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allidoistrytrytryy · 1 year

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don’t want no other shade of blue, but you (part 1 of 2) (neteyam x reader)

AO3 version if you prefer reading over there

part 2 (Neteyam and the sky girl, series)

summary: (the confusing timeline and glimpses of life between Neteyam and a human girl.)

warnings: hurt/comfort, fluff and angst, kinda only angst with bits of fluff for part 1, will get better, no use of y/n, confusing timeline, aged-up characters when it comes to present time, not canon-compliant, will surely be unrealistic when it comes to lore but i write what i want and that IS AN HAPPY ENDING IN PART 2

As you slowly woke up, you peeked over to the edge of the tree to see the sun had begun to set.

You needed to go back, now.

You pulled yourself away from the large blue body. You had fallen asleep on his shoulder, again, while you were talking.

Your very best friend, Neteyam. Your other half in so many ways.

The one that you could never be with, you reminded yourself as you re-positioned your mask again, making sure it was well attached and still working.

Here was the detail, you were fully human. Or sky people, as they all liked to remind you when the others of the clan looked at you and whispered under their breath.

Were you angry at them ? Of course not. Sky people were still your people, as much as you wanted to erase that part of yourself. But that did not change the fact that your people had tried to take everything from the Omaticayas.

They had destroyed Hometree. Killed the Olo’eyktan. Killed so many of them, all for some resources. And you were simply a reminder of that.

Your small stature, your non-blue skin, your hands of five fingers, your mask always on your face. You were one of them, no matter how much you did not want to be.

But the thing was you didn’t know anything but Pandora.

Your mother, a scientist, had been pregnant when the evacuation happened. Barely pregnant, in the early stages, but still enough to not be able to be brought back, the flight too dangerous to take and cryo impossible.

So your father, one of the many military men on base at the time, had fucked off and taken the first flight home back to Earth, not caring about the woman he had fucked or his unborn child.

Obviously, your mother had wanted to go right back to Earth too, so she had hated you for keeping her on Pandora. She gave birth to you and got evacuated as soon as she could be.

You never heard from her after that. You never asked about her either. You didn’t care.

Home had been the remaining humans in the lab who had stayed. Home had been the multiple faces and hands you had been through. Home had been a little blond boy, human too, pulling on your hair and going out every day, when you barely had the courage to go explore.

Home was looking up at a tank with a large blue woman floating in it (“It’s a Na’vi.” Norm had said, while holding you on his hip, explaining to barely 1-year-old little you. “Well, technically, she’s but an avatar, so not truly Na’vi but… yeah. That was Grace. And soon, there will be another baby around, but blue.”).

That Grace had been pregnant, which you later on understood no one could explain. (Lo’ak would whisper his suspicions later on to you, in his own confident joking manner, loud enough for Kiri to hear. She had jumped on him after that. You had looked with a sigh, but a smile anyway.) But a blue baby came out soon after and was taken by two larger than life blue people. (Literally larger than life. You remembered looking up at them from the ground, fascinated and terrified at the same time.)

You had not seen her (Kiri, Norm had told you, back from a run to the Omaticayas in his avatar. Daughter of Grace. Daughter of Jake and Neytiri.) for a few years, until one day Spider dragged 5-year-old you to the forest to show you the clan and make you meet the Sully siblings.

You remembered how Spider had jumped in with them, so naturally, like another brother. You had felt awkward, looking from afar, already so aware of your differences even at such a young age.

Spider was being rowdy with Lo’ak while Neteyam was watching them with a shake of his head. You had gravitated towards Kiri, who was sitting away from them, looking around her. You had sat down beside her.

Kiri hadn’t looked back for a minute or two, too engrossed in the world around her, until she had finally turned to you, surprised to see someone she didn’t know beside her.

“Sorry, I did the thing... You must be the human girl Spider keeps talking about ! It’s nice to finally meet you.” Kiri had exclaimed, with a smile so big you had loved her instantly.

“Must be me... I’m the only one around anyway... I hope he didn’t tell you bad things.” You had grumbled under your breath, sending a death glare to Spider’s back.

Kiri had shaken her head with a laugh. “Brothers, am I right ?” She had sighed, looking at her own brothers.

You had sighed back and smiled. You hadn’t countered the word. Spider was the closest thing you had to a brother. The only one who understood what you were going through.

Spider had gotten close to you two after a while. “I saw you with your look and your sigh. What are you saying about me, dumb ass ?”

“Absolutely nothing, I'm innocent." You had said, lightly kicking him with your foot.

He had narrowed his eyes in suspicion, until Lo’ak and Neteyam had come closer. Lo’ak was the first one to talk, while Neteyam was simply looking at you.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us, monkey boy ?”

“I have the unfortunate pleasure to introduce you to my daily pain in the ass.” Spider had told them your name as you had whined over his words, kicking him harder with your foot this time.

“It’s nice to meet you. He talks about you often. We wondered if you would ever come around.”

Neteyam had looked at you with a smile while saying it. You remembered liking him instantly, with his easy smile.

“I wasn’t going to, until Spider dragged me here.” You had whispered, looking at your hands.

“And we’re glad he did.”

Kiri had rubbed your back, before pulling you to your feet to show you the forest.

The rest is history. You came back, again and again and again. You couldn’t stay away anymore. You loved them. You felt like you belonged beside them.

But you knew you didn’t.

You barely went to the Omaticayas’ home. You always joined them in the forest, but you never crossed the line, as much as Kiri pulled on your hand to come with them.

“Come eat with us ! Come on ! Our parents would love to see you. They always hear about you, but never see you.”

(You knew that was not true. Maybe Jake wanted to see you more, getting it underneath it all, but Neytiri ? Spider had told you so many times how she looked at him with cold unforgiving eyes and whispered under her breath. (That did not stop him from sticking to the Sullys and always crossing that line you had drawn yourself.) (In the few times you had met them, her, she had never looked at you like that though. Maybe the fact that you stayed away made it easier for her to just... forget about you.))

In those moments when you refused and said you were going home with a sad smile, Neteyam would always walk you home, helping you get over any obstacle and helping you climb.

He kept growing taller and taller while you stayed small. Which means he was lifting you more than helping you climb, honestly. And he would make fun of you for it too.

(“Come on, sky girl, keep up !”

He said, laughing as he jumped over trees and vines easily.

“I’m trying, Nete ! You skxawng !”

You yelled and he laughed even harder, looking back at you, his braids swinging with the movement. Your heart skipped a beat.)

One day, when he was twelve and you eleven, he had stopped you before arriving to the small lab you called home.

Neteyam hesitated, your small hand in his. “You should really come around, one day. Just... come see where we live and eat with us. Just one time.”

You had seen the hope in his eyes and you had tried not to cave in. He couldn’t get you. Nope. No.

“Nete, I... You do understand that I don’t belong there, right ?” You had laughed faintly. “Spider doesn’t get that through his thick skull, but I do. No one wants to see me there.”

He had looked at you with sadness, taking your other hand in his free hand. “Other sky people come around all the time. And you do belong.”

You had bitten your lips, looking anywhere and everywhere but his emerald eyes. “Just one time, sky girl. Please.”

“Okay, okay ! Ugh, you’re so annoying, Neteyam.”

He had simply laughed before ruffling your hair, which almost made you fall down. (“Control your own strength, skxawng !”)

That was when you learned you could never say no to him. Anything he asked you would cave for.

(You had come around the next day, grumbling under your breath, as Neteyam pulled on your left hand and Kiri on your other one. Lo’ak was pushing at your back. Spider looked at you and laughed his ass off. You threatened to cut his hair in his sleep.

Jake had actually been happy to see you. Neytiri less, which you weren’t surprised about. You had tried to be as respectful as you could be, making yourself small, even though the others were making it hard for you to be.

Neteyam had sat down beside you, his shoulder and thigh brushing yours, clad in a simple tank top and shorts. You had been glad for the comfort.

When you had left that night, you had been surprised about Neytiri not being hostile to you. Not as Spider had told you.

That had made you come back a few times a week after that, for years. Even though Neytiri did not love you, but she accepted you at least. Even though some Omaticayas would look at you and whisper that you didn’t belong.)

You didn’t understand how you hadn’t realized your feelings for Neteyam back then.

He was your best friend, until he wasn’t just that. Until you looked at him and wanted more.

You didn’t remember exactly how the realization happened. You knew one day you thought he was just your closest friend and confidant, and the next day you wanted to hold his hand and kiss him on his stupid blue lips and fall asleep every night close to him.

Which led you to this exact moment. Sneaking out to go back home, because you couldn’t help but stick close to him. As much as you told yourself every minute of every day that you two could never be. Could never happen. Would never happen.

Sometimes, you even fooled yourself into seeing more in his looks and his touches. Seeing that maybe he saw you the way you saw him. But it could never happen.

As you walked back to the lab, you told yourself that he deserved more. Neteyam was...

You couldn’t even describe it. He was Neteyam. Good and protective and strong and kind and smart and beautiful. Caring. Loving.

He deserved everything. The mate. The family. The future.

You could never give that to him.

So as you said good night to the other humans, giving a small wave back to Norm, as took off the mask, as you laid in bed, you thought and thought and thought and hurt.

You fell asleep hours later, missing his warmth and hating yourself for missing it.

You dreamed of being Na’vi again. You dreamed of him. And it tore you apart.

You kept playing the good best friend, still never crossing lines until he looked at you with those eyes and that smile and you couldn’t help but gravitate to him.

He got even taller, broader, bigger. His voice got deeper. His skills got better.

He was one of the best hunters already at eighteen. He was to be a great future Olo’eyktan, after his father.

You couldn’t understand why he kept seeking you out. You understood when you were younger, but now?

You were simply human. You had barely grown. You had learned basic survival skills from Jake, who had insisted you learn them (“Just in case.” He had told you, a hand on your head.). You were glad he had taken the time.

Neytiri had, somehow, warmed up to you. As much as she could for sky people.

She had taught you how to use a bow, how to make arrows, how to defend yourself with them. You had taken every opportunity, working hard to learn. You wouldn’t speak a lot with each other and you never pushed it.

Mo’at had even given you great opportunities to learn from her, teaching you which plants healed what, talking to you as if you were a part of them.

(When you had asked her why, she had simply looked at you. “The great mother has shown me that you have great strength and a great heart. That does not come around very often in your people.”

You had almost cried in front of her in that very moment, sniffling and keeping them in as best as you could.)

Even through it all, a part of you always screamed that you didn’t deserve any of it. That you didn’t belong and would never. You had learned to not listen, every new acceptance and moment adding to your disillusions, every smile and look from Neteyam making yourself get closer.

The biggest reminder was when the sky people came back.

That had been your wake up call.

When it happened, you had been with all of the Sully siblings. Tuk was in your lap, even though she was already way taller than you, but hadn’t lost the habit from when she was small.

You were helping her make bracelets (“One for all of us ! And one for Mom and one for Dad !” She had exclaimed, excited to be with you for the night while their parents were out on date night.). Kiri and Neteyam too. Lo’ak was still on the same one, grumbling that they were braiding bracelets instead of going out. Spider too.

Neteyam had sat them down quickly when they had tried to get out.

“You guys’ asses are staying right there. No bullshit.”

You had laughed with Kiri, hiding behind Tuk.

All was calm and good until there were loud noises, until you all went out to see what was happening and you saw the forest on fire.

Until everybody screamed out that sky people were back.

You felt yourself faltering, your hand letting go of Tuk’s and dropping to your side.

They were back. Back. Back. Back. Back.

No. No. No.

You felt a hand on your back and startled as a voice talked to you, “You okay, sky girl ?”

The nickname that you loved from his lips now wanted to make you scream, cry, throw up. They were back. And you were one of them.

You had never belonged here and they had just reminded you of this very fact.

You looked up at him, smiled sadly and hid your face in his side to let yourself cry. You would let yourself give in this one moment of weakness.

And then, you were tearing out the plug.

You left right when Jake and Neytiri came back and the Sullys were too busy being together. You left without a word for any of them, without a word for Neteyam who didn’t realize you had left until it was too late.

You locked yourself in your little room. You barely went out for weeks. You couldn’t bring yourself to go back.

“If they ever come around, just tell them I’m not here.” You told Norm, before locking yourself in your room again.

They tried to come again and again. Neteyam knocked on your door, day after day, with the others or alone.

“Sky girl, come out. We all miss you.”

“Please, sky girl. Just... talk to me. I’m on my own. You know you can trust me.”

“You always listen to me, come out and let me listen to you.”

“Let me hear your voice. Tell me you’re okay.”

“Sky girl, I’m never going to stop coming, you know that right ? No matter how much you try to push us away, to push me away, I’ll never stop coming.”

You knew he wouldn’t stop. He was loyal to a fault. Protective. He wouldn’t abandon you.

That hurt more than anything else. If he stopped, at least, you could comfort yourself in the fact that he didn’t need you anymore. He made it hard.

He made you want to open that door. You missed him. Missed Lo’ak. Missed Kiri. Missed Tuk. Missed the forest and the sounds and the feeling of it all around you.

But you couldn’t. Not when you remembered that sky people were out there, hurting them again.

At some point, the scientists and avatars moved to the Omaticayas and the mountains, to help them, to be as close as they could.

You didn’t. You stayed right in your little room and in this lab. Some humans came around to see you as often as they could. Max and Norm stayed sleeping there almost every night, to not leave you alone.

Spider too slept there a lot.

You never opened the door for any Na’vi. Not even the ones you loved.

You were trying to distract yourself with some reading when loud bangs erupted on your door.

“It’s Kiri ! You need to come out, right now. Neteyam’s hurt !”

Fear spread through your whole body. Not him. You unlocked the door and opened it wide.

“What happened, Kiri ?” You asked, your hand shaking on the handle of the door.

“He... They were out on a mission, to get supplies from sky people. They were supposed to just be spotters but Lo’ak got into it, so Neteyam did too, and then there were explosions.”

You could barely hear more, your ears were ringing. She told you that it wasn’t too bad, that he would be okay, but you couldn’t feel your fingers anymore. What if he was badly hurt after all ? What if, what if, what if ?

You ran through the forest, Kiri helping you up the mountains. You barely focused on the mountains, barely focused on Omaticayas welcoming you back or looking at you surprised, barely focused on the other avatars calling out your name. You needed to get to Nete.

Kiri pulled you to their tent. Neteyam was sitting down, his back to you, while Mo’at tended to him and Kiri got right back in it as she arrived.

You saw the scars on his back. They had been bleeding but they weren’t deep. You dropped your hands to your knees and took your first real breath in what felt like hours.

“Well shit, look who’s back !” Lo’ak screamed out followed by Jake’s “Language !”.

Tuk jumped at you, crying out. “Don’t ever leave again ! We missed you !”

You rubbed her back, “I’m sorry, didn’t mean to hurt you, yawntutsyìp...”

Lo’ak hugged you fiercely, almost breaking your back while whispering that it was good to have you back.

Jake and Neytiri smiled at you.

Neteyam hadn’t said a word. He wasn’t even looking at you.

He waited until Mo’at had finished (“Welcome back, girl.” with a touch of her hand on your shoulder) and he was deemed okay to get up. He took your hand and pulled you away from everybody.

He stopped but still didn’t look at you, letting your hand go in the process.

“Nete... I know you’re mad at-”

He interrupted you, “Mad ? Mad ? You don’t know the half of it ! I tried being patient, I stayed there behind that locked door for hours and hours, worried to death. And now you do come out ?”

You could feel yourself getting angry too, your throat getting all clogged up. “I didn’t ask you to stay behind that door ! So what ? I shouldn’t have come out ?”

“That is not what I mean, you skxawng ! Fuck ! I was worried to death that you weren’t okay. You wouldn’t let me in. You wouldn’t let me be there for you. I hated it. Hated the fact that you were all alone in there. Hated myself for not being enough for you. I’m never good enough, even at this.” He said, gesturing with his hand to you and him.

You startled at his words, “Not good enough ? Nete, you’ve always been too good. You’re the best of us all. Look, you even got hurt again for one of us. Me shutting down ? It wasn’t you. It could never be your fault.”

“Then what is it ?”

Looking up into his eyes, the tears started falling before you even said a word. “They hurt you all again. The forest, the planet, the people... They did. And I’m one of them. As much as we try to act like I’m not, as much as we try to act like I’m part of you guys, I’m still one of them. I’m part of the people that keep hurting and taking from you all. I can’t fucking handle it anymore.”

You wiped your tears away, your eyes turned to the sky and not at him.

“I hate myself, you know. Hate what I look like, hate what I am. Hate that I can’t escape it, no matter how hard I try, no matter how much I want to be a part of this, I will never be. People will only see that I’m...sky people.”

He took your face in his large hands, ripping your gaze away from the sky back to his eyes. He bent down, talking softly.

“Not to us. Not to me. Never to me. You look like them, sure. You’re small, fragile, and all the colors are wrong.” You scoffed and he softly tapped your forehead to make you stop. “But, inside ? You’ve never been one of them. You’ve always been one of us. And I know you’ve tried not to be, ever since we were kids. You’ve always tried to distance yourself from us. But, you can’t.”

He dropped his forehead to your masked-clad one and you traced the glowing freckles all over his face with your eyes, wishing it was with your fingers instead.

“You can’t go back. You can’t distance yourself. You’re Omaticaya. You’re with us, sky girl. You’re with me. I won’t let you go.”

You felt his thumbs gently rub your temples, behind the mask, wrapping his other fingers around your hair.

You came back with him to the tent. You stayed after that. You couldn’t go again. Not when he held your heart in his hands.

It all went back to shit when the Sullys came back without Spider. Quaritch was back. He had taken Spider with him. You could only comfort yourself in the fact that he would surely not hurt Spider. That was his son.

He might not have cared when he was human, but he wouldn’t hurt him. (Right ?)

And the Sullys were leaving. Leaving the Omaticaya clan and fleeing far away.

“I don’t want to go.” Neteyam whispered in your shoulder, both of you hiding deep in the forest.

“I don’t want you to go either, Nete but...you guys will come back.” You whispered, folded against him.

He shot up in a heartbeat at your words, “What do you mean, ‘you guys’ ?”

“Well, I mean you Sullys ?” You questioned, not understanding what he was asking.

Neteyam narrowed his eyes at you. “You’re coming, sky girl. So it’s a ‘we’.”

You scoffed bitterly at that remark. What was he asking from you ? To go to a completely different Na’vi clan with them ? A clan that would never accept you ?

“You know I can’t come with you, Neteyam.”

You got up and put some distance between you and him.

“The Omaticayas only accept me because of your father and because of the others. They wouldn’t, otherwise. You think a whole another clan far from here, with no sky people in sight will accept me ?”

He also got up and tried to close the distance you had created between you two.

“So what ?” He asked, truly angry this time around. “You just stay here while we go ? We have to leave you here ?”

“Yes ! That is the plan, Neteyam ! I can’t follow you there. Be realistic about it for one minute. Think about it. They will only reject me, and I get it.”

“You can’t ask this of me. They can’t ask this of me.” He shouted, pointing in the direction of his family. “I’m not leaving you behind.”

This was your very last night together for a long time and, instead, he had decided to be angry. Angry about something neither of you could control. You went to rub your eyebrows and forehead to try to calm the headache that was coming, before remembering the mask.

“I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn about this, Nete. Think about your family. I’ll be fine here.”

Neteyam turned to you and got right into your face as you said that.

“Why I’m being stubborn ? This, us, this is the one thing that is only mine. I don’t need to meet expectations, I don’t need to be the perfect son or the best. I can just be me. How can you ask of me to leave you here ?” He whispered, his hands gripping your forearms.

“And how can you ask of me to follow you there ?” You whispered back, lightly pushing his hands away which made him let go. “Nete... What did you think was going to happen ? That I was going to come with you guys ? That they were going to accept me and we could live happily ever after ? This isn’t one of the stories your father used to tell us.”

You stepped away, willing yourself to look up right into his eyes.

“We’ll never get an happy ending, Neteyam. Not us. I’m not Na’vi. I can’t be accepted. I can’t give you anything.”

“And I don’t need you to give me anything, sky girl. I just... I just need you.”

A sigh came out of your mouth. “What I mean is I can’t give you a future. Not one you want, not one you deserve. What we feel isn’t enough.”

His shoulders had drooped, his face was obscured by his braids. You had never seen him so defeated and you hated that you were the one to put this look on him.

“It is, for me. I see you. Oel ngati kameie.”

He softly said it. A part of you had always known that he saw you the way you did him, but hearing it... Your heart wanted to be out of your chest.

But it also broke. Because you couldn’t say it back. As much as you wanted to.

“Nete... Please...”

Your voice broke, the sobs threatening to come out.

“It won’t be enough... If I say it back, one day, you’d resent me for it.” You cried, willing for him to understand. “One day, you would look back at me and wonder why you ever tried with me. I can’t...share the mating bond with you. I can’t give you a family. I can’t give you what I know you want, growing up in the family that you had. And I can’t do this to you. I’m sorry, Neteyam.”

He had no reaction. He stayed there for what seemed like forever. He then simply turned away from you and left.

You collapsed on the floor and cried silently for a while. When it finally caught up, you openly sobbed and sobbed until your voice was hoarse. You had ruined the one good thing that you had, you had broken your heart completely and his too.

It would never be the same. You would never get back the moments you shared with him. Holding his hand, falling asleep on his shoulder, flying his ikran with him, sharing a hunt, talking and talking for hours. Having no secrets. Knowing him inside and out and him knowing you inside and out.

It was over.

You said goodbye a few hours later to the Sullys, your eyes puffy and red and crying again as you had to let go of the people you loved most.

Kiri and Tuk didn’t want to let you go. You didn’t want to let them go.

Lo’ak comforted you, hugging you in the way he always did. (“Don’t be an idiot out there, dumb ass.” “Yeah, yeah, sky girl.”)

Jake put a comforting hand on your head, told you to be careful. Neytiri squeezed your shoulder with a smile (which you would have celebrated in the past but had no strength for now).

Neteyam never looked at you. He was already on his ikran, ready to leave. You only ever saw his back as they flew away.

It was over.

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reinamycloud · 9 months

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shortaki chat fic series

#SHORTAKI CHAT FIC #shortaki #hey arnold #texting au #the saga continues #idk what i'm doing but it's fun so #just a bit of silliness #arnold shortman #helga pataki #phoebe heyerdahl #not!fic #aged-up characters #my posts

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slicesofapple · 1 year

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It doesn't take long for the team to realize that Kageyama is a sucker for a snugly fitting black t-shirt. Iwaizumi is the first one to show up with a neck littered with hickies, Osamu the second.

And when Oikawa arrives at the bar in skinny black jeans and a sleek black shirt (the outfit essentially a catsuit), he barely makes it in the door before Kageyama is hustling him right back out.

#oikage #kageoi #not cannon compliant #how are they all on the same team?#and yet they are #aged-up characters

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presidentstalkeyes · 10 months

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Some more OC beeswax I've had on the mind for a while, or half-OC in Dart's case. I know it's common to depict him either the same age as Raz or younger, sometimes making him the next-generation Intern to Adult Raz, but then I thought 'what if he was older?' And then I threw in an unrelated OC and things mentally blew up. :V (This also plays off my earlier headcanons about Dart's power set)

Razputin wasn't the first psychic to be inducted into the Psychonauts at such a young age - Dart beat him to the punch by nearly twenty years. An orphan permitted to become a full-fledged agent on Otto's personal recommendation, he simply wasn't ready and got overconfident during a mission, indirectly causing the execution of several hostages. Horrified, he deserted the agency, dropping off the grid, only resurfacing years later after studying under a sect of psychic monks in the Himalayas that sent him out on his own to meditate and strengthen his connection with the collective unsconscious.

His journey took him to the obscure Central African country of Makanisi (nestled somewhere between Angola, Zambia and the DR Congo), known for two things: once being privately-owned by a Grulovian businessman, and being the site of the world's largest Psitanium deposit outside North America. He took up residence in a cave, banking on the Psitanium enhancing his astral projection powers.

It was here he met Tandi Ngazu, a psychic teenager from the Makanisian capital of Zoltzberg. A martial arts prodigy, Tandi ran away from home after she lost a championship bout and lashed out with her psychic powers, injuring her competitor in front of a huge audience. Dart found her hiding out in the slums while on a rare excursion into town, and reminded of how he was found by Otto as a street urchin in Rotterdam, he agreed to shelter the girl and give her some advanced tutoring - though due to his own relative youth and the fact he was on his own quest for understanding, he was far from confident. He was always a cynical person, and struggled with the whole 'empathy' thing, which in a way made him uniquely suited for 'taming' the collective unconscious without allowing it to affect his own emotional state.

Eventually, after about five years, a civil war broke out in Makanisi. Against Dart's advice, Tandi emerged from her secluded training to aid the rebels - many of whom she personally knew - in their struggle against the corrupt colonial government. She used Dart's training in astral projection to leave her own body while wide awake and completely ignore pain, gather information from people's mindscapes, and channel background psychic residue into physical attacks while far outside her body. She avoided the same fate that befell Lucrecia by staying guarded against outside influence and maintaining her sense of self even when among the Collective Unconscious, a technique mastered by Dart and soon noticed by the Psychonauts who arrived in the country to secure the Psitanium. She ended up joining the agency after Makanisi secured its freedom, but was unable to convince Dart to return with her.

That was all another five years before canon - Tandi is now 26 and has recently graduated to a full-fledged agent, and there's talk of letting her instruct the kids at Whispering Rock in combining out-of-body projection with physical exercise, provided they can work on her patience. Dart is 32 and his whereabouts are currently unknown, though rumour has it he's been sighted around the Questionable Area?, poking around through caves.

#psychonauts #psychonauts 2 #psychonauts ocs #Stalkeyes Art #stalkeyes rambles #I tried my best to keep the backstory concise #believe me I could have made it five times as long #will gladly accept questions about em #d'artagnan #d'artagnan alstublieft #tandi ngazu #aged-up characters #Makanisi was first mentioned in my fic Intern-al affairs which I still need to add to at some point

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sailoreuterpe · 7 months

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babsvibes · 1 year

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for the rivals / enemies prompts…and ONLY if you want to….louigan, #3?? 👀 again NO pressure…..🫡

#3: taking care of the other while one is unconscious

How about established relationship domestic fluff for a Neighbors AU piece? Technically, this only works for the prompt because Louise falls asleep at the end, but let’s pretend yeah? I also tried to cover @sailoreuterpe’s suggestion of insults as a love language (because even if it’s not her favorite trope, Nikki knows her audience lmao)

At first, she thought the knocking emanated from a terribly annoying dream, but with every second of blooming consciousness Louise realized it was no figment of her imagination.

She groaned, eyes peeling open slowly then blinking at the new morning. The sheets rustled to the left of her. Glancing at Logan, whose furrowed eyebrows nearly took over his face, she snickered.

“People pretending to sleep don’t usually look that angry.”

“‘S not my fault,” he grumbled. “It’s been going for like… a million minutes.”

“So what time does that make it?” Louise asked, figuring he had been on his phone already.

“Seven.”

Her eyes snapped out of their half-lidded state. “In the morning?! Who the hell is knocking on our door at seven in the morning?”

“It’s the first Saturday in December. Who do you think?” Logan, still refusing to open his eyes, shuffled closer and pulled at her waist. She sunk into him, enjoying being spooned as he kissed her neck in that perfectly lazy way reserved only for weekend mornings.

And another fucking knock rang out.

Louise balled up her fist and punched her pillow.

“Go make it stop,” she demanded.

She felt his “Nmn” rumble from his chest and down her back.

“Mmhmm,” she replied.

“NMnh.”

“MMhmm.”

“Nn” “Mm” “nnNNn” “mMmMm”

When they both hummed the same note over each other to see who would last longer, Louise cracked first, unable to resist snorting at the absurdity. Logan followed suit.

“I think that means you lost, shortstack. Go tell off Annie.” She didn’t move, so he continued. “You’re just so much scarier than I am.”

“Keep talking.”

“And so brave and cutthroat and beautiful-”

“Alright alright, enough of that,” Louise sighed. “I’ll go. Just move back. I can’t get out of bed if you’re wrapped around me like this.”

Logan didn’t budge. Shuffling, scooting, and otherwise wiggling to freedom proved fruitless.

“Seems like… maybe you don’t want me to get out of bed?”

Before he could respond, the knocking resumed. He sighed against her neck, giving in and loosening his grip.

“Every day I am in awe of your strength and sacrifice,” she said, sarcasm dripping from every word.

Logan replied by poking her one ticklish spot. With an involuntary laugh, she moved away and pointed at him menacingly. The warning was wasted as he still hadn’t opened his eyes.

Gathering up all of her courage and the edge of the covers, Louise heaved herself up only to meet Jack Frost’s frozen testicles slapping her in the face. She yelled and buried herself back under the blankets. “Nope, no, absolutely not. Too cold.”

Annie, or at least who they assumed was their apartment manager here to drag them into holiday shenanigans, continued to relentlessly knock.

Logan sniffed. “Is that… is she knocking Carol of the Bells?”

“Carol of the Nine Hells more like,” Louise grumbled, hiding under her pillow.

“She’s just going to keep at it. Remember that time she needed Victor to sign a release form?”

“She camped outside for four days.” With a sigh, she emerged partially from her cocoon. “Okay, tell you what. How about we go together? That way we can suffer as one.”

It was Logan’s turn to sigh, but he finally cracked his eyes open. Morning had a way of making an honest man out of liars, and she watched him melt at the sight of her, genuine and soft. They stared at each other in silence for a moment, then he leaned in. She met him halfway for a quick kiss. When they broke apart, he sighed again.

“Fiiiine. On the count of three?”

“Works for me.”

“One.” “Two.” “Three.”

Logan all but fell out of bed, joints popping as though arthritis would be killing him in the next couple of hours. He stretched to the sound of more popping, blinked the sleep from his eyes, and looked back at her.

Louise had failed to move and, if possible, snuggled even deeper into the mattress.

“You witch,” he accused, grabbing a pillow and hitting at the general area of her butt. “You tricked me.”

“This isn’t the first or last time; you knew what you were getting into, idiot. Now go get rid of Annie.”

“Ugh, fine. But when I get back I want to be the little spoon.”

Louise hummed in acquiesce, shuffling the blankets so there was a spot for him to slip back into. When she finished and settled in, the only visible parts of her were a mess of black hair and the tiniest hint of a pout.

As he left their bedroom, Logan wondered how he was supposed to scare away anyone with the dopey smile he couldn’t drop.

#babsbles #asks #louigan #aged-up characters #I hope you like it! thank you for being awesome and lovely always like a freaking angel #I wanted to do a thirty flirty and icing divergent piece where Logan falls asleep instead of Louise but my brain was not having it #my fic writing #thank you for the suggestion! you giving me an out with ‘only if you want to’ helped SO much beat the obstacle of taking requests #sorry this took a million years

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lycorogue · 11 months

Text

Latest Story: Never Take This for Granted

Who’s ready for probably the shortest ficlet I’ve written for this fandom?

Well, I woke up this morning with (more-or-less) these exact thoughts in my own head, and something told me that Adrien would probably have them too. Maybe it's because I see myself in him a little bit. Maybe because I think he'd learn the same lessons I did with regards to losing a parent. I lost my dad roughly the same age that Adrien lost Emile. While my mom did not end up neglectful, abusive, manipulative, nor a terrorist, much like Gabriel, my mom did make it well known how hurt she was to have lost her spouse. I felt the pain of her realizing she lost the love of her life too early in life (she wasn't even 40) and after far too few years together. I praise my mom for the strength she has shown through the years and how – unlike Gabriel – her love for my dad made her stronger and helped carry her forward.

I know from experience that loves cannot last forever, and may very well be ripped from you too soon. Which is probably why I had these thoughts (ones I frequently have, if I'm honest) when I awoke, and why I feel Adrien might have them too. So, enjoy my morning thoughts, as told by Adrien.

(If you want that extra ambiance, I had the song "Ceilings" by Lizzy McAlpine stuck in my head while I was writing this)

Summary: Adrien awakes overwhelmed with gratitude to be married to Marinette.

Rating: General Audience

Word Count: 420

Status: completed one-shot

Continue reading below, or find this story over on AO3, on FFN, or on DA.

Never Take This for Granted

Adrien awoke before their alarm. The gentle sunlight through their curtains was enough to stir him. The laundry list of things that needed to be done raced through his mind, and he debated taking advantage of the early start to the day.

Then Marinette softly snored beside him.

With a smile, he knew his place was in bed. At least, for a little while longer. He shifted so he could spoon his wife; careful not to move her or wake her. He rested his hand on her hip, and closed his eyes to the world so he could soak her in with his other senses.

They had been together for twenty years, but it still felt like not enough time. He knew that twenty years was both an amazing gift and just a drop in a hat. The duality of it being exceptionally long and tragically short. He needed another twenty years. Forty. Sixty. Eighty! No matter how long they had, it would always be too short.

“Please,” he silently prayed. He wasn't sure to whom, but to any and every Greater Power there might be. He wordlessly screamed his plea to the cosmos. “Please, never let me take this for granted. Have me always be comforted by her body heat against me. Let me always find her quiet breathing soothing. Let my hand always feel at home on her hip. Let her smell always lull me. Let the fact that I wake up with her beside me always amaze me a little bit. Let me feel lucky that I have her in my life; always. Forever. Please, please. Don't ever let me take her for granted. Let me memorize every morning I have beside her.”

He wanted to squeeze her. Hold her closer. Never let her go. Prove to himself that she was there and real and not going anywhere.

But he couldn't chance waking her. He couldn't chance ruining this moment. Clinging tight to her would never improve what he had in that instance.

So, he comforted himself with his legs tucked within the nook of hers, and his hand on her hip. That was enough. That grounded him. That was the proof he needed that she was there and he'd be alright for another day.

The sun flooded the room in a golden glow. Adrien didn't see it though. He kept his eyes closed, focused on the warmth of his wife beside him, and fell back asleep until the alarm rudely interrupted their quiet slice of paradise.

** Thank you so much for reading! Please let me know if you want me to tag you on any of my writing updates**

@discoveringmiraculouswriters

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im-immortal · 2 years

Text

Longer Than A Heartbeat

a beth greene/daryl dixon adaptation of 28 Days Later

A mysterious virus suddenly sweeps across the United States, sending the entire nation into chaos. It is unlike anything the world has ever seen before, turning healthy human beings into lethal, feral, bloodthirsty shells of their former selves within seconds of exposure. It is described only as “an infection of rage.”

Then the mass evacuations begin.

28 days later, Beth Greene wakes up all alone in a deserted hospital.

[updates every Sunday]

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hyuge · 4 months

Text

Hello There

“Sensei? Gojou-sensei, is that you?”

Satoru turned his head from where he was seated at the bar, surprised to see a much older Fushiguro Megumi standing a few feet away. He shouldn’t be surprised, time changes us all, but the kid he once knew was now replaced by a man. The baby-fat cheeks were chiseled into a strong jawline, his wild hair was cut short—cleaner looking—and those long dark lashes that had caught Satoru’s attention on more than one occasion were somehow even darker. Satoru spun in his chair, turning his full attention to his former student.

“Fushiguro? How have you been?”

Fushiguro’s dark eyes lit up, pleased to be recognized. “Megumi is fine. I’ve been good.”

Satoru motioned to the unoccupied seat next to him. “Would you like to join me, Megumi?” A look crossed his face that Satoru couldn’t quite place, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Megumi sat down. “What do you want to drink?”

Megumi wrinkled his nose. “You don’t have to order for me.”

Satoru smiled. “I insist. A reunion with my favorite student needs to be celebrated.” He lifted his glass into the air as if to make a toast. It could be the lighting, but Satoru swore he saw a tinge of pink on Megumi’s cheeks.

“A beer then.”

“Great.” Satoru waved at the bartender and pointed at Megumi. He walked over to take the order, then walked off to the other end of the bar where the tap fountain was. “You’ve really grown up.”

Megumi cocked a brow. “You look the same.”

Satoru laughed. “Well, you age slower as you get older. You look good, though.”

There was that tinge of pink again, brighter this time. The new hairstyle left Megumi’s ears exposed, and the tips were burning red. Cute.

Megumi mumbled something as his beer was brought over but it went unheard from the ambient music and chatter in the background. “Do you live in the area, Sensei?” asked Megumi as he took a sip from his beer, changing the subject.

Satoru nodded. “Down the street, though I don’t teach anymore. You don’t need to call me ‘sensei.’”

“I prefer it.”

Interesting.

“Okay.”

Satoru took a sip from his own drink and wiped his lips on the back of his hand. He noticed the way Megumi’s eyes drifted towards his mouth, then dropped his gaze to follow Satoru’s hand. Very interesting. Satoru had his suspicions back in the day, but he chalked it up to a simple crush that would fade with time. Now, however, it seemed Megumi might still have some of that lingering attraction. And who was he to deny his favorite student the attention he was seeking? He couldn’t do anything about it before, but now, with a fully grown Megumi sitting next to him, there was no one and nothing to stop him.

Satoru wet his lips and downed the rest of his glass. He placed a hand on top of Megumi’s glass and looked him dead in the eyes. “Do you want to come see my apartment?”

He watched the way Megumi’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he gulped. Then Megumi nodded in earnest.

“Let’s go.”

A #12DaysofFicmas gift for @imkirauwu, Murph, @maddymaycreates, and Ash.

You can also read it on AO3.

#fanfiction #fanfic #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #fushigo #megumi fushiguro #gojo satoru #jjk fanfic #12 Days of Ficmas #aged-up characters #drinking #reunions #getting together #SFW

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mydisenchantedeulogy · 2 years

Text

Sweetly || Agatsuma Zenitsu

Content and Warnings: Female reader, blood and death, aged-up characters, mafia - alternate universe, porn with plot, couch sex/riding, oral (f), criminal Pillars, modern day au with demons/slayers, NSFW, words: 6,743.

Notes: This is part of Thicker Than Water collab posted by @em-plosion. Thank you for hosting such a fun and amazing event. Please enjoy.

The sweet scent of sugar permeates the air as you carry a tray of homemade kohakutou candies out to the counter. You are almost sad to see them go; the last batch is personalized in pastel shades for the customer, a detail that you take great pride in as a Confectioner.

Packing them in a baby pink paperboard candy box with the name Amaku on the side – the name of the shop – you stand and wait for the fortunate customer to come in.

It's almost nine, near closing time, so you store the leftovers in containers for the staff to take home; a variety box is waiting for you of dangos and a cupcake with buttercream icing that your colleague made. You almost can't wait to tear into them.

Hearing the doorbell ring, you turn your eyes to the entrance, forcing a sweet smile as Mrs. Momoka walks in – an older woman with a friendly face that comes in once a week.

“Oh dear, I apologize for being so late. There was a terrible accident in Iwate,” she explains.

You raise a brow.

“What sort of accident?”

“The police were swarming the streets. I heard they found a mutilated body in a dumpster outside the convenience store in Ninohe District,” Mrs. Momoka answers.

You frown. An air of dread swallows you like a wet blanket.

“How long ago?” You ask.

“Half an hour,” Mrs. Momoka answers. She narrows her eyes in concern. “Why do you ask, dear?”

You hand the box to her over the counter; the app makes orders easier considering the customers pay online with no hassle.

“I live in Aomori. It concerns me.”

Mrs. Momoka frowns in pity.

“That is unfortunate. Be careful on your way home. Aomori is 2 hours from Iwate but you can never be too cautious.”

You agree. Waving goodbye to Mrs. Momoka, you walk around the counter and turn the open sign to close.

It's dark out. An ominous feeling inches across your body, but at least there are people around. You take an uneasy breath, walking away from the door to clean up.

At a quarter after nine, you leave Amaku, heading to the train station. The night air chills you to the bone, but it's the least of your worries. The incident plays in your mind like an eerie time reel. Tohoku is a quiet region; nothing usually happens on the island, so a brutal death so close to home has you on edge.

You try to ignore it, but the disappearances reported now and again on the news seem more real. Is there a pattern? A possible killer? You shudder to think so.

Boarding the train, you take an uneasy breath, resting in a vacant seat. At night there aren't many people around. You share the compartment with three others, making you unlucky number four.

It's an hour ride to Aomori, so you try to make the best of it as you can, playing a silent dating game on your phone.

Ten minutes till eleven the train pulls into the station and you depart. Your apartment is a five-minute walk from your current location. You saunter down the empty street, humming under your breath as you clutch the box of sweets in your arms. It's so close you can almost feel the warmth of your bed and the safety of your apartment.

The echoes of your footsteps pierce your ears, but then there is something else; something that makes your skin break out in goosebumps. You halt in fear.

A voice? A faint cry for help?

For a moment you think your mind is playing tricks on you. Being alone at night sometimes does. You take a slow and cautious step forward, but you hear it again.

It sounds like a child. You widen your eyes.

Listening intently, you locate where they are. The sound is coming from the side of a nearby vacant building on a narrow dimly lit street.

“Nope,” you utter.

There is no way you are going to investigate the sound. But on the other hand, a kid might be in trouble. What they are doing outside after dark is a mystery. You groan in frustration, walking to the corner of the building.

“Is someone there?” You ask.

There is silence at first, then a pained voice cries out.

“Please. My leg is hurt.”

Your heart pounds in your chest. You peek around the side to see a young boy sitting in the street. A bicycle too large for him is resting on the ground with a bent wheel frame. It looks like someone may have hit him and ran.

And there's blood on his hands and face.

You rush to his side, taking out your phone in case you need to call an ambulance, but as you are looking him over you can't seem to find a single wound.

“Where did this blood come from?” You ask in confusion.

The boy points his finger at the building and against the wall, you see a man’s body. A large bloody chunk of skin and tissue is missing from his shoulder and his head is caved in. Your eyes widen and you turn them to the bicycle frame, noticing hair and blood covering the spokes.

What is going on?

You hear a low gurgle in your ear and turn to see a pair of red gleaming eyes staring at you. A trail of saliva leaks from the boy's mouth.

“What––”

He lunges at you before you can form a question and sinks his fanged teeth into your arm. The pain is unbearable. A horrified scream tears from your throat as a result. The boy releases you and cackles, sweeping a lengthy and narrow tongue across his blood-stained lips.

He's a monster. It takes you a minute to process – monsters don’t exist, do they? – but when it’s clear that he is going to do to you the same horrible thing he did to the unnamed man, you panic. Shoving him away with all the strength you can muster, you run. To where you aren’t sure, but you know for the sake of your life that you must get away.

But it’s not that easy.

A sudden weight on your back knocks you off your feet and onto your stomach, forcing the air from your lungs; your phone and candy box lands out of reach. Coughing in protest, you are aware that the child is sitting on your lower back.

“Where are you going, big sister? Don't you want to play with me too?” The boy asks.

You sob in horror, clawing at the ground in an attempt to get free, or to at least reach your phone. But his weight is too much to bear. It feels like a ton of bricks is pressing you into the asphalt.

The boy laughs and buries his fingers into your hair, forcing your cheek against the ground.

“Brother tried to run too, so I broke him. Humans aren't very good toys. But they taste so good.”

Is he serious? What kind of sick person does that?

You choke on your tears. The fact that you are going to die seems unreal, and as the instinct to fight leaves your body, you shut down. It’s over. You’re as good as dead.

As the warm unpleasant breath of the monster hits your face, an unexpected current ripples through the air. The hair on your arms stands straight and the sweet pungent aroma of ozone permeates your nose.

Is it about to storm?

The monster growls and releases you for some reason unbeknownst to you, standing up near your shaking body. It seems to be staring in anger at something in the distance, but you are far too worn out to look.

“I’m not afraid––”

A yellow light suddenly zips past you and interrupts the monster, then to your horror, when your eyes clear, its headless body falls into a motionless heap beside you. What in the fuck? You watch in confusion as it reduces to ash, fading to nothing. All that remains of the monster is its clothes.

What is going on? You can't seem to understand. There is no logical explanation.

Not to mention you are weak. Your mind feels like it is lost in a warm haze.

“Please, someone, help me,” you sob.

The pain is too much.

Hearing the quiet patter of shoes on the asphalt, a person comes into your view. He has uneven blond hair – an unnatural color that is not worn by many in the region – and is wearing a black mask over his mouth and nose. But what concerns you the most about him, is the katana in his hand.

Does he hear you? His eyes are closed, almost like he is asleep.

You watch him lean down through blurry eyes and pick up the paperboard box, taking out the cupcake. He takes a bite, then opens his soft brown eyes in alarm.

“Where am I?” he asks, looking around.

The blond notices the katana in his hand and shrieks in fear.

“I went out alone again!”

Whatever internal battle he is having with himself, you do not care. You reach over and grab his pant leg, making him shriek again. But once he sees your condition, he takes a sharp breath. His face turns red.

“I’m so tired,” you utter.

“Rest, and I will take care of you,” he says softly.

You want to live. You sob as you can no longer see him. As the darkness consumes you, his warm hand on your cheek brings you some comfort. At least you aren’t alone.

It’s so cold, that you can hardly stand it. Is this what death is like?

Opening your eyes with a groan, you untangle the blanket from your waist, yanking it up to your chin. It takes you a moment to realize that you are awake; the notion comes as a surprise to you.

I’m not dead.

How? Maybe it was a dream.

No, you think.

The pain is too real. It feels like someone tore your arm out of the socket. You test your fingers pleased that you are able to move them. And now that you know you are OK, you can focus on figuring out where you are.

The room you are in is akin to that of a hospital, but there are no windows and the air reeks of bleach and dust. It reminds you of a basement. There is a thick sheet separating your bed from the rest of the room and no red call button to alert a nurse that you are awake. All in all, you are alone and confused.

Did the blond leave you here?

You frown.

“Where are you?”

You have many questions to ask him.

“Are you referring to me?” a familiar voice asks.

You gasp in shock as the sheet yanks back; the blond emerges from behind it. You are pleased to see him. Only he looks a bit different. The mask is missing from his face and a bamboo skewer rests in the corner of his mouth. Is he eating your dangos?

Your stomach growls in protest.

“I hope that did not come from the pink box I was carrying,” you mention with a glare.

“It did, and they were good,” the blond replies. “I’ve never heard of Amaku before, but I like their sweets.”

A sense of pride consumes you.

“It’s my shop in Akita, or rather co-owned shop,” you mention.

“I’ll remember that,” he states.

He tilts his head, staring at your arm in concern.

“How does it feel?”

You reach up on instinct and touch the bandage around your left shoulder.

“It’s tender, but at least it’s there,” you answer.

“I never would have forgiven myself if such a pretty woman like you had been maimed or killed,” the blonde mentions. His face turns red.

The events of last night come rushing back to you and you frown. That’s right. The monster almost killed and ate you. Warm tears blur your sight.

“Did I make you cry?” The blond asks in fear.

Rushing over to your side, he cups your face and uses his thumbs to wipe away the stray tears. You widen your eyes, feeling your face turn red in embarrassment. What is he doing?

“Let me make it up to you. We can share the last dango, or we can get married.”

Does he think he is being sly? You grab the pillow, whacking him on the head with it.

“Why did you hit me?!” The blond cries, covering his face.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but you are acting like a pervert,” you answer striking him over and over.

Seeing him cower triggers a memory. You halt, eyes wide in fear. The events from last night break through your guard and flood your thoughts. The body, the monster, you on the brink of death; it’s too much. How did you not realize the intensity of the situation until now?

“I … want to ask you a question,” you utter.

The blond peeks at you from between his fingers.

“As long as you don’t hit me anymore,” he states.

“The boy last night who attacked me. Was he a monster?” You ask.

He frowns.

“That's not up to me to explain. But I know someone who can; if he sees it fit to.”

You hum.

“Please ask him. I need to know.”

The blond turns and walks toward the door, but you call out to him.

“What is your name?”

He peeks over his shoulder with a smile.

“It's Zenitsu.”

You smile and introduce yourself.

“I owe you my life,” you add.

His face turns red.

“Does that mean accept my marriage proposal?”

Is he serious? Your toss the pillow at his head, feeling embarrassed by his blunt question. Did he have no shame?

“You’re a creep!”

Zenitsu points a finger at you.

“You lied! You said that you wouldn’t hit me again.”

You glare at him.

“I'll do much worse than that if you ever ask me again.”

Zenitsu squeaks and runs out of the room.

It's hard to believe that he is the same person from last night. You take an uneasy breath and rest against the bed. There is nothing else to do but wait. Whoever the unnamed man is, you hope he can answer your questions.

Time creeps on. An hour passes – according to the clock on the wall – then another. And still, no one shows. Maybe Zenitsu could not persuade the unnamed man to speak with you. Feeling let down, you are at least pleased that you are alive. Even so, you are traumatized.

Are there more of whatever the boy is out there on the streets? And how are you supposed to tell them apart from humans? He had appeared to be normal until his eyes changed. You wonder if you can even have a normal life now that you have seen the monster. In the back of your mind, you know that they are out there lurking in the shadows.

A sudden knock on the door causes you to jerk in fear, and before you can wonder who is on the other side, Zenitsu walks in. Behind him is a hulking man wearing a suit. You widen your eyes, watching him sit on the edge of the bed across from you. His eyes are white with no visible irises or pupils, and though he appears blind, he seems to get around rather well.

“How are you feeling, Miss?” He asks softly.

“Um, I’m fine I guess,” You answer.

All things considered.

Tears pour down the man’s face.

“I apologize that our base doesn’t have an elaborate infirmary, but we are well-staffed in doctors.”

Why is he crying?

“It’s not an issue. Though I’m a little confused as to where I am,” You mention.

“You are in Aomori in the Tohoku region. My lieutenant brought you here,” the man answers. “But where are my manners. My name is Himejima Gyomei.”

You raise a brow. Lieutenant? Does he mean Zenitsu?

“I was told that you have questions. Understand that you may not like the answers, but you are obligated to ask them,” Gyomei mentions.

What sort of horror awaits you? You clear your throat; you have every right to know the truth.

“I want to know as much as you can tell me about what happened to me and why.”

Gyomei merely nods.

“The creature that attacked you was a part of an ancient race of immortal beings known as a demon. There are hundreds of them lurking in the darkness around Japan, and their primary diet is humans. Do not think for a moment that you are cursed or have been chosen by them. You were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time, but you are fortunate.”

Demons? As unbelievable as it sounds, you know that the child you had encountered was not human. If you had not witnessed it yourself, you would have laughed at Gyomei.

“And Zenitsu managed to kill it with a katana,” You point out.

“I was so scared I passed out again,” the blond mentions with a shiver.

Gyomei nods.

“More or less. Zenitsu and I come from a long line of demon slayers, and though our methods are a secret, I can tell you that there are hundreds of us across each region. For instance, I am known as the Stone Pillar of Tohoku.”

So, they kill demons? But then why did no one save the man who had been killed before you had showed up? You have a feeling Gyomei isn’t telling you something.

“I know that it’s hard to understand, but it’s best not to concern yourself with our business,” the said man mentions. “If you have no other questions, then Zenitsu will escort you to the exit. Demons only come out during the night, so there is nothing to fear when the sun is out.”

You raise a brow. Is that it? No promises to keep you safe, or what to do once the sun goes down. Your suspicions about them grow.

“I have no more questions,” you lie.

You have many, but you doubt that Gyomei will answer them.

The said man nods and stands up.

“Sorry for your misfortune.”

He leaves you alone with Zenitsu, exiting the room.

“The Boss is scary, isn’t he?” The blond asks. He laughs and motions for you to follow him.

You take an uneasy breath and stand with a grunt. Your shoes are near the bed, so you don’t have to search for them. A question comes to mind, and you hum.

“I forgot to ask about my arm. Will it be OK?”

Zenitsu nods.

“It should be. You had to have a lot of stitches and it may leave a scar, but if treat it like an animal attack, dress and clean the wound, then it shouldn’t become infected.”

That is good to know.

You slide on your shoes and frowned as you see the state of your uniform. Your coworkers are going to lose their shit. The fabric is torn and covered in blood. Damn. What are you to do?

Seeing movement from the corner of your eye, your face turns red once you notice that Zenitsu has removed his yellow jacket, handing it to you.

“You can borrow it if you don’t want to draw attention,” he mentions.

You thank him and slide it on. The jacket doesn’t fit well, but you don’t mind. You shove your phone and house keys into your pocket and take in his scent. At least he smells good.

“You look so cute in my clothes,” Zenitsu coos.

You ignore him and march from the room; your face is red from embarrassment. Once Zenitsu catches up, he leads you down the hall and up a flight up steps. You are right to assume that you are in a basement, but you never expected the house or whatever you are in to be so big. It reminds you of a traditional manor with tatami mats on the floor and rooms blocked with shoji screens.

“This place is nice,” You mention.

“This is Boss Gyomei’s manor. But the commission I make is enough to live comfortably,” Zenitsu explains.

You raise a brow. Do people commission him?

“You get paid for killing demons?”

“Something like that. We receive a request, then we go out and kill the demon causing the problem and we get paid,” he answers.

You narrow your eyes.

“I thought the Pillars protected the regions. What happens if the client doesn’t have money, but a demon is harassing them?”

“You don’t want to know the answer to that,” Zenitsu answers in low voice.

There is something off about them. The demon slayers are an organized crime group who profit off the clients who pay them for their protection. But then, why did Zenitsu save you?

“How much does a job cost?”

“Around 200 million yen, including clean-up costs,” the blond answers.

You feel faint.

“I don’t have that sort of money.”

Does Gyomei expect you to pay him back? You never asked for his help.

“Since I acted on my own accord, the Boss doesn’t except for you to pay him, but the clean-up cost still applies,” Zenitsu explains with a laugh.

“H-how much is that?” You asks.

Zenitsu hums.

“I think it’s 2%.”

“I don’t have 4 million yen! That’s ridiculous!” You shout.

The blond looks over at you and smiles.

“You are fortunate that Boss Gyomei has a kind heart. If you had ended up in debt with the Wind Pillar or the Snake Pillar, then you’d have to work until you die.”

Who is he kidding? You have to pay the cleaning cost. You groan.

“I’m never going to be able to make that much yen.”

“Not to mention, you owe me too. I could have died out there,” Zenitsu whines.

You are starting to think it would have been easier if the demon had just ate you. There is no telling how much Zenitsu is asking for.

“Don’t look so down. I’ll see if the Boss will ignore the cleaning cost, and as for my payment, well, I’ll let you know when I think of something,” the said man mentions.

How considerate of him. You feel worn out and defeated. You follow Zenitsu to the entrance of the manor and glare at his chipper expression.

“Just head over the bridge and you should be back in the city,” he explains. “I’ll see you soon.”

You hope not. You grumble a curse at him and leisurely walk towards the bridge as he had instructed. All you want to do at this point is to go home and go to bed. But you have a story to makeup and a co-owner to call.

It is going to be one hell of a day.

Nearly two weeks pass before you are able to return to work. Your arm is still a bit tender, but at least it doesn’t hurt as bad as it had before. You had told your co-workers that a stray had knocked you down and bit you. It isn’t a complete lie, but it also isn’t without consequence. Your co-workers make you take a taxi home every night; your funds are taking a beating and you still have not heard from Gyomei about your debt. Or seen Zenitsu for that matter.

Not like it matters. You have a lot to worry about. Currently, you are at Amaku, having to work behind the counter because of your arm, but on occasion, you sneak into the kitchen to help make Monaka with ice cream filling.

When it becomes night, it begins to rain. You know that the flow of customers will slow down, so you take a moment to use the bathroom.

You are washing your hands when someone knocks on the door.

“There's someone in here,” you declare.

“It's me,” Hisae announces.

You turn up your eyes in a spirited manner and unlock the door, letting your co-worker.

“I was about to come out. You could have waited,” You mention.

“Fat chance,” Hisae snorts. “Besides, I wanted to be the one to surprise you.”

You raise a brow.

“I'm lost,” you admit.

“There's a delinquent man here to see you,” Hisae mentions.

What is she going on about?

“I don't know any delinquents, let alone any men.”

“He seems to know you,” Hisae utters with a pout.

You turn up your eyes and walk out of the bathroom to see for yourself what Hisae is been talking about. As you round the corner into the customer area, your eyes widen upon seeing the familiar blond. You slide back around the corner and hid.

“Zenitsu,” you utter. Your face feels warm.

Of course, it is him. He did say that he’d be seeing you around. But why did he have to show up at Amaku? And in front of your co-workers.

“So, you do know him,” Hisae mentions.

You shake your head in agreement. There is no point in lying.

“When were you going to tell us you were seeing someone?” Hisae asks.

“I'm not,” You argue.

You hush her and try to listen to what he and Shouko are talking about. All you can hear is your co-worker reciting the menu to him.

“It all sounds so good,” Zenitsu mentions. “What do you suggest?”

You groan and step out into the open.

“I suggest you buy something and leave,” you express. “It's almost closing time.”

Zenitsu shouts your name in glee.

You face heats up. Does he not hear you?

“Zenitsu came here from Aomori to escort you home. Isn't that sweet?” Shouko asks.

“It's a bit creepy,” you admit.

“Creepy?” Zenitsu asks. He walks to your side and puts his arm around you. An umbrella dangling from a cord around his wrist dampens your uniform, making you curl your nose. “But that's what a boyfriend does.”

You elbow him in the ribs.

“Why are you so mean to me?” Zenitsu asks with a cough.

“Because, dear, that's how I show my love,” You tease.

Shouko raises a brow.

“So, you two are dating?”

You sigh. Poor Shouko is terrible at reading the room.

“He looks like a delinquent,” Hisae points out, motioning towards her head.

“This is actually my natural color,” Zenitsu admits.

Hisae laughs.

“Sure it is.”

She walks behind the counter and stands next to Shouko.

“How long have you and Mister Delinquent been dating behind our backs?” She asks.

Hisae wears a smile but her eyes are unnerving.

“We're not––“

“A week,” Zenitsu answers.

You take an uneasy breath.

“We met at the clinic. Zenitsu works there and helped treat my arm after the stray bit me. But we’re not dating.”

You turn up your eyes upon hearing him openly whine over your answer. It is bad enough that you are lying; you are not about to pretend to be in a relationship with him.

“We close in 20 minutes, but you are free to stay around until we lock up, Zenitsu,” Shouko offers.

The blond smiles.

“Thank you.”

Hisae and Shouko return to the kitchen, leaving you alone with him.

You sigh.

“What did you come here for? The real reason.”

Zenitsu hushes you.

“We’ll discuss it back at your apartment,” he answers in a whisper.

You have a terrible feeling you know what the blond wants to discuss; the word debt is crawling around in your head like a cockroach. Merely nodding, you return to the counter and check the online app. No last-minute orders have been made, so you begin to bag the display candies and cakes, even going out of your way to make Zenitsu a to go box.

Once the shop is clean and locked up, You wish your co-workers a good night and usher Zenitsu outside. The rain seems to have lightened up a bit, but you still aren’t eager to walk home in such clammy weather. Perhaps a taxi is easier.

“At least the station won’t be crowded tonight,” Zenitsu mentions.

“Yeah, I––”

You lose your train of thought when you see the bright smile on his face and the umbrella over his head.

“You only have one umbrella.”

“Why would I need another?” the blond asks unashamedly.

You glare at him. Of course. You walk to his side and stand as close as possible to him to prevent the rain from pouring down on you.

“If I get sick, then I am going to choke you,” you utter.

Zenitsu laughs.

“Stay close to me.”

A sweet scent akin to the ozone radiates off him. You turn your head to take in his scent ashamed of the action.

Now who is being a creep, your mind teases.

Eat my ass, you snap, as sharp as a whip.

Are you seriously arguing with yourself? You take an uneasy breath.

“So, I see you don’t have your katana.”

Zenitsu hums.

“I don’t always need it.”

“But what if a demon attacks you tonight?” You ask.

How is he going to protect himself?

“I didn’t think about that!” The blond shouts. Tears gather in his eyes.

“Are you ignorant or something? How do you not think about that?” You ask in disbelief. “A demon could swoop in and tear out your eyes and you’d be a free meal.”

Zenitsu glares at you.

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?! I don’t want to die!”

You hush him. His rant is starting to draw attention from passing people. He has a big mouth.

“No more demon talk, I swear,” you utter. “So please calm down.”

Zenitsu nods in agreement.

Honestly, you aren’t sure how he is still alive. You sigh; you were right, a taxi would have been easier.

Arriving at your apartment, you unlock the door and usher Zenitsu inside. You are a bit nervous about him being in your apartment – chores had fallen behind since your injury – but not as nervous as you were walking home from the station. At least with a demon slayer at your side, you feel a little more at ease.

“Do you want something to drink?” You ask, watching the blond glance around the room – you apartment isn’t too impressive; you have a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom space with an attached kitchen and little to no closet room.

Zenitsu hums, lifting the to-go box that you made him.

“I have all I want.”

“Then make yourself at home, but don’t get my couch wet,” You order.

He removes his damp coat and sits down on the couch.

You pour yourself a drink from the fridge, then join him in the living room, grinning as the blond seems to enjoy the sweets you packed him. Your face heats up and you clear her throat.

“You wanted to discuss something with me,” you bring up.

Zenitsu licks the remnants of an Ichigo daifuku from his fingers and hums.

“My visit regards your debt to Boss Gyomei.”

You thought so. You sigh.

“What is the damage?”

“The 200 million you owe is squared away. I came by to tell you that I went ahead and paid the cleaning cost for you.”

He did? You widen your eyes.

“Why? I’m a complete stranger to you. There is no reason for you to have done that.”

“Even people like us can do something good for another,” Zenitsu answers. “And besides, I like you too much to see you buried in debt because of one bad day. If Amaku went under, you’d never talk to me again.”

You smile despite your best effort to control your emotions. Warm tears sting your eyes.

“You’re damn right. But now I owe you another favor.”

Zenitsu grins.

“I know what to ask for too.”

“If it’s for me to marry you, then no,” you reply, sharp as a whip.

The blond groans.

“I could die though.”

“That’s on you,” you utter. “But, maybe I can take you out one afternoon.”

His face turns red.

“My wife is asking me on a date.”

You playfully turn up your eyes. For a coward and a flirt, Zenitsu is rather adorable. It feels good to be wanted. A sense of desire washes over you.

“As for the second favor,” you utter. “Close your eyes.”

Zenitsu raises a curious brow but closes them regardless.

You lean over and gently kiss him on the cheek, pleased as the heat rising from his face warms your lips. You smile and veer away.

“I hope that will be enough.”

Zenitsu turns to you and in that brief moment that your eyes peer into his, you are captivated. You aren’t sure what comes over you, but you want more.

“I want to kiss you,” you admit.

“O-ok,” the blond utters.

You link your hand with his and lean in, pressing your lips against his. Your skin prickles with goosebumps as Zenitsu kisses you back. A soft wet smack meets your ears as you separate from him, but as soon as you do, the blond bends in and kisses you again, only with a bit more pressure.

You moan softly and lock your lips around his lower one, sweeping the tip of your tongue over it. You are pleased when Zenitsu reciprocates. With light touches, you toy with him, using your tongue to tag his own, only for him to hum and lift his hands to your face. Deepening the kiss, a wave of pleasure sweeps across your body, causing your nipples to harden as a result.

Raising your arm, you run your fingers through his hair, parting from him; a thin lead of saliva links you to Zenitsu until you run your tongue over your lips. Your breath comes out hot and thick as you press a kiss to his jaw, then veer over, sucking gently on his ear lobe.

Zenitsu groans and clutches your upper thigh, reaching for the button on your pants.

You sit up on your knees and remove them, then crawl into his lap. His hard cock presses against the lining of your panties, urging you to grin. You ease his head back, giving him another closed mouth kiss, then part your lips and run your tongue across his lower lip. As Zenitsu opens his mouth, you reach down and undo his pants.

A groan leaves his mouth as you take his cock in your hand and stroke it. You want him badly. You move aside your panties and position yourself over him, but Zenitsu clutches your arm.

“W-wait!”

You widens your eyes and part from him. Your face is hot with embarrassment. Did you do something wrong? Perhaps he doesn’t want to go further with you.

“Do you want to stop?” You ask.

Zenitsu shakes his head no.

“I don’t have a condom.”

You smile gently.

“I have one in the bedroom. Give me a moment.”

You reluctantly crawl from his lap and hurry into your bedroom, searching through the side table where you keep them. You are fortunate; Zenitsu is a considerate man. You tear a packet from the container and briskly walk back into the living room.

Handing it to him, you remove your panties and wait for Zenitsu to roll the condom down onto his cock, then resume your spot. You lean up on your knees and spread yourself, sinking onto him until you are seated in his lap. Your walls clench as a result and though it hurt for a moment, you feel utterly full.

You groan and clutch the backrest, rocking your hips a slight bit to get a feel for him. Zenitsu grabs your hips and urges you to move, thrusting into you when you bounce your lower body. It takes you a minute with his urgent need to fuck you in order to find a decent rhythm, but once you do, a gentle sensation begins to grow in your stomach.

It isn’t enough to push you over the edge, but having him inside you drives you mad. Your breath comes out in short pants as Zenitsu quickens his pace, wrecking your pussy with deep and quick thrusts. You try your best to keep up, sliding your arms around his shoulders for leverage, rocking your hips.

Hearing Zenitsu groan, you feel his hips shudder. His thrusts switch between fast and deep to slow. Then he stalls, bottoming out in you with a moan.

You pant in exhaustion, grinning as the blond does the same. Your throat is dry, but you are still eager to continue. The grip on you eases up and Zenitsu helps you slide off his lap.

He removes the condom and ties the top to prevent his cum from leaking out, but as he goes to stand, you stop him.

“I didn’t get off,” you mention.

Zenitsu widens his eyes.

“You didn’t?”

You answer his question with a shake of your head. Lying down on the couch, you motion for the blond to come over. He sits the used condom aside and hovers over you, peering into your eyes.

“Give me a minute and––”

“Go down on me,” you beg.

The blond smiles. He slides between your legs and lifts them over his shoulders, resting on his stomach.

You hum as his finger trace your tight hole, entering you. It isn’t a cock, but honestly, you don’t mind. Once he adds another finger, he begins to curl them inside you. Zenitsu spreads your outer lips and leans down to run his tongue over you clit; the warmth of his breath sends chills across your body. Your walls clench around his fingers as he thrusts them into your eager pussy.

You arch your back, panting as his pace quickens. The tension is driving you insane. You want to cum so bad, but you aren’t quite there yet.

“A little lower,” you beg.

Zenitsu raises his head and takes a breath, then does as you instruct, flicking his tongue over the very spot you need in order to curl you toes. Yes! Your thighs tighten around his head.

Shutting your eyes, you focus on the sensation coursing through you. Your mind wanders over to a few minutes ago when the blond had fucked you. Had you been comfortable with your words you would have begged Zenitsu to make you cum; you would have assured him that you belonged to him and no one else. Oh, how you wanted to.

Your face heats up as the tension in your stomach escalates. You are close. Taking an uneasy breath, your hands wander, teasing and pinching your hardened nipples. The pain is ecstasy; a perfect blend that brings out an airy moan. A familiar and long-awaited sensation tickles you.

“Don’t stop,” you plead.

Zenitsu closes his lips around your clit and brushes his tongue against you in a way that makes you grind against him.

It is too much to handle. A wave of pleasure crashes over you, filling your body with warmth as you cum. You open your eyes, but your vision is blurred by tears. Once your high begins to fade and your body relaxes, you ease your legs from Zenitsu’s shoulders and took a deep breath; your core is throbbing in reaction.

“Thank you,” you utter.

Zenitsu sits up and wipes his mouth clean. His cheeks are red and his breath is labored, but he smiles.

Groaning, you sit up and hum. You are exhausted. Taking a look at the clock on the wall, you frown.

“It’s late,” you mention.

Zenitsu hums.

“Do you want me to go?”

You shake your head no.

“You can stay if you want.”

You aren’t sure what the consequences of having sex with Zenitsu will have on your potential relationship with him – if there is one – but wondering what-if can wait for another time.

You stretch and stand up with a grunt.

“I’m going to clean up, then go to bed. You can sleep on the couch if you want, or join me in the bedroom.”

The blond smiles.

“I’ll lay beside you however long you let me.”

You are relieved. To be honest, you feel safer with him around. Perhaps you will never leave your bed again.

A girl can dream.

#demon slayer #zenitsu agatsuma #demon slayer fanfic #zenitsu x reader #aged-up characters #mafia au #emsyakuza900 #gyomei himejima #demon slayer smut #one-shot

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wangxianficrecs · 1 year

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The Warm Paths We Follow by Preludian_Staves

The Warm Paths We Follow

by Preludian_Staves

G, 3k, Wangxian

Summary: His path diverges with the blessing of the one who loves him and knows when to let go.

Kay's comments: Lovely, short story in which Wangxian are already a little older and have probably met not during the Cloud Recesses lectures, but instead during night-hunts. During the fic, they have already been in a relationship for a while when Wei Wuxian accompanies Jiang Yanli to the Cloud Recesses where she's set to meet Jin Zixuan on a more neutral ground. During their visit, Wei Wuxian also encounters Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren for the first time and takes the chance to ask Lan Qiren about his parents, because he doesn't know anything about them. I really enjoyed the sibling-bond between Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian in this story and having Wangxian have an established relationship also works out beautifully. Wei Wuxian definitely feels more mature and settled in this story.

Excerpt: “He is the one, Xiongzhang.” Surprised, he turns to meet calmly familiar honey-golden eyes. “You never told me that you knew Wei-gongzi personally. I could have-” Gently his brother breaks one of their rules and interrupts Lan Xichen before he can continue speaking to ask questions and make plans for the inevitable future that his sweet didi might be envisioning. “We have not spoken of the matter of marriage yet. Though he has accepted my ribbon.” Wangji calmly responded. The words sounded so well rehearsed that they caused surprise to form within the confines of Lan Xichen’s soul upon hearing them. He was surprised that he had missed that Wangji had secretly proposed to someone, along with his quiet joy at the acceptance. “There is more that we wish to do before settling.”

canon-divergence, secret relationship, established relationship, established lan wangji/wei wuxian, soft, wei wuxian leaves the yunmeng jiang sect, aged-up characters, good sibling jiang yanli, @preludianstaves

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

#Wangxian Fic Rec #The Untamed #MDZS #Kay's Rec #canon-divergence #secret relationship #established relationship #established lan wangji/wei wuxian #soft #wei wuxian leaves the yunmeng jiang sect #aged-up characters #good sibling jiang yanli #The Warm Paths We Follow #Preludian_Staves #short fic <15k #Gen

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allidoistrytrytryy · 1 year

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don’t want no other shade of blue, but you (part 2 of 2) (neteyam x reader)

AO3 version if you prefer reading over there

part 1 (Neteyam and the sky girl, series)

summary: (the confusing timeline and glimpses of life between Neteyam and a human girl.) (part 2, ending)

warnings: hurt/comfort, fluff and angst, the angst is back with a fervor but HAPPY ENDING, no use of y/n, aged-up characters, not canon-compliant, everybody lives, unrealistic lore (sorry james cameron), human!reader

little note from author: thank you all for the notes and reactions!!!! i wrote everytime i had some time outside of work and did my best to get this out as fact as i could! this is the end of the two big parts, but i think i’ll write more one-shots around neteyam x human!reader (whether before or after part 2) so expect some stuff!!! will not stop writing neteyam anyway, the brainrot is too present lmao enjoy!!!

this is also like...9k words, almost 10k...BYE

“Yawntu, come here.” You heard from behind you before feeling a hand settling on the back of your neck. A mouth put itself on the edge of your ear, which twitched at the contact. “Let’s ditch the others and go on a date. Just you and I.”

You turned around to see Neteyam smiling mischievously, as he squeezed your neck gently to get an answer. You could only nod with a smile back as he pulled you away.

“What about a flight, sky girl ? Ready to get beaten again ?” He asked, his hand sliding down to intertwine with yours. Your tail twitched at the contact, tapping at his hip gently.

Your...tail ?

“You okay, yawntu ?”

You tried to look at him only to see a blur. You startled awake, looking up at the same white ceiling of your small room, sweat sticking to your back and your shirt.

It had been a dream again.

You didn’t remember how long it had been already since the day the Sullys had left. A part of you had been left too, back in the forest when he turned his back on you and never looked back.

It was all your fault, you knew that. You broke your heart and his in the process. You were the only perpetrator.

You felt empty and aimless. You barely saw anyone. Norm and Max forced you to work with them, forced you in conversations, forced you to even eat.

Norm was once again coming in to put breakfast on the little table in your room. “He wouldn’t like to see you like this. Please, eat.”

You watched from your bed, stuck in a decision - going back to sleep or getting up. If you slept, that meant you could dream, where you were with them, with him. If you slept, that meant you didn’t feel for a few moments.

Everything had gone to shit. Your life included. You had lost them all, even Spider. Spider who was stuck with a man that had never loved him, with a man so cruel and terrible. Spider who had been your brother for so many years. You prayed to Eywa everyday that he was okay.

Everyday, you thought of the Sullys. Were they okay ? Had they found somewhere to belong ? Were they doing well in a whole another clan with different people and customs ?

(Was Tuk crying ? Was Kiri protected when she got lost in what was around her ? Was Lo’ak not getting into too much trouble ? Was Neteyam... was anyone taking care of him when he was taking care of everyone else ?)

Sometimes, Mo’at would come around and force you out. She would teach you and talk to you. You were glad for her presence, the only remaining link you had with the Na’vi and the Sullys.

You were glad for Norm and Max too.

So you woke up every morning. You went on. You took it day to day. You went back to sleep. And you started it all again, like a machine.

You would get out of your room when you felt okay to. You would see if any of the humans needed your help or if Mo’at had deemed it a day to come see you. You would go along with it. That was your routine, your way of survival.

Even if all you thought about was Neteyam. His drooping shoulders and the defeat in his body. His eyes. His smile. His voice.

So many days and weeks and months later, commotion happened in the lab, Norm in his avatar and Max running out.

You looked curiously. You decided to ask. “Hey, what’s going on ?”

Max stopped. “You should come with us, now.” He pulled on your arm, getting you towards the helicopter. “Bad situation. Jake called us over.”

You felt blood rush in your ears. What had happened that Jake needed to call them over ?

“Kiri had a seizure. He called so we could go and see what is going on. We need to go now.”

You nodded, your heart in your throat.

You barely remembered getting in a seat and buckling up. You barely remembered the flight over. All you saw was water, until there was land. Islands. Until you saw Jake motioning the helicopter down.

You went out last, after Norm and Max, lost in between the new environment and your fear for Kiri. You felt stares on you. You barely paid attention to them.

Jake was talking with them and leading them away, not even noticing you were there until he turned around when you all arrived to their little hut.

His eyes widened, before he pulled you in. “Oh, sweetheart, I didn’t see you there. Thank you for coming.”

You teared up at the hug, at his words. Great mother, how had you missed them all. “Of course. How is she doing ?” Your voice shook, as you looked up at him.

He grimaced, worry all over his face. “She’s unconscious. She had a seizure when she connected to Eywa with the kids.”

Max and Norm had both gone in to try to see what was happening, to connect to Kiri’s brain with their machine. Neytiri was beside Kiri, holding her hand. Tuk was close by too.

A beautiful pregnant Na’vi woman came in, with what seemed healing materials.

“You are Tsahik.” Neytiri hissed, before chasing everyone out. Jake, Max and Norm left to talk. (You would have laughed in any other situation. They were still all scared shitless of Neytiri. Which you understood.)

You watched as the Tsahik worked on waking Kiri up.

Please Kiri, just wake up. Be okay. Be okay. Please.

A few moments later, Kiri opened her eyes and cried as Neytiri comforted her. You sagged in relief, feeling your own tears burning your eyes.

You didn’t try to enter or barge in. You didn’t try to talk to them. You were just relieved to see them all and to see Kiri okay.

“Tsmuke ?” A small voice whispered and then a large hand fell on your arm. You looked up to see Tuk, surprise and happiness in her eyes.

“Hey, Tuk tuk.” You whispered back, your hand reaching up to ruffle her braids.

At this little moment, you heard gasps behind her. Neytiri looked at you with surprise too before a soft smile broke on her face. Kiri started crying even harder before she threw herself at you.

You choked and fell back.

“Kiri ! That fucking hurts, you skxawng !”

“Sorry, sorry.” She sniffled and still held you tight, putting you in her lap in the process. “I just missed you so much. We all did.”

The burning behind your eyes intensified until you couldn’t keep it in anymore. The tears flowed as you hugged her back.

“I missed you too. All of you. So much.” Your voice broke on the words, breaking through your real feelings for the first time in months. “It’s been hard.” A wet laugh came out of you. “But, enough about me. What happened Kiri ? Are you okay ?”

She put some distance to look into your face. “I saw my mom. She was right there. And then...” Kiri sighed, disappointed to have lost the contact. “I don’t know what happened exactly. I was ripped out of the connection and went into a seizure apparently.” She shook her head.

You couldn’t believe it. You were stuck between being happy for her (she had always wanted to talk to Grace, at least once in her life, to be in her presence) and being worried about what happened to her. How could connecting to Eywa put her in this state ?

“Hey, Kiri, I know the seizure was bad but I’m so happy you got to see Grace. How was she ? Did she say anything ?” You asked, holding her hand tight.

She went into it with sparkles and happiness in her eyes about what she looked like and how it had felt to be with her for this short simple moment. You couldn’t help but smile with love for the girl in front of you. Tuk had gotten closer to you too again in the moment, pushing her head on your shoulder (even though her head didn’t fit, not really). Neytiri was looking over the three of you, holding Kiri’s hand the whole time.

You both talked for a few minutes until Norm squeezed your shoulder. “We have to go.”

Pure sadness and pain exploded in your gut at the words. You had felt what could happiness be again for a short discussion, and now you had to leave it all behind again ? You swallowed to keep the bile in but gave a smile to Norm (which looked more like a grimace). “I’ll be there in a minute.”

You slowly got up, Kiri and Tuk following you in the process.

Tuk hugged you, whined at you leaving. “Do you really have to go ? Can’t you stay with us ?”

“I wish I could, Tuk tuk. I really wish I could.” You gently pinched her cheek. “But it’s going to be okay. You’ll come back to the forest at some point and you’ll tell me everything. I’ll be waiting.”

Kiri looked at you and you knew she didn’t believe a word you said. In truth, you didn’t know if they would ever come back and if they did, you knew it wouldn’t be soon, not with Quaritch back.

But no matter how much you wanted to stay, you couldn’t.

“I’ll see you all later, okay ?” You tried to sound strong, when you were really breaking again inside. “And don’t move Kiri ! I’ll go by myself.”

You hugged them one last time. Neytiri softly touched your head for a second and let you go. You smiled at her as much as you could, before you turned around to join Norm and Max out.

Jake hugged you as you left. “Take care.” You nodded. You didn’t look back.

The Tsahik and Olo'eyktan stood near the helicopter, ready to watch you leave. You extended your hand from your forehead downwards in greetings, bowed your head in thanks.

You both felt relieved and destroyed to not have seen Neteyam. Relieved because then you did not have to face the way he wouldn’t look at you. Destroyed because you missed him, because you needed to see him to know he was fine.

As if Eywa had heard you, the moment you stepped one foot in, the moment you slightly turned your head left, he was there. A few feet away. With Lo’ak and others from the sea clan.

He looked at you with wide eyes and you froze. Pain and love blossomed in your chest. It hurt. It hurt to love him so much. You could never stop though. You didn’t even want to.

“What’s happening ?” Max asked, before getting his head out towards Neteyam still looking at you.

Norm sighed. “You should go. Go talk to him. Here’s your chance.”

You were still frozen when Norm’s words entered your ears, but Neteyam unfroze to start moving forward towards you. You shook your head, both at Norm and Neteyam.

He stopped and you saw the words on his lips. “Sky girl”. You shook your head again and gave him a sad smile. His ears twitched down, his tail drooped. You had hurt him again.

You still couldn’t do it though. You hadn’t changed your mind. What were you supposed to say to him when you still felt like your decision was the good one, the best one for him ?

Maybe not for you. But he would understand with time. That was what you told yourself.

You went in the helicopter and watched him become smaller and smaller. You went back to your small room and thought you would just go back to your routine.

If only you had known.

You were strolling through the forest, needing time away alone, when you heard a noise behind you. You looked back, through the trees, but there was nothing.

Your feet continued moving on their own but the tension was clouding your mind. Something was happening. Your fingers closed themselves around the knife you always carried, hidden underneath your shirt.

More noise came from behind you but now also in front of you. You looked to see glimpses of blue.

Those weren’t Omaticayas. They wouldn’t hide and observe you. They knew you.

They weren’t the people you knew who had avatars.

Which only meant one thing. And you weren’t going to go without fighting.

You heard footsteps next to you. You took out the knife and turned, stabbing whoever had tried to approach you.

An unknown Na’vi in military gear gasped in pain at the knife in their side before you got the knife out. Not Na’vi. Avatar. Whatever the fuck they were now.

“You bitch !” The man said, rising his hand to strike you. You ducked under the hand as fast as you could, lessons and reflexes kicking in. You tried to stab him again but a hand wrapped itself in your hair.

It pulled and raised you up. You gasped and moaned in pain, the knife slipped from your hand to the ground. Your feet didn’t touch the ground anymore.

“Well, looks like you learned a thing or two from the Sullys, haven’t you, girlie ?” A voice said as their hand turned you to them.

You had only seen the man in human form in the archives left with the lab. You had learned disgust and hate for this man from as young as you could remember. Quaritch. You hissed at him as best as you could behind the mask.

“And you’ve also learned to be feral. I guess that’s all they’ve been teaching you human kids, huh.”

At the mention of human kids, you hissed even harder through your gasps of pain. His other hand went around your throat while the other stopped pulling on your hair. He could kill you in an instant. Break your neck and end it right there.

You did not care.

“What the fuck have you done with Spider ? You better not have touched him !” Your voice was rough and broken, angry. “Oh, do not worry about that, he’s fully okay. Look, he’s here.”

From behind him appeared Spider, looking unharmed. Relief coursed through your veins. He was okay, nothing had happened.

“Now, I’m not here for a reunion. I’m here because an helicopter left this forest to get somewhere and little Spider here let slip that you may have been on it.” The hand around your throat tightened up. “I want to know where it went, and exactly where.”

It kept tightening and tightening up. You gasped for air, your head started spinning, but you kept looking right into his eyes in defiance. You would never give up the spot. Ever.

“See, I can’t barge in the Omaticayas’s place and get to your avatar friends. We’ll get killed. But you ? You’re the way to Jake Sully. So, you have a choice. I can hurt you or you can tell me.”

The hand stopped and let air go through your lungs. You breathed in as much as you could.

You laughed lightly. “You can go fuck yourself.”

Quaritch smirked at your words and nodded. He tightened up and tightened up. You felt yourself slipping away.

You could hear Spider screaming. “Stop it ! Stop, you’re going to kill her !”

The only thing you saw behind your eyelids as you passed out was Neteyam’s face. I’m sorry.

You woke up jumping, banging your head against something in the process. “Shit !” You yelled out.

You tried to touch the top of your head with your hand, to see if you had a bump, but was stopped. A look down made you realize you had been handcuffed.

Both your hands and feet.

And you realized you were next to a hut on an island. You looked further, you saw a large boat, ikrans, a village. You saw a Na’vi clan on their knees, the military avatars pointing their guns at them while Quaritch was yelling at them, showing a picture on his tablet. Jake.

“The princess finally wakes up. Come on.” You were hauled up by a guy and pulled to the scene.

As you grew closer, you realized Spider was playing translator for him. It seemed like he had gotten nothing from them. This wasn’t the good island nor the good clan. Quaritch stopped when he saw you and turned to you.

“I told you you had a choice. Here it is again. You tell me where the Sullys are or I kill all of them.”

He had told you he would hurt you. You had thought it would be physical. You should have known better from a man like him.

You were forced on your knees and forced to look at the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik of the clan.

“Look at them. Do you want to watch them die ? It’ll be all your fault, you know ?”

Tears grew in your eyes. You could save them, but at what cost ? You saw flashes of the Sullys’ dead bodies in your head. Jake, Neytiri, Kiri, Lo’ak, Tuk...Neteyam.

You couldn’t. Couldn’t. Couldn’t.

“Go fuck yourself.” Your voice was shaking and blood spread in your mouth as you bit your tongue.

The Tsahik’s head was forced on the ground, the gun pointed at her temple.

“Are you sure about this ?” Quaritch asked. You couldn’t answer anymore. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry...” You kept repeating in Na’vi.

Spider yelled out at Quaritch, forcing him to look at him. “Don’t do this ! They don’t know anything. She won’t tell you a thing either, especially if you kill them. Please, just stop.”

You kept looking into the tsahik’s eyes. If this was to be your fault, you would force yourself to look. You would carry the death in you forever.

“We really going to kill her ?” The man with the gun at her head asked with no emotion.

Quaritch didn’t say anything for a minute. It felt like an hour.

“They don’t know anything. Let’s burn it all.” He said finally and the gun left the tsahik’s temple.

You finally breathed again. You made yourself look at them burn the village. All you felt was rage.

How could they dare come in an innocent clan’s village to destroy everything ? How could he ? For some sort of stupid revenge ? Would a man like him never fucking move on ?

At least, it seemed like Spider got to him, which surprised and disgusted you at the same time. How could he act like he cared now about him when he hadn’t then ?

Quaritch looked back at you and motioned to the guy. “Knock her out. Keep her quiet.”

All you saw was the butt of the gun going down on your head, before you passed out again.

(Tonowari had come around the Sullys’s hut to tell them sky people had attacked with a human boy translating for them and a captive human girl.

“A human girl ?” Jake asked, worried.

Neytiri and Jake both looked at each other, fearing the worst. They both knew who it was but did not want to believe it.

“We have to believe she’ll be okay. She is strong.” Neytiri said, her hand intertwining with Jake’s.

He nodded. How could they tell their kids she had been taken ? How could they tell Neteyam ?)

(He wouldn’t get the chance to know.)

You woke up later in a boat in a corner of what seemed the main control room, in the middle of an unknown crew, your feet unbound, you hands still cuffed.

Spider was sitting next to you. He sighed in relief. “You’re finally awake. You’re scared me there for a minute.”

Your head hurt.

“How are you not even cuffed ?” You mumbled out, straightening up against the wall.

“Tracker’s in my mask. And we’re in a boat full of military men right now, so I guess he hasn’t even thought of cuffing me.”

“But he does me ?” You asked, as you raised your hands to show him. “Spider... what the fuck is going on ? Why were you even translating for the guy ? Why did you tell him I would have been the helicopter ?”

His head hung low, to hide his eyes and his face.

You scoffed at his silence. “And why were the ikrans there ?” You nudged him. “They wouldn’t have known how to do it. Tell me the truth.”

He got up in an instant, pacing. “You don’t know how it was like ! I was left with them, they took me and he told me to just follow them around. And... yes, I told them how to do it. I taught them stuff. What do you want me to say ?”

“I don’t know, Spider ! All I know is it’s been helping them. That’s not your father. That’s a copy of him in an avatar body. And even if it was him, that’s a man who decided that destroying a planet and its people was more important than his own son !” You screamed in frustration.

“And where did answering back take you, huh ? Look, you’re injured, cuffed, prisoner with no way out.” You couldn’t believe your ears at his words. “You’re in the exact same situation, Spider. You may not be injured, but you’re as much a captive as I am. Do not think he cares now. He doesn’t and he never will, not really.” You spat out. “He’ll never care about anything but revenge against Jake.”

You sighed. You were so tired. “All I know is I will never tell him anything. I also know I was worried about you. I’m glad you’re okay.”

He sat down again next to you, shoulder against yours. “I’m sorry... Everything is so confusing. I’m glad you’re okay too.”

You stayed like this for a while. There was commotion at some point, the crew getting busy and you ended up in front of a screen with Spider and an unknown man, Dr Garvin.

The screen showed big beautiful animals swimming through the ocean. “What are they going to do ?” You asked, even though you already knew the answer.

“They are going to hunt the tulkun mother.” Dr Garvin answered bitterly, as if he did not want to be there but had no other choice.

You could only watch as they killed the mother and left the calf to desperately stay with its mother. You wanted to cry. What was the point of all of this ?

“They hunt them. He also wants to trap Jake with this.” Spider whispered to you. You didn’t understand how that would work. “The tulkuns bond with the people. This tulkun is bonded with someone. He’s trying to get them to fight back and get the Sullys through that.”

You didn’t even know what to answer. What else could you have expected from Quaritch ? Of course, since he couldn’t get the answer through you, he would try a trap.

Spider went with Quaritch to go into the tulkun. You stayed in the corner of the room. You debated trying to run for it and jump in the ocean. But where would you even go ?

You weren’t a great swimmer. You were still cuffed. You were okay at survival and fighting, but you were outnumbered by a large amount.

So you didn’t do anything.

Until Spider came back. Until everything became a mess and Lo’ak, Tuk and apparently the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik’s daughter were taken and cuffed at the edge of the boat.

An avatar hauled you up. “What are you doing ?” Spider asked before the man pushed him away, into the wall. “Stay away, she’s going with the others.”

You didn’t try to fight back. At least you would be with Lo’ak and Tuk. You shook your head at Spider. Don’t try anything, dumb ass.

He pulled at your arm until he got you to Quaritch. You heard Lo’ak’s “Sky girl !” and Tuk’s little gasp.

“Here’s some use for you, girlie. You’ll be bait with your little friends.”

He uncuffed you to intertwine your cuffs to the railing. You hissed at him in the process. He didn’t even pick up your attitude, stepping away to talk to Jake. At the same time, you looked over the railing to see the whole sea clan was out.

That was how you would be bait. You got it now.

You couldn’t see Neteyam though, you realized as you narrowed your eyes. Where was he ? What was he doing ?

Lo’ak was the closest to you. “How the hell have you ended up here, sky girl ?” He asked, looking down at you in concern. “Not that I’m not happy to see you. I missed you, but you know what I mean.”

You smiled. “Missed you too, ass. But Quaritch basically kidnapped me and tried to get me to talk. Didn’t work, so now I’m bait with you guys.” You joked. “You okay, Tuk ?”

She nodded and you smiled at her. You looked at the one in between them. A beautiful Na’vi girl with lighter blue skin and beautiful features. “Sorry, we haven’t met before. I’m the human girl, maybe you’ve been told about me. I’ve heard you’re the Olo’eyktan’s daughter.”

“I’m Tsireya. I’ve heard about you from the Sullys and I saw you when you visited Kiri.” She said softly.

“It’s nice to meet you. Even though it would have been better in any other situation than this, right now.” You answered, with a little laugh.

One of the avatar men hit you in the back with their gun. “Shut up !”

You gasped and groaned in pain. Lo’ak yelled out. “Hey ! Watch what you’re doing !” When you saw the man decided to approach Lo’ak, you told the Sully brother to calm down. “It’s fine, Lo’ak. Let’s just shut up and wait.”

“What’s dad doing ?” Tuk asked, her little voice shaking and worried.

Jake was moving forward alone. He was going with Quaritch’s orders. If it went on, he would die. Nothing was going right.

A tulkun rose up from the water and threw itself right unto the boat, a few meters away from you.

“Payakan !” Lo’ak screamed with glee. “Do you know him ?” You yelled over the commotion.

“He bonded with him. He’s soul brother.” Tsireya screamed, explaining to you. You turned to Lo’ak with a laugh. “Well shit, Lo’ak. You’ll thank him, he just saved our asses.”

You tried to get out of the cuffs to no avail as Payakan fought back.

You then heard Tuk yell. “Neteyam !”

Your heart skipped a beat. You hadn’t been able to see him. Was he okay ?

He went over the railing and freed Tuk first.

He hadn’t seen you yet, hidden behind Lo’ak larger body. “Who’s the mighty warrior, huh ?” He laughed and boasted to Lo’ak as he cut his cuffs.

It was only when Lo’ak was freed that he saw you. He froze for a second, before he went right into action.

“What the hell are you doing here ?” He asked hurriedly while cutting your hands free. “No hello, how are you doing ?” You jokingly asked. He simply looked at you with that stare of his, his hands now incapable of not touching you. “I was...kind of taken by Quaritch.”

His eyes turned violent and angry. His stance stiff. He took your chin and raised your face up to see through the mask. He saw the small injuries. He saw the marks around your neck. He felt around you head and you grimaced when he touched the bump.

“You’re hurt.” He stated, grumbled. His eyes still screamed for murder. His hands still traced the contours of your face and neck gently.

“Nothing much, Nete. I’ll be fine. We need to get out of here.”

He nodded. “We need to get Tuk out of there first.”

Lo’ak stopped him. “Tsireya and sky girl, go with her. We have to get Spider.” Neteyam hesitated. “We can’t leave him here !”

Neteyam accepted.

“I’m coming with you guys.”

He shook his head vehemently. “No chance, sky girl. You’re taking Tuk and getting to safety. Now.”

You shook your head back. “I know where to go... kinda. I can help you.” He still pushed you away towards Tsireya and Tuk. You took his hands off. “I’m not leaving Spider and I’m not leaving you. Not again.”

Your eyes searched around for a rifle and you took it. “I can defend myself.” He sighed. “You are all going to kill me one day, I swear.” He then pointed to you and Lo’ak. “You stick to me. No funny business. No risk. We find Spider and we go right away. Understood ?”

You both nodded. This was prime hunter Neteyam speaking, getting into combat.

You stuck close to Neteyam and still showed the way as best as you could, for the little of the boat you had seen.

You all found Spider and fought your way out.

“I’ll distract them ! Go !” Neteyam screamed, as Lo’ak and Spider jumped in the water. You didn’t. “You skxawng, you better get in the water right now, or I’m pushing you in myself.” You still stayed.

“I’m not going without you.” You insisted. “I’ll kill you when we get out of this, sky girl.” You nodded with a smile. “Looking forward to it, Nete.”

You both got out of you cover to shoot and get closer to the water, distracting them in the process. You were both about to toss the guns and jump when you saw one of the avatar men put his gun up in Neteyam’s direction.

You didn’t think.

You didn’t think at all.

A second felt like minutes, hours.

A second changed everything.

Your body moved. You put all of your force into pushing Neteyam out of the way and into the water first.

You felt the bullet pierce your chest. You felt the pain explode in your whole body. You fell in the water backwards.

You did your best to swim out, to get your head above the water. The pain was dragging you down, making it hard for you to stay afloat.

Neteyam rushed to you, as you struggled and gasped for air. You felt like something was wrong with your lungs, a rattling, making it hard to breathe or move.

He pulled you to him, helped you up. “What’s wrong ?” He sounded panicked, kept you close. You wheezed for air. “Got...shot...” You barely managed to say.

“Shit, shit, shit.” He swam as fast as he could to his ilu, sitting you in front of him and getting to land as fast as he could. “You’re gonna be okay. It’s gonna be fine.” He whispered in your ear, supporting your body with his. “I told you to stick to me. I told you no funny business, you skxawng.”

A wet laugh came out of you, wet with your blood. You knew it wasn’t a good sign. Everything hurt. You could only let yourself lay against his chest.

You arrived to a rock, Lo’ak and Spider following behind. Neteyam held you in his arms to settle you down. Jake and Neytiri arrived a few seconds later.

Jake turned you around, saw the exit wound through your shirt, saw the blood. He could only press a hand against his forehead.

“Dad, what ? What is it ?” Neteyam asked, and Jake shook his head.

Neteyam refused to believe it. He held you in his arms. “Sky girl, you’re going to be okay. We’re going to make it out and we’ll go home, okay ?”

You were working harder and harder to even breathe. Darkness was creeping up at the edges of your eyesight. You felt numb. The pain had become simple numbness.

You knew it was over. You could feel yourself slipping away, bit by bit.

“Nete...” You wheezed, trying to lift your hand, to no avail. Your limbs wouldn’t answer anymore. “I never...never told you...”

He shook his head. “You’ll tell me later. You’ll have all the time to tell me. We’ll have so much time, you and I. So much time.” His eyes never left your face, your eyes. “We’ll go hunt, we’ll go fly on my ikran, we’ll keep watch on the rest of the idiots, we’ll slip away at night and look at the stars. We...”

You smiled slightly. You stopped him. “No, need to tell you...now.” You took your last deep breath. “I see...you. Always have. Always...” You whispered.

Neteyam was shaking, you could feel his hands trembling. “I know. I know, sweet girl. I see you.”

You smiled. You looked at his face, his eyes, the glowing freckles. You committed all the little details in your memory. You wanted him to be the last thing you saw.

You didn’t want to go. You wanted to stay with him. Fuck everything you had said about not belonging together. You wanted more time. You wanted to go against everything you had ever believed.

But, the darkness took over. The control over your body left and you went limp. Your eyes got lost in the void. You were slipping away, you slipped away.

Your time had slipped away like sand.

Neteyam couldn’t understand as you went completely limp in his arms.

“Sweet girl ? Come on. Please. Don’t do this, don’t do this.” Neteyam begged.

He heard gasps from behind him, cries. He barely registered them as he held your body closer, as he tried to shake you to wake you up.

“Don’t go. Please, please.” He whispered, his eyes still on your face.

Your skin felt colder already. Your eyes weren’t looking at him anymore.

They would never look at him again. He would never feel them on him again. He would never hold your hand again. He would never feel you fall asleep against him again. He would never see you smile again. Never hear your voice. Your laugh.

It hit.

He screamed. “Great mother, why ? Why ? Not her ! Please !” He screamed and cried and sobbed. “Please...”

Jake and Neytiri could only watch as their son held you to his body tight, not seeing anything but you, crying and whispering to you to come back.

They had to move. Kiri and Tuk were still in the boat, captives by Quaritch.

Jake put a hand on Neteyam’s shoulder. “Neteyam, we need to go.”

He had no reaction the first time, still crying, his face in your hair.

“Neteyam !”

Neteyam looked up at his father, his eyes lost and full of tears.

“Your sisters are still in there. We need to go, now.” Jake said, his hands on both Neteyam’s shoulders now. “I know... I know it’s hard, but I need you to have a strong heart right now. Your mother and I need you with us.”

The words finally registered in his mind. Kiri and Tuk were still in danger. In danger by the same people who had killed you.

He couldn’t describe the rage he felt spread from his core, flames eating up at him. He needed to kill them. Needed to get his sisters back and kill all of them. Kill Quaritch.

He nodded. He laid you down on the rock gently. He took off your mask. You didn’t need it anymore.

The pain was excruciating. He felt like his heart was breaking, being torn out of his own chest.

It has already been torn out, he thought. You had taken it with you as you left and went somewhere he could not follow.

Neteyam closed your eyes and pressed a kiss on your eyelids and on your cheeks. He could almost fool himself in the fact that you were just sleeping.

If only.

He got up and took a deep breath. He looked around him.

Lo’ak and Spider were crying too. You had been a sister to them for so long. Now, you were gone.

Tsireya was a comforting presence at Lo’ak’s back. He was grateful that his brother wasn’t alone.

Jake and Neytiri looked at him with somber expressions. He could also see the tears in their eyes, the pain.

You had been sky people, but they all had loved you like one of their own.

His mother looked at him, letting the rage and pain also fill her eyes. “We have to go. Get your sisters back. Kill them.”

He nodded and joined her on her ikran. His father went on his own ilu with Spider who was willing to show the way.

“I want to go with you.” Lo’ak said to Jake.

He turned to him, “You have done enough. Stay with her.”

Neteyam already knew Lo’ak wouldn’t listen. He knew his brother too well. He wouldn’t stand by, especially not with everything that was happening, that had happened. Neteyam wouldn’t try to stop him, not this time.

After that, Neteyam let the pain, the rage, the anger, the grief take over. He took a spear a Metkayina had left in a body. He killed.

Any man coming his way was killed. A hit in the throat, before he took the spear out. A swipe at their stomach or their limbs, cutting off parts, ending them.

He didn’t see anymore, not really. He only saw red. He wanted red to spill, blood out of them, revenge. He barely had any control over his body. He was only fueled by the image of your body in the back of his mind. The image of his sisters captive.

He couldn’t say how many had fallen under his spear. A trail of bodies were left by him and Neytiri.

Neytiri let her own rage talk beside him. A rage that had built over the past year. Rage over the sky people coming back. Rage over having to run to protect their family and leave her home behind (the one she had promised to protect to her father). Rage over her family getting hurt over and over again.

They looked like two demons coming for retribution. Two hurt beings fueled by pure instincts. The sky people had no chance.

He was only brought back when he saw Quaritch with his knife at Kiri’s throat. Tuk was with their dad, but Kiri was still stuck.

He approached slowly, his mind racing, trying to find a way out of this situation.

Neytiri appeared, her knife at Spider’s throat.

She hissed at Quaritch. “A child for a child.”

(She had hated sky people, couldn’t accept Spider nor you in the beginning.

You had never pushed, especially with her. She had learned to at least tolerate you.

She had seen the genuine love you had for all of them, and especially Neteyam.

She couldn’t accept it at first. The looks between the two of you. This was her firstborn, her son. He couldn’t end up with sky people. It did not make sense.

But she had seen the way you distanced yourself. The way you always tried to pull away. The way you smiled and laughed and loved them, but looked lost and pained when they weren’t looking.

She had learned to respect you. And she had learned to love you.

(“Ma’Jake, are you really going to do this ? Teach her ?” She had asked one day. Jake had decided to teach her survival skills.

He looked at his mate with a small smile. “Our kids love her. She’s become a part of us. She needs to be able to protect herself.” She sighed. “Look... she reminds me of me in a lot of ways. It’s not her fault she’s ended up here. She didn’t ask for this. But, she’s been there for our kids and she’s been trying.”

Neytiri knew this. You tried to learn, while keeping your distance and your limits. You were respectful.

Even her own mother seemed to see something in you. And she also saw it but did not want to admit it.)

She ended up also teaching you the way of the bow. The way of the hunt.

She ended up liking your company. The way you worked hard and were eager to learn. The way you would not push conversation.

Day after day, you had wormed your way into her family.

You had become one of hers.)

She hissed again, her voice a rumble in her chest. “I cut !”

She cut Spider’s chest to show that she meant it. Quaritch let Kiri go.

Neteyam only remembered taking Kiri and Tuk and going backwards in the water, away from Quaritch, even if he wanted to gut him. Wanted him to bleed out slowly on the ground.

But his sisters mattered more. That was what you would want too. Kiri and Tuk safe, before any revenge.

As he swam away with them, Neytiri and Spider, his father stayed behind to fight Quaritch. He prayed to Eywa that his dad would win. He had to.

The fire spread before they could get away.

“We need to swim back !” Spider screamed and Neteyam swam back towards the boat, tugging Tuk and his mother along with him.

They tried to find a way out, to get away from the fire. Tuk fell, taken by the water. Neytiri jumped after her.

“Try to get out of here, find Lo’ak or my dad!” He screamed to Kiri and Spider. “I’m going after mom and Tuk!”

He jumped in.

He found them quickly. “What are you doing here, son ?” Neytiri screamed. “You should have stayed with Kiri and Spider !”

“I’m not leaving you two behind. Let’s move forward, mom.” He said with resolve, moving first with Neytiri.

They managed to escape the water, swimming as fact as they could. One door would not open. Neytiri tried. Neteyam tried and tried, bruising his hands.

His mother put a hand on his shoulder. “There’s no point, Neteyam. It’s okay.”

They stayed the three of them, huddled close. Neteyam held Tuk close to him. Neytiri held them both close.

“We’re going to be okay, Tuk. All is going to be fine.” He whispered, as the water kept rising.

He remembered the same words he had said to you before you died. He hoped it wouldn’t be the same. Not for Tuk. Not for his mom.

A part of him would have been okay with being taken by the water. With joining you wherever you were. But not when his mother and sister were there too.

The water kept rising and rising. He held Tuk closer.

Eywa, sky girl, please.

Lights came, along with Kiri. They were saved. He hugged Kiri. He said thank you to the great mother, to his sky girl.

They got out. They found Lo’ak and their dad. They all hugged.

Sullys stick together.

They went back to the rock. Tsireya had stayed with you the whole time.

Neteyam felt the adrenaline and everything fall away. He felt the rage and anger slip away, only to leave the pain and the grief.

He scooped you up in his arms again and held you close. You were so small and still so limp.

He saw Tuk and Kiri realize.

“Oh no... No...” Kiri broke down, coming to hold your hand. “Oh, sky girl...” She cried the loss of her best friend.

Tuk only cried, pressing your other hand to her cheek.

They all huddled close to you and Neteyam.

Spider came back. Sat there, eyes lost.

Neteyam cradled you, protected you until the sea clan came back to help them out back to the island.

He kept you in his arms the whole way, his forehead to yours.

And still when they all arrived and stepped foot on land.

“We...we want a proper funeral for her. We know she was not Na’vi but she was one of us.” Jake asked Tonowari and Ronal.

Neteyam stepped forward. He looked at them with despair and pain. “Please. I would not dare to ask such a thing but I have to, for her. Please let her rest with Eywa.”

They both looked at each other and had a silent conversation. They knew they could not say no. Not to the Sullys who had fought for the Metkayinas and had become a part of their people.

Not to their grief. And especially not to the oldest son, who they saw destroyed.

They saw how he never let you down, how he looked at you, the tears in his eyes.

“Of course. We will hold a proper funeral for her, in your honor.” Tonowari promised.

That night, they all gathered at the Cove of the Ancestors.

All of the Sullys gathered around you, all touching some part of your skin.

Neteyam, Jake and Neytiri went with you to submerge your body and lead you to the polyp bed. The corals took you.

The sea gives and the sea takes.

Neteyam watched as you joined Eywa, body and soul. He didn’t know how to go on, now. Not without you.

He didn’t connect with Eywa. He was too scared to do it. Too scared to see you again. If he did, he didn’t know how he would have the strength to stay away.

He would want nothing but to stay connected forevermore.

He couldn’t do it. Not yet.

The Sullys left to go back to the forest for a little bit. To tell Mo’at. To tell Norm and Max.

They went back to the Omaticayas. They were welcomed well.

Neteyam tried to smile, to be happy for the reunion. He felt nothing but emptiness.

“Hey everyone.” Norm came to them in his avatar, hugging Jake in the process. Max followed behind him and other humans too. They all looked tired.

“We...we lost her. She was just gone.” Max whispered.

Jake had a somber expression. “We know. Quaritch had her and brought her to us. She...she’s with Eywa now.”

The humans all looked surprised before somber expressions took over their faces too. Norm had to sit down. “What happened ?” He asked after a deep silence.

“She got shot for me.” Neteyam answered. He hated the words. Hated that they were real.

He could barely sleep anymore. He wished it had been but a nightmare. A nightmare his mind had conjured up.

He had hoped to find her with the Omaticayas safe and sound.

If only.

“Norm, should we tell them ?” Max commented.

Norm said nothing, simply got up and motioned them to come to the lab.

In the back of the lab laid a tank covered up.

“We didn’t know if we would be able to ever make it. We barely had the means, it’s been trial and error with what we had left.” Norm commented, taking the cover off. “It’s been years of process and development. We started when she was a kid, without her even realizing it. We just saw how much she loved you all and had to try.”

“And she had become a daughter to us.” Max added.

They both let the Sullys come through to see what was in the tank. Neteyam was the first one to witness whatever it was.

There was an Avatar floating, still connected. Neteyam saw its head turn. The face had your features. Your features on a Na’vi.

Your hair, your eyes, your mouth.

With blue skin. Taller. Ears twitching. Tail and queue.

A dream he had always had. You looking like him.

“We thought she would be able to link with it one day and even have her soul transfer through Eywa but, now...” Norm trailed off, a hand over his eyes.

Neteyam pressed a hand to the tank, wishing he could touch you, wishing you were in it. The body was useless without your soul, your spirit, your heart in it.

“What if we tried ?” He said, turning to look at his parents, his sisters and brother.

Jake looked at him, his eyebrow raised up. “What do you mean, son ?”

“She’s with Eywa. What if we asked Mo’at to still try the transfer ? Eywa may let her soul get into the body.”

Neytiri shook her head. “It does not work like that, Neteyam. She is already gone with Eywa. She cannot come back.”

“So what ? We don’t try ?” His voice raised up with frustration. “There’s a body right there for her. We’re just going to let it die without even trying ? What if it works and she can come back ?”

He turned back to the tank, looking at your face. “I need to try. Just once. I wouldn’t be able to live and go on if I hadn’t tried.” He mumbled.

He went to Mo’at. They all did but he was the one at the head of the family, which he never was. His dad would always talk, make the decisions.

He had to try. He had to. He explained everything to Mo’at.

“Like my daughter said, it will not work. She had a strong heart and I am too saddened to have lost such a soul. I had wished she had been Na’vi. But, it does not work like that.”

Neteyam’s frustration was growing and growing. He willed himself to calm down. “Just...let’s just try, please Mo’at. Just one try. If it doesn’t work, then, that’s it. But let’s try, for her.”

Mo’at conceited after a long silence.

“We will need someone to guide her back. This will be more complicated than the transfer your father went through.”

“I will do it.”

Both Neteyam and Kiri had talked.

“No.” Jake retorted right away. “No, Kiri. You had a seizure last time.”

Kiri turned to their parents with a scowl. “I am the closest to Eywa, and you know that. I can help her. And I will do it with Neteyam.”

Jake and Neytiri still looked at her in disapproval.

“Please. She is my best friend. I have to do this with him.”

Jake conceited too, with a sigh. “Okay, but no risk. You realize something is going to happen, you feel anything, you’re out of there, okay ?”

She nodded. Neteyam bumped his shoulder against hers. They smiled at each other, ready.

The Omaticayas all gathered at the Tree of the Ancestors, for you.

Another gathering. This time Neteyam wished it was for an happier reason. He prayed you would be reborn.

He prayed to Eywa as he held your avatar body and laid you in front of Mo’at.

He prayed as he connected his queue. He prayed as Kiri connected hers.

Neteyam opened up his eyes to find himself in the forest. Kiri was beside him.

They saw you a few feet away, squatting down, your bare feet in the grass, your fingers touching a glowing flower.

You turned around to look at them and smiled. Neteyam felt a rock in his throat, an acute pain in his heart.

He had missed your smile. He had missed your eyes.

“Guys !” You waved them over, standing up.

Kiri went to you first, smiling with tears streaming down her face. “I missed you, stupid girl.”

You laughed. “We saw each other literally yesterday, Kiri. You hit your head during the night ?”

Neteyam got close too, intertwined his fingers with yours. You looked at him to realize he was also crying.

“You too ? Are you guys okay ?” You asked, this time worried something had truly happened.

Neteyam just smiled. “Come on, sweet girl, come with us.”

You let yourself be taken away. You would have followed Neteyam anywhere, anyway.

You felt your hand slip away from his. Bright light entered your eyesight.

You breathed again. You felt the ground against your back. A hand on your face.

You slowly opened up your eyes. You saw the Tree of the Ancestors. You were confused.

You saw Neteyam. His hand was on your face.

“What is going on, Nete ?” You tried to say but only whispered, your voice unused. Your throat hurt.

You saw him choke up and cry. “Nete !” You sat up with difficulty, other hands helped you. “Slow down, sky girl.” Kiri.

You wiped his tears. Then you saw your hands.

Larger, blue.

You gasped. How ?

You brought them to your face, flexed them, turned them around before Neteyam caught them in his own.

“This is a dream... I’m dreaming...” You whispered, still looking at your hands in Neteyam’s.

“No, you’re home.” He answered, dropping his forehead to yours.

You realized Mo’at was there watching you. She screamed. “She has been reborn !”

You were Na’vi now. Somehow.

It took you a few days to simply understand what had happened.

You remembered getting shot and passing out. You barely remembered anything from your time with Eywa.

You could only remember feeling her, knowing she was real.

Now, you were reborn. You were Na’vi. Somehow, your dream had become true.

You had hugged Norm and Max like never before when you had learned it was thanks to them. They had developed an avatar for you, for years. (Max had moaned in pain. “You’re not human anymore, you’re going to have to learn to be careful.” You had smiled, sorry.)

You were taller, blue. Your ears would twitch. You couldn’t control your tail yet.

You had a tail. It was weird.

(“How do you guys do it ? It’s such a strange feeling...” You asked Lo’ak and Kiri, rubbing your tail.

They both shrugged. It was as natural as breathing for them. As natural as an arm. It was still weird.)

You also didn’t need a mask anymore to breathe the air. You didn’t feel restricted anymore.

Only the lack of control of your own body restricted you.

(“How the hell do you even go forward without falling ?” You were frustrated. You had tried forming tsaheylu with a pa’li.

It had seemed okay. You had told it to move forward.

It dashed. You fell on your ass, the tsaheylu broken.

Neteyam tried not to laugh, hiding behind his hand. You wanted to kick him.

Jake looked at you with understanding. He had gone through the exact same thing. He patted your back. “It’s a... lot of trial and error. You’ll be able to do it in no time, don’t worry.”

You didn’t believe him.)

Everything felt surreal. You were in this body, you were alive.

You were laying down with Neteyam, watching the stars. You barely had any time to just be the two of you ever since you had been reborn, so this was a rare occurrence you both were making the most of.

Your head was on his shoulder, your hands intertwined together.

He broke the silence. “I had prayed to watch the stars again with you. I can’t believe Eywa heard me and gave me this.”

You raised up on your elbow to look at him. He looked back at you with pain still lingering in his eyes.

He had grieved you, had thought you were gone forever.

“I’m sorry I left you. I had...had to. I couldn’t imagine you gone so I...” You trailed off, not knowing what to add.

“I know, sweet girl. I would have done the same for you, had I been in your place. Let’s just...never do it again.” He laughed, his fingers drawing a path between your freckles. “Eywa, you’re so beautiful.” He whispered.

Your heart skipped a beat. You felt your ears twitch and your tail move up. “Does that mean I was ugly when I was sky people ?” You joked.

He smirked and tackled you down, his body over yours. “Do you really have to try and twist my words, yawntu ?”

You were going to melt into the ground. This man had to know what he was doing. His smirk grew.

“You were beautiful then. You’re beautiful now. You’ve been beautiful to me, no matter what.”

He whispered, his face lowering down towards yours. His lips met yours. You softly moaned and melted into the kiss. Your hands went on his shoulders as he deepened the kiss, before drawing a path to his back.

You could never get enough of him. Never get enough of this.

Later on, a few weeks down the line, you two would go to the tree of voices.

You had dreamed of what was coming.

You had both waited for years. You knew. You were sure.

He looked at you and kissed your face.

Your hand went to your queue and brought it closer to his.

“Are you ready, yawntu ?” Neteyam asked, his eyes never wavering from your face.

You nodded. “I’ve been ready for a long time.” He laughed, before letting his queue connect to yours. “Me too.”

Your foreheads pressed into each other’s as you felt him. Him.

You couldn’t believe the feeling of it. You felt everything. The way he breathed. Thoughts. Feelings.

What he felt for you.

“I see you.” He whispered.