Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The forests of Pandora hold many dangers.
But the most dangerous thing about Pandora, is that you may grow to love her too much.

We sing the song chords to remember. Each bead, a story in our life. A bead for the birth of our twin son and daughter.

"Neteyam, Ney'ati!" Jake called out as he and Neytiri raised their baby son and daughter up to the sky.

A bead when we adopted our daughter, Kiri, born of Grace's avatar. A daughter who's conception was a total mystery. A bead for the first communion with Eywa. The people say we live in Eywa, and Eywa lives in us. The great mother holds all her children in her heart.

Happiness is simple. But who would've thought a jarhead like me could crack the code.

"When I met your father... I tried to kill him." Neytiri recalled.
"It was love at first sight." Jake laughed as he pulled all his children closer for a group hug

Before I knew it, we had five. When we sent the sky people back to Earth, a few of them stayed. Science guys loyal to the Na'vi.
And then there was Spider. He was just stuck here. Too young for a cryocapsule. Orphaned by the war, he was raised by the lab guys. He wasn't part of our family. He was like a stray cat just always around. Inseparable from our kids. To Neytiri, he would always be alien. One of them.

"He belongs with his own kind." Neytiri told Jake watching the kids play around with spider and then turned to him in disapproval.

--

"It's mine!"
"I had it first!"
"Why do I have to give it to you?"

Took a few years for the language to get through my thick skull.

"It's mine!"
"Lo'ak, you liar! Give it to me!" Kiri shouted attempting to successfully snatch the toy out of his hands.

But now when I hear it, might as well be English.

"I HATE YOU!"
"I HATE YOU TIMES INFINITY LO'AK! PENIS FACE!"

"Hey, hey!" Jake shouted, "That's enough. Don't make me come over there."

Goes by too fast. Like a dream.

"How tall is he?" Ney'ati asked.
"He's that tall." Jake grunted as he carved Neteyam's height into the wood.

--

"Kiri." Neytiri whispered as she pulled her closer to fit into the frame of the family photo.
"Come here, bro." Lo'ak called to Neteyam. Neteyam, Lo'ak, Neytiri and Kiri stood behind Ney'ati, Jake and Tuk who were kneeling on the floor arms around eachother.

"Smile, skxawng." Neteyam said to Lo'ak.

Happiness is simple. Like date night, time away from the kids.
But the thing about happiness. It can vanish in a heartbeat. A new star in the night. That could only mean one thing.
Ships decelerating. Sky People returning.

The Sky People had invaded and burnt down the hometree of the Omatikayan clan. Animas, clan members and plants had perished. Devastating losses happened. Having to run away from what was her home and watch get burnt down to ash, Neytiri collapsed to her knees in pain and anguish. Jake softened his face and hugged Neytiri as a mean of comfort and reassurance. No matter what, he would always keep his family safe.

Chapter Text

"Ground team, go!" Jake shouted into his comms.

The group of Omatikayan on direhorses plunged over to the train line which had now been blown up into pieces causing massive explosions and fire. Samson aircrafts still roaming the sky turned around abruptly surprised due to the sudden ignition.

Jake battle cried with his left hand holding onto his ikran and his right holding his machine gun. Shooting the first Samson aircraft, it fell into the already lit denotation fueling up the fire.

All targets within the Samson aircraft were shot killed by Neytiri. She never misses. Her impressive skills are never hard to miss. She lifts both her arms up in the sky showing triumph and pride and makes a battle cry indicating to the na'vi below on direhorses that they can clear out the tram line's supplies.

The Na'vi grab all the RDA weapons and supplies they can get a hold on. "Let's go, two minutes people. Let's go."

Meanwhile, Neteyam and Lo'ak are up in the sky on their ikrans watching out for other Samson aircrafts. "Bro, we have to get down there!" Lo'ak exclaims, his eye glistening with curiosity.

"No way," Neteyam scoffed, "Dad will skin us!"

"Come on. Don't be a wuss." Lo'ak said as he glided down on his ikran heading to land.

"Lo'ak! Get back here you! Argh!" Neteyam groaned. Watching out for his younger brother, he followed him down to where the other Na'vi were.

The group of raiders rushed to get everything they need and could horde onto their direhorses. "Taking the whole case," Norm Spellman said. "We're taking mags, the RPGS, the stingers."

The two boys landed down successfully and impatiently Lo'ak ran off, "Bro let's go! Come on!"

"Lo'ak!" Neteyam attempted to beckon of course ending in failure.

Swiftly Lo'ak ran to where the Na'vi were giving out RPGS and other weapons. "Take it. Take a weapon, kid. Let's go!"

Battle crying and hitting his chest, Lo'ak called out as he finally had the gun in his hand which was his goal the entire time. Neteyam sighed and pulled him by his arm in disapproval, "You don't even know how to use it."

Lo'ak racking the slide of the gun, counterattacked, "Dad taught me."

Jake was keeping an eye on everyone and everything standing on high ground making sure everyone was still safe. He was proud to say that this mission was going smoothly and successfully, that was until he caught a glimpse of Lo'ak with a gun in his hands aiming and Neteyam by his side. A Na'vi climbed up a crate and pointed at the sky, making noise signifying that the sky people had received backup. Jake looked over, his face filled with uneasiness and shouted, "Gunships inbound! Fall back!"

The aircrafts that were called as backup were briskly handled by the Na'vi who had just acquired their new weapons.

Quickly taking action, he ran over to where he last saw his boys. Fearful, Jake ran as fast as he could. He was scared. He wasn't prepared to lose them. "Lo'ak, where are you? Neteyam!" Finding Lo'ak, he anxiously lowered his voice and put his hands on his shoulder making sure his child was okay. "Are you okay? Where is your brother."

"Over there." Lo'ak panted, pointing to his left.

Jake immediately got up and said, "Get outta here."

While rushing in the direction he pointed to. "Neteyam!" He beckoned, climbing over a destroyed aircraft. Fretting the worst outcomes, Jake hurridley searched for Neteyam. Once spotting him he grabbed him and pulled him to check his back. With a sigh of relief, "What are you doing here, boy. What the hell were you thinking?" He grabbed Neteyam and carried him over his shoulders.

"I'm sorry.. sorry sir." The boy replied.

--

"Attack, attack! Got you!" Tuk cried out with her toy ikran.

Ney'ati suspired, desperately calling for Tuk to come back to her side and stay still. Initially Kiri and Ney'ati made a deal that Kiri would look after Tuk and Ney'ati would treat any members of the clan who were injured, but Kiri went back on her word and immediately said no when she realised that Tuk was more annoying today than usual.

Catching up to Tuk, Ney'ati tapped her on the head and bent down. "Tuk.." Ney'ati started, sounding as if she were about to scold her. This made Tuk cross her arms and automatically pout. This couldn't help but make Ney'ati giggle and kiss her on the forehead. "Tuk, I was only going to tell you to be more careful. You were about to trip," Ney'ati pointed at a small crate of supplies which Tuk didn't notice and would have tripped over if she weren't to point it out.

"Ohhhh, okay.." Tuk stopped, looking at Ney'ati when her stomach growled loudly.

Ney'ati sniggered, "Let's get some food Tuk."

"I'm definitely faster when I'm blue." Spider declared, as he sat on the floor with his arm out to Kiri who was bandaging his wounds.

"You skawng!" She chuckled.

"Seriously! And the animals respect me more. They don't think of me as human."

"Wait," Kiri dismayed, "you're human?"

"Ha, ha." Spider sarcastically said as he tried to flick Kiri's forehead as revenge for her unfunny joke.

Members of the clan who had left for the tram line raid had finally come back and most Na'vi made noise communicating that they had returned to The Fortress of the Omatikayans.

"They're coming! Kiri! Spider!" Tuk exulted and started to scurry off. Ney'ati ran after her, grabbing her by the waist and putting her on her hip, they ambled to Spider and Kiri to notify them. "The war party is coming back. Come on!"

The four rushed to where their family had finally arrived. Tuk was the first to reach there, rushing into their mother's arms. "Tuk! Tuk, Tuk, Tuk." She whispered in relief, hugging her tightly.

"Fall in!" Jake called out. "You're supposed to be spotters. You spot bogeys and call them in. From a distance! Does that sound familiar? Jesus, I let you two geniuses fly a mission and you disobey direct orders.. Ney'ati, can you go help your grandmother with the wounded."

Ney'ati held Neteyam's arms up checking his injuries and exhaled, "My brother is wounded." Tuk examined Neteyam's arm at once after hearing that her older brother was wounded. "Please, Tuk! Go with her!" Jake expasered. Ney'ati grunted and Kiri expressed her dissatisfaction as well.

"Dad- Sir, I take full responsibility." Neteyam started, causing Tuk to stomp her foot, roll her eyes and groan in objection.

"Yes, that's right, because you are the older brother, you gotta act like it."

Lo'ak's ears lowered feeling regretful as he was the one who made the decision to head down and now Neteyam was taking the blame. "Ma'Jake, your son is actually bleeding." Neytiri said.

"Mother, it's- it's fine," Neteyam reassured.

Still furious but worried about his son Jake replied, "Go and get patched up. Go on, dismissed."

This left Lo'ak looking at his mother for help while she took Neteyam to get treated for his wounds as they left him and his dad alone.

"Do you understand that you almost got your brother killed?"

"Yes sir.."

"You're grounded. No flying for a month."

This was overheard by Spider and he pulled a face as he tried to not listen in on anymore of the conversation.

"Now see to the Ikrans. All of them. And get that crap off your face." Jake demanded and walked off.

Later on, Jake was sat in front of their tent cleaning his gun with his arms resting on his knees. He was clearly occupied with worry and stress. Neytiri took a glance into their tent which contained Lo'ak, Spider, Mo'at, Tuk, Kiri and Ney'ati. Mo'at, Ney'ati and Kiri were tending to Neteyam's injuries as the others frolicked about or just stood there.

"I would use yalnabark." Kiri stated.

"Oh you would? And who is Tsahik?" Mo'at replied, with a hint of amusement.

"You are gran- move!" Ney'ati pushed Lo'ak out the way to get to Neteyam's wound. "You are, grandmama but yalnabark is better."

"Ow, ow!" Neteyam yelled.

"It stings less.." Kiri sighed.

Jake glanced over to Neytiri who was peeking into the tent from a distance close to him. It was obvious she had something to say. "What?" He heaved.

"Neteyam and Lo'ak try to live up to you. It is very hard on them.."

"I know."

"You. Are very hard on them." She repeated making sure Jake was comprehending her words correctly.

"I'm their father. That's my job."

"This is not a squad," Neytiri piqued, "It is a family."

Jake looked at Neytiri and sighed. She kept her eyes on him as his walls broke down and he made eye contact with her. "I thought we had lost him.." he whispered, holding back tears.

Neytiri inhaled softly and held his arm with sympathy, comforting him with just her eyes. The two had gone through it. Loss. Greif. Pain. It was understandable and she pulled him into a hug. 'Oh Mother Eywa, please keep my family safe.' Neytiri prayed in her head.

--

The trio, consisting of Kiri, Lo'ak and Spider, headed to where Grace's avatar is incubated. Well, it was going to be the three of them until Ney'ati stopped them to tag along.

"You know what really sucks though, you can breathe Earth air for hours and I can only breathe your air for like 10 seconds." Spider grumbled.

"Yes, monkey boy. That really sucks.. for you." Kiri laughed and teased Spider. "Hey Max."

"What's up Max!" Spider exclaimed, dabbing him up.

"Lo'ak, Ney'ati." Norm fist bumped. As they greeted eachother and Ney'ati asked if Norm had obtained any new records or CDs of songs for her, Kiri jumped onto the incubator of Grace's avatar and whispered, "Hey Mom." Kiri, Spider and Lo'ak watched the clip of her mother talking to her diary entry once again, while Ney'ati went off following Norm.

"Any new songs for me Norm?" Ney'ati asked as she took a seat on top of one of the empty incubators.

"Well, I have three new songs for you since you've been away actually. I'm sure you'll love these ones. My girlfriend loved them." He replied.

"Trudy?" ... "Yep, Trudy." It was clear Norm was still over the moon for her and missed her dearly. Ney'ati found this side of him cute. He was like a cute old uncle to her, and she wishes she could've met Trudy. She sounded pretty cool, even her father said so when he came to visit the biolab with her.

Meanwhile..

"So, who do you think knocked her up?" Lo'ak asked, instigating. "Pretty sure it was Norm."

"Totally." Spider laughed.

Kiri gasped in absolute utter shock and said, "You do not deserve to live."

"Think about it right," Lo'ak said pointing to the direction Norm was in, "He's the teacher's pet. He's out at the lab with her all the time."

"I would kill myself. I would drink acid."

"Bro, you're right!" Spider giggled, pointing at the video. "He's like in every shot. Look, he's giving her the looks!"

"Hey!" Kiri called, dissently.

"See, I'm thinking their two avatars together out in the woods.." Lo'ak bantered, and put his hand over his heart, "all alone."

Kiri pushed him before he could continue and yelled, "Gross!"

Spider laughed and suddenly said, "Guys, I mean, sometimes it's not so great to know who your father was." This earned awkward silence and looks from Kiri and Lo'ak when suddenly the silence was broken by someone's laughter. Spider saddened and got off the incubator and sighed, "Whatever."

"Wait! No, Spider I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh." Ney'ati articulated, getting a glare from Kiri.

Lo'ak and Kiri pat him on the back and shared meaningful glances of pity. Kiri stated, "You are not him."

Chapter Text

"Devil Dog, Devil Dog, this is Eagle Eye, over." Lo'ak called in the comms.

"Eagle Eye, send your traffic." Jake responded, gliding in the sky with his ikran accompanied by Neytiri, Neteyam and Ney'ati.

"I got eyes on some guys. They look like avatars.. but they're in full camo and carrying ARs. There's six of them. Over."

"What's your pos. Over."

"Um.. We're at the old shack."

'Oh shit.' Ney'ati and Neteyam glanced at each other. Lo'ak was in such big trouble. The twins looked over at their dad to observe his reaction.

"Who's "we"?"

"Me, Spider, Kiri.." Lo'ak sighed, "And Tuk."

Neytiri gasped, her doe eyes widening looking at Jake. He pulled his face and grunted, "Son, you listen to me very carefully. You pull back right now. Do not make a sound. You get the hell out of there. Move! You copy?"

"Yes sir. Moving out."

Neteyam sped up to Jake shouting, "Dad! I know a quick way!"

Immediately Neytiri took action and yelped directioning her ikran to Neteyam, following him. The four of them grabbed onto their reins tightly, desperate to get there as fast as possible and hoping that the 'avatars' had not caught them.

Neytiri and Jake made their way over the forest searching for their children when they spotted some bots flying above them capturing their identity. Neytiri hissed at the camera. "Give it up Quaritch. It's all over." Jake called out.

"Nothing's over while I'm breathin'." The Colonel answered into the bot.

"I kinda hoped you'd say that." Jake seethed through his teeth, as he charged attacking the bot in anger.

He landed his Ikran on one of the trees with the three following behind. Although he was very worried, he kept his composure as a good leader and numbed himself to the situation. "Tuk, tuk, tuk," Neytiri muttered under her breath as she dismantled herself off her ikran. Her eyes were full of fear. Worry. Imagining the worst of what that sky walker would do to her children. The twins gave each other a nod as they also got off their ikrans with their weapons, hoping to aid their parents in rescuing their siblings. "No, no, you two stay here with the ikrans." Jake immediately stated, as soon as he noticed the two with their weapons in hand.

"But Dad. I'm a warrior like you. I'm supposed to fight." Neteyam pleaded.

"Neteyam." Neytiri called.

"I'm not gonna say it again." Jake said as he made eye contact with Neteyam and looked over at Ney'ati.

The two sighed and said, "Yes Sir."

"Soo." Ney'ati hummed, walking to her ikran as their parents scurried off. "Noughts and Crosses?"

"Nah, I'm tired of that."

"...This is so lame. We're warriors as well, why can't dad realise that we can also fight."

Neteyam sighed. "Exactly."

The two sat there prodding at nothing and just moaning in their despair. "Great." Ney'ati huffed. "Now it's raining too."

"C'mon it's just water."

"Neteyam. Would you rather listen to Norm's love story or stand in the freezing cold rain."

And as Neteyam was about to answer, an explosion of gunshots firing were heard in the distance. Their ears and tail perked up sensing danger. "They're in danger." He grabbed his bow and arrow as Ney'ati grabbed her spear. You could hear the battle cries Neytiri call out and more gunshots. The two hurried in the direction of sound and eventually nodded signaling to one another to split up.

Neteyam headed to the left. Slowly, he spotted one of those 'avatars', realising that the man was targeting his mother who was up on the tree taunting Quaritch, he steadied his arrow in the man's direction. "ARGH!" The man cried as he was hit with the arrow. Quaritch, quickly taking action screamed, "NA'VI!" alerting any members of his squad who were still alive. He yanked over his machine gun and aimed at Neteyam. Fortunately, Jake is also quick to take action and grabbed Neteyam diving into the floor behind the bushes and trees, avoiding the bullets. "GO, GO, GO!" Jake commanded.

The two scurried, taking cover behind a tree, catching their breaths as Quaritch and another avatar started rapidly shooting at them. "YOU OKAY?" Jake asked, grabbing Neteyam's arm, scanning him head to toe, "You okay, boy?"

"Yeah." Neteyam panted.

"Okay. With me." Jake implored. "Ready? Ready?"

"Yes Sir." And with that Jake stood once again aiming his gun and fired at Quaritch.

"MOVE!" Jake yelled, moving into the forest, with Neteyam by his side.

On the other hand, Ney'ati who had taken a right managed to find Kiri and Spider. "GO, GO, GO!" Spider cried.

"Flank out. Get after 'em!" Quaritch ordered, loading an aerosol bomb, aiming it at the three. He fired, causing an explosion right behind spider, making him jump and fall off the thump they were running across. Kiri gasped softly and stopped, crouching down, "Spider?" Ney'ati couldn't do anything but stop as well. "Kiri, come on!" She called. "Spider!" Kiri shouted once again.

"Mama!" Ney'ati sighed in relief.

Neytiri ran over, putting her bow and arrows in her right arm and grabbing Kiri with her left. "Ney'ati! Kiri! Come! Come on!"

"Spider! He's down there. No!" She cried. Seeing the avatars walk in Spider's direction. Quaritch pulled Spider over making him face him. He had gotten injured and was bleeding, but it wasn't crucial, thankfully. "FALL BACK!" His voice boomed as he heaved Spider over his shoulder.

"Spider!"

"KIRI! COME! COME!" Neytiri hissed as she pulled Kiri. The three hurried and found everyone else who were also panting from running. "Mom!" Tuk cried and leaped into Neytiri's arms. She wavered Ney'ati and Kiri over, crying out, "Oh, thank you, Great Mother. Thank you." Jake grabbed Neteyam and Lo'ak and pulled them closer whispering gently, "It's okay. It's okay."

"Where's Spider?" Lo'ak questioned, detaching himself from Jake.

"They took him." Kiri trembled, looking at Lo'ak and then facing Jake. "They took him!"

Jake leveled himself with her and gently hugged her. Reassuring her, he said, "Okay. It's alright, baby girl. He's a tough kid. He's gonna be okay. We're all gonna be okay."

--

"This thing. This Quaritch. Whatever he is, he can walk right in here. He can walk right under Eywa's nose."

Tuk and Kiri peeked under the tupet, watching her father and mother talk as Ney'ati hushed Neteyam and Lo'ak crouching over.

"This is our family! This is our home!"

"This IS about our family! This is about our little ones."

"I cannot. You cannot ask this. I cannot leave my people. I will not."

"He's hunting us. He's targeting our family."

"YOU CANNOT ASK THIS! The children! Everything they've ever known- the forest. This is our home!"

"He had our children! He had them under his knife!"

"My father gave me this bow as he lay dying. And he said protect the people. You're Toruk Makto!"

"This will protect the people! Quaritch has spider. And that kid knows everything. He knows our whole operation, and he can lead them right in here. If the People harbor us, they will die. Do you understand?" Neytiri lowered her gaze, her ears drooping and weakly sighed. "Look I got nothing.. I got no plan. But I can protect this family. That I can do."

Taking a deep breath in, Neytiri held her hand on her head. Her eyes wavered, tearing up. Jake stepped closer holding Neytiri by the shoulders and spoke, "But I know one thing, wherever we go, this family is our fortress."

--

This was like stones in their hearts. Tarsem is wise for his years. He will be a strong Olo'eyktan. The leader must die. So the leader can be reborn. Toruk Makto will disappear. The People will be safe. The Sully family flew on their ikrans, glancing back for one last time at their home. Their home that they must leave. Ney'ati stood there watching at the edge, mouthing, 'See you soon.' Tuk smiled and the siblings waved. A father protects, it's what gives him meaning. One life ends. Another begins.

Chapter Text

The sea clans are a world unto themselves. Thousands of Islands. An unknown territory into which anyone could just vanish without a trace.

Awa'atlu, a Metkayina village. A horn was blown signalling the arrival of the Sully family. They landed their ikrans on the reef. "On me." Jake beckoned to his family, as he walked towards the village people with his arms up in the air. Emerging from the dense crowd were two young boys around the same age as Neteyam and Lo'ak. The two brothers greeted them with their gesture, 'I see you.' However, they didn't receive one back, only whispers and giggles about their tails.

Ignoring their mocking, Lo'ak glanced around at the people surfacing to the reef. That's when his eye was caught on a beautiful girl, with long locks and the prettiest eyes. She held herself composed and with grace. Neteyam managed to catch on looking at Lo'ak and sneered.

"It's too small! How are they supposed to swim?"

"Do not." The girl warned, slapping the hand of the boy pointing at their tails. "Roxto, Aonung."

"Hey." Lo'ak greeted, which was met with a soft chuckle from her.

"YA YA YA!" A voice cried out. Three men flew in on their skimwings, landing in the ocean. Tonowari, was the chief of the Metkayina, the Reef People.

"I see you, Tonowari."
"Jake Sully."

Jake knew him as a tough leader. But it wasn't Tonowari he was worried about. "I see you Ronal, Tsahik of the Metkayina."

"Why do you come to us Jake Sully?" Tonowari questioned.

"We seek uturu."

"Uturu?" Ronal repeated in complete disbelief.

"Yes, sanctuary for my family."

"..We are Reef People," Tonowari stated, as Ronal started to roam around them, scanning them, "You are forest people. Your skills will mean nothing here."

"Well, we will learn your ways. Am I right?" Jake replied, looking at Neytiri and his children.

"Yes." Neytiri spoke.

As Ronal was finishing her observation of the Sully family, she grabbed Tuk's arm saying, "Their arms are thin." And headed to Kiri, grabbing her tail as well. "Their tails..are weak."
"Ow!" Kiri cried.

"You will be slow in the water." Ronal grasped Kiri's hands, "These children.. are not even true Na'vi." And she held both Kiri's hands up to everyone surrounding them, letting them examine how she had five fingers instead of four, earning gasps.

"Yes, we are!" Kiri refuted, pulling her hands back.

And she walked over to Lo'ak, grabbing his hand as well. "They have demon blood!" She announced, gaining gasps once again and sounds of disapproval from the crowd.

"Look. Look." Jake called, showing his hands. "Look, I was born of the Sky People, and now I am Na'vi. Alright? You can adapt. We will adapt. Okay?"

"My husband was Toruk Makto." Neytiri chimed in. "He led the clans to victory against the Sky People."

"This you call victory?" Ronal contradicted. "Hiding amongst strangers? It seems Eywa has turned her back on you, Chosen One." Neytiri snarled at this comment, gaining a hiss back from Ronal. The two mothers walked closer to one another with hostile, resulting in both Tonowari and Jake glancing at each other.

"I apologise for my mate. She's.." Jake began.
"Do not apologise for me."
"She's flown a long way and she's exhausted."
"Jake." She sighed and both women retreated.

"Toruk Makto is a great war leader. All Na'vi people know his story. But we Metkayina, are not at war." Tonowari established, then facing Jake who lifted Tuk up into his arms and said, "We cannot let you bring your war here."

"I'm done with war. Okay? I just want to keep my family safe." He pleaded.
"Uturu has been asked." Neytiri asserted.

Tonowari and Ronal looked at each other, speaking through their eyes. Ronal watched as Jake gently reassured his daughter, stroking her hair. She couldn't help but have some empathy, being a mother herself and currently pregnant. She looked at her husband once again and nodded. Receiving this signal of approval, Tonowari took in a deep breath and announced, "Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us. Treat them as our brothers and sisters. Now, they do not know the sea. So they will be like babies.. taking their first breath. Teach them our ways, so they do not suffer the shame of being.. useless."

"Okay," Jake sighed of relief. "What do we say?"

"Thank you." Tuk chimed. And the rest of the family followed with their 'thank you's too.

"My son, Aonung, our daughter, Tsireya, will show your children what to do."

"Father, why do-" Aonung retaliated.

"It is decided."

"Come, I will show you our village." Tsireya smiled.

--

"Grandmother, I am going out for some Dapophets. Do you need anything?" Ney'ati asked.

"Yes. I need you to leave and to go join your mother."

"But, Grandmama." Ney'ati whined, placing her arms around Mo'at. "I can't just leave you!"

"Child, I will do well by my own. Now hop along and grab me some Scorpion Thistles."

"Yesss." Ney'ati hummed in response. Grabbing her basket and spear she stabilized herself on her Ikran. "Let's go Popo."

Ney'ati flew above the forest taking in the relaxing scenery. She was glad her grandmother was more laid-back than her mother and father. Zooming faster than the speed of light she made it near the Banshee Rookery. She wasn't very close though. As she landed Popo, the smell of wet, fresh grass engulfed her lungs. Detaching herself, she grabbed her basket and hummed. Raising an arm out and feeling the soft leaves and rough bark of the trees she passed by while looking for the plants she were to harvest, she crouched down and grabbed her dagger.

Using her dagger, she grabbed the base of the smooth, silky plant and harvested it. "WOOHOO!" Ney'ati instinctively hid behind the tree. What was that? The voice sounded like a man and it came up from the Hallelujah Mountains. She quickly made her way back to her ikran and decided to take it upon herself to investigate the unknown voices. Making sure to take caution, she flew her ikran close to the Banshee Rookery, but not too close that they could spot her.

That's when she saw the avatars and the colonel that had tried to kill her and her family. But they were also with.. Spider? 'He brought them to the Banshee Rookery?' She muttered, in utter shock and disbelief. She couldn't believe her eyes. He looked.. happy with them as well. If those things were able to tame and have their own banshees, it would make it even more difficult for their clan. So why would Spider do such a thing. This gives them an advantage. 'He knows everything! Who knows where he'll show them next.' She thought.

"C'mon Popo. Let's go home. We'll just have to get some Scorpion Thistles next time." And she patted her ikran.

The Colonel smiled gleefully as he was able to tame his own ikran and yelled, "Who's up next?" Looking around, he was met with many of them volunteering and Spider saying, "I didn't know you had it in you." He chuckled and smiled, taking another glance again. Looking to his left, he caught a glimpse of blue. His smile faltered immediately and was on high alert. "Boys. I think we just got a visitor." And with that he grabbed Spider onto his ikran and flew after what he saw.

The rest of the avatars tried their best to keep up, but without having their own ikran it was very difficult.

'Shit, shit shit.' Ney'ati panicked, she only had her spear and dagger on her as she didn't know she would be running into anything dangerous. She leaned forward trying to aid her ikran to go faster. Knowing that this was that monster's first time on an ikran, she knew she had an advantage as she could control the flight of her ikran more smoothly. With this, the Colonel realised she was escaping his grasps. And as a result, he pulled out his gun and started shooting at her.

"What are you doing!" Spider yelled furiously.
"Son, this is how you take care of unwanted visitors."

"AH!" Ney'ati yelled, Popo had taken a hit and staggered slightly. Unfortunately, the young girl had also taken a hit in her shoulder. Only focusing on getting back to their base, she cried out and swiftly made her way back home. Arriving at Hanging Hallelujah Mountains, she fell on her knees onto the ground. Many of the members gasped horror and quickly aided her.

"Ney'ati!" Moat called. "What happened?"

"Grandmama, this is bad. This is so bad. Spider led those avatars to the Banshee Rookery and-"

Moat hushed the girl, gently guiding her to sit down. She ushered some of the people at her side to go patch up her ikran as well. "Titi. You're injured."

"No! Grandmother! We need to tell dad immediately!"

"And you will. After you are treated."

"Just quickly bandage me up. I promise I'll change it as I make my way there."

Moat sighed. This stubborn girl. Just like her father in that aspect. She agreed that Jake and Neytiri should be let known about this new information as soon as possible but she couldn't let her granddaughter just leave without being treated for her injury properly and having rest. But glancing at Ney'ati again, and with her pleading eyes she surrendered. "I will only take 20 minutes."

Chapter Text

Ney'ati glided upon the sea heading towards Awa'atlu. She reached out her hand to feel the water on her fingertips as her ikran shifted slightly vertical to allow this gesture.

"Popo, isn't it so beautiful. The sea." Her eyes lit up with awe and wonder. The past few days that her and her ikran travelled in were filled with thunder and storms. It was a treacherous journey indeed, and even harder knowing the fact that she would be the bearer of bad news. How ironic.

Her ikran called out as a sign of agreement. The two shared a cry out to the world in excitement in what else they would encounter and took in the clear, fresh smell of seawater lingering in the air and the ethereal scenery.

Before Ney'ati left, Moat was able to take out the bullet in one from her right shoulder. Luckily, it was just a normal one, not dosed in poison or such and most importantly it wasn't lodged deep inside, but still an unfortunate casualty. Ney'ati was just glad that her and her ikran managed to escape. Who knows what they would've done had she fallen into their hands.

She had warned her grandmother and the other members of the clan to take extra careful measures and make sure to be cautious of those monsters. Including spider. They couldn't trust anyone.

Shivering at the thought of Spider leading those beings to the safe base, she shook her head. 'No.' She decided to trust that even though he was with them, and she had witnessed what she saw and heard, he would at least not take them there if he had the littlest amount of consciousness.

Sliding past the clouds, Ney'ati spun around and lifted her arm into the air, feeling the breeze. She was close. Soon before she knew it, land had entered her view.

Settling down her ikran as she got closer, a Na'vi blew the horn to signal the fact that she had arrived. "Ney'ati!" A voice exclaimed. She looked up and suddenly, a great big pair of arms had embraced her and lifted her feet up.

"Dad!"

"And who do we have here?" Tonowari asked playfully with a pique of interest.

"My daughter, Ney'ati. The one I was just telling you about. The twin of my first born Neteyam."

She greeted him, "Olo'eyktan, I see you."

"I see you and please, no need for the formalities, you are the daughter of a close friend. Tonowari." He chuckled and pat my shoulder. "Your father has mentioned incredible feats of yours. The rest of the children are not that far. They are just on the reefs at the side."

"Thank you, Tonowari. But actually I have something to tell you guys first. It's really important."

"Wait, wait." Jake muttered. He gently grabbed Ney'ati's arm pulling her closer to inspect her shoulder and looked at her with the utmost concern and questioning look a dad could ever pull, "What happened?"

"That's what I'm about to tell you two." Ney'ati walked behind the two explaining what happened as they went into a mauri pod. She told them everything; how she was going out just to harvest some herbs when she heard a noise and decided to investigate what it was, only to find out it was those avatars, and how Spider was giving them all our information. "He's a traitor dad, we can't trust him. He led them to the ikrans!"

The two leaders went silent for some time, processing what she had just said. Jake couldn't believe what he was hearing, I mean, he knew Spider was never really a part of them like Ney'tiri would say he was an outsider. But, he grew up with them. There's just no explanation to his actions.

"Jake," Tonowari called, "Gather some of the hunters. We will need to make sure our security is up in par in case of any sudden movements. Thank you Ney'ati. You did good." He pat her on the head.

Jake sighed and rubbed his face. "Okay, thank you baby girl. Just focus on yourself and have fun with the other kids. Let the adults handle and take this off you now.

She nodded and left the pod. Remembering what Tonowari had said, 'reefs on the side', she headed to the coast. She didn't really know where he meant but she was sure her feet would take her there. He did say they weren't far so they're probably easy to spot. Especially because she didn't look like any of them.

As she made her way, she glanced around taking in the new environment. Wow. It was so so different to her home. The difference was so significant that she was feeling a bit nauseous.

It wasn't long until she could spot her siblings and three others of the Metkayina clan were huddled around. Before going up to them, she made sure her hair cover her right shoulder, which was bandaged.

A gorgeous girl was crouched beside Lo'ak, a boy resembling her was also next to Neteyam leaning against the tree, and another boy next to Kiri.

The boy who was leaning against the tree noticed her first and then looked at Neteyam who looked up at her. She quickly put her index finger up to her lips, telling her brother to keep quiet. The boy beside Neteyam had a perplexing look on his face and even had to rub his eyes, earning a chuckle from Neteyam.

"Missed me?" The Sully siblings' ears perked up at the familiar voice and their little cute smiles were uncontainable. "Titi!" Tuk shouted and leaped into her arms. Ney'ati swaddled her and walked over and took a seat between her two brothers. "Um, okay guess you guys didn't." She sighed and rolled her eyes playfully.

"Of course we did!" Kiri said, swatting Ney'ati's knee. Neteyam relaxed and placed his head on Ney'ati's left shoulder while Lo'ak gave her a side hug. "Missed you Sis."

As Neteyam had his head resting on Ney'ati's shoulder, he sneakily whispered something into her ear. Ney'ati couldn't help but smile at what he said and she turned to Lo'ak. "So.. introduce me?"

"Right, right." Lo'ak said. "Guys, this is my sister. Ney'ati. She's older but she doesn't act like it someti- ouch!"

Lo'ak rubbed where his sister had slapped him, rightfully so. Tsireya giggled and gestured 'I see you', "I am Tsireya. The daughter of Tonowari and this is my brother Aonung." She waved over to the boy leaning on the tree. "This is Roxto." Pointing to the boy sat next to Kiri. Ney'ati greeted them both, also signaling, 'I see you.'

"I am Ney'ati. Neteyam's twin." She said and glanced over at him.

"Wow! Twins!" Roxto blurted out, earning a soft chuckle from Ney'ati.

Aonung lifted his hand to his chin and rubbed it, "No wonder I had to double take when I saw you."

"Okay, okay now that we're done introducing, carry on with what you were saying Aonung."

"Right. As I was saying. The Tulkun have not returned yet. And anyway, no tulkun is ever alone."

"Well this one was," Lo'ak dejected, "He had a missing fin. Like a stump, on the left side."

Tsireya's eyes widened and her ears perked up. "Payakan." She said in a slightly whispering tone, as if she was overridden with fear. She repeated the name but louder looking at Roxto and Aonung, her voice worried. "Who's Payakan?" Kiri asked.

"A young bull went rouge. He's outcast. Alone. And he has a missing fin." Roxto answered.

"They say he is a killer..." Tsireya warned.

"No, no.." Lo'ak denied.

"Lo'ak." Tsireya interjected, firmly but soft, placing her hand on Lo'ak's, "You are lucky to be alive."

He sighed. "I'm telling you guys." He held Tsireya's arm. "He saved my life. He's my friend."

His assurance did not help but made the three even more worried. Neteyam noticed this rising feeling of tension and chafed, placing his hands on Lo'ak's shoulders, "My baby bro! The Mighty Warrior who faced the killer tulkun and lived to tell about it, huh?"

Lo'ak pulled back, clearly annoyed and sighed, "You guys aren't listening." And with that he got up and started walking away.

"Lo'ak, I'm listening.." Tuk whined.
"Lo'ak, come back." Kiri called. "You skxawngs."

Ney'ati swatted the back of Neteyam and pulled him to sit down. "He's upset now. You need to know when you go too far Nete."

Neteyam sighed. "It was only light banter. He'll be fine."

"What happened to your shoulder?" Aonung asked, squatting and cocking his head to the side to take a better look at her shoulder as it was covered by her hair.

"Nothing, really." Ney'ati assured. She didn't feel right. If she told Kiri and Tuk what she saw and who she saw, she was sure they'd be heartbroken. Kiri was the closest to Spider out of everyone.. there was no way she wouldn't be distraught if she told them. She pat Tuk on the head and kissed her cheek.

"Ney'ati, no one gets bandages like that unless it was a serious injury. Well, you know what I mean."

She sighed. "Guys, I promise it'll be explained later. I can't tell you guys without mum and dad here." The Sully siblings looked at one another wondering what was so secretive and needed to be said with their parents present.

They managed to shrug it off for now although their curiosity was killing them inside.

"So, Ney'ati," Tsireya called, "Have you ever dove underwater before."

"Does plunging your head underwater to pull funny faces at your siblings count?"

Roxto got up and said, "The best way to learn the way of the sea, is to first experience the sea. C'mon, let's go to the ocean."

Tsireya, Tuk and Kiri decided to stay back and look around for Lo'ak as they didn't need anymore lessons. However, Ney'ati was gulping at the idea of drowning already.

As the four entered the reef, sea life began to surround them, and some of the creatures even came right up to them, bumping up against them. After a while, Aonung stopped them and looked at Ney'ati, gesturing towards one of the creatures that was particularly close to them. "That's a hammerhead shark." He stated. Ney'ati grinned and dipped her hands in the water feeling some of the creatures brush against her hands.

Aonung started walking again, waving his hand at Ney'ati, motioning her to continue walking as well. "Don't worry sis, since you're my twin you'll get the hang of it first try just like I did." Aonung scoffed and shook his head. The water now reached up to just below Ney'ati's shoulders and the three boys did a big dive. She was determined to get this right as well. Taking in a deep breath, she leaped forward into the ocean.

It was a completely different world. It wasn't like the forests back home. A cool, wet pressure on your skin at all times. Ney'ati couldn't hep but giggle at the new feeling and the at the awe of the sea life. She swam over to Aonung, Roxto and Neteyam who were a couple feet further than her.

That's when Roxto signed signed something with his hands but Ney'ati had yet to learn sign language. This earned a playful eye roll from Aonung and pointed to the surface of the ocean where the four rose up.

"Sorry, I forgot you don't know sign yet." Roxto apologetically said, his ears perking down.

"Don't worry about it." Ney'ati smiled.
"We will teach you." Aonung assured.

Ney'ati beamed at him, making eye contact. The boy smiled back, then flopped backwards onto the water.

He was a bit nervous. He didn't exactly make the right first impression on the other Sully siblings and so worried a bit. But he didn't know what he was worried about. 'Ugh. No matter. Think about this another day.'

Aonung guided Ney'ati to the rocks and sat upon them helping her up as well, while the other two followed behind. She sat directly in front of him, and the two sat beside. "I will teach you some basics. Okay. This is 'Danger'. Just in case one of us or you spot something dangerous or anything that needs to be warned about in the ocean." And he balled his fists together with both thumbs sticking out. "Slide your thumb up on your non-dominant hand, two times."

Instead of using her non-dominant hand, Ney'ati was mirroring Aonung. He chuckled at the realisation and grabbed her hands, in which he asked, "Which hand do you hunt with?"

"My right.." Ney'ati answered gently.

"Then that's your dominant hand. You can have your left hand relaxed or in a fist if you'd like. But I'll just make you do it with fists for now." And he cupped Ney'ati's hands into balls within his hands. Ney'ati realised his arms and hands were much thicker and bigger than hers. His arms also looked like they had adapted fins onto them. It was so cool. Of course she had heard about the Metkayina but she only heard about them in the tales her father and mother would tell her to go to sleep.

"Okay, using your right hand slide it up against your left, two times. Remember two times."
"Got it."

While this all unraveled, Neteyam was gobsmacked. What in the world was happening in front of him right now? He shook his head and looked at Roxto who had the same 'What the fuck' face on, so clearly this wasn't just him.

"So, you and Neteyam are twins?" Aonung asked, after teaching her a couple of other basic signs.

"Yeah!"
"That's really cool. So can you guys telepathically talk or something?"

Ney'ati couldn't help but giggle. "No, it doesn't work like that unfortunately. But I do feel connected to him sometimes. We're just normal siblings, who were born on the same day." The four of them stretched their limbs and got ready to get up.

"Yeah, but one is way more cooler than the other." Neteyam chimed in.
"I assume you're talking about me brother." She said as she slightly shoved him as they were walking.
"Sure.."

"So how come everyone else but you came at first? Not to be nosey sorry." Roxto inquired.

"Oh it's fine don't worry. I just didn't want to leave my grandmother behind, and I wanted to help for a bit more." Ney’ati replied, fabricating a white lie as it was their mother who requested her to stay behind for a bit longer.

"That's a very noble reason. But because of that, you missed a lot of our adventures, you know." Aonung teased.

"And what exactly did I miss?"

"I mean at night, it's the most beautiful thing. The sea glows and it's very peaceful. Neteyam back me up."

"Yes, yes, it's so beautiful like my sister, please don't flirt and include me."

"Wha?! Hey!" Aonung shouted and chased Neteyam.

Chapter Text

It was evening. The sun had set and the stars illuminated and reflected onto the sea which was already glowing. The Sully family sat in a circle in their mauri pod. Ney'ati was dreading this debrief or whatever it was.

Jake had told Ney'tiri everything that their daughter had told him. She was angry. Already angry that the humans had attacked, taken their home, hurt eywa and now?, to harm her daughter and the fact that the human boy whom she always was uneasy about had betrayed them by showing them the Ikran Rookery? Oh, she was fuming with hatred.

Jake felt obliged to tell them but at the same time hesitated. After all, they grew up close with Spider. But in the end him and Ney'tiri decided it was best for them to tell them and let them decide on how to perceive the boy.

Kiri shook her head, refusing to believe it. Her eyes welled with tears as she glanced at Ney'ati's bandaged shoulder. She looked away as fast as she could. There's no way he would do that. "Kiri, please. I know what I saw. He led those avatars to the rookery. He- they were all laughing and having fun." Her face was sour. Her eyes welled up with tears. "Baby sis..." Ney'ati pulled Kiri into a hug and pat her, comforting her.

"He would not do that!" Kiri said in a brittle voice. In order not to upset her any further, Ney'ati stroked her head and agreed whispering, 'Yes, yes.' as she sobbed. Everyone's ears were perked down. No one quite knew how to take the information, well except for Ney'tiri. She was never too keen on the boy.

Kiri wiped her tears and sniffled. "I need some fresh air." She scrambled her way grabbing her shawl and left. Ney'tiri looked over at Jake and made sure the kids didn't hear them. "I knew we should've told the next day."

Jake sighed. "I'll go and talk to her. It'll be okay." And with that he kissed Ney'tiri's forehead and went to go search for their daughter.

"Ti, you need to change your bandages soon." Ney'tiri reminded her daughter. She watched as the young girl sighed in exhaustion, after that mentally draining conversation. She caressed the side of the girl's face and placed her forehead on hers. "Thank mother Eywa you made it safe."

Ney'tiri got up and carried Tuk. "I will see you three at dinner." And walked out of their hut, slowly disappearing into the midst of the clan's pods and the people.

"Where do you think ma is going this late?" Ney'ati piqued.

"Probably to my mother." Tsireya answered, as she entered their hut. "Are you guys doing anything tonight?"

The twins and Lo'ak shook their heads. "Well, me, Aonung and Roxto want to bring you guys to our secret place in the area behind the pods."

"Yeah! Sure, I would love to." Lo'ak replied almost immediately after Tsireya had finished asking.

The quick reply brought a blush onto Tsireya as she covered her mouth with one hand and giggled. "Of course he would love to." Ney'ati sniggered to Neteyam.

The twins giggled amongst themselves like they were immature eight year olds gossiping.

"I heard that."

Slowly twisting their heads they noticed Lo'ak's stern glare. The look was not intimidating to the two but reminded them of a little Tapiru. This ended with them unintentionally making a quick glance at one another which caused them to burst out laughing.

Lo'ak sighed and shook his head. Eywa. They are so embarrassing.
"C'mon Tsireya, they can catch up."

He placed his hand on Tsireya's back guiding her out the hut.

"Ouuu~" Neteyam hummed, teasing Lo'ak.

The twins quickly composed themselves after a few minutes and headed out, maintaining a distance from the couple in front of them.

Tsireya led them into the land, away from all the huts and slowly a path of small pebbles appeared. They were discreet enough that no one would bat an eye if they saw this trail. The plants and wildlife were so.. different. Ney'ati knew it would be since they were so far away, but this really confirmed it. It was incredible. She stuck out her arm, feeling the mangrove trees and the leaves of the other plants as they walked past.

"Hey! You guys finally made it. We thought the forest people had gotten lost." Aonung shouted from his pod which was high up in the mangrove trees.

Back in the forest, they didn't have much of the opportunity to explore home as much as they should've been allowed to since the sky walkers arrived. So this feeling of freedom was exhilarating.

"You guys made this?" She asked walking towards the ladder which led up to the hut.

"That's right. All of it, paskalin." Aonung pridefully said. "What can you expect from the best in the village?"

'Paskalin?' Ney'ati didn't know what to make of it as she couldn't tell what he said due to his dialect. Her cheeks warmed. 'Was that a nickname?' She was puzzled, but it lingered in her mind and in her chest longer than she expected. Peeking into the base, as she reached the top of the ladder, her mouth dropped in awe.

'Wow.' It was larger than you'd expect as it blended so well in the leaves and the trees that it looked smaller. But inside it had everything you would need, just like a regular mauri pod; hammocks, a small fire pit, woven baskets filled with medicinal herbs, food, etc.

"Wow, this is really amazing Aonung, Roxto, Tsireya." Neteyam said as he walked around. The siblings stared in awe. Their respect for the three soared like banshee in flight.

"Alright, now that we've shown you our cool secret base, you absolutely have to, haave to, have-"

"Roxto, I think they've got it." Tsireya interrupted. "Well, now that you have seen it and know how to get here. Shall we get going for dinner? Tonight, the clan will be holding a celebration as Toruk Makto's daughter has finally arrived, since the Sully family is complete."

The group headed back to the village and saw the central fire lit. The gentle smoke of the smoldering fire pit guided them to where the Metkayina clansfolk gathered. Palm leaves and delicate blossoms hung from carved wooden beams, swaying with the cool ocean breeze.

There were a few other fire pits dotted along the water's edge. Fish, wrapped in banana leaves roasted over open flames, filled the air with smoky sweetness. Bowls of seaweed salad and fruit laid on the woven trays.

Tsireya walked gracefully among the crowd, offering smiles and nods, she raised her voice joining in with the song which was going out to Eywa, along with rhymical clapping and the beat of hand drums.

The three siblings, Neteyam, Ney'ati and Lo'ak were no longer being guided by Tsireya but Aonung. They reached to the centre of the gathering. Their mother, father and Tuk were already there, with Ronal and Tonowari stood in front of them.

"Children. You have made it." Ronal spoke. "Eywa ngahu. Ney'ati, it is a blessing you have made it. May your steps be blessed by the reef, your heart tied to the tide."

Ney'ati lowered her head in respect and said, "Thank you Tsahik, Eywa ngahu."

As the celebration continued, another welcoming for the Sully family and most importantly to Eywa whom had kept them safe in their journey.

"Hey." Aonung said as he placed a banana leaf with roasted fruits in front of Ney'ati. Lo'ak and Tsireya were dancing with the other clansfolk around the central fire. Tuk was with their parents. Neteyam was talking to a group of Na'vi their age and Ney'ati was sat on a rock, admiring the dancers.

Their dancing reflected the ocean ripples and the way they flowed gracefully just as water does. It was so similar but different. Watching this, she couldn't help but feel nostalgic, thinking about their forest dancing. Back in the forest, the wind had a rhythm of its own, with the swaying of the trees. But, here? The ocean had its own language, one that spoke with the waves and the current crashing onto the sand. The dancers entranced her with their movements like water. It felt different, like the ocean was trying to teach her to bond with the water. So when Aonung suddenly said hey, she jumped out of her skin a bit.

"Oh, hi." She smiled.

"You could join, next time. But I mean, I don't know if you'd be able to keep up with your thin tail and your-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Ney'ati grabbed a roasted fruit from the banana leaf and plopped it into his mouth. He paused and chewed the fruit making a humming noise indicating how delicious it was.

"That? Is what you decide to say to a girl you've met for the first time?"

"Well," Aonung said, taking a big swallow of his chewed fruit, "I though I'd break the ice. Get to know if you handle some banter or not."

"Oh, I can handle banter, but can you big boy?"

"Ha!" Aonung had to admit, he wasn't expecting an answer like that. But it did something to him. She had matched his banter so easily. It made his curiosity about her deepen. It wasn't just her boldness which attracted her but the way she held herself. 'Oh Eywa. I don't even know what I'm on about anymore.'

He had been watching, not to sound like a stalker, but because she arrived later, Roxto was worried that she would feel left out. This made Aonung confused as the other Sully kids did just fine adjusting so why wouldn't she? Roxto was always quick to feel for others. What an empath. Truthfully, Aonung thought he was silly for that. So when he saw the girl sat on a rock by herself, staring at the dancers, the fire, as if she were yearning, he couldn't help but think of Roxto's worrying which shook his heart.

And that's why he was now currently sat beside her. Both eating the roasted fruits that he had brought on a banana leaf, both watching the dancers, and both occasionally glancing at one another.

They both took notice of the difference of their appearances. Their complexion, their arms - how he had fins and she didn't.

Oh they were not being sneaky.

Neteyam was just looking around the area, when his eyes landed onto his sister and Aonung who was sat beside her. His ears twitched. He didn't have any reason to be suspicious but it hadn't been that long since he had brought the boy in for leaving Lo'ak out in the sea. Ney'ati laughed at something he muttered, while leaning a bit too closely for his liking. His tail twitched once, then stilled.

It wasn't that she was laughing with him or sat with him. It was the way their gazes lingered on one another. Something.. something just didn't sit right with him. 'But.. they've only met today. They barely know each other..,' he said to himself to reassure that his sister is okay.

"Neteyam. Neteyam, are you okay?" A girl called out. It was Meya. A Metkayina girl the same age as him. The other boys and girls who were stood with him stared with worry.

"Ah, no, sorry I got distracted by the beautiful dancing."

"In that case, we should go dance big bro." Roxto grinned. "We can't just be stood here, especially you. Look! Lo'ak's got moves and you.. you have your warrior stance! Let's go show it off!"

Ney'ati glanced at Aonung, the flickering firelight dancing in his eyes. She reached out and nudged his shoulder gently.

"Next time, you better watch your words," she teased with a sly smile.

He grinned back, cheeks warming. "Oh? Planning to teach me a lesson?"

She laughed softly, the sound like the ripple of waves. For a moment, the singing and chanting of the celebration faded into the background. Then Ney'ati whispered, "Thanks for sitting with me."

He looked down, "Anytime. I'm glad you stayed."

As the fire crackled, their smiles warmed each other up. And under the glow of the stars and the heart of the ocean to bear witness, something new quietly began.

Chapter Text

It had been a few weeks since the arrival of Ney'ati, which meant she had a lot of time to adjust to her new environment and culture. She had learnt how to breathe longer underwater, to feel the flow of the water, and to be one with the ripples of the tide. The Metkayina ways were beginning to feel less foreign.

She had gone around with Tsireya and made friends her age. Bonding with the Na'vi children there helped her realise they weren't all that different. Even if their culture were different in some aspects, they still had their similarities. After all, they were all Na'vi.

And Aonung? His outrageous banter softened into flirtation. Now, he called her paskalin whenever he could, lingered by her side after training was over, made her laugh with his dumb jokes and met her eyes for too long when no one was looking.

She had only learnt what the word paskalin meant, when one of the other Metkayina girls overheard him calling her that after training. She pulled Ney'ati into their group of friends and huddled together. Giggling like teenage Na'vi, she asked, 'Ney'ati, do you really not know what he's calling you?'

Ney'ati raised an eyebrow. She shook her head.

'Sweet berry. Sweet one.' The girls giggled and continued to rave about it while teasing Ney'ati. Aonung had a reputation here. He was the only son of the Olo'eyktan. He was popular with the girls and boys. So naturally the group of Metkayina girls couldn't help but chatter about it.

Shaking that disturbing memory of finding out what it had meant, she focused with what she was currently doing. She was sat underneath a mangrove tree with a direct view of the reef. Right now she was weaving some bracelets out of mangrove leaves intertwined with some sea shells. She was good with her hands and wanted to make it for their group as she felt grateful and happy to have such good friends and family.

It also helped distract her from the missing feeling of belonging here. She missed the forest. She missed breathing in the fresh air, the wet plants and her toes feeling every inch of the grass.

Most of all she missed her grandmother. She would always take her and Kiri out, collecting plants and teaching them how to use them. Although sometimes the two would act up and start squabbling which then Mo'at would sigh and separate them.

Ney'ati laid the half-finished bracelet across her knee; Aonung's, the only one left. She twisted the shell into place, fingers steady the way Neytiri once taught her when weaving bowstrings.

"Ney'ati!" Tsireya's voice rang over the reef. She dropped beside her, still out of breath from running, and blurted, "I think I like Lo'ak."

Ney'ati snorted. "You think?"

It was so obvious yet the pair were oblivious. The past weeks almost everyone was a victim of their blindness.

Kiri got dragged unwillingly along to what they swore wasn't a date, but she was a third wheel the whole time. Roxto and Aonung? Same thing. One minute they're on their daily swim as a group , next thing, it's just those two pretending no one else exists. Even Neteyam once joined them for training and wasn't spoken to once. Ney'ati herself recently experienced it; one sign lesson with Tsireya, and the moment Lo'ak walked in, she disappeared.

Because of these moments, the twins and Kiri's teasing of Lo'ak worsened as not only their sibling dynamic fueled it but also their slight anger and annoyance. It got so bad to the point where Ney'tiri and Jake scolded the three saying, "Neteyam you are to be more mature than this, you are the oldest. Ney'ati you are the twin of Neteyam, if he doesn't get it right then you should. Kiri, you should know when to stop teasing him."

Wow. Just remembering their scolding made Ney'ati sigh and want to slap Lo'ak right now.

"What's this?" Tsireya asked as Ney'ati handed her her bracelet.

Bashfully, she looked away. "It's for you. I made one for everyone just to represent our friendship and the-"

And before she could even finish, Tsireya pulled her into a hug. "You are so sweet. Thank you."

The two continued their chatter, which led to them talking about love. Speaking of love. Aonung went onto the reef. He had a net slung over his shoulder with a dagger in his hand. He bent down to greet his Ilu.

Then a girl walked up behind him. She tapped him on the back, gaining his attention. He turned around and greeted her. The girl greeted him back and smiled. She was pretty. Pretty enough to have other Metkayina boys swoon over her. I mean, Aonung was one of the most sought out member of the clan, with many elders wanting their daughters to be betrothed to him.

Ney'ati's ears flicked back. "Who is she?"

"Who?" Tsireya asked, then catching the view of Aonung and Meya talking to one another, "Oh. That's Meya. Our parents are thinking of having her as his prospective mate. She's sweet but I don't think she matches my brother's personality. I think he might need someone a little like you. I mean-"

Prospective mate? He had a prospective mate? Tsireya's rambling blended in with the white noise of buzzing in the background and all she could hear or see was Aonung and Meya.

"Hello? Ney'ati are you there?" Tsireya nudged her arm.

"Oh. Yeah, sorry I just finished the bracelets." She held up the completed bracelet.

"It's beautiful," Tsireya grazed the back of her hand against it, "Who is this one for?"

She gently pulled the bracelet; intricately braided sea grass weaved with a scallop, spindle and an oyster. In the centre a fish tooth took place. It was carved and polished with a pattern.

"Aonung," Neyati said and glanced at the boy who was now laughing with Meya. Tsireya didn't notice the secret glances and kept observing the bracelet and comparing it with the other bracelets. They were all obvious in the fact that they must've taken a while to make as they were delicately made with complex entwining. All the bracelets were high in quality. However, there was a slight detail concerning her.

'Should I tell her what the shells she chose for Aonung's bracelet means...?' Tsireya thought and quickly shook her head. 'It'll be fine. She has good intentions she's just a great friend.'

"You know, you should learn the meaning of shells. Some have specific meanings which could mislead to something."

"Oh.. I didn't know that, thanks Tsireya."

Tsireya got up and admired her bracelet once more while Neyati put it on for her. She thanked her and gave her a big hug before leaving.

Neyati sat underneath the mangrove tree alone again. She looked at the bracelets and swiped her fingers across them. While making the bracelets, she made sure to collect a lot of shells, coral fragments, sea glass-like stones and pearls in order to ensure that not one looked identical. She wanted to make sure that they each represented their owner and spoke to them in a way. As she weaved them, she chose them out of instinct, as if her intuition and Eywa were speaking to her.

She looked up again at the view of the reef and realised that the two that she had been so weirdly focused on beforehand had disappeared. Ney'ati grabbed the bracelets she had made and went out to deliver them.

By the time the sun had set, she had delivered them all but one. Aonung. For whatever reason, ever since she had seen him talking to Meya, she couldn't find him. Even though she had basically gone everywhere in the village because of gifting the bracelets that she had made.

It was like Eywa herself was hiding him. But for what reason?

Ney'ati headed through the village and through the mauri pods into the forest of mangrove trees and plants. Finally when she reached the secret base she headed up. Opening the hatch, she scanned the treehouse and climbed into it.

"Agh." She groaned and flopped on the floor. She was exhausted. I mean, she didn't really do anything but make bracelets relaxing under a mangrove tree while staring at the nice ocean view and then deliver the bracelets to their owners.

She stared at the ceiling until her eyes began to sting. Huffing and puffing, she got up and went to the balcony resting her head on her arm and her arm on the balustrade.

'Damn Aonung. Can never find him when you need him.'

"Boo!"

"Ah!" Ney'ati yelped, clutching her chest as her ears shot back. When she saw it was only Ao'nung grinning at her, she smacked his chest. "Skxawng."

He only laughed, stepping closer. The railing pressed against her tail as she shuffled back. His breath mingled with hers; their noses brushing. The air thickened. It was no longer a joke. Not 'just banter'.

Aonung caught her hand and pressed it against his chest. "Paskalin. I'm so hurt.. where's my bracelet?"

Ney'ati's breath hitched. "I made you one too," she whispered, "I just couldn't find you.

His eyes bored into hers. Obviously teasing. She removed her hand from his chest and reached into her woven leaf pouch. Taking it swiftly, she placed it into his hand. He smiled happily accepting the bracelet. Not minding that she had used a tinge of excessive strength to pop it in his palm.

He backed off and walked to stand beside her. Finally, she no longer had to stand on her tip toes.

Aonung lifted the bracelet up letting the moonlight shine upon it, illuminating its structure for him. He examined it carefully. Ney'ati watched as his face, curious and keen to know whether he liked it not.

His eyes widened but then quickly crinkled with the corners of his mouth lifting into a smirk. He turned the bracelet in his hands, the tooth glinting silver in the moonlight. "Careful, Paskalin. If the others see this bracelet, they'll think I've chosen you."

And with that he slipped it over his wrist. For a moment, the smirk faltered into something softer. Meanwhile, Ney'ati's eyebrows furrowed. Why would he say that and wear it if he's so concerned. I mean, he didn't seem concerned, but it just annoyed Ney'ati a bit. Maybe Tsireya's warning meant something more. When she gets back, she would definitely have to find out the meaning of the shells she had used.

"Scandalous," he murmured.

Before Ney'ati could say anything, the hatch banged open.

"Bro- oh." Roxto froze halfway up the ladder, eyes darting between them. His grin spread wide. "Am I.. interrupting.?"

Ney'ati's tail lashed. "No," She said quickly, too quickly.

Aonung barked a laugh and went to go shove his friend's shoulder. "Perfect timing skxawng."

Roxto smirked, but let it go, climbing fully inside. "Fine, fine. Just thought you'd want to know. Meya's been asking where you were. She said she'll see you at the dive tomorrow.

The words landed like stones in Ney'ati's stomach. Meya. Again.

Aonung only snorted, rolling the bracelet on his wrist like it was nothing. "She'll live."

But Ney'ati caught the way Roxto raised a brow at him. Her throat tightened and she gathered herself. "I should go," she muttered. "It's late."

And before either of them could answer, she slipped out into the night air.

Chapter Text

A few days have passed since the last time Ney'ati was alone with Ao'nung. Ever since that day, she noticed how he would often fidget with the bracelet she wore. But she also noticed how more frequently Meya would be around him and the group - on the beach, training, communal meals. She's not obsessed over it but it does linger in the back of her mind time to time.

To forget these unknown feelings, she threw herself into training, into anything that wasn't staring too long at the boy with the smirk.

It didn't help much.

The reef was calm that morning, the sunlight basking everyone in warmth. Water burned in Ney'ati's chest as she surfaced gasping. Her spear had skimmed past the fish again. Beside her, Neteyam rose cleanly, his catch secure in one hand.

"You're distracted," he said flatly.

"I'm just off today," Ney'ati muttered, shaking water from her braids.

Neteyam's gaze narrowed towards the reef where Ao'nung and Roxto wrestled a net into place, Meya laughed nearby. "No. It's him, isn't it? Ao'nung."

Her tail lashed, sending a spray across the waves. "What? Don't start."

"You think I don't notice?" His voice rose, sharper than the surf. "My twin sister, the same prowess as me, watching him when she should be watching the reef. Not mooning over someone who-"

Heat flared in her chest and shot up her neck. "You're imagining things-"

"I'm not!" His ears pinned back, and for once his composure cracked. "You don't know him like I do, Ney'ati. You don't know what he's done. You weren't here when we needed you."

She froze. His words which mean more than anyone ever knows, his words which struck like a stone dropped into deep water, rippling outward. "What are you talking about?"

Neteyam's jaw clenched, but he didn't answer. Just shook his head, anger flickering behind his eyes.

Ney'ati's chest tightened. "So that's it? You get to decide who I talk to? Who I look at? What, because you're the golden twin, the warrior child, the one who always knows better? And I'm just Neteyam's twin."

"That's not-"

"Yes, it is!" She snapped, spear jabbing the water between them. Her tail whipped the surface, spraying him full in the face. She had enough of his nonsense.

From a distance, Lo'ak, Kiri and Tuk paused, exchanging uneasy looks. It wasn't unusual for Sully siblings to squabble, but the twins never did it like this. Not in front of everyone. Not with this much venom.

Ao'nung's smirk had long since vanished. Tsireya's hands tightened on her spear, Roxto shifting nervously beside her. Even Meya had gone quiet, wide-eyed.

They could see the flaring tails, the jabbing spears, the way they both shoved closer until they were nearly nose-to-nose with each other. But they couldn't hear the words.

Neteyam wiped the water from his face, glaring. "You don't know him like I do. You don't know what he's done."

Ney'ati heart slammed against her ribs. "Then tell me!"

His jaw locked, he still said nothing.

His tail lashed, sending up a spray. "While you stayed behind, I was the one taking Father's orders, trying to keep Lo'ak in one piece, trying to keep the family together. I wasn't enough. I needed you. I failed. And now you show up, distracted by him?"

Her ears rang. Anger surged hot in her veins. "Do you think I asked to stay behind? Do you think it's fun living in your shadow? Every time you or Lo'ak screw up, I get dragged down with you. I'm always guilty by blood. Neteyam. Always 'Neteyam's twin'. 'Lo'ak's older sister'. Never just Ney'ati."

They were chest to chest, waves splashing around them, their voices rising sharp enough that the others almost intervened. Their tails restless and shook with anger.

Her words hit harder than any strike. Neteyam's grip faltered, the fish slipping from his spear, falling back into the sea. He didn't even notice. Their spears unhanded floated along the tide.

Neteyam's fists curled, words spilling out like poison. "At least I can carry my weight."

Ney'ati's breath hitched and her ears perked back. "At least I'm not pretending to be perfect."

For a moment, neither of them moved. The silence that followed was heavy enough to sink them both.

Neteyam's chest heaved once, twice. For one terrible heartbeat, it looked as though they might lunge at each other. But then he growled low, spun and dove beneath the surface, and vanished into the reef in a surge of foam. The water stilled, leaving only Ney'ati above, chest heaving and trembling with anger.

No one spoke at first. The silence pressed heavier than the tide.

Then Lo'ak let out a low whistle. "Well.. that was something." His attempt at humour cracked thin, falling flat under Kiri's sharp stare.

"Shut up, skxawng," she hissed. Her eyes flicked to Ney'ati, then towards the reef where Neteyam had vanished. Concern laced in her tone, quiet but firm. "They don't fight like that. Not in front of people."

Tuk clung tighter to Kiri's side, and pressed her hands over her ears as if the silence after the shouting was worse than the noise itself. Kiri pulled her closer, voice soft. "They'll be fine. They're always fine." But the tight grip said otherwise.

Tsireya paddled closer, her own face pale. "I have never seen them speak to each other like that." Her voice trembled, full of worry.

Beside her, even Roxto, who never shuts up, stayed frozen. He darted looks between Ney'ati and Ao'nung, like he wanted to say something but didn't dare.

Meya latched onto Ao'nung's arm, her happy expression gone and filled with fret.

And Aonung, he hadn't moved. His jaw was tight, eyes locked on Ney'ati. The usual smirk was nowhere to be found; unease cut deep into his features. He opened his mouth like he might say something, then shut it again. Shoulders stiff.

Ney'ati's eyes caught on Meya's hand which had looped around Ao'nung's arm. The sight was a sting to her chest contradicting what she had said to Neteyam. She almost spoke, her voice already loaded with spite and bitterness but instead she swallowed it like poison and cut through the water towards shore.

The group exchanged anxious looks. The air heavier than before. For once, the Sully chaos wasn't playful, wasn't banter.

Lo'ak exhaled hard, no grin accompanying, "...This is bad."

No one disagreed.

Chapter Text

The reef swallowed him whole.

He kicked deeper, lungs burning, salt stinging his eyes. Anything to drown out the echo of her voice. Ney'ati's words clung sharper than any spear wound, dragging behind him like a net he couldn't cut loose.

Golden twin. Warrior child. Always perfect.

His chest tightened, not from the pressure but from the truth in it. He hated how much how much it hurt, hated that she thought he'd ever wanted that. He never wanted to be 'above' her. Never wanted her in his shadow. But when she looked at him like that; like he was just another burden crushing her, he almost broke down.

How did he never realise? But she always matched his speed, his ikran flying skills, their hunting skills. They were as good as each other and better than others. So how did she turn out in his shadow.

Neteyam burst upward, gasping as he broke the surface. The reef stretched quiet around him, but the voices still swirled in his head.

She didn't know. She couldn't.

She wasn't there there when Ao'nung and his friends laughed at Kiri, calling her a freak. She wasn't there when Lo'ak nearly drowned and died because Ao'nung abandoned him. Neteyam had been there. For every cut.

And still...

He dragged himself onto a rock shelf, breath coming in ragged pulls. His hands curled into fists, knuckles white.

"Eywa," he muttered under his breath, voice hoarse. "Why him? Of all people."

He didn't notice the water dripping down his cheeks wasn't just saltwater.

The evening dinner later was sombre.

The usual lively chatter of the children was gone, replaced by the soft scraping of shells and the crackle of the cooking fire. Neytiri's sharp gaze swept the circle; Tuk toyed with her food instead of eating, Kiri kept glancing between her siblings, and even Lo'ak hadn't cracked a joke in minutes.

Jake caught Neytiri's eye across the table, brow furrowed. He didn't need words. He felt it too. The silence wasn't just quiet; it was heavy.

Ney'ati pushed her bowl aside, half-finished. "I'm not hungry," she muttered, standing quickly. She didn't wait for permission or a reply, just slipped into the night air.

The reef shimmered with the glow of twilight, waves lapping soft against the rocks. Ney'ati sat with her knees pulled up, arms folded tight, eyes on the horizon as if the sea might swallow her frustration.

She heard him before she saw him - the soft tread; the careful pause before Neteyam lowered himself beside her. He didn't speak at first, just mirrored her posture, both of them staring out the endless stretch of water.

For a moment, the only sound was the surf.

Finally, she muttered, "You didn't have to embarrass me in front of everyone."

"You didn't have to ignore me like I wasn't your brother," Neteyam shot back, sharper than he meant. The words hung heavy between them. After that fight, the whole day they avoided one another and didn't acknowledge the other in conversations.

He exhaled hard, dragging both hands down his face, "Sorry. I just-"

Ney'ati's head snapped towards him, eyes flashing. "You think it's easy? Being measured against you? Hunting prowess nearly unmatched to everyone else, ikran flying almost as good as ma and you already wear the warrior's cummerbund. It's always Neteyam the perfect one. And I'm just the twin."

His jaw clenched, ears flattening. "You think I wanted that? Eywa, Ney'ati do you know how hard it is? To carry everyone. To never slip because if I do, it's all on us. You know the expectations Ma and Jake have. He hasn't been the same since the sky walkers attacked." His voice cracked, then steadied. "I can't put that on Lo'ak, or Kiri, or Tuk. You're the only one I can be honest with."

Her anger wavered, softened. She swallowed. "And I can't ever just be me. I'm always dragged down by your mistakes or Lo'ak's. I didn't choose that either."

They sat in silence, their shoulders stiff, tails restless, the waves whispering around them. Then slowly, Neteyam huffed out a breath that was almost a laugh. "We sound pathetic."

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "We do."

His shoulder nudged hers, "You know you're more than my twin, right?"

Her throat tightened. "And you know you don't have to carry everything alone."

He tilted his head, offering the faintest grin. "Deal?"

She leaned her head against his shoulder, eyes closing. "Deal."

The tension eased like the tide receding, leaving only the quiet comfort of being together again.

For a while, they just say there, watching the reef glow beneath the stars. Then Neteyam shifted, glancing sideways at her. "I'm not against him, you know. Ao'nung."

Her ears twitched.

"I just want you to be wary," he said carefully. "He's not the only one who exists. Don't... don't be like Lo'ak."

The corner of Ney'ati's mouth curled, laughter spilling free before she could hold it back. Neteyam groaned, half-smiling himself.

"Skxawng," she teased, bumping his shoulder.

"Don't 'skxawng' me. I mean it." But his grin betrayed him, soft and unguarded in the starlight.

Their laughter carried light over the water, breaking the heaviness of earlier.

From the far end of the bridge that stretched out into the village, two figures stood silently in the glow of torches. Neytiri's arms were folded, Jake's hands on his hips. They had come to check on their children after the strange quiet at dinner.

But as they watched the twins leaning shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing like the fight had never happened, the tension in their faces eased. The other Sully siblings blurted out that they had an argument and so they were worried beforehand.

Neytiri exhaled softly, her hand brushing Jake's arm. He gave a small nod. They didn't need to step in. Not this time.

Their children were growing, finding their own way to carry each other.

So the parents stayed at the edge of the bridge, watching a moment longer before turning back, leaving the twins to the reef, to their laughter, to themselves.

"They'll be fine," Jake muttered, placing his arm across Neytiri's shoulder.

"They already are." She smiled and leaned her head against him as they walked.

Chapter Text

The morning sun cast the reef in soft light, the water sparkling as if nothing could go wrong. The reef bustling with members of the clan compared to the other day when there were no one but their group.

Ney'ati rolled her shoulders, spear in hand, as she and Neteyam took position along the shallows. Their training had begun smoothly; movements sharp, breath steady, the natural rhythm of two halves working in sync again.

It felt good. Natural. The twins moved together, not against each other.

Neteyam smirked mid-spear throw, "Good to have you back, sis."

A splash drew her eyes to shore. Ao'nung arrived with Meya at his side, their laughter carrying faintly over the water. Ney'ati's chest tightened, the line of her mouth stiff. She forced herself to look away, to focus on Neteyam, who gave her a knowing glance but said nothing.

Lo'ak and Kiri who were training together on the other side glanced at them, quietly relieved.

"Hey!" Neteyam and Ney'ati shifted their focus to Lo'ak. "What, did you two kill each other and come back nicer?"

He let out a big grin while Kiri snorted. The twins shuffled closer to Lo'ak lashing their tails into the water to splash him, making him bring his arms up to cover his face.

The rest of the group noticed the uneasy shift to the now relaxed one. Everyone felt a sense of solace.

Training resumed, though the quiet tension between Ney'ati, Meya and Ao'nung clung to the group like mist. Tsireya's bright voice smoothed the edges, Roxto cracked a joke, but Ney'ati also realised how Ao'nung hadn't talked to her since the day they were alone at the treehouse. How he never approaches when Meya's around.

It was mid-way training and everyone has noticed how Meya hovers closer to Ao'nung than normal. After a while, as Meya was speaking Tsireya, he slipped away from the two, dragging Roxto along with him to where the twins where training.

The two stood up watching as they approached them.

"There's whispers among the clan. Strange isn't it? That they know about your fight when the only ones there were us in a secluded area?" Ao'nung spoke in a hushed tone. "They only challenge Ney'ati's skills too, not Neteyam."

Roxto frowned, confused. Neteyam's brows furrowed and studied Ao'nung's face, observing the way he sneakily glanced at Meya before turning back. And that's when the three of them realised what he implied.

Ney'ati felt the words sink into her chest, heavier than she wanted to admit. She had no animosity towards the girl; so why would she start rumours?

"See you Paskalin. Neteyam." And as quickly as he came, he left with Roxto. The two went to go help Tsireya and Meya with the nets. The twins carefully examined the situation and watched the four interact.

Meya immediately swooped to Ao'nung starting some chatter with him, her hand brushing his arm. He didn't even look at her, his tail flicked in irritation. Ney'ati watched them, her jaw tight and silent.

Neteyam sighed. "Ti, if she is really responsible for the whispers, there is nothing we can do. But it does really make sense."

"I know. Don't worry Nete. Rumours don't matter." She picked up her spear.

The two continued their training. They fell back into rhythm once again. They were complete.

The reef swelled with a sudden force. A pulse of water tugged at Ney'ati's tail and dragged sand from beneath her feet. The laughter of children training in the shallows not far from the group shifted into panicked cries.

"Current!" Tsireya shouted, already reaching for a child.

Ney'ati spun. A boy, no older than Tuk, had been pulled from the shallows by the sudden surge. His small arms flailed, head dipping beneath the surface as the current dragged him deeper into the ocean.

She didn't think. She moved.

Her spear slipped from her hand as she dove clean into the current. Salt burned her eyes but she cut through the water, muscles straining against the pull. The boy vanished under a rolling wave, and for a sickening instant she thought she'd lost him; but then her fingers caught his arm.

His panicking caused him to thrash wildly, afraid, nearly slipping free of her grasp. Ney'ati wrapped both arms tight around him, curling her body to shield him from the pull.

Her lungs burned quicker than a Metkayina's would, she hadn't fully mastered their almost seemingly endless breath yet.

She didn't care right now. She had to get this little boy to safety. She kicked hard, tail driving them both upward until they broke the surface in a gasp of air.

"Hold on!" she rasped, tucking him against her chest.

The surge fought to claim them both, but Ney'ati angled her body riding it sideways until she found the calm shallows near the rocks. Neteyam was there in an instant, hauling them the last stretch to safety.

The boy coughed seawater, clinging desperately to Ney'ati's shoulder. She also gasped for air, but while doing so she stroked the back of his back. She steadied her own ragged breath as Neteyam clasped his hands together and thanked Eywa for bringing his sister back safely.

Silence hung over the shore, the training group frozen. They had managed to get the children in the shallows back onto shore in time before the current could get them in its grasp.

Then murmurs rose, elders approaching from the village with widened eyes, Tonowari and Jake also arriving.

"She pulled him straight from the surge."
"An Omatikaya risking her life for a Metkayina."
"Brave."

Even those who whispered doubts not moments ago before could only stare with awe. Respect gleamed in their voices, drowning the sting of earlier rumours. An elder murmured a blessing to Eywa.

The mother of the child fell to her knees, taking her child out of Ney'ati's hold. "Oh thank you child, thank you Eywa."

Jake quickly rushed to Ney'ati and Neteyam. He placed both his hands on his twins and sighed with relief. "Thank Eywa you two are okay."

That night at dinner, Jake expressed how he was proud of them, how they kept their word at getting along with the Metkayina. Ney'ati had finished her plate early and left to just have some time to herself.

She walked along the woven path, past the mauri pods towards the dock.

The reef shimmered with soft blues, the glow of corals casting Ney'ati's face in shifting light. She sat on the stone, legs curled beneath her and took out a half-woven cord to finish. Her fingers worked absent mindedly as she hummed one of the songs that Norm had shown her. The melody calmed her, even if her chest still felt like it was tied in knots.

Water rippled nearby. She glanced up as Ao'nung pulled himself from the shallows, shaking droplets from his braids. He didn't smirk. Didn't tease. Just sat beside her with a grunt, close enough that their shoulders brushed.

For a while, they were quiet. The only sound was the reef itself, alive and breathing around them.

"You're quiet." she finally said, though her voice held no bite.

Ao'nung's hands fidgeted in his lap, rolling something between his fingers. The bracelet she made him. He turned it once, twice, like he couldn't let it rest.

"I wasn't always..." He stopped talking, jaw working, trying again. "I wasn't always someone you'd want to sit next to."

Her ears flicked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He exhaled hard, staring out at the tide. "When you weren't here yet... when your family first came..." His voice dropped, brittle. "I made fun of Kiri. Called her names I shouldn't have. Said things about her being... different." He swallowed. "And Lo'ak... I took him out with a hunting party and left him..."

The words hit like rocks dropped in water, sinking heavy. Ney'ati's throat dried. This was what Neteyam refused to tell her.

Ao'nung's fingers tightened on the bracelet until his knuckled blanched. "I was cruel. Worse than cruel. And Neteyam knows it. That's why he was he angry, wasn't it?" His voice cracked, almost too soft to hear. "And he's right to be so."

Silence stretched between them, broken only by the lap of waves against the stone. Ney'ati's heart hammered, tangled between anger, disbelief... and something else.

Finally, she whispered, "So why are you here?"

Ao'nung turned then, eyes glinting in the reef-light. Not smirking, not arrogant, just bare. "Because I don't wan to be that boy anymore. And when you're around..." His voice faltered, softer now, "I don't feel like him."

Ney'ati stared at him, her pulse hammering inside her ears. Part of her wanted to lash out, to tell him how dare he speak of her sister that way, how dare he abandon Lo'ak.

But Neteyam's voice echoed in her mind. 'I'm not against him... just be wary.' Her heart pumped. Ao'nung's mention of 'when you're around..' lingered.

Her emotions were conflicted. He took a quick glance at her catching her eye for a second, his heart pumped with fear as to how she would respond. He was filled with shame. Ney'ati was silent for a while.

She let the cord slip from her fingers, folding her hands in her lap. "You were cruel," she said at last, the words flat.

Ao'nung flinched but didn't deny it.

"And you hurt my family." Her gaze didn't waver. "That doesn't disappear just because you sit here with me."

"I know." His voice wash rough, low. "I know, and I hate myself for it."

For a moment, the only noise was the reef singing around them, silence engulfing them once again. Then she exhaled, long and steady.

"You can't ask me to forgive you for them," she quietly said. "That's not mine to give."

Ao'nung's head dropped, shoulders sagging.

"But.." Her tail brushed against the water, restless flick. "...if you're not that boy anymore, then prove it. Not with words. With what you do now."

His eyes snapped up, meeting hers in the glow of the reef. For the first time, Aonung looked like he didn't know what to say.

Ney'ati gathered her half-woven cord again, twisting the strands with steady fingers. "Neteyam told be to be careful." Her voice softened, almost reluctant. "But he didn't tell me not to listen."

Ao'nung's heart jumped. The smallest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Not a smirk, not a tease. Just relief.

Their tails playfully brushed against each other. Restless.

And for the first time, Ney'ati didn't look away.

Chapter Text

The days after the surge carried a shift Ney'ati couldn't quite name. The whispers amongst them which she didn't care for in the first place died out. In its place came nods of respect, lingering looks from Metkayina elders, mothers pulling their children a little closer to her with murmured blessings.

She should've felt proud but instead, the weight of so many eyes left her restless.

Even more restless was the way Ao'nung managed to keep slipping into her view. In training he no longer barked orders or teased, just worked. He laughed louder when Roxto and Lo'ak would squabble, but his gaze always strayed.

She caught him once, fidgeting with the bracelet on his wrist before Meya swooped in, voice bright and smile too sweet. Ney'ati had looked away, jaw tight.

By the third night, the clan gathered for a communal dinner on the sand. Fires crackled, songs lifted into the air, the tide glowing with life. Ney'ati sat cross-legged beside Kiri and Tuk, pretending to listen as Lo'ak retold one of his chaotic hunting stories, tail lashing with enthusiasm.

Her eyes wandered anyway.

Ao'nung was across the circle, Meya close as his shadow. She leaned toward him with practiced grace, laughter like a bell as she brushed invisible sand from his arm. He nodded, polite, but his smile never reached his eyes.

Then for the briefest moment, he took his eyes off the elder and looked at her. Straight at Ney'ati.

His eyes creased and he chuckled from realising she was already looking at him. It was genuine compared to his smile from before.

The chuckle which rung bells in her head startled her, heat in her chest beginning to rise to her neck. She quickly dropped her gaze, busied herself with tucking a loose braid behind her ear. Kiri's side-eye caught everything, but said nothing.

On the far edge of the circle, Jake and Neytiri shared a glance. Jake's brow furrowed slightly, lips pressed thin. Neytiri's eyes lingered longer, sharper, before she exhaled and looked back to the fire.

On the other side, Ronal and Tonowari sat quietly, Ronal's expression unreadable as she caught the silent exchange. "Children will be children," she murmured finally, shaking her head.

Jake grunted softly, unconvinced.

The dinner carried on, laughter, song, the clatter of shells. But to Ney'ati it all sounded muffled. Every time she risked a glance, Ao'nung's eyes seemed to find her again, only to flick away when Meya spoke. And every time, her heart betrayed her with its restless, fluttering pace.

The communal dinner fire continued to crackle bright, laughter and voices weaving together like a tide. Other members of the clan dancing, huddled in smaller groups, passing baskets of shellfish and roasted roots around.

Ney'ati kept her head low, snacking on pieces of roasted sea-grape, Lo'ak still going on about his hunting story. Across the circle, Meya leaned too close into Ao'nung's side, her laughter high pitched. Ney'ati rolled her eyes and indulged herself with the plate of food.

Then Ronal's sharp voice cut the air.

"Son."

The whole circle and some members surrounding quieted. Ney'ati glanced up. Ronal's gaze was locked on Ao'nung's wrist.

"That bracelet." She spoke with authority of a tsahìk, every word weighted. "Where did you get it from?"

The murmurs began before Meya leaned forward, lips parting ready, eager to claim the words.

But Ao'nung didn't even look at her. Without a beat, without hesitation he said, "Ney'ati made it."

The silence that followed broke like a shell underfoot.

Eyes flicked from Ao'nung to Ney'ati, to the shells woven in his bracelet that she had strung. Murmurs rose, puzzled, curious - not hostile, but questioning.

"A scallop! Chosen?" someone whispered.
"He wears her work openly."
"What of Meya?"

Neytiri's hand stilled over her bowl. Jake's jaw clenched, flicking his eyes towards Tonowari. The Olo'eyktan shifted stiffly, the weight of whispers pressing on both families.

Across the fire, Ney'ati's heart slammed against her ribs, heat rushing to her cheeks. Ao'nung didn't waver under the stares, his tail swaging lazily as if daring anyone to challenge it.

His earlier words from the treehouse echoed in her mind, sharp and dangerous, 'Careful Paskalin. If others see this bracelet, they'll think I've chosen you.'

Now they were thinking it. All of them.

Meya's smile had faltered, her hand half-raised before she dropped it, her eyes glassy as she'd be struck.

The whispers only grew.

"Should he not be with Meya?"
"Has he already chosen the Omatikaya girl?"

Ney'ati said nothing. Ao'nung said nothing. But the silence and the way their eye contact didn't break regardless of the whispers were louder than any declaration.

Their parents exchanged glances; Jake to Neytiri, Ronal to Tonowari and then to one another. Panic and calculation flashed in their eyes. How do they handle this without unraveling everything?

Before the murmurs could grow fangs, Ney'ati rose quietly, slipping from the circle.

The reef stretched quiet under the moons, the waves hushed, glowing faint blue with the living corals. Ney'ati walked and sat down on the stone edge, legs folded, eyes closed. Her mind wandered thinking about the brimming uproar at the communal dinner.

Footsteps treaded along the shoreline. She tensed, then opened her eyes and turned as Ao'nung brought himself from the darkness, his bioluminescent freckles glowing.

"You're following me now?" she grinned, voice laced with teasing.

He huffed, laying beside her. "This is my reef, skxawng."

"Then why do you look like you're running from it?"

Ao'nung said nothing at first. His hands fidgeted with the bracelet at his wrist; again, always. The laughter and chatter from the village loudened, the two sat in silence.

Finally, he exhaled, long and sharp. "You know I don't like her."

Ney'ati froze.

"Meya," he clarified, tone cold. His jaw tightened. "Everyone thinks she's a good match... The elders. My mother. And even some of the hunters." He spat the words like saltwater. "They want it. Not me."

Ney'ati studied him quietly. His shoulders were stiff. His tail almost fully flattened by his back, the end wiggling restlessly beside him. But his eyes, they turned over to her, they were steady.

"Then why do you let her follow you around like a lost Ilu?" she asked.

He gave a humourless laugh. "Because if I push her away too hard, it'll be my father's wrath. Or worse; my mother's." His grin faltered. "You don't know her. She can gut a fish with her eyes."

The corners of Ney'ati's lips lifted up slightly at the silly remarks. "So you just... let it happen?"

"No," Ao'nung's voice dropped firm. "I don't let close. Not really. Not here." He tapped the bracelet lightly with a fingertip, the motion awkward, almost shy. "Not where it matters. Paskalin."

Silence stretched between them, filled only by the soft lap of waves against the stone ledge.

He carefully placed his hand on her back. She was smaller than other Metkayina. She glanced back at him.

"Lay down next to me," He mouthed.

And so she did. Ney'ati turned her head to his, already meeting his eyes as he was staring at her. Her gaze drifted to his wrist, then back to his face. Her throat tightened. "You could've said nothing."

Ao'nung's fingers brushed against hers. His voice was low, unguarded. "I didn't want anyone's name on it but yours."

Her chest tightened. "You realise what they think now?" she muttered, eyes still locked with his. "What they'll expect?"

"I know." He let out a short breath. "But I don't care what they think."

"You're reckless, Ao'nung."

He took his hand and put it on top of hers, both clasping each other.

"You should care," she whispered. "Not just for yourself."

His voice rough, he replied, "Maybe I should. But when it comes to you... I don't. Does it bother you?"

She examined his face, searching for the smirk the arrogance - but there was none. She couldn't help but let out a light chuckle. Her heart swayed.

"No, it doesn't. Ao'nung.. if you mean it, then prove it. Not with words. With what you do now."

For a moment, Ao'nung just stared at her, admiring her, caught between defiance and something softer. Then, for once, he didn't argue. He just nodded.

Their hands intertwined with one another, their tails tangled together and staring at the stars while taking glances at each other. Love was blooming.

By the time they circled back to the gathering, the fire was lower, the baskets mostly emptied. Voices had dulled into tired chatter as families tied the space. Ney'ati headed towards her mother and Tuk who were leaving. She waved bye to Ao'nung.

Neteyam was stacking shells into a basket when Ao'nung dropped down beside him, wordlessly helping gather scraps. For a long moment they worked in silence, the weight of earlier still thick in the air.

Then Neteyam gave a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You really don't care what anyone thinks, do you?"

Ao'nung smirked faintly, "Never have. Probably never will."

Neteyam's mouth twitched. "That's what gets you in trouble."

"And sometimes," Ao'nung muttered glancing toward where Ney'ati was walking with Neytiri and Tuk, "sometimes it gets me exactly where I need to be."

Neteyam followed his gaze, then huffed out a laugh. He didn't push further, but the quiet between them carried a flicker of understanding that hadn't been there before.

When Ney'ati left with Neytiri and Tuk, Ao'nung stayed behind, gathering the last scraps into the fire. His smirk faded, replaced with something heavier.

Later, as the village hushed into night, Ao'nung walked across the sand toward his mauri pod, the moonlight painting his steps silver. He thought of Ney'ati's silence, of the way she hadn't denied the whispers, how she said it didn't bother her.

"-Aonung!"

He froze. Meya's voice, sharp and desperate, broke the calm night. She stepped out of the shadows, her eyes blazing.

And the argument that had been simmering, waiting, finally begun.

Chapter Text

"Why do you cling to her?"

"Meya. It's late." Ao'nung sighed, shoulders heavy. He continued on his way to his mauri pod.

"That Omatikaya girl, what does she have that I don't have?" She pressed, fire in her eyes.

His breath came rough, sharp. "Don't"

"You've known me your whole life," Meya's voice cracked, anger and hurt twisted together. "And yet you look at her like- like she hung the stars. She's not one of us, Ao'nung. She doesn't belong here-"

Something inside him snapped. He spun to her direction and walked up to her face, eyes blazing with a fury she had never seen in him.

"Don't you dare talk about her like that!" His voice boomed against the water, raw and unrestrained. "Ney'ati is brave. She's strong. She didn't hesitate to save a child when half the reef froze. She's more Metkayina in spirit than most who were born here."

Meya faltered, lips parting, but he didn't stop.

"She sees people for who they are. She saw me. Not as the chief's son, not he skxawng I was.. but me. And for the first time, I don't feel like that boy anymore when I'm with her." His chest heaved, the confession tearing out of him like it had been waiting too long. "So yes, I look at her like she hung the stars, because she's amazing. Because she makes me want to be better."

The silence that followed was thick, pulsing with the echo of his words. Meya's eyes glistened with the moonlight reflecting on her welling eyes.

"You're a fool Ao'nung." She choked out. "You've known me your whole life. You really don't get it do you? You embarrassed me in front of the whole clan."

"Meya-"

"Just- Just listen! The elders don't want you because of what I want. They want me with you because that's what's expected."

Her voiced wavered, and for the first time Ao'nung realised, there were no envy in her words, but exhaustion.

"You think I chose this?" she whispered. "That I chose to smile at you while the one I-" She cut herself off, jaw snapping shut. Her shoulders squared, but her hands trembled at her side.

Ao'nung stared, speechless. "The one you what?"

Her lips pressed thin, but her tears betrayed her. "It doesn't matter. He'd never look at me that way."

The sea hushed around them. He stared her, his feelings caught between anger and something quieter and heavier. "Then why follow me? Why let them push you like this?"

Her chin lifted, but her voice cracked. "I don't get to choose, Ao'nung. You're Tonowari's son, the heir. I'm just.. Meya." She looked away, tears dripping down her chin, hitting the sand beneath her. "If I say no, I disappoint my parents. My elders. My clan. And if I say yes..." Her words faltered, low and trembling. "If I say yes, I lose myself."

Ao'nung's tail stilled. The fight in him dimmed, replaced with a pang he didn't expect.

"Eywa, Meya..." His voice softened, for once without bite. "You deserve someone who actually sees you. Not someone your family picked out like a trading shell."

Her jaw trembled. "And Ney'ati? You think she sees you?"

He didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Her eyes closed, just for a moment, against the weight of it. When she opened them again, they were glossy, resigned. "Then I guess that's it, isn't it?

Ao'nung shifted, shoulders still tight but his voice steady. "I'll take the burden, the blame, all of it. So don't worry about it."

Meya gave a small broken laugh, one without any joy. "You're stubborn. Just like her."

For a heartbeat, there was almost a smile between them, bitter but real. Then Meya turned, braids swinging, and walked back towards the village leaving Ao'nung alone with the waves.

He glanced down at the bracelet on his wrist, the shells catching moonlight, and clenched his fist.

"I've already chosen," he muttered to himself, voice low, meant for no one but the sea.

--

The night way heavy, the reef glowing faintly beneath the twin moons. Most of the clan had settled into their pods, but in the central mauri, four figures gathered in the hush.

Jake leaned forward, forearms braced on his knees, eyes heavy with thought. Tonowari sat across him, broad hands folded, while Ronal and Ney'tiri knelt closer together.

For a long moment, none of them spoke. The silence carried the weight of the dinner earlier; the bracelet, the whispers.

"The clan talks. They say my son has chosen your daughter. That the bond is already being made."

Jake exhaled through his nose, nodding, "We heard the same. Our kids don't exactly make things subtle."

That drew a faint, reluctant smile from Tonowari before it slipped again. "He should be wiser. He knows what the elders expect. Meya-"

"Meya is what the clan expects," Ronal cut in, but her tone wasn't sharp. More tired. "But Ao'nung.." She shook her head, braids sliding over her shoulders. "He has his father's defiance. And his mother's stubbornness. I should have seen this coming."

Neytiri tilted her head, watching her carefully. "Defiance is not always weakness. Sometimes it is the heart, speaking louder than fear."

Ronal's gaze met hers, steady with understanding. "You would know."

Neytiri's lips softened into a smile and a chuckle. "I would."

Jake ran a hand down his face. "Look, I get it. This isn't what you planned. Hell, it wasn't what I planned either. But those two.." He gestured vaguely toward the reef, "they don't give a damn about planning. And if we push too hard, they'll just dig their heels deeper. You know that as well as I do."

Tonowari grunted, reluctant but not dismissive. "He is still my heir. If he ties himself to Ney'ati, the elders will question his strength. His loyalty."

"And yet," Ronal murmured, "he wears her work for all to see. He did not hesitate to name her." She shook her head again, softer this time. "That is not the action of a boy unsure."

Silence fell again, thoughtful this time, not heavy.

Neytiri leaned in slightly, her voice quiet but certain. "Perhaps this is not the storm we think. Perhaps.. it is only change."

Jake met Tonowari's eyes. The two men shared a long look, one leader to another, fathers bound by duty and by their children's reckless hearts.

"Change," Jake finally said, with a dry laugh. "Eywa knows we've had enough of that."

But Tonowari didn't disagree.

The four silhouettes called it a night, only to stay up pondering about the future.