Where's My Love? - Lo'ak

Chapter 33: Dead Eyes

The morning feels different. Esmyrie doesn't know why.

Maybe it's that Lo'ak has an arm wrapped around her waist or the sudden need for her to be in water, whatever the case is, she likes it. She likes this feeling.

When she wakes, Lo'ak is staring at her, one of his hands messing with her jaw, while Neteyam and Kiri are still fast asleep, Tuk awake and on her mother's lap.

Jake is making breakfast which consists of various different fruits, staring at the girl, his smile never quite reaching his eyes.

"Morning Mr. Sully." Esmyrie says, causing Jake to reply with a small 'morning'.

She can tell there is some tension or anger in his voice and she can't understand why. Yesterday he was smiling at her with such proudness, something she has never received from the man, and now he is looking at her with fear perhaps.

"So what are you kids doing today?" Jake asks, his attention turning towards Lo'ak, who is still staring at Esmyrie with nothing but love.

Esmyrie pokes Lo'ak's cheeks, a flush forming from his stare and points to the boys father.

Lo'ak gets out of his trance, turning towards his father and sitting up, stretching his legs and arms, a big yawn leaving his lips.

"Well, I don't know what I'm doing, but I know Tsireya was wanting to take us to the Cove of Ancestors... It's like the tree of souls." Lo'ak explains.

Jake's eyes widen at that. The Cove of Ancestors.... A way to connect to Eywa, would it be safe for the girl, would it be safe for The Great Mother, if they connected?

He turns to Esmyrie trying to keep his fears down, for he doesn't want the girl upset, not when she has no idea.

"Will you be going?" Jake asks, trying to not sound to concerned.

"Maybe... I- I'm not sure if I'm honest... I might...I-" Esmyrie tries to explain but Jake gets it.

Of course he understands, for if he lost someone he would have the same fear of connecting and them not being there.

His fatherly instincts want to protect the girl, encourage her that it will be okay. But the rational part knows there could be some damage to the girl and to Eywa if she connects.

Lo'ak can sense the girls concern and moves his hand to hold hers, not caring about the glance his father gives him and their interlocked hands.

"I think you should go." Lo'ak voices, moving his hand to play with her hair.

"Yeah?" Esmyrie asks, surprised by the boys statement.

Lo'ak nods. He knows Esmyrie has been avoiding the tree of souls when they were back home. Not wanting to face the possible fear that her father wasn't there. That she would truly, never see her father again and he knows the what ifs have been eating at her.

He thinks it would be good for her to finally have an answer, to know the truth. She knows now that he would be there too, with whatever the outcome is.

Esmyrie looks into his eyes and can read him instantly. He is looking out for her well being, wanting her to finally be at peace instead of constantly guessing.

"I guess I'll go then." Esmyrie says making up her mind.

It seems that her confession makes Jake and Neytiri look towards each other with worry, but she ignores it.

Lo'ak smiles happily, his thumb rubbing her hand before he groans in pain, just being kicked by Neteyam who is still asleep.

"Ow! Asshole." Lo'ak mumbles out, causing him to get scolded by Neytiri who heard his comment.