habits | avatar

05

The next three months consisted of Aponi training, sleeping, and eating. She was very determined Tsu'tey soon realized, and through their time together he learned more about not only her, but the culture of her people. It was a bonding moment for the two warriors, making them lean on the other in ways they hadn't in a very long time. 

Aponi had found a brother, and Tsu'tey had found a sister. It was an unbreakable bond. 

Aponi was training with Neytiri today. She was teaching her how to weave a holster for her hunting knife, carefully maneuvering the woman's fingers as she made a delicate pattern in the material. They barely spoke during the lessons, instead preferring the comfortable silence that came with being near each other. Their thighs were pressed together as they worked, Neytiri humming a song quietly to herself. Aponi worked diligently, ears slightly tilted down as she focused all her energy into creating the holster. 

After being taught how to make a few more things, Neytiri ended the lessons for the day and grasped the other by the forearm before charging off into the forest, giggling prettily the way she seemed to always do. They only hard a short amount of time before having to get to their respective language lessons and wanted to spend it together, alone. 

Aponi liked being alone with Neytiri. It made her palms tingle and her heart beat like a drum. 

The two danced alone to the sound of Neytiri's singing, and Aponi taught the other how to slow dance, twirling her around before pulling her back in with her hands at the other's waist. The forest went silent as the two were close together, noses practically touching. Aponi felt her breath catch in her throat as Neytiri stared down at her before leaning down, pressing their lips together experimentally. 

Aponi responded back straight away, lifting one of her large hands from the other's waist and placing it on her face, caressing the skin there. Their lips molded together perfectly, and Neytiri let out a little noise in content as Aponi stuck her tongue into her mouth. They pulled back for oxygen after a few moments of clumsily kissing, panting as their foreheads touched. 

Aponi felt like she was going to faint. Or vomit. Maybe even both, honestly. What was she doing?

She pulled back slightly, looking at Neytiri with gentle eyes. "...Princess?" She whispered, blinking slowly when Neytiri didn't respond. The woman was just... staring. She barely even blinked. Aponi started to feel her stomach churn, and she stepped back again with her eyebrows furrowed. "Neytiri?" She said, and it seemed to snap the other out of her trance. The smaller Avatar felt herself get crushed into a hug, Neytiri's hands on her hips as she pulled back with a smile. 

"Oel ngati kameie." Neytiri whispered, connecting their foreheads once again. Aponi felt her heart jumpstart again, and smiled, looking at the other with glittering eyes. 

"Oel ngati kameie." She responded, connecting their lips once more, this time softer. Gentler. They felt like they had all the time in the world to just exist in the other's space. 

They sat like that for an hour or two before breaking apart as they realized they were both late for Grace's lessons. Giggling and jumping into the trees, they made their way to the school, Neytiri entering first and Aponi going in after her. 

That was a cycle they continued for a few weeks, sneaking kisses and romantic touches in between their duties to the clan. If any of their friends noticed it, they didn't say anything. Things were peaceful for a while. 

But nothing ever stayed peaceful for long around Aponi. She could feel the swarm of dread begin to form in her stomach, but always brushed it off as anxiety on being caught by Sylwanin and Tsu'tey.