Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

042, Missing.

♯┆calm before the storm  .ᐟ
━━━━━━━━━━

"Mom! Mom!" The evening was supposed to be relaxing. A time to wind down. However, when Kiri frantically ran into the entrance of their pod, Malhua sobbing hysterically within her arms, Denahi knew this evening would not be settled. "What is it? What has happened?" Denahi questioned her children, Neteyam walking in close behind Kiri and Malhua.

Her mind starting to fill with the worse. Had Malhua been hurt? Is that the reason for her screaming and sobbing. Did something happen to her other children? "Mom... It is Lo'ak..." And those words scared her.

A sinking feeling within her stomach. A heavy motion within her chest. "He is missing," And those words didn't help the situation. Denahi felt her chest getting tight, her breathing becoming ragged. Her son? What has happened to her son?

She didn't waste time. Instead, Denahi ran out the pod and towards the standing Metkayina's. Through the crowd, Denahi found Jake. "Where is he? Is he okay?" She asked with a strained throat, frightened tears whelming within her eyes.

There had been no explanation. Nothing on the situation. All Denahi knew was that something had happened to her son and no one could figure out what. It was her worst nightmare come true. Jake reached out to Denahi and pulled her into his arms, comforting his scared mate.

"The boy has returned!"

Denahi hadn't heard sweeter words. She gasped when Lo'ak stepped on the foundation, a few scratches across her azure flesh but nothing serious. Denahi pushed Jake away and ran towards her son, "Ma'Itan... Oh, my son." Her hands were quick to pull him to her chest, smothering him in hugs and kisses. Even the thought of something happening to him— she couldn't imagine anything of the sort.

"Let's have a look at you," Jake announced before looking at his Lo'ak's flesh, "He's fine. He's fine!" Denahi hissed at Jake's announcement. He wasn't fine. Their son had been missing for hours— how could he be fine? "My son should know better than to take him outside the reef," Tonowari explained before pushing Ao'nung down to the ground. A sign of respect to Lo'ak.

Jake nodded his head in agreement before Lo'ak shook his. He wasn't going to let Ao'nung get the blame, "No. This is not Ao'nung's fault. This was my idea, Ao'nung tried to talk me out of it." Denahi looked down at her son with a softened expression, knowing that Lo'ak was telling lies.

And when they began to walk away, Denahi stepped in front of her son, "You did not have to lie." Lo'ak dropped his ears. Forgetting that his mom could read him like a book. He shrugged his shoulders, "It was not a lie."

Denahi was confused. What could he gain from lying about this situation? "Dad, you told me to make friends with these kids. That is all I was—" Lo'ak began to speak but Jake held his hand out to interrupt him, "I don't wanna hear it. You brought shame to this family." Denahi snapped her head at him.

Because she would not allow that.

"Jake!" Her voice was a hiss. Loud and clear. He hadn't realised what he said. Too ridiculed from his own anger to comprehend his words towards his son. "Can I go now?" Lo'ak asked after taking in that cruel sentence. He knew he was a disappointment. Mischievous. But, what he hadn't expected was his own father to admit it.

"Any more trouble, I jerk a knot in your tail. You read me?" Jake asked him. Lo'ak nodded his head, "Yes, sir. Lima Charlie."

This was not a squad. It was not the military. What was with the military talk that Denahi could barely understand? She wanted to follow Lo'ak, but decided to give him some time to cool down. "What happened to keeping an eye on your brother, hm?" Jake then turned his attention to Neteyam. Only infuriating Denahi more than before.

"I'm sorry, sir..." Neteyam apologised like this was all his fault— again. Before anything else could be mentioned, Denahi grabbed Jake's arm and pulled him away. Their pod was empty, their children seeking Lo'ak to offer him comfort and security.

Her back was turned to him. And when Denahi turned around, Jake knew he was in trouble. He knew what he said was wrong and the look on Denahi's face proved that.

"I will not have to tell you again!" She exclaimed before crossing her arms over her chest, "They are our children, Jake! You have to treat them like so. Telling Lo'ak he brought shame to us, blaming Neteyam for Lo'ak going missing. It was not even Lo'ak's fault, how could it have been Neteyam's?"

Their son had not brought shame. Instead of announcing that, Jake needed to be more mindful. Their son had brought nothing but happiness. Yes, stress at times, but what child does not cause stress? "I'm sorry. I told them specific orders and they directly disobey them," Jake responded without care.

Denahi blew air out of her nose in a huff, "You are not listening! You do not listen to them. You do not understand! Learn to read them, they will appreciate it."