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chapter sixteen. sister.
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Hushed whispers and words of endearment is what it took for Lo'ak to get Maleia to sleep that night.
Once Maleia woke up, she realised they were still on the rock- together.
He hadn't let her go.
Her head was pressed against his chest as his arms wrapped around her waist.
Lo'ak didn't want to let her go.
After seeing her in the state he did last night, it triggered his brain into realising his true feelings for Maleia. How he wanted to protect her from anyone that threatened to harm her, and be the one who holds, and soothes, her when she cries.
Yes, it broke his heart into pieces.
Hearing her loud sobs and watching as the tears trickled down her cheek.
That hurt him more than words described.
Even still, after waking up once feeling Maleia move, his chest was hurting.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
They both sat up, Maleia sitting directly in front of him, giving him the space he needed to stroke his hand through her free hair and push some out of her face.
"Better. I think," She wasn't even sure.
Knowing that she didn't return home last night will irritate her mother more.
But, Maleia didn't care.
She was hurt and saddened.
Until, she heard that familiar horn.
Her sister had returned.
Maleia stood up in an instant and looked around the blue sea.
Her eyes lightened when she saw multiple tulkun's heading towards them.
"What is it?" Lo'ak asked, worried.
Maleia chuckled before taking his hand and pulling him to the edge of the rock, "It is my sister! She has returned!"
Lo'ak couldn't help but smile at Maleia's excitement. It looked beautiful on her.
Maleia dove into the water.
Her body swam as fast as she could before finding her tulkun sister.
"Taio, it has been so long! I have missed you so much..." Taio was the name of her spirit sister, the one she could spill her feelings to without feeling judged.
Speaking with Taio was so easy.
The Tulkun listened with her full intent of wanting to be there and comfort Maleia, and reply with words of comfort.
"I have missed you, also," Taio replied before Maleia smiled brightly.
Her Tulkun was beautiful. So, so beautiful.
"And who is that?" Taio asked, referring to the darker Na'vi that floated at the surface and watched them both interact.
Maleia looked up to Lo'ak and felt a subtle blush cover her full cheeks.
"He is someone I met... From the forest! He came with his family," Maleia replied before swimming around in excitement, making Taio reply with cheerful clicks.
"A boy you like?" Taio asked.
Maleia stopped in her movements.
She looked up at Lo'ak and felt almost nervous due to his staring.
Her feelings for him were revealed last night. Not out loud, but in her heart. Remembering how much he cared for her, soothed her from her cries and to sleep.
"Maybe..." Maleia replied back.
Bubbles escaped her mouth and rose to the surface after she laughed in disbelief.
Disbelief that she could admit her emotions without the feeling of being judged.
"Bring him down!" Taio said before Maleia nodded and waved Lo'ak down to them both. It took a couple of seconds for Lo'ak to gain the courage to swim down.
He landed next to them, kicking his legs to stay under the surface with them.
Without noticing, his hand latched onto Maleia's, like it was the most natural thing to do in this whole world of Pandora.
"You do like him. You're so happy with him. I can feel it," Taio said.
Maleia nodded her head before looking at Lo'ak and offering him a smile.
It was calming for him to see that capturing smile on her face after watching her sob her huge heart out on their rock.
"Taio, you see too much," Maleia laughed before playfully rolling her eyes.
"No, little one, I don'tjust see this. I feel this. It isn'tsomething you should forget," Taio said making Maleia sigh.
Lo'ak didn't understand this conversation.
But, if he did, he would be hysterical.
It wasn't easy for him to admit his feelings. Knowing he had been keeping everything inside to make his dad happy.
