Avatar: The Way Of Love || bxb

Hometree

Authors Note: italicization when talking means they are speaking in the Na'vi language. Also 'Hometree' is basically the name for their houses, fyi.

"Lo'ak? What's wrong?" Tuktirey, my youngest sibling asks as I storm into my part of our family's hometree.

The argument with my parents and Neteyam had quickly ended after I mention them not really seeing me. They didn't deny it. Because it was true.

No one saw me.

"Nothing, Tuk" I assure her.

Tuktirey makes her way over to me, sitting down in my space, "Kiri said you are in trouble" she says, refusing to our adoption sister.

Kiri was the daughter of Grace Augustine, an outspoken head of the RDA AVTR program who had given her life up to protect the Na'vi people during the war against the sky people.

"Kiri needs to mind her own business" I muttered to myself.

"Huh?" Tuk asks, tilting her head to the side in a cute matter.

"Isn't it passed your bedtime, young lady?" I question, changing the subject.

Tuktirey shakes her head 'No' her smile giving her away on her lie.

"Come on, little troublemaker. Don't want Mom and Dad mad at you too" I say, getting up to lead her to her bed.

She looks at me and sticks her tongue out, before giggling and running off.

Before she can get out of the hometree Neteyam stops her at the entree way, "Not so fast. You heard Lo'ak. Bedtime"

"Ahhh, man" Tuk pouts, of course listening to Neteyam instead of me.

"Eavesdropping on my conversations now?" I glare at him.

As much as I loved my brother things have been rough between the two of us for a while now. Especially since he mated.

"Look, bro. I don't want to fight with you... I just want what's best for you and the clan" he sighs.

He places Tuk's blanket over her, kissing her forehead goodnight.

"But that doesn't mean you have to act like my parent. You're supposed to be my brother and brothers stand by each other no matter what"

I sit back down in my bed as Neteyam walks over to me, "I know, Lo. And I'm sorry, it's just sometimes you do stupid shit"

"Shhh, Tuk is right there!" I whisper shout at him, not wanting our 8-year-old sister to start swearing.

"Sorry. What I'm trying to say is that... I just want you safe" he looks down at me from where he stands.

I pick at the skin on my fingers, not really knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry" I finally say.

"You shouldn't be the one apologizing, I should be"

"All's forgiven?"

"All's forgiven." He repeats with a smile, "Good, now want to tell me why you were out so late?" He asks with a smirk.

I can't help but smile as I remember the man who had helped me, unknowingly blushing in the process as well.

"Ooooo, someone's got a crush! Tell me, who's the lucky girl you snuck out to be with?" He smirks at me.

Crush? Yeah right.

"I don't have a crush. And it's no one" I tell him.

"Oh come on, I know that look, Lo'ak. I make it every time I think about Mesewra" he says, indeed making that face even though he only said his mate's name.

"Nete, have you forgotten everyone thinks I'm a freak?"

He looks at me sympathetically, "You're not a freak, you know that right?" Before I can answer a voice is heard.

"Neteyum? You in there?" Seconds later Mesewra steps into the hometree.

Mesewra was a warrior much like Neteyum. They had mated when they were 18, the age most Na'vi mate at.

"Sorry, Mese, I was just talking to Lo'ak," My brother tells his mate.

"It's fine. Just wanted to know if you're ready to head to bed?"

"Yeah, just a sec," Neteyum turns to look back at me, "Sorry, bro. We can continue this conversation another time, okay?"

I nod at him, knowing we probably won't continue it. We never do.

"Okay"

I watch as he walks over to Mesewra, wrapping his arm around her waist and leading them out the door to get to their hometree.

I drop my head against the wall, breathing in and out. I hear footsteps coming towards the entrance and the voices of my mother, father, and Kiri.

I quickly lay down entirely, turning to my side to pretend to be asleep. Neither my mom nor dad try to wake me to talk again, relief washing over me at this.

As I drift off to sleep my mind wanders to the man from the Tipani clan and I wonder if I'll ever see him again.