Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

058, Recover.

♯┆calm before the storm .ᐟ
━━━━━━━━━━

     Later that night, Denahi couldn't sleep. Her mind was full of anguish— reciting Lo'ak and his expressions. Her son sobbing, pushing his father away after being blamed for the death of his brother. "Spider..." Denahi poked at the boys side, attempting to wake him up from the hammock, "Where is Lo'ak and Kiri? They have not returned." Spider and Kiri were inseparable. It was odd to find them apart from each other.

Spider mumbled incoherent words which Denahi couldn't unscramble. "Momma?" The sweet voice of Malhua could be heard. Denahi straightened her back, realising she had woke the little one. Malhua rubbed her eyes and yawned, "What is happening?"

Denahi crawled towards her daughter, "Nothing, my little one. Go back to sleep." But, Denahi couldn't sleep. Not when neither her son nor daughter had returned.

She exited the marui, shouting out her children names, "Lo'ak! Kiri!" That was when she noticed Ronal had been doing the same. Tsireya hadn't returned home either. The two awkwardly acknowledged each other.

"Where is my daughter?" Ronal asked Denahi. Her shoulder shrugged, "I am asking the same." The two woman joined in on searching together. Shouting for their daughters and son.

"I have been meaning to ask, now that we are in private, what has happened to your son?" Both knew Ronal wasn't talking about Neteyam. Denahi reached her hand down to her stomach and sighed. Her son once rested within her stomach— now, he rested with Omatikaya people and Neytiri watching over him. Protecting him during this war.

"He is with a friend back in the forest. Healthy and strong," Denahi announced as Ronal nodded her head. She couldn't imagine having to leave her daughter. "A war is nothing to rise a child within. Kìlan is safe within the forest," Denahi finished.

Ronal reached her hand out and touched Denahi's shoulder, "Kìlan is a beautiful name. He will be strong." Denahi smiled at Ronal and her sweet words. It was killing her not to hold her son. To hear him cry. Perhaps, will never get to see his first steps nor his first words. But his safety mattered and that is what came first.

"Lo'ak!" Denahi shouted out to her son, realising all three of them walking back into the village of Awa'atlu. Ronal lunged forwards and held her arms around Tsireya, worried for her youngest child.

Ronal took Tsireya back to their marui, leaving Denahi, Kiri and Lo'ak some time to speak alone. "I am tired..." Kiri mentioned before heading towards their marui.

Lo'ak looked up at Denahi. She noticed the dried tears across his cheeks. "Oh, Lo'ak..." She whispered, pulling him into her chest with the one working arm. Lo'ak didn't push her back, he held his arms around his mother's comforting touch.

He didn't receive much attention from his father. Lo'ak knew that. But, Denahi, he would always have her soothing touches and comforting whispers.

"I do not know what has happened out there. I do not wish to ask. If you are not comfortable enough to tell me," Denahi pulled back from him and tilted his chin up to look at her, "But I am here for you, Lo'ak. You know that I am. I always will be."

Lo'ak wiped his running nose on his arm before sniffling a few times. "I wanted to end it, mom. All this pain and suffering," Lo'ak explained as Denahi twisted her ears down.

She brought him in for another hug. He had lost his home, his Ikran, his brothers. Something Jake seemed to forget was that Lo'ak was losing so much also. And for a fourteen-year-old. A child so young, wanting to end his life, it was indescribable.

"You have a path, Lo'ak. I know that it has not been the best. But, you will overcome this pain and suffering. You will be strong. Payakan is still out there. Everything your father said was wrong. He was wrong. Nothing was your fault," Denahi brushed a stray braid from out of his eyes.

She remembered that he had given Neteyam his hair tie, meaning his hair hung free. "I am glad that you have Tsireya..." Denahi mentioned, remembering that Tsireya and Kiri had been out there to help him.

"You feel like this again, and you come to talk to me. Okay? I will listen, Lo'ak," Denahi reminded him. Lo'ak had always had his mother— no matter the situation. She had been there to defend him multiple times.

"I will, mom. I promise," Lo'ak responded before he flashed his mom a smile. Denahi let out a free chuckle, holding her son close.

"Come. You have to rest now, Ma'Itan," Denahi said, her arm remained behind his back as she guided him back the marui. Without objections, Lo'ak allowed Denahi to tuck him into his hammock. To kiss his forehead and wish him good night.

And when his soft snores filled the surroundings, Denahi didn't leave his side. She remained sat on the floor beside him, thumb stroking his arm. Humming his songcord, feeling his warmth and beating heart. For the first time in multiple days, Denahi had slept throughout the night.