𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐤𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐢𝐞 ⛤ 𝐥𝐨'𝐚𝐤 𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲

closer

chapter 13

present day (na'teyas pov)

i woke up halfway through my sleep from the movement under me. i jolted up and saw lo'ak trying to move away from under me. i quickly jumped off my mattress to the other side of my marui, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. "shit, lo'ak, sorry. i forgot you were there."

lo'ak didn't say anything but moved closer to me, placing his hand under my chin and tilting my head up to look at him. our lips were practically touching, and i could feel his breath on my face. "i'm really sorry, na'teya, for everything. i was going to say it before, but you fell asleep," he gulped, his eyes searching mine.

"it's fine, lo'ak," i replied, my voice barely audible. his nearness made my heart race, and i wondered if it was weird that i wanted to kiss him after we had just made up.

i pulled away, trying to clear my head. "you don't have to stay anymore, lo'ak. i just need some time by myself. go get ready for the ceremony."

"but—" lo'ak began to protest.

"go," i insisted.

lo'ak nodded and slowly pulled himself away from me. he walked out of the marui and toward the beach. just as i thought i finally had some time alone, jake walked in.

"hey, kiddo, how's it going?" jake asked, trying to start a conversation.

"it's good," i responded, my thoughts still on the conversation with lo'ak.

"how are you liking the ocean?" he asked, attempting to keep the conversation light.

"it's beautiful, but it's nothing compared to the forest. i wish i brought zuri so i could go back," i said, my voice tinged with longing.

"you want to go back?" jake asked, confusion in his eyes.

i shrugged, feeling torn. "i don't know what i want. i've got nothing here. at least in the forest, i had zuri."

jake nodded thoughtfully. "well, if you ever want to go back, neytiri could take you after the sky people go away."

my eyes lit up with hope. "you guys would do that for me?"

jake leaned against a support post, a rare hint of warmth in his eyes. "yeah, kid, we see you as family. neytiri and i, we both do."

a small, genuine smile played on my lips. "thanks, jake. that means a lot."

jake opened his arms, signaling for a hug. i eagerly ran into the embrace, taking advantage of this rare moment of affection. "thank you so much, jake," i said, my voice filled with sincerity.

"sure thing. now," he said, straightening up, "why don't you go join the others? i think the kids are training down by the beach."

taking his advice, i left the marui, my heart lighter than it had been in a long while.

jake's words hung in the air, sinking into my heart like roots seeking soil. for the first time in what felt like forever, someone saw me, welcomed me into their circle. the idea of being part of a family again, even if it wasn't my own blood, felt like a lifeline thrown to a drowning soul. a mix of emotions swirled within me—gratitude, relief, and a subtle warmth that i hadn't felt in years.

i nodded and hurried out of the marui, trying to ignore the pain in my leg. as i approached the others in the distance, i couldn't help but notice lo'ak and tsireya holding each other's hands. i swallowed my feelings and took a seat between ao'nung and neteyam. i refused to look at lo'ak, the memory of our near-kiss still fresh in my mind. we had been inches away from each other's lips, and it was all too much to think about.