Ocean Skies - Loreya

A Thousand Voices

Lo'ak loves Payakan with all his heart. He feels like he can tell the tulkun anything without any judgement. 

So he does just that.

He's sitting on Payakan's fin, the tulkun floating comfortably in the water. He can sense that Lo'ak is restless — he's been restless a lot lately. He chirps in question to which Lo'ak smiles so bright it hurts his cheeks — because someone understands him. And he doesn't even have to talk.

He talks and signs at the same time, though he knows Payakan can hear him. 

"I'm okay, bro," he says, willing his voice to be strong. 

Payakan blinks slowly before letting out a deep coo.

Lo'ak sighs, letting his shoulders fall. "You got me. It's okay though, I'll be fine. I'm just a little nervous. I think my brother is in love but he's keeping it a secret. I'm scared he'll hurt himself."

Payakan squints, his secondary eyelids flicking over his eyes as the water laps at his skin. He whines quietly. 

Lo'ak lowers his voice and leans closer. "It's because he likes boys. And I know which one. But I can't tell you. I promised I wouldn't tell anyone."

Payakan chirps in understanding and lowers himself under the water, along with Lo'ak. Reluctantly, Lo'ak grasps his fin and lets himself be dragged around as Payakan twirls gently. He's trying to cheer him up with game — he also knows Lo'ak is hiding something still. He won't pry, Lo'ak will tell him when he's ready.

They swim around and Lo'ak slowly starts to feel better — until he realises all of his freckles are glowing and night had fallen. He bids Payakan goodbye, hurriedly swimming the rest of the way to shore.

His heart is pounding because he knows he will get in trouble for this as he always does, but never learns because, as always, he doesn't notice it's late.

His father is waiting for him by the entrance of the marui, arms crossed and brows furrowed. 

Lo'ak feels anxiety tingle through his stomach and chest but he tries to act like nothing is wrong. Maybe of he apologises before Jake can start lecturing him, he will be fine. It's worked once or twice before.

"Hey, dad, I—"

Jake scowls. "Save it."

Lo'ak's mouth falls open in shock. 

"I don't care about your excuses. Get inside."

Lo'ak bites his lip when Jake grabs him by the upper arm and yanks him inside roughly. His siblings are there, even Neteyam. Lo'ak notes that he has hidden the shell somewhere because he cannot see it anywhere. He never knew his big brother kept such important secrets, but it makes him feel more relatable, a bit more like am actual brother and less like a perfect soldier. 

Neytiri is by his side in an instant, she grabs onto his other arm. "Where were you?" 

Lo'ak's ears flatten. "I was with Payakan."

Kiri and Tuk are chatting quietly, trying to keep from listening in. Neteyam is openly staring, his knee bouncing nervously as he watches them.

Neytiri lets out a hiss of frustration. "At night? Why not do it during the day, when you will be safe?"

"I have to do my chores, mom–" Lo'ak protests weakly. "I don't have time to see him then."

Jake Sully is not impressed. "People always have time to do what they truly want to do."

Neteyam purses his lips and shares a look with Lo'ak. Reluctantly, Lo'ak allows himself to lose this fight. He feels like crying, but he doesn't. He holds it in and bows his head.