Reciprocity

Chapter 4:

It's days before Jake has the chance to be alone with his mate. Neytiri was always skilled in stealth, meaning she could easily avoid Jake whenever she pleased.

After getting the kids to sleep, Jake knows his mat is empty. Sleeping 15 years with someone makes it nearly impossible for him to sleep alone. He doesn't even know if Neytiri has been the same either.

None of the kids have said anything. They see her every day, and while it's obvious they know something happened, no one says anything. If it wasn't for the fact Neytiri still kept a mic on her Jake would be much more distressed. As things are, he's only mildly antsy.

Tonight though, Lo'ak had come to him about Neytiri. He gave Jake a clue about where to find her. Though that being inland doesn't narrow that down much. Now Jake's got to pull out all his tracking skills and hope to Eywa, his mate will speak to him.

With her experience finding anything is nearly impossible. It takes him getting to ground level to find even a hint of her trail. Part of Jake just wants to yell out her name and hope she gives him a chance. But if he tries that, he knows she'll only cover her tracks better. So he continues his mission in silence.

Climbing up the trees where she may have gone, it's a slow process. Luckily he knows she is still on the island, her ikran sleeping on some perch near the village. It's only a matter of time before he'll eventually find her.

And in a couple of hours he hears Neytiri before he sees her. Only the quiet thump of an arrow hitting its target gives her away. Jake doesn't bother to hide. He picks up his pace, drawing closer to the sound.

Seeing Neytiri soundlessly draw her bow. He'll never tire of seeing her steady gaze focused and determined. Watching as she makes the perfect mark. Even when the bow is pointed towards him, Jake can only hum in greeting.

"You do not look well," she scoffs. "Perhaps you are ill?"

"No, just not sleeping that well lately," he starts off. "You still look as beautiful as ever."

Neytiri only raises her brow at that.

"Anyways, we should talk. I miss you."

"Yes," she hums. "I understand. Losing Neteyam has been difficult on us all. But I've spoken with the Sky People."

"You mean Max?"

"I suppose. He asked me to see you. To see Spider."

Jake tenses at the mention.

"You will not abandon that child, will you?"

"No, I said it before, but we made a mistake with him. He was never going to belong anywhere else than with us. Spider's always been a good kid."

"He saved the demon."

"You almost killed him," Jake rebuttals. "Quaritch saved him. Spider talks about their time together. His injuries, they could've been worse. It's understandable. Spider's too good to let someone he knows die."

"His heart is soft."

"Maybe."

"He cannot replace Neteyam," Neytiri whispered.

"No one can replace him. But Spider is ours. If not yours, he's at least mine."

"He will be ours, in the eyes of Eywa. I do not want him to be used against us. Sky people are weak. Their bodies are prone to wounds."

"Yeah, but he's a tough kid. We just have to protect him."

"Agreed," Neytiri sighs. "Your Max, he says you and Spider hold trauma. How can I help?"

"Well, it's something we'll just have to figure out together. Max should be contacting someone more knowledgeable."

"Let us go home."

"Yes, let's go home," Jake happily scooped up Neytiri.

And while she rolled her eyes, she made no move to get away. Shifting to get comfortable and play with Jake's hair. For the first time in days Jake slept through the night. Content to simply have his mate by his side.