horizons | jake sully

E I G H T

We flew back to the village with a new sense of the other. Neytiri had been right the entire time. I led us back quickly and made sure he was behind me at all times. I felt different now. Better. Lighter.

We landed and Neytiri was waiting for us. I nodded and she gave me a suspicious look.

"What, Neytiri?" I said. She looked between Jake and I.

"I thought he died," she said. Liar. She knew. Her eyes told me something else. I gave her a look and grabbed her wrist, dragging her away from everyone. Her smirk was triumphant, though her eyes were uncertain.

"You can't say anything," I hissed at her, knowing she had a pretty good idea of what happened.

"I won't. You know I won't. But why? Why do you pick him?"

I huffed and threw my head back, running my hand through my hair.

"I don't know," I mumbled, "I don't know, Neytiri. It's just a feeling I can't ignore. I.. I saw him flying and it just clicked."

She placed a hand on my shoulder and turned me toward her.

"It is alright. He is good. Learning. Growing. You are smart, L'ai. I trust you."

I smiled and pulled her into a hug.

"So..." she said, pulled away. Her smile was mischievous. "Did you mate?"

My eyes widened and I tugged myself away from her.

"We did not," I said.

"Mhm," she said, smirking. I huffed and walked back toward Jake. Neytiri followed behind me closely.

Jake met my eyes and smiled, ignoring the others around him that he was talking to. I smiled back and walked past him, his hand brushing against mine. I ducked into a hut and sat down, looking at the progress around me. Many children had been in here today, making and weaving.

"Adding to your songcord?" Neytiri said, sitting down in front of me. I nodded silently and took it off my neck. Neytiri began making other things. She enjoyed making herself more tops and helping the children make theirs.

I threaded the bead on and followed the pattern, running my fingers across it. It was shorter than others my age. They had been here longer. Experienced more than I had.

I finished the addition and tied it back around my neck, taking a breath.

"You are happier," Neytiri said, without looking up.

"What?"

"When he showed up, something about you changed. It is okay."

I stared at her, wondering how she knew so much more about me than I did.

I looked at him through the opening and spotted him continuously turning toward us, watching us. We made eye contact and he looked away quickly. I smiled and looked down.

The night went on and we had dinner, leading us into the later hours of the night. I climbed into my hammock and laid down, folding my hands on top of my stomach. The sky was beautiful tonight. I traced the stars with my eyes and took slow breaths.

I felt the hammock rock slightly and I looked over just as Jake sat beside me.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, looking around.

"Sleeping with you," he smirked. I watched him lay down next to me on his side, propping his head up. I rolled my eyes and sat up, looking around.

"Everyone is asleep, L'ai."

I sighed and laid down again, looking over at him. I felt him put a hand on my stomach and traced circles on my skin.

"We make out once and now you're clingy?" I joked, tracing my fingers against his arm.

"I mean, we can make it twice right now," he said in response. He crept closer and pressed a kiss against my lips.

"God I don't think you understand how long I've wanted to do that."

"And how long is that?"

"Since the beginning. Seeing you trying to ride that thanator was hot," he smirked. I laughed and moved closer to him. He shifted onto his back and pulled me onto him. My head rested on his chest and his arms were wrapped around me tightly. I took a deep breath and let myself get comfortable.

He fell asleep first and I knew he was no longer here. It was odd. His body was breathing like normal, but he was somewhere else.

I fell asleep soon after and forgot about all the worries I had about him being next to me.

"L'ai," a voice said harshly. I opened my eyes and felt Jake's arms around me comfortably.

"Neytiri?" I mumbled.

"Get up before someone sees," she said, yanking me up. I groaned and stood next to her.

"I though you did not mate?" she said, combing her fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it.

"We did not."

Yet.

She huffed and looked down at him. I knew she had mixed feelings about this whole thing.

"Do not worry about it. Please," I said. She nodded and took my head, bringing me to the Ikrans.

"You've been requested by Irén for her Iknimaya."

I smiled and met eyes with the girl standing not far from us. I waved her over and took her small hand in my own. I placed her palm on Seya's side and watched her face light up.

"Are you ready?" I said softly. She looked up and me and nodded. Her rope was tied around her waist like a belt and she straightened her back.

I helped her onto Seya and looked back to see Neytiri and Jake in conversation. She didn't seem angry and he didn't seem scared. The conversation seemed normal. He flashed me a look and smiled over Neytiri's shoulder. I smiled back and turned to Irén.

She completed the task in no time. She was quick on her feet and strong enough to hold her ground. Fastest Iknimaya I've ever seen. She took off through the air and left me alone for a moment. I could hear the echo of her yells and chants from the mountain. I took her back to the village and her family was waiting with grins. Her brothers pulled her into a tight hug and her parents thanked me over and over again.

I watched them group together and embrace each other. It was like a punch to the gut if I'm honest.

"You alright there?" a familiar voice asked. I turned around and smiled, pulling the woman into a hug.

"I thought they'd never let you back," I said.

"You and me both. Apparently Neytiri put in a good word," Grace said. I held onto her arms and smiled widely. But her face fell.

"I mean that question. How are you? Really."

"I am great."

"Layla."

My body tensed and I took a step back. Grace looked at me with sympathetic eyes.

"Your family-"

"This is my family."

"On Earth. Your original family."

"What about them?"

Grace pulled me into a secluded area and sat me down.

"They have contact with your brother."