Not the End

16 - The Last Morning

A sound echoing through the cavern startles me awake. I open my eyes wide, my heart beats rapidly, forehead pressed against Neteyam's back, my arms wrapped around him lightly. The realization of where I am sets in and my body calms again. I lift my head to look around, it's still dark, the morning slowly taking over the night. I slowly let go of him, and pushing myself up onto my elbows, making sure not to wake him. He stirs a little, but doesn't make any noise.

I peek over the side of the hammock to see Lo'ak in the distance. He is sitting near the edge the cliff, throwing stones into the abyss beneath us. A frown forms on my lips, I know he is upset, but he won't admit it. I watch him for a moment as the suns fill sky, light trickles in through the gaps in the mountain. I wish we could just stay here like this and be normal kids.

I sigh and turn around to face Neteyam, he is still sleeping, my frown turns into a small smile, seeing him so peaceful makes me happy. I push his braids out of his face. He looks so much like Neytiri when his face is relaxed, he is so beautiful. I kiss his temple, wrapping my arm around him again. He pulls my hand to his heart, hugging my arm. I plant another kiss on his cheek, then his shoulder. I look back at his face, he slowly opens his eyes, turning his head towards me. I smile softly, he gazes at me, blinking his sleepy eyes. I rest my chin on his shoulder, his eyes move to the mountains, and the forest below, he takes a deep breath.

"It doesn't feel real." He says softly, my eyes follow my fingers, tracing the tanhì on his chest. He turns onto his back, reaching up to my face, his hand is warm and comforting. "I am so glad I have you Safi." He whispers, gliding his thumb across my cheekbone, I grab his wrist with my hand, holding onto him. I bite the inside of my bottom lip, doing everything I can to keep the tears back.

"You will always have me." I whisper back. I lean down and kiss his forehead again, he pulls me down to kiss his lips. 

"I love you." He says, kissing me again.

"I love you, Teyam." I say, taking his hand in mine. I sit up in the hammock, pulling his arm onto my lap, stroking it softly. I feel him looking at me as I study his stripes again, watching his spots glow, I know if I meet his gaze I will cry. We stay like this for a while, until Lo'ak walks up behind me. Neteyam sits up, rubbing his face with his free hand.

"Hey." Lo'ak's  voice comes from behind me, he sounds raspy, I turn my upper body to look at him. I give him a weak smile.

"Hey." Neteyam says, his voice low and scratchy from sleeping. Lo'ak leans his arms on the side of the hammock to the left of me, looking at his brother. Neteyam reaches up and rubs the top of Lo'ak's head playfully. "How you feeling baby bro?" He ask, forcing a small smile. Lo'ak  tilts his head down, letting out a long exhale. I put my hand on his forearm.

"Maybe it will be nice." I say, failing to sound optimistic. Neteyam chuckles. I sigh. "Nah, it will probably suck." Lo'ak grabs my hand.

"Let's go, we are losing daylight" He says, pulling on me. I climb out of the hammock, but Neteyam groans and lays back down. Lo'ak shakes the hammock slightly. "Bro, come on!" Neteyam sends him a glare, I stifle a laugh.

Neteyam swings his legs over slowly, side eyeing his brother. Lo'ak puts up his hands and starts walking to the main tent. I turn back to face Neteyam, the defeated look on his face makes my stomach drop. I step closer to him, he is still sitting in the hammock with his legs hanging over the side. I put my hands on top of his knees, he looks at them, putting his hands on top of mine.

"Come." I say gently, and he slips out of the hammock, standing in front of me. I pull him into a hug. I feel his chest start to heave as he squeezes me tightly. "Oh, Teyam." I whisper. His pain is like stones in my heart. He leans his head down onto my shoulder. I rub his back. 

"I can't believe this is happening." He whispers into my neck, I kiss his head, still rubbing his back. I feel his body tense from frustration. I push him away gently, holding onto both sides of his upper arms, he holds my forearms. 

"We need to be strong." I say shakily, a tear slipping from my left eye. He nods, moving his hands up to my shoulders, he kisses my forehead then wipes my tear away. I take his hand, and we walk together to meet the rest of the family.

>><<

Inside the hut, the air is tense, full of emotion. I've never seen Jake look so defeated. Neteyam walks over to his father, who greets him by touching his head. I walk over to Kiri who is packing something, I sense her anger in her stiff posture. "Kiri." I say softly when I am behind her. She turns and stands, I pull her into a hug. She doesn't say anything, she just holds onto me. I smooth her hair. "Can I help with anything?" I ask her gently as I pull away. She shakes her head. 

"I made you something." She turns back around and pulls something out of a bag. She turns to me again, handing me a brown woven shawl, like the colorful one she was wearing. "I made it more your style." I smile, she knows I don't like wearing bright colors.

"This is perfect, thank you." I give her another small hug, and she gives me a small smile in return, which lifts my spirits a little.

Neteyam appears at my side, "My father says you can ride with me." He says softly, I nod and hold his arm.

 Neytiri enters carrying a very sleepy Tuk. Jake walks up to them, wrapping his arms around them both, kissing Tuk's head. After a moment he lets go of them, and stands in front of everyone.

"We will load our things on the ikran, and fly to the Soul Tree for the ceremony. We will leave from there to Awa'atlu. We will ask uturu. Tonowari is the Olo'ektan there, his wife Ronal is Tsahik. They are reef people. If they accept, we will have to learn their ways and live like them." Jake announces, looking around at everyone. "I know none of you want to leave." He says, "But we don't have any other choice."

>><<

AN: A shorter chap, I will probs post another later today. 

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