Author's Note: And another one! Enjoy!
Neteyam capitalizes on their time here to let the Metkayina rest. While they are doing that, Neteyam makes his way over to Hometree, already scanning it for the branch that he'll use to make his new bow. The last one had been from Hometree too. Neteyam loved that bow, was so proud of it, yet when he broke it across the palulukan that threatened his siblings, he felt no remorse for tossing it away. He had made it to protect them using the wood of Hometree and it was destroyed doing just that - protecting his siblings. He was sad that it was gone, but happy that the way it went out was worthy of it.
"Let me know which one catches your eye," Tsu'tey says, putting an arm around his shoulders and pulling him into his side. "I'll go get it for you."
Neteyam rolls his eyes, wrapping an arm around his papa's waist. "I can get it myself, papa. I'm okay."
Tsu'tey presses his lips into Neteyam's temple. "I know you can, but you're holding your side. I know it's hurting you." Realizing he was doing just that, Neteyam drops his hand, flushing. He lets out a frustrated sigh, annoyed at himself. He should be getting better. Yet it feels like he's still got such a long way to go. It's not fair.
His eyes scan the tree, looking for the best piece he can get to craft into his next bow. He tries not to let his unhappiness show on his face, but his papa presses another kiss to his temple, squeezing his shoulder.
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"About what, papa?" Neteyam asks, perhaps stiffer than he intended.
He flinches at his own tone, looking up at his papa to see if he's upset by his tone but his papa is staring out over Hometree, a complex look of sadness and resolute written all over his face. He opens his mouth to apologize but before even a breath could escape him, his papa softly says, "You know what, Ma'Neteyam. Do not be obtuse. I can see that you're upset. My baby, you wear your emotions on your face."
Neteyam sighs, looking down at their feet as they march on slowly. "I know," he admits. His papa could always read his face. "I just... I want to get better. It feels like it's taking too long."
"You are hard on yourself, my son," Tsu'tey says softly. "You have such high expectations for yourself that you won't even rest long enough to heal properly. I know you think I'm overprotective - and don't tell your father I said this, but maybe I am a little bit," Neteyam smiles at that, letting out a little huff, "but it's only because you are so much like him and he doesn't slow down either."
"Am I really like him..?" Neteyam asks softly, glancing up at his papa.
Tsu'tey laughs gently, nuzzling his braids, running his hand up and down Neteyam's arm. "Yes, sweet boy. You are so much like your dad. So, forgive me. Both of you, if I feel like I have to be a little overbearing at times. I just want to keep you safe. I know I am very protective, but it's only because I love you. If I really am being too overbearing, let me know, but until then, I'm going to keep at it. And I'm not sorry. I will back off if you need me to, but I hope that you know that it comes from a good place."
"I know," Neteyam says softly. "I don't hate it. And I don't think it's too much. I just... wish it wasn't like this. Not the love or the attention but... I'm not strong enough. I'm weak, and I know that's where a lot of these feelings come from."
Tsu'tey frowns, looking at him. "My sweet son, the weakest part of you is the only thing you can't control, your immune system. The rest of you is brimming with strength. I am so proud of you. You work hard, you're diligent. You are loving and caring. You will make an excellent Olo'eyktan when you grow up. And you know what your mom said?"
Neteyam shakes his head, wondering what he was referring to. "No. About what?"
"You," Tsu'tey says softly, kissing his forehead. "You were spoiled rotten as a baby. Our first, and yet we gave you everything you ever so much as looked at. You should be rotten to the core. Yet somehow you are so sweet, so kind. Responsible and just..." he sighs, not minding that Neteyam's face is purpling in embarrassment. "You are beautiful, baby boy. I don't know what we did to get you, but we certainly don't deserve you. It's part of the reason why I'm so protective. I just want to take care of you. And, well, you're my baby."
They were all his children and his papa loved them all just the same, but just as Jake would always be Neteyam's true mother, Tsu'tey would always be his true father.
Neteyam smiles softly, pushing down the flush in his cheeks to just wrap his arms around his papa's waist, hugging him close. Tsu'tey purrs, pleased. He hugs him close, kissing his braids.
"I love you, papa."
"I love you too, baby."
Nothing caught Neteyam's eye and he didn't want to waste any more time than he already did. He gathers up the hunting party and leads on deeper into a safer part of the forest, where he knows not a lot of predators hunt to start on their lessons. For real.
He leads them to a large root, thick and about as large as a footpath, just rounded. An excellent starter for what he has planned.
"Alright," Neteyam says, turning to the Metkayina, "so we are going to start with one of the first things that we learn as forest Na'vi. Balance. If you're going to traverse the forest, there is three key elements that you will need in order to survive. One is traveling quietly, which we will, um, need to focus on but later," Neteyam says sweetly, offering a smile at the snickering hunters. "Two is how to listen to what the forest is telling you, which is something that we'll learn as we go. And the final, as I said, is balance."
Before his parents can protest, Neteyam moves over to the root, about seven feet off the ground, so enough to be a jolt if they fall but not enough to seriously hurt anyone. He climbs up onto the root, feeling a harsh pull on his side but that's it. His mom hisses at him, displeased, but says nothing.
"Sorry, mom," he says, ignoring Lo'ak's laugh.
"Later," she growls, tail flicking behind her.
Neteyam flinches at the cringe that his dad sends his way, used to that tone of voice. At least more than Neteyam is, as he's never in trouble. He'll apologize more wholeheartedly later.
Taking a moment, Neteyam searches his memories of when Tuk was little, how they taught her balance. He knows well enough that he will have to alter his strategy in order to fit the Metkayina as forest Na'vi naturally have good balance to start off with. But he's not sure where the reef Na'vi stand at this point so it's going to have to be trial and error until they find something that works.
"Okay," Neteyam says, spinning effortlessly on the balls of his feet to face the gathered hunters and students. "So, we are going to start on balance. Staying on the forest floor is akin to a death sentence, especially at night. You have already shown you have the basics in climbing, but it is integral to learn balance. Falling from these trees is a death sentence. I'll teach you balance, then once you've mastered that, I'll show you how to quickly descend without dying or breaking bones. For now, I need a volunteer."
"I will," Ao'nung says, holding up a hand. He swallows, looking at the thick root, but moves closer. "Got to start somewhere, yeah?" Despite his nerves, he rolls his shoulders back and lifts his chin. A true heir to a powerful clan. He stops, blinking as Neteyam smiles kindly down at him.
"I am very proud of you," Neteyam says and Ao'nung's eyes practically bulge out of his head before he looks away, cheeks darkening. Ronal tilts her head while Rotxo laughs into his palm.
"Don't patronize me," he grumbles, walking over to the root, looking at the space Neteyam used to get up. He frowns, calculating his chances of being able to do it.
Neteyam laughs, walking down the root a bit. He points with his toe a series of smaller branches that he could use to easier climb up - something admittedly he should have done. He can see his mom glowering at him in the corner of his eye, as if able to hear his thoughts.
The Metkayina settle in to observe as Ao'nung climbs up onto the root and immediately he's unsteady. Neteyam tries to hold him still as he centers his feet on the thick root, feeling the tension in his body.
"You're too in your head," Neteyam says, taking his hand and guiding him in taking a step. It's shaky and fawn-like. Like a newborn hexepede struggling to stand upright. "You need to relax or you're going to overcorrect."
Ao'nung shuffles, twists awkward but has enough wherewithal to let go of Neteyam's hand before crashing into the ground. He lands on his hands and knees, hard enough that Neteyam flinches but Lo'ak and Spider laugh. Tsireya squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, cringing while Rotxo's forehead crinkles in empathic pain.
"The idea is to stay on the root, bro!" Lo'ak ribs. He doesn't seem to notice the look that their dad sends his way while some of the hunters chuckle to themselves. Arvok and Tarsem stand side-by-side, almost close enough to touch, but don't.
"Hey, in his defense it could have been worse," Spider offers around a grin. "He could have brought Neteyam down with him." Neytiri and Tsu'tey both frown at that, as if realizing it too, while Jake's face pinches a bit, looking between both his mates, then to Neteyam in pity.
Ao'nung wipes the mud off of his hands and knees, shooting an annoyed look to the two boys while Kiri slaps Lo'ak on the back of the head.
"Ow, Kiri!"
Neteyam carefully lowers onto his hunches, smiling softly, trying to ignore the peanut gallery. "You good? Ready to go again?"
"Yeah," Ao'nung grumbles. He shakes himself off and walks back over to the roots and climbs back up. He wobbles, straightens just enough to lose his balance again and down he goes. A few more jabs from Lo'ak and Spider, before they start offering advice. Maybe feeling the heat of Jake's gaze on them. Keep steady. Don't tense up. Get out of your head.
Neteyam will give Ao'nung credit, he's tenacious. He falls three more times before Neteyam finally starts to notice what the problem is.
"Okay, come up, but stay low for a second, let me try something," Neteyam says, gesturing for Ao'nung to climb up again. The other teen looks at him exasperated but obeys without complaint. Well, almost.
"This is impossible," he says after a beat of staring helplessly at the heir to the Omatikaya. "How am I supposed to climb trees if I can't stand on a simple root?"
"You're getting frustrated, it's normal." Neteyam motions for him to stop where he is on the thick root but hunched over, the only way he seems to be able to hold himself without falling. "Okay, hold. Let me see something."
He moves closer, looking him up and down carefully before standing upright, feeling that pull at his side, but he ignores it. He leans around Ao'nung a bit before nodding.
"Okay, Ao'nung, I think we should focus on your tail," he says. He laughs when Ao'nung looks over his shoulder at the appendage as if it offended him.
"What's wrong with it?" He asks, teetering a bit. He flails but manages to keep upright.
Neteyam laughs behind his hand, eyes crinkling. "You aren't using it, that's what's wrong. Our tails help us with balance. I know that yours is to help you swim but you use it to help your balance while standing, even if you don't realize it."
Ao'nung scowls but doesn't argue this time. He's filthy and tired and all beat up at this point, so Neteyam doesn't mind a bit of attitude. It's to be expected.
"Rise slowly and use your tail to counter your balance. Your center of gravity will be different from our own because your tails are larger and heavier than ours, so we just have to find what works for you. But just know, a lot about balance is in your core," he says, placing his hands onto his own stomach. He takes a few breaths, pressing into the skin.
Ao'nung nods, shifting a bit, looking tired after the beating that he took. He straightens up, swaying, trembling then, freezing in place. His hands are outstretched to help, which is what Neteyam wants them to avoid, but they'll work on it. For now, a single step.
Neteyam takes a few steps back, offering his hand. "Take my hand," he says. "Try moving your tail up and down, side to side to keep your balance. Try... looking at it as uneven terrain. Like... walking along rocks or..." he trails off, realizing he knew very little about the ocean. "Or... sand hills?"
Ao'nung snorts hard enough for it to almost cost him. He struggles not to overcorrect but manages to stay standing on the root while still relatively upright. Rotxo laughs somewhere off to the side with Tsireya and Neteyam isn't sure which of them that they are laughing at. Maybe it's a little bit of both of them.
Despite the exasperated look he gives Neteyam, he seems to take this advice to heart. His forehead scrunches in concentration, eyes landing on Neteyam's hand. He sort of reaches out, taking a small step. Once he gets close enough, Neteyam takes a small step back. Ao'nung peers at him through his long lashes, his lips pushing off to one side in a mixture of annoyance and amusement. The spark of a challenge in his eyes. Faint, weak, but there.
Much better.
They shuffle a bit. Ao'nung taking a fawn's step forward, Neteyam taking a playful one back, staying just out of reach.
A few minutes of this, as Ao'nung becomes more confident, straightening up a bit more and stepping easier still. His face morphs into one of annoyance as Neteyam stays just out of reach. While Ao'nung's skill is growing, it's obviously annoyingly slower than he would have liked. Neteyam, though is both proud and amused. Which then seems to make Ao'nung more annoyed.
"You're having fun at my expense, aren't you?"
Neteyam grins at him, bringing the hand he's holding out to the other teen up to his eye and pinching it closed. "Maybe a little bit." He laughs at the exasperated look on the taller boy's face before staying still for Ao'nung's next step, letting him take his hand. Ao'nung seems surprised for a moment, before offering a crooked smile at Neteyam. Despite how tired he obviously is, there is something finally shining in those pretty blue eyes.
"Take a break," Neteyam says, grinning playfully. "We'll let everyone else get a chance, now."
Ao'nung doesn't hesitate. He lets go of Neteyam's hand and jumps down. He nearly falls over but manages to keep his footing. He brings the back of his hand up to wipe away the sheen of sweat speckled across his forehead. The Metkayina get up onto their feet, getting ready to try it themselves.
The hunters move to assist, seeing as there was more Metkayina than Neteyam and his siblings. Tsu'tey motions for Neteyam to come down, holding out a hand for him to take.
"I should help," Neteyam says, frowning.
"And you can, from down here. It's not one on one anymore. You need to be somewhere that you can observe all of them and instruct them as you see fit." Neteyam couldn't argue the logical point, but from the look on his dad's face, he wasn't buying that reasoning in its entirety as Tsu'tey explained it. It must have shown on his face too, because Tsu'tey purses his full lips and reaches out to take Neteyam's hand, admitting, "And you're holding your side, Neteyam."
Neteyam flushes, dropping the hand that was resting against the leaves on his side. He has no idea how long it's been there. He lowers down to a sit, placing his hands on his papa's shoulders to hold himself upright as he pushes off the root. His papa holds his hips steady, so he doesn't drop to the dirt too hard and put too much pressure on his side.
Neteyam nuzzles his papa's cheek in thanks before moving back so that he can observe from a distance. He motions for some of the hunters to stick close to Ronal. She might not get badly hurt falling from that high up, but if she lands wrong, she could hurt the baby growing inside of her. She glances at the hunters as they move to flank her on either side of the root, trying to steady herself on the branch, frowning, but her shoulders droop in understanding. Normally, Neteyam would treat them all the same, but he could see she wouldn't sit these lessons out, so instead he's just going to have to look after her as best he can until she simply can't do the lessons anymore.
But that way, once she's recovered from giving birth and ready to pick back up again, she has a leg to stand on - metaphorically. She'll sit in on lessons for as long as she can, same with participating, then she isn't starting all the way from the beginning when she's ready to start again.
Until then, they just find out what works for them.
Neteyam watches as the rest of the Metkayina struggle their way through the lesson, trying to work out the muscles in their lower backs to utilize their tails more efficiently, instead of just a side-by-side motion like they would use while swimming in the water. Forest Na'vi have more tactile tails, swirling and twirling freely. Reflexively, their tails move to help with their balance as well as wrapping around low branches when they lean, it's all something that they've come to do without thinking about it. He's not sure how effective the later will be for the Metkayina, but it's all things that they will simply have to figure out in time.
Forest Na'vi females have naturally better balance than males do, and that seems to be the case for reef Na'vi too. Right away the females were obviously better at balancing then the males were, but even they had trouble just walking and maintaining their balance while shifting their weight from side to side. Other than Ronal, no one got special treatment. Soon enough, all of them were dirty from falling, earning the beginnings of scrapes and cuts. Despite not getting hurt as the rest of them are, Ronal seems just as frustrated. And getting the more tender hand seems to frustrate her further still.
Still, after some time, Ao'nung hops back up to join the rest of the Metkayina while Neteyam paces back and forth with his parents. His mom is paying particular attention to Ronal, no doubt worried about her baby too, while his dad and papa are keeping pace with him. They whisper suggestions into his ear, or offer guidance where they see fit, but for the most part, they just follow him around. And he's thankful. Imposing figures like his parents make it easy for them to overshadow those around them. His parents are all powerful, skilled warriors and leaders in their own right, and so it's easy for people to forget about literally anyone else around them.
So, he's thankful that they are giving him a chance to shine. To show his skills but they are also there to provide him with any assistance he might need.
Kiri walks away for a time only to return with a bowl that she filled with water. She sprinkles in some herbs that she keeps in the pouch across her chest, mixing it all together while she makes her way over to him.
"Here," she says, offering the bowl. "Drink."
Neteyam looks down at the concoction, surprised. "Uh? What? What's this for?"
"You're folding more and more, brother. Your side is hurting."
Neteyam's spine snaps straight, pulling roughly at his side. He grits his teeth but says nothing. He reaches out for the medicine, taking a sip only to recoil in disgust. Kiri smiles at the look on his face. "Drink all of it, brother."
"I will," he grumbles, sending her a withered look. "Thank you, sister."
She grins, pushing one of her braids marked with a yellow bead over her shoulder where it slowly slides back into place as she turns to head back over to Rotxo, slipping easily up onto the root. Tsireya is panicked on the other side, trying desperately to keep up with a giggling, skipping Tuk. Lo'ak cringes hard when she topples over, sending a look to the youngest Sully child.
Neteyam sips more of the concoction rolling his eyes at his little brother's crush, gritting his teeth and shivering in disgust, but dutifully keeps going as he continues to teach.
After a few hours, everyone is exhausted. And it shows with how they lumber back through the forest to a field large enough for them to call their ikran. Neteyam made sure to stay on alert while they were in the forest, but he could feel the weight of exhaustion pulling on him too, and even with Kiri's medicine, his side is aching. His papa has taken up position behind him every time they stop for breaks, which is a more often now than before, rubbing at his shoulders and kissing the back of his head.
"Ma Neteyam..." mom says, gently probing at his side after the last break he's willing to take before they reach the field. "How bad is your pain?"
"It's not bad," Neteyam says, tentatively lowering onto a root. She looks at him with a displeased frown. "It's not," he insists. "It's more sore than anything. Stiff. Like I can't bend very well."
"You need to still be gentle with yourself," she chastises.
"Maybe it was too soon..." Papa says slowly.
Desperately, Neteyam looks over at Jake, ears pressing back. Jake shakes his head. "Both of you. He's alright. He just needs to rest. He has to be let out of First Base at some point."
"Yes," Tsu'tey agrees, casting a look over at Jake, "but maybe it was still too soon."
"Papa, I'm fine. Just tired," Neteyam says, reaching down to take Neytiri's hand so she doesn't keep probing at the leaves stuck to his side. To distract her, he asks, "Will you come with me, mom? When we get back? I would like to ask grandmother to change my leaves."
Neytiri perks at the invite, squeezing his hand. "Certainly, Neteyam."
"You baby him, Tsu'tey," Jake says. No blame. No anger. Just fact. His ears flick when Tsu'tey turns to look at him. Neteyam doesn't understand the expression on his papa's face, but his dad's head tilts slightly before papa takes the two steps separating them, pulling dad into his arms. Dad hesitates, surprised, before tilting his head a bit to whisper into his ear, but papa shakes his head, pressing a kiss between dad's eyebrows before pulling back. Dad releases him immediately, but papa holds tightly to his hands, bringing the knuckles up to kiss before finally letting him go.
Neteyam glances over at his mom, ears perking in question, but her smile is a gentle and loving one. As if reflexively, dad reaches out for her hand, gripping it tightly with papa's hand wrapping around it, uniting the three of them.
Neteyam's not sure what just passed between them, but the three of them are sharing some unspoken connection, and no one appears upset, so that's good enough for him. It doesn't hurt that they aren't focusing on babying him at the moment, so he's willing to just accept it and move on.
They call for the ikran and head off. Neteyam sagging against his dad's back as they fly. Despite the exhaustion still weighing on him, he doesn't fall asleep this time, being sure to stay awake as they make it to First Base. He lets the Metkayina go for the day, reaching out to run a hand down Ao'nung's arm, meeting his gaze and hoping that it conveys how proud he is of the other teen. Ao'nung blinks slowly, lips parting slightly, but he nods, picking up some unspoken word from Neteyam, and it makes him smile, like they are sharing something but not even he knows what.
But it seems to make Ao'nung feel better, so he'll take it.
After a heartfelt thanks to everyone present, he dismisses the Metkayina and the hunters, that loiter around long enough to make sure that the Metkayina are dispersing, which still makes Neteyam sad to see. Eventually this will all change, he knows, it will just take time.
Arvok reaches out to playfully pinch Spider's arm, which makes the human boy yelp and swipe at him before he laughs and heads off, pointedly ignoring the gesture that Spider sends his way. Tarsem turns to Jake, searching his expression for permission to depart, seeing it and carefully following after Arvok. Kiri folds her hands behind her back, twirls a bit on the balls of her feet to stare at her family, eyes sparkling, before turning and walking off, Tuk on her heels.
Despite how tired he is, Neteyam offers his arm to his mom, which she happily accepts, her tail twirling, before leading her to his grandmother's hut. His grandmother was thankfully unconcerned about Neteyam's fatigue, stating it was normal with his injury and how long he's been resting. She made him some more medicine and changed out his leaves, like he wanted. Her lips were curved in a smile, though, liking what she was seeing from his injuries which must mean that despite the pulling all day he hasn't caused any serious damage.
She sent them on their way so that she could help a couple of hunters coming in to see her. Neteyam stops briefly to say hello to Nim. She smiles tentatively at the sight of him, nodding silently when he asked if she was well.
He and his mom left her not too long after. They go back to their hut, and he helps his mom get dinner prepared. He listens to her tell him stories from the past. About better times when the kids were younger - before the Sky People returned. Really anything that she wanted to talk about, he was happy to listen to. His siblings went off to play, having invited him along, but he was too tired to agree, opting to stay with his mother, as he enjoyed their time together and seeing her smile at that made it all worth it. His dad and papa saw to the clan.
When Lo'ak, Kiri, Spider and Tuk returned later that night, it was with Arvok in tow. They were all excitedly chattering, and mom smiled at seeing him.
"Will you join us for dinner?" She asked, before Neteyam got the chance. His heart swells with love for her. They always had a good relationship, but his uncle is timid around females - something Neteyam's grandmother no doubt caused - but she never stops trying to make him feel welcome in their family. The ribbing helps, so she teases him a lot. But he's scared of imposing and losing that kindness, so he rarely takes them up on it, but today is a good day, as his uncle readily nods, engrossed in the conversation with the younger Sully siblings.
Maybe it's because Arvok is naturally kind, or maybe Neytiri is endeared by the fact that Arvok loves all his brother's kids, not just Neteyam. Not like his parents do. Neteyam and his siblings are more Arvok's family than even Tsu'tey and their parents are. As sad as it is. But Arvok loves them all, and they love him.
He remembers after a moment to quietly ask, "Do you mind?"
"Not at all," Neytiri tuts. "Lo'ak, grab out another settling for your uncle."
"Sure," he says before Arvok can insist on getting it himself. Tuk launches herself onto Arvok's back, making him laugh.
"Will you spend the night too, Uncle Arvok?" She asks.
Arvok's ears twitch. "Aw, you're sweet, TukTuk." He hesitates. "We'll see." He decides on, although Neteyam knows that's a no. His uncle wouldn't ever stay over spur of the moment, feeling like he was being a burden. Neytiri's frown shows that she recognizes that too. But she doesn't argue, she doesn't want to pressure him.
Neteyam shares a look with his mom but neither speak on it.
If dad and papa were surprised that Uncle Arvok was there, neither said anything. Dad just patted his shoulder and lowered to a sit next to Lo'ak and Spider after asking mom if she needed any help and she lovingly affirmed that Neteyam gave her all the help she needed.
"Good boy," Tsu'tey rumbles, pressing a kiss to Neteyam's braids before moving over to sit beside his brother, pulling Tuk into his lap, while she giggles away. Kiri scoots between their dad and uncle, resting into their dad's side. After a beat of hesitation, waiting for her to pull back, dad soothingly runs a hand up and down her back. When she smiles approvingly up at him, he leans down to kiss her forehead.
Neteyam helps pass out food before settling down next to his mom. She purrs happily, tail twirling more, which makes Neteyam happy, as she nuzzles the side of his head.
"I'm sorry I upset you earlier," Neteyam whispers to her, satisfied that the family was too preoccupied with their conversation to hear him.
"I know you are, my little love," she rasps back at him. "But thank you for saying it. Just be careful, okay? Take care of yourself."
"I promise. But... today was a good day. We got a lot done," he says, leaning into her side.
She leans back into him, humming in agreement. "It was definitely a good start, Neteyam. But they still have a long road ahead of them." She runs a hand up and down his arm and says, "My baby, you are a very gentle teacher. Much kinder than I. You are like your papa."
Jake, hearing that, laughs. "She's right, Neteyam. Your mom's spartan training had me going through my iknimaya in three months. And that's from knowing nothing." Tsu'tey grins, no doubt remembering that too. "But she's right, you are much gentler a teacher, like your papa. As harsh as he might be, he still wants you to succeed. Your mom was doing her best to make sure I didn't."
Despite his words, the three of them laugh. Even Arvok grins at that.
"I tried to kill him when I first laid eyes on him," she reminds them, a throaty laugh escaping her.
"I tried to kill him too," Tsu'tey admits, and they both laugh. Tuk cuddles up against his chest and he kisses the top of her head, lovingly.
Jake, not at all offended, laughs too, leaning into a smiling Kiri, eyes gaining a faraway look, remembering both instances, it seems.
"Do you have that effect on everyone?" Spider asks in jest, grinning past a laughing Lo'ak at Jake, who blinks back into himself. "Or just those that were meant to be your mate?"
Jake nods, flashing dual white fangs. "It was love at first sight."
Neteyam joins the rest of them in their laughter.
They talk and eat and when the end of the night comes a few hours later, Arvok doesn't wait long enough for Tuk to remember to ask him again if he's going to stay the night or not, before giving all of his nieces and nephews kisses and nuzzles and a farewell wave of the hand for his brother, Tsakarem and Olo'eyktan, he heads for the exit of their family hut.
"Uncle," Neteyam says, loftily, causing Arvok to pause at the doorway. "When you see Tarsem again, can you please thank him and the hunters for all their help today. And for all the help they'll provide in the future?"
His question is soft, innocent, yet Arvok scowls at him. And Neteyam can't help the grin pulling at the corner of his mouth.
"Arvok and Tarsem sitting in Hometree..." Kiri sings softly, looking devilishly innocent with her tail twirling mischievously. Spider and Lo'ak snicker playfully as they join her, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
Arvok scowls at them, pointing a finger at the oldest Sully daughter. "You sow chaos wherever you tread, daughter of Grace." Kiri laughs at the pointed use of her name. But he turns that finger to Neteyam, "The rest I understand, but you, Neteyam? How could you be so cruel to me? Your favorite uncle?"
"Because I love you," Neteyam says, and even with the mirth shining in his eyes and a smile playing across his lips, he means every bit of it. "I love you and I want you to be happy."
A hesitant, almost vulnerable look flickers, only momentarily, across his face, before he rolls his eyes, smiles sardonically and waves them off. "Naughty kids," he says, with love. "Torment your parents, then go to sleep."
As he turns to leave, Tuk calls out, "Bye, Uncle! Love you!" He turns back to place a hand over his heart, a sign of affection before leaving with all of their farewells at his back.
"Alright, let's clean up and then everyone get ready for bed," Jake says, moving to stand. Neytiri shifts to join him, but he shakes his head. "You and Neteyam prepared dinner, Neytiri, so you get out of clean up duty. Everyone else, let's go. We've got another long day tomorrow, so be quick."
Once dinner is cleaned up and the fire is brought down to embers, everyone gets ready for bed, removing their adornments and cuddling up onto the pile of blankets that they had straightened out that morning. Before going to bed themselves, Jake and Spider change out Spider's air so that they don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to do it. Jale puts the empty one in Spider's bag so that he can take it to be refilled once he goes back to the scientists.
"I want to sleep with dad!" Tuk announces, launching herself at their dad right as he sat down. He barely had time to catch her before her knee ended up in his gut. She smiles innocently at the look he gives her, but he folds her up neatly in his arms and lays down with her.
Neteyam spots mom lower down with Kiri, tucking a braid behind her ear that Kiri rolls her eyes at but doesn't protest while papa gets Lo'ak in a chokehold and wrestles him to the blankets. Spider laughs, moving out of the way of their scuffle to sit with Neteyam.
"Ah! Come on, papa!" Lo'ak growls, playfully, trying to somehow work his way out of Tsu'tey's grip but can't seem to pull it off.
"One day, mighty warrior, you will be strong enough to fend off against me, but it is not this day, I am afraid." Lo'ak lets out a choked laugh as Tsu'tey tickles his sides, pinning his legs together so he doesn't accidently kick anyone. Tuk laughs, sitting up but not moving away from Jake, her big gold eyes sparkling with joy.
"Papa, stop! Stop!" Lo'ak laughs, squirming to no avail, but Tsu'tey takes pity, releasing the youngest Sully son. Instead of moving away, though, Lo'ak remains where he is, giggling lightly and rolling onto his back to playfully glare at Tsu'tey.
"Laugh while you can," Lo'ak huffs. "That day will come soon enough."
"And what a sad day that will be," Tsu'tey murmurs, only half teasing. Lo'ak's expression softens, and he turns to face Tsu'tey, burrowing into his chest to rest.
Neteyam and Spider lay, side-by-side, getting ready to sleep. Neteyam on his side towards the oldest teen while Spider laid on his back, hand resting on his stomach. After a few minutes of quiet murmuring from Jake to Tuk and Kiri to Neytiri, the room falls quiet as everyone drifts to sleep.