Would That I

Chapter 5

Talion's POV

It's getting harder and harder to fly, the burns still fresh and stinging with each flex of my muscles. I took deep breaths, trying to remain steady; Neteyam was very silent, having not said a word this whole time.

I hadn't bothered to say a word either, being rather angry at him, and he is not ignorant of that fact. I know he had good intentions but was reckless and could've injured himself beyond repair. I couldn't help but sigh at that, anger digging its claws into me, worry, and the thought of what could've happened if I was not there not helping that at all.

"I'm sorry." Neteyam finally spoke up through our bond, me letting out a quiet hiss at that, not interested in talking. I could see his ears pin back and his tail lying limp, showing that he was very upset that I was angry with him and he got me injured.

Thankfully for me, I could see the base coming into view, more Na'vi flooding in with their ikran. It was like a hole at the bottom of a mountain, sort of like a hive, each of us flooding inside. I went inside among the crowd of many, many who were crying, injured, or angry.

I found a spot to land, my wings just about giving out as I did a not-so-graceful landing on the spot, panting for air. I'd been flying for a good hour, the camp was a fair distance from the forest, and I was injured.

Neteyam quickly got off of me, going to my head and me falling to lay on the ground to ease some of the ache and burn in my body.

Neteyam's POV

Shit, this is all my fault.

I quickly went to Talion's head, his body nearly falling limp right when we landed. I could feel through our bond that he was extremely tired, sore, and in pain.

I looked into his violet eyes, which threatened to close out of how tired he was.

"I'll be back; I am going to get grandmother." I placed my forehead on him, shutting my eyes, before quickly pulling back and opening my eyes, "I will be back soon; please stay awake."

I quickly got up, rushing to the makeshift medical station that my grandmother and many other Na'vi had set up. I walked as fast as I could, looking around at the other Na'vi, some having minor burns while some had burns that covered half of their bodies. Meanwhile, there were the few with coverings over them; I could hardly bear to look.

It wasn't hard to find my grandmother; she was in the middle of it all, directing Na'vi, injured, and helpers.

"Grandmother!" I went up to her, her attention snapping to me, her eyes widening in shock, with some relief, "I need your help!"

She immediately began to observe me, "Where does it hurt? What happened?"

I shook my head, gently pushing her hands away, "No, Grandmother, it is Talion! He is burned pretty badly." I got quieter at the end, though she still heard me.

"Vanara! You take over here; I will be back!" Before quickly grabbing her basket of herbs and other items she may need to treat patients, my grandmother ordered, "Lead me to him."

I quickly turned and returned the way I came, Talion coming into view, still breathing hard but awake.

"He is here, Grandmother." I moved out of her way, her coming over and observing him.

She was quick to assess him, "Talion, your injuries are severe in some spots, though due to how big you are in this form, it is not as severe as it would've been-" She quickly grabbed herbs, mashing them to put onto the burns, "-but you need to stay in this form until these burns heal."

He huffed, letting out a low hiss when she put the paste onto the burns, though he didn't move as she treated him. She put leaves on the burns for the more severe spots to help heal. It took about 35 minutes before she was done due to the sheer size and amount of herbs she had to use and grind up.

She rubbed the sweat from her forehead, "That is all I can do now; he shall recover in about seven days. Until then, no flying, strenuous activity, or transforming back."

He sighed and nodded his head, her nodding, before quickly going away to tend to the other Na'vi.

I had stood off to the side for the entire treatment, Talion not once looking in my direction, more than obviously still annoyed. I was unsure what to say, going over to him, him not sparing me a glance even still, his eyes shut.

"I am sorry, Talion." I sighed, not sure what else to say, him grunting, though still not looking at me. "It was never my intention to get you hurt."

He didn't react for a second before finally opening his eyes and looking at me, lifting his large head. He got close before, much to my surprise (not); he just hissed in my face before turning his head away from me.

I was exasperated, "Talion, come on, talk to me." I was borderline begging, not enjoying being shunned like this.

He side-eyed me before rolling his eyes, bringing his head back, indicating for me to connect our queues. I did that; Talion, not wasting time, started talking.

Talion's POV

"Why did you do what you did? It was reckless, stupid, and you could've been injured if I was not there." I jabbed at Neteyam, "That woman was close to dead already; she is now crippled for life; what kind of life is that?"

Neteyam flinched away at my words, though he said, "I couldn't consciously leave her there; she was hurting; if she is going to die, let it not be alone and afraid!"

I sighed; I couldn't deny that. I suppose he was right.

"So please, I know I acted impulsively and was reckless, but understand that I didn't mean for you to get hurt." He sighed, "I am sorry."

I didn't have it in me to be upset anymore, sighing in defeat.

"I...understand; I am sorry I got angry." I set my head down, "I am going to sleep now; I am exhausted."

Neteyam disconnected our queues, walking to where my saddle was placed, taking something of his out. He came to my side, laying it out; much to my surprise, it was his bedroll.

I tried to nudge him away, but he didn't budge, connecting our queues again.

"I will sleep here till you are able to sleep in the tent." He laid down, almost pressed up against my side. I sighed, knowing he really wasn't going to budge.

Things were dying down, Na'vi were finding their way, and Jake and Neytiri would be here soon.

I laid my head back down, though not shutting my eyes yet. I looked down at Neteyam, who had his eyes shut. I slowly shut my eyes, exhaustion taking over my entire body.