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Italics: (Na'vi language, or Metkayina sign language, and Jake's inner thoughts)

A/N: I'm sorry to say that this might be the very last chapter where we'll have happy moments for some time lol It's been a nice time up until now, but angst is coming :,) that's why I tried to make this chapter extra wholesome to make up for it lmao

As always, don't forget to comment and vote <3 I love reading and replying to all of your comments and they truly make my day 🤍 Without further ado, I hope you guys like it!
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You were the first one to wake up, being woken up by the sounds of the forest. There was no longer bioluminiscence but rather sunlight pouring in from the shadows of the leaves above you and Jake. Judging by the cool tones of the day, it looked far too early to be even awake at this time. As your eyes fluttered open, memories of the night before started to flood back into your mind and you smiled to yourself tiredly, feeling your face heat up. The more that you came into the realization of your surroundings, you could see that yours and Jake's braids were still connected. That was all the confirmation you needed to know that what happened with Jake the night before wasn't a dream or figment of your imagination at all. It was all very real. You still couldn't believe it. Every touch, every kiss, every sweet word.

When your eyes opened little by little you turned your head to see that Jake was still sound asleep. Your legs and limbs were still tangled together and he hadn't let go of your waist the entire night, so you were still facing him. Your chests were pressed up against the other and your hands were on his chest. You reveled and awed at how Jake had tucked his head adorably into the crook of your neck, looking for warmth for the night. You watched as his chest rose and deflated, showing his steady breathing as he slept peacefully.

Suddenly, you felt a yawn coming in. When you did yawn, you took the opportunity to stretch your limbs a bit, careful not to wake up Jake. Still, when you stretched, Jake only cuddled further into your body and tightened his hold around your waist. The action sent butterflies to your stomach and your entire body shivered with happy flutters to your heart. If every morning would be like this with him, you could not look forward to it more than you did in that moment. Then the thought occured to you. Would you be moving to the Sully's hut? You would be staying there permanently now, you assumed. You still had to tell the kids, and you hoped that they'll react in a way that was fully able to indicated that they're as happy as you are right now. You loved them as your own, and they were your family. They were really everything and absolutely everything to you.

You know you shouldn't be thinking about that now and just enjoy being here with Jake, but your mind tends to wander. If anything, all of those thoughts about telling the kids and moving in was only positive, and it doesn't make you anxious at all. In fact, you were excited and happy. They were just thoughts that circled your head now that everything was settling in and it was the next day. Then, you started to think about Tonowari and Ronal and what you'd tell them. You had to tell them that you had mated with someone other than Vokan like it was originally planned, but, you started to slowly relax and be at ease when you the conversation you had with him when he told you that he would support anyone you chose surfaced in your head. What he doesn't know is that who you chose turned out to be Jake. You would tell them very soon if it all went right.

And Vokan, you had yet to tell him. Whether he wanted to be with you for real or for the sake of being the future Olo'ekytan, you knew that he wouldn't be happy over who you chose. Yes, he was very nice and you knew he was aware that you had feelings for Jake, but he was also eager to change your mind, for whatever reason that he had for wanting to be with you. He made his intentions very clear at the party last night. You made sure not to lead him on by not going on and accepting any more dates, not wanting to give him any misleading actions, while also just keeping your relationship as friends. But you have known for a while that its not what Vokan truly wanted. If possible, you would like to stay as friends with him. You have known him since you were just young warriors in training, even if you were just acquaintances, years before.

Putting all of that aside, you forced your unnecessary thoughts to the back of your head and put it back onto Jake, who looked like he was slowly waking up. When he started to shift against you, you smiled as he slowly opened his eyes and took in all of his surroundings with furrowed eyebrows and a drowsy look on his face. He pulled his head away from your neck and went back to the position that you were in the night before, so now you had to look up at him and he had to look down at you, while still holding onto your waist. But, when his eyes trailed over and landed on you, Jake's entire expression change. His whole face softened as he looked down at you and resumed tracing circles on your skin with his fingers in the small of your back. You couldn't help but when a tender smile came to his lips, you just had to reciprocate it and smile right back at him.

You two stayed in silence for some time, basking in the presence of one another. Jake raised a hand and gently tucked a stray hair behind your ear, letting his eyes shift from your eyes to your lips. And he wasn't subtle at all. The hand that reached for your hair suddenly moved to be behind your neck, giving him the perfect opportunity to pull you to him, and into a slow and gentle kiss. It seemed that one kiss was not enough for him, because he kept going in, over and over again, pecking your lips in different angles. He smiled against your lips, and then pulled away softly, only to let his lips occupy different parts of your face like the corners of your mouth, your cheeks, your nose, forehead, loving the way that you looked in the morning sunlight. He couldn't believe that you were waking up next to him like he has been thinking about and wanting for so long now.

You giggled at the feeling of him kissing you everywhere he could find around your face, moving your hands from his chest to place them on either side of his face, on his jaw. Jake hummed as he stilled against the skin of your cheek, where he had stopped in his journey taking time to appreciate how beautiful you are. "Good morning," He whispered against your skin, tickling it and making you laugh, his voice was low, raspy and rough. It managed to send multiple shivers down your skin, given at how close to your ear he was speaking to. Though, you did not forget to return his good morning works back to him. He was clearly very happy and you really loved seeing him like that. "Good morning," You muttered as you couldn't help but let a smile grace your lips as he continued to peck the same spot on your cheek over and over. Yep, he was very happy.

"You seem happy this morning, Ma Jake," You said, referring to how you noticed his whole mood change the moment he woke up. You smiles and rubbed your thumb against his cheekbones, hearing as he chuckled lowly against your ear, making you press your head against his, closing your eyes, and reveling in the sound. You always wanted to see him as happy as he looked like in this momeny. It suited him so much and he deserved to feel that way every day. Unfortunately, the world you two lived in really made that hard. Still, he was more than glad to answer back to your words. "Why wouldn't I be? I got to wake up next to you" He said with no hesitation in his voice, and your heart started to accelerate. You smiled and your face suddenly started to feel warm. He was so smooth with everything he said that it was hard not to fall in love all over again whenever he said those types of things.

"Don't say things like that..." You said bashfully as you turned to look away from him, but apparently, he had different plans. Jake pulled away from his spot next to your ear and looked down at you with a soft smirk planted on his lips. To your words, he didn't say anything except by letting his hand trail from your collarbone, up your neck and settling on your jaw. He didnt give you a chance to say anything else as he suddenly pressed his lips to yours again. You immediately responded to his kiss as it started getting deeper when he tilted his head to the side by trailing your hands on his cheeks over to tangle in his hair. The kiss got more and more intense with every second.

When your hands trailed down from his hair down to his chest and then continued until you were running your hands across his abdomen, it seemed to drive him crazy because you were suddenly flipped onto your back and Jake was on top of you, giving you a bit of déja vú from the night before. The thought alone made youe entire body shiver as he continued to kiss you. Jake had soon moved his lips from yours, and was back to kissing every bit of skin, starting from the corner of your lips, down to that spot on your neck that he had discovered the night before. The intoxicating sensation was too much for him to bare, and you two had totally forgotten that it was still early morning and had yet to head back to the village before anyone else noticed that you were gone.

Just as Jake began to take things further and bit that spot on your neck, making you squirm, you suddenly came to the realization of a very important thing. As hard as it was to try to focus."Jake," You started to say, soon running out of breath as you noticed Jake felt himself get too immersed in you that he didn't take notice of your words. "Wait, wait...hold on, we have to go back," You said in a whisper as you panted and had break away for a second, making him frown a bit with confusion. You pushed on his chest a bit, making him prop himself on his forearm and look down at you. He didn't want to go back yet. He felt that if they went back now, things would change, and he didn't want that. There would be the secret of you and him mating, the worries of Quaritch hunting him down that he had pushed away for one night would come back, and he just wanted to stay here with you where no one else was around. It was just you and him. He wanted to stay, at least until you had to go back to reality.

"Why?" Jake frowned as he began to run his free hand run up and down your waist. Your expression saddened at how disheartened he sounded. You raised your hand and cupped his cheek lovingly. "It's still so early," He muttered loudly enough for you to hear, lowering himself down and slumping against your shoulder and once again, tucking his face into your neck. If it were up to him, he'd stay here forever with you, but he was right. He had to get back to the village, to the kids, and make it seem like you two did actually spend the night in your respective tents. You moved your hands from his chest to wrap them around his back and his shoulders, leaning your head against his.

"I know, but we have to get back before anyone notices we're gone. What if Tonowari or anyone else come looking and we're not there? Also," You trailed off, looking away for a second with a small smile and then looking at him again. "Our kids are waiting for us, aren't they? " You pointed out, and Jake groaned lowly against you, knowing that you were right, but he still didn't want to move from this place. Yet, he couldn't help feel his heart flutter at you calling the kids, 'our'. It felt so right. It made this all that more real. He loved how it sounds.

"Okay, fine. We'll go," Jake finally caved, and in response for his agreement, you placed a kiss on the side of his head. You smiled and allowed Jake to stay there, cuddled against you, because you knew that's what he wanted. He kissed your neck in response as a silent 'thank you', taking advantage of these couple of moments you and him would stay there. The sun was slowly starting to rise higher so it wouldn't be long until you two had to leave. There wasn't any doubt that you two would eventually come back here in the near future.

Part of you agreed with Jake that ir really was nice to be here in the forest with him. No worries, responsibilities, expectations, and it was just you and him. Nobody else. Once you and him stepped foot back into the village, everything that you and him forgot about just for one night would crawl right back to haunt you. But the difference this time around, is that you and Jake were more connected than ever and this time around, you'd would be there for one another unconditionally through it all. No matter what comes up. You were scared of having to face reality again once you went back to the village, but once you lay your eyes on Jake, your nerves eased and let everything go.

After some time, you realized that if you and Jake didn't leave now, the village would be bustling soon and it would be easier for anyone to know that you and Jake weren't in the village the night before. As much as you didn't want to move, you had to leave now. You shifted slightly, raisee your hand and ran it through Jake's hair to catch his attention. It seemed to work because he hummed tiredly and you rubbed his arm up and down gently. "Jake, we have to go," You whispered, and he groaned lightly but still complied. After a few seconds, you laughed as he slowly started to detach from you and kneel back on his heels.

Only when he moved away from you, was when you realized two things. One, since you and him were so caught up on each other, you failed to realized that you were both still bare and completely naked, with all of your clothes splayed around the area surrounding you both. And two, when Jake moved away, you began to shiver and goosebumps began to cover your body as warmth and comforting heat of your mate left you. Jake noticed all of these things as well, also the fact that you two were still connected through your braids. He chuckled softly and picked up on everything he had to do. He watched as you slowly say up and crossed your legs together, looking up at him. He kneeled in front of you and held your connected braids together in front of both of you. They had to disconnect them first before anything else and then be able to move on.

Jake looked at you for a second, telling you with this eyes that he was about to pull them apart. You slowly raised your hand and grabbed onto your braid while Jake held his. In one motion, you and Jake pulled your queue's away from each other. You and both sighed deeply at the same time, not feeling empty per se because you and Jake had your love and affection engraved from the first bond in your heads, but it was mostly the fact that it felt like something felt missing since the braids stayed connected all night, but that feeling soon went away and everything went back to how it was. Yours and Jake's longing and love only became stronger even after separating. There wasn't anything that would weaken or break it now.

After that, you were suddenly taken over by a chill. You hugged your body and ran your hands up and down your arms. You felt really exposed now, and Jake took notice of this. Just as you were about to reach for your top made by Tsireya and Ronal, Jake was quicker to react. You looked at him with confusion when he held onto your top delicately and suddenly pulled you close. Your face flushed when he brought you to his chest and began to put the top over your head and slid your limbs for you through the straps where your arms went. With every strap that he slide your arm through, he kissed your shoulder, your wrist, your arms and your neck. Appreciating every body part that was now hiding away once again. When you made eye-contact with him and looked at Jake with such an awe-stricken look, that he couldn't help but laugh softly. You smiled and leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. It was too fast to reciprocate but he really liked it, and then smiled back at you in return.

Without another word, Jake reached for your beaded skirt that was laying strewn on the ground. You looked at him, completely lovestruck of how sweet and considerate he is. He's helping you get dressed before himself and putting so much love into it. It filled your heart. Knowing you have to stand to put it on, so when Jake came back with your skirt, you began to try and stand up by yourself.

But, as luck would have it, you began to stumble and stagger a bit forward. As your legs wobbled a bit, Jake couldn't help but snicker a bit and immediately hold your waist with his free hand while the other held your skirt. At hearing him laugh, you glared at Jake but he couldn't help but start laughing even more at how adorable you looked when you're mad. He knew he had done this to you in the first place and it made it even more amusing. You let a ghost of a smile appear on your lips as you shook your head. It really was funny, in a way.

After that, Jake stretched out the waistband of your skirt and held it out for you. You held onto Jake's shoulder while putting one leg after the other into your skirt. When they were both in, Jake moved the skirt to adjust it around your waist and at last, you were finally dressed. When you were ready, Jake pressed a lingering kiss on your lips and cupped your cheek, and was brushing his thumb against your jaw. He pulled away, and soon, it was time for him to get dressed. For him, he only had to put on his loincloth so it wouldn't take very long either.

He had to let go of you to go and get his own clothing, so you smiled when he brushed his thumb against your cheek before stepping away to gather his loincloth. When he had it in his grasp, he stepped into it and tied it around his waist, and soon, you two were back to how everything started last night, but obviously there was one big difference. Now, you two were all set to head back. You looked up to sky and saw that by the position of the sun, people would soon be waking up so you and Jake were just in time to start heading back to the village.

Before starting to walk forward, Jake wrapped an arm around your waist and steadied you if you needed help to start walking, judging by you standing up on your own earlier. Also, he just wanted to have your skin on his at least in a subtle and gentle way, wanting to be as close to you as possible. As you and him started to walk back the way you came from, and Jake leading you since he was the one who led you here, the first couple of steps were just full of discomfort but the more you walked, the easier it became and Jake was with you by your side. He walked with you patiently, not caring if you and him were late to the village, but only cared that you being uncomfortable vanished first. He walked with you as slowly as you needed it.

After a while, already walking through the trail far enough that the village was in the distance, you and Jake were walking at a much better pace now. It was a tranquil morning and in the distance you could see that there was nobody roaming the village yet. You sighed in relief, knowing that you two still had time to get there. You and Jake walked quietly along the trail, taking notice of everything around you and the beauty that surrounded Awa'atlu, and the beautiful early morning before you. Aside from that, you and Jake basked in each other's presence, and taking advantage of every second that passed where you could have peace. Who knows how long it will last? Nobody knew.

Getting closer and closer to the village, Jake began to have things resurface in his head that he wanted to talk about. He knows that after last night, there was no discussion, but he really wanted it to hear it from you. This would be the last and final step until you joined his family officially, or by now, your family, too. There's nothing else he wants but waking up next to you, watching you interact with his kids and love them unconditionally every morning, noon, and nightc and also continue to be the mother that they've needed. He needed to ask and you hoped you'd say yes. It would be the final piece of the puzzle for everything to come together. He couldn't find his voice but soon, eventually he found the courage. "Hey, I know that this is an unspoken sort of thing, but I just need to ask," He asked, turning to look at you as the two of you walked side by side. You looked up at him and nodded in agreement.

"Okay. What is it?" You asked, smiling at him when noticing his nervousness. There was something in his mind that had him like this and you suddenly felt the need to help him as best as you could. You watched as he sucked in a breath and suddenly started speaking. "Move in with me," He blurted out as he suddenly stopped in his tacks, and you with him. His words were said with so much certainty in his voice. Before last night, you had already practically become part of his family, but what you two did last night only solidified it.

He wanted to wake up to you like every morning and he wouldn't want anything else. Your gaze softened, and you were so overwhelmed with what was happening that you could only put your trembling fingers to your lips instead of your whole hand, completely out of words. The only thing you could say was; "Okay," You said simply and nodded with a smile. You weren't opposed to it all, and you were hoping he'd ask. As soon as you answered, wrapped his arms around your waist and lifted you so your hands rested on the top of his while he twirled you around and cheered happily. You couldn't help but let the biggest smile grace your lips as you laughed while he spun you around, up until he moment he set you back down on the ground.

You didn't have to come back to your tent every day anymore, and be filled with painful and agonizing memories. You'd be coming back to a home full of love, warmth, and happiness. With people you loved. You'd create new memories with Jake and the kids. These days, you have been spending so much time in their tent more than your own, so it felt right to start living the rest of your days there. You raised your hand to cup Jake's cheek and lean in to press a long and slow kiss to his lips. He immediately reciprocated and as your lips hit one another again and again, he smiled against yours. He could not explain how excited he was to have you there every day. A part of him couldn't believe this was all happening but he truly loved every minute of it nonetheless.

You two pulled away and there was nothing else said as you and Jake smiled at each other, feeling how unreal this all is. Everything was coming together and it felt like nothing could ever ruin it. You locked your arms with his and happily started to lead him back to the village, feeling better than ever. Jake laughed to himself when he noticed the pep in your step. You'd really made his whole day before it fully even started, and he had no idea. As you and him walked by the beach next to the entrance of the paths of the huts, Jake agreed to go with you to your hut to organize a few things. The kids were probably still asleep so he didn't want to wake them up by waking inside.

The rest of your walk back to the village went as normal, and soon enough, you and Jake had made your way through the woven paths of the village and eventually, reached the entrance of your hut. And you were right. It was still way too early for anyone to be awake because there was no one in sight, but even so, with the position of the sun, people would be up and running in no time so you and Jake had made it back just in time. You held Jake's hand and brought him inside your hunt, that you'd soon be moving out of. The thought made you smile.

As you dragged Jake inside your hut, you let go of his hand when you were inside and rushed to what you needed to gather, leaving Jake to let his eyes wander to your home. He has never been inside before, and has only seen from the outside. It was very neat and organized, with your weapons on one side and your necessities on the other. There was also a small curtain in the back that he assumed was used as a cover separator. His hut had one, too. He couldn't help but think that this is the place you used to share with the one you loved and he suddenly felt saddened because of how painful it mist be to come here every day alone with all of those past moments, but also elated because you'd make memories in a new home. With your new familg and special people in your life that you have formed beautiful bonds with. When one door closes, there's another one that opens. With that said, you and him he wouldn't be forgetting those in your past, but honoring your lives like they would have wanted.

As you had your back to Jake, rummaging through your things, he felt an opportunity coming in. A soft smirk came upon his lips as he started to step as lightly as he possibly could, and when he was right behind you unnoticed, he suddenly leaped, wrapped his arms around your waist from behind and started spinning you around the room as you squealed out of surprise and laughed at his sudden action. He spun you around a couple times before putting lowering you down again and then, turning you around to face him. You had the biggest beaming smile he had ever seen on you and his heart filled with joy at seeing you like that, so full of light and happiness.

When your laughter began to die down and you regained your steady breathing, you hoped you didn't wake anybody next door, but your thoughts were suddenly cut off when Jake's hand suddenly cupped your jaw. You put all of your attention on him and locked your eyes with him, but, your smile never left your lips. Jake sighed and suddenly began dipping his head down and pressed his forehead to yours. Your noses were pressed against one other and your eyes were locked and unmoving, not daring to look at anything else. He didn't want to leave you and wanted to find any excuse to not have to go, but he couldn't find any, so he was letting his actions speak for him. So, he put his hand on your chin and began to direct it upwards so he can kiss you, but then, a voice suddenly made you both stop what you were doing. You and Jake froze when you both recognized the voice and the footsteps approaching up to your tent. Tonowari.

"Y/n! Are you there?" Tonowari called out as his voice sounded like he was getting closer, and so were his footsteps. You and Jake were quick to separate and to panic. If Tonowari found Jake in your tent as early as it was, not only that, but if your clothes were the same as the night before, it would look very bad.

You began to frantically look around for a place for Jake to hide in. He couldn't just leave your tent now if Tonowari was approaching. Your eyes searched around your hut until they landed on the curtain on the back of your hut. Your eyes sparkled at the finding and you were quick and immediate to grab Jake's hand, dragging him over to the curtain. He was confused at first but soon, he caught on to your idea as you quickly nudged him into behind the curtain, hearing the footsteps only get closer.

When Jake was behind the curtain, you quickly peaked behind it to see it Tonowari had arrived yet, but when he hadn't, you turned to look at him and how startled he looked. "Stay here. I'll find a way to get you out," You said frantically as your eyes continued to check the entrance. Jake nodded at your words, but not before he was quick to grab your chin, bring you to him, pressing a quick kiss to your lips and then broke away, leaving you dumbfounded. "For earlier," He smirked, realizing he meant that he didn't get to kiss you properly. "It's not how I had planned it, but it'll do," He smirked, and you rolled your eyes with a smile threatening to show your lips. When you got your bearings, you pulled the curtain close as much as you could and frantically ran to a spot in your tent, pretending to be doing something and not look suspicious just standing in the middle of it.

Just as you kneeled in front of your small cooking area, pretending to be preparing breakfast, Tonowari came around the corner and smiled when he saw you inside your tent. He thought that you weren't there because you weren't answering. You facepalmed yourself, knowing you had dropped the ball there. "Y/n. Good to see you. I was calling you but you didn't answer," Tonowari said as he began to step inside, and your nerves grew each second. You fought the urge to look back at the curtain, because you didn't want to give Jake's location away. If Tonowari found Jake now, it'd look even worse. You had to push through it.

"Oh, I just didn't hear you. I was pretty distracted," You said bashfully, trying to sell it as best as you possibly could. You stood up and stood in front of Tonowari to prevent him from coming even further inside, and away from the curtain. Trying to be as discreet as possible. "Oh, okay. Well, I just wanted to speak with you about a couple of things," Tonowari said as he crossed his arms. You nodded completely,   understanding what he meant. He didn't seem to notice that you were trying to block his path.

"What is it? What could it be that you're here this early?" You asked, and Tonowari could understand your question and the confusion because he's never come to you this early for anything. So, it must be important. You saw and watched as he began to mull over all of his words in his words to see how to bring up what he wanted to talk about, but as he began to ponder. You observed him anxiously.

As if it were a miracle, you spotted Zara walking just outside your hut. Just the person you needed to get Jake out of the tent without Tonowari noticing. Before she left your sight, you tried to get her attention by doinb sutble hand and arm movements but nothing was working, making your anxiety skyrocket. Eventually, you didn't have to try anymore because just the sight of Tonowari this early in the morning made her curiousity spike. She stood outside silently assessing what was happening, but soon she noticed your urgent and anxious expression while Tonowari had her back to Zara, so he had no idea that your best friend was standing just outside.

You began to jerk her your head back discreetly to gesture back to the curtain, and mouthed the word 'Jake' to her. Being the smart girl that Zara is, she immediately picked up and gasped silently. But, she nodded and gave you two thumbs up. You sighed in relief and just as Tonowari was about to speak, Zara suddenly came into the tent and brought Tonowari's attention from you, over to Zara. "Oh, hey, Olo'eyktan Tonowari! Beautiful morning, isn't it?" Zara said, and the man quickly turned to look at Zara, away from Jake behind the curtain. It was working. You just had to let her work her magic, and then sneak Jake out.

You sighed in relief and watched as Tonowari looked at Zara quizzically at her very sudden appearance. "I'm very fine, Zara" He said a simple response, and she nodded, being quick to keep up a conversation. "That's good! By the way, hs y/n shown you the warrior bracelets that she's been making. Really making the Metkayina stand out in battle, you know?" Zara smiled and laughed, in a way that was believable, and clueless as Tonowari was, he shook his head which was exactly what Zara had been waiting for. "Come on! I'll show you! You're okay with it, right y/n?" Zara as she turned to you, and you immediately nodded with a happy smile. "See? Okay, come" She said, putting a hand on Tonowari's shoulder and began to lead him over to your vanity.

Zara made him kneel down in front of your box of regular jewelry that she would pass off as the bracelets you were making. It wasn't a total lie, because you had made all your jewelry, all by yourself. As Tonowari was now kneeled on the ground in front of your vanity in the corner of the hut, with Zara standing over him while telling him what was what, this meant that the Olo'eyktan's back was completely turned to everything else in the hut, giving you a chance to sneak out Jake. Zara was truly a genius. You turned to Zara and she immediately started to mouth to you; "Go! Right now!" She mouthed and your eyes widened as you nodded quickly.

"Now? Right now?" You mouthed back, and she nodded. You quietly, yet quickly, made your way back to the curtain while Tonowari was distracted and you were met with Jake  as hidden as possible. He was startled by how quickly you grabbed his hand and began to pull him out. He grunted in surprise, but it wasn't enough to alert Tonowari, thankfully. But, when Tonowari began to stand up, thankfully to face Zara and away from the curtain, you panicked and shoved Jake back behind the curtain, hurrying back to where you were before. Zara didn't let her own panic show, but its clear that this distraction wasn't working.

"Zara, these are all very nice, but I really need to talk to y/n" Tonowari said, and your eye widened, quickly tip toeing over to your previous spot. You stood with an innocent smile when Tonowari turned to look at you. Just when he was about to continue his other conversation with you, another savior came into the room. Neteyam suddenly stepped into the hut and greeted Tonowari. He had caught the entire thing from afar, and now he decided to step in. You tried your best to hide your relief, but it was hard. The oldest Sully brother came into the room and greeted Tonowari.

"Olo'eyktan Tonowari, good to see you," Neteyam smiled, and the said man turned to look at the boy who was looking at him with the most convincing smile you've ever seen. "Good to see you too, Neteyam," Tonowari said, all the while you and Zara looked at each other, and she quickly nodded, quickly getting another idea. She quickly moved to stand in front of Tonowari, right next to Neteyam.

"You know, Tonowari? Are you sure these Marui's are as sturdy after so long? We should start checking them all, starting by y/n's hut. Come on!" Zara smiled and she turned to Neteyam to see if he'd follow along. "She's right! Back in the forest, we always had to do all sorts of changes to the structure of our homes," Neteyam added, and Zara smiled as she nodded eagerly, once again began to lead the Olo'ekytan over to one of your Marui's base  structure that held everything together. It was in perfect condition in actuality, but they had to play along for this to work.

Luckily, when Tonowari and Neteyam knelt down to check it out, the man had his back completely turned to the curtain once again. While Neteyam and Tonowari checked it out, Zara rushed to lean her arm against a pole next to them, 'nonchalantly' leaning against it as if it was casual, which was giving the two men as much of a cover from you and Jake.

"Look, here it is, sir," Neteyam said as he pointed out the 'flaws' in the Mauri. As the oldest Sully brother continued to show and indicate to Tonowari the base structure, he briefly turned his head back for a second to see if you and his dad had gotten out yet. You had been beginning to slowly inch your way to the curtain again, and when you looked at Zara, she was nodding at you that the coast was finally clear and that you and Jake could leave. "Hurry! Hurry!" She mouthed, and you nodded instantly, hurrying to get Jake out of there.

After getting to the curtain, and seeing Jake cautious if the coast was clear, you nodded to him and he understood. You grabbed his hand and you both immediately started to head out of the curtain, and then get across the hut. Jake was quick to notice his oldest son helping be a distraction and couldn't help but smile. He was extremely grateful and proud of him, even if he failed to show it. He loved him and Lo'ak more than he let them know. He'd had to fix that.

This is when Zara and Neteyam's acting would thrive the most, so they continued to point out things that weren't even there, making the man try to focus as much as he could. Tonowari was always looking for his village to be in the best condition, so he was actually interested in this and it was the perfect cover. When you and Jake were able to step out of the hut with full success, Zara breathed out in relief and when Tonowari heard this and turned around to see you not there anymore. He was filled with conusion. Zara tried to make it seem like her nonchalant position wasn't unnatural so she tried to play it off like she was doing jumping jacks and grunting stiffly. Tonowari looked at her quizzically. "What are you doing?" The man asked, and Zara simply shrugged at this.

"Its exercise. Its good for you, you know?" She tried to play it off like that was what she was doing, but Tonowari wasn't buying it at all. But, she knew that didn't matter, at least you two got to leave. Tonowari sighed with more exasperation and when he stood up to let his eyes trail around your hut in search for you, Neteyam was quick to stand up. "Where's y/n?" Tonowari asked, turning to look at Zara, but she shrugged, baffling Tonowari. "You didn't see her leave?" He asked, and Zara looked around awkwardly, scratching her head, pretending to ponder with confusion.

Tonowari sighed and realized he was getting no answer here. He turned to look at Neteyam and saw him cluelessly looking around, so he knew he wouldn't get an answer from him either. The man sighed and rubber his forehead. "Okay, so I'm getting no help from here," Tonowari said to himself, before starting to head out of the hut. He had no idea what just happened.

Before he left, he turned around back again and turned to look at Neteyam. "Oh, Neteyam. Remind me again of the Marui's, I don't want to forget checking other huts," Tonowari said, and Neteyam suddenly perked up, realizing he had to retract what he had said because there really was no problem with the Marui's at all. "Actually, sir. It was my mistake. There's no problem with the Marui's they're just fine," Neteyam said nonchalantly, and Tonowari didn't even look surprised. He just exhaled and  began fo walk out without another word. It was way too early for what had just happened.

When Tonowari was finally out of sight of the hut, Neteyam and Zara looked at each other and then burst out laughing from the pure exhilaration and adrenaline. That was really a unique experience. Zara and Neteyam both hoped that you and Jake were able to get far enough so that Tonowari didn't notice. Either way, that was fun and scary at the same time, for both you and Jake and Zara and Neteyam. Either way, it would be easier for you and Jake to play it off as if you didn't just spend the night together. Neteyam didn't quite catch onto that yet, but Zara was certain. She was beyond happy for you and extremely proud of you for finally taking the leap. Now, all that was left was to bare the news to everyone else.

-

Long after they departed from Bridgehead City on the SeaDragon, Quaritch and his group of comrades, and Spider spotted a village in the distance. This was one of the first stops for the search of Jake, and this village would be the first of many if he wasn't here.

The weather seemed a bit foggy so it was hard to navigate, but eventually, the giant ship turned a corner around some palm trees and began to descend from the air while powering off the turbines, and landing on the water. There were multiple helicopters accompanying the crew by air, decelerating now that the SeaDragon was coming to a stop.

The village they had arrived to was part of the Ta'unui clan, similar to the Metkayina, given that they also live in Mauri's, have tattoos to represent their lives as reef people, and have deep connections with their pod of Tulkuns. Even so, they were an independent clan. With these similarities, they were a clan separate from the Metkayina, but still had a very close relationship with them and other ones as well.

When many villagers started to notice the big ship approaching, horns started blaring and the Ta'unui people began to leave their homes and come to the shores of their village to see what was happening. They all gathered with worry and fear, seeing that the ship was clearly from the Sky People. The Olo'eyktan and Tsahik came running out to stand before their people, keeping their children back from the incoming threat that was approaching.

"Be calm, my people" The Olo'eyktan said as he turned to look back at the villagers. The last thing that should happen was to make the situation worse by allowing themselves to give in fear. He was the clan leader, and it was his duty to protect his people. Sky People rarely attacked the sea clans, but they knew how ruthless humans could be when they are led by greed, power, and selfishness.

The Ta'unui knew why the Sky People were there because Tonowari had warned them of the fact that they were looking for Jake Sully and that it could come to a point where humans would come and question every village if it was necessary. Under the orders of Tonowari, other villages were instructed not to say anything about Jake's whereabouts.

Soon, it became mayhem in the village when Quaritch and his team disembarked the ship and began searching through the homes of the Ta'unui. Villagers were being held at gunpoint and threatened to be killed if they made any sudden movements. Not only were the Avatar soldiers there, but also humans who had air masks on and robotic suits as they raided the village entirely, leaving it disastrous.

"We are looking for weapons, radios, or technological equipment!" One of the men yelled out, having one of the villagers under his grasp, keeping them down. Quaritch's comrades kept kicking down the backs of the people, forcing them to stay on their knees while their village was ransacked. When they didn't, the Avatars threatened the villagers with electrical tasers, powering them briefly to show the people the pain they would suffer if they didn't cooperate.

"Get down! You too! You see this?" One of the female Avatars seethed, putting the taser dangerously close to one of the women of the village who was forced to kneel. One of the men that were using a robotic suit noticed the woman he was holding down was resisting, so he didn't hesitate to tase her, and she screamed in pure agony at the sensation. "Shut up!" He said as the woman fell on the floor, in pain.

As the villagers were being held down, Quaritch, Lyle, and one other Avatar soldier were interrogating the Tsahik and the Olo'eyktan. Lyle had them both on their knees with a rifle pointed at the backs of their heads as Quaritch held up an image of Jake, asking them if they'd seen him. Spider was there as well, but only to serve as a translator.

Quaritch spoke in Na'vi to the clan leader and his wife, but they still looked at him with confusion. They knew the man that Avatar Colonel was showing was the one that Tonowari told them to protect and not divulge his location under any circumstance. "We know this man resides somewhere here on the islands. Is he here? In this village?" Quaritch sneered, and Spider gulped anxiously knowing that if the Colonel didn't get what he want, things would start to get violent quickly.

"We are a different clan. The man in the picture is from the forest," The Olo'eyktan spoke, not daring to show an ounce of fear. Quaritch wasn't understanding what the clan leader was saying, so he turned to Spider to translate. "What- What's he saying?" Quaritch asked, trying to speed this along quicker.

"They never saw him. These are sea people, and forest people don't come here," Spider clarified, but Quaritch looked at the human boy skeptically, not knowing if that was the truth or if the boy was lying to protect the village. Either way, he'd continue to press on questions until he got what he wanted. "I ain't buying that," Quaritch said with a raised eyebrow, turning back around to look at the chief and his wife, who was trembling in fear.

Quaritch turned from looking at the Olo'eyktan to looking at the Tsahik, who put on her brave face when the Colonel began speaking to her in Na'vi, asking again where Jake was. The woman did not hesitate to reply and denied any knowledge of the man in the picture, angering and frustrating Quaritch further.

"He must search in the forest if he wants to
find that man," The Olo'eyktan said to Spider, realizing that the human boy was the translator for this group of Avatars. The boy nodded, wincing slightly at the sight of Lyle grabbing the Tsahik's hair and pulling her back. Spider thanked the chief and turned back to Quaritch and relayed the message. "They don't know anything," Spider said, making Quaritch go silent but then, noticed something in the water that caught his attention, figuring out another way to get answers rather than just questions.

There was an ilu swimming peacefully through the waters in front of the village, and Quaritch immediately barked out orders to get the villagers to start giving him answers. "Shoot that animal," The Colonel ordered, and Lyle did not hesitate in raising his gun and sending three consecutive bullets to the ilu. The creature cried out in pain as it squirmed and writhed, spilling out blood onto the crystal clear water. The villagers, including the Olo'eyktan and the Tsahik, cried out at the sight of the vicious and unnecessary murder caused by this Sky Person disguised as Na'vi.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Spider yelled to Quaritch, not understanding why they had to bring death into the problem, especially with animals so sacred to the sea clans. The Ta'unui yelled and screamed out in agony and pain at the ilu floating lifelessly in the water as its blood stained the surface around it. The death of it felt like a million bullets pierced through them as well. The connection that they had with the ilu's and other sea creatures was beyond anything that the Sky People would ever even begin to understand.

Deciding to stand up for her people, the Tsahik turned to Lyle with pleading eyes, begging for the merciless death and killing to stop. The second in command didn't care at all, and even through her pleas, Lyle forced his rifle on her back, pushing her downwards as she cried.

"Stay calm! Stay calm!" Spider tried to reassure them all in Na'vi, but the Ta'unui were too blinded by pain and distress to even begin to try and reason with Quaritch and do as he says. They continued to cry for the loss of the creature, feeling as if they had lost a part of themselves. The bond these villagers made with the ilu, Tulkun, Skimwings, or anything of the sort, was special and sacred.

Quaritch grabbed the Olo'eyktan's head and harshly turned it so that the chief was looking at him directly. "Hey, are your ears working now?" Quaritch seethed as the clan leader groaned in pain under his hold. Even when feeling such strong torture, he continued to tell his people to stay calm, not wanting them to buckle under fear, torment, and affliction.

"Now you see what these can do, huh?" Quaritch warned, holding up his rifle close to the chief's face so he got the message. Spider couldn't help but start breathing heavily, and his face contorted into one of deep anguish he felt for all of them. This was taking it too far, and these people did not deserve to have their lives interrupted like this for something they never did and wasn't their fault.

The Tsahik feared and begged for her mate's life, pleading to the Avatar group to stop. Quaritch held up the same picture of Jake again, holding it up closer to the chief, and then toward the other villagers. "Jake Sully. Toruk Makto!" The Colonel yelled, showing the picture around to everyone else as well.

"He already told you he doesn't know!" The Tsahik pleaded with tears brimming in her eyes, wanting Quaritch to let her husband go. The Avatar Colonel rolled his eyes at the woman, feeling fed up with her yelling. "Put her down!" Quaritch demanded, and Lyle did as told, forcing the woman to fall on the sand. The Olo'eyktan's eyes widened and he resisted the grip that the soldier behind him had on his arms, fighting to have his wife released.

The villagers cried out at their Tsahik being mistreated like that, fearing for her life. Those who moved around too much ended up being tased painfully. Quaritch and his group continued to harshly attack the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan, but Spider couldn't let it happen. This was overkill. "Stop! Stop!" Spider yelled, begging Quaritch to halt his actions. The soldier holding the clan leader held the barrel of his gun pressed against his body.

"You make it real clear to him, that if he doesn't give up Sully, we'll kill the Tsahik," Quaritch threatened, making Spider's eyes widen. It was clear that Jake wasn't in this village and that these people didn't know where he was, so why was he taking it so far?

As the Tsahik was laying down with her head pressed up against the sand, Lyle pressed his rifle right against her head, causing her husband to plead for her life to be spared as tears pooled from her eyes and on her cheeks. Spider shook his head in denial, he didn't want to be a part of this anymore. "No, I'm not doing that," Spider refused, taking a few steps back.

"That right?" Quaritch mused, looking at Spider with narrowed eyes. Spider denied wanting to help in any of this for much longer, this was assault, murder, and meaningless torture for no reason. "I don't want to be a part of this!" Spider yelled, seeing in the corner of his eye more villagers being tased for trying to stand up and protect their Tsahik.

"These people don't know anything! They don't know anything!" Spider yelled, seeing people being forced down even further with tasers by the human and Avatar soldiers alike, and practically having the devices pressed against their necks, which can cause possible death. The electricity could kill them. There was also this one Avatar female soldier just calmly and nonchalantly chewing gum and blowing bubbles while pressing a gun directly at one of the Ta'unui villagers. It was sick.

Just as Lyle was about to shoot the Tsahik in the head, he looked up at Quaritch with an unsure expression. If these people really didn't know anything, would they really go as far as killing someone without reason? "Are we really gonna waste her?" Lyle asked, seeing Quaritch suddenly start to think things through in his head. Was it really worth it?

"Please! Please, don't do this! This is wrong! What you're doing here, is wrong!" Spider pleaded, and Quaritch turned to look at the boy, seeing how much this brutality was paining him. "Please..." Spider continued, and somewhere along his words, it was able to get through to the Colonel so he opted for another idea instead. The man was silent for a few seconds before turning to his subordinates.

"Burn the hooches," Quaritch said, referring to the huts of the village. Lyle removed the gun from the Tsahik's head and turned to the other soldiers. "Hey, light 'em up," Lyle said, and the soldiers relayed the orders to one another before they finally started to set fire to the homes of the Ta'unui clan. Spider sighed in relief, knowing that at least nobody was killed.

Even so, as their homes were burned down to the ground completely and to a crisp, the people began to scream at their village being destroyed like this. The Olo'eyktan and Tsahik screamed out to Quaritch asking a single question. 'Why are you doing this?' The clan had no idea why this was happening, or what they did to have their home reduced to absolutely nothing but ashes and ruins.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't know!" Spider apologized deeply to the woman and the man in front of him, who cried endlessly. "Stop this madness!" The Tsahik cried, suddenly feeling ashes and sparks of the fire come closer. Their homes were gone, and Spider could do nothing but apologize profusely. "I'm sorry," He said profusely, but then continued to reassure them in Na'vi, trying to help them see that they won't be in danger anymore now that Quaritch was rounding up his soldiers and everyone else.

"We're out of here," Quaritch said, watching the huts burn behind the villagers, and putting a hand on Spider's shoulder to start bringing him back to the ship. Upon contact, Spider slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me!" He yelled and then turned around to the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan again to continue to apologize over and over. This wasn't how things were supposed to happen. He didn't know Quaritch would go this far to get answers.

"I'm so sorry!" He apologized again, but this time he couldn't get rid of Quaritch's hold on him while he dragged the boy away. The Colonel lead back his group to the Ikrans who were stationed nearby, leaving the huts to crumble as the villagers cried. Forgotten and left behind as if it never existed, the murdered ilu was still floating in the water with its blood pouring out and staining the water around it. The fact that it was only used as a pawn for Quaritch's warnings, didn't work, it truly made Spider sick to his stomach. It wasn't right.

-
This is one of the very last chapters wher we'll have happiness in a while :,) we're breaking out of the bubble of joy we've been on for 23 chapters and going into angst! I really wanted to make this chapter have a funny element so I added a scene that I really liked from a show I really like so I hope you guys like it!

There are still so many things to cover like everyone finding out about y/n and jake before officially jumping into the angst, so there's at least one more chapter until things really start to pick up! Im excited for what I have planned. I hope you guys are as excited as me for everything to be tied together! 🤍

As usual, I put these at the end of every chapter, but there's not much else that I have to say now, but as always, I'll add other news in future chapters if there are any at all or if anything changes. Anyway, I'll see you all in the next one! 🤍 Have a good rest of your week everyone! :,)

Also, remember if you want a dt for the next chapter, let me know! I love doing these because I can really express my gratitude to all of you that way :,) I really want to start doing these more!
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