Jake woke the next morning to the sound of hushed voices and braced himself for the day to come as he lifted himself from his bunk.
"Mornin'," Trudy greeted him from the table with a stilted smile as he wheeled his way into the common area, her eyes flicking over to where the voices of Grace and Norm were coming from, off towards the pods, "they've been at it for hours."
"Great," Jake muttered, accepting the protein bar Trudy offered him.
"Just for the record," Trudy started, her mouth pursed like the words were a pain to get out, "I think it's cool, what you're trying to do, protecting your soulmate or whatever. I get it, I mean…" she let out a breath, shrugging, "I don't get it, but I get it."
Jake almost laughed at that, but the anxiety in his chest didn't quite let the sound take form in his throat, "Thanks," he smiled, a little awkwardly, "at least someone does around here."
"He'll come around," Trudy frowned in the direction of the pods, "he's just jealous."
"He shouldn't be," Jake tried to keep from snapping, but from the look on Trudy's face, he didn't quite manage it, "this is all… this isn't a game, for me. This isn't a field trip, these are lives we're dealing with, lives I care about, lives I need to protect."
"I know," she placed a comforting hand over his, "he can't see that right now, but he will."
"Thanks, Trudy," Jake said, taking a breath, "we should probably be heading out."
"Yeah, gotta get those two touched down on the ground so your people don't start getting impatient," Trudy shot him a winning smile, before rising from her seat and leaving him to go ready her gear for flight.
Jake watched after her for a moment before steeling himself and heading towards the pods, where Grace and Norm's voices could still be heard whispering harshly.
"You two should head out soon," Jake said evenly as he rounded the corner, focusing his eyes on Grace.
"Jake," Grace turned with a forced smile Jake found himself appreciating despite himself, "good morning!"
He shot her a look, and her smile eased into a tired expression he could appreciate even more, "it's going to be fine, Grace, they're expecting you, they won't give you any trouble."
Grace nodded, her lips quirking upwards, "I assume you'll be setting up our welcome party while we're walking our happy asses through the woods?"
"I'll be waiting at Hometree with the others," Jake offered her an assuring smile before turning his attention to Norm, who was looking pointedly at the floor.
"I assume we won't have any problems?" Jake asked him, his voice even.
Norm opened his mouth, but after a moment, clicked it shut again with a scoff, still refusing to look at Jake.
"This is what we fucking talked about," Grace sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, looking for all the world like an exasperated mother, "you are going to have to show him some fucking respect while were there, you know that right? He is bonded to the future leader of their clan, Norm."
"Of course, he's fucking royalty," Norm rolled his eyes, "he's the chosen one in this young adult novel, how silly of me not to realize."
"I didn't ask for this," Jake spat back, his patience wearing thin, "but you don't see me whining like a child because I don't get to be comfortable. You don't have to come, if you fucking hate me this much, but I don't see you turning down the offer. So how about you shut up and start acting like an adult, so the rest of us can go on with our day?"
Norm didn't reply to that, instead looking down at the floor again, a scorned look shading his eyes.
"Alright then," Jake shook off his frustration to look at Grace's tired eyes, "let's get going."
Grace only nodded at him, before making her way to her pod, Norm following silently behind her. Once they began settling themselves into their own stations, Jake began wheeling his way to his own, eager to get away from the tension laying heavy in the air.
-x-
Jake was greeted by the welcome sight of familiar golden eyes.
"Good morning," Jake said softly, dipping his head to press his face against Tsu'tey's hard chest, breathing in his comforting scent.
"I slept in order to watch your conversation yesterday," Tsu'tey voice rumbled against Jake, soothing away the weight in his chest, "that human…"
"I don't know what to do about him," Jake breathed out, his hands flexing against Tsu'tey's midsection, "I thought he would understand."
"He is blinded by his jealousy."
"He's acting like a brat," Jake muttered, "he won't be any help to us if he keeps thinking I'm his enemy."
"Do not worry, my Jake," Tsu'tey hummed, drawing Jake closer to him, "you have followed the will of Eywa, there is a reason they are coming here, his mind will be changed."
"Yeah," Jake nuzzled up beneath Tsu'tey's chin, "you're right. We should probably get up and help prepare to greet them."
"They can prepare without us for a little while longer," Tsu'tey spoke softly, drawing him up into a lazy kiss, and Jake found himself either unable or unwilling to disagree.
-x-
After a while, they climbed their way out of their hammock and descended the spirals of Hometree to find Neytiri on the forest floor below.
"It is about time the two of you got up," she said with a hand on her hip and laughter in her eyes, "come, mother and father are gathering the people to inform them of the Dreamwalkers' approaching."
They allowed Neytiri to guide them to the common area where Mo'at and Eytukan were seated upon their platform, a crowd of Na'vi bodies slowly growing below them. Jake knew he shouldn't have been as surprised as he was when Neytiri continued to lead the pair up and onto the platform. Jake felt rather than saw all the eyes of the Omaticaya trained on him as he sat beside Tsu'tey, a hush falling over the crowd as the trio settled.
"My people," Eytukan spoke in a loud clear voice, "As of two nights ago, Tsu'tey and Jake-Sully completed their bond," Jake tried to keep the color off his face as chatter broke out among the crowd, but Eytukan continued, silencing them, "in accordance to our customs, we now recognize Jake-Sully as a member of the Omaticaya tribe. We will hold his ceremony tonight, as we welcome him as a brother. There will be no objections."
Eytukan paused, his eyes searching the eyes of the people below him, before continuing, "Jake-Sully has brought to our attention that the Sky People have plans to attack our land and our people as they did six cycles ago. Jake-Sully, at great personal sacrifice, has worked thanklessly to protect our tribe, despite being considered an outsider. Today, we thank him by honoring his companions who have assisted him in his efforts. As we speak, a scouting party is approaching with two Dreamwalkers,"
The crowd erupted in chatter once more, and Eytukan paused, allowing them to speak among themselves for a moment before waving a hand to silence them, "These Dreamwalkers have turned their backs on their own people in order to help Jake-Sully and keep him safe. Among these Dreamwalkers is one who used to walk among us, before we banished them from our land. The Dreamwalker known as Grace has atoned for the sins of her past, and we will greet her with the respect she deserves, as she has kept one of our own safe, with no expectation of a reward for her efforts. There will be no objections."
At the conclusion of his words, the sound of pa'li hooves could be heard just beyond the clearing. The crowd turned as the scouting party cut through the brush, the figures of Grace and Norm's avatars' looking strange in their khaki shorts and hiking boots trailing close behind. The crowd parted slowly as they approached the platform, Grace's eyes sparkling as she walked, while Norm's were shadowed in what Jake almost thought was shame. They dropped to their knees as they reached the platform, their heads bowed, the crowd silent around them.
"Welcome, companions of Jake-Sully," Eytukan spoke evenly, "we have allowed you access into our land as a show of thanks, for your sacrifices in keeping a member of the Omaticaya tribe safe. We hope you will not betray the trust Jake-Sully has placed in you, the trust we now extend on behalf of the Omaticaya people."
After a pregnant pause, Mo'at spoke, "Rise, companions of Jake-Sully," a comforting smile pulled at her lips as they stood on shaky legs, "welcome back, Grace. I hope you and this other Dreamwalker may stay to bear witness this evening for Jake-Sully's ceremony."
"Thank you, Mo'at," Grace dipped her head, hiding the tears pricking at her eyes, "you will not regret this."
She said nothing, but nodded her head with a smile, before dismissing the crowd with a wave of her hand.
After the crowd had dissipated, the trio rose to their feet, offering Mo'at and Eytukan a polite bow of their heads before descending from the platform and making their way to where Grace and Norm stood.
No sooner had they stepped into arms reach of the two did Jake find Grace wrapping her arms around his shoulders, pressing her face into his neck, "thank you," she whispered tearfully into his skin, her voice cracking, "thank you so much."
"Of course," Jake said softly, returning the hug gently, until she detached herself from him, wiping discreetly at her eyes as they parted.
"Neytiri," Grace said, smiling in a way that told him she hadn't miss how Tsu'tey had pulled Jake closer to him, a possessive hand resting on his shoulder, "you've grown so much."
"You look exactly how I remember you, Doctor Grace," Neytiri smiled before turning her eyes on Norm who seemed to be trying to make himself as small as possible, "and you must be Norm, I had to listen to Tsu'tey complain about you all night."
Jake wasn't sure if he wanted to hit Neytiri or laugh as he watched the color rise in Norm's face as he looked panicked between the three of them.
"You," Norm swallowed thickly, "watched our conversation?"
"I see all of Jake's conversations," Tsu'tey growled, a lie that sent Jake's eyes rolling despite the weight of the moment, "you will do well to remember that."
"Tsu'tey killed the last person who insulted Jake-Sully," Neytiri added gravely, apparently jumping on the lying bandwagon without hesitation.
"No, he didn't," Jake snapped.
"No," Tsu'tey's voice was dark and low as he spoke, "but I did leave him whimpering on the ground like a scared child." Tsu'tey stepped towards Norm, who stumbled backwards in response, "My Jake has lived his life alone, worked hard, and sacrificed much to be here, to protect a people not his own. So, I tell you, Norm the Dreamwalker, that I will protect Jake from anyone who means to seek him harm or do him wrong. Jake has placed his trust in you, so I pray to Eywa that this does not apply to you."
"Okay, that's enough," Jake said after a pause, placing a hand on Tsu'tey's shoulder to draw him back beside him, "I'm sure Grace would like to show Norm around and I'm sure we have stuff to do to prepare for this evening."
"Yes," Neytiri agreed, smiling apologetically at Grace, "we have much to do to prepare for Jake-Sully's ceremony this evening. Jake-Sully, Tsu'tey, let us be off."
Tsu'tey allowed himself to be pulled away by Jake, but not before fixing Norm with one last glare as they went.
"That was unnecessary," Jake frowned over at Tsu'tey as they walked.
"On the contrary," Tsu'tey hummed, "I think it was very necessary."
"I can fight my own battles you know," Jake sniffed, wanting to be more upset than he was.
"I know you can, my Jake," Tsu'tey said in an even tone, though his hands brushed lightly against Jake's as they continued following Neytiri, "I apologize if I have made you believe I think otherwise."
"I think it was great," Neytiri said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Well you wanted him to think Tsu'tey killed a guy for me, so your opinion isn't relevant right now," Jake bit back, a smile tugging at his lips despite himself.
"I do not think that scared him nearly as much as whatever Tsu'tey said to him."
"So, you weren't even listening?" Jake couldn't help the laugh the bubbled up from his chest.
"If I listened every time you two talked about how much you love each other, I would lose my mind," Neytiri flashed them a grin over her shoulder, ignoring the glare Tsu'tey shot her way.
-x-
Jake sat against the trunk of Hometree, watching as Tsu'tey's hands dipped into the pool of white paint beside them. He found himself holding his breath as Tsu'tey's fingers ran sweeping patterns over the length of his body, the flickering candlelight playing over them in the dark of evening.
"I should have told you," Tsu'tey spoke after a long while of silence between them, "what it meant… what we did the other night."
"I knew what it meant," Jake said softly, Tsu'tey's hands stilling for a moment against his throat, "granted, I didn't know all the diplomacy of it, but I knew what it meant for us."
"And yet you allowed me to…" Tsu'tey's voice broke, his fingers trailing paint gently across the sharp jut of his cheek bone, "you chose…"
"Tsu'tey," Jake caught the other man's gaze, "I will always choose you. You think being bound to you for the rest of my life scares me?" he smiled, "There are many things in this life that frighten me, but that has never been one of them."
"I love you, my Jake," Tsu'tey said thickly, leaning up and brushing their lips together before raising his hand and drawing the final line of paint down Jake's mouth, "let us go, our people are waiting."
Jake allowed himself to be pulled to his feet, following closely behind Tsu'tey as they walked to where the Omaticaya people would be gathered to welcome him into their tribe. He found, however, that it mattered little to him, so long as he knew Tsu'tey would remain at his side.