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So’lek felt her before he saw her. The way the winds shifted, as if parting for her, making space in his home for her. He stood up from his reflection mat, making his way out to see The Sarentu, probably for the fourth time this week. He watched as she dismounted her ikran, albeit she was a bit dusty, probably from taking down another RDA base.
“Hiding away again, ma So’lek?” she said, in that teasing lilt of hers.
He paused, considering the question, was he?
He shook it off, waving away the question, looking anywhere but in her eyes, “Another base?” he asked, redirecting the conversation to anywhere but himself.
She sensed the tone shift. Saw the way he had hesitated, saw everything.
“Another drilling operation” she replied, eyes shifting to the horizon, “They never stop, do they?” she said, a muscle in her jaw twitching.
So’lek looked towards her, saw the expression on her face, the shift in her body language. She needed a distraction, something to take her mind off the sky people trying to take away their home.
“Priya told me of a base about a day's ride from here, big one, we would need to pack supplies,” he said. The ride would calm her. Taking down the base would bring a smile to her face. He knew her, sometimes he thought he knew her better than she knew herself.
She nodded, “I need to stop by the resistance.” she said, “SIDS acting up and Teylan promised he would take a look at it.”
“I do not know why you have use for those sky people devices” he said, with a shake of his head.
“Oh come on, its helped us take down bases” she replied easily, a slow smile making its way onto her face.
“I have lived many eclipses without one.” he said, not letting the entertainment show on his face.
“You have lived many eclipses without me, and you still need me.” she shot back, in a fact of the matter way.
He stopped. Those words echoing in his head. You still need me. It was true. He did.
He had lived a life before they met, but now, he couldn’t imagine a world without her in it.
*
The wind whistled as they flew through the skies of Pandora, the forest glowing in bioluminescence under them. So’lek gently stroked Ìley’s neck, he knew they would have to land soon, he could feel his ikran’s tiredness through the bond. He chirped to get the sarentu’s attention, watching as she slowed down so they were flying side by side.
“Ìley is tired, we should find camp for the night.” he said, scanning the forest below them for a camp or a tree they could sleep in for the night.
She nodded, looking down as she chirped, “There is a camp by the river.” she said as he followed her gaze down to the little Aranahe camp, he gave a nod and mentally instructed Ìley to dive.
The camp was empty.
So’lek took ìley’s riding gear off, setting it next to the little hut. He took two meals out of his supplies bag, walking down to where the sarentu was sitting by the river. He gently held one out to her.
“Irayo, ma So’lek.” she said as she took the meal gratefully, holding the little leaf wrapped pack in her hands before she spoke, “Is it not unusual for this camp to be empty?” she asked. It was one that hunters would use when they were far from the hometree.
“Maybe the hunt is not good around these parts.” So’lek replied as he sat down next to her, wrapping his meal and taking a bite of it, eyes out on the flowing river.
She copied him, chewing the food.
They ate the rest of their meal in silence.
*
They had made their way back to the camp, she was unseathing her weapons, laying them down next to where she was going to sleep tonight, her eyes drifting over to So’lek as he laid down.
“It can’t be comfortable to sleep with all those blades.” she said, eyes drifting over his body. A warrior's body. Shaped and scarred by battle, yet so strong and immovable.
“Comfort is not on my mind if we were to be attacked in the middle of the night.” he said, his eyes sliding shut.
She felt her eyebrow raise, “Come on, tsamsiyu” she exclaimed with a snort, “there is no way you actually sleep like that. He cracked an eye open, “watch me.” he said before closing his eye again.
She shook her head, a smile on her lips as she settled in and closed her eyes as well.
*
A few hours passed before So’lek woke up due to the shivering of the sarentu. The campfire had gone out in the night due to the storm, and she was wet, and cold.
His lips drew into a tight line as he watched her, this would not do. There was no way to start the fire again due to the storm, there was only one solution. Body heat.
He stood up, crouching down in front of her as he gently shook her awake, “Sarentu” he said, voice deep and thick with sleep.
Her eyes peeled open as she looked up at him confused, she looked beautiful like this, bathed in the light of the stars. He felt his cheeks heat up at his own thoughts, the tips of his ear turning violet as he shook off the thoughts that he should definitely not be having about her.
“You are cold, we must share heat.” he said, it was methodical. Just sharing heat. So she didn't freeze. That's it. Nothing more.
She blinked, the sleep still dripping off her as she let out a small sound of protest at the thought of moving from where she was right now, but he would not proceed unless she agreed.
“Sarentu, say you understand.” he said.
There was a quiet, mumbled mhm. That was not enough.
“Use your words, ma tanhì.” the name slipped out before he could stop it. He felt like he was just digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole.
Luckily, either she did not notice or she was too sleepy to care as she nodded, “Yea yea, share heat” she mumbled. He nodded at her words as he laid down behind her carefully, his touches just as methodical as his words. He gently brought his arm up to wrap around her, they would need to be close to be able to share any heat. As soon as his arm settled, she moved. Not away. But closer. Their bodies touched everywhere, it was like she was glued to him, and her shivering stopped.
*
She woke up to the early light, the sleepiness wearing off as she realised there was an arm around her waist, not only that but she had her head on something warm. So’lek. The hazy sleepy memories came back to her, the coldness, then his words. Did he actually call her tahnì or was that a dream? And then the warmth, his strong arms around her, holding her like she belonged there.
She should move. Untangle herself before he wakes to avoid any awkward conversation. But she didn’t want to. She stayed there until he stirred her cheek resting against his chest, a finger tracing the lines of his chest guard, while her leg was lazily thrown over his lap.
She heard his breathing change, as she looked up at him, seeing those yellow-green eyes open and stare into hers.
“Hi.” she said quietly, afraid that too much noise would ruin the moment. Was there a moment?
He didn’t say anything for a while, just staring at her before his jaw clenched, “We should-” he looked up, breaking the eye contact, “The base.” he said.
She inhaled sharply and nodded, “right. The base.” she said, slowly untangling herself from him, stretching a bit as she sat up.
*
So’lek watched her stretch, not making any moves to stand up before she did, he watched as the the long lines of her back shifted and stretched with each of her movements. He tried not to think about how natural it felt to have her there, in his arms. How it felt like they fit together perfectly, how he had woken up to her still there, not on the other side. She had stayed. Like she had enjoyed it.
He watched her stand up and put all her weapons back in their slots, checking her arrows. He got up next, doing a mental count that all his blades were still in place.
They worked quietly the rest of the morning, and fell into their normal routine that they had when they would take bases down.
They arrived at the base and worked like a well-oiled machine, she would do the up high sneaking, while he watched her back and took down any of the bigger targets that were in her way. The base went down easily.
They were on their way back when the storm from last night seemed to come back angrily, there was no way to fly through it on ikran.
“We have to land!” he heard her say over the roar of the thunder, he gave her a swift nod and followed her until they found a cave on the side of one of the floating mountains.
Once landed, they dismounted and stared out at the rain, “We will have to wait it out.” he said, turning to face her, she was wet again. Like last night. He shook the image of her so close to him out of his mind. Not the time.
*
Waiting it out turned out to be longer than expected, she was sitting close to the opening of the cave, it was starting to get dark and the rain wasn’t letting up, and neither was the thunderstorm.
“We will have to make camp” she heard So’lek say behind her, she stood up and turned to him, “do we have supplies?” she asked, she had only packed enough for one night since they were expecting to return today.
He gave a nod, “I brought extra.” he said
She smiled. “Of course you did,” she said.
They sat further in the cave, eating their dinners, there was a comfortable silence, until she broke it.
“Did you call me tanhì last night?” she asked, taking the last bite of her food.
So’lek was mid swallow when she asked, he paused and choked, coughing a bit before clearing his throat, “What?” he said, ear tips already turning violet.
“Last night, I swear I heard you call me tanhì.” she said, setting the leaf wrap down on the stone.
“I…might have” he said, “I do not….I apologise if it made you uncomfortable.” he said.
She shook her head quickly, “No, I did not mind it…I do not mind it.” she said, “It is sweet.” she said.
So’lek paused, surprised by her answer. He should have left it at that, should have just let it go. But he didn’t, of course he didn’t.
“Would you like me to do it again?” he asked
She looked up at him, meeting his eyes for the first time since they had sat down to eat, “It…It would please me, yes” she said.
He nodded, “as you wish, ma tanhì.”
The words rolled off his tongue in a way that should be absolutely illegal, it felt too natural for him to call her that. She had always called him out for calling her Sarentu instead of her name, but she didn’t mind when he called her tahnì.
She was lost in her thoughts when he said something, she blinked and tilted her head, “hm?” She said.
So’lek almost had a look of amusement on his face at her reaction, “I was saying that we will have to share heat again, I can imagine it will get quite cold in here” he said, “If you do not mind.”
She shook her head, “yea…that makes sense” she said.
*
Dangerous. That’s what this was. So’lek should’ve called Ìley in to help the Sarentu stay warm, not this again. It was starting to feel like indulgence more than practicality.
They lay on the ground, just next to each other, both waiting for the other one to do something.
“you will have to move closer to stay warm” he said, turning his head towards her, admiring her side profile.
“Yea…I know that” she said, she swallowed thickly before shifting, turning on her side and laying like she had this morning.
So’lek slowly let his eyes close as she settled against his chest.
Or so he thought.
He felt her shifting still.
“What is wrong?” He asked, eyes closed still.
“It’s nothing” she mumbled, letting out a little puff of air.
“Sarentu.” He insisted.
“Okay, fine, it’s…Your chest guard” she said, “it’s uncomfortable to lay on” she said.
He opened his eyes at that, looking down at her and then at his chest guard.
“Then I will take it off.” He said simply, reaching for the straps.
Her eyes went as wide as Naranawm, “So’lek, you do not have to” she protested.
He shook his head, pulling it over his head and setting it down next to them before laying back down.
“it is done.” He said and looked at her.
She hesitated a bit before settling back down, she laid her head on his chest, immediately melting into it now.
“Is that better?” He asked quietly.
“Srane, Irayo, ma So’lek” she replied softly.
“It is no problem, ma tahnì.” He said before his eyes slid shut.
*
A few weeks had passed since those two nights.
She had been coming to his camp as usual, but more often than not, he was not there, so she stopped coming so often. Maybe he was busy? Or maybe her timing was just bad…or maybe he didn’t want to see her.
Tonight, the Zeswa were hosting a celebration, a new Zakru calf had been born, so they planned a huge party with zangke and dance fighting.
She hadn’t originally planned on going, not really in the mood for it, but Ri’nela had insisted, and Teylan really wanted to go see the new Zakru baby, so she had given in.
She had drunk a fair bit of zangke when Itu showed up, a bright smile on his face.
“Enjoying the festivities?” He asked kindly.
She nodded, taking another sip of zangke, grimacing a bit at the taste, “They sure know how to throw a party” she said as she watched some dance fighting happen nearby.
Itu nodded, “I haven’t really seen you around hometree” he started, “You been too busy saving the world, tsamsiyutsyìp?” He asked.
She let out a small laugh, “I suppose, there’s always another base to take down” she said.
*
So’lek was there. Had been invited by Nesim.
He was watching.
She was laughing. With him. With Itu.
He liked Itu, Itu was funny, he was nice, polite, and a great warrior. But he didn’t like Itu with her. He wasn’t sure why. They were not mates. They were just friends.
So why was he about to crush the zangke cup in his hand?
She laughed again. He decided that was enough, he couldn’t do it anymore. He walked over to them. He wasn’t sure what his plan was when he arrived, or what he would say. But he knew that he wanted to get her away from Itu.
They were mid conversation when he arrived, he didn’t try to hide the distaste on his face when they saw him, maybe they would just think he was being his normal grumpy self.
She saw him first, and he saw something flash across her face.
“Itu, I think Minang was asking for you” he said gruffly. Anything to get him away from his Sarentu.
Itu nodded, “Sure thing, hayalovay” he said before leaving.
So’lek felt like he could finally breathe again. That was until the sarentu started talking.
“What was that, So’lek?” she asked, “You’ve been avoiding me for weeks, and now you do that?” She could see right through him, he forgot that she knew him as well as he knew her.
“I do not know what you mean.” he said, looking down at the zangke in his hand.
“You don’t know what I mean?” her voice was filled with disbelief, “I’ve come to visit you almost everyday, and you’re never at your camp, or you find an excuse to leave right as I get there, I don’t know if I’ve done something wrong or what is going on.”
He listened to her words, letting them sink in as he let out a breath, “it is not your fault, sarentu.” he said, shaking his head.
“Then what is it?” her voice was almost pleading and it was breaking his heart.
“It is…” he didn’t know how to phrase the words, “I have had to choose between my revenge and my heart in the past” he started, choosing his words carefully, “I thought it was the right choice at the time, the need to avenge my clan and my brother…it filled my heart with hate, and I never thought I would feel anything else again, then I met her” he paused, the memory of the woman from the Tipani clan, “she made me make a choice, and I didn’t choose her in the end…I do not want to make that mistake again.” His eyes were soft when they met hers, the honesty thick in the air. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting to find in her face, maybe she’d laugh it off, or pretend like she didn’t understand.
He wasn’t expecting for her hands to come up and cup his face, he wasn’t expecting the gentle and almost loving look in her eyes.
“Ma So’lek…” she said gently as she traced the scar on his cheek with her thumb, “You do not have to choose, I will not hold you back from getting your revenge, I will wait for you, as long as you need.” she said. The sounds of the party settled into the background as the weight of her words sat in the depths of his soul, he let his eyes slide shut as he leaned into her touch, letting it ground him.
“You do not deserve that, ma tahnì.” he said, his words shaky as he brought his hand up to cover hers, “You deserve to be courted properly, to be given gifts,” he opened his eyes and stared into hers again, “I will not put you second to anything in my life…let me show you, ma yawntu.”
To his relief, she nodded, a soft smile making a way onto her lips.
*
The following weeks were filled with soft touches, ikran rides, and courting gifts being placed in her hands.
Most of their evenings would end in them cuddling under the stars with So’lek teaching her about the different constellations and star names. They never went further than that, no matter how much she had claimed that she was ready, he had told her that he wanted to be mated first, told her that they should wait until “they were mated before Eywa.”
Tonight, they had landed on one of the rocks in the boundless range, it was eclipse so everything was glowing.
She was laughing as she dismounted from her ikran, walking through the grass before finding a little clearing where they could see the stars.
“It is beautiful tonight” she said, looking up at the stars with wide eyes.
“Mhm, it is.” he replied, though his eyes were focused on her, not the stars. She was wearing the necklace he had made for her, it did something to him, seeing her in things that he made. He walked over to her, gently wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her against him as she studied the sky, the closeness had always felt natural, like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together.
She shifted in his arms, twisting until she was face to face with him, her hands resting on his biceps as she tilted her head. He brought one of his hands up to trace the line of her jaw, it was soft, gentle. The space between them decreased until they ended up with their foreheads touching, sharing a breath.
“Ma So’lek” she breathed softly, his reply was a soft grunt as he moved closer until there was no more space between them. Their lips connected and it felt electric, it felt correct. His lips were soft in contrast to the rest of his rough edges, never pushing or demanding but she could feel the hunger simmering beneath the surface.
“Do not treat me as if I am going to break, So’lek” she whispered softly against his lips. He pulled away slightly at that, looking at her as he let out a controlled breath, “I do not want to harm you” he said, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose.
“You won’t, So’lek, I promise.” she whispered, chasing his lips.
He considered her words, lips in a thin line before ultimately not being able to resist any longer. He connected their lips again, less controlled this time, his hunger slowly taking over as he started getting more bold. His hands started making trails on her body, touching her everywhere, exploring, committing it to memory. His kisses started to trail down her jaw, and then her neck, taking his time to relish each moment. He kissed down the middle of her chest, trailing kisses down her sternum as he slowly lowered himself down to his knees, his arms coming around to hold onto her hips, as he settled there, pressing soft kisses to her stomach.
He rested his forehead against her stomach, taking in deep breaths as he slowly looked up to her.
She brought her fingers to run through his hair, a soft smile on her lips as he stared down at him.
“You are a strong, beautiful, warrior, with a proud heart, The Great Mother has blessed me with your presence, you are gentle and loving to all those around you. You have always been the one for me, ma tahnì, the one I can be relaxed with, the one I can be myself with, the one I can give my heart to if you will let me. I am asking you now” he said, his voice soft as he pressed a soft kiss to her stomach, “Let our paths become one, be my mate, let me protect you, and provide for you for the rest of our lives.” he said, laying bare his entire soul, setting himself at her feet just to prove his devotion to her.
Her eyes were lined with tears at his words, at his devotion, the way he was seemingly worshipping her. She leaned down and connected their lips again, she reached back and took her kuru in her hand, pulling away from the kiss to get down on her knees with him, holding her kuru forward as an answer.
So’lek watched her and reached back for his own kuru, bringing it forward, and watching as the tendrils danced around each other before intertwining. Their pupils expanded as the connection was made, she could feel everything, the deep love he had for her, every emotion was there.
So’lek swallowed thickly at everything rushing through him at the bond, he leaned forward, capturing her lips on his, needing the closeness.
Her response was instant, she kissed him back, letting him slowly lower her to the soft grass as he settled between her thighs.
He felt the walls he built slowly crumble, her gentle touch tearing them down, brick by brick. He kissed her rougher, his hand trailing down her body until it reached her thigh and wrapped around it, bringing it up to open her up for him. She let out a noise that got sent right down his spine and only encouraged him to continue. His kisses trailed down her body, stopping at her breasts, he looked up at her, silently asking for permission through the bond to remove her beaded top.
“Please” she breathed as she licked her lips.
He let out a growl in response and his nimble fingers made quick work of untying the top and throwing it to the side. His eyes landed on her breasts and let out a breath, he had seen the female form before, it was completely normal and natural among the Na’vi, but it was different with her, everything was different with her.
“Beautiful” he whispered before lowering and circling a tongue around one of her nipples. Her back arched beautifully at the first touch, he groaned deeply at her reaction, he was going to worship her. He ran his tongue around her breasts, giving both of them attention until he kissed down her stomach. He reached her tewng and before he was able to ask, she whimpered softly, “please, ma So’lek, I need you” she said.
It confirmed everything for him, he untied the intricate strings, kissing every piece of skin that was revealed. He felt her tail come around and wrap around his forearm which caused a smirk to appear on his lips. He kissed the inside part of her knee before lifting her legs and bringing her calves over his shoulders. He took a moment to admire her, running his hands over her, memorising every dip and curve. One day, he would kiss every centimeter of her beautiful blue skin, but for now, he would show her his love by making her feel good. He could hear her breath hitch as he lowered his mouth to her glistening folds. He felt a hand come into his hair and a soft tugging as he redirected his eyes to her beautiful star freckled face. Her lip was drawn between her teeth, “what…what are you doing?” she breathed softly.
He smiled, “trust me, ma tahnì, let me make you feel good.” he said.
She nodded and swallowed some excess saliva from her mouth.
He went back to what he was doing, lowering his face back between her thighs, and licking a stripe up her center.
A gasp fell from her lips, her back drawing up in an arch again. Perfect.
He used his hands to hold her legs parted as he fucked her open with his mouth and tongue. The sounds that came out of her mouth were more beautiful than any song he had heard. It might be his new favourite sound. Her breathing sped up as he started to focus his attention on one spot. New sensations caused goosebumps to erupt all over her skin as she gripped his hair harder, moans and whimpers slipping out from her lips.
“So’lek…Ma so’lek” she whimpered as her legs instinctively tried to close around his head.
He groaned in response to that, gripping her thighs hard enough to leave bruises.
She felt her core tighten as he continued with his endeavours, and he knew she was close, could feel it in the bond.
He pulled off only for a moment to say, “Let go, ma snatahnì” he whispered, before going back to using that long skilled tongue of his. Her breathing increased as a plethora of curses fell from her lips, which would have caused him to smirk, had he not been otherwise occupied. She tugged at his hair when that band finally snapped, his name coming out of her mouth in a high pitched whine when he licked her through it, only stopping when she was practically begging.
She was still trying to catch her breath when he slowly crawled back up her body, kissing every spot on the way up until he reached her lips. She could taste herself on his tongue when they kissed.
“You are so beautiful” he said to her endearingly, kissing her cheeks and then her nose.
Her cheeks were dusted purple at his words, “You have too much clothes on,” she said softly, tugging at his tewng. He wasn’t wearing his usual chest guard since there wasn’t a need for it during date nights. He tilted his head to the side before looking down and humming, “Are you going to help me with that?” he asked.
She bit her lip again and nodded, her hands running down his chest and then his abdomen. His eyes followed her movement, his muscles flexing at her featherlight touches. Her fingers wrapped around his tewng, tugging it off and watching as he kicked it away. She bit down harder on her lip as she took him in. He was big. She was like a moth to the flame, her hand wrapping around his cock and giving it a tug.
So’lek let out a surprised groan at that, his hips thrusting into her hand, chasing her hand. He took a moment to gather himself before kissing her softly, gently rolling his hips.
“May I make you feel good?” he whispered against her lips, almost pleading.
“Please” she whispered.
So’lek gently took her hand off of him, kissing her wrist gently, “You do not need to beg, ma yawntu, whatever you want, I will give to you” he promised.
He positioned himself at her entrance, gently running his cock through her wetness to slick himself up. He pushed in slowly, giving her time to adjust, he looked at her face, searching for any signs of discomfort.
She gripped his biceps as he pushed in.
“Breathe for me” he whispered, kissing her neck gently, pausing to let her take a moment to adjust. He brought his hand up to stroke her hair gently. She gave him a nod to keep going, breathing to adjust and relax.
He continued to push in, stopping once he was fully in. She was so tight, it was taking everything in him to not start thrusting right away. He let out a breath, keeping his control on a tight leash.
“So’lek, I am not fragile” she whispered in his ear, her hips trying to move.
He growled. Fuck control.
He started thrusting, hand going down to grip her hip to get an anchor. She moved her legs, wrapping them around his waist, locking him there. He groaned, head dropping down, if she kept being this tight, he was sure he would not last long.
Little whines and moans were punched out of her each time he buried himself.
“You are taking me so good” he said, burying his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her addictive scent. “My beautiful muntxa.”
The heat, the tightness, everything was felt through the tsaheylu, it made everything more intense.
She felt herself get closer to that edge again with every roll of his hips, “So’lek, please..” she begged.
He knew what she needed, of course he did. His hand trailed down her body, landing on her clit, giving her the stimulation she needed.
She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close, “So’lek, I’m-” she got cut off when he hit that spot inside her.
“Come for me, ma tahnì” he said, voice raspy, showing just how much this was affecting him as well.
She did, moaning out his name as she clenched around him, milking him what all he was worth.
He groaned as he buried himself to the hilt, spilling inside her and biting down on her shoulder.
They laid like that for a bit, catching their breaths in each other's arms, connected both physically and spiritually.
He slowly pulled out of her, sitting up to look her over, assessing every bruise and bite mark, making sure she was not harmed. When he was satisfied, he laid down next to her, pulling her into his arms, his tail coming around to lay on her hip, as her tail laid on his stomach.
“Nga yawne lu oer.” he said softly, placing a soft kiss on her head, eyes up on the stars in the sky.
“Nga yawne lu oer” she replied softly, tracing the scars on his chest.
So’lek did not think he would be allowed this happiness. Not after everything he had done, all the metal he had used. But here he was, his mate laying in his arms, this was all he needed.