Disclaimer: All officially recognized characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The author is no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Multiverse! The sequel is still inspiring me, but the future of the franchise requires time jumps. This new piece is connected to my earlier work but only as it pertains to another fascinating pairing of Lo'ak and Tsireya (Reya). Now of age, both over 21, please read and I hope you enjoy it. Note: I'm also guessing about the new Na'vi in Avatar 3. Read on.
~o~o~
Closer to You
Chapter 1: By Your Side
Seven years have passed since the day they met on that beachfront location. They have grown closer by talking about their feelings as more than friends. At first, Reya felt surprised but thoughtful to think Lo'ak is interested in becoming a couple. She did admit to herself that the idea had crossed her mind but she pushed it away, thinking it didn't matter; she enjoyed his company, nothing more.
Everything changed when they kissed and it happened weeks ago quite easily and after it happened, they admitted to each other that the feelings were there and they didn't want to ignore them, not anymore.
All during those early years, Lo'ak had always loved to sing songs with his mother and she encouraged him to learn more songs, but he felt weird singing in front of groups but not his family. One day, Reya heard him sing and she felt enthralled by his tenor voice.
Looking back over a decade ago, the RDA had risen again and became stronger and unstoppable. The Sully family were forced into hiding. Those years before the battle had been dark times for the family.
Miles Quaritch in his search for them, informed the Fire Na'vi (ash people) of Jake Sully and his family and their fight against the RDA. He considered them allies not enemies. His followers had controlled with an iron fist, but he's now dead, killed by Lo'ak and his father. The Fire Na'vi had not forgotten Quaritch, but they needed a base to control the area and their need to stop Sully and the Na'vi and their need to destroy humans to restore the peace. They believe that the humans are evil and they want them gone from the planet and that's why they fight.
Lo'ak was his father's willing student, enjoying every waking moment he and his father spent training, riding animals, and keeping his family safe. Reya learned the ways of their clan as well, becoming adept with her bow and arrow and Eywa as well. But she proved to have the gift for swimming and spent a lot of time learning from her mother.
Then, there was the youngest Sully. Tuktirey was now fourteen and she's the same with a bundle of contagious energy and fun. She was smaller, like her mother and sisters. She had many of her mother's soft facial features and was smart as a whip. She had her father's brown hair and a pair of lively eyes.
Jake's decision to teach all his children, sometimes at once, clashed again with his wife, as she felt that Jake was yet breaking another promise by not playing favorites again. Even after everything that had happened with Neteyam, Jake still having some trouble letting go of the old ways. A few other Na'vi, though only a few, had survived the battle several years ago.
They were now scattered across Pandora and also in hiding. Most were valuable assets to the Na'vi. Usually, Jake, Spider and Lo'ak's had missions to keep the peace not only with the Na'vi clans but humans, but they lasted no more than a few days. The latest had been no different and after their mission was over, they had been returning to pick up Neytiri and his daughters from the military base of the RDA called Bridgehead. Jake didn't like them being on any base without him, but Neytiri insisted that she would not sit at home worrying about him, Spider and Lo'ak.
~o~o~
Present time, near the water's edge:
Sitting on the beach, the two couples enjoyed each other's company. They swam, ate food, and talked about the area and how they had become bored with nothing else to do, but play, swim and eat.
"I know that tone of voice, Kiri," Spider said to his wife and he knew what was coming.
"Why can't we go on missions like the men?" Kiri asked thinking of the last time when she had saved her family from drowning.
"That's a good question," Reya said.
"You know why," Lo'ak said.
Kiri rolled her eyes. "That's not an answer; we can take care of ourselves."
"I know you can, but we can't do our jobs if we have to worry about either of you. Do you understand?" Lo'ak replied. He made his point.
Kiri thought about it. "My mother understands," she said. "She goes on missions… sometimes."
"That was only one time and you know what happened; Spider was kidnapped."
"That was forever ago; I'm talking about now. We're older and wiser," Kiri said, using her father's words.
"She has a point," Reya said. "Look, being a man helps you two, but we can't sit around and do nothing, especially if there's danger and we can help."
"That's true," Lo'ak said.
Everyone nodded in agreement, but the conversation continued, Jake walked over to them.
"Hello, I hope everyone is having a good day, but I need my sons to help me with something important."
Everyone stood up, including the ladies. "What is it?" Kiri asked needing to help.
Jake became worried, but he caved. "There are rumors going around that a clan of hostile Na'vi who have been causing problems far from here. It's the same clan that were hurt and questioned during Quaritch' raid a few years ago."
Spider spoke up. "I remember that; it was horrible; villages destroyed and a lot of them were interrogated and terrorized. But I thought he returned and apologized and everything is fine now."
"No, it's not over. They call themselves 'Fire Na'vi'; it's a name to distinguish themselves from us meaning peaceful Na'vi." Jake replied.
"They're vengeful and hostile 'Na'vi'?" Kiri asked, not understanding what that could mean.
"Yes, they've distanced themselves from Eywa and after what happened, especially after a long period of time, they cannot be changed," Jake replied sadly.
"That's horrible, but I don't think it's their fault," Spider spoke up.
Kiri agreed. "I think that's true. No one is excluded from Eywa not if they repent and ask for help."
"I also agree," Reya felt the need to speak up.
"Look, I also agree, but we have to be careful when we approach them. They could be fully armed and dangerous and that's why only the men will come with me. I'm sorry ladies, maybe another time," Jake said.
The ladies were resigned to stay behind but they hated it.
"Be careful," Reya said and gave Lo'ak a hug.
"Don't worry; I will return," Lo'ak said and kissed her cheek. He hesitated for a second as they stared at each other, then he kissed her lips not caring who saw them.
Kiri and Spider did the same, hugs and kisses goodbye.
"Alright let's go!" Jake said and then the men left.
Reya touched her lips, and wondered why she could still feel the kiss.
Kiri had a question. "Tell me that was not the first time he kissed you?"
"No, not the first, but the second," Reya replied thinking she wanted to do it again.
Kiri smiled and said, "Follow me."
~o~o~
The Sully dwelling:
"Why are we here?" Reya asked.
Kiri is searching. "I thought my Mother would be here, but she must have gone with the men," she said furious.
Tuktirey (Tuk) is there waiting for her parents' return.
"Where are our parents?" Kiri asked her sister.
She stood up and came closer. "They left and said they would return in about an hour or less," she replied. "Is something wrong?"
Kiri came closer and placed her arm around her shoulder. "Nothing is wrong; Reya and I wanted to ask mother a few questions."
Tuk felt worried. "What is happening; I'm not a child; you can tell me please?" She begged.
"Alright, I'll tell you. Reya, you can stay if you want?"
"I'll stay here and wait for them," she replied.
"Alright, Tuk, we'll tell you everything we know." After they all sat down and Kiri explained about the Fire Na'vi; they're hostile and what it could mean for all of us.
"Did you say the Fire Na'vi?" Tuk asked then to put it together. "Are they bad and want to hurt us?" Her eyes watered.
Kiri took her hand. "No, sweetie, please don't worry. We're safe for now."
They waited for their family members to return but during that time, the ladies, including Tuk fixed food for their return; they will be hungry, no question.
Several hours later, they entered the dwelling, appeared tired but also worried. Lo'ak and Reya hugged hello again while Kiri and Spider did the same.
Jake and Neytiri watched the ladies and she wondered what they knew about the mission, but from the looks on their faces, they know.
"We can talk after we clean up and return to eat, then we'll try and explain, oh and thanks for making dinner, appreciate it," Neytiri said.
The fire-pit is burning hot and the food is ready to eat. They returned and everyone sat down to eat dinner.
After a little while, Jake is the first to speak. "I know you have questions but we'll try and answer them, but during the mission, we didn't find out enough."
"I understand that my husband did tell you about the Fire Na'vi and they're hostile causing problems, not only for us but the RDA as well," Neytiri said.
"But I thought they were working together to get rid of us," Kiri said, not understanding.
"Yes, part of that is true," Jake said. "But from what we could find out, they hate us because we want peace with the humans, but they do not want peace. They want them gone from the planet." He shook his head. "But that's not going to happen; the humans are here to stay."
"What my husband is trying to say that not all humans are bad and not all Na'vi are good. We can co-exist, but the Fire Na'vi don't want that, not at all," Neytiri said.
Spider had words. "I don't understand; what all the wars and battles we fought for years make no sense. The humans want to kill us and they succeeded." He paused. "Did Neteyam die for nothing?" He asked getting upset.
"No, of course not. Our son was a hero there to save us." Jake tried to explain. "The war years ago and the recent battle were caused by Quaritch and his hatred of me because I turned from the humans, now my family are part of that hatred. The RDA as we know it are not our enemies. They came here decades ago to live here because their earth is inhabitable as it is now; they killed it."
Lo'ak had words to say. "I believe what my father is saying is true. They came here because their earth is dying but it's similar to ours, except they cannot breathe our air; they need help and that's why the avatar project was formed over a decade ago for them to live among us in peace."
"I understand, but the Fire Na'vi are not like us; they want to fight them, but the Na'vi are endless, millions of them all over the planet," Spider said.
"Yes, the Fire Na'vi believe they have a chance to rid humans from this planet, but it's a waste of time. We have seen their weapons and their power; it's endless as well and we cannot win against all of them," Jake said but he had a thought. "If they believe that we are against what they want, then they could turn against us and hurt us."
"Oh, no, if that's true, we cannot let them hurt us; we will fight them with everything we have," Reya spoke up firmly.
Everyone turned to her. Lo'ak took her hand. "That sounds like a civil war, but if that's true, we need peace and if that peace is threatened, we will fight back."
"We should drink to it," Jake said and everyone raised their pouches of fruit drinks. "To peace no matter the cost."
"Here, here!" They all took a sip and continued to eat.
~o~o~
A little while later back inside their dwelling, Kiri and Spider returned home rejuvenated and ready to fight no matter the cost. Now ready for bed underneath the covers, she had a question. He's ready and kissed her throat and her cheek and then her lips, but after the kiss, she needed to say it.
"Did you mean it when you agreed with your father about fighting for peace no matter the cost?"
"Of course, I mean it," he replied but he had a thought. "You meant the women too, right?"
"Of course, the women too, but I know you believe we should stay behind to cook and clean, right?"
Oh, no, here we go, he thought and leaned up on his elbow. "Look, you have to understand what women mean to men; it's just…"
She interrupted. "Yes, I know we are more important, in a different way, to make babies and…"
"Are you trying to tell me something?" He touched her stomach.
"No, I'm not with child; we haven't done the other part again, well not for years; I meant the bond, the Tsaheylu."
"Oh, I see, but I thought it was dangerous and we shouldn't do it more than once. Have you changed your mind?"
She thought about it and she remembered the first time; there was peace back then and it could happen again.
"I can see it on your face; you're still afraid?" He asked and pulled her close.
"Yes, I'm scared and with all this talk of war."
He pulled her closer still. "We can do it again only to see if Eywa is still with us?"
"I suppose, but I don't want to talk anymore." She pulled away and pulled his head down and kissed him thoroughly. He kissed her back, then one moment leads to another.
She placed her arms around his broad shoulders and kissed him back. Now on top of her. He's moaning enjoying their kisses but he wanted more. He'd wanted this the moment they met but as they grew older, the feeling intensified. His kisses rained down her throat and he lingered there for minutes. He touched her there and she's wet and ready. He adjusted his body and he's inside of her and he will never get over the feeling of doing it with her and he knew she felt the same way. He moved slowly in and out enjoying it.
She melted against him as he kissed her deeply. "You feel so good; almost there." Kiri could feel only a need to release the pressure.
"Something is happening!" She managed to say. "Yes, kiss me, kiss me."
He leaned over closer and kissed her passionately. He leaned back and pushed deeper, and then the feeling washed over her in waves believing they had made a child, she knew it.
He pulled out of her and pulled her close. "Wow, that felt amazing."
She pulled him close. "Yes, it was."
'I know what your thinking," he whispered.
"What am I thinking?" She asked with a flirtatious smile.
"We should do it; I know you're worried but it won't hurt us," he replied.
She sighed but yes, she needed to do it. "Okay, we can do it."
He smiled and leaned back and sat up; she did the same. They reached behind and pulled the queue up and they touched and their queues connect and swirled. They closed their eyes and images of their lives together burst upon their vision.
The moment they met; first kiss; their reunions over the years, the moment when they knew they were mated for life. The funeral of Neteyam and many other moments together. They both saw Grace again and she seemed pleased and happy. Minutes later, it's over as their queues are pulled apart and disconnected. Eywa is still with them.
Now together holding each other close, he stroked her hair.
"What are you thinking," she asked curious.
"That I couldn't love you more than at this moment."
Her head on his chest, "Me too."
~o~o~
On another stretch of beach:
Holding hands, Lo'ak escorted Reya home, but he had a question. "What are you thinking?"
She stopped walking. "I have this horrible feeling that we could be fighting Na'vi… not humans."
He began walking again. "You're right and it does feel inevitable that this could happen."
Now in front of her home. "Do you truly believe that?"
"Yes, I do and I'm afraid for you and everyone else," he replied worried about her.
The look on his face terrified her, then she went into his arms holding him close. "Please, I don't want to lose you; you're important to me."
"You're important to me too," he confessed. He pulled away and touched her cheek. "I'll be careful; I promise."
"Cross your heart.. and…" She couldn't finish.
"I know what you meant. Good night, Reya." He couldn't let her go, but then, he pulled her close; she didn't resist.
He kissed her sweetly not too deep. "Good night."
"Good night." She left him staring after her.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song Inspiration: What Will I Do Without You? I'll Find You, movie music.
A/N: I have to say that writing two ships in one story not for a long time, but you know I'm enjoying it. Now tell me your thoughts. I would deeply appreciate it. Thanks for reading. We will learn more about the ash people (rumors for Avatar 3 from the Internet) in the next chapter.