𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 ♡ ✓

𝟯𝟲: 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸

this is my apology. i am so sorry🧎🏻
•••

major time skip!
[ 4 years later ]

•••

"now that i think about it, the trees have grown so much from the last time i remembered."
the sparse lighting beam down onto the hometree.

the physical traits of the sully family has completely alternated into their own.
neteyam's build has gotten broader from all the implemented heavy labour from helping with their rebuilding, as well as physical trainings.

his hair grew thicker, refusing to cut it shorter since aonung had braided his hair for him last. well, until today.
the day where they are finally able to go back to awa'atlu to visit the metkayina's.

in which his mother had forced her way into cutting few inches off for him.

on the other hand, lo'ak had his hair shortened since he had noted how bothersome it was to take care of. his build has also become similar to neteyam's since he insisted on training the same routine as his older brother.
indeed, lo'ak had become proud of himself, oozing out self confidence.

as for the two sisters, kiri had decided to keep her hair short for the time being; for the past four years. and tuk is now at the ripe age of eleven. ever since the war outbreak few years ago, tukitrey had devoted her life to becoming a warrior, just like her brothers. despite that, her charm of being the cheerful sibling between the four of them had stayed the same.

as described, the sully siblings had indeed grown up into head heavy, mature individuals.
individuals who are on guard, ready to better themselves and for their people.

"we gotta go!" jake yells from afar, frantically making sure they've got everything along with his mate, their mother; neytiri.

both neteyam and lo'ak quickly turns around, seeing the sight of their crazy parents and throwing out a breath of chuckles whilst laying their eyes on them.
both boys start to walk near their stationed ikran's, petting them in making sure they're okay.

"we've got a whole journey ahead of us, buddy." neteyam smiles warmly, thoughts heading towards his longing lover; aonung.

"gah.. i miss him. on eywa, i'm going to give him so much kisses once i see him." a blush starts to form around his neck and to his cheeks before lo'ak intentionally bumps into him.

"what's got you looking all mushy 'n shit?" he smirks at neteyam, walking over to his own ikran.
neteyam just rolls his eyes, unbothered by having a silly argument yet.
"lo'ak! where are your sisters??" jake comes out from behind the hut, mounting the equipment onto each ikran.
"they're probably by the lake." he shrugs but neteyam just sighs in frustration.

"i'll go get them." he walks off towards the direction of the lake by the mother tree, humming a tone aonung used to sing to him when it was just them alone.

as neteyam walks closer, tuk's laughter and kiri's voice heightens which causes him to look up from the ground.
"tuk! kiri! we're leaving-"
his eyes connect with the girl who was playing around with them.

— peiwa.

"teytey!" she exclaims, running up to and skidding at a stop before him.
"oh hey peiwa" he reluctantly flashes a smile, eyeing his two sisters from the distance.

"teyam, she wanted to come with us" tuk explains, her and kiri walking up to the pair.
"i don't think-"
"it's settled! i had asked both your parents if i could ride along and they allowed!" peiwa's smile widens in excitement of having the chance to ride neteyam's ikran.

neteyam being the overly nice guy that he is, agrees, leading up to the four to walk back towards the stationed ikran.
"peiwa! there you are, thought you forgot about our journey" neytiri giggles, heading to her own ikran and petting its chin before hopping on.

"well, hurry on now. we need to get there before dark." jake commends, resulting in the kids to quickly mount on the creatures.

peiwa is now sitting behind neteyam who had an annoyed expression, still bothered on how she had tried to kiss him numerous times before peiwa actually managed to plant a peck; while he was sleeping.

tuk still wasn't old enough to becoming an ikrana maktoyu just yet so she's sitting in front of kiri on hers.

as for the others, they have their own ikran's and are riding them alone.
"okay, let's go!" jake exclaims, starting to fly off as the others follow.
"dad.. we're right here you don't need to yell.." lo'ak grunts as the ikran lifts off of the ground. he never liked this part of riding a banshee.

"sorry, habits" jake chuckles, shrugging at his son who is now rolling his eyes.

all five banshees are now off the ground, cutting through the thin air and heading out towards the direction they're all familiar with.

as the breeze hits through his newly cut braids, eyes suddenly locking in on the wrist band he had matching with everyone.

eywa ngahu, he thought, in peace.
until peiwa wraps her arms around neteyam's waist.
"woah, why're you holding onto me..?" neteyam looks to the side, trying to look at her.
"why not?"

"we're flying quite steady so.. there's no reason for you holding onto me. please let go.." he murmurs, trying his best to sound kind enough.

"but, but! what if i fall?? you're the only one who can save me, no?" she smirks, thinking he'd let that slide.
"peiwa." he sternly says, now facing forward.

peiwa huffs, reluctantly letting go and crossing her arms.
kiri had saw all this take place, annoying her.
"there she goes again." tuk rolls her eyes, receiving an agreement from kiri.

"i don't even get why she hates us. is it just because we're teyam's sisters..?!" tuk exclaims quietly as kiri chuckles.
"yep. guess she doesn't like seeing other girls get close to him." kiri scoffs, looking away from the two pair.

"what a skxawng." tuk clicks her tongue, also looking away and focusing on what's in front of her, essentially enjoying the sun setting view.

on the other hand, lo'ak had been freaking out; making sure he looked presentable for tsireya especially after not seeing her for years.

"i think you've fixed yourself enough.." kiri comments, receiving a hiss from her brother who had blatantly ignored her and continues on with doing breathing practices to cool his heart.

"i wonder what they look like now. i mean, we all have changed." tuk says her thoughts out loud.
"seems like we're in for a surprise" kiri grins, images of what the siblings would look like. perhaps more mature looking? tsireya must be prettier than ever at the age of seventeen.

•••
1125 words
•••

couldn't sleep so here is a lil 'filler' before they meet :,)