Ever since coming to Pandora, you have cried many times.

You cried when you felt overwhelmed, you cried when you felt pain.

You cried when you got the call that Jake lost use of his legs.

You cried when Tommy was cremated, while Jake was stone faced.

You cried when Hometree got destroyed, and when the Battle against the Sky People commenced.

You cried when Grace and Trudy had died.

You cried when you gave up your human body to live as one of The People, forever in your avatar body and no longer just a Dreamwalker.

There were many times you cried, but not all you cried for was from negative emotions. No, you cried easily, and were always more emotional that those around you.

When each of Jake and Neytiri's babies came into the world you cried with joy.

You cried happily when Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Kiri went through the Iknimaya and gained Ikrans of their own.

You cried when little Tuktirey made you a necklace when she was just four years old.

Jake called you a cry baby all the time on Earth, but here on Pandora? Well, with everything out to get you, he refrained from calling you that for the most part. As your elder brother, and with Tommy gone he was your only brother, he claimed it was well within in rights to tease you as he saw fit. You were always soft at heart, something that translated over to your time as part of the Na'vi.

You had the constitution and strength to become tsamsiyu, but instead chose the path of healer since you were always the one that patched Jake up when the two of you were younger. Never the one to throw a punch, no, instead you had spent time learning to be a doctor while on Earth. Barely managing to get your doctorate in Physical Therapy while maintaining another degree in Foreign and Alien Languages, but in the end it was worth it since those degrees together were the only reason the RDA had even approved for you to be on the Avatar Program.

When you first arrived to Hell's Gate, it was to be the Head of Physical Therapy since Earth's gravity was different than that of Pandora's, and the RDA wanted personnel on site that can help combat the effects of Pandoran gravity on the human body. Being in the Avatar Program was a secondary mission that you agreed to on behalf of Tommy, since his doctorate was not in the specifics of language and he struggled at times to pick up the Na'vi language, you were there to work alongside Grace Augustine to better help the Avatar drivers sound more like the Na'vi.

Then Tommy died, and Jake took his place.

Then you made the decision to give everything up and help the People only because Jake asked you to.

And despite the loss that you have endured since leaving for Pandora you couldn't regret all that happened to bring you to where you were.

Years later, you had found your place as part of the People, as their healer alongside Mo'at. You had your family, not the same that you were born with, but one that you grew to become a part of. Or as Jake called it, your Fortress. Your nieces and nephews brought light to your heart and helped fill the empty places that were once occupied by Grace, Trudy, and Tommy.

Neytiri had become one of your closest friends, and you viewed her as your sister. You had made deep emotional ties to the Omaticaya, and had loved the forest so much that it hurt.

But now, now you cried for another home lost to you.

It happened too fast and the emotional whiplash that you got sent you into shock for the first days since you've had to leave High Camp. From what you gathered, poor little Spider was taken by Quaritch and while you cared about Spider, he knew everything about their operation, and that alone sent you spiraling. You had been so scared of Quaritch in the past, he tried to leverage Jake's safety against you for your cooperation in his hare brained scheme to follow the RDA's orders and had even threatened you when you refused to help him. The Colonel's death had been a relief for you, but to find out that the dead man was now back in a Na'vi body?

You nearly fainted when Jake and Neytiri broke the news to you.

Now you were yet again leaving home in search of safety among other clans, or uturu.

For days you and the rest of the Sully Family rode the ikran from the Omaticaya territory, straight to the nearest clans that would take you. Little Tuk rode with Neytiri while you were with Jake, and the rest of the children followed on their own ikran. Storms and unfamiliarity with your surroundings had made it nearly impossible for anyone to get rest or to even eat.

So when you finally saw the reefs of the Metkayina Clan's home, you cried.

"Damn, still a crybaby?" Jake joked as he signalled for the others to follow his lead as he angled his ikran to a sandbank just outside the Metkayina's village.

You scoffed as you wiped your tears away, "No, just happy I won't have to ride with you anymore. You smell worse than a football player's shoe."

Jake laughed at you softly, "Yeah well, you don't smell like roses either asshole."

Hissing a bit, you flail as his ikran finally made contact with the ground, and was more than happy to accept Jake's help down. "Ahhhh, sweet, sweet ground. How I missed you!" you said.

Before you could embarrass yourself further, Jake quickly swatted the back of your legs with his tail, "Quiet sxkawng, and let me do the talking."

You rolled your eyes, "Who had the degree in Foreign and Alien Languages again?"

Jake motioned for Neytiri to leave her bow on her ikran as the children joined you and Jake, "You did, but I need you to trust me. I need you strong so that we might be able to stay."

It was so odd to see Jake of all people so very somber, and while he wouldn't admit it he was very afraid. Any jokes that you had went out the window when he gave you a pointed look, "Please just back me up."

You matched his seriousness, "I'm watching your six brother."

He gave you a smile before it dropped. Your brother took a deep breath before squaring his shoulders and herding the family together as the Metkayina around them began to close in. You could see the differences in their bodies, how their hair was different textures, and their bodies were more adapted to their watery environments. You were worried as all of you were herded together.

Behind you, Kiri grabbed at your tail anxiously while Neteyam and Lo'ak kept guard around you cautiously, only stopping to try and greet some Metkayina teens that were circling your family.

"Auntie..." Kiri mumbled, "Will they say yes?"

You looked back at Kiri, not knowing for certain if you all could stay but not wanting to deny your niece, "Shhh. Your father is talking, and no matter what it will all be okay." The young girl didn't look convinced but nodded as she pressed herself into your back, as both leaders of the Metkayina finally arrived. You reached back to gather Lo'ak and Neteyam close as you finally got a good look at the Olo'eyktan and the Tsahik.

The Tsahik was shorter than her mate, but her hair flowed around her like water and you noticed her abdomen puffed out in a way that could only mean pregnancy. Her eyes were fierce, and a shade of light blue that you had seen while flying over the reef. She had her teeth bared in response to something Neytiri had said, but despite all that you thought her to be gorgeous. Her forearms were wide, perfect for treading water, and looked strong despite her frame.

On the other hand, the Olo'eyktan, Tonowari, was striking with his natural beauty. His tall and thicker frame towered over you, and you being a head shorter than Neytiri had felt overwhelmed by him. His shoulder were broad, and thighs were thick with muscles just as his mate's were. His attire was so similar to the one that Jake had wore while he was Olo'eyktan, but suited for the oceans that surrounded them. His eyes met yours for a brief second, and they were soft. They held compassion and a gentleness that seemed to be gone from Ronal. When he looked at you, you felt warm under his gaze.

They were different than what you were used to, being so much taller than you, but they were no less beautiful. You could feel a pang in your chest at the sight of them, and all of the noise you heard was drowned out but a piercing silence. Suddenly tunneled vision, you lost track of the conversation as your eyes followed the graceful gait of the Tsahik, Ronal, while she walked around your family. Behind her the imposing stature of Tonowari stood as a protector, putting your family in front of him while shielding his clan behind him.

You traced the lines of their skin's natural patterns while taking note of the swirling, yet striking tattoos that adorned their bodies.

But you were broken from your trance as Ronal grabbed at Kiri showing off her hands, and proclaiming "They have demon blood! These children are not true Na'vi!"

Kiri tried to protest, "Yes we are!" but Ronal paid her no mind as she humiliated your niece in front of the other Na'vi gathered.

Suddenly angry, you slapped her hand from Kiri and thrust your hand in her face, "I have demon blood! And so does my brother, but we have adapted! We have left behind the bodies given to us at birth and have become one with The People!"

You stepped away from the cocoon of safety that was your family, and squared your shoulders as you went toe to toe with the Tsahik, "When my brother called for the clans to join him in victory against the Sky People, they came despite our demon blood." Your height difference was now very noticeable to you as she looked down on you, but you would not be cowed. You would not back down.

You were proud of your heritage, you were not ashamed of your human DNA and you would not let anyone, no matter how beautiful, try to shame your family for also having 'demon' blood running through their veins.

She snarled at you, but you didn't back away as her breath hit your face, "You call this victory? Hiding amongst strangers?"

"No," you said, "I call it surviving."

Before you could say anything else, a large four fingered grip pulled you back into the family, but not once did you break your eye contact with Ronal. Neytiri pulled you into her embrace as she hissed out, "Uturu has been asked of you." Your sister-in-law positioning herself in a way that was meant to give you and her children a little bit of protection. Neytiri's gaze was fierce as the Tsahik hissed at being interrupted.

You watched as she went back to Tonowari, and the man looked at her beseechingly, as if asking for her permission; you felt your heart skip a beat as Ronal kept her eyes locked with yours. She waited seconds to give her answer, but it felt like an eternity. You heard Tuk as Jake if they had to leave again and all the harshness in you drained from your body, and in its wake you were left bereft of energy.

You were tired of running, and you were tired of your family being scared for their lives.

As if she could see the fatigue that weighed your family down, Ronal's eyes softened slightly at you and she nodded.

Tonowari turned to his people and announced, "Toruk Makto and his family will learn our ways! They will be slow at first, like babies after their first breath, but that is to be expected. They will learn so that they might prevent the burden of being useless!" He gestured to the Metkayina, and while he welcomed the Sully family into their village you couldn't help but to feel so...alone.

When you finally became one of the Omaticaya, there had been a small celebration. Everyone was overjoyed when Toruk Makto's sister finally found her place among them and you had taken to it so easily. Now, being sister to Toruk Makto has painted a target on you, you were held up to Jake's impossible legacy, as were the kids. All of you now had the responsibility of fitting in.

You had to become useful.

"My son and daughter will show your children the ways of the water," and when the teen boy that poked and prodded at your nephews grumbled, Tonowari silenced him, "Toruk Makto, his mate, and his sister will learn from me and my mate. Come my daughter, Tsireya, will show you to your new home."

A young girl stepped up with a sweet smile plastered across her face, "Come, gather your belongings and come with me, I will show you our village."

With that, the people dispersed as you and the rest of the family began to unload gear and belongings from the ikran. Jake bumped his shoulder into you, "So much for letting me do the talking. Huh chatterbox?"

Your ears flattened against the side of your head, "I am sorry, but I will not be sorry for defending Kiri and the children, they are innocent in all of this."

Jake passed you different bags and containers, he sighed, "I know, but... damn I guess I should have seen that coming. Ronal has always been more...assertive than Tonowari, especially when it comes to her home." He loaded his own gear onto his back and arms, "But, you did good kiddo."

You barred your teeth at him, "I'm only four years younger than you, I am not a kid anymore Jake."

"I know, I know. Come on, let's go see our new home," he tried cheering you up. And you could do nothing more than follow your brother, just as you have always done before.

"Yeah..." you said, trailing off, "Our new home."

Behind you, two figures watch as you join your family, before they go into the water.

Sully's stick together, it was something you have heard all your life.

Back on Earth, Jake and Tommy promised this to you after they graduated high school and went their separate paths in life. Tommy, with his love of biology, and Jake going into the Marine Corps. You had been forced to stay in your childhood home alone, with a mother that was always at work, and with a father that loved the bottle more than he loved his children.

They kept their promises, the always stuck together despite their differences. When they began to make money as independent adults, they fought for legal custody of you, and when you too became an adult they guided your way to an uncertain future on a dying planet.

After Jake's legs became paralyzed, you in turn stuck with him and cared for him while also finishing your doctorate. Tommy would visit then, and tell the two of you what chances he's been given, and offered you a spot with him to go to Pandora. Both he and Jake urged you to go, since there would be nothing on Earth for you to look foward too. Jake would find a way to join you on Pandora after gaining control of his legs again.

But then Tommy died and it was just you and Jake.

You stuck with him through it all thick and thin, even going as far to leave your human body so you could live peacefully with him and his mate. And then the Sully family grew bit by bit, with each child there was more to love. More Sully's to watch out for each other. As the only Na'vi from the forest, all of you had kept to yourselves. Not trying to stir any trouble or make waves was hard for trouble magnets like you and Lo'ak, but you would grit your teeth and bare any injustice so long as your family was safe.

The Sully family were always seen the company of each other, not wanting to drift apart in unknown territory.

After all Sully's stick together, as little Tuktirey liked to remind you.

While you followed that saying to a tee, you always did enjoy moments where Jake ate shit. As his little sister, you couldn't help the glee that came about when Jake made a fool of himself. You enjoyed teasing him immensely and never missed a chance to get dirt on him.

Your brother was a very stubborn and proud person, and didn't enjoy being told that there was something that he couldn't do. So when Tonowari was teaching you, Jake, and Neytiri you were very eager to see him make an ass of himself. The tsurak, or skimwing, was visibly agitated while the warriors of the Metkayina held it down as Jake was mounted on it. The former Olo'eyktan was half listening as he wrapped a leather strap around his wrist.

Next to you Tonowari was doing his best to explain to Jake that the tsurak were Warrior's Mounts and that he should maybe start off with a ilu.

"Nah," Jake said, "This one is good, I got this."

The Olo'eyktan sighed, "Alright, remember. Good positioning when going back into the water."

You jumped a bit when Jake yelled at the tsurak and it took off with little issue. Neytiri, having already decided on riding on the ilu first, was not around to see how Jake struggled to find a good positioning on the back of his mount.

Giggling a bit, you waded a bit past Tonowari to get a better look at your brother as his tsurak decided to dive back into the water. You full on laugh at him as his tsurak surfaced without him, while Tonowari hissed in a mix of worry and displeasure. You called out to Jake when he surfaced as well, "Come on tsurak makto! I thought you were gonna show me what you were made of!"

As he swam back to where you were waiting with the other members of the Metkayina, Tonowari turned to you as your laughter began to die down. His gaze was calculating and you struggled to not squirm as he turned his attention to you.

"I assume you would like to start with an ilu?" he asked.

You eyed him a bit before nodding, "Yes, I would. Unlike my brother, I am not used to having a mount at all."

At this the Olo'eyktan gave you a questioning look, "You are not tsamsiyu?"

"No, no. I focused more on healing with Mo'at when we were apart of the Omaticaya," you mention as one of the warriors retrieved an ilu for you to ride. He nodded and waved the warrior closer to you so that you can be close to the ilu.

Tonowari helped you mount the ilu, his hands large and warm as he correct your placement on the mount. When his hands pulled away you felt the warmth still lingering on your back and hips. You tried to ignore as you gathered your tswin and gently made tsaheylu with the ilu.

You had never gotten used to the feeling of making the bond with anything on Pandora, and had vehemently protested many times when you had to make a bond. It felt disorienting to you, to have another presence in your mind and to be able to guide that presence. And when you did have to perform tsaheylu it was always with the pa'li and never with ikran.

Under you the ilu gave a small sound of discomfort and Tonowari's hands were once again on you.

"While you will not be hunting with us, you need to know to ride to get around the reef. There are many things underwater that the clan collects and the fastest way to reach them is by ilu," he stated, "When you have finished here, you will go to Ronal and she will teach you of healing."

You nodded as he placed his hand on your stomach and the warmth in your body grew the longer he kept his hand upon you, "Now breathe from the stomach, it calms the heart and you will be able to ride easily."

Following his breathing was easy, and when he let go of you and nodded his head you gulped, suddenly nervous of messing up as Jake did.

"F-Forwards-!" You were cut off as the ilu took off with a sudden lurch. You nearly slipped off, but readjusted your grip on the rein and planted your feet firmly against the sides of its body. "Calm down!" but instead it seemed to go faster before launching out of the water in preparation for a dive.

Water currents tugged at your body, threatening to pull you off the ilu, but you squeezed your thighs around its body and held your breath as it pierced through the water. Finally feeling in control of the situation, you manage to steer it down towards the ocean floor. Corals and fish passing you as you took in the beautiful scenery, thinking that Tommy would have loved to be here.

And you knew he would have.

The ilu clicked at you as you swished between rock formations while making your way back to the surface and the group. You broke the surface with a small gasp as begged the ilu to calm down as you approached where Tonowari and your brother was waiting.

"Hell yeah!" Jake cried out in encouragement as he saw you, and you returned it with a victory cry of your own. "I knew you had it in you!"

You soaked up the praise happily as you broke the bond and sent the ilu away. "It was amazing! I see now why you enjoy spending time with Bob, its-its..." you trailed off, "Exhilarating!"

Jake smiled at you, and ruffled your braids to which you hissed at him. Not enjoying him trying to embarrass you in front of Tonowari and the others, "Jakeeee! Knock it off you sxkawng!"

"Nah, you'd miss it!" he laughed as he grabbed at you and tickled you mercilessly.

Between you laughter and giggles, you heard low chuckled but paid no mind to it as Jake was trying to both tickle you and dunk you into the water. You barely manage to push him away from you and padded back, knocking shoulders with some of the other warriors that were assisting Tonowari. "Asshole! Wait till Neytiri hears how you ate shit from the tsurak!" but he merely waved away your threats and you huffed.

Near you the Olo'eyktan gave a small sigh, as he addressed both you and Jake, "Jakesully, your mate is still out on the ilu, but has proven herself to be capable of riding in the water as did your sister. You, on the other hand, need to be mindful of your entry into the water. You will study with me more while they move on to learn from Ronal."

Jake's expression pinched a bit but other than that he didn't do much and just nodded, accepting that he still needed guidance.

You straightened a bit when Tonowari looked at you, "You ride ilu easily, as if you had always been Metkayina. Go, and see Ronal, she will teach you to breathe with the water."

"Thank you Olo'eyktan, I will see the Tsahik now," you smiled at him. "Jake, be safe."

Your brother gave you a toothy grin but waved you off. Whereas Tonowari smiled back with a nod, you left for Awa'atlu. The entire way you could still feel where he touched you, his hands branded on your skin. And the weight of his gaze was heavy on your back.

Tsawng - Shatter, to break into pieces

Tsamsiyu - Warrior

Iknimaya - Stairway to Heaven, or the Rite of Passage

Uturu - Safe Haven, Sanctuary

Sxkawng - Idiot, Moron

Olo'eyktan - Clan Leader

Tsahik - Clan Shaman

Tsurak - Skimwing, aggressive mount, the mount of a warrior/hunter in the Metkayina clan

Ilu - Dolphin like creature, more docile than the tsurak

Tswin - the Queue to make Tsaheylu

Tsaheylu - The bond between na'vi and other organisms on Pandora.

I told myself I wasn't going to start more projects but after reading some fanfics on AO3 I got inspired to write a small story with a Ronal/Tonowari/Reader focus. I love the idea of mated Na'vi welcoming others into their relationship.