you cuss Jake out
__________
"How many times do I have to tell you that you're not ready!? Do you want to get yourself killed!?"
"But... Dad, I got it! It was a clean kill! Just look-"
"You never listen, what do I have to do to get it into your thick skull!?"
"HEY!"
Lo'ak had came back from hunting, with his kill dragging behind him. He went to show his Dad and Mom, excited that he got such a big one with such a clean kill. His mom smiled at him, proud. But his father? Not so much.
That's when you walked in. You were pissed. You were the first one he showed and you could tell how proud he was of it. You were proud of him.
"What's the problem?"
"Not now, kid."
Your brows raise threateningly at his blunt statement, head tilting.
"Excuse me?"
"Baby, it's fine,"
Lo'ak mumbled, ears down and eyes exhausted. He was tired of being yelled at instead of getting the love he wanted. And that pissed you off.
"What's your problem, Sully? Your son shows you something he did, on his own by the way, and you yell at him for it?"
"He wasn't supposed to even be gone."
"We understand that, but he comes back with a clean kill with no injuries and you yell at his success."
"He wasn't supposed to be GONE!"
"How many times are you going to repeat yourself? We know that, I know you were worried. But instead of yelling at him how about you communicate with him for fucks sake!?"
"Excuse me?"
Jake stepped towards you. You would have done the same if Lo'ak wasn't holding into you like you were his lifeline. His hands firm on your arm but fidgety. He was scared. He tugged at your arm, ears down, eyes watering and tail flicking nervously.
"Sweetheart, it's fine."
"No, it's not!"
You turn to his father, teeth baring threateningly.
"We know he can be reckless, that he sometimes acts without thinking, but he tries. He tries to be like you, to live up to your image and all you do is yell at him for it."
"He needs to understand that-"
"He does! With how much you yell at him, he knows what he does is dangerous! That it could get him hurt! But he still does it because he wants your approval!"
By now, Neteyam, Kiri, Tuk, and Neytiri are watching the argument.
"Your son's aren't perfect, they aren't going to listen to you all the time! No child is going to!"
"I never said that they had to be perfect, kid,"
"Oh really!?"
Lo'ak tugs at you again in warning. You gently remove your arm from his anxious grip and point at your brother.
"Neteyam is always stressed and burnt out! Because he's the eldest, he's the one that has to look after the family! To be the future leader of the clan! One of them make a mistake and he gets blamed!"
Neteyam avoids his father's questioning stare. You then to Kiri.
"Kiri never wants to be around you because all you do is find something to yell about! She always with Mo'at or alone because she can't stand the damn chaos you create!"
Again, she avoids his gaze.
"Lo'ak tries to live up to your name, your image. He tries to be like you. Strong, brave. And you're fucking breaking him! You think calling him a screwup and a disappointment doesn't effect him!? Are you fucking dumb!"
Lo'ak ignores his father's gaze, staring at you.
"And Tuk sees it all. You know what she asked me today? Hm?"
Jake says nothing, eyes watering.
"She asked if you loved them anymore."
Neytiri looks at the youngest who was hugging her waist, covering her mouth mournfully.
Jake closes his eyes, his head and ears drooping.
"I understand that you worry. What parent wouldn't? But you treat these boys like soldiers, expecting them to be okay with it. They are afraid of talking to you!"
You voice becomes gentle, seeing the girls eyes water.
"Communicate. Tell them how you feel. Because if you keep doing what you're doing, you won't have this family anymore."
You take a deep breath, calming down.
"Talk."
You go to walk out.
"Yawne,"
Lo'ak cries out, reaching out for you. He was about to fall apart. You take his hand and caresses his face.
"Talk,"
"No,"
He was afraid. His grips your arms desperately. He shakes his head, his eyes already red as he started to cry.
"Don't leave me, please,"
You kiss his tears away, smiling.
"I'll be here when you're done. Someone has to make sure your kill doesn't go bad."
He hugs you tight, hiding. His face in your neck as he began to tremble.
"My sweet boy, you'll be okay,"
You hug him back, rubbing his back as you stare at Jake from over his shoulder. Neteyam, who started crying seeing his brother break, caresses his back too.
"Lo'ak, you aren't alone. We'll be alright, brother. It's okay."
"You don't have to be afraid, Lo. We promise."
Tuk suddenly pops up, hugging his legs.
"It's okay, Lo'ak. I can give you my plushie! It helps me when I'm scared!"
Kiri walked over, saying nothing, placing her head on the back of the neck. She places a hand on his back as well.
"We're all here, brother. It's okay,"
He finally reveals his face, looking at his siblings. Neytiri caresses his head when he does.
"My baby,"
You pull away slowly as his family holds him up.
It will be okay.
