If this story could get an extra tag, it probably be "epic parent Jake Sully" though I guess his self awareness sucks a little. He also spends way to much time being surprised by his kids.

I guess you noticed already that Jake's Character is AU in this story, so he will react differently!

Hope you enjoy

Chapter 10

Jake had continued to give small gifts to Neytiri and the kids for two more weeks, but she scolded him, saying there wasn't enough space in the marui pod for all the stuff he brought in. So instead, Jake discussed with Tonowari what pastime activities would be good.

Over the last few weeks, they had become good friends, enjoying the feeling of having someone on the same level as them. They didn't want someone they could command, but someone they could ask for help with trivial things. Tonowari was also a good teacher, although he claimed that Jake was just a great student. He was way more patient and friendly then Neytiri, when he first started to learn from her.

One day, after a morning hunt, they sat on the beach, relaxing when a teenage boy came running. Their kids had gotten into a fight with each other. The two fathers shared a knowing look and suppressed a chuckle. The bet of whose kid would get into trouble sooner ended in a draw, but they got up and followed the teen.

They found his sons kids fighting off four of the Metkayina youths, one of whom was the chieftain's son. Both of Jake's sons were real fighters, although Lo'ak was more reckless while Neteyam only got into fights when his younger brother dragged him into it. Kiri's shout of "Dad!" broke up the fight almost instantly, and they turned around to find Tonowari and Jake staring them down with stoic expressions.

Neteyam and Lo'ak snapped to attention, running to stand in front of Jake, while Kiri followed in a slower pace, taking her place next to her younger brother. Tonowari barely hid his impressed expression at his kids' behaviour before looking at his own son, who let out an irritated grumble, brushing of some sand, but didn't come forward. The chief threw him a look that told Jake he would be questioned on his teaching methods soon.

Jake asked, "Who can tell me what is going on?" Before Lo'ak could, Kiri stepped forward and reported, "They made fun of me, and Lo'ak told them off. They continued until it came to a fight between Ao'nung and Lo'ak. Neteyam and the others followed shortly after." Jake quickly compared his sons' scratches to their opponents and noticed that they had caused more damage despite being outnumbered.

He gave a short nod and asked Lo'ak, "Is that true?" suppressing a mix of pride and exasperation in his voice.

"Yes sir, they called Kiri a freak." Jake winced a little, knowing how sensitive his whole family was to this word. Kiri and Lo'ak had to listen to it much more than Neteyam and Tuck, who looked like true Na'vi. It dawned on him that he might have to interfere further to stop anything worse to happen.

Tonowari noticed Jake's troubled mood and took over the conversation.

"Ao'nung, what do you have to say for yourself?" he asked sternly. The teen shot a dirty look at Jake's kids before responding to his father.

"It was all in good fun until he started punishing us with his demon hands. We meant no harm."

Lo'ak was about to lash out at the stubborn teen, but Jake held him back with a gentle hand to his nape.

"Obviously your humour was not well received, son. I expected more from all of you," he said, shaking his head. "The Sully's are our guests, and they have seen too much fighting. We should show them compassion instead of ridiculing them. You should be teaching them our ways, not making them feel inadequate. Ao'nung, you owe them more respect."

A thought occurred to Jake, and he waited for Tonowari's permission to speak to Ao'nung. When he received a nod, he stepped forward to the teen, who backed away a little.

"There is something you must know about us, Ao'nung," Jake began.

"My family has to deal with a lot of pain right now due to the reappearance of the sky people. I know that these hands and features might scare you," he said, holding up his hands and pointing to his hairy eyebrows. Ao'nung scoffed in false disdain, trying to hide his fear.

"But you don't have to fear us. I have fought to protect our lands from the sky people with these hands. I might have been human once, and that fact alone is enough for my children to receive ridicule but that is partly why I have never stopped fighting the sky people. So they won't have to be ashamed of their father's origins." He heard several shocked gasps behind him but ignored them in favour of watching Ao'nung. The teen's face was troubled with hurt pride and the shame of being called out in front of his friends.

"I hope we can change your view soon. So please, do not hurt my children." Jake finished, hoping his words would sink in. But as soon as he mentioned his children, Ao'nung turned away from him, feeling accused by Jake's last sentence.

"I already said that it was all in good fun! They just flipped on us. Why are we the bad guys here?" He accused storming past his father, his friends following behind him. Tonowari turned a well, giving Jake a short wave before going after his son.

Jake barely had time to turn around before he felt a weight slam into his middle and arms sling around him in a vice-like grip. It was his hotheaded younger son, Lo'ak, hugging him tightly. At first startled, Jake soon relaxed and returned the hug with a small smile.

"Sorry for causing trouble, dad," Lo'ak said with his face pressed to Jake's chest. Jake raised his hand to rest it on Lo'ak's head.

"Nah, don't worry. You were right to defend yourself and your sister. I don't want you to feel like you can't defend yourself just to avoid trouble," he chuckled softly when he looked up at his two oldest children, both of whom wore pained expressions. He waved them over and pulled them into the hug. They held on for several moments before releasing him. He gently nudged them back to their pod to get Neytiri to take a look at their bruises, and they followed without complaint.

"I'm going to apologise to Ao'nung," Jake lost his grip on the yarn he'd been holding, looking up to his son.

"Why do you feel that way, Lo'ak?" he questioned.

"Well, I was the first to punch him, so I guess what happened is partly my fault." Lo'ak said, and Jake saw how Neytiri's eyebrows raised in shock.

"That's shockingly self-aware of you, little brother," Said Neteyam, ruffling his brother's braids affectionately.

"Where does this mature attitude come from?" Jake watched as his oldest teased the troublemaker of the family.

"Mind your own business, bro. This time, I'll clean up my own mess. Don't need you to doubt me now," Lo'ak grumbled, annoyed but without any real heat. The parents shared a short look of amusement.

"Then go show them how it's done. You be the bigger person, son," Jake said, easily accepting Lo'ak's decision. He was surprised that Lo'ak came up with the idea on his own, only half an hour after getting treated for his bruises. It was a really mature behaviour for him, and Jake didn't want to underestimate Lo'ak and hurt his son by doubting him.

Lo'ak perked up at his statement, a confident smile on his face, and ran out of the pod to make peace with Ao'nung. Neteyam went to follow his brother but stopped before leaving to look at Jake.

"I can speak for all of us when I say this, Dad. We are very pruod to be your children. The others don't know what they are missing out on, when they cannot see past an extra finger." Jake gave a dumb nod before his oldest also left the pod. What was going on with his children? Why did they continue to surprise him like this? He had a hard time ignoring the pride and joy he felt for his sons right now. Neytiri only offered him a helpless shrug and a fond smile, going back to the weaving she had started a couple days ago.

Jake was about to do the same with the arrows he had started to make, when Kiri sat down in front of him, holding out a parcel to him. Apparently he was not jet done being surprised by his children. The shocked expression might just stay for good.

"I made these for you, Dad. Tsireya helped me make them," she said, handing him the package.

He put the yarn and sticks aside to receive the parcel with wonder, curious to see what was inside. As he unwrapped the leaves, he was amazed to find an intricately knotted pair of ankle bindings, decorated with small yellow shells.

"Kiri, these are incredible! Are you sure you want me to have them? And how much time have you spent on this?" he exclaimed, grateful for his daughter's thoughtful gift.

Kiri laughed at his reaction, and Jake excitedly waved Neytiri over to show her what their daughter had gifted him. When she saw the handiwork, she reached out to her neck, where a similar piece rested in the form of a necklace.

"They are truly remarkable, ma'ite (daughter)." Neytiri said before encouraging Jake to try them on. The wrappings fit perfectly and were incredibly comfortable.

"I might not want to take them off anymore. These are neat," Jake joked, playfully showing off his new accessories.

Kiri continued to laugh, not noticing the happy looks her parents shared to see her like this.

"The others will be so jealous," her mother said, teasingly.

Nearly an hour later, a furious Neteyam pushed a frustrated Ao'nung into their pod, startling his parents and sisters.

"Tell them what you told me!" Neteyam hissed, shoving the slightly older teen towards his father. Jake shot them both alarmed looks, noticing how Ao'nung now stared at him. His expression morphed from embarrassment and anger to honest guilt and regret.

"I invited Lo'ak to come hunting with me and a couple of friends when he came to apologise," he began before taking a deep breath, preparing himself for what he had to say next.

"We left him outside the reef, I'm very sorry sir." he announced, squeezing his eyes shut in shame.

Jake jumped to his feet in worry. "Where exactly did you lead him?" he asked, picking up one of his knife holders and slinging it over his shoulder.

"Near the three brothers rock, sir." Ao'nung said, fear in his eyes. Jake nodded with a grim expression. He knew the place from his hunts with the other Metkayina. The waters outside the reef could be dangerous alone, and Lo'ak was not yet an experienced swimmer and diver.

"Go alert Tonowari. We must look for Lo'ak ASAP," Jake said, looking back to see Neytiri already geared up. "Neteyam, please assist the chief however he deems necessary. Also, tell him that we will start the search from the sky."

His son instantly complied and led Ao'nung back to the village, this time the teen went along with no struggles. Both Jake and Neytiri called for their Ikran, mounted them, and made their way in the direction of the three brothers rock. Their son was in danger, and nothing would stop them from bringing him back. Jake just prayed that his son was alive to be brought back.

After a short flight, they split up to cover more ground. Jake flew low over the water to peer into its depths. Almost an hour had passed, and worry gnawed at his gut. Where was his son? Surely Lo'ak was too stubborn and too lovable to leave with the Great Mother so soon.

Jake was about to jump into the water to search the sea floor when Bob let out a short cry. The Ikran had much better eyes than the Na'vi, and their bond had sharpened Jake's vision as well. He followed Bob's gaze and noticed some small movement that looked like a floating rock. He changed course to investigate and soon realized that it was a whale-like creature with a very familiar blue Na'vi shape on its back.

He yipped in elation at finding his son alive. Lo'ak turned to see his Ikran and gave him a wave. "Hey Dad! Check this out, I made a new friend!" he shouted, pointing to the whale he was standing on. More on impulse than logic, Jake leaped off his Ikran's back and dove headfirst into the water. The cool water enveloped him in a soothing embrace, and he swam to the surface in the direction of the huge sea creature. It did not take him long to catch up, and he was now on eye level with the whale. The animal had a kind and intelligent look that surpassed many others in its expressiveness. Jake bowed his head in respect and signed his respect to the Tulkun.

Lo'ak helped him climb onto the whale's back, and Jake went for a hug. He held his son long and tight, brushing his hand over Lo'ak's hair."You have no Idea how worried we were when we heard that Ao'nung took you outside the reef. I nearly believed I had to look for your body." Relief flooded through Jakes system, and he laid his hand on Lo'ak's head.

"I was scared too, Dad," Lo'ak said, his voice trembling slightly. "There was this huge fish that wanted to eat me, but I managed to hide in a massive coral that held it off for some time. When I ran out of air and had to swim to the surface, it came back. And BAM! He showed up and smashed the fish into the rocks before it could get to me. Sadly, I passed out for a while, but I woke up a little while ago lying on his back." Lo'ak explained as best he could while his father held him tightly in fear of what he was saying.

"He saved me, Dad! I'm fine, I promise," Lo'ak insisted, wriggling free to look at Jake.

"Thank Eywa you are!" Jake exclaimed, kissing his son's forehead. Lo'ak tried to protest a little, but allowed his father to hold him for a minute longer. When Jake released him, he knelt down and placed both hands on the Tulkun's skin.

"Thank you so much for saving my son. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost him." The Tulkun gave a happy trilling sound before changing direction back to the village, picking up speed. Lo'ak whooped in joy and continued to play with his new friend while Jake clicked a button on his neck to share his news with Neytiri. His wife cried out in relief and promised to meet them back in the village. They were finally coming home.

Anyone noticed how Ao'nung started calling Jake 'sir'? I included it, because when Jake acknowledged Ao'nung's fear, he also showed that he saw the boy's struggles. I can only tell what I would feel, yet there is alway an own insecurity beneath bullying, and there were many reasons for Ao'nung to be afraid. Jake earned his trust a little and much more respect for being honest and vulnerable before him.

Please share what you think.