tuck in his wings and dive. The joyous whoop you let out drowned out the rest of whatever Jake was trying to tell you.

>_<

You had grown used to flying on your ikran. In contrast, sitting in the passenger seat of a helicopter was dull.

There was no wind in your braids or the constant threat of your visor slipping. Only the view from the windows which made you feel removed from Pandora rather than one with it. Trapped inside the helicopter with an exo pack strapped to your belt, reminded you of how painfully human you were, regardless of the fact you spent the majority of your days amongst the People, taking to the skies, and being twice your usual height.

At least the company was amusing.

Sully wasn’t so bad, you realised.

His tongue was sharp as he engaged in multiple verbal sparring matches with Grace, and his senses were honed to a degree that spoke of experience in the field. He fit easily into the little ragtag group of three scientists and Trudy, the insults rolling easily off of him when Norm made a probing remark.

But that didn’t mean you liked him.

You hardly knew anything about him. He was clumsy in his avatar, and way too happy to come running to you for answers instead of waiting two minutes to think about it himself. He wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box, a fact which he proved multiple times whenever faced with an issue he couldn’t solve using his fists or a gun.

At least in short bursts, you could somewhat tolerate him.

The pocket compound was cramped with the five of you crowded into it, but you didn’t care much. As soon as you’d thrown your bag onto your bunk, you were weaving around the others towards the link room.

“Make sure you eat.” Grace called at your turned back, to which Trudy shoved a protein ration into your hands. You nodded your thanks, waving the bar above your head so Grace could see that you had something.

Slipping into the link room, you tossed the bar onto an overhead shelf, content to have something more filling when you unlinked later, before starting up the closest unit.

Across the room, Jake was also linking up. His wheelchair pushed to the side, with him already sitting on the side of the unit, whilst Norm fiddled with the controls. You nodded politely when you caught their attention, before busying yourself with the machine in front of you.

The connection out in the middle of nowhere was shockingly worse than the compound, with the technology being years older, but it was good enough. Before long, you were laying down on the bed of silicone and pulling the unit lid down.

Your mind drifted to HomeTree, to the daylight already wasted thanks to this change of location, and before you knew it, you were opening your eyes in your hammock high above the main chamber. The surrounding hammocks were empty, suggesting that everyone else was already hard at work several levels below. You were already dreading the tongue lashing Tsu’tey would no doubt have lined up for you.

Rolling out of your hammock, you reached for your bow and slung it over your shoulder before darting for the staircase that wound down into the main chamber.

There you found Tsu’tey sitting beside the main fire, carving new details into the top of his bow. His head was bent, eyes fixed on his work. Keeping your footsteps light, you held your breath as you tiptoed past him, intending to slip into the forest unnoticed under the guise that you’d been hard at work all morning.

<“You’re late.”> The sheer authority in his tone had your movements stilling and your plans going up in smoke. The hunter continued to whittle the wood, eyes never leaving the task at hand as the crackle of the flames filled the silence.

<“We moved compounds.”> You found yourself explaining, feeling weird about talking about your other life in the safety of HomeTree. <“Somewhere safer.”>

Tsu’tey’s hand stilled on the bow, ears flicking before he composed himself and continued to add detail to the rearing pa’li appearing in the wood. <“You’re away from the Sky People?”>

<“The more dangerous ones, yes.”>

Tsu’tey nodded, <“good.”>

<“Any chance of breakfast?”>

He shook his head. <“You’ll have to wait until the evening meal.”> You pouted but didn’t bother attempting to change his mind. Thankfully, the forest was always rich in fruits and nuts so you’d be fine until later.

<“Tsu’tey.”> Came Neytiri’s voice from the staircase behind you, Jake following her down the last few branches. As Tsu’tey put down his carving to greet her, you bowed your head respectfully before nodding to Jake. He nodded back, eyes flickering uncertainly from Neytiri’s turned back to Tsu’tey’s towering form. You shifted your stance, curious as to why the marine wasn’t hounding you for information and what Neytiri wanted with Tsu’tey.

You didn’t have to wait long as the woman in question straightened up with a simple, “then it is decided.”

Jake did not look overly pleased by this development.

At your confused expression, Tsu’tey stepped forward, his previously warm expression melted away by a stony exterior. “Jake-Sully will be joining us on today’s hunt.”

“Haven’t the other’s already left?” Hours ago judging by the location of the sun.

“We will be hunting separately.” Neytiri explained as if that were obvious. Your heart sank as you realised your day was about to consist of babysitting the marine. Judging by Tsu’tey’s face, he shared your realisation. “Jake needs to observe personally before his own kill.”

You sighed deeply, earning yourself a playful hit from Jake who would normally be trying to argue that he wasn’t that bad. You butted in before his long winded explanation could begin. “Keep up.” You warned him with an accusatory finger. “I’m not hauling your ass out of any bogs.” Was all the advice you offered before following Tsu’tey out of HomeTree and to the right where the pa’li preferred to graze. Since Jake hadn’t yet taken the final test, there was no point in taking the ikran.

Jake mounted his pa’li easily enough, to your surprise as you swung up onto your own mount. He fumbled in connecting his queue but remained seated when he urged his pa’li to follow Neytiri’s off into the undergrowth. You and Tsu’tey held back, exchanging exasperated looks before following near the back of the pack.

Your location in the herd gave you plenty of time to observe the marine. He was a lot more acquainted with his body than the first time you’d spoken when he’d been all long limbs and a loud voice. Now, he ducked to avoid the leaves, kept his pa’li steady despite scanning the undergrowth for potential prey. It was almost impressive, until he tried to jump his pa’li over a fallen log and slid off its back upon impact.

You tried to stifle your laugh as he hurried to pick himself up and haul his muddy ass back onto his pa’li before Neytiri turned around. To her credit, she only rolled her eyes at him a little before continuing on into the undergrowth.

A sharp prod to your lower back had you growling at Tsu’tey, who didn’t even pretend he hadn’t jabbed you with the end of his bow. <“Stop watching him. Focus.”> He teased, and you slowed your pa’li enough to reach across the space between you and smack his shoulder.

“Focus, you two.” Neytiri yelled from the front of the herd, “you can braid each other's hair later.”

Tsu’tey clicked his tongue, ears slicked back, whilst you playfully tugged at one his braids which was coming loose at the end and looking a bit worse for wear. <”You might have to take me up on that offer, Tsu’tey.”> You mused as he swiped at you with his bow.

<”As if I’d let you. You’d mess it up.”>

<”Hey I’ve gotten better.”>

<”You call /that/ better?”> Tsu’tey fired back, motioning to your own head of hair. Dramatically, you gasped pretending to be offended.

“Focus!” Neytiri repeated from the head of the herd, not even bothering to look back. You got in one last joking hit to his side before spurring your pa’li into a canter and taking off. Tsu’tey cursed at you for your troubles but didn’t bother to pursue. You both knew he’d find his own way of getting revenge anyway.

Before long, Neytiri grew so bored of your antics that she ordered everyone off of the pa’li to track yerik on foot. “I cannot believe Jake is better behaved than you.”

“Hey!” The marine interjected, only for Neytiri to wave him off dismissively.

Tsu’tey shouldered past you, throwing a smirk over his shoulder as he followed Neytiri deeper into the bush, Jake walking after them at a lazy pace. You rolled your eyes, before pulling your bow from your shoulder and holding it in your dominant hand, an arrow resting between your fingers as you fell into step behind the group.

The forests were always bountiful this far from the clan, so finding yerik wasn’t the hard part of the hunt. In contrast, the issue lay with what other predators had also come for the yerik.

You were up a tree when the thanator slunk into the clearing behind an unsuspecting Jake, your bow already notched in preparation to take down one of the grazing yerik.

To your left Neytiri yelled, drawing you and Tsu’tey’s attention off of your respective prey. You followed her gaze down to Jake and the advancing thanator, the former completely unaware of the approaching threat.

“Jake!” Neytiri yelled from the trees, scaring off the yerik and drawing the marine’s attention to her. She was frantic in pointing out the thanator, who hissed at Jake’s turned back. The man froze, a look of pure despair emerging onto his face before he even turned around.

“Run idiot!” Tsu’tey interjected, bow drawn to deter the thanator with arrows.

For once in his life, Jake listened to orders and took off at a dead sprint. Neytiri’s training showed in how he moved fast through the undergrowth, flying over fallen trees and slipping through the gaps in the trees whilst the thanator charged after him, obliterating everything in its path.

As the marine made steady progress on the forest floor, the three of you tracked his movements from the safety of the trees. Tsu’tey continued to fire arrows at the animal, careful not to wound it unnecessarily when he could scare it off with enough of a threat, whereas Neytiri kept ordering Jake to climb. Which the marine took no notice of when he dove into the roots of a tree and disappeared from sight instead of going up.

The thanator leapt onto the place he’d disappeared, shoving one of its arms into the dark space after him. It shrieked as it came up empty handed, before withdrawing and instead deciding to tear at the roots with its teeth. The sound of colourful swearing coming from beneath the tree was the only indication it hadn’t gotten to Jake yet.

Whilst you watched the spectacle as one would watch a car crash, you couldn’t help but hear Grace in the back of your mind. Her voice reminding you of how expensive the avatars were, and how long they took to develop, and how long they would take to heal. She would kill the pair of you if Jake got this body killed. And there was one thing for certain, you were more scared of Grace’s wrath than any six legged house cat.

With a sigh, you disengaged your bow and slung it over your shoulder. By nature, thanators weren’t the largest predators in the forest, they had a fight or flight mode that could be easily triggered by sudden movements or enough aggression. You prayed that it would perceive you as enough of a threat.

Tsu’tey paused in shooting at it as you peered down through the trees, mentally calculating whether the drop would do more harm than good. He must have recognised something in your expression, because in moments he was shoving through the leaves and leaping onto your branch, hand outstretched to grab your bicep. <”Don’t.”> Tsu’tey warned, hands closing around open air as you lent forward.

With a war cry, you dropped from the trees, ripping through layers of foliage with thunderous cracks that made the thanator’s gaze shoot upwards, before it leaped back with a snarl as you landed with a loud thump where it had previously been. Your knees bent upon landing, taking most of the impact as your tail thrashed. You pulled back your lips to display your fangs and hissed harshly, making yourself as big as you physically could. The thanator glares back at you, the mobile plates on its muzzle rising as it roared back. Feeling bold, you took a firm step closer, ears pinned back threateningly. Reaching for your bow.

“Jake!” You snapped, not daring to break eye contact with the predator currently sizing you up. “Stand tall and remain calm.”

“How the hell are you doing that?” He laughed, bordering on hysterical, but judging by his grunts and the rustle of grass had done as you’d asked.

“Deep breath.” You ordered, hearing him do just that. “Shoulders back.”

The thantor bunched, its muscles coiling in preparation to pounce. Somewhere above Neytiri ordered Jake to climb, you held firm, forgoing the arrow as you gripped the end of your bow like you would a spear. The beast met your gaze, eyes narrowed. You hunched your shoulders, arms tensed in silent challenge.

You saw the moment it came to a decision. Saw the slightest clench of its claws sinking into the dirt, the single flick of its tail before it pounced.

“Run Jake!” You shouted, leaping to the side, cracking your bow across its brow with enough force to throw it off course. Then you turned tail and ran.

Scrambling up the tree after Jake, you pushed at the marine’s feet, urging him up higher as you heard the thanator shake itself. The beast roared in outrage, thunderous footsteps rapidly approaching the base of the tree. Bark splintered under powerful claws, massive teeth snapping closed.

Muscles screaming, you cleared the first branches, throwing your bow up ahead of you onto a thick one, your nails bit into the trunk as you tried to hook your leg over. Powerful hands gripped your weapons strap, hauling you the rest of the way up.

You’d lost sight of Jake but judging by the harsh scolding coming from a higher branch, Neytiri had already gotten her hands on him.

Tsu’tey dragged you the rest of the way onto the branch, hands tight on your shoulders as he checked you for injuries, expression unreadable. When concluded that you were fine, he shook you. <“What were you thinking?”>

You gritted your teeth, prying his hands off of you. <“He was about to die.”>

<“Then you should’ve let him. Coddling him will not help him learn.”>

Your expression hardened, eyes narrowing as you rose to your feet. <“I’ll remember that next time you need saving.”>

Neytiri groaned from the branch above, poking her head around the trunk to glare at the pair of you. <“You’re like children!”> She snapped before pointing at Tsu’tey. <"You, stop being an ass. And you.”>

She flicked her gaze to you, <“Idiot!”> She smacked you upside the head making you snap at her. <”Never do that again!”>

Chapter Text

Tsu’tey was in love with an idiot, and he was going to die of a heart attack before he even got around to telling them.

No sane person would throw themselves into the path of an angry palulukan for an even bigger idiot. Perhaps it was a Sky Person quality, since Jake tended to make the same reckless decisions. Or perhaps he was just attracted to stupid. And frustratingly enough, he couldn’t find it in himself to be pissed or upset about it.

His pa’li rode near the rear of the herd, expression set in a fowl scowl as he watched the pair of idiots in question keeping their heads down. Neytiri hadn’t needed to speak a word for him to fall into the back, content to keep his eye on the dreamwalkers whilst watching everyone’s backs. It was soothing to have everyone in sight where he knew they were safe and accounted for as it allowed him a chance to relax.

A protective quality which had helped Mo’at and Eytukan pick him out as the next Olo’eyktan. A position he had been trained his entire life for. Even when Sylwanin died, he was still set to become the leader, only to take Neytiri instead. What would the people think of their future Olo’eyktan taking a sky person for a mate?

His face morphed into an expression of horror, his pa’li snorting uncertainty at the sharp twist of guilt and anxiety that knotted his stomach.

What about Neytiri?

He looked to her now, sitting proudly astride her mount, bow in her lap, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice or at the slightest rustle of leaves.

Sure he only loved her as a sister, and their courtship was heavily because of their duty to the clan, but he couldn’t in good conscience mate with her when his heart clearly belonged to another.

These thoughts plagued his mind as the group of four trudged back to HomeTree empty handed. They dismounted in silence near the river, releasing the pa’li from their bridles to wander until they were required again.

Tsu’tey bowed his head respectfully to Neytiri as she grabbed Jake’s arm and began dragging the man away. He attempted to protest, calling out to Y/n in his alien language to which the hunter simply grinned and waved. Tsu’tey felt a flare of affection erupt across his chest at the easy slant of the avatar’s shoulders. How their tail swayed so cutely in the face of Jake’s middle finger.

They turned, pausing as their eyes caught on Tsu’tey. <”I didn’t know you could smile.”> They stated bluntly, making Tsu’tey’s private grin morph into yet another scowl before he swatted at them.

<”Go and be useful.”> He snapped instead of responding with a quip, pushing them towards HomeTree with his bow.

They rolled their eyes, grabbing onto the shaft of his bow and dragging him with them. He allowed the casual touch, relieved that he would not have to find an excuse to keep them in his sights. With luck, his presence would deter them from doing anything fatal.

The evening continued like that. With Y/n carrying out tasks that other clan members asked of them, and Tsu’tey hovering nearby. Sometimes the na’vi they were talking to would take pity on him and assign him a similar job so he wasn’t sitting around uselessly. And other times, Y/n would find ways to divide up the simple chore so he could help out.

It was sickeningly domestic and easy. The repetitive nature of their tasks and the soft din of the clan grew steadily louder as the hunting parties and the foragers returned from the forest, lulling Tsu’tey into a calmer mindset.

Crouched before the fire with Y/n’s thigh pressed against his own, whilst the pair descaled fish, he could almost forget about the day's events. His eyes falling to half-mast as he lost himself in the repetitive motions of sliding his blade through flesh, skillfully removing bones as he went.

<”Careful.”> Said the gleeful voice of the idiot beside him. <”If you get any more relaxed, you’re going to start purring.”>

<”You missed a strip of scales.”> Tsu’tey returned easily, making an effort to wake himself up.

Y/n hummed. <”So, why are you hovering again?”>

<”It’s the only way I can ensure you stay alive.”>

<”Hey, I am not that bad.”>

<”I looked away for a couple of breaths, and you decided the best way to deal with that situation was jump /towards/ the dangerous predator.”> He stopped the motion of his knife to turn and catch their gaze. <”So yes, you /are/ that bad.”>

<”It worked didn’t it.”>

<”It’s like you’ve learnt nothing. As if my teachings did not stick around in that thick skull.”>

Y/n fell still. <”You’re genuinely upset about this.”> An observation. It was true but it made Tsu’tey feel surprisingly raw. He kept his head bent, refusing to meet their gaze. The teasing note in their voice had evaporated with the sentence. <”Tsu’tey, I’m fine.”> They said softly, a five fingered hand gripping his knee and squeezing.

He kept plucking out bones, ears lying flat in embarrassment. It was not often he was so easily read.

Y/n huffed, their hand disappearing from his knee, and he assumed they would leave him be.

Instead, they reached for his wrists, gently lowering the fish and knife to the pile he was crouched before. They take hold of the hand not covered in blood and guts, their expression open. Almost kind. Tsu’tey tore his gaze from that look, knowing there was a very real danger that he would start purring if they kept looking at him like that.

Thankfully, the avatar remained oblivious as they took his hand and placed it - palm flat - against their chest. Tsu’tey eyebrows furrowed, confused until he felt the steady thump of their heart beneath his touch. <”That cat didn’t even hit me.”> They reassured him, unknowingly loosening something that had wound the hunter up tight

>_<

Neytiri found him in the roost tending to his ikran after the avatars had disconnected in their hammocks, and the clan had dispersed after dinner.

She approached him as he scrubbed at a stubborn mud stain on his Mount's neck, lips pursed as he scowled up at the patch of dirt.

With a light touch to his shoulder, she effortlessly captured his attention, her voice firm as she stated simply, <”we need to talk.”>

Tsu’tey nodded, stepping away from his ikran to give her his full attention.

Neytiri swallowed, seeming to gather all of her courage before speaking again. <“I wish to mate with Jake, once he has completed his training.”> For a moment there was silence. Besides the pair of them and the ikran, there was no one else in the roost. A fact Tsu’tey was eternally grateful for as his shoulder slumped and his heart suddenly unclenched. The relief that flooded him made him lightheaded.

Neytiri studied his reaction carefully, as if expecting yelling or some form of reprimand. It took everything in Tsu’tey not to sweep her up into a hug.

<”I want to start courting Y/n.”> He replied with, instead of voicing any of those thoughts.

Neytiri relaxed, smiling knowingly. <”I’m surprised you didn’t withdraw from our arrangement when they became Omaticayan.”>

<”It was too complicated.”> Between his duty to the clan and Neytiri, to the uneasiness of the people accepting a Sky Person into their midst. Although they had thoroughly proved themselves during their training and the months afterwards, it had taken the People time to truly accept Y/n as one of their own. When it came down to it, few still doubted they would stand with the clan if the Sky People declared war.

<”What changed?”> Neytiri asked easily.

Tsu’tey waved her off, feeling like the question was too personal. He didn’t even know. One moment he was joking and hunting with his friend, and the next he was scrambling to grab that same idiot as they fearlessly launched themselves at a superior predator. Watching them literally slip through his fingers, and feeling his entire body wash with horror so intense he’d never felt anything like it before.

It was that day in the forest all over again. A wounded avatar, fearlessly throwing themselves at him in self-defence, and all his brain could think was ‘strong.’ Tsu’tey always knew he’d been attracted to strength, someone to stand beside him instead of behind. Someone he could rely on when he himself faltered, on the battlefield and off of it.

<”Jake scares me with how reckless he can be.”> Neytiri admitted, pulling him from his musing. <”But he’s got a strong heart. He feels right.”>

Tsu’tey nodded along, amused by the far away look in her eye as she spoke of the man.

Decision made, Tsu’tey straightened, his strides were even, more confident than he felt as he approached his intended. She turned to him as he neared, her expression knowing as she held herself proudly, shoulders squared and her chin up. Absently, Tsu’tey admired her for her courage, for knowing what she didn’t want and being fearless in letting it go. In letting him go.

They would have to tell the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik later so the rest of the clan could be notified and decisions could be made for the future, but for now, it was just them.

With an air of finality, Tsu’tey placed his hands on Neytiri’s shoulders, her gaze locked on his, a mutual understanding passing between them. <”I, Tsu’tey te Rongloa Ateyitan, release you, Neytiri te Tskaha Mo’at’ite, of your oath to me.”> There was no dramatic shift in how he felt for her, but there was a relief of pressure from his shoulders.

Neytiri bowed her head. His hands dropped from her shoulders, and she mirrored his earlier stance, hands squeezing his shoulders as she inhaled a steadying breath. <”And I, Neytiri te Tskaha Mo’at’ite, release you, Tsu’tey te Rogloa Ateyitan, of your oath to me.”>

And just like that, they were free.

>_<

Unlinking was disorientating. The process took seconds. A single blink. And then you were transported to a new world. Your senses were dull compared to that of your avatar. The sounds of the machinery muted compared to the clear sounds of the forest.

The pocket compound was a quiet hum compared to the din of the main chamber during the evening meal. The smells were off. The pleasant hints of vegetation and chilled wind replaced by sterile halls and metal.

Hauling yourself up and out of your link unit with a groan, you felt your shirt stick to your back, your head throbbing unpleasantly from long hours spent doing nothing.

You moved towards your desk before venturing into the next room, the whirr of Jake’s link unit providing some white noise. Pulling out a spare deodorant from one of the drawers, you found your gaze drifting to the stars peering in through the window. Pandora was gorgeous at night, although the soft glow of the forest was muted from this distance as well as the light pollution from the light behind you.

You had only been gone moments, but you already missed it.

Forcing your gaze away, you screwed the lid back on the small tub, metaphorically doing the same to the mounting sense of yearning that was making your chest ache. Shoving the deodorant back into the drawer, you swiftly turned on your feet.

Grace and Norm were rustling around in the kitchen, the whirr of the microwave suggesting it was about dinner time. You noted Norm loitering by the stove, peering into the small machine with a bored expression. Dreading the tasteless meal to come, you flopped heavily into a vacant chair at the table, exhaustion making you groan.

“Long day?” Grace asked without looking up from her notes. She had taken over most of the table with her laptop and numerous stacks of papers.

“Jake almost got killed by a thanator.”

“Again?” She replied, not bothering to look up from her work.

“Again?” You parroted and Norm snorted from behind you. Turning to him, you repeated the question. “What do you mean again?” He waved you off as if it was too long winded a story to repeat.

Down the hallway the creak of wheels indicated Jake’s approach towards the kitchen. “What is it with that man and stupid decisions?”

Norm simply shrugged, whilst Grace chuckled from across the table. “As if you’re any better Y/n.” She mused, snatching up a file from the stack to her right before carefully typing out the contents on her laptop. “On your first day you got separated from your team. Were lost in the forest for hours. Managed to get wounded AND fall out of a tree, almost killing Tsu’tey by flattening him, all before you took out a knife to finish him off.”

Leaned up against the stove, Norm had gone very still, whilst your face had split into a reluctant grin at the recollection of the hunter’s face when you’d whipped out that utility knife and tried to stab him. He’d easily caught your wrist and disarmed you, all whilst looking mildly peeved at the whole interaction.

“Am I hearing this right? You tried to kill Tsu’tey on your first day?” Jake laughed as he glided into the room.

“In my defence, I thought he was gonna /kill/ me.”

“And yet here you are, playing best friends and threatening to braid each other’s hair.”

“They've always been a charmer when they wanted to be.” Grace agreed, reaching over to mess up your hair whilst you shoved at her hands. She laughed at your childish squirming before retreating back behind her computer screen. “They and the future Olo’eyktan have been chasing each other’s tails ever since.”

You groaned loudly, kicking her under the table. “Can you drop that already?”

Grace kicked you back twice as hard. “It’s hard to when the evidence is staring me right in the face.” She replied easily, “you’re so infatuated it’s disgusting.”

“With what evidence?” You deflected.

“You’re not dead for one.” Norm interjected.

“You haven’t been there, you get no opinion Spellman.” You dismissed without missing a beat, to which Jake immediately took up the challenge instead.

“He spends practically all day with you.” Jake added.

“We work well as a team.”

Jake just shook his head before continuing on. “And he was waiting for you to turn up earlier. AND, he practically chewed you out for throwing yourself at the thanator.”

Grace butting back into the conversation at that. “I thought you said Jake almost got killed.”

“He did, until I saved his idiot ass. But that’s besides the point, Omaticaya do not mate with outsiders, looking at you in particular Jake. Neytiri already has commitments. And that’s not including the fact that we’re not here for the long-term. It would just end up hurting everyone involved.” You retorted, pulling the conversation back to an area you could control.

Grace tuts. “I never took you as someone afraid of love, Y/n.”

You scowled, “I’m not afraid.”

Grace hummed, not looking convinced or agreeing with you. “But you’re right, all jokes aside, we are not of their world.”

Your heart clenched despite knowing it was the truth. Despite repeating it to yourself everyday since you’d fallen for that gruff voice and scowling face.

Even in the privacy of your own thoughts, it was hard to admit that you loved him. That you wanted that deep connection with him. To mate with the man you had chosen and spend forever with him. Because even in your thoughts, you knew it was something unattainable. You knew you’d always have one foot in either world; looking in but never around.

>_<

Mo’at and Eytukan had taken the news of Tsu’tey and Neytiri’s broken engagement reasonably well. With the Olo’eyktan storming off for several hours and leaving the young pair sweating bullets, whilst the Tsahik took one long look at her daughter and came to a fast conclusion.

<”Thank you for being honest.”> The woman stated bluntly, addressing both of them before turning her attention to her daughter. <”I will speak with your father.”> Then she swung her gaze around to Tsu’tey. <”We will have to discuss whether you will proceed as Olo’eyktan or Neytiri’s mate will take up the position instead.”>

Although internally Tsu’tey was raging at the idea of Jake taking his lifelong position, he managed to bite his tongue and nod his understanding.

Which led to him and Neytiri crouching around a low burning fire in the main chamber, each attempting to create their courting gifts. The dawn was still young, with the hunting parties having left already, but Neytiri had already given up on her courting project.

She was being frustratingly unhelpful, as per usual, as she excitedly told Tsu’tey all about her evening with Jake. They had progressed surprisingly far into their courtship in such a short span of time, with Jake allowing Neytiri to braid his hair the night before. The man was currently parading the new look around the clan, following Y/n around like a lost talioang calf.

Tsu’tey tried not to scowl at his turned back. Instead focusing on carving an accurate atokirina into the hilt of the knife in his hands. He’d discovered the palulukan tooth not far from HomeTree and had brought it home to sharpen and attach to a hilt of his making. It was almost finished, and only required the last few decorative carvings to the hilt before he could present it - and his heart - to the subject of his affections.

Across the flames, Neytiri’s face visibly lit up, her posture straightening as Jake rounded the firepit to take the vacant spot at her side. Tsu’tey watched with an amused smile as the man sat down a respectful distance from the woman, only for Neytiri to purposefully shift herself into his side. Jake visibly stiffened, eyes boring into the flames as he avoided Neytiri’s fierce gaze. It was amusing to watch him suffer, whilst Neytiri grinned evilly, her tail thumping in silent victory.

She thumbed one of the beads woven into a front braid of Jake’s hair, the motion full of love that made Tsu’tey’s stomach twist, whilst Jake flushed a bright purple.

A hand on Tsu’tey’s shoulder brought his attention away from the couple, instead allowing him to focus on Y/n who had dropped into an easy crouch at his side. Their gaze had immediately fallen to the knife, eyes wide in interest. Tsu’tey tried not to preen too hard at the blatant show of intrigue.

He made no move to conceal his work. Privately, Tsu’tey had always disagreed with the idea of secrecy within the courtship process. Why work for hours on a present his intended might not even like? He might as well ask their opinion as he went and ensure they loved it.

He allowed their curious gaze to linger for a while, content to entertain them whilst he worked.

<”How tall are you in your demon body?”> He found himself blurting when the half formed thought of creating them a necklace for their second gift came to mind. Beside him, Y/n had gone stock still, their hand freezing on his shoulder, but Tsu’tey couldn’t say he wanted to take it back. If he was going to do this, he was going to commit all the way. Avatar and Sky Person alike. And for that to work, he needed to create twice the amount of gifts, or at least, that’s what he assumed.

When the time came and he did gain the privilege of meeting Y/n in their natural body, he wanted to have a piece of himself already there. A necklace made by his hand would work perfectly. Small enough to remain out of the way, but obvious so as to tell others that they were already involved with someone.

<”What?”> Y/n finally choked out, whilst Jake had gone very still across the fire.

Tsu’tey shot him a warning look. Injecting the expression with enough venom to silently reassure him that he would retaliate if he got involved.

<”Your demon body.”> Tsu’tey repeated, looking up to find an unnaturally neutral expression plaguing Y/n’s face. Their eyes searched his, looking for the joke, or worse, a trap. <”The one you disappear to when you close your eyes.”>

<”My /human/ body?”> They returned sharply, using a word Tsu’tey did not recognise.

”Human?” The word felt weird rolling off his tongue.

Y/n at least took pity on him, leaning back as they explained, <”it’s what Sky People call themselves.”> They fumbled for an example, the distant call of an ikran making their ears perk. <“Right, so you have ikran, right?”> He nodded uncertainty, unsure where this was going, <”well, they refer to them as> banshees.”

”Banshees?"

<”It’s easy to pronounce in english.”>

<”You still haven’t answered my question.”>

<”I can’t remember.”>

Tsu’tey narrowed his gaze, uncertain as to why he was being denied such an innocent piece of information. <”What? Why not?”>

<”It’s just not really that important.”> They deflected, but Tsu’tey could tell they were withholding it for a reason.

<”Are we not friends?”>

<”Of course?”> They arched their eyebrow.

<”Then tell me.”>

<”I can’t show you my human body. It is too fragile for Pandora.”>

And now Tsu’tey was confused. <”I just need you to describe yourself to me.”>

<”Why are you so invested?”>

<”Just tell me!”> He finally snapped, eyes narrowed.

The avatar huffed in a way that Tsu’tey knew meant that he’d won.

They settled in more comfortably, turning away from the flames to give him their full attention. Tsu’tey drew his gaze away from his work, eager to not miss anything.

They began simple, describing themselves in details that Tsu’tey could understand since he’d only ever seen snippets of humans from a distance. They showed him roughly what their height was in comparison to their avatar, they described the hue of their eyes, the tones of their hair, the state of their hands. They depicted their typical attire, how they carried themselves, mapping out old injuries and aged scars, all of which he absorbed greedily.

It was more than he’d asked for, and he was grateful for it. It would be easier to construct gifts to their taste with this additional snippet of information.

As their rambling diverged off the original topic, Tsu’tey listened with mild amusement as they began complaining about the exo packs they were forced to wear whilst exploring Pandora. Telling him about how the air of this planet was too dense with carbon dioxide and easily overwhelmed their lungs if they breathed it in, to which he felt compelled to interrupt.

If these ‘exo-packs’ were so crucial, surely he should learn how they work. As their future mate, he should possess the skill to step up if it were required.

<”Show me.”> He said simply, and they stilled again. He seemed to keep surprising them today. <”I want to learn how it works.”>

They made a show of looking down at their weapon’s belt and loincloth. <”I don’t have one on me.”>

Tsu’tey tutted as he rose fluidly from his crouch, slipping his knife back into its sheath whilst he set aside his courting gift. <”You said you’re in a new hideout. Up in the Hallelujah Mountains. Yes?”> He pressed, motioning to said mountains on the horizon. They nodded as they rose to their feet. <”There’s still plenty of daylight left.”>

They agreed easily enough, following his lead towards the double helix staircase after biding a quick goodbye to Jake. He issued a half-assed challenge at the base of the helix, to which they grinned and immediately agreed, going so far as to shove him aside and making a head start. Tsu’tey laughed at their boldness before jumping after them, effortlessly climbing faster and making it to the rookery before they cleared the fourth level.

In companionable silence, the pair saddled their ikran before taking to the skies. It was still early, the forest only just waking up. The skies clear and the sun bright on the horizon. With a whoop, Y/n took the lead guiding the pair in the direction of the Hallelujah Mountains.

>_<

When you got into the link this morning, this was not how you envisioned yourself returning to the compound.

As the small, silver unit came into view on the horizon, you slowed the speed of your mount to warned Tsu’tey of the other people you were sharing the compound with. He nodded along, content to follow your lead as you began your descent towards the open strip of grass.

Landing your ikran near the other side of the cliff, you slid off with a comforting pat to your mount’s snout. Striding across the short distance towards the compound, you absently remarked on how small the helicopter felt now that you were almost as tall as it.

Crouching down near the compound doors, you knocked lightly on the metal, aware of your superior strength in this form. Tsu’tey approached slowly from behind you, eying the building with clear mistrust.

One of the windows shifted as someone peered out. You smiled with a wave, unable to make out their face as they dipped out of sight just as fast as they’d appeared. You didn’t have to wait long, as you heard the hiss of the airlock and shuffled back to make space for whoever was coming out.

Decked out in an exo pack, Grace poked her head out of the compound door. ”The hell are you doing here?”

”Tsu’tey wanted to learn how to put on exo packs.” You replied simply, motioning to the hunter over your shoulder. Grace followed the motion, visibly stiffening as her gaze found Tsu’tey looming nearby. ”Would you mind grabbing a couple and a silicone dummy?”

She nodded despite her confusion, disappearing back inside to rummage through the storage.

<”Humans are very tiny.”> Tsu’tey commented with no malice.

<”And fragile. So be careful.”> You warned, offering to help Grace with her load as she stumbled back out of the airlock with the equipment you needed.

Together, you laid out everything on the grass not far from the compound, Tsu’tey sat crossed legged across from Grace as the older woman launched into a brief explanation on the exo packs. She pointed out the different pieces and dismantled and rebuilt one for Tsu’tey to observe.

Then she strapped one to the face of the dummy and instructed him to remove it. He crushed it easily between his forefinger and thumb, making his tail thump in annoyance. Grace laughed before replacing the mask, instructing him towards the straps at the back of the mask and how they worked.

It took plenty of trial and error, with a small pile of ruined exo packs building up behind Grace, some beyond repair, but most could be recycled into spare parts. But eventually, Tsu’tey learned how to get the old exo pack off, before Grace challenged him to strap a new one on.

It was fascinating to watch how engrossed he became in the task. Ears pricked in curiosity as he messed with equipment much too small for his large fingers, navigating the fiddly compartments with a growing sense of familiarity.

Whilst he worked, you caught Grace’s eye, to which she looked pointedly at your arm and the decorative armband encircling your bicep. “Now I know for a fact you can’t weave. So what sorry sod did you steal that off of.” She mused, ignoring how Tsu’tey’s ears flicked towards the conversation, even as he continued to focus on the task at hand.

“Tsu’tey actually made it.”

“Stealing from your friend? Now that’s low even for you.” You lightly pushed her, rolling your eyes.

“You’re such a mum.” You jabbed, “it was a gift obviously.”

Grace raised her eyebrows but said nothing else. Her eyes drifted back to Tsu’tey who had almost gotten the exo pack back over the dummy’s head. You followed her gaze only to find Tsu’tey glaring daggers at her and the woman refusing to back down.

You internally debated starting up a fresh conversation to distract them from one another, but you were terrified of either of those gaze turning on you.

>_<

In the weeks that followed, Jake passed his rite.

You’d heard his triumphant whoop echoing from the branches of HomeTree as the new hunters returned home. Grinning to yourself, you helped prepare the evening feast whilst Eytukan and Mo’at climbed the helix staircase to greet the newest additions to the tribe.

The rest of the members began to tuck in before anyone came down from the rookery. The main chamber falling into its usual rhythm of chatter and crackling flames. Finding yourself a vacant spot further away from the staircase, you knew when the hunters emerged as a triumphant roar erupted from all the clan members.

Joining in with gusto, you watched as Jake made his way through the assembled na’vi, receiving back pats and calls of congratulations as Neytiri dragged him along by the arm. He looked good in paint. His hair had also been restyled, accented with braids and beads which looked significantly better than the rat tails that used to hang around his ears. It was definitely Neytiri’s handy work, you knew for a fact that Jake couldn’t braid. Nor did his human body have hair to practise on.

Tsu’tey found you before too long, taking the space opposite you, his leg guards still strapped on after a long day of climbing the mountains and gliding around on his ikran.

<”How were they?”> You asked by way of greeting, pushing the serving leaf closer for him to pick at.

<”My students performed excellently. As was predicted.”>

<”And Jake?”>

<”Almost plummeted to his death, but as you can see,”> he motioned to where Neytiri and Jake had disappeared off to. <”Eywa does not wish to take him yet.”>

<”That is good.”>

Tsu’tey hummed, not reaching for the food like usual. That in itself was off putting. Refocusing your attention, you realised he was acting strange. Almost skittish. His hand reached for something at his belt, only to rethink his actions and for it to drop back into his lap. You frowned.

<”Something on your mind?”>

He jumped as if he’d forgotten you were there.

<”Did you do something?”> You deadpanned, mentally preparing yourself for anything between leaving the saddle on his ikran to straight up murder.

Tsu’tey did not respond. He seemed to come to a conclusion as he confidently reached for his belt once again and pulled a knife free. Your eyes zeroed in on the thanator tooth blade before gliding down the smooth, wooden hilt. It looked like it had taken days to carve, sharpen and construct. And fuck was it an attractive blade. From the alluring glint of the tooth to the heavily detailed handle, you couldn’t even fathom the amount of hours it would have taken to acquire the materials, let alone make them into something new.

Judging by the look on his face, he was definitely preening. Then again, so would you be if you had managed to craft something on the same scale as this.

<”It’s gorgeous.”> You breathed, leaning closer to examine it further. Tsu’tey held it out to you, encouraging you to take it from his hands with a firm nod of his head.

It was perfectly balanced and fit like it was made to be held by your hand.

<”Jesus, how long did this take you?”>

Tsu’tey shrugged, going for modesty, but you could see the pride oozing off him in waves. His ears had pricked cutely, whilst his tail swayed as an obvious sign of glee.

<“So when are you going to give it to her?”>

Tsu’tey’s tail stilled. His happy swaying was abruptly cut off as his eyes snapped open, pinning you in place with a look that could freeze over the north sea.

“Huh?”

Behind him, someone audibly winced, shuffling in closer to their family group. Tsu’tey paid them no mind.

You tried to play it off with a laugh, assuming he hadn’t heard you beyond the compliment regarding his craftsmanship. <”When are you giving it to her?”> You repeated, smiling encouragingly when his expression did not change. The longer he stared at you with that blank, unreadable expression, the longer you felt yourself grow uneasy. <”This is for Neytiri, right?”>

<“No.”> He snapped, making you jump at the sudden harsh tone. His eyes flashed, ears falling from their tall swivel. <”It is for you.”> He continued quieter, his tone losing its harsh note.

He was the one who looked unsure now. Eyes skittishly fluttering all over your face.

You broke eye contact, turning the knife over and over between your palms. In every sense of the word, it was perfect. A much better fit than the measly weapon strapped to your chest, or your old utility knife.

<”Thank you.”>

He nodded, seeming to finally relax. <“Good. Your one is an embarrassment.”>

You huffed, leaning across to give him a playful whack to the shoulder, which had a smile breaking out on his lips and his tail thrashing again. Whatever had been brewing between you seemed to evaporate in the wave of the familiar gesture.

As Tsu’tey reached for some food, you busied yourself with unsheathing your knife from the sheath strapped across your chest. You’d made it yourself during your early weeks spent at HomeTree from a rock you’d smashed open and a smoothed down slab of wood. It had served you well until now. Sliding the new one in in its place, you grinned at the perfect fit.

Tsu’tey shared your smile as he nodded slowly to himself, ears pricked and his face relaxed.

Over his shoulder, you caught sight of Mo’at picking her way back down the double helix stairs, Eytukan’s hand on her shoulder to keep her steady. The Tsahik spared him no attention, her gaze driving into your soul despite the large, open space between you. You could’ve sworn she was smirking, but you /knew/ that Mo’at did not smirk.

>_<

The party lasted late and long into the night, so you were not overly surprised when there was hardly anyone around the following morning when you linked up. After descending the spiral staircase to the main chamber, a nervous energy fell over the few hunters who were already awake.

There was no chatter today. The main chamber of HomeTree was eerily still.

Tsu’tey was nowhere to be found. Whilst Mo’at and Eytukan were not in the plaza as they usually were. The sudden break in routine had your hair standing on end, some deep rooted na’vi instinct warning you of an impending danger.

But you were safe. You were beneath HomeTree, far away from the Sky People and any other form of threats.

Shaking the feeling off, you decided to busy yourself. Tsu’tey couldn’t hide forever - he was clingy like that - so you just had to find something to do until he showed himself. Stepped out of the shadow of HomeTree, you made your way towards the river where the pa’li grazed.

The atmosphere out here was not so stifling, the sunshine helping to ease the previously sombre mood. Or so you thought.

You’d barely made it onto the path that led away from HomeTree when you noticed Jake and Neytiri walking hand in hand towards the tree. You gaze narrowed, unused to seeing them so forward with their physical affections to one another. Against your will, your legs stopped walking as you observed.

As if sensing you needed a push to slot the pieces together, the wind decided at that moment to pick up, wafting the smell of sex and togetherness straight at you. Your eyes bugged, connecting the distinct smells of Jake and Neytiri. If you were blind, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

That thought threw you, as an instinct that wasn't your own knew what it was. The words echo in the back of your mind. Short. Simple.

They had bonded.

>_<

Jake would have been on cloud nine if he hadn’t just witnessed the destruction of the Tree of Voices. According to Neytiri, they should be basking in the presence of one another and enjoying their newfound closeness through the bond, not internally panicking about the bulldozers which had gotten far too close for comfort.

HomeTree was eerily still as the newly mated pair rushed towards the main chamber with the intention of warning the Olo’eyktan about the approaching attack. The pair had barely gotten into the shadow of the massive tree when a fuming Y/n stormed up to him out of seemingly nowhere. He had taken one look at that expression before his stomach had dropped with fear sharper than any bulldozer.

They took one look at him, nose twitching unnaturally. Then their expression hardened, similar to those first few weeks of him being around HomeTree.

Neytiri had also stopped walking, her expression perplexed as she watched the scientist visibly attempt to calm themselves.

“When I said don’t, it wasn’t a fucking challenge to get it on as quickly as fucking possible.” They blurted, tail thrashing. Jake very much wanted to run. He felt genuinely in danger.

When a hand caught his ear in a vice-like grip and began dragging him out of HomeTree, he briefly contemplated unlinking and begging Trudy for a rapid getaway, but decided he wanted his knife on him if anything went wrong. “That hurts!” He whined instead, confused as to why Neytiri was just laughing instead of helping him.

They didn’t bother offering a response and instead dragged him out into the sunlight despite his best attempts at wrestling them off. His ear was on fire, eyes watering. Somehow it was worse than being at knife point.

“What the fuck are you playing at?” They snarled, letting go of him with a shove that sent him sprawling in the dirt. Thankfully, they’d dragged him away from the main path to HomeTree and into the undergrowth to the side where there would be less witnesses. His blood chilled at the connotations of that thought.

Y/n was still fuming, hands twitching at their sides as if to reach for a knife, but Jake mentally noted that they weren’t wearing their weapon’s belt, odd, they never took that off. “We are /visitors/.” They hissed, drawing his attention back to the matter at hand. “As much as we wear the skin and decor of the clan, we do not belong here.”

Anger flared to life in his gut. “Stop talking to me like I’m a kid.”

“Then act like a fucking adult for once in your life.” They returned sharply, giving him a harsh thump to the head as if to activate the rest of his brain cells. His expression remained pinched, defiant. Y/n returned it with such venom he almost wanted to back down. “What happens when the programme closes down Jake?” His heart plummeted as their expression morphed into something more neutral. “What about when they rotate us home?”

He fumbled for a response. “I didn’t-.”

They smack him upside the head again. “Exactly! You didn’t.”

Their expression held a thousand words. “Why do you think I never took a mate after my rite?”

“I didn’t-”

"And Tsu’tey-" they cut themselves off with a groan. "I know that you hated him, but stealing his intended is several steps too far Jake."

"Look, I can explain."

"It better be fucking impeccable." They threatened, “I've got eight months of training on you in this body, I can and will kick your ass.”

“What? No!"

“Then unlink so I can beat your ass.”

“I’m not doing that either.”

“Don’t make me come over there Jake. I will unlink right here.”

“Look, I get that you’re angry. This looks really bad-”

“I am beyond angry Jake. What the hell were you thinking?”

"They aren't intended anymore!" Jake hurriedly, supplied. Y/n froze.

"Who?"

"Tsu’tey and Neytiri. They broke it off."

The leaves behind Y/n rustled in response to his declaration as the pair in question finally stumbled upon them. Jake sagged in relief. Neytiri was immediately at his side, checking him for injuries with swift passes of her hands over his body.

Meanwhile, Y/n had frozen up. Their brows furrowed, whilst Tsu’tey watched on with an expression of pure glee. Jake wanted to smack him.

They turned to Tsu’tey, their tone dead serious and still festering with poorly concealed rage. <"Is it true? Your engagement?">

To his credit, Tsu’tey did not cower, and instead responded with a simple, <"yes."> The tension bled out of the scientist, whilst Tsu'tey's grin grew, preening at the act of someone defending his honour.

Y/n backed off, physically retreating a step or two. "Then I apologise, Jake."

"You don't have a very high opinion of me do you?"

"You're unpredictable. And stupid." They responded without missing a beat. And Jake couldn't exactly fault them for that observation.

Tsu’tey was still grinning as he handed them back their knife belt, "I found this in the bushes."

“I needed to get rid of it for fear of stabbing him.”

“You were planning to stab me.”

“In my defence, I thought you were in your rebel era.”

Jake was about to bite back a not so kind retort when Neytiri effortlessly hauled him back to his feet. “As touching as this is, we must speak to the Olo’eyktan. It's urgent. The Tree of Voices has been destroyed."

“Shit. I forgot about that part.” Jake admitted before he could stop himself.

>_<

In the language of the na’vi, there was no word for lie. In a world like Pandora, there was no room for treachery or deceit. Only a clear line between right and wrong.

Your heart pounded as you glanced between Jake and Neytiri, the telltale scent of sex and togetherness that suggested a completed bond making you want to gag. Warning him against mating with one of the clan members hadn’t been a fucking challenge.

But that wasn’t the main issue. The issue was the destruction of the Tree of Voices and Jake trying to explain Quaritch’s plan.

The clan was deadly silent as he finished his rushed explanation. The tension mounting as Neytiri stared at Jake as if she didn’t know him.

Their earlier ease with one another had evaporated. Jake's body tensed up whilst Neytiri looked devastated.

<“What are you saying Jake? You knew this would happen?”> Neytiri asked, her hand on Jake’s shoulder, trying to get him to look at her instead of her father. Her expression was searching as she tried to understand what he was getting at. Tried to grasp the concept of him being a double agent.

You shifted in your spot half a step behind Tsu’tey, catching Grace’s eyes across the small semi-circle. This was a delicate situation now, one Jake could throw into chaos with a few wrongly placed words.

Thankfully, he seemed to grasp the kind of situation he was in because he visibly steadied himself before responding. His expression was open, honest. You could see the fear glistening in the depths of his eyes. Noticed the shake of his hand as he grasped his mate’s hand on his shoulder, his tone soothing as he replied. <“Look, the Sky People sent me here, to learn your ways-”>

You felt the colour bleed from your face. What the hell was he thinking?

You stepped closer, ears pricked as if that would help you understand. Tsu’tey to your left mirrored the action, somehow still between you and Jake. <“You knew?”> He accused, his face ablaze with fury. You could see his hand twitching at his side, a sure sign he was going to draw his blade.

<“Yes, but-”> Jake replied hurriedly, sensing he was about to send the entire encounter into a tailspin.

Neytiri abruptly tore herself away from him. Your stomach dropped at the pure agony twisting her features. <“I trusted you.”> She whispered, voice shaking. Then she hardened, her posture stiffening, her expression warping into a ferocious snarl. <”I trusted you!”>

The hunters observing the scene reached for their bows.

Mo’at made a grab at her daughter’s arm, trying to pull the woman away from Jake as if he were the threat.

Tsu’tey stepped up, face contorting into a cold snarl.

You grabbed his arm when you saw the genuine fear spreading across your friend’s face as Jake instinctively backed away, unaware of the waiting hunters at his back. <”Okay, lets all just calm down.”> You commanded, dreading the look on Grace’s face when you found her in the crowd. “Jake, what the fuck are you talking about?” You hissed in english.

The steady grip you had on Tsu’tey’s forearm was ripped away as the hunter turned on you. Eyes burning with enough hatred to make you want to bare your neck. You remained firm, knowing that because of association you were also an enemy in his eyes.

“Did you know about this?” Tsu’tey demanded accusingly. His expression was not of your friend, but of the next in line to the clan, ready to defend his people at a moment’s notice.

“What?”

“Did you /know/?” He repeated, almost shouting as he got up in your face. You held firm, refusing to back away or back down as you sternly met his gaze.

Shoulders back, spine straight, you snapped in fluent na’vi. <“Of course not.”> You bared your fangs, ears pinned flat against your skull. Jake shifted behind you, and you waved your hand at him. Silently ordering him not to intervene. <“I’ve spent every hour here, helping the clan. Doing my duty. The only time I return to the compound is to eat and sleep.”>

Tsu’tey maintained eye contact, chest heaving. You dared not blink. Hunter to hunter, neither of you moved. Then his body lost its tension. He found what he’d been looking for in your gaze and he backed down with a nod.

“Grace!” Neytiri yelled, straining against the harsh grip Mo’at had on her forearm. You spun in the direction she was attempting to run in to find Grace’s avatar collapsed onto the floor. A couple women rushed forward to try and bring her back, but you recognised the unnatural stillness of an uninhabited avatar.

“Shit.” Jake cursed, and you couldn’t help but agree.

“They found us.” You breathed, barely loud enough for you to hear yourself.

“The Sky People?” Tsu’tey asked, his hand found your shoulder and gripped tightly to draw your attention back to him. Numbly, you nodded, heart pounding as your hand found his arm and held on for dear life.

Behind you, Jake was also visibly panicking. He tried to draw everyone’s attention back to him long enough to explain, but he struggled to get the words out. His na’vi was breaking up as he stuttered through a poor explanation. <”You have to leave.”> You could barely understand what he was saying before his voice cut off, body stiffening and his eyes rolling into the back of his head. He went down like a rock.

Distantly, you heard Neytiri screech his name before she tore herself from Mo’at grip and ran to him.

You were next, you realised. It was only a few steps past his link to your own.

<“Listen. Listen to me.”> You pleaded, turning to Tsu’tey. His eyes flickered to the collapsed bodies of your colleagues before giving you his full attention, expression grim. <“The Sky People have found our compound. They’ll be coming for HomeTree next. They will show no mercy.”>

Anguished shouts erupted across the hollow chamber. You wanted to roar with them, but there was no time.

You turned to the Olo’eyktan who had been watching the exchange wordlessly from Mo’at’s side, his expression unreadable. Tsu’tey did not tear you away as you stood before him. Nor did Mo’at order you removed. For now, for these few precious seconds, you were still one of them.

The symbolism of the bow at your back and the beaded armband encircling your bicep still held strong. You were still a hunter pleading to your leader. And for now, he would listen to you.

<“Olo’eyktan, you need to evacuate everyone who cannot fight.”> The People roared their disapproval, but Eytukan silenced them with a hand. He nodded once. It gave you hope. <”They need to go somewhere safe, the warriors-”>

Your body gave a lurch. Tsu’tey’s grip turned painful as your muscles locked up. Your vision blurred and your pupils lost focus.

Mentally, you clawed at your hold over this body, fighting with all you had not to wake up as you felt strong hands pulling at your shoulders, slowing your descent. Someone was yelling your name.

But you were leaving. Drifting away. Your consciousness slipping.

You came up swinging on the other side. Grace was yelling from across the room as an RDA officer restrained her. Jake was out of sight, and Norm was also being held down. Your fist connected with someone’s temple as you screeched a war cry that should not have been possible with human vocal cords.

Chapter Text

The long helicopter ride back to Hell’s Gate was painfully awkward.

Quaritch had been quick and efficient in getting everyone evacuated out of the compound and moved to the waiting Sampson.

You refused to speak when addressed. Seething that you’d been pulled out at such a crucial time, and before dinner of all things. The hunters had brought in fresh yerik this morning, which you’d been greatly looking forward to until Neytiri and Jake rocked up freshly mated and turned everything to shit.

At least Trudy had been spared. Upon landing, Quaritch had sent her on her way with little more than a slap on the wrist and a promise of getting her grounded if she stepped out of line. She went easily enough, looking hesitant until Grace shot her a firm look.

That was half an hour ago. Now you were in headquarters, lined up with the other three whilst Quaritch and Selfridge attempted to negotiate the chaos. The colonel had wisely left you cuffed, even after removing everyone else’s. He’d taken one look at the burning fury in your eye and decided he’d be safer if he left you restrained.

You stood stony faced as Grace attempted to negotiate with Quaritch and Selfridge who clearly were not understanding a word of what she was saying. You could already tell from Selfridge’s expression and the firm set of Quaritch’s crossed arms that they’d already made up their minds.

You busied yourself with looking around the room while they talked. The other workers in the large office blatantly ignored the conversation whilst Wainfleet guarded the door.

There was a na’vi bow mounted on the wall in Selfridge’s office. It hung above his head like a bad omen. You recognised the finely carved wood from HomeTree. Took into account the decorative swirls at the tips. Whoever had calved it was definitely dead. Their hard work reduced to a trophy in a dusty office.

Grace finished her small monologue and Selfridge laughed. Any lingering hope that this could be resolved without bloodshed abruptly evaporated.

Quaritch spoke up, ushering the small group to gather around a nearby monitor. The guards followed suit, intrigued by Jake’s exhausted face popping up on screen in the form of a video log. Even Wainfleet was drawn away from his position so he could look at the monitor.

You didn’t bother drawing closer. A glance at the date confirmed that you’d been present during that late night rant, tucked out of frame but staring bug eyed at the tired marine as he ranted.

Taking the distraction for what it was, you glanced at the open door and saw your chance.

Knowing the sound of your boots would draw attention, you slipped out of them. One careful footstep after another. The guards hadn’t given you time to lace them up back at the compound, so they came off easily. Then you simply walked out, head held high and your strides confident. No one called you back.

Your footsteps made no sound against the freezing metal floors as you calmly walked out of the main office and took the stairs two at a time down three flights. If you encountered someone in the hallway, you offered a friendly smile and they mostly waved back. It was easy. Unnervingly easy.

By chance, you encountered Trudy outside of the main avatar link room. Her eyes bugged out of her head when she noticed you, head snapping from your triumphant grin to your still cuffed wrists.

She shifted her stance, hands on her hips with an easy grin. “I didn’t know you were so slippery.”

“It was all the training.” You assured her, to which she nodded, looking you up and down with newfound respect.

“Glad to see you’re okay. Are the others?”

“Still trying to talk Quaritch out of hitting HomeTree.”

“So, they just let you go?” Trudy pressed, still looking confused by the cuffs and your lack of shoes.

“About that. Got any good hiding spots around here.”

She rolled her eyes with a taxing sigh before nodding, face splitting into a mischievous grin. You abruptly recalled why the two of you had always gotten on so well. With your crazy ideas and her willingness to follow along despite the dangers, you made a formidable team. You’d only wished you’d spent more time here to remind yourself of that.

Trudy took great pride in comically looking left, then looking right before grabbing your forearm and hauling you down the nearest corridor towards the hangar.

“I like your attitude Dr.”

>_<

<”Tsu’tey.”> Mo’at voice was kind, her hand grounding on his shoulder, but the warrior barely spared her a glance.

His heart was pounding, hands shaking as he cradled the face of his limp friend. Y/n did not stir at the feeling of hands on their face. They looked dead. He almost believed they were, but there was breath against his skin. The steady rise and fall of their chest. A strong pulse beneath his fingertips.

<”We must move them to the healing cove.”> Mo’at continued, soothing in her tone. Numbly, Tsu’tey nodded, but he did not move away. Not at first. <”I will do everything I can.”> The Tsahik assured him, whistling for a couple of her apprentices to rush forward and scoop up the still body.

With that, Y/n’s body was whisked away, following Jake and Grace’s that had already been taken to the medical chamber to be tended to and prayed over.

Tsu’tey did not follow. His limbs were heavy. Mind still jared from the sight of the life leaving Y/n’s face. He’d never witnessed such a sudden unlinking. It was unnatural. It had almost looked painful, his arm still stinging from the indents of their nails raking down his skin as their knees gave out.

At his side, Neytiri was in a similar state. Her expression hollow, eyes unseeing as if a piece of her had followed Jake to wherever he had gone.

Tsu’tey stilled. The compound. Y/n had said something about the compound.

A half-baked plan formed in the back of his mind as he grabbed Neytiri’s wrist. <”Come.”> He urged, taking off at a sprint for the spiral staircase. Dazed, Neytiri obediently followed, keeping pace with Tsu’tey as the pair ascended through the levels of HomeTree and emerged into the roost.

<”What are we doing up here?”> Neytiri asked, her voice lacking any real emotion.

<”You wish to save Jake, do you not?”> Tsu’tey asked, already knowing the answer. The woman visibly collected herself, expression reanimating as Tsu’tey whistled for his ikran. <”There is a base within the mountains.”>

<”Then we must hurry.”> Neytiri agreed, hollering for Seze who was quick to break through the canopy.

As soon as his mount touched down, Tsu’tey connected his kuru. His ikran immediately responded to the adrenaline coursing through his blood and was swift in manoeuvring himself to the lip of the branch. Seze followed suit, shadowing the larger ikran as Tsu’tey urged him into flight. With twin whoops, the pair launched themselves from the branches of HomeTree and sped towards the direction of the mountains.

They made good time. The compound coming into view as a shining speck on the horizon. The metal ikran that had been nesting in front of the shack the last time Tsu’tey had visited was gone, leaving a clear landing strip for the ikran.

Touching down, Tsu’tey threw himself down from his mount, running a hand soothingly along his neck before disconnecting his kuru. He was careful in approaching the eerily still building. Ears pricked for unexpected Sky People or for familiar movement inside.

Elegantly, Neytiri slid down from Seze. <”This place is too still.”>

He could only nod, stooping before the small metal door and knocking. His fist left an indent in the weak metal, but he was too stressed to care. Nothing moved within the building. The scent of many Sky People plagued the wind of the mountain, their smells poisoning the door and the grass all around. If he focused, Tsu’tey could tell that they were stale. Hours old.

His expression morphed into a scowl. Neytiri appeared at his side, peering into one of the windows, whilst Tsu’tey dropped into a crouch and gingerly reached the door handle. His large fingers mimicked how Grace had opened it before, the weak metal barrier opening easily under his touch. It had not been locked.

<”Check the surroundings.”> Tsu’tey ordered his companion, only waiting long enough for her to nod before he tucked himself in small and shuffled into the airlock. With the door closed behind him, he listened to the wheeze of pandora air being sucked out of the tight space before the light overhead flashed green and the second door unlocked.

The scents here were more intense. Hinting towards a lived in space. There was food on the table, a tap still running against the far wall, the sink almost overflowing with dirty dishes.

Discarding all that useless information, Tsu’tey moved further into the space, his tall body contorted to fit. The deeper he ventured, the more signs of struggle he found. Furniture had been overturned and doors left open, a couple barely hanging on by their hinges. Scattered papers carpeted the floor underfoot, books opened wide, their pages disfigured.

It distantly reminded Tsu’tey of the school. How it had looked after the Sky People had ransacked it. The scents were the same, the fear and rage poisoning the air.

The only comfort was that there was no blood. Bullet wounds did not scar the walls of the tight space, nor did smoke poison the air.

But that did not set his heart at ease. There was no one here.

He had been too late.

He felt the loss like a blow to the chest, his teeth grinding as he desperately rechecked the small space. Looking in cupboards and under the table in search of hiding places or survivors. He came up empty handed each time.

With nowhere else to look, he emerged back out into the sunlight to find Neytiri pacing beside Seze. She caught his gaze across the clearing, all movements stills as she looked at him with such heart shattering hope. He shook his head. She crumbled before his eyes.

<”They took him.”> Neytiri whispered, voice on the verge of breaking. Tsu’tey was quick to go to her, to drag her into his chest and hold her firmly as her shoulders shook. <”They took my mate!”> She yelled, pain twisting her words as she clawed at him. Desperately seeking comfort.

Tsu’tey held her through it, shoving down his own grief in the face of her panic. He needed to be strong for her. A rock. Just as he had always been.

<”Come. We must return to the clan.”> He said, giving her something to do in hopes it would help her recollect herself. <”There is nothing more we can do here.”>

>_<

HomeTree was burning.

And you could do nothing but listen to the victory announcement over the comms echoing throughout the deserted hangar.

Tears streamed down your face as you bit into your fist in a feeble attempt to quieten your sobs. Tears dripped onto the floor of the footwell of Trudy’s helicopter; heart aching for those lost and those left behind. There was no way of knowing who had survived, and who had already died. How many? How many of your friends had been crushed by the falling tree? And how many had passed afterwards in the aftermath?

You should’ve known. Should have spent more time around Hell’s Gate. Should have figured out Quaritch’s plan and foiled it. Instead of frolicing in the forest, greedily spending as much time with Tsu’tey as your days would allow. You should have-

You cut off your train of thought.

You had to get back. Somehow, you needed to relink and warn the People. You needed to be useful by either providing another pair of hands or bringing back valuable information.

Trudy had to come back soon, it had been two hours since she’d shoved you in here and locked you inside with a swift promise to return with the others. You’d managed to snap the link of the handcuffs ages ago.

You were pulled from your internal spiral by people climbing up onto the side of the helicopter and reaching for the engine covers. You tensed, making yourself smaller in the cockpit as the doors at the rear of the helicopter opened and someone boarded.

“I got them.” Trudy called by way of greeting as she fell into the pilot’s seat and began flipping buttons and pulling levers. She was grinning from ear to ear as she thrust an exo pack into your lap, which you busied yourself with putting it on. “You doing okay?”

“They got HomeTree.” You replied brokenly. Trudy winced.

“I know. But we’re gonna get you back in there.” She replied stubbornly, “we’re gonna steal the mountain compound and drop it somewhere near the Tree of Souls. That’s where the clan has gone.” You nodded along to her hurried explanation, eyes catching on Grace and Jake tearing across the tarmac towards the helicopter.

In the rear, Norm was yelling at them to hurry up as a door on the second level banged open. You inhaled sharply as an armed figure stormed across the upper landing, shoulders hunched as they typically did when carrying a rifle.

Norm was hauling Jake up into the helicopter, dragging him in as Grace threw his chair in.

The figure opened fire. Bullets bounced off of the windshield as Trudy kicked the engine into gear, screaming at the others to hurry the fuck up.

Grace lifted herself into the rear, and Trudy gripped the cyclic stick.

With the rapid pump of pedals, the overhead propellers roared to life and the machine took flight. Bullets chased the aircraft out of the hangar as Trudy aimed for the open doors.

Then you were free. Soaring over the tarmac before Trudy pulled up hard and the helicopter went racing towards the stars. You whooped as Hell’s Gate disappeared far below, nothing but its lights marking its position on the ground below.

“You all alright back there?” Trudy called, as the joyous whoops in the back died down.

“Grace got hit!” Jake yelled from the rear, and your previous joy evaporated.

>_<

You tried to make Grace comfortable in the spare link unit. After tightly wrapping her stomach, Jake had tossed a blanket over her shivering form before wheeling away to Norm’s active pod in search of a shot of tranexamic acid. Propping her head up on a pillow, you tried not to let your eyes stray to the strip of red peeking out from beneath the blanket, instead choosing to adjust the material so it was out of sight.

High above, you heard the heavy footfalls of Norm walking along the roof, securing the supports which would lift the compound from the floor. Above the distant hum of the samson engine, you could hear Norm yelling to Trudy that the lines were secured. There was no audible reply, but you could tell from the groan of cables and the slight lurch that the compound had been lifted clear.

“Are you going to keep scowling all evening?” Jake asked from across the room with no humour. Your expression hardened as you made a conscious effort not to give him the satisfaction of getting a response. Instead you refocused your attention on Grace, your touch soothing as you pushed her sweaty hair away from her damp forehead, your stomach twisting at her ashy complexion and the laboured puffs of her breath.

You begrudgingly moved aside as the marine wheeled up to the lip of the unit, leaning over Grace to inject the tranexamic acid into her bloodstream. With luck, it would offer a larger window of time in which you could get her help.

Grace barely flinched at the sharp pain, her eyes slipping open but unseeing. You remained close, clutching her hand tightly between your own. It was limp and cold in your grip.

She didn’t snap at you to let go. That she was fine and that you were overreacting. And it made your heart crumble like it was a piece of paper that someone had clutched harshly in their fist.

Jake momentarily forgotten, you felt your knees go weak as you lowered yourself into a kneel beside the unit, head bowed to hide your face. This couldn’t be happening.

At your side, Jake sighed taxingly. He sounded exhausted. Drained. “Look, I know you’re pissed-”

You hissed at him, hating the sound of his voice in such a delicate situation. Grace was dying and he was still talking about himself, still trying to defend himself. Deep in your chest, amongst the festering wounds of grief and fear, a white hot slice of anger made itself known.

You didn’t let go of Grace’s hand. Couldn’t bring yourself to sever this precious connection, despite the rage in your tone.

“Will you just shut up!” You snapped back bitterly. Grace’s fingers twitched against you, a weak squeeze. It helped ground you, to reign in your anger somewhat.

Beside you, Jake didn’t look like he was breathing. He was frozen in time. Eyes carefully tracking your every movement as if you were a thanator and he was back in his avatar body trying to decide the best way to survive.

Distantly, you wished you hadn’t jumped in on that day. That you had allowed Eywa’s creature to tear this man to shreds as the Great Mother had intended. At the time, you would have felt guilty, but perhaps, if Jake had not had access to his avatar, none of this would have happened.

A thought struck you, as jarring and shocking as a frying pan over the back of the head. “It was YOU that gave Quaritch that information, wasn’t it?”

Jake’s mouth closed with an audible click, eyes bugging wide. Your stomach clenched as you realised that that reaction told you everything you needed to know. Silently, you thanked Eywa that you didn’t have your hunting knife on you and that your gun was well out of reach. Grace’s poor heart would not be able to survive the sound of you murdering this stupid man just feet from her wounded body.

The marine held your gaze, even as he refused to speak up. It made you want to smack him. “I know it was.” You continued on, voice venomous with every word. Grace’s hand had gone completely limp in your own, the pain having finally knocked her out. With great effort, you pulled yourself away from her grasp, filtered air sawing in and out of your lungs with each desperate inhale.

You heard Jake swallow audibly as you hauled yourself to your feet, glaring down at him. “How else would Quaritch know how to hit HomeTree? To go for the supporting outer structures? That the helix staircase acted as a skeleton for the entire thing?” The image of HomeTree burning flashed across your mind. That ancient, ancestral monument brought to its knees, toppled like a fence in a strong wind.

“It was me.” Jake admitted, in a way that foretold a ‘but’ was on the horizon. “But that was before, when it was only about the mission.”

You laughed, the sound strained and painful. “You did this.”

It felt like you were cursing him. An underlying threat despite the simplicity of the phrase. Jerkily, you skirted around him, hands clutching the bolted shelves as the compound swayed and lurched as it got batted around by the wind.

Jake struggled to find the right words to defend himself. He spoke in a rush, as if terrified you’d cut him off before he could fully explain himself. Still defending his image. Still trying to play the hero. “I did. But I’m gonna do everything in my power to make it right-”

Another barked laugh left your tightening throat. You had reached your end of the room now where your belongings sat. Buried deep in the bottom of your satchel sat a RDA issued handgun. “What power Jake? There is nothing we can fucking do.”

“This isn’t over.” He said it so simply. Like that was all there was to it. Just emotion, and a drive to stick together.

“Jake.” You turned in place, fighting every instinct and burning desire to whip out your weapon and finally get him to shut up. “Wake up already.”

Jake’s passive expression finally turned hostile, his brow furrowing into a scowl as the words hit home. You’d heard it spoken countless times over the past few months in regard to his extensive time spent in the link. Had heard it yourself during your early weeks on Pandora before you’d groan a backbone and forced everyone to back off.

His tone was furious as he finally raised his voice. “Will you stop being negative for two seconds?!”

The shout had your own rage rearing its head in challenge. It was refreshing to have him fighting back instead of pleading for forgiveness. It would demonstrate his true colours as lips always grew loose during times of high emotion.

“Will you use your head for two seconds? You know, the one up here instead of your fucking dick.” You retorted, tapping your temple twice. Jake levelled you with an acidic glare. You turned the fowl look in kind. “HomeTree is gone. They know you knew what Quaritch was planning. There is no way they’re gonna let us back in.” You yelled out a rush. Before adding, “you’ve fucked this up for both of us.”

Jake’s expression immediately melted into one of pity.

“No.” He insisted, “no I didn’t.”

He sounded so certain. As if he hadn’t destroyed everything. As if he hadn’t fucked up everything he touched.

You laughed again, the sound pained and twisted. Jake kept talking, kept trying to fill your head with fantasies and hope as if Grace wasn’t dying, and the clan you called home hadn’t abandoned you. “They still have your avatar.” Jake reassured you, “it was upstairs with mine and Grace’s when we relinked-”

“Then it’s definitely destroyed by now.”

“They probably took you with them.”

“Why the hell would they do that?” The words hurt to voice but they were true. “We’re Sky People. They see us as Demons. They wouldn’t risk it.”

“Like that ever stopped Tsu’tey.” Jake reasoned.

“Do NOT speak his name!”

Jake ignored you, sprouting more and more words of encouragement. “I’ve got a plan. We’re gonna get back in there, and we’re gonna help the people.”

“They will never allow us back. Neytiri would kill you on sight.”

He visibly deflated. “She’s never going to look at me the same again.”

“To be betrayed by your mate,” you narrated, “it doesn’t happen in their world. Your mate is the one person you can rely on to always have your back, to love and cherish you indefinitely. If anything, she’ll feel obligated to welcome you back because of those deeply ingrained values.”

Jake kept nodding, his eyes shining. You knew at that moment that he was going back with or without you. That he would stop at nothing to give Grace the best chance of survival he could find. And that was something you could respect.

It took considerable strength to shove down your pride, but the bewildered look on his face was worth it. “Make sure you earn it.” You ordered him. “I don’t care what you do, but make sure when you are forgiven, it is because you deserve it.” He nodded along.

“Do you really think Tsu’tey would’ve abandoned you over this?”

“Yes.” You replied honestly. “He’s driven by his duty to the people. If he deems me a threat, he would’ve left my avatar to burn alongside HomeTree. When I link up, I’ll know where I stand.”

“Good to know.”

>_<

As Trudy lowered the compound into the forests deep into the Hallelujah Mountains closer to the Tree of Souls, you relinked. The others had agreed to take care of Grace whilst you checked on the clan, anxious to find out what had happened to your avatar.

You woke to a cloudy sky and the soothing commotion of cooking food and people talking in hushed, tearful whispers. The mood within the clearing was sombre, the voices of those around you sad or sobbing. Overhead, you saw the swaying vines of the Tree of Souls, and felt your throat tighten with emotion as you realised where you were.

With great effort, you managed to haul yourself up into a sitting position, to the gasps of the healers attending to your body. You smiled reassuringly as you realised you’d been laid out on a mat, still armed and your bow within arms reach.

One of the men tending to the other wounded rushed over to check you, his voice too low for you to catch what he was asking you. Rapidly, he checked your pulse and temple, pulled back your eyelids to assess your pupils before listening to your breathing. He relaxed when he found nothing amiss.

You uttered your thanks before asking where the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik were. He motioned to the Tree of Souls where various figures were crouched, conversing on the raised platform of packed earth surrounding the roots.

You bowed in appreciation before taking up your bow and weaving through the crowd towards the tree. The People parted easily for you, many smiling at your appearance and uttering soft thanks to Eywa for your safe return. You grinned back, momentarily soothed by the positive reaction despite how rocky things had ended only hours before.

As you approached, you recognised the red, beaded shawl of the clan Tsahik. <“Mo’at. What happened?”> You asked as you approached. The person she was conversing with bowed as he departed, slipping back into the crowd as she turned to you. Her eyes were red and puffy, hair in disarray as she turned on you with a clack of beads.

<“You’re alive.”> She whispered, soft as a prayer.

<“I escaped.”> You assured her. She nodded before sweeping forward and wrapping you in a tight hug, softly thanking the Great Mother for her guidance. You hugged back, not sure who was comforting who.

She was crying again. <“Mo’at?”>

<“It’s all gone.”> She whispered. <“HomeTree. Eytukan. Most of the tribe.”> Your breath caught.

<“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”> You whispered, although you knew words alone would never heal this wound. No amount of regret would bring those people back. <“I’m sorry.”> Mo’at continued to cry, her sobs quiet as she hid her face in your shoulder. Hiding herself and her vulnerability from the fractured remains of the clan. Your arm wrapped around her back, whilst the other rested against the back of her head, keeping her close to you, allowing her this moment of weakness that she so desperately needed.

In turn, she held on tightly. Her arms wrapped tightly around your waist, pulling her to you with a grip strong enough to bruise.

Throughout your time amongst the clan, you had never seen her like this. So lost and emotional. She’d always been a strong pillar of strength. The level-headed leader in every situation.

You were glad you could give back to her in some small way.

<”Y/n?”>

Your aching heart pounded at the soft utterance of your name. Back straightening, your head whipped round to find Tsu’tey picking his way across the roots of the Tree of Souls. His expression was pinched, his bow clutched tightly in his dominant hand.

Your throat tightened at the ceremonial necklace at his neck, the mark of his elevated status in the clan. The final confirmation that what Mo’at had said was true, her mate was dead and Tsu’tey had risen in the ranks to take his place.

He moved gracefully towards you, shoulder set and his tail raised. You weren’t sure if his scowl was of confusion or rage. Nor did you wish to find out, although it did loosen something in you that he was here, alive and whole.

Throughout the adrenaline rush of escaping, you hadn’t dared contemplate what you would do if he had died whilst you were gone.

And yet, your tail swayed in relief, your eyes drinking in the sight of him. Checking for injuries or pain in his face. As was expected, he was fine.

His footsteps were even but silent, a predator stalking prey. <“You’re alive.”> He breathed, but you couldn’t tell if he perceived that as a good thing after the morning they’d experienced.

With a deep, steadying breath, Mo’at pulled herself away from your neck and straightened. She took a moment to recollect her breathing, visibly pulling herself together as she scrubbed at the teartracks glistening across the apples of her cheeks. <”I am relieved that you are well.”> She praised, her trembling hands rising to your shoulders and squeezing with a mother’s reassurance. <”May Eywa smile upon your return.”>

With that, she turned sharply on her heels and picked her way back across the roots, leaving you alone with the new Olo’eyktan. Absently, you mourned the loss of her comforting touch, realising with a pang that your physical shield had left you vulnerable to Tsu’tey’s reaction.

The man in question had hardly moved throughout the short interaction, his eyes glued to your face. You swallowed again before returning your attention to him. He looked regal in the neckpiece, the textbook image of a leader. Power oozed off of him.

You tried to sound confident as you raised your hand to your forehead and greeted him. <”I see you, Olo’eyktan.”>

<”Cut that out.”> Tsu’tey immediately hissed, his neutral expression morphing into a look that spoke of deep rooted fear and anger.

Unexpectedly, he grabbed at you, making your body stiffen. Powerful hands grabbed at your shoulders as his eyes roamed across your body. Fingers prodded at your skin, checking for injuries or pains. You gasped as one colossal fist gripped you by the cheeks, turning your head this way and that. <”Did they hurt you?”>

You floundered for a response. Face ablaze as your mind struggled to keep up with what was happening.

He bared his teeth at your lack of response, ears lying flat. <”Where?”> He continued, brow furrowing at the lack of blood on your skin.

Somehow you composed yourself. <”I’m fine.”> You reassured him, breath stuttering off into a wheeze as he slammed his hand against your chest, pressing down as he felt for your heartbeat. He stilled, fingers pressing into your flesh as he waited. <”I escaped before they could do anything to me.”>

He visibly relaxed, ears rising back up. He began nodding, comforted by your pulse and your response.

And with a quiet prayer to the Great Mother, his hand slid around to your back and pulled you into him. There was no space left between you with how tightly he clung to your body, hands spread wide across your back as if he needed to hold as much of you as he could.

You refused to cry as you returned the gesture. Shoving your face into his neck as his chin rested on the crown of your braids. There was an unmistakable rumble emitting from the centre of his chest, but you didn’t dare draw attention to it, for fear he would try to smother his purr. It comforted you on a level you could not describe, your body losing all its previous tension, mind going pleasantly blank despite the shitty situation that had brought about this reunion.

The din of the clan fell away whilst you embraced him. And for a moment, it was only the two of you. His hands holding you secure. His purr soothing your fears. His scent turning you to mush.

Fuck, it had only been a few hours, but it felt like you’d been gone for years.

Tsu’tey pulled back, his hands finding purchase on your cheeks as he urged you to look at him, genuine fear and sorrow echoing in his eyes as he spoke. <”I went to the compound in the mountains. I came for you, I promise, but you were already gone.”>

<”You came for me?”> You whispered, feeling choked up by the simple and soft spoken admittance. The raw vulnerability in his voice and the sincere way he held you made you want to burst into tears. All the stress of the past few hours felt almost worth it.

Relief was a balm to your nerves as you threw your arms tighter around him, clutching him to you tightly as he buried his face into your braids.<”Of course I did.”> He promised, and you believed him.

You could tell you were gripping tighter than was probably appropriate, but he did not tell you off. He held you firmly. Allowing you to reassure yourself that he was here, and he was alive. Despite everything, he had come back to you in one piece.

It was as if a colossal weight had been lifted from your shoulders by a kind god.

The beat of mighty wings had you freezing.

No ikran could sound that heavy in the air.

Tsu’tey’s head shot up, his arms tightening around your back. The sound of screaming had you tearing yourself out of his hold, spinning in place with your hand flying to your knife.

Toruk landed at the edge of the clearing, scaring half the clan into defensive positions whilst those who could not fight ran for cover. You instinctively backed up, clinging tightly to the beautiful knife your grasp. You knew in your heart that such a measly weapon would do little against such a majestic beast, but it helped ground you.

Tsu’tey stepped up to your side in moments. He did not pull you away or shove you behind him, so you could be protected. He stood beside you. Shoulder to shoulder, despite the fear clearly adorning his face. Fear for his people.

Mo’at appeared at your other elbow, Neytiri in tow.

And then a figure slid down Toruk’s side, disconnecting their queue as they smoothly stepped around its massive head, hands gliding over its eye ridge. The clan collectively held its breath.

<“Toruk Makto?”> Mo’at whispered from beside you. You glanced from the Tsahik to the mysterious rider who was making their way through the parting crowd. You recognised that stiff swagger, the cheap attempt at confidence and the tense set of their shoulders.

“Well I’ll be damned.” You laughed quietly to yourself as Jake approached the Tree of Souls, Neytiri already walking forward to greet him. Then you scoffed. “He’s such a show off.”

That earned you a sharp swat upside the head from a frowning Mo’at.

>_<

When you had relinked, Grace had been merely dying. There was still hope.

But now, several hours later after a failed consciousness transfer, she was gone. You felt numb as the People sung their hymns, laying her to rest within the trees beyond the clearing with the rest of the fallen. Norm took her avatar away shortly after, his cheeks shining with tears. And then it was as if she was never there.

Somehow, that thought was worse than watching her die.

You slipped away from the clan, your footsteps clumsy as you tried to navigate your way through the trees with blurry vision. Grief was an arrow to the heart, twisting itself deeper with every choked off memory of Grace’s body. Of how happy she’d been to see the Tree of Souls despite her worsening condition. Of the pure wonder in her shaking voice as she grasped Jake’s hand, whispering a soft, “I’m with her Jake. She’s real.”

Your world had slowed as she faded. Her head slipped to the side as she went still.

Mo’at had crouched over her body, searching for life. A soul. The Tsahik had shaken her head and backed away. <”There wasn’t enough time.”> She’d whispered.

Panic had you scrambling up from your crouch. You stumbled over the extended roots of the tree, dropping to your knees near Grace’s head. Neytiri had already removed her exo pack and laid it beside her. She had looked peaceful, still smiling even in death.

Your quivering hand had cupped her face as you desperately called her name. Growing more frantic when she didn’t respond.

Vaguely, you had heard the clan grow restless, Mo’at turning her back to calm them. Jake and Norm had settled in front of you, shielding you from their sights.

“Y/n, she’s gone.” Norm said softly, trying to pull you away from Grace’s body.

You fought him off. <”No.”> Tears made your throat tight. <”Grace! Please.”>

Norm sighed wetly, his hands grabbing at your bicep, trying to pull you to him so he could comfort you. You struggled anew, tearing yourself away from him with a ferocious hiss. He frowned. Jake hadn’t moved from the other side of the body, his eyes distant. A puppet with his strings cut.

You followed his gaze back to Grace, to her pale skin and relaxed body. It hit you like a truck how small she was. Her hands were barely the length of your palm.

It was cold to the touch. Lifeless.

They would never ruffle through your hair again. And Grace would no longer berate you for spending too much time in the link. Nor would she remind you to eat or to take care of yourself in and out of your avatar.

Eywa had taken her home. Had welcomed her into her realm and eternal peace.

Tears slid down your cheeks as you paused to steady yourself against the trunk of a tree, the clan at your back and your fingers digging deep into the soft bark, as you struggled to control yourself. The moss was grounding beneath your fingernails, soft as a mother’s embrace.

She was gone.

Your other hand was quick to also press into the side of the tree, gripping at a low branch for dear life. Strength failed you as your knees shook, head bowed as if in prayer.

You should’ve been a better friend. Should have been there more. Should have told her how much she meant to you.

You slid to the ground, legs finally giving out as you knelt in the dirt and leaf litter, eyes squeezed shut and your breath sawing in and out. Faster and faster. Your vision blurred as spots danced before your eyes. You kept panting, picking up speed and not taking in as much air.

Gone.

The thought was so final. So commanding. A fact. The cruel truth.

You were almost too scared to accept it.

>_<

When you finally pulled yourself together enough to make it back to camp, the clan was alive with activity. The ikran riders were long gone on their various missions to rally the clans, whilst those who remained behind were readying the camp for an influx of warriors.

Mo’at was setting up a healing wing at the rear of the Tree of Souls. Whilst the People were busying themselves with cooking and tending to the wounded. Others mending weapons, tacked up pa’li and painted on each other’s war paint.

The clan moved seamlessly with a single goal despite the hundreds of bodies completing different tasks. An effortless system, well oiled by repetition and familiarity.

Tsu’tey saved you from standing idly by for too long. He materialised out of nowhere with a firm hand on your wrist. His gaze caught on your puffy eyes, before flickering all over your face as whatever he’d been meaning to say died on his tongue. You wanted to curl up and cry again, feeling pathetic as you were powerless in offering a decent explanation.

<“Come, we must prepare for war.”> Was what he finally came up with as he pulled you away from the treeline to a spare mat where various shades of war paint had already been laid out in shallow, wooden bowls. Judging by the paint smears caught in the mat fibres and the pigment staining the sides of the bowls, the station had been set up for someone else.

<“Help me.”> Tsu’tey commanded short and simple. Easy to follow.

He knelt in front of you, dragging you down to sit directly opposite him, before offering the nearest bowl of dark blue pigment. <“Just like I showed you, remember?”> He instructed, and you nodded, wordlessly taking the bowl from him and dipping two fingers in.

With a generous amount in hand, you knelt up onto your knees so you were hovering above him, he tilted his face up to follow you, giving you a perfect view and a neutral canvas. Your stomach twisted at the first touch of skin, absently remembering that this was often a task reserved for mates or family members. The act of painting on war paint was supposed to be a sign of good luck.

Your touch was feather light as you dabbed the first pair of markings high on either side of his temples, marking out the area you would later fill in with the blue. Fingers shaking, you gritted your teeth at the poor linework, wishing you had a ruler or something to make the markings sharper.

<“Properly.”> Tsu’tey growled and you scowled at him, mentally relieved when you found his eyes closed instead of boring into you.

<“I am.”>

<“You’re hesitating.”> He corrected with no heat.

<“You were glaring at me like you wanted to bite me.”> You defended, to which his eyes slid open and his face contorted into a venomous frown, which had you grinning despite yourself with how fucking adorable it looked paired with the sloppy markings at his temple.

<“I was not glaring.”> He protested whilst continuing to glare. You hummed but felt soothed by the childish reaction as you went back to painting. <"And I don’t bite.”>

<“No?”> You asked suggestively to which he gave you a playful shove. You squeaked, lifting the bowl high in an attempt to steady it or not get any pigment on yourself. <“Be careful.”>

Tsu’tey rolled his eyes. <“You’re slow.”>

<“Because you’re distracting me.”>

He only snapped his teeth, to which you returned the gesture in kind, tail flicking challengingly.

Tsu’tey let the conversation taper off again, his expression smoothing out so you could continue your work easier. This time, your strokes were more confident, the earlier grief that had shaken your hands, had been momentarily chased away by the familiar banter. Finishing up the navy layer with a self-satisfied nod, you set down the bowl and reached for the bright yellow paste.

Tsu’tey watched you with a nod, satisfied by your choice before letting his eyes slip closed.

These markings came easier to you with the large swooping ‘v’ across his forehead directly below the earlier navy lines, to the twin streaks of yellow that would frame his cheeks. You dipped your thumb into the yellow to capture the precise motion of the painted line that would slice from his lower lip to his chin.

<“Good.”> Tsu’tey praised as you lent back out of his space to set down the yellow. He sat regally on the mat, shoulders back and his chin tilted up in a show of pride. You hoped you’d done the war markings justice.

<“Now sit, I will do yours.”> He ordered, picking up a bowl of muted yellow before motioning to the space in front of him. You arched a brow before sitting cross legged in your previous spot and closing your eyes at his motioning.

The cool touch of paste covered fingers to your brow made you jump, but at his hiss, you stilled yourself. His movements were bold, smooth as he mapped out the expanse of your forehead in a curved ‘u’. His hand retracted, gathering more paint, before returning to the space between your eyes and dragging down your nose.

<“So,”> his hand jumped away from your face as you started talking. <“What do you want to talk about?”>

<“No talking.”> He gritted out, his other hand coming up to grip your jaw between his fingers so he could continue painting the mute yellow stripe down your nose. <“Stay still.”>

You complied, ears swivelling to try and gauge where he was when his hands left your face for a new colour. You peaked open an eyelid, watching him pick out a vibrant white before quickly shutting it again when he turned back to you. He took his time lathering up his finger this time.

<“So you and Neytiri are good then?”> You blurted, wincing at the lack of decorum and the randomness of the statement.

Tsu’tey huffed softly, amused by your lack of tact. <“Yes.”>

<“How long ago did you end your courtship?”>

<“Nosy.”>

<“I just want to know how badly I need to beat Jake’s ass, when round 2 inevitably comes around.”> You defended, jumping when his cold finger landed above your eyebrow near the bottom of the yellow strip and began to outline the mark.

<”You talked with him?”>

<”Shouted would be more accurate.”> You admitted.

He chuckled, eyes on his lap before returning to his work. <“She was not mine.”> Tsu’tey replied simply, as if that was all there was to it. There was no sadness in his tone, but rather a sense of relief and peace. <“We were more like siblings than lovers. It was my duty to the clan to be mated to her, and now it is not.”>

<“And now you’re free.”> You finished, eyes slipping open to catch the lopsided smile on his face.

<“To mate whoever I wish.”> He agreed with a tilt of his head, finger tracing your cheek a little firmer than before as he smeared the white accents into the muted yellow base layer. <“If they choose me in return.”>

Your heart pinched as you smiled. <“I wish you happiness.”>

Chapter Text

You had come from the stars. From a planet entire galaxies away from Pandora, and yet, you’d never felt as at home as you did falling from the sky mid battle. There was no going back now.

Rage had made you fight hard and fierce. Killing RDA soldiers on sight, shooting down scorpions to the song of the na’vi war cries. It was thrilling. A new sense of adventure despite the stakes.

And now the forest slowed your descent as you plummeted through the foliage. Tree branches and vines reached to break your fall as you dropped through the canopy and landed hard on your back, staring up as the airship you’d been attacking went up in flames. The shuttle tilted, its left engine damaged, and rapidly began to lose altitude as it dipped out of view.

Your side smarted as you struggled to breathe, your ikran’s dying cries still ringing in your ears. Phantom pains still trailed their ghostly fingers up your sides, a fraction of the pain your beloved steed had felt when the propellers cut through his abdomen, his wings rapidly getting sucked in as well. You had screamed at the sensation, torn between leaping away from his back, and staying in a flimsy attempt to pull him free.

Your steed, however, had made the choice for you. The din of explosions and screams fell into the background to fall on deaf ears as he snapped his head to the side, roughly tearing your connection. The action threw you, the sudden numbing of the pain made your mind freeze.

It was enough of a distraction to launch you from his back and send you crashing through the treetops, vines snapping at your limbs. It had been a miracle you’d only been winded when you’d landed, rather than breaking every bone in your body.

You had intended to get up when your breath returned to you. Or when your mind stopped spinning. Or maybe even when the phantom pains of your late steed faded from your muscles. Internally, you were eager to rise back to your feet, to join the rest of the ground forces. But you couldn’t.

Gradually, the pure blue of the sky dulled as the eclipse rolled in. The colour bruised across the sky like blood from a fresh wound as the sun dipped lower and lower behind the surface of the moon. The gunfire began to slow, allowing the sounds of the forest to gradually return, until it stopped altogether.

Somehow, the pause did not offer reassurance. In contrast, it brought with it anticipation. Humans were a persistent race afterall, once enough soldiers had regained their strength and regrouped, they would plan for another attack.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to pull yourself from the forest floor before they-

Leaves to your right rustled on a non-existent breeze. Your breath left your lungs in a panicked exhale, your head lifting from the forest floor to fruitlessly peer at whoever was coming.

Surely Eywa did not want you gone so soon. She had coaxed the rest of them away, why let this one stumble upon you?

Whoever it was, they were loud and careless in their footsteps. You heard pained wheezing. The snap of twigs and the rustle of bushes brushing against thighs. Snapping your head in the direction of the sound, you noticed a lone atokirina hovering just inside of the clearing. Your breath caught.

Then a towering figure broke out into the small clearing, stooped as if the weight of the world was pressing down on their shoulders. There was blood. So much blood against a stark blue canvas that you vaguely wondered how they could be alive, let alone wandering around the forest.

The atokirina bobbed smoothly through the air before the person, its glowing complexion easily drawing your gaze back to it as it sailed further into the clearing. The person hurriedly stumbled after it, almost desperate not to be left behind.

Tsu’tey, your mind helpfully supplied as you wordlessly recognised those hard eyes swimming with pain. He stumbled further out of the trees, one hand shakily pressed to his chest obscuring the worst of his injuries from view.

No. Please Eywa, no.

His eyes were hazy, not quite seeing as they swept the clearing with a clumsiness you had never witnessed in the warrior. And then that unfocused gaze fell on your crumbled form. His nostrils flared, body lurching as if to run to you, only for his wounds to keep him slow and lethargic.

You heard the soft utterance of your name, choked and weak. He stumbled closer.

Strength returned to your numb limbs. The loss of your steed momentarily soothed with the balm of instinct as you scrambled to your feet, tail flailing in a vain attempt to help you keep your footing. The knot between your friend’s eyes seemed to loosen at your approach, the strength in turn leaving him as his knees threatened to give out. You reached him before he could hit the ground. Grabbing at his shoulders, your attention flickered from his expression to the bloody mess smeared across his chest and dirtying the ceremonial neck piece adorning his throat.

<“Shit, oh god.”> You hissed, panic clawing its way up your throat as your eyes darted all over him. <“Please no. Fuck. Did you try and catch every bullet on purpose you idiot?”> Numbly, he shook his head, following your guidance as you lowered him to the ground.

Tsu’tey groaned, his breathing heavy, painful, but alive, for now. He was struggling to sit upright now, legs having completely given out with nothing but your firm grip on him to keep him upright.

You needed to get him somewhere safe, and fast. You needed to bandage the wound. You needed to get back to the clan; Mo’at could help.

With as much care as your adrenaline filled hands could muster, you tried to coax his hands away from his chest. The sheer amount of blood coating his hands made you want to gag, but you remained firm. There was just enough light left to recognise the entry wounds of three bullets puncturing his chest, your pulse pounding in your temple as you slowly turned him by the shoulder, wincing at his bit off shout. No exit wounds. That’s fine. That’s good. That gave you more time.

Instinctively, you reached for a shirt that your avatar body did not possess, feeling panic threaten to set in when you realised you only had the loincloth at your waist.

From what little healing you’d witnessed at Hometree, you knew that the Mo’at tended to use a specific plant in place of bandages, favoured because of its absorbency and size. However, such plants didn’t grow this far into the forest, since they tended to favour the riverbeds.

<"Do not panic.”> Tsu’tey rasped breathlessly. Then his eyes went glassy, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. <”The Great Mother is calling to me."> There was acceptance in his gaze as if he had already made his peace with it, looking at you for the final time.

Something ugly squirmed in your chest. The tears evaporated on your waterline to be replaced with a determined scowl.

<"Tell her to fuck off."> You snap back, <"she can't have you yet!">

The rhythmic bobbing of the atokirina caught your attention once more. It had travelled away from you since Tsu’tey had collapsed and was now perched on a shrub, its tiny tendrils clinging to the long, thick leaves, almost identical to the river plants used for wounds. Sending a silent thanks to Eywa for her guidance, you scrambled over to the shrub, softly apologising to the atokirina as it lifted off from the leaves and floated up and out of your way.

Scrambling for the hunting knife strapped across your chest, you methodically cut away three long leaves, your slices smooth and swift, internally praying they were clean and strong enough to hold. Without much of a choice however, it was the best you could do.

Satisfied you had enough, you raced back to Tsu’tey’s side, messily falling to your knees in your haste to wrap his wounds. Carefully, you lifted his head into your lap, your hand slick with sweat as you fumbled for the clasp of the ceremonial necklace. It came away easily from his throat. Next, you took the hand clamped over his chest by the wrist and peeled it from the wound. You winced.

Tsu’tey was barely coherent enough to struggle as you began tightly binding his upper chest, winding the leaves around to his back and twisting the strands over and under his arms for extra stability. Bit by bit, the red disappeared, covered by calming green. You found yourself breathing easier, with the worst of the wounds concealed.

Tsu’tey came back to himself as you tied off the last leaf and reclasped his necklace over the fresh bandages. His arms pushing at you weakly, pupils dilated. <“Hold still.”> You soothed, hoping the familiar voice would calm him.

He bared his teeth in response, but didn’t have the strength to make a swipe at you.

<“Tsu’tey?”> His ear flickered in your direction, unfocused eyes looking through you.

That couldn’t be a good sign. Nor was it safe here. With the humans swarming the forest, it would only be a matter of time before you were discovered. Best to get back to the pocket compound and call for help over the comms.

Assessing the forest with a glance before grabbing him by the arm, you hauled him unsteadily to his feet and pushing your head firmly under his torso. Easily, your knees took his weight, whilst your hands found purchase on the crook of his knee and held securely to his arm. Thank God for the RDA’s mandatory evacuation drills. Settling Tsu’tey more comfortably in the fireman’s carry, you turned to the eclipse and calculated the direction of the stolen basecamp unit, which wasn’t too far from your current position.

The atokirina came to your rescue once more, floating at eye level before taking off at surprising speed back into the forest. You were quick to follow, trusting the sacred seed more than your sense of direction.

The forest floors of Pandora were uneven and treacherous, even more so with a half-unconscious passenger slung across your back and the light rapidly fading. You had to be extra vigilant in dividing your attention between judging where you were going and keeping an ear out for enemies. Luckily, most of the fighting had been distant so far, but the closer you got to the radius of the Tree of Souls, the greater the risk of discovery.

The soft utterance of your name by your ear had you almost tripping.

<“So you decided to wake up then?”> You asked your wounded passenger sarcastically, chancing a side glance to assess his expression. Tsu’tey was still clearly out of it, but there was more clarity in his eyes now.

<“What happened?”>

<“You got shot down.”> You replied, carefully to keep from jostling him too sharply. <“We’re heading back to camp to get you patched up.”>

<“You found me?”> He said it with such disbelief you almost felt offended.

<“Not on purpose.”> You defended, <“it was more like you found me.”>

<“How are you here?”>

<“Same way you got here.”>

<“Are you injured?”> His body jerked as if trying to sit up, throwing you off balance. You barely managed to catch yourself on the trunk of the nearest tree, keeping your shoulders even so as not to throw Tsu’tey to the floor from the movement.

<“I’m fine.”> You reassured him, pressing on through the trees as soon as he settled. <“My ikran was flying low enough that I barely felt it.”>

<“Don’t lie to me.”>

<“At least I’m not the one full of lead.”>

He grumbled inaudible, eyes burning with a familiar fury. Although it should have concerned you, it was reassuring to see him more like himself. Even if it was likely to earn you a cuff to the ear for your efforts.

It was an uphill walk from there, thanks to where Trudy had positioned the compound high in the hillsides surrounding the Tree of Souls. Normally, you could complete the walk in minutes, however, the additional weight and tightness that came with injuries making themselves known was definitely adding time on. Time which you couldn’t afford to lose if you wanted Mo’at to look at that wound within the ‘golden period’ as the medics called it.

Just for now, you would stop the bleeding. Then when the forest was not so treacherous or you found backup, you would take Tsu’tey back to The People. Mo’at would patch him up properly and it would be like he was never injured.

Somewhere in the undergrowth came a distinctly human grunt.

You paused in your uphill trek, ears pricked. Another sound, armoured footsteps. The distinct click of a gun being reloaded. Your face drew into a determined scowl as your tail flicked.

In front of you the atokirina shifted course, silently diverting off of the original path and floating off into the undergrowth at a diagonal angle. Not wanting to be left behind, you were quick to move deeper into the denser parts of the undergrowth, hoping the soft lights would blend with your complexion rather than make you stand out. Your heart was pounding in your ears, instinct warning you about turning your back on a potential threat, whereas logic knew time was not on your side. If Tsu’tey were less wounded, you would have time to turn around and dispatch the enemy soldier.

Your footsteps were silent as you continued on, half bent to make your tall form a less obvious target. The sounds of the footsteps were getting fainter with every step, but you knew the range of the weapons they carried, and had seen the damage they could cause.

Another click had your ears snapping up and your body taking a sharp right. There was bang. The atokirina shivered before shooting up into the trees. You could only watch dumbly as it vanished from sight, the distraction enough to allow another bullet to rocket past your head before disappearing into the undergrowth. Definitely spotted then.

On your own now, you broke out into a run, toes digging into the soft ground as Tsu’tey let out an irritated hiss at the unexpected movements. You held him tighter, making a sharp left and ducking behind the trunk of a wide tree. From there, you pushed off the roots and kept low.

“Who’s out there?” A man’s voice called to the forest. He fired off another shot in the direction you had been, twigs crunching underfoot as he advanced hesitantly.

You kept moving. A rabbit scrambling out of the eyeline of a hungry fox. Instinct insisted that the soldier would be half your size and with a strength inferior to your own. It would be easy to crush his oxygen mask and leave him to suffocate. A simple kick would be enough to break his bones like toothpicks. But logic was not your main concern here.

The compound was in sight. A flash of silver against the greens and glowing blues. You almost felt relieved; almost. Mentally, you prayed someone was near, either Neytiri or Jake’s avatar. Someone who could take Tsu’tey from you, or charge back into the forest and deal with the rogue soldier still yelling demands at your retreating back.

The sight of an AMP suit lumbering around the campsite had your blood running cold, your hurried footsteps faltering in their haste. It didn’t take binoculars to recognise Colonel Quaritch in the driver’s seat. A quick access of your surroundings told you that Neytiri was struggling under the weight of a dead thanator, whilst Jake actively kept Quaritch’s attention off of her.

Behind you, the footsteps were getting closer.

Tsu’tey was a dead weight on your shoulders. The only reassurance he was alive was the soft breathes on the nape of your neck.

Quaritch yelled something inaudible from his suit, Jake crouched before him, trying to appear intimidating. The AMP suit turned towards the compound, one mighty fist raised towards the cracked window.

In one swing, the only barrier keeping the breathable air that your body needed inside the compound was destroyed. Immediately, your vision swam, the link growing fuzzy.

Stumbling in place, you launched out a blurry hand for the nearest tree trunk, desperate to get Tsu’tey down to the ground before you sent both of you tumbling. He gripped at your weakly as your hold loosened, vision blacking in and out as you fought to stay within this body.

Quaritch was laughing. You vaguely saw Jake leaping at the AMP suit’s back, scrambling to draw the Colonel’s attention away from the bodies within the compound. Neytiri still hadn’t managed to free her leg.

Tsu’tey was on the ground when you blacked out for the first time, breath leaving you in a shuddering stutter.

You briefly opened your eyes within the link unit, only to be slammed back into your avatar at the firm press of your eyelids.

When you resurfaced, Tsu’tety had you by the face, bloodied hands cradling your cheeks, calling your name with firm shakes to your face. His eyes were more alert than they’d been the entire time.

There was a yell beyond your field of vision. The sound of an enormous fist slamming down onto metal, and then you were back in your link unit for the final time.

The link snapped with a sharp tug, ripping the warmth of Tsu’tey’s hands from your face.

You were abruptly torn from your avatar and roughly thrown back into your own mind. Your throat was tight as your eyes shot open, signalling the telltale signs of Pandora air seeping into the compound. The lid of your link unit had been ripped from the box, the metal twisted and warped as if a god had reached in with their massive hand and torn it clean off. Not that there was much time to dwell on that fact, since you were quickly running out of breathable air.

Clumsily, you hauled yourself over the side of the unit and landed heavily on the messy floor below. Toxic air rushed into the compound through the smashed window to your right, poisoning the oxygen in the small space. Broken glass littered the wooden floorboards, crunching underfoot as you staggered for the exo packs mounted on the wall.

Quaritch had disappeared from the window, more growling and insults ensuing from outside. You could only assume Neytiri had wrestled herself free.

Blessedly, Jake’s unit was still untouched and sealed tight so you didn’t bother ripping it open to give him an oxygen mask. As long as the seal remained strong he would remain untouched.

On unsteady legs, you darted for the exo packs, unceremoniously snatching the nearest one from the box and shoving it over your face. Numb fingers fumbled with the breathing valve, making your heart pound as it stubbornly refused to turn. Your vision was beginning to swim, whilst your lungs screamed for another inhale. But your training kept you stubborn. Once you took a breath, it would be a panicked series that would finally do you in.

You kept fiddling with the mask. It clicked and the face panel suctioned to your face as a fresh flood of sweet oxygen blessed your lungs. If adrenaline wasn’t still fresh in your blood, you would’ve sagged in relief. But there was no time.

It sounded like Jake and Neytiri were holding up okay, but they weren’t your main concern as of now. Tsu’tey was injured without protection and an armed guard on his tail. That was who you had to focus on right now; the Omatikaya couldn’t afford to lose another chief so soon.

It took no time to find and reload the nearest handgun - thank you Trudy - before you raced out into the world for round two. The airlock was essentially useless now, but despite the blaring alarms, the second door refused to open until the first had closed and the air between was sucked of precious oxygen. With a green light, you slammed out of the compound door, barely sparing the AMP suit and your friends a glance, before you were racing off into the trees.

Finding Tsu’tey wouldn’t be the issue, rather, it would be trying to get him back to the compound. In your human body, you had no chance of dragging him anywhere he wasn’t able to walk, let alone getting anywhere near him. You knew first hand his hatred of Sky People. Maybe he’d passed out long enough for you to check the bandages were still tight.

You found the RDA soldier before you found Tsu’tey. True to the RDA training, he immediately opened fire upon spotting you through the trees, which you gladly returned in kind. No time sparing a life that had only added to your stress levels mere moments ago.

His aim was panicked and sloppy, allowing you plenty of spaces to dodge the wayward bullets and nail him in his dominant arm. He screamed as he went down, his RDA issued weapon falling uselessly from his hands. You sent a flurry of bullets his way for good measure, not bothering to check if he’d been hit anywhere vital. Eywa would decide his fate.

Thankfully, you’d managed to carry Tsu’tey a considerable distance from the original landing spot, so you found him easily enough not far from the compound. He hadn’t crawled far from where you’d put him down, but he’d managed to grab your unconscious avatar body. It was now cradling it to his chest, his arms wrapped possessively around its shoulders and lower back, its limp face smushed into the junction of his neck.

You were careful in your approach, letting your weapon hang behind you on its strap with your arms raised in surrender. Tsu’tey still growled at your loud footsteps, made clumsy by the heavy duty boots your human body wore.

At least he didn’t launch himself at you the moment his eyes landed on you, but that could be due to the blood loss rather than recognition.

<“Tsu’tey.”> You began in a soothing tone, daring a few steps closer. He reacted explosively, letting forth a hiss that made you instinctively back up. You recovered quickly, panic and worry, making your emotions warp into rage. <“I’m trying to help you, you ungrateful ass.”>

<“We don’t need your help, demon.”> He fired back, fury burning brightly in his golden eyes.

Your footsteps faltered. He hadn’t called you that since he’d found you wounded in the forest. Briefly, you realised what form you were in and what you were attempting to do. You remembered how weak you were like this. How vulnerable and useless you were in this environment.

Shame burned your cheeks as you met those familiar eyes, now smouldering with hatred and disgust.

<“Go away!”> Tsu’tey snarled with the command of his status laced within his words.

Your eyes caught on the green bandages beneath his neck piece, and you reorganised your priorities. Nothing matters beside making sure he lived.

If the situation were different, you would have obeyed the command but this time you stood firm with new resolve.

Face set in a harsh scowl, you approached. Tsu'tey tried to discourage you with sudden movements, but quickly wore himself out. Leaning back against the tree like he was, he was easily eye level with you standing. You kept that eye contact.

<“We need to get back to the compound. Your wounds are bad.”>

<“Go away!”> He repeated, making a half-hearted swipe that did nothing but create wind across your face.

“Y/n?” Jake’s voice yelled from the direction of the compound. “Are you still alive over here? We heard gunshots.” Of course he would’ve noticed your mad dash from the building despite being preoccupied.

“I’m with Tsu’tey.”

There was rustling of branches as Neytiri and Jake appeared, the latter uttering quiet curses as his eyes focused on the scene before him. Neytiri on the other hand gasped and fearlessly approached Tsu’tey.

He bared his teeth as she knelt before him, tail thrashing in warning. He clutched your avatar tighter, trying to shift his position to the side as if to shield it from sight with his body, its slack face smearing war paint across his shoulder.

Neytiri was having none of it. Stooping, she grabbed your avatar by the back of its belt and ripped it from Tsu’tey’s weakened grip with a ruthlessness that had your eyes bugging. Silently, you were very grateful that you weren't still linked to that body’s nervous system. Meanwhile, Tsu’tey made a wounded noise and immediately tried to scramble to his feet.

Neytiri dropped the avatar in favour of attempting to console him. Her tone was soothing but stern, eyes flickering from the man’s distressed expression to the blood beginning to seep through the leaves wrapped around his chest beneath the ceremonial neck piece.

<“Why did you do that? Give them back.”> Tsu’tey demanded, tone boarding on furious. Thank Eywa they’d turned up. At the first sight of tears in Tsu’tey’s eyes, your resolve to get him somewhere safe would have crumbled.

<“Fine.”> Neytiri stated, agreeing unnaturally easily, which made both you and Tsu’tey pause. Her head snapped to the side, gaze immediately locking on your own across the clearing before she barked your name, gesturing you over with wide arm motions. Your feet didn’t want to cooperate, even less so when Tsu’tey’s venomous glare slid over to you.

You stepped back as Jake approached your side, his much taller stature helping to ground your panicked heart.

Not that Neytiri seemed to care, ignoring her mate’s half hearted warnings, she rose and stormed over to you, her shadow blocking out the remaining rays of the eclipse as she reached for the collar of your shirt. Feeling oddly like a kitten that had just been scruffed, you squawked as you were abruptly lifted from the floor and dangled several feet from the ground.

“Neytiri be careful.” Jake hissed, hands coming up as if to take you from her, but his mate snarled at him.

“This will help.” She reassured him as she straightened, your boots leaving the floor. You made helpless eye contact with Jake, your hands gripping her wrist to take the strain off of your throat as she carelessly carried you back to Tsu’tey.

<“Here.”> She said, holding you up in front of the na'vi with a bored expression. Tsu’tey’s eyebrows scrunched together, eyes flickering from your panic stricken expression to Neytiri’s unreadable face. Although he wasn’t still actively trying to scramble for the avatar body, he hadn’t exactly relaxed. The earlier adrenaline was beginning to fade, his eyes growing unfocused.

<“They’re the same.”> Neytiri reassured him, shaking you for emphasis. You shrieked as the world spun, craning your neck to glare at her over your shoulder.

<“Help him. Don’t shake me like a fucking rattle.”> You found yourself growling, to which Neytiri grinned. Whilst a sharp inhale sounded from behind you. Unexpectedly, large hands were scrambling for you, clumsy in their strength but eager. Neytiri easily let you go, causing you to tumble into Tsu’tey’s lap.

Being within the consciousness of the avatar, you forgot how tall the na'vi were. But like this, in your human body, you could do nothing but remember. Wounded as he was, his enormous form easily eclipsed you, splayed legs and all.

Tsu’tey held you aloft by your armpits, gaze critical as he inspected you with swift flicks of his golden eyes. Instinctively, you drew your knees up to your chest in some pathetic attempt at shielding your vitals. Tsu’tey watched the movement like a hawk, lips pursed.

In your peripheral, you hear Jake trying to approach, his expression grim, only for Neytiri to stop him with a hand on his chest. She was watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. Waiting for some unspoken cue.

<“Where are you hurt?”> Tsu’tey demanded, voice firm despite the shake of his arms.

You frowned, wondering why you hadn’t been tossed aside or brained on a trunk yet. <“I’m not hurt.”> /Yet/.

Tsu’tey shook his head, clearly unconvinced. <“You passed out in my arms.”> So he /had/ recognised the likeness between you and your avatar. Interesting.

<“That was the avatar, not me.”> You insisted, bewildered that you were even having this conversation. You’d expect curiosity of course, Tsu’tey had always been that way. But you’d also expected rage. Definitely disgust.

Tsu’tey refused to take no for an answer and continued to check you for injuries. Your eyes caught on the blood stain steadily growing across the leaf bandage. <“But we still need to get you looked at.”> The wounds were serious but Tsu’tey was bigger than any human, so he’d been lucky so far with minimal blood loss, but you knew lady luck had a terrible habit of revoking her favour with the twist of her wrist.

<“Neytiri, we need to get moving.”> You stated, turning your pleading gaze to the smirking na'vi, hoping to get through to her since Tsu’tey was still not satisfied with his inspection. She seemed to take pity on you for once and approached to help Tsu’tey to his feet.

He went easily. Content to be helped to his feet as long as he had a hold of you in some way. Although that did end up with him holding you rather weirdly away from him, until Neytiri tutted and made him hold you to his chest instead.

Whilst Tsu’tey was preoccupied, Jake swooped in to scoop the na'vi off of his feet and continue making their way back to the compound.

>_<

The trio made it back to the pocket compound with minimal delay and well before the moon had fully risen. The plants had just begun to light up, illuminating the clumsy path you’d cut through the undergrowth in your initial haste to find your wayward friend.

Having walked on ahead, Jake had the lights of the compound on and opened the door when he heard you approaching. The window was still royally fucked up, but judging by the sway in his posture, he was merely exhausted rather than experiencing a lack of air.

“You need to set me down now.” You gently told Tsu’tey, tapping his hands to get his attention. He almost looked ready to argue, but deflated almost as quickly as he had stiffened. The long day of rigorous activity clearly had taken it out of him.

With care - and heavy support from Neytiri - he managed to kneel and set you on your feet. You darted away as soon as your feet made contact with the uneven terrain, both for a moment of peace and to get a fresh round of bullets into your weapon.

Ducking into the compound, you headed straight for your side of the link room, hands numbly rummaging around in a drawer for what you needed.

As you searched, Jake’s avatar appeared in the broken window, eyes flicking over the damaged floor and the link pod across the room still chugging away. “How’s your medical knowledge?” He asked, tone light.

You barked a laugh, knowing you hadn’t brushed up on healing since you’d completed your initial training to be cleared on the field. “We need to get him to Mo’at sooner rather than later.”

“I don’t know if he’ll go willingly.” Jake said simply, eyes flickering to the ruined link unit to your right. You grimaced, knowing you wouldn’t be able to link up whilst it was in that state, and by extension wouldn’t be able to help take Tsu’tey back to the People. You both knew that you couldn’t get within ten feet of the Tree of Souls like this. Not with RDA men swarming the forest like fire ants.

“You’re just going to have to force him.” You stated firmly, to which Jake only nodded.

Together you slipped back out into the night, Jake significantly more quiet than you’d heard in a long time.

Neytiri had sat Tsu’tey down leaning against it beneath the window. His head had begun to lul with the adrenaline spike wearing off. With a lack of energy, he was less likely to do too much damage should he find that anger you were expecting.

“We need to get him back to the clan.” Neytiri urged, her hand still on Tsu’tey’s shoulder, keeping him steady as his strength waned.

“Toruk is gone.” Jake supplied, “we’re gonna have to carry him.” Neytiri nodded her understanding, ushering Jake closer so the pair could pull the injured na’vi to his feet.

“Take care of him.” You urged but didn’t approach.

>_<

The moon was still high as Neytiri and Jake supported a wounded Tsu’tey down the slopes towards the Tree of Souls. The camp of na'vi had only just begun to bed down for the night after a long day of fighting and searching for the wounded. Healers were still drifting through the throngs of people, offering support and aid where they could.

By the time they reached the base of the hill and flat ground, Tsu’tey was leaning more heavily on Jake than he had been before.

Thankfully, Mo'at was still awake, her gaze piercing as she watched the trio stumble through the crowd towards her. She already had her supplies laid out around her, with oils and leaves ready. The usually bubbly personality of a mother swallowed by the stern, collected expression of the clan tsahik.

<“Bring him here.”> Mo’at ordered, all business motioning to the mat of woven stems to her left. To which Neytiri and Jake were quick to oblige, laying Tsu’tey before her, she was methodical in her observation of his wounds. <“Who patched him up? You daughter, yes? Considering Jake-Sully would not know the properties of this plant.”> Mo’at asked as she unclasped Tsu’tey’s necklace and began to unwind the plants that had been keeping his wound protected and the bleeding to a minimum.

<“No, mother. It was Y/n.”> Neytiri admitted, dropping into a kneel at her mother’s side to assist her in holding Tsu’tey down, whilst the Tsahik extracted the bullets and began applying a healthy amount of salve to the sluggishly bleeding wounds.

Mo’at hummed thoughtfully. Motioning for Neytiri to shift Tsu’tey so she could begin to rewrap the wounds in fresh river leaves. <“How intriguing. Most of our people do not realise the pain relieving properties within this plant.”>

<“They must have come across it in their research.”> Jake interjected, feeling useless as he simply hovered.

Mo’at hummed again. <“Indeed.”> She tied off the bandages with a sharp yank of her wrist, making Tsu’tey grimace. <“Where are they now? We have plenty of supplies to tend to their Dreamwalker and Sky Person body.”>

Jake gave Mo’at a rough layout of the location of the avatar in question and how far the pocket compound was. She kept nodding, only speaking up when he had finished his short explanation.

<"Bring them here, I must examine them for injuries.”>

>_<

You couldn’t sleep. The compound still smelt vaguely of blood and Norm had disappeared.

His link was empty, your own destroyed from Quaritch slamming his AMP suit against it.

Across the room, the other link unit was still whirring away. It had been two hours since he and Neytiri had dragged Tsu’tey back to the clan. Time in which you had not received a word of news.

Trudy was unaccounted for.

Your avatar was collapsed in the forest somewhere.

And you had nothing to fucking do.

You’d already tried to busy yourself with cleaning the pocket compound, sweeping away the glass and straightening what little had survived the conflict with Quaritch. Dragging in a chair from the kitchen, and sealing the broken window with a thick layer of flexible plastic and plenty of duct tape. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than a wide open gash in the side of the building.

Once satisfied it was properly sealed, you slipped down from the chair and trudged over to the control panel near the door to reactivate the oxygen seal. Gradually, the toxic fumes of Pandora were sucked out through the vents and replaced with more breathable air. The room wasn’t very big and the compound itself was half the size you’d grown used to in the Hallelujah Mountains, so it didn’t take long for the control panel to flash green. You gave the room another few minutes to finish filtering before finally removing your exopack.

And just like that, all the jobs and maintenance that needed to be done were complete.

You wanted out. The compound was too small. It held too many painful memories, and felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. And not only because Quaritch had died on the lawn. If you weren’t concentrating, you could almost convince yourself that Grace still roamed the rooms. That you could smell her cigarette or the awful suffocating, floral perfume she favoured.

With nothing else to do, your gaze fell on Norm’s vacant link unit. It wouldn’t hurt to bring your avatar closer to the compound, or take out a few more RDa soldiers if they were lurking too close to the clans.

Whatever it was, you NEEDED to keep yourself busy. If you stopped now, the grief and pain would consume everything you were. It was one thing to lose Grace, but the events of the past several hours were piling up too high for you to handle.

Relinking was as easy as breathing.

One moment you were in your human body, the next, you were opening your eyes to the moon stretching across a starlit sky. You weren’t far from the compound. Groggily, you rolled onto your stomach, muscles screeching in pain so sharply that you hissed through your teeth, feeling forced to hold still to allow the first wave to subside.

Shit.

You weren’t bleeding, not externally at least. The vines and branches had mostly cushioned your fall so nothing was broken, but a few places were definitely tender.

With desperate gasps, you hauled yourself to your feet. Fuck. Falling from the sky definitely took it out of you. Your entire back was screaming in pain with every breath, but at least it wasn’t unbearable to the point where you couldn’t breath.

You steadied yourself, ears swivelling for the telltale signs of predators or soldiers moving through the undergrowth. There was nothing. Pandora seemed to be resting. Eywa’s creations pulling back for the night to regroup in the shadows.

Yanking your knife from the sheath at your chest anyway - just to be safe - you turned your back to the compound and started picking your way down the hill in search of survivors.

It was slow work, your body actively working against you as you travelled, stooping to check pulses and closing the eyes of the fallen. The moon watched over you as you made your way through the battlefield, trying not to feel disturbed by the faces you recognised collapsed in the undergrowth.

AMP suits littered the ground, weapons dropped and discarded. At least most of the fires had burnt themselves out by now.

You found comfort in finding more RDA bodies than Na’vi. Although that did work in your favour when you noticed a lone avatar slumped on the ground, decked out in RDA issued attire.

Heart in your throat, you altered your course. Ferns pulled at your calves as if begging you not to approach. To not look and perceive the damage done. It took effort, but you steeled yourself as you crested the small, grassy rise and found Norm’s avatar lying in an unnatural position in the bed of the ditch below.

There were two shots through his left shoulder, and a discarded gun lying limp in the hand of his good arm. Swallowing back a gag, you carefully slid down the rise. The chest of the avatar still breathed, but its driver was nowhere in sight. There was no telling where Norm had gone, you only prayed he had been smart enough to go back to the clan.

No spirit guided your hand this time, not that you needed Eywa’s advice on a matter you’d already learnt. After swiftly identifying which leaves to use to cover the wound, you busied yourself with wrapping up Norm’s avatar.

The forest sighed as a strong breeze rustled the canopy, making vines sway and the grass bow against your legs. It was gonna be a hell of a pain to drag his heavy ass to the Tree of Souls, but what else was there to do around here?

>_<

You heard the temporary camp before you saw it. Anyone who wasn’t injured was busy with tasks, either providing protection by standing guard, tending to the fires, or healing the injured. Cresting the hill at the lip of the valley, you adjusted Norm’s avatar against your back. It’s head was hooked over your shoulder as your arms supported its thighs in a piggyback hold.

Carefully, you descended down the rocky ledge towards the camp, feeling the weak puffs of breath against your neck. No one paid you any mind as you stumbled along, the crowd working with you as people darted out of your way as they completed their own tasks. The volume of people was significantly less than there had been this afternoon, but hunting parties would have already been assigned to guard the clan whilst search parties combed the forest for survivors.

As you neared the Tree of Souls, you called for a healer, to which Mo’at materialised out of seemingly nowhere. Her movements were frantic as she leapt down from the high roots of the tree, eyes boring into your face with eyes that knew too much.

That powerful gaze flickered to the avatar at your back, her lips pursing even as her strides did not falter.

<”Rawlon!”> The Tsahik hollered over her shoulder, to which one of the na’vi resting between the tree’s roots promptly rose to his feet, ears pricked. <”Another one with bullet wounds. Take him to a spare mat.”>

<”Of course Tsahik.”> Rawlon replied obediently. His movements were smooth as he made his way to you, easily taking Norm’s weight off your back with a strength that suggested he was well rested. With that, he whisked the avatar out of sight, yelling to healers you couldn’t see for the appropriate equipment.

You watched them go with a frown, despite knowing the avatar would be in good hands.

All at once, you found yourself with no further tasks. Mo’at hadn’t left though, so you quickly turned to her, <”if there anything I can assist you with?”>

Her ears perked comically, a bewildered look flashing across her eyes. <”You are no healer.”> She said simply, to which you couldn’t argue.

<”I am not. But I can run for supplies.”>

<”You are wounded. You need rest.”> She continued, her hand coming up to your shoulder, which she gripped and began carefully guiding towards the sleeping mats. Despite the obedient movements of your body, you shook your head.

<”I can still be useful-”>

<”You are useless to us dead.”> She said firmly. <”Come. I must assess your injuries.”>

<”No, really. I’m fine. I just fell off my ikran.”> You rambled, surprised by the strength of her grip as she practically dragged you towards a spare mat. Her fingers dug into your shoulders as she forcefully pushed you down into a kneel, gaze sharp when you tried to wiggle away.

<”Calm. It would ease my mind to check you over and realise you’re fine, than come back later to a corpse.”> She reasoned soothingly before striding back to the tree. She didn’t go far. Her beaded shawl captured the soft pink glow of the Tree of Souls as she stooped near the roots and scooped up some supplies.

Within moments, she had knelt herself down opposite you, piercing gaze back on your body. <”Remove this.”> She ordered, pinging your weapon’s belt against your chest before diverting her gaze to the supplies she gathered.

You tried to comply. Cursing and sweating at the sharp pull of your muscles as you failed to twist your arms well enough to undo the latch. She was definitely grinning smugly when she returned her attention to you. Slapping your hands away, she undid the belt herself and set it down by your side.

The pair of you lapsed into silence as her forehead creased. Those large eyes examining you with a critical eye. You winced as her hands trailed along your body, ghosting over small wounds and wiping smeared warpaint as she went. Her eyes were narrowed, a critical edge to her expression as she worked.

<”Nothing is broken.”> She muttered to herself, which you already knew. <”Mainly pain from the fall and a bruised pride.”> She grabbed one of her salves anyway, ordering you to turn so she could rub it into the tender muscles of your back and upper arms. The effect was almost immediate, soothing the fire in your body with a cooling sensation.

As the creams took effect, Mo’at turned on you, her gaze narrowed accusingly. You stiffened, wincing as your body complained. <”Now child, tell me. How did you know what leaf to use to wrap up the Olo’eyktan’s wounds?”> She asked bluntly, looking at you in a way that suggested she’d know if you were lying.

<“An atokirina led me to them.”> You admitted honestly, <“and then led us to Neytiri and Jake.”>

Mo’at nodded along to your story, expression thoughtful. <”Then Eywa has blessed you.”> And with that, Mo’at rose from her crouch, whispering something about spirits and rest, as she turned and disappeared around the side of the Tree of Souls, her low voice whisked away by the wind.

You relaxed back onto your mat, closing your eyes but not quite falling asleep as you didn’t want to unlink and end up alone again. Lulled by the familiar hum of the Clan, content to accept your fate, and with a body that didn’t feel like it was going to die between every breath.

>_<

You were not sure how much time passed, only that the clan was growing quiet. People shuffled into sleeping mats as the cooking fires were extinguished and the wounded left to rest. Your ears twitched towards the sounds, eyes closed as you tracked each footfall and tired sigh, your mind struggling to relax from its adrenaline high.

Hands on your cheeks had your eyelids flying open. Four fingers. A strong grip. Someone leaning over you, blocking out the limited light of the eclipse. Braids tickled your cheeks, as large, sharp eyes scanned your face.

You breathed a sigh of relief at Tsu’tey’s trademark scowl. And then remembered that said idiot had just suffered an almost fatal injury, and definitely shouldn’t have crawled out of whatever healing sleep Mo’at had put him under to come check on you.

Instinctively, your ears flattened at Tsu’tey’s close proximity, your hands unconsciously pushing at him. Even wounded, he was as stubborn as a mule. His pursed lips pulled down into a frown, as he was shoved back onto his knees to allow you room to sit up.

<”You assured me you were not injured!”> He bit out with such anger and betrayal that it had your head spinning.

<”I’m not!”> You returned sharply. It was clear in the sharp flick of his tail that he did not believe you.

He huffed loudly, large eyes scanning over your face. You felt like a specimen under a microscope, but you realised with a pang and the uncomfortable tightening of your heart that the way he looked at you hadn’t changed. There was no disgust swimming within the depths of those eyes. Just annoyance, as if you had been up to no good, rather than saving his ass and running around the forest as a human.

At the thought, your eyes flickered down to his naked chest which had been neatly wrapped in green leaves. The river leaves, you realised.

<“You should still be resting.”>

<“I’ve rested.”> He insisted. You frowned. Judging by the position of the moon, it had only been four hours since Neytiri and Jake had dragged him down here to get patched up. He should be out cold. Then again, little could keep this idiot from doing what he pleased.

Nonetheless, that attitude wasn’t going to fly tonight. The clan needed a living leader, not another deceased Olo’eyktan to add to the ancestors. <”Tsu’tey, you got shot. You need sleep.”> You pushed, taking a moment to glance around the large clearing for an empty sleeping spot. <”Where is your mat?”>

He waved you off, his eyes suddenly distant. You followed his gaze, realising he was watching the Tree of Souls. Tail swaying slowly as he wordlessly observed the calm floating of the atokirina dotted amongst the higher branches of the tree.

<”What’s wrong?”> His tail thumped loudly. You steeled yourself. <”Tsu’tey?”>

He swallowed loudly, and you waited. Internally dreading what was to come. <”I could feel Her calling to me.”> He hissed, voice barely above a whisper.

<”Who?”>

<”Eywa.”> Tsu’tey replied simply. You tore your gaze away from the gorgeous hue of the tree’s vines. Your pained expression turned to him, but he wasn’t looking at you. <”She was telling me to get up. Kept urging me to walk; to follow her atokirina. I was so tired.”> He admitted, before adding with a sigh, <”I am /still/ tired.”>

You opened your mouth to suggest getting him back to his mat, but he clearly wasn’t done saying his piece. He swallowed, ears falling as he refused to meet your gaze. <”I held on as long as I could, to protect you.”>

He looked so defeated. His shoulders curling in on himself. A shadow of the proud Olo’eyktan who had led the warriors to victory only hours ago.

<”I’m fully grown, you dick.”> You forced out, aiming for humour but knowing that your tone fell short. <”I can take care of myself.”>

<”But you’re so small.”> He whispered and finally looked at you. But not at your avatar, it was like he was peering through the link to your human body. Perceiving you in a new light. In a way you’d never been seen before. <”And weak. I could’ve killed you in a heartbeat.”>

Your mind flashed to his snarling face. The pure hatred of his expression in contrast to the protective way in which he’d clung to your avatar.

You tried for humour again. <”As if. You were so delirious from blood loss, you could barely tell up from down.”>

<”But I tried to.”> He said, knuckles tight where his hands had fallen into his lap. <”I wanted to hurt you. I /wanted/ to make you go away. You were too close.”>

You sighed. <”I know, and I wasn’t listening to you. I’m sorry about that, but you were injured, and getting you home was more important than your temper tantrum.”>

His eyes scanned your face, tracing the constellation of your glowing freckles in the soft light of the Tree of Souls. Your stomach tightened as that uncertain gaze flickered away again. <”I understand why you did not wish to show me that body.”> He said, head bowed respectfully in a gesture that immediately had alarm bells ringing in your mind. <”And I will work harder to prove myself to you-”>

You were quick to grasp his shoulders. It felt wrong for him to bow to you. Almost out of character. Tsu’tey did not bend to any force beyond the good of his clan. And he’d certainly never done so to you, let alone start sprouting such bullshit.

<”Hey, wait. No. Oh no no no, that is not what this is about.”> You scrambled to explain. And he fell quiet, tail flicking in confusion. <”You are not the issue here.”>

<”I tried to kill you.”> He reminded you in disbelief, but you were already shaking your head.

<”And I tried to kill /you/ remember? I almost flattened you.”> He smiled then, small and full of nostalgia.

<”The clumsiness carries over through the link then?”>

<”Oh? You’re funny now?”> He grinned. <”But seriously, it’s not you.”>

<”What is it then?”>

<”The Sky People have taken a lot from you.”> You said truthfully, <”I didn’t want anything to change between us.”> Your skin crawled at the utterance of such blatantly vulnerable words, but you knew they were necessary at that moment. You needed to clear up this miscommunication before it could fester into something severe. <”I didn’t want you to stop seeing me.”> He was looking at you strangely now, and you wanted to kick yourself but you soldiered on. <”And I know that’s really selfish, but I wanted to be selfish with you. I enjoy our time together, and I value our friendship-”>

<”Y/n?”>

<”Yeah?”>

He raised his hand to his forehead, fingers spread before bringing that hand down in a smooth sweeping motion. You felt your tongue turn to lead in your throat, your eyes bugging out as he held firm eye contact. <”I see you.”>

It was one thing to be told that someone loved you, and believe them. It was an entirely new experience to bare all you were to someone, mind and soul, and have them acknowledge everything you were. To strip back the barriers, observe all your faults and flaws, and continue to accept you.

<”I see you.”> Tsu’tey repeated as if he hadn’t just single handedly brought your world to a screeching halt. <”All of you, Y/n.”> And there it was again, that look that seemed to reach back through the connection and make the body of your human form sweat.

Chapter Text

Tsu’tey was a terrible patient.

He was stubborn, and rude, and jittery, and most of the time, half delirious with pain. Then in the next heartbeat, he’d be back to his crabby, grumpy old self. Deflecting your attempts to feed him and dishing out insults to anyone who looked at him with sympathy. He’d shrug off all attempts at comfort, snapping some half assed excuse about him being a hunter and a grown ass man.

You made sure to baby him just to piss him off. Since it was hilarious and he would only sometimes snapback. The rest of the time - when he was particularly tired - he was fucking adorable. Literally melting into your touch when you tended to him. Making stupid pouting faces when you pulled away, to which you immediately felt compelled to pull him close again and spoil the shit out of him.

If he wasn’t so out of it, you would’ve suspected that he was taking advantage of your weak spot for him.

And the rest of the time, he was an infuriating little shit.

He’d developed a terrible habit of wandering off throughout the day. Just silently slipping away when your back was turned. And the funny thing was, you wouldn’t even notice until you found him roaming around the camp.

It was literally like babysitting a child.

He’d either be attempting to bribe the people into letting him help with chores, or you’d receive an exasperated comms call from Jake that he’d found his way back up to the compound.

Everytime, you’d groan and dutifully go find him to drag him back to his designated sleeping mat.

Mo’at on the other hand, did not stand for his bullshit.

She was firm in the face of Tsu’tey’s excuses. Lecturing him about the dangers of infection whilst dressing his wounds. Smacking him upside the head when she caught him trying to do physical work whilst recovering. And then she’d haul him back to his mat and order you to keep a better eye on him, with an expression that left no room for argument.

It was exhausting work.

But Mo’at also had her moments of softness.

She’d look pissed the entire time, but when she noticed Tsu’tey was genuinely growing restless, her more motherly instincts would abruptly take the wheel. You could do nothing but stare as she wordlessly stormed up to your shared campfire one night, and without a greeting, promptly dumped a bag of beads into Tsu’tey’s lap. The Olo’eyktan got no chance to thank her for the beads or the fresh twine because she’d already turned on her heels and hurried off.

Tsu’tey glanced at you in confusion, to which you could only shrug and go back to cooking dinner.

It was a simple solution but effective, you realised when Tsu’tey’s fidgeting abruptly decreased in frequency. He stopped trying to insist on helping you with the food, and instead lost himself in rummaging through the bead pouch.

Mo’at’s collection was extensive.

The hand carved beads came in such a variety of colours and shapes and weights that you couldn’t fathom where they came from. And Tsu’tey instantly got swept up in his own personal projects for a while, mindlessly creating jewellery that seemed to disappear every time they were finished.

<”Are you making a bracelet?”> You asked one evening, noticing that this particular piece was the matching version to a choker he wore before he became Olo’eyktan.

Tsu’tey shook his head. <”You’ll see.”> And offered no further information on the piece.

At least he kept you occupied with his antics.

Which led you to now, preparing the evening meal whilst Tsu'tey dutifully weaved another jewellery piece on the other side of the fire. The flames made the beads in his braided hair shine, distracting you from your task of properly grilling the meat. You were so caught up in watching him that you almost missed when the alarm sounded.

It was subtle. A sharp whistle from the forest, that had you instinctively rising to your feet; dinner momentarily forgotten. Out of your peripheral, you saw a couple other hunters do the same, grabbing their bows and rising from their crouches. Your tail thrashed impatiently, glancing to the others who each waited with bated breath.

The next whistle was a single note, easily mistaken for a bird call. A confirmation of a threat. The call for backup.

Abruptly, the clan went silent.

You yanked your knife from its sheath, ears pinning back as the other hunters quickly started moving for the treeline.

Across the fire, Tsu’tey was trying to get to his feet, but you were fast to put a stop to it. Eyes still on the trees, you pressed him back into his seat with a firm hand to his shoulder. <”Stay here.”> You ordered, to which he growled.

<”I am-”>

<”Injured.”> You cut in sharply. <”Stay here or I’m gonna make Jake sit on you.”> The man in question had unlinked several hours ago to rest up, but you knew that if you radioed, he’d be back in minutes.

Tsu’tey made to argue, but you had already caught the gaze of a scowling na’vi woman. She jutted her chin towards the forest, you nodded. On silent feet, she crept towards the trees and melted into the shadows with only the smallest ruffle of leaves.

Knife held at chest height, you followed. Your hand slipped from Tsu’tey’s shoulder as you kept moving; your footfalls light. Keeping low, you slipped between the tree trunks, ears flicking to and fro as you listened to the hunters at your back.

The woman from before held her hand out to still your movements, motioning with her other hand to the enemy. It was an unsuspecting squad of marines. All wearing exo packs and armed to the teeth. They trampled the foliage around them, heads on a swivel, but the na'vi hunters remained undetected.

The hand blocking your path dropped as the woman readied her weapon, she motioned to the left. You nodded. You would go right and follow them as she and a couple others blocked off their escape.

This time, you had no one to protect. The Clan had enough warriors left to easily keep the wounded safe. You could give into that underlying instinct, the one that urged you to defend your home, your people.

This was exactly what you needed. An adrenaline boost. Something to kill. Something to focus on that wasn’t personal.

The marines tried to be stealthy. Tried to blend into the glowing plants only for their army attire to make them stand out more. For the lights to reflect off their guns and give them away.

You didn’t feel bad as you stalked the closest one to you.

He was oblivious to your slow movements. Three of his fast paced steps equated to one footfall of your own. You were on him in moments. There was a gap in the leaves. Enough to keep you concealed, whilst being wide enough for you to reach through.

You didn’t bother to stand.

Shifting your weight, you thrust your hand through the opening, grabbed him by the collar of his army jacket and yanked him screaming into the foliage, where he collided with the poised tip of your knife. Feeling the weapon slip into his body with an audible pop and a hiss, you yanked upwards. Grimacing as his screams cut off.

The other marines yelled. Several swivelled to your hiding spot, but you were moving before they could open fire. Hands to the ground, you expertly knuckle-walked out of range.

Your eyes fell to a second soldier. To his wide open back as he stood on the edge of the group, barking orders. Clearly the sergeant. You adjusted your knife into a more comfortable grip and went for the kill.

>_<

You washed off in a stream after dragging the bodies away from the camp with the rest of the hunters. Patting each other on the back for a job well done, you rinsed your knife before following them back to the Well of Souls.

The Omaticaya had established their camp around the Tree of Souls, whereas the other clans had pitched similar campsites in the surrounding area. How the Sky People had stumbled upon your camp first was odd.

The clan was preparing breakfast when your little group broke out of the treeline. The sun peering out from behind the moon to signal a new day.

You headed towards the fire you’d been sharing with Tsu’tey during eclipse, only to find him gone and his mat devoid of anyone. Groaning aloud to yourself, you diverted your attention to the other fires. Thankfully, a kind mother took pity on you and pointed you in the direction of a fire with four figures already tucked around it.

Nodding your gratitude, you picked your way across the camp towards the group. Jake had returned to his avatar, and was helping Mo’at roast fresh fish over the flames. Whilst Neytiri and Tsu’tey were engaged in a venomous staring contest. The latter was pouting as you approached, perched on a log with enough space for you to plop down next to him. Jake nodded in acknowledgement as Neytiri sharpened her arrows.

Mo’at fixed you with an unblinking stare as you got comfortable. <”It is done?”>

<”Yes Tsahik. No, injuries to the people.”> She hummed.

<”You have done well.”>

Internally preening at the praise, you flickered your attention from the cooking fish to Tsu’tey’s face. <”What crawled up your ass?”>

The look of pure confusion and disgust that crossed his face, abruptly banished the look that he’d sucked on a particularly sharp lemon.

Meanwhile, Mo’at let out a soft chuckle. She lifted the tip of her stick from the flames and jabbed lightly at Tsu’tey’s knee with the end. <”He attempted to follow.”> Tsu’tey glared at her, swatting at the stick which she was quick to retract and tap him on the head with instead. His ears pinned back at the unspoken reprimand. <”He only made it four steps before Neytiri caught him and dragged him back.”>

You laughed. <”I told you to stay put.”>

<”I am no coward.”> He insisted, to which you playfully rolled your eyes. Then he turned to Neytiri who pretended not to sense his withered glare. <”I want my bow back.”>

<”Where is your bow?”> Tsu’tey’s ear flickered in your direction, but he didn't respond, and instead kept chewing on his lip as his knees curled closer to his chest.

It was Neytiri’s turn to snort as she pointed to the hanging vines of the Tree of Souls at her back. Your gaze followed the motion, climbing up the branches to find Tsu’tey’s bow tied to one of the higher limbs. It was expertly placed. Well out of reach and a tough climb for someone recovering from being shot.

<”Why didn’t I think of that?”> You commented absently, to which Tsu’tey growled, shoved at your arm, forcing you off of your shared log. You laughed, watching the furious whip of his tail. <”Cranky bastard.”>

<”Idiot.”> He fired back reflexively.

<”Of course. Of course.”> You waved him off, dusting your ass off before going to sit next to Mo’at who moved over on her log to give you room. You turned your attention to Jake who had been watching the encounter with a small smile of amusement. “Any further developments with Selfridge?”

The mischievous grin was swiftly wiped from Jake’s expression, instead replaced with the cold, calculating gaze of Toruk Makto. The look reminded you of a simpler time. Of a man in a wheelchair with nothing to lose and a one way ticket out of hell.

Internally, you wondered if you’d changed as drastically as Jake. If Pandora had transformed you for the better by moulding you into one of her warriors, or healed some of the damage your past life had inflicted on you. Or maybe you were the same idiot from eleven months ago, who had signed a contract and your life away with a grin.

Jake’s summarised explanation of the plans drew you from your internal dilemma. It turned out that Max and Norm had taken over Hell’s Gate and were manning the mother compound until the na'vi tribes came to a collective agreement on what was to be done with the surviving humans. So far, the most popular solution was to make them pack up and send them back to where they came from.

The simple way in which he explained the procedure had your heart pounding. Jake spoke so matter-of-factly that you knew deep in your bones there would be no exceptions. The na’vi wanted their world back, and would stop at nothing to have it returned to Eywa for her to heal.

Your mind drifted to earth. To the rundown apartment you’d sold and the belongings you’d given to your family members so they could remember you, the rest quickly dropped off at charity shops or claimed by friends. You recalled the same boring routine, the longing for something more. The claustrophobic tightness of the cities and the bustle of life. The exhaustion it took to keep going.

Pandora had been a one way ticket to a second chance.

There was nothing left for you on earth, but it appeared you had thoroughly outstayed your welcome here.

Deep down, you knew that you didn’t belong on Pandora. For all your training and time spent amongst the People, you were still a visitor. A demon masquerading in a scientifically generated body. Your five fingered hands were proof enough of that.

With the Avatar Programme discontinued permanently, there was no reason for you to stick around. The na'vi could heal you and pretend you were one of them, but you all knew that the moment the leaders finalised a deal with Selfridge, you and the rest of the human race would be shipped back to Earth where you belonged.

Jake leaned into your line of vision, blocking your fuzzy stare at the fire. His eyes searched your face, and you worked to school your expression into something more neutral. “Maybe you should unlink soon. It’s been a lot of hours.” He commented.

Although his concern was touching, there was a lot to get done. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway. Might as well stick around for a bit.”

He frowned but didn’t push. You kept your head down, even as the conversation drifted to more domestic matters. And soon after, you stopped listening altogether. Your mind wandering elsewhere to the hum of the People and the sounds of the forest.

>_<

Most of your time was spent in your avatar, absorbing the sights and sounds of Pandora with greedy interest, conscious that there was a time limit for how much longer you could stay.

You busied yourself helping the People recover from the war. Utilising your working body, you were appointed on patrols combing the forest for RDA survivors, and helped cook in the evenings. It was a simple way of life. A task that needed doing, that helped keep your mind and body occupied so you didn’t spiral.

Currently, you were bent by the fire, mending a broken weapons belt, with Jake clumsily sewing beside you. The leather in your hands had been warped from age, the strong stitches already removed so you could reinforce the material with new fibres before reconnecting it all.

Across from you, Jake was struggling to keep the stitches even and his bone needle threaded. He held the small object as one would hold something disgusting, with only his thumb and forefinger. You were finding his struggles and soft curses too amusing to correct his hand positioning. The garment he was mending could always be reused for scraps if he fucked it up too bad.

Redirecting your attention to the belt, you bit back a grin as Jake let fly another series of strongly worded curses and threw up his hands in a huff. The garment in his lap flopped to the floor, the uneven stitches coming loose. Jake threw the bone needle (now unthreaded) down onto the heap in defeat, looking close to tears.

“Not a fucking word.” He snarled, you ducked your head, pressing your chin to your chest to keep the obvious amusement from your expression.

“I didn’t say shit.”

“I could hear you sniggering.”

You had no argument to defend yourself there, and were quickly saved when a shadow fell over you and blocked your light. Squinting up at the na’vi looming over you, you grinning at Tsu’tey’s arched eyebrows.

“Brother, come and help me.” Jake begged, showing the Olo'eyktan his bone needle and the mess of stitching in his lap. Tsu’tey glanced judgmentally from the marine to his poor craftsmanship.

“Perhaps we should keep you on guard duty or with the hunting parties.” Tsu’tey suggested bluntly. Jake nodded his agreement, offence be damned when he could be doing something a lot more successfully. “But they have already been assigned today.” Tsu'tey continued quickly, watching with glee as Jake visibly deflated.

You grinned, returning to weaving the fibres into the belt. The shadow of Tsu’tey did not move, in fact, the Olo'eyktan decided he needed a closer inspection of your work to decide whether you were doing good enough as he dropped into a crouch at your side. You allowed his curiosity, but could feel yourself sweating as you fumbled in keeping the fibres straight and your stitches even.

Gradually, Tsu’tey drew too close to your hands, to the point where you could barely see what you were doing. Momentarily forgetting yourself, you shoved at his forehead with your hand, pushing his face away so you could see. Tsu'tey froze, taken aback by the forward gesture, and you abruptly remembered your place.

He was the Olo’eyktan now, not some headstrong warrior trying to annoy you.

Not one to show vulnerability or doubt however, you armoured your response with an insult. <“You’re so nosy.”> You found yourself muttering, before turning back to your work, ears flattened to your skull.

Tsu’tey remained motionless, struggling for a response. You wanted to curl up and die. <“Someone has to make sure you’re not making it worse.”> He eventually replied with, returning the jab with his own.

Forgetting yourself again, you grinned. <“Asshole.”>

He snapped his teeth playfully beside your ear instead of responding, to which you swatted at him again.

>_<

A choked off moan from across the fire had your ears flattening to your head and your thumb slipping on the tough shell of the nut you were attempting to deshell. Curling in on yourself, you tried in vain to keep your attention laser focused on the task at hand. You already had a serving leaf piled high with unshelled nuts to your left, and only a few remaining.

A cut off gasp had your gaze snapping up.

Jake and Neytiri were furiously making out across the fire. Their bioluminescent freckles vibrant as a hundred stars against the rising moon, tails flicking and eyes glowing in the weak firelight.

From experience over the last several months, but from this week in particular, you had discovered that the Omaticaya were very forward with their affections for one another. Many of the mated couples who had been reunited after the war had taken to getting reacquainted within full view of the rest of the clan, who simply continued on with their tasks for the day.

You tried not to care like everyone else, but old customs and standards were hard to shake.

Jake let out a startled groan, Neytiri’s hand travelling south, and that was definitely the last straw.

“For fuck sake you two.” You growled, reminding the pair of your presence. True to form, Jake leapt back, cheeks ablaze and his chest heaving, whilst Neytiri fixed you with a withered glare. You scowled back. “If you’re going to be horny teens, go into the forest where I can’t see you.” You ordered, pointing to the glowing plants a few feet away.

“Jealous?” Jake taunted, leaning in once more to press a soft kiss to Neytiri’s lips before pulling away - much to her annoyance - and settling into a crouch.

“Of Neytiri? Not a chance. You kiss weird.” You retorted without missing a beat, eyes returned to the task at hand.

“And you can do better?”

“It’s kind of unfair to insinuate a challenge when I am at a clear disadvantage.” You argued, before Jake’s mind could drift too far away from the topic at hand.

“I’d say the playing field is reasonably even.” Jake replied simply, making a point to look at Tsu’tey conversing with Mo’at across the way. Neytiri was grinning as you gave the pair the finger and went back to peeling the nuts for dinner.

At least they kept off each other this time, as your little campsite lapsed back into silence, content to cuddle instead of eat one another. You appreciated the gesture.

As you were finishing up, a hand landed on your shoulder, rubbing firmly as Tsu’tey sank into a crouch beside you. You greeted him with a grin, to which he pressed your thighs more closely together, his hand gliding down your arm to motion to the nut you were failing to peel. With your thumbs aching, you handed it over easily before taking up the stirring stick to check on the meat cooking over the flames. You pointedly ignored Jake’s grin.

>_<

The day arranged for the first major meeting with Max and Norm finally came with dawn dragging its heels. Thanks to Jake’s insistence, you managed to link quickly enough to see the party off.

If all went well, they would return within the day in time for dinner. If not, Jake would keep you updated later that night.

The trio were set to ride to the compound on pa’li to finalise the date for the evacuation, a meeting you were internally grateful to be missing out on. An easy excuse and a small mercy, since you weren’t leaping at the idea of going back to Hell’s Gate any time soon.

The question regarding what would happen to your avatar afterwards, still plagued your subconsciousness, but you pushed it down as you approached the party readying their pa’li. Your three friends among their numbers as they fastened weapons to their bodies and checked their supplies.

One of the warriors accompanying the group had Norm’s avatar strapped to his pa’li. The body had taken a while to heal from the injuries it had sustained, but under Mo’at’s methodical care, was more than ready to return to its driver.

Tsu’tey was the first to notice you, motioning you over despite already being deep in conversation with Mo’at. Approaching slowly to give them time to finish up, you watched Mo’at nod to herself before patting Tsu’tey on the shoulder, her tone reassuring despite you not being able to make out her words.

As you drew within earshot, Mo’at pulled away. She nodded politely to you before disappearing back towards the Tree of Souls, her beads clicking together as she passed.

Tsu’tey drew himself up to his full height, you straightened in kind, mirroring his uneasy expression as he inhaled a deep calming breath. Shit. Was all you could think, unused to such tension in his expression when usually he was calm and collected.

Tsu’tey turned to you. Your muscles tensed for a fight. Then he moved towards his pack, secured to the flank of his pa’li, and rummaged around for a moment. His ears perked as he found whatever he was looking for and turned back to you.

<“For you.”> He said simply, grabbing your hand and dropping a carved bead into your palm. You stilled, expression blank as you inspected the small, white object which symbolises so much within the culture of the na’vi. Tsu’tey remained silent as you brought the bead closer to your face to inspect it.

It was gorgeous. The texture was smooth and even from the skill of talented hands. Whereas it had been painstakingly carved to fit snugly within one of your braids, a detailed carving of a roaring ikran decorating the exterior. You wanted to cry.

<“To commemorating your fallen companion.”> Tsu’tey explained to fill the silence. It was such a small gesture, but it meant more than words could hope to express. The other warriors had adorned their hair with new beads weeks ago to celebrate their success from the war and to mourn those that they had lost. <“I assumed you would be too busy to make it yourself. And judging by your skill with mending, it wouldn’t have turned out as you would want it.”>

You nodded along to his rambling, touched by the thought behind such a precious gift. A token worthy of symbolising the memory of your beloved ikran.

<“Thank you.”> You breathed, he stopped talking.

<“Do you not like it? I can make another.”> Tsu’tey hurriedly said, alarmed by the glossy sheen to your eyes. You shook your head, the bead clutched tightly to your chest.

<“It is beautiful.”> You reassured him. The tension in his body melted away at the confirmation.

<“I am glad.”>

<“Will you help me put it in?”> You asked boldly, <“do you have time?”>

He grinned, gesturing for the bead which you handed over happily. <“Which braid?”> Tsu’tey asked, waiting patiently for you to blindly rake through your braids to find a shorter one near the front that wouldn’t let the bead get swallowed up by the rest of your hair.

You offered it to him and Tsu’tey nodded, stepping closer to carefully fasten to bead into place at eye level. It stood out like a star in the sky against the raven black of the rest of your hair, the carved ikran displayed proudly for all to see.

<“Tsu’tey we need to get moving.”> Jake prompted from the back of his pa’li as the rest of the warriors also mounted up. The chief gave them a dismissive wave to tell them he was coming but did not instantly pull away.

<“It suits you.”> He complimented, earning him a playful push.

<“Be safe.”> You replied, voice stern. <“I expect you to come back in one piece, or I’m going to kill you myself.”> You made a point to gland down to the fresh bandages covering his chest, lips pinched.

He laughed, his face lighting up with the force of it. <“Stay out of trouble.”> He ordered with no heat to it as he pulled you close, touching your foreheads together. You couldn’t find it in you to resist or care. It wasn’t a kiss or a tsaheylu, but it was perfect. And probably the most intimate you could allow.

Wrapping your arms loosely around his waist, you pulled him closer by his hips, eyes closing with the firm press of your foreheads. He responded in kind, hands finding purchase on the small of your back. Internally, you revelled in the strength beneath your fingertips.

<“Come on.”> Neytiri called impatiently. <“You can do this later once we get back.”>

And just like that the illusion was shattered. Tsu’tey pulled away, his tone clipped as he replied sharply in na’vi, making Neytiri stick her tongue out.

Mo’at drifted back over to reassure Tsu’tey that she had everything under control in his absence. Her eyes caught on the bead, and you were POSITIVE she smirked this time. Her gaze flickered to Tsu’tey, and something wordless passed between the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik before her attention returned to you.

<”Come. There is much to do.”>

>_<

You spent the day helping out around camp and your night packing. Most of your personal touches to the link room had already been neatly packed away in your old bag and shoved under the unit when you found yourself staring blankly at the bag rather than being productive. You still needed to check the hallway and kitchen for traces of yourself.

Jake rolled out of his link unit whilst you were making dinner.

“I feel like we haven’t talked in ages.” Jake joked as he wheeled into the kitchen. He was glowing with the internal delight of a job well done, indicating things were starting to head in the right direction. You made a non-committal sound, already reaching for another portion of rations to put in the microwave for him.

“I saw you this morning.” You argued without turning.

It was Jake’s turn to hum in agreement, before the two of you allowed the hum of the small machine to fill the silence as he approached the table. It was littered with various reports, boring notes and half-finished documents that would never be submitted to HR.

“How did it go?”

“They leave before the end of this moon cycle.” Jake replied easily. You nodded. Less than a month left then.

“He missed you today.”

Your head snapped up to level him with a searching look at the random declaration. Jake was already smiling, apparently finding your reaction amusing. You both knew who he was referring to.

“If Norm wanted to see me, he could literally call.” You deflected, motioning to the communicator mounted on the wall.

Jake rolled his eyes before fixing you with a look that said it all. “Alright then. Tsu’tey missed you today. He was acting super crabby.”

You scoffed, “definitely sounds like him.”

“He was pouting a lot.” Jake added gleefully, not bothering to suppress his grin.

“What are you? My spy?”

“I have eyes.”

“I’d expect avatar eyes to work better than that.”

Jake kissed his teeth and lent back in his chair. He let the silence sit for a moment, but you knew he wasn’t going to drop the subject that easily. “So when are you planning on making a move? Because at this rate-”

Your back straightened with an audible crack of your spine.

Slowly, you turned to him in disbelief, lips drawn into a firm scowl. Such ideas - fantasies - had only been a figure of the mind, active when the nights were long and your mind wandered. You had never voiced your attraction to Tsu’tey out loud and had been careful to not give anything away in how you acted around him. Not only were the chances of your feelings being returned severely low, you knew it couldn’t work out. Between the whole avatar thing and your impending return to Earth, it wouldn’t be fair to pursue anything.

Unlike Jake who had charged into his relationship and later mated with Neytiri with no regard for her future, you would not allow yourself to put Tsu’tey in such a position.

“I’m not.”

Jake stilled. “You’re not?” The arrogance from before had entirely melted off of his face, replaced with confusion. “What, because he needs to ask you? Or it isn’t the right time?” You didn’t want to give him a response. Jake wheeled closer, eyes intense. “What’s stopping you?”

You almost laughed. “Because what’s the point? In a month, none of this will even matter.”

A beat of silence. “You’re planning on leave?” The utter betrayal in Jake’s tone made you do a double take.

No. You wanted to roar.

“Am I?” You asked, suddenly unsure.

Jake was already shaking his head.

“But you said ALL humans, dimwitt.”

“It was implied you weren’t gonna be one of the ones leaving.”

You frowned. “Could’ve started with that.”

He chuckled sheepishly. “But it was obvious.” He argued. You’re one of them. You literally fought side by side with the rest of us. You’ve proven yourself.”

“Hey, I didn’t want to go,” you interjected, “I just assumed-”

“Yeah well, clearly that’s where you went wrong.” He cut in sharply. Then checked his tone. His gaze was serious when he established eye contact again, and you knew in your bones that he wasn’t lying. “You’re an idiot.” He stated simply.

“Your point?”

He shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “Did you seriously think you were going to get away that easily? Neytiri would have my ass if I even put you back on compound grounds, compared to the hell Tsu’tey would raise if you left. He’d be insufferable. God, even Mo’at would have some choice words to share if that happened.”

The sound of the microwave aggressively beeping halted the flow of conversation. Rising from the table, you took the steaming meal from the machine and placed it down on the table in front of your friend. “Bon appetit.” Turning back to the counter, you pulled down a second microwave meal and shoved that in to cook for several minutes.

“What I’m saying is-”

“Please stop talking.”

“You’re staying.” Jake pressed on with an edge of amusement in his tone. “You might as well get your finger out and start wooing him before he takes matters into his own hands.”

“He won’t.”

“Bit late for that.” Jake laughed. “But fuck around and find out.”

You did not like the sound of that.

>_<

You relinked with no plan and one goal, to find yourself in your usual resting spot cradled between the roots of the Tree of Souls. As usual, your heightened senses in this world swept in like a wave, bringing with it the movements of the camp early in the morning and the sight of Tsu’tey bedded down not far from your side.

He looked peaceful in sleep, all the stress of his position swept away by dreams. Set aside like the ceremonial jewellery piled to the side of his mat.

Your earlier intentions fizzle out in the face of his sleeping expression. Clearly, yesterday had been a long and tiring day, despite the bountiful success it had brought with it.

Sitting up, your eyes caught on a lit fire not far from you with food already cooking, a small group of people chatting and poking the flames.

Knowing you wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep and remain present, you decided it was time to get up and rose soundlessly to your feet. You were sheathing your hunting knife to the strap across your chest, when rustling behind you alerted your senses to someone getting up.

<“You’re back.”> Tsu’tey greeted, turning over to face you properly, sprawled out across his mat.

<“Good morning to you too. Did the trip go alright?”>

He motioned with his hand as if to wave away the memories of the previous day. <“I’m sure Jake-Sully already told you everything?”>

You flushed, choosing to ignore the part of the evening that revolved heavily around your feelings for this man, instead of the political side of things. <“Bits and pieces.”>

Tsu’tey watched you from his spot on the ground, gaze hungrily drinking you in as you stretched the stiffness from your muscles. You were surprised to see the expression so obviously on his face. Perhaps it was because Jake had finally dragged you from the depths of denial to believe that you could have this. Could have him if you worked for it.

“Jake?” Neytiri’s voice called from across the clearing, you turned, finding your friend struggling to hold up the man in question, his head lulling dangerously. Your mind immediately shot to the worst case scenario; to intruders in the compound.

Tsu’tey sat up, ears flicking as he watched Neytiri struggle to keep Jake’s body upright. From what you could see, he was still in there, clutching at her as his legs gave in.

Your heart pounded as you took an unconscious step closer. Jake’s eyes were rolling in his head, fingers weakening. Neytiri was still clutching him, fingers biting into his skin.

At your back, Tsu’tey had also scrambled to his feel.

<”What’s wrong?”> He called across the camp, taking off at a light jog towards the pair.

You followed at a slower pace. Eyes pinned to Jake’s face, waiting for him to recover. With your own link working fine, and him being in the least glitchy one, you didn’t have a clue what was going on. You had never been a technical person. Even the video logs at the beginning of your stay on Pandora had been a challenge.

All your musing was cut short at the sight of Jake going slack.

All the strength melting out of him.

Despite Neytiri’s best attempts, he slumped to the floor lifeless. If you hadn’t witnessed this particular phenomenon multiple times, you would’ve feared he was dead.

Neytiri let out a panicked shout as she followed her mate down, cradling his motionless face.

Tsu’tey froze in place. Then spun on his heel and sprinted back to you. Somehow he managed to clock onto what was happening before you did.

Your vision swam, but not from lack of air.

One breath you were in the clearing, your legs stiffening up and your hands flying out in front of you to slow your fall, the next you were in the link unit, shoving open the lid and throwing yourself into the room.

“We’re okay!” Jake yelled from across the room. “It’s a power cut!” You sagged, the adrenaline spike ebbing away with the simple, non-threatening explanation.

“Thank fuck.”

“Tell me about it.” Jake replied merrily, huffing as he hauled himself out of his unit and into his waiting wheelchair. You flopped back down into your own unit, willing your heart rate to slow as you stared at the ceiling.

“We definitely just looked like idiots.” You breathed, realising what a scene the pair of you had caused. Jake winced, but didn’t argue otherwise.

“Are you familiar with the fuse box at all?” You continued, eager to get back and reassure the others that you were fine and not in any danger.

“Trudy kept the manual under the sink.” Jake returned easily. You sighed, it would have to do.

>_<

The entire system was down, and you couldn’t for the life of you figure out what it was. And Jake was not helping. For someone who knew jackshit about technology, he sure had a lot of fucking opinions.

“I’m taking a break.” You finally yelled, throwing down the manual and scooting away from the box. You stormed into the kitchen, anything to get some distance from the idiot down the hall.

“You said that twenty minutes ago.”

“I need another.”

“Stop being a pussy and help me.”

“You haven’t done jack shit!”

“Because your stupid head keeps getting in the way!”

A loud knocking at the front of the compound, made your next retort die in your throat. Jake froze down the hall, still loitering beside the open fuse box. You slowly turned to the front door at your back, mind racing to the gun tucked under your unit.

“No one should know we’re here.” You breathed.

“Norm and Max just know we’re near the Tree of Souls.”

Shit.

“Jake, get my gun, it’s under my unit in a bag.” You ordered, not waiting for him to respond before moving for the exo pack mounted on the wall beside the kitchen. The sound of wheels grew fainter as Jake moved quickly.

Another knock. Louder this time. More frantic. A sound more akin to claps of thunder than the polite thud of a fist. Overhead, a shadow swept across one of the windows, blocking out the sun. You breathed a sigh of relief as you recognised Neytiri’s concerned expression.

“Jake, your wife’s here to see you.” You yelled down the hall, satisfied when you heard a thump and a curse. Within seconds, Jake was back in the room.

“She’s my mate!” He corrected sharply, you rolled your eyes as you handed him an exo pack.

“Same difference.” You assured him. “Now go talk to her. She’s probably worried sick.” You patted him on the shoulder as you passed, ducking back out into the hall, content to finish fixing the fuse now that he would be occupied for a while.

Settling down before the fuse box once again, you snatched up the instruction manual as the front door opened and closed. Your gaze flickered from the poor quality diagrams to the monstrosity of technology before you. It looked identical.

Oh, no wait, the one for the link room had blown. Figures.

The door opened again. “Y/n get your ass out here. Tsu’tey is threatening to break in.” Jake yelled from the kitchen, sounding unbothered.

“Tell him I’m busy.” You yelled back, reaching for the screwdriver. The door closed again, there were hushed voices, steadily picking up in volume, but you focused on the task at hand.

This time the door slammed into the wall with the force of it being opened. The alarms overhead blaring into life as Pandora air flooded into the compound. You jumped, struggling to get your feet under you.

<“TSU’TEY NO-!”> Neytiri bellowed from the kitchen, before she was swiftly cut off by the door being slammed shut on her.

Whipping round, you found the man in question crouched in your kitchen with his bow in hand - Neytiri must have deemed him healed then. Tsu’tey’s head was snapping to and fro as he stooped to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling lights. He was decked out in his ceremonial attire now, his bandages gone and the massive necklace in its place. He dwarfed the rest of the compound, even crouched as he was.

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?” You shrieked as one would scold their cat climbing the curtains. Tsu’tey’s head whipped in your direction, eyes raking over you. You glared back, jaw set as he observed your face. Ears rising and falling in a look of indecisiveness.

You’d think, after the way he’d reacted to you the first time, you would be more cautious about outright yelling at him. Tsu’tey could kill you with half a thought. He knew it. You knew it. And yet, it was as if nothing had changed. You did not fear him.

Tsu’tey proved you right by letting loose a deep breath, ears flattening to his skull. <“You’re okay.”> He said it with such relief that you half expected tears.

With heavy footsteps that made the floorboards creak ominously under his weight, he approached. You were speechless. He bent low as he approached the hallway, ears flattening as he realised he would not be able to follow you in, his shoulders too broad for the doorway, he barely fit into the main room as it was, his tail dangerously close to sweeping everything off of the table to his right. <“I am glad.”> He continued, sounding like he genuinely meant it as he set his bow down aside and tried to reach down the hallway for you.

His hand only just reached you, fingers easily the size of your foot brushing at your calf. The contact snapped you back to the present.

Scrambling to your feet, you raced out of the hallway to check on him. Tsu’tey reared back at the sudden speed, going as far as to shuffle back as you erupted through the doorway.

<“ME? WHAT ABOUT YOU?”> You yelled back, making him jump and his ears flatten. He looked like a scolded child, eyes wide in the face of your frantic outburst. <“Are you in pain?”> You bulldozed on before he could respond, concern causing your voice to rise. You reached for his forehead with the back of your hand, leaning forward to listen to his chest. <“How’s your breathing? Any lightheadedness or dizzy spells?”>

<“I am fine-”>

<“You should not be able to breathe this air.”> You mumbled to yourself, taking his hand to check his pulse, which seemed to be normal.

<“I feel fine-”> He broke off as you lent up to check his pupils, hands on either side of his temple, your gaze stern. He blinked at you owlishly, golden eyes burning with something you could not place, but he let you examine him with no further fuss.

Deeming him okay, you relented. <“I swear to God Tsu’tey, if you pass out in here I’m not gonna be able to drag your ass out with the link unit down.”>

He visibly shook himself, and replied sincerely. <“I promise I’ll leave if it starts getting hard to breathe.”> He reassured you, helping to calm your pounding pulse.

You nodded reluctantly. <“You’re an idiot.”> Tsu’tey shrugged, which suggested he knew and didn’t care.

<“I was worried.”>

Your stomach dropped as you realised you hadn’t sent a message down to the clan to tell them what had happened. No wonder Neytiri had almost smashed the door in.

<“The fuse blew.”> You explained as you turned away to continue fiddling with the fuse box. It felt natural to turn your back to him. To know that he wouldn’t strike out at you whilst you showed such blatant trust.

Tsu’tey hummed at the simple explanation despite not having any idea what a fuse was. Choosing instead to stay quiet as you worked, eyes flickering around the room, checking the windows and craning his neck to peer down the corridor to the link room. Not that you were paying attention to what he was doing. Nope, not at all.

With a final tightening of the screwdriver, the blown fuse was replaced. You held your breath as you closed the metal casing, latching it shut. Rising to your feet, you dipped into the link room to switch on the main generators, letting out a triumphant whoop when the units roared to life, their electronic screens lighting up with the start up logo. You were definitely going to rub this in Jake’s face.

Crossing back into the kitchen with the intention of doing just that, you went straight for the exopacks. Tsu’tey watched you with an amused expression, the corner of his lips quirking up in a private smile.

<“What?”> You asked, pulling the mask over your face and latching it at the nape of your neck with a sharp snap.

He hummed, licking his lips. <“You’re so small like this.”> He teased lightly. You gave him the finger, and turned your back to continue securing the exopack. <“But still fierce. I thought you’d bite my head off for a minute there.”> Your hand stilled on the mask.

His words from the other night played in the back of your mind. Replaying the way he’d held your gaze and seemed to mean it when he told you that he saw you. That he accepted your sky person body as much as your avatar.

<”I’ve got to keep you on your toes somehow.”>

He hummed. <”An attractive quality indeed.”> Tsu’tey admitted, easily as if this wasn’t earth shattering news to you.

And how the fuck were you supposed to respond to that?

<“Is that a bad thing?”>

<“No.”> And you knew he meant it. He licked his lips and shuffled his stance, his knees dropping to the floor so he was no longer balanced on the balls of his feet. <“Can I touch you?”> Your hands fumbled in swinging the pack onto your back, wondering where exactly that question had come from.

<“I just need to gloat at Jake for a moment, then I can link up.”> You assured him, feeling your stomach clench as he shook his head.

<“I meant like this.”>

You glanced down at your ratty, RDA issued shirt and tracksuits, feeling conscious of the last time you’d had a shower. With your days packed to bursting whilst amongst the People, there was little time for you to give this body some much needed TLC.

<“Are you sure?”>

<“Should I not be?”> He asked, genuinely curious.

<“I think I recall you referring to me as a ‘demon’ the first time we met.”> You returned easily, hoping to steer the conversation towards safer territory.

Tsu’tey grinned at the memory but didn’t let it slide. <“That was before we got to know each other.”> He corrected, <“and I am certain you have called me much worse. Multiple times.”>

<“You would tell me though, if you don’t like it. Right?”> He nodded but you kept rambling. <“Like if you dislike how my skin feels, or think I’m too small to hold, feel free to just put me back-”>

<“Y/n.”> There was no room for argument in his tone, and you knew from his face that he’d already made up his mind. <”I see you.”> He promised. And you deeply prayed it wouldn’t be broken if he was truly being honest.

<“Okay.”> You breathed, collecting yourself.

Despite knowing Neytiri and Jake wouldn’t barge in unannounced, you glanced at the door before you managed to pull yourself back together. Slowly, you removed the mask and pack, setting them back down on the table, a slight shake in your hands.

<“Ugh, please be gentle.”> You rambled as you approached. <“This body isn’t as durable as my avatar. I will break-”>

<“You think too much.”> Tsu’tey chuckled, grinning as your hand wrapped around two of his fingers. Slowly, carefully, he used that contact to pull you closer to him so that his shadow fully eclipsed you. Dumbly, you stared up at him, mouth going dry at his sheer size.

Tsu’tey’s expression was open and thoughtful as he brought his other hand down to feel your hair. You smiled at the barely there graze of his large fingers, encouraging him with a nod when he glanced back to your face for confirmation. He gradually grew more confident, experimentally touching your hair, tracing the rounded tips of your ears with the cute prick of his own.

His tail was swaying behind him, thumping against the back wall in the tight space, but he didn’t seem to care. Those burning, golden eyes traced your features, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as his hand slid to cup your cheek. You were completely dwarfed by him. His palm spanning from your chin to your forehead. You couldn’t quite stop yourself from pressing into his touch.

<”I prefer you without the mask.”> He mumbled quietly, his thumb roughly slid up the slope of your nose, probably taking into account the difference in structure from his own. You pulled away from the rough treatment, the calloused pad of the digit pulling at your skin. He laughed lightly, pulling away. <”You’re much easier to read without it.”>

He withdrew his hand, ears fanning wide as he looked you up and down, silently calculating some untold equation. <”Can I hold you?”>

<”Hold me?”>

He seemed to flounder for the right word, tail swaying in anxiety. Hesitantly, he moved his hands to your waist, fingers overlapping as he mimed what he wanted. He did not lift you from the floor, not without your permission.

<”You want to pick me up?”>

<”Yes!”> He replied instantly, before adding more sheepishly, <”this position is hurting my back.”>

You laughed despite yourself. <”You can lift me.”> You assured him, reaching down to grasp his arm guard as his grip tightened. He must have anticipated you’d weigh more than you did, because the initial lift almost threw you up into the roof. You shrieked, holding on tight as Tsu’tey swore softly and swiftly gathered you to him.

<”I am sorry.”> He apologised frantically, fingers flexing as if he didn’t know whether to let go or keep a hold of you.

<”You’re fine.”>

<”I am. But you are not!">

<"No. As in you didn't do anything wrong.">

<"You are certain?”>

<”Dude, you need to take a breath.”> His tail flicked menacingly, but he did as instructed.

Whilst he collected himself, you took it upon yourself to get more comfortable in his lap by straddling one of his thick thighs. He relaxed at the motion, leaning himself back against the wall of the compound and tilting his legs so that you were leaning more securely against his stomach. The hands around your waist loosened their hold, instead slipping down to gently cup your thighs, ensuring that you remained secure.

<“This is okay?”> He asked, drawing your attention back to his face. The way he was looking at you had you speechless. It was reassuring, to know that although you were significantly smaller and alien to him, he could still look at you like that.

You had to drop his gaze, as you nodded.

In truth, this was heaven. After months of little to no physical contact, in and outside of the link, the small touches were sending your mind into a tailspin. Your skin lit up everywhere he touched you, making your ears burning beneath your hair. If Tsu’tey noticed he didn’t comment.

His skin was cool compared to your own, you realised. Almost leather-like in texture, with a thickness you knew from experience acted like armour against some of Pandora’s weaker threats. Absently, you traced one of his stripes, marvelling at its size in comparison to your finger. Mindlessly, watching it stretch and contract with every breath.

You paused as the skin under your palms grew rougher than the rest of him. You peered closer, noting with a swallow that you had found the scar tissue of the bullet wounds from weeks ago. They had healed up nicely, with only a slight dusting of red to make them obvious compared to the rest of his complexion.

He said your name to capture your attention, a hand cupping the side of your face to divert your attention away from his chest. <“This is okay?"> He repeated, eyes searching your own with a hint of concern.

You nodded again before finally managing to unstick your tongue from the room of your mouth. <“Yes. Perfect. You’re perfect.”> You breathed, before tensing up as you realised your wording. <“Fuck. I mean.”>

<“I believe you to be perfect too.”> Tsu’tey promised, the honesty clear as the glowing freckles on his cheeks. Your heart skipped in your chest, taken off guard by such sweet words, especially from Tsu’tey of all people.

You laughed. <“When did you learn to be sweet?”> Carefully, you manoeuvred yourself so you were eyelevel with him, Tsu’tey’s grip on your waist helping to steady you as you leaned in. He happily accepted the press of your foreheads, his eyes slipping closed as he huffed at the sensation, one of his thumbs rubbing circles into your hip.

Thanks to the size difference, for you it was more of a full face squished against his forehead, but it was still perfect.

Chapter Text

Mo’at was suspiciously quiet as you helped her bundle fresh herbs.

She was pretending to be busy. tending to her herb bundles with an intensity that was out of character for her. Although she took her role as Tsahik incredibly seriously, you’d seen her pawn the task off on anyone unlucky enough to offer to help. More often than not, before HomeTree fell, you’d found Eytukan bundling her herbs whilst Mo’at sharpened his hunting knife.

If you were stupid, you would have blamed her attentiveness on her grief. On the possibility that she was attempting to distract herself.

However, with the way her ears were swivelled in your direction, unnaturally perked, you knew there was more to it. That was also a gesture you’d witnessed her use on Eytukan whilst coaxing him into sharing news.

Eying her wearily, you tried to keep your attention on the task at hand as you carefully tied up the different plants into their groups.

The pair of you were perched on the roots of the Tree of Souls, the makeshift camp at your feet beginning to pack up. Over the last several days, scouts had found acceptable locations to set up a new HomeTree, so preparations had begun for the move. As such, Mo’at had managed to rope you into helping her collect and properly store her healing supplies for the journey.

The woman in question finally broke. With a sharp click of her tongue, she snapped her head up to you, making your ears flatten as you instinctively wilted under the abrupt movement. That gaze held more knowledge than you could ever comprehend as she stared you down.

<”How is it coming along?”>

You blanched. <”I’m sorry?”>

Mo’at tutted. <”I may be Tsahik, but I still require information of the tongue, my child. Eywa cannot tell me everything.”>

<”Tsahik-”> Her gaze turned venomous at the title, so you scrambled to change your tune. <”Mo’at.”> You corrected, and she nodded for you to continue. <”I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”>

She sighed. <”I am referring to your courting gift.”> The woman explained sharply, her motions taking on a jerky quality which told you all you needed to know about her waning patience. Swallowing quietly, you watched her tighten some twine around the stem of more herbs as she gathered her thoughts to continue. <”From what I have seen, you have not sought anyone out for help, so I can only assume it is coming along nicely.”>

Your eyebrows shot up high at the blatant assumption. <”Actually- wait, what? Courting? Who said anything about courting?”>

Mo’at lifted her gaze from her herbs, slower and more threatening than any thanator. Slowly, she lowered the herbs into her lap before those eyes pinned you in place. <“What are /you/ talking about, child?”> She countered. <”Courting. You know? Mates. Soulmates. Life partners. Humans have these, yes?”>

<”Of course we do, but what does that have to do with herbs?”>

Mo’at smacked you upside the head. <”I am speaking of Tsu’tey!”> She snapped loudly, making your ears flatten as you grumpily rubbed at your temple despite the fact that the blow hadn’t stung at all. <”That boy has been working his tail off to impress you, you blind stingbat! Are you telling me, you have no intention of returning his courting attempts?”>

<"Attempts?”> She raised her hand to strike you again, and you struggled to get the words out in time to dissuade her. You threw your arms up to catch her wrist just in case. <”In my defence, Omaticaya courting rituals did not come pre-explained.">

Her hand lowered back to her herbs, scoffing coldly. <"You are smart. You have seen it all over camp.">

Your cheeks flamed at the jab, realising that yes, you had seen the gestures. Had witnessed it between Jake and Neytiri alongside other young hunters. Your hand subconsciously reached for your new knife, your long fingers closed around the atokirina carved into the hilt. Tsu’tey had been obvious in his intentions, you realised making your ears fan out wide on either side of your head. <”Oh.”>

Mo’at chuckled to herself, muttering insults under her breath as realisation smacked you upside the head harder than any blow she could have dolled out. <”You Sky People and your oblivious nature, when the truth is right in front of you.”>

<”Oh shit!”> You said louder, hands flying to clutch at your braids as your eyes widened.

The Tsahik only nodded, looking mighty pleased with herself as your tail thumped with anxiety.

<”I’m an idiot.”>

<”You are.”>

<”How do I reciprocate?”> You asked hurriedly, grabbing at her forearm when she made to turn back to her herbs. Her gaze was sharp when she looked at you, eyes calculating, but you felt no fear as you watched the self accomplished grin slip onto her face.

<”You weave a garment of your affection. Jewellery is best for staking a claim.”> She explained.

You felt your heart sink. <”I don’t know how to weave.”>

<”Then it is recommended you find someone to teach you-”>

<”Can you?”>

<”Can I what, child?”>

<”Can you weave?”>

She scoffed, almost offended you even had to ask. <”Before I was chosen as Tsahik, I rivalled the best weavers of my generation. The clan competed with one another to get my jewellery pieces.”>

<”Perfect.”>

The cry of ikran overhead brought the conversation to an abrupt halt.

In unison, you and Mo’at’s heads snapped to the sky, sharing a collective gasp at the cloud of ikran circling the Well of Souls. The flock dipped and dived, shrieking their greetings as they landed on the uneven cliffs surrounding the camp. Their claws grated on the stones, their colours bringing further life to the humble little camp.

Their appearance was met with a surge of energy from the clan members. The People hollered their joy in return and abandoned their tasks to sprint for the cliffs. You watched in amusement as young hunters began effortlessly scaling the steep rocks, calling out for their spirit siblings. Many were plucked from the stone by their companion and flown to a ledge where the pair could be reunited more quickly.

At your side, Mo’at rose fluidly from her crouch, her grin bright enough to rival the stars. <”We will discuss this later.”> She promised, <”for now, we must welcome our brothers and sisters home.”> She leapt off the platform of roots and was quickly swallowed by the People.

You stood uselessly where she’d left you, your gaze greedily drinking in the sight of the reunions happening all around you. Out of your peripheral, you could see other hunters who had lost their spirit siblings to the great battle, hanging back. They busied themselves in tending to the fires, or softly sang the songs for their lost ones, clutching their songcord; holding their fallen mount’s bead.

There was no way your ikran had survived the propeller, let alone the fall. Without a doubt, Eywa had welcomed him home. To an afterlife of eternal peace with endless skies to explore.

Your own eyes flickered to the hair bead woven into your front braid. A twinge of something bittersweet clutching at your gut.

The loud call of your name brought you out of your internal musing.

Recognising Tsu’tey’s voice, you turned in his direction to find the Olo’eyktan weaving through the crowd towards you. His smile was brighter than any you’d seen. Eyes alight with such unbridled joy that you hardly recognised him. <”He has returned!”> Your friend declared, reaching his arm out to you, fingers outstretched.

Grinning in return, you took his hand in your own. His four digits fit perfectly between your five, holding on tight as he spun in place and began hurriedly dragging you through the mass of excited people towards the cliff face.

Overhead, a large blue ikran happily screeched his greeting. Tsu’tey hollered in response, somehow picking up his pace. You were laughing now, struggling to keep up and prevent yourself from tripping on discarded weapons and loose stones.

Tsu’tey dropped your hand when he reached the bottom of the cliffs, immediately leaping up to grab a low hanging root before effortlessly hauling his body up the sheer rock face.

Your pace slowed and then stopped at the root of the cliff, still grinning as you watched him clamber up to his spirit brother who had finally touched down on the rock. Tsu’tey’s tail was thrashing from side to side as he let out high pitched chirps in response.

Your fingers itched to follow him up, tail twitched as you took a hesitant step closer to the rock face. When your fingers brushed against the stone however, you felt your stomach tighten uncertainty. It was stupid really. This body was built for climbing, and yet, your mind would not allow you to follow.

Instead, you stepped back, head tipped back to watch the pair reunite.

The ikran was screeching as it wiggled around in the air, hovering close to the cliff side where Tsu’tey was climbing. The Olo’eyktan laughed at his antics, effortlessly hauling himself up onto the highest shelf of rock, to which his mount scrambled to land as well. A flurry of blue wings and a whipping tail blocked the pair from sight, but even from the ground, you could hear the enthusiastic purring of the beast.

You took another step back, uncertain what to do with your hands as you watched hunters take to the skies. Several ikran had landed between the cooking fires, nuzzling into hands or playfully scooping their rider’s up within their wings and rolling in the dirt with them.

This was the happiest you’d seen the clan since HomeTree had fallen.

Even Jake had been flattened beneath Bob a short distance away, the pair connected by their kuru as Jake scratched along Bob’s skin and the ikran chirped appreciatively.

A gentle touch to your shoulder snapped you out of it.

<”Come.”> Neytiri encouraged softly, her expression bittersweet. Her eyes briefly flickered to her grinning mate before they found yours once more. <”There is much to do.”>

You found yourself nodding. Briefly soothed by her expression which so strongly mirrored your own, knowing that she saw your pain and understood.

>_<

Tsu’tey couldn’t find his idiot anywhere.

Even Neytiri had returned a short while after sundown, carrying fresh fruit with her bow slung over her shoulder. Tsu’tey half expected Y/n to come trotting out of the bushes after her, but the undergrowth fell still after the huntress had broken from the treeline. He frowned, periodically glancing into the glowing leaves for any sign of them. Their body wasn’t on their mat, so he could only assume they were still out foraging.

Whilst the hunters had spent a large portion of the day reuniting with their mounts, those who hadn’t been so lucky had continued to pick up the slack by foraging or continuing to pack up the camp. Beyond the firelight, the forest had begun to glow. Tsu’tey had been so preoccupied strengthening his bond with his ikran again that he’d hardly noticed.

<”The one-eyed palulukan was circling the camp again.”> Neytiri spat as she slumped down beside the fire. Jake ran his hand up her back as she set the fruit down at her feet and grumpily tore the bow from her back.

Tsu’tey shrank into his dinner, unwilling to catch her attention should her foul mood turn on him.

Mo’at however, was not phased by her daughter’s poor attitude. <”It is drawn by the bodies of the fallen Sky People.”> Mo’at told her simply, reaching to serve up a bowl for her daughter. <”In time, when the prey is not so plentiful, it will move on.”>

<”It is an annoyance.”> Neytiri countered, accepting the bowl with a grateful nod. <”It kept stalking us, and I lost arrows trying to deter it.”>

Mo’at merely hummed, <”and where is this ‘us’? Is the other one not joining us tonight?”>

Neytiri shrugged. <”They were busy.”>

<”So you left them out there with a hungry palulukan?”> Tsu’tey asked carefully, his tail beginning to whip behind him. Again, that infuriating shrug.

<”Guess you’ll just have to go and check on them.”>

<”You are a nuisance.”> Tsu’tey snapped, earning a frustrating smirk from Neytiri. To spite her, he tried to remain seated long enough to give the impression that he wasn’t aching to go charging into the undergrowth looking for them. Logically, he knew they were more than capable in looking after themselves. And yet, his skin itched to go find them anyway. To drag them back to camp and give them a proper meal.

The distant rumble of something between the trees had him snatching up his bow before he could take another bite. He pointedly ignored Neytiri’s face, knowing whatever expression she had would make him want to smack her with his weapon. Instead, he dismissed himself and forced himself to calmly walk towards the treeline.

It was a relief to be swallowed up by the foliage, knowing that the weight of their gleeful gazes couldn’t reach him out here.

Shrugging off their insufferable knowing expressions, Tsu’tey forced himself to focus on the task at hand. To find his idiot and return to the fire before all the food was eaten by Jake or had gone unappetizing cold.

Luckily, for him, five toed na’vi were not common among the clan, so he was able to track them down reasonably easily.

Approaching the rush of the river on silent feet, he peered through the undergrowth to find them sitting on the riverbank with their back to him. Their bow was laid out on the packed dirt near their leg, whilst they bent over their lap, back muscles jumping as they fiddled with something Tsu’tey couldn’t see from this angle.

Transfixed by the simple motions, Tsu’tey found himself smiling fondly at the irritated flick of their tail. They made a gorgeous picture, he mused. The constellations of the glowing freckles dotted across their back made their own unique galaxy. His hand carved gift barely visible from where it was strapped across their chest.

His gaze caught on a messy pile of twine beside their foot, heart beginning to pick up pace at the beads scattered across the dirt.

His eyes snapped back to Y/n as they let out a frustrated groan. Ears falling flat. <”How the fuck do they do this?”> They grumbled, making a sharp tugging motion that had Tsu’tey’s lips kicking up into a lopsided smile.

<”Your food it getting cold.”> Tsu’tey said softly, pushing through the leaves to stand over them.

They jumped, stuffing whatever they were holding out of sight behind their thigh. Tsu’tey smirked at the poor attempt at secrecy. <”What do you have there?”> He drawled, pulling his bow over his shoulder so both hands were free.

They tensed. <”Nothing!”>

Tsu’tey laughed outright this time. Menacingly, he dropped into a crouch and leaned in close. Their ears flattened as their pupils swelled. Their breath catching in their throat at his close proximity. <”Lying is unbecoming of a hunter.”> He purred, preening when they swallowed loudly.

Having successfully distracted them, he struck. His remaining hand shot from where it had been resting on his thigh and effortlessly snatched up the mysterious object. He had already leapt up from the log and nimbly jumped to the opposite river bank by the time Y/n had registered what had happened.

<”Give it back asshole!”> They cursed, scrambling clumsily to their feet.

Tsu’tey paid them no mind. Laughing loudly to himself, he turned his back to examine the object, only for his heart to drop.

He saw the shine of wooden beads first. Then the knotwork commonly used by Omaticayan weavers. Although the knots were sloppy, many of them too loose or uneven, it was by far the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

<”I’m serious!”> Y/n continued to complain. And with a loud splash leapt from the log into the shallows of the opposite bank. <”It was my first attempt.”> They rambled, hurrying up the rocky slope to where Tsu’tey was continuing to stare dumbly at the necklace.

They made a swipe for it, but he yanked it back out of reach. He crushed the precious thing to his chest, eyes wide at their bright flush and the anxious sway of their tail.

<”Who is this for?”> He bit out, suddenly overcome with anxiety.

Y/n scowled. <”You obviously!”> His shoulders unhunched from his ears and glanced back down to the beaded necklace clutched between his hands. <”But you can’t have this one-”>

<”I want it!”> Tsu’tey snapped back immediately, baring his teeth when they stepped into his space to snatch it away. <”It’s mine!”>

Y/n hissed. <”It is not good enough for you.”> They insisted, fingers jumping for the necklace again only for Tsu’tey to hold it out of reach. <”You need a courting gift you can wear with pride, not some sloppy excuse of a noose.”>

<”I want this one!”> He repeated, before turning on his heels and taking off at a dead sprint through the trees. His ears flicked back at Y/n’s unintelligible spluttering before the crash of undergrowth signalled that they had taken chase.

They had come a long way in their navigation of the forest, but Tsu’tey had been born in these woods. His spirit had roamed Pandora for countless aeons before. As such, he expertly lost them by climbing up the closest tree and going very still.

He grinned as his mate passed beneath him, completely oblivious to his position as they continued on through the undergrowth, yelling his name and cursing him the whole way.

With them preoccupied, Tsu’tey tore off the chunky ceremonial necklace. Setting the jewellery down on the branch by his foot, he carefully pulled out his courting gift and secured it in place. The necklace was a perfect fit. A choker in style and light enough not to hinder him. Sure the beading could’ve used a bit of work, but the symbolism behind it far outweighed its aesthetic purposes.

He had finally been claimed in return. Chosen by his mate as he had chosen them.

>_<

Tsu’tey had well and truly disappeared that night. Regardless of where you looked or how loudly you called, you couldn’t find him in the forest.

He’d snatched up your pathetic attempt at symbolising your burning feelings and made a run for it. You had no way of knowing if he even liked it. He was probably crouched in the undergrowth somewhere, cursing your shitty skills and scowling like a pissed off grandpa whilst fastening the thing into place beneath his Olo’eyktan necklace.

The thought made it hard to sleep that night.

You’d stormed out of the undergrowth, twigs in your hair, clothes dishevelled and your bow clenched tightly in your hands. Tsu’tey was not at the fireside with the others, you weren’t sure if you were relieved or upset by the realisation.

<”Did he like it?”> Neytiri mused as you drew closer. You flipped her off, pausing long enough to put the spare beads in a clean bowl and shoving them at her before simply turning your back.

You knew from her tone and her mother’s approving nod that they had orchestrated that entire encounter. How else had Tsu’tey magically stumbled across you in the forest? He was supposed to be occupied with his ikran like everyone else, not charging in to steal your sorry attempt at a courting gift.

Cheeks flaming in embarrassment, you went straight to your mat.

But any worries that had festered were quickly resolved the following morning when you relinked for breakfast only to find that the idiot had not only put on the necklace, but he’d abandoned his Olo’eyktan neck piece in favour of showing it off. The red, wooden beads matched the red ones in his hair, you realised with a deep rooted sense of pride. Whilst the weaving loosely resembled what Mo’at had spent the previous morning teaching you, so it didn’t look as horrendous in the morning light as you had feared.

You would do better next time, you promised yourself, finding it hard to tear your gaze from the blatant symbol of possession encircling his throat. In time, you would craft him a better one. Something that didn’t have as many holes.

Despite your interal peace with the necklace, Tsu’tey refused to let you anywhere near it. He took to fiddling with it, eyes boring into you mistrustfully, as if you would lean across the fire and snatch it from him.

In contrast, you rather liked it on him.

>_<

Mo’at found the dreamwalkers rather odd. This one in particular.

She watched in confusion as they strolled out of the treeline and into the camp carrying a handful of weeds. They appeared to be incredibly impressed with themselves. Plucking at the bright purple flowers, removing dead leaves and discarding the blooms that were not as pretty.

Mo’at facepalmed when she realised where the dreamwalker intended to take the weeds. And who was going to be the unfortunate soul to be gifted them.

She was quick to intercept, <”weeds are to be removed from the sleeping quarters, not brought in.”>

Y/n’s smile dropped comically fast. They looked from the Tsahik to the weeds clutched tightly in their hands. <”They’re a gift.”>

Mo’at’s brows furrow. <”A gift?”>

<”Yes, Sky People give each other flowers.”> They explained.

<”How odd.”> Mo’at narrated, lips pulled back into a frown, <”but incredibly in character for a race that killed its mother.”> Y/n flushed, their ears immediately dropping. Mo’at almost felt sorry to see them deflate, knowing that their intentions had been in the right place. She licked her lips, drawing herself up and clasping her hands together. Clearly, her work was not done here. <”If you wish to court the Olo’eyktan correctly-”>

<”Do you have to say it so loud!?”>

<”-then you must first display your strengths. Bring back a worthy kill and we will discuss the next step.”> With that, she snatched away the flowers, crushing their stems and striding away. The weeds didn’t even possess healing properties. What a waste.

To their credit, the dreamwalker never backed down from a challenge. She had observed the behaviour before during their training, and they displayed it now when they dragged a worthy kill back to the campsite several hours later.

Mo’at had been packing up the last of her medical herbs when her ears caught the sound of heavy breathing and stumbling footsteps approaching from the treeline behind her. Turning, she felt her eyes widen in surprise as Y/n stepped into the clearing carrying a dead sturmbeest calf. Although significantly smaller than the adults, the animals typically took two na’vi to carry due to their heavily armoured skin. And yet, Y/n carried it alone, with no pa’li or ikran to assist them.

Mo’at felt motherly pride surge within her. This would do perfectly. Not to mention, the arrow protruding from the nose of the beast told of a swift and clean kill.

<”Good.”> Mo’at heard herself praise, drawing the hunter’s attention. They went to slide the carcass from their shoulders, but Mo’at stopped them with a firm hand gesture. <”Very good. Now we must ensure he has seen.”> She repeated, pausing in explaining to turn to her people.

Tsu’tey had returned with the hunting party earlier that afternoon, and was currently preparing his own kill by the cooking fires with his men. Mo’at glanced from the smiling Olo’eyktan to the free cooking fire within his line of sight.

These kids made it laughably effortless for her.

<”Follow.”> She instructed Y/n, who barely suppressed a grunt. It made her tail thrash with impatience. <”If you wish to succeed, you must work for it.”>

<”Of course Tsahik.”> They replied in a knee jerk response, hefting the calf higher onto their shoulders before dutifully following her to the empty cooking fire.

Mo’at smiled to herself as the Olo’eyktan looked up at their passing, his words audibly dying on his tongue as he shamelessly watched the avatar carry their kill past. Those wide eyes flickered from the calf to Mo’at who met his gaze head on, grinning wider at his visible scowl. He knew what she was up to, but judging by the way he turned back to his friends, did not feel the need to step in.

<”So what’s the plan?”> Y/n asked, finally setting their kill down with an audible sigh of relief.

<”We prepare the meat. And you present him with a meal.”>

<”So I’m just cooking?”>

She nodded and they brightened. Clearly an area they were more versed in.

The next couple of hours consisted of Mo’at observing Y/n carefully prepare the meat. To their credit, she hardly had to step in as they relied on their past experiences to guide their hands. Instead, Mo’at focused on reviving the fire whilst they worked, adding kindling and stoking the flames to the desired temperature.

She had hardly looked up long enough to search for a cooking pot when one of the men brought her one, his smile knowingly as he set the bowl above the flames and offered some additional seasoning for the meal. Mo’at thanked him pleasantly.

Between them, she and Y/n managed to construct a decent sturmbeest dish. It was simple, but Mo’at had ensured it was seasoned pleasantly before allowing Y/n to plate it up. She explained how although there was plenty for a small hunting party, Tsu’tey /had/ to have the first bowl. <”No one else will touch until he has had the first taste. It is symbolic.”> Y/n nodded along.

The hunt displayed their abilities as a hunter and protector, whereas the preparation and offering of food held the symbolism of their ability as a provider. All were treasured characteristics amongst the na’vi. Even as the reciprocating party to Tsu’tey’s advances, they had to prove their worth to him as much as he already had to them.

Mo’at sat back to watch the fruits of her labour pay off as Y/n carefully carried the bowl to the Olo’eyktan.

Tsu’tey hadn’t moved throughout the duration of the prep. His attention split between watching Y/n work and preparing his own kill.

His ears pricked up comically now, eyes growing wide as he watched the dreamwalker approach confidently. The courting necklace at his throat bobbed as he swallowed. The hunters crouched around his fire going still and quiet. A few of the younger ones nudged each other, grinning and whispering inaudible comments. Tsu’tey was quick to put a stop to it with a withered glare and the sharp crack of his tail.

Y/n tail was writhing with nerves as they stopped before him. They straightened, offering the bowl to him. Tsu’tey’s expression softened as he reached up to take the offered meal in his hands. Y/n’s tail started wagging rapidly as he plucked up a chunk of meat and brought it to his lips. He chewed, maintaining eye contact as he tasted the meal. The happy flap of his ears signalled that he liked what he tasted.

With his soft thanks, the dreamwalker promptly retreated back to Mo’at’s fire, their grin brighter than when they’d given him the courting necklace.

At their departure, the group of hunters promptly started jeering. Patting Tsu’tey enthusiastically on the back and playfully shoving at his shoulders, whilst one brave soul attempted to snatch a morsel of food from his bowl. The Olo’eyktan promptly hissed at him and shoved more meat into his mouth.

Turning away from the display, Mo’at shook her head at the energy the youth possessed. She was exhausted just watching them throw themselves at each other.

<”What now?”>

<”You wait.”> The Tsahik replied calmly as she pulled two bowls closer. <”Eat. You have earned it.”>

>_<

Tsu’tey’s ears pricked at the sound of far off commotion.

Between his knees, his pa’li tensed at the familiar rumble of a far off palulukan. Tsu’tey soothed his mount with a firm pat to her neck, but kept his head turned towards the treeline. The sound was far off. Coming from the direction of the river which was downwind of the compound. Curious, he sat up straighter upon his steed, hand falling to his knife even though the animal would have no interest in a lone hunter, let alone a metal structure hidden between the trees.

The animal kept vocalising. A distant rumble. More bark than bite.

Tsu’tey dragged his attention away. The palulukan was far enough away from the clan that it wouldn’t be an issue. And if it happened to wander towards the compound, he would discourage it before it could do anything too serious.

Instead, he urged his pa’li closer to the compound, where he dismounted in a fluid motion. Soothing the animal as he passed, he headed straight for the door. There were still na’vi sized indentations from Neytiri’s fists carved into the metal.

Knocking lightly, he waited for shuffling from inside before backing up.

The sun was only beginning to peer out from behind the moon. Bringing with it the golden light of dawn. He had hoped to officiate the courtship by sunrise.

To Tsu’tey’s immense disappointment, Jake opened the door. Wheeling himself onto the small platform outside of the unit, he glanced up at Tsu’tey’s towering form through his exo pack. He was dirty. Dark hairs dotting along his jawline and beneath his nose. He looked tired. A stark contrast to the bubbly hunter that had taken to following Neytiri eagerly around the camp after sunrise.

Shaking himself out of his private musings, Tsu’tey tried not to think of that state of his own mate as he asked for them. Naturally, he should’ve set aside more time to visit them in this form, but between the return of the ikran and tending to his People, he was simply too exhausted to make the trek out of the Well of Souls. A pathetic excuse really. One he planned to start rectifying this morning.

Jake blinked up at him groggily, fidgeting with the large wheels on either side of his chair. “They left.” The marine stated simply, to which Tsu’tey’s brows furrowed.

“Their avatar was asleep. They never wake before the sun.” Tsu’tey argued, glancing to one of the see-through walls carved into the side of the compound, as if Jake would declare his statement a joke and Y/n would come barrelling out to greet him. They didn’t. And Jake continued to look like he was about to nod off in his chair.

“You’re right. Usually. But we were running low on water.”

A particularly aggressive yowl from the palulukan in the distance had Tsu’tey’s heart clenching in fear. His ears flickered in the direction of the river as Jake visibly perked up. His ears did not move in this form, but he could tell he was suddenly alert.

Swallowing hard, Tsu’tey asked with dread curling tight in his chest. “Where are they?”

Jake met his gaze, a mix of fear and cold calm flickering across his expression.

“By the river.”

Tsu’tey felt his ears drop flat as realisation crept in. “Alone?!”

Jake was fully awake now, waving his hands in surrender as Tsu’tey sharply turned on his heels and stormed back to his pa’li. The human tried to yell after him, but no words could make Tsu’tey stay a moment longer. “They would’ve castrated me if I-”

“I do not have time to listen to your excuses!” Tsu’tey spat out, “I swear to Eywa, if anything has happened, I am holding you responsible.” He snarled, shoulders wound tight as he stormed for his pa’li, who perked at his rapid approach, offering him her kuru as he hauled himself up and onto her back.

“Come on Tsu’tey. Don’t you think-”

He ignored Jake and took off into the undergrowth, following the calls of the palulukan. Desperately, he prayed that his hunch was incorrect. It was just a coincidence and his idiot was busy collecting water in a different part of the river.

As he approached, the calls grew more spaced out. Muffled almost.

Trees whipped past as he urged his pa’li into a canter. The creature panted hard as it flew over the uneven terrain, skillfully leaping over fallen trees and darting around thick undergrowth. Tsu’tey notched an arrow to his bow as the trees thinned and the sound of rushing water grew louder.

With a snort, the animal broke free of the safety of the trees and cantered down the bank. The river here was fairly shallow, the sandy bottom stretching between both banks. The water level would not reach higher than mid-calf for the hunter, whilst the current would be barely strong enough to shift the hairs on a tail. For a human however, Tsu’tey had no way of knowing how high or strong the river would have to be to pose a threat.

Again, he cursed his inattentiveness as he pulled his arrow tight, eyes narrowing as they immediately fell upon the palulukan further up stream, nosing at a bundle half submerged by the mossy water. Even from this distance, Tsu’tey could smell his mate on the wind. Fresh.

Panic had him howling a warning, urging his mount to increase her pace as he let fly the first arrow. It embedded itself into the bank by the palulukan’s front paw, starling the creature into glancing up. Its body tensed at the fast approaching hunter.

Tsu’tey’s bullet scars pulled painfully from the speed in which he notched and fired a second arrow, allowing the projectile to land significantly closer to the beast. Those mobile plates on its muzzle fanned at the obvious threat, but Tsu’tey could tell from the shift of its feet that it was unsettled by him.

He snarled, guttural and loud. His tail thrashing as he fumbled for a third arrow.

Sensing a fight, the palulukan pulled itself away from the lump submerged in the river, it snapped its teeth at Tsu’tey, clearly displeased by being interrupted. He flashed his teeth in turn, adrenaline shoving every instinct he’d ever learnt about these predators down and out of the way. All he cared about in that moment was getting the animal away from whatever that human smelling thing was.

Now he was closer, he could smell individual notes woven throughout the scent. Panic. Fear. Hurt. He could practically taste the copper of spilt blood, and it only served to fuel his rage.

With the pa’li refusing to slow its stride, the palulukan finally started backing away from the bundle. Its head held high, it took one last fleeting look at Tsu’tey before turning tail and stalking back into the undergrowth. The hunter felt his stomach knot tighter as he recognised the one-eyed palulukan that had been circling the camp.

It wouldn’t go far. Would probably only wander deep enough so he could no longer hear or smell it, but it would continue to watch him until he left or appeared like prey.

He loosened his third arrow after it to encourage its departure. Only watching it long enough for the arrow to embed itself in a tree trunk by the palulukan’s tail, before he refocused his attention on that scent.

His pa’li slowed to a walk as he approached what the animal had been sniffing, and in one fluid motion he dismounted. Heart easing at the sight of only fabric, Tsu’tey felt his throat loosen when he realised it hadn’t been the bloodied remains of his mate.

Upon closer inspection, he realised it was a bloodied jacket. Torn across the arm from a slash, that left the scent of blood strong in the back of Tsu’tey’s throat. His fingers came away red when he plucked the clothing up, noticing its battered and well-loved state. He’d seen it hanging around the compound the few times he’d ventured inside.

What made his stomach tighten however was the handgun the jacket had been concealing. The demons preferred the weapons for their noise and efficiency. He’d never known Y/n knew how to use one. The gun was wrapped untidily within the jacket, as if whoever had discarded it had merely wanted to keep it from view, or remove it from a prisoner’s possession. Whoever had discarded it had clearly been in possession of a stronger, more destructive Sky Person weapon if they were so ready to discard a perfectly good gun.

Tsu’tey knew the palulukan hadn’t done this. Whilst the blood had clearly drawn the predator, searching for an easy meal, the beast wouldn’t have bothered to strip weapons or clothing off of an easy meal. Especially with how weak and bite sized Sky People were. Realistically, everything would go down in a simple swallow, no remains in sight, barely any blood.

Shoving thoughts of that scenario down, Tsu’tey struggled to focus on the clues that had been presented to him. His mate was unarmed in the forests of Pandora and for some reason had left their jacket in the river.

It didn’t make sense. He knew they could be wreckless, but they weren’t suicidal.

Eyes falling back to the jacket, Tsu’tey noticed a footprint in the sand. Then another. Skid marks as if someone had slipped. There were handprints as well, deep indents accompanied with nail marks where fingers had clutched down, scrambling for purchase. Nostrils flaring, Tsu’tey stiffened as he realised there were other scents mixed into his mate’s. Four or five more demons. Heavily booted judging by the deep imprints of the tread.

Slowly, he crawled through the water, finding drag marks along the bank before they dipped into the river, the scent significantly weakening.

Clever demons. Trying to cover their tracks.

Chapter Text

That was the last time you’d do anything nice for Jake. You vowed wordlessly, expression thunderous as you were escorted through the unforgiving undergrowth of Pandora by a squad of marines, who had bound your wrists in bright orange cuffs and left your jaw swelling from a point blank punch. In your comfiest pyjamas no less! Which were now soaked through with river water and matted with mud.

Never again would you brave the dawns of Pandora in search of water, when it could easily wait for a few more hours and the assistance of an avatar to hide behind. Never again you would risk your neck whilst Jake remained comfortable in his bunk. Next time, you vowed you would turn over and put your back to him.

But this time you hadn’t. Because you were an idiot.

You’d been so high on happiness with the victory of your courting advances, that you’d felt particularly charitable that morning. So charitable in fact, that you hadn’t even cursed as Jake when he woke you at the butt crack of dawn to go down to the river. You’d simply slapped on an exomask, pulled a jacket over your pyjamas and grabbed the water jug before practically skipping down the hill.

The marines had found you whilst you were knelt by the waters edge, filling the jug and humming softly to yourself. There had been the distant roar of a thanator echoing from upstream, which had blinded you to the more pressing threat at your back.

When the first man had grabbed you by the back of your jacket, it had startled you into dropping your freshly collected water, which had immediately been swept away by the current. To your credit, you had fought like hell. Exchanging just as many punches as were landed, even after they’d knocked your gun away. You’d even headbutted one of them, making the glass of your exomask groan warningly as it shuddered within its delicate frame. But of course, there were more of them then there were of you, and you’d been quickly, and embarrassingly easily overpowered by the well-trained soldiers.

Which led to now, a full day having passed with how long you’d been walking. Long enough for the sun to begin dipping behind the moon once more.

Your body ached from the unprompted exercise, especially after so long relying on your avatar. There was a decently sized cut in your forearm from where a marine had wrestled you to the ground and kept you there using their utility knife. Whilst your shoulders aching from the amount of times you’d been yanked or shoved to hurry the fuck up, when all you wanted was a drink and to curl back up in your bunk. You wanted to return to the compound, to maybe remain in it long enough that Tsu’tey would come knocking and you could tempt him into laying down with you.

Eywa, Tsu’tey was going to club you to death for getting kidnapped.

Despite the situation, the thought was enough to amuse you.

You could just picture him now. Grumpily trying to wake your avatar, only to huff and give up when the still body did not stir at his attempts. He would decide to leave it of course, glaring at it from across the camp as he went about his daily chores. Growing more and more inclined to trek up the hill in search of your lazy ass.

Logically, you knew that your chances of rescue were next to nothing. Not only had you passed out of Omaticayan territory several hours ago, but the tracks you left behind would be too hard to follow, especially after the marines dragged you into the river and walked through the shallows for several miles to conceal both your footprints and scent.

It was dark enough that the plants were illuminated when you were dragged into a concealed human camp, which consisted of a couple lean-to shelters and a modest fire pit that spluttered and hissed from the lack of proper fuel. The fire barely gave off enough light to upset the steady light of the surrounding plants, whilst the lean-tos themselves were covered in a healthy layer of soil with replanted bushes and vines methodically draped over them to conceal them from the air. It had been done in such a way, that the flora still thrived upon their new home, glowing merrily like the rest of their brethren. It was clever. Allowing this patch of forest to carry on as if it had never been disturbed. Not to mention, it would keep ikran riders from noticing any suspiciously dark patches in the undergrowth.

No wonder there had been no reports of such a camp. The na’vi simply hadn’t been able to find it.

The sense of unease that crawled up the back of your neck upon entering the camp, came from how quiet the forest was beyond the weak firelight. By now, you had grown used to hearing the natural nightlife of Pandora, so much so that its sudden absence beyond the normal scuffle of human noise was unsettling. The hairs on your arms rose as you realised that there were not enough people - barely two military squads worth of them - around to have disturbed the wildlife into moving on.

There was something out there. Something dangerous that had encouraged the birds and beasts to seek shelter.

Unexpectedly, your captures dragged you wildly off course from the fire and into the mouth of the largest lean-to. Your knees retaliated with sharp twinges as you were manhandled into a kneeling position, your cuffed hands dropped carelessly into your lap whilst the mouth of a gun pushed itself between your shoulder blades. Threatening and sweet as a promise.

You glared at the clear leader of the little squad, who, through the heavy shadow of his helmet, you could tell was grinning at your misfortune. Not that you could find enough pride in you to care much. You were just tired now, and wet, and bloody, and dirty on top of everything else. There was little more they could do to humiliate you further. Not to mention, there was an especially sharp stone digging into your right knee that you couldn’t seem to shift comfortably off of.

Movement from within the lean-to drew your scowling gaze to a large, scar faced woman. Decked out in camo-gear and sat lounging on a foldable chair with the confidence of a queen on her throne, you were frozen in place by her piercing eyes. From the double golden arrow badge adorning the upper bicep of her uniform, you recognised her to be a corporal. Her name and face escaped you however. Being so absorbed in your research, you hadn’t bothered to learn many military faces around the base. Quaritch had been the exception of course, considering how many times he and Grace had bumped heads over petty little disagreements. It was hard to miss him really, with that oozing confidence and swarm of military personnel that instinctively flocked to complete his every whim.

The corporal that sat before you now, reeked of arrogance. Watching you down her nose with a sense of detached boredom, barely acknowledging your presence before she barked at the man who had smirked, sharply demanding to be informed why you’d been dumped outside her tent.

“Ma’am, this is one of Grace’s scientists.”

She rolled her eyes, “are you expecting a raise Private?” She drawled, and you watched with mild satisfaction as the one who had answered visibly withered under her attention. “Your mission was to gather intel on Jake Sully or Norm Spellman. I was expecting blueprints of Hell’s Gate, not some na’vi wannabe you found naked in the forest.”

“But Corporal,” a second man piped up, holding up a tablet for her to look at. “This is Y/n L/n, one of Grace’s lead scientists.”

That seemed to capture her attention. With a sinisterly slow turn of her head, and a slow but loud puff of her exomask, the woman lowered her gaze back to you sprawled in the dirt. You stared back, expression mercilessly blank. She sniffed, wrinkling her nose before motioning for the tablet.

It was handed to her immediately. The screen hovered within its metal frame, visible to the corporal and you kneeling at her feet. Although the text was backwards from your vantage point, you could clearly make out your security photo staring down at you. The corporal’s face was unreadable as she skimmed through the profile, scrolling past images of your research and colleagues. She paused on a photo of Jake’s face, reading the caption, whilst your eyes were drawn to a blurry picture of Tsu’tey.

“An accomplice of Jake Sully then.” The Corporal remarked. “You got an avatar?”

You didn’t answer her.

She huffed and went back to scrolling. Lingering on a picture of Grace, then Norm before an image of your avatar rolled onto screen. She visibly paused.

Without looking away from your avatar, she barked out an order. “James, pull up incident FireFly.”

One of the soldiers at your back broke away to retrieve a second tablet. Within no time, he pulled up a poor quality image of an avatar’s face barely visible through some bioluminescent plants. Greedily, your eyes flickered over the bioluminescence of the plants in the foreground of the photo, the curl of the avatar’s upper lip and the scrunch of its flat nose. Looking as ominous and dangerous as any na’vi hunter.

You immediately knew when the photo had been taken.

The corporal frowned, holding up her tablet beside the new one. You didn’t need to see the crease between her brows ease, to know they matched.

“You’re a driver.” She told you, “you attacked our ground force a few weeks ago, by the Tree of Souls.”

“They were trespassing.” You returned sharply. “Your people should be back at Hell’s Gate preparing to return to Earth, not loudly spying on a battle ready clan.”

“So you don’t deny it.”

When you didn’t respond, her smile turned predatory. “Answer me Doctor, my patience is not what it used to be.”

You refused.

The corporal tipped her head to the side, her words predatory as she continued to verbally prod. “There is a video, do you want to see?”

She clicked play, not bothering to wait for your silence this time.

From your position in the dirt, you could just make out the screen. There was a grainy image of yourself this time, in night vision, with the camera zoomed in on an avatar crouching between two bushes. You recognised your atokirina hilted knife clutched tightly in its fist.

The camera kept cutting the avatar out of frame as the soldier filming was distracted by the distressed screaming of their comrades. It did however, briefly manage to capture a five fingered, alien hand erupting from the undergrowth, grabbing onto the back of another soldier’s uniform and dragging the unsuspecting soul backwards into the darkness. They screamed and fought as they were dragged into the foliage. A sound which was promptly cut off a second before the video ended.

“That was your avatar.” The corporal told you, “and you killed my marines. Good people who were simply following orders. Good people who were on a simple scouting mission-”

“They were armed and invading territory that the RDA knows belongs to the Omaticaya.” You cut in sharply, refusing to listen to her repetitive spiel. “Rather poorly might I add, because we heard them from the Well of Souls whilst they were still trampling around in the forest. With stealth like that, they were asking for a fight.”

She scoffed, her facial scars pulling horribly as a condescending grin slipped onto her face. “There were no survivors.” She told you, in a tone you assumed was supposed to make you feel guilty. “You killed your own Doctor.” She told you, “you may wear the skin of those monsters, but you’re still human. To my knowledge of drivers, you still life primarily in this body-”

“Do not tell me how I do my job.” You cut in again, completely ignoring the fact you knew she outranked you. That you knew she had at least two squads of marines at her disposal, all of which were armed and ready to kill you with a simple flick of her wrist.

The corporal fell unnaturally quiet. Studying you. Eyes raking over your face, to your dirty pyjamas, to the defiant way you held your body. Her tone was accusatory when she next opened her mouth.

“You’ve been pretending so long, you’ve forgotten what side you’re truly on.” She made it sound like some grand realisation. Something that was supposed to make you pause and think about your actions. “You’ve fooled yourself into thinking you’re one of them.”

You swallowed down your knee jerk corrections. The fact that you knew that in the eyes of the People, you were one of them. You had earned your place. You had passed your iknimaya. You had tamed your mount. You had carved your bow from the wood of HomeTree before it had fallen and had been loyal to the clan. In every way that mattered, you were one of them. Regardless of the skin you currently wore.

“I’ve seen this before you know.” The corporal continued to speak, as if she could talk you round. As if she could pretend to sympathise with you and coax you into some truce. “I’ve seen it in my own men naturally. You spend so long playing nice with the enemy, getting your information, that you forget it’s all a lie. Just like Jake Sully. But don’t worry Doctor, we can cure you. We can help you see sense.”

A dangerous undertone had entered her voice now. Something that made your heartbeat kick up and your neck start to sweat. You were suddenly incredibly aware of the gun digging into your back. Of the fact that you would be shot with little more of a nod from the corporal.

“I’ll give you a fair trial Doctor.” The corporal continued, “at a price of course.”

You swallowed despite yourself.

“I don’t make deals with pigs.”

Her smile faltered but she covered it up quickly. “Fine. Have it your way.”

The soldiers at your back shifted, the gun between your shoulder blades eagerly pressing down.

“Ma’am, permission to shoot.”

The Corporal kept you in suspense for several breaths before addressing him. “Not on my floor. Take them into the forest, I don’t care where, just far enough away that that blasted thanator won’t come sniffing round here again.”

The squad’s inaudible confirmations were muffled as you were roughly hauled back to your feet. You could feel yourself going numb as the reality of your situation set in. You were going to die. Alone. Out here. And without being able to send word to the clan about their enemy lurking just beyond their borders.

Blinking back the panic, you allowed the tight grip on your shirt to steady you as you were dragged away from the lean-to entrance. You could feel your resolve hardening. Like hell you’d just lie down and take it. Not after everything you’d been through. Not with everything you’d be leaving behind in the process.

Somewhere in the darkness, there was the familiar hiss of an arrow loosening from a bow. Too quiet for anyone who wasn’t used to it to notice, but you heard it. Even if the marines were oblivious.

The arrow soared straight into the lean-to you were being dragged from and shot the corporal dead on impact. The marines cried out in alarm as the bolt embedded itself squarely between her eyes, shattering her exo mask screen and sinking in deep with a sickening crack of flint splitting bone. Her smug grin remained frozen on her face as her body slumped backwards from the force and tipped her foldable chair back into the dirt.

The soldiers around you immediately leapt into action whilst you were still stuck staring at her corpse. The arrow sitting tall and visible behind the capsized chair seat.

A second whistle of an arrow finally snapped you out of your daze as the roar of a palulukan shook the lean-to.

Hands wrapped around your wounded bicep, yanking you painfully to and fro as you were dragged behind another lean-to and shoved down on your stomach into the dirt. Your mask collided with the earth, the edge cutting into your swelling jaw as people started screaming. More arrows hit their targets. Guns went off and the fire was snuffed out at the centre of the camp.

There was a moment of stillness as the marines organised themselves. Bodies ducked against the lean-to around you, guns were reloaded and the palulukan grumbled threateningly from somewhere between the trees.

“How the hell did it find us?” Someone hissed from the dirt, panting hard as they held themselves unnervingly still.

“I don’t fucking know. We’re nowhere near any clan’s territory.” Someone else responded through their teeth.

“Must’ve tracked us.” The first one growled. “They’ve got a wicked sense of smell.”

“So you’re saying I got my socks wet for nothing.”

“That is what you’re worried about right now?”

“Shut up!” The other whisper shouted and the marines fell still. “It’s on the ground.”

“What’s it doing?”

An audible swallow. “Getting more arrows.”

<”Where are you?!”> The voice that spoke was so overrun with a snarl that you could hardly make out the words it rumbled. There was fury there. Panic hidden beneath thick currents of rage.

“What’s it saying?”

“Not a clue.”

“Perhaps we could use ‘em for bait? Draw it into one place and open fire.”

“Might as well give it a try.”

Immediately, the pair of marines tucked behind the same lean-to as you turned on you.

To their credit, they tried. But through a combination of sheer stubbornness on your part, and an enormous four fingered hand punching through the fabric and wooden skeleton of lean-to and dragging one of the soldiers through it, they didn’t get very far. The man screamed the entire time he was hauled through the shelter by his ankle, fingers uselessly raking through the dirt. His companion dove after him, cursing and promising that he had him, that he would be fine.

You threw yourself over the soldier’s back, startling him into letting go of his friend’s hand, before you hooked your bound wrists around his throat and yanked upwards so the cuffs cut into his windpipe. He put up a valiant fight as you choked him, uselessly clawing at your forearms, as you yanked his body backwards into a harsh bend. Gasping horribly, he scratched and spat at you, eyes bulging as you pulled harder. Fury fueling your ruthlessness as you watched his vision unfocus and his wild scrambling reduce to weak pulls at the chain cutting across his neck.

His friend had stopped screaming for him.

And he fell limp in your hold; unconscious.

Beyond the lean-to, something snarled. Low and guttural.

Your body instinctively fell still, as your ears strained to hear it. It was quiet and quick. Poking around inside the lean-to before scampering off with light footsteps. You heard more men scream as it found someone else to shoot. The twang of a bowstring splitting the thick silence.

Taking your time, you quietly slid off of the motionless body between your thighs and unstrapped his gun from the holster at his hip. It was light weight, but would be difficult to accurately fire with bound wrists. However, you knew you needed it, there wasn’t a chance you would be able to leave the camp without some sort of protection. Even if the weapon would only be useful in issuing a warning shot to give you a few extra seconds.

Shuffling towards the edge of the lean-to, you peered around it, towards the centre of the camp. With the fire reduced the embers, you could only barely make out the distorted shapes of several collapsed shelters. And then the shifting, star flecked skin of a palulukan gorging itself on the fallen marines. Even from that distance, you could hear its colossal teeth easily snapping through bone as it feasted. Only briefly pausing to spit out the twisted metal of a gun that had gotten stuck between its teeth.

Whatever had been grabbing the soldiers or shooting them had slunk back into the shadows and out of sight.

”IT’S IN THE FUCKING TREES!”

Nevermind.

The closeness of the yell had you spinning in place, gun held up like a shield as you turned just in time to watch an arrow bury itself in the speaker’s forehead. The body swayed backwards a step before buckling at the knees and hitting the lean-to with a wet slap, causing the delicate structure to buckle and collapse under the sudden weight.

“Shit.” You whispered, eyes wide at the precision of the bullseye.

More people screamed, and more arrows found their targets, whilst the palulukan purred its approval at the thick stench of blood in the air. It was dark, but the plants on the lean-tos were still glowing, and you could see the shine of dark pools of blood soaking into the dirt. The numbness was flooding back into your system now, as unforgiving and final as the blood beginning to seep into the earth. Returning nutrients to the soil.

Guns fired off. Another round of arrows exploded from the canopy, always coming from different spots as if the archer was working hard to leap from branch to branch. Their precision with the bow was extraordinary. And here you were, standing stupidly in the middle of it all, an easy target. With your heart in your throat as you watched people crumble and bend like reed stems in the wind.

Something heavy and large landed behind you. You sucked in a breath, feeling the ground shake from the force of the things footsteps.

<”Yawne?”> That same, growling voice from before. Speaking in na’vi but using a word you did not recognise despite your extensive knowledge and research.

Gun up, you rounded on the person behind you. Glaring down the barrel of the weapon, all you could register were twin embers glowing in the half darkness. They flickered out for a heartbeat before burning brighter.

Blinking, you realised.

They were eyes.

The creature was breathing hard. Backlit by the light from the forest, it straightened from its landing, all long limbs and sharp angles. It moved with the grace of something inhuman. Slow but confident. Its proportions were all wrong. Torso too long, legs unnaturally thin for something clearly so strong.

And those eyes. Fuck. They made every fight or flight instinct you possessed shrivel up and die. Pinning you in place. Leaving you ridiculously vulnerable as you failed to pull the trigger. The sound would startle it. Perhaps you could use the opening to slip-

A gun went off at your back. The controlled explosion illuminating the face of whatever was staring at you.

The na’vi flinched. Hurriedly dropping to all fours and effortlessly seeking refuge behind a surviving lean-to as the gun kept firing. You glimpsed bared fangs, pricked ears. The light had been so brief you could hardly make out anything else.

Why hadn’t it killed you like the others?

Shoving the thought out of your mind, you spotted the gunner hiding behind a nearby tree. Your aim was horrendous with cuffed hands. But it was simple enough to shoot them whilst they were reloading. Once in the thigh, and again through the shoulder when they knelt hard into the dirt at the pain.

They had barely collapsed before someone grabbed you from behind, knocking you off course so that your killing shot bounced harmlessly off of the tree trunk they’d collapsed against. With great difficulty from your struggling, your assailant knocked your gun from your grasp. Teeth gritted, you ripped your head backwards, wincing as your skull came into contact with the hardened acrylic of their exopack. There was a cut off curse, the sound of cracking acrylic.

You shifted your weight, driving your shoulder out and up into their sternum, listening as the air was punched from their lungs. They staggered, fingers failing to keep a proper grip on you.

Tearing yourself away, you tried to run only for another marine to tackle you around the middle. You shrieked in irritation as you hit the ground chest first, instantly winded on impact.

The na’vi returned your wounded sound from deep in the undergrowth. A truly horrifying noise that wailed in the otherwise eerily still clearing. It was circling, you realised, collecting its arrows and biding its time. Allowing the marines to pick each other off one by one in their panic.

The soldier on your back, sat himself down hard against the back of your thighs, one hand shoving down hard on the back of your head to keep your mask pressed into the dirt.

“More trouble than you’re bloody worth.” He muttered to himself, weight shifting as he yanked something from his pocket.

You were expecting the prick of a needle, or perhaps a bullet through the back of your skull, but certainly not the soft pop and light hiss of the tubing to your mask being cut by a knife. The effect was immediate. You choked on your inhale, the air too thin. Unsatisfying. Before your lungs had fully expanded, you were fighting to suck down another breath. And another. But it wasn’t enough. You couldn’t breathe. IT WASN’T ENOUGH!

Vaguely, you thought about how cruel of an execution this method was. That the man on your back was watching you suffocate. Ensuring you couldn’t get away to steal someone else’s mask.

All too soon, the na’vi was back.

From where you were choking in the dirt, you could see the soft glow of its markings as it loomed between the trees. The glowing galaxies adorning its body contorted and shifted as it rose from its hunches. Taller and taller. Seeming to stretch towards the heavens.

Ethereal, you realised.

There was the controlled twang of a bow string, quickly followed by a wet thud. The weight on your back pitched sideways and off of you as the dead marine’s corpse toppled, but you couldn’t do anything but struggle to suck in another desperate breath.

All you could hear was the distant warning of the RDA medical instructors, about how you’d be unconscious in twenty seconds and dead in four minutes. How long had it been? You couldn’t tell.

<”Yawne?”>

The voice came from above you. Your eyes were unfocusing as your lungs began to give up. There were enormous hands cupping the sides of your face, turning your head upwards. Vision blurry, you were able to make out the familiar dusting of glowing freckles along the na’vi’s nose, markings you had wanted to trace for longer than you would dare to acknowledge.

There was a wild glint in Tsu’tey’s glowing eyes, which reminded you of a cat’s when you shone a torch at them. They were not the usual warmth of the man you loved, but instead sent a pang of unease down your spine. There was a dangerous curl to his snarling lips as your eyes traced the blood splattered across his cheek, dripping down to his jaw and dirtying his chest.

<”YAWNE!”> His hands cupped your cheeks, shaking you with agonising urgency. Words were beyond your grasp at this point. The darkness no longer simply from the lack of light.

His face twisted into a terrifying snarl as his head snapped up, braids swinging as he glanced to and fro. His enormous body disappeared from your sight. The safety briefly provided by his towering frame leaving with him.

You wanted to call him back, but your throat was too tight. Your limbs too heavy.

He was back before you could really miss him. An exo pack in hand and a determined scowl permanently printed on his expression. Absently, your eyes traced the bullet scraps across his biceps, the trickle of blood leaking out from under his cummerbund.

With a clatter, his arrows were in the dirt, his bow cast to the side with them.

“I’ve got you.” He growled, more furious than reassuring, before leaning you up towards his chest so he could clumsily get at the clasps that kept your current exomask secured to your head. In no time the straps loosened, and humid night air swept across your damp forehead, not that you had time to enjoy it because he immediately slammed the new mask over your face. You jerked at the force of the mask colliding with your face. The action startling a gasp out of you. Which rapidly shifted your focus to greedily sucking down sweet, breathable air. Relief flooded your system as your lungs stopped spasming and your vision cleared. Eywa, that had been too close.

Whilst you evened out your breathing, Tsu’tey busied himself with the straps, pulling them tight around your head so they sat neatly above your ears. Only then did he seem to slump.

Urgently, large hands slid under your sweat slick back, fingers bunching into the damp fabric of your night shirt, before you were hauled into his lap. You went willingly, powerless to so much as wiggle as he effortlessly pulled you against him. In turn you buried your face into the skin beneath his necklace as he curled around you, feeling the adrenaline begin to slip away at the contact. You huffed at the inconvenience of the cuffs, wanting more than anything to wind your fingers into his braids. Instead, you settled for melting into his touch, in relishing the feeling of his fingers digging into your back, holding you closer, his chin burying into the crown of your head.

His chest rose and fell harshly beneath your body. Words barely audible falling from his lips like secret prayers.

You could feel his shaky breath against your scalp. The tremble in his fingers even as he held you so tightly.

You pressed into him. Losing yourself in the comforting weight of him against your back and curled all around.

Something shifted beyond the hug. Like a second enormous body taking tentative steps towards the pair. You stiffened as a wet nose dragged along the back of your neck, an unnecessarily deep sniff making your skin crawl.

Tsu’tey let fly a sharp hiss at whatever was smelling you. One of his hands peeling away to shove at the muzzle of a THANATOR?

You gaped at his actions. Watching as the large predator snorted at the sensation, blood dripped from its mouth. It tried to go in for another sniff test, but again Tsu’tey pushed it away with a sharp prod to its snout. The thanator sneezed, an honest to Eywa scowl narrowing its eyes, or one eye, since the other appeared to be blind, before it turned and trotted away.

<”Okay, what the fuck?”> You croaked, voice cracking and warping as you stared wide eyed at the gigantic predator until you were sure it wouldn’t turn back and choose you as its next snack. <”How the hell did you befriend a palulukan?”>

<”It is an irritant.”> Tsu’tey hissed, a hint of a growl still laced between his words.

Instead of elaborating further, he returned his sharp gaze back to you. His nose twitched, pupils contracting as he frowned at the cut along your bicep. Then he tutted as he ran a finger over the cuffs.

Wordlessly, he pulled his knife from its sheath and cut them off with a single strike.

He busied himself with checking the rest of you. Scowling harder when he noticed fresh bruises or small cuts, and outright growling when he noticed the swelling of your jaw. Ears pinned down, he grumbled inaudibly to himself about the state of you, uselessly brushing the dirt off your pyjamas with little success.

You said his name softly, trying to pull him out of his anxious state. His ear flicked but he did not acknowledge you. You tried again, reassuring him that you were fine, but he snapped at you this time. Full on teeth cracking together as his tail slapped the earth in displeasure.

Falling still, you let him finish his check. Watching as his throat bobbed heavily, knowing that some untold emotion was getting the best of him.

You’d seen him mad before. Had watched him scream and yell, destroying everything in his path. But you had never seen him quiet angry. Usually, his rage was explosive. His fear was a double edged sword. His grief vocal.

Tsu’tey did not do quiet well. Not when it mattered.

The hunter was silent now as he finished his checks, eyes still glaring at that gash on your bicep before he pulled something from his weapons belt. Shaking it out in one hand, you immediately recognised your jacket which the soldiers had removed whilst strip checking you for concealed weapons. With considerable gentleness, Tsu'tey used it to wrap you up tight and comfortable like some kind of human burrito. It was surprisingly effective.

<”Never do that to me again.”> He finally growled, <”stupid, stupid little demon!”> There was no real bite to his tone beyond an underlying tiredness as he tucked the sleeves of the jacket into the hem under your chin.

Despite yourself, you snorted. <”Wow, you sure know how to make me blush.”> You replied dryly, <”it’s not like I went looking for kidnappers.”>

<”Stupid.”> He repeated more firmly. <”Wandering the forest like this. No hunting party. No knife.”>

<”I had a gun.”>

<”Had.”> He repeated, tone thick with displeasure.

Rolling your eyes, you tried to wiggle out of his grasp, despite the comforting pressure of the jacket. If he was going to be a dick, you would prefer he grumbled more productively by walking back home whilst he did so.

Stubbornly, Tsu’tey tightened his grasp on you. A hint of fang peeking out from between his lips.

<”Now, I know you’re not about to hiss at me.”> You chastised, furiously wiggling in a failed attempt to point an accusatory finger at him. You're not entirely sure he noticed considering your arms were so tightly bound to your side from the jacket. <”And if you are, put me down and sulk where I can’t see you.”>

He took a moment to think about it. <”I fear you’ll get into trouble again if I do.”>

<”Asshole.”>

<”Idiot.”>

<”I think I preferred the other thing you called me. What was it?”>

He ignored you.

<”Tsu’tey?”> More radio silence as he plucked up his bow and discarded arrows. You squeaked as he righted himself, one enormous arm tucked under your ass. His arm cradled your back, ensuring you were leaning heavily into his chest.

<”Put me down.”> You demanded, although it sounded weak even to your own ears. And must have looked and sounded amusing with how your cheek was pressed into his pec.

<”I will not.”> He told you simply. <”I would like to hold you longer.”>

You huffed. <”What happened to you shyly asking to pick me up, huh? Where’s that bashful Tsu’tey gone?”>

He stiffened, glancing to the ground as his ears fell. <”Do you want to go down?”> He asked in all seriousness. You could tell he didn’t want to, but he would if you asked.

Just to fuck with him a little, you took a moment to think about it. His eyes never left your face as you fell deep into thought, swiftly sweeping from your eyes to your frowning mouth. You even saw the ghost of a glance to your ears before he remembered they didn’t move when you were like this and would therefore tell him nothing.

<”I’m just joking. You’re comfy.”> You eventually admitted, melting into him.

He let out a slow breath. <”Good. We will be able to move faster without you falling over every root.”>

<”HEY!”>

>_<

The palulukan shadowed Tsu’tey’s retreat back towards Omaticaya territory.

He could sense it following, curious but not predatory. Like a cub would follow its mother on her morning routine. He paid it no mind, knowing that the beast had seen his skill with his bow. He also hoped that after its feast, it would not be foolish enough to challenge him. He knew he was far too keyed up to be fair if they came to blows.

Luckily, the palulukan remained a respectful distance back, merely watching as Tsu’tey followed his trail home. He was mindful to keep quiet, despite eclipse coming to an end. He knew that other, more dangerous predators, would still be wandering around before returning to their dens at first light. Therefore, he only dared to pause when checking the movement of the stars through gaps in the canopy, before he altered his course and continued on.

Against his chest, he could feel his mate beginning to slip into a fitful slumber. The gentle sway of his strides and the continued pressure of his arm secure around their back seemed to ease them out of their earlier adrenaline filled fight mode. In contrast, they fell limp against him, trusting him to keep them safe as he carried them home.

It soothed the raw thing in him to see them lying contently across his chest, one of their arms slung over his shoulder whilst they cuddled into his neck. The wild thing deep in his chest, which had set his instincts alight when they had been taken, was finally beginning to calm now that he had their weight pressed against him.

He had gotten there on time. He reassured himself, giving his mate a light squeeze to which they let out a sleepy sigh. He could feel his scowl melting away. The Sky People had not been successful this time, and he had gotten them back. His mate was safe.

He repeated those words over and over again to himself as the dawn broke and the sun began to warm the forest. The glow of his freckles dimmed as the day grew, chasing away the horrors of the previous night, but also illuminating the evidence of his deeds. He was absolutely covered in blood. A lot of which was not his own. It was mostly dry now, but was rubbing off onto his mate and staining their skin and clothes.

Tsu’tey scowled to himself, tail thrashing as he glanced at the sun's position. A brief rest would not set them back too much, he could afford to find the river again and clean them up.

And so he did. Despite this part of the forest being outside of his clan’s territory, Tsu’tey had made an effort to familiarise himself with as much of Pandora’s forest as he could in his free time. Whilst usually he did so upon his ikran, he was good enough of a navigator to pick up the sounds and smells of running water and ended up on the bank of a river.

His gaze immediately fell on some large, sun warmed stones half submerged, and after setting his bow down on the bank, he stepped into the current and approached them. The water was deeper here than in his own territory. Easily sliding up his body towards his thighs, but the current wasn’t strong enough to stimulate his usual unease. This was fine. He reassured himself. He was just here to clean up his mate so he could take them home. There was nothing in the water. Just him and the reeds.

The fact that the water was clear helped to ease his discomfort as he easily held his mate above the river. They were beginning to stir now, letting out confused little sounds as Tsu’tey waded in deeper, his tail quivering in the freshwater, pretending to be calm.

<”Yawne? You need to wake up.”> Tsu’tey called, peeling his little mate away from his chest, to which they grumbled.

“No. Fuck off.”

Tsu’tey felt himself smiling warmly at the casual use of English, when usually they refused to address him in nothing but Na’vi. A rule they’d instigated to try and better their grasp on the language and its sentence structures during day to day use. To see it all go out the window simply because they were tired was incredibly endearing.

<”None of that.”>

“Fight me.”

He did not. Instead, he settled them down on a rock that jutted out of the water and began forcibly removing their jacket. They wiggled in his gentle grasp, futilely grabbing at their jacket whilst Tsu’tey fought to remove it from them. Although the thing had done well to keep them warm during eclipse, it was dirty with all kinds of things that Tsu’tey didn’t want to know the origin of. Naturally, being much bigger than them, he managed to unwrap them from the jacket, which he promptly dropped into the river to allow the water to start working on.

“Now that’s just rude.” They grumbled as Tsu’tey kept them steady. They were still groggy, grabbing onto his forearm whilst his hand curled around their shoulder. Their fingers fiddled with his arm guard, clarity only just beginning to trickle back in.

<”Good morning Yawne.”> Tsu’tey mused, leaning down to press his forehead into their hair before, slowly lowering himself to his knees before their rock so as not to let any waves he created get them wet.

Their eyes tracked his movements, all quiet appreciation. “Mornin’.” They let out an obnoxious yawn to which Tsu’tey rolled his eyes. “Did you sleep at all?”

<”We’re almost home.”> Tsu’tey replied, not quite dodging the question, but implying enough for them to work it out on their own.

They frowned, opening their mouth to no doubt annoy him for continuing the journey and letting them sleep, only for them to gasp instead as Tsu’tey grabbed one of their arms and dripped freezing cold water onto it. They jerked, trying to pull their arm away from the shock, but Tsu’tey soothed them by rubbing away some of the dried blood. Realising what he was doing, they let him.

“A warning would have been nice!”

“It is cold.” He said, and did it again with a wicked grin on his face.

They scowled at him but didn’t retort, allowing him to focus on cleaning them up.

Tsu’tey found himself getting lost in it. His hindbrain purred at the sight of all the blood and dirt washing away, leaving behind mostly unblemished skin. There were a few bruises starting to collect beneath the skin in places, but they were largely uninjured. Tsu’tey took that as a good sign and moved on to the other arm. Here, he found the scabbed over wound of a blade upon their bicep. Although it wasn’t deep, he ensured to clean it thoroughly. He knew little about treating wounds compared to Neytiri who had learned directly from Mo’at, but he wasn’t so clueless as to leave the wound dirty.

”You can wrap it with those plant leaves over there.” His mate instructed him, pointing to a plant growing in the shallows by the far bank. “The lime green one with the purple flowers. It’s hella absorbent.”

Tsu’tey found himself nodding along. <”When did you become an expert in healing?”>

“When I stopped you bleeding out in the bloody forest.”

<”But we were not near a river then.”> Tsu’tey mused, stepping away to cut a couple of the leaves free. Offering a quiet prayer of thanks to the plant, he returned to his mate and sank back into his kneel. The leavers were rubbery on the top, with a cotton like texture along the underside, but would do nicely.

“Eywa sent an Atokirinia to guide me to a similar plant.” His mate said nonchalantly, which immediately still Tsu’tey’s hands.

<”Eywa sent you a sign?”>

“I mean technically, the atokirina was for you.” They told him, “you came stumbling out of the undergrowth following it. Nearly scared the shit out of me. For whatever reason, Eywa wanted you to find me.”

<”And then you healed me.”>

“Don’t sound so surprised.” They scoffed. “As if I would leave your sorry ass to bleed out. It’d be way too quiet without you.”

Tsu’tey felt a swell of affection threaten to choke him as he ducked his head. Instead of responding, he busied himself with rolling up the sleeve of his mate’s sleep shirt and carefully wrapping the plants around the freshly cleaned wound. They suctioned on easily.

From there, he allowed the conversation to drop as he went back to his previous task of washing them.

Once or twice, his mate tried to protest as he took off their shoes and set about cleaning their feet, to which Tsu’tey growled warningly. <”Let me take care of you.”>

Something in his voice managed to get through to them and they begrudgingly relented. Pouting cutely as Tsu’tey continued with his ministrations. He liked that they trusted him to do a good job. That for once, they could allow themself to slow down and enjoy his attention without needing to jump to the next task like they tended to when stressed. It was nice.

By the time he was rolling up their pyjama leg and getting at the dirt that got caught beneath, Tsu’tey had pretty much removed everything he could without leaving them damp and unbearably cold during the rest of the walk back.

Satisfied, he moved back up their body to their face. He was reluctant to remove the exomask so soon after the disastrous incident earlier, so he settled for wetting his hands and getting at the skin that wasn’t covered by plastic and glass. His touch was feather light; gentle on tender areas. His thumb idly traced the blossoming bruise just beneath their exo mask where the plastic met skin.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

He grumbled instead of offering a proper response as he traced the mark. It didn’t take a Tsahik to figure out how it had gotten there. And judging by his own split knuckles, several of the corpses back at the demon camp would have similar, if not larger, markings if they had survived.

That was all he could do for now, he knew, but once they were back in Omaticaya territory, he would find them some new clothes and offer them a proper bath in the heated pools the clan preferred to occupy instead of the rivers.

Nodding to himself, Tsu’tey finally backed off so that his shadow slid off of them and instead warm sunlight began to warm them up.

“Where are you going?” They immediately demanded, sounding somewhat panicked.

Tsu’tey smiled encouragingly before cupping river water into his palms and bringing it to his face so he could remove the blood obscuring his markings.

“Let me.” His mate offered. Tsu’tey’s ears pricked at the soft command in their tone, and he opened his eyes to find them offering their hands to him.

He declined their offer. <”You need to rest.”>

“Tsu’tey.” They reflexively grumble, to which the hunter merely stepped back further. The water rose a little higher on him, but with his attention on his mate, he couldn’t find his usual unease. Instead, he made a show of allowing his hands to slide more slowly along his abdomen. More tantalising. Caressing rather than doing anything productive. The effect was instant as his mate’s fell into quiet appreciation, if only for a moment.

<”Rest Yawne. I will be done shortly.”>

They snapped out of it at the sound of his voice.

“I swear to god, you infuriating man, let me help.”

<”No.”>

They scowled, in that familiar challenging way of theirs. It sent a thrill down Tsu’tey’s spine. A thrill which was rapidly doused by the sight of his mate sliding their feet into the water, and promptly hopping off the rock. Judging by the abrupt widening of their eyes as their feet failed to touch the pebbled floor, they hadn’t taken into account the size difference and quite rapidly were submerged. Tsu’tey’s playful grin was swept away on the current as he practically dove after them. His heart hammered, eyes wide and panicked as he scrambled to find them beneath the water.

He could see the shape of them beneath the water, kicking against the current, rising gradually, but not fast enough for Tsu’tey’s liking. They were so small. Their lungs were not as large as his - in that moment, he had completely forgotten about the breathing mask strapped to their face. Surely they would drown!

Fear kept him from dunking his head under, not that he dwelled on it for long, because his fingers brushed against them and then wrapped tightly around their shoulders. He dragged them up, pulling them clear of the water and all the way up to his chest. They were soaked through now, Tsu’tey mildly grumbled to himself, erasing all of his careful attempts to keep the majority of them dry, not that he cared much.

<”That was deeper than I anticipated.”> They mused dryly, <”but at least I’m properly awake now.”> He could tell. They were back to speaking na’vi again.

<”Don’t you ever do that again!”> He growled.

<”Chill. It was actually really pretty under there. There’s tonnes of plants and smaller creatures near the bottom-”>

They were cut off by Tsu’tey’s flinch. Now that they had put that image in his mind, he couldn’t help but imagine something bigger, more deadly, lurking beneath the surface. Ignoring his mate’s confused questions, Tsu’tey decided that he’d prefer to clean up at home, where the water was warm and clear of anything bigger than a fish.

<”Tsu’tey? What’s wrong? Did something bite you?”>

His ears flattened at the thought and he shuddered. The water was getting shallower with every step, his bow was in sight and he was pleased to realise he hadn’t wasted too much time judging by the position of the sun. But then he remembered the jacket he’d tossed into the current and loudly groaned to himself.

<”Tsu’tey!”> They were being more demanding now. Reaching up to cup his face between their hands and force him to meet their gaze. <”What’s wrong?”> They pressed.

<”Nothing.”> Tsu’tey returned firmly, even though he felt anything but fine. He didn’t want to go back in. He just wanted to bask in the sunlight, dry off a bit and get home. But he knew that if he didn’t get the jacket, then they would try to instead, and somehow that just made him feel more panicked. It was best to leave them on the bank where they’d be safer. <”Look after my bow.”> He instructed, sitting them down beside his weapon before forcibly unhooking their arms from around his neck.

To their credit, they resisted, but Tsu’tey was stronger.

He could feel them glaring at his back as he forced himself to walk back into the river. Without them in his arms to distract him, he was more aware of the texture of the rocky bottom against the soles of his feet. Of the plants growing out of the river bed and the potentially hundred of little things they were concealing.

Gritting his teeth, Tsu’tey ignored the anxious flick of his tail and rounded the rocks to find the jacket stuffed between them. It was reasonably clean now, thanks to the current beating out most of the dirt, but would be useless with how wet it was. Hopefully, it would dry off before too long on the walk back.

<”What has gotten into you? You were angry earlier, but now you’re just scaring me. Is there something in the water?”> Eywa, he hoped not. He’d just been kneeling in it after all. <”Tsu’tey? Talk to me.”>

<”I do not enjoy the water.”> He said simply as he turned and began wading back to sure. His mate watched him for a moment, eyebrows drawing close together. Tsu’tey felt shame curdle his stomach. His tail tucked between his legs as he stepped up onto the bank, dripping water everywhere with the jacket hanging limply from his hands. He found it hard to meet his mate’s gaze again.

<”You’re afraid of water?”>

<”I am of the forest, not the sea.”> Tsu’tey defended, feeling himself heat up at such blatant vulnerable honesty. <”I do not share a connection to water like one such as a Metkayina might. This is a natural concern!”>

He watched his mate’s eyebrows jump at his sudden outburst.

<”I see.”> They replied thoughtfully. <”Well, thank you for cleaning me up regardless.”> He nodded in acknowledgement. <”Now allow me to return the favour.”>

<”I believe I have spent more time in the rivers than I would like today.”>

<”We need to clean your wounds.”>

<”I will be fine until we return.”>

<”I’m not asking you.”> They grit out before taking his hand and pulling on it, encouraging him back to the water’s edge. He humoured them, knowing how stubborn they were, and only briefly paused to lay the jacket out on the grass so it could begin to dry.

They nodded in appreciation and once again, Tsu’tey found himself standing beside the stupid river.

<”Sit.”> They instructed, when they reached the bank, close enough to the current to touch, but far enough away that they were not in the water.

Sceptically, Tsu’tey did as instructed and dropped into a crouch. That earned him a pleased hum and a comforting squeeze to his shoulder before his mate stepped closer to the river. Before he could stop himself, Tsu’tey’s hand snapped out and grabbed onto the collar of their nightshirt. They paused before twisting awkwardly to shoot him an unimpressed look. Reluctantly, he unwound his fingers and retracted his hand, feeling properly chastised.

There was the sound of fabric tearing, making his ears twitch, before they were before him again. Eye level with him thanks to his crouch. Their touch was gentle against his cheek as they dragged the wet fabric of their torn shirt down his cheek, wiping away anything he had missed. Despite his best attempts, Tsu’tey felt his tail wagging embarrassingly at the attention, an action that his mate politely ignored as they moved onto his chest, tutting absently at the shallow cut concealed below his cummerbund.

<”Doesn’t need the plant.”> They mumbled absently, before winding around him and focusing on his back.

With a steady grip, they moved his kuru to the side and started wiping him down. Despite himself, Tsu’tey shuddered at such a careful touch on one of his most sensitive areas. It wasn’t anything erotic or suggestive, just a loving gesture to keep the precious limb out of the way whilst they worked.

<”Am I hurting you?”>

<”No.”> He said breathlessly, revelling in the sensation of little fingers wrapped around his braid, steady and confident in their touch. <”Keep going.”>

<”Demanding.”> His mate mused, their touch around his kuru loosening before sliding down it. Fingers periodically tightening as they travelled down, down, down…

<”Tease.”> Tsu’tey growled wetly, swallowing down the saliva that had collected in his mouth as his mate retracted their touch.

They smirked at him, stepping out from behind him to return to the river and refresh the cloth. They took longer than before. Stalling, Tsu’tey realised.

When they straightened, they wouldn’t meet his eyes. He knew, because he was watching their face now, observing them mull over a question, turning it this way and that before allowing it to take shape. Tsu’tey remained quiet as they thought it through, content to feel them move onto his arms, then the back of his neck.

<”When we bond.”> They finally said, punching the breath from Tsu’tey even though he half expected a question of this variety. <”Would you bond with my avatar to get the full connection? You know, because this body won’t allow you to feel anything.”>

Tsu’tey swallowed. Hard. He had asked himself the same question countless times. Even more so after seeing his mate in their human form. <”Just because it has not been done before, does not mean it cannot be done.”>

Their hands still on him, and Tsu’tey turned slowly. <”So you want to try? With me?”> They pressed, struggling to keep the hope from their voice.

Tsu’tey immediately softened in seeing his own unease reflected back at him. <”I would want nothing else, Yawne. Always with you.”>

They smiled, allowing him to pull them in with a touch to their hips. <”What does that mean?”>

<”In your tongue, beloved.”>

<”Sappy.”>

Tsu’tey laughed, relieved and happy and excited, all rolled into one roiling tempest in his gut. His hands shook as he pulled his kuru forward over his shoulder. The neural whip itself was tingling beneath the protective hair, as it usually did before he communed with Eywa or was anticipating forming a connection. The pull was constant now, and Tsu’tey knew who it was drawing him to.

<”Be gentle.”> He warned, warmed by how they nodded eagerly. <”It is very sensitive.”>

Hesitantly, they reached for him, fingers unsure but tender as they admired Tsu’tey’s neat braid. He allowed them to explore, letting go of his kuru and allowing his every shudder and uneven breath to be obvious. Every reaction only seemed to encourage their exploration. Igniting that familiar fire of curiosity in their eyes as they gradually made their way closer and closer to where Tsu’tey wanted them.

It felt like forever when they finally reached the end of his kuru, and gently held it up to their eye level. Tsu’tey’s cheeks heated as the hairs parted to allow his tendrils to slip free. The wiggling nerves were not shy in searching for something to bond to. They wound around each other, spread wide again and flared as his mate watched.

His mate glanced at him for permission before they moved to connect anything, eyes full of wonder. Tsu’tey nodded eagerly, suddenly desperate for what it would feel like to finally bond with them. To finally See them in their entirety, and for them to See him in return. He was hungry for it. Starving in a way that could not be satiated in any other way.

Once again, they took their time observing him, carefully examining and coming to conclusions before they raised their exposed wrists and offered them to Tsu’tey’s eager tendrils. The effect was immediate. Like a kenten to honey berries, his tendrils darted forward, wrapping around the exposed skin with a suddenness that made his mate gasp.

Tsu’tey was quick to soothe them, his hands grabbing at their waist and leading them to come sit in his lap as he shifted to sit on his heels. They followed his lead, pupils unusually wide and unseeing. Feeling nothing, Tsu’tey busied himself with running his hands up and down their back as they breathed through it, the tendrils wrapped around their wrist glowing in time to Tsu’tey’s heartbeat.

“Fuck.” They breathed. <“It’s like sensory overload.”>

Tsu’tey’s languid touch froze. <“Is it bad?”>

<“No. God no. Just.”> They trailed off, blinking slowly. <“Different. Can you feel this?”>

<“I cannot.”> Tsu’tey admitted. <“What can you feel?”>

<“All of it.”> They told him. <“Everything. It’s like I’m back in my avatar.”> He hummed.

<“Can you feel me?”> They nodded, so he continued. <“Try reaching out to me, through the bond.”>

They nodded. But for a while nothing happened, even as their eyes slipped closed and their eyebrows drew together in concentration, Tsu’tey didn’t feel so much as a ripple. With his mind linked to theirs he tried to keep his disappointment down. Tried to push feelings of happiness and content down the bond instead of the internal discomfort of having everything he was visible to them, only to feel nothing in-

There!

He felt something on the edge of his consciousness. Weak and phantom like but no doubt real.

<“That is it.”> He encouraged, <”try again.”>

And they did. This time, the contact was like hands coming together and holding on tight to one another instead of a passing touch of fingers tracing down someone’s palm. Tsu’tey lurched to grip back, his consciousness holding on tightly.

It slammed into him like an ikran at full speed. His mouth dropped open at the flood of sheer feeling that suddenly overwhelmed every corner of his mind. His comforting grip on his mate turned bruising as he tried to anchor himself in the real world and not drift away in the current of them. In the back of his mind, he knew they were still out in the open, and were getting too wrapped up in one another, but it was addictive.

No wonder his People put such an emphasis on Tsaheylu. The bond was everything. It was comfort and reassurance. It was give and take. To have and to give. To own and be owned in return. To be Seen.

And oh did Tsu’tey See.

Everything they had ever gone through was laid before him at that moment. From the difficulty of their life on a dying planet, to the turmoil of signing said life away. He felt the grogginess of waking up in an alien environment after six years of slumber. He marvelled at the internal structure of Hell’s Gate, feeling glee as they did when they were officially given an office and link unit, and then he felt the freedom of linking up to an alien body for the first time. In a brief flash, he saw his own snarling face as he glanced up through the branches only for the avatar to come crashing down on him and his pa’li. He felt the affection through the bond at the memory. The happiness at finding him. The relief of no longer having to blindly navigate an alien world, even if he was a reluctant teacher.

From there, he was in the flashes more frequently. Finally Seeing himself through another's eyes and being continuously overwhelmed by the sheer volume of mounting love and adoration that swelled with each memory. Their hope threatened to drown him. Their loneliness tried to reduce him to tears.

And through it all, Tsu’tey held them close. Clung to their body as they grabbed at his, holding on for dear life as he in turn was laid bare before them.

This was Tsaheylu in its entirety, and Tsu’tey mused that he was already becoming addicted.

Gradually, the intensity of it all began to slow and reduce to background noise. Never fully, but just enough that he could remain connected to them and focus on the forest at the same time.

“Fuck.” They said again, in awe. “You feel so much.”

Tsu’tey scoffed in amusement. If anything, he feared he felt too little. Especially since the demons had shown further interest in his home. Even more so after he became Olo’eyktan and the safety of the clan was pressing constantly down on his shoulders. Definitely with the threat of more demons lurking in the very forests that were supposed to be safe for his People-

Something warm and soothing washed away his anxious thoughts through the bond and Tsu’tey let out a relieved breath.

<”Focus on me, mate.”> They encouraged, idly tracing the stripes that curved over his cheeks. The gentle touch had him melting into them. Before he could stop it, a purr was rumbling to life deep in his chest. Full and unfiltered in a way it hadn’t been in years. <”There you go.”> They praised him quietly, fingers feather light against his thick skin, tracing the phantom of his freckles along the high of his cheeks and then up his nose to his temple.

<”I See you Tsu’tey.”> His mate whispered, setting his heart alight with affection and relief. <”My Olo’eyktan. My hunter. My friend. My mate. My Tsu’tey.”> They said his name with notes of worship woven into the syllables. The way the People more commonly speak Eywa’s name instead of a mere mate.

<”You are everything to me.”> They assured him, having felt the insecurity riddled in his thought process. <”I acknowledge everything you were and everything you could be. I See all of you Tsu’tey, past and present.”>

And oh Eywa, if that wasn’t the most perfect vowel Tsu’tey had ever heard.

His throat was thick with emotion, overwhelming and unexpected as his sheer affection towards this sky person slammed into him at full force.

<”Thank you.”> He whispered. For loving me. He didn’t say. For Seeing me and continuing to love me anyway. For Seeing every ugly part of me. Every bad decision, every explosive temper tantrum and every mistake, and continuing to look at me like that.

<”I know.”> They said aloud, because he couldn’t. Because he feared he would begin to sob if he dared voice anything he thought. He was still scared. He realised. To give form to anything that he couldn’t control.

<”I know.”> They repeated, and he believed them.

<”I see you.”> Tsu’tey whispered back, and the beam of a smile he got in return made everything worth it.

<”God, you’re gorgeous.”> His mate complimented him, hands gentle on either side of his face. And Tsu’tey found he believed them. Although normally he would use words like ‘handsome’ or ‘attractive’ or ‘strong’ to describe himself, he found that ‘gorgeous’ somehow fit too. But only after he’d seen himself through their eyes. Only after he’d witnessed the galaxies of his freckles through their eyes. Only after he’d seen the hidden expressiveness of his large, golden eyes and the ‘cute’ twitch of his ears. He understood, and he was overwhelmed.

He didn’t even have to part his lips to give word to his thoughts for his mate to reach for where they were connected. With surprising ease, they managed to untangle their wrist from his tendrils and return his kuru to where it had previously hung against his chest.

<”Better?”> They asked him, stroking down his cheeks.

He hummed, his muscles feeling like jelly as he leaned some of his weight into them, his face pressed into their stomach. Absently, he noticed he was still purring but couldn’t find it in him to care much, and in his next sigh, he allowed it to kick up a notch. To which his mate huffed in amusement and started fiddling with his ears.

<”We should probably get going.”> His mate prompted.

<”Probably.”> Tsu’tey agreed but made no attempt to move.

<”Come on mate.”>

That got him sitting up. Their expression was soft as they looked down at him, all open and content. A stark contrast to the panic of earlier.

<”Let's go home.”>

He nodded and forced himself to rise to his feet, only to pause as his mate took their hand from his face. Catching them by the wrist, he brought it back to his eye level. THe skin that had been fused to his kuru was discoloured now. Not in the way that suggested an incoming bruise. But in the sense that it had taken on the appearance of a year old scar, the skin darker in pigment and set in the pattern of his spiralling tendrils. Somehow, Tsu’tey instinctively knew that if he were to reconnect them both here and now, his tendrils would attach over the scar in an identical pattern as to how they did here.

<”Gorgeous.”> Tsu’tey breathed, thumbing the permanent mark his queue had left on his mate’s skin. Feeling something possessive awaken deep in his chest at the physical evidence of them being his. All his.

Chapter Text

<”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 comfortable 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.

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.

<”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.

Chapter Text

The morning the Sky People returned to the stars, you linked up to your avatar as you had been doing for the past several months. As always, you felt something in the back of your mind click into place as the buzz of the link unit cradling your human body melted away, in its place, the sounds of the forest swept in, alongside the comforting rumble of a steady purr. Your senses filtered in one by one after that, as they always did.

Only this time, you woke to the scent of your new home, the comforting weight of your mate’s arms wrapped around you, and the soft light of dawn trickling through the canopy above your newly built hut. It would take several more weeks before New Village was finished, with your own accommodation needing a few further tweaks, but it was home.

Smugly, you felt yourself grinning as you curled up tighter in Tsu’tey’s arms, revelling in the weight of them wrapped around you and the warmth of him pressed up against you. The hammock rocked under your shifting weight, sturdy and comfortable as it swayed. During the night, your legs had tangled together, whereas Tsu’tey had tucked his face into your neck, his steady breaths curling across the sensitive skin of your collarbones. Here, within the home you’d built together in New Village, he was the picture of relaxed.

All too soon, his loose limbed sprawl wound tight as he realised you had linked up.

Tsu’tey’s ear flicked lazily as he shifted in place, a cat readjusting before going back to sleep. <”Good morning.”> He greeted sluggishly, nuzzling his cold nose against vulnerable skin.

Smiling to yourself, you squeezed him in return, relishing in how he melted under your touch. All pliant and relaxed, greedy for some soft words and adoring touches. <”Did I wake you?”>

Tsu’tey hummed drowsily, but took his sweet time in responding. <”No,”> He murmured finally, making no move to get up. Typical.

As his breathing evened out again, you listened to the familiar buzz of the clan preparing for the day. Two dozen hunters would oversee the launch at noon, whereas the rest of the clan would continue to forage and build New Village in their absence. With all the humans successfully rounded up and accounted for, the time had come to finally get them off Pandora.

<”We need to get up.”> You finally told the ceiling, when Tsu’tey made it abundantly clear he had no plans of doing so.

Predictably, your mate shook his head against your skin before nestling down further into you, pulling your long limbed body impossibly closer. You had the sneaking suspicion that he would crawl in your body if it were possible.

Who knew the fearsome Tsu’tey was a cuddler?

You certainly hadn’t; not before. Not when you’d been friends, despite the evidence lying in how he’d always felt a need to playfully shove at you or knock your shoulders together. What once could’ve been passed off as platonic camaraderie between hunters, had now been revealed as what it was.

A newly formed bond, strong in its magnetism and unescapable. Not that you wanted to escape. If anything, the last few days had proven just how much Tsu’tey had been holding back during the courtship. Now that you were mated, it seemed you couldn’t keep your hands off of one another. Sometimes, you felt like it was a miracle you’d managed to get anything done.

Every touch felt too fleeting, regardless of whether it had been for hours or minutes. You constantly wanted to be near him, wanting to appease the instinctual part of you that looked at Tsu’tey and felt complete; felt safe. It was a fascinating phenomenon, you’d concluded.

Even more so when you realised that although Tsu’tey had formed the bond with your human body, the pull between you was no less magnetising in your avatar. It didn’t matter which body you occupied, Tsu’tey seemed to sense where you were before you could even announce yourself.

Chuckling to yourself, you gave his back a sympathetic pat in condolence. <”I know, I know, I love a lie in as much as the next person, but the sooner we get up, the sooner we can get it done.”>

<”That is not how time works.”> Tsu’tey immediately argued.

<”And yet, we still have to get up.”>

Stubbornly, Tsu’tey didn’t move, so you were forced to resort to peeling his hands off of you and wiggling out from under him. Tsu’tey put up a half-assed fight, but ultimately allowed you to sit up. Legs swung over the side of the hammock, you glanced back to find him glaring at your back whilst curling into the warm spot you’d left behind. His tail thumped unhappily as he simply watched you, looking annoyingly adorable.

Seeing your distraction, Tsu’tey abruptly decided he was done with sleeping and quick as a whip, reached out and wrestled you back down into the hammock. You yelped, hands pushing feebly at him as he pressed you down into the comfortable material and stretched out across your front.

<”Forgetting something?”> Tsu’tey asked calmly, the hunger in his gaze betraying his collected tone. You felt his tail thumping down next to your thigh now, intrigued as you smiled and pulled his face down.

A purr rumbled to life in his chest as you kissed his cheek, like you had every morning after he’d rescued you. Adorably, his ears were wiggling now as his eyes fluttered closed, basking in your attention. Finding yourself grinning too hard to keep kissing him, you settled for pressing your foreheads together as you had hundreds of times before. Lovingly, your hand slid from cupping his cheek to carding through his braids.

Tsu’tey’s eyelids slipped open at the change of sensation. <”More.”>

<”Greedy.”> You purred back.

<”If you’re going to kiss me,”> Tsu’tey continued slowly, a glint of glee creeping into his eye as he lowered himself from his hands to his elbows. It sent a thrill through you, in how confident he was in getting when asking for something. He was hovering close enough not that your flat noses almost touched. <”Then I demand that you do it properly.”>

You couldn’t help but momentarily flick your gaze down to his lips as he spoke, noting - not for the first time - their pretty pigmentation. How a hint of lilac had crept onto his lower lip, blending perfectly with the blue of his complexion. Those lips stretched into a cocky grin under your attention.

It took great effort, but you managed to glare up at him as you replied in mock offence, <”those were proper kisses.”>

Tsu’tey tilted his head curiously, looking as unconvinced as one physically could. <”Properly.”> He repeated, as the corner of his mouth kicked up in amusement.

With a playful eye roll, you sighed. <”Fine.”>

Dramatically, you puckered your lips and batted your eyelashes, assuming Tsu’tey would scoff at your idiocy and push you away with a laugh. You thought he’d groan at you for ruining the mood and finally climb out of bed to get on with his day. It seemed however, that you had gravely miscalculated.

Instead of replying with banter or a tut, Tsu’tey’s cockiness abruptly melted into hunger. Your stomach squirmed as his eyes dragged down your face to your mouth, his tongue unconsciously flicking out to wet his lower lip. Your only warning was the way his ears lowered, before he promptly dove in for the kill.

Despite his enthusiasm, the first touch of your lips was gentle, almost chaste. A simple press of warm skin to skin before pulling back. His pupils were blown unbelievably wide as he tilted his head and moved in for another.

His body pressed you down into the hammock, applying delicious pressure to your stomach and thighs. You felt your own purr rising in the back of your throat as the security the position offered, with your mate covering all of you with himself, and taking whatever you gave him. Your chests were pressed so tightly together that you could feel the rhythmic pounding of his heart beating in time with your own escalated pulse.

The way his hands cupped your cheeks, his thumb rubbing back and forth across the apple of your cheek as if you were something precious - something to be admired - made your knees weak.

Kissing Tsu’tey was nothing like touching foreheads in either form. Neither was it anything like kissing him when you were human. In this body, where the size difference was significantly less and your strengths were similar, the kisses were less careful, and more effortless in how they pushed and pulled you into each other’s orbit. It was simple, and perfect, and felt like you’d been doing it your entire lives.

That was what you loved about Tsu’tey. How easy it was to be with him, and how effortlessly the pair of you fit together. How, despite your differences and your playful banter, you could still have these precious and soft moments just between you.

All too soon, your mate pulled back with a satisfied grin. <”Much better.”> He praised you, landing one last parting peck to the tip of your nose before rolling off of you. You were left panting, staring up with blown pupils at the ceiling whilst Tsu’tey puttered around the hut.

Getting your breath back, you finally managed to roll yourself out of the hammock. Stooping for your knife belt, you heard Tsu’tey chuckle to himself from across the hut. Flipping him off over your shoulder, you secured your belt across your torso before reaching for your jewellery. The pair of you prepared for the day ahead in companionable silence.

By the time you’d strapped your armband across your bicep and shouldered your bow, Tsu’tey had adorned his Olo’eyktan attire and dug out a couple of bowls of war paint. Having already crushed the pigment and mixed in the adequate measurement of water, Tsu’tey had sat himself down and gestured to you to come over. The feathers braided into his hair danced on a soft breeze as you sank to your knees opposite him.

As he wordlessly mixed up the yellow pigment for the base layer, you found yourself beginning to fidget. <”What pattern are you doing this time?”>

<”The same as before. My family crest.”> Tsu’tey explained simply, his eyes remaining fixed on the task at hand.

<”Your family…”> You trailed off as realisation dawned on you.

Tsu’tey made a point of dipping his fingers into the thick, yellow paint, his hand steady as he withdrew from the bowl and raised it to begin painting the cold mixture in a familiar pattern across your features. Diligently, you kept still as he worked, watching his brow furrow in concentration. Outwardly, he seemed to be the picture of calm and collected, but behind his back, you noted how he was making an effort to keep his tail still. The sudden twitches and aborted movements of the appendage betrayed his anxiety.

You knew without asking that both of you were recalling that morning before the Battle for The Tree of Souls, when Tsu’tey had distracted you from Grace’s passing by applying your war paint, an act traditionally performed by mates or family members. At the time, you had dismissed it as a kind gesture, considering you had no family of your own to ask. But in hindsight, Tsu’tey’s true intentions had been painfully obvious. As had the gifting of the Atokirina knife and armband after your successful iknimaya.

<”You’re a sneaky bastard.”>

Tsu’tey’s lips thinned, but his movements remained steady. <”No, you’re just dense.”> He sighed tiredly with no venom. <”You knew exactly what applying war paint means, and yet did not stop me. I assumed my intentions were welcome since you reciprocated.”>

<”I mean, yes it worked out, but I didn’t think that was how you meant it.”> You admitted honestly, to which Tsu’tey rolled his eyes but let you speak. You pressed on, <”I assumed it was because Jake was occupied with Neytiri. Just like I didn’t realise the gifts were courting gifts, because I assumed you were just being friendly and didn’t want me to miss out on the usual traditions.”>

<”Dense.”> Tsu’tey repeated smugly. <”When have I even been that friendly to an outsider?”>

You tilted your head in acknowledgement to the valid point. <”Not dense.”> You decided to focus on, ignoring his sarcastic snort. <”It wasn’t my fault that your People’s courting rituals don’t come with a handbook.”>

Tsu’tey shook his head, dismissing the argument. <”I made my intentions painfully clear.”>

<”By painfully clear, you mean painfully confusing.”>

Abruptly, Tsu’tey pulled his hand away from your face and fixed you with a stern look. <”And what, please tell me, is confusing about gifting you useful items? Does that not indicate courtship on your planet?”>

<”I mean yes, but-”>

<”Then my point remains the same, you are incredibly dense.”> With a flourish, he put down the yellow paint and reached for the navy whilst you stewed.

He was applying the new shade to your brow when you came up with a decent response. <”And what if I turned up to HomeTree with a fistful of flowers and presented them to you?”>

Tsu’tey’s painting hand faltered mid stroke as his nose scrunched up in confusion. <”Why in Eywa’s name, would you want to do that?”>

Your heart twinged. <”Just humour me, what would you think?”>

<”Would you intend to add them to a soup? Craft clothing or extract the oils?”>

<”No. I would pick them because they’re pretty.”> And they’d look pretty on you. You didn’t add.

Tsu’tey scoffed, his voice firm as he voiced his opinion. <”Then I would consider it impractical, and a waste of resources.”> Against your best efforts, your expression tightened at the predictable response. Thank Eywa for Mo’at confiscating your hard found ‘weeds’.

Tsu’tey’s steady hand had gone still against your cheek. <”What?”> He asked, pulling his finger back.

<”What?”>

He wrinkled his nose. <”You’re looking at me like I stepped on your tail and refused to apologise.”> You kept your mouth resolutely shut, hoping he’d just go back to painting, but as usual, Tsu’tey didn’t let you off lightly. <”Yawne, tell me.”> He said sweetly, his painting hand lowering in clear indication that he wouldn’t continue until you explained.

With a loud swallow, you pushed the words out, feeling foolish. <”Humans give people they like pretty flowers to show they like each other. It’s usually how we show something that we’d like to keep dating.”>

Understanding swept across Tsu’tey’s face. <”I see. It is one of your traditions then?”>

<”Yeah.”>

<”How interesting.”> Tsu’tey commented neutrally, <”unheard of by my people, but similar to our gifting of useful items.”> You hummed in agreement, which Tsu’tey took as the go ahead to drop the topic and continue with the task at hand.

>_<

The hunting party was uncharacteristically silent as it crossed the rainforests towards Hell’s Gate. Where usually there was light banter or joking, today, no one spoke. Hardly anyone made eye contact. There would be time to relax later, for now it was crucial to come off as the hostile enemy the RDA painted them as. One final push before the finish line.

The rest of the day followed the same sombre mood. You sat astride your pa’li with your bow notched and resting against your thigh as you supervised the sad march of the humans towards their spaceship. Your war paint felt tight against your clammy skin, but you knew it made you look unsettlingly fearsome from the weary glances your former colleagues kept shooting you. You recognised a couple of faces amongst the crowd, all of which were twisted in defeat and bitter betrayal. Their eyes slid off of you like oil over water. It seemed that you fit in so well amongst the clan, that no one could pinpoint your face.

At your side, Jake shifted uncomfortably astride his own mount, his eyes pinned on Neytiri who stood at Tsu’tey’s elbow on the other side of the literal human stream. The pair were decked out in their feathers and formal attire, offering a united, intimidating front in the face of the defeated humans.

The tension was so thick that it felt like a cloak around your shoulders. The anxiety it generated naturally filtered down the bond into your mount, who shifted uneasily on her hooves. You soothed her as well as you could. Gently, running your hand up and down her neck as you pushed calming thoughts down the bond.

She did not like this weird environment where the earth was smooth and treacherous and the dirt was concealed by a thick layer of rock. She did not like the towering structures pretending to be cliffs, nor did she like the rumble of the metal toruk’s growl, which sent her instincts into overdrive. She was concerned by the weird little creatures willingly clambering into the great predator’s mouth, and anxious that she might be asked to follow.

As she shifted, you kept rubbing her neck and coaxing her to look at the trees instead of the waiting spaceship.

Beside you, Jake drew in a deep breath, barely warning you that he was about to speak.

“What is it?” You asked quietly, conscious of the people within earshot.

”Well,” Jake began, “Tsu’tey asked me the weirdest questions this morning, about weeds and random flora that I don’t even know the translations for. You didn’t, by chance, have anything to do with that, did you?” The marine whispered, sounding more amused than concerned.

Rolling your eyes at his blatant jabs

”I was proving that our traditions are different and he shouldn’t have expected me to figure out the courtship through mixed signals and unfamiliar gestures.”

”Ah.”

He did not elaborate.

“What does that mean?” Jake pointedly ducked his head. You furrowed your brow. “Jake, what the hell did you tell him? ”Jake suddenly became very interested in the humans marching across the tarmac. You prodded him in the side with the end of your bow, to which Jake took a swift swipe at the weapon which laughably missed. ”What the hell did you tell him?”

“Nothing bad!” Jake exclaimed too loudly, drawing a few heads. He raised his spear in silent threat before continuing, his face melting into the cold, hard lines of Toruk Makto. Startled, the humans returned their attention to the spaceship instead of his outburst. ”I told him about roses and carnations and shit. Alright?”

“Wow, didn’t take you for a florist. Was that a side gig back on earth?”

“Of course not. I just had a girlfriend who was really into flower meanings.” He fiddled with the twine holding his spear head to the shaft.

“Uhuh, of course you did.”

Without turning his attention from the humans, Jake shifted his weapon and jabbed you in the side with the butt of his spear. You hissed before twisting in the saddle and kicking him in the hip. He narrowly avoided being unseated by the blow. Jake growled in response, but whatever retaliation he planned on carrying out abruptly flew out the window when the pair of you noticed that someone had stopped walking in front of your pa’li.

Just from the way he held himself, you knew the man was important, and he knew it too. Luckily, it didn’t take too long for his name to return to you.

“Oi Selfridge, spaceship is that way.” Jake prompted, motioning to said ship.

The former CEO didn’t move. With a thoughtful expression, he pointedly looked the marine up and down with cocky disinterest, his exo mask puffing loudly in time with his slow, measured breaths. Somehow, he commanded all of your attention despite his vulnerable position, he barely came up to your pa’li’s knee after all.

“You know this isn’t over.” Selfridge stated, no, promised.

Jake sat up a little straighter as his expression turned venomous. “No. It very much is over.” The marine said confidently, to which Selfridge shook his head.

Your spine prickled, as your tail shot upright. With great theatrics, you drew your bow on the man, ensuring that his attention slid to you as you pulled the bowstring taught and aimed your arrow at him. “Move along.” You growled simply, motioning to the ship with your arrowhead.

Selfridge took his time looking you up and down, unnerving you with how calmly he reacted to having an arrow longer than his leg aimed at his head. “Doctor.” He drawled by way of greeting, to which you made a point of pulling your bowstring back to your cheek.

The CEO nodded once, his expression unreadable, before turning on his heel and marching peacefully into the spaceship alongside everyone else to find himself a seat. You kept your arrow trained on him the whole time, if only because it made the rest of them shuffle a little faster towards the ship.

Smartly, no one else attempted to strike up conversation.

Before the sun reached its peak, the door to the spaceship began to close with a thunderous grind of gears. Within minutes, the clan were retreating back across the tarmac towards the trees as the engines began to fire up. Your pa’li had just stepped into the shade of the furthest tree when the enormous machine generated enough thrust to finally lift off.

And just like that, it was over.

Something sentimental stirred in your chest, as you urged your pa’li to pause. Restlessly, she did, allowing you to turn in the saddle and watch the enormous machine streak up into the clouds and beyond. It sped like a shooting star back into the atmosphere and then further and further until it was almost indistinguishable from the other daytime stars.

>_<

A vast bonfire was lit as eclipse rolled in, and the light of the human spaceship had shrunk to a pinprick in the night sky.

As the smell of roasted yerik and popping nuts filled the belly of New Village, you relaxed against a fallen log. Face freshly cleaned of war paint, you looked out amongst the People who had welcomed you into their midst and felt warmth bloom in your chest. The clearing was alive with chatter and music as na’vi leapt around the popping flames, twirling with one another as laughter filled the air. It was the most relaxed you’d seen everyone in weeks.

Your eyes were heavy from the alcohol, a pleasant buzz settling into the back of your mind as you simply watched. At long last, you felt content. The RDA were returning home. The clan was finally safe. And to top it all off, you’d somehow snagged the Olo’eyktan of said clan and gotten yourself a ridiculously protective alien cat in the process.

The very same powerful chieftain, who was currently curled up in your lap, decked out in his Olo’eyktan attire with his tipsiness showing in the bright flush of his cheeks. You didn’t need Tsaheylu to know that he was content. Every hard contour of his body screamed relaxed. His muscles were loose and pliant under your wandering fingers as you carded the long digits through his freshly braided hair. His tail lazily thumped against the grass, whilst one of his arms was slung over your lap and loosely holding your thigh. A possessive but comfortable hold.

Over by the fire, you watched a couple of avatar drivers attempt to imitate the complex dance moves of some hunters, who laughed good naturedly at them before drunkenly walking them through steps.

You could see Jake forcing Norm to dance with him, whilst Neytiri cheered as she swayed on her feet. To his credit, Norm tried his very best to keep up, but Jake was a surprisingly competent dancer. The scientist gave up after an embarrassing couple of failed attempts, his hands raised in mock surrender whilst Jake ribbed him.

The marine didn’t let his lack of partner sour his drunken haze however, and quickly swept Neytiri up in his rhythm. She beamed, her eyes alight as her body moved with liquid grace to the sound of the drums.

<”Are you cold, Yawne?”> Tsu’tey murmured softly into your thigh, the arm slung over your legs moving to rub at your calf. Your gaze flickered downwards as a fond smile slipped onto your lips.

<”You don’t need an excuse to cuddle me.”> You chuckled, giving his scalp an affectionate scratch, <”get up here.”>

Your mate rolled the command over in his head once or twice, before deciding that the suggestion was a sound one. With great concentration which could only be mustered after one had drunk a little too much, Tsu’tey fumbled into a sitting position before promptly collapsing down on the log you were currently leaning against, and clumsily dragging you across his chest. You laughed, wiggling to readjust his neck piece into a more comfortable pillow before settling down.

Against your ear, Tsu’tey’s chest roared to life with a healthy purr, to which you allowed your own content sound to slip free. His grip tightened on your shoulder, whilst his tail wound its way around your ankle. The picture of content. Who would’ve known that Tsu’tey was an affectionate drunk?

”Look at ya, you lovebirds.” Jake suddenly slurred, his head popping into your peripheral vision before promptly disappearing as he threw himself down into the grass with a heavy thump.

“Love-bird?” Tsu’tey muttered to himself, his eyes closed and his head tipped back to lean against the cool bark of the log.

“Jake.” Neytiri lightly scolded, padding away from the fire, her eyes bright with amusement. “I believe you have had too much.”

Jake looked thoughtful for a moment, his hand rising to scratch at an absent beard as he looked the picture of quiet contemplation. All before he shook his head with an exaggerated. “Naaaaaaaaaaa.”

Neytiri chuckled lightly.

“Having waaaaaayyyy tooo much fun.” The marine continued, oblivious to the volume of his voice, whilst Tsu’tey grumbled. “I wish every day.” He paused, “could be like this one.”

“I mean,” you interjected, refusing to lift your head from your comfortable pillow. “What’s stopping us? Am I right?”

“Right you are!” Jake agreed readily, before a sudden idea struck him. His ears flattened as he spun to Neytiri who barely batted an eyelid at his dramatics. “Neyyyytiri?”

She sighed. “Yes?”

“You know you love me?”

“I do.”

“Like, you love me the way Tsu’tey loves human Y/n?”

“Yes?” Neytiri answered, her voice wavering. “Where is this going, Jake?”

“Well, would you still love me if I were a na’vi? Like fully na’vi. Not half or even a quarter, as in full, total na’vi.” He was talking animatedly with his hands now, which he was waving around to emphasise his words, only to catch sight of them mid rant. The marine frowned as he wiggled his five fingers. “Or, well, as close to na’vi as I can get.”

To her credit, Neytiri managed to keep her voice level when she responded, but you could tell from the sudden thrash of her tail that Jake had unknowingly struck a nerve. “What are you saying Jake?”

“Well!” The marine continued, oblivious to the distress on his mate’s face. “The doctor.” He pointed dramatically to you, “and I were discussing consciousness transfers.”

It was as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over your head, smacked your round the face with a marble rolling pin, and then gleefully kicked the back of your knee so you fell down a flight of stairs. Beneath you, Tsu’tey’s body went from a comfortable pillow to a rigid bed of granite.

Neytiri just looked confused. “You want to go through with the-”

“Yes!” Jake replied rapidly, his tail wiggling with eagerness. “I do! I really want to! It’s all I’ve thought about for WEEKS!”

“Really?” Neytiri pressed, Jake nodded excitedly, to which Neytiri sighed. Her lips were pressed tightly together as she looked him up and down, her ears lowering as she realised just how sure he was about this. With an anxious flick of her tail, the huntress managed to smooth out her expression and offer a neutral, “we will talk about this once you’re sober.”

Jake just wiggled, all wide smiles and flapping ears. Neytiri shook her head at him, but didn’t press the matter further. Cautiously, she approached, still studying him for telltale signs of doubt, but found nothing.

Jake on the other hand, had decided the conversation was not yet over. With a sudden and unnerving turn of his head, his too focused gaze settled on you, causing you to tense. Those disproportionately small eyes seemed to peer into your very soul as he asked plainly, “did you decide that you wanted to do it with me in the end?”

Tsu’tey loose grip around your torso turned bruising. His purr, which had lowered to a languid rumble since Jake had sat down, abruptly cut out.

“You have discussed this?” Tsu’tey asked, his voice barely within the range of calm. It almost sounded accusatory, but that could just be the alcohol running through your bloodstream.

“A little.” You replied honestly, finding yourself unable to meet his eyes. You almost felt guilty for admitting it, as if you’d betrayed him somehow. “I mean, as avatar drivers we all inevitably fantasise about staying like this. Whether it’s possible or not-”

“But Mo’at thinks it is possible.” Jake interrupted, oblivious to the mosaic of emotions currently playing out across Tsu’tey’s face. “We have a chance.” He implored, practically sparkling with enthusiasm. “A real, proper chance.”

“As did Grace Augustine.” Tsu’tey cut in, his eyes suddenly sharp and sober. If he didn’t have his arm still tightly around your torso, acting as reassurance and comfort, you might have shrunk away from the ice in his tone. “Was her chance not as good as your own?”

“Grace was dying.” Neytiri pointed out carefully, “Eywa had already taken her hand.”

“And what if She takes his hand?” Tsu’tey pointed out, gesturing to Jake. “What if She takes them out of their bodies but does not give them back? What then?” Neytiri’s carefully guarded expression threatened to crumble, to which Tsu’tey’s rage flickered. Guilt played out across his face as he gazed upon his friend and saw his own anxiety reflecting back at him.

“If it makes you feel any better, She wouldn’t want me.” You mumbled inaudibly, tipping your head back to catch his eye. You focused on making your microexpressions relaxed, trying to offer subconscious comfort.

“She might.”

“She won’t.” You reassured him, “I’m too slippery anyway.” Which was a lie. Of course, there was the very real chance that Eywa might not breathe you back, and that terrified you. It made you queasy just thinking about it.

”That’s alright.” Jake reassured you, before a sly, shit-eating grin appeared on his face. ”I doubt Tsu’tey could deal with waking up to your grumpy ass every morning anyway.”

The mixed emotions in Tsu’tey’s face immediately cleared up into an offended snort. ”I could!”

”You could not!” Jake countered explosively. ”Sure, they’re all cute trying to steal back their blankets, but I have feared for my life. The swearing is ridiculous and the side-eyes could kill a man.”

Tsu’tey suddenly grinned as if he were about to let Jake in on a state secret. ”Perhaps your methods guarantee failure.” He purred seductively in your ear, before unexpectedly attacking your neck and ear with kisses. Absently, you heard Jake fake a retch between the sounds of your own shrieking. He was ignored, as you focused all your efforts into wriggling free of Tsu’tey’s secure grasp, as the assault of loud kisses were pelted across your face and neck.

By the time he let up with one last, heavy kiss to your cheek, Neytiri had coaxed Jake into drinking some water, and the previous topic of conversation had been laid to rest.

If Tsu’tey held you a little tighter throughout the rest of the night, neither of you brought it up.

>_<

All in all, it was a wild party that lasted well into the early hours of the next day.

Bidding Neytiri and a sloshed Jake a warm goodbye, you and Tsu’tey padded across the village to your shared hut. Within moments of ducking in through the curtain, you went straight for the hammock. Flopping down in it on your front, you felt exhaustion threaten to drag you down there and then. Over the hours, your drunkenness had lightened to a pleasant warmth in your chest and a slight slowing of your reflexes.

Something which Tsu’tey took advantage of now as he carefully unstrapped your knife from your chest, as well as removing your armband and other accessories. His focused movements were practised and gently as he placed everything down carefully beside the hammock on the floor where you could find it easily in the morning.

<”You coming in?”> You asked sleepily, after he brushed your braids from your face and straightened.

<“I must check on the clan first.”> Tsu’tey whispered back, ever the doting Olo’eyktan. <”Several of the younger hunters were not looking too capable of getting home unassisted.”>

<”Okay.”> You yawned, before snuggling down with a content purr. <”I’ll be heading out then.”>

Tsu’tey smiled tightly. <”Of course.”>

<“Sleep well.”>

He nodded, but you were too tipsy to find anything unusual in the action.

As Tsu’tey’s footsteps padded away across the hammock, you allowed your eyelids to droop as you began to drift away.

The comfortable buzz of alcohol left you as you slipped back into your human body, like a warm hand disappearing from your cheek. You opened your eyes to the low glow of the link unit, to the tiny little lights that decorated the inner metal frame; a pathetic replacement for the stars.

For a moment, you just laid there, wishing you were still in your home. Recalling the warmth of Tsu’tey’s body as you’d been pressed against it all night. In some ways, you half expected to turn your head and find him there waiting for you, but in reality, you knew he wouldn’t be. Whilst the link unit was a sensible distance from the village, it was still out of the way enough for privacy. Which meant your comfy hammock and mate would be inaccessible until you relinked.

With a heavy sigh, you lifted a numb arm and pushed open the lid.

The room beyond your unit was dim, with only the green emergency lights breaking up the darkness. The whir of Jake’s machine chugged along by the wall, and no doubt would continue to do so for several more hours. You envied him, despite having made the decision to leave yourself.

Absently, you recalled the conversation from earlier. The confident way in which Jake had communicated his desires, how he hadn’t hesitated in stating what he wanted. Although he had been drunk at the time, you knew how much he wanted to transfer.

In some ways, you envied how single minded he was on the matter. How sure he was that it would be the best thing for him.

Overhead, raindrops tapped lightly against the hollow metal of the compound roof. When did it begin to rain?

With a coldness settling in within your ribs, you heaved your sore body into a sitting position. The walls of the compound were grey, as Hell’s Gate had always been. The floor was ice cold beneath your feet, a stark contrast to the sun warmed soil you’d been lounging on for the past few hours.

With a firm shake of your head, you shoved that thought process down. Dwelling too long on it would only make the consciousness transfer more appealing. And sometimes it was; when you were alone. But after the look on Tsu’tey’s face when Jake had brought it up, the way he’d held you that little bit tighter, the way your now sober brain could read the fear in his actions, you knew you couldn’t go through with it. Not now that you had everything you needed.

With forced energy, you padded out of the link room towards the bathroom where you flicked on the light but pointedly avoided looking at yourself in the mirror. In this weird mindset, you weren’t quite sure how you’d feel if you caught sight of yourself.

The warmth of the shower helped in the way only blistering hot water could. And comfortable pyjamas just made everything that little bit more bearable.

The kitchen was as you’d left it that morning. Sterile and boring. Dragging down a sealed ration from one of the overhead cupboards, you pierced the plastic film before shoving the dehydrated meal into the microwave and setting it to three minutes. In the stillness of the compound, illuminated by the orange light of the little machine, you watched your lacklustre meal spin on the carousel.

If you hadn’t been staring so hard at the microwave, you would’ve missed the flicker of movement that darted across the window in your peripheral vision. Instinctively, your head snapped up. After spending all day in your avatar, you could feel the phantom sensation of your ears pricking as your slouched body went ramrod straight. The reflection of the warm light of the microwave made it hard for you to see out into the darkness, but when the little machine dinged and went dark, the kitchen was abruptly plunged into darkness.

As the pastel glow of Pandora’s plants filled the little room, you felt your heartbeat begin to pick up. You dared not move a muscle, despite itching for a weapon. Preferably your knife, but that was stashed beside your link unit as an additional security measure.

With luck, the movement was something none threatening that had just happened to come across the compound and immediately lost interest. Or maybe, it was that palulukan that had taken an interest in Tsu’tey. If you were really unlucky however, it would be something armed and intelligent enough to get into the compound.

Somewhere outside, you heard something large shifting through the undergrowth, as a couple of plants wiggled when something brushed against them. You sucked in a sharp breath.

The sound of someone politely knocking was almost more terrifying than the unknown.

Spinning around, you found a distinctly na’vi figure lurking behind the glass of another window. You weren’t entirely sure whether to be relieved or more terrified. The figure stooped, as if peering through the glass before knocking again, this time more firmly. With the plants backlighting them, you couldn’t make out any features.

Deciding that this was not at all how you wanted to spend your evening, you decided to bite the bullet and turn on the light switch. Hopefully, the na’vi was just drunk and confused, and the sight of you would send them on their way.

You flipped the switch, bathing the kitchen in warm light. Your own reflection looked back at you from the window, looking tired and small. To your surprise, the na’vi began tapping more furiously, almost desperately against the glass at the sight of you. Your brows furrowed, that definitely was not the reaction you’d been expecting, must be someone from the clan.

Hesitantly, you approached the window. The knocking slowed down a little, as the na’vi realised that they had successfully captured your attention. Making your movements obvious, you brought your hand up to the glass to block out some of the light, which created a small pocket with which you could see outside with.

The first feature you noticed was the familiar notch taken out of the na’vi’s right ear. By then, it was pretty easy to figure out who had drunkenly decided to visit you.

Your shoulders lost their tension as you sighed good naturedly and pulled away from the window. With exaggerated movements, you turned in the direction of the airlock, to which the knocking ceased once more and you heard something large pushing through the undergrowth as they strode for the entrance to the compound.

With practised ease, you strapped on an exo mask and slipped into the airlock, which immediately clicked shut and sucked all the earth air out before the second door unlocked with a crisp click. Pushing it open, you were immediately met with a firm sheet of rain. And there, standing at the base of the steps, his braids dripping, was Tsu’tey.

<”What are you doing here?”> You blurted, taking in his sodden appearance. Judging by his slightly elevated breathing, he’d run here instead of tracking down a pa’li or calling his ikran.

With the sway of a tipsy man pretending to be sober, Tsu’tey stepped closer. <”Missed you.”>

Your knee jerk reaction to the admission was to point out that you’d last seen each other barely half an hour ago, but his expression stilled your tongue. You could see your own uncertainty reflecting back at you, could see the unsettled shifting of his feet as his eyes flickered from your face to somewhere over your shoulder.

<”Yeah, I missed you too.”> You said instead, finding a private smile slipping onto your face as his shoulders loosened in relief.

The tension between you now felt more charged than usual, like a second shoe preparing to drop. This wasn’t the usual buzz of friendly camaraderie or mutual pining, there was something more lurking in the shadows here. A thought evidenced by the hunter’s lowered ears as he averted his gaze once again.

<”What is it?”> Your voice was barely audible over the sound of raindrops landing on leaves, but you knew from the way his expression snapped back to something more neutral, that he had heard.

It was then that you noticed he had one hand suspiciously hidden behind his back.

The scene turned comical then. With Tsu’tey dripping wet from the rain and hiding something from you, whilst you stood at about chest height thanks to the ramp outside the compound, with your hands resting on your hips. To an outsider, the scene would resemble a sceptical parent wondering what their toddler had that they definitely shouldn’t. The fact that Tsu’tey was swaying slightly from the alcohol just added to the entire thing.

<”What do you have there?”> You asked carefully, to which Tsu’tey’s eyes narrowed.

<”Nothing.”>

<”Tsu’tey, I can see you’re hiding something.”>

<”No you can’t!”> He blurted before adding, <”am not!”>

You arched a brow, to which Tsu’tey’s tail rose in silent challenge.

<”How?!”> He demanded.

<”Lucky guess?”>

The hunter sighed heavily. <”It was a secret.”>

<”Ah, I see.”>

With a pout, Tsu’tey dramatically pulled a bouquet of flowers out from behind his back and thrust them at you. They were tiny in his enormous hand, barely glowing with several of their petals missing and their roots still intact with soil falling from them at random intervals. <”You are truly a difficult person to smoothly give gifts to.”> Your mate helpfully informed you as your eyes blew wide at the adorable gesture.

You were torn between wrestling him down into a hug and bursting into tears at the thoughtful gesture. With a tight throat, you instead managed to squeeze out an emotional, <”thank you,”> as you reached to take them. The plants fit perfectly into your fist.

Tsu’tey’s expression immediately brightened, his ears pricking at the evident emotion swimming behind your eyes. Although he looked ridiculously similar to a drowned rat, his fanged smile was nothing short of adorable as your fingers brushed when you took the flowers from him. All of which, you were pleased to realise, weren’t carnivorous or dangerous for you to touch.

.<”What’s the occasion?”>

Tsu’tey’s tail stopped mid-wag. <”Occasion?”> He repeated uncertainly.

<”Not that I’m not grateful!”> You quickly jumped in, <”they are gorgeous flowers, I was just wondering why you trekked through the forest at the ass crack of dawn to give them to me.”>

<”I just wanted to.”> Tsu’tey explained dismissively, not quite meeting your eyes as he looked at your ear or the doorframe at your back. Raindrops slid down his cheeks, before collecting on his jaw and dripping off. An idea caused him to tense. <”Did I do it wrong? Can they only be presented during a celebration?”>

<”What? No. Of course not. Flowers are just for when you want to.”>

<”Okay.”> Tsu’tey said firmly. <”I should-”> he motioned over his shoulder towards the forest as he retreated a step.

You were blurting out an invitation before he could take another. <”Do you want to come in? I should have plenty of towels to get you somewhat dry.”>

He paused, chewing on his lower lip before nodding.

With care, you ushered him into the airlock, where he still struggled to meet your gaze. He’d been in the compound enough times to know where the new Na’vi respirators were kept, so you left him to it, after removing your exopack.

Padding into the kitchen, you managed to find a tall enough cup to fill with water and set the flowers in until you could get ahold of a proper clay vase. They glowed faintly in the dim room, as they slowly died.

Your dinner was now completely forgotten in the microwave as you puttered around the kitchen, pulling another large cup down from a cupboard and filling it with water. Setting it on the counter, you checked under the sink for some towels only to come up empty handed. The hallway cupboard provided much more successful results, and plenty of warmed towels to get the job down.

By the time you returned to the kitchen, Tsu’tey had sat himself down on the floor and was leaning back against the far wall. The same one he’d leant against whilst holding your human form for the first time. Then he’d been in a similar state of anxiety after watching your avatar collapse in the Well of Souls and assuming the humans had found the compound. Now, he just looked tired.

Scooping up the large cup of water, you approached.

<”Drink this, it should lessen the hangover you’ll wake up with tomorrow.”>

<”Thank you.”> He said, gently taking it from you and drinking deeply. It was gone in three gulps, but he didn’t seem to mind. Placing the cup down by his thigh, he held his hand out for a towel, which you handed over willingly. With a sigh, Tsu’tey heaved himself off of the wall and began to wipe himself down.

For a while, neither of you spoke. Tsu’tey busied himself with getting the worst of the rain off and removing his weapons, whilst you bundled up the soaked towels to be dealt with later and strode back and forth from the sink to refill his glass. By the time he deemed himself ‘dry’, Tsu’tey somehow looked even more tired.

<”Right, you’re sleeping in my bunk tonight.”> You instructed, taking the last towel off his hands and adding it to the pile. <”God, it’s feels like it’s been forever since we cuddled like this.”> You motioned to your current body with a cheeky smile, which seemed to have the opposite effect on your mate. <”Do you want to talk about why you’re really here?”> You offered, to which Tsu’tey schooled his expression into a firm scowl.

<“No.”>

<“You sure. You’re stressed and I want to help you if I can, but I can’t if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”>

<”It’s nothing.”> He deflected, before adding. <”It’s stupid.”>

<”Which is it?”> You prodded, knowing from his expression that he was almost there. With another push or two, he would explain and you’d both be able to sleep better tonight. <”It sounds important.”>

He glared with no real heat, but didn’t deny it.

<”You didn’t come here because of the flowers, did you?”>

He sighed, <”no. It is about what Jake said at the feast.”>

The quiet admission gave you pause. His eyes were burning now with a hurricane of anxiety and fear. It was clear that Jake’s drunken confession hadn’t only unsettled Neytiri.

<”About the consciousness transfer?”>

<”Yes.”>

<”What about it?”> Tsu’tey tensed as if expecting a blow, to which you retreated a step and kept your expression neutral. <”Please, I want to hear your opinion on it.”>

<”You do?”>

<”Yes, you are my mate.”> You flickered your gaze down to your wrist, the one with the spiral from his kuru carved into the skin. Delicately, you ran a thumb across the mark, allowing a nostalgic feeling to flicker to life in your chest. <”And this would affect you as much as me. I want to know what you think about it.”>

<”Okay.”> Tsu’tey said quietly. <”I don’t want you to do it.”>

He paused again, studying your face for a reaction, to which you gave none.

<”I don’t want you to change.”> He added, averting his eyes as if the admission was a shameful thing to give voice to. <”We’ve only just truly begun to understand and trust each other, and we’re happy. We’re finally happy, and life is good. And now,”> he swallowed, <”now I’m terrified it’s going to be ripped away. The Sky People tried to take you from me twice, and both times they failed. But Eywa, if she takes you, I can’t do anything, and that terrifies me. I don’t care if you’re like this. I don’t care that you’re alien and different. That you dreamwalk during the day and sleep here at night. It doesn’t bother me anymore. And I don’t want to lose it. This. Us. It’s too important to me!

<”I love you in your avatar, yes. I love hunting with you, and riding pa’li together, and messing around because we’re equal in strength. But I also love coming here and being with you whilst you tend to the compound. I love our size difference, I love how you don’t back down from me. I love being able to hold you for hours. I love when you braid my hair and I love that I can carry you around like you weigh nothing. And I love being able to connect with you through Tsaheylu. But most of all, I just don’t want you to leave, not if you don’t have to.”>

He swallowed audibly before forcefully composing himself. <“But I also know that that is simply a risk of the procedure, and this is not in fact my decision to make. I understand that. And if going through with the transfer will make you happy, I will support you.”>

<”You would.”>

His eyes shone as he finally glanced up and met your gaze. <”Undoubtable, Yawne.”> He said with enough conviction to convince you immediately. If you really wanted to, he would support you. <”Whatever you want to do with your avatar, I will be by your side the entire time.”>

Something within you crumbled like an origami crane under the tightening of a god’s fist. Your carefully schooled expression shattered as a boat load of stress and unresolved tension swept off of you. Tsu’tey’s expression morphed into alarm, his hands coming up to hold you as half-thought out apologies began to tumble out of his mouth.

<”Yawne, I-”>

You hugged him before he could say anything stupid. It was a stretch to reach his neck, even with him sat down, but you managed by standing on your tiptoes. <”You beautiful, wonderful, perfect man you.”> You praised as you cupped his cheeks and kissed his pliant lips. All at once his concern morphed into confusion.

<”I love you.”> You exclaimed happily as your vision grew misty. There was laughter bubbling up in your throat from the force of your relief. Laughter which made it hard to keep peppering him in kisses. You tried regardless.

<”Eywa, how I love you.”> You continued, revelling in how Tsu’tey’s pupils swelled from the claim. <”My other half. My thoughtful, amazing mate.”> Tsu’tey spluttered under the onslaught of affection and praise, his cheeks flushing gorgeously. <”I’m not going anywhere.”> You promised, <”I refuse to if there’s even a chance I won’t be able to get back to you.”>

You promptly released his cheeks to wrap him in a hug. Wrapping your arms around his neck as you cuddled in close. Automatically, one of his large hands came up to steady you, the weight of it stretching across the span of your neck, as sure and comforting as it had always been. He was too starstruck to respond.

<”I don’t need the stupid avatar.”> You said, rambling now. <”I See that now. I don’t need to transfer to be one of the clan. Just as you’ve always said.”>

Tsu’tey’s grip tightened. He curled around you, taking deep steadying breaths as the tension he’d been carrying finally slipped away. You hadn’t noticed during the feast, but after Jake’s confession he hadn’t managed to completely relax into the same headspace he’d been in beforehand. Now, you could hear the relief in his voice as he swallowed loudly. <”I am glad.”> He murmured, and you knew he meant it.

With great strength he pulled himself back so he could look down at you, those golden eyes alight with relief and adoration. Gently, he leaned down and knocked your foreheads together as he had done countless times before. <”And I love you too, you infuriating little creature. I wouldn’t change you for anything.”>

Abently, you slid your hand up to one of his fringe braids before tucking it behind his ear. Tsu’tey pressed into the action, causing the braid to fall back where it was, and its ruby red bead to catch the artificial light.

<”Your braids need to be redone.”> You comment simply, giving the hair a light twirl. His roots were beginning to grow out, whereas some of the shorter strands were beginning to escape from the beads.

Tsu’tey’s eyes flickered from the bead tipped braid with a thoughtful hum. <”Well, it is a good thing you seemed to be itching for something to do. Just make sure the partings are straight, I would like to take you up on that offer to share your bunk.”>

You let out an indignant noise. <”My partings are always straight.”>

Tsu’tey pulled a face. <”Debatable.”>

You scoffed, <”and what happened to me being an awful braider?”>

<”People can improve.”> Tsu’tey teased, to which you flicked the braid you were holding into his eye. Your mate only grinned before carefully rising to his feet. He still had to stoop to fit inside the compound, but it was nowhere near as awkward of a stance for him as it had once been.

With a soft smile, he extended his hand to you, which you took without hesitation. Together, you walked towards the bunk room.