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Jake Sully. The man absolutely vexed you in so many ways— the little quirk in his smile, the breathy laugh he gave when he finally accomplished something, and that damn look he gave you whenever you finally met his gaze. “Skxawng—” You hissed through gritted teeth, smacking his arm into position as you helped him aim the bow, “You hold it like you're a child” You snapped out, hairless brows pinching together as you frowned.
By some unfortunate event, Neytiri couldn't come to train this Tawtute. It irritated you, Grace was the only tawtute you could handle, that woman had a kindness in her you could see, a kindness that made you less reluctant to accept her teachings to your clans young ones despite your unease.
But this— this man? He is absolutely insufferable.
“Y’know— you and Neytiri are a lot alike” Jake grumbled under his breath, the way you smacked his stomach to force him to stand straighter was a reminder of how Neytiri practically manhandled him during training. “That is a compliment” Your chin titled up, head held high as your ears twitched, “My sister is a respected warrior— and Slywanin an excellent healer”.
Jake noticed how you always spoke so highly of your older sisters, how you'd walk around home tree as if you being related to them was a blessing within itself. His tail curled, the tuff brushing against his ankle as his ears flicked back. You spoke highly of them, you sang their praises, but he doesn't recall if they ever sang yours. “Hey— what the hell!" Jake flinched when you tugged on his tail, hissing through his teeth as he looked at you.
Your lips curled into a momentary smirk, fangs peaking through as your loose braids softly framed your face, “Pay attention, skxawng” You taunted, “You still aim like a clumsy child, if you wish to be one of the people, you must learn quickly” It wasn't the first time you reprimanded him, talking to him as if he were more of a child than a man. It pissed him off most of the time, but the way your lips would curl into that subtle pout always softened the edges of that bitter feeling.
“You’re infuriating” Jake huffed out, grip loosening up on the bowstring just enough to catch your eye again. “As are you, tawtute— something we can finally agree on” You scoffed as you stepped up behind him, the soft leaves of your chest piece just barely grazing against his back as you guided his arms again. “Stop hesitating, just breathe, let Eywa guide you” You whispered so softly it made his ears twitch, but he finally listened.
Jake breathed in slowly, drawing the bowstring just how Neytiri had taught him— but his focus was on you. The way your hands hovered at his elbow, tipping it up with a nudge so gentle he almost wouldn't believe it was you, and the way your fingers splayed over his wrist, carefully guiding his aim. “Breathe in” You whispered, and he did, sucking it in slow and easy, trying not to focus on the way your voice softened so sweetly, “And release” The arrow flew, sharply through the air, hitting the target dead center.
Jake smiled so brightly, laughing that breathless laugh that signaled an accomplishment— part of it made you bristle, another part felt a hint of pride. You hated this tug of war in your heart, in your soul— unlike Neytiri and Slywanin, you distrusted the humans. You've seen their weapons, seen the way they think, the way they talk. You only just barely tolerated Grace, not with lack of effort on her side— but this man had your sister eating out the palm of his hand.
“Do not celebrate yet, tawtute, you will keep shooting” You commanded, stepping back from him to circle around. You always looked at him with scrutiny, it was something Jake got used to long ago, especially when you first met. “C’mon— we've been at this for hours” He complained, his head lolling to the side as he cracked his neck, easing some tension from the constant position.
“Are you a man, or a boy?” You snapped, tail lashing behind you in aggravation. “You will do it again—” Your words were sharp, clipped even, always so angry, “Neytiri would be harsher than I” You stated, roughly smacking his arms back into position.
Jake only sighed, frustration bubbling, I highly doubt that— was the only thing he thought before forcing himself to get back to training.
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The communal fire burned brightly, many Na'vi huddled around and telling stories. Jake has attended these for many nights now, watching, listening— it was so different from earth, from everything he was used to. It was better, he knew that for sure. Neytiri was beside him, smiling at a story someone was speaking of, but his gaze was on you, watching as nimble fingers worked on something. You always sit farther from the fire, you don't sit beside your sisters or your parents, you just ... Hovered, far at the edges where you could still be seen, but left undisturbed.
Jake never understood why you hid in the background. Your mother is Tshaìk and your father is the Olo'eyktan, you should be seated up front with your chin held high, with that confidence he had seen in you once before. “I’ll be back” He whispered to Neytiri before rising, not waiting for a response as he carefully weaved through the crowd. He knew you wouldn't take kindly to him being in your space, but he couldn't help himself.
“All alone?” He asked carefully, noticing the way your fingers halted on whatever you were making. His tail swayed as he slowly kneeled beside you on the soft grass, keeping a small gap between the two of you, “Yes, I prefer it” You muttered, your fingers slowly going back to whatever they were doing.
But Jake's mind was reeling— he had fully expected you to snap at him as you always do, having braced himself for the familiar sight of your snarl. Shit, okay, keep it cool, just talk— his mind raced, lips pressed together in an awkward line as his tail curled around his ankle, “What are you—”
“Hush” You cut him off sharply, and he obeyed without another thought. His hands came together in his lap as he tried to find a way to make this less awkward than it was. Talking with Neytiri was easy, you on the other hand, was a very different story. Jake constantly felt as if he were tiptoeing around a thanator when he tried speaking to you, your hackles were always raised, always tense, like one wrong move would make you run— or snap.
“This is for you” You stated suddenly, holding up a perfectly weaved arm guard.
“Huh?” Jake's ears tipped up in surprise, tail stilling as he looked at the intricate weave. You made him something.
You made him something.
That small realization made a heat creep up the back of his neck, “You made this for me?” He asked carefully, reaching out to gently hold it between his fingers. “Your human clothes are atrocious” You stated plainly, “If you are to join us, you must look like one of us” You said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, and maybe it was, but your small act of acceptance made his heart stutter.
He finally looked up at you, his gaze meeting yours. It was as if he was finally seeing you for the first time. You always acted stern, many even said you have a heart of stone, he could understand why— there was no doubt that you only held a semblance of warmth for your people, for your own kind, your family. He noticed it in the way your gaze would sharpen whenever an Avatar walked by, or when a human was near.
He noticed it in the way your tail would curl, betraying the natural snarl your lips wished to curl into. But right now? Right now he saw more than just your hatred, he saw you. He saw the way the orange hues of the fire danced across your blue skin, clashing with the natural bioluminescence of the forest. He saw the twitch in your jaw, the way you were forcing yourself to be tame, to keep that inner hatred at bay in order to maintain peace.
One of your braids came loose, falling into place in front of your face. He had to resist the urge to tuck it back, “Can you help me with it?” He finally asked, holding it back out to you, only for his lips to quirk up into a small smile when you snatched it from his palm. “Skxang— can't even do this yourself?” You groaned, almost reluctantly tugging on his arm to lift it up, wrapping it around his bicep.
Jake knew he could do it, but having you do it for him felt like a much greater feat.
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Your bond grew, much to your dismay. Jake Sully is a charming man, you can tell why the women in your clan find him as such. When Neytiri was busy, you'd take over Jake's training, and when they were done, he'd seek you out. You didn't know why, he must've had better things to do, no? It was something you couldn't wrap your head around.
You noticed more about him, noticed the way he'd whisper human words under his breath when he was frustrated. You watched when he'd get lost in thought, a storm brewing behind those eyes that held depths that went beyond anything you knew. Most nights when you would sit with him after training, carefully patching any scrapes and cuts, you'd look at him.
Not just look, but observe. He was different then the male Na'vi you know. You assume it's due to the demon blood in his veins. His markings were slightly more prominent, his ears larger, rounder than what you've seen. His hands and toes— ten of each, that was always the biggest sign of an Avatar.
A tawtute wearing your people's skin—
The thought made you let go of him abruptly— flinching back as if burned. Your four fingered hands hovered in the air as Jake's gaze snapped up, raising a brow at the sight of your distress, “Hey—” He whispered softly, hand reaching for yours, but when you tumbled back, rising to your feet, he paused. There it was again, that familiar anger, that hatred you held in your heart, aimed straight at him.
“Don’t look at me like that” He uttered out, his chest feeling tight as he rose as well, tail curling slowly between his legs.
He doesn't know why it hurt so much. You used to look at him like this all the time— as if he were just taking up space in your home, but after so much time spent with one another, he had hoped things would change between you. “Don’t—” He almost choked on his words, his throat tight and heart aching. Why did you have to look at him like this again? After everything.
He had seen you too, he saw the way you would drop everything the moment your sisters needed you. He saw the way you kept to yourself: trained, confident, quiet. You never raised your voice, always keeping it at an even level to not make yourself a problem. You woke before dawn, gathering supplies that you took note of the days prior. He saw how you hid behind a facade built to keep peace, to keep your family from worrying, to be the perfect child.
But there was more he saw. He has a memory of you burned into his skull, painted perfectly behind his eyelids. You were helping him learn to ride a direhorse, teaching him other methods of travel— when he got bucked off and straight into the mud. It would've been embarrassing had he not caught sight of you. Your eyes were wide, ears tipped up before something beautiful happened— you laughed.
It was a memory he cherished despite the fact that it was him you were laughing at. It haunted his every waking moment, the sight of your braids bouncing as you laughed deep from your gut, the sun casting gentle shadows over your form, and the way you smiled. Nothing could compare to it, and nothing made his heart race more than the very memory of it. But now? Now you were looking at him as if his very existence disgusted you.
And maybe it did.
“You should remember your place here” You uttered through clenched teeth, a complicated wave of emotions burning through your veins. How could you forget what he is? What he isn't. It made your stomach churn with shame, ears pinned back at the very thought of it. Something else hurt though, and that was the sight of him. You weren't used to Jake looking so lost, so dejected. His tail tucked between his legs, shoulders sagging as his ears pinned back flat against his head.
Like you were hurting him too, and that thought made you feel sick.
“Neytiri will be looking for you” You forced the words out, gathering your herbs, “Leave” the command made Jakes tail tuck more securely, and for a moment he thought of staying, of defying that wish and making you speak to him— but in the end he groaned through clenched teeth, quickly exiting.
And for some reason... It felt as if a piece of you had left with him.
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It was no secret that you were avoiding him. Everyone in the clan had noticed at one point or another, especially with the way your body would tense when his voice came to close, or the way you'd avoid every single one of his attempts to speak with you. It was childish of you, and you knew that, but this hatred in your heart was making it difficult to be near him. The worst part was that Jake still wore the arm guard you had woven for him, you never saw him without it, and that only made you feel even worse.
You prayed to Eywa on most nights, asking her for guidance. While Jake trained harder and harder with Neytiri, not sleeping much most nights. It took a toll on his link, most of his days spent in his Avatar rather than his human body. He couldn't bear to be in it, couldn't bear to be in a body that only reminded him of how much you despised him.
Tonight was no different as you were gathering more supplies, ears twitching subtly when you caught wind of his voice. Your first instinct was to run— to go home and put as much distance as you could between you, but your mothers words from the days prior rang through your head.
“My child” Mo’at had sighed heavily, “You cannot continue like this” You wanted to protest, but she didn't give you the chance too. “This hate? It will consume you, and once it does— it'll burn those around you” You knew she was right, but your chest tightened, nails biting into your palms.
You sighed at the memory, eyes closing briefly. How could you let go of something that drove you forward? That helped put one foot in front of the other— but you didn't get to dwell on that fact, not when the forest went quiet. Your eyes snapped open, a thud on the ground and a screech of an Ikran made you rise to your feet. Your body moved on its own, running through the dense foliage until you saw it— saw him.
“Jake!” You cried, rushing to his motionless body. His Ikran yipped and chirped, nuzzling its rider to get him up, but there was no response. You dropped onto your knees— hard, you're sure they'll ache later, but right now all you could see was him. “Ma’ Jake—” You lightly slapped his cheek, bringing your head down and almost choking out a sob of relief when you felt his breath against your ear. You knew that he went between bodies, and you prayed to Eywa that's all this was, but fear settled deep into your heart.
“Tsu’kar!” You called for your ikran, heaving as you picked up Jake's body. You didn't think, not really, you knew home tree couldn't help, but there was one place that could, and it was the one place you swore you'd never go to. With Jake pressed against you, you set off, your ikran quickly taking to the sky as your eyes searched for that familiar metal.
His Avatar felt so cold in your touch, breathing just barely there. You had heard from Neytiri previously about how hard Jake had been pushing himself lately, and you knew you had something to do with it. The thought made guilt burn in your chest, but your fear won over as your ikran dove, you could see the familiar metal box, the one you had despised so much, but right now you didn't care, you couldn't.
“Grace!” You shouted once you landed, carrying his body up to the metal box. It didn't take much time for Grace to open the door, in her Avatar, “[Y/n]—?” She asked in surprise, but what caught her off guard was the brim of tears in your eyes, “I didn't know where else to bring him” You choked out. Grace quickly helped you, not hesitating to follow her inside the metal contraption.
Demon technology.
Poisonous metal.
The insults you used to spew sank into the depths of your mind, because it didn't matter— not right now, not when you thought Jake was hurt, sick, or worse. “Where is he?” You asked, watching as Grace and the other humans hooked up his Avatar.
“I need to see him—” You urged, not liking the way Grace avoided your gaze. She was hesitant, and while you'd typically understand why, you didn't care at this moment, because even if it was in a different skin, you needed to know if he was okay, needed to see him. Especially after feeling his faint breath, feeling the cold of his blue skin, you needed him to be okay.
You were about ready to snap at her until you heard it, the faint creak from the other side of the room, your head snapped up, breath catching, “I’m here” Jake called quietly. He looked so different, so small, so... pink, but your mind didn't dwell on that for long, because in two quick strides you kneeled in front of him, “Ma’ Jake—” You choked out, your fear and anxiety finally releasing as tears finally slipped down your cheeks
“You’re here— You're okay” You whispered, fingers gently brushing against his cheek. You didn't pay attention to how his eyes widened and his breath hitched, because he was here, and that's all that mattered to you. “Why are you here?” Jake asked quietly, confusion and disbelief. He never once thought you'd be here, surrounded by metal and seeing him like this.
“I was scared” You admitted, ears pinning back as you tail swished across the metal floor, “I was so scared you were hurt—”
Jake sat there for a moment, just listening to you ramble. You looked so big like this— and so small at the same time. His heart ached as he watched your lower lips tremble, shoulders shaking and hands unwilling to wander too far from him. Despite everything, he hated seeing you in such distress, hated seeing you cry, even if it gave him whiplash from your usual glare.
“I’m sorry—” You choked out, crumbling more when his small hands held your face, “I’m so sorry” His touch brought you some security, some warmth despite the differences. “It’s okay baby— I'm here” The endearment slipped from his lips, but neither of you seemed to care as your head gently rested against his, not wanting to hurt him.
“It’s not okay” You whispered breathlessly, pulling back to look at him.
Jake didn't know how to feel about how you were looking at him, he always worried about the way you'd react to seeing him like this— as something you hated. So when your eyes softened around the edges, your tears still making them glossy as you looked at this form of him with care, it made his worries melt away.
Your finger carefully brushed against his chin, slow and gentle, “I see you, Jake Sully” You whispered in the human words he had taught you long ago.
His heart stuttered, sucking in a deep breath that he slowly let out. “I see you too” He whispered softly his hand carefully settling on your wrist as you leaned in, foreheads touching.