Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

008, Flying.

♯┆calm before the storm .ᐟ
━━━━━━━━━━

     This tree was often visited by the Na'vi. A place where the Ikran rested after a long journey of flying with their owners. Also the place Riti had rested for weeks now. Denahi clicked for Riti to come down to her, revealing her purple and green colours after flying through the tree branches. "Mawey, Riti. Calm, calm," Denahi soothed.

Jake laughter was full of one in disbelief. He couldn't believe how large and colourful Ikran's were. "Do not look in her eyes. She will see it as a threat," Denahi warned Jake before he looked down at the ground, not wanting to be attacked by the large bird.

"Her name is Riti. She is my Ikran..." Denahi told Jake before climbing atop Riti. "Ikran?" Jake asked, not knowing what an Ikran is.

"Ikran are loyal animals. Once you bond, they will only fly with one rider..." Denahi mentioned before Riti leaned her head down to Jake, "Oh. You can pet her nose."

He reluctantly walked over to Riti, his hand held out before touching her long nose. "There, there, Riti," Denahi calmed Riti. Though Riti can be protective over Denahi, she seemed to take a liking to Jake.

"When do I get one?" Jake questioned as he laughed at Riti. His palm continued to smooth down her rough skin. "When I think you are ready," Denahi told him before placing her windbreaker over her eyes and Riti spread out her wings, flying over the edge of the tree branch.

The strong wind blew through Denahi's hair, a loud laugh of excitement escaped her throat as she flew through the wind. Although Denahi loved being on the grounds of Pandora, the views from above are just as breathtaking and admirable. She could see everything. Everything that the large trees would allow to show through holes. But she couldn't fly for long— Jake would soon turn himself into a liability after a while.

"Do you want to come with me?" Denahi said as she landed back on the tree. "Is that even a question?" Jake replied as he nodded his head eagerly. Denahi moved forwards and cleared some space for him to sit behind her.

"Hold onto me... She is strong," Denahi warned. Jake looked down at her waist and decided on where he could appropriately place his hands. His rough palms reached her skin, Denahi feeling the warmth of his hands.

This touch felt different to all she had felt before. Like his hand belonged there. Belonged touching her flesh. "Fly!" Denahi shouted to Riti and they end up in the air.

Jake's hands latched tighter onto her skin, one hand moving to hold onto her stomach. It was a simple touch— one so Jake wouldn't lose his balance on the Ikran. But, it felt so much more than that. Why did it have to?

And it was all going nonchalant until Riti spoke to Denahi through the bond, "I can feel how you feel, Nahi."

Denahi's eyes rolled knowing that Riti could feel the butterflies erupting within her stomach. How Jake's hand felt so warm, so right, whilst his thumb stroked her skin.

"Holy shit!" Jake exclaimed in the air which caused Denahi to laugh at his reaction. Happiness was not hard to find. But this amount of laughter she had with him seemed like a case needing to be studied.

Although the wind blurred his vision, Jake couldn't help but admire his surroundings. And, especially admired her.

The way her stomach fell flat beneath his stomach, or how soft her skin was compared to the rough callouses on his hands. How she seemingly melted into his touch. Denahi's head rested against his chest, back against his stomach. Melting into him. "It is very strong..." The wind. She was referring to the wind, right?