Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

1. Uneven

The Uniltìranyu around her were loud, grunting as they stomped around the fire, big black boots destroying the life beneath them with little care.

The twelve demons spoke the same language her Olo’eyktan and his mate spoke. The same that sa’nok taught them, but none of the words made sense. She frowned, and clenched her jaw, curling deeper into herself.

“Are we going to keep her, Colonel?” One of the Dreamwalker's asked as he tore open… something, noisy and messy, before taking a bite of the big brown bar with a grimace.

He looked at her, chewing loudly, dark ionar resting on his head... His face was... not quite right. His nose looked a bit crooked, like it was broken just recently... He raised an eyebrow, daring her to say something. 

She huffed, and turned her face away. Full lips drawn into a pout - a damn pretty pout...

“She can lead us to Sully, and that crazy bitch of his. Besides, she can speak the language.” The Colonel answered over his shoulder with a huff, and a sniff. He removed his weapon from his back and placed it down next to his comrade's, she didn't miss the big knife strapped to the small of his back or the other weapon still strapped to his thigh. The Dreamwalker cracked his knuckles, and turned his attention back to her, placing his... too big hands on his slim hips. His green armour making him look even bigger. “What’s your name, Sweetheart?”

She pulled her legs closer to her chest and hissed, pulling her ears back as her nose scrunched up in fury, teeth gleaming in the firelight. The Dreamwalkers laughed at that...

“She’s shy, Colonel.” A Dreamwalker laughed, taking a sip from his container. The female Dreamwalker, who they called Walker, hit him on the back of his head with a grunt, sending them all back into their laughing fit.

“Is that right?” The ‘Colonel’ tuned to her, golden eyes boring into her soul. “You shy, Sweetheart? Why don't you tell Zhang he's wrong, huh?”

The Na’vi hissed again and curled deeper into herself, much to the amusement of her captors.

“Seems pretty shy to me.” Another called, chuckling over the rim of his bottle.

Colonel stalked over to her and knelt. He looked at her, and with the limited light, she could admit that he was... handsome. And... Big... He smiled a full tooth smile, canines shining under the setting sun, and placed his fingers under her chin, lifting her face to get a better view. She didn't dare move... 

“See?” He called over his shoulder, not looking away from her. “You're not shy, are you, Sweetheart?”

She hissed again, and ripped her face away. He chuckled, as he reached into his chest with well-practiced motions, never looking away from her, his head tilting to the side. The Dreamwalker held out the same type of bar that they all ate, with that strange hand of his, a smile on his lips.

“Now don’t do that Sweetheart, people might think you’re rude.” He smiled at her, breaking off a piece of the bar and popped it into his mouth, and around a mouth full of food, rumbled: “See? It's not so bad.”

“Not good either!” 

“Hey! We need her to eat this shit! Cut it off!” He called over his shoulder, not looking away from her, even as his troop of demons continued with their banter. “Have a bite, huh? Ignore him, he's just an idiot.”

He held out the other piece, and she gingerly took the bar out of his five fingered hand. He smiled, and sat down in front of her with a grunt, popping the rest into his mouth, muttering around a mouth full of food: “There you go, that’s a good girl.”

She took a bite, ignoring the awful taste in favor of watching as his long fingers as he opened his other food package. She tilted her head to the side again, and moved closer, watching the ‘food’ rest on that tiny digit, ignoring his intense gaze never wavering... She frowned, and took hold of the limb, pulling it to her, ignoring his grunting in protest: 

“I am busy eating here, Sweetheart.”

She took the bar out of the hand she held and pushed it into his other hand, making the Dreamwalkers laugh again.

“Seems like you’ve got a pet, Colonel.” She didn't see who spoke, but the woman seemed to be as amused as the rest of the Demon's as well. 

“Seems like it.” He took a bite and watched as her hair fell over her face, hiding his hand from view. Around a mouth full of food, he rumbled, “I think we made some – Hey!”

He pulled his hand out of her mouth and rubbed his little finger with his other hand, bar stuffed in his mouth, forcing her head to shoot up, clearly confused.

The Dreamwalkers laughed again as ‘Colonel’ rubbed the small digit between his fingers. He swallowed, and nodded to someone who called to him, asking if he was alright. “Band-aid?”

“Just a love-bite, ain’t no damage done.” He called over his shoulder. He looked at her, and picked up her food, gently pushing it against her lips, still chewing, he said: “You shouldn’t do that, it's rude, you know. Bite that instead.”

She opened her mouth, and pushed the bar between her teeth.

He swallowed, and smiled with a nod, “Good girl.”

She bit down.

Chapter Text

2. Biting Back 

The Uniltìranyu's large hand gripped her shoulder, shaking her awake rather gently, skin warm against the cool morning air. The rough pads of his fingers scratching at her skin... Just a bit more. Please. You owe me that much... She moaned and turned her face away, rubbing her cheek into the soft grass beneath her, the fresh smell a great comfort, dimming the smell of last night's smoke and their alien stench...

The Colonel sighed from somewhere above her - a deep, rumbly sigh that tickled her insides...

“C’mon, wake up Sweetheart, rise and shine, c’mon.” His rich, sleep-deep voice brought her out from under the waves of bliss. He pulled her away from the comfort, the soft grass keeping her safe - soft fingers reaching out to pull her back, We're here, don't go. Stay with us.

She blinked slowly, sitting up with the Uniltìranyu's help, his thickly padded knee digging into her back as he shifted to keep her upright, letting her lean against the side of his thick leg. He rubbed the side of her face with his knuckles, rough skin scratching her cheek, she pulled her face away, and looked around - the forest thick and alive around them, easy to get lost, easy to get home... 

He cleared his throat, her ear twitching at the sound - all smooth again like it was last night, “Good girl, c’mon. Up an' at 'em. That's it. We need to get you ready and then get going. I already let you sleep in.” She moaned, and let her head fall forward, but was quickly pushed back up by his coarse fingers - he sighed. “Open your eyes, Sweetheart, we need to get moving. C'mon.”

She blinked with great reluctance, moaned and squeezed her eyes shut before rubbing at her left eye with stiff fingers, wiping at the dried tears that settled there in the night. She let out another low moan, the feathers in the back of her head dug into her scalp during the night, she could feel the indents they caused. She tried rubbing at it to make the stinging lessen, but her bound hands made it impossible.

Opening her eyes again with a huff, slowly, reluctantly, she glared as the Uniltìranyu around her yawned and puttered about, clearly undisturbed by their captive; one shaking a green package widely with a grimace of his own, before tearing it open and throwing the entirety of its contents down his throat, little bothered by the mess he's making or their Na'vi guest glaring at him... The others went through their own pouches, tossing things to each other too fast for her to see what, yelling out, 'Who wants to trade?' and 'You leave my fucking peanuts alone, Zhang!', followed quickly by, 'Give that back, you bastard!' with easy familiarity that spoke of years of comradery and friendship...

So easy, so noisy... The Na'vi yawned, and tilted her face up at the sky, frowning at the lead Dreamwalker... You let me sleep in? There wasn't even a spec of light anywhere to be found... 

“Are you really going to keep referring to her like that, sir?” She didn't see who spoke, but the woman's voice seemed tired and annoyed. “I mean, isn't it rather... weird? Given the 'situation' we-? Leave my fucking peanuts alone, goddamn it, Zhang! Give them back you fucker!”

“Nope.” 'Zhang' rumbled, the 'p' popping perfectly, before sticking out his tongue and throwing another fist full of 'peanuts' into his mouth.

“That's it! Fuck you!” There was a grunt and two massive bodies rolled around behind her. 

Too early for this... She leaned back into his leg as she rubbed at her eyes again, and yawned, ignoring the hardness bruising her back, and the scratchy fabric against her skin, and the stink of un-washed bodies, and the rowdiness of the Dreamwalkers, and the musk of male... Instead focusing on his scratchy fingers on her cheek, trying to use it to stay awake, and the strong scent of something rich and earthy on his fingers and breath, her brain filtering out the noise that the Dreamwalkers keep making, instead kept repeating: Not safe, not safe, not safe... Then how did you fall asleep?  She frowned as she squinted at them waking up - they looked... normal; stretching and yawning, grabbing at each other, wrestling, teeth gleaming, muscles shining with sweat in the early morning light streaming through the leaves... Not that much different than home... except for the adults acting like children... 

“Walker's got a point, sir,” Another rumbled from somewhere behind her. She was to tired to turn and see who it was, her head felt too heavy on her shoulders to even roll to the side... The fingers gliding up and down her cheek the only thing keeping her awake... “I don't think it's a good idea.”

“Why not?” Colonel asked, drawing her attention back to him, her head lolling back to stare at him. He gave her a lopsided grin, sharp teeth gleaming, even as his team kept wrestling behind him. “She responds well enough, don’t you, Sweetheart? And it's not like we know her name.” Colonel reached into one of his many pockets and pulled out the same type of bar as the night before, tearing it open and stuffing the brown bar into her clenched hand, turning to the woman, calling to her over his shoulder, “Eat that, Sweetheart. Besides, we-”

“Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite.” Her voice rough as she took a bite of their dry, chewy food. It tasted wrong... Yayiu-te grimaced as it made her tongue itch. But she was too hungry to complain and took another bite before she even finished swallowing, settling the hole in her stomach with a rock...

The noise stopped.

She stopped chewing momentarily. She turned to glare at them, her ear twitched as the soldiers looked amongst their comrades, shrugging, prompting one another to ask what they all wanted to know, with a nod here and there, or a shrug, or even just pointing at her, and motioning with their hands in a 'yapping'-motion, mouthing; 'Get on with it'...

She bared a tooth, and started chewing again, this time with a tighter jaw as she glared at them. She hissed, “Say!”

They shoved at each other, motioning at each other until one caved with a sigh; “C’me again?”

The Uniltìranyu that asked, clearly being the one to have lost their little battle of wits, stepping closer, a frown fixed onto his youthful face as he pushed his dark visor onto his head, his baby-like features didn't fit the gruff voice that accompanied it. The large weapon at his side made Yayiu-te flinch. She scooted back a bit, and frowned at him. 

Skxawng! Yayiu-te Mono Laeo'ite scowled at him, her lips pulling into a frown. He stared back, waiting, never flinching, never blinking... Demon... 

She sighed, closing her eyes with a huff, before opening them again to glare at him, and spat out, slower this time: “Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite. That what I called.”

The Colonel smirked, and turned to look at the demon at his back, while she tried to wiggle the food out of the packaging, with little success, while not missing the way they motioned to her while snickering. She huffed in annoyance, and tried to bite through the covering to get it out - it scratched against her teeth unpleasantly, sending shivers up her spine, and her tail shot straight into the air. Yayiu-te ripped the package away, and hissed at the offending object. One snorted, and covered his mouth with his hand, his 'hat' hiding the rest of his face. 

“Yey-oo?” The Colonel asked with a frown, testing the strange new word in his mouth, before taking the food out of her hands, little bothered by the spit covering it. He removed the wrapping all the way, and handed it back to her, her teeth having dug a neat row of perforations into the flesh. He crumbled up the paper, and stuffed it back into the same pocket he pulled the bar from before. “That's your name? Yey-u?”

“Ya-yi-u.” She flicked her tail, clearly irritated with him, with the breakfast bar, with everything, gripping said bar a bit tighter as she leaned forward. Her ears twitched, disturbing the brown beads resting there, and her golden eyes bore into his soul, spitting out with venom: “Te. Yayiu-te.”

“Well... That’s a real nice name; mine is Miles Philip Quaritch.” He held out his hand, similar to the way Toruk Makto did the first time the Tsakarem brought him before the People... “Nice to meet you.”

Yayiu-te looked at him, then at the limb, before grabbing and pulling it closer. They all jumped to action, reaching for their weapons until Myhulspilipkwaritz raised his other hand to stop them. She looked it over curiously to the best of her abilities with her hands bound – lifting the limb this way and that, bringing it closer to her face to look at the lines running up and down his hand, and the folds on his fingers, callouses beginning to form on the tips, the long, uneven digits showing a familiarity with weaponry... It was pretty all things considered, just... not right... She brought it even closer, moving to sniff at it, but-

“No, no, no.” He pulled his hand away, remembering those piss sharp fangs from yesterday, and instead took hers in his grasp, shaking it up and down gently. His hand dwarfed the small, slim hand in his grasp. “Like this, see? Nice to meet you, Yay-u-te Mono La-e-o’te, I'm Colonel Miles Philip Quaritch, United States Marine Corps, fourth division. Leader of the First Recombinant Squad.”

She ripped her hand away, and hissed through a tense jaw, ears pulling back, big eyes glaring at him, “That not I name.” What does he mean? Is that his whole name? 

“Did I pronounce it wrong?” He tilted his head to the side as he asked the question, ears twitching, a frown working its way onto his strange face... He sounded... worried... “I said it just like you did.”

“You no listen.” Her ears pulled back as she hissed, her teeth gnashing together as she leaned forward, a deep frown working its way onto her face. His deep scent of dirt and something rich land on her tongue. She shook her head and repeated; “Ya-yi-u-te.”

“Well, my momma always did say so,” He smiled at her, golden eyes crinkling at the edges, his sharp teeth peeking from beneath his thin lips, as he sing-songed: “Yay-u.” 

Her hands fell to her lap, her ears pulling flat against her skull, and she wrapped her tail around her leg. She hmphed and turned her face away, and tried to ignore the demons chuckling behind her, and her face heating up... No, he doesn't have pretty hands, at all... 

Quaritch huffed with amusement and smirked. He turned to Wainfleet, and called over his shoulder: 

“Looks like we'll be having our hands full, Lieutenant.”

“Well... Shit.” The Dreamwalker sighed, and scratched at his eyebrow as Quaritch rumbled a chuckle beside her. “Just what we needed right now. And on the first fucking mission too.”

“Not so bad, considering all the things we could have hand our hands filled with, Lyle. It's pretty at least. C’mon Sweetheart, finish up,” She turned to glare at him as he rumbled above her, his chest thick and in her face, big golden eyes looking her up and down, “Our ride is on the way. We don't want you making a mess of the bird, now do we? The Mortar is gonna make us scrub the entire damn thing down if you do, and I ain't wasting time doing so.”

He picked up her bound hands and pushed the food to her lips. The girl huffed, glared at him as he smirked and raised an eyebrow. She took her bite, her teeth gleaming, sharp and intimidating as she chomped down on the brown bar, trying to intimidate him, but he just nodded, satisfied - a full smile crawling over his lips. “Good girl.”

She turned her nose up into the air, and looked away, chewing with a tight jaw. The demon let out a chuckle, all buttery and smooth... No, you are not allowed to sound good... She huffed, and took another savage bite. Not that pretty... Demon!

“How are we gonna explain this, sir?” A man called from somewhere behind her, stopping the shivers in their tracks - his voice nowhere near as nice as Myhulspilipkwaritz... She continued to nibble on the bar with a frown, trying to pay attention to what they are saying but not make it look like she is. She failed... miserably. “I mean we can’t just walk up there with a hostile, can we? The Mortar isn't gonna allow her within a thousand yards of the base. Probably gonna shoot our baby-blue asses out of the sky the moment she hears about this.”

“Then we don't say shit about her being brought back.” He rumbled, and turned back to her, pushing the bar back to her lips, “Keep eating, Sweetheart.”

She took her forced bite.

“But, sir-” The demon sighed.

“Are you gonna keep questioning me, Wainfleet?” His tail flicked, clearly irritated, yet he made sure his voice give nothing away. Shut it, it doesn't matter, I'm gonna get her on the damn base even if I have to sneak her in a goddamn knapsack... 

“No, sir.” The rather large one, Win-feet, spoke sounding a bit put off. “It's just-”

“Good, we need her,” He didn't wait for Win-feet to finish his answer. He sighed, scratching at his short hair with a grimace, “She can take us to Sully, for one. She speaks the language, meaning we won't drag a damn squint around with us into the deadly forest that wants to munch on people, for another. And we'll be avoiding a bigger tree-hugger than the Na'vi in the process, a tree-hugger that will do everything in their power to hinder this mission. The Mortar will understand.” She fucking better... Goddamnit, that cunt better... If they brought our blue be-tailed asses back for no goddamn reason, I will haunt that bitch in her sleep... 

She hissed, drawing the attention of the bulky demons back to her.

“Oh, you don’t like that, do you? Well, I am sorry to hear that, Sweetheart, but unfortunately for you, ye're gonna have to come with us.” He sighed and touched the band around his throat. “Blue One, actual, to Iron Sky.”

It was still for a moment, Yayiu-te didn't realize she held her breath until:

“Blue One, this is Iron Sky. Nice to see you bastards are alive, you're lucky the Mortar ain't the one making this run - she would skin you idiots alive. Wanna come home to grace us with your presence?" The voice buzzed in his ear, making Yayiu-te frown. How...?

“Ain't we just? We’re ready for extract, over.” He sighed, ears twitching as he waited for a response, scratching at his eye with his thumb, running his tongue over his teeth and sighing, again. “Come and get our pretty blue asses, pretty please.”

“Copy that, we are ten minutes out.” A different voice buzzed, clearly exhausted. “Be ready for pick-up with your pretty blue asses in tow, if you please.”

“Pretty blue asses ready and waiting.” Quaritch turned back to her, gripping her arm, his long finger's never leaving his neck. “Pick-up: Be advised, we are bringing back a test subject. Be prepared for a hostile. Female,” He glanced at her over his shoulder, “Young adult, early twenties. Subject is unarmed, but be ready - she's a feisty one.”

“No!” She thrashed, trying to rip herself free. Test subject? “Let release!”

“Calm down, Sweetheart. You're gonna hurt yourself.” He didn't even look at her as he dragged her along, moss soft beneath her feet as she tried to stop him, with little success - He paid her no mind, she didn't even make his muscles strain. “Ye're going, whether ya like it or not.”

No... He didn't stop, no matter how hard she tried to pull herself free, how hard she squirmed and wiggled. No. She stomped her feet and dug her nails into his hand, but got no response. He didn't so much as look at her. Fine... She grunted and bit his hand, the flesh giving way under her teeth, sweat and dirt and something oily sticking to his hands – big mistake. Quaritch turned around and bit her on the shoulder, the taste of moss and her natural musk strong on his tongue. She stood, shocked, releasing the flesh between her teeth. As he pulled away as he felt the pain ease, sharp teeth tinted light pink, he grinned down at her. Her blood... 

“I told you – you’ll hurt yourself.” He rumbled as he raised an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving his lips. “Yay-u.”

“You hurt me!” Yayiu-te hissed, and started thrashing again, ignoring the pain in her shoulder. Caused by him...! “Demon!”

“You hurt me first, Sweetheart.” The demon-warrior's mouth morphed into a full smile. “It's only fair after all.”

“I no sweet!” She hissed, shaking her head, trying to wiggle loose. “Kehe!”

“You sure? Somebody else tasted then?” He looked her up and down, his smile growing cruel as he ran his tongue over his sharp teeth, wiping away the pink coating his big tongue, his grip tightening on her arm. “Because you taste mighty fine to me. Can I have another?”

The Dreamwalkers laughed, a cruel, deep laugh they shared as one, throwing their heads back and whooping with joy as she tried to wiggle loose. 

“Chief got that dog in him!” Somebody whistled, they laughed even louder.

“I expect demon bited!” She hissed, her tail whipping around behind her back. How dare he! A Dreamwalker sighed, handing Myhulskwaritz a small, white piece of fabric, before grabbing her shoulder and rubbing at it with another. It stung! She turned to hiss at him, but he only rolled his eyes, gripped her shoulder and continued to rub her shoulder with the tiny white cloth. She continued to hiss, as something buzzed in his ear.

“But not to eat? Well, that makes it easier on the first date then.” Miles threw her a shit-eating grin as she frowned as he called over his shoulder, handing the fabric to the one behind her, already done with his piece: “Get ready for extract.”

The Dreamwalker’s laughed as she tried to demand answers, even as their un-ikran floated above them. Their weapons hanging over their bulging shoulders with easy familiarity, paying her no mind as they waited, and ropes were lowered. Yayiu-te let out an ear-perusing scream. They didn't seem the least bit afraid, or put off by her screams. The Colonel frowned at her and covered her mouth with his hand.

“That ain't necessary, Sweetheart. You are just being rude. Stop it, alright?” 

Yayiu-te frowned as the Colonel handed his weapon off to another and rolled his shoulders with a huff.

“Alright Sweetheart, up-and-attem.” The Colonel swept her up onto his shoulders with a grunt, her breath leaving her with a whoosh, his bulging shoulder hitting her in the stomach as ropes were lowered, looping an arm through the hole her bound hands created, and gripping her leg, hooking it at such an angle that she couldn't even try to kick. There was a clicking noise, and they were lifted, up into the air, making Yayiu-te scream and thrash about. “Easy Sweetheart, easy! You’re gonna fall and break your neck if you do that. And trust me, we don't want that at all.”

The Dreamwalkers laughed again. Is that all you do? 

“Demon!” She shrieked into his ear, making it twitch. Falling would be better than this... she bemoaned as the ground became further and further out of reach, the beads of her top digging into her chest, the coarseness of his shirt scratching her stomach. How dare he? This son of a - She wiggled and screeched:“Vrrtep!”

“Sweetheart!” She could hear the laughter in his voice as they reached the un-ikran, he stepped into the metal hub and repeated in a calm and soothing voice: “Calm down, you’re gonna fall.”

“Let release!” She screeched, her tail whipping through the air behind their heads as she tried to wiggle lose. “No! I not go!”

Quaritch hummed as he sat her down on one of the metal chairs, pressing down onto her shoulder, and watched as the rest of his crew climbed in. “We good?”

“Team’s up.” 

She couldn't see who said that, the Dreamwalker above her just grunted, and flicked his fingers.

A Dreamwalker banged on the side of the un-ikran and they lifted into the air. Her blood turned to ice in her veins... No... No! She tried to escape, but was simply pushed back into her seat. The Demon folded himself into the tiny space next to her, folding himself into the seat, large hand trapping her in, and peeked over at her, watching her eyes grow wider as they flew higher and higher, until they floated above the tree-tops. He smiled as she gripped his arm and leaned over his lap, her hundreds of tiny braids topped off with tiny brown beads, hitting him in the chest, and his forearm - it hurt like a bitch.

“Don’t fall now Sweetheart, it’s a hard drop.”  He rumbled, clearly amused at her antics.

Yayiu-te looked up at him and quickly moved to sit between Quaritch's legs, wrapping herself around his left leg, and clung to him like a lemur, her tail laying over her thigh. If she falls, she’ll take this demon with her... One less for the People to worry about...

“You fly with this?” She yelled, watching the trees pass by, greens illuminated by the rising suns, as riti began their early morning flight, screeching their hello's and goodbye's as they flew by.

“Everyday.” She looked up. He smiled at her, teeth gleaming in the rising sun, and reached down to grip the band holding her hands together, pinning it to his leg with a strong hand, “What? Never flew before?”

She shook her head, the beads in her hair hitting him against the inside of his thigh as she threw her leg over his, the muscles straining under her leg as she clung to him, her black braids shining in the morning light.

“Don’t you have a banshee?” Wainfleet yelled, leaning back to see her better, frowning as she clung to his CO.

Yayiu-te frowned back, her ears pulling flat, leaning into the strong leg at her side, gripping the fabric tightly with slim fingers. She clearly didn't fucking understand whatever it was that Lyle tried to ask... Fuck... 

“You know, the-” He looked around, hoping someone would understand. The soldier sighed, his shoulders sagging in defeat. “The thing – th – Jesus! The-” He flapped his arms up and down with a grimace, then pointed out the door at the tiny miniature versions of banshees flying past. She followed his gaze. “Bigger than whatever those are. You know, a banshee? The big thing?”

“Ikran?” She asked, frowning deeper, clinging tighter to the leg, the fabric scratching against her skin. How do you wear this? 

“The big one?” He tilted his head, holding his fingers farther apart. “Is that what it’s called?”

“Nah, it’s called-” Another flapped his arms up and down, clearly mocking Win-feet and making them all laugh again. Except for the Dreamwalker caging her in with his overly large legs, only sighing in exhaustion from above, muttering something about children under his breath. He scratched his forehead, and reached for a pipe on his shoulder, taking a quick sip, before loosening it, and tilted her face up with coarse fingers. He held the pipe to her lips, and ordered in a gruff voice: “Sip.”

Yayiu-te looked at the black tube, humped, and turned her nose up at the order. One of the women chuckled, and rolled her eyes. Quaritch sighed, and hooked the pipe back onto his shoulder. “Fine, just don't blame me when you pass out from dehydration, Sweetheart.”

Meanwhile, Win-feet took one look at the one that continued mocking him and said with a straight face: “We are in the sky, so I am gonna wait until we are on the ground, then I’m taking your ass to town, Brown.”

“I’m so scared, Wainfleet, I’m trembling in my baby-blue boots.” Brown shook his hands in front of him, smirking at the man across from him. 

The other one with the cap, the one they called 'Ja', just rolled his eyes, and reached into one of the many pockets on his chest, pulling out two silver squares, tearing one open and handing the other to Myhulskwaritz. The Dreamwalker above her humpfed, before taking the square and pulling out another square, white this time, and rubbed it up and down his arm.

Ja leaned forward, and gripped the arm Myhulskwaritz bit, again tearing open another package, looking her in the eye and said; “Hold still,” before pressing the cloth to the bitemarks on her arm. It burned! She tried to rip her arm away, but he was just to strong, and hissed: “Stop it! Do you want to get it infected?”

“You did before!”

“Yeah, I did - but it doesn't hurt to be thorough.” He frowned, concentrating on the giant ass fucking bite mark on the girl's arm. Jesus, Big Bird, why didn't you just rip her to shreds? 

Yayiu-te tried to hiss back, but Myhulskwaritz simply gripped her queue, and pulled her head back onto his lap, holding her still. She couldn't help but to glare at him, but all he did was gaze down at her with hooded eyes, gold soft and... too deep.

“Well,” Fike sighed, breaking the silence that was woven through the machine, “You guys wanna get a room?” 

They all quickly began scolding Fike, pointing at him and yelling, and (thankfully) ignoring her. Ja gave a thumbs up and Myhulskwaritz let go of her hair, leaned forward to rest on his elbows on his knees with a groan. Yayiu-te didn't want to admit it, but she was tired, she didn't sleep well last night, but who could blame her? Sleeping amongst wild animals is never safe. She closed her eyes and leaned against the strong leg.

“Do you have one though?” The female who chuckled at her asked, drawing the Dreamwalkers' attention back to their captive before they could continue fighting. It took her a while, before she realized she was the one being spoken too: Yayiu-te opened her eyes to glare at the bulky woman. “Do you have a banshee?”

“No.” Her answer was clipped, and she leaned further into the Dreamwalker's strong leg. Is that what they want? Ikran? 

“How do you get one anyway? Like, are you assigned one? Get one from birth? What?” Another short cropped-hair asked, his eyes covered in black glass. “Do you buy them?”

“We catch them.” How else? Buy? She couldn't help but frown. Are all Dreamwalkers this stupid? No, Sa'nok wasn't... Not even Toruk Makto asked so many stupid questions... 

“They’re wild?” Brown asked, raising an eyebrow at her, the disbelief thick in his voice.

“You think we have ioang trapped?” She looked at them, sitting up straight, the large warm hand keeping its grip on her braid. “Do you?”

“Well, yeah.” Win-feet laughed, the rest of them joining, all laughing as if it should be obvious. “Ioang being animals, sure.”

“That cruel.” She snarled, sharp teeth glittering in the morning light, confirming Wainfleet's thoughts.

“Not really, sometimes it’s to protect them from other animals, other people.” He sighed with a shrug. “Sometimes it's to make life easier. For them and for us.”

“Protect?” Yayiu-te frowned, her lips pulling into a soft pout. "And they have…happy?”

“Yeah, they get shelter, food, medical help – or they used to.” He shrugged, like it didn't really mean anything.

“'Used to?'” Her ears flicked, disturbing the beads hanging in her hair, as she clung tighter to the leg.

“Well, a long time ago, pets were outlawed – they produced too much CO-two or so they say, so the world’s governments stopped the breeding programs across Europe and the Americas.” Brown explained, a frown working it's way to his strange face. “Then...”

“Then?” She prompted, leaning further over the leg, throwing her arms over the thick thigh to see them better, her ears perking up.

“No more pets.” Quaritch rumbled form above her, all smooth and warm and tired, rumbling like natang stalking its prey... She looked up, her ears pulling back as she caught his golden gaze- 

“We are approaching the base, sir.” Wainfleet spoke up, breaking whatever spell the Dreamwalker was weaving - she sat back down. 

She huffed, and looked down at the bands holding her wrists together, the bright orange digging into the skin, and tried to wiggle loose. The Dreamwalker chuckled above her, again, and gripped the bar tighter, pulling it to his thick thigh, and holding it there with ease - Yayiu-te looked up at him, and snarled. He just chuckled at her.

“Alright, hold on now Sweetheart, we’re going down.” Quaritch placed his hand on her head, and she wrapped herself tighter around his leg with a grimace.

And down they did go - so fast Yayiu-te couldn’t help but scream as they began their decent, tucking her face against the scratchy fabric of his pants. She felt his fingers (that little strange one, too) leave the band and press into her hair, and pulled her closer still. It was over before she knew it. The un-ikran thumped! and stopped its whirling and whining around her. Feet knocked on rock, voices faded as the Dreamwalkers left and called out to different people, but she still didn't unwind herself from his leg.

“It’s alright,” Quaritch said as it quieted around them, warm voice rumbling from above her. His large hand covered the top of her head, and rubbed soothing circles on her forehead, scratching her tanhì under his thumb, sending unwanted shivers up her spine. “It’s over. We can get off now. You did very good for your first flight.”

Yayiu-te looked up at him, her ears pulled flat against her skull, eyes wide in disbelief - his big golden eyes soft... He pulled her arms from his legs, and up onto her feet rather gently, long fingers uneven on her arms as he tired to steady her on her feet, before gripping one arm tight in his grip, and stepped off. She stumbled along after him, the rocks burning her feet and the noise of Sky People hurting her ears.

It stunk.

“Hey, Brown?” Lyle called, from far ahead of them, calm and collected, no indication of the revenge he's been plotting. 

Myhulskwaritz pulled her along quickly. 

“Ye-? Ugh!”

Large bodies clashed next to them, making Yayiu-te jump.

“Fuck me...” Quaritch sighed, motioning to someone next to them and then to Yayiu-te. “Take over here.”

Large hand was quickly exchanged with another, smaller, yet still, uneven hand.

“Keep moving, ignore them.” A female pushed her to a metal hub before she could see who it was, as her lead captor went to join the others, yelling at them to 'stop fucking acting like kids, for fucks sake! Do you want to have PT for the rest of the rotation?' “They’re kids. It won’t help to acknowledge them – they’ll just make it worse.”

Yayiu-te looked back as the other Dreamwalkers played and wrestled amongst themselves, rough-housing like children, as their comrades tried to pull them apart. Myhulspilipkwaritz threw his head back as he puffed up his cheeks, scratched at his hair and charged forward, grabbing at the shirts and armour and ripping them apart. “Stop it, you fucking animals! We don't have fucking time for this, you fucking dogfaced cunts! God damn it all!”

She looked at them, and (not specifically) at the large Dreamwalker in the center, muscles in his neck and shoulders and arms and back straining as he kept his men out of each other's reach.

“Zdinarsik – get her cleaned up.” The Colonel yelled over his shoulder, holding the two 'dogfaces' by the straps on the back of their armor. “We can't have her running around it whatever the fuck that's supposed to be, it'll cause an even bigger stir than just her presence. See if you can't find anything at the BX for her to wear in the meantime.”

“Yes, sir. She can borrow some of my clothes, it won't be a problem.” She grabbed Yayiu-te’s arm and dragged her away, as her CO waved them off. “C’mon. Let's go.”

The female Dreamwalker gripped her arm tightly, cutting off the circulation in her arm, making her trip over own feet.

“Pey.” Zdinarsik ignored her, and pulled her along, ignoring the burning of the dirt beneath her feet, their big, black, boots pounding along. “Pey!”

“C’mon!” Zdinarsik snarled, pulling her back onto her feet, and away from the Colonel.

“Peseng munge?” She asked, as the colorful woman rolled her eyes, forcing her to keep pace.

“Don’t know what you are saying, honey.” She huffed, dragging Yayiu-te along with little consideration of her bare feet on the scorching ground. “Just keep moving, will ya?”

“Kehe! Lonu!” Yayiu-te screamed, and began thrashing, trying to bite at the hands dragging her around. “Lonu!”

“The fuck?” The woman hissed, trying to keep her hands away from the teeth promising to take a fucking finger, “Stop it, ya little cunt!”

“Zdinarsik!” A voice bellowed from behind, “What, the absolute, fuck?”

“It ain’t easy, sir! She’s fucking feral!” ‘Zdinarsik’ yelled back, gripping Yayiu-te’s arms to try and pull her away. “Goddamnit! This bitch is trying to fucking eat me, sir!”

“Why the fuck did I think this would be fucking easy?” He moaned from somewhere behind. “Lyle!”

There was a stomping of boots around them, and a pair of strong arms encircled her waist, another grabbed her feet as she tried to kick at the ionar wearing demon in the face. “Alright, buttercup! Calm the fuck down, will ya?”

She tried to kicked at them, but they didn't let go of her feet even as she wriggled around.

“Damn it! Fucking stop will ya!” Wainfleet grunted, tightening his grip on her feet, arm straining to keep her still. “Jesus! Stop!”

Yayiu-te let out a blood-curling scream that drew even more attention, and finally bringing them to the attention of the guards. The arms around her tightened, and she threw her head back, knocking her captor in the face.

“Fuck!”

She dropped to the ground, and bolted, running past the Sky People, knocking them over with her tail as she fled, ignoring their shouts of fear. What do they have to fear? 

“Hold your fire!” The Colonel’s voice roared, setting chase with the rest of the Recoms. “Hold your fucking fire!”

She didn't want to even try to understand what they were saying, she had bigger worries: There was no green, only large yellow…things scurrying around, large and... not alive. She tripped over one, sending them both flying and tumbling onto the dark dirt below. Sky People in their beasts quickly surrounding her. The Dreamwalker’s caught up with her, long legs eating up the distance she managed to put between them, and raised their weapons as they knelt next to the Sky People. Myhulspilipkwaritz held out a hand, motioning to the people around him to stop.

“Alright Sweetheart, let’s calm down before someone gets hurt, huh?” The Colonel raised one of his strange hands, trying to placate her, his other resting on the weapon strapped to his thigh, panting out, “Come with me, and you won’t get hurt. I promise.”

She looked around her, trying to find a way out, but before she could even form an idea, the Colonel tackled her to the ground. Throwing her over his bulging shoulder, listening as the air left her body with a satisfying oofh!, and marched back to the buildings, adjusting the straps of his rifle over his chest. 

“I told you to watch her.” The voice wasn’t sharp, more disappointed than angry, like Yayiu-te's father when she went out alone... 

“She’s quicker than expected, sir.” Her captor panted, standing straight as the Colonel stomped away. “I couldn't keep up.”

“I expect better Zdinarsik – this will be discussed later when you deliver your mission report.” He didn't look at her as he adjusted the wiggling girl over his shoulder. “Back to your posts, soldiers!”

“Yes, sir.” Zdinarsik's ears flattened against her head, and snarled at Yayiu-te, who hissed back.

“Oi!” Colonel shook his shoulders, shooting her up into the air, knocking the wind out of her, again, as she landed on his too big shoulder. “You don’t get to do that. Not after all the bullshite you just pulled.”

He carried her off, away from the fence as she tried to get down, wiggling around the muscles. The Sky People looked at her with amusement, shaking their heads as they scurried back to where they came from before she ran.

“Where you took me?” Yayiu-te hissed, gripping his back tighter – her nails digging into the blue flesh peaking out from the side of his armor. 

“I took you to Bridgehead. Where I'm gonna take you now, is where Zdinarsik was supposed to take you – to get cleaned up. Now - duck.” He pulled open a door and stepped inside, Yayiu-te having ignored his warning, hit the back of her head against the doorframe, hard. Before he closed the door behind them, he chuckled and opened another, greeting someone, and exchanged a few heated words, slamming his fist onto the table. Her chest began to feel a bit tighter as she gasped, wishing he would hurry up. She looked around, as Sky People skirted around them, eyes wide as they stared at her. Yayiu-te bared her teeth.

He took what they gave him and left, slamming the door shut behind them, and allowing her a full gasp as they stepped back into the sun. 

“Let's get cleaned up, huh?” He panted. So it was hard on him too... 

She turned her head this way and that, listening for a water source close by – but there were none. Instead, he walked into another building, dismissing people with a wave of his hand as they stopped to put their hands to their heads.

He shoved open a door, and stepped into a cool place. The place was covered in bright blue stone with metal sticking out of the walls, singled off by small walls coming out of the ground, covered in tiny rocks a different shade of blue. She didn’t have much time to admire the room when she was promptly dropped onto the cold ground, followed by a white bar and plenty of cloths, both large and small. The things he took from the small Sky People place... She looked up at him as he towered over her.

“Alright, Sweetheart – strip.” He placed his hands on his hips with a sigh, as he waved off Sky People and began pressing at the wall next to his head. 

She frowned and tilted her head. Fresh, Eywa’eveng air filtered in, allowing her to take a deep breath. 

“Your clothes, Sweetheart,” He motioned up and down with another sigh. “Remove them, we gotta get moving.”

Yayiu-te hissed, and pulled her legs closer to her chest, shaking her head furiously.

“Why did I let the doc convince me to stop smoking?” He asked no one in particular, and bent down to untie his… feet. Shoes, that’s what sa'nok called them. “Oh right, so I can out-live Augustine. Heh, what a fucking joke.”

He removed his shoes, and their inner covering, placing them on the ground, and rolled up his pants with a grunt and a sniff. Even his feet were uneven... 

“Okay, we can do this my way or the high way, and I assure you Sweetheart – my way is only a little bit easier.” He removed the belt around his waist, and the weapon on his thigh. Pulling at his chest, straps coming loose, and the large green chest guard being pulled over his head, then dropped onto the ground next to him - revealing a form fitting green shirt and the small silver beads around his neck. “Choose, Sweetheart.”

She hissed again, baring her teeth, warning him, trying to send him away, trying to act tough. What does he mean?

“Sutx me ulte ohe will ki’ong ngena ska’a!”

“Move fast Sweetheart, you’ll only get one chance to do whatever it is the fuck you want to, then, I'mma gonna beat your ass and haul you to the Big Heads. And they ain't as nice as me.” He smiled, showing his perfect white teeth. He took her hands and pulled her up onto her feet. “C’mon.”

She struggled, kicking at him, trying to bite. Again.

“You obviously don’t learn, do you?” He asked, maneuvering her around in his arms - doing his best to avoid being bitten.

She hissed, making Quaritch sigh. Again. “High way it is then.”

He picked her up with a grunt, arms bulging around her waist as he threw her into the cubicle, stepping in after her. He smiled from above, showing all his teeth in their shining glory, reaching over to the wall. She followed his movement – and water rained down from above. It burned as she let out a screech. 

“I know it’s cold – we don’t have hot water on this side of the base, you’ll just have to bear it.” He sounded apologetic for the first time since she met him. 

That didn't make him better. Yayiu-te looked up at him and hissed. The Demon smiled, showing her his teeth.

“Yeah, yeah, I know – you’re big, you’re bad, you’ll kill me.” He placed a rag in her hand and a white bar in the other. He took her wrist holding the bar. “This is soap. Wash.”

She looked at the rag, and back to him.

“You really gonna make me do this?” He sighed, and scratched his eyebrow with his thumb. “Alright then.”

Do what?  She watched as he took the rag and soap back, the items dwarfed in his hands as began rubbing them together, forming little shiny circles on the coarse fabric. Then grabbed her arm with a calloused hand and ran it over her smooth skin, down to her hand and over her four fingers, rather gently rubbing her fingers under his thumb and forefinger. 

She pulled her hand away with a rather undignified squawk, overestimating the strength she needed to pull herself free, fell back. It tingled… burned. The Demon tilted his head and took her other hand, repeating the motion, not taking his eyes off her face.

“You get it now?” He rumbled, gently placing the rag in her hand, and removed the bands around her wrists, pulling her onto her knees. “Wash up, Sweetheart.”

She never took her eyes off him as she repeated the motion, rubbing the rag up her left arm, over to her shoulder to her neck, back down again to scrub at her wrist. He sat back with a groan, and nodded his head.

“Good – remember to wash behind your ears.” He smiled and stood with a grunt, grabbing his boots. “You’ve got five minutes, then I'll come and drag you out, finished or not.”

She watched as the large demon left, leaving her alone for the first time in two days. And for the first time in two days, Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite could take a deep breath. 

Thank you, Great Mother. She felt like crying, if only she had the strength, as she began removing the beads around her neck. Thank you.

Quaritch let out a sigh for the umptieth time today. “God, I should have asked double the pay before agreeing to this.”

He looked at his watch, and groaned, 6:52... He needed a smoke – desperately. He pushed off the wall and stared pacing in front of the door. Quaritch could hear everything going on in there - could hear Yayiu-te muttering, the water pelting off the tile walls and the fabric rubbing against her skin...

“Fuck…” He groaned, and threw his head back, rubbing the back of his neck. No, no, no... The pace shifted into a march, arms swinging back and forth. Maybe he should ask Zdinarsik for a go – he knows both Fike and Lopez doesn’t stray far from her bed, and he’s about fifty percent sure Lyle had a go once or twice. Yeah, maybe he should- 

His thoughts were rudely interrupted by a hard thud, a muttered 'ow' – and charged into the bathroom without thinking. He looked for the girl, until he saw her sprawled on the floor, naked… Of course she would be naked, numbskull, its a fucking bathroom! Do something!

“Shit…” He jumped to action, turning off the water and reached for the towel, throwing it over the expanse of… quite honestly, beautiful, blue skin. Who the fuck thought blue, of all colors, would be attractive as a skin hue? “Alright Sweetheart, you’re alright. It's alright.”

She gripped his hand as he helped her up, her ears pulled back in obvious fear, gripping the corner of the towel with long, blue fingers. 

“It’s okay, let’s rinse you down, and get you dressed, alright? Then we'll get something to eat, yeah?” He turned her back to him and threw the wet towel over his shoulder, and reached for the knobs – and turned the water back on, the cold water stinging his hands. Don’t look, don’t look, don’t – 

He looked.

The expanse of smooth blue skin so temptingly close. Dark blue stripes over her shoulders and arms, her legs curved from going by foot, her little black braids sopping wet and sticking to her skin. The hair hung wetly over her chest, hiding her perky breasts from view…

No – he shook his head. No. Don’t get involved with the Natives; it always leads to trouble... Look where it got the damn company before... Keep your dick out of this...

“I am finished.” Yayiu-te’s gaze met his, hard yet still shy, and nodded.

He turned the water off, again. And covered her with the towel, again. She grabbed the rag and squeezed out the excess water. Then he reached for the pile of supplies he brought with him, and picked up a piece of fabric as she tucked the still wet towel around herself.

“It might be too big, but it’ll have to do for now.” He shook it out, and handed it to her, the fabric hanging off slim fingers.

Yayiu-te grabbed it, and bared a tooth, just to prove to him that she wasn't weak, that she won't be taken advantage of.

When she was satisfied with her warning, she held the fabric up to inspect it – it looked like the clothing all the Dreamwalker’s wear – green.

She pulled the fabric over her head, and began pulling it in all sorts of directions – like a child... 

“No, no, no.” He stopped her gently, making her click her tongue, as a look of exhaustion crept onto her features. He reached up under the shirt, and grabbed her wrist, pulling it through a hole on the other side, repeating the action with the other. “Like that, see?”

The shirt fell to her thighs, and Quaritch had to admit, it looked good… He bit his lip...

“Pants.” He held out the shorts, and cleared his throat. “I am sure you can manage.”

She looked at them and frowned, making him sigh, again.

“Hold onto my shoulders, drop the towel,” He sighed and knelt in front of her, picked up one leg, forcing her to reach for his shoulders. He slipped in one foot, then the other, pulling the clothing up over the shirt, watching as she reached behind her and slipped her tail through the hole cut for it with a frown. When the shorts were in place, only then did he pull the shirt from her 'pants'. 

“There we go.” He patted her bare thigh, soothingly, fingers scratching against the smooth skin. “Good as new. You almost look civilized.”

She looked down at what she wore now, the strange fabric rather soft and smooth against her skin, the shirt hanging off her frame…

“Too big.” She pulled at the shirt collar with a frown.

The Demon chuckled, and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Yeah, a bit big but unfortunately, we don’t have that many spare clothes laying around, so we must make do with what we got. C’mon. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving, and a protein bar ain’t a meal.” He took her hands, and slapped the cuffs back onto her wrists. “So you don’t do anything stupid, yeah?”

She hissed, and Quaritch did the most natural thing at that moment: He hissed back, his white teeth gleaming under the lights.

Yayiu-te blinked.

“Yeah, Sweetheart, I can do that too.” He smiled a full-toothed-lopsided-smile, canines shining bright, and gripped her arm, reaching for the wet pile of beads and fabric thrown in the corner of the shower stall, and repeated: "C’mon, let’s go-I’m starving.”

She grunted as he pulled her away, out of the room and into the bright light. It was noisy, Sky People everywhere as they jogged over the dark stones and into a strange marui, where the other Dreamwalkers were waiting, beds lined the walls, bags thrown at the end of each, their weapons standing guard over them... They all looked so… calm. Normal. They were removing their bulky clothes, joking, and laughing amongst each other... calming down after a long trip...

The laughter of one of the Dreamwalkers broke through the calm they created, abruptly. 

“Yeah, yeah, just sleep with one eye open tonight, Prager, you look shit with a beard.”

“I worked hard on this beard,” Prager beamed, and ran his hand down his cheek, “-and if you come near me tonight, I’ll rip off your queue and fuck you with it.”

Yayiu-te let out a blood curling scream, and ran past them, jumping over neatly made beds with their grey blankets and white sheets, hop, hop, hop, and slid beneath the farthest bed, clutching her bound hands tightly to her chest. Her heart pounding so hard that she was sure they could hear it.

“Woah, Sweetheart, what was all that about?” Miles’s voice broke through the laughter.

She watched as the black feet of the Dreamwalker’s fell together into one, perfectly straight line. They didn’t say anything as he walked into the room. Her breathing sped up. Is he going to kill me?

“I know you are all a bunch of Marines,” A different voice spoke, Yayiu-te's ears perked up at the sound of the newcomer, the hiss of a Sky People mask filling the air, "And therefore are unusually stupid and threatening someone is your usual M.O., but maybe don’t be a bunch of assholes around someone who’s culture takes everything literally.”

“Ah, c’mon doc, she knows- Oh. Right.” Fike sounded embarrassed. “Hey now Sweetheart, we didn’t mean it.”

“Yes, that will obviously reassure her.” The woman sighed, and groaned.

“What the fuck are you doing here, squint?” Myhuls rumbled from the door, “Don't you have a test-tube to fuck with?”

The woman sighed, “Just get her out from under there, Quaritch. She can't stay in there forever.”

The two pairs of feet descended onto her, one the Colonel’s big, black boots, and another pair of smaller, even smaller, white feet, strings running over the foot, Is the foot injured?

“We don't need your help, bitch, just go back to your scopes and shit. We'll handle this.” Ja mumbled. 

“Are you kidding me?” The 'Squint' scoffed, “Half of base security saw the girl run through the landing-bay, you really think that this shit would stay under wraps for long? Security have never been known too keep their mouths shut.”

“Fuck,” Someone moaned, “We're screwed.”

“Don't be a pessimist Masnk, we'll get through this, heck, we've had worse.”

“Uh-huh, let's tell the Mortar not to be a pessimist when we tell her we brought an un-registered hostile onto base, huh?” The man sighed, “She'll fucking kill us!”

“Yeah, yeah, that sounds like a you problem. Just get her out of there.” White stringy feet moved closer.

“Bite me, bitch.” Zdinarsk hissed.

“Don't know where you've been, and I don't think you've had your rabies shots.” The woman grunted, “Cunt.”

“Easy, Zdinarsk,” Myhulskwaritz rumbled, “The doc's just here to see if we're gonna need to remove our arms if we get bitten again.”

It was silent for a moment, Yay-u couldn't see what was happening, but the Dreamwalker sighed. 

“Are you gonna come out now?” Miles asked, and when she didn’t respond, knelt, and looked under the bed. His braid swung to the ground as he bent over. He smiled, his teeth sharp and big and white. “Are we playing hide and seek? Because that is a good hiding spot, mighty uncomfortable though. Incredible view.”

“Stop scaring it, Quaritch.” The white-stringy feet kicked at the Dreamwalker, who just ignored it, like a tiny insect. “Your ugly mug probably scared it. Just bring it to me when it's tamed.”

He grunted as he knelt, his forearms touched the ground and he peeked under the bed, his large frame impossibly larger in this position. The white feet walked away, a metallic twang echoed through the place, forcing her to curl deeper into herself.

“There’s my good girl,” He smiled, showing off his very large, very sharp teeth, bringing her attention back to the demon in front of her. His scent flooded the small area. “What are you doing down there? You can’t really sleep down there... And we haven’t had dinner yet, and we need to brush your teeth too. My momma always said you can't go to bed with wet hair, you'll get sick, and I honestly don't have the patience to take you to a squint should you get sick right now. Come on out. Come on.”

Yayiu-te shook her head. The beads clashed together, clinking over her ears, and making his twitch. Wet streaks running down the fabric drew his attention to her chest. 

“C’mon.” His voice was soft. He held out that strange five fingered hand.

Yayiu-te stared at the hand. Then back at the golden eyes of the Dreamwalker.

“Colonel-” 

His ears twitched, as he turned his head to tell the idiot off, but Wainfleet got the first word in:

“Be quite Lopez, you are gonna scare her even more, and then I am gonna have your ass.”

Yayiu-te hissed, baring the beautiful incisors of a true born predator, scooting back deeper under the bed, golden eyes glaring at him out of the dark. Quaritch smiled, even as he felt himself twitch in his fatigues.

“Oh, there’s my fierce little Sweetheart – but you can’t function on empty stomach. It’ll make you moody and grouchy, and you'll get sick, Sweetheart. And we really don't want to deal with a moody, Sweetheart.” He smiled at her, and held out his hand. “And you only had a protein bar this morning – you’re still hungry, ain’t that right Sweetheart?”

She looked at him, her large eyes following his every move, and her traitor stomach growled – making her blush an appealing shade of lilac. How far does that go?

“Yeah,” He grinned, sharp teeth shining even with the little light coming through. “I thought so. C’me on.”

He held out his hand again, like he did the first time, but motioned with the tips of his fingers, pulling them towards him slowly, including that tiny one. She shifted, putting her weight onto the other leg and, as quick as an arrow, pulled his hand towards her, under the bed.

“Fuck!” He groaned, his shoulder popping as he slid under the bed, stopping only when he was face to face with her.

“Colonel!” Someone yelled.

“It's fine, calm the fuck down.” He yelled back, and turned back to her with a sigh, “We are supposed to get out from under the bed, not go deeper.”

“Stay.” Her voice cracked, putting authority where it doesn’t belong, obviously not used to it. Oh, so cute… Fuck…

“It’s kinda cramped down here.” He grunted, motioning around them with a wave of his hand. “It ain't really gonna work, ya know.” 

She shifted as quick as a whip and began rubbing his arm, her long fingers digging into the muscled flesh there.

Quaritch chuckled, “Not that kinda cramp. It’s too small for both of us to be under the bed. But,” He groaned as he got onto his elbows. “They won’t hurt ya, I promise. They might be Marines, they're assholes sure but even they have hearts. C’me on, let’s get out of here. Gonna follow me out?”

She nodded slowly and he wasted no time, smiling and said: “Good girl.”

He crawled out, and knelt on one knee, thanking whoever would listen to him that this body is in better shape than his previous one – the Colonel would hate to admit it, but his human body was old, and battle-worn. This one, the new one – was perfect… It was fit, and the old injuries non-existent; Young. Strong. Virile…

He cleared his throat, and looked under the bed.

“C’mon, Sweetheart. You agreed to follow me out,” He placed his hands on his knees, leaning forward so that he could peek underneath, his tail swishing back and forth in obvious amusement. “You wanna be a good girl, don’t you?”

“Sir-”

There was a slap, and a grunt, someone shushing someone else. 

“Go on. It’s gonna take a while for us to come out. Make sure Lopez doesn’t eat my fucking beef!”

The Demons laughed, mocking 'Lopez' as they left the room, and then it was quiet...

The Dreamwalker sighed, making her jump and hiss as he ducked back underneath with a soft grunt and held out one hand. “Come on, Yay-u, be a good girl, won’t ya, and come out? You are a good girl, aren’t ya?”

Yayiu-te sighed and, slowly, stretched out her slender, four-fingered hand – meeting the larger, half-alien hand half-way.

“Good girl,” He smiled and pulled her out from under the bed, onto her feet gently.... “You can’t sleep down there.”

She looked down under the bed again. “I can. I fit. You do no.”

“True, but it isn’t very comfortable.” Her ears pulled flat, and her tail whipped. “You gonna stomp your foot now?”

“I am no child!” She hissed.

“Let’s get some food in you before you throw a tantrum, mmm?”

“What?”

“A ‘tantrum’ is when you make it known to everyone else that you are upset by raising your voice and making a mess.” He added as an afterthought, “Usually.”

“I didn’t throw a tan-trum since I was child!” The words sticking in her thick accent, making it sound rather sweet and enduring, even with her tail wap-waping through the air.

“Haven’t.” He smirked.

“What?” Her voice cracked under the stress. 

“You say that you ‘haven’t thrown’ a tan-trum-” He mocked her accent, smiling and pulling his ears back as she obviously did when she said the word. “Since you were a child. But I highly doubt that since you are throwing one now.”

Yayiu-te hissed at him, baring her white teeth; sharp and deadly, perfect.

“Oh, you are definitely hungry. You’re not you when you are hungry, that’s what my momma always said. My daddy on the other hand said; ‘I’ll give you something to cry about’, but then again, he said that about everything that disturbed his peace.”

A look came over his eye, like he went far away, to a place she has never been – a place he won’t come back from, leaving her alone here in this strange place…

Yayiu-te grabbed his arm and shook, gaining his attention, babbling in that strange language of hers: “Fwew oe!”

He looked down at her, like he never left... 

“I don’t know what you are saying Sweetheart.” He smiled down at her. She scoffed, and let go of his arm with an adorable humpf, “Now, don’t be like that, I am paying attention to you, aren’t I?”

“No, you look but you no See.” She pouted, frowning up at him, her eyes big and... fucking pretty if he had to admit it.

“There’s nothing wrong with my eyes. The doc had me tested.” Parker would be pissed they waisted that much money on an idiot who couldn't see... “I got no problems.”

She made an undignified sound, and hit him in the chest.

“Ow! Now, what was that for, huh?” He rubbed at his chest. Jesus, Sweetheart, if I had know you got such a left hook, I wouldn't have taken off my fucking body armour...

“Stupid! Sa'nok learned, so do Toruk Makto. You are no want!” Her ears pulled flat as she hissed at him, poking him in the chest. 

“No, no.” He placed his large hand over her smaller, slimmer one still on his chest. “I want to learn. Won’t you teach me?”

“You no learn, if you no See.”

“What do I need to see?” He took her hand and held it, tightly in his overly large alien hand. “I see you, don’t I? Can’t you teach me?”

She grunted and pulled her hand out of his grasp, clutching it to her chest with a kissable-pout...

“C’mon.” Myhulskwaritz sighed. “I promised you food. And then, we can sleep. Hands?”

He held out his hands and Yayiu-te brought her bound hands to his.

“Only until we know you won’t go bolting the minute we let you out the door.” Miles promised and took hold of the bar between her hand.

He banged on the door making Yayiu-te jump, as a small Sky Person stepped up, and opened the gate with a whoosh! He smiled, and led her out of the door, slamming the gate behind them, and across the courtyard, past more Sky People and their machines, and their noise.

“Do you need any help, sir?” A Sky Person asked as they walked by him. He was tall, for an outsider, but she still looked down at him. “We don’t want a repeat of what just happened, sir. For the safety of the base, sir.”

“I’ve got it under control soldier, no need to worry yourself.” Myhulskwaritz didn’t wait for the man to respond and pulled her along, calling over his shoulder: “As you were!”

He led her to a low building, one side covered like all the other Sky People homes, while the other part was open, covered only a thin fabric she couldn't really identify. He opened another door, and said: “Get in,” and pushed her through gently.

The space was warm, the smell of food in the air, and the Dreamwalkers sat around a table laughing, and talking with each other. She could see the rest of the Sky Peoples homes, as they ran around like insects outside, looking normal... Well, as normal as Sky People could be...

“Hey, Colonel! You finally decided to grace us with your presence!” Lilwin-feet yelled, waving them down. 

Myhulskwaritz grunted and pushed her towards the table, and over the bench.

“Sit down.” He took her hands, and pressed them flat onto the table, his entirely too large ones keeping her there. “Hands on the table. Don’t do anything stupid - I’ll be right back. Keep an eye on her.”

He left and the other Dreamwalker’s went back to their conversations, making jokes and laughing, eating more of their strange food. Pulling dry-looking bar out of brown bags and squeezing yellow paste on top. Laughing as someone said something particularly funny...

She looked them over - all looking much different now that they removed their bulky clothes, but not any smaller. Their arms bulged under their shirts, and their feet kicked hers under the table. She quickly pulled them up onto her seat when one kicked her particularly hard.

“It’s rude to sit with your feet up on the chair.” The Colonel came back, and placed a brown package in front of her, along with a bottle of water and two cups. He reached for her hands and removed the band holding her hands together with a snap. She quickly began rubbing at her wrists. 

“They kick.” She said, pointing to the rest of the soldiers with a shaking finger, still rubbing at her wrists.

“Kick them back. All’s fair, and all that.” He grunted as he sat down, and tore open his own packet, removing the contents inside. She placed her feet back on the ground. “I still can’t believe they got us on MRE’s.”

“We just missed the real stuff sir, it's past ten and all.”

The Dreamwalker huffed, looked at the brown package and grimaced as he ripped it open.

She picked up the package, and did the same, watching the tiny brown packages fell out onto the table. She picked up the small little packages, and frowned at the uniform brown shapes and their black squiggles...

“Let’s see what you got, Yay-u.” Wainfleet picked the packages and looked them over. “Anyone opened their Main yet?”

“Already did, sorry.” Somebody yelled from her left.

“Figures... Prager?” He turned his head, and held out the package with a smile. “Eh? Eh?”

Prager's headband was already soaked with sweat, as he shook his head, swallowed, and said, still around a mouth full of food: “Chili.”

“Shit. You Walker? What do you have?” Quaritch asked, holding the package in hand, ready to trade. “Please tell me its something edible.”

“MRE's are edible?” Brown looked down the table, and was promptly attacked with the little brown packages from all sides.

“Beef stew.” Walker held up the packet, still closed as she chewed on a dark brown piece of... something, with a yellow paste spread on top.

“I’ll trade ya, for a ‘Mexican Style Chicken Stew’. She’ll shit bricks.” He held the package over to trade, the brown package dwarfed in his large hand.

“Fine.” The packages were thrown over the table, flying past her head. 

“Here,” Miles opened the package, and handed it to her, a white stick sticking out of it, licking his thumb, “Eat that.”

She took it, and peeked inside.

The brown meat was cubed, and covered in a brown sticky mess. Yayiu-te peaked at him, with a frown. Myhulspilipkwaritz smiled and motioned for her to eat, teeth snapping together... pleasantly.

She picked up the stick, noticing that the it came to a round end, with tiny spikes sticking out of it. Miles scoffed and picked the object out of her hand, scooping some of the meat onto it, and held it towards her mouth. She gripped his hand, holding it still while she sniffed it. It smelt pleasant enough, sweet with what sa'nok called ‘spicy’.

The Dreamwalker raised an eyebrow. She opened her lips, and he gently pushed the food into her mouth.

The meat was tender, the cubes soft and stringy. Yayiu swallowed and picked up more of the food with her fingers, pinching the tender meat between her digest and marveling at the stringy texture. It was alright.

“There are sporks for a reason you know.” He placed the spork upright into the meat, and gently took the hand she was eating with in his own, wiping it down with a moist towelette, as indicated on its packaging. The white, fowl smelling towel dwarfed by his massive hand, as he held her wrist, gently cleaning her fingers with precise, gentle movements. He pointed to her food again, and the white spork sticking out of it. “There we go. Use that. Not your fingers.”

Yayiu-te took the spork between her fingers and pulled it out of the brown sauce. She looked at the cubed meat again, stabbed, and took another bite, chewing carefully on the strange food.

“It bad.” Her face scrunched up into the most adorable scowl. “Why no hunt?”

“Humans can’t eat the animals here.” He rumbled, and took a sip of his coffee, calm and soft... 

“But uniltìranyu does.” She looked at Miles, spork held in one hand, and her hair still in those perfect little, wet braids. “Why no hunt?”

“It’s not safe, and it’s too late for that.” Miles pointed to the window, where the large gas giants were already setting, and the moons rising above the trees. The day has past without so much as a whimper. “Besides, tomorrow, we need to debrief you, and see what we can learn. And we need to contact the General.”

“You haven’t talked to her yet, sir?” 

“And tell her what, Fike?” Zdinarsik asked, looking at her colleague with what could only be described as amusement, and continued in a near perfect replica of Miles’ voice: “‘Good evening, ma’am, everything is hunky-dory. Well, except we seemed to have picked up a native while we were off base past recommended hours, and she seems to have taken a liking to me. I am convinced she can lead us to the Hostile’s camp, and Jake Sully soon enough. Yes ma’am, I will keep in in my pants’. Ha! That bitch'll skin you alive, sir.”

“I am sure the Colonel can keep it in his pants, Zdinarsik,” Another pointed his spork at the woman, with amusement written clear across his face. “You on the other-hand had, how many pilots under your belt?”

“Hey, pilots fuck well enough, Zhang, they don’t just 'wham, bam and thank you ma’am' out your bunk at two a.m. when you’re done, ain’t that right, Mansk?”

“I left her a note, Zee.” 'Mansk' spoke around a mouth full of food. He swallowed. “Besides, I knew she had the Big-Heads in the morning, she needed her sleep. And, I am pretty sure she was fucking with Wills on the side, she didn’t need me sticking around.”

“I would fuck Wills too, if I had to look at your ugly mug to get off.” Walker remarked and took a drink out of her cup. “This one ain't much of an improvement.” 

Mansk threw a bunched up piece of fabric at her head. 

The table laughed again, loudly and happily, obviously enjoying gaining amusement at the other’s expense.

“Get off? Why do they need to climb down?” Yayiu-te frowned at him. 

Zdinarsik spat out her drink and laughed louder, while whatever Fike was eating got stuck in his throat. Lopez reached over and beat him on the back, rather half-heartedly, too busy laughing himself.

“Jesus!” Fike coughed out, reaching for his cup, and taking a sip. And promptly started laughing again. “I am not explaining this one, nope. Z-Dog brought it up. She can explain it. Not it.” He crossed two fingers over one another and held it up into the air, still laughing...

Zdinarsik held her head in her hands, the shaved portion of her head shining under the light. “Nope, I will give her the down and dirty version, and I don’t think her daddy will appreciate that. Have-”

“When you are sexually frustrated,” Miles spoke, interrupting Zdinarsik, stopping the laughter and drawing their attention back to him. “You seek a partner to help you relieve those frustrations, usually. One can also do it alone. That usually is referred to ‘getting off’.”

He looked over at her, his large frame appearing even larger as he sat back in his chair, spreading his knees and balancing his cup on his knee. His braid hung over his shoulder, gleaming under the light. The Dreamwalker threw his head back and took a slow, deep breath, before releasing the air just as slowly. 

Yayiu-te turned back to her plate, she frowned and she took another bite, chewing the food carefully.

“You take everything literal, don’t you?”

Yayiu-te turned to look at him, and frowned even deeper, her lips drawing into another pout.

“To take everything said as truth.” Miles explained, picking up his cup and taking a sip.

“You do-n't?” She frowned at him, big eyes getting even bigger as she glared.

“No, people tell bluffs to get ahead, to get what they want, to protect people and their feelings…” He grimaced, and sighed. “People do it all the time, it's natural.”

“So, lie?” Yayiu-te snarled at him.

“In a sense,” He shrugged, his big shoulders rolling under his shirt. “But it isn’t always so cut and dried. Sometimes words have more than one meaning, I am sure it’s like that with the Na’vi, isn’t it?”

She shook her head. “We say what means.”

“I can see that.” He chuckled. 

Her ears twitched and she turned her body to face him fully.

“Do you lie always?” She asked, her tail whipping through the air.

“It’s not really lying, Sweetheart. It’s…” He sighed and took another sip of his drink, sighing again as he put down the cup on the table, leaning forward with a frown. “It’s not always polite to use certain words in certain company – so we use different words not to seem rude. Instead of saying, ‘fucking’ or ‘sex’ we use the term ‘to get off or ‘to scratch an itch’, if we are being particularly nice that day. Or we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings so instead of being rude, we use words called ‘euphemisms’. Nicer words to describe something bad.”

She turned back to the table, and her tail twitched next to his, hissing: “It still lie.”

He chuckled and she felt his tail copy her movement, making her look down. It looked like a normal tail, the black fur on the tip smooth and shiny like hers, bigger to match his bulky frame. The stripes and patterns unique, but nothing really alien about the limb... 

“It’s preserving peace. A little white lie never hurt anyone.”

She looked up at him for a moment, then back down to his tail. He followed her gaze - His tail curled around hers, intertwining the limbs in a gentle embrace. It was warm, and soft, and almost kind, as if this demon understood what that was...

“What? It’s just a tail, you have one too.” He rumbled from above.

She turned her head away. And quick as an ikran’s wings, flicked her tail against his, hard, and curled it around herself.

“It is rude!” She hissed, pulling her feet up to her chair again and curled the, admittedly pretty, tail around her legs,  making her seem even smaller. “Do no touch!”

“Whatever you say, Sweetheart.” He smiled, showing her his sharp teeth. “I won’t touch your tail.”

She hissed and turned her attention back to her food, picking up the strange utensil and gently pocked at it.

“Why is it rude to touch a tail? I mean, it’s a tail, isn’t it?” 

She didn’t see who spoke but she heard the unmistakable ‘Jesus’ coming from Fike again.

“No you to touch.” She mumbled, and stabbed at the food.

“Why not? You touched mine remember, on the flight over.” He rumbled next to her, pocking her hand with a finger.

“I do not!” She… blushed. She turned a delicious shade of purple, a soft deep color that made Quaritch want to eat her up, slowly, savoring every bite, as it disappeared beneath the shirt. She turned her full attention to him, and bared her teeth. “You throw over! I do no touch! Do no touch!”

“Alright! Alright! I won’t touch!” He held out his hands in a placating manner, palms out, still smiling. He leaned forward over the table, and picked up his cup. “I gotta get my hands on Augustine’s book, huh?”

Wainfleet just shrugged, stabbing at the food in front of him, before taking a bite, “If we are gonna be keeping her, it might be a good investment all things considered.”

“Goddamn, now I gotta read the words of that damned quack? And I thought getting bit was the highlight of my day, but it keeps on getting better and better.” He brought the cup closer to his lips, and blew gently into it. Then took a sip. “Where the fuck am I gonna find that book anyway?”

“We’ll search the compound, there’s got to be a copy around here somewhere - with the way she was flaunting that book of hers, trying to get us to read it. The RDA cleared the last base when the told Sully to fuck off, put a bunch of shit into storage, apparently - there's gotta be one. Squints prayed to that fucking thing... She practically threw that thing at my head one day. Should have let me punch her that one time. That would have made my year.” Wainfleet sniffed and took a bite of his food.

“Heh, best thing that happened was when I shot the bitch.” Quaritch mumbled, and stabbed at his plate.

The table laughed around their food, continuing to talk about it as if it was the most hilarious thing.

“You kill sa'nok?” Yayiu-te asked, drawing everyone's attention to her. Her face went pale. Quaritch had to wonder if she would faint soon, with all the blood going up and down like it did.

“I shot her, she died of her wounds. Nothing I could do about it.” He shrugged, as if taking a life meant nothing, as if taking her life meant nothing. “She was a traitor and it was my duty as Chief of Security to eliminate anything that would pose a threat to the base. Augustine was a threat: to this base, to the people on this base and to the investment this base represented. I handled that threat swiftly and decisively as I was paid to do.”

He looked at her, and even with him slouching over the table like he did, he still towered over her. She sat back in her chair, her jaw set and her eyes cast forward.

“Get her back to the barracks.” The Dreamwalkers jumped to action. “I need to speak to the General.”

“Demon.” She whispered, as Zdinarsk pulled her along.

“Never claimed to be anything else, Sweetheart.” He rumbled, taking another sip of his coffee.

Never deserved another name... She tried not to cry.

Chapter Text

3. In Bitch We Trust

It is well known around base that General Frances Brigitte Ardmore is a massive bitch. It was the first thing they were warned about when they stepped off the ship, men laughing as they went to report their arrival with deep chortles;

“Watch out for the Mortar!”

It got even worse when they chased the girl through the fucking base. The news of how the bitch would break off their fucking tails and feed it to them, wasn't kept on the DL either... 

“Oh, the Mortar is just gonna love this! The Bitch of the Base is gonna kill ya!” 

The Bitch of the Base... That fit her well... And in Lyle’s personal (and professional that spans at least twelve years in the military, minus the time on Pandora, of course) opinion – The Head Cunt of the Base fits her even better. He knew that fact well enough, because it was oh-two-hundred hours when she and her fucking brown-nosers decided to pay them a visit, after refusing to see the Colonel for the entire fucking day... 

“Typical Big Brass Bullshite!” Quaritch rumbled as he stepped into the Recom quarters later that evening, slamming the gate shut before the Cage Kicker could even move. The light from the outside gleaming off his sweat-soaked skin. “Didn't fucking even get through her fucking secretary. Who the fuck still has a secretary? On this God forsaken moon! What fucking big brass bullshite is this?”

Yayiu-te glared at him from the edge of his bunk, furthest away from the entrance, her tail flicked over her shoulder as she sat on the ground. Just where he left her this morning. 

“Has she moved at all?” He frowned, as he began pulling at the Velcro keeping his vest together, pulling the heavy ballistic nylon over his head with a grunt. “Gotten into any kind of bullshit?”

“Nope,” Lyle sighed, and scratched his cheek, dumping his datapad next to him on the bed. “She just hissed and snapped her teeth, before deciding that she won't move for shit, and planted her ass on the bed.”

“Is that right?” Quaritch turned his attention back to the girl, tilting his head to the side as she glared at him. He sucked his teeth, and clicked his tongue, throwing the vest over his shoulder with a huff, before sighing; “Why you being mean, huh, Sweetheart? Lyle's only trying to help, ya know. It's not nice to hiss at everyone for no reason. Didn't your momma teach you any manners? ”

She hissed, bared her fangs, ears pulled back, disturbing the fine black hairs tucked behind an ear, before she slid underneath his bed without further fanfare.

“Fine,” Quaritch sighed, and threw his woobie onto the floor with a huff, “Use that, it's too damn cold for you to sleep on the damn floor. The Mortar ain't gonna waste any meds on ya should ya get sick.”

She looked at the giant, green thing that plaped! down in front of her. It smelled like him...

Quaritch sat down on his bunk, just beginning to untie his boots, when blue crawled between his legs. He watched as a slim, pretty, blue hand reached between his spread legs, smiling as it gripped the blanket and pulled it back under. 

Well, he sighed, that's a start at least. He didn't notice the rest of his team as they got ready for bed either, smirking and nudging each other with knowing smiles...

And there she stayed, quiet as a mouse, no tantrums or hissing or yelling in Na'vi, peaceful and quiet, getting her beauty sleep like a little lady... Until the fucking Mortar came stomping in. All dressed up in her diggies, boots shining like they've never tasted dirt (they probably haven't), and with not a blonde hair out of place, she marched in like she didn't know it was oh-two-hundred... this, bitch... 

Typical Big Brass Bullshite. 

Being woken by the bright overhead lights flicking on was something that hasn't happened since boot camp, and the overly familiar action was not welcomed. At all. Least of all by their little guest who had no idea what the fuck was happening...

Poor kid. Lyle couldn't help but sigh as he heard her jump underneath Quaritch's rack with a hiss.

“I didn’t know they stacked shit that high.” Ja whispered to Mansk as the woman came stomping into their barracks, her lackeys scurrying behind her, panting behind their exopacks, oxygen scrubbers hissing at each exhale. His comrade simply hummed in response, frowning at the MP's as they line the far wall, waiting for the General to enter.

“I pity the fuck who had to shit that out,” Zhang huffed.

Zdinarsk yawned; “Shoulda' fucking flushed.”

Fike snorted, which quickly turned into a cough when he was shoved in his side.

It was rather satisfying watching her lift her feet up higher to accommodate the Recom sized stairs – and watching her personal brown-nosers doing the same made the headache that was brewing under Mansk's skull a bit more bearable... just a smidge... But even after all that bullshite, she didn't even seem fucking phased... 

They lined up, like the perfect little soldiers they were, waiting for her to chew off their ears, spit down their ear drums and sew them back on upside down - exopack or not.

The one, the only, the Bitch of the Base, the Mortar, General Francis Brigette Ardmore, stepped up to Warren, looking him up and down with a look that could only be described as fucking pissed, giving each Recom the same, 'fuck-you-you-son-of-a-bitch-you-aren't-much-better-than-a-burn-bag', until she finally came to the end of the formation - Standing before the General half asleep next to Quaritch, Yayiu-te swayed on her feet as her tail tried to compensate for her lack of balance, not a care in the world that the tiny Sky People in front of her would decide her fate... 

Quaritch had slid her out from under his bed abruptly, grabbing the edges of her woobie and pulling her out with little fuss, grabbing the bright orange cuffs from his bedside drawer, and knelt over her prone body, pulling her up with a soft grunt.

“C'mon,” He grunted as she leaned into his chest, her breath hot and wet on his skin as she moaned and rubbed her nose into his shoulder. Quaritch let out a sigh, not now, later, please don't make me sprout a fucking hardon in front of the General. “C'mon, Sweetheart. On yer feet for me. Be good, will ya?”

He pulled Yayiu-te up onto her feet in line next to him, adjusting the shirt over her shoulder with quick, sure fingers before slapping the cuffs over her wrists with a snap! making her flinch sleepily. Quaritch grimaced, no point in trying to hide the girl, the Mortar probably knew about her in the first place, Hell, the entire base probably did by now, why else come here this late?

Yayiu-te rubbed her eyes with a clenched fist and a pout on her pretty lips, even as he dragged her along, trying to clear the sleep away with cuffed hands, long fingers stiffly digging into the corners. As they came to a stop next to the others, her tail curled around Quaritch’s leg, totally oblivious as the General walked up to her. She yawned, sharp teeth gleaming under the lamplight, her tail curling around the leg a bit tighter. Quaritch huffed, But its okay to touch me with your tail? 

The Mortar looked them up and down, and huffed.

“Care to explain, Colonel Quaritch?” The General's voice was loud even without yelling, making Yayiu-te step back and everyone else flinch. Her tail flicked away from his leg, as if caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to do, and curled around her own. Or not... “When were you going to tell me that you brought a hostile onto my base without permission? Or why it isn't in the brig as we speak?” 

“The report has been delivered to your desk, ma’am.” Their CO snarked as he pulled the girl back in line, the insane bastard rearing his ugly head, I was hoping that this whole confrontation would happen in the morning, He peaked at the clock above the door, at a reasonable hour at least, and rumbled, “But if you insist, General.” 

Quaritch retold the whole tale Barney style, continuously clearing his throat to clear the sleep lodged there; from them landing near the camp, walking all the way through to the link base, to Yayiu-te’s capture, the fight that ensued, the fact that they survived an entire night without being munched on and her being brought back to the base - Conveniently leaving out the part of them having to play dress-up with their new toy and the few bites dealt out along the way... 

“We're trying to get her to like us, ma'am. Shoving her into prison won't help accomplish that. We can use her, General.” Quaritch took a step closer, motioning to her with his hand, while resting the other on his hip, long blue fingers digging into the fabric of his shorts. The brown-nosers jumped at the movement, and reached for their service weapons, only to be waved off by a flick of the Mortar's fingers. I am wearing shorts, you retards, where the fuck am I gonna hide a fucking pistol, huh? 

“Continue, Colonel.” She huffed, her lips pulling up into a sour pout... Eww... “We don't have all morning.”

“She knows the forest, knows the layout, better than even the vets can ever hope to, better than the squints even - and she won't trigger the immune response, she can help us avoid those damn creepy-crawlies. She can lead us straight to Sully by the damn hand, ma'am. We could domesticate her - Pop on a leash and let her lead the way. And if she causes trouble, me an' my guys can end it-” He snapped his fingers, the sound echoing loudly through the room, making Yayiu-te flinch, ears pulling back, “- just like that. Nothing lost, a couple of months saved by not wondering around aimlessly. Lyle's a great shot - one wrong move, and her brain will splatter.”

By the time I'm done with her, it won't be necessary, Quaritch sneaked a peak at the girl, but she was too out of it to even notice what was going on around her - her brows furrowed as she swayed on her feet, forcing her eyes open with soft groans. She'll be eating out of my hand before the week is over... 

“Can you do it, Lieutenant Wainfleet?” The Mortar turned to Lyle, pinning him under her signature bitch-stare, her thin lips pulling even thinner, if possible. “Can you end the hostile should she become a threat?”

“Without a doubt ma’am.” He straightened up, his hands falling to his side, he swallowed, clearing his throat of the thick sleep lodged there. “I will be able to. I will do my duty. The rest of the squad won't hesitate.”

“And you, Colonel Quaritch?” She looked him up and down, raising an eyebrow, “If I gave you a gun, would you do it?”

“Of course, ma'am.” He sneered down at her, sharp teeth gleaming under the artificial light. “It's just a native.”

The Mortar huffed, clicking her tongue on the roof of her mouth before rolling her eyes, as she started pacing again. Then, she let out a low, slow sigh and stopped.

“I need to clear this with the brass. Until then, you, all of you-” She motioned around her with her hand, and looked at Yayiu-te with a frown, sighing, “Are confined to quarters. You have leave for basic amenities and nothing else. She causes any trouble, you'll serve your own balls on a silver platter, Quaritch - Hope they aren't too chewy. A guard will be stationed outside the barracks, so you don't do anything stupid. You are in charge of her, she so much as puts a toe out of line, you're dead. Along with your little pet.”

Then, she and her fucking brown-nosers stomped out without another word. 

That bitch... Quaritch grit his teeth, quickly stepping up to lock the gate, glaring at the human who turned back to do the same, pushing them together before the human could react, with a snarl - the kid's eyes widened as he eyed Quaritch's teeth, quickly turning tail, and bolted after the Mortar, kicking up dust as he went.

Quaritch sighed, and turned back to the team - standing around like a bunch of fucking idiots!

“Well, just because we are confined to quarters doesn’t mean y’all can stand there with your thumbs up your asses – back to bed. Chop-chop!” He clapped his hands and shooed them away, adding with a yawn: “It's fucking late. And it's been a long ass-day, I ain't gonna have you yapping the night away. Move your asses! Go!”

“No, shit, sir. She woke us up at oh-two-hundred to stand parade for half an hour, to chew out our asses for a grand total of twenty minutes and then just poof-” Lopez wiggled his fingers with a snarl, skin gleaming with sweat, fresh tattoos a a stark contrast against the blue skin, “Expects us to go back to sleep. Does she think its easy in this heat without the comforts of the fucking base? Jesus, I mean, its not like we have a fucking AC unit up in this bitch! Man, fuck that cunt! Standard operating procedure, my baby blue Latino ass. AFI, that's what this shit is! Goddamned bitch! Aw, bebita, you still tired?”

They turned their attention to their guest — Yayiu-te stood swaying from side to side in the too-big shirt; the military green clashing with her blue skin under the bright florescent lights, brushing against the skin of her thighs, one side falling off her shoulder, exposing her collarbone to the night air, showing the tops of her breasts as she rubbed her eye with the back of her hand, pulling the shorts up with sleepy fingers – the perfect picture of innocence, enhanced by the sweat beading on her skin, multiple tiny droplets of water shining under the light.

God, what I wouldn’t give to ruin that… Quaritch thought, tongue suddenly dry as fuck and ran a hand through his hair with a groan, squeezing his eyes shut as he scratched at his undercut with blunt nails. Fuck... No wonder the Mortar was pissed, she looks like a fucking barracks bunny caught in the fucking act... He groaned again, and ran his tongue over his teeth... Jesus, fuck... 

“It's late, Lopez, what do you expect?” Walker yawned, and threw her arm around Yayiu-te's shoulder, pulling her closer and at the same time pulling the fabric up with quick fingers. “Her to be up and at ’em when the General comes marching in here like a grunt? Please.”

“It's pretty early, actually,” Warren yawned, and scratched at his cloth covered stomach. “It's in the AM's...”

“Who gives a fuck, Warren?” Brown sighed, and yawned, scratching at his ear. “It's still in the early stages of the AM's, practically late PM's. Normal people would be asleep right now...”

“Ain't we normal?” Warren raised an eyebrow and cocked his head.

“Nah,” Lyle yawned, and stretched his arms above his head with a groan, “But if you were, none of you fuckers would have been chosen for this mission.”

Yayiu-te blinked and rubbed her eye again, leaning into Walker’s side; the Recom pulled their captive closer, running her fingers over the small braids with a sigh.

Yayiu-te looked up at the lightbulb with a frown and pointed to it, slim fingers just about to touch it, but was quickly stopped by Quaritch. She breathed all sleepely, voice thick, “How is...gone?”

“Like this,” Quaritch flicked a switch with long blue fingers, and the light dimmed and dimmed until they faded completely, never letting go of her fingers. Ignoring the warmth her sleep-thick voice sent swirling in his belly, he pulled her out of Walkers hold and into his own, turned her in his arms and began shuffling her along. The streetlamps from outside illuminated the room just enough to ensure they didn't trip over a stray boot or ruck... “Just a flick of the switch. Back to bed, everyone. We will discuss this in the morning. After we’ve run drills. And you-” He rumbled at her, squeezing her fingers a bit tighter in his grasp, “Don't touch lightbulbs, they're hot.”

Yayiu-te frowned at it and let herself be led away with little fuss.

Fike moaned, and dragged his feet to bed, throwing his hands in the air, and groaned out, “Of course there will be PT, what else did I expect? You are a slave driver, sir. Congratulations, you’ve already broken my spirit.”

“You mean joining the Core didn’t do that first? You’re not as soft as I thought you were, Fike.” Brown laughed, and stretched with a groan. “I take back any shit I've said about you, only in the last three weeks of course.”

“I take it back, sir,” Fike pointed his finger to Brown, who smiled at the challenge as his teammate snarled, “I will smoke Brown’s ass tomorrow with a fucking smile.”

“You? Sean Fike?” Brown laughed a big belly laugh, throwing his head back and clutched at his sides. Then suddenly stopped, his face going blank too quickly for Yayiu-te's tastes. “I will believe that when I see it.”

Walker shushed them from her bed, already tucked back in under the covers, with the overhead lamp turned off, mumbling something about “noisy fuckers” as she got comfortable. The other Dreamwalkers quickly followed her lead, plopping down on their beds, and pulled their blankets up, over their shoulders with huffs of their own, pounding pillows back into the perfect shape, before flicking off their own lamps with quick fingers.

“Sleep tight kitties, we’ve got a long morning ahead of us tomorrow.” Lights flicked off, one by one, until they were thrust back into the darkness. Miles came up behind her, and steered her back to the nest she made under his bed - warm, large hands on her hips, shuffling her along. He repeated her earlier words, “C’mon. It’s late.”

She did as told, clearly on autopilot, as she slid past the beds of already snoring men, frowning: “How do do that?”

He chuckled at her, a warm rumble that lulled her back under before she was even ready.

“We’re Marines, Sweetheart - we can sleep anywhere.” He smiled as he pulled the sheet away, and had her sit down. He picked up her feet, small and rough in his hands, and tucked them under the sheet, pulled it up under her chin. He positioned her head on the pillow so it wouldn’t hurt her neck, and smiled as she wiggled down, “Good girl.”

Quaritch slipped the cuffs from her wrists, giving them a quick rub with rough fingers, before tucking her under the sheet, and placing the orange bands on his bedside table. 

“Will do?” She mumbled, looking up at him through her thick lashes, liquid gold promising to melt him into a puddle at her feet. “Will kill I?”

Quaritch stopped in his tracks, and looked down at her - Fucking too big eyes staring up at him, gold leaking with fear. Fuck me... Not if you keep looking at me like that, Sweetheart.

“Nah,” He rumbled, and knelt next to her, tucking a stray strand of silky black hair behind her soft ear, “Now why would I wanna do that, huh? Where else am I gonna get someone to take me to Sully, huh?” Where else am I gonna get a piece of tail as fine as yours? “Go to sleep, we'll talk more in the morning, alright? Nothing's coming after you tonight, alright? I'm gonna be here,” He pointed to the ground next to her, “Sleep now.”

He grabbed the blanket out from under his bed, and rolled it up to form a pillow. Quaritch laid down on the ground, and settled in with a groan. He listened as Yayiu-te settled herself into the covers with a soft moan of her own…

Fuck… Tomorrow is gonna be a long day, he thought, maneuvering his braid over his shoulder with a groan, throwing his arm over his eyes. Thank fuck my knees are in better shape...

This is not how the fucking morning was supposed to start. It was supposed to be easy, quick. Get the girl ready, and fuck of to HQ to get their orders and fuck forth with whatever it is the big heads decided. But, when has there ever been an easy morning in the history of mankind on this God-forsaken moss-ball?

“What the fuck do you mean ‘it’s too big’? How can it be too big?” Miles yelled from his seat outside the bathroom door, his tail swishing back and forth in clear frustration. Lyle could hear the headache brewing under his CO's skull. “Walker gave her the clothes, not you! Damnit Zdinarsk!”

“Sir, it’s too damned big!” Zdinarsik yelled through the stall door, huffing. “She looks like she’s drowning in it, and I am pretty fucking sure that Maria will fucking annihilate me if I took a pair of scissors near this-! Hey, stop biting! Fuck!”

Is that all she fucking does? Lyle wondered with a yawn as he started another round of pacing. 

“I will!” Walker yelled from the outside, waiting for the rest of the team to come out. “That’s my favorite shirt, Zee! I will fuck you up!”

“It’s fine!” Quaritch dragged a tired hand over his face, scratching at his cheek. “The General is already going to rip out my tail and beat me with it! I think she can- Oh fuck…”

He failed to bite back the moan, and tried to ignore the way the rest of the team, especially Lyle, glared at him. Don't you fucking dare... 

“See?” Zdinarsik came out with Yayiu-te under arm, already cuffed with the standard issue green, MARINE, shirt hanging from one pretty blue shoulder, the fucking bite mark sitting proudly on the pretty skin, a pair of what seemed to be PT shorts sliding down her waist even with the drawstring pulled tight, practically drowning her petite form in the brown and green fabric. A scowl on her pretty face, her full lips drawn into an even prettier pout. Zee clutching a clear baggy in hand, her jaw wearing down her one of the first of her daily allotted pieces of gum. “Even if I did have the time, I would need to cut and sow to get it to fit her right. She fucking refused shoes, sir.”

“Damn,” Warren whispered behind him, and Quaritch bit his lip to keep himself from repeating that statement. And to stop himself from beating his subordinate to a fucking pulp. 

Fike let out a wolf whistle that he chose to ignore. I'm gonna make you eat tar later.

“Well Sweetheart, it looks like we’re gonna have to raid a closet or two to get you dressed.” Zhang smiled at her.

“That the best we got?” Quaritch asked, clearing his throat, and trying not to strangle Fike. He kept his eyes on Zdinarsik and not on Yayiu-te’s legs...

“Unfortunately, sir.” Z-Dog had the nerve to look scared, pulling at the slipping fabric at the girl’s shoulder with quick fingers. “I checked, with everyone-!”

“Alright! Alright,” Quaritch took a deep breath, trying to calm his head, and sighed. He stepped up, and took hold of the bar holding her wrists together, checking them over. Not looking up from her slim fingers, he sighed; “Nothing we can do about it now. You found the rest of her shit, right?”

Zdinarsik held up the green mesh bag with a grimace, white beads mixing with the purple fabric, “Nothing in here would be classified as 'appropriate', sir.”

“That’s the best what we got then. Dump the shit on my bunk, Zdinarsk, we'll deal with it later. No time to waste,” He sighed and stood, leading his team to the door. “Let’s go. Chop-chop.”

Zdinarsik did as told, and lead Yayiu-te out the door and down the steps by the arm, and shook her head, muttering under her breath; “We are trained to be the best of the best of the best, now we are just a bunch of glorified fucking babysitters. Jesus Christ. Oorah, my fucking pretty blue ass. Goddamnit, we are worth more than this.”

Yayiu-te kept up with them quietly, staring at everything as they walked past – obstacle courses, mech-suits, and soldiers going about their business. 

“C'mon,” Zdinarsk hissed, pulling her closer. “Don't dilly-daddle. We don't have time for this.”

“Where we go?” She demanded with a hiss, glaring at the Dreamwalker’s hand on her arm.

“I told you,” Myhulspilipkwaritz growled over his shoulder, holding out his palm as they crossed the same black ground she ran across yesterday, stopping a smaller un-ikran from going past them. It burned her feet, worse than the rocks in the rivers as they hopped back off the grey dirt. “Busy day, Sweetheart. Lots of shit to do. People to see, noses to brown. Lots of fucking important shit.”

“That all you say!” Yayiu-te spat, stopping in the middle of the black dirt, dragging the demons to a standstill with her and glaring at him. She tried to yank her arms free, but they were just too strong. They are humoring me... “You say, ‘Busy day!’” She mocked his deep, Southern accent terribly, the Na’vi making her voice all growly and kitten-ish, sending whatever blood was left in Quaritch's head after the outfit reveal, down south. “You never say!”

Quaritch walked up to her, his mouth set in a scowl, and gripped her arm, pulling her in close, his body heat radiating through his body armor, thank fuck for the cup... “Not in the middle of the road, you could get run over, Sweetheart.”

“They can run!” She spat, her R’s rolling deliciously over her tongue. What would that taste like? What would that feel like, that rolling R over my fingers? Over my neck? Shanking her head, clenching her eyes shut, she cried: “I no go!”

Quaritch snapped out of his thoughts and gripped her arm even tighter, barking: “Lopez! Take over for Zee and if you let go, I will fucking make you fucking eat tar! You read me?”

“Loud and clear sir,” The other hand gripped her arm and dragged her between them, black ink spread over the blue... rather prettily. Shame... “She won't get away.”

She opened her mouth, aiming a bite over all those tiny little bones holding the hand together – when his voice purred in her ear, his breath hot on her neck and ear: “I can bite too Sweetheart, you know I can. Obviously, you didn’t learn the first time. Would you like a replay of yesterday?”

She bared her teeth up at him and snarled.

“Aren’t you feisty this morning; we’ll get breakfast afterwards. Don’t worry,” He smiled down at her as he purred, “And if you are really good, maybe some pancakes with syrup.”

“I no want your panned-cakes and your see-rip!” The word rolled over her tongue in such a delicious way, dripping over his skin – smooth, sticky, sweet, like syrup; Quaritch could almost forget she tried to bite him as she thrashed in his hold, “Lonu!”

“Not until you behave!” He growled down at her, grabbing both her arms as he leaned over her, blocking out her sun... The tantrum's getting real old, real fast. “Jesus, Sweetheart, what are you, five?”

She hissed, bared her beautiful gleaming teeth in their full glory. Her nose scrunching up in such a beautiful way – it’s a shame it’s in anger. He gripped her under her jaw, forcing her mouth shut, teeth clashing together with a satisfying clap. The blood was a strong, familiar taste in her mouth. Yayiu-te glared up at him, and hissed again.

“I guess so,” He purred with a smirk, and ran his thumb over her plump lips, pulling away before she could chomp down on his finger. “Time to grow up, Sweetheart.”

She pushed at his chest, trying to make him let go, trying to let Lopez let go, but they just tightened their grip. His mouth pulled into a scowl. He moved so fast that she didn’t see him, only felt his hand grip her braid. Yayiu-te wanted to hiss again, but his tight grip on her braid made it impossible to do anything other than squeak in pain.

“Behave.” He purred in a low voice, sending shivers up and down her spine... “And I’ll get you pancakes. Nice and sweet, alright?”

She opened her mouth to argue, but he jerked her head back further – making her squeak in pain instead. Her large golden eyes promising him a slow and excruciating death. Feisty... 

“I think we’ve got the message,” He purred, sounding pleased with himself. Let her see we mean business, she won't be able to fight everyone... “Let’s go. Wainfleet, take over here.”

Two different pairs of hands gripped her arms and pulled her along, while the Colonel’s strong hand never let go of her braid. The warmth radiating off his body is… uncomfortable – too, too hot. She tried to bite him again, snapping her jaw at his bicep as he exchanged places with his underling. What she didn’t expect was to bite down on it, she didn't expect him to be so slow. The flesh was hot on her tongue, the muscles strong and powerful, and gave rather easily underneath her teeth. He tasted like sweat, and a hint of clean thanks to the same soap he gave her last night, and him: musky and spicy and hot...

“Fuck!” He yelled and pried her jaw loose with strong, rough fingers, hissing: “Motherfucker!”

Quaritch turned the full force of his gaze on her and stepped up to her face, holding her jaw in his painful grip and growled. She met his growl with one of her own, her golden eyes meeting his in challenge, his blood on her teeth. His lips morphed into a slow smile, teeth peeking out as he sighed. She tried not to shiver at the sight of his teeth, bigger than hers by far...

“It’s gonna be like that, huh?" He drawled as she opened her mouth to hiss at him, again. He didn't look away from her as he smiled; "Alright. Gag her, will ya?”

Yayiu-te didn't see who responded, but when she tried to hiss again, a piece of fabric found its way between her lips and teeth, pushing into her mouth, forcing her jaw open, forcing her tounge down. She chopped down on the fabric and moaned. It tasted awful, salty and oily. Yayiu-te couldn't help but gag, even as they pulled her head up. Let go, let go, let go! It hurts... Don't touch, no touch! 

“We can’t take her like this, sir. The General will have our tails!” Win-feet pulled her arms back further, and her braid quickly exchanged hands, from rough and warm, to smooth and cool. “She’ll Court Marshal all our asses! Never mind the fact that we stayed out past curfew – we brought a fucking hostile onto the base! She'll fucking kill us!”

“Do you have a better idea than disobeying direct orders again, Wainfleet? Because I sure as shit don’t!” Prager hissed, pulling her arm away from her body, twisting it at an awkward angle. She still wriggled, trying to get lose, trying to snap at their hands and arms, trying to spit out the fabric between hisses.

“If she wanted to kill us, Wainfleet,” Quaritch drawled, never taking his eyes off the girl, “She would have gunned us down last night with little trouble. She wants to see the girl, is all - we'll be fine.”

“Real reassuring sir, real nice, maybe we should- Stop it you!” Winfeet shook her, making her head bob in their hold. “We don't have time for this!” 

There was a deep sigh as a different pair of hands grasped her tswin, warmer, rougher, larger… Her head whipped back, making her back arch beautifully, the pain in her shoulder not letting up as they just gripped her arms tighter. The Colonel’s face came into view – blocking out the sun. He snarled down at her, his teeth gleaming even without the sun. “If you don’t stop it right now, I am gonna rip this pretty braid out of your skull and fuck you with it, do you understand? Now you are going to behave in front of the General, and not be a little savage. Nod if you understand.”

She didn’t answer, whether out of fear or malice he didn't know, but it forced Quaritch to grip her braid tighter, pulling her face to his. His breath was hot, and smelt of sleep as he hissed. “Understand?”

Yayiu-te bit her gag tighter and nodded through the pain blooming at the back of her skull.  

“Good, now - behave. The General isn’t as kind and forgiving as I am.” He drawled, all calm and collected, as if he didn't threaten to kill her...

Another Dreamwalker stepped up, and pulled something out of his many pockets, holding Myhulskwaritz' arm and tore that something open. He nodded to Wainfleet and let go of her queue.

“It’s fine, Ja, we don’t have time for this.” He tried to shake the hands off his arm.

“Do you know how dirty the human mouth is, sir? Never mind that the Na’vi never brush their teeth - We don’t know what the fuck is swimming in her spit. Just wipe this down as we go.” Ja held out the small white cloth, which Myhulskwaritz snatched out of his hand with a huff.

“Fine, let’s move.” He rubbed the cloth up and down the spot where she bit him, and whispered under his breath. “Damned crazy bitch.”

“Oorah, chief.” Ja laughed.

“What did we do to deserve this crazy bitch? I mean, Z-Dog I can understand, but her? Must have pissed off their Sky Momma something fierce the last time to be stuck with this. Couldn't there have been a less crazy one in the vicinity? Sure, but we got the craziest of the lot.” Wainfleet picked her up when she didn’t move the way he wanted her to move, shuffling her along with a grunt. “But, they make it worth it. They always do.”

“Zee never does, though.” A sullen looking one huffed, from somewhere ahead of them.

“Hey, I am an under-control bitch, you cunt!” 'Zee' yelled from somewhere behind, making them all laugh... They're insane...

“Sure,” He drawled, “Still doesn't make it worth the fuck, though.”

They laughed as the buildings came closer, and Yayiu-te stomped her feet into the dark stones, trying to stop them, ignoring the skin being ripped off in the process. Win-feet shook her right, and pulled her along. She tried hissing through the gag, and nearly choked.

“She’s gonna die on us before we even get inside!” Lilwin-feet yelled and pushed her head forward, forcing the fabric to drop out of her mouth a little bit. “Damn’t!”

“But she doesn’t want to die, do you Sweetheart?” Myhulskwaritz got in her face again, and smiled, halting her hiss in her throat. “You want to get out of here, you want to bolt right over those fences, into your wild haven. But you won’t, not until I give you the say so, understand? You won't be able to do anything when you're dead.”

She growled, trying to hide her fear. He ran his thumb over her cheek with a cruel smile, and turned back, frowning at the bite on his arm, and rubbed at it again with the little white cloth.

“Yeah, you do. Good girl.” He didn’t look over his shoulder as he said that, but she could hear his smile still stretched over his lips. Could hear the pride in his voice, his pride of him breaking her... “The General is a very important person, so you are gonna behave, and be nice. She oversees everything here, us, the medical staff, the civs, even you. Understand? So you are gonna behave. And if you don’t, I am gonna beat you so hard that you won’t be able to move for a week.”

Yayiu-te froze in her captive's arms as the words left the demon's mouth. 

“She understands sir,” Win-feet spoke for behind her, and when she glared up at him, he smiled. “Loud and clear.”

“Good.” He drawled and smiled at her over his shoulder, his teeth a glorious white against his blue skin. “Move out.”

Yayiu-te was too shocked to say anything, and let herself be pulled along, watching tiny Sky People with their strange faces run about, stopping to stare at her with awe. She only tried to fight against the arm around her when they came up to a large building. She couldn’t help but gawk at it. It was bigger than Hometree, with more people running around it, more machines, more Sky People, more closed down…

Yayiu-te let out a hiccup, followed by the most heart-breaking sob Quaritch has ever heard. He turned around just in time to see her shake her head, throwing her head back against Wainfleet’s chest, tears streaming down her cheeks, kicking out her feet in hopes of slowing them down. Oh, fuck me…

“Hey,” Quaritch took a step towards her, stepping past the flailing feet and fabric, and took her face in his palm. “Hey, look at me. Look at me, Sweetheart!”

He shook her gently, forcing her to look at him. Oh, double fuck… Calm down Quaritch. Yayiu-te's eyes were puffy and a light watery purple, tears stuck to her thick lashes, and her cheeks were stained... Would she look like this when I take her apart, too?

“It’ll be quick, alright? She just wants to ask you a couple of questions, and if you answer them quickly, she’ll let you go. And then,” He smiled, forcing her stomach to twirl into itself, around and around, whether it was nerves or something else, she didn’t know... She didn't want to know. The Dreamwalker let her go, holding onto one arm incase she should decide to run. “Then, we’ll go and get some panned-cakes, alright Sweetheart?”

She sniffed, her tail whipped behind her, clearly in distress. She rubbed her eye with the tips of her three fingers, her mouth pulling into an adorable pout, even with her gag. Fuck me, I am so fucked. Fuck, fuck, fuck…

“She’s not gonna hurt ya, alright?” Zdinarsik placed a hand on her shoulder. “You are too important, like the Colonel said, a couple of questions and then we go.”

Zdinarsik cleared her throat, and Quaritch glared at her, but stepped aside, gently taking Yay-u's arm in his hand.

“Quick, quick,” He rumbled into her ear. 

Her lips quivered around the gag, and she nodded, wiping at her tears slowly. 

“Good girl - Let's go.”

And together, they walked into the lion’s den. 

The room smelled awful, and stung Quaritch’s nose something fierce: A potent mixture of air fresheners, cigarette smoke and BO. Yayiu-te gagged and brought her hands up to cover her nose. The Dreamwalker huffed, and pulled her to a clear box in the middle of the place, past many tables where Sky Peoples looked up as they walked by. 

He pulled the gag out of her mouth, a string of spit following after the cloth, shining under the artificial light. He blotted at her mouth with the dry end, wiping away any left over spit with gentle movements. Quaritch then pulled his breather to his face, pulling her face up as he took a breath and then held it over Yay-u’s face. She stepped back, flinching at his fast movements. "Easy, easy, just breathe, Sweetheart. You can't breathe here, this will help, alright? Just breathe.”

She gripped his wrist and held on to it, taking a deep breath - her eyes closing as she held the air in her lungs. It tasted wrong, like everything here. He nodded, and pulled her to a block on the far end of the room, nodding to a person sitting at a table, before leading her inside. It was big, with another table and a big, black chair placed behind it, with a bunch of Sky People things stacked on top. Yayiu-te stepped forward and leaned over the table, listening to the air puff behind her, and being forced to take the occasional sip. 

Tiny things lay about, holo's and small sticks, and papers and more holo's and a block with colorful smaller blocks, all out of order. She frowned at it, but was quickly stopped.

“Don't touch anything now, Sweetheart, it ain't a good idea-” 'Mansk' started to warn her, but- 

“So, this is what all the trouble is about?” The same woman who burst into the room this morning was there again.

“General Ardmore, ma’am!”

She didn’t see who shouted, but watched as all their arms flew up to their faces. She ducked under Myhulskwaritz's arm, and hissed. Her tail swishing through the air, her heart beating loud in her ears as her lungs began to burn.

Yayiu-te watched as the small woman walked towards them. Her hair was light, and pulled back into a ball at the back of her head. Her eyes were so deeply set that Yayiu-te couldn’t make out if they were eyes. She took off her cap, and placed it on the table, walking around to stand behind it, “At ease, Marines...” 

It took Yayiu-te a moment to realize it was the same, small, angry Sky Person that frowned at her this morning...

The Dreamwalkers took a step and widened their stance, their arms flying up behind their backs, clasping their hands. She quickly side-stepped, not wanting to be stepped on and hid behind Myhulskwaritz's broad back. Her tail swished and wrapped around his leg. She glared at the tiny woman past his shoulder. Generalaardmore didn’t seem scared of her at all as she sat down in the too large chair with a content sigh of a woman who had little worries, and the worries she did have she could and would pass to someone else. 

“So, you have a new pet, Colonel?” She leaned back, resting her hands over her stomach. “Alright, start convincing. Convince me that she can actually be useful. You said that she can speak the language, great – we have other people who can do that. She can lead us to Sully – great, how will she do that without double-crossing us? Tell me why I should let you keep your little pet and not just plant a bullet between her eyes? She's a damn liability. C'mon, state your case.”

“She can speak the language easier than our scientists, ma’am. The Na’vi won’t just walk up to a human and start talking, this ain’t Augustine. We will gain her trust, ma’am-” Quaritch smiled down at Yayiu-te as she glanced around Ardmore's office. “She already tolerates us. I can practically feed her from my hand. It’ll take some time, but we have already got the groundwork down – now it’s just grunt work.”

General sat silently behind her table, obviously thinking about what Myhulskwaritz had to say, clearly not convinced.

“You said that you would end it. How sure are you about that, Colonel? What assurances do I have-" She pointed to her chest, "That you will be able to pull that trigger?” The woman sighed, and tapped her fingers on the tabletop. "We already had one asshole betray us for some blue cunt, what do you give as collateral that you won't do the same?"

“My word as a United States Marine,” He answered quickly. He took a sip from his mask, before holding it out to Yayiu-te to sip. She gripped his hand, and took a deep breath. “I have served this base for years; I defended this base and the people on it. The safety of this base is my top priority-” 

“That safety was compromised.” She glared at him from under her tick eyebrows. "Besides-"

“That safety was assured, ma'am. The natives were a minor inconvenience, even then we were well on our way to winning. I kept the hostiles at bay–” 

“But you still lost the war, Colonel. We were exiled off our main base, that cost the RDA trillions in Federal funds that they are still in deep debt of, never mind you and your crew.” She interrupted him, sighing. “But you do make an interesting point. It will be easier to have a hostile who not only knows the language but the terrain as well. Can avoid whatever it is that has these bastards honing in on us. Your idea is sound. It’s how you propose to do it – would take too long.”

“Not unless you need to convince the higher ups, ma’am.” He smiled. “We can domesticate her, easy – two months. She can’t go anywhere without us anyway. She’s totally reliant on us for practically everything. She gets confused and scared with the machinery, there aren’t many native flora or fauna around here. Even the water comes from the outside – the troops will stop her if she tries to run. They won’t weep for a blue monkey. Another hostile removed; one step closer to our goal. These men know how to kill – they won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.”

The General leaned back into her chair. She picked up her cup, and took a sip of her drink with a hum.

“Alright, domesticate her," She gripped her cup in both hands, and leaned further back in her seat. "Make her a puppet for us to use. Learn what you can. If she can lead us to Sully, follow. If she causes trouble, end it. One native life lost won’t be a problem.”

He took a deep breath from his breather, and held the mask over Yayiu-te’s nose and mouth.

“No ma’am. It certainly won’t be.” He smiled at her, watching their little hostage take deep breaths.

Chapter Text

4. Domestication

His granddaddy would tell him stories - Stories of world's long passed and animals long dead, people long gone...

About large elephants that would roam the earth, cheetah's that could outrun any man, and bears... so many different bears... Many other species that were later hunted down, because some idiot somewhere thought that their horns would make them powerful or their balls would make them better fuckers, ridiculous things that Granddaddy would laugh at while he sipped his whiskey, and pulled out his smokes:

“Somebody tell them to work on their fucking technique.” Granddaddy would laugh, taking a drag from his cigarette, the red tip glowed and the smell of tobacco filling the air as he exhaled, somehow a better smell of smoke than that found outside but not... They would sit outside on the deck and Miles would listen as Granddaddy told him about forest and trees so big a grown man couldn't touch its sides, forest so big you could get lost, without anyone ever finding you...

About dogs. About how Granddaddy had a bitch he had named Wendy. He had shown Quaritch a picture once, a real picture, torn at the edges and darkened with age, pulled out from the depths of his jacket like some prize, “A mutt of a thing really” - with big brown eyes and floppy ears. “She couldn’t breathe anymore. My daddy had to put her down.”

Granddaddy would also tell him about horses.

“Fine beasts,” showing him even more pictures of the large animals, with a man sitting on its broad black back, a white hat with a big rim on his head. The image had faded a bit, but it was clear that it was well loved - The edges dirty from being handled too many times... “We rode them for years, for battles and for shows, and later, just because we could.”

Granddaddy smiled.

“But why?” Miles looked at up at him from his seat next to Granddaddy, his little red chair so small next to the stuffed brown chair his grandfather favored. 

“Because at one stage, they were the fastest a man could be,” Granddaddy’s blue eyes sparkled under the candle light. “The fastest we thought we could be.”

“How did we tame them?” The picture was clutched tight in Miles Junior's chubby five year old fist, staring at the massive beast that whispered so many secrets.

“We broke them." Granddaddy stared down at him, his own blue staring down at him with intensity that made Miles shiver in his new boots...

Miles took a deep breath, his lungs struggling to reach their full capacity, struggling to bring air to his brain, and waking his limbs as he slowly opened his eyes with a groan. He wasn't in his granddaddy's house, in the room he grew up in, there the noise was different, and the air hard. Where the sun had burnt a hole in a carpet because he left his magnifying glass lying around, and granddaddy had laughed himself into a twizzle when Miles brought the rug down the stairs, “First walk of shame, boy?”

The white sheets that rose and fell around him, and the stink of worn combat boots hung in the air like a plague

Right, he groaned, I'm on Pandora with these fucks... Shit.

Miles moaned, and pressed his face into his pillow. He wanted to move, run his hand down his face, but the four fingers gripping his hand even tighter, limiting his movement even more. Oh, right… Another difference... 

Miles peeked under his bed with a groan, muscles straining with sleepy lethargy, begging him to go back to sleep, shoulders popping as he leaned over he edge. Her...nest (for lack of a better word) of green blankets bundled up around her, blocking her from view. Miles grunted, and pushed at the soft fabric of the woobie with a single finger, forming a dip for him to peek over. There she is...

His favorite shirt a sleepy mess - MARINES a faded black ink on the grey fabric, and his fingers held tightly in her other pale blue hand, the bright yellow a striking image in the darkness of her hair. She... glowed underneath his bed, bright little blue flecks of light scattered across her face and body. It was so bright. And... pretty... He didn't see it often, the base was lit up brighter than a fucking Christmas tree, he assumed it was standard issue amongst the Na'vi. But here, under his bed, hidden from the view of the light, she glowed, just for him.

He looked her over, noting the towels everywhere, and huffed.

Lopez had joked that they should get her a teddy-bear to complete the image - Too bad that their CO thought that was an outfuckingstanding idea, and sent them off to hunt for the elusive Stuffed Bear around base. 

“How the fuck are we gonna get a fucking teddy-bear, huh?” 

“You're the idiot who brought it up, Lopez, start looking.” Quaritch huffed, waving them off over his shoulder, exiting the bungalow. “And quit your yapping.”

“Oorha, sir.” He sighed.

“Nice, job idiot,” Prager huffed and took off into the wilds of the base, pulling Lopez along with him, huffing: “You brought it up, you're gonna help me look, you fucking asshole!”

Lyle sighed, and threw his head back with a moan, “Roosevelt would be so proud of these idiots...”

Mansk was the first one to return with a towel he shaped into a bear - which Yay-u promptly took apart and added to her growing nest of blankets. The elastics forming the ears snapped! quickly, flying everywhere and forcing the Recoms to duck for cover, the guards outside laughing at their antics. The girl hissed at Mansk, before crawling back under her chosen bed for the evening - her tail peeking out from under the bed. 

“Now, don't be like that, Sweetheart,” Quaritch laughed, as her tail twitched, “Mansk had spent the entire day looking for that, you are being rude.”

The thick rope of muscle twitched again, before her tail disappearing back under the bed.

“Well, looks like your time was wasted, Private.” Quaritch moaned as he stood, even as the Recoms continued chuckling behind him. “Well, it seemed like we wasted ev-” 

“Irayo,” The soft voice carried over the laugher, halting it quickly.

“C'me again?” Lyle stepped up, and leaned over the bed.

She didn't respond.

“Or not,” Mansk sighed. 

She didn't come out from under his bed until the next day - the bear declared dead. Cause of Death: Yayiu-te Mono Laeto'ite. The soft blue of the towel tucked around her head as Quaritch ducked down to wake her the next morning, the little elastics holding them together dumped unceremoniously outside of her nest.

The ribbon Mansk had used to tie off the 'bear', found its way into her hair with the help of Walker – the bright yellow ribbon holding a few braids out of her face, a bright sunspot against the dark ink of her hair... 

Quaritch couldn’t tell if Mansk was more upset over the so-called 'bear' being destroyed, or if it was the time he'd wasted looking for one - his face gave nothing away, but Quaritch knew the kid long enough to know he was fucking pissed, plus; he didn't know how to control his tail yet as it whipped around in the air. But, that was a worry for later - He had bigger fish to fry...

“Why under my bed? Damn it, this isn’t a fucking daycare!” The Colonel moaned as his perfectly packed ruck was shoved out from under his bed, and his shoes thrown out. Secretly, he didn’t mind being able to keep an eye on the girl. What he did fucking mind was his lost storage space. 

“She either sleeps there sir, or we lose her in the mess that is the barracks.” Lyle motioned around them, blankets piled up around them, rucks being laid out and organized, clothes being folded and cataloged, Zee folding up Yay-u's 'clothes', her hair-beads, counting them and noting them down on the sheet and sticking it on the side with duck-tape, dropping the beaded 'top' in another bag before wrapping the purple loin cloth around and stuffing them into a green waterproof sack, the girl keeping her worried gaze on the female Recom from under the Colonel's bed. Zdinarsk smiled and waved at the girl, who simply shrink deeper under the bunk. “Besides, you have to go through your own shit, sir.”

Quaritch scoffed, like he didn't know what was going on in his personal life... but he threw out his ruck either way, and began folding, keeping in mind that he would be down a shirt and shorts everyday for the remainder of the time that they would be here... He looked at the girl our of the corner of his eye, as she clutched the woobie closer, and glared at him.

He breathed deep, closing his eyes with a soft groan, and collapsed back into his sheets - hot and sticky with sweat. 

It’s too damn early for this - Ardmore likes to come around at all hours and just have them stand parade style, while the bitch just paces back and forth like some damned regrown tiger or some shit. Keeping her thin lips tight, and her dark eyes scanning over them, looking for some weakness to exploit. Then, when nothing unsatisfactory was found, she would humph, and stomp out with her brown-nosers following behind, instead of giving them some fucking orders... Goddamnit, why else bring us back? Or does this bitch just have a superiority complex? Or is that an inferiority complex? Does it come with the fucking rank? A textbook handed out along with the first star to shove up their asses? Thank fuck I missed it by a fucking inch.

He rolled over and gently pulled his fingers free, watching her soft blue hand curl back into the relative safety of her nest, wiggling down deeper into the artificial grey wool and green nylon... Quaritch groaned, and laid back, closing his eyes with a sigh, settling back down to sleep, where she held onto his fingers suddenly cold... But the pressure in his bladder was too much. He groaned again- 

Gotta piss before these bastards do, or else I am gonna hafta wait the entire fucking morning. He threw the sheet away, and crept to the water closet – his granddaddy’s words bouncing around the inside of his skull, getting louder and louder, even as he shook the last droplets of piss from his dick. Shut it, old man, I ain't gonna break- 

Yayiu-te’s face popped up behind his eyelids; his shirt hanging off her shoulders, collar bones exposed to his gaze, her too big and too wide and too fucking innocent eyes staring up at him – reaching for his breather with all the eagerness of a child, clinging to his leg like a goddamn fucking lifeline... Her teeth digging into his arm… 

“Fuck me.” He groaned and took his dick in hand, hissing... it fucking burned when he touched it... “Fuck…”

He looked down - Now, it’s not like he didn’t sneak a peek before; showering and shaving and all that other bullshit is necessary, of course, but then it was soft and with all the hullabaloo of chasing down Sully and his bitch, and now being confined here with his team, he really didn’t have much time to get to…know himself better... Sure he probably still liked the same shit, but it was packaged a bit different, and, honestly, made him a bit nervous... He ran his palm over the skin, warm and smooth under his already calloused palm... Ridges made themselves know at the base and underside of his dick, swelling slightly as he ran his fingers over the skin, making him moan.

Those weren't there before... He glanced down - It was average, he supposed, in good proportion with the rest of his body. The head of his dick was rather large, almost ballooning out from the rest of the member, circumcised, "For hygienic purposes", the contract had stated. He ran his thumb and forefinger over the ridges again, biting his lip as the flesh... pulsed under his hand. Definitely not there before...

“Fuck…” He fisted his member tightly, and bucked his hips looking for more friction, and letting out a soft moan as he leaned against the cool wall, “Fuck.”

The snap of her teeth around his bicep was unexpected. He fisted his dick a bit tighter, eyes snapping shut at the pleasure... 

The teeth digging into his flesh, sent a shock through his system. He bucked into his fist, feeling the ridges all around, swelling in his hold, pulsating under his palm, eagerly. His chin dropped to his chest as he grit his teeth.

Her jaw in his grip was a powerful sensation, sending lighting running up and down his spine like they were getting paid to fuck up his nervous system. Her golden gaze burning into his, defiant and perfect. Her lips covered in his blood, teeth sharp and deadly… 

He let out a groan, and felt the heat race down his spine, towards his tail, his toes curling on, suddenly burning, cold tile. His cum shot into his palm, scalding his skin with the blast. He grunted through the last of his orgasm, a sudden onslaught of shivers hitting him after the heat he just experienced. He leaned his head on the cool tile in front of him, and breathed, or tried to, with his tail whipping around behind him, anxious and unsatisfied...

The thick, white spunk rested in his palm - it had a soft, glow about it; a blue-ish hue... The fuck... That's fucking creepy... 

Quaritch sighed as he looked at his bicep, the teeth marks setting deep in the skin, the scabs still a bit wet and itchy.

She really does know how to bite, he thought as his tail swayed to a stop behind him. Goddamn, Sweetheart... 

“Miles?” Lyle’s sleepy voice broke through his afterglow, echoing from outside the stall and proceeded to dump a cold bucked of 'wake-the-fuck-up' over his head.

Goddamn it, go away! He hissed, and bared his teeth at the ceiling. Give me five fucking minutes, I ain't your fucking momma!

Quaritch took a deep breath and let it out with a slow hiss, trying to calm himself down - just a bit. He flexed his toes on the cool tile.

“What is it, Lyle? I ain't a bitch; I can piss by myself.” He pulled the shorts back into place, and quickly wiped his hand with toilet paper. He flushed the toilet, making sure that none of his cum was left behind anywhere as he adjusted himself in his shorts... It's too early to see your fucked-up face...

“Just making sure you didn’t fall and break a hip, sir.”

Quaritch could hear the smile in Lyle’s voice as he stepped out of the stall. The spicy-musky scent of cum hung in the air as he reached behind him to close the door...

Fuck you, you little punk, I'm gonna get your ass... Quaritch went to the sink, rinsing his hands. He turned to glare at Lyle, a snarl on his lips. Gotta do something to clear my head… And make sure Lyle doesn't ask any fucking questions... Before I break her. “Wake ‘em up, it’s time for some PT.”

“Now sir? It’s four in the morning.” Lyle’s ears pulled back, a frown working its way onto his face. I should let the fucker break his damn hip next time! Let him fucking whither in pain, the damn horny, old motherfucking horndog! Jesus!

“Yeah,” Quaritch smirked over his shoulder at his fellow Marine, eyes crinkling at the corners, “And if they ask why they’re up so early, you can tell them that their commander is a smartass who likes to give lip. Tell them to give thanks for reminding me that I've been too lax with you motherfuckers.”

“Oorah, chief.” Lyle sucked in a breath, and turned to go wake the others, sliding his feet across the cool bathroom tiles, Jesus slippers slip-slop-sliping as he left.

“Oh, and Lyle?” Miles called over his shoulder, not looking back to see if he would turn back - Quaritch knew he would; he always did.

“Sir?” The Lieutenant's ears perked up.

“Any of you wake the girl and I will make sure you scrub the barracks with your toothbrushes, sounds good?” Quaritch smiled wider, canines shining under the artificial light as he washed his hands.

“Real good, sir.” Lyle sighed, and left. 

Quaritch wondered if he should tell Lyle that it was more for his slow-deteriorating mind and his fast-deteriorating will, but fuck that shit if he was to admit a damn... If he was gonna hafta run until the blood flows back up, so were they, motherfuckers got it way too easy recently...

Quaritch breathed deep for a couple of minutes, trying to calm down his racing pulse with little success. He scratched at his undercut and went to the barracks, letting out a deep sigh as he entered - The squad had gotten up quietly, whatever Lyle must have told them did the job because they reached for their diggies and didn't utter a word as they got dressed.

Quaritch stalked over to his own bed, and sat down, grabbing a shirt, and reaching for his neatly piled clothes at the end of his bed, next to his ruck, with his boots turned over on top. And the blue woman lying underneath it. 

She was fast asleep, curled into a small, blue ball within the sheets and the corpses dismantled ‘teddy bears’ thrown into the mix. Her obsidian hair, still decorated in braids and brown beads, sprawled over her ‘pillows’. Her mouth slightly open, breathing softly and evenly. His green shirt all rumpled up so fucking perfectly, he had to shake his head to clear it. She glowed under his bed, the tiny little specks of light ran interesting and new patterns all over her body - over her slim hands down to her fucking feet. Damn it all to Hell... 

“P.T.,” He mumbled under his breath, slipping into his pants and tied his shoes, too harshly for his own good, grabbing a worn shirt from his ruck, slipping his comm. unit into his neck, wiggling the speaker into his ear, before slipping his belt through the loops of his pants. “Good for you, good for me.”

Once everyone was, begrudgingly, awake and dressed in their boots'n'utes - Quaritch had some random soldier stand watch outside their quarters, and told the soldier to comm. him if anything happened, quietly threatening him if something should happen... And then, they were off. Quaritch at the front and Lyle bringing up the rear.

Those who were waiting for the night shift to end, stared at the First Recom Squad as they started their morning work-out. The beat of their CO’s cadence forcing them to keep time with his brutal pace. Though not unusual, it still seemed cruel - everyone knew Quaritch had impeccable standards when it came to his team, that’s why few considered the idea of joining the Recombinant unit, even former Marines, in the first place. But this, this was a man who spat in the Devil's eye, and told him to go fuck himself, while dragging his team behind him, kicking and screaming. 

“Damn,” William Finch whispered, as he and his buddies sipped their morning coffee in the watchtower. “The Deja Blu’s sure as shit don’t get it easy because they're benched huh?”

“I’m guessing you weren’t here with the first tour.” His college laughed, and quickly penned down the time the Recom’s ran past. “He was an absolute beast as Chief of Security, this base never ran better. We still use most of the security measures he implemented back then, even the Mortar couldn’t make them better.” He turned to his colleagues and told the room, “Don't tell her I said that,” much to their amusement.

“No shit. You served under him long, Ned?”

“Ten years before we got dismissed.” Edward Cifon, "Ned", sighed, and took a sip of his coffee, savoring the taste even more now. “Back in the good ol’ days. The man was a demon on a good day. And could make Satan cry at his worse. Those poor bastards.”

“Morning, ya cunts!” 

The stench whizzed through the Ops center, women ducked out of the way, and everyone groaned in displeasure.

“What are you doing here, Whip?” 

Ned didn't see who called, but the grunt voiced the entire Ops Center's displeasure in that simple question.

The filthy midget came sauntering in, a cloud of dust swirling around his feet, his hair a greasy shade of brownish-grey. The bright floral print of his shirt an eyesore among the familiar digies. 

“Ya hurt me,” A chubby, grease-soaked hand flew to his chest, while he waved a data-pad up for them to see, “I'm just here to drop off the important papers, ya' see?”

“That was supposed to be in last night,” Ensign Persipal Rubert Toocock stepped up to his shoulder, and ripped the pad out of his hand, not a single red hair out of place, even at this hour. “This better not happen again, Pilot Andrews.”

“Aww, now don't be like that, Ensign,” Whip sighed, and raised his hands in surrender. “It's here, ain't it?” 

“It's still late. Don't let it happen again.” Toocock humpfed and stomped back to his desk, slamming the datapad down so hard the desk shook. “The General doesn't like tardiness.” 

“So,” Whip rolled his eyes and sauntered to where the rest of the OPs center stood, gazing out the window. “That the new lot?”

“Uh-huh,” Ned nodded, and looked at the pungent fellow out of the corner of his eye, “Why don't you go and say hello?” 

“Hey! That's a good idea, Neddy! Well,” Whip sighed, and ran his fingers through his oil soaked hair, then clapped the poor man on the back with his greasy hand, “Time to go and meet the new fellas,” and skipped out of the OPs.

Toocock rolled his eyes and opened the first of the datapads. The entire room silent as the listened to the airlock hiss into place.

“Why do you keep on starting shit, Private?” 

“Cause I ain't gonna deal with that asshole, Ensign,” Finch huffed and turned back to the security feed. “Better them than me.” 

The entire control room could agreed to that, Toocock ignoring them in favor of wiping down the data pad with a sanitary wipe. 

Lopez was sweating like a bitch going through menopause. 

Pandora was way hotter than Earth, even hotter than in the Deep Cities, even in the twilight hours. The Colonel’s deep voice belting out cadences like he was being paid a king’s ransom, wasn’t really helping the situation – the pace he set was enough to make the burning tar look comfortable enough for a nap.

As the sun began to rise, the Colonel decided to finally, finally, turn back.

“Double time!” He yelled over his shoulder, and took off. They all groaned in unison and turned around, and followed after their COs with hisses of their own.

“Fuck.” Walker hissed under her breath behind Fike as she picked up the pace, trying to keep up with their batshit CO, and whispered to Ja, “Who pissed in his cornflakes this morning?”

We didn’t even have cornflakes yet... Ja didn’t have the breath to answer, only shrugging and picked up his pace. His braid hop-hop-hopping against his back, irritating the absolute living shit out of him the further they went. How the fuck do the fucking Na'vi stop themselves from just chopping this thing off?

Their boots slapped against the tarmac, squeaking occasionally, as various transports whizzed pass them, buzzing like damn flies in his ears. Ja's sensitive ears picked up the laughter and jokes that the rest of the soldiers threw their way, through the noise around them. The only thing that kept him from turning around, was the fact that he was more scared of the Colonel than he was pissed at the name-calling.

Unfortunately for them though, Quaritch heard the name-calling...

He threw his fist in the air, halting the Recom squad in their tracks. 

“What’s wrong little man?” Quaritch called to the human who mocked them. “Can’t you keep up with the ‘blue monkeys’?”

“Oh shit…” Lyle whispered, peeking out of the corner of his eye at the humans on the side of the road. Lyle getting PO-ed was nothing new, he decked a guy who didn’t see his tail and stepped on the tip while they were eating lunch, just last week. The Colonel on the other hand, reacting to anything was definitely something new - Lyle's known the man eighteen years (yes, his entire military career)  and he’s never reacted to anything thrown his way. Lyle had to put a stop to this. Now. He whispered, urgently: “Sir!”

“Did I give you leave to speak, Lieutenant?” Quaritch turned his golden gaze to his team-leader, jaw tight enough to bite through steel.

“No, sir!” Lyle snapped his jaw shut, head snapping forward. Fuck... Lyle sighed. This cunt is gonna die... 

“I apologize,” The Colonel walked up to them, his tail twitching behind his leg, a big, sharp, white-toothed smile spread across his lips. His boots squeaking against the tarmac as he stopped in front of the small human. “I don’t listen to shit speak; I usually flush it. But ya’ll sound like ya'll's think yourselves as important bunches of shit, so: mind repeating that so the rest of us plebs can hear?”

The idiots looked at each other, motioning to the Recom standing in front of them with anxious hands, before one airman was quickly pushed forward by his buddies-

“No, sir. We have nothing to-” He began but was quickly interrupted by one of his comrades... 

“Yeah, I’ve got something to say.”

He was small, even for a human.

Perfect skull-fucking height if you were to ask Wainfleet. Easy side to hide after things went South, if you were to ask Mansk. His eyes were rather close together with an elongated face and bulging cheeks that made him look like some fucked up version of the Mouse King. A fat, Mouse King. His light hair was greasy and way to long for regulation, and his shirt had, what Quaritch assumed was mustard, stains across the front, his stomach bulging out from underneath, all tied together with a vintage multicolored hippy shirt thrown over, bringing out the stains further. Dirty jeans hanging on for the life of them, no underwear to be seen. Oh fuck me... 

“And you are who?” Quaritch raised an eyebrow, placing his hands on his narrow waist, his tank top sticking to his skin, breathing deep as he gazed down at the rat, his tail swaying behind him slowly. "My momma taught me it's rather rude to make opinions without introducing yourself first."

“Well, we wouldn't want to disappoint your momma,” He held up his hand, clearly not caring that he offended the giant, blue Recom with piss sharp teeth, and hands the size of dinner plates, never mind insulting his mother... “Call me Whip.” 

“Colonel Miles Quaritch,” Quaritch gripped the man’s hand, and shook it hard once, watching him bop in place, much to the satisfaction of the rest of the Recoms. “Commanding Officer of the First Recombinant Unit. You can address me as ‘sir’ or 'Colonel', Whip.”

The idiot laughed, as if it was the funniest thing that he has ever heard, wiggling his fingers, and gripping his wrist – the Recoms glancing among themselves at the slip-up... Oh no, oh fuck... 

“Did I say something funny?” Quaritch asked, his head tiling to one side - his black braid swung behind his head as he did so. Wainfleet couldn't see his face, but he knew the CO was smiling, that pissed-off smile that meant he was about to throw the first fucking punch and Wainfleet would have to cover his fucking ass... Just like the good ol' days... 

“Nah,” The idiot had an accent that Wainfleet couldn’t place, and a face that made him want to kick it in with his boot on a good day, which clearly wasn't today. “It just looks like ya cunts have shit rubbed under ya noses, and are blaming it on everyone else around.”

An Aussie then, Wainfleet surmised. Fuck me...

“Well, I didn’t bring you anywhere near my nose, Whip.” The Colonel smiled down at him. “So, here’s how it’s gonna be – you're gonna shut your fucking trap, and fuck off that way,” he pointed in the direction of HQ. “While we are gonna finish our work-out. Or you can still shut up and join us – it looks like you wouldn’t be able to out run a Fan Lizard. And there are a lot bigger things than us on Pandora. Sharper teeth too. We need all the man power we can get, it would be a shame to lose a man of such-” Quaritch looked the idiot up and down, raising an eyebrow. “Caliber.”

“I heard you spent some time here previously – and I also heard you brought a sweet little cunt onto the base.” Whip crossed his arms over his chest, smiling up at the nine-and-a-half-foot tall alien in front of him. Lyle couldn't tell if he was stupid, or just chose to ignore the Colonel's insult, but he was betting on the former... “I heard she’s real nice.”

“Watch it.” Walker barked, and Quaritch held up a hand, stopping the woman in her tracks. 

Yep, Lyle sighed, The former... 

The idiot laughed, pointing at Maria. “Oh, I see she’s your girlfriend, huh? Mind sharing then, sweetcheeks?”

“She’s doesn’t belong to anyone. Neither does Private Walker.” Zhang said, stepping closer. “And if I were you, I would stay away – Walker would snap you like a twig.”

“I wouldn’t mind that. Not at all.” Whip gave another disgusting laugh that made Walker's tail whip behind her. Zee snapped her teeth. “I thought they were just fibbing when they said you guys were serious, but I guess that’s a Yank for ya.”

“Yeah, keep that in mind. We are mighty serious.” Zee stared down at him, crossing her arms over her chest, drawing the pervert's gaze.

“Oh, I always did love a chick who could throw me around, and now there are two of ya!” He sighed, staring at Zdinarsik's breasts, at perfect perv level. “My day has been made.”

Zee smiled and turned to him, a hand reaching for a non-existent weapon on her person. Quaritch held up his hand, again.

“I wouldn’t push Private Zdinarsik if I were you, she broke her last boy-toy. Threw him straight over the railing, ain’t right Wainfleet?” He called over his shoulder, watching the asshole begin to frown.

“Uh-huh, he flew over that fence over there,” Wainfleet smiled, nodding to the outside fence. “Flew a couple of feet – damn pretty sight if you ask me, unfortunately we couldn’t get to him before the Viper wolves did. Such a shame.”

“But then again, you would be needing a new one,” Quaritch looked at the woman over his shoulder, motioning to the idiot with his thumb, “He sure sounds interested. Ya'll might hav' ta wrestle Walker for 'im, though.”

“He's all yours, Zee.” Walker grimaced down at the idiot, holding her hands up in surrender as she took a few steps back from the pungent little man. "He seems interested in some rough play."

Zee took a step out of formation, a slick-type smile spreading across her face, her tail swishing in what Quaritch could only assumed was meant to be seductive. “Are ya now, honey?”

Whip held his long hands up in surrender, taking a few steps back, laughing a nervous laugh, and shot out one hand. “I’ll leave you to it then.”

“You do that.” Quaritch gave him on last hand shake, watching his head bop in place like a bobble-head, and called over his shoulder: “Line up! Move out, double time!”

They gave the customary groan, and began their gruelling pace once again.

“Call me, sweet cheeks!” The ass yelled as they fell into step.

Zee hissed, and made to turn around when her CO spoke up, “Eyes forward, Private Zdinarsk. We're short on man-power on this moon, and as much as I want to see him get fucking squashed like the bug he is, we are gonna need the pilots.”

“Who the fuck is that?” Ja asked, looking back at the man they left behind.

“Didn't we just threaten to thrown him into kingdom come?” Mansk frowned. “Why is he still going at it? Don't they test these idiots for any self-preservation instinct before they ship them out? I mean, you gotta have it when you wanna come here, right?”

“I think you mean, we gotta lack some if we wanna come, cause fuck those massive toothy-coothy motherfuckers are huge.” Prager shook his head with a shiver. “I mean, you saw those sons of bitches when we went out, right?”

“Nothing we can't handle,” Mansk sniffed before turning back to stare at the head in front of him with a shrug. “We've seen worse on smaller planets.”

“But are we just gonna let him get away with threatening the women like that?” Fike looked at his CO, eyes wide as he begged. “Can't we just kick his chest in or some shit?”

“I don’t fucking know, but I would let Yay-u bite the shit out of him.” Walker shuddered. “He gives me the creeps.”

“Eyes forward.”

“I wouldn’t let Sweetheart anywhere near him, Jesus. He's probably got a damn disease by the smell of him.” Fike made an over exaggerated shivering motion, and Quaritch tried to ignore the usage of his fucking nickname, “I will gladly give her my knife if I weren’t positive that she would shiv us the moment we let her loose.”

“He gets anywhere near you ladies; you have my express permission to deck that asshole.” Quaritch called over his shoulder. “I'll handle the consequences that might arise... Just don't make it too messy.” 

Lyle laughed, “Oh, what I wouldn’t give to see that creep being thrown out a window.”

Quaritch couldn’t agree more. And if Yayiu-te happened to be the woman to do it, he would face the Earth-Mortar with a smile.

Their bungalow came into view a short while later, with the head squint, Doctor Alice Bjarne, standing outside waiting for them. Her reddish-brown hair tied together in a neat bun, her white lab-coat a god-awful sight so early in the morning as she paced on the front deck, scowling at the guard - the boy clearly having refused her entry.

Oh, fuck me. And nobody will really do any of the fucking, Quaritch sighed. This day just keeps getting worse...

“I said that you needed to bring her to me for a check-up once she’s settled.” The doc didn’t wait for them to come to a stop, her voice a weird mix of over-exhaustion and over-excitement. Her green eyes blazed with furry as Quaritch and his team slowed to a stroll.

Green eyes, Quaritch thought to himself, I used to like green eyes. Wait, used to? Fuck me sideways and call me a cunt… Used to…

“She’s not settled.” Quaritch said as he climbed the steps into their quarters. He dismissed the soldier and unlocked the gate. “Not yet, anyway.”

Lyle raised an eyebrow, Oh shit, oh no…

“Well, I heard you were confined to quarters, so the hell how is she not settled yet?” She stared at Quaritch as he pushed at the keypad, the buttons beeping loudly in the early morning light, before pushing the black metal gate open.

“I don’t fucking know doc, maybe it is the fact the Mortar is a massive bitch, and has her stuck in here with eight males and two females who can easily deck her should she run and plant a bullet in her skull for good measure. I mean, the food isn’t the best. And it's pretty loud outside, never mind the fact that it's a pretty tight fit for eleven people who's over ten feet tall. Oh, yeah, it could be that she can't go out of here at all, and has to be content with walking to the bathroom twice a day to get cleaned up as her only method of gaining fresh air. But your guess is as good as mine as to why.” He stepped inside with a shrug, and whispered over his shoulder, “Be quiet, she’s probably still sleeping.”

And she was still sleeping, curled around her pillow. Her tail wrapped around her leg, the tip twitching slightly from underneath his bed… Right where he left her this morning.

“Or it could be the fact that she is surrounded by a bunch of demon skin-walkers who speak a completely different language and who’s culture is to be loud and obnoxious and a bunch of assholes, won't make it easier.” Doctor Bjarne sighed, and looked around the room, sighing as she turned around. “Alright, where is she? You said she’s sleeping. Where? All the beds are vacant.”

Quaritch shushed her, and rolled his eyes, motioning to his second. Wainfleet knock his head to the side, and walked over to Quaritch’s rack – sheets pulled neat and tidy, well made, but the sides not tucked in, making it hang over the metal rack. Enough out of regulation to make any good Drill Instructor shat a cat and her litter while juggling porcupines on a tricycle. 

“She’s not there, numb-nut.” The doctor walked to him, and placed her hands on her hips. “Unless you’re gonna tell me that you military brats somehow figured out how to turn someone invisible, which would be the joke of the millennia, she ain't here.”

Lyle pulled his lips into a tight smile, eyes crinkling at the corners as he bit his tongue and knelt, making Bjarne sigh and sit down. She motioned for Lyle to continue, which he did – with a flourish and an even tighter-lipped smile, he flipped the sheets of Quaritch’s freshly made bed over the mattress and motioned underneath.

The room was still for a moment as Bjarne absorbed the presence of the natural born Na'vi huddled in the damn woobie.

“Holy shit,” Bjarne breathed, and crawled under the bed, but before she could touch their… guest, Quaritch’s large hand gripped her neck and pulled her out with a grunt.

“You wake her up, I will send you flying back to Earth. No extra cost to the RDA.” He growled in her ear. “It’s been a tough couple of days, this is the first time she’s slept through. It’s still early enough.” He didn't mention that it's the first time she slept through without being woken up...

“I don’t have time to wait,” Bjarne hissed. She shimmied out from under his hold, and stood straight. “I have things to do, and you lot refusing to bring her to me has put me significantly behind schedule. Wake her, and bring her to me, I need to examine her – ASAP.”

“Should we have her eat something first?” Lyle asked, making the doctor turn on her heel, and frown at him.

“No. She can eat later.” The doctor stomped out of their rooms with a huff. The guards at the gate quickly sliding them shut behind her, locking them up tight. Again.

“Well, she just got into the running for Head Cunt if she keeps that up – think Ardmore would mind the competition for her title?” Fike said, taking his chew out of his beside drawer, flicking open the silver container and pinching a reasonable amount between his fingers. The tin snapped shut, and the plastic spit-bottle creaked in his hold.

Ja chuckled, and walked to his rack. “Are we done for the day, sir? Its nearing oh-six-hundred. If we wanna get her dressed before we get to the doc – we gotta do it now.” He threw his towel around his neck, and looked down at the bunk.

He's probably right, Quaritch sighed, and threw his head back with a groan.

“Sir-” The kid began again, only to be stopped by Quaritch holding up a hand.

“Zee,” Quaritch called over his shoulder, “Get her cleaned up.”

“Sir, yes sir.” Zee quickly side-stepped and gathered up her own supplies, nodding to Walker to do the same, dumping their shit on top of her CO’s bed, before ducking underneath. She shook Yayiu-te’s shoulder gently, cooing as the girl stretched with a groan.  “C’mon, onto your feet, let’s go. C’mon.”

Quaritch threw a fresh t-shirt and a pair of shorts onto his bed next to Zdinarsik’s head. He placed her washcloth on top of that, next to his bar of soap. Her toothbrush found its way next to that. Once the women were out from under the bed, and Zee had her steady on her feet, Yay-u looked around her. Her hair looked like it could use a good brushing and re-braiding, little hairs began coming lose from her single braid at the back of her head.

Zee grabbed her brush out of a drawer, and scooped up the rest of the necessities. She motioned to Prager to cuff her wrists, to which Yayiu-te flinched, closing her eyes at the loudness the Dreamwalkers emitted.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, huh? You’ve got a doctor’s appointment.” Zee smiled, dumped her supplies into Yayiu-te's arms and pushed her out of the bungalow. “Walker! Let’s go!”

“I am waiting for ya, ya bitch!” Walker yelled from the door, causing Yayiu-te’s steps to falter.

“Stop yelling for fuck’s sake, the girl just woke up.” Quaritch moaned. “And hurry up, that’s my soap.”

“Copy that.” Walker acknowledged and took Yay-u’s other arm, being careful not to drop anything as they led their unsteady charge to the door. The Na'vi looked over her shoulder as she waited for the gate to be opened, her tail accommodating for her sleepy, or lack thereof, balance. Yay-u blinked slowly, fighting to keep her golden eyes open. She looked at Quaritch and inclined her head, the black waterfall of hair falling down her shoulder.

“Go on now.” He shooed her away with his hand, a smile creeping onto his lips. “Go get cleaned up. Ladies first and all that.”

Her ears dropped and she looked to Zee, asking in the most deliciously sleepy voice, “What does... mean?”

“It’s just a very Mid-Western thing to do.” Zdinarsik promised, “I’ll explain on the way.”

Yayiu-te shook her head with a yawn and said with what Quaritch could only describe as pure frustration: “Tawtute.”

“We ain’t getting paid to stand around and look pretty, move it people.” He clapped his hands getting them to hurry up. “Let’s go!”

The women disappeared out of the door, and moved to the washroom across the way.

“Wainfleet was never pretty, sir.” Brown joked.

The whooshing of a pillow flying through the air and the startled oomph of it hitting its target was unmistakable.

I am surrounded by children. Quaritch groaned, I really should have pushed for double the pay. Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ. 

“I should have picked the team with more consideration.” Quaritch sighed, and gathered his own supplies. “Hurry up! You’ve got ten minutes and then I am leaving your asses to the Mortar if you don’t move it!”

The pounding of shoes on the concrete floor was enough of a familiarity, that he quickly slipped into his same old routine. Switching his boots for his flipflops, getting his shaving kit ready. The hair of his undercut was beginning to get too long for regulation. He laughed at that as he ran his fingers over the thickly woven braid going down his back. The fucking irony…

“Why did we send the women to go first, again?” Lopez asked as he removed his shirt, dropping it on his bed.

“Because,” Lyle pulled off his shoes and socks. “Our CO is a Southern Gentleman.”

“Well, someone around here has to be.” Fike laughed, sticking his tongue out at them.

“Are you telling me I am not gentlemanly?” Zhang placed a hand over his heart. “I am hurt.”

“You Zhang, don’t even know the definition of ‘gentlemanly’. If any woman were to ask my opinion of you, I would tell her to turn tail and run.” Quaritch grunted, and stretched out his legs.

They laughed at the mock hurt on Zhang’s face. Quaritch pulled his shirt over his head, and began wiping down some of the sweat sticking to his torso, both from the humidity and their early morning work-out, combining into a sticky mess, and not the fun kind.

“See? Lickity split.” Walker’s voice broke their laughter. “Ain’t all that bad.”

The three women entered the bungalow, Yayiu-te trapped between the two female Recoms. Her dirty clothes gripped tightly in her hands, her knuckles turning white. Her eyes wide, her jaw tight.

“Aww, Sweetheart, you okay?” Quaritch walked up to her, a small smile playing on his lips. “You did that before, remember?”

She turned her large topaz eyes to him, and pulled her ears flat against her head, jaw pulling even tighter. Then quickly turned away, turning her own delicious shade of purple.

Oh, she remembers alright… The smile stretched over his lips, making the girl huff. He freed the clothes from her death grip, and dumped it into his laundry bag, all the while smiling at her.

“Alright boys, our turn.” He called over his shoulder. “We’ll be right back, Sweetheart, sit down. Then we’ll go to the doc. Behave, you can do that can’t you?”

‘Zee’ maneuvered her to the bed and began squeezing her hair dry with a towel.

“See? You are doing so well already.” He smiled down at her, and left with the men of his squad, he called over his shoulder: “Be good!”

Yayiu-te watched them go, and listened as the gate was slammed shut behind them, jumping at their noisy-ness. She watched his bare back as he walked further and further away from them. Zee took her braid in hand, and pulled out the bead that held the first of her braids together.

“Here,” Zee nudged her arm, and placed her hair accessory into her open palm. “Hold that.”

Yayiu-te stared at the small brown-yellowish bead. Her sa’nok placed them in her hair when she was a girl. The carved wood uneven under her fingers, the coloring faded over time. Zee’s fingers moved quickly and soon; all her beads were placed in a towel on her lap. She counted them, and watched as her feathers floated down to join them. The pins in her hair were a shock, making her hiss, and turned around.

“It’s just a brush, see?” Zdinarsik held out the contraption for her to look. It was round and a bright pink, with said pins sticking out of it on one side, and a handle, which the strange demon hand gripped tightly.

“Slayk.”

“Yeah, a slak.” The word came out wrong, and garbled - but her captive didn't seem to care. Zdinarsik turned Yayiu-te’s head, facing away from her, and continued to remove the beads, gathering in a soft brown and yellow pile in Yayiu-te’s lap. She sighed, “Let’s see what we can do about this.”

The rough fingers gently began untangling her braids, pulling the fine hairs on coarse fingers. The brush tried to be gentle in her hair, carful around her tswin. The Dreamwalker's fingers worked diligently, to try and untangle the knots that found their way there after sleeping rough and then having water dumped on it.

Zdinarsik nimble fingers gently began to pull the braids apart. The hair was thick, and soft under her fingers. “Shit, you got a lot of tangles, don’t ya? Do you have a comb, Maria?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks,” Zdinarsik said, swapping the brush for the comb, motioning to Maria and then Yayiu-te's hair. “You use that. With more people working on the mess, we should be able to finish in no time.”

Yayiu-te frowned. “It is washed, how is mess?”

“It just means that it’s not orderly,” The Dreamwalker separated the girl’s hair into sections. “It means that it can be improved – made better.”

“How?”

“In any way possible.” Maria said, and dropped another bead into her palm.

“What if it isn't be better?”

“Then it wasn’t worth making in the first place.”

More beads followed, plink, plink, plink, loud in the suddenly still room. The comb got stuck in the snares, forcing Maria to grip the hair tightly in one hand and pulling the brush through the sleek hairs. The hair soft and fine between their fingers – even with all the knots. Yayiu-te pulled her knees to her chest, and waited. The constant pull of the comb and brush, reminded her of when her grandmother would brush her hair. Gripping the strands tight and pulling the brush through. When one strand was done, it was laid over her shoulder, and another was picked up – continuing until all her hair was combed out.

Yayiu-te mulled over their words, turning them around and around in her head, wondering what these demons would do to something that breaks permanently...

“Are you ladies done yet?” The Dreamwalker’s voice slid over to where Yayiu-te sat, making her jump, she didn't hear them come in.

“Almost sir,” Maria answered, “We just need to put-”

“No time for that, Doc’s waiting.” He looked down at her, his tail twitched. He dropped his dirty clothes next to hers with a sniff. Picking up the towel filled with beads, crumpling it and gently placing it on the bed. “C’mon, Sweetheart. Let’s go.”

Myhulskwaritz picked up one of her hands and slapped the orange band around her wrist, “Now the other,” and slapped it over the other.

She frowned as he took hold of the bar between her hands.

“There we go. Let’s go see the doc.” He smiled, and pulled her behind him.

Maria grabbed her wrist, and quickly tied her yellow ribbon to Yayiu-te's wrist, above the orange band. A promise.

Chapter Text

5. What's Up, Squint?

The black dirt was cool under her feet, so much different than the burning ground of yesterday - The sun just starting to rise over the tall Sky People homes, promising to provide them with its warmth and light later, now though, it allowed her to glide over the dark ground with ease, the Dreamwalker walking slowly, dragging his feet, allowing her to keep up. How nice of them...

His hand was big as he guided her along, warm on her arm as the rest of the Dreamwalker's yawned, and moaned about “squints, and their stupid fucking mumbo-jumbo”. Myhulspilipkwaritz huffed in agreement, a crooked smile working its way onto his lips, throwing promises over his shoulder; “They'll be quick, they'll do the basics, and you know it. And after this, we've got a good cup of Joe with our names on it.”

The Dreamwalkers' groaned, and Win-feet grumbled from somewhere behind them, “Dibs on the biggest cup.”

Dreamwalkers from all around her started protesting, so loud they drew even more attention than usual... The Sky People stared at her, nodding to the team and their captive as they hurried passed, whispering and shouting and laughing and looking, pointing... Yayiu-te's head whipped around, trying to see all of them as the Dreamwalkers pulled her along. She couldn't count them all... She spun around, looking at everything and everyone when a small, fat Sky Person pointed at them, hitting his friends on the back, and laughed, Myhulspilipkwaritz ears pulled back as they continue to shout:

“Oh, so that’s the pretty kitty that everyone’s talking about!”

“She is pretty!”

One whistled. Yayiu-te tried to see who it was, but she was shoved forward before she could identify who it was.

“Man, you think I got a chance?”

They laughed even harder as Wa-ker pulled her even closer, and tucked Yayiu-te under her arm. Myhulspilipkwaritz walked slower and slower, until they were next to him, and quickly gripped her other arm, boxing her in from all sides, again. She looked up at him, glancing at his frowning face, then to the big hand holding her tight, then back to the angry face. He didn't look at her at all, but his tail whipping behind her back set her on edge. Nothing wrong my butt... 

“Ignore him. Don’t listen. Keep moving. The faster you move, the faster we can go back to the barracks, alright? Just keep moving.” Myhulspilipkwaritz urged, whispering low and steady in her ear, a warm growl that kept her moving... “Keep up, Walker.”

What is he saying? Yayiu-te stared up at him as he frowned, pulling her along as she tried to keep up with short little hops and jumps, trying to save her feet in the process, failing miserably... Walker just nodded and squeezed Yayiu-te between them and gave her a soft smile, jogging to keep up with her batshit CO - like this mornings' workout wasn't grueling enough, her calves cursed him with every step... It was obvious the girl had trouble keeping up, but Quaritch paid them no mind.

Yayiu-te frowned, and stared at the yellow string tied around her wrist, shivering in the wind as they pulled her along, warning her... Run away, go, don't stay... Follow me!

The Dreamwalker's hand tightened around her arm, as if he knew what she was thinking...

He was warm, and big, and... too strong. He gripped her tighter the more the Sky People laughed, pulling her closer, and closer until she was squished between the two of them... She couldn't keep up, stumbling over her feet. Too hot... He let go of her arm, before wrapping his own around her waist and picking her up, marching her along with him like she weighed nothing - she looked down at the arm around her waist, muscles bulging as he kept her close... She probably didn't weigh much for him to do so, at all... 

Yayiu-te looked up at her captor, strong yaw clenched tight. Her eyes grew wide and her tail whipping behind her, as she tried to keep up, panting she whispered: “Where we go?”

“To the doctor Sweetheart, we told you.” Myhulspilipkwaritz reminded her, his voice smooth and soothing (it shouldn't be possible...) as they stepped up to another building - It was huge... It looked through into a large, grey area where the Sky People breathed without their facemasks, wooden steps leading to the door, held closed by large metal bars in front of it... Sky People everywhere, armed to the teeth, big muscles straining as they nodded to the Dreamwalkers as they pulled her up the three steps onto the deck. If they weren't so small, she would have been terrified... Yayiu-te looked at the Dreamwalker, and gulped, She is terrified... “She’s gonna make sure that there’s nothing wrong.”

She frowned at the Sky People as they threw their hands to their heads, similar to the way the Dreamwalkers did with their See-O...

“What wrong?” She breathed, tilting her head, her tail flicking up into the hair with a twish. Yayiu-te stepped closer to Quaritch, peaking around his too big arm at the new Sky People place as he knocked on the door.

She looked in through the clear wall - the room inside a cool silver with cool blue light filtering in from somewhere, box things flashed with different pictures on them. The place was big enough to have them all stand without bending over, beds and tables and chairs all big enough for a Na'vi to lie and sit comfortably. Yayiu-te looked up at Myhulspilipkwaritz; “What will fix?”

“Nothing to fix most likely, but the Doc is just gonna check, alright? Nothing to be worried about. She’s like your seik, or whatever you call it.” He shrugged, peeking at her out of the corner of his eye, and tried not to scoop her up and run. Fuck them squints... and get some unlucky fuck to do the same to the Mortar while we're at it, they ain't getting their latex covered paws on her... “You know, they have all the know-how about this shit.”

“They is healer?” She ignored the butchering of that most sacred word, frowning at the yellow things running around, and tucked herself into Walker's side. “What she do? What sheet?”

“Uh… In a sense. Well,” he grunted, and frowned at the door. He sighed, choosing to ignore the last half of her question: “I guess you could say that – I mean she’s a doctor. And she’s got a degree in… whatever really. A pencil-pusher. A geek. A squint. She makes sure that, well, when you're sick, that you get better. She's got a PhD or some shit. Who knows really...” He sighed, and smirked, “And it's shit.”

Yayiu-te’s mouth pulled into an adorable pout, shaking her head with a furry, her tail whipping behind her back. She didn't know what half those words meant, but: “I no sick.”

“No, ye're most likely not, but she’s just gonna run some tests, give you a full does of antibiotics, make sure that there’s nothing laying under the surface that’s gonna bite you in the ass, and more specifically mine, later on. It's for your own good. I'm probably gonna get a couple of shots too, no big deal.” Quaritch grunted, turned and banged on the door with his large fist. The metal rattled in its frame, making Yayiu-te flinch. “Squint! I know you’re in there! Open the fuck up!”

Yayiu-te jumped, and took a step back, watching the muscles in his arm bounce every time he slammed his fist down on the door... 

“Of course, they’re in there sir, where else would they be? They live in there.” Wainfleet pulled his sunglasses up onto his head, and leaned back against the railing to wait, yawning as he did so; “It's the fucking lab, it's the safest place to store them. It's central, well guarded, and we can keep a damn eye on them so they don't cause more shit like last time...”

Store? Yayiu-te swayed on her feet as she turned to face Wa-ker. She just shrugged with a sigh, and placed Yayiu-te next to Win-fleet. He smiled a thin smile at them, then went back to frowning at Quaritch. Last time?

“That's why they have a shittone of guards on patrol.” Prager huffed, followed by a large yawn, teeth sharp under the lamp light.

“I know all that shit, it’s just fun to watch the Squints jump.” Quaritch chuckled, a crooked smile creeping up to his lips as he looked at her over his shoulder, his golden eyes sparkling with mischief and banged on the door again. “Open the fuck up, Squint! You have your first patient of the day!” 

Fike groaned, and rubbed his eye as he too, started to pace. “Maybe they aren’t up yet, sir. Should we come back later?”

“Nah, she said to bring the girl in early, we are early, and now that we're here, they're probably gonna stick us full of fucking needles too. They didn't have the chance when we first arrived, after all. And, I don't know about you Fike, but I rather not wait to have a needle stuck into my ass by some snot-nosed kid with a piece of paper behind his name, thinking he's tough shit, rushing through the job cause they're short staffed.” He turned back, and continued pounding on the door. “The earlier we get this shit done, the less time we'll have to worry about Squints chasing after us for our fucking DNA.”

“I can give them a good dose of DNA if they want it,” Prager yawned, before Walker hit him on the shoulder with an “Ewwww! Sir, make him stop!”

“Stop it, Prager. Act your fucking age.” Quaritch sighed before raising his fist to pound onto the door again. And again. And again. And again... 

“Sir, this isn’t gonna help, they are still asleep.” Lopez moaned, and leaned into Fike's shoulder, rubbing at his temples. “All you're doing is sponsoring us all a migraine.”

“The banging will continue until squints awaken.” His lips were pulled thin, and his scowl turned deeper. He banged against the door, again. An accent broke through the louder he yelled: “Damn it, I will break this door down. Open up, ya yelle-livered runt! The sun’s up, ye’re up! Ye're on a military installation, ya got shit needs doing!”

The muscles in his arm flexed as he banged on the door, making it rattle in its frame, muscles gleaming with sweat. Yayiu-te backed away, trying to put as much distance between her and that arm as possible, but Walker didn't let her get too far... He’ll kill me, She shivered, flinching back, staring at the overly large arm as muscles bounced with each pounding - the animal on his shoulder, spreading its wings ready to devour her... He didn't notice, only snarled at the door, and leaned forward to put more pressure into the action. Eywa help me... 

“What was that?” Win-feet laughed, his ears perking up at the sound of the man’s accent slip-up, arm reaching out to make sure their little... guest didn't go bolting the moment the took their fucking eyes off her, unperturbed by his CO's temper tantrum.

Myhulskwaritz turned, pointed to him, and yelled, still heavily accented: “Shut it!” before he turned back to the door, and pounded away.

“Maybe we should just get something to eat before we do this? I am starving.” Brown moaned, and started pacing on the deck, swinging his arms back and forth in a mock march. Once a military brat and all that... 

“You’re always hungry, Steve.” Zdinarsik called over her shoulder, pulling Yay-u out of Wainfleet's hold and leaned her chin on the girl's shoulder, throwing her arm over the other to box her in. “What difference will twenty fucking minutes make?”

“Plenty, I could be scarfing down two fucking MRE's in that time.” He huffed and flicked his tail over his shoulder. 

“I forgot,” Zhang frowned, “Brown is hollow from under his ears to his damn ankles, with a stomach of steel to go with it.”

“And what’s wrong with that? I am a growing boy; I need my proteins.” He patted his flat stomach with his large hand, making a dull, hallow sound that bounced off the muscles. “Doesn't matter what form they come in.”

“There'll be plenty of meals rejected by the Ethiopians when we're done here,” Quaritch sighed and threw his head back, before rolling his shoulders and glaring at the door in front of him, “And Brown, I give you permission to deck any idiot that gets the peperoni crackers, alright? You get first pick.”

“I'll hold you to that, sir.” Brown pointed a slim finger at his CO, and smiled as the man gave a dry chuckle, the rest of the team immediately starting to protest at the idea of loosing out on the coveted snack.

“Course you will,” Quaritch turned back to the door, shouting, “But that won't happen for shit, if we don't get the fucking freaks to wake the fuck up!”

“They are probably still asleep. It's oh-six-hundred, damned big brains are still tucked up in bed.” Wainfleet prompted with a groan, leaning back. He let out a loud sigh. “Maybe we should follow Brown’s lead, and get something to eat.”

“Yeah, well we ain’t, we’ve got shit to do and we can’t wait for them to get up when the roosters have already crooned. We can get breakfast afterwards, and Private Steven Brown-” He turned to his subordinate. “Will just have to wait.” They paid to much to let us fucking starve... “Besides, its a shit idea to have breakfast before you go to the doctor's office.”

Quaritch turned back to the door and banged again, and again, and again... Until, finally, a small man opened the door.

“Do you know what time it is?” He moaned, squinting up at them. His breather in place, his glasses skewed underneath. His face was a bright brown with short black hair, sticking up at all angles, Yayiu-te couldn't see his eyes... He was rather short, and wore a blue, fluffy bathrobe over a brown silk set, soft brown shoes on his feet that he dragged over the metal grating. He smelled of a deep sleep.

“Brown?” Quaritch's ear twitched, never taking his eyes off the fucking asshole that wasted his fucking time! 

“6:32 A. M.” The grunt held up his wrist, a small disk glittering on a black band, a striking combination against the cerulean blue skin. It seemed to have answered that question... 

“He knows, he should have had breakfast thirty-two minutes ago. We’re here for Bjarne. Tell her, and we’ll let you go back to dreaming about your test tubes and beakers in peace.” Quaritch placed a hand on his hip, his tail twitching behind his leg, and barked: “Move your ass!”

“Oh my god, but y’all have got a stick up your ass, are you sharing it?” He frowned at all of them, eyes stopping briefly on Yayiu-te's form before carrying on. 

“Nah,” Lyle sniffed, clearly already bored with the tiny person, and nudged at Yayiu-te with his elbow, “They were all gathered by the squints before we could even think about it.”

“Well thinking isn’t your strong suit now, is it?” He snarked, looking up at Lyle with what could only be described as contempt. 

“Sure,” Lyle shrugged and yawned, scratching at his chin, “But at least I don’t have a log up my ass.” 

“Why you-!” The small person took a step forward, his soft brown shoes slapping against the wood, his face turning a funny shade of purple.

A vicious smile spread over Lyle’s lips, the action of the small Sky Person obviously amusing him. He stepped up, his boots stomping, as he clapped his hands and raised his fists ready to fight – only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

“Now, now, Lyle – I am sure the good doctor over here didn’t mean to be a little shit, now did you doc?” Quaritch asked, and turned his golden gaze to the human. "I mean, for someone as smart as you – you would realize that it is a bad idea. Right, doc?”

‘Doc’ took a deep breath through his nose, and snarled: “Meet me in the medical unit in fifteen-minutes, Bjarne and I will be there.”

“You got five squint, you are wasting our breakfast time. We promised Yay-u here pan-ned cakes.” Brown chuckled.

“With seeryp!” Lopez added, making the Recoms burst with laughter.

The small man rolled his eyes and muttered, “Jarheads,” before closing the door with a hiss.

Quaritch chuckled, and pulled on her restraints to get Yayiu-te moving. “Come on. Let’s hurry up and wait, Sweetheart.”

“Why wait?” His captive asked, her voice still wonderfully sleepy.

Quaritch smiled, and bit his bottom lip, not answering her immediately. God, that sounds so good… He cleared his own throat, and looked at her over his shoulder, “It’s just something we say in the military – when they want us to hurry up and get ready, but then they aren’t, so we have to wait for them. Happens all the time.”

Yayiu-te frowned, her mouth drawing up into an adorable sleepy pout. “They do be ready. I no wait.”

“Neither do I, Sweetheart, neither do I. And that is why we make a few threats to keep them on their toes.” His teeth flash a brilliant white, as he pulled her a bit closer, and motioned to Wainfleet to take her other side, lifting her with little trouble and carried her where they wanted their Sleeping Beauty to go. “Make a few threats, loom over them a little, and watch them squirm; works all the time.” 

They half-dragged, half-carried her to a long silver room next to the one where the Doctor-Sky People live, and carried her up more steps.

She was moved into Wainfleet’s hold, while Quaritch patted his pants pockets for his key-card - one of the few benefits of being the previous head of security. He swiped the card, and the door whooshed open, sending the compressed, stale air into the atmosphere. Right, the lab hasn’t been cycled yet.

“Mask up,” He called over his shoulder and looked for the emergency breathers. No extras, only for the humans. Yayiu-te would have to share with him again. Perfect - The sooner she associates him with breathable air in confined spaces, the sooner she will be eating out of the palm of his hand. He took her from Wainfleet, pulling her deeper into the lab as lights flicked on around them. 

It was bright, which made her flinch, worse than when she loses her night-vision after a quick hunt – making her step back into Quaritch’s chest.

“It’s just the L.E.D.’s, you’ll get used to them.” He promised, and led her deeper into the room.

“It very loud.” She said, blinking, looking at all the shinny things standing in neat little rows, chest already feeling tight.

“Bright you mean.” Quaritch took a sip of the CO2 and held the breather over her mouth. “Breathe, Sweetheart.”

“Kehe.” She gripped his hand, and took her sip, before looking at him; “Noi-zee.”

He tried to listen to what she was referring to, but it sounded no different than what it was supposed to. No different than under Augustine and her lot, no different than usual if only a bit louder, the noise clearer. “Sounds perfectly fine to me, Sweetheart. All good.”

“Listen!” She gripped his wrist in both of her hands and shook, turning her head this way and that. The long, obsidian tresses gliding over his hand, as she pulled him towards to some tech. She reached out towards it, and watched in fascination as the glass stopped her from reaching in. “Here. Listen.”

“That’s the refrigerator.” He tapped the glass, making her ears twitch. “It keeps things at a certain temperature constantly, so it doesn’t spoil. That, and you’re probably hearing all the other tech around here.”

She snapped her teeth at the machine, a wonderfully dull sound that made his ears perk up. Her ears pulling back again, her tail flicking around his leg.

“Let us left.” She pulled his hand, trying to get him to move towards the door, her head spinning around like a cartoon character as she tried to keep an eye on everything. “It too loud, we can no Listen.”

Zdinarsik chuckled, and placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. “It’s gonna be okay. It’s just the machinery. It’ll be over quickly. You'll see, the Colonel ain't gonna let anything happen to you.”

The girl frowned, but didn't let go of his hand, holding on tightly as she frowned down at it. 

The door opened, Yay-u jumped and let go, as Bjarne stepped in with her lacky yawning behind her, pulling his lab coat on as they shuffled along. 

Does every high-ranking bitch around here have a brown-noser ?

“You know,” The Doctor sighed. “When I said in the 'morning', I meant around nine or so. Not at six.”

“Lyle?”

“Its 10 minutes away from 7, doc.” He held up his hand, showing off his watch. “Y’all should have been up and at ‘em by now. You need your hours.”

“Still.” She grimaced at them, and turned her attention to Yayiu-te. “I am sorry you are stuck with these bastards. Let’s get this over with so that you can get out of here, huh?”

Bjarne walked to a gurney, and patted the mattress.

“C’mon.” Quaritch pushed her gently, and had her sit down. He held the breather over her mouth, “Sip. They are gonna pump air form outside in soon enough. We won’t have to worry about this for the time being.”

“Filing the air in tee-minus two minutes! Get your breathers ready!”

“See?” He smiled down at her, watching as she took the last sip needed.

A part of him was thankful that he wouldn’t have to breathe the canned stuff anymore, but another was disappointed that he wouldn’t have a hold on her here. The annoying countdown began, and he took the last sip. He closed the valve. She pulled her legs to her chest, and watched them hurry about.

“Sixty seconds!”

“It’s gonna be alright.” He promised. “Just breathe. We are gonna be with you all the way.”

She breathed. Her tail wrapped around his arm, settling around his wrist warmly. She took another deep breath, and closed her eyes.

“Ten, nine, eight,” a loud voice yelled, echoing around the scientist's desks. The masks were rushed into place. Yayiu-te’s ears pulled flat, shuffling even closer to him. “Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Opening the airlock!”

There was a grunt, and fresh Pandora air rushed through the lab. Her head whipped around, searching for the vents as they were opened, and the smell of the trees filtered through. She took a deep breath, and held it.

“Airlock open, breach stable. Monitoring.”

“Alright, let’s get this party started. You first, darling.” Quaritch gripped her arm, and made sure she wasn't going anywhere. “Just stay here, and breathe. It will be over before you know it. I promise.”

“Move.” Bjarne shoved against his thigh, not succeeding in moving the large limb, and pointed to a different gurney, moving her stepping stool closer. “Sit down over there, and watch your tails.”

Quaritch rolled his eyes, and raised his hands in surrender. “Squints.”

“Jarheads.” Bjarne huffed as she climbed the steps and turned her attention back to Yayiu-te. Bjarne scanned her face and in a calm voice said, bring her fingers to her forehead: “Oel ngati kameie.”

Yayiu-te huffed and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She laughed, and brought her fingers to her forehead, mimicking the movement with much relief and familiarity. Repeating the words in a soft voice, smiling bright.

“Damn,” Bjarne fingered the shirt sleeve, and sighed. She ran her fingers through Yayiu-te’s un-braided hair. “They really were mean to you, huh? It’s okay, it’s gonna be alright now, don’t you worry. They are all just a bunch of assholes. They can't do anything to you here.”

“I resent that statement!” Zdinarsik pointed her finger to the doctor, “We have been keeping her well fed and clothed this entire time. I don’t know what you’ve been doing, but we’ve been doing your job.”

“I’ll be right back.” The doctor sighed with a soft smile, hopped off the steps and held out her hand, in which a 'pad was promptly placed, reading it as she pulled the steps to the gurney. “Zdinarsik, Alicia – commonly known as ‘Z-Dog’, or ‘Zee’. Average Recombinant age of 20. Mentally, 27. Marine.”

“That’s me,” A piece of gum found its way between her sharp teeth, “What can I do ya for?”

“Answer a few questions for one.” She gripped Zdinarsik's yaw. “Spit. It. Out.”

The bright pink blob of half chewed gum landed in the doctor’s palm.

“Nice to see the soldiers are as much of a bunch of dicks as their commander.” She shook the gum into a trash bin with a grimace, grabbing a sanitary wipe from a container held out by an assistant. “Alright. How are you feeling? Nausea or pain? Any dizziness? Loss of memory?”

“None of the stuff you planted in are missing, if that is what you are asking.” Zee huffed.

The doctor huffed back, “That’s not the only thing I am asking.”

“No – no nausea or pain, no dizziness, no loss of memory.” She rolled her eyes and leaned back, swinging her legs lazily.

She jotted something down, and motioned for another medic to come closer. “I want a full toxscreen. Have a full physical done and check the brain, I want to make sure that there is nothing wrong with what little there is left it.”

“Bite me, doc.”

“No, I don’t think I will.” She handed the file over to the woman in pink scrubs and motioned to Zee. “Follow her, Private Zdinarsik. Try not to be too much of a bitch.”

“Wouldn’t want to outshine you, now, would I?” She hopped off the examination table, and followed the tech, her tail swishing behind her in glee. “Let’s go baby Squint, we don’t have time to waste.”

The medic sighed, and followed the Recom, muttering under her breath. “I am getting paid; I am getting paid a lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. Yeah. Lots of money. Lots of spanking brand new buck-a-roonies. The big Benjamin, yeah. Lots and lots of those. It’s only five years, I can do it. Yeah. Yeah. Do it for the money.”

“Keep telling yourself that while I bounce your head like a basketball, Baby Squint.” Zdinarsik yelled over her shoulder. “C’mon. Hurry up. I haven’t had breakfast yet, you’re burning daylight. Move!”

“Doing it for the money!” She yelled as she walked past them. “Full tox coming right up, doc. Can’t wait to stick that bitch full of needles.”

"The rest of you, grab a Recom and do the same, I want the files before the day is over," Bjarne laughed, at the groans her team let out and pulled a chair closer as the Recoms paired up with their own squints and left. She turned to Yayiu-te with a smile. “Alright, let’s see what we can do, huh, Yayiu-te?”

She opened various things – drawer and packages and boxes. Pulling something on to make her hands white, snapping against her hands and wrists, flexing her fingers as if to make it more comfortable on her hands.

"You know my name?"

"Sure," Bjarne chuckled, "I read the Colonel's report after the General sent it to me, quite an interesting read. You gave them some serious trouble." 

Yayiu-te frowned, and watched as she began opening even more packages, readying a piece of white fabric. 

“Alright.” She sat down and took Yayiu-te’s arm in hand. Pulling a band from the cart, Bjarne tied it around her arm. The white gloved hand hit her arm, and pulled a package open, pulling a thin piece of metal out. “Let’s do this.”

Yayiu-te followed her movement with a frown, watching as it was brought closer to her arm, prodding at the veins there.

“Easy now.” Bjarne soothed, running her thumb over the vein, and smacked her arm lightly, before reaching for the metal once again. "It'll be quick, alright?"

“No.” Yayiu-te pulled her arm away.

“It’s alright, I am just gonna take a little-” Bjarne reached for her arm again, pulling it closer, holding it tighter.

“No!” Yayiu-te screamed, shaking her head and trying to pull her arm out of the Sky Person's hold without hurting her.

“I need to do this; it is important that I-”

“Kehe!” She pulled her arm out of Bjarne’s grasp and hopped off the bed, over the other side – putting as much space between her and the doctor as possible.

“It’s gonna be alright,” Bjarne held her hands up again, trying to calm her down. “It’s only gonna take a min-”

“Kehe!” Yayiu-te reached for a random object, raising it above her head, and throwing it at Bjarne and her assistant. She hissed, and ducked down, using the bed as makeshift cover.

“Get Quaritch!” Bjarne yelled and put more space between them. “She’s gone feral!”

They backed up as much as they could and pulled the cart with them, putting as much space between their patient and themselves as the possibly in the small space, and keeping the sharp objects out of reach.

“Yayiu-te, I need you to calm down!”

She hissed, baring her teeth as the small Sky Person, pulling her ears flat against her head. Her golden eyes molten with hate. Her head whipped around, looking for a way out. It was open behind her, but her palm couldn’t go through. She screamed – slamming her fist against it. She reached for her knife, but remembered it wasn’t there anymore – she lost it in her first fight with the Dreamwalker’s.

Yayiu-te screamed her frustration again, hitting with her closed fist against it. She whipped around, just as Zdinarsik and the rest of the Dreamwalker’s came barreling into the room. She hissed, baring her teeth, and widening her stance.

“Yayiu-te! It’s fine, honey! Calm down!” Zdinarsik held her palms out, stepping closer to her. “It’s gonna be okay! They just want to get a blood sample, ask you a couple of questions and then we can go. See-” She held out her arm to where a tiny white piece of fabric sat on the inside of her arm. “Done. All you need to do is sit down. The Colonel promised you panned-cakes-”

“What?” A Sky Person asked, and was promptly hit upside the head by Ja and told to, "Fucking zip it!"

“With syrup. The Colonel made you a promise, and he’s gonna stick to it. Okay, so just-”

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her, white goo pasted on his upper arm and pulled her into a strong chest – him!

“It’s alright, Sweetheart! It’s alright! Yay-u, calm down Sweetheart.” Myhulskwaritz spoke in her ear. "I got you, so calm down, okay?"

Nobody expected it when she twisted her body around, trying, and succeeding, in biting him again.

“Shit!” He pulled back far enough for her to miss his goddamned throat, but she latch onto his chest instead. “Fuck!”

Her teeth dug into the flesh, through his shirt. He pushed against her forehead, trying pry her loose. When that didn’t work - he gripped her jaw, trying to get her to let go.

“Sedate her!” Phillipe yelled.

“No, you’ll just make it fucking worse! Let me handle this.” Quaritch grunted, grabbing her jaw. “It’s okay, calm down, Sweetheart. Everything is gonna be alright.”

Yayiu-te felt his fingers rubbing against the sore spots on her jaw – tense from her chopping down on his chest. The fabric tasted awful in the mouth, full of sweat, and Sky People, and him. His scent burned her nose. When she didn’t let go with his softer motions, Miles decided to go on the offensive. He gripped her jaw, and moved his fingers to the pressure points – all animals had them, so why not this kitty? The muscles seem to relax a bit.

“There we go, calm down.”

She tasted it, the blood on her tongue – it didn’t taste that much different from her blood. How….? Her jaw relaxed a bit.

“That’s it Sweetheart, calm down. Let go, huh? You can do it, c’mon.”

Her jaw snapped loose, and his fingers gripped her jaw tighter as he pushed her away, keeping his fingers away from her piss-sharp teeth.

“Gag her.” Bjarne ordered a nurse from behind them.

“No, she’s not gonna cause any more trouble for us, are ya Sweetheart?” He turned his head to look down at her, his tail swaying behind him in obvious amusement.

“You can survive a Na’vi bite, but we can't.” She called over her shoulder to one of her colleges. “That’s a way to go, huh? Bitten to death by a native.”

“At least it wouldn’t be a death stare from the Earth-mortar.” One of the techs laughed.

“Ain’t that right.” They pulled out a leather strap, a mouth guard made of some see through material, with holes drilled through for breathing. They threw it to the Dreamwalker. “Alright Quaritch, put that on her.”

“You think that’s a good idea doc? She already doesn’t like it here, you gonna make the experience worse?” Quaritch frowned down at the thing, it was clearly made with a Na'vi in mind; Did they make it for them, the Recoms? 

“I would rather her hate me than kill me, Colonel. Put it on.”

He sighed, pulled a cloth from thin air, and wiped her mouth clean of blood. He looked remorseful as he unbuckled the strap. “You brought this on yourself, you know.”

Her eyes widened as he brought it closer to her mouth, and let out an ear-piercing scream.

“Quaritch!” Phillipe yelled, covering his ears. “Get her under control!”

The Dreamwalker’s large hand slapped over her mouth. His golden eyes bearing into her soul. “I thought I told you to be good, Sweetheart. This isn’t good. This is the opposite of good. You are being a real big pain in my ass, Yay-u. So, you are gonna stop screaming and be good, do you understand?”

Yayiu-te panted against his hand, and nodded slowly. 

“Good, now – we are gonna put this on, and you are gonna sit still while the docs over there,” he pointed behind them, at the medical team, “do their job. You are gonna behave. Understood?”

She snapped her jaw shut, and nodded, rather stiffly.

“Good girl.” He placed the cage over her mouth, and pulled her hands up to hold it in place. He reached behind her, tying the mask to her face. “That’s it. Doc! We are ready for you now.”

“She’s gonna behave now?”

“I don’t know,” He gripped her queue, and watched her arch, standing on her tippy-toes to try and elevate some of the pressure. “You gonna behave now, darling?”

She nodded her head quickly, shutting her eyes against the pain. The leather digging into her skin, leaving soft purple scratches behind.

“Yeah,” He called over his shoulder. “She’ll behave.”

“Alright,” Bjarne sighed, and motioned behind her. “Hold her still, Quaritch.”

“Easy, baby girl, it’s gonna be quick you’ll see.” He smoothed her hair back, and held her arm out to the woman. He wrapped an arm around Yayiu-te’s small waist, trapping her other arm under his as he pulled her into his chest. “She’s gonna give you a quick prick, take a little blood, and then she’s-”

“I still have a few tests to run.” Bjarne didn't look up as she opened another sanitary wipe, and began cleaning the inside of her elbow. Tying the tourniquet around her upper arm, she pocked at the skin, looking for a vein. 

“Then she’s gonna…run a few tests. Nothing to worry about.” He smiled at her, a crooked smile that showed off one of his fangs. 

“You stopped.” Her ears pulled back in her signature show of disapproval, peeking at the Sky Person as she stuck the metal under her skin, causing her to shiver. 

“No, no I didn’t stop. I looked for the right word.” He came close and pointed his finger in her face, nodding his head to the side in satisfaction. “There’s a difference.”

“Txokefyaw ngenga si atxkxe zoplo, ngenga ke’u fmi.” She scowled at him, then looked down at the Sky Person with a pout.

“A language we all speak, perhaps?” He sighed in frustration, a scowl crawling across his face.

“'If you do not know what to say now, then you are lying later'.” Bjarne translated, replacing the full tube with an empty one. “It’s a rather new saying.”

“Oh?” Miles raised an eyebrow, and smiled at Yay-u, to which the girl just huffed and turned her face away. “How so?”

“They didn’t have a word for lying – until we came.” 

 “None?” Quaritch looked at the human with a frown. “At all?”

“It just wasn’t a concept.” The plastic tube was pulled away with the dark red blood, and replaced with the next. “They didn’t believe in it. Lying was…unthinkable.”

Quaritch scoffed and couldn't help but roll his eyes.

“What? The concept of people being honest so strange? Ha! What am I talking about, I am speaking to the man who taught Satan how to lie.” Bjarne shook her head and sighed, watching the blood fill the tube, handing the others off to her assistant who kept tipping them up and down, trying to stop the blood from stalling. 

“I didn’t know you knew him too – we should have some coffee some time.” He smirked. 

“You are a douche, you know that?” 

“Yeah, I know – my daddy taught me. You on the other hand,” He looked down his shoulder at her. “I think it comes naturally.”

Bjarne rolled her eyes, and handed the last tube to her assistant, and removed the band around Yayiu-te's arm.

“The tests results will be out in a few hours. Bring her here, I need to weigh her.” She placed a cotton swab on her arm, and taped it closed.

“C’mon, Sweetheart.” He moved to take her arm to pull her down, but Yayiu-te moved too fast, staying out of reach. She didn’t look at him as she jumped down, and followed the doctor. Yay-u didn’t looked at him, her tail dragging behind her, her ears pulled flat against her skull. “Now you are being rude.”

Yayiu-te whipped around to face him, her hair a waterfall of obsidian around her, golden eyes bore into him with a fury the Devil won't be able to match.

“Rude?” The ‘r’ rolled again, as delicious as the first time he heard that sound. Her voice still crisp and clear. “You pull me round, and say me rude?”

“’Call’ is the right word.” He smiled down at her as he stepped into her personal space. “And yes, I will call you rude. Because that is what you are being right now. A bratty, rude little girl.”

She let out the most frustrated scream he has ever heard a woman utter, and attacked him. Leaping past the doctor, and bolting off the table, Yayiu-te tackled him, pulling him to the ground.

He didn’t expect that, honestly he didn’t – but he knew that all his teasing would lead to these outcomes. She rolled them on the ground, knocking over equipment. Her strong thighs pinned him to the ground. She tried to scratch at his face, her long blue fingers almost reaching their target. But he gripped her wrists, pulled his leg out from under her thighs, and rolled them over, pinning her. She screamed again, and pushed her body up off the ground, snapping at his neck and face, and if it wasn’t for the gag – he would have lost his damned nose.

“Now, now – no need to throw a tantrum.” He smiled down at her.

“Ohe will tsmuk, tsmuktu ngenga tantrum!”

Oh, fuck me… He wasn’t completely sure what she was saying, but damn he was a goner already. You can cuss me out in Na'vi any day, Sweetheart... Fuck me... He couldn’t help but smile. “Still don’t know what you are saying, Sweetheart.”

“Then learn!” Her voice cracked; her exhaustion clearly written on her face. Her ears pulled back, again, and tears brimming in her eyes, again.

“Then teach me.” He wiped her tears with his thumb, “I can’t learn when I am not taught anything.”

“We tried teaching your people,” She sniffed, “It is hard to fill a cup which is already full.”

“Not when nobody gave you a cup to fill. How can I catch anything with my hands when it will just leak over?” He tucked her lose strands behind her ears.

“Then you make the cup.”

Quaritch laughed. “That’s a good idea. Now, let’s sit still, and let the docs finish whatever they want to do, and then we go get panned-cakes. I’ll make a cup while you eat. But, you've got to behave, alright?”

She clenched her jaw, and nodded stiffly. He got to his feet, and pulled her up.

“Now, just get onto that thing,” he pointed to the scale, “And then do what the docs say.”

She looked at him, and inched her way closer – she kicked the scale, a pout still prominent on her kissable lips.

“No, no, step on.” He picked her up, arm sliding around her tiny waist, and placed her on the scale. She wriggled out of his grasp, and slapped him with the side of her tail, but he didn’t let that phase him. “Right, now stand still. Don’t move, that’s it.”

He stepped back, holding a palm out to keep her still. Her tail curled around her leg, her big, teary eyes following his every move.

“124 kg,” Doc called over her shoulder at her assistant. “Okay, step off.”

Yayiu-te looked at Quaritch, making him sigh. Her full lips drawn into a perfect pout, God what I wouldn’t do to taste those...

“C’mon,” He held out his hand, and motioned with his fingers for her to follow. “Anything else doc?”  

“No, I think we have everything we need for now.” Bjarne turned to Yayiu-te. “And if he gives you any trouble, you can come to me – we’ll figure out a way to keep you out of his grasp.”

“Alright then,” Quaritch reached behind her head and gripped the straps. “When I take this off, you are gonna behave, do you understand? You can’t go around biting people you don’t like - we are civilized around here.”

When Yay-u didn’t respond, he pulled her chin back, trapping her between his chest and hand. She tried hard to glare at him through her tears, but liquid gold looks a lot cooler when dropped in water. Quaritch sighed again, and ran his fingers through the loose strands of hair.

“We are gonna get panned-cakes, I promised you we would. But you can’t eat with this thing on, and I ain’t gonna take this off until you behave. So, you either behave, or you don’t eat. What’s it gonna be?” His fingers ran over the straps across her face, noting the dark lines where it dug into her skin.

It was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it-moment, but she nodded.

“Good,” He smiled down at her, then called to the doctor. “How far along are the rest of the squad?”

“Done,” Lyle poked his head into the door. “We are waiting on ya.”

“Oh, now you show up?” Phillipe threw his hands in the air. He huffed and pushed the Recom out of the way in his rush to leave the room.

Lyle watched as he left, his tail swishing behind him in amusement. “I pity whatever decided to crawl up his ass.”

Quaritch laughed, and reached for the straps behind her head, undoing them and pulling the leather and metal away from her face. He dropped it on the table, and watched as she rubbed at the marks around her face.

“Let’s go get some breakfast huh?” He rumbled as Lyle came in, Zee following behind.

“Yeah, let’s go and get you some panned-cakes.” Lyle smiled, and ruffled her hair, smiling wider as she swatted his hands away.

Chapter Text

6. Breakfast, the Most Important Meal of the Day

They stepped out of the lab and were met with the rest of the Recoms, talking and joking amongst themselves – roughhousing good naturedly like children. Like whatever they just went through was completely normal, being stuck in the arm an every day occurrence... 

“There she is!” Fike held out his arms, obviously expecting a hug, the shortest of the Recoms smiling bright at their guest as they stepped out of the lab.

Ja laughed as Yay-u made a bee-line for Zdinarsik's side, tucking herself under the colorful arm with a huff. The Recom gasped, and turned to Ja in disbelief. Zee huffed, and rolled her eyes, pulling Yay-u closer and let the girl lean into her side. 

“Rude!” Fike gasped, before being shoved to the side.

“Ah, Sweetheart, was it that bad?” Prager chuckled from where he leaned against the railing. 

She poked her head out from under Zee’s arm and nodded, her jaw clenched tight as slim fingers gripped Zdinarsik's shirt hem. The Recom snorted and hugged the girl closer.

Ja laughed and ruffled her hair. “The best part of all this though, is that we can now have breakfast, right sir?”

“Yeah,” Quaritch smiled and let out a deep sigh, throwing his head back, and moaning into the sky, “And coffee.”

“Panned-cakes?” She asked, a breath-taking smile appearing on her full lips, staring up at him with her goddamned too big eyes that made his knees weak... Fuck... 

“Yeah Sweetheart, we're getting panned-cakes.” Lyle promised, rubbing her head with a fondness that seemed out of character for the Marine, messing up her hair further. “The Colonel promised you, didn't he?” 

“Nì’i’a.” Her eyes closing as she sighed, her shoulders sagging - the tension leaving her body all in one go, not perturbed by the Recom's messing up her hair at all. Food is obviously the way to her heart, good to know... 

Quaritch laughed, running his fingers through her hair, trying to get it in order- and just to cop another feel. Her hair was soft between his fingers, snagging on his callouses, even as he tried not to pull on her hair unnecessarily. Let him be the last person who touched her hair... Fuck you, Lyle... He huffed, as she stared up at him, for once no frown on her pretty face, just pure...excitement, and joy. He dropped his hand when he thought that every hair was back in place, and smiled at her. 

“Yeah, I know. C’mon – let’s go.” He turned around, leading them away from the lab, down the steps and into the soft springy grass down below. She was giddy, almost skipping (if he could use that word) on their way to the mess. The humans stared at the Na’vi who hopped along with them – but whether they were staring because of her beauty or because she was just that strange, or because her shirt flared out at her middle as she twirled about, was up for interpretation. 

To be fair, Lyle understood the giddiness. They were up at the crack-ass of dawn, and they had to drag her to the doc’s too – man, she had to be starving, and she didn’t even have to do any of the crack-assing! But she was poked and prodded too and threw a fucking tantrum, so he guess he can let it slide for now.

All was going well, the whole situation of the squints and the needles behind them, the Recoms even started cracking a couple of jokes, trying to lift the mood a bit more, when - 

“Hey there kitty cat! I didn’t get to speak to ya!” That annoying pilot called over to them, his voice breaking the comfortable silence they had managed to cultivate.

“Oh, fuck no!” Quaritch muttered and pulled her back under his arm, squeezing her into his back. He stank, his skin sticky with sweat; Yay-u gagged into his shirt. He paid her no mind as she tried to wiggle out of his grasp.

“What do you want, Whip? We're kinda on a schedule here.” Lyle stepped up as his CO hid the girl out of sight, placing a hand on her back to keep her still. 

“Ah, ya are all on ya schedules, ya jarheads. It’s always about your schedules!” Whip ran to them, stopping in front of them, huffing and puffing with his fat ass. “I am just here to talk to a lady. Name’s Philiph Andrews, but ya can call me Whip.”

He held out his sweaty palm for Yayiu-te to take, shooting his arm under Quaritch's with little thought, covered in engine grease and gunk, black and sticky and smelly. She ducked behind Quaritch’s arm and glared down at his hand. She was absolutely tiny compared to their CO’s bulk, easily hiding behind him. She frowned, her nose scrunching up in distaste, and she bared a fang, all white and gleaming in the sunlight, before ducking back behind his back.

“Ah, Sweetheart,” Quaritch smiled down at her, “It’s alright, he’s just a creep, but Zdinarsik called dibs on his ass, and she doesn’t like competition – so you should be fine as long as you don't step on her toes. I promise.”

Her eyes were smooth, hard – like a new bar of gold they always showed on the holovids back on Earth - as she looked up at him.

“What is ‘deebs’?” She asked, reaching for his smallest digit, he allowed her to grasp and pulled it closer to her chest, more than please that she turns to him for answers. It's working...

“Well, it's-” He started, but was interrupted by the annoying voice of that damned pilot, Whip, his ears pulling flat against his skull and his tail gave an irritated twitch.

"It’s when you see something, and-" How such a small man could be so annoying, is a mystery for the universe to solve.

“I no ask you, Tawtute.” Yayiu-te’s soft hair brushed against his side as she glared down at said twatute – her accent thick in her anger, ears pulling down as she said: “Be, shhh,” then turned her full attention back to Quaritch.

Quaritch smiled. Fuck me…

“It’s when you see something, and you want it. So, you call ‘dibs’ to get your hands on it first. Whether somebody respects that or not, is up in the air - can go whichever way.”

“Like panned-cakes?” Her ears twitched as she titled her head, fine hair sliding over her slender shoulders.

Lyle laughed, running his hand up the side of his face. “Yeah, like pancakes. Or a seat, or even a... toy. You can call dibs on almost anything.”

She nodded, and went back glaring at Whip. “I think is stupid to anger Zee-Dog – I do no think she doesn’t like stupid -”

“Whoa!” Quaritch quickly slapped his hand over her mouth. “You can’t just say things like that,” Even if it is what we are all thinking. “It is rude.”

“Why? I no lie.” She pulled his fingers from her face, her four fingers grasping at his little finger.

“No, but its rude to say things like that.” He tried to explain. “You can’t be as… forward with your words like that.”

“So, lie?” She breathed, her eyes going hard and cold, stepping away from him. 

“No, just not mention it.” He shrugged, smiling. "Skirt around it. Avoid it. Even if it is true.” 

“I will report you!” Whip pointed his fat sausage of a finger up at Quaritch. His face puggy and piglike, swelling like an overripe fruit.

“And say what, snowflake? A woman whose culture doesn’t even understand the concept of lying called you stupid? She told you that a woman you are harassing isn’t interested in you, and you're gonna throw a tantrum?” Quaritch smiled down at him. “That is, if you can walk out of here alive.”

“Are you threatening me?” He stepped up, and stopped – perfect skull-fucking height.

“I don’t threaten Mr. Whip, I make statements. Promises.” He placed a hand on his hip, resting it on his pistol. “I would like to read that report when you are done, though – I can just imagine it. ‘Dear Francie, Quaritch was mean – ground him, much love, your personal brown-noser, Whip.”

“Why you-!” His face turned a disgusting beetroot colour, shaking his fist - trying, and failing spectacularly, to intimidate Quaritch. 

“Careful, you might have an aneurism if you keep that up.” Lyle smiled over Quaritch's shoulder. “The squints ain't gonna waste time on your lard ass if you keep this up.” 

Whip sputtered; his face darkened – turning a rather ugly shade of maroon. Definitely not as pretty as Yay-u’s blush, but just as satisfying.

“Go on, send me a copy of the General’s reply when she actually gives a crap about your feelings. I would like to see her rip you a new one.” Quaritch smirked down at him, and quickly threw his arm around Yay-u's shoulders, pulling her close. “Until then, we are gonna get breakfast. Our girl here is starving. C’mon you fucks, let’s go.”

Whip yelled out profanities as they left – Mansk covering their back, throwing threatening glares at the over-ripe pilot through his sunglasses. This is gonna bite us in the ass later... He sighed.

Quaritch set a brutal pace, lengthening the distance between them and their resident creep, devouring the tarmac between them and the Mess. It came into view not long after; the building’s artificial grey a stark contrast against the vivid lushness that was Pandora. They corralled her up the steps and through the security gate. The humans and the Recoms were separated by a hastily put up Perspex wall, leaving the Recombinants sitting on a deck with a door that allowed them to enter the mess for their food and to return their trays when done - a perfect opportunity for the Squints to monitor them too... 

“Alright,” Quaritch pushed Yay-u towards one of the plastic picnic tables, and had her sit down on the bench, taking her hands and placing them palm down on the table. “You are gonna sit here with Zee and Fike. We are gonna go and get the food, we are gonna be right back. You are gonna sit still, and be good, do you understand?”

When she didn’t answer, Quaritch sighed, and tilted her chin up – Her eyes as wide as saucers. “Now, what about that didn’t you understand?

“Sweetheart?” When she still didn’t answer.

“Noi-zee,” She whispered, her breathing speeding up, eyes wide - her pupils tiny pinpricks. "It loud."

“Yeah, people are noisy, machines are loud. But that’s just part of being human, everything has a sound – if it doesn’t, it isn’t alive.”

“Only babies are noi-zee.”

“Oh, darling, not just babies if you do it right.” He smiled down at her. “Sit still. We’ll be right back. Zdinarsik – keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s not gonna be too noi-zee. If anybody bothers you, you have my permission to deck them. Fike, you're backup.”

“Sir, yes sir.” The female recom sat down across from Yayiu-te with a smile, tapping on the table with her palms, ever so happy as to not be the one to stand in line at the Mess. 

“Anything specific, Zee?” Brown called from the door.

“Coffee.” She held her arms far apart. “As big as they can make it."

“I’ll ask for a bucket then.” Brown promised as they stepped into the Mess.

"I'll take-" Fike began, but was cut off by Lopez; "You'll eat what I fucking give you, I ain't your momma."

Fike's ears pulled back, and humpfed. 

"And eggs!" Zdinarsik yelled at his back, getting a thumb thrown in the air as response. 

"Oh c'mon on!"

The Dreamwalkers didn't turn back, following their commander into the mess, one after the other as they adjusted their breathers. 

“Ko-fee?” Yayiu-te asked, her ears perking up at the new word.

“A hot drink made from a specific bean, roasted then ground down to a powder. Then it’s brewed in water, making a strong, bitter drink. You can drink it with cream or milk, you can even add sugar. It is a very…” Zee brought her hand up to her mouth, pulling her fingers closed around it, looking for the right word. “Strong drink, and it can give you energy if you drink it. But you won’t like it, besides the Colonel is bringing you panned-cakes.”

Fike smirked at her. “That’ll give you plenty of energy.”

“I see.” She sat back, her eyes getting that far off look. “Is good?”

“Yeah. It's good. You should ask the Colonel for a sip.” Zee smiled, making Fike laugh. 

They sat in silence for a while, Yay-u looking around her and playing with the fabric of her shirt between her fingers, rubbing it around and around, the fabric beginning to burn – only stopping when the rest of the team returned. Quaritch placed the tray of food in front of her. “Like I promised Sweetheart, panned-cakes.”

Three flat, golden circles were stacked on top of each other, a plastic spork and knife resting next to the plate on the tray. Small white containers next to a cup, just as small, filled with a warm liquid. Yayiu-te watched as the Dreamwalker picked up the small container and tore it open, pouring the golden-brown liquid over the circles. He opened another flat square packet, and dumped a small light-yellow block on top of that. He picked up the spork and stabbed it into the panned-cake, cutting into it with the knife. He pulled the fork away, and held it out to her. “There you go.”

She grabbed his hand, and held it still while she sniffed at it - sweet, not a natural smell, with a soft warm aroma that made her mouth water, and took the offered bite - it was fluffy and sweet, the sirup sticky against her teeth, coating her tongue in its golden thickness. 

“Good, huh?” Quaritch smiled down at her, scrunching up his nose as she nodded. She took the fork and stabbed it into the food, pulling a large piece up to take another bite. “Easy, Sweetheart. You are gonna make a mess!”

They laughed, and Quaritch pulled her fork out of her hand, cutting another piece and holding it out for her. She took the fork back, and taking his offered bite. Quaritch laughed and blew into his cup, taking a sip and swirling the drink around his mouth. She chewed slowly, watching his throat bob as he swallowed his drink.

“What that?” Pointing to his cup with her spork, she chewed her food slowly.

“Coffee.” He sighed dreamily, taking a sip and turned his attention back to her. “Wanna taste?”

The large black cup was held out to her, and she peeked inside at its contents – nothing. She looked up at him with a scowl on her face, wondering if it was a joke. But when he insisted, she gripped the mug and brought it to her lips. The strong scent hit her nose, deep and rich, and warm. She blew softly over the rim, and took her sip. It was bitter, and burned her tongue and throat, making her jerk back.

She yelped, and shook her head, soft strands slipping over his shoulder as she yelled; “Fpxamo!”

The table burst out laughing, banging their fists against the table, and choking on their food.

Quaritch smiled wide. “Not to your liking, eh?”

Yayiu-te shook her head violently, frowning as Quaritch took another sip. “No. Why do drink it?”

“Simply because of caffeine.” He smiled down at her after he swallowed. “It keeps you awake.”

“If you tired, you must sleep – you don't stay up for too long.” Her face looked at him in concern. “It not good.”

Quaritch chuckled, “It’s not always so easy.”

“Why?” Her eyes were big, the gold warm and swirling – a big pool that he would gladly drown in, gladly burn in, swallowing down the burning liquid with glee. How can she be so innocent after everything?

“Because,” He sighed, looking down at the dark brew swirling in his cup. “Sometimes, not everyone can sleep peacefully. Or they just can’t sleep.”

“Everybody must rest – if we do not, we are useless to the People.”

“True,” He chuckled. “Sleep is for those who deserve it – and not all men do, not yet.”

Yay-u huffed, and pulled her plate closer – stabbing her pancakes with vigor.

“Now, what did those poor panned-cakes do to you, huh?” He asked, leaning forward, watching as she stabbed a bite, uneven and ugly compared to the perfectly cut pieces he offered her before.

She huffed again, and pulled her bite to her lips, but not yet opening her full lips. 

“Yay-u,” Quaritch sighed. “You are being rude.”

“You are strange!” Her tail whipped behind her back, standing tall. "Sleep!"

He laughed, “Some men don’t always deserve to sleep peacefully.”

“Like you?” She slammed the spork down.

“And Sully and his wife too.” 

“Tsakarem and Olo’eyktan is more better and more honor than you.” She humphed and crossed her arms over her chest, pouting.

“Really?” Quaritch turned the full fury of his golden gaze onto her. “Sully has more honor than I do? I didn’t betray my race, Sweetheart. I still abide by my morals. Sully, however...”

“Toruk Makto is better man, he-” 

“He betrayed his people, he killed his people, and for what? All for a planet we only knew existed some 80 odd years ago.” Quaritch laughed. “Tell me, Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’te, what is the penalty for betraying your people, mmm? Because if I remember correctly, when we showed up, Sully was strung up and was about to be gutted. Or is he suddenly a better man because he rode up on that big orange beast?”

“He tamed great Toruk!" She slammed her fist down on the table. "He-”

“He still betrayed you,” He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, taking another sip. “Still betrayed you to the humans. Caused the destruction of your home. The murder of your family and friends. A war that didn’t need to be fought. A needless battle that cost too many lives on both sides.”

“And you won’t betray I?” Her tail twitched behind her shoulder, gold melting him down where he sat.

“Why would I do that?” He turned the full force of his gaze on her. “Would you betray me?”

She shook her head, and he immediately missed the clinking of beads in her hair. Where did those go?

“Where's your beads, Sweetheart? They were there when you went to get cleaned up.” He ran his fingers through her hair, the smooth strands dancing over his fingers, catching on the callouses, gliding in some unknown dance that he is eager to learn more of.

“Wa-ker took them,” She watched as his fingers played with the strands between his fingers, watching the dark hair glide over the dark blue, uneven digits. “She didn’t put they back.”

“Walker?” He turned his attention to the woman. “Where’s Yay-u’s beads?”

“Time kinda ran out on us, sir.” She took a bite, and spit around a mouth full of food: “They are safe in a bag on the foot of my bed – where we left them this morning. You were in a hurry sir; we didn’t get to finish our morning routine. We still needed to comb her hair – it looks like a rats nest.”

Yay-u frowned and took a piece of hair laying over her shoulder, and stared at it. “It is not a nest. It is clean.”

“She just means that we haven’t gotten a chance to remove the knots that formed during the whole process.” Zee spoke up, assuring the girl with a gentle look.

Yay-u clicked her tongue and pulled her hair over her shoulder, running her fingers through the strands, muttering under her breath and wincing as her fingers snagged on a particularly gruesome snarl.

“Easy, easy!” Quaritch gripped her wrist, and gently pulled her hand away from her head. “You are gonna hurt yourself or worse; rip out a chunk if you continue to do that.”

Yayiu-te huffed and pulled her hand loose with a hiss, pulling the knots apart, a bit more gently this time – separating the strands into sections and working the knots out with long, precise, blue fingers - Na’vi whispered rapidly under her breath.

Quaritch sighed and leaned closer to her. He whispered: “Hey.”

She looked up at him, fury and frustration written across her face.

“Li’upe?” She spat; her voice already tired. Somehow, he knew what she meant.

“You are gonna hurt yourself if you keep that up. I gave Zee and Maria a comb back at the barracks. You can use that,” He pulled her hand away from her hair, picking up the other. “It will help get the knots out. But for now, you need to stop that. Okay?”

She huffed, and nodded – pulling her hands out of his grip with a grimace.

He nodded to her plate, "Good, now: Finish your pancakes."

Quaritch watched as she jabbed her fork into the pancakes, and huffed again, munching down and frowning at her food. Quaritch turned to his team. “Get your stuff sorted, we’ll meet you back at the barracks. Don’t do anything stupid - The Earth-Mortar is already edgy as is, we don’t need to give her a reason to ship us to unexplored regions just yet. That sound good?”

“Real good, sir.” Lyle smiled, and stood, grabbing his tray, and motioning for the others to follow him. “Don’t be so sad baby girl, you’ll sour your syrup.”

Yayiu-te flashed a fang and pulled her plate closer to her body.

Lyle laughed and ruffled her hair.

“Aww, ain’t we a big bad itty-bit today?" She snarled and slapped at his hands, making him laugh harder. “Call if you need help, sir – my comm. will be on.”

Quaritch didn’t say much, just grunted, and pushed his tray closer when Lyle motioned to it.

“Be good, Sweetheart!” Lyle yelled as he walked away, balancing the two trays in his hands.

“I not sweet.” She hissed at Lyle. She turned to Quaritch. “Why call me sweet?”

“It’s just a name to call someone that you like, it’s just a pet name.” He smiled at her, and took another sip. "And you are, Sweetheart, I tasted you, remember?"

Yay-u blushed, slapping his thigh with her tail, and poked at her pancakes. It stung.

“We can’t stay in the mess for too long, you know. We have to be back at the barracks at a certain time.” He took another sip and place the mug on the table. “That’s the rules. Hurry up and finish.”

Yay-u sighed, and took another bite. And another. And another, and another – until the plate was clean, and only a few drops of sirup left behind. She twirled the spork around her long, blue fingers, and stared at her plate.

“You done, Sweetheart?” Quaritch asked as he placed his empty cup on the table. He watched as she sighed again, and shoved her tray towards him.

He huffed, and placed his cup on her tray – completing the image.

“I expect an answer, Yay-u. Are you done?”

Yayiu-te turned her tired eyes towards him. “Yes. I done.”

Quaritch nodded, and held out his hands wordlessly. She didn’t fight it as she held her hands out for him – he slapped the orange band around her wrists, and held them tight in one hand. He picked up the tray, and pulled Yay-u up onto her feet.

“We are gonna drop this off, and then go back to the barracks, okay?”

She nodded, and followed in his footsteps, watching as he dropped the items down shoots, and watched as a machine ate the plate, the Dreamwalker didn't even look back at it. Yayiu-te frowned as he pulled her away with a chuckle.

“It’s gonna be alright.” He promised, and pulled her out of the building and back into the bright, Pandora sun. "I'll take care of you."

Chapter Text

7. Play

Setting a routine around Yayiu-te was remarkably easy... 

Wake-up, get dressed, work out, wake Yay-u, get cleaned up, protect her from pervs, have breakfast, protect her from pervs, mull around their bungalow, have dinner, protect her from pervs, shuffle her off to the bathroom, settle in, sleep. Repeat. 

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat...

Quaritch used the excuse of them needing P.T. to mellow out the cabin fever that swarmed over them like a plague, but unfortunately Yayiu-te wasn’t allowed to leave, by order of the Mortar – betrayal written all over her face every time they slammed the gate shut, and told the guards to keep an eye on her. Her tail dropped, a pout forming on her pretty lips every time they stepped out with a: “Be good, alright, Sweetheart?”

She would hang onto the gates as they lined up, and began the quick pace of their batshit CO, staring after them with longing in her too big eyes, before being shooed away by the guards. Yay-u hissed, before sulking away and crawling back under Quaritch's bed to wait for the Dreamwalker's to return. 

The first time Quaritch brought back the bright purple fruit they found on their daily PT treks, Yay-u’s face lit up with pure joy, like a fucking Christmas tree. She smiled. At him, showing off her bright, sharp teeth, as she crawled out from under his rack and danced away with the prize in her palms, staring at it as if it was more precious than Unobtanium. To her, it probably was...

"Is the entire thing edible?" Lyle asked as she bit into the bright, purple flesh.

She turned to him, still chewing, before taking another big bite, sucking out the juices before it ran down her chin. Yay-u nodded, wiping at her mouth with the back of her hand, before holding the fruit out to Quaritch to take.

He huffed, and took the wet piece of bright purple flesh out of her hands. It was soft, sticky juices flowed down his fingers which he quickly drank up. Tart on his tongue, it soothed a burn he didn't know existed, eyeing Lyle as Yay-u held out a piece for him to take. Lyle looked at Quaritch for permission, his CO giving a quick nod before stuffing the piece of fruit into his mouth. It burst between his teeth, tiny little seeds crunched as he bit down on the purple flesh. 

"Not bad," Quaritch mused, taking another bite, before handing it back to Yay-u.

Lyle, gulped it down, simply stating, "No take backsies," before sliding out of reach and finishing the entire thing in a couple of bites.

She smiled, showing her teeth as she took another big bite. 

Quaritch brought back more, just for her.

She would hum as she rinsed the fruit in the sink, Mansk being the one to show her how to work it – she spent the entire afternoon opening and closing the faucet, watching the water start and stop with a look of innocent fascination, kneeling down to get a better look at all angles, speeds and testing the pressure. 

Quaritch being the one to steer her away in the middle of the night, the whoosing keeping them all awake. 

"Your turn sir," Lyle pointed at him, and pulled his sheet over his head. 

Quaritch let out a groan, and threw his bedding away, cold feet slipping onto the tile as he walked the familiar trek to where Yay-u was playing. She was kneeling in front of the sink, head tilted as she opened and closed the faucet. 

He let out a sigh, and shuffled over to her, "C'mon baby."

He knelt, and wrapped his arms around her middle, and pulled her up onto her feet, blindly reaching out to turn off the water, resting his chin on her shoulder as he pulled her away.

"You can play with that in the morning," He steered her back to her nest, hands resting on her slim hips. He watched as she shimmied back underneath his rack, a pout on her beautiful lips. Quaritch chuckled, which earned him a slap on his ankle from her tail.

He knelt, and tucked the woobie around her, snuggling deeper into the nest, big golden eyes staring at him out from the green. 

"Good night, Sweetheart," He whispered, watching as her eyes began to drop and she let out a sigh of her own.

Yeah, He thought, as he climbed back into bed with a groan. This won't be so bad...

Yayiu-te smiled as she scrubbed her palm over the skin of the fruit, humming some strange song as she placed her newly washed fruit in the tray, picking up another and repeating the process, long fingers dripping water all over the place... 

Quaritch watched her in fascination as she moved about the small washroom, consisting of a toilet and a single sink, distracted by the sway of her tail. When did that become so goddamned attractive? Does that mean I am an ass man, now? Wait, am I a tail man, now too? Oh, fuck me… 

He bit his lip, and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he turned away.

Breathe Miles, breathe. She’s here to help you find Sully. That’s all. Ardmore would have your head if she knew what you were thinking. God, the girl will gut you if she knew. He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair, scratching at the undercut. Getting to long for reg. Need to see a damned barber. Do we even have one here? I am sure with that the Mortar would have put one into place. Wait, does the idiot even know how to cut around the braid? Fuck this shit…

“Myhuls,” Yay-u called his name, drawing him out from his thoughts. 

As he turned around, the purple ball of fruit flew at him. Thank the fuck that his reflexes in this body is a hundred times faster than his human form or it would have hit him straight in the face. She walked out of the head, a smile working it's way onto her lips, she took a seat on the open bunk behind her, basket of freshly washed fruit in her lap.

“Now, that's rude.” He pointed to her, and took a bite, still lookin at her as she smiled... The sweet juices running down his chin staining his green shirt. Around a mouthful of fruit, he yelled: “Fuck!”

He sprinted to the sink, bumping Lyle out of the way with his hip, and held the dripping fruit over it. He continued spewing profanities when it slipped out of his hand, making him cuss harder. He opened the faucet, rinsing his hand and face.

“You okay, sir?” Lyle called, laughing off to the side. Laughing.

“No! I just dropped my fucking food in the sink where Prager trims his fucking whiskers!” He picked up the fruit, and ran it under running water. The small, black hairs still sticking to it. He rubbed his fingers over the soft skin, trying to remove the unnatural textured hairs. And pressed his thumb through the soft skin. “Fuck!”

Lyle made an oomph sound, and yelled: “Prager! The boss is gonna have your tail!”

“What?” Prager stood up and stepped closer, tablet held in one hand. “Why? I didn’t do shit!”

“Stop shaving in the head, you fucking douchebag!” Quaritch yelled over his shoulder, frowning at the streaks of yellow staining the skin, trying to wash away the black hairs. “I dropped my food in the sink where your whiskers are residing. Goddamn it!”

“I haven't shaved yet, sir. I'm growing out my whiskers.” Prager ran his hand down his cheek, and as if to prove his point, the hairs made a coarse sound under the blue palm, to which Quaritch pulled his ears back. “No pay, no shave.”

“I don’t give a fuck! Stop shaving here!” He stared at the fruit, the juice leaking out from it’s messy, torn wound, running into the sink with it's soft purple pulp. Ruined. Quaritch slammed his fist into the sink: “Fuck!”

“Didn’t you shave–” Lyle started, but was quickly shut up by the death glare Quaritch threw his way, stepping back with his hands in the air and a smirk on his lips.

“Wis-kers?” Yayiu-te looked up at Lyle, thankfully distracting him from his pissed off CO. Why are you so mad? There's more, I have brought you mo-

“A beard, Yay-u.” Quaritch called over his shoulder, his voice clipped short, still trying to save the ruined fruit.

“Beard?” Her head tilted to the side, and her ears perked up at the new word.

“Hair on the face. Damn it!” 

It’s ruined – there’s no way of saving it. He slammed his hand on the side of the sink, hissing at the innocent fruit. Really? A soft voice in the back of his skull sighed, You gonna be mean to her because you shaved in the wrong place? Shut it... His bared his teeth. 

“Do you have hair on the face?” Yayiu-te’s warmth appeared behind him, his tail sliding against her leg. Which was promptly slapped away with a quick hand.

“No, I shave them off. A beard is against regulation.” He looked back at her, and sniffed, taking in the wide eyes and full mouth. “We can’t have it. We need to be clean shaven at all times. That’s why Prager shaved. In. The. Wrong. Fucking. Place!”

“I am sorry sir; but still wasn’t me!”

“My ass! Shave in the goddamned head, you animal!” Quaritch's ears pulled back, watching as his subordinate stepped out with his hands in the air.

Lyle chuckled, and pulled Yayiu-te away from Quaritch’s side. “Let him rage in peace.”

“But-” She looked up as Quaritch waved his hand.

“Take her Lyle, let her get her feet dirty or some shit, and take Prager with you, before I rip out his tail and beat him with it!” He yelled in the direction Prager disappeared.

Yayiu-te stepped back into Lyle’s hold.

“Let’s go, Sweetheart – we are gonna see if the squints have a basketball lying around here. I need to throw something. Hey! Walker, Zee, let’s go! The Chief needs to blow off some steam!”

“No, I need to speak with Zdinarsik,” He threw the towel onto the sink. “We’ll fall in later.”

“Yes, sir. Zee! Chief wants to talk to you.” He threw his arm around Yayiu-te’s shoulder and patted her hair soothingly. Quaritch had to bite his tongue to stop himself form chewing off Lyle’s head. Lyle pulled the restraints off his hip, and slapped them over Yayiu-te’s wrist. “C’mon, let go play some ball. You’ll like it. Just picture Ardmore’s head when you throw, and you should make a shot every time.”

“Leave the restraints, she’s not gonna go anywhere – are you Sweetheart?” He leaned against the door frame, smirking at her as she threw her head back to get a better look at him.

Yay-u shook her head, as Lyle removed the restraints, and placed them back on his belt. "As you say, Big Bird."

Lyle pulled Yay-u away from Quaritch’s side, and when she looked back at him, he shooed her away with a wave of his hand. Don’t look at me like that, damn you! “Go on. Lyle will keep an eye on you. Stay out of trouble. And you stay out of trouble too, Lyle, I know the type of B.S. you get yourself into.”

“I would never do anything so irresponsible as to get into trouble, sir, you know that.” Lyle pretend to be offended, placing his hand on his chest.

“Uh-huh,” She didn’t look away from him as Lyle motioned for a guard to unlock the gate. Her face fell, as Quaritch shooed her away again, gently with a smile. “Be good, Sweetheart. Don't worry, I'll catch up with ya soon.”

The gate slammed shut, leaving him alone in the room with one of his female subordinates. I am breaking all the rules now anyway…

Zdinarsik stepped up, and fell into a perfect stance – hands clasped behind her back, stance widened, face blank. “Sir.”

“You,” Quaritch sighed, and back against the sink. “You and Wainfleet have an… agreement, so to speak. Is that correct?”

“What do you mean, sir?” She frowned and corrected her stance, relaxing her knees so she doesn't face plant in front of her CO.

“You and Lyle have sex, don’t you?” Quaritch sighed, rubbing his fingers over his forehead, tension leaking into his voice.

“Sir-” 

“Don’t lie to me, Alicia. You and Lyle fuck, don't you?” His jaw was tense. The tendons in his hands tensed, and his fingers flexed. “I heard you in the showers the other day. It had to be you, the rest of the team was here with Yay-u, and Lyle had to go do some type of bullshite, but apparently that was you. So, are you and Lyle fucking?”

“Yes, sir. On occasion. The General breathing down our necks haven’t lessened the tension. The Lieutenant…asked, and I didn’t want to say no.” Alicia Zdinarsik focused on a spot on the wall behind the Colonel’s head, trying not to blush. “It was a win-win type, scenario sir. It scratches both our itches at the same time.”

“Are you in a… official relationship, or is this a 'friends with benefits' type arrangement?” He motioned up and down with his hand, his tail flicking behind his leg irritably. 

“It’s just a way to release some tension, sir – Ja and Fike have entered the same agreement with me. We fuck, ease the tension, don’t talk about it. When we get too bottled up, we get together, ease the tension and go on our merry way. No strings attached. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

Quaritch hummed, and brought his hand to mouth, rubbing his fingers across his bottom lip. The silence stretched on, wearing thin on Alicia’s nerves. Then, finally, he sighed, making her jump. Jesus… 

“Would you mind… entering into the same agreement… with me?” 

Alicia Zdinarsik's brain short circuited. The prude of the RDA, asking her, to be fuck-buddies? She pinched her hand behind her back, Nope, still awake…

“Sir?” She frowned, Okay I heard him wrong... 

“God damnit, Zdinarsik, I am asking you to fuck. Are you interested or not?” The tension in his voice was palpable, filling the room with it's intensity. His jaw was clenched, and the tension in his shoulders shot up to his neck. 

“Yes sir.” She tried not to laugh, the usually unflappable man about to burst out of his seams. Don’t torture the man, Al, he’s all backed up. Literally. 

"Good," He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the head, slamming the door behind them, hands reaching for his belt, hissing when his fingers couldn't grasp the pin. 

Alicia sighed and pushed him down onto the toilet seat, quickly stepping up, ducking under his arms and knelt between his spread thighs. Her hands quickly found his belt, and undid it with zero hesitation. Or tried to. Her sweaty fingers slipped along the metal clasp. Quaritch grunted, and pushed her hands away, the buckle was loud in the eerily quiet room, the leather zipping through the loops, quickly releasing his erection into the humid air. 

He was... rather, big. 

One thing Alicia has learned from her time as a Recom, is that the natives are rather…sensitive. Everything is sensitive. She can feel a scent, hear the fabric, taste how far someone is and how quickly they are approaching. She could only think how it has got to feel. Okay, let’s do this…

She took his erection in hand, and watched him flinch as the ridges dug into the flesh of her palm. He hissed, his hears pulling back against his head as he screwed his eyes shut, throwing his head back.

“Sir? Should I-?” She began pulling her hand away.

He made a choking noise in the back of his throat, and gripped her hand, pulling her back to his dick. Quaritch swallowed, and moved her hand over the hard skin, the ridges sturdy and pulsing. She watched as he grunted and threw his head back again, squeezing her hand around him tighter, bucking his hips as he grimaced.

“Sir?”

Quaritch looked down at her with a constipated expression flashing over his face. He pressed his other thumb against her lips, rubbing across the smooth skin… “Fuck…”

Okay. Fine. Fine! Here we go – Let’s get this over with.

Zdinarsik took the head between her lips, and gave him a quick lick, before swallowing him down. He burned her mouth and sat heavy on her tongue, the ridges pulsing softly. Her CO grunted, then reached for her non-existent hair – Quaritch’s fingers digging into her scalp. She hummed, and took him further down her throat, tears running down her cheeks. Giving a hard suck, she began bobbing her head – what she couldn’t fit into her mouth, she encased in her palms and began rubbing her hands up and down the shaft, precum and spit making it just a bit easier for her hands to glide over the erect limb...

Cum, you big blue bastard! She swallowed, taking more of him down her throat and swallowed around the head.

As if he heard her, he let out a moan, and pushed her head down, bucking his hips.

The thick, ropey liquid pour out of him in buckets. Damn it!

She choked, pulling at his hands, trying to get her some room to breathe. Quaritch complied, and let her – she coughed up the cum into her hand. It was silvery and warm, flooding her palms, the thick ropes hitting her in the face just so.

“Shit…” Quaritch breathed.

Alicia looked up, still panting, her hands spilling over with her CO’s cum. He leant back against the wall, and panted. He didn’t say shit, not even a thank you. Well, what did you exp-

“Zdinarsik?”

Her voice was hoarse when she responded: “Sir?”

“Don’t tell anyone about this.”

Private Alicia Zdinarsik didn’t have the voice to respond, and only nodded, which seemed enough for the Colonel at the moment.

“Fuck.” He groaned, and covered his face with his hands. “Go, get some rec, Private.”

“Yes, sir.”

She rinsed her face and hands at the small kitchenette, making sure none of the sliver stuff was left behind to be found later.

The next afternoon, Quaritch leaned over the railing, watching as Yayiu-te chased the ball back and forth between the rest of the Recoms.

She was laughing with the rest of the team. Mansk blocking her, while she didn’t yet understand the rules of the game – she was trying her best. Her bare feet slapping against the court as she ran after the ball.

“Yay-u! Block Lopez!” Fike prompted. “Lopez!”

Her sweaty hair sticking to her neck. Lopez smiled down at her as he bounced the ball.

“Keep up, sweetheart!” He sprinted past her, and dunked the ball in the hoop with one swoop. “Yeah!”

She spun around, and stood spread out, like a starfish – her eyes wide, panting. A few of her strands were pulled back into braids, tied behind her head with the yellow ribbon, the brown of her beads a stark contrast against the jet black silk of her hair. She cornered Zdinarsik this morning, before they went to the mess, holding her hands out for the brown bag, begging. Zdinarsik laughed, and took the beads from the bedside table.

“C’mon, let’s get you a new hairstyle.”

When Zdinarsik plopped Yay-u on her bed, she worked her brush through the gnarled strands, blabbing about whatever nonsense it is that women talk about. Quaritch laid back on his bunk to keep a subtle eye on her, watching her out the corner of his eye.

Zdinarsik had pulled back the strands of Yay-u’s hair, being careful around the queue, and braiding them back. She made quick work, tying them off with the brown beads. Zdinarsik quickly untied the yellow ribbon from her wrist, and tied the front tresses back around her queue, creating a cascade of silken braids down to the small of her back, with the rest of her long hair hanging loose. 

“There we go,” Zdinarsik tied the bag closed with a smile. “Don’t you look pretty? Doesn’t she look pretty, Colonel?”

He turned to look, Yay-u watching him with too big eyes, holding her breath and hanging onto his lips.

“Mm-hm,” Quaritch nodded, not trusting his voice to the fullest, before laying back down and taking a deep breath through her nose.

“See?” Zdinarsik smiled down at her. “I told you so.”

Yay-u frowned and, maybe it was just his hornified brain, but he was sure she blushed her delicious blue again as she played with the beads, not looking at him...

Her laugh brought him out of his thoughts – she threw the ball through the hoop.

“Yeah! Yay-u!” Fike cheered, throwing his hands in the air.

“No!” Lyle moaned, throwing his hands in the air, and screamed. “C'mon this isn't fair!”

She let out a whoop of pure joy, throwing her hands in the air and twirling around Lyle on her tip-toes, laughing. He groaned, and swatted them away. “You are a lousy cheater, Yay-u! Damn!”

Lyle waved them off and climbed up the steps. He nodded in greeting, joining his CO in observing the rest of their team play – even when he didn’t respond.

The silence was comfortable, easy. It stretched on so long, that Lyle was jumped when his long time friend uttered a single word: “Dibs.”

Lyle whipped around to face him, Quaritch’s eyes never having left the Na’vi woman laughing on the court.

“Sir?”

He didn’t elaborate, just sniffed, and hopped down the steps towards the court.

“What just happened?” Lyle turned, hoping someone would be behind him to help figure out what happened to his strict, no-nonsense CO. But there were none. He watched as Quaritch took over Fike’s position on the court, smiling down at Yayiu-te with vicious teeth.

“You think you gonna be able to keep up, Sweetheart?” He asked her, his heavy Southern twang sliding over her skin.

“You are slow,” Her tail flicked up behind her, the tip swaying lightly. “Is you keeping up?”

“Oh Sweetheart, you have no idea.” He smiled, and grabbed the ball from Lopez, and pushed passed her.

She squeaked and chased after him, reaching for the ball he bounced around the court. The Recoms stopped playing, forgetting about each other in favor of watching their CO hold the ball out of Yay-u’s reach, above his head with a single hand – she stopped and panted, placing her hands on her hips.

“You alright, sweetheart?” Quaritch teased her, smiling a crooked smiled down at her. “You can stop anytime you want. Just stay so.”

Yayiu-te’s tail twitched, and her ears pulled flat. She turned her head, her lips pulling into a kissable pout. She stepped into his personal space, and stared up at him. Her tail twitched again, drawing his attention over her shoulder with the fluffy, black tip.

Her small hands grabbed the ball, and ducked under his bulky form. Throwing the ball to Fike who dunked the ball with a whoop. “Yeah!”

Oh, yeah, here we go. Quaritch smiled at her as he stepped back into the middle of the court. “You wanna play it like that, huh? Okay, two can play it like that. Let’s move!”

Yay-u smiled as she took her place in front of him.

“Widen your stance,” He watched as followed his instructions. “Good, now bend your knees.”

She looked up at him as she crouched deeper, coming up below his throat.

“Good, now –” The ball was thrown over Yay-u’s head, and Quaritch took advantage of her stunned form to throw the ball to Lopez.

She gaped up at him, blinking as he smiled down at her – his hands placed on his hips, and relaxed his stance. “Wanna go again, Sweetheart?”

A slow smile spread over her lips, making her look away – purple blush spreading over her cheeks. Yay-u slipped into her deeper stance, her tail swishing behind her.

“Oh, my God. They’re fucked.” Lyle laughed. Now, let’s get them to fuck…

Chapter Text

8. Craving

Yay-u giggled beneath the underbrush, watching the large black-stringy feet of her captors run around her, digging into the soft grass. Another paced back and forth, his green pants tucked into his big black ‘boots’, as the Myhulspilipkwaritz called them, stomping like all the Dreamwalkers tended to do - Yay-u is convinced that he wakes up stomping...

Myhulspilipkwaritz woke her up, large hands warm and rough as he shook her shoulder, and pulled her blanket out from under his bunk in one, swift movement. She moaned, and snuggled deeper into her blanket.

“C'mon, baby,” He purred, rubbing her cheek with the back of his hand, “Wake up, Sweetheart. That's it.”

She blinked as he pulled her up into a sitting position, and letting her lean against his rack. Yay-u yawned as he chuckled, and let out a low huff... 

Yayiu-te opened a single, golden eye to glare at him, long lashes sticking together as she tried to keep it open. 

"Now, don't be like that, baby," He ran his fingers over her forehead, tucking a few loose strands behind her ear, rubbing at the glowing dot there. "C'mon, the quicker you get up, the quicker we can get breakfast."

Yay-u moaned and pulled herself up with a grunt, Fuck... 

It took her a while to wake up, soft golden eyes refusing to stay open as she swayed in his hold, even as he shuffled her along into Zdinarsik's care. 

The cold water waking her up, as she was pushed into the little block with no warning and handed her soap to get ready for the day. 

She pulled her nose up at the idea of what they called, Eggs. A yellow mush served in a brown package, that made a sloshing sound every time he mixed it, with another spork sticking out... 

“Just try it, Sweetheart.” He chuckled, his voice gooey and warm so early in the morning, as held out a little orange package. “Try some hot sauce. It'll make it a bit better.”

He tore it open, and dumped the orange sauce into the 'eggs', and nodded at her to eat.

It was mushy, and tasted awful and burned her tongue.

Myhuls traded her eggs for 'cornbread', soft and flakey and buttery that melted in her mouth, even if it did smell a bit funny...

He did not just... Lyle stared at him as Quaritch dumped an entire packet of salt onto the orange much and dug in. 

"Better?" Quaritch asked her, licking his thumb clean and dug into the tiny brown package he took from her, as she took another bite.

Ignoring Lyle's stares and focused on Yay-u as she closed her eyes in a soft moan... A bit of cornbread a small price to pay to see her happy... 

He smiled, "I'll take that as a yes then."

“Yay-u, where are you? It’s not safe. Damn it!” Lilwin-feet called out, bringing her out of her thoughts, worry and panic seeping into his voice the longer she hid. “Yay-u!” 

“Yay-u!” Prager’s voice was filled with panic already. “Come on out now! Come on! You've had your fun, its time to come out now. You won! Okay? The Colonel is looking for you! Damn it! Anything, Lieutenant?”

“Does it look like I have seen anything, douche bag? She’s fucking gone!” The panic was full blown now, no denying the fact that they were scared shitless. Miles is gonna fucking kill me... I'm a dead man walking... Jesus! He's whipped this bad without even having a fucking taste! How bad will he be when he does get her into his bed? Or worse: doesn't? "Yay-u!"

“Yay-u!” Prager called further to her left. “Yay-u! The Colonel is looking for you!”

Then he must come look for me if he wants me, I will not be called like ikran. She huffed, creeping closer to the fence, closer to freedom.

“The Colonel will have my braid for lunch if we lost you!” Win-feet's voice broke under the stress. “Yay-u!”

She shot up from under the bush, her eyes wide. Twigs and leaves sticking out of her braids, mud stains on her face and shirt, “He would eat?”

Lilwin-feet laughed a nervous, relieved laugh, and leaned over onto his knees. He pushed his eye-protector onto his head, and took a red rag from his back pocket, wiping his forehead with a huff. Prager huffed, pointing up to the sky and yelled: “Thank God! I knew you would have my back!”

“No,” Lyle sighed, and closed his eyes. “It’s just an expression. But I am pretty sure that he would do far worse than that.”

“How worse?” Her ears pulled back, and her tail shot up out from under the bush, her eyes widening to the point that they resembled saucers. She ignored whatever it was that Prager meant, focusing on Lyle. "How?"

“I don’t know, we should probably ask him. C’mon.” Lyle knocked his head to the side, calling her to him, tucking his fabric back into his pocket. He sniffed, and stood up straight, and held out his hand. “Let’s get going. Colonel doesn’t want you to be outside when eclipse comes.”

“It’s best part of day.” She hopped over to them, and together they trekked back to the barracks, Lyle tucking his arm around her shoulders to make sure she doesn't fucking bolt again. “It’s pretty.”

“Yeah, you should ask the Colonel if you can sit on the roof when that time comes.” Prager joked, keeping an eye out for that wet ballsack.

“I should?” She looked up at him, eyes wide and shining with expected glee, pulling them to a stop.

Lyle threw Prager a look that said; See what you did?

Her tail swished around happily. Yay-u’s eyes were so big and bright that Wainfleet couldn’t tell her that it was just to get her to come out from her hidey-hole...

“Sure,” Lilwinfeet sighed, smiling down at her. He reached for the band around his neck, and held the stone down. “All units – target found. Fall back to base, I repeat – target found. Fall back to base. Target in custody, falling back now.”

He ignored the repeated ‘copy that Lieutenant’ that buzzed in his ear and took Yayiu-te’s hand, pulling her behind him, holding on tight incase she decides to go fucking AWOL again... 

“The Colonel isn’t pleased.” Lyle warned, taking smaller steps when Yay-u couldn't keep up with his 'fuck-me-maybe-I'm-gonna-die' pace. “The General is on his ass already, so be nice, don’t agitate him any further, alright?”

“Ag-e-tat?” She frowned as the compound came into view, distaste coloring her voice. Her tail swishing behind her and her mouth pulling into a pout. 

“Disturb, upset him anymore, alright?” Prager looked at her, pulling their captive along towards the bungalow with a swift trot.

Lyle emphasized with a light shake: “Be good.”

She nodded with a soft ‘mmhm-mmm’ and tried to keep up with their quick steps. Her ears pulled back, and her full lips pulled into a pout at the low building with its closed off exits came into view. And the furious Dreamwalker standing in front of it...

“We found her, sir. Apparently, she was playing in the bushes.” Lyle let go of her hands when Quaritch’s gaze zeroed in on it. He put his hands on her shoulders instead and steered Yayiu-te towards his PO'ed CO. Quaritch stood in the middle of a group of soldiers, more beginning to come back from deep inside the bush. Their masks in place, panting - they all looked quite terrified, even those who stood on their tall legs with their weapons...

“Playing?” He tilted his head, his sharp fangs peeking out from behind his lips. He turned his attention to her, placing his hands on his narrow waist, his tail picking up speed behind him. He raised his eyebrows and asked in a very calm voice: “What?”

“You not play as child?” She asked, tilting her head oh so sweetly. Yay-u’s big, golden eyes zeroing in on his face, but before he could say anything, Zee came barreling out of the bush with her own pack of Sky People behind her, her tail sailing through the air like a whip:

"Yay-u!”

The woman charged down at the other, looking her over, asking if she's alright, then hugging the girl when she only shrugged. 

Don’t fall for it Quaritch, be a man. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, even as his team converged on his location. Even if she looks like fucking sin on legs...

“As a child, yes. As an adult, I, we,” His lips pulled tight over his teeth, holding back the urge to growl at her, as he motioned between them and then at the team around her. “Don’t play. We don’t have time to play. There are more important things than running off into the fucking woods! Don't you fucking hunt, or whatever it is you do to get food?” 

“No, adults hunt, but I am still thought of as child, even by Sky People.” She smiled at him, showing her perfectly sharp teeth.

His tail stopped mid-swoop, and he titled his head to the side. She copied his movement, her hair falling over the green shirt they made her wear. And in a move so fast she barely had time to comprehend it, he took her jaw in hand and tilted her face up to his, finger rough against her skin, but not cruel. He searched her eyes for a moment, rubbing his thumb over her cheek and then whispered with a frown: “How old are you, Sweetheart?”

“Six and ten.” She smiled up at him, her golden eyes glowing ever so softly.

Quaritch's face pulled tight, and he stood straighter as he let go of her face, pulling his shoulders back and pursed his lips, gripping his hands behind his back. He called over his shoulder, never taking his eyes off her: “Get her cleaned up, I need to talk to the General.”

Her tail fell as he stepped away from her, and looked up at him with utter confusion as Zdinarsik came up to her and steered her away, with a soft, “C’mon, let’s get some lunch, and change your shirt. What have you been doing? Wrestling a sturmbeest? How did you even get a branch stuck in your hair?”

Yayiu-te frowned when he didn’t even so much as look at her when he shooed her away with his hand, as Zdinarsik began pulling leaves out of her hair, tut-ing as Walker stepped up to corral them both back to the bungalow.

Calling me a baby when she’s still one herself... Quaritch shook his head with a groan, and rubbed his face. Fuck... he moaned, and pressed his fingers into his eye sockets, me... There certainly is a God, and the sick fuck likes sending the whole hoard of his angles to piss on my head... 

“Fuck…” He muttered, and called over his shoulder to Lyle: “Let’s go talk to the Mortar.”

In the OpsCenter, the Mortar’s brown-nosers stared at him from behind their screens, not being very subtle about their interest about the bullshit about to go down. The SecOps-greenhorns staring up at them in awe as Quaritch and Wainfleet stepped in, requesting a meeting with the General, her secretary huffing before standing and knocking on her door. 

The Mortar herself paced in front of them, her thin lips pulled even thinner when they delivered the news. She was wearing on his nerves – on purpose. Her pace was uneven, dragging her foot randomly across the floor – watching as his ear twitched in annoyance.

“A child, you say, Colonel?” Her face turned even more sour, if possible, as she continued her pacing.

Rub it in will ya... He took a deep breath, “Apparently so, ma’am. She’s still young, it'll be easier for her to learn this way.”

“A child-” Ardmore leaned forward over her desk, pressing her weight down forcefully to glare at him. “Is no use to the RDA. We can't possibly expect her to do anything-”

“A child can learn,” He interrupted, and as an afterthought added, “Ma’am. We teach children all the time. Augustine taught the natives the first time, we can teach this one easy. There's twelve of us, and one of her, easy pickings. We can tame her with a snap of our fingers. A child can be manipulated. We can tell her anything we want.”

The Mortar scowled at him, “While I appreciate your optimism Colonel, we don’t have time to raise and train a new toy for the RDA.”

His ear twitched, Toy for the RDA? If you think I am gonna let you get your grubby little hands on her you are mistaken, cunt. “You won’t be training her ma’am, we will. We get her under our thumb, get her to trust us, crawl under her skin. She knows the area better than our pilots. She grew up here. She can take us by the hand and-” He twirled his hand in the air, knowing that she would get the picture.

“Meaning?” The Mortar stared at him. She managed to raise an eyebrow through her scowl, raising a hand in the air. Or not... Fucking big heads... 

“Meaning, we take two pilots, and leave the Big Brains behind here at the base, take the girl, and head out. She can lead us better than a damned bloodhound. She can take us straight to Sully and his little war party, wipe them out, root and stem."

Ardmore sighed, “She’s still a child, you said so, yourself.”

“We can manipulate a child ma’am. An adult, not so much.” He leaned forward on her desk, trying very hard to keep his tail from twitching. “We can do this, General.”

“And that’s what you plan to do? Lie to her?” She scoffed. “I don’t believe she would be that stupid – if anything Bjarne said in her report is true, she is damn near dangerous.”

“Any untrained animal is dangerous, ma’am. We have the training to put her down, push comes to shove. But, through her, we are gonna get to Sully, and stop his little rebel rabblerousing squad of blue monkeys.” Quaritch pushed. “Quick and easy, pull of a trigger. But until then, she's the easiest path to Sully.”

Mortar sniffed, and started pacing again, making a clicking noise with her tongue on the roof of her mouth and watched as Quaritch took a sip from his breather.

“Stringer isn’t gonna like this.” She sighed, biting her lip, shaking her head.

“He will have to if he wants to get rid of Sully and the rest of the insurgents, ma’am.” Quaritch placed his hands on his hips. “The RDA wants the planet, they've gotta give to take.”

“You are really making my life a living hell on Satan’s Garden, Quaritch.” Ardmore sighed. "A real fucking nightmare."

“It wouldn’t be Satan’s Garden if it the devil's aren't allowed to play, now would it, ma’am?” He smiled.

She scoffed, breaking her tough exterior and exposing the soldier underneath, “Damn straight.”

She didn’t say anything else, the silence stretched on, making her brown-noser nervous – he kept peeking at the Recom, his hand resting on his RDA-standard pistol.

Didn’t pay much attention to the debriefings did ya, kid? Quaritch thought, watching the kid jump from one leg to the other.

“Alright,” The Mortar sighed. “Train her then, Quaritch. But if you do – I want her to be able to eat out of my hand when you are done.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way ma’am – she will salute the flag, sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and cheer for the Cowboys when I am done with her.” He smiled.

“Cowboys? She’ll be a Vikings fan if you know what is good for you or she doesn’t get off this base,” She chuckled, and immediately went back to being a bitch: “Make sure she gets all the notes, Colonel. Oh, and Quaritch, you aren’t going anywhere until I have discussed this with Stringer.”

“Yes ma’am,” He saluted, and left her office when she waved him off without even looking at him.

He hissed, releasing his anger into the air, his tail whipping behind him as he stalked through the maze of desks towards the exit. Soldiers and techs alike fled before him. His lungs burned, but he refused to reach for his breather.

A woman watched him pass and reached for her breather, sighing in relief when he followed the exit process to the T.

Zdinarsik grunted, her nails digging into his arms, and wincing at a particularly brutal thrust – and then moaned as his thumb glided over her clit in a form of apology, only to pound up into her, again.

The Colonel could fuck, there’s no doubt about it. The rumor's she’s heard over the years have not been exaggerated. At all. But fucking Hell... He fucked liked he fought, with precision and like he’s on a mission, planning out all his options and going in for the kill and God-damn-it, this man could kill. This was brutal.

Zdinarsik wasn’t stupid – she knew it was because of the new girl, their little straggler they picked up, she wouldn’t expect anything less. Hell, if she wasn’t a hundred percent sure that the Colonel would mind, she would go for Yayiu-te too. But the Colonel would mind it, hell, he would make a damn territorial –

He hit a spot that made her back curl and her insides flutter, her head thrown back in ecstasy, hitting the tiles, clearly making up for before. She looked at him then, water dripping down his nose, his eyes clenched shut as he imagining their little tag-along. Better you than me, kid. 

She knew he was stressed.

The General wasn’t pleased, even with the Colonel’s dancing and juggling and singing for the past four fucking hours: Explaining that she was part of Sully’s little tribe, that they could use her to destroy the Na’vi from the inside out. That they could use her to gain information on the planet, and help them move freely without much worry... Sure, getting turned down by the Big Brass was never easy, especially when they refuse to let you do the job they assigned to you, letting off a little steam is okay. But, if he was just frustrated, he would have gone to the showers, and spent an absurd amount of time in there, like they all do. This went beyond frustration, this is anger.

She gripped his arms tighter as he sped up, leaning into her and widening his stance to grind up into her, and wincing when he jackhammered into her.

“Fuck,” Zee groaned out, only to be silenced with his hand over her mouth, and his fingers moving faster over her clit – sending her over the edge with a shove. She heard him moan, and let out a soft, “Good girl,” into her neck, before thrusting up into her again.

Zdinarsik wasn’t stupid, she knew he wasn’t talking to her...

When Quaritch woke her up ten minutes ago, she grabbed her clothes on instinct, up-and-at ‘em the moment her feet touched the ground. They were trained for this, they were part of base security, after all. What she didn’t expect was Quaritch slapping his big, blue hand on over her mouth, or the look of pure frustration written all over his face. His hand was tense over her mouth, she could feel the muscles straining under the skin, the fingers digging into her jaw. 

One long finger made its way to his lips, and then motioned with his fingers, follow me. When your CO orders you to do something, you do it. No questions asked. He says jump, you ask how high and when you can come down... She had a hunch that it would happen one of these day's, the man was wound tighter than a rattlesnake, so tight he snapped at Wainfleet this morning for breathing too loud while reading, she knew it was only a matter of time...

Yayiu-te was on her bed, she asked if Zdinarsik could help her with her hair, like she has been doing these last couple of weeks. The entire team was shocked when she asked for help the first time. She would usually growl and snap and hiss at anyone who came too close. After that first time, Yayiu-te moved her sleeping spot under Zdinarsik's bed. The look of shock on the Colonel’s face as he saw Yayiu-te curled up in her new bed fast asleep more than made up for the shit-storm that hit them next.

The next few weeks after that were tense, the entire team walking on eggshells around him, the slightest thing out of place set him off - A not so perfectly made bed, a boot not polished to perfection, a gun not perfectly cleaned, a shirt creased a little more than usual. It was worse than bootcamp – she would be surprised if one day he whipped out a bunch of toothbrushes and ordered them to scrub the barracks.

Sexually constipated bastard.

He pulled out suddenly, and she felt his warm cum cover her stomach.

“Fuck…”

You’re telling me....you’re not even soft yet… She grunted, as he started his brutal thrusts again, making her grimace. And moan. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held on for dear life as he widened his stance, This is gonna be a long night… 

The next morning, Zdinarsik limped towards the mess. Yayiu-te following in her footsteps, the flip-flops they found somewhere on base shlop-shlop-shloping silently across the asphalt. It was the only pair of shoes they could convince her to wear, she refused the sneakers by simply throwing them at Quaritch’s head. 

“It's gonna be like that, huh?” Quaritch smiled, all big teeth shiny and white, down at the girl while she hissed without fear.

They bribed her with games, more specifically card games, to just wear something... Ja always having a deck of cards close on hand – for gambling, but the Colonel strictly forbade them from ‘teaching her how to have fun’, as Ja put it. Yayiu-te was smart, and quickly figured out the numerical system – calculating the large sums with quick fingers running over the cards. She liked all the childish games that they pulled out of their asses to teach her. She seemed to like 99 even more, enjoying placing the cards in neat little piles, scanning the pictures of the main cards in the deck.

They were teaching Yayiu-te how to play Monopoly, having discovered a bunch of board games stuffed into one of the old barracks belonging to men long dead, laying claim before any other grunt could be bothered. Yay-u peeking over their shoulders and silently reading the words, whispering in their ears for conformation that she pronounced the words correctly, or asking what they mean. She liked picking up the little red and green plastic houses, fascinated – they let her place the property marks whenever they won a lot, watching as the long fingers would maneuver the little house so it sat perfectly on the colored line.

The problem was, they left Lyle in charge of the bank (or they trusted Lyle when he said he would follow the rules) – and that’s when the fight started.

“Lyle, you absolute douche bag! She can’t buy that property, I am gonna buy it!”

“Too late Warren, Walker made a better offer than you.” Lyle shrugged, placing the money under the board and handing the card over with a flourish to their female teammate, who stuck out her tongue and placed the card next to her other properties.

“That’s not even how the game works!” Prager turned a darker shade of blue, his tail whooshing behind him.

“A wise man once said,” Lyle raised a digit in the air, and said: “‘Those who abide by the rules of the game never live life to the fullest’.”

“Wise man?” Zhang inquired through his laughter, drawing Lyle’s glare. 

“And whom the fuck was that so-called wise man?” Lopez laughed, and was promptly bopped on the head by Wainfleet.

“Me, you ass!” His face turning a deep purple as he glared down at his subordinate rubbing his head.

“Knew it wasn’t a wise man.” Mansk shook his head, throwing his cards down in disappointment.

“Sweetheart,” Prager turned to Yay-u, she looked up at him with a tilt of her head. “It’s part of the game.”

“What part?” Her tail shot up into the air.

“This,” He smiled at her, and promptly tackled Lyle with a yell, knocking over the board and sending tiny houses and colorful ‘money’ and cards flying into the air. “That’s not how the game is played, you idiot!”

Yayiu-te ducked behind the bed, and muttered: “Wiya!”

Brown pulled her out of the way, picked her up, and dropped her on Quaritch’s bed, with a “Stay here”, before jumping over the bed and kicked the plastic board out of the way.

She flattened herself over the bed, staring as they rolled around on the ground, ears pulling flat against her skull.

They rolled around on the floor, grunting and wrestling like children. “That still isn’t how you play the game!”

“It is because I say so!” Lyle threw his legs around his subordinate’s waist, and rolled them around.

“What does that even mean?” Ja moaned, and began pulling them apart, gripping at whatever he could reach.

“You are supposed to be the leader of this team, you know.” Zdinarsik stepped over the bed, and gripped Lyle’s legs. “Damn it, Lieutenant, let him go!”

“Not until he admitted he cheated!” Lyle called out, and tightened his grip around Prager’s waist.

“How did he cheat, sir?” Lopez grunted, and began pulling at Lyle’s waist.

“I didn’t cheat!” Prager moaned, slamming his fist down on Lyle’s calf. “You cheated! You're the one selling property illegally!”

“I didn't, you hobgoblin, you did!”

“Why did I think,” Quaritch's voice broke through the chaos, stopping the pulling and wrestling in its tracks. “It would be a good idea to leave her with you nitwits?”

There was a scramble to get to their feet, once again, falling into a neat line, feet perfectly straight soldiers.

Quaritch stepped in, and sighed, looking down at where Yay-u sat. “You alright, Sweetheart? They didn’t hurt ya, did they?”

Yay-u looked up at him from her perch and shook her head with a smile. “No.”

Quaritch pulled his lips tight and nodded. “Can someone please explain why my team of expensive ass soldiers, aren’t behaving like expensive ass soldiers?”

The silence was deafening. Quaritch paced in front of them knowing someone would budge, they always did. Who budged was unexpected.

Yay-u spoke up: “Prager cheated,” which started a flurry of yelling.

“Ha!” Lyle turned and pointed at Prager. “I told you!”

“No, no, no,” Prager shook his finger in the air. “I did not cheat! Lyle doesn’t know the rules. Yay-u doesn’t know the rules! How can she know what rules? We just introduced her to the game, sir!”

“She knows the fucking rules, see? She fucking told you, you fucking cheated you numbskull!”

“Because you told her lies-!”

“Shut it.” Quaritch’s smooth voice slid through the noise, eyes closed as pinched his nose, “Get out, stretch your legs, throw the ball around, run laps, fucking burn down Ops – I don’t care, just get out. You are giving me a headache.”

“Yes, sir.” Lyle turned to Yay-u, “C’mon, Sweetheart, let’s-”

“No,” Quaritch turned his attention to Yay-u. He zeroed in on Yayiu-te’s face. “I need to talk to the girl, it’s important.”

Her tail dropped.

Chapter Text

9. The Talk

The rowdy Recoms were quiet for the first time since Yay-u met them – they weren’t even this quiet in their sleep; always twisting and turning and moaning and groaning and kicking their feet out from under their blankets. Whistling when they walked to the bathroom, talking before they went to sleep, whispering when they woke up, amongst themselves when they played their games. Singing random ‘cadences’ when walked to the ‘mess’. 

For the first time in weeks, they weren’t like babies.

It was unnatural...

“Alone, sir?” Lilwin-feet asked, breaking the loudness that was still so quiet in the room. He stood, his tail swishing around behind him. “Alone, alone?”

“No, Lyle, I need you to supervise the girl like some 18^th century English damsel. Of course, fucking alone.” Quaritch threw his hands in the air in frustration, clenching his teeth, hissing: “Get.”

Damsel? Her ears pinned back at his tone of voice. She looked at his teeth and pulled her legs close to her chest. Alone?

“Right, alone.” Lilwin-feet cleared his throat and immediately broke the silence. He stood straight, and called to the team: “Let’s go, fuckers! Colonel needs to talk to the girl! Move it! Chop-chop.”

“Oorah,” Mansk said and scooped up most of the tiny houses and dumped them on the bed closest to him. He grabbed his sun-glasses and was the first to zip out of the room, followed by Fike.

“Uh, sir. Maybe one of us should…” Walker began, motioning between her and Zee-Dog. “Stay. For the-”

“You think I am gonna do something to harm the girl, Private Walker?” Quaritch turned the full power of his golden gaze onto his subordinate. “Do you think she's not safe with me?”

“No sir, it’s just-” She glanced between Quaritch and Zdinarsik, “Just in light of recent developments, sir, maybe one of us should-”

“I am not going to do anything to the girl she doesn’t want me to do, Walker. Now, get.” He pointed to the door, and started pacing the length of the floor, his tail swinging behind him in frustration. 

“Yes sir,” She turned to Yayiu-te, and touched her arm: “We are gonna be on the court, alright? Just...” She looked between the girl and her CO. “Yell if you need anything.”

Yayiu-te nodded with a smile, and watched as the Dreamwalkers lined up, one after the other, and left the room – all but one.

Quaritch didn’t say anything – took a deep breath and paced in front of her, arms swinging at his sides – forward, back, forward, back, kicking the rest of their board game out of his way. Then he would stop, and look at her, open his mouth as if to say something, then close it again and resume his walking. He continued this for a long while.

Okay, he rolled his head along his shoulders with a groan, how the fuck am I gonna explain this to her?

"Sweetheart,” He started, and turned to her. She looked adorable – the too big shirt, and shorts, tied tightly around her too slim hips. Quaritch took a deep breath, and let it out in a whoosh. He sighed, and took a seat across from her on the opposite rack with a deep sigh. “We need your help.”

“Help?” She tilted her head to the side, the dark river of her hair gliding over her shoulders. “How?”

Quaritch looked her in the eye and said: “We need to find Sully. We need you to take us to him.”

The moment those words left his mouth, she sat up straight, her feet landing on the floor with a dull thump. Her big eyes pulling into slits, “Why?”

“Well, you remember what we said when you first came to us?” He looked at her with a tilt of his head, “How Sully not only betrayed you, but betrayed us too? Well, we have… rules against that type of thing. Rules that need to be… followed no matter what. And it’s my job to make sure those rules aren’t broken, that they are followed to the T.”

Yayiu-te stood, her tail flicking behind her; the smooth black fur tickling his nose, her mossy scent overtaken with his soap filling his nose. She slipped past him, stopping in front of the window – not looking at him. Fuck… 

“Toruk Makto no break rules.” She managed to grind the words out from between her clenched teeth. She crossed her arms over her chest, her tail swinging behind her. “Sky People did.”

“He… he did, Yay-u.” Quaritch sighed. “He betrayed you to the Sky People. He broke the rules he agreed to follow when he was still a Sky Person. And we, the Sky People, take those rules very seriously.”

She huffed, and pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yay-u-” He tried reaching for her, before she slapped his hand away. 

“Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite.” She interrupted him, her voice hard as she hissed between her clenched teeth, crossing her arms as her tail picked up speed. “That is what I am called. I has said. I has said!”

“Yay-u,” Quaritch sighed again, and stood. He stepped up behind her, burning her back with his warmth, eyes burning her where she stood. “Jake Sully broke the laws we set up to make sure that people don’t die – and people died. Many people, innocent people that didn’t need to die. He needs to answer to our laws, not just to a people who adopted him after a few months.”

“Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite!” She shoved him back, or tried to. Her eight fingers digging into his unmovable chest. “I will not betray the People! Not betray Toruk Makto!”

“We are not asking you to betray your people, Sweetheart, we are asking you help us to bring in Jake Sully, to help us bring him to justice.” His large hands holding hers to his chest, burning, unnaturally so. “He broke laws, Yay-u. Too many laws. He should be rotting in jail for what he did.”

She grunted and tried to pull her hands away. “Your laws!”

“Yes, our laws – laws we put into place to make sure that people will not be killed or taken advantage of.” He pulled her hands closer – holding her closer to his chest. “Laws that Sully broke and he needs to be brought to justice for. He is still just that, a human. He has to abide by our laws, our justice.”

“What if our just-us?” Her ears pulled flat over her skull. “What if our laws?”

“We will abide by your laws, but you have to understand – Sully broke our laws first. We must take him back, and have him answer for his crimes.”

“What is your crimes?” She looked up at him, her neck arching to be able to look into his eyes. “Have you answer your crimes?”

“Yes,” He looked down at her, unmoving. “I have.”

“I do not believe.” Yayiu-te huffed, and turned her face away.

He chuckled, all warm and smooth and gooey; “You don’t have to; I found my skull in my AMP-suit just before we found you.”

“Skull?” She looked up at him, staring at his teeth as he smiled a crooked smile at her. 

“The bone inside your head.” He tapped the side of her forehead gently with firm fingers, rubbing the spots on the side of her head. “I held it in my hand.” Real Shakespeare like, and all... 

“Why?”

He shrugged, “It was a point of mortality that I passed – I am alive again. It just didn’t seem important anymore.”

She shook her head with a sigh, “Why it there? Why it not in your head?”

Her fingers tapped his forehead, it was her turn to rub the bio luminescent dots on his forehead, sending shivers running down his spine to the tip of his tail. Does she feel that too?

“I was killed,” Quaritch sighed. “I was human once, you know.”

“So, you are demon?” Her ears twitched, a frown working it's way to her pretty mouth as she tilted her head to the side, big eyes becoming even bigger.

“No, I am a recombinant, a Recom – produced in a lab to live again for the human race. To help them live a better life. The Sky People took my thoughts and put them in here,” He motioned up and down to himself. “To help both them and us live our lives securely, safely, here on Pandora. You saw how small the General and even Bjarne is, they wouldn’t be able to survive a day out there.” He motioned outside the window. “We are here for their safety. I'm as real as you are, Sweetheart.”

“Then why come?”

“Being killed by a vicious beast is a bit better than suffocating to death.” He laughed. “Trust me, I remember that much.”

She didn’t answer, looking out over the buildings of Bridgehead, reaching out as if to take it – only to be stopped by the mesh separating them from the dangers from outside. 

She didn't say anything, just tapped her fingers against the mess, slim and long, tap-tap-tap. 

“If I take you Toruk Makto, will Sky People leave?”

“Yes,” He nodded his head. “We’ll leave.”

Yayiu-te sighed, stepping away from him, out from under his arms. 

“I will take you Toruk Makto.” She sighed, and looked over her shoulder at him.

“Thank you, Yayiu-te.” He smiled down at her.

She didn’t smile back, only reached for her woobie and pulled it over her shoulders.

“So, she’ll do it?” The Mortar asked – not looking at him, dumping spoonful after spoonful of sugar into her mug. “She’ll take you to Sully?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Quaritch cleared his throat. “She’s under the impression that we’ll leave, once we found him.”

Ardmore laughed as she stirred the spoon in the dark liquid. Pouring another cup, and placed it in front of him, she held the sugar pot out to him, to which he just shook his head with a, “no thank you, ma’am”.

“Stringer will like this,” She walked back to her desk, and taking a quick sip of her coffee sat down with a sigh. “You are sure she will co-operate?”

“She’s pretty naïve, ma’am.” He picked up the cup, balanced it on his fist, gripping the rim with the tips of his fingers. “She’ll do what we want, because she thinks that it’s what’s good for her people. She doesn't understand the concept of lying ma'am. The Na'vi are, according to Bjarne, a very trust oriented people. They didn't even have a word for it.”

The Mortar chocked on her coffee as she laughed, “I believe the word you're looking for, is 'gullible', Quaritch.”

Innocent, more like. Quaritch huffed, “Easier to get what we want, ma'am.”

“True that.” Ardmore, sighed. “Continue your mission. I want you to watch her like a hawk, Quaritch. I want to know what she eats, when she sleeps, when she shits, when her goddamn period hits. I want to know it all.” Ardmore sipped her coffee and took a seat behind her desk. “I want it well documented and I want it on my desk at the end of the day. Let's see how far her loyalty goes. If she doesn't do anything stupid, you can take here out. Until then, I don't want her outside the Recom quarters, unless she's got to get a check-up.”

“I’ll get a little black book especially for her, ma’am.” Quaritch sipped his coffee, the hot brew scalding his tongue. The caffeine entering his system quickly, better than the shit they serve at the Mess. “You’ll know it all.”

“Make sure you do; the Big Heads are already on my ass about this. They want results, Quaritch.” She pointed at him, emphasizing each word with a jab of her finger. “You and your team are too damn expensive to let you sit on your asses and do nothing for too damn long.”

“Does this mean they are gonna send us out soon, ma’am?” Quaritch raised an eyebrow, before taking a hit from his mask. 

“Stringer is still being a bitch about it.” She sighed. “They are still hesitant to send you out again – something about you bringing in strays. They want you to domesticate her a bit more, have her eat out of your palm without biting your fingers off. Then you can bring in more.”

“I am not so sure about that last one, ma’am,” He chuckled, rubbing his pinky. “She has a thing for pinky fingers.”

“Get gloves.” 

Quaritch laughed, and stared at the callouses on his fingers, “Can’t feel the trigger with gloves on, ma’am.” Can’t feel her hair with gloves on…

“Well,” She sighed. “To each their own. Just don’t come bitching to me when she tears off a finger or two.”

He hummed, and pulled his breather to his face. It’ll be worth it. 

Chapter Text

10. That Ain’t a Mission, This Ain’t a Mission Either

Waking up to a Squint’s face is never pleasant. Waking to that squint being Bjarne, even less so.

“Up onto your feet, you big blue asshole,” She poked his forehead with her cold, bony fingers, pressing down on the tiny dots on his forehead, It fucking hurts... “General wants some tests done, and I need samples.”

Reacting on instinct, he snapped his teeth at the fingers poking his jaw, missing Phillipe’s by an inch – teeth scraping against, what he assumes to be, the squint’s rubber glove, letting out an awful squeaking noise.

“Fuck!” Phillipe squeaked and fell off…something.

Quaritch pushed himself up onto his forearms and peeked down the side of his bed with a frown, noting the step stool that had fallen over – along with the irritable little man. He turned his attention to Bjarne, ready to rip the uppity bitch a new one, when he felt the weight on his feet.

And there she was, drawn out like some tall feral, turned house-cat. Yayiu-te’s head rested on his knees, curled around them rather protectively. Her hair pulled together into a single braid. She was wearing his sweatshirt (the sleeves chopped off one morning when he had no clean shirts to give the girl, to combat the blistering Pandora heat. He set rigged rules when it came to a dress-code around the girl), with another one of his shorts – the side of her breast just barely noticeable through one sleeve. If he didn’t already have morning wood, he would have one now… So much for a damned dress code…

“Rewon, Myhuls.” Yay-u’s voice still had that delicious sleepy quality to it, obviously having just woken up herself. 

“Morning Sweetheart,” He sat up and smiled down at her. “How did you sleep? Good I take it.”

She had moved her ‘nest’ back under his bed, scrunching up the thick blankets to make walls around her sleeping area – 'the Great Walls of Yayiu-te', as Lyle has so brilliantly dubbed it. His shoes were removed from their place at the bottom of his bed again – his flip-flops, the trainers and the combat boots, all neatly placed next to one another this time by small, slim fingers peeking out from beneath the bed. The thick, green nylon neatly tucked underneath - he never so much as felt it when he got out of bed.

In the witching hours, a breathy puff woke Quaritch, a soft blue hand accompanying it. It felt around on the blanket, stopping only when it reached his hand, and simply pulled it down and gripped his pinky tight in her much smaller hand. If you were the monster under my bed as a kid, I wouldn’t have minded, Sweetheart… He had mused as he fell back asleep.

“Yes,” She nodded, and pushed herself up onto her forearms, bringing him back to the present. Her hair hung lose around her shoulders, the bangs flowing freely down her face. The tresses of obsidian silk tickling his hand as she leaned onto his bed.

Quaritch smiled down at her. “Good, that’s good.”

“Well, as absolutely creepy as your smile is this morning,” Bjarne interrupted his fantasy, drawing everyone’s attention back to her. “I have tests to run, General’s orders. Get your troop-”

“Squad,” He looked at her, how can big brains be so fucking stoo-ped? 

“And get your big, blue, be-tailed asses down to the lab,” She jumped off the step, ignoring his correction like all big brains do when corrected. “Remember to eat a big breakfast. You are gonna be running a couple of miles. You have an hour.”

He closed his eyes and threw his head back with a groaned out, “Oorah.”

If I had known l’d be spending this much time with Squints, I’d have told Parker take his three mil and shove it.

“Lyle?” He called, and when he sounded like a pre-pubescent asshole, cleared his throat and tried again, “Please tell me they told us we could have coffee during breakfast? Because if I have to face that bitch without caffeine, I will feed her to the viper-wolves, piece by piece.”

The Lieutenant laughed, “Sorry sir, no caffeine, Bjarne wants to see how we function without the extra stimuli.”

“It’s as if God wanted to give me more reasons to hate that woman.” Quaritch sat up and opened his eyes, rubbing them with the tips of his fingers. “Alright, I’m up, I’m up!”

He threw his feet over the side with a grunt, marveling at the fact that his knees don’t hurt in the mornings, or his ankles, or his thighs, or his toes, or his back. There’s definitely some upsides to being blue… 

Yayiu-te stretched out, flowing over the side of the bed like cats do, and stood; hopping over to Zee who was busy gathering up their supplies, digging through Quaritch's shit to find a suitable replacement for the day's clothes, shoving the cloth into Yay-u's arms. Definitely. He watched as they disappeared through the gate, chittering amongst themselves like all women do, motioning to Yayiu-te’s hair as they left, laughing.

Quaritch stood with a sigh and stretched. “We wait then.”

He ran a tired hand up the side of his face, through his hair and down to his braid, pulling the heavy-ass chunk of hair over his shoulder. He rubbed the smooth dark hairs between his fingers, testing the weight of it in his hand. It’s been a month, and he’s still not use to the weight of the braid.

“Fuck,” He groaned, and sat back down. 

The gate slid open, and he sighed, “That was fast. A personal best, Zee-”

“Colonel Quaritch, sir.” It wasn’t anyone on his team, and when he turned around, there stood a different human – tall for the species, with hair the color of overcooked carrots and brown eyes that were set too far apart on his young face.

“Now who do you belong to?” Quaritch stood, and turned to the kid. "You can’t be Bjarne's bitch, her brown-noser doesn’t stray too far from her ass. And the Big Heads sure as shit won't waste men we don't have on a Squint. So, you must belong to one of the higher-up.”

“Ensign Persipal Rubert Toocock, personal assistant to General Ardmore, sir.” He saluted, with a proud smirk on his bespeckled face, running over his too big nose like confetti. 

The room went dead silent as they stared down at the small human. 

“You are fucking with me, right?” Lopez broke the silence. “They're sending the Navy to play as brown-nosers now?”

“Fuck me,” Someone sighed from behind them.

“Of all the branches they could send, they send us the Navy,” Brown moaned.

Toocock bristled, “I am from the Coast Guard, you utter buffoon.”

“A puddle pirate?” Mansk stepped up, 'p's' popping off his lips, causing everyone to make room for their usually silent comrade. He pulled his shirt over his head and stared down at Toocock, hands on his hips. “Like a tweetle beetle? Man, I thought ya’ll went extinct with the Great Receding's. Where the fuck have they defrosted your ass from?”

“I am a member of the United States Coast Guard,” He huffed. “And I will not be referred to as a puddle pirate, you illiterate crayon muncher.”

“You got any blue ones?” Prager asked, much to the amusement of the rest of the team. “They’re the best.”

“Cray-yon?” Yayiu-te’s voice broke through their musings. “What is cray-yon?”

And there she stood – her clothes balled up in her fist, tucked under Walker’s arm, hair dripping, wet spots blooming on the green shirt. Fuck me... 

“Hold that thought for one moment, Sweetheart,” Quaritch smiled at her, then turned back to Mansk. “What the fuck is a ‘Tweetle Beetle’?”

Mansk shrugged, “A tweetle beetle, sir, is a tweetle beetle, and they sometimes battle in puddles with paddles.”

“What type of Riddler type bullshite is this, Mansk?” Lyle asked from behind, staring at the kid like he grew a second head.

“Doctor Seuss type bullshite, sir.” He answered without hesitation. “My mom didn’t let me waste my time reading comics.”

Sometimes, Quaritch had to wonder what led that boy to the Marines and, more importantly, Pandora. The kid was like a concrete stuffed teddy-bear. How the hell he was able to survive this long was a damned miracle. But he didn't survive.... and neither did you. Quaritch sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. He turned to the Ensign, and placed his hands on his hips. “Alright, I’ll look it up, now – Tweetle Beetle, what do you want?”

“Colonel Miles Quaritch,” He held out a datapad with a huff, “You and your squad have an assignment.”

Quaritch frowned, and took the pad in hand. Lyle stepped closer, eyebrows shooting up when his CO smiled.

“Pull on a fresh pair of panties and strap down your booties, ladies and gents. We’ve got a mission.”

The relief of the squad was tangible in the air, Walker giving Yayiu-te a big kiss on the cheek. The rest of the squad releasing their frustrations into the air. Anything to avoid that bitch...

“You said a mission, Colonel.” Ja moaned. “This ain’t a mission!”

Wainfleet waved another transport convoy in the right direction with a flurry of curses that would make the Ensign blush.

Quaritch sighed, and watched as Wainfleet waved another transport in the right direction, jumping around with a:

“I just pointed the other guy in that direction, why in the flaming fuck would you want to go in the other direction? That way, you ignorant fucktard! Do I need to break it down Barney Style? Didn’t your whore of a mom teach you anything? When a man is standing in front of you and pointing in a direction, it means you should go in that direction! Move, you fat fu-! The other way!”

Lyle gave an over exaggerated motion, swinging his arms around and doing a dramatic pose when pointing. How anyone could not see the 9-foot tall blue alien dressed in green, with a damned PT belt on to boot, was beyond him. Quaritch sighed, and pointed in the direction they needed to go with a flat palm, waving his arm up and down, hoping the fuck would not do anything stupid.

Mansk simply waved them on with a gloved hand, not having any problems with his side of the track. But it could have been the Hydra hanging off his arm oh so casually...

“Go that way; you are gonna create a cluster fuck!” Lyle yelled, and was quickly followed up with: “See! I fucking told you! Go that way you, No-Neck Muffucker! And now you are stuck! I ain’t getting paid enough for this shit! I said go the other way!”

“Ya ain’t getting paid, Lieutenant!” Came from the other side of the road.

“Rub it in, will ya, Prager!” Quickly followed up with: “Get out of there, you fucking NOF! You are not gonna- Fuck it! Masnk! Give me your fucking gun! I am about to- No! Not that way, you fucktard! The other way!”

Lyle’s tail whipped behind him in his fury, the M69-AR hanging from its straps, banging against the back of his body-armor. Sweat dripping down his nose, his sunglasses saving his eyes from the saltiness. He held out his hand for the monster of a gun, not looking at his subordinate as he continued to fume.

“You have your own gun sir, I ain’t handing over my baby to your trigger-happy ass!” Mansk clutched his gun protectively to his chest, then yelled at a driver: “That way!”

“Your gun is made for trigger happy motherfuckers!” Ja yelled back.

“Don’t give a fuck sir, I ain’t handing my baby over to your bald-assed, booger-nooker!” Mask yelled back. “Hey! The other way- no! What do you not understand about- The other way!”

“Well, you’re obviously not going to- No! He just-” Ja started.

“That way!” They yelled, pointing in the direction that the truck needed to turn, (followed by expletives that were too many to mention without a liberal use of alcohol) and middle fingers.

“Goddamn!” Zhang yelled, reaching for the tube of his camelbak hanging down his shoulder, taking a quick sip. “What the fuck are these guys smoking?”

“It’s obviously standard issue.” Ja pointed in the direction the truck needed to go with his middle finger, taking a few steps back, “That’s it, good, you found your fucking brain, it's next to the gas pedal - Use both!”

“You think if we can convince Zee to suck off that Tweetle Beetle, he would come take over our shift?” Brown asked, and waved another truck on. He pulled his cap off, and wiped at his forehead with a sigh.

“Ha! She’ll skull-fuck you in your sleep for suggesting such a thing.” Fike rested his hands on his rifle, watching the transport pass them by.

“Once she grows a dick, sure. Until then, I will not bring that skank’s cunt anywhere near my mouth. Besides, that boy uses the guide manual as a dildo.” Mansk pulled his sunglasses up onto his forehead, and sleepily rubbed at his eye with a yawn. “Zee will be hard pressed to find a suitable replacement.”

“You didn’t complain when you ploughed her last week.” Warren laughed.

“Yes, ploughed, Warren - I didn’t make a four-course meal out of that cunt like somebody around here.” Mansk replied, and pointed the truck in the right direction. “Sir.”

Damn, Quaritch thought as convoy of trucks drove past. Why am I surrounded by such whoresons? Maybe Parker was right - I should have picked the team a bit more carefully... 

A tiny voice in the back of his head, scoffed, Pot meet kettle.

A conscience. A bit late to the party, ain’t ya?

A whistle sounded in the distance, followed by the transports halting in their tracks. A slip of a man yelled out of the window of his large ass hauler: “Lunch time!”

“Ya’ll didn’t do shit!” Lopez yelled as the diver simply shut down the truck, and hopped out. “Wait, wait, wait! Y’all fuckers just gonna leave it there?”

“Lunch time.” The skinny driver answered and walked with the rest of his crew over to a waiting transport. He hopped on with a silly little wave, much to the amusement of the rest of his team.

They were about to drive off, when a large blue hand gripped the driver’s shirt, and lifted him out of the transport. The Colonel removed his earpiece, letting the wire swing down his chest, and held the man up so that he can stare him in the eye, smiling a creepy-assed smile. 

“Hi,” Quaritch started, said creepy-ass smile spreading further over his lips, showing off his sharp teeth. “Now, those are mighty expensive pieces of equipment y'all are leaving there – so here’s how you are gonna do it: You’re gonna climb your asses back into those expensive as fuck trucks, park them neatly over there like you have a semblance of a brain, and I am not gonna report to the General that you are leaving a fifty-million-dollar piece of equipment un-guarded.”

“What? You’ll be-” The idiot began with a laugh, his buddies joining in.

“Oh no,” Quaritch interrupted, dropping the driver to the ground. “Me an’ my guys will also be having lunch, so you an’ your guys will be following orders.”

Move your fat ass, I promised Yay-u we’d have lunch together! Quaritch watched as the men stomped back to the transport, cursing them as he called to his collages and motioned to the trucks. His sensitive ears picked up on Yay-u and Zdinarsik approaching somewhere form his left, her flip-flops shlop-shlop-shlopping next to Zdinarsik's heavy boots. Walker stomping and cussing under her breath as she stopped next to the other women.

The silence was heavy, only broken by the occasional laughter from the humans walking into buildings. 

“Who wants gu-?” The words weren’t out of Zdinarsik's mouth, when eleven hands shoved themselves into her face. She sighed. “I’ll take that as a yes then. You want some gum, Yay-u?”

“Goomme?” The girl tilted her head, clearly exhausted from the day's activities as she looked up at Zdinarsik as the Recom began patting her pockets.

Zdinarsik took the small silver pack from her breast-pocket and dropped a pink square into each blue palm, and two in Quaritch's waiting hand. “Eat it after lunch, I am not wasting more on you dumb-fucks.”

“You offered.” Lyle pointed at her, popping the pink square into his mouth.

“For the sugar,” She crumbled the empty, shining paper in her palm, and dumped it into her breast pocket. “I didn’t think we’d be having lunch right now.”

“The fucking whistle just blew, you idiot!” Prager huffed, and dumped the pink square into his pants pocket. 

“Chewing gum.” Quaritch explained to Yay-u, smiling down at her as she absorbed everything he said, ignoring the Dreamwalkers as they squabbled. “A piece of plastic that’s flavored, so when you chew it, it releases the flavor. We’ll have ours after lunch.”

He tucked the pieces into the pocket of his vest, ignoring the bickering around him and grabbed her hand, strolling to the defac.

Lunch was uneventful, quiet. Egg noodles and soggy vegetables, covered in sauce – the chicken awfully dry. Quaritch showing her how to gather a bit of each to make it more palatable. Yay-u seemed to like the applesauce, but told him that it “tasted funny”. He just smiled at her, and didn’t have the heart to tell her its most likely the artificial flavoring.

He pushed the bright pink piece of gum against her pale lips after lunch, her sharp teeth gripping the candy and pulling it into her mouth. He frowned. “Chew. Don’t swallow.”

Were her lips always that shade of … blue? He thought as he popped his own piece between his lips.

They still had a few minutes before they were due back on duty, so they wasted time like only Marines could: Zdinarsik trying to teach Yay-u how to blow a bubble.

He watched as the pink bubble grew as she blew air into it, only to pop – making her jump. Prager and Lopez started to thumb wrestle, with the rest of the squad putting money on who would win. Maria joining in on the lessons, motioning with her fingers and said:

“Spread the gum with your tongue over the back of your teeth,” she motioned to her mouth. “Then slowly, blow air into it. Watch.”

Walker turned her face to the side and blew a perfect pink bubble – then it popped, a loud smack, and the sound of her jaw snapping together loudly as Zdinarsik went on with chewing.

“See? You try.” Zee smiled and hurried her along.

“I can’t believe you are teaching her this shit, Zdinarsik.” Quaritch rested his chin on his knuckles, staring at the women with fascination.

“A necessary skill all must master, Colonel.”

“Uh-huh.” Huh…. He thought as he watched her lips pursed and she blew the bright pink bubble from between her lips. Not bad…not bad at all. “Looks like it is.”

The bubble popped. She blushed, oh so beautifully. Almost completely restoring the coloring. She smiled at him as she pulled the sticky pink stuff back into her mouth, and he knew, there was no going back. Fuck...

Chapter Text

11. Grunt Work

Shit just continued to hit the fan giving the Recoms no time to shield themselves, or even prepare - the Mortar adding more with the most awkward time schedule imaginable, simply because she could. Simply, “Because I said so, Colonel,” and dismissed him with a flick of her fingers, sending the shitstorm a-brewing. 

“Simply because she’s a bitch.” Lopez explained to Yayiu-te as the brightly marked Recom's got ready for their night shift at seventeen-hundred hours, the word bouncing around the living quarters the Recoms shared, Ja grunting in agreement, and quickly lifted his armour over his head. 

Yay-u watched as they helped each other tie their armor with jerky movements and grunts. Prager wound his laces around his ankle with a grimace, before tying the knot with swift, well-practiced movements; “Because she gets off on fucking with people. She thinks the whole base is her personal fucking dildo, and she makes no attempt at allowing you to think otherwise.”

“Why would she have sleep with so much people?” Yayiu-te’s eyes widened. “She itchy?”

What is a dildo? 

Lopez howled, throwing his head back with glee before he took a bite of the pink strip, handing her the other piece of gum, the rest of the team joining in, laughing as they left. She took it with a smile, the action familiar as Zee has been getting rather stingy with her goome, and has started rationing it, stating that they "went through it faster than a bitch with tampons..." Yayiu-te had no idea what she talked about, but was just as upset as the rest of the team when they had to start sharing the pink strips amongst themselves. She held the goome strip between her slim fingers, but did not eat it. Not yet. “No, she just gets a… power high with ordering so many people about.”

“Yeah, she's a fucking-” Fike was cut off as their CO appeared in the door way, waving the already dressed men out with a lazy swipe of his hand, a frown on his face.

“You fucking grunts done yet? Ya'll are burning daylight.” Quaritch stepped in just as the man tied the last knot. He made an intimidating figure in the door, green armor thick around his chest, weapon strung over his shoulder... If only he didn't look so tired, dragging his feet with a shlof-shlof-shlof into the bungalow as his tail swayed behind him... Yayiu-te shivered, thank Eywa... He frowned at them, at Yay-u perched on Lopez's bunk with little care. “I didn’t take you for a bitch when I picked you for this fucking team, Lopez.”

“Ain’t no bitch in here sir, but yours. ‘M done.” Lopez pulled his shirt closed, and stood, waving to Yayiu-te as he left. “Hey, Walker, what you doing later?”

Quaritch sighed and rubbed his fingers into his eye until he saw stars. Why are you such a bunch of fucking tomcats? I should have fucking - Ugh!

When he opened his eyes with another tied sigh, a bright pink strip with thin blue fingers holding on to it, engulfed his sight. Yay-u smiled up at him; he gave her a half smile in return and pushed her hand back. “Go to bed, Sweetheart. We’ve got a longer shift than the rest of the men on base, we’ll be gone for a while. So don’t wait up. We'll be back when we're back.”

The gate slammed shut, leaving her behind in Quaritch’s PT t-shirt and shorts. Her tail dropped; he didn’t have the heart to look at her face as he, once again, locked her in. A large blue hand reaching between the railings and flicking a switch – engulfing her in darkness. He listened to her sigh as he followed Wainfleet down the steps, his ears pulling flat against his skull. Don’t do that… Damn you! Don't!

"You alright, sir?" Lyle asked as they trekked into the setting dusk. 

Quaritch grunted, and didn't say shit for the rest of their shift, surviving on coffee and bitterness and pure fucking hate, sending every Marine with half a mind scattering, grunting orders and scaring barracks bunnies who tried to shoot their shot back to where they came, until the zero-dark-thirties came to relieve them. 

He came back to a quarter piece of pink bubblegum wrapped in a tissue on his pillow, and his sweet girl curled up just below it, wrapped up tightly in his sheet... 

Fuck me... This just got a lot fucking harder. He sighed, and pulled the woobie out from under his bed, making himself comfortable on the ground. Ignored Lyle stopping his teeth-brushing to stare at him, and wiggled down with a groan. Fuck me...

They got the late night and early morning shifts, shifts no-one wanted and then shoved onto the Recom’s docket, shifts to keep them off balance, shifts made up at the last second by the Tweetle Beetle, handed to them with a smirk. And when he got tired of seeing their faces (or just fucking tired), a message would be dropped off at random times by a greenhorn who would nearly piss himself at the sight of whichever Recom who would wake up - Mansk becoming the de facto ‘scare-the-grunt-so-bad-that-they-do-piss-themselves-right-where-they-stand’; decided democratically (and by democratically, they mean without any input from their comrade or their team leader at all) of course, after their CO stepped in what could only be human piss the next morning with his bare feet.

“Hey, Lyle,” he called, Yay-u’s ear twitching at his sleep-thick voice. He cleared his throat, and tried again, “Can you come here for a sec?”

“What up, Chi-” Lyle looked down at the puddle he just stepped in with his socks, then back at his smiling CO with an frown, “Oh, it’s on.”

Quaritch was roped in on random meetings at all hours, meeting after meeting after meeting, scheduled right after he came back from his watch duties – but the Mortar refused to let him say shit, simply stating it was 'above his pay grade'. He took his notes, sipped his CO2 and glared at the Mortar. He dragged his feet to the chow-hall with the rest of the zero-dark-thirties to stuff his face, then back to the bunks for a quick shut eye, then waking Yay-u for her breakfast (leaving the rest of the team to catch a couple more zee's before the real shit starts) - He sat across from her as she ate her oatmeal, hair falling over her tray, watching her chew oh-so-slowly… He frowned and took a sip of his coffee. 

Quaritch came back into the barracks one morning where Yay-u sat with his comb, gently pulling it through her soft strands in even strokes. She didn’t hear him, humming to herself as she placed the comb down, and quickly wove her hair into a single, tiny braid. She reached into her lap, and picked up a brown bead, doing a twirling motion around the strand and – poof! there sat the braid, perfectly formed and hanging down her shoulder, a cord of black silk topped off with a bit of sunshine... Then, the bead slipped out, landing on the bed with a soft, puff. He frowned, watching as it hopped down the bed, and rolled over the concrete floor.

Yayiu-te watched him like a hawk as he picked up the small wooden bead, and held it between his fingers, looking at it in the light before placing it on his palm. The light wood was uneven as he rubbed his thumb along the soft surface. Quaritch had to admit; it was a pretty little thing, all small and its yellow polished bright as it rested in his palm - the contrast of the tiny thing in his palm, and the bright colors made him smirk. He smiled at her as he handed it back, “Don’t lose those now, they can easily get crushed under a boot.”

She held out her hand without a word, and watched as he picked it up between two large fingers and dropped it into her palm with a smooth smile.

“Get ready Sweetheart, we’re gonna have guard duty soon; you wanna get out – you are gonna get out with us. I got fucking cabin fever for you.” He dropped a pair of tekkies next to the bed, grey with bright yellow soles, and a pair of green socks, his own fresh pair clenched in his other hand. “Wear those, your flip-flops won’t do you any good out there.”

She nodded, and wove her bead back into her hair, her eyes glazing over as she continued the familiar motions. Quaritch frowned as he knelt in front of her. Yay-u didn’t notice him – continuing to weave her hair into the familiar style while her eyes slipped closed, reaching into her lap and picking up another brown bead to tie off the braid, weaving the hair around and around to tie it into place...

He sat down next to her on the bunk, and shoved his foot into his sock – and something odd squished between his toes. A shiver ran up his spine, and his tail shot up into the air. Oh, God, please don’t be what I think it is…

Yay-u’s motions stopped, turning her head as she watched him pull his foot out of his sock. The scent of peanut butter was strong, making her recoil and pull the bead out. Quaritch grimaced as the sticky brown substance clung to the fabric as he pulled it off.

“Lyle!”

His frustration was met with the laughter of his subordinates, and high-fives rang out with Lyle proudly yelling: “Thank you! Thank you! Hold the applause!”

Yay-u leaned over his shoulder as he wiped the mess off with the clean end of his sock, her hair long forgotten.

“What?” She ran a finger up the side of his foot, gathering the sticky mess between her fingers, that should not have felt that good... “Why?”

“Peanut butter,” He grimaced, and watched as the stickiness stuck between his toes, trying to calm his ficking overactive dick. “It’s because I let him step in piss the other morning, but that was just a form of comradery. I wasn’t about to stand in the piss alone when I wasn’t the only one to scare the literal piss out of the brown-noser.”

He took the clean end of his sock and wiped her fingers clean, then proceeded to clean his foot.

She didn’t respond, just stared at him as he put the sock aside and pulled his ruck out from under his bed, searching for a clean pair. Yay-u picked up his shoe and stuck her hand in, pulling her fingers out covered in peanut butter. He watched as she wiped them on the dirty sock, and stuck her fingers back in, pulling out more and more of the sticky mess.

“Don’t do that,” he said with a frown, taking his shoe out over her hands, and peeked inside. “Damn Lyle! Did you dump an entire jar in here?”

“Maybe.” The Lieutenant shrugged with a smirk, rocking back and forth on his heels like a fucking school boy.

“I hope for your sake that this wasn’t Mansk’s peanut butter.” Quaritch grunted as he turned the ruined shoe upside down and shook it. “That man is holy about his spreadable goods.”

Lyle “Uh…”'d and made Quaritch look up at his subordinate with raised eyebrows, smacking the underside of his boot to loose some of the sticky spread. 

“Be fast then Mansk.” Yay-u spoke up behind him.

“That,” Quaritch turned to look at her, smiling. “Is an excellent idea, Sweetheart. Too bad Lyle doesn’t understand the meaning of fast unless he’s in bed.”

“I resent that, old man!” Lyle sputtered, pointing to his friend, his friend! as his ears heated up. This fucker... He huffed and left the fucker to deal with his oily boot on his own, CO or fucking not, I am not cleaning out his nasty-ass boot... 

“Exactly, respect your elders.” Quaritch turned to Yay-u, to chuckle between themselves, but something wasn’t right. She smiled too, but it wasn’t as bright as it always was, it didn’t reach her eyes. Her eyes were a dull brassy color, almost no coloring to her complexion. Her lips a very pale purple – the complete opposite of her blush… 

“Are you alright, Sweetheart?” He frowned, and gently, took hold of her face, slowly moving his hand up to her forehead, hoping to feel for some indication of what’s wrong. There was no temperature, her skin felt cool to the touch, but they have been in the shade for a good while... Maybe we should stay in... “You don’t look so good. You are very pale. Are you sure we shouldn't just-”

“Chief!” Lyle called from outside, already peeved at the teasing, now fucking pissed at him wasting time. “We gotta go! We’re late as it is!”

“Yeah, yeah, hold your damn horses, Lyle!” He scooped the rest of the peanut butter out of his shoe, and wiped it down with the ruined sock. “We’ll be there! Go on ahead.”

“Oorah!” Lyle yelled and stomped down the steps. “Hurry up, the Mortar will know if you’re late, sir.”

“Yeah, yeah, she knows.” He swiped the sock through his shoe one more time, and when it came back “clean”, pulled on the clean pair. “She always knows. Damned bitch.”

Once he stomped his foot into his still oily boot with a grimace, he turned to Yayiu-te and knelt, tying her shoes with well-practiced motions. Then quickly pulled his own laces tight, and knotted them. “We’re gonna be out for a while, you sure you’re up for it?”

She nodded with a smile, and stood. He pulled his armor over his head, checked to make sure that his camelbak was full, and dropped his boonie cap onto her head. Yay-u frowned as Quaritch fastened his armor around his body, and clipped his gun to his thigh.

“That’s good.” He gripped her hand and pulled her behind him, grabbing his rifle on the way out. “Let’s go.”

The tap-tap-tap of the plastic soles against the tarmac were oh so comforting – the hand in his grip even more so.

“Alright,” he cleared his throat, and called to her over his shoulder, holding her much smaller hand tighter, just so she doesn't bolt... “This is how it’s gonna work – you are gonna stick close to me, and you are gonna behave. We need to convince Ardmore that you can be trusted, that you are not gonna turn around and bite me in the ass for letting you off your leash, alright? I am trying to make this as pleasant as possible for the both of us, Sweetheart, alright? Now, be good.”

He looked over his shoulder at her as he pulled her along. “We don’t have an extra canteen lying around, so when you are thirsty, you drink from my camelback, do you understand?”

When she didn’t answer, he looked over his shoulder at her frowning face.

Quaritch sighed, and took the pipe hanging off his shoulder, taking a sip. Then he held the pipe to her mouth, “I know it’s noisy, I am sorry I can’t do anything about that. But I promise, this is not the worse it can be. I'm gonna be with you the entire day, alright? Now, sip.”

Yay-u’s lips pursed her lips around the spout, and took a quick sip, jumping when the water hit her tongue.

“Good,” He smiled, dropping the tube and pulled her along. “Stay close now. Those damned trucks are huge. And when you are thirsty, drink.”

His grip tightened around her hand as he pulled her onto the tarmac, trying to time their crossing. Then: “Let's go.” And ran with her over the street to where they needed to be.

“Hey Fike, check this out.” Lyle called out.

His fellow Marine directed another truck in the direction they needed to go, then looked at what his NCO wanted him to see. “Is that Yay-u?”

Fike had to admit, Quaritch pulling a hastily dressed Yay-u with a boonie on her head along, was not what he was expecting when his CO said they would catch up. She looked absolutely ridiculous in her oversized t-shirt and shorts rolled up to fit her better. The grey tennis shoes clashing terribly with the green PT gear. A perfect grunt, if he ever saw one, but -

“Oh, c’mon.” Fike shook his head. “Is that his gear?”

“Yeah,” Lyle laughed. “You think if we just let him piss on her leg, he will stop?”

“Nah, I think it will just make him worse. Jesus, that poor girl.” Fike couldn’t help but laugh. “Think Zdinarsik would mind sharing a closet?”

“Don’t mention that around the Chief, he will 'rip out your tail and beat you with it'. I think he gets off on the girl reeking of him.” Lyle frowned, and shook his head as Fike started giggling next to him. 

They tried to swallow their laughter as their CO came closer and waved at Yay-u.

“What the fuck is he doing to you, Sweetheart?” Lyle looked at Miles, then back at their charge. “Ye'r mean – she looks ridiculous! A damned brain sponge? Really?”

Yay-u frowned and looked down at herself, just as Quaritch sighed, and pulled the hat over her ears. 

“Do you have a better idea of making her more noticeable, Lyle? Because I would like to hear all about it.”

“A PT-belt, sir?” Fike spoke up. Lyle motioned to Fike with a ‘duh’-expression.

“Where the fuck are we gonna find a PT-belt that will fit her, huh smart guy?” Quaritch frowned and continued to fret over the girl. 

“We work one out sir, but this is cruel and unusual punishment if you were to ask me.” Lyle looked her up and down. “She looks like a kid who got into their old man's clothes, sir! She looks ridiculous!”

Her old man?

“I’m telling Bjarne about this one,” Fike shook his head, not removing his gaze from the cap on her head. “There has got to be anything else other than your PT clothes, sir. With a damned boonie to boot!”

“Get back to your posts!” Quaritch snarled, the thought of the good doctor irking him more than it should.

Lyle stepped back with his hands raised, while Fike kept shaking his head, muttering under his breath; “A damned boonie! Jesus, that’s a new torturing device the Mortar can implement. ‘If you don’t talk, you’ll get a brain sponge.’ Hell, they’d sing like canaries, we'd get Sully in a damn fortnight.”

Quaritch sighed, and turned to her; “Don’t listen to them, Sweetheart, you look fine. They are just mad because they could never be able to pull off that hat, be it in Human or Na’vi. Their ears are too big.”

Yay-u reached up, and covered her ears with her hands, her eyes widening – her delicious blush coming back.

“No!” Quaritch laughed and took her hands in his. “You have pretty ears, Lyle on the other hand, looks like someone took the Heffalump’s ears and sowed them on upside down.”

Fike burst out laughing, a deep belly laugh that had him clutching his stomach, and burst of repeated “What?” between breaths.

Lyle spun around with a look of pure disgust on his face: “A Heffalump?”

“Why do I expect you idiots to be cultured?” Quaritch shook his head with a sigh, turning to his underlings. “A.A. Milne – 'Winnie the Pooh', the bear.”

Fike laughed and shook his head: “You are showing your age, sir.”

“Respect your elders, Fike. This has nothing to do with age, and everything to do with taste.” He smiled down at Yayiu-te and smoothed her hair down. “C’mon – let’s get to work.”

She stuck close to his side as he waved convoys by, yelled at the drivers and his team. He fed her sips of water throughout the day, and bits of protein bars when it seemed to slow down a bit – she chewed slowly, her nose wrinkling at the taste of the so-called “chocolate” energy bar, but she straight-up gagged at the “strawberry”. Quaritch understood, both tasted like shit either way...

It was just starting to slow down, Yay-u looking at everything and everyone, asking questions and pointing, Quaritch doing his best to answer them all, enjoying having her attention on him, when: 

“There’s the pretty girl!” That annoying voice yelled.

No! Quaritch’s head shot in the direction that the voice came from, No! Not now!

“What do you want, Whip?” He snarled as the lard-ass came running over. Yay-u hissed and ducked behind him, peeking under his arm at the human. “You decided to come do some real work?”

Whip huffed and puffed, his hair a lighter shade of brown and his face not quite as filthy as it normally was. He held up his finger, and leaned over onto his knees – trying, and failing, to catch his breath, wearing thin on Quaritch’s already damaged nerves. Quaritch took a deep breath, looked up to the sky, counting to ten, and then letting it out slowly. He hoped by the time the fat piece of lard got his breath back he would be calm again. Lyle leaned back to stare at the commotion going on, before his ears pulled flat, and he started his trek over to where Yay-u was glaring at the idiot from behind Quaritch's back...

“Flying is real work,” Whip panted, standing straight, and threw his head back. “Better than you whatever you idiots do all day.”

“Uh-huh,” Quaritch arched an eyebrow. “I haven’t seen you get near any flying machine all day; all the other pilots have been in and out the hanger. This is the first whiff of you I got anywhere near a bird.”

“And you have been paying attention to everyone who comes and goes around here?” Whip swaggered closer to them, his steel tipped boots hitting against the concrete with a loud ting.

“Duh,” Lyle called their way, staring to jog as his CO motioned to him with a flick of his fingers behind his back. “We’re base security, dumbass – it’s our job to notice these things. Do you think we don’t see this shit?”

“Don’t they teach any respect in the Army anymore?” The piece of lard frowned up at him, still panting... This can't be good... 

“We’re Marines, you fucking Jafa," Lyle stopped what he was doing and stomped down onto the human, heeding the call, "Not some two-bit, trigger-happy morons pulled out from whichever bush your government decides to hide you in while you lose a war. Against Emus.” 

Yay-u pulled on Quartich’s arm, dragging him closer, and her soft voice breezed into his ear: “Eemoo?”

“A big-ass bird that can’t fly, sorta like an ostrich – that could have been taken out by sheer power of American ingenuity; the AR-15.” 

Too bad what Yay-u knew as an ostrich and what Quaritch thought of as an ostrich, weren’t really the same thing – not even remotely.

She frowned, and shook her head: “Twatute.”

He chuckled, and while Quaritch had been lost in Yay-u-land, Lyle was pissing off the human with every passing minute.

“We didn’t-!”

“You fucking did,” Lyle taunted him, “You and your entire prison colony got your fucking assess beat by bird-ze. Big ass, stupid motherfucking birds that kicked your fucking asses so hard, that it ended up in the history books. Can you fucking picture it? ‘Hey Brucie – time to learn about the time our entire country got decimated by wannabe ostriches, scroll to page 10 for an in-depth analysis’.”

“Why you-!” The fat pig stomped closer.

Lyle smiled, again, and swung his rifle across his back, pulling up his fists. “Bring it on, you fat fuck.”

“Lyle, we don’t have time for this.” Quaritch groaned, rubbing at his eye with his middle finger, until some fuck in a jeep honked at him, “Go that way you motherfucker! Where else do you wanna go, huh? Fuck off!”

“This is all we have time for, sir.” Lyle countered with a stare, not dropping his fists. 

“He’s got a point, sir.” Fike grimaced, pulling his chew out of his pocket and taking a big pinch between two fingers, rolling it together before stuffing it into his cheek. “We ain’t doing anything worth more than shit. I say, let the Lieutenant have at the fat-ass. At least then, his lard-ship won’t be bothering us anymore.”

“We can throw the body over the fence.” Lyle added, pointedly, pushing his glasses up onto his forehead. “We dump him for the ostriches.”

Quaritch sucked his tongue, clicking it against the roof of his mouth, then turned back to the human, and with a shrug said: “Alright. Have at it.”

Lyle dropped his rifle from his shoulder, and smiled, stalking the man like prey. 

Quaritch leaned back onto his other leg, smiling, until he felt a tugging at his shirt, he leaned down to listen and felt her full lips brush against his ear... Fuck... 

“Lyle will kill.” Yay-u whispered.

“Yeah, ain’t that a bitch?” Quaritch whispered back, a smile crawling over his lips.

“He must stop.”

“Why-?” He looked down at her, her eyes big and golden and imploring. “Ah, fuck. Lyle!”

“What?” The Lieutenant yelled back, his tail shooting up at the annoyance of being called off the hunt.

“Fucking stop, we don’t have time for this!”

Lyle scoffed and motioned around him: “Yeah, we do, we’re shoving tanks away – we’ve got time for anything!”

“Good point…” Quaritch shifted his weight to his back leg, and waved his hand dismissively, ignoring the piercing glare Yay-u threw his way. “Have at it.”

The pilot’s eyes widened and he turned tail and ran. Lyle turned back to the team, gawking.

“Let’s hope he has a heart attack before causing an earthquake on base.” Ja prompted with a frown. “Damn! How the fuck that bird even get off the fucking ground with him in it?”

“Fart propeller,” Prager prompted. “Only fucking way.”

Ja laughed, shaking his head in pure exhaustion. “Maybe ya’re right…”

“Now,” Lyle came sauntering back, “That’s not fair – he’s not doing shit, then he saunters up here, fucking causes bullshite, then fucks off, and he knows that I can’t go after him to kick his ass.”

“There’s still the mess hall, sir.” Lopez pointed out.

“True.”

Quaritch rolled his eyes, and took a sip of his water, holding the pipe for Yay-u to sip, her pretty fucking lips wrapping around the spout. He sighed, and willed his dick to calm the fuck down. Well, “Get back to work.”

Chapter Text

12. Tired

Quaritch swore up a bitch when a truck nearly hit Mansk, the boy trapped under his arm as he shook his other up and down, swearing with such rage his momma would faint if she could hear him now. Daddy's belt spared her from the shame...

“You alright, kid?” Quaritch all but growled, not looking away from the driver, trying to see a number plate on the truck - growling when he saw none, throwing a single fingered salute in the air for good measure. Mansk nodded, still tucked under Quaritch's arm - His CO’s ALICE gear digging into his side, and his BO stinking up Mansk’s nose – not letting go, even as Mansk lightly tapped out.

He's been in a crappy mood since Yay-u asked to go with Zdinarsik this morning, leaving Quaritch with Prager and Mansk... They have been subjected to more than one browbeating over the course of the early as fuck morning. Prager deciding to speak only when spoken to, and Mansk hated it with a passion, Where was his battle buddy? Just because Quaritch needs to get laid doesn't mean you can be a wet sponge... 

Noise exploded around them as the team began to converge around the Colonel and Mansk, the kid still trapped under Quaritch's arm... Mansk pleaded with the Lieutenant for help with his eyes, too bad his fucking glasses where still in place... 

“What the fuck?” Lyle spat, looking back at the truck turning a corner, trying to see a number plate, but it was too late.

“That was one of that idiot’s buddy-fuckers and I am gonna find out who, and I am gonna break his own foot off in his ass.” Quaritch snarled, his arm squeezing around Mansk neck. The kid beat harder until he realized it wasn't gonna do shit.

“It’s okay sir, that's a waste of a good foot,” Mansk patted Quaritch on the back with, what he hoped, a soothing hand, trying make him let go. “We’ll just piss in his cornflakes come morning.”

Quaritch grunted, still holding the kid under his arm and scowling at the truck turning a corner. “Make sure to get some beans in when you do.”

“Aye, aye, sir.” Mansk looked up at Lyle, and mouthed; 'Help'.

“Jesus!” Maria yelled from behind them, pulling Mansk out from under their CO’s arm and turned him around, checking him over. “You alright, kid?”

The youngest member of their team shrugged as Walker pushed up his sunglasses onto his head, but before he could give her a real answer:

“Don’t shrug at me, you little shit!” She shook him, while the rest of the team ran up to them, continuing her berating of their silent teammate. Yay-u hot on Zdinarsik's heels as they raced over. “Answer me!”

“Did you see who it was?” Ja asked as he patted the man down, having freed him from Walker's crazy shaking. Going all 'doctor-mode', checking his eyes, running his hand down his tail, snapping his fingers next to the kid's ear. “Anything hurt? Scrapes, bruises? Anything at all?”

“Too low, sir. Couldn’t see shit.” Mansk answered and took a sip from the water can on his shoulder. “But the truck had an OSHA violation taped on the back.”

Yay-u stepped up, circling around Mansk – taking his tail and twirling around her hand, stepping under his arm and taking his face in her hand and turning it this way and that.

“I’ma okay,” Mansk smiled, trying to reassure their newest team-mate, patting her on the shoulder. “No harm, no foul.”

“Well, that answers that question.” Ja sighed and tucked his penlight into the right pocket, next to his green scissors, before turning his attention to Quaritch. “You're turn, sir.”

Yay-u turned to the road, her tail twitching behind her. She took a step forward while Ja mother-henned over their CO.

“No,” Quaritch grabbed her hand, pushing the paranoid medic out of his way, and pulled Yay-u under his arm. She hissed and struggled, making Quaritch chuckle as he pulled her close. “We’ll get him. OSHA already knows about him. We’ll find him.”

“OSHA, huh?” Lyle asked, as he gave Ja a pat on the shoulder, trying to calm him down. “Gotta be some record of that stashed somewhere, RDA wouldn't just allow any Scmuckatelli drive for them, would they?”

Quaritch bit his lip, as Yay-u stopped her struggling. He looked to his second and sniffed. “Let’s have some fun.”

They went back to their barracks after dinner, Quaritch keeping an eye open for whichever idiot it was as they stomped through the inside door – but didn't recognizing a single one, lucky bastards. Yay-u was tucked into his side, exhausted as she nibbled on her fruit cup and sipping her fruit juice, peeking up at him ever-so-often. 

“Wanna eat some more, Sweetheart?” He mumbled, sipping on his coffee, as he leaned over the table. 

Yay-u frowned, and shook her head, before taking a sip of the sweet juices that covered the fruits. Quaritch sighed, making her frown at him.

The Deja Blu’s stomped back to their barracks, Yay-u tucked under Quaritch's arm as she glided between with them. Full but pissed off – the team began making threats and promises of what they would do if they found the idiot who nearly killed their teammate as they settled in for the night.

“Maybe we’re the ones who need PT belts.” Mansk suggested as Zdinarsik hugged him around his neck as the two sat down on the edge of his rack, digging into the trailmix he didn't finish during the day. Lyle laughed and rubbed the back of his head, which the kid just slapped away with a frown. “I’m serious!”

“If they can’t see a 9-foot-tall blue alien with a fucking tail dressed in green on black tar, they don’t deserve to get behind a wheel!” Quaritch mumbled over the computer screen, with Yay-u leaning over his shoulder – her breath hot against his ear as she relaxed into his tense body. He typed with two fingers, frowning at the damned keypad as he tried to push the correct key with his too-big fingers, and concentrating not to hit two at a time - but it was damn difficult to concentrate with the girl's warm body covering his. “Damn it! Why are these buttons so small?”

“You could always use a-” Fike started, holding the small black bar of the holo-keyboard for trade.

“Keep that light-display away from me, Fike. They always die on the last second.” Quaritch pushed the hand away from him with an indignant huff, just as Yay-u sighed, her warmth disappearing form his back – his ears pulling back. “That thing is evil.”

“It’s the only thing that will fit our fingers, sir.” Zhang called from the head, halting his shaving. “We 'improvise, adapt, and overcome'. And if that means using a holo-pad, we overcome.”

“Well, ain’t you a philosopher this evening, Alan. Won’t your momma be proud.” Zdinarsik snarked from her bunk, pulling her shoes off with a groan – ignoring Zhang throwing her the finger. “They sent us extra pairs, right? Tell me they didn’t think one pair of boots will be enough to hold us over till kingdom come, right?”

“I have no idea,” Ja threw a handful of peanuts in his mouth, chewed and said around a mouth full of mushed peanuts; “They better, with all the work-out’s we’re doing, we’re gonna burn through them like rubber.”

“Like one pair of trainers are going to last us. I went through a pair every two weeks in Mexico, can you imagine the absolute dog-shit we’ll get into here? My shoes won’t last a day.” Maria held out her hand for some peanuts, and watched as Ja dropped a few into her palm, moaning as she threw them back. “I sincerely hope the Mortar had more shipped in with our lovely blue asses.”

“Damn straight,” Prager huffed.

“Peanuts, Yay-u?” Ja asked over his shoulder, turning when she didn’t immediately respond. “Oh.”

Their charge was laying on Quaritch’s bunk, her shoes thrown carelessly on the ground, and curled into herself, tucked into Quaritch’s back. Her deep, even breathing was loud in the suddenly still room. Her hair spilled over Quaritch’s pillow as dark as gunmetal, flowing over the bright, white fabric she clung to – the tiny braids leading to different, mysterious routes that Miles would love to know more intimately...

Quaritch sighed, and motioned to Zdinarsik for one of Yay-u’s nest blankets. The woman ducked under her bed, balled it up and threw Yay-u’s standard issue green blanket over to the Colonel. They watched as he shook it out, and lay it over her rather gently, totally out of character for the seasoned Marine, as he brushed a few strands away from her face. He sighed, and turned to his squad: “One unnecessary peep, you’re gonna be running till the sun implodes.”

They nodded as he sat down on the edge of his bed, and began undoing the laces of his boots and his boot bands, placing the standard issue black boots next to the small white tennis shoes and dirty green socks, placing the strings next to him on the bed.

“We need to do laundry,” He mumbled as he undid his vest. “We’re running out of socks, ain’t that right, Sweetheart?”

Quaritch grunted as he pulled the vest over his head, and placed it on the ground, next to her slim foot. He groaned as he removed his thigh-holster, rubbing his leg with well-practiced movements, closing his eyes as the pressure was released.

“Sir,” Lyle called – Quaritch was about to rip him a new one when Yay-u sat up.

“Lahn-dree?” Her sleepy voice was back, rich and delicious as she wisped, leaning into his shoulder, warm, oh so warm...

“To wash dirty clothes,” He whispered back, running his knuckles over her cheek. “Tired, sweetheart?”

Yay-u turned her face into his palm, her cheek scratching against his calloused hand as she nodded. She’s cold…

“We’ll be quick then,” He reached for the light at the top of his bed and switched off the bunk lamp. He laid her back down on the bed, and pulled the blankets out from under her, wrapping her tightly in the standard issue green blankets, and tucking the woobie around her slim form. She snuggled deeper into the sheets, pulling them up to her cheeks and sighing softly, curling up under them like a cat. Fuck... 

Quaritch looked down at her, and sighed, flicking his hand up into the air, and listened as his team jumped to action.

They snuck around the room, grabbing what they needed and switched on a few bedside lamps, to make it look like they were only out for a short while.

“You ladies stay here,” Quaritch turned to his female subordinates, “Keep an eye on her.”

“Yes, sir.” Zdinarsik nodded as Walker handed Fike an extra moonbeam.

He sniffed, nodding, then turned to Lyle: “You got what we need?”

“Yes sir,” Lyle held up the Ziplock bag full of tiny packets, and a towel was thrown over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

They snuck through the base, past the OpsCenter, and onto the flight-bay, moonbeaming their way through the dark.

“Find his bird.” Quaritch ordered through his comms.

“Which one is that?” Fike asked from Quaritch’s left, peaking into a helicopter, shining his moonbeam through the windows.

“The one that stinks.” Lyle answered, peeking into another.

“They all reek!” Lopez hissed.

“The one who stinks more than the others!” Ja hissed back.

“That sure narrows it down!” Lopez snarked, “If ‘re to show these schmucks a picture of soap, they would begin to question their entire existence.”

“Would you shut it, and find the damn bird!” Quaritch hissed, and opened a door, only to be met with the stench that could only be described as Eau de Whip. He gagged, feeling the bile burn up his throat, even his eyes burned. He reached up for his comm, and held down the multi-com, rasping out: “Found it.”

His team gathered around him as he gagged, and began taking apart the bird from the bottom up.

“We should not have had dinner before doing this.” Lopez gagged, pulling his shirt up to cover his nose.

“How many creamer packets do we have?” Quaritch asked, placing the bolt next to him on the ground, ignoring his subordinate.

“Enough to do some serious damage, sir.”

“That’s not an answer, Lyle.” He sighed, and started striping the bolt.

“I don’t know, Miles,” Lyle sounded exasperated. “About thirty?”

“Each weighing about 30g,” Mansk started, his baby-face pulling up in concentration, “So about 750g, we are gonna need about 25. The extra five will just be for fun. I did the math.”

Lyle stuck his tongue out triumph. “Hey, Prager, have you shaved yet?”

“No, why?” His subordinate peeked up from where he was fucking up the helo, hopefully, beyond recognition.

Lyle pulled an electric razor out from his back pocket, “Have at it in the front seat!”

“Oorah,” Prager caught the device, and shimmied his blue tail into the pilot seat, crouching. “This will be worth it.”

The machine buzzed to life, and Quaritch pulled another bolt out from under the seat.

“Fike!” Lyle threw him the ziplock bag filled with tiny yellow packets. “Keep the shit together. We make like ghosts.”

“How are the Zero-Dark-Thirties not doing shit?” Fike asked, dumping a packet of the sugar into the gearbox, before tucking the empty packets into his shirt pocket.

“I bribed them with a protein bar.” Lyle sniffed and dropped the bolt into his pocket, stripping the other.

“You’re fucking with me, right?” Prager stopped shaving. “A protein bar?”

“It’s a fucking big protein bar!” Lyle hissed back.

“Would you two shut it and get to shaving!” Quaritch whispered, peaking over his shoulder. “We have to be out of here in ten minutes!”

“Oorah, Chief.” Prager sighed, and shimmied himself into a more comfortable position.

“Less oorahing, and more shaving!” Lyle hissed and pulled the razor out of his pocket, shoving it in Prager’s direction, earning a glare from Quaritch.

“Yes sir,” Prager moped, and took the razor. “Why me?”

“We appreciate your sacrifice, Prager.” Fike taunted over the hum of his own electronic device.

“I have the cut-throat, Fike, you wanna try that again?” The blade shined under the flashlight, glinting ominously. 

Quaritch pushed his face into the cockpit, throwing the towel over to him. “Hurry up, or I do it for you.”

“Yes sir.” He flipped the blade, and rubbed his hand up his cheek. “Fuck.”

The shaving went relatively quickly after that, the rough hairs falling to the towel, which was quickly scooped up and dumped all over the pilot’s seat – then the towel being rubbed into the seat for good measure.

“Creamer in?”

Mansk gave a thumbs up.

Quaritch gave the move out signal to Lyle, and shut the side door.

“Move your ass! Go! Go! Go!” Lyle hissed, and they scattered like roaches. “To the OSHA wanted list.”

“Wait!”

“What, Fike?” Prager hissed, his tail shooting up in annoyance.

Fike waddled over to the back of the bird, and unzipped his pants.

“What are you doing? Fike!” Prager hissed, and quickly checked around them, hoping nobody will show up.

“Fucking up his engine Prager, now please, keep your trap shut. I need to concentrate!” The man moaned, and lined-up.

Quaritch sighed, and motioned for the rest of his team to fan-out, “Keep an eye out. Hurry up, Fike. Don’t make a mess.”

“Wait,” Mansk asked, staring up at his CO's with his big baby-golds, “How will that work? How do we know it don’t just eat through the engine?”

“DILLIGAF?” Fike zipped up, and plugged the engine. “All clear chief.”

“Move.” Quaritch whispered to Lyle, and his second gave the signal to move out.

Sneaking past the watch tower was easy – and when Zhang peaked in, he looked back at them with what could only be described as pure annoyance. “These idiots are asleep, sir.”

“You are fucking me, right?” Wainfleet called from the bottom.

“Not even with a dildo, sir – these fuckers are sleeping at their post.” Zhang hopped down. “Drool and all.”

“Alright,” Lyle smirked.

“Shifts are pretty standard; they’ll be here tomorrow – we can fuck with them then.” Quaritch promised. “For now, let’s get back, I ain't getting caught with my pants down. Move.”

They rushed back to their barracks, avoiding the strobe lights and guards, sneaking back into the bungalow with little fuss. Quaritch quickly locking the gate behind them, sighing in relief.

The lights flicked on.

“My, my, aren’t we an active bunch?” The unmistakable voice of Ardmore greeted them from out of the shadows.

Quaritch spun around, stunned – the rest of the squad quickly fell in line. The female members of his team standing on the far wall, behind the Mortar and the rest of her men.

“General Ardmore, ma’am.” He greeted, with a salute.

She huffed, and started pacing in front of them.

Quaritch scanned the room, looking for Yay-u – she sat between two soldiers on his bed, her nest blanket thrown over her shoulders as she curled up under it, clearly exhausted as she gently rocked herself from side to side. He didn’t miss the hired-guns glancing at her every-so-often, at her legs peeping out from under her blanket. Watch it, douche-bag or I will shove your head under Whip’s armpit, you son of a-

“Care to explain why you are out so late, Colonel?” Ardmore stopped in front of him, tapping her boot on the tile. "It's way past curfew. You kitties should have been tucked up in bed hours ago.”

“They wouldn’t shut up and go to sleep, so I decided that I would make them shut up and go to sleep the hard way, ma’am. No need for them to wake the girl.” As you so obviously have.

“And you decided to go through the hanger, why?” She held up a datapad to prove that she had the info. Fuck... 

“Long way, ma’am. Going around, we would have cut four minutes off the run,” He lied. “They weren’t getting off that easy.”

“And this has nothing to do with pilot Andrews harassing to your... little charge?” She motioned to Yay-u, who sat frowning on the bed. “The complaints were quite detailed; pilot Andrews doesn’t beat around the bush.”

“Nothing at all ma’am.” So, he did send out his so called “report” – fuck me… but I think we got away with it. “Just my team needing to let go of some built up tension, is all.”

“Do you really think nothing on this base happens without me knowing it?” Or not… “I got the alert as soon as that gate slammed shut. When you idiots stepped into the hanger and didn't come out for a good ten minutes. I had my men go take a look. I didn’t think you would go out of your way to destroy a perfectly good piece of equipment because of a petty grudge, Colonel.”

“It wasn’t a grudge ma’am.”

“What was that, Private Mansk?” The General sauntered up to their usually silent teammate, hands on her hips. “Because it seemed pretty fucking grudge-like to me.”

“It wasn’t a grudge ma’am – it was pure assholery when it came from Whip; he harassed not just our charge ma’am, but the female members of our team as well.” Mansk tried to explain. “It was a warning –”

“You could have reported you grievances–”

“To who, ma’am?” Mansk interrupted, looking down at the tiny woman. “How many people are on this base alone? Will the report just be handed around until it gets lost, or he does something truly terrible before it gets any attention? Do we even have a JAG on the base? He could kill someone ma’am.”

"Pilot Adrews, a human, is gonna kill a Na'vi, with carbon fiber enforced bones? Remind me to raise his pay." The Mortar huffed, turning her back on the kid. “You sure know how to pick ‘em, Colonel.”

“But he’s right ma’am. With the way he was going at her, if she were human, he would have assaulted her by now.” Quaritch spoke up. “He’s been gunning it with Zdinarsik and Walker for weeks. And I truly believe if it wasn’t for the fact that they were in Na’vi bodies they would have been assaulted, twice over. Would there even be someone to defend her, should she decide to press charges? Sneaking out, ma’am, is the least of our worries.”

“You still need to follow the chain of command, Colonel. This is my base, and I am not going to allow you and your bunch of blue monkeys to go around and fuck up the way this base is run! Jesus! I am this close to Court Marshaling your ass, Quaritch! This close!” She pinched her fingers together, as if squeezing him between them. So there is a JAG, huh, figures there'd be one to lock us up... “If Stringer hadn’t shit out the gold needed to get your asses here, I would have shipped you back already for bringing her on base! But you still need to make up your cost.”

“Ain’t that luck, ma’am?” He snarked.

“Yea, ain’t it just?” She grimaced up at him. “You are on thin ice, Colonel – tread carefully. Let the girl go.”

Her buddy-fuckers let go of Yay-u and she sprinted to his side. She tucked herself under his arm, pressing her nose against his chest.

“You will make up your cost, Colonel Quaritch, I will make sure of it.” The Mortar stomped out of the barracks and personally slammed the gate shut behind them. “And this is adding up.”

The silence that followed was oppressive, their tails showing their unease.

“To bed – we’ve got a long morning ahead of us tomorrow.” He wrapped his arms around Yay-u, pulling her closer. “All of you.”

“Aye, aye sir.” Lyle shooed the team along, sighing at the fuck-uppery of the situation.

Quaritch looked down at her as she tried to push herself away. He shushed her gently, as she began sobbing. “It’s gonna be alright, Sweetheart. I’ll keep you safe.”

He stood with her for a while, rocking her gently in his hold, trying to calm her down – and when her breathing evened out, he turned her around, pulling her to his chest and sat her down between his legs as he took his own seat. She looked up at him, Yay-u’s wide eyes rimmed a deep purply-blue, watching him with odd fascination as he began undoing his boots.

“Why?” She rasped, watching him drop the dirty socks next to her shoes. “Why go?”

“To keep him away,” He grunted, as she felt his hands move behind her back, the clicking of his belt loud in the quieting room. “I figured that if we fucked up his bird, messed it up bad enough, that he would be spending more hours working on it, than harassing you. So, it was worth it, really. I just didn’t think that the Mortar would come marching in here throwing a fit about a single fucking bird.”

He dumped his belt in his shoe, and pulled off his shirt, wiping down some of the sweat that has accumulated with the day’s activities. Quaritch grunted, undoing his pants, and had Yay-u stand. She watched as he pulled the green fabric down his legs, exposing the dark, short pants underneath, loose fitting around his large, muscular thighs. 

“We’ve got laundry to do, tomorrow, huh Sweet-” The words caught in his throat as he looked up, only to find the girl gaping at him, her eyes ranking over his body, jumping from one spot to the next – never staying still. “Yayiu-te.”

Yay-u’s eyes were as wide as saucers, the black almost completely conquered the gold. Her mouth snapped shut, her jaw clenching tight.

“You can always sleep with Zee if you want,” please for the love of all that is good in this world, don’t please. “I won’t mind.”

She looked down at the bed, at his shirt and pants laying over her blanket, stinking of him. And shook her head.

“Alright then,” he folded his pants and laid them over the railing of the bed. He pulled the blanket away and had her sit down on the edge of the bed, his chest glistening thanks to the Pandora heat. “It’s gonna be too hot with the blanket. Make room.”

She scooted back, and he folded himself onto the bed with a soft grunt, waiting for her to shimmy down before pulling the sheets up around them. Turning onto his side, he reached up, and switched off the light above them; engulfing the room in darkness.

“Sleep tight, Sweetheart. Tomorrow is gonna be a long day.”

Yay-u tucked herself into his chest, feeling his arm fold under his head, while his other pulled her closer. She closed her eyes with a deep sigh, and placed her nose between those two strong panes of his chest, knowing she'd be safe.

Chapter Text

13. Laundry

Yayiu-te woke up in the middle of the night, freezing – hoping sa’nok wouldn’t mind her stoking the fire a just a bit...

Yay-u moaned, as she tried to roll out of bed, only to be stopped by a large, muscular hand grasping her middle. Yay-u looked down at the massive arm, veins bulging under the blue skin, tanhì bright on the absurdly large hand gripping the edge of the sheet – trapping her besides him. His breath hot against the skin of her neck, his tail laying heavy over her hip as he pulled her even closer.

That's right, she laid back with a groan, and felt the arm relax around her waist, just a bit, Mother is not here. I am surrounded by demons. Really big demons.

Myhuls was wrong, it wasn’t too hot for the blanket – the man just ran a temperature that was so hot, Yayiu-te feared he was becoming ill, Is he always like this? She ran a hand over his forehead, rubbing at the tahni on his forehead with her thumb, and listened to him moan... But there was only a little bit of sweat beading across his skin, natural for the Pandora climate they found themselves in. Thank Eywa – he is just hot...

Yay-u sighed, and looked at the giant hand. She tried to work his arm loose around her waist enough for her to reach for one of her blanket’s underneath the bed, but he wouldn’t let her move, keeping her trapped under his arm with and pulled her back with a grunt.

Fine. She was able to shift his arm enough to snuggle back under, tucking his arm around her back and burrowing into his chest, pressing her freezing nose into his skin. She closed her eyes, and tucked her leg between his – his shorts brushing against her thigh, Share then, won’t you?

His musk filled her nose, calm and warm in his sleep, along with the subtle hint of the rest of the team - plenty of Zdinarsik scent, waring with her own... She huffed, and rubbed her face into his chest with vigor, No. Don’t you dare… Yay-u pressed the other side of her face into his chest with another huff, her ears twitching in displeasure. No. No. Sleep, will you? Just sleep, she wared with herself as she tucked her face into his chest with another rub against the skin, letting his scent lull her back under. This is a good thing, remember...? What right do you have to be jealous... 

Quaritch jolted awake, instinctively pulling the warmth in his arms closer, squeezing around it protectively. He took a deep breath and looked down, them obviously having shifted positions in the night, with the girl tucked securely in his hold, her nose tucked against his chest. Coal black hair spreading over his white sheets...

Wait, why am I up? He peeked out from under his sheet, only to find Bjarne staring down at him with a murderous intent in her eyes. One sandal encased foot tapping steadily on the stepping stool. Quaritch groaned, and pulled the sheet up around them, cuddling deeper into his Yay-u cocoon. He pressed his nose into her hair, and pulled her closer, sinking deeper and deeper into their bubble, into their warmth; It’s too early for you – go away! Damn you!

There was a huff, and her stepping stool being dragged across the tile floor - loud but it meant- Yes, fuck off!

He tucked his face into Yay-u's neck, taking in lungs-full of her scent, her wet-earth mixed with his musk and soap was amazing, even as he rubbed his cheek against her soft hair. You do smell so good, Sweetheart, good enough to eat, especially mixed with me… He was slowly being pulled back under the waves, back into the abyss of warmth and Yay-u, when the cool morning air hit his bare legs and made him curse up a storm, curling around her warmth.

“The fuck?” He snarled, looking for the object begging to be destroyed, as Yay-u flinched from the abrupt morning chill, curing deeper into his arms. And there it stood at the edge of his rack, tapping her foot on the stepping stool. Bjarne was honestly going to win head-cunt one of these days…

“I should be asking that question – what the fuck is this?” Bjarne motioned up and down at him and Yay-u, as the girl curled deeper into his chest. It was never this cold in the forests... 

“I call you squint sarcastically, but I should think a person with a damned PhD would be able to use their god-damned eyes, Bjarne.” Quaritch rumbled under her ear, voice thick with sleep. Yay-u woke up slowly, ears twitching at her favorite sound, as she peered out from under his arm. Myhuls tucked her more securely into his hold, and ran his fingers through her hair, soothing her back under the waves, she didn't fight it.

“This is a joke, right? You are half-naked, curled around her in bed like some sort of pervert!” Bjarne motioned up and down at the girl. “And I have a MD, you moron! PhD is for-!”

A large white pillow flew through the air, and promptly knocked Bjarne off her high-chair – she landed flat on her ass with a rather satisfying, Ooomf!

“Goddamn it, you fucking techie, it’s too early for this shit,” Lyle called from his bed, and flopped back down with a groan. “Just fuck off!”

She regained her feet with an impressive amount of cursing and sputtering. Bjarne panted, keeping the large pillow in her grip. “You did not ju-!”

“I fucking did,” Lyle interrupted with a yawn from underneath his sheets, “And I will fucking do it again – if you don’t fuck off, Bjarne.”

“Yeah? You and what-?”

Another pillow flew through the air, hitting her in the head, Mansk moaning from his rack: “Fuck off! Damn it!”

“You are some of the most, unsophisticated, immatu- Ouf!”

“We can keep this up as long as needed, doc. We are trained marksmen; we can deck you as many times as needed.” Lopez muttered from underneath his sheets. “Don't push me.”

“You wouldn’t dare-!” She fumed, getting to her feet among the wreckage of pillows. They wouldn't have enough pillows to keep this up, would they?

“Bitch,” Fike interrupted from underneath his blanket, “I have pissed in places you wouldn’t believe; I would dare anything.”

“Animals,” Bjarne threw her hands up in frustration, “She is surrounded by animals! I am surrounded-!”

“Fucks' sake, Bjarne!” Zdinarsik threw her sheets away, and promptly marched over to the small human, kicking pillows out of her path. How she still managed to look intimidating standing there in her shorts and wifebeater, only Eywa would know. “Shut it!”

“Well, now that one is up, the rest can be as well.” Bjarne huffed, and tapped her foot against the tile, clapping her hands, she yelled: “Up and at'em, drained-brains!”

“I will fucking drop-kick your ass back to Terra, Bjarne, I swear to God – don’t test me.” Zdinarsik towered over the woman.

“Do it then.” She stepped closer, hands on her hips, “Bitch.”

Zdinarsik moved, gripped the doctor by her throat and lifted her up into the air. Bjarne clawed at her arm, nails digging into the soft flesh of her hand. “Doin' it.”

“Drop her, Zdinarsik.” Quaritch called from his bed as Yay-u sat up, rubbing her eye with the back of her hand. He too, rubbed his eyes, until he saw stars.

“Sir-”

“I said drop the bitch before you kill her, Zdinarsik. We don’t have time to get rid of the body.”

“Aye aye, sir.” She dropped the doctor to the ground with a huff, watching as she scrabbled around, clutching at her throat with both hands. “Fuck.” This shit is gonna come back to bite us in the ass... 

Quaritch watched Yay-u through half-lidded eyes, as she threw her head back with a slight moan on her lips, her obsidian hair flowing down her back, oh so temptingly. Would you always look that good in the morning? He could feel the tent growing in his shorts as she stretched with another moan. He moved his hand slowly, crawling towards her, closing in on her hips, when Bjarne rasped:

“Can you just behave like normal human beings? For fucks sake! This is ridiculous!"

“We haven’t been human for a while now, Bjarne.” Quaritch growled.

“Oh, and that’s just the perfect excuse to act like a bunch of animals?” She huffed, hands rubbing at her neck as she coughed.

“Well,” Mansk got out of bed with a groan, and stretched, his brown shirt riding up as his shorts clung onto his hips for dear life. “We have tails and ears that essentially move on their own, piss sharp fangs that can rip out your pretty little throat and noses that can pick up what you had for lunch four days ago, so yeah, I think that gives us an excuse.”

“It doesn’t mean-!” Bjarne turned to him, stomping her foot in her frustration.

“Hold on,” Ja scratched his buzzed head, curls culled for the time being, sitting up in bed, “Weren’t you one of the squints that were all ‘They are sentient beings, we should respect them!’ BS that Augustine always did? ‘Cause ‘m pretty fucking sure I saw you jumpin’ ‘round, goin’ all Greenpeace in the OpsCenter every now-and-then whenever we did our jobs. So, are we suddenly not good enough for your activism or what?”

“You were grown in a lab, in a test tube – you don’t count as native to anything.” She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, her nose pointing into the air.

“Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine this morning?” Ja snarked.

“I am always a ray of sunshine, you douche-canoe – you however; do you always smell like a rat who died on a Wednesday in New-New York while it gorged itself on five-day-old pizza and flat beer?”   

“We had a long-” Fike started.

“Oh, I heard. I also heard that the Mortar is this,” Bjarne pinched her fingers together, “close to sending you back the way you came.”

Yay-u shot up, staring down at Bjarne – her amber eyes wide, then turned her attention back to Quaritch, the question hanging on her full, pale lips.

“She doesn’t have the cash to do shit – The RDA was tight on funds back then as well, she’s not gonna waste a perfectly good crew of twelve who can do shit the others can’t do, just to satisfy her ego. She ain’t sending us nowhere, she needs us.” Quaritch wasn’t sure who he was reassuring – himself or his girl, but it worked nonetheless as he rubbed her back gently. “She doesn’t have the balls.”

“Uh-huh,” Bjarne snorted. “Get to the damn lab, no need to shower, you’ll be running quite a few laps. Bring the girl.”

“We need to do shit, Bjarne – we can’t just drop everything and jump when you command. We’re part of base security, we have duties to attend to, damn it, we have laundry!” Fike yelled at her.

“You can do them later,” The squint stomped back the way she came, muttering under her breath as she slammed the gate shut. “I want my damn samples, Quaritch!”

“Fuck!” Lopez moaned. “I am gonna skull-fuck that bitch! I swear to God, I am gonna kill her!”

Yay-u folded herself down next to Miles, and hissed – making him chuckle. He ran his hand up and down her back to calm her down, lulling him back under the –

“Oh no, you don’t, sir!” His pillow was pulled out from under his head, and promptly dropped onto his stomach, Lyle smiling as he grunted form the impact. “If I have to get up, you’re gonna get up. No way in hell am I gonna let you sleep in!”

“You are an absolute ass, Lyle.” Quaritch moaned, and pushed himself up to his elbows. “Why the fuck did I chose you to be my second out of all the brown-nosers on base?”

“Because I can hold you accountable. Now,” Lyle gave his rack a kick, shoving it a few inches away. “Get the fuck up. I have no idea how long the Head Squint and her squinternellies are gonna be working on us, and there is no way in hell I am gonna have breakfast past 10 o’clock; I ain’t no Hobbit.”

“’Course not, then that would be second breakfast.” Quaritch rumbled with a yawn.

“Hob-et?” Yay-u rasped, as she looked down at him.

“A character in a fantasy series, written long ago – I’ll see if I can’t find a copy, I think you’ll like it.” He smiled up at her.

“Do it later sir, we’ve got the squinternellies and we’ve gotta do laundry, and guard duty too.”

“And I need to stop and get basics.” Zdinarsik moaned as she stretched.

Quaritch threw his head back, squinting up at the ceiling and let out a deep groan, “Fuck, you’re right,” He sighed. “Alright, you ladies do what you need to do, we’ll start sorting out things here.”

Zdinarsik groaned in the affirmative, and pulled her clothes out of her ruck, then snapped her head up: “Uh, what the fuck is Yay-u supposed to wear, sir?”

“Fuck,” He threw the sheets away, and stood. He pulled his ruck off the ground, and dumped in on his bed. “Let’s see what we’ve got, huh?”

He dug through the pile of green, looking for something that would fit Yay-u. He sighed when he pulled out the last clean pair of shorts, placing it down on the bed, and looked for a tank for her to wear. Now we really need to do the damn laundry... 

“Here,” He gathered up the clothes and gave it to Yay-u. “Wear that. We’ll have to do laundry later.”

She nodded and picked up her washcloth hanging on the edge of the bed, and held her hand out for the soap, blinking up at him expectantly. Quaritch chuckled and dropped the white bar into her open palm. She tucked her materials to her chest, and slipped on her flip-flops with a grimace. Zdinarsik held out her arm, and swooped the girl under it, whisking her away with Walker leading the troop, breathers hanging off one shoulder.

The walk to the bathrooms seemed especially long today, if you were to ask Yay-u. Her shoes schlopped-schlopped-schlopped against the black stone with easy familiarity as Zee and Walker talked about everything and anything that came to mind. They tried to pull her into the conversation, and she would nod along and smile, but her heart wasn’t in it, didn’t match their enthusiasm.

“Yay-u?” Walker called her name, forcing her out of her head. She turned to look at the women.

“We need to make a quick stop at the BX,” Zdinarsik explained. “Walker needs a new stick of deodorant, and I need to get some toothpaste and laundry detergent, you mind tagging along?”

Yay-u shook her head, and Zdinarsik smiled at her, and looped a permanently bright colored arm through Yay-u’s, making the girl smile at the familiar gesture. Female comradery transcends species, it seems....

The 'BX' was a rather tall building, with glass doors on all sides and people going in and out at their hearts content, dark washed grey with many windows facing outwards, 'Base Exchange' painted on the side in big white letters.

“’Kay,” Zdinarsik moved her breather to her hip. “We’re gonna be quick, but if you need a breath, just use my breather, okay?”

Yay-u nodded, and they stepped into the building – Shelves upon shelves stood in front of her, all with green packaged items standing neatly in a row; bottles, boxes, plastic packages with green fabric folded neatly next to each other. A large counter space in the middle, with four people working on all sides, helping people and holding out machines for them to tap cards against, smiling and waving as they left. Is this how they hunt?

“Give it to the military to make everything uniform,” Zdinarsik sighed and picked up the closest box, looking through the neatly stacked shelves. “And almost no variety – okay, let’s see what we got.”

Zdinarsik picked up a green basket, and handed it to Yay-u to hold, tiny in her grip as she swung it from side to side.

Zee grabbed a green box with black letters on it, her lips moving as she read the words to herself and nodding when she found it adequate, dropping it into the basket, huffing when it didn't suit her tastes. Not everything seems edible... Are all Sky People like this?

Walker reached above Yay-u's head and picked up two round bottles, frowning and asked Zdinarsik : “What the fuck is the difference between ‘Mountain Fresh’ and ‘Pine Fresh’?”

“I don’t know, one’s probably for dicks and the other for chicks, who the fuck cares?” Zdinarsik took a sip, and held her breather over Yay-u’s nose. “They both work the exact same. Which one smells the best?”

Walker frowned and opened, taking a sniff. “None, there is absolutely no difference. What the fuck?”

“Then pick one that’s least expensive times two and let’s get out of here, I still need to find the laundry detergent.” Zee frowned and took the basket from Yay-u.

“You go on ahead, I’ll catch up.” Maria waved them off and knelt in front of the shelves too look over her options again.

“Don’t break your brain over deodorant, Maria. It’s ridiculous.”

“And what if I pick the one that’s meant for dicks?” Walker frowned.

“Then you give the other to Whip, he’ll be so insulted that he would never go for your tail ever again.”

“No-fucking-way, Whip would probably see that as flirting.” She placed the ‘Pine Fresh’ bottle back on the shelf, and dumped the other into Yay-u's basket. “Besides, I ain’t wasting my hard-earned cash on that lard-dick, even if he’s the so-called best fuck on base.”

 “You did what now?” Zee’s head whipped around so fast, her braid swung around and hit her on her back, eyes wide as her face went a pale blue.

“No!” Walker shook her head and wiggled her shoulders in disgust. “No! Sweet, baby Jesus, no!”

“Then why would you even-?” Zdinarsik pulled a sip, held it out to Yay-u while motioning to her friend with her other hand, puling up her own mask for another sip.

“I mean that I wouldn’t get near that ass with a ten-foot pole, I ain’t wasting my money on Whip!” 

“Chose your words more carefully next time,” Zee frowned and steered Yay-u into the next aisle. “I have a feeling he’s like Beetlejuice, say his name three times and he appears.”

They walked around for a moment, Zdinarsik picking up random boxes and putting them back on the shelf, when they heard: “Hello there, pussy-cat.”

Zdinarsik clenched her eyes shut, and took a deep breath, before whispering: “Walker…”

Yay-u stared down at the pilot, he sauntered up to her in his strange shoes; the things came up to his knees, and was funnily cut on the edges, with intricate patterns sown into the sides. His shirt was the same Myhuls wore, except it was white with different colored stains on it, and a name badge sown onto a side pocket, his stomach bulging out from underneath, and a brightly colored shirt with flowers printed all over it to tie it together. Definitely not as nice as Myhuls… 

Zee threw a protective arm around Yay-u’s shoulders and pulled her closer, “What do you want Whip?”

“Ah, don’t be like that now, I just wanted to talk to the pretty ladies is all.” He stared up at Yay-u. “I haven’t gotten a lot of chances to talk to you, sweetie.”

Yay-u frowned down at him, that is not my name…“I do no want talk.”

He ran a hand up her thigh, tracing the patterns up to the seam of the shorts. Yay-u took a step back, and bared her teeth.

“You are very rude.” Whip smirked.

“No.” She frowned down at him, and widened her stance, allowing him to grope the inside of her thigh. She snapped her teeth, and slapped at his hand.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, you’re hurting my feelings.” He stepped closer and touched for her tail, twirling it around is fingers, and tugged on it, sending a stinging pain up her spine. “I only want to talk.”

Yay-u tried to flick her tail out of his reach, but when it wouldn't move, she grabbed it out of his hands and snapped her teeth: “Do no touch! No yours to touch! Do no touch!”

“It’s just a tail, sweetcakes, ain’t no harm done.” He reached for her tail again, twirling it around his fingers again, the pain even more pronounced as it raced up her spine. She snapped.

Yay-u pushed him back with the palm of her hand, watching him skid back, and hitting a display rack. “Si sutx! Ke’u pum ngeyä sutx!”

“Easy!” Zdinarsik dropped the basket and gripped Yay-u’s arm, reaching for her comm. as the girl panted: “Jesus! Colonel! Get to the damn BX! Whip just did something fucking stupid!”

She wove her arms underneath Yay-u’s and pulled her closer to her chest, just as Walker came barreling around the corner. “What the cuck? Zee!”

“Don’t look at me! He did it!” Zdinarsik nodded to the pilot sprawled on the ground. “He grabbed her tail, damn it! This was self-defense!”

“Fuck!” Walker reached for the restraints on her belt, and slapped them onto Whip’s wrists. “Damn Sweetheart, you can sure make a mess!”

Yay-u hissed down at the pilot just as the manager came running around the corner. “What on Pandora? What do you think you’re doing!”

“It is under control!” Walker held a hand out, stopping the man from coming closer, pulling her breather up for a quick sip. “Just get back to your office. We’re handling this. Our CO is on his way.”

“Handling this? This is what you call handling? It’s a bloody mess!” He motioned around them, his pale face went even paler as he frothed at the mouth.

“Our CO will be here in a minute, and then we’ll explain everything. This is just a case of self-defense on our friends' part, alright?” Maria blocked him from coming too close, pushing him back gently with her fingers. 

“Self-defense?” Whip wheezed, looking up as Walker dumped him near the freezers. “She pushed me through the damn chips stand!”

“You take my tail! Do not touch!” Yay-u screamed at him, spittle flying out of her mouth like some deranged banshee. “Do not touch! Si sutx!”

“Alright, Yay-u, calm down! He’s not gonna touch your tail again, alright?” Zdinarsik grunted trying to keep the girl calm as she kept wiggling, trying to get loose. “The Colonel is on his way, and then we’re gonna have his ass, alright? The Colonel will have his ass, don’t worry.”

“He touch my tail! Not his to touch!” She growled over her shoulder at Zdinarsik. “Not his!”

“And we’ll deal with him accordingly, we just have to-”

The two tall figures of Quaritch and Wainfleet came bursting through the doors. The imposing blue figures of the reborn Marine’s enough to make the store clerk piss his pants, and the look on his face enough to bury him in his own shit. Quaritch’s jaw clenched tight when he saw Whip sprawled out on the floor, with Yay-u spitting out a string of Na’vi too fast for him to understand as tears welled up in her pretty yellow eyes. Not that he understood her anyway... 

“Alright, Sweetheart, alright – calm down, hmm?” He held his breather over her mouth, watching her pant through her fury. “C’mon, deep breaths, that’s it.”

He rubbed her back, while Lyle held Zdinarsik's breather up to her mouth. 

“It's alright, Sweetheart,” Quaritch stepped in front of her and rubbed at her nose, and cheeks, trying to calm her down. “What happened, Zdinarsik?”

“Not wavering my rights to talk, until I have a lawyer or an MP.” The woman hissed, as she pulled Yay-u under her arm and held her close.

Quaritch sniffed, and motioned for Lyle to cuff the idiot, the Lieutenant hopping to it, as their CO called in for the fuzz. "Keep an eye on that fucker, Lyle - he moves, you make sure he can't do it later."

Lyle smirked, and turned his attention to the pilot, crossing his arms over his chest as his tail slid slowly through the air.

They waited for what felt like hours, as Yay-u sniffed, and bared her teeth at the human. Quaritch sighed, and stepped in front of her, blocking her view, as Walker and Zdinarsik held on for dear life to make sure she didn't go ahead and attacked the idiot. 

“Alright,” Quaritch stared at Whip, and motioned to Walker to lift him off the ground, when it was clear that they would take their sweet, fucking time before they decided to show up, “What happened, Sweetheart?”

See, tawtute – that’s what I am called…

“She-!”

Lyle pushed Whip against the freezer with a single hand, and glared down at him. “You ain’t anywhere near Yay-u, so shut your jap, before I close it for you permanently, CFB?”

“He grabbed her tail, sir.” Zdinarsik spoke up. “And that’s when the fight started.”

“You grabbed her tail?” Quaritch glared down at him as the man shook his head, protesting, but he couldn't be heard over Yay-u's hissing.

“He pull!” Yay-u yelled down at Whip. “He pull my tail!”

“I didn’t do shit!”

“You-!” She started, slipping out of Zdinarsik’s hold, only to be hushed by Quaritch, grabbing her tight as she tried to kick at Whip.

“You got security cameras?” Lyle asked, to which the clerk nodded. “Show me." He turned to smile at their charge. "We’ll get to the bottom of this, Yay-u, just give me a sec. Walker, take over here.”

The clerk led Lyle to the backroom, while Yay-u struggled in Quaritch’s hold. Walker walked over to Whip and stared down at him, tapping her foot slowly.

“Don’t worry you Sweetheart, Lyle said he will get to the bottom of this and he will, and then we nab his ass for sexual assault and get some panned-cakes, alright?” Quaritch whispered in her ear. “Hey, Walker, did you get your shit yet? When this bullshite is done, we’re out of here.”

“Most of it, sir. There’re still some things we need.”

“Hurry up then, I wanna be out of here when Lyle gets what we need.”

“Copy that.” She picked up her basket, and turned to Whip, "You even think of moving and I'll break your dick."

She and Zdinarsik disappeared into the store.

And this day started out so well… Quaritch sighed, and started swaying her in his hold, humming some song that his mother used to sing to him when he was sick.

She slapped her tail against his thigh and another shot of pain raced up her spine, and her tail fell limp behind her. She hissed, whether it was in pain or anger, she wasn’t completely sure. But, she will not be so easily swayed, no matter how soothing his voice was, or just because he was keeping her warm, or the soft rumbling against her back. No, I will kill this Sky Person…

Lyle came out a few minutes later, a deep-set frown on his face, pulling the cuffs off his belt. “Phillip Andrews, you are under arrest for sexual misconduct, and assault.”

“Hold her, Lyle, I wanna see the tape.” Quaritch began the process of passing her off, when Lyle stepped forward to whisper in his ear:

“I don’t think that’s a good idea sir, we should just get the rest of the shit we need, and get back to the bungalow.”

“Well, if you are that insistent that I don’t see it Lyle, then I most definitely need to see it.” He passed Yay-u to his second, but was stopped again by Lyle.

“Sir. We should just get her to the med-”

The words didn’t fully leave Lyle’s mouth before Quaritch reached for the human with a deadly hiss.

“No!” Lyle gripped him under his arms. “It’s not worth it, sir!”

Oh but, Quaritch was already gone, What the fuck did he do? Why do we need to take Yay-u to the squints? How did he hurt her? How badly is she hurt? The more questions he asked, the more peeved he got. 

He hissed down at the human cowering in the corner, and tried to shake off his brown-noser, when the MP’s stepped in, sharing a log. “What’s going on here?”

“Vandalism!” Cried the store clerk, barging out form his office. “They wrecked the place! Just look at it!”

“This is a case of sexual assault officers, and we are handling it. Arrest this man, we’ll handle the rest.” Lyle pulled Quaritch back a bit, as Zdinarsik rounded the corner with Walker hot on her heels.

“She assaulted me!” Whip screeched, reached a note that should not be possible for a well-rounded man, such as himself, to reach.

“A complete case of self-defence, officers.” Zdinarsik spoke up, rushing up behind their CO, and gripping his waist, pulling him back, ignoring the 'bout damn time, look Wainfleet threw her way. “We’ve got it under control.”

“I didn’t do-!”

“Lies!” Yay-u hissed at him, and lunged, only to be held back by Walker.

“Alright, alright!” One of the MP’s sighed and turned to the store clerk. “We’d like to see the security feed if you don’t mind.”

“There’s nothin’ to see!” Whip scoffed and quickly stepped up behind an MP. 

“Lies! He pull!” Yay-u shrieked. “He pull! He pull! He pull!”

“Get her under control or we will, Colonel!” The MP ordered, throwing Quaritch a pair of cuffs as Zee let go of their raging CO.

“That won’t be necessary, Officer-” Quaritch scanned the uniform for a name, as his team took a few steps back, arms held out in case he went batshit again. “Williams, we’ll handle it. These aren’t necessary.”

“I will decide what is necessary, sir." He turned to his subordinate, and motioned to the girl. "Cuff her.”

The soldier nodded, and moved forward to arrest Yay-u.

“Kehe! He pull!” She stepped back, snarling at them as they came closer.

“You’ve got proof of that?”

“Yep!” Lyle held up the datapad, “Proof of self-defence too.”

The MP reached his out his hand for the pad – but Lyle refused to let go. “I will send you a copy, you ain’t getting the master. This is covering our asses, and most importantly, indicting his.”

The man sighed, and rubbed his eye with a middle finger. “Send me the fucking copy.”

Lyle gave a tight-lipped smirk, and held his ‘pad to scan over the data. They stood together, and watched the vid roll out on the screen, while Lyle showed the rest of the team the same clip, witnessing the grope and wincing when Whip pulled Yay-u’s tail – Quaritch’s hand rubbing the spot just above it.

“That counts as sexual assault, right?” Maria turned to the MP’s. “You can see that he assaulted her, can’t you?”

One held up his hand, and turned to his colleague – they spoke with each other for a while. Quaritch handed Yay-u over to Zdinarsik and started pacing. Zdinarsik threw her arm over Yay-u’s shoulder, and handed her a piece of gum. “Here, it will help with the nerves.”

Yay-u took the pink strip, and held it in her hands for a moment, turning it around and around and around… until Quaritch took it out of her hands, tore it in half and pressed the other half to her lips, “Chew, don’t swallow. Don’t blow it, either.”

Zdinarsik smirked, and blew her own bubble in defiance.

He watched her bite the strip between her teeth and start chewing, before he started his pacing again and slipping the other half into his mouth; the artificial flavoring spreading over his tongue, and began chafing his tongue immediately.

“Alright,” Williams cleared his throat, and turned to Lyle. “We’ll look these through, don’t let her go anywhere, we still have a few questions in regards to what happened. The tapes show enough, but we’ve got other shit to deal with that’s a bit more important right now – so, we’re gonna tell this-” He glanced at the pad again, “’Whip’, motherfucker to just stay clear. If he doesn’t, don’t do anything rash, please? He seems like the type to throw the last punch when everyone else is down – keep her clear.”

“You got what you need?” Lyle asked. "Can we leave?"

“Yeah, you can go. Don’t stray off base, we’ll have a couple of questions later.” He waved them off with a sigh. “Just fuck off.”

Quaritch huffed, and motioned for the team to move out. Where the fuck are we gonna go, smart ass?

“Think the doc would mind us popping in for a surprise visit?” Zdinarsik asked.

“DILLIGAF?” Quaritch called, as he took Yay-u’s hand, and lead the team out of the building. “She’s gonna check her over, even if I have to sleep in that damned lab. Did you get what you needed?”

“Ah, shoot! Walker, our shit!” Zdinarsik ran back to the store, drawing her base-ID out of her pocket, and slipping into the BX, followed by Maria.

“I got this Lyle; tell the girls we’ll meet them at the lab.”

“Oorah, sir.” Lyle gave Yay-u a pat on the head, and walked back to the store. "Don't bite the doc, Yay-u!"

Quaritch threw an arm around her shoulders, and began the slow march towards the MD’s. It was quiet, with her flipflops schloff-schloffing against the concrete. She frowned, her jaw working on the sweet slowly, carefully.

“Tail alright, Sweetheart?” He wanted to twirl said tail around his own fingers to check if she was alright.

“No,” She sulked, “He pull very strong.”

“Hard you mean. He pulled on your tail very hard.” He looked down at said tail, and frowned. “Does it hurt?”

She hung her head, and looked at her feet as she walked. Yay-u frowned at his question – Yes, it does hurt, but it was more than that. “Not his to touch.”

“I know,” He sighed, “But that’s not what I asked, Yay-u.”

Yayiu-te stopped and turned to him, her full lips pulled into a tight pout, her eyes glassy. She looked away. “He should not touch.”

Quaritch sighed, and ran his hand through her hair, playing with the brown droplets absent-mindedly. “I know, but where we come from, most people don’t respect boundaries like you do, they make it their thing to push them as hard as they can, as far as they can, not just to annoy you, but because they can.”

“Boundaries…” She looked at him, hoping he would fill in the rest.

“A line you draw in your comforts.” He pulled an imaginary line in front of himself, long blue fingers swooping between them. “Something you don’t want to do, or would make you uncomfortable.”

She nodded, and looked up at him, her eyes hard as she said; “No touch my tail.”

Quaritch chuckled. “And that is one of your boundaries, and I’ll do my best not to cross it.”

“Do not cross.” She pouted.

“Alright,” He rubbed his thumb over her rosebud lips. “Don’t pout like that. Let’s go bother Bjarne some more about that tail, huh?”

Yay-u sniffed, and nodded, tucking herself under his arm.

Chapter Text

14. Back At It. Again.

Quaritch paced the short length of the lab, fourteen steps, peeking over his shoulder at Yay-u as he glided past her - long legs eating up the distance far too easily; big black boots thumping across the mesh floors, thighs flexing under the green fabric, hands clenching, ears pulled flat, tail thrashing behind him as he mumbled death threats under his breath... Don't, please don't- Before turning around, swerving his head as he turned to keep his eyes on her, big golden pools simmering in the artificial light...   

They had her stretched out on her stomach on a simple hospital gurney, blue arms curled around the small, lumpy, white pillow, her tail laying rather limp behind her, tip not even trying to twitch – sniveling as they waited for the techs to pull their heads out of their asses and do something... 

Quaritch sighed, reached for a paper towel, and held it out to her as he tucked the loose strands of hair behind her twitching ear. Running his fingers over her forehead as he did another pass, rubbing against the tiny dots on her forehead with his thumb - she’s freezing. Shock, maybe? 

Yay-u frowned and wiped at her nose, sniffing as she crunched the tissue up in her hand, and curled up into a small ball, tucking her fist under her chin, as she curled up into herself, “I'll get you a blanket, Sweetheart, hold on. I'll be right back, alright?”

"I blanket?" She wisped, making him frown. 

"I'll send one of the boys to go and get your woobie later, alright?" He leaned over her, and ran his fingers through her hair. "But, for now, will a hospital blanket suffice?" 

Yay-u frowned and pouted, but nodded, making Quaritch grimace before he pulled away with a last swipe of his fingers through her hair.

“Just get Bjarne!” Zdinarsik screeched at the tech she’s been following around the lab, hunched over as she chased the human through the doorways as they tried to avoid the furious Recom. "For fuck's sake! Let someone with a damn PhD take a look at her fucking tail!"

Quaritch began pulling open random cupboards, looking for something, anything that can act as a blanket... even if it was scratchy as hell...

A nurse came up behind Quaritch as he opened another, he reached for the green standard issue monstrosity resting on the shelf, and she promptly hit him on the thigh with a med-pad, pushing the door closed with a huff. The nurse watched as he opened the cupboard again, and pulled out a standard issue, green blanket, then slammed the door shut - the nurse pulling her hand away just in time to avoid her fingers being pulverized. Quaritch held his prize up with a smooth smile, and walked away at her huff, smiling as he returned to Yay-u's side.

“She’s not on call tonight, I've told you that already.” The tech dropped another pad onto the desk and walked away. “We have other things to worry about. Give her an ice-pack and a Tylenol, and be done with it. She'll be fine come morning.”

“He didn’t just-!” Zdinarsik followed the tech to the staff room, where the door was slammed in her face. She turned to Quaritch, her mouth agape, ears pulled back when she turned back to the door and hissed; “Unbelievable!”

Quaritch huffed. He shook out the blanket, and folded it over Yay-u’s still form, the awful military green making her even paler in comparison, not taking his eyes away from her trembling form. He called over his shoulder at Zdinarsik as he rubbed at the tiny dots on his girl's forehead: “Then, go bother Bjarne at her hidey-hole. She’ll either come willingly, or you drag her out by her fucking hair, if it should come to it. But she's gonna be here, either or. Get her.”

“With pleasure, sir.” Zdinarsik grimaced, and hopped away, shoving a human out of her way in her hurry. “Move bitch!”

“Oh!” Zdinarsik turned at her CO’s voice. “Get someone to finish the rest of the laundry. We don’t have that much time left before someone starts complaining about our shit getting in the way. I want it done before the day's over.”

She nodded and left the lab with a viscous swish of her tail.

Quaritch huffed, and resumed his pacing – Yay-u’s teary, bronze eyes following his every move; his big hands clasped behind his back, his even gait soothing her in the madness around them; even with his tail whipping around, no emotions showed on his blue face. His big black boots thumping across the metal floors, hurting her ears.

His 'body armor' has found themselves a corner to sit in, the blue skulls staring at them, judging them... Sweat darkened his green shirt, and he would occasionally wipe at his forehead with the back of his hand... He peeked at her constantly, turning his head to look at her as he made another turn. His body odor building in the small space, waved along with the help of his tail. Another huff. Another whip. Another whiff. Stopping occasionally to run his fingers through her hair, the callouses unintentionally snagging on the soft strands, lulling her under calming waves before he would begin another lap.

Don’t be so mad, it’s just tail after all…

“Alright!” Bjarne’s voice cut through Yay-u’s bubble, her eyes snapping open as the small human was dragged into the lab by Zee – her small face red with frustration as she hung by the tips of the Dreamwalker’s fingers, huffing as she was dropped to the ground by the fuming woman. The human stood, dusting herself off with quick hands, and threw them in the air to stop the large woman from dragging her around some more. “Alright! What the fuck did you do, Quaritch?”

“The Colonel didn’t do shit, you absolute cunt!” Zdinarsik growled down at the scientist, taking a threatening step closer. The human scurrying back at the large boots stomping to her. “It was that motherfucking idiot, Whip! He pulled her goddamned tail! Twisted it around his hand like some goddamned perv! That motherfucker!” She turned on her heel, hands grasping at nothing, clawing at the air. “I am gonna-!”

Bjarne was shoved to the side, Zdinarsik's hand resting on her sidearm, Squints ducking out of the way as she stomped to the door, pulling the weapon from her holster, cocking it. Humans ducked behind their desks at the action.

“Zdinarsik.” Quaritch called, hoping to calm his fiery subordinate. “This isn’t the time or the place. Calm the fuck down. We’ll get him later.”

“What?” The venom that was directed at him was a first from this subordinate. “Later? You ain’t stopping me, sir! I am gonna-!”

“He pulled on her tail?” Bjarne rushed forward, lifting the blanket to look down at the limp limb lying between the girl's legs. When she tried to pick it up, pain shot up Yayiu-te’s spine at the fingers unintentionally pulling at the limb. She tried to pull it out of the human’s hand with a moaned-out hiss, but knew that she had no energy to do even such a basic action – she had used it all back at the ‘base exchange’ to fend off that irritable little Sky Person.

Quaritch reached out to grip the woman's hands, stopping her in her tracks. “Don't you fucking dare...”

“That’s what I just said, you mother-!” Zdinarsik turned to tower over the woman, hands reaching out to the woman, gun readying.

Between the fucking yelling and the fucking Squints, Quaritch felt the veins beneath his skull pop. Too fucking noisy... But if he needs to get rid of one, it'll be the least important at this moment -

“Private!” Quaritch’s voice boomed through the lab as he turned to face his subordinate.

She fell into a perfect stance, chin straight, arms down to her sides, heels touching. Alicia’s yaw clenched tight as her CO glided to where she stood. He towered over her frame, his ears pulled back and his face pulled tight as he hissed down at her: “Run, private – run until you collapse and then run some more until you’ve cooled off. Then, the laundry is still waiting. I don't want to see you until I get to back to my rack, got it?”

Zdinarsik swallowed through her tight jaw: “What about-?”

Bjarne began clipping things to Yay-u's fingers, rubbing against the callouses found there as soothingly as possible, and pressing buttons above her head on things Yay-u couldn't see. Bjarne smiled down at her, and ran her fingers across her forehead, Yay-u moaned and turned her face away, turning to watch the rest of the Sky People running around, and the slashing of Myhuls' tail. Not you...

“I said,” Quaritch’s voice brought her attention back to him – watching as he got in Zee’s face, and snarled. “Run. Hand over any and all weapons, immediately.”

Zdinarsik nodded, pressed the hammer back with a forceful thumb, and pulled the mag out, unceremoniously dumping them both in her CO's outstretched palm, and unclasping her weapons belt, hissing through clenched teeth, “Permission to take my leave, sir?”

He knocked his head to the side, and watched her stomp out of the lab – techs ducking and diving to avoid the blue woman and the ire in her tail, as he called out to her: “Don’t kill him Zdinarsik!”

“Fuck you, sir!”

The lab door slammed shut, making Yay-u flinch – her tail moving to curl around her, to comfort herself, but the sharp pain at the base of her spine shooting up to the back of her head told her no.

Bjarne sighed, and took her arm, holding it at such an angle to prod at the vein’s underneath. She tore a packet, and pulled out a small, white sheet – rubbing it along her arm. “This will sting a bit, but we just want a blood vessel to give you some morphine. It’s gonna help with the pain while we figure out what to do with your tail, alright? It’s gonna be easier without the wanna-be-punk around to distract us.”

“You did the needle thing before, Sweetheart, don't worry.” Myhuls rumbled, even as he glared at Bjarne. 

The needle pierced the skin, making Yay-u flinch turning her face away. Her vision was soon filled with the dark green that was so common amongst her Dreamwalker’s, that for a moment she thought it was just her Myhuls. Instead, it was-

“Sir,” Lyle’s hand whipped through the air, alerting Quaritch to his arrival. “We-”

“Unless you are here to tell me that you got Whip’s ass for sexual assault, I don’t want to fucking hear about it, Ly.” Miles continued his pacing; it was a miracle that he even acknowledged Wainfleet the moment the man stepped in the room - he didn't take his eyes off Yay-u...  

“We need her statement, sir, before they are gonna do anything.” Lyle sighed, and stood at ease. “They want a report-”

“Statement?” Quaritch turned his full attention to his second, snarling, “Statement? Him, pulling her tail on the damned vid ain’t enough proof for those damned cage kickers?”

“Apparently not, sir.” Lyle sighed, widening his stance. “They wanna talk to the girl.”

“Oh, fuck no.” He snarled, and continued his stomping – his tail picking up speed as he moved from side to side in the small room.

“Watch your damn tail, Quaritch!” An unknown called from behind him.

“Fuck off, fucking damned fucking squint!” He called over his shoulder – he didn’t have the energy to care who the fuck it was supposed to be, and overall, he didn’t give a damn, and he sure as fuck ain't gonna listen to the fucker. 

“It’ll be quick, Miles – one or two questions, and he’ll basically be reduced to chopping up onions for the rest of his life.” Lyle tried to placate him. “He won’t be getting anywhere near her, ever again.”

Quaritch snapped his jaw, teeth clashing against each other – delightfully so, making Yay-u’s ears twitch. Strong jaw… 

He continued to hiss, as he mulled the idea over in his head, grinding his jaw together until he suddenly stopped pacing. He didn't turn around.

“They ask them here,” Quaritch pointed to the floor, two, blue fingers stabbing at the ground. “She doesn’ run after them, they wan' their fuckin' answers, they ask their fuckin' questions where we can hear it. I don't trust Mortar or her fucking brown-nosers. I don't want those sonofvabits tryin' anythin'.”

“Yes, sir.” Lyle backtracked out of the lab; a frown set deep in his face.

“Lyle?” 

“Miles?” The Marine rocked back on the balls of his feet, he sounded so tired.

“Tell Zdinarsik that if she can stop bein' a damn bitch, she can come back – if not, she can run until I’m done for the day. Then, go see who the rest of the team’s doing. Explain the damn situation.”

Lyle nodded, and messed with Yay-u’s hair, smiling as she swatted at his hands with a hiss. “Take care of our girl, doc.”

“I’ll do it better than you, obviously.” Bjarne snarked back.

“Suck me, you bitch.” Lyle growled as he stepped out of the lab.

“Why would I do that? You won’t last.” She stepped on the brakes of the gurney to remove them, and motioned for the three nurses around her to take their places. “Get ready. One, two, three and push!”

They grunted, and moaned, and groaned, and pushed – and the gurney moved one inch. Yay-u watched as Quaritch paced back and forth at the foot of the bed, his ears pulled flat even as he rolled his eyes at the Sky People, his tail picking up speed the more they grunted. 

“Again! One, two, three, push!” A nurse turned her back, and planted her feet, groaning as she pushed. “Push!”

This went on for a while, them shifting their positions to get a better grip on the gurney, and as amusing as it was - Quaritch had enough, Yay-u's pained expression at every unnecessary bump made sure of that. 

“For fucks sake!” Quaritch lifted Yay-u off the bed with no effort, swinging her into his hold, and watched as the medics fell like dominos as the weight was removed. He huffed and walked out of the door, and took a left. “We’ll get you fixed up, Sweetheart, don’t you worry. And when we’re done, we’re making panned-cakes, how's that sound?" 

“Other way, Quaritch!”

Yay-u looked up at him as he turned around and followed the small Sky Person to where they needed to go, muttering and cursing under his breath, going down halls and through doors and going deeper and deeper into the Sky People Marui. Sky People stopped to look at her. She threw her arms over his shoulder, making him grunt and maneuvering herself in his hold – wrapping her legs around his waist, and locked her ankles behind his back, forcing him to support her weight on his arm. Yay-u tucked her nose against his neck and closed her eyes as they went deeper and deeper into the base. The sound of the gurney being pushed behind them was too loud. Why are Sky Peoples so noisy? 

Yay-u rubbed her face against his scratchy shirt, as he placed a comforting hand on the back of her head. She reached to his chest, and traced the small metal plates under his shirt – ignoring Bjarne’s nagging, and watching Quaritch’s ears pull back at each word, jaw clenching as she jabbered on and on about whatever it is that these Sky People talk about, moaning in her irritating voice:

“I mean, honestly! Can’t you use a semblance of what you call a-”

“Shut your damn piehole, Bjarne!” His voice boomed above her head, making Yay-u flinch and curl deeper into his chest. Yay-u listened as he took a deep breath, and pulled her even closer, feeling his big hand settling on her head, whispering as his fingers pulled through the strands: “Just do you damn job.”

“Hurry up then,” A door whooshed open. “Get her on the gurney.”

Quaritch grunted in acknowledgement and had her lay down on her side. The bright lights of the medunit was jarring, even for him, even as he squinted, Yay-u's eyes darted around, already panicking, he tried to keep her as calm as possible. Bjarne and her team rushed in, reaching for things around her, pressing buttons around her and above them, reaching for packets and pulling them open. As the techs reached for her arm, she screamed. 

“No!” She gripped at Myhuls' shirt and pulled him closer, shaking her head and kicking out her legs – reaching out for him. “No. No! No!”

“Easy!” He shifted, throwing his arm around her waist to keep her calm, trying to pin her down, but she kicked her legs so widely, he had no choice but to let her wrap her legs around his waist. She immediately took the opportunity to wrap herself around him, and tucked herself into his chest... Fuck...

Running his fingers through her hair, “Easy, Sweetheart. It’s gonna be okay, Bjarne is going to take care of you. You’ll see.”

“No!” She shook her head and pulled him even closer, pulling his large form on top of hers, to keep the Sky People's away. “No! No! No! Rutxe!”

They were nose to nose, tears streaming down her face as she hiccupped, her cheeks stained purple with her tears. His large, warm hands covered her ears, and held her head still.

“Look at me.” He shook her head gently, forcing her to look at him, wiping her eyes with his thumbs, thick tears sticking in the fine hairs. “Look at me, Yay-u!”

Her eyes shot open, staring at the long lashes framing eyes so familiar yet so strange, so kind yet so mean...

“I know this isn’t what you want, but sometimes we hav’ta do things we don’t wanna do to get better. Alright?” He tucked a strand of black behind her ear as he frowned down at her. "They are gonna make you better Sweetheart, but you gotta do what they say, alright?"

Yay-u shook her head again. “No.”

Quaritch huffed, a smirk spreading over his lips. “Stubborn aren’t ya, Sweetheart?”

“No.” She pouted up at him.

He chuckled, and the sound made her warm all over – his eyes crinkling at the corners and making him look –

“Oh, definitely.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheeks, tracing the small specs of light littered across her forehead, whipping the sweat droplets away. They’re fading… “Bjarne wants to take a look at your tail, and then-” He turned his gaze to the Squint, glaring as he hissed, “She’s gonna give you something for the pain, alright?”

Yay-u sniffed, and he turned his attention back to her, missing Bjarne throwing him a middle finger and calling her brown-nosers to her side, issuing orders and checking over charts.

Yay-u shook her head, clenched her eyes shut.

“No.” She pouted, making him chuckle, deep and rich and smooth – Like his coffee… It burns…

“Yeah, and then, just maybe, you’ll nap for a while—” He traced the dark purple shadows underneath her eyes as he tried to stand. “I’ll take care of this. I'll make it better. I promise, alright?”

“No! Si sìltsan!” She gripped his shirt between her fingers and pulled, pulling him closer still, bronze eyes flashing. “Kehe!”

“Push 40g of Diazepam – stat!” Bjarne pushed him out of the way. “She’s having a damn panic-attack!”

“Yay-u!” Quaritch began wrapping her in the blanket, trying to cocoon her in the itchy fabric. “It’s gonna be alright, Sweetheart! Calm down! I’ll make it better, I promise.”

Yay-u shook her head, eyes clenched shut as she tried to wiggle lose, when something cold shot up her arm, making her scream. She tried to rip it out, but Quaritch’s hold on her only tightened, keeping her hands tight in his, holding her hands away from the things they keep poking her with. 

“It’s medicine, Sweetheart! It’s gonna make you feel better, I promise!” Quaritch gripped her hands, keeping her slim fingers away from the needles, and tubes. 

Yay-u threw her head back and sobbed a quiet, “No.”

Quaritch pulled her closer, and tucked her into his chest, softly shushing Yay-u, rocking her as her sobs let up. “There we go, calm down, Sweetheart, breathe. That’s it.”

“Put her on her stomach on the table,” Bjarne whispered over his shoulder, trying to keep herself from screaming at him. “I want x-rays.”

“In a minute,” Quaritch hissed, pulling Yay-u closer as she clung to him.

Bjarne got in his face and hissed, “I need to know what the fuck is going on, so you either help me help her, or-” She looked at Yay-u, “She sufferers even more. Take your fucking pick. Then get the fuck out of my fucking lab.”

Quaritch nodded with a snarl, and slumped to the stretcher, laying her out onto it. He ran his fingers through her hair, brittle under his callouses – making him frown. He knelt next to her, and whispered, “I’m gonna head out with Lyle – I won’t be gone long. Be good, alright? Listen to what Bjarne wants, she just wants what’s best for you.”

She looked up at him with unfocused eyes, watching as a blob of green and blue disappeared from her sight – Don’t go. I’ll be good, she tried to sob, Pänuting. Don't lea-

Quaritch pushed Lyle to the other side of the lab, and huddled together, within spitting distance of the girl. “Report, Lieutenant.”

“They don’t wanna press charges,” Lyle whispered with a sigh, “They say she provoked him.”

“The MPs didn’t even get the entire statement from Zee or Walker. They didn’t even wanna take hers!” Quaritch hissed. “What do they mean provoked? Let me see the damn tape!”

Lyle hid the ‘pad behind his back. “You don’t wanna see it, Miles – trust me.”

“Give me the damn tape, Lieutenant!” He thrust out his hand, fingers held stiff. 

Lyle held the ‘pad out rather reluctantly, and flinched as his CO ripped it out of his hand. The vid was too loud in the otherwise silent lab.

“…. chances to talk to you, sweetie.”

That’s not your name to use, fuck-tard…. That’s mine… You’re not even using it correctly…

He watched as Yay-u did everything in her power to avoid him, watched as Whip reached for her tail again, and again, and again, and twisted it in his hold. Again. His fingers dug into the corners of the screen, threatening to crack the screen.

“Not one charge, huh?” He hissed between his teeth.

“None, sir.” Lyle wisped, and shifted his weight. 

Quaritch took a deep breath through his nose, his tail swishing behind him.

Tell me to do it sir, Lyle watched him. Tell me to go and gut his ass, and I’ll – 

“Nothing we can do about it now.” Quaritch sniffed, and turned off the machine after making sure the vid was saved properly.

“Sir?” Lyle asked, obviously floored. “We can still get-”

“He’ll be expecting it, and I ain’t leaving the girl alone with the Squinternellies.” He threw the tablet back to Lyle, who caught it without hesitation. “Once they’re done, we’ll go and get something to eat. They’re probably gonna tell us that she needs to get some rest or whatever the usual drivel will be. Then, then we’ll figure out what to do.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

“Good job, Lyle.” It wasn’t his CO; it wasn’t the man who nuked an entire tree to get the job done. This was his friend – the man who snuck in beer from the officers lounge, the man who moved his shifts so that he would intentionally miss Augustine’s “trips”, the man who pushed him out of the way when the viperwolf attacked…

Lyle smiled and watched as he went back inside and sighed: “He’s a goner.”

Chapter Text

15. Revenge; Best Served Whipped

Bjarne had insisted that Yay-u have dinner in the medbay, that she wasn't well enough to head-out, even though she desperately wanted to leave the absolutely foul smelling place – the rest of the Recoms agreed with Bjarne though, and crowded the area with their stinky foods and their twelve large, even stinkier bodies (much to the distaste of the medical staff and Yay-u, who wasn't allowed to eat the soft, flakey corn-bread Myhuls had offered her).

Instead, her ‘dinner’, once the clear film was pulled back by a frowning Quaritch, being some sort of grainy white specks, with orange and green and yellow littered throughout, a large cut of meat with a droopy, brown 'sauce' covering it completely, trying to mask the chewiness of it, she supposed. It was awful, and she only ate about half of it, once again stating that it tasted funny, pushing the white speaks around her plate with a pout, having given up trying to get the specks onto the spork about ten minutes ago. 

Quaritch grunted, took a bite with a scowl of his own before he disappeared out of the lab, only to return minutes later with two large Spartan fruits cradled in each palm – her eyes wide as he handed them over to her without hesitation.

She ate it over an empty container handed to her by Fike, who readily traded her untouched food for his container, to catch the syrupy sweet drippings. Devouring the soft, juicy fruit in a matter of minutes – ignoring Quaritch’s orders to "slow the fuck down, Sweetheart", but listened when he told her to ignore Bjarne who told Quaritch to get the “contaminated food out of her fucking ‘bay, or else”.

“C’me now, Sweetheart,” Quaritch pulled her cold hands away from her face, her second piece of fruit clutched tightly in her hands along for the ride. She released the skin with a sickeningly sweet suck, and swallowed, looking up at him with glassy eyes that were a little less glassy. He frowned as she took another bite, letting his hand be pulled back to her face with little resistance, as he reached for a napkin on a tray. “You’re gonna hurt your stomach if you continue like that. There’s no rush, the fruit’s yours, no-one’s gonna try and take it from ya, I promise, I’ll gut them if they try – so just, slow down, Sweetheart.”

Yay-u panted around the piece of purple flesh – her face covered in the sticky sweet juice that dripped down her hands and nose, her mouth glazed in the clear, sweet sap...

“Oh fuck…” Quaritch muttered, sat forward in his seat as Yay-u looked at him and took another bite, the tissue clenched in his fist – he could feel his temperature rising. Yay-u frowned at him, turning her head, looking at him all pretty-like. She jumped when Bjarne dumped her ice water over his head.

“Stop it, you damn pervert!” The doc slapped him on the shoulder for good measure, the large muscles not budging under the assault. “I will report your damn ass if you don't stop it right now, you fucker!”

Lyle choked on his food, prompting Fike to reach over and bang him on his back with a grimace. Lopez grabbed the tray, and held it steady while their CO was busy dying... Zdinarsik shook her head, and reached over the steady the tray in his lap, the rest of the team looking on in amusement.

“I didn’t do shit, you fucking squint! Jesus!” Quaritch turned to Bjarne, and shook his head, water droplets hitting her in the face. “Fuck Bjarne, there’s a damn special place for you in Pandora Hell, I swear!”

“Nah, you and your ego will fill it up pretty nicely, nobody else will be going. We thank you for your sacrifice in advance.” The small woman smirked up at him, her mask catching the light at a rather awful angle.

Maria snorted into her hand, and drew everyone’s attention to her.

“Something to say, Walker?” Quaritch asked, as he threw his braid over his shoulder, and wiped at the droplets in his hair.

She thought for a minute, her mouth pulling into a frown, before she looked at him and answered: “Nothing that won’t get me into trouble at the moment, sir.”

“I can respect that,” Quaritch nodded, and turned to Bjarne. “You on the other hand: Guess daddy didn’t pay you any attention, now the only attention you crave, is negative attention. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, honey, but I ain’t your daddy, but I will give you an ass-whooping that you will never forget.”

“Bite me.”

“Sorry, my momma told me to never eat trash.” He snarked, smirking at the Augustine-wanna-be.

“Well considering the fact that your momma had to tell you that means that there is obviously no hope for you.” She managed to smirk down at him, and walked away. Her white sneakers, shloff-shloff-shloffing across the tile floor.

The silence was pretty awkward, Lyle being the only one to break it by asking: “Can we, uh-?”

“Go ahead.” Quaritch sighed, closing his eyes, and listened as his team snickered behind their cups and into their shoulders.

He sighed, and rubbed his eye with the tip of his finger, as he sat down with a groan. Then, a weight was dropped onto his head and cool hands began to rub his hair. Quaritch opened his eyes to stare as Yay-u gently rubbed his head with smooth fingers, using the edge of her blanket to gently rub at the short, wet stubs of his hair.

“Your blanket’s getting all wet, Sweetheart.” Quaritch whispered to her, eyes going soft as he pulled her hand away from his hair.

She pointed to the edge of the bed and said, “Is wet,” before pulling her hand free and wiping at her face.

“No need to make it worse,” He peeked at her, and she shrugged as she continued, blotting at his lips with soft fingers, “I’ll get you a new blanket, alright? Finish your dinner.”

Quaritch sighed, and let her continue, until he was mostly dry. “Better now?”

Yay-u nodded, before taking another bite.

Miles turned to his team. “You lot too, hurry up and wait, we have shit to do.”

He stood and walked to the nearest closet, and pulled out a freshly laundered blanket – soft under his fingers, shaking it out, the smell of disinfectant strong in his nose making him flinch. He bundled up the fabric closer to his chest to try and lessen the smell of 'hospital' as he neared her. Trying to get more of him into the blanket.

“We do?” Mansk placed his cup on the tray and stared up at his CO – his baby face betraying his emotions. “May I ask what, sir?”

“No,” He motioned to everyone to lift their trays and pulled off the soiled blanket, quickly replacing it with another of the same green as before, and dumping the filthy one into a basket next to the door. “You may not, Private, but we travel light. Once you’re done, get the shit back to the mess, and meet me at the barracks – wear shoes you won’t mind losing.”

Lyle nodded and motioned to the rest of the team to get going.

“We’ll see you later Yay-u.” Brown patted her on the shoulder, and grabbed random trays from the bed, stacking them on top of each other. “Listen to what the docs say, even though they are assholes – don’t give them too much trouble. And don’t bite them either.”

She smiled and nodded, even as a woman in bright pink pajamas tried to hit Brown with a board, making him laugh and call after them as they left: "Miss me, miss me, now ya havta kiss me!" 

The woman huffed, and threw him with an ink stick.

Prager held his fist out to Yay-u, to which she poked it with a finger.

“I’ll take it.” Prager shrugged and picked up two trays, prompting Fike to drain the last of whatever it was in his cup, before piling the other trays onto his own. “Take care of our girl, squints.”

“Obviously we’ll do a better job than you.” The nurse huffed, then gasped as Fike’s tail hit her on the back of the head. “Ass.”

Ja and Lopez gave her an informal salute over the shoulders of Warren and Zhang who waved at her from the door. Mansk smiled, and gave her a quick pat on the shoulder. “Don’t cause too much trouble without us, alright? We'll be back tomorrow.”

Walker and Zdinarsik gave her a quick hug, and whispered a promise of them being back in the morning with some fresh clothes. Their tails hitting the nurse on the back of the head, bumping fists at her indignant gasp; “That’s it! Come back here, you-!”

The Recoms started running when the nurse gave chase, zipping out of the lab with the small human trailing a good way behind – leaving them unsupervised.

“Bye, Yay-u. Don’t worry about that son of’va bitch, we’ll nab his ass.” Lyle held his fist out, to which she poked it again – making Lyle smile. “I’ll be waiting outside, sir.”

“You do that, Lyle.” Quaritch nodded to his second, not taking his eyes off the girl.

Lyle left with a happy tune-whistle and a wink. Make the damn move, you idiot.

Yay-u watched as Lyle disappeared from the room with a smile, then turned her attention back to Quaritch – uttering words the man couldn’t have dreamed up even if he was well into his Daddy's damned bottle: “Stay.”

The words echoed around in his head like a damn prayer – a goddess issuing an order to a mortal, summoning him to worship at her throne. And he would have gladly accepted that order, if it wasn’t – 

“Get out, Quaritch.” Bjarne tapped her foot on the tile floor, the demon who crawled out of Hell stopping him from completing his divine summoning. “It's way past visiting hours, we were very lenient with you assholes.”

His ears pulled back as at her words. He threw Bjarne a tight-lipped smile, and turned back to Yay-u, saying: “I would if I could, believe me Sweetheart, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. But your prison warden over there has decided that I am not welcome. But, I'll tell you what, I’ll come and join you for breakfast tomorrow morning, right after work-out, alright? How does that sound?”

She frowned down at her hands as they fiddled in her lap, dark hair pooling over her hands as she pouted. Don’t do that…

“I not-” She whispered, only to be stopped by Bjarne flicking the lights.

“Out, Quaritch!” She hissed at him.

“Alright, alright! Jesus!” He huffed, and turned his attention back to Yay-u. “I’ll be back in the morning, alright? Rest up, listen to the squints – I know they’re annoying, but unfortunately, they have the 'big brains' so we are gon’ve to listen to them. Remember what you wanted to tell me, and I’ll give you my full attention in the morning, alright Sweetheart?”

“I not sweet.” Yay-u pursed her sweet lips.

“Lie down.” Quaritch smiled and helped her maneuver herself until she was comfortable on her stomach, and pulled her blankets over her shoulders. He ran his knuckle over the bridge of her nose, and stifled a satisfied groan as she leaned into the touch with a soft chirp. “Everything’s gonna be alright, Sweetheart. You’ll see – I promise.”

“Good night, Myhuls.”

“Good night, Yay-u.” He turned off her light with a flick of a switch, and retreated away from her bedside, to where Bjarne was waiting to berate him. “Outside, squint.”

Yay-u sighed, and pulled her hand closer – slowly rubbing her nose with her finger, until she couldn’t keep her eyes open anymore.

Bjarne kicked him out with a satisfied smile, slamming the door on his ass. “Bye Quaritch.”

“Keep her alive Bjarne – if something happens to her, I will feed you to the viper-wolves.” He promised as he stomped his way down the steps and into the fresh Pandora night air.

“Uh-huh,” The safety gate slammed shut. “I am so damned scared, Quaritch.”

“You better be,” He whispered as the deck light was switched off. “Damned squint.”

Quaritch sighed and joined Lyle at the bottom of the steps.

“She gonna be okay?” Lyle asked, as they started their way back to the mess.

Quaritch took the trays and looked at Lyle: “Get the team ready for some night-ops.”

“May I ask for what purpose exactly, sir?” The Lieutenant frowned, already smelling shit brewing.

“Sure, we’re gonna make a statement.” He shifted his stance. “Get the team ready.”

“Yes, sir.” Lyle threw a quick salute, and jogged back to the barracks, while Quaritch got rid of the trays.

“What the fuck does he want us to do, Lyle?” Walker asked as she traded her shorts for some pants back at the barracks. “Do we have a mission? Is it even authorized?”

“I don’t know, Walker.” Lyle sighed, and pulled his M69 out of his casing, frowning at the lack of oil in the gears. Fuck me... 

“Are we gonna get in trouble if we do this? We’re still suspended right?” Lopez pulled on his gear just as Quaritch walked in.

“You won’t be needing those, Lopez. Just a knife and your comms will do. A moonbeam, maybe.” He sighed as he strolled to his bunk, gathering the afformentioned items. 

“Yes sir,” Lopez lifted the gear off his back, and motioned to Lyle, making a yapping motion with his hand and an impatient expression on his face, as Lyle slammed the case closed with a huff; ‘Get the questions going.’

“Sir,” Lyle nodded at Lopez in acknowledgement, and stepped closer. “What exactly are we going to do?”

Quaritch took off his watch, and ID-tags, undoing the clasp of his side-arm around his thigh, rubbing the thick muscles underneath the green fabric. “Do you trust me, Lieutenant?”

“Sir–” Lyle sighed.

“Do you trust me, Lyle?” He looked up at his second, at his friend with such conviction, the same shit that made them bomb that fucking tree in the first fucking place, that his grunt ass caved real quick.

Lyle sighed, his ears pulling back, “Yeah, I do, Miles. I do. I just-”

“Then get ready – hopefully this will be quick.” The Marine looked down at his shoes, and double checked his laces. 

Lyle nodded and motioned to the rest of them to get ready, and they did so in silence, strapping their bowie knives to their chests.

“Y’all done?” Quaritch called, checking his laces, and when they nodded, sighed, “Alright. Gather up. Zee, I’mma need you to distract the guards in the opsec – I don’t care how you do it, get them drunk, suck ‘em, knock ‘em out, however you feel it should get done, do it. Then turn off the cameras leading to the human bunks, we’ll go from there.” 

She nodded, and removed her armor, dumping it on her bed with a grunt of satisfaction, and pulled out a piece of gum, grabbing her breather as she fixed her bra. “Won’t know what hit ‘em, sir.”

“Walker, you go for back-up. Zee says hold the fucker down, you do it with a knife to his throat.” He turned to Fike. “And when they need to get rid of the bodies, you help dig. Rest of you, ye’re with me. Whiplash wants to pull tails, we’ll pull teeth.”

They chuckled as Walker and Zdinarsik began prettifying themselves, turning to each other and motioning to their hair and faces without a word, much to the amusement of the rest of the team, and only a little while later said: “Good to go.”

“Alright, move fast, move low. Follow my lead.” He flicked the switch, covering the room in darkness. “Let’s go.”

They ran across the tarmac, avoiding strobe lights and moving vehicles, and zero-dark-thirties complaining about things only zero-dark-thirties could complain about. The team hid under the deck, and Quaritch nodded to Lyle, who motioned the ladies along with a firm hand.

Zee nodded to Walker, and they hurried out from underneath with the final order from their CO: “Don’t fuck up.”

Maria nodded while Alicia fixed her bra. “Ready?”

They scaled up the steps, throwing their braids over their shoulders and stepped in.

“Is this even gonna work?” Ja asked, and sighed. “How sure are we they’re even gonna go for them? What if they sound the alarm? Are they even interested in Na'vi? Like what sort of fetish would that even be?”

“Simple, they don’t know them personally.” Wainfleet took a knee. “Hell, if I wasn’t sure that was Walker, I would have fallen over my feet for that pretty face, and the bodies ain't half bad either. I mean, you should know.”

“You see any other women who would try to take my dick?” Ja raised an eyebrow. 

“Nah, they're just easy.”

“Don’t let them hear you Ly, they’ll squish you like a bug.” Quaritch rumbled, closing his eyes and settled in to wait.

The rest of the team snickered, and waited for their signal – which felt like an eternity. Lyle tucked his forehead against Quaritch’s back, and sighed.

“Don’t get too comfortable back there, Ly.”

Lyle chuckled, “Wouldn’t dream of it, sir – you stink, Miles. Don't tell me Yay-u used all your soap.”

“As a matter of fact-”

There was giggling and laughing then a soft thump, and Walker shoved her head through the door, throwing a writing pad down at Mansk. “Go!”

“You’re the best, Walker!” Lyle whispered, blowing a kiss and they took off running across the asphalt.

“Where to Mansk?” Quaritch asked, and the boy pointed to a building on the far end of the compound, On the far end, of course. Why should anything ever be easy? “Move.”

Building 8 came into view – large and grey with a pretty obvious black ‘8’ painted onto it, men walking in and out various stages of undress and sobriety. A card was swiped, and the door swished open.

“Move!” Lyle repeated the order.

They hauled ass across the tar, Mansk shooting forward like a bullet and stuck his hand between the closing doors, halting it, and scaring the shit out of the grease monkey waiting for the door to close. He frowned at Mansk's hand, and just as quickly as it appeared, the boy pulled it back. The doors whooshed open once more.

“Hi!” Mansk smiled, Think fast doofus! “I am here to see a friend.”

The man’s mask hissed as he stared up at the blue alien with his piss-sharp teeth and yellow eyes, the sunglasses on top his head in the middle of the night, not having a word to say.

“Can we come in? It’s his birthday, and me and my buddies are here to set up the decorations. And-” He motioned to the rest of his team as they caught up. “We don’t really know where he lives. Can you tell me where Philip Andrews lives?”

“Oh,” The man frowned and swiped his card with a huff, “That fucker. He lives on deck fourteen, room forty-four. Didn't know he was nice enough for the Big Blues.”

Quaritch frowned as he stepped forward, gripping Mansk's shoulder as he leaned forward. “So, we aren’t the only people he pissed off?”

The door opened, the kid turning back to frown up at the Recom, “I thought you said he was your friend?”

“I didn’t think you would let us in if we told you we were going to beat the shit out of him.” Mansk shrugged all nonchalant, like they were discussing the weather, smiles and bullshit forgotten.

“Heck, if you’re gonna do that, I’ll personally take you to his room. Follow me.” He motioned for them to follow him. “I’m Peter Wiczinski, by the way.”

“Keven Mansk,” He held out his hand, which Wiczinski shook. “Nice to meet you. And this is my CO, Colonel Miles Quaritch.”

“Sir,” He held out his hand for Quaritch, who shook it properly. “It’s an honor, sir. You were a legend before the expulsion.”

Quaritch huffed, smirking, “Why thank you.”

“No, problem,” The kid huffed, and swiped his ID card with a flourish, “So, if you don't mind me asking, what did Whip do to piss off the Big Blues?”

“Touched something that wasn't his,” Quaritch growled. “Breaking it in the process.”

Peter glanced at Mansk, who simply shook his head. 

“Ain't he a fucker,” Wiczinski muttered, sidestepping out of the giant ass Recom's reach, and putting as much distance between him and those big-ass hands as possible. “But that is already well know, the problem is that we don't have enough pilots, and that means they can basically do whatever the fuck they want.”

"Nothing new, really,” Mansk sighed, “Pilots were always a bunch of ass-hats.”

“Ain't that right,” The kid took the Recoms down a flight of stairs to a dimly lit hall, all the way to the end. Down more and more stairs into the base. He motioned for them to take a step back, watching them spread themselves against the walls, then knocked, “Whip. You there?”

When he received no reply, the grunt braced his shoulder and began pushing down on the handle with a moan. 

“We’ll take it from here, kid.” Quaritch placed a hand on his shoulder, and gently pulled him away. “Go and get your dinner. No need to worry about us. Lyle, get in there.”

“With pleasure, sir.” Lyle pulled open a panel next to the door, and began fiddling with the wires underneath, as Ja held up his mask for the occasional sip. He pushed the hand away, and stood. Lyle took hold of the handle and pushed it down with a grunt, the door opening with a whoosh.

Eau de Whip slapped Lyle in the face like a wet rag, and if he didn’t have a better gag-reflex, he would have vomited out his dinner, right onto Quaritch’s feet.

“Fuck you, Miles.” He heaved as he backtracked. “You owe me.”

“I’ll give you my applesauce packet with lunch tomorrow.”

“I need more incentive than that, besides we all know you’ll give it to Yay-u.” Lyle stepped back, as he gagged, his eyes beginning to water.

“Stop being a pussy, Lyle and put your breather up. It will mask most of the shit-stain smell.” Quaritch ordered, and pulled his breather up, stepping inside, turning to the greenhorn. “Thanks, kid. Go about.”

The kid looked green around the gills as he nodded and walked away on wobbly legs.

“Poor fucker.” Prager shook his head.

“Why are you “poor fucker-ing” him? We’re the fuckers who’s gonna have to wait in here for that mouse-dick to get back.” Fike bemoaned, looking at the door separating them from the unknown.

“Get in here, and hide.” Quaritch ordered.

“I hate you so much, sir.” Lopez stepped in and gagged through his mask.

Piles upon piles of clothes covered every single open space. Piles on the bed, and the standard issue desk and chair, Mansk nearly tripped over a pile of sticky... something, only saved from face-planting into the unknown by Prager grabbing his arm. He pulled the kid close, and shivered, his tail flicking up into the air.

“This has got to be what green eggs and ham taste like,” Mansk moaned, and turned the valve at his hip up another notch, before taking a sip.

“Stop it with the Doctor Seuss references!” Prager bopped him on the back of the head. “I'll fucking drop you, Mansk.”

“You wouldn't dare.” 

“Fucking, try me, kid.” Prager hissed back.

Quaritch prayed he wouldn’t vomit on himself or his team, I can taste it. He pulled his breather up to his face rather hopefully. Even through the fucking breather. “Move, hide so we can get his ass.”

Zhang pulled open a closet, and moldy clothes fell out, nearly trapping him under the avalanche of vile Whip-flavored fabric. His tail shot up, and did a little wriggle as he stepped back, “You owe me, sir. You owe me big time.”

“Won’t he notice?” Fike grimaced as he kicked over an empty laundry basket in his haste to get somewhere not covered in Whip-gunk.

“Notice what, Fike? Us moving one piece of crap to another area won’t make much of a difference." Warren hissed. “Besides, you're the one kicking shit around.”

“Just shut up and get into place.” Ja snapped and stood behind a door, gagging.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Ja.” Fike rolled his eyes and shimmied into place.

“Shut your fucking pieholes.” Quaritch snarled, and listened as his men settled. “All clear on the plan?”

“What fucking plan, sir?” Lyle snapped. “We’re here because you’re following your dick, you gave zero prep.”

“Just grab him when he gets through the door. And then follow my lead.” Quaritch hissed.

“Not it.” Fike gagged. “I ain’t touching that rat bastard. You do it.”

“Fike!” They hissed, and pointed to the closet next to Lyle.

“With respect sir; fuck you.” The kid frowned and picked his way over to his hidey-hole.

“I’ll ask Walker to give you a go, now get!” Quaritch pointed.

“Toss in the order for Zdinarsik, and I’ll consider it.”

“Fike!” Quaritch hissed, attempting to blend into the wall next to the closet without actually touching it. 

“Now, why does Fike get a fucking threesome, and I have to settle with a fucking quicky in the shower, huh?” Lopez looked up from where he hid behind the desk. It was quite comical, and if it wasn't for the cap on his head, his blue fucking polka dots would have given him away.

“I will fucking kill all of you, so fucking shut it!” Quaritch hissed, and glared Lopez back into place.

“Fine!” Fike hissed back and shimmied in next to him.

I really should have picked my team with more consideration… Quaritch groaned as Fike's sweaty heat settled in next to him.

They waited in silence, keeping their breathers on to help them with their tearing eyes. Quaritch counting Mississippi’s to keep his eyes from watering, and when that didn’t help, clenched them shut. Deep breaths Miles, don’t chuck it – the quicker you get done here, the quicker you can get back to your girl… Hopefully by then she will be out from under the squinternellies’ thumbs and you can go back to bed soon. He sighed and imagined him wrapped around her, tight in their cocoon…

Then the door opened, and the foul stench of Whip, somehow, deepened in the small space. The door slammed shut, and Whip sauntered into the confined quarters – stinking up the area anew.

Does he bathe in rotting onions? Quaritch wondered as Whip belched and removed his outer shirt, throwing it to the ground and began undoing his belt, kicking off his shoes as he went.

Move it, Fike, damn you! Quaritch could hear pants being unzipped, and moved before Fike could even think. Oh fuck no! Not today, Satan. 

Before the pants could drop, Quaritch reached past Fike and grabbed the man by the throat. “We don’t need to see your nether-bits swinging. There are kids about.”

Lyle leaped out of the closet and locked the door. Fike shimmied back out and was quickly followed by Quaritch, trying to get away from whatever was on the walls – Whip dangling from long blue fingers.

“Hello there,” canines catching the light oh so perfectly. “We need to have a little talk. Mansk, a chair for our friend, if you would please.”

Mansk nodded and moved to pick up the desk chair with a grunt, but – “All due respect sir, this shit is stuck – I think it’s all the gunk on the floor.”

Quaritch sniffed, and stepped past the kid, and simply pulled the mattress off the bed, dropping the smelly human onto the stuffed cotton. “Sit down. Now-”

The rank smell of human piss leaked into the air, making the Recoms scatter like roaches. Mansk simply stepping onto the chair, and stood with his eyes closed. “Nope.”

“Well, aren’t you a professional, Mansky Mansk?” Warren teased.

“I ain’t getting paid to stand in that lard-ass’s piss, so fuck off.” The chair creaked under his weight, and his tail shot up into the air to help with his balance as he crouched. “You can, but my mom would beat my ass if I did something so stupid.”

“Aren’t you a bunch of professionals?” Whip snarked, trying to act tough. 

“You just fucking pissed yourself, so: Shut it,” Lyle beat him upside the head. “And listen up – we talk, you listen. You open your mouth to do anything other than confirm what we have to say, I will personally send your innards back to Earth, you read me?”

“No,” He turned to face Quaritch. “What are they doing here? Couldn’t face me, man to m- Ugh!”

Quaritch held him by his throat, lifting him up into the air again: “You touch any of the women on my squad a gain, I will kill you. They-” he motioned to his squad, “are only here to make sure that I don’t kill you now. We are short on man-power here on Pandora, and it would be a stupid idea to waste a pilot, even one as slimy and disgusting as you are. So, here’s how it’s gonna go – you are going to confess to Ardmore and to the MP's that you did, in fact, sexually assault Yay-u, and you tried to assault the women on my team. If you do not, I will make good on my promise to make you dinner for the viper wolves outside, understood?”

“You, mother-” Whip gurgled as Quaritch’s hand tightened around his throat.

“Understood?”

Whip nodded, his face turning his signature shade of maroon as he clawed at the hand on his throat.

“One word about this to Ardmore, and I throw you to the viper wolves. Talking to the women on my team, and I throw you to the viper wolves. Touching the women on my team without their express permission, and I throw you to the viper wolves. Understood?”

He nodded again, and closed his beady little eyes, pulling at Quaritch's long fingers.

“The Colonel can’t hear you, Whip.” Lyle growled in Whip’s ear. “We’re Marines, we don’t take your half-cocking as answers. Answer the man!”

A half-baked ‘yes’ being wheezed out seemed to have been enough for the moment. Quaritch dropped him to the ground, and growled down at him: “One word about this Whip, and you will realize why the RDA recruited me as head of security. Move out.”

They filed out of the room as the pilot wheezed on the ground, clutching his neck and rolling on the ground. Taking off down the hall, they acknowledged Wiczinski with a nod, and watched as the boy saluted them. “Good job kid.”

They filed out of the barracks, and took off into the night.

“I’ll meet you gents back at the barracks,” Quaritch called over his shoulder, and took off towards the medbay.

“Do you think Bjarne will let him in?” Mansk asked.

“I hope she does, he’ll break down the door if she doesn’t.” Lyle motioned for them to speed up. “I pray she’s not that stupid.”

The Recoms laughed and continued to the barracks.

Bjarne cussed him out as he walked through the medbay all the way to Yay-u’s bed, curled around her pillow, the squint following behind him dressed in bright pink, silk pajamas (that only some fucking bitch like Bjarne can afford), throwing her arms about as she demanded he 'fuck off'.

He sat down on the chair as the doc hissed at him to remove his blue ass from the bay, removing his shoes and belt. Keeping his tail out of reach as he shimmied into bed next to Yay-u. Ignoring Bjarne as he pulled her closer and pulled the blankets up around them, closing his eyes and cocooning them in his warmth.

Bjarne sighed, and turned off the lights as she left the bay, going back to bed, promising to get him in the morning.

Chapter Text

16. Ward

It was warm – good, and soft, and comfortable, and... heavy.

Yay-u grunted as she opened her eyes, the large, veiny blue arm enveloping her vision – his tanhì shining beautifully in the dark, illuminating his face...

She huffed and grabbed his wrist, pulling it over her shoulder. Share, you big, blue- Share, damn you!

Yay-u huffed, again, and closed her eyes, and snuggled deeper into her blankets, stealing more of his warmth. It’s too early for you to be stealing all the blankets…

Her Dreamwalkers piled into the lab early yesterday morning with breakfast — each carrying their own trays overfilled with various foodstuffs and piling around her bed, their post work-out bodies stinking up the room. Myhuls tried to bring her fruit, but Bjarne flat out refused to let them enter with the “contaminated foodstuffs".

"You bring that shit into my lab, I will ban you for life,” Bjarne tapped her foot, pointing at the fruit on his tray. “Don't test me.”

“She needs to eat, Bjarne. You can’t expect her to live off whatever it is you try to pass as food, forever.” Quaritch sighed, rolling his eyes at the irritable little human woman.

“I don’t care,” The doctor kicked him on the shin, he doubled over, making him the perfect height for her to pick the fruit off his plate, holding it in front of his face with a smirk. “You are not bringing this shit into my medbay – I don’t care what you have to say.”

She stomped away, and dumped the fruit down the incinerator, leaving Yay-u pouting behind her. Paying no mind to the glaring alien clutching his leg behind her.

“I’ll get you something else to eat, Sweetheart. I promise.” Quaritch smiled down at her, but it was more a snarl than anything else.

She frowned, and motioned for him to come closer. He frowned too, leaned over her, and hummed.

“I want to go.” Yay-u pointed out the window, and looked back at him. “I do not want to stay.”

Quaritch smiled, and called over his shoulder to Bjarne; “My girl wants to leave, Squint .”

“Oh, well that’s too bad,” Bjarne didn’t look up from her charts. “Your girl needs to stay until I’ve cleared her. I need to take some more x-rays, and I want-”

“You can’t keep her here against her will, Bjarne, that’s kidnapping.” Quaritch stood straight and turned to Bjarne.

“And you are the expert on what is and isn’t kidnapping?” Bjarne huffed. “If I read that report correctly, you kidnapped her first.”

“It was voluntary.” He lied through his teeth. “She wanted up, I brought her up.”

“And her running through the base with bound hands, meant what exactly?” Bjarne tapped her foot, the white sneakers making a dull plastic sound against the linoleum.

“She kept pushing the buttons in the bird,” Quaritch sniffed. “Didn’t want to fly into a damn mountain – I don’t think she expected the base to be as it is. She got scared and ran off."

“Yet you didn’t do anything to behave rationally with her, and threw her over your shoulder. Carrying her around like a sack of flour.”

“She got anxious around all the soldiers, what did you expect? She was scared of all the machinery.” He crossed his arms over his chest with a smirk. “Someone had to keep her safe.”

“And you, a soldier, you who did one of the first rotations here on Pandora, is the one to keep her safe?”

The Dreamwalker jaw snapped shut, and Bjarne smiled at him, like she won a mighty battle...

Quaritch took a deep breath above her head, and pulled her closer, moaning in her ear – thoughts of Bjarne, and soldiers, and the lab, and food disappeared like water drops thrown into a fire, and she focused on nothing in particular.

That’s a nice sound, Yay-u thought to herself, as Quaritch let out another soft moan, snuggling deeper into his hold, and resting her ear right above that sound, If you make more of those sounds instead of growling like a Nantang, I don’t think the Sky People would mind you staying here with me.

She began drifting along the waves of unconsciousness, when the lights flickered on – Bjarne and her lackeys filled the lab around them, the sound of breathers bouncing of the walls. A soft hand shook her shoulder and pushed her hair out of her face.

“Good morning, Yayiu-te.” Bjarne’s sing-song voice filled the room. “Breakfast time.”

Yay-u groaned, and tucked herself closer to the warmth, rubbing her face into the strong panes of his chest. Bjarne sighed, and turned to Quaritch with a huff.

“Wake up, asshole!” There was a loud smack and the arms around her tightened, again, pulling her closer to the warmth. “She needs to eat.”

Quaritch groaned and tried to open his eyes.

“Fuck off, squint.” Quaritch groaned above her head.

See? That’s not going to help you stay here. Yay-u moaned and pulled his arm closer to her, doing her part in keeping him here, as she snuggled closer. Be nice.

“Wake up Quaritch!” The slap hit next to her head, and the arm tightened around her. “Damn it!”

“Jesus, Bjarne!” He hissed from above her head. “What do you want?”

“Get out, damn it! It’s 7 a.m., you fucker, and I have shit to do!” Bjarne hissed and hit his arm. “I let you sleep in!”

“What?” Quaritch brought his wrist up, only to remember his watch wasn’t there. He looked for a clock on the walls – 7:15. “Fuck!”

He pulled his arm from under her head, and tucked her back underneath the blankets as he hopped on one leg, searching for his other boot, grabbing his belt, he turned to Yay-u as he hurriedly tucked his shirt into his pants. “I’ll see you for lunch, alright Sweetheart?”

She gave him a sleepy nod, to which he smiled a crooked smile, and disappeared out of the ‘bay with a hastily shouted: “Out of my way, you fucking squint!” leaving Yay-u behind with Bjarne.

Bjarne turned to her with a roll of her eyes and asked, “Breakfast?”

Yay-u groaned and pulled her blanket up over her head, Not with you...

Quaritch hauled-ass across the landing strip, avoiding unnecessary people, and idiots. He pushed opened the security gate and stepped in to the barracks, where his team was already assembled – freshly shat, showered and shaved.

“There you are, sir.” Lyle called out to his CO, pulling his shirt over his head. “We w’re kinda worried Whip got to you.”

Quaritch scoffed, “As if I would let that lard-ass get me, Lyle. I am honestly insulted.”

“Nah,” Lyle sniffed. “It was more a hope that you were side tracked long enough for you to be able to get rid of the body an’ claim self-defense.”

Quaritch huffed, “I guess I missed the morning work-out?”

“A little bit, sir.” Mansk nodded, the boy smiling from his bunk as he tied his shoes. 

“Get the Colonel’s balls out of your mouth, Keven.” Lyle turned to Mansk, who shrugged at him. “Don’ you shrug at me, Private! He’s a full four hours late! He chewbacca’d my ass for being four seconds late! I ain’t letting him get off this easily!”

Mansk turned to Lyle: “You were a full two hours late this morning, sir.”

“Get my balls out of your mouth, Mansk.” Quaritch groaned, and sat down on his rack, pulling the ties of his boots loose, closing his eyes as the pressure was released and circulation returned. Definitely shouldn’t tie them like that. “We’ve got shit to do.”

“Don’t we always, sir.”

Quaritch rotated his ankle, trying to get feeling back into his feet. He reached for a clean pair of socks, shirt and pants from his duffle, and began stripping. Late as is, don’t waste it on showering.

“Team eat breakfast yet, Lyle?” He asked as he switched his underwear and pants.

“Yes sir,” Lyle nodded and tied his gear with well-practiced movements. “Ate, shat, showered, and shaved. Everybody’s ready to go.”

“Good,” Quaritch looped his belt and began pulling his shirt over his head with a yawn. “Jesus.”

“Did you have a good nap?” Lyle smirked.

“Shut it Lyle,” Quaritch sat down and began pulling on his socks. “I don’t have the energy for your BS.”

“It must have been good for you to be late.” His friend leaned against his bunk, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Didn’t do shit, Lyle.” Quaritch grunted, checking his boot to make sure there was nothing in there, frowning into the leather and plastic nothingness... 

“Oh, c’mon Miles, no pillow talk?” Lyle sat down across from his friend, a smile crawling onto his lips. “No late night smooches? Did you even cop a feel of that ass?”

“No,” He stomped down his foot, pulling the laces tight and reaching for the boot-bands at his side, “Nothing.”

“I don’t believe it,” Lyle smiled. “You, the man that can talk any woman out of her panties with a single sentence, didn’t do anything?”

Quaritch grunted as he rolled up his pants, and reached for his deodorant.

“Wait-” Lyle started just as Quaritch stood up, and dropped the bottle onto his bed. Wait…

“Let’s go yell at some idiots who can’t drive, huh?”

Lyle watched as his CO walked out of the bungalow, pulling his body-armour over his head, and Yay-u’s boonie over his ears.

“What?” He asked no one in particular as the whole squad waiting on their CO's.

The Colonel looked even worse than Yay-u with her damn boonie – Prager doing a double take as he walked past and began opening roads and gates, motioning to their CO and mouthing ‘what?’ to Lyle when he was out of view. Lyle shrugged.

“I think he has separation-anxiety.” Lyle whispered as they directed the traffic later that day. “I mean, she was attached to his hip for what, five weeks?”

“Her? Attached to his hip?” Prager scoffed, “I think it’s the other way round, sir. But I don’t think the Colonel is someone who suffers from anything.”

They stared at their CO – taking occasional sips from his camel, and frowning deep at idiots who can’t drive from under the rim of the borrowed boonie.

“You think he will do anything stupid?”

“The Colonel doesn’t do ‘stupid’, Ethan. You and I know that most of all.” Lyle frowned behind his glasses and waved a convoy of trucks along.

“I mean with her.” Prager nodded to the direction of the med-unit, and the girl trapped behind the glass walls.

Lyle Wainfleet had watched his CO beat a man to death for trying to rape a woman, and chase his buddies who participated into the jungle to die of disease and starvation, having men set up camp around the edge and giving the orders to have fun but “don’t waste any ammo”, but you never know how a man might react… Lyle frowned.

“Sir?”

“Get back to your post, soldier.” Lyle walked away, leaving Prager behind to sigh in frustration.

Quaritch could hear Lyle coming up behind him, and stifled a groan of annoyance.

“Don’t say it, Lyle.” He growled and pointed at the truck, and then at the direction it should go. “I don’t want to hear about it.”

“I didn’t say anything, Miles.” Lyle came to a stop next to his friend, and waved the truck along.

“You didn’t need too; I could hear your mind whirling the moment you decided to turn in my direction.” He pulled the boonie over his ears, and frowned out from underneath at everyone and everything around him.

Lyle huffed and took a sip of water. “You okay? You look like a lost puppy without Yay-u hanging on your tail.”

“She doesn’t hang on my tail, Ly.” Quaritch huffed, and mopped at his brow with the edge of his shirt. “She hates me.”

“You haven’t seen her look at you when you leave.”

“Bullshite, Lyle.” Quaritch shook his head, and scratched his eyebrow with his thumb. “You’re probably seeing Stockholm or some other bullshit.”

“I’m serious!” Lyle smiled, shoving his shoulder good heartedly. “She looks like a damn kicked puppy when you go and leave her behind. And what the fuck was that noise she made when you left last night?”

“Yes, when I leave her behind. She makes all kinds of fucking noises, she hisses, for fucks sake.” Don’t get my hopes up, you asshole. He reached for the pipe of his water-sack and took a sip, “She has to stay inside while we go out. Of course, she’s gonna look at me. Hell, I would look at your ugly ass mug if I am the one to be left alone with Bjarne every day.”

“That’s not a look of a woman who just wants to go outside, Miles.” Lyle whispered and nodded at a driver who went past.

Quaritch grunted, and scratched his forehead. It looked like he was about to say something else when–

“You fuckers!”

Lyle turned at the noise, and saw Whip charging down at them; the pudge of his stomach bouncing unattractively. Wait, I think I misused the word ‘charge’ – it's more like "lumping along like a baby elephant"...

“Catch your breath before you make unfound statements, Whip.” Quaritch yawned, and shook his head, the black braid glimmering in the sun. “I don’t have time for your bullshit.”

“Don’t you play dumb with me, Quaritch!” Whip stomped up to them and huffed. “You ass-hat! I’ll-!”

“Yadda-yadda-yadda. What do you want Whip?” Quaritch frowned, scratching at his eyebrow with his thumbnail, again, while oblivious to Whip’s souring mood. “I have other shit to do that doesn’t involve looking at your fucked up face. More important shit like making sure you don’t get sucked into an engine. Big Bad Sky Momma willing.”

“Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine today, Captain?” The lard-ass snarked at him, folding his arms over his bulging stomach as he stomped forward. 

“Colonel.” Quaritch grimaced down at him, sighing.

“What?” The human frowned.

“My rank.” Quaritch’s tail twitched behind him as he smiled down at Whip. “I know you’re only a hired pilot, and your brain is particularly small, but you should be able to recall when I introduced myself to you only a couple of weeks ago, or do you not have a brain capacity to remember?”

“Your rank is of no concern to me, Captain.”

His tail twitched and he snarled – then as quick as his daddy’s belt, gripped Whip around his throat, lifting him up to his face.

“Listen here, Wimp, this is how it’s going to go – and I’ll break it down Barney style, because last night obviously didn’t do shit.” Quaritch watched as the insufferable wimp claw at his hand, trying to loosen the strong fingers around his throat. “You touch any of the members of my squad, and I will, personally, remove your spine and skull-fuck you with it. You touch any of the women in my charge, I will rip off your dick, and feed it to you, do you understand?”

Whip nodded, still clawing at his hand. Lyle gripped his CO hand and began pulling at his fingers, trying to make him let go of the idiot, looking around to make sure nobody's looking their way.

“Do that tail pulling BS again and I will do far worse.” Quaritch snarled. 

The lump of lard dropped, shaking the tarmac under their feet, clutching his throat and rolling around on the ground, coughing. 

“Now, get! You think being warned once would get through your thick skull.” Quaritch waved him off.

Whip crawled to his feet and took off running.

“See, that’s not gonna help us much.” Lyle sighed, and scratched the back of his head.

“I’m not gonna tolerate bullies, Lyle.” I had enough trouble growing up, I do not need it in this life now. “Besides, if we don’t nip him in the butt now, his gonna do something even stupider tomorrow.”

“Whip can get stupider?"

“’Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; but I am no yet completely sure about the universe, and unfortunately, that man is part of the stupidity’.” Quaritch sighed. “As my Black Cap used to say.”

Lyle laughed and waved another truck along.

The lunch bell tolled; the Recoms making sure that the trucks were parked under the canopies, and the windows were shut tight. Mansk, his standard issue Recom AR hanging over his shoulder, having less trouble than the rest. Okay, so it wasn’t the Hydra that made these idiots shit their pants, it was Mansk. You lucky fucker… 

His team trickled in from the four corners of the base and dumped their stuff in the bungalow, joking amongst themselves as the tension of the morning started slowly edging away – trays in hand as they went to the med-bay to have their lunch, stopping to pick the last of the fruit from the bushes outside. They pranced to the ‘bay, Yay-u’s food balanced perfectly on Quaritch’s tray – standing out like a sore thumb amongst the over-processed foods.

Ardmore was waiting for them, Yay-u trapped on her bed, surrounded by four MP’s, a breather secured to her face. Pale blue, and shivering under her blanket, but she still managed to glare at Ardmore. That’s my girl.

“I know,” Ardmore started as soon as they stepped in, pacing without looking at any of them, “Somewhere, between those spiky ears of yours, you have to have a brain - otherwise Parker wouldn’t have considered you or any of your squad to undergo this process, but I do wonder, Colonel: did you suck him off to get this position or are you actually good at your job?”

Deja Blu fell into line, and clenched their jaws, gnashed their teeth and made a fist with the hand that didn’t have a hold on their tray’s.

“General.” Quaritch greeted. “How may I be of assistance, ma’am?”

Tongue in cheek, Ardmore laughed. “You fucking with me right now soldier?”

“I would never-”

“Don’t!” Yay-u flinched and curled deeper into herself. “Don’t even think of starting your bullshit with me Colonel! I have had it up to here-” Ardmore pointed to below her chin. “With you and your damn squad! Enough!”

The Mortar began pacing, her jaw snapping and clenching. She turned to Quaritch and held out her hand to the brown-noser behind her. The boy jumped and handed her his side arm, placing it in her hand without question. She stared at the weapon, weighing in her hand before thrusting it out to Quaritch. “Do it.”

Quaritch felt a lump form in his throat, and when he swallowed, it settled deep in her stomach, “Ma'am?”

“You said, when I gave you permission to train the native, that you or your team would 'end it'. Well, I telling you,” She thrust the weapon out to him, “End it. Now.”

Yay-u gasped, and curled further into herself, tucking the leg under her woobie. No....

Quaritch refused to move. He stared at the small pistol resting on her open palm, the standard issue green a stark difference against her pink palm, refusing to move. Rage boiled under his skin, and his tail flicking against his leg. Quaritch glared down at the woman and clenched his jaw. 

The Mortar smirked, and handed the weapon back to the soldier, hanging off her finger like it was nothing. 

“Doctor Bjarne!” Mortar yelled and they watched as the squint ran to suck dick. “I am transferring the hostile into your care, effective immediately. Quaritch and his team are forbidden from entering this lab. A dispatch of soldiers will be placed here, and unless there is a medical emergency that their medic can’t fix, they aren’t allowed within a hundred clicks the bay. You lot!” Mortar screamed at the soldiers behind her, pointing at the grunts with a gnarled finger. “You're up first! They come any closer, shoot them!”

“Ma’am, that’s a-”

“Shut up Quaritch!” She turned to him, her mouth pulling into a frown. “One more fucking word and I will shoot you, personally! Now, get the fuck out!”

Quaritch nodded and turned to Yay-u, “It’s gonna be-”

“Out!” The General pointed to the door, with a bony finger, pistol pulled out of the holster at her thigh.

Quaritch turned to Ardmore and saluted, but when he didn’t move fast enough, she yelled again: “Out!”

They left, leaving Yay-u behind where she didn’t belong.

Chapter Text

17. Unbalanced

Ardmore managed to ramp up their shifts: How? May the Na’vi’s God know.

They barely had time to take a piss, when there would be another brown-noser who would butt in and give them another shift; the unofficial details scribbled down on a yellow pad (they still had those?), Mansk picking up his unofficial duties with gusto – the Recoms would then watch the brown-nosers run off like frightened children, going to hide behind Ardmore’s skirts, doubting the legitimacy of the orders that were just delivered.

Quaritch getting more and more pissed as the days went by – Walker and Zdinarsik resorting to old tricks to get their CO to just chill the fuck out, playing barrack bunnies, hoping to calm down their increasingly agitated team leader whenever they had the time.

It didn’t work.

Walker grunted as she sat down next to Lyle the next morning, grimacing as she tried to get comfortable on the hard bench. I swear to fuck, Colonel, you are a damn demon. I will personally -

“That bad?” Lyle asked as he took a sip of his coffee, bringing her back to the present.

Maria sighed and looked around them, making sure they’re alone before leaning in. Lyle smiled and did the same, motioning for her to continue with a wave of his hand.

“He’s an absolute douche-canoe in bed too, sir.” The female Marine mumbled to her CO.

The scalding liquid spirt out of the side of his mouth and he searched for the napkin on his tray, coughing. Lyle rubbed at his nose and mouth, and laughed.

“How is he worse without her?” She moaned, letting out all her frustrations, and stabbed into her runny scrambled eggs. “You would think it would be an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ type of situation. But no~!”

“Yeah, ‘cause that works so well with Sully.” Lyle coughed, and picked up a piece of toast, canines shining as he took another sip of coffee. “Look where we are now.”

“Sitting at a table with a psychopath who eats dry toast?” Maria asked, sipping her coffee.

“Hey!”

“Jesus!” Lyle clutched his chest, and turned to his subordinate. “Where the fuck did you come from, you little shit?”

“I’ve been sitting here for a good ten minutes now, sir.” Mansk placed his cup down with a pout, then turned to Maria: “And they didn’t have any butter left, and when I ask, the line-worker just shrugged.”

“Aww, here you go, Mansky.” Maria picked up a silver packet from her tray and threw it onto his. “Don't cry.”

“Thanks.” Without his glasses, his babyface features were more pronounced – eyes too soft for the hard-assed Marine that inherited this body, distorting the sharp cheeks and broad nose. He pouted as he began spreading the light-yellow paste over his toast. “How are we gonna get him to stop being a douche-canoe, though?”

“We can’t, it’s built in.” Lyle frowned as he cut into his meat slices, “You’d think with the amount of spam they rotated over; we would get some type of hot sauce.”

Mansk grunted in affirmative as he took his second bite, this time, a little less psychopathic. “Damn straight.”

The bang of another tray being dropped on the table jolted them out of their thoughts, four bright orange packets were thrown onto the table.

“With my complements.” Quaritch sat down with a grunt, and took a deep sip of his coffee. “Important stuff to be said, Lyle?”

“Nah, just bunk gossip.” Lyle continued eating, picking up his coffee to take a sip.

“And the douche-canoe?” Quaritch tore open a salt packet, sprinkling it over his eggs. “What is there to say about him today? Anything important to pass along?”

Mansk looked to Maria, shoved his slice of toast into his mouth and bolted with his tray, Maria trailing behind, but she quickly turned around and grabbed a packet, throwing a mock salute to her CO’s and ran after her teammate.

Lyle sighed, and picked up a sauce packet of his own, giving it a good shake. “I know that you being a hard-ass is your whole schtick and all, but can you be a bit less of an ass around the team?”

“What the fuck, Lyle?” Quaritch slammed his mug down on the table, a scowl on his blue face. 

“Look, we miss Yay-u too, okay? Damn it, she was attached to our tails just as she was yours, but it doesn’t help the situation by pouting about it.” Lyle placed the packet on the edge of Miles’ tray. “You’re not the only one who liked her, have you seen Zdinarsik? She's just as put off about it as anyone here, for fuck's sake, she was in her charge when shit went South. There's no need for you to pout about it.”

Quaritch looked at him, his tail announcing his annoyance. “I don’t pout.”

“You could have fooled me.” Lyle dumped the contents of the orange packets all over his eggs. “You’ve been in a mood since the Mortar removed Yay-u from our custody.”

“You didn’t get attached?”

“You’re not supposed to get attached to assets, Miles.” Lyle sighed and stirred the burning, orange goodness into his eggs.

“Don’t call her that.” Quaritch frowned into his coffee mug.

“See?” Lyle pointed at him, eyebrows raising, ignoring his eggs for but a minute. “That’s attached.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do, Lyle?” Quaritch looked so damn tired. “Damn it, I saw her, and I knew that I wanted her. Everything we did, everything I did, was to get the girl to like me. To spread her legs for me, willingly. Then, to go an' get that bastard Sully, and gut him for what he did.”

“And when she did? She took us to, Sully? You ‘whammed, and bammed, and thank ya ma’am’d, you're just gonna tell her 'see ya later, hon!’ Ha!” Lyle looked at him and frowned. “And when she decided that you are it? You are gonna be there for her? And if you whammed and bammed and there are kids, what then huh? You just gonna leave her then?”

“Whoa! Wait! What does any of this have to kids?” Quaritch put his spork down, his tail shooting up in the air at the word, his pulse picking up speed.

“Whamming and bamming leads to kids, any idiot who completed basic biology can tell you that, Miles.” Don't tell me you're that scared of the prospect of kids, Miles?

“There are ways to avoid kids, Lyle. Ask Zdinarsik, ask Walker.” He motioned out the window. “Goddamn, the entire team has been raw-dogging it for, what? Two months? If there were chances for kids, Walker and Zee would have shown by now. Na'vi biology works differently. Or they tampered the shit out of us while we were sprouting.” Quaritch frowned at his eggs. “You never know with the RDA.”

“But what about the girl? You just gonna leave her when you’re done?” Lyle tapped the table. “And if we by some miracle aren't spayed? What then?”

Quaritch mumbled something as he took a sip of his drink, frowning into the depths of his dark brew.

“What?” Lyle sighed, scratching an eyebrow with his thumb, getting annoyed with his fucking ass-hat of a friend.

“I said I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Lyle slammed his mug down. “Jesus Miles, wanna be more of an ass?”

“Damn’t! You’re assuming that she would let me within two feet of her.” Quaritch pointed in the direction where Yay-u was hidden. “You assume that she would even let me touch her like that, and wouldn’t hide in Bjarne’s shadow when I come within two feet with that idea on my lips.”

“’Let you within two feet of her’! Jesus, you two have been snuggling like a bunch of in-heat cats for weeks, for fucks sake! If she didn’t want you, she would have bitten you, twice over.” He pointed to the bitemark, scared over on Quaritch's arm, then back to the barracks. “Bunked with Z-Dog, Walker! Anyone else! She wouldn't have allowed you within inches of her if she wasn't at least some type of interested.”

“What’s that thing of biting the hand that feeds you?” Quaritch raised a brow of his own.

“She did. Once,” Lyle held up his finger to confirm the number. “And you bit her right back.”

Quaritch grunted and ran his tongue over his teeth. Her skin beneath his teeth was… addicting. But he didn't say shit... I cannot confirm nor deny, yadda-yadda-yadda, the basic shit that they were taught to say. Lyle knows the drill by now. “She bit me twice.”

“Three times over, if you want to round it up! Look,” Lyle picked up his mug again, and swirled the contents around and around, before taking a sip. “Let’s say that she wants to come back, and Mortar allows it, are you going to pussyfoot around her, or are you gonna act? Because it’s one thing to love ‘em and leave ‘em, it’s another when you are basically wagging your tail whenever you see her.”

“I do not ‘wag my tail’,” Quaritch huffed, “I…flex it.”

Lyle slammed the mug back on the table. “Seriously? That’s the word you’re gonna use? ‘Flex’?”

Miles nodded to his friends cup. “You gonna keep doing that?”

“Miles!” 

Quaritch took a sip of his coffee, and responded with the exhale, “Yeah. I ‘flex’ my tail, Lyle. You don’t?”

“Not when I see someone I wanna fuck!”

“Keep your voice down, damn you!” Quaritch looked around them, and threw Lyle with a creamer packet. “Jesus! Do you want the whole base to hear us?”

“Don’t you mean, the Mortar?”

“As I said, the whole base.”

Lyle huffed. “True.”

Quaritch sighed, and ran his fingers though his hair. “Look, it’s not like I don’t want the girl to be interested, of-fucking-course I do, it’s just that it is a stupid dream. I have more important things to do than to stand under a cold shower and jack-off until my dick turns purple, alright? Like fucking her.”

Quaritch smirked, his long-time friend to choking on the last of his coffee, waiting for him to catch his breath.

“So,” Lyle wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, as he regained his breath. “How are you planning on doing that, huh? Whack Bjarne on the back of the head, sneak in and do the dirty with the girl?”

“That’s not a bad idea.” Quaritch scratched his chin, looking back at Yay-u's prison.

“Be serious, Miles.” The Marine sighed. 

“It was your idea!”

“I was joking!” Lyle slammed the mug on the table. Again. “What are you gonna do, open the vents and watch them suffocate?”

Two birds with one stone. The mug resting against his bottom lip. “That’s not a bad idea, either.”

“Oh, fuck you! I should just stop talking.” 

“No, no, keep going, I got some of my best ideas out of you blubber-mouthing away at oh-two-hundred.” Quaritch motioned with his hand, motioning at him to continue.

“Really?” Lyle frowned, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, like right now.” Quaritch tapped the table with his nail. “Keep talking.”

“Miles, be serious.”

Quaritch sighed, and ran his fingers over the rim of his cup, around and around. “What am I gonna do then, Lyle?”

Lyle sighed and propped his chin up on the table, “I don’t know.”

Bjarne spoke to her throughout her shift, encouraging her to at least try the ‘fruit’ cup that was on her plate. Yay-u lay on her side, facing away from the Sky People, and stared at the wall, painted a dull white, to match the bed she was currently laying on. Not the soft green of her blankets back with Myhuls.

“It’s peaches, you’ll like it if you try it.” Bjarne looked up from her ‘chart’ where she was busy scribbling things down on a page, smiling. “I like it. It’s really good, Yayiu-te, I promise.”

Yay-u sighed as she sat up, and reaching for the cup, and began turning it around and around, sighing in frustration when she couldn’t get it open and threw it with a huff back onto the tray, before lying back down and pulling her blanket up over her shoulders.

“Here,” Bjarne took it off the tray, and began pulling the clear film off. She stuck a ‘spork’ upright, placing it back on the tray with a smile. “Try that. Try the syrup, too. It’s sweet.”

Yay-u took it back with a sigh, and took a sniff. It was sweet and smelled vaguely like some of the juice Quaritch had given her to drink. The bright orange slices lay tightly packed in the thick, sticky sauce – picking up the spork, she began picking at them, the soft jelly like slices, bouncing at each poke.

“When Myhuls will come?” She asked, and sniffed, scratching the spork over the soft skin, watching it glide like an ikran over water.

Bjarne sighed and heaved herself onto the side of the bed, sitting down with a huff. “General Ardmore has said that he’s not allowed to take care of you anymore – that duty now lies on my shoulders.”

She looked at Bjarne, brassy eyes dull and tired. “I want to see him.”

“I know,” Bjarne sighed, and took hold of her cold hand, rubbing her small thumb in soothing circles over the large blue hand. Still cold. “It’s not possible right now, okay? I will talk to the General, see if we can’t have some supervised visitations, alright? But, I can't promise anything.”

Yay-u didn’t respond, and Bjarne let go of her hand with a sigh.

“I’ll have a nurse bring you another blanket,” The short human jumped off the bed, and left her alone.

It was Yay-u’s turn to sigh, the lab air sticky and old. The shirt that Myhuls had given her to sleep in had long been returned, replaced by a white top and grey shorts that the humans have given her. She placed the spork down, and pushed the table away, pulling her sheets up over her shoulders. She closed her eyes to the bright lights, listening as the squints scurried around outside, quiet, nothing like them…

“Miss Yayiu-te?” A soft voice called from the door, Yay-u turning to see a nurse standing at the door. They had taken to calling her 'miss', she didn't understand why, but they kept on calling her that, smiling as they did. She held up the blanket, and smiled, unfolding the light blue fabric and throwing it over her still form. “Will this be enough?”

No, Yay-u nodded and the nurse left. She moved the blankets just right, and sighed, missing her nest of softness under Myhuls’ bed. No you don’t. You miss the hardness of his arms. You miss the firmness of his chest. You miss the loudness of his heartbeat. You miss the coarseness of his fingers.

She huffed and slammed her pillow with her hand, trying to get it into the right shape.

Maybe, the tiny voice in the back of her head. If you ask nicely, they would let him come visit.

They won’t, she wigged deeper into the blankets, you know they won’t…

She groaned, and pulled the blankets over her head, hoping the weight would stop her thoughts from jumping around. Hoping they would keep her safe.

Chapter Text

18. Finally, a Damned Mission

The Pandora sun beat down on the back of his neck with the fury of a bitch scorned. The water in Quaritch’s camelback already hot this early in the day, only serving to irritate the dryness at the back of his throat even more. When Quaritch woke up in a pool of sweat, he knew that today would be worse than a day in Hell. Going there for some ‘R&R’ after this shit… Yay-u’s boonie doing little to keep the sun out of his eyes, but he still wore it, and ignored when his team as they stared at him as he put in on as he stepped out of the bungalow.

The day carried on in the "new normal" without Yay-u hanging onto their tails - they all missed the girl, missed trading whatever food stuffs they had to keep her fed, missed playing Monopoly and teaching her various card games, sneakily teaching her how to gamble and watching as she ate the different candies with gusto. They fucking missed their CO not being a permanent wet sock. The man has decided to make missing Yay-u everyone else's problem by making the PT even worse than before; sending them from one side of the compound to the other, fucking burpies galore, prisoner get-ups like the fucking prison warden he was. 

Lyle moaned as he sent another truck in the right direction, watching as a brown-noser ran up to Quaritch, handed him a scribbled note before fucking off without so much as a salute, the kid nearly pissing himself as he scurried away. He watched as Quaritch opened the fucking folded page, reading it before issuing his orders over open comm,:

“Headin' to HQ, don't do anything stupid.”

The pilots gave Quaritch a wide breach, and soldiers stood straighter when they saw him approach. He honestly didn't give a fuck, he was to fucking tired to notice, suffering from withdrawal. He made a quick stop at the bungalow, to grab a random breather before hightailing it. He sighed as he saw the fucking main building come into view.

Just what Quaritch needed right now.

He took off the hat and nodded to the idiot who has been charged with door duty, folding it in half, and placing it in his back pocket, sighing at the cool air pumped through the floor, air conditioners blasting.

Tweetle Beetle met him at the door, the man sneering at the informal way he wore his diggies, minus blouse, and gave him a rather reluctant salute. What’s wrong with it now? You didn’t say shit when I wore it like this the first time? Not all of us have the luxury to stay in an cool office the entire day, you fuckwad...

“The General is waiting for you, Colonel Quaritch.” The man huffed, holding a handkerchief to his nose. Really? 

“I can see that.” He snipped, and checked on his breather, the valves turned open and full. “Well, get on with it, Tweetle Beetle.”

The boy huffed and turned, marching in that awkward way only the Coast Guard could - Full of shit, and in a hurry. Funny, for a branch that hasn’t been necessary for almost two-hundred years.

The room reeked like only a control room filled with grunts surviving on energy drinks and minimal sleep could. The air hot the further you went - even with the whirling of the AC’s loud over the tapping of keyboards and orders being barked over one another, at some poor sap waiting for clearance to go take a shit, and at their computer screens, rubbing their temples as they repeated their instructions calmly to the idiot on the other side.

Quaritch coughed, and pulled his breather up to hide the disgust on his face. The Ensign peeked over his shoulder at him, rolling his eyes. You’d think that the General wouldn’t let her offices stink like a barracks room for a bunch of grunts, yet here we are. They did double takes as Quaritch glided after the Ensign, some in awe, others steadying objects on their desks – eyeing Quaritch’s swinging, blue tail distrustfully.

The Ensign knocked on the door twice, and waited for the Mortar to huff, “Enter.”

He opened the door, motioned for Quaritch to step in, following behind. Stepping in, he saluted, “Colonel Miles Quaritch, Squad Leader of the First Recombinant Team, here to see you, General.”

Ardmore waved her hand dismissively. “We have shit to discuss. As you were, Toocock.”

“As I were,” The kid saluted, and did a perfect back track, closing the door behind him.

Academy trained then...fuck when was the last time you saw that? Quaritch huffed as he fell into a hunched over stance, waiting for his ass to get chewbacca’d.

“Sit down, Colonel.” The General sighed and watched with amusement as the nine-foot alien tried to fold himself into the chair in front of her desk with a grunt, pulling his knees up to his chest, and tried to get comfortable.

Ardmore sighed and placed a datapad amongst numerous others – the sight of the desk not so different from when he was head of security in a different lifetime. Rather you than me, bitch…

“Look, I’ll cut right to the chase,” She sat up straight in her chair. “Your blue asses are way too expensive to just let you stand in the sun while we can use you for surveillance and reconnaissance.”

Quaritch’s ears perked up at those words, and he couldn’t help but frown.

“We don’t have the numbers to just hurl them at Sully non-stop and we don’t have time to wait, so you and your squad will be heading out soon.” She picked up a different ‘pad and held it out to him. “You found your little straggler near the Hallelujah Mountains, so that’s where we know Sully is. We need you and your team to get as much info as you can and bring it back.”

“Will the girl be joining us, ma'am?” He tried to hide his excitement at the prospect of getting to see Yay-u again by taking a sip from his breather, forcing his tail down.

Ardmore huffed, “No. I don’t trust her, I don’t want her to get out of your hold and inform Sully of your existence. You are a ghost for all they know. I need you to get more info on where this prick is hiding.”

“The girl ma’am, she’s part of Sully’s people, if we can get her to-” Please, just please.

“I said, ‘no’ Quaritch. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near those blue monkeys, ever again. She knows too much.” Ardmore took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “She’s too much of a liability to be let off the leash.”

Quaritch grunted and reached for his breather, trying to hide his frown.

Ardmore sighed, “Don’t be so down, Quaritch. You get to get your feet wet, and get that bitch Sully. It’s a win-win.”

I want my dick wet not my feet, cunt. Quaritch huffed and smirked: “When do we leave?”

“Atta boy.” Ardmore smiled, as she sat back in her chair. “Tomorrow. Oh-six-hundred. Get your team ready, Colonel, this is what you’re made for.”

Not really… But I’ll take it. Quaritch smirked.

At oh-five-hundred Quaritch banged on the lab door, his gear digging into his side uncomfortably.

He could hear somebody jump, and curse as they fell over their feet, waiting as they opened the door.

“What the fuck do you want?” Bjarne hissed, squinting at the porch light, then reaching at the wall besides the door, fumbling until the light disappeared. “Didn’t Ardmore tell you to stay away?”

“We’re going out on a mission today,” He cleared his throat, and peeked through the tiny window of the inner door. “I wanted to tell Yay-u that we’re leaving.”

“I’ll tell her when she wakes up later,” Bjarne yawned, and squinted up at him. “Now, fuck off. Please.”

She tried to slam the door in his face with a grimace, but a large, blue hand simply pushed the door open with little effort. He smiled and stepped in, ignoring Bjarne’s hissed: “She’s still sleeping, you douchebag!”

He slipped past the squints’ sleeping quarters, and past the labs, pushed the curtain aside-

Quaritch spun, and gripped Bjarne around her neck. “Where the fuck is she?”

She gripped his hand and tried pulling, gasping for air.

“I won’t ask you again, Bjarne.” He warned as he squeezed some more.

She gurgled in his grip, grimaced and pointed behind him to the furthest corner, hanging on as he swung her around with him, looking for her. Nothing.

He was about to throttle Bjarne further, when he saw a tuff of blackish-grey hair. Her tail.

Bjarne dropped in a heap of heaving squint, gagging behind him as he pushed forward, pulling the curtain out of his way – managing to not rip it off its hinges.

Yay-u was wrapped up tightly in grey and blue blankets, her skin a pale, sickly blue, her hair a light, almost greyish charcoal, clumped together in a knotty mess, nothing like the thick inky tresses he would wake spilling over his pillow. Her breathing shallow, and labored – panting, if he could use that word, wrapped up in her god-awful green blanket.

Quaritch knelt next to her, and ran his knuckle over the bridge of her nose, mimicking the motion that Yay-u had seemed to drift to often during the weeks that she has been in Bjarne’s care. At first she thought that Yayiu-te’s mother had done the action in her youth to sooth the girl.

Clearly not, Bjarne huffed as she stood. Fucking weird-oh.

Yay-u opened her eyes slowly, dull bronze gazing at his frowning face. She smiled, her pale lips cracking under the strain.

“Myhuls,” She rasped, reaching for his face, running her cold fingers over his eyebrows, down his nose, and traced his lips. “Where was you?”

“Shoving trucks away,” He tried to smile against the cold fingers, huffing in hopes of warming the freezing digits. “These idiots still can’t drive for shit.”

She didn’t smile then, just stared at him with tired eyes.

“I brought you something.” He reached into the satchel, and pulled out two large Spartan fruits – same as before. And same as before, she ate it over an empty plate, Quaritch having quartered the fruit for easier consumption – the sticky juices running down her chin in purple rivers and creating a stickiness between her fingers.

He chuckled, drawing her attention back to him, her ears flicking at the sound.

“You’re gonna hurt your stomach, Sweetheart, if you keep that up.” He reached over and pulled paper towels from the wall-dispenser. “Slow down a bit, alright?”

He cleaned her mouth with gentle motions, blotting at her chin and rosebud lips. She nodded slowly.

“There we go, all pretty again.” He smiled at her. She blushed, not as intense as all her other blushes, but just as pretty. Damn, I missed you, Sweetheart.

She took another bite, and let her eyes drop, chewing slowly.

“I have a mission,” He cleared his throat, her ears twitching at the sound, her eyes opening slowly. “We have a mission, me and the team. We’re gonna be out for most of the day, maybe longer. The General is sending us out. We’re gonna do some more exploring, get a heading on where Sully might be.”

Yay-u stopped chewing, and stared at him, too big eyes digging into his soul.

“We’ll bring him in for questioning, get the information we need, and go on about our business. I’ll bring the team to see you after all this is done, and maybe we’ll get to play some basketball, huh?” She blinked, her lips drawn back into their pout around the fruit. “Swallow, Sweetheart.”

Yay-u did as told, her Adam’s Apple bobbing, making Quaritch’s mouth water. I shouldn’t have stayed away for this long…

“Don’t go,” Her hand shot out, sticky fingers dug into his wrist. “Not safe.”

He laughed a big, belly laugh at that. “We’re battle-hardened Marines, Sweetheart. We’ll handle what’s thrown our way. We survived the first mission, didn't we? And when w’re done, I’ll bring the team in for a visit, how’s that sound?”

She nodded, eyes going wide in her excitement. He chuckled again, and her hand shot to his chest, feeling the rumble underneath her palm. He looked down at her hand, watching the four digits spread out over his chest, his warmth burning her hand.

“Quaritch,” Bjarne called from the door, bringing him back to the present, his ear twitching in acknowledgement. “I need to speak to you.”

“I’ll see you later, Sweetheart.” He smiled down at her, and ran his knuckle down her nose, she gave a soft chirp at that, which made him groan. “Now, see, you can’t go around making new noises when I haven’t seen you in weeks. Those are damn dangerous sounds.”

Her ears twitched and she tilted her head, black hair sliding over her shoulders. “Just sounds; we all have them.”

“They don’t make them sound as good,” He mumbled, and stood with a grunt. He ran his fingers through her locks, then ran his thumb over her sticky lips. “Be good, alright? I’ll see you later.”

He smiled at her as he walked away, and quickly brought his thumb to his lips, getting a quick taste of something good before facing the inevitable.

Yay-u watched as Myhuls spoke to Bjarne, whispered sounds too soft for her to hear from so far away. His tail twitched and he growled down at her, the tiny woman didn’t seem phased, just tapping her white shoe on the linoleum and pointing at the door. He snapped his teeth at the woman, and turned back to Yay-u with a smile.

He crossed the room again, and sat down on the edge of her bed. “I have to go now, Sweetheart, but I’ll be back soon, alright?”

“Come back quick.” She pouted, to which he chuckled and ran a thumb over her lips.

“I’ll try,” He promised, and stood. He ran his thumb over her lips one more time, and left her, once again, alone with the squints.

Bjarne came to a stop next to her bed and frowned at the fruit slices, Yay-u pulled them closer to her and popped another one into her mouth as the Doctor-Sky Person sighed.

Quaritch closed the door to the lab with a soft thud, bringing his thumb to his lips for a final taste. It'll have to last...

Chapter Text

Yay-u had woken up early, missing the sounds of stringy, squeaky, white shoes squeaking against the floor, and threats of death should she wake up. The squeaking right next to her ears made the headache she went to sleep with even worse, making her moan into her pillow, and cover her ears with her hands. 

She turned around, looking for Myhuls, but was met with the empty hall and the cold floors.

Yay-u huffed and shuffled out from under the bed, grabbing the railing to help herself stand. Her tail still hurt, and the stuff they would give her for the pain made her head all dizzy. When she told Bjarne, the human just sighed, and shuffled off, before bringing her two, very small, white tablets in a plastic cup and a glass of water, “That'll help.” It didn't.

Their patient quickly found herself a perch to rest on, and gaze out of the window. 

Yay-u watched from the window as the un-ikran’s floated into the air, trying to see in which one Myhuls would be, watching as they disappeared into the rising sun, eyes switching between the two objects, and the team leaving her behind. They had let her out of bed when she saw the blue and green figures of her friends rush over the black ground to their waiting un-ikrans, unable to keep her in bed without causing some serious damage to both the equipment, themselves or their patient. 

It was loud, even as the Dreamwalkers laughed around them. She held onto the leg tighter, wrapping her legs around him and promising herself that if she should die, one of them would die with her.

"Its a quick flight, you don't have to worry," The Dreamwalker rumbled above her, placing his hand on her head to comfort her. "You'll get used to it."

It was warm, and heavy and-

Bjarne sighed as Yayiu-te’s tail tried to twitch, and gave the pad’ to a nearby assistant. Yay-u’s ears pulled back as Bjarne heaved herself onto the Na’vi sized gurney with a grunt, and made herself comfortable next to her charge. The actions of the small Sky Person impossibly loud, even louder than that of her Dreamwalkers... 

“Yay-u!” Walker waved her over, and patted the spot next to her on the bed. "C'mon!"

She tilted her head as she slipped from Myhuls' bunk to join the other women, Zee grabbing her arm and pulled her down to sit next to them.

“Zee scored a bottle of nail polish,” Maria pointed to a tiny bottle in Alicia's hand, a bright purple almost the same shade as a tìhawnuwll, with a long silver stick attached to the small square bottle. “Give me your hands!” 

Yay-u slipped her hands into Maria's as she rummaged around a small bag at her side, and pulled out a rough black bar. She began rubbing it over Yay-u's nails, carefully, as Zee pulled out a small wooden stick, and began doing something to her own nails. They talked and laughed and joked as Maria pulled the little bottle closer and twisted it open, revealing a small brush on the end. 

She smiled as she took hold of Yay-u's little finger, and leaned over her hand to get a better look, Yay-u shifting along to see what she would do, frowning as the tiny brush on the end of the stick painted her finger nail a perfect shade of tìhawnuwll. Zee pulled her hand up, and blew on it softly, before holding it up into the sunlight.

“Perfect!” 

Yay-u looked at Zee then to her nail, before giggling like a little girl, the other women soon joining in, stomping their feet against the mattress, as they continued to paint each other's nails... 

“He’ll be back,” She ran a soothing hand down Yay-u’s head with a sigh, running her fingers through the soft strands, pulling at them, sending pain through Yay-u's skull. “The worst of them always comes back.”

“What you doing now, Sweetheart?” Myhuls grunted as he removed his armor and dumped it at the foot of his bunk. "What's going on with you're nails?"

She held out her hand for him to see. He smiled as he took her hand in his, and knelt in front of her. Myhul's rough fingers ran over her nail softly, bringing her hand closer, “Pretty.”

No, Yay-u leaned forward to escape the small, cold hand on the small of her back. “He is not worse.”

“The worst.” Bjarne sighed again, dropping her hand, and stared at the planes disappearing from view, chin propped up on the window ledge with another sigh. “Well, which one do you think he’s in?”

Yay-u pointed, tapping her nail against the window. “That one, first.”

The leg was warm as she wrapped herself around it, the hand rough in her hair as he held her steady. The demon leaned back in his seat with a groan, “ETA?”

“'Bout,” Someone yawned, “Twenty minutes.”

“I'm gonna take a nap, He rumbled, and looked down at her with golden eyes matching her own, “Be good now, alright, Sweetheart?”

“Yeah,” Bjarne leaned in and sighed, again, making Yay-u's ears pull back. “Give it to him to charge ahead.

Myhuls smiled down at her as he bounced the basketball, large hand gripping the ball, fingers curving around as he caught it and held it above her head.

"Keep up, Sweetheart," He rumbled before he slipped around her, leaving her gasping.

“Is that bad?” Yay-u turned her attention to Bjarne once they had disappeared from view. “Them that lead are good warriors, proud to lead?”

“Sure,” Bjarne huffed, and sighed. “I guess that having a good warrior to lead your army is a good thing, but leading a war against peaceful people isn’t always so… proud.”

Yay-u didn’t respond, and turned her attention back to the open sky. He doesn’t just wage war… He’s warm too… and he smells nice… and he has big arms… and hands… She blushed, but Bjarne didn't notice.

Bjarne sighed, again, as she hopped off the bed. 

“Well, I need to get out of here, wanna go for a walk? It's a perfect opportunity, we won't run into anyone we don't want to.” Bjarne stretched as she walked away, calling for her team and yelling something about getting permission.

The white, stringy-shoes were strangely uncomfortable yet comfortable at the same time. She stood next to Myhuls as he talked about everything and anything, asked questions she tried to answer as honestly as she could, but she didn't understand all of it. Boyfriend? Lover? Is that something important?

Yay-u frowned at him from under the boonie, “Have had too?”

“What, Sweetheart?” He smiled at her as he waved another machine past.

“Lover?”

He frowned, at the question, before answering, never looking at her, "A few, nobody important."

“The people?”

The question made his head spin like a ball. His eyes wide as he stared at her.

“Of course they're people! What else would-?” He looked her up and down, before chuckling, and shaking his head. “You mean Sky People? Well, I haven't been in this body long, baby.”

They waved trucks along and pointed Sky People into the right directions, and took sips of water until she couldn't stand the silence anymore.

"Would I be lover?" 

The question slipped out before she even knew what she was asking... But it caught Myhuls' attention, his head whipped back to face her so fast, she was scared it would rip itself off and bounce away form them.

“You don't know what you're asking.” He stared down at her, his golden pools burning. “Don't say such things.”

Yay-u nodded, and frowned down at her feet, rocking back onto her heels.

She would go out with Zee tomorrow... 

Yay-u’s ears twitched at the prospects of going out. Bjarne noticed. We won't run into her Dreamwalkers you mean... 

“Yeah, I’m gonna ask the guys if we can’t go for a walk.” Bjarne hopped off the bed, with another sigh. “I think it will do us some good.”

Not if you keep sighing like that. Yay-u groaned, Of all the people... 

“What was that, Yayiu-te?” Bjarne called from the door. Yay-u clenching her eyes tight before opening them again, and turning to the doctor, shaking her head with a full-lipped smile. “Alright then. I’ll be back soon.”

The door closed behind her, leaving her to stare out the window at the people running across the black earth, un-ikran’s flying up into the sky and far away, leaving her behind. Again… 

She huffed, and closed the curtain, pulling her blanket up around her shoulders. She knew that she should probably get her shoes, and get ready to go out with Bjarne, but she just didn’t have the energy to go, didn’t want the energy to go… With my luck, I will meet that awful Sky Person again… Sliding down the side of her bed, she reached for her stringy-shoes and slipped them on, trying to remember how Quaritch tied them...

They sat on his bed, Yay-u peeked over his as his long fingers worked the strings around so efficiently, well-practiced – he didn’t even seem to pay attention to what he was doing, and simply did it….

She pulled the ‘trainers’ our from under their bed, hers sitting next to his, and quickly slipped her feet into them, pulling the strings tight and folding them over each other, but not getting the knot to stick. She sighed, and tried again, and again, and again…..until she gave up and threw them under Quaritch’s bed with a huff. She'll go barefoot then...

“Fizzled, Sweetheart?” Lyle smiled down at her, tying his shoes with ease.

“No,” She huffed and turned away from him, to which he chuckled. Yay-u slapped him on the side with her tail for that, making him laugh even harder as he left.

“C’mon,” Myhuls shoved her with his elbow, and reached under the bed, handing her back the white, stringy shoes. “I’ll show you, it’s really easy, I promise.”

She turned to look at him, sharp teeth and big golden eyes smiling down at her. He put his foot down on the ground with a stomp, grabbing the strings and looked at her, nodding at her to follow along.

Yay-u sighed, and stomped her foot as she slipped it into her shoe, taking the strings in her hands, and looked back at him, daring him to continue. He smiled and looked down at their feet.

“Knot it like this,” He looped the strings and looked at her to make sure she’s following him. “And then make…. ears, like this. Good, then tie them like this.”

He looped the pieces together, tying it into a neat bow. She looped the stings together, and looked up to see if she had done it correctly.

“Nice job,” He smiled down at her, all big and bright and white, and spread his legs out in front of him. “Next one, let’s go, we've gotta be on the tar in the next ten minutes.”

She tried not to smile back, but she did anyway...

Yay-u tied the last knot and rose to her feet, swaying slightly, reaching to steady herself on the side of the bed. Her head hurt. She gripped the side of her head, and sat back down on her bed, clenching her eyes to get the room to stop spinning.

“Are you alright, Yayiu-te?” Bjarne asked, laying a steadying hand on her back.

Yay-u smiled and nodded, walking past Bjarne to the door, waiting for it to slide open. Guards and squints followed them out, dodging their footsteps into the bright Pandora sun. It wasn’t this bright before… She missed her boonie.

“It's gonna keep the sun out of your eyes, Yay-u.” Myhuls frowned at her, as she pulled the item off her head. 

She shook her head, and shoved the ‘hat’ back into his hands.

“C'mon, you wore it before, Sweetheart,” He frowned down at her, as he stood in front of her with his hands on his hips. “We'll be in the sun the entire day, trust me, its gonna get hot out there. The boonie will help.”

Yay-u huffed, and crossed her arms over her chest, making Myhuls smile as he placed the boonie on her head, pulling the edges to cover the tips of her ears.

They walked to the basketball court, dodging Sky People on their tall feet, and their yellow machines. The court greeted them with familiarity, the red ground tap-tap-tapping under her shoes. One of the guards rushed off, promising to bring back a basketball. 

“Did you and Quaritch play a lot?” Bjarne asked, stopping next to her as she stared up at the net.

“Only few,” Yay-u murmured as she recalled the smile on his face when he asked her if she can keep up. “Generalmor-tar made them work after.”

Zee crouched in front of her, dribbling the ball in one hand. 

“See what I'm doing?” Zee looked up, still bouncing the ball in one hand. 

Yay-u nodded her head, as Zee handed over the ball. 

“Your turn.” 

The ball was bumpy under her fingers as she bounced the ball. Or, tried to.

“Didn't Augustine teach you how to play basketball, Sweetheart?” Myhuls rumbled, from above as she bent down to pick up the ball.

“No,” She shook her head, and held it out to him. “Teach I?”

He smiled, and took the ball, “Well, let's have some fun, huh?”

“I see,” Bjarne sighed, and started pacing the court as they waited for the man to return, not saying much. She watched Yay-u, listening as the machines went by, and the humans yelling and talking to each other, pacing back and forth on the court, their metal feet stomping around just like humans… When the guard returned, holding the faded red ball into the air for them to see, huffing as he came to a stop in front of the doctor.

“Ah! Thank you, Michael.” Bjarne took the ball from him with a smile. “Now, Yayiu-te, how about-”

Something fell. Or rather, someone...

Bjarne turned to find the Na’vi lying on the ground, eyes closed under the sun. She rushed to her, guards hot on her tail, the ball long forgotten.

“Yay-u!” Bjarne knelt next to her and took her pen-light out of her lab coat pocket, flashing the bright light in her eyes. “Yayiu-te! Can you hear me?”

Her pupils didn’t move for shit! Bjarne turned to the nearest guard, “Get me a gurney, and tell Phillipe to prep the IV’s, tell him to prep the basics! You! Roll her over! I don't want her to choke.”

The Skell Suit-techs reached for the Na’vi, and rolled her gently onto her side. Bjarne checked for a pulse, and shook her head.

“Not enough time. Can you pick her up?” 

“Yes ma’m,” He maneuvered his skeletal arm under the pale blue skin, and, with a grunt, picked her up. “To the lab?”

“If you know it, then why are you standing here? Go!” Bjarne hit the side of the suit with her hand, and watched as he ran, Bjarne putting chase with the rest of the group. “Tell the other idiot the gurney is of-”

“Already did, ma’am!” The guard behind her yelled as he kept up with the skell suit 

“Oh, you are to some use I see!”

The guard carrying Yay-u disappeared from sight, making Bjarne sigh as they neared the Medbay – Yay-u and the soldier nowhere to be seen. Rushing in, Yayiu-te was already hooked up to the monitors, and Phillipe pulling blood cultures.

“What the fuck, Alice?”

“Don’t you start with me, you hog-monkey! We went for a damn walk!” She turned to a nurse, and began scrubbing in. “Push fluids! Electrolytes, fifty-cc’s!”

“Not until I have my blood cultures!” Phillipe slapped the nurses hand. Plastic against plastic bouncing off the walls.

“Hurry up then!” The nurse huffed, placing the IV bag on the table and reached for the monitors. They rushed around, hooking her up to the heart monitors, and getting the machinery up and running.

“Got what I want!” Phillipe pulled away, making room for the nurse to step in, looking for a vein.

“Heartbeat too slow, we can’t-” A nurse began, only to be cut off when Bjarne took the syringe out of her hand and plunged the needle into the girl’s arm.

“When we get her heart rate up, I’ll listen to what the fuck you have to say.” Bjarne frowned at the nurse, and turned back to the monitors. “How are those blood results coming?”

“You are not fucking serious, Alice?” Phillipe yelled from across the bed. “The machinery can only work so fast you know! I can only work so fast!”

“I don’t care! He’ll kill me if he comes back now!” Bjarne moaned, checking Yay-u’s pupil dilation.

“Who? Quaritch?” A nurse rushed in, and laid a blanket over Yay-u’s still form. “The man is miles away right now! He can’t do shit!”

“Keep telling yourself that, Emily.” She reached for her stethoscope. “That man scares the living daylights out of me.”

“Oh please!” Phillipe scoffed.

“You’re not the one who dangled from his fingertips!” She held up her hand, wiggling her latex covered fingers in the air for her colleagues to understand.  

“He’s one man, Bjarne!”

“He’s a full grown Na’vi, that I am pretty sure they pumped full of ‘roids during the growing process! Did you see the size of that man’s biceps? He would crush your head like a bug between those puppies!” 

“Pulse is rising!” The nurse reached over to the screen.

“Keep her stable!” Bjarne pulled the thermometer out of the wall-sock and held it over Yay-u’s forehead. “Fuck…”

“What?” Phillipe held a pad in one hand as he leaned over Bjarne’s shoulder, and scoffed. “Not as big a fuck as mine.”

“Oh, that type of fuck...?" Bjarne took the pad out of his hand and- “Yeah, your fuck is bigger than my fuck.”

Chapter Text

20. An (Avoidable) Fuck-Up…

The helo’s touched down with a groan, the pilots running the shut down as Ardmore came out from the cockpit, sighing at the sight in front of her: Of the twelve fucking expensive operatives they sent out, only seven returned. Recoms Brown, Fike, Warren, Zhang and Walker lay on the ground of the helo-carrier between their comrades, faces calm and relaxed, eyes closed, hands crossed over their chest – almost like they are asleep. What a waste... 

“Get ready to unload,” Ardmore huffed over her shoulder as she exited the helo behind the pilots. 

Lucky fucks… Lyle thought as he looked at Brown’s dead, blue face – calm, relaxed since the first time he woke up. Lucky, fuck…

He glanced at Quaritch; his CO’s hands clawing at his knees with his eyes screwed shut, as he took slow, deep breath.

“This could all have been avoided,” Quaritch mumbled as the cargo doors opened. 

He sighed, unclenching his hands and opening his eyes without saying another word. He didn't need to - they knew he didn't want to talk. He wouldn't say anything, either, Lyle knew. Quaritch moved to Brown, and zipped up his body bag, motioning to Lyle to take the other end of Walker's bag, carrying them both out to the waiting gurney, and turned back for the rest of his squad. He didn't need to say anything to the rest - they understood. 

Ja and Lopez grunted as they lowered Warren into his body bag, Ja bending down to zip it up, while Lopez turns around to help Zee lower Fike into his shroud.

Lyle looked up as they laid Brown down on the gurney, “Shit, Colonel-”

“Save it, Lyle.” Quaritch snapped, not looking up from where he was zipping up Fike. “I don’t want to hear shit from that bug. If the Mortar wants to talk, she should have-”

“Colonel Quaritch.” A voice peeped from behind him, making Quaritch sigh. He turned around, ready to drop-kick the fucker and –

“You’re not Tweetle Beetle,” He frowned down at the small lab tech; the kid sweating like a whore in church under his lab coat, brown hair sticking to his forehead, zits popping underneath the mask thanks to what could only be his high blood pressure, eyes swollen red as he stared up at Quaritch. “What does the Great Bitch Bjarne want now?”

The tech gulped and pointed to the lab with a shaky finger. 

“There i-is some-, big. You nee-, ne-, blue, tall–” The kid gulped, gasped for air behind his mask, before he fainted, like a fucking cartoon. Eyes rolling back, feet swinging in the air, the works. 

“You have got to be fucking with me.” Quaritch sighed as he looked up at the blue sky, scratching his eyebrow with his tub, and turned to Lyle. “How the fuck am I gonna do this? I thought these schmucks were trained for this shit.”

Lyle sighed, and began trudging over to him, “I’ll take him to Bjarne—”

“No,” Quaritch held out his hand, and sighed, picking the kid up with little trouble, “I’ll take him, he was looking for me anyway. Get them prepped for honors.”

“Yes sir.” Lyle sighed and watched as his CO carried the kid like a sack of potatoes, then turned back to his squad, nodding to the coroners to take the bodies. Fuck… 

People jumped out of the way as the pissed-off-looking Recom stormed down the track, confident strides eating up the tar towards his destination, as they gaped at the human hanging from his shoulder – Bjarne’s little ankle bitter dangling like a dead cat. This is gonna get back to the fucking Mortar... fuck me... And there's no one to do the fucking fucking! Fuck!

He checked his breather as he came to the door, making sure that everything was still in working order after their little scuffle with Sully and his bitch of a wife. Quaritch grit his teeth, and listened as his tail whipped through the air, trying to calm himself down, just a bit. It didn't really work. That fucking cunt... I'll get him, I'll fucking get him! 

Quaritch dropped the squint and began looking for his damn keycard, patting the kid down – finally, finally, pulling the wet plastic out of the squint’s lab coat pocket with a grimace. “What the fuck, kid?” Like this wasn't a bad enough day as is. Fuck! 

He kicked the door open, and dragged the squint in by the back of his lab coat with a grunt, keycard pinched by the tips of his fingers. Following the process through muscle memory (not that it was necessary); stepping into the entrance, pulling the Squint in after him, closing the outer door, waiting for the green light to beep, opening the most inner door, drag in the- 

The yelling was not expected. Papers flew into the air, pads got knocked to the floor, as people knocked into each other. The noise stopped, as squints turned to look at him.

“All for me?” Quaritch snarled down at the squints sitting on their asses on the ground, staring up at him with piss-scared faces. “You shouldn’t have. Bjarne! Where are you, you grade-A cunt? Your subspecies "baby squint's" made a mess big mess, clean up on the main deck!”

The messy head of the Head Squint shoved out from behind a curtain, all color draining from her face at the sight of the Demon from the Doomed Planet, breathing out his name like the curse that it was: “Quaritch. What are you doing here?”

“Aww, now don’t be like that Squinty, I’m just here because you summoned me, remember?” He smirked at her as he turned off the valves on his breather to take a sip, and pointed to the kid dangling from his fingers, “Your subspecies called me.”

Bjarne frowned at his tone of voice and snipped, “I don’t need you here! You need to get the fuck-!”

“Myhuls?”

The baby squint dropped with a squeak, others rushing forward to get the kid out from under the big, muddy boots as Quaritch charged forward, ripping the curtain off its rail to get through to her, Bjarne ducking out of reach, away from those big, blue sausages that threatened death as he hunted for that familiar voice.

They tucked her nest into a storage compartment, monitors above her head with multi-colored IV’s hanging down from the wall – they tied her hair back, oily streaks clumping together, eyes muddy; no sign of the gold that captivated his grunt bitch-ass. Dark purple bruises etched deeply under her brassy eyes.

“Sweetheart?” He knelt and shuffled into her space, a frown working its way onto his face. “What the fuck did they do to you, huh?”

She made grabby-hands at him, slim fingers sliding against his still-wet body armor, scratching with dull nails – he hurriedly removed the bulky item, the sound of Velcro ripping apart too loud in the otherwise silent room, dropping in a wet plap next to him.

When he didn’t move fast enough, she let out a sob and the fucking dam broke.

Yay-u babbled away in Na’vi, motioning around her at Bjarne and then at the rest of the squints and the IV’s and the blankets, slamming her hand down and pulling at the blankets, blubbering as he wrapped her up tightly and lifted her onto his lap, being careful with all the tubing and wiring, her heartbeat bouncing through the lab with the help of the fucking monitors, tears streaming down her face. Where the fuck is her fucking woobie?

He shushed her gently, and tucked her into his chest, watching her four fingers digging into his shirt – pointing to Bjarne and Phillipe and techs and nurses and the wiring and the machines, arms flailing about as she hiccupped through her tears until, finally, she exhausted herself. Curled into her self, and tucked against his chest, she stilled while he wiped at her nose with a piece of tissue.

“Let’s get off the cold ground, huh?” He scooped her up with a soft grunt and placed her on the bed, turning to grab her nest blankets and piling them over her, tucking the awful green around her to try to get her temperature up. Did ya try that you fucking squint? “I’m gonna talk to Bjarne, alright? We’ll be-”

“Kehe! Si sìltsan!” Fingers reached out from under the mound of blankets to pull at his shirt, cold and weak, yet so determined. She wiggled to the edge of the bed, shaking her head – hair a matted mess on the green blankets. Heart monitors going for a whirl the more she wiggled.

He shushed her gently as he leaned over her, trying to get her to lay still, still worried about her tail. As he rubbed a thumb over her faded stars on her forehead, he frowned and shushed her again, “Alright, alright, breathe Sweetheart. Breathe. That's it.”

She hiccupped as he reached for more pieces of tissue paper from the wall dispenser, gently blotting at the corners of her eyes. He sighed, and watched as she tried to get her breathing under control, leaning over her as he rubbed his thumb along her spots, shushing her gently. Somewhere between her tan-trum and her trying to breath normally, she passed out – whether to was just her exhaustion or something else, Quaritch didn’t know. Yet.

He made sure her tantrum had tuckered her out – which was rather concerning. He made sure she wouldn't roll out of the bed, tucking the blankets under the mattress for extra security (he didn't know how the railing bullshite worked, so this would have to do) – before hunting down the Head Cunt; She had officially won that title.

Baby Squints made room for him as he glided through their work space, grabbing at objects to steady them as his tail whipped through the air, ducking out of the way as his strides ate up the distance to Bjarne’s office. The door was open. Not for long. She sat back in her chair as Quaritch closed the door rather gently, Well that’s good, before grabbing the chair in front of her desk and baring the door, Or not…

“What can I do for-” She began as she leaned forward onto her desk.

“Shut your piehole,” He snarled down at her. “Until I ask a question.”

Bjarne scoffed, “And who are you-?”

He gently placed a giant blue hand onto her table, looked her dead in the eye, and pressed down, cracking the screen of her reinforced tablet, pushing until the screen glitched and the sides split open, spilling its mechanical guts out for the world to see. “We clear?”

Bjarne nodded, eyes wide.

“How long has she been like this?” He started pacing the small area with a whip of his tail.

“Few weeks.” Bjarne whispered, spotting the massive knife strapped to the small of his back.

Quaritch snarled, and slammed his palm down on her desk. “Dates woman!”

“Her symptoms started about a week after she was placed in our care.” Bjarne looked up at him, praying for him to understand.

“We visited for weeks afterwards, how can she have started going down hill that quickly? I didn't notice anything.” He lifted his palm, picking at the glass shards, and continued pacing the length of her small office. 

“Underlying symptoms we brushed off because we thought it was just her tail,” She tried to explain, “She had a fever for a short while, we thought it was her body working to repair it. We didn't think it was a symptom for something else.”

Quaritch hummed, frowning at the floor as he crossed his arms over his chest, and continued his pacing, as he whispered: “What’s wrong with her?”

Bjarne sighed, and whispered: “She’s starving.”

Quaritch stopped in his tracks, and Bjarne was pretty sure he stopped breathing altogether, that he had a heart attack until he whispered: “What?”

“From what we understand, the Na’vi can’t digest human food,” Quaritch sat down in one of her guest chairs with a slump, ignoring the way it creaked in protest, eyes glazing over so quickly she was worried that he would ignore what she had to say, “-and what little they do digest isn’t sufficient enough for them to function. Their diet consists of more natural food sources than ours. Their food is more iron rich and more naturally occurring salts than we are used to, Hell, than our ancestors were used to. Has more minerals that we don't even have on Earth, minerals we didn't even know existed. We are trying to replicate it but we have had little to no success thus far. But what we have been able to duplicate, has had little success.”

“That’s why it tasted funny,” He mumbled as he sunk down further into the chair, cradling his head in his hands and whispering, “Jesus… I was starving her…”

Bjarne stared at the Recom, the exact picture she’s seen time and time again, the remorseful parent who didn’t listen to their child, the devastated spouse realizing they could have done more… She stood and walked around her desk to place a comforting hand on his bulging shoulder. “There’s nothing you could have done, even research from the Avatar program was limited, and we didn’t realize that it was their human DNA making it easier for them to digest our food.”

Quaritch was still for a moment, before looking up at her with a sigh, “And you are sure that whatever you are giving her now will help?”

“We are hopeful, so far it seems to be working.” Bjarne smiled, “She’s gaining weight steadily, and she has more lucid days, but her balance—”

“What do you mean her balance?” Quaritch turned the full intensity of his gaze onto her. “What’s wrong with her balance?”

“You brought her to us to treat her for a-” Bjarne frowned at him.

“Yes, a pulled tail. Do you mean that that asshole pulling on her tail, broke it?”

“From what we can tell,” Bjarne spoke slowly, trying to calm the wild animal in her office. “Her balance has been permanently affected by a broken tail.”

Broken. Broken. Broken. b̸͎̱̦̗̑́͗̃̀͜r̸͚̳̜̾̈̐̈̔̀̽͆̈́̆o̷̤̲̫̹̖̩̓͐̇k̵̪̘̭̩̮̉͂̍̏̀̒͒̆̋̕ę̸̲̣̤̲̥̈́̂̐́͒n̸̡̤̱͉̈́̊̅̅͒͘...

Bjarne watched as the most terrifying man on Pandora, slumped into the small chair – yet somehow still looked like a little boy who’s entire world came crashing down around him…

Fuck…

He let out a broken chuckle that had Bjarne take a step back, blood draining from her entire body at that sound, running cold. 

“Well,” He drawled, a melancholy smirk working his way to his lips. “Grand-daddy was right about that at least.”

Quaritch looked at her, golden eyes a little less gold, sending a shiver down her spine.

Chapter Text

21. Betrayal

Lyle came to get him for dinner at nineteen-hundred hours. He asked around, when he didn't find Yay-u in her normal bed, only to be pointed along by stiff-lipped Squints. The soft beeping of a monitor lead him in the right direction, hidden behind a curtain. He peeked inside, 

“Miles-” Lyle whispered at the figure leaking over the sides of the plastic chair dug out from somewhere.

“They get their honors, Lieutenant?” He didn’t look away from the girl’s hand, gripping his pinky like a lifeline from beneath her piles of blankets pulled up under her chin, pale blue lips parted as she slept.

“The General doesn’t think that they deserve it, sir, they failed their mission after all.” Lyle whispered; his voice tight in ‘Lieutenant Mode’. “But we decided combined we have full stars, so we’re gonna go ahead and do it anyway. Worse she can do is make us shovel shit – we’ve cost them too much already. They’ll be laid to rest come morning.”

His CO hummed in confirmation, watching him like a hawk as he crept closer to peek at the girl.

“They say what’s wrong with her yet?” Lyle picked up the tablet that Quaritch had just perused moments ago, not having the stomach to read all of it. It took him a while, he was strained to shoot - Ja was the fucking medic, he knew all this mumbo-jumbo medical bullshite, but what he did understand was not good. 

“Severe malnutrition and a broken tail, effects unknown. She threw a tantrum about-” He looked down at his watch in his lap – having taken it off somewhere throughout the incidents – and sighed, rubbing his eye with a finger, “Two hours ago. Tuckered herself out.”

“Jesus.” Lyle leaned against the wall and tried to read the shit again, ignoring the way his CO delivered all of it in that monotone. Don’t do that, Miles, the girl surely means more to you than that… “Motherfucking son of a bitch. When are we gonna gut that son of a whore?”

“How’s Zee?” Quaritch changed the subject, trying to get his blood pressure under control – it won’t help anyone now if he had a Goddamned aneurism.

“Pissed as all hell, cursed Ja into the fourth generation when he tried to clean up the bites,” Lyle sighed, “She’s got a vendetta against Sully’s youngest tyke, she got Zee pretty deep – pup'll have to sleep with one eye open from now on.”

“Send Zdinarsik out first, we’ll find Sully in minutes thanks to that little shit. She’s out for blood.”

“Ain’t that right.” Lyle scoffed.

“Win-fleet?” Yay-u called from within her cocoon of blankets.

Lyle peeked at Quaritch for conformation, and when his CO nodded, turned to Yay-u with a smile.

“Hey, hey, Yay-u!” He held out his fist, which she poked with a finger, whispering in a loud whisper: “How ya doin’? Long time, no see.”

“I want leave.” She slurred. “Tell them come visit.”

“Yeah, the team misses you too,” He took the seat his CO just vacated and leaned onto his knees, handing the pad over to Quaritch. “They wanted to come, but the Squints said no.”

Yay-u groaned, and pulled her pillow closer to her chest, curling around it – almost protectively. Her tail wanting to move, yet stayed limp behind her, making Quaritch flinch. She huffed and dumped her pillow on the ground, wriggled to the edge and stood with the help of her IV. They watched as she turned away from them and headed to the exit.

“Now, where are you going, Sweetheart?” Quaritch intercepted her on her way to the door, laying a hand on her arm, and pulled her back. “Bjarne isn’t going to let you go anywhere. You know that, so just go back to bed now.”

“To see Maria, and Zee and the rest of tehm.” She gripped the pole of her IV and shuffled around him. “I want to see them. I want to go.”

“Now hold on Sweetheart,” Quaritch’s large arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her to his chest. “The Squinternellies ain’t gonna let you go on walkabout. They’ll come visit when they are good and ready, we still have a few things to sort out, then they’ll come, alright?”

“What things?” She looked up at him, ears twitching, head tilting back to look him in the face.

Quaritch clenched his jaw, eyes squeezing shut, and ears pulling back. “Just things, Sweetheart. Nothing for you to worry about.”

Her eyes narrowed, gold seeping into the bronze rather prettily. She turned to Lyle: “Where is tehm?”

“Not a word, Lieutenant.” Quaritch turned to look at Lyle. “This is an official gag-order. Shut your pie-hole, do you understand?”

“Sir.” Lyle pulled his ears back, frowning. “Maybe, we should-”

“No.” Quaritch pointed a big, blue finger at Lyle. “I mean it – not a word.”

“Win-fleet?” She turned the full intensity of her gaze onto Lyle. “Where is tehm?”

“Orders are- Hey!” She pushed past them, ripping out needles and dumping the IV near the door. “Yay-u!”

Myhuls’ large fingers slipped through hers as she wobbled to the door, but he gripped her hand before she could go to far – her eyes trained on the exit, as Squints gathered, drawn to the noise they were making.

“Yay-u? Hey!” Bjarne yelled out from her office, watching as the big, blue assholes followed after their beauty. “What the fuck did you do Quaritch? She can't leave here!"

Yayiu-te let go of his fingers and reached for the door, and began pushing on unsteady legs.

"You hear that, Yay-u?" Myhuls called from somewhere behind here. "The Doc said you can't leave."

“No sheet!” Yay-u yelled from the door, and turned her back to it and pushed with a grunt, bracing her wobbly legs against the floor.

“You- you have a sheet on your –” Lyle pointed to her bed, clearly just as confused as the rest of the medical staff.

She turned the full fury of her bronze gaze at him and yelled: “Sheet! Sheet! Sheet!”

Lyle frowned and turned to Quaritch for answers.

“I think she means ‘shit’,” Quaritch sighed. “Sweetheart-”

“I will go!” She turned back to the door, ignoring Bjarne as she came-a running. “You will no stop I, Myhuls.”

“No, darling, I won’t, but she will.” He stepped to the side as Bjarne stood behind him, panting under her mask, tapping her stringy foot, hands on her hips.

“Where in the name of Eywa do you think you are going, Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite?”

Yay-u took a deep breath, and turned to Bjarne, her tail trying so hard to twitch, ears pulled back. “Out. I want to see tehm.”

“The team is busy preparing for funerals, they don’t have time-”

“Funeral?” Yay-u whispered. “What ‘funeral’?”

“Jesus, Bjarne! You are some damn big brain!” Lyle hit her over the head with a closed fist. “That’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid!”

“O-we!” Bjarne turned to Lyle, cradling her head, “How the fuck was I supposed to know, huh? It’s not like you say anything!”

“You would think you damn big brains would have an actual brain stuck between your damn ears!” Lyle yelled down at her. “You saw how close they were, use your brain for fucks sake! Damn it, you have a damned PhD! Even the military has special procedures in order to deliver sensitive news like this.”

“I have a Medical Doctorate, I do not have a Doctorate in Philosophy, you absolute ground pounder!” She hit him on the knee with her fist, watching as he buckled and grip the limb. “You didn’t say shit about not mentioning their death! How the fuck was I supposed to know?”

“Same type of big brain stuffed into a different cunt! She was fucking close to them you idiot!” Lyle got in her face, and tapped her forehead with a single blue finger, “Damn it! Think! You’ve got the so-called papers to do so!”

“Death?” Yay-u whispered.

Lyle turned his attention to Bjarne with a sigh. “Run.”

It was pretty comical to see the squint run while Lyle began chewing her a new one, ducking under the too small doorframe, hobbling along with his injured knee, hissing: “When I get my hands on you, you fucking squint, I will squeeze your head so hard that your eyeballs will pop out, then I’ll play Ping-Pong with it! Stomp on it so you can see what pain feels like!”

The silence that followed was heavy, only lifted by a soft: “Myhuls?”

Quaritch sighed, and turned to Yay-u with a soft smile. “Yes, Sweetheart? What’s wrong, huh?”

“Where is tehm?” She whispered. Don’t look at me like that! Don’t lie!

“In the morgue. The-” He whispered, clearing his throat. “The morticians are getting them ready to be cremated; their funeral will be held tomorrow.”

“Funeral?” Her head tilted, big bronze eyes digging into what’s left of his soul.

Quaritch sighed, and ran his fingers through her hair, being careful not to snag any of the strands on his calloused fingers. “They’re dead, Sweetheart.”

Her ears twitched, and she pulled away from him, her eyes growing wider and wider, bronze cooling and heating just as quickly.

“You lie.” Yayiu-te snarled through clenched teeth, her jaw pulling tight around her words.

“No,” Miles shook his head, “KIA – killed in action, we were waiting for transport back to Bridgehead when we were attacked by Sully and his wife for no goddamned reason.”

“Toruk Makto wouldn’t…”

“It was his gun,” Quaritch sighed. “And those damn green arrows.”

“The Tsakarem…” Yay-u got a far of look in her eye, stepping away from him, out of reach. “Why?”

“I don’t know,” He sighed, and leaned against the wall near the door, resting his hand on his hip. “We were doin’ recon, I guess we got too close to their hidey-hole. They came out swinging, killing half the squad before we knew what happened. They’re in morgue being prepared for their funerals.”

She blanked out, eyes going glassy as she turned away from him. “Who?”

“Brown, Fike, Warren, Zhang and,” He cleared his throat. “And Walker.”

Yay-u didn’t respond, didn’t turn to him to him as he came up behind her. She flinched as his heat warmed her back; his arms wrapped around her waist.

“Now that’s mean,” He rumbled in her ear, sending vibrations up and down her tswin as he rubbed his face in her hair, taking deep breaths of her to fill his lungs. “I’m trying to comfort you, ya know. I lost them too. They were my friends, my team – I led them into this mess. And they were killed because of it. Because of me. And I need your help to fix that.”

She pulled away with a frown, “How?”

“I need you to take me to Sully,” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Please, Yay-u. You said you would.”

Her frown deepened, her four fingers digging into his chest. She took a deep breath and then swallowed. “If-, if I take you, will Sky People leave?”

“Yes.” He lied. “When we get Sully, we’ll leave.”

Not that... She nodded and tucked herself against his chest, “I will take you.”

Quaritch mumbled his thanks, pulling her closer, placing a soft kiss on top of her head.

She gasped.

Now, that's interesting... He hummed into her hair, and rested his chin on her head. Very interesting... 

Chapter Text

22. Welcome Back

Zdinarsik dropped off clothes for her the next morning – she cried out at the sight of the brightly tattooed Dreamwalker, stumbling over her feet to give the woman a hug. Zdinarsik pushed the squints out if her way in her hurry to get to the girl. 

“Yay-u!” Zee engulfed her in a bear-hug, swinging her around with gusto, rubbing her check on top of Yay-u’s head. “Oh, honey, I’ve missed you so much!”

“Easy with her tail!” Bjarne hissed, coming up from behind. “Damn it! You are such a fucking idiot.”

“Oh, suck it, virginity pledge! I ain't near her fucking tail! She's fine!” She hissed down at the Squint as Yay-u wrapped her arms around Zee’s torso and hugged her back, closing her eyes and turned her face into her neck, rubbing her face against her scratchy shirt, It stinks like him… “You’ve had her cooped up here for so damn long, I didn’t get to see her at all. She’s gone crazy without my company, can’t you see~?”

“Disrupt my lab again,” Bjarne threatened, pointing to Zee and then to the door. “And I will throw you out by your tail!”

No... Yay-u flinched and wrapped her arms tightly around the woman. Zee placed her hand on Yay-u's head. 

“You are not welcome here,” Bjarne repeated. “Leave!”

“Alright.” Yay-u slipped out of the woman's hold, hopped over the bed, and began gathering her things – towel, comb, toothbrush, what little she has in means of clothes and the bag of beads. She pulled out the IV with a flinch and hung it over the railing. Dumping her blanket over the rest of her possessions to scoop it up in one go, sliping on her flip-flops before marching to the door. Stumbling past the laughing Dreamwalker and gawking Sky Person and out the door, calling for her friend: “Zee!”

They slipped past soldiers, and other Sky People, Zdinarsik giving a sharp hiss and they watched as the peoples scattered like the kali'weya they were. Zdinarsik led her to their bungalow, giggling as she pulled open the safety gate, breaking into a full-blown guffaw as Yay-u simply dumped her things on Quaritch’s perfectly made bunk. 

The Recoms gaped as their ward made herself comfortable. Looking to their comrade leaning against the door, chuckling and their returned ward, until it clicked:

“Yay-u!” Ja charged down at her, scooping her up from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist, and swung her around. “Damn, I’ve missed you, girl! Good to have you back in the land of the living!”

Yay-u hissed, hitting him on the side with her fist, “Let release!”

“Ah, now don’t be like that, honey, we really did miss you, you know? Now: My turn for a hug!” Prager rubbed at her hair, to which she let out a hiss, and Ja dropped her quickly, moaning: “You are mean! I’m gonna tell the Colonel about this bee-essery!”

“Besry youself, kurkung!” She swatted at their hands, as they crept up on her. She hissed, and spread out her stance, backing up, out of their reach, until she hit something, big, and hard, and warm.

“Well, good morning to you too, Sweetheart,” he rumbled from behind her, her ears perking up at the sound, much to the amusement of the rest of the team.

Yay-u turned around and enveloped him in a hug; he smelled of his soap and coffee, and him. Her entire body sagged into his as she sighed, rubbing her face into his shirt. Myhuls chuckled, rumbling against her cheek and running his fingers through her hair, the roughness snagging on the soft strands as he wrapped an arm around her waist. 

“When Zdinarsk said she was gonna pay you a visit, I didn't think she would bring back a gift. What are you doing here, huh?” He asked, as he pulled her even closer, trying to keep her balance steady. “I don’t think the Mortar has cleared you to go, yet. What did the Squinternellies say?”

“Oh, but the Colonel gets a hug?” Prager muttered form behind her with a huff. “Ye're mean, Yay-u!”

“Myhuls smells betterder,” Yay-u called over her shoulder to the team and then turned back to Quaritch, rubbing her face against his coarse shirt, ignoring the rest of the Recoms giggling and snorting behind her, “Zee disruppid the lab. So we go.”

“Oh?” He pulled her face up, the calluses of his fingers scratching against her chin, smiling down at her with his big, bright teeth. “And what did Bjarne have to say about that?”

“To leave.” A lighter blush spread over her cheeks, eyes a little less dull. 

He chuckled, “I mean what did she say about you leaving the lab?”

She shrugged and mumbled, “Don’t know. Ask Zee.”

He let out a big belly laughed at that, and pulled her under his arm. “We’ll hear from Bjarne soon enough, then. How’s your tail?”

“Still hurt,” She frowned, and stepped out of his hold, opening the blanket and knelt on the floor, sorting through her things. “Bjarne said 'it might fade'.”

“Might?” He leaned on the side of the bed next to her, and watched as she pulled open that damned fucking woobie, spreading it out on the bed with sure fingers. She swatted his thigh, trying to get him to back off, but slipped, landing with an ‘oomph’ on her stomach when she couldn’t reach the edges. Perky little ass at the perfect height. Not a bad view... “Then shouldn’t you still be in there with the Squints?” Never ever go back, Sweetheart, fuck, I would end the world if you decide to go back. End them all until it's just you and me...

She stopped what she was doing, looked up at him with her full lips set in a perfect pout, and shook her head, “No. You can no make me.”

Myhuls chuckled, the familiar rumble sending shivers up her spine. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” She blushed down at her blanket. “This is so.”

“Well then, who am I to stop you?” He smiled down at her, sharp teeth peeking at her from beneath his crooked smile.

Yay-u frowned, and poked him in the leg, “Myhulspilipkwaritz.”

“No,” He rumbled, and chuckled, “I mean what authority do I have to stop you?”

“Tawtute.” She rolled her pretty little eyes at him, making him chuckle, settling hot and heavy in the pit of his stomach. Like he let her do what she wanted anyway?

“C’mon, Sweetheart.” He picked up her boonie, and placed it on her head, gently. “I need a damn breather. These idiots stink.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her out of the bungalow, strolling into the sunlight.

It was warm, finally, warm. She pulled him to a stop on the deck and turned her face to the sun, taking a deep breath and letting it out with a soft sigh. And free...

Then, before he could blink, she charged down the steps and away from him, blotting along the tarmac.

“Yay-u!” 

Lyle stuck his head out of the door, and watched as his CO charged after the girl. He sighed, “Not again,” and called for the rest of the squad, picking up her boonie on the way. They caught up to them at the basketball court, where they found her lying on her back, their CO knelt next to her head, checking her over.

“What the fuck?” Mansk deadpanned, hulking over to them. “You alright, sir?”

Miles grunted in affirmative as ran his fingers through Yay-u’s tresses, being careful not to snag a hair.

“You okay, Yay-u?” Ja knelt by her head, checking her over. When she nodded, he proceeded to chew her a new one: “You just got out of the fucking med-unit and you go charging about? Are you fucking crazy? Get up off the fucking ground! C’mon! Bjarne’s gonna snatch ya up before we can say ‘Boom!’ and we just got you back! C'mon, get up!”

“It is warm,” She moaned as he lifted her off the ground. “It is good. It is cold there.”

“We’ll get your blanket,” he deadpanned and steadied her on her feet, snatching the boonie from Lyle and slipping it onto her head. “God damnit, you probably have the whole unit's blankets at this rate.”

“Chill, Ja,” Zee smacked him on the arm, “The girl just got out from under a tyrant’s thumb, she doesn’t need you going all ‘Momma Bear’ on her now. Let her live, man!”

Mansk sat down next to them and lay back, arms behind his head with a sigh.

“Get off the fucking court, Mansk!” Ja yelled, stomping down onto the private, pulling Yay-u along, trying to keep her from slipping from his hold.

“Suck my dick, Ja. I ain’t moving for shit – we’ve been running around ragged. We deserve some time to just sit on our asses.”

Yay-u slipped out of his grasp and laid down next to Quaritch, stretching out like a cat, back arching as she let out a sigh – reaching to the sky, touching the clear blue with thin fingers...

“Not on the ground!” The medic moaned as their CO tucked his arm behind his head, “At least find a patch of grass somewhere!”

“And where the fuck are we gonna find that, huh, Squinternelly Junior?” Wainfleet huffed form behind. “But he is right sir, we need to get moving, get her cleaned up, get ourselves cleaned up. And get some shut eye on a damn bed.”

Ja turned to him, yelling: “I ain’t a fucking squint!”

“A rack ain’t a bed, Wainfleet.” Quaritch stood with a sigh, pulling his ears back at Ja’s yelling. He stepped over her middle and crouched, pulling her up by her waist. “C’mon Sweetheart, let’s find a patch of grass huh?”

She stretched and groaned, throwing her arms around his shoulders as he pulled her to her feet.

“The only other grass around here, is back at the squints.” Mansk sighed, and sat up, pulling his shades onto his head to stare at his CO. “I ain’t going back there, sir, unless it's something Ja can't fix.”

Quaritch grunted and tucked her under his arm. “We’ll find some different grass, then. Later. Now, we’re gonna get out of the sun, alright?”

Yay-u pouted, but nodded, making him chuckle as she gripped his pinkie, boonie clenched tight in a periwinkle fist.

They walked all the way back to the barracks, Yay-u drawing looks as she always does – pretty little tail hanging limply behind her as they crossed over the tarmac. Or, it could be the fact that she’s practically wearing nothing…. Quaritch frowned, and pulled her to a stop, dumped her boonie onto her head, grunting as he heaved her up into his arms, listening to her hiss as she threw her legs around his waist, tucking her face into his neck.

“Quaritch!”

Oh- “Fuck me.” Miles turned, standing on the side of the road as Bjarne and her lackeys came charging down at them. “What do you want, Squint?”

“We are here to take her back to the fucking med-unit!” Bjarne panted, pointing to Yay-u and then back to the lab. “Your frikken lackey over there-” She pointed Zdinarsik. “Stole her!”

“You can’t steal someone who freely leaves, Squint,” Zdinarsik rolled her eyes as she followed behind her CO’s.

“I have a doctorate, and you will refer to me as Doctor Bjarne, you illiterate crayon muncher!” Her face turned a bright red, her hair failing out of her bun.

“Calm down, Bjarne, for fucks sake, it’s too damn early for this shit.” Lopez scowled.

“She is under my care, and I am taking her back to the lab!” Bjarne reached for Yay-u's hand, trying to pull her down. “Put her down, Quaritch! The General put me in charge of her!”

“She’s not your damn science experiment, you damn dink!” Lyle yelled down at her, “She chose to fucking leave. So, she left. And not you or your bunch of comic book, muff-fuckers are gonna take her back against her will!”

“And it’s as if you lot are so sympathetic of a person’s will!”

Quaritch couldn’t help but flinch, and pull Yay-u closer, as she mumbled into his shirt.

“What was that, Sweetheart?” He asked, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“No going.” She rested her chin on his shoulder and shook her head again, her braid swinging behind her. “You no make me.”

“Nobody’s gonna make you do something you don’t want to,” He grunted as he put her down. Besides, there’s no way in hell I’m handing you over ever again. “Let’s get going.”

“I’m gonna tell the General!” Bjarne yelled, stepping in front of Quaritch with her arms spread wide in an attempt to stop him.

“You can tell her, but be aware you have interfered in my mission to find and eliminate Jake Sully, and therefore cost me half my team.” He looked down at her. “And, wasted RDA resources.”

Bjarne swallowed. “I didn’t-”

“You did,” He snarled at her. “And you made her worse.”

“You didn’t know, either!” The Squint sputtered, face darkening.

He smiled down at her. “I have already petitioned for the General to place her back in our care.”

“Oh?” Bjarne snarked and crossed her arms. “And what did she say?”

“We move out tomorrow.” Quaritch smiled as his team whooped behind him as Bjarne’s face fell.

Back at the bungalow, the team was somber.

Their dead teammate’s things pilled neatly into their rucks, taking what they could use for themselves.

“No use in letting good things go to waste, Sweetheart,” Quaritch had said, as Zee handed her a pair of Walker’s pants.

“Besides,” Zee smiled, “Walker won’t be mad if we took a pair of scissors to this thing now.”

Yay-u sat down on the edge of the rack, before pulling on the new piece of clothing, Zee showing her how to tuck the shirt into the pants so that the fabric doesn’t crease too much, before siting down and heling her with her shoes.

Quaritch pulled on a fresh blouse – buttoning it up, pulling the sleeves down and buttoning it at his wrists, before checking his collar in the mirror.  He looked strange, Yay-u decided, with so little of his skin showing. Less intimidating. But… bigger somehow, as if he took up more space just standing there.

Everyone was dressed similarly. Ja placed his hat down on his bedside table, and Mansk took off his sunglasses. They fell in line as they finished getting dressed. Lyle the last one to fall in line.

“You good, Sweetheart?”

Yay-u looked up as Myhuls stood in front of her – already sweating, he looked so different to how she’d known him. Older, suddenly, the creases next to his eyes deeper.

“Where we go?” She reached for his hand, suddenly scared. He won’t leave her again, would he?

His gripped tightened in hers.

“We’re gonna say goodbye,” He smiled, before pulling her to her feet, slipping a breather around her neck, and playing with the valves.

They filed out of their quarters, silent, and walked to the other side of the base to a big white building with a metal “t” on top.

Sky People nodded as they entered, pointing to the edge of the room where long, brown boxes rested, with small pieces of fabric covering them. The fabrics were strange – white and red stripes ran along from one side to the other, but on the left hand side, in the corner sat a blue box with white starts all over.

A Sky Person came over to Myhuls before placing his hand to his head, “Sir! Ready when you are, sir!”

“Get to it, Captain.” Myhuls placed his hand to his head quickly, before letting git fall. Only then did the man drop his hand, turning, before motioning to the others.

A sound came from somewhere – sounding like an angtsìk – the Sky People snapped their hands to their heads, as her Dreamwalkers did it slower, more deliberately. She watched as Zee began to cry as the boxes were placed in a hole in the wall, metal trollies being rolled up and the boxes pushed in, and the blankets pulled off in a swift motion, before the doors were shut behind them. The Dreamwalkers let their hands fall, as a button was pushed, and the room suddenly became warm.

They didn’t say anything, not the Sky People standing around, or her Dreamwalkers as the sweet smell of burning skin filled the air.

She watched as the Sky People folded the blankets and placed them in a row on one of the trollies.

One after the other.

Yay-u stepped forward, and ran her fingers over the colorful lines and bright stars. The Sky People seemed to ignore her, as they placed the last blanket on the trolley, before placing their hands to their heads, and stepping away.

The sounds stopped, and only the fire popping could be heard. She looked up, as her friends disappeared into ash before her very eyes.

“It’s alright, Sweetheart,” Myhuls came up from behind her, and pulled her into his chest. “Its alright.”

She hadn’t realized that she started crying until Myhuls wiped her cheeks with the edge of his shirt.

“We’ll get them,” He promised, looking down at her with a frown, “We’ll get Sully, and his bat shit crazy wife too.”

And Yay-u believed him.

Chapter Text

23. …and Wake Up!

“Up and at ’em boys and girls!” The gnarled voice of the Mortar yelled from the door. “You’ve gotta go out and play, kitties!”

Quaritch snarled as he sat up, looking for the bitch.

The lights flickered on, and the Mortar and her entourage came stomping through the security gate, irritability tangible in the air as the Deja Blu’s fell in line.

“Well, ain’t this a sight for sore eyes!” Ardmore motioned to Yay-u as she stood next to Quaritch, swaying on her feet. “Oh, how lovely it is to see all of my blue monkeys ready at moment’s notice! Well not all, but we can work with that.” The Mortar walked up to them, arms behind her back; “You have two hours to shit, shave and shampoo, get your chow on, and get to the debriefing room!” She turned on her heel and stomped out, before stopping and calling over her shoulder: “Oh – Bring the girl with you, Quaritch. Get her dressed up in her gear.”

“Her gear, ma’am?” Quaritch couldn’t help but frown at the woman, of course he was gonna bring the girl, he wasn't about to let her out of his sight again, but what the fuck does this cunt even mean? 

“Her native getup,” Ardmore sighed, twirling her hand in the air. “The beads and the feathers and the whole shebang. The Big Heads want to do a victory parade, or a pre-victory parade type BS. Showing the natives working together with our team for the press. Dress her up nicely–” Ardmore turned back to the girl, frowning at her in Quaritch’s oversized green shirt hanging to her thighs, motioning up and down with a knife hand. “Not whatever this is supposed to be.”

You didn't see her native gear, cunt... 

“Well, we couldn’t have her running around base in her skivvies, ma’am.” Quaritch huffed. “It was barely decent enough for, huh, an exotic dancer. And there aren’t the most reputable men running around on base.”

His jaw clenched as he thought about that asshole Whip…

“We don’t stare a gift horse in the mouth, Quaritch.” The Mortar sighed, “Get ready Colonel. You have two hours.”

She stomped back out, the rest of the squad standing around shocked, Mansk being the first to break the silence: 

"So, are we gonna be Court Marshall'd or what?" He asked as he stared after the brown-nosers disappearing out of sight.

Lyle shrugged, still trying to wrap his head around being able to wrap his head around it.

“Well?” Quaritch turned to them, arms stretched wide, “What are you waiting for? Move it!”

The squad jumped, Zee grabbing Yay-u’s hand and plomped her down on the edge of her bed. Quaritch threw his comb in front of her, as the men gathered up their fatigues and boots. 

“Okay, Yay-u,” Zdinarsik took a seat behind the girl, dropping Yay-u’s bag of beads into her lap. “Let’s get it done.”

Yay-u watched as the squad ran around her, gathering up their gear and charged into the night. Quaritch dropping a bundle of mauve into her lap with a crooked smile, before bolting after the rest of his squad.

“How late is it?” She stared at the lamps outside, messing with her perception of time.

“It is about-” Zee reached for her low-grav watch on her bedside table. “Oh-four-hundred. Damn, the Mortar was actually awake. Huh, bitch.”

She ran the comb through Yay-u’s hair and watched as she began twirling the first strands into the perfect little braid, reaching into her pouch and pulling out one of her infamous beads. The soft browns and yellows a welcome distraction to the coarse fingers pulling at her hair.

“I braid, you tie off, sound good?” Zee handed over the small braid to be tipped off by the small wooden object.

Yay-u nodded and twirled the bead into her hair with well-practiced movements, until, finally, she felt the familiar weight settle around her shoulders, each braid settling heavier and heavier, until the bag ran empty. 

“Okay,” Zee sighed and reached for a plastic bag. “Grab your shit and let’s move.”

Yay-u jumped onto her feet and reached for the pile of familiar and (now unfamiliar) fabrics, the bag clutched between desperate fingers, and together they ran to the bathroom.

Zee pushed the door open to a squad full of naked bodies.

“Jesus, Zee!” Mansk reached for his towel and covered his front, blushing bright. “Give us a minute would ya!”

“We don’t have a minute, Mansk!” She slammed the door shut and pushed Yay-u to the far end. “We have to shit and shave too!”

She shook out a plastic bag and tied it over Yay-u’s hair, working the large, heavy braid under the plastic and tying it tightly at the base of her head. She pushed Yay-u into the shower and stepped in next to her, dumping their stuff just outside.

The shower was quick, Zee simply running the bar over her skin while Yay-u scrubbed with her washcloth.

“Move it people!” The booming voice of the Colonel echoed off the tile, making Yay-u jump. “We have an hour left to get our chow on! Where the fuck are-?”

He was already dressed, big black boots squeaking against the tile, when he saw the two women on his team, one old and one new, rinse themselves under the spray.

Yay-u quickly turning off the water and reaching behind her for her towel, her big amber eyes staring at him as she wrapped the standard issue green around her body, tiny in comparison to her lanky frame, her tail limp behind her. His tongue now heavy in his mouth. Even with the monstrosity on her head, she was damn perfect. Big eyes staring at him, tiny hand gripping the towel, pretty little mouth gasping... even as Zee grabbed the rest of her clothing and shoved Yay-u and her bundle into a stall to get dressed.

Quaritch clenched his jaw, and tried to think of anything that would make his dick go down, but, instead, his brain replayed that perfect little mouth, and that tiny little towel and what a shame it would be if it decided to fall... He once again yelled at his team to hurry up.

Only minutes later, Yay-u stepped out of the stall, and looked up as she pulled her bright purple loin cloth into place, maneuvering her top to cover all the right places; white beads strung together, fourteen strings layering downward to her navel, with orange feathers hanging down on each side, with a cluster of bright blue beads rounding it off at the bottom with strings tying it together around her back. Reaching behind her head, she began undoing the plastic bag, flinching as she pulled the thing off her head, rubbing at the top of her head where the bright yellow band held her queue in place.

Miles took a deep breath and yelled over his shoulder on his way to the door, “Move it, grunts!”

Together, what was left of the Recom squad stumbled out of the showers, running back to their bunks, half dressed in fatigues, throwing fingers in the air as they ran past the hanger bay, hoping their resident asshole wouldn’t see them. Yay-u’s hand clutched tightly in Miles' fist...

Stumbling into their barracks, they sat down on their bunks and began making themselves presentable.

Quaritch dumped his shorts onto his bed, and pulled out his combat-vest, clipping his holster onto his thigh, grabbing his shirt and pulling it over his head.

“Don’t you look pretty?” He smiled down at her, and twirled a bead between his fingers. I missed this..

Yay-u blushed as she perched on the edge of his bunk, beads clinking together as she rested her chin on her knee. The blush spreading down her chest oh so beautifully… Oh, I definitely like this thing. Where have you been all my life?

He smiled at her. A pair of socks hit him on the side of his head, knocking him back to the present.

The team sat down and began pulling their socks on, stomping their feet as they pulled the laces tight.

Reaching into her bag, eyes closed, she felt around, trying to keep her breathing under control, and pulled out a string of beads, running her fingers over the familiar object. She moved closer to Myhuls as he reached for his watch, tucking herself into his side as she began to hum the familiar song under her breath.

Quaritch listened closely, trying to understand the strange words as she ran her fingers over the beads, mesmerized by the soft words and haunting melody…

“Chief!” Lyle called, interrupting whatever fantasy was being woven in his CO’s mind. “We gotta go!”

“Yeah, yeah, hold your horses!” He took Yay-u’s hand and pulled her out of the bungalow, grabbing two breathers at the exit, the rest of the team jogging to keep up. He stopped at the bush outside their bungalow, and picked two big spartan fruits and hauled ass to the defac. They piled into the dining hall, each grabbing the “soup of the day”, a mug of coffee and piling into their eating area.

She’s never seen anyone eat so fast in her entire life.

“Eat, Sweetheart.” Quaritch pushed the large purple fruit to her mouth with the edge of his spork. “We don’t have time to waste.”

Quaritch watched as she opened her mouth wide, teeth shining bright and dug into the flesh, moaning as the fruit juices leaked out of the corners. Lyle gave him a swift kick, drawing his attention, then hissed; “Eat! You can chase your fantasies later!”

Quaritch bared a fang and picked up his bread roll, tearing it apart and dropping it into the watery “soup”, and began shoving it away – tongue burning as he swallowed. Yay-u packed away the fruit with a gusto that was quite frightening, swallowing down the glass of water in three big gulps, wiping her fingers and rosebud mouth with a moist towelette.

They gathered their shit, and rushed back inside, dumping their trays – the rest of the cafeteria watching in quiet amusement as the Big Blues hauled ass. With five minutes to spare, they arrived at the debriefing room, panting into their breathers, falling in line behind their CO.

“Alright, Sweetheart,” Quaritch pulled his mask away, and hung it around his belt, taking the extra one he grabbed on the way out, and hung it over her body. He took hold of her chin and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “No biting. General Ardmore is gonna be in there, along with a man named Charles Stringer. Now, he’s even more important than the General, so I need you to behave, alright?”

She nodded, and grabbed at his pinkie as he began the entrance procedure.

The smell of “Control Room” assaulted their noses as soon as the door opened – unwashed bodies, cigarette smoke, coffee and different energy drinks mixing together. Quaritch kinda regretted not warning her about this... 

“-you are clear for-”

“-negative, you cannot use runway-”

“-try the axillary cable-”

“-the General is in a meeting at the-”

Yay-u flinched and threw her hands over her ears, sidestepping and hiding behind Myhuls, as if he can dampen the noise the humans are emitting.

“Hey now,” Myhuls turned around, and tucked her under his arm. “It’s gonna be okay, they are just making sure that the people on the base can operate. I know it’s loud, but all these people are-” He motioned around them, with a grimace. “Necessary. To make sure that everything runs smoothly.”

“You stopped.” She poked him with a pout on her full lips.

“No, I looked for a word that won’t offend the Remington raiders.” He smiled down at her, “Remember the breather, and do behave. Your teeth can remove a damn finger.”

She nodded, and gripped at the pinkie on her shoulder.

“Good,” He smiled down at her, and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

24. Missions: A Real One

The coffee burned his nose as he inhaled when Quaritch and his team ducked into the OpsCenter - with the lanky frame of their Native guide gliding alongside them, holding tight to the lead Recombinant’s slim fingers…

Charles Stringer coughed into his elbow as he tried to regain his breath, and to get rid of the stinging in his nose. Ardmore, or as the hired guns called her behind her back “the Mortar”, glared at him, quipping in her ‘log-up-her-ass’-voice, “Are you alright, mister Stringer?”

He nodded, coughed out a “swell”, and dabbed at his mouth with the puce silk pocket square, before dumping his Kopi luwak into a nearby trashcan, ignoring the aptly called “grunt” scowling at him as he placed his empty cup on the work station.

Stringer brushed a shaky hand over his oil-slick hair, took a deep breath, and walked up to the General’s side. The Mortar nodded her head in acknowledgement before turning to the Recombinant squad as their hands flew through the air, saluting their CO. The Native looked up at them, confused, silk black hair sliding over blue skin, skinny, frighteningly so, as her loincloth clung to her hips by the grace of God. Thin arms swung at her sides as she took in everyone and everything around her. Sure, the natives were attractive, from the vids and clips he's seen, there really wasn't any that were unattractive, but this one-

“General Ardmore, ma'am!” Quaritch stomped his foot, “First Recombinant Unit, reporting for duty.”

Quaritch smiled down at the girl, and nodded his head in encouragement; before she touched her forehead with her fingers, and brought them out slowly, whispering whatever the natives told each other, then promptly held her hand out to the Mortar with a stiff lip.

“Colonel,” she greeted, waving them off, and nodded to the girl with a huff, taking the hand and shaking the cool, blue fingers up and down. “I see what you mean by it ‘not being appropriate’. I think I prefer her in your skivvies. Domesticated her well enough, though.”

“As I said ma’am,” Quaritch glanced at Stringer, and growled in a monotone voice, as he slipped into what the idiots called "rest", arms slipping behind his back with well practiced movements, “It’s not even decent enough for an exotic dancer.”

I really don’t mind, Stringer thought, watching the girl step back into Quaritch’s shadow, glaring at Ardmore past the big blue man’s big bulging shoulder – white beads strung together over her chest, orange feathers covering the sides of her breasts and whatever Tarzan-type shit the natives tried to pass off as pants, hung off her slim hips, enticingly. Not at all…

“Damn straight,” Ardmore huffed and sighed, motioning with the flat of her hand to Quaritch, then to the small man in light a pink shirt. “Alright. Colonel Miles Quaritch, this is mister Charles Stringer, CEO, philanthropist, y’know all those big words that we humble plebs don’t really give a fuck about – he paid for your asses to come back to annoy us in this life. Well, the Company did, he took over for Parker about-” Her face pulled into a frown as she concentrated, twirling her hand in the air. “Five years ago, while you were still growing into your big boy booties, and shipped us all over here to the Garden of Hell with him, ain’t he just the best?”

“Sir,” Quaritch held out his hand for the man to shake, who did so without looking at him – keeping his eyes trained on Yay-u, and the beads over her chest. Quaritch gave an extra hard squeeze at the small, baby soft hand just for that. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Stinger grimaced as he pulled his hand away and flexed his fingers behind his back. “You too, Colonel. I have heard much about your previous tour here; you were apparently a force to be reckoned with.”

“Just doing my job, sir.” Quaritch bared a fang as he smiled down at him, reaching for his breather to take a sip. “Keepin’ Satan and his pets busy was part of the contract.”

“Some job it was,” Stinger subtly took a step back, stopping behind the Mortar’s shoulder, placing a hand on her shoulder to save face. “If Ardmore here’s having trouble, I can’t imagine what you had to go through.”

“I don’t know about that sir; the General wouldn’t have come this far if she didn’t implement the rule’s I set into place to keep the squints in line.” Quaritch sniffed, resting the tips of his fingers on his service pistol as he relaxed his stance. “But then again, Mr. Parker wouldn’t have chosen me if I weren’t capable, sir.”

“I can see that,” Stinger grimaced, motioning behind Quaritch. “Who’s this?”

Quaritch turned, and smiled as Yay-u stepped closer to his back, seeking out his warmth, squinting as she leaned into his vest, glaring at Stinger over his shoulder on the tips of her toes. The telltale hiss of a breath being drawn from the canister made him smile.

“Her name is Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite.” Quaritch smiled down at his girl as she looked up as her name was called. “Sweetheart?”

Sweetheart? Stringer frowned at the Native as she looked up at Quaritch, eyes big and round, ears twitching, a smile sneaking onto her lips, not missing the sly smirk that crept over Quaritch’s mouth as the native looked up at him like he hung the damn stars in the fucking sky.

“This is mister Charles Stinger, he’s in charge of this whole operation,” Quaritch motioned around them, and looked pointedly at her as he said: “Don’t be rude, alright? Be nice.”

Is she a child? Stinger thought to himself, then glanced at her perky breasts hidden beneath thick black braids, and full hips, long legs and slim fingers as she stepped into full view… Definitely fucking not…

“Oel ngati kameie.” She touched her four, slim fingers to her forehead, and brought them out, motioning to him.

“Uh,” Stinger looked at Ardmore, who shrugged. “You-” He cleared his throat. “You too.”

The silence that followed was stifling and thick in the air. The girl looked to Quaritch with wide eyes as he gently rubbed her shoulder, turning to the Big Heads to explain. “It’s how the Natives greet each other apparently.”

Stinger nodded, and looked to Ardmore, hoping for a better explanation.

“Well, shall we get this show on the road?” Ardmore asked with a smirk, turning her attention back to the holo-table, leaving Stinger behind in her dust, confused and betrayed.

“Yes, ma’am.” Quaritch took a step back, and reached for the girl, pulling her under his arm, and to the display-table. He reached for his breather, and had her take a sip, then took his own, completely ignoring the breather hanging from her neck. “The idea is to take our girl here, load her up,” She knelt, and scooted herself between Quaritch’s legs and the table, looking up at him as he spoke, “and get to wherever it is that Sully is hiding. From there, we burn the rats out and get rid of the stragglers.”

“And she’ll do that?” Stinger couldn’t help but scoff at that idea, looking at the girl as she tilted her head to the side like a damn house-cat. “You are sure you can trust her?”

The Recom smiled down at him, forcing the businessman take a few involuntary steps backwards at the overly sharp teeth. “Positive, sir. We have her well under control.”

“Good to hear that then,” He nodded and turned back to Ardmore, motioning to her to get this show on the road and stepped behind her shoulder.

The Recombinant members turned to each other, smirking behind their commander’s back, the human definitely losing the pissing match he tried to start. Lyle shoving Lopez on the shoulder with sharp fingers to stop the idiot from laughing out loud.

Ardmore swallowed her own laughter, and turned her attention back to the girl. “The Colonel says that you can take us to Jake Sully, is that true?”

Yay-u turned her big eyes to Quaritch, who gave her a soft smile and a nod, motioning for her to continue.

“Yes,” she answered, still keeping her eyes on he- the Dreamwalker. “I take to Toruk Makto.”

He smiled at her softly, before stepping closer, and holding her breather up to her mouth. Yay-u swallowed and gripped his hand as she closed her eyes to take a deep breath. The bright bronze flashed as she opened her eyes, burning as she glanced up at him.

Quaritch smiled at the General, all “‘see?’, bushy tail wagging over his shoulder, eyes bright at their prospects.

Ardmore rolled her eyes. “Just get us what we need, Colonel.”

“Yessum.” He nodded, and motioned his team closer as the Mortar began pushing buttons and motioning to the techs around her to get them going.

“Alright!” She called the people to attention around her. “I’ll get your flight crew ready; you have two hours to gather your shit, you’re moving out at oh-nine-hundred.” Ardmore nodded to Tweetle Beetle, who tapped on a few images, a map appearing out of the blue light table, as the Recombinants settled in around them, Yayiu-te leaning forward on the edge, the General’s speech interrupted every now and then by the soft pull of breath from a breather. “Your transport can only take you ninety-two clicks off base, here.” She pointed to a ping on the map. “That’s when the creepy-crawlies come out to play – too big for us to handle even with our really big guns. So, you gotta carry your own weight from there on out.”

Yay-u looked up at Quaritch, frowning, questions hanging onto her soft, plump lips. He held is finger up to his mouth, motioning for her to be quiet, and held out his breather to her. She reached up, wet her lips and took a puff of air.

“As so obviously demonstrated before, the Na’vi’s Sky Momma can’t track y’all.” Ardmore motioned to the images being displayed, nothing he hasn’t seen before, big as fucking dinosaur chickens attacking pilot, and those wanna be dinos stomping on anything that looks remotely human. “Unlike us. So, we need you to get to where Sully is hiding. And report back. Don’t do anything stupid,” Ardmore turned back to them, motioning with the flat of her palm, emphasizing her words. “From what we can tell, he has large numbers but a limited supply of ammo. While you were playing house these last two weeks, they have been too damn quiet.”

More videos ran across the screen, big ass banshees attacking helo’s - people cursing and shooting at them, the big ass wanna-be-birds screeching at them. But none of the indigenous humanoids. Same shit he saw before. A soft hand tapped his, pushing the breather into his waiting hand as he pulled it up to take a puff.

“Blue Team will continue your mission, find and bring Sully in for questioning. He’s a traitor, and will be treated as such.” Ardmore turned her attention back to Quaritch. “You have the full backing of the RDA and the United States Marine Corps to bring in Sully. We’ll be basically useless to you lot out there, we can’t provide back-up or recon, or even supply runs, you’ve got what gear you can carry and your little friend over there when you head out. You can stock up when you come back, if you come back. Good luck, Colonel, you leave soon, so get your shit together. Dismissed.”

Quaritch stood straight and saluted, followed quickly by his squad and left, Yay-u pulled along silently. Not noticing the men turning their heads to get a final look, or the Mortar rolling her eyes.

“Finish what you started, Colonel.” Ardmore called after him. “We don’t have time to waste.”

Quaritch smiled down at Yay-u as he pushed the door open and stepped into the sun. The entire squad closed their eyes as they took a lung-full of real air as they stomped down the steps – Yay-u’s cold hand slipping into his.

“’Full backing of the RDA’– proceeds to tell us we have none.” Lyle shook his head with a sigh, and scratched his cheek. “Fuck them.”

Zee popped her bright pink plastic between her teeth, gnashing them together with a fury that made Mansk flinch as he pulled his sunglasses over his eyes. Those teeth were on my dick last night…

Quaritch sighed, calling over his shoulder, “Pack your shit, Lieutenant. Let’s get this show on the road.”

“Oorah, sir.” Lyle sighed, and motioned to the team. “Let’s move!”

Quaritch smiled down at Yay-u before gripping her hand tight in his own, and pulling her back to the bungalow. “Let’s get packing, huh?”

Yay-u nodded and let herself be pulled along, the familiar warmth of his large, rough hand a great comfort around her own, smaller, colder one.

Sky People stopped whatever they were doing and stared at them, tapping their friends who were busy with other things on their arms, and pointed – whistling and laughing and talking about sweetness and warmth, and a bunch of other things she really didn’t understand, but clearly upset Myhuls as he pulled her under his bulging arm, tucking her into his side as Zee covered her other, mumbling about how "idiots never seem to learn" and "ya think Whip would have told them to steer clear"...

Yay-u pulled on his shirt and breathed into his side, “What wrong?”

“Nothing that can’t be fixed by getting you into the barracks,” He smiled down at her, sharp teeth making her shiver, whether or not it was because she was cold or something else, she wasn’t certain. He frowned, muttering, “And into a pair of pants.”

“Just piss on her leg already!” Win-fleet whispered behind them, only to be pocked in the side by Zee. Myhuls hissed at him, and swiped at his head, the large paw easily missed as the warrior danced out of the way, much to the amusement of his team.

The bungalow came into view. Prager taking the steps two at a time to unlock the gate, motioning everyone inside with a flat palm and a stern expression on his face.

“Aye-aye,” Zee mocked with a salute as she stepped inside. “Mister Tight-Pants!”

“That’s Captain Tight-Pants to you, private!” Prager yelled in after her, making Yay-u jump out of the way as he shoved his head into the room.

Zdinarsik just made a japing motion with her hand behind her head without turning around. “You ain’t worth a captain for shit, Pragy-boy~! And we all know it! For fucks sake, you ain’t even a First Class you little shit!”

She ripped the Velcro open and dumped her body armour on her bed, reaching into her pocket and shoving a piece gum between her teeth, throwing the packet to Prager who began passing the small silver slab around the room.

“I will make it soon enough, you cunt! You will salute me one of these days, you’ll see!”

“You Pragye-boy, it’s a miracle you passed basic.” Lyle laughed, holding his stomach, until he stopped abruptly. “Good luck, you little shit!”

“We are the same age, you douche bag!”

“Physically, yes.” Mansk lifted his finger in the air, “Mentally, the Lieutenant will kick your ass.”

“Mentally, I am faster than you’ll ever be you fucker!” Prager charged down on Mansk. “It’s a miracle you even passed basic rifle skills.”

“And you didn’t pass shit,” He danced out of the way with a laugh as the Marine chased him about.

“I don’t need to pass shit, I need to pull the trigger and watch the fuckers go ‘splat’!” Prager clapped his hands together, making Yau-u jump. “When I shoot, they need to stay the fuck down. Maybe I should switch with Masnk.”

“And that’s why you double-tap, you fucker!” Lyle moaned. “’Tap-tap’, no problem.”

“Double-tapping is for sissy’s!”

“Double-tapping makes sure they don’t get up!”

“That’s why man created the Hydra. The motto is: ‘They won’t get up if there’s nothing left for them to stand on’!”

“Enough!” Quaritch bellowed. “And pack your fucking shit! I don’ wan’ none of y’all to complain you don’ hav’ enough socks packed, ya ‘ear me? You hav’ two fuckn’ hours! Hurry up!”

The team jumped, pulling out backpacks and armour from under their beds, glancing at each other at their CO’s slip up as they began setting their extras out for packing.

Quaritch sighed, turned to Yay-u.

“C’mon,” He patted the side of his bed, and watched as she perched herself there. “Stay. Don’t move, I don’t want you disappearing again, alright?” Every time I let you out of my sights, you get into shit.

She nodded, and pulled her legs up, wrapping her arms around her as she watched the team began gathering their things, throwing their backpacks onto their beds, gathering up their things with a hurry – rolling up their clothes into small little bundles, placing it on the other side of their beds before reaching for more green.

Myhuls grunted as he sat down next to her.

“You sure you gonna be good with…” He motioned up and down at her clothes with a large hand. “That?”

She didn’t answer, just tilted her head to the side, and gave him a soft smile.

Quaritch grunted, and smiled down at her. “Alright then.”

He took out a piece of goome from the packet, bit it in half and slipped the other piece between her pretty lips.

Chapter Text

25. And Away We Go

Yay-u stepped into the hanger with a grimace as Quaritch pulled her to a waiting un-ikran. His big, warm paw gripping her much smaller, colder hand tightly. The rest of the Dreamwalker’s jogging to keep up with his grueling pace. 

Why are you so loud? She frowned at the Sky People running around, yelling, yelling, yelling. Always yelling!

“It’s just the helos!” Myhuls yelled, as he pulled her closer under his arm, only to whisper in her ear: “They are preparing for take-off.”

She grimaced and slammed a hand over her other ear. The tar burned her feet as she hopped along. Not the helos! 

Yay-u made quite the image; her loincloth a bright purple, and the white beads of her top stuck to her blue skin as the helicopters started their take-offs. Quaritch threw his arm around her waist, sneaking a hand around to her middle to try keep the white beads from flying everywhere... Fuck them fucking perves! He frowned as his hand spread out over her smooth stomach.

“You’ll get used to it, Sweetheart.” He smiled down at her as he pulled her even closer. “You did it before, remember?”

She frowned up at him and yelled, hands over her ears, not hearing a word Myhuls had said: “Noisy!”

“Yeah,” He smirked, “Ain’t it just?”

She frowned and hit him in the thigh with a closed fist, making him chuckle – the bulging muscles not even budging under her assault. Yay-u huffed.

“It’ll be over soon. Look,” He pointed to a large un-ikran, with yellow wings whirling above their heads. “There’s our bird. It’s the one that’s gonna take us out of here. It’s gonna take you home.” 

Standing there, next to the helo’s waiting was none other than Stinger and the Mortar waiting for them. Along with a bunch of idiots running around, at a head idiot's motioning, setting up lights around a helo. What?

“Or not. Stay close, Sweetheart. Be good,” Quaritch mumbled as they came to a stop in front of the sour woman and the money-grubbing whoreson, saluting, and yelling over the roaring of engines: “Ma’am, sir. What can we do for you?”

“Photo-ops!” The Mortar motioned to a camera-man setting up. “We want to show the Big Heads back on Main how good it’s going here. So, get to it then. Mister Stinger, get in there, we don’t have much time.”

Lyle turned to Quaritch, eyebrow raised, head tilted.

“Step to it, Lieutenant, we don’t have time to waste.” Ardmore snapped her fingers and motioned to them to get in line. The Deja Blu’s jumped, waiting for the command to come back down.

“Yes ma’am.” Lyle sneaked a glance at Stinger then at Miles, before stepping in between them, and gluing himself to Yay-u’s other side, dubbing himself as the impromptu wall between his CO and his CO’s unofficial girl, and yet another pervy human at perfect skull-fucking height. You owe me, Miles, big time. The Recom's lined up; Mansk, Prager, Ja, Lopez and Quaritch standing behind the kneeling Wainfleet and Zdinarsik, with Yay-u tucked in between the two. The Mortar and Stinger filing in the gaps at the front.

“General,” The mousy camera man motioned to the Mortar, “Might I suggest you step forward, and Mister Stinger, sir, on the... young lady's left, sir. That’s it. Thank you. Now,” He motioned to a man behind him, to get ready, “Please look this way. And smile.”

“Smile, Sweetheart,” Yay-u looked up at Quaritch, just as the flash went off. She jumped, and hissed at the camera.

“Miss,” The man sighed, “Look this way please.”

Yay-u looked at him with a frown, her lips pulled into a pout, as she took a step forward.

“Hold on, hold on.” Quaritch held his hand out, gripping Yay-u’s shoulder to stop her from going after the idiot. “Zee, move.”

Zee hopped up, and swiftly switched places with her CO, watching in amusement as he wiggled himself down next to Yay-u, and in behind of Stinger, waving his tail underneath the tycoon’s nose just to annoy him. Ignoring the small man huffing behind him, slapping his tail. Yay-u saw, and hissed, turned and lunged.

Quaritch’s large hand reached out, wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer. “Ignore the schmuck, just smile.”

Wanna piss on her leg, Miles? Lyle huffed, shaking his head to hide his amusement as the camera assistant gasped, “My word!”

The man huffed and began pacing, shouting. The poor idiot's camera assistant charged after him, and tried to talk him down. 

“Alright, everyone please, face this way once more, smile.” The camera assistant ducked behind the camera, as the photographer snapped his fingers together to grab their attention. “Say, ‘Cheese!’”

Quaritch threw his arm around Yay-u’s shoulder, and as she looked up at him, the light flashed, making her jump.

“Miss,” The assistant sighed, as the photographer threw his hands in the air, and started cursing. “Please, face this way.”

“Quaritch,” The Mortar sighed, “Control the girl.”

“Hey,” Quaritch snickered, “See that tiny little idiot standing there?”

He pointed to the man standing behind the small box with a big nose and tiny eyes.

“Behind box?”

“Yeah, but,” He sniffed, before continuing, “You're gonna smile your pretty little smile, and look at that box. But you're not gonna blink or move, until there's a flash. Then, its gonna take a picture. Alright?”

She frowned, but nodded.

“Now, you can't frown like that, Yay-u,” He smiled at her, “You need to smile.”

She smiled at him, and he turned her face in the direction of the camera man, “Good, keep that smile, Sweetheart.”

“Say, ‘Cheese!’” The assistant quickly stepped behind the camera, and the flash went off, making Yay-u jump.

The photographer turned to his assistant expectantly, everyone held their breath until the kid threw his thumb up, into the air. 

“Alright.” The man stepped back and turned on his heel, and his assistant swooped in to gather up his supplies, following after his boss like a lost puppy.

It was quiet for a moment, Yay-u looking around her as the team got to their feet, and stretched. She turned to Myhuls: “Now?”

“Now, we’re going to take you home.” Then he called over his shoulder, “Lyle, get a copy of that thing, won’t ya? And then we can get going.”

Lyle gave a mock salute with two fingers and charged after the cameraman in a few, quick strides, grabbing his shoulders and motioning to his camera.

Kelku. Home. That word sounded so strange after all these weeks, or was it months? How is sanu? Is sempu alright? And her brothers? What will they think when she brings this demon to them? Or the others? The thoughts drifted around and around her head as he led her to “their bird” and brought her inside through the back.

“In we go,” Quaritch’s large hand cupped her behind, and gave her a boost, following quickly behind her. She gapped at him, and he gave her a swift swat on her behind making her gasp, a crooked smile working its way to his lips at the sound. “Sit down. Don’t touch anything, alright? I’m getting the rest of the team.”

He hopped out, just as something else loud whirled past, forcing her to slam her hands over her ears. She hissed, just as Zee popped her head in, smiling:

“There ya are, Yay-u! I was looking for ya!” Zee maneuvered her large body into the seat next to Yay-u, and threw her arms around her shoulders. “You’re gonna sit with me! Fieldtrip!”

“Strap her down!” Win-fleet motioned between them, and Zee gave him a thumbs up, proceeding to tie Yay-u to the chair. “I don’t want her doing anything stupid!”

Zee rolled her eyes and whispered/yelled to Yay-u, “Nah, we’ll leave that to him, huh, Yay-u?”

“She didn’t do anything stupid last time, huh, Sweetheart?” Quaritch popped his head back through the side door, his large hands pushed Zee’s out of the way, pulled Yay-u into the correct spot, and tied her down into the seat. “I need you to sit still, alright? Don’t jump or scream or any of that shit. It’s gonna be fine, you did this before.”

“I do no like.” She tapped him on the shoulder, frowning. “I do no want to. Noisy!”

“They’re just gonna drop us off, and then we are gonna go the rest of the way on foot. No need to worry, Sweetheart.” He smiled, and checked the buckle across her lap. “The RDA won’t get near your home. Don’t frown like that, Sweetheart. You’ll sour your syrup.”

“I got no sirup.” She frowned up at him.

He shook his head, his tail peeking over his shoulder. “We’ll get some when we get back, alright? Nice and sweet. But I need you to sit still, alright? I don’t want you hurting yourself, okay? Don’t touch anything, these buttons can do some serious damage.” Yay-u didn’t answer, so he slipped a knuckle under her chin, and brought her attention back to him. “Nod if you understand me, Sweetheart.”

She pulled her mouth up into a pout, before nodding reluctantly.

Quaritch huffed out a laugh, before turning to Lyle. “We good?”

Lyle nodded and yelled over the whirling engine, as he got settled in front of him, his ridiculous sunglasses already in place: “Teams up!”

“Ready for take-off,” He mumbled into his comm, and rolled his eyes at the gruff reply of: “Copy that.”

Gripping the side-bar, he watched as the helo lifted off the ground with little protest, carrying them out from under the thumb of the big-heads and into the green beyond. Off to freedom.

“Second star to the right, and straight on to morning, and off to Neverland,” Mansk whispered behind her. Yay-u looked to Zee for an explanation, but she only shrugged.

They weren’t in the air but for a couple of minutes, before he felt the telltale cool fingers on his girl gripping his pinkie. He looked down as she gave a soft tug on the limb. Her eyes wide, the beads slapping against her chest with the fury of a bitch scorned.

Now, don’t tell me that’s hurting you Sweetheart, because if it is, you’re gonna havta use my damn shirt. He smiled, and tilted his head, yelling over the whirl of the engines: “What?”

Yay-u patted the seat next to her with meaning, her hand echoing off the metal chairs. Lyle hissed out a laugh from his side, and was promptly smacked on the back of the head by Zee. Quaritch shrugged and took the forced seat, folding himself into the allocated space, being careful of his team’s tails.

“Better?” He smiled down at her, faltering when she wrapped her hand around his arm, and pulled him closer, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her cool breath, puffed into his neck, puff, puff, puff, as they flew further and further from base, away from the bleak grey and brown, and closer into the arms of the Great Mother, her lush green trees and vibrant wild life welcoming her home...

Morning mist rushing into the helo, granting her lungsful of clean air, the belt clicked as she reached for the handle above her head, but before she could shove her head out of the door, Myhuls’ big hand grasping at her waist, pulling her back in with a grunt, “No. We’ll be landing soon enough. No need to do that.”

She couldn’t help but frown as he smiled at her, big teeth shining bright – Quaritch listened to her sigh, and settle back into his shoulder. 

The ‘helo’ touched the grass minutes later, the loudness of the Sky People machine disturbing the stillness of the forest, sending every living thing running from the dangers the Sky People bring.

“Go on,” Quaritch gave her a soft push, watching in awe as she simply plopped down into the downy green below, reaching her slim blue fingers up to the sky with a sigh. Not what I meant… The rest of the team jumped out, ready and eager to get the party started as the helo started its shut down.

Quaritch couldn’t help but chuckle: “It’s just grass, Sweetheart, we have some back at base.”

“No,” She sighed, and rubbed her hands up and down, listening to the soft grass swish under her palms. “This is betterder. This free.”

“All grass is free, Yay-u,” He sighed as he sat down with a grunt, spreading his legs out in front of him. “What makes this one better, huh?” 

“Eywa is here.” She sat up, and looked at him with her bronze eyes, white beads sliding against her chest, getting in his face, sending her fresh Yay-u scent up his nose. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as her scent settled on his tongue, before opening them again on the exhale.

“And it wasn’t back on base?” He tilted his head, smiling at her.

“Not with Sky People.” She breathed, and twirled out of his grasp.

The smile slipped from his slips. “Is that so?”

Yay-u nodded without looking back, and took off, yelling, “Come, come!” into the forest.

“Jesus,” Quaritch mumbled before calling over his shoulder, “Move out! Double time!” and charging after his girl.

Lyle looked up from his holo-pad before seeing the tip of his CO’s tail disappearing into the bush, his ears pulling flat.

“Fuck me, not again,” The Lieutenant mumbled before following after his CO, the rest of the team following behind at his bellowed, “Move!”

Quaritch could barely keep sight if his girl’s tail as she zipped over tree trunks and through bushes, soft branches tickling his skin as he tried to keep sight of her. He could hear her giggling as she danced in and out of his gaze. The tip of her tail catching his eye, a glint of white beads shining in the sun, brown beads flying behind her as she ducked under big tree roots and splashed through rivers.

“Jesus!” Quaritch bellowed, trying to get her to slow the fuck down! “Yay-u!”

She stopped and turned, and smiled at him. She held out her hand, “Come!”

Quaritch grunted and gripped her hand tight as she pulled through the dark greenery, over rocks and fallen tree trunks that acted as bridges, through dark green shrubs – deeper and deeper into the dark woods they went. His hand warming her cold one, gripping it tighter until they came to a stop.

“What now?” He looked at her, and she pointed up a waterfall. Quaritch sighed. “Fuck me…”

Yay-u smiled, “We go up, up, up.” She pointed to each of the floating mountain, “Up we go.”

He sighed again, and nodded, “Alright, I hate to say it Sweetheart, but, after you.”

She scrunched her nose up in her excitement and charged at a swinging vine - his heart dropping as she flew through the air... And caught the vine, climbing up the fucking thing with a chirp and a whoop.

“Fuck me sideways,” Quaritch mumbled as Lyle caught up to him, panting.

“Oh, fuck no,” He leaned over onto his knees as Yay-u scaled up the vine. “She’s not serious, is she?”

Quaritch looked to Lyle with a sigh, “Pray for me Lieutenant,” and charged down at the swinging vine.

“Fuck!” Zee yelled, finally having caught up with their batshit CO, just in time to see him launching himself off the edge, flying through the air with a muffled yell, blue fingers reaching out for the green rope, black braid flying through the air.

The green vine burned his fingers as he slipped down, as he tried to stop himself from falling to his death, only to stop abruptly – his shoulders popping. He let out a groan, clenching his teeth as he looked up, his team looking down at him, and Yay-u, far above, her ears pulling flat.

“Myhuls?” She yelled down, worry seeping into her voice.

“I’m fine, Sweetheart,” He groaned and began pulling himself up the vine. “But a warning about this batshit climb, would have been nice.”

Mansk snorted, followed by Zee’s awkward giggle, and Ja’s gaffing laughter.

“You fucking try it!” He yelled up at his team as he heaved himself higher.

“We’ll have to sir,” Lyle yelled back, “But, we’ll just time it better.”

The team laughed louder, as Yay-u hung from her vine, watching him with a hawk’s eye as he heaved himself up to her side. He smiled at her as he reached her, “And that face?”

The slap to his arm stinged, the “Ow!” echoing over the floating mountains, as she huffed and climbed further.

Lyle laughed, and motioned the rest of the team forward, having to catch his breath before bringing up the rear. The vine was a slippery bitch, the water droplets from the nearby waterfall making it nearly impossible to keep his grip. Thank fuck this shit was in basics, otherwise they wouldn’t be making any headway.

The tip of Yay-u’s tail disappeared from sight, Quaritch's heartbeat picking up pace as he clawed himself up towards her. No, no, no, no!

Quaritch disappeared over the edge, making Lyle sigh and motion to the team behind him to keep up.

The clicking of a loading AR reached his ears, forcing Lyle to motion the team to keep quiet, but to move quickly. Once everyone had caught up, Lyle motioned to them to stay behind, before peaking over the edge.

And there stood his CO, hands in the air – AR’s and arrow’s pointing at him.

Fuck…

Chapter Text

26. No Place Like Home, or So They Say

He was about to die, he knew it.

And I haven’t even kissed her yet. Fuck me… Couldn’t this have waited until I fucking kissed her? The little voice in the back of his head laughed. Like you would have stopped there…

Quaritch sighed and lifted his hands up in the air, as the rest of his team came up from behind.

“Easy,” He called over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off the warriors gathering around him, “Don’t do anything stupid.”

Yay-u was trapped in the arms of a small woman, a man wrapped around them both with three big-ass-bastards guarding them from all sides. Bigger bastards with bows and arrows and guns whooping and hollering from all sides, yelling at them in Na’vi, too fast for Quaritch’s brain to even begin to decipher what the fuck they were trying to tell him.

“Alright,” Quaritch called, “Uh, damn, what’s the word?”

“Sir,” Lyle called from behind, “We can-”

“Shut it, Lyle.” He warned, and clenched his eyes shut, as he said: “Uh, Oel ngati kameie.” Quaritch flinched. “I think.”

Yay-u giggled, making him open his eyes. The Na’vi glanced between the two of them, before one motioned to the rest to step closer.

“Drop your weapons,” He demanded, motioning to the Marines – he looked like an asshole, hair shaved on both sides, with tiny braids running down his back, looking like the rest of the Na’vi gathering around. “Now.”

“Do it,” Quaritch called over his shoulder, dropping his rifle to the ground, and lifting his hands in the air. “We are looking for Jake Sully, we have things to talk about. Is he here?”

“Toruk Makto has long since left,” A kid (because that’s what the fuck he was) stepped forward. Dressed up like a chicken gone rogue, with red, black and orange feathers sticking out from his shoulder pads, large ass bones forming a ridge around the collar, teeth from some ancient predator formed a collar around his throat. He remembered that the Big-Head before Sully wore the fucking thing too, but it just looks damn ridiculous on the kid, like he got into his daddy’s clothes and his momma didn’t have the heart to tell him to take it off. “Who are you?”

“Colonel Miles Quaritch,” He nodded his head in acknowledgment. “Marine Corps, Security Operations Manager for the Resources Development Administration. Nice to meet you sir.”

“Sky People,” He breathed, his face pulling up to a rather unattractive pout. He ignored Quaritch completely, then turned to Yay-u with a glare, “Ngenga munge fi’u ‘u fìtsenge? Oeyktìng?”

Yay-u flinched, and the woman held her closer, before Yay-u slipped out of her grasp and knelt, speaking in rapid Na’vi, so quick he couldn’t even hope to keep up, motioning to the team, and to him and to her tail, Quaritch flinched at that one, then back to the team, throwing her hands in the air as she started to hiccup, tears streaming down her face. The same woman, who looked like an older Yay-u, as before knelt next to her, shushing her gently as she ran her fingers through Yay-u’s hair as she hiccupped.

“Is it true?” The kid turned to Quaritch, trying to put authority where it obviously didn’t belong, voice cracking under the pressure; What is it with these kids who get thrust into positions of power? “Toruk Makto betray you?”

“Yes sir,” Quaritch nodded, slipping into a relaxed stance, gripping his wrist behind his back. “Corporal Jake Sully was employed by the RDA–” A warrior glared at him, forcing Quaritch to drop his hands to his side. “And he needs to be brought in to stand—”

“We are known of what Jakesully has done. It no longer concerns us.” The kid interrupted him, and turned walking away.

“But it concerns the RDA.” Quaritch took a step forward, only to be stopped by warriors raising their rifles.

“Jesus!” Lyle stepped closer, ready to tackle the nearest motherfucker, but was stopped by Quaritch raising his hand.

The boy smirked, looking at Lyle with was could only be described as amusement, while the seasoned Marine glared a hole into the kid’s head... “Your friend… jumpy?”

“My friend doesn’t like being caught unawares.” Quaritch explained, motioning to Lyle with a soothing hand. “He’s an… old warrior. Old habits die hard, is all.”

The boy took a step closer, and got into Quaritch’s face, nostrils flaring as he took a deep breath, before huffing it out with a breath with a small smile.

“Tsahìk will say if stay.” He took a step back and motioned to an old woman dressed in a red and orange poncho of all things. “If no,” He motioned behind Quaritch with calloused fingers. “Long fall.”

He smiled and stepped back, warriors forming a circle as the old woman stepped forward. Her hair was…weird. Two braids coming from behind her ears, looping over her shoulders to come together in front of her chest to come together as one. The headdress came down with two ropes on either side, with a stick that hangs from it. That’s gotta hurt…

Quaritch touched his forehead and pulled his hand away, the way he saw Yay-u and Bjarne do when they met, hoping that is what they want. The woman frowned at him as she came closer, stepping around him. When four fingers grasped his tail though, he jumped.

“The fu-?”

He turned, ready to slap the bitch into a new blood group, when Yay-u leapt forward and grabbed onto his wrist. “Tsahìk Myhuls!”

“She pulled on my damn tail!” He hissed down at her, “Haven’t we had this discussion only a few weeks ago?”

“Kehe!” She gripped his wrist tighter, and looked around them, at AR’s and bows around them, “She looks. She –”

The old bat yelled something, raising a hand, then turned to Yay-u.

“Why do you bring them here, Yayiu-te Mono Laeito’ite? Olo’eyktan has forbidden it,” She huffed, and turned to stare at Quaritch. “A demon who does not know our ways.”

“You taught Sully your ways. A demon in all but name,” He frowned down at the woman, keeping an eye on Yay-u as she hung from his arm. “What’s so different from us?”

“Teaching Sky People has only brought pain to my own,” She frowned at him.

“We’re not looking to be taught,” He took a deep breath. “We want justice.”

“Just-hus?” The woman frowned, “And what will you do when you have your just-hus?”

“Take him before a court of law,” He repeated the lie he told Yay-u, “And then leave.”

“You came back,” She tilted her head as she walked around him. “You came back from you star to ours, to simply take Toruk Makto, and then to leave?”

“Humanity has always been curious about what is beyond our stars, ma’am.” He smiled at her, “It is the one thing we have always been born with. And, no amount of beating or threats or holy men can tell us no. We were born to stare at the stars and some of us had wondered if the stars stared back. So, we left to find out.”

“Your curiosity has brought much damage to us,” She frowned at him, the shiny stick hanging from her head looking damn pointy and in easy reach. “Why should we allow you to continue with your dangerous ways among us?”

“Curiosity is a human trait, that’s the core of being human. If they have questions, they want answers.” Quaritch shrugged. “Wanting to know what is around the corner is completely natural, to gain knowledge and bettering ourselves with that knowledge is universal. Doesn’t matter on what planet you were born.”

The woman humpfed, and turned to the Rooster, motioning to them and then to Yay-u, motioning for her to come closer. Yay-u looked back at him, before darting to the hag’s side, kneeling in front of her. Out of the corner of Quaritch’s eye, he saw the woman who had held Yay-u stare at him, not looking away until Quaritch sighed, and turned to look at the woman – oh, Yay-u’s definitely her kid alright, Yay-u’s got her momma’s too big eyes, and slim figure, her Cupid’s bow a bit more pronounced than Yay-u’s as she frowned at his team, her nose, bigger than Yay-u’s, scrunched up in displeasure…

Prager gave a low whistle, only to have Zdinarsik give him a good shove. Momma Yay-u turned her head, and pulled her lips into a perfect replica of Yay-u’s pout. It was rather unnerving to see that pretty pout on a different face.

“Ma’am,” Quaritch nodded, only to have her frown deeper and turn to her daughter, gripping her shoulders and yelling something he couldn’t understand.

Quaritch sighed as Lyle whispered, “Damn.”

Momma Yay-u kept yelling as a big guy placed his hands on her slim shoulders to pull her back. Probably Poppa Yay-u… Fuck me…

Rooster and Poncho looked at each other, before they started whispering to each other, Rooster nodding along to whatever Poncho had to say, while Momma Yay-u got louder and louder, while Yay-u flinched and gripped the tip of her tail in her hand, and started wringing it. Quaritch frowned.

“Hey,” Quaritch frowned and stepped up, forcing AR’s and arrows to be raised.

“Chief-”

Quaritch ignored them all, Lyle reaching for him, her big ass family hissing at him, and arrows being notched. He took her wrist in hand and pulled it away from her tail, gently spreading her fingers out with his own.

“Your tail is already fucked up,” He whispered, and rubbed the thin fingers with his thumb. “You are just gonna hurt yourself further, alright? Everything’s gonna be fine. Don’t worry.”

Momma Yay-u hissed and sprinted forward, ripping her daughter out of Quaritch’s hold, and tucked the girl securely against her chest.

“I meant no-” Quaritch started, holding his hand out to her.

“No touch!” She hissed, and wrapped herself around his girl even tighter. “Not you to touch!”

Déjà vu… Quaritch smiled. “Ma’am-”

“Laeto Oa'eaw Nìtsatvä'ite!” She snarled up at him, her nose pulling up into a snarl. “I no maam!”

“Sa’nu-” Yay-u looked up at the woman from the safety of her arms, motioning with her slim fingers at Quaritch.

“Tìfnu!” A younger man hissed down at Yay-u, making her flinch.

“Alright,” Quaritch sighed, frowning at the fuck who dismissed the girl, big little fuck, clearly not finished growing with a bow thrown over his shoulder, “That’s enough. You are clearly upsetting the girl.”

“I upset?” The woman, Laeto, screeched, her long face pulling into a tight frown, as she reached for him. “I no upset! You-!”

“Kehe!” Yay-u reached for the woman, only to be stopped by one of the large assholes behind her. “Kehe, Sanu! Lonu!”

She hit the asshole on the arm with a close fist, wiggling around as he carried her out of sight, giving her a good shove and into her mothers arms. The woman  huffed and dragged her far away from them, from him…

No!

The roar was loud and caught Lyle off guard, making him jump like a damn BOOT, being too fucking slow to stop his fucking ‘pussy-whipped-but-somehow-not-pussy-whipped-‘cause-he-ain’t-getting-no-pussy-Commanding-Officer-slash-friend’ from doing anything stupid.

'Äuäm Te Fmiise 'Ewomo'itan turned just in time to witness his daughter’s straggler reach his unnatural hands out to him, reaching past him, to his daughter.

“Jesus, fuck-!”

“Chief-!”

“They’ve got guns for fuck’s sake-!”

“They’ve the fucking numbers-!”

The Na’vi watched in fascination as the Dreamwalker reached out for Yayiu-te with his large, uneven, hand, uncaring about the weapons pointing at his head, dodging the reaching hands of his team and charging down at Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’te.

He was about to die, anyway…

Chapter Text

27. To Live, is an Awfully Big Adventure

As they heard the commotion behind them, Sa’nu held her hand tighter, the even fingers strange on her cold and clammy skin. Yay-u tried to turn towards the noise, but her mother’s hands flew to her shoulders, and tried, forcibly, to turn her away.

“Yayiu-te,” Sa’nu hissed, “No! Your father will handle this! Keep moving!”

No, no, she finally, finally, wiggled loose, No!

“Yayiu-te!” Sa’nu reached for Yay-u, as she turned just in time to watch Myhuls march down onto them, reaching for her with his large, familiar hand… Her hand… “Get back here!”

Sa’nu hissed and, pulled out her knife as the warriors converged to try and stop him, with little success as he simply pushed them aside with his big, uneven hand. The Dreamwalkers fell over themselves to try and stop him. Whoops and hisses rang through the air, arrows notched, and the mechanical twitch of the stolen weapons echoed through the cave.

“Bring it on, marshmallow!” Myhuls pushed through the warriors like the wind through grass, spinning out of reach, brushing off their hands with little trouble. “I’ve faced bigger and scarier shit than you, cunts!” He pointed to Sa’nu, he pointed to her. “Give. Her. Back! Now!”

Mhars-mhellow? Yay-u frowned at him, as more warriors rushed to stop him, Bigger? What can be bigger than him? Sa’nu pulling her closer and tucking her into her chest, pressing Yay-u’s face into her neck. Scarier? His large arm bulged as Lilwinfeet hung off it, grunting as he tried to pull Myhuls away from mother.

“Jesus! Sir!”

“She’s Yay-u’s fucking mom, sir! She-!”

“Colonel Quaritch! Fuck! Control yourself!”

“I’ll fucking tell Bjarne if you continue this bullshite, sir!”

“Miles!” Lilwinfeet’s sun-glazez fell from his head as he pulled on Myhuls’ arm, still yelling, as Lopez grabbed at him, She’s not even yours! “For fuck’s sake stop! We don’t have time for this shit! Colonel! Please! Lopez! Don’t let him go!”

“Fuck sake’s, sir!” Low-pes moaned, and pulled, blue fingers turning white under the strain of trying to stop his genocidal CO under the orders of his other CO, Jesus fucking Christ! “Act your goddamn fucking rank!”

Myhuls paid them no attention, gazed fixed on her, trapped in her mother’s arms. Her bronze threatened to burn him down where he stood. Let him burn… Who gives a fuck about a rank when you can’t save shit with it. “Give her back, you fucking bitch!”

“Ioang!” Sa’nu hissed, pushing Yay-u back. She didn’t pay attention – Yay-u tripped and landed on her knees, but it gave her perfect opportunity to slip between her mother’s spread legs and charged at her Dreamwalker, slipping past the hands reaching out to her, trying her best not to fall. Trying to stop him… “Fo níyey ioang!”

“Sir!” Lyle planted his feet and pulled, She’s not ours to have, goddamnit! She’s not yours! “Sir! Please! Calm the fuck down!”

Miles was about to punch the living shit out of the kid closes to him, ignoring his subordinates hanging off his arms, when Yay-u’s unexpected cool-warmth slammed into his front, making him lose his footing, taking Yay-u down with him, and sending his men flying forward. They went down in a tangle of long limbs and tails, black braids flying through the air as he tried to cushion their fall.

“Shit!” Quaritch grunted rolling Yay-u onto the ground, before jumping to his feet, and widening his stance in front of her. Lyle rolling out from under the big, black boots of his CO, yanking his hand out of the way before his fingers could be crushed. Quaritch would do his best not to step on Yay-u, but Lyle sure as shit ain’t Yay-u… He yelled over his shoulder: “Stay out of this, Sweetheart!”

“No!” She latched herself onto Quaritch’s back, pulling him closer and away from her parents. Or tried to as she climbed onto his back, weaving herself around him in an attempt to bring him down again; “Myhuls! No!”

“Yayiu-te!” Mother yelled, “Get away!”

“Yay-u!” Zee yelled, reaching out to her past the warriors surrounding them, “Wait! Stop!”

“Prager!” Lilwinfleet yelled, as he got onto his feet, “Stop her! Fuck! But for the love of fuck, don’t hurt her!”

The yelling got louder as people reached out for them, as she ducked out from underneath their out-stretched hands, listening as Prager landed on the ground with a loud, Oomfh! behind her as someone tackled him to the ground. Zee yelling out in anger as she fought off the warriors surrounding her.

“Yay-u! Stop!” She wasn’t sure who yelled.

“Yayiu-te!”

“Yay-u!”

She didn’t listen and jumped, landing on his back with a grunt.

“Ma Myhuls, stop!” Yay-u whispered in his ear, pulling him closer, wrapping her legs around his waist, “I is here, stop! Please!”

“Sir!” Lil yelled, “Stop!”

“Colonel!”

Yay-u hugged herself closer to him, pulling at him, moulding herself to his back, and pulled.

“Yayiu-te! Enough!” Someone tried to grab her around the waist, but her Dreamwalker spun around, a loud smack rang out as a Na’vi grunted, and fell to the ground. “Fuck! Quaritch!”

“Myhuls!” She hissed into his cut ear, wrapping her legs around his waist and pulled, “Please! Stop!”

“Tspang!”

What little heat she managed to steal from Myhuls left her body, sending fear and… pain, sprinting through her body. No, no - She didn’t care, all she cared about was Myhuls – if he continued his rampage, he would be killed, he can’t! No! He can’t! Not now! He— “Uturu!”

The word slipped out, before she knew what she said. Everyone stopped their pulling and yelling and grunting, turning to Yay-u as she slipped off Quaritch’s back, landing with a grunt on the ground. The Recoms quickly stepping up to defend their charge and their CO, wishing dearly for the weapons they willingly gave up…

“Yayiu-te!” Mother tried to step closer, but was quickly stopped by a snarling Quaritch. Mother hissed back, then looked at her hiding behind Quaritch; “What have you done?”

Yay-u felt her heart drop down to her stomach, before it threatened to come back up again…. What have I-?

“Calm your non-existent tits, lady!” Myhuls hissed before turning to peek at Yay-u over his shoulder, voice all smooth, and rumbly and warm: “You alright, Sweetheart? It’s gonna be okay, just answer me, alright? Are you okay?”

She didn’t answer. Too shocked, too scared… She stared at his boots, big and black and intimidating and not… She didn’t notice them turning around, didn’t notice them hiding behind his knees as he knelt. Didn’t—

“Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite.” He purred, rubbing his thumb over her lips, she snapped back to look at him, not realizing that he turned to face her fully. He shuffled closer, his bulk hiding her people from view, frowning as he pulled her face up with the tips of his fingers, rough skin a comfort guiding her face up to look at him. “That’s it. Come back to me, Sweetheart. There we g-”

“Silence!” Sa’nu yelled, marching right up to the Dreamwalker, snarling down at him. “You no speak!”

“You really like yelling, don’t you lady?” Lyle pulled his ears back as he frowned down at the tiny woman, picking up the shades that fell from his head earlier and placing them back where they belonged, unbothered by the Na’vi hissing around him. “Mind toning it down a bit? I’ve got a headache that can take down the fucking Mortar, and your yelling ain’t helping it at all.”

She hissed, reaching around Quaritch to pull Yay-u back again.

“Now, wait just a minute, Marshmallow!” Quaritch reached for the woman’s hand, and pushed her away gently (more so than she deserved), before pulling Yay-u onto her feet, and tucking her against his back, again... “You ain’t touching no-one until you tell me what the fuck just happened?”

Laeto Oa'eaw Nìtsatvä'ite hissed at him, and got in his face. He hissed back with zero hesitation, ears pulling back. Whom the fuck does this –

“Enough!” Rooster stepped in between them, pushing them apart with rather unsure hands, then turned to the Na’vi as a whole. “Enough. They claim uturu, we cannot turned them back. They stay with we.”

Laeto hissed, her tail snapping from side to side as she glared at him. Quaritch couldn’t help but smirk.

“Okay, glad all that was sorted,” Quaritch turned to Yay-u, “Now what the fuck is this ‘uturu’ thing?”

“It means you live, for now,” Poncho frowned at him and then Yay-u, before turning to yell at the people around them, raising her hands in the air as she spoke, saying something to them before turning back to Yay-u and hissed at his girl... Quaritch didn’t miss the frowns on the people’s faces as she did so. “You must be hungry, Yayiu-te, have something to eat. Feed them as well.”

Yay-u nodded before slipping around and grasped his hand, pulling him away from the crowd with an insistent, “Come,” too big fucking bronze eyes pleading with him to get a move on.

Quaritch couldn’t help but snort, letting Yay-u pull him away. He would come, but not in fun kind… She turned to look at the rest of the team, big bronze eyes imploring them to follow. What the fuck did Poncho say to you, Sweetheart? He frowned, and scolded himself for not studying Agustine’s book a bit better. He’s pretty sure he packed the fucking thing, maybe he could peruse it when the rest of the team went to sleep or something…

Lyle sighed as his CO motioned to them over his shoulder with a calm hand.

“Well,” Mansk sighed, as they followed Yay-u deeper into the camp. “Intel was right about the cave system at least.”

“Jot it down,” Quaritch mumbled to Lyle, “They do anything stupid; we go all in, full-tilt all the way. I wanna know where this thing starts, and where it leads to. Sully was one of us, there’s no way he would have trapped them in a fucking cave system with only one exit.”

“I’ll send Zee and Lopez out later,” The Lieutenant promised, “She’s the easiest to talk to. Lopez can find his way through a damn blizzard with little trouble – between the two of them, we should have this place covered before the eclipse ends.”

“See to it, Lieutenant.” Quaritch sighed.

“Yes, sir.” Lyle slipped away to relay the orders to their subordinates.

Quaritch turned his full attention back to Yay-u, holding onto his fingers with eager hands as she pulled him into an empty teepee-like contraption, tightening his fingers around hers as the Na’vi frowned at him. Fuck off…

“Now,” He sighed and turned his attention back to her limp tail, and the slim hips it was attached to, “Where are we going, Sweetheart?”

“Eat,” Yay-u looked at him over her shoulder, a small smile working its way onto her lips, “Really food.”

“Really food, huh?” He smirked, as she led him past blazing fires and more teepees, with kids stopping their running to stare at them, “That’s sound real good.”

He ignored the kids pointing and whispering, and warriors hissing and chasing the children away, and women frowning at her. He stared at Yay-u’s fine ass instead as she led him deeper and deeper into the cave system…

She ducked into a teepee and pointed to the ground, “Sit.”

They did, watching as she ducked back out before pocking her head back in, “Stay,” pointing at Quaritch.

“I’ll stay,” He nodded, and sat down when she pointed to the ground.

“That could have gone better,” Lyle sighed, and pulled his sunglasses up onto his head, “Don’t you think, sir?”

“Shut it, Lyle,” Quaritch groaned, and rested his head in his hands…. Fuck…

Real food… that’s what she said, real food (well, really food, but still)… this sure as shit ain’t real food…

Yay-u fetched them when the sun had already set, quickly lighting a fire in the tent, before motioning for them to follow. People stared and whispered, and pulled their kids out of the way as Yay-u glided through the crowd, glaring at his girl that made him want to hiss at the little shits. But before he could, she pushed him onto the ground before she disappeared. Again. Reappearing quickly, and handing each of them a bug stuffed leaf, before she plopped down next to Quaritch with a, “See.”

They gathered around Yay-u as she demonstrated with sure fingers how to peal the head back, then roll it up into the leaf, placing the head to the side – smiling at Quaritch as she simply munched down on the damn bug tortilla with zero fucking hesitation.

“Remind me to teach you the definition of ‘real’, Yay-u.” Ja frowned at her, and the bug, before picking it up and decapitated it with a simple twist of his wrist.

Quaritch huffed, watching as his team did as instructed; Mansk having removed his gloves, shoved his glasses up onto his head with a huff and with unsure fingers, and a look a pure concentration (tongue stuck out and all), as he tried to peel the head of the shrimp-bug-like creature back without damaging the meat.

She smiled at Mansk from her seat next to her father, Papa Yay-u glaring at the team the entire time they tried to do as they were instructed, rolling his eyes on occasion as they clearly messed up the intricacies of devanning “motherfucking forest shrimp” as Ja put it. “I would rather be eating gumbo.”

“Don’t think they make sausages here, Ja.” Quaritch huffed, and placed the small head on the side of his leaf. “I don’t think they have a fucking word for a sausage.”

“Well, they better fucking start sir,” Ja frowned at the thing in his hand, “I think this is the only way I’m gonna get this in my- What the fuck is this thing anyway?”

Yay-u huffed, licked her thumb, and reached over her father’s lap to help Mansk, the team smirking at the man’s face and leaned forward as she demonstrated again – she held up the grub-like-thing with those fucking slim fingers, looking each of them in the face as she said: “Teylu,” before peeling the thing and munched on the fucking bug herself, licking her fingers with a pop that went right to Quaritch’s dick.

“That’s mine.” Mansk huffed, before stealing one of the things out of Yay-u’s leaf and doing as demonstrated, much to the amusement of Yay-u.

Papa Yay-u huffed, and pushed her back, out of Quaritch’s line of sight, and into the protective circle of her family, six big assholes crowded Yay-u and Momma Yay-u, pushing them out of sight. Damn, big assed, over-protective bastards, aren’t ya?

“Oh, c’mon,” Ja frowned at them, “It’s not like we didn’t eat together back on base, for fucks’ sake. We kept her safe, you-!”

“Private!” Lyle bopped the kid on the back of his head and hissed, “Shut the fuck up!”

“Oh, c’mon sir, you know it’s true,” Ja turned to Yay-u with a smile. “It’s Yay-u for fucks’ sake.”

Rooster called out to Yay-u, making her bop in her seat as she turned, her ears flicking to the side as she listened, the white beads covering her chest making a rather lovely clinking sound as she turned. He motioned to the team and then to her, as Poncho sat to the side, looking up occasionally from her food as the kid spoke.

Yay-u swallowed, and nodded, looking at her teylu before the Na’vi around them started talking, and a woman started singing from somewhere.

“You alright, Sweetheart?” Quaritch bumped her with his elbow, watching as she nodded, before picking up her bug, and munched on it.

“Eat,” She motioned to his leaf, nudging him back.

He huffed, wrapped the bug in the leaf and held it out to her. “You first, Sweetheart.”

Yay-u smiled at him, and took the tortilla mock-up, nibbling on the end, before she gave him a soft shove.

“You are being mean, I’m feeding you here, and you’re hurting me,” He shook his head, before shoving the bug into his mouth. “Yay-u.”

She let out a soft giggle, and Quaritch’s heart gave a good thump in his chest. Yeah, I’m fucked.

The Uniltìranyu smiled down at Yayiu-te as she helped him with peeling the teylu.

Txey te Nu 'Äuäm’itan frowned at the man his sister brought home – the dark clothing covering his body, and the black things on his feet, and the smell of his sister seeping through his clothes and body. Sa’nok huffed, and turned to Sempu:

“Tell your daughter that they must leave.” Laeto Oa'eaw Nìtsatvä'ite huffed at her husband, and bit into the teylu. “She should not have brought them here.”

“She is your daughter,” Sempu sighed, and took a sip of his tea. “She will listen to you, not me. We both know it.”  

'Txey te Nu 'Äuäm’itan watched as his youngest brother Payma te Nu 'Äuäm’itan huffed, and pulled the fish part with shaking fingers. “Why did you let her keep them? We should kill them before they bring the Sky People down on us.”

“They cannot be killed,” Laeto hit Payma on the thigh, “Your sister gave them Uturu, the Olo'eyktan, and the Tsahik have agreed.”

It was immediate, the whispered objections from her sons and husband as they pointed to the demons among them.

“You should have objected,” Txey turned to his father, “You should have instilled more discipline.”

“She didn’t listen when I told her to be back before sundown.”

“It is their fault,” 'Fkxatsmu'ew te Nu 'Äuäm’itan motioned to the Dreamwalkers, “They took her before she could come home. What if she’s—”

“Don’t talk like that!” Laeto hissed, and slapped him on the thigh, “If she should be with child, I will handle it. I am her mother, I will take care of any shame that would befall her.”

“And them?” Her husband pulled apart a piece of meat, and held it to his lips, “What of them?”

Laeto watched as the lead Dreamwalker smiled at her daughter, as she giggled like she hasn’t done since before the war, before the Sky People returned….

“I will handle whatever comes our way,” She promised, as she handed her husband a cup of tea.

Chapter Text

28. The Risks I Took Where Calculated, but Man, Fuck Math

Kids… are weird.

Quaritch had decided that on the second morning of their stay at “High Camp”, as the natives called it, when Mansk was busy shaving at the entrance of their hut and the kids swarmed him, eyes wide as the youngest member of his team ran his green disposable razor over his cheeks in smooth, even strokes.

And when Mansk turned to them, and asked; “What?” they ran off screaming, with that high pitched screech that only prepubescent children can muster.

“Nice going, Mansk,” Ja moaned from deeper in the hut as he pulled on his shoe. “Stop scaring the fucking kids. We want them to actually like us, not piss themselves when they see us.”

“What? I didn’t do shit – they’re the ones who fucked off before I could even get an explanation out,” The kid tapped the plastic encased blade against the stone, trying to loosen the hairs caught there, before encasing the blade with its plastic covering, and slipping it back into a pocked on his vest. “They never seen a man shave before?”

His question was answered by Yay-u being dragged to the entrance of their tee-pee/tent/building by eager kids, pointing at him and then at the green, disposable razor in his grip. She frowned at Mansk, then turned to Quaritch, opening her pretty little mouth to ask, but he simply smiled, “Hair on the face, Sweetheart.”

She fucking blushed, again, before turning her attention to the kids and began motioning to them and then to her face, running her fingers over her cheek before smiling at the little tykes, patting them on the heads with a gentle hand. Then, Yay-u took one by the hand and lead them forward, a little boy by the looks of it, hair all shaven at the sides, little braids flowing down his back. Yay-u pointed to Mansk then to the razor in his hand, before picking the kid up and balanced him on her hip, before coming to stand next to Mansk, and pointing to the other side of his face, and blubbering along.

Quaritch won’t lie, that was a tempting sight – the kid on her hip, tiny hands holding fast to a feather covering her chest , macramé holding the clusters of bright yellow beads and the same shade of feathers together as it ran across and down her chest, perky breasts covered under the non-existent… Shirt-type... thing… The chubby face tucked into her neck, peeking up at him with big golden eyes like Yay-u’s but not… Fuck…

His Yay-u ogling and daydreaming was interrupted by a kid pulling at his pants, chubby fingers gripping at the fabric. The kid looked up at him with big eyes, pointing to his face, then to his hands, blabbing away wildly like only children seem to do.

Quaritch sighed and turned to Yay-u, hoping for a translation when the kid she was holding slid down her leg, and wiggled along on stubby little legs, before stopping in front of him. The one set off the other, and soon everyone was blubbing along, small fingers pulling at his pants and fingers and the low-grav watch on his wrist, the ID-tags tucked under his shirt. The kids continued to blab, as Quaritch turned his full attention to them, the one pulling on his pants pointing to Yay-u, as the littlest one pointed at his hands and ears. The kids drew more and more attention, until they crowded the small tent, each one bubbling and blabbing and blubbering along, asking him question in words he didn’t understand.

Yay-u giggled as he frowned and tried to talk over them, asking them to at least slow down a bit, or something, but the little tykes paid him no mind and continued their fun at the expense of their guests. It was something new, really, watching the man who made an entire base of Sky People stop in their tracks being so… flustered, was quite entertaining.

They blubbered about; pointing at his chest, small nails running over the Kevlar with fascination, scratching at the fabric with tiny little fingers, pushing at the straps and tried to pull off his Deja Blu patch, talking over each other until the patch came loose with a scratch!, drawing everyone’s attention to Quaritch’s chest, talking over each other and quickly getting on his nerves, at how close the little tykes where at his throat.

“Alright, everyone: Halt! Halt! Stop!” He held his hands up, internally sighing as the kids stopped talking, as he shuffled back. “Now, one at a time, alright? You ain’t gonna talk over each other, that’s rude, alright? Yayiu-te is gonna be my translator, and she’s gonna help with this-”

They were interrupted by one of Yay-u’s big bastard of a brother sticking his head in the tent with a frown, obviously drawn by Quaritch’s shout. He looked exactly like Yay-u, scarily so, too big eyes with full lips, and a small nose, scrunched up in a frown, clearly sharing their momma’s looks. He took one look at Yay-u and the kids crowding around Quaritch, before stepping into the barrack building with a hiss:

“Toruk Makto no here! You go now!”

Quaritch sighed and stood, carful of little feet and even littler toes, skirting around the kids as they stared up at him with wide eyes. He stood in front of the kids, frowning down at the idiot, and gripping the straps of his vest.

“Your sister, and your chief, gave us uturu ,” the kid’s ear pulled back at that word, “And we are not going to stay long, we will leave in a couple of weeks, maybe less.”

“Leave now! Or I make!” He frowned at Quaritch, reaching his left hand out to grip at the knife strapped to the small of his back. He hissed again, “Leave!”

Finally, an excuse to beat up a teenager…

“Sir, might I suggest –” Mansk stood, slowly, keeping an eye on Yay-u’s brother, and the big-ass knife strapped to the small of the kid’s back.

“You may not private.” Quaritch rumbled in a calm voice, not taking his eyes off the frowning idiot.

“Sir-”

Quaritch simply held up his hand, quieting his subordinate and noticed the kid squirming, before bolting out of the hut.

“Now-” Quaritch turned to the asshole, but before he could, Yay-u appeared in front of him, eyes big and bronze eyes pleading with him, as she gripped his shirt. He sighed. “Now, don’t look at me like that, I ain’t gonna hurt him, alright? We’re just gonna talk.”

“Myhuls-”

“He will no lay a hand on me. I is strong-”

“Oh really?” Lyle appeared from God knows where, and crossed his arms over his chest, sunglasses covering his eyes.

Quaritch couldn’t help but sigh, turning to see Mansk frowning over Lyle’s shoulder, Of fucking course…. He clicked his tongue, placed his hands on Yay-u’s shoulders to move her closer to Lyle, and turned his attention back to Yay-u’s brother. “Now, where the fuck have you been, Lieutenant?”

“Following orders,” Lyle sighed and slipped a piece of gum between his teeth, frowning at the idiot, as he leaned against the doorway, “Is there a problem here, sir?”

“Yay-u’s brother is being a typical big brother,” Quaritch sighed, and turned to Yay-u, “Get the kids out of here, Sweetheart. It ain’t gonna be pretty.”

Yay-u paled, and turned to the kids, shushing them when they asked questions and complained, shuffled them out quickly, and disappeared out of sight. He could hear her whispering to the kids, and continued to shush them before she rushed back in, eyes wide, turning to Lyle and motioned to Quaritch – mouth opening and squabbling along.

“I know your talking,” Lyle mumbled, pulling Yay-u out of the way, and dumping her near Zdinarsik before turning, making sure his CO doesn’t kill anyone, and stared at Zee. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“We ain’t gonna do anything stupid.” Zdinarsk pulled the girl closer. “Promise.”

“Myhuls,” Yay-u whispered and reached over, pulling at the leg of his pants. Telling me not to do anything stupid, when their presence here is already on so fragile ground…

The asshole turned to Yay-u and began hissing at her, making his girl flinch, and curl into herself. Zee stepped up and hissed at him, ears pulling back as she pulled Yay-u out of harm’s way. “Back up!”

Quaritch hissed, and stepped in front of them, hiding Yay-u behind his leg. Yay-u gripped his pant leg and pulled, trying to draw his attention, but he simply shushed her over his shoulder.

“Be nice, Zee,” Lyle ordered.

“I am always nice, sir.” The woman stepped up and pulled Yay-u onto her feet, and out of the way. “Tell this asshole to do the same.”

“Well,” He sighed, “Be nicer, cause that sure as shit—”

Quaritch held up his hand, stopping his team’s squabbles. He sighed, and looked at the kid. “Look kid, if Yay-u doesn’t want to go, she won’t go.” I’ve forced her enough… “She says she’s fine, she’s fine. And when she wants to leave, I’ll let her go. But your fucking hormone fuelled ass ain’t gonna force her to go anywhere. We clear?”

The kid hissed at him, and took a step forward, getting in Quaritch’s face, or trying to, as he had to look up at him, missing his neck (thank fuck) but still close enough to be uncomfortable. “You no speak here!”

“I will speak here – I sleep here. You on the other hand –” Quaritch frowned, “Are invading my personal space, and if you don’t back the fuck up, I’m gonna body slam your ass like your daddy should have done when you where a kid. So, back, the fuck, up.”

The kid hissed at him again, (Oh you are definitely Yay-u’s brother, must get it from your momma), before he lunged at Quaritch.

The seasoned Marine side stepped, and watched at the kid sprawled on the floor, before jumping back onto his feet and charged at Quaritch again. Again, the Marine dogged the attack, gripping the kid by the back of the neck and threw him out of the tent, watched as the kid sprawled out on the stone floor right outside the Recom’s dwelling.

Quaritch sighed, turned to wink at Yay-u, (smirking at her pretty fucking blush) before ducking out. Why today of all days? Why this idiot? Is a big brother playing swinging dicks universal? Fuck me… Quaritch faintly remembered as a younger man, a girl he fancied, and her big brother peacocking about like he had something to prove. Quaritch remembered the bruised knuckles, and bloodied clothes and the Sheriff (Samson, Simpson, Smith-something) yelling at the top of his lungs as both youths were hauled off to the county jail for holding. Daddy’s belt, the beating he suffered throughout the night…. Quaritch frowned.

“You done?” He sighed, and placed his hands on his hips. “’Cuse I sure as fuck am.”

The kid snarled, and got back onto his feet, before charging at Quaritch again, trying to grab at his legs. Quaritch simply side-stepped, and frowned at the kid.

A faint whooping, and yelling was heard, as people hissed around them, and snarled, yelling something in Na’vi, as the kid snarled at him.

“What the fuck?” Lyle called out as Yay-u stepped out of the tent, tripping over her feet as she charged down onto them, or tried to. Lyle grabbed her around the waist and held tight. “Miles! Stop this fucking bee-essery! Do you want to get shoved off the side of the fucking mountain? Act your fucking rank, you motherfucker!”

“Stay out of this, Sweetheart,” Quaritch didn’t bother answering Wainfleet, simply frowned at the kid as he huffed and puffed, frowning at the older man, snarling at him.

“Sir, I really think you should –” Lyle grunted as he pulled Yay-u closer as she tried to wiggle loose. “Stay still, Yay-u!” Those are mighty big arms…

“Shut your piehole, Lyle. I ain’t gonna get shoved.”

Rooster came a-running, followed by warriors many years the kid’s senior, and Momma Yay-u following behind.

“Now see what shit you caused, kid?” Quaritch motioned behind him with a frown.

“Yayiu-te!” Momma Yay-u charged down onto them, snarling at Lyle as she pulled her daughter out of harm’s way.

“How rude…” Lyle deadpanned and frowned. “I’m keeping her out from under foot you know.”

Quaritch couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the woman. Why do you hafta have the most fucking crazy people as family, Sweetheart? I could have won over your momma in a heartbeat if the fucker was just as fucking calm as you… He thought back to the snarling woman in the shower. Then again…

The kid charged at him again. Quaritch side stepped, and gripped the kids’ arm, twisting and flipping him onto the ground in one clean swoop, straddling the kid’s back. Gripping the braid in his left hand, Quaritch pulled his head up with a snarl. “You done pissing around, kid?”

“Myhuls!” Yay-u yelled from somewhere behind him, making his ear twitch. Fuck….

“You see what you did?” He frowned deeper, “You made me look like an ass in front of your sister, and that was one thing I was really trying to avoid, you know.”

The kid snarled, to which Quaritch bared his teeth, and brought his knee up, slamming the kid’s face into his thickly padded knee. His nose made a beyond satisfying crunch. The people around them gave out cries and whoops as Quaritch let the kid go with a grunt.

Momma Yay-u rushed forward as Quaritch stepped back, a frown on his face as the woman fluttered about her son, yelling at Quaritch turning the boy onto his side to stop the idiot from chocking on his own blood.

“Ooow!” Lyle moaned, followed by a thud! and a moaned out, “Fucking low blow, Yay-u!”

Quaritch didn’t turn around the see what the girl did, and felt her cool-warmth slam into his back, and the thin arms wrap themselves around his waist, tucking her face into the stiff body armor at his back.

“Please,” She sobbed, pulling him even closer, thin fingers gripping at the Kevlar. “Please, ma Myhuls.”

The kid coughed, spit up the blood that ran from his nose, as Poncho knelt next to the fool.

“It’s gonna be alright, Sweetheart,” He murmured as Poncho inclined her head, before helping the kid stand. “It’s gonna be okay.”

Yay-u nodded into his back, clenching her eyes shut as her mother led her brother away.

“You’re gonna be okay, Sweetheart,” Myhuls rumbled again, “I promise.”

Chapter Text

29. Run, Run, Run, as Fast as You Can!

Adults and kids alike gave the Recoms a wide berth after the beat down – Ignoring them in every way, not looking at them when Yay-u would drag them around to help her with everything and anything around the camp, trying not to draw attention to themselves.

Except for dinner – that’s when Momma Yay-u would drag her away, watching their CO’s tail drop. And after the second night of them being ignored during dinner, including not being fed, the Recoms decided that they would fend for themselves, slipping out before the rest of the tribe woke up to prepare and get some fucking grub. Well, some of them anyway – Lyle handing his gun off to Mansk, before curling up into a ball and waved them off. The kid promising to bring him back something good, still in a good amount of pain thanks to Yay-u from the previous night.

“Good”, heh…

When Quaritch nearly died from a stomach ache eating a fruit he shouldn’t have, and then being thoroughly dressed-down by a furious Yay-u, they decided that they should ask for some help. After Yay-u tore them a new one. Okay, maybe it won’t be alright. In his defence, he saw the other kids pick it, and assumed it was edible. Boy, was he fucking wrong…

“You know not what is be, but you eat?” She fumed as she mopped his brow with a rag, wiping away the vomit from his lips as she muttered under her breath when her mother stuck her head into their hut, and scolded her daughter, yelling at her as Yay-u frowned at Quaritch. The woman continued to yell, until Yay-u answered her mother in a tight voice. The woman huffed, clearly unamused by her daughter’s response before stomping away with a flick of her tail. Don’t do that, Sweetheart, I’m sorry.

Apparently, it was something used to treat burn wounds, Yay-u demonstrating on Mansks’ hand when the kid burned his hand on a stone the next morning.

He must have said that out loud because she shushed him, frowned, and sighed as she wiped at his forehead, before she placed something round and wet against his lip – “Eat, my Myhuls. Rawp. Good.”

The small circular object crunched between his teeth, and tasted rather salty, but good. Like a wannabe potato chip. It was good… tasted even better coming from her hand… Fuck me… I’m royally screwed.

Yay-u smiled, and ran her fingers through his stubbly hair, blotting at his forehead with a rag, wiping at the salty goodness at his lips, with each swipe of her hand at his forehead, sparks raced down to his toes, playing hopscotch over his spine ‘till it settled on the tip of his tail. It was the closest she came to him since that day… She would whisper things to him, both in her broken English and in Na’vi, sweet nothings that soothed the lava flowing under his skin. Quaritch smiled at those sweet nothings, even as his team fretted and hovered around them both.

She spoke to them, until someone yelled something.

She left, telling them to stay, and to feed Quaritch more of the wanna-be potato chip, before she dropped off the side of the cliff, and out of sight. The twist that formed in Quaritch’s gut, Lyle pushing him down to keep him from bolting after her.

“No, you don’t,” Lyle rinsed out the rag, and laid it back over his forehead with a smirk. “You’re staying right here, until Yay-u gets back with dinner.”

“But-” Quaritch moved to get up again, voice tight at the discomfort brewing in his stomach, bile crawling up into his throat. Eyes clenched shut, he fought to not puke all over his friend, as Lyle gently laid him back down, and then proceeded to be a complete asshole.

“No,” Lyle placed his legs over his chest, trapping Quaritch under his thick legs. “Yay-u knows more about this place than we do, I think she would be able to handle something as simple as food. She said stay, you follow that order, because we know fuck-all about this place, and I’m pretty sure that we touch one more thing, we’re gonna get chomped. So, sit your be-tailed ass down, and wait.”

And so, he did, and when the trembling in his bones stopped, Yay-u reappeared, the bowl of rwap had been moved to his lap as he laid out on his sleeping mat.

She smiled at him, running her fingers through his short hair, as she pulled him up into a sitting position.

“Myhuls,” she smiled at him. “Eat.”

He looked at the bowl, and moaned. It looked so… awful. He picked up the slim stone-like thing… The salty taste was unexpected, and the juicy-watery liquid that burst into his mouth soothed the burn caused by vomiting up his stomach.

“Good,” She smiled at him, and handed out the rest before disappearing, with a last order of, “Eat.”

By the time Yay-u reappeared with a bowl covered in slabs of meat, Quaritch had given up his struggles and was sitting up without any help but with some difficulty. She still frowned at him as she looked him over, running her fingers over his forehead, gently rubbing at the dots, before handing him a wooden bowl with his portion on it. Ignoring the way his head fell forward into her palm.

“Eat, Myhuls,” She pushed him upright, and disappeared before reappearing with a bowl filled with water. Dipping a rag in the bowl, she ran the rag over his face, gently before handing him the bowl with his slab of meat on it.  

The team thanked her, and they fell in the comfortable chattering with each other, as Yay-u took over keeping Quaritch from moving around too much – simply sitting down on his lap and stared out into space. Lyle snickered into his plate, turning to Prager to continue their conversation. Quaritch tore at his piece of meat, wrapping it in the greenery to help soak up the salty goodness. He looked at her, holding the piece out to her.

Yay-u took the tortilla, and tucked the leaf around it tighter.

“No leave me. Stay.” She looked him straight in the eye, slipping the wanna-be tortilla into her mouth, sharp teeth shining, before hopping to her feet, and slipping out of the hovel. “Eat.”

“Fuck,” He rasped as he watched her tail disappear out of sight. Where the fuck do you think I’m gonna go without you, huh?

It was decided that Yay-u would join them on their hunting expedition when Quaritch could sit up without help, together slipping out under the cover of darkness. After Quaritch got his body under control… I don’t think I’ve had so many erections since I was a fucking teen…

It was something else, watching Yay-u hunt.

Long, shapely legs leading them further and further into the forest. Long fingers digging into the moss-covered tree trunks, scaling higher and higher above him, until she floated, moss and sun and hair forming a halo above her head, smiling down at him. Long, thin fingers pulling back thick arrows tipped with a bright blue feather clutched tightly in her hand as she weaved between the thick foliage as they stalked their prey.

They… played, it obviously being Yay-u’s preferred method of teaching the Recoms what to avoid and how to keep track of where they were in the big-ass flora surrounding them 24/7. Singing little songs about this or that as she handed them bushels of fruit, before sending one of the Recoms up into the trees to get more, pelting them with rocks if they picked the wrong thing.

“Twatute,” She would shake her head, and stare at them until they picked the right thing, watching from below, not giving them a single hint as to what “the right thing” would be…

“C’mon, Yay-u,” Mansk moaned from his own tree branch, his tail flicking though the air as he tried to keep his balance, “For all we know eating a raw one of these could fucking kill us!”

She tilted her head, and stared at him, not even blinking those pretty fucking eyes of hers.

The kid gave out a mixture of a moan, and a fucking screech, before turning to his CO: “Sir!”

“C’mon now, Sweetheart,” Quaritch sighed, hooking his arm over a trunk to get a better look at his girl, balancing himself with a flick of his tail, “Give me a hint, would ya? Mansk is right you know, some of this shit could actually kill us.”

Ref. – me a couple of days ago…

Yay-u frowned up at him, and crossed her arms over her chest, her feathers and beads digging into the skin there, “You would think I would kill you now? You only die because you no ask before.”

The words sent warmth spiraling in Quaritch’s gut, swirling round and round, until it settled low in his belly – warm and gooey… He closed his eyes with a low moan, and shoved his forehead against the rough tree bark in front of him. He took a slow breath, and held the cool, mossy air in his lungs for a moment, before turning his attention back to the fruit above his head. He heaved himself up with another grunt, and willed his erection to go down as she scaled the tree, quickly catching up to them. You had many chances before this too, Sweetheart… Fuck me. Why is that hot?

Lyle hit him on the calf, hissing, “Stop thinking with your fucking dick! That’s fucking jailbait!” And why the fuck do you get turned on by the idea of Yay-u trying to fucking kill you? Lyle couldn’t help but wonder if he should deck his ass when they get back on the ground or do it now while they were in the tree.

Quaritch looked down at the Lieutenant, baring a fang before turning his attention back towards the fucking tree. “They don’t have jail here, Lyle.”

“Nah,” Lyle grunted, and climbed up next to his friend, “But they do have mighty pointy fucking arrows, and our weaponry, so I think that kinda counts. On second thought, I think I would prefer jail.”

“If jail is the end result of getting with her,” Quaritch grunted, and looked up as Yay-u smiled at him, “Fuck, I wouldn’t mind. At all.”

Lyle sighed, and placed his hands on his hips, watching as his CO heaved himself next to the girl, straddling the branch. His tail… “flexed” as he settled in next to her.

“I think jail would be the easy route.” Lyle sighed, and watched as Mansk turned around to help Prager up the branch, motioning for them to stay put as they reached for the next branch. “What the fuck do you think he’s doing?”

Mansk reached for the branch above him to keep his balance, before looking at his CO and his girl. The kid sniffed and pushed his sunglasses onto his head, before he shrugged and wiped his face. “I don’t know, but whatever he’s doing, he ain’t thinking with his big brain, sir, because he sure as fuck didn’t remember her hoard of big-ass brothers that could snap his fucking spine like a fucking-”

Quaritch swung down, thick legs wrapped around a tree branch, getting right in the kid’s face with a grunt as his braid swung through the air. “You were saying, Private?”

Mansk sighed. “All I’m saying is, sir, if you want her – go for her. Stop fucking pussyfooting around and fucking kiss the girl! The worse she can do is say no.”

Lyle’s jaw dropped, even as their CO laughed. “Sure, I’ll do it, but her brothers are gonna be a problem.”

“If I keep them busy,” Mansk sighed, “Will you make a move?”

“Sure,” Quaritch continued to laugh, “But how do I know you will be able to do it?”

“I’m sure I’ll be able to figure something-”

“Figure what?” Yay-u swung down, landing on the branch opposite them with a grace that would make a fucking fairy jealous.

“How we’re gonna get up this tree,” Mansk grunted as he leaned over the branch. “This is gonna take a while.”

Yay-u sat down on the branch, and looked down Zee grunted as she pulled herself onto a branch of her own, followed by Lopez and Prager.

“There’s got to be an easier way to get up this thing,” Zee sighed, and huffed. “This is so unfair, Yay-u! C’mon!”

“How easier, Zee?” Quaritch huffed, as he looked at Yay-u. “Do you have a helo in your pocked we are unaware of, Sweetheart?”

Yay-u giggled, smiling down at him with a shake of her head, “Just climb, ma Myhuls, is easy.”

“You and I need to discuss the term “easy”, Sweetheart.” He grunted, as his boot slid over the moss. Fuck me, you fucking piece of shit! He gripped the branch and swung himself up, wrapping his left leg around it to keep himself balance. “This ain’t easy-”

Her hair glided over her exposed shoulders, as she landed on the branch opposite Mansk, sunlight filtering around her head as she smiled, bronze eyes soft as she stared at him. Yeah, I’m fucked.

“Come,” She held out her hand, long fingers, rough skin, thin…

He gripped her hand and smiled as she tried to pull him up, letting out soft grunts for her troubles. She hissed at him, and planted her feet, trying to heave him up onto his. He smiled, watching her grunt as she leaned back, gripping his hand with cold fingers. Oh, this is gonna be good… At any point, Quaritch could have planted his feet onto the tree and pulled himself up onto the branch, but it was just too fun to watch her suffer. Just a bit… Pay back is a bitch, ain’t it?

“You good, Sweetheart?”

Yay-u huffed, and stared at him. “Be nice.”

“I’m always nice, Sweetheart.” He smiled at her.

She rolled her eyes, a small smile sneaking onto her lips. “Always?”

“Of course, Sweetheart,” He smiled at her, “Always.”

Chapter Text

30. A Name Well Earned

Yay-u took them out further and further every day. Slipping out before sunrise and returning long after the sun set – their quarry for the day roasting on an open fire, near the opening of the caves.

Some children would stir, drawn to the scent of the cooking meat, before being shooed away by Yay-u, muttering something to them as the children would wave at the Recoms – tiny hand swinging about high above their heads as they greeted the Marines. They couldn’t help but to wave back, as Yay-u laid the slab of meat down and held the knife out to Miles to cut it, only for her to take the knife back with a click of her tongue, a couple of minutes later – him obviously doing something wrong. He sat back, hands raised as Yay-u cut the meat with swift, easy slices – ordering him to look over her shoulder. “See, no be baby.”

Lyle snorted into his shoulder, only for Zee to give him a good shove. He shoved her back, starting a good-natured wrestling match. Quaritch sighed and stepped back.

Yay-u taking the idea of, “Fine, I’ll do it myself because you are a fucking fool” to heart, preparing the meat with swift slices before roasting them on the fire. She sat next to Quaritch as she scraped the fish clean with clear strokes – “See?” Tapped him on the shoulder as she handed him her knife. Long, curved blade black in the sunlight, handle wrapped in the same purple leather as her loincloth, her father having found the thing in the forest when they went looking for her the first time.

Fruit being an easy substitute to provide, was eaten at every meal. The sweet juices sticking to her fingers, Quaritch watching with a hunger swirling deep in the pit of his belly, adding to the gooeyness already there, building with every giggle, and smile she threw his way…. Fuck…

It was fascinating, watching her slithering through the trees – slim fingers gripping the bark as she ascended through the leaves, the missing toe making it easier for her to grip the bark. The boots – not so much. The entire team slipped and slid over the bark and moss and stones, curses ringing out through the forest.

After a grueling day, Yay-u stopped at a river noon.

“We stop here now,” she knelt, and dipped her hands into the cool water for a drink.

The Recoms let out low groans behind her, sinking into the grass with moans and sighs and mutters of contentment. Mansk lying face down, prone as the wind brushed its fingers through his hair.

“How have you gone this soft in so little time?” Quaritch frowned at them, “I wasn’t hard enough when drilling you fools.”

“Sir,” Ja leaned back onto his arm, “You let us run across tarmac, not fucking high-tail it through the fucking jungle!”

“And that’s supposed to make a difference?”

“We’re Marines, Ja.” Lyle grunted, as he sat down, checking his laces. “We’ve dealt with worse. We’ve dealt with this shit before, with their big ass cootchy-toothy motherfuckers. No, it’s gonna be easier to avoid them. Think of this as a survival course.”

Ja frowned at him, then leaned over to whisper as their CO turned his back, watching the girl; “We’re learning to survive his horny ass?”

Lyle chocked around the mouth piece of his Camelbak.

“I heard that,” Quaritch called over his shoulder, as his subordinate slapped his friend on the back.

“Then do something about it!” Ja called back with a huff.

“Fine.” He turned to his team, Zdinarsk looking up at him as he came sauntering back. “Fine.”

He dropped off his rifle, and his pack, before marching after the girl and her pretty, blue tail. Quaritch ignored the whooping and hollering and whistles and repeated yells of; “Go get that tail, Big Bird!” before he lost his fucking nerve. Quaritch threw his finger in the air, just for good measure.

He found her quickly enough, just walking straight into the dragons’ den following her scent, helped – stuck in his nose, overpowering the fresh moss around him somehow. She knelt by the river bed – dipping her hands into the cool water, and bringing her cupped hands to her lips for a soft sip.

Yay-u turned her face to him, her lips wet, eyes so big. He dropped to his knees and crawled over to her, dipping his hands into the water to take a sip of his own. The cool water rushing over his parched throat, sweet and refreshing. So much better than the shit in his pack. Quaritch grimaced as he began pulling at the Velcro at his shoulder, he sighed as the weight slid from his back, as his squad made a their way over to them.

She cupped her hands and threw the water in her face, pulling the thick braid over her shoulder to wash her neck, exposing the soft skin to his hungry gaze as she ran her hand over the skin, washing way the sweat. His eyes followed a single drop of water trailing down her beads, and his mouth watered at the memory of the taste of her skin on his teeth.

Quaritch clenched his eyes, before he cupped his hands and splashed the cool water into his face, once, twice, a third time – trying to get his blood back down, throwing more water onto his head, scratching at his scalp with dull nails…

It didn’t fucking work…

Yay-u stared at him, pulling at his dogtag to get his attention. Big bronze eyes smiling down at him, before gripping the tag and pulling him closer. Her cool breath fanned over his face, smelling sweet…

Her head tilted in that pretty way, eyes big as she stared at him, and tilted her head to the other side, asking him even closer, brushing her nose against his. Just a little closer…

“Come.”

Her breath cooled his face, sweet and soft, forcing him to take deep breaths, and then she was gone. Poof, into a puff of smoke before his eyes.

Well, He sighed, So, much for getting his blood down…. And took off, following Yay-u’s strong scent like a fucking dog in heat.

Lyle looked up just in time for his CO’s tail to disappear into the woods. Zee jumped up, readying to chase after them when Lyle simply waved her off – laying back down into the soft grass. “You ain’t sinking my boat, Zee. Sit, the fuck, down!”

“But, sir-!”

“Sit!” He pointed to the ground, “If he wanted to fuck her, he would have done so a long time ago. He ain’t gonna hurt her now.”

Zee sighed, and sat down with a grimace, hoping beyond hope her CO was correct. Quaritch hadn’t come to her for a fix the entire time they’ve been here, and he’s been stuck on Yay-u’s tail for the past four weeks as she lead them about. But, never alone.

“They’ll be fine,” Lyle promised, even as he frowned beneath his sunglasses.

Yay-u slipped through the trees, pushing large leaves out of her way with a simple push, Quaritch hot on her tail; long, slim limbs springing over a fallen log, flinger brushing along the petals of giant flower in different colors, tiny bolts of light flicking along the leaves; each one jumping, screaming, happy that she’s touching them, giving them attention. Finger like tendrils reaching out, gliding along her skin, I’m here, see me!

Quaritch didn’t know he could be jealous of a fucking plant, but here we are… He didn’t know he could be a lot of things – these last few months have taught him a lot – like the fact that he was attracted to limp, blue tails with fluffy black hair on the tip… He groaned, and picked up his pace, praying he won’t lose sight of her here – he’s so focused on his girl, he knew if she should up and vanish, he’s fucking screwed.

Heh, what typa Marine are ya? Back to mock me, huh? Fitting, here to see my fall from grace. Please, you had to crawl your way out of hell…

He kept his eye on the tail, following her through the bush, trying to keep up. Until she stopped, dead in her tracks. Quaritch took a deep breath, before stopping at her back, leaning forward, the closest to her he’s been in weeks… He’s missed her cool warmth tucked into his side, missed her soft hair beneath his nose as he took a deep breath of her mossy scent, before rumbling into her ear, “What are we doing, Sweetheart?”

Her ear twitched, tiny beads danced in her hair. Quaritch hummed, and stepped closer, running his nose over the tiny braids and that bright yellow band that held her queue in place. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, filling his lungs with as much of her scent before they had to do whatever Yay-u wanted him to do. He blamed it on his Yay-u withdrawal – her mother and brothers and father doing everything in their power to keep her away, and his team being dragged around with them for their safety, hasn’t really provided them with much –

She stepped away, but before he could sigh at his loss, soft, small and cold lips pressed against the side of his mouth. Quick, gentle, cold, shy… and it went straight to his dick.

His eyes snapped open as Yay-u backtracked, wide eyes even wider, opening her mouth to say something.

Quaritch didn’t want to give her the chance – he forced her to step back, backing her into a corner. Her back hit the side of a tree, before he leaned in, and rubbed his nose against hers. “Now, what was that, Sweetheart?”

She opened her mouth as if to speak, but he shushed her, rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip as he let out a low chuckle, “Wanna try that again?”

His golden eyes threatened to burn her down where she stood, this demon from a different star so far away. This monster who could snap her like a twig…. But didn’t… Never even tried…

She opened her mouth – yes, no, maybe- wait! But nothing came out, as he stared down at her, never moving. Yay-u snapped her jaw shut and nodded.

Myhuls swooped in, hand fully cupping the side of her face, lifting her jaw for full access to her lips.

Hot mouth against hers as he cupped her face in his hands, holding her still as her demon devoured her, stealing bits of her soul with each peck. Yay-u closed her eyes, and reached for his shoulders as his warmth bled into her…

It is nice, she sighed, closing her eyes as she parted her lips slightly, just as his tongue rubbed against her bottom lip – but instead of asking nicely, like he had planned, she threw the doors open to welcome the invading horde. The warmth in her mouth was unexpected and Yay-u pulled back with a gasp, a strand of saliva connecting their lips.

“No?” He panted, letting her pull back, just a bit more; he had her – he would rather burn the fucking moon down with all its fucking expensive rocks and his entire fucking team before he let her go again.

Yay-u blinked her pretty bronze eyes, panting, before throwing her head back against the tree.

Myhuls leaned in with a hum, rubbing his face into her neck, “That’s a no, then.”

He let out a sigh, before taking Yay-u in his arms and settling themselves on a rock. Yay-u curled into his side and rubbed her nose against his neck with a chirp. His let out a soft chuckle, as his tail shot up at the sound, pressing his lips to her forehead, sending more sparks up her spine as he traced the dots on her forehead with his lips.

“I always did like that sound,” He whispered into her hair. “And you make it so rarely...”

And for good reason… she sighed into his chest, settling into the comforting silence around them.

It was still, and comforting, and quiet as he began humming those songs he sang when he took the rest of the Dreamwalkers out for their morning exercises.

“And, Yayiu-te?” He rumbled into her ear. It twitched against his lips – she’s listening, “You are, fucking, sweet…”

She blushed as Myhuls pulled her even closer, tilting her face up for another taste. Or two. Or three…

Chapter Text

31. Well, Since I'm Going to Hell

By the time Yay-u came up for air, eclipse had started.

She watched as the last rays of light danced in her Myhuls’ hair as she ran her finger through the short strands at the base of his neck, petting at his thick braid with soft fingers – her nails scratch, scratch, scratch-ing through the soft hairs. His arm gripping her hips tightly, pulling her closer as his lips worked at her neck. He nipped and sucked and nudged her head to the side to gain more access, rubbing his nose against the skin, sending more of her soft scent into the air.

They had switched their position – she sat, straddling his lap as he mouthed at her neck, running his fangs over her pulse as he pulled her even closer, holding her hips tight in his grasp, afraid that she would run away.

Yay-u watched as the sun hid behind the moon, thrusting the world into total darkness for but a moment. She always hated it, hated that the animals and the plants took their time to light the forests around her…

She looked down at Myhuls, tracing her fingers over his forehead and smiled as his tail flicked into the air, and he bit back a moan against the hallow of her throat. Her personal collection of stars, shining just for her… Yay-u smiled and pressed her lips against his forehead, tracing the tanhì on his forehead with small kisses, watching his tail flick with every drag of her lips against his skin.

She giggled, and pressed her lips to the side of his forehead, trailing her lips down, into the juncture of his neck, feeling his heart pitter-patter against her mouth. She traced her lips down to the hallow of his throat, rubbing her lips along the tanhì located there.

“Fuck…” Quaritch moaned, deep and throaty, the vibrations against her lips sending shivers down her spine… “What?”

His voice didn’t hold back his annoyance – throaty and deep, rich with his own arousal. Yay-u was scared to use her own, not trusting herself to sound… normal… She rubbed her cheek against his forehead again, and let out a soft purr, her cool breath sending tingles up his spine.

Win-feet buzzed in Myhuls’ ear – annoyed: “Where the fuck are you? We’ve been comm-ing, you haven’t answered! Is Yay-u with you, over?”

“Yeah,” He cleared his throat and when he next spoke, his voice was back to the normal timber, “Been a bit busy. She’s here.”

He looked down at Yay-u in his lap, as she looked up at him, leaning forward to rest her chin against his chest, his body armour long since discarded somewhere behind them, as she traced the dots running up the sides of his neck, nosing her way along his cheek.

“What’s wrong?” He hissed out, trying, (and failing, miserably) to keep the strain out of his voice as she rubbed her cheek against his. What the fuck is up with that? The frikken book didn’t say shit about that!

“We got a shit-stain brewing,” Lyle sighed. “Her brothers found us – they are throwing a damn fit! Where are you?”

“We’re fine,” he bit out a moan, and slipped a hand behind her neck, holding her in place. “We’re fine.”

Yay-u glared up at him, and nosed her way up to his Adam’s apple, rubbing her cheek against his skin.

“That’s not what the fuck I asked, Miles, and you fucking know it,” Lyle hissed. “Where are you?”

“Keep your panties clean, Wainfleet, we’re-a comin’,” Quaritch sighed, and pulled her head back, cradling her neck in his hand as he stared down at her, quickly pecking at her lips, before helping her to her feet, and taking her hand. “Well, you’re gonna have to lead us out of here because I have no idea how we got here.”

“Stay with now,” She stood on the tips of her toes, quickly pecking his cheek before zipping out from underneath his arms, and slipped to the other side in a flash, tilting her head to the side with a small smirk.

“Yeah, yeah,” he picked up his body armour and heaved it over his head, “Staying with, Sweetheart.”

He gave her another peck, before holding her hand and let himself be led around. He quickly adjusted himself in his pants – it would be a fucking death wish to be sporting a hard-on with her family about.

She turned to look at him as he took his hand away. Yay-u stopped. Before stepping forward and looking up at him with her too big fucking eyes before tilting her head to the side, and looked down.  

“Don’t look at me like that –”

Her slim hand rubbed against his dick, fingers slim and oh so cold... He let out a gasp, before gripping her hand in his, as his balls pulled up into his body.

“No,” He groaned out, and stepped back, holding her at arm-length.

“What?” She looked at him, never letting go of his fingers, as she tilted her head, ears twitching as she looked him up and down, before settling on the bulge in his pants, “Why?”

He sighed, and cupped her cheek.

“Well,” He sighed, before looking down at her with a slight grimace, “It’s a bit uncomfortable, when… you… touch it like that.”

“How do I touch, then?” She asked, watching as Myhuls chocked on his spit.

He turned his head to cough in the other direction, eyes closed as he tried to get air into his lungs. “You,” Cough, “You don’t have to do that, Sweetheart.”

Yay-u frowned, and looked at him as he adjusted himself in his pants. Still coughing into his shoulder, jumping a bit to get things settled.

“Now?” She tilted her head, soft hair gliding over her shoulders. “Better?”

Quaritch couldn’t help but laugh at her, “Not really, but its bearable. It’ll be better after a while.” If I don’t die of blue-balls while here, Sweetheart. “Let’s go.”

It didn’t get better. Not really.

Yay-u had gathered them all for dinner, sitting around in their own little bubble as they tore into the soft buttery meat.

Quaritch knelt next to Yay-u as she talked and taught them new words, lips slightly swollen from this afternoon’s make-out session, slight flush to her cheeks as she wrapped her portion in more leaves. Yay-u took her bites carefully, not looking at her mother as she rubbed her knee against his heavily padded one – small bolts of electricity running up and down his fucking spine, taking the route it had taken some many times before, with more fury than its predecessors.

Quaritch shook his tail before he could do anything stupid, drawing Lyle’s gaze as he did so.

Momma Yay-u glared at him from her husband’s side, leaning in to whisper something to him, before he shook his head, and motioned to her food. She huffed, that same way her daughter did – before pulling the soft meat apart, furiously stuffing her portion in her mouth and continued to glare at him.

Quaritch turned to look at Yay-u rather than her crazy ass mother, slim fingers rolling the soft meat into the leaf, before her big bronze eyes turned to look at him, mouth opened as she moved to eat.

Head tilting, she asked without asking, before holding out her portion.

“No,” He shook his head, before motioning to her, “You eat, Sweetheart. I’m good. I promise.”

Yay-u smiled, “Better than Sky People food,” before taking her bite. Sharp teeth gleaming in the firelight…

Lyle huffed, “You got that right, Yay-u.”

The voice of his Lieutenant broke whatever fantasy his mind wove, before he could act on it.

“Yeah,” Quaritch huffed, shaking his shoulders loose. “Way better. Could use some coffee though.”

Yay-u rolled her pretty little eyes at him, before she licked her finger. What Quaritch wouldn’t do to be the one to lick that pretty little digit… He shook his head, before rubbing his finger over his lip, hoping feeling the grooves on his lip would help curb the need to feel hers.

It didn’t do shit…

He sighed and tucked into the soft, buttery meat of a herbivore some clansmen took down this afternoon while he and Yay-u were drowning in each other, doing as Yay-u showed them that first night, trying to get the greens into his system somehow.

He didn’t realize how slowly he had eaten, when Mansk asked: “Can we turn in now, sir?”

Quaritch looked up at his squad, all of them finished with their portions, as he sat mulling over the day’s events. Some kids hitched up onto their parents’ hips as the headed to turn in. He couldn’t help but frown as he mumbled for them to ‘hit the rack’.

They nodded, getting up and disposing of their leaves in the fire, before waving at Yay-u, bidding her a soft “good night, Yay-u” and heading into their enclave to sleep. They’ll figure out who’s on first watch on their own. He wouldn’t have to baby them. Lyle raised an eyebrow over Yay-u’s shoulder and Quaritch knew, he wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight.

Don’t do anything stupid, ya lug!

As the team drifted to their respective sleeping spots, the tension in Quaritch’s belly doubled over itself, turning round and round and round, the soft meat in his mouth turning to lead each time he swallowed, dropping into his stomach like spent brass.

She didn’t say anything as they wandered back to the team, a far off look in her eyes.

He wanted to reach over and grab her hand, pull her to a stop and demand like a petulant child to know what was wrong, did she regret kissing him? Did she want him to leave? Did she not feel the same?

Each question adding to the pile of brass in his stomach, each heavier than the next, plink, plink, plink, until they stopped in front of the teams tent.

He opened his mouth to say something, desperately wanting to, but unable to make a sound, gaping like a fucking paddle pirate! Opening his mouth to say something, no sound coming out, not even a whisper of breath as his fucking tail gave away his nervousness as it swayed over his shoulder…

You think its your tail giving away your nerves?

Quaritch snapped his mouth closed before he could yell like an idiot.

Yay-u tilted her head to the side with a smile, before standing on her tippy-toes to give him a soft kiss on the side of his mouth.

“Good night, ma Myhuls,” and poof! she left him standing there gasping like a fish.

He stumbled into the tent, as the team got ready for bed, stripping off the heavy clothes, Zee doing that thing all women do to remove their bra without taking off her shirt as he fell face first into his wannabe rack with a moan.

“Good day?” Lyle asked from somewhere, he could fucking smell the smile in the idiot’s voice.

Miles simply threw a single fingered salute in the air, too deep in his fantasies to worry about his team snickering around him, as he rubbed his hips into the woobie below him, trying to ease the fire Yay-u keeps fanning.... 

Yep, Quaritch thought as he let his mind wander, I’m going to hell…

Chapter Text

32. Shit Hits the Fan, and I Blocked it With a Fucking Squash Racket

I fucking swear, Momma Yay-u knows what we did… Fuck…

Quaritch could feel the women’s eyes on the back of his head whenever he moved, as he shifted his weight on the balls of his feet to keep his tail from going haywire, as he ate what was placed on his “plate”, as he greeted her, as he said goodbye to Yay-u, as he left. She glared at him as she rushed her daughter into their home, muttering something under her breath.

Please, Big Bad Sky Momma, Quaritch groaned as he stepped into the ‘Recom quarters’, Don’t let Momma Yay-u do anything stupid. Don’t let me do anything stupid…

They had floated back to high camp – Miles pulling Yay-u to a stop every now and then to peck her on the lips, quick and soft, before they had to continue moving on. Every couple of steps, he would pull her to a stop by turning her head to the side, to taste her lips. Yay-u having finally put a stop to it with a little wiggle, and pushed him away with a firm, “No,” and a finger wiggle, pulling him back to High Camp with a soft giggle and a shake of her head.

“Oh, c’mon Sweetheart.” Quaritch pulled her closer and pressed her against a tree as the rest of the squad trekked on ahead of them, pretending not to see their CO being a horny fucking teenager. “Just a taste. Just one more, then we can go home.”

He leaned over Yay-u blocking out what little sun filtered through the trees, bathing her in the dappled light, rubbing his nose against hers. Quaritch wasn’t sure where all this affectionate BS came from, but he knew that if he didn’t touch her, show her some form of affection, he would burst at the seams and crumble at her feet, begging. It felt as if every molecule in his body attached themselves to Yay-u and he had to go hopping along, following his dick, his heart hopping along, throwing fucking petals in the air as he hummed a happy tune, the grunt in his brain scoffing along for the ride.

Quaritch rubbed his nose against her cheek, the soft skin tickling his nose, as he breathed in more of her soft scent.

“You can’t expect me to be satisfied with just a couple of kisses when I’ve been salivating after your pretty little mouth since the first time we met, can you?” Fucking months…

He leaned forward to rub his nose against the side of hers, soft and slowly until Yay-u pulled back, and flicked his nose with her finger – watching as his ears pulled back. “No.”

“What?” Quaritch rumbled, as he took her finger in hand and clenched it tight, bringing it to his lips for a quick peck. “’No’, what? What did I do wrong, Sweetheart?”

Yay-u leaned forward, and bumped her nose against his, as he held on tighter to her finger. “No.”

“Why not?” He leaned in more, as he tried to ignore the soft Yay-u scent that burst from her skin, ready to bump her nose again – a need swirling deep in his belly, as he pulled her even closer. “Are we doing something wrong?”

She pulled back, and tapped his nose with a finger. “Not permitted.”

“Oh?” He rubbed his nose under her finger, taking in more of her scent, and rumbled, already fucking flying high as a fucking kite with her taste on his tongue, “Why not? You can’t give me a bunch of rules without the reason why.”

She pressed her finger against his nose to stop him, and sighed, “Not permitted. No mated.”

“Okay,” He continued to rub his nose on her finger, closing his eyes as he savored in his ‘Yay-u Time’, taking in more lungful’s of her scent, before opening them to stare at her, “Then how do we do that then?”

Yay-u’s ears pulled back, she pulled her finger away from his nose, as her lips pulled in a tight line. Quaritch couldn’t help but frown, as a whole case of ammo was dropped through his stomach, at the loss of her cool warmth against his stupidly sensitive nose, as her bronze eyes bore into his soul.

“Sweethe-?”

“No,” Yay-u wiggled her finger in front of his nose, jaw tight, bronze eyes burning him down where he stood, a goddess ready to smite him for his insolence. “No.”

His tail dropped as she walked away from him, leaving him in her dust, at a loss.

“Fuck me…” He groaned, and quickly tried to keep up with her.

Yay-u rushed through the dense flora, refusing to wait for him, stretching the distance between them with every step.

“Wait, Sweetheart,” Quaritch watched as she slipped underneath a tree root, too small for him to slip under, forcing him to pick up speed and leap over the fucking thing like a fucking rabbit of all things. He grunted and vaulted himself over another root, ducking and rolling to land. When he looked up, the breeze ruffled the leaves in front of him. Not her.

She’s gone.

“Fuck…” He sighed as he trekked after her scent, the sour moss leaving a bright trail back to High Camp, tail tucked between his legs.

Yay-u hasn’t spoken to him since – instead leading them both back to High Camp, and continued with everyday life. Yay-u must have spoken to her mother, because Momma Yay-u hasn’t let her daughter be alone since she came out of their shared tent the next morning…

Her brothers took shifts to keep an eye on them. The ‘big’ bastards following them around like an annoying little brother that your mother told you to humor, (very big and annoying little brothers that are aware of their size) taking shifts to follow them around as Yay-u tried to teach them how to Na’vi.

He listened attentively as Yay-u showed them how to weave a loincloth, dying it the same purple as her own with steady motions, dip-dip-dip-wring, singing a song as she explained all the goings on, before hanging it up and wringing out more of the dye into the bowl – repeating the process all over again with another piece... Quaritch didn’t understand a word, not a bit, but he decided long ago that Yay-u could cuss him out ten ways from Sunday and he wouldn’t give a fucking damn. It would be better than her fucking cold shoulder…

He watched Yay-u’s slim fingers work the loom, soft soprano singing and humming the song as explanation, weaving the soft white-green threads with well-practiced motions, as Quaritch sat next to her, descaling a fish along with one of the other hunters as her mother glared at him from over her daughter’s shoulder, occasionally singing along with a deeper note than her daughter as she helped weave the soft fabric.

She didn’t explain anything to him anymore, instead focused on Zdinarsik and Mansk – teaching them the finer points of weaving with deft fingers. It was hard to keep up from a distance – Quaritch sincerely hoped that his grunts could keep up with her crazy quick hands, because he was lost on the second twirl of her fingers, not that he minded. At all…

Yay-u had arranged for a young hunter to take them out while her mother crammed her and Zee and Mansk into the tent and didn’t let her out of her sight. His armour sitting heavy over his shoulders as the new assholes gathered the Recoms around them, with yelling and whoops and cheers that made Quaritch’s ears twitch.

“I’ll keep them safe, sir.” Mansk promised as he followed them inside. “I promise.”

It’s not that the didn’t trust his subordinate, it just didn’t make him feel any better.

The hunter, Uiopì te Aìpxha Spayìu'itan, picked up the training reluctantly – brining the Recom team back later in the day without a scratch. The sight of Yay-u’s head peeking out from their tent was enough to ease the ache in his muscles after the bserry that was the daily “hunting trip”, their quarry over their shoulders.

The boy was an ass, to say the least. And if it weren’t for the fact that there was a constant troop of hunters following his be-tailed ass, Quaritch would have decked him too. That and if Yay-u didn’t stop him the first time, he would have slapped the kid five ways to Sunday… The kid kept trying to lose them, too bad Yay-u had ramped up their workout routine (before she decided they weren’t her problem any more…) putting the entire squad in a bad mood whenever the boy tried to do something stupid. Too bad the competition was to keep up with their CO and not this idiot – Quaritch having to reach out to steady the idiot more than once as they sprinted over the tree trunks and roots.

When Yay-u woke them one morning, she slapped Quaritch’s hand when he reached for his boots.

“No,” She shook her finger under his nose.

“I need my boots, Sweetheart,” He rumbled, as Yay-u took a seat in front of him, looking at every facet of her face, this being the closest she’s been to him in weeks. “It kinda helps with not stepping on rocks.”

“No,” Yay-u took the boots out of his hands, and placed his boots and socks on the side of his sleeping space. “Feet need to be strong.”

“Huh?”

Quaritch knew he sounded like a retard, he knew, but to be honest, he was tired, horny as fuck, hungry, and severely lacking of caffeine making his jarhead-ass even slower.

“No shoes,” Yay-u handed him his ‘plate’, “Eat.”

“I need my shoes, Sweetheart.” He took the leaf-plate-mock-up and watched as she knelt in front of him with her own. “I have baby feet here.”

He wiggled his toes as she looked down at his feet.

She picked up one foot and set it down between her legs, watching as Quaritch wolfed down his meal, before placing the plate to the side, ignoring his stomach trying to bring the food back up as Yay-u ran her fingers over the bridge of his foot. It tickled, and the warmth it spread through his body made it nearly impossible to sit still. He did the wise thing, and placed his feet on either side of her legs, boxing her in.

Yay-u looked down, head turning from side to side, as she looked at his feet planted on either side of her body, ears twitching as she reached for his right hand and laid it over his corresponding foot, running her fingers over his toes and the fingers that laid over them, tracing his nails before going back over his hands to his wrists and back down again.

“You got a foot fetish or something I don’t know about, Sweetheart?” Quaritch chuckled as Yay-u continued with her motions.

Yay-u looked up at him with a frown.

He sighed, “Do you like feet, Sweetheart?”

“No,” She shook her head.

Quaritch scoffed, “Then-?”

“You have pretty feet,” she went over the motions again, before turning back to him. “Weak, but pretty.”

“Well, then I need to get stronger then.” He hummed, low next to her ear, smiling as it twitched against his lips.

“Yes,” Yay-u turned her head, and pecked him on the lips, quick and sweet, hummed, before standing, “Be good, alright?”

Every drop of blood in his body rushed to his dick, making him lightheaded. It took him a moment for the blood to settle and not boil underneath his skin like a fucking watched pot, working the blood back to his head, before he cleared his throat, looking up at her, as she waited for his answer.

“I’m always good, Sweetheart,” He smiled up at her as he placed his boots to one side. “Promise.”

She smiled, hummed and left him, taking Zdinarsk with her and leaving him and the rest of the team with the idiot, 'Uiopì, Mansk opting to stay with the team.

“Where the fuck are your boots, sir?” Lyle did a double take as he stepped out of the tent/hut/housing-unit.

“Yay-u said ‘no’,” He sighed and flexed his toes. “Besides, isn’t it good for you, or something? What do they call it?”

“What?” Lyle looked at his feet. “Ugly toes?”

Quaritch reached up and smacked him upside the head, “Grounding.”

“Then why did you ask?” Lyle rubbed at the braid, “Fuck aim higher next time, will ya? That fucking hurt!”

“You’re gonna fuck up bad enough that I will need to hit you upside the head in the future, Lieutenant?”

“I don’t know, you gonna get your knob wet real soon or not?” Lyle grimaced, and covered the base of the braid with his hand, “Fucking hell, Miles! That fucking hurt!”

“Duly noted,” Quaritch huffed, as the rest of the team snickered into their shoulders. “I’ll aim at the same spot next time you say ‘knob’.”

'Uiopì grunted as he arrived, with the Big Head leading the troop of hunters.

He smiled at them, or grimaced, Quaritch was too pissed to really tell, as Quaritch greeted him with a “forehead-wave”, which he acknowledged with a nod.

“You no die today,” He smiled down at them, or tried to, the kid didn’t really reach that high, still a shit-tone of growing to do, “'Uiopì – good hunter. Learn, yes?”

He left them with another smile as the hunters laughed as they retreated.

'Uiopì huffed, looked them up and down, and rolled his eyes before leaving.

“I guess that means we follow,” Ja sighed.

“Guess so,” Quaritch flexed his toes on the cool stone beneath his feet, “Move out.”

The kid was an ass and Quaritch had to fight the urge to deck the idiot whenever he opened his mouth. His brown-nosers were a lot worse. One idiot kept trying to pick a fight with Mansk – their usually silent comrade quick to throw down gloves whenever the idiots opened their mouths to say something stupid, literally, taking of his gloves to beat the shit out of the nearest idiot. Someone having to step in as it got to heated.

“Back-up, Mansk!” Quaritch hissed as he pushed the boy into Ja’s waiting arms. “We don’t need this shit,” before turning around and hissing at the idiots, “Get!”

The idiot hissed, and before he could do something else, Yay-u popped up from somewhere and hissed at him, pointing her finger to the other side of the cave with hissed out words, too fast for Quaritch to even try to begin to understand as she flicked her hand and motioned for him to go away, with another hissed out, “Get!” with a hint of a mid-Western accent (that she clearly picked up from him) and if he wasn’t ready to rip off heads and foreskins, he would kiss her silly the moment she allowed him.

They tried to gang up on her, threaten her but the Recoms quickly surrounded their adopted comrade, each one giving a hiss in warning, before they stepped back and with a whip of his tail, fucked off to some unknown destination – Mansk hoping off the side of the cliff.

It all got annoying pretty quickly – the Recoms deciding that should the idiot do something; he would be decked by the nearest Marine. It only happened once (unfortunately), Zdinarsik being the one closest to beat his ass (fortunately). It was something, watching the brightly tattooed woman lay into him, watching them roll in the ground as the Marine laid waste to his scrawny little fucking ass was a sight to behold, one morning.

Mansk the one more put off than anyone else as the idiot was beaten to a pulp, he sunk down onto his ass and rested with his chin on his fists, grumbling about how he never got to do anything fun.

“You go get her, Ly,” Quaritch sighed as he scratched at his eyebrow, as Zdinarsik blocked a punch.

“Oh fuck no,” Lyle shook his head as he knelt next to his CO, “I’d like to get laid again, thanks. You’re it. You’re CO.”

“Nah,” Quaritch shook his head and called over his shoulder to Ja who was sitting propped up against their tent pole, and began rummaging around in his breast pocket. “You go get her.”

Ja turned his head, chewing on some gum that Zee handed out this morning, gazing at the idiot their fellow Marine just head butted, before turning back to his CO with a lazy look in his eye, “Not even for some recruit candy”, before popping the rest of the quarter pink strip between his teeth. They resorted to bartering with the shit after Zee told them her stash was running low, and cough drops became the default gambling chip.

Quaritch sighed again, and popped said cough drop into his own mouth before separating the idiots with a rough shove.

“Move along kid,” Quaritch waved the kid along before pushing the private behind him with little worry, “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. She’s a bitch on a good day, and a cunt on her worst, and this ain’t a good day. Go back to your momma.”

The idiot moved to opened his mouth to say something, but Quaritch ignored him, and pushed the soldier back to the tent. The kid started cursing (something the Recoms quickly picked up on and used against the fuckers with much gusto) and settled in to get shoved around by some other unlucky bastard.

Not long after, Uiopì te Aìpxha Spayìu'itan arrived, declaring that they are going to be under his tutelage for the day, looking as unhappy about the situation as they were... Fucking A…

“You just caused a bunch of shit, and now we’re gonna have to follow your ugly fucking tail into the woods again?” Ja huffed, rubbing at his temples.

“No one else free,” He huffed, crossing his arms over his scrawny chest.

“What about Yay-u?” Quaritch asked, looking over at the kid from where he was seated in the back of the tent.

“Not for you.” The warrior hissed, his tail picking up speed as Quaritch mentioned the girl.

Prager and Mansk shared a look, while Zee popped the pink bubble between her lips. Lyle snorted, and gave the customary, “Oorah.”

It was fun (to an extent) watching the boy’s eyes widen as Quaritch scaled the jungle vines and cliff sides with mere grunts and a grit of his teeth. The Recoms hiding their smiles as their batshit CO came to full light. No way in Pandora Hell was he about to let a fucking greenhorn outshine him…

Yay-u and her mother would wake them, feed them and shuffled them along to get ready for the day, mother-henning them along each morning as they got used to life without the extra caffeine kick in the morning as insurance. It took them a while, Mansk being the one most affected – the kid would be the last one up, eyes bleary even as Yay-u would rush them about. The kid would rumble and grumble, jaw set tight as he glared at the sun coming in through the cave entrance, before slipping his shades over his eyes.

Yay-u quickly learning to send someone else to wake the boy, usually Ja or Quaritch himself. He only swung once, just once, to which Quaritch gave him a hard slap on the cheek to wake him up. He grasped the collar of his shirt and pulled him up, close, before hissing in the kid’s ear, “You gonna do that ‘gain?”

“No, sir,” Masnk hissed back, listening as his CO’s teeth snapped at his ear, before letting go and letting the boy fall to the ground. The team quickly learned it would just be a lot easier to kick the kid’s foot to wake him, before going on about their day instead of being close to a swinging fist.

As Yay-u waited with them for Uiopì to pull his head out of his ass, Quaritch soaked in his Yay-u time – basking in each smile that fell from her full lips. It was a real smile, not one that counted, or one that was directed towards him, but it was something, something to drag him through the day as he chases fucking ugly tail through the damn bush…

And damn, Uiopì did have an ugly tail.

The hair on the tip was unkept for some stupid reason (and resulting in Quaritch brushing through the tip of his tail with his comb in the evenings, a hundred times, like his momma did with her own hair), and there were small gashes on the sides of the limb that made Quaritch finch, his mind twirling with Yay-u’s limp tail as she stared up at him… It didn’t make scaling the mountain sides any more fun as they followed the douche bag and his fuck ugly tail hither and yon across the jungle.

When the idiot realized that the Recoms could keep up with whatever he decided to throw their way, the Na’vi ramped it up. Sending them into the rivers to catch fish without any tools, to forage for a random berry or something without being described anything. Luckily, Yay-u had taught them as much as possible in regards to herbs and fruit and vegetables before she was forced to hand them over, enough to not starve or to be poisoned. Uiopì tried it often – a berry here, a root there, a leaf that didn’t really look the same but different enough that Quaritch was sure would kill them if they weren’t careful.

The Recoms shifted hands daily – from one warrior to the next, until they landed in the lap of none other than 'Äuäm Te Fmiise 'Ewomo'itan.

Yay-u’s father was a broad man, short, for the Na’vi. Both sides of his head shaved (a typical warrior ware, apparently) with thin braids toped off with the same light brown, wood beads that decorated his daughter’s hair. His daughter shared his nose, and the frown that Yay-u so often threw Quaritch’s way. His face, though, was permanently drawn into a tight scowl as he watched the Recoms keep pace, as Quaritch did everything he instructed with little hesitation, or backtalk. Never the smile his daughter would sometimes throw the Recoms way.

'Äuäm would wake the Recoms at fuck-ass-early o’clock, and Quaritch couldn’t help but look for Yay-u, but she wasn’t up yet. 'Äuäm would dump their bowls in their laps and command them to eat in a gruff tone and a snap of his fingers. The man snapping his fingers in the same manner his granddady would – next to his side, down below at what would have been Quaritch’s eyelevel when he was a runt. It annoyed the absolute shit out of him…

“Move, boy!”

Lyle could see the set in his CO’s shoulders, tensing at each snap, each movement of the man’s hands.

“Sir,” The Lieutenant slid up beside him when they took a break, sitting down on the stump next to him as the team spread out, watching their blue betailed asses as they surveyed the surrounding area. “Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Quaritch took a sip from his water canteen, looking at his feet.

“It’s just –” Lyle sighed, and pushed his glasses onto his forehead. “You look like someone took away your cookie.”

Quaritch rolled his head over his shoulders to glare at his friend, before snorting and pinched the bridge of his nose. Then snorting again, he let out a low laugh. It only took a second for Lyle to join, before they both were giggling, like a bunch of school children.

“What the fuck, Lyle?” He chuckled, before the fellow Marine joined in on the stupid fucking joke….

“You’re the one who fucking laughed!”

“You’re the one who made the shitty fucking joke!”

“You laughed!” Lyle pointed at him. “You laughed at the shitty fucking joke!”

“Because it was a shitty fucking joke!”

They laughed amongst themselves like a bunch of tweens that just found their dad’s stash of dirty mags, leaning against each other as they split their sides, until 'Äuäm popped out from the woods, a perfect replica of his daughter’s frown on his face. His fucking ugly tail whipped through the air, as he approached them.

“What?” He hissed down at the Recoms, stomping – bare feet crushing the grass underneath.

“Nothing,” Quaritch cleared his throat, before standing, “Nothing, sir, we were just being idiots.”

He glared down at them, then huffed, snapping his fingers again, “Hurry, we move now!”

Lyle watched as his CO’s ears pulled back, and his tail whipped through the air, before tying down the tube onto his shoulder, and motioning to the rest of the team, with a flat palm, “Follow the betailed ass, Marines.”

Zee blew her bright pink bubble, glaring up at Quaritch as it popped.

“If I deck him, what are the chances the Big Bird would be able to get into Sweetheart’s loin cloth?” She turned to Ja, as the Marine fixed his cap with a sigh.

“I don’t know.” The medic stood with a sigh before holding his hand out to her, “But whatever we do to that civ-div commander would make Yay-u mad at us, and in turn mad at the Colonel, and the Colonel in turn mad at us, and the Commander for not keeping us in line, and the Commander at us for being a bunch of idiots and not following orders. So, not good.”

Zee sighed, took his hand with a grunt, and stood. “Well, fuck.”

Ja laughed and pushed her forward, “Just keep moving, Marine.”

“You treat me real nice, don’t ya, Ja?” She laughed, picking up the pace as they tried to catch up to the rest of the team.

“I’ll treat you even better if you keep moving,” Ja gave her another push, as they broke into a run.

“Promise?” She batted her eyelashes at him, all wanna-be-pretty-like.

“Yeah,” The Marine snorted with a shake of his head, “Real good.”

Chapter Text

33. No Thanks, I Choose Life

 'Txey te Nu 'Äuäm’itan watched as his sister handed over the bleary-eyed Uniltìranyu  to their father for the day – the man anything but pleased at the men standing with their stance wide, hands clenched behind their backs (same as the Demons did the first time his sister brought them to the People), hiding a yawn or two into their shoulders.

“Do not think I do this out of the goodness of my heart, daughter,” Father hissed, before turning to the frowning Dreamwalker with a hiss, ignoring the way his sister’s ears pulled back at their father’s disapproval, “Follow, do no die.”

“Yes, sir.” Myhuls nodded, hands clasped behind his back as he widened his stance. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Yayiu-te nodded watching her father and brothers retreat out of the corner of her eye, before stepping up to Quaritch’s side, trying to give him a peck on the cheek, standing on her tip toes, unfortunately only reaching his jaw. The Dreamwalker ducking down quickly to receive the quick farewell, his cheeks rough with his beard, black hairs tickling her lips – another for good luck. Her lips brushed against his cropped ear, and as she whispered; “No die. Listen, learn. Sempu  teach, yes?” Lightning ran sprints up and down his spine.

“Yeah, Sweetheart,” Myhuls smirked down at her, clearing his throat, before he nodded, “I’ll learn. I’ll be back later, alright? No way’re one of those toothy coothy motherfuckers gonna get us, alright? We’re Marines.” That last time doesn’t count…  

“I would rather be shoved under Whip’s armpit than disrespect the Corps,” Lilwin-feet whispered next to Myhuls, a frown on his odd face as he gripped the straps of his armor. “Don’t worry, Yay-u, we’ll be fine.”

“I’d rather be chased by fucking emu’s…” Mansk pouted, and shuffled his bare feet on the stone floor beneath them. Lilwin-feet huffed before bashing his friend on the back of the head.

“Ow! What the fu-?” The Dreamwalker looked at his See-Oh, before, “Oh,” then he smiled at her, “We’ve had worse, Yay-u, trust me.”

“I’d rather be stuffed under a fucking emu’s wing…” Ja huffed checking the medi-pack strapped onto his chest. “Can only smell better than Eu de Whip, if you were to ask me.”

“Anything will smell better than Eu de Whip,” Prager huffed, before dragging Mansk away with a: “Bye, Yay-u! See you later!”

“See? All’s good.” Quaritch smiled down at his girl, rubbing his knuckles over her cheek, quickly, rough fingers scratching at her skin as he tried to sooth both their nerves. “We’ll be back later. In time for dinner, alright?”

Yay-u frowned, watching as they followed her family over the side of the cliff – waving to her as they dropped over the edge, resisting the urge to tell them not to die, (again). Sighing as she returned to her mother’s side.

“I don’t understand why I can’t just go with them,” She knelt next to her mother throwing more twigs onto the fire as Laeto stirred the soup. “I have been living with them for months – they have never hurt me.” Not on purpose anyway. She frowned as she remembered Myhuls’ pulling her braid back on that first day. The bite mark on her shoulder still tingled, and she resisted the urge to scratch at it as she thought of the bite mark on his arm…

“Because that…. Man,” Her mother hissed at the edge of the cliff where her Dreamwalkers followed, “Is evil. You should stay away.”

“But mama,” Yay-u frowned at the ground beneath her feet as her mother pulled leaves apart to dump into the soup, “They have never hurt me, they’ve been protecting me all this time. They’ve fed me, clothed me, they even—”

“Do not lie to me, girl,” Her mother hissed, looking down at her with fury in her eyes. “The Tsahìk has said that it would be a miracle if you would gain full use of your tail again. It is by the grace of Eywa that you can still walk!”

“It was not –”

“Do not interrupt me girl!” Laeto Oa'eaw Nìtsatvä'ite turned her full attention onto her daughter. “I gave you an order! Do not lie to me!”

Yay-u looked at the ground and muttered a soft apology, listening to her mother’s tail whoosing through the air. She didn’t speak again, Mother wouldn’t listen to her anyway…

Laeto huffed, standing before turning around, expecting her daughter to follow – she did, reluctantly.

“It wasn’t them – it wasn’t him.” Yay-u whispered at her mother’s side, as Laeto called for her Ikran, and ran her hands over the bright purple and yellow beast. Keeping her eyes on the ground less she offended Unyor, Yay-u tried again. “He didn’t hurt me – it was a Sky Person. A small, stinky, ugly Sky Person that harassed everyone in the home-place. They fed me, clothed, taught me to play games. They took me with them, everywhere. They gave me shoes –” She used the English pronunciation, watching as her mother’s lip pulled up in distaste. “So, I wouldn’t burn my feet on their dark stones.”

“Yayiu-te –”

“They protected me. Kept me warm when I began to get sick.” Yay-u sighed, before whispering, “He was ready kill for me…”

Laeto, didn’t say anything, simply ran her fingers over the soft braids in her daughter’s hair, counting the braids with smooth fingers as she rubbed her Ikran’s chin. Yay-u nearly gave up, ready to walk away when it seemed her mother didn’t want to listen…

“You are lucky you can walk.”

Yay-u looked at her mother, who wasn’t looking at her – she simply ran a soothing hand over the beast’s chin. She always thought her mother was beautiful – full lips, her eyes not so round, nose a bit thinner and sharper than others. Thick black hair tipped with brown beads that her father carved for her as a mating gift. She remembers playing with them as a child, watching as her mother would braid her father’s hair with well-practiced movements, long fingers braiding his war-braids the night before a war-party. That first war-party…

“I am walking,” She smiled at her mother, tucking herself under the strong arm that smelled so strongly of smoke and moss that Yay-u couldn’t help but sigh in peace. Peace. “I traversed through the woods with them all day, didn’t fall once. They did – many times.”

Her mother’s hand rested on her daughter’s head, pulling the girl closer and tucked Yay-u’s head close to her chest.

“He didn’t hurt me; he never did, never allowed me to get hurt,” Yay-u whispered into her mother’s shoulder, before pushing herself away, pacing. “He did everything in his power to keep me safe. He fed me, and he never left me alone to be hurt, he would talk to me, and when he realized that the food made me sick, he felt so bad about it, Mother! He brought me fruit to eat when I couldn’t stomach the Sky People’s food anymore! He would sit next to me while I slept and kept me company! He’s not that kind of person!” She turned back to her mother, tears in her eyes, “Please! Just try to See him like I do!”

Laeto stared at her daughter before pulling her back, tucking her into her chest again as she sighed. Yay-u was silent, listening to her mother’s heartbeat under her ear, thump, thump, thump. She wiped at her eyes as her mother sighed.

“When you said he did everything in his power,” Laeto started, running her fingers over her daughter’s braids. “What do you mean?”

“He is a powerful warrior to the Sky People, he holds plenty of sway with them.” Yay-u hugged her mother closer, listening to her heartbeat. “He’s a goo–”

“I do not want to hear about them, I do not want you anywhere near them, especially not that Myhulspilipkwaritz.” Her mother huffed, pulling Yay-u along and settled them in front of the loom. “I don’t want to talk about it further.”

“Yes, mother.” She sighed, and picked up the shuttle as her mother huffed, staring at the rug that was abandoned in her absence... The blue and red smirking at her, taunting her...

She has a lot of work to make up for…

Yay-u’s dad was a bigger motherfucker than her brothers, no less broad, but more of an asshole that Quaritch was pretty sure turned-on Momma Yay-u something fierce – matching his wife’s cuntiness tenfold, complimenting her excellently.

Guess their kids had to get it from somewhere. Not, Sweetheart, though… She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body… A couple of stubborn ones, sure. Mean? Never…

'Äuäm Te Fmiise 'Ewomo'itan gathered them at the bottom of cliff, and before they could even gather their thoughts, shot into the rainforest, obviously expecting the Recoms to follow.

Quaritch ground his teeth in frustration, before following the fucker into the bush, knowing the team would be able to keep up with the fucker and himself no problem, they kept up with Yay-u for crying out loud...

But fuck that fucker and the fucking wanna-be six footed horse he rode in on without a reigns. And his fucking wife, and his fucking assholes for sons! And his fucking chief and the fucking Dragon Lady-Bitch too, for the good of humanity! Quaritch would step up to fuck his daughter though. He’s a sacrificial man, after all…

One thing Quaritch didn’t understand, is that if he wanted to get rid of them, pushing the Recoms off the side of the cliff would have been easier. They have no coroners or seriously trained medical staff from what Quaritch could tell, hell it would be comically easy for Quaritch to get rid of his ass should 'Äuäm become a problem, but he didn’t want to get on Yay-u’s bad side… So why didn’t he just get rid of them? From what Quaritch had seen, he wasn’t afraid of upsetting his daughter, and he sure as shit didn’t spoil her. So why bother keeping them around? Surely this Uturu thing isn’t as big of a deal as they make it out to be…

Or maybe it was, as they ran hither and yon across the forest.

The pace the man set wore on the Marine’s nerves – slower than the one Yay-u drilled them through, forcing them to take smaller steps and thus losing their balance on the branches that he led them across. One snapping under Prager’s foot, sending him sprawling.  

“Little help!”

You fucking idiot… Quaritch sighed, turning his head to make sure the man gets pulled up as he kept pace with 'Äuäm. Nodding his head as Ja pulled him up. Yay-u said look at the fucking size of the shit you’re stepping on…

“You,” She pointed to Quaritch’s chest, blunt nails scraping against his “PROJ PHNX” patch, “Heavy. Yes?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that Sweetheart,” Quaritch tried to not look offended at the statement. “I mean sure, but its muscle, not—”

Yay-u sighed, and tilted her head to the side, a small smile working its way to her lips, cutting him off with a, “No more Sky People? Heavy. More heavy than Sky Person.”

The tiny braids slid over her shoulders and clinked against the beads in her feather top.

“Oh,” He frowned as his ears pulled back, “Yeah.”

Lyle snorted and pinched the bridge of his nose; visors pushed onto his bald head.

“Heavy,” Yay-u’s smile spread over her lips, and every muscle in Quaritch’s body tensed, Don’t do anything stupid, as she pointed to the branches above them – all of them following her fingers, “Branches, no strong. Baby, yes?”

“Can’t take our weight,” Quaritch summarized, nodding along. “So, we gotta watch where we step?”

Yay-u smiled, and fucking booped his nose with the tip of her finger, sending his tail in the air, much to the amusement of the team, hiding their snorts and chuckles into the palms of their hands.

Quaritch ignored the fuckers, and concentrated on the sweet smell of Yay-u’s finger against his nose.

“Alright, then which is the best ones?”

Yay-u stood, and held out her hand; thin, long fingers, even… “Come.”

Lopez grunted as Prager pulled him to back onto the branch, tattoos glittering with sweat as he found his footing.

“I’m gonna kill him,” Lopez panted, leaning over onto his knees to catch his breath. “Think CO’s  will be okay with that?”

“Who? 'Äuäm or our fucking CO–” Prager turned and yelled into the void. “Who needs to get his fucking dick wet!”

The single fingered salute thrown over a shoulder was a welcome sight, the team bursting with laughter, tension leaking from their shoulders at that simple gesture.

“We’re gonna get skull fucked later, huh?” Mansk sulked.

“Oh, absolutely.”

The kid sighed, “Can I, respectfully, chose not to join it?”

Ja snorted, “No, the fuck you cannot, kid. If the Big Heads are going to skull fuck me, they can use you to get tired first. Then, hopefully, they won’t want to skull fuck me later.”

“Ain’t you nice today, Ja?”

“I’m always nice, bitch.” Ja huffed, before shuffling the kid forward, “Now, keep moving.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

They followed their CO as they scaled the side of mountains and trees, and listened as their guides whooped and hollered at each other, ears pulling back as they tried to listen to the forest surrounding them.

Yay-u scaled the tree in a minute flat, clinging to the side like a monkey, big fucking eyes staring down at them as she motioned for them to follow, panting.

“Yay-u, Sweetheart, baby,” Quaritch looked up at her from below, “I don’t know how you think I was raised, but there’s no fucking way I’m gonna make it up there.”

Yay-u frowned at him. “I no baby.”

“No,” Quaritch chuckled, as his tail flicked lazily into the air as he pulled himself up to the first branch, then another with a grunt, and another. “Certainly not.”

Someone made a barfing sound at the bottom, followed by a “seriously, sir?” followed by a furious, “Shhh!” He didn’t bother looking down who admonished who, he didn’t care. But Yay-u did – glaring down at the team on the ground before turning her bronze gaze to him.

“No baby.” She shook her head, the beads in her hair clinking together – making his ears twitch in delight at the sound.

“It’s a pet name, Sweetheart,” He smirked and looked up at her. “Like-like ‘Sweetheart’, y’know? A term of endearment for someone you like.”

Yay-u tilted her head, and fucking smirked at him, tail flicking behind her. “Baby?”

“Uh-huh.” He nodded his head once, as he smiled at her, “But only for you. Baby.”

She hummed, before standing and looking at the branches spread out around them, motioning with her chin: “Up.”

“Imma coming, Sweetheart,” Quaritch sighed, grunting as he ascended higher and higher into the tree. “Imma coming, Baby. Hold on.”

She smiled, supple mouth with sharp, white teeth, shaking her head as the beads in her hair clinked together. “Ma Ìley.”

“Huh?” Very articulate, very smart. She’s gonna fall at your feet and worship you for that brilliance. Quaritch frowned up at her, trying to keep the sun out of his face. “Now what does that mean?”

“Warrior… yell.” She smiled at him as he found his way next to her.

“’Warrior yell’?” Quaritch raised an eyebrow, before frowning, ears falling flat against his skull, as he asked in a flat voice: “You mean, ‘War Cry’? Really?”

He settled himself astride on the branch with a grimace, watching as her full lips formed a sensual smile. Fuck me…

“Oh c’mon, Sweetheart! I give you frikken cute nicknames! Like– like Sweetheart, and Yay-u, and, and Baby! Baby! And you give me ‘warrior scream’. That is so unfair. You know, I’m pretty sure that there’s a rule on how this shit works, you know. I mean, seriously? There’s got to be a rule stating that the nicknames have got to be tit-for-tat or something like that!”

He huffed as she turned to face him better, smiling a full toothed smile, reached over to kiss him on the lips, before nuzzling the side of his nose with her own, “Noisy.”

“Well, you can shut me up like that any day.” He rumbled, before reaching over and pulling her closer to kiss her again, rough fingers running over her braids with a gentleness he didn’t think himself possible.

He kissed her slow, tasting the morning’s kill on her lips, as he ran his tongue along her bottom lip slowly, before pulling away to let her breathe.

Yay-u rubbed her nose against his with a soft chirp – and Quaritch was complete putty in her hands as he leaned forward to kiss her again. And again. And again…

“Sir!” Lyle yelled from the bottom, “You guys gonna come down or what?”

He pushed her face away gently, still holding her close as he tried to catch his breath, Yay-u’s warm breath fanning over his ear as she rubbed her cheek against his. It was the most calm he had felt since she kissed him the first time.

“Colonel Quaritch!”

“Hold your fucking horses, Lieutenant!” He yelled down, still holding Yay-u’s face in his hands. “We’ll be down in a few!”

She giggled as he pulled her face closer again, as Lyle started cursing like a sailor, as Quaritch ran his tongue over her lips to gain access to her mouth again. And moaned softly as his tongue ran over hers, oh so slowly…

At the top of the mountain, 'Äuäm huffed as the Recoms quickly scaled up the rough cliffs, with grunts and huffs of their own – but little complaints.

 They glared, for sure, at 'Äuäm as they pulled each other up onto solid ground, but didn’t say anything – not to each other or the assholes leading them. His little group of assholes that trailed along were neither pleased or surprised, neither encouraging or disappointed. They simply were. The perfect grunts – zombies following orders. They each took turns to lead the troop, like they are trying to make up for something – their own incompetence maybe… Lyle rolled his eyes at them and their fucking inability to give a coherent order…

They chased after 'Äuäm when he climbed a tree, avoided dangerous plants and animals without much fuss, and were generally quiet, communication with hand signals and whistles when appropriate (Yay-u couldn’t get them to make the correct noises, much to her chagrin... it was fun teaching her hand signals instead though, even though she rolled her eyes at them…). The Na’vi warriors were intrigued by how the Marines operated, apparently Sully didn’t teach them basic military optics and watched with wide eyes. Interesting…

They were still a bunch of assholes though. Making it their mission to try and out maneuver the Recoms at every turn. Jumping over logs, scaling the side of trees with little trouble, biting back their sneers when the Recoms kept pace. And simply sped up.

“Move it people, these assholes are trying to punk us!”  Quaritch hissed as he trusted his weight on a particularly mistrustful branch. It barely held his weight. “Go around! Don’t fucking fall! Remember your training!”

“I’m fucking trying!” Mansk yelled, as he put chase – sweat beading on his forehead. “Tell them to stop being fucking assholes!”

“Shut it, Mansk!” Lyle hissed, “Keep moving!”

“Just keep moving, Mansky-Mansk!”

“Fuck off, Zee!”

The yell behind them signaled someone tried to risky branch, and Quaritch couldn’t help but whip his tail in disgust. Didn’t ya’ll listen?

“Noisy,” Yay-u hissed from below, hands on her slim hips as she stomped. Her. Foot. “Noisy! Noisy! Noisy!”

“We’re trying, Yay-u!” Lyle huffed from above him. “This ain’t easy! For fucks sake, you were taught this shit since you were a kid, I was taught to fire a gun and mow down anything that stands in my way, I’m fucking infantry! Not recon!”

Yay-u sighed, and crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her foot against the soft moss. “No try, do.”

“Yay-u~!” Prager moaned from above him. “We don’t have time for your old sage, type-BS wisdom! Please, just tell us what we’re doing wrong, I’m begging you!”

“Did Augustine force you to watch Star Wars? I swear that I will rectify that bullshite when we get back on base. Tell me the truth, please? Did she make you suffer through the terrible CGI and fuck old technical effects for the fun of it?” Mansk swung his feet as he sat on a branch. “Seriously, we won’t be mad, just tell us.”

“Ma Ìley,” Yay-u dragged the word out in its syllables, tapped foot as she waited for them to right themselves. The word shouldn’t have made his heart beat as fast as it did – shouldn’t have made him as nervous as it did. “Noisy!”

“Yeah, I know, Sweetheart, I know.” Quaritch sighed, as he leaned over a branch. “We’re trying.”

She humpfed, tapping her pretty, little foot.

“Ma Ìley,”  The words were dragged out again – softer this time, not as angry, this time burning something hot into the pit of his stomach, twirling around and around, before she sighed. “It important. Quiet being important. No noise, less to be found.”

“We’ll be tracked on footprints or smell, too.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Not if move right.” She huffed, and rolled her pretty bronze eyes at him.

“That’s what she said,” Mansk sighed as he leaned over the branch in front of him.

The unexpected quip silenced the groans from the rest of the team, until Zdinarsik snorted a rather unattractive snort. The slip up was followed by someone else, and when the soldier wasn’t reprimanded, the well broke. Lyle was the first one to burst out in a loud gaff, and when their team commander made it clear that they won’t be reprimanded, the rest of the team started to chuckled along.

Quaritch sighed, and rubbed at the bridge of his nose, trying not to smile.

“Myhuls?” Yay-u huffed on the ground.

“Nothing,” Quaritch smiled down at her as he rightened himself on the branch. “Nothing, Sweetheart.”

The fall hurt, the first time, the next time, it was just annoying, and by the third Quaritch was swearing a bitch up and down, cursing God and the Na’vi’s Sky Momma in the same breath. Anyone in-between wasn’t spared either. He quickly began mapping out routes to take that won’t land him falling thirty, forty, fifty feet through the sky to the not so comfy ground below. Didn’t work…

The air forced its way out of his lungs with a painful grunt – thank fuck the branch caught him, but his stomach was cursing him out for being a fucking idiot. And his head ….

“Myhuls!”

Yay-u’s screech could probably be tracked by the RDA if she just up the decibels by one point. His ears hurt more from Yay-u’s terrified scream than his stomach at the moment.

He lifted his left hand, didn’t have enough energy to wave it, and listened as the team descended from up on high – Yay-u leading the charge.

“Quaritch!” Lyle yelled, landing on some branch above before, heaving himself next to his CO. “You alright? Nothing important hurt?”

“Just–” He panted, before Lyle gripped his arm to pull him onto the branch. “Winded.”

“Remove the armor!” Ja hissed, before landing on the branch opposite. “Need to check for bleeding.”

“There’s no bleeding, Doc,” Quaritch breathed, as they laid him back on a bigger, studier branch. “I’m fine.”

Yay-u’s face appeared in his line of sight – big eyes even bigger than normal, puppy dog who? Her face back to that pale blue  that made his heart stall. He watched as she moved to his stomach, and moment his armor was removed, her ear laid over his stomach.

“Jah!” She called to the medic, before slipping behind his

“I’m fine, Sweetheart.” He smiled up at her as he got comfortable in her lap. “No blood, no foul.”

“High fall!” She hissed, eyes wide, as she positioned his head comfortably on her lap.

“Yeah, yeah, Sweetheart,” Quaritch patted the side of her thigh – Fuck me… What I wouldn’t I do to have these legs wrapped around my waist… He groaned, and threw his hands up to cover his eyes. “Fuck, Ja, please tell me you have something in those pouches that can alleviate the pain in my stomach.”

“Breathe deep. I ain’t wasting any ket or fent on you anyway.” Ja sighed, and patted his knee, before he looked at Yay-u, “He’s not dead, he’ll be fine. Don’t worry. He’s just a big baby. He just needs to breathe for a bit.”

“Wait,” Zee screeched, still hanging from her branch. “You’re telling me you had that shit all packed up and you let me walk around with a fucking chunk of my arm missing?”

“There was barley any blood, calm down you idiot.” Ja didn’t look up at her, still prodding at his CO’s stomach. “You can breathe through that?”

Quaritch nodded, and took another deep breath, forcing the air past his lips with a little huff.

“I was bitten by a feral jungle child and you’re telling me that there was 'barley any blood'?” The woman fumed, hands on her hips as she glared at the cap covered head. “She ripped out half my arm and you had that shit, just tucked in your pack like a fucking treat!”

“This shit,” Ja dug around in his breast pocked and pulled out a small vile, clear, and smaller than Yay-u’s little finger, and the bright pink loli-pop, holding it out for their inspection. “Is for when you lose a fucking limb on the battlefield, and I need to knock you the fuck out so that you don’t fucking die of shock! Being bitten by a jungle child, or falling your ass into a different blood group does not constitute to the use to some of the most dangerous drugs in the fucking known universe!”

He tucked it back into the breast pocket, before pressing his hand into Quaritch’s stomach, making him groan.

“No internal bleeding, feels like.”

“And how would you know?” Quaritch looked at him as he huffed in another breath.

“I’m not,” Ja sighed, “I’m praying.”

“To who?” Quaritch huffed, watching as Yay-u hovered next to the medic – big eyes following the hands across his stomach, looking up at Ja’s face before turning back to Quaritch. He smiled at her, a loopy smiled that he hoped would calm her down a bit. “’Cause I don’t think the Big Bad Sky Momma is listening.”

Yay-u looked to Ja, then back to Quaritch, running her fingers over his cheek. She went pale again, that light blue making his stomach churn unhappily – he looked to the medic, hoping for some good news, only if it meant to get that fucking look off her face…  and hopefully not vomit out breakfast.

“No bleeding,” Ja pulled him up to sit, before announcing to the group as a whole, “He’s gonna be fine.”

“There, see?” He turned to Yay-u with a smile on his lips, “No need to look like a kicked puppy dog, Sweet—”

Her cool hands gripped his cheeks and pulled his face up to hers, before smashing her mouth against his. It was… sloppy, no skill behind the force of her lips against his. But fuck him, she was kissing him! She. Kissed. Him…

Ja sat back, hands raised, adjusted his cap and stood, turning around before starting to snicker along with the rest of the team as they filtered to the edge of the clearing.

Quaritch couldn’t give a fuck; fuck him, the Mortar could poof into existence right fucking there, and he still wouldn’t give a fuck. His damn Momma could rise from the grave, yelling at him, threaten him with his Daddy’s belt, and he still wouldn’t stop…

Ja threw up his hands, before giving an exhausted shriek. “I give up! He’s your friend, you deal with him!”

“Oi!” Lyle yelled, stepping up, and banged his fist onto Quaritch’s thigh. “Snap out of it! There are kids about!”

He gave Yay-u’s lips a few more pecks, before pulling back with a groan. “Ow.”

“Obviously not “ow” enough, if you could continue smooching.” Lyle snorted, shaking his head with a sigh. “You fucking horndog, calm down.”

Quaritch chuckled, before placing the tips of his fingers under Yay-u’s chin, tilting it to the side, with a smirk, “You and I are seeing the same pretty face, right? Because that face is worth the pain, Ly.”

Her bronze eyes were a bit glazed over, and her lips were swollen, parted as she panted, a soft lilac-y purple blush covered her cheeks. Quaritch regretted showing her off almost immediately.

“Everything’s fine,” He turned her face back to his, and ran his fingers over her cheek, trying to get enough physical contact to sooth the monster within. “I’m okay. I can breathe.”

Lyle laughed a deep belly laugh, rather nervous, “And as his friend, I’m tellin’ ya – there’s no way of ‘dealing with him’. You hold on to whatever you can, and hope you don’t die.”

“I have never let you die, you asshole.” Quaritch ran a soothing hand down Yay-u’s back as she tucked her head under his chin. Her ear pressed against his neck as she listened to his pulse race under his skin. He placed his hand on her head, and tried to pull more air into his lungs.

“Uh-huh.”

They didn’t mention that this was their second life, or that it was their second life under his command, or the fact that they have already lost half of their team already or that they are at the mercy of a bunch of natives.

They didn’t mention it – it wasn’t relative, not to Colonel Miles Philip Quaritch anyway. Not to Yayiu-te Mono Laeto’ite, either…

When she snuck into their quarters later that night, she sunk down next to Quaritch’s bedroll like a ghost, before slipping the feathered neckless over her head. His breath caught in his throat as a soft, blue nipple was illuminated by the moonlight, before being sheltered under the green fabric of his wifebeater. What I wouldn’t do to get –

Nudging his arm, he lifted it dutifully and watched as she crawled towards him, tucking herself into his side. Sighing, she rubbed her face into his bare chest before tucking herself into his neck. Throwing her leg over his waist, and hooking it around his hips.

Fuck me, He sighed, and pulled her closer, staring up at the ceiling of their temporary housing, as he rain his fingers up and down her smooth leg. I hope we never find Sully.

Yay-u sighed, her breath tickling his throat as she wiggled to get comfortable next to him.

It only lasted a minute, before Quaritch tilted her head up and kissed her lips, pulling her closer as he rolled them over, pinning Yay-u to the mat with a soft moan.

“Shh.” Yay-u whispered against his lips, peaking at the door, at the soldiers around them, he couldn’t help but smile.

“Sure, Sweetheart, I’ll do my best.” He promised, before leaning forward and kissing her again, running his tongue over her lips, making her moan.